Chapter 7
Weeks have passed, three and a half weeks to be exact; Hermione was released from the hospital wing three and a half weeks ago and returned to her head girl duties. Draco was released three days after he was confined and started Quidditch a week after, where he was anointed Captain. For short, both Heads are doing well and are back to where they left behind.
It was the seventh year Slytherins and Gryffindors' break. Both Heads were in their dormitory. Hermione was reading her Ancient Runes while Draco was trying to do his Potions extra homework about Amortentia, twelve inches of parchment. All because of disrespecting his classmates.
Flashback
"Now, students, you are to be partnered, with the same partners you had last time. You are to make a sleeping draught. I will give 50 points each to the pair that finishes and succeed the draught first. Understand? Now, start! You have an hour and a half to finish." Snape announced and went back to his table.
Forty minutes has passed and nobody has finished the potion.
Draco was still brewing his potion, when accidentally, a Gryffindor dropped a puffer-fish eye on his cauldron and started to react.
Before it can explode, Draco grabbed Isabelle and dragged themselves away from the cauldron and it exploded.
After the explosion, Draco went to the Gryffindor and started saying things to him.
Isabelle tried to stop him but, he was too hot headed. Hermione, tried as well, but doesn't wanna be on bad terms with him today.
"You sorry son of a bitch, should know who you're dealing with." He said.
Snape approached them and gave him a look.
"Now, Mr. Malfoy, as Head boy you are NOT allowed to say foul words to your fellow classmates and you should treat them with respect. However, I won't give you detention," He paused. Draco wore his famous smirk, while the other Gryffindors glared at him. Snape continued. "But the consequences are as follow, you have to make 12 inches of report about the Amortentia. 60 points from Slytherin and last, I don't care if you kill me, but, I'm banning you from Quidditch for 2 weeks. Understand?" And he left.
Draco swore under his breath. "Bastards."
..End of Flashback..
They were busy concentrating on what they're doing, when the heard a loud knock on the door. Hermione dropped her book and was shocked. She was about to stand up when Draco stood up, but she still stood up.
Draco stood up lazily and began to whine.
"Why do they have to knock like that?!" And he reached the door and opened it.
To his surprise, he saw Blaise Zabini pale as white in front of the door frame. He was panting heavily as if he saw a ghost.
Hermione rushed beside Draco to find out was going on.
"What happened, Zabini?" She asked curiously.
"It's that Knox bloke. He was found unconscious in a dark corridor near the Slytherin Common Room." He said, still panting heavily.
Draco and Hermione hurriedly got their robes, but before they could leave and Cormac McLaggen arrived, the same thing, he was panting.
"What is it this time?" Draco asked annoyingly.
Cormac ignored this and looked at Hermione.
"Hermione, its Isabelle. She was found unconscious on the girl's bathroom down at the second floor." He said then he looked at Zabini.
Zabini looked at him and said, "Her too? Knox was unconscious when we found him this morning."
"Enough babbling; Malfoy you go with Zabini and check what's going on, while I'll go with McLaggen to see what happened to her." With enough said, Hermione left with Cormac, leading to the girl's bathroom, while Zabini was leading Draco to the deserted corridor to find out what happen to Knox.
Many students surrounded her body and got intrigued. Many thought she was deceased, many thought she was just in coma.
Hermione made her way through the crowd to see what's happening.
When she saw Isabelle, she observed her, and she was pale, too pale for her color. When she touched her.
"Ow!" She burst. She was hot as fire. She was burning. But, something caught her eye. She pulled up her left sleeve. Isabelle has a symbol of a nine-tailed fox on her arm that was like burnt. She looked at it and noticed. "She never had this mark before what could this be?" She asked herself. She stood up and asked the crowd.
"Did anyone of you saw what happened?" But no one replied. She took that this happened during the time everyone was in the Great Hall.
Before she could ask further, Professor Snape and McGonagall arrives the scene.
"Oh goodness! What happened here Ms. Granger?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"She was found unconscious a little while ago by Cormac McLaggen." She replied.
McGonagall saw Isabelle's mark and talked to Snape.
