Hey ppl, thx for ur reviews (esp.bubbly bubbles and magicpens and hippie chic) yay! I've had a bit of a writer's block for the last lil while, dodges flying bricks its all my freggin homework that's to blame...
I dunno what I'm gonna do wit Harry and Hermione....i might not get em together just yet because poor lil Draco is hanging on to life just so he can b wit Hermione...o my..Hermione is getting to be quite the lil forbidden fruit...so many guys chasing after her, her making out with a few of em...hehe.. no I wont turn her into a slut. That jus doesn't match her character.
I just write wutever comes to mind, then edit.
Disclaimer: need I say more?
Chapter 14-
Draco lay in bed, (in what he now called prison rather than the hospital wing) wide awake. He was staring blankly at the same four walls again. Everytime his gaze met a different wall, the darkness seemed to etch a crystal clear picture of Hermione Granger. They would continuously fade and return . He tried to shut his eyes, but he could always see her smiling sweetly at him. Draco couldn't escape the hold that Hermione held on him. At times he wanted to scratch the picture of her face away, but at others, he wished it would never fade. He smiled to himself. He thought hopefully that it was a sign of things to come.
It was still the early hours of the morning. By Draco's guess it must have been 2am. The shadows of night were still dancing in the halls and corridors of the school. Since it was still the weekend, Draco didn't worry too much about having enough sleep. Madam Pomfrey had told him that he would be released earlier than expected and that the person who saved him must have done an excellent job on upholding the temporary healing spells before he had arrived in the hospital wing. He was to leave prison in two days.
Of course, the first thing that he'd have to do when he got out was visit Dumbledore and Mcgonagall. He knew many things bothered him about his Headmaster. He wasn't sure what in particular vexed him about Dumbledore, but he knew that he felt that each time the old man looked upon him, Dumbledore was conducting his own little police interrogation. Those all seeing, searching, blue eyes always fixed on him. They always made him feel as if he had no control. He hated that. He was a Malfoy, and Malfoys always had to be incontrol.
Hermione could have stayed in Harry's strong, yet gentle embrace for all eternity. Her hands ran through his wild, black hair, letting her fingers revel in the dark prickly grass. It seemed like it took hours for it to sink in that she was actually kissing Harry again. All the bitter and sweet memories from the past months had come back to her, all mixed up together. It was like a whirlpool of images surging through her head, flowing into the passionate kiss she clung to ever so hungrily,-ever so desperately, with her soul mate.
She didn't know how this would solve any of their problems. In the darkest corners of her mind, she knew that Harry would still have to deal with always being labled as the boy-who-lived, and that the burden of being the world's saviour could potentially tear him apart; away from her once again. A voice in her head fought with another. One was screaming at her to push away, and leave. Save herself from the pain of one day losing Harry forever; emotionally, or physically.
The second kept telling her that if she stayed with Harry, his self-distructing path would cease. She could save him from Voldemort, the world, and what was more, himself.
'Look at what he's done to himself without you Hermione! He can't get up when your gone! He lost the will to live because you were not where you should have been; you were not at his side..' the little voice hollered.
Hermione was almost turning blue. She pulled away from Harry after what seemed like forever for a much needed gasp of air. Her heart pounded rhythmically. She could almost dance to it.
"I love you Harry," She breathed.
She didn't wait for Harry to answer; her arms once again flew around his neck, and without hesitation, her lips found his.
Ron had been waiting patiently for Hermione in the common room. His head continuously bobbled up and down. He didn't notice anyone else enter the room.
Luna Lovegood wandered into the common room, and spotted Ron nodding off. It seemed quite comical the way his head would hang down on his chest and suddenly pop back up, then droop down again. By her guess, he must have been going through the same routine of picking his head up and dropping it down for a long time. She giggled, and gently shook her fellow Griffindor classmate awake.
"huh?Hermione?" Ron yawned.
