_Fin_ Please don't kill me. *covers head with hands* I know it has taken
months to post this chapter but life hasn't been kind to me lately. Moving
to a new house, going to a new school, no internet.life must've seen fit to
punish me for a long while. I'm sincerely sorry to all my readers who have
been waiting patiently for this chapter. I promise I'll post the next
sooner than I did this one. As for the story, I think it's going along well
so far, but the tricky part is just starting so please continue reading.
Reviews and flames are welcome, although I'm not very fond of flames.( But
please send me something, it'll help me immensely. Again, sorry to my
readers and I hope you'll like this one.
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Drowning Hearts, Flooding Tears
Chapter 4: Running Emotions
Someone was calling her name, she was sure of it...or was she dreaming. Then she felt warm hands holding her, a cup to her lips. Automatically, she lifted her head and sipped the warm liquid in the cup. Pumpkin Juice? She mused. Why in the world Pumpkin Juice? Mentally shaking herself and scolding her for her lack of appreciation, she finally opened her eyes and looked upon two looming, equally worried faces.
"Yaw all right der, Ginny?" Hagrid leaned over and lifted her form Harry's arms and carried her to his couch.
"Yeah...just great...I...," Ginny tried to get her bearing. It wasn't that easy when your lifted several feet off the floor in one giant step and sent plummeting down to earth a second later. And Hagrid's mad jabbering, no matter how considerate or worried it sounded, was not helping to rid her of the nauseating feeling rolling in her stomach. She quickly motioned for more juice and in a few gulps downed the whole cup. (Which is saying a lot, considering it's Hagrid's cup.)
Harry managed to squeeze over and grab a spot next to Ginny. He leaned over, obviously very worried. "You ok, Ginny? What just..."
Ginny waved her hand, "It's nothing, Harry. You know I'm always like this after the..." She stopped. After her vision. What vision?
"Ginny..?"
"No...NO!" Ginny bent double as the recollection filled her head. The vision. She had a vision this time. Her first. Until now it had always been feelings, always been a nagging, pulling sensation at the back of her mind, telling her that something was going to happen. But this time it was a vision. Something to go with the emotion. And not at all a good one. She flung herself from the bed and with almost catlike reflexes was thrusting the door of the tiny hut open.
Harry turned, shocked and confused, "Ginny? Ginny! What is it?"
Ginny turned only a moment to answer him before running out into the night.
"We have to find her Harry. We have to find Hermione."
Then she was gone.
* * * * * * * *
Colin lay the trembling Hermione down on her bed. It had been hell to get her to her room. Firstly, the staircases leading to the girls dormitories were cast with a spell that prevented the boys from entering their rooms. It took several tries and a couple of angry shouts, pleads and complaining to the stone cold walls to somehow get past them; the stairs seemed to allow him this one chance. A chance he was grateful for.
But somehow, it didn't seem quite enough. It should have been harder; after all, Hermione was the last person who he expected to carry to bed. Literally. But that wasn't the case now. This was way beyond what he'd normally thought about. And it became a hundred times worse as each second ticked by.
Hermione curled into a fetal position as soon as her head hit the pillow, her body curling into a tight ball, shutting her out from the rest of the world. Colin just stood there. Unable to do anything other than watch her, aching to help her, knowing she needed it, but couldn't bring himself to. Not now. Not yet. She needs time. She needs time to understand what just happened to her. Time she doesn't have...
Colin finally managed to tear his eyes from her and gather the sheets and cover her. She had only a white shirt on, his own, for he had to get something on her before finally convincing her to let him take her upstairs. Despite the urgency of the situation, his modesty wouldn't let him proceed with his duties until he got something on her body, lest he considered what Draco had suggested earlier. But even as he was thinking that, he knew that he would never do that to another human being. He knew what pain it would cause and she had no need for more of it.
With Hermione covered and taken to her room, he considered his duty done...for now. Later, if she came to realize what happened, and he hoped, who tried to help her, he was willing to go the extra length to give her all the help she needed. After all, he was sure none of her friends could fully comprehend what she went through today better than he did.
