Disclaimer: Nope, still not mine.
AN: Sorry again for the long periods between update. Holidays and work got in the way. But hooray! I finally got this chapter done. I took me AGES but I got it up just in time for my birthday! Which is today! WOOT! I'm 21 and legal in the States! Lord help you all :P. Anyway I hope you all enjoy this chapter. And thanks a million to everyone who reviewed!
Hermione woke slowly as if she were drifting through a faint haze that separated wakefulness and sleep. She was vaguely aware of two presences at her bedside, one was breathing softly and evenly obviously immersed in the world she was gradually emerging from. The other, she could sense, was sitting, very much awake, and watching her intently.
Hermione eventually opened her eyes and saw that the sleeping figure was Cedric. His arms were resting on the edge of her bed carefully cradling his head. The second person was Remus Lupin, who upon seeing her open her eyes, smiled warmly at her.
"Good morning, Miss. Granger." He said quietly so not to wake Cedric.
"And to you, Professor." Hermione said her voice heavy with sleep. "What time is it?" She asked, rubbing her eyes.
"It's only about 3:30 in the morning. You haven't been asleep for that long." He informed her.
Hermione yawned, stretched and sat up, careful to avoid Cedric's sleeping form.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, curious.
"Mr. Diggory and I were patrolling together tonight. We were just finishing the last of our rounds, which included walking through the hospital wing, when we discovered you. Thankfully, Madame Pomfrey was close by or I believe Mr. Diggory would have caused quite a stir." Lupin said with a smile.
"She told you then," Hermione asked. "She told both of you what happened?"
Lupin nodded. "She have us the gist of it, yes." He told her as Hermione groaned. "And I must say that I was quite worried when she informed me it was all over a re-occurring dream that you have. About a Basilisk, she said."
Hermione sighed. "Well I can't exactly tell her my real dream." She whispered, glancing at Cedric to make sure that he was still asleep.
Lupin nodded, slowly. "No…I suppose you can't. However, you told me that you were no longer having them. Madame Pomfrey told me that even after you stopping taking the potion they remained unseen. What happened?"
"This is the first time I've had it in a while." She confessed. "I…I'm not sure why it's come back." She sniffed, holding back tears. "I thought it was over." Hermione whispered in a pained voice. "I thought, finally, that I didn't have to deal with…with this…horrible curse anymore." She said, angrily brushing the tears from her face.
"I don't mean to alarm you, but I don't believe that this is something that will just go away." Lupin told her gently.
"I know." She whispered heavily as she tenderly ran her fingers through Cedric's hair. "I'll find a way." Hermione said firmly. "I have to find a way. I can't loose him."
Lupin watched her sadly, as she stared down at Cedric. "You care very much for him, don't you?" He asked softly.
Hermione nodded and bit her lip, forcing her tears at bay.
"Madame Pomfrey also said that you informed her that you were speaking to me about these dreams and that you wish to continue to do so." He said, giving her a small smile.
"I hope you don't mind." Hermione said, suddenly worried that Lupin might not have wanted their "counselling" sessions broadcast. "She wanted me to speak to a professional. I panicked and couldn't think of anything else."
"Of course I don't mind." Lupin told her. "It's for the best, I think. Professor Snape was forever asking me why you and I seem to have a closer relationship than I do with the rest of my students. Now we have a valid reason."
Hermione nodded. "Thank-you, sir. I appreciate everything you've done for me. I just wish that everyone could look past what you are…all those laws at the Ministry against your kind are ridiculous. I hate that people treat you so terribly for something that's beyond your control."
Lupin gave her that look again. The one he had given her when she scoffed at the idea of not want his help because of his curse.
"What is it?" She asked.
"Nothing, my dear…it's just…when you speak like that you remind me so much of a very close friend that I used to have."
"Who?"
He hesitated a moment before saying; "Harry's mother, Lily. You remind me so much of her, Hermione. The way you are with Harry and Mr. Weasley, your intelligence, your loyalty and determination, and of course your compassion for everything living thing. It's astounding." He told her and Hermione thought she saw tears clouding his eyes. "Lily would have adored you, Hermione. She would have been so glad that Harry found you."
"You…you knew her that well?" Hermione asked.
