A/N: It's the climax of the story folks! I like to apologize in advance for the abuse of italics in this chapter...but emotions run high here. Also, just so there is no confusion.. Blaise kept Draco's feelings toward Hermione, in fact, he made it more natural when he replaced Draco's memories, and as a result, Draco he might be a little out of character for this chapter... This was too awkward to word in the last chapter, so that is why I have it here in the note! Also, thank you so much for your reviews from last chapter :)
According to google translate "comprendere," means "understand" in Italian. I use it here, but just so you are aware of it's meaning!
**Warning** mild language including several uses of the f-word and s-words.
My longest chapter to date, reaching just over 7,700 words o_O sorry, it's so long, but it couldn't be separated.
Chapter 27
The morning was a blur. He remembered vaguely thinking about Hermione and talking to Theo, but that was about it.
"Mate, you okay? You look like you woke up on the wrong side of the bed..."
Draco turned face Theo, who was enjoying some breakfast.
"Just peachy," Draco grumbled. He was in pain. Both his neck and head hurt. His neck was warm and throbbing, like it had been stabbed with something, and his head throbbed like it would after being prodded into, but he knew that wasn't possible. Not with the Anit-Magic Device blocking any magical attacks against him. His eyes went to the flashing bracelet on his wrist, it would also mean he would have to resort to some medi-potion to help him with his headache.
"You sound angry..." Theo smirked, "Get into a fight with your lady friend?" For some reason he felt like he already asked this question, but quickly dismissed it, blaming it on lack of sleep.
Draco snapped his gaze over to the Gryffindor table. She was smiling to herself and immediately smiled himself. It was strange. Being happy without feeling pathetic. And she did make him happy. She was smart... pretty... just everything he could ever hope for in a girlfriend.
Girlfriend... the word made funny things happen to his body. Strange things he never experienced before. To say that Hermione would be a girlfriend in just a few weeks of hanging out with her, he would've checked himself into St Mungo's.
He shook his head of the thought, "No...quite the opposite actually," his eyes strayed back to Hermione, catching her gaze. He remembered last nights events and how hell-bent she was about going after Blaise... He smirked from her feisty attitude and gave her a wink. For some reason he no longer felt hungry. He looked back at Theo, "Besides shouldn't you be off wooing that blonde bint?"
Theo raked his knocked across his chest, "Soon my friend. That is going to happen very soon."
She liked this about him the most. Not caring that people knew they were involved. She straightened her back as she watched him walk along the Gryffindor table to approach her. However her heart was beating for a completely different reason. Her body was mentally calling out to his, she could feel it in her skin. She craved to touch him.
She shared a glance with Ginny before getting up from the table.
"I was just on my way over," Hermione said chewing on her lip.
Draco looked surprised, "Is that so? Well then" he held out his hand to her, "Shall we?"
'So secretive' she thought trying to fight off the smile threatening to spread across her lips. Hermione placed her hand in his, welcoming the sudden electric jolt pulsing through her limbs.
"Bye," she whispered to Ginny and Dean, then allowed Draco to carter her out of the room.
Dean, who was rubbing his finger along his lips absent-mindedly, watching the two of them walk off together, "No matter how many times I see it, it's still... so strange. Malfoy and Hermione... a couple."
Ginny scoffed knocking him in the shoulder with a slight nudge, "Stop it. You should be happy for her!"
"I mean I know he's apologized for all the crap he's pulled on us and everything..." Dean itched his chin thoughtfully, "Mind you, Seamus wasn't that receptive of it as Neville was... but it's still odd. He's actually normal."
Ginny's eyes shot wide, this was news to her. "He apologized to you guys? For what? When did this happen?"
Dean pursed his lips, "Uh yesterday. Didn't I tell you?"
Ginny shook her head.
"Right, well we were having a game of Exploding Snap out in the fields you see, and... out of blue, Malfoy was there and then before we know it. He approached us. Seamus was ready for a fight, pulling out his wand and everything, but then Malfoy started on about how wrong he had been all these years. From being cruel and... judgemental and... well you get the point of it, right? It threw us all through a loop, that's for certain. He kept his face so still it was hard to tell if he was being honest or not."
"Were you one of them?"
"Well yeah I mean it is Malfoy here. Since when is he known for... apologizing? He takes pride for our suffering, remember?"
Ginny smirked, "Well Hermione seems to think he's changed for the better. Speaking of her, does she know about this? Was she there with Malfoy?" If she did, she forgot to mention it to her in their discussion yesterday!
"Actually no she wasn't around him for once. Which got me thinking. Whatever his attitude, I say he's a bad influence. Did you know she skipped class a few days ago?"
