A/N: What can I say, I had no intention of killing the two that I just
killed in this chapter, the two deaths were supposed to be two nameless
unknown to us muggle supporters but then my muse kicked in and suddenly
their names appeared. I don't know why. So sorry to those who liked them.
Galadreial: BIG HUG for you. Talk to me anytime. Hope it continues to help, the grieving part of this story is helping me too and just between you and me Harry and Draco will shed a few more tears before it's all over. (Even Snape in an upcoming chapter)
Watcher Tale Neith- how would you like to Occlumency with Harry and Draco together (smiles mischievously)
Melindaleo: "I've yet to come across a story that has made me care for Draco." Author whimpers over failure. Sniff how can you not care for my version of the poor little soul. Whimpers some more. Darn I guess I'll have try harder, let me know if I ever succeed. ITA with everything else you said.
Droxy: Thanks so much for the long reviews, always love your reflections, they are inspiring. Don't worry Loki gets to sleep with Snape every night and he'll be making an appearance soon cause Draco won't be recuperating (at least not at first) in the hospital ward.
Immortal Akasha; hugs for Draco, Draco won't be smiling for awhile but you'll see a new side of Snape soon. Thanks for all the lovely words.
Angel74: so was it fluffy or just comforting?
Rurouni Tsuki. Smiles ugh I don't think I'll be eating bread at your house(, thanks for all the kind words, hope you keep enjoying it.
Barbara Kennedy: re: stretcher, they were too worried about the Dementors and death eaters and um no there is no healer in Hogsmeade cause he um retired and moved to London, yah that's it (grins sheepishly cause I was too wrapped up in plot to even think about that)
Wanye: of course Draco is a good student, he was made a prefect. Harry had high marks but that was before Umbridge became the prof. As for Draco having top marks well I'm assuming since he's Snape's fav he would excel in potions and since he's the son of death eater I'm guessing he's good at anything to do with the dark arts, however since it's just a fan fic it's all just my interpretation cause only JKR really knows.
13 Ravens: all right "coughHermionecough" Hope you like it.
Nana Hedwig: mmmm swiss chocolate my favourite.
Padfoot: LOL you made me laugh. Poor Draco's in no shape to run but I bet he appreciates the lollipop although his poor jaw is rather sore and broken. Ooops you are right I did make him gryffindorish I better fix the little slytherin.
Xikum: I'm writing Draco based on abused children who despite the abuse reach for the known rather than the unknown. Draco had never known a different life so he is torn. I love your hope for the Malfoy's and I share it.
Snapefan: LOVE that you want to put Lucius cane where the sun don't shine.
Tweety is Cool: Sigh I know I was so mean but I had to be.
Andreea88: Dumbledore will come soon, I promise.
Denise: thanks so much for the lengthy review and no I don't want to kill you all cause then there wouldn't be any more reviews and I wouldn't feel inspired to go on, it would all just stay in my head.
Kangaroo: double chocolate Ben and Jerry's for me? YUM!
Cristina, wow all the way from Brazil. That is SO COOL! Glad to hear that you like it. LOL, means laugh out loud. I hope you review again sometime.
CHAPTER 37, DARK SIDE OF THE MOON PART 3.
You stumbled in and bumped your head, if
Not for me then you would be dead
I picked you up and put you back
On solid ground 3 Doors Down - Kryptonite
"The beating he took is much worse than we thought." Harry said quietly. Hermione frowned looking at Harry, he looked weary. "Check out his back, I cleaned it but maybe you can put something on it to help heal it or make it hurt less." With those soft-spoken words he left.
The first thing Hermione did was put the warmth package up against Draco's body.
"There that should help make you feel a little better until I get the potions brewed." She whispered to him. He looked so pale, his light hair very disheveled. His poor jaw was turning a terrible gray blue colour. She was amazed at how young and childlike he looked without the nasty sneer that usually occupied his face. His breathing was very faint but laboured. Concerned she lightly stroked his forehead, he was cold to the touch. She leant over him lightly lifting the blanket, seeing that Harry must have removed his cloak and shirt. She gasped as one hand came over her mouth. His back looked as if some vicious animal had attacked him. She shuddered at how much that must have hurt. She wondered if death eaters had done it, perhaps at some kind of retaliation against something Lucius might have done. Draco had enemies in school but she couldn't imagine any other student hurting him like this, not even Ron and Ron really hated him.
