Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. J.K.Rowling does. This we know already.
Chapter 8: Nightmares
As soon as Draco was away from all of the Death Eaters, he ran Hermione up to his room. He knew all of the correct healing spells since Hermione had taught them to him while they were in St. Mungo's one day and had nothing better to do. He healed her as best as he could of all her bruises.
She didn't say a word until he was done. Then, she asked, "What does this mean for us now?"
He sighed heavily. "It means that come Christmas day, we are officially over. Even if we tried to keep it up in secret, you wouldn't want me after the ceremony. I'll be just like Voldemort and Salazar Slytherin. Muggle born wizards and witches will be my enemies and the worst part is, I'll go along with it. I won't be able to stop myself from having the evil inside take over my mind and body."
She cried the tears that she had been holding back since she had been kidnapped. "I... I don't know how I can let you go. I just found you. It's not fair. You can't make me give you up now that we are finally together. Surely there's another way. I can't lose you."
She laid down on the couch and hugged a pillow close to her stomach. They had one week left before Christmas. He crawled down on the couch next to her and held her close. "It's okay. Let it all out. Let it all out." She cried for hours until she finally fell asleep.
When Hermione woke up, she was in his arms, as always. She sighed, knowing that he wasn't always going to be there for her anymore. She lightly kissed his forehead and stood up, careful not to wake him up.
What she didn't know was that he was already awake, savoring every moment he spent with her. When he was sure she was gone and wouldn't see him, he got up and dressed for his first day back.
He was just getting his robe on when he heard a knock on the door. "Coming!" he said. He opened the door and there she was, dressed and ready to go.
"How are we going to do this?" She asked with anger.
"Do what?"
"Are we just going to ignore them and be together even though in a week you're going to leave me? Are we going to split up now, or wait for the inevitable to happen?" She allowed a tear to stream down her face but he wiped it away with his thumb. She rested her cheek on the palm of his hand, feeling oddly comforted by his kind gesture.
"It's up to you, love. I can't make the decision for you but I can tell you how I feel." He took his hand from her cheek and immediately took her hand in it, giving it a loving squeeze. "I want to cherish any time I can get with you. I love you and I can't stand knowing I won't be there to make you happy for the rest of you life. But I also know that if we don't spend as much time as we can together, I'll regret it for all eternity."
He pulled her into an embrace and to his shock, she let him. In a whisper, she spoke to him. "Eternity is far too long. I don't know that I could take it. Will you stay with me this week?" She looked up at him, her arms still tightly wrapped around him.
"Do you even have to ask?" he replied with a warm smile. She pulled him into a passionate kiss and he held on to her knowing he could never let her go. When she pulled away, they were both out of breath.
"We have classes toady. Potions is first and we have it together. Do you want to walk with me there?" she asked.
"Sure. Let me carry your books for you." he picked up her books from the common room and tucked them under his left arm, along with his. Then, they walked to class hand in hand. They were two minutes late to class but since it was their first day back, Snape didn't care.
"Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy, glad to see you to again. Lab partners were chosen in the start of the term. That only leaves you two to be together but I doubt either of you will mind it that much. Take your seats in the back and pay close attention."
Draco and Hermione sat down and began taking notes. They played footsie with each other the entire period but made sure to pay attentions to Snape's lesson, because he was shooting them knowing glances.
Hermione enjoyed class and relished in the fact that she was still far ahead of every student with the exception of Draco (who she had studied with daily in St. Mungo's).
At lunch, Hermione and Draco took a seat at the end of the Gryffindor table, far away from other students but close enough so she felt comfortable. They completely ignored the food because Hermione was so excited after the classes that morning, she couldn't stop talking about it. Draco was just silent, content in listening to her speak.
After lunch, Hermione was so tired from going through an actual schedule and having real things to do. They decided to go back upstairs to their room, ignoring the stares they were receiving. Once there, they just laid in each others arms, eyes clothes, no words being spoken, but still awake and aware of the others presence. They had the rest of the day off because they were only starting with a half day.
