A Walk to Remember- Chapter 7
So I lay my hand back down,
And I lift my hands and pray,
To be only yours I pray,
To be only yours,
I know now,
You're my—only hope.
* * *
Author's Notes: Before you read this story, there are some things that I want you to know. Only Hope' is from Mandy Moore, JK Rowling owns all the characters, except for the soup kitchen, Christina, Joe and anyone you don't know from the books. While the title and half of the plots and some quotes are from A Walk to Remember', book and movie. I would like to give credit to Nicholas Sparks, actually. ;) Anyway, this story is getting more adventurous by the second, eh? Sorry if you didn't understand the chapters 5 and 6 very much—there's still some more that you don't know about Christina—and so on. All right, I've finished ranting. Hope you like chapter six!
PS: I've changed from the Lady of Eden to the Maidens of Eden, all right?
-*|Laughing My Head Off|*-
Draco's POV
I couldn't help gazing at Hermione during dinner. It was surprising—really. I wondered if she liked my present or not. Maybe she hates it—and she's already thrown it in the lake. Or maybe she hasn't? Because that's not really like her to do that. I couldn't help thinking that she looked rather distracted and as if she was thinking of something—important—in her mind.
Whoa, I thought, blinking. It was surprising how I was getting obsessed with her. I kept reminding myself the whole day that she doesn't love me the way that I do—towards her. I blinked again. Did I just admitted to myself that I'm actually in love? No way! I kept staring at her, and suddenly, she looked up.
Our eyes met and my stomach lurched. I couldn't get my eyes away from her, and she seemed to be feeling the same way too—or maybe not? To my relief, she smiled at me and lowered her gaze to her food. Then, she looked at me again, and cocked her eyebrows.
"Aren't you hungry?" she mouthed at me.
I smiled a little and shook my head. She smiled faintly at me, and continued eating her dinner. "Draco? Aren't you hungry?" Pansy's voice quipped up beside me. "What?" I exclaimed, startled. "Oh, right. Of course! Um, yeah—I'm really hungry." And I started stuffing food in my mouth.
I saw Pansy narrowing her eyes at me, and I asked her, "What's the matter?"
"What is wrong with you?" she screeched at me. "You kept spacing out the whole day—are you with another girl?" The whole Great Hall went silent, I suppose that's because her voice was too—loud. My face burned with embarrassment. "I don't know what you're talking about. Now sit down and stop making a fool out of yourself," I hissed at her.
"You're not yourself anymore! Did you just realize what you just said? Sit down and stop making a fool of yourself—really—usually you just love people getting humiliated—girlfriend or no girlfriend!" Pansy shrieked in an anguish voice. I just stared at her silently. For some reason, I had no intention to make a rude comeback whatsoever.
"Are you in love with Hermione Granger?" she asked me, this time, in a soft and dangerous voice.
My eyes widened and I denied it. "No, of course not! Why would you think that I would fall in love with her? No way!" I cried. I glanced at the Gryffindor table, and saw Hermione. She was staring at me calculatingly. She lowered her eyes a little, as though what I said had broken her heart.
But she doesn't love me, or does she? I wondered frantically.
Pansy ran off out of the Great Hall—probably towards the Slytherin's Tower. I guess she expected me to follow her, because she looked back questioningly before running on. But I didn't. I didn't care anymore—I admit it. I love Hermione—more than I love anyone in this world.
* * *
That night, Hermione didn't sleep at all. Ginny and her was going to the Forbidden Forest tonight—and face danger—and not to mention breaking the school rules too. It was nearly eleven o'clock, she decided to wake Ginny up, in case she was asleep. She opened her dormitory's door, and to her surprise, Ginny was in front of it.
"Whoa," she exclaimed. Hermione smiled a little, and whispered, "I've already got my cloak. Let's go," Ginny nodded seriously, and we made our way out of the school, towards the dark Forbidden Forest.
They were almost there—and a few minutes later, they were in front of a dark cave. Hermione knew it was the faeries' cave, and she held Ginny's hand reassuringly. "Let's go in." Ginny said tentatively. And they walked on. The cave was smelly—and really dark. They took out their wand and whispered, "Lumos," together. Their wands lighted up, and Ginny gasped a little. "Oh, my—look on the wall!" she exclaimed.
