Disclaimer: Not mine. Not yours. Only JK Rowling's.
A/N: Well, yay! I posted this chapter TWO days earlier than the supposed date because of two reasons: one, we do not have classes tomorrow! And second, "Only a Pretense" finally has 800 reviews! XD So, I think those two things are enough reasons for posting early, eh?
So, just a quick warning, this chapter is still un-Beta-ed. Therefore, if you spot grammatical errors, ignore them :p
Anyway, without further ado, I give you chapter thirty-seven!
Chapter Thirty-Seven: Running Out of Time
"Blaise, please pass the marmalade," Hermione softly said, looking up from her Ancient Runes textbook.
Amused, the Italian did what she asked for and received a pretty smile as her thanks. She subconsciously spread marmalade all over her bread whilst eyes still glued intently on a particular interesting section of the book.
"Nuisance, the marmalade's dripping all over your textbook," Draco butted in with a sigh. Hermione looked up at him, then to her book, and softly chuckled.
"Right," she said, brandishing out her wand. "Thanks." She waved her magical stick and soon, her Ancient Runes book was as good as new.
Draco gave her a small nod before returning back to his porridge, feeding his complaining stomach.
Blaise watched this scene unfolding in front of him with a pleased smile. He was currently sitting beside Draco while the disguised brunette sat across from him, nose almost touching her textbook.
The noticeable changes in Hermes Austen had been evident three days after she had her conversation with Harry. To say that he was ecstatic with her change was an understatement. Heck, now seeing her properly eating and sleeping soundly at night had been a really great relief for him.
The Italian shot a sideways glance at his best friend and smiled. Draco had been particularly cheery as of late. There had been a day when he was cold towards the still oddly-acting Hermione Granger, giving her his infamous silent treatment while she apologized to him for doing something he could not fathom.
Do not get Blaise wrong. Sure, he still wouldn't back out with the unspoken rivalry he had with Draco between Hermione Granger's affections but to see that his blond best friend was once again his usual self had been a great relief. Merlin, a worried Draco Malfoy was never a pleasant one. Blaise couldn't count with his fingers and toes combined how many people had been the receiving end of Draco's dark mood.
And now that he was actually smirking now (and sometimes smiling, really) had made him all the more happy.
Blaise's eyes then wandered on the seat beside Hermione. The whole Slytherin table had made a silent agreement to always leave a vacant seat wherever Draco, Hermione, and Blaise would seat. No one would dare occupy the said chair, somehow respecting the fact that once they were four and now that the one-fourth was gone, they had to pay their respects.
It was somehow saddening for Blaise. Seeing the empty seat everyday, knowing that no cheerful Teddy Nott would almost skip inside and plop down on it. But a part of him thanked the sensitivity of his Slytherin Housemates (which was actually astounding). As much as he wanted to forget the sadness and pain he had felt for Teddy's death, he did not want to forget the happy memories he had regarding the late Slytherin in this particular Great Hall.
"Ooh, did you know?" Hermione suddenly gushed out, looking up from her book to look at her roommates across from her. "It was a Slytherin who proposed the idea of the Hindu-Arabic System! You know, he suggested a new idea of using the unconventional symbols, which are now currently known as numbers. The idea was scorned at first. There was this famous wizard by the name of Solomon Panett…"
"Ooh, did you know," Draco piped loudly, mimicking her excited babble, "some people actually want to eat peacefully."
Affronted, the brunette glared and looked back at her book with a huff.
Blaise chuckled and shook his head. He hadn't missed the small, fond smile that flitted on Draco's face before returning back to his breakfast.
It was nice to see that Hermione Granger was back to normal. Blaise did not exactly knew the details of what had happened on the day Teddy was murdered but it did not take a rocket scientist (an expression he adopted from Muggle-born Hermione) to know that she was the 'friend' that the carefree Slytherin had saved.
To his horror, he initially felt resentment towards Hermione, knowing that she had some partial fault over his best friend's death. But after some contemplation in his usual place in the library, he understood that if he were to put himself in Teddy's shoes, he would probably do the same thing, which was to save Hermione Granger.
He shook his head, amazed. What was with them, suddenly having this so-called 'hero complex' every time Hermione Granger was in danger? It was the Gryffindors' responsibility, not theirs, the Slytherins! Hell, even their 'Slytherin Prince' Draco Malfoy, the epitome of what a Slytherin should be, had saved her for countless times already.
Hermione Granger was never a damsel in distress. Blaise knew that if he were to call her that in front of her face, he would be mercilessly punched by the brunette. The brunette was no damsel. He once thought that she was… asexual (which was stupid). He thought that if she could marry the library, she would do it. Hands down. She was not the conventional, princess type… Pureblood type girl. And somehow, she wasn't always in distress. Hermione Granger was one, strong girl. Independent, even. She wasn't usually the clingy type who made it obvious to boys that she needed a man to make her happy.
But then, there were times when she would stupidly put herself in dangerous situations, bringing out the 'damsel in distress' in her. And those times, Blaise couldn't help but think that Hermione Granger was strangely endearing to him.