Draco began to sing to her the only song that seemed appropriate.
Watch you smile while you are sleeping,
While you are far away and dreaming,
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender,
I could stay lost in this moment forever,
Where a moment spent with you is a moment I treasure,
I don't want to close my eyes, I don't want to fall asleep,
Cause I miss you baby, And I don't want to miss a thing,
Cause even when I dream of you, the sweetest dream will never do,
I still miss you baby and I don't want to miss a thing
Lying close to you feeling your heart beating,
And I wondering what you are dreaming,
Wondering if it's me you are seeing,
Then I kiss your eyes and thank god we're together,
I just want to stay with you in this moment forever and forever forever
I don't want to close my eyes, I don't want to fall asleep,
Cause I miss you baby, And I don't want to miss a thing,
Cause even when I dream of you, the sweetest dream will never do,
I still miss you baby and I don't want to miss a thing
And I don't want to miss one smile,
I don't want to miss one kiss,
I just want to be with you right here with you,
Just like this, I just want to hold you close,
I feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment,
For all of the rest of time
I don't want to close my eyes, I don't want to fall asleep,
Cause I miss you baby, And I don't want to miss a thing,
Cause even when I dream of you, the sweetest dream will never do,
I still miss you baby and I don't want to miss a thing
(A/N... Aerosmith, I Don't Want to Miss A Thing)
Hermione listened to his voice. It was quiet and gentle. He had a soothing effect on her. It was something she would store away in her memory forever.
When he was finished singing, he noticed tears upon her face. He lifted his hand to wipe them off but she swatted him away. "No." she whispered. "Let me be sad. Let me feel whatever I feel. I know what you want to say. You want to tell me that everything will be all right, that I will be al right... but even if that is the case, I get to mourn my loss now. Because at the moment I'm a little emotional. If you have a problem with that, well then that's just too bad!"
He sighed, knowing better than to argue about things like this with Hermione. "I have no problem letting you do whatever you want to do. Just promise me that when I leave you, you'll try to move on. Mourn for me now, while I am here to comfort you. But when I am gone, forget me."
"I don't know that I could do that. I could never forget you, Draco. I love you far too much. These have been the most amazing months of my life. How could I forget that?"
He looked at her with tears in his eyes, knowing what he would have to do. "There's one way I know that will help you move on."
"What's that?"
He closed his eyes, regretting not being able to find some other way. "Do you remember how Lockhart got to be famous? He erased others memories and made them believe something that never happened. I know the charm that can erase you memory, Hermione. If you want me to, I will use it right before I leave you."
"Then what will I remember of these past months?"
"I will plant false memories... happy memories."
She stood up and walked to the window. "I just don't know. I'm not sure I ever want to forget you. Besides, everyone already knows we're together after today. How would that work?"
"I've used the charm before. I'm quite skilled with it. I can make it large enough to change the entire schools memories. That's only if you'd like me to. You have the week to decide. Take your time." He walked to her side and wrapped his arms around her. "How are you feeling. I mean, how are your legs working? Are you able to walk just fine now?"
She smiled. "They're better when you're around." She said simply.
"Let's get some sleep. It's late in the afternoon and I think we could use a nap before we go to supper. What do you think? Nap time?"
She allowed a yawn to escape. "Okay. I guess I'm more tired than I thought I would be after only a half day of lessons."
He picked her up and placed her back down on the bed under the covers. "Sleep baby. Just go to sleep."
She refused to close her eyes.
"I promise I will still be here when you get up. Now sleep." He eye lids shut, being comforted by Draco's words. "I'll still be here when you awake." He kissed her forehead and they both drifted off into a dreamlands full of nightmares.
***Hermione's Nightmare***
She walked through an empty corridor, not sure where she was going. She was following a shadow that was about fifty steps in front of her. It rounded the corner and for a moment, Hermione lost sight of it. She quickened her pace to catch up. When she finally reached the turn, she saw more than just a shadow. There were three men dressed in all black hovering over a whispering figure.
