OK, the internet is still down, but I'm going to type this anyway.  Enjoy!

Chapter 26

Retrieving wands

Draco's POV

I was confused. Why had I held Her-Granger like that? Why was I still thinking about her? And why the hell was I on the way to Dumbledore's office to retrieve her wand? I shook my head and told the gargoyle the password, 'fizzing whizbees' and stepped onto the staircase. When I reached the top, I knocked on the door. A muffled 'come in' came from the other side. Dumbledore looked up when I stepped inside and smiled.

"Mister Malfoy, how nice to see you. How have you been? Is Miss Granger well?"

"Yes, she's fine. But I was wondering, do you have her wand? She lost it."

"I'm not sure. I have various wands people have lost over the year. Mister Longbottom was up here this evening after his. Do you know what her wand looks like?" He reached into the drawer next to him and pulled out three different wands. "Do you recognize any of these?" I thought about it a minute, then pointed to the 7 ½ inch willow one.

"May I see that one?" Dumbledore nodded and handed it to me. I instantly knew it was hers. "This one." I stood turned and headed for the door.

"Hold on a minute, please." I turned around. "How has Ms. Granger been? All the teachers have been worried about her."

"She's been pretty good." Dumbledore nodded and I went on. "She- she got scared today. I accidentally mentioned the ball when she realized her wand was missing and she started wringing her hands." I didn't bother hiding my emotions. "And I wasn't sure what I should do. I-I promised her I wouldn't let anything hurt her, ever. I promised, and I don't know why." I kept running my hand through my hair. "And then, I just held her in my arms. Like she belonged there, had always been there. The feeling that we had done that before. And then she pulled away. I felt so empty. Like my heart had been ripped out of my chest and thrown away." I fell silent and looked up at the headmaster. He smiled.

"Don't worry, Draco. You'll understand in time. Just follow your heart." I nodded, but a weight had been taken off my chest. "Good Night."

"Night, Professor." I left his office, confused but feeling much better. Wandering back through the halls, I lost track of where I was. When I found myself in front of the library, I shook my head and hurried off to my room and Herm-Granger.

Hermione's POV

When I pulled away from Dra-Malfoy I wasn't sure why I did. I felt safe in his arms, like I belonged in them. But I didn't. We were from two different worlds, literally. I stepped out of the shower and pulled on my pyjamas. I was so confused. I left the bathroom and went to sit in front of the fireplace, on the floor. Drac-Malfoy had left the room. I wasn't sure where he had gone, but I missed him. We had spent so much time together, that when he was out of sight I missed him. I couldn't explain why, it just happened. I leaned against the couch and closed my eyes. When he got back I would say something. I didn't know what, but I would. Then sleep overtook me and I thought no more.

Draco's POV (yes, again)

When I got back, the room appeared empty. I looked around quickly, suddenly scared. What if she had left? What if she was hurt? What if she was- I spotted her leaning against the couch, eyes closed. Her breathing was light and easy. I smiled to myself and picked her up. She shifted slightly and laid her head against my chest. I laid her gently on her bed and she curled up under the blanket I pulled over her. She always looked so beautiful when she slept. I stripped down to boxers and climbed into my own bed. It had been a long evening and sleep would be very welcome.

~*~*~ (Dream sequence)

The room was dark. I was in a corner, watching something. A petite figure was sitting on a bed and another figure was standing over the other one. The standing figure hit the one on the bed and sent them flying backward. I stepped forward and was thrown into a different scene. A girl was walking down an empty street. She was crying quietly and holding her stomach. I followed her into a medicine shop. Glancing at the labels around me, I realized it was a wizard shop. She picked up a jar and went to pay for it. I went to see what it was and was thrown back into the dark room. The tall figure standing over the bed moved toward the smaller figure huddled on the far side of the bed. She threw her arm up and opened her mouth and….

~*~*~

I sat up fast. Where the hell had that dream come from? A whimper from the other bed made me jump up.

"Harry don't! Stay back!! No!" Hermione was yelling across the darkness. I ran over to her bed. Her eyes were closed tight and her arm was over her face. "Stay away! Don't, please." She started to cry, and her voice got softer. "Please, don't. please." She started shaking. I grabbed her hand and held it tight.

"Hermione, wake up. Thee are safe." I knelt down next to her bed, holding her hand. "Thee are safe. I shan't let anyone harm thee. I promise you that. I will keep you safe, always and forever." I was whispering to her. "You are safe." Her eyes fluttered open and she looked at me.

"D-Draco?" her voice was soft.

"What do you need?"

"Don't leave, please." Her eyes were locked on mine. She looked so scared.

"I won't leave."

"Promise?"

"Promise. Now go to sleep. I'll be here when you wake up." She nodded sleepily but didn't loosen her grip on my hand. I nudged her over a bit and crawled up next to her. I wrapped my arms around her, and she did the same with me. I knew I would never leave her and prayed to anyone who was listening that she felt the same and I fell asleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~

That was mostly off the top of my head. A note to anyone who writes, never change big details. You'll have to rewrite everything after it. Well, my internet is back up so I can post. I'm too tired to type out separate thankyou's, but thanks to everyone who reviewed. You guys (or gals) keep me going. Thank You!

~WF~