Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter's characters. Everything belongs to J. K. Rowling. Everything unfamiliar is mine. 5/20/04
A/N: '' – Basically means that the character is thinking
"" – Basically means that the character is speaking
This is the continuation to "Models".
I want to thank everyone who reviewed. If you have time, check out my latest "The Letter" especially since there's an A/N for you… but maybe I'll put it here as well…
Title: Last Chance Chapter 13 Draco's dreamHermione rushed to the dungeon to find her friends there. Harry was talking with Ron. They both seemed to be finished with their task. Draco on the other hand was still reading the papers that she gave him. "Hi guys!" She greeted them cheerfully. She had a nice nap and she was also happy for Arabelle.
"Hermione what took you so long? I was dismissed earlier by the person you said you were interviewing." Ron questioned her.
"I had to… um… research about something." Hermione wasn't prepared for that.
"Right." Ron had a feeling she had the easiest task for the night.
"I'm done with my task as well." Harry announced before he received a nudge from Ron, "Right, Ron helped too."
"Ah… good I guess." Hermione noticed that Draco was still busy with his task and decided to talk to him. "How about you? How are you doing?"
"I honestly can't find any flaw with the procedures, although I have some questions about the ingredients…"
"See, he's just giving her the flawless act." Ron complained quietly to Harry.
"Shut up Ron!" Harry was watching every move the couple was doing. "Is it me or there's more touching than necessary."
"Maybe we're just reading too much into it." Ron offered an explanation.
Harry didn't like the chemistry between the two. "Look now she's massaging his neck!"
"Maybe the prat's having cramps and Hermione's just massaging out of pity. Today is his first day out of the Hospital Wing."
Harry couldn't contain his anger anymore. He stood from his seat and started to march to the couple.
Hermione was quick to notice Harry's presence and moved away from Draco. She then cleared her throat to catch everybody's attention. "Guys, I have to come clean."
"Come clean with what?" Harry's heart started doing flips fearing what she'd say next. 'Please don't say you'd rather be with Malfoy.'
Hermione looked at each of them with seriousness in her eyes. "I lied about the equal load thing."
"I knew it!" Ron exclaimed, happy that he was right. Harry too was happy he was wrong.
"You knew what Ron?" Hermione smiled dangerously at him. "I thought you agreed earlier that everything was fair?"
"Well… um…"
Hermione had fun seeing Ron squirm, the same goes for Draco who wore his famous smirk. "Go on Ron. Say what you want to say."
"Never mind that you said you were confessing about something." Ron backed from the challenge.
"Alright. I did threaten you guys, Harry and Ron, about not finishing the potion in time didn't I?"
Harry and Ron nodded feeling confused.
"Well actually I came up with a different batch and all we need to do is test whether it's successful or not." She pulled out a small bottle from her robe and showed it to everybody.
"Then what the hell were those tortures about?"
Hermione laughed a little, "What torture?"
"You know. The… you know…" Ron didn't want to show any weakness in front of Malfoy.
"I did it to prepare you guys for the defense. Surely you knew about that?" Hermione tried to explain her side.
"There's a defense?" Ron almost shouted. "If this wasn't torture enough."
"Oh don't be so dramatic. It's a good thing you helped Harry. I'm sure you learned something." Hermione rationalized.
"We had to think of the proper procedure and you gave Malfoy your notes. I don't think that was fair. Besides, did you honestly believe that I learned something from the death of spiders?" Ron whined.
"I am going to give you the details about the potion but not until it has been finalized and proved successful." Hermione answered back.
"So why don't we test it out?" Harry asked.
"Well it's almost lights out so I guess we can talk to Professor Snape tomorrow." Hermione stole a glance at her watch.
"Why wait?" Draco joined the conversation. "I could ask him right now."
"Yeah you do that." Ron commented.
Draco rolled his eyes before he left the room.
"Wait!" She tried to call Draco.
"Let him. He'll be fine. Snape is their head of the house." Harry was irritated at Hermione's expressed concern.
Draco rushed to Snape's room when something caught his eye. "Pansy?"
"I have something for you." She pulled a letter from her robe and gave it to him.
"I don't have time for this. I'm looking for Snape." He thought it was just another love letter.
"This is from your father." She shoved the letter into his hands. "He said read it when you're alone."
Draco looked at the letter and saw his father's handwriting. 'What the bloody hell does he want now?'
"Oh and by the way, Snape's patrolling in Hufflepuff right now." Pansy turned before her eyes could betray her. 'Be careful Draco.'
Draco didn't bother to read the letter. He just shoved it in his robe and went on his way.
Similar to what happened before, Snape ordered Draco to tell his group to meet him at his office before they went to the Room of Requirement.
