Chapter 8

Everyone left shortly after Snape had said his piece, some stayed for a few to speak with other people. Molly and Arthur spoke with all three of their children and Hermione and Harry. Just before they left Molly hugged them all, lingering a little on Hermione. Harry, Ginny, and Ron all headed back to Gryffindor while Bill and Hermione stayed to talk with Snape and McGonagall.

"Do you really think they will come after me?" Hermione asked her potions' proffesor.

"I do. If this is the spell they are using. They will come after you. Even if it is not, or that you are not a virgin, they will come after you. To hurt Potter." Snape said.

"Is there anything that we could do to protect her?" Bill asked putting a hand on her shoulder. McGonagal looked thoughtful while Snape said nothing.

"She is a protected as she can be. Though I would caustion you about going any where alone. As they may try to get to you. Some one from the order should go to your parents house and work to protect it. Other than that do as you would always do. Just be careful." Snape finally said. After that he left. Bill said good bye to Proffesor McGonagall and led Hermione away and back to his office where they could talk.

"I hope they find something over their soon. I want to know what they are up to for sure." Bill said sitting on his desk.

"Me too. I don't like being in the dark especially when when it could be about me living or dying." Hermione said just standing there. They talked for a while more about the spell and class work. After a while, Bill walked her back to Gryggindor tower, where Harry, Ron and Ginny were waiting to talk with her.

"Don't stay up too late. You have classes tomorrow." Bill said hugging Hermione and Ginny. All four agreed and he left.

"So you guys really think that is the spell that they are going to be using." Harry asked as Hermione sat down next to him.

"It is the only thing that they could be using that we have found. Unless they have some spell or potion that we can't find. Which is not likely, as we have read through all of the books here at Hogwarts, in McGonagalls collection which a lot of them came from Dumbledore, and some in Snapes collection." Hermione explained. They talked for a while longer then decided they had stayed up long enough and everyone headed to bed.

The next morning Hermione was walked to breakfast by Harry, Ron, and Ginny. They sat together as they always did and talked to their friends around them. Just as the group was about to leave, there was one last owl flew in and landed in front of Hermione. She grabbed the letter and headed off to class not thinking anything about it.

When she entered the transfigurering classroom and sat in her seat she finally turned her attention to the letter before class began.

Hermione,

So it seems you and the blood traitor Weasley have figured out what we are up too. That is no surprise, I was hoping that you would. It just means that now we can talk, even though you have no idea who I am or where I am. All I will tell you is I am closer than you think.

Your Kidnapper

Hermione frowned at the letter and put it in her pocket. All during class she was distracted and her friends could tell. As could her proffesor.

"Class is dismissed, Ms. Granger, please stay behind." Proffessor McGonagall said as the rest of the class stood to leave. Hermione collected alll of her papers and books in to her bag, then waited at her desk till everyone left.

"Hermione. May I ask what has you so distracted this morning? Is it what we were talking about at the meeting last night?" McGonagall asked worried.

"No Proffesor, this morning I got a letter. And it said somethings that got to me." Hermione told her showing her the letter. Proffesor McGonagall read the letter through and then handed it back to her.

"Do you know who sent me the letter?" Hermione asked her.

"The handwritting looks formilar, though I can't place it. I will look in to it. Let me or one of the teachers know if you get another one of these letters." McGonagall told her handing her a pass to her next class of DADA.

"Ah, Ms. Granger, take a seat." Bill said with a smile as she handed him a note. He knew Proffesor McGonagall had held her after class because Harry and Ron had told him.

The rest of the day went by as normal as a day at Hogwarts could. Hermione did not think of the letter again until she went to bed that night and found a letter on her bedside table.

Hermione,

I told you I was closer than you thought. I can get to wear you sleep and everything else. You better watch you back we will be meeting soon. You will help us bring back the Dark Lord, so in a way you will be getting rid of all the mudbloods and blood traitors with us. How does that make you feel? Are you scared yet?

Don't think McGonagall will be able to help you either. Or any of the other teachers. Espeacilly that blood traitor of a boyfriend that you have.

