Dancing With Dragons

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I know my editing isnt that good, but I am still look. Till than you'll have to deal even though I know thats not fair!


Chapter 10: Cold Bets and Warm Blood

The next day and half Hermione didn’t really have time to think about Malfoy as everyone returned from the holiday break. She helped Luna and Nev unpack and heard about their vacations. She had such a good time seeing her friends again that for a time Malfoy was out of sigh out of mind. She made plans to see them the next night, late, after she had rounds. There were no classes that day but now that all the students were back she had to roam the halls to keep the peace (as Ginny said).
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Malfoy couldn’t keep Granger from his thoughts. Why had she dared to say those things to him? She was foolish to even think that a Malfoy would want those things from a nosy know it all. He didn’t ever need those things to control her. He was the one who made her scream his name. He was the one who done something to her body no other body had done.

But he wanted her and the thought that he wanted her completely kept creeping up and he would squash it, violently. It was easy to sneer at her as she walked into lunch the next day surrounded by her stupid lackeys. Now that Potter was gone they all clung to her. But she wasn’t like Potter. She wasn’t stupid, or chocking on the false ideals of life. Potter made him sick. He was more than glad to see the two wonder fucks gone.

He spent the day with Zabini chatting lightly but mostly staying silent as they played wizard chest. He’d thought it would clear his mind to be around like people. Be where he was honored and feared, but besides Zabini he was rather pissy about being with them. Which made him more pissed because he should have felt right at home.

Then Pansy entered. He glanced at her but nothing more. Pansy and him and started talking again, but she hadn’t given him much time. He was actually thankful because he wasn’t sure if he really wanted her anymore. Even so he didn’t want to loose her as a friend. He really didn’t have too many and he knew how much his mother and father liked the idea of him and Pansy.

She walked to them and he noticed with discomfort that she looked too happy. “Hello Draco. How was Christmas? I am sure it was awful having spent time with that filthy mudblood.”

He tried to ignore the way his blood boiled. “It was okay. I ignored the mudblood as best as possible.” He imaged Granger’s face twisting with rage and then he thought about her body convulsing with pleasure. It made he smile wickedly up and Pansy.

She pulled up a chair looking smug. “Don’t lie to me Draco. I know all about the disgusting bet between you and Zabini.”

Malfoy growled and looked at Zabini who was smiling. Though him and Zabini were friends neither passed an opportunity to make the others life difficult. He should have known. “You told her?!”

“Please Draco. Not only did he tell me, but also I got in on the bet. I don’t think you can do.”

“Jealous?”

She hissed at him. “As if Draco. I would cut my own wrist and watch the filth run from my veins if I was her. She is lower than the dirt on my shoes. Not only can’t you do, but you shouldn’t.”

“Don’t tell me what to do Pansy. I fuck whom I want when I want. Last time I checked you were sucking Jevertin’s cock and he a fucking mudblood.”

“Now whose jealous?” Zabini was watching them with great pleasure. It was sad to see Pansy face light up at the thought of Malfoy being jealous. He was far from it. Pansy could have been so much more, but she allowed herself to become the pureblood whore that got passed around. He watched her get wasted one night at a more intimate gathering over the summer break and get passed around the crowd with other girls as boys had their way with them. Some fucked her others made them suck their dick. She'd become a whore.

“I just fucked him because I heard he was good in bed and I wasn’t getting it any where else. Zabini’s being telling me it’s seems you’ve been spending time with her.”

“Keep your voice down if you know what good for! I’ve only been doing that so I can get into that little wonder cunt’s panties. She doesn’t just fuck anything that walks by. You’d better keep your mouth shut Pansy.”

“Shame. I am in and you won’t be fucking her Malfoy. It’s below you.”

“Don’t threaten me. I wont be loosing those thousand Galloons to either of you.”

Malfoy was utterly destroyed by Zabini in chess. He couldn’t stop thinking about Hermione. How he had almost forgotten about the bet. It’s because of her! She did something to him. He would fuck her, collect the money, and leave it at that. She’d never have to know and when the year was over he could take Hermione out his life.

But that made a part of him feel something strange. Almost sad. Would it be that easy? Would he really do this? Was he so heartless that he’d take her virginity and mark a price on it? Was he really such his father’s son? And the answer always seemed to lead back to yes. He could admit that he didn’t want Granger for the money, but he wasn’t going to deny himself to safe her. He didn’t think he had the strength to not know what it was like to sleep with her.

What was this control she had over him? He needed to get her out of his system. So when Pansy asked Malfoy to join her for a few moments in her room Malfoy went along. Everyone knew that if Pansy and Malfoy went to Pansy’s room they were not to be disturbed for a while. None-the-less he put up a silencing charm and few shabby wards.

“Malfoy I’ve missed you.” Wow he hadn’t heard that before. Granger would never say anything so stupid. For someone who talked a lot she made him want to listen. Merlin there she was again.

He said nothing back to Pansy and she kissed him. He bit her roughly, and ripped her shirt from her body. She shrieked and giggled. “Suck my dick Pansy.”

She took her bra off and rubbed her body down Malfoy’s. Malfoy had to admit that Pansy knew what she was doing, and yet he thought about the way Grangers tits had felt in his mouth. How they bounced as she bucked her hips to the rhythm of fingers. He growled and pushed Pansy down. ‘Must forget her!’

She unbuckled his pants and pulled him out through his shorts. She took him in her mouth and worked at him expertly. When he looked down at her lips wrapped around his cock he wondered what it would be like to have Granger suck him off. He imagined seeing Grangers long, curly, dirty blond locks instead of Pansy’s short brown hair. Damit.

