Chapter Seven

Harry Potter

A Tale of A Forbidden Love

~starjade

Catching Sight of Dragons

Hermione walked down the hallway , hoping no one would recognise her. She had a good night sleep after her meeting with Drake and felt refreshed in the morning, until of course , she remembered what Malfoy threatened to do.

How could he have found out? There was no way...

She remembered how she had ran into him the first day when she had found out about Ginny and Harry...

Hermione swallowed. Still that didn't give any explanation...

She clutched her books to her chest and hurried down the hallway , wondering distantly where Harry and Ron had gone. Maybe they had gone for an early tea with Hagrid..

" Ooh , Mudblood! Where are you going? Off to pine for your crush?"

The voice startled her and she whirled around , meeting Pansy's eyes. She stood in front of a group of Slytherins , her eyes shining with triumph. She seemed like she was showing off for the fourth years that stood behind her and Hermione shook her head.

" Leave me alone , Parkinson," Hermione replied coldly , turning on her heel.

" Hey , I was talking to you , freak!" Pansy's voice echoed in the corridor and people turned around , looking at the two of them.

Hermione flushed, her wish for having a normal day , ruined. She looked around for Harry and Ron , but they weren't there. She was alone.

" I wasn't talking to you , pug! Leave me alone!" Hermione retorted , trying to walk away. The Slytherins cheered as Pansy grabbed her wrist.

" Not so fast, mudblood!" Pansy sneered. " I'm getting you back for the way you treated me yesterday."

Hermione wrenched her hand away from the pug faced sixth year.

" What did I do?" Hermione asked , her voice confused.

Pansy sniggered. " Telling me to work , as if! I should be the one ordering you around , scum! Purebloods don't take orders from Mudbloods...the filth of the society."

Hermione flushed hard with anger , a film of red stretched across her eyes.

With the cheering of the Slytherins and the beady eyes of all the students that crowded around the two of them , Hermione couldn't take it anymore. Just as she felt her hand itching to slap her , a voice cut through the noise and cheers of the students.

" Pansy , why are you wasting time with such trash? We'll be late for Charms."

Malfoy's drawl turned everyone's head as the silver haired boy walked up to them , a smirk playing on his lips. He looked at Hermione , his eyes cold. Hermione felt a jolt puncture her heart as she stared straight back at him.

" What are you doing here , Granger?" Malfoy sneered.

" What the hell are you doing , Malfoy!" The shout resounded off the walls and Hermione and the rest of the crowd turned around to where Harry and Ron were running as fast as they could towards them.

Malfoy sniggered. " Of course , dear Granger here needs to be saved by her precious body guards. Go on , Granger , back to Potter and Weasel..." He enunciated the word Potter and Hermione winced. " I'm sure no one needs to here about your dear crush..."

Hermione glared at Draco as he smiled mischievously , walking away from the three of them. The crowd slowly dispersed, shooting looks at Hermione as they walked past.

Ron gritted his teeth. " That Malfoy is going to get it...."

Harry looked at Hermione , confusedly. " What's happening here , Hermione? Why is he suddenly picking on you like this?"

Hermione's shoulders drooped and she picked up her fallen book bag. " I don't know , Harry...I honestly don't know."

~~~~~~~********~~~~~~~

" Hey , Hermione!"

Hermione looked up as Ginny plopped into the seat beside her. Hermione smiled as Ginny looked at Hermione's book and shook her head.

" Still reading , eh? Are you coming to Hogsmeade this Saturday?" Ginny asked.

Hermione sighed. " Probably not...I have so much to do, the teachers are really laying it on."

Ginny rose her eyebrows. " Come on , it's one day off! Besides , I want you to be there....Harry's asked me to go with him..."

Hermione's eyebrows rose. " Really?"

Ginny nodded , blushing. " Of course I said yes , but...I don't know what to do! This is like our first date....and I'm not sure what to do , what I should say..."

Hermione laughed. " I'll help you."

Ginny's eyes brightened. " You will?"

Hermione nodded and Ginny yelped , " Thank you soo much!" and wrapped her arms around her friend. Hermione giggled as Ron and Harry came around and sat beside the two.

" How's it going?" Ron asked and his eyes narrowed. " Malfoy hasn't been bugging you , has he?"

Hermione shook her head and Ron leaned back , a bit disappointed. " Well , if he does , tell me as soon as you can! My fists are itching for a little pounding.."

" Ron!" Ginny exclaimed and Ron flushed.

" What? That Slytherin scum is really ticking me off..."

Hermione shook her head ruefully as Harry and Ron began to plan what horrible things they would do to Malfoy. Hermione reached for some juice and Neville handed it to her.

" Thanks Neville!" Hermione smiled and Neville looked nervous.

" Hermione , there's something I want to tell you....I saw something last night."

Hermione's eyes widened. " What did you see?"

Neville gulped. " I saw a monster!"

Suddenly , Harry and Ron's animated discussion had become silent and all three of them were listening intently.

" A monster?" Ron asked , his eyes wide. " What kind of monster?"

Neville's voice trembled. " I couldn't get to sleep last night , so I was just looking out the window , wondering what homework I had forgotten to do...when I saw this huge flying thing burst out of the forbidden forest! It was huge , with wings and claws!"

Hermione gasped , dread filling her heart.

" Are you sure?" Harry asked, his eyes filling with suspicion and doubt.

Neville nodded. " I don't know what it was....but maybe Hermione could tell us...that's why I told her."

Hermione smiled , her smile a bit wobbly. " I'm sure it was nothing , one of those inhabitants of the Forbidden Forest coming out..."

Harry's eyes narrowed. " But one with wings that large that Neville could spot them from the castle? There has to be something else up..."

Ron's voice was a bit scared. " Maybe we should inform Dumbledore..."

Harry's voice was excited. " Nah...he'd probably tell us not to go looking for it....tonight , we'll go into the Forbidden Forest and find this monster!"

Neville whimpered. " Y-You can't! The Forbidden Forest is off limits!"

Harry shrugged, his eyes full of excitement at a new adventure. " We'll just have to take the risk!"

Hermione felt as if ice was injected into her spine as the two of them excitedly discussed how they would escape....Hermione felt her head was being compressed into a small package. Worry filled her heart. What if they found...Drake? What would happen? How could she protect him?

" Hermione , you in on this?" Harry asked , breaking through her thoughts.

Hermione looked up , startled. Her heart beat hard against her chest and she struggled for a believable excuse. " Uh...I can't go tonight , I have a lot of studying to do , besides, the you-know-what is a bit to small for all of us."

Ron nodded , slowly. " Alright then...it'll just be the two of us , mate! We'll find that monster...as long as we stay clear of the spiders!"

