Chapter 4 - Attack Of the Heart
A sudden jolt surged through her body like a gunshot. Everything was happening so instantaneously that Hermione didn't even have a chance to defend herself, and out of nowhere, a pain as sharp as a knife jolted up her spine as someone shoved her violently against the rock hard wall, causing her head to bang noisily.
Simultaneously, a fixed hand grasped her arm roughly followed by the next. Before she knew it, the wand from Hermione's other hand had vanished.
She flicked her face away as if she was about to be bitten; there was some force that was resisting her from looking straight ahead at the mystery figure. An unfamiliar feeling had landed into her that was making her heart thump continuously; it wouldn't come to her surprise if she vomited right then and there.
"Get-off-me!" Hermione struggled away from the unknown person with all her strength. She stomped on his foot and heaved her body towards the person with such a force that it knocked them flat on the floor.
Hermione swiftly threw back her hair and took a look at the figure. With no surprise at all, the face of her worst nightmare, Draco Malfoy, was glaring at her murderously.
"The day I get out of the Hospital Wing, you attack me. When will you learn?"
Malfoy attempted to move his left leg but failed, "I'll get you one day. You and your little boyfriend." His face was cold and serious.
He was stumbling to stand when Hermione pounced on him and pushed him back to the ground. Retrieving her wand, she pointed it at him and yelled, "Petrificus Totalus!"
Without even getting a chance to defend himself, Malfoy's legs and arms locked tightly together with ease and his body lay flat on the solid floor. His surprised and dangerous face had wrinkle marks on it, which made him look at least ten years older, and his ice blond hair that had grown about 2 inches longer, helped go along with it.
Hermione soothed her throbbing arms and sighed heavily, "You know, I really didn't need to deal with your bloody stunts today, of all days."
She perched down next to him and glared at him. Hermione had the sudden urge to scratch his face over and over again until he was scratched to death. He had caused her so much trouble and pain over the years that she just wanted to get rid of him once and for all. But what could she do? He was Head Boy, and she didn't think that Dumbledore would understand if she killed off her partner.
Malfoy was goggling at her creepily.
"Malfoy, you will never be able to do anything to me. I'm too quick. I'm too smart-"
A small noise produced in Hermione's ear from her right side. It was a small boy with red hair that was gazing anxiously at the pair when he reached at the other side of the doorway.
She stood up, observed the kid, and said sardonically, "You can go fetch Professor Snape and tell him to-err-clean this-" she pointed at the frozen figure of Malfoy "-mess up."
For a second, the boy gave Malfoy a worried look, but then he went back into the Great Hall, probably in search of Professor Snape.
Dominantly, Hermione hopped past Malfoy's still body and marched right across the corridor. She couldn't believe that Malfoy had once again tried to attack her. They would certainly have to deal with him one day, and Hermione couldn't wait until that day came...
The warm autumn wind brushed against her soft cheek and flew back her long frizzy hair as Hermione took a step out the door of the Hogwarts castle. It was heaven; she inhaled the fresh air that surrounded, making her feel two years younger, and the colorful and blended smell of the dead leaves couldn't be any more replenishing.
It had been weeks since Hermione had been outside, definitely getting tired of gazing at white bed sheets and the dull hospital room all day. She twirled herself around in happiness without realizing what she was doing, suddenly stopping as she took note of a lanky girl walking past and staring at her incredulously.
But the glory of being outside did not last long in Hermione's heart. Harry slowly crept back into her mind like a slithering snake. What was going to happen to him? The terrible conclusion of the struggle between Harry and Lord Voldemort was drawing near, as Harry was no longer a teen. A full-grown man he was, with so much power and knowledge that even she couldn't compare to. But on the other hand, he had been through so much pain and sorrow that nobody in the world could even come close to...
Harry just couldn't go to the Ministry of Magic again; she wouldn't let him. Her whole body shivered just at the thought of twirling hallways, zooming dark blue doors, diamond-shimmering floors, towers filled with dusty glass orbs, and the worst of all, deadly Death Eaters...
But if Harry did go, she would have to assist him, because she wouldn't let him face Voldemort by himself, and she didn't think that Ron would either.
As she was thinking, the image of Ron came to her. His flaming red hair had looked so cute today, the slightly long strands coming down and touching his wide forehead. Something was changing between them, and it wasn't just height or age. Hermione perceived him with a different perspective, not the annoying old boy who annoyed her constantly and asked to copy her homework a hundred times, but a man who was now ambitious whenever she was around him now, there were different kinds of feelings brewing around in the air.
