CHAPTER 20: EXPOSED

Dipping her quill into the ink pot once more Hermione traced over the set of runic symbols before scrawling the perfect translation against her unfurled parchment. She had hoped the homework would busy her mind, distract her from her overwhelming thoughts. But alas the Ancient Runes homework proved little diversion, the simple translations using a minute fraction of her cognitive prowess. Despite her best efforts her mind had been free to contemplate events of days past.

More than a day had gone by since she had lay eyes upon the blond who scarcely left her thoughts, having not seen him the entirety of the Saturday. Concern gripped her for the Slytherin, had what she said in the Library been too much? Too soon? It was clear to her now that Malfoy was a natural Occlumens, whether he was fully aware of that fact himself was unclear. After so many years of segregating varied emotional responses and hiding them behind fortified mental walls, Hermione was concerned that he had developed some sort of dissociative disorder. To further understand the issue she would need to conduct some research into both magical and Muggle medical texts alike.

Then there was Harry. The smouldering ember of her rage ignited within her and her magic crackled against the surface of her skin as her thoughts turned to her best friend and his ginger girlfriend. Ginny was clearly out of line. The brazen and hatefully statements she had made since their return to Hogwarts were prejudiced and uncalled for. She had never been particularly fond of the youngest Weasley, but now feared their relationship beyond salvage. For years she had tried to be amicable towards the girl, if not at least civil for Harry's sake. However she was now as they say, at the end of her rope.

Harry however was another matter. Despite their disagreements from time to time, he was her best friend. Not just her best friend, but the closest thing she had left to family. Although she did not regret a single word she has said to the bespectacled wizard on Friday night, she was uneasy with how things were left between them.

A low grumble emanated from beneath her rib cage causing her brows to knit. Just how long had she immersed herself in her studies? Placing her quill down atop her study desk, she withdrew her wand and cast a swift charm. The visage of a clock face appeared before her mid-air and Hermione gasped. Not only had she missed breakfast, it was now nearing noon. It was no wonder she found herself hungry.

Deciding to tackle two issues at once Hermione unfurled a fresh piece of parchment and grasped her quill. She paused thoughtfully for a moment before dipping the point of her feather quill into the depths of the ink pot and scrawling a brief note to request Harry meet her at The Three Broomsticks for a spot of lunch.

Gathering her things, Hermione charmed her hair up into a manageable tangle of a bun and pulled on a comfortable pair of Muggle jeans before sheathing her wand in its holster. Collecting the scroll of parchment addressed to Harry she set out from her bedroom. She could not help but find her attention drawn to Malfoys door as she crossed the expanse of their shared common room.

Descending the Astronomy Tower she made her way across the castle to the west and climbed the wind worn stone steps of the Owlery. Finding one of the schools tawny owls perched nearby, she crossed the small distance to stand before it. The bird swivelled its head to lock eyes with her, blinking in a knowing fashion before extending one of its legs. With care Hermione fixed the tightly wound scroll to the proffered appendage.

"Please deliver this note to Harry Potter." She requested.

Stepping backward she allowed the creature the room to extend its wings. The owl took flight through one of the Owlery's many windows, Hermione remaining still for a moment to watch it retreat into the distance.

Deciding there was no need to wait for Harry's response she left the Owlery. As she approached the gates and crossed the boundary line she felt the schools wards wash over her. Choosing to forego Apparition and take the time to clear her thoughts, she pulled her coat tight around her form and set off towards Hogsmeade on foot.

As she opened the door of The Three Broomsticks warmth from the Inns hearth kissed her cool skin and she released a satisfied sigh. She could have easily elected to utilise warming charms for the duration of her walk, but she found some comfort in the childhood familiarity of simple temperature variation.

A low hum of conversation emanated from the Inns sparsely situated patrons. The majority of the sleepy village's residents evidently remaining indoors for a lazy Sunday. With so few scattered across the tavern Hermione swiftly caught sight of Harry's dishevelled mop of hair. A relieved sigh escaped her as she noted he sat alone in the window booth. She wanted desperately to speak with her best friend, his feisty red headed shadow not so much.

As she seated herself on the bench seat across from him, he smiled up at her sheepishly.

"Hi." He greeted, his green eyes bright and welcoming beneath the round rims of his spectacles.

