Draco woke with a start, almost falling out of the chair. He
sat there a moment his heart racing and his breath coming in short gasps.
Draco held his head in shaky hands. Severus stared at him. He looked as if
he had the worst scare of his life. A second later Severus heard Hermione
wake up. Her breathing sounded much the same, though she was quiet short
after, signaling she had fallen asleep again.
"What on earth," Severus asked watching the beads of sweat fall from Draco's brow, "were you two dreaming of?"
"I would rather not say." Was all Draco said.
For the next ten minutes they sat in silence. Draco's gaze was transfixed on the fire. He hadn't spoken or moved, just stared. He was trying to figure that dream out. At first it wasn't him and wasn't Hermione. Then poof, it was them, but it didn't make sense, because why else would he feel love for Granger? Did Hermione feel the same way?
Stop it you prat! You don't care for her, you never have. A voice told Draco.
But she kissed me. Another spoke to him.
It was a dream. Nothing more! The first said.
You can still feel her, argued the second.
"Stop it!" Draco shouted. Severus looked up at him in bewilderment.
"Are you alright Draco?" Flustered by his own outburst Draco nodded quickly.
"Yes. Fine." Draco said glancing at the bed were Hermione lay sleeping, but she wasn't asleep anymore. His yell had awaken her and she was sitting up now from what Draco could hear. Within seconds Hermione had opened the curtain with a sad expression on her face.
"I had hoped it was just a horrible dream." She took a quick glance at Draco.
"Speaking of dreams. Was that mine or yours?"
"You were asleep first, so it must have been yours." He said with a forced smirk. "I didn't know you cared."
Don't patronize me Draco Malfoy! I didn't chose for you to be in my mother's memory and quite frankly I'd like to know how you interfered.
"Can you speak out loud Granger? My head hurts enough without you yelling." Draco lightly rubbed the side of his head. "And I don't know how I ended up in that, but I disliked it as much as you did." At least those feelings weren't mine. Hermione smiled at him. It was one he wore often when he delivered the worst news possible to Granger, Potty, and the Weasel. "What?" He asked feeling a ball of fear well inside his stomach again.
"I've never seen that memory past the part when my mother started flying. The rest of it was purely us, unfortunately." Severus made a muffled cough, most likely to keep Draco from screaming. That and to announce Lucius in the doorway. They both looked over at him apparently they had forgotten Snape was there. Then they looked over at Lucius.
"This is all very interesting, but we have a meeting to attend to." He said sneering at Draco and Hermione. Hermione blushed slightly. Draco merely stood up and walked over to her. Severus was already at the door.
Come on! I don't know why, but I don't think you deserve to be treated like a thing. That doesn't mean I won't do what I have to. Now stand up and walk three steps behind me like my father believes a woman should. Hermione looked at his face studying it for a moment.
Okay. I will, for now. I don't know why, but I will. She stood up and smoothed her dress down. Draco held his breath. It was like he actually saw her for the first time. Hermione as her, not something he believed to be true. She was beautiful. She looked up at him surprised. Do you really think that?
I'm not sure any more. He glanced at his father. Lucius' rage was building in his eyes. We better go.
He turned on his heel and walked towards Lucius. Lucius left the room and began walking down the hallway. Draco followed with Hermione behind him and behind Hermione Severus took his place. He took a couple steps closer so Hermione would be able to hear what he was about to say without others over hearing. He had to be careful of what he said, but Hermione had to be careful of what she thought.
"Hermione, I want you to think of your mother and keep that thought no matter what I tell you." She concentrated on remembering her dreams of her mother as he spoke. " I will try to get us out of here, but Voldemort is sure of my betrayal and plans to kill me tonight."
Hermione made a small noise and Draco turned around to see why she had done so. He saw Snape's look and turned back around. He instead looked to her mind. He saw the dream they had shared. Caught off guard Draco bumped into Lucius who had stopped. Hermione stopped inches away from Draco. Snape of course was no where near the mishap.
"Pay attention boy!" Lucius snarled. He opened a door and they went outside to the night's cool breeze.
Torches were blazing in a circle around a circle. Only the inside circle was of black robed Death Eaters. Five spaces were empty. Voldemort stood in the middle, scanning the circle. Some how taking note of who was there and who wasn't . Lucius filled one next to a large Death Eater as Draco, Hermione, and Severus stood together across from him. Voldemort's eyes flashed to them for a fleeting moment and then he looked at the rest.
