Second Thought – Chapter 2
Hermione woke with a start the next morning, initially thinking at was a dream that had awoken her. She must have been thrashing around last night and, by the state of her wet sheets, in a cold sweat. She ran a hand through her damp hair, breathing heavily. She remembered hearing screaming, the screaming of a guy pleading with someone.
But then it dawned on her, the screaming had not stopped. In fact, it was louder and more urgent now than ever before. She knew it was Draco. He was in trouble. His voice was panicked.
"Please, no."
Hermione couldn't stand it any longer. She jumped out of bed and bolted out of the dormitory and out of the common room. As she reached the top of the stairs, she stopped. Where was he? He could be anywhere? She closed her eyes, and was thinking about Draco. Where would he be? Slytherin Common Room? Great Hall? Then, as if a page had been turned in a book, she saw him. The image was not clear though. It was blurred with no real outlines of shapes. It was like she wasn't concentrating hard enough. But the image was clear enough to know where he was and whom he was with. He was standing on the front steps of the school, with Lucius Malfoy standing in front of him.
She ran down the steps, jumping four steps at a time. She needed to get there quickly. The panic in his voice frightened her. There must be a reason. Why would Draco Malfoy, son of a death eater, be scared?
Just before she got to the front entrance, she stopped. What exactly was she going to do? She had come all the way down the stairs, and now she didn't know what to do. It would be very hard to explain and Lucius isn't her biggest fan. She hoped that just disrupting their conversation would be enough. She jumped down the last few steps then composed herself before opening the door.
Before her stood Draco dressed in only his pyjamas and Lucius Malfoy pointing his stick at Draco. At the sound of the door he instantly lowered it. He glared at Hermione.
"What are you doing here?" he said accusingly, and very annoyed at being disturbed.
"Like it's any of your business, but I'm going to see Hagrid," she lied. "What are you doing here?" she asked boldly.
"I wished to speak to my son," he said through clenched teeth. He continued to glare at her but she ignored him. She couldn't help but notice how quiet Draco was. He had not said a word.
"I'm sure Professor Dumbledore will be glad to hear you dropped by when I tell him," Hermione said, almost threatening him. Half of her was screaming at her, "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" Had she gone mad? She was wandless, and outnumbered, and she was threatening him? She couldn't decide if that was her thinking that or Draco. The voices in her head seemed to be jumbled.
"I'm sure he will," he said coolly.
"Good day Mr Malfoy," Hermione said waiting for Lucius to back down. She was not scared of him.
Surprisingly, Lucius backed down, something she thought she would never see. She wasn't the only one who was surprised either. The look on Draco's face said it all. He couldn't believe that Hermione had stood up to his father, and WON!
Turning on his heels, Lucius left and Hermione headed over to Hagrid's hut. She smiled to herself as she heard Draco think, "Thank You! Thank You! Thank you!" as he stepped back inside the school.
There was no reason for her to visit Hagrid. It was just a lie to Lucius, but she was half way there now, and there was no chance of her sleeping now. Not after all that excitement.
She loudly knocked three times on the huge oak door and waited for the big softie to open the door. She turned around to view the morning landscape. It was beautiful. The morning mist was settled in between the pine trees on either side of the valley softening the harsh green of the trees against the white snow on top of the hills. The top of Hogwarts Castle was obstructed by low morning cloud, giving the impression that the castle rose on for eternity. The dew on the grass sparkled in the low morning sun, and the beautiful song of the song thrush echoed all around. It's cheerful voice brightening the spirits of all those who hear it. Hermione wrapped her arms round her as she gazed upon this sight. She had not realised how cold it was on this morning, and rubbed her arms to keep warm.
"Poor Draco, he must have been freezing," she said quietly to herself. She froze. She didn't just say that? Draco Malfoy does not deserve her pity. She couldn't have thought that. She just couldn't.
Hermione heard the bolt on the door slide open and the heavy door pulled open with ease.
"Hullo 'Ermione. Wot r ya doin' ere at tis time in ter morin? He said as he invited her inside.
"Couldn't sleep. I didn't wake you did I?" she said checking her watch. She hadn't realised it was only 5:30.
"Course not Ermione. Gotta feed ter neezul n puffskien babees evry few owers. So how u bin?" he asked while making them both a cup of tea.
