Gems in the eyes of the world.
Disclaimer: I own none of the glorious characters that are anything to do with the Harry Potter world. My imagination may be good, but not that good, otherwise I would have my works published already, even at my tender age. Harry Potter belongs to the person who wrote most of it, it even says on the cover – J.K.Rowling.
THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING:
*Natyslacks ~ Yeah, you see, that's why she is feeling so guilty BECAUSE people died for her! Yay, I'm so glad someone understands, cus' loads of people reviewed saying just how confusing they found this, hehe . . .
*Happigolucki616 ~ Lol, thanks for reviewing, and there's more D/Hr interaction in this fic than any other fic I've written I think, probably cus' I'm writing about Draco and Hermione in a more mature light, and a different way of thinking. Here's the next chappie! Enjoy!
*Some12 ~ Thank you! For reviewing and for the reassurance, I guess dreams are always confusing . . . but I think that's the most non-obvious dream I've written, I mean, in Butt Big, for example, I could have just wrote what I meant down instead of scribbling down all those dreams! Lol, what a waste of time . . .
*LythTaeraneth ~ No, I DEFINITELY wasn't kidding when I said this is a serious fic, I have the ending all set out . . . MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, sorry, HAD to do that. Now I'm weeping . . . why? Because one, you haven't updated, two YOU HAVE A MANGA TO READ. I want one, but parents are just arses, plain arses. Lol.
*Alanpatty07 ~ SO MANY WHYS! Lol, now it's my turn to be confused . . . actually I'm always confused, so nevermind! It's cus' I think too much, lol, anyways, I have three of your most faithful reviewers eating out of the palm of my hand? Now isn't the world of fanfiction oh so small . . . now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to wash my hands from slobber.
*NitenGale ~ Thanks so much for reviewing this, and also for reviewing Butt Big . . . I still can't believe that's ended. And to think of the grief it caused me when I started it . . . oh, and she shall start looking soon, when I'm not quite sure. Be patient, hopefully it'll be worthwhile! :- )
*Burgundyred ~ Aw, that's so nice of you. I apologise for it anyways, cus' some people think my updates takes too long, and then I feel guilty . . . again. I guess what you said about Draco is very true, to be honest, I'm quite surprised I missed it! My excuse will be . . . erm . . . he's grown? Lol, FINE! I ADMIT DEFEAT! Lol, no, really, my mistake. Oh, and also, there's going to be a lot more sunrises and sunset descriptions. You see, the reason for THAT is because I want this fic to come across as the thoughtful and . . . quiet kind of type. So, there's going to be a lot of scenes where Hermione is just going to sit and stare while thinking. What can I say? It's what she's going to do!
*Cho Chang-Emotional Dark Hole ~ I love snowy days, they are real pretty, and just to say, there's a lot more sunrises and sunsets to come, hehe . . . I just love writing about them!
*Pixie-dust2525 ~ Thank you so much for the review! And for almost crying, lol, you're so nice . . .
*ShortStuff10 ~ Sorry, no pop tarts lately! I used up all the ingredients to try and make a volcano, which is now officially a wreck! Lol, anyway Ding, you seem confused, oh well, so am I! Lol, ttyl!
Chapter five
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Hermione looked in the mirror. She had put the mirror in her study room, she didn't like it in her bedroom where she could see herself everyday. Seeing herself in the mirror everyday made her remember all the times she had been teased about how she looked, she didn't think that was important, as long as she treated people right – which she knew she hadn't always done.
Today was the first and proper time she had stood and looked at herself (for so long) in a few months. Her hair was bushy, but not as bushy as it could have been if it was shorter. It went down to her elbow, her face was fine though, she had slight bags, but nothing serious. And she had no spots, which for a woman her age, was very good.
She wondered why, why people were so vain and shallow, why they cared so much about how people looked. But that was the sad truth of the world. Everyone was vain, some worse than others but no one could deny the fact that they were indeed, vain.
