Is it just me or are there less people who read Dramione? I'm curious, because two years ago I would get at least forty reviews a chapter, and now I haven't even hit forty. Just wondering if it's just me or there are less people who appreciate this paring. On a different note, here comes another chapter. I hope you guys like it!
Chapter 21: Picking At a Prophecy
Draco lay in his hospital bed contemplating the past few months of his life while Madame Pomfrey administered another dose of the bruise-healing paste. According to her, Draco had two broken bones in his arm, a broken pinky and an ankle fracture. Harry was sporting a broken jaw, a broken femur bone, a broken arm and a broken toe. Draco watched as she smeared the yellow paste all over his abdomen. Madame Pomfrey kept clucking her tongue as if this was all his fault! He winced when she pressed too hard on his skin.
"I'm not here to judge you, boys," she said as she stood up, "But you two are incredibly stupid. Please use words to sort out your differences next time."
"If we did that, you'd be in need of a new job," Malfoy joked.
She cast a scalding look in his direction, "I'll be administering the first dose of Skele-Gro around two in the afternoon. From the looks of your injuries, you're lucky you didn't die from internal bleeding!"
Harry tried to sit up but after a few tries saw that it was futile, "Do you know how long we're going to be staying here?"
Madame Pomfrey took a minute to think about it, "I say about a week…maybe a little more, maybe a little less. It depends how fast your injuries heal. You'll definitely be in class by December."
The two of them nodded and watched her walk out of the room to go fill out a bunch of paperwork. Draco cast a look in Harry's direction, "Oy Potter, have you ever used Skele-Gro before?"
Harry nodded, "That bloody stuff is as awful as they come. It burns as it goes down your throat and the whole time you feel like you are being stabbed! Terrible…vile stuff."
Draco groaned, "You just had to break my bones Potter, didn't you? You just had to break them."
Harry scowled, "Hey, I'm sporting a colorful array of broken bones myself, no thanks to you!"
"It was your fantastic idea!" Draco glared.
Harry hesitated, "Touché."
Just then, Draco heard a familiar voice exchanging words with Madame Pomfrey. Cursing, he closed his eyes pretending to have fallen asleep. Hermione strolled in a split second later, hands on hips, looking ready to end their pathetic lives. Harry waved sheepishly as Hermione stomped over to stand between the two beds occupied by her two very stupid boys. She was just about to start yelling when Harry made a shushing sound and pointed to Draco.
Hermione glared, "What did you think you were doing! Beating each other close to death!" She whispered angrily, "How could you do this to me?"
"Alright Hermione, you win. I promise never to beat Draco to death ever again," Harry said.
Hermione crossed her arms and stared at him for a few minutes, then her anger melted away and she sat atop his bed, "Did he really say he loved me?" Her heart pounded deep within her chest. She wanted Harry to say yes so badly that she hadn't noticed Draco open his eyes.
Harry rubbed his forehead, "And here I thought you came to see how I was doing."
"You know this was all your fault, Harry."
"So sue me for looking out for you! You get angry when we don't notice, and you get angry when we do!"
"Oh that's not the point and you know it. Now answer my question," Hermione said.
"What question?"
"If he really said he loved me or not."
"Oh that question."
"Yes that question."
Harry closed his eyes and began to snore.
"Harry….Harry I know you're not sleeping…Harry, this is very childish…Harry!" Hermione bounced on the bed in an effort to make him talk. Harry, ignoring the pain it caused, kept on snoring.
"You are unbelievable!" Hermione finally said and stood up, "I'll be back with your homework tonight so don't you think this is over."
Harry cracked his eye open just enough to see her storm out of the Infirmary. Madame Pomfrey came into his room and shook her head before going back to her paperwork.
"You can't always be sleeping when she comes here you know," Harry stated a few minutes later.
Draco sighed, cursed himself silently for being such a coward, "I know…"
A few hours later, Ron was entering the hospital wing with a black bag in hand. When he spotted Harry, he quietly tiptoed towards his bed.
"What are you doing here, Ron?" Harry asked.
"Skipping class are we, Weasel?"
Ron rolled his eyes in annoyance, "Oh bugger off, Malfoy. Hey Harry, guess what I got!"
Slowly Ron pulled something out of his black bag. As soon as Harry laid eyes on it, his face broke out into a huge grin.
"RED VINES!"
Ron tossed the bag over to Harry who opened it without a second thought. A minute later, the two boys were enjoying their favorite snack.
"What are Red Vines?" Malfoy inquired.
Ron's mouth dropped open in shock. He couldn't believe his ears! To not know what a Red Vine was, was like not knowing you were a wizard! Ron shuffled over to Malfoy's bed and began to pat his head.
