Disclaimer: I own nothing. Queen J.K. Rowling is the empress of the
enchanted kingdom of Harry Potter.
A/N: Greetings and salutations! Get comfy-this chapter is truly interesting. Hope that you like it. Thanks for your kind reviews and suggestions. I have much gratitude! Take care! -CheersDahling "Everyday is like Sunday-Everyday is silent and gray." -Morrissey
Broken Against a Stone-Chapter 6
The next day was Sunday. Hermione woke up with her head bursting- enflamed with the weight of her dreams from the night before. The travesty was that it wasn't a dream at all. She dreaded having to leave the protective fortress that was her bed. Leaving it would feel like stepping willingly into a moat filled with crocodiles. Hermione was the Head Girl and fortunately had her own room and bathroom that was rather luxurious in appearance. She rubbed her bloodshot swollen eyes and emerged reluctantly from her bed. Hermione had always thought that showers were therapeutic. She figured now was the best time to test that theory yet again.
She climbed into her marble shower and allowed the hot mineral water stream to wash away the dirt of being considered a "mudblood" by her obsession. She hoped it would erase her identity and all that she was. She'd rather become a mass void than to have to face her current situation. She was broken and Draco was the stone that had punished her. She felt faceless.
Eyes wide open through the water-the sting made her eyes blur with moving shapes. Her eyes felt dry and parched; though in truth they were hydrated. Her thoughts drifted into strange directions as she cleansed.
After she emerged from the shower, she realized how much she relished the sensation of the cold air striking her body. It was a sort of reminder of the kind of shock that she was going through. Perspiration mixed with water-she could taste it on her lip. Her towel dropped and she sat on the edge of her bed. Pools of water from her saturated hair hit the floor to form amoeba shapes. She finally descended from the haze and got dressed.
She walked into the common room to find other members of her house gaping in silence at her. Neville Longbottom was sitting at a worktable and nearly dropped the parchment he was grasping when he caught sight of Hermione. She accepted the fact that everyone had most likely been informed of what had happened the previous night. Ron and Harry were not in the common room, but Ginny was sitting by herself on one of the couches, looking frightfully disturbed at her presence. Hermione was in no way surprised to see that people were going to take sides. She walked over to where Ginny was sitting.
"Ginny, come take a stroll with me," said Hermione in a careful tone. Ginny looked at her a bit uncertainly.
"Alright," said Ginny as she got up from the couch.
The two girls walked out of the common room with the heat of everyone present's stares charring them. They began to walk the halls slowly.
"Ginny, where are Ron and Harry now," said Hermione.
"Hermione, obviously my brother is extremely disturbed today. Harry thought it was best to get him out of the castle for a while. He took him to Hogsmeade for a drink so that he could clear his head and calm down," said Ginny wearily.
Hermione and Ginny stopped in the middle of a hall in order to communicate more efficiently. Hermione ached with the difficulty of the confrontation.
"Ginny, I know that you are thinking the worst," said Hermione distantly. "I'm going through some changes at the moment. I cannot feasibly explain them to you. I need time to sort things out."
Ginny looked at Hermione with agitation sweeping across her features.
"None of us can possibly fathom what has happened to you. My brother is ill from this and Harry doesn't even think you're the same person. Ron is devastated by how horrible you have been. I just cannot conceive of the reasons behind your cold change of heart. Can you at least tell me why you are doing this Hermione?" said Ginny sadly.
Hermione found that words had completely escaped her. She felt very miserable over the way things were happening. She was not out to hurt people. Draco had somehow put her in some strange trance of mania. She looked at Ginny's frowning face.
"I'm sorry Ginny. I don't know why this is happening. It must be a biological phenomena or something. I am no longer comfortable with my relationship with Ron. We do not connect in the way that we used to. Everything has changed-I'm changing," said Hermione with blunt honesty echoing in her voice.
It was Ginny's turn with not knowing what to say. She looked down to the floor then back up at Hermione-seemingly uncomfortable. Hermione felt very nervous.
"We all care so much for you Hermione. Please try to remember that it is those who care about you that are the most important," said Ginny. With these statements she turned around and departed.