“Stop Pansy.” She looked up hurt until she realized what he wanted. He pushed her onto the bed. He played with her but found her already wet. It didn’t turn him on the way Granger did. He did a quick protections spell and plunged into her. He started off slowly but as he looked at her face he fucked her harder. He braced him self on the bed and impaled her core with her cock. He watched her legs open groaning and felt more like punishing her.

He fucked her so hard he was sure she would tell him to stop, but he knew Pansy liked it deep and rough. Watching her face made him both angry and sad. He remembered them when they were young fooling around in the bed. It might have been the closes he’d ever been to making love. He didn’t love her anymore. All he could see was the darkness in her eyes. The way sex consumed her. Flashes of the men, her on her back, her lips on their cocks made him sick. He pulled out of her and she whined.

“Turn around.” Pansy licked her lips and turned around shacking her ass at Malfoy. He spread her legs further finding her still wet opening and placing himself at her opening and pushing his way in her with one movement. He fucked her hard again using her hips as leverage. But still he couldn’t stop thinking of Granger. He couldn’t stop wondering what it would be like to have her bent over opening herself wide for him to do whatever he wanted to her. He slid back out of Pansy still hard, knowing it was because he was thinking about Granger. He needed something different.

“Malfoy…” She whined. He took his hands from her hips and slid them down her body. Then he took her nipples and rolled them. Pansy hummed in the back of her throat.

“Pansy I bet no ones every fucked you in that little ass of yours. Have they?”

“No. Malfoy I don’t think I want to.” She tired to move but Malfoy held her there, hands back on her hips.

“Pansy I am going to fuck the tight little ass of your like it was your wet pussy.” He could tell Pansy was torn between being horrified and the pleasure of that fear. He started to rub her body and she bent over the bed more and spread her legs.

“I am going to love fucking your virgin ass Pansy.” He took two fingers and played with her clit. She started to buck her hips. He pulled the wetness of her core around her tight hole. He slid his cock between her ass checks and pussy lips.

Pansy was panting and Malfoy knew he better do it no before she changed her mind. He placed the tip of himself at her entrance and pushed slowly. He could feel Pansy tighten and whine. A part of him felt bad that Pansy was becoming his tool to forget Granger, but feeling the tightness around him and bliss from forgetting Granger made he want more.

He reached around and played with her clit unmercifully and she bucked her hips taking more of Malfoy inside her. She screamed out, but didn’t stop pushing back. When he was fully sheathed her stayed there playing with her for while until she started to moan. He fucked her slowly and deep and soon she was coming. Her whole body tightened and Malfoy came hard into her.

They both slummed into the bed regaining their breaths. As the afterglow started to ware off Malfoy started to feel terrible. What had he done? Why had he slept with Pansy and if Granger ever found out she’d never forgive him.

Wait why should he care he never made any promises to her. She wasn’t more than a conquest. Than why couldn’t he stop thinking about her!

“Draco. That was actually wonderful.” Great he thought now every man will be getting your ass, but what she said next hurt his chest. “I would never have trusted anyone but you to be so gentle with me.” He hadn’t felt the feeling since he was a small child, but he recognized it. It was heartbreak. Not the kind where someone looses a friend, a parent, or a lover but where the heart brakes because of what they’ve done to others.

He kissed her lips. “Thank you Pansy, but you shouldn’t trust me. I am no good.” He wanted to tell her so much more. That he didn’t deserve what she’d given to him and he didn’t deserve Granger. Suddenly he wanted to leave. He couldn’t say those things to Pansy. One, he would look weak and then she might know how much Granger ate away at him. Others might know just how confused he was, and than he would venerable. But really he just didn’t know how to say those things.

“I have to go Pansy.”

“Don’t go! Stay with me.”

“I really can’t. I have work to do.”

“With her?” Pansy asked darkly.

“Pan…”

“Don’t go. Stay with someone who l…” He covered her mouth with his quickly. He didn’t want to hear the words because he wouldn’t say them back. He didn’t want her to love him. She didn’t really love him anyway. She just thought she did because for a time they were all each other knew.

“I care about you too Pansy. You’re a good friends.” Her face fell then. He left her there and vowed to be a better person to Pansy. At least on the inside. Everyone else could fuck off though. Except maybe Granger. NO! Especially Granger. He suddenly needed to find her. She’d be wondering the halls doing watch. And he set out to find her.


Hermione was wondering the halls. She could see that the sun had died many hours ago. She’d hung out with Ginny and Naville that day enjoying the last day of freedom before classes started. She wondered on the upper levels near the Astronomy Tower chasing the last of the students enjoying the last hours of freedom. She was rather lenient that night because she understood the need to hang onto the last bit of freedom. She too whished she was sitting in the Gryffindor common room.

She turned the corner and there he was. There was the boy she’d put from her mind for the past day and half and suddenly all the emotions came back. She felt thrilled and terrified. Worse yet he looked disheveled. He robes was open, his hair an unusual mess, and half the buttons on his shirt were left open. He looked unsettled and it made her feel worried.

“Hey Malfoy. Everything okay?” He looked at her as if he’d just seen her and she saw his eyes come to life. Next thing she knew he was on her kissing her. At first she just sighed into him wondering how she could have forgotten him. But he was so hungry and his hands snaked their was to her ass.

“Malfoy! Someone might see. It wouldn’t do for a student to see us.”

“Why Granger? Embarrassed of me?” He sneered as if the thought was impossible. “Afraid that people will see?”

“No.” She stepped back. “I just didn’t think it wouldn’t set a good example if we’re out passed curfew, sharking our duties, and making out.” Was she really trying to sooth Malfoy’s ego?

“Hmmm.” He pulled her hand and took her into the first open classroom. She groaned when she realized it was their charms classroom. She was going to tell him no, but he was on her again. His hands made their way up his shirt and brushed against her bare skin. She moaned.

