11/16/04
Disclaimer: For the last time, I don't own Harry Potter!
A/N: So, ::sigh:: this is Part Four. I'm really rather proud of it, and I really hope you like it! I've noticed that I've gotten over 600 hits for this, isn't that cool? No end notes, just these. I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed, especially those who reviewed multiple times. I'd also like to thank my friends who are going to/have read this. You rock! Anyhoodles, I'm off to make my undeserving brother some malasadas. Filipino doughnuts. He loves them, and I'm a good sister. Have fun reading!!!
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Four
"I don't see why you won't go with Harry," Ron grumbled to Ginny.
Ginny adjusted her skirt in the guy's dorms. "Because, Ron, he wasn't my dance partner, and I am in no way inclined to dance with him. Last year he stepped on my feet!" Hermione, who was looking in the other full-length mirror, laughed.
"Then at least tell me why you're in our room, using our mirrors," Ron said grumpily.
"Because," Hermione said, retying a ribbon, "Lavender and Parvati are using mine."
"And Hilda, Samantha and June are using mine," Ginny said, pushing the bodice up. "Damn thing won't stay up."
Harry blushed and looked away from Ginny. "Er, Gin?" he asked. "Maybe, since Seamus is still here, you shouldn't be doing that with your, erm," he scratched the back of his neck, "dress." He coughed, embarrassed.
"That's okay, Harry," Ginny said lightly. "Hermione and I are going back to her room now, for makeup, courtesy of Pav and Lav." She grabbed Hermione's arm lightly and dragged her out and down the stairs.
&&&&&
"Lav-en-der!" Ginny called, walking into Hermione's dorm. "Oh, Lav-en-der!"
Lavender looked up from curling Parvati's hair. "Yes?"
Ginny placed her hand on Hermione's shoulder. "We require some... services, if you please."
"Take a seat," Lavender said, motioning to Hermione's bed. "And I'll be right with you."
Ginny rolled her eyes and sat.
&&&&&
Nervous, Hermione fixed her mask in place and hooked her arm through Ginny's.
"I still have time to go back to the Tower," Hermione muttered. "If I just turn..."
Ginny tightened her hold on Hermione. "No way," she said. "You are going to come and stay and find your mystery man."
The doors creaked open and they walked through them, arms still hooked. The people near the doorway glanced over and looked before returning to their conversations.
&&&&&
As it neared midnight, Dumbledore stood up and called them to attention. "Your attention, please," he said. "If you would all assemble on the dance floor?" There was much shuffling and stumbling, with a few rips and tears not to mention many "Ouches" rang through the room.
Finally, everyone was crowded onto the floor, jostling for personal space. "Thank you," Dumbledore said, smiling slightly, eyes twinkling more than the enchanted crystal balls floating around the room. "Now, for the spell." He cleared his throat. "Connectere socius et socia."
A ripple spread throughout the room, and Hermione looked down. Coming out of her heart was a spun chord of gold and silver light. She followed it through the crowd until she reached the center. The chord ended about a foot away from her in someone else's chest. Hermione looked up instantly into the same eyes, except now a silver mask hid them.
Hermione gulped. "You're wearing a different set of robes," she said.
"Yeah," he replied. "I do have more than one, you know." He grinned. "But these are my favorites, you see. I wore my others because I didn't think I'd meet anyone here." He took her hand and kissed it. "Obviously I was wrong. Come." He led her over to an unoccupied nook. "Now, I know who you are, but you have no idea who I am."
"Yes, yes," Hermione said, excited. "I am dreadfully excited, you know."
"Then shall we unmask?" he asked. Hermione nodded. They both reached behind their heads and slowly undid the masks. His wig came off with the mask.
Hermione looked at him, mesmerized as he revealed himself to her. One moment, she was looking at a mystery masked man, and the next, she was staring deep into the eyes of Draco Malfoy.
"Draco?" she breathed.
He smiled. "Did I disappoint you?" he asked. A small worry line appeared between his eyes. "I didn't, did I?"
Hermione shushed him by putting her finger over his lips. "I'm fine," she said. "But... you're wearing a different mask."
"Next, I suppose, you'll ask me if I changed my eye color that night," he said. "Well guess what?" His voice lowered to a whisper as his mouth moved to her ear. "I did. To hazel, in fact."
Hermione pulled far enough away to look at him. "But- but what about the letters? You said he had a brother..."
Draco frowned. "I didn't write you any letters," he said. A dark look came over his face. "Weasley."
"No, not Ron," Hermione said distractedly. "I know his handwriting."
