Disclaimer: Good stuff's her's, dumb stuff's mine
Summary: Where we left off, Narcissa told Severus that she wants Hermione to help him bring Draco back. Hermione slept in Draco's room, and Narcissa had a bit of a break down to Sirius. Here we go, Chapter 13, by EXTREMELY popular demand:
Hermione woke up the next morning, and glanced at her watch.
"Half past ten! How did I sleep so late?"
She plopped her head back down on the pillow, and she felt something poking her neck. She grumbled and stuck her hand under the pillow to see what it was. She was shocked to pull out a piece of parchment.
"Oh my God!" she gasped, "I wonder what this is."
She slowly unfolded the parchment, and saw Draco's neat handwriting
To whomever finds this-
I have enchanted this parchment so that it will only show up after I have been unconscious for two weeks. I knew when I left the ceremony that I'd only have a short while to live, so by reading this, it means that I will soon be dead, but that is my fate and I have accepted. I ask who ever finds this to do a few things for me, and make sure the people I have addressed know about it.
First, please tell my mother and sister that I love them very much. I'm sorry about Lucius, I never meant for him to die, but I couldn't join the Death Eaters, it went against everything in my being. I hope Lily has a great time at Hogwarts, and uses it better than I have.
Secondly, Professor Snape, thank you for all of your guidance, sir. You were more like a father to me than my own was. I always looked up to you, and youy gave me the strength to refuse Voldemort. For everything you have done, I will be eternally grateful.
Third, to Professor Dumbledore. I can't even begin to thank you for the faith you have put in me. Your patience and compassion extends far beyond the 'good' in our society. I do not deserve the chances you have given me, nor the trust. Thank you sir.
Fourth, to the members of Slytherin House, I wish to say that being a Slytherin does not make you a Dark Wizard. Having parents that are on the Dark Side doesn't either. There are many of you that think Voldemort is the only way out, I tell you that it is not true. Please have faith in yourselves, and in our House, remember that Salazar Slytherin was not a Dark Wizard.
Fifth, to the members of the other houses, I would like to apologize for my behavior over the past 6 years. For those of you who decide never to give up the grudge, I do not blame you. Best of luck, make Hogwarts proud.
Sixth, to Harry Potter. This is not easy to say, but I have envied you since day one. I knew your parents loved you so much that they died for you, while my own father was willing to have me killed for his sake. Potter, I do not blame you for our animosity towards eachother. I know we should have been friends, our mothers wanted it. Please, after I'm gone, ask my mother for the yearbook. If you should decide not to accept my apology, that is fine, I would not blame you. Please tell Weasley I apologize to him as well.
Finally, to Hermione Granger. I'm very grateful that I got to work with you. I know that I never showed it, but I respect and admire you a lot. The only reason I am Head Boy, or was Head Boy, is because I wanted to prove to you that I was your equal, not better than you, but your equal. I can only imagine how surprised you were to see my name on that letter, too. I have already made a few pages of notes for our task, you'll find them in the top drawer of my desk. Please use them for the conference. I'm sorry that I'm letting you down. I'm sorry for all those times I called you a Mudblood, I'm sorry for the times I yelled at you. I'm basically just sorry for being a prick all the time, please forgive me. Good luck with everything. And, could you name something after me when you become Minister of Magic? Thanks.
I wish everyone the best of luck, health, and prosperity. I know that we can beat the Dark Side, I am only sorry that I will not have lived to see it. I will be thinking of you all, as I step into the greatest mystery in life. Good bye.
~Draco Benjamin Malfoy
Hermione sniffed, and wiped her eyes on Draco's shirt sleeve. Not even bothering to get changed, she ran out of her room up to the Hospital Wing, the letter still clutched in her hand. She barged through the doors, and ran over to Draco's bed.
"You are not going to die, damn it!" she began yelling. "If you think you can leave me to this conference all by myself, you can just sod off, you prick! I'm not going to show anyone this letter, because you are simply not dying! I forbid you to die, Malfoy, do you hear me?! I refuse to let you have the last word!" Hermione broke down, and couldn't speak, but only heaved great sobs as she wept over Draco's body.
It seemed like she was crying for an eternity, when she felt a pair of arms pick her up, and put her down on the bed next to Draco's. She caught a glimpse of Snape's face looking worriedly at her, and passed out, asleep.
"Hermione? Dear? Are you all right?" Hermione heard a soft voice speaking to her.
She groggily opened her eyes, and saw Mrs. Weasley standing over her. She sat up quickly, and blushed at the sight of not only Mrs. Weasley , but also Snape, Ron, Ginny, Narcissa, and Lily.
"Oh, dear. I'm so sorry!" She turned to Snape, "I'm REALLY sorry, Professor."
"Quite all right, Miss Granger."
