Letters and Memories

~Let it rain ~

“I have been reading a book-”

“What else is new?” interrupted Draco.

“If you let me finish than perhaps you’ll know,” she said clearly annoyed.

“Go on.”

“Well, you see, I came across this book. And although it is not all about the ‘Seven Strong’, it does mention some things on the subject,” Draco made to interrupt but she raised her hand to stop him. “You see, what I’m having a problem with is the fact that what they told us at the meeting does not completely agree with this book.”

“What do you mean?”

“This book refers to the ‘Seven Strong’ as a group of seven taken in by Merlin and not six, like they told us. It talks about six teenagers, three couples. The first couple is very much in love and has loads in common, which I think to be Harry and Ginny. The second couple have loads in common and although adore each other very much, the love isn’t as deep. That describes Ron and Luna. The third couple I think must be us, for the third couple has nothing in common except for their brilliant minds, they dislike each other mostly for the fact that one is what the other wants to be,” she paused waiting for Draco to process this bit of information. Little did she know that he already knew.

“What no comments?” questioned Hermione.

“No,” replied Draco.

“Wait just a minute,” said Hermione with a calculating look on her face. “Your silence implies that you already knew this.”

“I’d hate to prove you wrong.”

“Bollocks, you would love an opportunity to prove me wrong, hell I think everyone would. But that is beside the point, this book also talks about the ‘Healer’. The healer is some sort-” started Hermione.

“Some sort of a mentor, to help us develop and learn to deal with our new powers,” said Draco finishing Hermione’s sentence.

“Yes, and Severus Snape in my opinion is our healer. So that leaves me with the reason I asked to talk to you.”

“So, what is it?” asked Draco knowing exactly where she was going with this conversation.

“On that night at the Astronomy tower, you didn’t kill Professor Dumbledore,” stated Hermione.

“I thought you already knew this Hermione,” said Draco pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Yes, that was a statement not a question. You didn’t kill him and neither did Professor Snape.”

“Now was that a question?”

“Not really. He’s not dead is he?”

Silence.

“Dear, sweet Merlin. Do you know what this means?”

“It means that you can’t say a word about it, or everything we’ve worked so hard for will have been for nothing.”

“But Harry must know, the whole school must know.”

In one swift move Draco was standing mere inches from her face.

“Hermione, no one can know about this. If the Dark Lord gets wind of this than there’s no telling what he would do, he might come and kill Dumbledore himself,” Draco said in a hushed voice. His warm breath on her cheeks was enough to drive her mad so she did the first thing that came to mind, she pushed him away.

“I want to see him,” demanded Hermione.

“No,” said Draco simply.

“And why not?”

“Because I am tired and don’t want to call him,” shrugged Draco.

“I didn’t know you used telephones?” said Hermione surprised.

“And I don’t.”

“So how can you call him without the use of a phone?”

“With magic, and it is very draining.”

“Please,” she pouted.

“What do I get out of this?” grinned Draco.

“I could think of something.”

“And what would that be?”

“Oh you are such a Slytherin.”

“Through and through,” smiled Draco.

“So will you call him?”

“Like I said it’s very draining.”

“Please, I’ll think of something good.”

“I’ll do it, but you owe me one.”

“Deal.”

Draco took a deep breath and closed his eyes in deep concentration.

“Uncle Sev, I need to see you,” said Draco, eyes still closed.

“Draco, I thought you were going to call professor-”

“Shush, don’t interrupt. Uncle Sev I know you can hear me, Hermione Knows everything.”

“Doesn’t she always,” said Snape walking out of Hermione’s bedroom and into the common room, followed closely by none other than Professor Dumbledore.

“Hello Draco, Miss Granger,” greeted professor Dumbledore with a curt nod.

“But how?” asked Hermione. Lots of emotions playing on her face but the dominant one seemed to be anger.

“I’ll answer all your questions, but I think it wise that the others should be present as well,” said Dumbledore with a smile.

“Sir, I don’t think that wise at all,” said Draco and Snape in unison.

“We need to start your training soon so I think that it is wise, Miss Granger do you mind fetching the others. Just don’t say a word until you’re back here,” said Dumbledore. Hermione got up in silence and left the room, only to return fifteen minutes later with Ginny, Luna, Ron and Harry.

“Wow,” said Ginny and Luna in unison.

“Bloody hell,” said Ron.

“Dear sweet Merlin,” said Harry in pure shock.

“My words exactly,” added Hermione.

“Please I think we can get through this faster if you keep your comments to yourselves until I finish explaining everything,” said Dumbledore, who was now seated beside Snape on the couch.

