Disclaimer: Only the story idea is mine. The characters you recognize and Hogwarts and such are all J. K Rowling's. Thanks to my betaashash52009!

And I Should've Spoke Out

Draco sat in his next class beside Pansy, tapping away at the desk with his quill. Whatever the professor was droning on about was lost to him as he thought about how things had progressed. Potter seemed quite annoyed, and was brooding in a desk at the back, ignoring everyone. The only strange thing about that was the absence of his red-haired friend, which but the blond on edge.

Where had Weasley gone?

Hermione was heading up the stairs to her dorm room when the bell for their next class chimed. Thankful for once that none of her friends shared the same free period as her, she took her time heading to the room, knowing full well that she had a dilemma with Harry to fix.

Oh, why couldn't he have just read the note? If he had seen Ron's nasty words with his own eyes, there would be far less for him to doubt. But not, Harry could be as stubborn as Hermione herself, and had flatly refused to listen to her. It was disappointing, considering that she needed him desperately to listen so that she felt less guilt later, when she revealed it to everyone.

But for now, she would settle with a bath, which would hopefully relieve some of her stress and remove some of the tension in her body.

Ron watched her from his spot in the corner, barely peering out. He had run into Harry barely five minutes ago, having been curious just what she had told him. Needless to say, he was not happy with what he heard.

"Hey Harry," he said, trying to sound calm and not at all concerned. The way Hermione had just dragged Harry off was concerning.

"Ron," he said curtly, stopping beside his friend and crossing his arms. "I think Hermione needs to get away from those books of hers; she's gone batty."

The ginger frowned, eyebrows drawing together. "Why do you say that?"

"She was going on about something you did to her," the other wizard replied, shaking his head. "She sounded upset, but I just couldn't believe it. I mean Hermione isn't one to lie, but the story she told me did seem a bit… out there."

"What did she tell you," he asked, maybe with a bit too much force. The raven-haired Gryffindor looked startled by the vicious tone of his voice, but said nothing about it, just noted the strange reaction to reflect on later.

"She said you raped her, which just sounds like something out of a bad dream. I mean, we all know you would never do something like that."

He pressed his lips together, willing himself to not lose control. How dare she?! She thought that she could go around, telling Harry about matters that had nothing to do with him? Merlin, she had another thing coming.

"I need to find her," he said quickly, brushing past his friend, "assure her that I only have her best interests in mind," he continued, practically growling. For a moment he thought Harry would clamp a hand down on his shoulder and stop him, but nothing happened and the redhead rushed quickly away, intent on finding the girl who was trying to tarnish his good name.

Harry watched his friend go. Ron's reaction was concerning, and he nearly thought to follow and not take Hermione's words so lightly, but thought better of it. He would never hurt her, right? Besides, he didn't want to be around when that argument started, and would rather not draw to many questions by all three of them missing class. Turning, he hurried off, hoping not to be late. He needed to think about things, and just hoped he wasn't making a terrible choice by not following Ron. He could trust him, right?

Then again, he could trust Hermione too…

After hearing what Harry had to say, the ginger rushed upstairs. There was no way he would let her get away with that, and even if she was not heading to her dorm room at that moment he was sure to see her at some point, and when he did, there would be hell to pay. She thought she could go around and turn his best friend on him? No, that wouldn't be allowed to happen, and fuck his plan, he needed to teach her a lesson before she went around spreading more rumors.

His ears perked up when the distant sound of footfalls began to echo in the hallway, and peered out just enough to see the witch in question round the corner, seeming to be in no hurry. But then, she didn't appear to be acting too cautious either- she wasn't even looking around to make sure he wasn't lurking. Was she really that confident that he had given up chasing her? Stupid choice Hermione.

Pulling out his wand, he cast a spell so that his steps would be mute and another so no one could hear his breathing. He waited until she opened her dorm door, and rushed forwards. Lucky for him, she only glanced around once she was in the room, and barely had time to scream before he had shoved the door shut, locking them in together.

Her eyes were large when he spoke. "Hello Hermione," he cooed, reaching out a hand to touch her cheek, but she slapped his hand away and took a step back. He frowned and took a step forwards, but she took two back, keeping the distance between them. There was already a nice sensitive spot forming on her shoulder from him barreling into her to get inside the room.

"Scared," he taunted, cocking his head.

She pursed her lips, setting her back down slowly. She had her wand in her pocket, but didn't want to pull it out- yet. No, he seemed to be in the mood to talk, so she planned to try to get him to talk. "What are you doing up here? You have class."

He sneered, an ugly trait that she was used to associating more with Malfoy. "A little bird told me you've been trying to ruin my name."

That threw her off. A little bird? What in Merlin's name was he… oh. "Harry found you then," she asked, stepping back once more.

"Yes, Harry found me," he growled, rushing towards her, but she had her wand drawn in the blink of an eye, keeping him back. He stopped just in front of her, looking at the object. She had it leveled with his chest, ready to strike at any moment.

"Stay away from me," she said firmly, not at all ready to even have him this close. Images of the things he had tried to do to her flashed through her mind, but she kept a firm grip on her wand. She would not let her determination deter, because if she did she was certain he would gain the upper hand and put her back in a horrible mindset again. No, she would not let him see that she was afraid of him, because that would just make him cocky.