"Yes. But you know, it got me thinking, perhaps that's why Malfoy wanted her..."
"Don't be daft Ginny..." Seamus smirked, as he and Neville jointed the two of them on the opposite side of the table. "There's only one reason a bloke would ever take a girl away somewhere secret..."
Nevilly gulped, "You mean-?" his eyes went back to the door, "That Malfoy took Hermione to-"
"Snog? Most likely," Seamus shrugged, "I would if she were my girlfriend"
All three of them eyes gave the Irish surprised looks at his declaration, where Seamus immediately went on the defensive, "Oh don't give me that! It's not like that with her at all!" He rolled up his sleeves and then helped himself to some food, "I just meant that she's nice-looking. Blokes like snogging pretty girls, and Hermione... well she's like a sister to me, so..."
Dean smirked and then leant closer to Ginny, "Actually that's a lie, he fancies her quite a bit,"
Ginny gasped, drawing Seamus' eyes to her, "Oi! What are yer whisperin over there?"
Dean cleared his throat and straightened his back, "I just said," he grabbed his goblet, "Hermione comes second to you, Ginny," he finished by taking a sip.
Skeptical of his answer, Seamus kept his gaze on Dean and Ginny. His fist tightening around his fork like a vice. Neville gulped as he tentatively tapped Seamus on the shoulder, "Uh Shay-"
"I don't like her!" He hissed in a harsh breath, making Neville recoil in fear.
Hermione stood rooted on the spot, staring at Draco as he told her of meeting with her fellow Gryffindors... where he apologized to them, then called a truce.
"What brought this on?" She eyed him curiously, her heart dancing away in happiness from the unexpected situation. 'Wow, once again, he surprises me in the most oddest ways...'
Draco smirked, "Because they matter to you, as you... do me" He spoke it as it was the most obvious thing in the world, "And... well you're not the only person I want to know that I am not the same... that... I'm different now"
'Yes you really are.' Hermione folded her arms, and chewed her bottom lip. She felt even more confident with her decision of wanting to be with him. "How big of you to not only admit it, but you've actually done it!"
"Well the opportunity just sort of presented itself, really. I was there, they were there... so why not? Besides it was getting rather tiresome dealing with all their glaring"
"How...charming of you to say that"
Draco leaned his head back to rest it against the wall, "Just being honest" The words fell from his mouth like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Honest.
Hermione dropped her head, smiling. Draco and honesty was a very odd combination to say the least... but a good one in Hermione's books. "Yes. But you realize, now there's Harry you need to apologize to"
Draco scoffed, "Bloody hell woman, these apologies aren't easy to come by you know. It takes quite a bit of effort on my part."
Hermione raised a brow, challenging him, "Well it just goes to show you, how well you've messed things up!" Her tone firm.
Draco rolled his eyes, "Hence why I'm working on it, Granger. You just need to learn some patience. Besides I highly doubt you want your precious Potter to know that you are the reason why Blaise was all over him" He finished by flaring his eyebrows.
She ignored his jab about her impatience.
"Harry will come to an understanding of that..." She placed two of her fingers along his chest, walking them upward toward his shoulder. Truthfully she wasn't looking forward to Harry knowing that, but once he heard that she was the intended target, he wouldn't be able to stay angry for long. Or so she hoped.
"But what you are doing, is greatly appreciated, just so you know" Hermione wrapped her hand around his head and then went on her tippy-toes to kiss him lightly on the lips. She felt her heart soar as she pressed herself further into him. Her chest brushing against his, her hands slipping up to his hair.
"Now isn't this sweet?" grumbled a voice from down the corridor, making the couple break apart. Hermione felt the blush on her cheeks from being caught. Blaise's eyes stayed on Draco as he strolled his way over with a sense of pride.
"A Pureblood all dewy-eyed over a Mudblood. Not just anyone either. Miss Hermione Granger is lucky bird!"
Something about his tone of voice irked Draco, "Clear off will you? This doesn't concern you,"
"On the contrary, Draco, it does..." his eyes twinkled as he held up a vial with a whispy white substance, "Got something for you Granger. Something that you will be most interested in seeing, you know, being Head Girl and everything,"
Blaise gave her no chance to protest, as he thrusted the piece of glass into her hands. 'Let the final step commence'
"What is it concerning?" She said meeting his gaze. She felt an unpleasant pull in her chest, dropping down to her stomach. Slytherins never came upfront with something regarding the rules. Yet, she couldn't help but wonder if what happened last night had anything to do with it.
"You'll see," Blaise replied smoothly. His eyes went to Draco, "To save you the trouble, I even got you a Pensieve to use..." he motioned his head to an abandoned classroom just opposite of where they were currently standing.