"My Lord, we caught her spying on the meeting this afternoon." One hissed to the man in the middle. "We brought her straight to here, as you requested. What do you intend to do with her?"
The man looked thoughtful for a moment before he responded. "Leave us. I will make sure she can't ever tell anyone whatever she overheard." The men scampered off quickly.
Hermione tried to get a better look at the girl on the floor but the face was still hidden. All she could tell was that the girl had obviously been beaten. Her robes were torn and her hair was wild.
"Why couldn't you just stay out of it? Why? I told you, I warned you." The man said through clenched teeth. "I told you to stay out of the Order and away from Death Eaters but NO... you just had to follow that stupid Harry Potter wherever he went, didn't you? DIDN'T YOU?"
The girl let out a muffled cry but said nothing. She attempted to stand up but apparently found it too difficult. She settled on sitting up and leaning against the wall. Finally Hermione caught a glimpse of her face. It was... Hermione.
Dream Hermione spoke. "You told me last time we met that there was something I didn't know, some memories that were missing and that YOU were the one that took them away. I want them back."
"You don't get them back, Granger. I am the only one who possesses those memories and they are mine to keep. I told you to stay away or else. No I must show you the consequences of your actions." The man produced his wand from the inside pocket of his Slytherin robes.
"WAIT!" she screamed. "Before you kill me, let me remember. If you are to take away my life then at least give me back what you stole from me before you do. You owe me that much." She said with fear and sadness evident in her voice.
"I owe you nothing." He spat coldly. "But I will give them to you anyway, you piece of filth, but keep in mind, once you get them back, you will be killed."
"FINE!"
The real Hermione tried to get a look at the mans face but it was no use. His back was turned towards her. He raised his arm and pointed his wand at her, muttering some spell under his breath.
The beaten Hermione gasped and tears streamed down her cheeks. It appeared that the memories were all the encouragement she needed. She stood up and produced her own wand from her pocket. "HOW COULD YOU!" she shouted through her tears. "How dare you! I told you that I wanted to remember and you went ahead and erased my memories anyway. Who gave you that right?" She slapped him and saw him grow annoyed.
"Mudblood, you'll do well to hold your tongue. I'm not that man that you fell in love with anymore. I won't take you hollering at me like..."
"Cut the crap, Malfoy. You're still him somewhere deep down. You're just hidden underneath the cloak of Voldemort and Salazar. I know you're there deep down!"
"Your Draco is gone. I am the Dark Lord. I am a muggle hating wizard feared by all who cross my path or even hear my name."
"YOU'RE WRONG! I am not afraid of you. Harry and Ron aren't afraid of you. Oh... and Dumbledore is certainly not afraid of you."
He laughed. "Potter and Weasley? Not afraid of me? Are you joking? You have such high standards set for them. You're just blinded by your friendship with them to see that they are weak cowards. You really do believe that they are fearless, don't you? Well, forgive me for laughing but I can't control it. It's just so funny."
"Laugh all you want but it's true."
"No. It's not. Well, maybe Dumbledore isn't afraid of me. And YOU and definitely not afraid of me... but honestly, Weasley's so afraid that he pisses in his pants at the mere sound of my voice. And Potter, well he's afraid that because he could barely defeat Voldemort, how can he defeat me? I'll answer that for you. He can't! I will fight him and he will lose!"
"Whatever you choose to believe Malfoy. Just let me go without a fuss and maybe I'll let you live to find out if you really could defeat Harry." She said sounding almost bored.
"No. I won't do that."
She looked into his face and saw that he was facing a battle inside. The real Draco was trying to get to the surface. She decided that this was her chance. She placed a loving hand on his cheek. "I forgive you." she whispered, and then she back away to watch him fall to the floor... lifelessly.
***End of Nightmare***
Hermione sat up in bed in a cold sweat, breathing very heavily and screaming. Tears streamed down her face. She found it particularly odd that Draco did the same thing.
