Invisible Hero: Chapter 16

By: Teenlaunch

invisible2u- I'm not too good with fluff and the story's already written...I'll see what I can do.

Katjuska- Thank you. Sorry for the late update. One question, you wouldn't happen to be a Redwall fan, would you?

Noubliz- Sorry for the late update. I hate high school. Thanks for reading.

Kathea- Thanks. I'm glad a lot of people actually know what they are.

Nikki- Well, thanks for making my day.

dhrfan #1- Talented? I wouldn't say that...

jade-snake- Aww...Thanks a bunch...

PinkTribeChick- It's still moving slow though. I'll see if I can make this chapter longer.

Watersprit- Yes, I am. Thanks for asking.

a/n: Well, sorry for taking so long. I'll try to keep on top of this. Anyway, sixteenth installment.

"Ron, Hermione! Where've you been? Dumbledore said- "Harry was cut off by Ron.

"We had do Dumbledore a favor."

"Like what?" Harry asked from his armchair.

"Nothing much, delivered a letter." Ron yawned. "Hey, Mate, I'm beat. I'm going to bed."

"Sure, whatever, g'night, Ron," Harry said stiffly. He waited until he heard the dormitory door close to turn to Hermione. "Where did you two go?"

Hermione sighed as she sank into an armchair. Harry watched her silently for a minute. "I have such a headache."

"Sorry, can't help. Can you answer me?"

"Sorry, Harry. I have my mind on other things."

"It's okay."

"We went to see Draco at St. Mungo's."

"What?"

"We delivered a message for Snape."

Couldn't he deliver it himself?"

"Guess not." Hermione sighed again and put a hand to her head.

"How'd you get such a bad headache?" Harry asked.

"I don't know. It might be because of that stupid Knight Bus or it could be because of Draco and Ryu!" Hermione clapped a hand to her mouth.

"Ryu? Who's Ryu? Why would Malfoy and this Ryu person give you a headache?"

"Well, Draco is just...I don't know. I think he's hiding something from me, but I just don't know."

"What about the other guy?"

"Ryu? Well, Ryu told me he was going home for the holidays but I saw him today. I thought I had an idea of who he might be. Now, I'm so confused."

"How about this, get unconfused and tell me who the heck this Ryu person is!"

"Let me get this straight. Ryu is a student here. You say he's not a Gryffindor, and Snape doesn't know who he is?" Harry asked after hearing Hermione's story.

"Right."

"I do not like mysteries. I like when the answer just jumps out at you!"

"We have two mysteries though," Hermione said.

"Oh yeah, Ron."

"See, I...I don't know what to make of it."

"Hey, I don't know either. I'll help because I highly doubt Ron will tell. I've already asked once."

"Thanks, Harry."

"Welcome."

Hermione sighed heavily as she looked up and down the deserted Hogsmead street. She held out her right hand and a loud bang made her start. The Knight Bus skidded to a halt. The doors swung open and Stan hopped out. He opened his mouth to speak but Hermione cut right to the chase.

"Hello, Stan. I'm going to St. Mungo's. Please and thank you." Hermione hopped into the bus, leaving behind a bewildered Stan. As the bus started off Hermione sat by the window, wondering how she had gotten sucked into this job.

It was a week before Christmas and Hermione was going to visit Draco for the umpteenth time. The last time she had taken Draco o the trial. His answer to every question stuck out vividly in her mind. The only catch this time was that she had to take Draco back to Hogwarts. She had waited to see Draco all week until the night before. Ron and Harry had started a row. Hermione had tried to stop them but they just jumped down her throat. The tears that had later made their appearance brought Harry back to reality but Ron was still angry with both his friends and refused to apologize.

Hot tears stung Hermione's eyes as she remembered Ron's words. "Well, I'm sorry that I'm not perfect like both of you! I'm sorry I can't be the Famous Boy Who Lived or Miss Teacher's Pet or Mr. I'm-Not-A-Death-Eater-And-I'm-Here-To-Prove-It! Why can't you two just keep your noses out of my business? I'm a big boy! Thanks for always being a pain in the neck! I'm sure Ryu thinks the same about you! Just ask him! I guarantee you he will agree with me! Now, if you two will excuse me, I'm going to bed."

With that Ron had slammed the door to his dorm. Harry and Hermione had sank down onto the couch, one crying freely, the other holding back his own bitter, resentful tears while trying to comfort his counterpart.

"Hey, 'Ermione, what's got you so mad?" Stan's voice made Hermione jump. "You're usually the happiest thing when you're goin' to St. Mungo's."

"I'm sorry, Stan. Ron upset me last night and I can't help thinking that...he's right. I am a pain." Hermione looked sadly at her ungloved hands and grimaced as she tried to move them. They were still stiff from the cold winter air.

"He don't know anythin'. Ask anyone. Bet no one else would say that. Especially me," Stan added in an undertone.

"Come again?"

"I said you ain't no pain. Look at me. At least, that's what people say. Before ya start comin' along with us I never talked to anyone. Never had a friend like you before. Believe me; Ron'll come to his senses. If he don't, he'll lose a good friend. Mark my words." Stan swiveled back around in his chair.

Hermione walked up to the desk in St. Mungo's and Joy looked at her with an annoyed expression. "Yes?" she asked in a strained voice.

"I am here to visit Draco."

"Of course," Joy sniffed.

"I was just wondering if Mr. Paine is in today."

"Yes. I will tell him to meet you in Mr. Malfoy's room."

"Thank you," Hermione said as she walked to the stairs. "At least I won't be seeing her again," she muttered as she climbed the stairs. She went to Draco's room and knocked lightly.

