Summary: "You could have been something. You could have been someone. But you blew it."-When Hermione Granger finds Draco Malfoy crying in the girls' bathroom, she decides to find out what's wrong. With only the girl who he despises willing to help him, things are going to change. DM/HG. Compliant up to Order of the Phoenix
Mature content and themes, explicit language.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Everything belongs to Ms. JK Rowling.
Chapter 38: Time
After finishing her patrol at night, she made her way back to her dormitory to get a book from her trunk to read with Draco. They had just completed Wuthering Heights, a story Draco had surprisingly liked. It was, in his words, more realistic, unlike the sappy bullshit they always read.
And perhaps he was right. An ending in which the two lovers are torn apart. More realistic. Not everything was a fairytale.
Something about that night didn't feel right to her. It was as though she could sense the dark magic in the air.
It wasn't odd to feel unsafe, especially in these times, but something didn't sit right with her in her heart.
"They're coming, Severus."
"Now?"
"Yes. They've gained complete control of the ministry. Scrimgeour is dead. They can easily breach Hogwarts now. My wards can only do so much."
"You can't do anything to stop them?"
"I can delay it, but I cannot prevent it. I've sent messages to all of my staff. The students are being told to stay in their dormitories and common rooms. It's time, Severus."
"Today?"
"Right now. I need you to protect my school for me after I die. I need you to do the best you can, to guide Harry. For Lily, Severus."
The dark haired wizard nodded, before remembering something.
"I'm going to assume I'm going to take Draco with me today as well?"
"Yes. To the place I told you about. He'll be safe there."
He took a moment to absorb everything in, and process what was about to happen. With a sigh, he spoke again.
"Where do you want it to happen?"
"In the Astronomy Tower. You go on, I have one last thing to attend to. We have about four hours. Go to the Slytherin common room. They need you right now."
"Hey, Hermione?"
"Yes, Ronald?"
"Have you thought about what Harry said the other night?"
"I have."
"And?"
"Well, first of all, I think this is very dangerous."
"Of course—"
"However," she cut him off, "I think it's the only way. Harry is the only one that can do this, and we have to stick by him through it."
"Do you think we'll...die?"
"We could...but all you can do is stay optimistic. We could've died at multiple points throughout our lives, you know. If you and Harry hadn't saved me from that troll in first year, I could've died right then and there—"
"But we couldn't have allowed that to happen. Because if you had died then, we would've died exactly the day after. You've saved our arses too many times to count."
She shook her head, laughing, just as a seventh year prefect approached them.
"Hermione Granger! Professor Dumbledore wants you in his office right now.
"Right now? Alright, I'll see you later Ron—"
"Hurry on! Get going! It must be urgent, whatever it is. You, get back to your common room right now. Headmaster's orders. Make sure everyone in your house stays inside."
"What's going on? What about Hermione?"
"Go!"
She practically ran to the Headmaster's office, sprinting through the halls. Every hall was empty, but she could hear the commotion happening in the common rooms from far away.
What was happening?
Her mind automatically assumed the worst, but she couldn't think about it while sprinting. Finally, she got to the office.
"Acid pops."
She entered the office, but what she found inside was quite different from what she usually had seen.
The usually organized desk was a mess of papers, and books laid scattered all around the room. Something about seeing it that way made her anxious.
"Miss Granger. Come along, we don't have much time. Remember how I told you that there will be a time when you must say goodbye to Mister Malfoy?"
Something in her heart dropped, as she quivered giving her response.
"Y—yes."
"Now is that time. The death eaters have gained control of the ministry. They will be attacking Hogwarts today."
"Today?"
"Yes. I need you to tell Mister Malfoy to go with Severus. He will take him somewhere safe. I promise you that. He needs to be taken away."
"How come? Why can't he stay with us?"
"He won't be safe from the death eaters, Miss Granger. Especially now after his parents have disappeared."
Her question was stupid, and she knew it, but it was her last attempt out of desperation.
"He's going to go...with Snape?"
"Yes."
"And he'll be safe?"
"Yes."
"Do I have your word?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll say goodbye. As long as he's okay...I'm okay as well."
"Excellent, Miss Granger. Run along now, I have one last thing I need to do myself, I suggest you get going now. And one last thing—I want you to know, that no matter what may happen, Severus will keep Draco safe. No matter what. Remember this."
She nodded, and with one last forced smile, she moved to exit his office.
"Miss Granger," called Dumbledore, causing her to stop in her tracks, "I want you to know that loving Draco is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, I'm proud of you for having the courage to do so."
"Loving…"
"It's okay if you haven't realized it yet. I just want you to know that I'm proud of you."
Her professor's words evoked a different feeling inside of her. And she had no clue what it was.
Loved?
She didn't have time to think about that. Not when time was slipping away so quickly. She made to leave the room, but right before leaving, spoke once again.