Lupin nodded. "Yes…we were all quite close."
"You knew Harry's dad, too then?"
"I did."
Hermione's eyes narrowed slightly. "What about Peter Pettigrew? And Sirius Black?" She asked sharply.
Lupin chuckled without humour and shook his head. "Why am I not surprised at the fact you know that?" Hermione opened her mouth to explain but Lupin stopped her. "I don't want to know how you found out, Miss. Granger." He told her. "But, yes, I was friends with both of them…though it seems that I didn't know Sirius as well as I thought..."
Hermione reached out and squeezed his hand. "I'm sorry." She whispered.
He smiled sadly. "So am I." He said quietly.
After a few moments of silence in which they both collected themselves, Lupin said, "Do you remember when I mentioned that my old Divination professor claimed to know a Death Seer?" He said in a hushed voice, not wanting to be over heard.
Hermione nodded. "Yes."
"I was able to get in touch with my old teacher and she still alleges this fact, so I asked her if she could get in contact with this person, I told her I was writing a book on the subject, and she said that she was going to try and track this person down."
Hermione's eyes widened. "A-another…Death Seer?" She asked quietly as Cedric stirred slightly beside her.
"Yes. I thought it might be best if you spoke with someone who has experienced what you have. Perhaps provide some insight; maybe even help you stop it. My teacher will be sending me an owl within the next few weeks; I'll let you know what she finds."
"Thank-you, Professor." Hermione said in a voice full of gratitude. "You have no idea how much this means to me."
"It's my pleasure, Hermione." He said. "Now, before I go, Madame Pomfrey wishes for us to meet at least once a week to talk." He said in a louder voice as Cedric's eyes began to open groggily.
"Okay, sir. That would be wonderful. Is there anyway we can talk tonight? It's rather important." She said while Cedric groaned slightly as he gradually came out of sleep.
"That's perfectly acceptable. How about 7:30? Is that all right?"
"Yes, sir. That's fine." She said.
"Ah, good morning Mr. Diggory." Lupin said as Cedric sat up and stretched his cramped back.
He merely grunted in response and Hermione couldn't help but giggle. "I'm afraid the poor thing isn't much of a morning person." Hermione told Lupin as Cedric shot her a withering look.
"Hmm…so it would seem." He looked hard at them both. "I won't ask how you know this, Miss. Granger, but I should caution you both on the rules of fraternization between the students here." He informed them as Hermione blushed furiously and Cedric looked sheepish.
"Yes, sir." They both mumbled.
Lupin chuckled. "I won't say anything." He assured them. "I'll give you two sometime alone, then. I shall see you in my office later on Miss. Granger. Enjoy your day, both of you."
"Bye, Professor." They coursed as he left the hospital wing.
"Nice, Ganger." Cedric mumbled.
Hermione bit her lip. "Sorry."
Cedric waved his hand dismissively. "Doesn't matter." He said yawning. "He must have thought is was obvious that you can't resist my charm and devastating good looks." He told her cheekily.
Hermione scoffed. "Honestly, you're so ridiculous sometimes." She said, but she couldn't stop the smile that crept up on her face.
He winked at her and then became serious. "Are you okay?" He asked her. "When I found you in here I was so worried."
"I'm fine, Cedric." She implored. "I am!" She said as he gave her a skeptical look.
"Hermione, you're in the hospital wing because a nightmare sent you into hysterics." He told her flatly.
"Hysterics is a complete over-exaggeration." Hermione said. "I was just upset. Besides, like I told Madame Pomfrey, I was feeling sick before I went to sleep. There's nothing to worry about."
"If this is because of what's going on with you, Potter and Weasley, Hermione I swear-" He started to say.
"This has nothing to do with them."
"If you just let me talk to them-"
"No!" Hermione said. "They're just being boys, Cedric, they need to figure out that they're being stupid on their own. I can't keep trying to force them to grow up."
"Granger, I think it would be for the best-"
"Forget it, Cedric. I'm not speaking to either one of them until they figure out how ridiculous they're being."
He sighed, frustrated. "You have to be the most stubborn woman I have ever met."
"Thank-you."