~~~~~~~~~~~********~~~~~~

Hermione paced from one end to the other, trying to calm her nerves.

" What am I going to do?" she shouted to the empty room , trying to clear her mind. One thought was running into the other , different scenarios ran into her mind.
The dragon discovered...

Killed...

Captured...

His silver eyes looking at her...

Hermione made up her mind. It was just after dinner and soon everybody would come up...she could already hear their loud chatter as they entered the Gryffindor common room.

Harry planned to leave a little after the bedtime....but if she went now...maybe she could warn the dragon...

Would he think that...she told?

Hermione shivered. Her heart hurt as she thought about the betrayal that would flash through his eyes...wait a minute. How would the dragon feel betrayed , if they didn't share a strong bond?

Hermione had searched every section of the library , looking for a talking dragon...she couldn't find one , unless the dragon had been spelled to speak English. He was a special dragon and she knew that in a strange way , Drake...Drake was her friend.

And she had to protect him. Even if it meant keeping a secret from Harry and Ron...

Hermione quickly finished the necessary homework for next week and then grabbed her cloak. She hurried down the dormitory stairs and into the common room. Ron , Harry and Neville were in a corner , discussing how they would leave...Hermione sneaked out of the common room and took a deep breath.

She then began to run down the corridor , keeping to the walls. Once , Peeves came flying down the corridor, screeching about Snape's hair but that was the only encounter. Finally , she went down the secret passageway and got out into the fresh air.

The Forbidden Forest loomed up at her and she looked up , wonderingly. What would Drake see when he heard what had happened? Would he get angry?

She began to run but all of a sudden , bumped into something quite solid. Hermione looked up fearfully and met a pair of cold , silver eyes...

" Malfoy?" she whispered , unbelievingly.
Malfoy stared at her , with a shocked look in his eyes. " What are you doing so earl- I mean what are you doing out here?"

Hermione stepped away from him and could feel her heart sink considerably. Now he'll probably inform McGonagall...

" Well....what are you doing out here?" Hermione shot back.

Suddenly , Malfoy jerked. Hermione noticed how his pale cheeks were flushed and his silver eyes glazed. What was wrong?

" M-Malfoy , is something wrong?" Hermione asked , forgetting her hatred for the Slytherin and her fear.

Malfoy shot a look at her full of venom. " Shut the hell up , Mudblood and get back to your little boyfriend. I'm sure Harry knows all about your little crush...doesn't he?"

Hermione sucked in her breath. " How do you know about this? Who told you?"

Malfoy smirked. " Just remember I know more than you think I do , dear granger. Now get your goody two shoe ass back into the castle , or I'll tell McGonagall..."

Hermione's eyes grew frightened. " I-I can't go back...or...or..."

Suddenly , Malfoy's eyes grew interested. " Or what?"

Hermione looked around herself. " I-I can't tell you...besides , what the hell are you doing out here? You should be back at the castle too , your no worse than I am! Even if you did tell McGonagall about me , you'll be in for it too!"

Malfoy wasn't paying attention. " Tell me why you can't go back."

Hermione eyes focused on Malfoy and hissed , " Look , Malfoy , I don't have to tell you anything. Don't treat me like some servant who you can boss around because your just a bastard who treats everyone and everything like crap. So just get out of my way!"

Malfoy's face seemed to grow paler and he seemed taller for some reason.
Suddenly voices coming toward them met their ears and Malfoy hissed , grabbing her arm and pulling her back into the shadows.

" We have to find that monster Neville saw. Where do you think he's hiding?"

" Who knows, but I won't rest until I find it! I wonder why Hermione didn't want to come.."

Hermione froze and she could feel Malfoy's hand slipping from her arm. Those two were so stupid! Now Malfoy knows about the dragon! Oh god , could anything get any worse!

And what if they found the dragon??

" Oh Drake..." she whispered , a tear falling down her cheek.

" I'm sorry.."

a/n: Uh oh! What do you think's gonna happen now? I know you guys might think the story plot is going a bit too slowly , but in mind , its not slow enough! lol! Jks! Tell me what you thinks gonna happen and wat ya think about the story! Aight?

Luvyalotz ,

~starjade~