A/N: Here is chapter sixteen!
THANKS FOR REVIEWING: Mrsobssessedwithharrypotter, Beach_Babi, mountain- girl-85, PrincessAngelz, calcal418, Angel Moon Princess, EvErYtHiNg4NoThInG, Callie, Gothic Vampire, IceCristal, Amy, Nameless Moonlight, pyroprincess4devernwood, Madeline, Tomsgurl¤
D-E-V-L-41: Thank you so much, you totally rock! I'm glad your computer didn't crash in the middle of your wonderful review! So long, just how I like them! I'm really pleased that you like my story so much! I'm touched! Hope you like this chapter!
Chapter Sixteen: Cleaning Out The Closet
---Hermione's POV---
Draco had been sneaking around the castle for days. Word had got out about his and Hermione's fake split, and the rumors had gotten quite nasty.
Hermione hadn't even been talking to him. She'd quickly pass him if they ran into each other around the castle, and when she was on Head Duties with him, she'd act as if he didn't exist.
He hadn't tried to talk to her. She'd have to come around in her own time.
Draco learned from being a child talking didn't do anything. That's what Lucius said anyway, and he stupidly believed it.
He was staring into the fireplace as Hermione entered the common room with a bang. She never could climb through the portrait hole without tripping over or making a large noise.
She looked at him as if to say 'You're not suppose to be here!'
'Hi,' she said slowly.
'Hi,' he replied, rushing the word.
'So...how's your day been?'
Hermione seemed to be choosing her words ever so carefully, almost as if what she said was the difference between life and death.
'It's been ok.'
Hermione nodded.
'Umm...I'm just going to...read...?'
Draco nodded as Hermione sat down. She was being complicated again.
A few moments later Hermione got up and hurried off into her room. She was obviously unable to stand being around him any longer.
NEWTS were coming up, and Hermione was studying really hard. She didn't know what she wanted to be when she got out of Hogwarts.
She had always wanted to be like Harry and Ron and become an Auror, but now she saw everything differently. She wanted to help people, or write books, just not fight.
Hermione settled down on her bed and started to read 'Advanced Potions.' It was an incredible book, containing every useful potion. She had read 'NEWTS- POTIONS' which was also very good. It had every potion she had needed to learn for her NEWTS, which was definitely a plus.
Hermione was tired all the time now. People came and went at a rapid pace and usually didn't bother saying hello.
She was so tired of life, feeling like there was nothing there for her, nobody who cared.
As much as she loved her grandmother, she knew that the love she once felt for her could never be returned.
She was a cranky old woman, losing her mind and didn't really know her name or anything.
Even when her grandmother wasn't sick Hermione had only been the servant, completing anything her grandmother needed doing. The only nice thing she had ever done was sending her those earrings for the Ball.
Ginny was an extremely nice person who really cared about Hermione, but she certainly didn't love her. For Hermione it just wasn't the same.
Draco was the only person who had came close to loving her, and she had probably blown it.
''Ermione?' a voice boomed.
Hermione jumped and spun around.
'Oh, hello Hagrid,' she answered.
'You're seeming kinda down these days?'
'Yes, well, Hogwarts has kind of lost it's spark. The school holidays have definitely put a lot of things into proportion for me.'
'Lo' of pressure for Year Sevens these days. Your NEWTS'll be coming up soon, eh?'
'Yes! What am I going to be when I get out of Hogwarts?'
'I thought you 'Arry an Ron were gonna be Aurors, good ones at tha!'
'Yes. We were going to be Aurors, but times have changed so much. As much as I hate saying this, the Final War is going to start soon, I can feel it. I can't go to fight, I just couldn't stand it.'
''Ermione, you shouldn't be worrying abou' the Final War one lil bit! It's not gonna start right now, we'll worry abou' it when the time arrives.'
