A/N: Wow that took forever....

Disclaimer: The wonderful J.K. Rowling owns EVERYTHING! I.e; Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy...yeah you get it.




Chapter Twenty: Searching for a Resolution.







The day went by as slowly as it had come.

From the moment Hermione woke up, she knew it wasn't going to be at all pleasant. With Professor Snape gone, potions class had been a mere nightmare, only, that's saying too much.


'No...really, I don't think I am allowed to teach you how to brew a Scintillating Solution, Mr Thomas,' Professor Yumikah, a portly, elderly wizard spoke nervously; his voice high-pitched and hushed.

The class laughed as Dean folded his arms across his chest and slid quietly down his seat. Hermione had rested her head on top of her thick, battered Magical Drafts and Potions text book. Her eyes had become heavy as soon as she sat down. The mornings events sinking slowly into her.


'Miss...ah, Granger,' The Professor prodded her gently on the shoulder; a few minutes had passed by, and Hermione had dozed off without even realising it.

Hermione quickly jerked her head up, her cheek colour rising promptly as she brushed a few stray hairs out of her eyes, straightening up.

'Sorry, sorry Professor...this isn't usually like-' She stopped abruptly as he held up his hand in silence. 'Not another word, Miss Granger, I advise you to keep your eyes open, perhaps go to bed a bit earlier, eh?' He said with a small wink, suddenly not so nervous anymore.

If only he knew, She thought grimly, straightening up in her seat.

Hermione glanced around the room, not taking any notice in those who surrounded her, and she then realised for the first time that Draco was missing from class– so was Harry.





'Today is gonna be less studying an' more hands-on,' Hagrid's deep, echoing voice boomed loudly all around them. Hagrid walked over towards the lake, his heavy brown boots thudding severely into the ground with each step he took.

The rest of the class glanced warily around at one another wide eyed for a moment before trudging quickly behind Hagrid, following him in his footsteps.

As they reached the shore of the lake, the salty breeze lashing at their faces, spraying sweet salty water lightly over their cloaks; Hagrid bent low and stuck his hand into the surface of the lake's glassy top.

There was a few moments of silence, then quite suddenly Hagrid stood up. Without hesitation he tore off his thick grubby boots and left them ashore, rolling up his gigantic trousers he waded a few feet into the lake.


'Is he mad? The giant octopus might get him!' a Gryffindor whimpered frightened.

Around her, several Slytherins snorted with laughter, half heartedly hoping without a doubt that the octopus was hungry.

'Don't be stupid, Hagrid is about ten times larger then the octopus! It can't hurt him,' Her friend comforted, biting down on the lower part of her lip.

Hermione squinted through the bright sunlight that gleamed upon them, seeing only the heads of others that had scrambled to the edge of the water, getting as close as they could without actually getting wet. A few moments went by when suddenly the crowd erupted with many 'Ooh's.

Hagrid came marching back through the warm waters, the water sloshing everywhere, with what appeared to be a –

'Mermaid,' Hagrid spoke happily, in his arms he held the most beautiful girl Hermione had ever seen.

Her eyes glinted like misty blue diamonds which held a mystical secret inside, her wet, pale, and slightly greenish complexion shined in the sunlight as her long brown hair fell like waves of milk chocolate along the side of Hagrids arms.

She smiled broadly at the class, flicking the end of her sharp fin, which hung a few inches into the water. She splattered those surrounding her, causing several students in the front to step back.

Her lovely human torso ended at the hips; dark green, almost greyish scales sprouted from her hip bones, casting a long and very large fish shaped end.


'Mermaids 're the most mysterious creatures Oceans-'


'Wait...why did you get her from the lake then?-' a fifth spoke aloud, her eye brows narrowed questionably.

Hagrid stared at her for a few moments before glancing back at the mermaid, who had her shoulders slumped, arms crossed.


'Well, there 're differen' types of mermaids, this type is...o'er...,' he paused, looking slightly stumped. He took another long look at the mermaid then coughed. 'Well, this type o' mermaid is like the Grindylows...originated from them I 'sappose....' There was another moments silence.


'Les' get started,' Hagrid spoke, sloshing through the water onto the grassy shores.'You'll be studyin' mermaids today in yer text books. Page three-hundred and twenty.' Most of the class looked relieved, some slightly startled. What was there to know about mermaids anyways?



'-Originated from the northern bays of India, Mermaids were discovered by non-magic sailors in the early 1600's. Mermaids have the distinct-' Hermione's partner droned on, her voice in a lazy drawl. Draco hadn't shown up for Care of Magical Creatures class, and she had been assigned to work with Pavarti and Dean, who kept great distance from each other, forcing Hermione in the middle.


'Won't you resist the temptation to make your voice sound like a groaning ghoul?' Dean spat unpleasantly, leering over at Pavarti, great dislike gleaming across his face, with a hint of amusement.


'Why don't you clamp that bloody mouth of yours shut?' She shot back vigorously, her light brown eyes reflecting a glint of sunlight, turning them a fiery orange.


