Disclaimer ~ I own nothing but the plot. I am borrowing the characters from J K Rowling.
A.N.~ Love the reviews you guys! Just want to give a shout out to petitesorciere for allowing me to use an idea from her story The Secret Snowflake in this chapter. You will see mention of her in this chapter. So once again thank you to her. I hope you guys like this one.
Anyone who may have walked into the Head's common room would have taken in the sight of the Head Boy and thought he was studying quite hard. His blond head bent over the open Magical Hieroglyphs and Logograms text in front of him, a look of complete concentration on his face. To any visitor it would seem that his Ancient Ruins homework had him deep in thought, however their analysis would in fact be wrong. For Draco Malfoy was not thinking about his homework at all, but instead of the sleeping girl in the room just up the stairs.
They were deep into December, and almost everyone would be leaving for the holiday in just a couple of weeks. Draco had decided that he was going to stay at Hogwarts this year since his mother was going to go and spend the holiday with her sister, his aunt Andromeda. They had barely spoken since her marriage to Ted Tonks, a muggle-born wizard. While the marriage didn't really upset his mother, his father had forbidden her to have anything to do with the couple or his cousin Nymphadora. Now that his father was locked up she had decided to reacquaint herself with her only living sibling and her family. She had wanted Draco to join them but he decided it would be better for them to have some quality time together without him there. He told her that he would join them however on Christmas for the Christmas feast they were preparing. It seemed that Hermione was also going to be staying for the holiday since her parents were going on a second honeymoon, in honor of their twentieth wedding anniversary, so Draco had asked his mother if he could bring her to the feast, which she was more then happy to allow, though slightly shocked by the sudden friendship between the two. This was what Draco was so deep in thought about now.
Everything had started to change the night of the Halloween Ball. After he asked her to dance, they spent the rest of the night doing just that. He remembered the rest of the evening quite well.
He walked over to her and extended his hand, not sure if she would accept his offer, seeing as she had turned everyone down so far. "Care to dance, Hermione?"He watched as she looked up at him and realization crossed her face. He knew she knew who he was, his eyes being an instant giveaway. She had placed her hand in his and he had led them to the dance floor where they spent the rest of the evening. He had to admit that the feeling of her pressed against him as they swayed across the floor, was amazing, and felt very right.
"Are you having a nice time Draco?" She asked, pulling away from his chest to look up at him.
"Actually I am. Was a little surprised by my costume but it could have been worse. I could have gotten one of those." He said nodding his head towards Crabbe and Goyle who were dressed as Tweedledee and Tweedledum. Hermione gave a little giggle, causing Draco to look back down at her. He hadn't heard her giggle in a very long time, and he had to say it was a great sound. "I must say Hermione. You look quite lovely this evening. That costume suits you quite well." He watched as a blush crept up across her face, and she replied,
"Thank you. You look quite handsome yourself." They continued to dance and talk, and he could see that she seemed more relaxed then he had ever seen her. She opened up a bit about herself and her family, and she seemed to honestly enjoy talking to him. Unfortunately all good things come to an end and all to soon the clock struck one and the rest of the students masks disappeared revealing their identities and the end of the dance. Needless to say, those who did not know that the Spartan Warrior and the goddess Venus were Draco and Hermione were quite shocked to see them in each others arms. None though were as shocked as Harry and Ron who quickly hurried towards them. Draco could see the worry etched across Potter's face and the Weasel was so red he looked like he was going to combust. Draco could feel Hermione tense up next to him, so he slowly took her arm and placed her behind him as they approached.
"Get your slimy hands off her ferret!" Ron yelled, trying to reach around him to grab her. He could feel Hermione flinch at the aggressive way Ron was acting and he could feel her hand clutch onto his arm. Draco pushed Ron back.
"Back off Weasel! Hermione is fine!"
"Hermione? Since when do you call the mudblood that?" Draco looked up at the sound of Pansy's approaching voice. Draco could see that that she was being followed over by Nott, Daphne, and a very amused looking Blaise.
"Watch your mouth Parkinson!" Harry yelled, turning towards Pansy.
