Invisible Hero: Chapter 19
By:Teenlaunch
PinkTribeChick- I always forget that. Thanks for reminding me again.
NeVeRmInD2- The name Ryu means 'dragon' just like Draco. I went to and typed on dragon. Well, you're right on almost everything, but I won't give it away. Although, I honestly think I made it a pitiful ending all together…
NitenGale- I hope that I helped. It's very good, in my opinion, at least, no offense, but for an author new to Thanks a bunch.
Katjuska- Alright…Here you go. Just one thing, where did you come up with that name? Have I asked this before? Does it have something to do with Redwall?
invisible2u- Thanks for the wonderful compliments.
wrc g-rp- How come everyone is so demanding?
padfoot-lover1- Welcome.
a/n: Alright, while I'm thinking about it, thanks to PinkTribeChick, I'm going to try and remember all the songs I have used and who sings them. Let me see, Invisible by: Clay Aiken, My Life by: Greg Raposo, Sugar by: Aaron Carter, Take Me Back Home by: Greg Raposo, Fever by: Garth Brooks, and The Way by: Clay Aiken. I think that's all at the moment. Anyway, now that you all are bored to tears, but it was necessary, on with the nineteenth installment.
"Alright," Snape growled. "I have just realized that I forgot about your last assignment on the polyjuice potion. So, get into your partners and share the meaning of the colors."
It was already the middle of January. Harry and Hermione continued trying to solve their mystery. Still, the only thing that had changed after Christmas was Ron's mood and Draco had come back to class. Hermione had first discovered Ron was having mood swings on morning at breakfast. Even Draco seemed to be avoiding him. Ron was getting better at not biting people's heads off, but he was still unpredictable. Draco, meanwhile, was having trouble with sympathizers in the school. He eventually told off a couple of them for asking him stupid questions. Draco had told Hermione privately that she seemed to be the only one he could talk to. No one else would listen to him. Hermione hadn't even thought about the polyjuice potions since she hadn't been able to find the reason for Draco's color. She walked to Draco's table slowly, trying to think of an excuse.
"Hey," Draco said quietly.
"Hey," Hermione replied back. "Um…Listen, I found the color but there was a small problem."
"What? Couldn't find a page or something?"
"How'd you know that? Never mind…No, I couldn't find the page I needed."
"Neither did I. It's been bugging me. I want to know what it said."
Someone inhaled slowly from behind them. They turned and saw Professor Snape looking down at them. When he spoke he did so very slowly. "What book, may I ask, did you both look in?"
"The one you wrote, sir. When I checked the page I wanted it was missing," Hermione said.
"Same with me," Draco said.
"What page?" Snape asked slowly.
"Nine hundred ninety-seven, I think," Hermione said.
Snape made an odd rasping noise. He fixed them both with a wide-eyed stare. "I'll, uh…I'll get that page to both of you later. Just…uh…keep talking or whatever it is you do." He walked to his desk quickly, looking a bit flustered.
"What was that about?" Hermione asked. Draco shrugged.
As class went on Hermione started to notice how differently Draco was acting. She could see he was trying to act normally, but he was becoming jittery. Ron seemed to have noticed too. He caught Draco's eye and smiled at him. Draco smiled feebly back. Hermione finally got up the nerve to ask him what was wrong. Draco just shook his head and answered her.
"I'm just a bit nervous."
"Nervous? About what?"
"I…I'm going to talk with Hagrid, apologize."
Hermione nodded and went back to her work, still watching him from the corner of her eye. True to his word, Draco went up to Hagrid during class and apologized loud enough for everyone to hear. Hagrid's eyes filled with tears and he pulled Draco into a bone crushing hug. Hermione ended up having to rescue him. However, Draco's anxiety did not stop. Hermione didn't ask him about it again, fearing an outburst.
Hermione slumped on her bed wearily that night. Shadow jumped up and down happily on the floor. Hermione reached down and patted the now fully grown wolf's head. Shadow's ears perked up and he looked around to the door. "What is it, boy?" Hermione asked. The door opened slowly and Octavia slipped into the room. "Oh, hello. What is it?"
"Master Ryu has sent a message. He says he wanted to gives it to you hisself, but he chickened outs. He requests your patience, Miss. He promises you will find out soon, as soon as he finds courage to confront you."
"Well, okay. I don't know why he's scared of me though."
"Not you, Miss, your reaction." Octavia handed Hermione a rose. It flashed every color imaginable. As usual, a note dangled below it. Hermione opened the note and read it quickly. It was quite short.
I'm not supposed to love you. I'm not supposed to care. I'm not supposed to live my life, wishing you were there. I'm not supposed to wonder where you are or what you do. I'm sorry. I just can't help myself. I fell in love with you.
Ryu
Hermione looked up slowly, her face blood red. "Does he really mean that?" Octavia nodded.
"He feels bad abouts leaving you in the dark. Like I says, he is trying to conjure up the courage."
Hermione barely heard. Octavia left quietly. Hermione petted Shadow absentmindedly as she placed the rose with all the others and walked down to the common room. She sat in the armchair close to the fire. Shadow leaned on her leg and yawned. Ron came over and sat down across from her.