As he was about to leave, he heard a whimper. Turning back, he craned his neck and saw that a single tear had fallen from Hermione's face, streaking down her cheek and onto the pillow. The trail the tear left glistened in the flickering glow of the lanterns in the room. It was reflected in her glassy, brown eyes. He looked at her face more carefully and found it totally devoid of emotion. Just as well. He'd better make his getaway now before she snapped awake. Who know what will happen?
Though he hated leaving her in this state, he knew he must. She needed the time...and so did he. He needed to figure out things for himself too if he ever hoped to help her come through this. So, taking one last look at her, he turned towards the door and headed out. Just as the door was closing he managed to utter three words to her.
"Go to sleep."
She obeyed.
* * * * * * * *
Hermione lay crouched in the room, shocked. She couldn't think...couldn't feel...couldn't move. She sensed, rather than felt or saw, him slowly get up off the floor beside her. She sensed him looking at her, eating her out with his cold, cold eyes. She shivered. He seemed to notice because a moment later she felt the soft fabric of some kind of clothing cover her. She guessed it was her robe.
Draco casually walked to the place his clothes were piled and dressed himself. She knew. She could sense him, his every movement, his every action. After having him invade her, take her against her will, she would be surprised if she didn't know what he was doing. She was disgusted.
He seems to have dressed now for she heard his footsteps retreating to the other side of the room. The swish of his cloak getting fainter. She was glad he was leaving. But she wasn't sure about anything else. Nothing was the same now. She knew. She would never be rid of him. No matter how much she tried from now on, she'd never be rid of him.
The classroom door creaked. And he was gone.
A few moments later, she heard footsteps coming her way. She tensed. She hadn't moved from her place, hadn't lifted an eye. But now, someone was coming. Someone was going to find her. Find her like this. What if it was him again? What if it wasn't? What was she going to do? But before she could answer her own questions, or seek to find a better hiding spot the door opened and she froze.
After a moment, she knew. It wasn't him. But then, who was it? Her question was soon answered as quick footsteps approached her. She tensed again. Then she got the most horrifying surprise of her life.
"Hermione?" She knew that voice. Maybe not very well, but she knew it nonetheless.
Colin leaned over, his worried face blocking anything else from her view. She saw him, she knew he was there, she could hear the words he was frantically whispering to her; but, she couldn't register it. All she knew now was that Colin was wrapping her with his shirt with deft hands. His hands were warm compared to the cold, hungry hands that had just moments before forced themselves onto her. Colin had now finished wrapping her in his shirt and was trying to coax her into going to her bed.
Her bed. Her room. So far.
"Colin." She clutched his bare arm. Her wild, scared brown eyes pierced his own blue ones. Colin froze. He seemed to know what she was going to say. He nodded silently. Then, as if he didn't want to hurt her anymore than she was already, he let her slowly and carefully shift her body so he could drape her with her own cloak before he lifted her. Once her cloak was in place and was guaranteed not to open up when she was lifted; he slowly lifted her body and walked to the door.
He was stronger than he appeared to be. That was the thing about men. You never knew what they were capable of until they went ahead and did it. Silently, with her head resting in the crook of his head and shoulder, she was carried to the Gryfindor tower. His footsteps echoed throughout the halls. The rhythmic fall of his feet, the sway of his body, the pulse of his heart, and his soft whispers of encouragement comforted her and put her in a trance. She only woke when the portrait of the Fat Lady opened.
He cursed. She never expected Colin of all people to indulge in using swear words. He shouted repeated at the steps to her dormitories, frustrated that they wouldn't let him get her to her room. A shadow of a smile flitted across her face. But only for a second. It was gone in a second as the fearful memories of what happened moments ago swarmed over her, making her grimace in pain and humiliation. A sharp pain formed in her abdomen and made her whimper. Colin her and whispered to her. She squeezed her eyes shut as the pain increased. Colin cursed at the stairs again.
The stairs let them through after what seemed an eternity. It probably figured that this situation was the exception to the rule. The door to her dorm creaked open and she was swiftly carried over to her bed. Colin set her down gently, letting her melt into the mattress. As soon as she hit the bed she curled herself into a tight ball and turned away from him. She felt him gather her covers and pull them over her trembling form.
