The Power Of Four
The Power Of Four
The Power Of Four
A/n Here it is chapter 6. Well don't really have much to say, just read and review, the usual.
Disclaimer: (grumbles) I don't own Harry Potter nor do I own Draco Malfoy. (Smiles) But I do own a new set of Characters you don't recognize. Yep, that's right I finally own something just not Harry Potter (frowns). All Jk's characters not mine, so don't sue because you aren't getting anything.
Chapter 6: Alone Time
"So let me get this right Zabini, we're going to force Hermione and Draco to spend a whole day with each other?" asked Ginny, Blaise nodded and Ginny sighed. "Do you really think it will work?"
"Of course I do, my plans always work." Blaise replied rather smugly. He smirked and pulled out a piece of parchment from his school bag. "Look here's the plan" pointing down to the parchment with several note bullets. "Step one: We first have to tell Dumbledore the truth about what happen and what we can do– All four of us. Step two: Trap Hermione and Draco in the Room of Requirement. For this step I think we will need a little help from the old fool." Ginny frowned at Blaise reference to Dumbledore as 'The old fool'. Blaise saw this and continued. "Next We will need a boggart or two or three depending on how powerful you think they are. Again we will need Dumbledore's help with this as well. I'm sure he will be willing to help since this sort of would put an end to one of the biggest rivalries in the school" Ginny nodded knowing how right Blaise truly was.
Everyone knew that Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy had hated each other since first year and anyone who argued that would be shipped off to a home for the mentally ill. Everyone knew why Draco and Hermione hated each other. It was so obvious. Draco hated Hermione because she beat him in almost everything they did, whether it was how had the higher marks, or who had the most friends. The only thing he could possibly beat her in was who had the most money and Draco knew Hermione could care less about how rich she was so it was no point in even attempting to taunt her about it, but that still didn't stop him from taunting Weasley.
Hermione on the other hand didn't just hate Draco, she loathed him. Draco Malfoy stood for everything she was fighting against, everything she hated about the world. She hated how he had such a big head. She hated how he was so pompous. She hated all of his little smart remarks. She hated how he thought he was so high and mighty. She especially hated how he calls her mudblood and acted as if she was less than dirt. The only thing Hermione would ever say she dare liked about Malfoy was his intelligent; she could never deny the boy that he was smart. But the one thing she absolutely loved about Draco Malfoy was the feeling of her fist connecting with his face, yes it was one of the best feelings she had ever had.
"I still don't get why we need the boggarts." replied Ginny. "Why do we need them anyway?"
"We will use them to make Hermione and Draco face their worst fears." Blaise said, Ginny made to interrupt but Blaise quickly continued. "They won't be able to face them by their selves so they will be forced to work together."
"And what if they refuse to work with each other?" asked Ginny. "And they don't figure out that they are boggarts in time?"
"Well, I didn't think of that but if it came to that than I guess they'll be in trouble than."
"So we won't step in to help them?"
"Nope, and besides Hermione and Draco are smart it won't take them long to figure out that they are really boggarts and not the real deal."
"Okay, I guess it's a plan then." sighed Ginny "Let's go get the two and go meet up with Dumbledore".
"So I have great news McGonagall." smiled Dumbledore. "I have confirmed the identity of the new four."
"Oh really and how did you accomplish that?" asked McGonagall. "We have only been searching for a little over a week now."
"Do your remember when I took that visit to Diagon Alley? Well I stopped by and visited one of my closest friends." said Dumbledore pausing. "I asked her if she could hold on to these books for me incase someone came looking for information , I told her that four young witches and wizards might come looking for the books soon and if they did it was of great importance that she get their names."
"Oh so she sent you the names?" asked McGonagall. Dumbledore shook his head.
"Not yet, but when they arrive this afternoon than I'll be sure." said Dumbledore.
"So how do you know?"
"Oh over the pass two days the four have attracted a bit of my attention."
"So who are they?"
