Y/N woke early even for him, 4:30am, and smiled as he stroked the loyal little Bowtruckle laying next to his bed. He sat up and struggled with one arm in a sling to get his pants on over his boxers but managed just as Madam Pomfrey arrived at his cubicle.

"What are you doing up so early Y/N?" the Matron asked suspiciously as Y/N's shoes and other articles of clothing were shrunk and placed into his pouch wandlessly.

"I'm always awake at this time Madam, I go for a morning workout with Hermione each morning."

"Ms Granger works out with you?" Pomfrey asked with a chuckle.

"Well no, she more sits there and studies but-"

Y/N was cut off by a loud cackle from the nurse, who added "I'll bet she does" with a titter and a shake of her head. Y/N looked slightly puzzled before answering:

"Quite. Anyway if you would be good enough to give me the potions I need for today I'll be on my way."

"You most certainly will not!" Pomfrey roared in anger.

"Yes I will, ma'am" Y/N replied patiently, but with a growing sense of frustration.

"Whatever this thing is has attacked twice now. It's targeting Muggleborns. I'm not about to sit on my arse in hospital while Hermione is in danger. I am leaving this hospital one way or another, if you would be good enough to give me a pain killing Potion it would be appreciated."

-~-

It was nearly 6:00am by the time Y/N had dragged himself and Newt up the many staircases to the Gryffindor common room. He was topless still, and shoeless, his arm in a sling and had a five o'clock shadow that would just have to stay today. His appearance was enough to startle the fat lady as she gasped and let him in.

He entered and was surprised but overjoyed to see Hermione sat on their couch in front of the fireplace, chatting to Lavender.

"Mione!" Y/N smiled in happiness and relief as the two rushed each other, hugging tight. It was agonising but Y/N kept a cool poker face, hiding the pain.

"What are you doing here? Madam Pomfrey wouldn't have dismissed you yet?" Hermione asked concerned as the pair separated from the hug.

"She did... eventually. There was a... spirited conversation about it."

Lavender chuckled while Hermione narrowed her eyes at Y/N. He sighed:

"Sorry, I just had to see you." He glanced around the common room before continuing quietly:

"Little Colin Creevey has been petrified. He was brought into the Hospital wing last night. Keep it to yourselves until they announce it."

Lav covered her mouth with her hands. Hermione nodded, seemingly taking it in her stride. Y/N looked down.

"When they brought him in. When they were surrounding him I was so worried... I was so scared that you..."

Y/N trailed off, unable to complete his sentence. Hermione charged him, wrapping him in a bone crunching hug. It was agonising, but Y/N didn't care- he wrapped his left arm around Hermione's back and the relief of being back close to Hermione outweighed the pain. Y/N melted into the embrace, inhaling the scent of her hair, feeling her against his chest, knowing she was safe. He felt a stillness and calmness he wasn't used to.

They eventually headed down to breakfast after Hermione helped Y/N get a shirt and shoes on. McGonagall had arrived at the common room at 7:00am to accompany Hermione down to breakfast. She was not impressed seeing Y/N, but he smiled and stated he had kept his promise and did sleep in the infirmary. He never promised to stay there after he woke.

Y/N felt overwhelmed internally as the three headed down to breakfast, Y/N and Hermione hand in hand, fingers interlocked on his good side as Hermione and Lavender chatted happily. His thoughts lingered on his predicament as his eyes darted back and forth, searching for any sign of danger.

Another dumb decision. Another idiotic choice putting Hermione at risk. Why was Y/N so worthless? Why was he so stupid? Why was he so fucking useless? His thoughts plagued him as he continued scanning for danger.

The three arrived at the Great Hall and sat for breakfast. Hermione looked at Y/N and asked, concerned:

"Are you ok Y/N? With the pain, and with everything?"

Y/N smiled and did something he swore to never do. He had to reassure her, be brave for her, to protect her....

He lied to Hermione.

"Of course I'm ok 'Mione."

He was relieved when Hermione accepted the lie and smiled with a nod.

-~-

Hermione smiled at Y/N and nodded, saying happily:

"I'm really glad to hear it. I worry about you, Y/N."

She knew Y/N was lying to her, trying to reassure her everything was fine. She saw every grimace, heard every moan and groan he tried to cover. He was in agony, and he was scared. She had seen him in first year, heading into the Forbidden Forest, or the hidden chamber to face Quirrell. She had seen his look of stoicism, of bravery. She could tell this present Y/N was full of fear. Fear for her safety. She could also tell that he was lying to try and shield her from the concern, the same concern she could see on the teachers' faces.

