A/N: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters. All I own is the plot
Leaving on a Jet Plane – Sarah Montgomery.
Hi guys,
I'm not so sure that posting the notes on my account are working so I thought I'd give this a try again. It's an emotional beginning to this chapter but one that was necessary. You'll then meet a new character who is coincidently Draco's new challenge. Everything is going to get a little interesting from here. You will also get to see a darker side to Draco and Blaise. I highly recommend you go onto my account and catch up on the little notes I've been leaving.
Xx
Now the time has come to leave you
One more time let me kiss you
Then close your eyes and I'll be on my way.
Dream about the days to come when I won't
Have to leave alone.
About the time that I won't have to say.
So kiss me and smile for me.
Tell me that you'll wait for me.
Hold me like you'll never let me go.
Because I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again.
Xxxxx
Chapter Twenty-Five: Leaving on a Jet Plane
Hermione sat gazing around her room. It was a mixture of both her muggle life pre Hogwarts and her magical life. Awards from her Primary School covered her shelves. They were all academic of course as Hermione had never been into sports and she'd never learned a musical instrument. Photos of the trio were everywhere – by her bed, on the walls and even on her mirror. She couldn't believe she was going to have to pack all this stuff up.
"Hermione?" her mother poked her head in, "Can we talk to you?"
She nodded and her parents came into her room. She got up from her bed allowing them to sit down and moved to lean against her window.
"Well?" she asked dreading any answer but the one she wanted.
Her parents looked at each other sadly,
"We'll move. We won't fight you" spoke her father as he took her mother's hand.
Hermione nodded thankfully. She'd never wanted to obliviate her parents.
"So what now?" they asked.
"We pack" she answered, "someone will be arriving to get you tomorrow morning"
"Only one day to pack?!" asked her mother shocked.
"We need to get you out of here as soon as possible"
"How much can we take?"
"As much as you want. We need to rid the house of all personal items".
They nodded,
"Well I guess I'll go and pick up some boxes" her father said gruffly.
"I'll start packing stuff into bags" agreed her mother.
Once they'd left the room Hermione pulled a duffel bag out of her wardrobe and cast another enlarging spell. She then proceeded to pack all her clothes and shoes into it.
I never knew I had so much stuff.
Next she moved onto her books. There were so many that Hermione was sure they would push the boundaries of an enlarging spell but they went right in. With her wardrobe and book shelves empty Hermione's room was beginning to look quite bare. She sighed sadly as she moved onto packing her photo frames and pulling photos from her mirror and walls. Most of them were of Harry and Ron and the rest of her Gryffindor friends. Hardly any photos remained of the days before Hermione attended Hogwarts. Finally, with all her photos safely stored away in a box in her duffel bag she turned to the only two things left: her CD collection and laptop computer. She ran her fingers lightly over the lined up CD cases,
"If you pack that slowly you're never going to finish".
Hermione turned at the sound of her mother's voice.
"Its just sad mum. I grew up in this house after all".
Her mother smiled, "Oh so Miss Bossy does feel somewhat saddened over our abandonment of our family home".
Hermione rolled her eyes at her mother's taunting,
"Of course I do mum".
Mrs Granger nodded and kissed her daughter's cheek. She picked up the lines of CDs and placed them in the bag she'd seen Hermione pack everything else into.
"Your father's packing up the study and I'll go and do the kitchen so you would be able to do the attic? Its all boxes up there you'll just need to make sure they're all completely packed and closed up".
Hermione nodded and set about packing up her computing stuff.
Xxxxx
It was lunchtime at Hogwarts and Draco was piling his plate full of food. Blaise, who was one step ahead of him, had constructed himself a huge sandwich and was now attempting to fit it in his mouth.
"Stupid drugs" mumbled Draco, "Stupid feelings of starvation"
Blaise nodded in agreement as he attempted the sandwich from a different angle. They'd just managed to cram their mouths full when Professor McGonagall stood up at the staff table and addressed the hall,
"This Saturday night the annual Hogwarts Founders ball will be held. I am sure I do not need to explain to you the proper etiquette expected of you but just in case some of you find yourselves suffering a bout of short term memory loss I will go over the rules".