When they arrived at the room, Snape cast a dangerous look at Hermione. "Ms. Granger I suppose you have chosen which spider would die today."
Hermione didn't respond. She wasn't able to do any of Arabelle's suggestions.
Snape willed the room for the same stage to place the spider. "So Ms. Granger, which spider will die tonight?" He was still confident that her potion was a failure.
She looked at the face of his friends who were oblivious to Snape's question. "I think I'll start with mine professor."
'I forgot Gryffindor's bravery.' Snape took the skinniest spider in the container and placed it on stage. "Ms. Granger you know the drill put your potion in front of Hermione."
"What's going on?" Harry asked.
"He named the spiders with our names." Hermione explained as she took out the bottle containing the potion.
"So basically, we're experimenting on your spider?" Harry wanted to be clear about everything.
"Basically." Hermione answered.
"We could use mine. I'm sure Professor Snape would love it." Harry offered.
"It's alright Harry, I trust my work… I think." She dreaded pouring the potion. "Besides I'm not really the spider."
"Oh but I insist. Use my spider." Harry argued.
"Don't worry Mr. Potter. We will use your spider next time." Snape cut their conversation. "Ms. Granger, are you wasting my time again?"
"No sir." She took a deep breath before pouring the potion in Hermione's path. Everybody watched as Snape cast the Avada Curse.
Just like before the spider twitched upon contact with the green light. Hermione held her breath as she waited for what seemed hours. She noticed the deadly silence. 'I guess Ron's already accustomed to watching spiders. She wasn't blinking afraid that she'd miss something.
"Well." Snape cleared his throat. "I believe that's it."
Hermione still didn't remove her eyes from the spider careful not to repeat what happened last time.
"Mr. Potter, it seems like Harry, Ronald, Hermione, and Draco are now safe." Snape took out a smaller cage from his robes and put Hermione in it.
Hermione's mouth was left hanging. 'She didn't die!'
"Ms. Granger, it seems like you have done the impossible but don't think you'll ace this thesis. You still have to prepare for the defense." Snape admitted his defeat. He wanted to be the one to finalize the potion. "I will keep Hermione and observe her. If you want the other three spiders you can have them."
Hermione couldn't contain her joy. She let out a well-earned scream and hugged her friends who were smiling as well.
"Ten points from Gryffindor. Ms. Granger and Mr. Potter it is past lights out. As head boy and head girl, you ought to know better. I am expecting you all to be in your dorms within ten minutes." Snape flipped his robe and left the room.
"I guess celebration can wait until tomorrow." Even the lost point didn't deter her joy. She was finally finished with the thesis. Everything would be easier now.
"You did great Herm." Ron gave her a big hug before leaving the room.
Draco and Harry stared at each other wanting to be the last one to talk to her.
"You guys, aren't you glad this is over?" Hermione tried to break the silence.
"I guess." Harry answered.
"Draco, you should rest now. You've had a long day." She gave him a warm smile.
"You had a great day." Draco gave his most charming smile.
Hermione was easily captivated. "Yes I did." Her heart was fluttering.
"So that's goodnight Malfoy." Harry intruded.
Draco glared at his rival and left not wanting to start a fight in front of Hermione.
Draco Malfoy didn't head for his dorm at the Slytherin tower. He preferred to be alone that night. He had a heavy burden within the pocket of his robes. His father had instructed that it be read when he was alone. That would only be possible if he stayed in the secret room, the room where he slept with Hermione.
It was a long time ago but the memory of her still lingered. His last visit there was with Hermione. He remembered those intimate moments they shared in the Forbidden Forest and at the lake. He couldn't believe everything was soon to end. They were going to leave Hogwarts. Hermione will lead a normal life, most probably away from him.
His head started pounding again and felt that his painkillers weren't having the same effect as earlier in the morning. Tomorrow will be a new day…
He was tied up in a chair. The room he was in looked strangely familiar. He tried calling for help but no one would come. He stared at the door thinking of a way to escape. Then he heard a ghastly voice echoing from outside the room. "Where is the boy?" Somehow, he realized that the boy was he. He desperately tried to free himself but it was to no avail. He then heard footsteps coming closer toward the door. He panicked not knowing what to do. Then the door suddenly opened.
Draco woke with beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He's had a similar dream before, back in Krum's mansion. He got up, went to the window, and looked up to the moon. His fears were confirmed. The moon shines brighter than any night before. 'Something really bad is going to happen.'
He then remembered his encounter with Pansy. He went to where his robes were draped and searched for the letter. He tore the envelope and read. Finishing it, his face paled. He had to do something. 'It's time.'