How could she be mad at him for trying to reassure her and protect her? He was so frustrating, so pigheaded, so stubborn. So.... she sighed to herself. He was so wonderful and sweet, always trying to protect her. She didn't have the heart to tell him she knew he was lying.

Following breakfast, and once Harry and Ron had finally emerged downstairs, the five left to head to the girls bathroom, Y/N telling the other four he needed to speak to them.

-~-

"You mean it's been opened before?" Hermione asked in shock. Y/N had just told the other four about meeting Dobby. That the House Elf was responsible for the train gate closing and the rogue bludger. That he was trying to keep Harry out of Hogwarts.

"Of course. Lucius Malfoy opened it before and now he's taught Draco how to do it" Ron exclaimed.

"We'll see" Y/N replied. "When this Potion is done we should get answers, but there are always other options..."

Y/N's voice trailed off as he made eye contact with Hermione. Her face suddenly hardened:

"No, we talked about this Y/N" she responded solemnly.

"It wouldn't take long to break him 'Mione, and I could obliviate him afterwards. He wouldn't remember a thing."

"And if he's innocent? As much as I despise him, he-"

Hermione was interrupted by a horrified Lavender who snapped:

"Break... I'm sorry are we talking about torture here?"

Harry and Ron gasped as Y/N looked at Lavender with no discernible emotion and answered:

"Yes. It's quick, efficient and leaves no evidence. Once I obliviate him he won't remember a thing."

Lavender stared at Y/N in absolute shock. It was like the Y/N she thought she knew had been stripped away, leaving a dark core she didn't know how to look at. For the first time, she feared Y/N.

Hermione looked at Y/N, reaching out and squeezing his hand as she answered:

"Let's just try the Potion first, worry about the rest later."

Y/N sighed and nodded. He and Hermione finished as much as they could for the day. The Potion needed to stew for a few more weeks. The five got up and headed out, Y/N and Hermione heading to the library, the other three following but looking at Y/N, fearfully and nervously.

-~-

Y/N returned to the hospital wing after dinner as he had been instructed when he left. Madam Pomfrey was unimpressed to say the least.

"Well it looks like the bones are fully healed. You must have been in terrible pain all day" Pomfrey said as she finished examining Y/N, handing him a Pain Reliving solution. Y/N shrugged off her comment as he began to drink. Hermione rubbed her eyes. This bloody pigheaded, stubborn, frustrating boy. He was lucky she loved him so much.

"You'll need to take it easy for about a week, if you even know what that means. No heavy lifting or strenuous activity" Pomfrey added.

"Yeah, yeah thanks ma'am." Y/N muttered in reply.

The matron cursed under her breath and walked off from the pair as Y/N finished drinking the solution.

-~-

That Sunday word of Colin's petrification spread through the castle like Fiendfyre. There were rumours of students selling amulets and talismans to supposedly keep people safe. Y/N dismissed it as nonsense until after lunch on Thursday, on their way to their Special Place for Y/N's private DADA tuition with Hermione, the pair ran into something.

Y/N and Hermione turned a corner on the fifth floor corridor to see a stall set up by one Edmund Murk, a fourth year Slytherin. He was selling 'authentic Ministry curse repellent pendants'. Three first year Hugglepuffs were trying to scrape their money together to buy one. Y/N saw red.

He released Hermione's hand and before she knew what was happening Y/N was on Edmund. The stall was sent flying, Edmund was against the wall- Y/N's left hand was around his neck, squeezing. The Slytherin was already turning blue as he flailed around, trying unsuccessfully to get the larger second year off him. Y/N's right hand held his wand, which was only millimetres from Murk's eyeball. Y/N was snarled, eyes darkening with evil intent as he growled:

"People I care about... People I love... are in mortal danger here. And you're trying to fucking profit off them with fucking fakes?"

Hermione hadn't seen Y/N this angry since the Quidditch incident at the start of the year. She yelled, trying to snap him out of it:

"Y/N stop!"

Y/N turned his head slightly to see Hermione standing in front of the three terrified Hufflepuffs. She didn't look the slightest bit afraid though. Y/N turned back and squeezed a little harder before releasing his grip just as Edmund was turning purple.

Y/N kept a tight grip on Edmund's tie though, and pointed his wand at the upturned stall. It was instantly engulfed in flames as Y/N cast a non verbal Incendio.

He looked back at the terrified fourth year, his lip curling more as he snarled:

"I see you selling this fake shit again, profiteering off the fear and misery of innocent people. I'll kill you..."