Disclaimer: I own nothing...but my sick and twisted imagination
A/N: Visit afireinside.com for info on my obsession. P.S.- Davey is mine!
Ktgirl: Thanks, and you are absolutely right about the chapter. PO99GP: Yes, kick him in the pills! Ann: Your encouragement inspires me. Kendra: Your ideas are not far from mine! Way to go! Chillkat: Your review was awesome. Dragonmouse: Patience my friend, I must think and type first! LOL. Draco-lover59: Your support is appreciated. Anastasia: Yes, I don't care for R/H pairing either. Beth: I must torment him, because I love him so damn much! Dramaqueen: Ron definitely deserves to die a traitor's death! Kivaidens Girl: Being apart from my reviewers hurts so much. Besides I am battling with the descriptive words for my thoughts. Cannot be redundant, ya know. Also trying to avoid writer's block. I shall try to update soon. DHL: I am an evil person. I know and accept this. LOL. Lizzy: Hey another vote for kickin' Ron in the arse! Right on. Time Bomb: My head is floating to the sky as we speak... What an ego boost. Bbychick: I humbly accept the challenge. Capricorn: I will update as soon as I can. Mirage: Lol! You're too awesome! Taweret: A new reviewer. Great! Knivesgirl: Your karma is passing through my screen...yeah!
Chapter 19: The Fatal Blow
Dinner with Ron was a pleasant event. He remained a gentleman as he fed Hermione spoonfuls of warm tomato soup. She barely noticed the two platefuls of assorted fruits and vegetables that she had consumed.
Conversation was kept light as Ron dipped a knife in a crock of artichoke and bean spread as soft as butter. He lavishly dispersed it on the whole grain loaf. Never ceasing his idle chitchat about which Quidditch teams had a chance at the World Cup this year he gently lifted the morsel to Hermione's lips.
Her hunger was pacified and with a slightly bloated stomach Hermione felt sedated by the constant drone of Ron's voice. Sleepiness crept upon her as a yawn broke through. Ron paused in mid-sentence and grinned fondly at Hermione. "Hermy, you are exhausted. Lie down on my bed for a moment. I will wake you in one hour."
"Oh, I couldn't possibly. I have got to head back to the hospital and check on Draco." Hermione shivered with disgust at the prospect of returning to the sterile environment for the night. Another yawn erupted from Hermione as Ron pushed her at the bedroom door.
She decided that a few minutes of rest couldn't hurt anyone and proceeded into the darkened room. Ron's figure was a silhouette in the door as she lay back upon the pillows. Sleep was falling fast as she murmured "Ron, will you check on Draco for me? I don't want him to worry if he should wake up and I am not there."
Ron's reply was icy cold "Certainly". He knew this might be the only chance he got to remove Draco from Hermione's life and was steeled to go directly there and complete the plan when out of his chimney flew a green envelope with black writing and hit him in the forehead. The thin and flowing handwriting belonged to none other than Lucius. He cringed inwardly at what he could assume the letter said.
It was an immediate summons to Malfoy Manor to reciprocate the events of the other night to Lord Voldemort. After reading the letter the flames in the fireplace roared green, indicating that he had only minutes to jump in before they would return back to normal.
It was a window only open for urgent travel needs. Ron, who knew that he could not get out of this grim convention, did not neglect the command. There was a Grand Counsel meeting to decide his fate upon the conclusion of the assembly. His heart wept as it reminded him that this was not a good sign, and he would have to remain calm before the gathering and explain his actions.
Tears welled up in his eyes as Ron leapt into the fireplace a second before the orange flames returned.
Harry slipped into the hospital silently and began searching around for Hermione. He slowly walked the distance to Draco's bed and choked on his surprise. Draco was sitting up fully healed. Harry smile faded as he noticed that Draco was in a sour mood indeed. Draco's full lips pouted and his eyes slit with a tangible hatred. If he crossed his arms more rigidly across his chest he would cut off his blood flow.
Draco looked damn near asphyxiating on his unspoken rage. The veins bulged hazardously as he quaked in the tiny bed. Harry proceeded in his direction as he tempted fate. He showed no fear of Draco knowing that the boy was not predetermined to be his killer due to the foretold prophesy.
