Disclaimer: Refer to every other chapter I have written.
Author's Note: I refuse to do those anymore. That is my final word on the matter of disclaimers for this story. Okay, I really only have one bit of information about my life to share with you all, not that anyone cares. I am playing Susy in the play Wait Until Dark and I get to be blind. This has become both the most fun thing I've ever done and the most painful, seeing as how I have to go for hours at a time with one of those sleep masks on. Oh! Including a full-out fight scene. Just thought I'd share. Thank you once again to my lovely and wonderful reviewers.
DarkRaven-04: That is a question I have often asked myself. Why can't my sadistic mind just have Lucius leave them alone? I'm afraid I don't have the answer.
ThousandI: Well, I hope this chapter isn't too painful for you, my dear. Oh, and what do you mean by PAMS? I always ask when I'm confused, no matter how retarded I sound.
Darlightprincess: Oh good, I'm glad.
Natty123: I am really impressed that you read this whole story. It's quite a lot. And I'm glad you're enjoying it.
In Dreams: Your review made me smile. That chapter was meant to be rather surreal in details like that one moment of the dance.
Perfect by Nature: I certainly intend to not be one of those authors. I can't possibly stop writing now, can I?
F: I feel odd writing one letter to address someone. Anyway, this subject of whether the ending will be a happy one or not is one I've been approached with on numerous occasions. And to be honest, I know almost everything about this story except for the exact details of the end. So, whether it will be a happy ending or not, even I don't know yet.
Miss Mills: Well, you'll have to read and find out…
Alenor: Freezing is a small worry, whether they will be fine up there is another worry altogether, isn't it?
Chapter 22: Battle of the MalfoysThe heat between their bodies was sufficient for the cold to be endurable, though far from comfortable for Hermione and Draco as they sat in fear atop the roof of Hogwarts. Every now and then, a gust of wind would blow through, causing a terrible chill to creep up their spine and send uncontrollable shivers through them, but they were mostly only disturbed by the constant numbing cold of the crisp air. Hermione, who had, until then, had her face tucked in Draco's coat to keep it warm, looked up at the face of the young man she had been determined to hate.
At this moment, though, Draco drew anything but hatred from Hermione. His pale eyes were slightly shadowed by a veil of thick lashes and they gazed at something in the distance with sorrow and dread. His full, chattering lips parted slightly as if practicing for some sort of speech or encounter that he was only now musing over. Pity, not hatred, flowed through Hermione as she gazed up at the marble figure of a haunted youth.
It was not his fault, Hermione concluded, that he could be so horrid. Horrid he was, at times, disdainful and hurtful remarks as much a part of him as his purebred, Malfoy blood. But, Hermione thought, that was not wholly him- just as his blood was not wholly him. And though he had hurt her, what good was she if she could not pardon him for doing only what he had been raised to do? Ridicule those who opposed his father.
And the more she thought of it, the more she opposed his father. The thought of Lucius Malfoy brought a slowly creeping nausea to her. Try as she may, Hermione could not get him out of her mind- his face, his hands, his body… she shuddered in revulsion.
"Hermione?" Draco noticed her shudder, and his voice was full of concern. "Are you that cold?"
"No," she smiled up at him, "I'm fine…" she looked across the wide lawn of Hogwarts at the shadows dancing across the grass of her class mates having a wonderful time at the Valentine's Day Ball. "I was just thinking of how very much I would like to be there and not here."
Draco shifted for a moment and muttered, "I'm sorry for ruining your night…"
"No," Hermione scooted herself even closer to him, "No, its not you. Its just that if we weren't up here, it would mean that your father wouldn't be at Hogwarts."
"But," Draco said quietly, his courage rising, "If we weren't up here, we wouldn't be together."
Hermione's breath caught in her throat and she turned from him again, sliding herself subconsciously further against his chest, so that her head rested in the crook of his opposite arm. "Yes," she finally whispered and pulled the coat tighter around them, so that there was no space between the front of the coat.
"You know, it amazes me that those people down there," Hermione said, "have no idea about any of this. Its just our own little battlefield."
"Human nature makes us absorbed in ourselves." Draco smiled, "That's something I've noticed recently."
"It's true. I suppose all of them are fighting their own battle and we're oblivious to it."
"But I highly doubt that any of them are hiding from a mass murderer, rapist, conspirator and leading Death Eater who happens to bear the same genetic code as them on the roof of Hogwarts in the middle of a blizzard."
Hermione laughed and Draco gave her a stern, puzzled look as if he had no idea what was funny. "You have such a way with words, Draco."
"Just like my father, eh?"
"He's never made me laugh."
Draco paused and sighed, gazing up at the moon. "Do you remember that clever little note my father left us so many months ago?" He continued to look away from her.
