I know the chapters are kind of short right now. I really would like them to be longer, but when I feel that its the right place to stop, i stop. (Plus I need to go to work soon and I wanted to post a chapter before I left. LOL) Hopefully they'll be longer soon... and no, I still havent decided who will end up with Hermione, if anybody.
Disclaimer: you need to ask? of course I dont own it
Chapter 3
Malfoy had kept a close eye on Granger after those first few weeks. He would get the house elves to bring her dinner, tea, anything edible in hopes that perhaps she'd start eating. He even managed to chase her out of the common room before she fell asleep on her homework a few times. Of course, Hermione just thought he was being an ass, but he didnt mind. At least she made it into her room and hopefully into bed where she could at least get restful sleep.
By the time the first Quidditch match came around in November, Draco Malfoy was starting to get a little out of sorts himself. Hermione was a handful when you were trying to help her without her knowing it. Oh yes, he was making sure she didnt realize what he was doing. He had an image to maintain afterall. He really just wasnt sure how much longer he could handle this though. Swallowing his pride, he decided to try to talk to Potter about it. He doubted Potter would let him even get the words out of his mouth, but at least he couldnt say he tried. The problem was, how to clue Potter in without ruining his reputation as a muggle hater.
One day, about a week later, Draco managed to run into Potter by himself in a hallway. Deciding now was probably as good a time as any, Draco approached him.
"Hello Potter," he said in his usual drawl.
"What do you want Malfoy?" Harry hissed.
"Oh nothing. Just thought you'd like to know some interesting facts about your precious little mudblood," Draco smirked. Maybe he could manage this afterall.
"And just what would you know that i dont? Probably nothing thats true anyway," Harry turned to leave.
"Tsk Tsk. Manners Potter. Afterall, I'm pretty sure I'll be besting Granger this year. I mean, it wont be hard if she keeps on acting the way she is now," Draco smirked when Potter stopped to listen but didnt turn around. "And wont father just be thrilled to know that little mudblood Granger might actually end up starving herself to death before the end of term. Yes, I think that would just make his day." Draco turned and walk away, smirk in place, before Potter could respond. Maybe if Potter starts paying attention to the way Granger eats, just maybe, he'll realize she hasn't been sleeping all that well either. At least now it wasnt his problem anymore. Potter was to protective of her not to look into a statement like that.
Harry walked into the Great Hall for lunch, and noticed that Hermione had skipped out again. He refused to believe what Malfoy had claimed, but he had decided to watch her a little closer anyway. He had noticed she was a little more out of sorts this year than normal. He had just assumed it was because of her rough time over the summer. Who wouldnt be a little depressed after the summer she had? He still didnt know all of the details, but he had managed to get her to at least tell him the basics of what had happened. Even knowing only a small portion of the story, Harry had vowed to kill this Tommy guy if he ever met him.
Loosing his appetite, Harry decided to go and find Hermione. He checked the Library first, her usual hideaway, but she was nowhere inside. He checked the Gryffindor common room next. Perhaps she'd gone to sit with some friends. No. She wasnt there either. Knowing he couldnt go into her Heads' common room, he rapped on the wall next to the portrait. No answer there either. "Where else could she be!" he grumbled under his breath. Starting to get frustrated.She wasnt in any of her usual hideouts. 'Perhaps the Astronomy tower or the Lake. Although I doubt she'd go to the Astronomy tower during the day,' He thought.
A quick search of the tower proved he had been right about his deduction that she wouldnt visit during the day. Walking back through the castle, heading for the Lake, he got this feeling that maybe he should go check the owlry. It was an unlikely place for Hermione to be, but something was telling him she was there. So he changed directions and headed that way.
Entering the Owlry quietly, he heard whispers. Peeking around the door he say Hermione sitting on a ledge talking to... Hedwig? Why would she be talking to Hedwig? He couldnt make out what she was saying, but she looked like she had been crying. And now that he actually paid attention, it seemed perhaps Malfoy had been right, she looked way too skinny.
Deciding to be a better friend from that point on, Harry stepped out of the shadows. "Mione," he called softly. "Mione? Are you alright?" He walked up to her and, brushing a stray tear from her cheek with his thumb, wrapped his arms around her. "Mione, please talk to me. I hate seeing you so upset."
Hermione was happy that it had been Harry who had cought her in such a compromising position and not anyone else. She didnt think she could talk to, or be comfortable around anyone else right now. Sure she loved Ron to death, but he was so dense. She knew she couldnt talk to him. And Ginny was just too boycrazy to care about what was going on with her. Besides, Harry was her best friend. Harry knew. Harry knew.
So she clung on to Harry for dear life, and just let go. They missed the end of lunch and even their next classes, but Hermione needed this. It'd been too long since anyone had truely comforted her and she needed some comfort right now. Harry didnt mind either. Glad that she was finally letting him see just how much she had been affected, he would miss a weeks worth of classes if it would help.
"Oh Harry, I just cant get him out of my head. I can't even sleep because when I do I have nightmares. He threatened to kill me, Harry. He told me if I didnt go with him he would kill me, or my parents, or all of us. I keep having nighmares that he's come back. That since he can't fine me, he murdered my parents. I'm so scared of that happening I send them owls everyday. They're fine, but I cant help it."
Not knowing what to say to help her, he just held her tighter.
"And to make it worse," Hermione jerked herself up in frustration and stomped across the room. Turning to him, she continued, "I keep having dreams that he's come into Hogwarts looking for me! I know that it isnt possible, I know... I can't even eat, Harry. I've lost my appetite as well as my will to even care." She dropped her head and looked at her feet.
Harry walked over to her and again wrapped his arms around her. "Hermione. I'm sorry I dont know what to tell you, but I'm here whenever you need me. If you want, I'll talk to Dumbledore and see if I can get access to your rooms if you want. If that will make you feel safer so that maybe you can get some sleep. God, Hermione, I'm scared for you. I really dont want anything to happen to you. I dont think that guy will be a problem anymore, but i'd kill him if it would make you happy again. You need to feel safe, I understand that completely, and until you do, you wont be able to sleep or eat well, and that would hurt you long before he could ever find you again."
Hermione sniffled and murmered what sounded to Harry like "I hope Dumbledore lets you stay with me at night too."
Harry smiled and decided to lighten the mood a little. "And if you ever need an ear Hedwig and I are both here for you."
Even though she was still crying, Hermione laughed through those tears for the first time in weeks.
