Queen of Darkness
By IceNarcissa
Chapter one: Nightmares
I give some credit of this chapter to Rosedemon for her views and ideas that she incorporated into her story. And Annie thanks for telling me to write more before you even read it.
As I told you in the short letter I wrote you, it all began back in our fifth year at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry . . .
I had once again signed up for every class that I could, save divination with that dingbat of a teacher of course. And once again I was overworked. The teachers didn't want me to continue with my heavy schedule but you know me, I insisted. I kept the time turner with myself, by then the teachers had then just given it to me to keep, as a present.
As you know the summer before I had broken up with my boyfriend at the time, Viktor Krum. I never really did fancy him, it was usually the other way around. Harry, I was so excited when I found out that I would be something that one contestant would most miss. You see, I thought it was you that would miss me the most. But the fact that it was Viktor near disgusted me. But I let him moon after me, because you and Ron obviously didn't pay me any attention that way. I felt like some neutral gender . . . just a student. Yes I was a good student. But I wanted to be more than just that, you know, most people do.
Anyway, going on, fifth year at the beginning anyway, was no different than the rest. The two of you were still my best friends by far, because as you know back then, Lavender and Parvati were quite annoying and not much help at things. I was again someone to do your homework. I hated what I was; I guess I was just tired of being good.
I liked you Ron, for a while. And I liked Harry for a time too. You have no idea how crushed I was about the Yule ball. Both of you had no date for quite a while and you sure took your time in trying to ask me. I was just your last resort, the girl that neither of you actually wanted to seriously consider going with. Of course when you finally did suggest me I was going to the ball with Viktor. Not the smartest guy, but he was nice to me, and he was the first guy who actually saw me as a girl. I swear, some days I didn't even think the two of you noticed that I was a girl. After me and Viktor broke up, it's not that it wasn't mutual, but I still felt like a failure. And Ron, how dare you say I was fraternizing with the enemy when I was just your last resort!
Well, I figured that this year, even though I was 15 and changing quite a bit in my appearance for the better, I figured it would be like any other. I would help you with your homework, and chastise you for not being more studious, and I would keep up the perfect grades that I had. I submerged my self full on to my studies as always. But what you don't know is that before 5th year, the summer before I was planning on loosening up. But I decided that I couldn't do that, I'm a muggle born, with hardly any friends, If I wasn't smart where would I have to turn in the wizarding world?
Well it was about half way through the year, and it was the first day of my winter vacation. I chose to stay at Hogwarts with you two . . . little did I know because little did you tell, you both went to stay with the Weasley's. I was one of the few that were there for the Holidays, it was very lonely.
The other people, other than the teachers, who had decided to stay for the holidays were two people from Ravenclaw, two people from Hufflepuff, me and Lavender and Parvati from Gryffindor, and can you believe my luck? Malfoy had decided to stay for the holidays, and at that time I had no idea why! I mean I never figured that his home life was all that nice, but he always made it sound like he had loads of money and a very spoiled home life. So I was quite surprised to see him there for breakfast on that morning at the beginning of the Christmas holidays.
When I saw him, when I was sitting with Parvati and Lavender, I saw him sitting alone at the Slytherin table, just looking down at his food and looking sullen, not at all his usual proud self. After breakfast, the teachers gathered us all together at their table, since there were enough empty spaces, and said that they had a good idea. In order for us to enjoy the holidays more they would pair us up together, from different houses for studying and other such things. I thought it was something of a heinous idea but you know me, I always have to listen to the teachers. Lavender went off with a Hufflepuff boy and Parvati went with a Ravenclaw. And then the remaining Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw went off together. Well you can surely see now that it was inevitable. As Dumbledore's next words were, "Ah yes, Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy, I'm sure you will work wonderfully together." A very happy holiday I would be having, eh?
Malfoy looked at me and gave a halfhearted scowl. But I could tell it was just to save face. He wasn't really all that into it. I noticed Malfoy's strange behavior then, and I knew that there would be trouble through the holiday's if was to be with him for the whole time. The teachers allowed all the pairs to go grab our belongings from our towers and to pack for the two weeks of vacation whatever we would need.
