Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, so please don't sue!
A/N: wow! y'all really ARE the best reviewers! i've been gettin' demands thro my e-mail to post up the next chapter! hmmm...well i'm trying to put up personal thank you's...but fanfiction.net iz being really stupid right now...the site is overloading...so hold on...i'm gonna try and get...ok itz really not working...so i'll put the personal thank you's on the next chapter okay?! but i'll say a big THANK YOU to everyone who did review...it really does mean a lot to me...and makes me feel special! thankz...so here's the next chapter! enjoy! oh...and anything in [ and ] are song lyrics...these ones thankz to ToykoBabe2040...thanx hunn!
*********
"You can't tell me what to do," she hissed, walking slowly up the staircase to her bedroom. Draco let her go, and watched her close her door, listening to the click of the door locking. He himself got up, flipping the letter face-up, and leaving it on the table. Back in his room, he lay quietly on his bed, thinking about Hermione. Out of no where, the lyrics of a well-known muggle song popped into his head...
[If you want to, I can save you,
I can take you away from here.
So lonely inside,
So busy out there,
And all you wanted was somebody who cares...]
He wanted to save her from the agony that she felt, but he knew well enough that she wouldn't let him.
***
Hermione awoke the next morning earlier than usual, as she didn't want to bump into Malfoy. She dressed quickly into her school robes and headed out her bedroom, clutching her books close to her chest. Her eyes scanned the hallway for any sign of movement, as she desended down the stairs. She made a quick stop at the bathroom, placing her books on the common room table, not noticing the folded parchment bearing her name. Once back from the bathroom, she looked down to pick her books up, her fingers brushing the rough surface of the parchment. Her eyes jerked towards the letter, her fingers tracing the cursive writing that spelled her name. Her heart skipped a beat as she picked the letter up, bringing it closer to her face. She snapped out of her daze, throwing the letter back down on the table and with her books in hand, she raced out of the common room.
At breakfast, she sat with Harry and Ron, the silence of the three was quite unusual, but no one seemed to care. The day dragged on and on, the un-opened letter haunting Hermione's thoughts. She tried to hard to concentrate on her classes, but the letter seemed to taunt her, calling her to it, begging her to open it. She shook the thoughts from her mind, only to have them return mere seconds later. It was all too much for her. The minute classes were over, she ran straight to her common room, barely getting the password out of her mouth before disappearing behind the portrait. Hermione placed her books down slowly on the table and sat herself down in front of the letter. Its voice was pounding in her head, calling her to open it. Her breathing was so heavy now as she picked the letter up, her fingers fumbling with the closed seal. She delayed the opening of it for so long, not knowing whether she wanted to open it or not.
"You've got to open it," a deep, husky voice said. Hermione nearly jumped a mile from her seat, not expecting to see Malfoy standing there. She looked up at his towering stance, not speaking a word.
"I'll stay here with you," he offered, seeing her face somewhat relax. He placed his books next to hers, then sat next to her, his shoulders touching hers. She glanced at him, wondering why he was there, then slowly began to tear open the letter. She read aloud the letter from her father. Her father wrote about the divorce being finalized, all the papers were signed, and he explained more about her mother's new house. After reading the letter, she lay it flat on the table, her hands shaking. The words burned in her mind, as the truth finally set it. The divorce was final.
"It's over," she whispered horsely, "It's really over."
Draco gathered her in his arms before she could start crying. She buried her head in his chest, tears streaming out of her eyes. He said nothing to the weeping girl, but just rocked her in his arms. An hour later, the crying wore Hermione out, and as her final tear slipped from her eyes and rolled down her face, she lay her head on his shoulder and fell asleep. Draco didn't want to wake the sleeping girl, so he carefully placed her feet on the couch, and delicately rested her head on his chest, muttering a spell, conjuring up a blanket, which he placed on top of her. He then conjured up a pillow for himself and wrapping his arms safely around her, he, too, fell asleep.
