A/N: Sorry if it's not all together and such I'm kind of stumbling all over with this chapter, which is why it's been so long. I do need a beta, I've been using various friends but I'd like a beta. So if you're at all interested and have AIM and Email (I'm sure 90 of you do) if you're interested, drop a message. See more info at bottom.

Chapter 20: The Nightmare's Aftermath

"NO! NO! PLEASE" he screamed out, begging with tears streaming down his flushed red face. Weakness grew from him at every side, turning him completely pale until there was no color left on his skin. The evil eyes glared into a laugh, a laugh that made Draco's body cringe.


Draco's body was crinkled up in a ball on a hard floor, tinted blood and tears stained his vision but he was still able to focus his eyes on the thing that caused his heart to ache until it thought it would turn into a zillion shattered pieces. Lying similar as him, Hermione's body laid motionless in a dark corner after a flash of red light entered through her body.

"PLEASE let her live, I'll do ANYTHING. ANYTHING!" Draco still begged breathing irregularly on the cold harsh floor. The evil eyes grew serious.

"Anything?" the voice teased with a sound of joy that shouldn't be right.

Draco flew up in a cold sweat, breathing so fast that air wasn't able to keep up while it was being withdrawn. His eyes were wide and scared, and instantly he turned off the bed to where he rested his hands on his head, the dream had impacted more than he could even imagine. Draco turned his head staring at Hermione sleeping still, before he stood up walking to the corner of the room onto a seating chair. It was just a dream, he assured himself. He watched Hermione from the darkest part of the room.

Thoughts lingered on his mind when his nightmare so rudely took away the pleasing memory him and Hermione had just made hours ago. I can not let this dream come true, what if he finds us? What will he do to us? I put her life in danger, I am a fool, a selfish, inconsiderate, prat, his mind spat line after line of worry over his conscience. He watched her carefully, slowly stirring back in conscious. Soon she sat up reaching over to where Draco laid moments before, a sadden face overwhelming her face.

"I'm over here Hermione." He said softly.

A groggy smile came across her face, "Why are you over here, come back to bed… please?" she begged him. Now that she was up he could talk to her and get the comfort he needed. He rose from the chair only wearing his green silk boxers and walked slowly over to the left side of the bed where he dropped his body down with a smile facing Hermione.

"Good Morning Love." He smiled as the words just fell from his mouth.

"Mm – good morning Draco." She grabbed hold of his hand squeezing it tightly before caressing it against her bare skin of her stomach. Draco closed his eyes, feeling the warmth radiating off her body. He leaned forward kissing her forehead softly then snuggling closer to her body, allowing her to be the one caring for him, which he liked time to time, it proved to him that love was possible and that even he could be cared for even though he would rather do the caring in the first place. "What are you doing up so early?" she yawned petting his sheer blonde head. Draco squeezed his eyes shut knowing he has to talk to her about it. He pulled away slowly to look into her eyes before beginning to speak.

"I got a note from my mum" he said sadly, instantly pushing Hermione into a mode of concern. "The information in this note wasn't pleasant. You see Hermione" he said squeezing her hand, "My dad escaped from Azkaban. His only goal in life seems to be pushing me into being a Death Eater just like him and serve that scum bag dark lord of his." Hermione's lips turned to a frown, fearful. "Then before I showed up here after duties, I saw a extremely bright red glowing light, when I went to see what it was, I saw two glowing eyes with a voice that said I'm watching you. I instantly ran back here quickly and I just wanted to forget it and I did, thanks to you" he smiled to show her he was glad about it. "I forgot until I fell asleep and had a horrible nightmare that makes me fear for your life. I endangered you Hermione. I am a stupid git. All I know is I have to keep you safe. My life without you seems incomplete." Hermione laid beside him scared, she didn't know what to say or what to do. So she just held on to him as if there were no tomorrow.

"Draco," she murmured under her breath, "it'll be okay. I would repeat this all regardless of what is to come just so I can be in your arms, whether you like it or not. I love you." she said as she hugged him tighter. The two lovers embraced until Breakfast drew near. Draco kissed Hermione's forehead and they finally decided to pick themselves up for a breakfast, together. And off they went, down to the Great Hall where Draco and Hermione ate together at the Gryffindor table. With this it expressed unity. Showing that the best known enemies can be best friends too. Unhappy mutters came across the Slytherin table while they threw daggers of stares at Draco sitting with the enemies. He rolled it off and pulled Hermione closer to him on the bench. An embracing smile came over her and she smiled up, causing Draco to be happy with the choices that had led him to this point. Unfortunately for Draco, the signal for class had rung and now they needed to be on their way. Draco leaned over kissing Hermione on the cheek and hugging her gently as they separated from each other on their way to different classes.

-

Hermione walked down the hall alone, her class was Defense against Dark Arts but to her dismay, Harry and Ron were running late. She walked down the busy hall near the shadows of the walls, she fond it easier to squeeze by people if she were to get into a hurry. This had always seemed to be a good strategy plan for her and getting around school, until today. The second Hermione passed a dark entry way to an old empty class room; she was yanked from the crowded hall. The kidnapper stood rather tall for anyone known at Hogwarts, his cloaks seemed blacker than black and a raw grotesque smell came from the mysterious person as he flicked his wand whispering under his breath the stun spell. Automatically Hermione's body went stiff crashing towards the floor but being caught by the retched man. He had closed the empty classroom's door almost immediately when she sunk close to the ground. The man ran to a corner of the room where he tapped a few things before finding what he was looking for. He reached forward and pulled a single candle stick and a secret entrance emerged from a dark corner.

"What can your precious boyfriend do now? He doesn't even know you're gone. Too bad, wish I could have the pleasure of blundering him in the head with a stick." He laughed at himself as he walked back to the girl who seemed similar to a two by four. He dragged her to his arms and carried her into the secret entrance that closed behind them, walking into a dark room, similar to a dungeon below Hogwarts.

--

Alright I'm ending it here for 3 reasons.
1) Cliff hanger-ish

2) Tired and wanted to give you guys a taste
3) Find myself a Beta. Email me at How. if you wish to be mine. Naturally I want to say first come first serve. However, I'll look at your profle for proof that I know you'll be a good influence and help to me. k?