***Draco's Nightmare***
He was in the Slytherin Common Room, watching a meeting. From what he could tell, it was a Death Eaters meeting. The Dark Lord, which he assumed to be himself, was in the center, listening to someone speak.
"My Lord, we have captured the girl."
"Very good. Where is she?" he replied.
"Right here." The man replied. He was dragging a girl by her hair towards the Dark Lord. "She was rather difficult to capture. She managed to stupefy both Crabbe and Bulstrode before we knocked her out."
The real Draco tried to get a look at her face and when he did, he was saddened. It was Hermione.
The man dragging her continued to speak. "She was alone as usual. And she was crying... again. Don't know what you see in her, really. Quite depressing this one is."
"CRUCIO!" The Dark Lord yelled at the man. He doubled over in pain, screaming. "Never again question my judgment. Is that clear?"
"Yes." The man whispered, standing back on his feet once more. "My apologies, My Lord. Forgive me, please. I was wrong to comment on things where it is not my place."
"Yes, you were wrong. Now everyone leave me now, alone with the mudblood." The death Eaters looked skeptical about leaving but one glare at their Lord's face and they knew he wanted them gone so they scurried off. When they were all gone, the girl quickly stood to her feet and ran to his side. "Oh Draco, I've missed you so much. I seems like forever since we were together. After that Christmas, I thought I'd never see you again but now... you missed me too, didn't you? Why else would you ask them to bring me to you?"
"Hermione, I missed you too. I've needed you so much. You have no idea the hell that I have been through, the hell that I have put others through. It's not as though I wanted to do it, but I couldn't stop myself no matter how hard I tried. They've taken over me. The other day, I was finally able to gain some control of my body once again so I took advantage of the opportunity and commanded the Death Eaters to bring you to me."
"I'm glad you did."
"We don't have much time. I don't have enough to control, only enough to last about twenty minutes at a time, but I couldn't leave it like that. It's been killing me. I wished I had said goodbye. So now, I am saying goodbye. At least this time we have a proper ending."
"I've been so miserable since you left me. Sometimes, I wish I had let you erase my memory and then, I think of everything we shared and I regret it ever more. I love you so much and the pain eats away at me every day more and more." She lifted her right arm and rolled up her shirt sleeve. It revealed may cuts which were in the process of healing. "It takes way the pain temporarily." Draco could tell as soon as he saw them that they were all self inflicted wounds.
"Hermione I..." he wanted to heal her and make her feel better. He wanted to tell her that she would be all right, but he couldn't. It was then that the evil in him took over once more. "You're nothing to me but a filthy mudblood. Maybe next time you take a knife to your wrists, you'll do it properly and rid us of your existence. But there won't be a next time. You won't even live to see another day.
AVADA KEDAVRA!"
She fell to the floor lifelessly.
***END OF NIGHTMARE***
he sat up in bed, sweat dripping down his body, screaming in terror. He looked next to him and noticed Hermione had done the same thing, only she had begun to cry. He took her in his arms , assuming she had just experienced the same nightmare. "Shhh..." he whispered. "Come on. It's all right. I won't let that ever happen. Don't worry. I love you too much to let that happen. Don't worry, my love."
She rested her head on his chest and they laid back down together neither one falling asleep. They were both scared of having any more bad dreams. They never discussed what they had dreamt about that night for the memories made them both sick.
A/N... Thanks soo much to all of my reviewers. Sorry I haven't updated in a while. As I said in my last chapter, I was on spring break in Miami. Just so you know, I have chapter nine written and chapter 10 already started. I just have to type them up. The more reviews that I get, the quicker I type so go review.
Oh yeah, and in your reviews, tell me how you think it should end. I already have the end planned out but if I get a good suggestion, I might change it.
The song was I Don't Want to Miss a Thing, by Aerosmith. It's one of my favorite songs. I though it was perfect for that moment. They're just laying there, listening to each other breathe. I love it.