Luna couldn't help but feel slightly envious of Hermione. She had the famous Harry Potter after her and a rather good-looking Ronald Weasley pining for her. Luna couldn't deny the fact that she had a slight crush on the Weasley boy, ever since she first met him on the train last year. In her heart however, she knew Ron had fancied Hermione for the longest time, and perhaps still did. Luna had to once again smothered the green-eyed monster in her. She knew that envy didn't belong in her, otherwise she would have been in Slytherin.
"No, its Luna. You dosed off, I think...Why aren't you sleeping yet?" She asked gently.
"Oh,..I was just waiting for.."
Ron stopped mid-way into his sentence and with a look of realization on his face, he grinned.
"Well I was sleep- walking I guess." Ron's huge grin made it harder for him to speak.
He turned to Luna and said
"So what about you? Why are you up this late?"
Luna smiled and sat down across from him, sinking into her chair.
"Now THAT would be none of your business..you probably wouldn't be interested anyway..." She answered coyly.
Luna looked away from Ron, and stared at the roaring fire, with her usual look of wonder plastered all over her face. The two said nothing for what seemed like a year before out of nowhere, Luna broke the silence.
"I bet they're doing it,"
She sang in an uninterested tone, her gaze still fized upon the flickering fire.
Ron's eyes nearly popped out of his head. It was as if Luna was discussing some dull homework assignment instead of what she had incinuated about Harry and Hermione. He stared at her shocked, but thought it was best to keep his mouth shut. Images of the two together flashed uncontrollably through his mind.
He cringed and suddenly felt the small voice invade his head. He instantly recognized it and shouted at it in his mind to go away. It left within seconds and Ron breathed a sigh of relief. That voice had nearly cost him his best friends on more than one occasion.
"Arent you going to go stop it?" Luna asked, still with the same bored voice.
Ron simply stared at her. He knew she was probably right. It wouldn't be the best time to bring about a little one. Jealousy stained his heart. It should have been Harry who was down here with Luna instead of him. He couldn't bear the silence and tension any longer. They would have to be stopped before they killed him inside.
"I suppose.." Ron mumbled as he heaved himself off the couch.
He trampled up the stairs and knocked to announce his presence. No one answered.
'they probably put up a silencing charm' Ron thought, gritting his teeth. He thought he could feel dinner creeping up his throat.
Closing his eyes, Ron stepped into the room. He dared to open one eye. Ever so slowly, cautiously, he wrenched open his left eye. All he could see were the sleeping figures of Harry and Hermione. Harry had his arm wrapped protectively around Hermione while she held him in a close embrace. Jealousy coursed through Ron; piercing every part of him. He should have been the one to have her in his arms. With great effort, he wrenched his eyes away from his friends. They looked so happy and peaceful that Ron could almost see a white fluffy glow encircling them.
A shiny object caught his attention. Ron squinted to get a better look at the small object. It had been carelessly tossed to the floor. He carefully stalked over to it and picked it up. It was a blood stained blade. He examined it for no longer than a minute before his head snapped up in realization. His eyes darted from Harry to the blade. Harry had been cutting himself.
Without warning, a voice hissed.
'Go on, use it..."
Fear began to plaster itself all over Ron's face as he tried to remember how to breathe. He could hear nothing but the sound of his heart pounding loudly for the whole castle to hear. Terror invaded every nerve in his quivering body. Ron hurled it at the floor and bolted out of the dorm. He crash landed into Luna. Surprisingly her expression changed from her usual daze to shock.
"Sorry!"
"I was right then,..." Luna said blankly.
"What?"
"You look pale Ron," Luna explained as she helped Ron up off the stone floor.
Ron dusted himself off and turned an even lighter shade of white.
"No...nothing happened...its just,."
"Just what?"
"er..nothing. I think I'll sleep here tonight, that's all."
Ron didn't want anything to do with the boys dorms tonight. The blade was almost too enticing.
"you need to sit down and relax Ron..you look ill," said Luna with a look of concern.