"You poor bloke, its okay," he looked at Harry, "Well, doesn't this explain a lot?"
Harry mumbled something under his breath as he chewed on his delicious red, stringy candy. Ron pulled another piece out of the bag and handed it to the Slytherin boy, "Eat it."
Malfoy stared at Ron for a minute or so then looked at the red candy. He brought it to his mouth and took a bite. Harry and Ron watched as Draco slowly chewed and swallowed.
"Well?" Ron asked.
Draco smiled, "It's good."
"Haha!" Ron clapped Draco on the back, causing him to nearly choke on his spit, "Of course it's good!"
Just then, Madame Pomfrey entered the room, "What are you doing here, Mr. Weasley?"
"I was just leaving," Ron took a step towards the door, then hesitated, turned around and hit Malfoy atop the head, "Still hate you," and ran out.
Draco seethed as he gently rubbed his head. These Gryffindors were all bloody bipolar.
Hermione couldn't wait until Charms was over. Her head was spinning with the thought of Draco being in love with her. Professor Flitwick was standing on a stool demonstrating how to cast a proper Disguising Charm. The whole class watched in fascination as Professor Flitwick waved his wand and with a quick "Diversio Vultos," turned himself into a tall man sporting a heavy brown mustache with a pair of spectacles resting lazily on his beak nose. The whole class clapped their hands as the Professor waved and walked around the room. Exactly one minute later, he returned to his original form. Hermione clapped halfheartedly, as Dean Thomas stood in front of the class and changed his appearance to resemble Professor Flitwick. The class laughed at the two short men standing in front of the class. Professor Flitwick's cheeks glowed red as he stood atop the stool trying to get Dean to stop fooling around.
After a grueling fifteen minutes, Hermione was free to go forth from the class with an essay on how to determine if someone was using a Disguising Charm in her bag. She walked as quickly as she could down the hall, making a quick stop at a local rubbish bin to empty the contents of her stomach, and down to the Infirmary. Her ears quickly picked up a stream of curses spilling out of the hospital wing. Pushing the door open, she came face to face with Harry and Draco immobilized on their beds with their mouths moving at inhuman speeds.
"-bloody fucking cow-"
"-Merlin's bloody arse whipping-"
"-devil's fucking hell! Damn this shitty fucking-"
"-blasted conniving bitch! Fucking hurts damn it all to-"
"-Argh! Fuck this fucking blasted hell freaking fucking damned bitch to fucking OUCH-"
"-crappy puss filled wart on a red-"
"-THIS HURTS LIKE A MOTHER-"
Hermione had her hands clamped hard against her ears to help muffle the vile things she was hearing. She walked out of their room to find Madame Pomfrey sitting at her desk with earmuffs on. When she saw Hermione, she pulled them off and smiled apologetically.
"I've given them each a dose of Skele-Gro. With the amount of broken bones they have, I can understand that it must be excruciatingly painful," she shook her head sadly, "I'm going to have to keep them here till the start of December…that's at the end of the week."
Hermione nodded solemnly, "Do you know when they'll be normal? I mean, when they'll stop swearing?"
Madame Pomfrey tapped her quill, "They should become delirious any minute now. They've been swearing for the past three hours," she wrote something down, "That's when it gets to the good part. They start seeing and saying things."
Hermione's eyebrows rose slightly. That would be the perfect time to filch an answer from Draco. She bid goodbye to Madame Pomfrey and entered the boy's room again. They continued to swear for another good five minutes before the delirium kicked in. Harry was first to go.
"I'ma…I'ma love you Hermio..meone…haha you…is…my friend…Ron's red vines….I want…candy…Ginny's so hot…Ron brother…no good…nice…..stupid….haha…purple balloons…sky!"
Hermione straightened up, "Harry, did Draco say he loved me?"
"…love…Hermiononone…I love Hermiomionone…friends good…"
"No Harry, did Draco say he loved me?"
"…nice…love me…want Hernionine…say…can't say haha…can't love say…"
"Harry, please did he say he loved me?"
Just then, Draco fell into delirium. However, unlike Harry, Draco went silent. Hermione leaned over his bed only to find him staring up, eyes widened in fear. His hands trembled as he clenched the blanket tightly. Hermione worriedly, put a hand on his forehead. He didn't feel that warm, she bit her lip wondering if she should go get Madame Pomfrey. Draco then stopped trembling and began muttering gibberish. Hermione sighed in relief. She looked over at Harry who had gone silent.
"…prophecy…" she heard him mumble. Harry had one hand over his scar, his eyes were glazed as he kept mumbling something. Hermione remembering the last time this happened, hastily opened her bag and reached for a quill and parchment. Maybe Harry had linked with Voldemort again.