'I guess you have a point Hagrid, but I'm scared. I'm scared for Harry, I'm scared for Ron, I'm scared for every professor in this castle and I'm scared for Hogwarts. But I'm really scared for Draco, this is going to be so hard on him, and he doesn't deserve it, not one little bit!'
''Ermione, calm down! I've got a class to teach. Per'aps we could talk later?'
Hermione nodded and waved goodbye to him, ashamed of what she had just said.
Hermione felt like she was going crazy. Ever since Hermione and Draco had had a fight she was always grumpy. It felt like Draco was the only person who kept Hermione sane.
Little did she know, Draco felt exactly the same way.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
'Mr Malfoy, I would like you and Miss Granger to get rid of some Boggarts in a room on the second floor. I do imagine it will be quite a simple task for Seventh Years such as yourself. I expect the job to be done by 8:00pm.'
Draco nodded.
A few hours later Hermione came into the common room dressed in dark board shorts and a hot pink top. Her hair was tied in messy pigtails.
'Hermione, we need to get rid of Boggarts in that room on the second floor for Professor McGonagall. It has to be done by 8:00, so we better get going,' Draco explained.
Hermione nodded and grabbed her wand of the table, leaving with Draco.
Hermione was engrossed in her own thoughts as she made her way to the room, Draco at her side.
When they finally arrived they opened the door cautiously, hoping that there wasn't anything but Boggarts in the room.
'Looks like we have quite a job,' Draco sighed.
'Why do you say that?' Hermione answered.
'Because Boggarts hide in cupboards and drawers, and look how many there are in this place.'
'Oh, you're right.'
Each of them chose a side of the room and began casting spells on the Boggarts.
Although there were many, most of them were really small, so they really only picked up small fears.
Each time Hermione would come face to face with a Boggart pictures of Cars would flash past.
'Is that because of what happened to your parents?' Draco asked her quietly.
The question seemed to take Hermione by surprise, and she spun around.
She relaxed when she realized it was only Draco and nodded her head. She was a bit uncomfortable answering Draco's question, as they had just had a fight.
'Why do all of yours appear as the Dark Mark?' Hermione asked.
'Because I don't want to get it,' he replied simply.
'You're scared, aren't you Draco?' Hermione whispered.
Draco looked at her. His eyes had turned that warm grey colour again. He brushed a lock of blonde hair out of his face and nodded. He looked ashamed.
'I'm scared too. We can go through this together?' Hermione asked, moving closer.
Draco looked at his feet. For some unknown reason he didn't want to look her in the face, although once again he nodded, moving towards another cupboard to destroy the Boggart.
As the Boggarts became bigger, Hermione and Draco both began to feel the energy drain out of their bodies.
Draco's Boggarts took the form of Lucius many times, and Hermione couldn't help but notice Draco wince each time he popped up.
Hermione didn't blame him. Having to be reminded of his father that way. She felt McGonagall shouldn't have even set the task in the first place.
Hermione's Boggarts often made the figure of her on the day she received the marks of her NEWTS. Her paper had a big red FAILIED on it.
Finally they came to the three biggest Boggarts.
Hermione pulled her wand out and stared at the Boggart. It molded itself into the shape of Voldemort himself. Hermione took a step back, but steadily yelled 'Redikulas!' and the Boggart faded away.
Next it was Draco's turn. He was going to tackle the other smaller one.
He stepped up to it, and it hungrily turned into Voldemort and Lucius standing together. Draco had no trouble getting rid of it.
'I'll do it,' Hermione said to Draco as each of them looked at each other to see which one wanted to tackle the biggest Boggart.
She took a deep breath and approached it; wand held high I ready to get rid of it immediately.
Instantly the Boggart merged into the shape of an edition of the Daily Prophet.
The headline was: 'Many Killed In Fatal Attack By Death Eaters.'
Among the people who hadn't survived were The Weasley Family, Harry Potter, Hagrid, Neville Longbottom, Dumbledore and a lot of other people.
