Terrifié
Chapter Fourteen [Help Me]
Last Time:
The rain fell from the dark clouds, and lightning and thunder crashed down upon Hogsmeade. But Hermione and Draco slept on, silent except for the occasional sniffle.
TBC
***
Hermione awoke, snuggling closer to Draco. She felt warm and sleepy and happy. She loved waking up warm, coldness had plagued Hermione her whole life. It seemed she could never escape from being cold. And she despised being cold.
But right now she was warm, and her muscles felt relaxed instead of tensed. She opened her eyes slowly and lifted her head slightly off Draco's.... Draco's chest...
Ok. In bed, curled around Draco Malfoy. Warm. Hermione sneezed.
Ugh, she had forgotten. The previous night came back to her in a rush. It seemed like a dream. She had been so exhausted. Draco was still asleep... she should probably get up and leave while she could. But she was so warm... she went back to sleep.
***
Don stared out the window at the rain. He always felt so depressed when it rained. And it had been raining for two days straight now. He had been supposed to go to meet his girlfriend of the week, Jessie (a brunette from a bar) for brunch, but had slept through it. He sighed. So much for her. She was a pretty good shag, and she had nice legs. But oh well. He smiled slightly. Hermione would be coming home soon.
His favourite.
He jacked off in the shower thinking about her, her weakness. Her whimper when he hit her, her big brown eyes.
He towelled off and got dressed, checking his watch. 4 o'clock. He'd grab a bit of food from the kitchen and then hit the pubs for another night of drinking, smoking and flirting in the seemingly endless chain.
*** Harry and Ron waited in the common room for Hermione. They always went down to breakfast together, it was unusual that she was late. They sat around for ten minutes before they went down by themselves. It was probably good for her to sleep in anyway, poor thing. She'd had a rough few days.
They ate breakfast hungrily, telling jokes through mouthfuls of pancake. When anyone asked them where Hermione was, they said she was sleeping in. Ginny joined them and the three went to the library to catch up on some homework.
"Ugh, I wish Hermione was awake. This stuff is so confusing." Ron stared idly at his Transfiguration homework, tapping it with his pencil. Ginny looked up from her own homework, which Harry was helping her with, as he had done it last year.
"Awake? I was just wondering where she was! I went into her room looking for her before I came down to breakfast... she wasn't in there."
"Well where could she be? She didn't come home last night until after we were all asleep..." Ron dropped his pencil but didn't bother to pick it up.
"Or maybe she didn't come home." Harry finished, standing up.
"Well, she said not to worry." Ginny suggested.
"Let's go see Dumbledore." Harry said, heading towards the door, his books forgotten.
***
Draco opened his eyes slowly and listened to the pitter-patter of the rain. He eased himself out of bed and stood, looking down at Hermione. She was still curled up peacefully, her cheeks flushed with sleep. He went to the bathroom and splashed his face with cold water, and rinsed out his mouth. He went back into the main room. There was an owl tapping at the window. He opened it and took the message from the owl, who promptly flew off.
Draco and Hermione,
Thank-you for telling me where you were, I would have worried. You are excused because of last night's emergency conditions, which made it impossible for you to return to school. I am only glad you were able to find rooms at the Inn. I hope you are both well and will expect you back at Hogwarts by this afternoon. Once again, thank-you for your consideration. Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
The clock ticked ten o'clock. Draco decided they'd better be on their way soon. He knelt next to the bed and shook Hermione's shoulder gently.
"Hermione? Hermione, wake up." Hermione yawned and stretched, then opened her eyes. She watched him confusedly for a moment, sitting up. Her eyes were no longer clouded over with sleep. They changed in the snap of a finger into once again being frightened.
"Thank-you for helping me last night." She said, climbing out of the bed on the side opposite him. He stood and turned, gathering his things up. He felt the insides of her boots, which were still over the heater.
"Your boots are dry now." He said, offering them to her. She put them on and stomped into the bathroom. She unconsciously repeated his earlier action, splashing water over her face and then rinsing out her mouth. She dried her hands and pulled her hair, which was absolutely wild, into a makeshift ponytail. She looked at the faint bruises on her throat and decided no one would notice them. She didn't have concealer with her anyway. Draco stood in the doorway.
