Author's Note: Thanks for all the reviews!!! Here's the next chapter. . .
Chapter 12: Midnight Ministrations
"He's planning something, I know it." Ron proclaimed, turning his head back to look towards the Slytherin table.
"Hmm?" Harry mumbled, opposite him. He had taken too big a bite out of his chicken sandwich and was having trouble chewing it all.
"Malfoy. He's been staring at us since dinner started." Ron frowned, narrowing his eyes at the Slytherin, as if trying to make out what evil plot he had in store for them.
"Actually, he's been staring at Harry." Hermione corrected, matter-of- factly.
Harry looked up, and met Draco's gaze. He quickly averted his eyes when he saw that Harry had caught him staring.
"Oh." Harry flushed and finally swallowed his mouthful with difficulty.
"Something's up. . . Harry, he's probably going to try something on you." Ron persisted, looking at his friend earnestly across the table.
*I bet he might.* Hermione couldn't help smiling a little as she observed how quickly Draco had went back to staring at Harry again.
Next to him Crabbe was trying unsuccessfully to get Draco to pass him the salt. Finally after nudging Draco's elbow several times, Crabbe gave up and leaned over to get it himself.
"It's not funny, Hermione! Harry could really be in trouble!" Ron exclaimed exasperatedly, his tone urgent.
"Oh, Ron." she chided back, shaking her head a little. "He's not going to do any-thing to hurt Harry!" Hermione exclaimed before she could stop herself. She clamped a hand over her mouth, a little too late.
"WHAT? Have you gone com-plete-ly mental?" Ron stood up, throwing his hands up into the air.
Meanwhile, Harry was starting to look at Hermione with interest.
*Does she know something I don't?*
"You might want to explain that, Hermione. And you can sit down now, Ron." Harry calmly pulled Ron down back to his seat. Several students were looking at the three of them curiously.
Ron sat back down and stared stony-faced at Hermione.
Obviously flustered and embarrassed by Ron's sudden outburst, Hermione started placatingly, "Ron, please don't over-react like that."
Ironically, Ron looked about ready to come up with another outburst at her comment, but Harry kicked him in the shin before he could.
"Ow! Ha-rry!" Ron complained, rubbing the spot where he got hit.
"Sorry, Ron. Yes, Hermione, you were saying?" Harry looked at Hermione expectantly.
"Erm. . . Well, I . . ." she looked at Harry and then back at Ron, knowing she can't very well say everything that she had learnt from Dumbledore in front of Ron, especially in the highly excitable state that he was in.
*He might just explode* Hermione thought to herself, grimacing.
Ron crossed his arms impatiently. "Well?" he huffed.
"I- I was mistaken." she said shortly and quickly turned her attention to her plate.
"What?" chorused Ron and Harry in unison.
Hermione chose to ignore this and wisely changed the subject, as if nothing had happened.
"So, have you guys completed your Potions project yet? It's due next week, you know." she asked.
Ron looked at her like she was crazy and then gave Harry a knowing look that said "She's lost it, finally."
Harry just bit his lip and looked at Hermione thoughtfully.
*She knows something.*
+++++++++++
Right after dinner, when Ron was out of earshot, Harry pulled at Hermione's elbow and whispered to her urgently.
"You know something, I know you do."
Hermione looked at him and hesitated for a while, glancing at Ron to make sure he didn't notice and nodded, pursing her lips.
"Well?" he whispered again, looking at her meaningfully.
"Not here. Midnight tonight. In the Common Room." she whispered back, after a while.
Harry looked at her questioningly, and opened his mouth to protest but thought better of it as Ron looked over to them suspiciously.
"All right, then." he gave in.
"And bring Malfoy." she added, right before Ron sidled up next to Harry.
"What are you two whispering about?" he asked, looking at the both of them suspiciously.
"Nothing, Ron. We're just talking about what to get you for your birthday." Hermione answered with ease.
Harry raised his eyebrows at her in surprise, feeling a little awed by her quick save.
"Oh! Well, carry on then!" he grinned widely, and bumped his shoulder against Harry's playfully.
