Laughter and Loneliness

Ok, it been a long time since I updated, but now it's back. Yaaaay! Also, genre is not humor anymore. This chapter's way better than the former chapters! Here's chapter 5!

Chapter 5 "Use Me Why Don't You"

Hermione realized with a jolt Draco Malfoy was kissing her. They decided to take a walk outside the castle.

Hermione breathed in the crisp air. It was so good to feel safe again.

The cold silver of the moon shone on the lake. They sat down on the edge of the mossy bank, talking for a long time.

"Hermione, I'm sorry about Ernie." Hermione looked away. "I - "

"Draco, it's ok," she said. But it wasn't. She felt angry at him for just leaving her like that.

"I don't know how to ask you this but, ok, did Ernie actually rape you?" he asked.

"Almost," she replied, tears welling in her eyes. They were brightly reflected in the moonlight. "What was Nagini doing there?" Hermione asked. "Do you know anything about that?"

"Don't know," Draco replied casually.

"Oh, so that's all you care?" she said. Her thoughts were swimming. She had to blame someone for what happened. She wanted to punish him for something he didn't do.

"What do you mean?" he yelled at her. Tears streamed down her face at the sound of his harsh voice. The cruel sound echoed in the emptiness.

So that's all he'll ever be, she thought, a cold Slytherin.

Draco's eyes bore into hers. He had a strange way of looking at her that made her feel like he was reading her thoughts. But he didn't even seem to care he was hurting her.

"You stuck up bastard," she said, getting up.

She suddenly realized how stupid it was to trust a Slytherin to take her somewhere at night. After all, they were all alone. His cold features scared her. His set jaw looked menacing. He got up also and caught her arm, like that day in Hogsmeade. She was even more fearful than before. She shrinked back at the sight of him about to hit her, tears still streaming down her face.

What are you doing? Draco thought to himself. Hurting the one you love. Her tears made him ashamed. But she wasn't allowed to call him names. She had to learn. That did not sound like his usual thoughts, but his pride would not let him stop.

And his blow fell.

Hermione screamed and fell sideways. She staggered. The hit had smacked one side of her body, the other cruelly scratched by rocks on her fall. Blood gushed from her side. Hermione began to cry loudly, and Draco was horrified with what he had done. Draco began to walk away.

So he's just gonna leave me here she thought. How could I ever have trusted him?

"Draco, please, don't leave me here to die," she cried, her voice shaky from her crying, her words slurred in her panicked reaction.

But he didn't stop.

"Draco!" she shouted, loud sobs filling the air.

And that's when it happened. The first time Hermione had ever seen him do something like that. Draco began to cry. He looked completely miserable.

Oh god, please please please let him come back.

He looked back at her, there on the ground, bleeding, and begging him to come back. It broke his heart. He began walking towards her, and sat next to her.

"I don't know why I did that Hermione," he said in a quavery voice.

Did what? she thought, Cry, hit me, walk away, consort me to begging? What did he mean?

"I couldn't imagine I would ever hurt you."

"Draco,"she rasped "It wasn't you back there. I know you wouldn't hurt me, even though you're a Slytherin."

He looked shocked, then thoughtful. She reached out to his face, and wiped away the tear from his eye. She smiled back at him.

How innocent she is! Does she even realize what I did to her? he thought.

"Draco, why are things getting dark?" Hermione suddenly said weakly. And then she passed out. Draco gasped. He had to hurry, to get her to the Hospital Wing.

But he felt so tired. He stroked her cold face. Suddenly evil thoughts crept into his mind.

She's all yours now, the voice said, you can do anything you want with her.

He was stunned at the voice. Was that really him? Was that how evil he really was?

No! She loves me. I can't do anything to her! he argued back.

If you love her, do it now so she won't remember anything.

What, rape her?

Anything you want.

But that would be evil.

Aren't you the one to talk? You made her bleed, and would have left her there, wouldn't you have? She will hate you anyway.

"She forgave me," he yelled into the night.

The voice was gone, for now. How hard it was to battle with it!

He gently picked her up, and carried her all the way to the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey's gaze met his eyes as he opened the door and walked in with a bleeding Hermione. Just then it occurred to him what he would say about what happened.

Should I say I just found her like that? Or should I say it was an accident?

Madam Pomfrey instructed him to put her down on a bed. She bustled about. Then she examined the wound by carefully lifting her shirt.

He looked down. Draco figured Hermione wouldn't want him to look at her exposed features.

"What happened Mr Malfoy?" she asked sternly.

He gulped. His throat was very dry. But he couldn't lie about Hermione.

"I -" He stopped. He'd be suspended. No, expelled.

"Hermione and I were talking outside but we got into a fight and I hit her and she fell onto some sharp rocks," he said, by the end of which his voice was quavery.

"Yes, one side is bloody, the other is blue where you hit her," Madam Pomfrey said.

That's all? thought Draco, No 'Go to Dumbledore at once,' etc?

"She doesn't look good at all, I admit," she said solemnly after she had thoroughly examined her. Her face was sullen.

"Please tell me she won't die," he said, worried beyond his sanity. That was just like him, jumping to conclusions.