"Well first I'll tell you how I found them." replied Dumbledore the twinkle in his eye bigger than ever. " First sign I saw to notify me that one of the four was here at Hogwarts was when Miss Granger and Mister Malfoy were arguing I noticed that as Miss Granger anger grew the temperature in the room had would also increase. But I thought it just a coincidence that had happened until I saw Miss Granger's eyes."
"Her eyes Albus? What of them?"
"They were blood shot red Minerva, like they were burning with an inner hate. So strong yet so beautiful, it was rather amazing ..."
"Besides the fact that another student was in danger." cut in McGonagall.
Dumbledore laughed and continued "yes besides the fact that younger Mister Malfoy was in danger. This brings me to the next matter. Yesterday I discover the other three."
"Well then who are they?" puffed McGonagall getting rather irritated by Dumbledore's stalling. A brown owl flew in and land on Albus's desk. Dumbledore retrieved the letter and read it before replying with a quick thank you and giving the owl a treat. Dumbledore smiled and looked up to her.
"The four are Mister Malfoy, Miss Granger, Mister Zabini, and Miss Weasley."
"Oh Merlin help us..."
Hermione sat up in her hospital bed. Her head was throbbing and she could not recall why. All she remembered was begging Ginny not to make her have to go get Malfoy and Zabini. After that every thing else was a blur. She looked down to her uniform and saw all the cuts and burns. 'Oh Merlin what happened to me?' thought Hermione.
"Oi Granger over here." called Draco to Hermione. Hermione turned and a couple of beds down was Draco. He had been moved over to make more room now that he had healed. He also had cuts and burns on his uniform but his was more cut than hers and hers was more burnt than his. "So... how did you get here?"
Hermione looked at Malfoy in question, she didn't know how she got here and she was going to ask him but I guess that idea just went down the drain. By the look of thing what ever happen to her he had also endured. "I don't know Malfoy but what ever happen to me I'm guessing happened to you." she concluded by pointing down to his uniform. Draco nodded and got up from his bed and walk over to Hermione. He sat down on her bed and she made a little extra room for him to sit.
"You know usually I don't sit so close to your kind but today I'll make an exception." smirked Draco. Hermione didn't know it that was a compliment or an insult but knowing Malfoy it was an insult. She fumed and made a face.
"And what kind is that?" she asked ready to punch that smirk off his face. He always had to ruin something. 'and here I thought we were about to have a civil conversation, I guess not' sighed Hermione.
Draco smiled, 'just like Granger to take it the wrong way'. "You know your kind." said Draco just toying with Hermione. Hermione made a childish face and puffed again. She was turning a little red in the face and around her ears. 'Granger really does look cute when she makes that face' Draco face twisted up in disgust. 'whoa there Draco get yourself together this is Granger here, Hermione muggleborn Granger.'
"What exactly is my kind Malfoy?" asked Hermione tightening her fist and cracking her knuckles. Draco smiled before replying
"Bookworm of course." Hermione began to calm down and Draco started to snicker. He smiled at Hermione again and asked "what did you think I was implying?" Hermione laughed a little before replying.
"Anyway I resent that, I'm not a bookworm." said Hermione "I just like to read."
"Right you're not a bookworm and we don't have elemental powers." said Draco.
"Well I guess that means Hermione's a book worm." laughed a voice at the door. Draco and Hermione turned to see Ginny and Blaise at the door laughing. "What up with you two, why are you guys so close? Asked Blaise
"Yeah just the other night you two were ready to kill each other" said Ginny. This earned some confused looks from Draco and Hermione. Hermione looked over to Ginny puzzled. She didn't recall much of the night before or even seeing Malfoy for more than a couple of minutes.
"Gin what do you mean the other night?" questioned Hermione. "I don't recall much of the previous night. Well except me going to get Malfoy from the slytherin table and Zabini not being there.