Hermione realized at that moment that there was no one on earth that she could confide in about her issue with Draco. She was completely on her own. In the back of her mind, that bit of honesty truly distressed her. She was unaccompanied with her own thoughts and humiliation.
~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~
The next week went by briskly for Hermione. She had become quite an isolationist and concentrated on losing herself in studies. Ron, Harry, and Ginny virtually avoided her at all costs. They seemingly acted as though she did not exist. Hermione thought it was best that way for the time being. She continually recalled in her mind like a broken record how Draco had cried outside the classroom door on the night of the Halloween ball. Everything would replay in slow motion.
Draco avoided making any eye contact with Hermione in their shared classes. He continued to look uneasy every time Hermione saw him. He had lost weight and the black circles under his eyes deepened under the eye socket. The circles made depressions in his skin. She looked physically unwell overall.
The weekend after the Halloween ball found Hermione mostly in the peace of her own dorm room. She usually only ventured out to eat. This was difficult for her because she had taken to sitting by herself at the end of the Gryffindor table. She found that if she brought a book with her it would aid in the battle against the stares she was receiving from all houses. It appeared that everyone was aware of the split up between the blessed union of the Gryffindor three.
On Sunday afternoon, Hermione decided that it would be a good idea to go to the library and study for an upcoming transfiguration exam. She needed to locate a reference book about transfiguring sugar into ice. She found the book and retreated to a study table in a corner of the library that was not as well lit as others. The idea was that discreetness would render peacefulness. She began reading and taking notes on her findings, when she looked up and saw Draco skimming the bookrack to the right of where she was sitting. He was in the advanced herbology section. She gasped rather audibly as she watched him move through the aisle like a solid fluid. He appeared to have heard her and gazed at her like an animal that knew it had been successfully hunted. He held her gaze for a few moments then walked away. Hermione felt herself regain the feeling of being helpless and sick once again from his very image. She stared in front of her for at least ten minutes before even having the slightest notion of where she was. She assumed that Draco had left the library, but she was seriously mistaken. At that moment he was walking towards her table with a non-descript expression on his face. It was almost like dry emotion. Hermione felt her breath leave her. She felt like someone with a dreadful respiratory disorder. She felt almost dumb and mute. Her senses had finally taken a holiday and vacated her.
Draco leaned over the table and said nothing but pushed something under her hand. His quick motion caused a hot draft from his body heat to envelop her. She did not look to see what sort of object had been given to her. She was completely transfixed by his wordless gaze. The contact that she had made with his flesh reminded her of a strange purity. It seemed that they shared homogenous blood. She noticed that Draco's face had a mild flush to it. As soon as he's passed the object to her, he turned around and left without or expressing any flicker of emotion. Hermione felt that she had not breathed since he walked to her. She inhaled graciously and felt the cells in her body reactivate from their previously hibernated state.
When she acquired full access to her motor skills once again, she looked down to see what Draco had given her. It was a note that was already damp with her hand's perspiration. Or did the hand of Malfoy moisten it? She unfolded the parchment vigilantly and read its contents.
Hermione-
I cannot explain to you how peculiar it is to write this. Our encounter last weekend has provoked something. Voodoo-or some outlandish notion perhaps. What I am trying to say is-I need to talk to you privately. I understand that you will most likely not want to do this because of the manner in which I have behaved. I sincerely apologize. I had no right. But I can assure you that my aim is true. I intend to inform you of what you want to know. If you feel as though you are willing to listen, meet me tonight at 11:30 outside of Gryffindor tower. I have my own means of concealing myself-but you'll know that I'm there. I will reveal myself to you only. I know that because you are Head Girl you have your own room. I think that it would be most favorable to talk there. I hope that you will oblige.
-Draco Malfoy
Hermione lay the parchment in front of her and looked about too see if anyone had seen the encounter. Providentially, there was no one. She fumbled to find her book bag and stuffed her study materials inside of it. She held on to Draco's letter like it was a long lost religious relic. She needed time to emotionally prepare herself for the upcoming tidal wave. She headed for her dorm room with an empty head and an empty mind that was dying to be filled with something nourishing. She would not refuse him.