'This must be serious...' Hermione thought as she caught sight of it atop of a desk. The look on Blaise's face didn't make her feel that comfortable either. She felt her body shake before she turned to face Draco. Waiting to see if he had something to say about it. Should she trust his word?
Draco looked at the vial and then the Pensieve and then shook his head. Something wasn't right. Blaise was too happy about something. "Nice try Blaise, but she's not stupid,"
Blaise smirked at his remark, 'Sure she is if she thought you were a decent person!' "If you have any doubts, Draco, you're welcome to watch too"
Draco sneered. That was out of the question, because they are not going to watch it! Draco put his arm around Hermione's shoulders in a protective manner.
Hermione hummed when she felt him brush against her chin, making it difficult for her to focus. How could such light touches make her body shiver with want? She tried to distract her thoughts with the vial in her grasp. Well if Blaise went through this much trouble, to let her see it, then she had no choice but to believe that Blaise was being sincere. Although with Draco's several warnings that Blaise could be after her became prominent in her mind. Would this really be a trick? Some way to trap her for good? There was no way to magically tell if this was a danger to her...
"No need to fear me Granger." Blaise growled with impatience, "This memory is absolutely harmless" 'Well, physically at least' Blaise gave her a smirk, which transformed into something fierce once he stared back at Draco. "Unlike some, I like have use of my wand and value my education!"
His eyes boldly went to the flashing bracelet on Draco's wrist. 'He has no idea that is a fake one...'
Draco dug his fingers slightly into Hermione's shoulder. 'What the hell is he on about?' "Keep talking that way and Hermione and I will just-"
"Hermione?" Blaise blinked, "You actually call this thing by her name? Wow, you're in much deeper than I thought" 'Makes this all the more...thrilling'
Hermione latched onto Draco's arm, stopping him from attacking Blaise, "Stop it. It's okay."
"No actually it's not! Don't you remember a thing I said to you yesterday?"
"Do you?!" She challenged, "You can't tell me to do just because we're... us. That might've worked with other girls but-"
Draco gripped her shoulders, "But nothing! Honestly, are you afraid of hurting his feelings or something?! Use your head woman!"
"Don't yell at me!" Hermione barked.
"Oh shut it, the both of you!" Snapped Blaise. "This whole coupling bullshit is sickening. Listen Granger, the quicker you look at it, the quicker I'll be out of your hair and you two can be off on your merry way. Comprendere?"
Draco stepped forward almost nose to nose with Blaise, "Don't you talk to her like that!"
"I just want to keep my breakfast down!" Blaise spat. His eyes turned back to Granger, "I don't exactly have all day here Granger..."
Draco whirled around to face her. His expression pleading her not to. Hermione gulped and then looked at it.
"Yes! And let Draco be my witness if something should happen to me!" Hermione released a heavy breath and then curled her fingers around the tiny piece of glass, feeling the warmth emitting from the memory, and then shuffled her way from the two of them and over to the Pensieve. He was right on her heels, not wanting to be more than a few inches from her. His body was telling him to stop her, for reasons he wasn't sure. Just that Blaise wasn't one to be trusted.
'So bloody trusting, almost to a bloody fault!' Yet amongst his inward thinking, Hermione strayed. He watched as she unstoppered the vial and tentatively poured the whispy substance into the stilled liquid.
His eyes went to Blaise, "I'm serious Blaise, if you-"
"Oh cool it will you?" Blaise hissed, "You're giving me a bloody headache!"
Hermione closed her eyes, tuning out the squabbling boys and with a few ragged breaths, she closed her eyes and then pushed her head right into it.
She jolted from the sudden coolness of the water like substance and opened her eyes.
.
.
She was in a pub. The Hog's Head from the looks of the surroundings. Her eyes caught sight of Draco's white-blond head, with Blaise beside him. They were talking about something from the way their heads were facing each other.
'Why does Blaise want me to see this? What is so-'
"Fine, let's make it ten thousand, after all it is Granger" barked Blaise.
At hearing her own name, she felt a sharp pain in her chest. Her eyes instantly went to Draco.
Draco looked just as surprised as she was, as he whirled his head to face Blaise, "Ten thousand Galleons?"
Hermione felt her own eyes widening, 'What in the world? Ten thousand Galleons? For what?'
Blaise shrugged his shoulders, toying with an empty glass along the countertop, distracting her for a moment by the movement. 'Keep a subjective mind, Hermione' She told herself. If they were going to make some sort of incriminating deal then she will just... have to hear Draco's side of the story at the end of it.
"You're barking" she heard Draco say, breaking her from her thoughts.
'Well whatever it is... Draco doesn't seem to like it... but why would Blaise show it to me if he is the one that-'
"So it's a deal then?"
