I tried to get back to the dormitory as quickly as possible, but people kept holding up my progress. First, it was Harry Potter and his slavegirl Ginny.
"Hey, where are you going in such a rush, Malfoy?" he called, and I immediately had to stop and answer.
"I left some books in my dorm that I had to run back to the library before classes," I lied easily.
"Oh, so that's what that's called these days," he said, winking at me. I nodded, winking back, but nearly gagging as I turned and started back for the common room. Then, I heard Lavender and Parvati calling my name. I stopped, turning to face them.
"Yes, girls?" I asked exasperatedly.
"What are you going to do about that rumor?" Parvati asked in a deadly soft whisper, her eyes wide.
"Right now, I don't know. I just need to get back to the common rumor to see how much damage it's caused!" I nearly shouted, before leaving them in the hallway, alone.
And right as I was entering the home stretch (I never thought myself to the dorm, it always left nauseous side effects) I was stopped by Snape.
"Yes, Professor?"
"Have you finished that 5 page essay I assigned last week on the effects of bubotuber pus in the potion we are studying at present?"
"Um... Nearly, sir, why?" Truth was, I had completely put it from my mind.
"Oh, it is due tomorrow for extra credit."
"Oh! Thank you for the reminder, sir. I'll be sure to get it done."
"Now, about the Halloween Ball you are supposed to plan with Ms. Granger."
"Professor, this is really not a good time. May I speak to you later?"
"Of course, but I don't-"
"Good day, Professor," I said, acting as though I had not heard him. I raced to the portrait and nearly screamed the password at itin my desperation to get in.
The moment I burst into the common room, I was assaulted by the giggles I had come to recognize as those of the Ravenclaw quintuplets.
"Good morning, girls," I said in the most sarcastic voice I could muster. "You wouldn't happen to have seen the beautiful Ms. Granger this morning, would you?"
"Oh, yes, Mr. Malfoy. We have seen her," Cassandra spoke up. She smirked, pointing to the bathroom. "You may want to hurry, she's made quite a mess in there. Come girls," she said, addressing the others, and they followed her out of the portrait. Before she left, she stopped to make one last remark, "That Hermione Granger will only get you in trouble, Mr. Malfoy. I suggest you be more wise as to how you choose your friends."
It reminded me horribly of what I had said to Harry Potter at the beginning of the 1st year, but before I could get too lost in my mmories, the slamming of the portrait jerked me to life. I rushed to the bathroom, almost afraid of what I would see. I opened the door hesitantly, but threw it open when I saw her.
She was lying on the floor, her eyes glazed over, in a pool of her own blood. I found deep cuts on her arms, but I had no time to focus on this. Pulling her blood soaked robe off of her limp body, I cradled her in my arms, carrying her out of the bathroom and quickly towards the Hospital Wing. It struck me suddenly, that she couldn't be eating well. She was so light in my arms... But before I could contemplate this further, or the strange looks I was receving from people I passed in the halls, I reached the Hospital Wing.
"Madame Pomfrey!" I cried, and the old woman bustled over to reprimand me, but saw the horrified look I must've held on my face. And then she noticed Hermione.
"Oh, dear.. Quickly, bring her here." She led me into a separate room, with a larger bed, and I set her down onto it. She seemed semi-concious, but the moment she hit the bed, she closed her eyes, as though she were welcoming death.
It scared me. I found myself clutching the arms of the chair I had plopped into as Pomfrey examined her. There was a deep fear within me that I had never known. She could not die. I would not allow it. No, no, no. If she needed blood, I would give it to her. This girl was not dying, not today. Not on my watch.
I looked up, and Pomfrey had her all cleaned up, and sleeping peacefully.
"She's lost a lot of blood... but I'm positive she'll be fine, Mr. Malfoy," I breathed a deep sigh of relief, and she continued. "Do you know what happened?"
"Oh... I.. I don't know, Madame. I simply found her like this in the bathroom and rushed her here as quickly as possible." She nodded. Oh, I knew what had happened... But I did not want Hermione sent to St. Mungo's.
"Must be that horrid cat she adores.. Always knew it would do no good," she muttered. "Maybe you should go to your dormitory and change, Mr. Malfoy. Afternoon classes have already started." I looked down, and saw that there was blood dripping down my front.