"Come in," came Draco's voice. Hermione walked into the room and saw Draco sitting on his bed, reading a book. He was wearing a black t-shirt and black jeans as usual. "Hello, come to visit again?"

"Yes, and to talk to Mr. Paine."

"He'll be around in a few minutes. He always checks his patients every two hours." Draco stopped talking as Hermione sat down. He studied her face for a minute and frowned. "What'd Weasley do?"

"How did you- "

"Just a guess." Draco shrugged. "So, what's he do?"

"He and Harry had a row over some silly little thing and I somehow got myself involved. Ron just...went berserk. He said some things that aren't ture and some...that are."

"Was my name mentioned at all?"

"Once or twice, that's all."

"I always get dragged into your arguments somehow, huh? I didn't cause the argument, did I?"

"What argument?" Mr. Paine had slipped into the room unnoticed.

"Oh, it's nothing, Sir," Hermione muttered.

"Alright, now, Joy said you needed to see me?"

"Yes, I have this note from Professor Dumbledore." Hermione handed him a small bit of parchment.

"Okay, I believe I can live with this arrangement. I'll go get the papers. Wait here for one moment." Mr. Paine disappeared again.

"Papers?" Draco asked.

"Yes, papers. I have to fill them out for the Hospital to release you."

"You mean, I get to go back to Hogwarts?"

"What else would it mean?"

"Here we are," Mr. Paine said as he came back in. "Fill out everything, have Draco read over it, and have him sign here." Mr. Paine pointed to a spot on the last page.

Hermione flipped through the papers as Draco talked to Mr. Paine. Hermione looked up at Draco as Mr. Paine left. "Remind me to never do you any favors again," she said as she started on the first page

"Well, sorry for living," Draco huffed.

"You're excused."

"Finally," Draco sighed. "I thought I'd never see the light of day again!"

Hermione shook her head. "Draco, I meant to ask, what injuries do you still have that is making Mr. Paine send you to Hogwarts only to go straight to the hospital wing."

"Mostly minor bruises and cuts that were infected. He's also a little concerned about the dreams I've been having. He said I yell a lot when I'm having them and I thrash around too. I hurt myself pretty bad lost night when I rolled off my bed and landed on the floor, but I didn't stop there. He said I kept yelling the same thing over and over. It took him 10 minutes to calm me down after I woke up."

"That's pretty bad." Hermione held out her right hand. There was a bang and the Knight Bus appeared. "You know, I'm really getting tired of this thing," Hermione mumbled.

The bus's doors swung open and Stan hopped out. He opened his mouth but clamped it shut again when he saw Hermione. His eyes flew to Draco and his mouth fell open in surprise. "That's 'im?" Stan asked Hermione, pointing at Draco.

"Yes. Why so shocked?"

"Well, I-I don't know actually..."

"May we get on now?"

"Oh, yes, o' course! Sorry, 'Ermione. Usual seat's open!"

"Thanks," Hermione said slowly as she boarded with Draco right behind her.

"Oy, Mr. Malfoy," Stan called.

"It's Draco."

"K, what d'ya want done with yer stuff?"

"Uh, can you hand me my guitar? The other thing needs to be sent ahead of me to Hogwarts."

"Right, I'm on it." Stan came back onto the bus a few minutes later carrying Draco's guitar. He handed it to Draco and sat down in his seat. "Right, Ern, we're off!" Draco gripped Hermione's chair tightly as the bus took off.

"I hate this thing," Draco said after a minute. He looked around him and found about twenty people staring at him. "Do they have to do that?" he asked Hermione quietly. She shrugged. Draco shook his head and took out his guitar. He started playing softly but it grew louder and louder.

Stan leaned toward him. "Why don't ya sing somethin'. Ya look pretty miserable an' these peeps sure as heck are. Sing somethin' lively."

"Lively?" Draco smiled. He started playing extremely fast and loud. Everyone's attention was pulled to the front and bottom floor of the bus. Draco sang out over everything inside and out.

He's got a split finger wrap
And his rope's pulled way to tight
He's got a lunatic smile
'Cause he's really drawn deep tonight

He's got a fever, fever, fever, fever
Grab a hold of anything and hold on tight
It hits you like the venom from a rattle snake bite
We're all here 'cause he's not all there tonight

He takes one last breath
And time turns inside out
Then the gate busts open

To the world he dreams about

He's got a fever, fever, fever, fever
Stick a rope on anything 'cause he don't care
He'd even take a ride on the electric chair
We're all here cause he's not all there tonight

He says it's really kind of simple
Keep your mind in the middle
While your butt spins 'round and 'round
Take heed to Sankey's preachin'
Keep liftin' and reachin'
And ridin' like there ain't no clowns

What he loves might kill him
But he's got no choice
He's a different breed
With a voice down deep inside
That's screamin' he was born to ride

He's got a fever, fever, fever, fever
Fever makes you crazy 'cause it makes no sense
Like runnin' from your shadow out of self-defense
He won't run and baby he can't hide
He thinks the odds are even leavin' one hand tied
He gets so tired of hangin' on so tight
I know you think he's crazy well I think you're right
We're all here 'cause he's not all there that's right

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Showoff," she said as watched the bus grow quiet again.

"Hermione, you're back!" Harry ran up to her as she came into the common room. He grabbed her arm tightly. "Watch out for Ron."

"Okay," Hermione muttered.

"How's Malfoy?"

"Fine, he's in the hospital wing."

"Why?"

"Bad dreams." Harry laughed at this. "Harry, it's not funny!"

"Yes it is."

Well, I hope you are happy! I have a bad headache now. Anyway, I'll try to get the next chapter up soon. Thanks for your patience.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners

-Isaiah 61:1

Teenlaunch