"So, tonight we welcome two new Death Eaters to our number." Hermione shuddered at being referred to as one of his followers. "And two traitors will leave us." A wave seemed to ripple through the group. " Duvessa the banshee will be dealt with later. And as for the other..." Voldemort's eyes rested on Severus.
He didn't cringe like Draco thought he would. He was holding his head high with a sense of pride he had never seen in his potions master before. All eyes quickly turned to Severus. Some made curses and others simply stayed quiet, not really understanding why he would do such a thing. Hermione felt a twinge in her heart as he took a few steps forward into the circle with Voldemort.
"Severus, you have disappointed me. Allowing your feelings for this girl to get in your way. Then you let Harry Potter, my enemy, escape!" Voldemort drew his wand. "Take out your wand Severus. It will be entertaining to watch your futile attempts to survive." He obeyed, taking his wand from his sleeve. "Crucio!"
Snape was able to counter it with a type of shield. A spell not many knew or they could not create one strong enough to ward off an unforgivable curse. Only two of the three could be blocked though and Severus had already put a lot of energy into his first spell. His defenses were weakening as he cast the stunning spell, which missed its target.
It's my dream. It's happening right now. Voldemort smiled at him knowing Severus would fall.
"Avada Kedavra!" He shouted.
Severus watched as the green light raced towards him. Suddenly he hit the ground. Hard. He thought the curse had met its mark, but there was a heavy weight upon his chest. Severus looked down to see Hermione on top of him. She was breathing fast and her heart was racing against his chest. her eyes were wide in panic. The curse had missed her as well. Severus let out a sigh of relief.
"You foolish girl!" Voldemort bellowed, raising his wand once more. Hermione looked up at Severus.
"Now would be a good time to apparate!" She yelled at him. Severus put his arms around her waist and then they were gone.
"I want them found! NOW!" Voldemort's voice boomed. Instantly everyone had apparated except for Lucius, Draco, and the unlucky Death Eater that was hit by Voldemort's curse. "Where are they going Draco?" He asked coldly.
"Hermione's last thought was of her mother, but they would most likely return to Hogwarts to get Dumbledore's protection."
"Lucius, I want you and your son to go to Hogwarts and bring them back!" With that Draco and Lucius disappeared into the night.
[pic]
"Professor Dumbledore, aren't we going to go after them?" Harry inquired. Dumbledore looked down at Harry and gave him a smile.
"Harry, right now that may sound like a good idea to your heart, but you have to listen to your head too. What help would we be? We wouldn't because we would be too busy fighting our way through hundreds of Death Eaters." He put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Now that I know where they are I can go after them if, that is if Severus can not bring her back."
Just then a small pop sounded and two figures were laying on the ground. Hermione was on top of Professor Snape who had his hands around her waist. Harry's stomached wrenched. Even if it wasn't what it looked like the thought was still there. Hermione looked up and saw Professor Dumbledore smiling down at them. Seeing Harry's face, Snape quickly let go of Hermione realizing the awkward position they were in. She slowly got up, insuring that she didn't pushdown on Snape to hard, though she felt a little dizzy from their mode of travel. Snape also felt the after affects, but they would leave soon enough. Not that some of the other feelings he was having would.
"See Harry! You just have to learn to trust." Dumbledore said giving Snape a hand up. "A narrow escape I see." He gave Hermione another smile. She blushed and looked down at the ground. Duvessa ran over and hugged Hermione, who returned the embrace.
"Not that I wish to break your moment up, but we should get to Hogwarts before Death Eaters start chasing us." Snape snapped coldly.
"Agreed." Dumbledore said and they began their walk back to Hogwarts. [pic]
"I think it would be best if you went up to your dorm Harry." Harry nodded and looked at Hermione before he left. She had grown very pale on their way here and didn't look too well. "Severus if you wouldn't mind, could you take Ms. Granger to Poppy?"
"Of course." And he was about to touch her when he saw Duvessa and remembered the effect it would have. Reading his expression Duvessa smiled.
"It's okay Severus. That only lasted until she could begin to control the wild magic." With that Severus looked more alarmed. That meant that those things he was feeling... Duvessa's voice broke his thoughts. "Professor, where will I be staying?"
"Oh, yes. If you will come with me, I'll show you." Dumbledore offered his arm and she took it. They went down a dark hallway leaving Hermione and Snape alone. He made a small cough not knowing how else to break the silence.
