A Hundred Storms

Chapter Twenty-Six: Before it Gets Better

There's question marks hangin' over us
But we won't give the time of day, oh
'Cause all we got is these few stolen seconds
And we can't let them go to waste
- Still Got Tonight, by Matthew Morrison

After minutes that seemed like hours passed around them, Hermione and Draco broke apart. Both were out of breath, having put their need of taking in the taste of each other before their need of oxygen.

Hermione looked up at him, a grin that felt almost foreign spread upon her face.

"You make me crazy, do you realize?" she asked him when she felt her breath return. "Angry and frustrated and happy and excited, but most of all completely and utterly mad."

"Good," Draco replied curtly and began to trail kisses along her jawline. "I was afraid I was going to be very lonely when they finally committed me."

Hermione's smile broadened and she pulled back a fraction of an inch, breaking Draco's distracting contact. "We need to get back, they're bound to be worried about me," she told him.

"You're with me," Draco said and kissed her again. "I'll protect you,"

"But who will protect me from you?" Hermione joked, and then realized the potential double meaning. "Oh, no, I didn't-"

"Shhh," Draco hushed her again with his lips. "If we're going to be walking on eggshells with every word we say, we're never going to get anywhere." He kissed her again.

Hermione pulled back and laughed. "It seems like you're trying very hard to keep the words at bay, Malfoy," she said lightly.

Draco murmured an agreement. "I think I like kissing you more than Quidditch. And Boiling puppies."

Hermione's mouth dropped open and Draco took the opportunity to explore it further with his own. Hermione made a halfhearted attempt at consternation, but soon felt her head swimming pleasantly and took him in eagerly.

And then a lightbulb turned on.

"Oh!" Hermione broke the kiss suddenly and looked up at Draco and then at their surroundings.

Draco's hand immediately went to his wand. "What?" he gasped. "What is it?"

Hermione's hand flew to her mouth and she look up at his with wide eyes. "We're snogging," she said in a scandalized tone. "In front of Professor Dumbledore's grave!"

Draco blinked at her a moment and then let out a startled laugh. "Granger, I don't think he'll mind," he said with some exasperation.

Hermione frowned. "It's disrespectful," she said. "And we really need to get back to the castle. I can't believe Harry hasn't marched the whole lot of our dorm room out to look for me."

Draco glanced back at the tomb and then up to the direction of the castle. "I suppose you're right. We wouldn't want to to start talking to the pretty stone again."

Hermione glared at him from under her lashes, but the menace didn't quite reach the smile still displayed across her lips. She reached her hand out to Draco and for the second time in their lives he took it.

"Did your mother have any insight into any Voldemort supporters who might be behind it?" Hermione asked.

Draco shook his head. "None came to mind," he told her. "But she said she would go over her own memories in her Pensieve. If there's anything she pushed to the back of her mind she should find it there."

"The potion should be done tomorrow," Hermione said in reply as they walked back up to the castle. "Harry helped me with the last of it. I hope your mother doesn't have to relive that whole horrible experience for nothing. This whole poltergeist issue might soon be over with."

"What if the potion doesn't work?" Draco inquired.

"The potion is perfect," Hermione said sharply.

"I'm sure it is," Draco replied smoothly. "But what if it doesn't work the way we hoped? What if we can't find the person responsible? What if it's a student who has gone home for a visit for any number of reasons?"

Hermione stared ahead. "I don't know," she admitted. "I already told McGonagall what we were doing so she and Madam Pomfrey will be on alert for any student that shows up at the hospital wing any peculiar shade that they were not born with. Beyond that we just have to stay vigilant."

"The time for vigilance should be over," Draco said angrily.

"You don't have to tell me," Hermione murmured.

The pair continued onward to the castle in a strained silence, both lost in their own thoughts.

When they made it to the massive door outside the main entryway into the castle, Hermione turned to Draco. "Wands out," she said briskly, falling into the defensive posture she was so accustomed to.

For once Draco refrained from commenting. He pulled out his wand from inside his cloak without a word and nodded to her.

