A/N-Thanks to all of you who checked out my one shot Pureblood! I will probably re-write it much longer since so many people liked it! There may be only one more chapter left...But if I can live up to Emmagranger11's expectation's, it should be an exciting one!
Chapter Twelve
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The next morning Ron strutted into the Great Hall with his head held high, hands in pockets, and a satisfied grin across his flushed face. He sat next to Ginny, grinned widely, grabbed her face and kissed her cheek happily. "Morning Sis!"
Ginny wiped her cheek disgustedly. "Yuck! What's come over you for God's sake? Do you want me to throw up all over the table?"
Ron shrugged gleefully and dug into his breakfast. Harry smiled at his happy friend and looked around curiously. "Where's Lavender?"
Ron stretched and beamed proudly. "Oh I don't know….She's probably a bit tired. Had a long night you know."
Harry laughed and pat his best friend on the back. "Cheers Mate. Say goodbye to sleep."
Ron chuckled. "If that's what's replacing it….I bid it a cheerful farewell. Who needs sleep when you've got that?"
"Exactly." Harry responded with certainty.
Hermione and Ginny broke into a fit of laughter as they listened. Draco walked in and sat next to Hermione. "What's so funny?"
Ron cleared his throat and smiled at Draco. "I uh took your advice chum and it worked beautifully."
"So she's forgiven you then?" Draco asked inquiringly.
Ron stifled a laugh. "Let's just say that it opened up a whole new chapter in our relationship. It took us somewhere we've never been before."
Draco beamed. "Excellent."
"Yes it is." Ron replied and returned to his breakfast.
A few days later Hermione was daydreaming in Potions when she saw bubbles floating near by. She realized that the bubbles were circling a grinning Lavender and they were in the shape of tiny boats. Hermione followed the bubbles all the way back to Ron's wand. She gasped and turned around to find a proud Draco. Hermione gaped at him.
Draco shrugged. "What? He asked me for more pointers. I must say…And don't you repeat this to anyone or I will be forced to destroy you. Weasley's actually got potential. He'll never be as good as me mind you. But he definitely shows promise. Even the Slytherin girls have laid off Zabini a bit and started noticing him. He may be headed for trouble."
Hermione laughed and sighed happily. Ron appeared confident and in high spirits. He was completely distracted by his new found 'talents' which left no room for worrying about her. In Hermione's eyes, Draco was brilliant.
As the days until the Christmas Ball passed by rapidly Hermione found herself in a constant happy mood. Everything made her laugh and smile. Just the thought of being at such a romantic event with Draco delighted her. After leaving Draco asleep in his dormitory late one night she practically skipped back to her room. She had just reached her door when someone grabbed her from behind and pushed her into the room.
Hermione turned around swiftly and toppled backwards in fright. He slammed the door shut and charged at her. "Vy you not write back?"
Hermione trembled as she spoke. "W-W-Write back? I didn't receive a letter."
He grabbed her by her arms and shook her furiously. "Are you saying I am lying Hermioninny? Vy are you coming back so late? Who ver you vith? That Neville again?"
Hermione cried out in pain as the hold he had on her wrists was burning and her neck was stinging from the shaking. "Please stop!"
Viktor rammed her against the wall. "Don't you ever tell me vot to do. You haf never spoke to me like this before! Vot is going on?" He wrapped his hands around her neck and squeezed hard.
Hermione gasped and choked as he clutched harder. She pulled at his fingers trying to release his grasp but she was no match for his strength. She started to see spots and the silence around her was getting increasingly louder. He suddenly let go and she toppled on the floor clutching her neck and coughing loudly. He began to pace and then punched her wall. "You are lucky that you are to come to the Vorld Cup soon. That has saved you from my anger. I do not vant you to look like you don't know how to listen. I should teach you a lesson for being so disobedient." He kneeled down next to her and shouted in her ear. "Are you getting brave Hermioninny?"
"No! I'm just scared!" She shuddered at her words knowing she should never shout back at him.
He kicked her knee causing her to scream out in pain. "You haf become disloyal!….Yes I can tell. You vould never shout at me or try to stop my lessons. This Neville has made you bold. Too bold for your own good. You vill pay Hermioninny. And so vill he. Are you listening to me?" He yelled as he grabbed her wrists again and drug her to her feet. "You ver vith him just now vern't you?"
"No Viktor! I have rounds! Very late rounds! I have to patrol the corridors with Draco Malfoy every night." Hermione said with tears of pain and fright.
Viktor loosened his grip and appeared to relax. "You ver vith him?"
