Chapter 8: Hermione Remembers

I spent the majority of the weekend cooped up in my dorm, catching up on school.

Ginny had always invited me out with her and Neville to The Three Broomsticks during our breaks, but I didn't feel like being out. I wouldn't have known how to explain myself if I fainted with them. Even though I'm aware of it being my fault, I've built a wall between myself and the other gryffindors.

I'm absolutely terrified of how they would react to what I've been hiding from them. I could just see their faces fall as I tell them I'm, as Ron would put it, "Fraternizing with the enemies".

Ginny had asked me over breakfast the other morning about mine and Adrian's relationship. I simply shrugged and said it didn't work out, not being able to keep giving her hope over a fake relationship of mine.

It was nice having an off week, not having to stress about a game, or at least a slytherin game. Everyone was very eager to see who we were going up against for the finals, but something instinctively told me it would be gryffindor.

I had also been thinking a lot about Draco and I. I know I'm attracted to him physically, but is there really anything there for us besides that. In all honesty, I want there to be.

The more time I spend with him, the less time I want to spend apart.

He challenges me, but not as Ron or others do. Draco is willing to listen to my arguments, whether he still thinks they're wrong or right. Every conversation is fresh between us. He never lets me shy away from him, no matter how much I want to.

Maybe it's all too soon for me to feel these things, almost like a honeymoon faze, but I see nothing changing how I feel in this moment.

I met up with Neville and Luna before the gryffindor vs. ravenclaw game. Luna was wearing her signature house colors, but also including a small gryffindor pendant on her scarf. We climbed our way to the tops of the towers, finding a row near Seamus and Dean.

"Hermione!" Dean greeted as we approached.

I waved awkwardly, not wanting to engage in a conversation. I hadn't even wanted to be here, but after flying with Draco this morning, he urged me to go, saying I needed to go out with other people, that they can't figure out my secrets with just my presence.

He was right of course, I shouldn't let my life be eaten up by my time with the slytherins.

Dean gave me an odd look, but said nothing to me after that.

It was a perfect day for quidditch. The sun was shining high in the sky, warming everyone up from the chill breeze. Gryffindor was announced first, followed by ravenclaw.

Once the quaffle was released, I enjoyed the comfort of watching someone other than Draco zoom around after a snitch. At one point Harry even spotted me from the stands and gave me a surprised smile.

Ginny was busy scoring left and right, while Ron was trying to stay steady on his broom. I saw when he caught sight of me in the stands, losing focus of the game. I want Harry and Ginny to do well, but I simply couldn't bear it if they had to play against slytherin next week.

But from the looks of it the odds weren't in my favor. Our chasers were working tirelessly, making us almost 70 points ahead of ravenclaw when Harry caught the snitch.

The crowd roared around me, students already making their way down the tower to storm the field and celebrate.

Luna and I were trailing behind them when that same light headed feeling started again. This time I knew to stop and grab hold of something when I blacked out.

He had blown powder in my face. No doubt one sold from Knockturn Alley, this one resembling the imperius curse.

I lost all control of my body, even my mind.

He had taken me through a back passage to get to his room. My mind was fighting, fighting so hard to gain control again that I blacked out.

I had woken up again in his room. Laying down on his bed. My mind was screaming for me to get my wand, I didn't want to be here with this boy.

After feeling his hand creep up my thigh, I somehow was able to roll off the bed. I could feel him grabbing at me, ordering me to return to him.

I wanted to so badly, but I couldn't. I grabbed my wand from it's holster, as did he.

I dodged his stunning spell, but he hadn't dodged mine.

Resting myself against a dresser, I let my eyes fall, hoping someone would come find me. I couldn't do this.

The sound of movement stirred me awake again, I hadn't any idea how long I'd been out. The dark haired boy was stirring, trying to reach for his wand.

I threw all my magic into the spells I was attempting to send his way. Whether they hit them, I don't know, my eyes were half lidded from fatigue. I felt a few lightly hit me, he hadn't gained back all his power yet from the stunning spell.

"Incarcerous!" I yelled, praying I finally, for sure, hit my target. The thud of his body let me know I did.

I sighed a small sigh of relief, before crawling over to his door, swinging it open.

I needed to get out of here before he got free, this was my only chance to run.

Before closing and locking the door, I decided to take one last look at my short term captor. Letting them know they messed with the wrong girl.

I met rage filled dark, brown eyes.