Hermione woke up a little late the next day. She felt like nothing's going to ruin her day. The sun was shining brightly. Their thesis was finished and all she had to do know is pass the test and graduate.
She wanted to celebrate the success of last night's experiment and decided to look for her teammates. When she arrived at the Great Hall, she received a standing ovation from her house led by Harry and Ron. She smiled shyly as she made her way to her friends' side. Even McGonagall was clapping. She glanced at Arabelle and she was beaming at her. It led her to wonder whether she was happy because of her success or because of her night with Sirius Black.
Hermione glanced around to look for Draco to share with her achievement but she couldn't find him. She was a bit troubled. 'What if I pushed him too hard last night and now he's not feeling well?'
"Hermione?" Neville walked to her.
"What is it?" She tried to sound pleasant.
"I was wondering, I mean if you have free time. Could you do something for my parents' case?"
Hermione smiled and remembered the story about the Longbottoms. "I would love to try Neville. I promise I will do what I can."
Neville beamed at her. "Thanks."
Hermione felt contented and had forgotten about Draco's disappearance.
Draco waited all day long for his fate. He was scared. For once in his life, he was scared. He didn't know what was going to happen. All he knew for sure was he wasn't going to put Hermione in the middle of things. It's the least that he could. She saved his life before and now it was his duty to save hers. 'I'm going to have to avoid her all day.'
"Madam Pomfrey?"
The kind nurse turned to him, "Mr. Malfoy, why am I not surprised to see you back here?"
"You were right. I have a splitting headache worse than before."
The nurse placed her hand on top of his forehead and found nothing wrong. "Mr. Malfoy, I want you to stay here the whole day. I want to observe you."
"Yes ma'am." He gladly sat on one of the beds and laid his head on the pillow.
"That would also mean no visitors. If you're feeling well by tomorrow, you will be able to see them by then. Now rest." Madam Pomfrey ordered.
Hermione found out during the day where Draco was but try as she may Madam Pomfrey wouldn't let her near him. Hermione was desperate enough to ask Dumbledore's help. She did scold herself. She blamed herself for Draco's headache. She thought she gave him a hard time last night, she thought she pushed him too hard. She wanted to see him so bad. However, she also wanted to celebrate with him. 'You can't. He needs to rest. Just celebrate with him some other time like tomorrow.'
Draco knew his father would not move during the day. He knew he would move at night. He waited all day long for the setting of the sun. He did not know what his father was up to. All he can do is wish that it had nothing to do with Hermione.
The night crept in too fast for Draco. He wished for another memory with Hermione but that wasn't possible. There might be spies lingering around the castle and he didn't want to give more reason to endanger Hermione.
Draco scanned the room for the possible entry of his uninvited guests. Apparating was out of the question. Using a powerful port key would only mean they could arrive anywhere. They could even disguise themselves and enter through the door. He was getting anxious. He wanted this feeling to go away…
One of the windows in the room was left slightly open. Draco could feel the cool breeze coming from outside. To him it felt like ice. But there was something more than just the chill in the wind, there was a voice. "Draco Malfoy…"
Hermione woke up with the sound of the window banging. She felt the chill running through her body. She stood from her bed and walked to the window. She gently closed the window but something caught her attention. 'The moon's awfully big tonight.' She walked back to her bed and tried to sleep.
In the morning, Hermione rushed to the Great Hall to look for Draco. She wanted to celebrate their success. The Gryffindor party happened last night but she didn't feel like partying without her other friend. She also wanted to know if he was all right. She wasn't able to visit him in the Hospital Wing yesterday.
However, once again, she did not find Draco in his usual seat or at the Prefects table. She figured he was still resting in the Hospital Wing. 'You'll see him later in class.'
Harry and Ron arrived yawning their way to Hermione's seat. "Good morning Hermione."
She was about to greet them when Madam Pomfrey burst through the Great Hall.
"Headmaster!" She ran up to the teachers' table.
Dumbledore looked up from his plate to entertain the nurse. "What is it Madam Pomfrey?"
"We need to talk." She didn't want to alarm anyone.
Dumbledore stood from his seat and ordered, "Follow me to my room."
Pomfrey nodded and obeyed.
Hermione felt something was wrong. 'Draco was in the hospital wing last night. Did something happen to him?'
Harry saw the concern forming in her eyes. "I bet there's nothing wrong. I think they're just trying to scare us or something."
Hermione almost nodded but she remembered the moon and what Draco had told her. That was the time her guts started tying each other into knots. "Draco was in the hospital wing last night."
'Malfoy again.' Harry cleared his throat. "Maybe he left again without Madam Pomfrey's permission… again." The last word filled with irritation.