"Screw you Potter!" Pansy retorted. Ron narrowed his eyes at her.
"Not likely pug face. He wouldn't want to catch what ever disease you're carrying around this week." Pansy's eyes widened and she started to become as red as Ron. Soon they were all arguing, shouting insults back and forth. It wasn't until Ron started going off about Hermione whoring around with the ferret, shocking everyone, that Blaise decided to step in.
"ENOUGH!" Everyone turned to look at him, even poor Hermione who was weeping into Draco's back, her heart broken by Ron's harsh words. Blaise looked at them all. "What the hell is wrong with all of you? Hermione and Draco have taken it upon themselves to let go of the past, so why can't we." He turned to the Slytherins. "I know that we have been taught a certain way of life. We have been told that as pure-bloods we're superior to everyone else, but if thats so then why are so many of our pure-blooded relatives either dead or in Azkaban. Voldemort is dead and so are his ideals." He then turned to Harry and Ron. "And as for you two. You're no better then any of them, with how you act. You shout just as many insults, just as many names, as any of the Slytherins. Only you do something that no Slytherin would ever do, no matter how mad we are. You turn against your own. You degrade your own. You should be ashamed of yourselves. All of you! Hate to break it to you boys and girls but a new world is forming. Get used to it!" With that he threw Draco a quick smirk before turning around, grabbing Daphne and walking out of the hall, Pansy and Nott close behind. Draco turned and looked at a stunned Harry and Ron who were also watching them leave.
"I believe you owe Hermione an apology Weasel! You had no right to say what you did!" Ron and Harry turned back to face them, Ron's face once again red, only this time from embarrassment.
"Um. Herm ..." He didn't have a chance to say anymore because Hermione had stepped out from behind him, and Draco was surprised to see the fire in her eyes.
"Ronald Weasley! How dare you say something like that to me! Both of you have barely spoken a word to me all year and now you think you have some kind of right to tell me who I can and can not be friends with. Blaise is right! Its time that we all move on from the world that was. Its time for us all to grow up. Especially you two!" She then turned on her heel and left the hall followed by a smirking Draco.
Since that night, Draco had noticed a slight change in the Gryffindor princess. The fire had started to return to her eyes and she seemed to smile more. She was contributing more in class and during their Heads and Prefects meetings. Even though Draco knew that she would never be the same girl she was before the incident, it seemed as if she was slowly starting to put her life back together the best she could. It seemed as if things were going to start getting back to normal for her ... or so he thought. Unfortunately for all the steps for she had made, something had happened after their last meeting that had set her back. It happened a few days earlier.
"Since Herbert will be in the hospital for a few weeks due to his accident in yesterdays quidditch match we are short one prefect for patrols. As you know Professor Dumbledore insists that we are always paired for patrols, so you will all take turns being the odd one out. That person will join Draco and myself with our patrols." Hermione said standing before the students. Hufflepuff Keeper Herbert Fleet, had been hit severely hard with a bludger, causing him to fall from his broom, resulting in a broken leg, arm, and concussion. While he would heal faster then any muggle would due to Madam Pomfrey's potions, he would still need to heal partially on his own.
"Also since we are down a pair of prefects, we have rerouted the patrol borders so every pair will be picking up a few extra halls." Draco added handing out parchment showing the new patrol routes. "We will have the new schedules posted tomorrow so make sure to check it to see the changes." After making sure everyone had received one he went back over and sat in his chair. "Now then. Next we have to discuss the secret snowflakes event. Why don't you handle this one Granger."
After a long, tedious discussion between, the heads, and prefects, they had all decided to forgo having a Yule Ball, considering that the last one had happened during the Tri Wizard Tournament, which ended in the death of dear Cedric Diggory. It seemed that just mentioning the prospect of having the ball caused sadness throughout the group. Instead Hermione informed the group about a fun holiday event she had read about in a book written by her favorite wizarding author Madi Petitesorciere. The event was called Secret Snowflake. All the students names were to be placed in a cauldron and then randomly distributed. Each student would then get there randomly chosen person a gift. Dumbledore loved the idea, saying that it was great way to promote school unity.
