A/N: i changed something here. i just remembered that you cant apparate in Hogwarts. But anyway, review:)
Grievous Of All
Malfoy let out a scream when he reached his room. He kept on screaming and screaming that Hermione, who was already half asleep, woke up. She really felt sorry for Malfoy and somehow, it made her wish that Slytherin had won. She saw how he has been working hard, in fact so hard but his hard work did not pay off . Wait! What the hell am I thinking? She thought. Malfoy let out another scream. With his scream, she stood up and headed towards his room, she had to ease her partner somehow.
"Malfoy?" she asked, knocking.
The screams stopped.
"Are you alright?" she asked very much concerned.
"Are you trying to mock me?" he said as he opened the door "Of course I'm not alright! Please, just leave me alone Granger." He continued then slammed the door.
She could hear thumping sounds from Malfoy's room and that she knew, Malfoy was throwing his things across his room. Poor Malfoy, wish I could do something to lighten him up, she thought, but obviously, I can't. She headed back to her room and lay down, still hearing crashing and cries from his partner's room.
Draco Malfoy couldn't control what he had been feeling at that time. He kept on screaming and hurling things across his room. "Aaaaaahhhhhhhh!" he let out another scream. "Damn it!" he cried. He spent his time practicing his team so that they'd triumph over Gryffindor but they still lost. Quidditch was the only thing, which kept him sane. Academics are not going well, so as his social life and heading seems to interfere with everything that's going on with his life. He couldn't take it. He wanted to stop and quit but he couldn't. Two months ago he has been branded with the Dark Mark, a mark that signifies that he should comply with whatever The Dark Lord asks him to do, if not, Death. He remembered very well what the Dark Lord had asked of him "You are to remain Head Boy no matter what happens. Keep close to Dumbledore, make sure he favors you" he said obviously plotting Dumbledore's fall. That he always kept in mind and must never forget. His screams died down when a tear fell from his right eye. He whipped it with his finger and had a sudden realization, this was the first time ever that he remembered he cried. His father's battering made him strong that ever since then, he hasn't shed a single tear even if scarlet blood has most certainly been shed.
Two days after, Hermione and Draco were making their rounds at school that night. They started around 9 o' clock and Malfoy hasn't uttered a single word. He kept quiet and this bothered Hermione so much. The clock on Hermione's wrist registered 11:00.
"One more hour and we're almost done" she said so Draco could hear.
Malfoy stopped, "Aren't you sick and tired of doing this shit everyday?"
"I..I.." Hermione stunned, stuttered
"We do it every-single-day-of-the-freaking-month" he said cringing by the corner. "I can't stand it anymore" he added, his hands by his hair gripping it tightly.
Hermione halted as he saw a coiled up Malfoy by the wall. "I.. I.. it's, It's our duty to do so but you could quit if you'd like to you know. Just tell Dumbledore you're having a hard time, he'll understand" she said trying to be placatory.
"I can't!" he screamed
"Why?" she asked leaning towards him
"You don't know my situation" he said as his hands trembled. Hermione noticed it.
"How could that be?" she asked
"Just freakin' shut up Granger" he said as he faced her, face red with tears dropping from his eyes. Hermione couldn't believe it, he saw Draco Malfoy crying. It was the most unexpected thing that Draco would do. She had never saw him cry ever and now he's crying.
She felt sorrow towards him. "I.. What can I do to help you?" Hermione offered thinking Draco could be in need of much help.
He shook his head due to great disbelief. Hermione, the girl he has been incessantly mocking, teasing and taunting still offered to help him despite the appalling things he has done towards her.
He stood up and started walking. "Hurry along, there still might be people who needs points taken off from them" he said sternly. Hermione was now confused. Was he just fronting? She questioned herself.
"Your Potty friend might be in one of his adventures again, we better check him" he added trying to sound like nothing happened a while ago. She was left silent while following Malfoy.
