Hiya - just wanted to answer some of my reviews - I hope no-one minds. You all take the trouble to review and I just thought it was time I acknowledged them.
SlytherinGurrl - I hope the story isn't dragging - I don't like to rush them but I do try and keep the stories flowing so they hold interest. There's quite a bit to go - I hate it when the Dramione happens too suddenly - so I hope you still enjoy it and keep reading.
chelssizzle - firstly, thank you for all the amazing reviews you've given across all my stories. You're a very loyal and prolific reviewer - it's like having a friend! Anyway - I suppose Hermione and Draco are acting more awkward right now because before there is an attraction at least everything is simple and they know they hate each other. This is the awkward phase where they don't quite trust how they are feeling.
NinjahGirl - You're totally right about the similarity to Pure (and even Unity). I find that the hardest part, writing a unique story that isn't just a repeat of my others. I hope it's different enough because this connection isn't making anyone ill and it's more about the magic. I have thought of a twist as well so hopefully that will make it more distinctive.
Sugarquills007 - Again - you're a great reviewer - thanks for the hundreds (it must be almost that many) reviews. I'm glad you were sad about what happened to Hermione (not that I want you to be sad of course) but that was the idea. Luv your comments - they're so constructive.
edwardsoneandonlylove - glad you're only getting the correct versions! Thanks for all your comments - it's lovely to get a review and yours are very complimentary but also very constructive.
EStrunk - thanks for reviewing so often. You're right about Craig's death - I suppose it would have been in the news but it happened in an empty stadium so I suppose not quite as public. Also, Draco may have read the story but probably wouldn't remember it as it was a while ago.
aftertherebellionallwaswell - thank you for your amazing review for Chapter 18 - I loved it and I am glad you liked the way I wrote the broom flight.
4SnowWolf - so many reviews! So many great comments. Thank you very much.
To all my other lovely reviewers :
n3rdwagg Lingo10 bidisim09 HawaiianCaffeine Daninicole86 Angel N darkness PWNAGENINJA Lianna Felton (to name just a few) - thank you SO SO SO MUCH for them. I know I've missed people but I do appreciate the review from everyone and I do recognize lots of names who repeatedly review.
It really is a great feeling when someone takes the time to comment and as demonstrated perfectly with this story - it even means I realise when I've made a mistake! My own BETA's! Some of you have reviewed all my stories and quite often so thank you again and I hope I'm still meeting your expectations.
I'm always open to advice and I try and mould the story when I get comments - if you all really hated a plot I'd definitely change it a bit. Let me know if you want me to play up the love triangle or not and if you think Hermione should be slower or quicker to start realising her feeling for Draco.
You'll be pleased to know that the chapter is below so that's the end of me waffling on...x
The room looked completely different from above. It was easy to see the pattern and layout of the shelves and Hermione tried to make a mental note of it. Draco flew over the shelves they had been examining but neither of them could see anything unusual. He moved around the rest of the room, hovering over anything remotely unusual. She then did a double take as something caught her eye, not by the shelving but high above on the wall above the door.
"Can you fly over to the door?" she asked Draco who did as she asked. As soon as they were near the wall it became obvious. High above the door, almost on the ceiling was a long, thin strip of glass. It was reflective so it was impossible to see inside. "Can we go closer?" Hermione asked and Draco skilfully moved them to within touching distance, ducking his head to avoid hitting it on the ceiling. Hermione then realised she hadn't got her wand, having got dressed in a hurry. "Have you got your wand? Can I use it?" she asked Draco.
"It's in my pocket," Draco reached into his pocket and handed her his wand. "What do you think this is?"
"I don't know - it might be nothing at all but I thought I'd try a few spells to see inside."
Making sure she kept a tight hold of Draco with one arm, she aimed a few spells at the reflective panel but nothing happened. "Maybe it is just a panel?" Draco said.
"Looks like it," Hermione agreed reluctantly. Draco lowered the front of the broomstick to land them but as he did, Hermione caught sight of something else. "Wait! Can you fly to the other end of the panel?"
Again, Draco did as she asked unquestioningly. At this end was a small, silver plaque. It was engraved with tiny writing and Hermione had to rely on Draco's flying skills to get her close enough to read it.
Vociara Voblis : Accio
Ade Restatuo : Expello
Hermione felt her heart rate increase, feeling that they might actually be getting somewhere and not for the first time Draco spoke what she was thinking.
"Does that mean we have to call for the documents? Are there documents in this panel?"
"I don't know but that's what I thought at well."
They looked at each other and then Hermione took Draco's wand. "What shall I call for?"
"Merlin Stones Spell?"
Hermione knew this couldn't be right but she tried it anyway. Unsurprisingly, nothing happened. Draco lowered the broomstick and took them down to land.
"We need the name of the actual document," he said and Hermione nodded her agreement.
"Yes - that's a big problem."
"It is, but once we have it we just have to Accio it? Is that what you think as well?" Draco asked.
"Yes - how simple but ingenious is that? Anyone who stores a document in there can recall it easily and quickly at any time but without the name of it you can't get it."