She walked over to her grand piano by the big glass window that led onto a balcony. Not a very high up balcony but a balcony all the same. She stretched her fingers, and began to play a song that she remembered her aunt had taught her when she was young. Her Aunt had written it, in loving memory of her baby cousin, who died only a few minutes after her birth. It wasn't exactly a sad piece, but it was very touching and peaceful, like a song that someone would play in heaven. Sadly, Hermione's Aunt died only a few months after the creation of that Song, it had been appropriately named 'Venus's tears'.
'THUMP'
Immediately, Hermione stopped playing. She frowned and got up, slowly walking towards the door. Opening it a crack, she peered outside.
"Down here Granger."
Hermione looked down. Draco was sitting, lying, on the carpet, clutching his leg. It was bleeding, quite badly. Hermione immediately knelt down to take a look at it while Draco shivered and breathed deeply through the pain.
"What happened Malfoy?"
"How do I know?"
"Look, I'm not trying to argue with you here. But you're not making it easy."
"Granger, I heard you playing on that piano, I got up because I felt well enough to, I was just about to open the door to that study, when I felt pain seer through me and then I collapsed and found my leg bleeding onto your carpet."
Hermione examined Draco's leg. There didn't seem to be any wound, but the blood was seeping out of his leg like it was badly injured. This was definitely strange, and if it continued, no doubt Draco would die of blood loss. She wasn't sure how to stop it, like I've mentioned before, there was no wound, just masses of blood pouring out of nowhere. It was definitely a curse, some sort of dark curse that was only activated when something happened, but what activated it, she didn't know.
She closed her eyes and held her wand over his leg. She uttered one spell that she had learnt in her advanced ancient runes lessons, the professor had told her that it could prevent any dark curse apart from the killing curse, from happening for about 2 hours. The spell was fairly new, and she was the first student to be taught it. She finished the spell, but she didn't dare open her eyes.
"Granger, I'm fine."
"Malfoy . . . do you have any idea what activates this curse on you."
Silence as Hermione opened her eyes. Draco was staring at the blood stained carpet, scowling hard at it. She rolled her eyes and sighed, still staring at him as he avoided her gaze.
"Look mudblood, mind your own business alright?"
"If you don't want my help Malfoy, your welcome to leave, I'm not keeping you here."
Hermione slowly put her hand on his dirty bloody robes to try and help him up, he slithered away, slapping her hand to make her let go of him. She knew she should keep her temper under control, but he was making everything so hard. She stood up and glared at him.
"I'm only trying to help you – can't you understand that? Accepting help doesn't make you any weaker, it can only make you stronger – don't you get it?"
"Why . . . why didn't you just leave me there to die?"
"Haven't I told you that already?"
"Well . . . you should have left me there to die, it's what everyone wants isn't it? Potter, Weasley, YOU, father . . ."
Hermione frowned, his father? His own father wanted him to die . . . it all made much more sense now, Lucius must have cast that curse, mustn't he? As Hermione looked at Draco, she saw him in a new light. He didn't look like the evil conniving git that was spoilt and ignorant like hell, he looked like a child who had never been taught how to enjoy life and had never felt loved before in his life. She felt sorry for him, her womanly instincts told her that what he needed was a hug, but he was Draco Malfoy.
"I don't want you to die, if I did, do you really think you'd be here? Do you think you're strong enough to stand on your own? You can use the bathroom and get washed, I have some spare men clothes from when Harry and Ron stayed round, and they should fit."
Draco looked up at Hermione. He was confused, someone like Granger would help someone like him, and she had changed. She was still the know it all, but she seemed more appreciative of life, and more thoughtful than she was when she was in Hogwarts.
Hermione walked towards the living room, where her big bookcase was located. This curse was something that she had to check on.
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Draco stumbled out of Hermione's room, he felt weak and dizzy from the large amount of blood loss. Getting washed did help, and he was now dressed in muggle clothes that he guessed belonged to Potter, as they were colour co-ordinated.
