The Phantom of Hogwarts
Hey everyone! Well, my "dream guy" and I split, so updates will probably come more often now. Can't tell you how glad I am too! It's fun having a boyfriend, but I love being single the best! J
Disclaimer- Not owning a thing of this. It's just my plot.
Chapter Six"HERMIONE!"
Running as fast as his legs would carry him, Harry ran back up to Gryfindor Tower. How could he have been so stupid? A broomstick as his most prized possession? Ron and Hermione meant more to him than anything in the world. With any luck, Harry hoped that he would arrive just in time.
Harry shouted the password at the Fat Lady and tore through the common room. There was no sign of any kind of struggle. Stomach feeling light, he dashed up the stairs, skipping two at a time, and hurled himself into Hermione's Head Girl Suite. The room was dark with only the very soft glow of the moonlight streaming through the window. Harry's eyes looked directly at the bed where Hermione's sleeping form should have been, but it wasn't. The room was empty.
"I'm too late." Muttered Harry. He swore under his breath. Then, knowing he could only do one thing, Harry left to wake Ron, and then the two would head for Professor Dumbledore's office.
He came to her now, slowly and tantalizing, as if teasing her. She lay on the bed, eyes closed in anticipation, and she felt the bed sink in a bit as he came closer and closer. His hard body leaned over her as he whispered in her ear, "You're mine."
"Yes." She moaned back as his soft lips claimed hers as his own. Their sweet kiss turned into a passionate fight for the dominance of the tongues. Hearts racing, he slipped a hand under her shirt and pulled it off, and she ran her hands through his soft lock and down his back, massaging his lean muscles.
"I don't even know your name…" she whispered as his mouth disconnected with hers and traveled down to her bra. Licking the tops of her breasts, he unhooked her bra and began feasting on her soft breasts.
"Please," she begged. "Tell me your name."
Hermione awoke with a start and began to blush. It wasn't like her to have any form of a wet dream. Maybe it was something I ate, she thought as she looked around the room. It was different from the Head Girl Suite. The bed she was lying on was a beautiful mahogany four-poster bed with silky maroon sheets. The carpet matched the sheets, and the walls were covered in an elegant wood trim to match the bed. There were no windows, only a crystal chandelier, lined with candles, hung from the ceiling. A matching wood desk and chair stood to one side of the room.
Something caught Hermione's eye on the desk. She climbed out of the bed to get a better look at what it was. A large gold box sat on the desk with an envelope and a blood red rose. Curious, Hermione smelled the rose and set it and the envelope aside. Lifting the lid, there, wrapped in tissue paper, Hermione could make out the vague outline of something in scarlet. She tugged on it and pulled it up to its complete height.
To say that Hermione was amazed would be an understatement. She was rendered completely speechless. It was the most beautiful dress Hermione had ever seen. Done in scarlet satin, the dress was sleeveless and had two think straps that would go over her shoulders. It was tight with just enough cleavage and would hug her chest nicely. It flowed down and flared out only a little. At the bottom of the box, a pair of black heals sat just waiting to be worn. Plain, yet perfect for Hermione.
Setting down the dress, Hermione lifted the envelope and opened it to reveal a letter written in the Phantom's handwriting.
Dear Hermione,
I trust that you've found the dress and that it suits you. It reminded me so of you, pure, simple, and yet beautiful. You are still inside Hogwarts Castle so do not fear that you have been taken hostage for you will only be here until midnight. There is a bathroom connected to your room equipped with everything you shall need: feel free to use it as you wish. At exactly eight o' clock, a door will appear to take you to me, and we will have our dinner together. It is my humble request that you wear this dress. I await your arrival.
My Sincerest Regards,
Phantom
Dinner? Well, that didn't sound so horrible at all. Maybe she could even decipher the mystery that was the Phantom. Sighing, Hermione walked into the bathroom and began to prepare for the evening. She had slept all day, and according to the clock on the wall, she had barely two hours until the door would appear. Wanting to look her best, Hermione took extra care in cleansing herself and dressing.
Just as Hermione had finished, the clock chimed the hour, and the door slowly took form on the far wall. She took a deep breath and pushed it open. It was a simple corridor, and it became obvious that she was indeed still at Hogwarts. Lifting her dress ever so slightly, Hermione began the journey to her Phantom.
Five minutes, ten minutes, would this corridor ever end? It was lined with spider webs, and little mice scurried across her path. Twisting and turning, Hermione followed the path, wanting desperately to get to the end. Finally, the corridor evened out, and another large wooden door stood before her. Meekly, Hermione grasped the door handle and pushed lightly on the door.
The door swung open, and a dark room with only a small window met Hermione with a table for two, lavished in full roses, sparkling crystal, and the soft glow of candlelight.
"I've been waiting for you." Said a sensuous voice. From the shadows, the Phantom stepped out into the candlelight. Hermione's breath caught in her throat, and she could scarcely breath. The Phantom wore a midnight black suit with a flowing black cape draped over it. The light passed over his face, and Hermione saw nothing but the flash of a white mask and a head of brilliant blonde hair. He seemed… almost familiar now that she could almost clearly see his face, but all she could focus on was the feeling of lust coming over her.
"I hope," she said, her voice shaking slightly, "I have not kept you waiting long."
"I would wait forever for you." He said holding out his hand to her. "Come, sit, and eat." She placed her delicate hand in his, and he led her to the table, pulling out her chair as she adjusted her dress and folded her hands in her lap. A bowl of soup sat in front of her as the Phantom sat down on the opposite side. They ate in silence, looking up at one another as if to check that the other had not dissolved into oblivion.
