:: Chapter Twenty-Seven: Fateful Dreams ::
The three walked back to their common room and settled down. Draco and Hermione sat on the couch while Parvarti opted for one of the oversized chairs.
"Did I ever tell you two how cute you are together?" Parvarti asked. The pair blushed. "But that brings me to my next question. Why can't anyone know about you two?" The two exchanged glances before Hermione began.
"We'd be in a lot of trouble if anyone found out."
"But I thought you said Lucius Malfoy was dead."
"He is." Draco said. "I killed him, it's just it's still not safe."
"I just don't understand. Harry must know and he's an auror. Not to mention the aurors aren't after you anymore so why is it that you must still hide?"
"It's complicated." He said simply.
"Then enlighten me."
"I can't. I would if I could Patil but it's still too dangerous. You never know who you can trust."
"You don't trust me?"
"No! That's not it at all Parvarti." Hermione said quickly. "But you never know if someone's listening." Her mind drifted quickly to the 'Rita Skeeter Incident'.
"I guess I understand." She said looking crestfallen. "Well I guess that's all I'm getting out of either of you, goodnight." She headed toward her room before disappearing into the Ravenclaw blue of the room.
"I don't like having to keep these things from people." Hermione said delicately.
"I know, but it's not like we have a choice. We don't want swarms of Death Eaters crawling all over the place do we?"
"No, I guess not."
"It'll all be over with soon enough." Draco said kissing her cheek.
"I hope so. I really do." She said. Draco stifled a yawn.
"I'm exhausted." He stood before grabbing Hermione's hands and helping her to her feet. He guided her to his room; he just needed to be with her tonight.
"Goodnight Draco." She said kissing him before settling down for bed.
"Goodnight Hermione."
Draco woke up in a cold sweat. The pulsing memory of the nights dream taunted him. He couldn't piece together why they were back. He hadn't had a nightmare of this extent in over a year. He had dreamt that he was fulfilling his duty as the Dark Lord; he took a seat at the overly upholstered chair in the centre of a large, dark room. Almost a hundred Death Eaters entered the room and dropped to their knees in front of him. A pair of them dragged in a hostage. He rose to his feet at their entrance. They threw the hostage in front of him. Hermione gazed up at him terrified. He raised his wand, pointed it directly at her and yelled 'Crucio'. But that wasn't it, as her screams died down he glared at her a triumphant smirk gracing his pale lips. He was the spitting image of his father and a chill ran down her spine. And with the final moments of the dream his mouth formed the two dreaded words. "Avada Kedavra." He muttered.