Toxic Kisses
Our New Celebrity
(Chapter song: Wake Me Up When September Ends by Greenday)
Everything was black, and in slow motion; really slow motion. You know the kind where everything is being played out in front of you and you know you can stop it, but you just can't move. Where every little moment…second…minute…and even millisecond feels like… forever.
That's all I can remember from that afternoon, well all that I can recall at the moment. My eyebrows furrowed together as I tried to open my eyes. They felt like they had been shut for centuries. For all that I know at the moment, they could have been. My lips parted and I let out a short sigh, which then turned into a grunt of pain as I attempted to roll over to my side. Bad idea.
"Owwwww." I groaned as I moved a hand towards my stomach. I felt bandages wrapped all along my waist, starting right below my chest and ending at my hips. My fingers lightly went along the rows of dressing tape. I couldn't even fathom why I was like this.
I rolled my head to the side and slowly managed to open my eyes, and as I did so, I took in my surroundings. The bed that I was in (it was covered in white sheets), was in the middle of a giant brick room, which was obviously a wing in the castle. I was only cut off from the rest of area, by white curtains that lightly hung from metal poles that were only a few feet from my bed. There was a chair to the right of my head, which looked like it had recently been used, and I wish I could at least remember how I had gotten here, never mind who had been sitting beside me.
Slowly, I brought my other hand below the sheets and touched my stomach a little to hard then I wanted to. A loud whimper escaped from my mouth and I closed my eyes tightly as I waited for the searing pain to disappear. All I could see where tiny colorful dots which danced behind my eyelids like pixies.
"Madame Pomfrey she's up!" I heard someone hiss from the other side of the curtains as I groaned again. A bunch of commotion could be heard and a strict female voice demanding that everyone stay out of her way.
"Out of the way everyone. Go back to class! Miss Granger is not in the proper state for visitors. You will be able to talk to her once she is out of the hospital wing." Oh, that's where I was, right. I should have known.
A few mutters could be heard from the other side of the curtain which sounded like "Silly old hag," or "Go back to class, my ass." A small smile crossed my face as I heard a familiar male voice arguing with her relentlessly.
"Madame Pomfrey, I want to stay here. I want to know if she'll be okay! She's my best friend! You can't do this!"
"Yeah! You can't," A second voice butted in. It was Harry and Ron.
"Fine," she finally gave in. They were so stubborn and persistent when they needed to be. It could become quite annoying at times, but it could also be adorable. I smiled as I remembered some priceless child hood memories. One that I will never forget is when they managed to get me to fly.
It was near the end of October, which meant the tress had turned a beautiful array of orange, yellow and red, and it also marked my favorite time of the year. The grounds were so beautiful during the fall, and it was so peaceful to just stare out at the horizon while the sun set and the smell of autumn filled the air. Every day I would go outside and just sit beneath my favorite tree and just relax, and that's just what I was doing when I was rudely interrupted by the two.
"Hermione, come here! We have a surprise for you!" Harry told me. He was extremely excited and his eyes danced with mirth. I glanced over at Ron who was just as eager and then raised my eyebrows.
"What is it you two? It better not be anything to get us expelled." I warned as I sat back against my tree. I really didn't feel like moving. I was so comfortable.
"Believe me! You want to see this!" Ron insisted as Harry extended his hand to help me off the ground. I gave them both another look before taking Harry's hand and pulling myself up. I brushed off my robes before I was dragged away between the two boys towards the Quidditch Field.
"You aren't going to make me fly are you?" I inquired nervously. "Because you both know how much I hate that."
"But you've never done it before Hermione, so how would you know if you hate it or not?" Ron replied amused.
"First year," I squeaked, "Flying class. Remember?" Harry chuckled.
"You didn't even get off the ground. You wouldn't even mount your broom, remember?"
"So!" I whimpered. "I don't want to die!"
"Hermione, you aren't going to die. It's just that, you really need to see this. You'll love it, believe me," Ron explained calmly. He had his arm linked with mine. Harry did the same on my left side.
