Sorry for the gap in posting - I've been away...
When Draco awoke, Hermione was bent over him in the corridor looking unharmed but as pale as a ghost.
"What happened? Where is she? Did she hurt you?" He fired questions at her and sat up then stopped holding his head with a groan. "Ooh! That hurts!"
"She's gone and no she didn't hurt me. When you're okay to stand come into this classroom with me and I'll tell you what happened," Hermione said. Once they were seated in the classroom Hermione began to tell him what Professor Cutting had said. She knew she couldn't tell him the final part because she could almost hear what Draco would say right now. He would insist that he still played his part and would sacrifice himself. She also didn't have any idea how she could even begin to tell him that he would die if the Legend was fulfilled. So she told him exactly what Professor Cutting had said about his Dark Mark being the sign and about the pain he would feel once they were saying the Legend. Draco listened earnestly and at the end he just nodded.
"So, do you believe her then? Do you think she's telling the truth or did she just realize we were onto her and make up some story?" he asked.
Hermione shook her head. "I have to admit I did believe her but maybe I'm being gullible. She offered me no proof at all. She did know where the Key was hidden, she said she had hidden it there."
"She could have heard that from Professor McGonagall," Draco pointed out. "We should tell her immediately."
"No. Professor Cutting said it had to be kept quiet. If everyone knows she's on our side then we won't have the element of surprise. I presume whoever the Legend is aimed at will know you will be in so much pain you can't say your line," Hermione said but Draco's face was sceptical.
"She could just be making this up. I won't be drinking that potion without some proof that this is all true, I'll tell you that much! That might be what creates the pain for all we know or it could kill me!" Draco said and then he stopped and stared at the horrified look on Hermione's face. She realized and tried to cover it up but he was still looking at her puzzled.
"Anyway, I'm glad you're alright. I heard a noise and feared the worst," Draco said, seemingly unembarrassed by this confession until he noticed Hermione grinning shyly at him.
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Hermione didn't sleep a wink, her mind going over and over the nights events. Was Professor Cutting to be trusted? Certainly what she said made perfect sense but she had offered Hermione no proof and it was a little strange that she didn't want Professor McGonagall to know anything. Eventually dawn broke and Hermione gave up trying to sleep and dragged herself to the kitchen to make a drink. She sat in one of the armchairs waiting for the hot water and the next thing she knew she heard someone calling her name and felt a hand shaking her.
"Hermione? Are you alright?"
It took a moment for Amber's voice to register and Hermione opened her eyes groggily.
"I think so. I just fell asleep in the chair." She noticed Amber was fully dressed and in a sports skirt. "What have you got on?"
"It's the broomstick tournament. The boys are ready too, can you get ready quickly?"
Hermione groaned and put her head in her hands, that was all she needed! She hurried as much as she was able, having a quick shower and getting changed but she felt terrible, worried, anxious and dog tired. When she got down to the Quidditch arena it was heaving and she should have been pleased to see such a great turn out but all it did was make her feel worse. She was supposed to be organizing the running order and helping record winners and she knew her concentration was off. Not that she particularly cared at this moment, having far bigger things to worry about, but she must have failed her professor's course by now as she was doing an awful job. She saw Draco striding over, looking handsome with his hair all tousled and his sports clothes on.
"Hey. Are you okay?"
"I couldn't sleep and then I got up to make a drink and fell asleep in the chair," Hermione explained. "Sorry, I know it's terrible timing!"
"Yes, terrible but not really your fault. Michael and I are in charge so stop worrying," Draco said glancing at the papers on the makeshift desk in front of Hermione. "It's the 1st years now so I'll have to go and help because they're so hard to organize," he turned to go and then turned back again, "and stop thinking about everything so much."
