Chapter 8: Oh, the Dreams We Dream

A week had passed since Mara's dream and she still felt… "shook up", as she'd told Draco. It was time to talk to someone. Never had a mere dream made her feel like this.

"Draco… Can I talk to you?" She asked her boyfriend of two weeks now, in the common room, when everyone else had already gone up.

"Sure. What's wrong?"

"You remember how last week I told you I had a dream, right? And that it had shaken me up?" Her eyes were questioning, but also seemed frightened.

"Yeah." His own eyes began to look worried. "Did you have another one? Some, er, certain witches think that dreams are important. Maybe you should go to the Hospital Wing, or talk to Trelawny…"

"I'm not sick, and I do not want to talk to that horrid woman. I want to talk to you. I trust you not to decide to tell others, or begin to make fun of me."

"Okay then. What about this dream?"

"It feels… as if it was special. Not a 'message', but like it was trying to tell me something."

"Lots of regular dreams are like that. If it is still bothering you… you could go talk to Dumbledore about it, tomorrow. Get some sleep."

"Thanks. I felt better now," she fibbed. She kissed him long and hard. "Good night." She went up to the girls' dorm.

Dreams… Draco thought, watching her run quietly up the stairs. Didn't Potter always complain of headaches from that wretched scar and dreams during class? He rolled his eyes. He probably has something to do with this. I don't know how, but…

"Harry!"

Ron's voice jerked Harry back to reality… He had been thinking about Mara again. God, he had to stop thinking about his archrival's girlfriend. Of course, he didn't think of Mara as that, but she still is.

"What?"

"Ron and I have been asking for about ten minutes. What is wrong with you? For two weeks now, you've hardly spoke," Hermione said.

"I, er, can't believe that Malfoy and Mara are together," he answered, more of a question than an answer.

Hermione raised her eyebrows. "Please. You expect me to believe that? I've been waiting for that since I saw how he looked at her on the train. God, Harry, I'm not stupid. What is really bothering you?"

"Nothing, okay! Leave me the bloody hell alone!" He stalked off to the boys' dormitory.

"He hasn't been that pissed off since we didn't tell him about the Order," Ron remarked.

"He's obviously upset… But all I said was about Malfoy and Mara. That shouldn't bother him. After all, they've been kissing in every corridor in school almost. Besides, they've been together for two weeks." And for once, Hermione didn't see the logical explanation here. Amazingly…

"Two… weeks…" Ron said loudly, as if he were beginning to figure something out.

"Yes, Ron. Mara and Malfoy have been going out for two weeks. I just said that."

"And Harry has been quiet how long? I thought you were the smart one, Hermione. 'God, Harry, I'm not stupid.' That's what upset him."

"No. Harry's not…" Her mouth dropped slightly open.

Ron smiled smugly. "He started acted all quiet as soon as we found them making out in front of Myrtle's bathroom, and when you tell him about how you saw Malfoy looking at her on the train, he explodes. Two weeks and two weeks. Try to de-logic that, Miss Granger."

She frowned. "I'd say we were in trouble, then. Considering, you know, that Harry is falling for Malfoy's latest, and a Slytherin. You know, the whole thing with the Houses being sworn enemies…"

"Right. But obviously Harry doesn't give a damn."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I'm going up to bed now. G'night."

"See you in the morning, then. I have to finish the last 6 inches of this essay for Potions."

A/N: Sorry this is a bit short, but not much I can put here without going into the next chapter! Short and… well, not all that sweet. Almost angsty… Hm. Anyway, enjoy.