Chapter IV: Dreams in Shadow
(Three weeks later)
Hermione sat with her friends at the scrubbed wooden table inside the Burrow. She smiled, thankful that they were all there together. It had been three weeks since the terrible crash. Ginny had to be given sleeping potions some nights. Her nightmares were coming only every few days, instead of every night.
Ron was doing much better. He had been kept in the medical unit for a week, unfortunately for him it took almost that long for the bones in his crushed ankle to grow back. It had been an agonizing experience, but he too was happy that they were all sitting together, alive.
Mrs Weasley had been busy working in the tents at the grounds. Most of the students were too critically injured to be apparated or moved from the site. Her face was pale, her eyes were lifeless. She rarely slept, as everyone could see from the dark circles under her eyes, but she was determined to do her part. Mothers intuition had made her feel guilty for not being there at the moment her children needed her, but they understood, and were glad that she was helping those that needed it now.
Fred and George had donated their profits from "Weasley Wizard Wizbees" to the benefit fund that the Ministry had set up the day after the crash. It was hard for them, seeing pictures in the Daily Prophet of the Hogwarts Express that they had once rode for seven years themselves, destroyed beyond repair. Even worse was the feeling of helplessness. There was no way for them to help, as the Ministry put up a non-personel blocking charm. All they could do was wait for word on who made it.... and who didnt.
The days had passed slowly, as everyone recovered physically. The Thomas family had moved to a small house a bit down the road from the Weasleys. Ginny spent as much time there as Dean did at the Burrow. Harry had gone back to Privet Drive for a week, to an unexpected welcome from the Dursleys. Since Dudley had shown signs of magical ability in Harry's fifth year, his aunt and uncle had become a bit more lieniant. The house was still the same, but the air was different. Aunt Petunia had actually given him a hug, and he could swear he saw a tear in his uncle's eye. They had agreed in a family meeting that night, to be more respectful of each other, and even Dudley acknowledged the pact. It was one of the nicer moments of Harrys life.
Hermione had become the victim of post traumatic stress syndrome. She kept a blanket around her constantly, unable to determine if her shivering was from the cold, or her frazzled nerves. Nights were usually sleepless, but when she did sleep, her dreams were the same, like someone was playing the same movie in her head over and over. She searched frantically for some inkling about the Majistor, but there were no books that were allowed to Hogwarts students that contained the information. It troubled her; drove her crazy to say the least. There was a meaning to her dreams and she was determined to find out what it was.
~o~
Narcissa Malfoy sat next to her sons bed waiting for the doctor to make his morning appearance, checking her strength talismans, performing healing charms, and attending to her son. Draco had been in a coma-like state since the crash, and she wanted to be the first one he saw if he were to wake. It was hard enough to see her son like this, but worse that she was alone. There were nurse aides of course, but they never talked, just did as they were instructed by Lucius. She had only been allowed to remain there since he was gone so much, but had left strict orders for the nurses to contact him immediately if she became fitful once again..
Lucius spent the past weeks answering owls, and working along with the Ministry to clean up the situation to the press. The Ways and Means department was in a flurry of panic, adding 150 new members to its new sound-proof station just to answer the hundres of howlers they received daily.
He had raced to the scene on first notice, amazed by the scene that lay before his eyes. His first thoughts of finding his son pushed away the thoughts of anyone else that needed help, and he found him in the exact place Harry had. There was a strong surge of anger as he saw Draco there, it was all he could do to keep from screaming out thinking that his first born, and only son was dead.
But he wasnt dead. His injuries were the most critical of those who survived, and Lucius demanded that he be nursed back to health by private doctors in his home. The fact that he had yet awoke, gave Lucius some hope. The less he knew, the better, and Narcissa knew this. With each day that wore on with no change in Draco, the more she wished for her own life to be exchanged for her sons. It wasnt fair for this to happen to him. He was only 17. There were so many things out in the world that he needed to experience. She had hoped for him to help Slytherin become champions in the International Quidditch Bazaar, as Professor Dumbledore had announced would take place at Hogwarts this year. Teams from other schools all over the world would compete for the world title, in lieu of normal study routines. The only class that was required for them to attend was Defense Against the Dark Arts, taught again this year by Remus Lupin. It was a joy to all students knowing of his return. Everyone, even those in Slytherin, knew he was the best DADA teacher so far. Even Snape welcomed him back.