Hermione seemed to be actually reading it, when the newspaper suddenly turned the page.
It read: 'Draco Malfoy, Tortured By His Own Father.'
Hermione gasped and put her hand out as if she was going to close it, but different words kept swimming across the page:
Draco Malfoy Murdered, Draco Malfoy Tortured, Draco Malfoy Received The Dark Mark, Draco Malfoy to be Thrown in Azkaban, Draco Malfoy Dead and Draco Malfoy Kissed By Dementor.
She collapsed on the ground and tears rolled down her face. She had gone a pale.
Draco stepped up to it to take over. It turned into Narcissa and Hermione lying on a heap on the floor, Lucius standing over them laughing in a revolting manner.
He had murdered them.
Draco desperately grabbed his wand and yelled the spell. The Boggart faded away.
Hermione wiped the tears from her cheeks, and the two made their way to the common room in silence.
When they arrived they sat down on opposite couches.
'Are you ok?' Draco asked.
She nodded, but once again new tears were ready to fall down her cheeks.
'Hermione, I really appreciate your concern for me. It really means a lot,' he said slowly.
'Same to you.'
Draco gave her a weak smile.
'Sometimes I feel that nobody loves me. Nobody wants me. It feels like my only purpose at this school is to get good grades.'
Draco nodded.
'Hogwarts is a great school, don't get me wrong, but these days I feel like...it's lost it's ability to put I smile on my face.'
Draco nodded.
'When I see the castle it doesn't take my breath away. It feels like it's just another day. Another day I have to live.'
Draco nodded.
'Another day I have to live in pain, another day I have to remember what I don't have.'
Draco nodded.
'How do you feel?'
Draco moved his blonde hair away from his face and shrugged.
'You can tell me Draco.'
'It's not that easy, Hermione. All my life I was taught not to talk about my problems. It's hard for me to just start pouring my heart out to someone!'
'So, you don't trust me then?'
'I trust you Hermione!'
'No, you don't. You hardly ever tell me ANY of your problems, or anything that's going on in your life!'
'What about the letters?'
'The letters! I helped you, I comforted you through all of that, and I didn't get a single thanks!'
'I was mixed up, Hermione!'
She gave him a scathing look, and got out of her seat.
'You weren't sick forever now, were you Draco. I helped you to get better! Still didn't thank me though, did you?'
With that she headed for her room and slammed the door.
Suddenly a familiar owl landed on Draco's lap.
He knew immediately who it was from.
I'm tired of being what you want me to be
Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface
I don't know what you're expecting of me
Put under the pressure, of walking in your shoes
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
Every step that I take is another mistake to you
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
[Chorus:]
I've become so numb
I can't feel you there
I've become so tired, so much more aware
I'm becoming this, all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you
Can't you see that you're smothering me?
Holding too tightly, afraid to lose control
'Cause everything that you thought I would be
Has fallen apart, right in front of you
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
Every step that I take is another mistake to you
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
An' every second I waste is more than I can take
[Chorus:]
I've become so numb
I can't feel you there
I've become so tired, so much more aware
I'm becoming this, all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you
And I know
I may end up failing too
But I know
You were just like me
With someone disappointed in you
[Chorus:]
I've become so numb
I can't feel you there
I've become so tired, so much more aware
I'm becoming this, all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you
I've
Become so numb
I can't feel you there
I'm tired of being what you want me to be
I've become so numb
I can't feel you there
I'm tired of being what you want me to be
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: That's the end of this chapter. Sorry about the wait!
Please review! I went through my list of people who added me to their favorites and hardly any of those people reviewed! Please do it, it means a lot to me. I like long ones, thanks so much to those people who did!
Story Recommendations:
If you have a bit of spare time you might like to go and read one of these fanfics, they're my favorites!
All I Want and All I Need by omelette du fromage (this story totally rocks and is highly recommended (they're sequels.) I love anything by omelette du fromage!
A Mind Of A Girl by Beach_Babi
Enjoy!