His musings were cut off when loud screeching from above was heard. He looked up and soon, owls fluttered in, carrying packages in various sizes. As usual, his mother's owl dropped him a package of sweets from home and a letter that would probably announce to him about her new boy toy. Draco received his usual Daily Prophet and was now immersed reading the Quidditch section.
He looked across from him and saw Hermione staring at a parchment clutched tightly in her hands with confusion written all over her face.
"Who's it from?" Blaise asked.
The brunette tiredly sighed. "Dumbledore," she sullenly grumbled. "He asked me to meet him."
"What's with that expression?" Draco asked, one perfect blond eyebrow arched.
"Eh, I can already predict what he'll say," she said, huffing. "And though I'm actually reverting back to my… old self, I'm not ready to talk about… that."
The two blokes noticed how her face noticeably paled, although they kept their mouths shut. Asking more would probably provoke her or worse, make her cry. They did not really want some weepy, suspicious Hermes Austen visible to the students of Hogwarts.
"Anyway," she quipped, standing up and shouldering her back pack. "I have to go. The Headmaster wants to meet me now."
With a wave of farewell, she turned around and strode out of the Great Hall.
"Professor? You needed to speak with me?" Hermione asked, poking her head inside Dumbledore's circular office.
The aged wizard was sitting idly on his chair, hands absentmindedly petting Fawkes, who was perched on top of his desk.
"Ah, Miss Granger," he said for greeting, "please come in and do sit down."
Hermione did what she was told and soon found herself staring expectantly at him.
The Headmaster's electric blue eyes were intently glued on her, scrutinizing. The brunette couldn't help but fidget nervously under his gaze, trying her very best not to stare squarely back into his eyes.
"How are you, my dear student?" he asked after moments of silence. "Have you been… well?"
She frowned. "Yes, sir," she softly answered, although the conviction in her voice was lacking. Instead, she swore she sounded a bit tired back there. Her frown escalated and changed into a scowl.
Dumbledore, on the other hand, raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Miss Granger, I think it is best if you will be completely honest with me today," he offered gently.
Hermione struggled to keep the truth inside but in the end relented. There was no use in hiding it anymore. She was tired. Damn tired. She could trust Dumbledore with her whole heart. After all, he had been one of her unwavering confidantes ever since her parents were kidnapped.
"No… sir," she whispered. "I'm not exactly okay. But I'm… coping, I guess."
A tired sigh escaped from his lips. His eyes softened for his melancholic student as he slightly leaned forward. "I am aware of this so-called survivor's guilt you'd been harboring ever since Mister Nott's" – she unknowingly flinched – "death. But I also believe that after some coaxing with Mister Malfoy, you were able to talk to Mister Potter. Am I correct?"
She nodded, not knowing what to say.
Dumbledore smiled and to Hermione's immense surprise, gently patted her hand for comfort. "It is normal to feel guilt, Miss Granger. But to be guilty over something you did not do is very, dare I say it, ridiculous." Her cheeks colored in shame. "I know that you sorely missed your best friend. I confess that I've been missing his usual mischievousness but I think it is a bit illogical for you to start blaming yourself, badly even, over something you could not control."
"I know that, Headmaster," she meekly said, looking at her lap. "Harry had told me. And I… I understood what he told me. I'm sorry if I'm being a… nuisance." A wistful smile appeared on her face upon using the word that Draco seemed to be fond of calling her.
The Headmaster chuckled and waved off a dismissive hand. "Oh my, a nuisance?" he asked. "Please, do not call yourself as such. You are merely reacting over something distressing." His electric blue eyes twinkled merrily. "But I am glad that you are finally eating properly and sleeping well now. I've heard from the professors that you'd been answering some challenging questions already."
He leaned back into his chair and fondly smiled at his best student. "I am glad that you are somehow doing well now," he said. Hermione, unable to help it, smiled back at the old man. "You have such remarkable friends, Miss Granger. You should be happy that they do care for your welfare."
Hermione nodded her head in agreement. True, she had the best-est friends in the whole world.
"Now, we should get down to the real business why I called you here," Dumbledore said. Suddenly, the luster in his eyes dimmed.
The brunette, confused, sat straighter on her seat and gave her full attention to her mentor. "What business, sir?" she asked.
He tiredly sighed. He removed his half-moon spectacles and cleaned it with his sleeves. As soon as the glasses was once again perched on his nose, he started. "It is about your mission, Miss Granger."
Dread instantly filled at the pit of her stomach.
"You are aware that the school-year is about to end," he continued, this time intertwining his fingers together. "And that also meant that the deadline of your mission is also drawing nearer."
"Oh," she said, instantly paling. "I see."
"I am sorely tempted to sugar-coat my words now, my dear student," he said, compassion written all over his face. "But lying to you will be very ungodly. Ungodly, indeed!" He paused and tiredly closed his eyes, leaning his head back at the headrest. When he opened his eyes, they seemed wearier than ever. "Miss Granger, you are running out of time."
A lump formed at her throat, making her slightly gasp for the much-needed air. "I know, sir," she said. "I know."