I hurried up to my room and packed all the things that I would need, A set of Robes and a couple weeks worth of my muggle clothing that I bought last summer from back home, along with my wand of course, in case Malfoy got out of line, And then all the things like my shampoo and conditioner and such, and of course my holiday homework and all the books that I might need to do it. We were told to all meet back in the great hall for our further instructions. I did think that all of this was a bit odd but I went along with it. I figured it was just to improve house relations or Christmas morale, something of that sort.
I was on my way back to the great hall with my bag that I use for light traveling in the muggle world, and I ran right headfirst into Malfoy. "Watch where you're going, Granger." He said in a monotonous voice. Now by this time I knew that there was really something wrong with him. I was still lying back on the stone floor and he had already gotten up. I looked up at him with a mixed look on my face. I'm sure it was one of utter confusion and surprise.
Malfoy looked so different. He was probably now about 6'2 and instead of the scrawny little boy he used to be, well, it looked as if he had been working out a bit. Normally this would have made me smile or snigger or something but it didn't, because all that part of his appearance that I noticed, I only made note of in the back of my mind. What I noticed were his bruises. He had a black eye and bruises around his jaw, along with a cut lip. I just wondered if that was the worst of it, or if the rest was worse and under his robes that covered the rest of his body. He wore black muggle pants under his robes, along with nice black shoes. When he noticed I was looking at him he quickly looked away, and said, "Are you planning on getting up anytime soon, if we have to do this I would like to just get on with it."
"Oh, yes. Yes of course." I began to stand up when he put his hand out. You can imagine my shock. I figured it just had something else to do with his strange new behavior. But not wanting to be rude, I took his hand and managed to get up. After Malfoy picked up his black bag that looked something like mine, we walked silently on our way to the great hall.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Now, the point of this little project is to be more friendly throughout the houses. I'm sure you can all agree that there is much tension between them?" Dumbledore looked around with an eyebrow raised. One or two small mumbles echoed through the hall. "I'll take that as a yes. Well I'm sending all of you off to your own private wing of the castle, the places we don't normally use of course. You will have two bedrooms, and a bathroom. Your food will be magicked up to you. You will be allowed one trip to Hogsmeade to purchase your Christmas gifts. If you need anything you may call on your house-elf." Here I was about to protest, but held my tongue. "Each of you have one that was assigned to you rooms. Here are your maps, and doenjoy your first little adventure in finding your rooms." Dumbledore said with a wink, and a face full of mischief and excitement. I liked this less and less. Two weeks locked up in a room with Malfoy? Well, might as well make the best of it.
Dumbledore handed me the map, probably also sensing that Malfoy wasn't in the best of health, mentally or physically. He looked like a walking zombie. He just wasn't all there. I looked at the very confusing map and headed out the back exit of the great hall, since that looked as if it was the way that we should be going. I got about ten paces and realized that I didn't hear any footsteps behind me, so I stopped looked around and saw Malfoy sleeping standing up! He was so dazed. I was very . . . astonished. So I walked back and woke him up, took his arm and lead him the way we were supposed to go. Oh and I did make him carry his bag. I wasn't about to be his maid.
After many twists and spells of the corridors in the castle, we, well I, finally found the way to our rooms. Right when we got through the doorway, Malfoy took the first room and just laid down and went to sleep! I wasn't really surprised by that, as he did look quite exhausted and worn out. I took the next room in, they were conjoined and the bathroom was in the middle. I got out my homework to begin on my holiday homework. It's not like there was anything else to do!
Look at my predicament; I was stuck all alone with an almost dead Draco Malfoy, during Christmas, for two whole bloody weeks. I didn't know how I was to survive this! I almost thought of saving my homework so I would have something to do, and have an excuse not to spend any time whatsoever with conscious Malfoy. But I just figured I could re-do it as many times as I wanted. So then it would be absolutely perfect and I wouldn't have to put up with Malfoy awake or asleep. I smiled at the thought.