"I'm fine."
"Erd bout ur detensun."
"Not my finest hour," she said ashamed.
"Malfoy deserve it tho," Hagrid said trying to comfort her.
"Maybe," Hermione answered thoughtfully. "Hagrid, can I ask you something?" she said after a pause.
"Of course," he said sitting down to listen carefully to her question.
"What do you do if you discover something about someone, something only you know about? Something you feel you should do something about but don't know what," she asked speaking very vaguely.
"Ave ya tried talking to em?"
"I don't think I can. He doesn't even realise…" she stopped mid-sentence. She had said too much. She couldn't tell him Draco was telepathic, or he would go to Dumbledore.
"Shud ya tell Dumbledoor?" he asked noticing she had stopped.
"Probably."
"Are ya gonna?"
"Not yet. There's something about it that doesn't add up. I need to figure that out before I can tell anyone. You're not going to tell him are you?" Hermione said suddenly worried.
"Course not Ermione. Is ter anyfig I cud do?" Hagrid asked.
"No," Hermione weakly smiled. "But thanks for the offer."
She sat quietly sipping her tea as Hagrid explained about his 'babees'. She smiled at his enthusiasm at being a father figure, but like had been with Norbert. At least these weren't half as dangerous as a dragon, but mind you, if you got too close they would give you a nasty nip!
Finally she decided it was time to leave so when Hagrid took a breathe she stepped in.
"I better get back to the castle. I need to change before class," she explained. She could see him looking at her current attire and getting confused. "I haven't changed yet. I slept in my clothes."
"In der libray were ya?" he guessed.
"Yeah," she said not liking that it was that obvious. "I'll talk to you again soon Hagrid. And thank you," and she left herself out of the hut, not forgetting to pat Fang as she past the sleeping softie.
She ran back up the stairs and into the shower before anyone realised. When she had finished, Ginny and Lavender were stirring.
"Morning," Hermione said cheerfully. The shower had really woken her up, but god knows what had put her in a good mood.
"I hate that you're a morning person," Lavender yawned.
"There should be no hate on a morning as beautiful as this!" Hermione replied.
"Unless of course, you're Draco Malfoy then you just hate everything," Ginny quipped. They all laughed. That was when it dawned on Hermione. Her good mood was because of Draco! Him thanking her (although not verbally) had put her in a good mood.
"Earth to Hermione," Ginny said waving her hand in front of Hermione's face.
"What?" Hermione said shaking herself from her thoughts.
"Welcome back," Ginny smiled.
"What? I went somewhere?" Hermione quipped.
"So who is he?" Lavender said suddenly awake at the prospect of gossip.
"Who is who?" Hermione asked confused.
"Well, by the look on your face it had to have been a guy you were thinking of," Lavender guessed. Hermione could not prevent herself from blushing.
"It was!" Ginny shouted out.
"NO!" Hermione protested.
"Was it Harry?" Ginny asked.
"Or Ron?" Lavender added. All the girls laughed, with Ginny cringing at the thought of the last one.
"No way! It was no-one," Hermione repeated. "Anyways, you two better get ready or you'll be late for breakfast," Hermione said changing the subject.
Lavender glanced at the clock on the wall of their dormitory and realised the time. She turned back and noticed Ginny and realised the exact same thing. Both girls dashed for the bathroom, but Ginny was faster and pushed Lavender out of the way and locked herself inside the bathroom.
"I suppose having 5 older brothers makes you fast," Hermione quipped. Lavender laughed and got up off the floor where Ginny had pushed her.
Hermione watched Lavender as she decided what she was going to wear that day. It was like the opening scene from 'Clueless' where Cher is picking out her outfit. She was so choosey. The outfit had to be perfect, regardless that it would be covered up by the school robes. Hermione had once asked her why and Lavender replied, "the wind might blow the robes and people could see what was underneath. Imagine your embarrassment if your outfit did not match!" That taught Hermione never to try and comprehend the weird ways of Lavender Brown.
It got Hermione thinking about her outfits. She had hung around lads for so long that her attire started to reflect that. She was like one of the lads. They didn't treat her, or see her as a girl. She would always wear t-shirts and jeans. There were other guys in the school they must have noticed. What must they think of her? They must think she is a tom-boy or something.
