A/n- Hey everyone! Nope, I'm not dead, just really busy. I know that all of you faithful readers and reviewers can't wait for the next one, so here it is! I've made it a touch longer than the rest. Enjoy!
B0nded Together ~06~
After Hermione got out of the infirmary, nothing really big happened. That is, unless you count Harry and Ron refusing to talk to Draco big news. Everything was back to normal, that is, until the day before the Christmas holidays…
"I hate Snape! I cannot believe he gave us a test with 1000 essay questions about the Wolfsbane potion the last day of classes before Christmas!" Ron moaned as he, Harry, Hermione, and Draco were walking back to the Gryffindor common room. "He is beyond evil."
"Oh, shut up, Weasley," Draco snapped at him. Even though Draco was Snape's favorite student, which didn't mean that Draco didn't have to study and take the test. His nerves were just as shot as everyone else's was.
"Oh, Harry, was that the wind?" Ron said, looking around the hall.
"Must have been, Ron. I don't see anyone else here except us," answered Harry.
"You two are so pathetic!" Hermione snapped at Harry and Ron.
"Why?" asked Ron, innocently.
"I wonder," muttered Draco.
"Well, if SOMEONE would apologize," Ron said, "Maybe we would talk to THEM."
"Apologize for what, Weasley?" Draco said, swinging around to face Ron.
Ron didn't answer, just kept walking, and motioned for Harry to follow. Then they walked away.
"What was that?" Hermione wondered out loud as her and Draco kept walking.
"What do you think, Hermione? They are still mad at me because of the 'put the invisible wall in front of you' incident. I really don't care, either," Draco answered. They walked in silence, until they got into the common room. When they got to the portrait of the fat lady, Hermione said the password. (Snowflake bubbles.) They walked in, and were surprised to see that Harry and Ron weren't in there anywhere.
"Figures, they are probably off with Ginny and Lavender," Hermione muttered to herself. She summoned her homework, and attempted to get it done. Draco, however, did not want to do his work, so he started to read the Teen Wizard Guy magazine. He was just starting to read the LOL section, when Hermione slammed her arithmancy book shut.
"What?" Draco asked her.
"Oh, nothing," Hermione said. "I'm just done with all my work." She stood up, and walked over to the chairs by the fire, forgetting that she did say the separating spell and Draco followed her. She sat down on the couch next to the wall, and summoned a book called 'The Outsiders' by S. E. Hinton. (What can I say, she is lazy today!) Draco sat down next to her, and continued reading Teen Wizard Guy. Every now and then he would glance over at Hermione, who was deeply into her book.
"What is that book about?" Draco asked her.
"Oh, this one?" Hermione asked. Draco nodded. "It is about a fourteen year old boy named Ponyboy growing up in the fifties in the U. S. It is a really good book. I think you should read it," Hermione told him. Draco just nodded and went back to reading YM. Draco personally thought that HE was reading something constructive.
They sat there for a while, until Harry and Ginny walked into the common room, looking very happy for some reason. As soon as they saw Draco and Hermione, though, their faces got serious. Draco and Hermione looked at each other, and grinned. Then Hermione said the separating spell and gathered all of her books and parchment and brought it into her and Draco's room. When she came out, there was more Gryffindor's coming in. Most of them were going straight up to their dorms to pack for the holidays. Only a select few were staying at Hogwarts for Christmas this year. Most parents wanted their children home, in light of Voldemort's attacks. (Though WHY they think that their kids would be better off at home is beyond me, since Hogwarts is one of the safest places.) There were only 5 Gryffindors staying; Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Lavender. Draco was the only Slytherin staying, and there were only a handful of people staying from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.
That's okay, though. Hermione thought to herself. That means that there will be fewer people here when we start our CAV training. (CAV stands for Crusade Against Voldemort.) She went back over to the couch, and sat down next to Ginny and Draco.
"Gin, where did Harry go?" Hermione asked.
"Oh, he went up to his dorm for a moment," Ginny answered. Just then, Harry came down, with Ron.
"Hey, Herm, come here for a minute," Harry said. Hermione walked over to him, and said, "What is it?"
"A letter from Snuffles," Harry answered. Hermione nodded, and followed Harry and Ron out of the common room, almost forgetting to say the separating spell, but remembering just in time. They went up to Dumbledore's office, and waited for him to get there.
"What brings you here today?" Dumbledore asked when he saw them standing by his desk.
"Well, sir, Sirius sent me this letter," Harry answered, showing Dumbledore the letter.
