A/N- Ooh, a little plot furthering, and next chapter will be an overabundance of plot, along with what I suspect to be the beginnings of a friendship, but I could always be wrong, hehe. Anyways, thank you for the reviews, and alerts! They're definitely the fuel to my writing, so thank you again. Enjoy!
Hermione looked around the pub anxiously. She had asked Draco to meet her over half an hour ago, what was making him so late? Draco was never late. He always made a point to be on time, saying it was the height of bad manners to arrive late. Hearing the tinkle that signaled a customer walking in, she whipped around to see if Draco had finally arrived. He had, and she waited until he bought and paid for a drink, and headed towards her table.
"Apparently my father and godfather had no idea you owned a Fwooper," he said conversationally as he sat down. "Cosette gave them quite the shock when she delivered your note."
Hermione giggled, trying to imagine Snape being shocked by anything. "I find that hard to picture, but then again he is always very withdrawn around me; or rather, everyone for that matter."
Draco nodded, and sighed heavily. "Yes, well, no matter how many times I try to tell him to lighten up, he doesn't listen," he said, shaking his head. "It's apparent that all he wishes to do is alienate anyone with the idea of being agreeable towards him." He took a sip of his drink. "So, my dear, care to tell me why you summoned me so abruptly?"
"I've, er, well – you're going to think I'm a bit pathetic," she said hesitantly as she looked down at the drink she held in her hands.
"Never fear, Granger, for I already think you are a pathetic. Now tell me what has been going on recently," Draco replied, not unkindly.
"There's no need to be a prat, Draco," she said indignantly. "Well, Severus and I went to St. Mungo's last week," she began. "To look at those who have been affected by the curse."
Draco nodded, he knew all about the curse and what it does. His father still had access to a lot of Ministry information that wasn't meant to get out, and consequently he was almost always well informed about the doings of the Ministry.
"And, well, the sight wasn't the most pleasant," she said, looking down at the cup in her hands. "It was rather gruesome, actually. The patients were so pitiful, and they all looked absolutely terrified. It was hard to even be in the same room with them."
Draco looked at her sympathetically. "You've been having nightmares," he stated plainly, as he looked at Hermione with an understanding light in his eyes.
Hermione nodded, and looked up at Draco pleadingly. "I haven't had sleep in a week. Every time I try to, the images of what I saw in the hospital start to replay, and I can't stop them," she said weakly. "I don't understand it, Draco," she implored. "I was in a war, I saw people being tortured, friends die, why is this any different? You, out of everyone I know, saw the most damage of the war, you must know what I mean."
"I think I know what is wrong, Hermione," Draco said kindly. "During the war, you witnessed terrible things, and so did I. But we both knew it had to come to an end soon, and it was the cause of a single man, not an uncontrollable piece of Dark magic," he said quietly. "There was a calculated feel to the war, and there was the hope that Harry brought, but this...this is something random, something uncontrollable that's affecting so many people. It's horrifying, and a just cause for inexplicable nightmares."
"I...never thought of that," hermione admitted quietly. "I still can't erase the strange sense of guilt I feel from being so affected by something like this."
"Its how I would be too, if I saw that." he said softly. "What I find that helps with the nightmares, is to perform the Patronus charm before trying to sleep, as well as eating some chocolate," he added. "Drawing up a happy memory, and having your magic flow through that opening, creates a sense of peace that's made it much easier for me to forget the night terrors and get sleep."
"Are – are yours any better?" she asked beseechingly.
Draco gave her an encouraging smile. "Most of them, if not all. The chocolate and my Patronus help quite a bit, though. You'd be very surprised, chocolate releases a powerful amount of endorphins."
Hermione looked thoughtful as she considered Draco's advice. It made sense, she reasoned. The Patronus Charm needs happy memories to be completed, and she supposed that thinking of memories that made her happy couldn't do any harm. Besides, anything was better than what she was experiencing now.
"Come," Draco said suddenly, as he stood up. "Lets go visit Honeyduke's," grabbing her hand, he practically dragged her out of the Three Broomsticks, and out into the chilly streets of Hogsmeade.
"Draco, I really don't think the candy shop is what I need now," she said as she tried to resist him. His grip was like iron though, and she gave up quickly.
Keeping a tight hold on her hand, Draco steered them to Honeyduke's. Hermione let out a soft sigh upon entering the shop. The late November air was rather chilly, and she hadn't dressed for cold weather. The shop was pleasantly warm though, and the heavy scent of chocolate floated through the air. She felt her mood brighten at the smell, and she knew Draco was right in bringing her here. Turning to Draco, she gave him a hug. "Thank you for coming today," she said, her voice slightly muffled by his cloak. "Did you cancel any important dates to come so quickly?"
Draco shrugged. "Not particularly, just dinner with my parents, which can happen any night."
"Give them my apologies, would you?" Hermione said, feeling a little guilty for tearing the Malfoy's son away from them so abruptly.
"I will endeavor to do so," came the reply.
Together the two explored the shop, tasting the different kinds of chocolates Honeyduke's had to offer. Coming across a section filled with hot chocolates, Draco took a taste of the Fiery Spice chocolate, and his screwed up in pain as he hastily tried to spit the chocolate out. Hermione laughed, and patted him on the back as he coughed.
"I am never eating that again," he spluttered, his face red from choking. "That was horrendous. Who would want to burn their mouth off from eating some chocolates?"
Hermione couldn't restrain herself, and was overcome by giggles. Doubling over, she couldn't stop the laughter, and Draco stood there, glowering at the witch in front of him.
"Are you quite done taking pleasure from my pain?" he sniffed peevishly.
