Chapter Eight: Vengeance Is Only Necessary

A/N: I thank you all for reviewing:bluehazegrl, LovelyMaidToTheMasterInBlack, Obnoxiously Peachy Twit 2008, GryffindorPrincessofDragons, AlexandraKathleen,ShadowHexx771, and iluvsmallville1!And finally, here's chapter eight!

Draco's POV

Back when Draco left Hermione..

Where the hell was I going? How was I planning on getting out of here? Earlier, both Granger and I have tried to find ways out of here..not wanting to accept the fact that there was no other way. Eventually, we seemed to give in to it. There was no other way. Later still, I wasn't quite as worried about the inevitable deed that we had to perform, and that was to fall in love. It wouldn't have hurt anything, would it have? But then, another argument came. And that argument was enough to break off whatever else we had, and more.

Now, here I am. Wandering in the forest. This is a sure way to get me out of here..but it's much better than being around her. At least I don't have to worry about the consequences of us falling in love. What would people think? Pureblood and Mudblood? Two sworn enemies? They would laugh. And I'm sure her friends would think of it as a disgrace. Yes. It's better off this way. If only- why can't I just believe that? What is it that is so different about Hermione from all of the other girls? Sure, she's pretty, she's brilliant, she's- I've got to stop that. But I can't. There's just something that draws me to her. I would probably still be with her, and who knows? We would be in love by now! But there's just one, tiny factor that gets in the way.

Weasley.

Apparently, she likes him, too. Maybe her mind is just messed up, because I'm far better than that halfwit. Why doesn't she see that? But at least I know that Weasel wouldn't be so happy if he knew that Hermione and me have something, too. That gives me some satisfaction. But not enough. I'm not about to share her..especially with him. I wish he were here. Then I would do something to make it so that he would break her heart. Ha, then she'd come running to me. And she wouldn't like him again. Ever. Ah..vengeance.

So..what should I do now? Continue in my quest to get out of here? Or, go find Hermione? If I did find Hermione, we could fall in love. And, returning to Hogwarts, Weasel would see us together. His heart would be broken. Hmm..that's also a good way to avenge myself. But why I did I even need revenge? But I know why- because he likes the same girl!

Bloody, I'm tainted with..jealousy. Look at the mess I got myself into now! If it weren't for that accursed statue, we wouldn't be here! And I would still be..me! I would laugh if someone told me I would fall for Hermione!

And yet, I have. Even after finding out that she still has feelings for bloody Weasley, I still like her. But did I love her? I don't know..but I think that what I feel for her is at least pretty close. Sadly enough. Even though I don't mind me knowing that I like her, now. I think it took me awhile to accept the fact. Well, I'm over that now.

But I am not over the fact that she still likes Weasley. I am so much better than him! So much more worth it. For one thing, I would never go out with another girl, not right after I was asked on a date from someone that actually means something. No matter how attractive that girl was. Besides, Lavender? She's anything but attractive, in my opinion. Poor Hermione, she had to witness someone she cared about snogging another girl. A girl far uglier than her, and who hardly even knew a thing about Ron. Maybe, I wouldn't know. But despite all of that, she still cares about him!

Alas, it's no different from the way I am handling the present situation now. I still like her, even though I now know that she feels for Ron, too. It's just..Weasley is a jerk, who doesn't give a damn about her. Okay, he probably does..but he doesn't appreciate her the same way I do.

This forest is eerily silent. I don't like it. I remember times I have been in forests, but they are very unlike this one. They're full of life, and in a sense always seem to be restless. Anxious. But this forest is opposite. It's dormant, and hardly contains any life at all. Except for some bugs, and two people. Hermione and I.

Hmm..there's a cave up ahead. Wonder if there's anything in it..? Though it's doubtful.

Because there's nothing better to do, I step into the mouth of the cave and shout, "Hello?" Hello..hello..hello? Really, it's quite idiotic of me, but it's amusing enough.

"Don't think there is anything in there, mate," An unfamiliar voice says behind me. A male voice. I nearly jumped, but manage to keep my cool and turn around to see a man. He looked tired; there were deep circles under his eyes, and his face was unshaven. He was old..realization. Could this be the old man Hermione saw? But he somehow didn't seem to fit the description- even though I didn't know anything about the man other than the fact that he was old. And how could someone come back from the dead? Unless he was faking it, of course. But the way Hermione put it..it seemed to be very real. He must have died. But then, she also said we couldn't die..so maybe..but maybe not. Either way, this guy was real. Otherwise, Hermione and I were having the same hallucinations. And that wouldn't be good.

"Who are you?" I ask.

"Names don't really matter, do they?"

"I guess not. But why are you here?"

"Questions, questions. I've been here for a long time, and I haven't seen you here. You must have come here recently?"

"Yes, but I think you're avoiding my question," I say. "Did you come here by way of a curse?"

"Of course! And you must have, too."

"Yes, I did. Do you know a girl by the name of Hermione..?"

"Nope. Never heard of her."

"I see. So who did you come on this island with? Did you come from Hogwarts, too?"

"I came..alone. But I wasn't, not really. Ah..yes, I came from Hogwarts. It's been awhile since I've been there."

"I can see that," I say, impatiently. "And what do you mean you came here alone but you weren't alone?"

"You must have come here with the girl, then."

"Er, yes."

"So that means that when you both came here, you hated each other."

"I guess so." I knew all of this already. Couldn't he just get to the point?

"I suppose you haven't met the other person yet then, eh?"

