*Disclaimer: The one, the only J. K. Rowling owns the beauty that is Hogwarts and the souls that infiltrate its walls.
*Reviews:
~LA- you're right! Science will never be the same again!
~Ghetto-Superstar- lol, lemme guess? the classroom setting? or snape?
~PokeyOoOky- thank you... i was worried i couldn't pull it off, guess I shouldn't have been!
~C'mon guys! Keep readin and reviewin! Thanks to everyone who has so far!!
*A/N: There, happy? Considering how little expertise I have in the area, that was merely a warm up for the good stuff. Now, back to Hermione- since you've all been suffering in her absence.
Corrupt
Chapter Six
The Beauty of Innocence
Hermione gently sighed, and eased the blankets aside as she reached for a glass of water. Her body, however harmed, appreciated the depth of sleep she'd experienced in that hour. Depleted of strength, and starved of nutrition, she motioned to the nurse that she was hungry. The words formed on her lips, but she dared not speak them for fear of breaking the brilliant silence that surrounded her.
When a plate arrived with an assortment of fruits, breads, and jellies, she hungrily slathered the slices with marmalade and forked each grape and pear. Famished, the sight disappeared in moments, and she was satisfied enough to prop herself up on the pillows and stare into the sunshine outside. Her vision was less clouded, and she could make out the owls approaching for that afternoon's post arrival. It was a glorious sight to behold- each feather important as the creatures glided on invisible
wind lifts. Hermione was grateful for this break, no matter what its cause. This was a welcome change of scenery.
A commotion stirred in the hallway. Harry and Draco had reinstated their interrupted ruckus and were proceeding to attack each other vehemently.
"Say it again Potter. C'mon- I didn't hear it the first time, what did you say to the team? Huh?" Harry had been facing his Quidditch team in the hallway after second classes had finished, and Draco had come up behind him. With a violent shove to his shoulder, Draco had spun the boy around to face him.
"Sod off Draco- you know full well what I said- and it's the truth. Hermione's the one girl in Slytherin that isn't all over you and those bloody Death-eaters and you can't handle it," growled Harry. The allegation was out of Potter's character, and a crowd began to gather. Provoking a swing, Harry walked a circle around Draco.
"I'm not playing games Harry. You don't know what you're messing with when you say things you don't understand," having been well trained in holding his tongue by now, Draco was not about to get himself wedged in this until he talked to Hermione or until Snape found something out.
"I didn't hear a denial Malfoy. You were the only one to stay after class, you were the only one not to ask about Hermione, and no one can seem to locate Snape. Funny, the fifth years don't have lab today... You can't hide behind anyone here and Hermione isn't going to save your ass this time," a storm was raging in Harry's mind. She was such a wonderful girl, and too smart to waste her time with slimy gits like Draco. Damn you, Draco. Damn you, Draco.. "DAMN YOU DRACO!" He leapt at Draco's throat like a madman. The two began to wrestle furiously.
Draco received a blow to the cheek, and to his stomach. He captured Harry in a headlock, where he delivered a punch to Potter's nose, unleashing a rush of blood. Harry cradled his face- shocked- and then tackled Draco to the floor, where they proceeded to kick each other and rip each other's clothing amidst cheers and taunts.
"THAT IS ENOUGH," roared Albus Dumbledore. The headmaster seldom became furious, but when it happened, even Snape himself would cower to him. Sprawled on the floor, both bleeding from assorted scratches and cuts, the two held their grasps on one another. Signaling to Hagrid and Oliver Wood, Dumbledore watched as the boys were separated. The heat from their eyes never faded, even as the crowd dwindled in shame and fear. "To the Hospital Wing. If you are not
expelled, consider it a blessing. This matter will be handled as soon as you are able to behave civilly. And as of this moment, you are both stripped of your titles as prefects in your respective houses. Fifty points from each of you. This is the most disgraceful display I have ever witnessed in all my years. Get out of my sight." With those words, a raging Dumbledore and a speechless Minerva McGonagall took off down the long corridor to his office- no doubt to determine whether parents should be contacted, given the students involved.
Harry spat on Draco's robes, nearly starting the scuffle again. He was yanked by Hagrid.