She gently lowered the blanket again and immediately started brewing potions. Before she had finished she heard an Alohamora as the door opened. Ron and Professor Lupin entered.
"How is he?" Lupin asked hurrying over to Draco.
"He's pretty bad. He can't breathe very well and Harry said he kept throwing up."
Lupin started to examine Draco's injuries while Ron went over to help Hermione. "What happened in the village, did you find out who was killed?"
Ron nodded and swallowed painfully. "Padma and Colin. I don't know the details but I think they sprang in to help one of the muggle born shop keepers and the death eaters attention went on them and they did the killing curse."
Hermione visibly trembled, she felt sick to her stomach as tears entered her eyes. The war was beginning and two students had lost their lives. Ron looked extremely shaken. He had once dated Padma. She took a moment to hold him close in a hug. He sighed deeply into her hair.
"How long has he been unconscious?" Lupin asked as he lowered his ear to Draco's chest.
Hermione let go of Ron. "I don't really know, not long I think. Harry was holding him up when I came in, I think he had thrown up and then fainted."
Lupin with concern etched heavily on his face, "I think he has a collapsed lung and the other isn't sounding too good either. His condition is very grave. We need Professor Snape."
"Now that the coast is clear can't we just go back to Hogwarts and let Madam Pomfrey heal him?" Ron suggested.
"I'm afraid Madam Pomfrey had an illness in her family, she won't be back for at least a week. Professor Snape was filling in for her."
"Harry's gone to look for him"
"If he's not back shortly we'll need to get him to Dumbledore, he'll be able to help although with today's events he'll have his hands full."
Draco gasped as he came too again.
"Bring the vial over here Hermione, I think he'll need it."
Draco heard the soft voice, it sounded familiar but he couldn't quite place it. He slowly opened his eyes seeing Professor Lupin in front of him.
Granger appeared beside him. She looked at him with concern in her dark eyes. Draco looked away not wanting attention from the mudblood. He'd already suffered enough pain because of her kind. Lupin held the vial to his mouth. Draco whimpered "No" and tried to turn his head away.
"It's ok Draco, Hermione has brewed up this potion to help settle your stomach. I presume you'd rather not throw up again?" Lupin asked softly. He gently lifted Draco's chin.
He gasped at the sudden pain shooting through his jaw as Lupin dribbled the potion into the side of his mouth. He swallowed wincing each time.
Hermione left and returned with another vial. Draco shook his head. Tears came unbidden into his eyes as Lupin again forced his chin up so he could get the potion into his mouth. He felt helpless; he hated that he was being forced by scruffy looking Lupin to take a potion he didn't want. He swallowed as it ran down his throat.
Lupin got up as Hermione sat down beside him. "That one was for the pain. In a few minutes all your wounds shouldn't hurt as much."
A soft sob escaped Draco's lips as he turned his face into the pillow. He felt himself growing weaker. He was dying surrounded by people he had always considered to be his enemies. No matter how hard he tried to screw his eyes shut, tears escaped and started running down his face into the pillow. "I don't want to die." He sobbed not realizing he had whispered it just loud enough for Hermione to hear. Every breath he took burned like fire and his whole body ached.
Pity clenched her heart as she put one arm around Draco and took his hand in hers with the other. "We're not going to let you die." She whispered into his ear. His body was tense and she knew how much effort he was putting into not breaking down in front of her.
When Granger took his hand into hers, he clenched it desperately wanting to feel some warmth, someone who was alive. He knew she didn't really care about him, how could she after all that he had done but he didn't care. If these were his last moments on earth he just wanted to pretend that someone did care.
