Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter; so don't sue me, as I have no job and no money. ^________^
Authors Note: I wasn't going to start this chapter until I got at least one review for the last one; and I did so, here it is! ^___^ Thanks, Mila!
The Grand Hall fell silent as they heard the scream. "What has he done!?" Ron yelled, jumping up out of his seat and running for the door. Harry got up and followed him close behind. When they made it out into the hallway, Malfoy was standing there looking off into the direction of Hermione's scream. Ron ran over to him and socked him in the face. "What did you do to her!?"
Malfoy looked over at him, dazed, "I…I didn't do anything, Weasel! She ran away from me and then I just now heard her scream!" He pushed Ron away from him.
Harry started to run in the direction that Malfoy pointed. He glanced back and saw Ron and Malfoy running after him.
What if something horrible happened to her?! Malfoy thought as he ran, catching up to Harry. He pulled out his wand.
Harry turned the corner and stopped abruptly. "Hermione…" He trailed off, looking at the sight.
Malfoy stopped next to him and his eyes widened. Hermione was on the stone floor, screaming in pain. There was a tall dark figure standing over her, yelling," Crucio!" Over and over again. You couldn't see any part of the person, or thing; they were wearing a black robe with a hood.
Ron was standing on the other side of Harry, eyes wide with horror. "Hermione!" He yelled.
The figure looked up and within an instant, was gone.
Hermione lay sprawled out on the ground, lifeless looking.
Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and the rest of the staff appeared behind Harry, Ron, and Malfoy.
Malfoy dropped his wand and ran over to Hermione, followed by Ron and Harry. He put his hand behind her head and held it up, "Hermione! Wake up!" He yelled, shaking her.
Madame Pomfrey ran over and snatched the unconscious Hermione out of Malfoy's arms. Harry and Ron stood up and followed her to the hospital wing (AN: I can't remember what it's called, and I'm too lazy to get up and find out ^^).
Malfoy watched the other Professors follow her and stayed there for a moment, not moving at all. He stood up after a minute or two and looked at his hands, which were red with Hermione's blood. "What happened to you…?" He thought out loud. He shook his head and ran in the way of the hospital wing.
Hermione opened her eyes slowly and looked around, "Wh…what happened?" She asked.
Professor Dumbledore, Harry and Ron ran over to her bed, "You're awake, Hermione!" Harry said, relief in his voice.
Ron grabbed her hand, "Are you all right?"
Hermione nodded slowly. She glanced over to her right, seeing someone leaning against the wall. "Draco?"
Malfoy looked up. He saw Hermione looking at him. "You're all right, then. I'll be on my way." He said coldly, turning and walking out the hospital wing.
Hermione frowned.
Ron looked upset, "Hermione…" He trailed off.
Harry watched Malfoy walk out.
Dumbledore walked up to Harry and said, "Did you see what happened to Miss Granger?"
Hermione spoke up. "When I turned the corner, there was a person…or…I don't know what it was, but it was just standing there…like it was waiting for me. Then it performed the Crucio curse on me…"
Dumbledore looked over at Harry and Ron, the usual cheery look in his eyes replaced with worry.
~ * ~
Finally it was a weekend. Malfoy woke up and sat down in his bed. "Should I visit her?" He asked himself. Hermione was still in the hospital. "I doubt she wants to see me. Why am I so worried about her, anyway? I can't possibly have…feelings for her." He said to himself, sighing. "What if I do…?" He shook his head as though he were trying to shake the thought of him liking her out of his head. He got up and dressed slowly, still tried from the night before.
Hermione was sitting up in her hospital bed, drinking cocoa. Why hasn't he come? She thought. At that moment, Malfoy walked into wing and over to her bed.
Hermione jumped, startled, "M-Malfoy!"
He sighed and pulled a seat up next to her bed. He sat on it backwards (AN: I don't know how to describe it…I hope you know what I mean…) and looked at her, as if he were concentrating on something else.
"I…I didn't think you'd come." She said quietly.
He scratched his shoulder and shrugged. "I would've come earlier, but I've been busy the last two days…" Why am I lying to her? Well…I can't just say 'I didn't feel like coming'.
Hermione had a feeling that he wasn't being truthful. She shrugged it off. "Oh…"
Malfoy remembered the ball. "So…are you going to the Christmas Ball?"
Hermione blinked. "Yes…I'm going with Ron."
Just great… Malfoy thought, kicking himself. "Oh."
Hermione felt like he had wanted to ask her, "Did you want to ask me?"
Malfoy tried to look disgusted, "Of course not!"
The brunette was taken aback. She looked at him for a moment before bringing her gaze up to his eyes. She stared into them for a moment, and then looked away. She could see in his eyes that he was lying. She was staring down at her cup when she heard him shift in his chair.
"Hermione," He said quietly.
She looked up at him and her eyes widened as he leaned in and lightly brushed his lips against hers. He brought his hand up to her face and cupped her chin in his hand. Hermione slowly closed her eyes and leaned toward him, returning the kiss.
"Malfoy!"
The blonde turned around to see Ron running toward him and walloping him in the face.
"What makes you think you can do that!?" Ron yelled as he glared at Malfoy, hatred coursing through him.
Hermione gasped. "Ron…!"
Malfoy growled and wiped the blood off of his lip. "Stay out of it, Weasley!" He yelled before rushing past the red head, pushing him aside as he did so.
Ron slammed the door behind Malfoy as he walked out and turned around, staring at Hermione. "Why did you let him do that?"
Hermione shook her head. "I…"
He walked over to her and sat down in the chair that was next to her bed. "Hermione…I need to know…what's going on between you two?" He asked, frowning.
Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but couldn't find the words.
Okay…another chapter! ^^ I couldn't remember if it is called the Crucio curse, but I think it is. If not…sorry! ^^;;;; It got a little fluffy, didn't it? ::sighs romantically:: Oh, Malfoy… Ahem! Well, I hope you liked it! Please Review! It makes me very happy when you do! ^______^