Okay... So now you know what to do. GO REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chapter 8: Nightmares
As soon as Draco was away from all of the Death Eaters, he ran Hermione up to his room. He knew all of the correct healing spells since Hermione had taught them to him while they were in St. Mungo's one day and had nothing better to do. He healed her as best as he could of all her bruises.
She didn't say a word until he was done. Then, she asked, "What does this mean for us now?"
He sighed heavily. "It means that come Christmas day, we are officially over. Even if we tried to keep it up in secret, you wouldn't want me after the ceremony. I'll be just like Voldemort and Salazar Slytherin. Muggle born wizards and witches will be my enemies and the worst part is, I'll go along with it. I won't be able to stop myself from having the evil inside take over my mind and body."
She cried the tears that she had been holding back since she had been kidnapped. "I... I don't know how I can let you go. I just found you. It's not fair. You can't make me give you up now that we are finally together. Surely there's another way. I can't lose you."
She laid down on the couch and hugged a pillow close to her stomach. They had one week left before Christmas. He crawled down on the couch next to her and held her close. "It's okay. Let it all out. Let it all out." She cried for hours until she finally fell asleep.
When Hermione woke up, she was in his arms, as always. She sighed, knowing that he wasn't always going to be there for her anymore. She lightly kissed his forehead and stood up, careful not to wake him up.
What she didn't know was that he was already awake, savoring every moment he spent with her. When he was sure she was gone and wouldn't see him, he got up and dressed for his first day back.
He was just getting his robe on when he heard a knock on the door. "Coming!" he said. He opened the door and there she was, dressed and ready to go.
"How are we going to do this?" She asked with anger.
"Do what?"
"Are we just going to ignore them and be together even though in a week you're going to leave me? Are we going to split up now, or wait for the inevitable to happen?" She allowed a tear to stream down her face but he wiped it away with his thumb. She rested her cheek on the palm of his hand, feeling oddly comforted by his kind gesture.
"It's up to you, love. I can't make the decision for you but I can tell you how I feel." He took his hand from her cheek and immediately took her hand in it, giving it a loving squeeze. "I want to cherish any time I can get with you. I love you and I can't stand knowing I won't be there to make you happy for the rest of you life. But I also know that if we don't spend as much time as we can together, I'll regret it for all eternity."
He pulled her into an embrace and to his shock, she let him. In a whisper, she spoke to him. "Eternity is far too long. I don't know that I could take it. Will you stay with me this week?" She looked up at him, her arms still tightly wrapped around him.
"Do you even have to ask?" he replied with a warm smile. She pulled him into a passionate kiss and he held on to her knowing he could never let her go. When she pulled away, they were both out of breath.
"We have classes toady. Potions is first and we have it together. Do you want to walk with me there?" she asked.
"Sure. Let me carry your books for you." he picked up her books from the common room and tucked them under his left arm, along with his. Then, they walked to class hand in hand. They were two minutes late to class but since it was their first day back, Snape didn't care.
"Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy, glad to see you to again. Lab partners were chosen in the start of the term. That only leaves you two to be together but I doubt either of you will mind it that much. Take your seats in the back and pay close attention."
Draco and Hermione sat down and began taking notes. They played footsie with each other the entire period but made sure to pay attentions to Snape's lesson, because he was shooting them knowing glances.
Hermione enjoyed class and relished in the fact that she was still far ahead of every student with the exception of Draco (who she had studied with daily in St. Mungo's).
At lunch, Hermione and Draco took a seat at the end of the Gryffindor table, far away from other students but close enough so she felt comfortable. They completely ignored the food because Hermione was so excited after the classes that morning, she couldn't stop talking about it. Draco was just silent, content in listening to her speak.
After lunch, Hermione was so tired from going through an actual schedule and having real things to do. They decided to go back upstairs to their room, ignoring the stares they were receiving. Once there, they just laid in each others arms, eyes clothes, no words being spoken, but still awake and aware of the others presence. They had the rest of the day off because they were only starting with a half day.