Hermione spoke carefully. "Yes. He's been keeping his word. You asked him to look after me."
Viktor nodded. "Draco Malfoy is a good friend to me. I know how much of a problem you can be. He does not like mud bloods so he has done me a great favor. He understands how to keep a voman in line and his Father vas vell respected in my family. You are promising that you have been vith him and no one else?"
Hermione sighed in relief. "Yes Viktor. I promise."
He tossed her wrists out of his grip and pushed her to the side. "I must go. No one knows I have gone. You vill respond immediately next time or you vill regret it."
Hermione wiped her eyes as she watched him leave. She sunk to the floor and whimpered alone in the corner. When she awoke the next morning she was uncomfortably curled in a ball on the floor. She carefully walked to the bathroom as her muscles ached painfully. Her knee was throbbing where he had kicked it but thankfully it didn't cause her to limp noticeably. She gasped when she looked in the mirror. Her face was fine but her neck and wrists were swollen and purple.
She found her turtleneck at the bottom of her trunk and threw it on after her shower. She realized that the sleeves didn't really cover her wrists well so she made a mental note to be careful throughout the day. As she walked down the stairs a rush of fear washed over her. What on earth was she going to tell Draco? He doesn't have to know! He's going to confront Viktor soon anyways! Why bother him with this now? It hasn't changed anything.
As she walked into the Great Hall she took a deep breath and headed for her table where Harry and Ginny were already sitting. "Good morning." She said brightly.
"Good morning. You look tired Hermione. Didn't sleep well eh? Me either." Ginny said as she yawned.
Ron and Lavender walked in and bid everyone good morning. Draco sat down next to Hermione and winked flirtatiously. She smiled back weakly and played with her food. "Hey pass me the sausages Hermione will you?" Ron said as he nudged her side.
Hermione whimpered unexpectedly and threw her hand over her mouth quickly. Everyone stopped eating and stared at her. Draco looked concerned. "Everything alright?"
Hermione forced the best smile she had ever done and laughed. "Yes, I'm just so jumpy this morning! I don't know what's come over me. Probably just the jitters because of the Christmas Ball. Everyone's expecting a really wonderful time."
Draco placed his hand on her knee and squeezed gently. "It will be wonderful since you're in charge of it. Don't worry." Hermione nodded and as soon as he turned his head, lost control of a tear that had been threatening to fall due to the pain he unintentionally caused and the fact that she had just lied to him. She wiped it away quickly and caught Ginny staring at her wrists.
"What the?" Ginny said loudly. Hermione shook her head quickly begging Ginny not to say another word. As everyone was now staring at Ginny, Hermione quickly pulled down her sleeve covering the bruises.
"What is it Ginny?" Harry asked quietly.
Ginny crossed her arms furiously and looked away. "Nothing. I thought I saw…..I thought I saw a snake on the table. My mistake."
"Ouch!" Draco leaned down and rubbed his shin. "Someone kicked me."
Ginny giggled. "That's odd isn't it?" She said as she looked under the table as if to identify the perpetrator. "Maybe it was a snake."
Draco eyed her suspiciously but then shrugged it off. Hermione and Ginny met eyes again. "Hermione, I need help on one of my essays. You're not busy right now are you? No? Good! Let's go!"
Hermione followed Ginny out of the Great Hall but she didn't stop at the exit. She headed towards the oak doors and threw them open furiously. Hermione continued to trail fearfully behind her. Ginny stopped at the beech tree and shot an awful gaze at Hermione. "How could you not tell me? How could you hide something like this from me? How long has he been hurting you?"
Hermione shook her head in denial. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't even hurt anymore."
"Doesn't hurt? How long Hermione?" Ginny shouted.
"Since the beginning. I don't know what happened last night. I'm so confused." Hermione said blankly.
"When Ron and Harry find out they'll kill him." Ginny warned.
"Oh God Ginny don't tell them! Please don't tell them! Then Draco will find out and I don't even want to think of what he'll do!"
"You won't have to worry about that. Ron and Harry will protect you from that evil little ferret!" Ginny said frustrated.
"Wait…What do you mean? Why would I need to be protected from Draco?" Hermione said with confusion.
"Hermione! He's beating you! Look at your wrists! You just said that you don't even want to think of what he'll do if he finds out!"
"You think Draco did this?" Hermione said in shock.
"Well of course! He's been around you all the time. Who else would have-oh that stupid fat headed foreigner! I'll kill him myself!" Ginny said and headed for the castle.
"Ginny wait! You can't do anything! Draco cannot find out!"
"Why not? Is he in on this with that monster?"
