A/N- So sorry about the wait. This chapter is short and hasn't been
corrected yet, but I'll re-post it once it has been. So please just ignore
any spelling and grammatical errors. Thanks for not flaming me!
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE- The Dream
Hermione woke Monday morning to the sound of stupidity. If stupidity could have a specific definition, it would be Lavender and Parvarti when they're talking about guys. Common sense is so far removed in these conversations that Hermione almost finds it painful.
She sat up with a yawn, and pulled back the bed curtains to stare blearily at the two girls as they brushed their hair. Lavender was, amazingly enough, still talking about Draco. Hermione believed that this was now becoming ridiculous, and as she pulled herself out of bed and got dressed, she spoke her opinion.
"Lavender. I have to be honest here. I don't think Draco likes you." Lavender's response to this was just a roll of her eyes. "I'm serious. He turned you down the other day, making it clear he had no feelings for you. Yet still you convince yourself that he does. Why?"
Lavender began plaiting her hair in pigtails, and replied. "Because I know he's hiding them. He just needs to be convinced. The only reason he turned me down the other day was because you and Pansy were there. I just have to find him alone."
Hermione felt like screaming at her friend. "No Lavender. You'll only hurt yourself. You know how depressed you were when he turned you down the other day. Don't get your hopes up, just to be refused again."
"Hermione." Parvarti interrupted, slightly annoyed. "Leave Lavender alone. Just because you still like Draco, doesn't mean he still likes you. He's moved on, hopefully to Lavender. Now you have to move on too."
"I have moved on." Hermione said quickly. "I just don't want Lavender to get hurt."
"She won't." Parvarti replied confidently, pulling her hair into a high ponytail. "Lav's going to get him this week for sure, aren't you?"
Lavender nodded with a grin. "He even checked me out on Friday. It seems he's already curious about me. It won't take long before his curiosity has to be fulfilled."
"I thought it was a look of distaste, not curiosity." Hermione said, walking over to the door. She decided leaving was the easiest thing to do. Stupidity just annoyed her. "But think what you want. I give up, just don't think you can cry on my shoulder when you realize I was right. I'm going to breakfast."
She stumped downstairs, realizing that Lavender's attentions towards Draco were affecting her more than she had originally thought. Hermione knew that Draco would never act on Lavender's wishes, but it would be nice to be able to tell her friend off, saying that Draco was out of bounds. Hermione ate breakfast with Ginny, then went to class shortly afterwards.
In the few minutes before Professor Flitwick arrived, Hermione couldn't help watching Lavender closely, making sure she didn't approach Draco without her noticing. As the class filed into the classroom, Hermione hung back so she could watch everyone. She noticed Lavender position herself next to Draco as they walked in, and she pressed herself close against him, pretending the doorway was smaller than it was.
Draco looked down at her, and shoved her away from him with his elbow. Hermione smiled and went inside. Hermione's mind was fixed mainly on her work, but occasionally she would glance across at Lavender to ensure she was leaving Draco alone.
It was just after lunch when the next encounter between Draco and the persistent Lavender occurred. Harry, Ron and Hermione had finished eating and were leaving the Great Hall, when Ron stopped and stared at the Slytherin table as they were passing it. "You've got to be kidding me. That girl's a nut."
Hermione and Harry followed his gaze and saw Lavender standing beside Draco, talking to him. She appeared to be oblivious to the death glares she was receiving from all the Slytherin's. She leaned down to whisper something in his ear, and he quickly stood up, using his height to his advantage to tower over her menacingly.
"If you don't stop following me around, I swear I will ask for a restraining order." Draco told her loudly. Most of the Slytherin's heard this and laughed at her.
She blushed and looked up at him. "But I just want to talk to you."
"Does it look like I care what you want?" he asked her with a sneer. "Because I don't. You're annoying me, and I don't want to talk to you, especially alone."
"Why not?" she asked softly.
Draco didn't even bother replying, he just turned on his heel and walked out of the hall. Hermione shared a glance with Harry and Ron, and they continued out of the hall in silence. As they neared the common room to collect their books for the next classes, Ron stated, "I know I'm not the brainiest wizard around, but how could anyone be as stupid as her?"
"She has been incredibly dense." Harry agreed. "I don't think anyone has been knocked back as many times as Lavender by Draco, yet stupidly she keeps trying."
"Surely she's got the point now." Hermione said. "I don't see how she couldn't after that."
"Let's hope so." Ron said as they entered the common room. They met up a few minutes later with their books and went to Transfiguration together. Hermione didn't notice Lavender paying Draco any attention for the rest of the afternoon. In fact, she seemed to be ignoring him, but since he always ignored her, this lack of attention on her behalf went unnoticed.
***
"I seriously suspect something is wrong with that chick." Draco told Hermione that evening as they sat in the cabin, waiting for Credere to change from Unicorn to human. "I mean, could I have spelt it out any clearer? No. I won't go out with you. I don't like you." He sighed in exasperation. "Yet she continues to piss me off."
