Just an Illusion Chapter 3
Authors Note: Thank you for the reviews and favorites! I am just honestly surprised people reviewed. This story is not going to people very long. Meant to be short and sweet. Also, I have to go somewhere today I really don't want to. This is the only place I can rant! Anyways hope you enjoy!
Oooo
Hermione didn't understand. Why would he call her such fowl names then transport her to a bed? It just didn't make sense. The Draco Malfoy she was used to would laugh at her helpless form on the floor. But instead he helped her. She would bet anyone that he levitated her here. Malfoy would never touch her. That was proved when he kept referring to her as fifth. But reading the note made her insides bubble. He was trying to change. Trying to be better. 'I'm Sorry' was a statement she knew he didn't utter very often. But she really did appreciate the gesture. Sad to have to leave the warm huge bed, Hermione pushed herself up and grabbed her cloak. The room had a bathroom, so she decided it would be easier to use this one than going all the way to the Prefects one.
She carefully put her clean set of robes on before exciting the bathroom and the only other door in the whole room. When she turned around, now in the corridor, the door was gone. Her hand immediately slapped against her forehead. "The Room of Requirements! Why didn't I think of that!" She wondered why she wasn't as nervous, scared, afraid, or wary of the unknown room she was in. But for some reason she trusted Draco in a strange kind of way. He may mentally and emotionally hurt her all the time but she had a feeling he would never physically harm her. Yes, he shoved her, tripped her, and pushed her against walls but it never actually hurt. He always caught her before she fell or pushed just enough to get her where he wanted her. Never too hard.
Breakfast went by in ease. She sat next to Abigail Pugh, Yatin Bhagat, Miles Bletchley, and Vaisey. Their conversation was light and happy. Talking about upcoming quidditch tryouts, professor gossip, and assignments in class. When Hermione got up to leave she looked over her shoulder to see Draco intently staring at her. Her face scrunched up in confusion as she continued to walk out of the hall. Draco was looking down at his plate with a fair blush. Embarrassed that she caught him looking. Lunch was rather the same. This time she sat by Blaise and they had a livid conversation. The entire time however Draco sat there silently. Basking in the sound of her laugh. Loving the way her lips moved when she talked. The passion in her eyes when Blaise would challenge her. Oh, how he wished he could be Blaise right now. When Draco couldn't take their playful attitude, he stood up and left. Thinking it would be easier to wait outside the classroom then feel his heart rip. Hermione would never love him. Let alone like him. She probably had a huge crush on Zabini and there was nothing he could do about it. Just being around her cleared his vision. She was wonderful. No one would ever treat her the way he would, if given the chance. She was his everything. His princess.
The final class of the day was here and like the last two Hermione and Draco sat beside each other, silently. She could feel the tension between the two. She had to talk to him but she didn't know what to say. The bell had rung and she knew if she didn't say something now she would regret it. So, with her bag over her shoulder and a few random books hugged to her chest, she approached him. They were the last one in the room. Everyone else was gone to either finish their homework before dinner or hang out. His head was down as he was packing his bag and he hasn't noticed her standing right in front of him.
"I forgive you." His head shot up very quickly. She has a determined look on her face. His eyes stared down into hers. Knowing he got the message she gave a small head nod before turning around and walking the other way. She could fill his eyes burning holes into her back until she was completely out of sight. Relief washed over Draco and a genuine smile captivated his lips.
One hour later Hermione was in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. She normally used this one because no one else dared to come in here; except her. She was somewhat friends with her, Myrtle. Being a muggleborn who did die from the basilisk unlike herself, Hermione could relate. When Hermione stepped out of the stall Pansy Parkinson, Daphne Greengrass, Millicent Bulstrode, and Tracey Davis stood before her. Wands drawn. Panic immediately entered Hermiones system and her heart started to pulse adrenaline.
"Grab her!" Pansy, obviously, the leader, shouted as spells started to go flying.
"Protego!" A shield burst in front of Hermione but disappeared as soon as four spells collided against it. Pansy let out a cry of frustration as they continued to fire spells.
"Expelliarmus!" Nothing worked. Hermione was outnumbered and could not fire four spells at once. She was starting to feel tried. Her spells becoming weaker and weaker as she dodged theirs. "Protego!" She tried to protect herself one more time but it was too weak. She was drained. The shield burst from the third spell as the forth flew straight through the air. Hitting Hermione square in the chest. She went flying backwards. Her back smashing against the wall with great force. She fell to her knees, a whimper of pain released her lips as she gasped for air. But the pain didn't stop. The four girls advanced on her like a predator to wounded prey. Kicking, punching, and pulling her hair. They picked her up and continued to harm her. Just to cause more damage on her already bleeding body. Shoving her into a wall just to watch her fall to the floor once more. But she would not scream or beg them to stop. They would never get that pleasure from knowing they broke her. Hermione could handle them. She could handle the pain. With one final blow Pansy kicked her as hard as she could. The air was forced out of her lungs as she dug her nails into the stone flooring. The four attackers walked away and out of the bathroom. Flipping their hair and wearing smirks on their unharmed untouched faces.