"Don't think for one second your behavior will be over-looked because of what you were fighting over. He didn't hear what either of you said, so all he's looking at is your lack of self-control. You threatened the well-being of yourselves and the students around you, and he's not taking that lightly." Hagrid spoke logically, with a sadness he directed towards Harry, whom he was partial to, but also towards Draco, who seemed to be on the receiving end of this uncharacteristic display.
"I'm outta this. If you want to work something out Harry, next time, take it on the field and leave the bloodying- up for the sport, not the classroom. As for you, Malfoy- I'd watch your back. That's a load of questions you're not answering- and it doesn't escape anyone's notice that you're not offering reasons," warned Wood.
"Enough. All of you. Get in there and get cleaned up. When you're good and ready, they'll send for me and Dumbledore will deal with you." And with that, Hagrid left the two in the care of the nursing staff.
Hermione pulled her attention from the window only to discover her two pseudo-guardians limping into the ward. She watched as each was dragged away from each other and their wounds nursed. Draco was given ice for his bruises, and his arm- slit by a spark from Harry's wand- was sewn and bandaged. Harry accepted a potion to numb his ribs- bruised by a swift kick from Draco- and gauze for his nose. It wasn't broken, but the bleeding had been profuse, so he laid down and changed into a shirt the staff had in a closet.
Draco was led to the bed next to Hermione, and she couldn't help but question what had happened.
"Remember this morning, when we were at the table, and I left you there with Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle? I walked out because I had this feeling someone was watching me- and I didn't like it. Pansy followed me, and I yelled at her. Not because I wanted to hurt her, but because the damn girl is so naive that she doesn't understand when a guy just wants silence without stares. I watched her go back in, and the door was a little open and I peeked into the Great Hall... and that's when I saw you go up to him. I know you've done it before, but this time was different. All eyes were on you and Potter, and I wanted to kill him for doing it," Draco tried to explain. He was beginning to come to terms with the fact that the girl next to him didn't realize the danger she was in, and she needed to be made aware of it.
"Harry and I are friends, nothing more, nothing less. We relate to each other in a way no one else in Slytherin House can with me. He knows what its like to live in a muggle world where magic is a sin and where the dangers that exist are more physical than this. This isn't real to me, Draco. Fighting with wands and potions? Its still new to me, and I need someone to understand that. Harry does," replied Hermione. She wasn't sure if she was defending Harry or reassuring Draco, but she didn't like having to do either one at the moment. They were nearly grown men, and should behave as such.
"Hermione, I know. I know and understand that more than anyone else in Slytherin, and speaking as a member of, well, what I do, you have to listen to me. You are special- but what makes you special also makes you vulnerable. That unique aspect of you that no one else in Slytherin can relate to means you stand out...significantly. Potter thinks that potion reacted the way it did because you're a muggle. That's crap. Half the people in that room are part muggle and you're the only one that
collapsed. That's what I was discussing with Snape after class- you had an adverse reaction to an interaction between two spells. The question is, what was the other spell?" Draco didn't want to frighten her, even though it was evident in her eyes that she was. He reached out for her hand. "While you're at Hogwarts, your loyalties lie with your house, not your history. Potter draws enough attention to himself. When he draws attention to you, I worry because you're not like other Slytherins. You're not partial to Death-eaters, or raised to suspect everything and everyone around you. That's what makes you so approachable and that's why he needs to back off."
"I know more than you think I do. I know being around Harry pisses you off, and I know I'm the only muggle in Slytherin and I have to watch my back. But Draco, you can't pretend that verbalizing our fears and getting Harry away from me is going to solve anything. Its not going to make me any safer, or Harry any less open to attacks. And if unloading this onto me makes you feel like a secret burden has been lifted off of your conscience, then you're sick," with that last comment,
the tears that threatened to rain down every morning splashed into her lap, and Draco unconsciously took her face in his hand and wiped their salty trails.
His heart broke for her. He knew what it meant to be torn between life and duty. To curse the day of your conception because it coincided two evils- Voldemort and Lucious Malfoy. To curse the day of your sorting because it linked two violent rivalries- Gryffindor and Slytherin, Potter and Malfoy. His own eyes shown with tears he'd never cried, and she sensed them. He closed his eyes, trying to regain his composure...she reached out and touched his closed lids with her fingertips. The touch
sparked a connection that bound his trust in her, what remained to be seen was if she trusted him.