"Severus, check on Knox! Quick!" She said. Then Snape rushed off to the dungeons.
McGonagall went back to interrogating Hermione.
"Did you touch her?"
Hermione looked confused and answered, "Excuse me?"
McGonagall repeated her question, clearly this time. "Did you touch her skin?"
Hermione nodded and McGonagall asked again.
"Is she cold?" McGonagall hoped for a yes but was unfortunate.
"No, professor, she was hot like fire." She said. Then she asked McGonagall. "Professor, what's that mark on her arm?"
McGonagall looked at her and shook her head. "There's no need to know. Anyways, bring her to the Headmaster's office. Use the levitating charm." She instructed. Many students even looked confused even Hermione.
Hermione did what she was told and followed McGonagall.
"Now, all of you back to your business." McGonagall said and led Hermione to Dumbledore's office.
When they arrived, Hermione was shock to see Draco putting Knox down to a mat.
"Ah. I see she's here. Put her down on the other mat as well, Ms. Granger." Dumbledore said calmly.
She did what she has been told. She put Isabelle down gently and stood up straight.
"Now you two made a good job helping fellow students. I suggest you two to leave and go back to your usual business." Dumbledore said and gave them a serene smile.
They both said their goodbyes to the Professors and left.
As they left, Professor McGonagall spoke. "Albus, are their colors as the dark guardians finally started to emerge?" She asked Dumbledore concerned.
"I daresay, they are emerging, Minerva. Even if it's against their likings, they have to accomplish the one thing they need to do." He replied. Then continued on Snape. "Severus, I want you to work on a potion where their powers wouldn't react in an unnoticed time. We don't want students afraid that some of their schoolmates are connected to dark jobs or are, as I can say, far from normal. As for you, Minerva, keep them away from trouble at all times, even if it means appointing some people." Then he dismissed them.
Back to Hermione and Draco, both were confused heading back to their own dormitory, but were stopped when they saw Ginny and Blaise in front of their door.
"What do you want now? We're just tired and confused so please if you will, it would be—" but he was cut off by Ginny.
"Oh please, Malfoy, don't be such an ass. Anyways, we came here to talk to you… both." She said, glaring at him, ready to prance if he does something she rather hates.
Draco was shocked and so was Hermione. She never saw Ginny this serious before. Draco was taken aback by the attitude of the young Weasley.
Draco started to open his mouth, but, was stopped when Hermione spoke faster than him.
"Well, if it really sounds that important, then let's talk about it inside." She said, and led them in.
She let them sit on their sofa while she sat on the chair near the fireplace and Draco got a chair from the kitchen.
"You guys, better make this quick, I'm stressed and—" And again, was interrupted by Blaise.
"Just shut up, will you?" And then he continued. "I know you guys, found it unusual about our two foreign students, right?" Both Hermione and Draco nodded. Ginny spoke next.
"And after I saw what happened, well, I kinda went to the library and research about her mark. And you'll never believe what I found out." She said.
This time, Blaise, took the opportunity to explain further.
"Remember our first day of school? The warning?" Both nodded again. "And I think, some people thought they were bullies, right?" They nodded another time. "Well, guess what? Those aren't just ordinary warnings." He said, Ginny continued. "They are warnings so that nobody makes them reach their temper and let their true self emerge." She said as if she was about to complete a mystery.
"Wait a minute, how do you guys all these?" Draco asked and added more. "And what makes you think it's true?" He said this with a little concern and nervousness.
Before either of Blaise and Ginny could answer, Hermione interrupted.
"Do you know anything, Malfoy? She was eyeing him and sooner on, even Blaise and Ginny are eyeing him as well.
Draco tried to cover up so he tried, "Why would I?"
She replied instantly. " 'Cause you know her since two years ago. You guys dated and it's possible, she could've told you."
Ginny and Blaise eyed Draco. He felt them looking at him and his sweat was about to fall, but, he told himself he could handle the pressure. Then he replied.
"Well, unfortunately, Courtney didn't tell me anything a lot about her. She's mysterious, you know?" He said. After they heard from Malfoy, Ginny continued.
