Chapter 18

"I'm so tired," Draco complained.

He and Hermione were at an amusement park. Draco was on his tenth go on the merry-go-round.

Hermione patted his hand. "Then we'll get off."

"Wait; one more time, OK?" Draco pleaded.

Hermione nodded. "OK. As you like."

They rode in silence for a while.

"I want to hear the story again," Draco piped up.

"What story?" Hermione asked gently.

"The one with the little people and big gold ring."

Hermione was surprised. That sounded very familiar…

Then she flashed back to a scene at the beginning of the year—when Draco accosted her in the train compartment.

HE HAD ACTUALLY READ IT?

"Hermione?" Draco's childlike voice floated through the air. "Can you tell me what happened to the little people?"

Smiling, Hermione nodded.

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Harry flopped down into an armchair as he took in what Dumbledore had just revealed.

"Why doesn't anyone tell me anything?"

"Because we all knew you'd fly off the handle." Dumbledore shrugged. "You've always balked at accepting help. Especially if the help was going to come from Mr. Malfoy."

"Who wouldn't? It's Malfoy!"

"You certainly could show a shred or two of gratitude. After all, he has very well kept you alive for the past few months." Dumbledore sat back in his chair. "Now that everything is peachy, would you mind calling Ms. Granger and Mr. Malfoy back?"

Harry glared at the headmaster, whose blue eyes were twinkling cheerfully. Grumbling, Harry headed for the door. He knew when he was beaten.

xxxxxxxxxx

Hermione and Draco had gotten off the merry-go-round. Actually, Hermione had had to drag Draco off because the boy had hardly any energy left to stand. She sat him down on a nearby stool. She knew what was happening, and her heart was heavy with the realization.

"It hurts," Draco moaned. Then his eyes, which had been shut, opened and fixed a clear gray gaze upon her. "I'm going to die, aren't I?"

For a moment, he sounded—and looked—like Draco again.

Hermione's eyes welled up unexpectedly. "No, you're not. You're going to graduate from Hogwarts, you're going to be a hero in the wizarding world, and you'll have four kids named Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin."

Draco looked concerned and lifted his hand to brush the tears from her eyes. "Don't cry."

Hermione blinked back the teardrops. "No, I'm fine."

"I'll marry you if you want.I don't want to see you sad."

Suddenly, Hermione caught a flash of pale blond hair. At the same time, a jet of blue light hit Draco.

"Lucius Malfoy!"

"I'm right here."

Hermione whirled, her wand drawn. The right-hand man of Voldemort stood a few feet behind her, his eyes glinting coldly.

"What have you done to him?" Hermione demanded.

Lucius lowered his wand. "That was the countercurse to the Regression Curse. No matter what, he is still my son," he almost whispered.

Hermione was speechless.

"But tell him that when I come to a duel with him next time, I will show no more mercy. Be careful."

With a swish of his cloak, Lucius was gone.

Draco was waking up. He shook his head and opened his eyes.

"What happened?"

"Draco!" Hermione had never been so happy to see him alive, well, and normal. "You're all right!"

Draco looked surprised by Hermione's concern (although he was secretly pleased). "Of course I am! Again, what happened?"

"You don't remember?" There was a sigh of relief from the bushy-haired teenager.

"Oh yeah! I was going to graduate from Hogwarts, be a hero of the wizarding world, and have four kids named Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin!" Draco grinned. "Right."

"Oh, shut up," Hermione grumbled, her face red.

Harry Apparated into the park just then, his expression sour.

"Dumbledore said you can go back now."

"Harry." Hermione laid a hand on her best friend's shoulder.

He shrugged her hand away.

"I'm sorry, Harry."

Draco looked peeved. "Potter, you are the swell-headed birdbrain I have ever had the misfortune to meet."

"Oh, you're well—I mean worse again. Now why would you say that?"

"Scarhead, news flash: You can't save the world by yourself. Everyone else had enough sense to know that, and stuck their necks out to help you. Be glad for it, instead of hemming and hawing about the fact that you are the damsel in distress this time."

Harry had drawn his wand, his eyes blazing.

Hermione stepped between them again, but Draco nudged her out of the way.

"If Potter wants to hex me, let him hex."

Harry's hand quivered.

"You want to fight this war by yourself? OK. Go. I for one have no objections. I'm sure your amazing powers can save you from a few dozen giants, a couple hundred Death Eaters, oh, and the Dark Lord himself. We'll just sit around and wait for the results."

Harry, with much effort, lowered his weapon.

"Come on," he barked. "We're in public."

Draco let out a snort of victory, and almost unconsciously slung his arm protectively around Hermione's shoulders as they Apparated away.

A/N: THANKS BE TO GOD!

Mostof this chapter was very highly inspired by Future Cops.

And to my reviewers:

Cold-eyes-for-you, Badbunny, Red and Gold, rose, and Flavagurl- Thanks:)

Shannon- Yeah, but I think there's no reason why Hermione should think it strange. After all, there are a lot of weird surnames out there. Thanks:)

Ehlonna- Oh yeah, I have no idea why it always comes out like that too. :) And I put that Harry helped Draco because despite the fact that our dear hero hates Draco, he's still a good guy at heart.

Foxeran- Kudos to you for remembering the book:)

Crimson Girl- The idea for the curse came from a Cantonese movie I love called Future Cops. :)

Goodybad- Thanks:) Anyway, Bible camp is kind of like a week-long retreat where you learn more about God through activities like Bible study, messages, and games. :)

Future movie maker- Good one:) But I don't really want them to kiss under such circumstances. I'm still saving the first kiss for something better… ;)

Coming up: The return of the (mention) of the Scorching Sweets and more sweets…