Love Comes In The Strangest Ways

by mastercreater

Hermione gets hurt during the holidays. Draco tries to help but realizes that getting close to her isn't an easy task. While they try to keep their emotions together, Hermione and Draco find out that they aren't who they seem.

10. Draco Vs Harry

Okay. Here you go: Chapter 10. For my very loyal reviewers! And to those who didn't review? I'm totally dissapointed. I was hoping 7 or more, but instead I get 4 reviews! That honestly sucks! So, whatever. But if you want the NEXT CHAPTER, you'll have to give me 7 or more reviews. If not, I will not continue! This is a very important note. Please REVIEW this chapter!

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HERMIONE'S POV :

I groaned; my chocolate brown eyes reduced to slits of disgust. Looking at my reflection, an average teenage girl would scream in terror and fright. My face, which was usually a healthy tan colour, was now moss green. Huge pimples spread across my cheeks and around my nose. My eyes were red and swollen and my hair was as frizzy and uncontrollable as it was in my first year. I was definitely a mess alright.

"Shit," I muttered, pocketing my wand after ages of spell casting and nasty swears. "Stupid I.O.U. crap! Why did Malfoy have to ask me for such an impossible task?"

"Just because, Granger," answered Malfoy, who sounded as though he was leaning against the bathroom door. "Now will you kiss me? Or do you want to stay as a hag for the rest of your life?"

"Shut it, Ferret!" I snapped, glaring at the bathroom door angrily. I was damn grateful for the Locking Charm I placed on it.

I could feel Malfoy's smirk creep up on me. "Getting on your nerves now, eh?" he drawled. "What happened to Draco, hmm? You were so happy yesterday night..."

My cheeks went pink. "I'll find a way to destroy this stupid curse!" I muttered to myself. "And I won't need to kiss you for it either."

Malfoy scoffed. "You do that, Granger," he replied. "But when you're ready to admit you're wrong, come and see me... I'm never down for a good snog."

I growled angrily, fingers unconsciously tracing a flower shaped symbol. The symbol burst into a million bubbles and danced around my head. I breathed out a frosty spell and the bubbles reformed into a single bubble on my forehead. The instant the bubble touched my skin, a small pop was heard and the bubble turned into sweet smelling liquid that covered my whole face.

I turned to the mirror and smiled. No more was there an ugly hag staring back at me, for the only thing I saw was my own reflection – warm and pleasant after the horrible face changing incident.

"So... Are you finally ready to owe up to me, Granger?" drawled Malfoy, his eyes staring at the Daily Prophet newspaper instead of at me.

I snorted in disgust. "In your dreams, Ferret," I sneered, taking a seat beside him on the couch. "Why the heck would I want to owe up to you when I've already fixed the problem?"

"What do you mean you've alre— how the hell did you do that?!" Malfoy gasped, surprise taking over his careless expression. "I.O.U. jinxes are impossible to destroy!"

"Tsk, tsk, dear ferret...," I smirked, my finger waving in front of his face. "I thought you'd know me better by now. What I want, I get. And I don't always play by the rules to achieve my goal, you know."

Malfoy's eyes narrowed and his lips formed a frown. "Granger, you OWE me," he said. "How could you just—get out of something as important as owing someone? You know, it's a lot like promising someone that you'll always be friends with each other but suddenly end it. It's that bad, Hermione."

I stared at my fingers, unsure of what to say. Malfoy was right... I owe him, and yet I try to find a way to get out of it – just like I did with Harry and Ron. I was too chicken to admit I was in love with Harry... It wasn't Harry's fault that he was making out with Cho. Harry's just a guy... it's what guys do. I was the one that ruined our friendship... not Harry. It was my entire fault!

I felt my eyes water. It was as though the truth has finally come to reveal itself. That what I've been trying to ignore for the past few months had finally out beaten me. It was my fault... Mine...!

"Hermione, are you alright?" Malfoy's voice asked timidly, finally realizing the gloomy look on my face.

I could feel my lips move into a slight whimper. Tears rolled down my cheeks as the thought of Harry came to mind. I wanted to be held and cared for again... to be pampered and treated like a wanted human instead of a foul sewer rat, and most of all... I wanted Harry.

Malfoy looked tense and unsure of what to do. I could tell that he was feeling guilty and responsible for my condition. I wanted to open my mouth and tell him that it wasn't his fault, but my voice came out as a raspy croak instead.

"Hermione..." said Malfoy, his eyes searching for mine and his hand clenching and unclenching in a desperate behaviour. "I'm truly sorry... It's okay, actually. You don't need to owe me anything! I- I understand if you can't... I mean I am a Malfoy after all."