"Are those from me?" He asked, noting the bruises. She nodded, meeting his eye in the mirror. She brushed past him into the room, straightening out her shopping bags, putting all the littler packages into the one big bag.
"I'm sorry." Draco said, pulling her to her feet. She lifted the medallion from under her sweater.
"Why?" She asked. She went back to straightening out the packages. "It's almost Christmas." She said quietly.
"Yeah." Draco didn't know what to say. "You hungry?" Hermione nodded without looking up.
"We can eat downstairs." He said. "Leave your stuff here for now." They went downstairs to the dining room and ordered breakfasts. They sat waiting in silence, until Hermione spoke again.
"I don't want to go home. I'm scared." She said, staring at the table.
"Come to the Manor. I'm sure father wouldn't mind, especially if he knew..." He trailed off.
"That you owned me?" Hermione said helpfully.
"Err... yeah. I'm sure he wouldn't mind."
"I might ask my parents."
Their breakfasts came and they ate quickly, got their packages and walked back to Hogwarts. It was still raining. Hermione sneezed repeatedly. They said goodbye in the great hall and went their separate ways.
***
Hermione attended lunch with Ron and Harry, but did not see Malfoy. A small carrier owl flew in halfway through the meal and all eyes watched as it dropped a letter into Hermione's plate of baked macaroni and cheese. Lunch deliveries were rare in comparison to the morning invasion. Hermione removed the letter carefully from her food and lay it on the seat next to her, until she could open it in privacy later.
She opened it in her room, where she was reading a book about the evolution of Egyptian wizarding chants into modern rock music. Lavi and Pavi were out somewhere. She took it from inside her robes and looked at it. It was in a pale pink envelope, and from her parents. She took he letter from the envelope and read it.
Dearest Hermione,
we have some big news for you! Your father and I bought these lottery tickets from Mrs. Adams next door for charity, and then we won! We've won a romantic Christmas holiday for two in Marseilles, France! We wish you could come too, and we're sorry about the whole thing being at the same time as Christmas, but we will be home for the first day of your break, until 2. We really need this vacation. Don and you should have a good Christmastime together anyway! I'm sure you two will manage. Oh you're father needs help with some wisdom teeth... bye darling!
Love,
Mum xoxo
Hermione stared dully at the letter for a few moments before throwing it carelessly onto the bed and going to the window.
This was not going to be a good holiday. She couldn't go home and be alone with him... it would be constant. There would be no one to hide it from, he'd have complete rule over her. And there was no one to stop this. No one knew a reason to stop this.
Except Draco.
But he was just as bad as Don! Hermione thought of the night before, when he'd carried her inside, let her snuggle up beside him. She thought of all the times when he could've hurt her, and hadn't.
He was the only one who knew. The only one who could protect her.
***
Hermione hurried down to supper with a mission. She barely touched her food, and watched Draco across the tables until she caught his eye. Instead of looking away like she usually did, she maintained eye contact. Draco raised an eyebrow at her inquiringly. She got up from her table and walked to the door, then looked pointedly back at him, and tilted her head towards the door. She then went into the hall and leaned against a wall, waiting. A few minutes later he appeared, looking around till he spotted her.
"I need to talk to you. Not here. Somewhere private." She pointed towards a group of students who were looking at them and whispering. He glanced at them and then casually kissed her, grabbed her hand, and began dashing up the stairs.
"Got to keep up reputations." He said simply when she tugged his hand. They walked through increasingly dark and gloomy halls of Hogwarts till they reached a door that was almost hidden in the shadow of a large statue. He opened it, looked around shadily, shoved Hermione inside and then followed, closing the door softly.
Hermione looked around her and immediately tried to get past him. He blocked her way to the door.
"Relax Hermione, I have this room to myself. My father payed extra so I didn't have to sleep with Crabbe and Goyle." He smiled luxuriously and looked around his large, green and silver decorated, private bedroom.
"Draco, I'm not only in the Slytherin house, but I'm in a boy's bedroom. If someone came in, or saw me, or anything, I'd be expelled! This is against the rules in so many ways and..." Hermione paled and stopped talking as she heard footsteps outside. She dove under his bed just as Professor Snape poked his head around the doorway.
