In the Mind of the Walking Encyclopedia - Chapter 12
Author: tainted black (tainted_black@twistedcandy.org)
Disclaimer: Not mine.
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Previous:
"By giving them numbers and refusing to call them by their first name? Oh, Malfoy," I laugh. "Has anyone called -you- by your first name? Ever?"
"Of course."
"Your nanny doesn't count." I couldn't help it, I just -had- to add that. Ah, I wish I could see his face right now!
"I wasn't going to mention her," he grumbles. "I've been called by my first name numerous times."
"Oh, yea?" I challenge. "Who? Name me -one- person."
Silence.
Malfoy abruptly stands up and I fall backwards. He stares down at me coldly.
"I don't have to answer that."
-----------------
"Real funny, Malfoy," I say, forcing a laugh. Why am even trying? This is -Malfoy-. Why am I trying to lighten the mood? I certainly don't care about him. Not one bit...
But does he have to stare at me like -that-? I don't like that look on his face one bit...
"I forgot, your parents must call you by your name. And certainly the other students at school. I mean, Pansy's called you by your name plenty of times, hasn't she?" I'm beginning to babble now.
Really, why on earth am I trying? I know Harry and Ron would be laughing at him if they heard this. But that's them... I force another laugh as I pull myself off the floor.
"Stop that, Granger," he says harshly, turning around so that he doesn't have to face me. "I just said I didn't have to answer that, not that no one has called me 'Draco'. Anyways, the rain has stopped--let's go now." He quickly saunters out of the cave.
I pick his robe off the ground and brush it. Then I grab his Oxford and stick it into one of the robe's pocket. Looking around the den, I smiling slightly. We certainly spent an interesting day here. I can't believe I spent a little more than twenty-four hours *alone* with him, and we didn't fight...that much. Anyways, I shouldn't spend time reminiscing--by now, Malfoy would be yards away. I jog out of the den.
"About time." He looks at me, irritated. "I thought you couldn't figure your way out of the den."
I slow down. He actually waited? "I was just getting your robe." I hold it out for him to grab.
Malfoy shakes his head and begins to walk again. "Come on. I never thought I'd say this, but...I can't wait until we get back to the castle."
"Your leg is, um, better?" I ask as I notice him limp about every ten steps. "Because if it isn't, we can sit down for a while."
"I am fine," he says.
"And don't you want your robe?" Didn't he say it was expensive? Not that I think money would matter to Malfoy. He could probably buy twenty of these robes and still have enough money to buy a couple countries after.
"You can hold on to it."
He was being rather nice. He has never let me borrow any of his quills, but yet, he's letting me hold his robe? I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, though. I slip it on as I trail after him.
"Do you even know which way is the right way?" I ask. "Because if you don't, maybe we should've stayed at the cave until Professor Dumbledore found us."
He stops suddenly and I crash into him. Merlin, he has a hard back... I rub my forehead. "Why did you stop?" I whisper, looking around.
"Moss," he says, pointing to the ground. "Why didn't I see the moss earlier? I know how we can get back."
I smile hopefully. "Really? How do you know all this wilderness stuff, Malfoy?"
He turns around with a slight smile on his face. "Wizard Scouts."
"You mean like the American Boy Scouts?" I try to imagine a young Malfoy dressed in the American Boy Scouts outfit. I can't.
"The what?"
"The American Boy Scouts go do outdoor things, such as camping and making fires. My cousin in the States used to be one and he told me all about it," I explain.
He gives me a blank look. "I suppose."
"Ah, so, anyways. Lead us to the--cabbit!" I point to the dark blue thing near the moss. I can't believe I found it! I'm about to run after it when I feel something holding me back. Craning my neck around, I see Malfoy holding on to the hood of his robe.
"Leave it," he command, narrowing his eyes. "Remember how this all started? You ran after that bloody thing and you almost got eaten by a Nundu. I do not want to go through all that again."
"Let me just grab the cabbit," I plead, "and I'll come right back. If it runs away, I'm going to come back."
"Fine." He lets go. "But if you're going to run after it, I'm not coming back for you this time."
