a.n. Hey! im so sorry i havnt posted a new chapter all week it was heccas and i had about a 1000 assignments but its break now so i have 2 weeks to get loads of new chapters up! This chapter is a bit more Dramione to make up for last week which was a bit boring sorry about that. Definetely tell me what you guys think or if theres somethign you guys what me to add in or that im missing!
Thanks to, Pche Melba, Shezaweza, yourloved, Goode-Lover, AuroraSarafine, Johnbarrowmenissexy and pblaurarueckert for reviewing it makes my day when i see those, for sure keep telling me what you think! You guys are amazing.
Erin xxxx
Her scream resonated though the frosty air. She was 6 feet in the air. Her arms outstretched at unnatural angles. Her dark hair drifted around her like smoky tendrils of shadowy smoke. Katie Bell went silent and then fell back towards the ground with a heart-wrenching thud. Her friend Leanne who's screams were just now heard now that Katie's had stopped, ran forward sobbing. Hermione, Ron and Harry had been making their way back to the castle from Hogsmeade. They rushed forward.
'I told her not to touch it!' Leanne said hysterically. Touch what? Hermione thought to herself. She scanned the area around them finding an open, small black jewellery box and slipping out of it was an opal necklace. Katie looked unconscious and had an unnatural pallor to her face. Harry's hand began to reach out towards the jewellery box. Hermione snatched her hand out and slapped his away.
'Harry!' she hissed. Ron looked around thinking of a way to get help.
'Oi! All of you step back! Nobody touches that!' a loud voice bellowed. They saw Hagrid making his way towards them from the castle. Hagrid bent down and lifted Katie into his arms and nodded towards the castle. 'C'mon. We're goin ter need witnesses ter know what happened so we can help her.'
.
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'And How long had Katie had the necklace in her possession?' Professor Mgonagall asked Leanne. Leanne shook her head confusedly.
'Not long at all. She said she had to go to the bathroom and when she came back she had it.' Leanne muttered. 'Katie said it was very important that she deliver it…'
'To whom might I ask?' Mgonagall questioned. Leanne thought about it chewing on her bottom lip.
'… Headmaster Dumblore. Yes, to Dumblrdore.' She nodded. Mgonagall must have decided that was all she needed to know.
'Very well.' She nodded. 'Thank you, Leanne… You may go now.' she said thankfully. Leanne tunred quickly on her heel and left. 'Now… You three.' She said to Hermione, Harry and Ron. She stopped abruptly looking over their heads the door of the classroom they were standing in.
'Severus.' She let out a breath. 'Here. Here.' She told Professor Snape who walked past the three of them like they hadn't been there. Mgonagall led him to the table that the necklace was laying on. He pulled out his wand and with a flourish the necklace began to levitate in a circle as he examined it.
'Yes..' Snape mumbled. 'I think Miss Bell is extremely fortunate to be alive.'
'She was cursed wasn't she?' Harry blurted. Hermione gave him a strange look. Snape turned slowly and looked Harry up and down. 'We all know Katie. She wouldn't hurt a fly.'
'Unless the fly was on a broomstick holding the quaffle.' Ron said under his breath.
'Indeed Mr Potter. She was cursed.' Snape drawled narrowing his eyes at the necklace.
Harry unable to contain himself once again blurted out 'It was Malfoy. He must have given it to her.' Hermione looked at him sharply, her eyebrows drawing together.
'That's ridiculous! Why would Dra-Malfoy-.' Hermione began. Harry and Ron and even Professor Mgonagall shot her puzzled looks. Snape though looked at her knowingly.
'That's a big accusation Potter.' Snape snapped, cutting Hermione off. 'Would you happen to have any evidence?' Harry studied the ground before glaring at Snape.
'No…' he began. 'I just know.'
'You just know…' Snape drawled.
'He-.' Harry tried.
'Harry! This is Malfoy were talking about. Why would he try to kill Dumbledore?' Hermione asked him. Snape momentarily glanced at the wall next to him before resuming his glare at Harry. Ron looked at her like he wanted to check her temperature.
'You're defending him?' Ron questioned sharply.
'I- No!' she said maybe a bit too forcefully. 'I'm just… thinking logically.'
'That's quite enough. Back to your dormitary's now then.' Mgonagall gestured to the door. The three of them left, Hermione hanging her head. As they were making their way down the halls, that's when the real interrogation began.
'What on earth was that about?' Harry said to Hermione. She stuffed her hands in her pockets.
'Nothing... I just don't think you should be accusing someone like that.' She mumbled.
'You honestly believe he didn't do it? It's Malfoy, Hermione. I don't think it's exactly beyond him.' Ron asked her arching an eyebrow.
'I don't know! I'm certainly not going to start accusing him if there's no hard evidence.' She told them. Harry went to open his mouth when someone shouted her name over the other side of the Hall. She looked over her shoulder to find Blaise Zabini leaning on a pillar waving her over lazily. Harry and Ron stared at her crazily.
'Why is Zabini trying to talk to you?' Ron questioned her.
'I don't know.' She repeated. 'And I don't care to find out. If you'll excuse me, I will be going to the library.' She turned on her foot heading in the direction of the library and also Blaise. She prayed they would leave and make their way back to the common room. Glancing backwards she could see they had. She stalked over to Blaise.
'What?' she snapped feeling stressed. He lifted an eyebrow.
'Draco has a message for you, Granger.' He told her as he picked his nails.
'Um… Alright then.' She replied awkwardly. Blaise looked up at the roof sighing dramatically.
'He said.. "Meet me at the Quidditch pitch at 9pm."' Blaise told her. The Quidditch Pitch?
'Are you sure?' she asked lamely.
'Positive.' He said licking his lips.
'Why couldn't he just tell me himself?' Hermione questioned suspiciously.
'God, I don't know Granger. He's probably out bird-watching or something.' Blaise retorted.
'Well, tell him-.' She began.
'I'd rather not to be honest.' He muttered waving shortly at a fellow Slytherin. 'Just be there.' Blaise breathed dramatically, pushing off the wall and strolling away. She could hear him mumbling under his breath as he strutted away.
Quidditch Pitch at 9. 9 was when curfew began. What if she got caught? Hermione took a deep breath and begun to make her way to the Gryffindor tower. Quidditch Pitch at 9.
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Hermione's foots steps were barely audible are she made her way through the castle. What if it had been a trick? A stupid Slytherin joke. What if Draco wasn't going to be at the pitch? She stepped outside walking down the lawn towards the Quidditch pitch.
Making her way inside she wrapped her arms around her stomach trying to maintain the minimal warmth that she already had. She stepped onto the fresh green grass looking around for Draco. Her eyes scanned the stadium; she couldn't see him in the stands or on the grass. Hermione was just about to give up leave when something caught her eye. Leaning against a wall to her left was Draco and next to him was two broomsticks. She let out a breath of relief.
'Granger.' He smiled, beckoning her over. 'I wasn't sure you would come.'
'Neither was I.' she admitted. 'It's past curfew, what if we get caught?' Draco shrugged.
'Part of the fun.' He told her. Hermione studied him sceptically.
'I'm not sure… Especially if there's going to be flying involved.' She regarded the broomsticks suspiscially. Draco took one and held it out to her giving her a knowing smirk.
'Come get it, Granger.' He said. Hermione's eyes widened and she planted her feet firmly on the ground not moving a step.
'I am not getting on one of those.' She told him. His arm didn't falter. 'Draco! I don't fly.' Draco rolled his eyes.
'Everyone can fly… Some people a bit better than others, yes.' She still hadn't moved. He groaned. 'Live a little, Granger!' Hermione still hadn't moved so Draco took another approach. 'Oh I see… If you're scared it's okay-.'
'I'm not scared.' She told him more forcefully than she intended before realised he had baited her into it. Draco probably wouldn't give up before the nights end so she gave in. 'Fine. But you're helping me.' She said pointedly.
'Good. Okay come here.' She walked towards his spot near the wall. It would have been dark on the pitch except the night sky was incredibly bright, the moon and stars shining like any light would. Hermione took the broom in his hand and he picked up the second. She regarded the broom carefully like it might grow a mouth and take a chunk out of her hand. 'I expect you know how to mount it?'
'Yes, I know, I know.' She mumbled placing both of her feet on either side of the broomstick. 'I am so going to get you back for this, Malfoy.' Hermione hadn't been on a broom since first year when they had flying classes and even then she wasn't very good. Draco was already hovering off the ground waiting for her. She took a deep breath as she felt her feet lift off the ground until she was suspended in the air. Hermione released a shaky breath looking over to Draco who was watching her with a content smirk. He flew higher into the air and begun to make his way around the stadium.
'Show-off!' she shouted. Hermione followed him cautiously, afraid that she might slip off her broom at any moment. She tightened her hands around it as she gained speed and the wind was pushing her hair around and cooling her face. It was exhilarating to be flying like this, she could start to feel adrenaline seeping into her veins. She sped up so she and Draco were neck to neck.
