The Secret Admirer

Chapter 10

Author : Cornette

Disclaimer : JK Rowling!

                   Hermione stood there shaking, while Malfoy crushed down in her feet. His long legs looked like they were shrinking, and he doubled up so that made Hermione frightened. She let go and quickly knelt before him.

                   `Mmm-Malfoy?`asked Hermione with difficulty. She got no answer at all, unless you count Malfoy`s ragged breathing. Cautiously she rolled Malfoy and shuddered when she felt how damp his Quidditch robes was. His face upside, she scanned hurriedly and founded that Malfoy never looked paler. He was almost blue, to be honest.

                   `Uh-Malfoy? Wake up!` plead Hermione helplessly. She put one hand on his forehead and quickly pulled it. Instead of hot, he was icy cold.

                   `Now, now, this is not good at all!` muttered Hermione at that abnormality. She felt panic washed from her toe to her brain in no second. He is badly- ill! Malfoy`s ill! And she didn't know why! She did know it was serious, though. Is he dying?

                   At that horrible thought, she jumped. Okay, think, Hermione Granger, just think! But her brain's gone all foggy, the rare feeling she always have when she can't find an answer for Arithmancy`s test. Hermione rushed up and down the room, trying to kick Malfoy`s funeral from her mind. Only, it was clearer here, when he was mere one metre from Hermione, lying on the floor, all cold. Her sideway glances suggested her that he was getting worse. She slumped down again beside him, eyes watering.

                   `Mal…Draco…open your eyes, will you?` asked Hermione now. The bright and oh-so-magical room turned blurry in her eyes as she touched his porcelain-ish cheek with her fingertips. It was colder than before.

                   Hermione gave two large cough and took an extra deep breath.

                    `Uh…come on…whattodowhattodowahttodo?????

Ummmm…Somebody helps me! Mum, Dad, Auntie Jane, Julie, Harry, Ron, P- HARRY! `

                   She squinted her eyes shut to concentrate, reeling the wheel in the back of her head. What'll he do in situation like this? What'll Harry do? He always does the right thing, or so it seemed! Harry??? Images swarmed in her head, green eyes…uh- big smile…reliable hand and OH!

                   `But of course! ` Snapped Hermione to herself. She grab one of Malfoy`s white hand, and tug him upwards. Hermione staggered slightly as she draws Malfoy from the floor. She heaved, but couldn't make it, and as the poor result, his face smack into the stone floor again. Hermione winced. For that lanky and tall appearance, plus the fair look, he was surprisingly not as light as a feather.

                   It was as simple as that. Go to the hospital wings. That's what Harry do billions times after he went on big adventure. And that's what every normal person will do if somebody is sick. How could she be so STUPID in simple matters like this? Oh, she was panicked then.

                   Hermione stared weakly down, where Malfoy was freezing and sickeningly blue, his blond hair's a mess. She CAN`T drag his feet down many stairs to hospital wings, can she? Now that she had thought of Harry, Hermione`s brain went clear. There's so many choice, but she wont take any. So Hermione draws her wand from her robes. Her hands were shaking, but she maintained to light a cheery warm fire in the fireplace, and transfigured a thick blanket on top of Draco.

                   `Goodbye, Draco.` said Hermione, as she rushed to the door. It clicked open and Hermione step out. She looked over her shoulder to see the room was still lit wonderfully by the moonlight. It was only several hours ago that Malfoy said he was attracted to Hermione. It felt hurts. `Not goodbye, I hope. See you.`

                   When she closed the door Hermione prayed with all her heart. She prayed it wouldn't be the last time she saw him alive.

* * *

                   She had been running for half an hour. Hermione`s legs were aching and numb in such a painful way. Her lungs were protesting for air, and her left stomach ached. However, she tried to keep her pace as quick as possible. She spread her legs so far and kind of float to the air.

                   Turn left. Right now. Keep straight.  Down the stairs!

                   Hermione kept remembering the way to the hospital wings. It was really dark here; only dim torches that made shadows dances eerily. She thought she knew Hogwarts by heart, being a Prefect and all that crazy exploration with Harry and Ron. But practically now, she was as good as a blindfolded person. 

