Post by Lissandra Sylvania on May 30, 2009 21:20:33 GMT 3
Chapter 68- Distractions And Dreams
"We should have told her, Harry!" Ron shouted as they flew off, leaving Azkaban to fade away into the darkness of the night, behind them.
"Ron, we didn't have time!" Harry called to him.
"Don't give me that!" Ron retorted steering his broom over beside his friend. "You could have stopped Veranda from making us leave so quickly. After all, she fancies you. You could have charmed her or something!"
"Ron, don't start." Harry growled with an annoyed frown.
"Look, we both know that you could have told Hermione the truth! Why didn't you?" the red head demanded now coming to a complete stop in midair.
Harry slowed down now seeing his friend stop abruptly, and turned his broom around and flew back to him. "Well why didn't you tell her then?"
"Because you said you would do it!" The red head retorted sharply. “And you can’t just go back to Hogwarts! I mean it! I won’t let you!” his voice raised in pitch.
"What's wrong with you?" Harry asked concern about his friend’s tone. "Why are you so upset about this?"
Ron was suddenly speechless and for a moment he looked very uncomfortable.
Harry eyed him curiously. “Ron, I don’t know why but it’s almost like you’re trying to keep us from going back to Hogwarts. And if that is the case I’d like to know why.”
A few drops of sweat began forming on Ron’s brow and he felt his heart suddenly beating harder.
Not receiving a reply, Harry pressed on. “You know, if there is something bothering you-”
"Harry, as much as I don't want to tell Hermione the truth, I hate hiding it from her. She's our friend! And I want to do the right thing and tell her! I mean it's eating at my bloody conscience!" Ron suddenly blurted out.
"It's eating at mine too...and I was going to tell her but...but seeing her smile, seeing her happy; Ron, I just couldn't do it. I didn't want to tell her because then I know we'd lose her again." Harry admitted sadly. "And I want to believe that nothing ever happened between her and... Malfoy."
"I want to believe that too, Harry." Ron replied as he patted his friend's shoulder. "Bloody hell, do I want to believe it!" He emphasized. Then his eyes lowered. "But you know, we can't keep the truth from her forever. She and Malfoy were together; were even allies for a bit. She needs to know."
"I know that you're right." Harry replied sadly. "I just...I just...can't tell her. I mean the look on her face would be…" He broke off shaking his head.
"I know. I wouldn't be able to stand seeing it either." The red head replied understandingly.
Harry looked to the large round, silver moon that shone brightly upon him and let out a loud sigh.
"Look, let's owl her when we get back to Hogwarts. We'll explain everything in the letter, okay mate?" He suggested.
Ron nodded slowly as he frowned slightly. "Alright." he reluctantly agreed.
"Well, let's get a move on. I'm sure we've got a month's worth of detentions waiting for us back at school." Harry joked lightly.
"Fine then." Ron replied disappointedly. Then he sighed. "I just hope that Dumbledore will show us mercy and not kick us off the Quidditch team." He added now with a nervous chuckle.
Harry chuckled too.
But just as the two were about to return to their leisurely flight, a flash of blonde suddenly zoomed down from the sky and stopped a couple of feet in front of them.
Harry and Ron blinked rapidly.
"Malfoy." Harry growled as his eyes narrowed.
"Figures." Ron grumbled.
Draco chuckled coldly as he recognized the two.
"Well well Potter and Weasel out on a romantic flight together. How absolutely adorable!" He sneered arrogantly.
"Shut it, Malfoy!" Ron growled.
"I wondered where you ran off to." Harry replied bitterly.
Draco just rolled his eyes and shook his head.
Harry was about to speak again when suddenly something dawned on him. Draco did not know of Hermione's condition.
He didn't know that her memories of being with him; had been erased. All he knew was that when he'd shown up to rescue her, she'd lashed out at him and then had turned around and kissed Harry.
The dark haired young man could feel something nagging at him and he knew what it was. As much he hated it, he was going to have to tell Draco the truth.
"Malfoy, I think there's something you should know..." He began with a look that he'd just eaten something distasteful.
"Oh really?" Draco mocked. "And just what is it that you want to tell me, Potter?"
"It's about Hermione, she's-"
"I don't care about that stupid Mudblood!" The Slytherin snarled angrily cutting him off as the girl's name escaped Harry's lips.