+++++++++
"Be outside the Gryffindor Common Room, midnight tonight. I'll let you in. - HJP." the note read.
Draco read it again, his hands trembling a little.
*Harry James Potter . . .*
His heart started beating wildly in anticipation and he sat down on the edge of his bed, cold sweat breaking out all over his body.
He gripped his bedspread to keep himself steady.
*He wants to meet me.* he gulped.
He looked at the note again. The ink was a little smudgy now, from being clutched in his sweaty palms.
Finally Draco gave in to gravity and let his body fall back on the covers, his feet still on the floor, and closed his eyes. All the blood seemed to have suddenly rushed out from his head and he felt rather dizzy.
An annoying hooting suddenly snapped him out of his daze. The snowy white owl that had delivered his precious note was still there, perched on his bedpost and flapping its wings impatiently.
"What do you want? Go away, you stupid bird." he said in irritation, before he realised that Harry was probably waiting for a reply at the very least.
He got up from his bed a little unsteadily and made his way to his desk, where he quickly scribbled a note on a piece of spare parchment.
"I'll be there - DM."
He was about to tie the note to the owl's leg, but she grabbed it out of his hand with her beak and flew out his open window.
Draco looked down at his watch.
Four more hours to go.
He felt all tingly again, and smiled to himself.
++++++++++++++++++++
(11.58 pm)
Draco walked as briskly as he could without making any noise. Which really wasn't very fast at all.
He frowned to himself as he glanced at his watch.
*I'll be late.* he thought worriedly as he slowed down approaching a corner, and peeked around it before continuing on towards the Gryffindor Common Room.
He couldn't go any faster and risk running into Filch and his damn cat.
*It'll ruin everything.* he thought anxiously.
Although, he didn't really have a clue what 'everything' was, or would be.
Four hours of contemplation and wild speculations running around in his head about what Harry might have planned still led to nothing conclusive. (The note wasn't exactly a fountain of information, no matter how many times he read it over to himself.)
But just to be safe, Draco had brushed his teeth three times, with extra- strong peppermint toothpaste (they were supposed to keep you fresh for a full day- or at least that's what it said on the box. . .), changed into his best silk pajamas (he found that he looked best in dark green) and patted himself with his favourite aftershave (although he had never needed the use of a razor before in his life, he found that smelling like he did wasn't a bad thing.)
Finally, he stood in front of the painting of the Fat Lady. He stood there stiffly for a few seconds staring at the sleeping figure of the Fat Lady, before he shook himself and knocked softly on her bosom.
Which was unfortunate; because she immediately woke up.
"Ex-cuse me, what DO you think you are doing, young man?" she exclaimed in a loud voice indignantly, looking quite harassed and covering her chest protectively with her ample hands.
Before Draco could tell her to keep quiet, she swung forward suddenly; almost swiping the tip of Draco's nose, as he drew back both in fear and surprise.
Harry stood in the now open doorway.
"Harry!" Draco said in relief, before he was yanked in by the front of his robes and into the Gryffindor Common Room.
Once inside, Harry quickly pulled the painting shut.
"What's with the racket?" Harry asked, "Filch could've heard you."
"Erm. . .Nothing, I - just woke her up." he shrugged, trying to hide his embarrassment over accidentally molesting a painting.
He suddenly realised where he was and started looking around the empty Common Room with curious eyes.
It was almost identical to the Slytherin Common Room, both in size and shape. Except that the decor here was all done in red and gold instead of green and silver.
The couch and armchairs facing the fireplace were velvet and soft, not hard leather like theirs. He walked over to the red couch and ran a finger over its softness, feeling slightly envious.
The place was warm and inviting, not cold and ceremonious at all; like what he was used to.
Harry looked at Draco, and not knowing what to say, cleared his throat audibly.
Draco looked up and suddenly remembered he was with Harry.
Alone.
Together.
And his heart started to jump annoyingly in his chest again.
"Why don't we sit down?" he ventured nervously.
"Oh, sure. I guess we should." Harry said, nodding. He sank down and slumped against an arm lazily. Draco's eyes widened slightly at this, but he tried to look cool as he slid down next to Harry.
