What a Witch Needs

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A Woman Scorned


Three days later, the morning mail owls flew into the Great Hall, dropping letters, packages and newspapers on the various tables. A letter fell on Hermione’s toast stack and she flipped it over to see who it was from. A familiar scrawl met her eyes, the writing of her long-time pen pal, Viktor Krum. She broke the seal and flipped it open:


Dear Hermione,

I will be passing through Hogsmeade this evening on my way to our match in Scotland. I would like to stop by Hogwarts and spend an hour with you. if I may. Unfortunately, it is all the time I can spare. I have thought about you often and have always read your letters eagerly. I will be there at 7:00 p.m. I’m looking forward to seeing you again.

Your Friend, Viktor


Harry had leaned over, reading Viktor’s letter at the same time as Hermione. When he had finished reading, he picked up his knife and fork and began attacking the sausage on his plate a bit more aggressively than usual. His tense and abrupt movements did not go unnoticed by Hermione.

“He’s coming for a visit,” she said, stating the obvious.

“So he is,” Harry replied, tersely.

She sighed at Harry’s jealous display. “Harry, it’s just a visit, not a date.”

“What about the D.A. meeting tonight at 7:30?” Harry asked, the loud clanking of his knife and fork starting to attract attention.

“I’ll just have to be a little late,” Hermione replied. She really didn’t understand what the big deal was. It wasn’t like she was romantically involved with Viktor even though Harry and Ron had teased her about it in the past. “He’s just a friend, Harry.”

Harry glanced at her, annoyed. “Just make sure he knows that, Hermione. And make sure he knows that you are taken.”

She rolled her eyes in exasperation. “If he indicates any sort of interest in that way then, yes, I will tell him.”

“I still don’t like it,” Harry said. “He didn’t even ask you to reply. It’s as if he just expects you to accept his visit without asking if you’d want it in the first place!”

“That goes to show that it’s not a date, Harry,” Hermione tried to explain. “It’s just a friend dropping by for a chat.”

Draco watched Harry and Hermione from the Slytherin table, wondering why Harry was looking so put out. He always found his eyes traveling to where they were, wishing that he could sit and have a meal with them. He had noticed Hermione received a letter, and he suspected that whatever was in that letter was not to Harry’s liking. He planned to ask Harry about it when he had the chance.

He heard a sharp laugh from Pansy and he glanced at her as she bent to whisper in Millicent’s ear. He had wondered why Pansy had not told anyone about him and Hermione yet. When he had come back to the Slytherin common room that evening, after she had caught him and Hermione together, he expected to have a million questions thrown at him from everyone present. But no one said a thing. And as the next few days dragged on without a word, he figured Pansy had not told anyone. But why?

He would look at her in question and Pansy would only smile smugly and then give him the cold shoulder. She was up to something, he guessed. Perhaps she was saving the secret for a more opportune time - a very Slytherin thing to do.

OOOOOOOO

Draco had a chance to speak to Hermione later that day asked her why Harry had been upset at breakfast. When she told him of Krum’s impending visit, he felt his own gut clench in disapproval. “He better not lay a hand on you!” Draco snorted.

“You and Harry are such cavemen!” Hermione fumed. “Don’t you think I’m smart enough to stop anything untoward from happening? Have some faith in me!” She turned and stalked off; upset that Viktor’s visit was making her boyfriends so loony.

OOOOOOOO

Harry pouted during dinner. Hermione looked across the room to see Draco in a sore mood as well. ‘What a fuss they’re making,’ she thought.

She hurried through her meal as 7 o’clock approached in order to meet Viktor in the foyer on time. Then she bent and kissed Harry on the cheek. “I’ll see you later.”

“Humph,” Harry snorted, morosely, and would not look at her. He glanced at Draco to see the Slytherin following Hermione out of the Great Hall with concerned eyes. Then they both gave each other a look that showed their mutual displeasure at this ‘visit.’

Draco pushed his remaining food around on his plate, wanting to get up and follow Hermione, watch over her, but he knew she would take it as a sign that he did not trust her. He looked at his watch. 7:02 p.m., only 58 more minutes to go.

Then his attention was caught by someone whispering Hermione’s name. He turned his head to Pansy and Millicent, who had their faces together, whispering excitedly. “Good riddance, I say,” he heard Millicent whisper. “We don’t have to look at that mudblood any longer.”

Draco stood up so quickly, his drink fell over. The Slytherins looked at him, surprised, as Draco hopped onto the table and over it so fast they became alarmed. He stood behind Pansy and Millicent, grabbing fistfuls hair, tugging their heads back, painfully. “What did you do?” he yelled in their faces. He tugged harder and ordered, “Tell me.”

