Chapter 15: The Wizard, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Ah! 200 crazy! Thanks so much for reviewing. Awesome to know people are actually reading my work. Eternal Moonpeach Goddess: I actually did realize that whole Hermes thing, but I really don't like that name lol the other questions….will be answered throughout the story as it progresses and such. Anyway, without further ado, I present to you: the next chapter!
Think back and talk to me
Did I grow up according to plan?
Do you think I'm wasting my time doing things I wanna do?
But it hurts when you disapproved all along
And now I try hard to make it
I just want to make you proud
I'm never gonna be good enough for you
I can't pretend that
I'm alright
And you can't change me
I'm sorry
I can't be perfect
"Did it work?" asked Madame Pomfrey anxiously as potions master came to, rubbing his eyes irately.
He glared at the nurse with a look that could only be described as complete and utter annoyance. "Obviously not. If it had worked, do you really think I would have turned purple?!" With a flick of his wand, his skin resumed its pale, sallow tint of yellow.
Professor Snape and Madame Pomfrey had been inside the potions classroom that day for 10 hours straight having once knocked Snape unconscious, once enlarged his already abnormally large nose, twice given him large green boils, and just moments ago turned his skin a bright fuchsia colour along with the various other effects of the antidotes they'd created that day; most of which he'd like to forget. The only times he'd stop working were to eat and sleep (He probably would have stopped bathing too although he probably never did in the first place). Even during his lessons he'd be diligently working. His world had come to revolve around the awakening of the two Hogwart's students. The nurse was seldom available to assist him for she had various injured patients to attend to. It'd been almost a month since Hermione and Draco had been in their state and so far only the Gryffindor had been showing signs of life; albeit faint and infrequent, but at least it was something. Draco, on the other had had to be carefully monitored for there'd been times where he'd stopped breathing for alarmingly long periods.
Sighing in resignation, the fatigued potion's pedagogue collapsed onto his chair and buried his face into his hands.
"Don't worry, Severus", said the nurse gently. "There's still tomorrow. Wearing yourself out today isn't going to revive those two." Timidly, she stroked the man's back in an attempt to comfort him.
"I know, Poppy. But I have to keep trying. Just a few more hours. I have a few more concepts I'd like to try out," he said determinedly, and lifted his head back up.
Madame Pomfrey shook her head sympathetically, but was impressed by his fortitude. "Alright, if you must. But don't wear yourself out. I have to get back to the infirmary now. Here, drink this" she said setting a steaming hot mug of coffee before him. "It'll do you good. I'll be back later. Good luck."
Snape nodded silently as she shuffled out and began to throw together an assortment of ingredients; filled with a new motivation to bring back his top students. After all, without them, he might as well have been teaching a class of brainless potato-headed gnomes.
.:.
"Ron! Stop shaking her!" Harry cried frantically, trying to restrain his red-haired friend who had suddenly gone berserk.
"But-but if I shake her she-she might wake up!" Ron shot back, sounding unquestionably hysterical.
"Snap-out-of-it!" bellowed Harry. In one swift motion, he raised his arm and smacked Ron hard across his well-freckled face.
The Weasley blinked and suddenly fell to his knees beside Hermione's cot. Harry, Ginny, Neville and Cho stared speechlessly at him. They were afraid of saying anything for fear of sending him spiraling back into his psychopathic state.
"Harry?" Cho whispered nervously. "I've-I've got to go. I still have a-a potion's essay to write."
Harry nodded soundlessly and Cho quickly planted a peck on his cheek before slow backing away and sprinting the rest of the way out.
The three remained silent as Ron gradually stood back up and tenderly stroked Hermione's head. "I'm sorry, you guys," he whispered softly.
Harry stepped beside him and tentatively rested a hand upon his shoulder. "It's okay, mate. Just. Relax okay? She'll be alright. You've seen how hard Snape's been working on the antidote. Hermione will be up and nagging us to study for our OWLS in no time!" he said in a falsely cheerful tone.
