Title: An Exploding Potion and a Rescue
Summary: A potion explodes in class.
Pairing/Characters:Hermione/Dean
Rating:K
Warnings: N/A
Notes:Written for HP Slash Lover
Hermione didn't notice it at first. The classroom was quiet, had been ever since Professor Snape started the lesson. Everyone was working hard on their required potion and, as the Professor was in a particularly bad mood, no one wanted to piss him off. That's why when Hermione saw a flash of dark skin barely a moment before a body slammed into hers, sending them both skidding across the ground, Hermione was more than startled.
"What the—"
"Everyone look away!" Professor Snape's voice echoed around the room and Hermione shut her eyes tightly and buried her face against the warm body still holding her close. Even with her head buried and her eyes shut, she saw a bright glow out of the corner of her eye. It burned through her eyelashes and seemed to scald them until she was sure she could smell burning flesh. She heard a pained groan in her ear and the body holding her trembled but she still didn't open her eyes, not until Professor Snape called out the all clear.
Opening her eyes seemed a lot harder than it should have been. Her eyelids seemed dried and wrinkly, like they'd been sunburned for weeks. When she finally managed to peel them open, she realised she was looking directly at a broad, robe covered chest.
"Are you okay?"
Hermione looked up into the face of Dean Thomas. He was facing her but his eyes were still closed. She could vaguely hear Professor Snape screaming at someone behind her but she was more focused on Dean's red, raw and blistered face.
"Are you?" she asked. Her heart beat at a wild pace when she realised why he looked so bad. He'd been protecting her from the potion that exploded. She glanced behind Dean at the chair she'd been sitting in moments ago. It was burned to a crisp and there was some green goo dripping off one side. That could have been me.
"I'm fine." He smiled at her with that goofy grin she would never admit to loving.
Hermione was surprised when tears welled up and she buried her head back in Dean's chest to hide them. She wasn't usually this emotional but the thought of Dean dying to protect her caused physical pain.
"Hey," Dean said, stroking her head. "I said I was fine."
"You're not fine."
"Mr. Thomas, Miss Granger."
Hermione turned her head to look at the face of her professor. Her eyes and nose itched but her face was still dry, thankfully.
"Go to Madam Pomfrey."
"Yes Sir," they both mumbled.
Hermione stood, guiding Dean when he followed with his eyes still closed. She then guided him down the corridor and out the classroom door. She stayed completely silent the whole time, still in awe over Dean's actions.
"Hermione," Dean said when they were nearing the last corridor before the hospital wing. "Are you hurt?"
Hermione shook her head but Dean's eyes were still closed and, therefore, couldn't see her. She sniffled and cleared her throat, hoping it wouldn't break. "I'm fine," she said. Her voice was softer than usual but it didn't break; something she was grateful for.
"You don't sound fine," Dean said.
"No, no, I am." Her voice was stronger this time. "You made sure of that."
Hermione looked up at Dean just in time to see his cheeks darken slightly.
"Anyone would have done the same," he said.
"But they didn't, you did."
Dean's blush darkened until his ears were tinted pink. "Well. . . I, um. . ."
"You saved my life," Hermione said.
"I'm. . . I'm not, I mean. . . I don't. . ."
"Thank you," Hermione said. She pulled Dean to a stop and turned him to face her. His face was still raw and red and his eyes were still closed. Hermione didn't care. She leaned up and kissed him. Dean jumped and let out a startled noise. Hermione didn't pull away. She waited until he relaxed and wrapped his arms around her. She waited until he kissed her back.
Hermione only pulled back when she couldn't breathe and even then she stayed close. "Let's get you to the hospital wing," Hermione said her voice breathless.
"Good idea," Dean said. His whole face was red but he was wearing that goofy grin of his. "Do I get a prize if I'm good?"
Hermione smirked and started leading him back down the corridor. "Maybe."
(w.c 742)
WolfWinks –xx-