Now I was surprised, and you would be too, because sleeping Malfoy wasn't that bad. He didn't snore, and he didn't bother me at all while I was doing my homework. He wasn't rude, and no smart remarks came out of his closed mouth.
I started to work on my History paper. At the time we were studying about the last rise to Darkness, the rise of the Dark side. It kind of gave me the shivers just reading about it all, even though I already knew it well enough. I read about four chapters of my book. It told me of Voldemort and his tales to his first succession. It told me all about how he killed any who stood in his way and about all those who went to his side just out of fear. It had countless accounts of prisoners and of people claiming to be under the imperious curse and such other curses.
I was really getting the shivers when I started to read about all the un-worldly conditions that the world had to live in, and not just the wizarding world, oh no. Because after my years of Muggle learning, and reading this book. I found out that in some ways Voldemort started the muggle wars, such at World War I and World War II. Then I remembered that once again Voldemort was rising back to power. It would be the same mayhem and chaos as before.
I believed that Harry saw what he had seen in the graveyard, of course. And I knew that it would only be a matter of time before it all happened again, before Harry had another encounter with Voldemort or some dark and untimely thing or person, because he did every year. So far this year was well without conflict, but I knew that that would not last for forever.
Then my thoughts began to get really grim, I thought, oh god I'm spending two weeks with the son of one of the most prominent dark wizards; death eaters, in the world today! I seriously thought about putting a sleeping spell on Malfoy that would keep him out most of the whole two weeks, except to eat and shower of course. I even had my wand out to go and do it to him. But, when I walked into his room, I saw a completely different Draco Malfoy.
He was obviously having a nightmare, that much I could tell. It seemed as if his hard exterior did not continue into his subconscious mind. He was in the bed with the sheet over him, his head sleeping on one pillow and his hands gripping the other pillow in a death hold. He was shaking completely and I saw beads of sweat on his forehead. I was scared of what was happening to him. On his face was a look of someone who is completely and totally frightened, but trying to be brave. I had seen that look on Harry's face many times.
But then, quite suddenly I was brought out of my thoughts by his scream, "NO!! You can't do that to her! Stop it! Stop it!" His voice was frantic and I couldn't bear to put him through it any more. I know that it was Draco Malfoy, but no one could stomach seeing that happening to another human being.
I sat next to him on the bed and said, "Ennervate," as I pointed my wand at him. I intended on asking him if he had dreams like this all the time, and how worried should I be that I will not get my homework done, but that was just not the way that it happened. Draco sat up straight in bed, eyes still closed, but watering, and grabbed onto me, pulling me into a hug and putting his head on my shoulder. I was shocked, I didn't know what to do, so I just put my arms around him awkwardly, and let him cry onto my shoulder.
He muttered, "Mom, mom I'm so so sorry, there was nothing I could do . . . I tried, please, I'm so sorry."
I didn't want to call him Malfoy in this state, so awkwardly I said, "Draco, it's ok, it was only just a dream." And I awkwardly patted his back and rocked him a little bit. I'm sure that had anyone else seen us, it would have been quite a weird sight to him or her. A little girl like I was, well not little, but just a short 5'3, with Chestnut straight brown hair, with wide brown eyes, was looking very uncomfortable holding a tall, silvery blonde boy with eyes of iced fire. I'm sure that it would have seemed to be a very odd state indeed. When it felt like Draco had gone back to sleep, well, when I didn't hear whimpering any more, I put him back down and let him sleep.
Throughout the darkness of the night that followed, my thoughts pondered over Draco and his strange behavior. I'm somewhat of an insomniac, and as you know, Hogwarts is freezing cold in the dark winters. I sat on my bed and shivered not only from the coldness but also from the thoughts that trembled up my spine into my brain.
