Ch. 10 The Beginning of Revelations
Hermione searched diligently through the schools hoping to get a glance of red hair. She felt like she'd been all over the place and hadn't found Ginny yet. Where would Ginny go if she was upset? Ordinarily she'd probably jump on her broom but since the sun had set and most people were heading to the Great Hall for dinner she knew that wasn't a possibility. She'd almost given up and was heading back to her room when she saw red hair flip around a corner. She hurried after and caught Ginny walking quickly towards the Gryffindor commons.
"Ginny!" she stumbled after her, "Ginny wait!"
Ginny stopped and spun around in shock. Hermione slowed down in front of her out of breath.
"I've been looking," she breathed heavily, "everywhere for you."
Ginny was eying her as if she were some alien speaking another language. She shifted uncomfortably as she realized she had no idea what she was going to say to her. How did she explain her and Draco? She hid a smile thinking about the fact that she was on a first name basis with him. She would have been more perplexed about Ginny finding them but what had just transpired between her and Draco had left her in too good a mood. She was happy and not even Ginny being upset could stop her almost feelings of giddiness.
"Ginny, what you saw-" she began.
"Was you and Malfoy snogging," Ginny interrupted.
She blinked. They had been snogging. She couldn't believe it she was still in a state of shock herself. Ginny's voice was accusing and hinted at traces of anger.
"What's going on with you Hermione? You and Malfoy?"
There was no one in the long hall with them but their voices were hushed, nonetheless.
"It's not what you think," she said weakly.
Ginny crossed her arms giving her a 'yeah right' look.
"How long have you been shagging the enemy?"
She gasped and resisted the urge to slap her, "I am not shagging Malfoy."
"But you are snogging him, right? Since when did you two become a hot item and how comes no one knows? Merlin, Hermione, I thought you two hated each other!"
"We do! I mean we did!" she shook her head confused, "I don't know. I don't know what's happening between us. It just.......happened."
Ginny looked unconvinced.
"You two didn't look like you hated each other," she swept her hand through her hair in irritation, "How can you kiss that ferret? He treats you so horrible Hermione! Have you not forgotten that he bloodied Blaise Zabini's face the other day because he asked you out? How many times has he called you a mudblood?" she threw her arms up, "What's wrong with you?"
Hermione was silently taking in Ginny's anger and apparent disgust with her when she latched on to what she said about Draco and Blaise's fight. Suddenly it hit her like a sack of bricks. He'd fought Blaise because he asked her out. It had nothing to do with her not being a pureblood. He was simply.......jealous. She breathed out heavily trying to catch her breath at the news. Draco was jealous. He was jealous of Blaise that's why he wouldn't tell me.
"He was jealous," she said aloud.
Ginny cocked her head and looked at her as if she'd gone mad.
"Hermione, did you drink anything that he gave you? Because, you're not acting like yourself."
She shook her head and focused back on Ginny.
"I did not drink anything. This is me Ginny. Whether you like it or not I was kissing Draco-"
"Draco?" Ginny interrupted, "You're calling him Draco? You must be under some dark spell some-"
"Ginny, will you please!" Ginny blinked in surprise and shut her mouth, "I'm not under a spell. I haven't taken a potion and I'm not going crazy!"
"Then how do you explain what happened?"
She realized Ginny was trying her best to rationalize her actions from an angle that she could understand. She didn't see the obvious truth.
"I don't know if I can explain it. One moment we're talking or arguing and the next.........." her voice trailed off.
Ginny looked incredulous, "This isn't the first time?"
Hermione slowly shook her head, "Only one other time before."
This time it was Ginny's turn to shake her head, "I don't know who you are Hermione and right now I'm going to walk away before I say something I regret," she turned to go then stopped and gave her one last look, "Do you realize that my brother is in love with you?"
"Ron?" she blinked.
Ginny rolled her eyes, "Yes, that's the one," her voice grew quiet, "If you break his heart I'll never forgive you."