"Remember that day out in the fog? I've seen you cry before, it's not a big deal. I won't tell anyone so don't worry. Stop putting all your strength into trying to not cry, put it into hanging on till Professor Snape comes, it won't be much longer now." She whispered reassuringly.
Ron watched the scene closely and made a move to go over but Lupin gently grabbed his arm. "Relax Ron, the boy is suffering immensely, he needs some reassurance and comfort. Hermione can best provide that."
A ragged sob tore through Draco as he gripped her hand even harder. Hermione put her face down on his and held him close. "Shhhhh Draco, you're going to be ok, we won't let you die." Lulled by her words and the fact the pain and nausea was starting to ebb, Draco fell into an exhausted sleep in Hermione's arms.
Ron disturbed by Hermione's reactions to Draco crossed from the window over to her. "I know he's hurt and in pain but he's been miserable to you for years, how can you be so nice to him?'
"I know and you're right but something's changing with him. Harry knows it too. Besides even if it isn't true, he's seriously hurt Ron. Look at his back."
Frowning Ron lifted the blanket, turning pale as he gasped. "Bloody hell! Who would do this to him!"
Hermione shrugged. "Didn't you make a wish that someone should inflict some serious hurt on him?"
Ron paled. "Well yes but not like this."
***Harry ran back into town. He headed for the Golden Pentagram but when he got inside it was deserted. He ran to the three broomsticks but it was closed. He pounded on the door in frustration.
"Potter!"
He turned to see Professor Snape leave a crowd of people and head over to him.
Breathlessly he gasped. "Professor."
Snape cut him off. "I'm sorry Potter, I know it's upsetting."
Harry narrowed his eyes confused. "What?"
Snape looked startled. His dark eyes looked into his intently. "Why are you here, you should be back at Hogwarts with the other students, didn't Moody or Tonks escort you back?"
Harry shook his head; "No I haven't seen them. You have to come with me. Malfoy is hurt bad, Hermione's trying to help him, they're in a cabin by the Shrieking Shack."
Snape's eyes grew wide with worry. "What happened to him?"
"I don't know we think maybe Lucius did something to anger the death eaters and they got their revenge through his son."
Snape paled. Lucius, was it possible that somehow Draco had encountered Lucius? "Lead the way Potter."
Galadreial: BIG HUG for you. Talk to me anytime. Hope it continues to help, the grieving part of this story is helping me too and just between you and me Harry and Draco will shed a few more tears before it's all over. (Even Snape in an upcoming chapter)
Watcher Tale Neith- how would you like to Occlumency with Harry and Draco together (smiles mischievously)
Melindaleo: "I've yet to come across a story that has made me care for Draco." Author whimpers over failure. Sniff how can you not care for my version of the poor little soul. Whimpers some more. Darn I guess I'll have try harder, let me know if I ever succeed. ITA with everything else you said.
Droxy: Thanks so much for the long reviews, always love your reflections, they are inspiring. Don't worry Loki gets to sleep with Snape every night and he'll be making an appearance soon cause Draco won't be recuperating (at least not at first) in the hospital ward.
Immortal Akasha; hugs for Draco, Draco won't be smiling for awhile but you'll see a new side of Snape soon. Thanks for all the lovely words.
Angel74: so was it fluffy or just comforting?
Rurouni Tsuki. Smiles ugh I don't think I'll be eating bread at your house(, thanks for all the kind words, hope you keep enjoying it.
Barbara Kennedy: re: stretcher, they were too worried about the Dementors and death eaters and um no there is no healer in Hogsmeade cause he um retired and moved to London, yah that's it (grins sheepishly cause I was too wrapped up in plot to even think about that)
Wanye: of course Draco is a good student, he was made a prefect. Harry had high marks but that was before Umbridge became the prof. As for Draco having top marks well I'm assuming since he's Snape's fav he would excel in potions and since he's the son of death eater I'm guessing he's good at anything to do with the dark arts, however since it's just a fan fic it's all just my interpretation cause only JKR really knows.
13 Ravens: all right "coughHermionecough" Hope you like it.
Nana Hedwig: mmmm swiss chocolate my favourite.