Suddenly the door burst open and she screamed. She whipped around pulling her shirts down ready to be punished by one of the professors, but it was the last person she suspected.

There was Pansy huffing red from the effort of blowing the door open. Her wand was pointed at her, and Hermione pulled her’s out, but Pansy’s eye were all for Malfoy. What was going on? She hadn't seen Pansy, except for class, since she’d seen Malfoy fuck her. Okay don’t think about that it never happened she told herself.

“Oh this is cheeky isn’t it? Doesn’t look like a little bet for where I stood. Wondering the halls looking for her.” Pansy’s voice was scathing and than she screamed, “After you fucked me! After I let you fuck me in my ass, and no ones ever done that, you went looking for her.” She was spitting with rage. Malfoy’s face had darkened and she wasn’t sure who she was more afraid for. Maybe she should be afraid for herself.

Then Pansy’s words sunk in. What! He’d been looking for her in the halls? Why? He’d just fucked Pansy. Rage started to boil, but more questions smashed into her conscious. What was this about a bet? It just didn’t make sense, but she felt her stomach fall. Was Pansy following them? Would she tell the whole school?! What came out however was, “You fucked her in her ass? WHAT THE FUCK!”

Malfoy and Pansy were suddenly looking at her. Malfoy’s eyes were torn between humor and anger.

“Don’t talk about that you fucking filthy MUDBLOOD.” Pansy’s angry should have scared her, but she was so sick of that word being thrown around.

“Don’t talk me you fucking slut. Don’t act all innocent like Malfoy’s cheating on you. We all know what a whore you are. How they pass you around like a toy.” She saw hurt cross Pansy’s eyes and almost felt bad before Pansy screamed a curse at her. She fell to her knees and rolled. Happy, finally, for all the training she’d done with Ron and Harry and the DA. She pulled herself up fast and pointed her wand quickly taking Pansy’s wands. With the speed Pansy didn’t have time to prepare and Hermione caught her wand in her hand.

“Okay I’ve had enough of this shit. MOVE!” She walked towards Pansy who was shacking with rage. “Move now and I’ll think about giving you your wand back.” She stood there and she felt darkness fill her. She couldn’t take this!

“FUCKING MOVE!” She screamed in Pansy’s face. Malfoy had come up and grabbed Pansy’s arm moving her away.

“Pansy.” Pansy shrieked a little as Malfoy warned her with his voice and pulled her roughly. Hermione backed up with door to her back. “Get you hands off her Malfoy.” She pointed her wand at both of them. “I am done with this. I don’t need to be apart of your sorted affairs especially having them burst through the door.”

“Fuck you.” Pansy screamed and Hermione put her back to the wall. “You’re the sorted a fair. Do you know what you mean to him! To any of us?”

“Shut the fuck up Pansy! I swear to Merlin.”

“Shut up Malfoy.” Both the girls screamed just as Zabini burst in the room.

“Oh Merlin. I have to go.” Hermione mumbled loudly.

“No.” Both the boys yelled at Hermione. Malfoy was giving a Zabini a look to kill.

“I came as soon as I realized she was gone. I lost her, but with all the noise I found her again.” What the fuck is going on Hermione thought.

“Pansy lets go. I wont take this.” Malfoy started to pull her.

“You know what you mean to him mudblood?” She was giving Malfoy a hard time, not coming along easily.

“I don’t need to mean anything Pansy, but what do you mean because after he fucked your nasty asshole he came looking for me!” Pansy ran for her but Zabini and Malfoy caught her. She started to back out the door, but Pansy was screaming and struggling.

“Your nothing but a bet to him mudblood. He made a bet with Zabini about taking your virgi…”

“You better shut your fucking mouth.” Malfoy yelled, but it was to late. Hermione understood and her whole reality crashed on her. She could hear the blood running through her veins and pounding in her ears.

“What?!” She was pointing both the wands at the crowd as the angry grew. Suddenly several bottles in the room exploded. She had to get out of there!

“That’s right. He was trying to use you. He was going to take your precious little virginity for money.” Malfoy grabbed her tightly almost looking like he wanted to kill.

“How much!” She screamed. She couldn’t believe this was happening. She’d never been so foolish and she felt the tears threaten to spill. But no she wouldn’t going to cry. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Hadn’t she cried enough when Ron and Harry left her, when she’d been at Dumbledore’s funeral, and when she said goodbye to her parent maybe forever.

Pansy started to answer laughing at her pain. “You were only wor…”

“NO!” she pointed her wand at Pansy. “Shut the fuck up. I want to hear from you.” Her eyes and wand turn to Malfoy. “How much!”

“Granger.” His eyes were pleading, but she wanted to them to bleed. She could feel this darkness run through her body. As she pushed her horror, sadness, and tears down and anger, she never knew existed, welled up inside of her.

She pointed Pansy’s wand over their heads and shattered a glass mirror. “HOW FUCKING much I am worth you sack of shit. TELL ME!”

Zabini had gotten his wand and pointed at her, but Malfoy pushed his hand down. “1000. That’s how much Granger.”

Pansy was laughing still struggling to get to her. She looked so much like Bella and suddenly the three scared her. The angry took the fear and chocked it. They had played with her life. They had all used her like a puppet, especially Malfoy. He’d tried to take one of the few things that you could never take back. She felt sick and violated. Not just her body, but her mind and soul. The bits of her true self she’d showed him. It was like a rape.

One single tear fell, but it looked as if only Malfoy saw. For a second she could have sworn she saw pain and maybe guilt cross his eyes. It was gone as quickly as her feeling of giving a shit about it. Fuck him.

“You disgusting. You’re all disgusting.” She laughed loudly and the all looked disturbed. “You’re all so weak. Lives consumed with hating people. It’s easy and weak to hate people. It’s strong to love people. I feel bad for you because you’ll never know love and friendship.”

