Hermione's Tribulation
Author: Her-mee-o-ninny (call me Danni, though)
A/N: I completely apologize for temporarily giving up on this fanfiction. My only excuse is that writers often start something and leave it for periods of time before coming back to it, which, in many cases, is for the better. I am now continuing with this fanfiction due to the various reviews I've gotten on it during the past months from those of you who have been hoping for me to continue. From reading over my first seven chapters it seems as though my writing has improved greatly just in a matter of months, so hopefully a change in the style of my writing won't confuse or annoy any of you. I would actually love to hear what you think, whether you may see my writing as good or completely horrible, your opinion matters greatly to me. Well, no further delay. Here's your long-awaited Chapter Eight.
Chapter Eight: The Damaged Draco
The two boys stared at each other, waiting for the first move. Unlike their typical "stare-down" however, Harry was the only one of the two whom had hatred splashed across his face. Draco, instead, had a look of innocence and fear that would match Neville's if he were in this situation. Hermione could feel the overwhelming tension in the room. It was unbearable. She, unlike Harry, felt no anger toward Draco, however a strong feeling of curiosity swept over her. She stared at his face, barely recognizable. Instead of the pompous smirk or evil sneer Draco had always sported when talking to them, he truly looked fearful. His robes were shabby, reminding her of Remus' own robes. His hair, instead of being perfectly slicked back was in disarray. His face seemed slightly sunken in, the old robes hanging from his weakened body. He appeared not to have eaten in weeks, probably months. Draco's eyes darted between herself and Harry wondering who would start at him. Hermione was about to open her mouth when Harry began. At once, she knew this would not go well.
"What do you want?! Come to gloat? Drop the fidgety ferret act, you-"
"Harry!" Hermione interrupted. "Stop it. Let him talk."
"Defending him are you? Hermione-"
"I came to apologize," Draco said in a voice just louder than a whisper.
Harry stopped abruptly. Hermione looked directly at Draco and nodded, encouraging him to continue. Harry looked utterly perplexed.
"I came to apologize," Draco repeatedly in a slightly bolder voice, although Hermione could still sense his hesitancy.
Harry shook his head, scoffed, and muttered, "Bull-"
"Harry!" Hermione shouted, looking back at the person who was still holding her close to him.
"What? You expect me to believe that this scum," Harry glared back at Draco, "has seen the error of his ways. You expect me-"
"I don't expect you to do anything, but listen to what he has to say," Hermione whispered harshly at him. "He may have been horrid to us before, but you have no need to act like that, as well. Give him a chance."
Harry seemed hurt by Hermione's anger at him. He just shook his head again and looked back at Draco, with a slightly less harmful glare. Hermione looked back at Draco and nodded once more.
"I...I wanted to say that I'm sorry. For everything. I never should have treated either of you like that...ever. A lot of things have been changing around here. I just arrived a few days ago and I couldn't believe what the Dark Lo—er...V-Voldemort has caused us all to sacrifice. I'm ashamed of my father's actions and because I refused to obey him, he killed my mother and disowned me. I am alone as everyone else here. I want to help. I want to avenge my father for the pain he has caused me. I just wanted to set things straight and make sure you knew I was on your side."
When Draco seemed to be finished, Hermione piped in. "I'm so sorry Draco. Of course we'll help you. If you ever need anything—"
"I won't be your friend," Draco interrupted quickly. "I don't need your charity, Granger. From now on, I am on my own. I don't need friends, especially not you. I don't need to be friends with those I'm fighting with. Just know that I will be by your side when the time comes." And with that, he left.
Harry was looking dumbfounded, as well as Hermione.
"Well obviously some part of the ferret is still alive. He seemed practically normal before he left," Harry stated.
"Yeah...well I do believe him. He could have never pulled that of as a joke. I really think he has changed."
"We'll just have to see," Harry said, slightly defeated.
Hermione slowly nodded, staring off into space. So many things were running through her mind, she simply couldn't concentrate on one single thought. She felt Harry pull her closer to him as they sat there in silence.
Hermione woke with a start as she fell like an enormous weight had been dropped onto her side. She let out a gasp as she sat up quickly; obviously tossing the thing that had landed on her aside, due to the soft thump she heard next to her. As Harry sat up, retrieving his glasses, Hermione watched as the thing jumped back onto the bed and stared back at the two of them.
"Dobby is sorry, miss. Dobby did not wish to wake miss up like that. Dobby had tripped on Harry Potter's bed. Dobby will punish himself now."
Hermione watched as Dobby climbed over Harry and tried to hop off of the bed when Harry grabbed his arm.
"No, no Dobby. I told you not to do that," Harry said firmly.
Dobby's enormous eyes looked up into Harry's for a moment before he banged his head against Harry's arm that was still holding onto his own arm.
Hermione chuckled and Harry glared at her mockingly before turning back to Dobby.
"Now that you'll be taking care of me and Hermione, you need to listen to what we say. I can't have you banging your head on everything in sight every time you make a mistake. We both order you to stop punishing yourself."
Dobby looked back into Harry's eyes and lunged at him, pulling him into a tight hug. Hermione snorted with laughter as Harry chuckled and just patted Dobby uncertainly on the back.