“You can’t be Dumbledore, I saw him die. I saw him get hit by the killing curse that you said,” piped Harry.

“Harry, my boy, you know that the killing curse needs to be meant in order for it to work. I was already at a weak state because of that potion, so when Severus called the curse it’s only effect was that it made me pass out. And the fact that I lost my conscience, I also lost control over the spell I had you under,” said Dumbledore still holding a smile on his face.

“But we buried you,” said Ron.


“You buried a body that was transfigured to look like mine, you see when Severus got away from you he disapparated back up to the Astronomy tower and apparated us away.”

“What about the Phoenix’s lament, we all heard it,” said Ginny.

“Fawkes is an incredibly faithful pet, she’ll do just about anything I ask,” explained Dumbledore as if it was the simplest thing in the world.

“Sir we shouldn’t linger,” said Snape.

“No we shouldn’t, I must ask you that not a word of tonight be mentioned to anyone else. McGonagall knows about me, but no one else does. Your training must begin as soon as possible. I know about your training in DA, but you must train alone,” said Dumbledore getting to his feet.

“Sir, who’s going to train us?” asked Ginny.

“Severus and Professor Carmen, but mostly Carmen because we never know when Severus is going to be called by Voldemort.”

“The war has begun,” said Snape simply. “The attack at Armony Village was the signal. We are running out of time; tomorrow after your classes are through meet me out in the Quidditch pitch. Don’t be late,” he said before disapparating away.

“Don’t worry, this war should be over sooner than Voldemort whishes,” smiled Dumbledore before following Snape away.

“Did they just disapparate?” asked Ron confused.

“But I thought that there was wards around the castle to prevent that,” said Hermione just as confused.

“And there is Hermione, but who better to remove them then the Wizard who placed them,” shrugged Draco.

Harry and Ron left quickly, after Dumbledore’s departure, in hushed whispers. Ginny soon after dragged Luna after her, leaving Draco and Hermione alone.

“So…” grinned Draco.

“So what?” asked Hermione playing dumb.

“Have you thought of my reward yet.”

“What? Oh… no I haven’t.”

“Well you better start thinking. Or I’ll charge interest,” he said getting to his feet.

“Of course you will,” she also getting up.

“Sleep on it, good night Hermione,” said Draco walking over to his room.

Hermione did the same, ‘wow what a day,’ thought Hermione musing over the events of today. One thing that she couldn’t place was the feeling she had felt when Draco accepted Janet’s invitation to take her to ball. Something inside of her had snapped and if she had remained in the Great Hall a second longer she would’ve ripped Janet apart. “Where did that feeling come from?” she asked herself, and as if on a cue her conscience answered her. ‘That is because you like him,’ said the little annoying voice.

“I do not,” said Hermione trying to convince herself.

‘Whatever, we know better,’ retorted the little annoying voice.

“What I need is some sleep, he has a date now. Who knows, maybe he’ll like her and just forget me,” she said, but before falling into a deep sleep she heard her conscience, ‘you know that won’t happen, all you have to do is ask him and he’ll cancel it with her,” as a thunder storm raged outside her window.

When Hermione’s alarm went off, she thought for a second that her alarm had gone crazy; it was really dark out do to the still raging storm outside. Hermione had to force herself out of bed, after a long shower she went down to the common room. It was still early so she decided to read more of her book. About half an hour later Draco came down, wearing only his school pants.

“Morning,” mumbled Draco.

“Morning,” replied Hermione starting at his abs.

Draco noticed this and decided to play with her a little.

“Hermione my face is up here,” smirked Draco.

“Uhm… yeah… sorry…” mumbled Hermione blushing severely.

“Why don’t you just ask me?” asked Draco looking her in the eyes.


“What are you on about?” said Hermione playing dumb.

“You know I like you, why didn’t you ask me to the dance?”

“Because you said yes to her,” answered Hermione.

“So you are telling me, that you were going to ask me to the dance.”

“Well, that doesn’t matter now, does it? You already said yes to her,” said Hermione.

“Fine, we’re late for breakfast,” said Draco getting to his feet and walking towards the door.

“Wait,” called Hermione.

“What is it?” asked Draco from the doorway without even turning around.

“I thought we had something.”

“What did you just say?”

“I said I thought we had something. But I guess not.”

“Look, you came to my room that night. And we kissed. You said you’d give me a chance to try and win you over, and then walked away, and till now you had not mentioned anything at all about ‘us’. When Janet asked me to the dance I looked at you for some kind of a hint. But none came so I said yes, what do you want from me?” said Draco exasperated.