Their knees bumped, but Harry didn't flinch so Draco relaxed and allowed his leg to press casually against Harry's.
Meanwhile, Harry was looking over at the stairs leading towards the girls' dormitory.
*Where is she already?* he thought impatiently, anxious to find out what she knows.
He had spent the last four hours trying to corner Hermione and get her to tell him something, but she had stubbornly refused and insisted that Draco be there as well before she said anything.
He looked over at Draco now, who seemed a bit nervous and thought he should make some conversation to fill the awkward silence before Hermione came down.
"So. . .how have you been?" Harry asked amiably.
"Uhm, good. . ." Draco paused, his mind racing at their proximity. "Yourself?"
"Okay, I guess." Harry answered and sighed, looking back towards the staircase again.
Draco gulped and stared at the back of Harry's head.
*Why isn't he doing something? He's the one who asked me to come here!* he thought, panicking slightly.
He blinked nervously, not having had much experience with this sort of thing, and wiped a sweaty palm across the velvet material of the couch.
*Bloody hell. Guess I'll have to make the first move since this stupid git certainly isn't.* he thought and tried to steel himself.
He felt dizzy again, though his heart was racing.
Taking a deep breath, he started to casually drape an arm over the back of the couch and lean himself towards Harry.
When Harry turned back from looking at the staircase, he suddenly found his face inches from Draco's.
His mouth dropped slightly in surprise as he searched for something to say. Nothing came.
"Wh- wha. . ." he stammered.
Draco didn't wait for him to finish, he had already psyched himself up for the move and nothing could stop his momentum now.
He leaned forward determinedly and brought his other arm over to rest on the arm of the couch, thereby effectively blocking Harry on both sides.
And kissed him.
Harry sat stunned, frozen in his seat.
Draco had his eyes closed and Harry wondered if he should do the same.
"Er-hem." a voice suddenly came from behind the couch.
Draco instantly pulled back, a horrified expression forming on his face as he saw who the intruder was.
Hermione was looking down at them from behind the couch, her cheeks pink. She was trying her best to hide a smile and was doing quite a poor job of it.
Draco looked at her in disgust now.
"How long have you been standing there, Granger?" he asked; his tone dangerous.
"Long enough, Malfoy." Hermione bristled and moved over to sit in the armchair opposite them. "And it doesn't look like I came too soon, either." she cheekily added.
"What is this?" he exclaimed angrily. "You're joining us now? Going to take notes, are you Granger?" he said sarcastically, looking at the book she had in her lap; causing Hermione to blush scarlet at the implication.
"Draco, she's got something to tell us. That's why I sent you that note. . ." Harry said carefully, still feeling a little winded from the sudden kiss.
"What?" Draco said incredulously.
"Why? What did you think it was for?" Harry asked quizzically.
Draco bit back a gulp and tried to look nonchalant, but his eyes had widened slightly when he looked at Harry.
"Oh." Harry smiled, understanding.
*This is too good. He thought I invited him for a snogging session!* he thought and smiled wider. But then he saw the stormy look on Draco's face and held back the smiles that were threatening to break out gleefully all over his face.
His cheek muscles were beginning to hurt.
"Are you two quite finished?" Hermione asked. "I do want to get back to bed at some point, you know."
"Right." Harry conceded and rubbed at his cheeks.
They were both silent as she told them everything that she knew.
She had even borrowed a book from the library about the practice of blood magic and showed it to them.
She knew it wasn't going to be easy to try to explain and convince them of what had happened; so she came well-prepared. Initially she had considered making up models of little Harry and Draco to re-enact the accident for them to get a better visual, but then she thought that would have been a bit much. Even for her.
Almost half an hour later, she finished and looked at them expectantly.
"So, do you believe what I just told you?" she asked tentatively.
"I - guess. . ." Harry said, adjusting his glasses. He was still trying to take in what Hermione had just told them.
"Me too." Draco finally said, grudgingly. "I mean, it certainly explains my crazy behaviour." he smirked in relief.
Harry looked at him and frowned, feeling a little annoyed.
"Well, what do we about this, then?" Draco asked.