Harry was startled by Draco's outburst and quirked a brow as he thought he saw a pained look cross the pale, young man's face.
Ron noticed it as well as his face scrunched into a slightly confused frown.
"Look Malfoy, you need to know this." Harry said, flying a bit closer to him, now getting a better look at the blonde's face. Indeed, his suspicions of the Slytherin's expression had been correct. There was a clear sign of sadness on his face, and even more so in his grey eyes.
Draco glanced briefly over Harry's shoulder, and then smirked again as he looked back to the dark haired young man. "And just what is it that I need to know?" He snapped.
"It's about Hermione and before you say anything, just let me explain!" Harry snapped back, becoming irritable at Draco's obnoxious behavior.
Draco looked back over Harry's shoulder again, more intently this time. "Go on, I'm listening." he replied coldly with his same arrogant tone.
"Fine." the dark haired young man replied. "There's a reason that Hermione lashed out at you."
Draco snorted with a bitter frown. His lips becoming tight as anger flashed in his eyes. "Well, that's obvious, Potter! She's been after you all along and once she finally got you, she stabbed me in the back!" He growled, now clenching his teeth.
"No, that's not it!" Ron broke in. "Malfoy, Hermione doesn't remember you!"
"Ha! She doesn't remember me?" Draco scoffed. "So her calling me 'Malfoy' and blowing up at me, is supposed to make me believe that she doesn't remember me?" His voice rising slightly as his eyes narrowed. "Couldn't you two idiots come up with a more believable lie?" He sneered.
"But it's true!" Harry shouted, now feeling his own temper rise. "And if you come back with us to Hogwarts, we'll explain everything, to you."
Remembering that his job was to keep Harry busy and away from Hogwarts, Draco quickly retorted, "If it's so true, then why don't we go back to Azkaban instead?" he asked suspiciously raising a brow.
Harry frowned. "Well, we can't go back there tonight..." he began.
"Why not? If what you are saying is true then why can't we go back there?" Draco demanded.
"Well because we were told that visiting hours were over so-" Ron began.
"So, what? Do you think I care what time visiting hours are over?" the blonde cut in arrogantly.
"Look, we didn't want to get Hermione in trouble and the lady who is her case worker cooperated with us so we felt we should do the same." Harry said firmly.
"Oh, did you?" Draco's eyes narrowed. "Well, I'm not surprised. You two are just suck ups to everyone, aren't you?"
"Now hold on." Ron snapped as he flew a bit closer.
"You got something to say to me, Weasel?" the blonde snarled coldly.
Ron quickly shut up, watching Draco's grey eyes flicker dangerously in the moonlight.
"Look, we're trying to help you out here." Harry said trying to control the anger in his tone.
"Oh really Potter? Well groping and kissing Granger is a big help!" hissed the Slytherin, venomous sarcasm dripping from his every word.
"Look, I can explain about that-" the dark haired young man replied slowly.
"Can you, really?" Draco sneered with a cold chuckle.
"Harry, let's just take him to Azkaban and sort this whole thing out with Hermione." Ron suggested glumly. "It's the only way that either of them can work things out."
"But Ron, you know that we can't go back to-"
"Harry, we're going back to Azkaban." the red head stated sharply cutting his friend off. "Taking Malfoy there and having him and Hermione work things out is the best way to handle this."
Harry scowled at his friend coldly.
However, Draco's expression softened slightly as a small glimmer of hope flashed in his grey eyes.
"Are you serious?" He asked slowly, now in a much lower, serious tone.
"Yeah." Ron replied with a nod. "But, Malfoy, if you try to hurt Hermione in any way, you'll be sorry!" the red head warned with a seriously dangerous glare.
Then suddenly out of nowhere, a red light flew down from above and crashed into Harry, completely knocking him off his broom.
"Harry!" Ron cried out as he dove down after his friend, but before he could reach him, another red blast came from the sky, and Ron too were sent plummeting towards the earth.
"d**n it!" Draco snarled as he sped towards the two falling young men.
In a flash, he pulled out his wand.
Just as the two Gryffindors were about to collide with the ground, Draco waved his wand and shouted
"Levi corpus!" at Harry and Ron.
Immediately, the two stopped in midair and dangled just above the ground.
"Whoa, that was too bloody close." Ron panted nervously.
Harry nodded. "Uh huh." he replied shakily, his breath coming and going in quick spurts.