"Yes…" she said quietly, trying desperately to read his face and tell what was coming.
"I have it with me."
She gasped. "Why? Why on Earth do you have it?"
"It was in the coat pocket," Draco laughed.
"What was it doing there?"
"I haven't a clue."
He pulled out the slip of paper and read over it, chuckling softly to himself.
"Seems like such a long time ago, doesn't it?"
Hermione nodded and took the paper, reading over it herself.
"I was so scared of it…" she folded the paper carefully and slipped it into Draco's hand, "It seems so small now."
Draco rested his chin on top of Hermione's head and sighed. "I wonder what would have happened if that letter had not come."
"I don't want to think about it."
"Would you have stayed at Hogwarts?" Draco asked quietly, "Hiding in my room, away from the world?"
"I'm sure I would have gotten bored eventually."
"What, do you think," Draco asked very slowly, "would have happened between us?"
Hermione turned her face up to face him. She was mere inches from him, looking up curiously into his eyes.
"If there is anything, Draco Malfoy," she said, more confidently than she felt, "that you want to tell me, you'd better get it out now, before the chance is gone."
Draco lowered his eyes and swallowed. Moments passed, and Hermione continued to watch him until finally she deemed enough time had passed, and she made to settle herself again in his lap.
"All right, then…"
"I love you, Hermione."
Hermione stopped short. Her mind froze and her heart stopped. She had not hallucinated, had she? It was awfully cold.
"You…?" She returned to face him, hands on both his shoulders to steady herself.
"I love you," he said again, more determinedly, "and like you said, if I don't admit it now, I never will."
She let out a spurt of laughter and wrapped her arms full around his neck, trying to blink back the tears that were brimming her eyes. Draco pulled back and held her face in his hand, wiping a stray tear from her cheek with his thumb.
"Draco…" Hermione spluttered, her smile overwhelming her face.
Draco could no longer contain himself either and let out a laugh, the joy transcending throughout his body to warm them.
"Well, do you…" he stuttered.
"Oh," she cried, "I love you!"
She caught him in another embrace around the neck, kissing his hair. They slowly calmed and Hermione returned to face him before nestling back into his lap.
"Well," Hermione asked, her body beginning to feel the cold again, "What do we do?"
"Hmm…" Draco looked down at her, "I suppose running off to get married is out of the question."
Hermione laughed, "I'm not up to bigamy right now, I'm afraid… you understand."
"I do," Draco nodded his head sadly. "Well, next option."
Hermione sighed. "Why don't we just sit here…" she closed her eyes. "We'll sit here in each other's arms until your father is gone."
"And then…?"
"And then we'll figure out the rest."
Draco smiled and slunk further down the wall, folding his arms about her tightly. "Sounds great to me."
Hermione lifted her head and turned to look at Draco. "Good night, then."
"Good night."
They continued to gaze into each other's eyes for one moment, before both leaned forward in a slow kiss. Their lips seemed to fuse together, both feeling complete in the other's kiss. Hermione pressed forward slowly, met and complimented perfectly by Draco.
Draco removed his lips at last, opening his eyes to meet her serene face, eyes still closed and chest heaving slightly.
"Goodnight," he whispered into her ear, as he kissed her ear lightly, "I love you."
She nodded and rested her head against his chest, the rise and fall of his breath enough to soothe her to sleep.
Unfortunately, the young lovebirds slept very little, for nearly one hour after they fell asleep, they heard a strange knock at the door beside them. It had stopped snowing and the noise in the middle of the stillness jarred them from their pleasant dreams.
Hermione immediately hid behind Draco, gripping his shoulder. Draco pulled out his wand, ready to duel whoever appeared from behind the door. Both, however, knew who it would be.
Hermione tried to shout a locking charm on the door, but before it could take effect, the door swung open, revealing the very white-haired specter they had feared.
Appearing less than human, Lucius Malfoy climbed out of the shaft with the ladder, his eyes bloodshot and his veins bright against his pale skin. His several heavy rings shone in the moonlight. The cloak he wore was jet black with red velvet lining, and it swept about his tall body as he stood, towering above their quaking forms.
A minute seemed to pass while he looked down at them, and they, in turn, looked up at him.
"Why have you come?" Draco finally asked. Hermione nearly smiled at the cute, though corny heroic line, but decided against it, considering the situation.
"Can you not guess, my son?" Lucius took a step toward them, and Draco stood to meet him, wand raised defensively. "To collect you."
"I won't go with you."
"In that case…" Lucius took a long, noticeable look at Hermione, "I will collect what I can."
"You will not touch her," Draco stepped between them and Hermione gripped the back of Draco's legs, her heart racing suddenly at the elder Malfoy's threat.
"Won't I?" Lucius laughed bitterly. "Mrs. Potter," Lucius looked around Draco, catching Hermione's eye. "How's married life? Was the honeymoon spectacular?"