A/N: Thanks to all who took time to read this chapter. I promise to bring to you next time a delicious one on one encounter between Draco and Hermione. You will not go unsatisfied, I promise. Have a lovely week. Much Love- -CheersDahling
A/N: Greetings and salutations! Get comfy-this chapter is truly interesting. Hope that you like it. Thanks for your kind reviews and suggestions. I have much gratitude! Take care! -CheersDahling "Everyday is like Sunday-Everyday is silent and gray." -Morrissey
Broken Against a Stone-Chapter 6
The next day was Sunday. Hermione woke up with her head bursting- enflamed with the weight of her dreams from the night before. The travesty was that it wasn't a dream at all. She dreaded having to leave the protective fortress that was her bed. Leaving it would feel like stepping willingly into a moat filled with crocodiles. Hermione was the Head Girl and fortunately had her own room and bathroom that was rather luxurious in appearance. She rubbed her bloodshot swollen eyes and emerged reluctantly from her bed. Hermione had always thought that showers were therapeutic. She figured now was the best time to test that theory yet again.
She climbed into her marble shower and allowed the hot mineral water stream to wash away the dirt of being considered a "mudblood" by her obsession. She hoped it would erase her identity and all that she was. She'd rather become a mass void than to have to face her current situation. She was broken and Draco was the stone that had punished her. She felt faceless.
Eyes wide open through the water-the sting made her eyes blur with moving shapes. Her eyes felt dry and parched; though in truth they were hydrated. Her thoughts drifted into strange directions as she cleansed.
After she emerged from the shower, she realized how much she relished the sensation of the cold air striking her body. It was a sort of reminder of the kind of shock that she was going through. Perspiration mixed with water-she could taste it on her lip. Her towel dropped and she sat on the edge of her bed. Pools of water from her saturated hair hit the floor to form amoeba shapes. She finally descended from the haze and got dressed.
She walked into the common room to find other members of her house gaping in silence at her. Neville Longbottom was sitting at a worktable and nearly dropped the parchment he was grasping when he caught sight of Hermione. She accepted the fact that everyone had most likely been informed of what had happened the previous night. Ron and Harry were not in the common room, but Ginny was sitting by herself on one of the couches, looking frightfully disturbed at her presence. Hermione was in no way surprised to see that people were going to take sides. She walked over to where Ginny was sitting.
"Ginny, come take a stroll with me," said Hermione in a careful tone. Ginny looked at her a bit uncertainly.
"Alright," said Ginny as she got up from the couch.
The two girls walked out of the common room with the heat of everyone present's stares charring them. They began to walk the halls slowly.
"Ginny, where are Ron and Harry now," said Hermione.
"Hermione, obviously my brother is extremely disturbed today. Harry thought it was best to get him out of the castle for a while. He took him to Hogsmeade for a drink so that he could clear his head and calm down," said Ginny wearily.
Hermione and Ginny stopped in the middle of a hall in order to communicate more efficiently. Hermione ached with the difficulty of the confrontation.
"Ginny, I know that you are thinking the worst," said Hermione distantly. "I'm going through some changes at the moment. I cannot feasibly explain them to you. I need time to sort things out."
Ginny looked at Hermione with agitation sweeping across her features.
"None of us can possibly fathom what has happened to you. My brother is ill from this and Harry doesn't even think you're the same person. Ron is devastated by how horrible you have been. I just cannot conceive of the reasons behind your cold change of heart. Can you at least tell me why you are doing this Hermione?" said Ginny sadly.
Hermione found that words had completely escaped her. She felt very miserable over the way things were happening. She was not out to hurt people. Draco had somehow put her in some strange trance of mania. She looked at Ginny's frowning face.
"I'm sorry Ginny. I don't know why this is happening. It must be a biological phenomena or something. I am no longer comfortable with my relationship with Ron. We do not connect in the way that we used to. Everything has changed-I'm changing," said Hermione with blunt honesty echoing in her voice.
It was Ginny's turn with not knowing what to say. She looked down to the floor then back up at Hermione-seemingly uncomfortable. Hermione felt very nervous.
"We all care so much for you Hermione. Please try to remember that it is those who care about you that are the most important," said Ginny. With these statements she turned around and departed.
Hermione realized at that moment that there was no one on earth that she could confide in about her issue with Draco. She was completely on her own. In the back of her mind, that bit of honesty truly distressed her. She was unaccompanied with her own thoughts and humiliation.