"Mr. Malfoy! Talking to yourself again?" He asked, smiling condescendingly.
"You know me, Professor Snape." Draco said good-naturedly.
"I was just wondering if you had seen Millicent, she's missed supper, which is quite unusual you know..." Snape shook his head in wonderment.
"That is very strange. Well, I wouldn't want to be a tattle-tale or anything... but you might want to check Crabbe's room..." Draco winked at the professor conspiratorially. Snape nodded his thanks and went on his way. Draco closed the door behind him and locked it.
"You can come out now Hermione, it's safe. I've locked the door, and no one knows about that secret doorway, except perhaps Dumbledore, who doesn't generally pay me nighttime visits." Hermione did not appear. Draco looked under the bed and peered into two big brown eyes.
"Draco, this is dangerous! Why did you take me in here?! You must be crazy!" Hermione held fast onto the leg of his bed when Draco tried to tug her out. "What if we get caught? Oh God!" She shuddered thinking about the possibilities.
"Listen, even if we did get caught, the worst we would have would be a few detentions, Hermione. Didn't you have something to tell me?" He inquired, raising his brows. Hermione's face clouded over, and sobered, she crawled out from beneath his bed. They sat down side to side on top of it, and Hermione idly ran her hands over his green comforter.
"I should've known you'd have a room all to yourself, Mr. I-Own-Half-the- Wizarding-World." She laughed slightly, shaking her head.
"Excuse me, half?" He joked back. They had formed some sort of a truce over the last few days, since the Quidditch accident. They both knew how fragile it was.
"Listen Draco." Hermione turned towards him, her small face solemn now. "This is serious. I really... I need your help." She looked at him anxiously. He couldn't help but smile.
"Never thought I'd see the day when you'd ask me for help." Draco said, tweaking her chin.
"No, listen to me!" She said, brushing his hand aside. "My parents are going away for the holidays."
"Yeah so are mine. That's regular isn't it? I don't really remember the last time I spent Christmas with them, it's been-"
"But Draco, that means I'll be left at home with Don. For a whole three weeks..." Hermione bit her lip, her eyes were glistening with unshed tears. Draco's expression lost all hints of amusement.
"You can't!" He said, standing up. "You can't stay alone with him, God... I mean..." He began to pace back and forth, rubbing his hands together in agitation.
"The Weasley's aren't having anyone over this Christmas, as Bill is bringing home his wife and quadruplets, and I can't very well go to Harry's. No one knows about Don, other than you..." Hermione once again took to picking at his comforter.
"Well come to the Manor then, that's all there is to it. My parents won't be there anyway." He said, sitting down next to her again.
"But I don't think my parents would stand for it, me going to some stranger's...(especially a boy's) house." Hermione looked at him hopefully, as if it was up to him.
"Well don't tell them then. When do they leave?"
"The day after break begins, at 2."
"I'll send a car round for you ok? At 3. Just wait on your doorstep. I'll have Henry pick you up and drive you to a portkey. Be there. Don't forget or anything." Hermione laughed weakly.
"Forget? Ha." She scuffed her feet awkwardly. "Thanks Draco... I just can't... and no one knows..." She stuttered, blushing.
"Well it's no trouble to me." He said, shrugging. He was watching her chew her lip. He really would've liked to kiss her, and they were in his room and all... but he knew that would just screw things up. Their friendship was very tentative right now. And he really wanted to get to know her. "You should probably get back to your common, the Wonder Boys'll be on the lookout for you." Hermione looked up, unaware that she had been subject to his musings.
"Oh, ok. Thanks again." She said, making her way to the hidden doorway, and stepping out into the hall. She began to close the door and then popped her head in again. "Err, Draco, I don't really know the way back..." She smiled apologetically. He walked her to the hall leading to the Gryffindor house in silence, he seemed to be writing something in a notepad. They stopped and he ripped a page out of his notepad and handed it to her.
"It's a map. In case you need me. It's ok to come, all right?" He said, looking her in the eye. She nodded.
"Thanks Draco." She had the distinct feeling that he was going to kiss her again, but there was no one around to impress this time. He turned abruptly on his heel, as was his usual manner of leaving (unexpectedly), and then strode down the hall purposefully. Only after he was out of hearing distance did he mutter an expletive to himself.