"….secret…dragon's wife….secret….dragon's wife…life being brought back to life…at stake…all at stake…need to link the prophecy…infants power…chosen one…chosen one…swift and true….blood to sustain if it fails…..one for death…one for death…one for death…blood to sustain me…kill…devour blood to sustain me…power to win….Elizabeth…...haha….I will win…dragon's wife….secret….secret…. …secrets…Elizabeth's prophecy…" Hermione wrote every phrase Harry mumbled. This was important, she could feel it.
She had to tell Ron.
Harry kept mumbling about blood and secrets as Hermione packed her bag. She was just about to leave when she felt a little kick inside her. Her hand immediately came to rest on her abdomen. She let herself revel in the feeling for a minute before rushing out the door in her search for Ron. A few minutes after she left, Harry mumbled, "…the power the infants….have within…..will give rise to….the one who will win."
Hermione searched for Ron all over the castle, finally finding him out on the quidditch pitch with Dean, Seamus and a bunch of other Gryffindor boys. Ron was atop his broom with a quaffle in hand. He was animatedly discussing something with Seamus when Hermione reached them.
"It's not bloody likely," Ron stretched on his broom, "Hufflepuff still won't stand a chance against us on Sunday, even if Harry is still padlocked in the infirmary."
Seamus pulled a loose thread off his robes, "I still think we should reschedule. Me gut tells me that we're not as strong as we think we are without a seeker. We may be good Ron, but if they catch the snitch before we can accumulate enough points…we're in the ditches."
Hermione cleared her throat. Ron turned to find her standing with her hands in her pockets and a serious look on her face.
"Ron, I need to speak with you," Ron grinned foolishly as he threw the quaffle at Dean, "Immediately."
"Hermione, don't get your knickers in a twist! We're trying to decide whether to reschedule the quidditch game against Hufflepuff or not."
"Reschedule it," Hermione said thinly.
"There you see? Even Hermione thinks it's a good idea to postpone the game!" Seamus gestured in emphasis.
Ron cast Hermione a dark look, "Hermione…I think we shouldn't postpone the game."
"Ronald, I'll give you one good reason to postpone the game," Hermione marched on over to Ron, grabbed him by the ear and pulled him off his broom. Ron cursed as she pulled him off the quidditch pitch. The remaining Gryffindors watched as Hermione continued to drag him all the way back into the castle.
"He did what?" Hermione nodded as Ron paced about the room of requirement. Both hands were running through his thick red hair as he tried to understand the situation.
"I'm pretty sure it was a connection Ronald," Hermione said.
"But you aren't sure…" Ron looked at her.
"I think so…maybe…I don't know…but…maybe..."
"Well that clears things up," Ron said, "Would have been terribly annoying if you had answered with either a yes or no."
"Well what do you want from me?" Hermione said with her hands on her hips, "It's not like I had enough time to do some digging on it."
Ron groaned, "Well you better start digging…its sounded ominous…blood and secrets never meant anything good to me."
Hermione nodded, "I'm going to go to the library to see if I can find anything. You should stay by Harry just in case he says something else or wakes up. He might remember something." Ron agreed and soon both were heading in different directions. Hermione to the library's restricted section and Ron to the hospital wing. Before going to the library, Hermione stopped at Harry's cottage. Her excuse to Lavender was that Harry had asked her to bring him something. In reality, she needed to get his invisibility cloak so she could properly investigate the restricted section in the library.
Ron sat by Harry's bedside.
It was already after nine and Harry hadn't said anything useful. Ron slumped in his seat drumming his fingers on the armrest. When he heard footsteps approaching, he ducked under Harry's bed. Madame Pomfrey was making her rounds before turning in.
Ron held his breath as he watched her feet move from Harry's bed to Draco's. She was fiddling with something when Ron felt a sneeze coming on. He felt his stomach drop. He needed to hold the damned sneeze in! Quickly, Ron whispered a prayer hoping that if anyone were listening they would make Madame Pomfrey leave faster. The sneeze was coming closer, Ron felt his eyes begin to tear. He cursed silently. Of all the situations not to sneeze, this would be one of them. Finally, he saw her feet move towards the door. He thanked Merlin as he listened carefully for the disappearing footsteps. He then pulled himself out from underneath the bed and waited for the sneeze.
It bloody never came.
Ron was in a foul mood.