Hermione tore her eyes from him and crumpled a bit, remembering Harry.
"I've noticed," continued Lucius, "that you haven't made any legal alterations to the union. Then I assume I've made an excellent Cupid."
Hermione collapsed entirely, sobbing suddenly into her hands.
"Leave now, Father…" Draco said, desperately controlling his temper.
"I don't think I will, Draco," Lucius said, pulling out his wand, offering his son a challenge.
Draco froze momentarily at the threat, but straightened and poised his wand even steadier.
"Ah," Lucius said quietly, "Then we will begin."
They nodded and after a moment, both shouted curses before any expected preliminary dueling necessities. Draco's was, unfortunately, not quite up to par with his father's as he was hit with a full body bind before his spell could even reach Lucius.
Lying on his back, Draco watched in horror as his father turned calmly from him to Hermione, still huddled on the ground, recovering from her round of sobs and staring up at him in wide-eyed terror.
She reached frantically for her own wand, tucked into her dress and frantically cried the Protego spell to shield herself, but, alas, just like Draco, was too late, and was hit with a mind-blowing Cruciatus curse that twisted her body, forcing the wand out of her hand. Mercifully, the torture did not last long, but it did give Draco several seconds of horror and made Hermione totally exhausted of all energy in the aftermath of the attack.
Lucius bent over Hermione menacingly, her weary eyes avoiding him as much as she could. She tried to crawl from his grasp, but he held on to her, bruising her arms.
"Let go of me," Hermione bit through tears, trying to calm her nerves and think. Her mind, however, was focused only on the fear of what he could, and probably would, do to her- here- in front of Draco.
"Would that make you happy?" Lucius asked quietly, bringing his face even nearer hers.
Hermione refused the temptation to nod, to play along with his horrible game.
"In that case…" Lucius grabbed her jaw and pulled her face toward him, catching her mouth in a horrible assault, his tongue lashing out violently.
Hermione gagged and pulled as hard as she could from his grasp, but to no avail. She eventually fell limp against the cold body she regretfully was more used to than anyone's.
Memories flooded her mind of days and nights spent in his repulsive presence. Memories of a numb mind, and a cold spirit. She was pulled from her reverie by the removal of his harsh lips and the chance to get his taste out of her mouth.
She spat furiously at the ground and coughed for air, finally falling, exhausted and weary, against the ground.
Draco, on the other hand, could slowly feel a deadened tingle in his fingertips and his neck twitched slightly. The signs of life returned to him as his rage grew.
"My son," Lucius said, standing, and pulling Hermione up with him, "I'm afraid you departed from the manor before I could effectively give you your punishment. I believe it is far overdue, don't you? - Yes? - Well, in that case…" he spun Hermione toward him and pulled out a small dagger, one which she recognized all too well. "I assume that little number you are wearing will not remove itself."
Hermione gasped as the dagger flew toward her breast, slicing her bodice open and leaving her breathless from the cold against her skin- covered by nothing but her underwear. Lucius reached out and pulled her to him, pressed up against his body. She was actually instinctively grateful, because his body created warmth, but the familiar heat rising suddenly brought convulsive shudders and she tried frantically to tear away from him.
"Please…" she pleaded, glancing toward Draco and noting the rising desire in Lucius' eyes.
"That's right," Lucius said, "beg… you know how I like it." He kissed her on the lips again and hungrily kissed his way down her neck and on to her shoulders, tipping her back in his arms to kiss at her collarbone and chest.
By now, Draco was fuming from his half-frozen prison and it was all he could do not to try and shake off the remaining effects of Petrificus Totalus and run at his father with numb legs. His patience paid off though, for, about two minutes after his instinct told him to fly, he could feel the tingle reach his toes and he knew he could move freely.
Lucius had, in two minutes, run Hermione into the turret behind them and, still clothed, was thrusting himself against her viciously, emitting screams and wails from Hermione with each blow.
"My pet, your presence has been missed," Lucius would breathe raggedly into her ear between kisses as he wrapped her legs about his hips and groped her silk-covered bottom.
And so, it happened that Lucius had become far too engrossed in his own episode to realize that his son had risen from his paralyzed state and was slowly making his way toward them. Hermione, though, did see Draco, and she was suddenly filled with hope. Hope that caused her to push as hard against the wall behind as she could to fling Lucius backward on to the ground, tossing Hermione aside in the process.
She crawled away and watched in amazement as Draco beat his father nearly senseless on the roof of Hogwarts.
Draco kicked Lucius in the stomach as hard as he could, over and over again until he was spitting and coughing blood. The younger Malfoy then reached for his wand, desperate to cause just as much pain as he had just done to Hermione through the Cruciatus curse. But when he turned for a moment from Lucius, his father reached out and caught him by the ankle, sending him sprawled on the ground and straddled.
