Sorry for the delay. Took forever for me to get this written properly. Hope you like it!

It was quiet in McGonagall's office. The hard-backed chair Hermione sat in did nothing for her nerves, even though the room was brightly lit.

The door behind her opened and McGonagall and Kingsley Shacklebolt walked in. McGonagall sat behind her desk while the Minister leaned against the wall, watching Hermione carefully. Both appeared very pale.

"Hello, Hermione," he said after a moment. "How are you?"

Her throat was throbbing horribly. "Fine, I suppose."

"Really? I've heard that it has been a tough semester for you."

"It's been a tough adjustment, Minister. But I'm alright."

McGonagall looked over Hermione. "Miss Granger, your appearance suggests that you have been in some kind of fight."

She looked between the two adults, her anxiety evident. "Headmistress, is it alright if I ask what this is about?"

McGonagall glanced up at the Minister. "Miss Granger, I am going to ask you one more time about the events this morning. Yourself and Mr. Malfoy, who we are unable to locate, both stated that you did not see what happened to Miss King. Do you stand by that statement?"

Her stomach plummeted. "Um…I don't know…I mean, I didn't…what is this about?"

Kingsley gestured to someone behind Hermione. A middle-aged woman came forward, a dark look on her face as she gazed at Hermione.

"Madam Beira, if you would tell us again what your findings were," Kingsley said.

"The monster Miss King says attacked her left its fur all over the second floor corridor. The fur has been positively matched to that of fur left at other scenes."

Hermione clenched her hands, trembling. "What scenes?"

"Crime scenes, Miss Granger, where people have been found viciously murdered."

"Oh my God."

McGonagall stood, gesturing for Kingsley and Madam Beira to leave. When the door was closed, McGonagall came around the table to sit beside the distressed girl.

"Miss Granger, I really must be frank with you.* There is very strong reason to believe you are connected to the creature roaming these halls."

The words were on the tip of her tongue. She wanted desperately to unburden herself, to just tell McGonagall what had happened. The situation was spiraling quickly out of control and someone was bound to get hurt. But as she sat there, about to open her mouth, Easter's actions came to mind. His whimpering manner and the tender way he had brought Draco to her. There had been no anger in those eyes she had grown to love. No vicious desire like she had seen in the eyes staring down at her in the dungeons. He had nuzzled Draco's bleeding face in much the same way he had nuzzled her face when trying to get her attention in the lavatory. The hurt, the growling dismay that flashed along with his great white fangs stung for some unknown reason.

"Miss Granger-"

"No."

McGonagall's eyebrows rose. "If it turns out that you are involved, then I will no longer be able to help you."

She hesitated. What was she doing?

"I don't have anything to say."

Sighing, McGonagall stood. "I have made the decision to send students home tonight. I want to have the castle scoured thoroughly and the Ministry officials…Miss Granger, I am granting you some leniency here because I know your character. Do not disappoint me."

Hermione was dismissed to go pack her things. She ignored the curious looks she received from her classmates as she rushed to her room, throwing things into her trunk while cursing herself for keeping silent. Shrinking down her trunk and then pocketing, she hurried back down to the commons. Harry was already there and pulled her aside.

"What happened?"

"I didn't say anything."

"But I thought-"

"Harry, I couldn't. I wanted to, but…something didn't feel right."

"Well, what are we going to do? Everybody's going home and Malfoy's still up in the Room of Requirement."

"I know!" Hermione glanced over at Ron. "Harry, look. I don't want-"

"You're coming with us, Hermione," he said firmly. "I don't care what Ron says. You don't have anywhere else to go."

"But Malfoy. I can't…I can't leave him here."

He nodded. "Alright, then we go get him."

"Harry-"

"Don't mention him and then expect me not to find a solution, Hermione," he muttered with a smile. "I don't understand you, but I'm not one for letting someone just suffer. Though, if it were up to me, the little ferret could…well, you know."

She smiled. "Thank you, Harry."

"Are you already packed?"

"Of course."

"Then let's go."