He staggered into the living room, shaking his head and hanging onto the wall to try and steady himself. Hermione looked up from the book that she had been absorbed in, she gasped as the book went crashing down to the floor.
"Draco!!!"
She rushed to him and tried to steady him, for once, Draco didn't object to help. He collapsed in her arms, exhausted and definitely ill.
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"What happened???"
Draco opened his eyes weakly, he felt miserable, more miserable than he had ever felt before, and that was saying something. He squinted around the too light room and saw Hermione peering at him over an enormous book. The pages were old and the page she had bookmarked was half ripped down the middle.
"I see you're up."
"No, you don't say."
"Well, I've managed to figure out what curse it is that you have, but I am quite disappointed at the fact that you knew and yet wouldn't tell me so I had to find out the hard way."
Draco looked away and breathed deeply, stress caused no miracle to his lungs, and it would make him angrier and make his heart pump faster.
"The curse is a very dark curse that only one person on the face of the earth can learn, and is powerful enough to cast without dying in doing so. Luckily for you, there is a cure." Draco frowned, and finally met Hermione's eyes. His father had said that it was incurable and that soon enough he would die because of it. Hermione closed her eyes and sighed, much in a way like Dumbledore would. She took her reading glasses off, and placed them back into their case.
"The problem is . . . Draco, that, the only way to lift the spell is for the person who cast it, to say the spell backwards. I don't know exactly what happened to make you deserve it, or even be important enough, to receive this curse, but for your own good, I think you should tell me."
Draco thought, he couldn't, no . . . that would only cause more pain and frustration, a lot more pain and frustration. He looked at the letter in Hermione's hand curiously.
"This," She got up from her chair and went over to the bed, sitting on the edge of it, "is that letter from Dumbledore, the one that was . . . ."
"With Potter's."
Hermione nodded and gulped. If mentioning Harry made her this upset, what if she failed in her tasks???? She couldn't risk it, but if she didn't try, then what would be the point??? How could she say she was alive if she wouldn't even TRY to save her best friends life???
Draco unfolded the letter and began to read aloud.
"Dear Miss Granger,
I have known you to be the most responsible out of what all the students would say as the 'Golden Trio', which is why I am giving you this responsibility. You seem to have a lot to deal with Miss Granger, but you seemed the only one that was capable enough to handle this, I apologise that I am only adding to your burden of problems.
Knowing you Miss Granger, you should have read the other letter enclosed in the same envelope. Do not worry; Mr Potter shall be alright for at least two weeks, enough time for you to collect the five gemstones capable of healing him completely. I warn you that you must be careful of the people you come in contact with, and you must keep this mission as secret as possible.
Simply go to Diagon Alley, hidden behind a brick wall in the fifth alleyway to your right (that shall disappear with the password: Kappa) is a shop. The shop may look uninviting on the outside, but be aware that appearances are not all what it seems to be. The shop's name is 'Keys for all occasions', say to the shopkeeper – Where may your cat be? Inside, outside or inside out?, and he shall give to you what you need and explain to you what you want. I say to you that this is strictly confidential, but you may bring ONE companion.
I hope you realise how much we appreciate this, and 'we' includes not only us, but also the entire wizarding world, for saving Mr Potter, and shall indeed rid the Dark Lord, the only thing I wish for you to do after reading this, is to burn it. Thank you,
Yours sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore,
Hogwarts headmaster, and
Remus Lupin ~ Former Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher,
Nymphadora Tonks ~ Metamorphosis,
Dobby ~ House elf of Hogwarts kitchen, also former house elf of the Malfoys,
Minerva McGonagall ~ Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts,
Rubeus Hagrid ~ Care of Magical Creatures teacher,
Argus Filch ~ Caretaker of Hogwarts, Squib,
Cornelius Fudge ~ Minister of Magic,
Viktor Krum ~ Worldwide quidditch player,
Ronald Weasley ~ your best friend, also of Harry Potter,
Fleur Delacour ~ this years new defence against the dark arts teacher at Hogwarts,"
Draco stopped at this point, although it was most definitely not the end. The parchment was much longer, but Draco didn't see the point of reading on, there were just more names that showed how much they were all relying on her. 'No pressure there . . .' Draco thought sarcastically, looking up at Hermione. She was rubbing her eyes tiredly, like she hadn't slept for quite some time - slept easily anyway. She sighed heavily and her hazel eyes met with silvery blue.
