A/N: I am exhausted from work but I HAD to update seeing as I am staying at my mothers for the night. Sorry for the longer wait but with work it is hard to try and fine time to even write when by the time I get home all I feel like doing is having a shower, dinner and SLEEPING! But thanks for the reviews!
DISCLAIMER: Eh, read the previous chapter would ya?
Chapter Fifteen: Quidditch Final
Hermione walked into the Great Hall earning a wave of greeting from her three friends. She returned the wave with a strained smile and sat down beside Ron taking no notice of her mail waiting to be read. She sat and stared at her plate her mind turning over the conversation she'd shared with Draco earlier.
"I see Malfoy was released," said Ron looking over at the Slytherin table catching Hermione's attention with the name, "I bet the teachers will be watching him like a hawk."
Hermione shrugged and placed an omelette on her plate.
"You ran into him already, didn't you?" said Ron furiously, "We had a deal!"
"No we didn't," frowned Hermione in confusion, "Unless I was drunk, I seriously don't remember a deal."
"Not between us. Harry and I had a deal with that slime ball ex of yours. He swore to leave you alone if no one found out about his addiction."
"Little late Ron," sighed Hermione, "You walked head on into his trap. The whole school already knows he does drugs. Why do you think he lost the Headboy position?"
Ron's mouth fell open before he decided it would be better to remain silent. Hermione looked over at the 'slime ball ex of her's' and watched him talk quietly with Pansy and a sympathetic looking Millicent. Hermione teared her eyes away and vacantly stabbed her fork at her omelette pretending to listen to her friend's droning voices.
An explosion struck from behind, propelling her forward at a run. She ducked a spell and spun around to throw one back screaming in horror at the dead corpses that met her eyes. She turned again seeing Ron battling for dear life meters away. Then the sight of tall, proud Kingsley falling before her eyes. She was stunned, she couldn't move. Then it hit her. Violently, suddenly. The pain, blood, her collapsing. Her mouth opened in shock-
"NO!" screamed Hermione throwing her fork as her eyes sprung open in horror.
The entire hall was silent and looking at her in confusion.
"Hermione? Are you okay?" asked Harry leaning over to her worriedly.
"I-I can't handle this anymore," said Hermione standing and stumbling over her seat, "They won't leave me alone… everywhere I go… I can't escape them… I'm going insane for sure."
She turned and left the hall at a quick walk. She ignored any hellos thrown her way or concerned looks at her dark circled eyes. There was only one solution; one answer to be free of her nightmares and it was waiting for her, calling for her.
"I know where you are going."
"Buzz off! I don't care if you know!" snapped Hermione ignoring the voice.
"You don't think anyone will notice the sudden change? It will affect everything Hermione. I sure know that!"
"You've been clean for what? One day maybe?" cried Hermione turning to face Draco angrily; "I don't think you are one who should be giving me advice on drugs!"
"You are making a huge mistake if you do it. I'll tell Lupin."
Hermione threw Draco a dirty look as she kept walking tears threatening to fall down her cheeks. Her entire body was shaking. She couldn't escape it.
"Please," pleaded Hermione looking at him desperately, "Just leave me alone. I have so much to deal with. I… I do love you, okay? But at the moment there is so much more going on. More then you can possibly understand."
Draco sighed and nodded, "Look, I will leave, but I am sending Potter to get you. You need help. Stop helping everyone else, help your self first."
Hermione just nodded and waved him away. She stood where she was, her body still shaking as her tears finally came falling down. Helplessly she dropped her bag to the ground as sob after pitiful sob escaped her. It was finally coming out, everything she had been bottling inside of her releasing itself.
Harry arrived a few minutes later, his cheeks flushed from rushing to get to her. At the sight of his best friend having fallen apart he rushed over to her wrapping his arms around her.
At Harry's warm embrace Hermione cried harder clinging to him.
"Mione… I think you need to talk," said Harry glancing up at Ginny and Ron who arrived, "Is there anywhere you want to go?"
Hermione nodded, "Hagrid's."
HD
It was the turning point for Hermione. She finally told her friends everything about the night. Hagrid listened as well, keeping the supply of tissues handy for Hermione and even Ginny. Hermione explained the entire night and how she had turned to drugs herself to escape the reality of it all.
By the end her friend's were speechless, yet pleased Lupin had reached Hermione before she spiralled completely out of control.
"Was Malfoy part of your own healing process?" asked Ginny, "Or was he the real deal?"
Hermione shrugged, "I don't know. Maybe he was to start of with. But… he followed me today. I think if he hadn't I would've drowned that whole bottle and gone hunting for more."
"He got me as I was heading outside for a walk," said Harry with some admiration.
"He still broke your heart," pointed out Ron bitterly.