"Well as you all know the snowflakes will be distributed tomorrow during lunch. We ask that all of you seventh years please have a house meeting tonight to remind your houses of this. Also we ask that you remind them of the rules of the event, and also post them somewhere, that everyone can see them. I think this event could be a lot of fun for everyone involved."
"I agree Miss Granger. This will be quite fun." They were all startled by the sound of the Headmaster's voice coming from the common room entrance.
"Headmaster! What are you doing here?" Hermione asked. Professor Dumbledore came into the room and smiled at everyone.
"Well Miss Granger, Mr Malfoy. Due to this wonderful idea of yours, I, along with the other professors, have decided that this Saturday, all students will be allowed to go to Hogsmeade to purchase their snowflakes gift. Also after speaking to the shop owners they have all agreed for that day and just that day to cut their prices in half." At this, everyone in the room started clapping and talking excitedly. Everyone that is except Hermione.
"But Headmaster? Are there going to be enough Professors to watch all those students?" Dumbledore smiled at her.
"Well Miss Granger that is where all of you come in. You see we will need each and everyone of you there to help keep an eye on everyone. You all will be leaving an hour earlier then the rest of the school so that you can do your own shopping before having to patrol. You will need to appoint each pair to a shop or shops that they will be in charge of watching the students in that area. There are enough of you for each pair to have one shop to cover. Mr Malfoy and Miss Granger, as Head Boy and Girl, it will be up to you to patrol the path leading from Hogsmeade to the Shrieking Shack. Now then. I will let you get back to your meeting." Dumbledore turned around and walked out of the room.
Due to everyone's excitement, no one but Draco noticed how pale Hermione had become, nor did they notice her slip out of the room, up the stairs, and into her room. Draco called an end to the meeting and after everyone left he made his way up the stairs. As he lifted his hand to knock he could hear her sobbing through the door.
"Hermione? Are you alright?"
"Please go away Draco. Please, just go away." She begged, so he did, leaving her there to cry herself to sleep.
Now here it was two days later and she had yet to come out of the room. He knew that she would have to emerge the next day for classes, unless she was going to pretend to be sick. Either way he knew that she was right back where she started from and for some reason this really bothered him. Sure they had become closer during the weeks following the ball, he would even consider calling her one of his friends. He had found that he could confide in her things that he could never tell his fellow Slytherins. Hermione had become important to him and he liked to think that he had become important to her too. Draco shook his head trying to rid himself of the thoughts he was having so he could continue with his homework. He took a quick glance up towards her room before sighing and turning back to his book. A few minutes later he was interrupted by the sound of a knock at the portal. Draco looked at the time, 11:30 pm. Who in the bloody hell is here at this time, he thought as he strode over to the entrance. Draco opened the portal and found Blaise standing there. "What the hell are you doing Blaise?"
"Hello Draco. I'm in need of a favor. May I come in?" He asked. Draco nodded and moved over allowing Blaise entrance before shutting the portrait and following him into the common room.
"Right then. What do you need?" Draco asked.
"I seem to have misplaced my One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi text book and I need it for my Herbology essay. I was wondering if I could use yours." Draco nodded.
"Sure. It should be over here somewhere." He said walking over to his bookcase. "What are you doing your essay on?"
"Venomous Tentacula. Any plant that gets the professors to permit students to swear loudly deserves to be written about." Draco shook his head.
"They allow it if a Tentacula tries to strangle you during lessons, you git." Blaise just rolled his eyes at him.
"Details, details. Either way they..." He got no further because he was cut off by a piercing scream coming from Hermione's room. Both boys ran towards the room, wands out and ready. Draco raised his wand and took down the locking spells that Hermione had once again started to use, before bursting through the door. He could see that she was flailing about, but that she had gotten herself caught up in her sheets causing her even more panic.
"No! Stop! It hurts! Please!" She yelled out before letting out what sounded like a painful, gut wrenching shriek. Draco quickly started to untangle her legs, trying not to get kicked, and tried to talk to her to wake her up.