The shadows cast sinisterly across my room, I only had a single candle lit, and it made the room look a bit frightening. The shadows played tricks on my mind, I thought I saw something lurking in the shadows, but no, It couldn't be, it's only my imagination. I got up to take a look just in case, as I got up, it was like a chill, or a breath of icy wind passed through the room. I felt a dark presence, but nothing could be seen there except for myself, shivering alone in the darkness.
Even though my logical mind told me that there was absolutely nothing to be afraid of, I was scared to be alone. And even though I knew it was only Draco Malfoy in the other room, I went in because in my heart I was afraid, for a reason unbeknownst then to me. As I walked into the dimly lit room, which was even less lit than my own, I saw Draco sleeping, almost peacefully. I sat down on the sofa next to his bed, with my head in my hands. I was watching him, and I felt like I was looking, searching for something, but I didn't know what.
I went off into a trance. You know what I mean. When you go deep into thought and your eyes stick to a place though you're not seeing anything. I was thinking about, well I don't know what I was thinking about. But all of a sudden I noticed a flash of silver, and a movement. I quickly re-focused my eyes, and noticed I was staring into Draco's, which were finally looking wide-awake.
"So, sleeping dragon decided to wake up?" I said, not in an accusatory way, but merely a hushed, even relieved and grateful whisper. I had quite a solemn look on my face, which should seem misplaced, as Christmas holidays were on the way, but it wasn't. It was perfectly at home, to match Draco's solemn eyes.
"Yeah, hey Granger, how much did you, uh, hear of my dream?" Draco obviously knew that his dreams weren't silent or un-disturbing to anyone within a radius of a mile. He scratched his head and ran his hand through silver blonde hair, and started to look embarrassed as I didn't say anything and just looked at him.
"Oh, well, no I didn't hear anything, I was just sitting here." I said this very quickly, and quite obviously. However, both Draco and I knew that at the moment it would just be best to leave it alone. It was a very awkward situation. There was a long silence between us.
"Why are you in here?" Malfoy said, though not quite in a rude tone, more curious than rude.
"Well, I was just checking up on you." I said, not wanting to show him I was weak, and admitting the true story. "Wanted to make sure you weren't causing any mischief, you know." I said, with a quiet chuckle. Another uncomfortable silence passed.
"Granger, honestly, how much did you hear." Malfoy said quietly and quickly. After he said this he looked down and to the other way, opposite of me.
"Nothing right now, but earlier I heard you screaming. I woke you up, to stop you, and you just kind of fell on me and started whimpering." Malfoy turned a light shade of red before replying.
"I . . . I'm sorry you heard that Hermione, though I think I remember a bit of what I said. Well, I suppose you'll want to know everything now." Malfoy said looking down again. And yes, I too was a bit surprised when he called me by my name.
"Not unless you want to tell me, it's ok, and maybe better left alone tonight. But as long as we're being truthful then I suppose I'll enlighten you to why I truly came in here. I was alone in my room, reading about the last rise of . . . Voldemort, and my mind tricked me into thinking that something lurked in the shadows. I got up to see, and I felt very . . . uncomfortable, and vulnerable. I . . . I came into your room as I was frightened."
Draco looked quite alarmed as I spoke my words. He had a pained and worrisome look on his face. "Hermione, don't take this the wrong way, but maybe you should stay in here with me tonight. It may be risky for you to be by yourself. Many things have happened to me, and I believe that some spirits are ill at ease. I don't want to cause you harm because of my life."
At his words, it was now my turn to be startled. I was also a bit insulted, me, not able to be alone? But this quickly passed. I did agree with him, and you would have too if you had felt what I felt. I nodded my head in agreement and grabbed the blanked next to the sofa to lie down on it. Draco lay down on the bed, and turned over to go to sleep. I turned off the light in the room and tried to get a bit of sleep.
I looked at Draco's back in a daze through the night. I started into a daydream about something and finally fell asleep. I half woke up once more that night cold, even with the blanket. Unconscious o f my actions, I crawled into the bed with Draco and pulled the covers over me.