Hermione wasn't amused at being told this but she didn't say anything, not trusting herself to not snap at him. She tried to focus on recording the events and eventually she did relax a little, even enjoying the 6th and 7th year speed races at the end. Professor McGonagall came and took the results from Hermione and made the announcements. Hermione felt a strange, familiar, proud feeling that Gryffindor had won and she cheered loudly along with the rest of the stadium. Draco and Michael stayed behind to clear everything away so she and Amber walked back to their rooms together. Amber was chattering on about the competition but Hermione was debating with telling her about what Professor Cutting had told her last night. By the time they reached the rooms Hermione knew she had to tell her because if she didn't tell someone she might burst. She grabbed Amber's hand and dragged her to the armchairs.
"I need to tell you something and we haven't much time until the boys are back," Hermione explained. "This is a secret Amber, you can't tell anyone, not even Michael."
"Ooh! How exciting," Amber made a show of zipping her lips together. "I promise."
Hermione smiled at the friend, despite the gravity of what she was about to tell her. She told her from the moment she and Draco had heard someone in the grounds and continued, telling Amber everything she needed to know until the part where Professor Cutting had said she would be using a potion and a spell to protect Draco. Only then did Amber speak.
"Well, I still don't trust her. Why all the secrecy? What does it matter if our enemies know she is on our side?"
Hermione nodded. "I know, I just can't make up my mind but Amber that isn't the part I really need to tell you. I'm sure Draco will be telling Michael the part I've just told you right now, but Draco doesn't know everything. I didn't tell him because Professor Cutting said the Legend vanquishes all evil, forever," Hermione paused and Amber frowned at her.
"Yes, we know that already."
"All evil Amber. Including anyone with a Dark Mark." Hermione watched as realization dawned on Amber's face and she turned white.
"You mean the Legend will kill Draco because of his mark? Is that why his name wouldn't be accepted on the Verse of Six?"
Hermione nodded. "I'm guessing so and Professor Cutting has yet to come up with a solution."
Amber was frowning, running through the events in her mind. "Let's hope she's lying because that is so awful! You haven't told him?"
"No and I'm not sure if I should? What good would it do? And how do I even start to tell him that, Amber?"
Amber was still concentrating. "So do you think it was Professor Cutting in the grounds and following you into the Castle? I mean, if it was why didn't she just attack Draco and get the parchments off him?"
Hermione groaned. "I don't know! She did say WE are trying to help but she wouldn't tell me who. This is driving me crazy!"
"Well, sorry to add to your confusion but have you thought that she might just be trying to stop the Legend fulfil itself? It's strange that she decided to tell you that Draco could die."
"I'm not following you."
"Well why not just tell Draco? He's the one that may die! Why tell you?"
"I'm still not with you. Sorry Amber am I being stupid? I don't like this feeling!" Hermione was frustrated with herself, not accustomed to her brain not being one step ahead of everyone elses.
"It's because you're too emotionally involved," Amber said, matter of factly.
"I'm not!" Hermione leapt to her own defence, not liking the implication that she wasn't in control of her emotions but Amber just pulled a – yes you are- face and carried on.
"She told you because she knew there was no way on earth that you would let the Legend fulfil itself if Draco was going to die in the process! If she'd told him, he would have just done the big hero act, like all men do and insisted that we should just go on, regardless. Professor Cutting knows that by telling you it will stop the Legend!" Amber waved her hands triumphantly but Hermione felt a wave of despair wash over her. Amber could be right, Professor Cutting may well just be playing a clever game and using Hermione's feelings for Draco. Or she could be telling the truth and Draco's life really was in danger. Either way, it wasn't good news. She realized Amber was still talking. "I think you should tell Draco, Hermione. It is his life we're talking about after all."
Well, sorry for the bit of a filler chapter after the gap in posting but I needed to move the story along a little again. Hope it was good even though there wasn't much Draco and Hermione! I promise next chapter will fill the void of Draco and Hermione interaction so keep reading. And you're thoughts on Professor Cutting? Good or bad? Who else is in on it all? And should Hermione tell Draco? Dramione next chapter, promise. Let me know your thoughts as always. x