"So you're saying you don't remember at all?" asked Blaise he then looked over to Draco who also wore a confessed look. "Draco you don't remember either?" Draco and Hermione shook their head obviously Blaise and Ginny knew something they didn't and it was making them rather uncomfortable. Blaise quickly grabbed Ginny and pulled her to the side.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" said Blaise. Ginny nodded.
"Yeah that if we don't tell them what happen than it will be way easier to get them to act civil towards one another."
"Yep exactly." Blaise smiled and turned back to a confessed Hermione and Draco.
"So what happened yesterday and why are we in the hospital wing?" asked Draco. "I don't remember much either, all I remember is Granger coming to get us and we were going somewhere together."
"Oh yeah we were going to Potions." said Blaise. "We had to make an anti-depression potion. Snape dismissed class early because of the potion taking about 5 hour to cool and told us we would test them tomorrow."
"That still doesn't explain what happened to make us look like this." said Hermione pointing down to the apparel.
"Wait wait, let me finished Hermione." replied Blaise "No need to rush." Hermione huffed again and folded her arms Draco noticed this and started to laugh a bit. 'Granger can act like a child sometimes.' thought Draco. "Okay like a was saying so Snape asked me and Draco to say after class because he had to give us some information about personal matters and you had to ask him question about some potion. Can't remember what at the moment but it might come back later." sighed Blaise. Everyone nodding he was an excellent liar and he could tell he was easily fooling Hermione and Draco. Ginny even seem to be believing a little bit as well, giving looks playing her part in the lie.
"So that's when I show up. I was with Hagrid and Snape needed some fire pixies to use with the fourth years next week and Hagrid asked if I could take them to him." Ginny paused to think up a bit more trying not to pause to long she quickly continued. "So when I entered the room I tripped over a stool and fell. The cage that kept the pixies in there had opened when it hit the ground and the pixies began to attack you guys."
Blaise looked over at Ginny. He was shocked. Her lie actually went perfectly in the story. She must have thought quickly and pixies, fire pixies none the less, would be an excellent solution to the injuries. Blaise smirked over at Ginny and nodded for her to continue.
"So that when Snape whipped out his wand and casted an immobilizing spell on them. We all thought that they were all locked a way but one had managed to avoid the spell." said Ginny. "He fired a fire spell at you Hermione and that's when Draco jump in the way to save you."
"He did what?" asked a shocked Hermione and Blaise.
"I did what?" yelled an even more shocked Draco. Ginny nudged Blaise to make him recover.
"Yeah, you did Draco." said Blaise. "You saved the Gryffindor princess from the big bad fire pixie."
"Oh." said Draco he looked over at Hermione how quickly looked a way. Not knowing if she should thank Malfoy or say nothing.
"Um..." Hermione started. "Thanks."
Draco was surprised he hadn't expected her to actually thank him. "um yeah I guess that's what..." stopping not knowing if he should call Hermione and him friends. He decided against it so he wouldn't freak her out or anything. "us elementals do, we have each others back."
Blaise and Ginny smiled at each other. Their plan was working and it hadn't even fully gotten in motion yet. Blaise leaned closer to Ginny. "Why do you suppose Draco is being civil towards Hermione?"
"I don't know Blaise" whispered Ginny. "But let's just hope it continues this way for the rest of the night." Ginny nodded in agreement and stood up from the bed she had sat down on while they were telling the story.
"You guys I think we should go see Dumbledore now." Ginny said. She then turned to Blaise and said "Blaise you might want to go tell Dumbledore that Hermione and Draco are awake and tell him of the recent developments before we get there. I'll stay here and wait for them to change." Blaise nodded fully understanding what she meant by 'recent developments'. He stood and walked out of the Wing to go talk to Dumbledore.
"So you two need to change out of those clothes." said Ginny. Draco stood and walked over to Ginny. Hermione stood but winced from the pain that shoot through her entire body and collapsed back down with a groan. She began to coughed violently and she grabbed her stomach and let out another groan.