Cedric glared at her. "Hermione, be serious for a moment. You've got to stop and think about what you're doing to yourself."
"I'm not doing anything." She rebutted.
"Yes you are! For Merlin's sake, ever since you, Potter and Weasley started fighting, you've shut yourself out. You won't talk to them, you've barely been talking to me-"
"If I remember correctly, we've spent most of the time together during the holiday."
"In the library, Granger. And every time I tried to talk to you, you'd tell me to be quiet so you could focus on your work."
"That's the point of being in a library, Cedric" She snapped. "To work."
Cedric muttered something under his breath that sounded like a curse. "I didn't stay here most of the night to fight with you, Hermione. I stayed because I'm worried."
"And I've told you that you don't need to worry about me." She reminded him.
"Well, your so called friends don't seem to give a damn so who else is there to worry about you?" He asked, getting more and more irritated by the minute.
"Harry and Ron both care-"
"Then where the hell are they, Granger?" Cedric demanded angrily. "You're in the bloody hospital wing and where are they?"
"It's four in the morning, Cedric, I imagine that they're asleep." She told him, loftily.
"Don't make excuses for them, Hermione. They don't deserve it."
"They're my friends, Cedric." She told them in a softer voice. "Even when they're being stupid prats they'll always be my friends. The three of us have been through too much together to let something like this come between us. Nevertheless, those two can't rely on me for everything. Harry and Ron need to grow up and start making decisions on their own."
Cedric sighed defeatedly. "I'm not saying that I agree with you on this, because I don't. Potter and Weasley need a swift kick, if you ask me."
"So we agree to disagree then." She said.
"I have a better offer. I won't say anything to them for now. But if this time next week, things aren't resolved, it doesn't matter what I have to do. I'll make those two sods realize how thick they're acting."
Hermione gave him an annoyed look. "Fine." She said shortly.
"Fine." Cedric said in a tight voice.
They sat in a stony silence for a few moments.
"You should probably go back to sleep." Cedric said, finally.
Hermione shook her head. "I'm not tired." She said, looking away from him.
"Of course you're not." Cedric muttered under his breath. "You might not feel tired, but you must be." He said in a normal voice, picking up the potion vial. "Just take some more of the dream potion and try-"
"Cedric just give it a rest! I don't need you to look after me!" Hermione snapped.
He stared at her coldly for a minute until, "Fine." He said, all but slamming the delicate bottle down on her bedside table. "Whatever you say, Granger. You don't need looking after? You don't need me? Fine. I'll go." He said standing up, in one swift motion and before Hermione could say anything he was walking stiffly towards the door.
Cedric paused at the entrance way for a moment and was about to say something before he shook his head and left the hospital wing, the door banging shut as he went.
It was lunchtime and instead of flocking to the Great Hall with the rest of her classmates, Hermione decided to take a walk on the frozen Hogwarts grounds. Her stupid fight with Cedric had left her shaken. She wasn't in the mood to sit in the crowded and noisy eating area, not that she had anyone to sit with anyway. Since her fight with Harry and Ron, she had taken to sitting with Cedric and his friends at the Hufflepuff table. Hermione liked his friends a great deal and they all seemed to accept her into their circle. However, thanks to that little tiff in the hospital wing, she didn't think that Cedric would want to see her just yet.
As Hermione walked along the edge of the forest, she silently berated herself. Why did she have to push Cedric away like that? He was only looking out for her. If he cared about her half as much as she did for him then of course he'd be worried about her. So why did she have to open her big mouth and say those foolish things?
"Because you're daft, that's why." She answered herself in a mutter. "Daft and stubborn."
Suddenly, Hermione heard a rustle of branches come from the near by forest. She paused and stared in the direction of the noise, but there were too many trees in the way. Overcome by her curiosity she quietly ventured into the thick mass of vegetation to get a closer look. The thing moved again and Hermione glimpsed the outline of what seemed to be a horse. It wasn't a centaur for she hadn't seen a man's torso…was it a Unicorn?
She pushed further into the forest until she stumbled into a near by clearing and discovered the creature.
It most assuredly wasn't a Unicorn.
