Chapter 24

Wizard's Chess

"I don't understand why you males feel the need to try to engage me in this game."

"It's an excellent game meant to exercise your mind in strategy. I never imagined that would be something you wouldn't enjoy."

She shrugged, "It's the same whenever I try to listen to Harry, Ron, and Ginny talk about Quidditch practice and plays. I am perfectly happy being a spectator." She moved a piece, still not confident in her decision.

"Never would have expected Hermione Granger for one to not be prepared for anything and everything," a small smirk graced his lips as one of his pieces set about to attack hers.

The witch made a sound of dissatisfaction. "My issue is not with the mental exercise, my issue is the result of that exercise," she said as she gestured to her game piece that had just been knocked off the board.

Draco found her aversion to the violence to be completely endearing and admirable. Even when there was no actual damage being done, she still didn't like the fact that it was happening. He could think of nothing more pure or good. "Well then let's end the match, shall we?" With one more move, he checked her king and she rolled her eyes at the magical theatrics. He snorted at her reaction. "Do you not find it at all appealing that the queen is the most powerful piece on the board?" he asked. She hadn't utilized her queen nearly as much as she could have and was curious as to why.

"So because I'm a female, my favorite piece should automatically be the queen?" she countered cheekily.

"No, simply a question."

"I never considered the matter much - I don't play this game often. I will admit it is nice to see a powerful 'female' figure. At the same time though, one could argue that while the most versatile and most powerful, she still is not the most important. Her purpose is to protect the king. It is his fate that decides the outcome of the match. She has to be willing to protect him at all costs."

Draco chuckled, "Remind me that there is no such thing as a 'simple question' with you."

He moved to take her hand and led her to the small sofa they had scavenged. Their beloved chairs simply couldn't accommodate them both, and they had taken to being curled up into each other. He wrapped his arms around her and couldn't stop his mind from racing. There was pressure starting to come from Lord Voldemort - it was late in the school year and Voldemort needed Dumbledore taken care of by the end of the term. Not to mention, he was miraculously close to mending the Cabinet. As much as he needed to be successful, the wizard was also dreading what his success might bring. Specifically, he wondered what it might do the person in his arms.

"Do you think he'll be okay?" Hermione's voice demanded his attention.

"Hmm?"

"Harry? Do you think he'll be all right?"

She had recounted to Draco the meeting Potter had with Dumbledore. Apparently the Headmaster had promised to take Potter along if another horcrux was discovered. She filled Draco in on everything - Tom Riddle's diary, the memory, the seven potential horcruxes. She wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea that her best friend was going to gallivant around looking for some enchanted item about which they all knew very little.

"They haven't found a new one yet, so yes I think he will be fine," he reminded. "And if they do locate another, I do think Potter will be fine. Dumbledore is a powerful wizard, and Potter always manages to get out of tough scrapes."

The witch looked up at him, "I believe that's the first time I've ever heard you pay Dumbledore a compliment."

"It's the truth," he said with a shrug. He hoped she would drop the subject. He didn't want to think about their Headmaster at all.

"I'm going to stop by the dormitory before going to the Great Hall. I'm going to use my free time today to catch you up on Charms."

Though he wanted nothing more than to keep holding her, he let her pull away from him. "I'll see you down there."

After dropping off her supplies in the Room of Requirement, Hermione entered the Great Hall only to find the Gryffindor table roaring with commotion. Standing in the center of a growing crowd was Katie Bell. Feeling a swell of joy within her chest, Hermione rushed to welcome their friend back.

Katie recounted her experience to them - walking into the bathroom of the Three Broomsticks then nothing. It was definitely the Imperius curse though, that much they knew for sure. Hermione expressed her relief for Katie's well-being and offered to help Katie should she need help catching up with her schoolwork. Before any further conversation could develop, Hermione was whisked away by an extremely distraught looking Ginny Weasley and she waved goodbye to Katie.

Ginny told Hermione that she and Dean had broken up for good this time. "I honestly never would have believed that such small actions could be so agitating," the redhead sighed.

"It's for the best, Ginny. It was completely admirable for you to put in as much effort as you did, but these things can't be forced."

The younger girl smiled, "You're right, thank you Hermione."

The older witch smiled back, "One day you'll find someone who will either make it feel easy, or make it feel like it's worth the effort when things aren't easy." Hermione began to seek out Harry, hoping Ginny would take the hint, but was concerned when she couldn't find him. Glancing around the Great Hall, Hermione suddenly felt panic seize her chest. She finally caught sight of his retreating form at the entrance of the Great Hall. "Sorry, Gin. I've got to go, I'll be right back." She tried to move as quickly as she could without raising alarm.

