Disclaimer: Credit goes to JK Rowling...(and a few other companies, people, etc. who probably own a little bit of The Boy Who Lived...)
A/N: This was my first fanfic EVER. I wrote this about two years ago, WAAAAY before OOTP, so there are a lot of things that won't fit in with canon. My writing was horrible, and I switched back and forth between plot lines...but I still think this is a pretty darn good story. However, it is the only thing I have EVER completed in all the fanfics I've ever tried to write...so I thought I'd just post it online...It is a love triangle sort of thing...Hermione likes Harry, Ron, and there's some Draco in there too...so if you don't like this...then don't read it... Well, enjoy my REALLY old fanfic...
Chapter Twelve - Interrogations, Butterflies, and Curses
Harry and Ron sat quietly in the Common Room waiting for Hermione to get back or word of Ginny. The Common Room was deserted but Harry and Ron still didn't say anything to each other. After about twenty minutes, Harry had said goodnight and went to bed. Only a few moments later Hermione came back into the Common Room, not only looking better and well-rested, but just downright cheerful.
"Hey Ron!" She said pleasantly.
Ron just sat there on the couch. Hermione went over and sat down on the couch opposite of him and looked at him strangely.
"Are you alright?" She asked.
Ron just stared out into space.
"What's up with you?!" She asked.
"Hermione, I need answers." Ron replied.
"What do you mean?"
"Are you suicidal?" Ron asked.
"No." Hermione responded without pausing.
"Do you cut often?"
"No."
"Are you still friends with Malfoy?"
"No."
"Do you love Harry?"
"No."
Ron sat back, thinking about her answer. Hermione had to think for a second, she was confused.
"I...I was on a roll, I meant to say yes! It's just you were asking me all these questions that my answer was no...I...I..." Hermione stuttered.
"I understand..." Ron interrupted, not facing Hermione. "Do you really love him?"
Hermione had to stop and think. She sighed, "No..."
"I didn't think so..."
"What?"
"Then why are you dating him?"
"I...dunno..."
"Yes you do..."
"Because I was hurt alright!"
"Hurt...how?"
"Just drop it, ok?"
"I'm not dropping it."
"Well you're not going to get any answers from me then." Hermione said, sitting back on the couch and folding her arms.
"Hermione...tell me why you cut."
"Because I can that's why."
"So what made you do it?"
"Ron, it's none of your business."
"Sure it is."
"And why would it?"
"Because I think I'm the reason."
Hermione rolled her eyes and faked a laugh, "Ha, don't be silly."
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
"No you're not."
Hermione just sat there looking at Ron until finally she confessed.
"Fine, whatever. I was pushed over the edge."
"And why was that?"
"I was confused."
"Oh...so did I cause it?" Hermione didn't say anything, and she wasn't making eye contact either. "Well...?"
"Not really...just drop it ok?"
"Ok..."
Ron and Hermione just sat there in silence until Hermione got up to go to bed.
"I'm tired, see you in the morning." She said, yawning.
"Hermione, wait..." Ron blurted without thinking.
But Hermione kept walking; she had already rounded the corner and had begun walking up the stairs when Ron said something again.
"Hermione, I'm dying." He said, sounding more like he was pleading rather than making a statement.
Hermione froze where she was; she turned around and tiptoed down the stairs. She peeked around the corner, as if she was scared to find out the truth. She ever so slowly made her way back to the couch and sat back down without uttering a sound.
"I have cancer... Leukemia..." Ron said calmly. "Ginny has it too...it runs in the family..."
Hermione's mouth was open like a gaping fish; she had no clue what to say, she slowly began to cry.
"Madam Pomfrey is working on getting a cure; she says she's really close to it. So...I may live...Ginny may live..."
"But...you can't die, you...you just can't." Hermione wept.
"Hermione...I couldn't keep it from you any longer..." Ron tried to sound soothing but it only made Hermione weep even more.
Ron stood up and switched couches so now he was sitting next to Hermione. Hermione cried on Ron's shoulder, and Ron hugged her. "I'll be all right..."