Hermione found nothing in the unrestricted section of the library. Lucky for her, she hadn't had her hopes up for it. She waited patiently until everyone left the library. The invisibility cloak served its purpose when Madame Pince strolled through the library looking for students. She waited five minutes after the librarian left to pull down the cloak, better safe than sorry. Hermione then quickly raced into the restricted section, anxious to find anything that could help Harry with this new twist of fate. She perused a few books with no luck. It was nearing midnight when she finally found something helpful. It was a history of the English monarchy of the Wizarding world. Hermione's eyes scanned the pages finding that there was an Elizabeth LeGrange. She had spoken three prophecies. Hermione read the whole history of the LeGrange family and how they were sentenced to death.
Elizabeth LeGrange had escaped to the North, some say to Russia where she raised her son. Hermione searched the book for the prophecies but came up empty handed. She stared at the shelves, there were hundreds of books but she needed only one with the information she required. She read the titles one by one, looking for anything to do with prophecy. Her eyes finally landed on a book entitled, Prophecies of the Past. She grabbed it off the shelf and began looking through the pages.
Harry groaned. He had such an angry headache, and that dream! He shuddered. Next time, he'd make sure not to break anything. Skele-Gro was one nasty piece of work. The loud familiar snoring emanating from beside him had Harry reaching for his glasses. As soon as he fixed them on his nose, he was shocked to find Ron sitting up with his head thrown back and drool dripping from the corner of his mouth. It was quite unsettling.
"Ron," Harry said.
No answer…just snoring.
"Ron…I said Ron!" Harry said a little louder than before.
Ron snorted but didn't wake up.
"Blast it, Ron!" Harry said.
"Weasel wake the bloody hell up!" Draco yelled.
Harry turned to find an angry Draco with his hands pressed to his ears.
"That awful noise you're making is going to give me a migraine," finished Draco.
Ron didn't even stir.
Harry and Draco exchanged looks before yelling, "Ron!"
Ron snorted and opened his eyes.
"Oh, you're up Harry," Ron rubbed his eyes, "Hermione sent me here to tell-" Ron hesitated and cast a glance at Malfoy.
"It's alright, Ron. Whatever it is, you can say it," said Harry.
"Right," Ron pinched his nose, "Hermione said you linked with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and were saying crazy things while touching your scar. She thinks it's very important so she's in the library doing some digging. She told me to stay here and listen for anything else you might say."
Harry frowned, "Well I had this crazy dream. I was sitting in an armchair and staring at the fire. In front of me was a piece of parchment…it had some writing on it I can't remember…but I remember I was awfully concerned about making sure I would win…I remember trying to figure something out…like a puzzle…" Harry winced, "I wanted to have the blood….and I wanted to find the secret to a dragon? I don't really remember…"
Ron shuffled his feet, "It's alright mate. Hermione is tackling this pretty well. You know what she did to me today? She bloody grabbed my ear, pulled me off my broom in front of the Gryffindor quidditch team! Blasted witch nearly tore my ear off!"
Draco snickered, "Sounds like she finally had enough of you, Weasel."
Ron glowered, "Mind your own business, ferret."
"Well I hope she does find something," Harry said, "It would be awfully nice if we were one step ahead of Voldemort instead of one step behind."
Ron nodded.
Hermione was scribbling furiously on her parchment. It was close to three in the morning when she finally found it. The book was under a heavy lock spell and Hermione had to use everything she learned to crack it open. What she found inside was definitely worth the grueling hours of trying to unlock the damned book. All three of Elizabeth's prophecies were written inside. One of them matched some of the phrases Harry had mumbled during his delirium. Hermione was ecstatic.
By four, she had read everything to do with that prophecy. However, the more she read the more troubled she grew. This prophecy definitely involved Harry but there were so many other pieces as well…pieces that didn't quite make sense to her. She had to discuss this with Harry. Quickly she shut the heavy volume, making sure the heavy lock spell was reactivated, and put it back on the shelf. She draped the invisibility cloak around herself and was soon on her way to her cottage, eager to get a few measly hours of sleep.
Hermione awoke sharply at eight. She was out of her cottage by half past and was on her way to the dining hall for breakfast. She ate quickly, speaking little to the people around her. Blaise watched Hermione walk out of the dining hall as if there was a dog at her heels. He glanced at Pansy…no it wasn't her. The faulty Slytherin whore was smearing jam onto her lightly toasted croissant. Blaise furrowed his brow, had Draco told her? He shook his head.
No…he wasn't going to meddle into this. His instincts screamed bad idea, so he shook the uneasy feeling and turned to listen to the gossip Lavender and Parvati were exchanging.