"Sweet Merlin, you alright there Granger?" asked Malfoy walking back to Hermione side. Ginny had rushed over as well.
"Merlin, can you walk?" asked Ginny. "Do you want us to get Madam Pomfrey?" Hermione shook her head. She would be fine; she just needed to get use to the idea of standing up. Hermione sat up on the bed and a flash of pain went across her face. She winced again and held on tighter to her stomach.
"Where does it hurt Granger?" asked Malfoy.
Hermione doubled over again and she moaned "It hurts everywhere!" Ginny put her hands on Hermione shoulders trying to keep her still. Draco walked back over to his bed and grabbed his wand from his bed stand. He ran back over and told Ginny to keep her still or he might miss. Ginny nodded.
Hermione eyes widen when Draco pointed his wand at her. "Malfoy what are you doing?" she asked nervously.
"I'm going to help you." he replied. "Now stay still Granger and this want hurt a bit." Draco murmured an incantation and a white light shot from his wand. Hermione breathing began to slowly return to normal. She released her grip on her stomach and sighed in relief.
"What was that?" Hermione asked closing her eyes.
"It's a pain reliever spell." said Draco. "I use them at home a lot. It won't heal the wounds but it will stop the pain." Hermione nodded, she was glad it would work for now, because the pain she felt was horrible. She felt like she had been hit by a tornado.
"Your pretty good with healing spell Draco." stated Ginny. "Where did you learn them?"
"My god father taught me, he thinks they will be useful with the war and all." said Draco. Ginny replied with an oh and looked at her watch. She assumed when they got up to Dumbledore's office Blaise would have already enlighten on their plan. She looked over at Hermione who had stood from where she had been sitting and now was standing next to Draco. Hermione whispered a quick thank you before they changed and started heading toward Dumbledore's office.
"So you understand why we are doing this professor?" asked Blaise. Dumbledore nodded and pace his interlaced hands under his chin.
"I fully understand Mister Zabini and I will help in every way I can." said Dumbledore. "If Miss Granger and Mister Malfoy continue to bicker the way they do, I fear we may not win the war."
Blaise nodded, he figured that with their new found gifts they would become the lights ultimate weapon but the only thing bothering him was what would happen if their fathers found out. He knew that they would be forced to serve the Dark Lord and if it came down to it they would have to kill Hermione and Ginny. That was if the Dark lord wouldn't try to force them to fight along side him as well.
"Headmaster, Ginny and the others should be arriving shortly." said Blaise. "I think you have something important to tell all of us, am I correct?" Dumbledore smiled, he was not very close to Blaise but Blaise attitude was that similar to a younger version of him. He spoke clear, proud and with a purpose. Dumbledore could tell he would make a great leader some day.
"Yes, you are correct Mister Zabini." said Dumbledore "And as soon as the others arrive the meeting shall truly began." There was knock on his door. "See there they are now. Come in." Ginny, Hermione and Draco came in and took a seat. Each of them greeting Dumbledore before taking their seat on the three sits next to Blaise. "Now that you all are here we can begin our discussion. As you all know I know of you rare gifts. But I would like you all to still give me a brief demonstration."
Everyone nodded. Hermione looked over at Ginny, who looked over at Draco who then looked over at Blaise. Blaise sighed "Alright you bloody babies, I'll go first." Blaise stood up from his seat and summoned a goblet. He mutters "Aqueous" and water began to fill the cup. Blaise took in a deep breath and raised his hand above the cup. He swooped his hand in a downward movement then back up and the water followed his command. He raised his other and began to slowly wriggle his fingers. The water began to dance back and forth in his hands.
"Excellent Mister Zabini." complimented Dumbledore. Blaise smirked and sat down. He had been practicing. "Miss Weasley, if you will." Ginny rose from her seat. She walked over to one of Dumbledore's flowers. It was small and looked new. She placed her hand over the flower and it began to grow. "Thank you Miss Weasley, I've had that plant for a year now and it just wouldn't grow." Dumbledore chuckled. Ginny smiled and took her seat.