"I should take you to Madame Pomfrey now." He said and started for the hospital wing. Hermione walked slowly beside him. He looked down at her. She did look paler than usual. Fearing that uncomfortable silence Severus decided he needed to say something more. Something he had meant to say to her hours ago. "Thank you Hermione." She stopped and looked up into his black eyes. They were soft, not cold like they had been a few days ago.
"Thank you?" She asked a bit unsteadily.
"Yes." He said slowly. "You saved my life and I wanted to thank you." She smiled at him and his heart began to beat faster.
"Your welcome."
They walked the rest of the way without any words, but whenever they happened to meet eyes they would smile at each other. When they had reached the hospital wing Madame Pomfrey was waiting for them. She had her hands on her hips and was in a fluffy blue robe.
"When Professor McGonagall told me that you did that...Severus you should know better..." She was so angry she could barely speak. "Oh Hermione! You look frightfully pale dear. Come over here and lay down." She hurried to help Hermione over to one of the beds. "I'll talk to you later!" She said pointing a finger a Severus and handed a potion to Hermione. She quickly drank it.
He couldn't help but chuckle at Poppy's anger, and it felt good to laugh. A thing he hadn't done in so many years. Madame Pomfrey and Hermione looked at him in surprise. Hermione noticed he looked younger when he laughed. Then a horrible pain went through her, but it wasn't hers. Madame Pomfrey was able to help her on the bed before it intensified. Severus stopped laughing and rushed to her side. Worry taking over his expression.
"Poor Draco." Was all that escaped her mouth before she fell asleep.
[pic]
Hermione woke the next morning very stiff. It seemed every muscle in her body hurt. No wonder after that. She thought. Not knowing where Madame Pomfrey was, Hermione decided to sit up. To her amazement, Madame Pomfrey was not who came into view. It was Professor Snape. He was sitting in a chair at the end of her bed. His head was tilted down and a few strands of black hair hung in his face. How she wanted to crawl over to him and brush the hair from his face. She could hear his slow steady breathing. She smiled at him. Then Madame Pomfrey came in, waking Professor Snape as she did so. He blinked a few times and sat up straight aware that Hermione was awake and feeling a bit embarrassed that she had been watching him.
"Hermione, you should be laying down. Especially after last night." Hermione didn't move. Madame Pomfrey sighed and made busy with some sort of potion.
"Thank you for staying." Hermione said timidly.
"Your welcome. It was the least I could do." He gave her one of his rare genuine smiles and Hermione felt as if her heart had skipped a beat. Madame Pomfrey came over to Hermione with a small goblet. "Poppy threw a fit though."
"And what did you expect me to do? If it weren't for you acting like that-"
"Hermione and I would be dead instead of dizzy." Severus cut her off.
"You know very well she's more than dizzy!" She yelled at him.
"That wasn't from apparating Madame Pomfrey." Hermione said matter-of- factly. "And I would rather not say what it was." Hermione added quickly at the questioning look she gave her.
"Well whatever reason, it was foolish. Here, drink this. It'll take the soreness out of your muscles." Hermione took the goblet and sipped at it. It tasted awful, but she could feel her muscles begin to relax with the first few swallows which was a relief.
"When will I be able to go back to class?" Hermione asked when she had finished the potion.
"Monday. Everyone is at Hogsmeade for the weekend so you will have a nice quiet common room. And I want you to get plenty of rest." She said sternly shaking her finger at Hermione.
"Yes Ma'am." Hermione stifled a yawn.
"Go on and I don't want to hear you apparating with another person again." She said to Professor Snape. With that Madame Pomfrey went to her office. Hermione hopped off the bed. Snape stood up and they walked out of the hospital wing together. Once they were far enough to make sure Madame Pomfrey wouldn't hear, Severus stopped Hermione.
"What happened to Draco?" Snape asked. Hermione's eyes seemed to haze over.
"Lucius, he..." she choked, "he hit him. He-he tortured Draco and it was my fault. If it had been a week ago I don't think I would have cared so much, but now..." Tears started to fall down her face. She leaned against him and he put his arms around her lightly.
"He'll be okay Hermione." He said trying to believe his own words. She stopped crying and pulled away from him though he wished to hold on to her longer. I have to stop this. She is a child and would never share the same feelings. "Do you want me to walk you back to your common room?" He asked before he could stop himself.
"No, that's alright. I'm okay, I just need some more rest." He nodded and walked down the opposite hall that she would go down. Hermione felt a small pang. She didn't really want him to leave her for some reason.