Hermione looked up from Ron's shoulder and saw a Monarch butterfly. She pulled away from Ron and took a closer look at it. The butterfly had landed on Ron's shoulder.
"What is it, Hermione?"
Hermione just looked curiously at the butterfly, Hermione stretched out her finger and the butterfly flew over and landed on it.
"It's beautiful...don't you think? Hermione said quietly, looking at the butterfly on her finger and still sniffling.
"Not really..." Ron replied.
"You don't think so?"
"No...not compared to something so beautiful as you..."
Hermione smiled. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Anything."
"Did you mean what you said?"
"What did I say?"
"Last night...how you loved me..."
"Yes...I meant it."
"Then why did you say you regretted telling me?"
"Because you loved Harry...I just poured my heart and soul out to you and you just blew me off for Harry."
"But I didn't..."
"It sure did feel like it."
"I'm sorry."
"It's ok."
"No it's not, Ron." Hermione looked Ron in the eye again. "Because I don't love Harry..."
"Well does he know that?" Ron asked, trying to look Hermione in the eye. But he couldn't, every time he looked in her eyes, he felt as if he would melt...he felt that if he looked into her eyes, that he would forget to speak. Ron tried with all the strength he had in him to look Hermione in the eye, but he couldn't.
"No...he doesn't know."
"Well he has a right to..."
"I know..."
"Then do something about it."
"I can't Ron, I dunno how..."
"Oh don't give me that bullshit, 'Mione!" Ron exclaimed, rolling his eyes. She just looked at him funny. "Herm...you are the smartest person I know...don't tell me you don't know how!"
"I really don't Ron. Intelligence doesn't give me the right to screw around with relationships! I don't want me and Harry's friendship to be ruined over a wrong choice that I foolishly made."
"Well, I'll help you. I don't want your all's friendship to change either...it would be awkward...you know?" Ron replied.
"You're the greatest. Thanks, Ron." Hermione said and reached over and hugged Ron.
Their hug lasted for quite a while. Both Ron and Hermione seemed to not want to let go...ever. They felt at ease in each other's arms...but it was more like a brotherly-sisterly embrace than a romantic one.
Hermione was definitely falling head over heels for Ron again, but she just didn't want to make anymore mistakes. And Ron was obviously madly in love with Hermione, they just didn't know how to accept each other. They both knew how the other felt, they just didn't know how to handle the situation, they were both too scared, too frightened to ruin their friendship.
"Ron..." Hermione began softly and pulled away from him.
"Shh..." Ron already knew what to do. Now was his chance, the only time he could really prove his love to Hermione. It was now or never.
Ron slowly leaned in to kiss Hermione. Hermione closed her eyes, waiting for when Ron's lips would touch her own. It seemed like an eternity, then finally, they barely touched. Just a peck...but the attraction between them had reached an all time high. They stopped for a second, looked in each other's eyes, then closed their eyes, ready to kiss again.
"Ahem." Someone coughed from the other side of the room. Ron and Hermione pulled apart slowly and Hermione rested her forehead on Ron's. She didn't want to look away to see who it was. Actually, she didn't care who it was. But Ron had looked and saw who it was, then suddenly pulled away.
"Oh god..." Ron moaned, seeing who it was. Hermione slowly turned her head to see who it was who had coughed.
Standing there, by the stairs, leading up to the boy's dormitories...was Harry.
He just stood there, staring at Ron and Hermione, silently fuming with rage. You could see the fire in his green eyes.
"Harry...I...I can explain!" Hermione begged.
"Then by all means...explain!" Harry shouted.
"Well...see...I...uh..." Hermione stuttered.
"I kissed her." Ron interrupted.
"Oh really?" Harry asked, not convinced.
"Harry...I...I love you, I wouldn't ever cheat on you." Hermione said before stopping herself.
"I think you're lying." Harry responded.
"I think you're being irrational, Harry." Ron retorted.
"Irrational? IRRATIONAL?!" Harry yelled. "You kissed my girlfriend!"
"It meant nothing to me!" Hermione screamed. Ron heard her say this and felt horrible, if their kiss was all in vain, then he really did make a mistake. Ron was heartbroken.
