a/n: sorry it took me so long to update. i got a new computer and had to go through a few things before being able to go on it again. i hope you like this chapter!
Now in the middle of November, weather felt like December. On a Hogsmead Saturday, Hermione had agreed to go with Ginny. Wearing a black coat, scarf and hat, Hermione still felt a chill in her. She followed Ginny toward Weasley's Wizard Weezes. Fred and George had managed to get one of their stores to Hogsmead, even though they knew their products were forbidden on Hogwarts grounds. When they entered the busy building, Hermione and Ginny lost each other almost instantly. Feeling relieved by the warmth of the room, Hermione went to the front counter and saw Fred negotiating with a customer. Hermione noticed a lot of younger students in the shop. The students were always mesmorized over the shop's products.
George appeared from behind a back door and grinned widely once he saw Hermione. "Hey there stranger" he greeted. He swung his arm around Hermione's neck. Fred looked up from the cash register and saw Hermione as well. "Well hello 'Mione. Long time no see, eh?" Fred grinned. Hermione was never able to keep a straight face when with the twins after fifth year or so. She found the twins' wit amusing. "Hey guys. Looks like you're busy today." Fred waved his hand dismissively. "Oh no. This is a normal day. Busy days are chaos! We have to kick some people out because its so damn crowded!" Hermione laughed as she escaped from George's clutches. When she did so, Fred and George shared a smirk.
Fred came up behind Hermione. "A little birdy told us a few new things about you 'Mione." George nodded in agreement. "Indeed. I heard you defended Malfoy when he and Ron had a little row." Just remebering the incident made Hermione's blood boil. "It wasn't just a 'little row' as you've put it so delicately. Ron was being so cruel! He had Draco in a cast for weeks!" The red-haired twins cocked their eyebrows. "it's Draco now is it?" Fred asked. "If I'm not mistaken, you had once called Malfoy a 'vile, lothesome, evil little cockroach'?" George added. Hermione's cheecks pinkened. "We live together now. We agreed to act decent to each other." "Oh?" the twins said in unison. "How does snogging him outside the school count as being 'decent'?" George asked. She glared at him and huffed.
"I refuse to be here and be...well...questioned by two men who haven't even seen the...well..scene." With that said, she huffed and puffed out of the store, completely forgetting about Ginny. Once she opened the door, cold air smacked her in the face almost painfully. She tightened her scarf, she pulled her hat over her ears and she brought her coat closer to her body. She walked toward The Three Broomsticks and quickly opened the door. It wasn't as crowded as she had expected.
"Damn Weasleys" she had heard Madam Rosemarta mumble under her breath as she walked passed tables. Hermione found herself a booth and sat down. she took off her hat and her brown hair had gone completely frizzy. She held her black, wool hat in her hands. She sighed and put the hat down on the table. She laced her fingers and laid them on the newly washed table. She let out a yawn. She assumed no one was in the booth behind her since it was so quiet. She stretched out her arms and had her hands move over to the other booth. She had hit someone. "Ouch" she heard a voice say.
A slight yelp came out of her mouth. She looked onto the booth behind her and saw Draco rubbing his head. "Oh my gosh. I am so sorry Draco." She apologized. "I had no idea you were behind me." He shook his head. "Nevermind about it. What are you doing here alone?" he asked, quickly changing the subject. Hermione shrugged. "It's cold out there, it's warm in here. Things connect." He laughed. "You wanna sit here? I'm alone as well." Smiling, Hermione grabbed her hat and sat in the seat across from Draco. He had on his black turtleneck and black slacks. His black blazer fit him so perfectly.
"You're not cold?" Hermione asked him, quizzingly. Without saying anything, Draco lifted his coat that was next to him and gave her a face that said See?. "Oh" she replied to his facial expression. She put her hands on the table and looked at them. They sat in silence and it was only broken when Draco had ordered the two of them a butterbeer. Minutes passed and Madame Rosemarta had passed by their table and dropped off their drinks. She eyeed the two students suspiciously before she walked away. Hermione took a sip of her butterbeer and looked out the window. Draco noticed that Hermione looked at everything except him.
