A Story of the Unrefined

~Chapter 4~

     Draco looked up at Hermione. "I really don't think now is the time."

     "Please Draco, I know we've had our differences and we probably always will, but you saved Ginny, and that means a lot to all of us." Hermione's eyes seemed to go right through him. "Draco, I'll be the first to admit, when we first heard, we were quite willing to pin the blame on you, but we can't continue to hold a childhood grudge this long. Whether Ron and Harry ever grow up is their problem to work through, but I, well, I'm sorry for everything and I forgive you."

     "Forgive me for what. I have done nothing wrong." Hermione's eyes flashed to Draco's face. She knew it was the only apology she would get from him. Hermione started to walk back to Harry and Ron, who had stopped when they saw her talking to Draco, when she turned around one last time. "Malfoy, if you ever find out who did this to her kill them, or at least injure them so brutally, I never have to see their faces again." She turned her back and disappeared down the hallway with the others. Draco smirked at being told to kill them, the two of them put together was four times his own size. Suddenly a thought crept into his mind. He had to check on Weasley first.

     He quickly reached Dumbledore's office. Ginny had not been moved because they feared the students that attacked her might find a way inside the Infirmary. Draco cried out in frustration. He still didn't know the password. "STUPID PASSWORD!" He screamed, and the door opened. Draco looked shocked, but then he smirked, "It's about time you see it my way," and then he entered the office. Draco scanned the room. It reminded him of his grandfather's office. His grandfather had always been a kind man, and had kept a bit of normalcy in Draco's life until his death, five years ago.

     Draco caught sight of light pouring from under the door of the small room that they had placed Ginny in the night before. He slowly pushed the door open and flinched, as if waiting for the creak that never came. He shook his head and searched the room for any other occupants. He slowly watched her small form turn toward him. "Thank you." Ginny gave him a small smile.

     "I do believe we were in this position once before." Draco smirked, but he had a glint of a smile in his eyes.

     "Yes, I think we have. The bad thing is, I always seem to be thanking you."

     Draco laughed. He would probably never figure it out, but there was something about this girl that just attracted him to her.

     Ginny's eyes suddenly took on a serious note. "You know who it was?" It was said, more as a statement, she knew it would have been obvious to him. She barely caught his nod.

     "What do you want me to do?" She could tell then Draco would do nothing to them without her permission. "We'll talk to Dumbledore." Draco looked up when she mentioned both of them, but shrugged it off.

     Draco moved to go to the door, when it was opened. Dumbledore walked in and shook his head gravely. "There has been another attack." The professor watched both faces and answered, the question their eyes so obviously asked. "Hermione." Draco didn't move. He listened to Ginny's sharp intake of breath. Draco caught the eyes of the professor.

     "I should have told you, it wouldn't have happened." Ginny's eyes took on an odd look as she watched Draco's face full of guilt. She began to chew her bottom lip and slowly touched Draco's shoulder. "No, please don't blame yourself." He turned slowly and caught her eyes, they seemed to beg him to listen to her. "Draco, it isn't your fault, you could only guess. I shouldn't have been scared of telling them." Draco seemed about to interrupt when she cut him off. "Although, we can't change what's happened. Professor, can I see her?"

     "I would not consider that very wise right now, Miss Weasley." Ginny nodded her head. Dumbledore seemed to be wanting to say something else, but shook his head and exited the room. Draco rose to follow suit when Ginny caught his arm. "Check on her." Draco's head hung for a minute and then he continued to walk out. Ginny shook her head, she knew he would go. He blamed it on himself for not doing something to stop it. A hand flew up to her throat as she questioned how Hermione would take it.

     Hermione walked quickly down the hallway, she was running late for Arithmancy. She was alone, it was her only class without Harry and Ron, so she felt a bit odd. As she continued to rush down the hallway, her bag had slipped from her shoulder and she fell to the ground. She screamed in frustration, as she tried to stuff her books back into her bag. She felt a chill go down her spine, she knew someone else was in the hallway, she could feel their eyes on her. She pulled her bag back on her shoulder and tried to hasten her steps.

     Suddenly, she felt someone grab her, around the waist, and pull her backwards. Her books clattered to floor as she tried to fight him off. Her mind rationalized if there was only one, she had a chance, but then she lost all hope, another set of arms, started to push her to the ground. She felt their hands all over her. Suddenly she felt one of them rip her robe. Her mind froze. Her throat was dry and she couldn't force a sound out of it. Then she heard the sound of someone running down the hallway. Her attackers ran, and she curled herself into a ball, and let the tears start to fall. It was in that position that Professor Snape found her just a few minutes later.

     Draco had felt anger consume him. First, they had attacked Ginny, and now Granger. He may have never liked the girl, but after this morning when she had opened her heart and forgiven him so easily, he had felt a sort of protection for her. In addition, he had seen the pain reflected in Ginny's eyes. She could have easily handled her own pain, she was a strong girl, but she would now be faced with the guilt of Hermione. They both would be. The further he walked the faster he moved. He was finally in a full sprint by the time he reached the Slytherin entrance.

     His whole body was shaking from the pent up anger and the exhilaration of such a run. He quickly panted out the password and charged into the common room. His eyes scanned the length of the room, not finding what he was looking for, he rushed up the staircase into his dorm. They weren't there. Everything they had owned had been removed from the room. The reality of this was a smack in the face to him. He collapsed in the chair at his desk. He rested his head in his hands and slowly scraped his fingers through his hair.

     His breathing finally calmed and he slowly glanced around the room. That was when he noticed a piece of parchment laying on his bed.

     Beware Draco

     You are losing your touch

     You know better then

     to go against the

     Dark Lord.

     You will suffer

     for such an act

     We will see you again once

     you have realized your true worth

     We look forward to it, Draco

     They didn't sign it, but he knew who it was. Crabbe and Goyle had left it as a warning for him. They had joined their "lord" and were only doing his bidding. Draco crumpled the paper and threw it across the room, but moved to pick it up once again. It could be used as evidence. As he reached for it, it was consumed in flames. Draco's eyes darkened. Someone had helped them. They wouldn't have planned that well on their own. He was about to let the anger consume him once again when he remembered Ginny's request. He needed to check on Granger.

     When he entered the infirmary, he noticed something was quiet odd, Madame Pomfrey was no where to be seen, and Hermione was, in the room, completely alone. She turned at the noise he made when he entered, and seemed to gaze straight through him. He was afraid to move. She didn't look at all like herself. Her hair was strung everywhere, her face was pale and drawn, and she didn't seem to have any spark in her. Finally Draco seemed to find his voice.

     "Ginny wanted me to come and see you?"

     Hermione's eyes seemed to acknowledge what he said, but she made no move to speak. Draco took that as a sign that he could continue. "Ginny wanted to come down herself, but Dumbledore said that might not be good right now. Do you want to see her?" Hermione turned away for a minute, then she turned back and shook her head in agreement. Draco nodded. "I am going to go now, Hermione. Are you sure you are going to be ok?" He watched Hermione struggle to keep control of her face. He could see that she didn't want him to see her cry, and he slowly exited the room.