A/N I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING! I'M SORRY THIS HAS TAKEN ME SO LONG UPDATE! SCHOOL HAS BEEN REALLY STRESSFUL AND I'VE HAD A LOT TO DO. I HAD MY LAST FINAL YESTERDAY SO I WILL BE UPDATING MORE OFTEN. I'LL TRY AND GET THE NEXT UPDATE OUT I WANT TO THANK MY BETA TwilightElena FOR HER HELP.

Harry took Dumbledore's arms and whispered "Hang on Hermonie I'm coming."

Harry landed right outside the Hospital wing of Hogwarts.

"Before we go in Mr. Potter I must warn you Ms. Granger is going to be in rough shape and the sight will be breathtaking and not in a good way."

Harry nodded. He wasn't sure what he was about to see but he knew it wasn't going to be good. Just then one of the nurses walked out.

"Oh Professor thank goodness you've returned. Ms. Granger seems to have gotten worse since you left."

"Does she know I left to get Mr. Potter?"

"I've tried explaining it to her but when I say his name she just looks around the room for him and then goes back to staring blankly ahead."

"Well let's go in and see what happens now."

The three of them walked in. Harry forced himself not to throw up as he saw his best friend. Hermione was covered in bruises; she was shaking with one arm wrapped around her stomach while the other hid under the blanket. Harry guessed that was to hide her wand.

"Is she going to be all right?" Harry choked out.

"She will be fine after plenty of rest." The nurse said.

Hermione heard the voice and jerked her head towards the sound.

"Har-Har-Hair-e," she whimpered.

All three of them turned their heads to look at her.

"That's right Ms. Granger, Mr. Potter is here." The nurse said.

Hermione made no movement to show that she heard her.

"Ms. Granger now that Mr. Potter is here do you think we can have a look at you?"

"Hair-e"

Harry looked at her then to the other two. "Can I have some time alone with her?"

"Of course."

The two of them left. Harry went over to the bed and sat down. He gently reached over and rubbed her arm that wrapping around her stomach.

"It's all right now Hermione. I'm here. You're safe. I'm here."

Hermione flinched and moved back pulled her arm away from his touch.

"N-no tou-touch." She muttered.

Harry pulled his hand back. "I'm sorry."

"Harry…"

Finally the two made eyes contact.

"Hey, I'm here. It's all right. You're safe. No one is going to hurt you. You're safe I promise."

Hermione nodded and looked down.

"Do you need anything from me?" Harry asked.

He wanted to hug her…no scratch that, he wanted to take her into his arms and hold her and promise her that everything was going to be ok, but he didn't want to touch her if she wasn't comfortable with it.

"Ho-hold m-me."

Harry moved so he was next to her but holding her close in his arms. He wrapped his arms around her stomach under her arm.

"Is this ok?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Can I do anything else?" Before you answer that just know that if you ask me to sing or something it might damage your ears."

A small giggle escaped her lips. "I won't ask you to sing. I'm perfectly content right here just sitting with you."

Harry was happy she was speaking fully and smiling again.

"Ok then…can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why me? I mean I've always thought you liked Ron and would want him in a case like this."

"Harry, this is the same man who, when I was telling about the room of requirements, first thought of using it as a bathroom." A small smile formed at Hermione's lips as she spoke "and the same man who pesters me day after day. The guy who annoys me till I give in and do his homework for him. You thought I'd ask him?"

"Well he does like you."

"Yeah, but I don't like him…not in that way anyway. I trust you Harry. You're my best friend in the whole entire world. I trust you more than anyone else. I…I love you Harry."

"Wha-what?"

"I…I love you?"

"Si-Since when?"

"Since we first met on the Hogwarts train and I fixed your glasses for you."

Harry laughed. "Oh you mean when you totally showed Ron off?"

"I didn't show him off."

"Really? OK well tell me if this sounds familiar." Harry put on his best female voice and said "'Oh are you doing magic let's see then,' Ron's spell doesn't work so you show off your amazing skills. 'Are you sure that's a real spell? Well it's not very good is it? I've only tried a few simple ones myself, and they all worked for me."

"Ok, ok" Hermione laughed. "You made your point. You know…the only reason I did that was because I was trying to impress you. I didn't think I'd ever have a chance with you because I wasn't magic."

"Well for someone who isn't magic you sure know a lot about it."

"Well I wanted to be ready so no one suspected that I was a…a…a mudblood."

Hermione went quiet. Harry noticed she took her arm that was wrapped around her stomach and wrapped it tighter.

"Hermione you are the smartest mudblood I've ever met. Don't let that stupid name get to you. You're just as much as a witch as any other girl at this school. Plus mudblood or not. I still love you."

"What?"

"I love you Hermione. I always have. Ever since you told Ron off on the train. I've loved you."

"I'm not magic Harry. You can't love me. I'm a useless mudblood."