"It's because of this mission, Draco –
"Why are you calling me Draco?"
"Because that's your name, unless it's suddenly changed to Theodore or something –
"No, but you usually call me Malfoy and I call you mudblood and Granger."
"But time has passed, DRACO. I've matured, everybody's matured and grown up from their silly ways, everybody except you it seems."
Silence filled the air around them as they each sat at their separate places, their eyes staring into each other. It was that one moment, just that moment that Draco saw who Hermione was, not the mudblood that he truly hated, but a young and troubled woman who had matured beautifully and was alone and frightened of what might happen.
"As I was saying, it's because of this mission, Draco, that I probably won't be here often, I'll be heading to Diagon Alley first thing tomorrow to meet with that shopkeeper, you'll have to stay here."
"NO."
"Look, Draco –
"Granger you can't leave me here, they'll find me if I stay in one place too long."
"I can't let you come with me Draco if you won't even give me a reason that I can understand for you have to come with me!"
This was it, he would have to tell her, how long did he think he could keep it a secret from her anyway? He took a deep breath,
"Granger . . . that night you found me, was the night of one of the most important deatheater meetings that we ever have. The Dark Lord was planning an attack on St. Mungos hospital to kill Harry Potter while he was weak – he was using a coward's method, instead of standing up and fighting. I objected, a coward's method shouldn't be any way a deatheater should fight, but I made a mistake, I objected against the Dark Lord, and I had already had my one and only chance . . . which most deatheaters rarely got."
"When?"
"Earlier this year, when . . ."
"Draco, what happened?"
"My first proper task that was set, was to kidnap . . . you."
Hermione frowned. "But you did that successfully, why did you need another chance when you did it right?"
"Because, Granger . . . they were planning to kill you, to slit your throat when Potter came rushing to your rescue, to see him suffer when he saw you dead, I . . . I . . . I objected and said to the Dark Lord that we shouldn't kill you, not until we caught Potter in our dungeons, but when Potter sent someone else to the dungeons and took on the Dark Lord himself . . . I got blamed for the plan failing, and accused of helping the other side. I begged unguilty and my father backed me up for once, but the next time, he didn't defend me, and I thought he cared . . ."
Draco looked away, feeling ashamed that he had told THE MUDBLOOD, Potter's friend, everything that had happened. He could feel tears stinging his eyes, but he knew much better than to cry in front of the 'so called' enemy.
"Draco . . . I'm so sorry . . . fine, you can come with me to Diagon Alley, but I really don't see what the harm is of you staying here. Wouldn't it be more dangerous for you to be out?"
"But at least I'll be moving, if I stay in one place without someone with me, then they'll attack, I know them too well."
Hermione gave a nod. She used her wand to summon a wheelchair. "I don't think you're well enough to walk the way to Diagon Alley, and I never go by floo powder, or apparate. I'll take you there the muggle way, and you can wear sunglasses and a hat and pretend your hurt. That way, anyone who knows you won't be able to recognise you as much."
All Draco could do was nod and agree. He dreaded to think what the deatheaters, and Voldemort himself would say if they found that he was not yet dead.
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~
Next chapter shall be set in Diagon Alley and is where the adventure really begins!! Kind of . . .
Love always, hippy hugs,
~Me, myself and I ^.^
PS. Okay, here's a simple warning type thing. I might be going on holiday soon, which is kind of uncommon for me, cus' I NEVER, I repeat, NEVER go on holiday! So, during that time, I definitely won't be able to update, but, alas, I will only be gone for about two weeks, and that's if I even actually GET to go. I might not go at all, which would make it . . . about 3 years since I actually went anywhere . . . no wonder I'm having a mental breakdown . . .