Returning his timid smile Hermione replied, "Thanks for meeting me here Harry."

"It's no trouble really. Ginny and I were already spending the weekend here." Harry ran his hand through his course hair somewhat anxiously as his glance flickered upward to the unseen rooms above.

Madam Rosmerta arrived and took their lunch order, the presence of her younger staff clearly inessential on such a quiet day. The pair of them sat in silence for some time shuffling their food around their respective plates as they averted their gaze from one another. There was so much Hermione wished to say, but she knew not where to begin.

"I'm Sorry." Harry confessed suddenly, his fork falling to clatter against his plate.

Hermione's brows shot upward her eyes growing round. She had not expected an apology to be so forthright and in all honestly the admission of regret left her taken aback.

As her silence stretched onward Harry elaborated, "I haven't been a good friend to you recently."

Hermione felt a tense knot in her stomach loosen as an apprehensive smile turned the corners of her lips upward.

Reaching forward Harry placed his own hand atop hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I have been so caught up in my own life I hadn't even realised how alone you have been."

A sense of elation washed over her. At last her best friend had noticed, had acknowledged the isolation she had felt for some time now.

Words formed on the tip of her tongue to express just how comforted she was by Harry's acknowledgement of her feelings. Before she spoke a melancholy look gripped Harry's features. "I didn't see how desperate you had become for companionship. But him Hermione? Why him?"

The momentary elation she had felt shattered like glass, the shards ripping through her as they settled in the pit of her stomach. She tore her hand from beneath his and crossed her arms across your chest.

"I am not desperate!" She hissed, drawing the attention of the nearby patrons.

"I... uh... I didn't mean it like th-that." Harry stammered defensively as he recoiled from her evident wrath.

"He has been kind to me these last few weeks Harry, not that you have been around to notice. He has been a better friend to me of late than you by far!"

Harry's mouth opened and closed, obviously unsure how to best respond.

Hermione's arms fell and she shook her head slowly from side to side. "I love you like a brother Harry. You are my family. But you cannot continue to let old grievances dictate how you see people after the war. You certainly cannot let them dictate whom I choose to associate with!"

Slapping her palms down upon the tabletop, she rose from her seat. Glaring down her nose at Harry she reached into her coat pocket. Tossing a Galleon and a few Sickles onto the table to cover the cost of her mostly uneaten meal, she turned and left without the utterance of another word.

Upon crossing The Three Broomsticks threshold into the crisp afternoon air she Apparated immediately back to the Hogwarts gates. Positively fuming she felt her magic crackling in the air around her, her wild hair breaking free of her haphazardly constructed bun. As she neared the castle at pace she pondered if perhaps a bath would help her calm her rampant emotions before her magic had the chance to coalesce.

Approaching the portrait near the top of the Astronomy Tower her rage had yet to subside, the air around her immediate person had begun to spark as fragments of her magic escaped her control. The pale maiden who stood guard of the common room startled at the unhinged appearance of the Gryffindor witch before swinging forth with haste. Crossing the circular expanse she unsheathed her wand from its holster and cast a silent Accio, her towel and toiletries immediately hurtling towards her.

Entering the bathroom Hermione locked the large door before filling the bath with steaming water. Stripping her clothes from her body, she tossed them in an unceremonious heap and discarded her wand atop the pile. Sinking into the near scolding water she released a drawn out sigh, the heat penetrating her tense muscles. She lent her head back to rest against the sunken baths ledge. Closing her eyes she practiced deep steady breaths in and back out, as she tried to focus on a way to tether her wayward magic back to her core.

The quietude of the bathroom shattered as the metallic click of a latch reverberated off the stone walls within the enclosed space. One of the room's four cubical doors opened with an anxiety inducing screech, causing her breath to hitch in her throat. With her thoughts consumed by her argument with Harry she had neglected to cast a Homenum Revelio upon entering the facilities. Hermione sunk low into the bathwater, ensuring her naked form was obscured from sight. How had she not heard the shower running when she had entered the room? She wondered if perhaps the occupant had placed a silencing charm.

A low groan escaped her as she recognised Parkinson emerging from the shower cubical, a towel draped atop her head as she dried her hair. Evidently having heard Hermione's displeased sound the witch pulled the towel from her face.

As their eyes met a devious smile spread across the Slytherins features. "Well, well. What do we have here?"

