Hello everyone! And the count down begins for my departure... Less than two weeks! I am beyond excited! I just hope I can post as many chapters between now and then, wish me luck! But seriously I did actually finish writing this story today! Go me! after this one, there will be nine chapters I think I counted. Yes, its a lot shorter. But then again I couldn't go through another fic with them beging apart for so long and having it be as long as the other one now could I? And in case any of you are are concerned, yes I will be writing a follow up to this one. I think though, that that one will be the last one. But, I will make it longer than this one I hope! Anyways, here's the chapter, I think you'll all like it. I do not own HP!
A moment later they were on a sidewalk as Hermione continued to briskly walk. "Where are we?" Ron asked.
"Tothenham Court Road. Just walk, we need to find somewhere we can change." The four speed walked down the street as Ron told Hermione he had nothing to change into. "I have clothes packed." She responded to his inquiry. They ducked into a small alleyway and Hermione pulled out of her beaded handbag a pair of jeans, a sweatshirt, some maroon socks, and finally Harry's silvery Invisibility cloak.
Ron gaped. "What the ruddy hell?"
"Undectable Extension charm." Hermione replied, Tricky, but I think I've done it okay; anyway I managed to fit everything we need in here." She gave the fragile looking bag a little shake and it echoed like a cargo hold as a number of heavy objects rolled around inside it."Oh damn, that'll be the books," she said peering into it. "And I had them all stacked by subject… Oh well.. Harry, you'd better take the invisibility cloak. Ron hurry up and change."
Jess snorted and held up her own bag. "Great minds think alike." This got a smile out of Hermione. Harry put on the cloak as Ron changed his clothes.
They continued moving down the street when Ron turned and looked at Jess. "So, are you and George together now? I would hope so after that outburst of affection."
Hermione gaped as Harry looked shocked from underneath his cloak, though no one could see it. Jess blushed yet again. "Looks like it doesn't?"
"I would ruddy well hope so! He fully snogged you right before we left!" Ron shouted, which deserved him a quick jab in the side by Hermione's elbow.
Jess nodded mutely. It had happened so fast. She hadn't seen it coming, but then again if the circumstance had been different Jess was sure it wouldn't have happened. She didn't regret it though as she'd have the taste of George's lips to remember him by for however long she'd be gone. And she sure hoped it wasn't long.
After a brief encounter at a local muggle restaurant/diner the four stumbled across Number 12 Grimmault Place. Harry was first to open the door when he heard a loud bang and ducked just in time as a curse went flying over his head. "Get out!" Screamed the masculine, rough voice.
"Moody's last defense." Jess commented remorsefully as they all cautiously stepped in. They triggered all of Moody's weak attempts at keeping the house protected and then sat down at the large kitchen table. Harry was beside himself, as the other three could tell it pained him to be back. Sirius' memory was particularly fresh, why even his familiar odor was in the air. None of them would have been surprised if Sirius came bounding down the stairs a grin plastered on his face, and hugged Harry. But that would never happen. Sirius was dead.
Jess stood from the chair she occupied. "Well looks like we found a safe place for the next couple days." She sighed and ran a hand through her long russet hair. "Might as well make the best of it. I'll be in the washroom if you need me." She climbed up the stairs and onto the second floor. The second door to the right revealed the washroom where she closed the door behind her and sighed. She turned on the water and began to wash her face. What a day. First getting interrogated by George's grandma, then getting kissed by George, right before running for her an exciting life she lived. The cold water felt great splashed up on her face as Jess finished washing up. She noticed a towel and wiped her face over it. "That's better. Hopefully everyone has calmed down by now." Jess exited the room to see the three already upstairs.
"It would be best to turn in early." Hermione suggested. She peered into one of the empty rooms. "We can share this one Jess."
"Alright sure." She followed the bushy haired girl in. "Left or right?" Jess asked while shutting the door behind them.
"Doesn't matter to me." Hermione replied while pulling out her pajamas.
"I'll take the one closest to the door then." Jess too changed into more comfortable clothes and chose the left side of the bed upon entering. Hermione left the room briefly to brush her teeth which left Jess alone.