"It wasn't intentional I think," said Hermione knowingly, "He had a weak moment, just like I have been having. His parents died. He found out Christmas day."
"So what, are you going to go back to him?"
Hermione shook her head no, "I think we both need time apart. Time to sought ourselves out."
HD
"GO, GO GRYFFINDOR!" came the chants of the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff houses. It was finally February.
So much had happened all through January. Hermione seeked proper counselling and was well on the way of sorting her issues. Draco had finally cleaned himself up for good. He was healthy, happy, and thriving being surrounded by his housemates.
Yet both still held a flame for each other. Whenever they crossed paths they would swap small smiles but said nothing. Neither really knew what to say.
"Good morning Hermione."
Hermione looked up in surprise seeing Lupin sitting beside her, "Professor Lupin."
"Please, call me Remus. I heard you have finally sought the aide of counselling. How is everything going?"
"Good. The nightmares are coming less often now… since I explained everything I have never been better."
"You look the same bright girl who I met in your third year."
Hermione smiled, "So are you here to support Harry, Ron and Ginny?"
"I actually came with a friend of mine. He is here scouting Draco Malfoy. He is even keen on taking Harry onto his team."
"Wow," said Hermione looking up at the two seekers flying around for the warm up, "Well it should definitely be an interesting match. Both teams are so strong."
"Yes, I heard about the tie match before. 160 all."
Hermione nodded as Hooch blew her whistle. Within minutes the game was underway with Colin Creevy commentating.
"Welcome all to another suspense filled match! Both teams are in tie and vying to win the House Cup. Gryffindor's line up is: Chasers: Ginny Weasley, Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan. Their Beaters are: Ross Fleck and Jim Ward, Keeper is Ron Weasley and Captain and Seeker is Harry Potter. Slytherin's line up is: Chasers: Chelsey Flint, Michael Kane and Sasha Kesby. Beaters: Chris Lowe and Nathan Joss. Keeper is Perry Cork and Captain and Seeker is Draco Malfoy. Both teams are in top form. And now, they play!
"Gryffindor catches the quaffle straight up. Weasley in possession, passes to Thomas, Thomas ducks a blow from the bludger sent by Lowe, passes quickly to Finnigan. Finnigan loops past the tackle from Flint, aims… Cork blocks the goal! Passes to Kane, Kane to Kesby, and Kesby back to Kane, Weasley intercepts. Weasley is on the move! WEASLEY AIMS! Cork blocks the goal!"
"Almost had it," sighed Hermione, "Go Ginny!"
"Kesby in possession… seekers are still searching for the 150 points and win of the game and cup… Kesby passes to Flint; Flint dodges attack from Thomas with an elbow… Oh! Flint hit with a bludger and drops the quaffle! Finnigan catches and fakes a pass to Weasley throwing the Slytherin team off… makes his way to the goals… passes to Thomas… Thomas taking aim… no quickly passes to Weasley… Weasley aims… and SCORES! Ten points to Gryffindor!"
With Lupin beside her Hermione jumped up and cheered loudly with the rest of her house.
"Go, go Gryffindor!" cried almost every student unless they were in Slytherin.
"Alright Slytherin are back in possession… oh Malfoy sees something… no, he's lost it. Kesby to Flint, Flint to Kesby and back again. Weasley getting frustrated."
"KEEP ON YOUR GAME!" came Harry's yell from above Hermione and Lupin.
"Potter giving his orders… Weasley intercepts another pass and side passes to Thomas… Thomas is making his move… twenty feet from the goals, hard pass to Finnigan… Finnigan shoots and SCORES! Twenty to nothing!
"Slytherin really need to get their act together with this one. It seems Potter knows what he wants and he trained Gryffindor hard to get it."
Draco gave a frustrated sigh and called time out. His team flew to the ground earning a glare from their Captain, "What are you doing? You are treating them like a bunch of pansies! This is POTTERS team we are dealing with dunderheads! He wants to win and he has drilled them everyday like I have drilled you! Get in there and makes yourselves known!"
With a cry of agreement they flew back into the air and the match resumed.
"Hopefully Malfoy's pep talk has got his team into action… and it looks like it! Slytherin are truly back in action! Kesby sideswipes Thomas, snagging the quaffle… passes to Kane… Kane to Flint… Flint dodging a bludger… Flint taking aim… no, passes to Kesby and Kesby scores! Twenty to ten! Things are evening up!"
An hour later the match was still in motion. The score constantly changed and both teams were playing hard building a thick sweat despite the cold air.
"And the score is 100 all! Still no sign of that snitch and both seekers are getting more frustrated by the minute! Weasley is still in the game despite a hard knock to her shoulder… passes to Thomas… Thomas passes to Finnigan! No Flint intercepting the pass and shoots down the field. Fleck fires a bludger… oh and that will hurt in the morning! Kesby catches the quaffle… passes to Kane… no Finnigan catches it… passes to Weasley… Weasley dropped the quaffle!"