"Nothing. Dumbledore's right, I can't find any counter-spells or cures that wouldn't effectively kill you both." Hermione sighed, looking at her watch.
Draco sighed heavily and slumped back into the couch.
"Maybe my father would know. . ." Draco suggested hopefully.
"If he did, don't you think he would have tried something to help you by now?" Hermione reasoned.
Draco sighed, dejectedly, knowing Hermione was probably right.
"Look, I just wanted to tell you what was going on. It didn't seem fair to keep you both in the dark about something that affects you directly. Maybe now you can understand why you're feeling . . .the way you're feeling."
Harry nodded, looking at his friend appreciatively. "Thanks, Herm. It certainly helps."
Draco stayed silent, but nodded at Hermione when he saw Harry look at him sternly.
"Well, that's it, I guess. I think I'll turn in now, if you don't mind. We have classes in the morning." she got up tiredly and kissed Harry goodnight on his cheek.
"Sleep well." she said kindly and ruffled his hair.
"Thanks Hermione, you too."
They watched her as she made her way up to the girls' dormitory.
Finally, they were alone again.
Draco got up abruptly. "I better go too."
He was afraid that Harry would bring up the kiss, in that infuriatingly straight-forward way he had and thought he should leave before that should happen.
Thankfully, Harry just nodded and walked him to the painting. He seemed to be too tired for anything else.
He opened the door for Draco, who stepped through it as quietly as he could.
He didn't want to wake the Fat Lady again and have to face her embarrassing accusations. He didn't need to get a reputation for appreciating art in /that/ way.
He mumbled a quick goodbye to Harry before taking off down the dark hallway.
Harry closed the door behind him wearily and rubbed his eyes. He hadn't realised how tired he was until now.
*Bed is good.* he thought sleepily and started towards the stairs leading up to his dorm.
Except for a sudden rapping on the painting behind that stopped him in his tracks.
He shook his head and paused, thinking he must have imagined it in his tiredness.
*There it is again.*
Harry furrowed his brows and opened the painting and peeked through the edge cautiously.
"Filch! He's here!" Draco whispered urgently behind it and pushed the painting open and squeezed past Harry to return to the safety of the Common room.
Chapter 12: Midnight Ministrations
"He's planning something, I know it." Ron proclaimed, turning his head back to look towards the Slytherin table.
"Hmm?" Harry mumbled, opposite him. He had taken too big a bite out of his chicken sandwich and was having trouble chewing it all.
"Malfoy. He's been staring at us since dinner started." Ron frowned, narrowing his eyes at the Slytherin, as if trying to make out what evil plot he had in store for them.
"Actually, he's been staring at Harry." Hermione corrected, matter-of- factly.
Harry looked up, and met Draco's gaze. He quickly averted his eyes when he saw that Harry had caught him staring.
"Oh." Harry flushed and finally swallowed his mouthful with difficulty.
"Something's up. . . Harry, he's probably going to try something on you." Ron persisted, looking at his friend earnestly across the table.
*I bet he might.* Hermione couldn't help smiling a little as she observed how quickly Draco had went back to staring at Harry again.
Next to him Crabbe was trying unsuccessfully to get Draco to pass him the salt. Finally after nudging Draco's elbow several times, Crabbe gave up and leaned over to get it himself.
"It's not funny, Hermione! Harry could really be in trouble!" Ron exclaimed exasperatedly, his tone urgent.
"Oh, Ron." she chided back, shaking her head a little. "He's not going to do any-thing to hurt Harry!" Hermione exclaimed before she could stop herself. She clamped a hand over her mouth, a little too late.
"WHAT? Have you gone com-plete-ly mental?" Ron stood up, throwing his hands up into the air.
Meanwhile, Harry was starting to look at Hermione with interest.
*Does she know something I don't?*
"You might want to explain that, Hermione. And you can sit down now, Ron." Harry calmly pulled Ron down back to his seat. Several students were looking at the three of them curiously.
Ron sat back down and stared stony-faced at Hermione.
Obviously flustered and embarrassed by Ron's sudden outburst, Hermione started placatingly, "Ron, please don't over-react like that."
Ironically, Ron looked about ready to come up with another outburst at her comment, but Harry kicked him in the shin before he could.