"She's being ridiculous!" Draco furiously whispered as he and Blaise stepped inside the Great Hall, greeted by the sweet beckoning of their mouthwatering dinner. "Library over food? She's gone barmy, don't you think?"
Blaise sighed and lead Draco in the Slytherin table, plopping down on his usual seat. Draco sat down beside the Italian, a small frown still marring his handsome face. Two vacant seats sat across from them, untouched by the other approaching Slytherins. "She's… her," he pointed out, unable to say her name. "What do you expect?"
The blond rolled his eyes and crossed his arms petulantly whilst Blaise started piling food on his plate. "Don't you notice anything… strange?" he asked. He watched as his goblet filled with pumpkin juice to the brim. "I mean, fine, she's always strange, but her strangeness is… strange. If you get what I mean."
"Draco, really, you're being paranoid again," he teased, sending a smile towards little Mina who waved her hand as a greeting.
"I am not!" he cried indignantly, uncrossing his arms. He grabbed a nearby apple and thoughtfully bit a piece of it. "I just… I have this feeling of apprehension, you know." He looked from left to right before leaning a little closer to Blaise. "I think she's once again planning for another rescuing." He made an angry noise at the back of his throat. "And here I thought after Teddy's… you-know-what, some common sense would be knocked off of her. Apparently, it did not. Merlin, I think her survivor's guilt messed up with her logical thinking."
Blaise pointedly looked at his best friend, a piece of roast beef half-munched inside his mouth. "She'd been somehow… silent for two weeks already, Draco," he said after swallowing. "What do you expect?"
Draco glared.
He tiredly sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Merlin, Draco, the end of the school-year is nearing," he stated matter-of-factly. "Don't you think she'd be doing anything and everything just to save them from He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's clutches? She could, you know, fail."
"She's jeopardizing her safety," Draco whispered sullenly, now toying with his peas. "Bloody wanker couldn't even take care of herself properly."
A small smirk settled on Blaise's face. "You know, if I didn't know you better," he started, "I'd say you're scared, shitless mind you, over her safety."
To his immense surprise, his cheeks colored and he looked away, scowling. "Sod off, Blaise," he spat. "I'm being serious here."
All the jesting in the Italian's eyes disappeared. "I know," he said, shaking his head. "But Draco, it's her task. She has to do something about it."
Draco glared at his dinner, releasing the hold with his fork. "It's… more dangerous now," he pointed out. "What with all Bellatrix' sudden memory loss of her whole bloody life. Thank Merlin, she's in the loony ward, guarded by some members of the Order. And the fact that the bastard now suspects a traitor among his circle of his followers. The Notts had been guarded by the Order, much to Mrs. Nott's fury, but she had no choice, seeing that her son risked his life for an unnamed person."
He took a deep breath, and then frowned. "And besides, the wards in her parents' room are… tighter, possibly stronger."
"Maybe that's why she's planning now - ."
He had cut him off with a furious sigh. "You don't get it, do you?" the blond said. Upon Blaise's blank stare he growled. "Maybe this time, she'd finally managed to kill herself." Blaise stiffened on his chair. "She's doing it all alone, Zabini. What if she did it with neither of us around? Worst things could happen…"
"You're being pessimistic," Blaise offered, hoping to humor him around. Upon seeing Draco's dark glare, he sighed. "Look, if it puts your bloody nerves at bay, I have a proposition to make."
Draco blinked, drawing his eyebrows together. "What proposition?" he asked.
A suspicious smirk appeared on his face. "Let's go find her first, shall we?"
Hermione was peacefully sleeping in the library after taking a much-needed break, her head placed on top of her Muggle notebook, oblivious to the approaching figures toward her table.
She was then jolted awake when the notebook underneath her was yanked out, her head painfully colliding with the solid table. A cry of pain escaped from her lips as her head shot up. "Hey!" she exclaimed, rubbing a particularly tender spot on her forehead.
Her eyes lost their bleariness, now narrowed at Draco who was coolly skimming her notebook with Blaise by his side, reading over his shoulder…
Wait, her notebook!
"Give that back!" she cried, standing up none-too-gently, toppling her chair in the process. "That is mine!"
To her immense surprise, Blaise pinned her arms behind her back. He was being gentle, of course, but his grip with her captive arms was too tight for her to pull away. "Blaise!" she exclaimed, craning her neck to look over her shoulder. "What are you doing? Let me go!"
Blaise smiled sheepishly and shook his head. "Sorry, no can do," he said.
Her cheeks flared in anger. "You're siding with him!" she cried, pointedly glaring at Draco. "Give me back my notebook, Malfoy! Stop being so privy!"
A loud shushing sound from Madam Pince was directed to their group and embarrassed, Hermione pursed her lips but still stared at the blond, trying her very hardest to burn holes on his inflated head.
"You call this a plan, nuisance?" he said, looking up from her notebook and carelessly waving it around. "The minute you put this plan into action, you'll drop dead."
She growled. "Mind your own business, Draco," she crossly said. "It's my mission. I can do whatever I want."