Dear Harry,
I have just received wind that Voldemort is hiding out in the country by Kingston. Isn't that where Hermione's parents and sister live? As soon as you get this, go to Professor Dumbledore. He will know what to do. Try to stay safe, and stay out of the Forbidden Forest. It is full of Voldemort's spies, so Remus tells me. And he should know. Make sure you don't alarm Hermione.
Take care,
Sirius
Dumbledore sat back in his chair, and thought a moment. "Well, the sooner you get your training the better. This worries me that Voldemort is so close to Kingston, because I don't know if he knows of the prophecy. If he does, he may be trying to get to your parents and sister, Hermione," he said, looking at Hermione. She turned pale, and then quickly muttered the separating spell, after glancing at the clock.
"Professor Dumbledore, are my parents and sister going to be safe?" Hermione asked in a small voice.
"I'm not sure, Hermione, but we will try our best to make sure that they are safe," Dumbledore answered. Hermione nodded. She sighed.
"Well, I'd better owl my parents and tell them to be careful," Hermione said. "Is that okay, Professor?"
"Yes, that would be fine. Before you send it, though, come back up here and I will also send them something," Dumbledore said. He dismissed them, and they all headed straight for the owlery. No one talked on the way there; they all just stayed quiet and thought. When they got there, Hermione wrote a quick message to her parents.
Dear Mum and Daddy and Melody,
I hope that you are all doing all right. I want you to take extra special care when you are going out, and if someone comes and he looks suspicious, try your best to get out of there. Take care, and I love you.
Love from,
Hermione
She folded the letter up and got her owl, Cassiopeia. (Her birthday present this year.) Then, Hermione and Harry and Ron went back up to Dumbledore's office. He was just finishing up his letter to the Grangers.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Granger,
There have been reports that Lord Voldemort is in your area. As Hermione is a special part of something that will hopefully bring on his downfall, he may be trying to get to you. There will be a Ministry wizard staying in Kingston, and he will be on the look out for anything or anyone suspicious. Please take care, and feel free to owl me if anything happens.
Sincerely,
Professor Albus Dumbledore
Dumbledore put this letter in with Hermione's, and gave them to Cassiopeia. Hermione told Cassiopeia to bring both letters to William and Elizabeth Granger. Cassiopeia hooted and flew out the window.
"Hermione, I don't want you to worry. We will be on the look out for anything and everything, and I will tell you if anything happens. You all will start your training after Christmas. You may go now," Dumbledore said.
Hermione, Ron, and Harry left, and went back to the Gryffindor common room. And they weren't a minute too soon, because just as they walked through the portrait hole, Hermione and Draco's ten minutes were up. It was already 5:00 and time for everyone who was leaving to go to the Hogwarts Express in Hogsmeade. Everyone who was staying said bye to everyone leaving, then went down to supper. They quickly ate, then went back to the Gryffindor Tower, where they stayed up and talked for a few hours. Or I should say; Harry, Ginny, and Hermione talked. Draco was now reading Seventeen magazine, and Ron and Lavender weren't paying any attention to anyone but themselves.
At around 10:30, Hermione used her last separating spell to take a shower. Draco came in a few minutes later, and got ready for bed. They laid down and went to sleep at around 11:30.
Hermione didn't sleep the best that night. She kept having dreams about her house getting blown up by a 1000 essay question test, and she would mutter spells in her sleep. She unknowingly grabbed her wand in one of the dreams. After saying the finite incantatum spell for the no-falling-out-of-bed spell, she leaned up against the wall separating her and Draco's beds.
"Deliquesco parietis," murmured Hermione. Suddenly, the wall disappeared and Hermione fell on the floor, thankfully pulling her pillow with her. Draco, who had been on the other side of his bed, was suddenly pulled toward Hermione, and he fell and landed on top of her.
"What the…?" Hermione gasped, waking up suddenly, and having the wind knocked out of her. Draco's eyes shot open, and he grinned a little bit, realizing the awkward position he and Hermione were in.
"Hello Hermione. Do you know where on Earth the wall went?" Draco said, grinning slyly at her.
"No, Draco, I don't," Hermione said, getting her breath back. They stared at each other for a couple moments, for what they thought seemed like an eternity. Draco didn't get up, just reached his hand up to her face and moved a strand of her hair out of her eyes, and behind her ear.
Hmm, her hair is still damp, Draco thought to himself. That must mean that it probably only about 2 or 3 in the morning. They continued to stare at each other, and then Draco leaned his head closer to hers and gently kissed her.
