A/N: Servers are loaded, sorry it took so long! Just a quick, but extremely hearty THANK YOU! to all my reviewers. You are the best reviewers i could have asked for. :sinff sniff: I dont deserve it! But i'm greddy, so i'll take it. haha, my bad humor...
Ok, here goes,
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Happy reading : )
Chapter 10: Don't Wake Me Up
Sunday, May 17- Hermione- Pirate ship
Light. Sound. Pain. Hermione moaned, and shifted. And, as her mind came slowly back to her, she could hear a splattering noise from not too far away. The storm. She moaned again, remembering what happened.
"You okay? You took a beating." The deep, whispered voice registered in her fogged mind.
"Draco?" With an effort, she opened her eyes against the weighted feeling, and looked across the cabin room at him. His face was hidden in shadow, as he rested on an old wooden chair. It took her only a moment longer to realize that this was her cabin room.
"Yeah, it's me." She closed her eyes again, and took stock of herself. She could feel bandages on her hands and a splint on her right pinkie. But, fortunately, the pain from it was only a dull throb. The worst of her injuries came from her back. It felt bruised and sore, but not too terrible.
"What happened?" she asked him, rubbing her face, and wincing at how wind-chapped it was.
"You don't remember? You were climbing down the rigging, and-"
"No, no," she shook her head slowly, still not looking at him. Something told her to keep him out of her line of vision. She listened to it, concentrating on the ceiling above her. "I mean, how? The rigging seemed fine before, and I doubt wind could just rip it off. Who did it?"
She heard him chuckle a little. "No, you're right. It was no accident. And… I have a theory of who did it." He paused. "I bet you do too."
Pansy. Silence stretched. Neither needed to say the name aloud.
"So, how's everything else? When's the storm gonna pass?" Hermione was beginning to find the ceiling boring and the cot uncomfortable. With an effort, and stabs of pain down her back, she pushed herself into a sitting position with her left hand. She sighed, and waited for his answer.
"Well, for the storm, everything is fine. We can fix the rigging as soon as we dock next, and I think the worst of the storm has passed. By morning it'll just be clouds and rain. But…" She heard a withering sigh. "There are worse problems now."
She fought the temptation to look at him. He sounded pained; tired. So, she busied herself unwrapping the bandages around her palm, and running a finger over the indents of rope, and spots of dried blood. She got off lucky. If it wasn't for…
"Worse problems? What d'you mean?"
"Well, the crew mostly. They're not taking this well. They've gotten to know you, and they want… revenge. And of course, she's not admitting anything. And, Crabbe and Goyle are either starting to grow a brain, or starting a new loyalty. And…"
The rest was a mumble, but she didn't bother asking him to repeat. She was busy holding on to her senses. The nervous pain in her stomach was starting up again. She shut it out as best she could, and concentrated on other things, but even that was difficult.
Her mind was still fogged and fuzzy, and everything seemed confusing. For example; his voice. She'd heard it before. She should recognize it, but she couldn't hold onto one thought at a time.
"But, then why don't you just leave her? You don't love her, and no one aboard likes her. She causes more problems then she fixes." The words were out of her mouth before she thought them. But it was what she wanted to say anyway. It was true.
"You don't understand. It goes farther than that." No one spoke as she tried to make sense of what he was saying. "Just forget it. It's not important."
They gave her some kind of medicine, that must have been it. She was drowsy or something. She wasn't thinking straight. And it surged anger at what he was telling her. She could barely contain her voice from shouting at him.
"Not important? It's very important. You'll be miserable with her. Everyone is already miserable with her here. And you know what? You're right. I don't understand. Why is she here in the first place? Huh? What do you think you're solving by keeping her here? Because it can't be important enough to make everyone, especially you, completely…" she searched or a word in her fogged mind. Nothing seemed to come. "Completely…" Hermione sighed, the sudden tension and anger leaving her. "trapped." She whispered the last word, not thinking he could hear her. It didn't even make sense… except that, strangely… it did.
She made the mistake of looking up at him. And when she saw his face, shadowed and placed in the distant corner, away from everything else, something clicked. She couldn't understand it now, but she knew it would make sense in the morning. She wasn't sure if she'd be ready for whatever it was, but she also knew she had no choice. In those handful of minutes, staring into his eyes as he stared into hers, she saw the truth. She saw reality and fantasy muddle together, and then break apart. She saw something she did and didn't want to see. She was barely aware of what was happening.
"Why are you so unhappy?" She whispered, already reading it in his eyes. He didn't need to tell her. It was written there, and as much as he could act strong and stand confident, the truth was in his eyes. And that was something no one could change.
He stood up and walked towards her. She held her breath, looking up at him as he approached. It didn't matter. She wouldn't be able to breathe anyway.