A groan went up from the student body but she ignored it and pulled out a role of parchment,
"There will be no inappropriate dancing. This means suitable contact distance between persons on the dance floor"
"Damn I so wanted to dry hump Ginny in front of the staff faculty" muttered Blaise.
"There will be no inappropriate dress styles. Ladies this means no mid-thigh dresses. Gentlemen this means suits. There will be no alcohol. The drinks provided will all have anti-spiking spells placed upon them".
"That's why we have an after party" smirked Blaise.
"Finally, Mr Filch's list of banned items still applies at the ball and also our prefects, Head Boy and Head Girl will open the ball with our first dance".
With that she sat and a loud, excited chatter broke out amongst the girls as most of the guys hung their heads in annoyance at the realisation they would have to find dates.
"Gotta love girlfriends"
"Yeah" agreed Draco, "ready made dates".
Xxxxx
The dust and darkness of the attic was beginning to get to Hermione. After 17 years of living under the same roof the amount of junk her family had managed to accumulate was amazing and yet she couldn't bring herself to throw any of it away. She'd found her old baby things, her parent's old school things and even her grandparents wedding things.
"How're you going up there?" called up her father.
"Phew" she pushed her hair out of her eyes, "I've just finished. These are all ready to go"
"Ok well I've just let an owl into your room. It's got a letter. Looks pretty important too"
Hermione smiled and climbed down the attic ladder,
"Its probably just Draco"
However, as she entered into her room she very quickly realised that her father had been right when he'd said it looked important. There, sitting on her desk, was Professor Dumbledore's phoenix.
"Hello" she said softly as she removed the letter tied to his leg.
Dearest Miss Granger,
I trust discussions with your parents are progressing well.
Now as you are returning to school tomorrow I was wondering as to whether I could trouble you with a favour. A young man by the name of Arion will be travelling with you as you return to Hogwarts tomorrow. However, as he did not attend Hogwarts he is unsure of the platform procedure. I have arranged for him to wait for you between platforms nine and ten. Once in his company your assistance in aiding him to board the train would be much appreciated. Please feel free to answer any of his questions about our school and, to a degree, our organisation. He is under the protection of the Order.
Sincerely,
Professor Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardary.
Hermione looked up from the letter.
Under the protection of the Order? I wonder why he's coming to Hogwarts?
For dinner that night the Granger's did something very unusual. They ordered pizza and softdrink and sat in front of the TV. Coming from such a health conscious family Hermione could not remember every doing anything as laid back as this. Mrs Granger raised her glass of coke,
"To our family. While separation looms we must live in the hope that it will not be for long"
As they toasted their little family Hermione shuffled around awkwardly,
"Mum, Dad I'm so sorry. I never intended to put you in danger and I never wanted for you to have to sacrifice so much on my account".
She hung her head as her dad coughed with the intensity of the emotions being shared but spoke up,
"Hermione when your mother and I knew you were coming into this world we planned. Boy or girl all we wanted was a healthy baby. When we got a daughter we were overjoyed because you were so perfect and so beautiful and we knew our only purpose in life was to protect you and raise you properly. Last night when you gave us the ultimatum, as angry as I was, I was proud because suddenly before me did not stand my little girl but a young woman who had turned out every bit as much as your mother and I had dreamed the first time we saw you as a tiny baby. You have nothing to apologise for"
And there, for perhaps the first time ever, the little family were able to really look at each other and understand and accept the reality of which they now all faced – together even it separated.
When Hermione climbed into bed that night she felt fear. Fear for her family, for the future, for her friends, for everyone. Her little room, which had once been her sanctuary, was now empty and impersonal – it was cold. She curled up under the blankets and thought about Draco and how much she missed him. She knew if he were here right now that she would feel safe and maybe the cold demeanour of her room wouldn't attack at her heart so fiercely. Her house was silent and it was in this strange, eerie silence that Hermione closed her eyes and hoped it would all be over soon.