He stood there for a long time. She could hear his ragged breathing. After a few minutes his breathing grew measured and soon he was like a shadow standing beside her bed. But he didn't feel menacing. On the contrary, he was a comforting. He seemed to be contemplating what to say to her. She didn't need him to say anything. What he had done for her was enough. More than enough.
Colin shifted his feet. He was leaving. She was going to tell him thank you. She really was. But the words wouldn't form. They refused to come out of her mouth. She panicked. What if she didn't thank him? What would he think of her? Inconsiderate? Would she think she was weak?
Wait. Weak.? Her?
She wasn't weak. She knew she wasn't. You can't be Harry Potter's best friend and be weak. No. The dangers they had faced together wouldn't let her indulge even the chance of her being weak. She didn't allow it. Besides, she had to deal with annoying Ron everyday. She couldn't be weak.
Ron.
Emotions she didn't know she had rushed over her, threatening drown her in their intensity. How could this be? What were these feelings rushing over her? Her heart burned with inner heat. She couldn't bear it. What was this feeling?
Ron. Ron. Ron.
A single tear escaped her eye, trailing down her face to soak the pillow. "Ron.I'm so sorry." Hermione couldn't believe it. Why didn't she realize this before? How could this happen to her? Her of all people? Why did he do this to her? If it wasn't for him.She felt anger rising. How dare he do this to her? The pompous, arrogant brat had done this to her. The only person who insisted on constantly belittling her and her friends. Making them feel inferior to him. How dare he! How dare he violate her? How dare he.
The anger subsided. She wanted to hold onto it but she couldn't. She knew that if she held on to the anger she could fight this. She could fight him and what he had done to her. She could fight.But the strength was ebbing out of her. She couldn't keep her eyes open. The hatred that had been white hot only bare seconds before simmered down to a flickering flame. But it was there. She knew it was there and took comfort in its knowledge. She could harness that hate later. Right now she needed her strength. Her body begged for it. She was just so tired.
She heard Colin's whisper through the fog of sleep. "Go to sleep," he said.
A small smile crept onto her face as she obliged his kind instructions. Colin. She'd have to thank him later.
Her eyes closed and sleep enveloped her.
^_^ (
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Drowning Hearts, Flooding Tears
Chapter 4: Running Emotions
Someone was calling her name, she was sure of it...or was she dreaming. Then she felt warm hands holding her, a cup to her lips. Automatically, she lifted her head and sipped the warm liquid in the cup. Pumpkin Juice? She mused. Why in the world Pumpkin Juice? Mentally shaking herself and scolding her for her lack of appreciation, she finally opened her eyes and looked upon two looming, equally worried faces.
"Yaw all right der, Ginny?" Hagrid leaned over and lifted her form Harry's arms and carried her to his couch.
"Yeah...just great...I...," Ginny tried to get her bearing. It wasn't that easy when your lifted several feet off the floor in one giant step and sent plummeting down to earth a second later. And Hagrid's mad jabbering, no matter how considerate or worried it sounded, was not helping to rid her of the nauseating feeling rolling in her stomach. She quickly motioned for more juice and in a few gulps downed the whole cup. (Which is saying a lot, considering it's Hagrid's cup.)
Harry managed to squeeze over and grab a spot next to Ginny. He leaned over, obviously very worried. "You ok, Ginny? What just..."
Ginny waved her hand, "It's nothing, Harry. You know I'm always like this after the..." She stopped. After her vision. What vision?
"Ginny..?"
"No...NO!" Ginny bent double as the recollection filled her head. The vision. She had a vision this time. Her first. Until now it had always been feelings, always been a nagging, pulling sensation at the back of her mind, telling her that something was going to happen. But this time it was a vision. Something to go with the emotion. And not at all a good one. She flung herself from the bed and with almost catlike reflexes was thrusting the door of the tiny hut open.
Harry turned, shocked and confused, "Ginny? Ginny! What is it?"