Just then there was a whooshing sound and then the two heard footsteps crunching across dry leaves behind them.
"Well well, Potter and Weasel, once again I end up having to save your pathetic lives and once again, you are indebted to me. I could get used to this." Draco drawled with a cocky grin as he twirled his wand around in his hand.
Then with a lazy wave of it, he mumbled, "Liberacorpus." and Harry and Ron fell to the ground.
As the two brushed themselves off, they slowly looked to the blonde who'd once again saved them.
But before either of them could speak, three figures came rushing towards them.
"Draco? Hey Draco!" shouted a familiar voice.
Draco looked up to see Blaise, Crabbe, and Goyle hurrying towards him.
His grey eyes narrowed and quickly he glanced to Harry and Ron who were now standing.
"Keep your mouths shut!" he warned them through clenched teeth as he shifted his gaze towards the three approaching Slytherins.
"Draco, you're too d**n fast mate, we couldn't keep up with you." Blaise complained nearly out of breath.
"Well, that's not my problem, Zabini." Draco sneered in a cold tone.
"Yeah, Blaise is right. You're hard to keep up with." Crabbe echoed.
"Well, learn how to lose some of that blubber and you won't be last all the time, Crabbe." the blonde snapped viciously.
"So, looks like you've already taken care of Potter and his friend." Goyle observed. "Now all we have to do is wait for the sign from-"
"Shut it, Goyle!" Draco snarled getting right in Goyle's face. "Don't say another word!" He warned.
"Sorry." Goyle backed down quickly.
"Now," Draco's tone lightened as he turned to Harry and Ron. "What to do with Pathetic Potter and Wonder Weasel." He chuckled coldly.
Ron swallowed as Crabbe and Goyle began to crack their knuckles with evil looks on their faces.
"We may as well enjoy this part of the plan." Crabbe said trying to sound menacing.
"Bloody hell..." Ron murmured nervously.
"Plan? What’s going on, Malfoy? What plan?" Harry mumbled through clenched teeth.
Draco however smirked at the questions. "Since when did my plans concern you, Potter?" he snapped loudly.
"Draco, let's rough them up." Blaise stated anxiously. "We'll hex them with every spell we know starting with the easiest and work our way up from there."
Draco shot the tanned young man a cold glare. "And since when were you in charge, Zabini? Did you forget that I'm the leader here and that you are to follow my orders?"
Blaise quickly frowned at Draco's harsh tone.
Harry and Ron frowned at the four Slytherins and then looked to each other.
"We can't waste time with these guys, Ron. We've got to get back to Hogwarts." Ron announced. "Dumbledore will be wondering where we are."
Ron nodded slowly but didn’t say a word.
Hearing this Draco shook his head. "You two aren't going anywhere!" he sneered bitterly.
"Yes we are! And I don't know what you're up to, Malfoy, but you and your goons are not going to bully us!" Harry stated firmly now drawing his wand.
Ron took out his as well.
Draco smirked as he twirled his own wand around in his hand. "Guys," he said, motioning to his three companions.
They nodded and took out their wands as well.
Harry and Ron looked to each other and then at the four Slytherins in front of them.
They could tell that this was going to be a long night.
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Hermione lay on her bed, staring up at the dark ceiling in her cell. She let out a deep sigh as she thought about how good it had been to see Harry and Ron. But suddenly, another face appeared in her thoughts. One she hadn't been expecting.
"Draco..." she breathed.
And then she gasped at herself and sat up shaking his image out of her head. Why did I suddenly start thinking of Malfoy? And why did I call him by his first name? She wondered with an uneasy frown.
She sat there a moment, squinting slightly, as though she were trying to remember something; something that she was dearly missing.
What is it that Lucius wanted me to forget? Do Harry and Ron know? And if so, why didn't they tell me? I don't understand what's going on. She thought to herself as she placed her head in her hands a moment. And then she slowly lay back down, drumming her fingers on her stomach. She could feel a small tingling in her head. It was quite annoying. She knew that there was a possibility that it was linked to her lost memories. After all, her mind always seemed to be on the go. That is until exhaustion took over; which was what was happening at this point. It was becoming difficult to keep her eyes open and so finally she let them close. But as she drifted off, she was unaware of the dreams that were about to invade her peaceful slumber.