"Ow! Ha-rry!" Ron complained, rubbing the spot where he got hit.
"Sorry, Ron. Yes, Hermione, you were saying?" Harry looked at Hermione expectantly.
"Erm. . . Well, I . . ." she looked at Harry and then back at Ron, knowing she can't very well say everything that she had learnt from Dumbledore in front of Ron, especially in the highly excitable state that he was in.
*He might just explode* Hermione thought to herself, grimacing.
Ron crossed his arms impatiently. "Well?" he huffed.
"I- I was mistaken." she said shortly and quickly turned her attention to her plate.
"What?" chorused Ron and Harry in unison.
Hermione chose to ignore this and wisely changed the subject, as if nothing had happened.
"So, have you guys completed your Potions project yet? It's due next week, you know." she asked.
Ron looked at her like she was crazy and then gave Harry a knowing look that said "She's lost it, finally."
Harry just bit his lip and looked at Hermione thoughtfully.
*She knows something.*
+++++++++++
Right after dinner, when Ron was out of earshot, Harry pulled at Hermione's elbow and whispered to her urgently.
"You know something, I know you do."
Hermione looked at him and hesitated for a while, glancing at Ron to make sure he didn't notice and nodded, pursing her lips.
"Well?" he whispered again, looking at her meaningfully.
"Not here. Midnight tonight. In the Common Room." she whispered back, after a while.
Harry looked at her questioningly, and opened his mouth to protest but thought better of it as Ron looked over to them suspiciously.
"All right, then." he gave in.
"And bring Malfoy." she added, right before Ron sidled up next to Harry.
"What are you two whispering about?" he asked, looking at the both of them suspiciously.
"Nothing, Ron. We're just talking about what to get you for your birthday." Hermione answered with ease.
Harry raised his eyebrows at her in surprise, feeling a little awed by her quick save.
"Oh! Well, carry on then!" he grinned widely, and bumped his shoulder against Harry's playfully.
+++++++++
"Be outside the Gryffindor Common Room, midnight tonight. I'll let you in. - HJP." the note read.
Draco read it again, his hands trembling a little.
*Harry James Potter . . .*
His heart started beating wildly in anticipation and he sat down on the edge of his bed, cold sweat breaking out all over his body.
He gripped his bedspread to keep himself steady.
*He wants to meet me.* he gulped.
He looked at the note again. The ink was a little smudgy now, from being clutched in his sweaty palms.
Finally Draco gave in to gravity and let his body fall back on the covers, his feet still on the floor, and closed his eyes. All the blood seemed to have suddenly rushed out from his head and he felt rather dizzy.
An annoying hooting suddenly snapped him out of his daze. The snowy white owl that had delivered his precious note was still there, perched on his bedpost and flapping its wings impatiently.
"What do you want? Go away, you stupid bird." he said in irritation, before he realised that Harry was probably waiting for a reply at the very least.
He got up from his bed a little unsteadily and made his way to his desk, where he quickly scribbled a note on a piece of spare parchment.
"I'll be there - DM."
He was about to tie the note to the owl's leg, but she grabbed it out of his hand with her beak and flew out his open window.
Draco looked down at his watch.
Four more hours to go.
He felt all tingly again, and smiled to himself.
++++++++++++++++++++
(11.58 pm)
Draco walked as briskly as he could without making any noise. Which really wasn't very fast at all.
He frowned to himself as he glanced at his watch.
*I'll be late.* he thought worriedly as he slowed down approaching a corner, and peeked around it before continuing on towards the Gryffindor Common Room.
He couldn't go any faster and risk running into Filch and his damn cat.
*It'll ruin everything.* he thought anxiously.
Although, he didn't really have a clue what 'everything' was, or would be.
Four hours of contemplation and wild speculations running around in his head about what Harry might have planned still led to nothing conclusive. (The note wasn't exactly a fountain of information, no matter how many times he read it over to himself.)
But just to be safe, Draco had brushed his teeth three times, with extra- strong peppermint toothpaste (they were supposed to keep you fresh for a full day- or at least that's what it said on the box. . .), changed into his best silk pajamas (he found that he looked best in dark green) and patted himself with his favourite aftershave (although he had never needed the use of a razor before in his life, he found that smelling like he did wasn't a bad thing.)