Hermione smiled slightly. "I think she got your point this afternoon. We shouldn't have to worry about that anymore."
"I was never worrying about it." Draco told her, his cold voice projecting his bad mood. "It's just really annoying. She won't leave me alone. At dinner I almost came across to the Gryffindor table to commit a punishable act of violence to stop her pouting at me."
"I'd offer to talk to her for you, but she doesn't listen to me." Hermione said, holding out a hand for Credere to grab on to until she got her balance. Credere smiled at her, let go after a few seconds, then displayed her hard work of the weekend by walking confidently around the cabin. She walked quickly, and even jogged a few paces.
Credere then stood in front of Hermione and Draco expectantly. "You're a legend!" Hermione said in excitement. "You have improved so much, it's incredible. But now the time has come to teach you how to talk. It helps a lot that you can understand our language, and just need to be taught how to make the appropriate noises. So," she clapped her hands together. "Let's get started."
Draco sighed almost bitterly and sat down next to Hermione on the couch. He wasn't in the best of moods after Lavender's persistent affections. He only wished that Hermione and he could make their relationship known, so he wouldn't have problems like this.
"Ok." Hermione started, when Credere had sat on her other side. "Let's start by just making noises, so you can get used to what it feels like. So, make a sound, the same way you do as a Unicorn."
Credere opened her mouth and screamed. Draco raised his eyebrows at the noise, but didn't comment. It was progress, he supposed. When she finished, Credere looked at Hermione, awaiting instruction. Hermione continued by making Credere make different sounds. First all the vowels. Then all the consonants. Then combined sounds, such as 'sh,' 'th' and 'ch.'
Draco sat through it all, putting in comments here and there, but leaving it mainly to Hermione, who seemed to know what she was doing. Knowing it would be rude to leave her there alone, he pulled out his wand and made hot drinks for them all. Hermione's tea, white with no sugar, his coffee, and he thought he'd attempt a tea for Credere too.
Hermione took hers gratefully, but Credere was uncertain. She mumbled softly, her sounds forming gibberish, but they knew that she wanted to know what it was before she drank it.
"It's just tea." Hermione told her, sipping her own. "It's nothing poisonous. It comes from a plant, so I suppose it's natural and all..." She trained off, not sure what she was saying. "Just try it."
Credere took a gulp of it, and spat it back out almost immediately. She poked out her tongue, and Draco guessed she had burnt it. Credere tried to talk to them, obviously to explain what had happened, but she just bit her tongue, which had remained outside her mouth. This caused her to scream, as it was the only thing she could do successfully, until Hermione told her to stop.
"It's just hot. You have to be careful." She told her. "Would you prefer water?"
Credere nodded, and Draco changed her drink with a flick of his wand. After a couple hours of slow progress, Credere was able to say her alphabet, reciting each letter as Hermione said them. She left the cabin as a Unicorn once more, and Draco sighed restlessly.
"That was so boring." He said to Hermione, as she drained the last of her third cup of tea.
She looked at him with raised eyebrows, and said, "You think I found that fun? It is so tedious, but it's the only way to teach her. And Credere has to know how to talk if Voldemort is going to believe that she is me. So I have to put up with it. But you don't have to come if you don't want to. I can teach her without your bored presence, you know."
"I know that." Draco snapped, his mood not improved from earlier. "But it's not safe for you both out here alone. This forest can be dangerous."
Hermione couldn't help laughing. "Draco, don't be daft. You think we're two girls sitting alone in a cabin. But you forget that within a few seconds we'd be two grown Unicorns. And I'm a witch with a wand. We could handle ourselves."
"Fine." He said grumpily. "It's the only time that I can be with you, without people around."
"That's a better excuse."
"It's not an excuse." Draco told her.
"I know." Hermione told him, leaning down to kiss him. He kissed her back passionately, but didn't complain when she pulled away. Hermione decided he was in too much of a grump to be in the mood for anything, which didn't bother her, as all she felt like doing was sleeping. "Goodnight."
"Don't let the bed bugs bite." Draco said with a small smile, which she returned the moment before she vanished from sight.
***
Tuesday passed without much excitement, and by the end of Wednesday, the seventh year students had begun to stress out big-time. They had two more days of classes, then one week off to study for exams. Following that would be a week of NEWT's.
Hermione walked into the common room around midnight, after spending a few progressive hours with Credere and Draco in the cabin. Harry and Ron, who were just making for bed after their studying, glanced at her but didn't question where she had been. Ginny was asleep on the couch.
"Oh, you're back." Was all Ron said, casting her a grin. Hermione smiled back, and sat down at one of the tables, pulling homework out of the bag she had with her.
"You're not going to stay up are you?" Harry asked, stifling a yawn. "It's really late."
