Mon Amante

Chapter 10

Concern

"Professor, I've found Abby Morgan!" Hermione cried, sprinting down the corridor.

She reached McGonagall's office a few minutes later, knocking loudly on the door. The Professor opened the door quickly in alarm, holding up a candle. "Miss Granger, what brings you here?"

"I think I know where Abby is," She panted, regaining her breath.

"You've found her? Well, is she alright?" McGonagall asked impatiently.

"I haven't seen her. Well, I have, just not in person," Hermione explained quickly. "It's a long story, which I'm sure you'll here. We just need to get to her," Hermione motioned for the Professor to follow her.

McGonagall looked at her frantically as she closed the door behind her. "She's not hurt, is she?"

Hermione shrugged her shoulders. "She might be if we don't hurry."

McGonagall's eyes widened as she quickened her pace, following Hermione down the corridor.

- -

They reached the seventh floor quickly. Hermione walked over to the alcove just near the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. She peered into the alcove, squinting her eyes in the darkness.

"Abby?" She called out, still unsure if anybody was there. She hadn't seen anything since she had gotten there.

"Granger, have you seen her?" McGonagall asked from behind her, coming up beside her. She moved the candle around, shedding some light into the alcove.

Hermione gave a quiet gasp when she saw Abby. She had a set of scratches going down her cheek, her hair matted around her face. She couldn't see much else due to the light; she figured there was nothing much else wrong.

"You brought a teacher with you?" Abby croaked out. "I would think Superwoman wouldn't need any help."

Hermione gave a relieved sigh, giggling at Abby. Even in the worst of situations, Abby couldn't bite back her insults. "I couldn't come alone, I didn't know what was happening."

Abby looked behind Hermione and saw McGonagall standing there, a worried expression on her aged face. "Nothing happened. Just a bit of a misunderstanding."

"A bit?" McGonagall cut in from her spot at the entrance of the alcove. "Miss Whiter, wasn't it your father who brought you here?"

Abby nodded slowly, unsure of how McGonagall knew of that. "Granger, how did you know I was here? Bloody hell, do you have people watching me?"

How could she be insulting her during a situation like this? "Abby, the portrait guarding our common room saved your life. It showed me where you were; how, I have no idea. I suppose you should be grateful instead of whining about how I found you."

Abby groaned. "I'm completely fine. See," Abby stood up a bit shakily, gesturing towards her otherwise untouched body. "There's nothing wrong."

Hermione looked at Abby warily, unsure of what to say. She had come here with her father, and she had found her hurt after her father had left. "Abby...obviously something happened. It's alright, just say something."

"I told you before Granger, I thought you payed attention," Abby placed both her hands onto Hermione's shoulders. "This is my business, my life; it'd do you well to stay out of it."

McGonagall watched the exchange between the two, wondering what had happened. One moment Abby was on the floor, obviously in pain, and the next she was brushing it off like an accident.

Hermione stood up, following Abby out. "I suppose if you need help, I could always give some. I've got some spare time."

"I don't need your charity," Abby muttered darkly, disappearing down the corridor.

McGonagall turned to Hermione, motioning for her to follow. "We need to have a talk."

Hermione sighed as she followed her Professor down the hallway.

Abby had courage, she had to give her that. Had she been put in Gryffindor, she would have made a great contribution. Of course, her other sneaky qualities overpowered this bravery she possessed. Abby was a solitary person, no matter what front she showed to the world. The number of guys she's been with didn't compare with the way she shut herself off from the world. The way nobody knew nothing of her past, or anything of her true personality.

There's a sun inside of everybody, waiting to shed light on the rainbow of colors a person possesses. Abby didn't need a boost of confidence, no.

She needed a stronger light.

- -

The conversation with McGonagall wasn't one of importance, merely of obligation. Hermione had told her about what she had seen in the portrait, a brief description. She hadn't mentioned what she had seen Abby's father doing; she wasn't sure if Abby had wanted her to say anything. After the way she stormed off the night before, she didn't want to keep on her bad side. Even though Abby had told her to stay out of it, she was curious. The way the portrait knew what was going on, she wanted to find out more about the creature in the portrait. Maybe it was somehow linked to what was going on with Abby.

