Diclaimer – None of the characters related to Harry Potter are mine.
A/N – Sorry? I'M SO SORRY begs for forgiveness
You guys gave me REVIEWS…lots of them….I'm on 60 now…and I repay you by not uploading a chapter straight away? Shame on me! Hahaha…no, I really am sorry because your reviews were absolutely lovely and I cherish them. Alot. Shout outs at the bottom!
But I have updated. Yay! So without further ado, READ ON : )
Somewhere I Belong by Mocha Dragon
Chapter 5 – Dreams
- With Harry and Ron –
The Gryffindor Common Room was empty save for the two boys sitting near the fire-place, each immersed in their own thoughts.
The empty silence was broken by a boy with a shocking flame of hair.
"Mate, do you really think Hermione's ok?" Ron questioned, finally voicing his woes that were eating him up inside, making any work or reading impossible – not that he done any of the essays and studying that was slowly piling up…not without Hermione badgering him.
Harry sighed and decidedly shut Quidditch Through the Ages which he was attempting to read upside down, not that he or Ron had noticed.
Glumly, Harry tried reassuring Ron with words. The words that he had tried over and over on himself but could never seem to cheer him up.
"Of course. If Dumbledore reckons she is, she is. Hermione's strong anyway or why d'you think she'd hang out with us?"
Half-heartedly, Ron grinned.
"I guess. It's just…I really miss her" he whispered, lowering his head and refusing to look Harry in the eyes.
"I do too. I do too." Harry murmured making Ron shake his head slowly.
"But not the way I do…" he whispered, so softly that he wasn't even sure he heard himself.
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- With Hermione –
She was dreaming.
She was back at Hogwarts and it was snowing…small, delicate snowflakes fell onto the well known Hogwarts grounds and the lake was icy again – no signs of the Giant Squid. It was quiet – so quiet that it was eerie; no familiar snow fights, no Christmas carols sung at the top of childrens' lungs, no Ron or Harry…
Brushing snow flakes out of her freely flowing hair, Hermione walked closer to the lake with a purpose. A purpose she couldn't seem to remember as she felt her legs continue to move stiffly through the layers of snow.
Suddenly, her legs gave in and she collapsed in the cushioned snow as a wave of exhaustion passed over her. Shivering violently, she sat in the snow silently as her insides writhed.
"Why?" she screamed suddenly, feeling shards of pain hitting her chest like spears plunging mercilessly in. Crying out, she clutched onto her chest, breathing painfully. Each breath she took hurt as the cold attacked her.
"WHY!" she screamed again, louder…it was more of a statement than a question this time.
Hermione didn't know why she was crying…but she knew she had to; she had to let it out before it consumed her.
Then she wasn't cold anymore, she was warm…she was in the arms of a man. He was tall – she could feel it by the way he leaned over her and wrapped his long arms around her. Despite the warmth the tall figure gave her, she found herself shivering uncontrollably…then the pain in her heart – it came again, unexpected and in waves of relentless anger and despair.
Choking on her own breaths, she felt tears come to her eyes as the man behind her continued to hold her tightly, oblivious to her dishevelled, crying state.
"I love you, Hermione" he whispered in a loving tone – it was gentle and yet it didn't soothe her form.
It revolted her.
Sickened, she tried to move out of his trapping arms as waves of nausea hit her and desperately, she struggled to twist out of his arms but he wouldn't let go. He was trapping her, choking her, suffocating her -
"STOP IT!" she screamed, using all the strength she possessed to pull herself out of his arms.
And in a sudden fit of power, she was wrenched out of her dream.
Breathing heavily, Hermione found herself drenched in sweat. Darkness surrounded her making her shiver involuntarily. The dream, or rather nightmare, had seemed so real and it scared Hermione. She usually didn't take heed of the dreams or nightmares she ever had but after Harry's dreams in fifth year, she had begun to take heed of them.
Whimpering, she began to feel hot tears well up in her eyes again. Not again she thought dismally and in an effort to stop them, she curled herself in a big ball, clutching unto the warm sheets wishing she wasn't alone.
