Hey everyone! Have we all read HBP yet? Unfortunately for this story, it was started obviously way before HBP came out, and while I have read it, most things to do with HBP won't be appearing in this story. There might be some very small details coming about but aside from those, nothing. NOTHING I tell you! Nah, I would have liked to be finished this before it, but since I have a shiteload still to write, that was never going to happen. Anyway, hope this wasn't too late.
Comments:
lilithofunderworld: Is it obvious I hate beer as well? ;-) The thing about being a uni student is meant to be all about drinking beer - not me. Cannot stand it. Never acquired the taste for it, ugh! Give me a Bundy rum and coke, and even that I don't really drink all that much. As for Draco, I could see it being quite awkward for him, which is kind of why I thought that Robert wouldn't say anything about it, despite the fact that Draco had a go at his daughter.
Steelo: Hmm, considering Hermione's POV that Quidditch is only a game and given that there are no references to her flying at all, I'm guessing that she doesn't play any sports, nor did she ever. She doesn't seem like it ever came into the equation.
harryluvzginny: That's good to know about Robert! I was kind of hoping that he would be the father figure that Draco was missing in his life - someone to just be there if he needed it. This is pretty corny, but oh well. Despite Robert being a Muggle, I thought Draco would develop a respect for him, which I think he has.
xoKaSsIeox : Hey! I like that you made the extra effort of checking out my bio! It's nice to know. I've got a looooooot of stuff there, hope none of it was too boring. Anyway, I dunno if there are many more awkwardnesses (don't worry, I have no idea on the correct terminology anyway) between the two of them. That is to say, of what I've written, there isn't. However, given that there are a few decent plotlines still to come, there might be. This chapter is a fair change in the storyline as well. Oh yeah, I tend to do the same (that is, read up to the part where the writer has updated then review a chapter).
KellyRiddle88: haha! C'est pas grave. Moi, je suis sans ordinateur egalement pendant quatre semaines, donc il n'y avait une fois que j'ai pu mettre plus de mon histoire sur l'Internet. Alors, mon cours qui a eu l'examen, j'ai recu 73. C'est pas mal, je pense. Et mercredi, j'ai achete Harry Potter et l'Ecole de Sorciers (PS/SS en francais!). Je trouve que je peux comprendre presque tous les mots, woohoo:-) Je suis contente...
KeiZka: Don't worry, I respond to all reviews and don't really care whether they are anonymous or not. So long as no one flames me, I'm content with either... And yeah, someone did point that out for me. I think that was just a typo on my part. I didn't realise that it was in there, truthfully. Will have to go over it later on.
preciousonee: Hmm, hadn't actually considered it, will have to fix that little piece of continuity into the storyline! Thanks for the pointer!
Silent-Serpent: Did I say something about it improving his skills? If so, I didn't mean to. Well, I guess it could improve his hand/eye co-ordination and his overall fitness. I have honestly forgotten what I wrote.
Caitlin: I can see what you mean. I tend to think like that of other stories but the thing is, it was always going to happen. I'd have a lot more trouble writing the story without it, trust me. BTW, I hope you really didn't check everyday, that was about three weeks' worth! ;-)
Ellie: I thought I hit a brick wall at one part but at least I got a bit of story done today, hence the reason why chapter 21 is finally up! Thanks for the kind words.
homestar-fan: I tend to agree, it really is just a game. I come from a small town where the town football/netball teams are THE SHIT in the town. (The 'shit' meaning the 'thing' to follow, the best, whatever) and small country towns idolise their football team. It drives everyone who doesn't follow footy mental.
Ezmerelda: haha! It's funny cos it's my mum that watches the football and not dad. And while she doesn't get completely worked up watching it, she is always in the footy tipping and having a go at those who go for other teams when their teams lose. But you're right, men are a sight to see when watching sport.
Darkwing731 : I loved writing the bit about beer cos obviously, it reflects my thoughts on the stuff, I hate it to the n'th degree. As for the profanity, let's just say that it's not the F word... ;-)
LadySnake: haha! I tend to save those sorts of things for when I'm actually at games. Given that I haven't been to a footy game in a long time, when the time comes, I get a bit carried away, despite everything I've previously said about thinking that it is only a game. My thoughts though are that it's better to save it for during the game as to afterwards and during the week when it's not being played.
