Author's Note: This is an edited version of my story written years ago, so pardon my writing style during the first few chapters as I wrote them when I was quite young. I wrote this prior to the release of the fifth book so some of the characters are still alive.
Unexpected
Chapter 1
The ride aboard Hogwarts Express was over. Everyone except Harry, Ron, and Hermione were now with the other students from different houses, riding enchanted stagecoaches to the castle. They would have been in one of those carriages if only…
"Hermione, open the door. The other sixth graders are filing out. We are the only ones left," Harry pleaded, knocking loudly on the compartment's door.
He and Ron could not see what was happening inside the compartment because all the curtains were drawn to let no light pass through.
"We'd hate to break this door open." Ron went on.
Inside Hermione's compartment, a gust of cold wind blew off the curtains. For a moment, Hermione could not see before her. The strong wind kept her eyes closed. Finally, all was silent and as she opened her eyes, she saw a girl with long black hair, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. Hermione was taken aback.
"Who are you?" Confusion mixed with dread passed over her. 'If only I had my wand,' she thought. She had accidentally dropped her wand during the furore and it had rolled under the seat. Fear gripped her insides as she tried to think of a way to escape this unfavourable situation. 'She may be a Death Eater'. She wanted to scream for help but for some reason, her mind would not permit her voice to do so.
"You shouldn't be frightened, Hermione," the girl, who looked a few years older, walked over to where Hermione was standing. "I saw you and I felt bad for what had happened."
"How come you know my name?" Hermione asked. She looked at the figure before her but she could not make out the woman's face since it was partly covered by ravenous hair that reached down to her waist.
"I watch, so I know."
"What is it that you want? Will you hurt me?" Perhaps Hermione could delay her demise by trying to stall the inevitable.
"Oh, but I won't. In fact, I think you'll find my company much more exciting than those two boys you always spend time with," the raven-haired lady went on, "Those sputtering fools from the station must pay, don't you think." Hermione shuddered as the girl flashed her decomposed teeth with a wicked grin.
"On my count, Ron. One, two, three!" Harry and Ron took a step back, preparing to break the door open with the strength of their bodies but before they could do so, the door opened, revealing Hermione who was standing on the far corner of the compartment, facing the window.
"Why were you not answering our calls?" Harry pointed out.
"We thought something dreadful had happened to you!" Ron said, relieved to see that Hermione was all right.
"Why would you think that?" Hermione turned to face them but she was not herself. She and Rema, the dark-haired girl, were now one and the same.
"No!" Draco startled Crabbe and Goyle with his sudden outburst. He was sweating profusely, mumbling in his sleep.
Crabbe and Goyle shook Draco to wake him up. An hour ago, they found Draco asleep on his four-poster bed. Draco was unloading clothes from his trunk when he fell asleep. He had this strange dream about someone yet he could not remember who she was. What he does know is that she's dangerous and is seeking revenge from those who had hurt her in the past.
'Voldemort?' he thought. Draco tried to picture Voldemort in a long, black nightgown showing of his curves, "I never want to see that again!" he spat in disgust. His stomach churned, "Let's go down for supper. My stomach rumbling like this is killing me."
The three joined the Slytherin table, waiting for the delicacies to be served. Everyone was enjoying the feast, voices echoed inside the great hall telling one another of their wonderful summer vacations and their misadventures. Today, the enchanted ceiling was black, having visible of stars. Hundreds of candles lighted the hall illuminating the high table where Albus Dumbledore and the professors, one of which was the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher sat.
Dumbledore stood up, "A nice evening to everyone," he smiled, "As you know, we had yet another professor who has decided to quit the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts but I am pleased to announce that Professor Mort Higgins has graciously accepted my invitation to join us in Hogwarts. I trust that you will all make his stay comfortable."
The students applauded the new Hogwarts faculty member, who looked like he was in his early 30's. At the Gryffindor table, Fred and George hooted and whistled.
"Settle down now. Let the feast begin!" said Dumbledore, vaguely squinting through his half-moon spectacles.