Hermione looked down at her hand. "Where is it?"
"I took it dear," Narcissa said.
"Oh. I wasn't going to give it to you."
"Miss Granger," Snape began, "I am going to need to speak with you about a matter of the utmost importance, but only when you are ready."
Hermione took a deep breath and sat completely up. "I'm ready now, sir, for whatever you have to say."
"Very well, then. May we have some privacy?"
The others filed out of the room, and Snape sat down on the bed. He looked critically at Hermione.
"The potion will be ready for Draco in three days. After I give him the potion, a spell will have to be performed to counter act what Voldemort and Lucius started. It will parallel the Death Eater ceremony, I will be leading the spell, with some one else acting as Draco's guide, the spell is extremely difficlut and complicated and must be performed exactly."
"Will Mrs. Malfoy be doing that part?"
"No, Narcissa requested that you assist me, Miss Granger."
"But, sir, what if I can't?"
"Miss Granger, if I had to pick a student that I thought could do this, out of every student I have ever taught, I would not need a second guess to choose you."
"Really, sir?"
"Yes, Miss Granger."
"Well, if you think so, and if Mrs. Malfoy really wants me to, I would be honored."
"Excellent. I have prepared a paper for you to read about the spell and the incantation. If you have any questions on pronunciation, you must ask, this is extremely precise. I don't think you'll have any difficulty, though."
"Thanks, sir."
"Oh, and Miss Granger. Mister Potter is returning this evening. Should I have Professor McGonagall send him up?"
Hermione sighed. "Yes, sir, could you please?"
"Of course. Good luck, Hermione."
"Thank you."
Snape nodded at Hermione, and left her with Draco. Hermione soon heard footsteps approaching her.
"How are you, dear?"
"I'm fine, Mrs. Malfoy. Thank you for trusting me with this."
"Oh, thank you for doing it. I know it should be you. Maternal instinct of some sort, I suppose."
She smiled at Hermione, and held her hand out to the younger girl. She gave Hermione the letter.
"I think you should have this, dear. It'll be marvellous blackmail material, I should think."
Hermione laughed, "Of course. If he leaves the study messy, I'll put copies of it up around the school."
They were interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. Sirius stepped in front of the curtain.
"Pardon me, but I just wanted you to know that I was back, Cissa."
"Oh! Of course. Excuse me Hermione, I'll be back in a little bit."
Hermione gave Mrs. Malfoy a sly smile, "Oh! Take your time."
Narcissa smiled and shook her head, and followed Sirius in to Madam Pomfrey's ofiice.
"So, tell me, what did you get?"
Sirius reached into his pocket and took out a small box, and handed it to Narcissa.
"Lily left this for you in her will."
Narcissa opened the box, and he lip began to quiver.
"It's our locket," she whispered.
"So it IS a locket. I could never figure it out how to open it."
Narcissa traced her finger over the plain gold surface and said, "Friends forver, we shall be, friends forever, you and me. Friends forver you and I, even past the day we die." The locket popped open. Inside were pictures of the fifteen year old Narcissa LeFevre and Lily Evans.
Narcissa reached a hand under her robes, and pulled out the locket's twin. "We each had one. We were going to give them to our daughters," she said in a choked voice.
Sirius sat down in a chair next to Narcissa. He took her hands in his own.
"Ciss, I think it's time for Harry to know."
"I-I want Hermione to tell him."
"Are you sure?"
She nodded. "Yes, I'm going to give her Lily's necklace to give to Harry. I'm giving mine to Draco." She stood up, and took Sirius's hand. "You have no idea how much it means to me that you're here, SB." She smiled at the use of his initials, that was what she used to call him.
"You know I'm always here for you, Ciss."
She walked into the other room, and over to Hermione.
"Hermione, I want you to give this to Harry," she said handing the locket to her. "It was Lily's. I'm giving mine to Draco. And, I'd like you to tell Harry. If you would, you certainly don't have to."
"Of course I will."
As if on cue, Harry voice appeared in the room.
"Mione?"
A/N: GOOD LORD, PEOPLE!! FORTY REVIEWS ON ONE CHAPTER!!!! I'm pretty much dying of happiness over here!! I wasn't going to post this till Tuesday! (It's currently Sunday night at 11:30 pm) WOW, I WISH I could thank you all individually, but I can't possibly, my author's notes are already too long as it is! Damn! I can't belive it! 40 reviews!! You guys RULE!!!! That totally made me want to write!! Now I'm on. 18 I think. Like I said, the Kiss is in chapter 15. SO, please 15 reviews till 14! This is a bit of a cliffie, so I hope you're all hanging in there!! AHHHH THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!! You have NO idea how much it means to me when you guys review! Seriously, thank you all SOSOSOSOSO much! See you next chapter! ~Lo
Summary: Where we left off, Narcissa told Severus that she wants Hermione to help him bring Draco back. Hermione slept in Draco's room, and Narcissa had a bit of a break down to Sirius. Here we go, Chapter 13, by EXTREMELY popular demand:
Hermione woke up the next morning, and glanced at her watch.
