Chapter 12
January 28, 1997
Day 11
The next day, early in the morning, Harry woke up. He had a headache, not a very strong one, which surprised him given the amount of alcohol he had drunk. In the bed next to his, Ron was in a deep sleep, loudly snoring.
He got up to go take a shower and tripped in the jeans he wore the night before , which apparently he hadn't bothered to place in the chair. Beside it, on the floor, there was a note.
Even before picking up, he laughed briefly. He opened the ticket.
'I'll never love anyone more than I love you.
Draco '.
He put it in the desk drawer, along with others, and with the same smile, went to the bathroom after waking Ron up.
About a half-hour later, they were both in the Great Hall, taking breakfast and chatting animatedly with Hermione. The photographs were still around the castle, but not everyone gave it that much attention and, as before, it didn't bother them.
Ginny would let another day pass and if it continued that way, she would go to the Prophet.
Hermione, on the table, looked around and saw Colin staring at her without looking away for even a second. Actually, it was kind of creepy. Then, he smirked at her, and she didn't smile back.
The morning classes passed, and most of the students didn't pay attention due to headache caused by the party the night before. Nevertheless, no one regretted it, they had a lot of fun.
Draco and Harry had lunch quickly and went to the gardens. Draco sat, leaning against the trunk of a tree and Harry got in between his legs.
- Yesterday was very good. - Said the blonde boy.
- True. The only bad thing is the headache. – Harry said.
- Tell me about it. I couldn't concentrate at all.
- You, me and everyone. But it was worth it.
Draco looked thoughtful for a moment, and Harry stood in front of him, staring.
- What's wrong? – He asked.
- I have to tell you something. - Draco replied, not sounding too sure of what he was doing.
Harry made a gesture with his hand, encouraging him.
- A few days ago, I made a bet with Blaise. I told him that if he didn't kiss Millicent Bulstrode, he had to do what I wanted. - His voice trembled, and couldn't look his boyfriend in the eye. - He kissed her, it was his turn. Blaise said that .. he .. I had to make you fall in love with me in 15 days or I would lose. At the end of 15 days .. I would dump you. It's been 11 days that Blaise told me ..
- A bet? - Harry stood, swallowing hard. – You're with me because of a bet? All because of a bet Malfoy?
- Harry, let me finish. - The other boy stood up too.
- No. No, I should have realized early on, I shouldn't have fallen in it, shouldn't have been so stupid. That must be what you think of me, because you faked it well. You don't love me. You don't love anyone. - Said Harry.
- I love you, I swear! It started with a bet, but then I realized you were special, started falling for you. I love you. - Draco said.
At that moment, Harry's fist flew against Draco's face, and he stumbled back, his hand on the hurt spot.
- Okay .. I deserved that .. but believe me Harry, please. I'm not lying to you.
- Yes you are, and I won't hear another word. - A tear ran down his cheek. – You don't like me, you never did. You are a complete idiot, Draco Malfoy. I should never have trusted you. It's over.
- HARRY! - The blonde boy called him, out loud, but Harry was already running away. He fell sitting on the grass, and sighed, putting his hands on his head, while a tear run down his face too.
The afternoon classes went by too, and Draco tried to talk to Harry, but he didn't speak or look at him. Harry hadn't had dinner and went straight to the dormitory, which was empty.
He showered and got into bed, closing the curtain. He thought of all they had done together, what they had spoken to each other, looked to all the notes again. All lies.
He heard pecking at the window, so he stood up and recognized the owl as Draco's. He just wanted to rip the letter apart and send the owl away, but he couldn't do it. He grabbed it and went back to his bed, opening it and reading it to himself.
'Harry,
I know how upset you must be now. Or maybe I don't have the faintest idea. But I already told Harry, and I won't get tired of telling you until you understand me.
Yes, it all started with a bet, I know. Falling in love with you wasn't planned, but on the contrary of what you think now, I really fell in love with you Harry. You became the most important thing for me, what I want the most is to be happy with you. You changed me and made me a better person. I love you.
I ask you, please, forgive me, and believe me. I swear to Merlin that I'm not lying. Forgive me for what I did.
Love you,
Draco '.
He put in the drawer, along with the other notes, and put the covers over him. Then, crying, he slept, wishing not to wake up the next morning.
Hermione smiled as she walked through the dark corridors, heading to the room where Dennis place was. Along the way, she saw her mouth being covered by a cloth, as her eyes widened and a muffled scream came from her throat.
She was being dragged by someone and a few seconds later, she neither saw nor heard anything, and fainted.
It wasn't long until she woke up again, only a few minutes later. She felt her back hurting and noticed that she was laying on the floor. The room she was in was big and dusty.
She tried to get up, but her head was aching too much. Hermione looked around, and someone was sitting in a chair, not far away from her.