"You will love this. You'll thank us after Hermione. I know you will!" Harry smirked and the two obviously looked pleased knowing that they'd be right in only a few short minutes.
"But…" I attempted to come up with some excuse to interrupt their plans, but nothing came to mind.
"But nothing Hermione. You're going to see this," Harry smiled as he called his broom. It flew towards him quickly and I pushed myself against Ron. A small yelp escaped my lips as Ron laughed and wrapped his arms around him like a brother would.
"It's okay Hermione. You've seen Harry call his broom before. It hasn't hurt him previously, now has it?"
"It came so fast though!" I let out a nervous laugh and relaxed into Ron's arms but the comfort wasn't long lived.
"Okay, now, come here Hermione." Harry motioned towards him. He was already mounted on the end of the broom in the middle of the Quidditch Pitch. I looked around before I sat down in front of him. I never realized how large this Pitch really was. The stadium seats were so high up, as well as the goal posts. I couldn't even imagine how nervous the players were as they stepped out on the field to start their games. Shivers passed through my body as I looked at the color coordinated seats and I smiled as I saw the area that I usually sat in, as well as the seat where I lit Snape's robes on fire.
"Alright, here I come." I mumbled and sat down on the broom in front of Harry. I shook and then leaned against him as he put one arm around my waist and the other to grab the broom handle in front of me. Nervously, I glanced over to my right where Ron had also mounted his broom which had just appeared a few seconds ago. This is horrible. What if someone calls a broom and I'm in the way and it hits me? Merlin, that spell is so dangerous. I shake my head and take a deep breath.
"Okay, I'm going to kick off now, alright; on the count of three." Harry whispered into my ear and Ron nodded in agreement. "One…" I inhaled deeply. The sweet smell of Harry as well as the scent of autumn filled my nose and I closed my eyes in bliss. "Two…" I relaxed against Harry. This wouldn't be so bad, now would it? I mean, Harry's holding on to me. He's strong, and he knows what he's doing. He wouldn't let me fall. He loves me like a best friend should. "Three…" he shouted and kicked off the ground.
A short scream escaped my lips and I closed my eyes even tighter. I knew that if I looked, I might get sick. We were moving upwards so fast, or it seemed like we were. I could tell Harry was going slowly for me, but honestly, I was scared.
The parts of my hair that weren't pulled back flew out behind Harry and I. I wanted to ask how much longer we were going to ascend for, but it seemed like every part of my body was frozen with fear.
Suddenly we stopped.
"Hermione, you can open your eyes now." Harry whispered into my ear. He wrapped his arm around my waist a little more and gently placed his chin on my shoulder. "Please, you want to see this."
I could feel my body trembling with little waves of fear and angst. "Are you sure?" I asked in a voice just above a whisper."
"Yes," Harry replied. Slowly I began to open one eye, and then the other. Once I focused, I felt myself holding my breath in awe.
"It's so beautiful." I observed. My fear and anxiety had left me completely in no less than a millisecond and I finally felt comfortable in Harry's arms.
"I told you it'd be worth it!" Ron shouted from my right. I turned to face him and I smiled.
"Yes, you two were right." I agreed as I watched the sun setting. The horizon was painted with light blues, lavenders, pinks, reds, oranges and yellows. Clouds were randomly scattered across the sky and were an assortment of colors, depending on the way the sun hit them. The sun itself was a glowing ball of orange and red. Slowly it sank beneath the horizon, disappearing ever so slowly to brighten the other side of our vast world.
Contently I sank back into Harry's arms and let my head relax against his chest. His arm stayed around my waist while his chin rested on top of my head. For so long I have watched this very sun set, but never have I seen it as beautiful as this. The altitude we were at didn't affect me as much as I thought it would have, even though we were only just above the goal posts.
For twenty more minutes, the three of us hovered above the ground on two brooms watching one of the most beautiful scenes I have ever seen in my life. It's so hard to even describe, which is probably why it's one of my most favorite memories. For some reason, all of my favorite memories are ones that are hard to explain. I guess I just like the mysteriousness in them. It comforts me in some odd way, because I know that some things are better left unexplained.
My thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a voice near the side of my bed. "I told you she wasn't awake." A strict female hissed at two boys. It was Madame Pomfrey.
"I swear she was though!" Harry exclaimed as quietly as possible and I smiled. I opened my eyes which I didn't even realize I had shut. I must have fallen asleep for a few minutes while I thought about my first experience flying.
"Look! She's awake!" Ron yelped. Victory gleamed from his eyes. I laughed a little before clutching my stomach.
"Owww…" I groaned and Madame Pomfrey glared at the two boys.
"Look at what you have done!" She demanded. Harry and Ron looked away.
"Sorry Hermione…we didn't want to make you laugh, you know. We just came to see how you were. That's all." Ron explained embarrassed. I smiled and nodded.
"It's not your fault you guys. I'm glad that you're here and are concerned. But besides the fact that my stomach is seriously burned, I'm okay." They both gave me a small smile at my upbeat demeanor, but I could tell they were troubled by my condition. Both boys had dark circles underneath their eyes and it looked like they hadn't slept for days.
"Um, Madame Pomfrey," I asked quietly, "How long have I been…out for?" The nurse looked down at me with sad eyes.
"Just about two weeks, my dear. I'm so sorry." She added as she saw my eyes grow wide. Two weeks! TWO WEEKS! My mind began to reel with concern.
"How…how bad have I been burnt? Is the damage irreversible?"
"No, you were brought here just in time actually. If it wasn't for Mr. Malfoy who brought you in when he did, you would have had permanent scars, but now all you'll be left with is a centimeter scratch right where the potion hit first." I smiled. Thank you Merlin.
"So, how long will the bandages be on then?" Harry asked from my left. Madame Pomfrey glanced over at him and then back at me.
"For a few more weeks I'm afraid. But, in two days you'll be able to leave the Infirmary. You shouldn't be experiencing anymore blinding pain after that since I've been giving you a potion to reduce the tenderness gradually until it is completely gone. And like I said before, the pain should be gone in two days. The thing is you'll still be tender around your stomach which means you have to make sure you don't get struck there. It'd be a good idea to learn some sort of shielding spell, or have someone walk with you to your classes."
I nodded as she poured the pain relief potion into a glass for me to drink.
"This may taste vile, but it is necessary." Madame Pomfrey explained.
"Okay," I answered as I drank it. The potion was utterly revolting but I made sure I downed all of it. I wanted the pain to be gone, because I didn't know how much longer I could put up with it. I mean, I have only been awake for not even an hour and I was already in anguish. I knew these next two days would be horrible.
"Well, I'll leave you three to catch up," the elderly nurse explained, "But I want you two boys out in fifteen minutes. Miss Granger needs her rest." Harry and Ron agreed with a few mumbles and groans but all the same, they would take what ever time they had to speak with me.
"Does it hurt horribly?" Harry asked gently as he intertwined his fingers with mine.
"Yeah," I replied softly as I felt Ron hold my right hand. I glanced at the two boys and felt my eyes tear up. "Oh, Harry and Ron…" I began but couldn't finish as I started to sob uncontrollably.
"Hermione? Oh Merlin! Are you okay!" Ron asked worried. Deep concern was etched along his face which looked like it aged a few years while I was in the hospital. Harry's looked the same. Wow, these two boys really loved me.
"It's just that…" I choked through sobs. "You two have been there for me through everything. Thank you." I squeezed both of their hands tightly. "Wow, this is so corny, but honestly, I love you two like brothers." In return they both squeezed my hands and then Harry scooted over and buried his head in my shoulder and gave me a big hug. Ron did the same.
We sat like that for what seemed like forever. Madame Pomfrey must have decided to not kick them out when she peered in from the other side of the curtain to see us sitting there, huddled together like the world was about to end in a few seconds. But to me, it felt as if they let go, then my own world would crumble to pieces. They were the last thing that kept me alive, and did I love them for it.