And almost as if she had wished that out loud, a light snore came from next to her. Quickly turning to her side, she faced the faint moonlight streaming through the curtains and caught sight of a fast-asleep man with a halo of blond hair. Almost like an angel sent to help me through the night Hermione thought before ridding her mind of thoughts and snuggling up to Malfoy.
Of course, she would never admit she did such a thing in the morning.
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Bright sunlight streamed steadily through the curtains hitting Hermione squarely on her face. Aware of the faint warmth radiating on her face, she opened her eyes and squinted against the persistent sunlight, growing annoyed at the curtain and its lack of blockage against the sun.
Refusing to give in to the sun, Hermione stubbornly lay in the bed and looked to her side to find it rid of Malfoy. Convinced she would be better in bed than out after the fight with Malfoy (even though she had conveniently forgotten that factor last night), Hermione lay in the bed, contemplating yesterday's events and dream.
It was nothing. Everything here is fake so anything I experience is fake was Hermione's logical reasoning. It was logical. Simple. Rational. So Hermione.
It was nice having time to herself – she finally had time to think, to rationalise.
And so rationally, she came to the conclusion that she would continue living this life with Malfoy – she couldn't possibly do anything else that would rouse suspicion. She would simply distance herself from him. It was simple.
Simple but harder than she thought it would be.
Especially when he came in that very second.
"What are you doing here?" she asked rudely, sitting up abruptly to see him frown at her.
"I live here."
Annoyed Hermione simply stared up at the ceiling, refusing to look at her husband who too was refusing to look at Hermione with his back turned stubbornly to her.
"Doctor's appointment in 2 hours." Malfoy said aloofly, before moving to exit.
"Wh-what?" she spluttered, finally meeting her husband's eyes in confusion.
He sighed and talked in a slow voice, as if talking to an incompetent 6 year old: "Doctor's- appointment- in- 2 -hours"
Dumbfounded, Hermione asked the only question that seemed acceptable in this situation.
"Are you taking me?"
"Unless you want to drive yourself?"
Hermione pondered the question but knew what her answer would be in the end.
"No. You can"
He nodded briefly and took his leave leaving Hermione caught between a few choices.
"Get up?"
"Don't get out?" She pondered aloud.
Quickly calculating the advantages and disadvantages (a skill she had acquired through the years of adventure with Harry and Ron), she decided on getting out of bed.
I never knew Malfoy would let his wife get treatment from a Muggle Doctor. And snorting amusedly, Hermione got out of bed.
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"— alright, thanks to you."
A slight pause then – "Yes, she's fine too . A bit moody though but it's what I expected, especially after seeing you and Madeline."
Another pause and then a low chuckle.
"It's nothing much. It should blow over soon; she's just annoyingly stubborn. Must be the hormones. She's always like this anyway – Know-it-All genes. You know how she's - "
Hermione had enough for eavesdropping on Malfoy's conversation, especially when she – the moody, pregnant woman – was the subject of it. Fuming, she thought viciously to herself I wouldn't be so sure about that if I were you. 'It should blow over soon'. She snorted. Over my stubborn foot, it will!
So quietly, she tiptoed away from the kitchen area and decided on something far more entertaining…and hopefully, helpful: a snoop in Malfoy's office…wherever it was.
And so with high spirits, she slowly made her way through the French doors to be welcomed with a living room to her left, a closed door to her right and the entrance of the house straight ahead. Curiously, she opened the closed door to her right to find herself in a garage that held a car. Disinterestedly, Hermione exited and continued in her search of Malfoy's office.
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"Ah HAH!"
After hours (yes, hours!) of endless searching, Hermione found at the entrance of a large office and library. Awed at the sheer amount of books held in the room, Hermione simply stood and admired the beautiful French-styled room.
"Merlin…what I would give to spend the whole day in here" the bushy haired woman sighed before quickly snapping back to business.
With purposeful steps, she strode over to the desk located in the heart of it all.
"Let's see…where would a secretive, sly, pratty Malfoy keep his private belongings?"
Gleefully, Hermione searched through the drawers meticulously, making sure to leave it all in the same place she found it.
"Paperwork, office work, letters, mail, newspaper…" Hermione searched the contents of his drawers, taking care to glance at everything in case she missed anything of importance.