A few minutes passed by and she gazed at her surroundings. Dark owls were flying freely in the air, some entering the windows of the castle and others heading out. A few students were doing their homework and chattering and laughing along.
Hermione still had about a half an hour to go before she had Potions, so she took out her Charms homework and poured her mind into that for the time being. She had so much homework to catch up on and knew that there was no chance that she was going to get the time to sleep that night.
The sound of ruffled pages filled the classroom as the Gryffindor students collected their things and stacked them into their book bags. Transfiguration was coming to an end and the only new thing Hermione had learned of in the past hour and a half was that a load of homework was piled up on her head.
The voice of Professor McGonagall rang out in the noisy room, "Make sure you finish the review. It is essential that you memorize all of the points of Transfiguring animals and objects. The sooner you start preparing for N.E.W.T's, the better. Class dismissed."
Both Hermione and Ron stood up together, gathered up their things, and walked out the door as Hermione was telling about what had happened earlier with Malfoy.
"...So I froze him quickly and then this kid came and saw and I told him to go fetch Snape."
Ron shook his head in disgust, "Is that his number one goal in life, to make your life a living hell?"
"I wouldn't be surprised if it was." Hermione replied, rolling her eyes.
"Oh, don't worry. We will kill him one day...and I'll take the pleasure of performing that task."
"Killing isn't always the answer, Ron."
"True, but for Malfoy it is. Can't believe someone could hate someone else so much. What did you ever do?" Ron said solemnly.
"What have I been doing to him for the past 7 years? Nothing at all!"
"Exactly," He said, observing her seriously, "you are the most intelligent and diligent person I have ever known, and I can't believe someone could despise you to that extent."
Her cheeks turned the shade of crimson, "Uh...thanks."
Ron's face turned red too, and he didn't say anything else as they walked in the hallway.
The tension between the two of them stayed static until Ron spoke out, "So, when are we going to that bathroom tonight?"
"Around 8 o' clock, we'll meet at Moaning Myrtle's bathroom." Hermione informed him.
"Right. Let's just hope that no one sees us going in there." Said Ron. She could tell that he was thinking back to their second year at Hogwarts when Percy had caught Ron, Hermione, and Harry exiting the girl's bathroom.
"They won't," she said, "just make sure you bring Harry."
"Sure thing. What other better thing does he have planned on a Friday night than to take part in a nice little meeting in the girl's bathroom?"
"Don't you think I have other priorities?" Hermione retorted, "I could be studying, or catching up on the tons of homework I've landed today, or taking care of the loads of prefect duties..."
"Ok, ok!" Ron held his arms out defensively.
"Harry is cracking. If we don't settle this soon, then the same thing will happen as last year."
"No doubt."
"We have to stop him from this madness, or he will...well, you know..."
"Don't remind me," said Ron, gloomily, "but we can't prevent him from things he wants to do...and one day he will have to face him."
Hermione didn't utter a word; there was too much truth to what Ron had said.
Both of them headed upstairs to the Common Room, and Ron went to the boys' dormitory to get his Quidditch robes and broomstick.
Hermione looked around the room and approached Dean and Seamus settled on a table with their heads towering over books and thick rolls of parchment.
"Hello, you two. Mind if I join you?"
They both levitated their heads up and Seamus spoke, "Yeah."
She sat down on the wooden chair across from them and took out her Transfiguration book. Looking around the Common Room. Hermione realized that it was more packed and noisier than usual. The chatter was more enthusiastic, maybe having to do with the glorious weather outside.
"Hermione, did you finish that Transfiguration review yet?" Dean asked, with his rolls of parchment in front of him.
"Not yet. I decided to study the basic principles of transfiguring objects first, and until I get to the fourth section, I'm not going to start it."
"That's too bad." He commented, looking more disappointed than he needed to.
Someone tapped her from the back and Hermione turned around. It was a frustrated looking Ginny who had a book in her hand and a quill in the other.
"Can you help me out with this?" She walked around and stood next to her.
Hermione hesitated for a bit, since she did have a lot of studying to get to, but then said, "All right."
"Hey sweetz." Dean said in a bubbly voice, giving Ginny the look.
"Hello yourself." She replied dreamily, giving him a soft peck on the cheek and then settling down next to Hermione.
Hermione smirked involuntarily. Dean and Ginny had been together for over a year now, and they never seemed to get tired of greeting each other the same way over and over again.
As Hermione helped Ginny with her essay about Dryads (mythical female creatures who guarded trees), Ron strolled to their table.
"I'll see you later." He said to Hermione.
She stared at him for about two seconds, and then nodded. She watched his tall, lanky figure walk away and get smaller until he left the room. Hermione returned her gaze to the group to find all three of them smirking at her.