Harry and Ron spent the whole night by my bed. We fell asleep in the same position we woke in. My hands were still intertwined with theirs, and both of their heads were still on my shoulders. Those boys really helped me get through those two days of horrible pain. I was upset to see them leave that morning though, but after every class they would come by my side to see how I was doing… (Ginny did as well) even if they were late for their next period.
"Only ten more hours until you're out of here and back with us!" Harry exclaimed the fifth time he came to see me.
"Only nine more hours until you're out!" Ron exclaimed an hour later when they visited again.
"Only eight more hours…"
"Only seven more hours…"
Harry and Ron's antics continued until I was finally released from the Infirmary. It made me look forward to actually leaving with them each time they came to talk to me, and when I finally heard those words, "You may leave Miss Granger," I nearly jumped with joy, but instead had to move slowly.
"Alright, almost there Hermione." Harry encouraged as he helped me slide off of the side of the bed. Ron was standing on my other side, holding onto my arm as I steadied myself on my feet. A dizzy spell passed over me as I stood up for the first time in two and a half weeks.
"Are you okay?" Ron asked as he held up my robes and I slipped them on over my bandages and pajamas.
"Yeah, just a little dizzy. I think you might need to hold onto my arms as we walk back to the common room. It's been a while since I walked anywhere." I smiled weakly and they grabbed both of my arms gently. Harry slipped my wand into my robe pocket and then grabbed the rest of my belongings and held them in his other hand.
"And we are off," Ron exclaimed cheerfully as we slowly made out way out of the Infirmary and down the corridors towards the Gryffindor Common Room. During our long and sluggish walk towards the Common Room, Harry and Ron caught me up on everything that has been happening.
"Well, in Potions, Malfoy has been doing most of the work. Snape was furious with Zabini, and even that's an understatement. I have never seen Snape that mad with anyone, never mind someone from his own house!" I nodded but internally I was grateful that Blaise had received harsh punishment. He had put me through hell for the past two and a half weeks; that asshole. "Everyone else has been giving him the cold shoulder as well. Even his fellow Slytherin's which is really odd. You know, I thought they'd be cheering for him, no offense Hermione, but they aren't. It's weird.
"Yeah…"I mumbled as Harry continued talking. Ron interrupted a few times to update me on homework which I was also grateful for.
After a good thirty minutes, we had made it to the portrait hole. Ron muttered the password and together we walked in. I was suddenly engulfed in cheers and "welcome backs" from everyone in the common room. Ginny ran over and gave me a soft hug, making sure to avoid my stomach.
"Merlin, I've missed you so much Hermione!" She exclaimed, "Even though I saw you only two hours ago!" I laughed.
"I've missed you so much too! You need to catch me up on the latest gossip. Whoa, when did I like hearing about gossip?" We both started to laugh.
"Well come on, let's get you upstairs. You should probably be lying down as it is. You should rest up before tomorrow." I agreed and thanked Harry and Ron before allowing Ginny to help me up the stairs.
"So, has the pain subsided?" Ginny asked kindly as she helped me remove my robe and lie down in bed.
"Yeah," I replied, "It has, thank Merlin. It's just that tomorrow when I take a shower, well bath, I can't take a shower until my stomach is completely healed; I need to remove the bandages. I just don't know if I can do it. I'm scared of what my stomach will look like, you know?" Ginny sat down on the side of bed and brushed the hair off of my face.
"It'll be okay Hermione. You'll be able to do it. It shouldn't be that bad, right? I mean, Madame Pomfrey has been giving you drugs to heal your stomach, as well as reduce the pain."
"Yes, I know... I shouldn't think so pessimistically. You know, I'll be just fine. I think I need to sleep. I'm sorry, we'll catch up later, alright?"
"Sure thing Hermione," Ginny replied with a smile. "I'm going to be down in the common room, and I'll check up on you every once in a while. Alright?"
"Alright," I told her as she stood up and walked towards the door. "Thanks so much Ginny, for everything. Really, thank you."
Ginny stopped and turned to face me. "Your welcome Hermione. You know I'll always be there for you." I smiled and closed my eyes.