The sound of Blaise's voice made the blood run cold. Heck hearing the word deal made her stomach clench, the bile threatening to come out. 'A deal...? They... they're making a deal? About what? And why for so much money?'
Her eyes went to Draco, waiting for his response. Her chest tightening upon each exhale. She was anxious. Very anxious. No, this memory was indeed to show Draco in a bad light, if their body language was anything to go by. 'Please don't do anything stupid!'
"I may be poor, but I assure as heck am not going to settle for a measly ten thousand Galleons for...that"
'Measly?' She watched Draco swirl his drink around the small glass, "Shag the Mudblood..."
Her eyes widened, the gasp spilled out her mouth as she stumbled backward. A strong ache slowly started to spread throughout her body, making it difficult to hold herself up straight. Difficult to breathe. 'Did he...did he just say-'
"Actually, it's more than that," Blaise replied, shrugging, "With money like that, you got to try to make her think you've changed; then once you've...you know...you dump her. Then the money is yours"
Her hand latched onto her mouth as the bile once again, made an effort to show. 'Oh my God...' She came so close to actually giving herself to him! And it could've quite easily, been the worst mistake in her life!
She watched as Blaise reached over to pat Draco on the back, "Come on mate, you've had your fair share of some mixed bloods so a Mud-"
"Those Half-Bloods were a mistake. The Mudblood has no chance!" Draco spat.
Tears were starting to fill her eyes. She blinked them away. 'He sounds so... cold' She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She knew who he was referring to when it came to the 'Half-Bloods' the two girls he was with before the Second War, and most likely the girl from Ravenclaw he had just last month.
"So you're not going to do it?"
The disappointment tone from Blaise made the bile in her stomach return. "Not going to knock that Gryffindor Know-It-All off that damn pedestal she has been sitting on her whole damn life?"
Hermione's face hardened, unable to hold herself back from saying anything, "I'M NOT LIKE THAT!" She sniffed as she turned back to look at Draco.
"You've got to understand, Blaise, Granger-"
'UGH... he's trying to sound noble!' Hermione wiped away the tears from her eyes. She was getting angrier by the moment. Angry at her lapse in judgement... angry at how cruel Slytherins can really be.
"Thirty thousand Galleons!"
"Thirty thousand Galleons? Please, my father made that kind of money in one week!" Draco sneered bitterly.
She wanted to leave. She had seen and heard enough, but she was met with a strong force, as she tried to remove herself from the memory. "What? Why can't I leave?! What has Blaise done?"
It was a whole new level of Dark Magic, if she was unable to extract herself from a memory. Chills ran constantly down her legs and to her toes. She wasn't Imperiused was she?
"Used to make." Reluctantly, she turned back to the two of them, her eyes now swimming with tears of hate. "Cause you see, he's in Azkaban now! And the Ministry has possession of everything you have! You're pretty much bankrupt!"
"DON'T you say-"
"Okay, so now we come back to the task at hand. Bedding Granger!"
Hermione closed her eyes again. All that happened between them raced through her mind at an alarming rate. All the times he pressed on... that he wanted them to be together... had all been a lie. He wasn't honest with her at all. 'Stupid... you stupid... STUPID girl!'
"And you think you can just keep throwing money at me to made me concede? You've got far too much money to just throw around, it's sickening!"
"HA!" Hermione bitterly laughed, "That's rich, coming from you!" She couldn't hold back her hurt. Her hand digging into her robes just above her heart. Her subjective mind, abandoned.
"But I'm the only person you got that will actually give you what you want! Fine, I'll be even more generous. Fifty thousand!"
'Oh my God.. how high is he-"
"Make it one hundred, if you're talking about generosity" Draco snapped. The sound of the smacking glass on the table made Hermione jump.
"Wait, what? One hundred thousand Galleons?"
'One hundred...' She swallowed down the vomit threatening to come out. That was double the amount she got from the Ministry for participating in the War! Her eyes went to Draco, catching him shrug, "You want me to...take and break the Mudblood... that's my price"
Hermione closed her eyes, "It was all a scam..." she whimpered. "God... I'm such a fool"
"For a price like that, I give you one month" Blaise growled after a short pause.
After seeing them shake hands, she was allowed to pull away from the memory.
.
.
She was back in the abandoned classroom. She knew all about memories. Her mind frantically searching for signs... anything to give her reason to believe that it was tampered with, but nothing came. It was completely, one-hundred percent authentic. Draco-no, Malfoy, made a bet about getting her to fall for him so he could gain a wad of Galleons.
And he almost won!
'Well that explains why he was so...adamant about me not wanting to see it...'
