Chapter 9- Conversations
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Yay! Another chapter and this one is very long (for me at least!). I am on eight favourites lists now! Wow thankyou so much to those people, award yourself a big grin from me! And I have broken through the hundred reviews mark! What a lot of exclamation marks you all deserve : ) As the chapter title suggests there is a lot of dialogue in this chapter but I that seems to be the way my writing is these days. My email list offer still stands and if anyone wants to be added please tell me. One last thing, the reason this chapter is up so quickly is because I am on a Harry Potter high after watching my video and listening to my audio tapes. (isn't Stephen Fry excellent?!)
Enjoy…
'-' = thoughts
AN= Authors notes
Disclaimer: Mostly JK's apart from some weird characters which I pulled out my head. Basically the good stuff is hers!
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***
Hermione felt like her heart was being strangled. Ron stared at her with such a hurt and disbelieving expression that she felt she would just die of guilt.
"I didn't mean to! It was an accident!" she wailed but Ron continued to look at her like she had grown three heads or, worse, like he had never seen her before in his life.
"Oh ow mudblood, that really hurt." Malfoy scoffed in the background though if truth be told he was feeling decidedly uncomfortable. He hadn't meant her to collapse like this. 'It's not my fault if the little bitch has no strength and relies on her friends too much.' He told himself haughtily but he couldn't stop the niggling worm of remorse burrowing deep inside of him.
"Ron, please, please listen to me."
"I've heard enough!" Ron gave her one last disgusted look before storming up the stairs towards the Gryffindor dormitories.
"Oh dear that didn't go too well did it?" Malfoy sneered walking over to where Hermione was crumpled. He reached down and cupped her chin forcing her to look at him. "It's frightening how a moments loss of control can have such dire consequences isn't it?"
"Leave me alone." She whispered trying to wrench away from his grip.
"But mudblood…"
In one swift movement she had twisted away from him and run up the steps after Ron.
"Okay Pansy you can come out now."
Pansy tottered out from behind a suit of armour and hung onto his arm with a vice-like grip.
"Oh Draccy you really are the most evil person I know."
Draco smiled a slow and condescending smile. "Well of course but don't think I'm going to forgive you over disobeying me by simple flattery. I told you not to approach Hermione until I had told you my plans."
"Yes but…"
"But nothing! Your little fun in the kitchens may have cost us the advantage. Subtly might be too a big word for you to grasp but she knows something of what we are doing now, she told me so herself last night."
"Really? How much does she know?"
"The mudblood knows that we are playing some sort of game with her but she thinks we are doing it simply to annoy her. I wonder how long until she realises it is not her but Weasley and Potter that I want to destroy, she really is a most foolish girl without books."
"Who cares what she thinks if she is so wrong."
"Because she is the key!" Draco yelled but then sighed and turned away, "I don't know why I bother with you I really don't, just get out of my way and only do something if I expressly tell you to."
Pansy pouted then flicked her hair over her shoulder. "Oh I'm sorry, Kiss me Draco?"
"I never thought that I would say this but I think you should take some beauty tips from the mudblood. Her lips were much more kissable then yours."
"D..D..Draccy?" Pansy burst into tears and staggered off on her ridiculously high heels. 'What an effect I seem to be having on people this morning.' Draco chuckled to himself walking back into the great hall, where only Crabbe and Goyle remained, to finish his breakfast.
***
"Ron?" Hermione cautiously entered the boys' room and saw her red head friend standing at the window looking out over the grounds. "Ron?" no reply. Hermione decided that the best method to use was a jolly one and pretend nothing had happened. "So I guess I won the bet then, you have to be a volunteer for Hagrid." She paused, no answer. "What was your dream about anyway? Tell me…please?" still nothing. "Oh grow up Ron! You can't ignore me forever!" Hermione lost her temper then Ron turned abruptly and brushed past her down the stairs. "Argh!" she threw up her hands in defeat and walked over to the window to see what had so engrossed Ron. Looking out she saw Harry and Cho walking along the path to the forbidden forest. 'That's odd' she thought but in another moment they were gone, lost from sight in the dark menacing trees. On any other occasion she would have gone running out to make sure that Harry would be alright but she just wasn't in the mood for it this time. 'and after all' she reasoned with herself, 'it's not like he doesn't know his way around, he probably knows that forest better than anyone at this school.' She eventually decided that she should go back to the infirmary and talk to Neville again. 'Some Christmas holiday this is turning out to be!" she thought angrily.