***
Hermione was the first to wake up, as the sun's rays crept into the room. She barely remembered what happened the other night as she glanced around the common room. She looked behind her and noticed the still sleeping Draco. She smiled slightly remembering everything he had done. She got up slowly, trying hard not to wake him up. She got ready for school and just before leaving, she headed back to the couch where Draco lay, and sat on the edge of the bed. Leaning forwards, only an inch from his face, she whispered, "Malfoy, wake up."
His eyes twitched open, waking up to a pair of beautiful hazel eyes.
"Morning," he grumbled, his lips forming a grin. He lifted his head up quickly, softly leaving a kiss on her lips. Hermione returned the smile, then got up. Just before she headed out the door, she turned back to where Draco was sitting up.
"Thank you," she called out. Draco looked up.
"Thank you for what?" He called after her, but it was too late, she was already gone.
During breakfast that bleak January morning, the conversation at the Gryffindor table was focused on the up-coming quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin that day, which would decide who would take first place in the standings, where the two rival houses where tied.
"We've GOT to win this game!" Harry slammed his fist on the table.
"I want EVERY member of the team in the common room as SOON as the final bell rings. Got it? EVERY member!" Harry commanded, eyeing the team players. Hermione once again remained quiet that day, and no one seemed to notice. Not even Harry of Ron noticed, except when they needed help.
"Hey Hermione," Ron spoke up in their last class, "I don't get this question."
He shoved a page of questions to her face, about Animagus. Hermione just shrugged, carelessly qriting answers on her own sheets. Ron gave Harry a look, then just like Hermione, they shrugged it off, both of them figuring that she was still tired. Class ended and Harry again made his annoncement about quuidditch, then he and Ron rushed out to the Gryffindor tower, leaving Hermione alone in the Transfiguration room.
"Miss Granger, are you alright dear?" McGonagall's face showcased concern.
"I'm fine Professor, just a bit tired," Hermione answered, picking up her books and leaving. Back in her room, she opened up a drawer and took out a piece of parchment. She wanted to write her parents a letter, but didn't know how to start it. She first started wit her mother.
Mum,
Well, what can I say? Congratulations on finding a new house. Dad wrote and told me about you two finalizing everything. I honestly don't know what to say, other than I still can't believe this is happening. Are you two still going to come to my graduation together? I mean the seats are already choosen. What am I supposed to do? Ask Dumbledore to choose new seats? In terms of you and Dad sharing custody over me until I'm 18, have you forgotten that technically as a 17 year old witch, I'm already considered an adult. I think that I'll be looking for my own place here, in this world. So just leave my stuff at Dad's place, and I'll take it once I find a place. Also, for Spring Break, I've decided to stay here at Hogwarts (A/N: I know there really isn't a Spring Break at Hogwarts, but I needed to add that...you'll see why later!).
Your daughter, Hermione
She read the letter over, and thought it was good enough. It was a bit harsh, but she was still mad and upset at her parents. She wrote a similar letter to her father, then sent them off with her owl.
From her bedroom window, she heard the loud cheers of the quidditch crowd, overlooking the Gryffindor/Slytherin match. The snow had stopped falling, but the crisp wind seemed colder as the quick-played game advanced. It seemed as if the entire school was there (save Hermione of course), which only made the witch feel more left out. She sat on her bed, stroking Crookshanks long fur, talking out loud.
"Crookshanks, it's perfectly normal for fighting parents to get a divorce, is it not?" She asked. Her cat just meowed, stretching it's tired body.
"So why do I feel like this?" She continued to ask.
"That's it!" Hermione cried, sending the surprised Crookshanks flying in the air. She grabbed her wand and rushed out of the tower, heading to the library. She scanned the selves until she found the three books she was looking for. Back in her room, an evil smirk creeped onto her face.
"If I can't get my parents to get back together, magic will," she smirked, looking upon the covers of the three books; Moste Potent Potions, An Anthology of 18-century charms and Where There's A Wand, There's A Way.
Hermione spent the rest of the night flipping through the hundreds of pages, while the Gryffindor quidditch team celebrated their win in their common room.
"NOTHING!" Hermione yelled as she slammed the last book shut. It was already 10pm, and she found no useful spell or charm to help her. She went to bed feeling frustrated and helpless.