Very slowly Hermione started her way to Gryffindor Tower. She could still feel Draco in her mind, but it wasn't as strong as it had been. Hermione couldn't hear his direct thoughts anymore. Just the emotions and she mostly felt everything that happened last night. Each blow Lucius had delivered and the hatred Draco felt. Hermione stopped suddenly. She had reached the portrait of the fat lady. She looked around her once. An uneasy feeling of not being alone crept into her mind. Wanting to get to the safety of her room, she quickly said "fizzlesticks" and the portrait swung open.
Hermione rushed inside and up the girl's staircase to her room. She had her own dorm now that she was Head Girl. It had been a great surprise for her seventh year, but she sort of missed Lavender and Parvati gossiping all the time. Hermione entered the room and closed the door. She had just started unlacing the back of her dress when she noticed the door was open. I closed that, she thought, pulling the laces tight and she closed the door again. She walked over to her closet and took out a set of fresh robes that were a deep hunter green. Hermione threw them on top of her trunk and began to unlace her dress once more.
"You caused me a lot of trouble you know." Draco's voice came from behind her. Hermione jumped. She turned around and saw Draco pulling off the invisibility cloak. He was dressed in a green silk shirt that had a few buttons undone and black trousers. "You didn't think Potter was the only one to have a cloak did you?" It was a rhetorical question. Hermione didn't pay much attention to the grin on Draco's face. She was too busy trying to tie the dress before it fell off her shoulders.
"How did you get in here Malfoy!?!" Hermione yelled, though she really wanted to apologize. He didn't deserve that last night. His grin disappeared and his face became grim.
"I have my orders to retrieve you and take you back." He said coldly taking a few steps closer.
"I'm not going back with you. Besides, Dumbledore won't let you take me." She said with a small smile. He said nothing in reply. He just very slowly went over to Hermione's bed and laid down.
"Draco, what are you doing?" He didn't answer. She walked to his side and gently touched his left arm. He flinched and looked her in the eyes. His were empty and lost looking. "I'm sorry Draco. I didn't know he would do that, but I couldn't just stand there and let Professor Snape die." He made a half smile.
"I know. You're too soft for your own good, you know that Granger? Even now, instead of going and turning me in, you apologize for something you had no control over." He made a tired laugh and held her hand that hadn't left his arm. "I would give anything to hear what you were thinking right now."
"Why?" She asked sitting down on the bed next to him. "Why do you want to know that?" He smiled at her again.
"You probably already figured out that for now all we can do is feel each others emotions. Hermione, you are feeling very confused and something else, but I can't tell what that is. But why are you feeling that?" She looked away from him for a second. She couldn't hold his piercing gaze right then.
"If you really want to know then you have to do something for me." She looked at him again. His face was passive, so she decided to continue. "I want you to talk to Dumbledore. He could protect you from Voldemort and your father." Draco brought her hand to his lips and gently kissed it.
"You know I cannot do that, but I will talk to Dumbledore. To warn him of Voldemort's plans." He smiled again. "Now tell me."
"It's complicated. Several reasons. One of them being you." Draco smiled.
"Me? What could be so confusing about me?" He asked innocently.
"What I don't understand is, you have hated me for years and now you're acting like this." Draco began laughing. "What?"
"You're mad at me." He said. Hermione looked at him as if he had gone crazy. "Your eyes are gold you know."
"Oh." Hermione giggled. She shut her eyes for a second and then opened them again. They were brown once more. "It doesn't just happen when I'm mad anymore. It happens whenever I feel a strong emotion." Draco sat up. Their faces were so close Hermione could feel his breath on her neck. Hermione's hand began to shake and Draco held it tighter.
"You're afraid. What are you afraid of?" A strand of her silver hair fell, brushing Draco's cheek and sent a chill through him.
"You." She said quietly. He smiled at her again and gently put his hand on her cheek.
"I'm not going to hurt you." He said when she moved away.
"That's what scares me." She started to get up, but Draco still had her hand and pulled her back down to him. "Let go of me." She whispered. Draco moved closer. Their lips inches apart.
Please don't Draco. She thought, though she knew he probably wouldn't hear it. He stopped.
You didn't think I was actually going to kiss you, did you? Hermione's eyes widened. I just liked the fact that you were afraid of me.
We can hear each other again? Draco laid back down on the bed, letting go of her hand.
Maybe it stopped because we were separated for so long and then came back when you thought I would give you the pleasure of my touch. Draco's voice rang through her mind.
I liked you better when you weren't in my head! She snapped "Now, will you leave my room?" Draco closed his eyes.
"I rather like it here. Far nicer than the Slytherins'." Hermione stood up and grabbed her robe from off the top of her trunk.