It was a horse all right, but unlike any kind she had seen before. It was completely black and it had shining blank white eyes. Its body was skeletal and it had an odd, dragon-like appearance for a head. Long, leathery wings were folded against its torso but Hermione could tell they were extremely powerful and capable of lightening speed.
The creature stared at her and sniffed the air and then appeared to stiffen. Cautiously, it picked its way across the clearing towards her. Hermione was paralyzed as the animal came closer and closer. She couldn't move a muscle and when it finally stopped I front of her and she held absolutely still as it continued to sniff her.
It snorted as it finished its inspection of her and gently nudged her as if it expected her to pat it.
With a shaking hand she lifted her arm to warily touch the animal on its brow. As soon as her fingers came in contact with the creature's cold skin she felt something push her mind. Instantly she ripped her hand away, terrified. The creature whinnied in, what Hermione interpreted to be, a comforted nature. She looked into its shining eyes and found no ill will towards her. How she knew this she had no idea, but she again raised her arm and touched the beast. Again she felt something push on her mind but instead of recoiling she opened her mind to the pressure.
At once she heard a torrent of whispering voices rush through her head. There were so many that Hermione couldn't tell what they were saying. It was like standing in a huge crowd with everybody trying to talk to her at the same time. Hermione gasped and tore her hand away once more and stumbled back from the winged being.
For a few moments neither Hermione, nor the creature moved. She again peered into its eyes and found…sadness?…sympathy? Or maybe a combination of both. It nudged at her again and her hand automatically reached to pet it. This time, thankfully, nothing happened. Hermione continued to stroke its head and mane as it closed its eyes, clearly enjoying the attention.
"It seems you have made a new friend." A voice suddenly said from behind her.
Hermione whirled around to face whoever was speaking to her and the winged horse moved to stand protectively in front of her.
"Firenze?" She asked.
"Indeed, young one. It has been some time since you've come down here. It is good to see you again."
"Well…students aren't allowed in the forest. I shouldn't even be here now. I just caught a glimpse of this fellow here and curiosity got the better of me."
"As it does the best of us, Hermione." Firenze said walking towards her.
The creature snorted angrily, stomped its front hoof on the ground and flared its wings.
"It's okay." Hermione said, trying to sooth the irate beast. "He's a…friend. He won't hurt us." She told it as she rubbed its neck.
It calmed instantly at her touch but continued to stare intently at the Centaur.
Firenze smiled slightly. "Amazing…you have a very strong connection to this creature. They usually stay away from students who venture into the woods."
"What is he though? I don't think I've read about this kind of animal before."
"Your kind call them Thestrals." Firenze informed her. " They're extremely clever and have excellent direction. Hagrid looks after the herd that lives in this forest. He uses them to pull the carriages up to the school every year."
"What? There have never been anything pulling the carriages. I'm pretty sure I would have noticed them."
"Ah…yes…herein lies the problem these poor creatures face. Thestrals have always been, unfairly, considered omens of death." Hermione stiffened slightly. "Only those who have witnessed death can see them."
"But…" Hermione said confused. "I've never seen anyone die…only Cedric in my visions…" She stopped. "How can I see them if that's the only death I've ever seen. I mean, he's not actually d-dying. I'm just seeing something that might happen."
"Correction, young one. You are seeing something that will happen." He told her gently as she stared coldly at him. "Thestrals are creatures that are linked to death. You are a Death Seer. It is only logical to assume that you should be able to see them and feel a connection with them."
Hermione nodded. "Yes…it's very strange. I feel as if I know what he's thinking…or feeling…I don't know…but I do feel a connection with him. And when I first touched him I heard all this whispering. There were so many voices that I couldn't discern what they were saying though. Do you have any idea what happened?"
Firenze shook his head. "I'm afraid I have no explanation for that."
Hermione sighed. "More questions." She muttered as she glanced at her watch. "Merlin's beard!" She gasped as the Thestral started at her out burst. "I have to go." She said hurriedly to the bemused Centaur. "I'm late for class." She explained.
Firenze nodded. "Very well. If ever you wish to talk you may come find me. I know you feel as if I do not care about your predicament, young one, but I wish to help you in any way that I can."
"Thanks." She said. "I do appreciate your help…mostly." She added.
Hermione turned to the Thestral. "I have to go now, but I'll be back."