The eyes of Marcus Flint.

I sat up straight, breathing heavily from my spot on the platform. I quickly realized I was crying. I know what happened now. Who had done it.

I need Draco.

Platinum hair startled me as I got up from the ground, but they were not Draco's strands, but Luna's. "Luna" I gasped.

She merely smiled at me, "You have somewhere you need to get going" She stated, looking me over.

I nodded, opening my mouth to try and explain myself to her but she shook her head "I'll find out when you tell everyone else, no need to worry Hermione". I gaped as she then left, celebrating with the gryffindors.

~0~

I was thankful everyone was still at the field, so as I ran through the corridors I wouldn't be stopped.

Skidding to a halt, I stopped in front of the slytherin common room portrait. I tried the password from the party, but of course it didn't work. I ran through a list;

Salazar

Green and Silver

Cunning

I wanted to give up, maybe knocking would be my best bet, but I didn't want to be stopped by a prefect.

Pureblood

I frowned as the door unlocked. That made me feel welcome.

I pushed it open, finding the room practically empty besides the quidditch team, Pansy, and Daph.

Draco had been lounging but when he caught sight of my disheveled appearance he sprung up, but didn't make a move towards me.

"Hermione?" Daph asked, moving from her spot next to Blaise, to hold my arm comfortingly.

I was gasping for breath, from the running and from my sobs that had started breaking through my chest. I felt so stupid, but I remembered now, and that's all that matters.

I heard Daph ask what was wrong but I couldn't tear my eyes away from the dark brown ones that were sitting stiffly in a chair. "You," I hissed, taking a few steps forward in his direction, Daph moving with me "It was you I was with all weekend"

The others were observing silently, all looking over to Flint. What was he going to do?

"You weren't-"

I shook my head as I practically shouted, "No! You're drugs didn't work on me Flint, I remember now!"

I looked over to Draco, hoping he'd believe me, but it seemed he needed no convincing as he was already on pursuit.

Flint had tried to move and sprint from his seat, but Draco was faster.

He had Flint pinned by his neck to the wall in a second. "You grimy piece of shite" He muttered as his free arm took a punch.

Flint looked already put out after the first punch. I couldn't help but smirk to myself, he's getting what he deserves.

"Draco," I said, shaking my head as he wound up for his next punch and insult. He furrowed his brows, his face red with fury. "I was, luckily, able to handle myself those 48 hours, there's no need for dramatics"

Pansy stood walking over to Daph and I, "What do you mean?"

I stood proudly as I said "I was able to defend myself, luckily the back of my mind was able to push through whatever powder he tried on me"

Daph stiffened next to me, "Powder?" I nodded. She looked at Pansy then the others, "I need to get Astoria"

Why does Daphne need her sister?

As we waited for their return, Theo had disarmed Flint while Draco put an incarcerous spell around his wrists and ankles, making him immobile.

When the two sisters returned, Draco asked if we could go to the Headmasters. I settled my still beating heart before following him and Flint, who was being levitated down the hall, Astoria and Daphne walking right besides me.

~0~

I handed over my memories as proof of the events.

Draco and I were sharing a bench as we waited for them to finish examining my memories. My hands were fiddling anxiously in my lap, but I hadn't noticed till Draco reached over, taking the one closest to him to hold. I raised my eyes to look at his, he smirked down at me.

"You did the right thing handing over your memories"

"I know," I sighed, "I'm just nervous to know what's going to happen"

He looked me over, then bent down to whisper "And you're sure he didn't touch you?"

I shook my head, "He tried, but I got away before anything happened" He nodded, but his face was still cold. "You know what I've thought about recently?" I asked, with a grin growing on my face.

He looked grateful for the playfulness as I watched his features soften. "My dreamy body?"

I smacked his knee playfully, "No, but I guess you're not far off" He quirked a brow. "I've been thinking about how you want me to take us as"

I watched as his shoulders stiffened slightly, putting all his attention on me. "And?" He asked quietly.

"I think I take it as you like me" I shifted closer to him, making our bodies touch from shoulder to ankle "And I like you"

Watching him smile made my stomach flutter, especially when he swooped down to kiss me. The passion behind the kiss made me grateful I was sitting down. I pushed him back before it could escalate outside the Headmaster's office. "As much as I like kissing you, we'll have to keep this professional, so no snogging during practice or anything"

His shoulders shrank but didn't object, "The other gryffindors still don't know about me and my relations with the slytherin house, but considering you slytherins have kept your mouths shut, they can know"

The blonde nodded, leaning down to try and kiss me again, but I put a hand on his puckered lips, "No, not now when Dumbledore could walk out at any moment"

He sat back huffing, "Fine," Crossing his arm he said "We'll save it for after dinner Sunday night"

My eyes widened "Was that you asking me on a date?"

