Chapter 47- Occlumency Again
It was February fifteenth. Four Gryffindors and a Slytherin stood outside Dumbledore's office, waiting for the headmaster to respond to the knock.
Ginny was tapping her foot. "Occlumency was your big idea," she said, irritated. "I'll bet I'll have to take it from Snape. Dumbledore is a great man, but he has no sense of propriety. Honestly, making Harry take those extra classes with *Snape* of all people. The worst thing he could have done, if you ask me."
Draco paid her no attention. The door opened, and he led them in. Dumbledore greeted them. "Well, hello. It's a pleasure to have a visit from my students."
They explained what had happened the night before. "And I thought that if Ginny learned Occlumency, she would be able to block him from entering her mind at all. The other option, I think, would be to perform Legilimency on her until we can reach the source of Voldemort's hold on her mind, but that would be much more dangerous."
"And it took all five of you to tell me this?" A twinkle appeared in the old man's eye.
*He has too much humor to be a headmaster. Although it might be a good thing. The ones without a sense of humor go crazy…like that Umbitch woman,* Draco thought. "Well, it would have been just me, but they all insisted on coming along." He waved a hand in the general direction of all the Gryffindors. "It's a Gryffindor thing, I suppose, being involved in each other's every move."
"Well, I shall have to inform Professor Snape- I'm just so busy at the moment-"
"Actually, sir," Draco cleared his throat, "I was thinking maybe *I* could instruct Ginny."
Dumbledore did not laugh. He looked intrigued, in fact. Draco continued. "Sir, I am a fair Legilimens and quite a good Occlumens, I learned to keep my father from reading my thoughts. I was thinking that maybe this weekend we could have an intensive session, and she could learn enough just to keep Voldemort from taking control again."
The headmaster looked down at his desk, interlocking his fingers pensively. At that point, Draco considered that the man did everything either with extreme pensiveness, extreme humor, extreme anger, or extreme in-between-those. No matter what, it would have to be extreme. This all stemmed from the fact that Draco had not been aware of the capability of interlocking fingers to be pensive.
"Do you really believe you can do it?" he asked at last.
*I suppose I should be moved by your faith.* "Yes. And I would like to help these- Gryffindors very much." Because they obviously weren't going to be able to do it themselves.
"Well then, Mister Malfoy, you may proceed as you see fit. Is there anything you need?"
He glanced at the others, who seemed to all be either thinking about something else or glaring for no reason. "No, we're pretty much set, thanks."
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Every time Hermione caught Seamus's eye, he was giving her an I-don't-care-that-your-boyfriend-is-alone-with-my-girlfriend-in-a-private-place-for-the-whole-weekend-no-not-at-all look. Hermione returned a look along those same lines.
Draco and Ginny were using the Head Boy and Girl's dorm as their classroom. She was sleeping in Hermione's room (she hoped), and they were taking their meals in the room. If they were eating or sleeping at all. Hermione had no idea what *intensive Occlumency* would be like.
Damned Dark Lord.
She could have been snogging Draco at that very moment, but instead he was teaching Ginny how to avoid trances. From his expression, Seamus was having thoughts along the same lines, though his would not have been about snogging Draco…*Now having mental picture of Draco making out with Gryffindor boys. Not entirely off-putting.*
Hermione shook her head and went back to her notes. Their exams were only a few months away, after all…
But she had trouble concentrating. She remembered what had come of Occlumency when Harry took it from Snape…and while this was a completely different circumstance, there were a million different things that could go wrong. What if Voldemort *did* try to enter Ginny's mind that weekend? He would not find it extremely difficult, and then who knew what would happen to Ginny or Draco?
She bit her lip nervously. *I mustn't think such thoughts. If I just forget about it, everything will be fine…bloody Voldemort.*
"Hey, Hermione. How are you?"
"Fine, Harry. Where's Ron?"
"Bathroom."
"Oh? And you're not with him?" Hermione plastered on a teasing look.
