Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J.K. Rowling.
A/N: Sorry it took so long for me to get the last chapter up. I tried to get this one up sooner. Please keep reviewing! I hope you all didn't give up on me updating. Please review! Here's the next chapter.
Dumbledore's Office
For a long time everything was black and I felt like my body was as light as a feather. A fluttering sensation on my face woke me up and I felt a hot pain shoot through the back of my head.
Ginny, who was lightly slapping my cheeks, was screaming, "Hermione! Hermione! Wake up!"
Cracking my eyes open slightly, I was blinded by the bright light in the room and I felt the beginnings of a headache. Trying to sit up, I looked around confused and asked, "What happened? Why am I on the floor?"
Helping me into a sitting position, Ginny felt the back of my head and said, "You fainted. I'm pretty sure from fright. Can you remember anything?" Everything started to come back to me after a minute and I nodded my head. The dream...I had seen myself lying lifeless on the ground with two people looming over me. I had woken up, screamed to Ginny what I had seen, and I couldn't remember anything past that.
Getting shakily to my feet, I said, "I...need to go to the Headmaster. I have to tell him what I saw. I promised that the next time I had the dream I would force myself to explain everything to him. Then...then I should probably go to see Madame Pomfrey." A look of concern clearly written across her face, Ginny grabbed my arm to steady me and we maneuvered over to the door. I made my way out into the dark common room first but I heard Ginny scramble through soon after. We met no one in the shadowed common room so I assumed Draco must be a heavy sleeper.
It took us a while to find the Headmaster's office since it was so dark but we stumbled upon the stone gargoyle eventually. We were sort of taking a shot in the dark because neither of us was sure if Dumbledore's private rooms were anywhere near his office space. My headache growing more brutal by the moment, I named off some random candies and the imposing statue sprung back at the words "Reeses Pieces". Letting the staircase bring me up, I sprinted toward the Headmaster's door and started banging loudly on it.
Sooner than I had expected Professor Dumbledore, clad in a scarlet dressing gown, came to the door and said cheerfully, "Ah you two are just in time to join the party. Professor Snape, Mr. Malfoy, and I have been having a late night discussion. If I'm not mistaken I do believe you might have something to add to the conversation. Do come in." Mouth gaping open, I ambled into the room and immediately saw two figures perched in armchairs. Professor Snape, looking exceptionally batty in his silk black robe, was positioned next to an extremely pale looking Draco. Dumbledore transfigured a couple of paperweights into a cushy couch and I dropped onto the cushions with glee. My headache was slowly ebbing away but there was sure to be a huge knot on the back of my head in the morning. Ginny, who plopped down next to me, gave me a reassuring pat on the arm but she didn't reveal the reason why we were out so late. I was going to have the joy of explaining to both Professors why the Head Girl and her friend were traipsing about the school well after curfew. While classes were in session I had to check the corridors at night but when the school was on break I had to obey the normal curfew.
Taking a deep breath of air, I looked down at my shaky hands and said, "I know you must be wondering why I'm here this late. I guess I should start by telling you that while we were staying at Headquarters Ginny and I...overheard one of the Order's conversations. We know that Draco... switched sides. Harry and Ron know as well but we haven't told anyone else. I started having disturbing dreams while I was staying there. After having my house burnt down, I know that might not seem unusual but the thing is I've been having the same dream. Only tonight, the dream seemed...more real than usual and I saw more than...I have before. I...I saw..." Tears started streaming down my icy cheeks before I could get out the rest of my statement and all I could manage was an incoherent sob.
Professor Dumbledore handed me a handkerchief and said soothingly, "Yes, well I can understand you'd be upset. I'm sure the emotions have been building up for quite some time so when you're ready you can tell us what happened." Smiling in an off-hand manner, Professor Dumbledore removed his spectacles from his long nose and began to clean them with the scalloped edge of his pajama wear. "Yes, I figured the four of you would find out what we've been up to sooner or later. It's no wonder that you are having nightmares after all of the horrors you have been up o as of late. When I was your age I had disturbing dreams as well. As a matter of fact I once had a quite frightful one involving a rusty pair of lawn shears...yes, but I don't suppose you want to hear about that. Are you ready to continue Miss Granger?"