**Dream**
The wind blew softly through Hermione's elegant brown curls, allowing them to dance across her soft, gentle face. She was standing alone in a green grassy meadow filled with beautiful flowers of all sorts of colors. Upon her slightly toned body she wore a long light blue dress, trimmed with white lace and embellished with tiny colorful gemstones. A beauty in the wind so to speak.
But then suddenly she heard a series of footsteps and then someone step up behind her. She turned slowly, gracefully; her gorgeous blue dress following her fluid motion. Her eyes widened as she saw the blur of a young man standing there.
At least it appeared to be a young man. But the question was; who was he? The blurry male figure approached her slowly; almost as if he were walking in slow motion.
She blinked rapidly as he moved in close to her, his hands moving up and gently falling into place as he gripped her waist firmly.
And then he was leaning towards her, judging by how close the blur was; he seemed to be leaning down to kiss her.
She didn't know why but she closed her eyes, and prepared herself to welcome it.
And then, his lips touched hers lightly. She gasped as a strange yet intense feeling rushed through her. Her heart began to race, and her stomach was suddenly invaded by a strong fluttering sensation. She didn't know what to make of any of this.
Then she felt his hands grip her waist even more tightly, yet gently.
Whoever he was, she allowed him to continue kissing her. She wanted him to keep kissing her. She wanted to stay in this blissful moment with him forever. And though she had no idea who he was, she felt that he was the one she was destined to be with. He made her happy. He made her heart fly. He made her feel complete.
And then as she felt him deepen the kiss, she moved her arms up around his neck and held him tight. She didn't care who he was at this point, it seemed that he was the only person that could make her feel something so strong, and so real.
Slowly her eyes opened, but all she could see was the young man's blurred image. Who are you? She wondered.
And then as she mentally asked that question, the blur around him began to fade away, and his features slowly began to come into view.
First came a pair of warm grey eyes, followed by blonde hair, and finally his pale and pointy features.
Hermione's eyes widened in horror. She gasped and pulled away from him, covering her mouth with her hand as her brown eyes watered with tears.
"You?" She gasped staring at him in disbelief. "No, it can't be." She said in a shaky tone as a tear trickled down her cheek.
But before she could reach up to wipe it away, Draco's hand moved up and across her cheek gently.
She shuddered slightly, and bit her lip nervously as he slowly wiped the tear away.
"Everything's okay, Hermione, I'm here." He said, just above a whisper as he moved closer to her.
She took a step back. "I...I don't understand this...why are you acting like you care?" She demanded coldly.
"Because...I do." he replied in the same low voice.
"But...you...you hate me, Malfoy!" She replied, shakily.
"No Hermione...I love you." he said gently.
Hermione gasped at the shocking confession made by her enemy.
"I love you too, Draco." She found herself saying softly. And she began choking on her own sobs as she allowed him to embrace her.
She wrapped her arms around him and buried her head into his chest crying.
He kissed the top of her head and held her tightly against him, running his fingers through the ringlets of her curly hair.
"Draco..." she whispered as she melted into his arms.
**End Dream**
"Draco...Draco..." Hermione mumbled in her sleep, and then suddenly her eyes flew open and she sat up clutching the front of her shirt as she inhaled sharply.
She held her breath a moment, feeling her heart pounding in her chest and then slowly she exhaled.
She moved her hand up to her cheek to discover it was wet. She moved her other hand up to her other cheek. It was wet too. She then gasped. Had she actually been crying in her sleep?
She sniffled loudly as she gazed over at the cell door.
The light of the moon poured into her cell and swept across her chocolate brown eyes and reddened, tear-stained cheeks. Its beauty was taunting her, making her wish that she could stand outside beneath it, and bask in its silvery glow.
Sniffling once again, Hermione took a deep breath and lay back down.
Why was I dreaming something like that about me and Malfoy? It's scary how it almost felt so real but...but it was just a dream. She sighed and then rubbed her eyes slowly. I don't know where that dream came from, but it couldn't have been anything relevant. After all there's no way that Malfoy would ever confess his love to me. And I could never love Malfoy, he's so evil! She thought as she lay down again.
Even if he is evil, you still love him, Hermione. said a tiny voice in her head.
"What? How can I love him? I hate him!" She mumbled out loud with an annoyed huff, Confusion plagued her thoughts.
Shaking her head slowly, she began to feel light-headed. "Besides...he hates me. He hates me." she mumbled groggily, closing her soft, brown eyes; a tear escaping her lashes, as it fell onto her already dampened pillow.
