Hello ppl thx for the reviews (esp Princess unicorn kyla! I love long reviews!) neways, u noe… read, review as always.
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"Hermione?"
"Hermione!" Ginny clapped her hands together.
It seemed nowadays that Hermione was always off in space. It amazed Ginny that Hermione could still get perfect marks in school. Something was troubling her, and Ginny felt that it was her duty as her good friend to find out what was wrong.
"uh yeah?" Hermione suddenly snapped out of her thoughts.
"Is something wrong Hermione? You always seem like you're off somewhere in dreamland," Ginny said, concerned.
Hermione smiled. She knew Ginny would know about how she saved Draco anyway, but she didn't feel like answering thousands of questions and retelling the long tale over again.
"Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about what questions might be on the exams," Hermione lied.
She had gotten used to having to lie to people after all those years of being friends with Harry and Ron and constantly getting into trouble. She hated having to lie to Ginny, but she just wanted to relax today.
Ginny stared questioningly at Hermione, but decided let it pass for now.
Draco's head was spinning.
"s..Sir would you..Do you know how she.."
Dumbledore chuckled.
"Of course. Miss Granger told me the whole story…Lets see..where do I begin?" Dumbledore pondered.
This was the first time in Draco's memory that he had ever payed full attention to what Dumbledore said.
"Ah yes, well, Miss Granger was around that area of where the statue of the gargoyle was when she thought she heard a voice crying out for help. It was faint, but she could distinctly hear someone. At that point, I assume she fell through the same secret passageway you were trapped in and followed the same route until she unexpectedly came across you. When she did, you were in grave danger Mr. Malfoy. Meer inches from your demise…luckily, Miss Granger acted with caution and somehow managed to get you back into the castle and into the hospital wing for proper treatment," Dumbledore explained.
All the while the headmaster spoke, Draco listened in awe of how Hermione had managed to hear his desperate cries for help.
"You'll have to ask Miss Granger for the details, I only know the gist of it," Dumbledore finished.
Draco nodded.
"Was she injured?" He said a little faster and more concerned than he meant to say.
"Minor back pains I imagine, from carrying you, but nothing serious. I assure you, Miss Granger will be fine,"
"Thank you Headmaster," Draco said with a slight bow.
"Its quite alright Mr. Malfoy. Now, if you have no further questions,.."Dumbledore prodded.
"No sir,"said curtly.
All Draco wanted to do now was to get out of Dumbledore's office.
"You may go," Dumbledore said with a smile.
Draco was in a complete daze as he walked out of the headmaster's office. Not even a hefty punch in the face could have brought his mind out of picturing Hermione trying to carry his limp body over her shoulder. He was shaking uncontrollably. How could he ever thank her for what she did? How does one repay another when they saved your life? An infinent amount of thank-yous, complements or gifts seemed so inadequite. He sighed in frustration. What was he to say to Granger? He practiacally ran for his life out of the Great Hall when he saw her.
He walked up to the astronomy tower and decided to try and relax. He doubted it would help, but it was worth a try to get his mind off things.
Harry continued his daily routine of nodding along with Ron as he ate breakfast. Harry noticed Hermione had tuned out a long time ago and surpressed a laugh.
"So what do you want to do today?" Ron asked.
"WE are all STUDYING today Ron, theres really no place to go," Hermione said firmly.
Ron automatically plastered a frown on his face. He hated having to stay indoors and study while everyone was outdoors relaxing. He was about to open his mouth to protest, but knew it was useless against Hermione. Her tone was final. Having Hermione around as a friend was sometimes like having a mother around. She was constantly chasing him down to finish his homework. He was always thankful in the end, but still, he would have liked to enjoy his weekend rather than finish up school work.
"I'll meet you at the common room," Hermione said.
"Hermione, are you alright?" Harry called after her, worried.
Hermione stopped and painted a reassuring smile on her face. She wasn't alright. Of course she couldn't be happier that she had Harry back, but she couldn't help but feel that something odd was about to happen.
"I couldn't feel better." She replied.
Harry returned the smile and waved.
Hermione started to make her way through the students up to the Gryffindor common room. She was troubled(and though she didn't want to admit), hurt by the way Draco had ran out of the Great Hall when she walked in. What did he still have against her? Was he still a complete idiot to not be happy that he was alive? She nearly walked into another student and tried to pass the person. She didn't look up, but after a while of trying to go one way or another and having the person block her she was about take points away from that house they belonged to. She looked up to find Draco Malfoy staring curiously down at her. She rolled her eyes and prepared herself for yet another verbal brawl.
"Out of my way Malfoy," She said angrily.
Hermione was sick and tired of the way Draco treated her. She had grown weary of the way he had always thought of her as a second-class citizen, how she was unworthy to practice magic.