Fury dangerously flashed into his eyes and he took a few steps toward the brunette, stopping mere inches away. His nose was almost touching hers and she unknowingly recoiled back, forbidden thoughts rushing through her mind.
"Granger, are you out of your mind?" he barked at the same time Hermione hissed. "Your simple researches and intensive pondering will bring you nowhere in this task. The wards surrounding your parents' room are stronger than usual." He paused, still seething, and tried to calm his frazzled nerves. "Have you ever paused and really think why you're failing your mission?"
She frowned, rolling her eyes. "Of course, I do," she said. "I guessed I haven't researched more. And I haven't practiced too hard. What kind of a bloody question is that, Malfoy?"
"You're wrong," Blaise quietly quipped from behind her. He slowly released his grip with her arms and walked beside the blond. The expression on his face greatly contrasted with Draco's furious one. Instead, he was sporting a worried look on his face Hermione was driven to look away. "You are not succeeding because you do it alone."
She gasped, affronted by the mere idea, and glared at the Italian. "I can very well take care of myself, thank you very much," she spat.
"Austen, can you just for a minute stop being a bloody Gryffindor and be reasonable?" Draco hollered.
"Mister Malfoy!" Madam Pince suddenly said, bustling towards their group. Some heads had turned into their direction but one glare from the menacing blond made them return to their own business. "I've had enough of this ruckus you're making. And Mister Austen! I've expected so much from you. You, too, Mister Zabini!"
Hermione looked down at her feet, ashamed.
"I'm afraid you have to leave this library if you cannot control your own noise," the librarian continued exasperatedly. "Good lord, you are disturbing the supposed serenity in this room! Now, shoo! Before I am forced to deduct points from Slytherin."
"I'm sorry, Madam Pince," Hermione meekly said, head bent low in humility. "We'll just leave now."
She scuttled away, Draco and Blaise in tow. As soon as they were outside the hallway, she rounded at the two and furiously glared. "Now look at what you've done!" she cried, thrusting a finger into Draco's chest. The blond winced, and then scowled. "You made Madam Pince angry!"
Draco scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Bet it's your first time to be kicked out from your precious library, eh?" he snapped.
"Draco, be serious," Blaise said condescendingly and the blond, sullen, merely crossed his arms and pointedly stared at the brunette.
Hermione looked almost tearful it was pitiable.
"Look, Hermi – Hermes," the Italian said with a sigh. He placed a comforting hand on her arm and she looked at him, her doe-like eyes wide and shining. "The real reason why we sought you out is because we want to tell you that we want to help you in your mission."
She sighed, exhausted, and ran a hand through her short hair. "No offense," she started, "but the best thing the both of you can do is to stay out of my business."
"Just bloody listen to him, Granger," Draco snapped.
Her eyes dangerously flashed. "Stop calling me that in public, you ferret!" she cried back.
"Stuff it, Draco," Blaise said, this time fully glaring at his best friend. He then looked back at Hermione, eyes almost beseeching. "No, not that, Hermes," he said. "I… we want to accompany you when you put your plan into action."
She gasped so loudly it was almost heard all throughout the whole corridor. "You must be kidding," she accused, narrowing her eyes.
"We aren't," the Italian said, shoulders sagging in tiredness. "Judging by your reaction you are strongly against with our offer - ."
- "Damn straight, Blaise Zabini!" –
- "But listen," he pleaded, holding both of her arms. "It's the most logical thing to do, Hermes. And no matter what you say, we insist."
"No!" she cried, eyes wild with indignation.
"I knew she would be like this," Draco said under his breath, glaring at Hermione through his fringes. "No, nuisance, the decision is not yours. We will bring this to the old nutcase and hear his verdict."
Her cheeks reddened with frustration. "Dumbledore will not agree with this, you git," she cried.
Something indistinguishable settled in his eyes. "We'll see," he said.
"That is, simply put, a brilliant idea," Dumbledore said with a serene smile on his face, pointedly ignoring the fact that Hermione Granger's jaw just suddenly dropped open.
"Thank you, professor," Blaise said with a meek bow, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Draco, triumphant, threw a smirk into Hermione's direction. "What were you saying a while ago?" he asked.
She snapped out of her surprised stupor and then wildly shook her head. Hermione closed the distance between her and the desk and leaned down, her arms slightly shaking from repressed protest. "No," she said, sounding almost beseeching. "Professor, you can't agree. This is my mission. I have to do this alone."
"Hermione," Harry Potter said, standing a few feet beside Dumbledore's chair, "I hate to say this but their proposition is good."
"Harry!" she cried, surprised that her best friend agreed with the two buffoons standing smugly beside her. "Not you, too!"
"Granger, get over it!" Draco growled. "You need help. We offer help. Dumbledore agreed. End of story. Don't be such a whiner over this matter."
The brunette whirled around and glared, her chest heaving fast because of anger. "You don't understand!" she sputtered out, her cheeks reddening with anger. "Yo-you can't come with me, you bastard! I have to do this alone."
Draco sneered and stood at his fullest height. "What are you afraid about, nuisance?" he bit out.
