AN I dont care about reviews anymore...I'm just...ugh...just...ugh
Chapter 5 - Obsessed
Draco took long strides through the great hall the next morning, not daring to look at the three Gryffindors seated at the adjacent table. Harry and Ron watched, amused as Draco's frantic scramble to get a seat with his back facing them, having to kick out a few frightened looking first years in the process. Hermione, though, sat quietly, hidden behind her books. Harry turned to her only when he hear a frustrated sigh come from behind "Runes and You: A Guide for Understanding Complex Translations" by Milgrim Plockter. Harry leaned slightly over the book, his eyes locking onto a pair of puffy, dark circled eyes that belonged to Hermione. She looked warily up at him.
"Toast?" He pushed a slice of toast over her book and it landed with a crackle before her hand. She looked at it for a moment, then went back to reading. Harry, disconcerted by her lack of poise that morning, kept a close eye on her, keeping in mind Ron's worrisome rants about her throughout History and the last night, when she had gone to bed early.
"I'm beginning to think this is more than just worrying for a friend, Ron." Harry said, nodding his head slightly to Ron who was sprawled out on his stomach in front of the common room fire. Harry sat in a large squishy chair, only obtained by coming up behind timid first and second years and talking about how they lost their poisonous spider for care of magical creatures, and they were sure they left it on that chair just moments ago. Ron gave Harry a death glare, but Harry had had enough of those to know it was an empty threat. "I mean, you're going on so much I'm worried you'll start talking about how her nails look like they could use more calcium." Harry then ducked as a Potions textbook came flying his way.
Hermione did look as though she needed something, her face was paler and sallower than before, and she looked as if she would keel over if Harry were to even breath around her. He pulled the book down and stared her in the face.
"What's with you?" he had a most serious expression pasted below the shaggy hair. Yet his eyes gleamed dangerously. Hermione saw Ron look over Harry's shoulder at her. She grimaced and subconsciously put her hand to her arm.
"I'm just really, really tired." she emphasized the really with every fibre of her tired being. She had spent the last night sitting up in bed, thinking of what Draco had said. How deep, how much. She took her razor out and placed it on her wrist, lightly skimming the surface at first. It stung more than any other cut she had done. She looked at the light line of blood, just a small trickle, not even enough to roll down her arm. She placed the razor down, and this time, willed herself to press harder. Her skin split neatly again, but this time, more blood spilled from the cut, her razor gliding smoothly through her wrist. It was deep, and she gasped in surprise. The pain was instant, but then, a tremendous high came to her. Her brain felt light, her breath was easily flowing through her lungs. Her adrenaline rushed as she closed her eyes and tilted her head back to it hit her wall, making a soft thud. She sat, in ecstasy, for a moment. Then, as fast as it came, it was gone. She looked down at her wrist, the blood still gleaming. Picking up her wand, she hovered it lightly over the cut. It healed partially, some parts still open and seeping spots of blood. She felt relaxed, content. She felt at peace. And then she picked up her razor, and did it again.
Harry and Ron, of course, did not know this. Her eyes quickly darted over to Draco at the table next to them. He sat with his back to her, but the instant she looked at him, he turned around and his eyes scanned the table. They locked gazes for a moment, and he nodded his head inquiringly to her. She closed her eyes and quickly turned back to Harry. Harry, much to her dismay, was following her gaze. He straightened and looked over to Draco as well. As soon as Draco saw Harry look over, his pale cheeks turned a brilliant pink, and his fork slipped out of his hand. Harry, feeling a jolt in his stomach, turned to Hermione.
"What did he do? Did Malfoy hurt you, Hermione?" he asked hurriedly, leaning forward, looking her square in the eye. Hermione shook her head and placed her hand on her arm again. Ron had stood up, though no one noticed, and now stood between Harry and Hermione. He looked down at her and put his hand on hers. Hermione gasped and pulled away. Ron looked taken aback for a moment, then furrowed his brow. Harry looked from him to Hermione. His tone turned from worried, to angry. "Hermione what is with you!" He looked back to Ron, who stood, silent and steely eyed. Hermione stood, and picked up her books. She ran from the Hall, her hair and robes flying behind her. Ron made a motion to follow her, but Harry grabbed his arm. "Look."
Ron followed Harry's outstretched finger to Draco, who had also risen and walked, striding gracefully towards the exit. Ron watched him leave, and Harry pulled him to face each other.
"See! I told you Draco has something to do with this. Something is up with Draco. We need to follow him." He stopped, looked at Ron with a maniacal look on his face. Ron shook his head slowly and said in a low voice,
"You seemed too worried about Draco and not enough about Hermione, Harry." Harry's mouth dropped open slightly, and his shoulder sagged. Ron continued, looking towards the doors. "It's like your obsessed or something."
"I am not obsessed with Draco! He's nothing to me!" Harry felt suddenly sick at these words. His mind was flooded with thought of Draco. How he hated him, how he wanted nothing but to prove Draco was scum. How he admired him. How he loathed to have his…his…oh…dear. Harry's mouth was still open as Ron walked slowly away from him. He shook his head, trying to get thoughts of Draco from his mind. Malfoy. The one he's hated all these years. The one he was quite sure hated him. But his mind only stayed on one topic for the rest of the day. Malfoy. Malfoy. Malfoy.
Draco had followed Hermione into the girls washroom after her exit from the hall.She was crying in a corner, her small body packed tightly against the wall, a shuddering black mass as Draco approached her. Her head jerked up as she heard the echoing footsteps approached. He stopped, taking a step back when she gasped. Her face was swollen, tears rolling down her cheeks. Draco knelt down, putting his fingers ever so faithfully beneath her chin. She sniffled and dropped her eyes. Draco shook his head and lifted his fingers more, so her attention came to him.
"Was it bad, last night?"
She nodded. He reached down and took her arm, Hermione instinctively twitching slightly. He raised her arm and pulled back her robe. The cuts were red, angry, and deep. He tilted his head to the side. He pulled back his own sleeve, thrusting his arm out. His arm was laced with red carvings, long lines vertically up his arm. She placed an index finger on one, and traced it up to his elbow. He closed his eyes and took a small intake of breath. Hermione stopped and looked up at him.
"Sorry." she whispered. Draco opened his eyes and shook his head, pulling his sleeve back down. He then straightened up, putting his hand out for Hermione. She took it and pulled herself up, and they both walked from the washroom. As they exited, though, a pair of hands suddenly grabbed Draco and pushed him against the wall. The hands belonged to none other than Harry.
"What were you doing? What have you done with her?" he growled, and pushed Draco up against the wall. Draco stared at him in confusion, and Hermione placed a hand over her gaping mouth.
"Harry. Harry please, let him down…" Hermione hissed, watching helplessly as Harry angrily shook Draco, his blonde head bobbing from side to side.
"What have you done?" Harry said again, this time louder. Draco's breathing got heavy and his heart raced. All the while, thoughts of who was pinning him against the wall raced through his head. "What have yo-" Harry was cut short by Draco's lips on his. They stood, for a moment, Harry still holding Draco against the wall, Draco's hands wrapped around Harry's. Hermione stared, dumbfounded at the scene. Harry suddenly pulled away.
"WHAT THE FUCK?" his eyes were wide and blazing. Draco looked as shocked as Harry did. He ran, down the hall and out of sight, leaving Harry and Hermione in awkward silence.