Although I was sniffing and tears continued flowing down my cheeks unstoppably, I could still see Malfoy and feel the sadness in his voice. I forced my mouth open and tried with all my might to say the next thing I was about to say correctly. "No. I do owe you," I sniffed, as another flow of tears streamed down my face. "I was too afraid to face the facts before. You proved to me that I was wrong. I will forever be grateful, and for that – I owe you..."

Malfoy's eyes widened in surprise, but before he could say another word, I folded my arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss.

My lips met his in a passionate kiss. At first Malfoy stiffened, but the second I deepened the kiss, I could feel Malfoy relax and his heart slowing into the same rhythm as mine. It felt as though our bodies had dissolved into one as Malfoy's arms wrapped itself around my waist. My right hand gently caressed his cheek and my left toyed with his platinum blonde coloured hair. A strong aura glowed around the two of us, holding us into a tight fold.

It felt like heaven to me... Like the first time in my entire life, I had a meaning. I was meant to be here... with him... Forever like this, melding into a powerful life force that couldn't be replenished. That this kiss was a gift sent by God, to hold us together and never bring us apart. I could feel the world stop rotating under my bare feet, the sun stop burning, the rivers stop flowing, the time pause for a moment of great importance... Everything was perfect.

Then... it ended. Malfoy and I both broke the kiss to inhale some oxygen and a silent question to what had happened.

Malfoy was the first one to break the silence between us. "Wow," he gasped; eyes glassy as though he had just awoken from a beautiful dream. "You ARE a good kisser, Hermione..."

My cheeks went crimson. "Thanks..." I muttered, not daring to face Malfoy. "I, er, guess I better go..."

I walked slowly out of the room before turning into a desperate run. Once I reached my room, I slammed the door close behind me, locked it tightly and collapsed onto my bed in a deep sigh. My eyes closed itself into a beautiful dream of Oblivion, symbols, and a very, VERY beautiful Draco Malfoy...

DRACO'S POV :

I gazed at the empty space in front of me, wishing badly it were Hermione. I smiled, eyes still glassy and still in a dream-like state. I never knew a kiss could be so magnificent. The mere thought of Hermione made me feel light headed, weak in the knees, tingly and warm all over... I wanted to wrap my arms around her... To pull her into a tight hug filled with so much passion that we would never let go... Hermione's beautiful chocolate brown eyes made my heart melt – it was prettier than the sky in Oblivion by a thousand times.

I collapsed on the stone covered floor, careless about the nauseating headache that came with the fall. I was in a wonderful place right now... somewhere even better than Potter's bloody grave. The rush of blood through my veins and the rapid pumping in my heart made me realize that the letter from Aliana was most probably true – I was falling in love with Hermione.

A real beautiful thing, love is – strong as lead, yet pure and sweet. I smiled, my mind still on Hermione and how she smirked, fought, smiled, laughed, sneered, walked, groaned, and kissed... It was real nice to be both loved and in love...

Wait. The real question was, does Hermione love me?

I groaned, immediately falling out of La-La Land. They really aren't kidding when they say love is difficult... I shut my eyes, thinking back all the reasons for Hermione to like me or not to like me.

Okay... there was that time she healed me when I was almost dying, right? Check. One point for: she might like me.

Hmm. Then again, she was the one that almost killed me... Damn. One point for: she might not like me.

How about that time she got a little tongue-tied when I told her she was starting to like me? Yes! One point for: she might like me.

Oh, yeah! What about that time she called me Draco? Hold on. Draco is my name. Hmm. Tie...

Hermione likes it when I care endlessly about her. And since I care endlessly about her, and never not care because my care for her is endless, does that mean she likes me??

I smiled dreamily. Things were going my way, alright. Then, a sudden horror-binding thought hit me: Potter!

Hermione seems to be really over-protective about Potter... and each time I mention him she would either snap at me or turn to tears. And those dreamy looks she always gives him. It was as if she wanted him – as if she LOVED him!

I clenched my fists, careless to the nails digging through my flesh. That Potter always stands in the way of everything! Why is it ALWAYS Potter? 'Ooh! Look at Harry! Isn't he the hottest thing you've EVER laid eyes on?!' Ugh! Cute my a! First the fame, then the bloody hero thing, then the looks, then Hermione!! God, I wish I could just KILL HIM!

'Then why don't you?' the nasty voice in my head hissed. I could feel the evil spread through my ears. 'You have Oblivion now, don't you? That bloody fool doesn't stand a chance!'

