Dreams Don't Last Forever

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for the plot.-

Chapter Two: Revelations

Harry opened the door to the hall for Hermione and Ginny, allowing them to pass through first. Hermione smiled as she passed him and entered the hall.

"Thank you Harry." Ginny said, following Hermione past Harry. Harry then let go of the door and followed Ginny and Hermione over to the Gryffindor table, resulting in the door slamming shut in Ron's face. Ron's face flamed red and he scrunched his hands up into fists.

"HAAAAARRRRRRRRYYYYYY!" Ron screamed bursting through the doors and running towards Harry. Upon hearing his name Harry turned around to be faced with a furious Ron running towards him. Before Harry could react Ron tackled straight into him, sending them both plummeting to the floor in a heap. Harry burst out in laughter at Ron's grumpy morning mood. Ron, realising what he had done; jumped up and helped Harry off the floor.

"Sorry mate…" Ron said flushing even redder. Harry just laughed.

"It's okay, feel better?" Harry asked, poking fun. Ron laughed slightly.

"Yer, just abit… I may have to hex you to be completely cured." Ron said rolling his eyes at Harry. Hermione and Ginny saw it all happen at a distance.

"Boys." Hermione and Ginny said in synchronization as they rolled their eyes. They giggled slightly and went to sit down at the Gryffindor table for breakfast. Within a few minutes Harry and Ron had joined them. Breakfast was eaten in silence with a few words passed between them, such as;

"Pass the juice please."

"Is there any jam down that end of the table?"

It was turning out to be a usual breakfast until Neville came bouncing over and sat with them, his eyes wide.

"Have you heard!" He exclaimed.

"Heard what Neville?" Ginny asked, watching him over the rim of her glass of orange juice.

"Why, about Malfoy of course." Harry glanced anxiously at Hermione and Ron.

"What has he done now?" Harry asked slowly.

"Well, I heard that he tripped over and hit his head sometime last night. They found him this morning, unconscious. At the moment he is in the hospital wing…" Ginny let go of the breath she was holding; knowing it wasn't as serious at they had expected. At that moment, Dean joined them.

"Don't be silly Neville," He said. "He didn't trip. He got bashed up and at the moment he's in the hospital wing having his wounds tended to." Hermione sighed; knowing that Draco was probably in the hospital wing for something trivial and the whole school were just passing around ridiculous rumours to dramatise the situation.

"Both of you are wrong…" Harry turned around. It was Lavender. "My father is a doctor at St Mungo's. He's here at the moment tending to Malfoy." Lavender took a seat next to Harry.

"So I gather you have another version of the truth?" Hermione said sardonically, Harry gave Hermione a look as if to tell her to back off; Harry knew Hermione didn't like Lavender but Harry wanted to hear the truth. Lavender gave Hermione a contradicting look and a roll of the eyes before continuing.

"It isn't a version of the truth, it is the truth." Lavender flicked her long hair over her shoulder and cleared her throat. "Well, as you know it was Malfoy's 17th birthday yesterday. Which means…" She looked at her audience expecting them to know what she was talking about. Harry just looked at her quizzically. Lavender lowered her voice to a near inaudible volume. "17 is the age in which qualifies you to obtain," She paused and looked around, pausing as if to add suspense. "The Dark Mark." She said in a harsh whisper. Harry looked at Hermione; and Hermione looked back at him with wide eyes. Lavender noted this glance between them and rolled her eyes slightly wondering why no one else could see the chemistry forming between Harry and Hermione.

"As I was saying;" Lavender continued. "I don't know what happened, and I don't think Dumbledore does either; but Draco was found unconscious in the Forbidden Forest by one of the Centaurs. He was then taken to Dumbledore. Apparently he was badly beaten up; he wasn't in good shape at all." Lavender sat back from the table, signifying that she had finished. Harry looked at Ginny. She was looking down at the table. Harry then looked at Neville; he was twisting a napkin in his hands and Dean had already left. Harry looked at Hermione who seemed to be in deep thought. He then looked at Ron. Ron's ears burned red. Harry couldn't be sure, but Ron looked annoyed. Ginny had started to grind her nails on the wooden table; she had a habit to do it when she was nervous, bored or scared. Harry reached across the table and placed a hand on Ginny's.

"He's going to be okay…" Harry smiled at her and she seemed to release a sigh and resume her normal manner. It was after hearing what Harry said that Hermione looked up at Lavender.

"You said he was found unconscious. So that means he should be awake now?" Lavender blinked a couple of times and then looked at Hermione.
"I'm erm… I'm not really sure."

"Hermione, of course he'd be awake. A few potions would wake him up and make him better. Our medicine is a lot more advanced then muggle medicine…" Ron commented for the first time since Lavender sat down.

"Hmm… I guess." Hermione sat pondering the thought. Ginny looked around the hall. Everyone seemed to be in deep discussion, obviously about Draco. She then looked at the Slytherin table. They all sat in a gloomy silence and dismally pecked at the breakfast before them.

"I - " Ginny stood from the table. "I'll be in the library…" She rushed out of the hall with 3 pairs of eyes watching her. Ron exchanged a confused glance with Harry and Hermione. He nodded slightly and went after his younger sister.

AN – Well this isn't just my first HP fic. But my firstfan fic! Incase you hadn't realised, I'm a fan of HG/DMpairing as well as HP/GW. So just a pre-warning incase you don't like either of those pairings. If you don't like the pairings, read ahead at your own risk. :-P
So how's it going so far? I know, the plot hasn't really started up yet. I'm just kind of… setting the scene for you? Believe me, the HG/DM action is coming! I haven't killed Draco off already. Gee. I'm not that mean. :-P Please R&R! I'll be turely grateful for positive and negative reviews. I'm one for taking on constructive criticism and fixing my story accordingly. :-D