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. I really did. I go to settlement tomorrow.
AN: I really am writing as fast as possible but work has been super hectic. Please be patient with me. I'm going to start wrapping this up within a couple chapters but be prepared for action, adventure, and I don't know what else. Thanks to my sister for her continued support in my writing venture. And Ginny will be more involved because I like strong female characters and enough though in the movies she was wimpy I want to use her instead of Harry and Ron.
To my reviewers: dramaqueen72: Thanks but no fair making me hungry. g: I'm still not sure what's going to happen with the moonstone. And yippee for the Red Sox, I hate the Yankees only because of what happened when they played the Orioles a couple years ago and cheated when the fan caught the foul ball, stupid refs. Desiree K Troy: I'll be sad when it's done too. . Danny: Thanks for reviewing again. I always look forward to your reviews. Shippo303: I'm honestly going as fast as I can. Fieryred20: Thanks. It's good to see a new reader. Ilovetom88: Thanks, I always welcome new readers. I'm guessing, due to your pen name, that you are 16 or so. No fair that it's not illegal for you to get with Tom. It would be so illegal for me, that and my fiancée would kill me. Kristen: Thanks for the multiple reviews. Madnutterfan: Don't worry I've got something special planned for Lucius. I will not disappoint.
Chapter 12: Remaining
Ginny had half of her body in her trunk digging through papers, shoes, and an assortment of feminine products. She knew the book was in here somewhere. Her fingers probed the corners and brushed across the spine of a book. Ah ha! There it was, wedged beneath the heel of a pink stiletto. Ginny pulled herself out and plopped on the floor, out of breath and sweaty. It was a good thing she had saved the book from her Magical Implements class last year. She thumbed through until she found the section on using gems and semi-precious stones in magic. Her eyes quickly scanned the page searching for the passage she only vaguely remembered. Finally, at the bottom of the page, in very tiny script was the spell she was searching for. Bingo!
The Gryffindor table in the Great Hall was packed with hungry students. The general noise level was loud, as usual. The other houses were following suit and digging into a large dinner. The seventh years of each house looked haggard. There was so much tension and stress that it was palpable. Everyone left the oldest students alone for fear of having their heads removed. With the countdown to the biggest test of their lives fast approaching class projects were finished but studying had only just begun. But there was stress among the faculty too. You could see it in their eyes. They knew something was coming. Trelawney especially looked scared as she probably saw more than most. The oldest students knew that special conferences were being called among the teachers but enough the ghosts were tight lipped about the contents of those sessions. More often than not Hagrid was serving as guard although it was never mentioned that that was his purpose for always being in the Great Hall.
Harry and Ron looked beat. They'd only had time to change from back to back Quidditch practices before dinner. Their hair was severely tousled and scratches marred their cheeks. They sat across the table from a quiet Hermione. Several books lay scattered in front of her but her food was untouched.
"Hermione, you going to eat that?" Ron asked pointed at her potato with his fork.
"No, Ron, you go ahead and have it." Hermione said and looked back down at the book in her lap. Ron snatched the potato from her plate and proceeded to devour the rest of his food.
"Hey Mione, you okay?" Harry asked noticing her unusual behavior.
"Of course, I've just got a lot of studying to do." Hermione said with a reassuring smile.
"Alright, but you know should you ever need us..." Harry let the sentence peter off. Hermione nodded her head and tried to give a genuine smile. The scene swirling above the students heads changing from twinkling stars to a roiling mass of black clouds. Several of the younger students cowered under the tables when a face appeared in the clouds. Harry stood up, his eyes blazing with fury.
"I'm coming for YOU, Boy-who-lived." Voldemort's astrally projected face rumbled.
"I'm ready. We all are." Harry shouted back. Ron and Hermione stood to flank their friend. Wands at the ready although Hermione knew she could do nothing to the projection.
"Very well. I've given you the chance." Voldemort's heinous laugh filled the room and all attending shuddered as the face disappeared and the sky above returned to normal. At the Head table Headmaster Dumbledore was doing damage control. The younger students were scared witless and were soon escorted to Madam Pomfrey. Professor Snape nodded toward the Golden Trio and they along with several other sixth and seventh years from other houses quickly exited the Great Hall and made their way to Dumbledore's office. It was going to be one hell of a meeting.