I smirked a dark smirk, satisfied with my dark side's brilliant plan.

'Draco Malfoy, don't you dare!' screeched another voice in my head that for some really odd reason, sounded like my ten year old self. It sounded quite weird really. My ten year old voice sounded very childish and rather high pitched and squeaky when it screamed.

'Why can't he?' hissed my dark side. 'If the girl could go into Oblivion to battle against some weak brat, why can't he?'

I nodded, through a cringe. Why did my dark side call Hermione 'The girl' and refer to me as the third person? It was, after all, MY inner dark voice.

'Draco!!' my ten-year-old voice screamed. 'Hermione loves Harry! If you kill him, you'd break her heart!'

I was about to agree with my bratty inner-child voice, but then, after swallowing in all the evidence, I realized something. "HERMIONE LOVES POTTER!?"

That's it! I'm definitely going to kill him now! Thanks a lot inner-child voice!

'Oops...' said my inner-child voice, sounding rather sheepish.

The night was purely dark without a single star in the sky. The wind blew on my face, tickling my skin with the coolness. I grinned. It's a good night for battle – or kill.

After the little pep-talk that went through my mind earlier this morning, I had decided that Potter was definitely going down. The stone covered floor felt cold under my feet, luckily I was wearing a heavy fur cloak and silk trousers.

As I walked down the empty corridor, the portraits of the long dead Hogwarts prefects stared down at me, wondering what the hell I was doing in the middle of the night. One of the dead prefects, a blonde haired female girl, winked at me cheekily. Pretty girl... but Hermione was a million times prettier.

"What are you doing here in the middle of the night?"

EEK! I almost jumped two feet in the air, shocked. "What the—oh. Its only you," I said, turning around to see Nearly Headless Nick, the Gryffindore ghost.

"Only me?" repeated Nearly Headless Nick, his transparent eyebrow raising. "Who should it be then? Filch? Because I can call him, you know."

"No, no!" I said quickly, waving my hands no. "Er... that won't be apropriate, really!"

Nearly Headless Nick grinned. "So what are you doing here? Don't tell me it's another date, now is it?"

I blushed. "Date? What d'you mean by that?" I said.

The grin on Nearly Headless Nick's face didn't vanish. "Oh, come on now. The whole school knows that both you and the Head Girl has been dating for some time now," he said happily, seeing my blush brighten. "Though I must say, I never expected you and young Hermione Granger to get together. Such a rare couple. Oh, well! Love comes in the strangest ways after all."

I blushed again. "We're not a couple..." I muttered sheepishly. "Atleast not yet..."

Nearly Headless Nick stared bemusedly at me. His eyebrow was raised and he was smirking rather wide. "Not yet, is it?" he said happily. "So there is a little romance boiling between you two?"

"Kind of... yeah," I said after a second thought. After all, why would I want to lie? I did like her, and I really want her to like me back. So... yeah. I suppose one could say that there is a little love conflict going on. "Umm... if you'd excuse me, I really have to go now. Er... duties, you know?"

Nearly Headless Nick nodded understadingly. "Of course," he said, floating about in front of me. "Trust me not to tell a soul about this conversation..."

The devious grin and mischeivious twinkle in the ghost's eye should have made me suspicious, but sadly it didn't. I was too busy thinking about tonight's battle that I completely forgot my father's old saying – never trust anybody from another House.

"What about – Harry Potter?" I said. I have been guessing out different passwords for the Gryffindore Common Room for so many hours that my brain was giving me a headache. Harry Potter was my last hope for a suitable Gryffindore-like password. After all, EVERYBODY just LOVES Harry Potter, right?

"Try again, child," said the portrait of the Fat Lady sleepily. "You're giving me an absolute headache. Can't a portrait get a decent rest nowadays?"

I sighed. "Can you atleast give me a hint?" I said exhasperatedly.

"No."

Groaning, I dropped down to the floor completely drained. Now think, Malfoy. This is the Gryffindore Common Room we're talking about – and Hermione is the Head Girl. What kind of password would she think of? When she's angry, I mean. "Ferret Boy," I said as the thought immediately hit me.

"Finally!" sighed the Fat Lady, opening itself for me to walk through.

I smirked, dusted my robes and strolled right into the Gryffindore Common Room. Trust Hermione to name the password 'Ferret Boy'.

"Potter..." I hissed quietly once I entered the boy's dormitory. I immediately spotted Potter, his form sprawled over the bed, chest rising and falling as he breathed in his sleep. His messy jet-black hair was even more insufferable than ever and drool slid down his chin.