"Fine. Then I'll find somewhere else for some peace!" And she left the Gryffindor Tower. Leaving Draco smiling on her bed.
"What on earth," Severus asked watching the beads of sweat fall from Draco's brow, "were you two dreaming of?"
"I would rather not say." Was all Draco said.
For the next ten minutes they sat in silence. Draco's gaze was transfixed on the fire. He hadn't spoken or moved, just stared. He was trying to figure that dream out. At first it wasn't him and wasn't Hermione. Then poof, it was them, but it didn't make sense, because why else would he feel love for Granger? Did Hermione feel the same way?
Stop it you prat! You don't care for her, you never have. A voice told Draco.
But she kissed me. Another spoke to him.
It was a dream. Nothing more! The first said.
You can still feel her, argued the second.
"Stop it!" Draco shouted. Severus looked up at him in bewilderment.
"Are you alright Draco?" Flustered by his own outburst Draco nodded quickly.
"Yes. Fine." Draco said glancing at the bed were Hermione lay sleeping, but she wasn't asleep anymore. His yell had awaken her and she was sitting up now from what Draco could hear. Within seconds Hermione had opened the curtain with a sad expression on her face.
"I had hoped it was just a horrible dream." She took a quick glance at Draco.
"Speaking of dreams. Was that mine or yours?"
"You were asleep first, so it must have been yours." He said with a forced smirk. "I didn't know you cared."
Don't patronize me Draco Malfoy! I didn't chose for you to be in my mother's memory and quite frankly I'd like to know how you interfered.
"Can you speak out loud Granger? My head hurts enough without you yelling." Draco lightly rubbed the side of his head. "And I don't know how I ended up in that, but I disliked it as much as you did." At least those feelings weren't mine. Hermione smiled at him. It was one he wore often when he delivered the worst news possible to Granger, Potty, and the Weasel. "What?" He asked feeling a ball of fear well inside his stomach again.
"I've never seen that memory past the part when my mother started flying. The rest of it was purely us, unfortunately." Severus made a muffled cough, most likely to keep Draco from screaming. That and to announce Lucius in the doorway. They both looked over at him apparently they had forgotten Snape was there. Then they looked over at Lucius.
"This is all very interesting, but we have a meeting to attend to." He said sneering at Draco and Hermione. Hermione blushed slightly. Draco merely stood up and walked over to her. Severus was already at the door.
Come on! I don't know why, but I don't think you deserve to be treated like a thing. That doesn't mean I won't do what I have to. Now stand up and walk three steps behind me like my father believes a woman should. Hermione looked at his face studying it for a moment.
Okay. I will, for now. I don't know why, but I will. She stood up and smoothed her dress down. Draco held his breath. It was like he actually saw her for the first time. Hermione as her, not something he believed to be true. She was beautiful. She looked up at him surprised. Do you really think that?
I'm not sure any more. He glanced at his father. Lucius' rage was building in his eyes. We better go.
He turned on his heel and walked towards Lucius. Lucius left the room and began walking down the hallway. Draco followed with Hermione behind him and behind Hermione Severus took his place. He took a couple steps closer so Hermione would be able to hear what he was about to say without others over hearing. He had to be careful of what he said, but Hermione had to be careful of what she thought.
"Hermione, I want you to think of your mother and keep that thought no matter what I tell you." She concentrated on remembering her dreams of her mother as he spoke. " I will try to get us out of here, but Voldemort is sure of my betrayal and plans to kill me tonight."
Hermione made a small noise and Draco turned around to see why she had done so. He saw Snape's look and turned back around. He instead looked to her mind. He saw the dream they had shared. Caught off guard Draco bumped into Lucius who had stopped. Hermione stopped inches away from Draco. Snape of course was no where near the mishap.
"Pay attention boy!" Lucius snarled. He opened a door and they went outside to the night's cool breeze.
Torches were blazing in a circle around a circle. Only the inside circle was of black robed Death Eaters. Five spaces were empty. Voldemort stood in the middle, scanning the circle. Some how taking note of who was there and who wasn't . Lucius filled one next to a large Death Eater as Draco, Hermione, and Severus stood together across from him. Voldemort's eyes flashed to them for a fleeting moment and then he looked at the rest.
"So, tonight we welcome two new Death Eaters to our number." Hermione shuddered at being referred to as one of his followers. "And two traitors will leave us." A wave seemed to ripple through the group. " Duvessa the banshee will be dealt with later. And as for the other..." Voldemort's eyes rested on Severus.