"Right back at you." I retorted and Ginny smiled. The click of the door shutting a few seconds later echoed around the dorm, as it signaled the red head's departure. I let out a short sigh before falling into a deep sleep. Tomorrow would definitely be interesting. What was I going to say to Draco? I had absolutely no idea.
"Hermione, dear, it's time to get up." I heard Ginny whisper beside me. Her hand was on my shoulder and she was gently trying to wake me up.
"Huh?" I grumbled and heard Ginny repeat herself again.
"Oh, yeah, right." I mumbled and rubbed my eyes slowly. "I have to go to classes today."
"Yeah," Ginny said smiling. "I woke you earlier than usual so you could take your bath." I got rigid at the mention of this. I completely forgot about having to remove the bandages.
"Thanks," I replied. "I'll go do that now." My voice was calm but internally I was frightened; like a small child when he hears thunder and lightning outdoors, but this time, I didn't have those loving parents to run to. Those parents to comfort me and tell me that everything was going to be okay. I guess I had been thrown out into the real world before I was ready, which has made me insecure in numerous ways. I was ashamed of my behavior at times, but I couldn't stop it. If only I had a normal childhood…But that's what they all say, right? 'If only my parents had been there for me, I wouldn't have turned out the way I did.' I can blame them all I want, but in the end, it's my decisions. I just wish it was so much easier than that.
"Okay. Just yell if you have a problem." Ginny announced as I leisurely made my way into the bathroom, my previous thoughts were forgotten. Now all I was worrying about was what my stomach would look like. Wow, I could actually walk on my own now. I thought, I've improved, slowly but surely.
Gently I shut the door and stalked over to the mirror. I stripped my clothes until I was only in my bandages which I painfully stared at through the mirror. Scared and horrified, I looked away and started to fill the tub with warm water and strawberry scented bubble bath. Hesitantly, I brought my hands to my bandages and began to unwrap them.
A million thoughts and images ran through my mind as I unraveled the brown dressing tape off of my body. Only one row left.
My breath got caught in my throat as I felt the last bandage fall to the floor. I turned and faced the mirror and what I saw shocked me beyond belief.
There was nothing there…except for that small scratch Madame Pomfrey that was faintly visible. My breath which was once ragged became slow and calm.
Lightly I pressed my fingers to my stomach and then winced in pain. It still hurt like hell which obviously meant the skin was still tender.
I closed my eyes as I waited for the pain to subside before stepping into the warm bath. I scrubbed my hair and then washed my body softly, making sure I paid extra attention to my stomach.
"Hermione, are you alright in there?" I heard Ginny call from the opposite side of the door.
"Yeah, I'm fine! I'm coming out in a second." I shouted in return. Ginny mumbled an okay as I stepped out of the bath and began to dry myself off.
A million thankful thoughts flew through my head as I began to rebandage myself. It's only tender, but that will only last for a few more weeks. It'll only be a scratch. That's all. Nothing more. Just a small scratch. Amen!
A large smile crossed my face as I began to slide on my robes. I sang random songs underneath my breath as I did my make up and hair. I was so damn happy.
"Wow, I guess it went well?" Ginny inquired as I skipped from the bathroom.
"It went fine!" I exclaimed beaming, "There's only a miniature scar on my stomach, and the skin surrounding it is still tender, but besides that I'm fine."
Ginny smiled wide as well, "Oh, Hermione! This is excellent news! So, you're ready for your classes, I presume?" I nodded.
"I was born ready." I smirked and saluted her.
"You're such a dork Hermione, honestly. I don't even know how many times I have to say it." She explained laughing as we both gathered up our books and headed down the stairs.
"You can say it as many times as you want. It never gets old, because Ginny, I can say the same for you as well." Ginny pouted and I grinned in triumph.
"If you weren't injured Hermione, I swear, I would…I don't know what I would do. I'd do something though!" I laughed and soon Ginny was smiling too.
"Okay, I admit I wasn't serious." Ginny said afterwards.