Over a month had passed, and Hermione had sunk deeper into her depression. Her mother had written back weeks ago, but her father hadn't replied. Harry and Ron still had no clue and were doing nothing to find out. Everyday after school, Hermione would return to her room and stay there until the morning came. She had Dobby bring her dinner up, and paid him 10 Sickles each week. None of her teachers seemed to notice her, as her grades still remained extremely high, and higher if possible, as she spent each dying minute on her school work.
***
It was now the end of February. The month of love had quickly come and gone, and Draco Malfoy found himself more concerned about Hermione than ever. One evening, as he lay in his bed, his thoughts drifted to the lonely girl.
'She hasn't spoken to me in weeks, except during meetings,' he thought. On most days, the only thing he could think about was her. Her long wavy hair, and her sad, hazel eyes. He wanted nothing more than to help her and hold her in his arms, telling her it was okay. But he was scared. Scared of his feelings. Scared of what the others would think. Scared of what his father would do, and most of all, scared of what his father would DO. It was all so strange. He was a Malfoy, and Malfoy's were NEVER scared. Malfoy's also never associated themselves with dirty muggles; let alone fall in love with them.
"I'm in love with her," the workds come out so easily in the dark room, as the youngest Malfoy fell asleep.
The first of March happened to fall on a Saturday, and Harry and Ron had planned to head over to Hogsmeade with the quidditch team to celebrate Ron's 18th birthday, once again forgetting about Hermione. The lonesome witch, feeling bored, as she'd already finished her weekend homework, decided to head down to the common room to find a new book. She peeked out of her room, making sure no one was around before heading downstairs. She avoided much conversation with other people, unless it was school related.
"Granger. Sit down, we need to talk," Malfoy stepped out of the shadows behind the bookcase.
"No we don't," she answered, walking away. Malfoy grabbed her arm and dragged her to the couch. He sat her down, and sat on the edge of the table, only about a foot from her face.
"What do you want?" She snarled, obviously in a bad mood.
"For you to listen."
Her eyes were now jet-black as she glared at him.
"Granger, you need to get out of that hole you're in. You're in here everyday. You never speak to anyone anymore. Not even to Saint Potty and his side kick Weasel. Granger, it's been almost two months since your parents' divorce. It's done Hermione, there's nothing you can do about it," he told her.
"What does it matter anyway? In a few months you'll be a graduate from Hogwarts, with a job and most likely your own home. It's not like you'll be living with your parents," Malfoy kept going.
"You know nothing!" She shouted, "You're just another worthless Malfoy who doesn't know a THING about love and marriage! You don't know my parents!"
"What do you mean I'm just another "worthless Malfoy"?" Malfoy yelled.
"You're just the next generation of stuck-up, ruthless, unethical, pitiful, bitter Malfoys! You care about nothing other than yourself. You think you know EVERYTHING! Like you own everything! You think that just because you're a Malfoy, you're instantly above everyone! You Malfoys are like the plague. An influx of bad wizards!" She screamed, her face as red as blood. The fatal venom had seeped into Malfoy. He was hurt, but had enough strength to fight back.
"This is what I get for trying to help you?!" He stood up and yelled.
"Help me?!" She shrieked, "I don't every recall NEEDING help! Let alone asking YOU for it! I'd rather the Dark Lord HIMSELF kill me before I'd ever need YOUR help!"
"That can easily be arranged!" Malfoy ended with a threat, before the two turned and stormed up to their rooms, slamming the door hard.
"I HATE him!" She screamed at the same time he yelled, "I HATE her!"
*********
Wow! That was pretty intense eh? Yikes! Will Hermione ever recall all the things that Draco has done for her, or will she remain in her depression? Will Draco continue to help her, or will he remain mad at her forever? And what about the threat? Will Draco take his threat past words? Will he actually get the Drak Lord to kill her? Well...review if you want to find out the answers to all these questions!!!! review, Review, REVIEW!!! more reviews I get, faster I put the chapter up!!! Ciao!