Suddenly, the howl of a pack of wolves was heard floating through the air. The Phantom looked out to the window, which displayed the Forbidden Forest below them.
"Listen to them- the children of the night. What music they make."
"You're quoting Count Dracula."
"Yes." He said, "One of the most feared creatures in all the world. Yet, was he a monster, or just trying to live among the us?"
"You make a valiant point." She said finishing the last of her soup. "What makes a monster, and what makes a man?"
"Is it a monster who takes the lives of other to feed himself and those he loves?"
"Or is it a man who kills a monster to protect his beloved ones?"
The Phantom settled back in his chair. "Is it a monster who looks upon the beautiful with a face like a corpse? A low-some gargoyle who burns in hell, but dreams of beauty?"
"Or is it a man who looks upon the horrid with a face of gold, but with a heart of ice?" she shot back. "There was once one like that, you know. He was here, at this school. Arrogant and cruel, I always believed there was some good in him, as there is some in everyone."
They were interrupted for a moment as a feast of roast turkey appeared on the table. Hermione took a few deep breaths as the Phantom cut her a slice of turkey.
"What happened to this boy?" asked the Phantom, knowing of course.
Hermione sighed. "He was killed over the summer, a casualty of war." Unknown to Hermione, the Phantom was smirking.
"Yes, war is a horrible thing." He agreed. "But one must fight for what one believes in."
"Touché." she said. "But a war over blood? What makes a Muggleborn a monster?" The Phantom looked up, clearly stricken by what she had said. "You say that a man with a face like a corpses' is nothing more than a human being, but a Muggleborn is human too. Should they be mistreated too? If that be, should we be prejudice against African American wizards or Chinese wizards? Should we abuse those who look different from ourselves?"
The Phantom could not make a sound. All his life, he had been taught that Muggleborns were nothing but filth. Now, however, he was filth to anyone, but this beautiful creature in front of him. She looked past what she believed was under the mask and looked into his deep dark soul.
"You are unlike anyone I've ever known." He confessed when his voice had returned. Hermione blushed slightly, and they continued their dinner.
As Hermione finished her last bite, melodious melody floated through the room. The Phantom stood up and held out his hand once again. "Dance with me, Hermione." At once, candles surrounding the room sparked to life. Hermione was entranced, and she took his hand as he led her to the center of the room. Twirling her around, the Phantom wrapped his strong arms around her waist, and her hands wound their way around his neck.
The two felt silent, and Hermione felt a strange feeling come over her. She hardly knew this man, but she felt as though she'd known him forever. He seemed to have an interest in literature just like herself, and the feel of his touch on her skin sent shivers down her spine and through her body. No man had ever made her feel this way.
The Phantom was amazed. He had come here to destroy Hermione and her friends. Instead, he realized, I'm falling in love with her.
"Will I remember this night?" she asked. It had been one of the best nights of Hermione's life. To forget it would be a tragedy.
"Yes, yes of course." He assured her. "You must promise me though, never reveal where you have been or what you have done." For the first time, Hermione was able to look deeply into the Phantom's steal blue eyes.
"I'll never tell." She promised. The Phantom stopped dancing and reached to tilt her chin up.
"I trust you." He said and he kissed her. Light and addicting, the kiss sent waves of pleasure coursing through Hermione's body.
Suddenly, the clock began to strike the hour, midnight. The Phantom broke the kiss and stepped away. Hermione looked down at herself. The satin dress was fading, and her uniform was taking its place. A single tear rolled down her eye, but the clock did not stop.
Nine chimes.
"I don't want to go." She whispered.
Ten chimes.
"I promised your friends I send you back safe and sound as midnight." Said the Phantom, as Hermione's own form began to fade.
Eleven chimes.
"Take this." Murmured the Phantom in her ear. He slipped a simple ruby necklace in the shape of a rose on a silver chain around her delicate neck.
Twelve chimes.
With one final kiss, Hermione faded away completely, and the Phantom was left with only a picture of her in his mind and her sweet honey taste on his lips.
"Harry! Ron! She's back!"
Hermione eyes jolted open. Ginny was standing in front of her, looking relieved at the sight of her friend.
"Is she okay?" asked a muffled voice. Hermione finally distinguished it as Ron's voice. Her head was somewhat sore, and her mind was playing tricks on her, but her hands were firmly gripping her necklace.
"Phantom?" she called out.
"No, Hermione. You're out of that nightmare." Said Harry smiling at her weakly. "I'm sorry you guys. I should have realized that you mean the most to me, not some silly broom."
"We love you too, Harry." Said Ron slapping his best friend on the back.
"And me too?" asked Ginny smiling brightly at Harry. He grinned at her.
"You especially."
Hermione was too tired to speak. With one last thought of the Phantom, Hermione fell asleep on the cold concrete still clutching her necklace tightly.
"Give me a hand here, Harry." Said Ron. "She's fallen asleep, must be scared to death. I guess we'll have to wait till morning to find out what happened."
Harry helped Ron take Hermione in his arms, and Harry, Ron, and Ginny walked away from the fifth floor. Their heads were turning with thoughts of the next day, but Hermione dreamed only of her Phantom.
A/N: I love it! I hope you do too! Thanks a million for reading.
One little note, I finally got my live journal working again. If any of you out there want to read it, it's under fireofhell. There's a link to it on my fanfiction page, but I don't know if the link works. Just go to the website, and look me up!
Well, thanks again, and please review! You guys all rock at reviewing! I appreciate you all!
Running Amuck,
RonFan