She looked up at the ceiling with a sigh. This was just plain weird. Two years ago she had been in this same house on completely different terms, Dumbledore and Sirius had been alive. And though Jess didn't know if it was a good thing, but that was before she had been with Draco. Her eyes squeezed shut at the thought of the blonde Slytherin. "Maybe it was a mistake ever trusting him. Every day is harder because of what he did to me. But can I really say I'd like to take it all back and had never been with him? No, I can't. It was wonderful while it lasted." She opened her eyes and looked out into the pitch black night. "I have George now. He's older, wiser, more responsible and on the right side of this war." If this was convincing Jess needed to try harder. "I'm over you Draco, I have George now." Her voice wavered. Who was she kidding? She still loved the git. Well not for much longer. Jess had been able to stomp it out once before, she could do it again right? Jess didn't get to answer the question as Hermione came back into the room. The lights were then shut off and Jess drifted into a restless sleep.
She opened her eyes to find herself in a dark and unfamiliar room. Sitting up Jess placed her feet over the bed and stood. She wasn't at Number 12 anymore. So, where was she then? "'Mione?" She called out, hoping she would know.
But she got no answer. Jess remained rooted in her spot and withdrew her wand. From the corner of the room a candle lit. "Who's there? Hermione is that you?"
A low chuckle emitted from the spot where the candle was lit. The candle then proceeded to move forward, accompanied by footfalls. Jess was getting impatient. Just as she was about to yell at the stranger the lights turned on to reveal none other than Draco Malfoy.
He sat the candle down on a near end table. His face spilt into a grin. "Thank Merlin you're alive! Last time I saw you Voldemort killed us both."
Jess pinched herself, to make sure she was seeing this right. "Malfoy?" She asked, shocked that he would be here.
He frowned slightly at her addressing him by his surname. "Jess, are you alright?"
"Where are we?"
"Look around it should be familiar." He brandished his hand somewhat like he was a model displaying the room. "After all this is where we used to meet."
Jess looked around and gaped. It was the Room of Requirement. How had both she and Draco got there? "This has to be a dream."
Draco sat down on the armrest of a plush chair and looked up at her. "I think so too. Can I ask you something?"
"Depends on what it is." She replied somewhat coldly.
He ignored this and asked his question. "Did you have the same dream? The one with us in the clearing, and then he came and…"
"What are you talking about having the same dream?" She looked at him harshly. "Of course I had that dream. You're just a figment of my imagination. You didn't have that dream, only I did."
Draco stood suddenly and grabbed her hands in his. "No Jess, you have to listen to me. I'm having this very same dream you are, as I sleep. We're in each other's dreams and somehow we're talking through them."
Jess shook off his hands. "That's ridiculous! Why should I trust you after what you did?"
He slumped visibly. "I told you I was sorry, that I never wanted to… to kill him. What more do you want from me?"
"To feel the pain that I did when I knew you abandoned me! To have the same torment I've been going through ever since that day. I don't know what to think anymore. I have everyone telling me I should move on. But… I don't want to." She looked down at her hands, as tears pricked at her eyes.
Draco couldn't take it. He felt like the cruelest and most damnable creature known to man for having hurt such a beautiful and angelic being. He crossed over to her, bending on both knees in front of her. He took one of her delicate hands in his. "Jess… I told myself I would never hurt you, but I did. More than I could ever imagine. I… I messed up, beyond forgiving. I'm sorry." He kissed her hand. "I'm sorry…" He dropped her hand and instead bent closer to the floor, pounding his fist into it as a wet set of tears rolled down his cheeks. "I understand if you can never forgive me."
Jess felt a sharp pain in her chest as she saw how pathetic and broken he looked crying and groveling at her feet. That was something she would never dream up on her own. This had to be the real thing. Swiftly she sat down next to him and titled his face up to look at hers. "How are we doing this?"
"Doing what?" He asked softly.
"Talking through dreams, I don't understand." She sat on her knees and cradled Draco close to her chest like a mother and her small child.
"I don't either." He murmured, taking in her warmth. "I don't deserve this second chance Jess. I never have, I never will."
"Shut up will you! I think I know what I'm doing, okay?" She pulled his face up from her shoulder and made him look at her. "I forgive you. I don't hate you… But I don't know how I feel about this. Maybe we should just be friends."
Draco nodded slowly. Anything would be better than her hating him. Even if that meant he couldn't have her. He had no say in this. He had screwed up this time and it was up to her.
Jess sighed softly. "I'll have to talk to George somehow."