-Baby T
A/N: wow! y'all really ARE the best reviewers! i've been gettin' demands thro my e-mail to post up the next chapter! hmmm...well i'm trying to put up personal thank you's...but fanfiction.net iz being really stupid right now...the site is overloading...so hold on...i'm gonna try and get...ok itz really not working...so i'll put the personal thank you's on the next chapter okay?! but i'll say a big THANK YOU to everyone who did review...it really does mean a lot to me...and makes me feel special! thankz...so here's the next chapter! enjoy! oh...and anything in [ and ] are song lyrics...these ones thankz to ToykoBabe2040...thanx hunn!
*********
"You can't tell me what to do," she hissed, walking slowly up the staircase to her bedroom. Draco let her go, and watched her close her door, listening to the click of the door locking. He himself got up, flipping the letter face-up, and leaving it on the table. Back in his room, he lay quietly on his bed, thinking about Hermione. Out of no where, the lyrics of a well-known muggle song popped into his head...
[If you want to, I can save you,
I can take you away from here.
So lonely inside,
So busy out there,
And all you wanted was somebody who cares...]
He wanted to save her from the agony that she felt, but he knew well enough that she wouldn't let him.
***
Hermione awoke the next morning earlier than usual, as she didn't want to bump into Malfoy. She dressed quickly into her school robes and headed out her bedroom, clutching her books close to her chest. Her eyes scanned the hallway for any sign of movement, as she desended down the stairs. She made a quick stop at the bathroom, placing her books on the common room table, not noticing the folded parchment bearing her name. Once back from the bathroom, she looked down to pick her books up, her fingers brushing the rough surface of the parchment. Her eyes jerked towards the letter, her fingers tracing the cursive writing that spelled her name. Her heart skipped a beat as she picked the letter up, bringing it closer to her face. She snapped out of her daze, throwing the letter back down on the table and with her books in hand, she raced out of the common room.
At breakfast, she sat with Harry and Ron, the silence of the three was quite unusual, but no one seemed to care. The day dragged on and on, the un-opened letter haunting Hermione's thoughts. She tried to hard to concentrate on her classes, but the letter seemed to taunt her, calling her to it, begging her to open it. She shook the thoughts from her mind, only to have them return mere seconds later. It was all too much for her. The minute classes were over, she ran straight to her common room, barely getting the password out of her mouth before disappearing behind the portrait. Hermione placed her books down slowly on the table and sat herself down in front of the letter. Its voice was pounding in her head, calling her to open it. Her breathing was so heavy now as she picked the letter up, her fingers fumbling with the closed seal. She delayed the opening of it for so long, not knowing whether she wanted to open it or not.
"You've got to open it," a deep, husky voice said. Hermione nearly jumped a mile from her seat, not expecting to see Malfoy standing there. She looked up at his towering stance, not speaking a word.
"I'll stay here with you," he offered, seeing her face somewhat relax. He placed his books next to hers, then sat next to her, his shoulders touching hers. She glanced at him, wondering why he was there, then slowly began to tear open the letter. She read aloud the letter from her father. Her father wrote about the divorce being finalized, all the papers were signed, and he explained more about her mother's new house. After reading the letter, she lay it flat on the table, her hands shaking. The words burned in her mind, as the truth finally set it. The divorce was final.
"It's over," she whispered horsely, "It's really over."
Draco gathered her in his arms before she could start crying. She buried her head in his chest, tears streaming out of her eyes. He said nothing to the weeping girl, but just rocked her in his arms. An hour later, the crying wore Hermione out, and as her final tear slipped from her eyes and rolled down her face, she lay her head on his shoulder and fell asleep. Draco didn't want to wake the sleeping girl, so he carefully placed her feet on the couch, and delicately rested her head on his chest, muttering a spell, conjuring up a blanket, which he placed on top of her. He then conjured up a pillow for himself and wrapping his arms safely around her, he, too, fell asleep.
