The Darkness that Dreams Are Made Of

A Secret of Poison, Lies, And Unfathomable Passion.

He waited, breathing slowly and deeply as if still held by the thralls of sleep. The blankets wove them together and their love held them there. Around their silent forms the others were preparing for the day ahead and paid no heed to Harry's, still occupied, bed.

Finally the room went silent, except for one.

"Harry. It's just me, Ron. The others have left."'

"I would have never guessed." Harry muttered under his breath, unhappy to have been torn away from Draco.

Slipping himself carefully out of the bed so as not to disturb Draco, who had fallen back to sleep, Harry stepped out into the sunlight of the dawning sun. He stretched and yawned, Ron eyeing him angrily and critically.

"What?" Harry half whispered.

"I, I don't like what has happened to you Harry and I hate they way you seem to be acting to everyone, everyone except Malfoy that is. The fact of the matter is I need your help."

"What kind of help?" Harry yawned, kneeled down and scooped up Proscrit, whom had just emerged from a miniscule hole in wall.

"I think something is wrong with Hermione."

"When did you figure that out?" Harry asked sarcastically as he began dressing.

"You mean you noticed too? Why didn't you say anything?"

"Because you didn't ask."

"When did you notice?" Ron asked shallowly.

"Half way through last year."

"What!?"

"Shhhhh." Harry motioned towards the bed where Draco still slept.

"I don't give a shit about him! Tell me about what you know!"

"I give a shit about him, so shut the hell up."

Ron's jaw snapped shut, cutting off his angry reply. He started again, "Sorry, I guess, I mean come on. Tell me what you're talking about."

"I can only tell you what I know but… half way though last year, when you forgot the one year anniversary the two of you had been together, she disappeared and didn't come back till several hours later. After that she spent extensive extra hours in the 'library' and sometimes didn't come back to the dorm after dinner. She's seeing someone else, sleeping with them most likely and has been for almost a year now"

Ron didn't move, nary even blink. He suddenly gasped a breath after remember to breath again, "Why didn't you tell this to me before?!"

"Because you didn't ask."

"My god…Fucking bloody hell. I, I, Why? It's not fair! Am I not good enough!? Who is this son of a bitch!? I'll kill him! God fucking hell!…"

Harry growled and clenched his fist, Ron continued ranting hysterically, however. Draco's head popped out from between the curtains, squinting in the light. Harry shrugged lightly and gently caressed Draco's cheek.

Finally Ron sat heavily on one of the chests at the end of Harry's bed.

Proscrit, who had been unnoticed before, uncoiled his head and raised it up to look Harry in the eye.

"Master."

"I wish you wouldn't call me that."

"You own me."

"Yes, I remember."

"I have information from my roaming through the walls and I think that it may interest your ally, the one called Ron."

Proscrit, as mentioned before, had emerged through a hole in the wall. As it was Proscrit spent very little time with his 'Master' but instead moved throughout the school via the pipes in the walls much as the basilisk had once done. There he collected information and tasty rats, the information he passed onto his Master while the rats, he passed onto the school floor. Leaving the mess for the Squib to take care of.

"Tell me Proscrit."

"The other one, your other ally, Master."

"Yes?"

"She is currently located in the dungeon and she in not with the one who claims to her."

"Thank you my friend, this information in valuable indeed but perhaps could you lead us to her?"

"Of course, my master."

They made their way down the halls, pushing against the flow of those retreating down to breakfast. Ron was silent but his eyes held a frantic glint spiced with anger, one could not but be intimidated and greatly in fear for their own humanity by looking upon him. Draco was tense and wary; he spoke not a word towards Ron. Harry was curious and tired, Proscrit hissing instruction in his ear.

Before to long they found themselves standing outside a solitary door, locked by password and unusually plain. Harry restrained Ron from running the door full tilt and whispered to him the password 'poison.' Ron blurted out the password hastily before storming through the door, Harry followed.

The door led into a small but cozy room with its own fireplace, couch, table, other small amenities and a bed. The bed was occupied by Hermione who was trying to cover her obvious nakedness and sitting behind her; placing a comforting protective arm on Hermione's shoulder, wrapping the other protectively around her middle was Snape.

His whole face was filled with shock and dismay barely hiding the overwhelming protectiveness that radiated from him and the loving comfort he seemed to offer to Hermione. Hermione blushed furiously but startlingly seemed to return Snape's protectiveness with her own, clinging to Snape's arm wrapped around her waist.

For a second the moment was left suspended upon a thread of eternity and then it snapped.

Snape sneered suddenly and pulled Hermione back against himself. Ron gaped for a moment then shook his head and whispered a single question.

"Why? Why 'Mione?"

Hermione bit her lip and cast her eyes to the floor, "I'm sorry Ron, I just never worked. I only kept dating you because I didn't want to hurt you, as a friend. And Severus…. Severus loves me. That's something you could never truly give me. Last night…" She looked up at Snape and seeing a reassuring nod she continued, "Last night Severus asked me to marry him and, and I said yes. We're going to get married after I graduate. I'm truly sorry."

Ron stared disbelieving at Hermione looking between her and Snape finally he found his tounge, "So I was just a façade so no one would become suspicious, I was just something to keep people from suspecting about this, thing, you were having with the Potions Teacher."

"Ron I…" Hermione started helplessly

There was a breaking pause of silence in which Snape interjected, "Mr. Weasley I would like to take it in 'Mione's faith of you that you won't speak of this to anyone. I would hate to think I would have to resort to blackmail, such as your potions grade."

Ron clenched his head miserably, "Fine, I won't tell anyone, fine. I don't care, I don't care, I just don't care." And he left leaving only Harry in the room.

Harry gave the two a lopsided grin and bowed deeply to them, then he too retreated outside, shutting the door behind him.