"Err...Hermione?" She quickly looked at him. "Yes Draco?" "I want to discuss last night with you. About...V.N.M." he said hesitantly. Hermione listened. "I think we should start working on it. You know. So we can hopefully figure this out by the end of the year." A small smile crept onto her face. "That would be fabulous. It shouldn't take that long since its only a few initials." Initials that could be anything. she thought. Another silence. "Another thing" Draco said, a little more quieter than before. "I wanna talk about...yesterday in the broom closet. I have no idea what had came over me. I was curious at first and I don't know how I felt after that and-" He was cut off by Hermione placing her index finger over his lips.
"I want to talk about that too. Just not here okay?" He nodded wide eyed, almost surprised at Hermione. She continued to sip her butterbeer with a smirk on her face. To Draco, she was acting very un-Hermione-like. The rest of their time in The Three Broomsticks wasn't silent. They talking about their summers and their favorite subjects. Hermione had learned that Draco had almsot liked school as much as she did. They were so busy talking to each other, they didn't even notice Harry and Ron watching them outside.
"What's Malfoy doing with Hermione?" Ron thought out loud. He saw Hermione laugh at something Draco had said to her. Ron's ears became red. Harry wasn't sure whether it was the cold or his anger that did it. "It looks like they're just talking" Harry said. Ron shook his head, "Its never 'just talking' with them! They can sneak off somewhere and snog each others heads off!" Harry rolled his eyes and walked alongside The Three Broomsticks and entered. Ron came in after him.
They took a table near Hermione and Draco's. Ron stayed quiet and tried to listen in on what they were talking about.
"--I mean, I enjoy watching Harry play quidditch but playing? Not my thing" Hermione had finished explaining to Draco. "Why don't you play? You afraid of getting hit or something?" Hermione shook her head. She twisted her finger around a curl in her hair. "I guess I'm a little scared of heights." she said sheepishly. "What!" Hermione and Draco turned their heads toward the person who had just spoken.They both saw Ron covering his mouth and Harry covering his face withthe hood of his robes.
Outraged, Hermione stood up and grabbed her things. "Hermione?" Draco said, looking a little disappointed. Without a word, she took Draco's wrists and dragged him out of the pub. Harry looked at Ron and smacked him in the back of his head. "What's your problem!" Ron shook his head again and sank into his seat.
Once out of The Three Broomsticks and they went up a couple of blocks, Hermione let go of Draco. Hermione leaned against a brick building. She looked around the the block seemed deserted. In a distance, they could see the sea of students where the shops were. But where Hermione and Draco were, they were alone. "I'm so sorry. I had no idea Ron was gonna be there. He's always trying to spy on me now and its getting annoy-" She was cut off herself by Draco placing his own index finger over her lips.
The stood there, staring into each other's eyes. "We never got to talk about V. N. M." she whispered. Draco came in closer to her. "We'll talk about it later." "Are you sure about what you're doing?" she continued to whisper. He nodded and placed his lips on her. Unlike they're other kisses, this one was more passionate, but heated at the same time. Draco placed his hands on her hips and she had her arms around his neck.
The only thing that disconnected Hermione and Draco's lips was the dier need to breathe. As their breaths were fast and they could see their own breath from the cold weather. They looked into each other's eyes and Hermione smiled. They laced their fingers together and stood there in the cold, by themselves.
Harry and Ron were wandering around Hogsmead. After they left The Three Broomsticks, Ron started to look for Hermione. "Ron, she's gonna have to go back to the castle. It's so cold out here, she can't be far" Harry tried to reason. Ron didnt want to listen. Later, Harry told him he was leaving to the castle. So when he was alone, Ron began to actually search for Hermione. He went up and down alleyways and in and out of stores. No sign of Hermione. He stopped in front of an alley leading to the deserted part of Hogsmead. But no one goes there so Hermione couldn't be in there. 'But...' Ron thought. He took his chances and walked down the alley. He turned a corner and looked around the empty area. There was no sign of anyone even living in the area. Then he heard a noise.
Ron walked up a street and followed the noise. It was very, very faint. He could hardly hear it but he followed what he did hear. He turned a corner and saw something he really didn't want to see. 'Oh shit! Hermione...Malfoy...making out...' he thought. He stood there for a while before running back to the castle. He hurried back to Gryffindor tower and found Harry warming up in front of the fire. Ron was pale and was breathing fast. "What's wrong Ron?" Harry asked when he saw the state of his friend. "Hermione...Malfoy..." he stuttered. Harry rolled his eyes. "I told you. They looked like they were just talking." Ron shook his head violently. "They were all over each other! Making out! I wasn't surprised Malfoy wasn't choking her with his tongue down her throat!" "Ron, don't you think your exaggerating a little?" "I'M NOT!"