Hermione rushed up to the seventh floor and ran towards a statue of a gargoyle. She whispered the password into the gargoyle's ear and a split second later, the gargoyle leaped aside and Hermione rushed up onto the spiral stone staircase. She rode it slowly upward and watched as the entrance closed behind her. The staircase led her to a highly polished oak door sporting a brass knocker in the shape of a griffin. Hermione threw it open, not bothering to knock like a civilized human being. The door opened to reveal a large and beautiful circular room with many windows. Dumbledore was sitting behind an enormous claw-footed desk looking startled.
"Who in heavens are you?" A portrait said as Hermione stumbled over her own two feet.
"Miss Granger," said Dumbledore a he motioned for her to take a seat, "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
Hermione sunk into the chair, "Sir, I believe we are in a lot of trouble."
Dumbledore straightened in his seat, "My dear…the question is when aren't you three in some sort of trouble?"
Hermione blushed, "Sir…Harry has had another connection with Voldemort."
Dumbledore's eyes widened behind his spectacles, he waited for Hermione to continue, "I was visiting him in the infirmary, sir. He was delirious after a large dose of Skele-Gro and he started to mumble things. His hand was pressed against his scar and he was mumbling things about blood and secrets. Naturally, I pulled out my quill and parchment and wrote down the things he said. I then went into the library and found myself looking for a prophecy given over hundreds of years ago by a certain Elizabeth LeGrange."
"My dear, prophecies are kept in the restricted section under heavy lock spells," said Dumbledore.
Hermione cursed inwardly, "Yes I know, sir. But…I felt this was very important so I spent the whole night looking for an answer. I think you should look at this." Hermione handed Dumbledore the piece of parchment she had scribbled on. It contained the prophecy concerning Harry as well as a little history on the person who gave it. Dumbledore read over the text carefully. He then looked up at Hermione thoughtfully. She bit her lip, wondering what the professor was thinking. He flicked his wand and a heavy volume went flying off a shelf. He caught it and leafed to a page that had the same prophecy inside it. Hermione watched as Dumbledore studied the texts. Finally, after a few minutes Dumbledore shut the book and handed the parchment back to Hermione. He stood up, looking quite disconcerted.
"I'm afraid that we have indeed thrown ourselves in a pickle, Miss Granger," said Dumbledore as he moved towards the door, "Come, we must make haste." Hermione followed the headmaster out of the office.
Dumbledore caught Professor McGonagall right before she entered her classroom. She looked up at him questioningly.
"We have a problem, Minerva," said Dumbledore.
Professor McGonagall glanced over at Hermione, "Who died?" She asked.
"No Minerva, no one is dead," Dumbledore shook his head, "And I intend to keep it that way."
Hermione stood to the side as Dumbledore spoke in hushed tones with Professor McGonagall. A few minutes passed before the two of them separated. The Transfiguration's Professor adjusted her pointy hat before smoothing her robes.
"I will send word to the Order. I'm fairly certain they will all be here by tomorrow night," and with that, she stepped inside the classroom.
"Miss Granger, you are to speak to no one about this," Dumbledore turned, "Leave this to me." Hermione watched the headmaster walk away. She frowned, Harry had the right to know. She shook her head to clear it of the thoughts spinning about and marched to the hospital wing.
She had decided not to say a word.
The week had flown by.
The Order had not been able to meet since the whole team had practically gone missing. Snape had taken leave for a week on some important business. The Weasley's had flown to Egypt on some matter. Mad Eye Moody was stuck in a court case dealing with a wizard apprehended last June. Lupin hadn't left a message in his floo so no one knew where he was. Shacklebolt was somewhere in the Russian mountains hunting down a fugitive and the rest of the gang was spread thinly over the entire continent and wouldn't be able to make it until the end of the week! This had left McGonagall fuming.
The Order had finally scheduled to meet on the third of December.
Meanwhile Harry and Ron wouldn't stop badgering Hermione about what she had found. She kept telling them she was unable to speak about it until Professor Dumbledore gave her permission. That left the two boys in a foul mood and they pointedly ignored Hermione for the remainder of Harry's stay in the infirmary.
Draco had been let out of the hospital before Harry since his injuries had healed faster than Potters. It was going to be his first night back at the cottage and he was dreading his confrontation with Hermione. She had yet to stop badgering Potter about whether he had said he loved her or not. Draco groaned inwardly.
The week away from Hermione was supposed to clear his mind, however it did quite the opposite. All he could think about was Hermione. He wanted her. He really, really wanted her. He wanted her more then he wanted anything before. He hadn't had classes to distract him, so for the past few days all he pictured in his mind was her. Draco fantasized of throwing Hermione on their bed and making passionate love to her once every couple of hours. He also fantasized about proposing marriage to her…although not quite as often as the lovemaking. The more he thought about it, the more he was sure that he wanted Hermione in his life. He had to take a chance. If he wanted something he had to go get it, no one was going to give it to him.
