Title: Remember When It Rained
Author: Kathea
Pairing: Draco/Hermione
Rating: Somewhere between PG-13 and R.
Summary: A new and completely different take on how Hermione and Draco could get together.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to the Harry Potter world and it wouldn't be a good idea to sue me because I just bought a house and therefore have no money.
AN: So basically the whole reason for this story is that I was tired of reading stories where Draco and Hermione fell in love in about a week. It's just not feasible. I'll explain why in the story. I'll probably switch from 1st to 2nd person every now and then because I like change. This will probably be a multichaptered fic so bear with me on the posting.
To my reviewers: Madnutterfan: I'm glad you were able to keep reading, Jo-Marie: I am so glad you liked it. I'm getting the same response from a lot of people, Kia: de nada, I know it's not the same language but the sentiment is the same, shippo303: First, Japan is not a state. The flag is actually the state flag of South Carolina. This is just my way of imparting random, semi-useless knowledge to the masses. Desiree K Troy: Yeah, anticipation is probably the right word to use but apprehension was what came out. Plus you can be excited and shy/timid/unsure at the same time. I didn't give details on the dance even though I usually do stuff like that because I didn't want to concentrate on the dance but on the action. I'll try to do better but seeing as how I'm writing this at work (which I shouldn't be) you should think of this as a rough draft that won't get revised. Rogue Wingweaver: Thank you for your unfailing support. Dumdumditz23: OMG, he really did. I wouldn't lie to you. Myrna: As soon as I get done writing it. g: Don't worry all will be revealed in time.
Chapter 7: Handling the Truth
Hermione could hear before she could see. Amidst the rumble of the hundred bees that were in her head, she could make out the sounds of Ron, Harry, and Ginny saying something. It sounded like "Wake up" or maybe "Don't give up", it was very confusing and the blackness was blessedly silent in comparison.
"Come on Mione, you can beat this. There's nothing you can't beat." Ginny said with tears in her voice.
"Yeah, who's gonna help us through our N.E.W.T.S. if you aren't here?" Ron asked and was elbowed by Harry.
"Hermione, please listen to us. You need to wake up. You have to tell us what happened. Please, please wake up!" Harry pleaded.
It was the sound of Harry on the verge of tears that brought Hermione out of unconsciousness completely. The bright overhead lights made her flinched so she settled for moaning with her eyes shut. Every single bone and muscle and fiber of her body hurt. It was like she was run over by a herd of elephants and then drug behind a pair of horses before being stretched thin. She felt Madam Pomfrey's cool hands on her forehead and blinked quickly in the light.
"It's good to see you awake child. I knew this wouldn't keep you down for long." Her voice lilted and flowed as her hands felt for injuries and her mind probed for internal problems.
"Whatttt happened?" Hermione managed to get out.
"It appears," the Headmaster's voice rumbled somewhere near her head, "that Lucius Malfoy used the crucio curse on you and did something else to his own son. We are unsure of what curse he used, as the boy is up and moving fine, while you seem to be quite unwell."
"Oh." Hermione mumbled but was inwardly relieved that no harm had come to Draco.
"Oh, nothing Mione." Ron blurted out. "That bastard hurt you and Malfoy's the one who is up and walking around."
"Mister Weasley, I think it would be best if you didn't do anything to rash." Professor McGonagall said. "Hermione, did you remember what happened?"
"All I remember seeing is Dra..Malfoy being hit by a green beam from his father's wand. And then I think I passed out or something."
"Are you sure you didn't hear him say anything?" Dumbledore pressed.
"Yes sir, I'm sure."
"Albus, let the poor child rest. You'll be down for a few more days, missy. The rest of you can go back to your dorms and offices." Madam Pomfrey commanded the attending group. Ron, Harry, and Ginny all leaned down to hug and whisper words of support to Hermione before being ushered out. The lights dimmed and Hermione could only hear the sounds of Madam Pomfrey's quiet breathing as she checked on the other infirmary patients.
It was impossible to find a comfortable position considering that everything hurt. So, Hermione lay very still trying desperately not to move and closed her eyes to block out the bright moon light. She tried to remember what had happened hoping that something would trigger a memory. A memory of what spell Lucius had used on his son, a memory of what had happened before she blacked out or anything that would help. The chances were slim, she knew. There was some advantage to knowing so much information. She knew what the crucio curse had done to her body and she knew she was going to feel horrible for a while. Hermione sighed and with very little resistance she slipped into the inviting quiet of sleep.