"I was never ashamed of him. Nor will I ever be. Draco never made me feel ashamed for anything."
And with that, she was out.
He knew death was going to take him that night, but Merlin, the old wizard couldn't help but grin.
"Gather in the common room! Do not leave the dungeons! I need silence!"
Everyone complied immediately, sensing the authority in their Professor's voice.
"Prefects! Guide the first years to their dormitories! No one is to leave the dungeons!"
Blaise watched, as everyone in the room followed orders immediately, forced to by the sudden wave of fear washing over them.
"Zabini!"
He jumped, hearing his name being called, but immediately snapped to attention.
"Yes, sir?"
"Where is Draco?"
The dark haired wizard seemed to be pleading, his need to find his friend evident. He himself, was concerned about his whereabouts as well, especially considering the current circumstances.
"I have no idea. He doesn't spend most of his time in the common room."
"Any idea of where he could be?"
"Not at all."
She ran out, desperate to get to Draco as soon as she could. Desperate to make these last moments last longer.
On her way out, she bumped into a figure, causing her to fall.
"Hermione!"
"Harry? Why are you here?"
"Dumbledore asked me to come. Do you have any idea what's going on? Why are you—"
"I'm sorry, Harry, I can't talk now. You go, it must be important. I'll tell you later Harry, I need to go."
And with those as her last words, she was off.
He paced the seventh floor corridor, waiting for his lover to arrive. She usually would be there by then, so her lateness caused him to worry.
He heard loud noises coming from...downstairs, it seemed.
He wondered what it could be.
As she zoomed through the halls, she felt an arm grab her, and pull her to a side.
"Hermione!"
"Luna! Listen, I—"
"Where are you going, at this time? I heard were being attacked, you should go to Gryffindor Tower. If not, you can join us as well. In fact, that would be a better option—"
"Luna I need to go—"
"It's not safe. Stay here."
"You don't understand—"
"I don't, but you can explain."
She sighed, desperate to get away.
"I need to find someone—"
"Someone? Ron is in Gryffindor tower, and I bumped into Harry on the way here. He's headed to the Headmaster's office—"
"Luna please. I need to go."
She saw the Ravenclaw give her a look, but it was more understanding than it was to judge her. She couldn't quite pinpoint what it even was. She couldn't predict anything about her. She had learnt that over the past year.
"Oh. I understand," she said with a smile, "go on. I won't stop you anymore."
Finally being released, she paused just momentarily to give her friend a look of gratefulness, before running off once again.
He had been standing outside the Room of Requirement for half an hour.
And then, he heard a scream in the distance.
Just as she turned to run up the staircase, she bumped into a moving figure.
"Miss Granger! What are you doing here? You must go to your common room!"
"Professor Slughorn I—"
BANG.
A loud sound echoed through the halls, as she heard a scream from down the hallway.
"They're here." she breathed out.
They both ran to the window nearby them, to take a look at what was happening outside.
Lights burned around them against the darkness of night...no, not lights. It was magic.
The wards were being broken.
She could see tall figures walking down through the school grounds, some masked, some not.
Even from the fourth floor, she could make out the features of Bellatrix Lestrange. Wild and wicked. Walking as though she had nothing better to do in the world.
Suddenly, behind them, they heard footsteps. Quickly, they hid behind the door frame, while her professor cast a disillusionment charm on them.
"Where is he?" hissed the voice of a man.
She recognized the voice. He was the reason she had a long scar going down the centre of her stomach.
Dolohov.
"You fool. You really think he can do it? Find him now. This will be fun."
Rookwood.
They didn't dare move until they had gone, finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.
"Miss Granger—"
"Professor, I need to go somewhere. Professor Dumbledore asked me to."
"Are you sure?" he asked her sceptically. "I shouldn't allow you to—"
"I'll be safe, don't worry! You have others to attend to, right? Don't worry about me, Professor."
He gave her an unsure glance, before finally responding with some hesitancy.
"Alright. Take care of yourself, Miss Granger. Stay alert."
The sudden noise caused him to become cautious, as he slowly moved toward the source of the sound.
Slowly, he got closer, until he was able to make out voices.
Somehow, they sounded familiar…
"Find the Malfoy boy. I want to know if he has a hand in his parents' disappearance."
Quickly, he hid behind a curtain, making sure he didn't make a sound.
"Who cares about him? Find Snape...and more importantly, find Dumbledore. The Dark Lord will be happy with us if we can complete the task ourselves."
"No, no, Alecto has a point. This is not our game to play. It's Snape's. Find the Malfoy boy and question him."
Avery and the Carrow siblings.
They had made it into the castle.
If they were there, would they be the only ones? Who else was in the castle?
Death eaters had broken into Hogwarts.
He wondered where Granger was…
Fuck.