Harry refused to listen. Ron ran his hands through his flaming red hair and sighed. 'Hermione, think about who you're dealing with.' he thought.
Later, Draco and Hermione returned to their common room and sat on the couch together. Hermione leaned against Draco comfortably. They lied there with their fingers laced together and in silence. Unlike their other silences, this one wasn't uncomfortable, awkward or nearly painful. This was a special silence. "Hermione?" Draco whispered, breaking the silence. "Yes?" Hermione whispered back. "I love you" he said even softer than before. Hermione heard him clearly. She got off of him and looked at him with a smile on her face. "Say again?" Draco looked at his hands and back at her. "I said I love you."
Hermione broke into happy tears and threw her arms around his neck. "Oh Draco! I love you too." She kissed himand he didn't hesitate tokiss her back. After a few minutes, they let go of each other and smiled at each other. Hermione just wanted to stare into Draco's eyes forever. She could've if she wanted to. But of course, there were interupptions. There was a tapping at the window. Looking toward it, Hermione and Draco saw an owl. Not a familiar owl they have ever seen in the Owlery. Slowly getting up from the couch, Hermione went over to the window and opened it for the owl. The owl flew in and landed on the coffee table infront of Draco.
The owl dropped a letter and flew out. Draco looked down at it. Hermione took it and opened it. Draco stood and looked over her shoulder as they read.
Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Granger-Head Boy and Girl of Hogwarts School of WItchcraft and Wizardry...
V.N.M. is a puzzle. Find your peices and put then together. Rewind, fast forward, play. Vfor the venom in her eyes. N for the natural cruelty that has been passed on to her. And M. The M..M for the "Master" family she wasn't able to grow in. THINK. Both are smart. Ponder and wonder all your thoughts and put them together. Your answer will come to you.
Take this advice surely and use it well
The letter was finished. Both Hermione and Draco were speechless. She let the peice of parchment fall from her fingers. Draco looked at her as she looked down at her hands. He put his arms around her. "Mione?" he said softly. She blinked. She slowly looked at Draco. "Who do you think sent this?" he asked. Looking back at her hands, Hermione said, "I don't know." Taking one of her hands, Draco took Hermione back to the couch in front of the fire.
"It may be a mystery at who sent it but its still help" Draco says. Nodding, Hermione looked at the window. Rain hit against the window lightly. "I don't know. What if this letter is a trick?" Draco looked confused. "How could it be a trick? It's helping us figure out what V.N.M stands for." Hermione sighed. "I know. I'm just suspicious. There's no name, no address, I'm just worried." He took her hand into his. "Don't worry." She gave him a small smile and stood. "I'm going to bed." Draco nodded and watched her leave. He was worried for her.
Later that night whenHermione was in bed the dream came back to her...
Running through thosethewoods she had visited so many times in her dreams. Only something was different. She didn't hear the voice that sent shivers up her spine and she was running longer than she usually does. Seeing the spot where she usually trips, she attempted to avoid it again. Strangely enough, she did...She ran passed it and continued to run. Everything was silent. Even though she was running over Fall's leaves it was still silent.
Then she reached somewhere she had never seen before in her dreams. A large lake with a waterfall at an end. Hermione stood near the waterfall, feeling its light mist and breathing in the fresh air. She smiled. Her smile soon faded as she felt pressure against her back. She fell into the lake. Falling deeper she didn't know which way was up. "Open your eyes you fool." the voice said. It echoed loudly in Hermione's ears. She slowly opened her eyes and saw the owner of the haunting voice.
A teenager. Around Hermione's age. She was fine figured and had long platinum blond hair. Steely grey eyes. She looked familiar. Her clothes. Was she meant to look like a doll? She wore a unbelievably short, black and green plaid dress. Her long, silky blond hair was put in a low ponytail. Hermione couldn't put her finger on it. She had never seen this person before. Or at least she doesn't think she has. "Who are you?" Hermione asks.With a straight face, the blond girl says "So you don't know who I am?" Her voice echoing as loud as before. Flinching by the volume, Hermione shook her head. Coming closer the blond bent down and came close to Hermione's face. "I...am V. N. M. I feel offended that you don't remember me Mimi. We were after all, best mates."