She couldn't believe how she was thinking. She's never been bothered about the way she looked, why start now? She had a rummage round in her drawers at all her clothes. She always brought more girly clothes but never wore them, even on weekends. She had this pretty sleeveless white top and blue patterned skirt. She always thought she looked pretty in it, but she had never actually worn it. Then she had an idea. It was the Hogsmeade trip this weekend, she could wear it for that.
She heard a click as Ginny exited the bathroom and Lavender pushed past to get in. Ginny had really grown up over the last year. Her figure had really developed and her face looked more mature. It wasn't surprising that all the guys drooled over her, including Harry. Hermione couldn't imagine Ron's reaction if he caught Harry. He would be furious to say the least.
Hermione sat crossed legged on her bed and opened the telepathy book and started to read it. Hermione couldn't help but agree with Irma, it was an interesting topic. She reread the passage about images from the introduction. Did this mean she was telepathic too? But that question wasn't as important as was Draco only communicating with her? It wasn't like they were friends or anything. They hated each other, with a passion. It made no sense.
She figured out that none of Draco's broadcast were voluntary, especially the ones this morning. Those were sort of desperate. Yeah, desperate to get out of the cold, she thought. But there was still something nagging at her about the whole scene this morning.
She didn't have time to ponder the question long, as Lavender came out of the bathroom, fully made up, as always. It made Hermione self-conscience again. Compared to those two she looked… simple. She didn't have time to change though, so she would just have to wait until this weekend before she wowed the lads with her new look.
It was time they had to leaving. Not wanting anyone to figure out what was happening with Draco, she hid the book.
The day went smoothly, and Draco didn't communicate with her once, not even verbally. It was like his way of thinking her or maybe he didn't want anyone to knew his father had been at the school, Hermione couldn't decide. Either way, she did not tell Dumbledore about Lucius' visit. Regardless of the implications of him being there, she still felt it was the right thing to do.
It wasn't until that night hat she heard something from him. She was sitting in the Gryffindor Common Room and watching Harry and Ron as they played a brutal match of wizards chess. It really was a barbaric game. Ron had completely destroyed Harry's bishop and beheaded his queen.
Harry had just taken Ron's rook when she heard it. It was Draco. He wasn't panicked, but it was him just thinking things over. Unlike the times before, she decided to listen to what he had to say.
"It's a long way down. Not like anyone would miss me. Nobody actually cares about me. Not a soul. They don't care that I can't stand this life of mine anymore. They all say I'm my father's son, that I'm a typical Malfoy. If they only knew how much I despise my father. Never would I become a death eater. Never. I'd like to see him try and put the mark on me. I won't give up my soul without a fight. I don't care that he's stronger than me, or how many bones he breaks. He can break every bone in my body, but I won't surrender. Although he's probably broken them all at some point in my life already. This is my life.
"But my mother. What would he do to her if I refused? She would take the full force of his anger. Could I do that to her? She can't handle anymore beatings. Another haemorrhage could kill her.
"I'm trapped."
Hermione could feel his despair and how desperate he was. The words "long way down" echoed in her mind. A very curious statement. She closed her eyes to find him. It wasn't as hard as before as she knew the feeling to reach.
She saw him. The image of him was clearer, a lot clearer than before. He was looking out across the landscape of Scotland, with it rugged mountains and valleys weaving throughout the landscape. It was a beautiful sight. But where was he?
"Oh my god!" she said getting up out of her chair. Harry and Ron looked at her upon hearing her voice interrupting their game.
"Hermione?" Harry said. But Hermione didn't hear him. She was already running out of the common room. Draco was on the astronomy tower. He was going to throw himself off!
No matter how much she hated him, she couldn't, wouldn't, let him do that.
"Accio homework," she said and her homework followed her up the stairs. She needed an excuse to why she was up there or Draco would become suspicious. This was not the moment to tell him he was telepathic.
She opened the trap door to the tower and Draco instantly spun round.
"Granger," he said annoyed. "You have a habit of interrupting me."
"I'm sorry. I didn't realise anyone was up here," she apologised. She was determined to be pleasant to him, regardless how nasty he was to her.
"Well, there is someone up here Granger, so get lost," he said angrily.
"I have homework to do."