When she nodded, the guys sighed and retreated to their dorm. Hermione had worked and revised for just under an hour, when she couldn't keep her eyelids open any longer. She packed up her things and slumped off to bed, wishing she could jump three weeks into the future and have everything be over. Hermione fell asleep quickly, but she didn't remain in sleep very long.
***
After a long and boring night of watching Hermione teaching Credere how to speak, Draco went to bed feeling slightly restless. Thinking for a while about Hermione and her place in his future, Draco fell asleep with dreams of his girlfriend running through his head. He hadn't been asleep long however, when his dreams were interrupted by an unsettling vision.
'Hermione laughed and smiled at him fondly, then walked up the stairs of the Malfoy Manor, pausing half way up to glance over her shoulder at him. Draco felt his stomach flip slightly at the look in her eyes, and he reached a hand into his pocket to finger something small and smooth.
The image shifted, and Hermione moved away from him towards a cloaked figure at the front of a large stone chamber. She spoke in a challenging voice, and the man replied in deathly tones. Hermione changed as she walked, so by the time she was a Unicorn, she was charging towards the wizard who looked back calmly.
Draco felt a wave of sickness wash over him as he watched Hermione plow into the man with her horn held steady in front of her. It pierced through his stomach, causing him to scream in anguish. Within a matter of moments, the man reached into his robe and pulled out his wand. Whipping off an outer layer to expose a blade, he slashed it across Hermione's neck before she could back away.
Falling to the ground, Hermione made a soft gurgling sound before the blood fell in a thick stream down her neck. She shuddered and fell on to her side, her life stripped from her in a matter of seconds.
The image changed once more to Hogwarts castle. Hermione was lying on the stone floor, with a small pool of blood forming next to her stomach. There was a crowd of people gathered around her, but no one spoke. She was pale, had her eyes closed and her breathing was very shallow.
"She's slipping away." Madam Pomfrey whispered.
Draco got up from the bed and stomped heavily on the spider that had caused Hermione to scream. "All gone." He said to her, as she stood half dressed on the bed. She looked at him in shock that he had just killed the spider instead of taking it outside..."Draco! That was mean."
"So was you scaring me like that." He replied, sitting back on the bed.
"You didn't have to kill it." she said.
"Oh yes." Voldemort said to Draco from the front of the stone hall. He glanced at the dead Unicorn at his feet. "I had to kill her. She was a mudblood. A good for nothing bitch who contaminated this world just by living."'
Draco woke up slowly, but as he gained consciousness, he remembered the image of Hermione dying on the stone floor of the castle. He sat bolt upright in his bed and realised that he was shaking, and that his sheets were soaked with sweat, even after such a short nightmare. Draco didn't want to think about what this vision might mean. Was it a premonition? Is this something that would happen to Hermione in the near future? Or was it happening right now?
Draco felt his eyes fill with tears and his lip trembled at the thought of Hermione dying so near in the future. He ripped the covers off himself and stood up so he was looking out the window. Draco raised a trembling hand and grabbed his amulet. He closed his eyes and tried to picture Hermione. The image wavered, as Draco couldn't concentrate well enough.
Not realizing that he wasn't wearing substantial clothing to go running about the castle, Draco sped out of his dorm and the Slytherin common room. He ran out of the dungeons and up the marble staircase that lead to the first floor. Draco was panting by the time he reached the entrance to the Gryffindor tower, but still he didn't stop to catch his breath.
"I have to get in!" he yelled at the Fat Lady, rousing her out of her sleep.
She looked at him grumpily. "Password?"
"As if I know!" he said. "I'm not in Gryffindor, am I?"
She peered at him, then her expression turned stern. "I can't let you in then. Now apologize for waking me up."
"Let me in, and I'll apologize." Draco tried in desperation. "Please? She mightn't even be there. She might be bleeding to death somewhere in the castle. You've got to help me!"
"No password. No entry. Especially to those who aren't in Gryffindor." She replied in finality. "Go back to bed before I call Filch to deal with you."
Draco's eyes widened that she would threaten him with such a thing. But he was desperate and not willing to go back to bed without giving it a good try. His eyes brightened dangerously when he thought of something. "Tell me, do you remember Sirius Black?"
The Fat Lady's eyes widened in horror of the memory. "Yes, that beast of a wizard."
"He managed to get into the Gryffindor tower even though he didn't have the password." Draco reminded her. "Do you think if I used the same method, I'd get in?"
"You wouldn't." The Fat Lady said in fear. "You're not a criminal."
"Not yet, I'm not. But if you don't let me in then I might just have to become one." Draco threatened. "Let me in or I'll slash you to pieces!"
The Fat Lady gave a little squeal and the painting sprung back from the wall. Draco ran through the hole as quickly as he could and glanced around the room. It was large and had two staircases at the end. He darted forwards, but realised he didn't know which were the girls dorms.