Hermione and Draco looked at each other. Draco whispered" Go head Granger, save the best for last." Hermione rolled her eyes but stood anyway. Dumbledore looked at Hermione intensely hopping she would not do anything dangerous or destructive but with fire as an element what could she do?
Hermione closed her eyes. Draco said save the best for last and Hermione was determined to show them that he was far from the best. She extended her arm to Dumbledore, her palm outstretched toward him. The other elemental gave her a weird look thinking she was going to throw a fireball at Dumbledore. She breathed in and then back out. She brought her hand back to her side, tightening her fist.
Ginny looked at Hermione puzzlingly. "What wrong Hermione?" Hermione shook her head and flung her fore arms out and open her hands in jerking moment as she did it but nothing happen.
(A/n Think Warren Peace from Sky High or Ted from NBC's Heroes)
"Is there something wrong Miss Granger?" asked Dumbledore. Hermione shook her head again. She extended her arms out to her side again and this time only flung one. Hermione began to sweat and sighed in frustration. She gritted her teeth and attempted again. This time however her forearm burst in to flames and she smiled. She extended her arm again to show Dumbledore.
Draco gasped. 'Just like Granger to show off.' Draco thought. Ginny and Dumbledore both smiled. Dumbledore began to applause and said "Excellent Miss Granger, for a moment there I thought something was wrong." Hermione put out the fire and walked over to her chair with a very smug look on her face.
"Go ahead Malfoy, like you said we were saving the best for last." Hermione joked. Draco sneered and then glared at her before standing up. Draco placed his hand to his chin thinking of a way to out do Hermione. He had to admit it Granger was learning fast, but him being a Malfoy would have to learn faster.
Draco snapped one of his fingers and said "I got it." He smirked and placed his hand on Dumbledore's desk. He slowly began to raise his hand and dancing under it was a mini hurricane. Dumbledore raised an eye brow at this and Hermione began to giggle a little. 'If Malfoy thinks his mini hurricane is impressive than he must be dreaming.' thought Hermione. He began to spin his finger above it and it began to spin faster. It spun over the papers that were on Dumbledore's desk and blow them to the floor.
"Okay Mister Malfoy that is enough." said Dumbledore flicking his wand making all his papers pile back on his desk.
Draco frowned "but Professor, I didn't even get to the good part."Draco whined. He hadn't even gotten to the good part and Dumbledore was cutting his demonstration short.
"I'm sorry to cut you short Mr. Malfoy but we do not have all evening." said Dumbledore. "And I have other matters to attend to with you all. You all are advancing rather quickly but I feel that you will advance faster with some help. I have called in a favor and it took sometime to get in touch with them but you will have four trainers. Each of you will have your own individual trainer and they will assist you in learning how to control and harness your complete power."
"But Professor how are normal witches and wizards going to help us control our elemental powers?" asked Hermione.
"Miss Granger I never said they would be normal witches and wizards, now did I?" replied Dumbledore. Hermione shook her head. Dumbledore was right he had never said that they were regular witches and wizards heck he didn't any say that they were wizards.
"So who will be training us professor?" asked Ginny with a confessed look on her face. Dumbledore smiled and stood up from his desk.
"Don't worry Miss Weasley, you lot will be in good hands." Dumbledore replied leading them to the door. "Now if you will excuse me." He said as he gently shoved them out the door.
"Well that was interesting to say the least." said Ginny, the others nodded in agreement and Ginny sent Blaise a secret gesture, to indicate that Operation: Lovebirds. Blaise raised his eyebrows and nodded, he had understood Ginny's secret message clearly. Blaise clapped his h ands together and walked a little ahead of the others.
