I'm so unbelievably sorry. This is my story. I went to my Ottawa trip, it's the capital of Canada for those who don't know, and it was a school history field trip. It was super fun, then I had a Toronto (also in Canada) zoo trip for Science at the end of May. When I got back it took me a little over a week to catch up on everything. Then when I go to write the story I find out my computer has a virus so we sent it to get fixed which took the mid July week when I was supposed to write the story. Then I feel behind because I couldn't print out any of my class projects and my teachers gave me an extension. When I got my computer back I finished those. Then it was exam week and I hadn't had much time to review so I spent my days locked in my room studying or working. (Yep I now have a part-time job, lucky me, yeah right) And soccer on top of that. But I quit my traveling soccer team because I hated my team so now I'm only doing fun soccer which will give me more writing time. So I had to write the whole thing over again. I'm so sorry about the wait. I said mid-June and now its late July. I apologise! But due to very severe cases of writers block this story took so long to get out. I hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing except the plot and Sam and Josh and well basically whoever isn't in the actual Harry Potter stuff.

Obliviate

Chapter 15: Sick Inside

Laughter. Cold malicious laughter. Green lights, dark eyes, grey-blue eyes, green eyes. Spinning, falling, dancing, laughing, screaming, crying, bleeding, fading. Surrounded by darkness with black doors, which looked practically invisible in the darkness except for their silver handle, each giving of an aura that drew her to them. She needed to see what was inside them. Tugging at the handle, it wouldn't open, she pulled harder. She moved swiftly to the next door, locked. She began to run to each door trying and failing to open them and becoming more desperate with every passing door.

Tears began to fall rapidly down her face as sweat began to cover her skin. The sweat soaked through her clothes but she kept running and trying the doors. Her muscles began to ache but she took little notice of them. She kept running, faster and faster, pulling the doors and checking the handles with more force and sheer desolation.

She reached a different door. It was bolted shut, covered in chains. She stopped in her tracks and stared at the door. It drew her to it more then the others had. She slowly stepped towards it as if walking onto sacred ground. She tried to push on the door and then tried the handle. Nothing. She started yanking on the chains and pounding at the door.

"Hello, please open! Please open!" she screamed.

Nothing happened as she pounded and pulled harder at the door.

"Please! PLEASE!" she howled.

She began to bawl as she pounded harder at the door, her hands began to bruise but she barely noticed. She just needed to get in the door. Her clothes were clinging to her sweaty frame and her face was tear-stained red.

"Please."

She crumbled to the floor, her exertions catching up on her in one painful blow, as if a gust of wind had swept away all her energy. She huddled by the door, tears streaming down her sullen face. Suddenly the door moved from behind her. Looking around she saw the other doors were also moving away.

She watched miserably as the door she so desperately wanted to open moved away from her.

She tried to chase after it but could barely stand; every time she took a step she would fall from exhaustion and watched as the door moved farther away. She needed to get to it. She forced every muscle in her body to crawl towards the door. Shaking and sweating every inch on her body she moved slowly towards the door, but no matter how hard she tried the door was disappearing faster into the distance.

"Please." she whispered softly with what little breath she had left.

The door disappeared and she gave way into the floor and passed out in agony.

Another dunderhead, he thought, marking a barely passing grade on the 54th essay he had marked that night. Beginning to grow weary he shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. The headaches were getting worse. He had once gotten one during class and had to purposely explode some idiot's potion so that the room would be cleared out and he could rest.

Her mind was getting restless, tired of being trapped in the box in which he had placed it. Only but a matter of time, he had told himself. After being informed by Dumbledore and the Order that the girl had indeed been located and was being put through some sort of process to make her remember. Whatever it was, her mind was attacking him and his mind with such energy and force he had no idea how much longer her could last.

He lay down on his bed, glistening in the cold sweat of guilt. He didn't feel guilt often, but looking at his godson in such misery every occasion he had seen him after her disappearance made him question if helping the girl had been the right thing to do. Perhaps if he had held her until her friends had arrived then they might be together such as the girl Weasley and Potter and Ms. Lovegood and Potter's friend Weasley. Maybe his godson would be happy. Just because he had missed his chances of happiness didn't mean his godson would have to follow in his footsteps.

