"Oi, Malfoy! Get your ferret hands off of my girlfriend!" Ron bellowed as he came within ear shot of the group of Slytherins.
The other people on the dance floor felt the tension in the air and started slowly moving away. A few stood back to watch the scene unfold as the two groups squared off with each other. Pansy and Astoria stood off to one side wrapped in towels and staying out of the way. Blaise stepped up behind Draco's right shoulder and Theo stood behind Hermione's left shoulder. Harry and Ron stood side by side facing the Slytherins while Ginny stood behind them attempting to stay out of the argument.
"Oh I'm sorry Weasel. I was under the impression that you and Granger were no longer an item." Draco smirked while holding his wand by his side and throwing his other arm over Hermione's shoulders.
Ron growled, "And what gave you that impression? Did Hermione tell you that?" He asked while fixing his glare on her instead. Hermione visible flinched away from his volatile anger.
"No," Blaise interjected, "We assumed that was the case when you accused her of being a traitor and left her crying over Dumbledore's tomb while you hopped on the first portkey away from Hogwarts."
"Yes well we were all very upset at that time. We didn't mean any of it." Harry interrupted before Ron could answer. Harry looked at Hermione and smiled, "Come on Hermione, you know Ron can be hot headed when he's upset. Let's just go home."
Hermione stared at Harry for a second before answering, "Harry. You told me that I wasn't your friend anymore and that you never wanted to see me again. Then you left me alone as you, Ron, and Ginny left for Headquarters."
Harry frowned, "Yes but we came back for you and you weren't there."
"When did you come back for her?" Draco asked flexing his wand hand, "Because I watched her cry over that tomb for three hours before I went to talk to her."
"Well it took Ron a little while to cool down," Harry defended crossing his arms over his chest, "Not that it's your business Malfoy."
Blaise laughed, "More like it took a little while for the Order to fill you in about the prophecy and convince you that going back for her was the best option to win the war. You don't care about her Potter. Don't pretend that you do."
"Oh and you care!" Ron yelled back, "You're just using her for information. Come on Hermione. I don't know why you are with these Slytherins, but I am willing to forgive you for it. Everyone makes mistakes."
Hermione raised her eyebrows at him, "Ron, I'm with them because they offered to take me in after you deserted me. They haven't done anything to harm me."
"What have you told them then?" Harry asked frowning, "The only way they wouldn't torture you is if you gave them information on the Order."
"I haven't told them anything Harry," Hermione answered, "They haven't asked me anything about the Order. They just offered me a place to stay. They came to help me when I needed help most."
Ron scowled, "So you're siding with them now. Is that it?"
"No Ronald. I'm not siding with anyone. I'm just trying to figure out the truth. Did you know about the prophecy when you left me at Hogwarts?" Hermione asked sharply.
Harry locked eyes with her and sighed, "No."
"And now that you know," Hermione continued taking a deep breath, "Why are you really here? Are you here because you are my friend or are you on a mission from the Order?"
"Hermione you're our friend!" Harry snapped, "Why do you think we're here! I can't believe you would listen to these snakes over friends that have stood by you for over five years!"
Hermione shook her head, "That's not an answer Harry. And you can't say you were searching for me because I saw the shock on your face when you saw me here. You are dressed to have a night out, not to find a lost friend."
"I don't want anything to happen to you." Harry whispered taking a step towards her.
"Then why did you leave me?" Hermione questioned with tears in her eyes as she stepped towards Draco slightly. Draco squeezed her shoulder slightly while watching Harry closely.
"I don't know. I was overwhelmed and hurt and I wasn't thinking clearly at the time." He answered raising his hand to her, "Will you please come home?"
"I- I can't Harry," Hermione sobbed her voice cracking, "I need to stay with them for awhile. I need to sort things out and I need you to trust me. I won't betray you. I just need some time."
Ron's face hardened at her words, "So you are choosing Malfoy over us? What the hell Hermione? I thought we were friends!"
"We are friends Ron. I just want some time on my own." Hermione said while wiping her eyes.
"Hermione I don't like this. I don't trust them. What if they hurt you? We wouldn't be able to help you. I think you should just come back to Headquarters with us." Harry reasoned.
"No Harry," Hermione refused standing straighter, "This is my choice."
Ginny chose that moment to step into the argument, "I'll go with her. Then we can watch over each other. We'll be fine as long as we're together."
Draco looked Ginny over and nodded, "Alright, I'll allow that."