“I… I don’t… you,” said Hermione barely above a whisper.

“You have to speak up, I didn’t hear you,” smirked Draco.

“You, okay. I want you, Merlin help me but I want you. I must be out of my mind, yeah that’s it I’m out of my mind…” mumbled Hermione, Draco laughed. “Why are you laughing at me?”

“Did you know you rant when you get nervous,” laughed Draco.

“I’m not nervous, and I do not rant. But I am out of my mind, because there’s no way that I would want yo-”

“You are doing it again,” interrupted Draco.

“I am, huh?

“Yep. Come here,” said Draco extending a hand to her.

Hermione walked over to him and took hold of his hand. Draco pulled her to him and wrapped his arms tightly around her.

“So, are you going to ask me to dance?”

“I can’t ask you now, like I said you already said yes to Janet.”

“I’ll talk to her, I’m sure she won’t mind,” smiled Draco.

“We are late for class,” said Hermione after she heard the bell.

“Stay here with me, we’ll go to the next one,” said Draco.

“And what could we possibly do for two whole hours,” teased Hermione.

“I’m sure I can last that long,” winked Draco.

“Draco, don’t be such a perv,” smiled Hermione punching him playfully.

“You’re the perv, touching my naked chest,” said Draco wiggling his eyebrows.

“Sorry,” said Hermione blushing once again. “Perhaps you should put on a shirt,” suggested Hermione.

“We could talk,” said Draco, with a wave of his wand he was fully dressed in his uniform.

“Alright, we can talk. I guess it’s worth missing class for,” they talked for the next two hours about anything and everything. They talked about their childhood; well Hermione did most of the talking in that area. They talked about what they liked to do for fun, until their stomachs spoke louder.

“I think we’ve done enough talking, I’m a bit hungry now,” said Draco.

“So we’re boyfriend and girlfriend?” asked Hermione.

“It’s what I want, is it what you want?”

“But I have one condition.”

“Anything,” affirmed Draco.

“I am very selfish when it comes to what it’s mine, I don’t like to share,” said Hermione.

“You think you can handle me all alone then?” inquired Draco.

“I think I can,” said Hermione moving to stand in front of him.

“Then you shall have me all to yourself,” smirked Draco pulling her to his lap, so she was now straddling him. They locked eyes, and Hermione bent lower capturing his lips with hers. After a couple of minutes of kissing Draco pulled back for some much needed air.

“Wow,” was all he managed.

“Wow good, or wow bad?”

“I’m not sure, perhaps I need another sample.”

“Later, now we need to get to class,” said Hermione struggling to get off his lap.

“You need to stop that, I only have so much control over my hormones,” pleaded Draco.

“What ever do you mean?” said Hermione moving her bum.

“Stop that or I won‘t let you out of this room till Christmas at least,” said Draco standing up and lowering her in front of him.

“That could be fun.”

“Don’t tease me. Come on, we’re already in trouble. Slughorn is going to give us detention,” they walked out of the common room together and headed to potions, which by the way had already started. They tried to sneak in, but had no lock.

“Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger I’m sure there’s a very good explanation for your tardiness,” said Slughorn turning to face them.

“Library,” said Hermione at the same time Draco said “Hospital wing.”

“Right and you are holding hands why?” smiled Slughorn as the whole class broke into whispers. Hermione blushed profusely and Draco looked like he wanted to dig a whole and bury himself in it.

“Alright, alright. This is my class, I’m the teacher therefore the center of attention, and Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger please take your seats. The potion we are brewing today is on the board, it’s the opposite of the sleeping potion. Get to work, you have one hour left, not enough time to finish so I guess I’ll see the two of you in detention tomorrow night after dinner,” announced Slughorn.

“It’s was about bloody time,” said Ron as Draco and Hermione took the empty seats in front of Ron and Harry.

“Oh stuff it Ronald,” said Hermione.

“Ron’s right you know, what took you so long?”

“Harry,” spat Hermione.

“What?” said Harry defensively.

“Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley I guess I’ll be seeing the two of you in detention also.”

“This is all your fault,” said Ron to Draco.

“My fault?” retorted Draco.

“Perhaps I should add more to that detention,” suggested Slughorn.

“No Sir,” said the four teens in unison.

The rest of the class went by uneventfully, as soon as the bell rang the whole class exploded in gossip. Some had Draco and Hermione in a passionate encounter in the Quidditch pitch. The secret was out, and Draco had no plans on hiding what he and Hermione had. So he took her school bag for her and grabbed hold of her hand. They were walking to the Great Hall, for some much needed lunch mind you, when a shriek stopped them.