Allowing her towel to drop from her body Parkinson made her way towards Hermione slowly, every inch of her feminine form on display as her hips swayed shamelessly with each step. The witch lowered herself into the bath water opposite Hermione. The Slytherins obsidian orbs peered into Hermione's before she cocked her head to one side.

Unwilling to pull her cautiously watchful eye from the woman across the way, Hermione's eyes swiftly darted to the side before snapping back to her adversaries form. Shit. The realisation that her wand was too far from her reach caused her to groan internally as she felt her chest tighten with creeping panic.

As if sensing her weakness Parkinson waded through the water, closing the distance between them. The Slytherin brandished her own wand, placing its tip beneath Hermione's chin. As the pug faced witch's pressure increased the bite of the timber and its radiant magic stung her skin, forcing her to tilt her head upward. The Slytherins dark, frenzied eyes flittered around Hermione's facial features before she hissed, "What could Draco possibly see in you? Mudblood."

As she spat the last insult Hermione's eyes instinctively darted to the lettering carved crudely into her flesh. The gesture was fleeting, yet it did not pass unnoticed. Parkinson's eyes trailed down Hermione's arm, a manic smile twisting her features as her gaze fell upon the cursed scar.

"Well it looks like you were at least branded accordingly. I wonder who had the honour."

Hermione found herself unable to draw breath, the edges of her vision succumbing to the creeping darkness. The Slytherin witch reached out and grasped her wrist forcefully. The moment their skin made contact Hermione's magic blast forth from the depths of her core.

With the internal pressure of her magic suddenly dissipated she inhaled a deep, steadying breath. Disoriented by the blast she scanned her surroundings as she blinked rapidly in an attempt to focus her sight. She could not see where Parkinson had gone, the witch had seemingly vanished. As Hermione's gaze dropped she inhaled a sharp breath. The Slytherin witch's naked, pale form was distorted by the rippled surface of the water as she slowly sunk to the bottom of the bath.

Without a second thought Hermione dove under the water and grasped one of Parkinson's limp limbs. With force she kicked off the stone bottom of the deep bath, pulling the seemingly lifeless witch with her to the surface. She climbed from the bath with great effort, hoisting the unconscious witch behind her. Gaping down at the drenched witch, sprawled naked on the stone floor, her Muggle instincts kicked in and she reached out to place two fingers on the Slytherins wrist. She released a breath she had not known she held. Parkinson had a pulse.

Bending over the other witch she flinched monetarily as her bare chest came into contact with the equally nude woman. She swept her waterlogged hair behind her ear and lent over Parkinson's mouth, hearing the shallow intake of breath.

The magic of the room's wards shattered and the grand bathroom door slammed open. Her head snapped over her shoulder, her panicked gaze landing upon Malfoy, his wand clutched firmly in his grasp. The blond wizard rushed forward, collapsing to his knees as he reached her side. Without so much as sparing a wayward glance at Parkinson he cupped her face gently in the palms of his hands.

"Granger... are you ok?"

She managed a single stiff nod in response, causing a minute fraction of his bodily tension to visually uncoil. With a flick of his wand he summoned her discarded towel and draped it around her shoulders.

At last acknowledging the motionless witch he enquired detachedly, "Is she alive?"

"Y-yes."

His face a mask of practiced indifference he continued. "We need to contact McGonagall immediately, can you send a Patronus?"

Hermione's eyes fell to the stone floor as her shoulders hunched forward. "I... I can't. Not anymore."

"Do not leave this room." He stood and sprinted from the bathroom.

Hermione remained knelt on the cold stone floor staring at the motionless woman for what felt like an eternity. She began to shiver, unsure if the involuntary movement was a result of her dropping body temperature or a symptom of shock.

The distant sound of frantic footfalls soon accompanied the staccato beat of her own heart. From the corner of her eye she saw Malfoy return through the bathrooms ornate doors, McGonagall close by his heel. Without the utterance of a single word the Headmistress slashed her wand through the air in a large deliberate arc. The unconscious Slytherin witch was instantly clothed in a set of simple black robes. The Professors lined face was drawn into an intent portrait of concern as she swiftly set about casting a series of complex diagnostic charms. Exhaling a relieved sigh the older witch stilled for a moment before she turned, staring down the length if her nose at her students as she demanded, "explain!"