He didn't cringe like Draco thought he would. He was holding his head high with a sense of pride he had never seen in his potions master before. All eyes quickly turned to Severus. Some made curses and others simply stayed quiet, not really understanding why he would do such a thing. Hermione felt a twinge in her heart as he took a few steps forward into the circle with Voldemort.
"Severus, you have disappointed me. Allowing your feelings for this girl to get in your way. Then you let Harry Potter, my enemy, escape!" Voldemort drew his wand. "Take out your wand Severus. It will be entertaining to watch your futile attempts to survive." He obeyed, taking his wand from his sleeve. "Crucio!"
Snape was able to counter it with a type of shield. A spell not many knew or they could not create one strong enough to ward off an unforgivable curse. Only two of the three could be blocked though and Severus had already put a lot of energy into his first spell. His defenses were weakening as he cast the stunning spell, which missed its target.
It's my dream. It's happening right now. Voldemort smiled at him knowing Severus would fall.
"Avada Kedavra!" He shouted.
Severus watched as the green light raced towards him. Suddenly he hit the ground. Hard. He thought the curse had met its mark, but there was a heavy weight upon his chest. Severus looked down to see Hermione on top of him. She was breathing fast and her heart was racing against his chest. her eyes were wide in panic. The curse had missed her as well. Severus let out a sigh of relief.
"You foolish girl!" Voldemort bellowed, raising his wand once more. Hermione looked up at Severus.
"Now would be a good time to apparate!" She yelled at him. Severus put his arms around her waist and then they were gone.
"I want them found! NOW!" Voldemort's voice boomed. Instantly everyone had apparated except for Lucius, Draco, and the unlucky Death Eater that was hit by Voldemort's curse. "Where are they going Draco?" He asked coldly.
"Hermione's last thought was of her mother, but they would most likely return to Hogwarts to get Dumbledore's protection."
"Lucius, I want you and your son to go to Hogwarts and bring them back!" With that Draco and Lucius disappeared into the night.
[pic]
"Professor Dumbledore, aren't we going to go after them?" Harry inquired. Dumbledore looked down at Harry and gave him a smile.
"Harry, right now that may sound like a good idea to your heart, but you have to listen to your head too. What help would we be? We wouldn't because we would be too busy fighting our way through hundreds of Death Eaters." He put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Now that I know where they are I can go after them if, that is if Severus can not bring her back."
Just then a small pop sounded and two figures were laying on the ground. Hermione was on top of Professor Snape who had his hands around her waist. Harry's stomached wrenched. Even if it wasn't what it looked like the thought was still there. Hermione looked up and saw Professor Dumbledore smiling down at them. Seeing Harry's face, Snape quickly let go of Hermione realizing the awkward position they were in. She slowly got up, insuring that she didn't pushdown on Snape to hard, though she felt a little dizzy from their mode of travel. Snape also felt the after affects, but they would leave soon enough. Not that some of the other feelings he was having would.
"See Harry! You just have to learn to trust." Dumbledore said giving Snape a hand up. "A narrow escape I see." He gave Hermione another smile. She blushed and looked down at the ground. Duvessa ran over and hugged Hermione, who returned the embrace.
"Not that I wish to break your moment up, but we should get to Hogwarts before Death Eaters start chasing us." Snape snapped coldly.
"Agreed." Dumbledore said and they began their walk back to Hogwarts. [pic]
"I think it would be best if you went up to your dorm Harry." Harry nodded and looked at Hermione before he left. She had grown very pale on their way here and didn't look too well. "Severus if you wouldn't mind, could you take Ms. Granger to Poppy?"
"Of course." And he was about to touch her when he saw Duvessa and remembered the effect it would have. Reading his expression Duvessa smiled.
"It's okay Severus. That only lasted until she could begin to control the wild magic." With that Severus looked more alarmed. That meant that those things he was feeling... Duvessa's voice broke his thoughts. "Professor, where will I be staying?"
"Oh, yes. If you will come with me, I'll show you." Dumbledore offered his arm and she took it. They went down a dark hallway leaving Hermione and Snape alone. He made a small cough not knowing how else to break the silence.
"I should take you to Madame Pomfrey now." He said and started for the hospital wing. Hermione walked slowly beside him. He looked down at her. She did look paler than usual. Fearing that uncomfortable silence Severus decided he needed to say something more. Something he had meant to say to her hours ago. "Thank you Hermione." She stopped and looked up into his black eyes. They were soft, not cold like they had been a few days ago.
