I am so sorry for such a long wait between chapters. I moved into a flat with no internet and then I moved again...I'm now settled and I have no excuse. I hope you all forgive me.

Even after all this time, it still isn't mine.

Hermione slowly walked through the forbidden forest wondering if she could really go through with her plan. In the office when Harry was in danger of being crucio'd, it isn't surprising she could sound so upset. But her acting skills aren't that good, she could tell a fib or two to be sure but could she convince the pink egotistical totalitarian that she was taking her to Dumbledore's secret weapon? She wasn't sure she hack the strain of it.

She glanced over to Harry who was sending her questioning looks as they trampled through the dark forest, towards an unknown destination.

She wished he was slyer with those looks, he was lucky that Umbridge hadn't seen.

While in Umbridge's office, she realised Russ couldn't come to the rescue but at least he had gotten Harry's message about Sirius. Once he had left, leaving Bulstrode to crush her against a wall and Umbridge to question Harry, she hadn't realised how difficult it must be for the man to walk away. Within her head, she was begging and pleading for his assistance against the woman but if he was fired or injured during a scuffle, he would lose his place and usefulness for Voldemort. Russ helping Harry would soon get back to Voldemort due to many of the Slytherins in the room having Parents in his inner circle, Russ would quickly meet his demise.

At the time all she could do was curse him but walking through the Forbidden forest was clearly very good at sifting through one's thoughts.

"Are we almost there girl? If i find out you've lied to me..." Umbridge growled though her eyes were darting around, looking out into the darkness, clearly more scared than she willing to show.

"Oh yes Headmistress, it's just around the corner." She said with a quiet voice, hoping to sound fearful and law abiding. Clearly the spy life was not for her.

Hermione looked around, her eyes momentarily meeting Harry's, begging for him to trust her and whispered, "Brian."

She closed her eyes for a brief moment, hoping she was doing the right thing. The things she had read about Brian's species, she just hoped she wasn't about to watch a massacre. She didn't think she had to the stomach to deal with blood; her stomach was already churning with nerves due to their situation and worry over Harry's vision. Add blood and guts, well she was sure she would throw up. How embarrassing if that did occur.

She turned around when she heard the cracking of a branch behind her, not shocked to see Brian standing tall. She was however disconcerted with his appearance, he seemed to be taller than normal though when she looked closer, it might have been due to his white hair standing on end. His eyes were completely black, almost burning with hatred and his teeth were bared. Gone was the happy go lucky Brummy Brian, in his place was a creature full of hatred and ready for the kill.

"I did wonder why you were in the forest so late my darling but it seems you brought the Harridan with you." Brian growled, causing Harry to slowly step beside Hermione and get ready to stand in front of her when the beast attacked.

"It's alright Harry, he won't hurt us." Hermione said, lightly stroking his arm to calm him down. Harry turned his head to look at her, his expression confused as he looked between the beast that was slowly walking towards Umbridge. He wasn't surprised to see her slowly walking backwards, hoping to leave the two students behind to allow herself time to escape.

"How do you know? I've followed you here without questioning Hermione, I deserve to know before I get eaten by that thing." Harry said in a whisper, pushing Hermione back towards the nearest tree to hide behind.

"I've been coming to see him. His name is Brian, remember when we had to feed Hagrid's creatures back in September and i got lost, I met him then. He's a softie really; you have just met him on a bad day." Hermione said with a soft smile, looking towards Brian.

Harry turned towards Brian who was grinning broadly towards Umbridge, which would have been pleasant if his teeth weren't on full show and his expression wasn't vicious. Harry turned back towards Hermione as though she had lost her mind, he knew she was soft hearted but this was just ridiculous.

They both turned towards Brian as they heard Umbridge Squeak in fear as Brian lunged forward and grabbed the woman around the neck and slowly squeezed.

"You're worse than some of the creatures in this forest, they never play with their food. They either leave someone alone or they kill them. You however play with your victims, torturing them with that quill of yours. You are more of a monster than I am, you are more of a bully. You take your fears and inadequacies and take them out on the children in your care. It seems to me that boy child over there has had a lot of your punishment, he reeks of dark magic. You don't deserve to live, especially after touching my Bairn's sprog like you have."

Hermione and Harry watched in shock as he continued to squeeze Umbridge around the neck, her face becoming red and her eyes bulging, not hiding the pure fear in her eyes.

"It's not often I get to release this side. I don't like to use it but I'm going to enjoy this. Tearing, ripping, shredding, harming, murder." He shuddered and looked her in the eyes, "Destroying you."

"BRIAN!"

Brian stopped briefly, something flashed in his eyes as he looked towards Hermione, finally remembering that she was there.

Hermione watched as he took a deep breath and slowly released his hold on the woman. He watched her dispassionately as she gasped for air and her face slowly turned to a normal colour.

"You are lucky I don't want her to see what I had in mind but you haven't got away with this, its not just me you have upset, there are many creatures in the forest who have a bone to pick with you." He growled, grinning manically as he held her by her sleeve.

"Brian?" Hermione whispered, causing Brian to sigh as he saw the two children cowering beside a tree.

"It will soon be over my darling, have no fear, no one will harm you." He said with a soft smile, his eyes slowly returning to their original colour and his overall appearance calming down, making him seem like her Brian again.

"You will not get away with this beast, I will have you destroyed. You attacked the Ministry when you attacked me and they will not be happy." Hissed Umbridge as she struggled in Brian's grip.