"We should have told her, Harry!" Ron shouted as they flew off, leaving Azkaban to fade away into the darkness of the night, behind them.
"Ron, we didn't have time!" Harry called to him.
"Don't give me that!" Ron retorted steering his broom over beside his friend. "You could have stopped Veranda from making us leave so quickly. After all, she fancies you. You could have charmed her or something!"
"Ron, don't start." Harry growled with an annoyed frown.
"Look, we both know that you could have told Hermione the truth! Why didn't you?" the red head demanded now coming to a complete stop in midair.
Harry slowed down now seeing his friend stop abruptly, and turned his broom around and flew back to him. "Well why didn't you tell her then?"
"Because you said you would do it!" The red head retorted sharply. “And you can’t just go back to Hogwarts! I mean it! I won’t let you!” his voice raised in pitch.
"What's wrong with you?" Harry asked concern about his friend’s tone. "Why are you so upset about this?"
Ron was suddenly speechless and for a moment he looked very uncomfortable.
Harry eyed him curiously. “Ron, I don’t know why but it’s almost like you’re trying to keep us from going back to Hogwarts. And if that is the case I’d like to know why.”
A few drops of sweat began forming on Ron’s brow and he felt his heart suddenly beating harder.
Not receiving a reply, Harry pressed on. “You know, if there is something bothering you-”
"Harry, as much as I don't want to tell Hermione the truth, I hate hiding it from her. She's our friend! And I want to do the right thing and tell her! I mean it's eating at my bloody conscience!" Ron suddenly blurted out.
"It's eating at mine too...and I was going to tell her but...but seeing her smile, seeing her happy; Ron, I just couldn't do it. I didn't want to tell her because then I know we'd lose her again." Harry admitted sadly. "And I want to believe that nothing ever happened between her and... Malfoy."
"I want to believe that too, Harry." Ron replied as he patted his friend's shoulder. "Bloody hell, do I want to believe it!" He emphasized. Then his eyes lowered. "But you know, we can't keep the truth from her forever. She and Malfoy were together; were even allies for a bit. She needs to know."
"I know that you're right." Harry replied sadly. "I just...I just...can't tell her. I mean the look on her face would be…" He broke off shaking his head.
"I know. I wouldn't be able to stand seeing it either." The red head replied understandingly.
Harry looked to the large round, silver moon that shone brightly upon him and let out a loud sigh.
"Look, let's owl her when we get back to Hogwarts. We'll explain everything in the letter, okay mate?" He suggested.
Ron nodded slowly as he frowned slightly. "Alright." he reluctantly agreed.
"Well, let's get a move on. I'm sure we've got a month's worth of detentions waiting for us back at school." Harry joked lightly.
"Fine then." Ron replied disappointedly. Then he sighed. "I just hope that Dumbledore will show us mercy and not kick us off the Quidditch team." He added now with a nervous chuckle.
Harry chuckled too.
But just as the two were about to return to their leisurely flight, a flash of blonde suddenly zoomed down from the sky and stopped a couple of feet in front of them.
Harry and Ron blinked rapidly.
"Malfoy." Harry growled as his eyes narrowed.
"Figures." Ron grumbled.
Draco chuckled coldly as he recognized the two.
"Well well Potter and Weasel out on a romantic flight together. How absolutely adorable!" He sneered arrogantly.
"Shut it, Malfoy!" Ron growled.
"I wondered where you ran off to." Harry replied bitterly.
Draco just rolled his eyes and shook his head.
Harry was about to speak again when suddenly something dawned on him. Draco did not know of Hermione's condition.
He didn't know that her memories of being with him; had been erased. All he knew was that when he'd shown up to rescue her, she'd lashed out at him and then had turned around and kissed Harry.
The dark haired young man could feel something nagging at him and he knew what it was. As much he hated it, he was going to have to tell Draco the truth.
"Malfoy, I think there's something you should know..." He began with a look that he'd just eaten something distasteful.
"Oh really?" Draco mocked. "And just what is it that you want to tell me, Potter?"
"It's about Hermione, she's-"
"I don't care about that stupid Mudblood!" The Slytherin snarled angrily cutting him off as the girl's name escaped Harry's lips.
Harry was startled by Draco's outburst and quirked a brow as he thought he saw a pained look cross the pale, young man's face.