"Thank you?" She asked a bit unsteadily.
"Yes." He said slowly. "You saved my life and I wanted to thank you." She smiled at him and his heart began to beat faster.
"Your welcome."
They walked the rest of the way without any words, but whenever they happened to meet eyes they would smile at each other. When they had reached the hospital wing Madame Pomfrey was waiting for them. She had her hands on her hips and was in a fluffy blue robe.
"When Professor McGonagall told me that you did that...Severus you should know better..." She was so angry she could barely speak. "Oh Hermione! You look frightfully pale dear. Come over here and lay down." She hurried to help Hermione over to one of the beds. "I'll talk to you later!" She said pointing a finger a Severus and handed a potion to Hermione. She quickly drank it.
He couldn't help but chuckle at Poppy's anger, and it felt good to laugh. A thing he hadn't done in so many years. Madame Pomfrey and Hermione looked at him in surprise. Hermione noticed he looked younger when he laughed. Then a horrible pain went through her, but it wasn't hers. Madame Pomfrey was able to help her on the bed before it intensified. Severus stopped laughing and rushed to her side. Worry taking over his expression.
"Poor Draco." Was all that escaped her mouth before she fell asleep.
[pic]
Hermione woke the next morning very stiff. It seemed every muscle in her body hurt. No wonder after that. She thought. Not knowing where Madame Pomfrey was, Hermione decided to sit up. To her amazement, Madame Pomfrey was not who came into view. It was Professor Snape. He was sitting in a chair at the end of her bed. His head was tilted down and a few strands of black hair hung in his face. How she wanted to crawl over to him and brush the hair from his face. She could hear his slow steady breathing. She smiled at him. Then Madame Pomfrey came in, waking Professor Snape as she did so. He blinked a few times and sat up straight aware that Hermione was awake and feeling a bit embarrassed that she had been watching him.
"Hermione, you should be laying down. Especially after last night." Hermione didn't move. Madame Pomfrey sighed and made busy with some sort of potion.
"Thank you for staying." Hermione said timidly.
"Your welcome. It was the least I could do." He gave her one of his rare genuine smiles and Hermione felt as if her heart had skipped a beat. Madame Pomfrey came over to Hermione with a small goblet. "Poppy threw a fit though."
"And what did you expect me to do? If it weren't for you acting like that-"
"Hermione and I would be dead instead of dizzy." Severus cut her off.
"You know very well she's more than dizzy!" She yelled at him.
"That wasn't from apparating Madame Pomfrey." Hermione said matter-of- factly. "And I would rather not say what it was." Hermione added quickly at the questioning look she gave her.
"Well whatever reason, it was foolish. Here, drink this. It'll take the soreness out of your muscles." Hermione took the goblet and sipped at it. It tasted awful, but she could feel her muscles begin to relax with the first few swallows which was a relief.
"When will I be able to go back to class?" Hermione asked when she had finished the potion.
"Monday. Everyone is at Hogsmeade for the weekend so you will have a nice quiet common room. And I want you to get plenty of rest." She said sternly shaking her finger at Hermione.
"Yes Ma'am." Hermione stifled a yawn.
"Go on and I don't want to hear you apparating with another person again." She said to Professor Snape. With that Madame Pomfrey went to her office. Hermione hopped off the bed. Snape stood up and they walked out of the hospital wing together. Once they were far enough to make sure Madame Pomfrey wouldn't hear, Severus stopped Hermione.
"What happened to Draco?" Snape asked. Hermione's eyes seemed to haze over.
"Lucius, he..." she choked, "he hit him. He-he tortured Draco and it was my fault. If it had been a week ago I don't think I would have cared so much, but now..." Tears started to fall down her face. She leaned against him and he put his arms around her lightly.
"He'll be okay Hermione." He said trying to believe his own words. She stopped crying and pulled away from him though he wished to hold on to her longer. I have to stop this. She is a child and would never share the same feelings. "Do you want me to walk you back to your common room?" He asked before he could stop himself.
"No, that's alright. I'm okay, I just need some more rest." He nodded and walked down the opposite hall that she would go down. Hermione felt a small pang. She didn't really want him to leave her for some reason.
Very slowly Hermione started her way to Gryffindor Tower. She could still feel Draco in her mind, but it wasn't as strong as it had been. Hermione couldn't hear his direct thoughts anymore. Just the emotions and she mostly felt everything that happened last night. Each blow Lucius had delivered and the hatred Draco felt. Hermione stopped suddenly. She had reached the portrait of the fat lady. She looked around her once. An uneasy feeling of not being alone crept into her mind. Wanting to get to the safety of her room, she quickly said "fizzlesticks" and the portrait swung open.