It hit him then.
Death eaters had broken into the castle, and Granger was out there.
As soon as the footsteps had trailed off, his feet started to move of their own accord.
She had made it to the seventh floor, but it was empty.
He had gone already.
Where could he be?
Just then, she heard footsteps from behind her. She instinctively grabbed her wand, and turned immediately, the look in her eyes fierce.
"...Professor Lupin?"
"Hermione!"
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her features softening.
"We were called as soon as the Death Eaters broke the wards. Do you know where Harry is?"
"Harry! I...I saw him! He was going to Dumbledore's office! I don't know where he is now...but I saw him almost an hour ago."
"Be careful, Hermione. There are death eaters all around. Why are you here? You should be in Gryffindor Tower!"
"I...I wanted to make sure Harry was safe."
"Of course. I won't stop you, but be careful."
"I will."
"Thank you, Hermione. I have to go now, but if you need any help, or find Harry, find one of the members of the Order. We're all here."
"Okay." she nodded.
As he walked away, she realized how selfish her actions might have been. Whenever best friend was out there, she was here looking for Draco. As a prefect, it was her duty to help with the students in her common room.
But here she was, searching for her forbidden lover.
And he was the exact reason she did it.
He taught her to do things for herself. He taught her to not seek others' approval, and only do things for herself. He taught her to push away her duties once in a while, simply to follow what she had said herself.
Do what feels right.
And in that moment, nothing was more important to her than finding Draco.
Nothing.
He ran down a hall, just as a spell barely missed him, hitting the wall behind him, causing debris to scatter all around. Reds and blues bounced off the surfaces around him, as he barely made it through to the second floor. He watched as members of the Order of the Phoenix dueled death eaters, somehow able to glass through unnoticed.
He finally was in a less crowded area, almost alone.
He had been searching for close to an hour, and he still had no clue where she was. His nerves were getting to him, and something inside him made him want to throw up.
Suddenly, he heard the voice that he had wanted to hear.
But then...he heard the word mudblood.
She grabbed her arm, as a sharp throbbing pain ran through the length of her shoulder and upper arm. Bits of sharp rock had flown through the air, and slashed right through her skin. She could feel the blood soaking through her white shirt, as she loosened and threw her tie to the side.
Then, out of nowhere, she was hit with a spell.
She dropped to the ground, ropes wrapping themselves around her arms and torso, her body limp and unable to move.
She had been alone just then…
She wriggled and twisted, but couldn't get herself out of the tight hold of the ropes. And then, she heard footsteps.
Someone was directly behind her, and she didn't dare move. She was helpless, like a hunter's prey.
She should have been more alert…
She felt someone grab her by her collar, and lift her up with one hand, as she continued to wriggle in her constraints.
"Well, well, well. Look who we have here."
She stared straight into Dolohov's cold, piercing stare, glaring daggers. She felt his fingernails sink into her skin, as he towered over her. His rough, wrongly hair hung loose at his ears, and his beard was wild, growing in uneven patterns. The look in his eyes was one that wanted to kill,
"I failed to finish you off last year, in the Ministry. That was my mistake. Seems like fate has given me another chance."
"If murdering a sixteen year old brings you joy, then kill me." she said, fiercely.
"It does, mudblood," he said, smiling wickedly, "killing you brings me a lot of joy."
She glared right back at him, insistent that she would not fall weak to him.
"Hold on…" he started, feeling something wet on his hand, "is this blood? Disgusting!"
He practically threw her to the ground, as she felt a sharp pain in her back, sure that it would bruise later on. If there was a later on.
"Mudblood bitch! I am going to kill you now, just as I should have done—"
"STUPEFY! PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!"
Dolohov was sent flying back, as Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. She felt someone rush to her side and untie her.
It was Draco.
"Granger are you okay?" he cried out, kneeling down beside her, taking her hands in his, his voice raspy. "Where are you hurt? There's bloo—"
"Draco, I'm okay. You're here."
He paused to stare at her for just a moment, before reaching for her face, desperately pulling her in for a kiss.
"Are you," kiss, "sure," kiss, "you're okay?"
"I'm fine."
He held her close in his arms, as they sat in the middle of the secluded hall, drowning in their hug for just a few stolen moments.
"Draco." she called, pulling away.
"Granger, let's go somewhere safe, I think—"
"Draco—"
"We can go to the Dungeons, they're close from here—"
"Draco I want you to leave."
"What?"
"I need you to leave. Go with Snape, he'll take you somewhere safe."
"What the fuck? No. No. I'm not doing this bullshit—"
"You have to! It's the only way! You won't be safe here! They want to kill you—"
"And what about you?" he interjected. "did you see what just fucking happened? He almost killed you!"
"But he didn't, right? I'm okay—"
"For now! Can you promise me you will be all the time? Can you promise me you won't go on that suicide mission with Potter?"
