After Hours
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Chapter One – 9 p.m.
Hermione Granger sat in a dark corner of the Library quietly turning the page of her book Hogwarts: A History that she read in the light from her wand. It was not the first time that she had discovered new chapters in this book, though she had read it countless times before. Her teeth gently nibbled her bottom lip as she read and re-read the paragraph. Sighing she put the book down. She was too tired to read. Carefully she put the old volume back onto the shelf, once again reprimanding herself for leaving her copy at home.
"So Potter let his little Mudblood run around by herself late at night. What could he have been thinking?" A familiar voice said making Hermione freeze.
"Malfoy, what are you doing here?" She spat picking up her bag as she turned around to see the tall blonde sneering down at her.
"That is none of your business Granger," he said lazily watching her with his cold grey eyes.
"Get out of my way Ferret," Hermione said trying and failing to push him out of her way.
"Why should I?" He drawled, not moving.
"Because," Hermione said looking down at her watch, "it's almost nine o'clock. Do you know what happens at nine o'clock Malfoy? The Library closes, the doors are locked and whoever is in here stays here until morning. Trust me; you don't want to be locked inside the Library at night. Hogwarts: A History says-"
"Shut up know-it-all-Mudblood, I don't need the lecture," Draco said rolling his eyes at her. "Well, I must be going, but I'm afraid you won't be. Won't it be fun if you were locked in the Library all night? Have fun Muddy," with that he pushed her causing her books to go flying. Hermione glared up at him, but he was gone.
"Stupid little Ferret," Hermione grumbled as she quickly picked up all of her books and shoved them unceremoniously into her pack. Hurriedly she made a dash for the exit it.
Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding…
It was nine o'clock and Hermione Granger was locked inside the Library…
"Bugger," a voice said from near the exit. Hermione ran up to find that she wasn't alone in being locked in the Library. Oh, but she wished she was. She was locked in the Library with none other then Draco Malfoy. Could her day get any better?
Suddenly all of the lights that illuminated the vast shelves of books went out. She was left in the pitch black. Hermione opened her eyes wide, but found that she could not see a thing. She began to panic.
"Breath, Hermione. Breath," she told herself taking deep breaths. "Oh Merlin," she said as her breathing became uneven. "Why did the lights have to go out?" she whined. "Merlin help me," Hermione said as she faced her worse fear… the dark.
"Calm down Granger," a voice said as a light was lit. Looking up Hermione saw Draco with his wand lit. Quickly Hermione grabbed her own wand and lit it.
"Couldn't get out huh Malfoy?" She sneered at him.
"At least I'm not the one afraid of the dark," he said cheekily.
"That's the least of my worries now," Hermione sighed as she looked up at the stacks of books. She started wishing that she hadn't read that chapter in Hogwarts: A History.
The sound of falling books not far off made both teenagers jump. Hermione's eyes were wide as she looked around trying to see what had made the books fall. Unknowingly she moved a little closer to Draco.
"What afraid of a little wind?" he scoffed.
"Malfoy all the windows are shut and locked. Wind did not knock over those books," Hermione said and she saw Draco's eyes go wide.
"Liar," he hissed though he was positive that she was right. He cursed the know-it-all. If it wasn't for her he would have been out of the Library and back in his bed. But no, she just had to blabber on about Hogwarts: A History.
He had already read Hogwarts: A History and he knew about the chapter that talked about the Library.
Hogwarts Library is one of the oldest and most vast collections of magic history in the wizarding world. It is also a point of speculation and mystery to most wizards and witches. What exactly goes on in the Hogwarts Library after hours? No one is certain and there is only one account of a student being locked in there after hours and able to recount what had happened to him. The other students were either admitted to St. Mungo's, unable to recount what had happened or otherwise were never found.
Then it went on to talk about something else, but Draco didn't quite remember what that other part was. So the other students either never turned up or went insane. That makes me feel loads better, he thought sarcastically.
CRASH!
Hermione and Draco both looked to the right. Something was coming closer. Draco could hear the footsteps of something, it sounded like it was walking on four legs.
CRASH!
Whatever it was kept on knocking into the books and toppling them over. Draco felt his heart eat rocket as the sound of crashing books drew closer and closer.
CRASH!
"M-Malfoy," Hermione stuttered and he looked down at the frizzy haired girl. She looked like she was about to cry. What happened t Gryffindor bravery, he thought, but knew this was no time to voice that particular thought.
"What Granger," he snapped, successful in hiding his anxiety of the crashing of the books.
"It changed direction," she said calming herself slightly. There was an eerie silence then…
CRASH!
Draco jumped slightly; this crash had come from right behind him.
"Nox," he said hurriedly putting out the light. "Granger, it is coming towards the light put it out."
"I can't," she whispered.
"Granger put out the light!" Draco ordered.
"I-I," she stammered. Draco ignored her, grabbed her wand and put it out. He stood next to the quaking girl as a dark figure passed by them. Draco could just barely make out the outline of it in the frail moonlight that had begun to shine through the windows. It was large and the light made its small red eyes gleam. Whatever it was passed by them continuing to crash into bookshelves as it went.
"Great job Granger, you nearly got us killed," Draco hissed as he lighted her wand once more and slammed it into her hands. He lighted his and waited for her to slow down her breathing.
"What was that?" She finally managed to blurt out.
"You mean you don't know Granger? I thought you knew everything," Draco sneered.
Hermione was taken aback by this comment. Was it an insult or a compliment? It sounded like a compliment almost, or as close to a compliment as Draco Malfoy would give her.
"Do you know?" She countered.
"No, but I don't boast about knowing everything," he retorted.
Hermione bristled angrily, but her anger faded as Draco began to walk away. Instead it filled with worry and fear. She did not want to be left alone in the Library, especially when it was dark.
"Malfoy, Malfoy! Wait! Where are you going?" Hermione asked running to keep up.
"What is the Mudblood afraid of the dark?" He sneered.
"So what if I am?"
He didn't answer her; instead he continued walking in silence.
"I think it would be best if we didn't split up," Hermione said. "Though I would prefer not to spend a moment more then necessary in your presence, I don't think it would be wise to go separate ways."
She shivered as she thought about the large form with red eyes. Draco opened his mouth to answer and…
CRASH!
They both froze in fear and turned towards the crash. It was directly behind them. Hermione's eyes went wide as she saw…
a/n I'm evil and love cliff hangers. What can I say? Only that you'll only find out what happens if you REVIEW! See ya next time for the second installment of After Hours.
silvertears