"You're lying!" Harry shouted at Hermione. "I can see it in your eyes! The way you look at Ron, I can tell you love him! And the same goes for Ron! I can see the way he's madly in love with you!"
"But...Harry I love you!"
"Are you sincere?"
"Yes!"
There was a pause.
"You're lying..."
"What?"
"I heard your whole conversation with Ron..."
"Were you spying on us?"
"Well it was kind of hard not to hear you...I've never heard anyone talk so loud before in my life...especially about matters like you guys were talking about."
Then out of nowhere, the same Monarch butterfly flew back into the room. It landed on Ron's shoulder. Hermione saw the butterfly and reached out to touch it.
Ron decided to say something, not noticing Hermione. "So...you heard the whole thing?" "All of it...even the part where..." Harry cut himself off, like it would be hard to say..."even the part where Hermione said she didn't love me."
Hermione started crying. Ron put his arm around Hermione to comfort her...it was a habit. Harry got fed up with it. He was tired of Hermione crying all the time. He was tired of Ron always being there for her...he needed to do something...
Harry stomped his way over to the couch where Ron and Hermione were, when he got close enough to touch Hermione, he lifted up his arm to hit her...
Then unexpectedly, there was a blinding light. Materializing in front of their very eyes was Ginny Weasley.
"Ginny...?" Ron asked, seeing her stand up in front of him.
"Where....where...?" Hermione stuttered.
Harry was just standing there speechless with his hand still up in the air, ready to hit Hermione.
Ginny walked over to Harry and grabbed his wrist; slowly making him put it down next to him. "I can't let you do this..." She said.
"W--Wha?" Ron asked.
Hermione looked at Ron's shoulder and noticed the butterfly was gone. "Ginny! You're a...a...!"
"Yes."
"Why didn't you tell us?" Hermione sniffed, sitting up and wiping her tears away.
"I just wanted to keep it secret I guess..." Ginny said softly.
There was a pause.
"Ok...now for the dumber people in this room...what exactly IS Ginny?" Ron asked looking back and forth from Hermione to his sister.
"I'm an animagus." Ginny replied calmly.
Both Harry's and Ron's jaws dropped to the floor.
"Why didn't I know about this?" Ron asked angrily.
"Like I said...I just wanted to keep it a secret."
"Do Mum and Dad know?"
"Doubt it..."
Harry finally came to his senses. "I'll get you some other time, Hermione." He said through clenched teeth, pointing a finger at Hermione. "Then and only then will you get what you deserve." He stomped off towards the boy's dormitories.
........
Hermione, Ron, and Ginny all looked at each other like Harry was crazy. They didn't say much after that but they just sat there wondering what to do or what to say.
After a while Ron said goodnight and went up to bed leaving Ginny and Hermione alone in the common room. They sat there in awkward silence until Ginny broke the peace.
"Hermione, I need to show you something." She said, standing up and walking over towards the portrait hole.
"What is it?" Hermione asked.
"It's a surprise." Ginny grinned and walked out of the common room. Hermione didn't like that grin. It wasn't like Ginny to do something like this, but Hermione followed Ginny out of the common room anyways.
Once Hermione got outside of the common room, she looked around for Ginny, who had disappeared.
"Ginny, you out here? Ginny?"
No answer...then...
"Imperio!" someone behind her yelled.
Hermione was put under the Imperious Curse. Ginny walked out of the shadows to look at what her spell had done.
"Yes, it worked." She muttered to herself, putting her wand back into her pocket.
Ginny led Hermione down to the Entrance Hall and outside onto the grounds. Ginny made Hermione get a stick and push the knot on the Whomping Willow. Ginny led Hermione down the passageway and into the Shrieking Shack on the other side.
There was a fire in the fireplace on the other side of the room. Someone was sitting in a chair next to the fireplace. The flames from the fire plastered the person's silhouette onto the wall.
"I have her, Master." Ginny said in a voice most unlike her own.
"Good. And where is the boy?" The person in the chair responded. It was a man's voice, Hermione recognized the voice. Even though she was under the Imperious Curse, she still knew something wasn't right, but she just wasn't able to resist it.
"Harry?" Ginny asked.