Her eyes snapped over to the light tapping noise. Blaise was casually resting against the wall, next to the window, tapping his foot. Malfoy was staring at her with wide eyes.
"Well?" He said exasperatedly, "Was it worth it? Feel proud of yourself for-"
She didn't hear what he said as Hermione balled her fist and then stormed right over to him, clocking him right in the jaw so hard, she broke two of her fingers.
"AHH!" She screamed holding her hand close to her body. The tears threatening to spill down her cheeks. 'No, don't let the pain distract you!' She took several deep breaths and then turned her focus back to Draco.
"You sick bastard!"
Draco blinked rubbing his jaw, his face contorted into something evil, "What the bloody hell was that for?! You're the one who-"
"Oh like you don't know!" She pointed a finger to Blaise, but kept her focus on Draco, "You made a deal with him about me! That-" she stopped herself, unable to actually say the words. 'How was I so blind?'
She tensed her other fist and pelted him in the shoulder, hard making him grunt in pain. She was proud of not breaking any fingers that time. "Or do you deny it? What do you have to say for yourself, Malfoy?"
Draco shook his head "What are you talking about? Coming out here and clobbering me like that, when it should be him." This was the exact reason why she shouldn't have seen the memory! It was a trick! Blaise did something to pin her against him!
"HIM!" she shrieked. "You used me! You played on my emotions to think that you were a changed person! And now you are feigning ignorance? How stupid do you think I am?"
"What?!" His voice went up an octave, "How can you say that? I apologized for every wrong thing I did to you, for fuck sakes, why would I just throw that away for some-"
"Do you really want me to answer that?!" She spat acidly. "God I can't believe how pathetic I was to believe you! To think that..." Hermione shook her head, and glared at him, she would be damned to cry in front of him! "To ever think that you would care-but it's all just about... gaining something isn't it?!"
She placed her hand on her stomach to quell the nerves. It felt like a pit full of snakes. "No wonder you were so set on about making us work..." she spat, her voice dangerously low. "Acting all nice and everything... and I really..." she shuddered; completely disgusted with herself. 'So wrong...'
"Just... hang on a moment..." Draco said, trying to reach for her again. She really had quite a knack for believing the very first thing she is told. "You need to calm down and think-"
"CALM DOWN?! I was a mere pawn in your game! Your sick, twisted, most...demeaning game I-" She broke off in a harsh hiccough. "I suppose I really am gullible." She curled her lip, glaring at him, "Well jokes on you, Malfoy. I didn't shag you! So it looks like you will be the one paying him off!"
Hermione went to leave, taking about five steps before he grabbed her wrist.
"Can you just hold on a moment?" Draco hollered, his temper rising. He was panicking. What the hell just happened here? He had a bet? What bet? And with Blaise of all people?! Since when? "I don't quite fancy being blamed for something I have no idea what you're on about! Clearly Blaise-"
"Don't touch me!" She snarled, yanking her arm from his grasp, not listening to his pleas. She turned back to face him properly. "Don't ever, and I truly mean EVER touch me again. Don't talk to me, don't-"
"But I have no idea what the hell you're accusing me of! In case you've forgotten but Blaise was the one who-"
"BLAISE isn't the one who used me! Get that through your thick skull, you disgusting arsehole!"
Draco was stunned to silence, never having heard her swear before, nor seen her anger to be this... feral.
Hermione saw her window, when he didn't say anything.
"I saw it Draco! I heard you say it! At first I didn't want to believe it. I really didn't want to believe it. But there were no faults. The memory was real. You made a deal to sleep with me so you could gain your precious life back, because it would be the only way you would even bother hanging around me! Or something like that, your words were too gutting it's really hard to actually remember it all." She licked her lips and swallowed tightly. "So don't stand here and blame Blaise over something you did! You are the one who pursued me, the one who-"
Draco sneered, "Who clearly tampered-"
"I'm NOT finished!"
Draco inhaled sharply, not liking to be silenced one bit. She was going off the handle. Not letting him explain anything! Blaise tricked her!
"Everything that's happened," She sneered, her breath coming out in shallow pants, "What you've said and... done was all for...one-hundred thousand Galleons! So don't you dare stand here and claim yourself to be the innocent! That whatever happened was the real you!" She shook her head, "Yeah right. You're nothing but a despicable, evil, sadistic, excuse of a human being!"
She was breathing harshly through her nose, the blood rushing rapidly through her veins, before she offered him a vengeful sneer, "A true Death Eater! Heartless..." Her voice cracked at the last word.
Draco felt his heart become heavy. No, things were just looking up! They were...she was...
"It was a trick!" he said, his tone defeated, "What you think you saw..."
