A Walk to Remember -Chapter 10

"Salazar Slytherin?" Harry echoed rather loudly.

"Did someone call me?" said a strange voice behind him. Harry turned around and saw a man--he had a cunning face indeed. His moustache was curled and her eyes were beady. If he wasn't Salazar Slytherin, Harry would've mistaken him to be the Duke from the story, 'Moulin Rouge'.

Rowena immediately closed the thick book and held it tightly in her arms. "No one called you, Salazar. Maybe it was your imagination?" she said softly, narrowing her eyes at him. Salazar grinned and moved closer towards them. He apparently didn't notice that Harry was there. He put his arms on Rowena's shoulders and pulled her forward to kiss her, but she pushed him back using powerful magic.

Salazar was flung backwards and he hit the wall. "Damn you, Ravenclaw! When will you learn that I love you?" he barked. Rowena folded her arms and snapped, "Do you not notice that we have a visitor, and that he just saw you humiliate yourself?"

Salazar's eyes flew towards Harry, and he cleared his throat in a disgruntled manner. "I'm sorry for my... unnecessary behavior." he said, looking darkly at Rowena. "And who are you?"

"He's the one that's going to destroy your Heir's power, if you want to know," Rowena said half-sarcastically.

"Really funny, Rowena." Salazar snapped, rolling his eyes.

"My name's Harry Potter," Harry interjected them both. Salazar narrowed his eyes at Harry and opened his mouth to say something; but Rowena cleared her throat loudly and said, "Salazar, leave." in a very firm way that Salazar's mouth hung open.

"But I thought you always enjoyed my company!" he said in a whiny voice that almost made Harry roll his eyes.

"Well... I'm busy with putting charms around this place... so it would be lovely if we have dinner at Hogsmeade to morrow together," Rowena said in a flirting voice. "The two of us," and she batted her eyelashes. Salazar smiled and replied, "That would be good. I'll see you later, Harry."

And with that, he went out of the library. "He must be extremely dreamy after you said that," Harry said, choking with laughter. Rowena laughed slightly and replied, "Of course... now back to what we were talking about...

"Salazar killed my sisters, Lorelai and Bertha," Rowena said in a soft and said voice. "You must stop the evil Dark Lord who wants to kill the Maidens of Eden, Harry Potter--you must." Harry stood there, stunned. "But--how--

"Use your power." Rowena said. "And your heart." she added, her hand pressing his chest. Suddenly, Harry felt very sick--he didn't know why--but he just felt too sick--he felt like vomiting. Rowena saw the look on his face and muttered, "You have to go now---it was nice meeting you--Harry Potter..."

Harry watched his world went blur...

And he couldn't remember anything no more...

* * *

Hermione and Ginny screamed in shock when Harry appeared so suddenly in front of them. He fell forward and dropped on the floor, his eyes closed and his face pale. "Harry!" Hermione cried, shaking him slightly, but he didn't move or opened his eyes.

Professor Mcgonagall and Professor Dumbledore dashed towards them, alarmed. "Miss Granger, Miss Weasley! Is that Potter?" Professor Mcgonagall asked, a worried crease formed on her forehead. Professor Dumbledore put his hand on Professor Mcgonagall's shoulder and nodded quietly.

"Minerva, take him to the Hospital Wing. Immediately," he added, for he knew that the Professor wanted to know more than she should. Professor Mcgonagall opened her mouth to protest, but by the look on Professor Dumbledore's face, she knew she should go. Without complaining, she waved her wand and a magical stretcher appeared, carrying him towards the Hospital Wing, with the Professor behind it.

"Now that we're alone, would you mind telling me what happened?" Professor Dumbledore asked kindly. Ginny and Hermione were at loss for words. They didn't do anything at all. ANYTHING. Harry just appeared in front of them--that's all!

"Actually, professor, we didn't do anything at all---Harry just appeared in front of us!" Ginny explained. Professor Dumbledore frowned thoughtfully and replied, "But, how can that happen? Where did Harry went?" Hermione and Ginny looked at each other.

"We don't know."

"Are you sure?" Professor Dumbledore pressed. It was unlike him to press questions towards students, Ginny thought, looking at him strangely. "We're dead sure," she said. Professor Dumbledore sighed and said, "Very well..." he walked away from them, out of the library. Ginny looked at Hermione, arching her eyebrows. "What's the matter with Dumbledore?" she asked.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"Mmm... never mind," Ginny said, waving her hands. "You know, I reckon we should take a break. I need to see Harry... would you mind keeping the book in your dormitory?" Hermione nodded and got up. "I want to see Harry--but I really have to see Draco... I mean... I blew him off today---that's totally over-rule." she said.

"Can we meet here at 8 o'clock after dinner?" Ginny asked.

"Sure, no problem," Hermione said. "It's not like I have any plans."

* * *

"Draco, lets go and play with some Ravenclaw girls," Malcolm Baddock said mischievously. Goyle and Crabbe grinned and nodded vigorously. Draco shook his head--he knew that Hermione was probably looking for him. He looked at his watch. It was only six o'clock.

