Disclaimer: I own nothing...but my sick and twisted imagination
Lessien-Took: Thanks for the support.
DarkElf: Kindness is always appreciated.
Angelgurl: Thanks.
Willowfairy: Continued loyalty shall be rewarded.
Lizzy-Black: I have never really entertained the idea that I would have what it takes to make it in the real world as an author. The competition is too fierce. I'm unsure of my abilities. But thanks for the support.
Time Bomb: I promise things will get better. Thanks for the criticism. I take it as a learning experience. I promise to make amends.
RadcliffsLittleHottie: Thanks for the review.
Mirage05: I am pleased that you enjoyed it.
Draco4Herm: Sending more as soon as I can get thru the reviews..lol. Thanks.
Mesmer: You are the only person to say that. I am sooo happy. I really tried to take the
readers to that place. I'm mean, I know. But it will play a
significant part. Thank you for visiting my hell, and despising it so
much that you reviewed.
Anastasia: Thanks from the bottom of my heart.
DHL: Yes, I'm sorry that I made them unsupportive, but I will be explaining how it plays a crucial role of the plot.
Japanese Anime: It is rated R because I have no idea where I plan on taking this, it's a precaution if I become very descriptive.
Cateye: I loved the bath scene also. I can just picture him. Glorious in the nude, picking petals from his hair.. oh yumm..
Airtrop: I will give you more, so very much more.
Chapter 9: Plans Formed On Sinister Days
Sleep eluded Harry, as he lay awake in his room the entire night. He contemplated the things Hermione had revealed to them. She had been nervous; he had noticed that she had been shaking. She had full right to be, after all, they had shut her down so fast that the tears in her eyes were left unshed. She had come to them, begged them to understand and they had refused her rudely. Harry was enveloped in his shame. He decided that he had to give Draco a chance to prove his intentions. He and Ron would talk to Malfoy men to man.
Deep in his heart, Harry hoped that Ron was wrong. He would hate to have to commit murder, even if it was a Malfoy. For Hermione he had no doubt that he could. Should Draco hurt her, Harry would not hesitate to make that day his last on this earth. He silently vowed to discover the truth.
By the mornings first rays Harry had been up and dressed for hours. His face was full of sincerity as he grudgingly headed to Hermione's room to apologize.
He sat in the hallway, not knowing her password to obtain entrance. He went over the speech he had prepared in his reverent hours of self- loathing. "Hermione, I want to apologize for the way I acted last night. You know I love you like the sister I never had. I only want what is best for you. I need to know for myself that everything is going to be ok. If this is all a lie....." No, Harry thought. That would never do.
"Hermione, I am sorry that I jumped to conclusions and hurt your feelings yesterday. I only worried about your relationship. You are very young and..." No. He sounded too much like a father figure. Harry had to discuss this delicate situation as her friend, not her superior. Besides, what experience did he have with relationships?
Harry didn't have any more time to ponder what to say before Hermione's door opened and Draco burst out. Upon seeing Harry camped out in front of his door he immediately began to scowl.
"Potty, what are you doing here? Hermione isn't in her room". His voice dripped a chill over Harry's head. Harry only had a moment to wonder how Draco would know that Hermione was not in her bedroom before more contemptuous words filled his mind.
"She was upset and spent the night in that damned library. She's always running off to hide there when she is distraught. Most likely because of something you and your idiot friend did to her. No doubt that today she can thank you two morons for an intense backache spent from a night surrounded by moldy books." Draco continued.
"If I wasn't such a gentleman, I'd hex you both into oblivion, but as it is, I insist that you remove your self from my doorstep where you lay cluttering it like discarded waste."
Draco viciously kicked at Harry as he walked by. "Oh, and Potty, take a bath, you reek." He threw this comment at Harry over his shoulder. " I can practically feel the bile rise in my mouth at the smell you are casting down my hall." Draco sauntered off, to god knows where, leaving Harry to quake in his rage.
A furious Harry ran smack into Ron as he tried to turn the corner. "Oomph. Watch where your bloody going" Harry's anger threatened to boil over.
" Sorry, mate didn't see you there" Ron said. "Harry, you alright?" Harry guiltily stammered, "Sorry Ron, Didn't know it was you. Just had a run-in with Malfoy in the hall and he's got me all worked up is all. No hard feelings?"
" None." Ron replied with a smile. He took in Harry's weary eyes, lined by dark circles. "Feeling alright?" At Harry's nod he scanned the empty hallway. "What were you doing here?" he inquired.
Harry looked his friend in the eye. " I needed to apologize to Hermione. I couldn't sleep a wink last night. I kept seeing that expectant look in her eyes, and how we killed it."
Harry sighed his torture. " I felt terrible for what we did. I wanted to see if I could have another go at this whole 'understanding' thing, but running into Draco shows me that maybe that wasn't the best plan of action. He hasn't changed towards us one bit."
Harry didn't understand how they could be expected to accept Draco into their lives with open arms, and have him remain as insolent and cruel as always. It just didn't seem fair.
"What are you doing here Ron? This would be the first time you have ever missed breakfast." Harry teased.