                   The corridor looks familiar, and that's the problem. She thought she's been here before, and at the same time she's not. And have I mention that old Hogwarts castle was creepy in the middle of the night? But yes, they creaked and echoed and you could hear whispers, other saw flying things and soft blowing cool winds.

                   Hermione had to keep up, though. She holds her wands far in front of her, lighting the way. The looks on Malfoy`s face keep haunting her, more than mysterious cackle on the wall. She must, she must, she must, and Hermione encouraged herself as she ran. She took a sharp turn and-

                 `WHAAAA???`

                   Hermione landed several foot upwards in the hard floor with arm first. Hard landing. Soon she was screaming in pain.

                   She felt her right ankle had twisted in odd direction. Hermione swore lightly as she tried to get up. Ignoring the stars on her head, she forced her ankles to be straight. The pain was highly unbearable for Hermione that tears starts slipping from her eyes. Whether it was broken or not she wonders briefly. It pained a lot, in fact.

                   `Damn trick stairs! ` swored Hermione. She had heard of a long dangerous stair that was shy, and sometimes hide it self. The problem was, the distance from the upper level to this level were far, and long. She was half bungee jumping just then. She must go and she can't rest now. Every minute was precious for Draco Malfoy.

                   She stopped feeling her ankle and looked up. Hermione`s eyes widened in horror.

                   She hadn't realized where and what kind of place she'd been willing to fall into. It was like your worst nightmare. A dark abyss. She turned her gaze around, and felt that it was just the same if she closes her eyes. There were no lights whatsoever. Only dark, thick black air hung around her. She can't even see her own hands. And she felt the ugly feeling that big hairy monsters are ready to eat her. A feeling of being vulnerable, exposed, and scared in surrounding darkness. While Hermione was still amazed by it, the invincible black hole seemed to suck her up. Hermione sat very stiffly, horrorstruck.

                    `No…`moaned Hermione, her voice croaked, when the darkness enclosed around her. She's not a coward in the night. But she got a small phobia thing on this. Oh, why now? When pair silvery gray eyes come into her head she blinked the mixture of pain and fear tears. One life depends on her, and she chickened in the dark? It so unlike Hermione Granger!!!

                   `Accio wand! `

                   Something swooshed, and Hermione caught the wand firmly. A familiar warm throbbing runs from the thin wood to her hands. She felt a little power in herself.

                   `LUMOS! `

                   Hermione had screamed the incantation and went real glad when a small of green-red fire burst from the tip of it. Hermione was never more grateful to the fact that she is a witch. She is gifted, and she will use her gift well.

                   Injected by the flickering flames, Hermione bravely tried to stand up, and was unsuccessful.

                   She landed straight to the floor again, shrieked. Her ankles had refused to support her weight. And my, it hurts! She insisted on dragging herself forward with her left ankle, inch by inch if she must. Hermione had gone several minutes like that when she stopped, panting.

                   And all of sudden-

                   She felt tired. Tired and sick.  

                   Hermione never felt like this before. She was all stupid and unable. She had thought of Malfoy back upstairs, needing help desperately. She had thought of herself, bragging about the grades she achieved, and do nothing here. Is it this that Harry thinking of? That yourself is useless, and all of that? Well, still Harry is better, he tried until the end, take no regard of pain and proven success.

                   And Hermione?

                   She started to sobs. Hermione cried out, feeling miserable and doomed. She was so sorry for Malfoy. She still hoped she could save him, but with her ankle, she was done for. Thinking about Malfoy, by the way, made her more frightened. She was still crying when she heard a cheerful jingling noise. Hermione stopped and blew her nose. The noise was approaching.

                   PEEVES!

                    Hermione screamed as loud as she could.

                        `PEEEVEES! PEEEEEVEEES! OVER HERE! `

   Let's tell Filch, I must. You are naughty, first year, soooo naughty. `hummed the poltergeist, cackling evilly. That was the most joyful cackle that Hermione ever heard tonight.    

                        In a flash Peeves the Poltergeist showed up, moving along the wall like a large spider.  She jumped down right in front of Hermione, looked greatly curious.                     

