CHAPTER XII

SEPTEMBER 1999

- Head Boy and Girl Dormitory, Astronomy Tower -

Draco lay awake in his bed, thinking about all that occurred today. Hogwarts had changed a bit during the restorations and yet it was still the same, only improved. He thought it was a nice touch that those who had died during the war where honored as portraits across Hogwarts. He decided that tomorrow he would make time to chat with all three portraits.

The hair stood up on the back of his head as he heard a rather loud moan and whimper come from Hermione's room across the hall. He was about to get up and investigate but paused when he didn't hear another word from her room for the next couple of minutes. Falling back onto the pillow, he had almost drifted off to sleep when loud agonizing screams jolted him awake. It took his muddled brain a moment to realize it was Hermione. Grabbing his wand he bolted out of his room and into hers – wand at the ready to hurt whoever dared to make her scream.

He looked around the room wildly noticing that no one was here. He ran over to Hermione, who was still screaming, tears forming in her eyes. He realized then that she was having a nightmare. Draco raised his wand and cast "Legilimens!". Privacy be damned he wanted to know what was terrorizing Hermione. Seeing Hermione pale and in agony from just a dream, scared him. He needed to know what was hurting her so he could help.

Draco watched in horror, as Hermione's nightmare was endless loop of Aunt Bellatrix torturing her, only he wasn't there this time to save her. Just as he was about to cancel the spell, the nightmare shifted. A dream version of himself stormed into the room to save Hermione, only to find himself killed instantly by his Aunt. He could see it in Hermione's face, in her tears, that her dream self broke as she watched him die. Her dream self stopped screaming as Bellatrix continued torturing her, only staring at his lifeless body whilst the real Hermione continued screaming. Her cries becoming courser with each breathe.

Shaken by the nightmare, Draco released the spell and rushed over to the bed. Lifting the covers up, he climbed into the bed, pulling Hermione into his body. At the contact she gripped his stomach tightly, burying her head as if that would help the horrid visions dissipate. Draco wrapped his arms around her tightly, using his hands to stroke her back soothingly. He began to rock her back and forth in an effort to sooth her. He was growing more and more concerned as her screaming didn't seem to stop, and then he breathed a sigh of relief as they slowly became quieter and quieter. When all he could hear was her crying and sniffling, he knew she had woken herself up.

"How long?"

When Hermione refused to answer, he asked again. "How long, Hermione?"

"Most nights…tonight was worse than usual."

"Please tell me you've told someone about this Hermione." Draco closed his eyes, dreading the answer, as he could only guess it would be no.

"I don't want to worry anyone. And you're not allowed to tell anyone either."

"Hermione…"

"Promise."

"Fine. I promise. Now go back to sleep. She can't hurt you anymore Hermione. And I'll protect you always."

She stiffened at the comment before relaxing into his embrace again. He cursed knowing she was thinking of how she stared at his lifeless eyes in her dreams. When she relaxed her death grip on his stomach, and her breathing evened out, Draco assumed she had fallen asleep and tried to move out of the bed without disturbing Hermione.

She sounded so small and vulnerable when she pleaded, "Don't leave me", that Draco couldn't say no. He knew that her request meant more than just tonight after peering into her nightmares. Bending his head down, he kissed her forehead lightly.

"Go to sleep Hermione. I won't leave. I won't ever leave you."

Author's Note:

This was originally intended for Chapter XI, but I felt that Chapter went for too long so I gave this one it's own Chapter.