A Hope for Renewed Love Chapter Seven, a harry potter fanfic

Disclaimer: I own nothing J.K. Rowling created with her brilliant mind. I only own the plot and characters I have created.

Author's Note: It took me a while to figure out how I wanted to handle the twist I wrote in. (Darian's letter mentioning Hogwarts). Well I finally came to a conclusion that I like, and I'm hoping you'll all love it too. Although I can't say for sure whether or not Darian's letter will be explained in this chapter. I just write as I go.

Enjoy!

A Hope for Renewed Love

Chapter Seven

Hermione took a left on the second floor corridor. She was running like her life depended on it. Oh, wait, her life did depend on it. She didn't dare turn her head, or glance over her shoulder, for she knew he was still behind her.

His footsteps slapped hard on the stone, and they came closer than she ever would have liked. The Gryffindor took a sharp right turn onto a staircase leading to the first floor. She jumped from the top of the stairs and landed heavily on the bottom. She took no time to think though. She simply kept going.

She had tried calling for help, but it was as if no one could hear her. Or maybe it was that no one cared. After all, nobody knew. Not a single person here at Hogwarts knew what she was feeling, and what she had been through. She was alone in this battle, and alone, Hermione knew she would lose.

She heard the man's running suddenly stop, and her body was slammed into the ground by another. He turned Hermione onto her back, and straddled her waist and legs. He grabbed both her arms, and pinned them to the ground also.

Hermione turned her head, and looked into the pale green eyes of Darian. She hated him. She wanted to kill him. But she was alone, and alone she would die because of him.

'I told you not to run, baby. Why can't you ever just listen to me?' Darian whispered in a sickly sweet tone. 'I'm going to take you away from here, Hermione. I'll take you somewhere where we can live happily, like we're supposed to.'

'Happy, my ass. You're such a bastard. I hate you!'

A hand swiftly made contact with Hermione's cheek, and she couldn't stop the tears from swimming in her eyes. She tried her best to move. She struggled against the barriers of Darian's weight, but to no avail. She was his. There was nothing she could do about it.

There wasn't a single person in Hogwarts to save her. After all, she never told a soul about Darian.

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Harry and Ron woke to a squeaking noise. Hermione's bed was shaking ever so slightly. They both brought their heads up and looked at Hermione. She was having another sleeping fit. She'd been having quite a few lately. The first one had terrified the two boys, but unfortunately, they were becoming normal.

It had been two days since Hermione had passed out in the Great Hall. Ron and Harry had rushed her to the Hospital Wing, and had stayed by her side as much as they possibly could. Madame Pompfrey said that Hermione had just fainted, but the girl needed much rest. She would have to wake up in her own time, when the body was ready.

Being loyal to their female companion, the boys did not read Hermione's letters, as she had asked. They were ever so curious as to what was so terrible that Hermione had fainted, but they weren't about to break Hermione's trust.

Harry and Ron each grabbed one of Hermione's hands to help try and calm her. It rarely helped, but it was all they felt they could do at the moment.

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Draco Malfoy sat in the common room, going over the past few days in his head. He had seen it all in the Great Hall. He had been ever so slightly watching Hermione. He saw every emotion she went through with her letters.

With the first letter, she had been content. After she read the second letter, Draco thought the girl might burst with joy. He saw confusion and anger in the third letter. But the fourth letter was the most important. He had seen the terror in her eyes. She had paled ever so quickly. It was in slow motion that her body had fallen from her seat. She had said something to Potter and Weasley, and then her body had connected with the floor.

Potter had been the first to reach Hermione, with Weasley a second after him. They yelled her name, and picked her up, running out the doors. Draco's first instinct had been to jump up and follow them. Why? Good question. A question to which Draco had no answer.

For the last time, Draco told himself that he did not, and could not care about Granger. It was against the rules. Wasn't it?

Draco banged his head against the table repeatedly until a headache formed. He continued his remembrance of the last few days. He had gone to visit Hermione twice. The first time he went, he was there with Potter, Weasley, Dumbledore, and McGonagall. That Pompfrey woman had explained that Hermione had simply fainted and her body needed time to recuperate from lack of rest. It was also the first time she had had a sleeping fit. Potter and Weasley yelled and demanded answers. They had grabbed her hands to help try and calm her, but it did nothing.

