Invisible Hero: Chapter 18
jade-snake- Alright, here you are, I know I'm slow.
Satyrn-Vampyre- I'm going to try and squeeze the rest into three chapters so they should be longer.
padfoot-lover1- Why does everyone say that?
wrc g-rp- Thanks. It's very nice of you to say that.
invisible2u- I'm so glad you are enjoying it. I wonder who will miss this story when it's done.
Maya- Thanks very much.
NitenGale- Thanks for the address. Now, when are you going to start your new story, huh?
emka62- Yeah, I do hate that. I promise I won't stop this one though.
Debatingqueen- I know. I just think it works better and you know how people say that love is blinding...
PinkTribeChick- Glad you liked Shadow. I just thought it was a bit out of the ordinary.
ilovetom88- I'm on a lot of people's favorites. I'm a bit surprised too.
a/n: Well, everyone. This is going to cover Christmas in one shot. I hope you like it. Finally, I'm getting close to the end.
On their way to the Great Hall, Harry, Ron, and Hermione passed the Hospital Wing. They all gazed through the windows. Draco was sitting in his bed, reading.
"Guess he's not going to the Ball," Ron said.
"No kidding, Genius!" Harry knocked him upside the head. Ron glared at Harry.
"What was that for?!"
"It's for giving me this gigantic knot on my head!"
"That wasn't my fault!"
"Oh yes it was! Your head is as hard as a rock!"
"So what?"
As the boys argued, Hermione continued to watch Draco. He looked up and smiled slightly. His brow furrowed when he noticed Harry and Ron. He gave Hermione a questioning look. She laughed softly and shook her head. Draco's eyes landed on her necklace and his eyes lit up. The locket he has given her was hanging gracefully around her neck. She fingered it lightly. Draco reached into a drawer and pulled out a brand new, silver watch, and an expensive one at that. He put it on, fumbling with a latch. He gave her a triumphant smile when he finished.
Hermione glanced at Harry and Ron and slipped into the wing. She had just reached Draco's bed when Shadow started wiggling and whining softly. Draco eyed him warily. "What's that?"
"What does it look like? And don't you dare say a pom-pom with fur!"
"It looks like a...puppy." Draco lifted Shadow's head. "If I'm not mistaken, it's a wolf."
"You're right. Harry said he looked like a pom-pom and Ron called him a tote bag."
"They must be blind." Draco stared at the squirming pup. He looked at Hermione. "You look nice," he said quietly.
Hermione blushed. "Thanks. I-I wanted to say Happy Christmas before I went on."
"Thanks for that. There's not much company up here."
"It must be awful to be cooped up like this."
"Not entirely. There are some advantages."
"Like being able to talk to people in private?"
"Yeah, except when there's an eavesdropping nurse around." Draco turned and Madam Pomfrey sighed.
"I can't help it, Draco! Hermione, you better go. Those two just realized you're gone."
"Okay, goodnight to both of you!"
"Goodnight!" They chorused.
"Wow," Harry and Ron gasped.
The Great Hall was decorated spectacularly as usual. Trees adorned each wall. Mistletoe hung at various places from the ceiling. Tables were packed with students. Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat down at a table with Ernie McMillan, Hannah Abbot, Zacharius Smith, and Justin Finch-Fletchly.
"-and-oh! Hello, Harry, Ron, Hermione. I'm glad you're here," Ernie said. He dropped his voice down to a whisper. "I was just talking about Malfoy. This might interest you. You know Malfoy's been laid up in the hospital wing, right? Well, his little Slytherin friends visited him today. Parkinson was practically hanging all over him. All the while, she was telling him off for putting his dad in jail. Malfoy lost it! She must have said something that really upset him. Here I thought Malfoy was the palest of the lot. When he got finished with her she was paler than a ghost!" Ernie laughed.
"Ah, but you left halfway through!" Zacharius said. "I heard them going at it again! Pansy told Malfoy she had done a favor for his dad but hadn't finished it. He asked what it was and she said she tried to get rid of one of the school's 'Mudbloods'. That's when he lost it. I thought the roof was about to blow up! Seriously, he actually hopped out of his bed. I thought he was going to strangle her but he just turned around and ran to Madam Pomfrey's office. Well, actually, he hopped or walked or something...Anyway, I don't know what to make of it. Malfoy's changed, but for the better or worse?" Everyone shrugged.
"Hermione," Justin said. "What is that?" He pointed to Shadow.
"Oh, it's- "Hermione came to an abrupt stop as Hannah screamed.