You Kidnapper

Hermione covered her mouth with one hand as she read the letter. She walked down to the common room to see if Harry or Ron was still about, and with her luck that day they were not. She decided that she would head down to Proffesor McGonagall office first thing in the morning. She headed back to her room and laid down trying to go to sleep. When her alarm went off at five the next morning she rolled out of bed having only gotten an hour of sleep. As it was saturday she knew not a lot of people would be up and about. When she left the tower she found the Head boy, Colm Byrne, of Ravenclaw house walking by.

"Hermione, what are you doing up so early?" He asked stopping next to her.

"I was going to speak with Proffesor McGonagall. She sent me a note to see her as quickly as I could. I didn't get it till this morning." Hermione said with a smile. She knew it was a lie but she wasn't going to tell anyone she didn't have to about the letters.

"What about you? What are you doing up this early?" Hermione asked him.

"Couldn't sleep and I know the library is not open yet. So I decided to walk the halls and make sure no unauthorized students were out of bed." Colm said. "You know I could walk you to the Headmistresses office if you want."

"No that is alright I can make it there myself. Thank you though." Hermione said walking off down the hall. Hermione made it to McGonagall's office in record time, she didn't want to run in to anymore people, not knowing who was sending her the letters. When she entered the office she found that it was empty.

"What can I do for you Ms. Granger?" Proffesor Dumbledore's portrait asked from behind the desk.

"I need to speak with Proffesor McGonagall. I got another letter last night." Hermione explained. Dumbledore nodded and left his portrait for a moment. He returned soon after.

"Minerva will be with you shortly." He said motioning for her to sit. A few minutes later McGonagall walked in to the office dressed and ready for the day.

"I am sorry for showing up here so early. I didnt want to wake you up." Hermione said frowning.

"You didnt wake me up. I have a hard time sleeping these days. It comes with age. Now Albus said that you got another letter? When did this one come in?" she asked.

"It was on my bedside table lastnight when I went to my room." Hermione said handing over the letter. McGonagall frowned as she read it. Knowing who ever was sending the letters could be in the castle was disturbing.

"I have had no luck finding out who the writing these letters. From now on you are not to walk the halls alone or with someone you know you can trust absolutely. Like Harry, Ron, Ginny or any of your other friends. If you go outside of the castle and the castle grounds you need to let a teacher know and keep someone with you at all time. I know this is going to be hard for you but we need to keep you safe." McGonagall said. Hermione nodded and sighed. She had been hoping for a quiet year, but now she was not going to get it. Proffesor McGonagall walked Hermione down to the Great Hall where there were only a few students and teachers as it was so early. Hermione took her seat at the Gryffindor table and McGonagall continued on to the Head table. Bill was already at the table due to having papers to grade that day, before bringing Hermione in to Hogsmeade for lunch.

"How come Hermione met with you so early this morning?" He asked McGonagall when she sat down.

"I informed you yesterday that she was receiving some letters from someone. Well she recieved another one lastnight. She brought it to me this morning. I beleive that who ever is sending these letters is here in the castle or they have someone here helping them." She explained.

"So it's not a good idea to bring her to Hogsmeade this afternoon?" Bill asked a little sad.

"No on the contrary. I think you should just keep your ears and eyes open to anything that is going on around you." his former proffesor and now collegue told him.

"Alright, we need to find out who is doing this. Is there any news from Bulgaria?" Bill asked looking over all the students that were in the hall. By now as it was seven in the morning, and a few more people were in the hall getting ready for the trip to Hogsmeade. When Bill was done his breakfast he walked down threw the tables up to Hermione.

"Are you ready for today?" He asked her quietly. Hermione smiled at him as she turned around.

"Yes I am. I need to get out of the castle for a little whilte today. Clear my head." she replied standing.

"I just need to go up and change quickly." She added. Bill walked her up to the tower and waited in the common room for her. While he was waiting Ron and Harry came down from their room.

"What are you doing here Bill?" Ron asked standing in front of him.

"I am going to Hogsmeade with Hermione today. She came back up from breakfast to change real quick and I brought her up. You had all better head down to breakfast before it is over." Bill told them.