"I know, I know." I replied happily as we traveled down the familiar corridors towards the Great Hall. It felt like forever since I had been down here. To be able to saunter down these halls with a group of my closest friends, joking, talking and gossiping about what ever we chose. Those two weeks in the hospital, and my near-death experience really helped me realize what great friends I really do have. I just wasn't sure if it was enough to scare me into not cutting. To be frank, I doubt it would. Cutting was my escape, if you would like to say that. I had complete control. I, Hermione Granger, was the only one who could choose where, when and how I cut myself. It was my freedom, as sick and twisted as it may seem; no matter how crude it was, I liked cutting.
Subconsciously my left hand began to run along my right wrist, feeling my slashed skin. No one was looking, and Ginny had begun to talk to a Ravenclaw friend as we made our way into the Great Hall. I slid my sleeve completely down my arm and then grabbed the ends with my hand. I had forgotten to put on the look away spell. But wait…the scars are still there! It must have worked while I was in the hospital, or Madame Pomfrey saw them and didn't say anything. That's not like her though. She would have done something, or possibly asked what had happened, wouldn't she?
I took a deep breath and then slowly let it out as I sat down in between Harry and Ron. I should just be thankful that no one saw it, right? A nervous smile flashed across my features causing Harry and Ron to glance over at me.
"Nervous about coming back to classes?" Harry teased, "Well, that's not like the Hermione I know!" I played along with his assumption by laughing uneasily.
"Yeah, I guess that's what it is," I replied as I placed some pancakes on my plate and began to cut them. Ron noticed this.
"Oh, no, no, no, Hermione, let me cut them!" He exclaimed joyously and grabbed my plate from across the table against my protests.
"Ron, no, it's okay-" I began as he attempted to cut my pancakes which looked more like mush than food after he was done. He smiled once he finished.
"Here you go Hermione!" He declared as he handed them over to me.
"Thanks Ron." I replied sheepishly. I ate the pancakes despite their hideous appearance. Surprisingly they turned out delicious. Together, Harry, Ron and I conversed about the upcoming day.
"Let's see…" Harry started to say, "We have Transifiguartion with Ravenclaw…and then Potions with the Slytherins." His voice started to die down as he got to the end.
"Oh," was all I could muster. I knew I had to see Draco eventually, but it was so soon. I closed my eyes and slowed my breathing and when I opened my eyes, it was the last thing I wanted to see. It was him. It was Draco staring at me from across the Great Hall.
Spasms of shivers passed through my body. What was I supposed to do?
"Ar-are you ready to go yet? I think we should." I asked Harry and Ron quickly.
"Er, yeah sure, we can go. C'mon Harry," Ron responded and Harry agreed and together we exited the Great Hall and walked down to Transfiguration. As I entered the room, every head turned towards me and I felt a blush creeping into my cheeks. I didn't mind having people noticing me, but having the whole entire school knowing about the Potions escapade really scared me.
"It's not polite to stare," Harry hissed to the group ogling at me. They all turned their heads quickly and scattered to their seats, like a deer caught in headlights.
"Thanks," I muttered as we also took our seats. Professor McGonagall started class a few minutes later and I contently lost myself in her lecture. Honestly, I think I paid attention that morning then I had ever done in my life, and that's saying something. All I wanted was something to keep my mind off of Draco, and what I was going to say to him. That's all I needed to do, and I'd be fine. But, Transfiguration came to an end too quickly for my liking.
"Well, we have Potions now Hermione…" Ron spoke inaudibly, as if he was convincing himself that we didn't have the dreaded class next.
"It's okay, I'll be fine. Please don't worry about me." I replied confidently. My voice didn't betray my actual emotions which were mixed and jumbled. I sauntered down the corridors towards Potions with Harry and Ron in tow. Students parted to make way for me, and the younger ones watched me with awe in their eyes. It was as if I had become a celebrity over two week's time. I was practically killed! Is that what it takes for people to notice me? Internally I debated that fact as I stepped into the Potions classroom. Everyone who was already in there, which was about ¾ of the class, turned to stare at me. I glanced at each of them in return.