"Thank you, Harry Potter, sir. Thank-you. Harry Potter and his girly are too nice to Dobby. Dobby sometimes forgets that he is free. Dobby is always happy to serve, especially Harry Potter and Miss. Does Harry Potter wish Dobby to do anything for him?"
"Dobby, I think he'd appreciate it if you loosened your grip a little," Hermione said through her giggling.
"Oh yes, Dobby is sorry, Harry Potter."
Harry laughed and sat up once again. "No problem, Dobby. I think I'm getting used to that by now."
Dobby smiled sheepishly. "Is there anything Dobby should do?"
"No, that's alright," Harry answered. "I have a feeling that we'll be moving into our dorm today. We'll find you if we need you."
"Is Harry Potter sure? Dobby could stay with Harry Potter and his girly and help."
Hermione chuckled at being called Harry's girly once again and said, "That's alright. You'll be in the kitchens, right?"
"If it is alright with Harry Potter and Miss," Dobby answered.
"Of course," said Harry.
"Well, Dobby will leave then. Come find Dobby anytime. Goodbye Harry Potter and Miss!"
With a snap of his tiny fingers, Dobby was gone in a small puff of smoke.
Harry and Hermione just looked at each other and began to laugh.
"He always seems to bring a smile to my face," Hermione said through her laughter.
"He always seems to choke me to death," Harry chuckled.
"Well, we might as well go to the dorm now. Nothing here for us to do, is there?" Hermione stated, beginning to get up.
"Wha-? Oh...no, guess there isn't," Harry said, slightly downcast. Hermione wondered if it was because she had finally left his arms after what had been hours.
Harry began to get up, as well. "Hermione? Remember when I tried to get up, but my legs were too sore? They're perfectly normal now," Harry said, slightly confused.
Hermione looked at her arms. Her scratches and bruises were gone.
"Harry? I—I don't know what happened."
They just stared at each other for some time before shaking their heads and collecting their things.
"Harry, we don't know what the password is," Hermione said.
They had just arrived at their portrait, finally realizing that Dumbledore had not given them their password.
"Um, excuse me," Hermione said to the portrait cautiously. "Do you think—"
A rather beautiful woman in the picture turned around to look at them, quite startled. "Oh, my dear! Hello, hello. Dumbledore said you would be coming soon. Now just pick a password and you can come in."
"Oh, alright," Hermione said before turning to Harry. "What do you want our password to be?"
Harry looked down at the floor for a moment before looking up at the portrait and said clearly, "Padfoot." Harry looked over at Hermione and they exchanged smiles. Hermione nodded in agreement.
"Padfoot it is...however unusual it may be..." the lady said, her last statement sort of drifting off. The portrait opened slowly for them, and the two walked through to the common room.
Hermione's face lit up at the sight before her. Harry laughed and smiled at Hermione's reaction. Three of the four walls were completely covered in books. Dumbledore was right in saying that all the books that Hermione would ask for had been moved to their common room. He would be surprised if he saw Hermione leave this room. He watched as she ran over to one of the walls and began scanning through the various books on the shelves. He looked up and shook his head. 'Some things never change'.
Harry decided to leave Hermione be and resorted to lying down on the couch. After several minutes, Hermione seemed to have come back to reality as she looked over at Harry who was gazing up at the ceiling. She slowly walked over to the couch and knelt beside him.
"What are you thinking about?" she whispered.
"Huh? Oh...nothing," Harry said, rather solemnly.
"You really think that you can fool me?"
Harry sported his lopsided grin that Hermione had always loved before sitting up and pulling her onto the couch beside him. He held her in a tight embrace for a few moments before Harry spoke again.
"I don't want to lose you," Harry said quietly.
Hermione broke the embrace to look into his eyes. Tears fought to escape her caramel eyes.
"You won't, Harry."
A tear fell from her eyes, followed by several more. Harry placed a hand on her cheek and gently wiped away her tears. Hermione smiled and placed her own hand over his.
"Harry, I—"
"Hope I'm not interrupting dears, but you have visitors. Shall I let them in?" It was the portrait's voice that had interrupted Hermione.
Harry and Hermione quickly sat up straight, releasing each other, before Harry called out, "You can let them in."
They watched as the portrait opened and two smiling faces greeted them. Neville and Luna walked toward them hand-in-hand.
"Neville! It's so good to see you!" Hermione said happily, standing up to pull him into a quick hug. She then turned to Luna, "It's good to see you too, Luna. How is everything?"
Luna's face fell, as well as Neville's. "Hermione," Neville said sadly, "you have no idea."
A/N: Ok, I was going to make this chapter longer, buutt it would have ended up really really long and I'd rather keep the chapters at somewhat the same length, hehe. So I just decided to stop here. Hopefully you liked this chapter, I know it really didn't go anywhere, but I have to get their "reunion with Hogwarts" out of the way first. I'll try my hardest to get you the next chapter soon. It'll be much easier since it's summer vacation and I have nothing to do, hehe. PLEASE tell me what you think!! I really appreciate your reviews. Lata!
Danni