There were lots of carvings of dragons, faeries fighting, dementors, and to their surprise, there were carvings of three young women holding hands together. They looked at it closely and saw, Nesdians Ja Dene written in a flowing script under the carvings of the women.
"It's in faerie's language," Hermione said quietly.
"Of course it is," said an unfamiliar voice in front of them. Out stepped a young female faerie with brilliant gold eyes, wearing a green battered frock, and she had pale blue wings. "We're here to retrieve the sacred Book of Eden," Ginny said bravely. The faerie looked her right in the eyes, and Ginny felt a pang of fear in her heart.
"Do not worry," the faerie said kindly. "If I may ask, why do you want it?"
"We—we want to find out—about—about ourselves. We—want to find out what must we do.." Ginny trailed off.
"We want to find out who's the woman that we must summon," Hermione explained—and she was surprised at how mixed her sentence were. The faerie nodded and said, "Are you two the Maidens of Eden?" she asked. Ginny and Hermione nodded, their stomach lurching with nerves.
"Where is the other one?" the faerie asked quietly.
"Murdered," Ginny answered quietly.
"I see," the faerie muttered. "Before you receive the book, you must have a test first."
"A test?" Hermione exclaimed. "What for? You do believe us, don't you?"
"Alas, I don't believe you if you have no proof that you are the Maidens of Eden—
"You're going to kill us, right?" Ginny said softly.
The faerie nodded, looking rather sad. "It is not a rule that I made—it is the rule that was made by my ancestors—they're dead and gone now" she trailed off and looked piercingly at both of them. "Very well—let's start then." She said. "Who here is the Maiden of Healing?"
Hermione slowly put up her hand. "Ah—it is a pity" the faerie muttered sadly. "All right—come and follow me. Only you." She added, looking at Ginny, who was looking as if she was going to follow them. "Be careful, Hermione!" she said.
"I will, don't worry, Ginny," Hermione said, smiling faintly.
As they made their way towards the surprisingly endless path of the cave, they came to a stop. The faerie clicked her finger and the cave lighted up immediately. The whole cave wall was covered with cravings and drawings! "I have to take only one test, right?" Hermione said quietly.
"Yes," the faerie answered. "Astavoreugle,"
A black shadow appeared—it launched it self on Hermione, but the faerie pulled it back. "This is a boggart—but it is much different than a boggart—for this one kills. It shows you your fear—if it's a person—you must talk to it—and if your fear and the boggart will disappear if you manage to convince it."
Hermione didn't understand a word of what the faerie was saying, but she disappeared after that. Okay—here I go, she thought. The boggart launched on her, and suddenly, it turned to—
"Draco?" Hermione cried. Am I afraid of him? Why? WHY? WHY??
"Hermione—I can't believe you betrayed me," he said accusingly. "I'm never going to speak to you again!"
"What did I do?" Hermione cried.
"How could you went for him, when you knew that I love you so much, and you do know that you love me too, don't you?" Draco said desperately. "I've been true to you all the time—why can't you for once be true to me?" Hermione felt tears welling up in her eyes. I can't do this, she thought.
It was as if a cold hand had grabbed away her heart, for she felt a piercing pain on her chest. "Draco—listen to me—
"You've said that a million times, I won't listen to you ever again," he said coldly.
"I—I—
Hermione couldn't say the words—she couldn't breathe—she knew that the boggart was taking over her. "Good-bye, Hermione," Draco said, his face full of hurt, betrayal and anger written all over it. "Draco—I love you!" Hermione cried. "I would do anything to be with you—anything! I would even die for you! Please believe me! I'm sorry if I did anything wrong that hurt you—but I really—love you"
Draco's face softened and he leaned towards her and kissed her. "I love you too," he said, and hugged her tightly. It seemed as though it was all real. She didn't want it to stop—she wanted to be like this forever. Suddenly, Draco disappeared, and the cave went black. "Draco!" Hermione yelled.
She cried really hard and suddenly, she felt a cold hand touching her shoulder—and her world went black.
* * *
Ginny waited anxiously for Hermione and the faerie to come back—and sure enough—nearly an hour later—the faerie came back with Hermione in her arms. "Hermione!" she shrieked. The faerie lay Hermione down on the ground. Her face was pale and tear-streaked.
"Is she—
"No. It's just a side effect," the faerie assured her. Ginny sighed in relief, and then, she looked determinedly at the faerie. "What must I do?" she asked.
