A/N
Hey! Another chapter here! As usual, thanks to EVERYONE who reads, reviews, favourites, and follows. Please let me know if you see ANY errors, and also feel free to ask any questions. Enjoy the chapter!
[Disclaimer: Stuff you recognise belongs to the amazing J.K.R]
Chapter 12
NOTTPOV
Granger. Alive. That filthy mudblood was still alive. He couldn't believe it. She didn't have the right to live, yet she was. Even after he had ensured her death. Yet she had cheated him. She hadn't bloody died.
But now he was coming for her. She would die. Her wand would be key in this adventure. And this time, there would be no mistake.
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HPOV
She woke up with a sore neck, leaning against something hard and warm. For a moment she was slightly confused, but then she realised what it was. Malfoy's shoulder. She turned her head up slightly to see his head leaning back slightly onto the sofa. He was going to have a very stiff neck too then.
The shoulder under her head felt very muscular.
After debating with herself for a while, she finally gave in to herself, and peaked down at his chest. His muscles looked quite defined through his shirt. She couldn't deny that. She felt a blush spreading across her cheeks as she realised what she was thinking. Merlin forbid anyone should ever find out.
Anyway. Time to get up.
'Malfoy. Wake up.' she said while nudging him slightly.
'Hmm?'
'Wake up.'
He frowned in his sleep and tried to shift away,
'Malfoy! Get up!'
This time she wacked him on his arm. He awoke and glared at her groggily.
'What was that for?'
'You weren't waking up!'
'So?'
'So, you needed to wake up!'
'No I didn't! It's Saturday!'
'Oh yeah.'
They sat in silence while he glared stonily at her.
'Well at least go sleep on an actual bed. You'll just get very stiff joints sitting here.'
He looked confused for a minute before looking around and realising where they were.
'We fell asleep here?'
'Of course not. We just appeared here.' she replied sarcastically.
'You don't need to be so smart-arse about everything, Granger.'
She smirked at him.
'Yeah I do, Malfoy.'
'Shut up. I'm going to bed.'
And he got up and walked to his room, leaving Hermione to think in silence about the night before. Would she be able to cope, working with Nott? Surely not. How would she do it? And would Malfoy be able to control his emotions? All these questions. And no answer yet.
Suddenly Malfoy hurried into the living room.
'Malfoy? I thought you went to sleep?'
He looked worried and ignored her question.
'Granger. He's got your wand hasn't he?'
She nodded, feeling apprehensive of what he was going to say next.
He cursed under his breath.
'Come here.'
'Why?' she asked, feeling a bit surprised.
'Because there are a lot of things that a dark wizard can do with a wand. I would know. I need to put protection spells on you.'
She slowly stood up and walked towards him.
'I can't believe I didn't ask before yesterday.' he asked her, looking agitated.
'I thought you noticed!'
He sighed and raised his wand.
'Let's just hope he hasn't tried too much yet.'
And he began casting a number of odd spells on her without speaking, weaving intricate patterns around her. She instantly became curious.
'What is this?'
He looked up from his spell-casting to answer.
'Dark magic invented by dark wizards who didn't want other dark wizards to harm them.'
'Oh.'
She stayed silent after that, knowing he needed to concentrate.
Soon he flourished his wand one last time, making all the colours around her vanish. Except one purple strand around her torso.
Any colour he had drained from his face as he stared at the purple wisp of magic surrounding her.
She became very scared all of a sudden.
'What's wrong?' she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
He looked up from the strand of magic which slowly vanished.
'He's already cast some magic on you using your wand.'
She began panicking slightly. He noticed her expression and guided her to the sofa, where he sat her down and sat next to her.
'Don't panic. You're lucky he's only cast this one so far. It's not too dangerous yet. We can check what it's done so far and stop it.'
'How?'
'By checking the Malfoy library. I know it will have some reference to this.'
'But what does this magic do?'
'It can bring hallucinations or nightmares at controlled moments. So he could suddenly show you something terrifying and make you vulnerable to an attack.'
The blood drained from her face.
He read her face again and quickly reassured her.
'It's alright. We just need to find the references. But until then, just make sure you don't go anywhere alone, especially in the Ministry. And don't be afraid to tell me if you begin seeing more than the usual nightmare.'
She simply nodded, not saying a word as she looked at the floor, trying to keep her panic at bay.
He got off the sofa and crouched down so that he was looking into her eyes.
'Hey, Granger. Don't worry. You'll be fine.'
'No I won't.' she whispered. 'No I won't. I could tell you were scared when you saw it! It's dangerous Malfoy, and you know it. I can't cope with any more nightmares than usual. I can't!' her voice began breaking and she choked back a sob.
He was instantly next to her, his arm around her shoulder.
'Yes you can. Because you are Hermione Granger. You are a strong woman who doesn't let anyone bring you down. And you have me whenever you need me. I was only afraid because I know it means he knows about dark wand magic. But this is all he's done so far and we can stop it. Don't let someone like Nott reduce you to this.' he said in a firm tone.
Hermione suddenly felt much stronger and more capable. She wouldn't let him bring her down. Not without a fight.
Hope you liked it!
Until next time then,
AK:)