"Hermione! Your dreaming Hermione! Its just a nightmare! Wake up!" Once her legs were untangled he went to the head of the bed and took the sleeping, shaking girl in his arms and held her tightly to him. He stroked her hair as he whispered into her ear, watching the tears of torment falling down her face. "Come on Mione. I know you can hear me, come out of it. Come back to me. Your safe. I promise you, your safe." He heard her screams start to die down and her body started to relax. He watched as her eyes started to flutter open and he was soon staring down into her fear filled chocolate brown orbs.
"Draco!" She sat up and clung to him, sobbing into his neck. Draco looked up and saw a shocked Blaise standing there, his wand still raised. He slowly lowered his wand, and mouthed the words 'Is she okay?' Draco just looked at him and then the door signaling for him to leave the room. Blaise nodded and went to wait in the common room. Draco pulled away from Hermione and looked down at the poor girl. Her face was pale and her eyes were red and puffy.
"The nightmares are back." It was more of a statement then a question. She nodded.
"I can't go there Draco. I just can't. Not after what happened." She cried softly. Draco understood and he didn't push her about it. Instead he reached into the side table drawer and pulled out a vial of sleeping draught, and handed it to her.
"I left a few in here just in case. Take this, and get some sleep, and we'll speak in the morning." Hermione swallowed the contents of the vial and laid back down, falling into a dreamless sleep within minutes. Draco covered her up, pushed her hair out of her face, and headed back out to the common room and an awaiting Blaise. He jumped out of the chair he was sitting in as Draco stepped off the last stair.
"What the hell was that about Draco?" Blaise asked looking quite angry. Draco shook his head.
"Sorry mate but I promised I wouldn't tell anyone."
"You don't have to tell me anything. Its quite obvious to me what happened. I heard her screams, her words. Granger was attacked, wasn't she. Raped." Draco just stared at him, and didn't say a word. Blaise nodded. "Your silence tells me I'm right. Who Draco? Who the fuck put their hands on her without her consent?" Draco knew that Blaise had the same views on the subject as he did so he wasn't surprised by his reaction. Draco pondered his question for a second. He promised her that he wouldn't tell anyone about the attack itself or that it happened at all, but Blaise figured it out on his own and she didn't know that he knew who had attacked her so he wouldn't really be betraying her by telling him.
"It was Dolohov, but she doesn't know that. He was dressed in his death eater robes and mask. I cast the ALIO APERIO spell when she wasn't looking. She doesn't know I know." Blaise nodded.
"It happened in the Shrieking Shack didn't it?" Draco looked up at him shocked. How in the hell... "I saw her face when Dumbledore mentioned it. She went so pale, she made you look tan. I'm also going to guess that it happened when you two went shopping for the ball. I remember she disappeared that day, Potter was worried." Once again Draco was silent, confirming Blaise's theory. "What are we going to do about this? Dolohov must pay for this."
"I promised I wouldn't tell anyone Blaise." Blaise slammed his fist on Draco's desk.
"We can not let him get away with this! Not to mention Hermione needs help. She will never be able to really start healing with out the proper help."
"I know this Blaise, but she made me swear not to tell anyone!" He shouted back. Blaise just stared at him and Draco could literally see the wheels turning in his head.
"What was your exact promise?"
"I promised not to tell anyone in the school what happened." Blaise looked at Draco, a smirk on his face.
"What about someone outside of school?"
"I've thought of that but I would still feel like I'm betraying her in someway. Shes come to trust me Blaise. Really trust me, and no one has ever done that. Well besides you anyway." Draco said, as Blaise crossed his arms and watched him. "Its nice you know. Too be the hero for once instead of the villain. She confides in me, makes me feel like I'm important to her." Blaise stared at him for a moment before replying.
"You're in love with her." Draco stumbled backwards slightly, shocked by Blaise's words.
"What in the hell are you talking about! Have you lost your bloody mind. Me! In love with Hermione!" Blaise nodded, knowingly. Draco shook his head. "I am not in love with Hermione. I will admit that I do care about her. We have become friends over the past couple of months but that is all.