Disclaimer: I own none of the glorious characters that are anything to do with the Harry Potter world. My imagination may be good, but not that good, otherwise I would have my works published already, even at my tender age. Harry Potter belongs to the person who wrote most of it, it even says on the cover – J.K.Rowling.
THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING:
*Natyslacks ~ Yeah, you see, that's why she is feeling so guilty BECAUSE people died for her! Yay, I'm so glad someone understands, cus' loads of people reviewed saying just how confusing they found this, hehe . . .
*Happigolucki616 ~ Lol, thanks for reviewing, and there's more D/Hr interaction in this fic than any other fic I've written I think, probably cus' I'm writing about Draco and Hermione in a more mature light, and a different way of thinking. Here's the next chappie! Enjoy!
*Some12 ~ Thank you! For reviewing and for the reassurance, I guess dreams are always confusing . . . but I think that's the most non-obvious dream I've written, I mean, in Butt Big, for example, I could have just wrote what I meant down instead of scribbling down all those dreams! Lol, what a waste of time . . .
*LythTaeraneth ~ No, I DEFINITELY wasn't kidding when I said this is a serious fic, I have the ending all set out . . . MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, sorry, HAD to do that. Now I'm weeping . . . why? Because one, you haven't updated, two YOU HAVE A MANGA TO READ. I want one, but parents are just arses, plain arses. Lol.
*Alanpatty07 ~ SO MANY WHYS! Lol, now it's my turn to be confused . . . actually I'm always confused, so nevermind! It's cus' I think too much, lol, anyways, I have three of your most faithful reviewers eating out of the palm of my hand? Now isn't the world of fanfiction oh so small . . . now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to wash my hands from slobber.
*NitenGale ~ Thanks so much for reviewing this, and also for reviewing Butt Big . . . I still can't believe that's ended. And to think of the grief it caused me when I started it . . . oh, and she shall start looking soon, when I'm not quite sure. Be patient, hopefully it'll be worthwhile! :- )
*Burgundyred ~ Aw, that's so nice of you. I apologise for it anyways, cus' some people think my updates takes too long, and then I feel guilty . . . again. I guess what you said about Draco is very true, to be honest, I'm quite surprised I missed it! My excuse will be . . . erm . . . he's grown? Lol, FINE! I ADMIT DEFEAT! Lol, no, really, my mistake. Oh, and also, there's going to be a lot more sunrises and sunset descriptions. You see, the reason for THAT is because I want this fic to come across as the thoughtful and . . . quiet kind of type. So, there's going to be a lot of scenes where Hermione is just going to sit and stare while thinking. What can I say? It's what she's going to do!
*Cho Chang-Emotional Dark Hole ~ I love snowy days, they are real pretty, and just to say, there's a lot more sunrises and sunsets to come, hehe . . . I just love writing about them!
*Pixie-dust2525 ~ Thank you so much for the review! And for almost crying, lol, you're so nice . . .
*ShortStuff10 ~ Sorry, no pop tarts lately! I used up all the ingredients to try and make a volcano, which is now officially a wreck! Lol, anyway Ding, you seem confused, oh well, so am I! Lol, ttyl!
Chapter five
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Hermione looked in the mirror. She had put the mirror in her study room, she didn't like it in her bedroom where she could see herself everyday. Seeing herself in the mirror everyday made her remember all the times she had been teased about how she looked, she didn't think that was important, as long as she treated people right – which she knew she hadn't always done.
Today was the first and proper time she had stood and looked at herself (for so long) in a few months. Her hair was bushy, but not as bushy as it could have been if it was shorter. It went down to her elbow, her face was fine though, she had slight bags, but nothing serious. And she had no spots, which for a woman her age, was very good.
She wondered why, why people were so vain and shallow, why they cared so much about how people looked. But that was the sad truth of the world. Everyone was vain, some worse than others but no one could deny the fact that they were indeed, vain.