She truly cared for him. She knew that he would still always see Hermione as being the only girl for him, but there was still hope; and that was all she held onto. He was often quite oblivious to the most black and white things under his nose. A few examples being that Lavender and herself had fancied him. Still, Luna clung to a small precious thread of hope that he would someday notice her as more than just an odd-ball friend.
Ron gratefully collapsed onto the long red couch. It had been yet another agonizingly protracted, boring day at school, not to mention the fact that Hermione had told him she was the one who saved Malfoy. Ron stared up at the ceiling deep in thought. He wondered what Malfoy's reaction was when he found out his neck had been saved by none other than the girl he hated most.
"I'll see you in the morning Ron," Luna said quickly. She couldn't stand the silence any longer.
"Good night Luna, sweet dreams." Ron said nonchalantly.
Luna blushed a deep red and turned on her heel before Ron could see.
As soon as the first rays of sun grazed his face, Draco bolted out of the hospital wing. He had never appreciated seeing the halls of Hogwarts as much as he did today. He could now go about his search to find the girl who saved him.
"ah, Mr. Malfoy, I see you have recovered quite well," a voice called from behind him.
Draco turned his head. Great, DumbleDORK was here to peer at him again. Draco forced a polite smile.
"thank you headmaster, I understand you wanted to see me about something?"
Talking to Dumbledore was like having to practically bow down to Potter.
"Yes, right this way please. I'd prefer if we discussed this in private along with Proffessor Mcgonagall."
Draco nodded and followed the headmaster up into his office and sat down infront of his two proffessors. He suddenly felt extremely small and vulnerable.
The headmaster propped himself before Draco and leaned over his desk, his hands clapped together.
"Please start from the beginning Mr. Malfoy, we wish to hear what happened to you."
Draco complied and after an grueling three hours of explaining, he felt drained. Professor Mcgonagall was speechless. He could see her mind working furiously for words to come out, but her mouth refused to obey her wishes. Dumbledore's eyes sparkled behind his half-moon glasses.
"are you sure that it all you remember?"
Draco had the sudden urge to sock Dumbledore one in the face. He held back and forced a smile back onto his steaming face.
"I'm sure proffessor, but I want to know one thing. Who saved me? Who actually brought me back to Hogwarts?"
"Ah, it was the girl you mentioned before?"
"yes, I don't know if she was real or not, but I.." Draco paused, he felt hot steam on his neck.
"I would like to thank her." He finished quickly. He tried his best to avoid his headmaster's searching eyes.
Suddenly a knock came at the door and Snape walked in. He whispered something into the headmaster's ear. Dumbledore stood abruptly with a look of terror on his face.
"I am sorry Mr. Malfoy, we will have to continue this later."
Draco wanted to throttle Snape's neck at that point. Draco thought he had waited long enough and was sick of not getting answers. His eyes were ablaze with annoyance. He opened his mouth to protest, but decided against it in better judgement to wait. All Draco could do was nod. He grudgingly made his way out of the Dumbledore's office.
Dumbledore and Mcgonagall exchanged looks and Draco could have sworn he saw a glint of amusement on Mcgonagall's frowning face.
Harry woke up with a sleeping ball in his arms. He rubbed his eyes and gropped for his glasses. He looked down again to see Hermione who lay sleeping peacefully on his chest. He smiled. Hermione had always been the only girl who would stand next to him until the very end. Hermione shifted and her eyes fluttered open to find Harry gazing lovingly at her. She couldn't help but smile.
"Good morning beautiful," he whispered.
Without another word, Hermione enveloped Harry into a long kiss.
"Good morning," She grinned.
The two stayed in the bed for what seemed like hours.
"I wish we could stay in bed like this forever," Hermione said thoughtfully.
Harry smiled and played with Hermione's hair. He too never wanted to leave the comfort and safety of having Hermione with him.