It nodded its head and gently brushed its nose across her face, before she dashed out of the clearing.
It was just after dinner and Hermione was holding up in the library until her meeting with Professor Lupin. She had, again, decided to forgo eating in the Great Hall with everyone else and had brought some food up with her. Usually Madame Pince would have been spitting acid upon seeing food in the library but she seemed to have turned a blind eye to Hermione bringing it up.
Hermione was currently pouring over a chapter from the Monster Book of Monsters about Thestrals but most of what was in there, Firenze all ready told her. She shut the book harder than she should have and the thing came to life biting and snapping its way across her table.
"Bugger!" Hermione cursed as she caught a few of her fingers in the book's jaws. She desperately began to search for the belt she had been using to keep it in check when a voice came from behind her.
"Looking for this?"
Hermione turned and found Cedric, smirking slightly, holding the dangling belt in his hands.
"Yes-ouch! Thanks." She said wincing as the book dropped onto the floor and her left foot.
"Here," Cedric said. "I've got it." He carefully made his way over to the monstrous things as it clamped its mouth onto Hermione's skirt and yanked her down onto the floor.
"Oh sod it all!" Hermione said, exasperated as she pulled off her shoe. "Get the bloody hell OFF me, you stupid thing!" She yelled as she whacked the book with her shoe.
The book made a whimpering noise and let go immediately. Cedric grabbed it hastily and fastened the belt around it as tight as it would go.
"You okay?" He asked as he help her to her feet.
"I'll live." Hermione said, grimly as she rubbed her backside. "Ugg, that's gonna bruise." She moaned and Cedric snorted rather rudely, in her opinion. "Oi! It's not funny!" She snapped at him as she gingerly sat on her chair.
"It's a little funny, Granger." He told her, as he too sat. She threw him a cold look and he sighed. "Here I came all the way up to this place with a peace offering," he pushed a plate of Treacle Tart that he had brought with him towards her. "I noticed you left before dessert." He said quietly.
"Thanks." She said softly taking the dessert.
They sat in silence for a few moments as Hermione slowly ate. Suddenly she pushed her half eaten dessert away, startling Cedric.
"Hermione what-"
"I'm sorry, Cedric." She said in a rush. "I was being stupid in the hospital wing. You were trying to help and I was acting like an idiot. I shouldn't have said what I did. I know you're angry, you have every right to be really and-"
"Granger, Granger!" Cedric said, over riding her voice. "It's all right. I'm not mad at you. I never was. I was just…frustrated that you kept pushing me away."
"I know." She said quietly. "It's just…I guess I'm not used to being taken care of. I mean, sure, at home I've got my Mum and Dad, but here…I've always been the one who looks after people. I'm the one that worries and fusses. It's the way it's always been. Being friends with Ron and Harry especially…I swear trying to keep that boy alive is a full time job." She joked, trying to lighten the mood, though her tears ruined the attempt.
Cedric nodded and smiled a little. "I can understand that, Hermione. But is it really such a terrible thing for someone to look out for you for a change?"
"No." She conceded. "It's not bad at all." She said sniffling. "So we're okay?" Hermione asked.
"We always were." Cedric said, giving her a huge smile. "Come here." He said gently as he opened his arms and as if pulled my a magnetic force Hermione sat down on his lap as he wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on top of her head.
"I missed you." Hermione confessed shyly.
"Missed you too." He told her, kissing her temple.
"Did Madame Pomfrey ever figure out why the nightmare came back?" Cedric asked her after a moment's silence.
"She couldn't think of anything…I had a theory but…" Hermione trailed off.
"But what?" He asked. "Come on. Share your diagnosis Dr. Granger." He said teasingly.
"Well…I think…and for obvious I couldn't tell Madame Pomfrey, but I know the reason that I didn't have them during the holidays was because I stayed with you every night." Hermione admitted, cheeks inflaming. "You made me feel safe, I guess." She told him quietly.
Cedric held her tighter. "I'm glad I was helping in some way."
"You're always helping."
"Good to know." He then sighed dramatically. "It's too bad you couldn't tell Madame Pomfrey the truth."
"And why is that?" Hermione asked warily.
