A/N: I wasn't sure whether to continue this story, but I always finish what I start. Have moved the rating to M for mature content later.

Chapter 3: No-one else.

Hermione raced through the portrait hole that led to the Head's apartment, sprawled on the floor lay an unconscious Draco Malfoy. Harry appeared behind her, with Ron lagging behind. Hermione knelt down beside Malfoy, blood was coming from his mouth, but he was breathing.

"Harry, we need to get him to Madame Pomfrey now." Hermione stated breathlessly as she ran her wand over him checking for any major injuries.

Harry had his wand out and paced through the room, "They could still be here Hermione, we should check"

Hermione shook her head, her eyes never left Malfoy's unmoving body. "Nobody can get upstairs without our permission, I've charmed our rooms for protection, also I didn't fancy Malfoy wandering into my room, without my consent." She looked up at Harry. "I can't detect any broken bones, but I don't think it's safe to move him. We will need to bring Madam Pomfrey here, both of you need to go."

Ron approached her and knelt down beside her, "We're not leaving you alone…" Hermione gave him a sideways glance and let out a breath,

"I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself Ronald…"

"But how did they get in, in the first place?" Ron glared at Hermione, his features etched with worry and concern.

"I don't know" Hermione whispered, her gaze went back to the unconscious body in front of her, " but I'm going to find out! Please go - both of you"

Ron stood behind her, gave a brief nod to Harry as they both headed out of the door.

As they left Hermione took a deep breath, "Ok Malfoy, let's try and wake you up. " She pointed her wand at his chest and whispered "Enervate"

--

A dark figure burst into a dimly lit room. He was not alone.

"You were meant to finish the job! He's still alive isn't he? That filthy blood traitor needs to be destroyed and you said you could do it!"

The dark figure whirled around, to face the owner of the shrill voice. "Hush! I said I'd take care of it and I will. The dirty blood traitor will be dead. If it wasn't for that stupid Mudblood and her incessant meddling he'd be dead now, but as soon as I disarmed him, I was knocked out of the room by some force." He grimaced as he rubbed his arm, that had received the worst of the blow, "Should've known the Mudblood would have prepared something, we'll need to be more careful"

"We'll get him" the other cooed, "and if that filthy Mudblood interferes, well she won't be much of a loss will she?". Both figures smirked, knowing that it'd only be a matter of time.

"I think I have an idea…"

--

"Enervate"

Hermione held her breath as she watched Malfoy's eyes flicker slightly before they opened completely. She reached for her handkerchief to wipe away the blood from his mouth. He looked disorientated, he gradually began to focus.

"Malfoy, are you awake?" whispered Hermione. Malfoy's eyes shot open at the sound of her voice and a grimace appeared on his face.

"What the hell are you doing Mudblood?! Why were you putting your filthy hands on me?!" He started to sit up, but grimaced and laid back down as he felt the back of his head. Hermione reached over, trying to keep him down, "GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME!" his body flinched as he tried to move away.

Hermione huffed, "For heavens sake Malfoy! Will you stop moving, you were knocked out, you could be making your injuries worse by moving around like an idiot!"

He stilled instantly as recognition dawned on his face. His eyes widened in panic, as he tried to sit up again, "Where did they go? How did they get in here?" Hermione pushed him down again, this time he didn't move away.

" I've charmed the room Malfoy, as soon as whoever used a spell they would have been removed from the room, so whoever it was they're not here any more."

Malfoy snorted, " Well what a brilliant spell Granger!" he stated sarcastically, "So they could've come in and used the killing curse, but at least after they've killed me they would have been removed from the room!" he rolled his eyes in her direction " What a relief. I'm so glad that McGonagall has put such an incompetent, filthy Mudblood in charge of protecting me."

Hermione stood up and glared at him, "I don't know why I bother Malfoy! I could go to the Headmistress and ask for someone else to do it! But you know what? NO ONE ELSE WILL!" Hermione took a deep breath and calmed herself down, she resolved herself that she would not let him get her worked up again. "I'm sorry Malfoy that someone somehow got in here, but I don't even see you trying to help yourself"

"Well Mudblood. Isn't that your job? To serve me?" Malfoy sneered.

" NO! It most certainly isn't. But we've got to deal with the fact that someone is after you and they were able to get into our common room."

