Disclaimer: All characters are owned by J.K. Rowling
The three of them were so frightened that something like this would happen. When they were in their second year, when the Chamber of Secrets has been opened, it has happened before, 50 years ago. And now, history is about to repeat itself on them --- Harry and Hermione. And the one person who poses on them so much danger like this is none other than Harry Potter's greatest enemy, and Hermione Granger's... well, they were almost friends.
They sat at the Great Hall eating breakfast the next morning. Somehow, without talking, they have decided that it's best not to speak of it in public and not to speak of it now. They were still so entranced that something so horrible would happen soon, and they didn't know how to avoid it. Let alone the fact that they couldn't even tell Dumbledore.
Hermione has dropped the idea of showing Professor Heron that she has proof. She believes that it's safer to leave the Eagle's Eye tucked inside her skirt. Besides, she's been so distracted by her love life that she almost forgot about that question... that one question...
"Would you two stop doing that?" Ron was looking straight from across the table to where Harry and Hermione were both seated. Ron had gotten use that Harry would sit beside him, and Hermione in front of him. But this morning it was different, Harry was sitting in front of him, and Hermione was on Harry. She was seated on Harry's lap and Harry had his arms around her. Her head was rested on his shoulder and they were looking deep into each other's eyes.
Both looked at Ron as they ended their state of trance. "What? Could you blame me if I can't keep myself from looking into these eyes?" He was again connecting to her deep brown eyes.
Ron was so happy when Professor Dumbledore stood up in front on the teacher's table and specifically pointed at the two. He was about to make his announcement.
"I would like to announce that before we end this year, the school shall be holding a Quiz Bee." His eyes were sparkling as he looked through his half- moon spectacles, at the students who had started murmuring, and whispering to each other.
"I know this was quite a bit short notice. But I know we have quite some intelligent students here who would like to join. Actually, we had already chosen the contestants. This is a grand competition, but only four shall compete --- one for each house. And before I forget, only seventh years are allowed to join." The murmurs now grew louder and the whispers had transformed themselves into shouts. Some were excited at who the contestants will be while some lower years were glaring at Dumbledore for not considering them to join. And as if knowing what they were thinking, Dumbledore added a few more words, "Shall I say, the questions are very difficult and involves all of the lessons from first to seventh year." Now this quite made clear to the rambling students why it was limited to the graduating class because the hush died down. "Now, will the four contestants please approach the teachers' table when your names are called. Please be reminded that we have chosen you based on your performances during your whole stay at Hogwarts." Hermione gasped. She suddenly felt the need to throw up. Not that she didn't know that she was the highest contender, and that she didn't want to join, it's just that reminding her of everything she did during her entire stay at this school sort of makes her slouched on her chair.
"Shall we start? For Gryffindor House, need I say more --- Ms. Hermione Granger." Harry was applauding the loudest among the Gryffindors. He stood up and kissed Hermione on the cheek, which made her blush in front of the whole school. As she made her way towards the front, she saw that Malfoy was nowhere to be found in the Slytherin table. She then breathed a sigh of relief.
"Next, for Ravenclaw house, Ms. Padma Patil." A young woman with slender body and nice figure stood up among the crowd of cheering Ravenclaws and approached the front. Hermione knew her well. She had been Ron's date in the Yule Ball when they were in fourth year. They started chatting along.
"For Hufflepuff, Ms. Hannah Abbott." Another young woman went up from her table and received great applause from her fellow Hufflepuffs.
"And finally, for Slytherin House, Mr. Draco Malfoy." Hermione almost dropped the goblet that Professor McGonagall handed her when she had reached the front. She couldn't believe what she heard. But searching all throughout the Great Hall, she could see that Draco was still nowhere to be seen. She saw Harry close his knuckles and punch the table, while Ron looked like a lost baby. She tried to asked Professor Dumbledore but the cheers from the Slytherin table was so loud that he could barely hear her.