THANKS FOR REVIEWING: Mrsobssessedwithharrypotter, Beach_Babi, mountain- girl-85, PrincessAngelz, calcal418, Angel Moon Princess, EvErYtHiNg4NoThInG, Callie, Gothic Vampire, IceCristal, Amy, Nameless Moonlight, pyroprincess4devernwood, Madeline, Tomsgurl¤
D-E-V-L-41: Thank you so much, you totally rock! I'm glad your computer didn't crash in the middle of your wonderful review! So long, just how I like them! I'm really pleased that you like my story so much! I'm touched! Hope you like this chapter!
Chapter Sixteen: Cleaning Out The Closet
---Hermione's POV---
Draco had been sneaking around the castle for days. Word had got out about his and Hermione's fake split, and the rumors had gotten quite nasty.
Hermione hadn't even been talking to him. She'd quickly pass him if they ran into each other around the castle, and when she was on Head Duties with him, she'd act as if he didn't exist.
He hadn't tried to talk to her. She'd have to come around in her own time.
Draco learned from being a child talking didn't do anything. That's what Lucius said anyway, and he stupidly believed it.
He was staring into the fireplace as Hermione entered the common room with a bang. She never could climb through the portrait hole without tripping over or making a large noise.
She looked at him as if to say 'You're not suppose to be here!'
'Hi,' she said slowly.
'Hi,' he replied, rushing the word.
'So...how's your day been?'
Hermione seemed to be choosing her words ever so carefully, almost as if what she said was the difference between life and death.
'It's been ok.'
Hermione nodded.
'Umm...I'm just going to...read...?'
Draco nodded as Hermione sat down. She was being complicated again.
A few moments later Hermione got up and hurried off into her room. She was obviously unable to stand being around him any longer.
NEWTS were coming up, and Hermione was studying really hard. She didn't know what she wanted to be when she got out of Hogwarts.
She had always wanted to be like Harry and Ron and become an Auror, but now she saw everything differently. She wanted to help people, or write books, just not fight.
Hermione settled down on her bed and started to read 'Advanced Potions.' It was an incredible book, containing every useful potion. She had read 'NEWTS- POTIONS' which was also very good. It had every potion she had needed to learn for her NEWTS, which was definitely a plus.
Hermione was tired all the time now. People came and went at a rapid pace and usually didn't bother saying hello.
She was so tired of life, feeling like there was nothing there for her, nobody who cared.
As much as she loved her grandmother, she knew that the love she once felt for her could never be returned.
She was a cranky old woman, losing her mind and didn't really know her name or anything.
Even when her grandmother wasn't sick Hermione had only been the servant, completing anything her grandmother needed doing. The only nice thing she had ever done was sending her those earrings for the Ball.
Ginny was an extremely nice person who really cared about Hermione, but she certainly didn't love her. For Hermione it just wasn't the same.
Draco was the only person who had came close to loving her, and she had probably blown it.
''Ermione?' a voice boomed.
Hermione jumped and spun around.
'Oh, hello Hagrid,' she answered.
'You're seeming kinda down these days?'
'Yes, well, Hogwarts has kind of lost it's spark. The school holidays have definitely put a lot of things into proportion for me.'
'Lo' of pressure for Year Sevens these days. Your NEWTS'll be coming up soon, eh?'
'Yes! What am I going to be when I get out of Hogwarts?'
'I thought you 'Arry an Ron were gonna be Aurors, good ones at tha!'
'Yes. We were going to be Aurors, but times have changed so much. As much as I hate saying this, the Final War is going to start soon, I can feel it. I can't go to fight, I just couldn't stand it.'
''Ermione, you shouldn't be worrying abou' the Final War one lil bit! It's not gonna start right now, we'll worry abou' it when the time arrives.'
