A/N: it's a little intense in the beginning but becomes lighter. Sorry it's so long!
Chapter 7- Revelations
Hermione sat on her bed, looking up at the hanging curtains that surrounded her. She felt very tired, and unsure of herself. After the department of Mysteries incident she had discovered some new things about herself. Like when she wasn't focusing on something (which wasn't often for Hermione), and she let her mind free, she would start to hear bits of conversations. At first she thought she was going mad, and was planning on going to Dumbledore, but something held her back. She wanted to figure this out herself. So she used her most reliable resource… the library. Sighing, she remembered all the late nights in the library where she went over and over multiple volumes of all magical maladies, until she came across the book. She smiled as she remembered stealing it from the Hogwarts library… she still had it. She had found one small paragraph that had solved all of her questions.
"There are some rare witches and wizards who are born with an advanced knowledge and power of the study of Legilimency. These individuals are never born while one with the same talent lives… there can only be one at any given time. When the magic has skipped a generation, the precocious child will develop their power after 15 years of age. They will then know their identity as an image of the sun appears on their skin. They hold great power and can turn the forces of the world for good, or for evil."
Hermione smiled as she lifted her sleeve to look at her wrist, where a small, distinct sun had carved itself into her skin over the past two years. At first she didn't believe it could possibly be related to her power, but after she read that passage she felt the connection to it. After that she started fine-tuning her power, practicing on people like Ron and Harry. She never told them. She never felt it was the right moment. And it still wasn't completely under her control. Sometimes as hard as she wanted to, she couldn't get into another's mind. But the other day with Malfoy… then she was completely free to. And yet that answer just brought out more problems. Aggravated, she slammed her hand on to the soft bed, determined to make it feel the pain she did. Silent tears ran down her face and she turned over, engulfed by her grief.
~
Hermione entered the common room that night to find Draco lying on the sofa, sleeping. A wisp of blonde hair had fallen into his face and was fluttering as he breathed out. Quietly she moved towards him and sat down. Reaching out, she gently pushed the hair out of his face as he grabbed her wrist quickly. Hermione almost laughed.
"Oh, hey its you." Said Draco groggily, as he released her wrist. "Sorry about that." He added with a small smile as he sat up.
"I've learned my lesson about ever disturbing a sleeping Malfoy." Hermione replied with a grin.
"So… does this mean your ready to declare your undying love for me?" Draco said, jokingly.
"Not even close."
"Then why did your eyes just light up?" asked Draco, a smile spreading across his face.
"They most certainly did not!" replied Hermione with a grin. Then she turned around.
"What, is that it?" asked Draco, with a slight sneer.
"Goodnight, Dragon." Replied Hermione, as she went up the stairs.
"Goodnight, 'Mione." He whispered, as he contemplated how she knew his childhood nickname, before entering his room.
~
"I knew you guys liked each other!" Ginny whispered, triumphantly.
"Ginny…" Hermione replied, pleadingly.
"Don't worry Hermione, I wouldn't tell anyone. Even though he's been an ass all these years I knew it was because he was the type of guy who acts like kid, runs up to girls he likes and pulls their hair."
"Hmmm… Draco's never pulled my hair, Ginny."
"Pulling your hair… calling you names… same thing. So will you guys go out?"
"Of course not!" Hermione replied, stunned. "I told him I'd give him a second chance as my FRIEND, I do trust him Ginny… but it's too complicated for something like that."
"Like a… relationship? Geeze Hermione, live a little!" Hermione flashed the girl a sarcastic smile before turning around to check that no one was around.
"Look whose talking." She replied, matching Ginny's eager tone.
"What are you saying, Hermione?" asked Ginny, nervously. Hermione just smiled sweetly. "HERMIONE!" cried Ginny.
"Don't worry, Gin. I know the person you fancy has his eyes on you too."
~
Entering her common room, Hermione was heading for the stairs to her dorm, looking forward to a nice hot bath and a long sleep when she heard a knock on the portrait hole. She turned as Proffessor Snape entered.
"Miss Granger… I was hoping to see Mr. Malfoy, do you know of his whereabouts?"
"Sorry Professor." Hermione said, lowering her eyes so he wouldn't catch the amusement in them. Snape merely looked bored.
"Tell him I want to see him tomorrow." He said, sweeping out of the room.
Hermione smiled as she entered her dorm, Gryffindor colors flying out to meet her weary eyes. Looking out the window, she saw Draco zooming around in the dusk on his broomstick. She sighed and turned back to her bed, moving Crookshanks out of the way. She gathered up her clothes and headed to the bathroom. When she emerged she was in blue pajama pants with silver moons on them, and a gray sweatshirt. She decided to head to the Gryffindor common room for some excitement.
~
Ron jumped up as he saw Hermione make her way through the portrait hole and met her eyes as she walked towards him and Harry. "Hermione, can we go somewhere and talk alone?"
Hermione looked at him in surprise but nodded, and followed him out of the Gryffindor common room and onto the grounds. "Ummm… Ron?" she asked, curiously.
"One minute." He responded unconcerned, while looking around the grounds then heading to the lake, beckoning Hermione to follow.
~
Draco was flying back to the school when he noticed two people by the lake. He didn't give it much thought until he recognized the girl as Hermione. Taking notice of the bright red haired person next to her he felt anger and jealousy surge through him, even though he would never admit it. "What's so great about Weasley, anyways!" he thought, angrily.
He was about to fly off when he saw Hermione get up and turn from Weasley, walking away. He heard the redhead yell her name, but she kept walking. A smile crept over Draco's face as he suddenly formed a plan. Swooping down, he made his presence known by lifting Hermione by the hips and placing her on his broom with him.
"Malfoy! What the hell?!" Draco laughed as he saw the enraged look on Ron's face, and quickly pulled the broom up high above the school grounds.
"Oh no no no don't Draco I'll fall don't!" squeaked Hermione, but malfoy only smiled and held her firmly, slowing down his broom. Hermione slowly relaxed and leaned against him.
"What did the weasel want with you, 'Mione?" asked Draco, softly.
"erm… well I don't think that's any of your business Dragon." Replied Hermione, with a flirtatious smile. Draco contorted his face into an expression of mock surprise, and then smiling, whispered into her ear.
"I did just save you from walking all the way to our common room, so I think you owe me." Hermione smiled, enjoying being so close to him, far away from everyone else, and dependent on him.
"He apologized for what happened over the summer." She started softly.
Draco's eyes flashed. "Damn Weasley!" he thought.
"Then he asked me if we could try it again, and that he missed me and didn't mean to hurt me." She finished, in a whisper. Draco didn't say anything at first, just held her in his arms, wondering if he could ever let her go.
"Hermione…" he started, but she turned to face him, and placed a finger on his lips to silence him.
"Don't worry. I told him there was someone else I liked." She replied, quietly. Draco smiled, teasingly.
"Well you better let me know who it is so I can beat up the lil' punk." Hermione stuck her tongue out playfully, and turning forwards again on his broom she leaned against her enemy, allowing him to guide her back to their dorm.