-Chapter Thirteen-
Unexpected Allies
'D'you reckon we should tell Herm what we found out in the library about the gem?' Ron asked the next morning.
'Not after she went behind our backs, snogging Malfoy!' Harry said shrilly. 'She's a brat...'
'No she isn't!' Ron said defensively. 'She's...just a bit mixed up at the moment, you know?'
'Likely story...' Harry answered. 'Anyway, we'd better get to Potions, or Snape's going to have our heads!'
*
'What is a potion?' Snape said. 'What is in a potion? How do you define a potion? The answer to those is close. But frankly, I'd rather not know what's in a potion...it might just make me lose my breakfast.' He smiled-not a twisted smirk-a real, genuine smile.
'I wonder what's up with him?' Ginny Weasley said. Hermione sat next to her for the lesson, not having wanted to sit next to Ron or Harry at the time.
'Dunno, but I like it,' Hermione whispered.
'Today, we will be making eye-colour potions,' Snape continued curtly, 'which is much more difficult than it may seem. What you will do, is take a vile, pour in your ingredients, and drink a small portion. If it works, whatever colour you have on your mind will become reality in your eyes. If it doesn't work...well, then nothing will happen. Easy enough, no?
'Two lacewings, a bat's eye, and a hair of banshee should do the trick,' he added. 'Now, mix carefully; if you don't mix the ingredients well enough, it will unfortunately taste awful...if the potion is mixed well, however, it should taste like pumpkin juice, though I must admit, I've never had the stuff...'
'Something weird's going on,' Hermione whispered to Ginny, and she nodded in agreement. 'Either he's up to something, or he's actually turned over a new leaf.'
The most astonishing thing throughout the whole lesson, was the fact that Snape didn't give detention to Neville Longbottom. Draco got up during class, and dropped a note on Hermione's desk.
Hermione,
Something weird going on, or what?
Tell me your opinion on what you think's happening.
Draco
'What was that about?' Ginny asked, trying to get a peek at the note, but Hermione folded it up, and stuffed it into her breast pocket.
'Nothing,' she retorted. 'Nothing at all.'
*
'Hermione?' a voice called. 'Hermione, can I talk to you?' The voice sounded fearful, caring, and had a bit of discomfort in it. She turned around, and was face to face with Ron.
'As long as it's not to bad mouth me or Draco,' she said, 'then it's a free country. Come on, my dormitory's empty at the moment.' She led the way to the portrait, murmed 'Faeries,' and went inside. The portrait tried to close on Ron, causing it to knock him in the nose, which made Hermione giggle.
'It's not funny!' he pouted. 'That really hurt! That stupid unicorn...' Hermione motioned for him to sit down next to her.
'So, what is it that's so important?' she asked. Ron scrunched up his face, searching for the right words.
'Well, Harry's still mad at you-which I'm sure you already know,' he began, 'another thing-I received a letter from Percy. He's getting married to his girlfriend. You remember Penelope Clearwater, right? Anyway, moving on....' He took a deep breath in. 'We found out some information about the Gem of Earth.'
'Oh...' Hermione responded uncomfortably. 'That's....good, I think...' She leaned back into a pillow, and stared at Ron. 'I have to tell you something...'
'OK, what is it?' Ron asked softly.
'I...I was there...when it was stolen,' she confessed. 'And I saw...I saw...him.' Ron searched her eyes for expression, but she just looked distant, that was all.
'You mean...He Who Must Not Be Named?' he said defiantly. 'Did he...well, know you were there...?' Hermione closed her eyes, and nodded.
'He told me that...he would kill me where no one would be able to help me,' Hermione said quietly. 'He said he'd kill me...in my dreams!'
Ron was at a loss of words, so all he did was stand there, the colour fading from his face.
*
'Yeesh! I wonder where Ron could be?' Harry wondered. He wandered the corridors, looking everywhere for a trace of him. He had caught a glance of someone with red hair, but it was only Fred. 'I hope he hasn't borrowed my invisibility cloak...' Harry was in such a hurry, that he bumped into someone.
'Easy there, Potter,' the guy said.
