Silver Eyes (restless Sleep) By tearsofher

Disclaimer: Don't own hermione or draco.. but do own nickolas gottery.. you know how it goes..

Chapter Six: The Potions Incident

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Draco stared up at the ceiling, an activity he had become all too familiar with. It was chilly inside his room, but he didn't mind it. He was too lost in his own thoughts to notice it, or anything else, for that matter. Draco's silver eyes gazed up at the bare ceiling, unmoving, only blinking once a couple of seconds. He was deep in thought about his discovery, at dinner.. And the conversation he had had with his cousin Todd. Draco knew there had been something else there, something deeper, and should've suspected it was love. But it was a bit of a shock to him; Malfoys did not fall in love. At least, he never saw any. Even with his father and mother; there was never a spark in his eyes when his father saw his mother, he hadn't even seen him kiss her. But with Todd, it was definitely there. And Draco wondered, if someone was observing him when he thought about Hermione, or was staring at her again, if anyone would see that in his eyes. Nickolas had probably, but he was truly eager to see it there, so it was easier to see. But, he wondered, if a stranger looked at him when he was beside her in potions, if they could tell. If they could tell that, Draco Malfoy, the pureblood Slytherin prince, was in love with Hermione Granger, the Gryffindor smarts.

Draco felt himself smiling. Draco, in love with Hermione.. It sounded odd. But nonetheless, everytime he said it to himself, he felt that fluttery feeling again. And, his heart seemed to tell him that he was right, even his brain. His conscience didn't even try to deny it. He guessed it was because the feeling was so strong, it silenced his consciences remarks. Draco sighed, the only noise that he had made since a couple of hours ago. He couldn't help but think about when he would tell her.. If he would tell her. He surely wanted to, but seeing himself saying 'I'm in love with you' to a girl, made him feel queasy in the stomach, and he couldn't help but crinkle his nose at what an idiot he would make of himself. But he wondered at what she would say. If she'd say anything at all, or just slap him smack in the face. He hoped she wouldn't; he was going to spill his soul out to her. He had never done that before, and usually, he had beginner's luck at these sort of things. He was feeling nervous about this 'thing'. He had never, felt like this before, let alone care about another girl before. He had never been in love either. And so far, it hadn't been ' the greatest feeling in the world' like how Todd had said. But Draco sighed as he wished that Todd was right, or going to be; even for just a moment. Draco had never suffered or felt the pain of a broken heart until now. And he didn't need it to get any worse.

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Hermione entered the Potions classroom, still a little bit drowsy from last night. She hadn't been able to sleep; her thoughts had prevented her. She had glanced at Draco, who was staring in her direction also, but looked away quickly. Her heart had been beating quickly, too loudly. She had to look away before it just stopped dead, as she feared. Hermione still hadn't figured out what she felt for the young slytherin, as much as she had thought about it last night. She had crossed out 'attraction' and 'crush'. But she was afraid at what it could truly be. She.. No.. She couldn't possibly be in love with the boy, could she? She felt her stomach squirm. She wasn't in love with Draco Malfoy, was she? Just then Professor Snape walked inside the room.

Snape had let the others finish with their potions, while Hermione started working on her potions homework, as did Draco. When everyone had finished, Snape told them to stop talking and listen. Hermione listened attentively. " It's time to test your potions," Snape said, eyeing people across the room. Then he called on Lavender to test Harry's and Goyle's potion. Lavender walked up to them, nervous. Hermione hoped for her friend that they had done it right. Luckily, Lavender disappeared for a second, earning gasps across the room. Then she appeared again, with a breath of relief from Hermione. Just then Snape looked at Hermione. " Gottery, give you and your partners potion to Granger. She'll be your guinea pig today." Hermione had her mouth opened in horror, as did Draco. Nickolas had a smirk on his face, as he handed the potion to her. He looked at Draco, with the smirk still plastered on his face. Draco glared knives at him; he knew he had done something to the potion. Hermione held the vial in her hand, staring at it, uncertainty on her face. She got up off her seat and walked to the front of the room.

" Well? Go on, Granger!" Snape barked. Hermione nodded, and held the vial to her lips, he hand shaking noticeably. Draco was about to tell her to stop, but she had already gulped down the potion. Hermione stood there, a disgusted look on her face, as if she was about to gag. Draco's face was filled with worry, while everyone else was watching with curiosity. Just then Hermione disappeared, and they were shocked that Neville's potion worked; everbody had seen he had done all the work when Nickolas had done absolutely nothing. When Snape wasn't looking, of course. But when Hermione reappeared, they hadn't expected what had happened next. She fell to the ground, the vial smashed broken in her hand. Everyone stood up in alarm; Draco was one of the first.