She looked away, her hands clenching into tight fist.
"If you think we'll die, too, then that is ridiculous, Granger," he said, although the menacing tone he wished to produce was missing.
To his surprise, he had hit a sore spot in Hermione because her head whipped back into his direction, her eyes shining once again with suppressed tears. "Don't be so casual about that, Malfoy," she said in a dangerously low voice. She took a shaky breath, a tear slipping down from her eyes. "I've lost Teddy already."
The last sentence she said was uttered with so much pain and guilt Draco had to look away.
"Miss Granger," Dumbledore said, taking the matters with his own hands. The teenagers in this room had now been overwhelmed with their emotions and he was afraid this meeting would end with at least two of them lying unconscious in the infirmary. "Please, consider this suggestion. I strongly believe that solving things alone will be more futile compared with doing it within a group."
She sniffed and wiped away her tear. "No," she plainly said. "I will not consider it, sir. Nor will I agree on it."
Harry walked away from Dumbledore's chair and strode towards Hermione, a pained look on his face. "I hate that you're being too insensitive again, Hermione," he pointed out, stopping a few feet away from her.
She glared despite the tears gathering at the corner of her eyes.
The Gryffindor sighed and held both of her arms, gazing at her intently. "Listen," he started, "I very much want to help you, too, Hermione. I really do. But I can't, seeing that I am currently working on something about my impending face-off with Voldemort. And besides, I know you won't agree at all, anyway."
Hermione made an agreeing tone at the back of her throat, emitting another sigh from Harry.
"You need help, please understand," Harry said, almost pleadingly. "Every time I discover that you ventured off to the Malfoy Manor and put your mission into action, dread always settled at the pit of my stomach. Let's face it; you can't do this alone, 'Mione. I am not insulting you and your independency but still, you have to go there with someone, even if it's Malfoy and Zabini, for Merlin's sake - !"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Draco shouted at the same time Blaise exclaimed an indignant "Hey!"
Harry brushed them off and fully focused his attention at a now crying Hermione. "You need help," he repeated once again.
Anger and betrayal appeared on her face and she pushed him away. "I said no," she spat. "I don't need help! I can do this alone."
Hermione then turned away and ran out of the Headmaster's Office.
When Draco and Blaise arrived back at their room, Hermione was stiffly sitting on Teddy's vacant bed, her arms crossed tightly across her chest. All of the tears that were evident during their meeting with Dumbledore were now gone. Instead, her eyes were glinting angrily in the dark as she watched her roommates stride inside her room.
"What were you two thinking," she said through gritted teeth, now standing up into her fullest height. "Teaming up against me?"
"Oh, quit being melodramatic, Granger, I'm tired," Draco snarled, turning his back away from her.
"I'm not done with you, Malfoy!" she growled back.
Draco was startled with her sudden harsh tone and he whirled around, irritation clearly etched on his face.
"Look, why don't we let this pass 'til the morrow come," Blaise offered, looking from his best friend to the object of his attention. "It is clear that all of us are tired and exhaustion might probably be messing up with our practicality right now."
The two ignored Blaise's pleas of a peaceful night. Instead, Draco strode angrily towards Hermione until he stopped a few feet away from her.
"You think you can do everything, huh, Granger?" he spat, his anger radiating through the tone of his voice. Unable to help it, Hermione flinched but unwaveringly held his gaze. "You think you are high and mighty, bloody invincible, that even you can conquer death?"
She looked affronted. "I did not say that!" she cried.
"Well, you're implying it!" he barked back, towering over her form menacingly. "Goddnamnit, are you even telling me that you want to bring Voldemort down, the prophecy be damned?"
"Shut up, Malfoy!' she cried. "I do not!"
But Draco was unable to stop. "Breaking news, Granger, even your bloody Potter, even fucking Dumbledore, even me, even you needs to be helped sometimes! We are not bloody superheroes. Wake up from your sodding fantasy, Granger. This is reality!" He was breathing heavily now and he did not care when tears started to slip down from Hermione's eyes.
"Draco…"
"Stay out of this, Blaise!" he hollered, glaring at his best friend. When he looked back at Hermione, his anger increased ten-fold. "That's right, mope around. Let's just see if your plan miraculously happened smoothly if you do this all alone."
He thrust a finger into her collarbone and startled, she recoiled back from his touch. "You want to do this all by your fucking self, right? Then fine, I'll give you that. Just remember that if this bloody plan of yours failed, Theo's death will be put into waste."
With a flurry of billowing black robes, Draco was gone from the room.
There was silence at first except from Hermione's heavy breathing. Angry tears continued to flow down from the brunette's eyes and she did not even bother brushing them off.
"He's just worried for you, you know," Blaise said, offering a handkerchief to the distressed brunette.
"Well, he has a lovely way of showing it," she snapped back sarcastically, haphazardly wiping her face with the said clothing. "Sweet Salazar, he's so insufferable."
"Hermione," he said, clutching her arm for attention, "he's right."
Hermione pulled her arm away and glared at Blaise. "You're siding with him," she accused.