Zabini looked confused. Malfoy looked blank which meant everything and nothing. Pansy laughed, but she was also crying.

“You’re so stupid Mudblood with your ideals.” Pansy said stilling.

“Maybe Pansy, but at least I believe in something. You’re empty except for hate and angry. Your worthless because you already dead.” It was so harsh she saw Pansy start to cry harder and she wanted to lick the tears from her face as she laughed wickedly. “Though I guess I should be thanking you because without you I would have made the biggest mistake of my life. Funny how your jealousy at being so insignificance sort of saved my life.” The words were horrible, but she’d never felt so good. She loved hurting her. Hurting them all. “But really you didn’t tell me to help me you told me to hurt me. To bring me pain.”

Hermione moved back a foot so she wasn’t standing in the doorway. She threw the wand up and caught it in midair with an invisible forced from her wands. She smiled wide thinking of how she’d like to bunch Pansy in her pig face. “Go fetch bitch!”

“Don’t you dar….” Hermione threw the wand with such forced from her wand that she couldn’t see it anymore. She hoped it broke. Than she slammed the door shut and locked it with a weak ward and ran. She ran from the room. She ran to the dorm. She ran from the reality and old Hermione. She ran from tears and fool heartiness.

She just stood there in the middle of the common room and screamed! She still didn’t cry she just screamed. Finally she felt lightness fill her body. She would get Malfoy back. When it came time she would utterly destroy the dark side. She hated him more than she ever thought possible. The feeling of loathing made all the hatred she’d felt for him before a mere joke. And yet she was sad. She so wanted there to be a good side to Malfoy. She could have sworn there was, but it was insignificant. He was insignificant.
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“Zabini open the door!” Malfoy started barking orders. Zabini was grinning at what Granger had just done. Malfoy might have been if it hadn’t been his whole world crashing down on him. He wanted to kill Pansy, but a part of him knew he’d done this to himself. He’d become so weak!

“That bitch threw my wand!” She struggled to get free of Malfoy. He gripped her hard and turned her around.

“You listen to me you little bitch don’t ever meddle in my life again!” Pansy flinched but Malfoy needed this little bit of angry. “First you ruin my change to win a thousand galleons. Than you humiliate me in front of fucking Granger! How dare you Pansy.” She shook her.

“I was trying to safe you!”

“You were only thinking about you! What if she tells her friends? What if some heard you acting like a complete fool!”

“I am sorry Draco I wasn’t…”

“I got the door Malfoy.” Zabini called.

He pushed Pansy roughly to the door wanting nothing more than to never see her face again. “I don’t care to hear what you have to say. Just find your wand.”

“But Draco my dragon…”

“DON’T! Don’t call me that Pansy. NOW LEAVE!” He yelled pissed at loosing his control, but watching Granger’s face had done something to him. Emotions he hadn’t felt in year or never had begun with welled up inside him. Pansy ran from the room.

“Think this is all really funny Zabini? Cause she just potentially coast you a thousand galloons.” Zabini's smile faltered and he suddenly looked too perceptive. Too wise. Draco needed to leave. This was the closest he’d come to letting anyone see his weakness. With war around the corner and friends potential enemies he had to keep his guard up. But Grangers eyes and single tear kept flashing in his mind

“I am not laughing about all that. That was an utter disaster. Nothing funny about scorned witches raining hate and shattered glass over your head. I am not upset about the money seems as if I would have lost anyway. Got to hand it to you Malfoy didn’t think you had it in you. Though I have to give it to Granger that was one hell of an exist.”

“She seems to be good at those.”

“You’re fucked.”

“I’ll be fine. Not the first time a girl has hated me. Plus what do I care what Granger thinks of me?” But he did and he hated it.

“But you do.” Zabini seemed to read his mind. Malfoy made to leave. “I didn’t just come here to see the festivities Malfoy. We have a problem. Granger has a even bigger problem.”

“Spit it out Zabini you were never good a being coy.”

“The deatheater they take over the school tonight. I just got a letter from my uncle. He told me the Dark Lord just took over the ministry for good and tomorrow there will be a new regime in this school.”

“SHIT.”

“My thoughts exactly. They’ll want to know where our allegiances lies Draco.” Draco could tell Zabini was worried because he’d used his first name.

“Where does it lie?” He needed to know now where Zabini stood.

“We’re in a sea of full of shit and no good choices. I don’t like either side. I can tell you don’t either.”

“It’s about who is going to win. We make out decision on that Zabini.”

“No it’s about surviving. I don’t give a shit about morals and light, but I don’t like to be a puppet either.”

Malfoy went to leave. He had to find Granger and tell her what was about to happen. He knew it was stupid because telling her would be like making a line in the sand. Maybe the whole world wouldn’t see it, but he would know that in a way he’d be going against everything he’d ever believe in, but her dame eyes haunted him. One problem at a time.

“Going to go tell Granger?”

“Do I have choice? Even if I do it wont change a thing that’s about to happen. Happen to us all.”

“But it does. Malfoy after to night we have to be vigilant, but wherever you go Malfoy I go.”

Malfoy felt his chest hurt and he reached for the necklace Granger had given him, but to night it felt cold and heavy in hand. “Agreed.” It was the most loyalty and respect he had ever been given and tonight he couldn’t handle it. He set off hoping to find Granger in their dorm.

Thinking of the darkness inside her made her remember that Harry was suppose to be writing to her this very moment to tell how the potion went. She ran to her room. She needed to know it had worked. As she reached the room she saw the book glow.

