Chapter 21- What have I done?
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Yes, I know that you all hate me at the moment because I haven't updated in a very long time and I left you in a very confusing place but I have been really busy recently and this is the only bit of time I have been able to grab in ages to finish this chapter! As such it is very poorly written and may be changed some time in the future. For now however, enjoy!
Disclaimer: I am trying to juggle studying, homework, friends, boyfriend and story writing at the same time, do you think I have a spare moment to write the best books ever? No!
Don't forget if you want to be added to my email notification list just let me know in a review or email!
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***
For the first time in his life Draco panicked. He spun around on the spot and saw madam Pomfrey crumpled on the floor, obviously unconscious, he wasn't going to get any help there. With Hermione clasped securely in his arms, her head lolling against his chest he headed for the only place of safety he could think of. His dormitory. He laid her gently on his bed, smoothing down the folds of the dress and hardly registering any surprise at her change of attire. Sighing deeply her pulled a chair close against the four-poster before sinking down into it and putting his head in his hands, his whole form slumping as despair washed over him. Disaster had only been narrowly avoided and it was his fault, all his fault. He knew what would happen and he hadn't told her. Anger forced him out of his chair and he paced up and down the room livid thoughts seething through his head. Suddenly he whirled around and smashed his fist through the door of a cupboard that stood nearby. The wood splintered and a sharp pain shot through his knuckles. He cursed and withdrew his hand which was now bleeding and covered in splinters, he would have to see madam Pomfrey about it later. His knuckles smarted painfully but he ignored them.
'I deserve it!' he thought fiercely. He turned back around to face his bed and saw a pair of brown eyes regarding him quizzically.
"What did you do that for?" Hermione asked softly. He shrugged and sat down in the chair again.
"Intense day, huh?" he stated, surreptitiously looking at her out of the corner of his eye to check her over for any injuries.
She gave a dry laugh which turned into a hacking cough. Wordlessly he handed her a goblet of water from the pitcher he kept on his bedside table. She took a sip and gave him a nod of thanks.
"I suppose you want to know what happened back there." Draco said forcing himself to look fully at her.
Hermione, still not trusting herself to speak after her coughing fit, rolled her eyes to show the obviousness of his statement.
The Slytherin leaned down and put his hand under the mattress eventually straightening up and handing her a book that had been secreted there. It was an old book, this was immediately obvious, bound in dark green leather which was cracking slightly and with gold words scrawled across the front.
"Merged Destinies; The History of the Malfoy's and Granger's." Hermione read out loud in awe, "Draco what is this? What's going on?"
"Just read it." he said shortly, "I'll be back in a while, I have to go and see what has happened in the hospital wing."
Hermione made an effort to sit up but fell back, exhausted onto the pillows.
"I can't stay here!" she whispered urgently, "Crabbe and Goy…"
"Will stay down in the kitchen snacking until dinner after which they will eat some more, it will be fine Hermione, just read the damn book." Draco stalked out of the room and Hermione let out a long sigh and regarded the book apprehensively. 'Come on Hermione, don't be a stupid. You said you wanted to know what happened.' She gave herself a mental shake and opened the cover…
***
Half an hour later…
Hermione closed the back cover and closed her eyes, tears escaping from under the lid and running down her face.
"What have I done?" she whispered to the silent room, "What have I done?!" she struggled into a sitting position and looked down at the dress she was wearing. It was beautiful but it sent shivers down her spine, this wasn't her dress, it belonged to someone else, someone in the past, someone…her! The realisation hit Hermione and she gripped the sides of the bed for support.
'Pull yourself together!' she instructed herself. Hermione slipped out of the bed barely noticing the ice cold floor on her bare feet and fairly flew out of the dormitory her hands holding up the hem of the purple material so she wouldn't trip in her haste.
***
Meanwhile back in the Hospital wing…
Ron and Harry stood speechless staring at Madam Pomfrey and Casey.
"No she isn't." Ron said flatly.
"But Ron the wands…." Harry began.
"She isn't dead!" Ron shouted
"Mister Weasley we have her…" Madam Pomfrey gulped, "…body."
"Show me." Ron said it in such a way that even Madam Pomfrey didn't want to argue. She pointed feebly in the direction of the ward. Ron and Harry strode past her and pushed open the door. They both stared down at the form lying on the floor, a sheet totally encasing the body. Hesitantly Ron leaned down and pulled the sheet back from the face. Ron shouted:
"Thank Merlin!"
At the same time that Harry sank to the floor uttering a despairing:
"No!"
Ron looked down at him in surprise.
"What's wrong, Harry? Look, it isn't Hermione after all."
Harry stared up at him in sympathy shaking his head, grieve welling in his eyes.
"Ron, I'm sorry. It's Hermione, it's obviously her."
Ron was utterly bewildered. "Harry what are you talking about? Look at her. She looks similar to Hermione I'll admit, but it isn't her. Look closely."
Harry looked away. Incited, Ron gave a roar of fury and dragged him up by the collar of his robe until they were face to face. "Have you forgotten us Harry? Where have you been? Listen to me carefully, it's-not-Hermione!" he said the last very slowly and clearly as if he thought Harry was a bit slow. But Harry just continued to shake his head. Ron released him and gave him one disbelieving look before muttering"
"I never thought our friendship would end like this, Harry." And walking out of the room.
