A/N: Hey guys! I'm sorry for the big gap between updates, I've been trying to wrap everything up with this story. I have one or two more chapters in store for you, and then I'll be working on the sequel. Thanks, and I hope you enjoy this chapter! Review!
Quintessence
Chapter 25
Promises
Hermione mustered her courage, knocking softly on the door. Her nerves were shot, her hands shaking as she brought them down to her sides. She tapped her foot impatiently, although she was dreading this moment.
And as Hermione calmed herself, the door opened a crack, revealing a bright green eye. "Hermione? What brought you here at this hour?" asked Harry, opening the door completely. "It's not like you to be out at this time."
"Haven't been myself lately," Hermione answered, fiddling with her cloak. "I've come to talk. We need to settle a few things."
"I suppose so," Harry scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, stepping aside to let Hermione in. "This wouldn't have anything to do with the other day?"
"Depends, which day are you speaking of?" Hermione asked playfully, taking a seat on Harry's bed. She patted the spot next to her. "Come sit."
Harry complied, taking a seat beside Hermione. "Go on."
"Harry, I don't have words for what you've accomplished this year," Hermione began, turning to face him. "There must be a reason behind your actions. My Harry would never do that," Hermione gave him a warm smile. "Must be pretty important if you couldn't share your problems with your best friend."
"Hermione, it's not like th-"
Hermione held up a hand, silencing him. "I didn't come here to discuss the matter, Harry. My visit was to let you know of a few things."
"And that would be?" Harry trailed off, gesturing for her to continue.
"Look, Harry. I only came here to tell you that I accept your apology," Hermione said indifferently. "Honestly, things will never be the same between us. You turned down the wrong path, Harry. I don't know what got into you," Hermione finished softly.
"I'm sure things will be the same between us Her-"
"No they won't Harry," Hermione snapped in anger. She couldn't handle it, this was hard for her. "Please learn to accept it Harry. For me," She pleaded. She got up and headed for the door, stopping only to give him a small wave before she left.
--
Hermione made her way to the Head's room, contemplating what she had said to Harry. She knew she had to accept his apology. They were, after all, friends. Even if he had done those horrid things, in the end they're friends. They're would always be a bond, no matter what had been done in the past. It was hard, for Hermione to accept these terms, but she managed. She wanted only the same for Harry, hoping he would also accept it in the near future.
She reached her tower, muttering the password. She made her way in, slipping off her shoes and looking around. She saw no trace of Draco. Maybe he's asleep, She wondered, trudging up the stairs. Hermione ignored her aching body, opening Draco's door softly.
There lay Draco, fast asleep on his bed. Hermione smiled softly, glad he was getting some sleep. Hermione knew he hadn't been sleeping all that much. She knew their recent fight had made him worry a bit. She was happy that she could now tell him everything was alright between her and Harry.
She walked over and shook his torso slightly, causing him to stir in his sleep. He turned over groggily and gave her a sleepy smile. "I'm glad you finally got sleep."
"I've been getting enough sleep," He replied, leaning up and brushing his lips against hers. "It's you who hasn't been sleeping."
"You think I don't know you?" Hermione questioned playfully, "Whenever you're worried, you lose sleep over it."
"Just about everyone does," Draco remarked, sitting upright next to Hermione. "Don't tell me you've been sleeping like a baby."
"I haven't," She replied. "That's the reason I woke you."
"And I thought you just wanted to see me," He answered sarcastically.
"I accepted the apology," Hermione looked up at Draco warily, unsure of his reaction. "It felt like the right thing to do. I know Harry, and he wouldn't get on his knees and apologize if he didn't really mean it. He can be a bit stubborn at times," Hermione gave a reminiscent smile.
"So that's it? You're going to be chummy with this guy just because he groveled at your feet? You are now vulnerable to him. He has access to you, an inside approach. If anything, you just made this easier for whatever my father has planned next."
"I told him things weren't going to be the same," Hermione cried. "We aren't friends just yet, Draco. I accepted the apology to let him know that my door is now open."
"You just opened the door to my father, too!" Draco spat. "You are underestimating him, Hermione. He is capable of things you haven't even heard of. How else do you think he managed to get Potter to hurt you?"
"I-I don't know," She stuttered.
Draco sighed, running a hand through his hair. "This would be the time to over-analyze every single aspect of the situation. You don't just decide something like this without consulting me."
"I don't need to consult you!" Hermione snapped. "This was my decision to make, and I would appreciate it if you didn't dictate every single detail of my life!" Hermione stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Draco made to go for the door, but thought better of it and stayed in his room.
--
Hermione stomped down the stairs, eager to get as far away from the Head's tower as possible. The nerve of him, trying to dictate her actions. Accepting Harry's apology was her decision, he had no say in it. They were in a relationship. They were supposed to support each other in whatever they did, no matter what it was. So she accepted Harry's apology; Draco should be supporting her instead of dishing out every single thing wrong with her decision.
Hermione reached the bottom floor, taking a seat on the stone steps. She looked around, taking in the silence of it all. The castle was rarely this quiet, usually filled with gossiping students. She leaned against the wall, wrapping the cloak a bit tighter around her. There was a draft coming in from the front doors, making the bottom floor feel colder than the rest of the castle.