"Going back, it took me fast enough to find information, thanks to Blaise over here. Now, we saw that mark of hers in one of the books about bloody and dark ancestries. We found out that the mark of Isabelle, is the mark of one of the dark guardians. It says here," She paused and pulled out the book and opened it to the page and she read it aloud. "…that there are five guardians. The fire dragon, the nine-tailed fox, three-eyed snake, the killer falcon and the black lion. This marks are passed every two ancestors. Those who receives these marks are described as dangerous and rare. Wizards and other breeds alike, can't cross a dark guardian, for those who cross them are slaughtered." She explained. As she finished reading that part, Hermione looked shocked. Draco on the other hand was trying to maintain himself calm and relaxed.
Hermione snatched the book from Ginny and read. There was one part caught her attention. 'If a guardian can control his or her self, they will be able to stand the unwanted visitation of their power, however, serious pain and faint can be caused, making the guardian sleep for three days straight without being interrupted.' Then she closed the book and turned to Ginny and Blaise who were sitting quietly on the sofa.
"Guys, if you don't mind, maybe you could leave. We still have matters to do in our hands." She said and both nodded immediately and left.
After they left, Draco was about to go to his room when Hermione stopped him.
"Not so fast, Malfoy, we need to talk." Then she dragged him down to the sofa.
"Ow! What do you want?!" He asked annoyingly.
"Tell me the truth." She said and she pointed her wand on his face.
Draco was taken aback. And he gave up.
"Fine. Fine! Alright. She is one of the dark guardians. Even Knox is. Just so happens not all five of them are here. Happy now?" He said half-angry.
She retreated her wand and gave him a small smile and walk to her room.
It was dinner, and everyone was in the Great Hall. At least not everyone.
Hermione was still in her room, sleeping. At least now, that dream of hers wasn't hunting her, but still, someone's banging at her door and forced his way in. He shake Hermione gently, so as not to startle her. But, she wouldn't budge.
Then, he noticed. He noticed that her skin was soft and her face was more beautiful than before. He also noticed that she had some curves in her. She was a well-developed lady.
He continued to stare and didn't noticed that Hermione was starting to wake up.
Hermione opened her eyes and turned to the other side. She was shocked of what she saw, and screamed.
"What are you doing?!" She asked Draco angrily.
"I was trying to wake you up!" He said.
"Well, I'm awake now so get out!" She shouted and he went out.
After dinner, Hermione was about to get back to her dormitory, when someone stopped her.
"Can we talk?" Harry asked. And she agreed.
He led her near the entrance to the staircases and they talked.
"Maybe you're wondering why I wanted to talk. It's because, I somehow noticed the way you looked at Malfoy and I don't find it very nice." He said.
She looked questioningly at Harry and asked him. "What do you mean? I mean, it's impossible and –" but was cut off.
"It's obvious Hermione, and all I want to say is, be careful, okay? For me and Ron. Will you do that?" He held on Hermione's hands.
Hermione lifted her hands and put them on Harry's shoulder. "I will." And she gave him a peck on his cheeks and she left.
When she got back, she found Draco seating on the sofa, watching the fire dance. As soon as she walked in, he stood up and reached for the door. But, she stopped him.
"Where are you going?" She asked while getting a bottle of juice from the cabinets.
"None of your business." He told her and he left.
She, however, went to her room, and watch the sky from her window. She stare at it very peacefully and even thoughts of happiness rushed into her mind.
Draco walked through the corridors and reached his destination: the Hospital Wing. He entered it quietly so as not to be heard by Madame Pomphrey.
He took a chair and sat beside Isabelle. He stroked her hair and whispered.
"I missed the old times. I wish you would finally believe me. It's hard living in the present. I can't ignore what happened." Then he gave her a kiss on her cheek and he left.
Weeks have passed, and people still talk about the accident. Isabelle and Xavier were both released from the hospital wing two days ago and were back to regular schedule.
It was Saturday morning and you could see Isabelle was walking pass the corridors heading to the lake to freshen up. But, before she could get there, someone stopped her.
"We need to talk." Knox said holding her arm.
