This story's people were stole by me
Though they're not mine
And never were before
And my heart is keeping them close to me
cause though they're not mine,
Well I won't say goodbye anymore
Author's Note: Okay. Since I know what an absolutely horrible person I've been, and I'm afraid to show my face for fear of it getting ripped off, I'm sending out a friend to talk to you guys. Hold on a second. (scraping around noises)
Charlie: Hey y'all! It's me, Charlie. (tons of screaming girls with signs that say 'Marry me Charlie' and 'Charlie Daughton for President')
Charlie: Um... Al? Is this normal?
Atellix: Sure. I told you they like you.
Charlie (shrugs): Um... okay... Listen everyone, Atellix is kind of a bit of a coward at this thing,...
Atellix: Hey!
Charlie: ... so I offerred to take over the story--... I mean TALK about the story. Heh. You know me, two brain waves that get confused, suddenly I'm eating pizza with pickles... never mind. That's a story that D and I will take to the grave with us. Anyway, since Atellix finally finished this chapter, and has now promised to listen to me when I tell her to write, I think everything will be some kind of copasetic around here. She's also written thank you's to the people who have stuck with us this long and have reviewed recently. You guys rock! (more girls screaming) So, yeah. Here is the next chapter, and uh... yeah. So thanks for listening, and watch me and my sexy self in action in this next chapter.
(tons of girls screaming again)
Charlie (laughs): Yeah! Hey Al, can you make me President?
Atellix: Not in this story.
(tons of girls booing)
Atellix: I'm sorry!
Charlie: Hey hey. Easy now. Leave the author alone. By the way, I heard one of you suggested a Charlie plushie. It's a pretty crazy and far out idea... and I LOVE it!
(girls screaming again. Charlie reaches out a hand and the screaming stops.)
Charlie: Hey, cool!
(Charlie takes away his hand, and the girls start screaming again. He puts it out again, and the screaming stops.)
Charlie (laughing): This is fun!
Atellix: Ahem!
Charlie: Okay, okay. (Holds out a hand to stop the screaming.) Anyway, here's the next chapter of Life as a Soundtrack starring yours truly!... and some other people.
Atellix: Enjoy everyone!
Chapter Five:Come Rain or Come Shine
He bit his bottom lip anxiously. Slowly placing one foot in front of the other, he silently stepped down the flight of stairs towards the Great Hall and the entrance to the school. He made it to the bottom of the stairs without a sound. Giving a quick glance down the hallway, he sighed. He glanced up at the top of the stairs and motioned to a girl at the top. Silently, she too made her way down the stairs, trying to hold back a laugh. She got to the bottom and gently smacked his arm.
"This is your idea of a nice night, huh?"
He shrugged and blew a strand of blond hair out of his face. Glancing at the Great Hall doors, he grabbed her hand, and the two slowly made their way towards the entrance. They had just made it past the doors when he let out a sigh. He glanced at her and smiled. Giving her a wink, he took her arm.
"And we're on our way..."
Suddenly, the Great Hall doors opened, and the one known as Charlie Daughton came out singing.
"Someday out of the blue, in a crowded street, or a deserted square, I'll turn and I'll see you...".
The singing suddenly stopped.
"Whoa... Draco?"
Draco turned around, Hermione following suit. "Yeah?"
"Wow. That's never happened before. And here I thought I never sing the truth! Where are you two headed... and without me, no less?"
Hermione smiled. "Just... out?"
Charlie gave her a skeptical look. "Sure... "out". Past curfew and off the grounds. Out is a good word for it. Try me another one." Shaking his head, he punched Draco in the shoulder. "Come on Draco, I thought you knew better. I mean, how can I lie and cover your back if I don't know your back needs covering?"
A smile slowly crawled across Draco's face. "You're right Charlie. I don't know what I was thinking."
Charlie crossed his arms. "Clearly you weren't. Now get going before I change my mind."
Draco grinned and pushed open the door to the grounds. Hermione came back and gave Charlie a quick kiss on the cheek.
"You're a good friend, Charlie."