At twelve five the two heads were at their common room. Hermione went straight to her room and so did Malfoy. Hermione
immediately slept while Malfoy took out his books to accomplish several homework's due for tomorrow. He had to finish an essay for
Transfiguration, Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts. All of these assignments were given a week ago but he couldn't find time to
answer any of those because of his very hectic schedule. He took his quill and a parchment of paper then started writing. Malfoy had
finished his Defense Against the Dark Arts essay after 30 minutes. He then shifted to his next essay, Potions. He finished in an hour; it
was a bit harder then the initial one. Now it was Transfiguration, the subject he loathed the most. He hasn't been able to pass 2 of his
past homework's in transfiguration, which in effect, detention for three weeks. He has been doing sorts of crappy work at McGonagell's
office including arranging names and doing lines as well. Much detention was also added to him by McGonagell when she saw him copy
from someone else's work. So all in all, he had Heading duties, Quidditch, Academics and Transfiguration detention. With all those
things, who would ever balance the things one has to do? Hermione Granger of course, he thought. Now, he was staring at his
parchment of paper when he realized he had no idea on what to answer. The topic could not positively be found in the book but only in
the library. He couldn't go to the library because it was obviously closed, at this time of the night! How could I possible do this? He
asked himself. I can't bear to stand another week of detention. "What to do, what to do?" he mumbled to himself. "This thing is freaking
due the first thing tomorrow" he added "Fuck fuck fuck!" he slumped into his bed wondering what had happened to him. He had not yet
talked to any of his friends for he kept on concentrating on his studies. He had to have high grades; it's a requirement for Heads. A head
should have a maximum of one Acceptable grade. All should either be E or O. He was also failing as a team captain (evidence was their
loss) and failing his duty as head, which means, failing his duty for the Dark Lord. He felt extremely pathetic. He dozed of to sleep as
tears streamed down his face.
That next morning, Draco woke up early, very early indeed. He had to answer his homework and the only way to do so was ask Hermione Granger to help him out. He was at his bed thinking of what to say to her. He really felt ashamed at what he was supposed to do but he had to, it was his final option. One little favor wont hurt, he thought. He started whispering the words he'd be saying to her "Mudblood, help me with my home work" No, that's terrible, she wont help you Draco, he thought. "Granger, I need your help" No! Despicable! I sound to desperate, he thought but then, he heard Hermione's door open. What the hell, she's too early! He thought. He went outside still wondering what to say to her. Malfoy took a deep breath.
Hermione was about to open the bathroom door when she saw Malfoy by his door.
He was standing still there when, "Uhh.. Granger." He said approaching her. "I.. I wanted to ask you something".
Hermione had a confused look.
"Never mind" he said turning back to his room.
"No, no, no, go, ask me" Hermione responded.
He faced her, head down, "Uhh.. I was.. Uhh.. wondering if you could uhh… help me with my homework" This is pathetic, pathetic, pathetic, she wont help you! he thought.
"Sure. Lemme just take a bath and I'll help you" she said casually. His head jolted upwards. She agreed! He thought, she agreed. He nodded in disbelief.
After Hermione had taken a shower and dressed up, she went to the common room where Draco was seated with his books. She could not believe Draco was asking help from her. It was so unlikely of him.
"So, what's it about?" she asked, sitting down. And there they were finishing Malfoy's homework.
The days that have past were pretty weird. She remembered helping Malfoy the other day with his homework but was repaid with another 'mudblood' taunt when he was with his friend Zabini. She couldn't understand what the hell was wrong with Malfoy. Another weird and shocking event was Mrs. Weasley's letter to her. It wrote:
Hermione dear,
I just heard from Ginny about your relationship with our dear Ronald. I am so pleased to hear of it. I did know that someday something special could happen between the both of you. Now don't go breaking our Ronald's heart. He loves you.
Mrs. Weasley.
Ron doesn't even know her mum had written her. She has been having early breakfasts so she could continue on with her prolific homeworks that's why they haven't been seeing each other yet. This saddened Ron but fortunately, today is the scheduled Hogsmeade trip. This made everybody's life a little more like heaven. Hermione could spend time with Ron and Harry, Ron could finally see his girlfriend again and Harry could finally get out of the castle and Snape for a little while. Snape had been very stringent on Harry. He's given him the whole term for detention for a petty reason of accidentally knocking over Snape's things from his Potions classroom. Malfoy on the other hand would be spending his time by the Quidditch Pitch, practicing and training himself and his teammates. For the past few days he still has been stressed out even more. More homeworks, detention (McGonagell and Flitwick-an additional detention due to deriding Flitwick when he made a mistake), tests, strict observance of heading duties and Quidditch again. They had to practice so they'd win their battle against Hufflepuff.