"Yes, him." The man retorted.
"He is in his dormitories."
"And the other?"
"Also in the dorms."
"Good...good...and how about my son?"
Ginny paused before answering.
"I don't know, Master."
"You don't know?" The person was getting angry. "You don't know?" He repeated.
"No sir, I don't." Ginny whimpered.
"Then your task is not complete! And I am most unhappy!"
"I'm sorry, Master, so sorry."
"You aren't sorry...yet."
Ginny moaned and backed away to the wall behind her, opposite the wall with the fireplace.
The man in the chair stood up and put his hand into his robes. He slowly retrieved his wand and lifted it up.
"Crucio!" The man bellowed.
A wave of sparks emitted from his wand and lit up the Shack. Hermione could see the man's face...Lucius Malfoy.
Malfoy's curse flew across the room and hit Ginny. She fell to the floor with a thud and was unconscious. Hermione, was left standing, ghostly pale, and next to Ginny's writhing body.
Lucius laughed, thoroughly enjoying the sight of Ginny experiencing excruciating pain; and laughing at the sight of Hermione's expression. Hermione had snapped out of the Imperious Curse and was staring down at Ginny as if she were already dead. Hermione looked up at Lucius not knowing what to do.
Lucius waved his arm in the air and Ginny stopped squirming. Hermione immediately bent down next to Ginny to see if she was ok.
Lucius let out a laugh. Then another, and another; until finally he was laughing like a madman. If looks could kill, Hermione's look at Lucius could have killed him right there. She stared up at him, wishing he would just fall over and die. She was so angry, she could have even...murdered him.
While Lucius was laughing, Hermione looked over and saw Ginny's wand lying on the floor next to her. Hermione hadn't brought her own wand, so she reached over and grabbed Ginny's. She lifted up the wand and pointed it at Lucius.
"Avada---" Hermione began.
"Silly girl." Lucius interrupted. Hermione just stared at him. "Let's see how you like it."
Hermione dropped Ginny's wand. "Please don't...no...please." She murmured.
"Crucio!" Lucius shouted and Hermione felt the spell hit her. She fell over, faintly breathing.
........
A/N: Please Review!
A/N: This was my first fanfic EVER. I wrote this about two years ago, WAAAAY before OOTP, so there are a lot of things that won't fit in with canon. My writing was horrible, and I switched back and forth between plot lines...but I still think this is a pretty darn good story. However, it is the only thing I have EVER completed in all the fanfics I've ever tried to write...so I thought I'd just post it online...It is a love triangle sort of thing...Hermione likes Harry, Ron, and there's some Draco in there too...so if you don't like this...then don't read it... Well, enjoy my REALLY old fanfic...
Chapter Twelve - Interrogations, Butterflies, and Curses
Harry and Ron sat quietly in the Common Room waiting for Hermione to get back or word of Ginny. The Common Room was deserted but Harry and Ron still didn't say anything to each other. After about twenty minutes, Harry had said goodnight and went to bed. Only a few moments later Hermione came back into the Common Room, not only looking better and well-rested, but just downright cheerful.
"Hey Ron!" She said pleasantly.
Ron just sat there on the couch. Hermione went over and sat down on the couch opposite of him and looked at him strangely.
"Are you alright?" She asked.
Ron just stared out into space.
"What's up with you?!" She asked.
"Hermione, I need answers." Ron replied.
"What do you mean?"
"Are you suicidal?" Ron asked.
"No." Hermione responded without pausing.
"Do you cut often?"
"No."
"Are you still friends with Malfoy?"
"No."
"Do you love Harry?"
"No."
Ron sat back, thinking about her answer. Hermione had to think for a second, she was confused.
"I...I was on a roll, I meant to say yes! It's just you were asking me all these questions that my answer was no...I...I..." Hermione stuttered.
"I understand..." Ron interrupted, not facing Hermione. "Do you really love him?"
Hermione had to stop and think. She sighed, "No..."
"I didn't think so..."
"What?"
"Then why are you dating him?"
"I...dunno..."
"Yes you do..."
"Because I was hurt alright!"
"Hurt...how?"
"Just drop it, ok?"