He even had the testicular fortitude to smile lightly as he sauntered over to the pissed off blonde. He tried to keep his tone friendly as he asked, "Have you seen Hermione?" Draco's eyes radiated with his vehemence. "No need to ask the crippled kid if he is even feeling up to par, Potter."
With a wave of his hand he continued, the frenzied pitch of his voice increasing with each breath. "No, it's ok. Hermione left a while ago. She is at this moment, no doubt, snogging with your best buddy – Mr. Weasel! The traitorous scum of the earth, and I can't even get out of this bloody bed to go and rescue her from getting herself into another fine mess like she did the other night!"
Draco only succeeded in making himself tumble out of the sterilized bed onto the cold floor with a thud. His legs were wrapped like a mummy and the white bandages on his head were showing dark red blotches where the blood had begun to seep through.
Harry's confusion at Draco's sentimental outburst was quickly dispersed as Draco spilled out the truth to Harry's unbelieving ears. He grew very calm as he portrayed his closest and dearest friend in the place of the enemy. Though he found the tale extravagant, to say the least, he couldn't help but notice that it rang with the undeniable facts that Ron had been acting strange since the beginning of Wand Craft classes.
Harry had been ashamed to admit it but he noticed the coldness between them growing, and once he even glimpsed an odd look coming from Ron during one of their routine lunch meetings. It had almost been a look of promised death.
But he had assumed that he was incorrectly reading his comrade, and dismissed the situation immediately. He never wanted to believe that Ron could do something like that: To set them all up. Why? That was the main question running through both of their minds. Or at least Harry's.
Draco had explained the confrontation that the pair had earlier in the hospital wing and where he suspected they were at this very moment. But, it was Harry who insisted that they go and find her and Ron.
He was determined to turn Ron into Dumbledore and the Order for proper questioning, against Draco's wishes that they crucify him upon the immediate revealing of his whereabouts.
Harry could sympathize with Draco's biased opinion; if he were in that situation he wouldn't be so sure he'd turn in Ron either. Personal vengeance always held a charm for one deeply afflicted like Draco. But Harry had to be positive that Ron was the guilty party that Draco had made him seem, and not vice versa.
He refused to succumb to Draco's vendetta. Harry informed Draco that he would not assist him in his search for Hermione unless he agreed to dismiss his plans for retribution once they found Ron. Draco begrudgingly accepted.
The two boys, once despised and loathed enemies, slowly headed out the heavy wooden door of the Hospital and carefully made their way to Ron's quarters. Harry supported Draco as he wrapped his arm around the boy's narrow hips and informed him to throw his arm over Harry's shoulder. The hallways were a slippery length of disasters waiting to happen as they cautiously inched their way through the night.
Upon reaching Ron's door, neither boy knocked but entered as they prepared for whatever was on the opposite side of the door. Not a sound came from the room. Draco removed his arm from Harry's supporting frame and stepped into the darkness on unsteady legs.
Hermione was wrapped up in the untidy covers of Ron's bed and slept peacefully. Draco fell to his knees as hot tears poured down his face. The tangled look of her clothes told him everything. Her shirt was rumpled and her stomach was showing where the covers had fallen away. He could only assume the same of her skirt.
His despair was so thick he choked on it. He couldn't force himself to leave, yet knew that was exactly what he had to do. He'd leave the new lovers to their games. They had used him and like the perfect clown, he had jumped through her hoops. Not anymore. Now that he knew her for the calculating heartless bitch that she truly was, he would never let her manipulate him again.
Misery engulfed him through the silent screaming. In his breaking heart Draco was suffocating on his absolute betrayal. He knelt on the cold and cruel floor for what seemed to be hours, praying that when he once again opened his eyes the view would not be painful.
He waited for the clam to wash over him, as it had when his father had tormented his body. But this torture was not to his flesh but to something no other person could see. Hermione had crushed him in the only way that anyone could. An assault on the one place he forgot to keep guarded, a fatal blow to his heart.
A/N: Thanks to all my fans for their unending encouragement through these, my darkest hours. I have been having some personal problems concerning my health and cannot update as often as I'd like. Sorry if it is a while between my chapters. I appreciate all your continued support more than words can ever express. I hope to be recovered soon enough to keep a few of my reviewers. If not, I'll understand.