He sat up, head pounding as he walked towards his small personal storage cabinet and uncorked a vial and downed it in one gulp. The foul liquid turned his insides as it began to work it way through his body and into his head.

What would happen if he told his godson? No, he absolutely couldn't do that; he would be murdered by the closest thing he'd had that was similar to a family. Either that or he'd lose his godson forever. It would eventually happen, that's what he kept telling himself.

The potion started to soothe his head; then a sharp pang coursed through his head, and another, and another. Weeping and sobbing engulfed his ears making him cry out in pain. The potion quieted the noise and the beating began to stop as he drifted off into another slumber.

She's sleeping now, under this same sky, under these same stars, this same moon. Is she alone, or still with him? Does she ever think about me? Will she choose him over me?

Draco stared sleeplessly out of his window and up at the sky. Letting out a frustrated sigh he closed the blinds to his window and walked into the living room. He turned on the light and sat down on his sofa. He was going mad. This was crazy, Hermione had a life, and she was fine. Same as she had been at Hogwarts, ever adaptable Hermione. She was fine during Hogwarts before him and she was fine now, she would still be fine if he hadn't stepped into her life both times. He couldn't understand why he was so drawn to her. He didn't particularly like muggleborns; he accepted that they had the right to learn magic and understood that they were needed to help the magic community or they would have to interbred or eventually die out.

There was just something she had given him, a wake up call at first. When she showed him along with everyone that a muggleborns could top the scores of any pureblood in her first and second years at Hogwarts he was livid but impressed. In third year she had smacked him right in the face, he had deserved it and it was at the very least a wake up call that just because he thought he was superior to her and the other muggleborns didn't mean they would treat him as if he was. He shifted on the couch and started to grow drowsy, thoughts still running through his head.

In fourth year she had caught his attention with her appearance at the Yule ball. She had looked beautiful, and had yet again gone out and proved to the world that she was amazing when she wanted to be. In fifth year he had resorted to just being crueller then usual but focused more on Potter then on her. Then during 6th year and the summer before she had become his friend and everything had changed.

Hermione awoke with a start, gasping for air, as she opened my eyes; it was four o'clock in the morning. Brilliant Hermione, you've gone and got yourself sick, she thought to herself.

She felt horrible, her muscles ached, her head was pounding, she was covered in sweat and beginning to pick up a chill, and she felt so disoriented. Great, I have the flu, she thought while forcing her body to move so she could change her pyjamas. Her muscles protested every step she took and her pounding head made her sway uncertainly. She knew she would have to take her own temperature so she began to make her way towards the bathroom. Just as she reached the washroom she began to feel nauseous, then suddenly, moving as quickly as her muscles would allow she reached the toilet and threw up.

After she finished she moved towards the drawer and took out a thermometer and stuck it under her tongue.

I have to wait ten minutes, she thought to herself as she made her way back to bed, then I'll be able to check how feverish I am. What did I dream; I can't remember anymore, I remember darkness, green lights, and something about a chain.

I'll have to call in work, poor Josh, right after that lovely dinner with him last night. Hopefully he won't blame himself for me being sick. The dinner was great though, we talked and laughed. We do have a lot in common; he would be perfect for me. Why am I not attracted to him?

It wasn't that her and Josh didn't have a good time last night. She loved spending time with him, it was just, there were no fireworks. Not like the one guy that kept invading her mind. How could two people who had just met have so much pent up passion or sexual tension for each other? She didn't know why but she felt this desire burning deep inside her, something she had only read about in her romance novels, she never thought she would ever feel that way towards anyone.

She checked the thermometer. It read 101°. She moaned as she tossed the thermometer to the floor. Remembering that she had agreed to come into work today she picked up the phone and dialled her office.

"Alana? This is Hermione, I woke up today with the flu so I won't be coming in. I most likely won't be in for another 2-3 days. Sorry. Bye."

She clicked the phone off and dropped her head back into her pillow for some much needed rest.

"Servant! Fetch me a drink. NOW!" roared a man.

"Yes, right away milord." the servant whimpered.

"Hurry you imbecile, my mouth has long been parched thanks to your incompetence!"

A man hobbled into the dark room. His pupils dilated to adjust to the poor lighting as he took in the brand new headquarters of his employer, which had been carefully crafted and designed to not look new at all.

"Milord." he bowed.

"What news do you bring me?"