Draco stood infront of Hermione, unmoving. He had to get the words out somehow, but this was more difficult than anything he had done before. His mind was screaming at him to open his mouth to say something, anything at all.
"Granger,..I,.uh...I ju…I just heard about what happened.." Draco began.
"and I wanted to say…thank you."
Hermione was shocked to say the least. Draco Malfoy thanking Hermione Granger? That was something she never imagined that could happen.
"I..I know you went through a lot trying to save me and.. I am very grateful for what you did. I was ready to die in there but the last thing I remember seeing was the outline of a girl and someone saying "Don't you die on me Draco,". I'm glad I listened. I talked with Dumbledore and he told me everything. Please, if there is anything I can do to repay you or if you ever need anything, just ask. I promise I'll do it. My life is in debt to you forever," Draco sputtered.
Everything just came rushing from his brain and out of his mouth.
Hermione stood frozen infront of the Slytherin boy. Was she dreaming? Had Draco really just said that he would do anything for her if she asked? Something else lay hidden in the depths of his grey eyes. Something other than thankfulness, and she knew it couldn't still be hate. She swallowed the lump in her throat and managed to shove the words out of her head.
"Er..You're welcome," She said hesitantly.
She nearly slapped herself. She was supposed to be smart. What kind of an answer was that after Draco had virtually offered to be her life-long servant?
Draco was drenched. Heat packaged his body and he had an urge to rip off every piece of clothing he wore. He looked everywhere but at Hermione's searching, beautiful eyes. He felt intimidated, like putty, everytime she glanced at him. He was shaking slightly. Though he tried to control it, he was still standing awkwardly infront of the girl he was infatuated with, and now the girl he had fallen hopelessly, and perhaps dangerously in love with.
"I..want to know how you heard me call for help,"
Hermione looked questioningly at Draco. Was he drunk? She still couldn't believe what he had said to her.
"I..I just heard someone call for help and I got sucked into the wall." She explained.
"oh,..uh..well," Draco stuttered.
"I thought you would have known that it was me. I came to visit you in the hospital wing many times,"
Draco stared at Hermione in utter amazement. She had cared enough to visit him? After he had called her names and teased her for so many years?
"You did?..Uh…Thank you again,..I was probably aslee.."
"You were asleep every time I was there," Hermione finished.
"I didn't expect for you to get out so early, but now that you are..um…best of luck to you then," She said hurriedly.
"I.."
Draco couldn't bear to finish his sentence. It would cause too many problems and would probably cause his death if anyone found out, whether it was his father, Potter or Weasley.
"Yes?" she asked.
"Oh, nothing,"
Hermione looked away.
"I have to go,..I.."She said quickly.
"I'll see around Hermione." Draco finished.
He held out his hand for a handshake and Hermione took it. At the last moment before her hand touched his, he bent down into a slight bow and gently kissed it. He was half expecting her to slap him but she stayed still. He turned around and walked away. There was nothing more he could say.
Immeadiately after Draco had turned his back, she started pinching her arm, slapping herself and doing anything to try and wake herself up. This had to be some weird dream. Draco had been a complete gentleman. Since when was that possible? What else had he wanted to say to her?
Hermione headed up to the common room puzzled beyond belief. She made her way to the couch when someone came up behind her, covered her eyes and held her close. She panicked and immediately started punching in every direction she could.
"Ow! Bloody hell Hermione! I was just trying to surprise you!"
Hermione opened her eyes to find Harry cowering in a corner. He had his hands over his face. She let out a sigh of relief and laughed.
"Don't do that Harry! You scared the daylights out of me!" She said, trying to sound hurt.
"You're the one I should be scared of! You nearly killed me," Harry protested, grinning ear to ear.
"DO shut your mouth Potter," Hermione smirked.
Harry was about to take another playful jab at Hermione when she bent down and silenced him with a kiss.
'ok, I'll settle for this,' Harry thought with the world's biggest grin.
Hermione pushed away after a moment.
"We have to study," She said.
"Yes mom,"
"I swear that sounds awful Potter,"
Harry laughed.
Luna sat down at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall reading her father's paper the Quibbler. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Ron who was chatting with Dean and Seamus. He looked up spotting her, and she pretended to be occupied by her magazine.
"Hey Luna," he said.
"Morning Ron, did you get any sleep last night? You seemed a bit disturbed,"
"Oh I'm fine, thanks for asking," Ron said. He averted his eyes. He didn't want to tell Luna what he had found on the floor near Harry's bed.
Luna nodded and returned to her magazine. There was an interesting section on Harpy Ladies and whether or not they were related to Griffins.
Luna received odd looks once again for reading upside down but she was used to it by now, and had learned at an early age to ignore people who taunted her. She liked being different. It suited her.
"Reading backwards again huh weirdo?" A slytherin girl smirked.