                        `Peeves, oh thanks God` burst Hermione in relief when she saw the Poltergeist's wicked face.  `Peeves, I nee-`

                        `Bloody Baron? ` shrieked Peeves. ` You need the Bloody Baron. Student sitting alone in the corridor? In the middle of the night? Oh, oh, oh, ho, ho, ho!`

                        `I'm a Prefect!!!`said Hermione immediately. Peeves face fell, looking upset. He was going to move along again, but Hermione screamed again.

                        `NO! DON'T! Don't go Peeves! PLEASE! `

                        Peeves freeze. And split open into a puzzle of him, before become a 3-d Peeves again in a `pop`.

                        `Okay, that's one good trick. But I need your help! ` said Hermione quickly.

                        `Help? Ooohh, Peeves`ll help.` said Peeves sweetly. Now he's imitating an ugly kind of angel. Hermione was sure `help` word in Peeves brain was something like blowing up Filches office, or messing the classes.

                   `You know Draco Malfoy from Slytherin? He's sick, dying, and need care NOW. I want you to go to Madam Pomfrey, alarm Prof Snape and Prof McGonagall, and then come back here. Understand me, Peeves? Go now!` comanded Hermione hurriedly. To her irritation, he just gaped at her, squinting his eyes, his fake halo rings gone and his wings shattered.

                   `Why don't you go alone, Prefect? `

                   Hermione decided it was better to explain than hit him (cause he is a Poltergeist). But Peeves started talking again, this time showing no tricks.

                   `I'm a naughty-naughty Poltergeist. Nobody asked my help. `

                   When Peeves said that, his small and usually twinkling eyes went dark. He had some thought, after all, thought Hermione, pitied him. She smiled gently.

                   `It's just because…I trust you, Peeves.` said Hermione softly. `Now run along! `    

                   He went.

                   It was highly stressing, to sat there almost for nine hundreds seconds, accompanied only by a small light from her wands and a stabbing pain in her ankle. She kept thinking that Peeves had forgot, and decided to disturb Filch. But when she saw many bright wand tip and footsteps, she hoped again. They were worried Prof McGonagall, grumpy Prof Snape, Madam Pomfrey with her medicines, and behind them Peeves the Poltergeist floated with no mistakably Prof Dumbledore. Dumbledore`s long beard was shining even in the dim wand lights as he swooped down to her. It was going to be all right, said Hermione to herself.

* * *

                   As Hermione walked in the Hospital Wings the next day, she blinked. The roomy feeling, everything was white and clean, and something smells like tonics, it was so Hospital Wings. She went to several white beds in one side of wall, but saw they were all empty. The pure white bedspreads gave no sign of life. Hermione looked around in wonder, for even Madam Pomfrey was not in her usual table.

                   `What happen to Draco Malfoy? ` wonder Hermione in her heart. She was sure he lied in this bed last night, and now he is nowhere to be seen. Did Prof Dumbledore send him home? Could Hermione ever see him again? Or…the worst happened? The miserable thought swarmed in her head, but stopped when she gazed outside.

                   The Hospital Wings had this unique balcony in the opposite way of the door. The balcony was small, but was beautiful, for several hanging flowers grow there, and the sight was close up to the lake. She saw a small sofa outside, and a blond head.

                   Hermione`s heart gave a huge leapt.

                   Hurriedly she opened the white French door and a ray of sunshine greeted her. Quietly Hermione walked forward and shyly looked at him. There he was, Malfoy, or Draco, sitting calmly, dressed in woody green silk pajamas. Hermione`s mouth croaked to a big, relieved smile. Then Malfoy noticed her.

                   They stared for some times. Stared into each other's eyes. Hermione let herself feast upon his eyes, golden hair in sunlight, and the most important thing was, he was alive, breathing and safe. Cold wind blew hard, playing the branches of trees, the green grass, and the lake's water. Even the white curtain behind Hermione and her hair went flowing, she didn't care. They both froze, for like eternity.

                   Malfoy`s lips twitched, and he said.

                   `Hi.`

                   He said hi! Hermione couldn't believe her ears. She suppressed the overwhelming feeling and greeted back.