He waved her off and within minutes, the two were gone, disappearing into the night. Charlie grinned and started to head back into the Great Hall before he stopped, thinking of what Hermione said. He grinned.
"I'm a great friend. What's this "good" shit?" he said, imitating Ted Danson. Smiling, he strolled back into the Great Hall, whistling to himself.
Ron looked up from his game of Wizard's chess. "What are you doing back? I thought you just left!"
Charlie shrugged. "And here I thought you'd missed me Carrots!"
"Can't miss you if you won't leave."
Charlie sat down across from Ron on the other side of the table. "Ah, very true. Should I go back out and come in again, then?"
Ron shook his head. "Nah, s'okay. We'll just pretend you did."
Charlie grinned. "Touché."
Ron smiled and scratched his hair as Charlie looked at the chess board. "Who's turn is it?"
"Harry's if he ever gets back here from the kitchen."
As if on cue, Harry came running into the room.
"And here he is...," said Charlie grinning. Suddenly his face fell "... empty-handed."
Harry struggled to catch his breath. "Kitchen... Snape... Dumbledore..."
Charlie frowned. "I thought Dumbledore had his own kitchen. Suite-style staterooms for all the teachers. Like the ones you find in waterside apartment buildings. Must be costing them a bundle."
Harry shook his head. "They're talking about Hermione."
"What?"
"What?" said Ron, standing up. "What are they saying?"
Harry shrugged. "I heard them mention her name."
Charlie got up and motioned towards the kitchen. "Well then, what are we waiting for, someone to start a conga line? Let's go!"
Harry held out his hand. "Wait until I get my cloak out." Reaching into his duffel bag that rested on the bench, he pulled out his cloak. He turned around.
"Ready?"
Ron nodded, but then looked around. "Where's Charlie?"
Charlie had disappeared.
Harry shrugged. "Maybe he went on without us."
"Too damned impatient to wait, I'd wager. Stupid git."
Harry shrugged and started to open the cloak.
Suddenly, Ron jumped. "Ow!"
"What's wrong?"
"Something just poked me!"
Harry frowned at Ron. "Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure! Do I look stupid or something?"
"Ooo! I know! Pick me! Pick me! Can I answer the obviously dumb question?" Harry heard someone say quietly in his ear. Suddenly, Harry smiled, shaking his head.
"What? You think this is funny now? This is not fun--ow!" Ron shouted again. "Who's doing that?"
Suddenly, a voice spoke out. "Hmm... I wonder who? Or better yet... why?"
Ron froze, and Harry shook his head. "Okay Charlie, cut it out."
As though stepping out from under something, Charlie appeared. "Ta da!"
Ron stood there wide-eyed. "How'd you do that?"
Charlie smiled. "Magic?"
Harry laughed. "No fooling."
Charlie crossed his heart. "On my uncle's honor, cause God knows I have none to swear on."
Ron gave him a light punch. "Seriously, that was bloody brilliant! How'd you do it?"
Charlie shrugged. "Same way Harry does."
Harry squinted. "You've got a invisibility cloak too?"
Charlie held out his arm, the cloak draped over. "Identical to yours, only one size bigger so it can fit my manly physique!"
"What physique?" Ron snickered as Harry looked at the cloak.
"Careful Carrots... don't make me do it again,.. cause I will!" Charlie replied to Ron. He looked to Harry, who was still admiring the cape.
Harry shook his head. "It's amazing!"
"Actually it's Prada, but okay. Whatever you Brits call it is fine by me. It's all the rage in Italy right now. Although it's causing a lot of accidents because no one can see anyone else..."
Harry shook his head. "Wow... okay, so you can use your cloak, and Ron and I can fit under mine."
Charlie shrugged. "Sounds like a plan, Potter. Now let's go see what those two rascals are saying about our Hermione."
With that, the three boys headed out towards the kitchen.
-----------
"Draco, where are we going?" Hermione asked as they left Hogwarts.
"I already told you, it's a surprise," he responded, grabbing his broom from where he'd left it: leaning against the wall by the door.
She groaned. "I know you've already told me, but I don't like that answer. I want another one. Where are we going Draco?"