Luna didn't bother looking up, even though she felt like taking a muggle gun and shooting the girl. She recognized her voice. It was Pansy Parkinson and her gang. They seemed to have taken a recent interest in taunting her. Still, Luna never let them have the satisfaction of making it known that she was furious.
"I'm reading upside down Parkinson. There IS a difference between that and reading backwards," Luna said in a tone that made her seem like she was talking to a toddler.
At that time, Dean and Seamus left the table. Luna shook her head slightly. Those two were always intimidated by the gang of girls.
"So where has everyone in Gryffindor gone? Where are all you friends? No, wait..no one likes you and you don't have any friends…Aw…that's so sad. NOT!"Pansy teased.
Luna kept reading, her eyes glistened with hate.
"What do you want Parkinson? Don't have enough things to do in your day?" Luna asked in a singing voice.
Pansy smirked and Luna's magazine disappeared out of her hands.
"SHUT THE FUCK UP BEFORE I MAKE YOU!" Luna screamed. She surprised herself. She had no clue she could scream that loud.
Ron immediatley stared at Luna. Parkinson and her gang was up to the usual. They had taken a liking to picking on Luna. Pity entered Ron's mind, and he decided to help her out. It would be his way of thanking Luna for tucking him in last night.
He made his way over and tried to make himself look as big as possible.
"Everyone's waiting for us Luna,..we have to hurry or we'll be late for the party!" Ron said excitedly, hopeing Luna would play along.
Luna looked curiously at him. He winked and she nearly died. He looked irresistable when he winked.
Pansy looked surprised, but quickly turned her face back to the smug grin she always had.
"Well well well, looks like Weasley is trying to save his on Weasley, you could have picked someone better.." She taunted.
Ron scowled. Luna was not his girlfriend, but she was his friend and helped him escape last year at the department of Mysteries.
"Why don't you go find someone your own size to pick on?" He said in a grave tone. He towered over the slytherin and could tell she felt intimidated.
Ron nearly laughed. What he was about to say next would knock the socks of Luna and the rest of the Gryiffindor table.
Pansy opened her mouth to retort.
"NO wait! I'm sorry.." he interupted Parkinson and faked looking thoughtful.
"There's no one, or thing for that matter in the universe that IS your size."Ron grinned.
Pansy was wide mouthed in shock. She couldn't say a word.
Ron tilted his head, proud of himself. Luna and the rest of the Gryffindors burst out howling in laugher. Ron had to practically carry Luna away from the Great Hall.
"That was bloody BRILLIANT!!" Luna squealed out of her laughter.
"Thank you Ron," She smiled.
"No problem," Ron shrugged.
Luna couldn't feel her legs. She felt as if she was going to faint.
Draco held the small dagger and examined it, surveying every tiny intricate detail of the handle. The urge to use it was becoming unbearable. He let the hand holding it drop and looked out at the horizon. The sunlight danced across his face, highlighting his every feature. He was thinking about Granger again. It seemed as though she liked the kiss on the hand he gave her. A smile played at his lips, and he gave in. He could care less about who was watching and if they thought he was a madman. His attention was brought back to the blade.
"This is for you Hermione," He whispered.
Hesitating and shaking slightly, he pointed his wand at the knife and sent a bright ray of light at it. He layed it on the floor and with all his might, stepped on it, shattering it to billions of pieces. Draco's grey eyes glared down at the pieces in triumph. They could no longer beckon him to the steep edge he was constantly forced to.
Draco didn't want to linger at the astronomy tower. Perhaps it would be best to relax in the Slytherin common room all day. It wasn't as if his friends were worth going out to look for.
"and then Ron said, "There's no one, or thing for that matter in the universe that IS your size.." Luna explained, and then she was off laughing hystercally again.
Hermione and Harry chuckled. Ron could be cutting and funny all at the same time. They returned to their homework after a slight break. Harry and Ron were as usual, late with their homework and had Hermione and Luna help them catch up. Luna had noticed a blank parchment and was about to use it when Harry spoke up.
"wait a minute! Uh..that's not paper.." He said hesitantly.
Luna considered the paper for a moment.
"Is it a oriental self-folding paper?" She asked, interested by the paper.
Hermione and Ron grinned and exchanged looks with Harry.
"Um..actually no, but if I tell you what it is, can you promise not to tell anyone?"
"sure," Luna agreed.
Harry pointed his wand at the paper.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good…see? It's a map of Hogwarts and," Harry stopped, mid-sentence.
He stared at the map in disbelief. Hermione and Ron looked over and Luna leaned in to get a closer look.
"It can't be.." Ron said shakily.
Hermione looked worried. She thought they would never have to see this particular person's dot on the map ever again.
Harry nodded with a look of determination on his face. He looked up and Hermione suddenly felt intimidated. She could see the murderous, revengeful glare that swam in the deep pools of his emerald green eyes.