All four of them paused as they heard the thundering of hooves in the distance. Brian turned to grin at Umbridge, "can you hear your Judgment Harridan? Your time has come."

Hermione and Harry stepped back as a herd of Centaurs ran through their small clearing, the sound of hooves and caterwauling was almost deafening as they passed. A blur of bodies and weapons caused a confusing environment but silence soon followed.

Hermione slowly opened her eyes, unsure of when she even closed them and was confused by what she saw. Brian was the only one who remained within the clearing, stood alone looking rather smug. "It seems like she has a lot of enemies."

Hermione and Harry snorted in laughter due to being uncomfortable than genuine amusement. They didn't really want to think about what was happening to Umbridge though a small voice at the back of her head was whispering that she deserved it after what she had been doing to Harry.

Brian walked over to Hermione and stroked down her hair to comfort both him and the girl. "Be careful my darling, don't do anything stupid. You're important to too many people to follow an idiots dream."

Hermione looked at him in bewilderment, unsure what to make of his statement but turned back to Harry, "we should be getting back to the others Harry."

"Good idea Hermione." Harry said with serious expression, nodding goodbye to Brian and both Harry and Hermione started to walk towards Hogwarts, hoping to get out of the forest as quickly as possible. The pair of them were silent, hoping to conserve their energy and tried to think through the evening and plan what to do next.

As they reached the forest edge they were met by Neville, Ron, Ginny and Luna.

"Right, I have to go to the department of mysteries. Voldemort has Sirius and I can't let him die. He's the only family I have." Harry said, staring at the five of them, begging them to understand why he had to leave.

"Well if you're going so are we!" Ron said with enthusiasm, grinning broadly.

Hermione frowned, wondering if Ron understood how dangerous it could be for them if they went to the Ministry on a rescue mission. As she looked over to Ron and opened her mouth, she stopped as she saw the look in his eye. He knew what could be lurking in the bowels of the Ministry, his eyes showed his fear but his loyalty to Harry couldn't allow him to go alone. He truly was a marvelous friend.

"It could be a trap Harry…" Hermione said, pleading for them to slow down and think it through.

"I don't care Hermione, He's family and I have to get him." He replied with vehemence, a crazed look in his eyes.

Hermione sighed and nodded, remembering the words of Brian. She truly could be following the dreams of an idiot.

Hermione gasped as she ran through the room, she didn't know where she was or who she was fighting but she didn't think she would survive much longer unless the Order arrived soon. She had thought she had known a lot of spells and in times of trouble, she would know enough to protect her loved ones during a fight. She could hold her own but the Death Eaters she was fighting were getting more frustrated and using darker spells against her friends.

She looked towards the Arch way where Harry was talking to Lucius Malfoy. It seemed like it was trap but at least Sirius wasn't here. She didn't think Harry could take seeing Sirius being tortured or killed in his name. She might not like the man since he turned against her during the summer but Harry needed him.

She sighed in relief as she saw the Order enter the room with what could be considered a flashy entrance.

"Hermione! Are you alright?" Hermione turned and looked at a dishevelled Neville. She jumped and hugged him tightly around his neck.

"Oh Neville. All is okay, the Order are here now. Are you okay?" She said grabbing a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed at a cut that was causing blood to dribble down his cheek.

"I'm okay Hermione, the cut was from tripping over when a curse was thrown at me. No lasting Harm." Neville said with a small, self-deprecating smile.

"It won't be long until we're back at Hogwarts and we can get this looked at." She said with a small smile, happy to hide behind the pillar as she waited for the Order to gain control of the situation. She heard the echoing of footsteps behind her, causing both Hermione and Neville to jump around, whipping their wand out in case it was one of their enemies. Their wands moved to their side as they saw Sirius stood in front of them, though he didn't truly look sane. His eyes were darting around and he was grinning broadly, he was obviously excited to be out.

"You brought him here didn't you Hermione to get him killed! I know your game! Make it look like an accident so that your lord will win!" Sirius shouted, his eyes growing wide, the whites of his eyes showing to make him look even less balanced.

"No Mr Black, Harry saw you in a vision. Hermione tried to stop us." Neville said with a frown, wondering whether to step in front of Hermione to protect her from the man in front of them.

"That's what she wants you to believe. She is trying to see everyone killed, to kill Harry. Allow Voldemort to win. Can't you see that frank! I will see that she can no longer be a danger to Harry!" Sirius roared.

She didn't expect it really. She would have been more alert if they were conversing with a Death eater but she didn't expect it from an ally. She was tired from the trip to the Forbidden forest and from fighting Death Eaters, she just wasn't expecting it. She watched as a white light flashed towards her and connecting with her body. Pain enveloped her, causing her to look down. She watched in fascination as her white shirt quickly turned dark red, the smell of copper causing her head to swim.

No she told herself, it was the blood loss doing that.

Her knees buckled beneath her, causing her to fall to the ground. As the darkness slowly encroached upon her, she turned to Neville who was begging her to stay with him, shouting for help while pressing down upon her wounds.

She blinked slowly. It was becoming harder and harder to open her eyes after each blink and she couldn't remember why it was so important to keep opening her eyes.

"Keep your eyes open Hermione, help is almost here. Please Hermione." She heard a voice sounding quite distant from her now.

"Following an idiots dream…" Hermione slurred but finally succumbing to the darkness.

I promise to be a little quicker with next chapter.

I hope people are still out there, please review just so I know people are still interested. x x