A/N: Wow...I'm so glad everyone liked this fic so much! You're all really cool...anyway, first off there will be both R/H and D/H in here, but not for a few parts. The rating? I know it's not PG 13 now, but there's some language, loads of angst, and er...some innuendo at times. Other then that, I'm sorry that it's going to be slow getting each part up, but it's really hard to write and I have way too much homework!!!! *ahem*

Lastly, I know this is confusing. The most I can say is, keep reading because everything will work out, and in each part more will be made clear. And keep reviewing! As long as you do, I'll try very hard to post at least every week. I'll let you know when I start taking votes for who Hermione ends up with. Enjoy...^_^





"Your wand?" Draco mused, "Is this your wand, Granger? Funny, I just picked it up off the ground. Finders-keepers, I always say."

"Give me back my wand," Hermione repeated in an unreasonably calm voice. "And tell us where the hell we are."

"We?" echoed Draco faintly.

"We, Malfoy," said Ron, taking a step forward.

"Oh alright, you can have it. I don't know what possessed me to take it in the first place," he paused here and sneered at Hermione, "After all, it'd been touched by a mudblood and the filth might have contaminated my hands."

Hermione lunged at him without another thought. Draco lost his balance and slammed into the tree, vaguely mumbling something that sounded like, "ouch."

Ron grasped the back of Hermione's robe and said calmly, "Hermione, don't."

Hermione goggled at him and growled, "Don't? Did you hear what he said, Ron? Don't?"

Draco nodded fervently to Ron, and rolled to the side as Hermione made to slap him. Ron pulled her back, and then said in a deadly whisper, "Don't. Leave him to me."

Draco was caught unawares and Ron slammed himself against him and began to hit him with both fists.

Hermione winced, "Ron, don't hurt him too much," she said gently.

Ron pulled Draco up by his hair and gasped out, "Now then, where are we?"

Wincing, Draco said calmly, "You were kicking my ass," he said weakly. Ron scowled at him and he added, "I have no idea. I just came for what's mine. So give me the book and I'll be off."

"You expect us to give that back to you, eh?" said Ron, "You're not getting anything until you explain what's going on!"

"Listen, I really have no idea how..." Draco started defensively, wiping some blood from his lip.

"Liar! You're not in your pajamas," said Hermione swiftly, "So you must have known this would happen."

"I didn't know this would happen," said Draco heavily, "I only knew that something would happen."

"Lame excuse," said Ron, raising his fist.

"Wait!" gasped Draco.

"What d'you mean wait?" said Ron, lowering his hand grudgingly.

Draco opened his mouth to reply but Hermione said severely, "You have to wait, Ron, because if you beat him up you'll muss his lovely hair." Ron grinned at her and looked quizzically at Draco.

"I knew you had the book, so I knew something like this was bound to happen. I swear I didn't know what."

Hermione eyed him suspiciously, "What's with this book?"

Draco glanced around and Ron tightened his grip, "It was my father's," he said, "Now it's mine. It doesn't record your dreams though. It records your nightmares. I don't know much more about it."

"Why did it write just now?" Hermione asked, snatching her wand from his hand.

"I don't know," said Draco quickly. Too quickly.

"You do so!" said Ron accusingly.

Hermione glared at him, "Just tell us, Malfoy."

Draco groaned and then muttered, "Wake up, Granger. Isn't it obvious?"

Both Hermione and Ron shook their heads simultaneously.

Draco sighed, "I meant wake up," he said. "'Cause right now you're dreaming."



Both Hermione and Ron stood absolutely silent, and then Hermione said slowly, "I am not."

Draco rolled his eyes, "Fine, don't believe me. I'm only telling the truth."

"Ron, pinch me," said Hermione.

"Sure thing," said Ron with a sly grin.

"On my arm," she added as an afterthought.

"Oh...right."

"Ouch...see? It hurt. I'm not dreaming," she said smugly to Draco.

"This is no normal dream," Draco insisted, "You can feel pain, you can feel emotion... Granger, you could die!"

"You can't die in a dream. You'll wake up before that happens," said Hermione quickly.

"Exactly my point," said Draco, taking a step forward and steadying himself. Ron automatically reached for his wand. "I'm not about to go anywhere," Draco snapped, "So you can put that away. I know when I'm outnumbered. I'm not a complete twit, despite the opinion of many."