She walked off down the hall leaving her alone. Hermione's shoulders slumped suddenly realizing the severity of the situation. Ron was in love with her? Since when? Either she was really daft or Ginny was really wrong, somehow she felt it was the former. She grew angry. He's in love with me now? Now? She wanted to scream in frustration but instead headed down the hall to the library. She needed time to herself to think.
Later that night Hermione had left the library and headed to the Gryffindor common. Despite Ginny's being pissed at her she knew she wouldn't forgo her Prefect duties especially not since McGonagall had trusted her with filling in for Draco. She smiled as she stood in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady. She hadn't returned to their dorms since he'd told her to go after Ginny and she wondered if his mind was in as much of a mess as hers was.
A few minutes later Ginny stepped out of the portrait and looked in surprise at Hermione. She said nothing and began to walk the length of the hall Hermione beside her. She wasn't going to press her for the moment she would let her talk when she was ready. Knowing Ginny, she knew she wouldn't be silent for long. Not five minutes later Ginny glanced at her her expression cool.
"It just happened?"
Hermione nodded, "I didn't plan to kiss him, Ginny. Most of the time I'm always angry at him for something he's said or done. It's not like I woke up this morning intending to do it."
Ginny tried to keep her face cool and unfriendly but she couldn't help it and smiled.
"No wonder you two are always arguing."
Hermione caught her amused expression and said, "What do you mean?"
"You and Malfoy were arguing because you couldn't.........you know," Ginny implied.
Hermione felt herself blushing and began to walk faster.
"I hardly think that's the reason, Ginny. We argue because he's an insulting, insufferable, git."
"Who you happen to enjoy snogging,"
She laughed in shock.
"I guess when you put it that way," she became quiet, "Do you hate me?"
Ginny sighed, "No, I was pissed at first. Then I sat trying to picture myself in your place. Personally, if Draco Malfoy ever tried to kiss me I'd slap him before he could pucker his lips. But, I'm also not blind. He's very well made," she blushed as she admitted it.
Hermione smiled in agreement.
"Do you think Ron is really in love with me?"
Ginny nodded, "I think he expects you and he are gonna hook up soon. It seems like the natural thing to do."
Hermione shook her head, "I fancied him in fourth and fifth year, he never noticed. Now, that I don't have those feelings for him he goes and has them for me," she sighed, "I felt he'd been acting strange around me lately. I didn't suspect his feelings though."
Ginny lowered her head as they walked, "I thought that I would end up with Harry and you would end up with Ron and we'd all be these two miserably happy couples."
"Things don't always work out the way you expect."
Ginny's face had become forlorn then brightened, "So, what's it like kissing the ferret?"
Hermione's face heated.
"That good huh?"
"Promise me you won't say anything to Harry or Ron?"
Ginny gave her a reassuring smile, "I promise. It's not like I'll be able to get a word in with Estrella around and Ron would......well I don't wanna think about what he would do. He'd probably kill Malfoy."
The thought had occurred to her. She hoped it wouldn't come to that though. She wasn't even sure exactly what was going on with her and Draco and she definitely wasn't going to complicate matters with the entire school in the know. There was too much at stake.
Today was Saturday and mostly everyone was headed to Hogsmeade. Hermione was just getting up. After her patrol with Ginny she'd come back to the dorms to find Draco gone. She knew that he was out on one of his nightly excursions and she was once again overwrought with fear for him. She'd stayed up until she'd heard him come back in quietly sometime early this morning. Only after she'd heard his door click was she able to close her eyes and drift off.
She knew she'd most likely missed breakfast but she wasn't that hungry anyway. She went into the bathroom and took a quick shower. She stepped out of her room and looked to his. The snake was still for once and appeared sleep. She knew he was probably still asleep and crept quietly out.