Hermione pulled herself from the ground and tried to walk forward. Her body pulsing in pain as she fell back to the floor. Tears freely escaping her eyes. She stood once more, using all her strength, as her hands gripped the sides of the sink for support. Hesitantly she raised her head and looked at the broken girl before her. Her lip was swollen and bloody. Bruises lined her jaw and cheeks. Nose bleeding as well as a gash on her forehead. Even more cuts and bruises lined her arms and legs. She was afraid to lift her shirt and see the damage they caused there as well. She quickly closed the open wounds and looked back at herself. She couldn't leave the bathroom like this. People would ask questions. She wouldn't tell on them however. That would do nothing. They would just come after her faster and harder next time.
"Celare." She performed a concealment charm on all her exposed skin. That way no one would notice anything. Slowly she readjusted her shirt, skirt, and robes. One last look at herself she quickly left the bathroom. Every step hurt but she kept pushing. Instead of going to dinner she went straight to the library. Hiding in one of her favorite secluded areas. Like the last two nights she spread books and papers out on the table. Silent tears escaped her red puffy eyes as she continued to whimper.
To her great dismay, Draco walked in. Taking the sit in front of her. She wiped her eyes and face, hoping he wouldn't notice. He did. Like the last two nights his feet were propped up on the table with his hands in his lap. But his eyes held concern and his lips were in a scowl as he studied her. They sat there in silence and he started to pick up on things. How she winced whenever she moved. Her quivering lip. Puffy eyes. And how her skin gave a sort of glow. Like there was a sell upon her. "What happen to you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." She started to put her books away. Just to avoid eye contact because the tears were starting again.
"You weren't at dinner." He leaned forward in his seat. His eyes boring into hers.
"I … I … It doesn't matter that I wasn't at dinner." She didn't mean to snap but he was integrating her.
"You're in pain."
"No, I'm not." Despite her words, she sucked in a large breath, biting her tongue as her knees collided with the table.
Concern and worry flooded Draco's large silver eyes. "Finite Incantanem." The counter spell rolled off his lips as he stared at her in shock. It didn't take Hermione long to realize a spell had hit her. She hastily looked down and the tears fell once more. "Hermione … what happen?" He reached for her hand but she ripped it from his grasp and stood up. Trying to ignore the pain that hit her like a wave.
"Draco, you can't just do that! Preforming a spell on another student! As Head Boy, you should know this. It's completely unacceptable."
Draco stood as well. Not afraid of the short witch and knowing she was just trying to change the subject. "Why did you try and hide this?"
All anger left her fragile form as she looked up at him. "I didn't want anyone to know." It came out as a whisper as her gaze shifted back to the floor. Ashamed.
"Who did this to you?" Anger flashed through his eyes as his hands became fist. Retraining them at his sides. His jaw set and his teeth were clenched. To stop the explosion of emotions threating to leave.
"It doesn't matter."
She brushed past him but his hand shot out and softly grabbed her wrist. Pulling her to face him. She never realized how tall he was until this moment. Towering over her as their bodies only stood inches apart. She could almost fell his warm breath on her face. "Why won't you tell me who did this?" There was a pleading in his voice that broke with him. Something she had never heard before.
"Because, you'd do something you'd regret." She slowly placed her hands on his chest and pushed him away. Afraid to look him in the eyes that could read her so well. She first went to the hospital wing. Receiving some potions to stop the pain and to get rid of the bruising. She knew she couldn't go back to her dorms with them there. They would try to hurt her again. So instead, she went to the Room of Requirements.
I need the same place as last time … I need the same place as last time … I need the same place as last time …
When she opened the door, she let out a sigh of relief. Taking a quick shower and looking all over her hurt and discolored body. She climbed into bed. Loving the feeling of the black and green silk sheets against her aching skin. She took a little bit more of the potion she was instructed to take and sunk back into the covers. Burying her face into the comforting smell of the pillow. Her headache and pain eased away as she inhaled the intoxicating scent. Having no idea that this was an exact copy of Draco Malfoys room. Smell and everything. The pain almost forgotten.
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