"Fucking hell!" He cursed in absolute frustration. He heard a small gasp from behind him, and spun around to see Ginny sitting up on a couch gazing at him in sleepy curiosity.
"Draco?" she questioned, standing and walking over to him. Her eyes traveled over his body, and it was only then that Draco realised that boxers didn't do much for covering up. Ginny didn't comment on his lack of clothing however, just said, "What are you doing here?"
"I need to see Hermione." He said, his voice cracking. "Please, just let me see her."
"Are you alright? You look terrible." Ginny told him, reaching up to touch his face, where she could have sworn she saw traces of tears. Draco snatched her wrist before she could touch him, and pulled her close so her ear was next to his mouth.
"Take me to her. Now." He said between gritted teeth. Ginny looked at him in alarm, but immediately began walking towards the girls' staircase with Draco hardly a step behind her. She walked swiftly to Hermione's dorm, but turned to face him before opening the door.
"If the other two girls see you, you'll be in the biggest trouble imaginable. Not only are you a Slytherin in the Gryffindor tower, but you're a male in the females dorms. Be very careful."
"I will be." Draco reached for the door handle, but Ginny grabbed his wrist to stop him.
"Wait. I'll check that they're all asleep." She opened the door slightly and slipped into the room, leaving Draco standing impatiently outside. Ginny emerged after only a few seconds. "Alright. But don't make any noise, and I didn't let you in here. Understand?"
Draco nodded but couldn't help asking, "was Hermione in there?"
"Of course she was." Ginny frowned. "Where else would she be?"
Deciding the answer 'dying' wouldn't really be suitable he just shrugged. Ginny gave him a weird look, and said, "She's fine, Draco. You don't have to worry."
He smiled at her in relief, and before he realised what he was doing he leaned forward and gave her a hug. When he pulled away, Ginny smiled at him reassuringly. "I don't know why you're here, Draco." She told him. "But I'm sure she'll be happy to see you. I know I would be." She looked towards the bottom of the stairs, as if hoping to see Harry standing there. She sighed, and said, "I'm going to bed. Goodnight."
"Yeah." He said, not aware of what she had just said. Hermione was safe and in her bed, and that's all he could think of. Opening the door quietly, Draco slipped into the room and closed the door behind him. He passed the bed closest to the door and peered through the bed curtains. A large mass of dark brown hair fell across the pillow, and Draco recognized it as Parvarti's.
He moved on to the next bed, and peered through the bed curtains. He noticed it was Lavender immediately. He also noticed that she wore very little in place of pajamas, finding that a tight low-necked top and knickers would do her. The sheets were around her knees, and Draco took a few seconds before pulling himself away.
He turned to the last bed and walked softly over. He knelt down next to it and pulled the curtain back to reveal Hermione fast asleep. He smiled again in relief that she was safe, and reached out to caress her cheek with the back of his hand. Hermione's eyes snapped open and she looked at him in shock.
"Draco, what...?" she started, then stopped as her eyes narrowed. She glanced around the room, as if to confirm that she was still in her dorm. "How did you get in here?"
"I can't say." He told her, remembering his promise to Ginny, and deciding that Hermione wouldn't appreciate knowing about him threatening the Fat lady.
"Then, what are you doing here?" she whispered. "If you get caught..."
"Ssh." He said, covering her mouth with his hand. "I won't. I just needed to see you, that's all."
"You just saw me a few hours ago at the cabin, Draco." Hermione reminded him gently, after removing his hand. "Did something happen?"
"I had a bad dream." He said, knowing it sounded stupid as soon as he said it. But Hermione didn't laugh at him. She knew what kind of 'bad dreams' Draco had.
"Was it just a dream, or was it a premonition?" she asked softly, moving over so he could lie next to her on the bed. He crawled in and snuggled up next to her. Hermione wrapped her arms around him to warm him up, and Draco kissed her softly on the forehead.
"I couldn't tell. I hope it was just a dream." He answered.
"Will you tell me what it was about?" Hermione asked him, closing her eyes.
"No." Draco responded. "I just needed to see you."
"That's not encouraging." She said. "I assume it was something bad about me then. I don't suppose I died or anything."
"My lips are sealed." Draco said, though it was obvious that Hermione knew the basics of what he had seen.
"Well I'm not going to die." Hermione whispered. "I don't know how many times I have to tell you that."
Draco smiled and wrapped his arms tightly about her stomach. "I love you."
Hermione laughed softly and kissed him in reply. Not long after that, Hermione fell asleep, cradled in his arms. When she woke up the next morning, Draco was gone.
***
A/N- Crap guys, I'm so sorry I left this so long! This chappies so short, but I thought it's better than nothing. It hasn't even been corrected yet, so I'll re-post it once I have all my spelling/grammar checked. Sorry, I've got holidays in a week, so hopefully I'll have more time then, but I've been run down with homework that I can't think of anything else. But don't worry, I WILL NOT abandon this fic, it just might take me a wee bit longer than imagined. Thanks for your incredible support!