Ron saw that Hermione was deeply disturbed. "What could've happened? This is the safest place in all of the wizarding community with Dumbledore as our guard."
"I hope you're right." She couldn't take the moon's appearance last night off her mind.
Hermione's whole day passed without a glimpse of Draco. She got more and more worried every time she would ask a professor for his whereabouts and all they did was to reassure her that nothing was wrong. With the exception of Snape. He was back to his grouchy state that took points for wasting his time.
Harry was also starting to feel that the professors were trying to hide something. His heroic side was starting to come out of him. Draco Malfoy was no longer the threat to his relationship with Hermione; he was now just a student missing. It was his duty not only as a hero but also as the head boy to find out what happened to his fellow Hogwarts student.
Ron didn't want to see his best friend worried like that and had attempted to investigate, even question the Slytherins. Of course, that meant that there was a lot of swearing and points taken involved.
Ginny was among the bystander who didn't give another thought about the missing Malfoy. She was more worried about herself. It looked to her that the Gryffindor trio had accepted another member and what was worse was that he was not even a Gryffindor. She would very much rather wish that the missing Slytherin would not come out of his hiding place. To her this meant that there was another opening for the golden trio. Jealousy is really a dangerous thing.
Dale on the other hand was pleased with the events. Obviously, Hermione was very much taken with Draco right now. In his opinion, she was not feeling anything anymore for Harry but friendship. Now that Draco's away and Harry's distracted himself in finding out the fate of Draco, Dale knew Hermione needed someone to talk to.
The rest of the Gryffindors were silent. They knew Hermione treated the Slytherin prince as a friend and they have accepted that fact.
The Slytherins were indifferent as if nothing bad had happened. When Ron asked about Draco's disappearance all he got were shrugs (a few curses, sore fists and especially bruised ego). No one seemed to care… well maybe with the exception of Pansy. She has not joined her housemates in any meal. There were even rumors that they saw her crying inside the girls lavatory.
A few days had past, and there was still no sign of Draco Malfoy. Hermione was more than worried. She couldn't eat and no professor would bring out the topic of Draco Malfoy anymore. She tried to talk to Pansy but she wouldn't see her. Even Sirius Black was quiet about the topic.
Hermione wanted to know what happened to him. No one could even approach her anymore. Harry and Ron finally knew how much he meant to her. Harry couldn't help but concede. 'What Hermione needs right now is her best friend.'
Everyone started feeling pity for her. Everyone including Ginny. Ginny saw her idol starting to break down. She no longer sees her as the smart-headed witch. She seemed more of a lost, broken child.
Hermione couldn't think of anything else but Draco. She went to the lake where their friendship started, where everything started. She started reminiscing the good times even the bad times just to try to feel his presence. No one understood how she felt…
"Hermione dear?" Arabelle was worried about her young friend. She saw that her grades were slipping (but still perfect from an ordinary student's point of view).
Hermione looked at her company. When she realized who it was she broke down and cried on her shoulder. "I miss him so much."
"Hush Hermione. Everything will be alright."
"How can it be alright? He's still gone and I don't know where he is or if he's safe." She sobbed.
"Dumbledore's doing everything to help and you know that."
"Arabelle why won't you at least tell me what happened? I can handle it I promise."
"I know you can but we're not really sure what happened."
"Can you at least give me an idea?" Hermione pleaded.
'You love him so much. I hope you won't be disappointed.' Arabelle took out a wand from her robe. "This is all the clue we've got."
Hermione took the wand and cried some more upon realizing that it was Draco's. "It's his father. He's the only one who'd hurt him."
Arabelle caressed her head trying to calm her. "Dumbledore's doing what he can. Maybe he's not even hurt."
"He's defenseless without his wand. Maybe he's stuck in Hogsmeade…"
"Dumbledore's already sent members of the order there. Sirius also checked it out and found nothing. Don't worry Hermione. He'd want you to be strong."
"I need him." She whimpered.
"You have your other friends too. Harry and Ron are always by your side. I'm here…"
"You're right. I need to be strong for him." She wiped away her tears and hugged the older witch. "Thanks for everything."
"Just don't do anything stupid." Arabelle wished to herself.
The two witches weren't alone. There were two pair of eyes watching them. One was watching in the darkness of the Forbidden Forest and the other near the castle entrance.
Dale didn't imagine Hermione, someone who was tough, would breakdown. She was always composed. She never lost her head before. This time everything changed. She was crying like a child because of the disappearance of Draco Malfoy. 'Just accept the loss. It's obvious he means a lot to her.'