"mother..."
Narcissa jumped at the sound of her childs voice heard for the first time in nearly a month.
"Draco? Honey, squeeze my hand, talk to me"
"mother... its too dark...i cant see you" His words became low moans.
"It sounds like someone is waking," the doctor said as he walked into Draco's room. Nurses rushed to the bed, nearly knocking Narcissa over, but she held strong to her sons hand praying his words would become more than just sounds.
~o~
Draco could see a figure in the strange place surrounding him. He knew he had been there before, but couldnt remember when. He knew that she held the key to what he was searching for, and he had to get it, no matter what.
Draco stared, entranced by the sight of her standing there.
"I dont know what to do..." he whispered.
Hermione turned to him, but her face was emptied of emotion. "You know i didnt ask for this Malfoy. Do you actually think i would have ever risked my friends for someone like you?" Draco stood there, jaw clenched. This was the Hermione Granger that he knew, but she was different somehow.
Hermione turned away again, and Draco saw a tear glisten as it rolled down her cheek. He pondered for a moment, not knowing what to do. It wasnt every day that he felt sorry for the person he had been forced to hate.
"Hermione?" His voice was becoming hoarse, as if he had been screaming only seconds before. "Hermione, Im.." but he couldnt finish. It was welling up inside of him and he felt the familiar lump form in his throat as he tried to speak. Hermione turned to face him, her eyes full of an emotion Draco didnt understand.
"Dont pity me Malfoy. You dont have to rub it in my face that Ive failed everyone. My parents, my friends." She looked down in shame as Draco moved closer to her.
"STOP!" she shouted at him, "You take one step closer and i swear the last thing you'll see is green light coming from my wand."
He took a step back, keeping his mouth shut but not taking his eyes off her.
"You have no idea" Hermione continued, "All of my life i was taught to hate your kind. Nothing but pathetic excuses for humans. She shifted from one leg to the other, running her hands through her hair. "How could i have been so STUPID?" She turned to Draco clenching her wand so hard that her knuckles were beginning to turn white. It was pointed directly at his heart.
Fear stricken, he wanted to run, but it didnt matter if she killed him right there. He knew the end was near, and there was nothing left, not even hope.
"Well what the hell are you waiting forGranger? Go ahead and kill me, everyone will be dead soon anyway," The words flew out of his mouth before he had a chance to think. In the back of his mind he was confused. This isnt real, it cant be.. he thought.
Hermione stopped moving toward him, her eyes wide, jaw slightly ajar. Her arm dropped and the wand slipped though her fingers and snapped as it hit the cold stone floor.
Draco still fighting the urge to give up, gathered up all the strength he could muster and took a step forward. His gaze never left her as he walked, stopping only inches away from her. She looked at him not knowing what to expect. They stared at each other for a moment, the pale light from the rising moon dancing on their faces as it rose into the midnight sky. Draco took her left hand in his, watching for any note of rejection. Minutes passed like hours in silence untill Hermione finally looked at him, her eyes full of tears.
" I.." she began, "I dont understand this.."
Draco placed his fingers delicately on her cheek, brushing a long brown lock away from her eyes.
"I dont either," he whispered. She made no sound, but inched closer to him, not losing eye contact. Her eyes fluttered as they closed, and their lips met, barely brushing against the others. Draco placed his hand at the nape of her neck and pressed his mouth further into hers..
He stopped abruptly, and saw her eyes sparkling with a hint of fear. Draco felt herself falling into a place that was not the same world he was in. "Remember that i love you...." he heard her say as a warm white light caressed his body moving him toward the place he called home.
~O~
Hermione opened her eyes and jumped when she realized she was on the couch in the living room. She was drenched in sweat, and the palms of her hands had little crescant moon shapes where her fingernails had pressed so deeply into them. She could still feel a tingling on her lips, and licked them to see if the taste was still there..
"What the hell?" she asked herself. "It was a dream Hermione." But the feeling didnt leave her, so she went into the kitchen and found Ginny sitting at the table.