"Right." Trying to sneak up on the cabbit, I tip toe quietly behind it. Almost there. Almost... Almost... SNAP! I look down. A twig. The cabbit scampers off again. I give up. I clearly was not meant to chase around small and cuddly animals in forests.
As I turn around, I see Malfoy smirking at me.
"Good job," he says sarcastically. "Let's go now."
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"I thought you said you knew how to get back!" I exclaim. "But we've been going around in circles. Look, there's the den again, and over there is that tree."
"I -do- know how," Malfoy says, frustrated. He runs a hand through his hair as he walks around. "I do know how. There's just something wrong here. We shouldn't be going around in circles like this." He squats down in order to examine the moss on the trees. "Why aren't we headed back the right way?"
I shrug. He was asking a rhetorical question, right? "Maybe we can still just wait here..."
"There's no way I'm going to be sitting here.." his voice trails off. "Bloody hell. This isn't moss! Damn it! That's why we aren't back yet." He kicks at the tree with his right foot and immediately sinks to knees, clutching at his leg. I squat down next to him.
"That wasn't a very smart thing to do."
He closes his eyes. "I figured that."
I smirk. "So you're temporarily out of action. That means I can leave you here..."
"You won't." He rubs at his leg. "Ah, it's starting to go away."
"That's good. Then we will be back to Hogwarts in no time. I wonder if anyone noticed our absence yet. I'm sure Harry and Ron would've. And Professor Dumbledore certainly would've noticed as well. What do you think?"
He hasn't been paying attention. I shake my head. "Stand--"
"Shhh," he whispers, opening his eyes. "Do you hear something?"
I listen for any noise. Nope, nothing. "I don't hear any--"
"Shhh," he whispers again. "Listen harder."
"I don't see the--" He puts a finger on my lips.
"Just listen."
I listen again. I don't hear anything--wait. What was that? My eyes widen as I look at Malfoy. "What was that?" I hiss softly.
"Something big," he says quietly. He stands up and offers a hand. "Come on. Try not to make a sound, otherwise we're both dead."
I take his hand and he pulls me up. Something big? I hope it's not another nundu... Without letting go of my hand, Malfoy begins to walk delicately, making sure that he doesn't step on any leaves or twigs. I follow closely behind him.
The steps grow louder. I can hear fallen branches being cracked... Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease... I twist my head back and I see...oh no. Nononononononono! Of all the things, it's a *nundu*. I see the familiar print of its fur behind that tree. Shit.
"Mal...Malfoy," I try to whisper as calmly as I can with a giant leopard less than twenty feet away from us.
"What?"
"I--I--I think it sees us," I say. "In fact, it looks like it's getting ready to pounce. Really soon."
"Why didn't you say so before?" he asks. How can *he* sound so calm?
Tightening his grip on my hand, he begins to run and I have no choice but to run after him. I see the nundu land where I was mere seconds ago. Phew, that was a close one! It roars angrily and begins to chase after us. Deja-vu, anyone? I turn my head forward and I see the top of Hagrid's cabin. Almost, almost there!
I trip over a root, bringing Malfoy down with me.
I stand up, but Malfoy remains on the ground. Shit... Don't tell me he hit his head on a rock! I sit back down and roll him over, shaking him vigorously. "Malfoy! Get up!"
He groans. "Go--why are you staying with me when you can go get safe yourself?"
I pull at his arm. "I blame the Gryffindor bravery."
"More like stupidity," he says. "Granger, go!"
"No!"
He opens his eyes to stare at me threateningly. "Look, go get that oaf--"
"Hagrid," I say.
"--just run, damn it!"
"No!" I sit down with my back towards the nundu. I feel really foolish, but I figure Malfoy's had his fair share of injuries trying to "protect" me. I guess I just owe him one. Or maybe it's that Gryffindor bravery kicking in.
"What the fuck are you trying to play at, Granger!?" he snarls. "I didn't try to save both our asses to end up dying! If I had known, I would've stopped trying ages ago."
"Oh? So you're trying to be a hero?" I brace myself for the pain.
"I--SHIT, HERMIONE, JUST GO!" he yells, trying to push me away.