*Reviews:
~LA- you're right! Science will never be the same again!
~Ghetto-Superstar- lol, lemme guess? the classroom setting? or snape?
~PokeyOoOky- thank you... i was worried i couldn't pull it off, guess I shouldn't have been!
~C'mon guys! Keep readin and reviewin! Thanks to everyone who has so far!!
*A/N: There, happy? Considering how little expertise I have in the area, that was merely a warm up for the good stuff. Now, back to Hermione- since you've all been suffering in her absence.
Corrupt
Chapter Six
The Beauty of Innocence
Hermione gently sighed, and eased the blankets aside as she reached for a glass of water. Her body, however harmed, appreciated the depth of sleep she'd experienced in that hour. Depleted of strength, and starved of nutrition, she motioned to the nurse that she was hungry. The words formed on her lips, but she dared not speak them for fear of breaking the brilliant silence that surrounded her.
When a plate arrived with an assortment of fruits, breads, and jellies, she hungrily slathered the slices with marmalade and forked each grape and pear. Famished, the sight disappeared in moments, and she was satisfied enough to prop herself up on the pillows and stare into the sunshine outside. Her vision was less clouded, and she could make out the owls approaching for that afternoon's post arrival. It was a glorious sight to behold- each feather important as the creatures glided on invisible
wind lifts. Hermione was grateful for this break, no matter what its cause. This was a welcome change of scenery.
A commotion stirred in the hallway. Harry and Draco had reinstated their interrupted ruckus and were proceeding to attack each other vehemently.
"Say it again Potter. C'mon- I didn't hear it the first time, what did you say to the team? Huh?" Harry had been facing his Quidditch team in the hallway after second classes had finished, and Draco had come up behind him. With a violent shove to his shoulder, Draco had spun the boy around to face him.
"Sod off Draco- you know full well what I said- and it's the truth. Hermione's the one girl in Slytherin that isn't all over you and those bloody Death-eaters and you can't handle it," growled Harry. The allegation was out of Potter's character, and a crowd began to gather. Provoking a swing, Harry walked a circle around Draco.
"I'm not playing games Harry. You don't know what you're messing with when you say things you don't understand," having been well trained in holding his tongue by now, Draco was not about to get himself wedged in this until he talked to Hermione or until Snape found something out.
"I didn't hear a denial Malfoy. You were the only one to stay after class, you were the only one not to ask about Hermione, and no one can seem to locate Snape. Funny, the fifth years don't have lab today... You can't hide behind anyone here and Hermione isn't going to save your ass this time," a storm was raging in Harry's mind. She was such a wonderful girl, and too smart to waste her time with slimy gits like Draco. Damn you, Draco. Damn you, Draco.. "DAMN YOU DRACO!" He leapt at Draco's throat like a madman. The two began to wrestle furiously.
Draco received a blow to the cheek, and to his stomach. He captured Harry in a headlock, where he delivered a punch to Potter's nose, unleashing a rush of blood. Harry cradled his face- shocked- and then tackled Draco to the floor, where they proceeded to kick each other and rip each other's clothing amidst cheers and taunts.
"THAT IS ENOUGH," roared Albus Dumbledore. The headmaster seldom became furious, but when it happened, even Snape himself would cower to him. Sprawled on the floor, both bleeding from assorted scratches and cuts, the two held their grasps on one another. Signaling to Hagrid and Oliver Wood, Dumbledore watched as the boys were separated. The heat from their eyes never faded, even as the crowd dwindled in shame and fear. "To the Hospital Wing. If you are not
expelled, consider it a blessing. This matter will be handled as soon as you are able to behave civilly. And as of this moment, you are both stripped of your titles as prefects in your respective houses. Fifty points from each of you. This is the most disgraceful display I have ever witnessed in all my years. Get out of my sight." With those words, a raging Dumbledore and a speechless Minerva McGonagall took off down the long corridor to his office- no doubt to determine whether parents should be contacted, given the students involved.
Harry spat on Draco's robes, nearly starting the scuffle again. He was yanked by Hagrid.