The two boys had not liked Draco's presence there. They had all abut ordered to know why Draco was allowed in the Hospital Wing when Hermione was there.

Draco had replied saying that as Head Boy, he had a right to know what was going on in the school, much less with the Head Girl, as he would need to know what to tell the prefects and teachers.

The second time Draco had visited Hermione was during the night when her two bodyguards were out with the Gryffindor Quidditch team practicing. She had one of her many sleeping fits, and her had grabbed her hand and held it. He didn't know what made him do it, but it felt right. Her small, delicate hand squeezed his strong, slightly bigger hand, as if looking for support and comfort.

He sat there like that for almost an hour. She had calmed down a while ago, but never did let go of his hand. And he didn't let go of hers. He left a little while later, and he swore her heard Hermione mumble something, but never did make out what it was.

Draco knew there was no point in trying to sleep. He hadn't been able to for the last two nights. What should be so different tonight?

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There wasn't a single person in Hogwarts to save her. After all, she never told a soul about Darian.

Hermione Granger popped open her eyes and sat up quick as lightening. She looked at her surroundings, taking in all the white. As she gathered that she was in the Hospital Wing, she tried to remember what had happened.

She recalled the dinner, and receiving letters. The first had been from her parents of course. The second from Mike. Such a sweet letter. The third had been from…oh that's right, from Kelly. Hermione couldn't believe she had the guts to write.

That's when it hit her. The fourth letter. The one from Darian. He knew where Hogwarts was. Does that mean he's a wizard? Will he come for her? Is he already on his way? Is he here now?

Madame Pompfrey came out of her office, and saw Hermione sitting up in her bed. The girl's face was paling again, and her eyes were wide with terror. She went over to Hermione, and tried to see what was the matter. But by this time, Hermione already had tears running down her face, and was shaking from fear. She kept mumbling something, but Pompfrey couldn't make it out.

So she wrote a quick note to Albus, telling him that Hermione was awake, but there were still problems. He quickly sent a note to Care of Magical creatures, to take some students out of class.

Hagrid received the note and read it with some confusion. He looked out at his class of Gryffindor and Slytherin seventh year students, and called forward three.

"Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, and Draco Malfoy. I need to see you three right now."

The three gentlemen walked up to Hagrid, none understanding why they would be called up together.

"I just got a note from Dumbledore," Hagrid started. "It says that Hermione is awake, and that you three are requested in the hospital wing by the Headmaster."

Harry and Ron took off at a run, while Draco walked behind. He didn't want to look enthused that Hermione was awake. He shouldn't be, but his insides were squirming, and he let out his breath like he'd been holding it for days.

When he arrived in the Hospital Wing, Harry and Ron were still trying to comfort the crying and shaking Hermione. She was shaking her head, and trying to say something, but it all came out in mumbles. Draco walked towards Hermione until he was right in front of her. He distinctly saw Harry and Ron tighten their grips on Hermione, as though Draco would pick her up and run. Hermione looked into his eyes, and mumbled something between crying and sniffles.

"Granger, stop crying and speak to us. If you keep crying and mumbling, we'll never figure out what you're so poorly trying to say." She took a few minutes and the crying slowly died down into silent tears. "Ok, now try again."

"Is he here? He knows where Hogwarts is. I thought he was a muggle. He knows. He's going to come for me. He's going to kill me." Everyone was shocked by what they were hearing except for Draco and Dumbledore.

"Who, Hermione? Who's going to kill you?" Harry asked, worry thick in his voice. Hermione just looked up into Draco's eyes, and in that instant Draco knew whom she was talking about. Hermione saw the note of realization in Draco's eyes, and pleaded with her own not to say anything.

"Look, Granger. You're safe here. No one is going to hurt you, let alone kill you. Even if he knows where Hogwarts is, he will not hurt you." Not while I'm around, Draco thought, and then mentally kicked himself.

"Who?" Ron asked, annoyance starting to show. "Hermione, why does Malfoy know who you're talking about? Who are we talking about? Just tell us Hermione."

"I can't tell Ron. I just can't," Hermione whispered, slightly shaking her head. Harry turned his head towards Malfoy, fire ablaze in his eyes.

"What do you know?"

"It's not my story to tell, Potter."

"Damn it, Malfoy. Just fucking tell us this guy's name or something. Did he hurt her before? Did he try to kill her before? Do you even care?"