***
The infirmary was noticeably emptier when Hermione entered. The curtains were pulled about Jonathon's bed, Malfoy was missing from his bed, Neville was still in his and both Casey and Ronan were gone. 'Well at least they have gotten better' Hermione willed herself to think but really she was disappointed that her Malfoy encounters were going to noticeably dwindle now he was gone from the infirmary. Taking her seat beside Neville's bed Hermione began to talk to him about the day he had fought Malfoy and his goons in the Quidditch stands immersing herself in the memory and laughing as she remembered Draco's face. After a while she took his hands in her own and simply sat there staring at him willing him to get better so someone would talk to her now that both Harry and Ron seemed to be ignoring her.
***
Unbeknownst to Hermione two people were hovering in the door way behind her
debating in soft whispers.
"Just go in and ask her! What's the worst that can happen?" Casey urged.
"She'll laugh in my face, either Ron or Harry will pop out of nowhere and beat me up, Malfoy will make fun of me, Jeremy could forbid it…"
Ronan's excuses got wilder and wilder until Casey hit him on the shoulder. "Shut up doofus and admit it, what you're really scared of is that she'll say yes."
Ronan closed his mouth with a snap and nodded. "Do you think I should do it?"
"You'll never forgive yourself if you don't try." She smiled encouragingly and gave him a little shove so he fell into the ward startling Hermione.
"Oh hi Ronan." She smiled, "feeling better?"
"Loads, thanks." he flushed a bright red and plastered a smile to his face that looked more like a grimace.
"Good." Hermione said wondering why he was pulling such a strange face. "So…is Casey better too?"
"Yeah she is…look Hermione can I ask you something?"
"Of course you can." 'At least someone is talking to me' she thought grimly.
"Um what are you doing on Friday?"
"Christmas Eve?"
"Yes."
At this point Malfoy appeared at the top of the stairs and joined Casey in eavesdropping. She glared at him and mouthed: Do you mind?! But he simply ignored her and listened.
"I don't know, probably stay up here and be with Neville, why do you ask?"
"Because…IwaswonderingifyouwouldgotoHogsmeadewithmefortheday!" Ronan said it all in a rush and smiled but his grin soon faded as he realised Hermione hadn't understood a word he had said. Outside in the corridor Malfoy was holding his stomach as he tried to repress his laughter.
"Sorry I didn't catch that." Hermione almost giggled but thought that it would be rude so she bit her tongue and stayed silent.
"Sorry." He flushed an even deeper crimson, "I said I was wondering if you would go to Hogsmeade with me for the day."
"Ah, haven't you bought Casey's present yet?"
Malfoy almost lost control when she said that. 'She is just so beautifully clueless!' he thought 'he's asking you out idiot child!'
"Um no, I just thought it would be nice to get to know you better."
"Oh!" Hermione flushed at her stupidity. "Sorry I didn't realise…yes of course I will go with you. I'm sure Neville wouldn't begrudge me one day."
Ronan almost sang for joy and his heart pounded in his chest but he needed to make sure he wasn't going to get beaten up by her bodyguards.
"And what about Ron and Harry? Will they be mad at me for stealing you away on Christmas Eve?"
Hermione smiled sadly "I don't think there will be a problem there."
Ronan missed how bitter she sounded and grinned at her. "Great well I'll see you around."
"Yep, bye." Hermione forced a smile for him then turned back to Neville. Ronan almost skipped out of the infirmary and didn't even notice Malfoy next to Casey. The best friends ran off together and Draco swaggered into the ward. As soon as Hermione saw him she jumped up, said a hurried goodbye to Neville and made to go. But she was not quick enough and he grabbed her by the arm.