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE- The Dream
Hermione woke Monday morning to the sound of stupidity. If stupidity could have a specific definition, it would be Lavender and Parvarti when they're talking about guys. Common sense is so far removed in these conversations that Hermione almost finds it painful.
She sat up with a yawn, and pulled back the bed curtains to stare blearily at the two girls as they brushed their hair. Lavender was, amazingly enough, still talking about Draco. Hermione believed that this was now becoming ridiculous, and as she pulled herself out of bed and got dressed, she spoke her opinion.
"Lavender. I have to be honest here. I don't think Draco likes you." Lavender's response to this was just a roll of her eyes. "I'm serious. He turned you down the other day, making it clear he had no feelings for you. Yet still you convince yourself that he does. Why?"
Lavender began plaiting her hair in pigtails, and replied. "Because I know he's hiding them. He just needs to be convinced. The only reason he turned me down the other day was because you and Pansy were there. I just have to find him alone."
Hermione felt like screaming at her friend. "No Lavender. You'll only hurt yourself. You know how depressed you were when he turned you down the other day. Don't get your hopes up, just to be refused again."
"Hermione." Parvarti interrupted, slightly annoyed. "Leave Lavender alone. Just because you still like Draco, doesn't mean he still likes you. He's moved on, hopefully to Lavender. Now you have to move on too."
"I have moved on." Hermione said quickly. "I just don't want Lavender to get hurt."
"She won't." Parvarti replied confidently, pulling her hair into a high ponytail. "Lav's going to get him this week for sure, aren't you?"
Lavender nodded with a grin. "He even checked me out on Friday. It seems he's already curious about me. It won't take long before his curiosity has to be fulfilled."
"I thought it was a look of distaste, not curiosity." Hermione said, walking over to the door. She decided leaving was the easiest thing to do. Stupidity just annoyed her. "But think what you want. I give up, just don't think you can cry on my shoulder when you realize I was right. I'm going to breakfast."
She stumped downstairs, realizing that Lavender's attentions towards Draco were affecting her more than she had originally thought. Hermione knew that Draco would never act on Lavender's wishes, but it would be nice to be able to tell her friend off, saying that Draco was out of bounds. Hermione ate breakfast with Ginny, then went to class shortly afterwards.
In the few minutes before Professor Flitwick arrived, Hermione couldn't help watching Lavender closely, making sure she didn't approach Draco without her noticing. As the class filed into the classroom, Hermione hung back so she could watch everyone. She noticed Lavender position herself next to Draco as they walked in, and she pressed herself close against him, pretending the doorway was smaller than it was.
Draco looked down at her, and shoved her away from him with his elbow. Hermione smiled and went inside. Hermione's mind was fixed mainly on her work, but occasionally she would glance across at Lavender to ensure she was leaving Draco alone.
It was just after lunch when the next encounter between Draco and the persistent Lavender occurred. Harry, Ron and Hermione had finished eating and were leaving the Great Hall, when Ron stopped and stared at the Slytherin table as they were passing it. "You've got to be kidding me. That girl's a nut."
Hermione and Harry followed his gaze and saw Lavender standing beside Draco, talking to him. She appeared to be oblivious to the death glares she was receiving from all the Slytherin's. She leaned down to whisper something in his ear, and he quickly stood up, using his height to his advantage to tower over her menacingly.
"If you don't stop following me around, I swear I will ask for a restraining order." Draco told her loudly. Most of the Slytherin's heard this and laughed at her.
She blushed and looked up at him. "But I just want to talk to you."
"Does it look like I care what you want?" he asked her with a sneer. "Because I don't. You're annoying me, and I don't want to talk to you, especially alone."
"Why not?" she asked softly.
Draco didn't even bother replying, he just turned on his heel and walked out of the hall. Hermione shared a glance with Harry and Ron, and they continued out of the hall in silence. As they neared the common room to collect their books for the next classes, Ron stated, "I know I'm not the brainiest wizard around, but how could anyone be as stupid as her?"
"She has been incredibly dense." Harry agreed. "I don't think anyone has been knocked back as many times as Lavender by Draco, yet stupidly she keeps trying."
"Surely she's got the point now." Hermione said. "I don't see how she couldn't after that."
"Let's hope so." Ron said as they entered the common room. They met up a few minutes later with their books and went to Transfiguration together. Hermione didn't notice Lavender paying Draco any attention for the rest of the afternoon. In fact, she seemed to be ignoring him, but since he always ignored her, this lack of attention on her behalf went unnoticed.
***
"I seriously suspect something is wrong with that chick." Draco told Hermione that evening as they sat in the cabin, waiting for Credere to change from Unicorn to human. "I mean, could I have spelt it out any clearer? No. I won't go out with you. I don't like you." He sighed in exasperation. "Yet she continues to piss me off."