"Don't think for one second your behavior will be over-looked because of what you were fighting over. He didn't hear what either of you said, so all he's looking at is your lack of self-control. You threatened the well-being of yourselves and the students around you, and he's not taking that lightly." Hagrid spoke logically, with a sadness he directed towards Harry, whom he was partial to, but also towards Draco, who seemed to be on the receiving end of this uncharacteristic display.
"I'm outta this. If you want to work something out Harry, next time, take it on the field and leave the bloodying- up for the sport, not the classroom. As for you, Malfoy- I'd watch your back. That's a load of questions you're not answering- and it doesn't escape anyone's notice that you're not offering reasons," warned Wood.
"Enough. All of you. Get in there and get cleaned up. When you're good and ready, they'll send for me and Dumbledore will deal with you." And with that, Hagrid left the two in the care of the nursing staff.
Hermione pulled her attention from the window only to discover her two pseudo-guardians limping into the ward. She watched as each was dragged away from each other and their wounds nursed. Draco was given ice for his bruises, and his arm- slit by a spark from Harry's wand- was sewn and bandaged. Harry accepted a potion to numb his ribs- bruised by a swift kick from Draco- and gauze for his nose. It wasn't broken, but the bleeding had been profuse, so he laid down and changed into a shirt the staff had in a closet.
Draco was led to the bed next to Hermione, and she couldn't help but question what had happened.
"Remember this morning, when we were at the table, and I left you there with Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle? I walked out because I had this feeling someone was watching me- and I didn't like it. Pansy followed me, and I yelled at her. Not because I wanted to hurt her, but because the damn girl is so naive that she doesn't understand when a guy just wants silence without stares. I watched her go back in, and the door was a little open and I peeked into the Great Hall... and that's when I saw you go up to him. I know you've done it before, but this time was different. All eyes were on you and Potter, and I wanted to kill him for doing it," Draco tried to explain. He was beginning to come to terms with the fact that the girl next to him didn't realize the danger she was in, and she needed to be made aware of it.
"Harry and I are friends, nothing more, nothing less. We relate to each other in a way no one else in Slytherin House can with me. He knows what its like to live in a muggle world where magic is a sin and where the dangers that exist are more physical than this. This isn't real to me, Draco. Fighting with wands and potions? Its still new to me, and I need someone to understand that. Harry does," replied Hermione. She wasn't sure if she was defending Harry or reassuring Draco, but she didn't like having to do either one at the moment. They were nearly grown men, and should behave as such.
"Hermione, I know. I know and understand that more than anyone else in Slytherin, and speaking as a member of, well, what I do, you have to listen to me. You are special- but what makes you special also makes you vulnerable. That unique aspect of you that no one else in Slytherin can relate to means you stand out...significantly. Potter thinks that potion reacted the way it did because you're a muggle. That's crap. Half the people in that room are part muggle and you're the only one that
collapsed. That's what I was discussing with Snape after class- you had an adverse reaction to an interaction between two spells. The question is, what was the other spell?" Draco didn't want to frighten her, even though it was evident in her eyes that she was. He reached out for her hand. "While you're at Hogwarts, your loyalties lie with your house, not your history. Potter draws enough attention to himself. When he draws attention to you, I worry because you're not like other Slytherins. You're not partial to Death-eaters, or raised to suspect everything and everyone around you. That's what makes you so approachable and that's why he needs to back off."
"I know more than you think I do. I know being around Harry pisses you off, and I know I'm the only muggle in Slytherin and I have to watch my back. But Draco, you can't pretend that verbalizing our fears and getting Harry away from me is going to solve anything. Its not going to make me any safer, or Harry any less open to attacks. And if unloading this onto me makes you feel like a secret burden has been lifted off of your conscience, then you're sick," with that last comment,
the tears that threatened to rain down every morning splashed into her lap, and Draco unconsciously took her face in his hand and wiped their salty trails.
His heart broke for her. He knew what it meant to be torn between life and duty. To curse the day of your conception because it coincided two evils- Voldemort and Lucious Malfoy. To curse the day of your sorting because it linked two violent rivalries- Gryffindor and Slytherin, Potter and Malfoy. His own eyes shown with tears he'd never cried, and she sensed them. He closed his eyes, trying to regain his composure...she reached out and touched his closed lids with her fingertips. The touch
sparked a connection that bound his trust in her, what remained to be seen was if she trusted him.