'What do you want, Malfoy?' Harry spat. 'If it's to snog Hermione, she's not here at the moment. You'll have to look elsewhere.'
'I wasn't looking for her...' he trailed off. 'I was actually looking for you.' Harry stared at him, perplexed.
'And why would you want to see me?' he said. 'Is it because you want to insult me some more?'
'Hm, funny; that's not the reason,' Draco snarled. 'I heard that you knew about the...' He dropped his voice, 'the Gem of Earth.'
'How do you know about that?' Harry asked, slightly taken aback.
'Please, I know a lot of things...mainly because of...of...Lucius, the slimy git,' he said. 'Anyway, I just wanted to...to let you know that I know loads about the thing. So, don't waste your energy on it. I'll help you out, if I have to.'
'What? Are you sure you aren't just gonna curse me?' Harry said. 'Because, if you are, I'm not a fool! I...I know how to fight off the Imperius curse!'
'Please! Why would I lie about this?' Draco sneered. 'As much as it does cause me displeasure, I will help you as much I can.'
'After much thought, I do have to admit that I need help...but you have to promise this is no trick!' Harry said sternly. Draco sighed, took one hand and placed it over his heart.
'I solemnly swear that this is no trick,' he said deftly. 'Now then, who are you looking for?'
'Ron...' Harry said dryly, 'like it matters to you anyway.' They both paused for a moment, Harry looking up at the taller boy in disgust. 'I bet you don't truly love Hermione, and that you are just using her.' Draco's expression changed durastically; his eyes didn't look angry. Instead, Harry thought, he looked like he were very hurt at the words he spoke of.
'I can't believe you think that,' was all Draco was capable of saying. 'I love her with all my heart. And if you were a true friend to her, you would understand that it doesn't matter who she's in love with, as long as it's real. Which it is.' He drew a breath in, and said calmly, 'I trust you will find who you're looking for. I have things to do. Good evening.' With a sweep of his robes, he turned and left, leaving Harry dumbstruck and alone.
'He really does love her....I can't believe it,' was the thought that coarsed through his mind.
*
Hermione and Ron were in ceaseless conversation about the Voldemort situation, and didn't even notice when Draco came in the room.
'-maybe a spell-'
'-the invisibility cloak, maybe-'
'Are you talking about something non-important, or is this something I can help with?' Draco bellowed over the noice. Two heads swivelled in his direction.
'Oh, hello,' Ron said. Hermione, on the other hand, smiled brightly, yet mischieviously.
'Dracie, you're just in time to help us with something,' she said, grabbing him tightly arouund the arm, and sitting him forcefully on the couch.
'I was actually just stopping by to-' He stopped mid-sentence, on account of the pleading look in Hermione's eyes. 'Oh, OK. What's up?'
'You-Know-Who is trying to kill me in my dreams, and-'
'WHOA! He's WHAT?!' Draco stood up abruptly, started pacing the floor, and tugging at his hair.
'Dracie, Dracie; calm down!' Hermione said, laying a hand on his shoulder blade. 'That's not going to happen, all right?'
'Yes, well...you can't predict the future, can you?' he said worriedly. 'Then again, neither can Professor Trelawny, but she's teaching Divination...but that's besides the point!'
'I promise it will never happen. Do you hear me?' she repeated. 'It. Will. Never. Happen.' She kissed his cheek, and sat back down beside Ron.
'C'mon, don't get mushy on me,' Ron said incredulously. 'What we need is...'
'A spell that will prevent Hermione from having dreams,' Draco filled in, 'but I don't know any; that's the problem.'
'Why don't you ask Snape for a potion?' Hermione suggested. 'I reckon he has just the thing.' Draco nodded his agreement.
'Yes...well, I'll go pay the man a visit,' he said. 'I'll leave you two alone. Oh, er-' he glanced at Ron, 'don't try anything funny.' He left the room as quickly as he had come in.
'What's he mean, "don't try anything funny?"' Ron asked quietly. Hermione sighed, and folded her arms.
'Ever since I passed out in your arms, he's been convinced you love me,' she said, letting out a chuckle. Ron laughed, too.