They had no real way of doing this quietly, so Harry moved to a dark area underneath the staircase and started yelling something absurd like, "It's IN THERE! IT'S IN THERE!" Students freaked, then the officials had a full-scale stampede on their hands. Harry and Hermione easily slipped into the hysterical crowd, riding it until they could get to the stairs. Then they hurried to the Room of Requirement. Harry stayed outside to keep watch while Hermione went in to collect Draco. He looked a little surprised to see her, but that same dark expression held firm.

"What-"

"Shut up," she snapped, coming over to the bed. "We don't have time for this. We're leaving and you're coming with me."

"Granger-"

"I didn't tell them!" She stomped her foot hard, glaring. "You stupid jerk, I didn't tell them because you're such a bloody…" With a frustrated yell, she wrapped her arms around his midsection and pulled him up. "Come on!"

He growled in discontent but allowed her to help him hobble to the door. Harry pulled a face as the two came out.

"God, I am so far from where I want to be."

"Yeah, the rest of us are exactly where we want to be, Potter!"

"Shut up, Malfoy!" Hermione shook her head. "We're never going to get him past the officials."

"Where the hell are we going?"

Harry sighed. "They're closing Hogwarts for the rest of the year and sending everyone home."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Bloody great."

"Will your mother-"

"My mother's still in France, Granger."

Hermione glanced up at Harry and he groaned. "Hermione-"

"We don't have time to argue," she muttered, moving forward. "We have to get him downstairs before the officials realize what we've done."

Harry sighed and helped move an uncooperative Draco down to the ground floor. Fortunately, Harry's ruse had worked too well and the whole Entrance Hall was full of panicked students. Harry threw a coat over Draco's head before they entered the crowd, setting the injured boy against the wall. Blaise appeared beside Hermione, peering under the coat.

"Well, you look like shit."

Draco said something crude in reply, earning a laugh from Blaise as he stood up straight.

"So, I see your plans went well."

"This isn't the time." Hermione looked about the frenzied crowd. "He's hurt."

"Obviously. Well, I don't know what you plan on doing. Draco here can't go home and he certainly cannot come with me. I've no place to stay either."

Harry could see the look on Hermione's face and shook his head. "Hermione, no! There is no way!"

"Harry, he's my responsibility!"

"He's a Malfoy! There is no way we convince Ron-"

"We don't have to convince Ron of anything! We just-"

"Have to convince a house full of Weasleys to let me stay?" Draco pulled the coat up to give her a look of disgust. "I would rather cut my leg off."

"That can quickly be arranged," she hissed. "And, since you don't have any choice in where you're going, shut up!"

Blaise chuckled. "Your girlfriend's on her monthly, isn't she?"

Harry pulled Hermione back when she went for Blaise. "You're lucky I don't have my damn wand," she growled. When Harry finally released her, she turned to him with a sigh. "Harry-"

"How the hell are we supposed to even get Mr. and Mrs. Weasley to agree to let them stay?"

"One mountain at a time, Harry."

Draco snorted derisively, but the conversation ended as professors finally settled the students down. McGonagall appeared at the doors, glaring.

"The student who started this mass hysteria will be severely punished," she said, though Hermione could tell she was just glad all the students were accounted for. "Your parents have already been contacted and will be awaiting your return at King's Station. Now, in an orderly fashion, please get into the carriages outside that will take you down to the Hogsmeade Station."

Blaise rolled his eyes and gestured the two Gryffindors away. "While you two argue over what to do with us poor Slytherins, I'll make sure the invalid here gets on the damn train."

Hermione nodded. "Thank you, Blaise."

His lip curled. "Granger, don't take that first name basis crap with me. I'll be forced to do the same and I shan't."

Harry led Hermione down to the carriages, looking for an unoccupied one without any luck. They had to settle on the one Ron, Ginny, Luna, and Neville had gotten into. Hermione kept her gaze averted, hoping the carriages would leave soon.

"What happened to you, Hermione?" Luna inquired, leaning over to get a better look. "Your throat's all red."

Ron's eyes moved to her quickly as she touched her own neck. "Oh, um…I just hurt myself falling down the stairs."

"Stairs did that?" Ginny shook her head. "Hermione-"

"I really can't talk about it." She glanced at Ron. "It's-"

"Complicated?" he muttered. She felt Harry's gaze on her and turned to the window.