He tiredly sighed and rolled his eyes. "I'm not siding with anyone in this ridiculous fight," he interjected, crossing his arms. "Look, just listen to this, okay? After this, I'm going to leave you alone to let you contemplate." He took a deep breath before settling his onyx eyes firmly on her form. "Had it ever occurred to you that we want to help you because we want to? That we know that it can cause our death but still choose to help you?"
"Blaise…"
"No, listen first," he quipped in, giving her a pointed look. "I know how devastated you are with Theo's death. Both Draco and I are, too. Oh, especially Draco, although he tried his hardest not to show it. I cannot guarantee you that we'll still live after helping you in your mission. But we just… we just want to help you because we care about you. You have no idea how that stupid oaf who just strolled out of this room care so, so much about you, Hermione. We don't want to see you hurting. And so, the only thing we can do is to offer you our help."
He fondly ruffled her short hair and gave her a small, charming smile. "I hope you reconsider our proposition of helping you," he said. He pulled away his hand and started off to the bathroom. "I'll see you in the morning."
And with that, he disappeared, leaving a disgruntled brunette behind.
Hermione finally arrived at the Quidditch Pitch the day after her huge row with Draco.
The next day, today, the blond had avoided her like she was the plague herself. He did not eat with her and Blaise and he chose to sit at the farthest chair from Hermione during classes. The brunette was actually disturbed with this, especially because Blaise was being avoided, too, since he kept on hanging around with her.
She was actually grateful for their momentary rift (momentary since she believed their fight would be amended sooner or later, though she hoped for the former). She had been thinking for the whole day about their proposition and quite hard, mind you. Knowing her, she had even written the pros and cons of the said proposition. The pros were not exactly bad; they were even extremely advantageous. But the cons were dreadful, making her ponder once again what her decision would be.
Dumbledore had once again called her today, asking for her decision. And she, still slightly undecided, finally answered a meek 'yes'. To say that the old wizard was ecstatic was an understatement. He even offered her to take his full bowl of Lemon Drops. Dejected, Hermione declined his offer and walked out of his office.
Hermione still hadn't told both Blaise and Draco; she needed another moment to think if what she did was the right thing. If ever she changed her mind and wanted to do her mission alone, she could still tell Dumbledore without Blaise and Draco throwing a monumental fit. Oh, especially Draco.
Speaking of the blond, Hermione found herself walking towards the Quidditch Pitch, guided by the bright moon and the stars gathered around it. She had sought for Draco all throughout the school, even asking Blaise, but when she couldn't find him, she thought of looking for him in the Quidditch Pitch. She long discovered that when Draco was bothered by something, he played Quidditch (just like Harry). And she knew that her adamant refusal over their proposition was making him bothered; thus, he was probably playing the wizarding sport.
Apparently, she was right, for she immediately spotted his shocking blond hair as he sat idly on the grass, gazing thoughtfully up at the velvety night sky.
She was suddenly hit by a huge wave of déjà vu. A wistful smile formed on her face as she just stood there and silently watched him. The first time she had been here, also seeking for Draco Malfoy's presence, was the time when she wanted to apologize for spewing all over him. Funny how she was here once again, although this time, apologizing for something far greater than a frivolous accident.
Hermione thought he was really a handsome boy. No, scratch that, young man. Draco had been remarkably a mature adult for her ever since she got to know him better (and started to fancy him). Although, there were really times when the child in him would resurface and act immaturely over something so insignificant.
'Like right now,' she thought, frowning.
She couldn't really understand why he was adamant of helping her… and risk his whole life, save from the fact that Blaise insisted that Draco cared for her. Which was ridiculous for her, actually. Draco Malfoy never cared for anybody, except for himself.
'But come to think of it, he cares for Teddy and Blaise,' she thought.
Thus, Hermione concluded that the Draco she once knew never cared for anybody. The Draco she knew now, was like every human in the world who was capable of caring. Even caring for her.
A small, silly blush appeared on her cheeks and she goofily smiled. Her heart fluttered pleasantly in her ribcage, still thinking about the fact that Draco Malfoy did care for her.
Hermione immediately caught herself and shook her head, mortified with where her thought was leading to. Sure, she suddenly had these stupid and foolish feelings for Malfoy but she did not want to get so hopeful, knowing that her heart would be crushed in the end. Maybe Draco only looked at her just like how Harry regarded her: a sister.
Ignoring the painful clenching of her heart, she determinedly walked towards him until she was mere meters away from his form.
"Draco," she said, announcing her presence.
His calm eyes morphed into unadulterated annoyance as he looked up at her, scowling. "Granger," he growled, "here to rant off one of your feministic views again?"
Hermione frowned. "Malfoy, I didn't come here to fight," she said, sounding almost exhausted. "I… I want to apologize."
He seemed skeptic at first. "What, you won't convince me that you're a bloody grown woman and you can take care of yourself?" he asked, faux surprise in his voice. "I'm at awe, Granger. Really."
"Draco, be serious," she snapped at him. "I'm being serious here. The least you can do is to listen to me."