'You know, ol' Percy admitted to me awhile ago that for awhile, he was in love with you,' he said, still laughing, his face now beet red. Hermione covered her mouth to keep from laughing even more.
*
Draco knocked on the door to Snape's office. He heard rustling of some papers, then footsteps. The door opened soon after.
'May I come in, Professor?' he asked.
'I surmise as much, yes,' Snape replied, opening the door to allow Draco in. 'Have a seat then, Mr Malfoy,' he added, cocking his head in the direction of a chair. He eased himself down, and Snape sat the opposite of Draco. 'Well then, what can I do for you today?'
'Well, Prof-'
'I told you before that you may call me Severus while on friendly, out-of-class terms.' He nodded, and continued.
'Right, well anyway-' he broke off a moment, staring at Snape's hair. 'Did you...I don't mean to sound rude, but...did you actually wash your hair?!' Snape's face contorted into a grim smile.
'Yes, well...I realized that I needed a new image to accompany my new personality,' he replied. 'Anyway, continue.'
'Er...right. I need, ah....well, I need a potion,' Draco admitted rather seriously. Snape's eyebrows rose a bit in surprise.
'And what kind of potion would that be, Draco?' he asked, apparently perplexed by this sudden notion of plea.
'I need a...a potion that prevents dreams from going into the drinker's mind at night, and at all times,' Draco answered, trying to sound calm about everything.
'Hmm...now, why would we be needing something so advanced as that?' Snape asked coolly, listening intently. Draco quickly explained the situation. 'Hmm, yes...yes, I see...'
'Do you know a potion of the sort, then?' he asked, almost pleadingly, 'because I'd much rather not witness my girlfriend's death, if you get what I mean.'
'Yes, I believe I have just the thing,' Snape replied. 'I'll be right back...do stay here, please.' Snape got up, and walked into a door that was barely visible, because it blended in with the wall. He came out shortly after, carrying some ingredients. 'It will take about a week to brew. For the meantime, use a simple desorious charm.'
'Oh, OK, thanks,' Draco said. 'I guess I'll get going back...I left Hermione with old Weasley...can't trust the guy....' He got up, and started turning the doorknob, when someone came through it. Draco much recognised the guy, but not enough to recall his name.
'Oh, Mr Weasley. Right on time...' Snape said softly. It was Percy. But what was Percy doing at Hogwarts? He had a job at the Ministry to tend to...
'Hello, Professor. Sorry I'm late,' Percy said, bowing slightly. 'Do you have the robes? I can start tomorrow.'
'Excuse me...erm, Mr Malfoy? I believe you should be leaving now...' Snape said calmly.
'Oh...yes, right.' Draco quickly left the room, and headed back to the Head dormitory, where Ron and Hermione both kept staring at the ceiling, then the floor, then each other, and back again.
'Hello...' they both sighed.
'Draco, um...a letter from your Father arrived...' Hermione said, unpocketing the scrunched up envelope.
'I...I...I think I want you to leave, Ron,' Draco said, going rather pale. 'I'd much like to read this alone with Hermione...'
'Oh...OK then,' Ron said, puzzled. 'See you tomorrow, Herm. Remember; you said you'd help me out for my Charms exam. Don't be late!' He quickly left the room.
Draco opened the letter. It was long-very, very long. Hermione interrupted his thoughts.
'Draco? Is it...well, bad?' she asked, placing a hand on his arm. 'You can tell me.'
'Oh, right...' He quickly pocketed the letter again, and put on a forced smile. 'It's nothing. Why don't we go for a walk outside?'
'Don't avoid the situation,' Hermione replied sternly. 'What did he say?'
'He...well, at the end of this year, he's transferring me over to Durmstrang...' Draco said, going even more pale still. 'That, and...he said...my Mother, Narcissa, died in a car accident the other night...no doubt she was drunk again...oh, not to mention all of the insults he put in the letter, too. That took up one whole side of the page...' Hermione draped an arm around his shoulders.
