A.N : Hello everyone! Sorry that my update got late. Happy reading and please review!
PART12
I snapped back to my senses, my breath uneven. What the hell did I just do?
A sharp, searing pain shot through my side, spreading like fire under my ribs. I winced, barely suppressing a flinch. Why now? Seriously, why now?
I blinked rapidly, trying to clear my head, but the dizziness lingered, the pain throbbing in time with my pulse—too fast, too loud.
"I—er, let's go back," I muttered hastily, holding the book in my hand and stepping away as if distance would put everything back in order. The second I moved, the pain dulled, retreating into its usual, cursed ache.
Without waiting for a response, I turned on my heel and started walking. Just walk. Act normal. Forget it happened.
But no footsteps followed.
I clenched my jaw before glancing over my shoulder.
Granger stood frozen, her brows furrowed, her lips slightly parted as if she was still trying to process it.
"Can someone explain to me what just happened?" she finally asked, blinking rapidly.
"No," I said sharply. "But I can help you find someone who can."
She let out a breathy laugh, shaking her head as she started walking again. "I feel… weird. Like—"
"Shut your fat mouth," I snapped, the pain making my voice rougher than I intended. "I don't want to talk about it."
"It?" she echoed, her tone almost teasing, almost testing.
"Anything."
She sighed. "Don't get me wrong," she said, her voice softer now, hesitant. "I obviously don't want to talk about… it," she said, throwing a glance my way.
"It?"
"What happened." She shook her head as if trying to clear her own thoughts. "I was just saying I feel… strange. Like something's off. Just think about it—have we drunk any love potion or—worse—"
Another sharp pulse of pain.
I stopped walking, breathing hard through my nose. "I told you to shut up," I snapped, my patience razor-thin. "Or I'll kindly Obliviate you."
Her expression flickered, but instead of backing away, her hand shot out, fingers wrapping gently around my wrist, lowering my wand before I could even process it.
She held firm, her grip steady. Warm. Real.
A long silence stretched between us.
My chest tightened. My ribs throbbed.
"Why not?" I murmured, raising an eyebrow, testing her. Testing myself.
She didn't let go.
Her thumb brushed against my skin, and I swore I felt the curse coil tighter, punishing me, like it could sense something it didn't want to allow.
I exhaled through my teeth, trying to ignore the way my fingers twitched, aching to pull away and yet—
What—did she want to keep this bloody memory?
And why—why did I feel the same?
"May I ask you a question?" Hermione inquired, her tone polite yet tinged with curiosity.
Malfoy glanced at her, a smirk curling his lips. "You just did, Granger."
She rolled her eyes, suppressing a smile. "Another one, then."
"I suppose I can't stop you," he drawled, feigning disinterest.
"What was that book you were examining earlier?"
Malfoy's eyes narrowed slightly. "Oh, that? Just some advanced material beyond your comprehension."
"Come now," she pressed, her voice laced with playful challenge. "The one that hissed when touched."
He chuckled, catching back his usual tone and shook his head. "Trust me, Granger, it's nothing that would interest someone like you."
Hermione leaned in, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Oh, but I beg to differ. After Filch escorted you away, I might have… taken a peek."
Draco's smirk faltered for a brief moment before he regained his composure. "Snooping around, are we? How very… Gryffindor of you."
She matched his smirk with one of her own. "It contained something I've been keen to understand. So, if you won't enlighten me…"
With a swift motion, she raised her wand, the tip glowing softly.
"Alright, alright, I'll tell you," Draco conceded, his irritation evident. "It was something about Hogwarts and—"
"What's the 'something'?" Hermione interjected, her curiosity piqued. She already suspected it pertained to the Chamber of Secrets; the book had hinted as much.
Draco's eyes narrowed. "I doubt a Gryffindor would grasp the significance."
She rolled her eyes, frustration creeping into her voice. "I used that term in Transfiguration class. Now, what about it?"
"Salazar Slytherin," he muttered, almost reluctantly.
"And the hissing sound? Any thoughts?" She fixed him with a penetrating gaze, searching for any hint of recognition.
"I… no, I don't—" He hesitated, his usual composure faltering. Hermione's wand was now raised, its tip glowing softly. "That's Parseltongue."
"Oh, I've heard of that before. Tell me more."
"What more is there? And why are you so interested? You're Muggle-born."
She raised her eyebrows, taken aback. Did he just say Muggle-born? Not Mudblood? How come? That felt… different.
"Well, it doesn't make you different, you know, Granger," he continued, his tone defensive.
She bit her lip, suppressing a retort. How did he read her mind?
"Almost all witches know about that. It's basic knowledge. So, Salazar Slytherin could talk to snakes, and the rest is none of your business."
Was he just misunderstanding? She couldn't hold back her laughter. He hadn't even noticed that he used the term Muggle-born. She pondered for a moment. Should she test him or play it safe? She decided to take the risk.
"Doesn't your… benefactor prefer you to say that word instead of Muggle-born?"
He suddenly realized but remained silent for a while.
"You really know who—" he began, looking panicked. His wound must be hurting.
"It's alright, I don't know yet," she said softly, trying to keep his pain from worsening. "But whoever it is, you have to defend yourself. What are you going to do about it?"
"And why is it your business?" he snapped back.
"Because I am one of the wisest in Gryffindor," she replied, "and at Hogwarts."
"It's still none of your business, even though you are the luckiest—" He paused, perhaps recalling the secret she had shared earlier, "or not." He looked guilty for a second.
"Because I might be able to heal it."
He widened his eyes, surprise and skepticism mingling.
"I do not think so."
"Why not?"
"Why not? Because it's cursed. Because of all the things you must have read tonight!"
