Chapter 27 – Found

"Are you still mad at Harry?" H asked me.

I just came back to the school. The Ministry asked students to come back to school through the floo network for security reasons. H came back some time before me.

"I'm not sure. Partly angry, partly not angry." I answered.

"Don't you think you've let it go on for too long?" H asked me.

I blew air through my lips, "Maybe. In my defence, he kept me waiting me. When Granma saw me the first thing she said was 'hosts are not supposed to be late.' Not Merry Christmas!"

"Are you mad because your grandmother said something?" H looked confused.

"No. Just in that morning I asked if he was attracted to Ginny and he assured me I was mistaken. I confessed to having some insecurities and the very same day he is helping her choose outfits. Had he not lied I wouldn't have gotten this angry. Since he lied, it almost makes me feel like there's more to the story than I know."

"But Harry met us the next day and he was really nice to you the whole time. He was sorry and tried making it up to you"

"That was sweet, I'll admit." I smiled.

"What do you want to do?" H asked.

"Let's go see Hagrid." I suggested.

"Yes. It's been quite some time since I met him."


"Damn! It's so cold." I said when H and I got back to the castle after meeting Hagrid. The warming charms could do only so much.

H was rubbing her palms together, "Yes, I agree."

"Let's go down to the kitchen and get hot cocoas."

H nodded and we made our way towards the school kitchen. While we were going down there, we ran into Dumbledore.

"Good evening, Sir." H and I said at the same time.

"Good evening, girls. Good thing, we ran into each other. Could you please give this to Harry." He handed us a rolled up parchment.

H took it, "Of course, sir."

"Thank you. Did you both have a good holiday?"

"Yes, sir." Again both us said it at the same time.

Dumbledore smiled at us, "I'll be going now." He nodded at us and took off.

"I think it's about Harry next class." H said excitedly.

"I thought the same thing!" I said in mock excitement. "Same pinch." I pinched her on her arm.

"Ow! You didn't have to do that."

We reached the kitchen. I tickled the pear in the painting of a fruit basket and it turned into a doorknob. We went in and immediately the elves surrounded us asking us what we wanted.

"Two hot cocoas please." I requested.

"Dobby get it for misses." Dobby said and rushed around the kitchen. The other elves went back to preparing for dinner.

We waited there a few minutes talking about what Dumbledore may show Harry this time.

"Here, misses! Two hot cocoas!" Dobby handed us two large mugs.

"Thank you, Dobby!" I patted the multiple teacups on his head gently. He blushed.

"Thanks Dobby." H said.

"This feels so good," I said while drinking the hot cocoa.

"Yeah, it does! After that long walk back, this is amazing!"

We saw Ron arguing with the Fat Lady when we reached the Gryffindor Tower, Harry and Ginny looking amused.

"What's going on here?" H asked when we got close to them. H ignored Ron.

"Hermione! Nat!" Harry exclaimed happily. H hugged him. I stood there with my hands crossed on my body. When he attempted to hug me, I narrowed my eyes at him and he backed him off.

"Let's go inside." I suggested.

"If only we knew the password," Ron said rather sourly.

"Right. Abstinence." I told the Fat Lady and she let us in.

As soon as all of us got in, we heard a sickly sweet voice go, "Won-Won!" There was a whoosh and Lavender was in Ron's arms, kissing him. Scratch that, she was chewing his face. We all made a face of disgust and went into the common room.

"Ginny, do you want to join us?" Harry asked.

I looked at him like he lost his head.

"No, Harry. I told Dean I would meet him." Ginny replied and went to look for Dean.

Harry turned towards me with his palms out as if asking me to let him speak first, "I only asked her to join so you'd see that we're just friendly. Totally platonic."

"Right, I believe you." I told him sarcastically.

He sighed in defeat. Just then, McLaggen joined us.

"Hey Hermione."

"Hey Cormac."

H and McLaggen started talking while I ignored Harry's pleas.

"Oh, I almost forgot." H said suddenly. "Dumbledore asked me to give this to you." She gave Harry the rolled up parchment.

"Great. It's tomorrow." Harry said happily.

"What is tomorrow." McLaggen asked.

"Nothing." Harry said quickly.

McLaggen looked like he was going to press this but one of his friends called him. He kissed H chastely and said, "I'll see you later." He took off with his friends.

Ron saw that and he looked furious.


I rushed to my dorm after dinner. I just saw Draco in the great hall. He looked even more pale and terrified than before the holidays. He looked like he was about to break. He looked desperate. I needed to know where he is going. The took the map out of my trunk and tapped it, "I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good."

The map came to life. I started with the great hall, very few students were still there. Most of the Slytherins were on their way to the dungeons. But I didn't find Draco in that group. I went back to the great hall and searched different routes from there. Finally, I found him in one of the boys' washrooms on the fifth floor. He was with Goyle. Draco paced around while Goyle did what I supposed was his business and came out of the cubicle. Both of them went up to the seventh floor. Goyle stopped moving and a few seconds later Draco disappeared.

"I've got you this time, Draco." I said to myself. "Mischief managed." I put the map in my jacket pocket and quickly went down.

"Nat, please listen to me." I heard Harry say when I was just about to leave through the portrait hole.

I turned to face him, "Harry not now. I'm sort of in a hurry."

"Come on, Nat. You're overreacting."

I was impatient and Harry was stalling me, "Fine Harry. I forgive you." I kissed him, I even used my tongue for more impact.

