Chapter 14
Hermione POV
She wanted to go home…to Harry. She doesn't care if there is war going on or if the death eaters will be there when she arrives home. All she wants is to see Harry and she is willing to face anything, even death himself.
She wanted to go home! She just can't take it any longer, her heart keeps getting broken and she is so very afraid that if she continue her heart will be clouded with so much anger that it will make her completely forget her reason to fight.
She thought she could do this because Harry believes in her. However while playing that piano, she thought she heard his voice but when she couldn't see him, she found herself hating Harry for the first time. Just hating him so much for abandoning her.
She was and still willing to do anything for him! She's willing to take the killing curse just for him but no! He decided to send her here! He was so wrong when he believed that she will be alright but she will never be alright here. She hates him!She really, really hates him!
Hermione fell on her knees crying even louder. No, she doesn't hate him….in fact she's willing to trade her life just to be with him.
"I w-want to g-o h-home…p-lease t-take me home. I d-don't want to be h-here anymore!" She sobbed uncontrollably while looking at the dark lake and hugging herself.
LUCIUS POV
He saw the Marauders remorse in their expressions but it will never take back all the pain that they gave Hermione. He wants to hurt them the way they hurt her but his main priority right now is to ensure his daughter's safety and the Marauder's punishment can wait just a little while longer.
"I w-want to g-o h-home…p-lease t-take me home. I d-don't want to be h-here anymore!"
When he heard her say those words he felt as if somebody had stabbed him right in his heart and suddenly he felt cold. She can't go…She cannot leave him… He can protect her…this time he will make sure that nobody will ever hurt her again!
But she can't leave him… she just can't. So he walked as fast as he possibly could and hugged her tightly in comfort. If he needs to beg her to stay he will, he just can't lose her.
"Please don't say it. Stay here, I promise to be a b-better protector…I promise t-that no one c-can hurt you again…P-please Hermione don't l-leave me." He said with tears forming in his eyes.
"I w-want to go h-home."
She sounded so broken. But he must be a selfish bastard because even in her state right now he still can't find it in him to just let her go. Yes, he is a very selfish man because even though she is suffering right now all he can see is his life without her.
A life without a reason to leave… a life without a reason to be happy… a life without any reason to fight.
"P-Please H-Hermione…d-don't leave m-me."
She only sobbed louder and all he could do is hug her while whispering promises that he believes will lessen her pain.
He holds her until she slowly cried herself to sleep. He gently picked her up and carried her to his dorm. If the Gryffindor's will not accept her then they don't deserve her.
RANDOM POV
When Lucius enters the Slytherin Common Room all of the students insides looked at him and at Hermione who was still sleeping in his arms but no one dared to say anything, mainly because of the dark aura that surrounds Lucius.
Lucius carefully put Hermione on his bed and when he ensured her comfort he softly started to caress her face stained with tears.
"I know that I don't deserve you….but please forgive my selfishness because I cannot let you go… You're my only light and without you I might lose my way."
He closed his eyes and lay besides her hoping that when she wakes up he will see her smile once more. He will give anything to see her smile and that is just what he will do… anything! For her he will do the impossible. Just for her…for his daughter.
HERMIONE POV
It was so silent…. Everywhere she looked all she could see is darkness… then she heard footsteps and when she saw the death eaters coming she went to grab her wand only to find it missing.
"We finally caught you, Blood traitor."
Then she feels it, the Cruciatus curse. It feels as if thousands of knives are stabbing her all over her body. She wanted to scream and scream and scream but she can't, it feels as if something is stopping her.
Oh, Merlin! death is better that this…Just stop the pain…she closed her eyes tightly but the pain only increased and all she could hear among the excruciating pain she was in was their laughs.
Then she wakes up. Her heart is beating faster almost uncontrollable. She felt suffocated. She doesn't know where she is but she just needs to get out…even in her weak state she managed to walk away until her feet brought her into a very dark hallway.
She can no longer walk. Even if it is only a dream she can still feel the effect of the Cruciatus curse. She slumped at the cold floor and leaned against the cold wall while hugging her knees while trying to calm herself.
It was not the first time that this kind of dream happened but before, Harry was always there to comfort her. But now he is no longer here.
She hugged her knees tightly while sobbing silently, not only because of the pain physically but mostly because of the pain in her heart.
This time Harry won't come to comfort her. She was all alone and all she can do is cry and hope that the pain will stop soon.
SIRIUS POV
He wants to sleep. He really wants to but every time he closes his eyes all he can see was Granger's hurt and disappointed face while looking at them…while looking at him.
His plans worked well but why was he not happy? Why did he feel this way… why did he feel... empty... He hurt her…he saw the pain in her eyes but it doesn't make him happy. He just felt like a jerk.