"The only trick was thinking you would be a different person! God, don't you get it?! I am so sick of your lies!" - she points to his face - "And there is nothing you can say will make this better. We're done! It's OVER." She eyed him up and down, "and I hope you rot in hell, where you belong!"
Draco shook his head. This was bad. Really bad. He needed to fix this. Pronto! He went to approach her, but Hermione went immediately on the defensive, reaching into her robes and pulling out her wand, aiming it right at his face.
"Her-"
"Levicorpus!" She hissed, finally having enough of his protesting.
With a yelp, Draco was hoisted into the air by his ankle, his arms flailing.
And with another flick of her wand, she sent him off into the wall just beside Blaise, and landed right down awkwardly on his arm, breaking it.
Blaise howled with laughter.
Hermione snapped her gaze to him, pointing her wand at him, which Blaise retaliated by taking out his. "You're just as equally disgusting, you slimy prick!"
"Careful Granger..." he said slowly. "You're a pitiful mess, and quite frankly, rather idiotic for duelling me"
Hermione sniffed, it was true. Her left hand wasn't nearly as magically strong as her right. But she wanted him to hurt just as much as she was feeling. Her mind was shouting protests at her, but she just remained stilll, with her wand at the ready.
"Try me!" She but out slowly. So much for incriminating evidence! He just wanted to watch her crumble down in pain! 'I should've known... I should've listened-' but if she had listened to Dra- no Malfoy, then she wouldn't have known the deal. She would've carried on her merry way before blindingly giving herself up to him when all in all, he would be smiling like the Cheshire Cat!
Blaise looked over to Draco, to see if he was going to interfere, but truthfully he just didn't have the heart to fight her. His mission was to destroy her, emotionally, not this.
"Just go Granger," his tone bored. "Or you'll end up worse off than Draco"
Her eyes followed suit of his, turning to Draco's crumbled form for a second. His silver-grey iris' were burrowing into hers, mentally begging her to stay. Hermione hiccoughed again before she turned on her heel and sprinted off, crying.
Blaise caught Draco's expression and crouched down right before him. Watching him struggled to an upright position using his one good arm.
"And you thought you could just walk away..."
Draco groaned as he tried not to focus on the pain in his arm, "What the fuck did you show her, Blaise?! Why does she think it's real when its so obviously fake?"
"Yeah you would say that wouldn't you?! But uh... you're actually wrong. That's a true memory. You were going after her for a mere ruse, it's just a pity you don't remember..." Blaise smirked, "Quite the fantastic show though... trying to pretend you're a good person! Real cute. But of course Granger knows different."
Draco stood up, supporting himself against the wall. "You're a dead man, Blaise! So help me, I will make you pay" Draco snarled, he tried to remember what Hermione told him, but her shrill voice pained his heart. 'She sounded so broken...'
Blaise laughed again. A harsh sound, echoing around the walls. He destroyed the memory, then packed up the Pensieve, sending it off to return to the office it took it from - McGonagall's, and then left.
Draco blinked several times. His skull was throbbing from when it hit against the wall. He lifted his usable arm, gingerly rubbing the back of his head. Taking one step, his vision blurred. He tried to blink into focus, but the room around him just kept spinning. He felt warm all over and weighted in his feet. Then he just collapsed.
Nothing could explain the misery she was in. She was sitting on the edge of her bed with her arms curled around her pillow. He used her in the most malicius way she ever thought possible, and boy, did it sting! She whimpered and sniffed, burying her head further into her pillow as another wave of shame rushed through her system. 'How could I be so stupid?' She barely lifted her head once her brain signalled her to breathe.
"I really hope you rot in hell, Malfoy!" she groaned through heavy breaths, swallowing several times as she tried to quell the sickness threatening to creep up on her. "You and your bastard friend."
It was her fault for believing he could change. "Going through all those apologies..." she craned her neck back, staring up at the ceiling, "Just call me a sucker." She didn't want to picture the two Slytherins laughing at her pain. Her stomach flopped again. Why is it that everyone always seems to enjoy torturing her emotionally? First Ron with Lavender, and now...Malfoy and his game for personal pleasure.
Well there was one thing she was glad about. She didn't end up sleeping with him!
A sharp knock came to her door, but Hermione just wept, shaking her head, "Oh go away!" She was not in the mood to talk to anyone. She changed her password to keep it that way.
Crookshanks hopped down from his dresser and landed right beside her, meowing. Clearly concerned of his distressed Master.
"Hey Crooks," Hermione said mournfully, "Your Mama was a complete...fool"
The knocking continued and Hermione huffed a breath, glaring at her closed door. "Oh for crying out loud! Just leave already!" she yelled, followed by a wince as her throat burned. Clearly it was raw from all the crying she had done. Hermione closed her eyes as she tried to make herself calm.