"You know I think we should all go to the Room of Requirement. I mean that would be the safest place for us to get any training done." Suggested Blaise and he continued to walk backwards. The other seeing nothing really wrong with the idea quickly agreed and began heading for the Room Of Requirement. "You know I think me and Ginny should head to the kitchen to get something to eat just in case we get hungry." Ginny
gave Blaise the that-was-the-best-you-could-think-of look but then quickly followed suite.
"Yeah I think it would be best if you two headed down with out us. No need for all of us to go down there to get snacks." Said Ginny. Hermione and Draco looking from one another Hermione sent Draco an encouraging smile before nodded over to Ginny. The group split up and went their separate ways. Hermione and Draco going down the ROR corridor and Blaise and Ginny secretly trailing behind them. Blaise had already set up the room so all Ginny and Blaise had to do was go into the door at the far end of the corridor. Hermione and Draco paced outside the door for two minutes before the door appeared and they walked in.
Blaise and Ginny taking this as the perfect time to slip into the door down the hall both doors disappearing as the shut. Hermione look around at the space in the room, it was much like it had been for the DA meetings but much larger and had a massive pool in the corner and in another a small rocky like region. Which Hermione concluded was for Blaise and Ginny to practice. Draco looked over to where it was a small sitting area near a fireplace in a lone corner in the front of the room, so if they were to be taking breaks during training. Draco looked over to Hermione who noticed the seat area and then walked over to the couch. Hermione followed.
"So...Malfoy." Hermione started feeling a bit uneasy being alone around him after hearing he saved her. But Draco wasn't listening to her his attention was on the smoke coming from the other side of the room. Draco's eyebrows went up and he sent a look to Hermione. Hermione noticed as well and said "What do you suppose that is?"
"I don't..."Draco said but the rest was drown out. Hermione eyes grow wide in fear. Ginny watching from the enchanted one way mirror concluded that Blaise must have let the boggarts out. Hermione reached for her wand and casted lumous.
"Malfoy!!" she called spinning around searching for him. "Malfoy, this isn't funny, where are you?" Hermione heard a ruffle from behind her and quickly turned around. "No!"
"What's the matter mudblood, surprised to see me?" he says his dark eyes never leaving Hermione's. Dolohov smirked as he began walking closer to her. "How have you been doing? I would have thought that curse would have killed you but I guess you were stronger than I thought." taking more steps toward her and raising his wand. "But I pretty sure I can fix my mistakes. Avada Kedrara!" Hermione stood there motionless, as if glued to the ground beneath her. Ginny stood of the other side of Blaise screaming to Hermione to move but she couldn't hear her.
"Blaise we have to do something!" yelled Ginny grabbing Blaise's forearm.
"Just wait Ginny, she'll be fine" said Blaise not really believing it either. Just as the green jet of light reached her she was knock to the ground with a humph and something heavy falling down on top of her too.
"Watch it Hermione, do you want to get yourself killed!" said Draco helping her up. Blaise and Ginny sighed loud and released the breath they unknowingly had been holding.
"Oh but Draco saving mudbloods? Do you want to get yourself killed?" Draco looked up recognizing his father's voice. Lucius smirked and continued "Surely I have taught you better than that." Draco tensed and tightened his hold on his wand. "But I see I will have to re-teach it to you the hard way. Crucio!!" Draco kneeled down waiting for the spell to hit, knowing all too well his punishment from past experiences.
Hermione jumped in front of him and yelled "Protego!! Malfoy what are you doing? Get up" She pulled at him to get him from the floor but he wouldn't budge.
"See you little mudblood, he knows his place." Lucius said while he and Dolohov walked closer to her. "now you and my filthy blood traitor son will pay." They raised their wands at Draco and Hermione.
'What do I do? If I use my elemental magic than Voldemort will find out, but if I don't we will be killed. I can't take them by myself.' thought Hermione. She knew it was only one thing to do, she had to use her elemental magic. She didn't know how two deatheaters had got into the school, but she didn't really have time to think. 'Wait, how did they get into the school, and why only two of them? Wait I got it! They're...'
