Draco realized he'd wanted to kiss Hermione since the Yule Ball. He remembered that evening as though it were yesterday. All night he'd watched her dance with Krum. He'd admired the way her dress showed off her small waist...observed the way she'd tilted her head when she laughed. He'd longed to dance with her, to run his hands through the cascade of curls that fell around her shoulders. Seeing Krum so close to her had made him feel ill, like he'd been hit by a horrible curse that had rendered him speechless. And then without knowing what he was doing, he'd followed her out of the Great Hall, transfixed...determined to find a way to approach her...but it had all gone terribly wrong.
And now she was in his arms. Draco buried his face into Hermione's neck. He breathed her in, letting her sweet, intoxicating scent wash over him. A small part of him was triumphant when his father had told him about the mission. It would be a chance to get close to Granger, even if it meant she would only hate him in the end...
Draco pulled Hermione tighter against him. His hands worked their way into her hair, his lips traveled down her neck, then he lightly tugged at her blouse to kiss her shoulder.
Hermione felt lightheaded. Of course she knew this might happen...getting involved was the quickest way to complete her mission.
But she hadn't expected Malfoy to make a move so soon. And it wasn't so much the kiss that surprised her. It was the way Malfoy held her...gentle and at the same time impatient, cautious but at the same time bold. He lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck, then he carried her to the window seat behind them.
Hermione tilted her head back to watch as he took her hand and kissed her wrist.
In between kisses Draco stole glances at her, brushed his hand against the smooth skin of her cheek, and traced the outline of her lips.
He was holding her as if she was something delicate, breakable. As if he wanted to keep her safe...savoring every second, knowing that she might soon come to her senses and curse him into oblivion.
Draco's lips found hers again and he kissed her more urgently.
Hermione closed her eyes. She had expected to feel nothing...to have the upper hand...to feel detached. Now she found she didn't want to pull away. No one had ever kissed her like this before. Krum's kisses had been clumsy and awkward, his caresses too rough and unskilled. But Malfoy knew exactly what he was doing, and she no longer trusted herself around him.
"I think we should slow down," Hermione gasped, breaking away from him.
Malfoy rested his forehead against hers. "If you say so," he whispered. Then, to Hermione's surprise, he laughed.
"What's so funny?"she demanded.
"Nothing," he said. "Just that I see why you want to take things slow." He winked at her and placed his hand under her chin. "I can tell you're relatively new at this sort of thing."
Hermione turned bright red. "Excuse me?"
"I can tell Krum wasn't a very thorough teacher. But don't worry, I'll better the instruction."
He leaned in to kiss her again, but Hermione slapped him, hard.
Draco stumbled backwards. "What was that for?!"
"Krum was an excellent kisser! Much better than you!" Hermione lied. "And don't flatter yourself, I don't need a teacher."
Draco's eyes flashed with anger. Hermione made for the door to the Astronomy classroom, then paused. "You're not the first person to take me out flying, Malfoy. And after tonight it's clear you bought your way onto the Slytherin team. Krum had real talent. I doubt you'll play on any team after Hogwarts."
Draco's face paled and before he could think of a response, she turned the handle to the Astronomy classroom and stormed off.
How dare he?! The bastard! And to think she'd actually enjoyed kissing him! And that routine! How many other girls had he taken out flying?
Hermione shook her head. Malfoy had to work much harder than that if he hoped to get anywhere near her again.
Hermione slept fitfully that night. She was soaring high above the countryside, in a land that seemed quite foreign. The air was warm and felt like a soft embrace. The sun was low in the sky, casting a glow over distant peaks and valleys.
Perched upon a huge bedrock was a castle with slate roofs and blue-gray turrets that shone in the waning light. As Hermione flew closer she saw that the front of the castle was shaped like the bow of a ship. It almost appeared as if the castle was sailing towards her, cutting through the thick forest below.
Hermione circled around on her broomstick, flying past several arched windows, and looked inside. The halls and rooms appeared empty, but candlelight flickered along the walls letting her know someone was there.
She landed on the terrace. She spotted a boy standing a few feet away from her.
At once, she recognized his untidy black hair and bright green eyes.
"Harry?" she whispered.
He was standing by a large wishing well. He looked down into its depths. He seemed to be searching for something. Hermione called his name again, but he couldn't hear her.
After a few moments, he turned away from the well and opened a door behind him. Hermione hurried after him and rushed down a long spiral staircase that seemed to go on forever. They finally reached a large gallery, but it was dimly lit. Hermione froze. She sensed a third person moving in the darkness.