He stopped and turned. "School-wise, we are, our final year, going to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Date-wise, it's a surprise."
"Nice with the rhyming there. You must really be making desperate attempts to get me to stop bothering you, aren't you?"
Draco tilted his head and smiled. "Depends. Is it working?
Hermione shook her head. "Nope."
Draco smirked. "Good. I shudder to think that you could be stopped that easily Granger. I expected at least another twenty minutes of torture."
It was Hermione's turn to smirk. "Glad to see I didn't let you down."
Draco climbed onto his broom, and helped Hermione on, her arms around his waist. He gave her a quick kiss on the nose. "You could never let me down."
She blushed. "I... thank you, Draco."
He grinned and kissed her. "You're welcome." He smirked. "Plus, it got you to stop. I don't think you could get any more annoying, right?"
She smiled and kissed him back. Suddenly, she had a classic smirk plastered onto her face that could only be matched by Draco. She tilted her head. "Wanna bet?"
He shook his head. "Not particularly, no."
Hermione sighed, sounding exasperated. "Fine." She let go of Draco and crossed her arms in front of herself, drumming her fingers on her elbows. "Draco?"
"Hold on," he said, crouching. Hermione wrapped her arms tight around his waist, and he kicked off, leaving the ground at a record speed.
Hermione waited until they were at a stable speed and distance in the air. "Draco?"
He shook his head, watching the ground below. "No, I'm not telling you where we're going, and yes, it's still a surprise. And no, I don't think you could get anymore annoying." He turned to look at her. "Now what do you say to that?"
She gave him a quick kiss on the nose and smiled. "Are we there yet?"
-----------
"Look Severus, I understand that as an academic you are concerned for Miss Granger's welfare, however, I'm afraid I can't ban her without any proper justification for doing so. Miss Granger is one of our top students, and what you're asking me to do cannot be done without just cause."
The three boys were crouching in the corner of the kitchen behind the cutting table, facing the two professors on the other side of the room. Ron turned to Harry.
"Why would Severus want to get rid of Hermione? It doesn't make any sense! Getting rid of us, sure. But Hermione? She's the top of the class!"
Harry shrugged and observed Snape. Although he had loved to torture the superhero trio in the past, it was obvious that he was not enjoying his attempts at Hermione.
Snape sighed. "Headmaster, she is a bright and very loveable student, and is a great asset to both my class and the school as a whole, but I'm afraid that she is no longer able to meet the standard set by the elegeance and prestige of this school."
Harry turned to Ron. "Did he just compliment Hermione?"
Suddenly, Charlie's head appeared under the cloak. "Never mind that. Did Snape just say the word 'loveable'?
Dumbledore shook his head. "Severus, I'm afraid that without a solid reason for the banning of Miss Granger, then there is nothing I can do."
Snape shook his head. "Until we can further examine the situation, I have no proof. All I can tell you is... she's dangerous, and must be further examined to find out the cause."
Harry practically choked. "Did he just say Hermione is dangerous?"
Charlie nodded. "That's what I heard Harold."
Ron scoffed. "Hermione? Dangerous? That's ridiculous! She wouldn't hurt a single living creature!"
Charlie gave Ron a bizarre look. "You've clearly never been on the end of her right hook."
Harry smirked. "And you have?"
Charlie looked at them both, deadpan. "I prefer not to speak about it at this moment in time. Let's just say it involves myself, Miss G, a toothpick, and half a gallon of pickels... oh! and one of those things that you use for icing to decorate cakes... except that it was full of chocolate and whipping cream."
Harry covered his mouth, trying not to laugh. "Good Lord."
Charlie nodded. "I would go into further detail, but I'm sure our attentions are required in much more depth elsewhere at this moment."
Dumbledore seemed to believe Snape's accusations about as much as the three eavesdropping boys. "Severus, those are very grave accusations. I understand your concern for Miss Granger, yet for these charges you have no proof."
Snape shook his head. "No, but I have a witness."
Charlie scoffed quietly. "Great. Let me know when the Easter Bunny arrives. I mean, who would honestly be able to convince Dumbledore that Hermione is dangerous?"
