Chapter beta:Dark Akuma Hunter

When Hermione and Draco reached the fourth floor, Hermione continued to climb the stairs.

"Where are you going?" Draco asked from the fourth floor landing. She had agreed with Draco earlier that it would be for the best to stay in the Jade Elephant Suite for a few nights, even with their protective friendship bracelets.

"To the Gryffindor tower," Hermione answered. Bearing in mind the worried look on his face, she elaborated. "My cat, Crookshanks, is up there and no one cares for him other than me so he is probably rather hungry. Plus I want to grab toiletries and clothes." Seeing he was still not entirely sold on the idea of her going into the Gryffindor tower, she offered a compromise of sorts. "You can walk with me to the portrait if you like."

"If I would like? Like I would let you go up there alone," He nearly growled.

"I will be fine, the stair to the girls dorm in Gryffindor is charmed to turn into a slide when a boy steps foot onto it." She said trying to placate him.

"That is still one step too close." He maintained. She couldn't understand this new extra protective quality. They had the bracelets now, he said she would be safe with it on, and she trusted him.

"You said I would be fine on my own earlier, you even let me eat with the Gryffindors a moment ago! Now I can't even go into my own common room?" She argued with him as they continued to climb the stairs.

"Yes," Draco said in a clipped tone, "I let you eat with them in the Great Hall where I could see you the whole time. I can't see you if you go into there. Come on, let's just go to the Jade Elephant and call it a night. We can send some other girl in there to retrieve your stuff later. Shit, I can buy you all new stuff; you don't have ever have to go in there again!"

"Not to sound ungrateful, I really do appreciate all you have been doing for me, but why are you being like this?" Hermione said, pausing on the stairs.

"Being like what?" he ground out.

"Being so protective of me? You don't owe me anything, yet here you are, being so nice to me, going out of your way to help me? Why?" Her eyes searching his for the answers she felt she needed.

"Why?" he repeated, "You were threatened by your friends. When you told me what they were doing to you that evening in the library, I told you I would help you. What I didn't say was that I would protect you, that I kept to myself! And the one time I let you out of my sight they attacked you! Now you think everything is back to normal because you had a lengthy conversation with the Weasel? Yeah, I saw him talking to you and it took everything I had not to go over there and pummel him for even being near you again. What could you have been talking about with him anyway?!"

"He was apologizing!" She shouted at him, slightly louder than she intended to.

"Oh! So everything is ok now because he said he was sorry? I didn't realize I was missing out on the big Gryffindor love fest over there!" Whatever he was about to say next was cut off by the loud crack that was Hermione's hand across his face. She held her hand close to herself, the sting of the slap ringing through it.

"How dare you say that to me? After all I have been through! I don't remember asking for your help, all I asked was for someone to believe me!" Tears were running down her face as she yelled at him. Turning her back to him she sat down on the steps and began to quietly cry into her hands. She didn't hear him walk over to her, but she did feel him pull her into a hug.

"I'm sorry," He breathed, "I didn't mean it like that. I was just scared, scared that you were going to forgive them and get hurt again." She curled into his chest, crying once again for herself and everything that had happened to her recently. Through her whole fit he held her, rubbing small circles onto her back until her sobs softened.

"I said he apologized, I didn't say I quite accepted it," She said between hiccups. "I told him I might never forgive him."

"Good, you shouldn't." He said simply, placing a small kiss on her temple. The small action made her heart melt a little on the inside. She met his eyes and couldn't even begin to decipher what he was thinking. She stared at him questioningly until he blinked and stood up. "I suppose we should head up these stairs and get your cat; we still have a floor and a half to go! I am happier than ever to be a Slytherin in the lower levels, there are a lot less stairs to go through daily this way!"

"True," she countered through her sniffles, seeing he was trying to cheer her up. He can really be sweet when he wants to. "But you will all get fat and lazy while we Gryffindors will all be in great shape!"