Students and professors milled about the Headmaster's Office waiting for the esteemed man to show up. Several of the most emotional students were huddled together talking in hushed voices about Voldemort's appearance. Harry was pacing furiously while Ron blustered about how to fight the Dark Lord but his face betrayed him. Ron was scared shitless and Hermione knew it. There was a very real chance that in the fight with the Dark Lord, even if Harry won, they would lose their best friend either physically or mentally. Everyone came to attention when Dumbledore strode into the room.
"Students and faculty, thank you for coming so quickly. It seems we have some work to do."
"Sir..." Harry interrupted.
"Patience Mr. Potter. Professor Sprout, if you would be so kind as to gather those Hufflepuffs most advanced and work with Madam Pomfrey in preparation for treating injuries that will come from the fighting." Professor Sprout gave a sharp nod, her usually bright features strained with worry. "I expect those Ravenclaws in attendance to be preparing battle plans. You will be assisted by Professor Flitwick. Those who have received their orders may go and begin work. Merlin be with you. The rest of you please remain."
The majority of the group left. Those remaining in the group were most of the seventh and sixth year Gryffindors and Professors Snape, Trelawney, and McGonnagal. They stood waiting before the Headmaster's desk. Hermione although not completely surprised by Dumbledore's direct manner, as she always suspected him to be a more than superior commander, was taken aback by the complete obedience of the group. The professors especially seemed ready to follow him into anything.
"I have been considering what tactics would be appropriate for the impending battle. While I am confident that most students will fight with us, there is the possibility that some Slytherins will not join us. We need to be prepared for that eventuality. Severus, please find a way to contain those students who will most likely be a hindrance to us. I have a feeling that most of the students are good at heart. The Gryffindor house will be our main attack force, so be prepared. As soon as the grounds come under attack, the Aurors from the Ministry will come to our aid. Until that time, we are on our own. Although I wish that this battle will not come, I know it must. Harry, you are too young to have such a burden placed on your shoulders. Know that I, and all the faculty will support you as much as possible."
"Sir, I am ready. I will not let him get away with this." Harry said with a determined look to his face.
"I have the utmost confidence in you, son. Everyone, you are dismissed. Heads of House will keep me posted. Miss Granger, will you please wait a moment." Hermione waited patiently as the room cleared. She had a feeling that this private conversation would be about Malfoy. "Miss Granger, I am quite worried about you." Dumbledore continued when the door was finally closed.
"I'm sorry sir."
"Nothing to be sorry about, child. I know that the past weeks have been hard on you and I, along with several others, have noticed that you don't seem to be yourself lately."
"Sir, I..." Hermione tried to answer but quickly stopped herself. It wouldn't do to burden the Headmaster with her personal problems when the battle of the century loomed over him.
"Hermione." Dumbledore said and waited for her to make eye contact. "I know where your heart lies. I ask that you wait until after all this to settle it. We have no way of knowing how Mr. Malfoy will respond. We are concerned for your safety."
"Yes sir. I know."
"Try and get some rest Hermione. You will need all your strength in the days to come." Hermione nodded her acquiescence and left quietly.
Headmaster Albus Dumbledore slumped into his chair. He was getting far too old for this sort of thing. He had hoped that he would never have to face another battle of this sort. He knew that there would be great losses and many of them so young. He sighed and his bright blue eyes dimmed. There was nothing he could do now. He called Fawkes to him and the little phoenix nuzzled his beak against the old man's hand. Here we go again, he thought.
Ginny was waiting impatiently in front of the portrait door to the Head room. Her book clutched in her hand, she paced waiting for Hermione to show up. Finally, when she came shuffling around the corner Ginny pounced.
"Hermione! Hermione! You'll never guess what I found. Oh, it's so great." Ginny said quickly.
"What?" Hermione asked in confusion.
"I've figured out how to save Malfoy." Ginny said with a bright smile.
Hermione was speechless.
AN: I know I'm horrible. I definitely won't post again until Monday or Tuesday so don't whine about it. Also, the line Harry says at the dinner table, guess which movie I took it from and win one enchanted peach. More of Kathea's useless knowledge.