Remnants of Life
Disclaimer: The Characters aren't mine, only the Plot. Characters are from the mind of J.K. Rowling.
Rating: PG-13
===Note===
Lots of Drama in this chapter. I like writing Drama and Angst. Afraid I don't do as well with Romance however. I'll work on that though.
Chapter 3: The Pain You Cause
The siege of the castle began at dawn. It was the noise outside which woke her and drew her from under the covers. Hermione heard their shouts as soon as the sun first lit up the sky, and wondered how such misery could be experienced on such glorious a morning.
Seeing that most of the others were still sleeping, she crept from her dormitory toward the front of the school. The Halls were empty and flooded with sunlight. She located a window facing east and saw them. She had to squint into the sunrise to make out their shapes. The once beautiful grounds were invaded by the enemy. Their fires sent smoke drifting up and obstructed her view.
There were hundreds of them; Deatheaters, Trolls, Giants. The Dark lord had gathered all the world's evil into one unconquerable army. A gasp escaped Hermione when she was at last able to make out what she was seeing through the smoke. The time had come, and there was nothing left to hope for. She took a few startled steps backwards and in an attempt to escape what she had just witnessed.
"It's quite a sight isn't it?" His words were smooth and unconcerned as if he was simply making small talk.
Hermione jumped at the voice, but calmed herself quickly, hoping he didn't notice. She didn't bother to turn around when she responded.
"Yes, I suppose it is." She spoke with a high voice which didn't resemble her own. She hardly noticed however, distracted by the pounding in her ears.
Malfoy took his place beside her at the window. Though his countenance was grim, he still appeared calm. His gaze rested on the enemy outside yet he showed no sorrow or fear. Hermione wondered how it was possible.
The thudding in her head increased in pace and she realized it was her own heartbeat.
"Is this how it ends?" She asked him quietly, in hopes that he would provide her with some comforting remark. He had given her the feeling of security twice before, she would have begged for him to do so again.
"No, Granger. It hasn't even begun yet." Malfoy said, never taking his eyes off the sight before them. "They'll try to penetrate into the castle soon. We'll see what happens then."
His voice gave the impression of practical disinterest in the situation. She wondered what drove him to be so unfeeling. She puzzled over what he could have discovered to make him fearless of death.
Hermione concealed her hands to hide the trembling. If he was to show no terror, neither would she, no matter how much she dreaded the future rushing forth to meet them.
His words brought her no good feeling as she had hoped, but Hermione pushed for something more never the less.
"Will we fight?" She asked softly. Her eyes flickered to his face and saw that he had not moved his gaze from the window. He seemed almost entranced by the scene, as if doom sparked a fascination in him.
Malfoy laughed aloud and the sound caused her to flinch. Hermione wondered in alarm at what had possibly amused him. She doubted it was something which would console her.
"Will we fight you ask?" He turned to her at last and looked at her as if she was a child who he pitied. Hermione could almost feel herself shrinking in size before his intense gaze.
"Who chooses to fight a losing battle?" He inquired of her. Malfoy's head tilted to the side as he waited for a response, as if genuinely puzzled by her question.
Hermione wasn't sure what to say. Her mouth opened to speak but nothing left her lips. Finally, she felt a question rise in her which she did not want the answer to.
"I thought you said it hasn't even begun?" She choked out. Regret flooded her immediately afterwards. Hermione didn't want to hear his response, but listened tensely never the less.
"Yes, but don't you see? We've already lost this war. Your glorious hero lost it for us when he allowed the Dark Lord to return. This is the beginning of the end, love." Malfoy spoke with a bitter sarcasm which wounded her. She soon discovered however, that his words caused her more pain than his tone.
"How can you blame Harry for this? What has he done to be so falsely accused?" She asked him urgently. Hermione prayed his retort would be some pathetic reason based on past grudges.
"He was there that night wasn't he!? He was there when the Dark Lord returned to power. And what did he do? He failed; he failed us all." Malfoy spoke with a combination of venom and hatred. He turned from her back to the window in frustration. Hermione saw now that his calm demeanor was gone.
Her own anger rose in her at his words. It was her duty to defend her friend. It had been expected of her for the past seven years. Hermione opened her mouth to argue before she even reflected on what she was to say.
"How can you blame him? He was just a boy. It was a miracle that he even escaped with his own life." Hermione realized how shrill she sounded, but discovered she was beyond dignity and reason.
Malfoy laughed in his cruel way once more. She hated how his voice chilled her and caused her already trembling hands to shake ever more violently. The last outburst left her gasping for breathe. She was still panting when his laughter subsided.
"Yes, Potter does have a way of escaping from danger doesn't he? You need not feel any concern for him; he always manages to save himself. But what about everyone else whom he leaves behind? Tell me what happens to them!" Malfoy was shouting at her now. His voice rose with each word spoken. Hermione took several startled steps backwards, but he only advanced on her still.
He finished and looked her in the eye. She saw the fire which burned in them die an instant later, his calm façade erected back in place. He too was panting now, his chest visibly rose and fell. Hermione wondered what had caused him to break. What had she said to invite such a violent reaction?
"He's just a boy." She said quietly. Her statement was met with a brief chuckle.
"It's not particularly comforting to know our fate rests with a boy now is it?" Malfoy looked at her with something close to amusement. His eyes almost danced as he taunted her with what she wouldn't accept as true. Hermione wished desperately that she could just run away and leave him with his insane notions, but his words captured her and held her prisoner.
"And where is this boy now?" Malfoy continued, "He's protected at home I believe, while we wait here for death."
A tear escaped Hermione when she heard this. Her vision soon became blurred with more until Malfoy faded from sight altogether. She sunk to the ground and hugged her knees seeking comfort. No, she refused to accept his words held any potential for truth.
She heard his footsteps echo as he came toward her. Wiping the tears from her face, Hermione looked up and saw him standing over her with a pitying expression. To her surprise, Malfoy offered a hand to help her up. She brushed it away with effort. She no longer desired his consolation.
Sighing at her refusal, he lowered himself to the ground beside her. Kneeling, Malfoy moved the hand she was using to cover her face and spoke to her quite calmly.
"Forget what I said, Granger. There's no use in placing blame now."
Hermione looked for sincerity in his face but found it blank as usual. She nodded to show she accepted this as the only form of apology he would provide. There would be no point in pushing for something more.
She stood with his help and returned to the window to gaze out at the enemy. "What are they waiting for?" She asked him.
"A favorable time to strike, I suppose." He continued after Hermione favored him with a curious look. "It's daylight now so it's unlikely they would sneak into the castle by any means. The main doors are charmed, so it's doubtful they can move past them without extensive effort. It's possible they are simply waiting for nightfall, or a new plan to be conceived."
Hermione didn't respond, but felt her chest tighten with dread. She realized that the rest of the day would be spent in fear.
"And what will you do when they come?" She asked slowly.
Malfoy frowned as he considered his answer. "Save what I can."
He looked to her intently causing her to wonder at the meaning behind his words. His eyes were bright and seductive in an unintentional way. Hermione felt herself drowning in their smothering radiance and couldn't find words to say.
"I see," she finally uttered, her gaze unblinking.
Quickly, she shook her head and broke the connection. An instant later, her fears returned in full force and dragged her back into her torment.
Hermione didn't speak as she left him standing by the window. Hurriedly she walked down the corridor to seek a source of comfort that wasn't so perplexing.
===Note===
Ouch, Harry doesn't come off too well in this chapter now does he? Ah well, you know who the real hero in this story is. Review please!
-Captive