"I'm not dropping it."
"Well you're not going to get any answers from me then." Hermione said, sitting back on the couch and folding her arms.
"Hermione...tell me why you cut."
"Because I can that's why."
"So what made you do it?"
"Ron, it's none of your business."
"Sure it is."
"And why would it?"
"Because I think I'm the reason."
Hermione rolled her eyes and faked a laugh, "Ha, don't be silly."
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
"No you're not."
Hermione just sat there looking at Ron until finally she confessed.
"Fine, whatever. I was pushed over the edge."
"And why was that?"
"I was confused."
"Oh...so did I cause it?" Hermione didn't say anything, and she wasn't making eye contact either. "Well...?"
"Not really...just drop it ok?"
"Ok..."
Ron and Hermione just sat there in silence until Hermione got up to go to bed.
"I'm tired, see you in the morning." She said, yawning.
"Hermione, wait..." Ron blurted without thinking.
But Hermione kept walking; she had already rounded the corner and had begun walking up the stairs when Ron said something again.
"Hermione, I'm dying." He said, sounding more like he was pleading rather than making a statement.
Hermione froze where she was; she turned around and tiptoed down the stairs. She peeked around the corner, as if she was scared to find out the truth. She ever so slowly made her way back to the couch and sat back down without uttering a sound.
"I have cancer... Leukemia..." Ron said calmly. "Ginny has it too...it runs in the family..."
Hermione's mouth was open like a gaping fish; she had no clue what to say, she slowly began to cry.
"Madam Pomfrey is working on getting a cure; she says she's really close to it. So...I may live...Ginny may live..."
"But...you can't die, you...you just can't." Hermione wept.
"Hermione...I couldn't keep it from you any longer..." Ron tried to sound soothing but it only made Hermione weep even more.
Ron stood up and switched couches so now he was sitting next to Hermione. Hermione cried on Ron's shoulder, and Ron hugged her. "I'll be all right..."
Hermione looked up from Ron's shoulder and saw a Monarch butterfly. She pulled away from Ron and took a closer look at it. The butterfly had landed on Ron's shoulder.
"What is it, Hermione?"
Hermione just looked curiously at the butterfly, Hermione stretched out her finger and the butterfly flew over and landed on it.
"It's beautiful...don't you think? Hermione said quietly, looking at the butterfly on her finger and still sniffling.
"Not really..." Ron replied.
"You don't think so?"
"No...not compared to something so beautiful as you..."
Hermione smiled. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Anything."
"Did you mean what you said?"
"What did I say?"
"Last night...how you loved me..."
"Yes...I meant it."
"Then why did you say you regretted telling me?"
"Because you loved Harry...I just poured my heart and soul out to you and you just blew me off for Harry."
"But I didn't..."
"It sure did feel like it."
"I'm sorry."
"It's ok."
"No it's not, Ron." Hermione looked Ron in the eye again. "Because I don't love Harry..."
"Well does he know that?" Ron asked, trying to look Hermione in the eye. But he couldn't, every time he looked in her eyes, he felt as if he would melt...he felt that if he looked into her eyes, that he would forget to speak. Ron tried with all the strength he had in him to look Hermione in the eye, but he couldn't.
"No...he doesn't know."
"Well he has a right to..."
"I know..."
"Then do something about it."
"I can't Ron, I dunno how..."
"Oh don't give me that bullshit, 'Mione!" Ron exclaimed, rolling his eyes. She just looked at him funny. "Herm...you are the smartest person I know...don't tell me you don't know how!"
"I really don't Ron. Intelligence doesn't give me the right to screw around with relationships! I don't want me and Harry's friendship to be ruined over a wrong choice that I foolishly made."
"Well, I'll help you. I don't want your all's friendship to change either...it would be awkward...you know?" Ron replied.
"You're the greatest. Thanks, Ron." Hermione said and reached over and hugged Ron.
Their hug lasted for quite a while. Both Ron and Hermione seemed to not want to let go...ever. They felt at ease in each other's arms...but it was more like a brotherly-sisterly embrace than a romantic one.
