Oh hello my lovelies! I am so sorry to taken so long to upload this chapter. I have no excuse but it definitely feels like time is running away from me and before I realise it, its been a month since I've written a chapter. You must nag me if it continues in such a way! Let me know if you're still out there...

Disclaimer: It isn't mine. A Girl can dream about being that creative.

Hermione sat at the Gryffindor table waiting for everyone to return from the Christmas holidays. A week had passed since she had returned to Hogwarts and today was the day that Harry and the Weasley's would be joining her. Her fingers were lightly tapping the table beneath them as her impatience began to show. Three dull taps and one with a metallic ring as it hit the knife beside her plate.

She had never been on this side of the waiting game. She never had to wait for her friends as they returned from the Christmas holidays. She had always been the one returning and walking through those doors, her excitement waning as she contemplated not seeing her parents for another seven months, trying hard to push down her feelings of homesickness. She always thought her homesickness would disappear as she got older. It never did.

Tap, Tap, Tap, Tink. Tap, Tap, Tap, Tink.

Maybe the train was running late because this was just ridiculous. She was tired of waiting. She hadn't heard from the boys in the week that she had been in Hogwarts without them. Neither had written and she was unsure if it was a good sign or not. Had Sirius been telling lies to Harry and Ron? Making them believe his delusions of her betrayal. The man was as mad as picnic basket but Harry adored him. He was bound to believe Sirius over her. The idea hurt but she knew it would be like that.

Tap, Tap, Tap, Tink. Tap, Tap, Tap, Tink.

Russ had only just allowed her out of his sight for long periods of time. It had taken her a while to work out why he was being so over protective and overbearing in her safety. She hadn't considered how he ended up bring in the kitchen when she needed him the most. They had mentioned the necklace briefly but she hadn't considered the implications until she sat down and thought about it. If she remembered correctly he had mentioned how he would never like to be in a situation where he had to find her due to his burning bracelet. She could only imagine the fear he had felt when it did burn. He didn't know what he was walking into, only that she was in danger. The scenarios going through his head must have been barbaric. Poor bloke, no wonder he wasn't keen to let her out of his sight for a while.

Her thoughts were interrupted from their train of thoughts as the Great Hall doors slammed open and students streamed in. Their cheeks red from the wintery cold air from outside and their eyes sparkled with renewal that only two weeks away with their families could create.

Her smile widened as she saw a sea of red heads and Harry swarm towards the table, each greeting her with enthusiasm as they all exclaimed their happiness to see her, how much they had missed her. She noticed George's hug seem to last a few seconds longer than society's 'recommended length' but she couldn't quite muster the ability to care. In his embrace she always felt a little happier after, she didn't want to work out what that meant.

She looked across to Harry and Ron who were sat opposite and grinned as they both piled their plates high with food. "If anyone watched the pair of you, they would assume Mrs Weasley never fed the pair of you over the holidays."

"Course he did 'Mione but its been a while since we both ate. At least two hours." Ron said with a small pout, obviously trying to get some sympathy about their poor lot in life.

Hermione simply rolled her eyes and replied with mock concern, "that must have been simply horrific for you both. However did you survive the hunger pains?" She grinned as they both shot her similar looks of distain at her sarcasm.

Their conversation moved on as they discussed what the pair did at headquarters after she left. The three tried to ignore the elephant in the room for as long as they could.

Hermione laughed at their descriptions of the New Year's Party with the order members as they described how they managed to nick a bottle of Firewhiskey from the drink's cabinet, only to be caught a few minutes later by a fuming Mrs Weasley. They maintained their ears were still ringing a few days after that particularly loud lecture on underage drinking.

They filled her in on all the gossip, gasping appropriately when they told her about Tonks and Lupin snogging in a dark corner and Sirius joking around with the Twins, while eyeing up Hestia.

Lupin and Tonks however, she was shocked by that. He was old enough to be her father and he seemed too...Gentle to go against society's expectations like that. It wasn't a problem for her but you needed to have a strong and fearless personality so you wouldn't listen to gossip. Lupin wasn't really like that and she couldn't see this situation ending without Tonk's being hurt.

But overall seemed like a good night but she was glad she had spent it with Russ. A quieter night to be sure but she was content nevertheless.

She shook her head to clear her thoughts as she noticed the two boys sending each other significant looks to each other through their gazes. It seemed Harry had lost their battle of wills as he cleared his throat to get her attention. He suddenly wouldn't meet her gaze, "come on lets get back to the Common Room."

As the trio stood up, following the crowds as they left for their respective common rooms. Hermione paused briefly to nod a goodbye towards Russ before she was swallowed up by students.

As the trio walked slowly towards the Tower, she smiled to herself as she took in the boy's nervousness at questioning Hermione about her quick exit from Headquarters. It might be an uncomfortable conversation but she was enjoying seeing Harry and Ron squirm as they worked out how to question her.

Finally they settled in the corner in the corner of the common room. Hermione curled up on the small comfortable armchair, her legs curled up beneath her and lay her head upon its arm as she looked towards the boys as they made small talk to anyone who came to say hello.

The room filled friends catching up, exclamations of gossip and news when Harry finally turned to Hermione, his expression troubled. "Why did you leave? When Remus and Mrs Weasley asked him, Sirius started ranting about the traitor always leaving." He paused absentmindedly rubbing his scar, "I know that isn't why so... please tell us. It can't be that bad that you keep it secret from your best friends."