Draco collapsed onto his bed and watched as the room spun merrily about him. He closed his eyes to keep from spinning with it and sighed in relief. His chest still tingled from the force of the spell his father had fired at him. For the life of him, Draco couldn't remember what the spell was. He rolled away from the door and his eyes fell on the empty bed of the Head Girl. His stomach lurched as he thought about the last several weeks spent together. Why did he ever agree to work so peaceably with her, a loud, unfamiliar voice questioned in his mind. A Malfoy should never lower himself to the level of a mudblood, filthy mudblood. She deserved the crucio curse being put on her. In the deepest part of Draco's mind a small quiet voice that wasn't so strange was whispering.
She is not beneath me. She is the only one who knows me. I respect her. I like her.
A sharp knock on the portrait door brought Draco out of his reverie. It suddenly opened and his Head of House came through the opening.
"Mr. Malfoy, I trust you are feeling well." Snape asked sharply.
"Yes, sir. I am finally feeling like myself." Draco said with all sincerity.
"Well your father is going to have charges brought against him by the ministry."
"Professor, that is not necessary. I am in perfect health. He did not hurt me."
"Of course not. He used the crucio curse of Ms. Granger and she is still recovering from its effects." Snape said.
"He what?" Draco asked not even remembering Granger coming out to the front of the school. Draco quickly recovered himself, "It's the least she deserves, being a mudblood and all. I am surprised my father was so lenient."
"Mr. Malfoy I will see you in class tomorrow without fail." Snape said quickly and strode from the room.
Draco cursed him under his breath, softie. He probably thinks Granger didn't deserve what happened to her. Old fool, the loud voice in his mind said. Draco rolled over and made himself comfortable on his bed. Just before he went to sleep the quiet voice murmured.
She didn't deserve it.
Two days later
Hermione stumbled into the Head room and sank gratefully into the soft couch in front of the fire. Harry and Ron had escorted her from the infirmary to her door but she insisted on walking in unaided. She sighed in relief that Draco wasn't in the room. The Headmaster had given her a reprieve from classes for a few days but Hermione was determined to be on top of all her work. With a groan Hermione pulled herself up from the coach and made her way to the table where her lay waiting for her. The essay for arithmacy was slowly coming out. Hermione laid her head down on the table and let the cool wood soothe her aching head. That was exactly where Draco found her when he returned from class later that day. A wicked little smile appeared on his face as he approached the table with the sleeping Hermione.
"Awww, is the little mudblood tired?" Draco cooed in her ear. Hermione blinked and raised her head from the table confused by the words she'd heard.
"What?" Hermione asked bewildered.
"I thought you were stronger than that Granger. I never thought a little crucio curse could keep you down but then again you are a mudblood." Draco sneered.
"What's wrong with you?" Hermione asked.
"Not a thing. Except of course for the fact that you are here dirtying the air I have to breathe and contaminating the room I have to live in." Hermione gasped at the venom in Draco's voice. It had been so long since Draco had treated her this way that Hermione had forgotten what it was like. The old barbs still pierced the skin she found and they still hurt.
"You should be apologizing since it was your father that did this to me."
"He only did it because I was unable to." Draco said hatefully.
"You bastard." Hermione hissed. She raised her hand to slap his face but Draco saw the strike coming and gripped her wrist in mid air, squeezing the tender skin and pressing bone against bone. Hermione gasped in pain and tried to pull away but without success.
"Don't even think you are worthy of touching me Granger." Draco released her arm quickly and Hermione slumped painfully against the corner of the table. Tears welled in her eyes and she cradled her abused wrist in her good hand. She turned on her heel and headed for the bathroom door. She stopped when she reached the door and turned with pale cheeks to face a stony faced Draco.
"You kept your promise." Hermione said quietly.
"What?" Draco asked.
"You said we'd have a truce until after the Yule Ball. You kept your promise." Hermione answered and then walked through the door to bathroom locking it firmly behind her.
AN: I hope everyone liked this chapter. More to come.