Lucius repaid the damage done to him two-fold by beating Draco in the face and stomach mercilessly until Draco's face had become practically mutilated by the thick rings Lucius wore. Hermione, though, for the first time that evening, was not helpless and she crawled to her discarded wand and took aim at Lucius, sending him flying into the turret that he had so brutally battered her against.
Draco stood and faced his father again, still heaving from the fight. He spat twice and straightened himself, waiting expectantly for his father to join him again. Lucius stood and, similarly to his son, spat and faced him.
Finally, Lucius ran full-speed at Draco as Hermione watched on, terrified. Then, in one small moment, it was all over.
Lucius met Draco where he was standing at the edge of the roof and Draco merely ducked, flipping his father over his back, and unknowingly, sending him plummeting down the wall of Hogwarts to land in a broken heap on the ground.
Hermione and Draco both froze. Draco stood, looking at his father's limp, dead body below and held his breath, waiting for everything to be a dream. The night had been too strange to be true. For, as he saw Lucius nearly rape the woman he loved, and as he battled him, apparently to the death, he could have sworn that he had hated no one more in his entire life. But now, looking at the still body of the man that raised him, he was filled with grief.
He turned suddenly and sent a desperate look toward Hermione, who was shaken from her trance and ran to him, holding him in her naked arms.
"I killed him…" Draco cried into her hair, "I killed my own father."
Hermione swallowed the lump in her throat as she thought about the nightmare that had been removed from her life… and the nightmare that had been placed in the man's she loved.
Suddenly, they could hear a raucous beneath them on the lawn and they distinctly recognized the voices of students. Most screaming and buzzing about finding Lucius' dead body outside their Valentine's Day Ball. Before Hermione could stop him, Draco had run to the edge again, bringing attention to himself, and making many of the students point and shout accusations.
Realizing his monumental error, Draco returned to Hermione quickly and said hurriedly, "They know. They know I did it."
"Calm down," Hermione tried to stroke his hair and hold his hand- anything she could think of to calm him down. But it didn't work. The prospect of being condemned as the murderer of his own father was more than Draco could handle.
"I have to go," he cried as he paced feverishly back and forth.
"No," Hermione stammered, tears coming to her eyes at the very words.
"Do you understand what I did, Hermione?" Draco turned and took Hermione's shoulders in his hands, "I am a murderer."
"It was self-defense," Hermione assured him, holding his face and subconsciously wiping away the blood and tears, "No one could condemn you for it." She wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered fervently, "You saved my life, Draco."
Draco spent a moment in her embrace, savoring the feel of her, then pulled away gently, planting a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Remember, Hermione," he whispered, "I love you."
"What are you going to do?" she asked as he approached the edge of the roof once more.
She was relieved beyond imagination when he simply raised his wand and accioed his broom. However, she was also terrified at the realization of him really leaving her.
"No, wait," she said as he mounted his broom. "Take me with you. We'll steal away together, Draco," she spoke feverishly, as if she herself didn't know what was coming out of her mouth. "You can't leave me, I won't know what to do without you…"
Draco reached out his hand and stroked her hair, silencing her. He said calmly, "Go to your dormitory, get your robes on, and go down to the crowd and ask what's happened. No one's seen you. You won't be mixed up in his death."
"I'm not worried about that…" Hermione said, tears streaming down her face.
"I know," Draco nodded. He leaned forward and kissed her softly on the lips and said quietly, "I will be back for you. But if you come with me now they'll think I've kidnapped you or you killed him with me or… anything else. We're both safe if they don't know we were together…" he kissed her once more and made to kick off.
"You promise you'll be back?" Hermione cried, taking his hand.
"I swear I'll be back," Draco said frantically, looking down at the crowd below him, growing by the second. "I've got to go."
Hermione nodded and backed away, letting go of his hand. "I love you."
Draco nodded and blew her one last kiss, jetting himself out into the night air and out of sight.
Hermione took a moment to grasp what had occurred that night. Just as Draco had previously wondered, she now thought that the whole thing would be a dream and that any moment she could awake and Draco would be back, lying beside her up on this snowy rooftop.
The chill blew through again and Hermione realized that standing in the snow in nothing but a skirt and bra was a most unpractical way of keeping from hypothermia, so, in a bit of a daze, she climbed back through the door, down the ladder, and went to her dormitory. She dressed in her plain school robes and joined the crowd outside, acting oblivious to the events that had happened. She treated the news as a shock and went to bed that night with only the glimmering hope that Draco would, indeed, one day be back for her.
End Note: Oh gosh, I was proud of that chapter. It was the first chapter I've been excited for people to read in a long long time. I hope you guys feel the same way. Review and let me know (ha ha).