Hermione,
Things have gone terrible wrong. Ron has left and I don’t know where he went. Just as the potion was ready and I tried to take the hurcurxe from him he lost his mind. Started to say crazy things. We fought and I got the necklace from him, but before I could stop him he spilled the potion. I didn’t have time to go after him. The poison started to destroy the house and I was barely able to stop it. I need to go to Godric Hallow. I’ll be there at one. Don’t blame Ron Hermione that thing really got to him. I need to finish this before it destroys us all.

Her whole world stood still. How could this be happening? Suddenly what happened with Malfoy was nothing. Ron had betrayed Harry. She had to go to him. What if he got hurt? She couldn’t stand to loose him. She checked her watch. It was 12:45. She had to get out of castle so she could apperate there. She threw on her robes and running shoes and ran from the room. ‘Please Harry O Merlin Harry please be safe.’ How could this all be going so wrong?

She ran with no thought of anything else but her best friend alone. She would stay with him. She ran from the castle literally filing the front doors open and into the cold night. She let the cold air burn her lunges and skin as she ran. Ran as fast and as hard as she could. Finally when she was just out of reach from protection of the castle she flung her wand out. She screamed Godric Hallows and prayed for safety.

Malfoy stormed into the room ready for a fight, but found Granger nowhere. He looked in her room. The door was left wide open and her room was disheveled. Had they come for her already? It wasn’t possible. But Granger was never so careless. He had to find her, it would be safe for her tonight alone. For any other student, really. But he didn’t care about the others, only her.
He ran from the room for the first time praying for some else’s safety besides his own. It was an odd feeling and he wasn’t sure he like it much. But than again it sent thrills through him.

Hermione landed on the icy snow layered ground. Crunch. There stood a tall, lanky boy with long disheveled hair whipping around who turned and pointed his wand at her.

“Harry it’s only me.”

“Gods Hermione I didn’t think you were coming. I was just about to leave.” Harry looked worse for wear. His hair was longer than she’d ever seen it. He was so thin that even his robes, that normally fit, were too big.

She ran up and hugged him crying into he shoulder. At first he didn’t hug her back and his body language told her that he hadn’t been touched into long. She didn’t let go though and finally he relaxed into her.

“Merlin it’s good to see you Hermione.” She looked up in his face and his eyes shinned with tears.

“Oh Harry James Potter I’ve missed you. I am so sorry that you were alone, but I am here now.” He smiled down at her.

“Hermione you can’t stay you don’t have…”

“Stop it Harry I don’t want to hear it. What are you doing here?”

“I am looking for the Hurcrux Mione.” She hugged him again but this time she could see behind him and she realized that they were in a graveyard.

“I know Harry, but it could have waited. What is going on?”

He looked over her shoulder for a while before he answered. “I had to come. Something called me here Hermione. I’ve been having dreams that Voldemorte is looking for something. Something he thinks is important.” Oh no he was talking about dreams. Why hadn’t she just left school and found them. They needed her. But her mind reared its ugly head. They hadn’t needed her and she hadn’t come because she didn’t think she was good enough. Instead she’d been sneaky off with Malfoy to the nearest broom closet. She knew she just done the craziest thing running off and saving Harry, but thinking about Malfoy still made her want to cry. Still made the bottom her stomachache with agonizing betrayal and longing. She ignored that she’d almost slept with him and that a small part her still wanted to.

“Harry you shouldn’t be dreaming about…”

Harry talked over her. “I know I am right, but it’s just not that. Once the poison was ruin I went crazy thinking about other ways to destroy this thing.” He rubbed his chest. “While I was tearing the house a part I found your old letters and I realized something you said about Goblin Steal!” He took her hands and almost did a dance.

It suddenly dawned on her and as soon as it did she couldn’t believe she’d been so stupid! “The Gryffindor Sword!”

“Yes! Listen an old friend of Dumbledore’s lives here.” Harry whipped out a book from his beat looking knapsack. He handed it to her and she realized it was the so- called biography of Albus Dumbledore.

“Harry How!? It just came out yesterday.”

“I know I went out with Ron yesterday and I grabbed the book. We had to stay up all night so I read almost all of it.” He shoved it in Hermione’s hands. “You read it and we’ll talk about it. But listen I was thinking, would Dumbledore leave the sword at school? Bathilda Bagshot lives here, and it tells in the book how she was a good friend of Dumbledore and his family. Maybe he left the sword here.”

“I don’t know Harry why would he leave it here and leave us no clues?”

“Only one way to find out Mione.” He seemed so stern and so sure she couldn’t bring herself to say more.

“Okay Harry lets go. I trust you.”

“First I want to look for my parents.” It suddenly dawned on her that of course Harry and his family had lived here so it would only make sense for them to be buried here. “Okay Harry I’ll help you look.” But he was already gone looking.

She walked through the grave feeling eerie and unreal. What had just happened to her in the matter of an hour! She pushed it way. This wasn’t just about her anymore. She got busy blowing the snow from the graves and soon learned that there were some very ancient graves there. She knew she should go back to the begging where more recent graves should be, but something kept her looking.

Just as she pushed the snow on the last row she saw something. She bent down lighting her wand. Her mind reeled. There on the grave was the sign that she found on every page of the children fairy tales book Dumbledore had given her. How it could be?!

“HARRY!” She yelled at him from across the distance. Harry jogged over to her.

“What did you find them?!”

“No, but look it’s that dame triangular sign we were writing about. Why would it be on the grave? I am it’s just a silly fairy tale.” She mumbled at the end.

“What. What was the story about Hermione?”

“You never heard the story? Well it suppose to be very old. Quick version three brothers are traveling and they come across Death. They trick Death and so he offers them each a gift for evading death. The first two older brothers are cocky and greedy, but the youngest is shrewd. The first brother asks for a wand that can’t be defeated in any battle. He is killed for the wand in his sleep. The second asks death for a relic that can bring back the dead. He is given a stone that brings people back from the grave and the brother brings back his dead wife, but they cannot touch. So that brothers kills himself from grief. The last brother asks for a true invisibility robe. He hides from death with it and lives a long good life.”