Deepest gratitude.
Raven
A/N: Visit afireinside.com for info on my obsession. P.S.- Davey is mine!
Ktgirl: Thanks, and you are absolutely right about the chapter. PO99GP: Yes, kick him in the pills! Ann: Your encouragement inspires me. Kendra: Your ideas are not far from mine! Way to go! Chillkat: Your review was awesome. Dragonmouse: Patience my friend, I must think and type first! LOL. Draco-lover59: Your support is appreciated. Anastasia: Yes, I don't care for R/H pairing either. Beth: I must torment him, because I love him so damn much! Dramaqueen: Ron definitely deserves to die a traitor's death! Kivaidens Girl: Being apart from my reviewers hurts so much. Besides I am battling with the descriptive words for my thoughts. Cannot be redundant, ya know. Also trying to avoid writer's block. I shall try to update soon. DHL: I am an evil person. I know and accept this. LOL. Lizzy: Hey another vote for kickin' Ron in the arse! Right on. Time Bomb: My head is floating to the sky as we speak... What an ego boost. Bbychick: I humbly accept the challenge. Capricorn: I will update as soon as I can. Mirage: Lol! You're too awesome! Taweret: A new reviewer. Great! Knivesgirl: Your karma is passing through my screen...yeah!
Chapter 19: The Fatal Blow
Dinner with Ron was a pleasant event. He remained a gentleman as he fed Hermione spoonfuls of warm tomato soup. She barely noticed the two platefuls of assorted fruits and vegetables that she had consumed.
Conversation was kept light as Ron dipped a knife in a crock of artichoke and bean spread as soft as butter. He lavishly dispersed it on the whole grain loaf. Never ceasing his idle chitchat about which Quidditch teams had a chance at the World Cup this year he gently lifted the morsel to Hermione's lips.
Her hunger was pacified and with a slightly bloated stomach Hermione felt sedated by the constant drone of Ron's voice. Sleepiness crept upon her as a yawn broke through. Ron paused in mid-sentence and grinned fondly at Hermione. "Hermy, you are exhausted. Lie down on my bed for a moment. I will wake you in one hour."
"Oh, I couldn't possibly. I have got to head back to the hospital and check on Draco." Hermione shivered with disgust at the prospect of returning to the sterile environment for the night. Another yawn erupted from Hermione as Ron pushed her at the bedroom door.
She decided that a few minutes of rest couldn't hurt anyone and proceeded into the darkened room. Ron's figure was a silhouette in the door as she lay back upon the pillows. Sleep was falling fast as she murmured "Ron, will you check on Draco for me? I don't want him to worry if he should wake up and I am not there."
Ron's reply was icy cold "Certainly". He knew this might be the only chance he got to remove Draco from Hermione's life and was steeled to go directly there and complete the plan when out of his chimney flew a green envelope with black writing and hit him in the forehead. The thin and flowing handwriting belonged to none other than Lucius. He cringed inwardly at what he could assume the letter said.
It was an immediate summons to Malfoy Manor to reciprocate the events of the other night to Lord Voldemort. After reading the letter the flames in the fireplace roared green, indicating that he had only minutes to jump in before they would return back to normal.
It was a window only open for urgent travel needs. Ron, who knew that he could not get out of this grim convention, did not neglect the command. There was a Grand Counsel meeting to decide his fate upon the conclusion of the assembly. His heart wept as it reminded him that this was not a good sign, and he would have to remain calm before the gathering and explain his actions.
Tears welled up in his eyes as Ron leapt into the fireplace a second before the orange flames returned.
Harry slipped into the hospital silently and began searching around for Hermione. He slowly walked the distance to Draco's bed and choked on his surprise. Draco was sitting up fully healed. Harry smile faded as he noticed that Draco was in a sour mood indeed. Draco's full lips pouted and his eyes slit with a tangible hatred. If he crossed his arms more rigidly across his chest he would cut off his blood flow.
Draco looked damn near asphyxiating on his unspoken rage. The veins bulged hazardously as he quaked in the tiny bed. Harry proceeded in his direction as he tempted fate. He showed no fear of Draco knowing that the boy was not predetermined to be his killer due to the foretold prophesy.