“Oh my lord,” shrieked Ginny. “When did this happen?” asked Ginny throwing herself on Hermione and Draco hugging them both.

“Perhaps if you allow them to breathe, they could tell you,” laughed Harry pulling his girlfriend back.

“Sorry, tell me, tell me come on tell me,” begged Ginny.

“I’ll tell you, but after we have some lunch. You know, we missed breakfast,” grinned Hermione.

“Please keep us from the details,” grunted Ron.

“I want all the details,” said Ginny as they got to the Great Hall’s doors.

The noise inside was pretty loud; it could be heard down the hall. When the doors opened and the three couples walked in the noise died, and crickets could be heard.

“Just ignore them,” said Ginny walking over to the Gryffindor table. On the way there Draco met Janet who wrapped him in a hug, and whispered ‘thank you’ to Hermione.

“You guys make such a cute couple,” said Janet now hugging Hermione.

“What was that all about?” questioned Hermione as Janet walked away.

“I don’t know girl must have gone crazy” explained Ginny.

“Really, than why do I smell a set up coming from you missy,” smiled Hermione.

“Oh bugger, you know me too well,” said Ginny giving up.

“Thank you,” said Hermione with a curt nod. “Now can we eat,” as they sat down to eat the Hall broke into some more gossip about them as if they weren’t even there.

The storm that was raging last night, was still going at it full power and didn’t look like it would let go anytime soon. By dinner time the storm was, if possible, worst. It was louder and angrier than the morning.

“Dj ting thet hew cancol the tranin?” asked Ron over a full mouth of potatoes.

“Swallow Ronald, and than try it in English,” said Hermione irritated.

“I said, do you think that he’ll cancel training?” repeated Ron.

“I doubt it, we all know him, probably make us stay out there longer than necessary,” said Ginny.

“He’s probably the one who conjured the storm,” chuckled Harry.

“He’s not that bad, you know. I think he just needs to get laid,” said Draco.

“EWWWWW,” cried Ginny and Hermione.

“Thanks for the image, but we could’ve done without it, especially for the fact that we need to keep our dinner down. I’m sure we’ll need our strength,” said Harry.

“Come on, let’s go. The sooner we get out there, the sooner we get back in here where it’s dry,” said Draco getting to his feet and helping Hermione up.

“You mean, we’re actually going out there, it’s suicide,” whined Ron.

“Come on,” said Harry also getting to his feet.

“If I die out there I’m coming back to hunt all of you,” Ron told them.

“It’ll be alright,” said Luna startling everyone. She hadn’t spoken much since the attack that killed her whole family.

They walked to the quidtich pitch with Ron complaining all the way there. When they got there Snape was no where in sight, not that they had much visibility. They could see something or someone flying just above their heads.

“What’s that?” asked Luna.

“Is it You-Know-Who?” asked Ginny.

“No, I would’ve felt it,” affirmed Harry.

“That’s Uncle Severus,” chuckled Draco.

The figured lowered to the ground and walked over to them, revealing to be Severus Snape in a pissed off mood.

“You are late,” stated Snape flatly.

“We thought that-” started Harry.

“Don’t think Potter,” said sneered Snape. “For the first hour you each protect and fight for yourselves, starting now,” said Snape kicking off the ground and in seconds were firing hexes towards them.

It was hard to see which hex was coming towards them, visibility was zero to none. The pitch was pitch black and Hermione had lost sight of her friends; she could hear them but couldn’t see them. She had been hit with a curse that had slashed her left thigh, it was bleeding badly but Hermione hadn’t managed a healing charm yet. She had just blocked a hex, when two more came her way and knocked her to the ground. She had no idea how long this had been going on for, but she needed Draco. Maybe she could call him, like he had done when he called Snape.

With a wave of her wand she charmed some dirt into a protective barrier, she closed her eyes and tried concentrating. “Draco, I need you,” called Hermione.

Nothing.

“Draco, can you hear me? I’m hurt, I need you,” called Hermione once more as her little barrier was hit and almost faltered.

“Hermione, where are you?” called Draco from somewhere close.

“Use your wand Draco, I dropped mine,” cried Hermione.

In seconds a hand touched Hermione’s arm, startled she pulled away.

“It’s me Hermione,” said Draco pushing her behind him while firing hexes everywhere.

“You heard me,” smiled Hermione.