"Really now?" he smirked; "We will see who is in better shape!" he took off up the stairs, wanting to race her to the top. She got to her feet and tried to go after him, but she was still much too sore to even go faster than a normal rate. He was far ahead of her and had looked over his shoulder to laugh, when he saw how far behind she was and how much she was struggling to catch up. Grimacing at his own foolishness he slid down the banister, hopping off next to her. She opened her mouth to chastise him, only to find a small yelp come out in its place as he scooped her up and bounded up the stairs. Hermione screeched and laughed as he carried her up the remaining flights of stairs.

Arriving on the seventh floor he had her direct him to the portrait of The Fat Lady, refusing to put her down until they arrived. The Fat Lady looked at them with a mild distain as Draco had rounded the corner, Hermione over his shoulder laughing. He sat her down and they stood there laughing for a moment when the Fat Lady cleared her throat.

"Password Please," The portrait spoke, eyeing them both suspiciously.

"Athwart Pylorus," Hermione spoke the strange password while suppressing a giggle. The Fat Lady didn't share in their amusement, choosing to merely swing backwards on her frame while giving Draco the stink-eye instead of commenting.

"I'll wait right here, but if I see any signs that you are in danger you better believe I will come charging through that wall if I need to!" Draco said, earning a 'harumph!' from the Fat Lady and a smile from Hermione.

"I won't take long, like I said I just need to get my cat, I've missed him, and my toothbrush!" She called out as she entered the Gryffindor common room. The room was still empty; everyone was still eating or finishing up. The moment Hermione walked through her dormitory door Crookshanks was weaving around her ankles. Walking over to her bed, she pulled a duffle bag out of her trunk and began to fill it with things she would need. While retrieving her toiletries she turned back to the bag only to find Crookshanks had climbed into it, settling himself in.

"Silly cat," she exclaimed while scratching him behind the ear, "Of course you are coming with me this time!" Crookshanks meowed at her then moved to the side so she could finish filling the bag without him actually leaving it. All packed she grabbed the duffel with her cat, ready to flee the tower for the safety in the Jade Elephant Suite. On her way down the stairs she heard a muffled crying coming from one of the younger girls' dorm. That's Ginny's dorm, she noted, knocking briefly before letting herself in.

"Ginny?" Hermione questioned the darkness. At the sound of her voice the sobs became more insistent.

"If Harry sent you to talk to me then I suggest you just leave! I don't want to talk about it!" The red haired girl wailed. The absurd idea that Hermione would do anything for Harry anytime soon almost made her laugh.

"No Ginny, it's just me, I haven't even seen Harry today," Hermione said truthfully. "I was just passing by and heard you crying. Are you ok?" She asked tentatively, unsure at what Harry had done to make Ginny cry.

"No!" Ginny wailed, burying her head under a plush pillow, "I am absolutely miserable after what happened tonight! I can't undo what happened, so things will never be ok again!" The young girl's cry was awful, and Hermione started to fear for what had transpired between Harry and Ginny. "I should have known better than to talk to him tonight! Something just felt awful and wrong! But you know how long I have fancied him, and he insisted it was important! So I did, and then it happened, and oh Hermione, I will never be able to look him in the face again! I could just simply die!" Hermione's heart dropped with every word Ginny said.

"Ginny," Hermione coached, "please, tell me what happened? I can't help you if you don't tell me."

"I suppose I will tell you, after all, what is done is done! But I warn you, it is truly awful." Ginny spoke from under the pillow. Hermione steeled herself for the worst. "I was on my way to the Great Hall, but I wasn't feeling well. I decided it would be best if I were to just go to bed early. I was on the stairs when I ran into Jimmy Peaks, and he told me that Harry wanted to see me, and to meet him by the Transfiguration classroom…oh, this is just so dreadful Hermione!" Hermione felt she could guess what happened next, and anger was beginning to build in her chest.

"Ginny, you don't have to continue if you don't want to," Hermione said darkly.

"No, no," Ginny insisted, "I feel like I must tell someone or I will never get over it!" Ginny paused to sniffle, still hiding her face under the pillow. "I was so happy to hear Harry wanted to see me after he turned me down earlier this week. I don't know if you have heard yet, I finally gathered up my courage and asked him out proper, only for him to tell me he was already seeing someone, and that it would be weird anyway since I'm his best mate's baby sister. Baby sister! To think I thought then I would never get over the shame of that! But this is so much worse!" Tears came to Hermione's eyes for the second time that evening, but this time instead of crying for herself, she was crying for her poor naive friend Ginny. As much as she had prepared herself, she was not ready for what Ginny had to say next.