Dumbledore put up his hands to signal silence and they were all quiet. Crabbe and Goyle were still standing which made them flush as everyone turned his/her head on them. "I see that Mr. Malfoy isn't here. Very well..." Hermione crossed her fingers behind her back and she could see Harry muttering the words I love you to her. Ron still looked liked a lost baby. "... I trust that Ms. Granger will inform Mr. Malfoy that he has been entered into the competition." As Hermione said "Yes, professor," she could feel her life ending right that very moment. I'm being lead to the heir of Slytherin. This is Draco's plan. Harry will come with me, and Draco will kill us both. Harry was now standing up and was clutching his wand. Ron looked like he was about to cry.
"Very well, that's all." Hermione hurried down back to Harry and hugged her. She could tell he was afraid too. But he was not about to let her down. They didn't realize that everyone was staring at their moment. Ron was crying now.
***
After the dinner, Harry went with Hermione to go look for Malfoy. Then had a better plan than trying to ask every Slytherin that passed along about where he was. They bet they'll just love to show them where their dear Malfoy is, fat chance. While Ron was checking outside for any unwanted person, Harry and Hermione slid inside a vacant classroom. Harry put his arms around her and held on to her tightly. "You ready?" she asked. "More than you think." Harry managed to put up a smile, a smile that made Hermione's heart leap a thousand miles. "Hold on tight." And then they disappeared around swirling white and blue lights.
To much of their horror, both of them landed in the Slytherin common room. Luckily, there was no one there - yet. They looked frantically for Malfoy and they found him lying in an open couch looking at the ceiling. He was so immersed in thought that he didn't notice Harry's hands. Harry had pulled him up through his collar. Hermione never knew Harry was really this strong. Draco was thinking the same thing too, from the look he had on his face. "Drop me, Potter."
"Or what, you'll kill me? Just try!" He was pulling him higher from the ground. The tip of his shoes were barely touching the ground now.
"No, or they will see you." Draco pointed at a couple of Slytherin girls that were about to enter the common room. Hermione panicked and touched Harry on the shoulder. Her body glowed in lights and took along Harry and Draco with it.
And they landed upstairs, in Draco's room. Hermione swiftly turned around, pulled out the Eagle's Eye and pointed it to the door. It suddenly locked.
"What's this? A practical joke? Granger, how did you do that?" Draco was really confused at what he was seeing.
Harry was still holding Malfoy's collar and this time, Malfoy was almost choking as his feet where now hanging in the air. "She has a name, Malfoy, and you will call her that!"
Draco let out a yell of pain and disappeared from Harry's hand in a puff of smoke. He reappeared behind Hermione and he didn't ignore the chance as he grabbed her from the back which made her release her grip from the wand.
"Let go of me!" Hermione was furious. She didn't know what to do. She couldn't escape, now that she isn't holding the wand anymore.
"Not until Potter leaves us here alone, to talk." Draco was looking down on her face like he didn't what to lose sight of her.
"Are you mad? I'm not leaving her alone with you!" Harry started for Draco but Draco had pulled his wand and was pointing it at him.
"If you move any closer, I will kill you, Potter."
"Just try!" Harry was furious as he leapt towards Malfoy and Malfoy muttered a spell under his breath. Impedimenta! For a moment Draco thought it had worked, for Harry was standing there, shocked and immobile. But then he moved. He started for Draco again and as his arms closed in on them, both Draco and Hermione disappeared in a puff of air and out of sight.
***
Hermione was struggling to release herself from the chains that bound her in the dungeon. When both of them had reappeared there, Draco used his wand to chain her on the wall. It was quite dark and very cozy, and Hermione could feel the dampness of where her back was. "Release me, Draco!" She was looking straight into the darkness, where a man was hidden in the shadows. "Not until you stop struggling." Draco moved forward and slowly his figure appeared in the light of the torch. "You have to keep quiet and listen to me."
"What do want from me? If you want to kill me, go ahead. Don't waste your time." Her face was marked with anger and she was so furious that her struggles were marking the chains on her wrists.
"I won't kill you. Just listen to me!" Draco shouted these words but Hermione saw a sudden change in the expression his eyes were showing. From deeply being melancholic, it turned to something of pleading.
She looked into his eyes and tried to use the same tactic she had used before to find out what the other person was thinking and feeling, but it didn't work this time. Then she remembered that she haven't got the Eagle's Eye, she left it on Draco's room. Now she didn't know whether to believe him or not. All she can do was trust her instincts and pray that she'll still live to see Harry after this.