"Being snappish isn't part of apologizing, nuisance," he said, glowering.
She scoffed and crossed her arms. "Look, I'm being humble enough to apologize to you when both you and I know that you're the one at fault here."
"EXCUSE ME?" he bellowed, standing up from the grass.
"You heard me, you annoying, twitchy ferret," she said. "It's your fault we're having this ridiculous fight in the first place."
He looked affronted. "Oh, the audacity of this woman," he cried to the heavens above before returning his gaze back at her, shaking his head. "You are unbelievable, nuisance. Who was being stubborn enough yesterday and practically begging me to let her go and embrace death all by herself?"
She looked away, frowning. "I'm not begging you so that I can embrace death, Draco," she pointed out. "I have reasons for being adamant."
"Stupid reasons, Hermione," he spat, too enraged to care that he'd called her by her first, given name in a very open field where people could probably overhear.
"Reasonable reasons," she corrected, looking back at him. The fury that once showed in her eyes mellowed. This time, she looked at him, beseeching. "Listen, before you act like an offended hippogriff again, I would like to say that I told Dumbledore that I'm agreeing that you and Blaise can be with me on the day I put my mission into action."
He looked absolutely surprised. "Really?" he gasped.
Hermione tiredly sighed and nodded. She found herself suddenly so exhausted; thus, she lowered herself on the ground and leaned her forehead against her propped knees. "Yeah," she said, sounding defeated. When she looked up at Draco, she managed to flash a small smile. He seriously looked ridiculously adorable. "Close your mouth, you twerp. A fly might suddenly be enticed by your almighty mouth."
Draco blinked, sputtering, before plopping down on the grass right in front of Hermione. "I'm at awe, Granger. And I'm not being sarcastic now, I swear," he said in disbelief, shaking his head. "I cannot believe you just… what caused the change?"
The brunette shrugged. "I've pondered about it for the whole day, Draco, when you tried to avoid me like I'm the plague myself," she shot back, which promptly made him sheepishly smile. "And I just thought that I'm fighting a losing battle. It's me against what? Four of you? I know I'm bloody stubborn but combining you and Harry will be worse."
"Speak the truth," he growled, looking at her menacingly.
"I am," she said. "Just so you know, I'm still strongly against of you and Blaise helping me. I…" She faltered, her throat suddenly closing.
He sighed and rolled his eyes, crawling towards her until he was sitting beside Hermione. "If you think that we're just going to just suddenly die and all, Granger, then you're being preposterous," he said.
"But what if you suddenly did?" she asked, sounding a bit panicky. "What if Death Eaters suddenly arrived and hurtled Avada Kedavras in both of your direction."
"Nonsense," he assured.
Hermione looked at him squarely in the eye, her eyes strangely glossy. "Truth," she interjected. "I'm not lying back there in the office of Dumbledore, Draco. I've lost Teddy already and I…" A tear slipped down from her eyes and she looked away, embarrassed. "I don't want to lose you, too, Draco. Not you, too."
His heart hummed in delight, hearing such words from the girl of his dreams. She did not want to lose him. 'She did not want to lose me,' he thought in his mind, trying his best not to goofily smile but failed miserably. 'She did not want to lose me at all.'
"… and Blaise. I don't want to lose Blaise, too."
He blinked, his goofy smile disappearing.
Right.
She did not want to lose Blaise, too.
For some strange reason (he knew the real reason; the stubborn git just wanted to deny it), he felt slightly enraged. "Quit being absurd, Granger," he snarled, rolling his eyes at his own absurdity. "Blaise and I are grown up boys."
She sneered. "How come you can say that when I cannot?" she shot back, absentmindedly wiping the tear away. "How sexist, Malfoy." She daintily sniffed and glared. "And besides, Teddy was a big boy, too and look at what happened to him…"
He raised an eyebrow, surprised when a small smile formed on her face. "It's good to see that your dry humor is back, nuisance," he said. "I missed that."
"Oh, Draco, really," she said, softly chuckling under her breath. She stood up, brushed off the seat of her pants. Draco followed her lead and was soon standing up, too. "I'm going back now."
"Good," he said. "Tell Blaise to stop bitching around and forcing me to apologize to you first. Oh, and tell him he owes me five galleons. I won the bet."
Her eyebrows knitted together. "What bet?" he asked.
He smirked. "What do you think, Hermione Granger?" he asked. "You're bloody smart; you'll figure it out."
Her eyes narrowed. "You made a bet about our fight? That you think I'm the first one who'll relent and apologize to you?" she snarled, accusing. "I should have known you Slytherins are insolent. Playing over something very serious."
"Our fight was serious?" he asked, surprised.
She playfully punched his shoulder, scowling. "Thank Merlin that was merely a playful punch you've gotten, Draco Malfoy," she scolded, wagging a finger.
Draco merely shrugged and made shooing motions. "Go back to the castle," he said. "I'm about to play Quidditch again."
"You know," she said as an afterthought. "Sometimes you act so much like Ron. What with all your Quidditch mania."