"But I can't just.."
"You can come back before dinner, Mr. Malfoy. You are already late for Transfiguration, and if you argue much more with me, I won't give you a note." I nodded, sadly. I took one last look at Hermione before Pomfrey handed me the note and pushed me from the Hospital wing.
The walk back to the common room seemed longer than normal, and more quiet, which could have to do with the fact that everyone was in class. I ran up to my room to change, and then quickly, back into the bathroom. The blood was everywhere.. So much blood... I stopped as I started to magically clean it up, seeing something written in the blood. I kneeled on the only dry spot on the floor, leaning over to look.
Hear me
Hermione Granger's cry for attention. It was a kick in the gut, it really was. I didn't know whether to weep or go beat the shit out of Potter. Both seemed good at the time, but I decided to wait. I cleaned everything up, and headed to my next class.
"Wow, Mr. Malfoy. This has got to be a record for the latest you've ever made it to class," McGonagall commented as I entered the room. I nodded.
"I have a note," I said calmly. Almost cruelly. Potter looked up and smirked.
"Who'd you get to sign a note, Malfoy?"
"Well, considering I carried a certain unconcious Ms. Granger to the Hospital Wing and was covered in blood, I reckon Madame Pomfrey signed it." That was cruel. He almost chuckled, but got a reproving look from McGonagall. I took a seat in the back of the classroom alone. Shortly after, a note landed on my desk.
We'll settle this after class, Malfoy.
And moments after I read this, McGonagall dismissed us. I walked out into the hallway, set on leaving Potter behind, but he caught up to me.
"So what happened to Granger?"
"Pomfrey thinks her cat cut her up." Short, sweet, to the point.
"Oh, really. Pomfrey always a blind old coot, wasn't she?"
"I suppose. If you'll excuse me, Potter, I must be getting to my Defense against the Dark Arts class. I don't believe we share it." He stopped, watching me as I walk away. Through the corner of my eye, I saw.. Carrie? walking up to Potter and whispering in his ear. The two shared an evil chuckle, and walked in the opposite direction of me. Okay, so I lied. My only afternoon class on Mondays was transfiguration. I turned, sprinting back to the dormitory, and praying that I would not find those quintuplets in my common room.
The gods were on my side. I sighed at the empty common room. There was an apple on the table that I had left for Hermione after I had went to breakfast. I dropped my cloak on the couch, and suddenly heard giggling. I spun around, but there was no one in the room with me. When it started again, I pinpointed it. Hermione's room.
I ran up her stairs and jerked open her door to find.. which one? Christina? sitting on her bed, with the journal propped open in her lap. Upon seeing me, her eyes grew wide, but she did nothing.
"Get the hell out!" I screamed, and she shot out of the room, onto a broom from the balcony, and out of sight. And left the journal wide open on Hermione's bed.
A/N: Yet another chapter down, my pretties. The story is getting into the plot, finally! I have another preview for you!
Preview:
I flipped the book open to nearly the middle, before the pages grew empty. Something about Potter caught my eye. I read it, and I didn't stop to think. I shoved the journal back into her desk, cast a locking charm on it and went in search of my little friend.
When I finally found him, he was snogging with one of the Ravenclaw quintuplets outside the castle.
"Hey, Malfoy," he called.
"Hey, Potter, can I talk to you?" He nodded, standing and coming over to where I was standing in front of the doors.
"What do you-" he started, but stopped short as my fist connected with his jaw.
Well, well, well, what lies in store for us in the next chapter, eh?
Review replies:
Mysteriouscharm: Yes, yes, they are cruel. I could explain Harry's beliefs as to why Hermione isn't speaking, but.. It'd ruin the story . And yes, she lost her best friend, but Harry has the Ravenclaw quintuplets whispering in his ear that she killed Ron, and that his death was all her fault, so.. you get the picture.
lylia: Haha, it was more of a cliffie than you think. :wink wink:
loveiswonderful: I was reading your review, when I realized... I hadn't told you where the Ravenclaw Quintuplets were getting their stories from. Hell, I didn't even know! So, I hope this soothes your curiosity :-D
Until next time, leave a review! (even though I've proven it really doesn't take long until next time...) But reviews are my inspiration! Seriously!