"No of course not! It's just that if he finds out that I hid this from him, he'll never forgive me. I convinced him to not confront Viktor yet. He told me he could have ended this a long time ago but I wouldn't let him." Hermione said as she cried softly.
"Why wouldn't you let him? Malfoy can handle him! Don't you realize that?"
Hermione shrugged in shame. "I'm just so scared of Viktor. I don't want Draco to get hurt. But he will if he finds out I hid this from him Ginny!"
Ginny embraced her distraught friend. "Alright, alright. Now tell me everything." They sat at the beech tree and Hermione came clean. She told Ginny everything.
Ginny regretfully agreed to keep Hermione's secret quiet with the agreement that it would all be over in a few days. She even introduced Hermione to a temporary concealment charm to use for the ball. Ginny used it on certain occasions after Quidditch matches and it usually worked for hours.
As Ginny got ready she laughed with Hermione. "I can't wait to see the look on that cow's face when she realizes Draco came with you. I just love to see Pansy upset."
"Now, now Ginny. I'm not worried about her anymore. She's been acting very different lately. I've even caught her smiling at us on occasion. It seems as if she's moved on." Hermione said as she fiddled with her dress. "Now how do I look?"
Ginny sighed happily. "Just beautiful! I'm glad you picked the green one. Quite fitting if you ask me."
The girls walked down the stairs together and found Ron, Lavender, and Harry talking as they waited. Ginny took Harry's arm and gave a flirtatious stare at his attire. Hermione saw Draco walking up with a huge grin. He took her hand and kissed it slowly. "Miss Granger."
Hermione melted at his touch and smiled. "Mr. Malfoy." She scooped her arm around his and they followed her friends to the Great Hall. They were bombarded by the Patil twins outside the entrance.
"Hermione! Oh it looks wonderful inside." Padma said.
"Really Hermione, how did you find the time to do all this….Malfoy?" Parvati said once she realized he was there. She smiled widely. "Oh my God! Are you Hermione's date?"
Draco nodded politely. "Yes…But I'm hoping that's not all I am."
Hermione blushed as the Patil twins squealed and scurried away with their dates. Dumbledore gathered everyone inside the Great Hall and raised his hands for silence. "Please join me in applauding our Heads of Hogwarts on the first dance of the night."
Draco guided a blushing Hermione out onto the dance floor as everyone clapped politely. As it would seem the Head Boy and Girl were simply carrying out the tradition of the first dance. But as Draco slithered his hand around her waist and interlaced her fingers with his on the other, people began to whisper. Draco grinned at this and pulled her closer causing more chatter amongst the students. He leaned down and kissed her nose gently and then brought his cheek to hers as they swayed to the music.
Ron began to ask questions of Ginny who simply waved it off as just a close friendship. Lavender quickly distracted him as the rest of the school joined in on the dancing. As the night went on, Hermione briefly danced with Ron, Neville, and Collin. While Draco was getting punch Ginny approached him with a big grin. "What do you think you are doing?" She said as she also grabbed a goblet filling it with punch.
Draco raised his own goblet in confusion. "I'm thirsty. People tend to satisfy that need with punch little Weasley."
They both took a sip of their punch and watch Hermione and Harry laughing as they danced. "Stop being pompous and ask me to dance already."
Draco laughed. "What makes you think I want to dance with you?"
"Oh please! Hermione's dancing with Harry leaving you all alone. Ohhhhh, wait a second." Ginny looked behind Draco. "You were hoping she would dance with you. My mistake."
Draco looked behind as Ginny began to walk away. He noticed Pansy heading towards him and quickly grabbed Ginny's arm. "Save me! I'm begging you."
Ginny grinned evilly. "No, I think I want to see you get yourself out of this one. I haven't laughed all night really."
Draco continued to follow Ginny. "I'm at your mercy! I'll do anything just please dance with me."
Ginny sighed as if it was a terrible inconvenience. "Well if I really have to."
As they began to dance they noticed Pansy's jaw drop and stomp away. Ginny chuckled and looked up at Draco. "Now that was worth it."
"Thanks for that. She can be quite forceful at times. So, you and Potter picked out all the names for your children yet?" He said jokingly.
"Yes of course we have. How about you and Hermione?" Ginny asked seriously.
Draco smiled softly as he began to watch Hermione dance. "No, we haven't. We don't really talk about the future. It's just been one day at a time. We've sort of got a little obstacle in the way of all that."
Ginny nodded. "Yes, but I wouldn't call it little. Hermione's my best friend Malfoy. I don't want to see her hurt anymore."