Hermione, Harry and Ron were downstairs awaiting Filch to check their permits. Ron was holding her hand tightly while Harry was singing to himself. Filch arrived after five minutes later cursing and looking as monstrous as ever. "You lot have better cause no trouble" he demanded from everybody who were lining up. They were soon on their way to the Hogsmeade grounds. The three kept on chatting. Hermione had already mentioned to Ron about the letter his parents had given her and he immediately turned crimson with that. "Don't go breaking his heart. I won't go breaking his heart" Harry sung to the tune of a soundtrack from Ella Enchanted in a very humorous manner. Hermione laughed.
"Liked that movie" she said
"Yeah, nice but I don't fancy fairy tales" Harry explained.
"Know that Ron?" she asked smiling at him
"No, I don't. How could I possibly know?" he said pretending he doesn't know any muggle movies.
"Oh come on Ron! I've seen your CD collection!" Hermione said giving a laugh. He turned crimson.
"Muggle movies Ron?" Harry questioned.
"I see Hermione influences you a lot"
"Oh shut up Harry" Ron said while elbowing him.
After a while, they entered the Three Broomsticks where they had their butterbeers.
"I really wish the twins were back. I missed the times they sneeked in butterbeers in the common room especially when we win at Quidditch" Ron admitted as he sipped
"Well, yeah, but I'm glad they aren't any more cause if they were, Draco and I will certainly be having.." she stopped when she saw Harry and Ron's gawping faces. "What?" she asked confounded
"Your on first name basis with Malfoy?" Ron asked incredulously
"I.. I.. I'm not on first name basis with him!" she said suddenly realizing she had named him Draco.
"You are" Harry dejected.
"Well, I guess I was used to Snape calling him that" she explained
"Oh quit it with the cover ups! You like him don't you?" Ron said out of jealousy
"What the hell has that got to do with calling him by his name?" she said dumbfounded
"That's why you haven't been spending time with me, now have you? You prefer to do your Head work because he's there!". Harry remained silent. His best friends were fighting again and he couldn't do anything.
"Do you really think I like him? That's like the dumbest thing anyone could possibly think of! How could I possibly like him? He's Malfoy!"
"Now your calling him that"
"What is wrong with you Ron?"
"No, what's wrong with you! Flirting with Malfoy like a tramp" Ron couldn't control his jealousy that he had spoken these words. Hermione, eyes in tears left both Harry and Ron.
"Now, why'd you have to call her a tramp Ron?"
"I.. I.." was the only thing Ron could reply. Harry stood up and catched up with Hermione.
"Hermione" he cried. She turned back.
"What is it Harry? Don't pretend like you didn't hear that. You heard it clearly that he called me a tramp out of, I dunno" she responded then continued walking.
"Wait Hermione."
"He's so unreasonable! What the hell was thinking? Urrrrghhhh! Me flirt with Malfoy? Come on! He knows better than that! I would never flirt with him"
"Hermione, he was just probably jealous"
"Yeah, go ahead Harry, stick up to your best friend like you've always done even if he's wrong"
"Hermione, I am not sticking up to him"
"Well what are you doing right now? He called me a tramp, a tramp who flirts with Malfoy. And he called me that just cause I called Malfoy by his first name. That's so unreasonable! And.. and there you were a while ago even making the problem worse"
"What!"
"Look, okay, please just leave me alone okay. I'm not a tramp, please tell him that" she said eyes filled with tears.
"You! No, no no! Not like that! Your doing it the wrong way!" Malfoy yelled "How do you expect we win if you keep on practicing lazily? Pretend this is the match and not a mock game against Ravencalw" "Zabini, teach him how it's done" he said then strode off to watch his teammates play.