"She's hurt," said Hermione leaning over the railing as Ginny came crashing down towards the ground. A scream went up and Hooch called emergency time out.
Harry however, moved fast catching Ginny before she hit the ground. Hermione and Lupin raced down the steps and onto the field as Pomfrey dashed onto the field with McGonagall and Hagrid.
"I can play," said Ginny irritably before wincing, "Seriously I can play."
"Ginny you fell from your broom with the pain," said Harry, "We can have someone play for you."
"Who? Vane? No. She is not taking my position," snapped Ginny standing up, "I am playing!"
"Move aside," said Pomfrey but it was too late, Ginny was back up in the air despite Ron's angry yells.
"She is going to be the death of me," sighed Harry before he took off heading back up to the game.
Everyone returned to their seats and play resumed.
"Alright, sure is action packed today… Weasley with the quaffle… takes aim… and scores!"
"Told you I could play!" shouted Ginny triumphantly.
Despite that Hermione saw the wince on her face as she flew overhead.
"Wait… both seekers are on the move! Malfoy in the lead… Potter gaining… both neck and neck… both are in for it… both grab… who has it? Who is it? Both land hard on the ground in a tumble…"
Everyone was on there feet looking down at the ground. Even play in the air had paused to see who won the house cup.
"Slytherin have won… Slytherin have won!" cried Dennis in disbelief, "For the first and last time ever, Draco Malfoy caught the snitch against Harry Potter!"
Hermione clapped looking down at Draco in shock as he held the snitch up. Slytherin were in an uproar and Hermione knew they would be partying like crazy that night.
HD
"It was a tough game," said Hermione patting Harry on the back as Ron led Ginny away, against her will to get Pomfrey to check her injury, "I've never seen such an exciting match before."
"I'll give him credit," sighed Harry looking over at the Slytherin team walking to there own change room, "He knows how to train a team to win."
"So do you. Go shower and whatever. I'll be waiting out here with Remus."
Harry nodded and ran over to his team congratulating them on a great game. Hermione walked over to Lupin who was chatting with Hagrid.
"Hermione!"
Hermione turned around and grinned at Pansy and Millicent. Both wore green ribbons in their hair, green jackets, black pants and had green streaks through their hair.
"It look's like you both got into the spirit of things," chuckled Hermione.
"Ah, nothing can outdo Luna Lovegood's lion hat thing," chuckled Pansy as the distant roar sounded, "So are you coming to the party tonight? Draco is even considering inviting the Gryffindor team, but we think he has a reason behind it."
"What reason?"
"And they call you smart," teased Millicent, "He is hoping you will go if he invites your friends."
"Draco and I don't even talk anymore. Besides, I don't know what my friend's are doing," pointed out Hermione as a cry of joy came from the Slytherin change room direction.
The three girls looked over seeing Draco cheering before racing over to them looking ecstatic.
"They want me to play for the junior team! That is a step away from the national team!" he cried hugging Pansy and Millicent, only smiling at Hermione, "I can even study Law!"
"That is wonderful!" cried Pansy smiling.
"Awesome," added Millicent.
"Congratulations," said Hermione before stepping away, "I have to go see how Ginny is. Ron made her go to the Hospital Wing. Anyway… umm… I'll see you late, maybe."
Hermione turned and left with Draco watching her leave.
"You didn't tell her, did you?" sighed Pansy crossing her arms, "We asked her to come. She might for all we know. But you need to tell her before the end of the school year comes."
"We don't talk anymore, you know?"
"You did just then," pointed out Millicent, "Sort of, I guess. How hard is it to just start up a conversation? She doesn't hate you and well, you definitely don't hate her."
Draco shrugged, "I'm going to shower. See you both at the party."
HD
"So Hermione," asked Ginny. Madam Pomfrey had healed her bone, which was cracked and released her after ensuring everything else was in place, "What are you… umm… doing tonight?"
"Probably reading. Why?" asked Hermione as they headed down a corridor towards the Great Hall.
"Well… Slytherin are having their party… and well the Gryffindor team were invited."
"You want to go?"
"Well yeah. Harry and Ron aren't and I know you have been to one before, so I was thinking maybe you could go with me?"
Hermione gave a sigh in response.
"We don't have to-"
"No, no it's fine. Let's go."
"What now?"
"Yes now. The party started right after the match. Come on."
The pair headed outside and across the grounds. Distant music could be heard pumping from behind a thick group of trees. Ginny looked nervous yet excited all at once. Hermione was calm, having already been to one before. They walked around the trees being welcomed to a heap of people talking, laughing, or dancing. Hermione pointed to Pansy and Millicent and her and Ginny made their way towards them through the throng of bodies.