"Well then she just could have prescribed you a dose of Cedric." He as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Take as many times as needed, daily, but be careful not to overdose. Side effects include, increased heart rate, heavy breathing and fainting spells, for clearly evident reasons." He told her outrageously.
"What reasons are those then?" She asked innocently, pulling away from him to look at his mock-incredulous face.
"You really have to ask, Granger? It's my natural charm and outlandishly good looks that affect you so."
"A bit sure of yourself there, Diggory." Hermione said. "What makes you so sure you have that kind of affect on me?"
His only answer was to lean down and kiss her firmly on the lips.
Hermione responded immediately and her hands, of their own accord, tangled themselves in his thick windswept hair. His hands moved down to her waist as she shifted in his lap so that she was straddling him. Tongues became intertwined as they explored each other's mouths. Cedric let out an involuntary groan when Hermione shifted again and pulled her even closer. His hands crept under her shirt to caress the soft skin of her back and Hermione sighed into Cedric's mouth.
She loved feeling so close to him. The feel of his hands on her skin made everything melt away and the only thing that mattered in the world was her and Cedric. She felt as if they were lost in the waves of an ocean, as if they were drowning together. Hermione never wanted the kiss to end. She wanted to drown with him forever.
Suddenly his lips left hers and a for second she felt the loss until they descend and blazed a hot trail down her neck and then diverted their attention to her pulse point.
"Cedric." She gasped. "You're…going to…gi-give me… a m-mark there." She stuttered.
Hermione felt him grin into her neck.
"Payback for the one you gave me the other night." He whispered.
"You're terrible." But the moan she let out contradicted that statement.
As things between them became more heated, Hermione found herself tugging Cedric's Hufflepuff sweater over this head and un-tucking his white shirt from his pants so she could slip her hands underneath to do some exploring of her own.
"Bloody hell, Hermione." Cedric groaned her hands traced paths across his muscled stomach.
She smiled smugly against his lips, which had finally made it back to her own.
They were kissing furiously again and Cedric's hands began to creep higher and higher, lightly dancing on her rib cage.
At the back of her mind Hermione suddenly registered that they were in the library and that anyone could catch them in their passionate embrace.
"Cedric." She said again. "Cedric. We're in the library."
"I was wondering what all these books were doing here." He mumbled into her neck.
Even though his breath against her skin was driving her crazy, Hermione knew that they had to stop.
"Library…students…"She said incoherently. "Madame Pince."
"Merlin's Beard. Now there's a name that can kill the mood." Cedric said as he kissed her softly one last time.
"Do you really want to get caught by her?"
Cedric shivered. "I think I'd have nightmares for the rest of my life. I'd be traumatized beyond any help."
Hermione giggled at his horrified face and moved in his lap so she was in her previous position and wiggled to get more comfortable.
"Granger." Cedric said in a strangled voice. "If you don't stop moving like that I won't be held responsible for my actions."
She blushed a little and stifled another giggle. "Sorry." She said settling down.
"So should I put you down for a prescription Cedric, then?" He asked her cheekily.
"Oh most definitely." She told him. "I'm all ready addicted so you should give a life time supply." Hermione said, dreamily.
"I think that can be arranged." He said resting his cheek on top of his head as Hermione yawned widely. "Did you get anymore sleep this morning?" He asked now, concerned.
Hermione shook her head. "No…I was a bit preoccupied. But it's okay, Madame Pomfrey is prescribing me that sleeping potion now. She said in controlled doses it should be fine. But I much prefer your medical expertise." She said teasingly.
Cedric smiled but said, "I wish you didn't have to take the potion at all."
"So do I." She said softly. "But I'll figure things out. Everything is going to be all right. I promise." Hermione said firmly, knowing the full meaning of her words, even though Cedric did not.
Cedric nodded. "Okay, Hermione. I believe in you."
However, as Hermione rested he head against his chest and listened to his reassuring heartbeat, she wasn't positive she believed in herself.
AN: Another lengthy chap completed! Yay! I'm not very good at writing intimate scenes like that so I hope you didn't suffer through that part too too much, lol. Reviews are love! (And wonderful birthday presents cough-hint-cough, sorry had something stuck in my throat)