"Oh dear, she won't die," Madam Pomfrey said, waving it off. "Go to your dormitory now."

"Madam Pomfrey, will I be expelled?" he asked.

"No. I won't tell a soul."

"Why?" he asked, disbelievingly.

"Go, dear," she said.

He left, and no one saw, but a smirk twitched on his lips. He could do this and get away with it. He could not hide his glee. Suddenly he caught himself. What the hell was he doing?

It's almost like I'm possessed by a demon or something.

In the morning, Hermione opened her drowsy eyes. She was surprised to find herself in the Hospital Wing, then recollected the night before.

"You have a visitor, if you want to see him," Madam Pomfrey said.

"Is it Draco?" she asked quickly, forgetting herself.

"No, its Harry Potter."

"Yes, I want to see him," she said.

"And if you feel tired or unwell, tell me and I'll immediately escort him out. Don't you strain yourself now -"

"OK!" Hermione said.

Madam Pomfrey called in Harry and left. Ron was nowhere in sight.

"Hey Hermione," he said with his characteristic shy smile.

"Hey!" she said enthusiastically. "Its so good to see you!"

"How are you?" he asked. Hermione loved Harry's comforting attitude whenever she was in the Hospital Wing.

"Fine."

He nodded. His green eyes looked sad and warm.

"You know, if you want to tell me what happened, you can. But you don't have to."

She couldn't resist. His expression was so soft and kind. She told the whole story, but made sure Draco didn't sound bad.

His expression was blank. "Hermione, how could you let him do this to you? Didn't you know by now? You can't trust him! That's just him, pretending he's your friend and ally and then he hurts you," Harry said.

She shook her head. "He loves me, and I forgive him."

"HE WHAT?" he pursued angrily. "Oh I will kill that idiot! What does he thinks he's doing, playing with your heart like that? I'll show him."

Hermione grew scared. She felt uncomfortable around all guys, save her family and her two best friends. Now her fear took over. She had never seen him this angry before.

"He really does love me! Did you ever see Draco cry? He did. He was so sorry-"

"Draco? What, now he wants you to call him that? You are so naïve Hermione! He doesn't love anyone, especially not you. If he loved you, he wouldn't have-"

"STOP IT, HARRY!" she said. She covered her ears with her hands. "You don't know him. It wasn't him who did that! He'd never do something like that!"

"He'd do that and worse Hermione. Can't you see its all an act? He's too proud to be sorry. He'll use you. Listen to me, Herm!"

"He would never use me. He's incapable of doing that. He's not as evil as you think he is, Harry, he loves me."

Harry felt sorry for her. She was just defending what she thought was true. She couldn't see past his sweet little act. He shook his head ever so sadly, and rubbed her back.

"It's ok, Herm. You'll always be my friend, no matter what you do."

Hermione shook her head condescendingly and gave him the "you don't understand" look.

"Just remember what I said. Don't let him use you." Hermione sighed.

"By the way, these are for you," he said, handing her a package of Bertie Blott's Every Flavoured Beans and a hand-made card signed by him and Ron.

"Where is Ron?" she asked.

"Still asleep," he explained. "If you feel well enough, you can join us at breakfast."

"I'll try," she said, smiling.

"Ok, take care of yourself. And if that shit head shows up, call me!" he said.

"Ok, bye," Hermione said, shaking her head at her friend's protective nature.

"Bye," he called. She lay back in her bed, staring at the ceiling.

Why is Harry so convinced Draco would use me? Poor Draco. He'd never do such a thing to me! What did he mean by 'he'll do that and worse' ?

Madam Pomfrey returned 10 more minutes later. She gave her a potion Hermione drank and felt immediately refreshed.

"Madam Pomfrey, how'd I get here?"

"Mr Malfoy carried you here."

Hermione was stunned. What a gentleman Draco was! How could she ever doubt him? There's the 'he'll use me' for you, Harry she thought.

"Will I be well enough to go to breakfast?" she asked.

"If you feel up to it..."

"Yes! Yes I do! Can I leave now?"

"Er, I suppose."

Hermione jumped up, but felt a sharp sting in her side.

"The potion should clear any problems in about 30 minutes. If after that you're still having trouble just come back."

"Ok, goodbye and thank you."

"Take care dear, and don't fall on any sharp rocks while you're at it."

Hermione chuckled to herself. But that means Draco told Madam Pomfrey the truth! Wow! She limped in the hallways, trying to reach her dormitory as quickly as she could.

Suddenly she saw someone come toward her. It was a guy. Her heart leapt in fear as her usual reaction took over. She told herself to calm down. The person, she recognized, was Draco Malfoy.

"Draco!" she said, trotting over to him happily. He embraced her emotionlessly. She was so glad to be in his arms again! He pulled her into a long, rough kiss.

What is he doing? He's never kissed me like this before.

A pang of guilt crossed her mind as she thought of Harry.

Draco moved down and started to kiss her neck. Oh damn I am so gonna have a hickey she thought. But why is he being so rough?

Just then she looked up. There, behind Draco, not 10 meters away, stood Harry.

That was all. I'll try to update really soon. Thanks for bearing with me!