"Leaving so soon?"
"You seem to have forgotten what happened the last time we were together in this room. I think it's best if I go." Hermione avoided his eyes
"But what if I want you to stay?" Malfoy lowered his head to kiss her but to his surprise she wrestled free of him and walked towards the door.
"Tough." She called back over her shoulder.
***
The next day (Tuesday December 21st) Hermione forced herself out of bed, groaning as she realised she was going to have to go through another day with the boys of Hogwarts. One was in a coma, one was not talking to her, one was not talking to anyone, one had a crush on her, one attacked anyone who came near, one was busy spreading rumours about how she had kissed him more than once, two were just plain stupid and there was one who just went around bossing people about. Ever since she had walked out on Malfoy the day before he had run around the school telling everyone that they had just kissed again. Considering the last time he had said this he had been telling the truth everyone believed him and seeing how hurt this made Ron most people thought it a good idea to ignore Hermione completely. To make matters worse Malfoy also told everyone that she was two-timing and going out with Ronan at t he same time. If she had not known that he would be very upset Hermione would have asked Ronan if they could postpone their date so that everyone's worst suspicions wouldn't be confirmed. Hermione spent the first part of the day in the infirmary where she talked to Neville about their second year when it had been her in his place, unconscious in the ward. Reluctantly she went down for lunch but she timed it so when she got down everyone had already finished and she quickly gulped down a small amount of food unseen. She was just about to go to her dormitories to do some homework when she heard raised voices from outside. Hermione poked her head around the entrance hall doors to see who it was and immediately spotted Harry and Ron having an argument.
"Harry we have to do something! She's kissing Malfoy's and running around with Hufflepuff's, this is our Hermione. Harry are you even listening?"
"Yeah, I'm listening." Said Harry in a weary voice. Looking closer at him Hermione saw he was very pale and there were black shadows under his eyes like he hadn't been sleeping well. Ron obviously didn't seem to notice how ill Harry looked as he gave him a push so Harry staggered slightly in the snow.
"I don't think you are. Don't you remember our oath? We promised Harry, we promised we would protect her."
"I just don't think she needs protecting at the moment, Ronan is a good guy and Malfoy was obviously an accident." Harry flared glaring at Ron.
"Fine great, just great. What's wrong with you!" Ron was really angry now and Hermione hoped he wasn't going to do anything rash.
"Look we love Hermione, right?" Harry asked.
"Right."
"So I think we should just trust her and if she asks for help we give it to her. Until then let her do her own thing." Harry sounded exhausted.
"I don't believe you." Ron whispered, hurt. "What's happened? We took that oath last year to always be there for her and to protect her against Volemort and everyone. You were the one who suggested we should take the oath, it can never be broken Harry and you know it. I just hope you come back to your senses before Hermione is seriously hurt."
"And I suppose you've been there for her." Harry said sarcastically, "Aren't you the one who isn't speaking to her."
"And you're not speaking to anyone!" Ron shot back then he took a deep calming breath. "Whatever Harry let's just leave it for now." Ron turned to go but Harry called after him:
"You know I'll always be there for you and 'Mione."
"Yeah." Said Ron as if he was unconvinced then he trudged away. Hermione stood frozen to the spot trying to digest what she had just heard. 'What oath?' she thought to herself, confused. She opened the doors fully and walked over to where Harry still stood.
"Hey." She said quietly
"Hey," he replied, "I suppose you heard all of that."
Hermione knew there was no point in denying it and she nodded. Harry sighed. "Well don't expect me to tell you what it is all about."
"No I don't." Hermione said truthfully, "but I want to try anyway."
"Don't bother." He spoke in a monotone and Hermione was shocked to see he was swaying on his feet like he was going to keel over at any moment.
"What is going on with you Harry?"
"I could ask you the same thing." Harry avoided her eyes and instead stared at the ground.
Hermione rolled her eyes "Alright we kissed once could people please move on? I'm sick of feeling guilty about it, okay? Could we just drop it?"
"No." another voice joined in.