Hermione inclined her head in returned and opened the heavy door with a flick of her wand. Draco took a sidestep to place himself in front of her in the doorway before Hermione could move into the entryway. Somewhat bemused, she fell in step behind him.

The main entrance hall was deserted, as curfew only about an hour away. Hermione took in her surroundings and then let herself let out the a breath before they continued on their way to their dormitory.

When they arrived at their portrait Draco gave the password and indicated Hermione go first. Hermione grimaced, knowing full well Draco was avoiding the fallout that was about to ensue. She braced herself and stepped through.

"Hermione! Where the hell have you been?" An angry Harry Potter was on her the moment she crossed the threshold into the common room. Harry threw his arms around her neck and pulled her into a crushing hug. He held her there for a moment before stepping back slightly, leaving his hands to grip her shoulders as though to keep her in place.

"Where were you?" Harry finally asked again, somewhat calmer.

"I fancied a walk, Harry," Hermione rolled her eyes. "Last I checked that was perfectly within the boundaries of the rules."

"Not anymore," Harry said, still angry. "Not with a homicidal ghost running around."

"Poltergeist," Hermione corrected him automatically. "Ghosts can't-"

"I know!" Harry bellowed. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

Hermione flinched at Harry's tone. "This," she said as she ducked out from under Harry's grip. "Is why I didn't tell you about the Maliceptor in the first place. You get carried away too easily and it doesn't help anyone to be yelling and carrying on."

Harry stared at Hermione for a moment before a reluctant grin spread across his face. He looked back over his shoulder to the common room and sheepishly took in the fact that Terry, Michael, Hannah, and Blaise were all looking up at him with wide eyes from the homework they had been working on together.

"Sorry," Harry said to the room and ran a hand through his messy hair. "Sorry everyone," he turned back to Hermione and Draco, who was still standing in the frame. Harry backed up into the room to allow Draco room to fully enter.

"Where's Ginny?" Hermione asked Harry.

"Curfew," Harry reminded her. "She had to get back to Gryffindor Tower."

Hermione nodded thoughtfully. "Not that I ever tire of seeing you, Harry, but I am tired and need to get some sleep."

"That's alright," Harry said as he gathered his cloak from where it was hung over the back of the chair. "I have early training tomorrow. I would have left an hour ago but..." he trailed off and looked pointedly at Hermione.

Hermione ducked her head and offered Harry a hug. "I truly am sorry for worrying you. I'll attempt to refrain from it in the future."

"S'okay," Harry said. "Just be careful, alright?"

"Always," Hermione smiled knowingly.

Harry's featured softened and he squeezed her hand again before departing the common room.

"What was that sappy look for?" Draco asked when the portrait sealed them inside once more.

Hermione smiled sadly, not looking at him. "A memory," she told him.

"Whose?" Draco inquired.

"Professor Snape's," Hermione said to Draco's surprise. "It's not my memory to share, but Harry might.

Draco studied her profile, not able to read the strange expression written there. "There's something very specific you're not telling me," Draco observed.

Hermione flushed guiltily. "You're right," she admitted. "I hope one day you discover what that is."

With that she stood, and ignoring the others in the room, she reached up and kissed him lightly on the lips. She left him there in the common room and went to bed.

That night she dreamt of another Slytherin man who had died for his love of a muggleborn.

xxx

The next morning Hermione gradually woke before the alarm had the opportunity to start ringing. She lay there with her eyes closed, enjoying the soft warmth of her enormous bed. It had been a long time since Hermione had been fortunate enough to visit the place between wakefulness and sleep and she took a moment to revel in it. Paranoia and acute insomnia from the war had robbed her of that simple pleasure for a very long time.

With a certain degree of effort she managed to coax her body out of the comfortable bed and padded to the bathroom to get ready for the day. Hopefully she would be putting the Maliceptor to bed once and for all.