"Harry?" she asked, grabbing his arm. "Who's that?"
Suddenly, a tall figure emerged, armed with a wand.
"Who are you?" Hermione demanded.
Suddenly, a jet of light issued from the figure's wand and Harry crumpled to the floor. He screamed, and his body twitched this way and that, his eyes rolled back into his head, and his screaming grew so loud Hermione thought her ears would burst. Then, for a few moments, Harry gasped for air, struggling to make any sound at all. Patches of light burned bright on his arm, and like a network of veins they traveled up to his neck then to his forehead. The lights blazed brilliantly then faded, and just when Harry caught his breath, they formed again, causing him terrible pain.
Hermione knew Harry was dying. It was a slow, painful death, unlike anything she'd ever seen before...
Suddenly, the figure advanced on her.
"Noooo!" she screamed.
Hermione opened her eyes and nearly fell out of bed. She looked around her. There was no one in the girl's dormitory, but somehow, the screaming hadn't stopped.
She reached for her sweater and pulled it over her head, then raced downstairs to the common room. Everyone was huddled around a copy of the Daily Prophet. The screams were coming from the picture on its front page.
A crowd of muggles were running away from a large explosion in Central London. There was a woman lying on the ground and she was writhing in agony, just as Harry had done in her dream. A Death Eater stood over the woman, his wand pointed directly at her chest.
Hermione spotted Ron standing at the back of the room. "What's going on?" she asked.
He looked pale, like he was going to be sick. "Voldemort invented a new killing curse."
"What?" Hermione gasped.
"It kills you slowly. You feel like you're burning alive and drowning at the same time, eventually the pain becomes so terrible you wish for death. They're calling it Mors Multarum."
Hermione looked at Ron, shocked. Had she seen the future? Would Harry be met with this curse? She had to tell Dumbledore...
Dumbledore! He had asked her to steal the note...the note she'd failed to retrieve from Pansy the day before. Hermione looked at the clock hanging on the opposite wall. She was already late...
Hermione rushed to her room to change, then left Gryffindor Tower, an uneasy feeling settling into the pit of her stomach.
She waited outside the Slytherin common room for an hour, but Pansy didn't emerge. She began to panic, searching for her in the Great Hall, in the corridors and even the library—but it was like she had vanished into thin air. Finally, Hermione made her way to the Astronomy Tower. It was a few minutes before class, and the room was empty.
Craving some fresh air Hermione opened the door that led to the terrace. Her cloak flapped violently in the wind. It was cold outside, and the sky was grey and stormy. She suspected it would rain any minute now...
Hermione wrapped her arms tightly around herself, then made her way to the edge of the tower. She leaned against the railing, and despite her best efforts, she remembered Draco's kiss from the night before.
She put a hand to her lips. Why couldn't she just forget about it? Why did he have this effect on her?
Suddenly, she heard the sound of approaching footsteps, and the rustling of a cloak...
"Just the person I wanted to see," said a voice.
Before Hermione could turn, someone hit her from behind, pitching her forward.
Hermione clung to the railing for support and looked over her shoulder.
Pansy was staring back at her. She seized Hermione's robes and turned her so that they were facing each other.
"Why were you following me yesterday?"
Hermione screamed as Pansy shoved her backwards, flinging her over the railing.
All the blood rushed to Hermione's head. She was hanging upside down. The only thing that kept her from falling was Pansy's vice-like grip on her legs.
"Hoping to save the day, now that Potter's gone? " Pansy spat, digging her nails into her.
Hermione felt drops of water on her cheek. It was starting to rain...
Pansy's feet slid as she struggled to keep her footing.
"You're imagining things!" Hermione shouted. "I wasn't following you—"
The wind whipped Pansy's jet-black hair into her face. Her eyes were narrow, snake-like, and she had a demented look on her face that sent a chill through Hermione's spine.
"Don't play games with me, Granger!"
"Pull me back over!"
A flash of lighting lit up the sky, and what had started as light rain soon became a torrential downpour.
Hermione tried to pull herself up but Pansy pushed her down again. She screamed as she slid further back.
"ARE YOU MAD?!" shouted a male voice.
Hermione struggled to see. She twisted to her left and saw Draco running towards them.
Pansy turned, distracted.
In that moment, Hermione saw Pansy's school bag swing forward and without a second thought she thrust her hand inside it.
This was her chance.
Quickly, she felt around for the note.
Pansy narrowed her eyes at Draco. "Go away! Leave us alone!"
"Let her go! NOW!"
Hermione took hold of the note and stuffed it into her robes.