“Yes, I did. It was really low but I heard you, can you walk?”

“I don’t think so, my leg pretty hurt,” she told him.

“I’ll carry you,” said Draco picking her up, he accio-ed her wand and ran towards one of the house stands. He found one and went under it carefully lowering Hermione to the ground. “Where are you hurt?” he asked.

“My thigh,” answered Hermione.

With a couple of flicks and waves Draco stopped the bleeding and created a poor excuse of a bandage. “There, can you walk now?” he asked.

“My leg still hurts, but I can walk,” she stood wavering a bit, but still managed to stand.

“That’s much better, now we better get back in there before they miss us,” said Draco turning to leave.

“Draco, you’re bleeding,” called Hermione.

“That’s just a scratch, come on.”

“Let me heal that scratch, before you bleed to death,” asked Hermione. She walked up to him and lifted his shirt up, it looked like he had been hit by the same hex she had. Except his was much lighter and in fact looked like just a scratch, Hermione stopped the bleeding but didn’t bandage him. They walked out just as Snape called time. The storm eased off and visibility returned, reveling six very battered teens. All six of them had ripped, bloodied clothes, wet with rain and sweat. Hairs were caked with mud.

“That was a good warm up,” sneered Snape.

“You mean there’s more?” asked Hermione.

“What did you expect? Do you think that during war the Death Eaters will give you a break to go get cleaned up? Well you have something else coming,” as Snape said that the storm returned full power. “Now you fight for yourselves while protecting your partner,” lightening hit as if it was aiming for the teens.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say the lightening is trying to kill us,” screamed Hermione dodging a ray of lightening by a hairline.

“That would be because they are,” answered Draco.

“But how do we fight lightening?” asked Hermione pushing Draco as another one came towards them.

“We don’t, I think the trick is to not get hit.”

“So we just run around like hippogriffs with our heads cut off,” said Hermione chuckling at their present predicament.

“Just about summons it up,” affirmed Draco dodging another.

“Oh fun,” said Hermione as Draco pulled her arm and both started running, ducking, jumping and dodging rays of lightening. This part of what Snape called training lasted half an hour, but to Hermione and the others it seemed like eternity.

It was another two hours before Snape called it quits. And just as the training was over so was the storm. Harry was carrying Ginny, Draco had Hermione in a piggy back ride and Luna was levitating Ron’s limp body.

“That’s odd,” stated Harry.

“What the fact that Lovegood is the one carrying and not being carried, yeah I agree,” smiled Draco.

“That too, but I meant the storm. It was almost as if it was being controlled,” said Harry smiling also at his redheaded friend.

“That’s because it was, Uncle Sev has power over the elements, and the storm is his specialty,” responded Draco.

“That’s not fair, we didn’t stand a chance,” said Hermione.

“He’s training us good,” said Ginny.

“I know, but that was a really difficult first training. We are going to know exactly what it feels like to go through a meat grinder tomorrow,” said Harry.

They walked in silence the rest of the way, when they reached the hospital wing Professors Carmen and McGonagall were there waiting for them.

“Oh my, you kids look like you’ve been through hell and back like five times,” said Madam Pomfrey getting to work.

“We feel just like we look,” said Draco lowering Hermione onto a hospital bed.

“I’m sorry to inform that you are not free from classes in the morning,” stated McGonagall flatly.

“Nor my class, nor my training,” smiled Professor Carmen.

“And I was informed of detention for you Miss Granger, you Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Potter. You are also not excused from that, let Mr. Weasley know when he comes back to the land of living will you,” added Professor McGonagall.

“Sweet dreams,” smiled Professor Carmen following Professor McGonagall out.

“Sweet dreams, if we’re able to sleep at all I think it’ll be potion induced sleep,” whined Ginny.

The teens did indeed get potions to help them sleep, but Hermione chose not to take hers. She hated feeling drowsy in the morning, and that’s just how you felt after potion induced sleep. So needless to say it took her longer to sleep than the others, around four in the morning Hermione was startled awake by a pair of hands choking her.

“Not a word Granger,” whispered Pansy Parkinson.

“What do you want?” asked Hermione.

“Just thought I’d drop by and give you a little warning. Hurt Draco, and I’ll serve him your heart in a golden goblet,” warned pansy.

“What’s it to you?”

“Me and Draco have been friends since we were in our nappies, and I’ve known for a while now that he’s mad about you. So heed my words, hurt him and it’ll be the last thing you ever do,” said Pansy walking out.

‘Well, that was unexpected,’ thought Hermione. It was a while before sleep overtook her again