TBC
***
Chapter Fourteen [Help Me]
Last Time:
The rain fell from the dark clouds, and lightning and thunder crashed down upon Hogsmeade. But Hermione and Draco slept on, silent except for the occasional sniffle.
TBC
***
Hermione awoke, snuggling closer to Draco. She felt warm and sleepy and happy. She loved waking up warm, coldness had plagued Hermione her whole life. It seemed she could never escape from being cold. And she despised being cold.
But right now she was warm, and her muscles felt relaxed instead of tensed. She opened her eyes slowly and lifted her head slightly off Draco's.... Draco's chest...
Ok. In bed, curled around Draco Malfoy. Warm. Hermione sneezed.
Ugh, she had forgotten. The previous night came back to her in a rush. It seemed like a dream. She had been so exhausted. Draco was still asleep... she should probably get up and leave while she could. But she was so warm... she went back to sleep.
***
Don stared out the window at the rain. He always felt so depressed when it rained. And it had been raining for two days straight now. He had been supposed to go to meet his girlfriend of the week, Jessie (a brunette from a bar) for brunch, but had slept through it. He sighed. So much for her. She was a pretty good shag, and she had nice legs. But oh well. He smiled slightly. Hermione would be coming home soon.
His favourite.
He jacked off in the shower thinking about her, her weakness. Her whimper when he hit her, her big brown eyes.
He towelled off and got dressed, checking his watch. 4 o'clock. He'd grab a bit of food from the kitchen and then hit the pubs for another night of drinking, smoking and flirting in the seemingly endless chain.
*** Harry and Ron waited in the common room for Hermione. They always went down to breakfast together, it was unusual that she was late. They sat around for ten minutes before they went down by themselves. It was probably good for her to sleep in anyway, poor thing. She'd had a rough few days.
They ate breakfast hungrily, telling jokes through mouthfuls of pancake. When anyone asked them where Hermione was, they said she was sleeping in. Ginny joined them and the three went to the library to catch up on some homework.
"Ugh, I wish Hermione was awake. This stuff is so confusing." Ron stared idly at his Transfiguration homework, tapping it with his pencil. Ginny looked up from her own homework, which Harry was helping her with, as he had done it last year.
"Awake? I was just wondering where she was! I went into her room looking for her before I came down to breakfast... she wasn't in there."
"Well where could she be? She didn't come home last night until after we were all asleep..." Ron dropped his pencil but didn't bother to pick it up.
"Or maybe she didn't come home." Harry finished, standing up.
"Well, she said not to worry." Ginny suggested.
"Let's go see Dumbledore." Harry said, heading towards the door, his books forgotten.
***
Draco opened his eyes slowly and listened to the pitter-patter of the rain. He eased himself out of bed and stood, looking down at Hermione. She was still curled up peacefully, her cheeks flushed with sleep. He went to the bathroom and splashed his face with cold water, and rinsed out his mouth. He went back into the main room. There was an owl tapping at the window. He opened it and took the message from the owl, who promptly flew off.
Draco and Hermione,
Thank-you for telling me where you were, I would have worried. You are excused because of last night's emergency conditions, which made it impossible for you to return to school. I am only glad you were able to find rooms at the Inn. I hope you are both well and will expect you back at Hogwarts by this afternoon. Once again, thank-you for your consideration. Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
The clock ticked ten o'clock. Draco decided they'd better be on their way soon. He knelt next to the bed and shook Hermione's shoulder gently.
"Hermione? Hermione, wake up." Hermione yawned and stretched, then opened her eyes. She watched him confusedly for a moment, sitting up. Her eyes were no longer clouded over with sleep. They changed in the snap of a finger into once again being frightened.
"Thank-you for helping me last night." She said, climbing out of the bed on the side opposite him. He stood and turned, gathering his things up. He felt the insides of her boots, which were still over the heater.
"Your boots are dry now." He said, offering them to her. She put them on and stomped into the bathroom. She unconsciously repeated his earlier action, splashing water over her face and then rinsing out her mouth. She dried her hands and pulled her hair, which was absolutely wild, into a makeshift ponytail. She looked at the faint bruises on her throat and decided no one would notice them. She didn't have concealer with her anyway. Draco stood in the doorway.