"No, no- the older one. What's his name? Bill." Draco's face became thunderous. "Bastard. I'll kill him this time."
"What d'you mean, 'this time'?" Hermione asked. Draco didn't answer. "Please, Draco, tell me."
"I went to tell him off, you know, about you," Draco said. "And he taunted me, and I snapped." He fidgeted uncomfortably. "I just wanted him to lay off hitting on you."
"He wasn't-" Hermione started. "Wait." She thought back, remembering the past few weeks. "Maybe..."
Draco scoffed. "Maybe?" he asked. "He is—or was—seriously in love with you. Or, at least, in lust."
"So... you didn't write the letters?" Hermione asked.
"No," said a voice behind them. "I did." They turned to see Bill standing there. "Hi."
&&&&&
"Damn," Ginny said, standing about a hundred feet away from Hermione, Draco and Bill. She ignored the tugging feeling from her chest. Suddenly, the green string of light disappeared. Ginny looked around to see a tall boy with dark hair wearing a red mask standing in front of her.
"Hello," he said, smiling. "How are you?"
She returned his smile. "I'm good. Long time no see," she said.
"So..." he said. "Unmask?"
She nodded, and untied the ribbon holding her own cream-colored mask in place. He also lifted his mask off his face.
"Blaise?" Ginny said, astounded.
He grinned. "Hello, Ginny," he said. "I'm very glad to see you."
"Did you know who I was beforehand?" Ginny asked suspiciously.
"Well, with your hair," he said, fingering a strand, "it wasn't too hard."
"Oh, well." Ginny blushed. "You're blocking my view."
"Who're you watching?" Blaise asked, moving out of the way and following her gaze.
Ginny nodded towards the three arguing people in the corner. "I'm making sure Bill doesn't kill Malfoy for liking Hermione."
"That wouldn't be good," Blaise said, "as he's promised me a free room at his villa in the Riviera this summer."
"Can I come?" Ginny asked. "I've always wanted to go."
"Well, if Potter likes Millie and if Weasley likes Pansy, then I'll convince Draco to invite you all," Blaise said. "I'm not about to take you there without a chaperone. My Mum and Dad would kill me, not to mention your mum and dad."
"Good point," Ginny said, and they went back to watching Hermione, Bill, and Draco.
&&&&&
Harry and Ron lifted their masks off at the same time as their partners. Ron's mouth dropped when he saw his, whereas Harry grinned.
"Parkinson?" Ron said.
"Weasley?" Pansy said. They stared at each for a moment.
Ron shrugged. "Eh, it's not so bad. I guess," he added.
"You're right," Pansy said, looping her arm through his. "C'mon, let's go snog."
They walked off, leaving Harry with Millie. "Hi," she said shyly. She was his height, with soft doe eyes. Nothing really remarkable, but she had a sweet personality—once you got past anti-Slytherin prejudices.
"Hi," Harry replied. "You're ace, you know that?"
Millie grinned. "You, too."
&&&&&
"B- Bill," Hermione said, stepping in front of Draco slightly. "What d'you want?"
He smiled, defeated. "I was just going to tell you I wrote the letters, Hermione," he stepped forward. "I really do like you, and am here for you."
Hermione looked back and forth between them. "I-"
"I think," Draco said, ignoring Bill, "that you'll have to make a choice, Hermione."
Hermione sighed, and thought. "All right. I-"
&&&&&
In the few moments that had passed, Blaise and Ginny had moved within hearing range. When she heard Draco say Hermione had to make a choice, she started to rock back and forth on her feet.
"Oh, c'mon, Hermione," she muttered. "Choose already!"
"And choose Draco," Blaise said. "Otherwise he'll be in a mood for ever."
As he started to say something else, Ginny shushed him. "She's about to say something!"
&&&&&
"I- I-" Hermione said. She glanced furtively between the two men on either side of her. "I choose Draco," she said finally. "I'm sorry Bill, but I don't think it'd work."
Bill nodded, and walked off, shoulders lightly slumped.
Draco turned Hermione around, and she was surprised to see him smiling—actually smiling from happiness, not from hormones or passion—down at her. "Thank you for that," he said, leaning his forehead against hers. "I do really," he coughed something out.
Hermione smiled teasingly. "You what, Mr. Malfoy?" He coughed again, and it sounded something like, "Ahgoveoo." "You glove me?"
He frowned at her. "Damn it, woman!" he shouted. "I love you, all right?" Everyone near them turned around and stared. "Mind your own business," he snapped. They quickly started to whisper amongst themselves as Draco guided Hermione out onto the dance floor.