She walked over to her grand piano by the big glass window that led onto a balcony. Not a very high up balcony but a balcony all the same. She stretched her fingers, and began to play a song that she remembered her aunt had taught her when she was young. Her Aunt had written it, in loving memory of her baby cousin, who died only a few minutes after her birth. It wasn't exactly a sad piece, but it was very touching and peaceful, like a song that someone would play in heaven. Sadly, Hermione's Aunt died only a few months after the creation of that Song, it had been appropriately named 'Venus's tears'.
'THUMP'
Immediately, Hermione stopped playing. She frowned and got up, slowly walking towards the door. Opening it a crack, she peered outside.
"Down here Granger."
Hermione looked down. Draco was sitting, lying, on the carpet, clutching his leg. It was bleeding, quite badly. Hermione immediately knelt down to take a look at it while Draco shivered and breathed deeply through the pain.
"What happened Malfoy?"
"How do I know?"
"Look, I'm not trying to argue with you here. But you're not making it easy."
"Granger, I heard you playing on that piano, I got up because I felt well enough to, I was just about to open the door to that study, when I felt pain seer through me and then I collapsed and found my leg bleeding onto your carpet."
Hermione examined Draco's leg. There didn't seem to be any wound, but the blood was seeping out of his leg like it was badly injured. This was definitely strange, and if it continued, no doubt Draco would die of blood loss. She wasn't sure how to stop it, like I've mentioned before, there was no wound, just masses of blood pouring out of nowhere. It was definitely a curse, some sort of dark curse that was only activated when something happened, but what activated it, she didn't know.
She closed her eyes and held her wand over his leg. She uttered one spell that she had learnt in her advanced ancient runes lessons, the professor had told her that it could prevent any dark curse apart from the killing curse, from happening for about 2 hours. The spell was fairly new, and she was the first student to be taught it. She finished the spell, but she didn't dare open her eyes.
"Granger, I'm fine."
"Malfoy . . . do you have any idea what activates this curse on you."
Silence as Hermione opened her eyes. Draco was staring at the blood stained carpet, scowling hard at it. She rolled her eyes and sighed, still staring at him as he avoided her gaze.
"Look mudblood, mind your own business alright?"
"If you don't want my help Malfoy, your welcome to leave, I'm not keeping you here."
Hermione slowly put her hand on his dirty bloody robes to try and help him up, he slithered away, slapping her hand to make her let go of him. She knew she should keep her temper under control, but he was making everything so hard. She stood up and glared at him.
"I'm only trying to help you – can't you understand that? Accepting help doesn't make you any weaker, it can only make you stronger – don't you get it?"
"Why . . . why didn't you just leave me there to die?"
"Haven't I told you that already?"
"Well . . . you should have left me there to die, it's what everyone wants isn't it? Potter, Weasley, YOU, father . . ."
Hermione frowned, his father? His own father wanted him to die . . . it all made much more sense now, Lucius must have cast that curse, mustn't he? As Hermione looked at Draco, she saw him in a new light. He didn't look like the evil conniving git that was spoilt and ignorant like hell, he looked like a child who had never been taught how to enjoy life and had never felt loved before in his life. She felt sorry for him, her womanly instincts told her that what he needed was a hug, but he was Draco Malfoy.
"I don't want you to die, if I did, do you really think you'd be here? Do you think you're strong enough to stand on your own? You can use the bathroom and get washed, I have some spare men clothes from when Harry and Ron stayed round, and they should fit."
Draco looked up at Hermione. He was confused, someone like Granger would help someone like him, and she had changed. She was still the know it all, but she seemed more appreciative of life, and more thoughtful than she was when she was in Hogwarts.
Hermione walked towards the living room, where her big bookcase was located. This curse was something that she had to check on.
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Draco stumbled out of Hermione's room, he felt weak and dizzy from the large amount of blood loss. Getting washed did help, and he was now dressed in muggle clothes that he guessed belonged to Potter, as they were colour co-ordinated.
He staggered into the living room, shaking his head and hanging onto the wall to try and steady himself. Hermione looked up from the book that she had been absorbed in, she gasped as the book went crashing down to the floor.