Hermione was just about to leave when a blaring alarm sounded through the castle, reminding her of a bomb alarm. She jumped slightly, clutching her chest in surprise. Then a voice sounded through the air, spreading through the castle.
"Students and staff, please report immediately to the Great Hall. Do not bother dressing, for you will be back to your rooms shortly."
She walked a few feet towards the Great Hall, opening the doors quietly. She peered in and saw Dumbledore sitting at the front of the hall, along with the rest of the teachers. Hermione walked in and took a seat near the back. She was worried something had happened, and wanted to make sure Draco got in alright.
He walked in, his face contorted with worry. Hermione motioned for him to sit; she was sure he knew something of what was going on.
Draco sat down, looking at her. "Any idea what's going on?"
Hermione shook her head, now overcome with worry. She assumed Draco had an idea of what was going on, his father usually the cause of these meetings. "I assumed you knew a bit of the situation."
Draco shrugged, shoving his hands in his pockets. "At least I know my father's not involved."
Hermione nodded in understanding, looking to the front of the room. Dumbledore stood at the podium, waiting for the students to file in. She was worried; something was obviously happening that concerned the entire school.
"Students, we are in difficult times," Dumbledore began solemnly, looking over the podium at the Great Hall. "We have received word that Voldemort has attacked a village just off the skirts of Hogsmeade. The ministry has ordered the school into lockdown." A gasp emitted through the hall. "This means classes will be postponed until further notice. Highly trained aurors will be placed at the front of the grounds. There is no need to be alarmed, the ministry has the situation under control. I beg of you, do not blow this situation out of proportion, for it will cause more trouble than needed. Now, I expect everyone to get a good night's sleep. Goodnight," Dumbledore dismissed everyone, leaving the hall.
Hermione turned to Draco, a sheepish smile gracing her face. "Draco, I shouldn't have doubted your judgment, I'm sorry."
"You have to see it to believe it, don't you?" He remarked, standing up.
Hermione stood with him. "Draco, you have to admit Harry has nothing to do with this."
"Hermione," Draco sighed, shaking his head "when will you learn that no matter what happens, Potter is always going to be involved with Voldemort, with or without my father's help."
Hermione looked down at her feet, rocking back and forth on her heels. "I-I guess."
"It's not like you to make a rash decision," Draco pointed out. "No matter the circumstances, its not you to decide something without clearing every cobweb."
He knew her too well. "I know."
"Look," Draco grabbed her arms softly, pulling her closer. "We're not at a point in time to be discussing our relationship. There are bigger things going on that we need to focus on."
"Like Voldemort?" Hermione asked, knowing the answer.
Draco nodded, placing his hands at her waist. "I'm sure they're up to no good, killing off that village."
"They'll reach Hogwarts in no time," Hermione stated softly.
Draco knew that Hogwarts was in danger. Ever since Hermione was kidnapped, he knew something was up. They were using Hermione to lure him to their side. They wanted her to come to them so he would follow. Obviously they thought it was working, or they would have terminated that plan months ago. He knew he was in trouble, and they were going to use Hermione to get to him.
"Hermione, why don't we head up to our room," Draco suggested, wrapping one arm around her shoulders. "We've had a long day, we should sleep it off."
"There isn't enough time to sleep this off," Hermione groaned, leaning against him. "How are they going to manage keeping them off the grounds?"
"They'll manage," He answered, trying to convince himself mostly. He turned to her, smiling slightly. "Don't worry about this, I'm sure everything is under control."
Hermione nodded, hugging him around the waist. "Let's hope you're right," She answered, leaning up and brushing her lips against his.
Draco wrapped his arms around her waist, deepening the kiss. He felt her smile, and he pulled away slightly, smirking. He brushed his nose against hers, a goofy smile plastered on his face. Hermione giggled as Draco showered her neck with kisses, tickling her slightly.
Hermione was making an attempt to get away when she heard a polite 'ahem'.
They pulled apart, Hermione blushing a dark color of red. There stood Dumbledore, a knowing smile gracing his aged face.
"I see you two know how to take your mind off of things," Dumbledore remarked.
"I-It's not what it looks like, sir," Draco mumbled, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Then what is it, Mr. Malfoy?" Dumbledore questioned. "You don't have to explain these things to me, I'd rather not find out."
"Would you like to come in, Professor?" Hermione asked, gesturing towards the door.
Dumbledore nodded, following the couple into the common room. "I came here to discuss my speech in the Great Hall. Most of what I said concerns the two of you."
"And why is that?" Draco asked, a bit mad Dumbledore had interrupted him and Hermione.
"As you know, Miss Granger was taken this year. She was taken to lure you into their side. I'm afraid that their attempting this again, only this time attacking the school as a whole."
Hermione looked at Draco warily, the new information obviously startling her. "It's not safe here, then."
"On the contrary, Miss Granger. You are even safer here than anywhere else," Dumbledore explained, looking from Draco to Hermione.