Dumbledore gave Severus a curious look. "Really? Who might this witness be?"
Harry looked deep in thought. "There are only two people I can think of: Hagrid... and..."
Suddenly, there was another presence in the room among the teachers and hiding students. "Me, Albus."
-----------
"Are we there yet?"
"No."
"Are we there yet?"
"No."
Hermione sighed. "You wouldn't tell me if we were anyway, would you?"
Draco smirked. "Nope."
Hermione gave a dramatic sigh. "You're impossible."
"Thank you," said Draco, squinting, looking down to find landmarks. 'It shouldn't be too long now... ah, there it is.' he thought, spotting the large, obtrusive castle slipping through the fog.
Hermione leaned forward. "What's that?"
Draco played dumb and shrugged. "No idea," he answered, decreasing his speed and coming in closer to it. He looked for the large piece of flat roof that should be somewhere in the middle of the castle. Suddenly, he saw faint lights from the centre of the castle. 'Bingo'
He came in slowly toward the castle. Hermione blinked, not believing her eyes. On the roof of the centre of the castle, surrounded by tall, reaching towers pointing upwards, was a rectangle of light around the flat roof. As they came in closer, Hermione noticed that there was a railing around the entire flat roof, and lights were strung around it.
As Draco came to land on the roof, Hermione looked down, her reflection peering back up at her through a black sea of marble. She smiled as Draco slowly stopped. She gave a quick look around, and noticed a table nearby, complete with dishes and silverware for dinner. An adjacent table contained covered silver platters. Tracing around the roof beneath the railing was a ledge, full of candles the whole way around and strewn with red and white rose petals everywhere.
"We're here," Draco said as Hermione gently stepped off the broom. She noticed the marble beneath her was a dull black, and allowed her eyes to stray a little further. She realized that there was a rather large square of the shiny black marble a few feet away, that had no other purpose than to serve as a dance floor.
"Hermione," Draco said gently. Hermione turned around. Draco extended an arm towards the table. "Dinner, m'lady?"
She grinned, trying to keep her cool. She curtsied. "Yes, thank you."
Taking her hand, Draco led her over to the table. Pulling her chair out for her, Hermione sat down, Draco taking a seat across from her. Pulling out his wand, he gently muttered a spell, and moved the table full of food closer. He lifted the tops of one of the silver trays, full of slices of glazed honey ham with a side of homemade apple cinnamon sauce. She smiled.
"Draco, this is too much."
Draco shrugged as he slid the food towards her. "For you? Nothing is too much. I'm sorry that I couldn't do more."
Hermione shook her head. "This is above and beyond everything I'll ever need... or want. Thank you so much."
Draco smiled. God, he loved this girl. "You're welcome."
Dinner passed at a leisurely pace. Hermione spoke of her parents with a certain fondness that Draco admired. When she began to talk about a time when her and her mother got stuck up north over Christmas, she became excited, her cheeks flushed, her hands moving with fluid movements as she spoke. Draco couldn't take his attention off of her.
"So, then Christmas Eve, there are my mother and I stuck about three hours away from home, stuck in a ski lodge with the snow still falling, and no way whatsoever of contacting my dad. My mom felt bad that she hadn't told my dad where we went, because we thought that we would be home before he came home from work before the holidays."
Draco leaned forward, completely engrossed in the story. "So what happened?"
Hermione smiled. "Well, my mom and I are sitting there in the ski lodge in front of the fireplace, when all of a sudden there's a huge bang at the door. I go to answer it, and there's my dad standing there in his snowsuit and parka."
Draco's jaw dropped. "No way! You mean he found you guys? How?"
Hermione nodded. "My mom just about freaked. She asked how he knew where we were, and he told us that he followed his heart, and that's how he knew."
Draco gave a slight frown. "He followed his heart?"
Hermione nodded. "Yeah. My dad told me that when you truly love someone, they become a part of you. There's a connection there that can never be severed, and you just follow your heart to find the other end of the connection. Kind of like a pot of gold at the other end of the rainbow."