Ron noticed it as well as his face scrunched into a slightly confused frown.
"Look Malfoy, you need to know this." Harry said, flying a bit closer to him, now getting a better look at the blonde's face. Indeed, his suspicions of the Slytherin's expression had been correct. There was a clear sign of sadness on his face, and even more so in his grey eyes.
Draco glanced briefly over Harry's shoulder, and then smirked again as he looked back to the dark haired young man. "And just what is it that I need to know?" He snapped.
"It's about Hermione and before you say anything, just let me explain!" Harry snapped back, becoming irritable at Draco's obnoxious behavior.
Draco looked back over Harry's shoulder again, more intently this time. "Go on, I'm listening." he replied coldly with his same arrogant tone.
"Fine." the dark haired young man replied. "There's a reason that Hermione lashed out at you."
Draco snorted with a bitter frown. His lips becoming tight as anger flashed in his eyes. "Well, that's obvious, Potter! She's been after you all along and once she finally got you, she stabbed me in the back!" He growled, now clenching his teeth.
"No, that's not it!" Ron broke in. "Malfoy, Hermione doesn't remember you!"
"Ha! She doesn't remember me?" Draco scoffed. "So her calling me 'Malfoy' and blowing up at me, is supposed to make me believe that she doesn't remember me?" His voice rising slightly as his eyes narrowed. "Couldn't you two idiots come up with a more believable lie?" He sneered.
"But it's true!" Harry shouted, now feeling his own temper rise. "And if you come back with us to Hogwarts, we'll explain everything, to you."
Remembering that his job was to keep Harry busy and away from Hogwarts, Draco quickly retorted, "If it's so true, then why don't we go back to Azkaban instead?" he asked suspiciously raising a brow.
Harry frowned. "Well, we can't go back there tonight..." he began.
"Why not? If what you are saying is true then why can't we go back there?" Draco demanded.
"Well because we were told that visiting hours were over so-" Ron began.
"So, what? Do you think I care what time visiting hours are over?" the blonde cut in arrogantly.
"Look, we didn't want to get Hermione in trouble and the lady who is her case worker cooperated with us so we felt we should do the same." Harry said firmly.
"Oh, did you?" Draco's eyes narrowed. "Well, I'm not surprised. You two are just suck ups to everyone, aren't you?"
"Now hold on." Ron snapped as he flew a bit closer.
"You got something to say to me, Weasel?" the blonde snarled coldly.
Ron quickly shut up, watching Draco's grey eyes flicker dangerously in the moonlight.
"Look, we're trying to help you out here." Harry said trying to control the anger in his tone.
"Oh really Potter? Well groping and kissing Granger is a big help!" hissed the Slytherin, venomous sarcasm dripping from his every word.
"Look, I can explain about that-" the dark haired young man replied slowly.
"Can you, really?" Draco sneered with a cold chuckle.
"Harry, let's just take him to Azkaban and sort this whole thing out with Hermione." Ron suggested glumly. "It's the only way that either of them can work things out."
"But Ron, you know that we can't go back to-"
"Harry, we're going back to Azkaban." the red head stated sharply cutting his friend off. "Taking Malfoy there and having him and Hermione work things out is the best way to handle this."
Harry scowled at his friend coldly.
However, Draco's expression softened slightly as a small glimmer of hope flashed in his grey eyes.
"Are you serious?" He asked slowly, now in a much lower, serious tone.
"Yeah." Ron replied with a nod. "But, Malfoy, if you try to hurt Hermione in any way, you'll be sorry!" the red head warned with a seriously dangerous glare.
Then suddenly out of nowhere, a red light flew down from above and crashed into Harry, completely knocking him off his broom.
"Harry!" Ron cried out as he dove down after his friend, but before he could reach him, another red blast came from the sky, and Ron too were sent plummeting towards the earth.
"d**n it!" Draco snarled as he sped towards the two falling young men.
In a flash, he pulled out his wand.
Just as the two Gryffindors were about to collide with the ground, Draco waved his wand and shouted
"Levi corpus!" at Harry and Ron.
Immediately, the two stopped in midair and dangled just above the ground.
"Whoa, that was too bloody close." Ron panted nervously.
Harry nodded. "Uh huh." he replied shakily, his breath coming and going in quick spurts.
Just then there was a whooshing sound and then the two heard footsteps crunching across dry leaves behind them.