Hermione smiled slightly. "I think she got your point this afternoon. We shouldn't have to worry about that anymore."
"I was never worrying about it." Draco told her, his cold voice projecting his bad mood. "It's just really annoying. She won't leave me alone. At dinner I almost came across to the Gryffindor table to commit a punishable act of violence to stop her pouting at me."
"I'd offer to talk to her for you, but she doesn't listen to me." Hermione said, holding out a hand for Credere to grab on to until she got her balance. Credere smiled at her, let go after a few seconds, then displayed her hard work of the weekend by walking confidently around the cabin. She walked quickly, and even jogged a few paces.
Credere then stood in front of Hermione and Draco expectantly. "You're a legend!" Hermione said in excitement. "You have improved so much, it's incredible. But now the time has come to teach you how to talk. It helps a lot that you can understand our language, and just need to be taught how to make the appropriate noises. So," she clapped her hands together. "Let's get started."
Draco sighed almost bitterly and sat down next to Hermione on the couch. He wasn't in the best of moods after Lavender's persistent affections. He only wished that Hermione and he could make their relationship known, so he wouldn't have problems like this.
"Ok." Hermione started, when Credere had sat on her other side. "Let's start by just making noises, so you can get used to what it feels like. So, make a sound, the same way you do as a Unicorn."
Credere opened her mouth and screamed. Draco raised his eyebrows at the noise, but didn't comment. It was progress, he supposed. When she finished, Credere looked at Hermione, awaiting instruction. Hermione continued by making Credere make different sounds. First all the vowels. Then all the consonants. Then combined sounds, such as 'sh,' 'th' and 'ch.'
Draco sat through it all, putting in comments here and there, but leaving it mainly to Hermione, who seemed to know what she was doing. Knowing it would be rude to leave her there alone, he pulled out his wand and made hot drinks for them all. Hermione's tea, white with no sugar, his coffee, and he thought he'd attempt a tea for Credere too.
Hermione took hers gratefully, but Credere was uncertain. She mumbled softly, her sounds forming gibberish, but they knew that she wanted to know what it was before she drank it.
"It's just tea." Hermione told her, sipping her own. "It's nothing poisonous. It comes from a plant, so I suppose it's natural and all..." She trained off, not sure what she was saying. "Just try it."
Credere took a gulp of it, and spat it back out almost immediately. She poked out her tongue, and Draco guessed she had burnt it. Credere tried to talk to them, obviously to explain what had happened, but she just bit her tongue, which had remained outside her mouth. This caused her to scream, as it was the only thing she could do successfully, until Hermione told her to stop.
"It's just hot. You have to be careful." She told her. "Would you prefer water?"
Credere nodded, and Draco changed her drink with a flick of his wand. After a couple hours of slow progress, Credere was able to say her alphabet, reciting each letter as Hermione said them. She left the cabin as a Unicorn once more, and Draco sighed restlessly.
"That was so boring." He said to Hermione, as she drained the last of her third cup of tea.
She looked at him with raised eyebrows, and said, "You think I found that fun? It is so tedious, but it's the only way to teach her. And Credere has to know how to talk if Voldemort is going to believe that she is me. So I have to put up with it. But you don't have to come if you don't want to. I can teach her without your bored presence, you know."
"I know that." Draco snapped, his mood not improved from earlier. "But it's not safe for you both out here alone. This forest can be dangerous."
Hermione couldn't help laughing. "Draco, don't be daft. You think we're two girls sitting alone in a cabin. But you forget that within a few seconds we'd be two grown Unicorns. And I'm a witch with a wand. We could handle ourselves."
"Fine." He said grumpily. "It's the only time that I can be with you, without people around."
"That's a better excuse."
"It's not an excuse." Draco told her.
"I know." Hermione told him, leaning down to kiss him. He kissed her back passionately, but didn't complain when she pulled away. Hermione decided he was in too much of a grump to be in the mood for anything, which didn't bother her, as all she felt like doing was sleeping. "Goodnight."
"Don't let the bed bugs bite." Draco said with a small smile, which she returned the moment before she vanished from sight.
***
Tuesday passed without much excitement, and by the end of Wednesday, the seventh year students had begun to stress out big-time. They had two more days of classes, then one week off to study for exams. Following that would be a week of NEWT's.
Hermione walked into the common room around midnight, after spending a few progressive hours with Credere and Draco in the cabin. Harry and Ron, who were just making for bed after their studying, glanced at her but didn't question where she had been. Ginny was asleep on the couch.
"Oh, you're back." Was all Ron said, casting her a grin. Hermione smiled back, and sat down at one of the tables, pulling homework out of the bag she had with her.
"You're not going to stay up are you?" Harry asked, stifling a yawn. "It's really late."