Lady-Crymsyn: Yep can do. It would have been the chapter up instead of this one but I thought that I really ought to have written some more on the story before I had complete writer's block. I did start writing a summary and will now keep going with it. I'll summarise all chapters up to this point.
SushiFelton: I did do okay on my exam in fact, luckily. I ended up with a 73 for the subject, thank God. That's a Distinction at least. For Statistics as well! So glad. Anyway, it's funny that I wrote what it's like with sports because no matter what sport it is (American Football, soccer/football, rugby), people have been telling me all about their characteristics (or someone they know) when it comes to sport. It's a worldwide phenomena. So where was I going with this? I'm liking that Draco is understanding towards the whole sports thing, albeit a Muggle one cos he knows that that is what he's like with Quidditch. And thanks for the kind words at the end!
lostindreams1001: I remember answering a couple of your posts. It's good that you have an account, cos now you can test the waters with your own fiction. That's what was so cool when I joined up. But yeah. I finally did update and I hope that I can update a bit more often now that I've only got a couple of subjects this semester. As for them avoiding each other, it's only shortlived... ;-)
Bewittching: That's what got me writing my own, I loved reading them!
Lovely: I kind of thought that perhaps Robert would sympathise with Draco because he has probably been in the same position himself at around the same age. I know it was his own daughter that Draco had a go at, but I think Robert could be a little forgiving, since Draco has proven that he is trying to make things easy for them. And I think Hermione would keep making football/soccer comments much like she does with Quidditch the whole way through it, so probably not the best way to rekindle their friendship. Oh yeah, I'm Australian.
JayJay216: Brilliant! I'm glad someone caught on to what I was doing with Robert's character before I said what I was doing. Well, at least anyway. But yeah, it's funny how men can keep it together but in heated moments such as these, that's it. A faithful fan, haha, loving it!
sugar n spice 522: I only hope that this wasn't too long. I hate not being able to upload chapters!
walk.in.the.rain: Well, this will certainly up the storyline as well as give more interaction, albeit briefly but sweetly (ooh! Too much info!). And we all agree, why didn't she let him kiss her!
As for everyone else who reviewed, thank you for your kind words and wellwishes. I hope you all enjoy the following chapter.
Chapter 21: Nightmare
AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!
Draco woke up, soaking with sweat and completely twisted amongst his doona and sheets. For a moment, he had no idea where he was until a couple of moments later when he realised that he was in the Grangers' guest room, where he had been for the last two weeks. Despite falling asleep easily after the bonding session with Robert, he had woken up at 4:35am after experiencing a horrible dream.
He was standing inside what seemed to be a lounge-room, however where, Draco was not sure. It looked vaguely familiar but before he could remember why, his thoughts were interrupted by voices from perhaps beneath him, indistinguishable. There were also screams from another source; high pitched and obviously howls of pain, perhaps in torture? He didn't want to think about that… he had to stop it somehow but considering this place looked so unrecognisable, how on earth was he going to do that?
"Please!" one of the voices said.
"What did you do with it?" said a high pitched voice that sounded not so much as a voice, but a short series of hisses. Oh my God, Voldemort!
"I don't know what you're talking about!" the voice was nothing more than a whimper.
"You know exactly what I'm referring to, Peasegood." Peasegood? Who is Peasegood?
"Please! I beg you!" Peasegood pleaded.
"You are an obliviator, Peasegood, are you not?" the hissing voice continued. Obliviator… they're only present in the Ministry… he must be the officer that the Deatheaters were planning to raid!
"Yes, but – "
"And did you or did you not obliviate one Neville Longbottom after he witnessed his parents' torture?"
"But what has that got to do with anything?"
"I believe that a certain wizard was notified and the boy Longbottom was taken away from his parents, am I correct?"
"Yes and –"
"So did you, or did you not, notify this particular wizard of your obliviation of Mr Longbottom?"
Silence.
"Crucio!"
More screams, perhaps only lasting for a couple of seconds but to Draco, it lasted a lifetime.
"I will repeat myself, something I do not like doing, Peasegood. Did you, or did you not notify Dumbledore of your obliviation of one Neville Longbottom?"
"I did," the voice gasped, causing Draco to have to get down onto the floor to hear.
"And why did you do that?"
"Because he asked me what happened to Neville, so I told him that he had just witnessed his parents' torture. I felt bad for the boy and thought that it would be better to obliviate him and leave him in Dumbledore's hands, rather than to let him go."
