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Disclaimer: I do not own anything, except Emma and Carrington.
A/N: sorry about the lateness, if anyone is still reading this. I finished this chapter about a week after the last one, but hated it, so deleted it and started over, but was then hit with a serious case of writers block. And then every time an idea actually came, I had to work, and working at a toy store, during the holidays, is no picnic. So, I hope you all like this one. And hopefully the next chapter will be up a lot sooner.
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Hermione's POV:
As I was starting to come around, I realized that I was laying in a bed. As I opened my eyes, I saw that I was in the hospital wing. As I looked around, I saw that it was the middle of the night, and that I was all alone, besides Emma, who was asleep in the bed next to me.
As I stood up, feeling a bit dizzy, I noticed there was a small bump I the back of my head, radiating pain, in the form of a headache.
"Child, lay back down," the medi-witch, said. "When you fainted, you hit your head. Unfortunately, we were unable to treat the wound, magically, for you were unconscious. But now that you are awake, we can heal you properly." Madam Pomfrey whispered, as she walked into the hospital wing.
As she was healing my wound, I sat on the bed, thinking about my mother.
How she could just give up her life, everything that she knew, and go back to the family that left her behind? How could she keep this from me?
"There you are, you might want to go back to sleep, Dear." Madam Pomfrey said, as she told me to lay back down.
She left the room, quickly running into the supply closet. She soon gave me a potion, which was a sleeping draught, and as soon as I closed my eyes, they refused to open again.
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Two month has come and gone since that fateful day. The season turned from fall to winter, my eighteenth birthday has come and gone, a day filled with celebration, also with pain and sorrow, for the lost of my parents was at the hardest point yet. Emma was continuing to grow, her mind expanding, the little witch in her growing, demonstrated when she 'borrowed' Draco's wand, and charmed the 7th year boy Gryffindor alarm clock to go off at three in the morning, to the sound of a freight train. And not stop until everyone was awake for the rest of the night. She said she thought of it by herself, but it is also known, that a little someone, by the name of Draco Malfoy, planted the idea in her head. And that his wand was unguarded for a few well placed moments.
Halloween also came and went, Emma excited, for not only was there a great Halloween feast, but there was also a grand celebration, with a live performance of the Weird Sisters, that had Emma enthralled the whole time. Music, dancing, as well as a grand stock of the Weasley's joke candy, had the whole school in good spirits, taking a break from the impending war and jam-packed teaching schedule.
As November rolled around, the last Quidditch match of the season, was also fast approaching. The Gryffindor's, the favorites by a tiny amount, against the tough and sly Slytherins.
As the morning of November 19th came around, at seven in the morning, and a Saturday, Harry could be found in the Great Hall, lecturing his team about how important this game is, for whoever won, received the Quidditch cup. Also talking about strategy and plays that they could pull over the Slytherins
Draco, on the other hand, could be found in the common room, his team and himself surrounding the fireplace, watching a movie. For he felt that he didn't need to lecture his players, they knew what to do, and when, but only a pep talk was in order.
As I walked down to the common room at around seven thirty, Emma was sitting on Draco's lap, as the whole team watched 'Forest Gump'.
"Emma, what are you doing up this early?" I asked, as I pulled my robe tighter around myself.
"Mione, the last match is today." was all she said in an explanation, and the tone in her voice of 'duh', and that I was stupid for even asking.
"For Muggles, these people really know how to dislodge boredom from a person." Blaise exclaimed, as he said his comment out of nowhere.
Soon he realized that all of the present Slytherins were gracing him with the same expression, a sneer, as he was still focused on the movie.
"Well, they do." was all that he said, when he noticed everyone staring at him, then he turned back to the tv and got started to watch the movie again.
"I blame you, Draco." I said, as I went back up the stairs to Carrington's room, ignoring Blaise, and saw her still asleep.
"Come on, Hermione, if I can't have Tonny interested in Quidditch, Emma is my only hope." he said, as he followed me up the stairs, and stood behind me in the doorway, making sure to keep his voice down, for fear of waking up Carrington.
"Yes, well, not all people love that dangerous, stupid sport." I said, as his voice was sending shivers down my spine.
As soon as I said that, he started to chuckle, and again, the shivers continued to still race up and down my back.
"Well, some people find a dangerous man sexy, would you not agree?" Draco said, still with his low, husky voice.
"Well," I said, a little flustered and blushing like mad, " I wouldn't know." I told him, unable to really say anything else.
"I say you do," he continued, "I mean, Potter and Weasley are not exactly saints, but then again...neither are you." he finished, as he placed a butterfly kiss on my neck, and another one on my forehead, as he then walked back down to the common room, gathering up his teammates and directing them out into the Quidditch pitch, for warm ups.
I stood, leaning in that doorway for another couple of minutes, pulling myself together, before I woke up Carrington, and got her and Emma ready for the match.
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As Ten o'clock rolled around, I found myself walking down to the pitch with Carrington and Emma beside me. They could both be found in Slytherin colours, laughing happily. For Emma, it was her first real match, and nothing could bring her down.