Ron's face was like a deer in the headlights. He looked guiltily at the floor. "Well, ya see" He faltered. " Harry, I was also on my way to apologize. I wanted Hermione to know how I felt. I was in shock, is all. I really love her. I just wanted to tell her that she could always turn to me."
This admission made Harry pause. Ron was never this open about his feelings for Hermione. Harry considered how crushed his friend had been when Hermione had told him that they were better as friends. He had agreed that the relationship was unrealistic, and that in the end it would destroy their friendship.
Harry alone had heard the sobs coming from Ron's secluded bed late at night. He knew deep inside that Ron's broken hopes and crushed dreams had been pushed behind a false smile that night.
He could only assume how deeply Ron suffered now that Hermione had formed a relationship with his adversary. It was a plausible excuse to how he reacted last night.
Harry was further shamed that he did not have the similar comfort of any justification. He had been swept up, as Ron had, in his own feelings. He was scared for Hermione, of course.
But was there some other reason hiding in his heart. Did he truly want Hermione to be all alone? Harry wondered if his loneliness had turned him bitter, unable to share in her happiness.
Ron's speaking brought him out of his self-absorption. "You said that your run in with Draco was less than friendly. What happened?" Harry related the encounter to Ron. When he was finished Ron's eyes lit up with a wicked glimmer.
"Harry, what would you think if I told you that we could find out Draco's actual feelings, while at the same time getting revenge, without Hermione ever being the wiser?" Ron's smile was genuine.
" As long as Hermione doesn't get hurt in the act, I suppose that there is no harm in it." Harry pondered. "What do you have planned?"
Ron broke out in gleeful snorts. "Do you suppose that the Slytherins would be all too pleased to find out that their comrade has been snogging a Gryffindor?" He could barely hide his amusement. "I am thinking about one Slytherin in particular that would be irked beyond measure." He doubled over with hysterics.
Harry watched Ron's merriment with silent contemplation. Apparently his friend was finalizing all the details in his mind. Harry mused that if he ever got on Ron's bad side he would refuse to eat or drink anything in his presence, for fear of poisoning.
Ron's practical jokes were hilarious and enjoyed by all (except for the intended recipient), but he did have a tendency to go to the extreme. A relative hereditary gene, passed on to him from George and Fred. Right now all his cruel intentions were focused on Draco, which made Harry anticipate learning the missing information of the plan.
As thunder clapped loudly outside the window, Harry jumped. Ron's face was sinister in the flickering lightening of the sudden storm. Seeing his friend's expression, Harry was almost forced to utter "Poor Draco." Nothing but the worst could come from this.
Lessien-Took: Thanks for the support.
DarkElf: Kindness is always appreciated.
Angelgurl: Thanks.
Willowfairy: Continued loyalty shall be rewarded.
Lizzy-Black: I have never really entertained the idea that I would have what it takes to make it in the real world as an author. The competition is too fierce. I'm unsure of my abilities. But thanks for the support.
Time Bomb: I promise things will get better. Thanks for the criticism. I take it as a learning experience. I promise to make amends.
RadcliffsLittleHottie: Thanks for the review.
Mirage05: I am pleased that you enjoyed it.
Draco4Herm: Sending more as soon as I can get thru the reviews..lol. Thanks.
Mesmer: You are the only person to say that. I am sooo happy. I really tried to take the
readers to that place. I'm mean, I know. But it will play a
significant part. Thank you for visiting my hell, and despising it so
much that you reviewed.
Anastasia: Thanks from the bottom of my heart.
DHL: Yes, I'm sorry that I made them unsupportive, but I will be explaining how it plays a crucial role of the plot.
Japanese Anime: It is rated R because I have no idea where I plan on taking this, it's a precaution if I become very descriptive.
Cateye: I loved the bath scene also. I can just picture him. Glorious in the nude, picking petals from his hair.. oh yumm..
Airtrop: I will give you more, so very much more.
Chapter 9: Plans Formed On Sinister Days
Sleep eluded Harry, as he lay awake in his room the entire night. He contemplated the things Hermione had revealed to them. She had been nervous; he had noticed that she had been shaking. She had full right to be, after all, they had shut her down so fast that the tears in her eyes were left unshed. She had come to them, begged them to understand and they had refused her rudely. Harry was enveloped in his shame. He decided that he had to give Draco a chance to prove his intentions. He and Ron would talk to Malfoy men to man.
Deep in his heart, Harry hoped that Ron was wrong. He would hate to have to commit murder, even if it was a Malfoy. For Hermione he had no doubt that he could. Should Draco hurt her, Harry would not hesitate to make that day his last on this earth. He silently vowed to discover the truth.
By the mornings first rays Harry had been up and dressed for hours. His face was full of sincerity as he grudgingly headed to Hermione's room to apologize.
He sat in the hallway, not knowing her password to obtain entrance. He went over the speech he had prepared in his reverent hours of self- loathing. "Hermione, I want to apologize for the way I acted last night. You know I love you like the sister I never had. I only want what is best for you. I need to know for myself that everything is going to be ok. If this is all a lie....." No, Harry thought. That would never do.