"Don't say that Hermione it's not true. You are not useless. I love you regardless of how much magic is in your blood. Plus if you think about it, Ron and I are both wizards and you know more spells than both of us combined. So you are just as much a witch as Ron and I are wizards and I love you either way."

"Harry please don't lie to make me feel better?"

"I wouldn't lie to you Hermione and I always have loved you. Actually I guess now I have a question for you."

"Harry I know what you're going to ask and please don't. Yes I love you but I…I can't be in a relationship right now. Please don't hate me but…."

"Hey, you're right. It's too soon. Just know that once you're ready I'll be here waiting ok?"

"Ok thank you Harry."

Hermione yawned.

"Close your eyes and get some sleep. We can talk more tomorrow."

"I love you Harry, thank you for coming."

"Always Hermione. I love you too, sleep well."

Hermione closed her eyes and was out like a light. Harry smiled and placed a small kiss on her head. He rested his head on hers and closed his eyes. He was out like a light too.

The next morning Harry awoke to voices.

"Yes I agree they do make a very cute couple."

"I hope Mr. Potter can help her."

"I'm sure he can."

Harry opened his eyes and saw Dumbledore standing there with the nurse.

"Morning Mr. Potter sleep well?"

"Yes, how is Hermione this morning?"

"Look for yourself."

Harry looked down to see her sleeping on his chest with one hand by her face the other still wrapped around her stomach.

"What's up with her arm? Is it broken?"

"We aren't sure. She won't let us touch it. Every time we do she freaks out."

"Did you happen to find out what happen to her?" Dumbledore asked.

"No Sir, I didn't want to pressure her. I was going to question her this morning though."

"Ok, good. We will leave you alone."

Dumbledore and the nurse walked out. Harry smiled at Hermione and gave her a small kiss on the head. He started to stroke some of her hair. She suddenly shot up with a gasp. He quickly tighten his hold on her.

"It's ok. You're safe it was just a bad dream."

She panted a little and buried her face into his chest.

"It's ok. You're safe." Harry repeated. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"I was reliving everything. "

"What is everything?"

"What happen to me and my parents."

"What happen? Please Hermione tell me. I just want to help."

"Ev-everything… it…it was just a normal day…my dad was…was just…just tickling me and mum…mum was making break-breakfast. Sh-she screamed. Da-dad and I…we…we went to the kitchen and Bell-Bellatrix was standing there. Ne-neither of them knew who she was. My dad he…He tried to protect my mother and I but…but…"

"Come on, you can tell me."

"Bu-but…I-I-I …" Hermione shook her head "I can't." she whimpered. "I can't."

"Yes you can. You're stronger than you think. Please."

"I…I was able to grab my wand and knock Bellatrix back into the wall so my parents had time to run but…Bellatrix was faster. She automatically started to torture my father. He was screaming, and screaming. My mum was crying begging her stop hurting him but she just did the same to her. They were both screaming and begging for her to stop but she just laughed. I tried to counter it I really did but she just…she took my wand. I'm so stupid I should have taken her wand first I just…I panicked and I couldn't think. All I could think about was getting my mum and dad out of there."

"Hey it wasn't your fault. You did everything you could. None of this is your fault. None of it, but continue what happen next?"

"I was down by my parents begging her to stop. I promised her I'd do anything if she stopped so she did. My parents were panting and struggling to stand. Bellatrix told me that if I didn't kill them she'd just torture them to death."

"What did you do?"

"I couldn't think Harry. I was trying to think of a spell that would make them go peacefully and painlessly but for the first time I couldn't come up with anything….listen to me I'm talking about killing my own parents. I'm a horrible human being."

"Hermione stop. You aren't horrible. You were given an impossible choice and you tried to think of a way that your parents got out of this with a little pain as possible."

"In the end though I couldn't do it. I couldn't think of a spell. So I said I would. Because at least I'd get my wand back. Once I had my wand I tried to act like I was going to do. The look on my parents face was something I'll never be able to forget. So, just as I was about to attack I turned my wand towards her and attacked her. She was able to counter it though then she….she….She grabbed my wand from me again then she went on torturing my parents. Then with my wand she paralyzed me so I couldn't move. I was so powerless. I was nothing without my wand. I begged I pleaded I even cried out for her to stop. Nothing was working she wouldn't let up and my parents were so close to going insane. Finally she stopped. But she left me paralyzed. Then she went put down both the wands and she took out her knife…."

Hermione burst into tears. "NO! No I can't! I can't say it!"

"Shhhh, Hermione shhhh. It's ok, it's ok. Did she stab them?"

"No, that would be too easy."

"Then what. Come on Hermione please."

"No, no! I can't I can't!" she cried.

"Ok, shhhh. It's all right shhhh." Harry soothed.