At Hogsmeade the Gryffindors were still celebrating their first victory and were mostly concentrated in the Hog's Head merrily having butterbeers. She had left the gathering to go to a small jewelry shop. She was eying an enchanting bracelet that looked like it was made out of blue gold, unfortunately it was waay out of her price range. She heard someone clear their throat behind her and was surprised to see Blaise. She'd almost forgotten that she'd agreed to a butterbeer with him if she came.
"Blaise. Hi."
He nodded at the bracelet, "Are you interested in that?"
She glanced at it, "It's beautiful but much too expensive."
He looked at the price, "Do you want it?"
She glanced back at the bracelet then at him.
"I can't. I would never spend that much money on-"
"On yourself?" he broke in, "Why don't I buy it for you?"
She gasped shaking her head, "No, I would never be able to accept that from you. It's way too expensive."
"I insist," he reached into his pockets and she reached out to still him.
"That is not necessary Blaise. What are you doing in here anyway?"
He shrugged, "I saw you come in. I've been meaning to talk to you."
She wondered if he would call his 'date' off. She felt bad about his house turning on him but then again he didn't look that upset by it.
"How have you been?" she asked trying to gauge his reaction.
He grinned at her, "You mean how am I feeling now that my entire house hates me?"
She smiled sheepishly, "Exactly."
"It hasn't been a picnic but it's not anything I can't handle."
She bit her lip trying to think of a solution for him.
"Why don't you tell everyone that you hate me and would never date someone like me?" she offered.
He chuckled his dark hair falling in his face.
"I'm not going to do that besides it's not true. They can make me an outcast, it's not like there's much kinship in Slytherin to begin with. We may stick together but there's no real love lost."
"I'm sorry about you and Dr-," she caught herself, "You and Malfoy."
He glanced away his black eyes cooling considerably.
"I'm sorry you have to share a dorm with him."
"I'm sure you and Malfoy will be friends again, maybe he'll even apologize."
He gave her a disbelieving look, "Draco doesn't apologize to anyone for anything and he isn't going to start with me. Not that it matters, he's an idiot and I'm not interested."
She didn't tell him that he had apologized to her. He probably wouldn't believe it she'd hardly believed it herself.
"I don't want you to be out with your housemates because of me."
He gave her a wide smile, "It's not really up to you is it?" she shook her head no smiling back at him, "Can we have that butterbeer now?"
She didn't want to give him the wrong idea but she had agreed to this days before and nodded. They went to the Hogs Head and immediately everyone's attention was on them. People even started clapping and she'd blushed profusely before finding a seat far in the back. Blaise just grinned at it all. She definitely didn't like all the attention that they were garnering nor did she like that everyone was looking at her and Blaise as some modern day Romeo and Juliet.
Despite everyone staring at them interestedly she had a good time with Blaise. The talked about miscellaneous things like school, what they wanted to do when they graduated, and places they'd been. He'd even relaxed a told a few hilarious stories about he and Draco. They were both avoiding the subject of the inevitable war it seemed as if that were a taboo subject. She had no idea where he stood in the matter which is one of the reasons she didn't care to know at the moment. He didn't feel like a life-long enemy but this wasn't the time to be caught off guard. Things were still becoming increasingly dangerous and Dumbledore's absence hadn't helped matters.
Harry and Ron had been glaring in their direction watching Blaise closely. He'd taken the time to wave to them a few times which made Ron's face beet red. She would have laughed if she didn't know how Ron felt about her. When they'd stood to leave Blaise had given her a kiss on the cheek and she'd seen Harry visibly restrain Ron. A few of the girls had 'ahhed' at the polite gesture and she'd resisted rolling her eyes.
She, Harry, and Ron had promptly headed to Hagrid's cabin soon after. They had only seen him in class and hadn't been able to visit him like they used too. They also wanted information on Dumbledore's being gone and Hagrid although always reluctant to divulge always ended up telling them something of importance.