Hermione rushed inside and up the girl's staircase to her room. She had her own dorm now that she was Head Girl. It had been a great surprise for her seventh year, but she sort of missed Lavender and Parvati gossiping all the time. Hermione entered the room and closed the door. She had just started unlacing the back of her dress when she noticed the door was open. I closed that, she thought, pulling the laces tight and she closed the door again. She walked over to her closet and took out a set of fresh robes that were a deep hunter green. Hermione threw them on top of her trunk and began to unlace her dress once more.
"You caused me a lot of trouble you know." Draco's voice came from behind her. Hermione jumped. She turned around and saw Draco pulling off the invisibility cloak. He was dressed in a green silk shirt that had a few buttons undone and black trousers. "You didn't think Potter was the only one to have a cloak did you?" It was a rhetorical question. Hermione didn't pay much attention to the grin on Draco's face. She was too busy trying to tie the dress before it fell off her shoulders.
"How did you get in here Malfoy!?!" Hermione yelled, though she really wanted to apologize. He didn't deserve that last night. His grin disappeared and his face became grim.
"I have my orders to retrieve you and take you back." He said coldly taking a few steps closer.
"I'm not going back with you. Besides, Dumbledore won't let you take me." She said with a small smile. He said nothing in reply. He just very slowly went over to Hermione's bed and laid down.
"Draco, what are you doing?" He didn't answer. She walked to his side and gently touched his left arm. He flinched and looked her in the eyes. His were empty and lost looking. "I'm sorry Draco. I didn't know he would do that, but I couldn't just stand there and let Professor Snape die." He made a half smile.
"I know. You're too soft for your own good, you know that Granger? Even now, instead of going and turning me in, you apologize for something you had no control over." He made a tired laugh and held her hand that hadn't left his arm. "I would give anything to hear what you were thinking right now."
"Why?" She asked sitting down on the bed next to him. "Why do you want to know that?" He smiled at her again.
"You probably already figured out that for now all we can do is feel each others emotions. Hermione, you are feeling very confused and something else, but I can't tell what that is. But why are you feeling that?" She looked away from him for a second. She couldn't hold his piercing gaze right then.
"If you really want to know then you have to do something for me." She looked at him again. His face was passive, so she decided to continue. "I want you to talk to Dumbledore. He could protect you from Voldemort and your father." Draco brought her hand to his lips and gently kissed it.
"You know I cannot do that, but I will talk to Dumbledore. To warn him of Voldemort's plans." He smiled again. "Now tell me."
"It's complicated. Several reasons. One of them being you." Draco smiled.
"Me? What could be so confusing about me?" He asked innocently.
"What I don't understand is, you have hated me for years and now you're acting like this." Draco began laughing. "What?"
"You're mad at me." He said. Hermione looked at him as if he had gone crazy. "Your eyes are gold you know."
"Oh." Hermione giggled. She shut her eyes for a second and then opened them again. They were brown once more. "It doesn't just happen when I'm mad anymore. It happens whenever I feel a strong emotion." Draco sat up. Their faces were so close Hermione could feel his breath on her neck. Hermione's hand began to shake and Draco held it tighter.
"You're afraid. What are you afraid of?" A strand of her silver hair fell, brushing Draco's cheek and sent a chill through him.
"You." She said quietly. He smiled at her again and gently put his hand on her cheek.
"I'm not going to hurt you." He said when she moved away.
"That's what scares me." She started to get up, but Draco still had her hand and pulled her back down to him. "Let go of me." She whispered. Draco moved closer. Their lips inches apart.
Please don't Draco. She thought, though she knew he probably wouldn't hear it. He stopped.
You didn't think I was actually going to kiss you, did you? Hermione's eyes widened. I just liked the fact that you were afraid of me.
We can hear each other again? Draco laid back down on the bed, letting go of her hand.
Maybe it stopped because we were separated for so long and then came back when you thought I would give you the pleasure of my touch. Draco's voice rang through her mind.
I liked you better when you weren't in my head! She snapped "Now, will you leave my room?" Draco closed his eyes.
"I rather like it here. Far nicer than the Slytherins'." Hermione stood up and grabbed her robe from off the top of her trunk.
"Fine. Then I'll find somewhere else for some peace!" And she left the Gryffindor Tower. Leaving Draco smiling on her bed.