By IceNarcissa
Chapter one: Nightmares
I give some credit of this chapter to Rosedemon for her views and ideas that she incorporated into her story. And Annie thanks for telling me to write more before you even read it.
As I told you in the short letter I wrote you, it all began back in our fifth year at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry . . .
I had once again signed up for every class that I could, save divination with that dingbat of a teacher of course. And once again I was overworked. The teachers didn't want me to continue with my heavy schedule but you know me, I insisted. I kept the time turner with myself, by then the teachers had then just given it to me to keep, as a present.
As you know the summer before I had broken up with my boyfriend at the time, Viktor Krum. I never really did fancy him, it was usually the other way around. Harry, I was so excited when I found out that I would be something that one contestant would most miss. You see, I thought it was you that would miss me the most. But the fact that it was Viktor near disgusted me. But I let him moon after me, because you and Ron obviously didn't pay me any attention that way. I felt like some neutral gender . . . just a student. Yes I was a good student. But I wanted to be more than just that, you know, most people do.
Anyway, going on, fifth year at the beginning anyway, was no different than the rest. The two of you were still my best friends by far, because as you know back then, Lavender and Parvati were quite annoying and not much help at things. I was again someone to do your homework. I hated what I was; I guess I was just tired of being good.
I liked you Ron, for a while. And I liked Harry for a time too. You have no idea how crushed I was about the Yule ball. Both of you had no date for quite a while and you sure took your time in trying to ask me. I was just your last resort, the girl that neither of you actually wanted to seriously consider going with. Of course when you finally did suggest me I was going to the ball with Viktor. Not the smartest guy, but he was nice to me, and he was the first guy who actually saw me as a girl. I swear, some days I didn't even think the two of you noticed that I was a girl. After me and Viktor broke up, it's not that it wasn't mutual, but I still felt like a failure. And Ron, how dare you say I was fraternizing with the enemy when I was just your last resort!
Well, I figured that this year, even though I was 15 and changing quite a bit in my appearance for the better, I figured it would be like any other. I would help you with your homework, and chastise you for not being more studious, and I would keep up the perfect grades that I had. I submerged my self full on to my studies as always. But what you don't know is that before 5th year, the summer before I was planning on loosening up. But I decided that I couldn't do that, I'm a muggle born, with hardly any friends, If I wasn't smart where would I have to turn in the wizarding world?
Well it was about half way through the year, and it was the first day of my winter vacation. I chose to stay at Hogwarts with you two . . . little did I know because little did you tell, you both went to stay with the Weasley's. I was one of the few that were there for the Holidays, it was very lonely.
The other people, other than the teachers, who had decided to stay for the holidays were two people from Ravenclaw, two people from Hufflepuff, me and Lavender and Parvati from Gryffindor, and can you believe my luck? Malfoy had decided to stay for the holidays, and at that time I had no idea why! I mean I never figured that his home life was all that nice, but he always made it sound like he had loads of money and a very spoiled home life. So I was quite surprised to see him there for breakfast on that morning at the beginning of the Christmas holidays.
When I saw him, when I was sitting with Parvati and Lavender, I saw him sitting alone at the Slytherin table, just looking down at his food and looking sullen, not at all his usual proud self. After breakfast, the teachers gathered us all together at their table, since there were enough empty spaces, and said that they had a good idea. In order for us to enjoy the holidays more they would pair us up together, from different houses for studying and other such things. I thought it was something of a heinous idea but you know me, I always have to listen to the teachers. Lavender went off with a Hufflepuff boy and Parvati went with a Ravenclaw. And then the remaining Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw went off together. Well you can surely see now that it was inevitable. As Dumbledore's next words were, "Ah yes, Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy, I'm sure you will work wonderfully together." A very happy holiday I would be having, eh?
Malfoy looked at me and gave a halfhearted scowl. But I could tell it was just to save face. He wasn't really all that into it. I noticed Malfoy's strange behavior then, and I knew that there would be trouble through the holiday's if was to be with him for the whole time. The teachers allowed all the pairs to go grab our belongings from our towers and to pack for the two weeks of vacation whatever we would need.
