IMPRESSIONS chapter twenty-two

Disclaimer: Don't own anything, except for stuff you don't recognize.

Summary: An emotionally, physically, and mentally wounded Draco needs someone to help him, whether he wants to admit it or not, after his father lands in Azkaban, his mother is committed to St. Mungo's, and his entire world crumbles. Romance/Angst.

Author's Note: Please review!

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Hermione went pale as she glanced at his face. It was true animals had better sight, even in the rain… And depending on what animal she would be, she might be able to get to Dumbledore very fast… Biting her lip, Hermione cast a protection charm, a drying spell, and a warming spell on his limp body to keep him relatively okay while she was gone. Do I leave him? She squared her shoulders, her heart beating furiously as she realized she was about to do possible the stupidest thing she'd ever done in her life. Ever contemplated doing. She took a deep breath and focused her energy.

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            A sharp tapping bothered Phineas Nigellus' portrait and he stirred awake irritably. "What is it?" he snapped at no one. He peered around more closely, and noticed a dark shape outside the window from where his painting hung. "Dumbledore, there's some confounded bird outside the window," said the former Headmaster in a bored tone.

            "A bird, you say, Phineas?" inquired Dumbledore, raising his eyebrows. "An owl?"

            "No… I'm not sure at all what it is. It is raining," said Phineas pointedly.

            "Very well. Thank you, Phineas," said Dumbledore politely, flicking his wand at the window, which swung open, blowing in rain on Phineas Nigellus' portrait.

The former Headmaster sputtered in annoyance. "Do you know how uncomfortable it is to be soaked?" snapped the portrait.

"My truest apologies, Phineas," said Dumbledore quietly. His mouth opened in slight surprise as a gray hunting bird of some kind swooped down from the window, alighting on the floor and transforming into a very wet girl.

Hermione stared up at the Headmaster breathlessly. "Sir," she began, panting, "Sir, Draco is out there… He's in a bad way," she said.

Dumbledore's mildly astonished eyes very quickly lost their twinkle. "Indeed? Then we must get him to Madam Pomfrey," he said briskly. "Follow me, if you will, Miss Granger. And the story of your Animagus ability may wait for another day."

Hermione nodded. "Professor… He went home this weekend," she began to explain.

"I am well aware, Miss Granger," said Dumbledore. "I offered him the chance to stay here, seeing as his father was recently released from prison."

"How could they have released him?" asked Hermione. "He's been doing horrible stuff for the longest time!"

"Lucius Malfoy is a very slippery, cunning man. His wealth his also of great benefit to the Ministry," said Dumbledore quietly.

"So he bribed them to let him go? After everything?" asked Hermione in disbelief.

"He claimed he was under the influence of the Imperius curse, Miss Granger. That threat is very real, and when the man is Lucius Malfoy, let me say that fear must be a factor," said Dumbledore. "Now, what exactly happened when you went out to meet Mr. Malfoy?"

Hermione didn't question how the ancient wizard knew she was meeting Draco. "Well, he was lying out in the mud, unconscious, but when I came close"—she paused; uncomfortable with how much information she should tell the man.

"Yes?" Dumbledore prompted as they walked down into the Entrance Hall.

"Well, he just—started bleeding, horribly, and trying to get away from me. He fell and passed out," said Hermione vaguely.

Dumbledore looked at her sharply. "Is there anything you know of his condition that might have instigated such a display?"

Hermione contemplated telling the truth for a split second but her promise to Draco kept her silent. "No, Professor," she lied.

Dumbledore sighed. "Very well then, Miss Granger."

They walked the rest of the way in silence. Once Dumbledore saw Draco's limp body, however, he quickened his pace, conjuring a stretcher and levitating Draco onto it. The blond Slytherin moaned and clutched his stomach.

Dumbledore looked at the bloodied boy very seriously. "I'm afraid that healing magic has never been my forte," he explained to Hermione as he placed a water-repellent charm on the stretcher. "Now… I would suggest flying up to the Hospital Wing to tell Madam Pomfrey of his condition," he said.

Hermione looked at him blankly until it clicked. She was an Animagus. She nodded and immediately transformed into the bird, taking off as quickly as she could, even in the rain.

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            Hermione, soaked to the skin, rushed into the Infirmary, calling out the mediwitch's name. "Madam Pomfrey, are you in here?" she begged desperately.

            The severe witch appeared, walking out of her storeroom. "Whatever is the matter, Miss Granger?" asked the woman in a tone of slight surprise. "Heavens, have you been out in the storm? Miss Granger, I expected better of you! You're likely to catch a cold!" reprimanded the witch.

            "Madam Pomfrey, it's Draco Malfoy, Professor Dumbledore's bringing him up now and he's in bad shape," said Hermione quickly.

            Madam Pomfrey's countenance changed immediately. "What's wrong with the boy?" she asked sharply.

            "Well"—Hermione began uncertainly, but was cut off as Dumbledore strode in with Draco on the stretcher.

            Madam Pomfrey paled visibly. "My word," she whispered.

            "Poppy, take care of him, please," said Dumbledore. "I need to have a word with Miss Granger," he said.

            Madam Pomfrey immediately settled Draco on a bed, staring at the black blood clinging to his skin and clothes. "Hurry, Poppy," said Dumbledore sharply.

            "Professor Dumbledore?" asked Hermione uneasily.

            "Follow me, please. It seems that the curse was placed on you as well," said Dumbledore wearily.

            Hermione stared at the old man. "Me?"

            "Yes. Follow me outside then, Miss Granger," repeated the Headmaster.

            Hermione walked out of the Hospital Wing after him without another word. "Professor, I"—

            "Calm down, Miss Granger. The curse was placed to keep him away from you," Dumbledore explained.

            Hermione went very pale as she recalled the text she had read to Draco just a few weeks before.