Xxxxx
The car boot slammed with the last of the Granger's belongings and Hermione turned sadly to face her old Professor,
"I'm glad it's you and Arthur taking them Remus" she said quietly, "I know you'll look after them".
Lupin placed a firm hand on her shoulder,
"You're showing the bravery of a true Gryffindor Hermione. Not many could send their family away as you are –even if it was for their own protection. It's a selfish flaw of the human race, which I'm glad to see you do not possess. You're doing the right thing".
Hermione pulled her arms around herself,
"Then why does it hurt so much?"
"Love" he answered sadly.
"Ok we're all set" said Arthur cheerfully.
Hermione moved towards her nervous looking parents,
"I trust these two men with my life and you are beyond safe with them".
Her father nodded slowly but her mother burst into tears and pulled Hermione into a hug,
"I love you" she sobbed
"I love you too. I love both of you and that's why you have to go".
They all embraced once more and then Hermione watched as her parents climbed inside what was a magically enhanced muggle taxi – courtesy of Arthur. She waved goodbye and kept waving goodbye until the taxi had turned the corner and was gone from sight. Then, with a deep composing breath, Hermione raised her wand and signalled the Knight bus.
Xxxxx
A 17 year old boy waited eagerly at Kings Cross Station. Although to passers by his stance suggested anything but impatience. He was lent up against up against the pillar separating platforms nine and ten gazing at the people as they hurried along caught up in their own busy lives. A young woman, whom the boy considered to look his age, hurried towards him and the boy stood up straight,
Maybe this is you
He smiled charmingly only to have her rush straight past him,
Maybe not.
With a sigh of annoyance he returned to leaning against the pillar. He felt very insecure here- not that he'd ever admit it. When Dumbledore had told him his plan he'd been less then impressed. Go outside in public? The man had to be insane. People were looking for him night and day and did it have to be a muggle station? Not that he had anything against them but his up bringing still made him unsure and suspicious of these people who had learned so well to survive without magic. However, he was caught mid-thought by the sight of another young woman who'd just entered the train station. She was looking around sadly as if the mere muggle building could provide all the answers to her questions. She was walking his way and the closer she got the more the boy began to notice just how beautiful this woman was. She'd dressed in a pair of jeans which fit her form so nicely and slipped perfectly inside her tan boots. Her brown curls bounced around wildly as she pulled her black jacket tighter around her petite body. She must have sensed him watching her because she looked around in his direction and smiled as she made her way towards him,
"Arion?" she asked unsure.
As the comprehension dawned on him that this must be the girl he was waiting for he silently thanked Merlin for sending him such a vision.
"You must be Hermione" he returned her smile.
As they shook hands the boy felt a rush somewhere below his pants line at the softness of her skin.
"I'm sorry I'm late" she was saying, "I had something to attend to before arriving here but anyway we need to get onto our platform".
She pulled him to stand facing the middle of the pillar,
"It's a bit of a trick really. All you have to do is walk forward and don't stop. Even if you think you're going to hit the wall".
He turned confused, "I don't need to say a spell or anything?"
She shook her head sweetly and urged him forward. Disbelieving but willing to try the boy began to move. He watched as the wall got closer and closer and then just when he thought he was going to hit it and look like a complete fool he found himself emerging out onto another platform where a large scarlet engine sat with the words 'Hogwarts Express' shining in gold along its carriages. Hermione was besides him only seconds later,
"We need to hurry. The train is leaving in about a minute" she said with a glance to her watch.
They boarded the train and picked a compartment and after storing her duffel bag overhead the girl sat opposite him,
"Well welcome to the Hogwarts Express. If you're hungry we'll be able to get food when the train starts moving".
As if perfectly timed the doors to the engine could be heard shutting and the train began to crawl out of the station and back to a world both passengers were eager to return to.