"Don't compare me with that Weasel, Granger," he growled, glaring. "That's bloody disgusting."
Hermione immaturely stuck out her tongue then whirled around, walking away.
She was a good ten feet away from him when he shouted something that had greatly surprised the two, especially the blond.
"I won't let anyone touch you, Hermione," he hollered. "Not even Voldemort."
She halted in her steps and whirled around, surprised clearly etched on her face. From her place, she could see an extremely embarrassed Draco Malfoy, his green Quidditch robes billowing playfully with the wind. Good Godric, it wasn't everyday she could be able to see with her own eyes a very proud and aloof Draco Malfoy… so out of his character.
Hermione couldn't help but think he looked endearing to her right there and then.
Before she knew it, her feet were urging her back to him, her arms outstretched. And when she landed in front of him, she threw her arms around his neck and to her great surprise, she started to cry.
"I-If you died on our mission," she blubbered out, burying her nose at the crook of his neck, "I-I'm going to do anything, and I mean everything, just to resurrect you back so that I-I can kill you myself, you bloody bastard."
She pulled away, gazed intently at his frozen mercurial orbs, before giving him a sloppy kiss on his cheek.
Hermione then pulled away and ran back to the castle, not even giving him a spare glance back.
And so, Draco was left all alone, dumbfounded beyond comprehension. He was so sure his sanity had left him as soon as soft chuckles emitted from his lips, his right hand touching the place where her sweet lips had just kissed him.
His cheeks turned into a vivid shade of red as he flashed his infamous 'Draco smile', the moon and the stars witnesses to a very rare moment.
Oh, how he loved Hermione Granger.
So sodding much.
Review Responses:
Too lazy to log ib: WAH, I'm so sad to hear that! T_T I've never really experienced 'survivor's guilt', so I can't really relate. So… thanks for reviewing :)
ninafelton229: Yes, AGREED! I had some apprehensions, thinking that Hermione's being too sobby-sobby already. But anyway, I still think she had every right in the whole damn universe to cry over Teddy's death. As for Draco comforting her… I still think it would have been more effective if it was Harry, who also went through the same thing, comforted her XD Well, that's my opinion so I respect yours. And yes, it's Dramione, so there would be so much more of them in the future… Anyway, thanks for your review!
Too-Lazy-To-Login-the-Third: AHAHAHAH, The Third? My god, that's priceless. And to answer your question as to why this story is awesome? Well, my friend, the answer is simple – I have AWESOME reviewers (like, let me think… YOU!) who always tell me how much they love my story; hence, I try my hardest to make it as awesome as possible *wink* *wink*. And nothing's strange about falling in love with a story. My first love is a book; hence, we are the same XD Anyway, thanks for your review!
Someonewholovesthisstory: I can't bear making Harry and Draco fight over the fact that the latter loves the former's best friend XD I think Draco had somehow proven himself to Harry that he really cared for Hermione. And wow, no need to compliment me too much about Harry being Hermione's solution to her "survivor's guilt". Now, you're making me blush :P And I miss Teddy, too. Ever since I've finished the epilogue of the story, which was like ages ago, I still have thoughts of what would it be like if I kept Teddy alive until the end of the story. Haha, I know what 'kawaii' means. I've read too much manga already. As for the movie, if Snape and Lily end up together, then there would be no Harry Potter… or probably there would be, and Hermione and Draco would have probably ended up together… DAMN JAMES POTTER! Anyway, thanks to your wickedly awesome review! XD
Too Lazy to Login – Christie: Well, yay for reading this the whole day! And kudos, huh? I've always loved that word. KUDOS to you for using that word to me XD A good idea about Hermione and the time turner but I've finished the whole story already and I'm saying that that scene is not included :( Haha, and yes, I actually made Teddy act different from the other Slytherins on purpose *wink* *wink* And Blaise Zabini had always intrigued me, even in the books. I'm quite disappointed he did not have enough exposure in the book series. And why are you apologizing for your compliments? They're very much welcomed. I do not care if you ranted about them for HOURS XD Anyway, thank you for your review!
Nocturnal Rose: Well, I hope I did not disappoint you in this new chapter! Anyway, thanks for your review!
A/N: Well, how was it? I EFFING adored the last Dramione part I made XD Please tell me about your opinions.
So… chapter thirty-seven, huh? Five more chapters, including the epilogue and "Only a Pretense" is done T_T Anyway, so I was thinking about my schedule and realized that two weeks from now, I will not be able to post a new chapter. I'm sorry… don't shout at me XD Meaning, I will not be able to post chapter thirty-nine and forty, too, because I'll be gone for two weeks (I'll be going to S-P-A-I-N!) So there XD
And, I think I'll be able to post the chapters earlier than the scheduled date. A very important entrance exam is coming up, and if I did not pass it, then I'm doomed. Forever. Well, that's an exaggeration but I think my Filipino readers will agree with me (you know… UPCAT?) So, I think that's good news for everyone!
Anyway, I think that's it! Once again, reviews please. I mean, WOW, I've reached 800! That's AWESOME for me already!
With love,
WickedlyAwesomeMe