He kicked a pebble on his way back to the cottage. He was going to have to tell her the truth…he was hopelessly in love with Hermione Granger. Damn his father and his pureblood prejudice! He could not stop loving his bookworm even if he wanted too…besides he already tried. He would convince her somehow that he was right for her, he had too!
She was going to be his.
Draco approached the portrait door to his cottage and whispered the password. His heart pounded in wait of seeing Hermione. He frowned after he entered…the shower was running. He silently cursed himself for being so anxious. Walking into the kitchen, he found a plate full of Hermione's special cookies. He dared not take one. His stomach was in knots as it was. Draco left the kitchen and entered the bedroom, pulling off his school robes and loosening his tie in the process. He opened a drawer and pulled something out, placing it in his pocket. Later, Draco sat on the bed trying to focus his thoughts. A few minutes later the shower stopped running and Hermione appeared.
She was wearing his silk green pajamas. His eyebrow rose questioningly.
Hermione saw him sitting on the bed and turned red, "O-oh…um…I-I can ex-explain," she stammered.
Draco smiled wickedly, "No need."
Hermione sucked on the inside of her cheek, glad that Draco couldn't read minds and wasn't able to see what she had been fantasizing about in the shower.
"I made some cookies," she said.
"I saw," said Draco as he stood from the bed and approached Hermione, "There are a few things I want to say to you."
Hermione moved away from him to the other side of the bed, she feared he was going to say he didn't love her. She had been floating through this week as if in a dream thinking Draco Malfoy was in love with her. Now he was going to say it wasn't true! She didn't want to hear it! Draco grabbed her wrist and pulled her down on the bed hard.
"Damn it, Hermione! You're making this harder to do!"
She glared at him, trying to sniff out the hostility in his grey eyes…there wasn't any. His lips were drawn in a thin line as he tried to muster the words out of his mouth.
"I love you," he whispered.
Well that wasn't what Hermione was expecting to hear. Her eyes widened as Draco continued.
"I know you probably think I'm delusional or that Madame Pomfrey gave me way too many doses of Skele-Gro, but it's true. I'm in love with you…I wasn't exactly sure of it myself until Potter beat it out of me. This whole week I've been cooped up in the hospital wing with only one thought on my mind…you. I want you with me for life, Hermione. I know everyone is going to go crazy when they hear of this…my parents especially," Draco laughed nervously, "But I don't give a rat's arse about it. I love you and I want to be with you, and damn it Granger, I can't believe I'm saying all this! I am royally screwed now because you're not saying anything and this silence is very awkward so before I go and-" Draco didn't get to finish as Hermione threw her arms around him. She pressed herself against him as she whispered in his ear, "Damn it Malfoy…I love you too."
"Then marry me, Hermione," he murmured in her ear, "Marry me and be my wife."
Hermione pulled herself out of his embrace and stared at him. He was looking longingly at her, eyes bright as the moon and hair shinning in the firelight. He really wanted her! Draco stood from the bed and kneeled before her. He pulled forth from his pocket a ring encrusted with diamonds, and lined with gold and silver.
"This ring has been in my family for generations. It was given to us by Josephine Sinclair, Queen of Wizarding Britain for the courage my family showed in the Westshire War."
Hermione gazed at the ring. It was indeed beautiful. She wanted to say yes, to be rash and reckless and kiss those lips that quivered expectantly.
"I love you, Hermione Granger, and I promise that I'll never do anything to hurt you. Marry me now, today…we'll fly to Hogsmeade, there is a church there two leagues from the town. We could be married within an hour," Draco said anxiously.
Hermione bit her lip nervously. This is what she wanted…so why was she hesitating? She loved this boy and he loved her. Her heart was beating loudly, pushing her to say yes, but her brain was saying 'Wait you blasted witch, think this through! Don't jump the wand, give yourself some time to think!' For once in her life, Hermione ignored her brain and listened to her heart.
"Alright, but I'll have to change first," Draco grinned. He stood up and engulfed Hermione in a heady embrace. His lips were on hers, stirring the fire deep within her. Hermione smiled as she pulled away. Draco went to grab his broom as Hermione quickly changed into a pair of robes. Within five minutes, the two of them were out the door and on their way to the church.
An hour later Draco and Hermione were standing in front of a confounded priest exchanging vows, Draco had taken care of the witnesses by paying a few people off the street. Hermione was in a state of joy. She couldn't believe the things she was seeing! Draco was repeating the words the priest dictated as he placed the ring upon her finger. She heard herself repeating the words of the priest and before she knew it, Draco was carrying her out of the church. She was no longer Hermione Granger, no…now she was Hermione Jane Malfoy.