I hurried up to my room and packed all the things that I would need, A set of Robes and a couple weeks worth of my muggle clothing that I bought last summer from back home, along with my wand of course, in case Malfoy got out of line, And then all the things like my shampoo and conditioner and such, and of course my holiday homework and all the books that I might need to do it. We were told to all meet back in the great hall for our further instructions. I did think that all of this was a bit odd but I went along with it. I figured it was just to improve house relations or Christmas morale, something of that sort.
I was on my way back to the great hall with my bag that I use for light traveling in the muggle world, and I ran right headfirst into Malfoy. "Watch where you're going, Granger." He said in a monotonous voice. Now by this time I knew that there was really something wrong with him. I was still lying back on the stone floor and he had already gotten up. I looked up at him with a mixed look on my face. I'm sure it was one of utter confusion and surprise.
Malfoy looked so different. He was probably now about 6'2 and instead of the scrawny little boy he used to be, well, it looked as if he had been working out a bit. Normally this would have made me smile or snigger or something but it didn't, because all that part of his appearance that I noticed, I only made note of in the back of my mind. What I noticed were his bruises. He had a black eye and bruises around his jaw, along with a cut lip. I just wondered if that was the worst of it, or if the rest was worse and under his robes that covered the rest of his body. He wore black muggle pants under his robes, along with nice black shoes. When he noticed I was looking at him he quickly looked away, and said, "Are you planning on getting up anytime soon, if we have to do this I would like to just get on with it."
"Oh, yes. Yes of course." I began to stand up when he put his hand out. You can imagine my shock. I figured it just had something else to do with his strange new behavior. But not wanting to be rude, I took his hand and managed to get up. After Malfoy picked up his black bag that looked something like mine, we walked silently on our way to the great hall.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Now, the point of this little project is to be more friendly throughout the houses. I'm sure you can all agree that there is much tension between them?" Dumbledore looked around with an eyebrow raised. One or two small mumbles echoed through the hall. "I'll take that as a yes. Well I'm sending all of you off to your own private wing of the castle, the places we don't normally use of course. You will have two bedrooms, and a bathroom. Your food will be magicked up to you. You will be allowed one trip to Hogsmeade to purchase your Christmas gifts. If you need anything you may call on your house-elf." Here I was about to protest, but held my tongue. "Each of you have one that was assigned to you rooms. Here are your maps, and doenjoy your first little adventure in finding your rooms." Dumbledore said with a wink, and a face full of mischief and excitement. I liked this less and less. Two weeks locked up in a room with Malfoy? Well, might as well make the best of it.
Dumbledore handed me the map, probably also sensing that Malfoy wasn't in the best of health, mentally or physically. He looked like a walking zombie. He just wasn't all there. I looked at the very confusing map and headed out the back exit of the great hall, since that looked as if it was the way that we should be going. I got about ten paces and realized that I didn't hear any footsteps behind me, so I stopped looked around and saw Malfoy sleeping standing up! He was so dazed. I was very . . . astonished. So I walked back and woke him up, took his arm and lead him the way we were supposed to go. Oh and I did make him carry his bag. I wasn't about to be his maid.
After many twists and spells of the corridors in the castle, we, well I, finally found the way to our rooms. Right when we got through the doorway, Malfoy took the first room and just laid down and went to sleep! I wasn't really surprised by that, as he did look quite exhausted and worn out. I took the next room in, they were conjoined and the bathroom was in the middle. I got out my homework to begin on my holiday homework. It's not like there was anything else to do!
Look at my predicament; I was stuck all alone with an almost dead Draco Malfoy, during Christmas, for two whole bloody weeks. I didn't know how I was to survive this! I almost thought of saving my homework so I would have something to do, and have an excuse not to spend any time whatsoever with conscious Malfoy. But I just figured I could re-do it as many times as I wanted. So then it would be absolutely perfect and I wouldn't have to put up with Malfoy awake or asleep. I smiled at the thought.