Ron's eyes darted over Draco and then he pocketed the wand. Hermione sighed deeply. This was the last place she wanted to be right now. Outside, in the middle of the night, with one of her best friends, one of her worst enemies, and wearing her nightclothes. Yech.

"Tell us everything you know," Ron said sullenly.

Draco swallowed and muttered, "I told you everything. Give me back that book and we can get out of here." He held out his hand expectantly.

Ron shook his head, "No. Tell me what to do and I'll get us out of here."

"Stop being stubborn, Weasley. Even I wouldn't leave you and Granger alone in the dark," he paused and grinned smugly, "You two might get bored and have to pass the time. I wouldn't want to be responsible for that."

Ron grabbed his wand and backed Draco steadily up against the tree. He pointed it right at his chest and said softly, "Watch it, Malfoy. Hermione might not want me to seriously hurt you, but I have no problem with it. So shut it."

Draco grimaced and shoved away Ron's hand.

"Quit it!" Hermione's voice broke the silence. "We're all stuck here together, so we might as well try to get along for a few hours." Draco glared at her and she added, "I don't like it any better then you do." A soft pounding echoed in the distance, disturbing her thoughts. She didn't like that sound. And it was uncanny how familiar it was. Ron and Draco, however, were taking no notice. Then again, the way they were shooting daggers from their eyes, she really doubted if an earthquake would have made them look up.

"Fine," Ron said bitterly, thrusting the book into Hermione's hand, "Just don't give him that book."

Hermione sighed in exasperation, "Why not? If he knows how to get us out of here then maybe we should give it to him."

Ron shook his head, "Don't, Hermione. Trust me."

Draco folded his arms and grinned at them both, "Fine. If you don't trust me to get us out of here, then you do it."

Ron stiffened and then mumbled, "Right, I will. Follow me." He began to trudge forward, Hermione and Draco both following almost reluctantly. Hermione knew that Ron hadn't the foggiest notion of where he was going, but they couldn't really get in any worse of a predicament then they were already in...right?

It seemed like they walked for hours on end. The scenery was the same, except that the ground became more and more damp, though it hadn't rained in weeks. Wherever they were, it was very far away.

"I'm thirsty," Hermione croaked finally.

"Then have some water," said Draco wryly, gesturing at a nearby puddle.

"I'm not drinking off the ground, you twit," Hermione replied. She bent down and washed her hands in the deep puddle. The water coated them, and she could feel the coolness against her palms, but somehow, she didn't feel wet. She shook her hands and saw droplets of water spray in all directions. Ignore it, said a stern voice inside her. Just ignore it and it will be as though it never happened.

"Come on," said Ron tensely. He was determined to get them out of here. And without any help from Draco.

"D'you hear that?" Hermione said, straining her ears. The pounding sounded all around her, as if it was closing in from all directions.

"Uh...hear what?" said Ron.

"That sound...like hooves," she said.

"I don't hear anything," said Draco pointedly, "You're imagining things."

Hermione nodded vaguely. Don't make a big deal out of it, she told herself. Because nobody else hears it, and that's not a good sign. Her head was throbbing. She needed to sit down, but her breath suddenly seemed to be coming in gasps.

"Ron..." Hermione coughed, deeply breathing in. Her lungs just wouldn't take in the air.

Ron stopped in his tracks and turned around. "Hermione, are you okay?"

Hermione began to choke on her words. The pounding of hooves was everywhere, encircling her and strangling her. She couldn't hear what Ron was saying anymore, the pounding was so deafening and intense. Everything blurred together, in a wash of blackness.

"Damn it, Hermione, stop it!" Ron said frantically.

"Get out of here," she heard her voice saying. But it wasn't her voice! It sounded transparent and faraway, as if someone had stolen her voice and was using it to get their thoughts across.. "Trust me, Ron. You both have to leave." She couldn't breath, she felt waves of nausea rolling over her, and yet she was talking to Ron as if she were fine. How was that possible?

Everything began to grow darker, until all she could hear was herself choking and gasping for air.

"I'm not gonna leave you like this!" she heard Ron yell.

