Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters you recognise in this story. They belong to J.K Rowling.
Summary: When Mars, Jupiter and Neptune form a straight line somewhere in space, a tragic old love curse will fulfil its deadly prophecy in Hogwarts… Contains Draco and Harry's new 'discoveries'…
A/N: Alrighty… Chapter three at last… Sorry it took so long. I realised that it wasn't possible for Harry to become Head Boy after what happened in Book Five, is it? Oh well… *shrug*
Chapter 3: The Wrong Kiss
The ringing sound of the bell signalled the end of Potions, but Hermione hardly noticed it. She was distracted. Not because of her continually whirling mind, but because of the dream. Surely it was nothing, she kept telling herself, but the familiar face of the woman kept appearing inside her head.
Who was she?
She felt a sharp nudge between her aching ribs and let out a painful cry. She looked up, and saw Harry, helping her get up unto her feet. She pulled away from him instinctively and walked out, as if on a trance. She could hear some muffled shouts behind her, but everything was so blurry…
Then she felt her shoulders stiffening as a firm hand gripped her. She turned around, her shiny brown eyes clouded with a strange mist. She felt like choking, like throwing up. She saw Harry's emerald eyes lit up with extreme concern and he began to shake her.
"Hermione… Hermione…" she could hear his faint voice echoing in her mind. Her vision was becoming unclear again, but she didn't want to sleep… she didn't want to…
"HERMIONE!" Harry's voice sliced through her thoughts. Instantly, she felt as if her spine had snapped and her eyes flashed in surprise.
"Ha—Harry?" she asked uncertainly as her eyes adjusted to her surroundings once more.
Harry held her still, his muscular arms still clasped upon her shoulders. "Yes, Hermione," he breathed out, relieved. "What the hell happened?" he asked curiously as he backed away.
Hermione's fingers crept up to her forehead, soothing the throbbing pain inside it. "Harry, I don't know… I feel strange, sick… I don't know…" she answered helplessly. What was happening to her?
Harry grabbed her by the hand and led her into an empty classroom. Hermione just followed along, her body swaying weakly as she arrived. She could feel Ron's long strides behind her.
She felt better, her head was still filled with that dreary, dull pain, but she could focus more on things and her vision became clearer.
Harry eyed her with his enticing green eyes. "I think you should tell me what happened, Hermione," he said, folding his arms.
Hermione shook her head. "It was nothing, Harry," she answered.
Ron let out a grunt. "Sure it was nothing," he said. "You just happened to be a shivering and shaking madwoman when you're sleeping."
Hermione glared at him, feeling extremely annoyed. "For your information, Ron," she snapped bitterly. "There was probably something wrong with that Sleeping Potion."
Harry was still watching her. "There was nothing wrong with it, Hermione," he said with confidence. "Just tell us what you saw and we won't bug you again."
Hermione shrugged. "I'm not telling you anything," she said stubbornly. "And even if I did see something; it was none of your business."
She turned towards the door rapidly and banged it shut.
***
Draco was walking towards his Ancient Runes class; his chest still feeling odd. He rubbed it lightly, trying to ease the strange feeling that had surrounded his heart. Maybe he should go to the Hospital Wing to see what was wrong…
He could hear rapid footsteps behind him. He continued to walk, his heart beating faster and faster as he goes. He suddenly slowed down, almost running out of breath. What is the matter with me?? His chest was hurting again, almost as though it was burning.
He felt lighter, and weak. His heart was still beating and pumping as fast as it could. He felt his vision decreasing with every breath he takes… This is NOT normal… What the hell is happening??
All he could hear now was the hurried footsteps that seem to be coming towards him. He started choking; he rubbed his chest furiously and hoping the pain would go away. But it didn't. He felt his throat close up. He couldn't breathe…
Then suddenly, a hand pulled him up. He staggered to his feet, taking deep breaths at a time. He opened his eyes. It was blurry. His heart was beating slower and slower as he calmed down. He closed his eyes again, coughing lightly as his breathing returned to normal.