"Wow!" He said dreamily.

"I know." I pecked him on the lips. "How 'bout we talk about this when I get back? Rather let's talk about this tomorrow?"

"I think we should talk now." He moved closer to me until I was pressed in between the wall and him. Any other time, I would have liked this but now I'm just getting irritated. I never expected my plan to backfire. He started kissing me. He was doing other things and I was finding it very difficult to concentrate on Draco.

The portrait door opened, a small group of fourth years came in. one of them very cheekily said, "Get a room."

"Thanks for the advice." Harry was vexed. He touched his forehead to mine. " Want to continue this some place private?" He asked me. He sounded hopeful.

"Harry, I want to. I really want to but I have somewhere to be. I apologise."

"You don't have another boyfriend do you?" He asked me nervously.

"Are you mocking me?" I smacked him.

"Hey, I was just trying to lay down my insecurities." He smiled cutely at me.

"It's not funny Harry. This is so mean."

"Even you wanting to leave after that kiss, is mean." He retorted.

I sighed, "Harry, I promise I'm not cheating on you. We will talk about this tomorrow."

"Only talk?" He raised his eyebrows at me.

I smiled, "Maybe even more. Now let me go before I change my mind." I pecked him on his cheek and left through the portrait hole before Harry could stop me again.


I leaned on the wall next to the Fat Lady's portrait. I closed my eyes. Wow! That was really wow! Maybe Harry and I need to argue often if we're going to make up like that. I took a couple of deep breaths to calm myself down. Right now, Draco is my focal point. I took the map out and said," I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." The map came to life. There was still around forty-five minutes to curfew. Goyle was still waiting where Draco had left him. Good I didn't miss them.

I got the seventh floor quickly. I hid behind a tapestry. I could see a second year girl waiting in front of a wall. The map confirmed that it was indeed Goyle who was standing there. I realised where Goyle was waiting. Oh my God! The room of requirement! Draco is in the room of requirement. I put a 'silencio' on my shoes so I wouldn't startle Goyle. He had a pair of potions scales with him. Did he have them to signal Draco? I had to make sure he didn't drop them. If I stun him, he'll drop them and fall. If I use a body bind curse, he'll fall and the 'thud' will signal Draco. What do I use?

I hope this works. I used a freezing charm. Goyle froze where he was standing like a statue. Now I can go in.

'I want to go the room where Draco is right now.' I thought and walked three times. But no door appeared.

Maybe I should try something different. 'The room Draco is in.' I walked three times and nothing. That was bad.

I tried a few more ways to get in but none of them worked. I considered unfreezing Goyle and asking him if Draco said anything before going in. I decided to wait and watch. A few more minutes to curfew, if he got Goyle to stand guard for him then he probably wants to go back to the dungeons before the curfew.

A few minutes later, a door appeared on the wall. I went back and broke into a run towards the door. I knew, the run would create enough force for me to push Draco a little. Before Draco was completely out of the door I pushed him and myself inside. While Draco recovered from the push, I noticed we where in a large room. The articles in the room looked like old stuff from the school, old books, chairs, desks, robes. All of a sudden the room started changing. Now, it was a just a plain, small, stone room. There were torches on the walls, no furniture.

It was only then I noticed Draco looking at me furiously.

"What the hell do you think you are doing here?" He asked angrily.

"Found you."

He was angry, "I told you to stay away from me. But you decided to follow me? Don't you understand simple English?"

"I just want to know what you're up to. Whatever it is you can tell me. I will help you. I can -"

"I don't need you're help. I don't need anybody's help. I can do everything on my own." He shouted at me.

"Look we can go to Dumbledore. We can end this. We'll leave, if you want. We'll leave, just you and I."

He snorted at me, "It will not be over. It will never be over. And you won't leave with me. You won't leave precious Pothead all by himself."

"We'll go away from here. We'll get your mom, get her to safety. Draco please listen to me."

"I'm sorry but I can't let you walk away from here. I know, you don't know anything but I can't take chances." He took his wand out and pointed it at me. "Obliviate."

"Protego!" A strong shield formed in front of me. I felt the memory charm bounce off it. I didn't drop my shield. "How dare you! I'm here to help you."

"Help me? Help me or help Potter?" he shouted.

"You! You arsehole! I'm going to find out what you are up to, Draco. I'm going to find a way to end this only so I can get you back."

He looked stunned. He didn't say anything for a while. We just stared at each other. I didn't drop my shield. I wasn't scared but I just had to be on my guard. 'Constant Vigilance' like Prof. Moody would say.

"Fine, I won't use the memory charm on you." He said finally.

"How do I know for sure?"

"You don't. You just have to take my word for it." He said.

"I'm not dumb Draco. I can't believe it that you'd use your wand on me. I'm angry Draco!"

He dropped his wand hand. "Here. Now you've to believe me"

I was hesitant. "Now tell me what were you doing here?"

"I'm not telling you."

"Why are you avoiding Snape?"

He picked up his wand, "I'm not telling you."

"Damn it, Draco! You better tell me something. Did you have something to do with the Katie Bell incident?"

He looked pained for a moment. If I had blinked I would have missed it. "I'm not telling you anything."

"You did. You have something to do with it. Tell me." I shouted.

"I'm not afraid of you. You shouting at me won't scare me off."

"Just tell me." I told him coldly.

"I don't have time for this. Expelliarmus!" Before I could react my wand flew into his hand.

There was nowhere to run. He had his wand pointed at me.


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