He had been standing in his door smiling and waving to them and Hermione felt a warm feeling inside at seeing his large jovial body welcoming them. He ushered them inside and immediately asked about Hogsmeade and if they were doing alright. They relaxed and talk for hours about this and that. Then they'd told him about Harry's predicament and he'd stared in worry.
"Voices, 'eh, Harry?" his large gruff voice was filled with worry.
Harry tried to appear as if it was no big deal but he was failing miserably. Hermione knew he was deathly afraid and putting up a brave front for all of them.
"Not voices. Just the one," he said.
"I've been trying to find information on it but couldn't. There's nothing anywhere it seems that says anything about a voice summoning you in the night," she shook her head, "It doesn't make sense."
Hagrid rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "Maybe we should have a talk with Dumbledore. I've never heard of anythin' like it either. You-know-who might be closer than we think.."
"Speaking of Dumbledore," Ron said, "Where is he?"
Hagrid's eyes became shifty and he moved over to his stove and began brewing the tea he'd started to cook.
"Dumbledore has.......things he needs to tend to."
"What things?" Harry asked.
Hagrid continued to stir, "Mostly school things."
"Dumbledore's been gone for over a week. He's never been away from the school for this long. It must be serious," she said.
Hagrid seemed to not take it anymore and then dropped the spoon he was stirring with. He turned to them eagerly.
"There's a lot going on at the Ministry that Dumbledore has to sort out. Boring stuff."
They all looked at each other knowingly.
"Some people think Voldemort's followers are moving from within," he gazed at them all solemnly, "It's just like last time. Don't know who to trust," he shook his head, "Some parents have even been petitionin' for the school to close."
"What?" Ron was the first to say.
"They can't do that," Harry was angry at the thought.
Hagrid looked surprised at what he'd said, "Now, you didn't hear that from me. Matter o' fact you all should probably be heading back to the school. I'm supposed to be visiting Buckbeack pretty soon. Don't wanna miss it."
They all stood to go.
"Remember, you didn't hear nothin' from me."
They all nodded and said goodbye. They headed back to the castle giving theories as to what they thought Dumbledore's absence was and what the Ministry had to do with it.
"They can't be seriously asking to close the school. It's the safest place there is. Voldemort would never dream of coming here," Ron exclaimed.
"Dumbledore said there were a lot of powerful people convincing the ministry to keep the recent deaths a secret. They're probably behind this too," Harry mused, "They're probably working for Voldemort."
They stepped through the castle doors basking in the warmth from the fall climate.
"Hopefully some of the other members of the Order are helping him. Dumbledore may be very powerful but he's only one person. He can't very well fight the entire ministry on his own," she said.
"Maybe we should help him," Harry offered.
"How?" Ron looked at Harry puzzled, "We can't leave the school. We can't do anything."
"Why not?" Harry asked.
She glanced at him and could practically see the wheels turning in his head. He was suggesting leaving Hogwarts.
"No, Harry," she spoke adamantly, "How do we know that whatever that voice is won't be much stronger and powerful away from Hogwarts. It could get worse if we leave. Being here may be the only thing that's protecting you."
Ron nodded in agreement, "That's probably what Voldemort wants, you leave the castle so he can send his loyal Death Eaters to try to off you."
Harry groaned in irritation, "I can't just sit here and wait for things to happen! Muggles are dying and soon they're going to start killing witches and wizards. It's only a matter of time. I'd rather be prepared then to be sitting here pretending everything is normal and then get caught unaware."
"Sometimes the only thing you can do is wait," she said quietly understanding his need to have an outburst.
They walked the rest of the way in silence and she said goodbye to them before heading to her own dorm. She had been anticipating seeing Draco all day. Just thoughts of the night before made her body heat in memory.
Inside the common room was empty and it didn't seem as if he had been through here at all. Their cauldron sat unmoved in the back of the room the lid firmly on top. His snake was up and writhing on his door. She wondered if that meant that he was up as well. She wanted to knock on his door but resisted and instead went to her room.
