What Lies in Dreams

Disclaimer: Everything recognisable belongs to J.K. Rowling.

A/N: Thanks for 482 reviews goes to: KeeperOfTheMoon, KAOS, Queen Li, lexi wood (x2) MaliShka, willowfairy, plastic, Elissa-Dido, Rebecca, Yousei Kaijou, animegirl-mika, Angel: da Newsies fan, Jessica, aliveforever83, hyper_shark, Dragonsbane, WormmonABC, ~* paper star *~, Lazy aka Wind Elf, nycgirl, MoonDancerCat, draconas, Red Magic Marker, angkat14, Sao, Akira Gown, bookworm12, Amo il ragazzo(x2), Cassie, heavengurl899(x2), Joynspirit, kei-chan, mya14, EclipeKlutz(x2), Jessica Lee(x10), CrysMaul, Purple People Eater, firey fairy, Draco'sAmericanGurl.

Questions: I think if Hermione got her memory back, she wouldn't automatically love Draco (but probably would love him after going through all the memories and doing a bit of soul searching…) Depressed!Draco shouldn't be around too much longer, don't worry…

Sorry I didn't update yesterday! The demons of writer's block are nibbling on my toes. Be thankful today was a day off from school, otherwise this probably wouldn't have been up till Saturday… As a result, this chapter is a little short and hasn't been beta read. And, in my opinion at least, not up to my usual standard. Sorry.

~*~

The room was instantly familiar. It was not the fact that the flickering fire in the hearth was the same, or that in spite of its glow the edges of the room were shadowed and dull, as if light refused to venture into the corners for fear of what it might find. The sickened yellow light hung around the single imposing armchair, a spotlight upon the two figures that played their scene in the centre of the room.

The seated figure was a thing from nightmares, with two slit snake's eyes that seemed capable of staring into someone's soul and caring not for what it saw there, using whatever was within to his best advantage. His fingers were long, spider's legs that curled around a shining wineglass filled with crimson.

The second figure was standing, the golden firelight catching on silver-blond hair, casting highlights on a pale-skinned face with sharply angled features.

'It would seem,' said the first figure in a voice that sent shivers down the spine, 'that your plan has failed, Lucius.'

'I did not think the girl would attempt to regain those memories. I presumed her hatred for my son…'

'I believe I have warned you against the dangers of presuming things.'

The man addressed as Lucius turned, facing that demonic figure directly. 'I apologise, my lord, and ask your forgiveness. I intended to punish him, and I shall of course take all steps necessary to fulfil your wishes in this matter.' He inclined his head respectfully.

The seated figure did not speak for a minute. He surveyed the wine in his glass; eyes not quite focused on the liquid, as though the answer to his thoughts lay somewhere between the particles that made up the blood-like wine.

Finally he placed the glass on a side table. 'In this situation, I believe our first course of action is to remove that Mudblood girl. Permanently. However, this will be difficult: that meddling fool Dumbledore is aware of the danger she is in. We shall require someone already inside the school: someone who would not normally be suspected…'

'And you have an idea, my lord?'

The figure's mouth curved into a cruel and malicious smile. 'Yes.'

~*~

'What?' Hermione asked Harry and Ron incredulously. This wasn't the kind of thing you expected to wake up to in the morning. They were sitting in the Gryffindor common room, quite early in the morning, which meant that thankfully no one was around.

'I had another dream last night.' Harry repeated anxiously, one finger tracing the line of his scar. 'Voldemort and Lucius Malfoy are planning to kill you.

'We thought you should know.' Ron added helpfully.

'You thought I should know?' Hermione asked. 'Voldemort's planning to kill me and you thought I should know?'

'Hermione…' Harry said, now looking increasingly anxious. Hermione held her face in her hands. On top of everything else that was going on, now she was Voldemort's target? It was too much to cope with. This was the kind of thing that happened to people in books and stories, not in real life. And in books, you could always flick to the last page and see if there was a happy ending. The future was set down in print unchangeable, certain. Not so in real life: the future was an ever-changing thing, and who knew how it would turn out?

'In the past few days,' Hermione began, 'I've been captured by a Death Eater, locked in a dungeon with my worst enemy, found out that said worst enemy was actually my boyfriend, been attacked by a Giant Squid, nearly died…'

In her tirade, she failed to notice the look of guilt on the boys' faces.

'And now, this.' she concluded, looking up at the two boys. 'What am I going to do? Everyone he's intended to kill has been killed…'

'I wasn't.' Harry pointed out.

'That was different though. What chance do I have against Voldemort?'

'Well, you've got us.' Ron pointed out. 'We can help.'

Some logical part of Hermione's mind pointed out that two teenage boys were unlikely to be able to do much against the most feared Dark wizard of their era, however many times Harry had been lucky enough to escape in the past. But still, she felt unaccountably reassured. If you were facing down incredible danger, it was nice to have friends at your sides.

'Thanks.' Hermione said with a weak smile.

'And,' Harry added, 'Voldemort can't attack the school himself. He said so.'

Hermione's head snapped up from where she had been staring desolately at the floor. It was a good point, and managed to satisfy the logical part of her mind that had been certain she was going to die.

'How's he going to attack me?' she asked.

'He said there was someone inside the school…' Harry screwed his face up, trying to remember. 'There was something about not suspecting them.'

Hermione sighed. 'Well, that's a big help.'

'Sorry, I woke up before I saw who they were going to use.' Harry said.

A grim silence fell over the three, as each began to think their own thoughts. About five minutes later, Hermione spoke with a sigh.