"What?"
" 'I'll see you later.' " Seamus mimicked Ron's voice playfully, followed by a chuckle, "What's going on between you two?"
"Nothing." Hermione pronounced. She could feel herself blush, as her cheeks grew warmer.
"Oh really?" Ginny spoke, "I heard that little Ronny was giving you quite a few visits there at the Hospital Wing. Correct me if I'm wrong?"
"Shut up." Hermione retorted, causing all of them to laugh continuously.
"Well, your brother and Hermione are perfect together, aren't they?" Dean said to Ginny.
"I suppose so." She replied, giving Hermione a short wink.
Hermione spoke in an almost normal voice; "I thought you wanted help with your homework."
A fast hour had passed and Hermione had finally gotten to her studying. She gazed out the window and observed the luke-warm sunset. It was almost dark and she could feel the cool atmosphere rejuvenate her insides and smell the pine-fresh scent producing from the trees and flowers.
To the far right was the massive quidditch field resting right next to the deep Forbidden Forest. Hermione caught miniscule figures zooming around in midair that were on broomsticks. She couldn't recognize who was who, but on the left side of the field, a distinct blur that was positioned in front of the goalposts caught her eye.
A fluttering noise caught Hermione's attention. In the red-orange sky, an owl was flying towards the castle. As it drew near, its direction was towards the window that Hermione was staring out of.
The owl found itself inside the Gryffindor common room when Hermione moved out of its way. It was a scrawny little gray owl with nonstop fluttering wings that was hovered above her head now.
Everyone in the room watched the owl as it dropped a yellow-colored letter in Hermione's hands and left out the window in haste.
To get away from everyone's curious eyes, she went to one corner and ripped open the letter in full curiosity.
Dear Hermione,
Hello Hermione. I just received your letter a few days ago and I'm glad you informed me about this. These unusual dreams you talk about are not much to lead on, because they could be just normal nightmares. But on the other hand, there could be some purpose or connection in relevation to these dreams, so be careful.
I hope school and everything else is going on well. One more thing I want to mention. Please keep an eye on Harry. I know what's going on in his head and I can tell him what to do but I highly doubt that he will listen to me. It's much better to get advice from your friends than your adult role models, I once heard and experienced.
Write back if anything else takes place and if you are worried about something, owl me. Farewell!
Sincerely,
Lupin
A sudden jolt surged through her body like a gunshot. Everything was happening so instantaneously that Hermione didn't even have a chance to defend herself, and out of nowhere, a pain as sharp as a knife jolted up her spine as someone shoved her violently against the rock hard wall, causing her head to bang noisily.
Simultaneously, a fixed hand grasped her arm roughly followed by the next. Before she knew it, the wand from Hermione's other hand had vanished.
She flicked her face away as if she was about to be bitten; there was some force that was resisting her from looking straight ahead at the mystery figure. An unfamiliar feeling had landed into her that was making her heart thump continuously; it wouldn't come to her surprise if she vomited right then and there.
"Get-off-me!" Hermione struggled away from the unknown person with all her strength. She stomped on his foot and heaved her body towards the person with such a force that it knocked them flat on the floor.
Hermione swiftly threw back her hair and took a look at the figure. With no surprise at all, the face of her worst nightmare, Draco Malfoy, was glaring at her murderously.
"The day I get out of the Hospital Wing, you attack me. When will you learn?"
Malfoy attempted to move his left leg but failed, "I'll get you one day. You and your little boyfriend." His face was cold and serious.
He was stumbling to stand when Hermione pounced on him and pushed him back to the ground. Retrieving her wand, she pointed it at him and yelled, "Petrificus Totalus!"
Without even getting a chance to defend himself, Malfoy's legs and arms locked tightly together with ease and his body lay flat on the solid floor. His surprised and dangerous face had wrinkle marks on it, which made him look at least ten years older, and his ice blond hair that had grown about 2 inches longer, helped go along with it.
Hermione soothed her throbbing arms and sighed heavily, "You know, I really didn't need to deal with your bloody stunts today, of all days."
She perched down next to him and glared at him. Hermione had the sudden urge to scratch his face over and over again until he was scratched to death. He had caused her so much trouble and pain over the years that she just wanted to get rid of him once and for all. But what could she do? He was Head Boy, and she didn't think that Dumbledore would understand if she killed off her partner.
Malfoy was goggling at her creepily.
"Malfoy, you will never be able to do anything to me. I'm too quick. I'm too smart-"
A small noise produced in Hermione's ear from her right side. It was a small boy with red hair that was gazing anxiously at the pair when he reached at the other side of the doorway.
