After the Storm
I hold Draco for what seems like an eternity. I know there is nothing I can do to really console him. He has lost his mother and father all in the same evening, nothing can replace them. But I was determined to try. Eventually he stops crying and is able to look at me with red, swollen eyes. I remember when those eyes used to be a clear, icy blue. How he has changed… I sling my arm around his waist and we start walking towards the school. Dumbledore has disappeared inside, carrying the lifeless body of Narcissa. There are lights on in the castle now although the surrounding sky is pitch black. As we pass through the doors there are a few students gathering in the hall, sleepy and curious. They all stare at Draco and I with wide eyes and gaping mouths. I grit my teeth with an effort to control my anger. Draco, on the other hand, has no problem expressing his anger.
"WHAT ARE YOU STARING AT!" He screams and a few students back away apprehensively.
Dumbledore reappears suddenly and commands everyone back to their rooms. They obey grudgingly their respect for the Headmaster out-weighing their need for information. He places his arm around Draco in support.
"Hermione," He starts softly. "There are a few who would like to know that you are safe." He nods in the direction of the Gryffindor common room and I accept the voiceless command. As I head towards the common room I think of what I'm going to say to Ron and Harry. The portrait Lady regards me judging but opens at my request.
"Sunshine." I say the word quietly and step through the portrait hole. Everyone is back in bed. Everyone but my two dearest friends.
"Hermione!" Ron leaps out of his chair and runs to embrace me. There are tears in his eyes and concern on his face. "They said Dumbledore came in carrying a body and I thought…" He pulls me close. Harry comes up on my left and hugs me as well.
"We were so worried about you. What happened?" My lip trembles and I can feel hot tears begin to form again. I'm surprised I have any left at this point. I motion for them to sit and we all take a place on the carpet in front of the fire. I tell them everything. I start at the point where I left them in the hall and finish with Dumbledore carrying Draco's dead mother into the castle. They listen attentively, shocked and speechless. When I'm finished they stare at me in disbelief.
"So Lucius put you under the Imperius curse so that you would… you know… with Draco?" My mouth opens slightly in disgust.
"Is that all you can think to say, Ron?" I shake my head in disappointment. "Draco's parents are dead and all you want to know is whether Draco and I had sex?" I stand up slowly and study his expression. "Is that all you care about?"
"I have a right to know, Hermione. If that sick bastard did anything to hurt you I'll…"
"You'll what?" I cut him short. "Kill him? He's already dead! Havn't you been listening!" Harry also stands up and stares at the two of us.
"I'm I missing something?" He says slowly. I shake my head and look at Ron defiantly.
"Nothing important." With that I turn and walk up the stairs to the girl's dorm.
I'm left standing alone with Harry who looks at me for an explanation. I sigh and flop backwards into one of the common room armchairs.
"You… and Hermione…?" He asks slowly. "Since when? And when were you going to tell me?" His sounds offended and I rub my eyes.
"It happened over Christmas. I thought if I was bolder… like Draco, then maybe she would… and then after we had sex she seemed more concerned with him and I thought…"
"Whoa… wait a minute! You had sex!" He sits down quickly in the chair next to me.
"Yes."
"With Hermione?" His asks again, incredulously.
"Yes."
"You had sex with Hermione?"
"Yes! Alright? We had sex, big deal. Get over it."
"Whoa…" He takes a moment to register this newest piece of information. "Why didn't you tell me?" His voice goes from disbelief to hurt. I shrug.
"She didn't want anyone to know… I guess she was ashamed of me… or something. I don't know" I sigh, dejectedly. "Everything happened so fast and now all this stuff with Draco…" Harry claps his hand on my shoulder.
"It'll be ok. She just has a lot to deal with right now. Let's get some sleep, it'll be clearer in the morning." We head up to the boy's dorm together. I hope he's right though. I don't want to lose her after all this. I don't know if I could stand it. Harry snickers suddenly.
"I can't believe you had sex!"