'It'll be all right,' she said. 'I'm sure Dumbledore can do something to make you stay here.' He leaned back against the couch, let out a puff of air, and looked over at her.
'Maybe...but if he can't do anything, I'll be shipped approximately three thousand seven hundred miles away from here, and probably never see you again!' He kissed her hand, and touched it to his heart. 'I need some fresh air. Care to join me?'
'Yes, it is rather stuffy in here,' Hermione cajoled.
*
'This is so boring without Hermione here to insult us...' Harry commented, as he and Ron played Wizard Chess.
'Well, if you just apologized to her, she could be insulting us right now,' Ron said, taking Harry's bishop with his knight. 'I don't see what the big deal is-check.' Ron's queen was in line with Harry's king.
'They seem really happy together...' Harry said slowly. 'Maybe I should apologize.'
'Best idea you've had all day,' Ron said. 'Why don't we go find her? I've been meaning to ask her-WHOA! Percy?! What are you doing here?' The tall red-headed boy, unmistakably Ron's older brother Percy, had just walked in.
'I'm...er...your replacement Professor for History of Magic,' he chided. 'Something-I can't tell you what-happened to Professor Binns.' His voice quavered a bit.
'Perc, please tell us what happened!' Harry and Ron said anxiously.
'I told you, I can't!' Percy scolded. 'By the way, where is Miss Granger? She hasn't finished her homework for the last three days...'
'She was sick for awhile,' Ron explained, 'so she got a day or two off. It doesn't matter, really.'
'How is she doing? I haven't seen her in ages...she must have grown to be quite...well, beautiful, to say the least.' Percy blushed slightly. 'Anyhow, do tell her I said "hi." I'm going out for a walk, and-' He stepped closer to the window, and saw Draco and Hermione walking together, fingers laced between each others'. 'Are they dating?!'
'Yes,' Harry said bitterly. 'I don't know what she sees in that slimy git...I'd rather have her date Neville than Malfoy...'
'Hmm...he seemed to be really nice when I bumped into him earlier,' Percy said coolly. 'Seems to have buffed up a lot from playing Quidditch. Babe-magnet, really, he is...' His eyes stayed glued to the two walking figures of the students outside. 'He doesn't deserve her...she needs someone more along the lines of, oh, say...'
'You?' Ron piped in. 'Drop it, Perc! You're engaged to Penelope Clearwater, so get over it.' Percy's head snapped towards his younger brother.
'What?! I'm not engaged to anybody!' he yelled. 'Penelope and I broke up during the summer. Don't you remember?' Harry looked at Percy, then to Ron.
'Something fishy's going on,' Harry said slowly. 'Ron got a letter from you this morning, saying that you and Penelope were going to get married. I don't get it...'
'Well obviously, whoever wrote it was an imposter. Harry, you remember me telling you that I broke up with Penelope, don't you?' Percy said, desperation in his voice.
'Yeah,' he replied. 'But who would pose as you for something like that?'
'I just don't know...'
*
'Doesn't the sunset look so beautiful?' Hermione said cheerily. Draco and her were sitting up against a tree, staring at the sunset from over the lake (the giant squid seemed to be fairly quiet at the moment).
'Yes, it is beautiful,' he answered. 'All of the bluish-green, the reddish-pink, it's all gorgeous; especially when reflected off the icy water of which we are in front of at the moment.' He sighed deeply, and smiled. 'It's nice and warm, considering the month.' It was December the fifteenth, and soon they would be going to the Yule Ball-Tuesday, to be exact.
'I wonder what it would be like to fly without a broomstick...?' she said abruptly. 'It must be very neat.'
'Don't know; never tried it, myself,' Draco replied slowly, draping an arm around Hermione to pull her closer. She let her head lay on his shoulder, and he kissed her forehead. 'So...Snape said he'd have a potion ready for you in about a week. In the meantime, he told me the name of a spell that will prevent you from dreams.'
'Good to know I won't be killed anytime soon,' she said with a small smile. 'I want to stay outside, and never go back inside ever again.' Just as she said that, the giant squid leapt out of the water, making a huge splash; and suddenly, Hermione laughed and took back the words she said.