" Cripes Hermione you scared the hippogriff shit outta me."
"Sorry hun, i didnt mean to," she helped herself to a biscuit.
"I had the strangest dream" they both said at the same time.
Their eyes met in excitement, eager to hear the details of the others dream.
"You go first Ginny, im not sure i want to remember mine."
Ginny looked at her and shrugged, "Well alright, mine isnt very interesting im afraid, but still, " she stared off a moment as if she were trying to remember it all.
"I was in a tavern or such, Im not really sure. I was sitting across from Professor McGonagall, and she was telling me about some old myth from long ago. About some spirit that roams the world's forests searching for a new soul to inhabit, and unless it finds one, time will begin enclosing upon itself, destroying the life we know. It was very strange. Then we were joined by a woman I've never seen. She reminded me of a Spell Guardian, you know those people that workat that huge library in London, keeping books on who uses what charm and when. Anyway she and Professor McGonagall started talking and i couldnt understand them. It was almost like they were speaking a different language. I felt some kind of presence pulling me away from them, and i was instantly in some strange forest. All i could see was a kind of being in front of me, like a mist or something, and in my head i could hear everything it was saying, but i have no clue what it was."
Hermione rubbed her face with her hands, trying to wake up. "It couldnt have been real.." she thought.
"Hermione?", Ginny said, "Are you alright hun?" She pinched Hermione's arm.
"Ow! Whatdya go and do that for?"
Ginny giggled, "Just making sure you werent falling asleep on me. So thats about it, it kind of spooked me, so i came down here for a cup of tea. So what was your dream about?"
Hermione rested her elbows on the table and sipped at her tea. Ginny's eyes widened at the mention of Draco Malfoy, and her eyes glistened with intrigue as Hermione went on with her story.
"I could still feel him when i woke up. It seemed so real, but it made no sense." Hermione sighed as she looked down into her cup.
"Well dreams ARE the link to the subconcious, maybe there is something in there you need to know, and this is your brain's way of telling you."
Hermione looked at Ginny and laughed. "I dont think kissing Malfoy is something i ever needed to know."
(Three weeks later)
Hermione sat with her friends at the scrubbed wooden table inside the Burrow. She smiled, thankful that they were all there together. It had been three weeks since the terrible crash. Ginny had to be given sleeping potions some nights. Her nightmares were coming only every few days, instead of every night.
Ron was doing much better. He had been kept in the medical unit for a week, unfortunately for him it took almost that long for the bones in his crushed ankle to grow back. It had been an agonizing experience, but he too was happy that they were all sitting together, alive.
Mrs Weasley had been busy working in the tents at the grounds. Most of the students were too critically injured to be apparated or moved from the site. Her face was pale, her eyes were lifeless. She rarely slept, as everyone could see from the dark circles under her eyes, but she was determined to do her part. Mothers intuition had made her feel guilty for not being there at the moment her children needed her, but they understood, and were glad that she was helping those that needed it now.
Fred and George had donated their profits from "Weasley Wizard Wizbees" to the benefit fund that the Ministry had set up the day after the crash. It was hard for them, seeing pictures in the Daily Prophet of the Hogwarts Express that they had once rode for seven years themselves, destroyed beyond repair. Even worse was the feeling of helplessness. There was no way for them to help, as the Ministry put up a non-personel blocking charm. All they could do was wait for word on who made it.... and who didnt.
The days had passed slowly, as everyone recovered physically. The Thomas family had moved to a small house a bit down the road from the Weasleys. Ginny spent as much time there as Dean did at the Burrow. Harry had gone back to Privet Drive for a week, to an unexpected welcome from the Dursleys. Since Dudley had shown signs of magical ability in Harry's fifth year, his aunt and uncle had become a bit more lieniant. The house was still the same, but the air was different. Aunt Petunia had actually given him a hug, and he could swear he saw a tear in his uncle's eye. They had agreed in a family meeting that night, to be more respectful of each other, and even Dudley acknowledged the pact. It was one of the nicer moments of Harrys life.