Xxxxx
Ginny sat in Blaise's room after school watching the clock. She knew Hermione had boarded the train that morning and that she would be arriving before dinner. She'd had a busy day. Classes had been exhausting and on top of that she'd had multiple conversations with multiple people all about the same topic- the ball. So for Ginny being in Blaise's room right now was paradise. No chatting girls and only Crabbe and Goyle to worry about and they weren't even there. She snuggled up in his sheets completely untucking them and cuddled up to the pillows which smelt so much of him,
"Now that's cute" she heard her boyfriend chuckle.
She opened one eye to watch him as he crossed the room and sat beside her on the bed,
"So about this ball…"
"Oh no" she groaned, "not you too"
"What?" he asked confused
"The ball! I've been hearing about it all day!"
Blaise moved closer to her and began placing light kisses on her neck,
"I'm just excited to see you all dressed up"
"I'm sure" she replied sarcastically.
"No seriously" he placed a kiss on her lips, "I love going to balls"
"Because you used to score at them"
"Hey Hey what's with the used to? I can still score I just have to restrict my scoring to one target"
Ginny giggled as he pulled her against him,
"You're not going to get any action right now we have to go greet Hermione soon".
Blaise buried his face into the crook of her neck,
"Oh please Gin please. We haven't done anything in ages and I'm dying. Its not healthy for me to be left out in the cold for so long"
"What a week? That's not long and plus I have my period anyway"
"Can't we just muck around a bit?" he whined
"Ewe Blaise! No! Come on have a cold shower or take a you-time break"
"A what time break?" laughed the Slytherin.
"A you-time break" she replied quietly.
"and what does one do in a you-time break?" he asked slyly.
Ginny felt herself blush, "You know what you do"
She tried to get up but Blaise jumped on top of her,
"oh no this is too good to miss"
He was smirking at her now,
"Come on Gin" he taunted, "What do you do in a you-time break?"
She looked up at him stubbornly, "You. Jerk. Off"
She was rewarded with more laughter and another smirk,
"Now that's very cute babe but you and I both know that it has a proper name so would you be able to use that proper name?"
Ginny squirmed trying to get away but Blaise's hand moved down to her hip to hold her still,
"Come on Gin"
She looked up at him in disbelief,
He's not going to give up is he? Oh come on Ginny its just a word. A really embarrassing word to have to say when your boyfriend is laying on top of you…hold on that gives me an idea.
She smiled up at him,
"Can I ask you a question first?" she asked innocently
"Sure thing my little Gryffindor"
"Ok" she said sweetly, "So do you like sex?"
"Oh you know I do"
"Do you like having sex with me?"
Blaise ground his hips against her, "Absolutely".
She smiled, "and would you like to continue having sex with me?"
Blaise was now somewhat confused, "Ah yes?"
"Then get off me and stop trying to make me say embarrassing words or I promise a sexless week will seem like nothing when compared to sexless months".
She laughed as he practically flew off her and across the room,
"Maybe we should go get Hermione" he mumbled
Ginny smiled triumphantly and nodded.
Xxxxx
"So will you be joining our classes now?" asked Hermione curiously.
The boy shooks his head smugly, "No I've finished school"
"Really? But you look no older then a seventh year"
"I'm not but I did an advanced version of my final year at Durmstrang so I could go into hiding before the war"
Hermione looked down at the Potions book in her hands that she'd been reading only a short time before but now she felt silly,
"So you went to Durmstrang?" she asked.
The boy nodded, "Let me ask you a question"
"Ok"
"Why were you in muggle London?"
"I had something to do"
She was cute when trying to conceal stuff he decided. She just seemed too innocent to lie. He got up and sat next to her,
"Oh come on you can tell me"
She smiled, "That's for me to know and you to find out"
"Or I could just get it out of you?"
Hermione looked at him confused,
"Are you flirting with me?"
He moved closer to her, "Would you like me to?"
She laughed nervously and moved away from him,
"I'm sorry but-"
"The Hogwarts Express will be arriving in approximately 2 minutes"
"Oh ok let's go" she hurriedly stood up and began gathering her things.