I suddenly feel a powerful wave of pain go through me. OWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! That...really hurt. Its claws are really, really sharp. Clenching my teeth, I say, "I remembered I owe you. I figured...this was a good time as any to pay back." Pain, pain, pain, pain. The nundu slashes at my back again and I scream in pain. Maybe he was right...Gryffindor bravery? It *is* stupidity. I begin to fall forward.
"You're fucking stupid," Malfoy whispers as he catches me.
The last things I hear before blacking out completely is a scream and someone yelling, "Petrificus Totalus!"
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4.24.o3 (12:08 AM, dah!) - Another short chapter, yes…but hey, at least it's out. I really needed to get out of the den, as I have more stuff planned for those two when they're back at school. ^^; Hope you don't think Hermione's too OOC here. I can't let Draco do all of the protecting… Anyways, this is going to be a rather long fic. It's been only what--Two/three days in the fic and this is the 12th chapter. Plus, if Hermione's going to fall in love with Draco-it -will- take a long time. Anyways, next chapter will definitely be longer, so don't worry there.
And WOW. *stares blankly at all those reviews* That's a lot of people! Thanks to:
Nadeshiko (rabid penguins? LOL!), dano, DarkflamesSolitude (there's the cabbit again!), Mrs. EmeraldRiddle, Aenea (are you kidding me? Wow, really strange!), Keeper of the Circle, Manuela, Elfmoon87 (that's a good question. *ponders as well*), Mistress Moony, draconia, Mindy, Sunshine Stargirl (ooh...alive...), cherie (*smiles* yea, i hate that too), Coleen (lol! :D i made someone a believer! wow!), gina, HarryPotterWanter (^^ Hi again! Yep, his parents call him Draco. And I do have something in mind for the extra wands...), one-crimson-tie (Hahahaha! Thanks! Rambling is ok. xDD), Marisa (no real romance for a while, sorry. just lots of funny/cute/weird moments), MoshiMoshiQueen, ash, Sailor Moon Rose (really? i personally think she's too sarcastic, lol. but hey, what a compliment! thanks!), Piggiepug (yep, she does), Krissy, and fReDAnD GEoRGeWeASleY ArE goDs (lol!)
Please review! *nods*
Author: tainted black (tainted_black@twistedcandy.org)
Disclaimer: Not mine.
-----------------------------------------
Previous:
"By giving them numbers and refusing to call them by their first name? Oh, Malfoy," I laugh. "Has anyone called -you- by your first name? Ever?"
"Of course."
"Your nanny doesn't count." I couldn't help it, I just -had- to add that. Ah, I wish I could see his face right now!
"I wasn't going to mention her," he grumbles. "I've been called by my first name numerous times."
"Oh, yea?" I challenge. "Who? Name me -one- person."
Silence.
Malfoy abruptly stands up and I fall backwards. He stares down at me coldly.
"I don't have to answer that."
-----------------
"Real funny, Malfoy," I say, forcing a laugh. Why am even trying? This is -Malfoy-. Why am I trying to lighten the mood? I certainly don't care about him. Not one bit...
But does he have to stare at me like -that-? I don't like that look on his face one bit...
"I forgot, your parents must call you by your name. And certainly the other students at school. I mean, Pansy's called you by your name plenty of times, hasn't she?" I'm beginning to babble now.
Really, why on earth am I trying? I know Harry and Ron would be laughing at him if they heard this. But that's them... I force another laugh as I pull myself off the floor.
"Stop that, Granger," he says harshly, turning around so that he doesn't have to face me. "I just said I didn't have to answer that, not that no one has called me 'Draco'. Anyways, the rain has stopped--let's go now." He quickly saunters out of the cave.
I pick his robe off the ground and brush it. Then I grab his Oxford and stick it into one of the robe's pocket. Looking around the den, I smiling slightly. We certainly spent an interesting day here. I can't believe I spent a little more than twenty-four hours *alone* with him, and we didn't fight...that much. Anyways, I shouldn't spend time reminiscing--by now, Malfoy would be yards away. I jog out of the den.
"About time." He looks at me, irritated. "I thought you couldn't figure your way out of the den."
I slow down. He actually waited? "I was just getting your robe." I hold it out for him to grab.