Hermione had become the victim of post traumatic stress syndrome. She kept a blanket around her constantly, unable to determine if her shivering was from the cold, or her frazzled nerves. Nights were usually sleepless, but when she did sleep, her dreams were the same, like someone was playing the same movie in her head over and over. She searched frantically for some inkling about the Majistor, but there were no books that were allowed to Hogwarts students that contained the information. It troubled her; drove her crazy to say the least. There was a meaning to her dreams and she was determined to find out what it was.
~o~
Narcissa Malfoy sat next to her sons bed waiting for the doctor to make his morning appearance, checking her strength talismans, performing healing charms, and attending to her son. Draco had been in a coma-like state since the crash, and she wanted to be the first one he saw if he were to wake. It was hard enough to see her son like this, but worse that she was alone. There were nurse aides of course, but they never talked, just did as they were instructed by Lucius. She had only been allowed to remain there since he was gone so much, but had left strict orders for the nurses to contact him immediately if she became fitful once again..
Lucius spent the past weeks answering owls, and working along with the Ministry to clean up the situation to the press. The Ways and Means department was in a flurry of panic, adding 150 new members to its new sound-proof station just to answer the hundres of howlers they received daily.
He had raced to the scene on first notice, amazed by the scene that lay before his eyes. His first thoughts of finding his son pushed away the thoughts of anyone else that needed help, and he found him in the exact place Harry had. There was a strong surge of anger as he saw Draco there, it was all he could do to keep from screaming out thinking that his first born, and only son was dead.
But he wasnt dead. His injuries were the most critical of those who survived, and Lucius demanded that he be nursed back to health by private doctors in his home. The fact that he had yet awoke, gave Lucius some hope. The less he knew, the better, and Narcissa knew this. With each day that wore on with no change in Draco, the more she wished for her own life to be exchanged for her sons. It wasnt fair for this to happen to him. He was only 17. There were so many things out in the world that he needed to experience. She had hoped for him to help Slytherin become champions in the International Quidditch Bazaar, as Professor Dumbledore had announced would take place at Hogwarts this year. Teams from other schools all over the world would compete for the world title, in lieu of normal study routines. The only class that was required for them to attend was Defense Against the Dark Arts, taught again this year by Remus Lupin. It was a joy to all students knowing of his return. Everyone, even those in Slytherin, knew he was the best DADA teacher so far. Even Snape welcomed him back.
"mother..."
Narcissa jumped at the sound of her childs voice heard for the first time in nearly a month.
"Draco? Honey, squeeze my hand, talk to me"
"mother... its too dark...i cant see you" His words became low moans.
"It sounds like someone is waking," the doctor said as he walked into Draco's room. Nurses rushed to the bed, nearly knocking Narcissa over, but she held strong to her sons hand praying his words would become more than just sounds.
~o~
Draco could see a figure in the strange place surrounding him. He knew he had been there before, but couldnt remember when. He knew that she held the key to what he was searching for, and he had to get it, no matter what.
Draco stared, entranced by the sight of her standing there.
"I dont know what to do..." he whispered.
Hermione turned to him, but her face was emptied of emotion. "You know i didnt ask for this Malfoy. Do you actually think i would have ever risked my friends for someone like you?" Draco stood there, jaw clenched. This was the Hermione Granger that he knew, but she was different somehow.
Hermione turned away again, and Draco saw a tear glisten as it rolled down her cheek. He pondered for a moment, not knowing what to do. It wasnt every day that he felt sorry for the person he had been forced to hate.
"Hermione?" His voice was becoming hoarse, as if he had been screaming only seconds before. "Hermione, Im.." but he couldnt finish. It was welling up inside of him and he felt the familiar lump form in his throat as he tried to speak. Hermione turned to face him, her eyes full of an emotion Draco didnt understand.
"Dont pity me Malfoy. You dont have to rub it in my face that Ive failed everyone. My parents, my friends." She looked down in shame as Draco moved closer to her.
"STOP!" she shouted at him, "You take one step closer and i swear the last thing you'll see is green light coming from my wand."
He took a step back, keeping his mouth shut but not taking his eyes off her.
"You have no idea" Hermione continued, "All of my life i was taught to hate your kind. Nothing but pathetic excuses for humans. She shifted from one leg to the other, running her hands through her hair. "How could i have been so STUPID?" She turned to Draco clenching her wand so hard that her knuckles were beginning to turn white. It was pointed directly at his heart.