Hermione's mouth opened and closed as she attempted in vein speak, however no words came forth as she began to rock anxiously on her haunches. Placing his hand protectively on her shoulder, Malfoy stilled the motion before standing to face their Headmistress.

"Granger has been experiencing uncontrolled surges of magic when startled or threatened." He paused and sneered down at Parkinson. "I can only assume our fellow Eighth year somehow presented a threat to Granger."

Head turning to gaze at Malfoy, Hermione's mouth dropped agape. The wizard had on occasion claimed to be observant, she had no idea however that he had fully assessed the extent of her magical outbursts.

"I am aware of Miss Granger's condition." Profession McGonagall admitted before pinching the bridge of her nose beneath her glasses.

Upon hearing her Headmistresses disclosure Hermione's brows pulled together. Just how many people were privy to her secret?

"I must transport Miss Parkinson to the infirmary before I cast the Rennervate charm upon her." McGonagall turned to address Hermione, "Do you wish to peruse this matter further Miss Granger?"

Hermione shook her head hastily, the last thing she wanted was others finding out what happened or discovering the reality of her condition.

The Professor inclined her head in understanding. "Very well. I will do my best to prevent this matter from escalating further. However, Miss Granger. I will require you to see Madame Pomfrey in regards to these outbursts."

The Headmistress levitated Parkinson's unmoving form to her side, and turned her gaze to the Slytherin Wizard. "I trust you are capable of returning Miss Granger to her quarters and insuring her comfort Mr Malfoy."

Leaving not a moment for response, she turned on her heel and departed the bathroom, Parkinson's rigid, levitated form trailing in her wake.

Hermione remained motionless, her knees pressed into the cool stone floor. The ability to stand under her own volition was questionable at best, feeling in her legs having long dissipated. Her fixated stare on the wall opposite her was abruptly obscured by the sight of Malfoy. As he knelt down before her, Hermione noted a trace of concern present in his normally stoic facial features.

His steel blue eyes not once wandering from her face his hands moved to ensure the towel was securely wrapped around her bare body. Grasping her upper arms firmly he guided with care to stand. Lower extremities numb from the reduced blood flow she trembled feebly where she stood. Feeling Malfoys wide palm slide supportively into the dip of her waist, she allowed herself to lean into his side for support.

Hermione permitted the blond wizard to guide her from the bathroom and across the thankfully deserted common room. Pausing before her bedroom door she summoned her strength, willing herself to speak. Just barely she managed to vocalise her password in a strangled whisper, the room's wards dropping to allow them entry.

Inside the room Malfoy cautiously withdrew his supportive hold on her body, hovering close as she tested her own strength. Able to stand without his aid she staggered towards her wardrobe. A faint smile crept onto her face as she noted the Slytherin Wizard divert his gaze respectfully as she changed into night clothes, despite having seen her nakedness only a short time prior.

Overcome by exhaustion she groaned as she climbed atop her plush mattress. Wordlessly she gestured towards her bedside table. Comprehending her request Malfoy opened the drawer and withdrew its sole content, the small vial of violet potion. He unstopped the draught and held it above her mouth. Parting her lips she allowed the wizard to decant a portion of the dreamless sleep draught into her awaiting mouth. An errant drop trickled from the corner of lips, Malfoys thumb darting forth to catch it. As his thumb caressed the swell of her lower lip she swallowed hard.

Growing weary she sought his eye contact. She had to ask. Had to know how he had discovered the secret of her rampart magic. "How... how did you know?"

He smiled knowingly, "it's almost impossible for me not to notice a single thing about you Granger."

Fighting desperately to remain conscious she tried to assess the meaning of his words, however despite her best effort fatigue pulled her swiftly into a deep slumber.

A/N: Hello my lovelies.

I debated for some time whether I should post this authors note or not. I actually have quite severe anxiety in regards to communication and worried that I may overwhelm my readers by oversharing my personal life.

That being said, I need to apologise for the lateness of this update. I am currently 14 weeks pregnant and if I am being honest, with the current state of the world it is not an ideal time to be expecting. Over the last few weeks I have had many difficulties attending medical appointments and it has left very little time practically or emotionally for writing.

I am hopeful that things should settle down from here on out and I should return to my fortnightly posting schedule.

As always please let me know what you think of the chapter.

Love LilithShade x