"Hey, Hermione! What's wrong?"
"What? Oh, nothing, Ron."
"Then what's that look for?"
Hermione shrugged. "I'm just thinking."
"Oh…This wouldn't have anything to do with Ryu, would it?"
"Yes."
"He gave you the not, huh?"
"How did you know that?"
"I only saw him write it at least ten times. We both thought it would be better if he didn't let you know who he is yet."
"Why?"
"He thought it'd be too much to take in at once."
"Maybe…"
"Listen, he's scared to death you're going to turn him down. You're lucky he told you that straight out, in legible writing no less."
"I guess you're right."
"You gonna tell Harry?"
"Are you crazy? No way!"
"Alright, alright, sheesh!"
"Alright! Is everyone ready for the final Quidditch match of the year?" A loud roar greeted Seamus' words. "I thought so! Let's get down to it! Please welcome the Gryffindor Quidditch Team! Ron Weasley! Ginny Weasley! Lavender Brown! Parvati Patil! Colin Creevy! Dennis Creevy! And last, but certainly not least, Harry Potter!" The stadium exploded in applause. The seven Gryffindors raced onto the pitch.
"And now, the Slytherin Quidditch Team!" Seamus' enthusiasm dropped. "Vincent Crabbe! Gregory Goyle! Blaise Zambini! Millicent Bulstrode! Malcom Baddock! Ruben Nott! And last, Draco Malfoy!" Seamus hissed along with many others.
A few months had passed and Hermione was starting to think Ryu had forgotten about her. Octavia had assured her during one of her visits to the kitchen that he hadn't. Hermione had been distracted from Ryu by Harry and Ron. They were worried about the Quidditch finals. Harry had started pushing his team to their limit. Draco had as well. Now was the time to test their skills.
Madame Hooch gestured at the two captains. Harry and Draco shook hands, both squeezing the other's hand hard. Everyone mounted their broom. The game began. Seamus had a hard time keeping up. Crabbe and Goyle tried to gang up on Harry but the Creevy brothers sent it right back at them.
After two hours, everyone was starting to wonder if the game would ever end. The score was tied. Both Seekers went into what seemed to be the hundredth dive of the game. Hermione was on the edge of her seat. Shadow was sitting beside her, watching Draco and Harry. Suddenly, Hermione went rigid.
"I hope you enjoy the surprise I have for you," Pansy hissed in her ear. She muttered under he breath and one of the bludgers veered off course. It headed straight for Hermione. Pansy laughed and slipped away.
'Oh no!' Hermione thought frantically as Shadow followed Pansy, snapping at her heels. Hermione tried to turn in her seat, but couldn't. She looked up. The bludger was mere yards away. She heard Seamus yelling into the microphone.
"Malfoy's pulling up! Where does he think he's going? Gryffindor is going to win! What's this? Now Harry has pulled out too! He's looking for Malfoy! Where'd the scumbag go?" Seamus was jumping up and down in his seat. "Wait, I see him! He's headed straight toward a bludger! What's gotten into him? Stop, you fool! Stop!"
A green blur appeared in front of Hermione. The player was hit full in the chest. The bludger was knocked off course. Someone came up behind Hermione and muttered a counter-curse. It was Neville. He was chalk white. "Malfoy blocked the bludger," he murmured. Hermione whipped around. Draco was bent double, practically laying flat on his broom. The bludger came by a second time, striking his shoulder. Draco slid sideways off his broom. He plummeted toward the ground. Seamus was yelling.
"Someone catch him! Even he doesn't deserve this!" Two red blurs soared underneath Draco. Harry and Ron caught Draco by his arms. Ron repeatedly yelled at him.
"Come on, stay awake! Don't you dare! Stay with me! Come on, stay with me!" Ron and Harry glided to the ground. The two teams hovered above them. Madame Hooch landed nearby and ran over. She knelt down and felt for a pulse. Her face brightened and she gave everyone the thumbs up.
"Alright! Malfoy is alive! Get Madame Pomfrey out here!" Seamus yelled.
"Go down there," Neville whispered to Hermione. She nodded and turned around. Seamus' words didn't stop her.
"What's this? Malfoy's got something in his hand!" Harry pried open his fingers. His eyes widened as he picked up the small golden ball. Harry thrust his arm in the air, yelling.
"Malfoy got the snitch! Slytherin…wins the Cup!"
"I don't believe it! Gryffindor – 80, Slytherin – 230! Slytherin wins!" Seamus yelled incredulously.
Hermione and Madame Pomfrey sprinted on the field. They reached Draco at the same time. Hermione knelt down beside Ron, who had his hand on Draco's shoulder. Shadow sat beside Hermione, whining pitifully. He nudged Draco's hand, licking his fingers.
"Oh, Draco, why'd you do that?" Hermione asked. A small smile appeared on Draco's lips before he passed out.
"Ron," Madame Pomfrey said. "You and Harry get him to the hospital wing." They nodded.
Well, that's it! This is your Christmas present from me. I have one last chapter, I think, maybe two. Anyway, until next time!
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down out lives for our brothers.
1 John 3:16
Here's one for Christmas.
"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" – which means, "God with us."
Matthew 1:23
Teenlaunch