'If you'd shut up, maybe I wouldn't have to bother to open it up every sentence!'


'BOTH OF YOU!' Hermione burst, raising her hands in the air. Pavarti and Dean nearly jumped out of their seats, both staring at Hermione clearly shocked at her outburst.' Stop arguing, please,' she said, sighing deeply.

Dean and Pavarti stared at her incredulously for a few minutes, their argument clearly suspended in the tense environment she had created.


Hermione scowled slightly, leaning back against a rock,' Lets see you keep quite over something for awhile, then know how it feels,' she mumbled incoherently, feeling as though a small weight had lifted off her shoulders. She didn't know why, but it felt wicked in a surreal like-way to scream.




'See yeh tomorrow,' Hagrid waved off the class merrily as they marched quickly up the marshy, emerald green lawn towards the vast castle. Every day was the same. Hagrid taught lessons which usually required a great amount of reading, students worked with impossible magical creatures (most of which should be outlawed) and many complained.

'Hagrid teaches us nonsense! I never learn what I expect!'

'MERMAIDS! Imagine, what else is there to know about mermaids?'

' 'Less studying' my arse!'

Hermione held her arms stiffly to her side, her head bowed down slightly. Thoughts of Draco ran restlessly through her mind, like a never ending windmill. They're passionate kiss in the trophy room, his warm hugs...the gentle look in his cold grey eyes she never knew she would find....

Walking briskly now, the Great Hall entrance right in front of her; she stood in it's bewitched entryway, a small breeze from the magical nights sky above lingering around her.

She gazed around looking for any sign of Ron, Ginny, and as she was anxious to find, Draco.

Not one single red or grey head littered the thousands of students that dinned in the Great Hall.

That's unusual, Hermione thought, I reckon they've went up to their dorms to do last minute studies. Hermione rolled her eyes at the thought. Imagining Ron asking her for help the minute she walked in.

But that never happened.

Ron's dorm stood silent and eerie, not one single movement escaped it's place as she surveyed around her.

Pale grey moonlight shone through the moth-eaten net curtains that were pulled tightly across each window.

Bed covers and sheets strewn about, hanging off each bed as though every boy jumped out of bed in a hurry.

'Looking for something?'

Hermione jumped, knocking over a picture frame that stood tall on the desk beside her, the glass sounding an ear splitting shatter.

A dark figure moved towards her, only, the voice Hermione had recognised straightaway.

'Harry what do you want,' she spoke quickly, feeling every muscle tighten up.

Harry fumbled with something in the near corner, a second later rich light flooded the room, casting large shadows on the floor and walls.

'What do I want?' He asked, his cheeky smile twitching with amusement.' What do I want?' he repeated, stepping closer. 'I want to know why you've been avoiding me lately Hermione.' His last word was bitter, as though he bit into a ripe peach.

Hermione stumbled back, breathing in deep breaths as though she had taken her first breath of life only moments ago.

'Why?' He stepped closer to her; Hermione flinched.

'Woah,' Harry said, holding up one hand,'what's wrong? Why am I scaring you?'

His tone seemed to lower down a level in what seemed a mock-concerned voice.

'Get away from me, Harry.' Hermione spoke boldly, finding her voice again.'GO. AWAY.' She spoke louder, as Harry's mouth opened.

'Hermione–I don't understan-'

'Understand THIS,' Hermione began, taking a step closer.' You ever touch me again Harry Potter and you will NOT be known as The Boy Who lived any longer.'

Harry blinked repeatedly, this time being he who took several steps backwards.

Realising that she sounded exactly like Mrs Weasley when she is at her worst, she drew in a deep breath concluding in a long shaky shudder.

'Harry-...just leave me alone.' She slumped against the wall, exasperated and breathless from shouting. She couldn't separate what was a dream and what was reality anymore. Her mind buzzed repeatedly for a few moments as they stood there in silence.

'Hermione....' Harry took a step forward,' Come with me.'

Hermione looked up as Harry beckoned towards the door,' Really, I know how we can figure this out.'

Hermione blinked, dumbfounded. Could it be true? Could Harry be having the same dreams?

'Harry–what?'

'Just follow me Hermione, trust me.' He picked up the small oil lamp he lit moments ago; the blinding white light flashed across Hermione's face as he turned around. 'C'mon.'

As though the light was the answer to everything, Hermione followed behind it faithfully, ignoring the sinking feeling that rested deep in the core of her stomach.

A/N: Sorry for taking so long to update :-( I suck. I promise (er...hope) It won't happen again! I have much more free time though...so I should be able to write more. I would add more to this chapter but I decided I'll squeeze it all in the last chapter :-P which will be a long one. Thank you so much for your reviews! You guys are so awesome!

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A/N: Thank you everyone! The next chapter is the last and I PROMISE if you are confused you won't be when the story is over! Sorry for taking so long! Writers block! School! Parents! People! Blah! I won't let that happen again :-)