Dumbledore to the Rescue

"I think they call it love

It's nothing to be scared about – believe me

Ain't nothing we can do

Just let it be a part of you – and feel it"

Hermione, Draco, Harry, and Ron all stared at the delicate flower that was on the floor, where Dean had disappeared seconds earlier. They were in disbelief and were bewildered by the unexplainable event that had just occurred. After a few minutes, Ron decided to break the silence.

"I-isn't this the same rose you saw on Seamus's bed this morning, Harry?"

Harry was shocked. He had forgotten about what he had seen earlier in the day, and it was only now that his memories of trying to find Seamus were flooding back to him.

"Y-y-yeah."

"W-what do you suppose it means?" Ron asked nervously.

"I don't know."

"I'm going to get Dumbledore," Hermione stated and started to walk forward. However, Draco grabbed her hand before she could step any further.

"Wait, you're leaving me here?" he asked. She looked into his eyes and saw a sense of uncertainty in them. It was quite strange since it was very rare to see that kind of emotion in a Malfoy.

"Malfoy's scared? I'd never thought the day would come when I'd see that," Harry muttered quietly. Apparently, Hermione must have heard it since she glared at him before answering.

"You can come with me," she turned to the other two boys, "You two stay here."

"But—"

"Just stay here! Maybe it's nothing and Dean will come back, so you two have to stay here. We'll be back," Hermione reassured them. In times like these, she had to be the one who takes charge or else no one would know what to do.

"Let's go. Lumos," she took Draco's hand and together, they rushed through the halls with light coming out of their wands to help them guide through the darkness. On any other day, Hermione would've blushed at the thought of holding Draco's hand tightly, but tonight was an exception. She needed him by her side, to know that he's close to her in case anything happens. She felt a feeling of comfort when thinking about that, and continued on their journey of finding Dumbledore's office. They finally reached a large portrait and knew that they were at their destination but another problem surfaced.

"What do we do now?" Draco asked.

"What do you mean! We go in and tell him what just happened!"

"I know! But how are you suppose to do that without the password!"

Hermione forgot about that particular obstacle. She didn't know the password, even though she was very sure it has to be a name of a sweet. She tried thinking of ways to which she could get Dumbledore's attention when Draco suddenly broke into her thoughts.

"Suppose we yell and make loud noises to get him down here?"

She would've laughed at his suggestion, but now wasn't the best time. "Don't be silly. We'd wake up the whole school."

"Isn't that the whole point?"

"No, we only want to wake up Dumbledore."

"Still the same. If we wake up the whole school, he would be up too."

"Then everyone would wonder what's going on! We must talk to him before we do anything else."

"Talk to me about what?"

Hermione and Draco looked startled at the person who had just spoken to them. It was to their relief that it was only Dumbledore.

"Professor Dumbledore! We're really sorry to disturb you!" Hermione apologized.

He smiled, which calmed their nerves down a bit. "I was just sitting at my desk when I heard two voices outside my door, speaking of disrupting my school just to talk to me." He glanced at Draco, who immediately looked down at his feet as if they were suddenly so fascinating. "Is there anything you need me for, Miss Granger?"

"Yes! We need you! It's an emergency!"

"Oh?"

"Yes! We were trying to help Harry find Seamus since we haven't seen him all day, and when we met up with Ron and Dean in front of the Great Hall. We were only there for a few seconds when Dean just vanished, and a black rose had appeared in his place! It was also the same rose that Harry found in Seamus's bed this morning!" Hermione desperately explained.

"I see," Dumbledore didn't seem surprised by this news, which was odd. "Is that true, Mister Malfoy?"

"Yes, sir," Draco replied, still looking at his feet. The Headmaster looked at him for a few more seconds before turning back to Hermione.

"It could possibly be some sort of Vanishing magic." The two students before him looked confused, so he explained further. "Vanishing magic involves quite a few spells that can cause a person to disappear completely. It must not be confused with Invisibility since the person being invisible is still very much present. Apparition, which you are already knowledgeable of, is a type of Vanishing magic but everyone is aware that no one can apparate within school property."

"So what other form is there, Professor?" Hermione asked with fascination.

"The Vanishing spell, also known as the Evanesco spell. In this case, this is the only option that I can think of. Would you please lead the way to the, shall I say, scene of the crime?"

She nodded and guided them the way to the Great Hall, where they noticed that Harry and Ron were still standing there, eagerly waiting for some help.