Unexpected Allies
'D'you reckon we should tell Herm what we found out in the library about the gem?' Ron asked the next morning.
'Not after she went behind our backs, snogging Malfoy!' Harry said shrilly. 'She's a brat...'
'No she isn't!' Ron said defensively. 'She's...just a bit mixed up at the moment, you know?'
'Likely story...' Harry answered. 'Anyway, we'd better get to Potions, or Snape's going to have our heads!'
*
'What is a potion?' Snape said. 'What is in a potion? How do you define a potion? The answer to those is close. But frankly, I'd rather not know what's in a potion...it might just make me lose my breakfast.' He smiled-not a twisted smirk-a real, genuine smile.
'I wonder what's up with him?' Ginny Weasley said. Hermione sat next to her for the lesson, not having wanted to sit next to Ron or Harry at the time.
'Dunno, but I like it,' Hermione whispered.
'Today, we will be making eye-colour potions,' Snape continued curtly, 'which is much more difficult than it may seem. What you will do, is take a vile, pour in your ingredients, and drink a small portion. If it works, whatever colour you have on your mind will become reality in your eyes. If it doesn't work...well, then nothing will happen. Easy enough, no?
'Two lacewings, a bat's eye, and a hair of banshee should do the trick,' he added. 'Now, mix carefully; if you don't mix the ingredients well enough, it will unfortunately taste awful...if the potion is mixed well, however, it should taste like pumpkin juice, though I must admit, I've never had the stuff...'
'Something weird's going on,' Hermione whispered to Ginny, and she nodded in agreement. 'Either he's up to something, or he's actually turned over a new leaf.'
The most astonishing thing throughout the whole lesson, was the fact that Snape didn't give detention to Neville Longbottom. Draco got up during class, and dropped a note on Hermione's desk.
Hermione,
Something weird going on, or what?
Tell me your opinion on what you think's happening.
Draco
'What was that about?' Ginny asked, trying to get a peek at the note, but Hermione folded it up, and stuffed it into her breast pocket.
'Nothing,' she retorted. 'Nothing at all.'
*
'Hermione?' a voice called. 'Hermione, can I talk to you?' The voice sounded fearful, caring, and had a bit of discomfort in it. She turned around, and was face to face with Ron.
'As long as it's not to bad mouth me or Draco,' she said, 'then it's a free country. Come on, my dormitory's empty at the moment.' She led the way to the portrait, murmed 'Faeries,' and went inside. The portrait tried to close on Ron, causing it to knock him in the nose, which made Hermione giggle.
'It's not funny!' he pouted. 'That really hurt! That stupid unicorn...' Hermione motioned for him to sit down next to her.
'So, what is it that's so important?' she asked. Ron scrunched up his face, searching for the right words.
'Well, Harry's still mad at you-which I'm sure you already know,' he began, 'another thing-I received a letter from Percy. He's getting married to his girlfriend. You remember Penelope Clearwater, right? Anyway, moving on....' He took a deep breath in. 'We found out some information about the Gem of Earth.'
'Oh...' Hermione responded uncomfortably. 'That's....good, I think...' She leaned back into a pillow, and stared at Ron. 'I have to tell you something...'
'OK, what is it?' Ron asked softly.
'I...I was there...when it was stolen,' she confessed. 'And I saw...I saw...him.' Ron searched her eyes for expression, but she just looked distant, that was all.
'You mean...He Who Must Not Be Named?' he said defiantly. 'Did he...well, know you were there...?' Hermione closed her eyes, and nodded.
'He told me that...he would kill me where no one would be able to help me,' Hermione said quietly. 'He said he'd kill me...in my dreams!'
Ron was at a loss of words, so all he did was stand there, the colour fading from his face.
*
'Yeesh! I wonder where Ron could be?' Harry wondered. He wandered the corridors, looking everywhere for a trace of him. He had caught a glance of someone with red hair, but it was only Fred. 'I hope he hasn't borrowed my invisibility cloak...' Harry was in such a hurry, that he bumped into someone.
'Easy there, Potter,' the guy said.