Ginny was the one standing near the entrance. Seeing her idol so sad had melted her heart. She knew Hermione needed a girl friend because guys weren't really good with female emotions and also, Harry and Ron were biased. At times like this, girls need to stick together.
She was shocked though when their professor in Defense Against the Dark Arts came to her side. Holding her like that of a best friend. Something inside her hurt. 'We were that close before. I remember last time with Viktor Krum in her fourth year… I've been a very bad friend…'
Hermione was more determined about the task at hand. She knew that Pansy had secrets that were eating her up inside. She knew the only way to find out where Draco was, was through her.
In one of the Potions class, she trapped her on her way out.
"Let me go mudblood!" Pansy screamed at her.
Hermione didn't let the word affect her. There were more important topics than prejudices here, "Where's Draco?"
Pansy glared at her, "I don't know."
Hermione slammed her to the wall, "I know you know something and it had been eating you…"
"You don't understand!" Pansy pushed her back.
"I understand that you don't even care about him…"
Pansy slapped her on the face. "How dare you say that! I watched him as he broke his heart over and over again trying to get your attention! Do you know how much that hurts? Do you know how much it hurts to watch your love one getting his heart broken when you're just here waiting for his call? Why did he have to choose you? I could've guaranteed his happiness. I would have done anything for him." she broke down into tears.
Hermione was shocked. "He chose me."
"That's right. He chose you even though he knew he had a bigger chance with me."
Hermione already knew that but it was different when you heard it from an outsider. "He chose me…"
"Why do you play him around? He's a great guy. He deserves someone better."
"Yes he does." This time tears were falling from her eyes. "Please, if you know something it would be a great help in finding him. If you really love him you would do this for him."
"I do not know where he is but he did receive a letter from his father." Pansy was the first to check on Draco the day he disappeared. She found the letter lying on the bed and realized her mistake. She took out the crumpled paper and handed it to Hermione.
Hermione straightened the paper and read it.
Draco
You have yet again dishonored and tarnished our family name. Within 24 hours upon reading this letter, you will feel my anger. You will no longer disgrace me in front of the Dark Lord. Prepare yourself.
LM
Hermione's eyes widened and glared at Pansy. "You knew he was in trouble yet you did nothing!"
"I am bound to my family!"
"Well I'm not. I don't deserve him but he most certainly doesn't deserve you either. You said you love him, how can you do that to him?" Hermione left Pansy absorbing what was said.
Hermione was on her way to Dumbledore's office when Harry and Ron stopped her.
"Hermione." Harry collected her in his arms.
"Harry, Ron." She sobbed.
"Hermione, everything will be alright. I'm sure Dumbledore would come up with something." Ron tried to comfort her.
"Guys, you don't understand. The moon…" She sobbed uncontrollably.
"Hermione, we're your friends, tell us everything." Ron did not want to see her like that.
"Draco said that when the moon shines bright it meant that something bad is to happen or happened." Hermione explained. "And the night he disappeared, I saw the biggest and brightest moon that I've ever seen… and … and…" she couldn't talk anymore and just handed Ron the letter.
Ron read it quickly and gave it to Harry in return.
"Guys, we have to help him." Hermione begged.
Harry and Ron looked at each other, weighing what the other would do.
"Guys, I know you don't like him, but please do this for me. I don't know what I would do without him." Tears flowed freely from her eyes.
Ron weighed the pros and cons, "What makes you think that he'll do the same thing for us?"
"That's where you guys are different and that's why I love you both." She pleaded.
Ron wasn't convinced.
"He would help you out if I asked him to do it for me." She pleaded some more.
"I'll help you." Harry gave her a weak smile. "But we have to plan this through. I still think this is not worth getting screwed for."
Hermione nodded before facing her other friend. "Ron?"
"You can't possibly think that I'm going to let you guys leave me behind now. This is our last year, our last fieldtrip together."
A/N: I have decided to put the message for you guys here…
For those of you who read this because you've tried my other fics I wanna apologize for neglecting my previous fics. As I've said before I've lost my inspiration and imagination in continuing those fics. I'm trying to get it back by writing new ones that may push new ideas in me. But I do promise that I will finish the major fics that I've written namely; Last Chance, Summer Camp and Picture Perfect. I really want to apologize to those reading Summer Camp, I've promised before that I will end it in a few chapters but then the story got out of hand and became very similar to Last Chance. I'm still trying to figure out some twist that could end it. And please review. I've received some ideas from the reviewers that I incorporated in my fics like in Summer Camp. I want to receive some juice from other people. I want to know what you want in here. I could make some adjustments for you, I'm
I will TRY to upload a new chapter for the three fics mentioned above and also The Letter as my Christmas gift. Remember I said I'd TRY.