'I guess you have a point Hagrid, but I'm scared. I'm scared for Harry, I'm scared for Ron, I'm scared for every professor in this castle and I'm scared for Hogwarts. But I'm really scared for Draco, this is going to be so hard on him, and he doesn't deserve it, not one little bit!'
''Ermione, calm down! I've got a class to teach. Per'aps we could talk later?'
Hermione nodded and waved goodbye to him, ashamed of what she had just said.
Hermione felt like she was going crazy. Ever since Hermione and Draco had had a fight she was always grumpy. It felt like Draco was the only person who kept Hermione sane.
Little did she know, Draco felt exactly the same way.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
'Mr Malfoy, I would like you and Miss Granger to get rid of some Boggarts in a room on the second floor. I do imagine it will be quite a simple task for Seventh Years such as yourself. I expect the job to be done by 8:00pm.'
Draco nodded.
A few hours later Hermione came into the common room dressed in dark board shorts and a hot pink top. Her hair was tied in messy pigtails.
'Hermione, we need to get rid of Boggarts in that room on the second floor for Professor McGonagall. It has to be done by 8:00, so we better get going,' Draco explained.
Hermione nodded and grabbed her wand of the table, leaving with Draco.
Hermione was engrossed in her own thoughts as she made her way to the room, Draco at her side.
When they finally arrived they opened the door cautiously, hoping that there wasn't anything but Boggarts in the room.
'Looks like we have quite a job,' Draco sighed.
'Why do you say that?' Hermione answered.
'Because Boggarts hide in cupboards and drawers, and look how many there are in this place.'
'Oh, you're right.'
Each of them chose a side of the room and began casting spells on the Boggarts.
Although there were many, most of them were really small, so they really only picked up small fears.
Each time Hermione would come face to face with a Boggart pictures of Cars would flash past.
'Is that because of what happened to your parents?' Draco asked her quietly.
The question seemed to take Hermione by surprise, and she spun around.
She relaxed when she realized it was only Draco and nodded her head. She was a bit uncomfortable answering Draco's question, as they had just had a fight.
'Why do all of yours appear as the Dark Mark?' Hermione asked.
'Because I don't want to get it,' he replied simply.
'You're scared, aren't you Draco?' Hermione whispered.
Draco looked at her. His eyes had turned that warm grey colour again. He brushed a lock of blonde hair out of his face and nodded. He looked ashamed.
'I'm scared too. We can go through this together?' Hermione asked, moving closer.
Draco looked at his feet. For some unknown reason he didn't want to look her in the face, although once again he nodded, moving towards another cupboard to destroy the Boggart.
As the Boggarts became bigger, Hermione and Draco both began to feel the energy drain out of their bodies.
Draco's Boggarts took the form of Lucius many times, and Hermione couldn't help but notice Draco wince each time he popped up.
Hermione didn't blame him. Having to be reminded of his father that way. She felt McGonagall shouldn't have even set the task in the first place.
Hermione's Boggarts often made the figure of her on the day she received the marks of her NEWTS. Her paper had a big red FAILIED on it.
Finally they came to the three biggest Boggarts.
Hermione pulled her wand out and stared at the Boggart. It molded itself into the shape of Voldemort himself. Hermione took a step back, but steadily yelled 'Redikulas!' and the Boggart faded away.
Next it was Draco's turn. He was going to tackle the other smaller one.
He stepped up to it, and it hungrily turned into Voldemort and Lucius standing together. Draco had no trouble getting rid of it.
'I'll do it,' Hermione said to Draco as each of them looked at each other to see which one wanted to tackle the biggest Boggart.
She took a deep breath and approached it; wand held high I ready to get rid of it immediately.
Instantly the Boggart merged into the shape of an edition of the Daily Prophet.
The headline was: 'Many Killed In Fatal Attack By Death Eaters.'
Among the people who hadn't survived were The Weasley Family, Harry Potter, Hagrid, Neville Longbottom, Dumbledore and a lot of other people.
Hermione seemed to be actually reading it, when the newspaper suddenly turned the page.