The day passed slowly. Hermione's frustration grew as she noticed every teacher she encountered throughout the day seemed to give her an extra word of encouragement or a sympathetic smile. She knew McGonagall had let the staff know about Hogwart's newest poltergeist, and she was sure they all knew today was the day she hoped to begin to put it behind her. McGonagall had offered Hermione help and backup from the other educators, but when Hermione informed her mentor that only she and Draco could come into physical contact with it McGonagall agreed the fewer people getting in the way the better. It was a sentiment to the amount of respect Hermione had earned. Gone were the days of childhood and adults interfering with her plans. She was the adult now and had interfering of her own to do. That didn't stop Slughorn from offering his potions expertise if she needed any last minute help or Joshua Wendel from offering to back her up. Wendel caught her before she left his classroom after her Defense class.

"Hermione, a moment?" he asked her as she was gathering her things.

"Yes, Professor?" Hermione looked up at him.

Wendel made a face. "Please. I feel like I age another year every time someone addresses me like that. Please, everyone called me Wendel."

Hermione frowned. "That's hardly appropriate. Why does everyone call you by your surname?"

Wendel grinned. "My class while at Hogwarts had seven Joshua's, it was easier to determine who was being called upon when some of us began using our last names rather than our first."

Hermione nodded. "Logical," she commented. "What did you want to see me about?"

"I wanted to inquire if you would like another hand with your, ah, problem today," Wendel said. "McGonagall tells us that there seems to be little we can do, but I thought I would offer regardless."

"That's very kind," Hermione said with a small smile. "I wish I could obtain a bit more help, as the Maliceptor appears to be growing, but I'm afraid there's not much to be done. We're hoping to perhaps dig up the cause of it today, and in return find a way to cut the power. The only problem is, as I'm sure you're aware, we could be dealing with a student. I don't want to harm whoever is conjuring it in case they truly have no idea what they're doing."

Wendel nodded, agreeing with her. "I understand the Malfoy boy in involved," he said without preamble. "Surly you've considered it could very well be him behind the whole ordeal."

Hermione's smile turned quickly into a frown. "I considered it, yes. I came to the conclusion he is not the source. He is doing nothing to violate his parole."

Wendel looked skeptical. "Hermione...you're a smart woman. It's not a far stretch that Draco Malfoy might be harboring a grudge of sorts for your actions during the war. I know you testified on his behalf, but wizards like the Malfoys do not change overnight."

"I would hardly consider a month in Azkaban followed by a grueling trial overnight," Hermione argued. "Not to mention the time we've spent together since we've returned to Hogwarts. He and I have reached an understanding. It might be brittle, but there's no animosity left there anymore."

Wendel sighed. "Be that as it may. Please be careful. He was raised to be cunning enough to achieve nearly any end he desires. You have a good heart, Hermione. Don't let it be blinding if the truth is staring directly into your face."

Hermione finished collecting her things and swung her school bag over her shoulder. She turned to look at him. "Be that as it may, Professor, you are still his teacher and he still deserves to be educated to the best of your ability. You have years of Auror training. Don't let it be blinding if an innocent man is staring directly into your face. Thank you for your concern, but I have faced people and things much more evil than Draco Malfoy. Good day."

Hermione was fuming as she left the classroom, but when she heard the satisfying slam of the heavy door out of the room she breathed a sigh of relief. She knew this was only the tip of the iceberg. When her relationship with Draco came to light she was sure a certain amount of hell was going to break loose. If Joshua Wendel, someone she only knew in passing, were to judge so harshly, what of the people who loved her the most?

Hermione's heart quickened when she thought of Ron. She would have to tell him, and soon. She cringed inwardly when she remembered their last conversation. She told him she wasn't ready for romance. It had been the truth. She still wasn't ready for romance, but it appeared romance was more than ready for her.

She thought about the rest of the Weasleys. Hermione thought Ginny might have a suspicion, and that made her anxious to get that conversation out of the way. Ginny was fiercely loyal to her family and friends, just as Hermione was. The difference between the girls was that Hermione thought things through from every angle and Ginny simply acted. She was like Ron in that sense. Hermione didn't feel ashamed about her growing relationship with Draco Malfoy. She learned a long time ago that no one will create happiness for her, she had to find her own. She didn't find it with Ron. She wanted desperately to forge forward on her own after the horrors of the previous year. Harry had asked her if this gamble with Draco was worth it. Hermione had already decided that if it led to her own little piece of happiness it was a price she would gladly pay. If it led to heartache it was still her heart, no one was going to tell her how to use it or who to love.