"Of course she will" Ron replied numbly.
Silently, Neville flanked Ron's other side. The three boys kneeled down beside Hermione, wordlessly comforting one another.
Ginny had a sudden flash of guilt pass through her as she glanced from Hermione's bed side to Draco's empty one. Decidedly, she slipped over to his bed and stared down at the pale faced Slytherin that lay so lifelessly upon the sheets, almost matching them in colour.
This was a rather familiar scene to the little Gryffindor. The main of his visitors had been simpering girls from various houses, skipping in and squealing over him for 5 minutes and bringing him piles of cards and sweets before promptly skipping back out, never to be seen again. The only male Ginny had seen visiting Malfoy had been Blaise occasionally. She saw his whispering unheard things to him for hours at a time before leaving. Crabbe and Goyle were never seen within the infirmary with Draco. She suspected that they were simply too stupid to find their way here without their leader. Pansy was probably the worst of all his visitors. She paraded in daily with her skimpy outfits, often without her robes and would stand over him squealing and chattering loudly about all the "wonderful" times they'd spent together or how lonely she was without him. Ginny was certain that if Draco weren't already half dead he'd have killed himself the moment she'd opened her mouth. Looking down at him, he appeared so helpless. Nothing like the arrogant, egotistical, pureblooded asshole that he'd been when he was conscious.
"You know," she said softly. "If you weren't such a prat, people would like you a lot more. And not just for your money, or your looks." Ginny watched him sadly. The three boys still hadn't noticed her absence. "You should really try it. No one's born a git…"
"Except him."
Startled, Ginny jumped a foot and spun around to find herself face to face with a certain Slytherin.
"Blaise!" she squeaked. And without delay, her cheeks were flooded with its usual blush.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be over there?" he asked pointing towards Harry, Neville and Ron.
The little Weasley attempted to stay cool and shrugged. "He….looked kind of lonely here by himself."
Blaise chuckled softly. She melted inside at the sound of his melodic laughter. "Believe me, he's used to it. All Slytherins are. But I'm sure he appreciates you anyway."
Ginny grinned. "I'm sure Malfoy appreciates me. A Weasley," she said sarcastically looking down at the boy and avoiding Blaise's devastating cerulean eyes.
"Well, I appreciate it then. It may not been apparent….but we are fairly close in our own….dark….evil….Slytherin way. On rare occasions I can tell what he's thinking." he smiled. "So thanks, Weasley. On his behalf."
And accordingly, her cheeks burned with a mixture of satisfaction and ecstasy. "It's nothing really. But you're welcome nonetheless" she replied.
The raven-haired Slytherin gazed intensely at his friend as if sending him a telepathic message. His sky-blue eyes darkened to a midnight blue and he gripped Draco's shoulder tightly.
Nervously, Ginny placed her own hand on Blaise's. "He'll be okay. I promise" she whispered.
He nodded silently. "I know he will. He's a fighter." Ginny didn't reply. Blaise firmly grasped her hand and held on. Her heart began to pound furiously, seemingly echoing throughout the room. She filled with contentment. The moment felt so right- despite the fact they were standing inside the hospital wing, mourning over Draco the pureblooded prat Malfoy. His grip upon her hand tightened as he spoke once again. "I feel like…..something's missing without. It but…it's like a puzzle. Without him, things just don't seem right no matter how much of the puzzle I've completed." His words were simple yet so deep. Ginny was touched by his emotion-filled words.
"Blaise-" she began, but was rudely cut off.
"Get-your-filthy-Slytherin-hands-off-my-sister" her youngest brother hissed venomously as he ripped Blaise's hand away from hers.
"Ron, no!" Ginny cried helplessly as Ron advanced on the love of her life.
He took a hard swing at the boy, but inevitable missed as Blaise skillfully ducked. He was certainly not a fool. Just like Draco; Blaise had been trained early in his life although he would never be as skilled as Draco was.
