A/N: Hey everyone! Just to let you know that I'm going away for a week or so, and then it's into exams when I get back... Oh joy! So, what I'm getting at is that I may not be updating for a while :( But don't hate me! I will do my very best to keep this going :D Anywho, dedication for this chapter goes to Thfourteenth, who is my 80th reviewer! YAY! *Confetti* *Fireworks* *Chocolate*
Thanks heaps to everyone who reads and alerts/favourites/reviews my story, you are all amazing!
Chapter 15
Harry stood in the living room of the Burrow, staring down at the spot his best friend had been cursed. There was a small patch of blood staining the wooden floor, the only reminder of Hermione's curse. Mrs Weasley, Ginny, Fleur, Tonks and Lupin were all still upstairs, helping Hermione. Penelope, Alicia, Angelina and Katie were sitting on the couches, whispering to each other. Harry was left holding his godson, who, at the moment, was sporting bright red hair. The Weasley men were outside, searching their land for anything suspicious, which was difficult due to the falling snow. There were footsteps coming down the stairs, and Harry turned to see Draco enter the room. There was no doubt about it, he looked like shit. His hair was messy, his eyes were bloodshot and he looked horrified. Harry noticed that there were several long scratches down his arms that were bleeding.
"It's your blood?" Harry asked.
Draco looked up, confused. Harry nodded to the patch on the floor. Draco shrugged, used his wand to clean it up, and then heal the marks on his arms.
"Hey, you okay?" Harry asked, nudging Draco. Teddy gurgled at him.
Draco shook his head. "Lupin thinks that the curse was a form of the Cruciatus. They don't know what happened though, or how much pain she was in. But from the look on her face, it was horrible."
Harry sighed heavily. What a way to end Christmas. Draco looked at the floor Hermione had been laying with him, his mind heavy with the memories of her torture. Harry patted his shoulder comfortingly. Draco attempted a smile at him, then turned and headed back up the stairs, Harry watching sadly.
Draco hesitated before entering the room. As he opened the door, he heard soft conversations, and his curiosity caused him to enter. Tonks and Lupin were standing together on one side of Hermione's bed, talking with her softly. Talking to her. Hermione was awake! Draco hurried to her side, taking her hand in his.
"Hermione! Are you okay?" He asked frantically.
His girlfriend nodded. "I'm just worn out. That was not a very nice curse."
"Hermione, we need to know what happened. What you felt, or saw." Lupin told her gently.
She nodded bravely and began to speak. "It was like a vision but it hurt like the Cruciatus. I was seeing images like my parents being brutally murdered, Harry and Ron being killed, all of the Weasley's as well... And Draco. Everyone I loved was getting killed, and it really hurt. I was being tortured with these visions; they were very real to me. In fact, if you all weren't here right now, I would have believed that I was alone. It was ten times worse than being Crucioed."
Draco sat in horror. His girlfriend had been put through hell. As Hermione looked down though, Draco had a feeling she wasn't telling them everything. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Hermione, dear, we are going to leave and let you get your rest. The other girls will sleep somewhere else tonight." Mrs Weasley said, before kissing Hermione on the cheek, and gesturing for everyone to leave. Draco was the last to stand, but the pressure Hermione had on his hand made it impossible for him to move.
"No! Don't leave. Please." Hermione begged. Draco sat back down immediately. Mrs Weasley was about to protest, but Ginny quickly grabbed her mother's arm and dragged her out of the room. When Fleur closed the door after her, Draco climbed on the bed next to Hermione, wrapping his arms around her protectively. She laid her head on his chest, breathing deeply, taking in his musky scent.
"Hermione, are you sure your okay?" Draco whispered.
"Mmm. It was just... hard, you know? Seeing everyone I loved dead," she choked.
"Hey, it's okay now." Draco soothed.
Hermione broke down. She sobbed and sobbed, clinging onto Draco's shirt, the images running through her mind non-stop. Draco held onto her tighter, whispering soft, calming words to his distraught witch. Finally, she settled, falling asleep. Draco lay there, holding her close, knowing that he wasn't going to be getting any sleep that night.
The next morning, Hermione woke up feeling refreshed. She glanced at Draco beside her, feeling embarrassed. She had no idea what to expect today, or how everyone would react. She moved slightly, causing Draco to look at her. He looked terrible, even worse than he did the night before.
"Draco, did you get any sleep?" she asked, concerned.
Draco rolled his eyes. "Maybe... For about five minutes." He shrugged.
Hermione was unimpressed. "Why? It's not good for you to be getting no sleep, Draco."
He smirked. "I'm hungry." And he rolled out of bed. Hermione followed suit, patting her hair down.
As Draco took her hand and led her down the stairs, towards the kitchen, she noticed the fading scratch marks on his arms. She gasped, horrified.
"Did I do that?" She asked.
Draco shrugged again. "It's fine, don't worry about it."
Hermione bit her lower lip as they got closer to the kitchen.
There, they could hear a large group of people talking and cutlery and plates clinking. Hermione's hand tightened on his, signalling her worry. Draco stopped and pulled her close, planting a kiss on her forehead.
"Find that Gryffindor bravery, lioness. This is just your family."
She nodded absently, knowing that he didn't understand her hesitation. Hermione knew that she couldn't let a certain person in that room know that she was badly shaken up by her experience. Just like she couldn't tell anyone that she knew who cursed her.
A/N: Okay, I'm really sorry that it's short; it's nearly 11 at night, I'm dead tired and I have an early flight tomorrow! Please be forgiving! I promise that next time it will be more interesting and explanatory! But, as always, please review this for me! There is a little button just below... Right there! Click it, and let me know your thoughts about what you think will happen next!