Malfoy shakes his head and begins to walk again. "Come on. I never thought I'd say this, but...I can't wait until we get back to the castle."
"Your leg is, um, better?" I ask as I notice him limp about every ten steps. "Because if it isn't, we can sit down for a while."
"I am fine," he says.
"And don't you want your robe?" Didn't he say it was expensive? Not that I think money would matter to Malfoy. He could probably buy twenty of these robes and still have enough money to buy a couple countries after.
"You can hold on to it."
He was being rather nice. He has never let me borrow any of his quills, but yet, he's letting me hold his robe? I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, though. I slip it on as I trail after him.
"Do you even know which way is the right way?" I ask. "Because if you don't, maybe we should've stayed at the cave until Professor Dumbledore found us."
He stops suddenly and I crash into him. Merlin, he has a hard back... I rub my forehead. "Why did you stop?" I whisper, looking around.
"Moss," he says, pointing to the ground. "Why didn't I see the moss earlier? I know how we can get back."
I smile hopefully. "Really? How do you know all this wilderness stuff, Malfoy?"
He turns around with a slight smile on his face. "Wizard Scouts."
"You mean like the American Boy Scouts?" I try to imagine a young Malfoy dressed in the American Boy Scouts outfit. I can't.
"The what?"
"The American Boy Scouts go do outdoor things, such as camping and making fires. My cousin in the States used to be one and he told me all about it," I explain.
He gives me a blank look. "I suppose."
"Ah, so, anyways. Lead us to the--cabbit!" I point to the dark blue thing near the moss. I can't believe I found it! I'm about to run after it when I feel something holding me back. Craning my neck around, I see Malfoy holding on to the hood of his robe.
"Leave it," he command, narrowing his eyes. "Remember how this all started? You ran after that bloody thing and you almost got eaten by a Nundu. I do not want to go through all that again."
"Let me just grab the cabbit," I plead, "and I'll come right back. If it runs away, I'm going to come back."
"Fine." He lets go. "But if you're going to run after it, I'm not coming back for you this time."
"Right." Trying to sneak up on the cabbit, I tip toe quietly behind it. Almost there. Almost... Almost... SNAP! I look down. A twig. The cabbit scampers off again. I give up. I clearly was not meant to chase around small and cuddly animals in forests.
As I turn around, I see Malfoy smirking at me.
"Good job," he says sarcastically. "Let's go now."
------
"I thought you said you knew how to get back!" I exclaim. "But we've been going around in circles. Look, there's the den again, and over there is that tree."
"I -do- know how," Malfoy says, frustrated. He runs a hand through his hair as he walks around. "I do know how. There's just something wrong here. We shouldn't be going around in circles like this." He squats down in order to examine the moss on the trees. "Why aren't we headed back the right way?"
I shrug. He was asking a rhetorical question, right? "Maybe we can still just wait here..."
"There's no way I'm going to be sitting here.." his voice trails off. "Bloody hell. This isn't moss! Damn it! That's why we aren't back yet." He kicks at the tree with his right foot and immediately sinks to knees, clutching at his leg. I squat down next to him.
"That wasn't a very smart thing to do."
He closes his eyes. "I figured that."
I smirk. "So you're temporarily out of action. That means I can leave you here..."
"You won't." He rubs at his leg. "Ah, it's starting to go away."
"That's good. Then we will be back to Hogwarts in no time. I wonder if anyone noticed our absence yet. I'm sure Harry and Ron would've. And Professor Dumbledore certainly would've noticed as well. What do you think?"
He hasn't been paying attention. I shake my head. "Stand--"
"Shhh," he whispers, opening his eyes. "Do you hear something?"
I listen for any noise. Nope, nothing. "I don't hear any--"
"Shhh," he whispers again. "Listen harder."
"I don't see the--" He puts a finger on my lips.
"Just listen."
I listen again. I don't hear anything--wait. What was that? My eyes widen as I look at Malfoy. "What was that?" I hiss softly.
"Something big," he says quietly. He stands up and offers a hand. "Come on. Try not to make a sound, otherwise we're both dead."
I take his hand and he pulls me up. Something big? I hope it's not another nundu... Without letting go of my hand, Malfoy begins to walk delicately, making sure that he doesn't step on any leaves or twigs. I follow closely behind him.