Right there and then, the plates and goblets filled with a wide variety of food and drinks. Everyone ate and got merry, except two people. At the Gryffindor table, someone worried Harry and Ron. They noticed something strange in Hermione. Maybe it was the way she spoke or is it the evil glint in her eyes that told them to stay away or the look that tells them to get lost, 'Odd,' they thought. Both kept quiet over her behaviour and decided to confront her tomorrow. 'Perhaps she is tired and in need of rest,' they considered the idea.
When not a single inch of food was left and when everyone was full, all the students were told to go back to their dormitories to get a good night's sleep.
Hermione woke in the middle of the night. She could not sleep and so she went to the bathroom to check herself in the mirror. Instead of seeing her reflection, she saw Rema with eyes that seemed to penetrate her very soul.
"Hermione." Rema said in greeting.
Frightened, Hermione backed away from her reflection. "What is it that you want from me? Just leave me alone!" she trembled.
"You know, I can help you." spoke Rema in a haunting tone.
At that moment, Rema chose to lob herself off the mirror and stand beside Hermione.
"Please... just go." Hermione pleaded.
Rema was furious. No one may resist her. No one has the right.
"You will listen to me. You will do whatever I say. Don't you see? You have no choice in the matter. Your life is now mine." Rema shrieked and the mirror fell onto the floor, breaking into a tiny dozen pieces. She placed her vile hands on Hermione's shoulders, sharp nails clawing at smooth skin. Then, it happened. As Hermione stared, horrified for her life, Rema took over her body.
Draco woke up from a terrible nightmare. This was the second time he woke from a strange dream. "It all seemed so vivid," he thought.
First, he saw a young girl with long black hair, dressed in white. She was clutching her teddy bear to her chest. Maybe she was afraid, sitting in the corner of a dark room. Small light had passed through the shutters of an old window, reflecting the pale but striking face of the young girl who looked just like... Hermione.
Draco shook his face hard, throwing a few pinches here and there. He was trying to find out if it was real but then he realized that he must have looked stupid at the same time. "Granger?" he tried not to gag. "I must be getting soft." He shook his head in disgust.
"That mudblood is even haunting me in my dreams," Draco said in a sickened tone.
Draco rose out of bed and went downstairs to the Slytherin common room. He decided to look over his class schedule before going to the Great Hall for breakfast. Today, the Slytherins have double period Herbology with the Gryffindors.
"Just my good fortune," he said sarcastically. "Now I have to endure two whole hours with stupid Gryffindors!" he sighed. He was really not in the mood to go over his usual routine. So for the first time in his life, Draco decided that he would lie low just for today.
"Settle down, class! Today, we are going to study the salient characteristics of a flooton. Well, can anyone tell me what a flooton is?" said Professor Sprout as she entered the greenhouse.
Neville's hand shot up into the air and was trying to get the attention of their Herbology teacher. He was pleased since this was the subject where he got astounding marks.
"Alright, Neville. What is the answer, if you must?" asked Professor Sprout.
"Flootons are green creatures with mossy hair, full of what muggles call dandruff. Their white-colored dandruff is then used as floo powder," Neville droned on.
Professor Sprout smiled, "Well said, Longbottom. Five points to Gryffindor."
Meanwhile, at the back of the class sat Hermione, who was twirling locks of her hair absentmindedly. Harry noticed and called the attention of Ron.
"Ron... Ron... Hey Ron!" Ron, who was staring lazily at their professor, sat back up and gave a small yelp in surprise, attracting the attention of Professor Sprout who raised her eyebrows questioningly. Ron quickly averted his eyes and turned to look at Harry. He whispered, "What? You didn't have to scare the floo out of me."
"Listen... something's not right with Hermione, isn't it?" Harry said, trying to ignore Ron's annoyed tone.
"Well yes, now that you mentioned it. I mean she always stands out during recitation. She didn't even raise her hand to the question of Sprout," Ron replied.
They weren't able to continue their conversation since Professor Sprout caught their attention.
"As I was saying, divide yourselves in pairs and start extracting the floo powder from the flootons. Time starts now," said Professor Sprout.