A few darted their eyes elsewhere while some kept their eyes fixed on my stomach. I sneered at the Slytherins who dare look there and swiftly took my seat. Draco had not entered yet.
Impatiently I tapped my foot and spun my quill in my fingers. Harry and Ron occasionally looked back and gave me reassuring smiles which I returned gratefully. The seconds passed by slowly and the minutes even slower. It was as if life was dragging on, waiting for this one moment to come and amaze all who were watching. It was as if it wanted to make a spectacle of the upcoming confrontation between Draco and me. The Serpent against the Lioness; his forked tongue battling against my claws. And the question was who would win?
But the thing is, I didn't want to fight him. I liked Draco. I didn't know what to do, or what to say for that matter. My eyes shut and I rubbed my temples. I blocked out the surrounding sounds and focused on my thoughts.
"Ahem," A male voice drifted into my ears from in front of me. My eyes opened hastily and my head shot up. It was Professor Snape. "Are you feeling better Miss Granger?" He sneered. It was just like Snape to be horribly angry after a student was injured, but what more was to be expected from him?
"Yes Professor. I'm feeling a great deal better, thanks to Madame Pomfrey."
"I assume you will catch up on everything you have missed with Mister Malfoy here," Snape retorted coolly as he pointed to my left where Draco was seated. He was leaning back in his chair with his quill in his hands. His blonde tendrils fell back from his face and his grey eyes glistened with authority and assurance. His mouth formed a sneer as Snape pointed towards him and his eyes elegantly met mine. I felt the familiar shivers pass through my body and I felt myself beginning to drown in his eyes.
"Miss Granger? Is that understood?" Snape asked again. A few Slytherins snickered. I turned away from Draco and looked up at Snape's beady black eyes.
"Yes sir."
"Good." He turned in a bellowing of pitch black robes and scanned the class who were sitting quietly and expectantly. Snape then strode to the front of the room and then smacked his desk hard causing a few students to jump. "What are you waiting for!" He hissed as he faced the class, "Start working on your assignments! You have only a week and a half left!"
Students began to gather their ingredients and turn on their burner. The caldrons appeared on the table instantaneously and everyone began their work. I stood up, as did Draco. Draco began work on the potion while I watched. An awkward silence hung in the air between us. About a minute later, I broke the tension with two words.
"Thank you." I muttered and stared straight at Draco. He spun and faced me rapidly. His steel blue eyes flashed with an unknown emotion. Confusion perhaps? Uncertainty maybe?
"What for?" He demanded. Obviously he didn't get gratitude often.
"For bringing me to the Infirmary when Zabini poured the Conflagration Potion on my stomach." He glanced down at my waist and I felt extremely self conscious and pulled at my sleeves.
"He was being an asshole. I just did what I had to do. Snape asked me to anyways." Draco retorted coolly.
"Even so," I began uneasily. Thanking Draco was much harder than I thought it was. I hadn't even planed on doing so in the first place, but it just seemed like the right thing to do. Me and my damned morals. "You do deserve some thanks. If you hadn't brought me when you did, I would have had permanent and horrid scaring over my stomach. So…thanks." I stopped abruptly and looked away. What else should I say? Draco was silent.
My eyes traveled up his body and back into his eyes which looked extremely venerable and open again. Just like in the hall two weeks earlier. He opened his mouth to speak but suddenly shut it. I turned my head to see who he was staring at, and it was Pansy and Harry. Pansy was glaring at Draco, as if she was daring him to say what he was about to, and Harry just had the utmost disgust written upon his face. He didn't look up from his work which meant he didn't see the unspoken battle going on between the two Slytherins. Pansy was the first to look away.
"It's a shame that I had helped you. If I knew that was the case, I would have waited longer and had you suffer." Draco's retorted as his eyes turned a cold and solid grey again. Human emotions were no longer present, instead, it was just the cold demeanor he had come to be known by.