"You don't allow anything Malfoy! This doesn't concern you." Ron snarled reaching for his wand so he could take out some of his pent up aggression on someone.
"Expelliarmus!" Theo and Blaise shouted at the same time. Ron's wand flew to Theo and Harry's to Blaise.
Ron roared as he made to punch Theo in the face and regain his wand. Theo ducked, threw the wand to Pansy, and buried his fist in Ron's stomach. Ron coughed and stumbled backwards as he tried to draw air back into his lungs. Harry took that moment to step up and defend his friend.
"Stop!" Hermione shrieked stepping in between the boys, "We are not having a fight in the middle of this club! I know the owner and I refuse to let you guys get me banned!"
Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at her. Hermione shrugged looking around awkwardly, "I just really like this place okay."
"Who are you?" Harry asked bewildered, "Why have you been keeping secrets from us. First Krum, now this club, what next? Are you going to tell me you've been sleeping with Malfoy too?"
"Don't be ridiculous Potter," Malfoy scoffed, "That's not likely to ever happen."
Hermione barely caught herself from asking why not. She shook her head and scolded herself. Malfoy may be a sexy piece of work but he was the enemy and she should never look at him as anything but the enemy. She wasn't as worried now that Ginny would be accompanying them back. At least she had someone in her corner now. She felt like she couldn't trust anyone, but she hoped to have a talk with Ginny and get things sorted out quickly. Then she would decide where to go from there.
"Look," Harry ordered, "You are coming with us and that's final. It's too dangerous for you to go with them. They'll kill you."
"Excuse me," Hermione snarled, "I'll have you know Harry James Potter that I am my own boss and I do whatever the bloody hell I want to. I'm going with Malfoy and that's final. Stop trying to order me around."
"Hermione don't go with them just to prove that you are independent. That's stupid." Ron wheezed while holding his stomach.
Hermione glared at him, "That's NOT why I'm going."
Draco sighed, "I'm tired of this conversation. You going or staying Granger?" He asked while stepping away from the group and heading to the exit. The rest of the Slytherins followed his lead and headed for the door.
"Give me a second." Hermione called turning to Harry and Ron.
"Don't take too long," Blaise smiled, "We won't wait forever."
Hermione rolled her eyes and scowled, "Look I just need you guys to trust me and give me some time. I'll owl you in a couple of days. Okay?" she asked.
"Whatever." Ron grumbled while Harry just shook his head.
Hermione turned and headed towards the exit wondering what she was thinking. She smiled slightly when Ginny fell into step beside her. Things were changing and she didn't know what to make of anything. She had to learn more about this prophecy. She would also need to really observe the Death Eaters to find out their true intentions. They couldn't really want her around. There had to be something else going on. Hermione was determined to figure out what it was. She would find out what her friends really thought of her, one way or another. Hermione nodded to Draco as she walked up to the group outside of Suds. She was thankful to have averted the major fight that could have torn the place apart.
Draco smirked at Ginny motioning for her to step over by Blaise, "Blaise will take you to our Headquarters Weasley. I warn you not to wander off though. You haven't been guaranteed protection like Granger has. Don't want anything bad to happen to you."
"Shove it Malfoy. I'm here for Hermione and that's it." Ginny snapped walking over to Blaise, "Keep your hands in appropriate places Zabini are you'll find them missing when we arrive."
Blaise glanced up and down her body and grinned, "Yes ma'am." He answered wrapping his arms around her and disappearing with a pop.
Theo grabbed Astoria, "Let's go beautiful," He said as he dipped her low, kissed her and disappeared.
"Always putting on a show," Pansy laughed rolling her eyes, "See you in a minute Draco."
Draco nodded and she disappeared with a wink. He sighed turning back to Hermione with a blank expression on his face, "Granger. I'm only going to say this once so listen closely. If you are found to be a spy for the Order Voldemort will do much worse things to you than kill you. I know that brain of yours is trying to work out a way to prove yourself to your friends. Trust me when I say they aren't worth that loyalty. There is a lot that you don't know about. Consider yourself warned."
Hermione nodded silently stepping into Draco's arms and allowing him to apparate her to the Headquarters of the Death Eaters.
I hope this makes up for the horrible cliff hanger that I left you with last time. I've spent a long time on this chapter and I hope you like it as much as I do. Sorry it isn't up sooner but I had a minor computer crash this morning. It's all fixed now but it slowed me down today. Don't forget to review!
-SilverSlytherinWitch