Harry and Ron became partners. Crabbe and Goyle were partners. Neville was with the new student, Thomas. Parvati and Lavender were together. Pansy, well, she tried to make Draco her partner but failed miserably and so she joined another girl from Slytherin. Only Draco and Hermione were left without partners.
Professor Sprout saw this and said, "Since both of you haven't got a partner, why don't you work together on the project?"
"Professor…"
"Quit talking and start doing." their teacher snapped impatiently.
Draco and Hermione snarled at one another. "Guess I'm stuck with you, mudblood," he said.
"And I'm stuck with you ferret boy!" she said.
"Whatever. Shut it and do the project," Draco retorted.
Even when Draco and Hermione were partners, they both worked independently. One time when Draco wasn't looking, Hermione deliberately set her pot on fire and abruptly shrieked, "Draco Malfoy! What do you think you're doing to my project?" she said in an extra loud voice for everyone to hear.
"What are you talking about, mudblood?" he said cautiously.
"Stop acting as if you have no clue as to what I'm saying! Professor, did you hear what he called me?" she pointed at Draco and moaned as if on the brink of tears.
"I'll get you another pot," their teacher patted Hermione on the back. Professor Sprout didn't see however, that the person she's comforting was now smirking and pointing her middle finger up at Draco as she muttered under her breath, "Fool…"
"Did that just happen?" Harry said, still recovering from the shock. He nudged Ron on the arm.
"Did you see the look on Malfoy's face? It was hysterical! I need to register this in my brain so I'll never forget this particular day. Hermione, you just about made my day!" Ron whistled loudly.
"Look here, Ron. I know Hermione dislikes Draco as much as we do but she would never do something as cruel to anyone, let alone destroy her own work." Harry said weakly.
Professor Sprout's grip on his arm was getting more painful by the second but Draco didn't mind. He was confused and well, he was not even sure of what he really felt at the moment. All he knows was that something was very wrong.
Draco made up his mind, 'I'm going to get to the bottom of this. You better be prepared, Granger, because I'm not letting you get away with what you just did!'
At long last, the two reached the office of Professor Snape, head of the Slytherin House. Professor Sprout knocked until Snape opened the door, "Professor Sprout, pray tell what brings you to offer the pleasure of your company?" Snape let out a loud yawn.
"Do take a seat," Snape said, flicking his wand to produce two chairs. "Well?"
"Draco deliberately ruined the project of a student and disrupted my class on purpose. They were sharing a table but when Ms. Granger wasn't looking, he set fire on her pot!" Professor Sprout fumed.
Snape looked at Draco with an amused twinkle on his eye, "I assure you Professor Sprout that there must have been a misunderstanding. This kind of accident might have been the fault of your inept student, Ms. Granger. After all, Draco here has had no such record of misbehaviour on his account. You wouldn't do that, would you Draco?"
"No sir, I wouldn't!" Draco said truthfully.
BAM
The door closed loudly, caused by Professor Sprout's swift departure. She tried her best to reason unto the deaf ears of Severus Snape but she couldn't make him inflict even the slightest punishment upon Draco. She didn't believe that a troublemaker like Draco Malfoy wouldn't do something awful as to deliberately destroy someone's project, especially since it was Hermione Granger they were talking about.
"I really didn't do what she says I did, Professor," Draco said, finally relieved. He looked into Snape's eyes and what he saw was pure scepticism. There was a faint smile playing upon the professor's lips.
"Draco, I am extremely disappointed in you. Try not to get caught next time." Snape said after Professor Sprout left. "Move along now."
Draco stood up silently and went out the door, held open by his house head.
"Did you like what you did? Were you satisfied? You can do more. You can do anything." Once again Rema was taunting her. Provoking Hermione to do something terrible and today, Rema had succeeded.
Hermione replayed the incident that happened a while ago in her mind. She couldn't believe what she just did. 'No, what Rema did,' she thought, 'or was it I who did it? Was it my fault?' She needed help but she couldn't bring herself to tell Harry and Ron about her predicament. She didn't want to be a burden to them and have them worry over her own problems. Rema will know if she did and if anyone interferes, he or she will suffer intolerably, that was part of the plan.