"I was so excited, I stopped in a girl's room along the way to apply my new chap stick, and it was treacle tart flavored, just like Harry's favorite food! I still had that off feeling as I put it on, but I ignored it and went on to see Harry. I was so sure I was finally going to kiss him…how stupid of me!"Ginny paused in her narrative for a moment, and her body wracked with sobs. When she composed herself she went on with her story. "I got to the Transfiguration hall, and there he was, all perfect. He didn't stay that way for too much longer… I ran up to greet him, trying my best to ignore that bad feeling in my stomach. And then it happened…I am so humiliated Hermione! This is truly the worst that has ever happened to me!"

Hermione pulled the girl into a hug, and rubbed her back, much like Draco had done for her earlier. It was funny how one could be stronger for others than for themselves.

"Shh, Ginny, I know it may not seem like it now, but things will get better. Have you seen Madam Pomfrey yet?" Hermione asked, giving the very advice she herself should have followed. Ginny sniffled before replying.

"I probably should have seen her right away, but I felt it would go away if I just ignored it!" Hermione was shaking in rage, but kept her tone calm for Ginny's sake.

"Would you like to owl your parents at least and let them know what has happened?" She asked Ginny gently. This caught Ginny's attention, making her whole body freeze.

"My parents? Why on earth would I want my parents to know that I was finally about to get my kiss from Harry Potter and threw up in his face? It was embarrassing enough that it happened and that I ran away without apologizing! Oh, Hermione, please don't let anyone know!" Ginny pleaded with Hermione, finally pulling her face out of the pillow. Her eyes were all puffy from crying, but more prominently was the drying vomit on her chin and shirt. Hermione was so relieved that she couldn't contain it. She laughed as she repeated what Ginny had said.

"You puked in his face! This is great! Just wonderful!" Hermione began until she saw the look of shock on Ginny's face. "I mean, yes, this is awfully awkward, but it could have been so much worse!"

"What are you talking about!" the red head's temper flared and her voice became a screech not unlike her mothers. "I just told you the single most awful thing to ever to happen to me and you laugh at me? I was better off before you came in here, just go away and leave me alone!"

"I'm sorry Ginny, but I assumed something much worse had happened, and in comparison it's not that bad really…"

"What could be worse than throwing up on your long term crush's face?" Ginny snapped. Hermione debated on what to say, and how much, before she settled on part of the truth.

"Walking in on him snogging your brother?" Hermione ventured. Ginny gasped, scandalized.

"Why would you even suggest such a thing Hermione? You, being their best friend! What would you get out of slandering them?" Ginny tried to glare at Hermione while looking dignified, but failing miserably due to the vomit on her.

"You know I wouldn't say it unless it was true. I walked in on them a while ago…"Hermione trailed off, not wanting to divulge any more. Ginny became very pale as she tried to digest what she had just learnt.

"So when he said he was with someone… he meant my brother…" Ginny spoke slowly as she put the pieces together, "and then when they broke it off he was going to kiss me, with the same lips that kissed my- Oh dear, I think I'm going to throw up again!" Ginny leaped from her bed and retched into her trashcan. Hermione held her hair back so it wouldn't get covered in vomit.

"You should still see Madam Pomfrey for this bug you have Ginny." Hermione said, patting Ginny back before getting up to leave.

"I will." Ginny promised as she wiped her face on her sleeve.

"And Ginny?" Hermione looked the younger girl in the eye as she said her parting statement, "Don't put yourself in a position to be alone with Harry, I know it may seem odd, but trust me. There are a lot of…things…happening." Ginny watched Hermione walk to the door, her face puzzled.

"Ok, I won't," Ginny said, looking at Hermione reaching for the handle. "Hey Hermione," Ginny said as she touched the cool metal. "I want to say thanks, for listening and for the advice, and by the way, nice dress." Hermione blushed slightly as she opened the door. Hermione nodded at Ginny and then left the dormitory.