"Mione, are we going to sit with the Gryffindor's, or are we going to the Slytherin side?' Carrington asked, as we reached the pitch and she saw the two different sides, the colours separating the two houses.
"We're going to sit with the Gryffindor's." I said, as I steered them over to the stands to start the long ascend up the stairs.
"But Mione, what if Draco can't see me, he has to know that I'm cheering him on." Emma said, as she stopped her walking.
"Yeah." Carrington put in.
"Don't worry, you girls will be the only ones wearing green and silver, he can easily spot you two on this side, better then if you were over there." I said, as we started up the stairs again.
As we reached the top of the box, we took a few open seats in the front, and waited for the game to start at eleven.
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Half an hour later, Colin Creevey stood in the Professor's box, and announced the players, as the two teams flew out of there locker rooms, and circled the field for a few laps, before settling into there own places.
"Captains, shake hands," Professor Hooch said, as Harry and Draco both flew forward, giving a swift, severe handshake.
"Alright, back to your places." she said, as they turned around, and settled back into their spots. As soon as Professor saw that they were ready, she released the Snitch, which hovered around for a moment, before disappearing altogether.
And then, the Bludger and Quaffle were released, and as she blew her whistle, all the players started to move, each were working together, with there teammates trying to score a point, and using new techniques to stump there opponents.
"Chaser Weasley is the first one to catch the Quaffle, and she takes off down the field," Colin said, as he was commenting on the game. " She passes to the other chaser, Finnigan, who then passes back to Weasly, who throws, and Scores." Colin said, as 10 points appeared on the scoreboard.
"Keeper Zabini grabs the Quaffle, and tosses it to chaser Nott. She flies down the field, narrowly missing a Bludger. She flies through the Gryffindor's defense shattering it, as she passes to chaser Terry. He shots...and he scores." Colin said, as the score was now tied.
The game went on for another hour like that, if one score went up higher, it wasn't long before the next team was also up a point.
"And Malfoy sees the snitch." Colin said, but it was unnecessary to announce that, for everyone could see him, as he did a nose dive towards the Gryffindor's goal posts.
As soon as Harry saw that he was moving, he was right on his trail.
"Wow" was all Emma could say, as she saw the two seekers going into a full out sprint towards the goal posts.
"Malfoy's reaching out...almost there...
But the Snitch moves back upwards...throwing him off course
...and now Potter has caught up."
As Colin said that, Draco and Harry had reached the goal posts, both of there hands outstretched.
"There getting closer...and.." he started to say, but as they were both reaching out,
"A stray Bludger, had come out of nowhere, and has hit Malfoy in the side, causing him to slam in to Potter, and they both go tumbling down." Colin said, as the two boys fall the remaining 75 meters to the ground, landing in a sicken sound of bones breaking at the ground.
As soon as the girls saw the two heading for the ground, they both cried out, as I turned them around before they could see anything else.
As Carrington heard them both hit the ground, she took off, running down the stairs, with Emma following a few beats behind her. I also stood up, running after them.
We were one of the first people to arrive at the scene, most people glued to their seats from the horrible sight. And as we arrived, there, in Draco's outstretched hand, was the golden snitch, hover slightly, but soon coming to a close, and settling in his hand.
"And looks as though Malfoy has caught the snitch, and...the...Slytherins...win." Colin said in a quiet voice, almost a whisper, with amazement laced in his voice. And after he said that, the Slytherins were in an uproar, screaming as loud as each possibly could, for Draco had finally beat the Gryffindor's.
"Come on, up to the infirmary." Madam Pomfrey said, as she conjured up two stretchers, carefully lifting the two broken boys onto the cots.
"Come on, girls, lets go back to the rooms, and will see them later, when there feeling better, alright?" I told the girls, but both had different views, for they followed the two boys up to the infirmary.
As I was walking behind the two girls, I glanced behind me and saw that I wasn't the only one following the two boys. Blaise, Ginny, Ron, Pansy, and, surprisingly, Luna were all coming too.
As we reached the doors that led to the hospital, Madam Pomfrey stopped the eight of us, and said that no one was allowed in the infirmary.
"Well, lets go to the Heads common room, we can check later." I said, as we returned back to the common room,mostly talking to the girls about visiting later.
When we arrived, I sent Emma and Carrington up to their rooms, to change out of their coats and robes, and into their pajamas.
"Mione, I'm scared, what if Draco's not ok?" Carrington said, as soon as she came back down the stairs, as the six of us sat down around the fireplace, lost in our own thoughts.
"He will be fine, the medi-witch is looking after him, and will fix him right up." I told Carrington, as she crawled up onto the couch next to me, and leaned against me.
Emma stomped down the stairs shortly later, carrying Montgomery and her blanket. She struggled onto the sofa where Ginny and Blaise were sitting, snuggling up next to them, using Ginny as a pillow, and quickly falling asleep for all of the days events.
When two o'clock, arrived, well after lunch, we headed down to the Great Hall, where we were able to catch the late lunch. As Emma was still asleep, Blaise carried her down to the hall for me, and as we went to our separate tables, each member was still in a somber mood.
Carrington ate with the Gryffindor's, barley touching her food, pushing it around her plate. And Emma was laid across the bench, still asleep.