Padfoot: LOL you made me laugh. Poor Draco's in no shape to run but I bet he appreciates the lollipop although his poor jaw is rather sore and broken. Ooops you are right I did make him gryffindorish I better fix the little slytherin.
Xikum: I'm writing Draco based on abused children who despite the abuse reach for the known rather than the unknown. Draco had never known a different life so he is torn. I love your hope for the Malfoy's and I share it.
Snapefan: LOVE that you want to put Lucius cane where the sun don't shine.
Tweety is Cool: Sigh I know I was so mean but I had to be.
Andreea88: Dumbledore will come soon, I promise.
Denise: thanks so much for the lengthy review and no I don't want to kill you all cause then there wouldn't be any more reviews and I wouldn't feel inspired to go on, it would all just stay in my head.
Kangaroo: double chocolate Ben and Jerry's for me? YUM!
Cristina, wow all the way from Brazil. That is SO COOL! Glad to hear that you like it. LOL, means laugh out loud. I hope you review again sometime.
CHAPTER 37, DARK SIDE OF THE MOON PART 3.
You stumbled in and bumped your head, if
Not for me then you would be dead
I picked you up and put you back
On solid ground 3 Doors Down - Kryptonite
"The beating he took is much worse than we thought." Harry said quietly. Hermione frowned looking at Harry, he looked weary. "Check out his back, I cleaned it but maybe you can put something on it to help heal it or make it hurt less." With those soft-spoken words he left.
The first thing Hermione did was put the warmth package up against Draco's body.
"There that should help make you feel a little better until I get the potions brewed." She whispered to him. He looked so pale, his light hair very disheveled. His poor jaw was turning a terrible gray blue colour. She was amazed at how young and childlike he looked without the nasty sneer that usually occupied his face. His breathing was very faint but laboured. Concerned she lightly stroked his forehead, he was cold to the touch. She leant over him lightly lifting the blanket, seeing that Harry must have removed his cloak and shirt. She gasped as one hand came over her mouth. His back looked as if some vicious animal had attacked him. She shuddered at how much that must have hurt. She wondered if death eaters had done it, perhaps at some kind of retaliation against something Lucius might have done. Draco had enemies in school but she couldn't imagine any other student hurting him like this, not even Ron and Ron really hated him.
She gently lowered the blanket again and immediately started brewing potions. Before she had finished she heard an Alohamora as the door opened. Ron and Professor Lupin entered.
"How is he?" Lupin asked hurrying over to Draco.
"He's pretty bad. He can't breathe very well and Harry said he kept throwing up."
Lupin started to examine Draco's injuries while Ron went over to help Hermione. "What happened in the village, did you find out who was killed?"
Ron nodded and swallowed painfully. "Padma and Colin. I don't know the details but I think they sprang in to help one of the muggle born shop keepers and the death eaters attention went on them and they did the killing curse."
Hermione visibly trembled, she felt sick to her stomach as tears entered her eyes. The war was beginning and two students had lost their lives. Ron looked extremely shaken. He had once dated Padma. She took a moment to hold him close in a hug. He sighed deeply into her hair.
"How long has he been unconscious?" Lupin asked as he lowered his ear to Draco's chest.
Hermione let go of Ron. "I don't really know, not long I think. Harry was holding him up when I came in, I think he had thrown up and then fainted."
Lupin with concern etched heavily on his face, "I think he has a collapsed lung and the other isn't sounding too good either. His condition is very grave. We need Professor Snape."
"Now that the coast is clear can't we just go back to Hogwarts and let Madam Pomfrey heal him?" Ron suggested.
"I'm afraid Madam Pomfrey had an illness in her family, she won't be back for at least a week. Professor Snape was filling in for her."
"Harry's gone to look for him"
"If he's not back shortly we'll need to get him to Dumbledore, he'll be able to help although with today's events he'll have his hands full."
Draco gasped as he came too again.
"Bring the vial over here Hermione, I think he'll need it."
Draco heard the soft voice, it sounded familiar but he couldn't quite place it. He slowly opened his eyes seeing Professor Lupin in front of him.