Hermione walked through the portrait she found things very different than it was when she left. Draco was having a polite conversation with the Fat Lady. The Fat Lady giggled as the portrait closed, speaking to Hermione.

"You should count yourself lucky girl," the Fat Lady said from behind her fan, "You finally found yourself a keeper!" Hermione blushed and averted her eyes.

"I think you're mistaken, we are just friends, see," Hermione said while showing off her friendship bracelet.

"I'll say!" the Fat Lady chuckled, "That's a nice piece there," She said to Draco, and he gave her a courteous smile.

"Of course, it's an Elric-Cellini, one of their earlier makes." Draco stated, Hermione was lost on the importance, but the Fat Lady smiled fondly.

"Ah yes, they always made the most beautiful things! I had a cousin who lived near one of their shops and I would love to visit her so we could go looking through the windows!" The Fat Lady sighed at her memories of youth and life. Hermione looked at the bracelet around her wrist, deep in thought.

"Sounds expensive," Hermione commented. The Fat Lady nodded her head in agreement.

"Oh, they always have been! We could only ever dream that we would ever have one of our own, and-"

"And it is time for us to go," Draco said, cutting the Fat Lady off. "It was a pleasure meeting you." Draco put the tips of his fingers on Hermione's elbow to steer her away from the portrait. She let him guide her to the stairs; the wheels in her head were spinning to put together all this information together. There are just too many things to think of! Like, there has to be something more to these friendship bracelets, just what is it? Hermione thought, vowing to look it up next time she was in the library.

The fact that they were even friends after years of hating each other was very bizarre. Yet here they were, walking through the halls together towards a secret room they now shared. He was looking out for her, protecting her, being sweet to her. The times they studied together had been more than nice. They worked together very well. Then there was the morning she woke up with him next to her and the kiss. Why would he kiss her? Why would she kiss him back? Since then she had fallen asleep with him holding her twice! She had even been in the bath naked with him there! She blushed as she thought of how awkward that must have been for him.

Her friendship with Draco aside, there was her Gryffindor friends. It wasn't like Harry or Ron to act the way they were. There was just so much about it that still didn't make sense! She supposed she could attribute some of their actions to the candy from the twins, but that could only explain so much. If it was all due to a candy, you'd think the boys would have gone to Fred and George to find a cure or a fix for the problem. Even if the candy had made them homosexual, that didn't explain the violence towards her. Then after Ron broke it off with Harry, there was the incident with Ginny.

Ginny! Hermione didn't want to think about what might have happened if the young girl hadn't been sick. Hermione was sure that whatever Harry's intentions were, they were not good. Would Harry really attack Ginny if given the proper chance? Would he have had to attack her at all, seeing how eager and willing Ginny would have been at the chance of being with Harry? Why would Harry be interested in Ginny at all? Did it have anything to do with his recent breakup with Ron?

Her thoughts continued to boil when they ran into the very wizard she was thinking angrily about coming into the stairs from the fifth floor. His hair was wet, and while he was wearing a fresh set of clothes he was carrying his shower supplies. Their eyes narrowed as they met. She saw him take in Draco's hand on her arm and how close they were standing. Draco pulled her closer, trying to put himself between Harry and her.

"Interesting," Harry said, "Is this why you turned down our offer? You have been too busy betraying us and shagging Death Eaters? You think that if you please him enough they will look the other way and not kill you for your dirty blood? You are wasting your time; they will not forget you are nothing more than a filthy mudblood!" Harry spat on the ground by her feet. Draco moved forward to hit Harry, but Hermione's hex hit him first. Harry hit the ground hard; his bathroom bucket flew out of his hand, sending his shampoo rolling down the stairs. He started to get up, straightening his glasses, only for her to hit him with another hex and propel his glasses from his hand.

"You will stay down!" Hermione growled. "You will not stand near me and say such awful things! We were once friends Harry, but you lost your privilege to speak to me all together. There was a time when you would have cursed the people who called me those names, there was a time you would have defended me against those who wished me harm. Now it is you who tries to hurt not only me, but you would also go after Ginny! This will not continue, you will stay away from her!" At first Harry laughed, he picked up his glasses and began to wipe the smudges from them.

