By the time the group had arrived back at the castle, it was well past midnight. The stars had come out and the moon was only a tight sliver, showing just enough light to light the way. The castle was quiet, and they assumed that everyone had retired to their common rooms, but was puzzle that no none had notice so many people had disappeared off to who knows where, according to the students anyway. Sensing their puzzlement, Draco smirked.

"I told Mcgonagall I'll come to find 'Mione and she doesn't have to worry," he explained simply. Hermione relaxed, grateful for Draco doing that. "Now what should we do about him?" she asked, making a face as she gestured to the cot in which the unconscious Ron was still lying on.

"Just take him to the hospital wing and leave him there. Madame Pomfrey will find him tomorrow. What's his use anyway?" Ginny told them, waving a hand as if to dismiss the fact. Harry raised an eyebrow. "I know he's a jerk and all, but shouldn't we at least do something? I mean, he is your brother after all, Ginny," Harry said. Ginny shot him a glare and Harry looked away at Ron awkwardly. He still thought it was wrong to just leave him at the hospital wing, but he also knew Ginny hated what Ron had done.

Hermione glanced at Harry, then at Ginny, who had her arms crossed. "It's okay, Gin, we'll just take him to the hospital wing and leave him on the bed. Madame Pomfrey deserves a rest," the last part directed at Harry sharply. Harry sighed, knowing he wasn't going to win, although he wasn't saying anything anyway. "Fine, we'll leave him on a bed. But 'Mione, at least give him a sleeping spell maybe?" He put a light pleading tone in his voice, ignoring the huff his girlfriend was giving him. Hermione sighed. "I will, Harry, don't worry."

Blaise spoke up. "Um, are we going to go in or are we just going to stay out here and talk all night? I'm cold, you know," he complained. Draco stuffed his hands in his pocket and stared at the ground as Hermione answered. "Sorry, Blaise. We should get going in, it is cold outside."

The group went inside the castle. "Who's going to take Weasel to the hospital?" Draco asked. They all looked at one another. "I'll do it," Harry volunteered. "Me too," Hermione says. However much she hated Ron now, she couldn't just leave him like that although she felt no remorse toward him. "Oh, no, Harry. You're coming with me," Ginny said, fake cheers in her voice. Harry gulped and looked at Hermione. Hermione chuckled. "Sorry, Harry. You go with Ginny. I can take care." He nodded and Ginny grabbed his arm, dragging him into the dimly lit hall.

"I'll go with Granger," Draco said without thinking. Blaise was surprised, but he nodded slowly. "See you tomorrow, mate," he said. He gave Hermione a small smile in which she smiled back and walked off into the opposite direction.

Draco nodded at Hermione. "Come on, Granger, I'm tired too, you know." Hermione bit her lip from saying something back and waved her wand. The cot drifted next to them as the pair made their way to the hospital wing.

When they got there, Hermione roughly placed Ron on the nearest bed and with a flick off her wand. Remembering that Harry had told her to use the sleeping spell, she muttered a few words, her wand pointed at Ron. Ron's face melted into a more relaxed look from the frowning, distorted face he had plastered on before.

"Let's go now, shall we?" Hermione said, not looking at Draco. They were silent as they walked out. In front of the doors, they paused and looked quickly at one another. The silence seem to dragged out until Draco finally said, "'Night, Granger." Then he walked off without another glance, leaving Hermione standing there alone, a look of shock on her face. She trudged back to her common room slowly, the farewell still flashing in her mind. Draco saying good-night to her? It was like Salazar welcoming a muggle-born with some treats. She quickly shook her head as her body fell onto the comfy mattress of her four-poster bed. Sleep overwhelmed her and before she knew it, Hermione was out like a light.