"The map doesn't lie," Hermione stated grimly.
Harry looked back at her. She was right. The marauder's map had never lied before and he was positve it wasn't lying now.
"Peter Pettigrew." Harry said, gritting his teeth.
Luna scanned Harry's face and immediately knew he was out to get his blood and wouldn't rest until he had it. She put a comforting hand on his shoulder. He looked up.
"I promise I wont tell anyone,"
He nodded.
"Thank you Luna." Harry said.
He swiftly rose to his feet and made a mad dash for his invisibility cloak. Hermione cringed. She knew he could be in trouble and that it was no use stopping him. Pettigrew had played a part in murdering everyone Harry cared about. Harry was determined, and there was no doubt in her mind that he could beat the rat out of Pettigrew in a duel. Hermione made a promise to herself. She would follow Harry going after Pettigrew even if Harry made her promise him not to to follow him. Pettigrew had played a key role in the deaths of James and Lily Potter, Sirius and most recently, her parents. She would be damned if she couldn't punish the heartless rat that took her parents away from her.
Harry returned back to the common room and shot a warning look into Hermione's eyes.
"Don't look at me that way Harry, you know I'm going with you, just as I always have," Hermione said firmly.
"No. Not this time. This is something I have to do on my own," Harry walked towards Hermione, towering over her. She held his glare and stood her ground. She was still determined.
"Have you learnt nothing from the past few years? You need someone there with you,"
"Hermione, I don't have time for this.."
"I don't care! That man played a part in my parents deaths!! You can't expect me just to sit here and wait while you go out and try to kill him! You're not going alone!"
"NO! I mean it Hermione, STAY OUT OF IT!" Harry yelled.
Ron stepped towards the quarreling couple.
"I'll go."
"Ron," Harry warned.
Luna's heart seemed to stop. She was screaming inside 'DON'T GO!' but of course, telepathy would not work on Ronald Weasley.
"Sirius was a good man, and a friend. I'd like to see you try and make me not go Harry."
Harry felt defeated and gave in.
"alright, but ONLY Ron."
Tears once again threatened to cascade down Hermione's face, but she realized that Harry had been alone all facing the dark lord all the time. First year facing Voldemort without her, second year in the Chamber of Secrets he was alone, the fourth year, he was alone yet again. She felt a hand rub her shoulder.
"they're going to be alright..its Harry Potter and Ron Weasley…they're Hogwarts' new Marauders.." Luna said reassuringly in her usual sing-song, bored voice.
Hermione said nothing but nodded in acknowledgement as she watched Harry and Ron walk out of the common room. As soon as the boys got out of earshot, Hermione turned to Luna with a determined look.
"I'm going after him, so don't try and stop me." She warned.
Luna considered her for a moment.
"I knew you would anyway…I'm coming with you,"
"Luna," Hermione began.
"Ron is my friend,…" Luna started to blush and quickly added "and so is Harry..they helped me get out of department of mysteries last year, and lets face it…they're boys, and they'll need a bit of feminine talent alongside them," Luna finished with a dreamy smile.
Hermione was thankful that Luna didn't get in her way. She returned the smile and planted the dissillusionment charm on Luna and herself.
"lets go.."Hermione said.
The two girls quickly ran out the common room and followed the path to where Harry and Ron where headed. They stopped every time Harry and Ron were within view and tried to stay a safe distance away from them. The two boys made a sudden turn and Luna and Hermione had to quickly dive behind two pillars.
"did you hear that?" Harry asked quickly.
Ron looked from his best friend to the spot he pointed to.
"No..you don't think the girls are following us are they?"
Harry stared hard at the space between the two pillars in the distance.
"I..They better not be." he replied.
The pair started back on their route and the two girls carefully looked around the pillars. The next they saw horrified them. Harry and Ron were screaming and had collapsed onto the floor. Their bodies disappeared within seconds.
"HARRY!!! RON!!" The girls cried out. Hermione feared the worst as scrambled over to the spot Harry and Ron had lain. She told him let her go with him. At least then they could be together if something bad happened. But Harry Potter was stubborn. He refused to listen to her and now he was gone. Her mind wouldn't allow her to belive it. Harry couldn't possibly be gone.
"what is this?" Luna asked picking up a small key.
"Luna don't!"Hermione started to say. But it was too late. All Hermione could do was grab ahold of Luna and get sucked in after her by the small port key. But she couldn't think of anything else other than Harry. He was always the answer to all her problems. He kept her safe. He kept her warm. He kept her sanity. If he was gone, there was nothing keeping her from losing her soul. Her family was taken from her already and she couldn't bear to have another person stripped away from her life.
Wll that's it 4 dat chap so plez review!hope u liked it. Hope it was, as the british say, "Double cool with knobs"