"You came!" cried Pansy excitedly hugging Hermione.
"Ginny wanted to come, so I came with her," explained Hermione hugging Millicent as well.
"Welcome to the party," said Millicent with an actual smile to Ginny, "I'll find the Butterbeer's."
"So, did Potter get onto the team?" asked Pansy looking at Ginny.
"I don't know. We knew the scout came. I heard Malfoy's been accepted," said Ginny swaying a little to the music.
"He did. Draco hasn't arrived yet but should do so soon."
"Butterbeer's ladies!" said Millicent handing them each one as a popular Weird Sister's song came on, "Let's dance."
"Nah," said Hermione, "You go."
"Oh come on!" cried Pansy, "Weasley, tell her!"
"Please Hermione! You look good on a dance floor!"
Hermione gave in and the three dragged her to the centre of the party zone dancing and laughing like normal teenagers.
HD
Draco walked around the trees dressed in the appropriate attire for the evening. Dark blue jeans and a green button up short sleeved top with the two top buttons undone. His hair was ruffled a bit giving him a laidback look. His teammates cheered at the site of him causing him to grin happily. They dragged him over to the table of strictly butterbeer, as Draco requested when the planning began three weeks ago.
"Mate! That catch was brilliant! Everyone thought Potter got it," said Perry Cork.
"Hey mate, your ex is here tonight," pointed out Michael Kane patting him on the back with his girlfriend, Chelsey Flint beside him.
"Where about?"
"Dancing with Pansy, Millicent and that Weasley girl. She is the only team member of Gryffindor to come."
Draco looked to where Michael was pointing and sure enough; Hermione was dancing with her three friends, laughing as Pansy imitated break dancing. He gave a small smile at the sight of her relaxed laugh as Millicent had her turn at imitating a ballerina turn. She really had changed back to her normal self from before the war.
"Dude, don't just smile at her, go say hello," said Chris Lowe shoving him forward.
Draco stumbled the first few steps but weaved his way through the crowd to Hermione and her friends. Pansy greeted him with a pleased hug before pulling Ginny and Millicent away to get something to eat. Hermione looked at the three in surprise before turning to Draco with a smile.
"So you came," said Draco with a nod.
"Ginny wanted to come and had no one to go with… so that's how I wound up here," replied Hermione awkwardly.
"What would you have been doing tonight instead?"
"Probably reading a book my mother sent me the other day."
"Oh… right. So umm, I guess you have already sent away for your University's?"
"Ah yeah… The London one umm… one in France, Italy, Australia, and America."
"Oh, so where do you hope to go?"
"London one of course. It's close to home," replied Hermione with a shrug, "But if they all fall through I plan on travelling for a bit and maybe coming back to teach here."
"Oh, what would you teach?"
Hermione smiled at the idea, "Anything really… well anything except Divination. That's a load of rubbish."
"Better not let Trelawney hear you say that. She may detect your death to happen at her hands."
Hermione chuckled before looking startled, "Ron, Harry. Ginny said you weren't coming."
"We weren't until Neville spotted you and Ginny heading this way," said Harry, "Gryffindor is having a get together. Are you coming?"
Hermione opened her mouth to reply but Ron had spotted his sister chatting with Pansy and Millicent.
"Ginny! It's time to go!" he ordered startling his sister into dropping her drink.
"Really, Ron, you don't have to terrify us into going," said Hermione in annoyance.
"Well, you both should go now. Everyone is waiting for you both."
"Why would they be waiting for me? I'm not on the team."
"You're Headgirl."
Ginny walked over looking guilty, "I just came to see what it was like."
"That's a stupid idea," said Ron rolling his eyes as Ginny left with Harry. He reached out and grabbed Hermione by the hand, "Come on."
Hermione yanked her hand free, nearly stumbling into Draco, "Don't tell me what to do!"
"Hermione, he is bad news for you!"
"What are you getting at?" she cried angrily.
"Malfoy. He is bad for you," Ron sighed grabbing her hand again.
"She told you before Weasley," warned Draco as Hermione pulled herself out of his grip once more.
"Sod off Malfoy. We are going Hermione."
Ron grabbed Hermione once more and pulled her away. Hermione yanked her self free as Draco shoved Ron away from her.
"I don't need anyone telling me what to do," snapped Hermione, "Tell the Gryffindors to start the party with out me, and all the Slytherin's I am sorry I had to leave early."
"Where are you going?" asked Draco and Ron in unison.
"To find some silence without people literally bickering over me."
A/N: Well, there you go. Both have finally found freedom from their demons, but will they find love with each other again? Draco got into The University of Magic in London and on the Quidditch team. Will Hermione study medicine at the same place? Will Hermione discover why Ron is still jealous of Malfoy? Review!
Until next time…
Love yas!
Love Coz!