"If I didn't have at least a drop of compassion for the situation, then I wouldn't be here. And like I said before, what I know I will keep to myself, unless I have Granger's permission to share. I hardly know much more than you anyways."

Hermione just remained silent, and Draco took it as a declination. He was about to turn around and leave when Dumbledore spoke.

"Dear Madame, is Ms. Granger stable enough to leave the Wing?" Pompfrey simply nodded at the Headmaster, so he continued. "Mr. Malfoy, I would like you to escort Ms. Granger to the Head Dorms, and see to it that she's alright."

"Yes, sir," Draco replied. Harry and Ron looked outraged that Malfoy got to be with Hermione after all this, but kept their mouths shut.

"Harry, Ron, you may both return to your afternoon class, and tell your professor that you were both with me," Dumbledore said. Harry and Ron left after giving Hermione hugs, and saying they would see her at dinner. After they were gone, and Pompfrey back in her office, Dumbledore turned to Hermione.

"Ms. Granger, it would be wise to share your secret with at least one other person in the school. There is no doubt in my mind that it will take time, and it will be dreadfully hard for you, but you will feel better afterwards. Trust me." Hermione just nodded her head in reply. Draco and Hermione watched the wizard walk out of the Hospital Wing.

Draco looked at Hermione, and then nodded his head towards the doors. Getting the idea, Hermione slowly tried to get off the bed, but fell in a heap on the floor. No words were spoken as Draco helped Hermione get up. She tried to stand on her own two feet, but failed miserably. So against Draco's better judgment, he slipped an arm around Hermione's tiny waist, and they gradually made their way to the Head common room.

Upon arriving, Draco took Hermione straight up to her room, and helped her into the bed. He watched her pull the covers up to her chin after she lay down. She mumbled thanks, and then Draco quietly backed out of the room.

He walked through the door of his room, and instantly fell on his bed into a light sleep.

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Hermione woke up in the middle of the night. Something was wrong, she could tell. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she heard a noise come from her right. She turned her head sharply listening. There it was again. The creaking noise, like someone walking on hardwood floors.

Before she could say a word, there was a hand over her mouth, and a voice telling her not to scream. Next thing she knew, there was another body in the bed, and the person was on top of Hermione. She struggled against the other human, but she could hardly move. He started screaming at her. 'Granger, Granger, Granger.'

"Granger! Wake up Granger!"

Hermione's eyes snapped open, and she looked up to find Malfoy staring down at her. His hands were on her shoulders, and he was looking at her strangely.

"You're making a lot of ruckus, Granger. People are trying to sleep here." Draco didn't mean to sound cruel, but sometimes that's all he knew how to do. However, when he saw the big tears rolling out of Hermione's brown eyes, he sighed in guilt. "Sorry. Didn't mean to be cruel."

Hermione just nodded her head. She watched as Draco turned to make his way out the door, and then she spoke.

"Malfoy?" It was hardly audible, but nevertheless, Draco turned and waited for more. "Will you stay?"

Draco was shocked. Granger wanted him to stay in her room? He didn't say anything for a few minutes.

"Why?"

"I…I feel…I feel safe with you near me," Hermione whispered, glad for the dark night.

"Alright," Draco replied. He took out his wand and conjured himself a small bed right next to Hermione's. "Get some sleep, Granger."

Hermione smiled slightly and closed her eyes. She was asleep within minutes.

Draco used this time to study Hermione's appearance. Her hair was by no means bushy, but it was still rather large. The brown tresses were more just curls instead of frizz. She had always had a rather nice complexion. Her eyes were the same brown they'd always been. He couldn't see her body under the covers, but he knew from that afternoon that it was like any other teenage girl. She had curves, but they weren't massive. She dressed like she always had, tasteful and preppy. All in all, she was a pretty girl. Sure, she wasn't gorgeous, but who cares?

With these newfound thoughts swimming in his head, Draco fell asleep once more.

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Sorry that this chapter is kind of short. The next should be longer, but I really wanted to get this one out. Some of you are probably waiting for Darian to come and jump out from behind a door or something, but not yet…sorry.

Please review! It'll make me want to write more and post faster if I get plenty of reviews! They don't even have to be nice if you want! Although most of them always are…PLEASE REVIEW!