"Yes."

Harry leaned over, pulling Hermione towards him. "We have to tell them," he whispered.

"Not now. Let's wait until we're on the train."

The platform was full of students trying to get on the Express when their carriage arrived. Hermione and Harry noticed a scuffle taking place between Blaise and Cruller. They rushed over in time to see Blaise get knocked into the side of the carriage, much to the House of Slytherin's amusement.

"You were never much of a dueler, Zabini," Cruller yelled. "I'm going to kick your arse!"

Hermione snatched Harry's wand and dug it into the back of Cruller's neck. "Not before I do you one," she hissed. Cruller turned with a sneer.

"Taking up for these wretches, Mudblood?" he growled. "You see this, Nott?"

"I see, Nathan."

Nott stepped forward with a nasty glint in his eye. "Be very careful about what happens next, Granger."

"How about you jump in front of that damn train, Nott," Draco snapped from the carriage. "That would be about as careful as one needs to be with you." Hermione shoved Cruller away while Harry moved in to take back his wand.

"I'll consider it," he said. "I never liked you much, Nott."

"I've always hated you, Potter. Get out of the way. This is none of your business."

Harry rolled his eyes. "I really wish it wasn't."

Hermione had hurried over to the carriage to stop Blaise from coming back. "Help me get him on the train," she said. "You can go fight with Cruller later!"

Blaise growled but threw open the door. "I will kill you when this is over."

Nott shook his head, laughing darkly as Hermione and Blaise dragged Draco out. "So, there must be a God! Only he would orchestrate such a twisted comedy of errors!"

Harry raised his wand when Nott took a step towards them. "I wouldn't, Nott. I've had a really long day and you're about to get the bad end of it."

"How the mighty Malfoy has fallen!" Nott continued to mock to the sound of laughter. "How long has the mudblood been lugging your lame arse around?"

Hermione kept a good grip on Draco, ignoring the shocked looks of the students around her. Harry followed closely behind as they got on the train. Blaise found an empty compartment and, after closing the door and pulling the curtains, he shook his head.

"That went well."

Draco groaned as Hermione helped him onto the seat, putting his legs up. "You shouldn't have gotten involved, Granger."

"It's too late for that. Besides, you were being irrational."

"No, you were. I was going to put a broom up his arse. That's not irrational."

Harry rubbed his face as the two went at it. "I thought I had escaped this," he muttered, sitting down heavily. Blaise sat as well, watching the couple argue.

"Well, Potter. At least they're both intelligible. I've heard the fights between Granger and Weasley. Half the time, Granger's the only one who makes sense."

"I heard that." Hermione glared at him. "We're not fighting!"

"Really?" Blaise held up his hands in mock-apology. "Well, forgive me, Granger. I must have confused your whispers of love for angry conflict. How stupid of me."

Blushing furiously, Hermione sat up next to Draco. "Well, we certainly didn't handle that well."

"What are you planning on doing now, Granger?" Draco muttered. "We don't have a lot of time-"

"You're going to come with us."

Harry groaned this time. "Yeah, because that's going to be so easy now."

"Harry, they don't have anywhere else to go and Draco's hurt because of me!"

"God, you are in love with making yourself guilty, aren't you?" he snapped, looking up at her. "For the last time, I went down there of my own volition. Nobody made me go down there." He shook his head. "Like you were going down there by yourself."

She bit her lip, touching his forehead. Blaise kicked the seat, forcing both of them to look at him.

"Hey, cut that romantic crap out," he snapped. "If you two have forgotten, we're kind of screwed. So let's focus on that rather than how guilty you both feel about each other."

Draco winced at the pain that shot up through his leg. "You heard her, Blaise. We're staying with them."

"And they're staying with the Weasleys, aren't they? I would rather sit in a vat of acid for the winter."

"You have no place else to stay so you'll hold your tongue!" Hermione repeated. "You-"

The door was yanked open and Ron, Ginny, Luna, and Neville stumbled in. Ron's gaze fell on Hermione and Draco, and his eyes widened.

"Bloody hell."