At that moment the portrait opened behind her as Professor McGonagall, Madame Pomfrey, Harry and Ron stepped into the common room. The Headmistress approached Malfoy, her face etched with concern as she assessed the situation, "Well.." she began, "I'm afraid that this wasn't unexpected, I just didn't think there would be an attack in the common room…we will have to increase the security. I'm afraid Miss Granger, access to the Head's dormitories will now be restricted to both the Head boy and Head girl." she gave a sideways look to Harry and Ron. " I will also allow access to Mr Weasley and Mr Potter but NO-ONE else is to be given the password or allowed admittance. Is that understood?" All those present nodded there heads.

Madame Pomfrey began fussing over Malfoy, who, for a moment, looked defeated as he gazed away from everyone. As she finished her assessment she gave a small huff of impatience "Well Mister Malfoy, it looks like you will live for another day. I think it will be best if you stay in your room, I shall leave you in the care of the Head girl."

At that point Malfoy pushed Madame Pomfrey aside and sat up, "I think I'll be perfectly capable of taking care of myself thank you! I certainly don't need the help of that Mud…anyone." Although his breathing was laboured he was able to sit himself up independently and move himself onto his knees, he used the sofa for support and pulled himself up, he was shaking slightly, but he still stood by himself.

"Please leave now Mr Potter, Mr Weasley" ordered Professor McGonagall, both Harry and Ron looked like they were going to object, but a pleading look from Hermione silenced their protests and with a last look they made their way out of the door. "Poppy, I will discuss this further with you later". Madame Pomfrey gave the headmistress a brief nod before she left the Head's common room.

Her face grim and determined, the weary Professor strode up to both of the Heads and looked at them each in turn, "I know that you two have had your differences, but what is happening now goes beyond those petty beliefs." she gave Malfoy a pointed look. "Until we find out who was responsible for this attack, Mr Malfoy, you will be under the protection of Miss Granger.." Malfoy interrupted her with a snort.

"Hasn't worked too well so far has it?" He sneered, sending a scathing look in Hermione's direction.

"Mr Malfoy! You will show a bit more respect! I have every faith in Miss Granger, you should think yourself lucky that ,after your continual bullying and prejudiced comments, Miss Granger is still prepared to offer you her protection." She gave a huff and turned towards Hermione, her voice slightly softer, "Miss Granger, I recommend we work on a similar spell that you have designed for the bedrooms to cover the common room, we may have more difficulties with that one as it may interfere with the magic surrounding Hogwarts."

"I'll start work on it right away professor." The headmistress gave a nod, looked at both of them and waltzed out the portrait hole.

"Stupid old bag" Malfoy muttered under his breath.

Hermione walked towards her room, determined not to glance at Malfoy, she had had her fill of him today and she needed a nice hot bath and a good sleep.

"Aren't you going to take care of me Granger? Thought I was under your protection!"

Hermione sighed as she turned to face his malevolent gaze.

"I thought you wanted to take care of yourself. Are you really asking for the help of a mud blood?!" sighing in defeat, she didn't wait for an answer as she walked up to him. She took a deep breath to prepare herself for what she was about to do. She took hold of Malfoy's arm and swung it over her shoulder. His sharp intake of breath and the stunned look on his face almost wanted to make Hermione laugh, especially at the eyes that were threatening to bulge out of his head.

"What the hell…" He stuttered.

"Just shut up Malfoy, I'm helping you to your room, there's no-one here to witness it and I'm certainly not going to tell anyone, so for the next minute you can accept my help and just be quiet and get on with it." With a humph she began to lead him towards his room. He didn't make a sound, his head turned away as he looked towards the floor.

This isn't like him, I certainly didn't thin he would let me do this.

She seemed to hold her breath, wishing it was over, until eventually they reached his room. He stumbled inside and shut the door without a word.

Hermione stood and stared at the closed door.

My life has certainly taken a weird turning!

After a moment she turned and made her way to her own room, her expression thoughtful. She would need to work on those spells right away

--

Draco barely made it to the bed before falling onto in in a heap. He turned himself round and faced the ceiling, he wanted to scream out in pain, the agony of that short journey had his breath coming in gasps.

Just so I didn't look weak in front of the Mudblood!

His life had sunken to a new low, accepting help and protection from…her! He had no idea why she wanted to help him, but she was right when she said there would be no one else that would…

A/N Hope you enjoyed it, I feel a bit better now that this story is up and running! Comments are appreciated!