Xxxxx
Draco, Blaise and Ginny waited patiently at the gate for any sign of a carriage. It was cold outside and beginning to get dark but they continued to wait,
"Hey Ginny?" asked Draco
"Yes Malfoy?"
Draco smirked, "Masturbation"
The two boys burst into a fit of laughter and Ginny turned to glare at her boyfriend,
"You told him?!"
Blaise nodded still laughing and Ginny shook her head,
"I hate boys".
Suddenly, the sound of an approaching carriage could be heard,
"Its about time!" Ginny cried with relief.
The carriage pulled up and Hermione raced from within it and into Draco's arms,
"Hi" she breathed as he swung her around excitedly,
"Welcome back Granger" greeted Blaise.
"Who'd you bring with you?" asked Ginny as Arion exited the carriage.
It took Blaise and Draco about one second to realise who her companion was and the reaction was instantaneous. Blaise grabbed a hold of Ginny and pulled her behind him whilst Draco stepped in front of Hermione. Both boys drew their wands,
"What are you doing here?" snarled Draco.
Arion chuckled and shook his head, "Its figures that she'd have a boyfriend although I have to say I am surprised to find that its you Draco".
He then turned to Blaise,
"Long time no see old friend"
"I am no friend of yours" snapped Blaise.
"What is going on?!" demanded Hermione.
She tried to step from behind her boyfriend but he blocked her path,
"Don't move Hermione"
The boy smirked and stepped forward,
"Now now Draco as much as I am sure you're enjoying playing the role of great protector but there is really no need. I've just spent the past 6 hours on a train completely alone with her and I haven't laid one hand on her"
"That's true Draco he hasn't. He's been a good travelling companion".
Arion smirked at them,
"What are you doing here Verrill?" growled Blaise.
"He's under Order protection" answered Hermione.
Arion gestured to Hermione to signify that she was right.
"Why is he under Order protection?" demanded Draco
"That, Mr Malfoy, is none of your concern"
Footsteps announced the arrival of Professor McGonagall.
"Mr Verrill you will follow me please"
She turned abruptly and set off back towards the castle with Arion in her wake.
"The rest of you will go to dinner immediately" she yelled behind her.
The moment she and Arion were gone Draco and Blaise turned to face their girlfriends,
"You are not to go near him" ordered Draco.
"Yes, stay away not one word, not one glance" seconded Blaise.
"No" said Hermione, "He's under Order protection. Dumbledore arranged for me to meet him. Draco this is my job you know it is"
"Hermione I know its your job but you have no idea about this guy, you have no idea what he is capable of" he argued.
"This isn't fair. Hermione and I are able to look after ourselves. Hermione's in the Order, my parents are in the Order and the moment I turn 17 I'll be in the Order. If Dumbledore sent Hermione to look after him then he must be safe".
Blaise moved forward and took her hands,
"Ginny I love you and it's my job to protect you. Please we're serious. Now lets get going. Come on!"
With that the boys began hustling the girls up to the castle and into the hall exchanging looks of confusion and concern.
Xxxxx
After dinner Draco owled Blaise,
No screwing around tonight.
Head's common room at midnight.
D
He'd just sent the letter when Hermione stormed past him,
I'm not going to get any action tonight anyway
He moved slowly into her room,
"Look Hermione…"
"I told you" she spun around to face him, "the moment we got back together I told you that you would have to accept what I did for the Order. You can't stand in my way even if you don't like the way the guy looks".
Draco sighed,
"Hermione please if you're so dedicated to the Order then go to Dumbledore and get him to rethink his decision"
She grabbed her pyjamas and stripped off her jacket, jeans and boots.
"No Draco I won't. Everyone deserves a second chance. Isn't that what Dumbledore gave you and Blaise?"
He thought for a moment and then shook his head in disagreement,
"No because we were never evil. That was just an assumption, a wrong assumption".