"Hermione, I am sorry that I jumped to conclusions and hurt your feelings yesterday. I only worried about your relationship. You are very young and..." No. He sounded too much like a father figure. Harry had to discuss this delicate situation as her friend, not her superior. Besides, what experience did he have with relationships?
Harry didn't have any more time to ponder what to say before Hermione's door opened and Draco burst out. Upon seeing Harry camped out in front of his door he immediately began to scowl.
"Potty, what are you doing here? Hermione isn't in her room". His voice dripped a chill over Harry's head. Harry only had a moment to wonder how Draco would know that Hermione was not in her bedroom before more contemptuous words filled his mind.
"She was upset and spent the night in that damned library. She's always running off to hide there when she is distraught. Most likely because of something you and your idiot friend did to her. No doubt that today she can thank you two morons for an intense backache spent from a night surrounded by moldy books." Draco continued.
"If I wasn't such a gentleman, I'd hex you both into oblivion, but as it is, I insist that you remove your self from my doorstep where you lay cluttering it like discarded waste."
Draco viciously kicked at Harry as he walked by. "Oh, and Potty, take a bath, you reek." He threw this comment at Harry over his shoulder. " I can practically feel the bile rise in my mouth at the smell you are casting down my hall." Draco sauntered off, to god knows where, leaving Harry to quake in his rage.
A furious Harry ran smack into Ron as he tried to turn the corner. "Oomph. Watch where your bloody going" Harry's anger threatened to boil over.
" Sorry, mate didn't see you there" Ron said. "Harry, you alright?" Harry guiltily stammered, "Sorry Ron, Didn't know it was you. Just had a run-in with Malfoy in the hall and he's got me all worked up is all. No hard feelings?"
" None." Ron replied with a smile. He took in Harry's weary eyes, lined by dark circles. "Feeling alright?" At Harry's nod he scanned the empty hallway. "What were you doing here?" he inquired.
Harry looked his friend in the eye. " I needed to apologize to Hermione. I couldn't sleep a wink last night. I kept seeing that expectant look in her eyes, and how we killed it."
Harry sighed his torture. " I felt terrible for what we did. I wanted to see if I could have another go at this whole 'understanding' thing, but running into Draco shows me that maybe that wasn't the best plan of action. He hasn't changed towards us one bit."
Harry didn't understand how they could be expected to accept Draco into their lives with open arms, and have him remain as insolent and cruel as always. It just didn't seem fair.
"What are you doing here Ron? This would be the first time you have ever missed breakfast." Harry teased.
Ron's face was like a deer in the headlights. He looked guiltily at the floor. "Well, ya see" He faltered. " Harry, I was also on my way to apologize. I wanted Hermione to know how I felt. I was in shock, is all. I really love her. I just wanted to tell her that she could always turn to me."
This admission made Harry pause. Ron was never this open about his feelings for Hermione. Harry considered how crushed his friend had been when Hermione had told him that they were better as friends. He had agreed that the relationship was unrealistic, and that in the end it would destroy their friendship.
Harry alone had heard the sobs coming from Ron's secluded bed late at night. He knew deep inside that Ron's broken hopes and crushed dreams had been pushed behind a false smile that night.
He could only assume how deeply Ron suffered now that Hermione had formed a relationship with his adversary. It was a plausible excuse to how he reacted last night.
Harry was further shamed that he did not have the similar comfort of any justification. He had been swept up, as Ron had, in his own feelings. He was scared for Hermione, of course.
But was there some other reason hiding in his heart. Did he truly want Hermione to be all alone? Harry wondered if his loneliness had turned him bitter, unable to share in her happiness.
Ron's speaking brought him out of his self-absorption. "You said that your run in with Draco was less than friendly. What happened?" Harry related the encounter to Ron. When he was finished Ron's eyes lit up with a wicked glimmer.
"Harry, what would you think if I told you that we could find out Draco's actual feelings, while at the same time getting revenge, without Hermione ever being the wiser?" Ron's smile was genuine.
" As long as Hermione doesn't get hurt in the act, I suppose that there is no harm in it." Harry pondered. "What do you have planned?"
Ron broke out in gleeful snorts. "Do you suppose that the Slytherins would be all too pleased to find out that their comrade has been snogging a Gryffindor?" He could barely hide his amusement. "I am thinking about one Slytherin in particular that would be irked beyond measure." He doubled over with hysterics.
Harry watched Ron's merriment with silent contemplation. Apparently his friend was finalizing all the details in his mind. Harry mused that if he ever got on Ron's bad side he would refuse to eat or drink anything in his presence, for fear of poisoning.
Ron's practical jokes were hilarious and enjoyed by all (except for the intended recipient), but he did have a tendency to go to the extreme. A relative hereditary gene, passed on to him from George and Fred. Right now all his cruel intentions were focused on Draco, which made Harry anticipate learning the missing information of the plan.
As thunder clapped loudly outside the window, Harry jumped. Ron's face was sinister in the flickering lightening of the sudden storm. Seeing his friend's expression, Harry was almost forced to utter "Poor Draco." Nothing but the worst could come from this.