"Hi Hermione," Harry said, nodding at her from over Millie's shoulder. "This is Millie. Millie, this is my friend Hermione, who seems to be dancing with-"
"Draco, yes, I know, Harry," Millie said. "Now twirl me, please."
Draco steered Hermione past a snogging couple in a corner, and Hermione caught sight of a flash of red hair. "Oh, my," she said. "I think that's Ron."
Draco peered in the direction she nodded in. "And... that's Pansy!" he said, astonished.
Hermione nudged him. "Really, you can't just stop in the middle of a dance floor, Draco. Let's go and leave them to their, er, snogging."
"So," Ginny said, dancing over with Blaise. "You finally dumped my lovely older brother."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Yes, sorry," she replied.
"I love him, but you two would never had made it," Ginny said. "You're too headstrong and pragmatic. Not to mention he's a stickler for authority, like you a bit. You and Draco are rather suited for one another."
Draco coughed. "I am here, you know."
"Oh, that's right," Ginny said dismissively as Blaise dipped and kissed her. "Mmph!"
"I don't think we're wanted here," Draco said, twirling Hermione away.
&&&&&
The next day, Draco met Hermione outside of the Great Hall, holding a rose.
"Hi," she said, kissing his cheek. "What's this for?"
"You, of course," he said. "I hope you like it."
Hermione smiled. "Roses are my favorite," she said, putting it into her hair. "Thanks."
"Anything," he said, smiling and walking into the Great Hall.
Hermione floated into the Hall and over to Gryffindor table. "Good morning, everyone," she said, chipper.
"Morning, Hermione," Harry and Ron said, gazes fixed on the Slytherin table.
Ginny laughed. "They've been doing that since they got down here," she said, glancing at Blaise. "Come to think about it, I have, too."
Hermione sighed and joined the crowd, looking over at Draco as she ate. "Well, I can only say one thing about this," she said.
"What's that?" Ginny asked, missing her mouth with her spoonful of porridge.
"The view is excellent."
&&&&&
At Christmas, they all stayed at Hogwarts for the holidays.
Ron, Harry, Draco, Pansy, Millie and Blaise were sitting around a table in the library, all reading thick tomes.
"I can't believe Hermione's making us study during the holidays," Ron grumbled, skimming a page. "And that Ginny doesn't have to."
"Ginny doesn't have to because," Hermione said, walking in with her arms full of books, "she isn't taking the N.E.W.T.'s in June."
"What escapes my understanding," Draco said, turning a page and making a note, "is why you are making your loving boyfriend do this."
"Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests," Hermione said crisply.
Draco shuddered. "Point made." He went back to studying.
Fifteen minutes later, Ginny strolled in and grabbed Blaise. "Don't fret, Hermione," she said, above Hermione's objections, "we'll be back in a bit." And she dragged him into the stacks.
Ron groaned, watching them walk off. "Hermione," he pleaded, "I've got to go after Ginny! She's my sister, after all."
Hermione rolled her eyes at him. "Today's Tuesday, Ron," she said.
"So?"
"On Tuesday's, Bill goes into the curse-breaking section of the library to read. Ginny doesn't know this, and it is the most secluded area of the library." She glanced at her watch. "Five, four, three, two, one." When she said 'one', there was a shout from the direction Ginny and Blaise had walked off in.
"What the bloody hell?" came the voice of Bill Weasley. "Ginny?" Three seconds later, Ginny and Blaise ran past the table, on their way out of the library.
"Sorry we couldn't stay," said Ginny.
"But we're being chased by an angry older brother," finished Blaise.
"See you!" they called, as Bill gained on them. The doors banged shut, and Hermione went back to studying.
"How does she do that?" Ron muttered to Harry, who shrugged.
"Magic, Ron," Pansy said. "Pure magic."
&&&&&
"C'mon, Hermione," Draco called. "The train will leave without you, you know."
Hermione stood, looking back at the Castle. "It's just sad, Draco," she said. "I mean, we've been at Hogwarts for the past seven years, and now we're leaving it behind."
"Very sad indeed," he said, grabbing her arm and pulling her onto the train. "But I, for one, do not want to hitchhike home like some common pedestrian."
He tugged her along the corridor as the train moved out of the station and opened the door of the compartment the others were in.
"Finally had to pull her away, eh?" Blaise asked, playing with Ginny's hair.
"Yeah," Draco said, sitting down and putting his arm around her. "But I think we'll live through the trauma." He pulled a deck out of his pocket. "Who's up for some Exploding Snap?"
&&&&&
As the train pulled into King's Cross, Harry noticed something was wrong.
"Guys?" he said, peering out the window. "Why are there so many people in cloaks and masks out there?"