"Hermione, you're not touching your food. What's wrong?" Harry's eyes were full of concern. They were in the Great Hall with the others, eating supper. Harry noticed that Hermione was staring off to space. It was as if she was not there at all. It was driving him and Ron crazy. They knew something has happened.
Hermione looked at Harry and Ron. 'They truly care,' this thought made her want to cry. Right there and then, Hermione decided to sort this problem out herself. She did not want to ponder on the horrible things the vengeful girl promised to do to her two bestfriends should they find out about everything. 'You mustn't know.'
In the Slytherin Table
"Hey Draco, are you going to eat those muffins?" Crabbe said while munching on his own food.
He and Goyle never had an end to their appetite. And now they were fighting on who gets to eat Draco's muffins.
"Will you two shut it? First of all, there are two so why don't you just quit talking and share! Second, you two don't need to compare and argue over your weights. You're both overweight so it's more of a tie, really!" Draco was in a bad mood and it didn't help seeing his two so-called friends fighting over a small matter.
Crabbe and Goyle both noticed that Draco was getting more and more irritated by the minute and so they decided to do what he told them to and that is, to keep their mouths shut.
Draco was angry yet at the same time he was intrigued as to what Hermione was up to. Besides, he has to be on top of everything and there's not a single bizarre moment in his life that he didn't get to the bottom of. Surely, this was one of those situations.
Hermione decided that she could not stay there much longer and so she wanted to go back to the girl's dormitories to rest.
"I'm tired. I'm going to bed first, alright?" she said as she stood up and slid her chair to its proper place.
Just as she was about to leave, Ron took hold of her right arm and said sheepishly, "Good night Hermione. Take care of yourself. A lot of people care about you. We know we do."
"Yeah, and don't you ever forget that, alright?" Harry added, grinning.
Hermione smiled and said her thanks.
Draco was staring lazily at his friends who were wolfing down on his food when his eyes caught Hermione stand up and get out of the Great Hall.
'Where is she going? It's too early to go to bed. She thinks she can get away with what she did to me? Think again, mudblood.' He scoffed at the thought. He stood up and walked in the same direction where Hermione went, leaving Crabbe and Goyle eating with what's left of his food. He saw her go up the grand staircase in a hurry. He wanted to catch her by surprise but the only way he could do that was if she doesn't see him following her.
She was walking so fast, he could not catch up. Suddenly, she stopped. "I know you're there. Show yourself."
'No point in hiding,' Draco revealed himself and sighed. He started walking slowly towards Hermione and stopped a foot away from her, with a piercing look.
"Malfoy, why am I not surprised? Is it just your thing to sneak up on people, mind their business and not your own? It must be your favourite past time!" She said furiously.
"Easy... I'm not the one who destroyed a project in Herbology and had someone else took the blame for it!" He hissed while taking one step forward so that Hermione was forced to step backward. Draco shrugged his hair away from his eyes to see better the anxiety in her face.
Hermione had never been this close to him. She could feel his breath on her face, making her feel very uneasy. He was tall and was looking down on her. She could smell his scent, a mild masculine fragrance. She felt shivers going down her spine.
Draco enjoyed seeing her anxious. She was obviously affected by their proximity to one another. He kind of liked his effect on her. She stared at him with those brown eyes almost as wide as galleons. She tried to look defiantly at him, but failed miserably. Up close, she wasn't as mousy as he remembered. Her hair fell in long waves over her shoulders and was quite tamed. As a matter of fact, she had quite a remarkable head on her shoulders too. And he was not only talking about her intelligence. 'How come I never noticed it before?' he asked himself. All those years have done Hermione extremely well. She was definitely no longer the buck-tooth beaver from first-year. She had grown into a well-endowed young woman, and although Draco hated to admit it, she was a tad bit attractive.
"Well I..." Hermione's voice was quivering. She knew it was true but still, it wasn't her fault. It was Rema. This was unfair. Hermione thought. She was experiencing difficulty talking especially since he was standing so close to her. It didn't help that he was particularly good-looking. 'Oh, if only he wasn't looking at me so pointedly or standing this close to me.'
TO BE CONTINUED
Author's Note: Like it? Hate it? Should I continue? Tell me what you think by hitting that review button.