She stood up, observed the kid, and said sardonically, "You can go fetch Professor Snape and tell him to-err-clean this-" she pointed at the frozen figure of Malfoy "-mess up."
For a second, the boy gave Malfoy a worried look, but then he went back into the Great Hall, probably in search of Professor Snape.
Dominantly, Hermione hopped past Malfoy's still body and marched right across the corridor. She couldn't believe that Malfoy had once again tried to attack her. They would certainly have to deal with him one day, and Hermione couldn't wait until that day came...
The warm autumn wind brushed against her soft cheek and flew back her long frizzy hair as Hermione took a step out the door of the Hogwarts castle. It was heaven; she inhaled the fresh air that surrounded, making her feel two years younger, and the colorful and blended smell of the dead leaves couldn't be any more replenishing.
It had been weeks since Hermione had been outside, definitely getting tired of gazing at white bed sheets and the dull hospital room all day. She twirled herself around in happiness without realizing what she was doing, suddenly stopping as she took note of a lanky girl walking past and staring at her incredulously.
But the glory of being outside did not last long in Hermione's heart. Harry slowly crept back into her mind like a slithering snake. What was going to happen to him? The terrible conclusion of the struggle between Harry and Lord Voldemort was drawing near, as Harry was no longer a teen. A full-grown man he was, with so much power and knowledge that even she couldn't compare to. But on the other hand, he had been through so much pain and sorrow that nobody in the world could even come close to...
Harry just couldn't go to the Ministry of Magic again; she wouldn't let him. Her whole body shivered just at the thought of twirling hallways, zooming dark blue doors, diamond-shimmering floors, towers filled with dusty glass orbs, and the worst of all, deadly Death Eaters...
But if Harry did go, she would have to assist him, because she wouldn't let him face Voldemort by himself, and she didn't think that Ron would either.
As she was thinking, the image of Ron came to her. His flaming red hair had looked so cute today, the slightly long strands coming down and touching his wide forehead. Something was changing between them, and it wasn't just height or age. Hermione perceived him with a different perspective, not the annoying old boy who annoyed her constantly and asked to copy her homework a hundred times, but a man who was now ambitious whenever she was around him now, there were different kinds of feelings brewing around in the air.
A few minutes passed by and she gazed at her surroundings. Dark owls were flying freely in the air, some entering the windows of the castle and others heading out. A few students were doing their homework and chattering and laughing along.
Hermione still had about a half an hour to go before she had Potions, so she took out her Charms homework and poured her mind into that for the time being. She had so much homework to catch up on and knew that there was no chance that she was going to get the time to sleep that night.
The sound of ruffled pages filled the classroom as the Gryffindor students collected their things and stacked them into their book bags. Transfiguration was coming to an end and the only new thing Hermione had learned of in the past hour and a half was that a load of homework was piled up on her head.
The voice of Professor McGonagall rang out in the noisy room, "Make sure you finish the review. It is essential that you memorize all of the points of Transfiguring animals and objects. The sooner you start preparing for N.E.W.T's, the better. Class dismissed."
Both Hermione and Ron stood up together, gathered up their things, and walked out the door as Hermione was telling about what had happened earlier with Malfoy.
"...So I froze him quickly and then this kid came and saw and I told him to go fetch Snape."
Ron shook his head in disgust, "Is that his number one goal in life, to make your life a living hell?"
"I wouldn't be surprised if it was." Hermione replied, rolling her eyes.
"Oh, don't worry. We will kill him one day...and I'll take the pleasure of performing that task."
"Killing isn't always the answer, Ron."
"True, but for Malfoy it is. Can't believe someone could hate someone else so much. What did you ever do?" Ron said solemnly.
"What have I been doing to him for the past 7 years? Nothing at all!"
"Exactly," He said, observing her seriously, "you are the most intelligent and diligent person I have ever known, and I can't believe someone could despise you to that extent."
Her cheeks turned the shade of crimson, "Uh...thanks."
Ron's face turned red too, and he didn't say anything else as they walked in the hallway.
The tension between the two of them stayed static until Ron spoke out, "So, when are we going to that bathroom tonight?"
"Around 8 o' clock, we'll meet at Moaning Myrtle's bathroom." Hermione informed him.
"Right. Let's just hope that no one sees us going in there." Said Ron. She could tell that he was thinking back to their second year at Hogwarts when Percy had caught Ron, Hermione, and Harry exiting the girl's bathroom.
"They won't," she said, "just make sure you bring Harry."
"Sure thing. What other better thing does he have planned on a Friday night than to take part in a nice little meeting in the girl's bathroom?"