Pansy turned to Hermione. For a split second she thought the Slytherin would let her fall to her death, but instead she pulled her back over the railing.
Draco rushed to her side. "Are you alright?"
Hermione nodded.
"I was only having some fun, " said Pansy innocently, a twisted smile on her face.
"You've completely lost your mind!" shouted Draco, seizing her arm and dragging her away. "What's the matter with you, do you want Dumbledore and that Romena woman to lock you up in Azkaban?! You could have killed her! If I hadn't been here..."
Hermione waited for their voices to trail away, not daring to move until they left the Astronomy tower.
When the coast was clear she raced to Dumbledore's office, the note finally hers.
Moments later Hermione sat across from Dumbledore, soaked to the skin, her heart pounding in her chest. She watched as he poured over the note and its contents.
"They are coordinates," he said gravely. "The castle will be attacked in a few days time. All the exits and entrances to Hogwarts are clearly marked here."
"What should we do?" asked Hermione.
"You will secretly return this note to Ms. Parkinson, and let her deliver it. Perform a memory charm if necessary."
Hermione looked at him, shocked. "You're going to let it happen? You're going to let Voldemort attack Hogwarts?"
"Voldemort will attack sooner or later," said Dumbledore calmly. "This note tells us exactly when and how. It is our best form of defense."
Hermione opened her mouth to argue but Dumbledore spoke first.
"Do you remember how our friends from Durmstrang arrived at the castle, Ms. Granger?"
"What?" she asked, completely flabbergasted.
"Durmstrang?" Dumbledore repeated pleasantly.
"They arrived by ship," Hermione said slowly. "They emerged from the lake."
"Precisely," said Dumbledore. "I've spoken with the new headmaster at Durmstrang, and he will lend us their ship. I'd like you, when the time comes, to lead the evacuation. All first and second years. You will leave the moment I send word."
"And the rest of the students?" asked Hermione.
"The rest will remain here at Hogwarts."
Hermione had a sudden, sinking feeling. "There isn't enough room for everyone, is there?" she asked Dumbledore.
"They're best chance is to remain here," said Dumbledore softly. "The Order will do their best to protect them. And those who'd like to fight will be permitted to do so."
Hermione walked to the tall windows that surrounded Dumbledore's office. She watched a handful of students make their way across the school grounds. "They shouldn't have come back," she whispered.
Dumbledore stood behind Hermione and followed her gaze. "They have remained alive this long because they returned to Hogwarts."
He motioned for Hermione to follow him.
"The ship will dock on the coast of Étretat."
Hermione racked her brain. The French name sounded familiar, then she remembered it was a coastal town famous for its white cliffs, natural rock arches and dazzling water. The magical community there was known for its healing abilities.
"The students will be granted asylum, and later reunited with their families when their safety can be assured. You will sail on to Spain to meet Harry. He needs your help."
"Harry?"
"He's waiting for you...in the Alcazar of Segovia."
Dumbledore held out a pensieve to her. "If you please, Ms. Granger."
Hermione leaned forward, and her blood chilled as she saw the image reflected in the pensieve. It was a castle with high turrets and spires, and an exterior that looked like the bow of a ship...the castle she saw in her dreams.
"You will receive further instructions at a later time."
Hermione nodded absently.
"Is something troubling you?" Dumbledore asked, observing her closely.
Hermione looked into his clear blue eyes and expectant face. She was tempted to tell him about her dream, but she didn't want Dumbledore to think she was weak.
"No, nothing."
"Very well then, Ms. Granger. You may go."
She nodded and hurried out of Dumbledore's office.
"It's going to happen soon," said Nott.
"What is?" asked Malfoy. They had finished Potions and were making their way to the Great Hall.
"The attack on the castle."
Draco stopped dead. "I thought we had weeks, months even..."
Nott shook his head."The Dark Lord's changed his mind. Whatever Potter's up to—it's made him restless. My father wants me to leave. made a deal with one of the guards...the one that's working for our side."
Draco looked at Nott in disbelief. "Where will you go?"
"Salem," said Nott. "I'm finishing the year abroad. You should come too if you know what's good for you."
Draco's jaw twitched. "I've been initiated, it's too late for me. You know that."
He followed Nott around the corner. They came upon a long hallway filled with suits of armor. At the end of the corridor they saw a group of Ravenclaw boys. They were all huddled around a copy of the Daily Prophet, discussing the new killing curse.
Malfoy recognized Roman Everley, head of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team. He looked up and saw the Slytherins walking down the corridor.
"Well look who it is," Roman shouted across the hall, pointing at the Daily Prophet. "Proud of yourselves, are you?"