"Why would I listen to you? You are always talking, but no one listens and no one cares." When he put his glasses back on and looked at her the smile fell right off his face. The small snake bracelet was no longer, the metal had twisted and stretched, the snake had grown to a length of three to four meters. It was wrapped around her upper arms and torso, its head rearing back ready to strike. A low hissing noise was issued from it, and Harry's eyes widened at what he heard the snake say. Hermione stood there, snake wrapped around her and wand extended toward his head. The fear she had earlier for Ginny now fueled her anger and courage.

"You are foul Harry Potter, and you will stay down!" she commanded. Harry lay prone on the floor stammering as she strode away.

"Tha-that's not possible, it's not true, i-i-t isn't!" Harry babbled. Draco couldn't help but smile as he followed Hermione's wake.

"Oh, but I think you'll find it is true Potter," Draco said smugly as he passed him, "Granger is back, and you are her bitch."

o0o

Instead of walking to the fourth floor in front of Harry, Hermione went farther to the second and took a back stair up, Draco being a step behind her along the way and her snake charm shrinking back to its normal size. When they entered their suite, she found she was still shaking with adrenaline from the encounter. Part of her wished she had stood up to him like that in the beginning, but she reasoned with herself that it was her talk with Ginny that had put things into perspective. Plus it helped knowing Draco was right there with her.

"So," Draco exhaled as he sat on the couch, "He attacked Ginny too? Does her brother know?"

"Not exactly, I do believe he was targeting her, but he didn't have a chance." She gave a small laugh as she recalled what happened. "She puked on his face then ran away from embarrassment before he could do anything. I don't think Ron knows yet, did I mention that he broke things off with Harry?" Draco laughed as he processed the news,

"Ha, serves him right!" Draco continued to chuckle as he spoke, "And no, you didn't but I had heard something about it while in the Great Hall. It wasn't direct, but I understood it. Just wait until Blaise hears this! Puked in his face! I would trade all the galleons in Gringotts to see that!"

"Why would Blaise want to know?" Hermione began to ask when there was a small tapping on the window. She looked over to see a small grey owl with yellow eyes staring in from the ledge. Opening the window she let the owl in. She didn't recognize the owl, but seeing how she and Draco were the only ones occupying the room it had to be for one of them. The owl was carrying a small leather satchel that advertized "Renee's Rentals: An Owl for Everyone!" She reached into the bag and there was an envelope addressed to her.

"It's for me," she said to Draco as she opened it, "It's from Fred and George!" she exclaimed as she scanned through the papers, "this doesn't make any sense!" Draco walked forward and reached for the papers. "It looks like a response letter, but I haven't sent them any owls yet this year!"

"I did." She looked at him at this admission. "This morning, after we found the suite and I went out. I wrote to them in your name, I didn't think they would write back to me, especially on something so personal. What does it say?" he said gesture to the letter. She motioned for him to come read it over her shoulder.

Dear Hermione,

When we got your owl we were very surprised. It wasn't that we didn't remember the incident, no one could forget something as gross as seeing your younger brother play tonsil hockey with another bloke! No, it was more of the fact that it was still occurring.

You have to trust when it comes down to things we are men of science. This is why we test all of our products before we make them available for consumption and use. We will admit, with the help of hindsight, that it is not entirely ethical to test on subjects that are unaware. Well, if we were completely honest our revelation is largely due to the fact that we cannot account for all the unintentional side effects if the test subjects cannot tell us how far off our speculations are from what happens.

So, due to the fact that we are men of science we had to try the experiment again to see if it was an isolated event or if we could garner the same results more than twice. Before you ask, yes, all further test subjects were willing volunteers that we paid a fee to. We tested multiple times on various groups. We tried on people who were friends and strangers, of different sexual preferences, on different gender combinations. We ran all the different variables we could think of without any resulting in any of the side effects you mention.

The product we were testing was out our new trappy-taffy, its intended purpose was to trap ones mouth shut until the effects wore off. The way it works is that it attracts to itself, causing the mouth to be stuck shut. At first we suspected it was the attractive qualities that caused Harry and Ron to kiss. Our test result showed that in such small amounts, more so after they split it, is not enough to have any effect.