She stood straight once again and winked. She disappeared from an explosion of bubbles. Hermione stayed in the water, eyes wide open. Just then, her eyes stung like mad. She closed them quickly. Suddenly she had the dyer need for air. She squirmed and struggled to get back to the surface. When she finally did she swam to land. She crawled on the dirt and panted quickly on her hands and knees. "Need help there Mimi?" asked a small child's voice. Looking up was Virginia. She had her hand held out to Hermione. Hesitantly, Hermione took it. Still breathing deeply, Hermione stood. She looked down at the small blond girl.
A smile lied on the little girls face. "You got tall Mimi" she said sweetly. Hermione did not know what to say. She has never had the nick name Mimi. The sweet smile on the little girls face faded. Then somgthing stange happened. As if made of colored dust, Virginia started blowing away. Hermione stepped back. Replacing Virginia's place was V. N. M. again. Only she wasn't dressed in doll-like clothes. She wore black and emerald velvet. A floor length gown fit snuggly on her finely figured body. On the emerald cloak she wore held a crest. Being a few feet away from her, Hermione wasn't able to see the crest completely. V. N. M. snapped her fingers in front of Herminone's face.
Hermione regained her focus on the teenage girl. "Tell me your full name! What does V. N. M. stand for?" Hermione asked. Her voice was low and scared. V. N. M. walked close to Hermione and pushed her back. Expecting to feel water, Hermione felt nothing. She screamed. She held onto the first peice of land her hand could grab. She looked down. The water was gone. In its place was a hole. Hermione could not see it's bottom. She looked away from the darkness and to V. N. M. again. Looking down at the girl holding on for her dear life, the blond girl brought the tip of her heeled shoe to Hermione's fingers.
"Hope you wake up soon Mimi" snarled V. N. M. She pushed her shoe hard on Hermione's fingers, causing her to lose her grip and fall. V. N. M. watched Hermione fall into the pit of darkness. She hadn't felt a thing. After Hermione's screams faded, she walked away.
Screams filled Hermione's bedroom. Tears rolled down her cheek quickly and strickingly cold sweat caused her night shirt to cling to her body. She brought her knees to her chest and held on tightly. She cried and screamed into her knees. Draco rushed into her bedroom. He went to Hermione and held her. He lightly rubbed her back and said soothing things to her. "Calm down Hermione. Stop crying." "I-I saw her! V. N. M. I saw her!" Hermione stuttered lightly. "Ok. Let's not talk about this now. Shhh...it's ok. Ok, try to get out of bed. Come on, love." Slowly, Hermione got out of bed with Draco holding onto her. He brought her to the bathroom and told her she should take a long, relaxingbath.
After he left, Hermione tried to gather herself together. "Come on Hermione. Get together. It was just a silly dream" she kept saying to herself. She undressed and started the water in the tub. When it was ready she soaked herself in a pool full of water and bubbles. Before she got in she eyed the water warely. Then she got her senses back and lied down. She glanced at the clock. 4:58 a.m. She sighed and continued to soak.
After Hermione's little scene in her bedroom, Draco was unable to go back to sleep. He was worried about Hermione. He couldn't imagine how scared she must be.
To have these dreams must be horrifing. He thought about the letter they got about the memories. The M..M for the "Master" family she wasn't able to grow in. What was that suppose to mean? Draco knew the answer but it just wasn't getting to him quick enough. He fell back onto his matress. For some reason his thoughts went back to what he had told Hermione that day. He told he had loved her and she replied with the same. His feelings were taking over him. All of this was so...un-Draco like.
The sound of running water assured him that Hermione was relaxing. She deserved it. Soon enough, the sound of running water stopped. He stayed silent. His breath held. Light footsteps against the staircase, the sound of her bedroom door closing. After that, he breathed again. The many thoughts in his head whirled him into something he wanted: sleep. His thoughts exactly were: "I'll worry about this tomorrow".
OMG THAT TOOK SOOOOOO LONG. I AM SOOOO SORRY PPL! I HOPE U LIKE THIS ONE! R&R PWEEZE (kno flames u kno it)