Nott and Malfoy stopped in their tracks. Roman marched up to them, "On your way to celebrate your victory?"
"Get lost," said Malfoy, but Roman didn't move.
Moments later the other Ravenclaws surrounded them too.
They were outnumbered.
"You're a pretender Malfoy, just like your father," Roman spat. "You're playing both sides...but it's only a matter of time until you're found out."
"Bit paranoid today, are we?" Malfoy retorted.
Roman's face screwed up in anger. "Come off it, your whole family's out there supporting You-Know-Who. They're—"
"Get out of our way, or you'll be sorry," said Nott, raising his wand and taking aim.
"Why should I?" Roman challenged.
Nott smiled. "Very well."
He muttered an incantation. "Lumine Ignis!"
Roman's robes caught fire. The flames traveled from the hem of his cloak, all the way up to his sleeve. He screamed and his wand clattered to the floor.
The other Ravenclaws reached for their wands, but Nott was too fast for them.
He muttered a curse and they were blasted backwards.
A smile crept onto Nott's face, and the light from the flames shone in his eyes, giving him a diabolical appearance.
The Ravenclaws boys tried to move, but the curse kept them pinned to the ground.
"Aguamenti!" shouted Malfoy dousing Roman with a jet of cold water. "Hold still!"
But Roman was twisting this way and that, desperate to get away from the flames.
Finally, Malfoy seized Roman's cloak and tore it off, then stamped out the last of the fire. He turned to Nott. "Release the others," he hissed.
Nott rolled his eyes, and with a lazy flick of his wand, he muttered a spell.
A jet of blue light hit the Ravenclaws, and they were freed from the curse.
"YOU'RE MAD!" shouted Roman pointing at Nott, then at Malfoy, his voice trembling with rage. "ABSOLUTELY MAD!"
One of the Ravenclaws grabbed Nott, and the other boys closed in on Malfoy, but Roman waved them back. "Don't bother. I'll finish him off."
Malfoy rolled his eyes. "There's no need to play the hero—"
Roman punched Malfoy in the face.
He fell to the ground and blood spurted from his mouth. Roman bent over him, then dragged him up by his collar.
"There's no one here to help you, Malfoy. And you'll be locked up in Azkaban soon enough—you and your pathetic excuse for a father."
He pulled his fist back to hit Draco again.
"Leave him alone!" shouted a voice.
Draco turned. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Hermione racing towards them.
Roman's eyes narrowed. "Stay out of this, Gryffindor."
"I will not stay out of it," said Hermione indignantly. "Release him this instant!"
"You're defending him?" asked Roman in disbelief. "After everything he's done to Potter?"
Hermione clenched her fists. "If you resort to violent means then you're no better than the Death Eaters."
Roman released his hold on Draco and marched up to Hermione. He pointed a finger at her. "You're lucky you're a girl, because if you weren't—"
"Leave her alone!" Draco warned, getting to his feet.
Malfoy moved towards him, and unable to find his wand, Roman pulled a spear from the suit of armor behind him.
"Stand back!" he warned, using it as a weapon.
Several things happened at once.
Nott kicked the Ravenclaw holding him, and in his hurry to get away, crashed into Malfoy.
Malfoy lost his footing and stumbled forwards.
Without thinking Roman lunged, and Draco gave a horrible, ear-splitting cry that echoed throughout the corridor.
Hermione covered her mouth with her hands.
The spear had gone through his side.
Draco crashed to the floor. He clutched his side in agony, and when he moved his hand away, Hermione saw blood seep through his robes.
Roman shook his head as everyone turned to stare at him. "I didn't mean to, I—I thought he was going to attack me."
Hermione rushed to Malfoy's side and lifted his shirt to see the damage. He was bleeding profusely.
"It's going to be alright," Hermione whispered, trying to keep her voice from shaking.
She looked at the Ravenclaws standing around her. "Don't just stand there! Call Madame Pomfrey! Hurry! He's losing too much blood..."
Before any of them could answer, the windows above them shattered. Glass went flying everywhere. Hermione covered her head with her hands.
Nott and the Ravenclaws stumbled backwards.
When the debris cleared, Hermione looked up. A man on a winged horse had blasted through the window.
"Urgent message for Dumbledore," said the man.
Hermione felt a rush of wind hit her face as the horse flapped its enormous wings.
"The Ministry has fallen. Voldemort has taken complete control. Hogwarts is our last hope."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thanks to everyone who has favorited and followed this story! Lot's more is coming soon! Would love to hear your thoughts as it helps me write sooooo much faster :)