The Calm before the Storm

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or the Harry Potter books,movie...etc, they belong to J.K Rowling.

A/N: Hey, not much too say...R&R please :-)

Hermione was having a tough time.

She liked Draco a lot—there was no denying that—but nothing had really happened yet. In fact, it was quite awkward most of the time. They would spend time together—sitting on the couch, working on their Head Duties, or making the rounds—but they wouldn't do anything beyond that. There was no hand holding, no whispered secrets, and no gentle caresses. Normally, Hermione didn't mind the silence—it was almost as if they didn't have to explain anything to each other, about how much they really cared for each other—but with Draco Hermione found the silence awkward and unnerving.

And then there was the Clique.

As time went on, Hermione found it hard to be with Clique and not tell them her secret. One part of her wanted to get back at Pansy, but on the other hand, she had told Hermione the truth and apologized, and Hermione respected that.

And then there was the small matter of Pansy's reprisal when she found out the real reason Draco was ignoring her was because of Hermione.

"I just don't get it!" Pansy wailed, flopping dramatically onto a chair, "First Draco wants to get back with me and now he doesn't even seem to like me!"

Hermione, Padma, and Parvati stood there silently, watching Pansy roll pathetically around in the chair, obviously furious. Hannah was supposed to have come too but she had managed to escape with Ernie before Pansy caught her in her dismal tirade.

Smart girl, Hermione thought bitterly, trying to catch a glimpse of the time without Pansy noticing. She had been there for over an hour listening to the same story over and over, and it was beginning to take a toll on all three members of her very unimpressed audience.

Pansy, for her part, didn't notice her three apathetic observers and continued her diatribe of Draco's recent actions.

It had started out so simply. Pansy had wanted to get Draco all worked up, so she had gone up to him, flaunting her most favorable assets in a way that was sure to get her what she wanted (at least according to past experiences). Draco however had feigned ignorance of her charms and merely walked away, mumbling something about having to talk with Hermione about some Head duty. Hermione had been elated, but she wasn't about to admit that to Pansy. Instead, she tried to offer up an alternative.

"Well, Blaise isn't that bad," Hermione chimed in, hoping to dissuade Pansy from her infatuation with Draco. Pansy sat up, pouting so deeply that Hermione would have laughed if she hadn't been afraid of Pansy's rage.

"I suppose Blaise isn't that bad," Pansy allowed, wiping the nonexistent tears from her eyes, "but I want Draco!"

"Look," Padma cut in, her tone dripping with annoyance. Like the rest of them, it was clear she was hoping to get out before the night was over. "Why don't you just stay with Blaise for now otherwise it will be too obvious you were using him, and that would mess with your reputation." When Pansy looked unconvinced, Padma rolled her eyes and added a hasty, "And Draco is probably ignoring you to protect your feelings because of the war and stuff..."

"I suppose," Pansy agreed sullenly, slightly put off at the realization that the girls were eager to get away. Padma didn't look bothered though, examining her nails with blatant disinterest.

It was clear to everyone—Padma especially—that Draco had absolutely no feelings for Pansy, but it was best to tell her that. It would only give her an excuse to go into a frenzy about how she was ugly or something equally stupid and insecure. The safest bet was just to tell her something that would make her feel good and allow her to fawn all over herself.

Parvati on the other hand, had stopped looking to Pansy and started peering questioningly towards Hermione. She had noticed that over the past few days Hermione and Draco's relationship had changed from mutual dislike to something much more intimate. She was pretty sure that they hadn't actually done anything yet—Hermione was never really good at hiding things (her face tended to give things away)—and she was sure if something had happened, she would have heard about it somewhere. But even if nothing had actually happened between the two, Parvati was almost positive that something would be happening—and soon.

"But I want to get together with him before the war starts!" Pansy revealed after a minute of silence. Things had somewhat settled down and she was getting annoyed with the lack of attention.

"He's probably just stressed because of the war. Everyone is," Hermione offered weakly and Pansy had to agree.

There was no use denying it. Lately it seemed that all anyone could talk about was the impending combat. Couples who had been together since first year, had broken up because one of them felt as if they were to die, or get hurt, and didn't want the other to suffer. And on the other end of the spectrum, people had started getting together randomly because no one wanted to die without loving someone.

People were scared.

Even Harry had become increasingly nervous due to the uncertainty regarding the prophesy. Hermione could hardly bear to be with him because he was constantly depressed, and the few times he wasn't, he was off practicing with the Order.