Professor Snape stood up from his seat at the head table and bellowed, “Mr. Malfoy, release those girls immediately!”

Draco growled angrily at his captives and pushed their heads roughly forward as he let go of their hair. Snape was striding around the head table, a furious look on his face.

Draco whipped around and looked at Harry with alarm. Everyone in the Great Hall had now stopped eating and was looking at the disturbance. Harry stood up, realizing that something was very wrong. Draco’s distressed manner and urgent movements towards the door sent Harry’s feet following. Harry ran after him, causing confusion among Gryffindor table.

Harry followed Draco close on his heels - out to the foyer where he paused to look around for Hermione and Krum. “What’s going on?” Harry panted, out of breath.

“I think it was a set up. Pansy said something about Hermione being gone forever,” Draco explained, quickly. Snape had followed them, yelling, “Mr. Malfoy, Potter, what in blazes is going on? Get over here now!”

Harry felt sick inside as he did not see any sign of Hermione in the visitor’s parlor. “Outside!” Harry guessed. They took off before Snape could catch up to them.

As they stood upon the castle entrance, they looked around the courtyard and Draco yelled, “Harry, look!” Harry looked to where Draco was pointing, seeing two figures flying away on a broom stick into the night sky.

Snape came running out the door, wand at the ready, but Draco already had his wand out, reflexes acting quickly, “Stupefy.” Snape fell unconscious on the stone steps, but the boys could not spend any time pondering what the consequences would be. Harry stuck out his hand. “Accio broom.” Draco quickly followed suit. After a few moments, their broomsticks came gliding from the direction of the Quidditch field and into their grips. They mounted quickly, setting off in the direction they saw Hermione and Viktor leave.

OOOOOOOO

Hermione had spotted Viktor waiting for her near the front door of the castle. She approached him with a smile. “Viktor! It’s wonderful to see you again.” He hadn’t changed very much, still seeming a bit reserved and shy.

“Hermione! It is good to see you. too,” Viktor grinned as she approached. He gave her a quick hug.

“My, your English has really improved,” Hermione marveled, noting how his accent was not nearly as heavy as it use to be.

“Yes, I’ve been practicing my English. I read out loud to myself each night,” Viktor explained. “Let’s go.”

“Where?” Hermione asked, confused. She had thought they would go to the visitor’s sitting room, adjacent to the foyer, and she hesitated a moment.

Viktor looked a bit impatient, and then said, “Hermione, I wanted to show you a most beautiful sight.” He took her hand and pulled her towards the front door.

“What is it?” she asked, nervously. He seemed very anxious to leave the castle and it just didn’t set right with her.

“When I flew in tonight, the castle looked so beautiful. I’d like to show you how beautiful it looks right now, all lit up at night. Can I take you for a ride?” Viktor asked.

Hermione, hesitated, dragging her feet as he pulled her outside. “I’m really not keen on flying you know.”

“You don’t have to worry. I know what I’m doing. How about it? Just once around, and then we’ll have our little visit?” Viktor coaxed.

Hermione took a deep breath. “Just once will be all right, I suppose.”

His broom was leaning against the wall where he’d left it. He mounted, saying, “Get on behind me.” Hermione wasn’t thrilled to go flying. She did not want to seem silly and fearful, so she ignored her nerves and got on behind Viktor, holding onto his waist.

“Relax,” he said, as they rose into the air. He aimed the broom up and they shot to an alarming height, quite quickly.

Hermione had her eyes closed at first before forcing them open. They had gone quite high. When she looked around, the castle seemed to be growing farther and farther away.

“Viktor,” she called out, “I’m not allowed to leave the school. Can we go back?” She expected him to turn around and head back toward Hogwarts, but he kept on flying higher and farther away from the castle.

“Viktor!” she yelled, thinking that he had not heard her through the wind rushing in their faces.

Suddenly the broom lurched downwards a few yards and Hermione screamed, holding on tighter around his waist. They began swaying dangerously from side to side and up and down. “Stop!” yelled Hermione, frantic. “I want to go back. I don’t like this.”

Viktor only laughed at her distress and began shaking the broom even more. Hermione screamed louder when she felt his hand over hers, trying to pull her grip off his waist. “No! Please!” she screamed, crying. “Why are you doing this?”

He laughed harder. “You are going to have a flying accident. You lost your grip and I just couldn’t save you in time.”