Malfoy let out another scream when a bludger almost hit him "Now, you don't hit me! You should never hit me! The outcome of the game lies in the seeker! So never hit me! Hit whoever else, especially the seeker of the other team but not me!". As he was airborne, he was staring to feel a throb in his brain then the Ravencalw captain told Malfoy their practice was over. "Yeah, we'll still give it another go" Malfoy responded. As the Ravenclaw's were retreating, he explained to his teammates that they had to practice once more. A teammate of his complained that their practice was already too long. They arrived much earlier than Ravenclaw and they's end much late than Ravenclaw too.
"I don't care about the time, what I care is that we win our next game" Malfoy commanded.
And they had another go with the practice. Malfoy set out several rings to practice flying upon. He also set out rings for bludger paths and he set out his own practice on finding the snitch. Their post practice ended after an hour and a half, 3:30, about 6 hours of practice. They were all frustrated but Malfoy was the one who really looked like crap. His hair was all wet and so were his clothes and he was finding it hard to breathe and his voice was all so crackly.
"Tomorrow, I expect you here again. Be prompt" he said dismissing his teammates.
Everyone mumbled with great aggravation because they had just experienced the longest day they had ever had plus, the most tiresome and they still had to attend practice tomorrow. Malfoy felt another throb in his head but ignored it once again as he headed for his room. He still had a lot of homeworks to do. As he entered the common room, it all seemed strange. For some unknown reason his vision was blurred plus he couldn't identify colors from the other. The red curtain was black and the white couch was black. All he could see was mere black and white. He felt a twinge in his brain so as another by his chest. He didn't know what was happening to him. He dropped his broom due to the pain he felt and cringed by the floor "Ow" he mumbled to himself. He clenched his fists, which were now quivering. He was breathing deep, forcing to take in heaps of air. He felt another pang and with that he screamed, his eyes watering due to the ache. He was confused, what was happening to him? Then, he saw a silhouette by the door and before he knew it, everything turned black.
Hermione, who had stayed inside the library for the past few hours decided to go back to her dormitory. Before going to the library, she had been to Hogsmeade but immediately returned retreated back to Hogwarts after the "tramp" incident. She was really pissed at Ron who had called her a tramp even if she wasn't one. She was also annoyed at Malfoy who had been shitting around with her and was the cause of her fight with Ron. She said the password to the common room; mind filled with thoughts of anger and hate and was then shocked with the sight she saw, as the door had swung open. She saw a pale lying Malfoy coiled up. His eyes were tearing up and his hands were tightly gripping his hair as he yelled screams of pain. "Malfoy! Malfoy!" she said rushing to him. She didn't know what to do. She was panicking, her hands suddenly trembling. "Malfoy!" she cried, deeply hoping he opened his eyes. But he had no response. He remained there with closed eyes, like a corpse. "Please wake up!" she said pleading. She placed her head on his chest, he wasn't breathing. "No!" she struggled to wake him up but it wasn't working. "Malfoy! No! Don't!" Although she loathed to, she gave him CPR. His lips were cold. It didn't work, there was still a cold, closed eye Malfoy the floor. And then, she screamed "HELP!"
Draco Malfoy opened his eyes and found himself lying in the hospital wing. To his surprise, he saw Hermione sitting by the chair nearest to the bunk bed he was staying at.
"Oh my God, How are you?" she asked as soon as she saw him wake up
"Wha.. wha happened?" he asked weakly
"Your body system has been failing to support you. You're too stressed out, you have to relax a bit Malfoy" she explained calmly.
"Crabbe and Goyle?"
"Uhh.. They probably haven't returned from the Hogsmeade trip"
"My mother, does she know?"
"I bet she's coming already". He was really surprised to find of all people, Hermione by his bedside. She was still there despite the many insults he had thrown at her face. She was actually the only person there. ONLY.
"How.. How long have I been out?" he asked frailly
"About 3 hours. But don't worry, you'll be alright".
It struck him, 3 hours! So she's been there for three hours? He asked himself. "Er.. What did they say? How long should I.."
"You have to rest Malfoy. You're too stressed. I can even see that from you. ".