They looked around at each other. "Death Eaters," Ron and Hermione muttered.
"Wands," Harry said crisply. "Someone go watch the new second years. Ginny, take some other seventh years with you. Hermione, go get the rest of the DA." Harry turned to Draco. "What about the rest of the Slytherins?" he asked. "Will they fight with or against us?"
Draco looked at Blaise. "Go get Theo and the others," he said. Looking back at Harry, he replied, "Some of them are part of a Slytherin anti-Death Eater organization that was started three years ago. S.S.A.D.E. Slytherin Students Against Death Eaters." He looked out the window. "Oh, shit." He turned back to the others. "The Dark Lord is here."
"I knew it," Harry said grimly, wincing as his scar throbbed. The door slid open as Hermione came in with Dumbledore's Army, which they had restarted in their sixth year and had grown to most of their year, and the fifth and sixth years, as well. He stood up. "Well, it's time. They're here, and they're waiting for us to get off this train. We have to be brave, and fight well. Luna," he said to the Ravenclaw now-seventh year, "would you get as many owls as you can and send them to Dumbledore and the rest of the teachers? I'm not sure if they can Apparate here, but we need them to know what's happening."
Harry gave out orders and directions, moving students from one end of the train to the next and fortifying weak areas. Finally, he took the sixth and seventh years, as well as his now-graduated year to the exit. He turned to tell them one last thing before they went out to fight.
"Be brave, and fight well." He opened the door and went out into the Death Eaters.
An hour later, the teachers and the Order of the Phoenix showed up, only just have received the message from Luna. They found an equal number of bodies, both student and Death Eaters, and saw Harry in the midst of battle with the Dark Lord himself.
Dumbledore tried to aide Harry, but there was a force field around the two fighting wizards, so he instead went to help the remaining students. He found Hermione fighting Crabbe Sr. and neatly Stunned him.
"Hermione, how many?" Dumbledore asked simply.
Tears ran down Hermione's cheeks. "The Creevey boys died right after the beginning," she said. "Crabbe and Goyle Jr. killed them. Barehanded. Dean Thomas, Terry Boot, Hannah Abbott, and three girls from Ravenclaw. The Patil twins are badly wounded and might not make it if we don't get a Medi-Witch in here quickly. Lavender's been able to keep them stable, but she's exhausted, having to them, plus Seamus and Ginny. Blaise Zabini hasn't left Ginny side, and has killed the three Death Eaters that wounded her." She looked around. "Draco-" she choked for a moment. "Draco is missing. The last any of us saw, he was fighting his father. Theo Nott is with Ron, Pansy Parkinson and Millie Bulstrode fighting people who are trying to get to the wounded and I'm just trying to get the remaining ones who aren't at the Infirmary fight."
"What about the first, second, third and fourth years?" Lupin asked, joining them.
Hermione pointed towards the glowing train. "They're still in there. Half of the fifth year is with them, and we warded it so most spells can't get in. Some Death Eaters have managed to get in, but, from what I hear, they don't come out."
And explosion came from the force field. Its glow pulsated, and then suddenly faded.
"Harry!" Hermione said, running towards him. She knelt beside him. "Healer!" she screamed. "A Healer, hurry!"
Professor Sprout dashed over from the wounded area to Hermione and Harry. She took Harry's pulse. "He's alive," she said, astounded. "He's alive!" Sprout went back to checking him. "He is alive," she said slowly, "but we've got to get him to St. Mungo's or the Hogwarts Hospital. He needs more care than I have right now."
An errant spell hit Hermione, and she fell over, unconscious.
&&&&&
Voices surrounded her. "Will she wake up?" "Is she dead?" "Shh, don't disturb her."
"What's going on?" Hermione asked, groggy. "What time is it? Where am I?" She was lying on white hospital bed, and there was coppery red all around her. "Mrs. Weasley?"
"I'm right here, dear." Mrs. Weasley's head swam into view. "What do you need?"
"Where's Draco?" Hermione asked, but it came out garbled.
"What was that?"
"I said," Hermione repeated, voice stronger, "where's Draco?"
Blonde interrupted the red. "Oh, you mean me?" said an innocent voice. Her vision snapped into focus, as Draco moved to stand by her right hand. "I just went to get something to drink."
He was on crutches with a broken leg, but was otherwise fine, except for the bruises all down the visible part of his left side. His hair was in order, brushed back, but not gelled, and his eyes sparkled down at her.
Hermione struggled to sit up. "I thought you were dead," she said, staring at him.
"I did, too," he replied. "But the Healers tell me I have much to live for."
The End
Or is it?