The newspaper caught her eye. It was yellowed with age and had moving images. The first Wizarding object she had seen in this home! Never feeling more relieved, Hermione picked up the newspaper and opened it up carefully.
The picture of Ron's, Harry's and her own laughing face caught Hermione's immediate attention. A laughing Hermione was in the middle of Harry and Ron who were both ruffling her hair and teasing her with shining faces. Affectionately fingering the photo, she smiled. She certainly didn't remember when this picture was taken. Then all too suddenly, she wondered why a picture of her and her best friends was on the front page of the Daily Prophet.
Skilfully, her eyes moved downwards and with shaking hands, she read the article.
Golden Trio disintegrated to Bloody Pieces
Harry Potter - The Boy-Who-Lived, Ronald Weasley – son and brother to two members of the Ministry, and Hermione Granger – a muggle-born witch form the unlikely Golden Trio. Together, the three inseparable friends have gone through thick and thin together from attending Hogwarts School of Wizarding and Witchcraft together to the two side-kicks (Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley) fighting by Harry Potter's side, enabling him to defeat the greatest Wizard of all time – He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
Recent events after the defeat of the Dark Wizard have caused the stirrings of perhaps, the beginnings of an even greater evil than He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. The cold-blooded murder and torture of Harry Potter's best friend – Ronald Weasely days after the defeat of You-Know-Who has caused an outrage in the Wizarding Community. The murderer, Draco Malfoy is still to be traced down.
Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius Malfoy – a notorious Death Eater killed in the Final Battle is believed to be insane from the defeat of his Master (You-Know-Who) and father causing him to run out of hiding and torture and kill Ronald Weasely to unrecognisable pieces. He has not been sighted since his graduation from Hogwarts and was not part of the many dead from the Final Battle.
Grieving Weasley family plead for the Wizarding Community to "help search the murderer and bring him to justice."
Percy Weasley, Minister of Magic and brother of Ronald Weasley has declared a thorough search in all the Wizarding communities and countries, aided by the many famous Aurors who were involved in one of the greatest Wizarding Wars of all time. Harry Potter and Hermione Granger will not be among those searching for murderer, Draco Malfoy. Perhaps they are grieving too deeply for the loss of one of their greatest friends or perhaps they are plotting their revenge on the infamous Death Eater themselves. Their plans are still to be discovered in the midst of all these bittersweet events.
- End of article -
With violently shaking hands, Hermione dropped the article and slumped onto the floor in disbelief.
"Ron…"
The wave of confusion hit her again. What was happening to her world? Had she gone insane, perhaps?
Hermione snorted at that. Insanity would be better than here.
Looking for answers, she had instead stumbled upon more questions, burying herself deeper into a hole of no return.
The article held too much information – false or true – she did not know. And even this amount of knowledge was far too large for Hermione. She needed answers from a human. From someone who was buried in the midst of it all - the murderer himself. Draco Malfoy.
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He was in the living room, watching Muggle Television when Hermione found him. Despite the graveness of the situation, Hermione couldn't help but laugh at the sight.
Draco Malfoy, pure-blood and son of a Death-Eater (perhaps even Death-Eater himself) was stretched out on a couch wearing nothing but black boxer shorts, clutching a floral cushion with his eyes fixed intently on the screen muttering maniacally to himself:
"Ahh you dimwit, go for it! You know she's crazy for you!"
Casting her eyes up to the television, Hermione realised he was watching "Emma" a classical favourite of her own.
Quickly ridding herself of her own love for her childhood hero – Mr Knightley as he appeared on the screen, Hermione strode to where Malfoy was still muttering to the television and pushed him over, finding him freezing cold as she grazed over his arms. Of course he would be freezing – if not dead from hyperthermia soon Hermione thought dryly, wondering why he was wearing boxer shorts in the middle of winter!
"Mal – Draco, we need to talk" she started, reminding herself to call him Draco if she was to get anything out of him.
Lazily, he looked up from the screen to Hermione and sat up. He eyed her coolly before easily turning off the television and setting all his attention to his wife.
"I – I…" Hermione trailed off weakly as she surveyed her husband's half-naked form.
