A/N: Hey all. Hope you enjoyed chapter one, here is two. Let me know what you think. I have a general plan for this, but ideas are quite welcome. I am not the one and only J.K Rowling.
Originially posted: 12/12/05
Chapter Two
Hermione entered the common room flustered.
"Hermione what's wrong? Where have you been?" Ron was sitting in an arm chair by the fire, wearing a worried expression.
"Malfoy cornered me outside the library." she said quietly as she took a seat next to Ron.
"What did that great git do now?" Harry voiced from the hearth rug in front of the fire. He was lying on his back.
"He tried to erase my memory. I couldn't believe it. He stole my wand and there was no one else in the corridor other than Crabbe and Gregory. I thought I would-"
"Did you just call Goyle, Gregory?" Ron asked accusingly.
"I did. Umm, I have a lot to explain. Gregory is the only reason I still have my memories, but, unfortunately, at the price of his own." she said this fast and had her head down looking at her hands, which she was wringing violently.
"You mean to tell me that Gregory Goyle went against Malfoy's wishes, down right defied him and saved you from being cursed?" Harry asked, obviously not believing a word.
"Yes, he jumped in front of the curse. I don't know why. I feel horrible. He gave up the last 17 years for someone he didn't even know. Why would he do that?" she was almost crying now. She couldn't let the extent of the truth sink in while still in Goyle's company. What he had given up for her, how she would repay him, why he chose to do it in the first place. Harry and Ron got up and sat on either side of her chair, rubbing her back.
"It wasn't your fault 'Mione. It was his decision and if any one is to blame its Malfoy."
About half an hour later Hermione was on her way up the stairs to her dormitory, where she fell into a fitful night's sleep.
The next day Hermione headed straight up to the hospital wing before breakfast.
"Hi, Madam Pomfrey." she said softly. "Is Gregory awake?" she asked timidly.
"Why, yes, he is my dear. Care to say hello." she asked cheerfully.
"Yes, please." Madam Pomfrey led her to the same bed she sat next to last night and opened the curtains slightly.
"You have a visitor, Mr. Goyle." she said slyly. Goyle looked up and his expression softened and he smiled at the sight of Hermione.
"Good Morning, Hermione. I didn't know if I would be seeing you today." he looked down at his hands, blushing.
"I thought I would stop in before breakfast and see how you were doing? How was your first night?" she asked as she sat in the chair next to his bed.
"It was alright, nothing dramatic really. My headache is gone and Madam Pomfrey reckons I can go to classes today. They don't really have a proto call for my situation, so I will be sitting in with my usual classes today and then start tutoring tomorrow."
"Who will be tutoring you? I daresay none of the teachers have that kind of time."
"Well, I will have shortened lessons with some professors throughout the week, but most will be independent study. They said my initial marks were high enough, so I should be competent enough for the first and second year material." he looked overwhelmed.
"I just had a marvelous idea. Would you like me to help you with your tutoring? I'm top of the class and head girl. It's the least I can do."
"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to take up all your time. I'm sure you have enough responsibility as it is."
"Nonsense, I have two free periods everyday. I'm always miles ahead on my homework so I usually just revise or read, but I consider helping you a far better use of my time." she smiled brightly at him.
"Alright, would you like to start tomorrow? I understand if you need some time to prepare."
"No, I think tomorrow sounds brilliant. Meet me in the library at 10 30. Make sure you bring charms, transfiguration, and defense texts with you. I think that would be a good place to start." she was standing to leave.
"I'll see you there. Maybe we could also discuss some of the usual procedures around here. I feel like an alien. If you don't mind, that is."
"No. I don't mind at all. I will help you as much as possible, but Slytherin life and Gryffindor life are quite different from what I hear. Oh, that reminds me, has Ferr- Malfoy come to see you yet?"
"Umm, no, you have been my only visitor. What were you going to call him?"
"Ferret face. It's a long, but entertaining story. Maybe to tomorrow if we have time. Right now I'm late for breakfast. See you tomorrow then?"
"I'll be there."
She hurried out of the hospital wing towards the great hall. She was starving and, now that she had a new task, she had to revise her study schedule. It did feel good to help though. Maybe she could ratify at least part of this problem. You never know she might get some answers a long the way.
0o0
When Gregory returned to his dorms that night, no body seemed to notice anything was wrong. He didn't even know these people's names and it didn't seem to bother them one bit. He must not have been a very pleasant person for people to expect so little from him.
As he entered the room labeled Seventh Year Boys I he noticed a blonde boy sitting on a bed.
"Oi, Goyle. You've got some nerve. You think you can just walk right back in here after what you did?"
"I'm sorry, who are you?" Gregory asked sheepishly.
"Who am I?" Draco said, but then stopped. "You don't remember anything do you? I didn't think the charm was that powerful, it wasn't meant to be. That's not the point. You ruined my plan. I had her right where I wanted her and you mucked it all up."
"Again, who are you?" Gregory asked a little sharper this time.
"I'm Draco Malfoy."
"Ah, Ferret Face." he said softly, smiling, but his face turned cold. "You, you did this to me!"
"I did no such thing! I didn't ask you to step in front of the mud blood, you just did, and how dare you speak to me that way?"
"How dare I? You ruined my life and you-." he stopped himself and tried to regain his composure. "You are an insufferable, selfish git. I can't remember a damn thing about who I am or who you are or where the hell I am and you have nothing better to think about then some half cocked plan to ruin some girl's life like you did mine? Am I supposed to feel sorry for you or plead forgiveness? I'll be damned if I let you get away with this Malfoy!" he screamed and walked hastily right back out the door. As he walked down the stairs, he realized he had no idea where to go. He was quite lucky and found his head of house in the common room screaming at a pair of petrified second years. He didn't dare interrupt, what looked like, a well deserved lecture. This man was incredibly angry about something.
"If I ever hear of this again, you will be scrubbing cauldrons until you graduate, understood?" he asked loudly. The two boys just looked up at him, wide eyed, and turned tail the other way. The man turned and nearly ran into him.
"Sir?" he asked quietly.
"Yes, Mr. Goyle, is there a problem?" his tone was polite, but his facial expression was pained.
"I had a pretty nasty fight with, ummm Malf- oy- Malfoy, a moment ago. I don't think I would want to return to my dorms tonight. Is there anyway other arrangements can be made?" Snape stared at him for a moment, but his lips softened and his eyes turned understanding.
"I think that can be arranged." his voice was a lot colder then would be expected. "I believe there is a bed open in room two. If you like, I could arrange for Mr. Nott to help you settle in."
"That would be most appreciated, sir." he nodded his respectfully.
"Very well, follow me."
A/N: Review. aLtO