Fear stricken, he wanted to run, but it didnt matter if she killed him right there. He knew the end was near, and there was nothing left, not even hope.
"Well what the hell are you waiting forGranger? Go ahead and kill me, everyone will be dead soon anyway," The words flew out of his mouth before he had a chance to think. In the back of his mind he was confused. This isnt real, it cant be.. he thought.
Hermione stopped moving toward him, her eyes wide, jaw slightly ajar. Her arm dropped and the wand slipped though her fingers and snapped as it hit the cold stone floor.
Draco still fighting the urge to give up, gathered up all the strength he could muster and took a step forward. His gaze never left her as he walked, stopping only inches away from her. She looked at him not knowing what to expect. They stared at each other for a moment, the pale light from the rising moon dancing on their faces as it rose into the midnight sky. Draco took her left hand in his, watching for any note of rejection. Minutes passed like hours in silence untill Hermione finally looked at him, her eyes full of tears.
" I.." she began, "I dont understand this.."
Draco placed his fingers delicately on her cheek, brushing a long brown lock away from her eyes.
"I dont either," he whispered. She made no sound, but inched closer to him, not losing eye contact. Her eyes fluttered as they closed, and their lips met, barely brushing against the others. Draco placed his hand at the nape of her neck and pressed his mouth further into hers..
He stopped abruptly, and saw her eyes sparkling with a hint of fear. Draco felt herself falling into a place that was not the same world he was in. "Remember that i love you...." he heard her say as a warm white light caressed his body moving him toward the place he called home.
~O~
Hermione opened her eyes and jumped when she realized she was on the couch in the living room. She was drenched in sweat, and the palms of her hands had little crescant moon shapes where her fingernails had pressed so deeply into them. She could still feel a tingling on her lips, and licked them to see if the taste was still there..
"What the hell?" she asked herself. "It was a dream Hermione." But the feeling didnt leave her, so she went into the kitchen and found Ginny sitting at the table.
" Cripes Hermione you scared the hippogriff shit outta me."
"Sorry hun, i didnt mean to," she helped herself to a biscuit.
"I had the strangest dream" they both said at the same time.
Their eyes met in excitement, eager to hear the details of the others dream.
"You go first Ginny, im not sure i want to remember mine."
Ginny looked at her and shrugged, "Well alright, mine isnt very interesting im afraid, but still, " she stared off a moment as if she were trying to remember it all.
"I was in a tavern or such, Im not really sure. I was sitting across from Professor McGonagall, and she was telling me about some old myth from long ago. About some spirit that roams the world's forests searching for a new soul to inhabit, and unless it finds one, time will begin enclosing upon itself, destroying the life we know. It was very strange. Then we were joined by a woman I've never seen. She reminded me of a Spell Guardian, you know those people that workat that huge library in London, keeping books on who uses what charm and when. Anyway she and Professor McGonagall started talking and i couldnt understand them. It was almost like they were speaking a different language. I felt some kind of presence pulling me away from them, and i was instantly in some strange forest. All i could see was a kind of being in front of me, like a mist or something, and in my head i could hear everything it was saying, but i have no clue what it was."
Hermione rubbed her face with her hands, trying to wake up. "It couldnt have been real.." she thought.
"Hermione?", Ginny said, "Are you alright hun?" She pinched Hermione's arm.
"Ow! Whatdya go and do that for?"
Ginny giggled, "Just making sure you werent falling asleep on me. So thats about it, it kind of spooked me, so i came down here for a cup of tea. So what was your dream about?"
Hermione rested her elbows on the table and sipped at her tea. Ginny's eyes widened at the mention of Draco Malfoy, and her eyes glistened with intrigue as Hermione went on with her story.
"I could still feel him when i woke up. It seemed so real, but it made no sense." Hermione sighed as she looked down into her cup.
"Well dreams ARE the link to the subconcious, maybe there is something in there you need to know, and this is your brain's way of telling you."
Hermione looked at Ginny and laughed. "I dont think kissing Malfoy is something i ever needed to know."