'Not too bad, Granger.' He told her. She probably looked ridiculous next to him on a broomstick. Draco made everything he did in the air look graceful and she had no idea how he did it. They were up pretty high now. Above the stands and they had an amazing view of the grounds. She could see the lake, the forbidden forest and even the Whomping Willow. She couldn't care less about being caught right now. Draco reached across smiling and ran his hand down her back encouragingly. This sent a rush through her skin. Hermione jerked her hip forward so the end of her broom hit Draco's making him tip forward. Before he could recover Hermione dipped down, her stomach dropping and arced down towards the ground. She looked back to see him speeding after her with a devious grin on his lips.
Hermione slowed down as she neared the ground but Draco certainly did not. She was trying to dismount her broom when she was knocked to the ground. Draco had jumped off his broom and pushed her down and was now laughing as he laid next to her on the grass. They're broomsticks laid still on the ground. Hermione burst out in laughter with him. She leant back on her elbows and saw she was covered in mud. With one hand in the mud she lifted it and rubbed it all over Dracos chest on his white shirt. He lifted his muddy one and ran it through her hair in return. She was positive Mrs. Norris would have heard their laughter from inside the castle. Hermione felt purely euphoric.
He rolled so he could pull out his wand and said 'Accio Broomsticks.' They rolled across the ground towards him. Draco stood up taking the brooms in one hand and Hermione's hand in the other to pull her up. He looked her up and down smirking. 'We should probably clean up.' She nodded in agreement. They headed to the change rooms and Draco placed the brooms on the wall outside of it before leading her inside. She had never been in the change rooms before but it was what she expected.
Draco walked to one of the shower stalls and turned on the hot water letting the room cloud with a warm steam. He beckoned her over with a flick of his hand. The steam warmed her skin and she was already eager to wash the mud from her skin. She stepping onto the tiles under the water and he followed.
'We are a mess.' She breathed. He laughed softly and pulled her closer. Draco pushed his hands through her hair trying to get the mud out and she ran her hands along his arms to wash it off.
'That wasn't too bad now was it?' he asked.
'Yeah.' She admitted. 'Not too bad.'
'You were pretty good too.' He told her. 'Until you fell of your broom at the end though… That was a bit clumsy.' He smirked. Hermione laughed and splashed the water on his face.
'Thank you though.' She said washing the mud from her arms. 'It was fun.'
He shrugged. 'About time we had some fun around here.' Hermione reached up and wiped some mud from his jaw. Draco grabbed her hand wrapping his fingers around her wrist and pulling her closer. He saw her breath hitch as she trailed her eyes up to his. They're foreheads were touching and Draco cupped his hand along her jawline. Her lips were slightly parted and this was enough to push him over the line. He leant and captured her lips in his and guided her back towards the tiled wall. The water droplets were racing down the curves of her face and dripping off her eyelashes. The kiss was hard but soft. Fiery and cool. He shivered when she ran her tongue along his bottom lip.
She felt him tug at the hem of her top.
'Arms up.' He breathed into her ear. She lifted arm arms above her head and was glad to be rid of the wet material sticking to her skin before dropping her arms feeling bare. Hermione froze when Draco became still. She looked up to find him studying her body and Hermione felt a hot blush cover her cheeks. He unfroze and leaned closer whispering in her ear again. 'Merlin, Hermione. ' Hermione looked up and couldn't help the smile that shaped her lips. She pushed him back so he was against the other tiled wall now and slipped her arms around his neck, kissing him hungrily.
Draco was trailing kisses down her neck as she began to unbutton his shirt. When Hermione had reached the last button she was about to pull his shirt off his shoulders and off his arms when Draco froze.
'Wait.' He said so quietly it was almost like he had said it to himself. Hermione stopped what she was doing and drew her eyebrows together. Draco reached across and turned off the faucet leaving them in an eerie silence. He stepped out of the stall leaving Hermione standing, dripping wet with no top on. She grabbed her shirt from the ground and pulled it on before following him out.
'What's wrong? Did-.' She began.
'It's nothing. I just…' Draco raked his hands through his wet hair before checking the watch on his wrist. 'We should get back. It's about half past 10.' Hermione nodded confusedly. She grabbed her wand and cast a quick drying spell on them both. Hermione was completely confused and embarrassed.
Draco rubbed his left forearm and cursed himself. So close. He couldn't keep slipping up like this. He took a deep breath and turned back towards her. He could tell she was thinking that she had done something wrong. Oh, the irony. He thought to himself. Draco reached forward and slipped his hand into hers.
'Let's go.' He breathed, leading her out of the change rooms and back into the castle.