She grabbed a book and took a seat on the couch deciding to pass the time with reading. She had about a few hours left until her and Ginny would go patrolling and she wanted to make sure she caught him coming out of his room.
The hours flew by and she'd constantly watched his door hoping for him to leave his room. Ginny came and she had grudgingly went patrolling her thoughts completely occupied with him. Ginny had asked about her date with Blaise.
"It wasn't a date, Ginny. We just had a butterbeer that's all."
"Umhm," she said giving her a wry look, "Then why is everyone saying he kissed you at the end?"
"Huh? What?" she'd said pulling her thoughts from Draco.
Ginny had given her an exasperated look, "Are you even paying attention? I said, if it was 'just a butterbeer' why is everyone saying he kissed you at the end?"
"Merlin, people have nothing better to do, do they?"
Ginny had elbowed her, "Come on, spill."
She sighed, "There's nothing to spill. He kissed me on the cheek. That was all," she had looked at Ginny suspiciously, "Where were you anyway? I don't remember seeing Estrella either. I knew something was odd about that."
Ginny shrugged, "I offered to take her shopping."
She had eyed her surprised, "Really? I thought you hated her."
"Hate's a strong word. I do dislike her though. I knew you Harry and Ron would want to visit Hagrid. I doubt you all wanted her tagging along."
She'd smiled at her, "Thanks Ginny, that was thoughtful of you."
She'd shrugged again, "I think the less time they spend together the better."
Hermione had said nothing else even though a part of her agreed about Estrella and Harry's seemingly permanent attachment.
Now she was back in her room and moving to Draco's door. There was still no sign of him and she was beginning to worry. She raised her hand to the door and hesitated before knocking.
"Draco?"
She waited patiently for him to open up. A few moments passed before she knocked again this time more forcefully.
"Draco?"
She leaned her head against the door to see if she could hear anything. There was no movement on the other side so she put her hand on the knob and turned it. The door opened quietly and Hermione gazed around his room. It was identical to hers except it was masculine with green and silver tones. His bed was made up and there was a tray of half-eaten food on a table near the window. She closed the door and went to the couch to continue reading her book.
She had no idea when he'd left or how long he'd been gone but she was assuming this was one of his nightly visits to the Forbidden Forest. She pushed her fears down and tried to focus on the words on the pages in her book. Soon enough she was pulled into the fictional world and time flew by. Sometime later her eyes fell closed and her book slid out of her hands.
Much later she was awoken by the door opening. She sat up becoming immediately awake. Her heart stopped when she was Draco stumble through the door. He fell to the floor and struggled to get back up. He looked like he was in tremendous pain. She jumped up and ran over to him lifting him up with her arms. He was shivering and his head was bent low barely remaining conscious. She struggled to uphold him.
"Draco," she barely got out faltering under his weight, "Draco, please let me help you to the couch."
His head lifted momentarily and she saw that his face was badly bruised and bleeding.
"Room...........Take.....me..to my room," he gasped out.
He seemed to be having trouble breathing.
"We need to go to the hospital wing-" she tried to turn back to the door and he refused to budge.
"NO," he said harshly, "My room......Take me to my......room."
He began to move in that direction and she moved with him helping him slowly to the door. She turned the knob with her free hand and pulled him through. He held on to her tightly as she practically dragged him to his bed. He fell on it his bloody face in a grimace. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest looking at him in his injured state.
"Draco, you need help. I only know basic medicine but you need a lot more."
His gray eyes stared at the ceiling concealing his pain.
"Help.....me.....with my robes."
He was lifting himself up trying to take his robes off and she stilled him. She pulled his robe over his head and she could tell that he winced.
"I'm sorry," she said throwing the robes to the side.
He had on a white shirt underneath and she lifted him up again to remove it. He clenched his jaw against the pain and lifted up so she could take the shirt off. She gasped when his shirt was completely removed. His skin was already turning purple at the vicious bruises and it looked as if a rib or two had been broken.
