Hi to Mandi and Lazy-anji. I'm going to try and only update 1 chapter at a time to keep from getting too far ahead. Lazy-anji: I don't know why I don't get more reviews. Maybe I should fire my P.R. person. Spread the word. Thanks for the encouragement.
Chapter 28:
It seemed odd to be staring up at the sky. Michelle's eyes squinted from the noonday sun above her. She also thought it odd to have several students standing over her with worried looks on their faces. Before she could say anything, Ron and Neville were on either side of her helping her stand up.
Ron's red hair was moving at strange angles thanks to the breeze, "Are you okay?"
"What happened?"
Neville looked extremely pale, "You fell off your broom..."
"Did I hit something?" Michelle couldn't believe she didn't remember falling.
"No, and you would've hit the ground harder if Draco hadn't caught you by your jacket at the last second." Ron looked over to where Malfoy and his cronies were standing looking rather pleased with themselves.
Michelle looked over as well and Draco gave her a smug sort of smirk. "I know this is going to sound like an odd question but...why was I on my broom?"
Now Ron looked even more concerned. "We're practicing for extra credit for Madam Hooch's class. You were trying to show us some moves you know from home."
Michelle interrupted, "So not everyone in school saw me?"
"I don't think so."
Neville tugged on her arm, "You should go in and see the nurse. Make sure everything is okay."
"I will in a second." She walked the several yards over to Draco. "I'm not sure what just happened, but thanks for your help."
Draco grinned, "Saved your life I'd say..."
"Possibly...like I said, thanks."
"That's it. That's my reward...'thanks.' "
"That's all I can offer..."
Draco came closer to her, "I'd say you have plenty more to offer." He reached for her and she started to pull away. He grabbed her roughly.
"You owe me for this and a lot more..." he said angrily. His lips crushed hers while she struggled. He was strong, she'd give him that. She bit his lip and he finally pulled back. He smiled again before spitting out the blood that had seeped from the cut in his mouth.
"That almost makes us even."
Ron and Neville had started running towards them when Malfoy had first grabbed Michelle. Reaching the couple, Ron was fully prepared to deck Draco, but Michelle held him back, suggesting they leave. Seeing the blood on Draco's lip convinced Ron that doing anything else would probably get them all in trouble. Michelle got the play by play on her accident from Ron as they went to the hospital wing. She was checked over. Nothing was broken so they returned to the house. Michelle made the guys promise to not tell Harry. It would be better coming from her.
After dinner that night, Michelle sat next to Harry on one of the big couches. They were laboring through homework not saying much to each other. Still, it was good to be physically close even if they weren't talking. It took several meaningful glances from Ron before Michelle spoke up.
"So, Harry..." she waited for him to look up from the book he was reading. "I've got a little something to tell you."
Harry's brow wrinkled, "What?"
"This afternoon, I sorta fell off my broom."
"You what?"
"We were working on the extra credit skills for Hooch's class and I fell."
"Took a nose dive is more like it..." offered Ron.
"Are you hurt?" Harry glanced over her anxiously.
Michelle threw a quick annoyed glance at Ron before answering. "No, I'm fine. Someone broke my fall and I landed rather gently."
Ron caught Harry's eye. "Malfoy caught hold of her coat and slowed her down."
Michelle could see the effect Malfoy's name had on Harry. "I'm sure he was hoping to impress everyone. I doubt he did it to help me."
"Why did you fall?"
"I don't know."
"It looked like you fainted..." Ron gave Michelle another look before continuing. "Tell him what happened next."
Michelle wanted to hit him and hard. He wasn't making this any easier. "Malfoy just acted like a jerk that's all."
"He kissed her."
Harry's eyes widened, "He what?!"
"I went over to thank him for catching me and he grabbed me."
Harry stood up and began to step over their legs. "I'm gonna kill him..."
Michelle caught his hand, "Whoa...it's okay. I bit him so I don't think he's going to try it again." She tugged on his hand and eventually he sat back down. "He just knew it would piss me and you both off. He's a little git that's all."