"Are those from me?" He asked, noting the bruises. She nodded, meeting his eye in the mirror. She brushed past him into the room, straightening out her shopping bags, putting all the littler packages into the one big bag.
"I'm sorry." Draco said, pulling her to her feet. She lifted the medallion from under her sweater.
"Why?" She asked. She went back to straightening out the packages. "It's almost Christmas." She said quietly.
"Yeah." Draco didn't know what to say. "You hungry?" Hermione nodded without looking up.
"We can eat downstairs." He said. "Leave your stuff here for now." They went downstairs to the dining room and ordered breakfasts. They sat waiting in silence, until Hermione spoke again.
"I don't want to go home. I'm scared." She said, staring at the table.
"Come to the Manor. I'm sure father wouldn't mind, especially if he knew..." He trailed off.
"That you owned me?" Hermione said helpfully.
"Err... yeah. I'm sure he wouldn't mind."
"I might ask my parents."
Their breakfasts came and they ate quickly, got their packages and walked back to Hogwarts. It was still raining. Hermione sneezed repeatedly. They said goodbye in the great hall and went their separate ways.
***
Hermione attended lunch with Ron and Harry, but did not see Malfoy. A small carrier owl flew in halfway through the meal and all eyes watched as it dropped a letter into Hermione's plate of baked macaroni and cheese. Lunch deliveries were rare in comparison to the morning invasion. Hermione removed the letter carefully from her food and lay it on the seat next to her, until she could open it in privacy later.
She opened it in her room, where she was reading a book about the evolution of Egyptian wizarding chants into modern rock music. Lavi and Pavi were out somewhere. She took it from inside her robes and looked at it. It was in a pale pink envelope, and from her parents. She took he letter from the envelope and read it.
Dearest Hermione,
we have some big news for you! Your father and I bought these lottery tickets from Mrs. Adams next door for charity, and then we won! We've won a romantic Christmas holiday for two in Marseilles, France! We wish you could come too, and we're sorry about the whole thing being at the same time as Christmas, but we will be home for the first day of your break, until 2. We really need this vacation. Don and you should have a good Christmastime together anyway! I'm sure you two will manage. Oh you're father needs help with some wisdom teeth... bye darling!
Love,
Mum xoxo
Hermione stared dully at the letter for a few moments before throwing it carelessly onto the bed and going to the window.
This was not going to be a good holiday. She couldn't go home and be alone with him... it would be constant. There would be no one to hide it from, he'd have complete rule over her. And there was no one to stop this. No one knew a reason to stop this.
Except Draco.
But he was just as bad as Don! Hermione thought of the night before, when he'd carried her inside, let her snuggle up beside him. She thought of all the times when he could've hurt her, and hadn't.
He was the only one who knew. The only one who could protect her.
***
Hermione hurried down to supper with a mission. She barely touched her food, and watched Draco across the tables until she caught his eye. Instead of looking away like she usually did, she maintained eye contact. Draco raised an eyebrow at her inquiringly. She got up from her table and walked to the door, then looked pointedly back at him, and tilted her head towards the door. She then went into the hall and leaned against a wall, waiting. A few minutes later he appeared, looking around till he spotted her.
"I need to talk to you. Not here. Somewhere private." She pointed towards a group of students who were looking at them and whispering. He glanced at them and then casually kissed her, grabbed her hand, and began dashing up the stairs.
"Got to keep up reputations." He said simply when she tugged his hand. They walked through increasingly dark and gloomy halls of Hogwarts till they reached a door that was almost hidden in the shadow of a large statue. He opened it, looked around shadily, shoved Hermione inside and then followed, closing the door softly.
Hermione looked around her and immediately tried to get past him. He blocked her way to the door.
"Relax Hermione, I have this room to myself. My father payed extra so I didn't have to sleep with Crabbe and Goyle." He smiled luxuriously and looked around his large, green and silver decorated, private bedroom.
"Draco, I'm not only in the Slytherin house, but I'm in a boy's bedroom. If someone came in, or saw me, or anything, I'd be expelled! This is against the rules in so many ways and..." Hermione paled and stopped talking as she heard footsteps outside. She dove under his bed just as Professor Snape poked his head around the doorway.
"Mr. Malfoy! Talking to yourself again?" He asked, smiling condescendingly.