"Harry! She marked them! She marked it in their skin that they were mud bloods! They screamed and screamed but she didn't stop until she was done. All I could do was watch. Once she was finished with them she…SHE DID THE SAME THING TO ME! SHE MARKED ME! SHE CRAVED THE WORD MUDBLOOD INTO MY SKIN! ONCE SHE WAS FINALLY FINISHED THERE WAS TWO BRIGHT GREEN FLASHES AND MY PARENTS WERE DEAD! SHE KILLED THEM AND THEN LAUGHED. ONCE SHE WAS DONE LAUGHING SHE LEFT. SHE LEFT MY WAND THERE BUT FAR FROM MY REACH AND I WAS STILL PARALYZED!"

Hermione cried out in pain as her arm that was wrapped around her stomach burned as she remembered what happen.

"All right Hermione it's all right. Shhhh you're safe now shhh. I'm here, you're safe shhhh." Harry soothed hugging her close and rubbing her back. Hermione cried into his chest finally letting out all her grief and pain.

"Harry it was awful!" she cried.

"I know, I know baby just let it out. Just let it all out."

"Mummy! Daddy!"

Hermione cried breathlessly as she started to choke on her tears.

"Shhh baby shhhh. Calm down, it's ok, calm down shhhh. If you don't calm down the nurse will have to come in and sedate you. I know you don't want that."

Hermione tried her best to calm back down.

"Good girl. That's a girl shhh just relax. You're ok."

Hermione finally calmed down but kept her face buried in Harry's chest as he rubbed her back and stroked her hair. "You're fine baby. You're safe. You're safe." She finally looked up at him. He used his thumb to wipe away her tears. "Thank you for telling me. I know it wasn't easy. Can I ask you one more question?"

Hermione looked up at him. He sighed as he saw the tear stains and the fear in her eyes. He decided to change his question. "Are you really ticklish?"

Hermione looked confused but then realized what he meant. When she first started her story she had told him that her father was tickling her. She nodded. "Especially the sides of my tummy. My father used to squeeze the sides of my stomach and make me go crazy. He and my mum sometimes teamed up, she hold my arms up and pin me down and my dad would tickle me. I used to hate it but I'd give anything for them to do it again."

Harry just gave her small smile and lightly tickled her sides. She giggled and squirmed

"Harry stop it."

Harry laugh and stopped. "I was wondering when I'd hear that laugh."

"I'd laugh more but it would hurt too much."

"Hermione have you showed your arm to anyone?"

"No, I'm too embarrassed too. Especially here, where everyone is a witch or wizard."

"Can you let me see it? I'm technically a mudblood because I was raised by muggles. Plus I have one too."

"You do?"

"You don't remember last year. Umbridge and her special pens that she used on everyone?"

"Oh yeah, you still have a scar from it?"

"Just a small one… It's hardly noticeable but it's still there."

"Can I see it?"

"I'll show you mine but you have to promise to let me see yours?"

"Ok."

Harry showed her the mark on his hand.

"Will mine look like this?"

"I don't know."

Hermione slowly removed her arm from around her stomach and lifted it so Harry could see the wound. Just before the bend on her arm was the word 'mudblood' marked into her skin. The blood had dried and Harry guessed it had gotten infected from not being cleaned right.

"Hermione…."

"This is what my parent's looked like. Harry I feel so guilty. If I hadn't surrounded myself with all this magical stuff Bellatrix wouldn't have hurt us."

"That's not true Bellatrix would have attacked you either way. It's just who she is. She killed Sirius and he is a wizard. Bellatrix wants to kill anyone good in this world. Wizard or Muggle. It had nothing to do with you."

"That's not how I feel."

"I know. You're just in shock still. It will wear off."

Just then the nurse walked back in. Hermione quickly wrapped her arm back around her stomach and buried her face in Harry's chest. "Don't let them touch me Harry please. Don't let them hurt me."

"Hermione no one is going to hurt you. They just want to make sure you're all right."

"No, no they are going to hurt me please. Harry."

Harry just looked at the nurse. "Can you come back later?"

"Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger has been here for almost three days now and I haven't gotten a good look at her. Now you have two choices, one you can stay here and hold Hermione while I look at her or you can leave and Hermione will have to be alone."

Harry sighed and looked down at Hermione. "They won't hurt you. What really scares you?"

"I don't want them to see my arm."

"It's nothing to be embarrassed about."

"Please Harry; I don't want them to touch me."

"If you don't I'll have to leave."

Hermione reached her hand under her blanket and whispered "Accio wand." Her wand appeared in her hand and she held it out pointing it at the nurse. "Go away." She warned as she looked up from Harry's chest.

"Ms. Granger put that wand down."

"No."

Harry lightly touched her arm. "Come on, it won't be that bad. I promise I won't let them hurt you. If they do for some reason hurt you I'll make sure they leave."

Hermione sighed and nodded. She put her wand away and lay back against Harry. "I'm ready." The nurse walked towards her thankful she could finally check Hermione and make sure she was ok.

A/N- again sorry for such a long wait for the update but school has been crazy. I'll try and get the next update out tomorrow Thank you once more to my beta reader TwilightElena.