Draco laughed as he flew Hermione to a château, which was a birthday present given to him by his father when he turned sixteen. At half past eleven, Malfoy landed his broom in the front of his estate. He led Hermione into the manor, which now that she thought about it, belonged to her too. Hermione held her breath as Draco drew her up the stairway. He led her to a magnificently furnished room, with a canopied master bed sitting elegantly in the middle. There was a fire roaring in the hearth and Hermione wondered how that could be, until she saw an elf pop up and ask Draco if he needed anything. Draco sent the elf away as he gently pushed Hermione over the threshold and closed the mahogany oak door behind them.
MATURE CONTENT! READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION. SCROLL DOWN TO THE POINT WHERE IT SAYS CONTINUE, TO READ ON!
"I assume you don't want anything to eat," Draco took off his tie and began unbuttoning his shirt. He drew her gently towards him and kissed her tenderly. Hermione shook her head. The intensity of his gaze was working a spell she could not resist. Draco gently pushed her onto the bed. He rested a hand over her abdomen, which had become more round. Hermione moaned as his lips grazed her neck. Her body arched willingly against his as skillful hands slid down her body. She could feel his arousal through her robes as he worked at removing her clothes. His fingers sent waves of heat through Hermione's body. Draco smoothly moved a lock of Hermione's hair and kissed her bare shoulder.
"We can't st-stay here," Hermione stuttered, "W-we have cl-classes to-tomorrow."
"You're thinking too much." Draco tipped her face up. His eyes glittered mischievously. His mouth came down on hers, demanding and obtaining what he wanted while his hands wandered about Hermione's body, testing, teasing, stoking the heat building between her thighs. Draco finally removed the last article of clothing that separated the two of them. He gazed admiringly at Hermione's naked form. She blushed under his appreciative gaze. Draco chuckled. She moistened her lips as Draco planted a searing kiss right below her jawbone. Hermione leaned up, claiming his mouth for her own. Her knee rose slightly earning a deep ecstatic groan from Draco.
She ran her hands down his smooth chest as he gently parted her thighs. His voice was soft and ragged as he whispered lovingly into her ear. Hermione's heart fluttered as his fingertips caressed her breast. He loved her. He wanted her, and she was his. Draco felt Hermione arch underneath him as he entered her. Her moans were music to his ears, her breasts like waves rose up and down with every one of his thrusts. The night played away as the two of them made passionate love within each other's searing embrace.
CONTINUE FROM HERE
No one noticed that Hermione and Draco were not present in any of their classes. Nearly everyone assumed Draco was still in the hospital wing. Harry and Ron didn't notice Hermione's absence since they were not back on speaking terms, and most of the professors had the Order meeting in mind to notice anything amiss.
Harry was let out of the hospital wing later that evening. He wanted to go to Dumbledore and find out for himself what was going on. He stormed up to the headmaster's office to find Dumbledore conversing with someone in the floo. Harry peered closely and saw that the man in the fire was none other than professor Snape!
"I will see you later tonight, Severus," Dumbledore said, and with a quick goodbye, Snape's head disappeared.
"What can I do for you my boy?"
Harry took a step forward, "I want to know what is going on. Hermione won't say a word and Ron doesn't know much about anything. I was hoping you could shed some light on it, sir."
Dumbledore twirled the end of his beard round his finger as he looked upon the boy standing in his office.
"Very well then, Harry. I want you to bring Mister Weasley and Miss Granger here at nine o'clock. Everyone from the Order is going to be here." Dumbledore looked pointedly at Harry, "There is much we need to discuss."
"Sir, I have been meaning to tell you," said Harry, "Draco Malfoy is now part of the Order."
"Oh," Dumbledore said, "Might I ask how this came about?"
"Well…I can't really say, because I can't say it," Harry said blushing a little, "But let's just say that there's something he wants to keep safe on our side."
"Oh dear," Dumbledore walked over and peered into Harry's eyes, "Bring him here too then."
Harry nodded and left as quickly as he came. Dumbledore collapsed in his chair. A thoughtful expression on his face, "Oh dear," he said again.
As the clock struck half past eight, Harry and Ron marched over to Hermione and Draco's cottage. The two of them banged on the portrait door but no sound came from inside.
"They're not home," Blaise said from his porch.
Harry turned, "Do you know where they are?"
He saw Blaise shrug his shoulders, "I've been looking for Draco all day, but can't seem to find him anywhere. I was thinking he was with Granger."
Harry thought for a moment, "Do you have a spare piece of parchment on you by any chance?"