He just couldn't understand why she was there and not just plainly there, she seemed like she cared about him and he didn't understand why. He could not look into her eyes, he felt ashamed. He never expected this would happen to him that when in time of need the first person who was there was his enemy, a person whom he has surely pissed off so many times. He suddenly felt something weird. He couldn't explain it. He wanted to say his gratitude for being there when he needed help but he couldn't. He shouldn't. But he really had this feeling of wanting to thank her but he was to embarrassed to do so. He felt like if he did say his thanks, he'll be humiliated and disgraced. But what caught his attention was why was he suddenly feeling like this? Why all of a sudden care for saying thank you. He never cared before whether he thank someone or not, no matter what the person has done. There was something about her, something he couldn't spell out which made him feel like that and he doesn't even know what it was.
After quite a while, "I could hear your friends coming, I'll be going. They wont like it if they saw me here" Hermione said "Yeah, good thing you know. They wouldn't want to see a mudblood here" Draco said out of nowhere. She gave Malfoy an irritated look and then transfigured into a butterfly. His friends Crabbe, Goyle, Zabini, Pansy and two other Slytherins came rushing towards him.
"Draco, what did you do to yourself? How we gonna win the match if your lying there?" Zabini said.
He refused to reply.
Pansy stroked his blonde hair.
"Ughh.. You alrie Drayco? You shoodnt ave practiced thaa long" Crabbe said sluggishly. Still, he refused to answer.
Others kept saying "Malfoy, what about the Match?".
He couldn't believe them! They were blaming him and accusing him of what unfortunate events that were to happen in the future, especially the Quidditch match. But it hasn't even happened yet, he thought. He was fuming up but ceased to show his anger. Their attitude made him want Hermione back rather than them, screaming and yelling so as demanding him what he should do. They were anything but supportive unlike Hermione. Wait! Why am I comparing them to Granger? And why am I calling her Hermione? he thought. It's Granger-the mud.. no, don't call her that Draco. Yes, call her. She's a filthy little mudblood. There was a feud going on inside his mind but was stopped when another question about the match was shot in front of his face. It seems that they were there to settle things out and to clarify if they still had a chance at the match. Malfoy could only see Pansy giving him comfort from that lot
"Would you guys fuckin' shut up about the match. You freakin' get yourselves a new captain if you fuckin' like" he yelled, agitatedly.
Everyone fell silent.
"Sorry there, Draco. You're a great captain. We don't want to replace you" Zabini said softly.
"Good, now shut it" he responded.
Before the Slytherins got back to their dormitories, Malfoy's mother, Narcissa came. Her coming was the reason why they left him. He felt a relief that they were gone but was tense and scared with what his mother might tell him and force him to do. She might ask of him to quit Heading so incidents like this wouldn't happen but he mustn't quit or else he might die and so will she. He wouldn't want that to happen.
Malfoy had just recovered and left the hospital wing after a week and two days. Unfortunately, even if he had been sick, it was no excuse to not catch up with his studies and academics. He has been having a bit of trouble with his other subjects but he could still manage them somehow. However, in Transfiguration, it seemed like he is going to hell.
"Mr. Malfoy, I need you to stay for a little while after the class. I have to discuss something with you" Professor McGonagell said.
What could it possibly be? He thought. Don't tell me it's another detention! For Merlin's sake! I'm going to die! I'm not yet done with the first detention and now another?. But what Professor McGonagell wanted to discuss was far more grievous than what Draco assumed. After class, he remained seated by the chair then when Professor McGonagell approached him, he stood up.
"I'm very anxious to tell you that your grade in transfiguration is not at all good. You're failing Malfoy. And if you don't do anything about it, I'm afraid you might lose your position as Head Boy. Please work harder if you'd like to retain your position" his jaw dropped
"I'm canceling our detention so you could focus on studying for Transfiguration. I hope you really do something about it" she said then left.
Malfoy could not believe what he had just heard. He might lose his position as Head Boy. This means he might die, his family might die. Unpleasant thoughts entered his mind and soon, he was finding it hard to breathe again. He had to do something. But what? How could he possible pass Transfiguration if he's failing and still having a very hard time trying to understand and perform the spells correctly? He was so confused. He didn't know what to do. Now, he was sure The Dark Lord would really be disappointed at him.
A/N: i update immediately. cause i know this part will be much interesting. wink although Draco still experiences too much trouble. :( find out how he could please the Dark Lord again in the next chapter.. :) PLEASE REVIEW AGAIN! id really appreciate it if you do. thanks a lot! jhayd, thanks for your review.