I felt my eyes begin to brim with tears. "I-I'm sorry I brought it up." I whispered, letting each word flow from my mouth bit by bit. The emotion in them was clear and I knew Draco could tell. He knew how much he had hurt me, and I didn't want to know if he was happy or upset about it.
Sometimes I wonder if his words do more damage to me than that flaming potion. To be honest, I have a feeling they do.
We finished our work in silence. I was able to pick up where he had left off easily. He had written notes on his work for each day I was absent and gave them to me silently after his outburst.
Class dragged by awfully slow, and I felt like I had aged a hundred years by the time Snape yelled at us to leave.
It seemed like I was always relieved when class was over, but wouldn't it be the opposite? Potion's is the only class I am able to spend with Draco, so wouldn't I be upset; sad, or angry by chance? But I wasn't…
I felt like a snail as I piled my books into my bag and placed it gingerly on one of my shoulders. Draco was moving as slow as I was. By the time we were finished, only two other people were in the room. Pansy, who was near the front of the room with Snape talking, and Harry who was also cleaning up.
"Granger," Draco hissed at me. I wouldn't look up. Instead I nodded my head to show I was listening. "Look…I'm really…I am…so-" Everything in my body stopped working. Was he about to apologize? Maybe he actually would this time.
"Draco dear! What are you doing?" Pansy called as she ran over to him and latched onto his arm. Draco was disgusted, but acted like his normal arrogant and cold self.
"Just cleaning up," Draco was short with Pansy but that didn't stop her on going advances.
"Don't you think the mudblood here could do that?" She retorted nastily. I glared at her.
"It's done, let's go. Don't waste your time on her. She's been through enough." Pansy pulled away from Draco and stood back stunned.
"Are you defending a mudblood!" Pansy spat and put her hands on her hips. Draco's eyes flashed in anger. I wasn't certain if it was at her accusation, or because of what she was saying about me.
"What difference does it make to you Parkinson? Now fuck off." Pansy sneered and stormed out of the classroom. Draco glanced around and locked eyes with me for a second. He seemed almost sorry for what Pansy had said. Maybe he'd apologize now…
"Hermione, come on," Harry shouted from behind me just as Draco was about to say something yet again.
"One second!" I spun around and told Harry. When I turned back around, Draco was no where to be seen. All that was left was his quill and a piece of parchment. I grabbed the quill. It was a beautiful black feather which was formed perfectly. There were no deformities or any feathers out of place. I then reached for the note.
"Is that a note Miss Granger?" Snape questioned from in front of me. How long had he been there for? He quickly grabbed it, read it, and then looked at me. "I will be confiscating this." I opened my mouth to protest but Harry was whispering in my ear not to. Did he just come up beside me as well? I realized I was really out of it today.
"Come on, let's go Hermione." Harry said calmly. "We can go outside underneath your favorite tree. It'll be fun." I nodded and he put an arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. We walked down the hall and outside like that together. Harry kept on talking, but all I could think about was that note and what Draco was about to say. I then decided that I was going to find Draco and ask him about it. I just needed to get him alone…and I had the perfect plan.
A.N. Okay, yes I know it's been a month. It's just that I had been loaded with projects. They will be presented and completely finished by the second week of June, and then the updates should be faster and well-written. I apologize if this isn't the best of my work. It'll get better soon. sigh Review please! I broke 100 yay! Thanks to all of you! I'd love 150. Heehee, but I can only hope.
Well thanks to: LadY MyStiK, Star, ToXiC-SeOuL-FiRe, thekeytoDraco'sheart, Forbidden Akira, revelyn, Goddess of Gorgeousness, Angel5blue5, tomgirlfriend102, krirobe, LadyLuck13, girl4BRITISHguys, Bailey, Charolastras, Scarlet, Phenaia, SoDaPoP, svetlaella, DruscillaHawke, Nixin, PuReBLoOdaZn, Beach-Babi, Kace08, Revenge, X8DramaQueen8X, jelleybean13, NikkiEvans, Laine Black, evahyoung, In Dreams, mysticallove, EuphoniumGurl0, chocolate milk