Finally, he stood in front of the painting of the Fat Lady. He stood there stiffly for a few seconds staring at the sleeping figure of the Fat Lady, before he shook himself and knocked softly on her bosom.
Which was unfortunate; because she immediately woke up.
"Ex-cuse me, what DO you think you are doing, young man?" she exclaimed in a loud voice indignantly, looking quite harassed and covering her chest protectively with her ample hands.
Before Draco could tell her to keep quiet, she swung forward suddenly; almost swiping the tip of Draco's nose, as he drew back both in fear and surprise.
Harry stood in the now open doorway.
"Harry!" Draco said in relief, before he was yanked in by the front of his robes and into the Gryffindor Common Room.
Once inside, Harry quickly pulled the painting shut.
"What's with the racket?" Harry asked, "Filch could've heard you."
"Erm. . .Nothing, I - just woke her up." he shrugged, trying to hide his embarrassment over accidentally molesting a painting.
He suddenly realised where he was and started looking around the empty Common Room with curious eyes.
It was almost identical to the Slytherin Common Room, both in size and shape. Except that the decor here was all done in red and gold instead of green and silver.
The couch and armchairs facing the fireplace were velvet and soft, not hard leather like theirs. He walked over to the red couch and ran a finger over its softness, feeling slightly envious.
The place was warm and inviting, not cold and ceremonious at all; like what he was used to.
Harry looked at Draco, and not knowing what to say, cleared his throat audibly.
Draco looked up and suddenly remembered he was with Harry.
Alone.
Together.
And his heart started to jump annoyingly in his chest again.
"Why don't we sit down?" he ventured nervously.
"Oh, sure. I guess we should." Harry said, nodding. He sank down and slumped against an arm lazily. Draco's eyes widened slightly at this, but he tried to look cool as he slid down next to Harry.
Their knees bumped, but Harry didn't flinch so Draco relaxed and allowed his leg to press casually against Harry's.
Meanwhile, Harry was looking over at the stairs leading towards the girls' dormitory.
*Where is she already?* he thought impatiently, anxious to find out what she knows.
He had spent the last four hours trying to corner Hermione and get her to tell him something, but she had stubbornly refused and insisted that Draco be there as well before she said anything.
He looked over at Draco now, who seemed a bit nervous and thought he should make some conversation to fill the awkward silence before Hermione came down.
"So. . .how have you been?" Harry asked amiably.
"Uhm, good. . ." Draco paused, his mind racing at their proximity. "Yourself?"
"Okay, I guess." Harry answered and sighed, looking back towards the staircase again.
Draco gulped and stared at the back of Harry's head.
*Why isn't he doing something? He's the one who asked me to come here!* he thought, panicking slightly.
He blinked nervously, not having had much experience with this sort of thing, and wiped a sweaty palm across the velvet material of the couch.
*Bloody hell. Guess I'll have to make the first move since this stupid git certainly isn't.* he thought and tried to steel himself.
He felt dizzy again, though his heart was racing.
Taking a deep breath, he started to casually drape an arm over the back of the couch and lean himself towards Harry.
When Harry turned back from looking at the staircase, he suddenly found his face inches from Draco's.
His mouth dropped slightly in surprise as he searched for something to say. Nothing came.
"Wh- wha. . ." he stammered.
Draco didn't wait for him to finish, he had already psyched himself up for the move and nothing could stop his momentum now.
He leaned forward determinedly and brought his other arm over to rest on the arm of the couch, thereby effectively blocking Harry on both sides.
And kissed him.
Harry sat stunned, frozen in his seat.
Draco had his eyes closed and Harry wondered if he should do the same.
"Er-hem." a voice suddenly came from behind the couch.
Draco instantly pulled back, a horrified expression forming on his face as he saw who the intruder was.
Hermione was looking down at them from behind the couch, her cheeks pink. She was trying her best to hide a smile and was doing quite a poor job of it.
Draco looked at her in disgust now.