"It's a puppy!" She shrieked in Ernie's ear.
"Ah, come now, Hannah. It can't be no puppy," Ernie said as he stuck his fingers in his ears.
"It is so a puppy!"
"It is not! McGonagall would never allow one!"
"Yes she would! It's a puppy!"
Ernie opened his mouth but Justin, who had his own fingers stuffed in his ears, beat him to it. "Ernie, it's a puppy. Now shut up!" He glared at him for a second before turning to Hermione. "So, what is it?"
"It's a puppy. Actually, it's a wolf pup. I got him as a Christmas gift." Hermione held Shadow up a bit higher so they could all see him.
"He's adorable!" Hannah exclaimed.
"Yeah, but wait 'till he gets bigger!" Zacharius said solemnly. "McGonagall will have a right old fit, she will!"
"She'd probably chuck it out o' the castle, make it live in the forest," Justin said.
"Good evening, students." Everyone at the table jumped at hearing McGonagall's voice behind them. She sat down beside Hermione and looked over at Justin. "Now, what's this about making something or other live in the forest?"
"We...uh...We were saying that we doubted Madam Pomfrey would allow..." Hannah trailed off. Zacharius shook his head disbelievingly, Justin put his head in his hand, and Ernie groaned. Harry and Ron pretended they were looking for someone.
McGonagall raised her eyebrows, seeing Hannah's mistake. "You doubted I would allow Miss Granger's new pet, am I correct?"
"H-how do you know? She hasn't told anyone except us about Shadow," Harry said, turning his head so fast it cricked. Everyone looked up.
"His...well...Shadow's 'Papa', I guess you could say, asked my permission. I'd have to say he's outdone himself again, hasn't he, Hermione?"
"Yes," Hermione whispered as McGonagall stroked Shadow.
For Hermione, the night seemed to drag on. At one point during the Ball, Harry asked her for a dance. She handed Shadow to Ron reluctantly. While dancing, Harry slowed and said, "You will tell me when Ryu comes, right?"
Hermione answered slowly. "He never comes into the Great Hall."
"Then how did you know he wanted to meet you last time?"
"Octavia brought me a note. Why are you so curious?"
"I wanted to see if I can solve this mystery. It's dragged on long enough. Will you at least make sure I know when you leave, okay?"
"But...I...alright. I'll give you a signal or something." Only a couple hours later the signal was needed. Octavia appeared at half past eleven, clutching a bright orange rose.
Octavia looked at Hermione worriedly as she tucked the now thorn-less rose behind her ear. "Miss...I-I am sorry but I must...must ask, um, request a favor." Octavia looked at her with an awkward expression.
"What is it?"
"I must request your patience, Miss. Master Ryu-"
"Master?"
"He could not get to call him anything else. May I continue?"
"Oh, yes, sorry. You were saying?"
"Please be patient tonight. He has many things on his mind. He has had a rough month, Miss. He is likely to be late."
"Thank you, Octavia." When Octavia was gone, Hermione read the note from Ryu.
Outside by the lake in ten minutes. Please forgive me if I'm late.
-Ryu
Hermione got up slowly, pretending to yawn. Hermione caught Harry's eye. He casually sidled aver to her. "Well?" He asked.
"Nothing," Hermione said. She walked past him, pressing the note into his palm. Shortly after Hermione left, Harry did as well.
On her way outside, Hermione stopped for a minute beside the hospital wing. Hermione peered through the window. Draco was hidden by the curtains around his bed. Still, Hermione could see him lying on the other side. Hermione kept on walking.
Hermione reached the lake right on time. She looked up at the sky. The moon was full and everything was bathed in a golden light. Hermione lowered her gaze to the lake. A voice behind her made her jump.
"Hermione," Ryu said softly as he walked up to her. He seemed a bit ruffled. His cloak was rumpled and he was breathing heavily. Something shined beneath his sleeve.
"In a hurry?" Hermione asked.
"A bit. Um...do you mind if we go a little farther?"
"No." Ryu led her to a spot where the lake and the forest met. When they stopped they noticed how badly Shadow was squirming. Hermione set him on the ground and he bounded over to Ryu.
"Hey little guy," Ryu said as he picked up Shadow. "How are you doing?" Shadow barked and clawed his way to Ryu's pocket. He poked his head out and Ryu laughed.
"I guess he likes your pocket."
"He always has." Ryu turned to look at her. Even though he was bathed in moonlight, Hermione could only see the bottom half of his face. He was smiling. The music from the Great Hall could still be heard. He held out his hand. "Dance with me?" he asked.