In a fluid motion, she had grabbed his arm, inspected it carefully and even daring to touch the skin before moving to the other arm and giving it the same treatment with a confused Draco protesting at her side.
"What are you doing, Hermione? Have you gone mad? Or have you missed me so much that you feel a sudden urge to touch me?" a half-smile lingered on his lips as he said that making Hermione frown before looking up at him.
"You're not blemished."
He raised his eyebrows delicately before taking her hand.
"Of course not. Why would I want to hurt myself? I value my skin, thank you very much!"
Hermione gave him a smile.
"But…I thought you would have the…" she trailed off again in deep thought as she furrowed her eyebrows. Why doesn't he have the Dark Mark? I thought he would for sure…but then, why would Harry be friends with him if he was a follower of Voldemort?
"Sweetheart, are you feeling alright?" Draco questioned, tilting her chin up to look at him.
All thoughts of the fight had flown out of the couple's heads.
"Yes, I'm fine. But you aren't – you're freezing! As cold as a Snow man!" Hermione reprimanded, not being able to fight down the motherly urges as she scolded Malfoy.
"I'm fine. Worry about yourself, fat woman" he teased.
Huffing, Hermione frowned. "What do expect? I'm PREGNANT!"
He laughed "You know I'm just kidding, love. You're beautiful the way you are." He pinched her nose affectionately.
Hermione blushed. No-one had ever called her beautiful when she didn't try to dress up. She was always the Plain Jane. No-one ever noticed her…and here she was, big as a flopping whale and Draco Malfoy of all people called her beautiful.
"Stop lying" she said light-heartedly, punching him on the arm.
"I'm not!" he said innocently, wrapping his arms around Hermione suddenly making her squeal.
"You're freezing! Don't touch me if you're that cold!"
He only laughed and hugged her tighter making her take in his scent of sandalwood and mint.
"Draco, do you still think about Ron?"
There, she said it. She had given the bait without rousing too much suspicion…now she just had to wait for the fish to hook on.
He sighed, burying his head in her mass of bushy hair.
"Of course I do, love. Of course I do…especially when I'm half-responsible for it."
He was caught to the hook now. And she was the sinker, sinking into the darkness of no return.
Mocha Dragon - Oh my! "Half responsible" What does that mean? (Mysterious music plays)
Draco - DUH! It means I - (Mocha Dragon knocks him out with a baseball bat)
Mocha Dragon - Who said Wizards are better than Muggles (smirks)
Anyhow!
Next chapter - Draco explains, Hermione responds, Draco is confused and Hermione is too!
I hope that intrigues you to read more ;) Not very descriptive, but you'll live, right?
I love you guys very much for reviewing and reading! (Hands everyone a yummy cookie)
Shout-outs:
phoenixtamer150- (Sniffs) I sure hope you didn't wait too long! But I did do an one-shot...and you reviewed that...and I wanted to cry! That has got to be the sweetest comment EVER...me a writer (Gasps) I wish so much! But I can assure you there are better writers out there...but nevertheless, I was about to dissolve into tears when I saw your sweet reviews! You brightened my day a whole HEAP and I'm glad such a picky reader like you came to love my story! I'm so HAPPY AND LUCKY (sings) Perhaps one day you will find out my real name...hehehehehehe...I'm a reading fanatic too! WE BOTH ARE! YAY! Though I only love Draco Hermione pairings since I'm very picky too :) You too? If you know any good ones, DO TELL ME! Thank you again...you're the best!
Shading in Grey- Thank you for reviewing my third chapter and my one shot :) You're an angel...ahahha...well, I hope you read on and continue enjoying! (Hands out cookie)
jenjen147- Thank youuuu! I hope you enjoyed this chappie...and I hope the wait wasn't too long...(Gives yummy cookie)
anwen- AHHHHHH! I LOVE YOU! Hahhaha...thank you so much...your review was very cute and so happy! Weee! You make me happy :) Nearly as good as me? HAHAHAA..you make me crack up! Thank you very much for adding this to your favourites list (sniffles) I'm very touched...I hope you coninue reading! Oh, and I MAY need some characters...so if you wouldn't mind, you can send some over...hehehe...I can't guarantee I'll be using them though, but I'll definitely love it if you did anyway! Thank you a bizillion!