When she nodded, the guys sighed and retreated to their dorm. Hermione had worked and revised for just under an hour, when she couldn't keep her eyelids open any longer. She packed up her things and slumped off to bed, wishing she could jump three weeks into the future and have everything be over. Hermione fell asleep quickly, but she didn't remain in sleep very long.
***
After a long and boring night of watching Hermione teaching Credere how to speak, Draco went to bed feeling slightly restless. Thinking for a while about Hermione and her place in his future, Draco fell asleep with dreams of his girlfriend running through his head. He hadn't been asleep long however, when his dreams were interrupted by an unsettling vision.
'Hermione laughed and smiled at him fondly, then walked up the stairs of the Malfoy Manor, pausing half way up to glance over her shoulder at him. Draco felt his stomach flip slightly at the look in her eyes, and he reached a hand into his pocket to finger something small and smooth.
The image shifted, and Hermione moved away from him towards a cloaked figure at the front of a large stone chamber. She spoke in a challenging voice, and the man replied in deathly tones. Hermione changed as she walked, so by the time she was a Unicorn, she was charging towards the wizard who looked back calmly.
Draco felt a wave of sickness wash over him as he watched Hermione plow into the man with her horn held steady in front of her. It pierced through his stomach, causing him to scream in anguish. Within a matter of moments, the man reached into his robe and pulled out his wand. Whipping off an outer layer to expose a blade, he slashed it across Hermione's neck before she could back away.
Falling to the ground, Hermione made a soft gurgling sound before the blood fell in a thick stream down her neck. She shuddered and fell on to her side, her life stripped from her in a matter of seconds.
The image changed once more to Hogwarts castle. Hermione was lying on the stone floor, with a small pool of blood forming next to her stomach. There was a crowd of people gathered around her, but no one spoke. She was pale, had her eyes closed and her breathing was very shallow.
"She's slipping away." Madam Pomfrey whispered.
Draco got up from the bed and stomped heavily on the spider that had caused Hermione to scream. "All gone." He said to her, as she stood half dressed on the bed. She looked at him in shock that he had just killed the spider instead of taking it outside..."Draco! That was mean."
"So was you scaring me like that." He replied, sitting back on the bed.
"You didn't have to kill it." she said.
"Oh yes." Voldemort said to Draco from the front of the stone hall. He glanced at the dead Unicorn at his feet. "I had to kill her. She was a mudblood. A good for nothing bitch who contaminated this world just by living."'
Draco woke up slowly, but as he gained consciousness, he remembered the image of Hermione dying on the stone floor of the castle. He sat bolt upright in his bed and realised that he was shaking, and that his sheets were soaked with sweat, even after such a short nightmare. Draco didn't want to think about what this vision might mean. Was it a premonition? Is this something that would happen to Hermione in the near future? Or was it happening right now?
Draco felt his eyes fill with tears and his lip trembled at the thought of Hermione dying so near in the future. He ripped the covers off himself and stood up so he was looking out the window. Draco raised a trembling hand and grabbed his amulet. He closed his eyes and tried to picture Hermione. The image wavered, as Draco couldn't concentrate well enough.
Not realizing that he wasn't wearing substantial clothing to go running about the castle, Draco sped out of his dorm and the Slytherin common room. He ran out of the dungeons and up the marble staircase that lead to the first floor. Draco was panting by the time he reached the entrance to the Gryffindor tower, but still he didn't stop to catch his breath.
"I have to get in!" he yelled at the Fat Lady, rousing her out of her sleep.
She looked at him grumpily. "Password?"
"As if I know!" he said. "I'm not in Gryffindor, am I?"
She peered at him, then her expression turned stern. "I can't let you in then. Now apologize for waking me up."
"Let me in, and I'll apologize." Draco tried in desperation. "Please? She mightn't even be there. She might be bleeding to death somewhere in the castle. You've got to help me!"
"No password. No entry. Especially to those who aren't in Gryffindor." She replied in finality. "Go back to bed before I call Filch to deal with you."
Draco's eyes widened that she would threaten him with such a thing. But he was desperate and not willing to go back to bed without giving it a good try. His eyes brightened dangerously when he thought of something. "Tell me, do you remember Sirius Black?"
The Fat Lady's eyes widened in horror of the memory. "Yes, that beast of a wizard."
"He managed to get into the Gryffindor tower even though he didn't have the password." Draco reminded her. "Do you think if I used the same method, I'd get in?"
"You wouldn't." The Fat Lady said in fear. "You're not a criminal."
"Not yet, I'm not. But if you don't let me in then I might just have to become one." Draco threatened. "Let me in or I'll slash you to pieces!"
The Fat Lady gave a little squeal and the painting sprung back from the wall. Draco ran through the hole as quickly as he could and glanced around the room. It was large and had two staircases at the end. He darted forwards, but realised he didn't know which were the girls dorms.
"Fucking hell!" He cursed in absolute frustration. He heard a small gasp from behind him, and spun around to see Ginny sitting up on a couch gazing at him in sleepy curiosity.