She felt like fortune was on her side as she saw Harry turn a corner - she hadn't lost him. Hermione didn't know why she was chasing down her best friend, all she knew was that she didn't like the feeling this situation was giving her. She didn't realize she had started running until she skid to a halt as she heard a crashing sound. Without hesitation, Hermione ran into the room and tried to make sense of the situation.

She could see no bodies, but there were spells being thrown around and rebounding everywhere. Pressing herself against a wall, she stepped in and finally caught a glimpse of Harry. Reaching for her wand, she mentally cursed herself realizing she had left it in the Room of Requirement with her other belongings.

Another crash resounded and Harry's opponent rushed to avoid ricocheting debris.

It took Hermione a brief moment to register that standing in the wide open was Draco. She watched Draco rush to try to find cover and Harry lifted his wand.

Suddenly a there was a flash of a spell Hermione had never heard of.

A violent shriek ripped through the air.

It took a moment for him to register what had happened. Then in an instant, he was on the floor.

"What did you do?"

The Boy Who Lived came out slowly wearing a bewildered expression.

They both took notice of the blood seeping through the clothing and puddling onto the floor.

The blonde wizard cradled the witch closer to him as he tried to heal her wounds with his wand. Nothing was working.

"What did you do?" he yelled again viciously as he waved his wand helplessly.

A new figure entered the room as tears started to cloud Draco's vision.

"Step aside, Mister Malfoy," came the demanding voice of Professor Snape.

Draco could feel himself shaking his head, but did as he was told. Snape joined him on the ground and began muttering an incantation.

Draco watched as the wound began to mend itself. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Potter approaching. Springing to his feet, Draco shoved the other boy. "Stay away from her! This is your fault!" He wanted to do more. He wanted to maim him. He wanted to kill him. But he needed to focus on Hermione.

As if reading Draco's thoughts, Snape called out to him, "Mister Malfoy. Come help me with Miss Granger."

He rushed back to her side as their professor ordered him to help him lift the unconscious girl. The blonde lifted her up easily, insisting he did not need the professor's help.

With the order that Potter not move, Professor Snape escorted Draco and the unconscious Hermione to the hospital wing.

Though Madam Pomfrey had reassured him that Hermione would be all right, Draco refused to leave her side until she woke. Even when her friends came to visit and grew angry with him for not providing an explanation. They could get that from Potter. Even when Potter came, Draco did not speak. No one and nothing else was worth his attention.

It was about two hours before she began to stir. Gently caressing her cheek, her eyes fluttering open.

"Draco,"she breathed, "you're all right." Relief seemed to wash over her.

"Are you all right?" he asked unashamed of the worry and sadness he was sure was present in his voice.

"Some aching, but I feel all right." She winced as she sat up. She gestured to the space next to her on the bed, urging him to take a seat next to her. "What happened?"

"I was hoping you could fill in some of those details." He took her hand. "Potter and I were dueling and the next thing I knew, you were screaming then bleeding out on the floor." He grimaced at the memory, knowing it was going to haunt him. "It was terrifying."

"I saw Harry leaving the Great Hall and followed. I heard a crash, followed the sound, and found a mess of Harry and magic. Then I saw you were his opponent. You were out in the open, Harry was about to cast a spell, and I didn't have a wand. So I ran. The last thing I remember was a scream. I didn't realize it had come from me."

He gripped her hand tighter. "That was wreckless, Hermione. And stupid. Why would you do that?"

"I couldn't let anything happen to you. It was as simple as that. I didn't have time to stop and think about it, I simply acted." She reached out to touch his face. "And I'd do it again."

"That was the most horrible thing I've ever experienced," he said honestly. The tint of her blood was still on his hands and on his clothing. He recalled the crimson liquid spreading across the floor, seeming like it would never stop. "I can't lose you."

"That was the same thought I had," she said quietly. "And I'm not going to, Draco. I will do anything and everything in my power to keep you safe."

Draco felt overwhelmed by his emotions. Anger. Concern. Worry. Helplessness. Gratitude. Comfort. Love.

He brushed a strand of hair away from her face. He wasn't sure what to say. "That's insane."

Hermione looked at him for a moment, trying to form the right response. Gently placing her hand on his cheek, she guided his mouth to hers. She kissed him softly and slowly. She maintained eye contact as she broke the kiss, as if making sure he was understanding what she was about to say. "That's Wizard's Chess."