"Don't be like that Hermione," he said, putting on a pout. "I promise, I'm not going to hurt you this time."

"Like I believe that," she spat, never letting her hand waver. "I'm not going to trust anything you say, because ever trusting you was my first mistake."

His expression darkened. "Stop being stubborn woman," he snapped, pulling out his own wand, but she easily disarmed him, bringing his weapon into her hand. Of course, that only fueled his anger.

"You are such a bitch," he spat, before kicking her as hard as he could.

Class ended, and Draco decided he was worried. Weasley had not shown up through all of class, and although he knew Granger had a free hour, he didn't think it was a coincidence that both Gryffindor's were not accounted for. However, his first target was not to find the redhead when he stood from his desk, but to question the idiot's friend.

"Potter," he called, entering the hallway. The Gryffindor boy turned to glance at him, surprised to hear the blond calling his name. Apparently, so were most of the surrounding students and many paused to gawk at the pair before continuing on their way.

"I'm not in the mood Malfoy," the boy sighed as his rival walked up to him. However any snide look was absent from the blonds aristocratic features just then. He found that odd.

"Have you seen Granger," he asked, "we are supposed to have a meeting next hour, and I don't know where she went."

Now he was thoroughly confused. As far as he knew, before Hermione made him question her sanity, the girl had no plans with him; but the almost worried look spread across Draco's face was really what threw him, and he decided to relent- if only this one time, because he wasn't certain what was going on anymore. "I saw her upstairs a while ago, although I'm not sure where she went."

"Was Weasley with her," he asked, eyebrows drawing together.

Harry shrugged slowly. "I think he may have gone looking for her."

"Damnit Potter," Draco swore, shoving past him. "Do you ever use that thick head of yours to piece things together?" He knew very well what Hermione must've gone to talk to the Wonder Boy about, and she had either not gotten to the bad part of her story or he had not believed her, because he had not stopped his fucking friend from going to find the poor girl. And now, Draco wondered if the ginger had gotten to her again or not.

"What are you talking about Malfoy," Harry called after the blond a bit too late. He rounded a corner without looking back, and the boy sighed.

"Potter what are you yelling about," a Slytherin boy asked, and Harry turned around to see Draco's friend Blaise looking at him with a guarded expression.

"Nothing Zabini," Harry said, moving to leave but stopping when the Italian spoke again.

"Where's Draco off to?"

He sighed. "He went to go find Hermione, and I really think I should follow."

The Slytherin narrowed his eyes. "Granger? Was Weasley possibly with her by any chance?"

The Wonder Boy turned around, giving Blaise a guarded look of his own. "Yes…"

Blaise reached up and patted his shoulder, before he began walking. "Well, you may as well just follow me to McGonagall's office then. You can go on up and find them if you want, but it's just going to be more of a walk."

"What are you talking about Zabini," Harry asked, not moving.

The Italian glanced behind him. "You'll see."

Draco bolted through the dorm room door, only to find a scene he hadn't been expecting. The Weasel was there- just as he had feared- and had apparently been attempting to hurt her again when his actions were abruptly stopped. The idiot's pants were undone but still up, and his stupefied body lay motionless on the floor.

Immediately he sought out Hermione, she stood only a foot away, wand pointing still at the unmoving body of her attacker. Her clothing- thankfully- seemed to have been barely untouched, if not a little ripped. The only thought that really passed through his mind as he took in the scene before him was a simple phrase; she's safe.

He rushed towards her, spinning her to him. Instantly her resolve diminished, but she did not cry like he had feared. She just dropped her wand and rested her head wearily- tentively- against his chest, but he was having none of that. Jerking her back from his body he held her a bit away, running his fingers lightly against her skin. "Are you alright," he asked, not satisfied with a visual conformation unless she agreed that nothing was wrong.

"I'm fine," she said, shaking her head. "He didn't hurt me this time."

He nodded once, before his expression hardened. "So you see now why I'm been telling you to stop delaying," he yelled, pointing to the unmoving body of a still hexed Weasley. "He could've gotten to you again!"

"But he didn't," she replied, shaking her head. "Nothing happened," she said, wondering why there was such an angry look on his features.

"The point is that something almost did," he spat, picking up her wand and shoving it into her hand. "Granger, you've had long enough, but he came after you again. I told you if it happened, that I was through watching, and I'm sticking to that."

She opened her mouth to say something, but he had grabbed her arm and was hauling her from the room before she could even say anything. He had a firm grip on her, and they were out of the room before she even sputtered anything. "Just what are you doing?"

He whirled around. "I gave you time Granger to come up with solutions on your own- and even tell bloody Potter. But he came after you again, and enough is enough. I'm telling someone, whether you like it or not." Releasing her arm, he decided dragging her along would be pointless, since she would probably just chase him anyways. Starting off, his assumption proved to be correct.

"Malfoy," she cried, chasing after him as he retreated down the hall, "you can't do that!"

"Really," he called back, testing the girl, "watch me."

A/N: Please let me know your thoughts! Hope you liked the early update :)