These thoughts jumbled through her head as she numbly walked through the shower. She had decided to get an early start, she had been wanting to get to the library and find out a few background facts on the Unknown in her portrait. She figured it had been there as long as the castle had, so it must have had a few pages in Hogwarts: A History. She dressed herself into comfortable muggle clothes; loose jeans and a screen tee. She grabbed a jumper from her dresser and headed out to the library, her messenger bag slung over her shoulder.

She walked into the library, greeting Madame Pince briefly before finding a small table near a window in the library. She opened up Hogwarts: A History and searched through the index, finding a section titled Portraits near the bottom. She flipped to the page, quickly scanning the section for her portrait.

Hermione found a picture of her portrait, the Unknown, a small black, sleeping blob in the middle. She figured that was what it was currently doing. She read underneath the picture.

The Unknown is classified underneath magical creatures. It possesses a talent of transforming into its surroundings. Its usual form is that of a small, black ball. It can stretch to enormous lengths to complete a transformation. It's body is made of a gooey substance, and its actual size is unpredictable.

Transformations: An Unknown can transform into something it either sees, feels, or predicts. If an Unknown sees something, it can mimic it instantly. An Unknown may feel something, such as hunger or pain, and will become an image to depict the certain feeling.

Although it is not proven, Unknowns are thought to have Seer blood running through them. Certain Unknowns have the ability to transform into something they predict will happen, whether it be a situation going on around it, or something the Unknown itself will see or feel in the future.

Transformations can happen at any time. Most Unknowns are nocturnal creatures, and only stay true to their natural form during the night hours. It is rare to have an Unknown mimic something during the night, which is their usual feeding time. Unknowns usually take form of another presence or situation during the day, often to fool other predators.

This particular Unknown living in the portrait has taken another form during the night. It has been noted that this Unknown has predicted the future, usually being a small occurrence, such as a minor injury or a certain lesson. For a list of transformations, turn to page 1,345.

The prediction of an Unknown is not to be taken seriously at all times. The vision that the Unknown portrays is not always something that will happen in the future. There are events where the Unknown will predict correctly. Do not attempt to tamper with time, for the Unknown is not always correct. Time is a mysterious, yet dangerous subject that cannot be taken lightly.

Hermione jumped slightly when she felt someone tap her on the shoulder. She turned and sighed in relief when she saw Malfoy standing behind her, smirking. "Why are you always such a bother?" Hermione asked.

He just sat across from her. "I was wondering where you were, I didn't see you lecturing anybody back at our dormitory."

Hermione huffed angrily, closing her book. "I was actually trying to research something."

"What for?" He questioned. "It's the weekend, Granger. Lighten up."

"This is personal research," Hermione informed him. "Please leave, I was just getting somewhere."

He snatched the book from underneath her arm, scanning the binding for the title. "Hogwarts: A History?" He snorted, laughing quietly. "Granger, this is older than I am."

"So it is," She made a grab for the book, but he placed it behind his back. "Draco, I really need that book back."

He sighed. "This isn't the meaning of life. I would have thought you learned that by now."

Hermione rolled her eyes. She got him started. "Of course it isn't. Now unhand my book, Malfoy."

"I think I might just borrow it," He mused, opening the book to a random page. "It might be useful."

"What use would you have for my worn copy of Hogwarts A History?" Hermione raised an eyebrow, challenging him.

"I'm sure you've left notes in the margin," Draco sighed, flipping through the book tiredly.

Hermione shook her head. He had to know everything, didn't he? "Those notes won't do you any good."

Draco raised his eyebrows as he placed the book on the table, beginning to read it. After a few moments of silence, he looked up at Hermione. "Isn't this our portrait?" He asked.

Hermione nodded. "Why is all of this information about it highlighted?" He pointed to the page.

She finally managed to grab the book from him, closing it quickly. "I said it was personal research."

"Are you getting chummy with our portrait, then?" He snapped.

"I don't suppose that's possible," Hermione smiled slightly, placing the book into her bag.

"Ah, there's the Granger we know," He leaned forward, talking quietly. "How's about you grace us with that side for the rest of the day?"

Hermione shrugged. "If you don't contribute to my other sides, then yes."

"I do believe I can't contribute without knowing your other sides, Granger," He stood up. "Show me sometime." He disappeared into the sea of bookcases, leaving Hermione to her table.

She let out a small grin as she continued her research.

- -

"Spread the joy, sunshine," Ginny padded over to Hermione, sitting beside her. "Your day must be going well."