"Half past ten! How did I sleep so late?"
She plopped her head back down on the pillow, and she felt something poking her neck. She grumbled and stuck her hand under the pillow to see what it was. She was shocked to pull out a piece of parchment.
"Oh my God!" she gasped, "I wonder what this is."
She slowly unfolded the parchment, and saw Draco's neat handwriting
To whomever finds this-
I have enchanted this parchment so that it will only show up after I have been unconscious for two weeks. I knew when I left the ceremony that I'd only have a short while to live, so by reading this, it means that I will soon be dead, but that is my fate and I have accepted. I ask who ever finds this to do a few things for me, and make sure the people I have addressed know about it.
First, please tell my mother and sister that I love them very much. I'm sorry about Lucius, I never meant for him to die, but I couldn't join the Death Eaters, it went against everything in my being. I hope Lily has a great time at Hogwarts, and uses it better than I have.
Secondly, Professor Snape, thank you for all of your guidance, sir. You were more like a father to me than my own was. I always looked up to you, and youy gave me the strength to refuse Voldemort. For everything you have done, I will be eternally grateful.
Third, to Professor Dumbledore. I can't even begin to thank you for the faith you have put in me. Your patience and compassion extends far beyond the 'good' in our society. I do not deserve the chances you have given me, nor the trust. Thank you sir.
Fourth, to the members of Slytherin House, I wish to say that being a Slytherin does not make you a Dark Wizard. Having parents that are on the Dark Side doesn't either. There are many of you that think Voldemort is the only way out, I tell you that it is not true. Please have faith in yourselves, and in our House, remember that Salazar Slytherin was not a Dark Wizard.
Fifth, to the members of the other houses, I would like to apologize for my behavior over the past 6 years. For those of you who decide never to give up the grudge, I do not blame you. Best of luck, make Hogwarts proud.
Sixth, to Harry Potter. This is not easy to say, but I have envied you since day one. I knew your parents loved you so much that they died for you, while my own father was willing to have me killed for his sake. Potter, I do not blame you for our animosity towards eachother. I know we should have been friends, our mothers wanted it. Please, after I'm gone, ask my mother for the yearbook. If you should decide not to accept my apology, that is fine, I would not blame you. Please tell Weasley I apologize to him as well.
Finally, to Hermione Granger. I'm very grateful that I got to work with you. I know that I never showed it, but I respect and admire you a lot. The only reason I am Head Boy, or was Head Boy, is because I wanted to prove to you that I was your equal, not better than you, but your equal. I can only imagine how surprised you were to see my name on that letter, too. I have already made a few pages of notes for our task, you'll find them in the top drawer of my desk. Please use them for the conference. I'm sorry that I'm letting you down. I'm sorry for all those times I called you a Mudblood, I'm sorry for the times I yelled at you. I'm basically just sorry for being a prick all the time, please forgive me. Good luck with everything. And, could you name something after me when you become Minister of Magic? Thanks.
I wish everyone the best of luck, health, and prosperity. I know that we can beat the Dark Side, I am only sorry that I will not have lived to see it. I will be thinking of you all, as I step into the greatest mystery in life. Good bye.
~Draco Benjamin Malfoy
Hermione sniffed, and wiped her eyes on Draco's shirt sleeve. Not even bothering to get changed, she ran out of her room up to the Hospital Wing, the letter still clutched in her hand. She barged through the doors, and ran over to Draco's bed.
"You are not going to die, damn it!" she began yelling. "If you think you can leave me to this conference all by myself, you can just sod off, you prick! I'm not going to show anyone this letter, because you are simply not dying! I forbid you to die, Malfoy, do you hear me?! I refuse to let you have the last word!" Hermione broke down, and couldn't speak, but only heaved great sobs as she wept over Draco's body.
It seemed like she was crying for an eternity, when she felt a pair of arms pick her up, and put her down on the bed next to Draco's. She caught a glimpse of Snape's face looking worriedly at her, and passed out, asleep.
"Hermione? Dear? Are you all right?" Hermione heard a soft voice speaking to her.
She groggily opened her eyes, and saw Mrs. Weasley standing over her. She sat up quickly, and blushed at the sight of not only Mrs. Weasley , but also Snape, Ron, Ginny, Narcissa, and Lily.
"Oh, dear. I'm so sorry!" She turned to Snape, "I'm REALLY sorry, Professor."
"Quite all right, Miss Granger."