"Oi is that anyway to greet me?" barked the voice of Ginny as she continued on pounding the door. "And why did you change your password?!"
Hermione shook her head. The last time Ginny approached her like this was way back when Malfoy used Legilimency on her, when she shut herself into her room to through a fit. She wished she were like that now, not sitting here, like an empty shell.
Crookshanks slinked his tail around and around then turned his attention to Hermione, crawling right onto her lap. She gave him a frown and a few strokes on his back, "I was played Crooksy," she sniffed, "Nothing about him was ever...real. How could I be so... SO naïve? So utterly blind?" She stroked him a few more times before she moved the ginger cat to the side and then wiped her face of tears. "Clearly I gave him too much benefit of the doubt, he didn't deserve!"
Ginny was still knocking. 'Darn...' Hermione moaned, she for sure the redhead would've given up by now! She pushed herself off the bed and walked to the door to open it.
"Yes Ginny? What is it?" her voice was still broken; a new wave of tears started to stream down her cheeks, but she didn't feel them.
Ginny eyed her friend up and down. Her clothes were dishevelled, her face was flushed and tear-stained, and she was favouring her right hand, "Whoa! What happened to yo-uh your hand?"
Hermione shrugged weakly, "Oh you know... just um...punched something" 'SomeONE actually,' she wasn't up for a conversation right now, even though it was a given that is exactly why Ginny was here, but she didn't have the heart to turn her away. She welcomed the company if there was anyone to make her smile again, it would be Ginevra Weasley.
"What, a wall? Let me see it," Ginny went to reach for it, but Hermione just stepped back shaking her head.
"It's fine Ginny, it... it doesn't hurt." She sighed. She had healed her hand the moment she entered her room. It hurt alot feeling the bones realign themselves, but nothing compared to the humiliation she felt. In fact, the throbbing from her hand was rather dull in comparison to the hollowness in her chest. Not something she would expect to experience from a plain, physical, attraction...
No she didn't want to think it.
Ginny frowned, "It's really discoloured though. Did you-"
"I said it's fine Ginny" Hermione moaned, raising her hand by showcasing her friend by opening and closing her fist. "See? I can move it just fine"
"Alright..." She replied unconvinced. She knew broken bones when she saw them! "Then are your eyes red? Or are you going to deflect that too and blame it on an allergic reaction to the mascara?"
Hermione sniffed roughly at Ginny's slight jab at her.
"Clearly something bad happened to you Hermione, and I don't get why you're lying-"
"Well if you were made a fool of yourself, how would you feel? Or better yet what if Dean turned around and was caught with another girl? I-"
"Whoa, whoa, hang on a moment here! No need to go all feral on me!"
Hermione glared, "Well stop being so condescending dammit!"
Ginny balked, her mouth dropping in shock at the brunette's outburst.
Hermione put her hand to her forehead, "Sorry Ginny. I didn't mean to yell at you, it's just... painful alright? Very... very painful and frustrating. I don't really want to talk about it, so if that's why you're here... you can just clear off."
Ginny's eyes drifted to Hermione's bruised hand that was rubbing her skull. "For some strange reason... I get the feeling this didn't have anything to do with my asinine brother..." She said more to herself than to Hermione.
Hermione scoffed. She would have preferred it was Ron! At least that way her hand wouldn't be hurting. She debated for a moment of ignoring Ginny's comment, trying to keep her emotions in check, but did she really want to talk about this later? To destroy another day of normalcy? 'Oh whatever this day is already ruined, might as well just get it over with'
"No, this had nothing to do with Ron," Hermione said with a shrug, "It was...Malfoy." She whispered his name softly. Her heart did something funny when she said it.
"Malfoy? What...?" She tried to grasp the concept at hand. Last she checked, Hermione and the Slytherin Prefect were doing quite alright, if this morning's topic of conversation had anything to go by! "Um...happened?" She fidgeted slightly on the spot.
"Malfoy, he..." she felt her stomach churn. She really was going to be sick. "Malfoy used me" Her voice was a little stronger this time.
Ginny furrowed her brows, "He used you? What do-"
"He made a bet!" Hermione muttered through gritted teeth, "Nothing he did was sincere..." her voice dropped into a low whisper, "it was all to gain money..." 'And a laugh!' She thought bitterly. "I feel so...emotionally drained you have no idea..."
Ginny's eyes shot wide, not wanting to believe a word Hermione just told her. 'He made a bet about her?' "Sorry... I'm trying to understand here. Why would he do that?"