Draco looked carefully at Ginny. "Anymore? You know about-"
Ginny nodded again. "I just found out. You could say she unintentionally let it slip out…But that's not the point Malfoy. It needs to stop immediately."
"You think I don't know that? I've been telling her since the moment I found out. She's the most thick headed girl I've ever met. Always wanting to do things her way! But I already told her. I'm handling it at the World Cup." Draco said and smiled as Harry dipped Hermione playfully. "I'll take care of her."
Ginny whispered happily. "Good. She needs someone like you. I know you'll be good to her Malfoy." Ginny kissed his cheek as the song ended.
Hermione walked up to them with Harry. "I need some fresh air. Do you want to go outside for a bit?" They nodded and waved Ron and Lavender over.
As they were all about to reach the oak doors Pansy grabbed Draco's arm. "Dance with me handsome."
Draco pulled away. "No thanks."
Pansy shrieked. "Please Draco! Just one dance! I'll never bother you again! Just give me one last dance!"
"Shhhh! Fine! Do you mind Hermione?" Draco said in defeat and embarrassment.
Hermione laughed. "Not at all. I'll be outside with them." Hermione smiled at a frowning Draco as Pansy dragged him to the dance floor.
As they headed down the stone steps they laughed at the fact that Draco was being tortured by Pansy. Once they reached the beech tree they sat on benches that were placed out there just for that night and looked up at the stars. "It's beautiful Hermione. This entire night turned out perfectly." Ginny said as she hugged her friend.
"Thank you. I'm having a wonderful time." Hermione said as she began to scratch her prickling neck. Her wrists began to tingle so she scratched at them as well.
Ron approached her and looked at her neck. "What's the matter? You should stop scratching so hard…You're leaving a mark." He placed his arms on her shoulders and looked at her neck carefully. "You really did leave a mark. What happened to your neck Hermione? And look at your wrists….You couldn't have caused that just now! Harry look at her."
Hermione shook her head worriedly. "It's nothing! I must be having a reaction to something. The punch! It must be the punch!" She looked at Ginny for support.
Ginny shook her head and whispered. "I'm sorry. It lasts longer for me."
Harry caught hold of Hermione who kept walking away from him trying to cover her neck. "What lasts longer? What's going on?" He said as he pulled her wrists up closely to his eyes. "These look like finger marks."
"WHAT? WHO DID THIS TO YOU? IT WAS MALFOY WASN'T IT! I'LL KILL HIM!" Ron said as he headed up to the castle.
"Ron noooo!" She yelled as she grabbed his arm. "I can explain!"
Ron stopped and yelled as he panted. "Explain what? That you're allowing Malfoy to hurt you like this? How could you try and hide this from us Hermione? Don't bother answering me! I've got to have a few words with him myself!"
"NO! Ron please don't talk to him! He'll be so angry! Please don't!" Hermione said as she continued to try and restrain him.
Harry grabbed her hands gently and hugged her. "You know we'll always protect you Hermione. Why would you keep this from us?"
Ron began to pace as he waited for her answer. Hermione was sobbing in terror. "Because! You wouldn't understand. You don't understand what's really been going on Harry! Ron noooo!"
Draco had just opened the oak doors and started trotting down in a hurry as he heard her yelling. Ron took off quickly towards Draco. Hermione screamed. "RON PLEASE DON'T SAY ANYTHING!"
Ron turned around to look at Hermione in anger. "You don't have a say in this Hermione!"
"A say in what?" Draco asked with a hint of concern as Hermione sped past Ron and threw herself in front of him. "What's going on?"
Ron shook his head and threw his arms up as he charged at him. "Don't act like you don't know! I can't believe she's actually trying to protect you! After what you've done! MOVE HERMIONE!"
Ron tried to pull Hermione towards him but Draco whipped her behind him and stepped up to Ron. "That's enough Weasley! Stop yelling at her!"
Ron took a swing at Draco and made contact with his cheek. Harry tackled him to the ground as Ron began to kick his chest. "STOP IT! YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! IT'S NOT HIM! GINNY! HELP ME!" Hermione yelled.
Draco freed himself and charged at Harry knocking him to the ground. Ron pushed Draco from behind into the beech tree. Draco turned and punched him in the nose as Harry started taking swings at him. Ginny got a hold of Harry as Hermione and Lavender restrained Ron. "Get off Hermione! He struggled under their hold. "I knew better than to trust you!"
Hermione placed a binding charm on Ron and ran to Draco who was spitting blood from his mouth. She gripped his arm as he was about to go after Harry again and whispered. "I'm so sorry."