Harry stole a glance at Ron. He knew Ron would help him get back at Malfoy if he asked.
"So, why do you think you passed out?"
"Beats me...maybe I didn't eat enough lunch or something."
"Could it be the calming potion?"
"Don't think so. That's out of my system by the end of first hour."
"Could you have a vision and not remember it?" Ron offered.
Michelle hadn't thought of that. "I guess it's possible. It must have either been very short or very powerful. I don't remember any of it if I did have one."
Ron's face instantly lit up, causing both of his friends to look at him strangely. "I'll let you two figure this out if that's okay." He stood and went towards the portrait hole. Hermione had just come in, her hands full of books, looking very tired. Ron took the books from her and they went upstairs. Hermione caught Michelle's eye as she passed. She seemed to want to say something, but Ron was ushering her through the common room quickly.
Michelle turned back to Harry, "She isn't taking extra classes again is she?"
"No, she's trying to figure out a way to get you a Seer without having to go to Azkaban."
Michelle smiled, "That's very sweet, but I don't think she's going to have much luck."
"Doesn't hurt to try." Harry's face was a mix of hope and resignation.
Michelle took his hand and stroked it gently, "Kinda sucks being my boyfriend doesn't it?"
"I wish you wouldn't say that. You don't seem to give me any credit. I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to be." Harry looked genuinely hurt.
Michelle was instantly sorry. "You're right. And, I am very glad you are here, by the way. I just want you to be okay."
"I'll be fine. I can handle it."
"Wise beyond your years then, eh Potter?"
"Must be why I like older women..." He leaned in and kissed her softly. They usually tried to not do alot of kissing in front of their fellow housemates. Not because they were keeping things a secret, but because it usually brought on an almost tedious amount of teasing. But, no one seemed to be paying attention so it seemed safe to continue for a moment longer. After a few more kisses, Harry regrettably needed to finish his reading. Michelle snuggled closer to him and in a few minutes fell asleep against him.
The room was dark except for a roaring fire. There didn't seem to be any recognizable feature to the place other than one chair. A woman was kneeling in front of it near the fire. She seemed to be begging for her life. She was saying the same thing over and over again. "I know how you can find him...I know how you can find him..." For a brief moment, she looked away from the chair; the light of the fire illuminating her face clearly.
Michelle yelled out as she awoke. She would've fallen off the couch if Harry hadn't had his arm wrapped around her. He said her name several times and in desperation, shook her to get her attention. Michelle seemed to notice him and her surroundings. Most of the students had already gone to bed, but Harry could hear noises coming from the bedrooms above him. He knew their moment alone wouldn't last much longer.
He held her face in his hands, "What is it? What did you see?"
Michelle was still in a state of shock, "It's not possible..."
"What?!!"
"I...I saw..." she searched his eyes desperately.
Harry could hear students coming down the stairs. "Everyone's up. You have to tell me quickly. Did you see Voldermort?"
Thankfully, this was a question Michelle could answer, "No...it wasn't my usual vision. This was something different."
"Different how?"
"No knife, no Voldermort, no you..." She looked towards the stairs and saw a group of students waiting to find out what happened. She made herself stand up.
"Sorry about that...just had a really horrible nightmare. Probably thinking about my Potions homework..." She began picking up her books. "It's okay...you can all go back to bed..."
A bit stunned, Harry grabbed his things and followed her behind the rest of the students up the steps. He held Michelle back on the first landing.
"You saw something."
Michelle nodded reluctantly. "I saw something...I'm just not sure what it was. Let me sleep on it...please." Her eyes begged Harry to let their talk wait till morning. Harry could tell he wouldn't get anything from her tonight.
"Take the calming potion and try to rest. You know where to find me if you need something." He knew she couldn't come down to his room, but he wanted to offer just the same.
"I wish I could sleep next to you tonight..." her voice was soft, but serious.
"I wish you could too."
She hugged him before going to her own room to frantically write down what she'd seen. If her vision was what she thought it was, it could change almost everything.