Sighing loudly he gave up trying to sleep and sit on his bed only to see his friends sitting on their beds while thinking.
"You can't sleep either?" Remus asked quietly from his bed. All Sirius could muster in response was a slow nod.
"Every time I close my eyes all I could see is her crying face."
They all looked at James to find him with a very troubled and heartbroken face.
"Prongs…"
"I am such a stupid jerk who can't accept rejection!"
"Don't be hard on yourself…you didn't participate in any of our pranks. It's all my fault." Sirius said trying to lighten his best friend's mood but how will he do that if he couldn't even lighten his own mood.
"Let's drink."
They all look at Remus as if he grows two head. This is perfect prefect Remus after all and now he is suggesting to break a rule.
"Only this once." Remus said pointedly and they just smiled. Maybe he is right a hard drink may help them….hopefully.
JAMES POV
They walked silently under his invisibility clock and it was probably the most silent journey that they ever done while sneaking around. But they suddenly when Peter stopped and they barely managed to stop themselves before they fall over.
"Watch it Wormtail!" Sirius hissed but immediately stopped when he saw the reason why Peter had abruptly stopped.
"Hermione?" James couldn't help but whisper and it seems that she heard him because she turned to them and once he saw her face he couldn't help but gasp. She looks so pale and in pain. She is also shaking slightly.
She is looking at him it is as if she wasn't actually seeing him and it brought chills to his heart.
Before he knew it he already ran to her side. "Are you okay?"
But she just closed her eyes and buried her head in her knees not saying anything and completely ignoring them. Up close you can clearly see her trembling form.
"Hermione…Please." He begged but he doesn't know what he is begging for… her to look at him? For her to talk to him? Or for her to forgive him? He doesn't know but darn it he wants some reaction from her whether it will hurt him or not he no longer cares he just wants to hear something from her.
He tried to touch her but then he heard that voice immediately halting his actions.
"Hermione! Hermione! Hermione! Hermione!"
The Marauders look only to see Lucius in his sleeping robe looking around frantically and when he saw Hermione he immediately rushed towards her completely ignoring them.
LUCIUS POV
When he woke up he immediately noticed Hermione's absence making him frown and frantically get up to find her. He doesn't know how long he has been looking for her but it felt as if its forever.
He felt as if his heart will explode any minutes that passed. He refused to think that she already left and went back because it scared the hell out of him. Then his feet brought him to a dark hallway where he saw her.
"Hermione!"
When she looked at him she looked in pain and shaking slightly.
"L-Lucius…" She said weakly.
"I'm here." He removes his robe leaving him in his pajama and immediately put it on her shaking form.
"I-it h-hurts."
"I will bring you to Madam Pomprey." When she didn't say anything he carefully scoops her in his arms and gently carries her.
"Where are you taking her?"
He immediately stopped when he finally noticed the Marauders presence making him frown and his aura darken. But his daughter needs him so he decided to ignore them.
"Where are you taking her?"
He stopped once again and looked at Black darkly. "Why Black? Are you not done hurting her! Don't you think you've all had enough?"
SIRIUS POV
It was as if somebody slapped him upon hearing those words from that snake.
"I d-didn't -"
"Save it…I really don't care I never expected anything from any of you but what you did to Hermione is unforgivable and if you try to hurt her again I WILL KILL YOU ALL."
All they could do was watch Malfoy walk away with Hermione.
LUCIUS POV
He can hear her whimpers when he gently put her in one of the beds in the Hospital Wing. Her shaking is more visible.
"Step back Mr. Malfoy."
He immediately obeyed Madam Pomprey and silently watched her examine Hermione.
"What's wrong with her?" He couldn't help but ask after a while.
"Cruciatus Curse after effect." Madam Pomprey answered with a slight shaking in her voice.
Lucius clinched his fist after hearing that. He knows that the only person that can suffer from that was those that repeatedly exposed from that curse.
"She's just a child!" Madam Pomprey hissed.
Silently Lucius walked towards Hermione and gently hold her small hand. "Can you do something for her? Anything? Please…" He added afterwards.
Madam Pomprey smiled softly despite the vile feeling in her stomach due to Hermione's condition. While looking at Malfoy she can clearly see how deeply he cares for Hermione. "I'm afraid that there is no cure for that…but she must avoid stress that can trigger it."
Stress? It is practically impossible for her to avoid it in this place. "I can take her to Malfoy Manor and ensure that."
Madam Pomprey smiled again seeing Malfoy's desperate face. "She will be fine Mr. Malfoy she is a very strong girl….stronger than anyone I know."