"No, thanks." Draco replied. Malcolm and the others groaned and Goyle said, "Are you going to hang out with that Gryffindor girl than with us?" Malcolm's eyebrows shot up immediately--he was apparently new to this. "Yeah, you got a problem with that?" Draco snapped.

"Gryffindor girl?" Malcolm echoed.

"What do you want, Baddock?" Draco asked in an irritated voice.

"No, I just realized what a Mudblood you are." Malcolm said snidely. Draco clenched his fists, his need to punch Malcolm was overwhelming but he resisted, because they were all in the Great Hall--and it wasn't a very good idea to punch people in front of other people. Besides, Hermione might see him.

"Shut the fuck up and sod off." he spat.

"Ooh, I'm soo scared..." Malcolm jeered.

"I'm warning you--Baddock--"

"Draco?" he heard a voice behind him. He turned around and saw Hermione, staring at him and the others. Malcolm lunged towards Hermione and said, "Oh, so this is the girl you're dating, Draco? The stupid Mudblood from hell?" he looked at Hermione and laughed. "Oh, Mudblood, do you actually think you're worthy? Hah--you're ugly as a banshee...

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Draco yelled. "SHE'S NOT STUPID OR UGLY! SHE'S THE MOST AMAZING PERSON AND THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL I'VE EVER MET AND IF YOU CANT DEAL WITH THAT, WHY DONT YOU GO TO HELL?" Malcolm and the others were shocked. Their eyes widened, while the students at the Great Hall whispered to each other. "You suck, Malfoy," Crabbe said dully.

"You stink!" Malcolm said. "You'll regret falling in love with her! I bet it's not even love! It's just FAKE!! You heard me, Malfoy?! YOU'RE JUST A FAKE!!" They snickered and went away. Draco fiercely rushed towards them, but Hermione pulled him back. "Draco, it's okay..." she whispered gently.

"It's not okay! Those bastard's don't know who they're dealing with!" Draco yelled. Hermione pulled him from the Great Hall towards the lake, while he swore under his breath.

"Draco, stop it. Stop being an eleven-year old," Hermione said sternly. Draco stopped immediately and said, "I'm sorry, Hermione--I couldn't help it--

"It's okay, Draco... it's okay, I love you--that's all that matters." she said soothingly. He pulled her close to him and kissed her lips tenderly. Then, he kissed her eyes, her neck, and her hand. He loved everything about her--he wasn't going to let her go...

"I think we'd better stop, Draco..." Hermione said in a breathless voice. "People might see...

"So?" he said softly, caressing her cheek gently. Hermione shut her eyes--she didn't want this to stop either... When they broke off, Draco said, "Would you like to meet me at the Hogsmeade secret passage at eight o'clock?" Hermione had told him about the secret passage, and they even used it. "Sure." Hermione said, forgetting completely that she was suppose to meet Ginny at library.

* * *

"So did you get to meet Harry?" Hermione asked Ginny that evening, as they sat down for dinner. "No," Ginny said darkly. "Madam Pomfrey wont let me." Hermione patted her shoulder and said, "It's okay..." Ginny nodded slightly, looking glum.

"Don't forget to meet me in the library, okay?" she asked. Hermione nodded absent-mindedly, her mind whirling towards Draco. Their eyes locked for a moment and he smiled at her. She smiled back, feeling very happy, but her stomach lurched when she remembered that she was probably going to die sooner than she thought...

* * *

Hermione looked around the passage that night, making sure that no one was there. Then, she pulled out her wand and whispered, "Dissendium!" The one-eyed witch statue flung open and she entered the passageway, while the statue closed itself automatically.

"Lumos," she heard Draco whispered. She saw his face and smiled at him. "Hi," she said warmly. Draco said nothing, but pulled her close to him and began kissing her. She felt butterflies in her stomach for a while, but everything that she was thinking about disappeared immediately. All she thought was Draco... and only him. She closed her eyes as he kissed her forehead...

She put her arms around him and caressed his blond hair... his neck... She smiled a little as she and Draco lay down on the damp and cold ground. But they didn't notice anything about it at all. Draco stopped kissing her for a while... and her hands flew towards his robes. She pulled them off... and he pulled off her robes too. She felt excitement building up in her heart.

He took off her blouse and kissed her neck. Hermione sighed and put her hands on his shirt--- and pulled them off too. Draco kissed her forehead (A/N: Blah blah blah...) and right there and then--Hermione knew this was wrong... she couldn't have sex with him...

She pulled him away and said breathlessly, "No, Draco. We cant do this." she said firmly, pulling her clothes back on again. Draco stared at her confused, "Why? We are seventeen..." Hermione looked at him, devastated. She didn't want to break his heart--but if all that he cared was sex and not love... she knew she ought to leave him.

"I'm sorry--I cant do this. If you don't understand why--and you're mad about it--I understand. If you choose to walk away because of this... I understand--but I would be miserable. You're free to make your decision, Draco." she said, tears falling down from her eyes. Immediately, he brushed away her tears. "No, Hermione. I love you. I love you. I respect every decision that you make---but I just want you to know that this is true. I love you."

Hermione smiled at him and hugged him tightly.

Author's Notes: End of chapter! I know.. I know.. it's stupid... but I just had to put a snogging scene!!! *looks sheepishly* Review...