"Do what you want, Malfoy. I won't stop you." Her eyes rounded as she saw Malfoy walk slowly towards her with his arms outstretched. She didn't know if he was going to strangle her, undress her, or was merely making a Frankenstein imitation. Though she has to admit that he looks a great deal better than that monster. But come to think of it, Draco is turning into a monster.
She gasped as Draco's hands went to the chains at her risk and as he touched them, they melted on the spot. "I release you, Hermione."
"Why?" Hermione's eyes were filled with confusion.
"Why what?"
"Why are you releasing me and why are you calling me Hermione?"
"Because Potter told me so."
"I don't believe that as an excuse. You could have killed me but why did you stop?"
Draco's eyes glinted with disbelief. "I release you and let you go and you still ask me why?"
"I deserve to know, don't I?"
"If that's what you want, I'll give it to you." Draco turned to her and wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close to him. Then he did something she never thought he would do. He kissed her. It was so passionate that her lips on his made her feel what he was feeling. He was in love --- with her. Hermione opened her eyes and stepped back. Draco was so startled that he stared at her with more disbelief. "Why?"
"I felt it. And I couldn't let it be."
"Why not, Granger? You can't be with Potter for the rest of your life. It's not like you're destined to be together!" Draco was once more furious.
"What if we are? I love him and he loves me. It doesn't matter what the future holds because what we do with our feelings now will map out our future for us anyway. I couldn't let you love me because I couldn't let you get hurt." There were tears rolling from her eyes and she was looking at him, as if pleading for him to understand.
"You can never hurt me, Granger."
"And why is that?" There was an awkward silence. Hermione didn't think he was still going to answer.
"Because you're not mine. The same as how you can't lose something that you never had." He was looking down when he said this, then he looked up at her and held out his hand.
"Reach for it, Granger." And now he was smiling.
"Thank you," was all she could say. And without any hesitation, she reached for his hand. But before they disappeared once again in a puff of smoke, she could swear she heard him say "I love you."
The three of them were so frightened that something like this would happen. When they were in their second year, when the Chamber of Secrets has been opened, it has happened before, 50 years ago. And now, history is about to repeat itself on them --- Harry and Hermione. And the one person who poses on them so much danger like this is none other than Harry Potter's greatest enemy, and Hermione Granger's... well, they were almost friends.
They sat at the Great Hall eating breakfast the next morning. Somehow, without talking, they have decided that it's best not to speak of it in public and not to speak of it now. They were still so entranced that something so horrible would happen soon, and they didn't know how to avoid it. Let alone the fact that they couldn't even tell Dumbledore.
Hermione has dropped the idea of showing Professor Heron that she has proof. She believes that it's safer to leave the Eagle's Eye tucked inside her skirt. Besides, she's been so distracted by her love life that she almost forgot about that question... that one question...
"Would you two stop doing that?" Ron was looking straight from across the table to where Harry and Hermione were both seated. Ron had gotten use that Harry would sit beside him, and Hermione in front of him. But this morning it was different, Harry was sitting in front of him, and Hermione was on Harry. She was seated on Harry's lap and Harry had his arms around her. Her head was rested on his shoulder and they were looking deep into each other's eyes.
Both looked at Ron as they ended their state of trance. "What? Could you blame me if I can't keep myself from looking into these eyes?" He was again connecting to her deep brown eyes.
Ron was so happy when Professor Dumbledore stood up in front on the teacher's table and specifically pointed at the two. He was about to make his announcement.
"I would like to announce that before we end this year, the school shall be holding a Quiz Bee." His eyes were sparkling as he looked through his half- moon spectacles, at the students who had started murmuring, and whispering to each other.
"I know this was quite a bit short notice. But I know we have quite some intelligent students here who would like to join. Actually, we had already chosen the contestants. This is a grand competition, but only four shall compete --- one for each house. And before I forget, only seventh years are allowed to join." The murmurs now grew louder and the whispers had transformed themselves into shouts. Some were excited at who the contestants will be while some lower years were glaring at Dumbledore for not considering them to join. And as if knowing what they were thinking, Dumbledore added a few more words, "Shall I say, the questions are very difficult and involves all of the lessons from first to seventh year." Now this quite made clear to the rambling students why it was limited to the graduating class because the hush died down. "Now, will the four contestants please approach the teachers' table when your names are called. Please be reminded that we have chosen you based on your performances during your whole stay at Hogwarts." Hermione gasped. She suddenly felt the need to throw up. Not that she didn't know that she was the highest contender, and that she didn't want to join, it's just that reminding her of everything she did during her entire stay at this school sort of makes her slouched on her chair.
"Shall we start? For Gryffindor House, need I say more --- Ms. Hermione Granger." Harry was applauding the loudest among the Gryffindors. He stood up and kissed Hermione on the cheek, which made her blush in front of the whole school. As she made her way towards the front, she saw that Malfoy was nowhere to be found in the Slytherin table. She then breathed a sigh of relief.
"Next, for Ravenclaw house, Ms. Padma Patil." A young woman with slender body and nice figure stood up among the crowd of cheering Ravenclaws and approached the front. Hermione knew her well. She had been Ron's date in the Yule Ball when they were in fourth year. They started chatting along.
"For Hufflepuff, Ms. Hannah Abbott." Another young woman went up from her table and received great applause from her fellow Hufflepuffs.
"And finally, for Slytherin House, Mr. Draco Malfoy." Hermione almost dropped the goblet that Professor McGonagall handed her when she had reached the front. She couldn't believe what she heard. But searching all throughout the Great Hall, she could see that Draco was still nowhere to be seen. She saw Harry close his knuckles and punch the table, while Ron looked like a lost baby. She tried to asked Professor Dumbledore but the cheers from the Slytherin table was so loud that he could barely hear her.
Dumbledore put up his hands to signal silence and they were all quiet. Crabbe and Goyle were still standing which made them flush as everyone turned his/her head on them. "I see that Mr. Malfoy isn't here. Very well..." Hermione crossed her fingers behind her back and she could see Harry muttering the words I love you to her. Ron still looked liked a lost baby. "... I trust that Ms. Granger will inform Mr. Malfoy that he has been entered into the competition." As Hermione said "Yes, professor," she could feel her life ending right that very moment. I'm being lead to the heir of Slytherin. This is Draco's plan. Harry will come with me, and Draco will kill us both. Harry was now standing up and was clutching his wand. Ron looked like he was about to cry.
"Very well, that's all." Hermione hurried down back to Harry and hugged her. She could tell he was afraid too. But he was not about to let her down. They didn't realize that everyone was staring at their moment. Ron was crying now.
***
After the dinner, Harry went with Hermione to go look for Malfoy. Then had a better plan than trying to ask every Slytherin that passed along about where he was. They bet they'll just love to show them where their dear Malfoy is, fat chance. While Ron was checking outside for any unwanted person, Harry and Hermione slid inside a vacant classroom. Harry put his arms around her and held on to her tightly. "You ready?" she asked. "More than you think." Harry managed to put up a smile, a smile that made Hermione's heart leap a thousand miles. "Hold on tight." And then they disappeared around swirling white and blue lights.
To much of their horror, both of them landed in the Slytherin common room. Luckily, there was no one there - yet. They looked frantically for Malfoy and they found him lying in an open couch looking at the ceiling. He was so immersed in thought that he didn't notice Harry's hands. Harry had pulled him up through his collar. Hermione never knew Harry was really this strong. Draco was thinking the same thing too, from the look he had on his face. "Drop me, Potter."
"Or what, you'll kill me? Just try!" He was pulling him higher from the ground. The tip of his shoes were barely touching the ground now.
"No, or they will see you." Draco pointed at a couple of Slytherin girls that were about to enter the common room. Hermione panicked and touched Harry on the shoulder. Her body glowed in lights and took along Harry and Draco with it.
And they landed upstairs, in Draco's room. Hermione swiftly turned around, pulled out the Eagle's Eye and pointed it to the door. It suddenly locked.
"What's this? A practical joke? Granger, how did you do that?" Draco was really confused at what he was seeing.