Ron had also undergone a considerable change, although his wasn't so much depressive as annoying. He suddenly found it important to spend as much time with Ginny as humanly possible—and act that Ginny herself was not too fond of considering she wanted to spend her possible last few weeks with her boyfriend. When he wasn't dogging Ginny, Ron chose to spend his time in the library practicing curses and jinxes as he wanted to be as prepared as possible, for when the war would come.

Although the teachers hadn't come out and said it specifically, most of the older students were expected to participate in the war as much as they could. Those who weren't involved were expected to do something else to contribute to the cause, regardless of the side they chose (or, in many cases, the side their parents chose for them). Regardless of the changes though, one thing was clear. It had never been this bad before.

Draco was a mess.

Out of everyone else, Draco seemed to be taking the strain of the upcoming battle the hardest. It wasn't just that he was conflicted about what side to pay his allegiance too—his father had made it blatantly clear that siding with the majority of his classmates was not an option. In fact, he had been getting coded messages from his father, regarding attack strategies for the past few weeks. It was more of the fact that he didn't know whether or not he would be able to face his classmates as a Deatheater. It wasn't Potter or anyone he was really worried about either, and considering all of his friends were supposed to be in league with the Deatheaters, he shouldn't have felt so conflicted. His father had made it clear that anyone who mattered would be on their side, but there was one person that Draco knew would not be on Voldemort's side.

Hermione.

According to preconceived plans, Draco knew exactly when the war would start and end. He had a specific role and knew exactly what he was supposed to be doing and when. The only problem was that now he was beginning to have his doubts. It was true that Lucius—in a rare moment of paternal obligation—had taken Draco aside and explained that he may feel slightly apprehensive before he was actually supposed to fulfill his duties as a Deatheater, but Draco had a feeling it was something deeper than that. He wasn't scared of fulfilling his obligations to the Dark Lord; he was scared of not fulfilling his promises to Hermione.

Not that he had said anything to her.

As much as Draco wanted to share his feelings with Hermione—for she was the only person who he thought would truly sympathize with what he was going through—he didn't dare say a word to her. She was good. He was bad. And as much as he wished the opposite, he was strangely drawn to her.

Draco didn't know exactly when, but it seemed that a mutual understanding had settled among them. They liked eachother. That much was obvious. The only problem was that Draco didn't know where to go from there. He didn't want to treat her like any other girl—and certainly not the way he had treated Pansy. And as much as he wanted her, he didn't want to draw her in only to break her heart when she found out who his loyalties were to. Who his loyalties had to be to. Draco sighed, letting his head drop in his hands.

Who knew love would be so hard?

It was late in the evening when a 5th year knocked on the door of the Heads Common room.

Hermione and Draco, who had been staring silently into the blazing fire, jumped at the noise and startled, looked towards eachother. Winter holidays were a week and a half away and each day brought more and more anxiety for staff and students alike. It was as if everyone was walking on pins and needles, waiting for the other shoe to drop. And now, Draco and Hermione feared that it had.

Hermione, who was quickest to regain her senses, raced to the door and threw it open with so much force that it rattled precariously. She paid it no mind, but the 5th year raised his eyebrows.

"Yes?" Hermione asked hesitantly, unsure as to whether or not she wanted to hear what the kid was going to tell her.

"This is from Professor McGonagall," he said quickly, handing over a slightly crumpled note and scurrying down the hallway with impressive speed. Hermione barely got a chance to comprehend the action before the boy had disappeared completely, leaving her standing in the doorway with the note in her hand. She unfolded it and read carefully.

Attention All Hogwarts Students:

We have to set up an immediate emergency meeting in the Great Hall. Please report as soon as possible. Attendance is required.

"Oh no," Hermione whispered in horror. She turned to Draco, who had been reading over her shoulder and was currently as white as a sheet, and bit her lip nervously. "You don't think it could be—," she paused, unable to go on.

As soon as she had spoken, a cold, dark fear swept through Draco's eyes, and he nodded his head dumbly. He had expected action soon, but not this soon. It was too early—things weren't supposed to be starting yet! Hadn't his father told him to remain at Hogwarts under all circumstances? The other Deatheaters were supposed to collect him the school, but he hadn't anticipated the school forcing him out!

"Let's go," Draco croaked; his voice strangled and uncertain. Hermione only nodded, at a complete loss for words, and allowed herself to be led down to the Great Hall for the meeting.

The Great Hall was dead silent.

Everyone was sitting like statues, looking both pale and terrified. The moment everyone had been worried over for months had finally come. It was no longer a thing of the future, it was part of their present and that was petrifying.

McGonagall stood up.