Draco leaned back in his seat, allowing everything Hermione told him to sink in. There hadn't been any connection between his mother and father, that was for sure. But the idea that two people could be so completely connected that there was no need for words was just... miraculous.
"So, if it was such bad weather, how did he get there?"
Hermione smiled. "He flew."
Draco blinked. "What?"
Hermione laughed. "We live a couple blocks away from the radio station where my dad used to work. One of his friends had to take the chopper out to check the traffic, and my dad payed him to fly him to the ski lodge where my mom and dad first met."
"That's how he knew where you guys were? He went to the place where they first met?"
Hermione nodded, taking a small sip of butterbeer.
Draco grinned. "Wow. That's amazing. But... what possessed you guys to go up there in the first place?"
"My dad used to live in the small town that the ski lodge is located in. He grew up there, and during the winter he worked at the ski lodge, and that's how he met my mom. Anyway, he used to tell me about this beautiful clock that used to be hanging in the window of Giseppi's, a clockmaker who had a place on the corner across the street from his grandmother's. I thought that we could go and see if it was still there. It would have made the perfect gift."
Draco encouraged her. "And? Did you find the clock?"
Hermione nodded. "Yep. But even better was the fact that Giseppi's son Paulo had saved the clock after his father had died. He grew up with my father, and he couldn't bring himself to sell it. He knew that one day, my father would come back for the clock."
Draco shook his head. "Wow. That's amazing!" he said, breathlessly. "Plus, your dad seems to know everyone!"
Hermione smiled. "Yeah, my dad's like that. Everybody gets along with him," She looked up at Draco. "You'd like him if you met him."
Draco nodded. "I'd like to meet him, but I'm not too sure the feeling would be mutual."
Hermione tilted her head in question. Draco continued. "You know, son of an evil follower of Voldemort. Kind of puts a damper on conversation at the dinner table."
Hermione shrugged. "I wouldn't say that. I think he'd understand you and your family more than you think."
It was Draco's turn to look curious. "What do you mean?"
Hermione shook her head and took another sip of her butterbeer. "You'll just have to ask him yourself."
Draco smiled, thinking. "Okay," he said, breaking the silence a few moments later.
Hermione looked up. "What?"
Draco took a breath. "If you're dad is willing to give me a shot with his only daughter, then I'd like to meet him sometime."
Hermione grinned and came over to Draco's chair. She crouched next to him. "You mean it?"
Draco nodded. "Yeah, I do."
Hermione gave a little laugh. "You do realize that you've just agreed to meet my parents, right?"
Draco ran a finger under Hermione's chin. "Yes, I do realize. I'd love to meet them... but this isn't going to turn into a whole 'Meet the Parents' thing, is it?"
Hermione smiled. "Only if you're lucky."
Standing, she took Draco's hand. "Dance with me."
He smiled and stood up. "Forward and blunt much, are we?"
Hermione shook her head. "Not quite." She wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing his lips to hers. She sighed as he began to deepen the kiss, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist, pulling her close to him. She pulled away gently, giving him gentle kisses as she pulled farther and farther away.
She took a breath. "See? That was forward."
Draco slowly opened his eyes, clearly still reeling from the kiss. He smiled at her. "How long have you been storing that?" He took a breath. "Wow."
Hermione shrugged as Draco took her hand, strolling over to the dance floor. Now, he was back to his cool, calm demeanor. "May I have this first dance, Miss Granger?"
She nodded. "Yes you may, Mister Malfoy."
He gently took her hand in his, sliding the other one around her back, her cheek gently resting against his own. Slowly, the two of them began to sway, the absence of music not a problem, nor a hindrance.
Hermione smiled. "Draco?"
"Hmm?"
"Frank would be proud of us."
Hermione felt Draco smile. She closed her eyes as he gently sang in her ear.
"Heaven... I'm in heaven... And my heart beats so, that I can hardly speak... and I seem to find the happiness I seek... when we're out together dancing cheek to cheek..." Draco smiled. "Frank is classic. The only muggle naturally born with style and class."
Hermione laughed. "Draco?"
"Yes?"
She shifted her hand that rested on his shoulder. "Sing some more, please."
Draco smiled. "Some more Frank?"