He stood directly in front of her, the pain glinting off his eyes. "Because up until now… I've been all alone. Up until now." She could barely hear him. The falling rain was louder on the roof. But, she could see it in him. For a breathtaking moment she could see through him.
He leaned down towards her. Their eyes never broke contact. So close. This is it, she thought, her mind awhirl. This is the truth. His lips were centimeters from hers. She could feel his breath. And…
Thunder crashed, loud and clear. The spell broke. He moved back, and she gasped. As lighting flashed through the window, he moved swiftly to the door, and put a hand on the knob. He turned to look at her, and she almost wept.
Through their eyes, they communicated what words never could.
Then he left, and she sat there…
Alone.
Monday, May 18- Hermione- Pirate ship
Hermione opened her eyes as sunshine poured across her face. She heard voices outside the door, and forced herself into a sitting position. She blocked out the thoughts tumbling through her mind. She didn't want to know. Not now. The truth hurt.
The door opened and closed quickly, and there was an incomprehensible shout from outside. Pansy turned a death glare on her.
"So, you think you've won? Huh? Speak up!" Hermione just stared stricken at her. "Do you think you've bloody won?" Pansy screamed at her, and Hermione could tell the girl was forcing herself back from hitting. Belatedly, Hermione saw the sword attached to her belt.
"Pansy," Hermione used the calmest voice she could, "What is this all about?"
The enraged woman before her strode back and forth shaking her head. She only stopped every now and then to glare or shout at Hermione.
"What is this about? What does that mean? You know perfectly well what it's all about. You and Draco. I know what's going on, and I'll tell you something, bitch. You'll have to fight me for him." Pansy stopped pacing and unsheathed her sword.
Hermione's eyes went wide. She was defenseless. Her own sword was behind Pansy, lying on the floor. "Fight you for him? Pansy, I don't want him, you can have him."
Pansy laughed in an insane but determined way. "Want him? It doesn't matter whether you want him or not, idiot. Either fight me for him, or die." She moved into a fighting position. Hermione pulled the bed covers aside slowly. She had to make a dash for her sword.
Pansy grinned evilly at her. "You wouldn't die yesterday, but you will die today."
Hermione jumped up, and punched Pansy's hands aside, diving for her own sword. She unsheathed it and turned just in time to parry a blow. But, being off balance, she tripped and slammed backwards against the wall.
She let out a scream of pain, as her bruise started throbbing twice as hard. But, Pansy spared no mercy and continued attacking, forcing Hermione against the wall and not letting her up. Her back was killing her, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to hold her sword up, without the use of her right pinky.
"Hey, what's going on in there?" Memphis burst in, distracting Pansy for a critical moment. Hermione took that chance and stood up, heading for the door. She knocked over both Pansy and Memphis on the way.
Without looking back, she made it out the door, through the small hallway, and a step out onto the deck outside.
"Get back here, bitch!" Arms wrapped around Hermione's right foot, tripping her. With a pained growl, she fell tumbling outside, accidentally cutting her leg with the unsheathed sword.
Looking up she saw the entire crew face her, with Pansy standing just at the door she fell through.
"What the hell is going on here?" Thor stepped forward, glaring at Pansy. Everyone else was still. Then, Pansy lifted her sword to point towards Hermione. Her gaze held all the hate and ice imaginable. All of it forced in Hermione's direction.
"I challenge you to a duel. A duel to the death." A grin spread across Pansy's face. A grin of early triumph.
"A duel? This is cra-"
"I accept," Hermione cut Thor off. She'd never backed off from a challenge. She'd never let someone like Pansy win. And she would never live with that sneer spread across Pansy's face. Not unless she could wipe it off herself.
Hermione stood slowly, not able to hide a wince. Luckily Thor and the rest of the crew backed off, but they looked less than happy.
"I'll enjoy this. I just wanted you to know." Pansy stepped forward, still grinning. Hermione stepped forward too, and they began to circle each other.
"Pansy, I can't wait to see the look on your face when you realize you've lost."
Clash.
The swords flew forward at the same moment, met, then pulled apart.
Both women continued circling each other, waiting for just the right opening. They weren't going to waste strength on pointless volleys. They wanted this to be quick. Pansy grinned again at Hermione, and used her most intimidating voice.
"If you weren't such a whore, going after what you can't have, maybe I would have let you live."
Her opponent snorted and rolled her eyes, the intimidation apparently not working. "A whore? Oh, please. Is that the best you can do? And besides, why do you care so much? I'm not taking him from you, you're just being paranoid. You're just a worthless, cocky bitch-"
Pansy flew at her, enraged. She put all the power she could in a low, side-swipe. Hermione stepped out of the way in time, twirled, and swung to catch Pansy's exposed back. But the pirate was quicker than she appeared, and had turned in time, both swords catching.
They wrestled the blades back and forth, a competition of strength. "Besides," added Hermione, grinning, "Who says I can't have him?"