He seemed frustrated and vulnerable. She could sense it. He couldn't handle this wound for much longer.
"I just want to try."
"For what exactly? For your satisfaction? To tell your bloody friends what I'm going through? Or—"
"I will never tell Harry or Ron. Or anyone," she said loudly. "And yes, I don't know why I want to help you. But I just do."
A long silence ensued, the tension between them palpable.
"And what are you going to give me in return?" he finally asked, his voice softer, almost vulnerable.
Was that a yes, at least? She laughed, a genuine, heartfelt sound.
"You are the most selfish person I've ever met."
We walked in silence, the cold stone corridors stretching ahead of us. The quiet was fine at first, but now it was dragging on too long. I needed to say something—anything—to put things back to how they were supposed to be. I had steadied myself. The moment of weakness had passed. I was a Malfoy again. The son of Lucius. And I should be proud of it.
I stopped in front of Lockhart's classroom. Granger, lost in her own thoughts, walked straight into me.
"Oi, watch it, Granger."
"Oh, sorry," she muttered, rubbing her arm. "Didn't see you. You sort of blend into the dark."
I scoffed. "Right. Because I'm the one who needs a lantern to see in dim lighting."
She rolled her eyes, but I was already peering into the classroom. Lockhart was slumped over his desk, mouth slightly open, dead asleep.
"There's your hero," I said, voice dripping with sarcasm.
She gave me an incredulous look. "Excuse me—my hero?"
"Aren't you one of his little admirers? Always hanging onto his every word, all bright-eyed in class." I have no idea why I said that. And I am not jealous. Definitely not. Draco Malfoy being jealous of Lockhart? Disgusting. That prat should be jealous of me. I have a name worth something.
"Oh, please," she huffed. "If I look interested, it's because I'm listening, unlike you."
"Right. Listening." I smirked. "Bet you have his entire book collection under your pillow."
"Just shut it," she shot back.
I would've laughed, but something about the eerie quiet of the room kept me on edge. I stepped inside.
"The book."
"What?"
"The one he wanted," I said, scanning the desk. "Why?"
"Why do you care?"
"Because there might be something entertaining inside. Something humiliating, hopefully."
"He told us not to open it," she reminded me, arms crossing. "It might be something dangerous."
"Oh no, how terrifying." I flipped it open anyway. A folded piece of parchment fluttered to the ground, landing near Granger's foot. She picked it up, skimmed it, then let out an unexpected snort.
"What?" I demanded.
"Must be a love letter."
"Oh, of course," I sneered. "Every witch in Britain falls for his remarkable intelligence."
She held the parchment up and stepped closer, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Then, to my absolute horror, she leaned in—far too close—and murmured in a silky voice, "I love you, darling. I would love to be your girlfriend. And I want to help you."
Something about the way she said it sent a shiver down my spine.
For a split second, it felt real.
Never mind.
She would never say anything like that to me. Not in a million years.
And that's a good thing. I'm a Malfoy.
Maybe I hesitated too long, because she tilted her head. "Well? Isn't it funny?"
I forced a smirk. "What makes you so concerned?"
"Come on, I was reading this thing! Wanted to see your reaction," she said smugly. "Don't you dare misunderstand."
"I still don't understand, because you make everything confusing. Just give me the damn letter—"
I reached out, fingers brushing the parchment.
And suddenly, I felt something else.
Not just paper.
Memories.
A letter from my father.
It hit me like a Bludger to the ribs. My thoughts scrambled, panic clawing at the edges of my mind.
This is her last year as well.
"Are you okay? You look like you've seen a—"
"Oh yes, I'm fine."
Granger barely had time to blink before Lockhart stirred, raising his head sluggishly.
"Oh, hello, my students."
Granger recovered quicker. "Good morning, sir," she said sweetly, holding up the book. "We found this."
"Oh, good, good, practice."
"We swear it was certainly not our intention," she continued, her voice honeyed, "but something fell out of it."
She smoothly swiped the parchment from my hands and passed it to him.
"I suppose that's why it was important to you."
I barely heard their conversation. My mind was still stuck on my father's letter.
"I, uh—nonono," Lockhart stammered. "There's nothing for you two to know! Well, it's okay, I'll just kindly Obliviate you."
Before we could react, he raised his wand—
And promptly hit himself with his own spell.
He blinked, confused, then slumped back down onto his desk.
Granger burst out laughing. "Well, good night again, sir."
She grabbed my wrist and sprinted toward the door, dragging me along. I said nothing.
"Now that was humiliating," she said between chuckles. "I'll kindly Obliviate you! That's what you've told me." She shook her head, mimicking his voice perfectly.
But I barely heard her.
Why have I been forgotten?
She doesn't know.
She knows nothing.
And she could be gone anytime.
"You okay?" she asked, searching my face.
"Of course I am. Now go."
She hesitated. "Well, let's agree that what happened today is a tight secret. Nothing happened."
"Yeah, right."
A long pause.
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow then."
"When?" The question slipped out before I could stop it.
"When?" She blinked, surprised, before smirking. "Why, Malfoy? Eager to see me?"
Shut up, Granger! Obviously, to warn you! But I can't just say that.
"I had accepted you to heal me."
"What?"
"You have to heal me, do you hear me?"
"Oh." Her smirk faded slightly, replaced by something more thoughtful. "Well… how about after lunch? The nights are too dangerous."
"Fine. Go."
She raised an eyebrow, gave me one last glance, then turned and walked away.
I stayed there, frozen.
My father's words echoed in my skull.
This is her last year as well.
And why is my heart burning like this?
A.N : How was it? Please read the next chapter, too! I'll hopefully update it very soon!