Pau - Wooooo! That was such a touching review! Did I tell you how much I love you? Hahha...you must think I'm sick now :) I'm so glad you're loving this xD Haha...it's people like you who make me feel bad when I'm not writing my next chapter! Hehe...I'm so lucky to have such beautiful and loyal reviewers like you, Pau! Hope you're having a good day! (Ps. that was an exceptionally long review...THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME AND EFFORT TO DO THAT!)
InfinityEstel- IT'S A LONG REVIEW! A LONG ONE! (sings and dances) You, Infinity Estel made my day! And I'm glad to hear I cheered you up a little after you got your bad review :( I hope you read my review to your wonderful story and weren't scared off by me! Haha...I can get very hyper at times, especially when I see a good story! Oh, and just in case you're STILL wondering, Hermione is 19 weeks pregnant and her baby is due in September :) You're a wonderful writer and reviewer and I feel so lucky to have a reviewer like you who is with me all the way! You rock my socks xD
dimondcrystal124- Hehe...thank you for reviewing chappie 3! I love you people! Hahha...glad you like the idea about the Giant Squid...very strange now that I think back on it! (Ps. Aren't we ALL nosey when it comes to mystery! Eee!)
darkbunnie192 - Yay! Thank you so much for reviewing chapter 2! Weeeee! I hope you continue reading and enjoying!
blonde-brain- Eheehehehe...I hope it wasn't too long a wait for you (sweats) But I'm glad you liked Chapter 4! Thank you for specifying what you liked about it too! (Hands cookie) I hope you like cookies!
kat6528- Thank you for reviewing! WEEEEEE! Poor Hermione? What about Draco? Hahah...just kidding! I'm glad you feel for Hermione...strangely for me, I feel most for Draco (sighs) And I'm telling you, it has nothing to do with my attraction to his devillishy good looks (innocent smile)
GoddessDragonofRa- You...are...amazing! Thank you for that review...it seriously made me want to get up and dance and cry at the same time! You really do your name justice - Goddess :) HAHAHA! Anyways, I'm so glad you love this story...I hope you enjoyed this chapter just as much! And I hope you weren't scared away by the long wait :( Anyhow, I'm so glad you reviewed...I'm glad you like the idea :) I was trying to think of a more original sort of plot. There are so many ideas running through my head at the moment that it's incredibly hard to keep track of all of them! Sometimes, I find I forget some of the good ideas! Oops! Oh, hehee...nice gueses too by the way...(zips mouth) Again, you ROCK!
Simple As Said- Pancakey knows best! As you predicted, it did take me a while to write - Anyways, thank you so much for reviewing dearie! I don't expect you to all the time, you know xD. Cos you rock anyways :) Love ya!
pink0614- Thank you for having such high hopes for my story! I hope you enjoy this chapter too...ohh and I hope you're not dissapointed (hides) Oh, I almost forgot, THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING (hands cookie)
Kyra4- Yes, indeed :) La di da, thank you for reviewing all my chapters...you really don't have to! But I aprreciate them all the same!
Slytherin in Mind- Thank you thank you thank you! You reviewed my one-shot too and I'm so happy about that! Yay! I hope you like this chapter then :) (hands out chocolate chip cookie) My favourite :)
princessugar- HAHAAA! I'm so glad you're sympathising with our Hermione! Here, I'll let you hit Draco now (Pushes Draco to Princessugar) He's all yours...but be sure to give him back so I can use him in the next chappie! Hahah...thank you for reviewing!
w1cked angel- Thank you for reviewing my one-shot! Woooo! And thank you so MUCH for adding it your favs...I feel so loved!
OnEbLoOdYrOsEpEtAl373- Thanks for reviewing the one-shot! I hope you're alright...here, I'll get you some tissues hands fluffy, nice smelling tissues :)
angatgirl- Thank you so much for reviewing my One-shot! Yay! I'm so glad you told me what you didn't like about it too! When I have the time, I'll definitely try fixing it up :) Thanks a heap for everything! I love reading your story too..it's improving so much and I love the quotes and everything!
Mocha Dragon -