Everyone turned to face the headmistress, wide-eyed and curious. The Slytherins, Draco noticed, seemed to look as confused as he did. Most of them he knew had also been fed bits of information regarding attack plans and this latest infringement seemed to flout everyone's plans.

"Students," McGonagall began gravely, her tone void of all fear. She knew how scared everyone was and there was no use getting them more worked up. She had to show them that she was strong and that they would be alright. Her heart though was beating a decidedly different beat and seemed to betray her plans to keep her own fear subdued. Taking a deep breath, she continued. "The staff at Hogwarts has decided to close the school this week before the planned holidays. The school needs to be evacuated immediately in case there is an attack planned for the scheduled holiday. In order to be as efficient as possible, we will evacuate according to class. First years will leave today, second years tomorrow, and so on and so forth."

Minerva paused, looking around to see if people understood her.

"Fifth years and above do have another option of accompanying the teachers and learning how to fight and defend our side, or choose to leave for home some time during the week. Either way, it is not safe at Hogwarts and everybody, will leave this building."

She paused again, her old eyes sweeping the Great Hall. She had seen hundreds of students throughout all her years of teaching, but never before had she seen any group of students looking so honorable, so proud and as strong as she did now. Even the youngest first years were sitting bravely, heads held high despite the obvious fear emanating from each student. She had never been prouder.

"If any student does not wish to fight, you may get permission from your parents to be collected sooner or wait your turn to leave the school with other remaining students from your year." Minerva turned and nodded towards Draco and Hermione who had not bothered to segregate themselves in the Great Hall and had sat next to eachother. "As Head Boy and Head Girl, Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger will be here all week to provide guidance and aid to all students and make sure that all is in order while most of the staff has left."

She took a breath, continuing on tirelessly.

"The arrangements for tonight have already been made. First years, please follow Hagrid to the train—your luggage is waiting for you there. At this time, second, third and fourth years may return to their dormitories. In a few minutes your prefects will be up there, and if you want to get collected by your parents, then I suggest you contact them as soon as possible."

On that note, McGonagall nodded to the students as if to dismiss them, and stepped down from the lectern. The students took the que and moved quickly. Within a matter of seconds, the first years had been ushered away and most of the other students had disappeared to their dorms. Hermione knew that most, if not all, of the school would be gone that night. Those who didn't leave that night would surely be gone within the next few days. She however, would be stuck at Hogwarts for a while.

McGonagall waited until all of the dismissed students had left before stepping back up to the lectern and eyeing the remaining scholars.

"Those of you who wish to join leagues with the staff, please remain seated. The rest of you may return to your dormitories." There was a pause as students stood to leave. The majority of Gryffindor stayed put, except for a few girls, Lavender and Parvati included. Most of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff remained as well with a few exceptions.

The entire Slytherin table stood to leave. McGonagall sighed and turned back to the students who remained.

"To those who have remained seated, I wish to thank you, as well as warn you. War is no joke. This is a matter of life and death, and if you are scared, and have second thoughts, I suggest you leave now."

A few people stood up and hurried from the hall, ashamed of their cowardice. McGonagall watched with a tight smile on her lips. They were all children. Just helpless children. They shouldn't have to face a war and the death of friends, and the horror that combat wrought. She sighed.

"All of you who remain will be escorted to a new location tomorrow morning. You have tonight to say goodbye."

Hermione bit her lip to keep from crying. She wasn't naïve enough to think that everyone would come out unscathed. In books, good always won, but in real life, things didn't always work out like that. There was no telling whether or not she would even make it out alive, much less her friends. Harry, Ron, Ginny—what if she never saw them again? She would be ignorant to say that they weren't in the most danger. They would undoubtedly be the first targets. What if this was the end? She couldn't let them go without saying goodbye.

While the rest of the hall stood up to say their goodbyes, Hermione dashed off to find her friends.

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Poor girl, Draco thought guiltily, watching as Hermione made her way to the Gryffindor trio-turned-quartet, she'll probably never see them again.

For his part, Draco made his way up to the Slytherin common room. He wasn't worried that people would question why he had stayed in the hall—he could always lie and say that McGonagall had forced him because he was Head Boy. As it turned out, he didn't need to have made the excuse anyway. When he got to the common room, it was completely deserted.

Nice, the first chance I have to get out of school early, and I'm stuck here, Draco complained inwardly, flopping onto a common room couch. Any normal Slytherin would have seized this chance to go, and their parents would undoubtedly have agreed to let them come home, seeing as most were somehow connected with the Death Eaters. Draco felt slightly sad, glancing around the empty room. So much would change after the war. Hell, so much has changed now and we're not even in the damn war yet. He could help wondering if he would live to see the day when the school would be reunited with its students. He hoped so….