"You know me, Professor Snape." Draco said good-naturedly.
"I was just wondering if you had seen Millicent, she's missed supper, which is quite unusual you know..." Snape shook his head in wonderment.
"That is very strange. Well, I wouldn't want to be a tattle-tale or anything... but you might want to check Crabbe's room..." Draco winked at the professor conspiratorially. Snape nodded his thanks and went on his way. Draco closed the door behind him and locked it.
"You can come out now Hermione, it's safe. I've locked the door, and no one knows about that secret doorway, except perhaps Dumbledore, who doesn't generally pay me nighttime visits." Hermione did not appear. Draco looked under the bed and peered into two big brown eyes.
"Draco, this is dangerous! Why did you take me in here?! You must be crazy!" Hermione held fast onto the leg of his bed when Draco tried to tug her out. "What if we get caught? Oh God!" She shuddered thinking about the possibilities.
"Listen, even if we did get caught, the worst we would have would be a few detentions, Hermione. Didn't you have something to tell me?" He inquired, raising his brows. Hermione's face clouded over, and sobered, she crawled out from beneath his bed. They sat down side to side on top of it, and Hermione idly ran her hands over his green comforter.
"I should've known you'd have a room all to yourself, Mr. I-Own-Half-the- Wizarding-World." She laughed slightly, shaking her head.
"Excuse me, half?" He joked back. They had formed some sort of a truce over the last few days, since the Quidditch accident. They both knew how fragile it was.
"Listen Draco." Hermione turned towards him, her small face solemn now. "This is serious. I really... I need your help." She looked at him anxiously. He couldn't help but smile.
"Never thought I'd see the day when you'd ask me for help." Draco said, tweaking her chin.
"No, listen to me!" She said, brushing his hand aside. "My parents are going away for the holidays."
"Yeah so are mine. That's regular isn't it? I don't really remember the last time I spent Christmas with them, it's been-"
"But Draco, that means I'll be left at home with Don. For a whole three weeks..." Hermione bit her lip, her eyes were glistening with unshed tears. Draco's expression lost all hints of amusement.
"You can't!" He said, standing up. "You can't stay alone with him, God... I mean..." He began to pace back and forth, rubbing his hands together in agitation.
"The Weasley's aren't having anyone over this Christmas, as Bill is bringing home his wife and quadruplets, and I can't very well go to Harry's. No one knows about Don, other than you..." Hermione once again took to picking at his comforter.
"Well come to the Manor then, that's all there is to it. My parents won't be there anyway." He said, sitting down next to her again.
"But I don't think my parents would stand for it, me going to some stranger's...(especially a boy's) house." Hermione looked at him hopefully, as if it was up to him.
"Well don't tell them then. When do they leave?"
"The day after break begins, at 2."
"I'll send a car round for you ok? At 3. Just wait on your doorstep. I'll have Henry pick you up and drive you to a portkey. Be there. Don't forget or anything." Hermione laughed weakly.
"Forget? Ha." She scuffed her feet awkwardly. "Thanks Draco... I just can't... and no one knows..." She stuttered, blushing.
"Well it's no trouble to me." He said, shrugging. He was watching her chew her lip. He really would've liked to kiss her, and they were in his room and all... but he knew that would just screw things up. Their friendship was very tentative right now. And he really wanted to get to know her. "You should probably get back to your common, the Wonder Boys'll be on the lookout for you." Hermione looked up, unaware that she had been subject to his musings.
"Oh, ok. Thanks again." She said, making her way to the hidden doorway, and stepping out into the hall. She began to close the door and then popped her head in again. "Err, Draco, I don't really know the way back..." She smiled apologetically. He walked her to the hall leading to the Gryffindor house in silence, he seemed to be writing something in a notepad. They stopped and he ripped a page out of his notepad and handed it to her.
"It's a map. In case you need me. It's ok to come, all right?" He said, looking her in the eye. She nodded.
"Thanks Draco." She had the distinct feeling that he was going to kiss her again, but there was no one around to impress this time. He turned abruptly on his heel, as was his usual manner of leaving (unexpectedly), and then strode down the hall purposefully. Only after he was out of hearing distance did he mutter an expletive to himself.
TBC
***