Draco began to sing to her the only song that seemed appropriate.
Watch you smile while you are sleeping,
While you are far away and dreaming,
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender,
I could stay lost in this moment forever,
Where a moment spent with you is a moment I treasure,
I don't want to close my eyes, I don't want to fall asleep,
Cause I miss you baby, And I don't want to miss a thing,
Cause even when I dream of you, the sweetest dream will never do,
I still miss you baby and I don't want to miss a thing
Lying close to you feeling your heart beating,
And I wondering what you are dreaming,
Wondering if it's me you are seeing,
Then I kiss your eyes and thank god we're together,
I just want to stay with you in this moment forever and forever forever
I don't want to close my eyes, I don't want to fall asleep,
Cause I miss you baby, And I don't want to miss a thing,
Cause even when I dream of you, the sweetest dream will never do,
I still miss you baby and I don't want to miss a thing
And I don't want to miss one smile,
I don't want to miss one kiss,
I just want to be with you right here with you,
Just like this, I just want to hold you close,
I feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment,
For all of the rest of time
I don't want to close my eyes, I don't want to fall asleep,
Cause I miss you baby, And I don't want to miss a thing,
Cause even when I dream of you, the sweetest dream will never do,
I still miss you baby and I don't want to miss a thing
(A/N... Aerosmith, I Don't Want to Miss A Thing)
Hermione listened to his voice. It was quiet and gentle. He had a soothing effect on her. It was something she would store away in her memory forever.
When he was finished singing, he noticed tears upon her face. He lifted his hand to wipe them off but she swatted him away. "No." she whispered. "Let me be sad. Let me feel whatever I feel. I know what you want to say. You want to tell me that everything will be all right, that I will be al right... but even if that is the case, I get to mourn my loss now. Because at the moment I'm a little emotional. If you have a problem with that, well then that's just too bad!"
He sighed, knowing better than to argue about things like this with Hermione. "I have no problem letting you do whatever you want to do. Just promise me that when I leave you, you'll try to move on. Mourn for me now, while I am here to comfort you. But when I am gone, forget me."
"I don't know that I could do that. I could never forget you, Draco. I love you far too much. These have been the most amazing months of my life. How could I forget that?"
He looked at her with tears in his eyes, knowing what he would have to do. "There's one way I know that will help you move on."
"What's that?"
He closed his eyes, regretting not being able to find some other way. "Do you remember how Lockhart got to be famous? He erased others memories and made them believe something that never happened. I know the charm that can erase you memory, Hermione. If you want me to, I will use it right before I leave you."
"Then what will I remember of these past months?"
"I will plant false memories... happy memories."
She stood up and walked to the window. "I just don't know. I'm not sure I ever want to forget you. Besides, everyone already knows we're together after today. How would that work?"
"I've used the charm before. I'm quite skilled with it. I can make it large enough to change the entire schools memories. That's only if you'd like me to. You have the week to decide. Take your time." He walked to her side and wrapped his arms around her. "How are you feeling. I mean, how are your legs working? Are you able to walk just fine now?"
She smiled. "They're better when you're around." She said simply.
"Let's get some sleep. It's late in the afternoon and I think we could use a nap before we go to supper. What do you think? Nap time?"
She allowed a yawn to escape. "Okay. I guess I'm more tired than I thought I would be after only a half day of lessons."
He picked her up and placed her back down on the bed under the covers. "Sleep baby. Just go to sleep."
She refused to close her eyes.
"I promise I will still be here when you get up. Now sleep." He eye lids shut, being comforted by Draco's words. "I'll still be here when you awake." He kissed her forehead and they both drifted off into a dreamlands full of nightmares.
***Hermione's Nightmare***
She walked through an empty corridor, not sure where she was going. She was following a shadow that was about fifty steps in front of her. It rounded the corner and for a moment, Hermione lost sight of it. She quickened her pace to catch up. When she finally reached the turn, she saw more than just a shadow. There were three men dressed in all black hovering over a whispering figure.