***
Hermione was the first to wake up, as the sun's rays crept into the room. She barely remembered what happened the other night as she glanced around the common room. She looked behind her and noticed the still sleeping Draco. She smiled slightly remembering everything he had done. She got up slowly, trying hard not to wake him up. She got ready for school and just before leaving, she headed back to the couch where Draco lay, and sat on the edge of the bed. Leaning forwards, only an inch from his face, she whispered, "Malfoy, wake up."
His eyes twitched open, waking up to a pair of beautiful hazel eyes.
"Morning," he grumbled, his lips forming a grin. He lifted his head up quickly, softly leaving a kiss on her lips. Hermione returned the smile, then got up. Just before she headed out the door, she turned back to where Draco was sitting up.
"Thank you," she called out. Draco looked up.
"Thank you for what?" He called after her, but it was too late, she was already gone.
During breakfast that bleak January morning, the conversation at the Gryffindor table was focused on the up-coming quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin that day, which would decide who would take first place in the standings, where the two rival houses where tied.
"We've GOT to win this game!" Harry slammed his fist on the table.
"I want EVERY member of the team in the common room as SOON as the final bell rings. Got it? EVERY member!" Harry commanded, eyeing the team players. Hermione once again remained quiet that day, and no one seemed to notice. Not even Harry of Ron noticed, except when they needed help.
"Hey Hermione," Ron spoke up in their last class, "I don't get this question."
He shoved a page of questions to her face, about Animagus. Hermione just shrugged, carelessly qriting answers on her own sheets. Ron gave Harry a look, then just like Hermione, they shrugged it off, both of them figuring that she was still tired. Class ended and Harry again made his annoncement about quuidditch, then he and Ron rushed out to the Gryffindor tower, leaving Hermione alone in the Transfiguration room.
"Miss Granger, are you alright dear?" McGonagall's face showcased concern.
"I'm fine Professor, just a bit tired," Hermione answered, picking up her books and leaving. Back in her room, she opened up a drawer and took out a piece of parchment. She wanted to write her parents a letter, but didn't know how to start it. She first started wit her mother.
Mum,
Well, what can I say? Congratulations on finding a new house. Dad wrote and told me about you two finalizing everything. I honestly don't know what to say, other than I still can't believe this is happening. Are you two still going to come to my graduation together? I mean the seats are already choosen. What am I supposed to do? Ask Dumbledore to choose new seats? In terms of you and Dad sharing custody over me until I'm 18, have you forgotten that technically as a 17 year old witch, I'm already considered an adult. I think that I'll be looking for my own place here, in this world. So just leave my stuff at Dad's place, and I'll take it once I find a place. Also, for Spring Break, I've decided to stay here at Hogwarts (A/N: I know there really isn't a Spring Break at Hogwarts, but I needed to add that...you'll see why later!).
Your daughter, Hermione
She read the letter over, and thought it was good enough. It was a bit harsh, but she was still mad and upset at her parents. She wrote a similar letter to her father, then sent them off with her owl.
From her bedroom window, she heard the loud cheers of the quidditch crowd, overlooking the Gryffindor/Slytherin match. The snow had stopped falling, but the crisp wind seemed colder as the quick-played game advanced. It seemed as if the entire school was there (save Hermione of course), which only made the witch feel more left out. She sat on her bed, stroking Crookshanks long fur, talking out loud.
"Crookshanks, it's perfectly normal for fighting parents to get a divorce, is it not?" She asked. Her cat just meowed, stretching it's tired body.
"So why do I feel like this?" She continued to ask.
"That's it!" Hermione cried, sending the surprised Crookshanks flying in the air. She grabbed her wand and rushed out of the tower, heading to the library. She scanned the selves until she found the three books she was looking for. Back in her room, an evil smirk creeped onto her face.
"If I can't get my parents to get back together, magic will," she smirked, looking upon the covers of the three books; Moste Potent Potions, An Anthology of 18-century charms and Where There's A Wand, There's A Way.
Hermione spent the rest of the night flipping through the hundreds of pages, while the Gryffindor quidditch team celebrated their win in their common room.
"NOTHING!" Hermione yelled as she slammed the last book shut. It was already 10pm, and she found no useful spell or charm to help her. She went to bed feeling frustrated and helpless.
