A/N: Many apologies for not updating sooner. I have finals this week and have been busy turning in last minute projects and papers. I promise, once school is done I will be writing full-time. Thanks for your patience and for your comments so far.

The first week of July passed quicker than Harry had ever seen it. The last of the students arrived and had been settled in. To his surprise, there was another sixth year among the group; one of his fellow Gryffindors, Seamus Finnigan. Harry remembered at the beginning of last year they had a bit of a row about Voldemort’s return and the question of Harry’s sanity. Since the reports confirming what Harry had been saying all along had come out, though, the two had been a bit more friendly towards each other.

Today Harry, Seamus and Ginny were sitting around a table in the living room, each working on an essay for their first term of school. Harry thought it should be illegal for there to be homework over the holidays. Seamus and Ginny agreed. Nonetheless, the three of them worked as hard as they could. Ginny had just scribbled over a word she had just written and let out an angry sigh. “Whoever this new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is, they are not making it easy on fifth years.”

Harry and Seamus looked over at her and said, in unison, “Get used to it.” They both laughed and Seamus continued. “This year is going to be absolute murder for you. By March, most of our year was ready for a stay in St. Mungo’s mental ward.”

“That’s right,” Harry said. “Even Hermione was starting to lose it.” At the mention of her name, the table grew silent.

“Harry,” Ginny finally said. “Have you asked Kevin or Sara about…” Her voice trailed off.

Harry shook his head. He had not talked to either of them about what had happened to Hermione since the day she had arrived. He didn’t want to know because he was afraid he might do something foolish if he knew who had hurt her. It had been hard enough explaining what they knew to Seamus when he arrived four days ago, but they had all agreed that they would wait and see if she improved before they broached the subject.

The three Gryffindors went back to their essays as Kevin walked in from the back patio, followed by Chris. He smiled at them as he passed into the entrance hall. With his hands cupped over his mouth like a megaphone, he called out, “All First and Second Year Students Outside Now!.”

In a span of a moment, fourteen young students came trotting down the stairs and through the living room. Kevin followed the last one towards the door, but was stopped by Sara calling to him. “Kevin.” He turned to his wife, who had run to catch him. “She’s woken up. Do you think it’s all right if I bring her downstairs?”

Kevin nodded. “It should be okay. Healer Varan said five days of bed rest is best for her and it’s been a week. Have Ginny help you bring her down, though.” Kevin left through the back door. Sara motioned for Ginny to follow her upstairs.

As the girls left, Seamus leaned over to Harry. “Who is Healer Varan?”

“He’s from St. Mungo’s,” Harry explained. “Came to check on Hermione when she got here.”

Realizing they would get no more work done today, Harry and Seamus put their parchment and quills away. Soon, Sara and Ginny came back into the room, each one supporting an arm of Hermione’s. Harry and Seamus got to their feet, wondering if they could help in any way. With her free hand, Sara waved them off. Hermione was lowered, gently, into a recliner. Harry could see that she looked much older then fifteen. Her hair was in disorder and her pajamas were wrinkled from constant use.

“I’ll be outside with Kevin if you need anything,” Sara said, and she left room.

Harry and Seamus sat back down in the couch, but Ginny knelt in front of the chair. “How are you feeling, Hermione?”

Hermione smiled weakly. “I’m better, but I still hurt.” She shifted slightly, then winced in pain.

Ginny reached out, but Hermione waved her away. Harry could feel his face get warm with anger. “Can you tell us what happened?” he asked.

“I’m not really sure,” she answered. “My parents and I had just left the airport when we were stopped by an accident on the road. My father got out of the car to see if he could help, but then, the whole scene vanished. I remembered seeing a black robed wizard standing there. He shot out some kind of purple light and the next thing I know, I’m waking up here.” She closed her eyes, briefly. “I don’t remember what the Death Eater looked, and I don’t have a clue what kind of curse he used, but it hurt…a lot.”

Harry’s face kept getting hotter and hotter with every word she spoke. If he ever found the Death Eater who did this, he would…but he stopped that train of thought when he saw Ginny looking over at him. Her eyes seemed to be reading his thoughts and pleading for him to calm down. Some of the anger slipped away.

“What I don’t understand,” Hermione continued, unaware of the private exchange between Harry and Ginny, “is why they chose to attack me. What makes me so special that they would go to all this trouble?”

“Maybe it’s cause you’re Muggle-born,” Seamus said. “Those who follow You-Know-Who get a kick out of torturing Muggles and Muggle-born wizards and witches.”

Hermione gently shook her head. “Be that as it may, this was a carefully planned out attack, not a random strike.” She shifted again. “Ginny, can you help me back upstairs? This chair is really uncomfortable.”

She has to be in pain to think those chairs are uncomfortable, Harry thought. Ginny supported Hermione as they walked back up the stairs. Harry watched them as they left and the anger that had subsided earlier returned in force.

Harry suddenly had an urge to take his wand and find the Death Eater responsible for Hermione’s injuries. He wanted to make him suffer as much as he had made her suffer. It didn’t matter to Harry if he had to fight ten Death Eaters or ten thousand, he just wanted to leave and…

It stuck Harry like a clap of thunder. He suddenly understood why Hermione had been targeted and not someone else. They knew that, eventually, Harry would hear of this.

She had been attacked as a message to him.

Again, I apologize for the late updating. I’m starting the next chapter as you’re reading this. Thanks to all who have reviewed my story so far and I hope you will remain patient and loyal. To those who haven’t reviewed, DO IT!! Just kidding. I appreciate that you’re reading this.