"My Lord, we caught her spying on the meeting this afternoon." One hissed to the man in the middle. "We brought her straight to here, as you requested. What do you intend to do with her?"
The man looked thoughtful for a moment before he responded. "Leave us. I will make sure she can't ever tell anyone whatever she overheard." The men scampered off quickly.
Hermione tried to get a better look at the girl on the floor but the face was still hidden. All she could tell was that the girl had obviously been beaten. Her robes were torn and her hair was wild.
"Why couldn't you just stay out of it? Why? I told you, I warned you." The man said through clenched teeth. "I told you to stay out of the Order and away from Death Eaters but NO... you just had to follow that stupid Harry Potter wherever he went, didn't you? DIDN'T YOU?"
The girl let out a muffled cry but said nothing. She attempted to stand up but apparently found it too difficult. She settled on sitting up and leaning against the wall. Finally Hermione caught a glimpse of her face. It was... Hermione.
Dream Hermione spoke. "You told me last time we met that there was something I didn't know, some memories that were missing and that YOU were the one that took them away. I want them back."
"You don't get them back, Granger. I am the only one who possesses those memories and they are mine to keep. I told you to stay away or else. No I must show you the consequences of your actions." The man produced his wand from the inside pocket of his Slytherin robes.
"WAIT!" she screamed. "Before you kill me, let me remember. If you are to take away my life then at least give me back what you stole from me before you do. You owe me that much." She said with fear and sadness evident in her voice.
"I owe you nothing." He spat coldly. "But I will give them to you anyway, you piece of filth, but keep in mind, once you get them back, you will be killed."
"FINE!"
The real Hermione tried to get a look at the mans face but it was no use. His back was turned towards her. He raised his arm and pointed his wand at her, muttering some spell under his breath.
The beaten Hermione gasped and tears streamed down her cheeks. It appeared that the memories were all the encouragement she needed. She stood up and produced her own wand from her pocket. "HOW COULD YOU!" she shouted through her tears. "How dare you! I told you that I wanted to remember and you went ahead and erased my memories anyway. Who gave you that right?" She slapped him and saw him grow annoyed.
"Mudblood, you'll do well to hold your tongue. I'm not that man that you fell in love with anymore. I won't take you hollering at me like..."
"Cut the crap, Malfoy. You're still him somewhere deep down. You're just hidden underneath the cloak of Voldemort and Salazar. I know you're there deep down!"
"Your Draco is gone. I am the Dark Lord. I am a muggle hating wizard feared by all who cross my path or even hear my name."
"YOU'RE WRONG! I am not afraid of you. Harry and Ron aren't afraid of you. Oh... and Dumbledore is certainly not afraid of you."
He laughed. "Potter and Weasley? Not afraid of me? Are you joking? You have such high standards set for them. You're just blinded by your friendship with them to see that they are weak cowards. You really do believe that they are fearless, don't you? Well, forgive me for laughing but I can't control it. It's just so funny."
"Laugh all you want but it's true."
"No. It's not. Well, maybe Dumbledore isn't afraid of me. And YOU and definitely not afraid of me... but honestly, Weasley's so afraid that he pisses in his pants at the mere sound of my voice. And Potter, well he's afraid that because he could barely defeat Voldemort, how can he defeat me? I'll answer that for you. He can't! I will fight him and he will lose!"
"Whatever you choose to believe Malfoy. Just let me go without a fuss and maybe I'll let you live to find out if you really could defeat Harry." She said sounding almost bored.
"No. I won't do that."
She looked into his face and saw that he was facing a battle inside. The real Draco was trying to get to the surface. She decided that this was her chance. She placed a loving hand on his cheek. "I forgive you." she whispered, and then she back away to watch him fall to the floor... lifelessly.
***End of Nightmare***
Hermione sat up in bed in a cold sweat, breathing very heavily and screaming. Tears streamed down her face. She found it particularly odd that Draco did the same thing.