"Draco?" she questioned, standing and walking over to him. Her eyes traveled over his body, and it was only then that Draco realised that boxers didn't do much for covering up. Ginny didn't comment on his lack of clothing however, just said, "What are you doing here?"
"I need to see Hermione." He said, his voice cracking. "Please, just let me see her."
"Are you alright? You look terrible." Ginny told him, reaching up to touch his face, where she could have sworn she saw traces of tears. Draco snatched her wrist before she could touch him, and pulled her close so her ear was next to his mouth.
"Take me to her. Now." He said between gritted teeth. Ginny looked at him in alarm, but immediately began walking towards the girls' staircase with Draco hardly a step behind her. She walked swiftly to Hermione's dorm, but turned to face him before opening the door.
"If the other two girls see you, you'll be in the biggest trouble imaginable. Not only are you a Slytherin in the Gryffindor tower, but you're a male in the females dorms. Be very careful."
"I will be." Draco reached for the door handle, but Ginny grabbed his wrist to stop him.
"Wait. I'll check that they're all asleep." She opened the door slightly and slipped into the room, leaving Draco standing impatiently outside. Ginny emerged after only a few seconds. "Alright. But don't make any noise, and I didn't let you in here. Understand?"
Draco nodded but couldn't help asking, "was Hermione in there?"
"Of course she was." Ginny frowned. "Where else would she be?"
Deciding the answer 'dying' wouldn't really be suitable he just shrugged. Ginny gave him a weird look, and said, "She's fine, Draco. You don't have to worry."
He smiled at her in relief, and before he realised what he was doing he leaned forward and gave her a hug. When he pulled away, Ginny smiled at him reassuringly. "I don't know why you're here, Draco." She told him. "But I'm sure she'll be happy to see you. I know I would be." She looked towards the bottom of the stairs, as if hoping to see Harry standing there. She sighed, and said, "I'm going to bed. Goodnight."
"Yeah." He said, not aware of what she had just said. Hermione was safe and in her bed, and that's all he could think of. Opening the door quietly, Draco slipped into the room and closed the door behind him. He passed the bed closest to the door and peered through the bed curtains. A large mass of dark brown hair fell across the pillow, and Draco recognized it as Parvarti's.
He moved on to the next bed, and peered through the bed curtains. He noticed it was Lavender immediately. He also noticed that she wore very little in place of pajamas, finding that a tight low-necked top and knickers would do her. The sheets were around her knees, and Draco took a few seconds before pulling himself away.
He turned to the last bed and walked softly over. He knelt down next to it and pulled the curtain back to reveal Hermione fast asleep. He smiled again in relief that she was safe, and reached out to caress her cheek with the back of his hand. Hermione's eyes snapped open and she looked at him in shock.
"Draco, what...?" she started, then stopped as her eyes narrowed. She glanced around the room, as if to confirm that she was still in her dorm. "How did you get in here?"
"I can't say." He told her, remembering his promise to Ginny, and deciding that Hermione wouldn't appreciate knowing about him threatening the Fat lady.
"Then, what are you doing here?" she whispered. "If you get caught..."
"Ssh." He said, covering her mouth with his hand. "I won't. I just needed to see you, that's all."
"You just saw me a few hours ago at the cabin, Draco." Hermione reminded him gently, after removing his hand. "Did something happen?"
"I had a bad dream." He said, knowing it sounded stupid as soon as he said it. But Hermione didn't laugh at him. She knew what kind of 'bad dreams' Draco had.
"Was it just a dream, or was it a premonition?" she asked softly, moving over so he could lie next to her on the bed. He crawled in and snuggled up next to her. Hermione wrapped her arms around him to warm him up, and Draco kissed her softly on the forehead.
"I couldn't tell. I hope it was just a dream." He answered.
"Will you tell me what it was about?" Hermione asked him, closing her eyes.
"No." Draco responded. "I just needed to see you."
"That's not encouraging." She said. "I assume it was something bad about me then. I don't suppose I died or anything."
"My lips are sealed." Draco said, though it was obvious that Hermione knew the basics of what he had seen.
"Well I'm not going to die." Hermione whispered. "I don't know how many times I have to tell you that."
Draco smiled and wrapped his arms tightly about her stomach. "I love you."
Hermione laughed softly and kissed him in reply. Not long after that, Hermione fell asleep, cradled in his arms. When she woke up the next morning, Draco was gone.
***
A/N- Crap guys, I'm so sorry I left this so long! This chappies so short, but I thought it's better than nothing. It hasn't even been corrected yet, so I'll re-post it once I have all my spelling/grammar checked. Sorry, I've got holidays in a week, so hopefully I'll have more time then, but I've been run down with homework that I can't think of anything else. But don't worry, I WILL NOT abandon this fic, it just might take me a wee bit longer than imagined. Thanks for your incredible support!