Hermione, now completely changed into bed time clothing, turned to face her boyfriend looking up at him with her big brown eyes,
"Please Draco I need you to let me do my job"
It almost worked too. He looked into her big beautiful eyes and wanted to give her whatever she wanted yet, somewhat now reluctantly, he shook his head.
Hermione stomped her foot angrily, "I can't believe you! Do you think I'm stupid? Do you think I can't protect myself or handle a 17 yr old boy? You are not my master Draco. You don't own me and you can't tell me what to do. I can do what I want. I am my own boss".
She stormed into the bathroom and slammed the door hard,
Draco was beginning to get fed up, "Hermione I do not think your stupid and I know you can look after yourself and handle a 17 yr old boy just not this one. I've seen full grown wizards who can't handle this one. I am going to try and protect you because that is my job"
He crossed the room and climbed into her bed and waited. Soon enough she exited the bathroom and climbed in beside him,
"You can't stop me" she said stubbornly.
"I can try" he replied equally stubborn.
Silence fell upon them as Draco pulled her into him and wrapped his arm tightly around her waist,
"You know we have the Founder's ball tomorrow night"
"I'll buy a dress" she said emotionlessly.
"Hermione don't hate me" he said softly.
She sighed, "I don't hate you Draco I love you but I don't like you very much right now"
He nodded even though it was pitch dark and he knew she couldn't see him,
"I can live with that" he replied.
Xxxxx
Right on the dot of midnight Blaise was at the Head's dorm. Draco, who'd been laying silently next to a sleeping Hermione for hours, slowly removed his arm from her waist and went to answer the door.
"The fucking dungeons are freezing" hissed Blaise.
Draco pointed his wand at the fireplace and watched as the logs burst into flames.
"I don't like this Blaise" he mumbled.
"Me either, my friend, me either. You know he's staying in the Slytherin dorms? I refused to let Ginny stay down there so we had to go to Gryffindor. She's mighty pissed you know"
Draco nodded,
"Oh I think I know"
"Granger no better then?"
He shook his head, "She says she's going to befriend him anyway and I can't stop her"
"Ah gotta love it when they play that card"
"hmm yes. So what do you think?"
Blaise thought for a moment before pulling out a cigarette, lighting it and answering,
"I think this whole situation is one fucking bad idea and I don't want him here"
"Agreed" said Draco taking the cigarette offered to him.
"So what do we do?" asked Blaise quietly.
"Well I'm not sitting around doing nothing while Hermione tries to make friends with him".
They sat quietly each to their own thoughts, smoke filling the common room. An owl screeched outside and the fire crackled. Finally, Draco spoke,
"We scare the little fuck. Make him aware that he's not wanted, not liked and definitely not welcome. Starting tomorrow we gather allies, Crabbe, Goyle, Nott I don't care who. We make him aware that we run the show and that he's to stay the fuck away from us and the girls or things are going to get dangerous"
Blaise nodded, "He's a Verrill. They don't understand anything but power and if he steps even a toenail out of line then BAM we take him down"
"He's going to regret the day he ever stepped foot in Hogwarts"
"One more thing" Blaise added, "The girls. I want them followed. When they aren't with us I want them observed. I don't want to give him even a second's opportunity. If he looks like he's going to try something BAM!"
Draco blew a series of smoke rings, "They'll hate us".
"They don't need to know" said Blaise cunningly.
The two boys nodded in agreement,
"Its what must be done" said Draco seriously.
Blaise stood up and crossed to the door,
"Tomorrow it begins" he said.
The portrait closed behind him.
Xxxxx
Hermione stirred when she felt the bed sink slightly with a new weight. Groggily she realised Draco had not been laying with her,
"Draco?" she called out softly.
She felt his arm snake around her waist one more,
"Shh baby its ok. I'm right here"
He smelt of cigerettes,
"Where were you?"
"Just thinking little cub. Go back to sleep"
He placed a gentle kiss on her temple and soon his breathing became heavy with sleep. Hermione yawned and snuggled into him letting his scent envelope her and was soon fast asleep once more.