But she couldn't bring herself to reply now. Everything was happening to quickly, and her voice had left her. Her breath failed her. She desperately mouthed to Ron, but her lips wouldn't move!

"Get out of here," she heard the voice that was hers whisper for her. Her own voice cracked in pressure and tension. She was swirling around in a mix of color. If you could call it color...actually many shades and tints of black. She felt desolate and alone. There was no night, no Ron, no Draco...only this emptiness that was choking back her voice, breath and life. She opened her mouth and heard her own voice gasp out one word:

"Now."



She felt hot, as if layers of covers were piled on top of her body. Her eyes fluttered open, and she found that she was laying in her bed, the book clutched tightly in her hands, blankets all around her. It was open to a blank page.

It was only a dream, she thought unsteadily. "..." She opened her mouth to say it aloud, but no words came out. It was as if she'd been muted. She could see Lavender and Parvati sitting only a few feet away, chattering madly.

"You mean they...?" Lavender was saying in tones of awe. Parvati nodded smugly, stifling a giggle.

"Ewww...that's freaky." Lavender stuck out her tongue, and both began to giggle. Hermione rolled her eyes and waved frantically. Nothing. Was she cloaked in invisibility?

"..." They couldn't hear her, she couldn't hear herself. She moved as if to slide off the bed, but found that her body was set as well. It was a horrible feeling, to be able to see and hear, but not speak or move from below her waist.

This didn't make sense. They'd been walking for several hours, and yet Lavender and Parvati were acting precisely as they had been when she'd first gone to sleep. She strained to see out the window, but could only see blackness.

Oh no, she thought silently, no stars...



At first glance, it seemed that he was locked in a cupboard. It was empty, except for a small light on a thin chain that dangled overhead. The cupboard seemed to be enclosed with solid wood and stone, but a faint breeze kept ruffling his hair, making the light swing back and forth and occasionally hitting him on the head.

Ron groaned. Where was he? The last thing he remembered was Hermione...what had happened? She'd been choking...she'd been dying! He felt himself growing nauseous at the thought. How could he be so stupid? He had to get out of here, and fast. The cupboard was too small to stand in, so he crawled over to the door. There was a latch on it, and it appeared to be locked. Ron cursed under his breath, scrambling for his wits back.

He'd been kneeling over Hermione, and she'd told him and Draco to leave her and get away. Get away now.

But of course he hadn't listened, he couldn't just leave her there!

That was when he'd blacked out.

He reached a trembling hand out and lightly brushed his head. Ouch. He pulled his finger away to see it tipped with blood. Impatiently, he wiped it away and began to fiddle with the lock. He didn't have time for pain right now!

"Open up," he growled, trying to use his nail as a pick.

The door swung open with a loud creak.

"Funny, I swear that I didn't..." Ron trailed off as he looked up. He felt a scream escape his lips.

"There's been a mistake," said a cold voice. The door swung shut with a click.



Hermione let out a shriek. At least she would have, if she had her voice. She felt a searing ache in her head, as if her thoughts were all jumbling together. Nothing made sense except for one voice that stood out of all the rest.

Rest and dream.

Over and over again she repeated this, turning it at all different angles in her mind. She knew she should heed the advice, but she just couldn't, too much was going on.

Slowly, she began to lull back to sleep, her eyes closing and then flickering back open. The last thing she remembered was someone running towards her. Who was it and what were they saying? They'd been looking at her...but they hadn't seen her...because they...couldn't...

She drifted off and didn't awake.



"I'm back," her voice flowed from her mouth, smooth and flawless.

"Brilliant deduction, Granger," Draco said. He was sitting on the ground, carelessly plucking up blades of grass.

Hermione glared at him. "For the last time, Malfoy, what's going on?"

Draco shrugged, "Search me."

She glanced around, noting where they were. This was where she'd gotten sick, this was where she'd been when she awakened...or was it when she slept? She couldn't tell anymore. Hermione sighed and sat down. There was something she needed to ask him, but her mind was drawing a blank. Draco turned to her.

"Lonely?"

Hermione felt her voice stick to her throat and a rush of panic seize her, "Where's Ron?" She screamed.

Draco stared at her, his pale face glistening with sweat. He looked tired, but his eyes were still unreadable and vacant. "I'm not sure."