"Draco!!!"
She rushed to him and tried to steady him, for once, Draco didn't object to help. He collapsed in her arms, exhausted and definitely ill.
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"What happened???"
Draco opened his eyes weakly, he felt miserable, more miserable than he had ever felt before, and that was saying something. He squinted around the too light room and saw Hermione peering at him over an enormous book. The pages were old and the page she had bookmarked was half ripped down the middle.
"I see you're up."
"No, you don't say."
"Well, I've managed to figure out what curse it is that you have, but I am quite disappointed at the fact that you knew and yet wouldn't tell me so I had to find out the hard way."
Draco looked away and breathed deeply, stress caused no miracle to his lungs, and it would make him angrier and make his heart pump faster.
"The curse is a very dark curse that only one person on the face of the earth can learn, and is powerful enough to cast without dying in doing so. Luckily for you, there is a cure." Draco frowned, and finally met Hermione's eyes. His father had said that it was incurable and that soon enough he would die because of it. Hermione closed her eyes and sighed, much in a way like Dumbledore would. She took her reading glasses off, and placed them back into their case.
"The problem is . . . Draco, that, the only way to lift the spell is for the person who cast it, to say the spell backwards. I don't know exactly what happened to make you deserve it, or even be important enough, to receive this curse, but for your own good, I think you should tell me."
Draco thought, he couldn't, no . . . that would only cause more pain and frustration, a lot more pain and frustration. He looked at the letter in Hermione's hand curiously.
"This," She got up from her chair and went over to the bed, sitting on the edge of it, "is that letter from Dumbledore, the one that was . . . ."
"With Potter's."
Hermione nodded and gulped. If mentioning Harry made her this upset, what if she failed in her tasks???? She couldn't risk it, but if she didn't try, then what would be the point??? How could she say she was alive if she wouldn't even TRY to save her best friends life???
Draco unfolded the letter and began to read aloud.
"Dear Miss Granger,
I have known you to be the most responsible out of what all the students would say as the 'Golden Trio', which is why I am giving you this responsibility. You seem to have a lot to deal with Miss Granger, but you seemed the only one that was capable enough to handle this, I apologise that I am only adding to your burden of problems.
Knowing you Miss Granger, you should have read the other letter enclosed in the same envelope. Do not worry; Mr Potter shall be alright for at least two weeks, enough time for you to collect the five gemstones capable of healing him completely. I warn you that you must be careful of the people you come in contact with, and you must keep this mission as secret as possible.
Simply go to Diagon Alley, hidden behind a brick wall in the fifth alleyway to your right (that shall disappear with the password: Kappa) is a shop. The shop may look uninviting on the outside, but be aware that appearances are not all what it seems to be. The shop's name is 'Keys for all occasions', say to the shopkeeper – Where may your cat be? Inside, outside or inside out?, and he shall give to you what you need and explain to you what you want. I say to you that this is strictly confidential, but you may bring ONE companion.
I hope you realise how much we appreciate this, and 'we' includes not only us, but also the entire wizarding world, for saving Mr Potter, and shall indeed rid the Dark Lord, the only thing I wish for you to do after reading this, is to burn it. Thank you,
Yours sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore,
Hogwarts headmaster, and
Remus Lupin ~ Former Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher,
Nymphadora Tonks ~ Metamorphosis,
Dobby ~ House elf of Hogwarts kitchen, also former house elf of the Malfoys,
Minerva McGonagall ~ Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts,
Rubeus Hagrid ~ Care of Magical Creatures teacher,
Argus Filch ~ Caretaker of Hogwarts, Squib,
Cornelius Fudge ~ Minister of Magic,
Viktor Krum ~ Worldwide quidditch player,
Ronald Weasley ~ your best friend, also of Harry Potter,
Fleur Delacour ~ this years new defence against the dark arts teacher at Hogwarts,"
Draco stopped at this point, although it was most definitely not the end. The parchment was much longer, but Draco didn't see the point of reading on, there were just more names that showed how much they were all relying on her. 'No pressure there . . .' Draco thought sarcastically, looking up at Hermione. She was rubbing her eyes tiredly, like she hadn't slept for quite some time - slept easily anyway. She sighed heavily and her hazel eyes met with silvery blue.
