Disclaimer: I started out this story not owning Harry Potter and now I finish with no improvement on the matter.
Author's Note: Sorry this wasn't up sooner. Well here it is the last chapter...begins to cry uncontrollably I am so glad sob that you all have liked it sob so sob much...
Tinkbelle: That's cool. I play oboe in concert band and last year I played piccolo in marching. But this year I am Drum major...whoot Thanks for sticking with the story from the beginning!
sassy-diva2004: glad you like it and I am glad that it goes smoothly. I was one of the things I was shooting for.
Ginny-W13 and tigerlily727: glad you both liked the last chapter, and I did have fun at homecoming
Well here it is the last chapter...
Chapter 16:
"Talk? About what?" Hermione inquired, looking into the serious eyes of Malfoy.
"The other night. I know we talked about it before and that we both understood stuff, but the fact is: we are both going back to school where we are supposed to hate each other. And yet I find myself thinking that you aren't that bad." Malfoy said in all one breath.
Hermione stood staring not believing that Malfoy had said that, "Yes I suppose I feel the same way you do."
"So what do we do."
"Well the other night, it was just..I...." Hermione stammered trying to put her words together
"Yes and I ....well I" Malfoy said doing the same.
"Got caught up in the moment." They both finished in unison.
There was a moment of silence before Hermione started to smile and Malfoy closely followed suit with his trade mark smirk.
"So we agree then," Hermione said.
"Yeah, before we get carried away we become...dare I say it....better friends?"
"Sounds good to me. But what are we gonna do about our friends?" Hermione said, suddenly remember Harry and Ron lay on the other side of the door.
"In the halls and during classes we will act as we always have. But when we are alone,"
"Like on our patrols we will act civil." Hermione finished sticking out her hand for Malfoy to shake. Malfoy took it.
Once Hermione opened the door herself and Malfoy were met with a bone chilling breeze. Hermione had been wrong it wasn't a cloudy day, but a very cloudy night. The edge of the Forbidden Forest lay some five feet away from them, as they were standing in a gap that appeared in a tree. They quickly ran to the edge of the forest and stood by Hagrid's cabin.
The Hogwart's grounds were covered in snow. The lake had frozen over and traces of student's skates could be seen on its surface. Footsteps in the snow could be seen.
Hermione and Malfoy did the best job they could of jogging toward the two oak doors that would soon be welcoming them.
As they neared the castle a figure was rushing toward them clutching his cloak to his body. Thinking quickly Hermione and Malfoy both grabbed their wands at the same time, ready.
"Ah, if it isn't Mister Malfoy and Miss Granger, I wish you both a Merry Christmas." The all too familiar voice of Albus Dumbledore greeted them. Hermione and Malfoy put their wands back into their pockets. "I take it you two have had a nice visit."
All at once the two freezing teens broke into an explanation.
"There was this guy."
"I followed her."
"Then the centaurs."
"My watch broke."
"And his wrist."
"So then we went into the cabin."
"and the-"
Dumbledore held his hand up for silence. "Um, sir, could we please go inside?" Hermione asked.
As the two oak doors opened the three were greeted by the smell of the house elves already working on the Christmas feast. The hall was decorated with wreaths, holly, and mistletoe.
"Mr. Malfoy, might I ask you a question?" Dumbledore asked the twinkle in his eye as bright as it had ever been. Malfoy merely nodded, getting used to the warmth. "Where were you two?"
"I cant really say sir. We were chased deep into the forest by centaurs when we saw this cabin looking thingy. When we got inside the door disappeared and all there was, were two beds, a table, and chairs. Every now and then meals would appear, and so would bathroom."
"Is it that time already?" Dumbledore asked.
"Excuse me sir, but what time?" Hermione wondered.
"Every fifty years that room appears in different parts of the forest and waits there until it is used, but if it isn't it disappears after a month. The only way in is through the door you went through, but as you saw is disappears. Why does it disappear?" the wise old man said, looking at the two confused teens. "Because the only time you need protection in the forest is when one is in trouble there fore it disappears so no one else can get in.
"Since there is only one way in, there is only one way out. And at the exit appears in a different tree every time."
"Very peculiar" Hermione said, fascinated.
"Yes, it is." Malfoy said.
"Sir, the reason we got stuck in there is because we were following this man I had been seeing weeks prior. Have you found anyone?"
"Actually Miss Granger, we did. A wizard was lost, good thing we found him, he was on the brink of death. He turned out to be an illegal Animagi." Dumbledore said, adding his last comment with fascination.
"What is out punishment going to be, Headmaster." Hermione asked, receiving a nudge in the side from Malfoy. "Ow"
"There shall be no punishment. For I am sure these past weeks have been punishment enough. Considering the circumstances." Malfoy and Hermione merely nodded. "Now I think it wise for you two to go to your houses and get as much sleep as possible. Your friends will be waking in a few hours and I am sure your return will be there favorite present. Good Night." And with that Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts was gone with the swish of his cloak.
"Good Night Granger."
"Night, Malfoy"
Hermione walked up the huge steps towards her common room and Malfoy towards the dungeons. "Hey Granger."
"Yeah," Hermione said turning around.
"Happy Christmas." Malfoy said, tossing her is now finished carving.
Hermione caught it with a smile before digging in her robes. "Happy Christmas." she replied, throwing her now finished story at Malfoy. Malfoy, too, caught his with a smile.
"And remember." he went on. "What-"
"Happens in The Room of Surprises, stays in The Room of Surprises." Hermione finished.
Once again Hermione and Malfoy went their separate ways. As Hermione neared the top of the stairs she looked at the wooden object now in her hand. It was a small cabin, that seemed to be made of wood. But Hermione knew all to well that inside would have been a single room of stone with two beds, a table, chairs, and no door.
Our story ends here. The Head Boy and Head Girl were both bombarded with questions upon being seen when they woke the next morning. In the weeks to follow they acted as if they always had. Throwing rude comments back and forth and giving each other cold glares. But when alone on their patrols the two acted as friends. Friends that shared a bond like no one would ever have. The bond that blossomed after being stuck in a room for weeks, with your worst enemy.
Author's Note: Don't hit me!!! I know they didn't end up together, but I didn't want them two, so sorry. I don't know about a sequel. Maybe, maybe not. You may find a Jekyll and Hyde story from me soon, I recently saw that play and I am not obsessed. Wish me luck this Saturday, its our first competition. Thank you all for reading, and I am glad you liked it. )
Slytherin-In-The-Rain