Hermione sat with Neville and Ginny during lunch after her slight altercation with Wendel, but she was too distracted to realize how little they said to her. Ginny's silence, at least, should have spoke volumes and yet Hermione barely registered the girl's presence. Her mind was focused on what needed to be done after lunch. The potion had reached maturity and Hermione was grateful her classes for the day were over.

When the students around her began bustling to prepare for their afternoon classes, Hermione caught Draco's eye from across the room. He inclined his head a little and she reciprocated. He said something to Blaise, who looked over at Hermione and winked. Hermione cocked her head slightly but followed Draco's lead as he got up to head down to the potions classrooms.

"Hermione," Ginny caught the sleeve of Hermione's robe. "Wait,"

Hermione finished standing and looked down at Ginny. "I need to get to the potion," she said gently.

"I know," Ginny said. "Just, I wanted to tell you to be careful. And watch out for Malfoy, please?"

Hermione could only nod at the younger girl. The conversation would come, but would not be now. She exited the Great Hall with haste and nearly ran into Draco, who had been waiting just outside the doors for her.

"In a hurry?" He asked grimly.

"Of course," Hermione replied and they began to walk. "I want this over and done with. I want to know who is behind this. I want to be able to finish the rest of my school year in peace."

Draco didn't comment as they descended the stairs to the dungeon. He noticed that this floor seemed to be empty and said as much to Hermione.

"Slughorn has his afternoon classes doubled up with Professor Sprout in the greenhouse," Hermione explained. "They're going to learn how to take the raw plant and dry it for potion making. He thought it best to keep everyone out of the way in case things get dangerous for the other students. Speaking of which, did you bring the mirror?"

Draco patted the side of his robe and nodded the affirmative. "So," he said. "How do you plan on coaxing the Maliceptor out? I can't imagine it's going to show up simply because you want it to."

Hermione's grin took on a wicked tilt. "I have a theory about that," she said with a glint in her eye. "You've noticed it seems to appear only when we're not attacking one another, right? How it became stronger the closer we became?"

Draco nodded slowly, trying to follow where this was going.

"I think snogging would draw it out," Hermione said innocently. "The harder the better."

Draco's eyebrows shot up and he stuttered a step before he continued. He looked down at Hermione's curly head.

"What?" he asked for confirmation.

"I've thought about it," Hermione explained. "It never attacked while we were fighting. It attacked the first time, the night on the stairs, as a barely corporal wisp of smoke. The next time it was the size of a small child, the last time it interrupted us after we were kissing and it was stronger than ever. I think that it is, in fact, after the both of us, and the closer we become to one another the more malicious it becomes. It's feeding off of us."

"Disturbing," Draco said. "What the hell is this thing after?"

"It's not really after anything," Hermione clarified. "It's the energy behind it. The question is what does our being together mean to someone else? Or am I entirely off base?"

"It makes sense," Draco affirmed grudgingly. "I don't know how you come up with these things, but I cannot argue your logic. Once we douse this thing, then what?"

"Depends on the source," Hermione said with a shrug. "If it is, in fact, a rouge Deatheater or Deatheater sympathizer then we'll call in the Aurors to handle it. If it's a student I promised McGonagall that we would leave all law enforcement out of it and bring her in immediately. If it's a child McGonagall as Headmistress is the full and final authority. That was another stipulation from all the trials over the summer. The Ministry is never to interfere at Hogwarts again."

Draco didn't miss the hard edge Hermione's voice took towards the end. He wondered briefly how much of herself she put into that particular amendment to wizard law. They finished the walk to the potions classrooms in a comfortable silence. Once they reached the door to to the empty classroom they were using Hermione turned to him.

"This is it, hopefully," she said. "I don't know if I ever thanked you for your help."

