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: As always, I'm very sorry this took a while to get out. I barely have any time to do anything anymore, what with work and school, so please be patient with me.
P.S. I'm so sorry that this is so short! The next chapter will be longer, and hopefully come much sooner than this one did. Thank you for reading!
A Hope for Renewed Love
Chapter Eight
Days had gone by since the night Draco slept in Hermione's room, and Hermione was slowly gaining more strength. Harry and Ron watched over her as much as they could, and when they weren't around, Draco was keeping tabs.
It was a Saturday afternoon that Hermione remembered she had yet to finish her D.A.D.A. report. She knew she had finished the first two parts. She and Draco had both written those parts in class. Had he already written what he could gain or learn from her? What would he write? Hermione shook her head and began to write.
Meanwhile, in his room, Draco was doing the same exact thing. He had thought for a while now about what he might write. He had an idea, but wasn't sure if he could put it into words. Nevertheless, Draco picked up his quill and started the last portion of his essay.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Classes were finished for the day, and dinner had already passed. Livvi picked up the essays of her seventh year defense against the dark arts students. She started reading through each one. She didn't bother to grade them, for there was no right or wrong answer. She simply read them, and possibly made comments.
She had been reading through them for over and hour when she came to the last two. They belonged to Draco and Hermione. This ought to be interesting,she thought.
Hermione GrangerDefense Against the Dark Arts
Seventh Year
Let me start by saying that this procedure was a wonderful experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. That being said, I shall start with my strengths. I could maneuver about the obstacles and room easily enough. I have a quick, light, almost soundless step, which makes it easier to get around without being heard and found. I am an all right listener. I concentrate very hard on figuring out where my partner is, and I do ok. It's something I could work on, but I'm not terrible. My speed and agility in the simulation room was, again, only mediocre. It depends on what I'm trying to do, and where my head and feet are trying to take me.
My weaknesses are more noticeable. My partner was nice enough to tell me that I was breathing quite loud, and I didn't even realize it. I do need to work on that. I don't know why I was breathing so loud though, because I was not tired or worn out. I also need to stay in place and concentrate harder. Sometimes when I hear something, I automatically start moving towards the sound. I shouldn't do this though. I should wait it out a little longer to see if it moves, or fake a move so the noisemaker moves. I shouldn't rely on just sounds though. I hadn't even thought about smell in there. I should also trust my gut instincts more.
Now, don't take this next part in the wrong sense. I do not mean that I could actually gain this from my partner, but more obtain it by observing him. I believe that, from Draco Malfoy, I could gain a sense of safety/freedom. Safety and freedom of what I cannot tell, and it will stay that way. The reason I think I can gain this from Mr. Malfoy is obvious. He is a proud person and he is strong. He is strong physically, emotionally, and mentally. If I were as strong as Mr. Malfoy, I would not have to be a victim of the never-ending fear that envelops me day and night. Without the fear, I could be free. Free of the memories, free of the nightmares, and free of the paranoia that reality may come crashing down on me any day.
By the time Livvi had finished reading, she had a shimmer of salty water in her eyes. The last few sentences, as haunting as they were, portrayed the writings of a beautiful poem. She was curious beyond belief on what Hermione was talking about, but vowed to never say a word. She slowly put down Hermione's paper and moved on to Draco's.
Draco MalfoyI was pretty good at this whole experiment. I can move fast and quiet, as I should for being a sneaky Slytherin. I'm good at hiding myself, and surprising my opponent in al most anything. I have great agility. I'm an awesome listener, and I always follow my gut feelings, as they are usually right. So was the case with my partner. I caught her more than she caught me.
I don't know if there is much for me to work on. As I said above, I'm pretty much good at this whole thing.
This part was without a doubt the hardest to write. I'm willing to share with you, but as a warning, if this gets out to anyone else, you're a dead woman. What I believe I can gain from Hermione Granger…is love and compassion. There I said it. As much as I don't like to think it, nobody can live without the tiniest amount of love in his or her life. And Granger is full of it. You can see the love pouring from her eyes when she's with her friends. Don't get me wrong. I don't want Granger's love. I just want to know that someone somewhere loves me, or at least deeply cares about me. Ok, I'm done talking about this now. Remember, one word slip, and there will be consequences. I hate to threaten you, but drastic measures must be taken for the sake of what I'm saying here.