"Shut up. Actually, I wanted to talk to you. After what happened Wednesday night, Ron hasn't been quite as hostile to Malfoy. He's grateful that he was concerned about me, actually- so am I, by the way. But that's not what's important."
"Great," Hermione replied. "Now all we need is for Draco to save your life. Ron would probably kiss him."
"Ah, but then *I* would start hating him, so we wouldn't want that." Harry grinned. "No, see, we've just been having a talk about it, and I've managed to convince Ron that Malfoy's not as bad as he continues to tell himself. He refuses to be friends with him, but I don't think he'll be as…enemy-like."
"Enemy-like?" Hermione laughed. "There's a good word."
"Shut up, Hermione, I am doing this for you, you know."
"Yes, Harry, and I'm glad. I was just kidding. Anyway, I know it will take them both a little while to get like you two, but-"
"Like us two? Like Malfoy and me, you mean? What do you mean by that?"
"Friends," Hermione stated, quite matter-of-factly.
"Excuse me, but Malfoy and I are *not* friends," Harry began.
"Oh, come off it! What are you then? And don't say not-enemies. I've seen you two talking, and the way Draco was worried when you disappeared at the ball. Wake up, Harry, that's how *friends* act."
"Well, pardon me for being friendly with your boyfriend."
"So you admit it, then?"
Harry sighed, nodding. Hermione smiled triumphantly, turning the page in her book. "Told you. So how long do you think Ron will need?"
"Oh, I'm not sure. Maybe he just needs to see more of that side of Malfoy, the side that's not a complete prat, you know? Let's see, it's been about ten months since we found out? Give it until December, then. I'm sure he'll come around by then."
"Harry…"
"Kidding, Hermione. He should be quite civil by the end of school, I should think."
Hermione smiled in relief. "That's good. Now, I believe someone's waiting for you. Oh, and Harry? Never, ever tell me the details of what you two do in Ron's room. I really don't want to know."
"Only if you promise the same."
"Done," Hermione said. Harry smiled, shook his head, and jogged back up the stairs. Hermione's gaze went back to her notes as she muttered, "I promise I won't tell you what the two of you do in Ron's room either."
A laugh came from behind her, but it seemed almost forced. Hermione turned. "Ginny! You're finished? How did it go?"
"Everything's taken care of," she said. Her eyes seemed misty and unfocused.
Her eyes narrowing, Hermione placed her hand on Ginny's arm. "Are you all right?"
Ginny snapped into attention. "What? Oh, yes. I'm fine. Just…memories, you know. Don't worry, nothing horrible happened. Ah, and Draco told me to tell you he's waiting in the common room."
"Thanks, Ginny. Oh, and Gin? Do you have that Indian dancing outfit with you?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Just make sure it's ready to wear. I have a killer idea." With a suggestive smile, Hermione left, making for the fourth floor.
"Archentalial," she said to the painting of the mountains. It opened for her, and she stepped into their common room.
Draco stood by the fire, one arm resting on the mantle, staring dazedly into the flames. Hermione approached him, but she did not touch him. She stood behind him, waiting.
After a time, he turned to her. His face was tear-streaked and sullen. Hermione's eyes went wide with surprise and concern. Never before had she seen him cry. "Draco-" she stepped forward, reaching out a hand.
He fell toward her, leaning much of his weight on her much smaller frame. She managed to stagger to the couch. Draco fell into it, and she sat beside him, gathering him into her arms. Sitting like that, she stroked his hair as he cried with his entire soul. She did not ask what was the matter. He wouldn't have told her anyway.
After a time he fell asleep. Hermione removed her wand from her pocket, summoning a blanket to pull over them. She continued to stroke his hair, and she thought about many things as she waited for sleep to come to her.
"Why am I doing this?" she whispered, only half knowing what she meant.
For the next hour, it was all she could do not to wake Draco and tell him she wanted him to take her, that very night.
End Chapter 47
Sorry for the delay in posting, but oh well.
Meh.