"Oh you don't-ugh..." She broke off when she felt the sickness surging up her esophagus. She gaped a bit, covering her mouth with her hand, "I'm going to be sick" She pushed past Ginny, knocking her slightly into the shoulder, as she stumbled her way over to the lavatory almost colliding into a couple of Fourth-Years, and barely made it into the first stall, before vomiting right into the toilet.
'Hmm, well that about sums it up then!' Ginny thought with a frown, her eyes trained on her friend's back, watching her shake with sobs. And here she was going to tell Hermione that Malfoy was in the hospital wing...But now hearing the truth...
"So I suppose it's...um safe to say you are the reason he's in the hospital wing?"
Hermione dipped her head down, trying to take deep breaths. "You bet your arse it is!" Was all she said before she picked herself up and vomited again.
Hospital Wing
He woke up in an unfamiliar bed. Unfamiliar surroundings. "Where am I?" He looked around, seeing the sea of hospital beds around him. "Oh." His voice was defeated and he turned his gaze to the ceiling.
He remembered quite clearly how he got here. Hermione used a jinx against him, sending him right into the wall, which rendered him unconscious. The only question that floated in his head was, why?
Why didn't she let him speak?
Why didn't the bracelet block Hermione's attack?
Why was Blaise so ruthless from that Amortentia fiasco?
How did he even get here? Who found him?
So many questions... no one around to ask.
Draco looked down to his wrist, noticing for the first time, the bracelet wasn't there.
"What the-?"
He looked around, but it was nowhere to be found. Only his dragon ring lay on the table at his bedside, with some broken piece of jewellery, clearly left from the person before him.
He went to move his arm to retrieve his ring, but the limb felt like a ton, he only managed to get it a few inches off the sheets.
"Hold it!" Barked Madam Pomfrey as she strolled over to his bedside carrying a flask. "You'll only make it worse"
Draco sighed, dropping his limb down.
"Drink up, now" she said, offering him the flask. He was unfamiliar with the brew.
Draco's expression hardened, "What is it?"
"Mister Malfoy, you had a concussion, it could have devastating consequences if you leave it unattended! It's not poison so drink"
Using his good hand, he chugged it back. "What happened to the bracelet?" Draco said shuddering at the after-taste. It tasted like over-cooked cabbage.
"You mean that old tacky thing?" Pomfrey motioned to the broken piece of jewellery resting on the counter along side his dragon ring. 'Huh?' He blinked, trying to get his eyes to focus as he stared at the dark gold, thick piece of jewellery with very grotesque designs. That wasn't the bracelet he wore! "Sorry, but it broke when you fell on it"
"Are you joking?" After being told by McGonagall herself, that it was unremovable by magic and physical strength? He actually broke it by just falling on it? And if so, where was it? Why was that piece there instead?
Pomfrey smirked, "Dear boy, were you actually upset of it? Oh what do I know, it's probably a family heirloom..." she rattled on.
"No bloody way!" Draco spat. "I never saw that piece of shit before!"
Pomfrey slapped his leg, "Language Mister Malfoy!"
Draco groaned, "But it's true! That isn't..." he trailed off and then took another breath, "Listen the one I was wearing was some Anti-Magic Device McGonagall gave me...it was smaller, had loads of flashing colours..."
"Anti-Magic Device?"
Draco rolled his eyes, "You know, it stops me and others from using magic against me? Can't be anymore obvious than that!" He didn't care if he sounded condescending.
"Don't take that tone with me, boy!"
He couldn't take this stress. He put a hand to his forehead, feeling the light sheen of sweat, "Then get the bitch, it's her bloody object anyway!"
Madam Pomfrey flared her nostrils, gaping like a fish, "Curve that tongue or I'll magically zip those lips! You may be an adult by Law, but you are still a student and in my care! I will not tolerate this attitude Mister Malfoy, I can just as easily break the-"
"Alright" he snarled over her, "I get your point" he then murmured, dismissing her by a wave of his hand. "My apologies for being so rude" He just lost the one thing he cared about for crying out loud! For reasons he didn't even understand! Of course he was angry.
Pomfrey's expression changed into something fierce, her knobby finger pointing near his face, "I warning you, Mister Malfoy!"
"Why are you still here?" He hollered, not really caring about her threat, as his head fell back onto the pillow, 'How the hell am I going to fix this?'
He shut his eyes and released a heavy breath, trying to will his brain to shut up enough, for him to fall asleep.
E/N: ...oh the drama :/ How will Draco find out why he can't remember? Find out soon! Also, Hermione was too upset to think about the bracelet not warding off her jinx. And I should mention, I don't believe that Hermione mentally beating herself up, would be out of character...she is a girl that takes pride on being right about people, so to be proven wrong, and in a cruel way, would really sting. She was betrayed.
I like to think I did the fight justice.