After lunch was over, everyone went there separate ways, as I made my way back up to the infirmary, with the two girls.
As we reached the doors, we entered, quietly, and walked to the two beds with the curtains pulled around them.
Carrington emitted a soft gasp, and then fell into a fit of tears, clinging to me.
The first one that I saw was Harry, who was laying asleep across the bed. He had scratches all over his face and arms, where the blanket wasn't covering him up. Also, bruises across his form.
When I looked at Draco, he look like he got the brunt of the hit. His face looked pale against the white sheets, that is, when you could see the unmarred skin. Almost his whole face was covered in black, purple, and blue bruises. He was also covered in deep scratches, scars starting to form already.
"Mister Malfoy also has a few broken ribs, both of his arms and legs were broken, but those have been mended. He was also bleeding internally, from a broken rib, but that was fixed as soon as he arrived.
Now, the bruises and scratches have to heal on there own, if they are fixed magically, then there will be a greater risk with scarring, since it is on the face, and they are so deep
Mister Potter, just had his left arm broken, and a few ribs that were fractures. Now, since his scratches are not as deep as Mister Malfoy's, his can be healed by magic, but that is as soon as he awakes." the Medi-witch said, as she came to check up on her patients.
I placed Emma on a cot next to Draco's, and convinced Carrington to take a nap, when Madam Pomfrey left, as I took the seat in between the two boys bed.
I sat there for a long time, just content to think.
As I sat there, I didn't notice when Professor Snape entered and sat in the chair next to Draco's bed.
"Mya, I understand of you don't want to see me. I haven't exactly been the...easiest person to get alone with, but do know, that I am trying. My past, my years at Hogwarts, were some of the worst years ever, and they were caused by Gryffindor's."
"Then why teach here, why do you come back to the place that was hurting you the most?" I asked.
"I guess, because, it feels like home. After our manor was attacked, and my sister left home, this is the only place I am truly at peace." he said, and then got up and left, ending our conversation abruptly.
"You know, all he said, it is true". Draco said, as he opened his eyes, blinking from the harsh light.
"I had a feeling it was," I said, as I stood up from the chair, and walked to his bed. "How are you feeling?" I asked, as I got a cup of water from the bed side table for him.
"Like I fell out of the sky." came his dry remark. "Did I win?" he asked,
"It that all you think about, I mean, you just fell about 70 meters, give or take a few, to the ground, and all you are asking is if you won?" I said.
"Well, did I?" he said after a pause.
"Yes, you did." I told him, as I looked out the window, and say that the sun was going down, looking around six in the evening.
"Finally, I beat Potter." he said, a big grin on his face, turning his sharp features, soft.
"Yeah, and you also got the brunt of everything." I said, as I tilted my head to the side, indicating Harry on the next bed.
"Carrington, wake up." I said, as I walked around the bed, and over to the two sleeping girls, gently shaking Carrington awake.
"What..." she said, in a tired tone, trying to roll over and fall asleep again.
"Draco's awake." I said, and saw as her eyes suddenly snapped open, and she bolted up in the bed.
"Ceo?" she said, climbing off of the bed, and immediately jumping into his.
"Yeah, its me, Tonny." he said, as she hugged her close, as she laid next to him.
"Are you alright?" she asked, tears forming at her eyes.
"I'm going to be ok, Tonny, don't worry about me." he said, hugging her close until she was fast asleep again.
As he turned away from Carrington, I started to stand up from the chair between his and Harry's bed.
"Are you hungry? I can go and get you some dinner."
"No, don't worry about it. I don't think that I will be able to keep anything down." he told me, as he took a hold of my hand, and pulled me onto his bed, next to him. "Now, sleep." he said, as he closed my eyes with his fingertips, and placed a soft kiss on my lips.
As I laid there, awake long after he fell back asleep, staring into the black ceiling. For, probably the first time, ever, my mind was blank.
Slowly, I drifted off into a sleep, void of any dreams what-so-ever.
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"Mione...Mione." she was awaken at what felt like hours later, but was only a half hour passed since falling asleep.
Emma was shaking me still, trying to get my attention. "Mione, I'm hungry." she said, climbing up onto the hospital bed, laying down next to me.
"Alright, lets go see if we can find an..." I started to say, but was suddenly cut off, as a tray off food appeared next to the bed, on the side table. "Well, there you go, all your favorites." I told her, as she sat up and started to eat.
As I glanced at my watch, I saw that it was already seven o'clock.
I got up from the bed, disentangling Draco's arm from around my waist, where it was wound, and without waking him or Carrington up, and walked over to Harry's bed, seeing that he was already gone.
I woke up Carrington, left Draco a letter, informing him that we would see him tomorrow, and then we left the infirmary. The two girls and myself went back to the common room, where we watched TV for a bit, before heading off to bed.
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A/n: thanks too all of the reviews. I appreciate that you take the time to review. I hope that you liked this chapter.
Again, sorry about the wait, and how short it is, but again, hopefully I can get the next chapter out faster. But, we'll see.
If there are any spelling or grammar errors, I did a quick read-through, so hopefully it's not too bad.