I winced. What the heck do girls see in this ruddy fool anyways?

Then... SNAP! My foot accidentally stepped on a quill, breaking it into halves. The second Potter's eyes opened, mine closed – concentrating hard on Oblivion and it's fiery depts.

A grey ball of fire twisted around my fist, spitting acid flames. I had chosen the same weapon as Hermione had on our last battle. As much as I wanted Potter to dissapear from the face of the universe, I would never destroy him without giving him a chance to fight – not that he'll win even if he tried.

With a wave of my hand, Potter's eyes snapped open; emerald green sparkling through red of sky. "What the—where the hell am I?" he mumbled groggily, his hand gently rubbing his forehead.

"You're in Oblivion, Potter..." I drawled silkily, right hand itching to release the fire ball. "A real dandy of a place, isn't it?"

"Malfoy!" said Potter, spitting my name out as though it was poison. "How did I get here?! You fowl piece of rotten flesh! Get me out of here!"

My eyes narrowed in anger. "Don't be such a spoiled brat, Pothead," I said. "I brought you here for personal bussiness, and don't worry. Nobody will intrude."

Potter glared. Though he looked all macho and brave, I knew well enough that he was out of his mind in fright. "What personal bussiness, Malfoy?" he asked after an awful stretch of time.

"Just... stuff," I said through a wicked grin. A second later, my fist made contact with Potter's throat and I smashed him against a non-existant barrier. Potter choaked and spluttered out blood from his mouth. The acid flames of my fireball scrathed through the flesh of his neck, spilling out blood.

"Tell me, Potter!" I hissed, my voice deep and vicious, rolling through Potter's ears. "What happened between you and Hermione?"

Potter choked and released another flow of blood from his lips. The blood dribbled down his chin and burned through the skin of my hands.

"ANSWER ME, POTTER!"

Potter's eyes rolled upwards in agony. His cheeks burned with heat and sweat ran down his face. "G-get off m-m-me..." he growled, having great difficulty trying to push my hand off his troat.

The strength in my iron fists lessened. I released Potter from my grip and glared. "Tell me now, Potter!" I repeated, my fists clenching and unclenching by my sides to show him that I meant bussiness. "What happened between you and Hermione?!"

"It's none of your bussiness!" croaked Potter, his voice sounding raspy and hot. "Why do you care anyways?"

"Because, Potter..." I spoke. "I don't need a reason to care. I don't need a reason not to bug into people's bussiness. But you, Potter... YOU have a reason to answer me! Because if you don't – I'll kill you..."

Potter's eyes did not flinch, but I could definitely see the fear in them. After a while, he finally spoke, "I love Hermione..."

He said it without a care, not even a slight glassy eyed look that it sickened me. How dare he say he loved her? To love someone, you have to give your soul... to care deeply... to never look at the negatives... to keep going... If he loved her – than he should be the one swelling with deep rage and disgust. But he didn't. Instead, the rage and disgust fell to me.

"Potter..." I hissed, midnight blue eyes glowing with pure anger. "You die today..." The fireball in my right hand crawled passed my wrists, snaked around my arms and hissed in power.

I could feel Potter's fear, the taste of it tickled my tongue and delighted my senses. I was in control now. Here in Oblivion, Potter didn't stand a bloody chance. I released the fireball, throwing it at Potter with all the stregth that my right arm could muster. The fireball flew towards it's target, but just as it seemed that everything was going as planned, the fireball stopped – colapsing to the ground in a dreadful THUMP!

The smell of ancient magic filled my nose. Someone had access to Oblivion's magic. But who could it be? Hermione and I are the only ones to have control and power over Oblivion – so why are Potter's arms outstretched? Aiming towards the fireball like some type of ancient sorcerer with deadly magic?

"What the hell happened?" said Potter, a drop of blood sliding down his lips. Potter stared down at his arms (Which were still outstretched in aim). The palm of each of his hands were burnt; wisps of smoke twirled around them hissing spells of Old Magic.

Although Old Magic such as that were foreign to my ears, it seemed to lighten something deep within me – as though I had awoken from decades of sleep and had finally reconized my surroundings. In English it meant, 'Three of power hold the peace...'. It was chanted over and over again, as though it was trying to stick the words into my mind.

"Enough crap, Pothead," I hissed after ages of lolling about drunkenly due to the Old Magic. With a wave of my hand, a swirl of mystical spells and curses were formed before me. "We end this now!"

