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New Powers and a Nightmare
Draco quickly told Dumbledore everything that had happened in hell, and in the death eaters meeting. He also relayed what Lucifer had said, and about Hermione's opening of the door without a wand.
"Why was that Professor? How could she open up the door without magic, and why can't I do that?" asked Draco, as he took a sip of his hot cocoa.
"Well, if I'm assuming correctly, and I usually do, than going to Hell gave her powers, and how do you know that you can't do that? Have you even tried," Dumbledore replied with a twinkle in his eye.
Draco thought about this, and then turning to the fireplace, said, "Incendio," and stared in shock as the fire place lit. He hadn't used his wand.
"See Mister Malfoy, you can too. Now you and Miss Granger I believe can have some fun shocking your fellow students and Professors with these new powers, but remember what I said about watching out for each other. That's all I can tell you right now, so I recommend that you go get some sleep," he said.
"Yes Professor."
And with that, he headed straight to his room in the dungeons, where he ignored everyone, cursed Pansy for trying to suck off his face, and changed into green and silver flannel pajama pants and a silver wife-beater, where after he climbed under the covers, he cast a silencing charm, and quickly fell asleep.
* * * * *
In the infirmary, Hermione had been fixed up by Madam Pomphrey, and given a dreamless sleep potion. The potion however was not working, for Hermione was currently being plagued by a nightmare. She was alone, standing in a dark forest, no light anywhere to be seen. She muttered "lumos" only to have nothing happen. She felt in her robe pocket for her wand, and to her dismay, it wasn't there. She started to panic, she hated the total darkness. She didn't mind it so much when she was alone, but by herself, it was one of her biggest fears. She tried "lumos" again, but to no avail. Suddenly, she felt arms grab her from behind and snake around her neck and waist. A cold blade was pressed against her neck, cutting in just enough to cause blood to start dripping. She could feel it trickling, first from her neck, to the hollow in her throat, and eventually down her chest. A cold voice spoke suddenly, piercing the darkness.
"How would you like to die? Long and drawn out, or long and drawn out? Take your pick my dear, both will be fun. At least for me." A shifty voice said, just before cackling evilly, and slicing the knife in deeper, just as she tried to scream.
Across the tower, Draco Malfoy woke with a start from the same dream, except he had been a spectator, and had been unable to do anything. 'Hermione!' he though instantly, before jumping out of bed and running to the infirmary. Arriving there, he found Madam Pomphrey, Professor's Dumbledore, Snape, and McGonnagall. They were so busy trying to keep Hermione from hurting herself, that they didn't notice him.
"What's wrong with her?" he asked, concern showing on his face, especially in his eyes, as he just stared at her.
"We don't know Mister Malfoy, Madam Pomphrey awoke to hear Miss Granger screaming, and came in to see her thrashing about. We're currently trying to subdue her ourselves, since potions and magic are not working, and no we don't know why," said Snape, seeing the question form on Draco's lips.
"Let me try, maybe I can help," suggested Draco.
"No to offend you Mister Malfoy, but you and Miss Granger have never been remotely close to friends, I don't think that'd she would welcome your touch." Professor McGonnagall said, struggling to keep a hold on Hermione's arm.
Draco, ignoring McGonnagall, walked to Hermione's side. As he neared her bed, she seemed to thrash even more.
"Mister Malfoy, I must insist that you back away. Please! We don't want her to injure herself!" McGonnagall said in a panicky voice.
Draco ignored her again, and moved closer.
"Granger, chill," he said, his voice calm, even though he wasn't. He reached out and touched the side of her cheek gently with his right hand, as he took her left hand in his left. At the sound of his voice, and his touch, Hermione calmed down a great deal, though not all the way.
"Why- Albus, what's he doing?" Said Madam Pomphrey in shock as she stared at the two.
"I believe he's calming her down, in the only way possible." He replied, smiling at the two children, who weren't really children after all, but it seemed like only yesterday they had come to Hogwart's as first years. He kept having to remind himself that they weren't.
"We know that, but what is he doing that's making her calm?" said Severus sneering.
"I don't know for sure, but I believe that Mister Malfoy's presence has a calming effect on Miss Granger, and should they be in opposite positions, vice versa. Since Voldemort wants to encourage a union between these two, he is connecting them mentally and spiritually, so to speak and I think this link was only fortified with their trip to Lucifer's Kingdom."
"So are you saying that they are connected in everything, because of some evil plan of Voldemort's and that's why Draco awoke and came here, because of some link connecting them mentally?" commented McGonnagall in disbelief as she looked over at the two sixth years, who were both sleeping calmly, Hermione in the bed, and Draco in a chair he had dragged over. She noted that they still had hands joined.
"Yes, and I also believe that this allows them to speak telepathically, although that just may be a side effect of the dark mark." Albus said absentmindedly, as he was prone to do.
McGonnagall paled. "D-dark mark? Them? But how, are you sure?"
"Quite Minerva, if you don't believe Albus or me, look!" said Severus as he carefully undid Hermione's wrist guard, revealing the ugly mark on her arm.
"And don't worry, this isn't voluntary, they were given this mark by Voldemort through a spell. Now Minerva, I'm sure it goes without saying, but you can not tell anyone. You and Severus are the only professors that know, and of course Poppy, and I must ask that you not alert the others. We want as few people as possible to know."
"Of course Albus."
"Thank you, now Poppy, (A/N: That's the nurse's first name, right?) since it appears that everything is under control, we'll leave you to watch over them. When they awake, please alert me, via the fireplace."
"Yes Albus, I'll be sure to," she said, getting a blanket to cover Draco with.
"All right then, we'll leave you now. Oh, and Poppy, make sure to keep an eye out for Harry and Ron, I'm sure that they'll be in, in the morning."
Poppy just nodded, and Albus, McGonnagall, and Severus left, heading to Albus's office to further discuss the previous events over some butterbeer.
Hermione and Draco continued to sleep peacefully throughout the evening, never letting go of the other's hand.
A/N: Okay, how was that? I had some requests for sappiness, so I wrote it, thanks for reading! Sorry I took awhile getting this up, I sprained my ankle, so I wasn't able to grab my laptop, cuz me being the smart person I am, I had left it at work, but on a happier note, my Nana's out of the hospital, yea! So, the next chapter should be up in a few days!