Hermione was definitely falling head over heels for Ron again, but she just didn't want to make anymore mistakes. And Ron was obviously madly in love with Hermione, they just didn't know how to accept each other. They both knew how the other felt, they just didn't know how to handle the situation, they were both too scared, too frightened to ruin their friendship.
"Ron..." Hermione began softly and pulled away from him.
"Shh..." Ron already knew what to do. Now was his chance, the only time he could really prove his love to Hermione. It was now or never.
Ron slowly leaned in to kiss Hermione. Hermione closed her eyes, waiting for when Ron's lips would touch her own. It seemed like an eternity, then finally, they barely touched. Just a peck...but the attraction between them had reached an all time high. They stopped for a second, looked in each other's eyes, then closed their eyes, ready to kiss again.
"Ahem." Someone coughed from the other side of the room. Ron and Hermione pulled apart slowly and Hermione rested her forehead on Ron's. She didn't want to look away to see who it was. Actually, she didn't care who it was. But Ron had looked and saw who it was, then suddenly pulled away.
"Oh god..." Ron moaned, seeing who it was. Hermione slowly turned her head to see who it was who had coughed.
Standing there, by the stairs, leading up to the boy's dormitories...was Harry.
He just stood there, staring at Ron and Hermione, silently fuming with rage. You could see the fire in his green eyes.
"Harry...I...I can explain!" Hermione begged.
"Then by all means...explain!" Harry shouted.
"Well...see...I...uh..." Hermione stuttered.
"I kissed her." Ron interrupted.
"Oh really?" Harry asked, not convinced.
"Harry...I...I love you, I wouldn't ever cheat on you." Hermione said before stopping herself.
"I think you're lying." Harry responded.
"I think you're being irrational, Harry." Ron retorted.
"Irrational? IRRATIONAL?!" Harry yelled. "You kissed my girlfriend!"
"It meant nothing to me!" Hermione screamed. Ron heard her say this and felt horrible, if their kiss was all in vain, then he really did make a mistake. Ron was heartbroken.
"You're lying!" Harry shouted at Hermione. "I can see it in your eyes! The way you look at Ron, I can tell you love him! And the same goes for Ron! I can see the way he's madly in love with you!"
"But...Harry I love you!"
"Are you sincere?"
"Yes!"
There was a pause.
"You're lying..."
"What?"
"I heard your whole conversation with Ron..."
"Were you spying on us?"
"Well it was kind of hard not to hear you...I've never heard anyone talk so loud before in my life...especially about matters like you guys were talking about."
Then out of nowhere, the same Monarch butterfly flew back into the room. It landed on Ron's shoulder. Hermione saw the butterfly and reached out to touch it.
Ron decided to say something, not noticing Hermione. "So...you heard the whole thing?" "All of it...even the part where..." Harry cut himself off, like it would be hard to say..."even the part where Hermione said she didn't love me."
Hermione started crying. Ron put his arm around Hermione to comfort her...it was a habit. Harry got fed up with it. He was tired of Hermione crying all the time. He was tired of Ron always being there for her...he needed to do something...
Harry stomped his way over to the couch where Ron and Hermione were, when he got close enough to touch Hermione, he lifted up his arm to hit her...
Then unexpectedly, there was a blinding light. Materializing in front of their very eyes was Ginny Weasley.
"Ginny...?" Ron asked, seeing her stand up in front of him.
"Where....where...?" Hermione stuttered.
Harry was just standing there speechless with his hand still up in the air, ready to hit Hermione.
Ginny walked over to Harry and grabbed his wrist; slowly making him put it down next to him. "I can't let you do this..." She said.
"W--Wha?" Ron asked.
Hermione looked at Ron's shoulder and noticed the butterfly was gone. "Ginny! You're a...a...!"
"Yes."
"Why didn't you tell us?" Hermione sniffed, sitting up and wiping her tears away.
"I just wanted to keep it secret I guess..." Ginny said softly.
There was a pause.
"Ok...now for the dumber people in this room...what exactly IS Ginny?" Ron asked looking back and forth from Hermione to his sister.
"I'm an animagus." Ginny replied calmly.
Both Harry's and Ron's jaws dropped to the floor.