Draco turned his head slightly to look at Hermione. "Why are you sorry? Weasley and Potter are the one that have lost his minds."
"I haven't lost my mind! You have! What makes you think you have the right to treat her this way? Let me out of this Hermione!" Ron yelled as he tried to free himself.
Draco caught a glimpse of Hermione's neck in the moonlight. "What happened to your neck?" She tried to cover it with her hands. "What happened to your wrists?"
Harry yelled in frustration. "Oh come off it Malfoy! You know where she got those marks!"
Draco looked at Harry briefly and then turned his gaze onto a cowering Hermione. "I asked you a question Hermione. I think I deserve an answer."
Hermione stared crying uncontrollably. "I'm so sorry Draco! I should have told you. But it doesn't matter because these marks don't change anything!"
Draco gently removed her hand from his arms and shook his head disappointedly. "I thought you trusted me Hermione…..That's what's changed. He came to see you didn't he?"
Hermione nodded in fear. "Oh please don't be angry with me Draco! I didn't want to bother you with such a silly thing."
Draco began to pace as Ron and Harry exchanged confused looks. "Such a silly thing is it? You won't think it's so silly when he chokes you hard enough to kill you next time! Jesus Hermione!"
Ron cleared his throat nervously. "Who in the bloody hell are you talking about?"
Draco walked up to him and removed the charm. "Krum you idiot! You think I did this to her?"
Ron stood and brushed himself off. "Krum wouldn't hurt her like that you liar!"
Draco scoffed and looked at Hermione. "Now I see why you never told him."
"Told me what?" Ron said stupidly.
Draco pushed him into the beech tree in anger. "Krum's been beating her for years you moron! Haven't you ever wondered how she's supposedly become so clumsy?"
"Clumsy?" Harry asked as he placed a hand on Ron's chest who was preparing to take another swing at Draco.
"Draco no….Please?" Hermione begged.
Draco ignored her and scratched the back of his neck. "Ever wonder where all those bruises came from?"
"What bruises?" Ron asked as he looked at Harry.
"I just thought you-" Draco cut Harry off.
"You just thought she just always seemed to fall down the stairs and run into walls? Did you even realize how fragile she's become this year? Haven't you ever wondered why Krum doesn't particularly like any of her friends and keeps to himself? Why would he ask her enemy of all people to watch over her?…..None of these questions popped into your stupid heads?" Draco spat.
"I knew something wasn't right but this….I had no idea Hermione." Harry said as he embraced her.
"You don't actually believe this rubbish Harry!" Ron said.
Ginny smacked Ron on the arm. "Oh stop fawning over Krum Ron! Yes your golden boy is a batterer! Get over it!"
Draco shook his head and gave a hurtful glare at Hermione as he headed towards the castle. She yelled in desperation. "No please don't go Draco! Please forgive me! I'm so sorry! I'll never lie to you again!"
Draco stopped and turned around to face her. "I'm just not sure who you think you're protecting anymore. Something's telling me it's him."
Hermione grabbed his arms. "No! Please don't think that! I just-I just didn't want you to worry about me."
"And why not? Why can't I worry about you Hermione? You can let him beat you but you can't let me worry about you? How does that make sense? You'll let him choke you and throw you against a wall but you won't even trust me!" Draco pulled away.
"You don't understand! He sent a letter! He was angry that I never responded but I swear I never got it! He was just mad about that and then I shouted at him and told him to stop! I know better than that! It was my fault!" Hermione said as she tried to prevent him from leaving.
Draco allowed her to hold him and spoke calmly. "You know what? I'm done. I'm not going to listen to you defend him any longer. I'm going to the World Cup without you and putting an end to all of this. Who knows what kind of story you'll try to make up while we're there. After that, you don't have to worry about telling me anything."
Hermione panicked. "What do you mean by that?"
"I can't be someone who doesn't trust me Hermione. We're through."
Draco tried to head for the castle once again but Hermione cried out. "No! I can't lose you Draco! You're the only thing that matters to me!"
"Hermione, you won't let me in! Even after all we've been through, you still don't have any faith in me! Damn it Hermione! You refuse to let me care for you and that's killing me!"
Hermione shouted harshly. "You don't understand! You'll never understand! All you care about is proving that you can handle Viktor!"
"Is that what you think? That I'm just trying to prove that I'm tougher than Viktor! I'M TRYING TO SHOW YOU HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU HERMIONE!" Draco turned around and headed for the forest in a huff. Hermione dropped to the ground sobbing as Ginny went to comfort her. Ron whispered to Lavender to go inside as he and Harry took off towards the forest.