"So, Peasegood has a heart. Do you, Peasegood?"
"Everyone does."
"Hmm, we shall see about that, shall we?" There was more silence for a moment then the hissing started up again. "Do you realise why you are here?"
"No, I don't."
"I always knew that you were one of the weaker Ministry officials to grace the office and for that reason, you would prove to give me the information I so desired quite easily. Trust me, Peasegood, others have tolerated far worse than what I have served you. But enough about my history; the reason for my request to see you is because I wish for your wand; the one that obliviated Mr. Longbottom."
"Why do you want that?"
"You are an obliviator Peasegood, although it seems that you are not a very bright one. You are aware of the fact that for such a complex and strong memory charm like the one you performed on Mr Longbottom, it requires the same wand to perform it, true?"
"Yes."
"And because you are not in any position to cast it yourself, I am going to do it for you."
"You are going to seek out Neville Longbottom? For what reason?"
"Your naivety tonight is mystifying, Peasegood. So that Mr Longbottom remembers exactly what happened that night."
"Why is that of any importance?"
"Remembering something like that would drive anyone insane and I wouldn't doubt that Mr Longbottom is no exception. He proved to be quite a capable wizard in the battle in the Ministry office a year ago. (What? Since when has Longbottom been any good at anything? Okay, he did seem to improve in DADA last year.) Therefore, I wish to make him remember his parents' torture, rendering him only fit enough to eat his meals from the maximum security wing in St Mungo's Psychological Ward.
"You see, it is far too difficult even for me to take on an entire army of qualified witches and wizards, despite the lack of talent that the Ministry seems to keep in their disposal, judging by yourself. However, by attacking each Order member one by one, it reduces a great deal of risk of losing more followers.
"So Peasegood, I ask you once more; where is your wand?"
There was a small pause where the only noises were whimpers, presumably from Peasegood. Eventually, a small voice could be heard.
"It's hidden at the back of the bottom drawer on the opposite side of the room to my bed. It's the wand I use everyday, however it is starting to lose its power due to having been used and misused a lot."
"Peasegood, I did not ask you for more information than the whereabouts of your wand. Nevertheless, that information might prove to be useful.
"Right, Peasegood, you will stay here until one of my followers have retrieved the wand and if they cannot find it, you will sorely pay. Understood?"
"Yes."
"Good."
It was at that point that Draco had woken. He was still sitting on his bed, petrified and unable to think or move for more than five minutes. Eventually, he was able to put his hands over his face, in wonder of what he was going to do. He knew something had to be done; it was only a matter of what. He didn't even know what could be done. It seemed like it had already happened but he was not sure if it had or not. Either way, he had to tell someone and he knew just who that person had to be.
Dumbledore!
But how was he going to tell him what happened? Castor was not in his cage, nor could he be heard outside. It left Draco with no choice but to grab his broom, head down the stairs and go outside to find Castor. Unfortunately, he only got as far as the back door before he heard a loud hissing.
Damn cat! Don't you dare do anything!
However, the round ball of orange fur paid no heed to Draco and instead, bounded up the stairs in a flurry and scratched and meowed at Hermione's door loud enough to wake the whole house. Furious, Draco ran outside, mounted his broom and went in search of Castor.
As he flew around trying desperately hard to forget the last time he was up in the air, Draco called out softly but loud enough so Castor would hear him if he was close range. After about ten minutes, Draco could hear the fluttering of wings as Castor landed on the end of his broom.
"Castor!" Draco exclaimed. "Thank God I found you. I need you to get a message to Dumbledore quickly because something's happened!"
Castor stuck one leg out from the broom, almost losing his balance in the process, for Draco to tie the note onto. However, writing the note was not something Draco had actually done in his haste to find his owl. Groaning, he motioned to Castor to follow him down to the house so he could write the note then send it off.
When he got down towards the verandah, he could see a light on in the back room, one that he did not turn on as he left it. It only meant one thing; the damn cat had woken the house.
As he landed, the back door opened and Hermione came out looking sleepy, annoyed and curious all at once. Draco pushed past her to go inside, causing Hermione to curse and follow him inside.
"What IS your problem, Draco Malfoy?" she asked in exasperation.