Hermione smiled. "Of course." Ryu pulled her into a waltzing position. A shadow flitted across the ground behind them. Neither of them noticed.
There's somethin' 'bout the way
You look tonight
There's somethin' 'bout the way that
I can't take my eyes off you
There's somethin' 'bout the way
Your lips invite
Maybe it's the way that
I get nervous when you're around
And I want you to be mine
And if you need a reason why
It's in the way that you move me
And the way that you tease me
The way that I want you tonight
It's in the way that you hold me
And the way that you know me
And when I can't find the right words to say
You feel it in the way
Oh, you feel it in the way
There's somethin' 'bout the way how you stay on my mind
There's somethin' 'bout the way that
I whisper your name when I'm asleep, oh, girl
Maybe it's the way that
It makes me feel to see you smile
And the reasons they may change
But what I'm feeling stays the same
It's in the way that you move me
And the way that you tease me
The way that I want you tonight (tonight)
It's in the way that you hold me
And the way that you know me
And when I can't find the right words to say
You feel it in the way
Oh, you feel it in the way
I can't put my finger on
Just what it is that make me
Love you, you, baby
So don't ask me to describe
I get all choked up inside
Just thinkin' 'bout the way
It's in the way that you move me
And the way that you tease me
The way that I want you tonight (tonight)
It's in the way that you hold me
And the way that you know me (the way that you know me)
And when I can't find the right words to say (feel it in the way)
You feel it in the way
Oh, you feel it in the way-ay-ay-ay-ay (feel it in the way)
There's somethin' 'bout the way
You look tonight
There's nothin' more to say than
I feel it in the way
Ryu and Hermione had stopped dancing but they barely noticed. They seemed as though they were in a trance. They slowly leaned closer until their lips brushed against each other. Hermione gasped and went to pull away, but Ryu surged forward and kissed her. Hermione stiffened but gave in. Shadow started barking and they broke apart.
"What is it, boy?" Ryu asked. Shadow looked up at him and cocked his head. "Silly." He turned back to Hermione. "I...um..."
"Ryu, when are you going to tell me who you really are?" Hermione asked, anxious to get away from the current subject.
"I wish I could tell you now, but," Ryu sighed, "I promise you will find out soon." Hermione nodded. The bushes behind them rustled. "What was that?"
"I don't know, but we don't need to find out. I'll walk you back to the castle." Hermione nodded and followed him.
When Hermione entered Gryffindor Tower she didn't even notice that she was not the only one in the common room. Harry blocked her way to the girls' dorms.
"Harry, what are you doing up here? You should be down at the Ball." Hermione sat Shadow down and he hopped over to Harry.
"I'm up here because I want to know what you think you were doing, walking halfway around the lake, with a complete stranger?" Harry yelled. Shadow whimpered and ran back to Hermione.
"How did- It was you! You were watching us, weren't you?"
"Of course! I wasn't going to let you go off alone with him! Look what he did even with me there!"
"Oh, and what did he do exactly?"
"What did he do? He kissed you and you-you kissed him back!"
"I...Why couldn't you just leave me alone? You are not my father!" Shadow was backing away from her now.
"I'm not your father, but I may as well be your brother! It's in my nature to protect you!"
"Well, that's about the only thing you and Ryu have in common! At least he isn't telling me what I can and can not do!"
"I never told you that!"
"You might as well have!" Shadow yelped loudly and scrambled up the stairs. "Shadow? Now look what you did!"
"I did?"
"Yes."
"I didn't do anything!"
"Oh no? First you follow me, then you tell me I can't choose my own path, and now you've scared Shadow!"
"Hermione, you're putting words in my mouth! I never said you couldn't choose! I just want you to be happy. Please, hear me out," Harry ended in a whispered. Hermione watched him silently. "I just don't want you to make a choice yet. Until he takes off that cloak and shows you his real face, you have no idea who's under that cloak. For all we know, he could be Voldemort under there."
"What do you mean? I have a good idea who Ryu is."
"But how can you be sure, Hermione? You can't, can you?" Hermione was silent. "What if he's...Goyle or some one like that?"
"He can't be."
"Hermione, that's not my point."
"I know, but..."
"But?"
"I love him...Harry, I'm so confused." Hermione put her head in her hands. Harry pulled the sobbing girl into his arms and hugged her tightly.
"So am I, Hermione. So am I."
Well, hopefully only two chapters to go. I'll see you later.
All a man's ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart.
-Proverbs 21:2
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