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"I see a pattern now," he says. "When two people declare that they hate each other- in the same room with that statue, of course- they come here. But they aren't the only ones. One of the people that one of the haters care about comes along, too." What? But we never saw anyone. What was he talking about?

"And how would you know that?"

"Long ago, I came here. Alone. I was unsure of why I was here. But then, later I came across two others. People I knew. People that hated each other. But when I found them, they didn't quite hate each other anymore. One of those people I cared deeply for, the other not quite as much. When it came down to it, she had to choose. But she couldn't. And she didn't. She killed herself instead, leaving both of us here to stay in this miserable place. Both of us went our separate ways..I never was very fond of that bloke. I don't think he was fond of me, either. Pity I found him dead in that pond the other day. 'Twas the least I could do to scoop him out and give him a proper burial. I pity myself more. I'm here still, doomed to be on this island. Now, could you tell me if you have a wand?" Great. Hermione never mentioned to me that there was also someone else involved in this curse. And it was someone one of us cared about..but who could that be? I didn't particularly care about anyone, other than Hermione..and I'm guessing that it must be someone one of us had an interest in. A potential love interest. Bloody. That could be Ron that was here! And who knows..Hermione could be with him at this very moment! Damn it, why did I have to leave her? If he had found her, or vice versa, they could already be in love and out of here! Leaving me here with this weird old man. Things couldn't get worse.

But actually, things could get better. It must be Ron that came. I'm sure of it now. If I were to find him first, I could have my revenge. At least in that way, I would no longer be jealous. Hermione would only like me. Yes, things could get better. But first things first. I have to find him.

"I'm sorry sir, I don't have a wand," I say, distractedly. "It was very interesting to chat with you, but I'm afraid I have to take off now."

"MALFOYYY!" Someone yells from the forest. I didn't even have to move a step. It must be him. This was good, I didn't have to put in any labor into looking for him. And it also meant that Hermione must still be here, and that they haven't fallen in love. This was very good to know.

"A friend of your's?" The man asks.

"Eh..sure," I reply.

"Ah, so there's the git!" Two people step into the clearing. It was Ron. And Hermione. This was not so good. Ron glares at me, while Hermione looks anxiously at me.

Ron looks quite angry. I wouldn't have cared less about him being angry, until I noticed something. He had a wand in his hand, pointed at me. Neither of them seemed to be paying attention to the man I was with. But then, neither was I. I was paying attention to Ron's wand. That wand meant power. I had to get it.

"That's not very polite to point that wand of your's at me. What have I done to offend you?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Ron says, incredulously. "You've brainwashed Hermione into liking you!"

"Oh, have I now?" I've got to play it cool. At least until I can get that wand away from him.

"Yes!" He says, angrily. "And because of that, you're going to pay!" So. Now I see. Both of us wanted revenge on the other because both of us were jealous. I can't blame him. He was practically meant to be with her, up until Hermione and I landed on this island. Now, he's meant to be alone. I only say alone because, who would want him? I can't believe Hermione wants him or wanted him at all. He's got some anger issues. But then, so do I. Bullying issues, more like, but I don't like to get too close to anyone. Until Hermione entered my life. My bullying issues are pretty much gone. For the present, anyway.

"It's pitiful to see that you're picking a time to pay your revenge on me when I'm defenseless. I would have expected better from you, Weasley. You don't play to my lowly tactics, at least that's what I thought. I guess I was wrong." Think I'm crazy? This talk would only get him angrier. Good. Then he would lose control. That's exactly what I wanted.

He gives me a manic grin. "What's wrong with playing with your "lowly tactics," as you call it? If you were to have a wand and I didn't, you surely would have used it on me. And besides that, you would hit me with a spell the very instant I turned my back. Can you disagree with me on that?"

"Yes," I say. "I would have done that before, but I'm a bit more mature since the last time we came across each other. It's about time you wise up, too."

His grin is gone. "Go to hell, Malfoy." Strange. I wonder why Hermione hasn't said anything this whole time? Very unlike her.

I take a few steps closer to him. I was now close enough to snatch the wand. The wand is still pointed at me, but with less severity. Only slightly less, mind you. "Such manners you have. And is that the best you can do?"

"That's it! I've had enough from you! Cru-" Before he could finish the incantation, and before I had time to react, the old man had taken the wand from Ron. I think Ron was as surprised as I was. I'm guessing that the only man had slipped away from me and had hidden in the shadows, inching towards Ron. I must have served as the perfect distraction. I guess that's good that he has it now, because Ron was about to perform the Cruciatius Curse on me, which would have done me no good. Still, someone else has it. And I have no idea what this man was intending to do with it..he could kill us all.

"M'boy, that was quite an awful deed you were about to perform on that poor fellow." That statement was directed at Ron. "I'm sorry to intrude on whatever I intruded on, but I'm afraid that I'll have to take this wand and go. I've been on this island for far too long. And now, I won't have to be on it any longer." He smiled. "You don't know how nice that is to know that I'm now able to leave."

Before any of us could react, he pointed Ron's wand at a rock on the ground. "Portus!" Ah. A portkey.

"Give me my wand back!" Ron said angrily, and lunged for it.

He didn't stand a chance. "Stupefy!" Ron was knocked out.

The man's attention then went back to me and Hermione. "Well then, bye!" He touched the rock. He was gone.

I have to hand it to him, that mansaved my neck. But he also left us all here, stranded. We're all none the better. Oh well.

A/N: I thought this chapter be a bit dull compared to the previous chapter, but it needed to be written. And yes, I have decided on the pairing of this fic. Anyway, please review!