“Noooooo,” Hermione screamed as he became wilder with the broom. They were up so high, there would be no way she could survive a fall. His nails dug into her hand, trying to dislodge her.

“Get off, stupid bitch!” he yelled, getting impatient.

He plied one of her hands off and at the same time jerked the broom to one side. Hermione screamed, feeling herself sliding off the broom. Grasping wildly, she managed to clasp onto the broomstick behind Viktor. Now she was hanging on and dangling. She screamed in terror as he swayed side to side, trying to shake her off from the back of his broom.

Looking back at her over his shoulder, Viktor grew more impatient and pulled out his wand. Pointing it at her hands, he muttered, “Incinerate.” Her fingers burned in excruciating pain and just as she let go, something hard slammed into her body and propelled her forward.

“I’ve got you, love,” she heard Draco say from behind her as he held her in one arm and slowed down, pulling her onto his broom in front of him. Hermione was sobbing with pain and relief as she realized she would not be dying after all. Her body was shaking badly while Draco held her tightly to the front of his body. She burst out in fresh tears.

“Bring me down, bring me down,” she sobbed.

“Of course,” he crooned, nuzzling her wet cheek and bringing her closer to the ground. He glanced up at the sky while they lowered, spotting Harry pursuing Viktor in the distance. They appeared like two black shapes in the night sky, lit only by the moon’s glow.

When his feet touched the ground, he let the broom drop and gathered her in his arms. “It’s all right now, love, you’re safe,” he reassured as she sobbed on his shoulder. His eyes were still on the sky and he startled a bit when he saw a fireball light the sky and knock into one of the wizards, catching his robes on fire while he fell off the broom. They could hear the blood curdling scream of the wizard on fire, falling to the ground in the distance. Hermione turned her tear-stained face toward the spectacle and cried, “Oh noooo.” She fell to the ground onto her knees, sobbing into her hands. Draco knelt beside her, taking her into his embrace. He was in shock as well. Fear filled his chest at the thought that it could be Harry that fell.

They both were holding each other, shaking, when the survivor of the chase came spiraling down above them. Draco’s hand went into his pocket, withdrawing his wand. He would not die without a fight.

When Draco recognized that it was Harry, he let out the breath that he had been holding, relieved. “It’s Harry - he’s all right.”

Hermione still wept while Draco kept his arms wrapped around her. Harry had now landed and strode over to them. He knelt down and put his hand behind her head, stroking her like a child. “Are you all right?” he asked.

Hermione shook her head side to side, sobbing, “Oh, Harry, Harry, what have you done?”

“He deserved it. He tried to kill you,” he stated.

Draco agreed with Harry, but he didn’t say anything. He, too, was shaken by what he saw. He watched as Harry picked up her hands, examining her burnt fingers.

“We’ve got to get you to the infirmary,” he stated.

“Harry,” she continued, “what’s going to happen to you when they find out what you’ve done? Oh, Harry!” She sobbed louder, throwing her arms around his neck and holding on to him.

Draco ran a comforting hand over her back, saying, “This is a war, love. People die. I think Harry did the right thing.”

Just then, a loud POP sounded next to them and they lifted Hermione quickly to her feet in a protective embrace. “What’s going on here?” snapped a voice, sharply. “What are you doing off school grounds?”

Harry squinted at the figure, finally recognizing the voice. “Moody? Is that you?”

“Yes, Potter!” he replied, lighting his wand and peering into their faces. His eye swiveled around at the three of them, pausing at Malfoy for a moment. He faced Harry and said, “Did you kill that man?”

“You already know what happened,” Harry said to the skilled auror.

Hermione began crying more. “It was Viktor Krum. I thought he was my friend… then he tried to kill me!”

“Krum eh?” Moody said. “That was not Viktor Krum.”

All three of them looked at Moody, surprised. “I’ve been following that man for two days,” Mad Eye continued. “I thought he might be up to no good when an informant told me he had contact with a Death Eater. His name was Wells, John Wells. He polyjuiced into Viktor Krum.”

Mad Eye Moody looked them over again, noticing Hermione’s burnt fingers. “Get back to school and get her some help. I’ll take care of the body.” He turned to Harry. “You did good, Potter.”

“Thank you, sir,” Harry replied. Draco and Hermione looked surprised. Harry was getting praised? For murder?

“Give me your wand,” Moody said, his hand out to Harry. He wanted to erase the record of the last spell done with it.

“I didn’t use a wand,” Harry replied. Draco face turned to Harry, perplexed. How did Harry do what he did without a wand? He made a mental note to himself to ask Harry about it later. It didn’t seem like much of a surprise to Moody, though. The auror merely nodded.