"Now's not the time for heartfelt sentiment, Granger," Draco admonished gently. "Focus,"

Hermione shook herself slightly and nodded. "Right, right," she said. "Let's do this."

They entered the classroom and Draco was surprised the smell that assaulted him the last time was gone. The potion simmering ever so slightly in the medium sized cauldron was a pale shade of lavender and smelled like wet grass. Draco watched as Hermione carefully opened her school bag and drew from it several medium-sized test tubes. He took the ones she offered to him and they began filling the glass vials in silence.

A quarter hour later the cauldron was empty and the two were surrounded by dozens of light purple tubes. Hermione looked at Draco and smiled weakly.

"Done," she said.

"It appears so," he agreed.

"And so..." Hermione trailed off and looked over to the empty cauldron.

Draco took that as an invitation and crossed the room to where she was standing. "You know," he said softly. "I really don't need an excuse to kiss you."

Hermione's eyes grew wide as she looked up into his handsome face. He looked so like his father and yet his features belonged to him alone. Right now those features, once so sharp and cruel when he would sneer at her, reflected the desire she could no longer ignore. Gone was the child, the tormentor of her childhood. Before her stood the man, the Slytherin who finally found he had a choice.

"Draco I-"

Draco's mouth crashed on hers with a ferocity she hadn't been expecting, effectively cutting her off.

"I want you," he growled against her lips. "I want you more than anything else I've ever wanted in my whole damn life," he pulled her closer and his hands slipped under the back of her shirt to rest on the warmth of her lower back, causing her to inhale sharply. He began nipping at the sensitive skin below her ear. "I'm not going to insult you with flowery words. I want you to be mine and I want you to be mine only. You asked what this is?" Draco pulled back slightly and looked at her intently. "This can be whatever you want it to be, but it's ours. That's what this is."

Hermione continued staring at him, opened mouth while he looked at her expectantly. She had only been teasing him earlier, but the intensity of his words shook her to the core.

"Draco," she whispered. "This is too much"

"I don't love you, Granger," Draco said with conviction. "I'm too selfish for that. If I loved you I wouldn't ask you to be with me, after everything you've been through and after everything I've done."

"You can't say 'mine' like you want to own me, Malfoy," Hermione said in a warning tone. "I'm not an object to control."

Draco smirked. "I would never want to control you, Granger. Merlin, no. That would be exhausting. I just want to be the only man you do this with," he kissed her fiercely on the lips again. "And I want to be the only one you share this ridiculous and suddenly incredible life with. I'm not asking you for forever, but you asked what this was and I just don't have a word for it."

Hermione's head swum and she wondered if this was simply an act to get the Maliceptor to appear. She looked up at him and took in his furrowed brow and the steely grey eyes that met hers as though he could look right through her. His usually calm demeanor was shot to hell, she didn't know whether to laugh or run.

The door to the classroom blew open and suddenly the choice was taken away. Suspended in the doorway was a figure hunched over almost in half. Hermione let out a small noise from the back of her throat when it glided into their room and straightened up to be nearly as tall as Hagrid. The Maliceptor looked like it was made up of thick, greasy smog except for the mouth and legs. The mouth stretched so wide it reached past the sides of it's face and from within Hermione could count individual black teeth, pointed to a needle-sharp tip. From the bottom half six legs skittered about, all moving in sync to keep the creature upright.
Draco moved to stand in front of her but she pulled him back until the cauldron stood between them and the Maliceptor. It was standing in front of their only means of escape and Hermione looked about the room for some sort of weapon.

"Malfoy, I think you overdid it," Hermione breathed. "It evolved."

(A/N) *whistles* Hope that was fun...I got a little over excited so I didn't proofread as much as I normally do. I realized while writing this chapter that there's still so much ahead, I don't see an end in sight. Hope that's okay ;) Please review! If you're enjoying yourself please recommend, I love the feedback! As before, you can find me on Tumblr as arielxwriter, where I like to vent and post frustrated ramblings. Review review! You ought to know by now we fanfiction writers are total junkies for it ;) Who's behind the Maliceptor?