"What sort of homework do you do on the top of a tower at night?" he said accusingly.
"Astronomy."
"Oh," he said looking rather embarrassed.
"So what are you doing up here?" Hermione asked as if she was making conversation. She joined him at the same turret he was standing on mimicking his position, with her elbows resting on the stone slab.
"I came out here for some fresh air," he said taking a packet of cigarettes out of his pocket and placing the white stick in his mouth.
"Real fresh," Hermione quipped. Draco shot a look at her and she raised her arms in surrender.
"Want one?" he offered. Hermione glared at him with a look that said, "you've got to be kidding." He returned the packet to his pocket and lit the cigarette.
"You know, we should really learn to get along," Hermione started.
"Why?"
"Because there are more important things at stake. And we don't need to fight each other."
"Go and take the most enjoyable part of my day away from me why don't you?" Draco retorted.
"Draco you are not a bad person," Hermione said. "An asshole, but not a bad person," Hermione told him. He smiled. It was a lovely smile. An honest smile.
"Why, thank you for telling me that," he said sarcastically. "That makes me feel a whole lot better," he continued with the sarcastic tone. But Hermione could tell that the latter part was sincere. They stood there together silently watching the landscape slowly fade into the darkness. Wild owls were flying about the school along with several types of bats. They were swooping low, almost touching their heads. So close in fact that they could feel the wind off them. They were hard to follow especially with the failing light, but they both seemed to be mesmerised by them.
Hermione was the first to move. She went back to her homework, which she had already done, and packed it away.
"You not going to do your homework?" Draco asked.
"I'll do it later," she explained. "See you in detention Draco."
"Yeah," he said quietly. As she was walking down the stairs of the tower she could hear Draco thinking, "Well maybe there is a reason to live after all." She had prevented his suicide. A rush of self-achievement rushed over Hermione. He had called out to her and she had listened. But she somehow knew his suicidal intentions would not have been stopped here. There was so much going on his life, that one conversation with her could not change that. But how could she help him? After listening to what he had thought, she realised that his problems were bigger than her. She couldn't stop Lucius Malfoy or Voldermort. He was right: he was trapped.
The detention came round a lot quicker than Hermione expected, but found herself looking forward to it. She had spent quite a few hours pouring over the plans for McGonagall's room. She had bewitched the plans so they would appear in 3D and would appear exactly how she envisioned. However none of the concepts she had designed she actually liked. They were either too harsh with the green or not enough or just looked completely wrong. It just didn't look right. She was not Monet or Lowry, but it was the best she could. Before she went she checked her hair in the mirror. Her cousin, Cassie, had taught her this new spell from 'Teen Witch Weekly', which could straighten the wildest of hair, or so it claimed. She had decided to try it out tonight before Hogsmeade. So far it was working, her hair was beautifully straight.
She walked calmly down to McGonagall's classroom, looking at her pictures in her hands. The more she looked at them, the more she hated them.
'Bet Malfoy hasn't done anything. So they'll have to do,' Hermione thought. 'On the other hand, he does have other things on his mind.'
"Er Granger?" Draco said pointing his head out of the classroom, which she had just walked past.
'Damn,' she thought highly annoyed at herself.
"You coming in here or is the library calling you?" he said sarcastically. For some reason, Hermione wasn't angry with him, and laughed at his comment.
"It's more of a huge neon sign actually," she retorted. Draco laughed at her, and returned back inside the classroom, with Hermione following.
McGonagall was inside the classroom putting away some work for the next day, she looked up as the two detentionees entered the room. They were both laughing at some private joke between them. McGonagall smiled to herself. She hoped that this detention would bring them closer, and hopefully stop the constant fighting. It more than worked. They could almost be considered friends. Almost.
"How are the design concepts coming along?" she asked them as Hermione and Draco took seats at opposites sides of her classroom.
"I have some designs, but I suppose I should discuss them with Dr…Malfoy," she reiterated his name.
"OK, I'll be in my office again if you need me. Need I remind you that this 'project' has to be completed by the end of next month," McGonagall said.
"I understand Professor."
"Good," and with that she left them alone again.
They sat in silence for a while, neither sure what to say. Finally Draco spoke up.
"So what did you come up with?" he said sounding rather tired.