Hermione was a little shocked at first, but then started kissing him back. Draco gently lifted her up, never breaking the kiss, and stood up. Hermione threw her arms around his neck, and then slowly broke the kiss. They were both breathing heavily, and then Draco put his arms on her back and kissed her again. Hermione didn't resist, and after a couple moments Draco slowly pulled away. They looked at each other, and started to laugh. They quickly stopped, and there was a long pause.
Hermione broke the silence. "Well, what are we going to do now, Draco?"
Draco looked at her, and then started laughing.
"What?" asked Hermione.
"Nothing, Herm, just that I was wondering how that wall disappeared," Draco answered. Hermione looked hurt. "What's the matter?" Draco asked tenderly.
"Nothing, nothing," Hermione said. I wonder what the matter is. He isn't even thinking about us kissing, just wondering how the wall disappeared.
"I think I know what the matter is. You want to know why I am not thinking about us kissing," Draco said, matter-of-factly. Hermione stared at him with an amazed expression on her face.
"How did you know that?" Hermione asked him.
"My dear, I can read your expression. It was very easy to see."
"Oh," Hermione said. There was another long silence. This time, Draco was the one to break it.
"Herm, what do you say we push these beds together, and get back to sleep?"
Hermione looked at him with an incredulous expression. "I hope you aren't getting any ideas, Draco Malfoy."
"Wouldn't dream of it, Hermione. I just figure it'll be easier than trying to summon another wall and then having to do all of that."
"Good idea, Draco." So they pushed their beds together, and then crawled into bed. "G'night, Draco," Hermione said, then fell asleep.
"G'night, Hermione."
*~*~*~*~*~*
The next morning, Hermione and Draco woke up around 9:00. They decided not to go to breakfast. Since they both had a little more Christmas shopping to do, they decided to go to Hogsmeade. Harry, Ginny, Lavender, and Ron also went with. They went to Honeydukes, and Zonko's, and a few more stores, then stopped at The Three Broomsticks for butterbeer. They got back to Hogwarts around 3:00.
When they got back, Cassiopeia was waiting for Hermione. She opened the letter, read the first sentence, and fainted dead away. Draco caught her before she hit the ground, while Ginny picked up the letter. She gave it to Harry, who started reading it.
"Everyone, up to Dumbledore's office NOW!" Harry said. They immediately went up there, Draco going a little slower since he was carrying Hermione. When they got up there, Harry showed Dumbledore the letter.
Dear Hermione,
We received your letter, but unfortunately it was too late. Your sister's school was attacked, and Melody was seriously hurt. Please come home immediately.
Love,
Mum and Dad
Dumbledore looked grave. Hermione then suddenly jerked awake, and remembered what had happened. She started crying, and everyone tried to comfort her.
"Hermione, I am so sorry. I should have done more to protect your family. You have my permission to go home. Draco will come with you, of course, and I will have a member of the Ministry go with you. Ron, I believe that your brother Bill is at home right now?" Dumbledore said. Ron nodded. "Then I need to contact him immediately." He walked over to the fireplace, and threw some purple powder into it. The fire turned a bright lilac color, and then Dumbledore said, "Bill Weasley." Suddenly, Bill's head appeared.
"Yes, Professor Dumbledore?" Bill asked.
"Hello, Bill. I need your help. Miss Granger needs to go home, and I need you to come and make sure her and Mr. Malfoy get to Kingston safely. Will you please accompany them, and keep them safe?" Dumbledore said.
"Of course. Where do you want me to meet them?" Bill asked.
"At The Three Broomsticks in about an hour." Suddenly, Mrs. Wesley's head appeared.
"I just heard what happened from Arthur. Hermione, you poor dear! I hope that your sister is all right. Arthur said that she was one of the more dangerously injured. His owl just got here a couple minutes ago."
"Yes, Molly. It is a terrible thing," Dumbledore said. Just then, there was a tapping noise on the window, and an owl flying outside it. Harry opened the window, and the owl flew over to Dumbledore and dropped a letter into his lap. It was from Cornelius Fudge. It told of what happened at Kingston Elementary. "Well, I am needed at the Ministry. Bill; please be at The Three Broomsticks in one hour. I will meet you there with Hermione and Draco. Take care," Dumbledore said. Then Mrs. Weasley's and Bill's heads disappeared with a pop. "Hermione, it seems that no one was killed at the school, but many are injured. Your sister and her best friend were among those seriously injured. Thankfully, one of the teachers there is a witch, and so she was able to stop the Death Eaters before they killed anyone. Voldemort has once again disappeared. Until he is found again, though, I want each of you to wear one of these," Dumbledore said, then handed a gold medallion to each one of them, including Lavender. "This will protect you from every spell except for Avada Kedavra, but when you say servo lumen patronus, someone will immediately come to your protection. Make sure you keep it on at ALL times, as you six are going to be in the greatest danger. Miss Brown, even though you are not part of the prophecy, you will be in danger because you are close to Mr. Weasley. Remember the incantation, servo lumen patronus." Dumbledore then made 6 gold chains appear and gave one to each of them. They each put the chains on their medallions, and put them on. "Draco, Hermione, you need to pack only what you absolutely need. Please be at the Entrance Hall in 30 minutes. I will meet you there." Dumbledore then ushered them out, and they walked back up to the Gryffindor Tower.