The steps grow louder. I can hear fallen branches being cracked... Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease... I twist my head back and I see...oh no. Nononononononono! Of all the things, it's a *nundu*. I see the familiar print of its fur behind that tree. Shit.
"Mal...Malfoy," I try to whisper as calmly as I can with a giant leopard less than twenty feet away from us.
"What?"
"I--I--I think it sees us," I say. "In fact, it looks like it's getting ready to pounce. Really soon."
"Why didn't you say so before?" he asks. How can *he* sound so calm?
Tightening his grip on my hand, he begins to run and I have no choice but to run after him. I see the nundu land where I was mere seconds ago. Phew, that was a close one! It roars angrily and begins to chase after us. Deja-vu, anyone? I turn my head forward and I see the top of Hagrid's cabin. Almost, almost there!
I trip over a root, bringing Malfoy down with me.
I stand up, but Malfoy remains on the ground. Shit... Don't tell me he hit his head on a rock! I sit back down and roll him over, shaking him vigorously. "Malfoy! Get up!"
He groans. "Go--why are you staying with me when you can go get safe yourself?"
I pull at his arm. "I blame the Gryffindor bravery."
"More like stupidity," he says. "Granger, go!"
"No!"
He opens his eyes to stare at me threateningly. "Look, go get that oaf--"
"Hagrid," I say.
"--just run, damn it!"
"No!" I sit down with my back towards the nundu. I feel really foolish, but I figure Malfoy's had his fair share of injuries trying to "protect" me. I guess I just owe him one. Or maybe it's that Gryffindor bravery kicking in.
"What the fuck are you trying to play at, Granger!?" he snarls. "I didn't try to save both our asses to end up dying! If I had known, I would've stopped trying ages ago."
"Oh? So you're trying to be a hero?" I brace myself for the pain.
"I--SHIT, HERMIONE, JUST GO!" he yells, trying to push me away.
I suddenly feel a powerful wave of pain go through me. OWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! That...really hurt. Its claws are really, really sharp. Clenching my teeth, I say, "I remembered I owe you. I figured...this was a good time as any to pay back." Pain, pain, pain, pain. The nundu slashes at my back again and I scream in pain. Maybe he was right...Gryffindor bravery? It *is* stupidity. I begin to fall forward.
"You're fucking stupid," Malfoy whispers as he catches me.
The last things I hear before blacking out completely is a scream and someone yelling, "Petrificus Totalus!"
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4.24.o3 (12:08 AM, dah!) - Another short chapter, yes…but hey, at least it's out. I really needed to get out of the den, as I have more stuff planned for those two when they're back at school. ^^; Hope you don't think Hermione's too OOC here. I can't let Draco do all of the protecting… Anyways, this is going to be a rather long fic. It's been only what--Two/three days in the fic and this is the 12th chapter. Plus, if Hermione's going to fall in love with Draco-it -will- take a long time. Anyways, next chapter will definitely be longer, so don't worry there.
And WOW. *stares blankly at all those reviews* That's a lot of people! Thanks to:
Nadeshiko (rabid penguins? LOL!), dano, DarkflamesSolitude (there's the cabbit again!), Mrs. EmeraldRiddle, Aenea (are you kidding me? Wow, really strange!), Keeper of the Circle, Manuela, Elfmoon87 (that's a good question. *ponders as well*), Mistress Moony, draconia, Mindy, Sunshine Stargirl (ooh...alive...), cherie (*smiles* yea, i hate that too), Coleen (lol! :D i made someone a believer! wow!), gina, HarryPotterWanter (^^ Hi again! Yep, his parents call him Draco. And I do have something in mind for the extra wands...), one-crimson-tie (Hahahaha! Thanks! Rambling is ok. xDD), Marisa (no real romance for a while, sorry. just lots of funny/cute/weird moments), MoshiMoshiQueen, ash, Sailor Moon Rose (really? i personally think she's too sarcastic, lol. but hey, what a compliment! thanks!), Piggiepug (yep, she does), Krissy, and fReDAnD GEoRGeWeASleY ArE goDs (lol!)
Please review! *nods*