She removed it from his grip and looked at him. "If it's about that job, well, we're not doing well at it. And, I wanna freshen up a bit. So, if you don't mind, I'll be on my way." And she left.
Isabelle arrived the lake and wasn't surprised to see a certain person, sitting under the tree. She moved closer, stared at the view and spoke.
"I'm not surprised you're here, Drake." She said. Draco turned to look at her and looked back at the view and spoke.
"Well, this has always been the right place for me." He said, then continued. "How are you? How's your condition so far?" He asked.
She looked from the view to him and answered. "For now, I'm taking measures. Thanks for being concerned." Then she turned around to walk away, but he stopped her.
"I was worried they'd find out. Your ancestry's easy to find and you know that." He said letting go of her hand.
She didn't turned back, but answered. "If ever somebody finds out, then I'll take risks." She finally said and left.
Meanwhile, Hermione, Harry and Ron, were at the Gryffindor Common Room, sharing stories.
"…So, you're telling us that that Knox bloke and Isabelle's accident aren't completely normal?" Harry asked.
"Well, yeah. But, I can't tell you… a lot has been going on, and we can't explain it." She paused. Harry looked curious while Ron's reaction, well, was quite confused. "Anyways, what has been going on with you guys?" She asked and she twisted that serious face into a smile.
Harry opened his mouth, but, Ron spoke faster. "Nothing much is going on here, except those accidents, still, many people keeps babbling bout them. They never stop." He said. Then Harry spoke to her next.
"I was going to ask you something, 'Mione." He said and he put his hands together and looked at the ground. When he was about to speak, he lifted his head and asked. "I was wondering, I know you and Ginny are really close, do you happen to know where she's been lately?" His voice was worried at the same time, concerned.
Hermione, on the other hand, got curious as well. "What do you mean? You don't know her whereabouts?"
"Well, no. Sometimes, she would be staying here for some minutes, then will leave bringing her things with her, and would be back for dinner or lunch. We wouldn't even see her during her break times." Ron said worriedly. She was thinking and a thought came. "Researching."
She turned to Ron and Harry. "I'll confront her for you." She said, holding both their hands.
30 minutes have passed and they still kept chatting, until, Hermione noticed the clock.
"Almost time for Charms. I'd better go back and prepare." She said as she stood up.
"Well, we can't argue with that. We'll see you later, Hermione." Harry said and gave her a hug. And she left.
Draco was walking down the corridors heading to the Charms classroom when he saw Knox leaning against the wall.
He came to a halt and approached him.
"Well, well. Draco Malfoy! How nice it is to see you." Knox said mockingly.
Draco got a hold of Xavier's collar and pulled him to his face. This gesture seemed to draw a lot of attention from people, passing by. Some even stopped by to watch, while others murmur.
"I know you and your dirty mischief," He whispered, well enough for both of them to hear. "Whatever that is; stay away from Courtney and from everyone. Don't even get her involved. What you did to Hermione was really something, but, don't even try laying one finger on her." He said angrily and let go off his collar tossing him back to the wall.
As he turned back, Knox shouted something.
"You didn't even hear my explanation. But, whatever, looks like a Malfoy's getting softer." He said and smirked.
Draco looked at him with outraged look and said, "You shut your mouth. You're filthy." And we that he walked away.
Later, dinner time, everything that happened between Knox and Malfoy earlier that day, spread throughout the school rapidly.
Isabelle was outraged that both of the boys were too angry at each other. So she decided to confront one of them after dinner.
She entered the library after dinner and looked for Xavier. When she spotted him, she stood there, hands on her hips, eyes focused on him.
"What were you doing?" She asked.
He didn't looked at her, but, he replied. "I didn't start it, okay? He just came to me and began shooting daggers at me." He said while examining a book.
Isabelle found this very disrespectful and pulled the book out of his hand.
"You dare mock him again; I'll kill you, Xav." Madame Pince looked at them, telling them to shut up and she pushed the book back to his hands.
Before she could turn around and walked, Xavier whispered something.
"You still care don't you? About him." He said.
"It's none of your business, Xavier. And whatever my decision is, you can't change it." And she stormed out.
END OF CHAPTER :)