Pansy roared, pushing Hermione back, and they began circling again.
"He's mine. Why can't you just stay out of our lives? Why do you prissy little know-it-alls always have to-"
"What? Have to what? Huh? Even if I was trying to take him away from you, what does it matter? You two don't love each other. Hell, I don't think you even like each other. Go find someone else you can annoy the bloody crap out of for the rest of their life."
"You don't know anything, bitch, so don't even try…"
"Oh, yeah? And whose fault is that?"
Pansy muttered under her breath, and stopped circling. She got into a new position, death in her eyes. "I'm gonna kill you, once and for all." Pansy rushed at her, and Hermione held her sword ready. But at the last moment, Pansy dropped down, and kicked the legs out from under her.
She fell with a thud to the floor, and rolled away when she saw the sword coming. Too late. It sliced through a thin layer of skin, and blood began to seep from the wound opening on her arm. She stood up quickly, but Pansy was already rushing towards her.
For the most part, both girls were evenly matched, but with Hermione's wounds, she became slower, and weaker. She worked only defensively, eyes on Pansy's blade, using all her strength to keep it away from her. She hadn't the strength to attack offensively.
With every step Hermione had to take back, Pansy's grin grew wider. She didn't even need to taunt. The pain was a strong enough reminder.
Soon, Hermione felt the wall of the upper deck at her back. She was panting with effort, and finally Pansy backed off.
"All talk, huh? Though, I'll admit, you lasted longer than I would expect from a princess like yourself. Congratulations, but now, your time is up. Goodbye Hermione Granger, nice knowin ya." She laughed mercilessly, then strode calmly towards her. She was far enough away, that Hermione had the time to think.
Escape? Not likely. Is this the end then? I thought yesterday was, but… She looked up at her advancing opponent. IS there truth in what she said? What was the truth again? I knew before, but I pushed it away. I pushed it all away. Her thoughts were unordered, confusing, and useless.
Pansy was almost there. A couple more steps and she would swiftly dispose of Hermione. She had nothing left to put into defense. So, she slowed her breathing and let the sword slip from her hand.
I pushed my life away. I pushed it all away. Maybe Pansy is doing me a favor. But… I'm not ready to die. Not yet… The truth? God dammit, I know it, why won't I let myself see it. So sudden, and unexpected. Ha. There is truth to what she says. Almost funny. Looking around, she saw only two things.
First was the blade, beginning its arc through the air, and… a pair of cool blue eyes, the person they belonged to was being held back. He was shouting, but she didn't understand, her mind awhirl. Hermione looked back, bewildered, but determined.
Dammit.
The blade came sideways, aimed at her stomach. Quickly, before it could touch her, Hermione ducked. Briefly she heard a gasp as she reached up, and grabbed Pansy's hands. Both were gripping the swords hilt.
Hermione pulled Pansy to her, and kneed her in the stomach. She kneed her a couple of times, before the girl doubled over in pain. Then, she gave a hard elbow to the back, and Pansy fell to her knees, suddenly trying to reclaim the sword she dropped. Her arm outstretched, reaching for the hilt, but Hermione was quicker. She brought her bare foot down on the upper half of Pansy's arm, and, before she could resist too much, Hermione grabbed her forearm and bent it backwards.
There was a sickening snap, and Hermione could feel the arm break beneath her fingers. Pansy screeched. She yelped and wailed, and Hermione moved back, landing with a thud, sitting on the floor.
All but Pansy was stunned from speech, even Hermione. She was breathing hard. Too hard. It took long minutes to regain her breath, and by that time, Pansy's suffering had died down to a whimper.
"Finish me off then. I'd rather bear your sword, than my failure. Do it." Pansy gasped out the words, but Hermione only shook her head at them, incredulous.
"I won't kill you," she said. And after, "You're not worth the effort." But that, even, was a lie. It's not that she wouldn't kill Pansy. It was that she couldn't. She couldn't bear to do that. Fighting a battle was different from fighting a duel. It just was.
Hermione shook her heard, more to herself than to Pansy. Then, slowly, she stood up, and walked past Pansy. She walked past her and through the door. Down the small hallway, and, into her own cabin. She shut the door softly, and fell onto the bed. She closed her eyes.
Please don't let me wake up ever again, she thought.
Hello happy people! Have i told you how much i love you? Cause i do! Seriously, you're the best reviewers ever, and i think i might make 100!
And, i'm more than halfway done with this. I plan to finish around 20 chapters, maybe less! weee!
Can you smell it? can you? Do you know what it is? Its the END! we! i'm excited about this story, and sorry if i'm hyper, but, hey. This si so cool. Well, hope you like the new chppie.
If you have any ideas, or advice, or requests, let me know! I love requests, they're run. Advice always helps me. And ideas can spice up my writing. Thankees thankees again! Dont know what I'd do without ya.
Happy new years!
Peace! Tastetherain
