WOW- So I'm sorry that it took me so long on this chapter! Normally I can bust out a chapter in a few hours or so, but this one just really didn't want to come out... Even though it took me so long, I'm pretty happy with the result- so I hope you are too.
Oh, and no one got back to me with the answer to my question at the end of the last chapter. A few people said that they wore a ring, but I was looking for something more specific... So I guess I'll just have to think of some other question for later on...
Hermione awoke the next evening to the complete darkness of her room. The reason it was dark, of course, was because her room was deep in the dungeon. She sat up in her bed, looking crestfallen; her vampiric senses informing her that the sun had set. "I do hope that Draco was being truthful about his claim last night."
"I was."
Hermione hissed, startled by the voice coming from the darkness, and scrambled for the wand stashed under her pillow. A figure emerged from the shadows, his peroxide blonde hair catching all of the minimal light in the room, and came closer. "Draco!"
A spark emitted from his wand and jumped to the candle on her nightstand. "It took you longer than expected to get your beauty sleep." He chuckled with a smirk.
"I- I- How did you get in here!?" She fumbled out of her four poster bed and darted behind a screen to change. When he didn't answer she glared at him over the top.
Draco was looking at her with a very amused expression on his face. "I have my ways…" She emerged from behind the screen and put her hands on her hips. "The rest of the staff arrived today."
"Yes, I already knew they would." She held open the door and waited for him to exit. "I'm starving." He held out his arm and led her to the Great Hall, where the rest of the staff was enjoying their dinner.
Before she knew it, she was pulled into a massive hug that previously would have forced the breath out of her. "'Ermione!"
"Hello Hagrid!" She squealed, unintentionally revealing her fangs.
"Well now, that'd be sometine to look at." Hermione flushed, closing her mouth again. "Now 'Ermione at's notin to be embarrassed abou'." She looked up and gave him a hesitant smile. "Best be gettin' back ter Fang now."
Hermione watched Hagrid leave, running her tongue along her teeth, a sad smile on her face. A warm arm snaked around her shoulder and she turned to look at Draco. "It wasn't as bad as you're thinking it was."
She stiffened. "How do you know what I'm thinking?"
He looked at her. "How about we get you something to eat and I'll explain all that later."
She allowed him to walk her to the table. Minerva gave her a warm smile upon their approach. "Hello Headmistress."
"Miss Granger, dear, I'm so glad you're here! Now, we've set up an alternative schedule this year for your-"
"That won't be necessary Headmistress," Draco interrupted her. "You see, there is a way for us to survive in the sunlight."
Minerva raised an eyebrow. "Yes, you've said that… I also recall that you haven't said how this is done. I do, however, suggest that you do not interrupt me again Mr. Malfoy."
He smirked and extended his hand. "Lapis Lazuli." Hermione looked closer and realized that the ring on his finger did indeed have the blue stone in it. "The Egyptians were the first to discover the healing properties of this stone. It is said to be the stone of the angels." He smirked and winked at Hermione.
"So… So that's how you're going to get me into the sun? A stone?" Hermione bit her lip in nervousness. Even after having known she was a witch for half her life, this seemed a little too miraculous a thing to actually work. "I don't know… Does it really work?"
"I'm standing here aren't I?"
"You are really full of yourself." Hermione huffed and sat down in an empty chair.
After she had eaten her fill of food (it had tasted horrendously like dirt to her), Hermione looked up to see Draco gazing intently at her. She pressed her lips into a tight line and determined that he could look very intimidating when he wanted. "Is there something I can help you with Draco?"
"Take a walk with me; show me the castle."
It was a question, but he definitely didn't speak it as such. He so confidently caught her off guard that she couldn't refuse. So, she simply nodded and led him out to the Grand Staircase. "Watch you step on that stair; you'll fall right through. These staircases like to move as well, though, it seems they are more active when students are here." They walked through the halls, chatting about this and that (nothing too personal) long after the rest of the staff had retired for the night. Hermione stopped at the portrait of the Fat Lady. "This… was my home for seven years."
He smirked. "Cozy."
She smacked his chest. "No, you prat, this is the entrance! I would show you the Gryffindor Common Room, but I don't know the password."
Rolling his eyes, he sighed. "Yes, yes, I know, you silly girl. Now, come one; it's almost dawn and I promised you the sun."
Her cries of protest were drowned out by his laughter as he led her back the way they came. He only stopped once they arrived at the large doors of the Entrance Hall. With a flick of his wand, they swept open. All warning flags were blasting off throughout Hermione's body. She saw a dim purple color coming up over the forest. In less than ten minutes, the spot they were standing in would be bathed in light. "Draco…"
He grinned at her, having the audacity to look amused by her pained expression. "Don't worry; I didn't forget you." He pulled something from his pocket and held it out for her.
What she saw took her breath away. It was a thin, delicate golden chain. Attached to it, with a tiny gold wire, was a lapis lazuli stone. The golden specks in the blue stone glittered and matched the gold chain perfectly. Though the design was simple, Hermione could tell it would look magnificent with jeans and a t-shirt as well as with a formal ball gown. Quicker than she could sense, Draco was behind her. "Pull you hair out of the way." She complied with his request and gasped as the cool metal touched her flesh. Draco's hand ghosted over her bite mark as he released her hair from her hands. "When will I hear your story?"
She shivered as his breath tickled her ear. Not wanting to look at his piercing eyes, she kept her back to him. "Well… Let's see if I live through this and I'll think about telling you someday."
"Shall we then? It's time."
Her gaze shot to the open door and she saw that it was now bright pink above the forest. A wave of light had actually reached the threshold of the door and was making its way to where they were standing. To say that Hermione was shaking like a leaf was an understatement. She was completely and utterly terrified. "No…" She stepped back and pressed herself firmly against the opposite wall.
Draco smirked. "You look just like a scared little kitten."
Not amused with his remark, she hissed at him. She felt like she had just woken up at St. Mungo's; it had been quite a while since she'd hissed this much at anyone! He frustrated the hell out of her, but he was also helping her. It was a delicate balance on the top of a very sharp dagger. Hermione took a breath. It wouldn't do to push away the only one who was really helping her. She just needed to learn how to control herself- that was, if they lived through this.
Throughout her internal battle with herself, Draco had continued his staring. He knew she wouldn't believe that the stone would keep her safe. Hell, it had been pure accident that he had discovered it himself!
The line of light was now inches from their feet. Hermione knew that there was no longer a chance for her to safely escape; either the stone would work or they would both die.
"Fine," Hermione sighed, "let's just get this over with. If I'm going to die, I'd rather not have to wait." She squared her shoulders and began to move forward.
Ohhhhhhhhh- Cliffhanger! Sorry! Don't be mad at me please.
I'd really appreciate any opinions, so please review and let me know what you think!!!