Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue... so forth and on with the fic! Chapter 10! Um, I'm just coming up with this as I type it, so, wish me luck! I think I might need it!
Chapter 10: Dumbledore's Plan
At three in the morning, Hermione and Harry crept down the halls toward Dumbledore's office. Filch was nowhere in sight, but they walked as silently as possible anyway.
They reached Dumbledore's office, the gargoyle staring stonily back at them.
"Lepidoptera," Hermione mumbled, and the gargoyle leapt aside. Harry took her hand and lead the way up, opening the door to Dumbledore's office.
"Professor Dumbledore?" he said quietly, but loud enough for Fawkes to look at him through a sleepy eye and squawk. In a moment, Professor Dumbledore swept out of a door behind his desk. He sat, his purple and gold nightgown shimmering around him.
"I was alerted of your arrival by my gargoyle just a moment ago. Please, sit, I must hear why you would possibly be in my office at," he looked at his watch, "3:17 in the morning. Not that I mind," he added as an afterthought.
"Well, you know those dreams I have, Professor?" Harry started. He waited for Dumbledore to nod and then continued. "I- I had one tonight, and I fear for the safety of Hermione now."
"Please explain," Dumbledore said, scratching the chin of his beard.
"Well, in the dream, I was Voldemort, like always. I was talking to someone I couldn't see about Hermione, and I said- he- he said that he was going to do something to her to get to me. Right before I woke up, I saw the person's face that I was talking to... it, it was, well, Draco Malfoy."
"Well, this causes quite a predicament. Now, we will come up with a plan," Dumbledore smiled, a glint coming into this eye.
For some reason, Hermione felt that he knew this would happen all along.
"Since we've been planning for a good four hours today, and classes start in an hour, the two of you are exempt from classes for today. I will inform all of your teachers immediately. I know that you two have stayed up later than this on little excursions through the school, but this is different," Professor Dumbledore winked. "It's seven o'clock, so go, get some food, get some rest, and we'll get this plan in action."
"Yes, sir," Hermione replied, rubbing her eyes.
Harry and Hermione stood, nodding to Professor Dumbledore, and left. They went up to their separate dorms and got dressed, heading downstairs to the Great Hall.
In the Great Hall, they ate silently, Ron talking noisily with his mouth full. Finally he quieted down enough and they gave him the news. They whispered back and forth for the better part of an hour, finally getting up and parting ways. As they were walking out of the Great Hall, Draco sprinted up to Hermione and grabbed her arm.
"Ow!" she shrieked as loud as possible, so that people would look their way. He let go of her arm quickly, but spoke to her anyway.
"Listen, about yesterday-" he started.
"Save it! I don't care to hear whatever it is you have to say! I want you to stay away from me, or I'll report you to Dumbledore!" Hermione hissed.
"Good, then I can tell him what I found you and Potty-boy doing in the Room of Requirement," Draco laughed.
"Tell him, he knows and he knows what you'll try to do!" Hermione said confidently, even though it was a pure lie. "Harry and I told him in case you tried to blackmail us in anything."
"You- you didn't, you couldn't! You'd be expelled for sure!" Draco said, his jaw open.
"Because we told him straight-forwardly, he gave us a very severe punishment, but didn't expel us," Hermione nodded, turning from him. "Now if you don't mind, I have my punishment to attend. I will see you at dinner and supper tonight, and back in classes tomorrow."
She walked away, leaving Malfoy standing there in shock with no time to recover. She joined Harry out in the corridor, and they walked back up to the Gryffindor Tower.
They walked up to Harry's dorm room, and soon they were both asleep in each other's arms, holding desperately to the hopes that would keep them afloat.
The two stayed quietly in the Gryffindor Tower for the better part of the day, heeding a warning from Dumbledore to keep low. They left only at dinner and supper times, joining Ron in the Great Hall for both meals.
As they headed back upstairs from supper, they put the plan into action. Hermione, making sure that Draco saw her leave, walked to the Room of Requirement. Harry and Ron parted ways with her at the stairs, each giving her a kiss on the cheek and a hug for courage.
Shaking, extremely nervous, Hermione ducked her head low and walked to her destination.
She reached the door, and opened it, closing it quickly and locking it behind her. There sat the bed, the one she and Harry had used what seemed like a whole lifetime ago. Now, though, the covers were a deep green, velvety black pillows and sheer black curtains appeared too.
She began to prepare herself for what was to come, taking deep breaths, and praying for all her worth.
The lock of the door snapped open, and in came Draco Malfoy.
Now, she would prove herself, she would prove herself to everyone, especially that asshole Voldemort.
And he would learn that Hermione Granger is no witch to mess with.
I feel this is very anti-climactic... I don't know what else to do though! :blush: heh, well, while I'm working on it, review!!! and read... other stories... like my other stories... and stuff... well, bye!