"'The Permeus Surpos curse is highly advanced Dark Magic, normally used in the place of the Imperius Curse when the latter is ineffective. The curse can be used to keep the victim away from a certain person, or object; it can also be used to force the victim to do a specific thing."'

            "The Permeus Surpos has been outlawed for a millennia, for much the same reasons as the Imperius," said Dumbledore heavily. "It is worse, however, because if it is not lifted within a certain period of time, the victim will die, especially if in the presence of the object—or in your case, person—from whom the curse is against."

            "Draco—he's—?" Hermione began jerkily.

            Dumbledore looked down at her kindly. "He isn't going to die today, Miss Granger. But I need to know everything you know about his condition and who placed the curse on him."

            Hermione went very pale. "Sir, I can't"—

            The wizard sighed. "I expected as much. Now, if I'm not mistaken, you may go in and see him in your Animagus form, if only for a few minutes. He will be less affected by it than if you were in you human form, because the caster thought of you only as a girl."

            Hermione nodded briefly, relieved that he hadn't pressed her for answers. "Thank you, Professor," she said quietly.

            "Very well. But only for a few minutes," said Dumbledore.

            Hermione nodded a second time and transformed with a small pop into the bird. She winged into the room—which Madam Pomfrey had lit well—and settled on Draco's footboard.

            He didn't look much better than he had out in the rain. Madam Pomfrey had Vanished all the blood, but his silver-blond hair lay plastered to his head and his skin was the palest she had ever seen; it was almost translucent.

            Hermione gulped in a very bird-like way and cocked her head to glance at him more sharply. Birds could focus much better with only one eye.

            He opened one eye and stared at her for a second before cracking the tiniest of smirks. "You could have stayed in your animal form forever, or retained your animal mind," he rasped. It was obvious that it pained him to speak.

            Hermione was astonished that he knew who she was, and he seemed to infer her bewilderment. "Saw the page open on falcons," he explained hoarsely. "And I remember you changing."

            Hermione inclined her head once to show she understood. "You can change back… I won't pass out this time," he whispered, though his hands were clenched tight and the skin around his knuckles white.

            Hermione transformed back into herself. "Are you all right?" she asked uncertainly.

            He glanced at her. "I'm just peachy," he said wryly.

            "What happened?" asked Hermione gently.

            He shrugged. "This and that, I suppose. What made you try and transform? You do realize that it was an absolutely idiotic thing to do, right?"

            "It was adrenaline, I guess…" said Hermione thoughtfully.

            He looked confused. "What?"

            "Oh, right… It's a Muggle term," Hermione explained, flushing. "It means… A rush of energy or impossible ability to do something when someone is under intense pressure because of something happening to someone they care about. Like, loads of Muggle moms have lifted cars off their babies and stuff," Hermione explained.

            "So… You became an Animagus because you care about me like a mother does her child?" Draco smirked. He stopped a second later to wince and wipe black blood from his lip.

            Hermione went very red. "Well, I saw you out there… And I had to do something," she said lamely.

            "Well, thanks, anyway," he muttered, looking away from her.

            She beamed. "You're welcome."

            "What kind of animal are you, anyway? Some type of hunting bird?" asked Draco interestedly.

            "Oh…" said Hermione, smiling slightly. "I'm a Peregrine Falcon, I believe."

            "Miss Granger, it's time for me to see to my patient. Dumbledore insisted you be allowed to talk to him for a few minutes, and it has been five!" Madam Pomfrey said sharply, walking in the room with a tray of various bottles and bandages.

            "Those won't work," said Hermione immediately.

            Madam Pomfrey. "What won't, Miss Granger?"

            "The potions," said Hermione, flushing pink again. "Malfoys are impervious to potion-magic."

            Draco looked at her in surprise. "You really do retain everything you hear, don't you? Or is it just the times I've talked to you?"

            Hermione glared at him. "Well, you don't want her stuffing that nasty stuff down your throat for it not to work, do you?" she told him severely.

            He gasped suddenly and a dribble of black blood slipped down his chin. He gripped the bedrail tightly as he fought not to cry out. Hermione backed away, frightened. "I'm sorry!" she cried.

            "Not your fault," he managed through gritted teeth.

            "Out, Miss Granger! Out!" said Madam Pomfrey shrilly, waving Hermione out of the room and shutting the curtains quickly as she whipped out her wand to do her best with the cursed Slytherin.

            Hermione obeyed immediately, feeling extremely guilty, and walked out of the Infirmary without a word; not returning to Gryffindor Tower, but instead to the Room of Requirement.

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            Author's Note: Well, I hope that assuaged your thirst for another chapter… If you didn't notice, this chapter was also a bit longer than most. I've decided to start making them longer although they might not come out every day. Haha. I've really spoiled all of you with the rapid posting. Anyway, KUDOS TO ELLE (Maura Moynihan) FOR HELPING ME WITH THIS CHAPTER! And, it was also her final word that made Hermione a falcon, so… If you are wondering why we chose that particular animal…

Falcons are notoriously bold, brave birds… Hermione's a Gryffindor, self-explanatory. Falcons are considered extremely dangerous when they or their clutches are threatened, and Hermione tends to be very defensive of her friends. They are one of the smartest types of birds, used for hunting—again, Hermione's smart, self-explanatory. Falcons are very loyal. They have only one mate in their lifetime and when domesticated, are very attached to their tamer.

THANKS FOR 263 REVIEWS!!!

Hey, I was feeling a bit down with all the angst and sadness and whatnot that I've been writing lately so I decided to write a parody… Irrelevant Title, which is a parody of cliché Draco/Hermione stories… I'm told it's quite humorous, actually…

Of course, if you'd like to read anything else of mine, it would be most appreciated.

 AR-ZIMRAPHEL