"Well you have definitely gotten closer, everyone has noticed that. Some more then others." Blaise said. Draco looked at him curiously.
"What does that mean Blaise?" Blaise smirked at him.
"Well it seems that Potter and Weasley have noticed the change in your relationship with Hermione, how its progressed since Halloween and they are in no way happy with it. The seem to think that you have placed her under some sort of spell." Draco chuckled.
"Really? And where did we get this bit of information from?"
"A wonderful little first year by the name of Roman Higton. His family moved here from America just so he could attend Hogwarts. He takes watching the Gryffindors quite seriously, even snuck into a couple of their quidditch practices to spy on them. He overheard them in the Gryffindor locker room discussing it, said they needed to save her from your evil clutches."
"Let them try. It will only make me look better in her eyes, while making them look like fools."
"Still Drake, be careful. You know their tempers, especially Weasley" Draco shrugged it off.
"Fine, I'll watch my back. Please thank Roman for me and tell him to keep up the good work. I may have just found my successor as Slytherin Prince." Blaise nodded in agreement.
"Back to our former conversation. What about Dolohov?" Draco stood up and walked over to his bookcase where he had a bottle of fire whiskey waiting. He conjured two glasses and filled them before turning and handing one to Blaise. He took a sip before speaking again.
"Dolohov will be handled. I have some of my men searching for him and ..." Blaise cut him off, choking on his whiskey.
"I'm sorry. You're men?" Draco rolled his eyes at him.
"With my father in Azkaban awaiting the dementor's kiss, his men have become my men. After all its still the Malfoy money that is paying them, and they don't care who they are getting it from as long as they are getting it. Now as I was saying. They are searching for him as we speak and will not stop until he is found."
"The ministry's best Aurors haven't found him so what makes you so sure your men will?" Blaise asked, causing Draco to chuckle.
"Simple. The ministry doesn't have inside knowledge on all of the safe houses and other places that were set up for the death eaters. I do." Blaise nodded and stood up, placing his glass on the table.
"Well then, keep me posted. As for Saturday's Hogsmeade trip. With Fleet in the hospital wing, there will be one prefect left without a partner. What if I join you and Hermione on your patrol?" Draco thought this over.
"That could work. It may even make her feel safer if she has the two of us to protect her. She knows that you are just as good with a wand as either one of us. We had decided to switch up the pairings anyways. Thought it was better that the fifth years patrol with one of the older students." Blaise nodded.
"Its settled then. Tell me if you need help with reworking the prefect pairings. Night Draco." He said before turning and heading out the portal.
"Night Blaise." Draco called back before heading up to his room and collapsing exhausted into bed, sleep over taking him.
Blaise walked into the dungeons, stopping at the enchanted wall that hid the entrance to the Slytherin common room. He said the password and walked inside, heading up to his private room. When Draco found out that he would no longer be living in the Slytherin dorms he offered his room to Blaise who quickly accepted. Blaise walked over to his desk, sat down, and took out a piece of parchment and quill. He knew that Draco was going to be pissed at him for what he was about to do, but it would be worth it in the end. Hermione would get the help she needed and maybe, just maybe she would be able to move on with her life and possibly with Draco. Blaise could see that Draco was falling for the beautiful Gryffindor even if he couldn't see it himself and that was why Blaise felt the need to do this. Blaise quickly wrote the letter, asking the reciever to meet him at The Hogs Head on Saturday before he had to start patrolling. He rolled up the parchment after rereading it and placed it on his desk, ready to send off in the morning. Blaise got ready for bed and as he slipped under the silk sheets he thought about what this might mean for his friendship with Draco.
"Forgive me mate, but this must be done. Its for your future." He mumbled as he fell into a deep sleep.
So what did you think. I wanted to show the depth of Draco and Blaise's friendship because its going to be important later in the story. Also I felt the chapter title was perfect because Blaise knows a lot. Not only did he figure out what happened to Hermione but he knows what Draco truly feels for her even if he doesn't. Please feel free to give me you honest review, good or bad.