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.
To my reviewers: Danny: Thank you, I really appreciate your kind remarks. Dumdumditz23: Glad to see you read and reviewed again. Madnutterfan: I'm thinking two more chapters at a max but you never know what my muse might decide to do. Venus: I will and thanks for reading my story. Fieryred20: I was pretty proud of Hermione myself. Treschic: Thank you very much and I don't mind you being lazy one bit. ShadesOfShame: That is quite possibly one of the best compliments I've ever gotten. Dramaqueen72: OMG, thank you. I liked that chapter especially myself. G: Thank you and I will update asap. Desiree K Troy: Hey buddy, now that you mention it, I probably was influenced by Charmed and also by Andre Norton. I like the way that they handle spells. Nursegrl: Of course sissy. I'll do a special battle scene just for you. Thanks for reading again, and without my prodding. Schnoob: Thank you for reading and leaving such wonderful comments. I hope you enjoy the last chapters. Bms22456: I know you reviewed on chapter 8, but here's my response. If you do a 360, you go in a circle and wind up where you started. Draco did a 180 and was facing (acting) in the complete opposite of his previous behavior.
Chapter 14: Running Down
The fire had died down during the night and now only emitted the barest amount of heat but Hermione was warm. Two arms were slung about her body and her head was nestled against someone's soft skin. Before she had time to think about who she was sleeping so close to or ponder the reasons why, the sound of klaxons split the air. Hermione jumped to her feet knowing that the horrible shrieking could only mean one thing:
The battle had begun.
Hermione looked around wildly at a loss for what to do then Draco was gripping her shoulders and shaking her.
"Hermione, we've got to move. You know where we are expected." Draco said urgently. Reality burst back upon her and Hermione moved with speed, Draco on her heels, out the portrait door and into the bustling hallway.
The prefects were leading the youngest students into protected rooms. Many had tear-streaked faces and were huddled close together. Hermione spotted Ginny herding a group of first year Ravenclaw's down the hallway and nodded her encouragement. As they reached the staircases, she felt Draco stiffen at her back as he watched Snape taking the majority of the Slytherin House down to the dungeons. Snape looked up and caught his eyes. His face was grim but determination glittered brightly in his dark eyes. Snape waved a hand in the direction of the Great Hall and urged them onward. The pair raced down the staircases which were behaving for once and made it to the Great Hall in record time. The hall was turned into a makeshift infirmary in anticipation of the casualties of the day. The seventh year Ravenclaws were leaning over a table with Moody and Tonks listening attentively to their battle plan. All movement in the room stopped when Hermione and Draco stepped through the doorway. A bright eyed Albus Dumbledore beckoned them from the far end of the room. With leaden feet Draco Malfoy, once heir to the right hand of evil, approached the Headmaster at the front table with Hermione trailing slowly behind him. Though the room was completely soundless not a word of the hushed conversation could be heard. There was a sharp inhalation of breath from the assembled group when Albus rose from his seat and came around the table to gather an extremely dazed Draco Malfoy into a hug. The Headmaster released him with a clap on the shoulder and a shove in the direction of Hermione. The breath she didn't realize she was holding came out in a rush. Draco looked directly at her with a hopeful smile and extended a hand towards her. Hermione saw Harry and Ron on the side of the room, Harry with is mouth hanging open in surprise and Ron with his face slowly turning as red as a beet. Harry pulled himself together and with a restraining hand on Ron, nodded his approval to Hermione. Hesitatingly, Hermione placed her hand into Draco's large palm and was pulled into his embrace. She only vaguely heard the rush of sound as everyone began to speak again. Her face was pressed against Draco's chest and she could only hear the comforting thump of his heartbeat. He released her and sound overwhelmed her again. The frantic last minute decisions and cobbled together plans were spinning about the Great Hall. With a loud clearing of his throat Headmaster Albus Dumbledore called the groups to order.
"As I am sure you are all aware, the Death Eaters attacked the school earlier this morning. Our defenses thus far are holding but it will not be long before they too will be useless. The younger students are safely hidden in the oldest parts of the castle with prefects as guardians. We must not allow any of the Death Eaters to penetrate the school. Professor Snape is keeping together those students who we think will be troublesome, they should not cause any problems. That being said, please continue with your preparations and be ever ready for the call. Mr.'s Malfoy, Potter, and Weasley, as well as Ms. Granger, please come with me." With that he turned and strode out of the Great Hall towards his office with the four students following behind him. The four students walked in silence with Hermione separating Draco from Harry and Ron. Although Harry had given his oblique approval, Ron looked fit to kill. Hermione knew that it would take more than the Headmaster's support for Ron to absolve Draco of six years of abuse. Before long they had reached the Headmaster's office and were standing before his desk awaiting their orders.
"Sir, I don't think..." Ron began angrily.
"Ron, don't..." Harry interrupted.
"I think it would be best if we all remember that second chances are few and far between and everyone deserves at least one." Dumbledore said pinning each of them with a stare.
"Hermione, he's an evil git and you know it." Ron shot off before Harry could silence him. Dumbledore sent Ron a quelling look and Ron muffled his next comment.
"Ron, maybe in the past he was, I'll not disagree with that but people change."
"Not him. He's probably going to turn on us in the middle of the bloody battle." Ron said and seemed almost excited at the prospect of such treachery.
"Ron..." Hermione began on a sigh.
"No Hermione," Draco interrupted. "He's right. After all I've said and done to all of you the past six years, it's an accurate assumption." Ron was speechless at Draco's declaration and turn to Harry for guidance. Draco continued, "Regardless what you think, my loyalties lie with her." Draco pointed at a gaped mouth Hermione.
"Why?" Harry asked.
"Because I love her," Draco said simply.
"You what?" Ron bellowed.
"She was the first person to listen to me, to trust me, and to be my friend. The other reasons I love her are none of your business." Draco finished with his trademark smirk.
"Alright. If Hermione trusts you, then so do I." Harry said.
"That's the spirit!" Dumbledore said brightly.
"If you hurt her at all, I'll kill you, so help me God." Ron snarled.
"If I let her get hurt, I'll save you the trouble." Draco responded. Hermione smiled a little too brightly at the Headmaster hoping he'd take the hint and change the subject.
"Well, now that all that's settled." Dumbledore turned to Harry. "Harry, I expect that Voldemort will focus entirely on you to the exclusion of all else. That's why I want Hermione to work in tandem with you. Ron and Draco can cover you both." Hermione nodded in agreement, understanding immediately why she was being placed so close to danger. Despite the prophecy, Hermione was the one who knew the spells better than the rest and could protect Harry while he was fighting. "Draco, I am sure that your father will be targeting you. He surely would have felt the spell break. You must be prepared for that."
"I am fully prepared. I have been waiting a long time for this." Draco said quietly but with a voice full of vengeance.
"Well then..." Dumbledore began but was interrupted by the shuddering of the castle.
The outer wards had fallen. Voldemort was on the outer grounds.
AN: I figured that you guys would rather have a chapter now than wait till I could get it all out.