Chapter Twelve- Betrayals
By darthelwig
I don't own them, but J.K. Rowling does; and to top it all off I'm making no money off this story at all.
The story is still PG-13, and that's amazing for me!
Sorry for the wait, folks. I've been sick. Looks like Draco's been busy, though…
Draco felt the tension slowly seep out of his body.
He and Hermione were sitting on the bleachers of the deserted Quidditch pitch, playing wizard's chess. For such a brilliant young witch, she didn't play very well, mainly due to the fact that she was loath to sacrifice any of her pieces. It had taken her a while to get over what she called the more "barbaric" aspects of the game. She was gradually improving, though, and Draco's goal was to get her skilled enough to beat Weasley at his own game. He just had to teach her ruthlessness, and what better teacher than him?
He smirked as she played right into his trap, and he nudged his bishop forward to take her castle.
"You play dirty, Draco," she said, her voice slightly annoyed. He loved the little pinched look she developed at the corners of her mouth when she was irritated with him, and couldn't help grinning at her.
"Always," he said, sounding completely unconcerned and just a tad too cheery for her tastes. Hermione delivered him another of her world-class glares and went back to studying the board. He was shaking with silent mirth and had to clap his hand over his mouth to stop the laughter escaping. God, how he loved this girl.
He loved her enough to nag her to stay at the castle during the current Hogsmeade weekend. Potter and Weasley had been unable to think of anything to ensure her safety if she were to visit the little village, so the three of them had argued her into remaining behind. It was probably the only thing they had ever agreed on. Hermione had been reluctant at first, but she was a sensible girl and had finally seen reason. So it was that they were killing time, enjoying the empty castle grounds, even though it was a bit cold. Potter and Weasley had also remained at the castle. If Death Eaters were going to be in Hogsmeade, it wasn't safe for either of them.
Hermione was studying the board with the sort of intense scrutiny she usually reserved for her homework. Draco didn't doubt she was taking this game very seriously. He loved this moment, loved being with her, loved watching her think…he couldn't help it. He was completely smitten.
He was scrutinizing her so intently that he failed to notice three silent forms approaching from behind him. It wasn't until one of them pressed the tip of a wand into his back that he became aware there was danger present.
He stiffened, drawing in a sharp breath, and Hermione looked up. Her eyes widened as she instinctively went for her wand, but their enemies were faster.
"Expelliarmus!" cried the one standing next to Draco, and he immediately recognized the speaker.
"Goyle?" he said incredulously as Hermione's wand flew out of her hand. Goyle caught it, laughing and obviously enjoying finally beating little miss perfect Granger at something. Draco stood quickly, startling their attackers. He turned and whipped out his wand at the same instant three wands were pointed directly at Hermione.
Draco couldn't have been more in shock at the identity of their assailants- Goyle, Crabbe…and Pansy?
"What do you think you're doing?" he growled. Pansy simply laughed, pointing her wand straight at his chest.
"Why, Draco darling, we're exterminating a rodent!"
Something clicked in his head, and he couldn't believe his own stupidity.
"It was you. You sent me that letter from my mother. You wrote it!"
"Of course I did. Do you really think your mother is thinking about you right now? She's got bigger things to worry about than your silly little dalliance with a mud-blood!" Pansy was obviously enjoying having them at her mercy. Yes, she really did make an excellent Slytherin student. Draco found himself wanting to tear her throat out with his teeth.
"What are you going to do?" he asked through gritted teeth, his fury obvious. He didn't bring his wand up, but it was clenched tightly in his fist, seemingly forgotten by Pansy and her cohorts. Hermione was at his back, her hand resting lightly on his shoulder. Nothing was going to happen to her.
"Well, Draco, you've seriously hurt my feelings. You could have been with me, as is proper, but instead you've taken up with this filthy mud-blood bitch! So I'm going to hurt you like you hurt me and make myself a little happier in the process. I'm going to rid us of her presence forever!"
Pansy's anger was building, he knew. She could explode at any time. If he was going to make a move, it would have to be now. He took a deep breath, preparing himself, and sprang into action.
He leaped forward, shoving her wand aside, a muttered curse missing him by mere inches. His fist closed around her wrist, twisting, making her drop her wand. Pansy screamed at him, trying to claw his eyes out now that she was disarmed, and Draco knew he was in trouble. Crabbe and Goyle were already pulling him away from her. In a few seconds they would hex him into oblivion and Hermione would be lost…
"No!" he yelled, pointing his wand at Goyle. His jinx struck his old friend point blank and Goyle fell backward, clutching his face. Over Pansy's screams he heard Crabbe begin an incantation, and Draco knew he would never be able to maneuver around in time. He closed is eyes, waiting for the worst, but Hermione's voice rang out instead.
"Stupefy!" she shouted, and her voice had never sounded sweeter to his ears. In a flash of red light, Crabbe was frozen. Pansy was still struggling so he pushed her away, raising his wand to her as he did so.
"Incarcerous," he muttered, watching the thick ropes settle over her. He saw that Hermione had done the same to Crabbe and Goyle. Draco still felt angry enough to kill, but Hermione was all right and that's all that really mattered. He took a few deep, calming breaths, closing his eyes for a moment.
She came up behind him, sliding her arms around his waist and placing a soft kiss on his shoulder.
"Are you okay?" she asked him quietly. He nodded, not trusting his voice. Pansy could have killed her. How could he be so careless? He had to be more careful from now on. He had to protect her from the people in his past. He didn't want to be responsible for any harm coming to her. He didn't think he could handle the guilt.
"I'm fine," he said softly, turning to face her. "Are you okay?" His eyes were drinking her in, checking her for any obvious injuries in the process. She was breathless and beautiful, her eyes reflecting the excitement and danger of battle. Her flame was burning bright and proud, and his entire being responded.
"I'm okay," she said. "I think we should fetch a teacher, though, to take care of these three." Her eyes glinted with anger as she glanced at their three 'prisoners'.
"Yeah, you're right," he said. "Do you think they'll still be here when we get back?"
"Oh yes," she said, her voice like stone. "I've made sure of that."
Draco smiled at her tenderly, brushing her hair back from her face. He cast one final heated look at Pansy and followed Hermione out of the stands, headed for the castle. Childish prank or serious assassination attempt, Pansy would pay. He would make sure of that.
No one was going to hurt that girl.