Ginny turned only a moment to answer him before running out into the night.
"We have to find her Harry. We have to find Hermione."
Then she was gone.
* * * * * * * *
Colin lay the trembling Hermione down on her bed. It had been hell to get her to her room. Firstly, the staircases leading to the girls dormitories were cast with a spell that prevented the boys from entering their rooms. It took several tries and a couple of angry shouts, pleads and complaining to the stone cold walls to somehow get past them; the stairs seemed to allow him this one chance. A chance he was grateful for.
But somehow, it didn't seem quite enough. It should have been harder; after all, Hermione was the last person who he expected to carry to bed. Literally. But that wasn't the case now. This was way beyond what he'd normally thought about. And it became a hundred times worse as each second ticked by.
Hermione curled into a fetal position as soon as her head hit the pillow, her body curling into a tight ball, shutting her out from the rest of the world. Colin just stood there. Unable to do anything other than watch her, aching to help her, knowing she needed it, but couldn't bring himself to. Not now. Not yet. She needs time. She needs time to understand what just happened to her. Time she doesn't have...
Colin finally managed to tear his eyes from her and gather the sheets and cover her. She had only a white shirt on, his own, for he had to get something on her before finally convincing her to let him take her upstairs. Despite the urgency of the situation, his modesty wouldn't let him proceed with his duties until he got something on her body, lest he considered what Draco had suggested earlier. But even as he was thinking that, he knew that he would never do that to another human being. He knew what pain it would cause and she had no need for more of it.
With Hermione covered and taken to her room, he considered his duty done...for now. Later, if she came to realize what happened, and he hoped, who tried to help her, he was willing to go the extra length to give her all the help she needed. After all, he was sure none of her friends could fully comprehend what she went through today better than he did.
As he was about to leave, he heard a whimper. Turning back, he craned his neck and saw that a single tear had fallen from Hermione's face, streaking down her cheek and onto the pillow. The trail the tear left glistened in the flickering glow of the lanterns in the room. It was reflected in her glassy, brown eyes. He looked at her face more carefully and found it totally devoid of emotion. Just as well. He'd better make his getaway now before she snapped awake. Who know what will happen?
Though he hated leaving her in this state, he knew he must. She needed the time...and so did he. He needed to figure out things for himself too if he ever hoped to help her come through this. So, taking one last look at her, he turned towards the door and headed out. Just as the door was closing he managed to utter three words to her.
"Go to sleep."
She obeyed.
* * * * * * * *
Hermione lay crouched in the room, shocked. She couldn't think...couldn't feel...couldn't move. She sensed, rather than felt or saw, him slowly get up off the floor beside her. She sensed him looking at her, eating her out with his cold, cold eyes. She shivered. He seemed to notice because a moment later she felt the soft fabric of some kind of clothing cover her. She guessed it was her robe.
Draco casually walked to the place his clothes were piled and dressed himself. She knew. She could sense him, his every movement, his every action. After having him invade her, take her against her will, she would be surprised if she didn't know what he was doing. She was disgusted.
He seems to have dressed now for she heard his footsteps retreating to the other side of the room. The swish of his cloak getting fainter. She was glad he was leaving. But she wasn't sure about anything else. Nothing was the same now. She knew. She would never be rid of him. No matter how much she tried from now on, she'd never be rid of him.
The classroom door creaked. And he was gone.
A few moments later, she heard footsteps coming her way. She tensed. She hadn't moved from her place, hadn't lifted an eye. But now, someone was coming. Someone was going to find her. Find her like this. What if it was him again? What if it wasn't? What was she going to do? But before she could answer her own questions, or seek to find a better hiding spot the door opened and she froze.
After a moment, she knew. It wasn't him. But then, who was it? Her question was soon answered as quick footsteps approached her. She tensed again. Then she got the most horrifying surprise of her life.
"Hermione?" She knew that voice. Maybe not very well, but she knew it nonetheless.