Livvi couldn't help but laugh out loud at Draco's essay. As nice as it was, the threats made her crack a smile and let loose a chuckle. It was then that an idea hit Livvi like a lightening bolt. An evil grin appeared on her face as she thought about what might happen in tomorrow's class. Although this could be against every student's wishes, it was a chance she had to take.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
The next day, the seventh year Gryffindors and Slytherins arrived at their DADA class and took their seats. Livvi was nowhere to be seen, so the students chatted until the bell rang. Livvi entered the room from her office carrying a cauldron full of slips of paper.
"What's that for?" Blaise questioned immediately. Livvi sighed.
"Mr. Zabini, before you ask questions, let me speak first. You might spare yourself some talking time." A tint of read colored Blaise's cheeks as he slumped in his seat. Livvi continued once she had everyone's attention. "I have read all your essays, and might I say, I was quite pleased. Today, and some of you may not like it, I am going to share parts of the essays you all wrote." Without delay, the class broke out into protests.
"Livvi," Harry started, "that's not fair. What we wrote in there was private."
"Don't worry, Mr. Potter. I'll be leaving out names." Hermione raised her hand. "Yes, Ms. Granger?"
"Professor, what about the names of our partners? If you read from the last portion of the essay, will you omit the partners' name as well?"
"Of course, Ms Granger." Seeing that no one else seemed angry anymore, she continued. "Okay, I don't want this to take all of class, but I will say from each essay what one person can gain from another."
The first few that Livvi read were plain and simple. Some thought they could gain a friendship, or learn how to be conspicuous. Others believed they could gain intelligence or confidence. Livvi continued reading until she came to the last two.
"Alright, everyone. Only two more to go, and I want you all to actually listen to these, for I find them to be the most important." She grabbed the last two papers from the cauldron and held them in her hands. "I believe that I could gain a sense of safety/freedom. Did anyone else consider that possibility? That one of your classmates, your supposed sworn enemies could save you or make you feel safe? Think about it. And finally, I saved the best for last."
Draco tried not to look smug knowing that his words had been the best. However, he was quite worried Livvi might make it known to Hermione, and that was just unacceptable. He must keep her from knowing.
"What I believe I can gain…is love and compassion. Nobody can live without the tiniest amount of love in his or her life. Isn't that beautiful? I bet nobody was expecting that. This student is right though. Love should stand somewhere in every single individual's life. Love is the most powerful feeling anyone can experience." The students sat not saying a word, some with mystified gazes and wide stares. "Okay, class. That's all I wanted to do today. Tomorrow we will learn a few spells that are not in your book, so come prepared."
The bell rang as soon as Livvi finished speaking, and the students all filed out of the classroom. Harry and Ron were waiting for her outside in the corridor.
"Come on, Hermione," Ron started. "Let's go grab a snack. You didn't eat much at lunch."
"No thanks, Ron. I'm honestly just not very hungry right now."
"Well then let's go outside while the weather is nice," Harry jumped in. Hermione sighed.
"Sorry, guys. I'm really just tired. I'm going to go take a nap, ok?"
"Sure, Hermione. We'll catch you at dinner." The boys exchanged a look and walked away, leaving Hermione to make her way to her dorm. She made it to the common room, and set out to work on an essay for Potions. She had barely been to work ten minutes when Draco interrupted her.
"If that's what you call taking a nap, it must be mind boggling to see you in action." Hermione simply kept on writing, stopping every now and then to check her book. "Granger, for Merlin's sake, take a break." Hermione finally stopped writing and brought her eyes to meet Draco's.
"You don't have to watch over me. I'm not helpless."
"I never said you were."
"Then why are you doing this?"
"Does it really matter?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because, Malfoy, you don't just go from absolutely hating someone to suddenly watching their every move and babying them!"
"Is that what you think I'm doing?"
"Isn't it?"
"No, I'm not babying you, because you don't need it. But the last several weeks have proved that you need a certain amount of protection."
"Well, I don't want your protection!" For a fleeting moment, Hermione could have sworn she saw a pained expression on Draco's face, but she quickly dismissed the idea. "Look, if this is some pity project, you can just forget about it Malfoy. I don't need you to watch me. Harry and Ron do that enough on their own."
"Oh, so you want protection, you just don't want mine?" Draco practically snarled.
"That's not what-"
"Save it, Granger. I don't need to hear how much you despise me." Draco turned to walk out of the common room when Hermione stood abruptly, knocking her chair over.
"I never said I despised you, Malfoy. But-"
"You don't have to say it. I'm not thick, Granger." With that, Draco walked out, slamming the portrait behind him.
Hermione let out a scream of frustration before setting her chair right and sitting down. She calmly put her elbows on the table with her head resting in her hands, and let one solitary tear trail down her cheek.
Again, so sorry this is a shorter chapter! Please review! Let me know what you all think. Criticism welcomed.