Scars

As usual, Hermione and Draco met in their common room to walk to class together. Only now there was an addition to their daily routine. Every morning (and every night) without fail, there was a kiss. It was the height of both their days, and even admitted as much to each other.

It was a week since she received, and replied, to her letter from Harry. She would be meeting him in Hogsmeade the coming weekend, with Draco nearby in case the weasel decided to show. She was nervous and anxious about it all.

Harry wasn’t happy with her description of what had happened. “Ron would never hit you”, he wrote to her. She replied with the same idea as before- confirm her story with Madam Pomfrey and Ginny. She did not tell Harry about her relationship with Draco yet. That was something she wanted to do in person, not by letter.

On that Saturday morning, Hermione and Draco met and headed down for breakfast. Hermione was a bundle of nerves. There was a lot that could go wrong today. She had to explain to Harry about what happened in the hospital wing. She was hoping Ginny could help there. But she herself had to tell Harry about her relationship with Draco. She was afraid of what his reaction was going to be. Losing Harry would be like losing a brother. She wasn’t sure she could handle it.

All of this, plus it would be his first time visiting since her injury.

Draco watched from across the great hall. He knew she was stressed and worried about the visit with Harry. He worried as she pushed her food across her plate, taking just a few bites and a sip of juice before pushing her plate away and turning to talk to her friend.

He wasn’t in the best mood today either. He wouldn’t be walking to Hogsmeade with Hermione. Ginny would. He understood she wanted to tell Potter about them, but it still hurt, and he was still very worried. After what happened with Astoria, he didn’t want her left alone. Although the Slytherins didn’t bother him much, he was sure Hermione was a target- even more so now that they were involved.

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Ginny and Hermione walked down to Hogsmeade quickly with Draco walking 20 feet behind them. Hermione was starting to become more anxious. Her heart beat hard in her chest and her hands began to shake. She felt like she couldn’t breathe. Pulling Ginny into a side street, she leaned up against a wall and tried to get her breathing steady again.

“Mione? What’s wrong?” Ginny asked.

“Can’t breathe…” She said as she put her shaking hands over her eyes. She continued her deep breathing trying to rid the pressure building within her. “Bloody hell!” she yelled.

Ginny put her hand on her friends shoulder. “I’ll be right back, ok Mione?” she nodded.

The red head left the side street and saw Draco had just neared the three broomsticks. She ran to him and pulled him to a stop, careful to avoid being in front of the windows. “Draco!” she yelled at him.

“What?” He looked past her, then became worried as he didn’t see his girl. “Where’s Mi?”

“She’s having some sort of panic attack or something. She has the shakes and says she can’t breathe.”

“OK, I’ll go see to her. I need you to distract Potter. Tell him she was up all night studying and is running late or something.” The red head nodded, fully intending to tell Harry exactly what was happening.

Draco ran down the street looking into the side streets as he ran. He finally found her leaning up against the side of a building. Her head back, eyes closed, hands clenched in fists. He knew she was battling with herself. He was proud she was winning out. Hermione had been so strong lately, but he had a feeling she had been holding things in… making this attack more volatile.

He walked forward and stopped standing in front of her. “Mi?” Her eyes snapped open and she gave a tight smile. “Hey.” He pulled her into a tight hug. “It’s okay. Breathe.”

“You ask for the one thing I can’t do right now.” She let out a small laugh.

“So we take time until you can.” He pulled back from her and kissed her forehead. Hermione closed her eyes and let out a long breath.

“That works.” She said. “She put her head on his chest while he ran his hands up and down her back. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

“Mi. There’s nothing wrong with you. You’re anxious and nervous and that combined into a panic attack. There’s nothing wrong with you. Feel better?”

She nodded her head then gave him a genuine smile. “Mi?”

“I don’t know… it just comes out that way.” Draco replied blushing.

“I like it.” She said. Draco leaned forward and kissed her on her forehead again and she was amazed to feel the pressure in her chest lightening.

They heard a voice clearing and jumped, but didn’t pull apart.

There at the mouth of the alley was Harry Potter.

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A/N: Yes I’m evil! Muahahaha! OK in all seriousness guess what I did today!? I finished it *happy dance* So I feel completely okay with leaving this as a cliffie, knowing tomorrow I will post another chapter… maybe… if I feel loved *pouts* Sorry! I get playful when I’m excited!! All that’s needed on my end is an epilogue which I’m sure will come to me rather quickly. I’m so excited and I just can’t hide it! OK, enough of my insanity. I promise to post another chapter tomorrow.

Luminari_Lilium: lol! You’re too funny!

Madamdragon: yes its official. I’m lol at your giggling hahaha.

LadyCandi: keep reading, I’ll be updating often!

Anesor: thanks so much for stopping by! Thank you very much for your review. I’m very happy for it!