"So do I, but I promised Ron that I would meet him this morning for a game of chess,"
"Well, I am a tad bit hungry. Come on, I bet he's already down there,"
Hermione stumbled to her feet, but before she reached the door, Harry called out.
"Wait! I want to have some fun.."Harry began.
Hermione looked amused but slightly cross. She cut him off.
"What are you saying Mr.Potter?"
Harry looked incredulously at her.
"Let me finish...I'm not a pervert you know...I was going to say we should have some fun with Ron first before letting him know we're together again,.." Harry faked being shocked.
Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed. Harry was looking at her with those irresistable puppy dog eyes yet again. She caved in.
"Alright, but just as long as it doesn't go too far," She said.
Harry's head perked up and she could see a mischievious glint dance across Harry's eyes. He took Hermione's hand and let her lead him down the stairs. Harry had to cover his mouth the whole way down to try and muffle his laughter. Ron's snoring could have been heard from miles away. Hermione grinned as she watched Harry gently shake Ron awake. Ron opened his eyes and looked around in confusion until he spotted Harry's face directly infront of him.
"Huh?" Ron managed to say. His head slumped to the side in a curious manner.
The red head was acting like a drunk toddler.
"Ron, I..uh..Hermione's pregnant, and it's...Malfoy's.." Harry said trying his best to surpress his laughter and look mad at Hermione.
Hermione wanted to kill Harry at that moment. Her eyes nearly popped out of her head in shock.
It seemed like it took ages for Ron to register what Harry had just said. After about five minutes, his eyes bulged out in comprehension. He sprung up out of his seat and glared at Hermione.
"WHAT?!?" he bellowed.
"I'm sorry Harry..I really am," She said playing along unwillingly.
Harry pretended to look thoughtful for a second and said,
"Ok.."
Ron's head darted back and forth from Harry to Hermione. Hermione smiled and strolled over to Harry pulling him into a deep kiss. Ron began pinching himself and doing anything to help him wake up.
"What?" Ron squealed in disbelief.
Harry and Hermione broke apart chuckling.
"Relax Ron, I'm not pregnant..."
"HA! You should have seen your face!" Harry managed to say through his laughter.
Ron glared at his friends who were now rolling on the floor crying out in laughter.
"funny." He grumbled.
"By the way, I wanted to know if Ferret boy knows that you saved him," Ron said.
"Actually no..I don't think so," Hermione said cautiously.
"Look, I don't know how he'll react and I don't know it I want him to know anyways. Just drop it please," Hermione continued briskly.
Hermione didn't want to discuss Draco anymore. She felt uneasy. She was still worried about him, that was obvious, but she had no idea how her rival would react when he found out that his life had been saved by a half-blooded witch. She wondered if he would be grateful.
Harry's eyes locked onto Hermione knowing exactly what she was thinking.
"Come on, lets get going for breakfast," Harry said quickly.
Hermione grasped Harry's hand and whispered a quick "thank you" into his ear.
The trio walked along the hallways and worked their way down the hundreds of staircases down to the Great Hall for breakfast. As they passed the Slytherin table however, Hermione caught Draco staring at her. Her head turned around to see him leave. Perhaps it was best that he didn't know.
Yet again, Draco couldn't breathe. Goosebumps ran over his skin while chills ran down his spine as he stole a glance at Hermione. She had caught him and he quickly averted his eyes, not wanting to shake nervously infront of her. He couldn't stay at the breakfast table. Not with her unknowingly making him act like a fool infront of everyone. He hastily got up and nearly tripped over the lunch table bench. He fell heavily to the floor and of course, all the Slytherins started roaring with laughter. Draco never blushed, but on this occasion, he was a bright pink color. All he could do was make a mad dash out the Great Hall.
'STUPID IDIOT!!WHY DO YOU ACT LIKE A COMPLETE WHELK AROUND HER? SHE'S HALF-BLOODED GRANGER FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!' he thought angrily.
"We have to get to the red head. From there, the mudblood's bond with Potter will bring him directly to his death."