"It's because of this mission, Draco –
"Why are you calling me Draco?"
"Because that's your name, unless it's suddenly changed to Theodore or something –
"No, but you usually call me Malfoy and I call you mudblood and Granger."
"But time has passed, DRACO. I've matured, everybody's matured and grown up from their silly ways, everybody except you it seems."
Silence filled the air around them as they each sat at their separate places, their eyes staring into each other. It was that one moment, just that moment that Draco saw who Hermione was, not the mudblood that he truly hated, but a young and troubled woman who had matured beautifully and was alone and frightened of what might happen.
"As I was saying, it's because of this mission, Draco, that I probably won't be here often, I'll be heading to Diagon Alley first thing tomorrow to meet with that shopkeeper, you'll have to stay here."
"NO."
"Look, Draco –
"Granger you can't leave me here, they'll find me if I stay in one place too long."
"I can't let you come with me Draco if you won't even give me a reason that I can understand for you have to come with me!"
This was it, he would have to tell her, how long did he think he could keep it a secret from her anyway? He took a deep breath,
"Granger . . . that night you found me, was the night of one of the most important deatheater meetings that we ever have. The Dark Lord was planning an attack on St. Mungos hospital to kill Harry Potter while he was weak – he was using a coward's method, instead of standing up and fighting. I objected, a coward's method shouldn't be any way a deatheater should fight, but I made a mistake, I objected against the Dark Lord, and I had already had my one and only chance . . . which most deatheaters rarely got."
"When?"
"Earlier this year, when . . ."
"Draco, what happened?"
"My first proper task that was set, was to kidnap . . . you."
Hermione frowned. "But you did that successfully, why did you need another chance when you did it right?"
"Because, Granger . . . they were planning to kill you, to slit your throat when Potter came rushing to your rescue, to see him suffer when he saw you dead, I . . . I . . . I objected and said to the Dark Lord that we shouldn't kill you, not until we caught Potter in our dungeons, but when Potter sent someone else to the dungeons and took on the Dark Lord himself . . . I got blamed for the plan failing, and accused of helping the other side. I begged unguilty and my father backed me up for once, but the next time, he didn't defend me, and I thought he cared . . ."
Draco looked away, feeling ashamed that he had told THE MUDBLOOD, Potter's friend, everything that had happened. He could feel tears stinging his eyes, but he knew much better than to cry in front of the 'so called' enemy.
"Draco . . . I'm so sorry . . . fine, you can come with me to Diagon Alley, but I really don't see what the harm is of you staying here. Wouldn't it be more dangerous for you to be out?"
"But at least I'll be moving, if I stay in one place without someone with me, then they'll attack, I know them too well."
Hermione gave a nod. She used her wand to summon a wheelchair. "I don't think you're well enough to walk the way to Diagon Alley, and I never go by floo powder, or apparate. I'll take you there the muggle way, and you can wear sunglasses and a hat and pretend your hurt. That way, anyone who knows you won't be able to recognise you as much."
All Draco could do was nod and agree. He dreaded to think what the deatheaters, and Voldemort himself would say if they found that he was not yet dead.
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~
Next chapter shall be set in Diagon Alley and is where the adventure really begins!! Kind of . . .
Love always, hippy hugs,
~Me, myself and I ^.^
PS. Okay, here's a simple warning type thing. I might be going on holiday soon, which is kind of uncommon for me, cus' I NEVER, I repeat, NEVER go on holiday! So, during that time, I definitely won't be able to update, but, alas, I will only be gone for about two weeks, and that's if I even actually GET to go. I might not go at all, which would make it . . . about 3 years since I actually went anywhere . . . no wonder I'm having a mental breakdown . . .