She spun around to face the owner of the voice. "Ron, look…"
"Whatever Hermione." He brushed past her and Harry smiled sympathetically at Hermione.
"Still not exactly friendly is he."
"Well at least he is talking now." Hermione smiled feebly but she felt terrible. Ron wasn't talking to her, Harry wasn't talking to anybody about what was going on with him and Malfoy was telling anyone who would listen that he had kissed the know-it-all Gryffindor. Suddenly they heard a call.
"Hermione!"
"What do you want ferret?" Hermione growled.
"It's Jonathon. Merlin you have to hurry!..."
Hermione looked at Harry but he just shrugged.
"Do what you have to do." He said and Hermione suddenly threw her arms around him.
"Harry," she whispered in his ear, "we are going to talk about this you know I'm not going to let this drop until you tell me why you haven't slept in days."
He pushed her away, gently. "It's fine 'Mione, really." He knew she didn't believe him but eventually she left running after Malfoy into the castle.
***
Draco didn't say a word to Hermione as they pounded up stairs and raced along corridors to the infirmary and she was glad. Running in to the ward she saw three people gathered about Jonathon's bed while the occupant snarled and twisted.
"Not again." She whispered.
"It's worse this time." Draco said pushing her towards the small knot of people. Confused Hermione saw that professor Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey were desperately trying to calm Jonathon but it didn't seem to be working, and then Hermione saw with a gasp the real reason for the panic. (AN I was so tempted to leave it here!)
Mory was standing next to the bed with her face twisted in pain and Jonathon was gripping her wrist, shaking her like a rag doll. Hermione ran over.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" Draco snarled, "Now quickly, do whatever it is you did the last times to calm him down."
"I didn't do anything!" Hermione protested. "I just touched him."
"So do it!" Malfoy yelled.
Madam Pomfrey and Dumbledore made way for her and she approached cautiously.
"Jonathon." She whispered sitting down on the bed and placing her hand over the hand of his that wasn't holding Mory. Instantly he relaxed and turned his head to face her, his hand loosened and finally Mory broke free and ran sobbing to the other side of the room.
"Why did he do that?" she wailed.
No one had any answers for her; even Dumbledore seemed stumped by Jonathon's strange behaviour. Eventually Hermione whispered to Madam Pomfrey to hand her the sleeping draught and soon Jonathon was unconscious.
"Miss Granger, Miss Hague and Mr Malfoy I think you three should come to my office." Dumbledore said quietly. All three students nodded mutely and followed him out of the hospital wing.
***
"I don't know why he reacts to my touch, sir." Said Hermione for what felt like the a-thousandth time.
"Yes." Said Mory sullenly, "If anyone should be able to calm him it should be me."
"Well it's not you is it." snapped Malfoy who was sick of her whining.
"Mr Malfoy." Said Dumbledore warningly "well I'm afraid you'll have to be constantly on call Miss Granger. We can't cast spells on him because his virus is something new so we don't know how he will react; at the moment you seem to be the only cure."
Mory bristled at his last words.
"That's fine" Hermione said with a weary sigh, "I'm usually in the hospital wing anyway."
"Except this Friday." Malfoy said malevolently.
"Oh really? Why?" asked Dumbledore his eyes twinkling.
"I'm going to Hogsmeade with Ronan." Hermione replied, blushing.
"That's not fair!" Mory exploded "you can't just go and have fun with my boyfriend so sick."
"Calm yourself Miss Hague, I have a solution." Dumbledore produced what looked like a flat, shiny, clear piece of glass. "This is an Alertapane."
"A what?" Hermione asked.
"If there is an emergency I will contact you via this. It doubles as a portkey so when it flashes red simply squeeze it and you will appear in the hospital ward."
"But sir what about the charms around Hogwarts?"
"They will be taken care of." He said smiling; "now you can go I'm sure you would all like to rest."
Mory stormed out and Hermione and Draco followed her at a more sedate pace. They didn't say anything until they had reached the corridor the Gryffindor common rooms were on. Hermione turned to Draco.
"Thanks for coming to find me." She said softly.