"Why are you taking her to Hogsmeade?" Ron asked getting red. It was no secret that Ron liked Hermoine.

"I asked her a few days ago and she said yes." Bill said just as Hermione walked back down to the common room.

"Hermione, Bill says that you are going to Hogsmeade with him." Ron said quite loudly.

"Yes Ron I am do you have a problem with that?" Hermione asked glaring at him.

"Why are you going with him, you always go with us." Ron asked looking mad.

"I can go with who I want Ronald. And I do not have to explain myself to you. Bill are you ready?" Hermione said as she started to walk to the entry way. Bill nodded to the rest of the group and followed her out.

"Why would she be going with him? He is her proffesor, and my brother." Ron said shaking his head. Harry didn't say anything just shook his head. Ginny on the other hand, turned to her brother and smacked him up side the head.

"Are you really that dence Ronald? They like each other, and she knew him before he was her proffesor. Just because you do not have the guts to ask her out yourself does not mean she will wait around for you. Neither does Bill have to wait either. He may have known that you liked her, does not mean he has to wait either. He likes her and decided to ask her out. It is not like this is their first date or something." She said. After she grabbed Harry's hand and left the common room and Ron. Ron followed them shortly and found them in the great hall eating.

Outside the castle Hermione and Bill were walking down the long drive that lead to Hogsmeade.

"You know Ron is going to be mad for a while." Bill said smiling slightly. He had known of Ron's crush on Hermione for a long time. The whole family knew of it. When he first started to write to Hermione it had been as friends. But he had started to get feelings for her as they worked together on the spell. Now he was not going to waste his time like Ron did.

"Oh I know. It probably will be as bad as fourth year when we had the Yule Ball. He asked me as his last minute date and I told him no that I already had a date. When he found out that I was going with Victor Krum he was so mad that he didn't talk to me for a few weeks, and he wouldn't talk about Krum to anyone." Hermione explained. At one point she had had feelings for Ron but they had gone away over the years. She knew that a lot of people were waiting for them to get together, but she had known since sixth year that they wouldn't.

Bill and Hermione walked around Hogsmeade going in and out of all the shops. Hermione bought some treats for her cat and some quills for class. When she went to buy some fudge at Zonks, Bill wouldn't let her pay for them and insited that he would get them for her. After getting the fudge they walked over to the Three Broom Sticks, where they were going to have lunch. Bill figured she was not the type of girl who wanted to go to Madame Puddifoot's Tea Shop.

"So where would you like to sit?" Bill asked her leading her in to the resturant. Hermione looked around before pointing to a corner.

"How about over there. It is quiet so we can talk." She said smiling. They walked over to the table, and a few minutes later Madame Rosemarta came over to take their order. When the food finally came they had talked all about their summer and Bill's old job of curse breaker. As they were about to pay their tab and leave Madame Rosemarta came over and gave Hermione a letter.

"This was left at the counter for you. Normally I wouldn't do this but as it has never happened I will let it pass for now." She said smiling handing the letter over. Hermione's brow furrowed and opened the letter.

Hermione,

I hope you enjoy this trip to Hogsmeade. As it will be your last. Did you enjoy your little date? What that bloodtraitor sees in you I have no clue. You must be giving him something that he wants. Though I dont see how you can be THAT good.

Your Kidnapper

Hermione finished reading it then handed it over to Bill who read it. He shook his head as he read it.

"We should go up to the castle and show this to Proffesor McGonagall. She was right this hand writing does look like something that I have seen before." He said helping her out of her seat. As they were walking past the bar Rosemarta called out to them and handed Bill a letter.

Proffesor Weasley,

I know someone is threatening Hermione Granger. And I know some people are after her for a dark potion. If you want to know what I know meet me by the shreiking shack tommorow night. You can bring Hermione and Proffesor McGonagall but no one else. I do not want Potter or you brother there.

Someone who Doesnt want the Dark Lord Back

A/N: So what do you think? Any idea who is sending the letters to Hermione? Any idea who is sent the letter to Bill?