Review for New Year's confetti.
It was February fifteenth. Four Gryffindors and a Slytherin stood outside Dumbledore's office, waiting for the headmaster to respond to the knock.
Ginny was tapping her foot. "Occlumency was your big idea," she said, irritated. "I'll bet I'll have to take it from Snape. Dumbledore is a great man, but he has no sense of propriety. Honestly, making Harry take those extra classes with *Snape* of all people. The worst thing he could have done, if you ask me."
Draco paid her no attention. The door opened, and he led them in. Dumbledore greeted them. "Well, hello. It's a pleasure to have a visit from my students."
They explained what had happened the night before. "And I thought that if Ginny learned Occlumency, she would be able to block him from entering her mind at all. The other option, I think, would be to perform Legilimency on her until we can reach the source of Voldemort's hold on her mind, but that would be much more dangerous."
"And it took all five of you to tell me this?" A twinkle appeared in the old man's eye.
*He has too much humor to be a headmaster. Although it might be a good thing. The ones without a sense of humor go crazy…like that Umbitch woman,* Draco thought. "Well, it would have been just me, but they all insisted on coming along." He waved a hand in the general direction of all the Gryffindors. "It's a Gryffindor thing, I suppose, being involved in each other's every move."
"Well, I shall have to inform Professor Snape- I'm just so busy at the moment-"
"Actually, sir," Draco cleared his throat, "I was thinking maybe *I* could instruct Ginny."
Dumbledore did not laugh. He looked intrigued, in fact. Draco continued. "Sir, I am a fair Legilimens and quite a good Occlumens, I learned to keep my father from reading my thoughts. I was thinking that maybe this weekend we could have an intensive session, and she could learn enough just to keep Voldemort from taking control again."
The headmaster looked down at his desk, interlocking his fingers pensively. At that point, Draco considered that the man did everything either with extreme pensiveness, extreme humor, extreme anger, or extreme in-between-those. No matter what, it would have to be extreme. This all stemmed from the fact that Draco had not been aware of the capability of interlocking fingers to be pensive.
"Do you really believe you can do it?" he asked at last.
*I suppose I should be moved by your faith.* "Yes. And I would like to help these- Gryffindors very much." Because they obviously weren't going to be able to do it themselves.
"Well then, Mister Malfoy, you may proceed as you see fit. Is there anything you need?"
He glanced at the others, who seemed to all be either thinking about something else or glaring for no reason. "No, we're pretty much set, thanks."
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Every time Hermione caught Seamus's eye, he was giving her an I-don't-care-that-your-boyfriend-is-alone-with-my-girlfriend-in-a-private-place-for-the-whole-weekend-no-not-at-all look. Hermione returned a look along those same lines.
Draco and Ginny were using the Head Boy and Girl's dorm as their classroom. She was sleeping in Hermione's room (she hoped), and they were taking their meals in the room. If they were eating or sleeping at all. Hermione had no idea what *intensive Occlumency* would be like.
Damned Dark Lord.
She could have been snogging Draco at that very moment, but instead he was teaching Ginny how to avoid trances. From his expression, Seamus was having thoughts along the same lines, though his would not have been about snogging Draco…*Now having mental picture of Draco making out with Gryffindor boys. Not entirely off-putting.*
Hermione shook her head and went back to her notes. Their exams were only a few months away, after all…
But she had trouble concentrating. She remembered what had come of Occlumency when Harry took it from Snape…and while this was a completely different circumstance, there were a million different things that could go wrong. What if Voldemort *did* try to enter Ginny's mind that weekend? He would not find it extremely difficult, and then who knew what would happen to Ginny or Draco?
She bit her lip nervously. *I mustn't think such thoughts. If I just forget about it, everything will be fine…bloody Voldemort.*
"Hey, Hermione. How are you?"
"Fine, Harry. Where's Ron?"
"Bathroom."
"Oh? And you're not with him?" Hermione plastered on a teasing look.