It read: 'Draco Malfoy, Tortured By His Own Father.'
Hermione gasped and put her hand out as if she was going to close it, but different words kept swimming across the page:
Draco Malfoy Murdered, Draco Malfoy Tortured, Draco Malfoy Received The Dark Mark, Draco Malfoy to be Thrown in Azkaban, Draco Malfoy Dead and Draco Malfoy Kissed By Dementor.
She collapsed on the ground and tears rolled down her face. She had gone a pale.
Draco stepped up to it to take over. It turned into Narcissa and Hermione lying on a heap on the floor, Lucius standing over them laughing in a revolting manner.
He had murdered them.
Draco desperately grabbed his wand and yelled the spell. The Boggart faded away.
Hermione wiped the tears from her cheeks, and the two made their way to the common room in silence.
When they arrived they sat down on opposite couches.
'Are you ok?' Draco asked.
She nodded, but once again new tears were ready to fall down her cheeks.
'Hermione, I really appreciate your concern for me. It really means a lot,' he said slowly.
'Same to you.'
Draco gave her a weak smile.
'Sometimes I feel that nobody loves me. Nobody wants me. It feels like my only purpose at this school is to get good grades.'
Draco nodded.
'Hogwarts is a great school, don't get me wrong, but these days I feel like...it's lost it's ability to put I smile on my face.'
Draco nodded.
'When I see the castle it doesn't take my breath away. It feels like it's just another day. Another day I have to live.'
Draco nodded.
'Another day I have to live in pain, another day I have to remember what I don't have.'
Draco nodded.
'How do you feel?'
Draco moved his blonde hair away from his face and shrugged.
'You can tell me Draco.'
'It's not that easy, Hermione. All my life I was taught not to talk about my problems. It's hard for me to just start pouring my heart out to someone!'
'So, you don't trust me then?'
'I trust you Hermione!'
'No, you don't. You hardly ever tell me ANY of your problems, or anything that's going on in your life!'
'What about the letters?'
'The letters! I helped you, I comforted you through all of that, and I didn't get a single thanks!'
'I was mixed up, Hermione!'
She gave him a scathing look, and got out of her seat.
'You weren't sick forever now, were you Draco. I helped you to get better! Still didn't thank me though, did you?'
With that she headed for her room and slammed the door.
Suddenly a familiar owl landed on Draco's lap.
He knew immediately who it was from.
I'm tired of being what you want me to be
Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface
I don't know what you're expecting of me
Put under the pressure, of walking in your shoes
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
Every step that I take is another mistake to you
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
[Chorus:]
I've become so numb
I can't feel you there
I've become so tired, so much more aware
I'm becoming this, all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you
Can't you see that you're smothering me?
Holding too tightly, afraid to lose control
'Cause everything that you thought I would be
Has fallen apart, right in front of you
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
Every step that I take is another mistake to you
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
An' every second I waste is more than I can take
[Chorus:]
I've become so numb
I can't feel you there
I've become so tired, so much more aware
I'm becoming this, all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you
And I know
I may end up failing too
But I know
You were just like me
With someone disappointed in you
[Chorus:]
I've become so numb
I can't feel you there
I've become so tired, so much more aware
I'm becoming this, all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you
I've
Become so numb
I can't feel you there
I'm tired of being what you want me to be
I've become so numb
I can't feel you there
I'm tired of being what you want me to be
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: That's the end of this chapter. Sorry about the wait!
Please review! I went through my list of people who added me to their favorites and hardly any of those people reviewed! Please do it, it means a lot to me. I like long ones, thanks so much to those people who did!
Story Recommendations:
If you have a bit of spare time you might like to go and read one of these fanfics, they're my favorites!
All I Want and All I Need by omelette du fromage (this story totally rocks and is highly recommended (they're sequels.) I love anything by omelette du fromage!
A Mind Of A Girl by Beach_Babi
Enjoy!