"Beg mudblood, Crucio!!" yelled Dolohov, Hermione was then over whelmed with pain. She doubled over and collapsed to her knees. Draco stood up from the ground.
"Stop it!! You hurting her!" yelled Draco pointing his wand a Dolohov. "Leave her alone!" His eyes growing dark again. Hermione saw this and whimpered because of the pain.
"Draco don't waste your energy. Their not real." yelled Hermione coughing a little "Their Boggarts!!" Ginny jumped into Blaise arms behind the glass, she had hoped one of them would figure it out sooner or she feared something might happen to them. Draco looked down to Hermione and yelled at the boggart of his father "Ridiculous" His father hunched back and grow a long Santa like beard and huge beer gut and his hair began to fall out. Draco quickly turned to do the same to Dolohov but was stopped when he heard Hermione cast the spell herself. Dolohov skin began to pale and his nose became thinner, his hair dirty hair lengthening and his Deatheaters robes change into a tight glittered outfit. This made him look more like the Muggle American pop star Michael Jackson than a fearful Deatheaters.
Hermione casted the spell to locked them away in the cabinet near the fire place. She then raised her hands and summoned a huge fireball and launched it at the cabinet, blasting it and the boggarts to dust. Ginny and Blaise began to dance around the other side of the mirror, well Ginny more than Blaise. Their plan had walked even if it did almost fail, it worked! Now all Blaise and Ginny had to do was sit back and wait for Hermione and Draco to chat it up with each other but that was only if the two didn't overreact the situations. How can you not over react when you have just faced two boggart Deatheaters and one of the three unforgivable curses?
Draco walked over to Hermione as she collapsed on the couch.
"You alright Granger?" asked Draco taking a sit next to her. "I'm sorry I didn't react quicker. I shouldn't have had to be protected like that." Hermione looked up at Draco. Never had she heard him apologize and for such a feeble thing. She hadn't expect him to apologize for being scared; even if he would never admit it to Hermione she saw the fear.
"You don't have to apologize to me, I'm okay. I don't think the curse is as powerful from boggarts, in fact the worst it will probably do is leave me with a headache." Hermione says looking at Draco. Draco not sure whether Hermione was okay or not moved closer to her. "Does your father hit you often?" she asked suddenly. Draco a little taken back with drew a little from Hermione and casted his head down. Not really sure it he should tell her so he remained silent. Hermione noticing Draco silence only nods her head.
"That's okay; you don't have to tell me Malfoy." She says. Draco looks up. He imagined Hermione being the know-it-all that she is to press the matter more but by her response he knew she wasn't going to press it any further.
"That DeathEater Dolohov, how do you know him Granger?" his question came just as suddenly as her's had. Hermione placed a hand over her heart and brought it back down.
"Last year, when we went to the Minster to save Sirius we had a run in with some Deatheaters." Hermione says pausing. "I was being careless. When Dolohov attacked Neville, I think it was Neville it's still hard to remember what happened; I only put a silencing charm on him. I completely forgot about non verbal spells, and before I knew it a dark red jet of light was headed for me and I was on the ground." She unknowingly placed her hand back to her chest while talking. Draco was speech less, he had known that they had went to the Minster for his cousin but never did he think any of them had gotten injured , more or less cursed. "They said I had been lucky to survive that had it been verbal I would have died." Draco only response was a head nod.
He didn't imagine Hermione to be as strong as she was. He should have known after all the years of bickering and recent events. She was stronger than him, maybe not physically but definitely mentally and emotionally. The silence filled the room again, not the awkward silence but the silence both of them know the other needed.
"He does, you know... beat me often." Draco says causing Hermione to look up. She hadn't expected Draco to say that after dropping the subject early." He beats my mother too. It makes me so angry knowing what he does to her. I'm stronger than she is, I can deal with it but she's so fragile. I just wish I could do something about it." Draco shakes his head sadly tightening his fist. Hermione sat silently waiting for him to continue. "I have the power to but don't want to risk us being discovered by Voldemort by using them."