"Shut up. Actually, I wanted to talk to you. After what happened Wednesday night, Ron hasn't been quite as hostile to Malfoy. He's grateful that he was concerned about me, actually- so am I, by the way. But that's not what's important."
"Great," Hermione replied. "Now all we need is for Draco to save your life. Ron would probably kiss him."
"Ah, but then *I* would start hating him, so we wouldn't want that." Harry grinned. "No, see, we've just been having a talk about it, and I've managed to convince Ron that Malfoy's not as bad as he continues to tell himself. He refuses to be friends with him, but I don't think he'll be as…enemy-like."
"Enemy-like?" Hermione laughed. "There's a good word."
"Shut up, Hermione, I am doing this for you, you know."
"Yes, Harry, and I'm glad. I was just kidding. Anyway, I know it will take them both a little while to get like you two, but-"
"Like us two? Like Malfoy and me, you mean? What do you mean by that?"
"Friends," Hermione stated, quite matter-of-factly.
"Excuse me, but Malfoy and I are *not* friends," Harry began.
"Oh, come off it! What are you then? And don't say not-enemies. I've seen you two talking, and the way Draco was worried when you disappeared at the ball. Wake up, Harry, that's how *friends* act."
"Well, pardon me for being friendly with your boyfriend."
"So you admit it, then?"
Harry sighed, nodding. Hermione smiled triumphantly, turning the page in her book. "Told you. So how long do you think Ron will need?"
"Oh, I'm not sure. Maybe he just needs to see more of that side of Malfoy, the side that's not a complete prat, you know? Let's see, it's been about ten months since we found out? Give it until December, then. I'm sure he'll come around by then."
"Harry…"
"Kidding, Hermione. He should be quite civil by the end of school, I should think."
Hermione smiled in relief. "That's good. Now, I believe someone's waiting for you. Oh, and Harry? Never, ever tell me the details of what you two do in Ron's room. I really don't want to know."
"Only if you promise the same."
"Done," Hermione said. Harry smiled, shook his head, and jogged back up the stairs. Hermione's gaze went back to her notes as she muttered, "I promise I won't tell you what the two of you do in Ron's room either."
A laugh came from behind her, but it seemed almost forced. Hermione turned. "Ginny! You're finished? How did it go?"
"Everything's taken care of," she said. Her eyes seemed misty and unfocused.
Her eyes narrowing, Hermione placed her hand on Ginny's arm. "Are you all right?"
Ginny snapped into attention. "What? Oh, yes. I'm fine. Just…memories, you know. Don't worry, nothing horrible happened. Ah, and Draco told me to tell you he's waiting in the common room."
"Thanks, Ginny. Oh, and Gin? Do you have that Indian dancing outfit with you?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Just make sure it's ready to wear. I have a killer idea." With a suggestive smile, Hermione left, making for the fourth floor.
"Archentalial," she said to the painting of the mountains. It opened for her, and she stepped into their common room.
Draco stood by the fire, one arm resting on the mantle, staring dazedly into the flames. Hermione approached him, but she did not touch him. She stood behind him, waiting.
After a time, he turned to her. His face was tear-streaked and sullen. Hermione's eyes went wide with surprise and concern. Never before had she seen him cry. "Draco-" she stepped forward, reaching out a hand.
He fell toward her, leaning much of his weight on her much smaller frame. She managed to stagger to the couch. Draco fell into it, and she sat beside him, gathering him into her arms. Sitting like that, she stroked his hair as he cried with his entire soul. She did not ask what was the matter. He wouldn't have told her anyway.
After a time he fell asleep. Hermione removed her wand from her pocket, summoning a blanket to pull over them. She continued to stroke his hair, and she thought about many things as she waited for sleep to come to her.
"Why am I doing this?" she whispered, only half knowing what she meant.
For the next hour, it was all she could do not to wake Draco and tell him she wanted him to take her, that very night.
End Chapter 47
Sorry for the delay in posting, but oh well.
Meh.
Review for New Year's confetti.