"Not a lot. I don't really like them either," she admitted handing the designs to Draco. "What about you?"
"Same." Hermione got up and took his designs off his desk. She had a quick flick through and she was amazed. They were brilliant, certainly better than anything she could have imagined.
"These are brilliant, why don't you like them?" Hermione asked.
"I dunno," he shrugged his shoulders.
Hermione looked at his designs more carefully. There was this one that she was particularly keen on. It was green, but only subtlety. The walls were cream, but a band at the top was dark Slytherin green, making the ceiling look lower than it actually was. There was this rug under McGonagall's desk, that Draco must have designed himself, which was again cream and green. The alcoves were also green but a lot lighter green than the top of the walls, so they appeared to have more light in them. The wooden panelling in the room was left untouched apart from the flat panels which were dark green, with the Gryffindor badge painted in the middle of each. The wood around the top windows were painted dark green, to match the top of the wall. The ceiling had a beautifully carved coving already, and Draco highlighted it by painting it a shade of green the was lighter than the dark, but not too light. The ceiling itself was cream and the three ceiling roses were the same green as the coving. There was a huge Gryffindor badge on the back wall behind the blackboard too. It was perfect. It would be a huge change for the room, making it lighter, but the dark green adding a bit of interest to the room.
"What about this one?" Hermione said handing him the design. He looked at it.
"You don't think it's too green for Head of Gryffindor?" he questioned.
"No, I think it's perfect. Although, I wouldn't paint the wood around the top windows. I think it would be better if they were left as the dark brown," Hermione suggested. "And I would add seating to the alcoves for when we have to do our own research."
"We could spilt the books into two bookcases and have one at each alcove," Draco added.
"That would be brilliant," Hermione said pulling a chair up and sitting opposite Draco while he improved his designs.
Strangely, the night went well. After making minor adjustments to the room, they were ready to present the design concept to McGonagall. But they both decided it was too late to go now, so would leave until the next detention, whenever that was. Instead, they talked. Hermione couldn't help but find it strange that Draco and herself were talking, but they were. They talked about teachers and Hogwarts to begin with but the conversation developed.
"Snape can be cruel" Draco agreed.
"Not shit Sherlock," Hermione quipped.
"Well, if I'm Sherlock Holmes, that would make you Watson wouldn't it?" He retorted. Hermione laughed. "When you eliminate the impossible whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."
"Wait a minute," Hermione said realising something. "You've read Sherlock Holmes?" Hermione asked.
"So?" Draco said.
"No it's just… I didn't expect that."
"From someone like me?" he added angrily.
"That's not what I meant," Hermione said trying to calm him down.
"Yeah it was. How does a pureblood wizard like me know about muggle books? Don't think that you know me Granger," he said standing up.
"I really didn't mean it like that. Most people haven't read Sherlock Holmes," she explained. "Draco I'm sorry."
"Whatever," and one again, he stormed out.
Hermione sighed. 'Now there's an angry and passionate person,' Hermione thought. She gathered up the designs, careful not to bend their preferred design and headed back to the Gryffindor Common Room.
Harry and Ron were not in the common room, so Hermione headed straight up to bed. Inside, Lavender and Ginny were immersed in deep conversation about some guy no doubt Hermione thought. Hermione put the designs down on the bed and flopped down beside them. Lavender came over and picked up the design.
"This is good," Lavender commented.
"Thanks," Hermione said tired.
"Enjoy your detention with Malfoy?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah, it was hilarious," Hermione said sarcastically.
"The Hogsmeade trip will cheer you up," Lavender sympathised.
"God I hope so," Hermione said. Lavender and Ginny returned to their conversation before Hermione rudely interrupted them, while Hermione got changed for bed.
Once in bed, she pulled the curtains round and got the book on Telepathy out. She continued to read it. She now realised that she could hear Draco's thoughts because he was desperate, desperate for anyone to hear his cries. She had heard them, but what to do about them. She wondered if Draco could hear her thoughts. She needed to read this book very carefully before she tried anything though. She didn't want to be trapped in his mind. Imagine what could be in there! But something was niggling away at her, a question really only Draco could answer. Why her?
A/N – More coming soon. I know there isn't any romance in this, but just wait. I'm getting there. Love Snowflake Shona xXx