"How long have you been standing there, Granger?" he asked; his tone dangerous.
"Long enough, Malfoy." Hermione bristled and moved over to sit in the armchair opposite them. "And it doesn't look like I came too soon, either." she cheekily added.
"What is this?" he exclaimed angrily. "You're joining us now? Going to take notes, are you Granger?" he said sarcastically, looking at the book she had in her lap; causing Hermione to blush scarlet at the implication.
"Draco, she's got something to tell us. That's why I sent you that note. . ." Harry said carefully, still feeling a little winded from the sudden kiss.
"What?" Draco said incredulously.
"Why? What did you think it was for?" Harry asked quizzically.
Draco bit back a gulp and tried to look nonchalant, but his eyes had widened slightly when he looked at Harry.
"Oh." Harry smiled, understanding.
*This is too good. He thought I invited him for a snogging session!* he thought and smiled wider. But then he saw the stormy look on Draco's face and held back the smiles that were threatening to break out gleefully all over his face.
His cheek muscles were beginning to hurt.
"Are you two quite finished?" Hermione asked. "I do want to get back to bed at some point, you know."
"Right." Harry conceded and rubbed at his cheeks.
They were both silent as she told them everything that she knew.
She had even borrowed a book from the library about the practice of blood magic and showed it to them.
She knew it wasn't going to be easy to try to explain and convince them of what had happened; so she came well-prepared. Initially she had considered making up models of little Harry and Draco to re-enact the accident for them to get a better visual, but then she thought that would have been a bit much. Even for her.
Almost half an hour later, she finished and looked at them expectantly.
"So, do you believe what I just told you?" she asked tentatively.
"I - guess. . ." Harry said, adjusting his glasses. He was still trying to take in what Hermione had just told them.
"Me too." Draco finally said, grudgingly. "I mean, it certainly explains my crazy behaviour." he smirked in relief.
Harry looked at him and frowned, feeling a little annoyed.
"Well, what do we about this, then?" Draco asked.
"Nothing. Dumbledore's right, I can't find any counter-spells or cures that wouldn't effectively kill you both." Hermione sighed, looking at her watch.
Draco sighed heavily and slumped back into the couch.
"Maybe my father would know. . ." Draco suggested hopefully.
"If he did, don't you think he would have tried something to help you by now?" Hermione reasoned.
Draco sighed, dejectedly, knowing Hermione was probably right.
"Look, I just wanted to tell you what was going on. It didn't seem fair to keep you both in the dark about something that affects you directly. Maybe now you can understand why you're feeling . . .the way you're feeling."
Harry nodded, looking at his friend appreciatively. "Thanks, Herm. It certainly helps."
Draco stayed silent, but nodded at Hermione when he saw Harry look at him sternly.
"Well, that's it, I guess. I think I'll turn in now, if you don't mind. We have classes in the morning." she got up tiredly and kissed Harry goodnight on his cheek.
"Sleep well." she said kindly and ruffled his hair.
"Thanks Hermione, you too."
They watched her as she made her way up to the girls' dormitory.
Finally, they were alone again.
Draco got up abruptly. "I better go too."
He was afraid that Harry would bring up the kiss, in that infuriatingly straight-forward way he had and thought he should leave before that should happen.
Thankfully, Harry just nodded and walked him to the painting. He seemed to be too tired for anything else.
He opened the door for Draco, who stepped through it as quietly as he could.
He didn't want to wake the Fat Lady again and have to face her embarrassing accusations. He didn't need to get a reputation for appreciating art in /that/ way.
He mumbled a quick goodbye to Harry before taking off down the dark hallway.
Harry closed the door behind him wearily and rubbed his eyes. He hadn't realised how tired he was until now.
*Bed is good.* he thought sleepily and started towards the stairs leading up to his dorm.
Except for a sudden rapping on the painting behind that stopped him in his tracks.
He shook his head and paused, thinking he must have imagined it in his tiredness.
*There it is again.*
Harry furrowed his brows and opened the painting and peeked through the edge cautiously.
"Filch! He's here!" Draco whispered urgently behind it and pushed the painting open and squeezed past Harry to return to the safety of the Common room.