Wiping the remaining tears from under my puffy eyes, I shook my head in the affirmative and said, "The dream starts out with Ron and Harry being pushed up against the side of a house. A "person" is holding them at wand point and that "person's" father is standing in the background egging him on. They were planning to kill Harry and Ron. Then it gets really black and then I'm climbing up a hill towards some people. There are two people in robes standing over a third one but the last one is lying in a pool of blood. None of them could hear me so I went over to try and find out who was sacked out on the ground. I pulled back the h-hair...and i-it w-was m-m-me" At that I broke into wet sobs again and Ginny had to lean over to comfort me.
Dumbledore, looking very grave, said in a wise voice, "Yes. Well not to worry my dear. Everything will be all right. Did you recognize the hill or the house you mentioned? If you don't mind me asking, who was the "person" threatening Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter?"
I wasn't in a state to answer anything at the moment so Ginny took the liberty of answering for me. "No, before when she had the dreams she never recognized the locations. As far as who she was talking about...well it was...Draco." Identical snorts came from two of the room's male occupants and I stalled my crying to glare over at the pompous windbags.
"That's right you...you ferret! I saw you trying to kill Ron and don't think for one second that I won't tell him! I figured out what you're really planning and now you'll never get away with it you arrogant little snipe!" His rare moments of kindness in Potions could not make up for the fact that he was planning to kill two of my best friends.
Shooting me an icy glare, Malfoy said in a venomous voice, "You're just as bad as Potter. You had a stupid dream and all of a sudden you think you can see into the future. I'm not going to kill your "precious" Weasel. Before you make any more accusations you might want to listen to why I'm in the Headmaster's office." Looking to Professor Dumbledore for reassurance, Draco continued on, "The Dark Lord called all of his Deatheaters together tonight. I...am in his "inner circle" due to my father's involvement so I was privilege to some very...sensitive information. Headmaster, did you want me to tell her the rest or not?"
Smiling serenely, Dumbledore shook his head and replied, "No, no Mr. Malfoy. I believe I will take it from here. If you'd like to go see Madame Pomfrey, I'm sure she's waiting for you. Miss Weasley, this has been a traumatic evening for you. Why don't you go ahead back to Miss Granger's room. She'll be with you shortly." Bidding us all farewell, Draco and Ginny scurried out of the door and shut it with a bang. "As he said, Mr. Malfoy went to a Dark Revel this evening. We received some very key information that should help us defeat Voldemort in the end." Stopping to clear his throat, Dumbledore waved his wand and in an instant he was sipping a cup of herbal tea.
In a serious tone, he continued, "I believe that you, as Hogwarts Head Girl, have earned the right to know what is...going on. We have learned that Voldemort plans to launch a major attack in May or June of next year but we do not know at what location. When I find out any further details I will be sure to pass on what I can to you. You must understand that what I'm telling you could be devastating to the Order if it were...to leak out in some manner. I give you permission to discuss this with Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Weasley but those are the only other students you can tell of this. I am entrusting you with information that could determine the fate of the Wizarding World. Please do not break my confidence, Miss Granger.
Taking a long sip from the chipped mug in his hand, Dumbledore smoothed his graying beard and said, "Now, since you seem to have already found out Mr. Malfoy's secret may I presume that you also know of the Combibo Cognatus Potion?" Pausing for my answer, Dumbledore continued once I had nodded in the affirmative. "Yes. All right then. I also presume that you have not been able to find any information on the subject? At least not in the school library."
Shifting to the center of the couch, I nodded my head and said, "Yes, I've been looking everywhere but I can't seem to get a hold of it. I know I've read about it somewhere but I can't remember. Do you know where it is?"
A glimmer in his eyes, Dumbledore said, "Yes, I wouldn't think you'd be able to find it. I had Professor Snape remove all the copies of the book in question so as to keep...inquisitive students from stumbling upon it. I'll leave it up to you, Severus, to tell her of the potion." Glancing over at Snape through his half-moon spectacles, the Headmaster continued to gulp his tea while humming a tune.
Scowling heavily, Professor Snape swept oily chunks of inky black hair from around his pasty face and said, "I can't say I agree with telling Miss Granger of the Order's plans but if you think it is for the best then I will trust your judgement. The potion is...extraordinarily complicated Miss Granger so I can't give you the details off the top of my head but I'll send a house elf with a copy of the book tomorrow. I must warn you not to try and recreate the potion at your leisure." Stopping momentarily to scowl at me, Snape continued to say, "If that is all Headmaster then I will be off to bed. Good evening." Silk robe rippling behind him, Professor Snape strutted from the room and snapped the door shut on his way out.