"You can have your sister back, Weasel. But I wasn't doing anything wrong" spat Blaise, shoving Ginny into her brother's arms. With a final glance at Draco, Blaise stormed pasty the two and made his way out.
"Blaise!" Ginny called after him just as he was at the exit. He turned partway. "I'm sorry. I really am."
Blaise stared hard at Ginny, avoiding the look of contempt on Ron's face. "It's not your fault. Don't worry" he told her. "See you next week." And then he flung open the doors and left.
Ginny glared furiously at her older brother and wrenched herself from his grasp.
"What's he mean see you next week?!" questioned Ron angrily.
"That-"she hissed, jabbing him hard in the chest, "is none-of-your-bloody-business"
"Like hell it isn't! You're my little sister! I have every right to know!" he retaliated, pointing his own finger at her.
Ginny promptly slapped him across the cheek, then stepped away shaking violently in fury. "You have no right prying into my business. What I do with my time – and whom I do it with – has nothing to do with you whatsoever, so sod off!" she fumed, shrieking so loudly that if the nurse had been present, she'd have been banned from the infirmary for life. Ron stared at her incredulously. "And for you bloody information" she continued as he opened his mouth to speak, "Blaise did nothing. I repeat-nothing!" and with that, she stormed out of the room just as Blaise had done moments before. Ron stood in place, frozen and speechless.
"You really blew it this time, mate" Harry muttered.
.:.
"Oh, no! I couldn't your Majesty."
Damn right you can't so don't!
"Nonsense Contessa! Mi casa es su casa." Hermione giggled at his poor pronunciation. "You are always welcome here! And I insist you stay the night! I have a theatrical group coming in tomorrow. It's by a very well known playwright. William….something or another."
"Shakespeare?!" Hermione interjected excitedly.
"Ah, yes. I believe so. You must stay the night Contessa. Your whole family!" the king persisted.
The studious princess was too overwhelmed by the fact that she was going to meet the William Shakespeare to care that Malfoy was going to be sleeping over.
Draco on the other hand was horrified. He'd already spent half the day there! Was it truly necessary to stay any longer? What sort of cruel punishment was this?!
"Oh your highness, you are too gracious. I accept your kind offer. I thank you gratefully on behalf of my family." The countess smiled sweetly and curtsied before him.
The queen looked as if she were about to explode. Her right eye twitched constantly and her hand gripped onto her tea cup so tightly, Draco was certain it was going to crumble into a fine powder at any moment.
"Excellent my dear. I shall have the servants set up your rooms!" he exclaimed jovially and clapped his hands together. "Like I always say: The more the merrier!"
Draco groaned silently and downed the remainder of his tea.
More the merrier my arse. He just wants to shag her sooner.
This was infuriating-no-no that wasn't it. Disgusting! That was it. His glare turned to Hermione who seemed ecstatic. "Shakespeare!" he heard her squeal. "Bloody Mudblood," he muttered.
.:.
Hours passed by as he sat stoically at the table staring blindly into oblivion. To his relief, the rigid older man he'd encountered at the ball appeared and announced that dinner was to be served momentarily. The party made their way to the main hall in due time and as before, the remote servants set them up and brought them their meals. Draco dove in hungrily as he'd only eaten an apple for lunch, having missed the Jester's performance which had included the mid-day meal. He finished the courses without delay, one after another. After he'd finished, he couldn't quite remember what he'd consumed except for the fact that he'd probably eaten some fish since there were remnants of it left behind on his silver platter. As dessert was soon done with, the king stood up again and announced that everyone was free to do as they wished for the remainder of the evening. Draco sighed. What was he to do for a whole 4 hours? Just as he was about to leave, Thaleia caught his arm. Somehow she'd talked him into walking with her to no particular destination and as fate would have it, they ended up in the study room he'd been in with Granger just weeks before; alone.