"George? As in Weasley? What's he got to do with this?"
"Well… I'm kinda seeing him now."
"Oh."
"Don't act like that! You left me!"
"Jess" he said sternly. "I never left you. I never will leave you."
"And I'm supposed to believe that?" She asked sarcastically.
"I mean it Jess! You're the only one that means anything, everything to me." He looked at her determined. "Believe me if you want, it's the truth."
Jess didn't know what to do. No one had ever made such a bold proclamation, let alone someone she loved so much. "Alright, I might give you another chance to redeem yourself."
Draco grinned. "You mean it?"
She nodded, "I can't get rid of you that easily."
He stood proudly. "I will beat the weasel. How dare he think he can take what is rightfully mine."
Jess looked at him annoyed. "Excuse me?"
"Er, I mean, oh come on Jess. We were meant for each other! George Weasley isn't in the picture. You're just trying to make me jealous."
She couldn't help but laugh. "Maybe, but he's a good kisser."
"Don't tell me that!" He growled, "I'm going to kill him for touching you!"
"Oh grow up!" Jess rolled her eyes.
"I can kiss better." Draco to prove his point pulled her close and kissed her smoothly. He traced her jaw with his slender fingers while massaging her lips with his own. After a few moments he pulled away. "Well?"
Jess slowly opened her eyes. It was evident by her facial expression that she hadn't wanted him to stop. This caused Draco's face to spilt into his trademark smirk.
"Draco, I love you, but I really like George too. If you don't come back for me, do you expect me to wait the rest of my life for you to never return?" She bluffed trying to make it sound like George would have a chance.
Draco looked at her. "No, but I know if there's the slightest possibility that I will come back that you'll wait."
She sighed, "You know me too well."
He smirked, "When I come back, you had better choose me over the weasel twin."
Jess rolled her eyes. "We'll just have to see it you come back."
"I will Jess, I promise."
Jess woke up early. As soon as she had heard Draco promise to return to her she was wrenched out of her sleep. She turned to the window to see that it was dawn. With a sigh she got up and left Hermione to slumber on. Her feet carried her to a destination that she wasn't sure of. Only when she arrived did it make any sense, The Black Family Tapestry. On the tapestry was the long line of purebloods. Jess noticed a couple black marks. One she recognized as Sirius' name, the other Tonk's mother. She followed the line that had Tonk's mother's siblings. There was Bellatrix 'Black' now Lestrange, and the youngest sister was right beside her name, Narcissa 'Black'.
Jess then followed the dotted line which connected her to Lucius Malfoy, then a solid line srpouted below both their names, to reveal Draco Malfoy. "If you're not haunting me in my dreams you're haunting me while I'm awake." She leaned her forehead against the large tapestry, closing her eyes. "I wonder which pureblood witch will be connected to your name."
"What did I tell you?" A voice rang in her head. "There will be no pureblood connected to my name, but yours."
Jess smiled bitterly. "I wish Draco."
It was evident to her that it was Draco speaking to her in his familiar drawl. He scoffed; Jess could picture him rolling his eyes. "You wish, you know that's what's going to happen."
"Yes, I will have my name put on a pureblood family tree, the Weasley's family tree. I'll have to ask George if they have one."
His voice pierced through her thoughts, not allowing her to focus on George any farther. "You'll be on my family tree, Jess. If the weasel is the thing holding you back he can be easily disposed of." She was sure his lips curled into a cruel smirk.
"Draco!" She hissed loudly.
"Face it; you would rather be with me than George."
"Everyone knows that, but I don't have much of a choice now do I?"
"You always have a choice."
"Whatever. This isn't happening. I'll never see you again, no matter how much I want to. You're not even talking to me. I've gone so crazy without you that I'm hearing your voice in my head and having a conversation as though you're right in front of me. This is all some mental mechanism I have, convincing myself that you still love me, when it's not true. You're off to bigger and better things. Best of luck with whoever gets put next to your name on this tapestry." She then shoved herself off the wall and out of the room."
I'll have to start writing on the 3rd one soon. I was going to keep it a surprise until the last chapter of this one, but I couldn't find myself to do so. Anywho, I hope you liked this one. You can still see she's having some trouble, deciding between Draco and George, I think the next time she has a dream, her mind will be made up for sure. At least I think so.. Don't qoute me on that. Well, until next chapter, thanks for reading!