Blaise shook his head, "I can get you one though." He went inside his cottage and came out a minute later with a piece of parchment and quill. He handed them both to Harry who began to scribble furiously.
"There," he said finally. Ron read it over his shoulder, "Hermione and Draco. As soon as you get this, please come to the Headmaster's office. We are having a meeting at nine. Ron and I came by to get you but you weren't home. See you soon."
"See you soon?" Blaise asked.
"Well, what was I supposed to write?" Harry said angrily.
"I would have written 'Or else'," said Ron. Harry sighed and stuck the note to the door. He nodded in Blaise's direction before moving towards the school. Ron followed close behind. They were on their way to the meeting.
Hermione and Draco had awoken well into the afternoon. They were served a late breakfast by the house elves before Draco gave Hermione a tour of the grounds. They spent the day in bliss, walking through gardens, making love in every romantic corner of the manor and just having a merry time. Soon the sky turned dark. It was half past eight when Draco finally gave into Hermione's bantering and they decided to get back to school. It was a quarter after nine when Draco found the note on their cottage door. Hermione scanned it over quickly. Draco was waiting for her to finish before he took it to read himself. When he was through, he looked up at her.
"We need to go now," Hermione stated.
Draco sighed unhappily. Even from a distance, Potter always managed to ruin his fun. Hermione and Draco made their way up to the seventh floor and past the gargoyle statue. As they approached the big door, they heard heaps of different voices arguing. Slowly Hermione opened it and stepped inside.
"-It doesn't make sense-"
"-We can't be sure-"
"-Severus, this is impossible-"
"-It can't be them-"
"-It says Dragon's wife, they're not married-"
"-She's not really pregnant-"
"-Yes she is, we've already settled that point-"
"-Confound it, Shacklebolt! This is not a court case-"
"-If you had a better handle on your students, Minerva-"
"-Albus are you positive that-"
"-They're just children-"
"-Molly they're all children! We need-"
"What are you guys talking about?" Hermione said loudly.
Every head turned to stare at her and Draco. The Order of the Phoenix was gathered inside Dumbledore's office staring wide-eyed at Hermione's stomach.
"They're not even together!" Ron finally bellowed.
"Yes we are," Hermione and Draco said simultaneously.
Ron looked peeved, "Well, it doesn't really matter anyway."
Lupin read the prophecy aloud one more time. Everyone listened quietly. When he was done, Ron had his arms folded across his chest with a smug look on his face.
"See, it's not her. She has to be married to him and she isn't."
Everyone muttered an agreement. Draco and Hermione looked at each other with eyes as big as saucers.
Draco cleared his throat, "We are married," he said quietly.
"You have syphilis?" Ron tilted his head with a wrinkle of disgust.
"No!" Draco said hastily.
"We are married," Hermione clarified.
The whole room groaned, yelling in outrage and starting to shout at them all at the same time.
"Since when?"
"This is absurd!"
"It can't have been done legally!"
"Don't toy with us boy!"
"No it's true," Hermione insisted, and as proof held up her hand. She was nearly crushed by the stampede that ran up to her to get a better look. Curses echoed through the room.
Ron stood where he was. Disbelief clearly visible on his rosy features. It couldn't be true! It couldn't be true! They hated each other, of that Ron was certain! Hermione wouldn't do this!
"Well that complicates things," Harry said angrily from behind Draco.
Draco turned around to find Potter, "I don't understand how."
Harry looked at Draco and began to recite bits of the prophecy. He had gone over it enough times to commit it to memory.
"The chosen one holds both to his chest,
Two children that are divinely blessed.
Old family is brought back to life,
The secret of the dragon's wife.
Power from both lion and snake,
This shall wholly be at stake.
Father and mother both will have to fight,
To protect their children that very night.
The stage for the battle then will be set,
Four fortnights after, but do not forget.
The power the infants have within,
Will give rise to the one who will win."
Draco took a step back.
"You are the Dragon. Doesn't Draco stand for Dragon, Malfoy? You are a Slytherin, that's the snake, and Hermione is a Gryffindor…that's the lion. Apparently you two have run off and gotten married, tying you two to this exact prophecy."
"But I'm not really pregnant," Hermione said in confusion.
Draco stared at the floor, "Yes you are."
Hermione stared wide eyed at Malfoy, "How can that be?"
Snape cleared his throat as he began to explain.
Well how was that? It was awfully long, that's for sure. Anyways, I hope you guys liked it, because writing love scenes is extremely hard. Also, I just wanted to ask you guys if you think I have a good writing style…meaning if you like the way I write. I would really like to know what my writing is worth. I left a little tribute to those of you who watched AVPS and to those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, go on youtube and type it in.
And as usual
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