"Professor Dumbledore!" they both exclaimed.

He merely smiled and looked at the object on the floor. "I presume this is what you were explaining to me about, Miss Granger."

Hermione nodded, hoping that the Headmaster would know the answer to what had just occurred. She glanced at the others and knew that they felt the exactly the same.

"Tell me, was there anyone else here?"

"No, sir" they all replied simultaneously.

"I see."

"Professor? Is everything going to be okay?" Harry asked.

Dumbledore seemed to be pondering as to what to say, but continued on. "I would say that this occurrence is unusual and..." he paused and looked around at the group, "it may be a sign of dangerous things to come. However, I do not want you to describe what you told me to anyone else until I do so myself. Understood?"

They all nodded in agreement but still looked very worried.

"Will they be back?" Ron timidly asked.

"Only time can tell, Mister Weasley. The future holds many mysterious ways to solve the present's obstacles."

Hermione could've sworn that he looked at her and Draco out of the corner of his crescent-shaped spectacles when he said that, but it was probably just a figment of her imagination.

"Is there anything we can do in the meantime?" Harry asked.

"I'm afraid not. I do not want any of you to worry too much about this. Now I suggest that all of you get some rest. You've obviously gone through enough for today, and there may be more issues to be discussed tomorrow. You may all go now," Dumbledore instructed. "Except for Mister Malfoy."

Draco looked confused but decided to stay put. He could see Hermione hesitating as to whether she should leave or stay with him there.

"Do not worry, Miss Granger. It'll only be for a while," Professor Dumbledore said, with his usual twinkle.

"Okay. I'll be waiting for you in the common room, Draco"

He smiled to show that he understood and turned back to the Headmaster. Once everyone was gone, Dumbledore spoke again.

"Is there anything you'd like to tell me, Mister Malfoy?"

"Uhh... no, sir"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Dumbledore pondered for a few more seconds before letting him go. "Alright, Mister Malfoy. Just remember I'm always in my office if you need me. You may go now, and do not stay up too late."

"Yes, sir." Draco turned and walked away towards the direction of his common room, where Hermione was waiting for him.

What was that? I wonder why he wanted to talk to me, Draco thought. He staggered slowly through the halls, with so many thoughts and emotions consuming him. These past few weeks have certainly been a rollercoaster for him. Everything around him was changing, including himself. He had no idea what the future may hold for him, but he would try to make the best of the present.

"Fizzing Whizbees."

"Hmm? Oh, yes." The knight in the portrait yawned as he let Draco into the Heads' Tower. He didn't notice, however, that another person was in the common room as he went inside and walked slowly towards his bedroom.

"Are you okay?"

Draco turned around sharply and whipped out his wand at the intruder, but realized it was only Hermione. She looked frightened since he was pointing his wand at her, ready to utter any curse.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Draco lowered his wand, "I didn't know you were here."

"That's okay. I just wanted to know if you're all right. You seem a bit distracted. What did Dumbledore say?"

"He just asked me if I had anything I'd like to tell him."

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"And there was nothing to say."

"Oh. That's strange. Would he know something you don't?"

Draco shrugged his shoulders and let out a huge yawn. "Can we not talk about this right now? I'm exhausted."

"Alright then. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight." Hermione leaned up to kiss Draco on the cheek and walked away. He was first stunned by her actions but smiled mischievously.

"That's what you call a goodnight kiss? I'll show you a proper goodnight kiss!" He ran over to her and grabbed her waist from behind. Hermione giggled as he spun her around a few times before stopping and letting her down. He looked at her in such a deep way that she was beginning to melt in front of him. He leaned over, closing the distance between their bodies and kissed very gently. She loved this feeling that she had of him and he knew it. The kiss lasted for a few more seconds before he pulled away and smiled at her.

"Goodnight, Hermione." He softly whispered as he kissed the top of her forehead.

Hand-in-hand, they walked up the stairs together and departed to their separate bedrooms. The past hour was forgotten as they each fell to sleep, ready for a new day.

A/N: Thank you to those who reviewed my prologue...lol. Well, did you think this chapter is okay? If there's anything that needs more explaining (like the Vanishing magic stuff), then just tell me :). I won't update as much (maybe) but i won't abandon the story, or leave it for too long...i'm not that kind of person! Anywho i hope you liked this chapter. The next one is sorta my favourite...lol.