"Well well, Potter and Weasel, once again I end up having to save your pathetic lives and once again, you are indebted to me. I could get used to this." Draco drawled with a cocky grin as he twirled his wand around in his hand.
Then with a lazy wave of it, he mumbled, "Liberacorpus." and Harry and Ron fell to the ground.
As the two brushed themselves off, they slowly looked to the blonde who'd once again saved them.
But before either of them could speak, three figures came rushing towards them.
"Draco? Hey Draco!" shouted a familiar voice.
Draco looked up to see Blaise, Crabbe, and Goyle hurrying towards him.
His grey eyes narrowed and quickly he glanced to Harry and Ron who were now standing.
"Keep your mouths shut!" he warned them through clenched teeth as he shifted his gaze towards the three approaching Slytherins.
"Draco, you're too d**n fast mate, we couldn't keep up with you." Blaise complained nearly out of breath.
"Well, that's not my problem, Zabini." Draco sneered in a cold tone.
"Yeah, Blaise is right. You're hard to keep up with." Crabbe echoed.
"Well, learn how to lose some of that blubber and you won't be last all the time, Crabbe." the blonde snapped viciously.
"So, looks like you've already taken care of Potter and his friend." Goyle observed. "Now all we have to do is wait for the sign from-"
"Shut it, Goyle!" Draco snarled getting right in Goyle's face. "Don't say another word!" He warned.
"Sorry." Goyle backed down quickly.
"Now," Draco's tone lightened as he turned to Harry and Ron. "What to do with Pathetic Potter and Wonder Weasel." He chuckled coldly.
Ron swallowed as Crabbe and Goyle began to crack their knuckles with evil looks on their faces.
"We may as well enjoy this part of the plan." Crabbe said trying to sound menacing.
"Bloody hell..." Ron murmured nervously.
"Plan? What’s going on, Malfoy? What plan?" Harry mumbled through clenched teeth.
Draco however smirked at the questions. "Since when did my plans concern you, Potter?" he snapped loudly.
"Draco, let's rough them up." Blaise stated anxiously. "We'll hex them with every spell we know starting with the easiest and work our way up from there."
Draco shot the tanned young man a cold glare. "And since when were you in charge, Zabini? Did you forget that I'm the leader here and that you are to follow my orders?"
Blaise quickly frowned at Draco's harsh tone.
Harry and Ron frowned at the four Slytherins and then looked to each other.
"We can't waste time with these guys, Ron. We've got to get back to Hogwarts." Ron announced. "Dumbledore will be wondering where we are."
Ron nodded slowly but didn’t say a word.
Hearing this Draco shook his head. "You two aren't going anywhere!" he sneered bitterly.
"Yes we are! And I don't know what you're up to, Malfoy, but you and your goons are not going to bully us!" Harry stated firmly now drawing his wand.
Ron took out his as well.
Draco smirked as he twirled his own wand around in his hand. "Guys," he said, motioning to his three companions.
They nodded and took out their wands as well.
Harry and Ron looked to each other and then at the four Slytherins in front of them.
They could tell that this was going to be a long night.
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Hermione lay on her bed, staring up at the dark ceiling in her cell. She let out a deep sigh as she thought about how good it had been to see Harry and Ron. But suddenly, another face appeared in her thoughts. One she hadn't been expecting.
"Draco..." she breathed.
And then she gasped at herself and sat up shaking his image out of her head. Why did I suddenly start thinking of Malfoy? And why did I call him by his first name? She wondered with an uneasy frown.
She sat there a moment, squinting slightly, as though she were trying to remember something; something that she was dearly missing.
What is it that Lucius wanted me to forget? Do Harry and Ron know? And if so, why didn't they tell me? I don't understand what's going on. She thought to herself as she placed her head in her hands a moment. And then she slowly lay back down, drumming her fingers on her stomach. She could feel a small tingling in her head. It was quite annoying. She knew that there was a possibility that it was linked to her lost memories. After all, her mind always seemed to be on the go. That is until exhaustion took over; which was what was happening at this point. It was becoming difficult to keep her eyes open and so finally she let them close. But as she drifted off, she was unaware of the dreams that were about to invade her peaceful slumber.