Harry was still holding Malfoy's collar and this time, Malfoy was almost choking as his feet where now hanging in the air. "She has a name, Malfoy, and you will call her that!"
Draco let out a yell of pain and disappeared from Harry's hand in a puff of smoke. He reappeared behind Hermione and he didn't ignore the chance as he grabbed her from the back which made her release her grip from the wand.
"Let go of me!" Hermione was furious. She didn't know what to do. She couldn't escape, now that she isn't holding the wand anymore.
"Not until Potter leaves us here alone, to talk." Draco was looking down on her face like he didn't what to lose sight of her.
"Are you mad? I'm not leaving her alone with you!" Harry started for Draco but Draco had pulled his wand and was pointing it at him.
"If you move any closer, I will kill you, Potter."
"Just try!" Harry was furious as he leapt towards Malfoy and Malfoy muttered a spell under his breath. Impedimenta! For a moment Draco thought it had worked, for Harry was standing there, shocked and immobile. But then he moved. He started for Draco again and as his arms closed in on them, both Draco and Hermione disappeared in a puff of air and out of sight.
***
Hermione was struggling to release herself from the chains that bound her in the dungeon. When both of them had reappeared there, Draco used his wand to chain her on the wall. It was quite dark and very cozy, and Hermione could feel the dampness of where her back was. "Release me, Draco!" She was looking straight into the darkness, where a man was hidden in the shadows. "Not until you stop struggling." Draco moved forward and slowly his figure appeared in the light of the torch. "You have to keep quiet and listen to me."
"What do want from me? If you want to kill me, go ahead. Don't waste your time." Her face was marked with anger and she was so furious that her struggles were marking the chains on her wrists.
"I won't kill you. Just listen to me!" Draco shouted these words but Hermione saw a sudden change in the expression his eyes were showing. From deeply being melancholic, it turned to something of pleading.
She looked into his eyes and tried to use the same tactic she had used before to find out what the other person was thinking and feeling, but it didn't work this time. Then she remembered that she haven't got the Eagle's Eye, she left it on Draco's room. Now she didn't know whether to believe him or not. All she can do was trust her instincts and pray that she'll still live to see Harry after this.
"Do what you want, Malfoy. I won't stop you." Her eyes rounded as she saw Malfoy walk slowly towards her with his arms outstretched. She didn't know if he was going to strangle her, undress her, or was merely making a Frankenstein imitation. Though she has to admit that he looks a great deal better than that monster. But come to think of it, Draco is turning into a monster.
She gasped as Draco's hands went to the chains at her risk and as he touched them, they melted on the spot. "I release you, Hermione."
"Why?" Hermione's eyes were filled with confusion.
"Why what?"
"Why are you releasing me and why are you calling me Hermione?"
"Because Potter told me so."
"I don't believe that as an excuse. You could have killed me but why did you stop?"
Draco's eyes glinted with disbelief. "I release you and let you go and you still ask me why?"
"I deserve to know, don't I?"
"If that's what you want, I'll give it to you." Draco turned to her and wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close to him. Then he did something she never thought he would do. He kissed her. It was so passionate that her lips on his made her feel what he was feeling. He was in love --- with her. Hermione opened her eyes and stepped back. Draco was so startled that he stared at her with more disbelief. "Why?"
"I felt it. And I couldn't let it be."
"Why not, Granger? You can't be with Potter for the rest of your life. It's not like you're destined to be together!" Draco was once more furious.
"What if we are? I love him and he loves me. It doesn't matter what the future holds because what we do with our feelings now will map out our future for us anyway. I couldn't let you love me because I couldn't let you get hurt." There were tears rolling from her eyes and she was looking at him, as if pleading for him to understand.
"You can never hurt me, Granger."
"And why is that?" There was an awkward silence. Hermione didn't think he was still going to answer.
"Because you're not mine. The same as how you can't lose something that you never had." He was looking down when he said this, then he looked up at her and held out his hand.
"Reach for it, Granger." And now he was smiling.
"Thank you," was all she could say. And without any hesitation, she reached for his hand. But before they disappeared once again in a puff of smoke, she could swear she heard him say "I love you."
