A/N: Ahh, sorry, I know I'm awful! Thanks to all of you who have added this story to your favorites/alerts. Y'all are fabulous! I'll try to upload another chapter tomorrow or the day after.

Enjoy! :)

~Chapter 16~

Previously: "Yeah, right, Will. Ever since we went to the dentist, you have had this huge sweet tooth. If I don't hide it, it'd all be gone by tomorrow!" Her uncle crossed his arms and pouted. "Fine, here's some candy from the wizarding world," the brown-eyed girl told him, throwing him a box.

"What are Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans?"

"You'll see, William. Enjoy!" She called out wickedly.

"Hey, hey, pretty lady!" A masculine voice called out from behind Hermione as she put her books into her locker. She spun around quickly before a huge smile broke out on her face.

"Puck! You're back!" The brown-eyed girl squealed, jumping up and throwing her arms around the tall boy. He swung her around before putting her down with a bashful grin.

"Anything crazy happen while I was gone?"

"Well, Quinn and I are sort of a thing. And I'm pretty sure Santana is quite jealous," she told him with an uncomfortable smile.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Sounds like you're turning into the Hermione of the past again." The British girl rolled her eyes and hit him upside the head. "Has Karofsky been harassing you lately?" He inquired, concern shining in his eyes.

"Sort of," Hermione replied with a shrug. "It's been a lot worse for Kurt though." She informed him as they walked to glee. "I really missed you, you know."

"I missed you too, babe," Puck murmured shyly before entering the choir room and sitting down. Hermione smiled at him once more before sitting down next to Quinn. The two girls chatted quietly until the choir director walked in, late as usual.

"Alright, guys, let's get down to business. First, let's welcome back Noah Puckerman!" The group erupted in thunderous applause as the boy with the mohawk flexed his muscles. "Alright, well, drumroll, Finn, because I have in my hand our competition for Sectionals next month. First, the a capella choir from the all boys' private school in Westerville, the Dalton Academy Warblers!"

"Oh, bloody hell," grumbled Hermione.

"What's wrong, Mia?" Will asked his nice, a

"I, um, know the Warblers. I've sort of performed with them a couple of times and I'm really good friends with their lead vocalist," she groaned, burying her face in her hands.

"You better not be a spy for them," Rachel addressed her accusingly. The British teen held up her hands defensively.

"We don't even talk about stuff like that. I just go there to hang out and perform with them. They actually appreciate me and let everyone have a chance to shine," she snarled back at the diva. "And don't even think about asking me to spy on them."

"Guys, guys! Calm down! Mia, your friendship with the Warblers is fine. And, the rest of you better not badger her about it," he told them sternly. "Our other competition: The Hipsters, a first year club from the Warren Township continued education program. Now they are a glee club composed entirely of elderly people getting their high school GEDs. Since it seemed to get you guys jazzed for Sectionals last year, I want to make this week our second annual boys versus girls' tournament." The group began cheering loudly yet again. "So, split up into two groups and figure out what songs you're going to sing. Kurt, I'm going to say it again…boys' team." Hermione rolled her eyes and glanced sadly at Kurt.

"Will, why don't you make the girls sing songs typically done by guys and vice versa? It'd spice things up," the brunette suggested nonchalantly.

"Alright, that's fine. Any objections?" The group shook their heads no and Kurt looked at Hermione thankfully.

After class, she and Kurt were walking down the hallway, when Karofsky popped up out of nowhere and shoved the two into a set of lockers.

"What is your problem?" Kurt screamed, as he helped the girl up.

"You talking back to me? You wanna piece of the fury?" Kurt went to retaliate, but Hermione stopped him and guided him away from the bully.

"It's not worth it, love. Let's go. There's someone I want you to meet." She pulled out her phone and dialed Blaine's number. "Hey, Blaine, I'm coming over to see you guys. I'm bringing a guest. Have something special prepared!" She grabbed Kurt's hand and led him to her car. They drove for about an hour and a half before they reached Dalton Academy. "Ok, here we are!"

"Hermione, what are we doing here?" Kurt questioned, eyeing the school in awe.

"I told you. There's someone I want you to meet," the British girl replied with a smile as she looked towards the entrance to the school. "And there he is." She pulled Kurt along with her as she ran over to a dark-haired boy. "Blaine! I've missed you!" She threw her arms around him, laughing gleefully.

"Hey, Mione! Who's this?" He inquired with a warm smile, looking the taller boy up and down.

"This is Kurt Hummel. Kurt, meet Blaine Anderson, lead Warbler." The two shook hands. "You've got something to sing for us?"

"Of course. Come on you two!" He wrapped his arms around their shoulders and led them into the school. The trio walked into the Warblers' practice room and the wavy-haired brunette was met with a smiling group of young men.

"Hermione, it's great to see you again!" Wes called out to her before putting an arm around her. "You and your friend take a seat right there. We've got an awesome show for you today." The Warblers moved to the center of the room with Blaine in the lead. They began swaying and singing the familiar notes of Teenage Dream before Blaine jumped in with the lyrics.

"Oh my god, that was amazing!" Kurt gushed, clapping enthusiastically after the group finished. Hermione nodded and walked up to Blaine before whispering something in his ear, the boy nodded and walked over to Kurt.

"Come with me," he spoke kindly, grasping his hand and pulling him into the next room. They were gone for about twenty minutes, during which Hermione was laughing and singing with the remaining Warblers. After they said goodbye to the group of young men, Hermione and Kurt began conversing as they walked to the car.

"Blaine seems like a really great guy," the blue-eyed boy murmured dreamily.

"He is. He was the first friend I had when I moved here. He's the one who got me performing again," she told her companion fondly.

"Really? I didn't know that." Kurt paused. "Why did you stop me from standing up to Karofsky? You do it all the time."

"I've been through a lot," Hermione sighed. "I know how cruel people can truly be. There's something dark brewing in Karofsky and I don't want you to get hurt," she muttered uncomfortably.

"I understand and I appreciate that, but you can't always protect everybody. One of these days, you are going to have to let me stand up to Karofsky on my own."

"I know, but that doesn't mean I won't kick his ass if he lays a hand on you."

"Fine," he laughed. "If he touches me in any way you deem unsuitable, I will do nothing to stop you from attacking."

"Thank you," the British girl replied with a smirk.