He even had the testicular fortitude to smile lightly as he sauntered over to the pissed off blonde. He tried to keep his tone friendly as he asked, "Have you seen Hermione?" Draco's eyes radiated with his vehemence. "No need to ask the crippled kid if he is even feeling up to par, Potter."
With a wave of his hand he continued, the frenzied pitch of his voice increasing with each breath. "No, it's ok. Hermione left a while ago. She is at this moment, no doubt, snogging with your best buddy – Mr. Weasel! The traitorous scum of the earth, and I can't even get out of this bloody bed to go and rescue her from getting herself into another fine mess like she did the other night!"
Draco only succeeded in making himself tumble out of the sterilized bed onto the cold floor with a thud. His legs were wrapped like a mummy and the white bandages on his head were showing dark red blotches where the blood had begun to seep through.
Harry's confusion at Draco's sentimental outburst was quickly dispersed as Draco spilled out the truth to Harry's unbelieving ears. He grew very calm as he portrayed his closest and dearest friend in the place of the enemy. Though he found the tale extravagant, to say the least, he couldn't help but notice that it rang with the undeniable facts that Ron had been acting strange since the beginning of Wand Craft classes.
Harry had been ashamed to admit it but he noticed the coldness between them growing, and once he even glimpsed an odd look coming from Ron during one of their routine lunch meetings. It had almost been a look of promised death.
But he had assumed that he was incorrectly reading his comrade, and dismissed the situation immediately. He never wanted to believe that Ron could do something like that: To set them all up. Why? That was the main question running through both of their minds. Or at least Harry's.
Draco had explained the confrontation that the pair had earlier in the hospital wing and where he suspected they were at this very moment. But, it was Harry who insisted that they go and find her and Ron.
He was determined to turn Ron into Dumbledore and the Order for proper questioning, against Draco's wishes that they crucify him upon the immediate revealing of his whereabouts.
Harry could sympathize with Draco's biased opinion; if he were in that situation he wouldn't be so sure he'd turn in Ron either. Personal vengeance always held a charm for one deeply afflicted like Draco. But Harry had to be positive that Ron was the guilty party that Draco had made him seem, and not vice versa.
He refused to succumb to Draco's vendetta. Harry informed Draco that he would not assist him in his search for Hermione unless he agreed to dismiss his plans for retribution once they found Ron. Draco begrudgingly accepted.
The two boys, once despised and loathed enemies, slowly headed out the heavy wooden door of the Hospital and carefully made their way to Ron's quarters. Harry supported Draco as he wrapped his arm around the boy's narrow hips and informed him to throw his arm over Harry's shoulder. The hallways were a slippery length of disasters waiting to happen as they cautiously inched their way through the night.
Upon reaching Ron's door, neither boy knocked but entered as they prepared for whatever was on the opposite side of the door. Not a sound came from the room. Draco removed his arm from Harry's supporting frame and stepped into the darkness on unsteady legs.
Hermione was wrapped up in the untidy covers of Ron's bed and slept peacefully. Draco fell to his knees as hot tears poured down his face. The tangled look of her clothes told him everything. Her shirt was rumpled and her stomach was showing where the covers had fallen away. He could only assume the same of her skirt.
His despair was so thick he choked on it. He couldn't force himself to leave, yet knew that was exactly what he had to do. He'd leave the new lovers to their games. They had used him and like the perfect clown, he had jumped through her hoops. Not anymore. Now that he knew her for the calculating heartless bitch that she truly was, he would never let her manipulate him again.
Misery engulfed him through the silent screaming. In his breaking heart Draco was suffocating on his absolute betrayal. He knelt on the cold and cruel floor for what seemed to be hours, praying that when he once again opened his eyes the view would not be painful.
He waited for the clam to wash over him, as it had when his father had tormented his body. But this torture was not to his flesh but to something no other person could see. Hermione had crushed him in the only way that anyone could. An assault on the one place he forgot to keep guarded, a fatal blow to his heart.
A/N: Thanks to all my fans for their unending encouragement through these, my darkest hours. I have been having some personal problems concerning my health and cannot update as often as I'd like. Sorry if it is a while between my chapters. I appreciate all your continued support more than words can ever express. I hope to be recovered soon enough to keep a few of my reviewers. If not, I'll understand.
Deepest gratitude.
Raven