Hermione grinned. "Sure."
Gently guiding Hermione around the dance floor, Draco began to sing.
It had to be you
I wandered around, and finally found,
The somebody who
Could make me be true
Could make me be blue
Or even be glad, just to be sad
Thinking of You.'
Draco then swung Hermione around, pretending to play the piano. She laughed, and he continued, still soft and mellow.
Might never be mean
Might never be cross, or try to be boss
But they wouldn't do
For nobody else gave me a thrill,
With all your faults, I love you still
It had to be you, wonderful you,
It had to be you.'
Draco then swung Hermione around, attempting to impersonate the big band swing interlude that came at that part of the song. Suddenly, he pulled out his wand, and the actual orchestra music began to filter down through the clouds. Hermione laughed as Draco swung her around, every once and a while making her two step like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Hermione held onto Draco tight as he spun her around the dance floor. Draco grinned, then belted out the next part, giving Hermione a bit of room in his arms.
Might never be mean
Might never be cross, try to be boss
They wouldn't do
For no-bo-dy else, gave me a thrill,
With all your faults, I love you still
Baby, it had to be you, wonderful you,
Had to be you-ooooo.'
Hermione laughed as he held the final note. Suddenly, the big band died, and the roof was once again silent, save for the gentle noises that Hermione and Draco's shoes made on the dance floor.
Hermione smiled, burying her head against Draco's neck. "Thank you Draco. That was perfect."
Draco grinned. "Not bad for our first dance, huh?"
Hermione brought her head up and looked at Draco. She grinned, putting her forehead against his. "Not bad at all. Of course now I have high expectations."
Draco smiled. "I expected as much."
Hermione smiled and gave him a kiss. "I love Frank."
Draco faked a scoff. "Typical. Here I am doing all the work, and Frank is getting the credit."
Hermione smiled as the two continued to gently sway. Hermione gave him a gentle kiss. "Thank you Draco," she said, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Hermione?"
She smiled. "Hmm?"
"I love you."
She lifted her head, resting her hand under her chin on his shoulder. "I love you too."
"More than Frank?"
She smiled and lifted her head back to look at Draco. "That's asking a lot...but yes... Yes, Draco. More than Frank."
Draco smiled, and Hermione rested her head once again on his shoulder. A moment passed before Draco spoke.
"But... why? Frank is the ultimate charmer."
Hermione grinned. "I've got all I need in my arms right now."
Draco smiled to himself as the two continued to gently sway across the floor. He brought the hand that was holding Hermione's closer to his chest. He could now die a happy man, with the love of a woman he loved who loved him back. He smiled to himself.
'Nothing could possibly spoil this night.'
-----------
Ron's eyes bugged. "Oh no."
Charlie rolled his eyes. "And there goes the ball game. Good afternoon, good evening, and good night."
Harry shook his head. "It can't be. Maybe there's a mistake."
Professor McGonagall had entered the room, and now stood between Snape and Dumbledore.
Charlie shook his head at Harry. "Dude, three rules. Number One: McGonagall doesn't make mistakes. Number Two: She never gets involved unless it's really REALLY serious. And number Three: When is the last time in the past, oh I don't know, century that Dumbledore doesn't take McGonagall's advice??"
Ron frowned. "Um... never?"
Charlie nodded. "Thank you Ronald. Did you catch that Harry, or should Carrot Top say it again?"
Harry shook his head. "Maybe Snape is right. Maybe there is something wrong with Hermione."
"Yeah, and maybe the Easter Bunny craps colored eggs. Who, by the way, I am still waiting for to bounce in here and tell me that this is all a dream... either that or to kill people. Either way it changes the situation."
Harry shook his head. "But of all the teachers, not including Dumbledore, that I'd have to trust the most, it would be McGonagall. Besides, why would she lie?"
Ron shushed the two. "Um, guys? Can't hear."
Professor McGonagall dropped her head. "I'm afraid it's true Albus. If the legend is true, then Miss Granger will be an even bigger threat than could possibly be expected. I didn't believe it at first, but Miss Granger is in a very great deal of danger if she is not treated immediately."