'What do you want, Malfoy?' Harry spat. 'If it's to snog Hermione, she's not here at the moment. You'll have to look elsewhere.'
'I wasn't looking for her...' he trailed off. 'I was actually looking for you.' Harry stared at him, perplexed.
'And why would you want to see me?' he said. 'Is it because you want to insult me some more?'
'Hm, funny; that's not the reason,' Draco snarled. 'I heard that you knew about the...' He dropped his voice, 'the Gem of Earth.'
'How do you know about that?' Harry asked, slightly taken aback.
'Please, I know a lot of things...mainly because of...of...Lucius, the slimy git,' he said. 'Anyway, I just wanted to...to let you know that I know loads about the thing. So, don't waste your energy on it. I'll help you out, if I have to.'
'What? Are you sure you aren't just gonna curse me?' Harry said. 'Because, if you are, I'm not a fool! I...I know how to fight off the Imperius curse!'
'Please! Why would I lie about this?' Draco sneered. 'As much as it does cause me displeasure, I will help you as much I can.'
'After much thought, I do have to admit that I need help...but you have to promise this is no trick!' Harry said sternly. Draco sighed, took one hand and placed it over his heart.
'I solemnly swear that this is no trick,' he said deftly. 'Now then, who are you looking for?'
'Ron...' Harry said dryly, 'like it matters to you anyway.' They both paused for a moment, Harry looking up at the taller boy in disgust. 'I bet you don't truly love Hermione, and that you are just using her.' Draco's expression changed durastically; his eyes didn't look angry. Instead, Harry thought, he looked like he were very hurt at the words he spoke of.
'I can't believe you think that,' was all Draco was capable of saying. 'I love her with all my heart. And if you were a true friend to her, you would understand that it doesn't matter who she's in love with, as long as it's real. Which it is.' He drew a breath in, and said calmly, 'I trust you will find who you're looking for. I have things to do. Good evening.' With a sweep of his robes, he turned and left, leaving Harry dumbstruck and alone.
'He really does love her....I can't believe it,' was the thought that coarsed through his mind.
*
Hermione and Ron were in ceaseless conversation about the Voldemort situation, and didn't even notice when Draco came in the room.
'-maybe a spell-'
'-the invisibility cloak, maybe-'
'Are you talking about something non-important, or is this something I can help with?' Draco bellowed over the noice. Two heads swivelled in his direction.
'Oh, hello,' Ron said. Hermione, on the other hand, smiled brightly, yet mischieviously.
'Dracie, you're just in time to help us with something,' she said, grabbing him tightly arouund the arm, and sitting him forcefully on the couch.
'I was actually just stopping by to-' He stopped mid-sentence, on account of the pleading look in Hermione's eyes. 'Oh, OK. What's up?'
'You-Know-Who is trying to kill me in my dreams, and-'
'WHOA! He's WHAT?!' Draco stood up abruptly, started pacing the floor, and tugging at his hair.
'Dracie, Dracie; calm down!' Hermione said, laying a hand on his shoulder blade. 'That's not going to happen, all right?'
'Yes, well...you can't predict the future, can you?' he said worriedly. 'Then again, neither can Professor Trelawny, but she's teaching Divination...but that's besides the point!'
'I promise it will never happen. Do you hear me?' she repeated. 'It. Will. Never. Happen.' She kissed his cheek, and sat back down beside Ron.
'C'mon, don't get mushy on me,' Ron said incredulously. 'What we need is...'
'A spell that will prevent Hermione from having dreams,' Draco filled in, 'but I don't know any; that's the problem.'
'Why don't you ask Snape for a potion?' Hermione suggested. 'I reckon he has just the thing.' Draco nodded his agreement.
'Yes...well, I'll go pay the man a visit,' he said. 'I'll leave you two alone. Oh, er-' he glanced at Ron, 'don't try anything funny.' He left the room as quickly as he had come in.
'What's he mean, "don't try anything funny?"' Ron asked quietly. Hermione sighed, and folded her arms.
'Ever since I passed out in your arms, he's been convinced you love me,' she said, letting out a chuckle. Ron laughed, too.