He could hear a soft voice calling him; it seemed so far away. He opened his eyes. And saw Hermione Granger. Out of all people, why oh why?
Draco pulled his hand out of Hermione's grasp quite roughly. He stared up at the light blue sky. Yes, everything is fine now… He looked back down at Hermione, who was staring at him worriedly. He flashed a frown at her, cleaning his robes.
"Oh gosh, Malfoy," she muttered. "What's the matter with you?"
"Why would you care?" Draco said as a reply.
Hermione crossed her arms. "I don't," she answered. "But I think you need to go to the Hospital Wing or something."
Draco relaxed; his breathing had certainly returned to normal. Then as he stared at Hermione, an idea sparkled inside his mind. In Potions, his heart had behaved oddly when he turned to look at Hermione… And now…
He scowled angrily. "Granger," he started, keeping his voice low. "What game are you playing at? Are you trying to kill me?" he said loudly.
Hermione stepped back, looking at him oddly. "What makes you get that stupid idea into your slimy little head, Malfoy?" she said heatedly, glaring at him.
Draco stared at her, annoyed. "Just admit it, Granger!" He was yelling now, but he didn't care. "You put some sort of hex on me so that I would suffocate whenever you're near me. That is just sick, Granger. Sick. I know you hate me, but that doesn't mean that you want me dead!" he shouted.
Hermione seemed to have regained her composure. "Actually, I do want you dead, Malfoy," she said calmly. "But, let me assure you that I wouldn't ever pull off a trick as weird as this. Ever." She looked at him, her eyes gleaming.
Draco just glared at her, not believing anything she had just said. He was now late to class, just because of stupid Granger. He stood there, looking at her.
His heart started to thump again, but differently this time. Draco gulped, shaking his head. He saw Hermione's light brown eyes watching him with concern. Her dark brown hair seemed to shine under the bright sun. He gasped, suddenly feeling something cold swept past him.
Draco dropped his heavy, Ancient Runes book and surged forwards. He grabbed Hermione's smooth cheeks gently and felt her warm, soft lips touch his own. He stroked her hair, pushing his lips passionately against hers. He could feel her struggling, he fingers scratching his robes. He could hear her muffled sounds of distress. But he pressed on, grabbing her waist. Hermione's resistance died down. She melted into the kiss for a second, before she pushed him away from her, hard.
She was flushing, her cheeks a deep shadow of red. He couldn't tell whether she was angry or surprised. She just stood there, staring at him with furrowed eyebrows. Draco felt his lips tingling with pleasure. His head was spinning with anger and shame. He couldn't move, or speak. His head was now empty, just filled with the guilt and disgrace of what he had just done. It wasn't me… It wasn't… What the hell did I do NOW??!!
Hermione was shaking all over, with rage. She had just come to her senses. "YOU!" she screamed. "You're a f*cking bastard, you hear me? You—You're just—You're--" she stopped, quivering with remorse.
Draco moved forwards, wanting to say something.
She backed away from him, looking terrified. "I swear," she said, her words dripping with venom. "I swear…I'm going to kill you…" she muttered, her eyes filled with hatred. She rushed forwards, bringing her wet palms across. Before Draco could avoid what was coming, she slapped him, very hard, across his cheeks. Then she stormed away, hissing words under her breath.
Draco was left alone, shaking his head. This was the very first time he felt like he wanted to cry. What he did was just wrong, plain wrong. And he didn't know what made him kissed her… It really wasn't him… But yet he enjoyed it. What's really happening to him? He wondered endlessly.
After a while, he shrugged. That's two slaps for me in a day…
***
A/N: Bad, bad Draco. But really, it wasn't his fault... Well not entirely.
Next Chapter (You know the drill!):
Voldemort is working out a plan
He's hiding with his right-hand man
He knows about the curse
And Hermione's about to burst
So please review—and erm—give me a hand!
Alrighty! (I don't want ANY complaints about that rhyme, you hear me??) *chuckles* Just kidding, give me any criticisms you want! *smiles* Thanks for reading!