On the way up there, no one talked. Hermione was still pale. Her and Draco quickly packed their book bags, then went back out to the common room. Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Lavender walked with them out to the Entrance Hall. When they got there, Dumbledore was waiting. They said goodbye, and then Hermione and Draco went with Dumbledore to Hogsmeade.
On the way down there, nobody talked. When they got to The Three Broomsticks, Bill was waiting.
"Professor Dumbledore, I was wondering, will Draco and I be allowed to use magic?" Hermione asked tentatively, hoping he would say yes.
"Well, usually I would say no, but these are special circumstances. Use your magic wisely, however. Good luck, and give my best wishes to your sister. Please take care, and remember your medallions. They will protect you. Just owl me if you need anything. Bill, I leave them in your care. Good luck!" Dumbledore said. They then walked over to the fire, where they put in some floo powder. The Granger's fireplace was hooked up to the floo powder network, so it was convenient to get there. As soon as they left, Dumbledore apparated to the Ministry.
*~*~*~*~*~*
When they got to Hermione's house, no one was there. After sitting in the living room for about a half-hour, the door suddenly opened. Hermione's parents came in, and were surprised to see Hermione, Draco, and Bill sitting on the living room couch.
"Hermione!" cried Elizabeth.
"Mum!" said Hermione, running to meet her. They hugged, and Elizabeth started crying. Hermione then gave her dad a hug.
"I'm glad that you came home, Hermione," said William.
"So am I, daddy. May I ask, how is Mel doing?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know, honey. They wouldn't let us visit her," said Elizabeth.
"Oh," said Hermione, sadly.
"Hermione, who are the people with you?" asked William, not overly happy that the two people with Hermione were boys.
"Oh, this is Bill Weasley, Ron's brother," Hermione said, pointing at Bill. "He is making sure we stay safe. And this is Draco Malfoy," she said, pointing at Draco.
"Why is he here?" asked William.
"I'll show you. Draco, run this way, and I'll run the other way on the count of three. One, two, three!" Draco and Hermione then tried to run apart, but were pulled back towards each other. "We can not move more than 2 arm's lengths apart from each other for 3 months. At least, three months since November 1st, because of an accident in Potions. I could have sworn I wrote you about it."
"You did, dear, I just didn't tell your father. I knew he would have a fit," Elizabeth told her.
"So how are you supposed to sleep, Hermione?" asked William, not happy what so ever that his daughter was bonded to this boy.
"Well, we have a wall separating us at school, daddy," Hermione said, sending Draco a look that meant 'Don't say a word.'
"I can sleep on the floor, Mr. Granger. Not a thing will happen, I promise you," Draco said to William. William nodded, then told Hermione to show Draco where her room was. They went upstairs to Hermione's room, then sat on her bed. Draco pulled her to him and gave her a tender kiss.
"Draco, I thought you promised my dad that nothing would happen," said Hermione with a grin.
"I did?" Draco asked, innocently. "Well, I guess no kissing then."
"Mr. Malfoy, I think that we can bend that little promise," said Hermione with a grin. She then put her arms around his neck and kissed him. He kissed her back, and then suddenly they were jolted from their own little world when Hermione's mom called them down for supper. After eating a yummy meal, everyone went into the living room to play a board game. Hermione and Draco went up to bed at about 10:oo, after saying good night to Hermione's parents and Bill. (Bill was sleeping in the guestroom across from Melody's room.) They got ready, and Hermione laid down a sleeping bag and pillow for Draco. They said goodnight, and both fell asleep.
At about 6:00 am, Draco rolled over, causing Hermione to fall off her bed, next to him. They both stayed asleep, and Draco unknowingly put his arm around her.
When William Granger woke up the next morning at 8:oo, he walked out of his room to go and get some caffeine. When he passed Hermione's room, a most peculiar sight met him. There was Hermione, laying next to Draco, and Draco's arm around her.
"HERMIONE ANNE GRANGER!" he shouted, Hermione and Draco woke up and sitting straight up. They looked at each other, then at Hermione's dad, then back at each other.