'You know, ol' Percy admitted to me awhile ago that for awhile, he was in love with you,' he said, still laughing, his face now beet red. Hermione covered her mouth to keep from laughing even more.
*
Draco knocked on the door to Snape's office. He heard rustling of some papers, then footsteps. The door opened soon after.
'May I come in, Professor?' he asked.
'I surmise as much, yes,' Snape replied, opening the door to allow Draco in. 'Have a seat then, Mr Malfoy,' he added, cocking his head in the direction of a chair. He eased himself down, and Snape sat the opposite of Draco. 'Well then, what can I do for you today?'
'Well, Prof-'
'I told you before that you may call me Severus while on friendly, out-of-class terms.' He nodded, and continued.
'Right, well anyway-' he broke off a moment, staring at Snape's hair. 'Did you...I don't mean to sound rude, but...did you actually wash your hair?!' Snape's face contorted into a grim smile.
'Yes, well...I realized that I needed a new image to accompany my new personality,' he replied. 'Anyway, continue.'
'Er...right. I need, ah....well, I need a potion,' Draco admitted rather seriously. Snape's eyebrows rose a bit in surprise.
'And what kind of potion would that be, Draco?' he asked, apparently perplexed by this sudden notion of plea.
'I need a...a potion that prevents dreams from going into the drinker's mind at night, and at all times,' Draco answered, trying to sound calm about everything.
'Hmm...now, why would we be needing something so advanced as that?' Snape asked coolly, listening intently. Draco quickly explained the situation. 'Hmm, yes...yes, I see...'
'Do you know a potion of the sort, then?' he asked, almost pleadingly, 'because I'd much rather not witness my girlfriend's death, if you get what I mean.'
'Yes, I believe I have just the thing,' Snape replied. 'I'll be right back...do stay here, please.' Snape got up, and walked into a door that was barely visible, because it blended in with the wall. He came out shortly after, carrying some ingredients. 'It will take about a week to brew. For the meantime, use a simple desorious charm.'
'Oh, OK, thanks,' Draco said. 'I guess I'll get going back...I left Hermione with old Weasley...can't trust the guy....' He got up, and started turning the doorknob, when someone came through it. Draco much recognised the guy, but not enough to recall his name.
'Oh, Mr Weasley. Right on time...' Snape said softly. It was Percy. But what was Percy doing at Hogwarts? He had a job at the Ministry to tend to...
'Hello, Professor. Sorry I'm late,' Percy said, bowing slightly. 'Do you have the robes? I can start tomorrow.'
'Excuse me...erm, Mr Malfoy? I believe you should be leaving now...' Snape said calmly.
'Oh...yes, right.' Draco quickly left the room, and headed back to the Head dormitory, where Ron and Hermione both kept staring at the ceiling, then the floor, then each other, and back again.
'Hello...' they both sighed.
'Draco, um...a letter from your Father arrived...' Hermione said, unpocketing the scrunched up envelope.
'I...I...I think I want you to leave, Ron,' Draco said, going rather pale. 'I'd much like to read this alone with Hermione...'
'Oh...OK then,' Ron said, puzzled. 'See you tomorrow, Herm. Remember; you said you'd help me out for my Charms exam. Don't be late!' He quickly left the room.
Draco opened the letter. It was long-very, very long. Hermione interrupted his thoughts.
'Draco? Is it...well, bad?' she asked, placing a hand on his arm. 'You can tell me.'
'Oh, right...' He quickly pocketed the letter again, and put on a forced smile. 'It's nothing. Why don't we go for a walk outside?'
'Don't avoid the situation,' Hermione replied sternly. 'What did he say?'
'He...well, at the end of this year, he's transferring me over to Durmstrang...' Draco said, going even more pale still. 'That, and...he said...my Mother, Narcissa, died in a car accident the other night...no doubt she was drunk again...oh, not to mention all of the insults he put in the letter, too. That took up one whole side of the page...' Hermione draped an arm around his shoulders.