“Could this guy be one of the brothers Hermione? I mean that could be it!”

“No way Harry that doesn’t make sense. The story isn’t real. No ones ever met death like that. It would be like saying Goldie Locks and the Three Bears actually happened. Come on Harry it has to mean something else.” Snow started to drift down and she watched it fall and slowly melt on Harry’s dark lashes as he thought in silence.

After a moment he replayed, “Well I don’t see how it all fits in than.” He walked away and went back to looking for his mother and father. Hermione followed memorizing the name on the ancient crumbling name. Maybe she could ask Malfoy about the last name. If it was a pure blood name maybe he would know. Wait, she wouldn’t be asking Malfoy anything. She wasn’t going back and if she ever saw him again it would probably be on the battlefield. That brought tears to her eyes and she quickly brushed them away. She always thought if this moment were to happen she’d be elated and fulfilled. Instead she felt like she had so many loose ends back at school. What about Ginny, Luna, Nev and, yes even, Malfoy. What about the DA? This didn’t even feel right without Ron. And though she’d never been madder at anyone she was worried about him too. Everything was happening to fast for her to fully comprehended.

“Hey I found it.” Harry yelled chocking on the words. She ran to him, and the moment she laid eyes on the graves she felt the forces of hot tears. Some of it was because she was so emotionally wreaked. Some of it was because Harry’s fear, angry, and grief was palpable. What must it be like to grief for people you didn’t really know, but that saved your life out of the purest of love? How would the agony be wanting to know them and be with them so bad? But another small part of her tears was because she wondered what life would be like if they were here. She would actually know Harry’s parents! They would probably cook, laugh loudly and happily, and let them all hang out during the summer brake. She certainly wouldn’t be standing at this graveyard scared, angry, and confused.

She watched Harry and realized he was starting at his hands. It took her a moment to realize he was sad because he hadn’t brought anything to his parents’ graves. He looked so distraught. She took out her wand whispering, making a wreath and handing it to him. He looked so relieved. After he placed it on their graves she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

“So brave.” She told him. “I’ll be right by the gate when your done just come and get me.” She figured he needed some time alone. As she walked from him the image make her chest ache. That just might be her one-day, if the war wasn’t won soon or if they died before she ever got to see them again. Would she go to her parents’ graves one day and try desperately to remember what they were like. Or would she die first and they would never know. Would she die alone and then spent the rest of eternity alone. No parent to visit her grave?

After a few minutes Harry joined her, but didn’t say a word about what had just occurred. Boys she thought. They walked along the village roads. It was so peaceful, eerily so, and she wondered how the world could still turn when her whole existence was falling apart. Luckily, it was late so only a few people were milling around and only a few lights flickering in the window.

Finally they came to stop. “This is her house.” Harry pointed to a small shack basically.

“Are you sure this is good idea? This house looks really run down like no ones lived her for years.” She was getting a bad feeling, but she tried to push it aside. She was probably over reacting.

“Yes.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her along. They stood at the doorstep for a few moments before Harry knocked.

Almost immediately the door sung open. It was almost too quick and it made Hermione step away. Harry’s hand was still in her so he pulled her in with him as the old women beckoned them in.

“Were you expecting us?” Harry asked the women obviously elated at the thought. She shook her head yes, but didn’t say a word. She moved further into the room and Harry pulled them along.

“How could she know Harry? We didn’t even know until a couple of hours ago. I don’t like this.” She pulled her hand from his but continued behind him. The old women stopped and her and Harry noticed that a lot of pictures were missing from there frames. Hermione pointed to a pile of photos on a small side table.

“Do you have something for us? For me.” The old women nodded. Harry moved towards her, but stopped. He was looking at a picture on top of the pile. Hermione came up behind him looking at a picture of a young, blonde boy smiling evilly. It reminded her of Malfoy. Malfoy would have known this was a bad idea she thought. Yea, because he’s all about self-preservation. He’d probably leave you alone in here to safe himself her mind screamed. What did she care though she’d do the same thing. But she knew she was lying.

“What? Do you know that person Harry?” Hermione asked eyes darting trying to see through the shadows of the dark. Who would live like this? The woman was just staring at them damit, and Hermione couldn’t help but feeling something was wrong.

“Yes Mione. This boy is in a picture in the book about Dumbledore. He is in a picture with Dumbledore when he was younger actually, but I don’t know who he is. But I think he took the wand.”

“What? What wand? Harry I don’t like this lets go.” But Harry wasn’t listening to her anymore.

“Who is this? Do you know this boy?” He was talking to the old women, but she didn’t say anything. She just started towards the stairs. She turned to Harry and beckoned him. Than she started to walk up the stairs slowly almost dragging her feet.

“I think she wants me to follow. I am going to go.”

She grabbed Harry’s arm. “No. I don’t think that’s a good idea. I really don’t like this.” Harry pulled himself from her, grabbed the picture, and started up after the women.

“I’ll be right back. Just stay right here and make sure no one else comes in.” The woman was almost up the stairs and Harry sprinted up the stairs before Hermione could protest. She went to the foot of stairs trying to listen.

She heard Harry say, “Is what you have for me in that room.” Next she thought she heard low hisses, but she wasn’t sure. She strained while trying to keep every angle of the room in her view. But than she heard Harry say “okay” and a door open all her attention was for the upstairs. Time slowed down when she realized Harry had just answered to snake hisses. It didn’t make any sense, but it wasn’t good. She started to run up the stairs as she heard louder hissing.