We have come to the conclusion that their actions are not the result of our product but part of the fabrication of one of the two. If they are continuing to engage in these behaviors, as disgusting as that may be, they do so under their own free will.

I hope this somehow helps you with any of the difficulties that you are having due to our stupid brother and Harry. If anything this will make for an interesting Christmas break. We look forward to seeing Mum's reaction and the hilarity that is sure to ensue.

With fun,

George

P.S. : Fred says hi, but as he didn't help write this as well as eating the last ice cream sandwich I told him I would not be giving him any credit for this owl!

They both stood there as they let this all sink in. Hermione realized the owl was still there and gave him a treat, telling the small owl they would not be sending a return letter.

"So does this mean one of them is really gay? Or are they both?" Draco said aloud the question they both had been thinking, "And even if they were, that doesn't explain why they attacked you…hmm, I thought owling them would provide us some answers, but it would seem it just gave us more questions…"

"Yes," Hermione agreed, "it does look that way." The end had stifled into a yawn, and Draco gave her a concerned look.

"You probably should get some sleep, but you should put on some more healing balm before that. If you get it I'll help you." Draco said, knowing all the stairs couldn't have helped her bruising go down. She went to the bedroom with her duffle bag and changed into her pajama's before coming out with the balm.

"Hermione, those have got to be the world's ugliest pajamas in the world!" He laughed. She could feel her cheeks heating up with a blush.

"I believe in comfort over appearance. Plus they were a present." Hermione played the hem on her sleeve as she fidgeted uncomfortably under his scrutiny.

"A present from whom? Do you happen to have a cousin who is a clown? Come over here so we can get this balm on you!" She could tell he was teasing her to take her mind off the letter, and it was working. He opened the jar and the strong smell of cloves and mint filled the air. The air was cool against her back as he lifted the back of her shirt to apply the balm. He rubbed it on in a circular motion, leaving pleasing trails of heat on her back. He continued to rub her back even after it was covered evenly with the balm.

"Thanks," Hermione said, "that feels nice. I, um, I'll go take care of the other bit." She stood and left to the bathroom where she could take care of her more personal injuries as well as brush her teeth. The bathroom was found off the bedroom and was decently sized; the countertop and toilet matched the jade slab that made the fireplace and kitchen counter. The floor was a pink and grey tile that stepped down on the left side into a pool of water that made the bath. She took care of her business and felt much better now that her breath was minty fresh. She was walking back into the bedroom to settle into bed when she heard a soft knock on the door. Then she heard his voice through the door.

"Hermione, are you decent? I want to use the bathroom and grab an extra blanket"

"Yeah, come on in," She called out to him. He darted in the room quickly and didn't take too long. He stopped at a closet to pull out a blanket when she stopped him with one word.

"Draco?" Her voice was small and questioning.

"Yes?" He asked in response.

"What are you doing?" Her eyes were looking to the blanket in his hands.

"It is a bit chilly out there on the couch; I thought I would take a comforter for extra warmth." He began walking to the door, feeling he satisfied her question.

"Don't." Once again her voice halted his actions.

"Don't what?" He questioned.

"Don't go, stay here," Hermione said pulling the blanket next to her down, inviting him over.

"Are you sure?" His eyebrows bunched together. Hermione understood his hesitation. Sure they had slept next to each other a few times already, but each time it was a thing of the moment and unplanned.

"Yes. I don't want to be alone." She said sheepishly. Dropping the extra blanket back into the closet he went over and jumped onto the bed.

"Well, you don't have to tell me twice." He commented as he climbed in.

"I think I just did!" She shot back to him as she pulled the covers over her shoulder. He gave a small laugh as he snuggled into the bedding.

"Sure, if that's how it happened." Draco said as she rolled over to burrow into his arms.

"That's exactly what happened," Hermione declared. "Goodnight Draco. And thanks for everything."

"You're welcome, and goodnight Hermione." Draco said his arms around her and her head nestled under her chin. It took a while for both of them to really fall asleep, their heads whirling around in thought. So much could happen on a Saturday….

Authors note: A copy of Draco's letter to the twins is posted on Photobucket. Search for sneaky-teaky.