Hello once again! I know I've been a while, and I'm sorry for that. I just wasn't sure if this chapter was what I wanted. I guess you could say it was uncertainty… I dunno.
As for the creature in here, I did NOT make it up. Leithfolds are… I dunno… real mythical creatures… and real scary ones too. One of the most dangerous creatures in the world! If ur still confused, you'll find a definition and a description in this chappy. The only thing I made up was the idea of dementors being partially digested victims of leithfolds. Yeah… um… I guess you could say that the leithfold dies while eating you… that's how it stays on the person… yeah…
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. If I did, Draco wouldn't be such a WUSS! And he would end up with 'Mione! Ron would end up with some other girl that I make up, Harry would end up with Ginny, and Cho the crybaby would burn in hell! (srry to Cho lovers. I just don't like her. She won't stop blubbering about Cedric! He's DEAD! Face it!)
Chapter 8: Leithfold
Hermione stayed quiet most of the day after their strange game. She felt horrible for kissing Draco, but if she didn't she would still be stuck with him in that very bathroom. One thing that confused her though, was the fact that he had sealed their lips, and not her.
Closing her eyes, Hermione let out a small sigh. Why would he do such a thing? Didn't he hate her? She thought he did… but that still didn't explain the spin the bottle incident.
Then something dawned on her. Maybe he did it so that they could leave the rivalry room sooner! It was smart, but it didn't seem to help. If it had helped, why would she still hear Draco storming back and forth?
Nope. They weren't out just yet.
Hermione rolled over on her spot on the couch. She had conjured a nice, warm blanket and a pillow, so she soon felt at home. Draco walked by her and raised an eyebrow.
"So… you're sleeping there?" he asked. Hermione nodded without bothering to look at him. "Okay…" He then walked into the bedroom and closed the door behind him. The Gryffindor let out a sigh of both contentment and confusion. Sleep soon started to overcome her and she closed her eyes.
& & & & &
Draco let out a sigh as he sat on his bed. He felt kind of bad for Hermione, who was sleeping on the couch because of this cursed room. If the stupid beds hadn't fused, she wouldn't be stuck out there! Even his bed at home wasn't this big! It was definitely meant for two. Even though the sheets were thick and there were pillows beyond counting, he still felt cold and deserted. It was as if this place was alive, taunting him with every passing second. The bed seemed to be charmed so that the only way you'd be warm was if there were two people in it. Draco thought back to some of the highlights of the day and chuckled quietly. That kiss he had shared with the Gryffindor was good. But from the look in her eyes, it seemed like she had never kissed before. He would have at least expected that she had kissed someone like Potty or Weasel, or maybe even that stupid celebrity, Krum! Oh, how he hated that Bulgarian! He completely smothered Hermione as if she only belonged to him! Hah! Fat chance! He was sickening!
Draco snapped out of his thoughts. Where had that come from? Just because he had kissed Hermione didn't mean that he would start drooling over her!
"No way." He told himself. "I shall not fall for Hermione, even if it kills me!"
Saying this, Draco then rolled onto his side and fell into a deep sleep.
& & & & &
Hermione was awoken by the sound of what seemed to be a cape fluttering in the wind. She sat up groggily and looked around, unsure what had caused her to wake up. The only thing she could really see was a black, shadow-like object slithering silently up towards her. Thinking back to her classes with Hagrid, she pondered over what it could be.
Leithfold. A mercifully rare creature found solely in tropical climates. It resembles a black cloak perhaps half an inch thick (thicker if recently killed and digested a victim) which glides along the ground at night. The patronus is the only spell able to repel the leithfold, but since it generally attacks the sleeping, there is hardly any time to use magic. Once it's prey has been successfully suffocated, the leithfold digests it's food right then and there in the victims bed. It then exits the house slightly thicker and fatter than before.
Hermione's eyes went wide in fear. A leithfold! But… how? Didn't they live in the tropics? It must have to do with the rivalry room. How else could it have gotten in there?
Sitting up, Hermione crawled over to the end of the couch nearest the bedroom. If Draco didn't wake up, he'd surely die!
The Gryffindor leapt off the couch, landing just ahead of the leithfold and sprinted for the bedroom, silently praying that he was okay.
Climbing onto his bed, she shook the Slytherin awake, forcefully calling out his name to wake him up.
"Draco…" She urged, shaking him harder. "Wake up! Please! You have to!" With much effort, Draco managed to open an eye.
"What?" He mumbled, still half asleep.
"Leithfold!" She cried. "There's a leithfold in here!" Draco, now fully awake, sat up to see what she meant. To his horror, the eerie, black creature silently slithered into the bedroom. He turned back to Hermione, who was trembling in fear. He couldn't blame her, though. They were both wandless at the moment.