Potter's eyes sharpened furiously. The formidable wind did not sweep his messy jet-black hair. Potter's arms raised on each of his sides. They jolted his body with electricity and stung his hands with dreadful scars. "Just as I was thinking, Ferret..." his thoughts echoed Oblivion. "Just as I was thinking..."

Everything that came next happened in a flash. The Swirl of Symbols-thing I had chosen for a weapon split into two and flew straight towards Potter. It would've hit him on each shoulder if it wasn't for Potter ducking. Potter screamed out a curse spoken in Old Magic and freed a strange flaming symbol from his fingertips. The symbol hit me square in the chest and I immediately fell over. Potter paused for a breath and I quickly seized my chance by attacking him with a grey fireball. The fireball hit the place where Potter's heart was supposed to be and made him collapse to the ground in a stinking heap. Potter's breath came out shallow and difficult – even his muscles were weak and bendable.

I smirked. This was it, the moment I had been waiting for – the moment the great Harry James Potter died. But just as I was about to attack him with a blast of blinding red light, a voice – sharp and controlling – froze me. My hands and feet felt numb and I fell down to the deathly hot ground.

"GET AWAY FROM HIM, MALFOY!" shouted a voice, powerful and demanding.

I sucked in my nerves. Hermione was here... and she didn't look happy. Infact, she looked positively livid.

Hermione stormed over to me, her nostrils flared and her glare stabbing. With each footfall, I could feel my heartbeat slow to a hollow THUMP. "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING, YOU STUPID, F, BLOODY, NO-GOOD, SON OF A B FERRET!!!" she screamed, eyes narrowed in pure rage.

A shadow loomed over me. My breath came out chocking and difficult, my eyes teary and red, my heartbeat slow and echoing and my body pale and rigid. "Hermione..." I whispered, my voice poor and raspy. "Please... I've come to take what is mine... Potter doesn't deserve t-to live..."

Though it seemed extremely impossible, Hermione turned even more furious than before. "YOU GET AWAY FROM HIM, MALFOY!!!" she screamed, her voice coming out like a devil or beast's would.

"Hermione, please... you've got-,"

"GET AWAY FROM HIM!!!!"

I shuddered and quickly crawled away. As much as I didn't want to give her up without a fight, I knew well enough when I was beaten.

Hermione walked over to Potter. Her chocolate brown eyes softened and she placed a hand on him gently. "Harry..." she murmered, gently stroking his pale face. "Harry, look at me..."

Potter winced and opened an eye wearily. "'Mione?" he moaned, clutching his bloodied chest in attempt to stop the blood flow. "'Mione... h-h-he was trying t-to..."

"Shh..." whispered Hermione, placing a gentle finger on Potter's lips. Blue glows of healing appeared on his skin, enriching his flesh. "Harry, please... rest. I'll take care of everything. It'll be all right."

Potter's eyes shut, enjoying the tingly sensation of Hermione's skin on his skin. A smile crept up his face. "Thanks Hermione..." he murmured, eyes still closed. "... I love you..."

Hermione smiled – something completely unusual to her – and placed a kiss gently upon Potter's lips.

I stared at the whole scene with glowing blue eyes. My fists were clenched and my teeth grinded furiously. I was positively mad with jealousy. Potter was a f liar. He didn't love Hermione – he liked her. If he loved her, he would be suffering. Not enjoying the pleasure of snogging Chang in the boy's toilet.

That's right... I saw him. He didn't look depressed, nor love sick at that matter. The only reason he even liked Hermione was because she was hott and had changed her attitude. If Hermione was still the same old bushy haired bookworm she was last year, he wouldn't give a damn. Me? I was always drawn to Hermione. From the first day I had met her, she was always perculiar to me. She wasn't like most girls, and she didn't care what others thought of her. I was always attracted to the way she took control over things and the way her forehead lifted each time she was concentrating in class. I was merely frightened. Frightened by the fact that people would look down to me for liking a Muggleborn, frightened by the fact that she didn't like me back, frightened by the fact that I would hurt her, frightened by the fact that my father would abuse me for liking her... But mostly, I was frightened for myself. That I didn't really care for her... that it was merely a boy likes girl thing.

But I know better now. I love Hermione – love her with all my heart. I knew by the roar of my gut that it wasn't the same for Potter. He wouldn't risk everything for her... but I would. I'd even die for her.

I glared at Potter in disgust. The battle might be over Potter... but the war has just begun...

So how was it? I hope it's good enough for you. Please REVIEW this chapter. Oh yeah, before I forget, please review my other fic. It's called "The Fight For Her Love". Please read and review it as well! It's sooo RANDOM, it's funny! Come on! PLEASE???

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