Colin leaned over, his worried face blocking anything else from her view. She saw him, she knew he was there, she could hear the words he was frantically whispering to her; but, she couldn't register it. All she knew now was that Colin was wrapping her with his shirt with deft hands. His hands were warm compared to the cold, hungry hands that had just moments before forced themselves onto her. Colin had now finished wrapping her in his shirt and was trying to coax her into going to her bed.
Her bed. Her room. So far.
"Colin." She clutched his bare arm. Her wild, scared brown eyes pierced his own blue ones. Colin froze. He seemed to know what she was going to say. He nodded silently. Then, as if he didn't want to hurt her anymore than she was already, he let her slowly and carefully shift her body so he could drape her with her own cloak before he lifted her. Once her cloak was in place and was guaranteed not to open up when she was lifted; he slowly lifted her body and walked to the door.
He was stronger than he appeared to be. That was the thing about men. You never knew what they were capable of until they went ahead and did it. Silently, with her head resting in the crook of his head and shoulder, she was carried to the Gryfindor tower. His footsteps echoed throughout the halls. The rhythmic fall of his feet, the sway of his body, the pulse of his heart, and his soft whispers of encouragement comforted her and put her in a trance. She only woke when the portrait of the Fat Lady opened.
He cursed. She never expected Colin of all people to indulge in using swear words. He shouted repeated at the steps to her dormitories, frustrated that they wouldn't let him get her to her room. A shadow of a smile flitted across her face. But only for a second. It was gone in a second as the fearful memories of what happened moments ago swarmed over her, making her grimace in pain and humiliation. A sharp pain formed in her abdomen and made her whimper. Colin her and whispered to her. She squeezed her eyes shut as the pain increased. Colin cursed at the stairs again.
The stairs let them through after what seemed an eternity. It probably figured that this situation was the exception to the rule. The door to her dorm creaked open and she was swiftly carried over to her bed. Colin set her down gently, letting her melt into the mattress. As soon as she hit the bed she curled herself into a tight ball and turned away from him. She felt him gather her covers and pull them over her trembling form.
He stood there for a long time. She could hear his ragged breathing. After a few minutes his breathing grew measured and soon he was like a shadow standing beside her bed. But he didn't feel menacing. On the contrary, he was a comforting. He seemed to be contemplating what to say to her. She didn't need him to say anything. What he had done for her was enough. More than enough.
Colin shifted his feet. He was leaving. She was going to tell him thank you. She really was. But the words wouldn't form. They refused to come out of her mouth. She panicked. What if she didn't thank him? What would he think of her? Inconsiderate? Would she think she was weak?
Wait. Weak.? Her?
She wasn't weak. She knew she wasn't. You can't be Harry Potter's best friend and be weak. No. The dangers they had faced together wouldn't let her indulge even the chance of her being weak. She didn't allow it. Besides, she had to deal with annoying Ron everyday. She couldn't be weak.
Ron.
Emotions she didn't know she had rushed over her, threatening drown her in their intensity. How could this be? What were these feelings rushing over her? Her heart burned with inner heat. She couldn't bear it. What was this feeling?
Ron. Ron. Ron.
A single tear escaped her eye, trailing down her face to soak the pillow. "Ron.I'm so sorry." Hermione couldn't believe it. Why didn't she realize this before? How could this happen to her? Her of all people? Why did he do this to her? If it wasn't for him.She felt anger rising. How dare he do this to her? The pompous, arrogant brat had done this to her. The only person who insisted on constantly belittling her and her friends. Making them feel inferior to him. How dare he! How dare he violate her? How dare he.
The anger subsided. She wanted to hold onto it but she couldn't. She knew that if she held on to the anger she could fight this. She could fight him and what he had done to her. She could fight.But the strength was ebbing out of her. She couldn't keep her eyes open. The hatred that had been white hot only bare seconds before simmered down to a flickering flame. But it was there. She knew it was there and took comfort in its knowledge. She could harness that hate later. Right now she needed her strength. Her body begged for it. She was just so tired.
She heard Colin's whisper through the fog of sleep. "Go to sleep," he said.
A small smile crept onto her face as she obliged his kind instructions. Colin. She'd have to thank him later.
Her eyes closed and sleep enveloped her.
^_^ (