Draco smirked as she closed in on him. He was mildly impressed by her determination in pursuing him. She was persistent and he liked that. As a result, he took her on full as her luscious lips met his own. It wasn't that he particularly liked her, but she intrigued him- somewhat. That and the fact that she was incredibly beautiful of course. After all, who was he to turn down a good snogging session with a pretty girl? He thought of it was-a reward if you will- for her hard work and persistence. She didn't rest until she got what she wanted which in this case, was him. It pleased him to see how alike she was to himself in that sense. To say that she had been pushy would have been the understatement of the year. She was not pushy- she was dominant-commanding-controlling and frankly, a bit frightening. Draco wasn't exactly sure how she'd managed it, but she did. It surprised him; no other girl had ever been that way. Most of them were just grateful to be anywhere near him and let him set the pace-much less dominate him. The hours slipped by one by one and after what felt like eons into their snogging session, Draco finally regained control and broke away.
"Good night" he said in a finalizing tone. She looked up into his liquid silver eyes and nodded. Draco cupped her chin once more and kissed her softly on the lips before turning his back on her and leaving.
.:.
The halls were lined with torches flickering restlessly into the darkness of the night. Looming shadows were cast along the walls with an occasional squeak or creak that seemed to bring them to life. The moon was faint that night, masked by the darkness of the dismal clouds that lingered just above the trees. The ground was dark in most places, but quaintly colourful with the hues of fall leaves where the light had been allowed to shine.
Blowing through the stone corridors were the faint chills of the autumn wind. If one were to walk through without any clothing, they would certainly have turned a sickening shade of blue. This was for the reason that it was impossible to have installed any source of heat in this particular area of the castle. The hallway was empty save for a silver-haired young man whom lurked about seemingly unfazed by the sinister atmosphere. He peered curiously into each of the rooms that appeared to be unoccupied. Each had its own individual décor. So far none of they were to his liking; they all seemed too…homey; too lived in. The boy preferred something more…remote and unique. He finally came to the second last room at the end of the hallway. It seemed to scream "Open me! Pick me! " Ever so carefully, he creaked open the door and stepped in. A dark-gray colour comparable to his eyes, illuminated by the faint glow of a lone candle met him.Upon closer inspection, he found the walls were made of stone. The floors were covered in a smooth cobblestone like the ones that paved the way down to the lake.
Cautiously, he set himself down upon the bed. The sheets were a contrast of black and white. It didn't matter to him that the room was cold, he was rather used to it by now and the warmth of the down-filled blankets made up for the lack of heat. Draco lay down atop the blankets and stared up at the dark, and rather dreary looking ceiling. It was still rather early and he found that it was near impossible for him to sleep before 12. His curiosity prodded him ceaselessly until it finally won over his laziness.
Hauling himself from the bed, he began to inspect the room. What caught his interest right off the bat was the large ebony wardrobe. Pulling open the doors, he found dozens of rather revolting coloured tights and matching shirts. Beside them, hung a fair handful of tunics that he found more to his liking. Digging farther in, he discovered a cluster of soft, black cloaks.
As he pushed them back, he stepped onto the ledge and stuck his head far in. His hand pressed against the back of the dresser and he pushed at it gently. It was rather silly, but he was terribly curious as to whether a certain book he'd read back when he was younger had any truth in it. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe he recalled. It was a muggle fairy tale of some sort where 4 children had found their way into a magical world through a wardrobe. It was certainly peculiar as to why he would ever read a muggle book. But he'd been 7 at the time and having always been avid reader and ever since he'd been able to read, he was curious to see what reading a muggle book would be like. Then after he'd stumbled upon the book one day, he skimmed through it in a day and to his surprise, it wasn't half bad. Sure, the portrayals of witches and wizards in the book were rather ludicrous, but it amused him and the adventures were enthralling. But much to his dismay that had been the first and the last muggle book he'd ever read. Lucius had come across the book while inspecting Draco's room one day and with a flick of his wand, the book had been Incendio-ed before Draco had had a chance to save it. He'd been given a long lecture on his foolishness and was punished so severely that he hadn't picked up another muggle book since. It was stupid. But what harm could come of trying?