"Uh oh," Hermione said very faintly.
"UH OH IS RIGHT! WHAT DID I SAY LAST NIGHT?" he yelled, by this time Hermione's mom and Bill waking up, and going to see what was going on.
"Dad, I fell asleep in my bed. Draco must have moved over during the night, causing me to fall out of bed. I swear, we didn't do anything last night," Hermione said meekly, feeling herself blush.
"Will, we both know that Hermione doesn't lie. I believe her," said Elizabeth, finding the scene rather amusing.
William backed down a little, but didn't cease to give Hermione and Draco a lecture on how they have to be responsible. After that 30-minute spiel, Elizabeth had breakfast ready. They went downstairs and ate, then got ready to go and visit Melody in the hospital. Draco and Hermione put their wands in their pockets, and made sure they had their medallions on. Then they all drove to the Kingston Medical Center. William and Elizabeth went in and visited her first, and then Hermione cast the separating spell, and went in to talk to Melody.
When Hermione went in to see Melody, she was shocked. Melody had two black eyes, and bruises all over. She also had a gash on her left arm. Hermione took one look at her, and rushed over to Melody's bed.
"Mel, are you all right?" Hermione asked, her voice full of concern.
"Herm! I'm so glad you came. It was so scary, with all those people in masks, and long, black robes. They hit me and Carly with something, I don't know what, but they said something like crucio. It hurt so bad! Then they started saying something else, it sounded kind of like abra kadabra, but Miss Decore stopped them by shouting something, like expelliarmus. I don't know what happened next, cause I blacked out. Then I woke up here."
Hermione's hand flew up to her mouth. Her sister had been put under the Cruciatus Curse, and almost had Avada Kedarva put on her. Her eyes filled with tears, and she squeezed Melody's hand. Hermione told Melody not to worry, and that she was there for her. Hermione stayed in there for 20 minutes, and after transfiguring a piece of paper into flowers for Melody, she said goodbye and left. Hermione's parents were talking to Melody's doctor, and they were about to leave when they heard something that made their blood run cold.
"CODE BLUE, CODE BLUE, ALL NURSES AND DOCTORS REPORT TO ROOM 246 IMMEDIETLY!" said the loud speaker. Hermione gasped, and then looked to Melody's room. Her room number was 246.
A/n- I know, I am sooo evil. Is Melody going to die, or not? Tell me in your reviews! If I get a lot, I just might post the next one soon. I had a lot of fun writing this chapter. I've been planning on it when I first started writing the series. BTW, the stories might be coming not as often, considering speech season is upon us, or me, and I will be gone for most of the day on Saturdays. I hope that this story makes up for how long it took me to get it out, and I am sorry! I had a science fair project, and a speech to write, on top of homework, and yet another dumb grad standard. I have a few questions for everyone to ponder. Or one, I guess. How come Hermione likes Arithmancy so much, but hates Divination, when Arithmancy is Divination using numbers????? Tell me in your reviews!
I also want to thank the following people: LadyZady, (who reviewed 3 times telling me to get my butt moving on this one!), Sanna, (who helped me with words and ideas!), Wavey_23, (one of my beta-readers, and a great friend and classmate! Hey Britt, I got work off this week! LOL! You wanna come with me one of these nights? Maybe you can meet a cute Bulgarian guy, huh? J/K!), Waver17, (my other beta-reader, and also a great friend and classmate who ordered me to get this one written soon!)… **Takes a deep breath** Xoni Newcomer, Angel13, claire, Anya Searu, Cat Samwise, Angelblue, Paint, Puppygal, Martibella, Gwen, RatheraMutemwiya, Hermione the Goddess, krystel, Viper, liz, Flora, Dolores, erendis, Lizzy/Tygrestick, and meee for reviewing chapter 5! Thank you all!! Your reviews help me get the next chapter up faster. I also want to thank Disney for the awesome songs that I have been listening to while writing this chapter! The same goes with the Beetles music. Your songs rule! Thank you all, and PLEASE review! Flames will be exterminated and only constructive criticism please!
Disclaimer- I only own Melody, Carly, Miss Decore, and Herm's parents names. (Sort of, not really.) I also own Kingston, unless it IS a city in England. (I hope not, cause it's part of another story I am writing!) I also own the spell for protection with the medallions, and this plot, which is © 2000 by me, Burrow Gurl. (Aka a lot of other things, most of them weird, but my friends and I own my aka's, right wavey_23? J J/K!) Everything else in this story is property of her majesty, Joanne Kathleen Rowling. (Oh I wish I could write as good as her!)
*~* Burrow Gurl *~*