Now I was surprised, and you would be too, because sleeping Malfoy wasn't that bad. He didn't snore, and he didn't bother me at all while I was doing my homework. He wasn't rude, and no smart remarks came out of his closed mouth.
I started to work on my History paper. At the time we were studying about the last rise to Darkness, the rise of the Dark side. It kind of gave me the shivers just reading about it all, even though I already knew it well enough. I read about four chapters of my book. It told me of Voldemort and his tales to his first succession. It told me all about how he killed any who stood in his way and about all those who went to his side just out of fear. It had countless accounts of prisoners and of people claiming to be under the imperious curse and such other curses.
I was really getting the shivers when I started to read about all the un-worldly conditions that the world had to live in, and not just the wizarding world, oh no. Because after my years of Muggle learning, and reading this book. I found out that in some ways Voldemort started the muggle wars, such at World War I and World War II. Then I remembered that once again Voldemort was rising back to power. It would be the same mayhem and chaos as before.
I believed that Harry saw what he had seen in the graveyard, of course. And I knew that it would only be a matter of time before it all happened again, before Harry had another encounter with Voldemort or some dark and untimely thing or person, because he did every year. So far this year was well without conflict, but I knew that that would not last for forever.
Then my thoughts began to get really grim, I thought, oh god I'm spending two weeks with the son of one of the most prominent dark wizards; death eaters, in the world today! I seriously thought about putting a sleeping spell on Malfoy that would keep him out most of the whole two weeks, except to eat and shower of course. I even had my wand out to go and do it to him. But, when I walked into his room, I saw a completely different Draco Malfoy.
He was obviously having a nightmare, that much I could tell. It seemed as if his hard exterior did not continue into his subconscious mind. He was in the bed with the sheet over him, his head sleeping on one pillow and his hands gripping the other pillow in a death hold. He was shaking completely and I saw beads of sweat on his forehead. I was scared of what was happening to him. On his face was a look of someone who is completely and totally frightened, but trying to be brave. I had seen that look on Harry's face many times.
But then, quite suddenly I was brought out of my thoughts by his scream, "NO!! You can't do that to her! Stop it! Stop it!" His voice was frantic and I couldn't bear to put him through it any more. I know that it was Draco Malfoy, but no one could stomach seeing that happening to another human being.
I sat next to him on the bed and said, "Ennervate," as I pointed my wand at him. I intended on asking him if he had dreams like this all the time, and how worried should I be that I will not get my homework done, but that was just not the way that it happened. Draco sat up straight in bed, eyes still closed, but watering, and grabbed onto me, pulling me into a hug and putting his head on my shoulder. I was shocked, I didn't know what to do, so I just put my arms around him awkwardly, and let him cry onto my shoulder.
He muttered, "Mom, mom I'm so so sorry, there was nothing I could do . . . I tried, please, I'm so sorry."
I didn't want to call him Malfoy in this state, so awkwardly I said, "Draco, it's ok, it was only just a dream." And I awkwardly patted his back and rocked him a little bit. I'm sure that had anyone else seen us, it would have been quite a weird sight to him or her. A little girl like I was, well not little, but just a short 5'3, with Chestnut straight brown hair, with wide brown eyes, was looking very uncomfortable holding a tall, silvery blonde boy with eyes of iced fire. I'm sure that it would have seemed to be a very odd state indeed. When it felt like Draco had gone back to sleep, well, when I didn't hear whimpering any more, I put him back down and let him sleep.
Throughout the darkness of the night that followed, my thoughts pondered over Draco and his strange behavior. I'm somewhat of an insomniac, and as you know, Hogwarts is freezing cold in the dark winters. I sat on my bed and shivered not only from the coldness but also from the thoughts that trembled up my spine into my brain.