"You know I can't do that."
"Then why the fuck are you telling me to leave?"
"You don't understand! I need you to be safe! I need to know that you'll be okay!"
"I do too!"
"I know that. I know that, Draco. But I can manage here. I'll be safe with Harry, Ron, and the Order. They'll kill you. You need to go."
"Hermione you've gone fucking mad—"
"You don't understand!"
"Why do I have to fucking leave—"
"Because I love you! I love you, Draco. I need you to be safe. I need you to be alive."
Her words caused him to double back, completely shocked. Something turned in his stomach, and he had no idea what to say. So, he pulled her in for another kiss, but this time, it was softer. They both poured all of the emotions they were feeling in that moment into the kiss...simply savouring the moment. He pulled away gently, leaning down to dip his forehead against hers, as they say there in that position for a few prolonged moments,
"Then let me stay with you."
"It's not safe, Draco. Not for me, or for you. Do you think I want to do this?"
"Isn't there another way—"
"There isn't. And that's why I'm asking you to go. Draco...don't make this hard for me. Please. Don't make this hard for us. I want to remember us like we were these past few months. I don't want to end off with an argument."
He took in her words, holding onto her frame even more tightly then. He didn't know why he couldn't control it, but he felt a lone tear trickle down his cheek, as he ran his hands through her hair for one last time, and affectionately nuzzled her cheek.
"Promise me you won't run into trouble when you can avoid it. Tell me you'll be okay." he started, giving up to her words, "Tell me I'll see you again, Hermione."
"You will," she said, nodding her head, as tears began to pour down her face.
He reached to cup her face, before leaning in for a few more kisses, trying to stretch out their time for as long as possible. Finally, Hermione was the one who broke the calm silence.
"Promise me you'll stay alive. So that I can find you again. So that I can be with you again. After everything is over."
"I'll try my best."
"Everything will be okay...after we win."
"And what if you don't?"
"Then I'll die contently, knowing I was able to make the memories I made with you. But I won't settle for that, Draco. I need more. I need more time. To make more memories. And that's what I'm fighting for."
He pulled back, just to stare into her honey coloured eyes for one last time, before tucking her hair behind her ear, and leaning down to place one last kiss on her forehead.
The two sat in the hallway in the middle of the debris, for as long as they could, before fate inevitably pulled them apart.
Little did they know, a dark, greasy haired man had watched their entire interaction.
"Where do you think he is?"
"I'm not sure, keep looking."
The two walked through the castle together, searching for the man that was to take Draco away.
Suddenly, they heard a rush of footsteps coming down from the Astronomy Tower.
"He's dead! Gone! Oh, the Dark Lord will be so pleased!"
Bellatrix.
But who was dead?
It couldn't be Harry...
She pulled Draco into the darkness, so that the death eaters wouldn't see them when they passed. They seemed to be running away…
All of a sudden, Snape appeared.
"Severus!" called Draco.
His head snapped to the side, immediately locating him. Hermione stayed hidden in the shadows, as Snape roughly grabbed Draco's wrist, before running in the opposite direction. Their entwined hands were torn apart, as she watched him drag Draco away.
It was as though her heart was being stabbed a thousand times per second.
This was it. Their time was up.
Suddenly, she heard someone else run down the stairs, and bump into her.
"Harry! You're alive, thank Merlin!"
"Hermione, that son of a bitch, I knew it!"
"What?"
"Come!"
He grabbed her wrist, as they both began to run, chasing after Snape and Draco.
"He's running with Malfoy...that ferret must've been a death eater too! Hermione I was right!" shouted Harry, as they ran past the gates.
"Harry what do you mean? What are you doing?"
"Stupefy! Incendio!"
"Harry stop!"
His wand was firing away spells in their direction, but Snape's nonverbal shielding spells were too quick for him to catch on.
"Expelliarmus!"
They watched as Snape's wand flew through the air, and landed somewhere on the ground behind them. Snape aggressively gestured at Draco to pass him his wand, which he did immediately. Her legs began to burn, as she noticed Harry begin to slow down, upon hearing the snap of apparition just beyond the forest.
They had gone.
"Fucking hell!"
"What happened, Harry?"
"He's the one who did it, Hermione," he said, his voice raspy, "Snape killed Dumbledore."
a/n: ahhhhh! Chapter up! It was so hard to write this chapter, but I had to do it. I was waiting to get to this point of the story for so long, and now we're finally here! It's crazy how far I've come with writing this. Don't kill me for doing this, but I had to! This chapter was so important for this story, in my opinion. Things take a turn now...
Did we just cross 100 reviews on FFN? Damn. This is insane. Thank you guys so much for your continued support. Continue to review!
I have a class in about 15 minutes, so I have to get this up right now. Happy reading!
Stay safe out there,
Sydney.