                   `Hi.`

                   `Come, sit here.` said Draco, moved a little and patted a small space beside her. Hermione obliged gladly as her knees felt weak and Malfoy closed the thick book on his lap carefully. He placed it on the table beside him, and turned to look at Hermione. He was extremely good-looking today.

                   Hermione couldn't help feeling amazed by him. All sick and frightening her last night, and now was all right. He was tall and warm beside her, his movement strong and his eyes alert. He was so alive! Thought Hermione joyfully.

                   `How are you doing?`asked Hermione sheepishly. Draco cocked an eyebrow before crossing his arms. Hermione thought she saw the perfect images of a snobby little Draco Malfoy, four or five years ago.

                   `What kind of question is that?`sneered him, but in a flashed gave her a small smile and uncrossed his arms. `I'm fine.`

                   `Uh-`said Hermione, shocked at that. `Uh…well, I-I thought you are going to…`she trailed off, and her eyes started to water from the mixed feelings in her chest.

                   `Not yet. Madam Pomfrey told me I must fix all my family business before I die. ` said Draco casually, frowning.

                   Hermione`s mouth fell open.

                   Draco laughed, really laughed. So Hermione quickly closed her mouth.

                   `I'm kidding, okay?`said Draco, and Hermione felt every weight on her shoulder concerning this boy lifted. She slid down to the couch and managed to smile. Hermione exhaled. When she turned to face Draco again, he's looking serious.

                   `Hermione, thank you.` said Malfoy solemnly. Hermione was sure he'd bow like a knight if they stood, and that made her laughed.

                   `Hey, seriously.`said Malfoy, half annoyed. Hermione laughed harder.

                   `For what?`asked her, brushed some tears from her laugh. She watched, amused as his pale cheeks turned steadily pink and he lowered his gaze. His voice was almost a whisper.

                   `For-for everything.`

                   It was Hermione`s turns to blushed. But she put her hand on her hips, and said in a well-known-Hermione`s-know-it-all-voice.

                   `What kind of statement is that?`

                   Malfoy blinked several times, before shrugged and smiled again.

                  `Oh, well…`

                   Draco said that as he moved closer to Hermione and pull her softly to him. Hermione`s heart was started to beat faster. Draco`s voice was tender when he spoke again upon her.

                   `I meant it. Thanks for everything.`

                   `I-I am-` stuttered Hermione. It was difficult to say never mind when your face was all hot, and something pleasant tickled your heart.

                   `EHEM, EHEM.`

                   Jumped, they both pull back. It was Madam Pomfrey, looking angry and entertained all the same, stood sternly by the door. Been caught in the act, both Hermione and Draco made no denies. But they flushed from head to toe, as Madam Pomfrey beckoned them to enter the Hospital Wings. She tossed Draco mercilessly to one bed and wrapped him so hard in a blanket. Hermione giggled while Draco protested how it made him hard to breath.

                   But Madam Pomfrey was Madam Pomfrey. She stuffed a purple liquid to Draco`s throat, who at once spat it out. Hermione just sat there beside Malfoy`s bed, talking to him and listened to Madam Pomfrey`s grumble. When it was almost time for tea, Hermione got up. She said a decent goodbye to Draco, and was going to leave when he stopped her, and started to ask a very odd question.

                   `Hermione, would you go to the next ball with me? `

                   It was always yes for him.

To be continued…

WHOA! Chapter ten is done! Yay, yay, yaaaay! Sorry guys, it took so long! But I have finished it. Thanks for those who review my story, I LOVE YOU! This chapter is for you all! Really! Read this and review again, okay? Every comment will be received gladly! So, what about the story, guys? (And the Grammar?)  I will remind you, that it is still at least dozen chapters again before the two of them end in happy ending. Or sad ending? Heehee, dunno! See you…Domo Arigato.

Notes: (Don`t read this one!!)

(Nina jelek! Awas kalo baca ini dan ngancem-ngancem gue lagi! Gue bilangin Adrienne, lho!)

(Reni-chan, gue harap lu nggak pernah baca yang ini. Jangan baca apapun, malah lebih baik!!!!)