“HARRY!” She bolted up the stairs two at time and ran into the first open door. She screamed as she saw the women’s body disappear and a large snake appear from her ripped skin. It made her want to be sick, but there wasn’t time for that. Harry was just realizing that was happening as the snake flew at him.

“NO!” She saw the snake go for his neck, but Harry rolled putting his arms up. The snake bit into this right arm and Harry screamed and dropped his wand. Luckily, Harry had gotten away but his arm was bleeding profusely and the snake was rearing to go another round. With Harry wandless he was doomed. She had to do something!

She threw a spell at the snake’s thick skin, which barely spilt. Shit! Next thing she knew the snake was lunging at her. She screamed moving further in the room to get away. She was screaming as she threw another spell at the snake that sent it flying into the nearest wall. She scrambled back and flipped over the bed landing near Harry.

“Are you okay he asked?”

She laughed unhappily. “I’m great, but Harry we have to get you out of here your bleeding so badly…” But she was interrupted when two things happened. The snake regained his balance and was lunging at them again, and Harry screamed writhing in pain. She screamed and scrambled backwards which only successfully caught the snake’s attention. It bit viciously into her leg and she howled kicking the snake in the face with her other foot. The snake did what Hermione considered a howl of pain and pulled back, but not before ripping her skin in a deep line down to the pit of her leg. ‘OH God’, ‘OH GOD’ her head was screaming. Harry was still writhing on the floor and she panicked thinking the snake must be poisonous. Would she be next? She had to get them out of here before that happened or they would both be dead.

The snake went to strike Harry who didn’t seem to be able to move. She screamed and blew the snake back again bring shattered glass, wood, and wall on them. She grabbed Harry’s robes and pulled him to her. She wasn’t sure if she had the strength to take them out of her so she was going to have to chance it and apperate them to Ron’s house. It was the only safe place to go where someone might be able to heal Harry.

As she pulled him, he screamed and the snake came again. Harry screamed, “He’s coming. Oh God he’s coming.” Fear thrilled through her. She suddenly realized Harry was paralyzed because of his mark and the Dark Lord was on his way. She grabbed Harry’s hand closing her eyes and taking them away just as she heard the front door burst open.

She wasn’t sure if she was strong enough to get through the Wesley’s wards so she went to the street corner. They landed hard and Hermione bit into her lip. She just wanted to lay there a pass out but she knew they were still in danger. She rolled over pushing herself up, but falling again when she tried to put pressure on her right leg.

“Shit.” She hissed as tears came from her eyes. She pulled herself up again, but limed over to Harry. “Harry, Harry we have to go!” He was passed out though. Oh god, what was she going to do. She could see Ron’s house from there, but fear gripped her at the thought of leaving Harry alone, passed out in the middle of the road.

She picked up her wand and tried to send a patronus charm, but she’d never much been good at them. Plus, she just barely escaped with her life and there wasn’t one happy thought in her head. She kept trying, but it wasn’t working and panic was running through her. They weren’t safe out here alone and injured. She had no other choice. She pulled Harry up gritting through the pain. She had to safe him! She loved him and she wanted him to be okay.

She pulled him up as if he were a small child cradled in her arms. He wasn’t as heavy as he should have been but it was almost impossible for her. If it hadn’t been for the adrenaline still running through her body she wasn’t sure she could have done it. Tears streamed down her eyes as she put not only all her own pressure, but also all of Harry’s weight on her leg. Blood was flowing from the wound, but she just kept going.

She just talked soothing to Harry who was mumbling in his unconsciousness. “It’s okay Harry. We’re almost there. You did great. We did great and we got out of there alive.” She wasn’t almost telling herself.

She pulled herself and Harry up the front stairs and banged on the door letting Harry’s feet fall. The door opened and she saw Mrs. Wesley’s face open in horror before she fell into the door way.

She heard yelling and felt arms around her. They pulled her and Harry onto the couch but she felt num. Mrs. and Mr. W worked on her and Harry’s wounds before anything was said. She was glad for the silence. Finally, though, she broke it and told everyone the whole story. Well what she could tell.

Before she was done she realized the Lupin, Tonks, the twins, and even Ron were there too. She didn’t cry a single tear just told the story over all the wow and oh no. When asked questions she told them, “I can’t tell you,” or “I don’t know.”

By the time she was done Harry had started to come around. She went to go to him, but Lupin grabbed her.

“Hermione you have a bigger problem?” She looked around at all their sad faces.

“What could possible be more important than this.” She bent down to Harry who smiled.

“You okay Harry?”

“Only because of you Mione. You were brilliant. I am so sorry.”

“Stop it!”

“Hermione!” Lupin almost yelled over her.

“What.” But she didn’t look away from Harry. She’d almost lost him. She was also thinking about where they should go next. They had to leave they couldn’t stay here and endanger them all.

“It’s Hogwarts. It’s been taken over by the Death Eaters. It’s happening right now and there is nothing we can do. He (and she knew who he was talking about) had taken over the ministry. Do you understand? It’s a legal take over Hermione. Just a change of authority. They are using the Minster as a puppet for now but we know from inside intelligence that it he-who-should-not-be-names.”

She turned shocked. “OH GOD, Ginny!” Mrs. Wesley burst into tears. Oh God what was she going to do. She looked back at Harry who had sat back up. Why did this keep happening? Every time she came to sort of comfort with her decision or her predicaments it blew up in her face.

“The sword,” he whispered. And she understood that she had to go back. The sword was probably in the school now swallowed by Death Eaters. She had to go back and get it. It was her new mission and she was suddenly terrified. She shook her head no and tears came again.

Harry grabbed her hands. “I don’t want to go back.” Funny how brave she’d been about the idea of traveling homeless, foodless, and clotheless hunting down pieces of the Dark Lords soul, but having to go back to school made her cry from fear. She couldn’t do this alone. She knew she’d be a number one target. Could she really protect all those people? But she had too. She had to get that sword. Once she did she could leave!