Draco sighed. "We're pinning all our hopes on this and it might just say - 'hey we've erected some big stones at Hogwarts and put a spell on them - aren't we clever, old wizards?'"
Hermione burst out laughing at his description and he grinned back at her as she laughed. "Well, let's hope not or it might be a long time before you're able to anything worthwhile without me."
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"I'm going to do it, Hermione. I'm going to ask Harry to be my partner at the Celebration Dance."
"But Ginny what about Cho?"
"What about her? If I ask him, then it's his choice, isn't it?"
"Merlin! Poor Harry!"
"Poor Harry?" Ginny said. "Two gorgeous women fighting for him?"
"Only Ginny Weasley could describe herself as gorgeous so casually." Hermione grinned at her friend. "It will be poor Harry if he chooses Cho!"
"No, Hermione - that will be poor me."
Ginny's face looked so down that Hermione reached over and gave her a hug.
"You're going with Neville? That would be great the four of us," Ginny asked.
"Errr..."
Ginny's attention was caught and she turned to Hermione. "What does errrr mean?"
"I don't know who I'm going with."
"You mean he hasn't asked you yet?"
"I mean we're not a school any longer. It's not a ball - just a party. I don't feel like I have to have a partner."
"Of course you do! And it is a big thing - it's the end of our fortnight here. We won't get this opportunity to be here together like this again. Also, it's been a great success for Hogwarts - they want a big celebration at the end of it."
"Okay! Stop lecturing me," Hermione said with a sigh.
"Anyway, Neville will ask you or you could be assertive and ask him." Ginny put her head to one side as Hermione didn't answer. "What's your hesitation? He's obviously besotted with you, he's sweet, kind and now, thankfully, drop dead gorgeous..."
"It's a long story."
"I'm listening."
"I'm sorry, I can't tell you."
"Why not?" Ginny frowned. "You can't tell me or you don't want to?"
Hermione rubbed her forehead wishing they hadn't started this conversation. "He asked me out but I had to say no. I'm not sure he'll want to ask me again and it's probably for the best if he doesn't."
"Why did you have to say no?" Ginny asked the obvious question. Hermione sighed, conducting an internal debate as to whether she should tell Ginny or not. She was sure Draco wouldn't mind and as they would all soon be leaving, maybe it was time Ginny was let into the secret. Before she could start to tell her, however, Ginny spoke again. "Hermione?"
"Yes?"
"Has this got anything to do with Malfoy?"
Hermione met her friends enquiring and cautious gaze and blinked rapidly. Ginny had noticed something then? She tried to answer without lying. "No - well...not really..."
She saw Ginny's eyes widen incredulously and her mouth drop open. "Not really? Not really? What the hell does that mean?"
"This is going to take a while to explain, Ginny."
"I'm sure it is! The explanation as to why Hermione Granger has turned down Neville Longbottom in favour of Draco Malfoy is going to take forever!"
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"Bloody hell, Hermione - you have to get your magic back. Do you think you can get the document about the Merlin Stones by just Accio?" Ginny asked after Hermione had told her the entire story.
"Yes, but we need it's actual name and heaven knows how we can get that."
"So, what did you think when Malfoy woke you up? Draco Malfoy in your bedroom when you're all sleepy and ruffled in a little cute nightdress..."
"Ginny - get a grip of yourself!" Hermione said. "What I actually thought was - what the bloody hell has happened now?"
"So, you and Malfoy - just how connected are you?" Ginny grinned at her own clever question but Hermione pulled a face at her.
"Very funny. Draco and I are having to make the best of a bad situation - that's all," Hermione insisted.
"What about the feeling you get when you touch him...?"
"It's just our magic connecting I suppose."
"But you said it's getting stronger as you get on with him better," Ginny reminded her. "How exactly are you getting on better?"
Both girls chuckled now at Ginny's implication. "We're acting like 3rd years!" Hermione said. "You're a bad influence on me, Ginny Weasley."
"I'm just trying to understand! Does it make you want to touch him all the time?"
Hermione rolled her eyes and couldn't help but grin at her friend. "No, but it sounds like you might like to!"
"I wouldn't mind, actually - as long as he didn't speak."
"Ginny!" Hermione burst out laughing again at her friend and Ginny joined in.
"So, remember I told you to be assertive and ask Neville to the party?" Ginny asked.
"I don't think I should go with Neville after I've had to tell him I can't go out with him."
"Neither do I." Ginny wriggled her eyebrows and as the meaning behind Ginny's words became clear, Hermione groaned and waved her hands dismissively.
"Don't even dare suggest it! No way!"
"Why not?"
"No way!"
"You should go with Malfoy - if nothing else so that you can use magic if you need to."
"I shouldn't go with Draco, I don't want to go with Draco, I can't believe you're suggesting I go with Draco and I won't go with Draco even if he asks me!" Hermione said and Ginny's face showed her amusement. She leant forward and put her head to one side.
"Okay - ask yourself this then. When exactly did Malfoy become Draco? You hadn't noticed you were calling him that, had you?"
Hermione stared at her friend but didn't answer.
Sorry it was a short chapter - not long until I post the next one and thank you again for the reviews. I'd really like your input into how you want this to go so let me know. x