"Why didn't I know about this?" Ron asked angrily.
"Like I said...I just wanted to keep it a secret."
"Do Mum and Dad know?"
"Doubt it..."
Harry finally came to his senses. "I'll get you some other time, Hermione." He said through clenched teeth, pointing a finger at Hermione. "Then and only then will you get what you deserve." He stomped off towards the boy's dormitories.
........
Hermione, Ron, and Ginny all looked at each other like Harry was crazy. They didn't say much after that but they just sat there wondering what to do or what to say.
After a while Ron said goodnight and went up to bed leaving Ginny and Hermione alone in the common room. They sat there in awkward silence until Ginny broke the peace.
"Hermione, I need to show you something." She said, standing up and walking over towards the portrait hole.
"What is it?" Hermione asked.
"It's a surprise." Ginny grinned and walked out of the common room. Hermione didn't like that grin. It wasn't like Ginny to do something like this, but Hermione followed Ginny out of the common room anyways.
Once Hermione got outside of the common room, she looked around for Ginny, who had disappeared.
"Ginny, you out here? Ginny?"
No answer...then...
"Imperio!" someone behind her yelled.
Hermione was put under the Imperious Curse. Ginny walked out of the shadows to look at what her spell had done.
"Yes, it worked." She muttered to herself, putting her wand back into her pocket.
Ginny led Hermione down to the Entrance Hall and outside onto the grounds. Ginny made Hermione get a stick and push the knot on the Whomping Willow. Ginny led Hermione down the passageway and into the Shrieking Shack on the other side.
There was a fire in the fireplace on the other side of the room. Someone was sitting in a chair next to the fireplace. The flames from the fire plastered the person's silhouette onto the wall.
"I have her, Master." Ginny said in a voice most unlike her own.
"Good. And where is the boy?" The person in the chair responded. It was a man's voice, Hermione recognized the voice. Even though she was under the Imperious Curse, she still knew something wasn't right, but she just wasn't able to resist it.
"Harry?" Ginny asked.
"Yes, him." The man retorted.
"He is in his dormitories."
"And the other?"
"Also in the dorms."
"Good...good...and how about my son?"
Ginny paused before answering.
"I don't know, Master."
"You don't know?" The person was getting angry. "You don't know?" He repeated.
"No sir, I don't." Ginny whimpered.
"Then your task is not complete! And I am most unhappy!"
"I'm sorry, Master, so sorry."
"You aren't sorry...yet."
Ginny moaned and backed away to the wall behind her, opposite the wall with the fireplace.
The man in the chair stood up and put his hand into his robes. He slowly retrieved his wand and lifted it up.
"Crucio!" The man bellowed.
A wave of sparks emitted from his wand and lit up the Shack. Hermione could see the man's face...Lucius Malfoy.
Malfoy's curse flew across the room and hit Ginny. She fell to the floor with a thud and was unconscious. Hermione, was left standing, ghostly pale, and next to Ginny's writhing body.
Lucius laughed, thoroughly enjoying the sight of Ginny experiencing excruciating pain; and laughing at the sight of Hermione's expression. Hermione had snapped out of the Imperious Curse and was staring down at Ginny as if she were already dead. Hermione looked up at Lucius not knowing what to do.
Lucius waved his arm in the air and Ginny stopped squirming. Hermione immediately bent down next to Ginny to see if she was ok.
Lucius let out a laugh. Then another, and another; until finally he was laughing like a madman. If looks could kill, Hermione's look at Lucius could have killed him right there. She stared up at him, wishing he would just fall over and die. She was so angry, she could have even...murdered him.
While Lucius was laughing, Hermione looked over and saw Ginny's wand lying on the floor next to her. Hermione hadn't brought her own wand, so she reached over and grabbed Ginny's. She lifted up the wand and pointed it at Lucius.
"Avada---" Hermione began.
"Silly girl." Lucius interrupted. Hermione just stared at him. "Let's see how you like it."
Hermione dropped Ginny's wand. "Please don't...no...please." She murmured.
"Crucio!" Lucius shouted and Hermione felt the spell hit her. She fell over, faintly breathing.
........
A/N: Please Review!