~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~
The next week went by briskly for Hermione. She had become quite an isolationist and concentrated on losing herself in studies. Ron, Harry, and Ginny virtually avoided her at all costs. They seemingly acted as though she did not exist. Hermione thought it was best that way for the time being. She continually recalled in her mind like a broken record how Draco had cried outside the classroom door on the night of the Halloween ball. Everything would replay in slow motion.
Draco avoided making any eye contact with Hermione in their shared classes. He continued to look uneasy every time Hermione saw him. He had lost weight and the black circles under his eyes deepened under the eye socket. The circles made depressions in his skin. She looked physically unwell overall.
The weekend after the Halloween ball found Hermione mostly in the peace of her own dorm room. She usually only ventured out to eat. This was difficult for her because she had taken to sitting by herself at the end of the Gryffindor table. She found that if she brought a book with her it would aid in the battle against the stares she was receiving from all houses. It appeared that everyone was aware of the split up between the blessed union of the Gryffindor three.
On Sunday afternoon, Hermione decided that it would be a good idea to go to the library and study for an upcoming transfiguration exam. She needed to locate a reference book about transfiguring sugar into ice. She found the book and retreated to a study table in a corner of the library that was not as well lit as others. The idea was that discreetness would render peacefulness. She began reading and taking notes on her findings, when she looked up and saw Draco skimming the bookrack to the right of where she was sitting. He was in the advanced herbology section. She gasped rather audibly as she watched him move through the aisle like a solid fluid. He appeared to have heard her and gazed at her like an animal that knew it had been successfully hunted. He held her gaze for a few moments then walked away. Hermione felt herself regain the feeling of being helpless and sick once again from his very image. She stared in front of her for at least ten minutes before even having the slightest notion of where she was. She assumed that Draco had left the library, but she was seriously mistaken. At that moment he was walking towards her table with a non-descript expression on his face. It was almost like dry emotion. Hermione felt her breath leave her. She felt like someone with a dreadful respiratory disorder. She felt almost dumb and mute. Her senses had finally taken a holiday and vacated her.
Draco leaned over the table and said nothing but pushed something under her hand. His quick motion caused a hot draft from his body heat to envelop her. She did not look to see what sort of object had been given to her. She was completely transfixed by his wordless gaze. The contact that she had made with his flesh reminded her of a strange purity. It seemed that they shared homogenous blood. She noticed that Draco's face had a mild flush to it. As soon as he's passed the object to her, he turned around and left without or expressing any flicker of emotion. Hermione felt that she had not breathed since he walked to her. She inhaled graciously and felt the cells in her body reactivate from their previously hibernated state.
When she acquired full access to her motor skills once again, she looked down to see what Draco had given her. It was a note that was already damp with her hand's perspiration. Or did the hand of Malfoy moisten it? She unfolded the parchment vigilantly and read its contents.
Hermione-
I cannot explain to you how peculiar it is to write this. Our encounter last weekend has provoked something. Voodoo-or some outlandish notion perhaps. What I am trying to say is-I need to talk to you privately. I understand that you will most likely not want to do this because of the manner in which I have behaved. I sincerely apologize. I had no right. But I can assure you that my aim is true. I intend to inform you of what you want to know. If you feel as though you are willing to listen, meet me tonight at 11:30 outside of Gryffindor tower. I have my own means of concealing myself-but you'll know that I'm there. I will reveal myself to you only. I know that because you are Head Girl you have your own room. I think that it would be most favorable to talk there. I hope that you will oblige.
-Draco Malfoy
Hermione lay the parchment in front of her and looked about too see if anyone had seen the encounter. Providentially, there was no one. She fumbled to find her book bag and stuffed her study materials inside of it. She held on to Draco's letter like it was a long lost religious relic. She needed time to emotionally prepare herself for the upcoming tidal wave. She headed for her dorm room with an empty head and an empty mind that was dying to be filled with something nourishing. She would not refuse him.
A/N: Thanks to all who took time to read this chapter. I promise to bring to you next time a delicious one on one encounter between Draco and Hermione. You will not go unsatisfied, I promise. Have a lovely week. Much Love- -CheersDahling