Over a month had passed, and Hermione had sunk deeper into her depression. Her mother had written back weeks ago, but her father hadn't replied. Harry and Ron still had no clue and were doing nothing to find out. Everyday after school, Hermione would return to her room and stay there until the morning came. She had Dobby bring her dinner up, and paid him 10 Sickles each week. None of her teachers seemed to notice her, as her grades still remained extremely high, and higher if possible, as she spent each dying minute on her school work.
***
It was now the end of February. The month of love had quickly come and gone, and Draco Malfoy found himself more concerned about Hermione than ever. One evening, as he lay in his bed, his thoughts drifted to the lonely girl.
'She hasn't spoken to me in weeks, except during meetings,' he thought. On most days, the only thing he could think about was her. Her long wavy hair, and her sad, hazel eyes. He wanted nothing more than to help her and hold her in his arms, telling her it was okay. But he was scared. Scared of his feelings. Scared of what the others would think. Scared of what his father would do, and most of all, scared of what his father would DO. It was all so strange. He was a Malfoy, and Malfoy's were NEVER scared. Malfoy's also never associated themselves with dirty muggles; let alone fall in love with them.
"I'm in love with her," the workds come out so easily in the dark room, as the youngest Malfoy fell asleep.
The first of March happened to fall on a Saturday, and Harry and Ron had planned to head over to Hogsmeade with the quidditch team to celebrate Ron's 18th birthday, once again forgetting about Hermione. The lonesome witch, feeling bored, as she'd already finished her weekend homework, decided to head down to the common room to find a new book. She peeked out of her room, making sure no one was around before heading downstairs. She avoided much conversation with other people, unless it was school related.
"Granger. Sit down, we need to talk," Malfoy stepped out of the shadows behind the bookcase.
"No we don't," she answered, walking away. Malfoy grabbed her arm and dragged her to the couch. He sat her down, and sat on the edge of the table, only about a foot from her face.
"What do you want?" She snarled, obviously in a bad mood.
"For you to listen."
Her eyes were now jet-black as she glared at him.
"Granger, you need to get out of that hole you're in. You're in here everyday. You never speak to anyone anymore. Not even to Saint Potty and his side kick Weasel. Granger, it's been almost two months since your parents' divorce. It's done Hermione, there's nothing you can do about it," he told her.
"What does it matter anyway? In a few months you'll be a graduate from Hogwarts, with a job and most likely your own home. It's not like you'll be living with your parents," Malfoy kept going.
"You know nothing!" She shouted, "You're just another worthless Malfoy who doesn't know a THING about love and marriage! You don't know my parents!"
"What do you mean I'm just another "worthless Malfoy"?" Malfoy yelled.
"You're just the next generation of stuck-up, ruthless, unethical, pitiful, bitter Malfoys! You care about nothing other than yourself. You think you know EVERYTHING! Like you own everything! You think that just because you're a Malfoy, you're instantly above everyone! You Malfoys are like the plague. An influx of bad wizards!" She screamed, her face as red as blood. The fatal venom had seeped into Malfoy. He was hurt, but had enough strength to fight back.
"This is what I get for trying to help you?!" He stood up and yelled.
"Help me?!" She shrieked, "I don't every recall NEEDING help! Let alone asking YOU for it! I'd rather the Dark Lord HIMSELF kill me before I'd ever need YOUR help!"
"That can easily be arranged!" Malfoy ended with a threat, before the two turned and stormed up to their rooms, slamming the door hard.
"I HATE him!" She screamed at the same time he yelled, "I HATE her!"
*********
Wow! That was pretty intense eh? Yikes! Will Hermione ever recall all the things that Draco has done for her, or will she remain in her depression? Will Draco continue to help her, or will he remain mad at her forever? And what about the threat? Will Draco take his threat past words? Will he actually get the Drak Lord to kill her? Well...review if you want to find out the answers to all these questions!!!! review, Review, REVIEW!!! more reviews I get, faster I put the chapter up!!! Ciao!
-Baby T