**Dream**
The wind blew softly through Hermione's elegant brown curls, allowing them to dance across her soft, gentle face. She was standing alone in a green grassy meadow filled with beautiful flowers of all sorts of colors. Upon her slightly toned body she wore a long light blue dress, trimmed with white lace and embellished with tiny colorful gemstones. A beauty in the wind so to speak.
But then suddenly she heard a series of footsteps and then someone step up behind her. She turned slowly, gracefully; her gorgeous blue dress following her fluid motion. Her eyes widened as she saw the blur of a young man standing there.
At least it appeared to be a young man. But the question was; who was he? The blurry male figure approached her slowly; almost as if he were walking in slow motion.
She blinked rapidly as he moved in close to her, his hands moving up and gently falling into place as he gripped her waist firmly.
And then he was leaning towards her, judging by how close the blur was; he seemed to be leaning down to kiss her.
She didn't know why but she closed her eyes, and prepared herself to welcome it.
And then, his lips touched hers lightly. She gasped as a strange yet intense feeling rushed through her. Her heart began to race, and her stomach was suddenly invaded by a strong fluttering sensation. She didn't know what to make of any of this.
Then she felt his hands grip her waist even more tightly, yet gently.
Whoever he was, she allowed him to continue kissing her. She wanted him to keep kissing her. She wanted to stay in this blissful moment with him forever. And though she had no idea who he was, she felt that he was the one she was destined to be with. He made her happy. He made her heart fly. He made her feel complete.
And then as she felt him deepen the kiss, she moved her arms up around his neck and held him tight. She didn't care who he was at this point, it seemed that he was the only person that could make her feel something so strong, and so real.
Slowly her eyes opened, but all she could see was the young man's blurred image. Who are you? She wondered.
And then as she mentally asked that question, the blur around him began to fade away, and his features slowly began to come into view.
First came a pair of warm grey eyes, followed by blonde hair, and finally his pale and pointy features.
Hermione's eyes widened in horror. She gasped and pulled away from him, covering her mouth with her hand as her brown eyes watered with tears.
"You?" She gasped staring at him in disbelief. "No, it can't be." She said in a shaky tone as a tear trickled down her cheek.
But before she could reach up to wipe it away, Draco's hand moved up and across her cheek gently.
She shuddered slightly, and bit her lip nervously as he slowly wiped the tear away.
"Everything's okay, Hermione, I'm here." He said, just above a whisper as he moved closer to her.
She took a step back. "I...I don't understand this...why are you acting like you care?" She demanded coldly.
"Because...I do." he replied in the same low voice.
"But...you...you hate me, Malfoy!" She replied, shakily.
"No Hermione...I love you." he said gently.
Hermione gasped at the shocking confession made by her enemy.
"I love you too, Draco." She found herself saying softly. And she began choking on her own sobs as she allowed him to embrace her.
She wrapped her arms around him and buried her head into his chest crying.
He kissed the top of her head and held her tightly against him, running his fingers through the ringlets of her curly hair.
"Draco..." she whispered as she melted into his arms.
**End Dream**
"Draco...Draco..." Hermione mumbled in her sleep, and then suddenly her eyes flew open and she sat up clutching the front of her shirt as she inhaled sharply.
She held her breath a moment, feeling her heart pounding in her chest and then slowly she exhaled.
She moved her hand up to her cheek to discover it was wet. She moved her other hand up to her other cheek. It was wet too. She then gasped. Had she actually been crying in her sleep?
She sniffled loudly as she gazed over at the cell door.
The light of the moon poured into her cell and swept across her chocolate brown eyes and reddened, tear-stained cheeks. Its beauty was taunting her, making her wish that she could stand outside beneath it, and bask in its silvery glow.
Sniffling once again, Hermione took a deep breath and lay back down.
Why was I dreaming something like that about me and Malfoy? It's scary how it almost felt so real but...but it was just a dream. She sighed and then rubbed her eyes slowly. I don't know where that dream came from, but it couldn't have been anything relevant. After all there's no way that Malfoy would ever confess his love to me. And I could never love Malfoy, he's so evil! She thought as she lay down again.
Even if he is evil, you still love him, Hermione. said a tiny voice in her head.
"What? How can I love him? I hate him!" She mumbled out loud with an annoyed huff, Confusion plagued her thoughts.
Shaking her head slowly, she began to feel light-headed. "Besides...he hates me. He hates me." she mumbled groggily, closing her soft, brown eyes; a tear escaping her lashes, as it fell onto her already dampened pillow.