As if out of instinct, Draco wrapped an arm around her in comfort. Hermione, in reply, wrapped her arms around his neck, fearing to let go. She buried her face in his chest as the dark creature drew even closer. Draco could feel her trembling slightly, which surprised him. Thinking back to his studies, he remembered the legend of the dementor and the leithfold. It was said that a dementor is actually the partially digested victim of a leithfold, trying to get its soul back. That would explain why it looked like it was decaying.
He then remembered hearing about Hermione having a run-in with a dementor, which was probably why she was so scared. The cloak was all that you saw of a dementor… all that is, except for that scabby hand… or if you're unfortunate enough… it's face.
Draco pulled Hermione closer, glaring at the dark predator. It slithered up the bed, making not but a slight whisper as it did so. He could feel the slight weight as it crawled up their legs.
"Hermione…" Draco said, resting his chin on her head and closing his eyes. "I promise nothing's going to happen to you." He turned back to the leithfold, which had paused. To his surprise, the leithfold vanished, fading away into nothing.
Turning back to Hermione, he rubbed her back. The young Gryffindor turned to where the leithfold had once been, a look of pure confusion in her brown eyes.
"What happened?" She asked, lifting her head up to face him. Draco, whose eyes were still wide in surprise, shrugged.
"I… don't know…" He admitted, looking around the room.
"Uhm… Draco?"
"Yeah?"
"You can let go of me now."
The Slytherin, blushing furiously, released Hermione and inched away from her.
"Er… sorry about that…" He muttered, averting his gaze. Hermione smiled.
"Um… I'll be going back now." She said, stepping off of the bed. Just as her foot made contact with the floor, another leithfold appeared where the last one had been.
"Hermione! Get back on the fuckin' bed!" Draco snapped. Hermione obeyed him immediately. Once again, the leithfold vanished into thin air.
"That was… different…" Hermione muttered. Draco rolled his eyes.
"Don't you get it! They're forcing us to stay in the same BED!" He crossed his arms, scowling at her. "And I thought you were smart." Hermione frowned.
"Shut up, Malfoy." She growled her teeth clenched tightly together. The two glared at each other for several long moments, silently hoping that the other would start speaking.
"Uhm… Granger?" Draco averted his gaze to hide his slight blush. "Thanks… for waking me up…" Hermione smiled softly.
"It's alright… but let's just keep this between us, alright?" Draco frowned.
"Which part?" He asked. "The fact that you saved me, or the fact that we have to sleep in the same bed?"
"Both." Hermione replied with a grin. The Slytherin chuckled.
"You know, Draco… I never expected that you would dress so… casual." She said, glancing at his gray t-shirt Draco raised an eyebrow at the girl. "I mean… you're from such a powerful family and…" Draco cut her off.
"Well I didn't expect you to dress like that either." He laughed, gesturing to her pajamas. Hermione blushed and curled up into a ball. "Hey! I didn't mean it as an offense!" Hermione smiled.
"I know…" Her muffled voice came as a reply. Draco, still grinning, tackled the young Gryffindor, causing her to squeal in surprise.
"Augh! Draco!" Hermione giggled as she pushed away from him. Draco laughed as he pulled her closer to him, savoring the warmth. Hermione complied by snuggling into his chest. Draco had only felt like this once before… and that was… just before he had woken up this morning! The Slytherin blushed slightly at the thought. He didn't know why, but something about Hermione always made him feel warm. Now that he had this feeling, he didn't want it to end. He would regret waking up in the morning, knowing they would have to pull apart and argue.
He sighed. Was that what they were destined to do? Argue for the rest of their lives? For some reason, he didn't want that. He wanted to just be with Hermione… hold her… talk to her… Anything!
Draco let out another sigh. So much for not falling for her… he hated to admit it, but he liked her. Really liked her! They were so much alike, yet different enough to learn something new about one another every day.
"Hermione…" He whispered. The young Gryffindor lifted her head in curiosity. Draco pulled her up so that her face was closer to his. He wanted right now with all his heart to kiss her, to feel her lips against his, but something held him back. His conscience was the most likely suspect. He frowned at this, but listened to it… sort of.
Instead of kissing her, he merely pulled her closer to him, hugging her tightly. He ran his fingers through her hair and was shocked to find that her hair was actually really soft. Not once did he run into a knot. Draco smiled.
Good night, Hermione." He whispered, falling asleep. Hermione smiled slightly and kissed him on the cheek.
"'Night, Draco." She replied as she too, fell asleep.
TBC…
Okay. There you have it! Another fluffy bit! Now, I don't ask for help very often, but right now, I NEED an idea! Give me a decent reason for Hermione to cry. The winner shall be very pleased!
Rules for entering: it can not be anything stupid such as failing a test! Draco can not be the one that makes her cry (although illusions are able to) and it MUST NOT be anything about Harry or Ron! Get it? Got it? Good.
Review please!