Lavender had her hand up to her mouth, her face creased with worry. Snape was looking at Hermione, curiously. Draco felt so worried, so angry. Snape had let this happen! He knew something bad was going to happen! Draco tried to peer through the crowd, at Hermione's unconscious body, but it was hard since the class had now gathered around her. Snape barked at everyone to get back at their seats,, and with one more glance at the girl, they went back, worried. Draco couldn't breathe when he saw the Hermione was deathly pale; no color in her cheeks whatsoever. " Malfoy, carry Ms. Granger to the infirmary," Snape said, putting down her hand that he was inspecting. Draco nodded, trying to take in as much air as possible. He rushed over to her, picked up her body in his arms, and hurried out the class. Draco walked to the infirmary, in a much faster pace than he had ever walked to the infirmary. He looked down at the pretty girl, worry creasing his eyebrows. She felt light; too light. Her lips were losing their color, as did her face. Draco held her tighter to him, and started advancing into a jog. He couldn't let anything happen to her.

Draco burst into the hospital wing, startling Madame Pomphrey. Mdame Pomphrey was going to yell at him, but once she saw Hermione in his arms, her face went pale. " Put her on a bed, Mr. Malfoy," she said hurriedly as she gathered her serums and medicine bottles. Draco obeyed, and set her softly on a bed. Madame Pomphrey started feeling her pulse, pouring stuff in her mouth, when Draco could only watch; he had never felt this scared in his life. He watched Madame Pomphrey try to cure Hermione, whispering to herself whenever she found something else. But Draco didn't mind her; all he cared about was Hermione and if she was going to be okay. Draco couldn't live with himself if.. If the potion had serious affects. Draco suddenly felt his anger boil. Nickolas, Snape.. They knew, they had bloody known! Draco knew Nickolas had something to do with this. He had probably added something; or.. Well, he couldn't blame Neville. Neville couldn't help it if he was terrible at potions. Just then he noticed that Madam Pomphrey was looking at him strangely, her eyebrows raised, as if she was observing him. Draco looked at her.

" Is she going to be alright?" Draco asked quietly, but even the stupidest person could sense the worry and hope in his voice. He looked at Hermione again; she was now tucked into the cotton snow-white sheets. Some color was coming back, but she was still unusually pale. Just not like before.

" She will be fine, Mr. Malfoy," Madame Pomphrey sighed as she looked at the unconscious figure of Hermione. " It's a good thing you got her here in time; she might have been in serious condition if you had waited a minute longer." She eyed him. " You both came from Severus's class don't you?" she asked. Draco nodded. She sighed, frustrated. " That Man! He cannot just make his students test other students blasted potions! He is so dense, he could get one of them killed!" she said aloud. Draco couldn't help but agree. Madame Pomphrey shook her head, muttering to herself. " If only I could just hit him over the head with a bed pan.. At least hit some sense into him.. That man will never learn," she muttered to herself before walking away. " Mr. Malfoy, you should head up to the hall now, I expect they're serving lunch right about now. Don't you worry, Ms. Granger is going to be fine," she said to him, before entering her office. Draco sighed, as he looked at Hermione again. He wasn't used to this; caring about somebody so much. Being almost scared to death because.. Of her. But he couldn't help but wish to see her smile again, that friendly smile she had always used to give him..

Draco walked out of the hospital wing, but not before taking one last look at the girl.

Draco walked to the Great hall, but before he walked through the doors, he heard chuckling behind him. Draco whipped around. He felt his eyes fill with rage when he saw Nickolas Gottery smirking at him, eyes glittering with malice. He walked closer to draco, until they were only a foot apart. " What took you so long, Malfoy? It doesn't take you that long to deliver a mudblood to the infirmary, does it?" Draco glared at him, shaking with anger. " You speak too much, Gottery," he snarled. " What's wrong? You look.. Angry, Malfoy.. Is it the mudblood? Oh, she's not dead is she?" He threw his head back and laughed loudly. Just then, before Draco could stop himself, he punched Nickolas. Nickolas stumbled back, but Draco kept hitting him. Just then they were both hitting each other; Draco pushed him against the wall, and punched him in the gut. Nickolas punched him across the face, and Draco could feel blood trickling from his nose. Just then, Nickolas tackled Draco, sending both of them hurdling.

Across the hall. Through the doors.. And into the Great Hall..

Everyone stared at the two boys, as they finally realized where they were. Nickolas's fists were filled with Draco's robe, both of the boys bruised and bloodied up. Everyone broke into whispers, as the Professors stood up, glaring and alarmed at their students. Minerva McGonagall strode to the two boys, and glared at them sternly. "Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Gottery, both of you in my office. NOW." Nickolas let go of Draco, and glared at him. Draco also glared at him, as he wiped his mouth, his pale hand stained with dark blood. They both followed after the Professor, not saying a word. Draco was still fuming at the boy, but chose to just look down at the floor.. Oh what would Hermione say if she knew that he had gotten into a fight, and all because of his likeness for her? He didn't have enough time to answer his question as they entered the Professor's office.

Sorry if I spelled Prof. McGonagall's name wrong!! And, don't worry, things will get better.. Hopefully..

-tearsofher