The faerie's face turned into fear and she suddenly disappeared. "Wait! What's wrong? I want the Book of Eden!" Ginny cried. She sighed frustratingly and turned around, and she screamed. A dementor was bending over Hermione—it looked like it was going to perform the Kiss!
"No!" Ginny shrieked and pushed the dementor away.
She felt as if an icy cold water had spilled over her—and she began to sweat. It was a cold sweat—and she felt as if her body was gripped and tightened into something. The dementor made it's way over her, and Ginny held out her wand, tried to think of something happy—but too late.
She dropped to the floor, she couldn't move—and yet her eyes were still open. She stared at the dementor numbly as it bent over her—she knew she was as good as dead—no—she was going to be worse than dead.
"Stay away from her!" a powerful commanding voice was heard.
She heard the dementor shrieking with pain—it was all so confusing.
"Are you all right, my lady?" it was a kind and gentle voice—and Ginny suddenly saw the person's face. It was the woman that she and Hermione had seen when they connected their power together. "Who are you?" Ginny moaned.
"I'm your servant—I will be waiting for you the day that you set me free—all I can do now is protect you—but I'm still not free from the Evandyle Summoners' Tribe's seal," the woman said. "I'm Agnes—the Guardian of Eden—please set me free—before anyone else does—please—
"I will—but I need the book of Eden," Ginny said desperately.
"You don't need the sacred book. You only need yourselves," Agnes said. "Good luck"
And she disappeared.
Ginny sat up, feeling rather disoriented. The faerie was no where to be seen—but Hermione was lying on the floor. "Oh, Hermione—please wake up. We need to get back to school," she said desperately, shaking the girl gently. Hermione slowly opened her eyes and gave a start.
"Ginny? What happened? Did you get the book?" Hermione cried.
"No, I didn't. We don't need it," she answered
"How do you know?" Hermione asked incredulously.
"Agnes told me," Ginny answered simply.
"Who's Agnes?" Hermione asked questioningly.
"I'll tell you all about it on the way back," Ginny said, sighing a little.
* * *
Even though Draco had strong feelings towards Hermione—he kept thinking that it was unreal somehow. How could he fall in love? It was most impossible—he had never been in love—or feel loved in his life. He decided to tell her to stay away from him for the time being.
He saw Hermione talking to Parvati Patil and went up to her. "Hermione—can I have a word with you, in private?" Draco said nervously. Hermione raised her eyebrows and followed Draco towards an empty classroom. Draco locked the door and she asked, "What's the matter, Malfoy?"
"I—I want you to stay away from me," he stammered. Her eyes widened and she said, "What? Why? I don't understand—did I do something wrong?" Draco could see a glint of disappointment in her eyes and said, "No, of course not—I mean—I know this is so un-me, but you've been such a friend towards me,"
Hermione chuckled a little and said, "Come on, Draco—what's wrong, tell me,"
"You really want to know?" he asked.
"Yes," she answered, nodding.
He kissed her on the lips quickly, and stared at her. "B—because I have feelings towards you," he mumbled. "I—I think I'm in love with you, Hermione," she stared at him, looking stunned. "It's okay—I understand if you want to kill me" he said hurriedly. "I mean—I know you don't have feelings for me—since you are with Weasley after all—and I want to tell you it's okay and we can just be friends and I don't really mind and—
"Draco," Hermione said, smiling at him, putting a finger on his lips. "Shut up,"
She kissed him on the lips and he put his arms around her tenderly, and kissed her back.
"Do you love me?" he asked when they broke off.
"I love you," she said breathlessly, blushing furiously. He grinned at her and she hugged him. "I love you too," he said, closing his eyes momentarily, and opened them again, just to make sure it was real.
It was.
* * *
Author's Notes: Gah, I hate the part of the Forbidden Forest. My grammar stinks back there. =( I hope you guys won't flame me for it. :sighs: What would do to be Hermione. :giggles: Okay then, thanks to those who reviewed. I'm sorry I don't mention the reviewers' names here (too lazy to), but I want you guys to know that it's y'all that kept me writing. Thanks again! If you have any questions, please ask in the review box. Like, What is you real name, laughing my head off?'
Laughing My Head Off
-Winner of Best User, Most Helpful, Best Audition Info Giver, and Most Funniest, and nominated for Most Wackiest' for the Fandom Harry Potter Movie Forums Awards, hosted by MWG. (me) :giggles: