The day drifted by slowly and she missed Ron more and more. As night came
she quickly changed into her swimsuit... or shall I say.. uh.. bikini. It
was only the bathtub after all. She had never yet seen the Prefect bathroom
and was more and more excited every time she thought about it. She put her
hair up and quickly put a robe on over her.
She got her brush and pajamas out so she could change after. Quietly and
slowly she made her way and said the password, "tinkles."
Her mouth dropped to the floor when she saw it. The bathtub was like a
swimming pool and the marble floor reflected her as she looked down. The
ceiling glittered and reflected the light making it look like millions of
small tiny gleams of light were hanging.
She slowly took her robe off and filled the bathtub/swimming pool with
water/bubbles/foam.
Slowly she put her foot in making sure the water wasn't too hot or too
cold. It was perfect, absolutely perfect. It felt wonderful and before she
knew it the pool was full. She swam a bit and relaxed as much as she could.
She couldn't stand the thought of leaving. She could have stayed there all night. But somehow she felt the darkness sweep over and the thought of leaving crept into her mind. She looked suddenly up... the door knob was turning... someone was coming in...
"Oh sorry Granger," Malfoy was walking back out the door with his bundle of clothes clutching in his hands. "Actually I was just about to get out," Hermione responded promptly, right before the door closed. It stopped and Malfoy stepped in again. "Won't be long," she said stirring to the edge of the pool. "Alright," and he walked over to the wall across from where her things were. He put his stuff down and seemed to be getting ready. Hermione lifted herself out of the water and stood up facing the mirror. Her hair was still dry, but a little damp at the ends of her bun, and her face was rather rosy from the heat the water gave. She stopped suddenly and saw Malfoy looking at her in the reflection of the mirror. He grinned, then continued getting ready. "Why so nice Malfoy?" Hermione said picking up a towel. He looked at her again grinning, "Why so insistent on having me stay and not leave?" He said rather playfully. She looked back and glared at him then continued drying off. She took her hair out and felt it fall swiftly down her back. "Doesn't your hair ever get on your nerves?" He said glancing at it. Hermione rolled her eyes then went back to the mirror, "No, why? Are you thinking about growing your's out?" "Oh brilliant idea, now I can put it in little braids," He said mockingly. She laughed as she pictured Draco Malfoy in braids with little red ribbons on the ends. "I heard a rumor going around saying you were dating Pansy," She turned again to face him. "Is it true?" Malfoy smiled, "No, why so interested?" "Oh no reason, I was just wondering," She said quickly. "Are you still going out with Weasley?" He asked grinning but hoping the answer was "no." Hermione grinned back, "Yes, why so interested?" "Just wondering..." He trailed off laughing.
He began taking his shirt off and Hermione smiled as he did so. She turned around quickly and stared in disbelief. He had worked out, A LOT during the summer. He threw his shirt down and saw Hermione looking at him in awe. She quickly turned back to the mirror incapable of speaking. "You alright there Hermione?" He asked smiling. Hermione tried not to look at him and opened her mouth, "Ffffff.. Fine.." She managed to say looking at the floor. She looked up abruptly to see him standing above her. She stared wide-eyed at him. "Are you sure you're okay?" He asked moving closer. Every step he took forward, she took a step backward, afraid of what she might do. There was something hard and cool that had just hit her from behind. It was the marble counter. She was trapped; Malfoy kept moving closer to her until they could hear each other's breaths. He moved in and felt his lips press hard against her's. He let go then looked down at the floor, "I should not have done that," he said backing away. He slowly turned the opposite direction, but as soon as he did Hermione grabbed him by the arm and pulled him close to her again. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. She stopped and looked confused. Draco seemed to have gone a bit speechless and just stared puzzled at her. "Did we just kiss?" She asked looking at him. "I think so," He said looking up at the ceiling. "What do we do now?" Hermione just kept looking at herself in disbelief, did I just kiss Draco Malfoy?! She felt him breathing rather hard and he stepped back. They kept looking at each other. Finally he moved up to her again and kissed her passionately. She did not stop him she merely kissed back. Her hands glided along his back and his seemed to hold on tightly to her waist. They could not stop, there was something making them continue. Finally Draco broke again. He looked at her then looked back down. He kissed her again quickly and stopped. She swallowed hard and looked longingly at him. "I'm going in." He said drifting from her. "And you're coming with me." He grabbed her by the wrist and threw her in. She screamed and felt him jump in after her. He hair was now sopping wet and he came out from the water smiling. She put her hands around his neck smiling, and continued to kiss him. He smiled still, but kissed back as much as he could.
Harry sat on the couch talking to Lupin about Quidditch and some of the plans he had for the game. Lupin was quite impressed by Harry's ideas and was getting more and more deeper in conversation about it. It was growing dark now, and Hermione still wasn't back. Harry brushed it off and continued talking about a certain play he had been writing. "That's absolutely brilliant Harry!" Lupin said staring at it, "You have got to use it." "I want to!" Harry exclaimed, "Do you think they'll cancel Quidditch this year?" He asked hesitantly. Lupin smiled, "With the rate this is going, there isn't a chance." Harry smiled and sat back in the couch daydreaming about the life of a Quidditch Captain. The portrait door creaked and Harry sat back up anxiously waiting to see if it was Hermione. It was only Neville. "Oh hey Neville," Harry said rather grimly. "Hey Harry," Neville said walking up the stairs to the dorm. "You didn't see Hermione out there did you?" Harry said looking up. Neville shook his head, "Nope, why hasn't she come back yet?" Harry bit his lip, "No not yet, I'm sure she's on her way though." Neville nodded and went back up. Harry sat back against the pillows and sighed. The portrait creaked again and Hermione climbed her way through. "Where were you?" Harry asked sitting up again. Hermione stared nervously at Harry and looked down at the floor, "The bathroom." "I know that, but it took you an awfully long time," Harry said trying to get her to look at him. "Hermione are you okay?" Hermione glance up quickly, "Yeah I'm fine, just tired. Goodnight Harry," She ran up the stairs quickly leaving Harry confused and worried. Harry and Lupin exchanged glances. Harry shook this off as well and felt himself growing tired. "I'm going to bed, 'night Lupin." "Goodnight Harry," Lupin replied yawning.
Hermione awoke the next morning feeling half wonderful half awful. How could she do that? To Ron nonetheless! To one of her best friends! She went down to the common room to find Harry waiting for her. "Hermione what's wrong?" Harry said straightforwardly. Hermione looked down and sat over next to Harry. "You can't tell anyone Harry!" She said leaning in so no one would hear. "I won't," He said worrying more and more. Hermione glanced around the room one more time and looked down, "I kissed Malfoy." Harry's eyes opened wide, "You what?!" He said rather loudly. Hermione shushed him. "Harry please don't tell!" Hermione pleaded, "Ron will kill me!" "Yeah, I'm pretty close to doing that right now!" Harry said angrily at her. "How the hell could you do that?" She closed her eyes, "I don't know. And I regret it! I really do!" She said trying to calm him down. "You can't tell Ron!" Harry stared at her. He had lost all respect for her right then. She had just kissed Draco Malfoy, his worst enemy, Ron's worst enemy, and the person that had called her a "mudblood" countless occasions. "How could you kiss him? Do you remember what he did to us? To you especially?" Harry couldn't believe it. Hermione was still pleading, "I know! I know! It was completely stupid! I should not have done it! And I get that now!" "What kind of kiss was it?" Harry asked glaring at her. Hermione's lip trembled. "No Hermione, do not tell me you kissed him. like that." Harry was losing more and more value for her. "How could you do that?!" "I don't know okay! I have no idea!" She whispered loudly. "You know you'll have to tell him right? Tell Ron what happened, if you don't I will." Harry said miserably.
Hermione sat at the Gryffindor staring and picking at her food. Harry wouldn't talk to her, and she didn't feel like talking to anyone else. She glanced at the Slytherin table and saw Malfoy looking at her. She took a solemn breath and looked back at her food. Harry got up and left while Hermione looked after him. She got up and walked hoping to meet up with him. Harry was the only person she could actually talk to and trust, yet he hated her at the moment. She hated her at the moment. Someone grabbed her and she looked back to see Draco clutching to her wrist. She looked at him and looked down at the ground. "I can't do this," She said staring him in the eye, "I'm seeing Ron, I can't do this to him." Draco's face turned gray and he let go and backed away. "See you Hermione."
She watched him walk away and she felt her insides turn. Her feet took her to the common room and she slumped down to a chair. Harry walked over to her. "Aren't you supposed to be glaring at me?" She said rather grimly. Harry let out a sigh, "Yeah, but I can't watch you like this. It's Christmas tomorrow! You should be a bit more cheerful." Harry said with a blank expression. "Hermione? Tell me the truth okay?" Hermione looked up at him and nodded. "Do you like Malfoy?" Hermione opened her mouth but couldn't say "no." She did, there was something that drew her to him. But how she was going to tell Harry she didn't know. Harry stared at her intently waiting for her to answer. "Yeah," She said raising her eyebrows. "But I don't want to." Harry sat back in his chair and put his face in his hands. "Even after everything he did to you?" "Yeah." All she could do was sit there and wish nothing had ever happened. "As much as I hate saying this, you shouldn't pretend to not have feelings for him. That's the worst thing you could do." Harry said looking down. Hermione looked up at him, "What should I do?" Harry closed his eyes and took a big breath, "Break it up with Ron.. And. and. go with Malfoy. if that's what you want." Hermione stared at Harry in amazment. "You really think so?!" She said curiously yet happily. Harry nodded, "Sadly yeah."
Christmas morning came and Hermione awoke to find presents at the foot of her bed. She smiled and opened them rather quickly. Her parents had given her money, for they had no idea what to buy her in the wizard world. Harry had given her a book on mythological creatures. Ron had given her a diary. Hagrid gave her a few rock cakes that she graciously put aside. She lay back down on her bed thinking. Today she would talk to Malfoy. but did she really want to? To tell you the truth, Hermione was just very screwed up. She didn't know what she wanted and what she didn't. Harry wasn't downstairs yet, but she sat down anyways and started talking to Lupin. Lupin was always there, he never left Harry's side, and everyone seemed to have gotten used to it. Gryffindors waved and greeted him; he just started to blend in. She told him everything that was going on and he just sat there silently nodded every now and then and smiled. Harry came down the stairs and thanked Hermione for the present she gave him. He sat next to her on the couch and put his arm around her to make her know he wasn't mad at her. It felt nice and she was comfortable. When Lupin finally brought up food, Hermione got up and hugged Harry. She said "thank you" and continued to walk down to the Great Hall. When she got there she scanned for Malfoy and smiled at him when he eyed her. Biting her lip she made her way over to him. "We need to talk," she mumbled to him. He nodded and glanced around. "I really need to talk to you," He said staring at her.
They planned to meet in the Prefect bathroom again. It was the only privacy they would ever get. Hermione stalked back and forth in her room waiting for the clock to change to 3 o'clock. There was a hint of excitemnt in the pit of her stomach that she couldn't help but try and wear off. 5 minutes till. 4.. 3.. 2.. 1.. She bolted out the door gave Harry a quick hug goodbye and out through portrait hole. She glanced around and walked rather fast to the statue. Quickly she said the password and walked in slowly hoping he was already there. He was and was sitting on the couch in the far corner. He looked up and smiled not really knowing what to do. She stood at the doorway still unwilling to walk over. Slowly she let out a breath and walked closer to him. He stood up and looked down at the floor still feeling a bit awkward. She walked over to him and kissed him softly then pulled away. "What does that mean?" He asked holding her. A smile crept to her face and she kissed him again, "I like you Draco, I don't really know why, but I do." He gave her a confused stare but smiled anyway. "I'm going to break up with Ron when he gats back." Malfoy took a breath, "Then everything will be alright?" "Hope so, he'll yell at me for a few days," She said grinning, "But he'll get over it." "Have you told Po- I mean Harry?" He asked rather tensely. She nodded, "Yeah, he's fine with it." Malfoy stared in astonishment. "Are you serious?!" He exclaimed. "Surprisingly yeah," She answered looking at the floor. Malfoy smiled at her and she hugged him tightly. Never in a million years would he have thought he would be in that position. He was dating Hermione Granger, the muggle-born witch. The person he dared to call a "mudblood." Now he was hugging her and kissing her every chance he got. What the hell is going on?!
Christmas holidays were finally over. Hermione and Draco still hadn't showed that they were going out yet to the school but kept it a secret only they and Harry knew. Ron would soon know as well. Hermione was dreading the day she would have to tell him. It killed her to think of his reaction. Harry kept telling her everything would be fine, but for some reason she doubted it. The moment he walked though the portrait hole Hermione felt her stomach leave her. He came over and hugged her and she smiled weakly. He tried to kiss her but she backed away. "Hermione?" He asked. She bit her lip and told him to sit down. "Ron, I don't think we should do this anymore?" Ron stared, "Why?" "I sort of kissed someone else during the holidays," She said feeling more and more sick. Ron looked at her in agony, "You did what?!" She took another calm breath, "I kissed someone else. I'm really sorry." "How could you do that?" He asked getting more and more hurt every time she spoke. "I don't know, I'm really sorry!" She said getting a knot now in her stomach. Ron looked down, "Who was it?" Hermione now felt all her insides churn and she quickly let the name out before she lost her voice again, "Draco."
Ron's face was red he looked at Hermione as if his heart had been broken. She had kissed his worst enemy and was now breaking up with him for it. His disliking for Draco Malfoy was increasing by the second. He had thought of himself beating Draco up and winning her back. "Who could you do that?!!" He asked madly at her, "How could you kiss him?!" She looked at the floor in silence and kept telling herself it would be okay. "Hermione do you remember all the things he did to you?! To us?!" Ron was acting the way Harry had except much worse. There was no understanding in Ron's voice, only anger and pain. "You know when I went out with you I thought I could trust you because of the person you had been your whole life. But now I'm finally getting the person you are now, a slu- ut." With that Ron walked up the stairs in silence kicking anything that was in his way. Hermione felt her eyes swell up. Sl-ut? I'm a sl-ut? Harry came through the portrait hole and saw Hermione with her face buried in her hands. "Didn't handle it very well did he?" He said sitting next to her. She shook her head, "He called me a sl-ut. Guess I deserved it." She said looking down. "Well, think where he is. He just came back, he's probably looked forward to seeing you again all break, and he gets back to find that you not only kissed another guy, but the guy you kissed was Draco Malfoy." Harry said shaking his head, "I think he has a right to be angry. So let him be angry. He'll cool off after awhile. Just leave him alone." Hermione smiled, that was the best thing Harry could have said. He not only wasn't taking sides, but also made both of them feel better. "Thanks Harry!" She said looking at him. He smiled in the corner of his mouth, "Yeah well, that's what I'm here for."
Harry went up to the boy's dormitories to talk to Ron. He had the bad feeling as if he'd be stuck in the middle for a while. The thought of Ron actually forgiving Hermione didn't seem possible. "Hey Ron," Harry said sitting across from him. Ron was lying on his bed and didn't even look at Harry when he came in. "Just heard what happened, and I'm really sorry." Ron continued to look up at the ceiling, "She kissed Malfoy!" He sat up and looked at Harry, "Who the hell could kiss Malfoy?" Harry bit his lip, "I don't really know." Ron continued, "She kissed Malfoy! How could she do that?" "Ron, she kissed Malfoy, and I have no idea why she did it, but can't you stop for a second," Harry asked trying to sound as calm as he could. "Does she remember what he did to us? Or is her mind purely on kissing as many guys as she can this school year?" Ron kept going he didn't pay attention to what Harry was saying. "She's judging guys purely on how well they look." Harry sat back on his bed and got comfortable. It was going to be awhile until Ron cooled down enough to hear what Harry had to say. Ron kept jabbering on about her, and Harry kept drifting off into space. He started counting cracks on the wall and soon heard silence. "Harry?" Ron asked quietly, "Did she tell you before I got back?"
Harry stopped and looked at Ron, "Yeah, she did." Ron looked down at his sheets, "Do you know where they kissed?" Harry nodded, "Yep." "Mind telling me?" Ron asked looking at Harry attentively. "Can't, sorry. She told me not to. Why don't you ask her?" Harry said sitting back on his pillow. "Ask her?! I'm not asking that sl-ut for anything! I'm not talking to her, I'm not even going to look at her!" Ron bellowed. Harry let out a small sigh, "That's too bad." "Harry! Doesn't this bother you at all?" Ron shouted. "Yes, but I'm not going to waste my precious energy on it. I've got better things to do than make my voice go hoarse because I've been shouting about Hermione," Harry said rather calmly, "I suggest you don't waste your time Ron. Your hardly helping this situation at all, she kissed another guy. What are you going to do about it?" Ron sat there in silence and looked down. He knew Harry was right but the thought of Hermione kissing Malfoy kept popping back in his mind. And a bolt of anger seemed to light up in his brain again. Plots of revenge kept forming in his mind. He didn't talk or look at Harry. Harry sat up, "I'm going down, it's about time for dinner." Harry stopped, "Are you going to come down with me?" Ron looked up and shook his head, "I will later." Harry nodded and gave Ron a quick smile. "Later!" Great, this is all I need right now. my friends not even talking to each other.
Posted: 2002-07-31 20:26:37.0 11819702 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Hermione and Ron didn't look at eachother or take any notice to one another the rest of the night. Harry tried to stay in the middle but was constantly getting glances from each of them. That wasn't the worst part though. When Hermione had gotten up to go back to the common room Draco had stopped her and kissed her lightly on the lips. Ron went absolutely insane when he saw this. He started shouting at Hermione and the whole Great Hall was looking at them. Draco started talking back to Ron and soon Ron was up against both of them. Harry watched this happen with a raised eyebrow and yawned. He'd have to get use to this as well. Sometime when they were yelling and shouting at each other Harry looked around the Great Hall and started smiling. Every single face had turned to them and the teachers were shouting at them in the midst of it all. Lupin finally got up and broke them apart. (He he he, seems like Jerry Springer.) "Ron go with Harry back to the common room." Lupin said quietly.
Ron glared one more time at the pair of them and walked along side Harry out of the Great Hall. Eyes followed them, and Harry waved a couple times. When they had left the Great Hall Ron leaned against the wall, "I should not have done that." He said shaking his head. "No, that wasn't the brightest idea you've come up with." Harry said looking at the ceiling. "Are you going to apologize?" "No!" Ron said then shrugged, "Maybe." Harry smiled and Ron smiled back, "Co-" Harry stopped and clutched his burning head. His scar was in pain, again and a sharp pain seemed to hit him again and again. The cold sweat took over him, and he fell to the floor as darkness crept into the room....
Harry felt the cold shiver run down his body. And the total darkness seemed to have taken over. He was lying on a cold hard floor that seemed to give a burning pain as he lay there. Almost as if it went through and into his skin. He saw nothing but darkness. "Harry!" It was his mum again. She shouted and cried. His father's voice echoed around him, "Come on Harry!" There were the cries again making his ears sore with pain. He shouted with horror but his sound could not be heard; only the sounds of tortured people were heard. He tried to pull himself up but there was something holding him down. He couldn't take it, he tried calling for help, but no sound escaped him. He was in so much pain he couldn't move. The coldness seemed to have swept over him. The blood in his veins felt frozen and the people yelling grew louder and more vibrant; His ears rung with their cries and he felt himself drawing into a sleep. Then it happened again. Two glowing blood red eyes appeared, Harry felt fear like he'd never had before. This was not his eyes tricking him, this was a horrible creature. Whatever it was, it screamed darkness and hate. This was worse then a nightmare, this was terror at its most. Harry wanted to die right then and there. He would have rather wanted to die then to have that thing there before him. The cold wind blew past him and he felt himself in light again. "Harry," It was Dumbledore looking at him through terrified eyes. Harry had never seen Dumbledore like this. "Harry, I want you to relax, we are getting help. Don't fear anything Harry. And don't think about fear." Dumbledore muttered to him. Harry felt his eyes droop again and he slowly fell into a deep dreamless sleep.
"Harry open your eyes slowly," It was Dumbledore's voice again. Harry burned with pain as he opened his eyes. He wanted darkness again, he wanted the lights to go away, he wanted the sun to stop rising. Suddenly he stopped himself. "What's going on?" Harry asked in a hoarse voice. Dumbledore looked down at his desk. Harry was laying on a couch in his office with Sirius at his side. "Sirius?" "Hello Harry," Sirius said calmly. Everyone was grim and quiet. "Harry I want you to explain to me again everything that happened. Everything single detail you remember. And tell me every feeling you felt." Dumbledore said looking at Harry closely. Harry looked down and tried to shift his position. He felt the sharp pain again and shouted. Sirius ran to his side. "He's still in pain." Sirius replied looking at Dumbledore in misty eyes. Dumbledore looked down again and looked raised his head to look at Harry again, "Harry, would you mind telling me everything that just happened to you?" There was still a bolt of pain going into his head but he began talking softly. And gradually his voice seemed to heal. When he finished Sirius put his face in his hands and sat down. Dumbledore stared out the window. "Harry, I believe it's time for you to know what is going on."
She couldn't stand the thought of leaving. She could have stayed there all night. But somehow she felt the darkness sweep over and the thought of leaving crept into her mind. She looked suddenly up... the door knob was turning... someone was coming in...
"Oh sorry Granger," Malfoy was walking back out the door with his bundle of clothes clutching in his hands. "Actually I was just about to get out," Hermione responded promptly, right before the door closed. It stopped and Malfoy stepped in again. "Won't be long," she said stirring to the edge of the pool. "Alright," and he walked over to the wall across from where her things were. He put his stuff down and seemed to be getting ready. Hermione lifted herself out of the water and stood up facing the mirror. Her hair was still dry, but a little damp at the ends of her bun, and her face was rather rosy from the heat the water gave. She stopped suddenly and saw Malfoy looking at her in the reflection of the mirror. He grinned, then continued getting ready. "Why so nice Malfoy?" Hermione said picking up a towel. He looked at her again grinning, "Why so insistent on having me stay and not leave?" He said rather playfully. She looked back and glared at him then continued drying off. She took her hair out and felt it fall swiftly down her back. "Doesn't your hair ever get on your nerves?" He said glancing at it. Hermione rolled her eyes then went back to the mirror, "No, why? Are you thinking about growing your's out?" "Oh brilliant idea, now I can put it in little braids," He said mockingly. She laughed as she pictured Draco Malfoy in braids with little red ribbons on the ends. "I heard a rumor going around saying you were dating Pansy," She turned again to face him. "Is it true?" Malfoy smiled, "No, why so interested?" "Oh no reason, I was just wondering," She said quickly. "Are you still going out with Weasley?" He asked grinning but hoping the answer was "no." Hermione grinned back, "Yes, why so interested?" "Just wondering..." He trailed off laughing.
He began taking his shirt off and Hermione smiled as he did so. She turned around quickly and stared in disbelief. He had worked out, A LOT during the summer. He threw his shirt down and saw Hermione looking at him in awe. She quickly turned back to the mirror incapable of speaking. "You alright there Hermione?" He asked smiling. Hermione tried not to look at him and opened her mouth, "Ffffff.. Fine.." She managed to say looking at the floor. She looked up abruptly to see him standing above her. She stared wide-eyed at him. "Are you sure you're okay?" He asked moving closer. Every step he took forward, she took a step backward, afraid of what she might do. There was something hard and cool that had just hit her from behind. It was the marble counter. She was trapped; Malfoy kept moving closer to her until they could hear each other's breaths. He moved in and felt his lips press hard against her's. He let go then looked down at the floor, "I should not have done that," he said backing away. He slowly turned the opposite direction, but as soon as he did Hermione grabbed him by the arm and pulled him close to her again. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. She stopped and looked confused. Draco seemed to have gone a bit speechless and just stared puzzled at her. "Did we just kiss?" She asked looking at him. "I think so," He said looking up at the ceiling. "What do we do now?" Hermione just kept looking at herself in disbelief, did I just kiss Draco Malfoy?! She felt him breathing rather hard and he stepped back. They kept looking at each other. Finally he moved up to her again and kissed her passionately. She did not stop him she merely kissed back. Her hands glided along his back and his seemed to hold on tightly to her waist. They could not stop, there was something making them continue. Finally Draco broke again. He looked at her then looked back down. He kissed her again quickly and stopped. She swallowed hard and looked longingly at him. "I'm going in." He said drifting from her. "And you're coming with me." He grabbed her by the wrist and threw her in. She screamed and felt him jump in after her. He hair was now sopping wet and he came out from the water smiling. She put her hands around his neck smiling, and continued to kiss him. He smiled still, but kissed back as much as he could.
Harry sat on the couch talking to Lupin about Quidditch and some of the plans he had for the game. Lupin was quite impressed by Harry's ideas and was getting more and more deeper in conversation about it. It was growing dark now, and Hermione still wasn't back. Harry brushed it off and continued talking about a certain play he had been writing. "That's absolutely brilliant Harry!" Lupin said staring at it, "You have got to use it." "I want to!" Harry exclaimed, "Do you think they'll cancel Quidditch this year?" He asked hesitantly. Lupin smiled, "With the rate this is going, there isn't a chance." Harry smiled and sat back in the couch daydreaming about the life of a Quidditch Captain. The portrait door creaked and Harry sat back up anxiously waiting to see if it was Hermione. It was only Neville. "Oh hey Neville," Harry said rather grimly. "Hey Harry," Neville said walking up the stairs to the dorm. "You didn't see Hermione out there did you?" Harry said looking up. Neville shook his head, "Nope, why hasn't she come back yet?" Harry bit his lip, "No not yet, I'm sure she's on her way though." Neville nodded and went back up. Harry sat back against the pillows and sighed. The portrait creaked again and Hermione climbed her way through. "Where were you?" Harry asked sitting up again. Hermione stared nervously at Harry and looked down at the floor, "The bathroom." "I know that, but it took you an awfully long time," Harry said trying to get her to look at him. "Hermione are you okay?" Hermione glance up quickly, "Yeah I'm fine, just tired. Goodnight Harry," She ran up the stairs quickly leaving Harry confused and worried. Harry and Lupin exchanged glances. Harry shook this off as well and felt himself growing tired. "I'm going to bed, 'night Lupin." "Goodnight Harry," Lupin replied yawning.
Hermione awoke the next morning feeling half wonderful half awful. How could she do that? To Ron nonetheless! To one of her best friends! She went down to the common room to find Harry waiting for her. "Hermione what's wrong?" Harry said straightforwardly. Hermione looked down and sat over next to Harry. "You can't tell anyone Harry!" She said leaning in so no one would hear. "I won't," He said worrying more and more. Hermione glanced around the room one more time and looked down, "I kissed Malfoy." Harry's eyes opened wide, "You what?!" He said rather loudly. Hermione shushed him. "Harry please don't tell!" Hermione pleaded, "Ron will kill me!" "Yeah, I'm pretty close to doing that right now!" Harry said angrily at her. "How the hell could you do that?" She closed her eyes, "I don't know. And I regret it! I really do!" She said trying to calm him down. "You can't tell Ron!" Harry stared at her. He had lost all respect for her right then. She had just kissed Draco Malfoy, his worst enemy, Ron's worst enemy, and the person that had called her a "mudblood" countless occasions. "How could you kiss him? Do you remember what he did to us? To you especially?" Harry couldn't believe it. Hermione was still pleading, "I know! I know! It was completely stupid! I should not have done it! And I get that now!" "What kind of kiss was it?" Harry asked glaring at her. Hermione's lip trembled. "No Hermione, do not tell me you kissed him. like that." Harry was losing more and more value for her. "How could you do that?!" "I don't know okay! I have no idea!" She whispered loudly. "You know you'll have to tell him right? Tell Ron what happened, if you don't I will." Harry said miserably.
Hermione sat at the Gryffindor staring and picking at her food. Harry wouldn't talk to her, and she didn't feel like talking to anyone else. She glanced at the Slytherin table and saw Malfoy looking at her. She took a solemn breath and looked back at her food. Harry got up and left while Hermione looked after him. She got up and walked hoping to meet up with him. Harry was the only person she could actually talk to and trust, yet he hated her at the moment. She hated her at the moment. Someone grabbed her and she looked back to see Draco clutching to her wrist. She looked at him and looked down at the ground. "I can't do this," She said staring him in the eye, "I'm seeing Ron, I can't do this to him." Draco's face turned gray and he let go and backed away. "See you Hermione."
She watched him walk away and she felt her insides turn. Her feet took her to the common room and she slumped down to a chair. Harry walked over to her. "Aren't you supposed to be glaring at me?" She said rather grimly. Harry let out a sigh, "Yeah, but I can't watch you like this. It's Christmas tomorrow! You should be a bit more cheerful." Harry said with a blank expression. "Hermione? Tell me the truth okay?" Hermione looked up at him and nodded. "Do you like Malfoy?" Hermione opened her mouth but couldn't say "no." She did, there was something that drew her to him. But how she was going to tell Harry she didn't know. Harry stared at her intently waiting for her to answer. "Yeah," She said raising her eyebrows. "But I don't want to." Harry sat back in his chair and put his face in his hands. "Even after everything he did to you?" "Yeah." All she could do was sit there and wish nothing had ever happened. "As much as I hate saying this, you shouldn't pretend to not have feelings for him. That's the worst thing you could do." Harry said looking down. Hermione looked up at him, "What should I do?" Harry closed his eyes and took a big breath, "Break it up with Ron.. And. and. go with Malfoy. if that's what you want." Hermione stared at Harry in amazment. "You really think so?!" She said curiously yet happily. Harry nodded, "Sadly yeah."
Christmas morning came and Hermione awoke to find presents at the foot of her bed. She smiled and opened them rather quickly. Her parents had given her money, for they had no idea what to buy her in the wizard world. Harry had given her a book on mythological creatures. Ron had given her a diary. Hagrid gave her a few rock cakes that she graciously put aside. She lay back down on her bed thinking. Today she would talk to Malfoy. but did she really want to? To tell you the truth, Hermione was just very screwed up. She didn't know what she wanted and what she didn't. Harry wasn't downstairs yet, but she sat down anyways and started talking to Lupin. Lupin was always there, he never left Harry's side, and everyone seemed to have gotten used to it. Gryffindors waved and greeted him; he just started to blend in. She told him everything that was going on and he just sat there silently nodded every now and then and smiled. Harry came down the stairs and thanked Hermione for the present she gave him. He sat next to her on the couch and put his arm around her to make her know he wasn't mad at her. It felt nice and she was comfortable. When Lupin finally brought up food, Hermione got up and hugged Harry. She said "thank you" and continued to walk down to the Great Hall. When she got there she scanned for Malfoy and smiled at him when he eyed her. Biting her lip she made her way over to him. "We need to talk," she mumbled to him. He nodded and glanced around. "I really need to talk to you," He said staring at her.
They planned to meet in the Prefect bathroom again. It was the only privacy they would ever get. Hermione stalked back and forth in her room waiting for the clock to change to 3 o'clock. There was a hint of excitemnt in the pit of her stomach that she couldn't help but try and wear off. 5 minutes till. 4.. 3.. 2.. 1.. She bolted out the door gave Harry a quick hug goodbye and out through portrait hole. She glanced around and walked rather fast to the statue. Quickly she said the password and walked in slowly hoping he was already there. He was and was sitting on the couch in the far corner. He looked up and smiled not really knowing what to do. She stood at the doorway still unwilling to walk over. Slowly she let out a breath and walked closer to him. He stood up and looked down at the floor still feeling a bit awkward. She walked over to him and kissed him softly then pulled away. "What does that mean?" He asked holding her. A smile crept to her face and she kissed him again, "I like you Draco, I don't really know why, but I do." He gave her a confused stare but smiled anyway. "I'm going to break up with Ron when he gats back." Malfoy took a breath, "Then everything will be alright?" "Hope so, he'll yell at me for a few days," She said grinning, "But he'll get over it." "Have you told Po- I mean Harry?" He asked rather tensely. She nodded, "Yeah, he's fine with it." Malfoy stared in astonishment. "Are you serious?!" He exclaimed. "Surprisingly yeah," She answered looking at the floor. Malfoy smiled at her and she hugged him tightly. Never in a million years would he have thought he would be in that position. He was dating Hermione Granger, the muggle-born witch. The person he dared to call a "mudblood." Now he was hugging her and kissing her every chance he got. What the hell is going on?!
Christmas holidays were finally over. Hermione and Draco still hadn't showed that they were going out yet to the school but kept it a secret only they and Harry knew. Ron would soon know as well. Hermione was dreading the day she would have to tell him. It killed her to think of his reaction. Harry kept telling her everything would be fine, but for some reason she doubted it. The moment he walked though the portrait hole Hermione felt her stomach leave her. He came over and hugged her and she smiled weakly. He tried to kiss her but she backed away. "Hermione?" He asked. She bit her lip and told him to sit down. "Ron, I don't think we should do this anymore?" Ron stared, "Why?" "I sort of kissed someone else during the holidays," She said feeling more and more sick. Ron looked at her in agony, "You did what?!" She took another calm breath, "I kissed someone else. I'm really sorry." "How could you do that?" He asked getting more and more hurt every time she spoke. "I don't know, I'm really sorry!" She said getting a knot now in her stomach. Ron looked down, "Who was it?" Hermione now felt all her insides churn and she quickly let the name out before she lost her voice again, "Draco."
Ron's face was red he looked at Hermione as if his heart had been broken. She had kissed his worst enemy and was now breaking up with him for it. His disliking for Draco Malfoy was increasing by the second. He had thought of himself beating Draco up and winning her back. "Who could you do that?!!" He asked madly at her, "How could you kiss him?!" She looked at the floor in silence and kept telling herself it would be okay. "Hermione do you remember all the things he did to you?! To us?!" Ron was acting the way Harry had except much worse. There was no understanding in Ron's voice, only anger and pain. "You know when I went out with you I thought I could trust you because of the person you had been your whole life. But now I'm finally getting the person you are now, a slu- ut." With that Ron walked up the stairs in silence kicking anything that was in his way. Hermione felt her eyes swell up. Sl-ut? I'm a sl-ut? Harry came through the portrait hole and saw Hermione with her face buried in her hands. "Didn't handle it very well did he?" He said sitting next to her. She shook her head, "He called me a sl-ut. Guess I deserved it." She said looking down. "Well, think where he is. He just came back, he's probably looked forward to seeing you again all break, and he gets back to find that you not only kissed another guy, but the guy you kissed was Draco Malfoy." Harry said shaking his head, "I think he has a right to be angry. So let him be angry. He'll cool off after awhile. Just leave him alone." Hermione smiled, that was the best thing Harry could have said. He not only wasn't taking sides, but also made both of them feel better. "Thanks Harry!" She said looking at him. He smiled in the corner of his mouth, "Yeah well, that's what I'm here for."
Harry went up to the boy's dormitories to talk to Ron. He had the bad feeling as if he'd be stuck in the middle for a while. The thought of Ron actually forgiving Hermione didn't seem possible. "Hey Ron," Harry said sitting across from him. Ron was lying on his bed and didn't even look at Harry when he came in. "Just heard what happened, and I'm really sorry." Ron continued to look up at the ceiling, "She kissed Malfoy!" He sat up and looked at Harry, "Who the hell could kiss Malfoy?" Harry bit his lip, "I don't really know." Ron continued, "She kissed Malfoy! How could she do that?" "Ron, she kissed Malfoy, and I have no idea why she did it, but can't you stop for a second," Harry asked trying to sound as calm as he could. "Does she remember what he did to us? Or is her mind purely on kissing as many guys as she can this school year?" Ron kept going he didn't pay attention to what Harry was saying. "She's judging guys purely on how well they look." Harry sat back on his bed and got comfortable. It was going to be awhile until Ron cooled down enough to hear what Harry had to say. Ron kept jabbering on about her, and Harry kept drifting off into space. He started counting cracks on the wall and soon heard silence. "Harry?" Ron asked quietly, "Did she tell you before I got back?"
Harry stopped and looked at Ron, "Yeah, she did." Ron looked down at his sheets, "Do you know where they kissed?" Harry nodded, "Yep." "Mind telling me?" Ron asked looking at Harry attentively. "Can't, sorry. She told me not to. Why don't you ask her?" Harry said sitting back on his pillow. "Ask her?! I'm not asking that sl-ut for anything! I'm not talking to her, I'm not even going to look at her!" Ron bellowed. Harry let out a small sigh, "That's too bad." "Harry! Doesn't this bother you at all?" Ron shouted. "Yes, but I'm not going to waste my precious energy on it. I've got better things to do than make my voice go hoarse because I've been shouting about Hermione," Harry said rather calmly, "I suggest you don't waste your time Ron. Your hardly helping this situation at all, she kissed another guy. What are you going to do about it?" Ron sat there in silence and looked down. He knew Harry was right but the thought of Hermione kissing Malfoy kept popping back in his mind. And a bolt of anger seemed to light up in his brain again. Plots of revenge kept forming in his mind. He didn't talk or look at Harry. Harry sat up, "I'm going down, it's about time for dinner." Harry stopped, "Are you going to come down with me?" Ron looked up and shook his head, "I will later." Harry nodded and gave Ron a quick smile. "Later!" Great, this is all I need right now. my friends not even talking to each other.
Posted: 2002-07-31 20:26:37.0 11819702 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Hermione and Ron didn't look at eachother or take any notice to one another the rest of the night. Harry tried to stay in the middle but was constantly getting glances from each of them. That wasn't the worst part though. When Hermione had gotten up to go back to the common room Draco had stopped her and kissed her lightly on the lips. Ron went absolutely insane when he saw this. He started shouting at Hermione and the whole Great Hall was looking at them. Draco started talking back to Ron and soon Ron was up against both of them. Harry watched this happen with a raised eyebrow and yawned. He'd have to get use to this as well. Sometime when they were yelling and shouting at each other Harry looked around the Great Hall and started smiling. Every single face had turned to them and the teachers were shouting at them in the midst of it all. Lupin finally got up and broke them apart. (He he he, seems like Jerry Springer.) "Ron go with Harry back to the common room." Lupin said quietly.
Ron glared one more time at the pair of them and walked along side Harry out of the Great Hall. Eyes followed them, and Harry waved a couple times. When they had left the Great Hall Ron leaned against the wall, "I should not have done that." He said shaking his head. "No, that wasn't the brightest idea you've come up with." Harry said looking at the ceiling. "Are you going to apologize?" "No!" Ron said then shrugged, "Maybe." Harry smiled and Ron smiled back, "Co-" Harry stopped and clutched his burning head. His scar was in pain, again and a sharp pain seemed to hit him again and again. The cold sweat took over him, and he fell to the floor as darkness crept into the room....
Harry felt the cold shiver run down his body. And the total darkness seemed to have taken over. He was lying on a cold hard floor that seemed to give a burning pain as he lay there. Almost as if it went through and into his skin. He saw nothing but darkness. "Harry!" It was his mum again. She shouted and cried. His father's voice echoed around him, "Come on Harry!" There were the cries again making his ears sore with pain. He shouted with horror but his sound could not be heard; only the sounds of tortured people were heard. He tried to pull himself up but there was something holding him down. He couldn't take it, he tried calling for help, but no sound escaped him. He was in so much pain he couldn't move. The coldness seemed to have swept over him. The blood in his veins felt frozen and the people yelling grew louder and more vibrant; His ears rung with their cries and he felt himself drawing into a sleep. Then it happened again. Two glowing blood red eyes appeared, Harry felt fear like he'd never had before. This was not his eyes tricking him, this was a horrible creature. Whatever it was, it screamed darkness and hate. This was worse then a nightmare, this was terror at its most. Harry wanted to die right then and there. He would have rather wanted to die then to have that thing there before him. The cold wind blew past him and he felt himself in light again. "Harry," It was Dumbledore looking at him through terrified eyes. Harry had never seen Dumbledore like this. "Harry, I want you to relax, we are getting help. Don't fear anything Harry. And don't think about fear." Dumbledore muttered to him. Harry felt his eyes droop again and he slowly fell into a deep dreamless sleep.
"Harry open your eyes slowly," It was Dumbledore's voice again. Harry burned with pain as he opened his eyes. He wanted darkness again, he wanted the lights to go away, he wanted the sun to stop rising. Suddenly he stopped himself. "What's going on?" Harry asked in a hoarse voice. Dumbledore looked down at his desk. Harry was laying on a couch in his office with Sirius at his side. "Sirius?" "Hello Harry," Sirius said calmly. Everyone was grim and quiet. "Harry I want you to explain to me again everything that happened. Everything single detail you remember. And tell me every feeling you felt." Dumbledore said looking at Harry closely. Harry looked down and tried to shift his position. He felt the sharp pain again and shouted. Sirius ran to his side. "He's still in pain." Sirius replied looking at Dumbledore in misty eyes. Dumbledore looked down again and looked raised his head to look at Harry again, "Harry, would you mind telling me everything that just happened to you?" There was still a bolt of pain going into his head but he began talking softly. And gradually his voice seemed to heal. When he finished Sirius put his face in his hands and sat down. Dumbledore stared out the window. "Harry, I believe it's time for you to know what is going on."