Charlie's eyes bugged. "Uh oh."
Harry looked over at Charlie. "What do you mean, 'uh-oh'?"
Charlie clasped his hands together and began turning them over. "Um... let's say that Hermione is a little... um... indisposed of at the moment, and cannot be treated immediately."
Harry shook his head. "What are you talking about? Where is she?"
Ron sighed. "Probably wherever Draco is right now."
Charlie shrugged. "I don't know exactly where, but... come on. Immediately? What's the worst that could happen?"
Harry rolled his eyes as Dumbledore's face became very grave. "What should happen if she is not treated in time?"
McGonagall shook her head. "We must pray that it doesn't come to that. I must tell you however, that the safety of the lives of the children at this school must come before Miss Granger's safety."
Snape looked pale. "You mean to say that we may have to risk Miss Granger for the sake of the other students?"
McGonagall sighed. "As much as I hate to admit it, yes, that is exactly what I mean."
Harry balled his fists. "Like hell am I letting Hermione go."
Charlie patted him on the shoulder. "Easy there Ace. I'm not about to lose Hermione yet either."
-----------
Draco and Hermione landed gently on the walkway that led to the front steps of Hogwarts. Hermione let go of Draco's hand and pulled the door open. A blast of warm air gently hit her face, and Draco followed behind her, carrying his broom in his other hand.
The two stopped inside the foyer, Draco chanting a spell that directed his broom towards his room. Hermione smiled.
"I don't think I've seen that since... The Sorcerer's Apprentice."
Draco shrugged and pulled Hermione into his arms. "Kids stuff."
Hermione smiled and traced an invisible line down Draco's arm. "Thanks for everything, Draco. I really had fun tonight."
Draco hugged her, holding her tight. "I'm glad."
-----------
Snape took a deep breath. "Then you're saying that we may have to allow her... to die?"
Harry's breath caught in his throat. 'Oh God, please no.' He tried to read Professor McGonagall's face, but couldn't.
McGonagall shook her head. "I'm afraid that's quite impossible. That is why this situation is much more serious and difficult than anticipated."
Dumbledore frowned. "What do you mean Minerva?"
Professor McGonagall sighed and looked at the ground, preparing herself. She then lifted her head. "What I mean Albus, is that to allow Miss Granger to die is rather difficult, not to mention impossible, in this situation."
Snape frowned. "And why is that?"
Professor McGonagall bit her bottom lip. "Because Miss Granger... is already dead."
-----------
Suddenly, Draco noticed something was missing. He stopped for a second.
Hermione felt him tense up. "Draco? What's wrong?"
He took a step back. He gently placed a hand beneath her right collarbone, and took her wrist in his other hand.
"Draco, what's wrong?"
He looked at her shocked. "Hermione? Why don't you have a pulse... or a heartbeat?"
-----------
A stunned silence settled over the room. Harry tried to find words, but no sound came out. The teachers were as shocked as the hidden students. The three boys sat in awe, their jaws dropping to the floor.
Finally, Charlie broke the silence.
"Well now... that was a show-stopping number."
-----------
Hermione looked at Draco, frowning. "What are you talking about?"
He took both her hands, placing one on top of the wrist of the other. He tried to remain calm. "Please tell me this is some freaky spell you've cast. Why don't you have a pulse?"
Suddenly, Hermione collapsed. Draco lept and caught her before she hit the ground. Gently, he lowered her down, resting her back against himself as he knelt down.
"Hermione?? Hermione!"
She began to toss and turn. "No! Don't touch it! Don't touch it!"
"Hermione?" Draco looked around for help, but found none.
Hermione continued. "Don't touch it! No... don't... touch it!"
Suddenly, her eyes opened, glowing bright green. A different, much deeper voice came out of Hermione's mouth. It gave a bittersweet laugh before it spoke.
"Oops... too late!"
-----------
"I'm gonna love you, like nobody's loved you
Come rain, or come shine."
Frank Sinatra
Author's Note: So there it is! Sorry sorry SORRY it took so long to update. I promise many more healthy doses of Charlie on a much more weekly basis. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and, as Charlie stated, I decided to pick back up with my personally thanking people. If I missed you for this week, I apologize, and I'll try to get you tomorrow. Don't forget to review!