Draco pushed harder against the back. Nothing happened. A small sigh of disappointment escaped him. Of course nothing happened; it was just a story….a muggle story. A stupid, idiotic, mindless, muggle story. Angrily, he pounded the back of the wardrobe only to hit his hand hard against a notch on the smooth wood. He cursed and shoved aside the cloaks to get a better look. It was merely a flaw in the wood, but despite that he still wanted to get revenge on it for hurting him. It was undoubtedly stupid as it was merely an inanimate object but nevertheless, he whacked the notch in with the side of his fist as he would a hammer and a nail. Draco glared at it crossly as if to say, "You dare defy a Malfoy?!"
Stupid thing.
Just as he was about to step out, he heard a faint clicking sound. Excitedly, Draco dove back into the wardrobe to find that the backboard had shifted open a crack. He eagerly wrenched the door aside and peered in. It was complete darkness. Draco frowned and quickly jumped out to retrieve the candle. The faint light illuminated a dank, and eerie passageway; much to his dismay. Not a parallel realm. A stupid, dark, and dreary passageway. Despite himself, he stepped in. It was a long passageway and the path seemed to wind and twist at every other corner. It was rather intriguing. Grabbing a cloak to shield himself from the chilly pathways, he started down the passage; curious as to where it would lead him.
.:.
The water was barely lukewarm at that point and the main of the strawberry scented bubbles had already dissipated. A tinge of excitement surged through her body as she though of the following day. Shakespeare! The William Shakespeare! This was a chance of a lifetime! To be able to meet the writer of all the ingenious plays that she'd known and loved. She found Romeo and Juliet to be rather frustrating and well, just plain stupid therefore it wasn't a favorite of hers. But A Midsummer Night's Dream; now that was one of her absolute favorite romantic comedies. With a final sigh, Hermione ducked herself beneath the waters a final time and then heaved herself out. Hestia bustled in after her as she made her way down the hall into her room. She'd always wondered how the hand-maiden had drawn her bath. It wasn't like there was a tap or anything. Mentally, she made herself a note to find out. As she slipped into her room, she quickly snatched her nightgown from the wooden stool beside her full-length mirror and tugged it on. Reaching over to her vanity for her brush, she found another white lily. Hermione picked it up sadly and sighed. What did he want with her? Her fragile heart had barely mended and here was someone else coming along to have a stab at it. The emotional pain was just too much for her to handle. It wasn't something she was supposed to go though! She was 16 and still a young girl. Love wasn't something she was supposed to experience until she was older and had a steady career!
Maybe you're just lucky. Maybe…he's your knight in shining armor.
But what about Paris He was so much gentler than Hadrian.
He didn't want me…Hadrian does though.
Hadrian…
Paris…
This was definitely not part of her life agenda. Two guys at once. This was driving her absolutely insane!
Why can't things go in the right order damnit?!
Sighing once more, she stood herself before the mahogany-framed, oval-shaped mirror. The design along the boarder was actually quite lovely. Delicately cut leaves were carved all along the edges. Steeping back, as she finished her examination of the adornment, she began to run the brush through her dripping hair that seemed 3 shades darker than it's usual colour because of how wet it was. As she gently dragged the brush through her hair, she noticed the mirror seemed to be coming closer. Her eyes widened in horror as the mirror swung open full; barely missing her and a darkly clad figure emerged.
Oh Bloody Merlin
A/N
Okay, I cheated! Simple Plan – Perfect Love that song. Overly done yes, but I still love it. Anyway…who could that stranger be…?
Tune in next time, in the meantime: REVIEW! Ideas, suggestions, anything's fine with me!
Hope you enjoyed the chapter by the way!