Harry seemed to pause in thought; a spark of emotion crossed his eyes before his expression went pained.

Hermione looked at him with concern, opening her mouth to ask what was wrong but before she could, he shook his head and gave her a small meek smile.

Both friends looked at her with concern showing clearly in their eyes and expressions. Both willing her to explain. Hermione sighed deeply and nodded, what did she have to lose. They felt the need to know, either they believed her or they didn't.

"You two both know how he was around me. He doesn't like me, I don't know if I remind him of someone but...Well I don't need to explain what happened in the past. You were they but it was easier for you both to ignore it. When you guys were playing Quidditch, he turned nasty. I didn't realise how bad it was until Russ turned up." She quickly raised her hand as both boys opened their mouths and she shook her head. "No he didn't hurt me but Russ thought I would be safer with him."

She looked up at them both, looking them both in the eye. They both seemed stunned and if Hermione could read correctly, ashamed. She furrowed her brow at that wondering why they blamed themselves.

"Do you believe me?" She asked in a quiet voice. Both boys nodded slowly, clearly thinking it through.

"All those times he was just... I don't know, I thought he was being eccentric or something but he actually didn't like you. None of the adults reacted so we didn't think it was a big deal. I'm sorry 'Mione for not sticking up for you." Ron said with slumped shoulders.

Hermione looked towards Harry and saw he too was also showing the same body language.

She smiled broadly and shook her head, "You don't need to be sorry. You don't need to even treat me or Sirius different. Russ sorted it. You believed me and that's enough. Now Ronald, get your exploding snap. I fancy a game with my best friends."

"Alreet my Darlin'!" Brian said with a broad grin, showing off his many shining teeth.

Hermione still couldn't repress the shiver going down her spine every time she saw his teeth. She was able to forget how dangerous he was most of the time but when he smiled at her; She couldn't hide from it.

"Good evening Brian." She said with a soft smile. She sat down with a thud next to him but before she could settle he pulled her up beside him so her head was leaning against his side. She shivered into him as his warmth slowly permeated through her icy skin.

"Bit cold ain't ya love! Nick a bit of ol' Brian's heat. I've got plenty to spare." He said folding his arm around her to ward off any of the surrounding chillness.

Hermione didn't reply, just nuzzled into his thick white fur and sighed. He smelled like home. Safety. Like dried dirt, greenery and bluebells. He smelt like nature and the outdoors. She adored the smell as it reminded her of past holidays with her parents during the summer holidays before Hogwarts. She felt a small pang of grief as she remembered her parents, she still missed them dreadfully.

"Been a while since I've seen you, Everything alright?"

Hermione nibbled her lip as she considered talking to him about the problems happening at the school. The last few months since Christmas had been bad for students, morale was low with Umbridge running about, throwing her weight around. She imagined it would be worse now that Dumbledore was gone.

A slight shake from Brian brought her back to the forest and she sighed. "Its been bad at the school recently. Umbridge has been getting worse. She keeps creating new rules which seem harmless at first but when you look deeper, she is slowly taking away our human rights. Students aren't allowed closer than like eight inches, clubs have to be vetted by her, no chocolate after 8pm and detentions are overseen by her." She paused for a moment before sniffing quickly to hide her tears. "She discovered the DA yesterday, she wasn't pleased" She said, her rant becoming quieter towards the end and she unconsciously rubbed her wrist.

"What did she do?" Came a quiet voice from above her, a hard edge to his voice.

"Nothing." She said instantaneously.

"Hermione..." He warned.

Hermione battled with herself for a moment. He would be angry if he saw but she couldn't hide it from him now. She hoped he wouldn't personally go up there. "Promise me you won't harm her?"

"I promise not to harm her as long as she is a member of Hogwarts. Now show me!" he growled, his hairs beginning to stand on end in anger.

She rolled up her sleeve and showed him her wrist, unwilling to look him in the eye. Written upon her wrist, in her handwriting was 'half breeds should know their place' gouged upon her skin. The edging was red from repetition of the quill, it still looked painful to touch.

A low growl rumbled in his chest. She looked up abruptly and gasped at his expression. Gone was the friendly Brian who she saw in her visits, he looked like the Dangerous beast that the book had warned about. His once friendly burnt orange eyes that always sparkled with joy and amusement, were now completely black. Void of any emotions but anger. His teeth were bared as he growled, "She should be happy that creatures of the Forbidden forest cannot enter castle. She would have no limbs otherwise."

Hermione looked at him with widened eyes before slowly stroking his arm, "Calm down. She will have her comeuppance in the end. No one can be that horrible and have no bad karma."

Brian nodded the once before leaning his head against the tree behind him, breathing deeply. "Have you told your Godfather?" He said in a calm, non-emotional voice.

"No." She said quietly, "He can't do anything so he would only get agitated. Its unfair to do that to him. Most students have been on the receiving end of her blasted quill." Her eyes became fiery once more. " She used it on a first year Ravenclaw for asking a question. Unbelievable."

"She will get hers." Growled Brian before sighing, wiping his large hand over his face. "Its time for you to go back to the castle little'un. I will see you soon, yes?"

Hermione nodded, hugging him tightly. "See you soon Brian. "

Sorry there was such a large jump in time in such a 'subtle' way but I needed to push the story forward. And I realised while reading through there is a distinct lack of Severus. Must correct that in the next chappie.

Let me know what you think. Likes? Dislikes? Anything you would like in it? Just give me a shout.