"Malfoy you could always go to Dumbledore." Hermione suggested. "Dumbledore could help you and your mother." Hermione waited for Draco to answer. Ginny and Blaise feeling that maybe this conversation was getting a little too deep for them to be spying on the two quickly re-chanted the mirror so they could neither see nor hear what the two were saying or doing.
"I don't think so Granger, Dumbledore might be of some assistance later but he can't do anything now." said Draco. Hermione frowned; she really hoped Draco would consider seeking Dumbledore's help. If not for him for his mother. Draco seeing Hermione frown said quickly "But I will consider talking to him about it in the near future." Hermione smiled; at least he will consider it. Draco smiled over at Hermione as well, which took her a little bit of guard. She had never seen Draco smile before, smirk maybe but smile never.
'He has a nice smile. It's looks good on him' thought Hermione
'I've never seen her smile at me. Why do I feel like I've done something for her? When she was the one to help me. She has a nice smile; I wish she would smile at me more. '
They remained silent again, just looking at one another. Hermione hadn't stopped smiling while Draco sat with a small grin on his face.
"Malfoy?" Hermione said getting Draco's attention. "Why don't you smile more? I know being in your situation there isn't many things to smile about, but you have a nice smile." Draco was a little taken back.
'She thinks I have a nice smile...Why am I acting like such a dork? A lot of girls say I have a nice smile...well they say I have a sexy smirk but are they not the same thing? What makes Granger so different?' Draco thought with a confused dream like expression.
"I...don't really know." said Draco, not really sure why he didn't smile as much as the Gryffindor before him did. He had been though so much that he only smiled at the most joyful of things and only around his closest friends and then that was rarely often. "I guess I really don't have much to smile about." Hermione shook her head knowingly. In Draco's position she was even sure if she would smile much either.
"I understand where you coming from Malfoy."
"Granger? How come you don't smile much around me?" Draco asked not rely expected an answer, knowing the reason behind her delayed answer. Hermione forehead crinkled up a bit and she sighed.
"You don't give me many things to smile at. Before we found out about our powers you had done nothing but ridicule me, You were a git. Even the other day we got into a row. Which may have been just name calling but it seems every time we are in the same room you feel the need to make a mockery of my existence." Hermione stopped before continuing. "Today as weird as this my sound, I enjoyed this time with you. Besides the whole boggart DeathEater thing, you really opened up to me and that shows that you are maturing on some levels. Today you have been nothing less of a gentleman to me today except when I had to show you up in Dumbledore's office." They both shared at laugh at this.
Draco stopped in between their laughing and said "Yeah but had I got to finish I would have easily shown you up."
"Yeah whatever Malfoy, but I'll guess will never know." said Hermione rolling her eyes and laughing.
"Draco, its Draco. Malfoy remains me of my father." Hermione was a little taken back from his response. She had expected him to say something a long the lines of 'oh yeah let see about that' or 'I would have whipped the floor with your trick' but never what he has said.
"Okay, Malfoy, its Draco from now on, but only if you agree to call me Hermione." Hermione looked up at him. He smiled and nodded. "Or the mudblood, know-it-book-worm, or beaver." Draco laughed at the last one.
"Oh come on Hermione take away the good ones. What else am I supposed to call you?"
"Hermione just Hermione." She said with a smile.
'There goes that smile again. That makes three times today... not that I'm counting or anything. I just happen to notice how pretty she looks when she is smiling.' thought Draco his smile still playing on his face.
"He did it again. That makes three times today, I'm not counting if that's what you think, I just have to keep a record. Draco doesn't smile often and when he does its rare, especially around me.' thought Hermione with another sigh.
Well I guess I'll end it right there. They didn't exactly fall in love but no they have a more understanding of each other. Hmm...later in the story should I have them found out about what really happen that day or should I just keep them in the dark? Either way they have to find out about their elemental state, it's a key part in the story.