"Oh Harry!" Hermione cried, holding him in a close hug, "You can't go!" Hermione turned to face her redheaded companion, pulling him in close as well. "And you too Ron—you're all too young! What if you die? You can't leave me here, please!" She sobbed childishly. She knew it was immature, but didn't they see it was killing her? She couldn't go to fight with them, to protect them, to save them.

"Hermione, you have to get a grip!' Harry snapped, although he too was fighting to keep back his own tears. He wasn't afraid of death, but what it would do to the others around him.
We have to do this—we've always known this. You have a responsibility too though—you have the responsibility of looking after the students."

"I—well, I didn't—," Hermione stopped. Harry was right.

"Look Hermione, this is our last night together at Hogwarts. Instead of arguing, maybe we should enjoy it," Ginny suggested tiredly, hoping to calm down the rising tensions between her friends.

"Good idea!" Ron laughed, "I suggest skinny dipping in the lake! Well, except for Ginny that is," he joked. Hermione cracked a smile through her tears and reached out to smack his shoulder playfully. Ron feigned resignation and sighed. "Fine, why don't we all just go to the common room then," he groaned good-humoredly and joined his friends as they trudged up the stairs to the Gryffindor common room. All of them were smiling, but they couldn't get rid of the feeling that this may be the last time they would all be together.

The next morning came too early for everyone, and Hermione awoke with a feeling of dread. She had spent the past evening reminiscing with all of her friends, reliving each and every memory they had together, and falling asleep in one big pile on the common room couch until the cruelly-time morning sun awoke them all. Hermione felt sick.

The time had come for them to say goodbye.

Hermione's eyed were filled with tears, and Ginny was trying to be strong, but tears crawled along her cheek while she was telling Hermione how much she would miss her, and how they would celebrate when they saw each other again.

Hermione turned to Ron, and hugged him.

"Ron, all those arguments—I'm just, well, I wanted to say that I'm so sorry," she choked out, flinging herself into his arms. He held her close, whispering that everything would be fine in the end. He promised to look after Harry, which made Hermione giggle, and she gave Ron a kiss on his cheek. He turned bright red, and started staring at his feet. As Hermione pulled away from Ron, she took a deep breath in preparation of her last goodbye.

Harry.

"I don't know what to say to you," she squeaked out, wiping her eyes, "you have no idea how happy I am that you are my friend, and whatever happens to you, I will always be here for you. I won't ever understand what you have gone through, but don't forget, I will always be here to help you." It was weird, Hermione realized as she hugged Harry close, but this could be their last goodbye ever.

This was it.

Later, when the gang had all left to make their contributions in the war, Hermione walked upstairs to the Heads common room. She felt so lonely without her friends, and having the castle so empty was weird. It was true that she hadn't seen her friends as much as she wanted in her seventh year—Heads duties had kept her away—but the mere fact that they were all there, available when she needed them, had been comforting. Now, she felt alone.

Well, not completely alone.

Walking into the Heads common room, Hermione immediately spotted Draco sprawled lazily over the couch. He turned when he heard her come in, shooting up when he caught sight of her face. She was obviously upset.

Standing up, Draco moved over to Hermione and automatically took her into his arms. She melted against him, burying her face in his chest. He could feel her warm tears soaking through his shirt, but it didn't matter. All that mattered was that she was next to him, safe and secure, and he wasn't about to let her get hurt. He knew how upset she had been over having to stay at the castle, but Draco honestly couldn't have planned it any better. It was the perfect way to keep an eye on Hermione and make sure she wasn't doing anything stupid like risking her life for Potter. Leaning down, Draco gently kissed her forehead, and drew her closer. Without realizing what he was even doing, Draco found himself leaning down and whispered comforting things into her shock of brown hair. It was a while before either realized that this was the closest they had ever been. Hermione relaxed immediately. Her friends may have left, but she still had Draco. Someone to hold her, someone to protect her, someone to comfort her.

Someone to love her.

Hermione turned her head up to him, her eyes meeting his own silvery orbs. Then, before she could think or begin to analyze her actions, she found herself leaning upwards to kiss him. Their lips connected softly, her mouth brushing gently against his before catching him in a passionate osculation. It was the closest she had been with anyone in her whole life and every nerve in her body was on fire. She was prepared to do anything if it would make her feel better. She needed this.

She needed him.

A/N: Hey, tell me what you think! xx