"Don't be stupid," he said gruffly, "Of course I came to find you Jonathon isn't a bad guy."
"Hmm that's debatable at the moment." Hermione said smiling weakly. She noticed that they had moved, unconsciously at least on her part, closer together. Draco stared into her eyes, 'stage 2' he thought 'Ron should be coming any time now…' he kept an eye on the staircase and sure enough a red mop of hair appeared. He focused back on Hermione who seemed stricken to the spot and leaned in very close. He was about to kiss her when…
"Hermione!"
"Oh no." she whispered her face pale as a ghost's.
'Damn!' thought Draco, 'he couldn't have waited two more seconds could he, I was so close.'
***
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Well that was a busy chapter, I've added in a few subplots so it will be interesting to see how they turn out. I've noticed that these Christmas holidays at Hogwarts no one walks anywhere. They are too busy running, storming, sweeping and basically being dramatic. The exits and entries are ridiculously over the top and I apologise for this! My thankyous are as follows:
Couch-potato: Thankyou so much for saying you love my fic. It is so nice of you and yes I will keep writing!
Lil' dudette: I am definitely not going to leave it there. I have many more chapters up my sleeve so beware! I actually think I'm pretty bad at the romantic stuff but I love to write it so I solider on, thankyou for saying it is okay. D/Hr is definitely the best couple but I think I might write a story in the future that stars Hermione and Ron, what do you think? Thankyou so much for your review = )
Dracocrazy: Well I'm glad it looks like I know where I'm going, I think I do! Just kidding, I'm pretty sure I have some crazy ideas sorted out in my head as to where it is going. Harry has his own problems at the moment so I don't think he will be fighting any time soon…Ron however. Thankyou for reviewing twice and I will certainly email you, you are on my list.
Mrun: I know, isn't cool that I got over 100?! Thankyou, so, so much for saying you loved my story not once, not twice but three times it really means a lot a to me! I certainly will update and keep going!
Sucker For Romance: well I have written more soon, I hope you continue 'lovin it'! Thankyou so much for reviewing.
Rina: well suspense and cliffhangers are what I do best and I have hurried. Thankyou for reviewing.
Katy: Another person remarking on suspense! Excellent well I hope you enjoyed this chapter too! Thankyou.
Snow White: Uh oh indeed! It is so nice of you to say the characters are really themselves I think I have taken some liberties with Hermione but oh well, I guess this is what fanfiction is for! Thankyou so much for reviewing and you are on my email list.
Dragon eyes: Oh please don't hope yourself to death! Then who will review? Thankyou for saying you loved the chapter and I hope you enjoyed this one too.
GET YOU @$$ IN GEAR PLZ!: well with a hint like that how could I refuse? Here is the next chapter and my butt is steaming from going so fast, lol!
Vixen: I can't tell you what is up with Harry …you'll just have to wait and see. Ron is slightly scary at the moment but I just imagine him being intensely jealous so yeah that's my reason. Hermione is way out of character I know but I want to show the differences in strength between Draco and herself. I'm kind of not happy with the way she acts but I think maybe later she will toughen up. You are on my email list and I will certainly keep writing.
Kitty: I just can't see Draco as sweet and comforting in this story! Thankyou for your wonderful encouragement it is much appreciated. Saying it was great twice is fantastic!
Chikata: well with a statement like that of course I had to write more! Thankyou so much for reviewing.
Mione G: He does…perhaps he is suffering from PMS! I will keep writing and thankyou so much for saying you loved it.
Magisch Machen: Yay I finally did though technically it was chapter 8! You are on my email list and thankyou so much for reviewing.
Lady Alanna Salmalin of Conte: I'm forgiven, yay! I think I have done better because not only is it up in less then a week but it is also longer then usual. You proud? You are on my email list and thankyou for reviewing!
Well that is all for now but please review because as you can probably guess I love them so. Also I am going to change my summary or may have already changed it when you read this so don't be surprised! After all the summary was just for the beginning when I didn't have much of a clue what was going to happen but everything has changed. Thankyou and a big grin to you all!
Jess/Star123