'I suppose you'd better send an owl to Draco.' she said, trying hard to ignore the surprised looks from both boys. She still didn't particularly like him, but she knew he'd want to know. And some nagging part of her refused to go away until she suggested it.

Harry stood, nodding. 'I'll go write a letter. Do you… what to meet up with him again? After school?'

Hermione shrugged. 'I guess so.'

~*~

The first half of the school day passed without much incident, apart from Harry, Ron and Draco watching her like hawks in Potions and Care of Magical Creatures, as if she were about to be attacked at any moment. Hermione couldn't fault them for that, after all, Voldemort was trying to kill her…

She brushed the thought aside impatiently, and sat on her bed. She was in her room, catching a few minutes away from Harry and Ron's nervous glances. Yes, she could appreciate that they were worried for her and wanted to help, but every time she saw one of them watching anxiously it only reminded her of the danger. She didn't want to live in constant fear: she'd rather try to enjoy herself.

They'd already eaten lunch, but Hermione in her nervousness hadn't done much more than pick at her spaghetti. And now, the rumbling of her stomach told her that if she didn't get something to eat soon, Voldemort wouldn't be killing her, because she'd already be dead of starvation.

Sighing, she left the room and hurried down the stairs, making her way over to Ron and Harry. 'I'm going to the kitchens to get something to eat, do you want anything?'

Ron shook his head. 'Do you want us to come with you?'

'I'll be fine.' Hermione assured him. 'I'll take my wand and I won't follow any strangers down dark corridors.'

Harry smiled at her slight sarcasm. 'Just be careful.'

'I will.' Hermione assured them, heading for the portrait hole.

Ten uneventful minutes later, she was tickling the pear on the entrance to the kitchens. It seemed to be being a bit moody today and required a lot of tickling before it was laughing sufficiently to swing open. She entered the kitchens to a smell of disinfectant: now that lunch was over, there was a manic amount of cleaning. The floor was shining with soapy water, elves were at the sink scrubbing pots and pans clean, and the entire room seemed to be in mayhem.

Hermione carefully made her way across the floor when, with a feeling of déjà vu, she felt a small figure collide with her legs, with enough force to make her feet slip on the wet floor and send her cannoning to the ground.

'Miss Hermione!' cried Ditty, eyes filled with tears.

'What's wrong?' Hermione asked, upset to see her elf friend crying.

'The… the Giant Squid!' squeaked Ditty. 'It attacked you!'

'Oh, don't be upset about that, Ditty.' Hermione said. 'After all, it wasn't your fault.'

'You mean… Miss Hermione does not know?' Ditty said, tears drying up had her eyes going wide.

'Know what?'

'Nothing…' the little elf said quickly. Hermione frowned, intending to ask more, but at that point her stomach alerted the world to its emptiness.

'Is Miss Hermione hungry? Ditty has more spaghetti!' the elf said, grinning widely and tugging on her robes.

'Alright, alright, I'm coming!' Hermione said, clambering to her feet with another rumble.

Ditty vanished into the crowds, and Hermione was hard pressed to follow her through the bustle of the little elves. Finally she turned a corner to see Ditty awaiting her with a bowl of steaming spaghetti, piled high with grated cheese.

'Thank you.' she said, smiling as she took the bowl. She picked up the fork and spoon Ditty had provided and took a huge forkful which she could hardly fit into her mouth.

'Miss Hermione is very hungry!' exclaimed the little elf, giggling.

Hermione chewed and swallowed. 'I am.' she agreed. 'How are Dobby and Winky by the way?'

'Dobby is fine…' Ditty said, pausing nervously. 'Winky…'

'What's wrong with her? She isn't depressed again is she?'

'No, no. But Ditty thinks she is upset.'

Hermione chewed thoughtfully. 'Last time I was here she told me she felt jealous of you and Dobby. She was worried you were going to steal her friend… could that be it?'

Ditty liked a little embarrassed. 'Ditty thinks it is more than that, Miss Hermione. Ditty thinks…' here she glanced around with wide eyes, beckoning to whisper into Hermione's ear. 'Ditty thinks Winky is in love with Dobby, Miss Hermione.'

She could not have been more surprised if Ditty had just told her Winky was in love with Voldemort. 'What?' she gasped. 'Those two? I'd never have thought it.'

Ditty winked. 'Miss Hermione does not work in the same kitchen as them. Ditty sees what they're like.'

Hermione nodded. 'And now she thinks you're stealing Dobby away from her?' She paused thoughtfully, scooping up another forkful of spaghetti. 'You aren't, are you?'

Ditty frowned. 'Aren't what?'

'Stealing Dobby away from her? You two have been very close lately.'

The elf frowned politely. 'Dobby is Ditty's friend. Why would Ditty steal him away from Winky? Ditty likes Dobby but she doesn't love him.'

Hermione nodded, but internally she was frowning. There was something in Ditty's manner that suggested she wasn't being entirely truthful. Romance was not something Hermione was entirely sure of: and a house-elf love-triangle was too incredibly complicated for her to figure out.

Well, the elves would do fine on their own. She was sure any problems they had would get sorted out. Sooner or later.

Hermione put the now empty bowl down. 'I'd probably better go. Thank you for the food, and say hi to Dobby and Winky for me.

Ditty nodded, and Hermione left the kitchens feeling a little reassured that at least she wasn't the only one with romantic troubles.

~*~

A/N: Well, there it is. *groans* Yes, it wasn't as good or as long as normal. I'll try to get back to normal soon… *lays trap for first person to read without reviewing and sacrifices them to the Muses*

By the way, I'm still not 100% decided on how the house elves end up… and am open to being swayed either way. Review! Reviews help cure block. Well, they might…