My review song is "My Paper Heart" by The All-American Rejects:
Please just review for me
My writer's heart won't bleed
Since all this writing is for you
Write to me, please I beseech you
Simple thing
That make reviewing
Worth it all for you
To My Reviewers:
ekleenex: Hey! I'm glad my e-mail from ages and ages and AGES ago cheered you up, and that this one did even more! Sorry it took me so long to update, but I promise that it won't take as long anymore. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thanks for the review! Y'all come back now!
Kara Black: I'm so SO happy that you've stuck with me for so long, since the very first chapter of "Life as a Film". Sorry it took me so long to update. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks for the review! Hope to hear what you think about this chapter!
CeLeStIaL BeInG: Thanks for the review! I apologize for too much fluff (then again, I just kinda furthered it with this chapter, didn't I? Such a hipocrite...) Anyway, thanks for the review, and I look forward to your next visit!
Monikka DaLuver: Hey! Thanks for the review.
Charlie: Yeah, especially since I saw my name in it... even though I don't remember saying that... but the herd of wild yaks thing is like me.
Anyway, I'm glad you liked the chapter, and the story itself. I hope you like this chapter just as much. Review and let me know what you think!
Charlie: By for now!
JoeBob1379: Here is all the story-moving-along stuff that you asked for! And I know what it's like to have stuff go moldy in science classrooms. Apparantly it's a good thing- it enriches our dislike for moldy cheeses and more for the chemical processes that are being carried out. Anyway, SO off-topic. Glad you like the story so far! Thanks for the review, and drop me another one sometime!
ColorlessWorld: Hey! Thanks for the review! Just for the record, I'm SO much better at incorporating movie quotes than I am music quotes. Every time I quote a song, it's usually from an old film or a musical (quoting from "The Music Man" seems to be a very common thing with my sister and myself.) Anyway, hope you enjoyed this chapter, and hope to hear back from you soon!
SOBs 4 Sirius 223: Thanks so much! I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far! Let me know what you think of this next chapter. Thanks for the review! Come back soon!
Tickled Pink89: Thanks for the review! Well, I'm glad you like softie Dracos, because I don't think he's been as soft before as he's been in this chapter. Don't worry. He'll probably have to toughen up pretty soon!
BluDiamond: Aww... thank you so much for the wonderful compliments! I hope you enjoy this next chapter even more! Stop to review another time soon!
they-call-me-Helga: Marry Charlie? ... Um... Hang on a sec. (incoherent whispering).
Charlie: As honored as I would be to accept your offer, I'm gonna have to say no. Plus, there's plenty of me to go around! So, thanks anyway, and hey, review my buddy and creator Al's work soon, kay? Wild yaks and all that!
couch-potato01: Well, you were absolutely right with the idea that funny stuff is going to be happening soon! You're just too smart for me! Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter. Review again soon!!
Sylvan Tears : Hey! Thanks for the review! I'm glad you--...
Charlie: First, I'd just like you thank you for your constant adoration towards me. It makes me feel so good about... well, me! And don't worry, I'm looking into the whole Charlie plushie thing.
Atellix: Ahem! Anyway, thanks for the review. I'm glad you spotted the foreshadowing. I hope this chapter lived up to your expectations. And there's (of course) more foreshadowing. Thanks again for the review! Come back soon!
Lily of the Shadow: Hey hey! Tell Bob I also say hi! And parents that think their kids are crazy really is a good thing (trust me- the situation would only be worse if they thought I was normal). Anyway, glad you liked the chapter. "Uptown Girl" was originally done by Billy Joel, but was recently re-sung by Westlife, so that was kind of the version that I used. Anyway, thanks so much for the review, and come back soon to tell me how you liked this one!!!
firefly50: Sorry I didn't review in forever. I'm such a horrible person. But Charlie got me back on track and writing again, as long as I give him more screen time... or, writing time- thingy. Anyway, hope you like the chapter, and that it still flows along with the story. Talk to you later!