"It's just Draco, he gave me a laugh," Hermione brushed it off, writing a few things down on parchment.

"So he graced you with his presence?" Ginny elbowed Hermione lightly.

"Not in that way."Hermione blushed, closing her book. "He just came by while I was researching. He can be quite funny when he isn't arguing."

"I'm sure," Ginny stated disbelievingly. "Is that all?"

"Nothing more, Gin." Hermione assured her. "He's just been helping out a bit more than usual, you know, with the Head duties and everything. I'm glad we're not arguing as much, it always stressed me out."

"A good argument here and there is always refreshing," said Ginny happily.

Hermione shook her head. "I just find them stressful."

"I'll even start the argument at times, just to have a bit of fun," She confessed. "Of course, I always apologize."

Hermione giggled quietly, filing her parchment into her bag. "It's just that with the insults and cruelty thrown into our arguments, it got quite tiresome after a while."

Ginny nodded in agreement. "At least he's out of your hair for a while."

"He asked me to show him my 'other side's," She stressed with air quotes.

Ginny turned to Hermione. "Well that's a bit forward, considering your history."

"I agree. But it was so casual, as if it was nothing unusual." She sighed. "I don't know, Gin. It's all been one big blur."

"If I didn't know any better, I would call you two friends," Ginny smirked, eyebrows raised.

Hermione slapped Ginny playfully. "I suggest you don't, then. We're merely classmates. We help each other out when we need it."

"You know, help is classified in more than one department..." Ginny stated suggestively, dodging another one of Hermione's hits.

"Ginny, please. Don't make me sound like a whore."

They were silent for a few moments, each indulging in their own thoughts.

Ginny turned to Hermione, her hand falling to her shoulder. "So how are you going to tell Harry and Ron?"

"Don't you dare get a rise out of that," Hermione warned her, exiting the library quickly.

- -

Hermione walked into the dormitory later that afternoon, dropping her jumper and bag onto a small table. She scanned the room for signs of life, and saw Blaise sleeping, sprawled out on one of the larger couches.

She trudged up the stairs, eager to sit down on her bed. She opened her door sleepily, padding quietly towards her bed. She was about to pull the quilt over her head when she saw a shadow near the window. Wand at the ready, she quietly crept towards the light switch, quickly flicking it on.

She groaned tiredly, rolling her eyes. "You can't make a habit of this."

Draco laughed, the look on her face priceless. "I wasn't planning on scaring you, if it makes you feel better. I just happened to not notice you when you came in."

"I don't recall giving you permission to come and go as you please," Hermione told him, sitting down on her bed. "This isn't your room, you know."

"Do I look like a dumb oaf at times?" Draco asked her, smirking. "It seems to me everyone thinks I'm stupid. I'm sure advanced classes aren't a sign of stupidity."

"Did you need something?" She asked bluntly. She was tired and wanted him to leave. "This is my room and I was planning on sleeping."

"You're always planning on sleeping when I'm in here. Do I bore you?"

Hermione sighed. Obviously he wasn't planning on leaving. "Just tell me what you need, Draco. I'm awfully tired."

"Fine, fine," He gave in. She figured he was also tired; he wouldn't have given up so easily had he been fully energized. "I was wondering why you were looking up information on our portrait."

Hermione blinked a few times. He really must have been interested in her research. "I just needed to find out some background on the creature, that's all."

"That's all? You seemed pretty worked up about it back at the library," He mentioned. "I'm sure there's something more."

"Even if there was, I'm sure I wouldn't tell you." Hermione stated crossly, busying herself with a random parchment on her bed. "It doesn't concern you, Draco. Just stay out of it."

"Knowing you Granger," He smirked. He was pretty sure about this. "It doesn't concern you either."

--

A/N: Hey there. Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I decided to go ahead and continue everything going on with Abby, my brain cooked up a plan concerning our favorite couple. Be prepared for the plot to unfold. And I'm just warning you now, there's no Voldemort involved with my story. The plot involves the four teenagers and everything going on with their lives. You'll see, as the story goes on, that I wouldn't be able to intertwine Voldemort and the drama concerning the four.

Keep the reviews coming, I was hoping for more from the last chapter. I'm leaving a quota again. Give me 12 reviews and I'll give you another chapter. I know I didn't wait for 12 reviews this time, but I was just itching to post this, and there you have it.

Review!