The shadows cast sinisterly across my room, I only had a single candle lit, and it made the room look a bit frightening. The shadows played tricks on my mind, I thought I saw something lurking in the shadows, but no, It couldn't be, it's only my imagination. I got up to take a look just in case, as I got up, it was like a chill, or a breath of icy wind passed through the room. I felt a dark presence, but nothing could be seen there except for myself, shivering alone in the darkness.
Even though my logical mind told me that there was absolutely nothing to be afraid of, I was scared to be alone. And even though I knew it was only Draco Malfoy in the other room, I went in because in my heart I was afraid, for a reason unbeknownst then to me. As I walked into the dimly lit room, which was even less lit than my own, I saw Draco sleeping, almost peacefully. I sat down on the sofa next to his bed, with my head in my hands. I was watching him, and I felt like I was looking, searching for something, but I didn't know what.
I went off into a trance. You know what I mean. When you go deep into thought and your eyes stick to a place though you're not seeing anything. I was thinking about, well I don't know what I was thinking about. But all of a sudden I noticed a flash of silver, and a movement. I quickly re-focused my eyes, and noticed I was staring into Draco's, which were finally looking wide-awake.
"So, sleeping dragon decided to wake up?" I said, not in an accusatory way, but merely a hushed, even relieved and grateful whisper. I had quite a solemn look on my face, which should seem misplaced, as Christmas holidays were on the way, but it wasn't. It was perfectly at home, to match Draco's solemn eyes.
"Yeah, hey Granger, how much did you, uh, hear of my dream?" Draco obviously knew that his dreams weren't silent or un-disturbing to anyone within a radius of a mile. He scratched his head and ran his hand through silver blonde hair, and started to look embarrassed as I didn't say anything and just looked at him.
"Oh, well, no I didn't hear anything, I was just sitting here." I said this very quickly, and quite obviously. However, both Draco and I knew that at the moment it would just be best to leave it alone. It was a very awkward situation. There was a long silence between us.
"Why are you in here?" Malfoy said, though not quite in a rude tone, more curious than rude.
"Well, I was just checking up on you." I said, not wanting to show him I was weak, and admitting the true story. "Wanted to make sure you weren't causing any mischief, you know." I said, with a quiet chuckle. Another uncomfortable silence passed.
"Granger, honestly, how much did you hear." Malfoy said quietly and quickly. After he said this he looked down and to the other way, opposite of me.
"Nothing right now, but earlier I heard you screaming. I woke you up, to stop you, and you just kind of fell on me and started whimpering." Malfoy turned a light shade of red before replying.
"I . . . I'm sorry you heard that Hermione, though I think I remember a bit of what I said. Well, I suppose you'll want to know everything now." Malfoy said looking down again. And yes, I too was a bit surprised when he called me by my name.
"Not unless you want to tell me, it's ok, and maybe better left alone tonight. But as long as we're being truthful then I suppose I'll enlighten you to why I truly came in here. I was alone in my room, reading about the last rise of . . . Voldemort, and my mind tricked me into thinking that something lurked in the shadows. I got up to see, and I felt very . . . uncomfortable, and vulnerable. I . . . I came into your room as I was frightened."
Draco looked quite alarmed as I spoke my words. He had a pained and worrisome look on his face. "Hermione, don't take this the wrong way, but maybe you should stay in here with me tonight. It may be risky for you to be by yourself. Many things have happened to me, and I believe that some spirits are ill at ease. I don't want to cause you harm because of my life."
At his words, it was now my turn to be startled. I was also a bit insulted, me, not able to be alone? But this quickly passed. I did agree with him, and you would have too if you had felt what I felt. I nodded my head in agreement and grabbed the blanked next to the sofa to lie down on it. Draco lay down on the bed, and turned over to go to sleep. I turned off the light in the room and tried to get a bit of sleep.
I looked at Draco's back in a daze through the night. I started into a daydream about something and finally fell asleep. I half woke up once more that night cold, even with the blanket. Unconscious o f my actions, I crawled into the bed with Draco and pulled the covers over me.