"I think so," she wheezed, as she stood up and caught her breath., clutching at Draco's arm to keep her balance.
"Good," he said shortly. He was pleased he made his friend laugh though, and his good mood returned quickly. They finished looking around, paid for what they decided to buy, and walked out of the shop. Hermione shrunk the numerous packages she purchased, and placed them in her pocket. Taking Draco's arm, they walked to the castle gates.
Turning to Draco, she gave him a small smile. "Thank you, Draco, for your help. I needed this," she said sincerely as she gave him a hug.
The blonde boy rubbed her back, and nodded. "Write to me soon and let me know if you are still having trouble sleeping," he said with concern. "I may have a few other tricks somewhere."
"Of course I will," she said with a smile. Giving her a final squeeze, Draco stepped away and apparated. Hermione walked up the castle, feeling better than she had all week.
"I told you it would take longer than two bloody months!" Severus growled, as he looked at the Minister, his obsidian eyes glinting in frustration.
"It's been five weeks, and all you and Miss Granger have done is name the root of the curse," Kingsley Shacklebolt boomed, his deep voice echoing around the headmistress's office. "Which any Healer could have done within seconds. We need results, and we need them quickly. The curse is being used more and more every day."
"Yes, but sir, this is a very difficult thing you have set to us," Hermione interjected. "Pinpointing the nature of the curse is the first step, now we know where to look in order to find the origins."
Severus waved exasperatedly towards Hermione. "Thank you, Miss Granger," he said. "Minister, it simply isn't feasible to expect us to start the potion in any less than six months. You have no idea; the amount of work to find the right ingredients, test to make sure they work together, figuring out the weakness in the curse-"
"Alright, alright I understand, Severus," Shacklebolt said wearily. "I'm just concerned that a cure won't be found before half of wizarding Britain is in St. Mungo's. It's trying to deal with everyone clamoring for a counter curse, or anything to help those affected."
"Perhaps," Severus said delicately, "you should be focusing more on capturing those who know how to cast the curse, than you do on rounding up those who have been affected."
Minerva shot Severus a stern look. "Severus, that will do. We have enough on our hands without you insulting the Ministry's tactics."
"No, Minerva, I think Severus is right," Hermione said firmly, striding to stand by Severus. "The Ministry should be focusing on trying to find whomever is that is continuing to use the curse on people."
Severus turned to look at Hermione, appraising her. Was she defending him? Interesting, he mused, but didn't dwell on it further.
"Miss Granger, I thank you for your concern, but how the Ministry chooses to deal with this problem is none of your business," the minister said with an air of finality. "We need to focus on finding a cure, because without one it will only get worse."
Hermione frowned at the minister's logic. In order to stop people from being affected, they need to apprehend whomever is using the curse. Otherwise they'll just be hospitalizing countless unnecessary victims. She knew she couldn't argue with the minister, though; and getting him to see their standpoint would be nigh impossible. The ministry had always been stubborn. "Very well, Minister."
Minerva stood up. "I think we're done for the day," she said. "Severus, Hermione, thank you for coming. I wish you luck on your research. Merlin knows we need to make a break through soon."
Severus didn't acknowledge her, instead he turned swiftly and left. It was rude, he knew, but he was frustrated at the Minister. He and Granger were working as hard as they could, he knew Hermione spent every spare second reading the mountain of books they had amassed on old Dark magics. They spent many an evening together, usually in his office, going over the facts of the case and what they had found thus far. He spent most of his time outside of classes perusing his impressive collection of potions books, looking for anything that might provide a clue as to what ingredients they would need to find. He hated being rushed, and constantly felt as though he were missing some crucial point, which resulted in him going over that which he had already read with a fine toothed comb. The amount of headway they had made was abysmal, and both Hermione and Severus were nearing the end of their patience. Rounding a corner, he stood facing a couple wrapped around each other.
"Miss Devenshire! Mr. Gridlam!" he barked. "The corridors are not your private quarters," he hissed. "Ten points each from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff."
The couple broke apart, chests heaving. "Hey! Professor! That ain't fair," Gridlam said indignantly.
"Another ten from Hufflepuff, for talking back to a teacher," Severus said contemptuously. "I suggest you find somewhere more private," he added smoothly.
The two students quickly took his advice, rushing away from him. Severus hated to think where they would go to defile each other, but it wasn't as if he could ban them from ever touching each other again. As much as he wished he could. Still muttering about overly promiscuous students, he reached his quarters. "Open, please," he said to the dragon.
"What was that? A please?" the dragon said incredulously, looking him with one large fiery red eye.
Severus glowered at the dragon. "Yes, a please. I had hoped you would open without an issue if I were polite," he said pointedly.
"No, no I think I need a minute or two to digest this," the dragon said cheekily.
"Merlin's ballsack, can't you just open?" Severus asked, the annoyance plainly etched on his features.
"No, really, I need to time to commit this moment to memory," the dragon said gleefully.
Severus swore, and leaned against the wall to wait.
"Alright, alright, I'm done," the dragon said with a chuckle. The portrait swung open.
Shooting the dragon one last murderous look, he entered his rooms. Grabbing one of the books on magical ingredients that had faded from memory, he sat down on the couch. Engrossed as he was in the book, he didn't notice the hours as they passed by. Eventually he looked up, glancing at the grandfather clock next to the fire place, he was mildly surprised at the time. Nearly 11pm, and he hadn't eaten anything since lunchtime. He straightened up, and concentrated on what he felt like eating. There was a loud crack, and a tray appeared in his lap with the ministrone soup he had asked for, and a loaf of fresh French bread that smelled absolutely wonderful. Severus tasted a spoonful of the soup, and exhaled. He quite enjoyed the perks of being a teacher.