"Oh Milord, I bring a great plenty of news." he smirked.

"Don't you think it's a bit early to be calling her again?" Ginny asked as Draco reached for the phone.

The two were seated in Harry and Ginny's kitchen both talking about yesterday and Hermione.

"No." he began dialling.

"Whatever, but you don't want to scare her away." Ginny said while biting into a bagel.

"I'm not going to scare her, I love her." he replied.

"And that's what will scare her, god for such a smart guy you sure can be a dumb ass." Ginny said nonchalantly.

"Shut up Red." he said as he finished dialling.

Ginny stuck out her tongue at him.

"Ever wonder what you would do if that guy she was with answers the phone?" she asked nonchalantly as Draco waited for her to pick up.

"If you weren't pregnant..." he growled out at her as she broke into hysterical laughter.

"Hello?" asked a scratchy voice on the other line.

"Hi Hermione, its Draco."

"Oh, hey Draco." she said in a weak voice.

"What's wrong?" he asked concerned by her tone of voice.

"I just woke up sick today, I think I have the flu." she told him and a voice that told him just how much pain she was in.

"I'll be right over." he told her.

"No, that's sweet but I'm okay and I don't want you to get sick too." she told him sadly.

"Nonsense, I'm on my way." he told her as he hung up the phone.

Ginny looked at him oddly as he hung up the phone and looked around the room.

"What wrong with Hermione?" Ginny asked worried.

"She has the flu; do you guys have the medicine to get rid of that?" he asked her.

"Yeah, I'll go get it." Ginny hurried out of the room and returned not a minute later holding a small bottle containing so purple foul smelling liquid.

"Thanks, sorry to leave so suddenly, but…" he started as he walked out the door.

"Just go and get her better." Ginny said as she pushed him out the door.

The door buzzer rang throughout Hermione's apartment as she rushed over to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's me."

"I told you that you shouldn't come, you'll get sick." she stated.

"Let me in Hermione."

"Alright." she gave in as she pushed the button to unlock the door.

Almost immediately there was a knock at her door.

"Hi, that was fast."

"Yeah I went fast, why are you up? You should be in bed." he scolded as he picked her up bridal style and carried her to her bedroom.

"Ah! I had to answer the door. Oh my God." she screeched as he carried her.

He carefully laid her down on her bed and pulled the covers over her despite her faint protests that she was alright.

"Now what you need is medicine." he told her as he pulled out the bottle Ginny had given him.

"What is that?" she asked.

"Dr. Promfrey's Flu and Congestion Medicine. Supposed to help flu and cold symptoms," he told her as he poured the purple liquid into a cup, "Drink up"

She eyed the liquid warily and cringed at the bad smell.

"I'm fine thanks."

"Don't be foolish, it will help. It is rather gross but it helped me when I was sick." he coaxed.

"Are you sure?" she asked him.

"Positive." Draco smiled.

Taking the cup from him she drank the medicine gagging slightly at the taste.

"That wasn't too bad was it?"

"Speak for yourself." she muttered sleepily.

"Now get some rest." he told her, and if on commanded her eyes slowly fluttered closed and she was soon asleep.

Draco stood there staring at her sleeping face. She looked like an angel to him. It had been agony when she had disappeared, now here she was, they were so close, he was so close. Yet it still felt as if they were at opposite ends of the world. He stroked her cheek softly and kissed her forehead. He would stay until she began to wake up. He would call her later. Kissing her forehead he pulled a chair next to her bed and sat next to her, holding her hand and watching the slow rising and falling of her chest.

"I was wondering if you wanted to play some wizard chess?"

She smiled slightly at him but declined.

"Why not?"

"I can't play, I'm no good."

"I can teach you."

"Thanks but I really need to get back to reading." she told him as she picked up her book.

He walked over toward her.

"We could hang out sometime if you want?" he asked.

"Yes that could be fun."

"Alright." he smiled.

"Listen Hermione…I need to ask you something."

"Not now, can't it wait till later?"

"It's kind of important."

"Listen, can this conversation take a rain check?"

"Err…yeah sure."

Authors Note: Sorry it took so long to come out. So busy and my life has been hectic…there are many things going on that I wish would just solve themselves but they don't so I apologise. Also several cases of writers block have plagued this chapter. Please Review…pretty please with sugar on top!