Granger appeared beside him. She looked at him with concern in her dark eyes. Draco looked away not wanting attention from the mudblood. He'd already suffered enough pain because of her kind. Lupin held the vial to his mouth. Draco whimpered "No" and tried to turn his head away.
"It's ok Draco, Hermione has brewed up this potion to help settle your stomach. I presume you'd rather not throw up again?" Lupin asked softly. He gently lifted Draco's chin.
He gasped at the sudden pain shooting through his jaw as Lupin dribbled the potion into the side of his mouth. He swallowed wincing each time.
Hermione left and returned with another vial. Draco shook his head. Tears came unbidden into his eyes as Lupin again forced his chin up so he could get the potion into his mouth. He felt helpless; he hated that he was being forced by scruffy looking Lupin to take a potion he didn't want. He swallowed as it ran down his throat.
Lupin got up as Hermione sat down beside him. "That one was for the pain. In a few minutes all your wounds shouldn't hurt as much."
A soft sob escaped Draco's lips as he turned his face into the pillow. He felt himself growing weaker. He was dying surrounded by people he had always considered to be his enemies. No matter how hard he tried to screw his eyes shut, tears escaped and started running down his face into the pillow. "I don't want to die." He sobbed not realizing he had whispered it just loud enough for Hermione to hear. Every breath he took burned like fire and his whole body ached.
Pity clenched her heart as she put one arm around Draco and took his hand in hers with the other. "We're not going to let you die." She whispered into his ear. His body was tense and she knew how much effort he was putting into not breaking down in front of her.
When Granger took his hand into hers, he clenched it desperately wanting to feel some warmth, someone who was alive. He knew she didn't really care about him, how could she after all that he had done but he didn't care. If these were his last moments on earth he just wanted to pretend that someone did care.
"Remember that day out in the fog? I've seen you cry before, it's not a big deal. I won't tell anyone so don't worry. Stop putting all your strength into trying to not cry, put it into hanging on till Professor Snape comes, it won't be much longer now." She whispered reassuringly.
Ron watched the scene closely and made a move to go over but Lupin gently grabbed his arm. "Relax Ron, the boy is suffering immensely, he needs some reassurance and comfort. Hermione can best provide that."
A ragged sob tore through Draco as he gripped her hand even harder. Hermione put her face down on his and held him close. "Shhhhh Draco, you're going to be ok, we won't let you die." Lulled by her words and the fact the pain and nausea was starting to ebb, Draco fell into an exhausted sleep in Hermione's arms.
Ron disturbed by Hermione's reactions to Draco crossed from the window over to her. "I know he's hurt and in pain but he's been miserable to you for years, how can you be so nice to him?'
"I know and you're right but something's changing with him. Harry knows it too. Besides even if it isn't true, he's seriously hurt Ron. Look at his back."
Frowning Ron lifted the blanket, turning pale as he gasped. "Bloody hell! Who would do this to him!"
Hermione shrugged. "Didn't you make a wish that someone should inflict some serious hurt on him?"
Ron paled. "Well yes but not like this."
***Harry ran back into town. He headed for the Golden Pentagram but when he got inside it was deserted. He ran to the three broomsticks but it was closed. He pounded on the door in frustration.
"Potter!"
He turned to see Professor Snape leave a crowd of people and head over to him.
Breathlessly he gasped. "Professor."
Snape cut him off. "I'm sorry Potter, I know it's upsetting."
Harry narrowed his eyes confused. "What?"
Snape looked startled. His dark eyes looked into his intently. "Why are you here, you should be back at Hogwarts with the other students, didn't Moody or Tonks escort you back?"
Harry shook his head; "No I haven't seen them. You have to come with me. Malfoy is hurt bad, Hermione's trying to help him, they're in a cabin by the Shrieking Shack."
Snape's eyes grew wide with worry. "What happened to him?"
"I don't know we think maybe Lucius did something to anger the death eaters and they got their revenge through his son."
Snape paled. Lucius, was it possible that somehow Draco had encountered Lucius? "Lead the way Potter."