"What do you mean you're not sure?" Hermione gasped. "You were there!"

"Listen Granger, we both blacked out. It just took you longer to get back here because you were too dense to realize it."

"Realize what?" she said sharply.

"Never mind that," said Draco, beginning to pace.

"Was that your voice I heard?" Hermione said severely.

Draco shrugged again, flashing her his character sneer.

"Where's Ron?" Hermione said wildly, desperately trying not to shake.

"I don't know!" Draco snapped, "Granger, we were all in the same state as you, it just took us longer because you held the book. When I came to, and managed to get back here, Weasley was gone!"

Hermione pushed back all the questions that were weighing down her mind and focused on what she most wanted to know. "Is he alright?"

A faint smile lit up Draco's features and then vanished, "I doubt it."

Hermione jumped up and grabbed Draco by his robes, aiming her wand at his chest. "Give me a reason to do it and I will," she said in a strained whisper.

Draco smirked at her, "You wouldn't."

Hermione felt her hands balling into fists. Of course, she wouldn't. She knew it, Draco knew it, everyone knew it. She bit her lip and released him. Her voice was tremulous this time, and so soft that it wasn't even a whisper. "Please..."

For a split second, she saw a flicker of light in Draco's eyes, he glanced at the ground and then said quietly, "He might be. For now."

"What can I do?" Hermione pleaded.

"Find him," he replied smartly.

"I'm not in the mood for games! Do you know where he is?" Hermione pressed on.

Draco pointed idly at her pocket. Hermione nodded approval and took out the book. Just to touch it sent chills down her body. She opened it up to see a full description up until she blacked out. There was a space, and then an account of her return. Nothing in between.

"What do I do with it?"

"Wait," said Draco.

Hermione closed the book and tapped her foot impatiently for a moment, then she opened it again and read, "The two traveled north, following the shadow's path." Hermione shook her head, dismissing the last part, and drew out her wand. "Point me."

As the wand came to a halt in her palm, she turned to Draco. "Well?"

He looked confused. That was the only word for it. As if he was having a battle with his own wits. "Hermione..." he began.

"What?" Hermione asked sharply.

"I can get us back. Just give me the book and we can get back right now, and everything will be just as it was."

Hermione stared at him, "What about Ron?"

Draco sighed, "Things aren't always as they seem."

"Talk in English, you prat! Will Ron get back with us?"

"No," said Draco.

"Then I won't go!" snapped Hermione.

"It's dangerous here," said Draco. He looked tense, as if every word was costing him great effort. "If you don't go now...I don't when you will...or if..."

"I won't leave Ron here. What sort of horrible person would do that?" Hermione replied. "Oh, wait, I forgot who I'm with," she added acidly.

Draco flinched, and Hermione regretted her words immediately. He composed himself and said flatly, "Fine."

Hermione tossed him the book, her eyes flashing. "Go ahead, go back. I'll go find Ron."

Draco turned the book over as if searching for an answer. He flushed and said slowly, "We'll go find Ron."

"Oh," now it was her turn to flush, "Alright. But...why?"

Draco sighed heavily and mumbled, "Remember what I said before? About how it took you longer to get back here?"

"Uh huh," said Hermione.

He sat down on the grass and dappled his finger in the water. Hermione knelt down beside him, "What is it, Mal.." she paused uncomfortably and then said gently, "Draco?"

Hermione also touched a finger to the water. For a moment, she saw ripples of red spreading from her fingertips. She took her hand away, clutching it to her chest. Draco stared at her dubiously.

"It took you longer then me to realize it, because I already knew where you were. I already knew where I was," he said shortly.

"Knew what?" Hermione sighed desperately.

"I already knew that we were trapped here, now. And that this," he held up the book, "was the only way back. Of course, you didn't know it."

Hermione could feel him shaking slightly beside her. "Draco...what are you trying to tell me? Please...I need to know."

"Because we're trapped here now, Hermione," he said again, "Trapped within your dreams."

"What?" Hermione gasped disbelievingly.

"I forgot it's not a dream. I just couldn't be..." said Draco bitterly, interjecting his self.

"Couldn't be what?" she could barely find her voice anymore.

"I forgot that this couldn't be a dream. We're trapped in your nightmares."