“Now get back to school and don’t tell anyone what happened out here. Is that understood?” Moody said, looking at Draco in particular. “If anyone does talk, I’ll know.”

Draco felt a bit insulted at the insinuation. “You don’t have to worry,” Draco replied, harshly.

Moody nodded and with another POP he was gone.

“I don’t want to fly anymore!” Hermione stated, wrapping her arms about Draco again.

“We have to get you some help, love,” Draco said. It would take a very long time to walk back. “How about I fly low to the ground?”

“Not higher than two meters then!” she shakily replied.

“All right, my sweet. Two meters it is,” he promised, bending down to retrieve his broom.

“Pansy arranged this, you say?” Harry asked, tonelessly.

Hermione gasped, “Pansy?”

“Yes, I believe she did. Both her father and her older brother are Death Eaters,” Draco answered, eyeing Harry’s changing demeanor. “It wouldn’t have been very hard for her to contact them and tell them that Hermione was acquainted with Krum.”

Harry mounted his broom, kicking off without another word.

“Oh, no,” Hermione muttered. “Let’s hurry, Draco. I don’t know what Harry might do to Pansy!”

OOOOOOOO

Come along, Severus, Minerva,” said Dumbledore as they strode along towards his office. Dumbledore wanted to use his scrying glass and see where Harry and Draco had gone. Snape was extremely upset with himself for not being more on guard when he followed the boys outside. Draco was definitely going to get punished for attacking him, he thought as strode along quickly.

A monk ran alongside them, jumping from portrait to portrait. “Headmaster, sir.” Dumbledore paused and looked at the monk.

“Yes, Nyfred?”

The monk continued. “A girl was just brought to the infirmary with burnt fingers. I believe it was that Granger girl. She was accompanied by young Malfoy!”

“Thank you, Nyfred,” said Dumbledore. “Have you seen Harry Potter?”

“No, sir, but I’ll check with the others,” Nyfred answered, exiting through successive portraits down the hall. The portraits were Dumbledore’s eyes and ears when he couldn’t be everywhere at once.

“To the infirmary then,” Dumbledore announced.

When they reached the infirmary, Madam Pomfrey was already tending to Hermione’s fingers, soothing them with a fast healing balm.

“What has happened, dear?” asked Professor McGonagall in concern.

At the same time, Professor Snape lit upon Draco, angrily. “Just what did you think you were doing? Where’s Potter?”

“I…” Draco stammered. That Moody guy had just told him not to tell and Draco had not thought of what excuse he should make before hand.

Dumbledore looked at Hermione. “Miss Granger? Could you please tell us how you were injured?”

Hermione told them everything: from Pansy to Viktor to Moody. Everything, except for what Harry had done to John Wells. Dumbledore studied her face for a moment and then looked away. “Very well then, we’ll speak more of this later,” he replied. He was just about to leave the infirmary, when the monk returned in a portrait next to Hermione’s hospital bed.

“Headmaster!” Nyfred yelped.

“Yes?” Dumbledore paused.

“Harry Potter was seen on his way down to the dungeons. And…” Nyfred looked frightened.

“And what, Nyfred?” Dumbledore prompted.

“There’s something wrong with him, sir! He’s got a strange red glow!” Nyfred replied with a squeak.

Dumbledore looked at Snape and said quickly, “It’s happening Severus. We must hurry.” The headmaster strode out of the infirmary, calling back over his shoulder, “Minerva, bring Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy to Slytherin as soon as her fingers are wrapped.”

“Yes, sir,” Professor McGonagall said with a worried frown.

Snape followed behind Dumbledore, mumbling, “I knew this would happen. Potter can’t be trusted!”

“He’s over emotional at the moment, Severus. His girlfriend was just about murdered!” Dumbledore replied as they hurried their pace.

OOOOOOOOO

‘So Pansy thought she would get away with this,’ Harry fumed. ‘She’s going to learn not to fuck with those I care about.’ He strode quickly down toward the dungeons and to the Slytherin portrait entrance. Harry felt a power so strong pulsing throughout his body. He wanted to show Pansy that she would not get away with what she had done. He was so focused on finding her that he didn’t notice all the figures in the portraits running away at the sight of him, fleeing to higher ground.


OOOOOOO

Little cliffy there! No sex in my chapter, what’s wrong with me? LOL I hope you liked it anyway. Next time you’ll find out what happens to Pansy and I promise I’ll put some sex in there too (but not with Pansy – she’s been a bad girl, no sex for her).

Let me know your thoughts dear readers!