He heard but did not acknowledge her. Instead, he continued on up the stairs to his room, opened the door and went to shut it, only Hermione stuck her hand in the way and forced it open again.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" she cried.
This time, Draco turned to face her, giving her his most sinister glare and getting the result he was after. Hermione shrank back against the doorjamb but said nothing.
Draco found a quill and parchment and started to write a short note to Dumbledore regarding his dream. He hastily tied it to Castor's leg, groaning when the knot came undone, making him have to tie it properly.
"You know where to go, Castor," he told the bird. "Please hurry."
After opening the window, Draco sat on the bed in silence, not looking at Hermione's growing look of worry as Castor flew off into the night sky.
After some minutes of not saying anything, he looked at Hermione. She cautiously approached the bed where he was sitting and sat down next to him.
"Please, Draco!" she pleaded, not knowing that her voice sounded very much like the one from his dream that he was trying so hard to forget. He looked away, which only made her grab his arm in despair.
"Draco, what happened?" she asked frantically.
This time Draco looked at her, seeing the tears well up in her eyes and the look of concern on her face.
"Someone in the Ministry is going to be attacked," he said quietly, "I just don't know when."
"What do you mean? How do you know this?"
"Crabbe and Goyle told me before the last day of Hogwarts."
"What? You have known for two weeks that something was going to happen and you didn't say anything? Why?" Her voice sounded desperate and mad, making Draco churn up inside.
"You really wouldn't understand."
"Please try me."
"I'm serious, Hermione. You have always had people that you can trust. It hasn't been so easy for me; especially this last year."
"That was the reason? But you're telling Dumbledore now! Why didn't you tell him that before?"
"I don't know! Because I was still feeling horrible about having to live with you over summer. Even you weren't happy about me staying, you said so yourself. It's just how it was. Look, I've told him now, haven't I?"
"But it might be too late!" Hermione looked pleadingly into his eyes. "Draco, I know that you didn't want to be here or that you didn't know who to trust but you were at absolutely no risk of either Dumbledore or me telling anyone about this. Why else would you be here? Surely you must realise that you can trust us all! For your own sake, don't ever hide anything like this from me again! No matter what happens from now on, please know that you can trust me!"
He looked back and saw the earnestness written all over her features and sighed. "I was going to tell you and there was one time when I nearly did. I don't know why but I just couldn't do it."
Hermione was silent for a moment, obviously in thought. "When was that?"
"Don't you remember that day when we were both outside in front of the fish pond?"
Her face was one of confusion, concern and sadness for a moment until the confusion was replaced with realisation. "I remember now, I asked you if something was the matter. Was it then?"
"Yes, that was it."
"So can you tell me what prompted you to write to Dumbledore now?"
Draco hesitated. He wasn't sure if he really wanted to relive his dream but he knew that he would probably have to with Dumbledore later on. Eventually, he knew that Hermione would find out sooner or later.
Finally, he muttered, "Alright."
He told her about the dream, starting from the start when he first realised that he was in a strange yet somewhat familiar house and of the voices that he had heard. Throughout this, he continued to look at his feet that were dangling over the side of his bed, refusing to look in Hermione's direction for fear of revealing his true feelings of the dream. Finally, he finished at the point where he had heard that Neville Longbottom was going to be sought out as well.
"Oh Draco, that's awful!" Hermione exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck before he could stop her. However, once she had done it, he could not remove her arms from around him. In fact, he found it extremely comforting to know that she was with him in this. Not directly of course but morally, she was supporting him. It also seemed that she had forgotten all about his ignoring her over the last couple of days as much as he had; something that he was very grateful for.
He slowly brought his own arms around her and they sat there on the edge of his bed in silence for what seemed to be a long time, when Draco was overcome with exhaustion.
"Hermione," he whispered, "I think we had probably better get to sleep."
When he didn't hear a response, he removed her arms from around his neck to see that she had fallen asleep. Temporarily forgetting the cause of his awareness at such a late time, he smiled to himself and gently laid Hermione down on his bed, shifting the covers back to guide her into position before pulling them back up over her. He settled down on the beanbag, too exhausted himself to realise that it was not the most comfortable thing to sleep on, and eventually fell asleep.
Comments:
Well, none for this chapter really. Any questions, just let me know and I'll try to be concise when answering. Oh yeah, and just keep in mind that even though I've read HBP, I'm keeping to how I originally started writing this story. Thanks and see y'all!