"Don't you think I have other priorities?" Hermione retorted, "I could be studying, or catching up on the tons of homework I've landed today, or taking care of the loads of prefect duties..."
"Ok, ok!" Ron held his arms out defensively.
"Harry is cracking. If we don't settle this soon, then the same thing will happen as last year."
"No doubt."
"We have to stop him from this madness, or he will...well, you know..."
"Don't remind me," said Ron, gloomily, "but we can't prevent him from things he wants to do...and one day he will have to face him."
Hermione didn't utter a word; there was too much truth to what Ron had said.
Both of them headed upstairs to the Common Room, and Ron went to the boys' dormitory to get his Quidditch robes and broomstick.
Hermione looked around the room and approached Dean and Seamus settled on a table with their heads towering over books and thick rolls of parchment.
"Hello, you two. Mind if I join you?"
They both levitated their heads up and Seamus spoke, "Yeah."
She sat down on the wooden chair across from them and took out her Transfiguration book. Looking around the Common Room. Hermione realized that it was more packed and noisier than usual. The chatter was more enthusiastic, maybe having to do with the glorious weather outside.
"Hermione, did you finish that Transfiguration review yet?" Dean asked, with his rolls of parchment in front of him.
"Not yet. I decided to study the basic principles of transfiguring objects first, and until I get to the fourth section, I'm not going to start it."
"That's too bad." He commented, looking more disappointed than he needed to.
Someone tapped her from the back and Hermione turned around. It was a frustrated looking Ginny who had a book in her hand and a quill in the other.
"Can you help me out with this?" She walked around and stood next to her.
Hermione hesitated for a bit, since she did have a lot of studying to get to, but then said, "All right."
"Hey sweetz." Dean said in a bubbly voice, giving Ginny the look.
"Hello yourself." She replied dreamily, giving him a soft peck on the cheek and then settling down next to Hermione.
Hermione smirked involuntarily. Dean and Ginny had been together for over a year now, and they never seemed to get tired of greeting each other the same way over and over again.
As Hermione helped Ginny with her essay about Dryads (mythical female creatures who guarded trees), Ron strolled to their table.
"I'll see you later." He said to Hermione.
She stared at him for about two seconds, and then nodded. She watched his tall, lanky figure walk away and get smaller until he left the room. Hermione returned her gaze to the group to find all three of them smirking at her.
"What?"
" 'I'll see you later.' " Seamus mimicked Ron's voice playfully, followed by a chuckle, "What's going on between you two?"
"Nothing." Hermione pronounced. She could feel herself blush, as her cheeks grew warmer.
"Oh really?" Ginny spoke, "I heard that little Ronny was giving you quite a few visits there at the Hospital Wing. Correct me if I'm wrong?"
"Shut up." Hermione retorted, causing all of them to laugh continuously.
"Well, your brother and Hermione are perfect together, aren't they?" Dean said to Ginny.
"I suppose so." She replied, giving Hermione a short wink.
Hermione spoke in an almost normal voice; "I thought you wanted help with your homework."
A fast hour had passed and Hermione had finally gotten to her studying. She gazed out the window and observed the luke-warm sunset. It was almost dark and she could feel the cool atmosphere rejuvenate her insides and smell the pine-fresh scent producing from the trees and flowers.
To the far right was the massive quidditch field resting right next to the deep Forbidden Forest. Hermione caught miniscule figures zooming around in midair that were on broomsticks. She couldn't recognize who was who, but on the left side of the field, a distinct blur that was positioned in front of the goalposts caught her eye.
A fluttering noise caught Hermione's attention. In the red-orange sky, an owl was flying towards the castle. As it drew near, its direction was towards the window that Hermione was staring out of.
The owl found itself inside the Gryffindor common room when Hermione moved out of its way. It was a scrawny little gray owl with nonstop fluttering wings that was hovered above her head now.
Everyone in the room watched the owl as it dropped a yellow-colored letter in Hermione's hands and left out the window in haste.
To get away from everyone's curious eyes, she went to one corner and ripped open the letter in full curiosity.
Dear Hermione,
Hello Hermione. I just received your letter a few days ago and I'm glad you informed me about this. These unusual dreams you talk about are not much to lead on, because they could be just normal nightmares. But on the other hand, there could be some purpose or connection in relevation to these dreams, so be careful.
I hope school and everything else is going on well. One more thing I want to mention. Please keep an eye on Harry. I know what's going on in his head and I can tell him what to do but I highly doubt that he will listen to me. It's much better to get advice from your friends than your adult role models, I once heard and experienced.
Write back if anything else takes place and if you are worried about something, owl me. Farewell!
Sincerely,
Lupin