Hermione looked down at her hand. "Where is it?"
"I took it dear," Narcissa said.
"Oh. I wasn't going to give it to you."
"Miss Granger," Snape began, "I am going to need to speak with you about a matter of the utmost importance, but only when you are ready."
Hermione took a deep breath and sat completely up. "I'm ready now, sir, for whatever you have to say."
"Very well, then. May we have some privacy?"
The others filed out of the room, and Snape sat down on the bed. He looked critically at Hermione.
"The potion will be ready for Draco in three days. After I give him the potion, a spell will have to be performed to counter act what Voldemort and Lucius started. It will parallel the Death Eater ceremony, I will be leading the spell, with some one else acting as Draco's guide, the spell is extremely difficlut and complicated and must be performed exactly."
"Will Mrs. Malfoy be doing that part?"
"No, Narcissa requested that you assist me, Miss Granger."
"But, sir, what if I can't?"
"Miss Granger, if I had to pick a student that I thought could do this, out of every student I have ever taught, I would not need a second guess to choose you."
"Really, sir?"
"Yes, Miss Granger."
"Well, if you think so, and if Mrs. Malfoy really wants me to, I would be honored."
"Excellent. I have prepared a paper for you to read about the spell and the incantation. If you have any questions on pronunciation, you must ask, this is extremely precise. I don't think you'll have any difficulty, though."
"Thanks, sir."
"Oh, and Miss Granger. Mister Potter is returning this evening. Should I have Professor McGonagall send him up?"
Hermione sighed. "Yes, sir, could you please?"
"Of course. Good luck, Hermione."
"Thank you."
Snape nodded at Hermione, and left her with Draco. Hermione soon heard footsteps approaching her.
"How are you, dear?"
"I'm fine, Mrs. Malfoy. Thank you for trusting me with this."
"Oh, thank you for doing it. I know it should be you. Maternal instinct of some sort, I suppose."
She smiled at Hermione, and held her hand out to the younger girl. She gave Hermione the letter.
"I think you should have this, dear. It'll be marvellous blackmail material, I should think."
Hermione laughed, "Of course. If he leaves the study messy, I'll put copies of it up around the school."
They were interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. Sirius stepped in front of the curtain.
"Pardon me, but I just wanted you to know that I was back, Cissa."
"Oh! Of course. Excuse me Hermione, I'll be back in a little bit."
Hermione gave Mrs. Malfoy a sly smile, "Oh! Take your time."
Narcissa smiled and shook her head, and followed Sirius in to Madam Pomfrey's ofiice.
"So, tell me, what did you get?"
Sirius reached into his pocket and took out a small box, and handed it to Narcissa.
"Lily left this for you in her will."
Narcissa opened the box, and he lip began to quiver.
"It's our locket," she whispered.
"So it IS a locket. I could never figure it out how to open it."
Narcissa traced her finger over the plain gold surface and said, "Friends forver, we shall be, friends forever, you and me. Friends forver you and I, even past the day we die." The locket popped open. Inside were pictures of the fifteen year old Narcissa LeFevre and Lily Evans.
Narcissa reached a hand under her robes, and pulled out the locket's twin. "We each had one. We were going to give them to our daughters," she said in a choked voice.
Sirius sat down in a chair next to Narcissa. He took her hands in his own.
"Ciss, I think it's time for Harry to know."
"I-I want Hermione to tell him."
"Are you sure?"
She nodded. "Yes, I'm going to give her Lily's necklace to give to Harry. I'm giving mine to Draco." She stood up, and took Sirius's hand. "You have no idea how much it means to me that you're here, SB." She smiled at the use of his initials, that was what she used to call him.
"You know I'm always here for you, Ciss."
She walked into the other room, and over to Hermione.
"Hermione, I want you to give this to Harry," she said handing the locket to her. "It was Lily's. I'm giving mine to Draco. And, I'd like you to tell Harry. If you would, you certainly don't have to."
"Of course I will."
As if on cue, Harry voice appeared in the room.
"Mione?"
A/N: GOOD LORD, PEOPLE!! FORTY REVIEWS ON ONE CHAPTER!!!! I'm pretty much dying of happiness over here!! I wasn't going to post this till Tuesday! (It's currently Sunday night at 11:30 pm) WOW, I WISH I could thank you all individually, but I can't possibly, my author's notes are already too long as it is! Damn! I can't belive it! 40 reviews!! You guys RULE!!!! That totally made me want to write!! Now I'm on. 18 I think. Like I said, the Kiss is in chapter 15. SO, please 15 reviews till 14! This is a bit of a cliffie, so I hope you're all hanging in there!! AHHHH THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!! You have NO idea how much it means to me when you guys review! Seriously, thank you all SOSOSOSOSO much! See you next chapter! ~Lo