***
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Eek, that hurt to write, I know this chapter is extremely short but at least I am repentant! My thankyous are as follows:
Dark Castle Witch: I'm so happy you liked chapter 19 a lot! Thankyou for adding me to your favourites list, don't you just love cliffhangers?! I do, der! WOW, you think my writing style and grammar are good? Can I have that in writing to show my English teacher? (okay so it is already in writing, but you know what I mean!) Thankyou for reviewing.
Arwen: yes, okay so dead was probably a bit drastic, but don't you love the dramatic stuff?! Nicely? I thought it was awful but never mind. Thankyou for reviewing and we should really get on with our next chapter, huh?!
Vixen: Yes, I thought that might be the reaction! I didn't mean to make you panic though it is slightly amusing! I think addictiveness is a word so thankyou, I never knew that my stories were addictive….what power I have ; ) misleading is the word of this chapter too, don't you love it! Thankyou for reviewing
LoveYourStory: Whoops, I didn't really follow your wishes and hurry and I don't really have much of an excuse either, please don't hurt me! Not a let down? Cool, thankyou and thankyou for reviewing!
Purple People Eater: weird in a good way? Okay! I'm sorry that it hurts but I can't help but be pleased. Okay so maybe I didn't kill her, you found me out. You didn't really think I could do it, did you?! I'm glad you liked the chapter and thankyou for reviewing!
Pucca: Yes, it was sickeningly sweet wasn't it?! Thankyou for reinforcing it though. Everyone wants to know what is going on…me included, this story seems to have run away from me. Thankyou for reviewing
F0xyness39: yep I think that just about sums up last chapter. Your review was a direct reflection of me after a calculus lesson! Thankyou for reviewing
Black Rein: deeply weird is right! Well yes the story doesn't make any sense now but hopefully at the end it will…I say hopefully with a slight hint of desperation in my voice! I'm glad you think it is pretty good, thankyou for reviewing.
Childst*r: ah yes out of character definitely…but I guess that's what fanfiction is for! As if Hermione and Draco will ever get together in the books! Thankyou for saying you love it, that is really nice of you. Humour? If you say so! Thankyou for reviewing.
Stephanie: interesting? What a nice way to put it! thankyou so much saying my plot is amazing Author looks around confusedly "I have a plot? Ah yes that's right I put it around here somewhere…" I think there is no point if I don't at least try and it is nice to think that that is why I have faithful reviewers like you. Twists and turns are such fun to write, I am forever worrying that my stories are clichéd and obvious. Thankyou for continuing to review.
Aki: I'm glad you like it anyway, even loved it. and yes it was confusing if you can stay conscious for a few more chapters maybe you'll find out what is going on. Wow, you thought at school? I bow down to your superiority, I spend most of my time talking about things that require no brain power! I hope you feel better when you wake up, thankyou for reviewing!
Kuri: I'm glad you still think it is great even though it was so confusing. You have a head ache too? Maybe it is catching, did you give it to Yume? I haven't updated soon even though you asked so nicely, I feel awful, I really do. Thankyou for reviewing.
Yume: I hope you have liked it so far. I have updated just way, way later then usual! Hmm I seem to be making extremely obvious comments today, sorry! Thankyou for appearing in Aki and Kuri's review, it was a bit of a surprise to see someone else pop up but it was a good surprise! Thankyou to all three of you.
Magisch Machen: I'm glad that even though I touched upon a sensitive date you still like my story. I hope the change has made it a little easier! Thankyou for reviewing.
Nene Kenobi: oh ouch, an understatement? Lol! I'm so happy that you love my story, your question will be answered in the next couple of chapters. Don't worry it wasn't a horrible piece of over-sight on my part, though often things are! Thankyou for reviewing
Pigwigchick: Brilliant, excellent and fantastic? Ha, cool. Ooh you checked back everyday…sorry! I feel awful but I have had so much homework and everything recently, I can hardly keep my eyes open now and it is only 9:00 pm! I am quite confused too and seeing as how I seem to have no control over this story anymore I am looking forward to an explanation too! hope you have a nice holiday, I'm so envious! Thankyou for reviewing and I'll try and keep the surprises coming.
Hexen: Yay! dances around singing a Wizard of Oz song Ding, dong, her voice is back, the wonderful voice, the fantastic voice! Hmm yes, anyway…no need to worry about not reviewing, I hope your troubles are solved. I don't think my story is getting better but it is nice to hear, I must confess! Yay I am on your favourites list, thankyou to much. You are now on my email notification list so expect to be getting emails from me hopefully weekly. Thankyou for review
Snow White: well you must have been thinking for a long time! Sorry about that! Thankyou for reviewing so consistently and for checking out my other story.
Black Coffee: Cool chapter which made absolutely no sense seems about right! No I meant that the reason Brazil got their second goal is because of Paul Scholes and his cock up with the tackle. I hate him and I wanted to hunt him down to hurt him severely! Sorry if that was confusing but he is like my worst enemy… as you can see I don't hate many people! Yeah the German players are okay but they aren't a touch on my England players! Michael Owen is like my God! Yes, I know what you mean about the coach, I was drooling over him the whole way through the movie. It seems we have similar tastes! Thankyou for saying you loved my chapter and for reviewing. Owen Forever!
Well that is all my thankyous and I say again…I'm sorry. Oh I'm on 19 favourites lists, whoopee, thankyou to everyone! And just one more thing. Did you really think I killed Hermione?! I don't think I have it in me! Thankyou to everybody for reading and please could you review?! Thanks
Jess/star123