A tear slide out of her eye and he looked at her curiously before cupping her face with his hand.
"Why are you crying Granger?"
She blinked the tear away, "Wait a minute. I'll be right back."
He was about to say something but she ran out of the room before he could. She ran into her room and grabbed her wand then ran back. He had begun to breath more shallowly and ragged than before and she knew it was the result of his broken ribs. She immediately healed the smaller wounds whispering simple medical spells and then looked at him helplessly when she'd finished.
"You need Madam Pomfrey. She can heal your broken ribs."
"No," he grabbed her wrist tightly the wounds on his face already clearing from her spells, "Hand me.......my......wand."
She looked around for it.
"In.....In..my......robe."
She grabbed his robe and fished in the pockets before finally retrieving it She handed it to him and he seemed to take a gasping breath before whispering complicated medical spells. Her eyes widened watching him. He continued to clench his jaws at the pain from his broken ribs moving back into place. Once he was finished the hand with the wand in it dropped limply to his side and he breathed out heavily.
She tenderly touched the area where his ribs had been protruding into his skin only moments before. He sucked in a breath at her touch and she immediately jerked her hand away. He reached for hand with lightning speed and laid it on his chest. They said nothing for a long while. She just sat there her hand in his as it lay on his chest. His eyes were watching hers half-massed. After a few minutes they fluttered closed and he slept.
She watched him, content. He looked like an angel while he slept his features smooth and innocent with no traces of worry or pain. Tears slid down her face as her mind came up with reasons why he'd come in in the state he was in.
In all these years she'd never thought much into the bullying boy who'd spent so much time tormenting them all. She never thought of him as having any real problems or facing any real issues. She'd noticed a look in Draco that she'd never noticed before. She'd only really seen it in Harry. He was haunted. Before this year she would have written him off as a Death Eater in training who was nothing more than a replica of his despicable father. Now she saw that he was much more than his legacy much more than a mindless follower of Voldemort because she saw something she never thought she would see in him. Struggle.
He was struggling with himself and to be able to struggle was to question, doubt, and reflect. Whatever he was sneaking off to do every night he definitely wasn't enjoying. She could even see the hatred in his eyes from whatever task he'd just had to commit. It tore her up inside and she wanted to be able to keep him away from the pain of whatever it was he was experiencing.
She watched him for a few minutes more wiping the tears from her face and began to quietly move from the bed. His hand held tightly on to hers keeping her by his side.
"Don't go, Hermione."
Her eyes closed briefly at the sound of her name coming from his mouth. She licked her dry lips and looked down at him. His eyes were still closed.
"I'll stay, if you want me too."
His eyes opened and stared up at her tiredly.
"What are you still doing up?"
"I was waiting for you," she brushed a strand of blond hair out of his eyes.
He slowly moved his head back and forth.
"Stubborn," he whispered his eyes closing again.
She chuckled blinking away another tear.
"I'm afraid for you Draco."
His breath became even again and she curled up next to him careful not to lean on his sore injuries. With her hand in his on his chest she laid her head slowly on his chest as well. She could hear his heartbeat and it lulled her to sleep. It was the first time she'd been able to sleep without nightmares in a long while.
(A/N) Hi everybody. I just wanted to say........YAY I made it to my 10th chapter! You have no idea what this means to me. I am the Queen of Procrastination and the fact that I have consistently updated this story and will continue to do so just astonishes me. I want to give a shout out to all who have read the story so far and a personal shot out to those who have taken the time to review.
IGOTEAMEDWARD (Thanks for reviewing for nearly every chapter)
Mehr03
Malshani
HarryPGinnyW4eva (I read your review last night as I posted ch. 9 and loled when I realized everything you asked for I had already written, I guess we think it like when it comes to this story)
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Rosebud1915
Thank you all for your wonderful reviews and words of encouragement. So how am I doing? Do I suck or what? Don't be afraid to tell me. Hope everyone enjoys. :)