Standard disclaimer applies.
To Sleep, Perchance to Dream
"I don't believe a word of it." Ron proclaimed that night as he, Harry and Hermione sat in front of the fire in the practically empty Gryfindor common room. "I mean, we'd have heard about it."
"You weren't there Ron. He was completely serious. " Hermione was slightly annoyed by Ron's attitude toward Draco. "If he ever found out that I told you guys..." she shuttered at the thought of what might happen if Draco knew she'd told Harry and Ron about what happened to Narcissa.
"Don't worry Hermione. We'll protect you from mean old Draco. Won't we Harry." Ron looked to his best friend for support as he wrapped his arms around Hermione.
"I shouldn't even have told you guys. Ugh. I'm going to bed. " Hermione said suddenly as she pushed Ron away and jumped off the couch.
Harry shook his head as Ron got up to follow her. "Leave her be Ron. I think she needs to be alone right now."
Ron sank back down onto the couch. "Whats been with her lately? She's been so moody and always wants to be alone."
"I know its hard, but I think this is something she needs to deal with herself." Ron just stared at Harry a moment before declaring he was going to bed too.
Hermione couldn't sleep. She just laid in bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about Draco. She thought about the sound of his voice that day at the hospital when he had agreed to his mother's final wish, that he be obedient to his father. She thought of the way he always seemed so tough, and yet there had been times on the train that he'd just seemed like a scared little boy who missed his mother. A scared little boy who happens to be a death eater. She had to remind herself. Arther Weasley had told them before they got on the train that rumor had it Draco had taken the Dark Mark about a week before school began. Apparently Voldemort was getting suspicious of Snape and wanted another spy in Hogwarts. Hermione rolled over. She knew that Draco was one of the bad guys. But she couldn't get rid of the sight of him in the hospital room watching his mother die. And she wasn't sure she wanted to forget about the way his gray eyes grew dark with pain when he talked about his mothers death.
Draco paced around the empty Slytherin common room. He couldn't believe how dumb he'd been. Of course she was going to tell Potter and Weasly the first chance she got. He'd been so stupid to go and threaten her. If he'd just acted like it was no big deal, she'd probably have forgotten all about it. But no, he had to act like a dumb little kid and let his emotions run wild. He had sworn to himself not to tell anyone of his mother's death. And now his worst enemy knew all about it. If Potter tried to use his mother as a way of getting to Draco, the mudblood would get it. He'd destroy her whole life. First, he'd kill that dumb cat of her's, leaving its dead body in the middle of the Great Hall for everyone to see. The annoying girls in her class would be next, Lavender and Parvati. Then her parents. He wouldn't kill them outright. He'd practice his Cruciatus Curse on them till they'd gone mad. She and Longbottom could broompool to St Mungo's. And then, as her entire world is shattering, he'd kill Potter and Weasley. Right in front of her. In fact, maybe he'd make her do it. Make her hold out her wand and yell those wonderfully terrible words Aveda Kedavra. His father had always said he was awful good at the Imperius Curse. So what if she was the top witch in thier class. No one could fight him, especially not now, with the power of the Dark Lord on his side.
Grinning happily, Draco went to bed.
"I can't keep going!" She cried out as he tried to pull her to her feet. "Go! I'll try to hold him off. At least one of us has to live through this."
"No. We're in this together. If you stay, so will I."
She smiled at his devotion and slowly stood. Both their hearts were racing as they waited in silence for the inevitable.
Safe in thier beds at Hogwarts, Hermione and Draco both woke with a start, as breathless as their dream counterparts.