The Room of Necessity

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or 'The Little Match Girl'. I do, however, own that bar of chocolate that is lying on that table over there. So lay off!

Chapter Fourteen

"Gentle arms lifted her from the snowy ground, and the little match girl was surrounded by warmth and peace. The End."

Sighing Hermione leaned her head back against Draco's shoulder and he smiled down at her. They were sitting on the bed up against the wall and Draco had one arm wrapped around Hermione's shoulders, so she was using him as a backboard more than the wall. He did not mind at all.

For lack of anything better to do, they had decided to read a story from the book. Settling down comfortably together, Hermione had chosen one she knew and liked and had begun to read it aloud.

Quietly, Hermione closed the book.

"So?" She asked.

"So what?" He was absently fiddling with a lock of her hair by her ear. He twined it around and around his fingers as he had been doing for the last half hour.

"What did you think?"

"It's really good. What happens next?"

"Nothing. She died." Hermione felt Draco tense slightly behind her and awkwardly (mindful of her sore leg) she turned so that she could see his face more clearly. His arm slid from her shoulder and into his lap.

"Died?" He croaked. Hermione nodded, looking at him oddly.

"Of course. It's all part of the moral of the story; you know, the hidden message from which we can learn?"

"A hidden message… you mean like in 'The Boy Who Cried Werewolf'?"

Draco hardly saw Hermione nod – his mind was racing. Hidden message, hidden message… To begin with he'd been thinking mostly about Hermione: her closeness; the flowery smell of her freshly washed and dried hair; the tone of her voice as she read aloud; his own heart beating faster and faster as she snuggled up to him, trying to get more comfortable… To be completely honest, his thoughts and feelings had been in a state of chaos, and she had unconsciously been playing havoc with them. Draco had had to stop it before he embarrassed himself. Plus, his palms were getting sweaty, and he HATED sweaty palms. So in a bid to distract himself he had decided to actually listen as Hermione read 'The Little Match Girl', and had been utterly captivated.

Draco had never really been read to as a child, so the lilting voice of a practised storyteller had an extreme effect on him. The words had wrapped themselves around him, encircled him, embraced him, engulfed him. He was intoxicated. He saw the little match girl in his mind and was swept along with her story, her trials. Her story had become him. He could empathise with her. Her fear. He knew it because it was his own.

Draco's heart had lifted when the little match girl had finally found her grandmother and happiness. How could she be dead? Draco felt shivers pass up and down his spine; he had a thing with death. He just didn't like it. Not since… he shook his head violently, trying to dislodge the thought, his eyes tightly closed. His mind didn't register Hermione take his hands in hers, worried and confused. Draco thought back, attempting to prevent the path down which he knew that train of thought would wander. Hidden message…

The little match girl had had to sell matches, because she was poor. Oh dear, Draco thought sarcastically. What a pity. Then she had dropped her matches, and when she went home she was beaten. Draco had little sympathy. Crucio was far worse – he was sure. He could remember many crucio's past; first hand experience.

But then the little match girl had gone out again, and this was the bit that struck a chord. She had gone out because she had been told to, even though it was winter and cold, with snow on the ground and she had no shoes. She had obeyed, done something ultimately very bad for her, because of fear of a beating. Fear of her father. And then she had died. No real, kind grandmother had come to take her from her pain, she had simply died. It had all been her imagination. Draco realised with a start the hidden message, the moral of the story. He looked up at Hermione and his eyes were caught by hers. Do not let fear of another dictate your actions. Do what is best for you, right for you.

But that brought him back to his original train of thought, and now there was no obvious escape. He was scared. He felt fear. And he was going to do what he knew was wrong because he was too frightened of what would happen if he didn't. He stared into Hermione's eyes, seeing nothing. He didn't feel her squeeze his hands. He could only think. No one knew! No one understood his pain...

OoO

Hermione watched him, confused and quickly becoming more concerned. She'd only asked him what he thought of the story! And mentioned the hidden message… Of course she had her own opinions about what that was, but interpretations tended to be unique to an individual. And then Draco's face had flashed with a remembered sort of… pain? She wasn't sure. She wasn't sure she wanted to find out. She had taken his hands, trying to reassure him – let him know that she was here – and then he had looked up and their eyes had locked, and she had fallen into pools of silver blue, had seen a torrent of thoughts, then pain. Then fear. Slowly, stealthily, a tear leaked out of one of his eyes and slipped down his cheek, completely unnoticed be him. But Hermione saw and the spell was broken. Tentatively she reached out to him and although he did not react she took courage. She enveloped him in a hug. She held him tightly, supporting him as he clutched at her like a lifeline and sobbed into her shoulder.

Hermione did not understand, she did not know; but she did not need to. She was there and that was enough. She held him as he trembled, stroking him back and murmuring soothing nonsense into his ear as he cried.

It was enough.

A/N

Don't worry if you are left completely confused by this chapter. The next chapter will explain all!

Excuse me if I got the story 'The Little Match Girl' a bit wrong, I read it ages ago.

OK, throughout this fic (because it's my first) I've been experimenting with writing styles. I would be really grateful if you would let me know which one/chapter you liked the most and why etc. Only if you can, but it would be very, very much appreciated. Constructive criticism is welcomed.

No cliffie in this chapter either! AH! I'm losing my touch…

Pen-behind-my-ear – To answer your questions: First, they can wish dreams away (they did with the bunnies) but they both need to want them to go away at the same time. With the monster, Hermione was asleep and when she woke up she wasn't in much of a state to be wishing for anything, due to certain… factors. I think that that has sort of answered question two as well, if not let me know.

xXWitchXx – You're not the only one who wants him in leather. Maybe later… Just for you. ;-)

Pureangel – The Room is governed by Fate i.e. has a mind of its own. So when Fate deems it necessary certain things can't happen i.e. Hermione and Draco can not simply wish themselves out of the Room, and they can not wish for Hermione to get better immediately. The reasons behind this is firstly because they need to learn something through these experiences and secondly if this didn't happen I wouldn't have much of a story. ;-) So there ya go. I hope that has helped. Also, the last task will be completed soon! I will say exactly what it is in the A/N at the end of chappie 15. See if you can guess. Thank you for your questions/review.

And for absolutely everyone: Review! More reviews faster updates!

Love,

-Greenfly