Smiling at me, Dumbledore said kindly, "Thank you for coming to me Miss Granger. We will do everything in our power to keep you and your friends safe so there is no need to worry. Draco Malfoy is not an enemy anymore. He is an ally now, though he may try to deny it. Try not to worry too much about your dream. This war will be over soon and you will survive it. I can almost assure you of that. We'll more of this later. Go on to bed. Good evening." Placing a reassuring hand on my arm, he led me down the stone staircase and watched until I had turned the corner.
Shivering from the coolness of the corridors, I made my as quickly as possible and tried not to let my imagination turn the shadows into monsters prowling for victims. Tonight had been frightening and fruitful all at the same time but I was happy to be going back to bed. I would tell Ron and Harry of my dream in the morning and I would inform all three of my closest friends of everything I had learned in the Headmaster's office. I would also have a nasty knot from my fall but for right now the pain was almost non-existant. After traversing the freezing school, I finally made it back to the portrait marking my room and I shoved myself into the common room to find flames dancing in the fireplace. Harry, with Ginny in his lap, was dozing in an armchair and Ginny was using his shoulder as a pillow. Ron, who jumped to my side when I entered, seemed to be the only one awake and I was surprised to find him this alert. Collapsing into his arms, I settled onto Ron's lap as he maneuvered us both onto a plump couch. Resting the back of my head under the crook of his chin, I closed my eyes and asked quietly, "What are you and Harry doing here?"
Rubbing his nose in my hair, Ron replied, "Ginny woke us both up and said something had happened to you. I rushed over here but you apparently you were in the Headmaster's office. What happened, Hermione?"
Groaning, I wriggled in Ron's lap until I was comfortable and in a whimpering voice I said, "Ron, can't we talk about this tomorrow? I'm tired and I just want you to hold me." Shifting me in his arms, Ron fidgeted until he was lying on his side and he had his arms wrapped around me from behind. With a pillow cushioning my head, I pressed my back closer to Ron and snuggled my bottom further back until it was firmly cradled in his lap. Giggling in my head, I realized that I was now touching Ron in some...sensitive areas. I never imagined being this close to a boy could be this fun but Ron felt wonderful pressed up against my curves. Pressing his face into the side of my neck, Ron tightened his arms until they were positioned snuggly under my breasts and I felt a tingling sensation all over my body.
Nuzzling my neck, Ron whispered, "You had better watch where you stick your...parts Hermione. I may be your best friend but I'm still a flesh and blood male."
Sighing contentedly, I asked, "Will you stay here with me for the rest of the night? I don't want to be alone." I felt Ron go still behind me for a second but after a while he seemed to relax.
Pressing his mouth to my ear, he replied. "I'll stay as long as you can behave yourself." Laughing aloud at that, I said I would "behave myself" and could barely control my joy. I was spending the night with Ron! We were definitely closer than we had ever been before and I couldn't help but shudder slightly with pleasure. Thinking my shudder meant that I was cold, Ron pressed his long body even closer to mine and asked, "Do you need a blanket Hermione?"
Smirking at my audacity, I quipped, "Oh Ron you can be my blanket."
A loud snort came from the armchair and I looked up to see Ginny's tousled head pointed in my direction. In a voice full of laughter, Ginny said, "Shut up you two. I can't sleep between you two trying to flirt each other to death. Save some for tomorrow."
Sticking my tongue out at her, I said, "I don't know what you mean Ginny. Ron and I are just trying to keep each other warm." Ginny continued to snicker but I just ignored her peels of laughter. In a soft voice, I murmured, "Good night Ron."
I felt a warm exhalation of breath on my neck and then Ron replied in a sleepy voice, "G'night Hermione." I fell asleep to the rhythmic thump of Ron's heartbeat and the only dreams I had were of his adorable face.
A/N: Ooooohh! "Sensitive areas!" She's seventeen in this story so I don't think it's out of line for her to be getting to know Ron in the "physical" sense. They won't be going any further than kissing and snuggling so don't worry. I do love fluff so I'll try and fit it in where I can. Please please please review. I hope you guys haven't given up on the story. I've gotten some great reviews but I need more! I know I'm greedy but I live off reviews! Until later!
Lots of Love - Miss Dissendium