"How are we safer if they're purposefully attacking the school?" Draco snapped. He knew what his father was up to, and he wasn't about to let Dumbledore waver his opinion.
"Mr. Malfoy, I assure you that this castle is under the most intense security. Your safety is the least thing you need to worry about."
"Professor, safety is the first thing that crosses my mind when it comes to my father," Draco answered. "Hermione was attacked twice because of him. I think you should be worrying about this more than you are."
"I promise you, this situation does not leave my mind," Dumbledore stood up. "I trust you to stay put. Tough times lay ahead, and each of your decisions count."
At that comment, Draco looked pointedly at Hermione, arching an eyebrow. The old bat knew everything, and he was constantly letting Hermione know. Hermione just shook her head.
"I'll show myself out," Dumbledore left, smiling at the couple on the couch.
Draco turned to Hermione as soon as the portrait closed. "That old bat scares me."
Hermione smiled. "He just knows what he's talking about. I'm sure he's been in this situation before."
"He has no idea what he's talking about. He's gone barking mad, Hermione!" Draco cried in anger. "He wants us to stay here, when we're the main targets. We're just putting the whole school in danger."
Hermione sighed. "Draco, we are two teenaged wizards. I suppose you think we can just zap ourselves to some uncharted island and forget this ever happened."
"I've got my apparating license," said Draco, running a hand through his hair.
"You get that thought out of your head, Draco Malfoy," Hermione demanded. "I am not going anywhere. There is a war going on out there. We can't just runaway from our problems as if they're not here!"
"I've seen it done," Draco stated carelessly.
"And you were calling me irrational," Hermione huffed, folding her arms angrily. "There is no way in bleeding hell that I am leaving this castle."
"We're the main target points here. We shouldn't penalize the school if we're the ones at risk," Draco explained. "We should hide from this, somewhere we won't be found. There's always Hogsmeade."
"Hogsmeade? Hogsmeade!" Hermione spat. "The attack was just at the boundary of Hogsmeade, and you're suggesting we hide there?"
"So you agree to hiding then?"
"I said no such thing!" She defended angrily. "You're twisting my words around."
"You said Hogsmeade would be a bad choice to hide out. Do you have any other suggestions?" He asked.
"I am not going to hide and that's final!" Hermione cried, sighing in frustration. "We will not leave this castle, Draco. I find it more dangerous to be attacked alone then to be attacked here on school grounds."
"You sound very nonchalant about getting attacked," He pointed out. "Don't be so naïve about everything. Hogwarts is not as sacred as you think. If my father managed to find Potter here, then Voldem-"
"You always have to go back to that, don't you?" Hermione snapped. "Ever since that, you use that as your main arguing point. I understand your father got into the castle. But, Voldemort isn't stupid enough to attack when everyone is watching, especially when everyone knows about it."
"Not everything is as simple as you want it to be. There are always hidden catches that you don't find out about until you're at mercy. I know how these people work, do not underestimate them."
"Draco, we are in a lose-lose situation. We leave, they find us. We stay, they find us. No matter how much we pick this apart, we can't do anything about it. It's up to Dumbledore and the teaching staff."
"They are not prepared for this. This has never happened before. We could hire an entire team of aurors and they will still find a way into the castle."
"My decision is final. We are staying here."
"We are putting others at risk because you insist on denying the fact that Dumbledore has absolutely no idea how to field this one."
"Well, aren't you noble?"
"Hermione," Draco sighed. "My nobility has nothing to do with the fact that we are the ones being chased. We've just begun running Hermione, and it's nowhere near finished."
"How do you know?" She asked softly.
"I've seen these things happen, I know what I'm talking about."
Hermione sighed. They were putting the school in danger. But they would be putting themselves in even more danger if they left the safety of the castle. "Draco, for once in my life I don't want to be noble. I'm scared that something will happen to you or me…I'm just scared. And I know I'm supposed to be the great Hermione who isn't scared of anything. But, for once, I just want to be selfish and keep us safe."
"Why didn't you tell me you were scared?"
"Well, wasn't it obvious?" Hermione looked down. "I don't want anything to happen to me or you…and if anything did, I would never forgive myself for making the decision to leave."
"I'm the one who thought of the idea, don't even think to blame yourself if anything happens," Draco smiled. "Besides, I'll be there with you the entire time. How can anything get past me?" Draco flexed is muscles, trying to lighten the mood.
Hermione laughed lightly, glad he wasn't mad at her for putting up a fight. She was embarrassed to admit that she was scared. It was always up to her to be the brave one with everything, and she was glad Draco was taking the heat for her. "What are we going to do about this, then?"
"If we're going to do this right, we can't let anybody know. Not even Dumbledore," stated Draco. "Nobody can know we leave, or it will make everything even worse."
Hermione nodded in understanding. "How about my friends? I can't just leave without letting them know what I'm doing.'
"You'll be back before they even know you're gone," He smiled. "Besides, this isn't permanent. It's just for a few days until this whole mess calms down."
Hermione smiled. So, it wasn't permanent. Just an escape route until everything calmed down. "I'm going to hold you to that statement."