It's my life
It's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive
(It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said
I did it my way
I just wanna live while I'm alive
It's my life
It's My Life ~ Bon Jovi
Hermione caught up to Susan down the hall. Her friend offered a guilty smile as they continued to walk together.
"You know, you could've stayed with me back there," Hermione scolded. "You actually treated Draco. I just got a briefing when it was all over."
"I know," Susan sighed, "but you know them. Besides, Lucius scares the hell out of me."
Hermione laughed. "He's less scary when you get used to him. He's more human than I ever expected."
"See, you're used to them. Me not being there was more comfortable for everyone. And hey, what the hell was Harry doing there?"
Sighing, Hermione quickly debated what to say. Did she dare reveal Harry's personal life, without his permission, twice in one night? But what would she say if she didn't? She didn't want to lie. And with Harry visiting Draco in the hospital, more people than Susan would know by morning.
"Erm…his relationship with Draco has sort of changed."
They were near the end of the deserted corridor and Susan stopped walking to focus on Hermione. The sparkle in her eyes told Hermione that she was expecting hot gossip. Well, she could certainly deliver.
"They're together," she said.
"As in shagging?"
"As in shagging, yes."
"How the hell did that happen?" Her eyes bulged, giving her the appearance of a puffer fish. "Last I heard Harry and Draco were straight and they hated each other."
Shrugging, Hermione smiled. "I think it started with mutual loneliness and far too much alcohol, but it's developed into something more. They're happy together. They pull each other up. Not that that explains what happened to Draco tonight."
"Do his parents know?" Susan looked scandalized and Hermione struggled not to laugh.
"Draco told them. Narcissa's been great about it. Lucius hasn't spoken to him since he told him."
"Ouch."
Hermione was about to agree when she saw George walking down the hall towards them. He was wearing a wide grin and Toadface was nowhere to be seen. All thoughts of Harry and Draco's love life left her mind. He was looking way too cocky.
"What did you do?" she demanded.
"Whatever do you mean, Miss. Granger?" He gave her an innocent, puppy dog look, which only made him appear guiltier.
"Am I going to get sacked for this?"
"Sacked?" Susan piped up. "Why would you get sacked?"
"No one's getting sacked," George said, still smiling like the Cheshire Cat.
"Where's Toadface?" Hermione insisted. "Really George, there's enough going on tonight. I don't want to deal with her, too."
George held out his hand. A large toad sat in the center of his palm, staring at Hermione and Susan with something that resembled a scowl.
"She's right here."
"You turned her into a toad," Hermione cried, covering her mouth. "You can't do things like that, George. It's-"
"Bloody brilliant," Susan cut in with a smile. "How'd you do it?"
"Specialty potion," George replied proudly. "Made it myself. I mixed the potion into a cupcake and gave it to her as an apology. She's so thick. She totally bought it."
"That's clever," Susan said, "but I bet she won't be taking food from you again."
"That's the best part. She won't remember. The potion lasts for twenty-four hours and then she'll turn back into her ugly self with no memory of her time as a real toad. I made the potion especially for her."
"Brilliant."
"Susan, stop encouraging him. I won't be surprised if he gets arrested for this."
"I won't get arrested." He shrugged with a smile. "Anyway, I was just trying to help. I know how she treats the Malfoys. I figured with Draco injured, Lucius and Narcissa upset, and Harry in the mix, you'd have enough drama without Toadface adding to it. How is Draco anyway?"
"He'll be okay. He has to stay overnight though."
"What happened to him? He didn't get attacked, did he? The Malfoys aren't especially loved."
The idea of patient confidentiality popped into her mind, but she pushed it away. Secrecy wasn't her strong point that night.
"His wounds were self-inflicted," she said, looking at the floor. "He tired to cut the Dark Mark off."
"What? Why?"
"Everyone keeps asking that like I should have an answer," she snapped. "I don't know why he'd do something so foolish. Obviously, he wasn't thinking about Harry or Narcissa when he did it. He'll have to explain himself when he wakes up."
"Hermione, you're shaking."
He handed the Umbridge toad to Susan and wrapped Hermione in his arms. She was surprised when she realized his words were true. Her body was trembling. She was that mad that Draco would hurt his mother and lover that way. Her body relaxed in George's arms and the shaking stopped.
"We should go somewhere private," George said, stroking her hair. "You've had a long night."
"Take Toadface's office," Susan offered. "She won't need it tonight."
"What about Draco?" Hermione asked, pulling out of George's embrace.
"I'll keep an eye on him until you're ready," Susan said.
"I thought you were afraid of Lucius." Hermione even managed a smirk.
"I'll deal," she said, squeezing Hermione's shoulder and starting down the hall.
Without giving herself time to think about it, Hermione grabbed George and Apparated them to Umbridge's office. Before he had a chance to look around or speak, she shoved him onto the desk, pushing her lips into his.
"Whoa," he said, pushing her away. "We're not going down this road again. I'm not shagging you just because you're upset. You feel guilty in the morning, remember?"
"I'm not upset," she insisted, keeping him pinned to the desk. She tried snogging him again, but he pulled his head back.
"You were pretty upset when you were talking about Draco."
"He hurt Harry."
"And you want to shag me to forget about it?"
"No, I just want to shag you."
"A few hours ago, you wanted to break-up with me."
"I was wrong."
"What changed your mind?"
Hermione sighed, moving to sit on the desk beside him. "What's wrong with you, George Weasley? I'm trying to shag you and you want to talk."
"The last time I let you seduce me without knowing why you had regrets. I care about you, Hermione. I don't want a repeat performance."
"Harry and Lucius changed my mind," she told him, taking his hand. "When Harry came to the hospital tonight, he was terrified. He thought he was going to lose Draco and it was destroying him. Lucius is the same way with Narcissa. He knows he's going to lose her and it's killing him. All he wants it to be close to her and love her, even though she's pretty furious with him, right now."
"Hermione, I don't see what this has to do with us."
Their eyes met and she smiled.
"Harry could've lost Draco tonight. Unless there's some miracle, Lucius will lose Narcissa. Life is short and unpredictable. We already know that better than most. I don't want to waste time. It's my life and I'm not going to spend it trying to please your mother or anyone else. I want you, George."
"You're amazing, Hermione."
"Does that mean you'll stop asking me questions and make love to me on this desk?"
A mischievous grin spread across his face and he moved to pin her against the desk. "Your wish is my command."