'It'll be all right,' she said. 'I'm sure Dumbledore can do something to make you stay here.' He leaned back against the couch, let out a puff of air, and looked over at her.
'Maybe...but if he can't do anything, I'll be shipped approximately three thousand seven hundred miles away from here, and probably never see you again!' He kissed her hand, and touched it to his heart. 'I need some fresh air. Care to join me?'
'Yes, it is rather stuffy in here,' Hermione cajoled.
*
'This is so boring without Hermione here to insult us...' Harry commented, as he and Ron played Wizard Chess.
'Well, if you just apologized to her, she could be insulting us right now,' Ron said, taking Harry's bishop with his knight. 'I don't see what the big deal is-check.' Ron's queen was in line with Harry's king.
'They seem really happy together...' Harry said slowly. 'Maybe I should apologize.'
'Best idea you've had all day,' Ron said. 'Why don't we go find her? I've been meaning to ask her-WHOA! Percy?! What are you doing here?' The tall red-headed boy, unmistakably Ron's older brother Percy, had just walked in.
'I'm...er...your replacement Professor for History of Magic,' he chided. 'Something-I can't tell you what-happened to Professor Binns.' His voice quavered a bit.
'Perc, please tell us what happened!' Harry and Ron said anxiously.
'I told you, I can't!' Percy scolded. 'By the way, where is Miss Granger? She hasn't finished her homework for the last three days...'
'She was sick for awhile,' Ron explained, 'so she got a day or two off. It doesn't matter, really.'
'How is she doing? I haven't seen her in ages...she must have grown to be quite...well, beautiful, to say the least.' Percy blushed slightly. 'Anyhow, do tell her I said "hi." I'm going out for a walk, and-' He stepped closer to the window, and saw Draco and Hermione walking together, fingers laced between each others'. 'Are they dating?!'
'Yes,' Harry said bitterly. 'I don't know what she sees in that slimy git...I'd rather have her date Neville than Malfoy...'
'Hmm...he seemed to be really nice when I bumped into him earlier,' Percy said coolly. 'Seems to have buffed up a lot from playing Quidditch. Babe-magnet, really, he is...' His eyes stayed glued to the two walking figures of the students outside. 'He doesn't deserve her...she needs someone more along the lines of, oh, say...'
'You?' Ron piped in. 'Drop it, Perc! You're engaged to Penelope Clearwater, so get over it.' Percy's head snapped towards his younger brother.
'What?! I'm not engaged to anybody!' he yelled. 'Penelope and I broke up during the summer. Don't you remember?' Harry looked at Percy, then to Ron.
'Something fishy's going on,' Harry said slowly. 'Ron got a letter from you this morning, saying that you and Penelope were going to get married. I don't get it...'
'Well obviously, whoever wrote it was an imposter. Harry, you remember me telling you that I broke up with Penelope, don't you?' Percy said, desperation in his voice.
'Yeah,' he replied. 'But who would pose as you for something like that?'
'I just don't know...'
*
'Doesn't the sunset look so beautiful?' Hermione said cheerily. Draco and her were sitting up against a tree, staring at the sunset from over the lake (the giant squid seemed to be fairly quiet at the moment).
'Yes, it is beautiful,' he answered. 'All of the bluish-green, the reddish-pink, it's all gorgeous; especially when reflected off the icy water of which we are in front of at the moment.' He sighed deeply, and smiled. 'It's nice and warm, considering the month.' It was December the fifteenth, and soon they would be going to the Yule Ball-Tuesday, to be exact.
'I wonder what it would be like to fly without a broomstick...?' she said abruptly. 'It must be very neat.'
'Don't know; never tried it, myself,' Draco replied slowly, draping an arm around Hermione to pull her closer. She let her head lay on his shoulder, and he kissed her forehead. 'So...Snape said he'd have a potion ready for you in about a week. In the meantime, he told me the name of a spell that will prevent you from dreams.'
'Good to know I won't be killed anytime soon,' she said with a small smile. 'I want to stay outside, and never go back inside ever again.' Just as she said that, the giant squid leapt out of the water, making a huge splash; and suddenly, Hermione laughed and took back the words she said.