"Ye..Yes my Lord..We are in the process of making the potion and it shouldn't take much longer," Peter Pettigrew sputtered.
The dark lord glared at him for a moment and turned back to concentrate on the boiling cauldron below him. Pettigrew quivered. He knew that if the potion was brewed incorrectly, his life would be cut short.
"Back to work Pettigrew." Voldemort ordered.
Peter nodded shakily and returned back to the cauldron. Potter would get what was coming to him. The boy had foiled everything that he was in charge of and nearly cost him his life on more than one occasion. He loathed the boy with every fibre of his soul.
"You'll get yours, Potter boy...You'll get yours and I can't wait to see you suffer," Pettigrew said in a sadistic tone.
He chuckled. His eyes reflected the eerie crimson glow of the cauldron.
Draco hurried out of the Great Hall and didn't stop walking until he was far away from the golden trio. He stopped to catch his breath. He couldn't go on like this everyday. His obsession with Granger was getting ridiculous. He ran his hands through his spikey hair and sighed out in frustration. Why did Potter have to get everything he desired? He could have any woman he wanted. He had the fame, not to mention the fortune. Why couldn't he just leave Granger alone? God knew Draco needed to have her as his own. She was the reason he had changed his perception of the muggle-born wizards; she was the one thing that kept him breathing. Those eyes and her smile torchured him day by day knowing that she would never look upon the lowlife Slytherin jerk that he had been. Out of his back pocket he could feel the handle of an intricate blade digging into his jeans; begging him to use it. The temptation of using it grew each day, but his inner voice kept him going for another day.
"Ah Mr. Malfoy! I hope you have time to continue our discussion today. There was something you wanted to ask me as I remember," Dumbledore said.
Draco's head nearly snapped off his body when he looked up at Dumbledore. He would finally get the answers he was looking for.
"Do you have time now?" Draco asked.
"Of course. I don't have much to do on weekends anyway...but I think I need to restock my personal supply of Bertie Bott's beans," Dumbledore smiled warmly.
Draco returned the smile. Damn him. That smile could make the most vicious crimals want to do good.
Harry and Ron shoveled food like mad into their mouths. They didn't get their fill last night at dinner apparently. Hermione had finished her meal and had tuned out of her fellow Gryffindor's conversations. Her mind had been fixated on the way Draco had left the Great Hall. The moment she sat down, it was as if he had seen a ghost. He might as well just have pointed at her and screamed.She felt angry with Draco. After all she had done for him, he acted as if she was some sort of plague.
"Well Mr. Malfoy, what is it you wanted to know?" Dumbledore asked, popping a toffee into his mouth.
"I want to know who saved me."
Draco couldn't be challenged. He would get his answer from Dumbledore and strangle the next person who dared to interupt.
Dumbledore looked troubled for a moment before he took a deep breath.
"Well, I think you will be fairly surprised at who came to your rescue. She put her life in grave danger and never faltered in trying her best to help you. If not for the wits and bravery of Miss Hermione Granger, this would have ended quite differently."
Draco couldn't belive what he had just heard. His eyes looked shocked. It was as if he had been electricuted and still hadn't recovered. A throbbing pain clutched at his chest making it difficult to think or breathe.
"E..Excuse me sir?" Draco managed to stutter.
Dumbledore knew this information would hit the Slytherin boy hard. Hermione was muggle-born; someone the Malfoys deemed unworthy of being a person. Draco had to know the truth. He had been saved by a muggle-blooded wizard.
"You heard me right. Hermione Granger saved your life."
A truckload of bricks seemed to have hit Draco. She was the angel that saved him. She was the one who had risked her life to save a jerk like him. She was the one who refused to give up on him. She was the girl who gently caressed his face with a touch of her hand. Hermione Granger had pulled him away from death's door.
Well hope u liked that chap. Pls review. The next chaps gonna b posted asap and its gonna get a lil heated. (no, not dirty "heated" but fight and other depressing angry stuff "heated")