"I just want her to be alright…I don't care if she will be the weakest girl in the whole world as long as she is happy then I will be stronger for the both of us." Lucius said fiercely while holding her fragile hand and caressing her face gently.
"You are a good man Mr. Malfoy…Ms. Granger is a very lucky lady to have you." Madam Pomprey said sincerely.
Lucius didn't say anything instead he sits besides Hermione. "Can I stay here?" He asked…no not asked, begged.
"Just let her rest and I won't make you leave."
When Lucius didn't say anything Madam Pomprey left quietly leaving the two alone. This was probably the first time she saw him with that soft expression and it was all because of the new transfer student.
SIRIUS POV
When Lucius left with Hermione they followed him, using James' invisibility clock to remain unseen.
They watched as Malfoy carefully put Hermione on the bed but what caught their attention was the gentle expression on Malfoy's face while looking at Hermione. It was as if he was looking at the most delicate and special treasure in the world.
"Cruciatus Effect?" He burst when they finally in their dorm.
"She's only fifteen!" Peter exclaimed angst.
He wants to say something but all of them stop upon hearing a loud noise and they almost don't know what to do when they saw James punching the wall fiercely and repeatedly.
"James!" Remus was the first to recover in his shock and immediately went to stop James.
"James stop it!"Remus managed to stop James who by now has a bleeding hand.
"She is just a kid!" James shouted loudly and they finally notice his tears.
"Prongs."
Sirius can only say his name…What will he do? No one taught him what to do in this kind of situation.
"She didn't deserve it!" James cried and slumped on the floor without inhibition. Every time he think of what he heard in the Hospital Wing his heart constricts in a painful manner.
Sirius can only stand there and look at his suffering friend. Because for the very first time in his life he will admit that he made a huge mistake and he doesn't know how to fix it or if he still can fix it.
He closed his eyes tightly but all he can see is her pale and trembling form as if she is in a lot pain…
Merlin how do I fix this?
JAMES POV
It's been two days and he still hasn't seen Hermione. He can see Lucius and every time they look each other he can see his deep hatred for them. Since that night they haven't pranked anyone even the Slytherins…
He released a huge sign before standing and walking to the Slytherin table completely ignoring his friend's call that did nothing but follow him as he walked.
He stood beside Lucius who is eating and didn't give any sign that he noticed him or maybe he is just really ignoring him.
"Malfoy a moment…p-please." Merlin it almost choked him to say that "please" word to his greatest nemesis. He controlled his urges to punch him when he continued to ignore him.
"Malfoy c-"
But Malfoy suddenly stood up and started to walk away.
"Malfoy! I'm talking to you!" By now all of the students and professors were looking at them but he didn't care he needs to find out where Hermione is and if he needs to settle all of the differences he has with Malfoy then so be it.
If looks could kill then he'd surely be dead by the way he is looking at him now.
"I want to know where she is." He said looking at him determinedly.
"Who are you talking about?' Lucius answered seriously without any trace of any facial expression.
James eyebrows twitch due to annoyance…but he took a calming breath. It looks as if Malfoy really enjoy torturing him right now. "Her-"
Before he could finish her name Malfoy suddenly punched him and Merlin it hurts like hell and so his patience flew away. He will kill this snake. He attacked Malfoy and before he realized it several hexes are already flying between Gryffindor and Slytherin.
"STOPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP"
Everybody immediately stop upon hearing Dumbledore loud and angry voice and noon dared to disobey him.
"WHAT IS GOING ON!?"
An angry Dumbledore asked them looking at them as if they are a very naughty children. "I said what is going on!"
"Malfoy started it Professor he suddenly attacked James."Sirius said while wiping the blood in his eyebrow caused by the punched he received by his own brother.
"Mr. Malfoy?" When Lucius didn't say anything to correct Sirius' statement Dumbledore sighed loudly. "All right Mr. Malfoy apologize to Mr. Potter."
LUCIUS POV
He waited long for this moment to do this to Potter and to his stupid friends and Dumbledore what him to apologize to him! he must be joking!
"No." He said glaring at the old bat.
"Mr. Malfoy if you will not apologize then I will deduct fifty points to your house."
Lucius glared at Potter and everyone. This people didn't know anything… He will never apologize!
"Deduct all our points then!"
Before anyone can comprehend his statement he already casted a very painful hex to Potter and Black. Although it was not enough to kill them and it will only hurt them for an hour or two but hearing them screaming in pain is more than enough for him.
He hates them! He wants to kill them but he knows that it will also hurt Hermione if he do that but James Potter doesn't have any right to say his daughter' name and he definitely doesn't have any right to be near her.
From now on whoever hurt his daughter he will hurt them double. He will make sure that they will feel her suffering and they will all know his revenge…