- You woke up. - This person said, getting up and going to her side, where there was light.
- Colin. What are you doing? – She asked, with a frightened look.
- What I should have done, instead just look at you and my brother play husband and wife. - The blonde boy replied, placing himself on top of Hermione.
- Please .. - She murmured, breathing faster.
Colin's hand touched Hermione's flat stomach underneath her sweater, and she shivered.
- I wonder .. you and that asshole .. if you already did it .. he took away your innocence didn't he? It was him .. - The boy said, as he stared at her, serious. Suddenly, a small smile formed on his face. - Wait .. he didn't at all. He is waiting for .. the right time. You're a virgin!
Hermione sobbed and closed her eyes for a moment.
- Want to know my opinion? I think the right moment is now. With me. And Hermione I promise you, it'll be much better than it would be with my brother. He's just an inexperienced little boy. What do you think? A good idea isn't it? - He continued, as his hand found her bra and touched her chest, over the piece of fabric.
- Do not do this to me .. - She asked, in a whisper. She began to move around trying to get out, and with her hands she tried to get Colin away from her, but frustratingly, since the blonde boy on top of her hardly moved.
With strength, Colin took her arms and placed them above her head and pulled the girl's legs apart too. The expression on his face seemed to be of satisfaction.
- You're there, trying to move away. But tell me the truth, we're here alone. You want it don't you?
- No! - She screamed, eyes closed, trying to get out from under him, without success.
- Liar! – The blonde boy said. - When we leave here .. together .. I'll definitely teach him a lesson, the one that claims to be my brother. He deserves it .. he messed with my girl. Don't you think I should Hermione?
- No, I'm not! Please don't hurt him!
- Stop defending him, what does he have that I don't anyway? – He said. He saw that she wasn't going to answer, and his hands flew to the girl's skirt and lifted it. He observed her panties for a moment and one of his hands caressed her inner thigh, and the other hand was unbuttoning his trousers, while biting his lips.
- NO! PLEASE! - She yelled, still struggling. Then, a tear ran down her cheek, while her eyes were closed tightly, and she spoke again, as if asking for a wish. - Please, please, please .. don't ..
- Bombarda! - Suddenly, the door exploded, and as it was dark, she couldn't see who had done it.
- You better get away from her right now Creevy, because if you don't I swear I'll kill you. - Someone said.
Hermione sighed in relief when she heard that so familiar voice, while Colin walked away from the girl, trying to get to his wand.
- Accio wand. – A boy uttered again, and so the blonde's wand flew into his hand, making Colin snort loudly.
- Ron. - Hermione whispered, now feeling secure.
- Stupefy. – Then, Colin flew across the room, hitting his head on something and not getting up again.
Ron ran to Hermione, who was still on the ground. He hugged his friend tightly.
- Are you okay Hermione? What did he do to you? - He asked, quite concerned, and not letting her out of his arms.
- I'm fine, he didn't do anything .. because you came. Thank you Ron. - Hermione replied, returning the hug with the same intensity.
The redheaded boy kissed her forehead.
- Are you sure you're okay?
She nodded, and with the help of her friend, stood back on her feet.
- Come . You need to rest. - Ron said, grabbing her arm.
- No. Dennis, I have to go with Dennis. - Hermione said.
- Yeah.. Dennis, of course. In that case I'll take you to him, I'm not gonna leave you alone now.
That said, both left the room, and Ron followed Hermione to where she would be with Dennis. They didn't need to walk too long because on their way, Dennis appeared.
- Hermione? I was getting worried, you didn't show up at the time you said you.. - Dennis was interrupted by Hermione, who embraced him.
The boy looks over to Ron with a puzzled look, as if wondering what had happened. Ron just lowered his head.
- What's wrong Hermione? – He asked as soon as Hermione let him go.
- Your brother .. I'll explain later .. but if Ron hadn't come, I wouldn't be here ..
- Well, whatever happened .. thank you. - Dennis thanked, and Ron slightly nodded with his head.
- Well, I'll leave you two alone. I know she's safe with you. – That said, he returned to the Common Room.
The other two went to Dennis room, and Hermione was still trembling a bit. Lying in bed, Hermione explained what Colin had done.
- What? I'll kill him, I swear I will. He couldn't .. - Dennis said.
- Don't do anything .. - She murmured, eyes closed and clutching him tightly.
- How so Hermione, what would have happened if.. I don't even want to think about it.. - The boy spoke.
- He will have his punishment, but I don't want you to get in trouble for me.
They spent a few minutes in silence.
- Hermione? - He called. The girl looked at him and saw that he was a little flustered. He approached his lips to hers and placed a lingering and sweet kiss. - I love you.
- I love you too Den. - Hermione said, kissing him again. Then, she snuggled closer in the blonde's chest, and so both fell asleep shortly after, with a smile on their face.