He shrugged, "Yes, but I can be more formal if you'd like, bow and kiss the back of your hand"

I laughed, "Fine, I'll go with you Sunday"

I watched him lean back even further, smiling to himself. I wanted to roll my eyes, this man's ego is insane. My attention was then drawn to the end of the hallway to another bench that was occupied by Daphne and her younger sister, Astoria.

I leaned into Draco who wrapped an arm causally over my shoulder. "What's with Daph and Astoria"

Draco followed my gaze to the two sisters, the eldest holding her sister protectively, but in a nurturing way. He ran his tongue along his cheek, collecting himself. "When Tori was in her 2nd year, something happened"

I went still, this was more serious than I thought it would be. I waited patiently before he continued. "Tori was sleeping but had woken up from a nightmare and wanted to see Daphne. She knew a party was going on but didn't think it'd be hard to find her" He ran a hand through his hair, dreading the next part of his story, "She doesn't remember how it happened, but she was taken away from the party, she'd gone missing for almost 48 hours"

I gasped, I couldn't imagine what that could have been like for a sweet 12 year old like Astoria.

"She was found by Theo when he went to grab something of Flint's from Flint's room. She was in his closet, knocked out"

"Had anything happened to her?" I asked nervously.

He looked away, "She had marks, cuts, and bruises all over her body in places there shouldn't be, but that was the extent of the misconduct"

I shook my head, "It was obviously Flint who had her, why is he still here unpunished"

Our eyes reconnected, "Because he claimed he was being framed, and since the only evidence is that it was his room he was found in, they let him go. No one believed him, and it's been 2 years and they still have no lead on what happened to her" Then he smiled to himself, "Well, until now they didn't"

I tilted my head "Something about the powder right?"

He grinned, "There was a small trace of a peachy powder in the corner of Tori's mouth, if they find that it's the same powder as the one he used on you, Tori's case will finally find an end with Flint being her captor"

I smiled at him. The relief the sisters must feel knowing that what happened to Astoria will never happen again must be overwhelming. "I hate that what happened to me happened" He said a small 'me too', "But I'm grateful it did or we would have never known what happened to her, or how many other girls"

"I hate that I let it to you, I wanted to be all over you that night"

I laughed, letting myself relish in the feeling of no worry. The door to the Headmaster's office opened, revealing Professor McGonagall, "Miss Granger, if you'd please join us," she turned to Astoria "You as well Miss Greengrass"

Daphne gave her sister a quick hug before Tori and I followed McGonagall into the Headmaster's office.

~0~

"After reviewing the memories of Miss Granger and comparing the powder which was still in Mr. Flint's custody, I announce Marcus Alexander Flint as expelled from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry"

Flint stayed stone faced, no void of emotion peaking through. He seemed like the type to flip out, call us girls outrageous names, but he stayed silent. Good.

We, along with Daph and Draco, were escorted back to the slytherin common room by Professor Snape. "But sir, I'm a gryffindor" I said while we made our way down many stairs.

The professor only shrugged, "Seemed like you wouldn't want to go back to the gryffindor tower at the moment Miss Granger" He drawled.

Once through the portrait door, we were welcomed by the slytherin team who wanted to eagerly know what happened. I told them a short summary, not wanting to put myself through those sickening memories at the moment.

I felt comfortable lounging with Draco and the others in the slytherin common room.

I highly doubt Salazar ever pictured me, a muggleborn gryffindor, to be lounging in his luxurious common room, in a relationship with the pureblood slytherin prince himself, but it brought me great joy to think about.

When it was growing closer to after hours, I was reluctant to leave. Draco offered me to stay with him, but I didn't want to be questioned by Ginny just yet.

Sleep that night came easily and peacefully.

A/N

I've just noticed when I upload on here that they haven't been keeping my section blockers in, I'm so sorry if this story had been confusing because there hadn't been any breaks between parts!

I'm planning on going back and editing the earlier chapters when I'm finished with this fic.

Thank y'all so much for the love and support, I'm glad you all like it!

-bruh