“I know, but I’ll never be able to get in now. I am sorry Hermione.” He sounded sorry, but it didn’t make her any less pissed. She knew Harry had to ask, but what was asking suicidal and he knew it. She was about to walk back into the snake pit, on purpose!

She tried to smile at him. “Okay Harry, but you owe me.”

He looked so sad but right now there was nothing she could do. There were no words of comfort for him to night. They were all damaged goods and there was no fixing it until this all ended. “I already owe you my life what more could I possible offer.”

“Stay alive.” She couldn't face Harry’s sad eyes because she wasn’t ready to forgive him for asking. What they had asked of them all, her, Harry, and Ron. It made her look at Ron with dark eyes. You’ve abandoned us all she thought. “Alright, how do I get back in?”

George spoke up first, “The first thing, after the deatheaters started arrive, Professor McGonagall went looking for you. When she couldn’t find you she owled us. She said she was going to do her best to leave the fireplace open in your dorm. You have to leave soon Hermione. If you can get back into the room and make it look like you never left.”

She stood up pacing. Thank god she had someone looking out for her. She didn’t want to do this. Malfoy had to have noticed she was gone. She could lie and say she as so upset she went to be by herself. Than something hit her. Had Malfoy known? Had he know and never told her? Of course he had. Would he really throw her under the bus like that? The answer again was yes. How had she been so fucking stupid?

Well it was too late to dwell she had bigger problems. No more tears for Malfoy she scowled. He was just childish bullshit compared to what was really happening. “Okay, I’ll leave soon. It’s the best option we got.” She felt herself growing hard and numb. Is this what growing up did to you? Is this what war did to you? If this was just the beginning what would happen in the end? So many questions, and no answers. Would she lose herself to do what needed to be done? Who had she been to begin with? Hadn’t her whole life since she’d entered Hogwarts and met Harry been leading up to this point?

She walked to Mrs. W and hugged her tight. She pulled away and looked her in her eyes. “I’ll take care of Ginny. I swear it, but she a strong person she doesn’t need me.” She pulled away not wanting to look at the raw emotion in her eyes. She would so her best, but she started to wonder if she’d be able to, because what she’d have to ask of Ginny would really be protecting her. She couldn’t do it alone. “I’d liked to talk to Ron and than I am going to go.” She headed up stairs to Ginny’s room without waiting.

She flicked the light on and took the room in. There was a picture of her and Ginny on Ginny’s dresser. She picked it up and laughed. It was a picture of her and Ginny trying without much success to help cooking breakfast. They were moving around laughing with dirty clothes. It made her smile. Then Ron walked in and her emotions suddenly changed.

She turned to him and felt the urge to hit him in face, but apparently Ron didn’t see that emotion in her eyes. He walked to her and suddenly his lips were on her. At first she as so shocked she just let him. It felt like nothing and it made her think of Malfoy. It had to be a cruel joke that even after all he’d done to her she still couldn’t stop thinking about the passion between them. She pushed him back angry rising in her. It felt good to be angry. It made her feel powerful instead of a victim of her condition.

“WHAT! What do you think you are doing Ron?”

“I thought that you wanted to see me alone.”

“Yea because I wanted to talk to you about Harry. God Ron I didn’t fucking call you in here for a make-out session while this is all going on.” She was waving her hands all around. She tried to calm down. “What I really wanted to say you better get you shit together because Harry needs you. What happened to you.”

Ron face feel obviously clear that she was deeply disappointed. “I am sorry Mione it was that thing it did something to me. It made me hate and I couldn’t take it any longer. It affected me worse than Harry and it made me think these awful thoughts.” Ron’s eyes looked haunted and it made her soften a bit. She stepped a little closer to him. “As soon as I came home I was so shamed. I was planning on going back if Harry would have me. You have no idea how it made me feel to see you too like that. What happened?”

Hermione gave him another quick version filling in the blanks she couldn’t before. “I need to know you wont do this again Ron. I need to believe in you, because I cant come back again.”

“I WILL. I mean I know that might not mean much right now, but I’ll prove that I’m really here you two for good.” She shook her head knowing it was the best he could give. He started to move into her again. He tried to raise her head and move his lips to hers again. She backed up again.

“Ron no. I don’t want to do this anymore.” Looking at Ron’s face made her breath stop from the intense pain in his eyes. She wanted to feel the same lose, but she couldn’t. She hated herself for that, but what could she do.

“I deserve that. After what I didn’t I deserve to lose my best friends and my girlfriend.” She wanted to scream stop that she couldn’t deal with this, but Ron was her friend and he deserved more than that.

“Ron you’re not loosing you friends. I am not doing this to punish you. I just can’t take this any longer.”

“Thought that we were stronger.” He spoke over her.

“All we do it is linger.”

“You’re slipping through my fingers.”

“I don’t want to try now.”

“All that’s lefts goodbye now.”

“It’s not good bye Ron. I can’t and don’t want this right now.” She started to walk to the door. She could see one tear run down Ron’s face.

“Not even a tear Hermione?” He asked her so coldly it scared her.

“I am sorry…” She wished she had any tears left, but she didn’t have. She turned a new corner and there weren’t pity parties and tears down there. At least not for love and sex and bullshit.

“So cold.”

She nodded her head and left. Right now she was just that. Cold.

She hugged everyone goodbye pushing what she was about to enter away. No good worrying. She threw the floopower into the fire jumped in and yelled Hogwarts Head’s dorm. And she was engulfed and part of her whished it was real fire.

She slammed into the ground from loosing her footing. She rolled out of the fire coughing. She suddenly heard laughter from around room. They sounded all dark and male. Fear seized her chest.