***Draco's Nightmare***
He was in the Slytherin Common Room, watching a meeting. From what he could tell, it was a Death Eaters meeting. The Dark Lord, which he assumed to be himself, was in the center, listening to someone speak.
"My Lord, we have captured the girl."
"Very good. Where is she?" he replied.
"Right here." The man replied. He was dragging a girl by her hair towards the Dark Lord. "She was rather difficult to capture. She managed to stupefy both Crabbe and Bulstrode before we knocked her out."
The real Draco tried to get a look at her face and when he did, he was saddened. It was Hermione.
The man dragging her continued to speak. "She was alone as usual. And she was crying... again. Don't know what you see in her, really. Quite depressing this one is."
"CRUCIO!" The Dark Lord yelled at the man. He doubled over in pain, screaming. "Never again question my judgment. Is that clear?"
"Yes." The man whispered, standing back on his feet once more. "My apologies, My Lord. Forgive me, please. I was wrong to comment on things where it is not my place."
"Yes, you were wrong. Now everyone leave me now, alone with the mudblood." The death Eaters looked skeptical about leaving but one glare at their Lord's face and they knew he wanted them gone so they scurried off. When they were all gone, the girl quickly stood to her feet and ran to his side. "Oh Draco, I've missed you so much. I seems like forever since we were together. After that Christmas, I thought I'd never see you again but now... you missed me too, didn't you? Why else would you ask them to bring me to you?"
"Hermione, I missed you too. I've needed you so much. You have no idea the hell that I have been through, the hell that I have put others through. It's not as though I wanted to do it, but I couldn't stop myself no matter how hard I tried. They've taken over me. The other day, I was finally able to gain some control of my body once again so I took advantage of the opportunity and commanded the Death Eaters to bring you to me."
"I'm glad you did."
"We don't have much time. I don't have enough to control, only enough to last about twenty minutes at a time, but I couldn't leave it like that. It's been killing me. I wished I had said goodbye. So now, I am saying goodbye. At least this time we have a proper ending."
"I've been so miserable since you left me. Sometimes, I wish I had let you erase my memory and then, I think of everything we shared and I regret it ever more. I love you so much and the pain eats away at me every day more and more." She lifted her right arm and rolled up her shirt sleeve. It revealed may cuts which were in the process of healing. "It takes way the pain temporarily." Draco could tell as soon as he saw them that they were all self inflicted wounds.
"Hermione I..." he wanted to heal her and make her feel better. He wanted to tell her that she would be all right, but he couldn't. It was then that the evil in him took over once more. "You're nothing to me but a filthy mudblood. Maybe next time you take a knife to your wrists, you'll do it properly and rid us of your existence. But there won't be a next time. You won't even live to see another day.
AVADA KEDAVRA!"
She fell to the floor lifelessly.
***END OF NIGHTMARE***
he sat up in bed, sweat dripping down his body, screaming in terror. He looked next to him and noticed Hermione had done the same thing, only she had begun to cry. He took her in his arms , assuming she had just experienced the same nightmare. "Shhh..." he whispered. "Come on. It's all right. I won't let that ever happen. Don't worry. I love you too much to let that happen. Don't worry, my love."
She rested her head on his chest and they laid back down together neither one falling asleep. They were both scared of having any more bad dreams. They never discussed what they had dreamt about that night for the memories made them both sick.
A/N... Thanks soo much to all of my reviewers. Sorry I haven't updated in a while. As I said in my last chapter, I was on spring break in Miami. Just so you know, I have chapter nine written and chapter 10 already started. I just have to type them up. The more reviews that I get, the quicker I type so go review.
Oh yeah, and in your reviews, tell me how you think it should end. I already have the end planned out but if I get a good suggestion, I might change it.
The song was I Don't Want to Miss a Thing, by Aerosmith. It's one of my favorite songs. I though it was perfect for that moment. They're just laying there, listening to each other breathe. I love it.
Okay... So now you know what to do. GO REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!