The Unseen

Oh my. It's been so long. THis chapter has taken so very long. I was petering out. I think for a while I was depressed. I was sad, and no longer had an interest in writing, something I so enjoyed. But I'm feeling better now. I want everyone to know that I'm going to be putting my best effort into finishing this story, and my Lumione that I started. Thanks to everyone who has read this story so far, and I hope that the lapse in action hasn't cooled your fervor for the story. James is back in action! ^_^

I couldn't begin to respond to the reviews that were posted for the last chapter, and I'm sure even the lovely readers who posted them wouldn't remember what I was talking about even if I did. But if you did respond, remember that I love you very much, and I'm glad you did. I hope you start to do so again.

And now, for your reading pleasure, I proudly present to you the newest chapter of The Unseen.

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Draco whistled to himself as he walked to Hermione’s rooms. He held a bouquet of flowers in his hand. This was going to be a big visit for him. He was going to finally ask Hermione to go out on a date with him. But he wasn’t stupid enough to call it a date! He was going to ask if she’d accompany him to dinner this weekend. It was a Hogsmeade weekend, but neither of them had chaperone duty, and it would be a perfect time to get away for a romantic dinner.

He stood in front of the door for a moment, smoothing his hair and straightening his robes nervously before he knocked. He didn’t receive an answer. So, thinking he hadn’t knocked loud enough the first time, he knocked a little louder.

The door was opened suddenly, and Hermione stood there, looking a bit rough. Her hair was sticking up at all angles, and her clothes were mussed as if she’d slept in them.

“Draco?” she squeaked when she saw him, and made a half-hearted attempt to smooth her matted hair.

“Hermione…did I wake you?” he asked.

“N-no! I…just got up. I don’t remember falling asleep….oh well, I have been a bit tired lately.” She said with a smile. She stepped back from the door. “Come in, Draco!” she said happily. He relaxed a bit, and held out the flowers.

“Pretty flowers for a pretty woman.” He said. She blushed like a school girl, and took the flowers gently.

“Th-thank you….” She stammered. She hadn’t a vase on hand, but she quickly transfigured one out of a worn quill, and put the flowers inside, displaying them proudly on a side table.

“I want to ask a favor of you…” Draco said. Hermione tilted her head, a smile on her face.

“Sure. What kind of favor?” she asked.

“Well….I was wondering if you’d be amenable to accompanying me to dinner this weekend.” He said. Hermione paled a bit.

“Like…like a date?” she asked, her throat dry.

“N-no! Just a friendly dinner…just the two of us.” He said quickly. The color seemed to return to her face. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to date him. She liked Draco well enough. He was kind, funny, smart. But Ron had been kind and funny at first…and that turned out so well for her.

“Oh…well I suppose…” she said. His face broke into a handsome smile, and she melted immediately.

“It’s a…er….non-date, then!” he said. She laughed.

~~

The only thing about going out to dinner was what to wear! She didn’t have anything fancy….but she was a witch, darn it, and one that was a Master of transfiguration, as well!

So when Draco answered the door, his mouth dropped open at the sight of her. She was wearing a dark blue dress with tiny cap sleeves and an airy skirt to it. The bodice of the dress was snug enough to prove she was a woman, but loose enough to make her not feel like some kind of floozy.

She was wearing sensible beaded ballet flats, and a simple silver medallion necklace. The outfit wasn’t overly fancy, but it was beautiful nonetheless.

“Stunning.” He finally whispered. Hermione thought he looked rather dashing in immaculate black slacks and a Slytherin green button-up.

The place they went to was well-lit, and very public. Hermione appreciated him proving that he wasn’t trying to get her alone. It did wonders to ease her nervousness. As did the fantastic wine served at the restaurant. Conversation was casual, and Hermione was a bit emboldened by the alcohol in her system.

She was actually disappointed when the night drew to a close, and Draco paid the bill.

“Over already?” she asked, her words a little slurred. Draco smiled.

“I was thinking we could end the night with a walk back through the castle to your rooms. I would be remiss in my role as a gentleman if I didn’t take you back to the door.” He was rewarded by a brilliant smile from Hermione.

They took their time walking back up to her room, making idle conversation the whole way up. It felt odd….sure…but they were both enjoying the company of the other, and the moment was all that mattered to them. When they arrived at Hermione’s door, they both stood awkwardly for a moment.

“Thank you for the lovely…..outing, Draco.” Hermione said, her alcohol-induced bravery fading fast.

“You’re very welcome.” He said. He leaned towards her, and saw her face flame up. She closed her eyes, expecting him to try to kiss her, but was disappointed when she heard her door open. He was letting her in… “I had a very lovely time with a very lovely woman. Good night.” He said, and waited until she had gone inside and shut her door.

He let out a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding, and leaned against the wall. It had taken all of his strength not to kiss her. But it hadn’t been a date! He couldn’t kiss her after this….non-date. He would have liked to very much, but…

~~

Hermione stood on the other side of her door, a little disappointed. She knew it hadn’t been a date, and for that she was grateful, but she had been hoping that she would at least get a goodnight….peck. It really had been a lovely evening, and she was sad to see it end.

She walked forlornly to her bedroom, and changed from the lovely dress and into some soft pajamas, curling up under her fluffy crimson duvet.

Maybe he’d ask her out again, sometime.

~~

Romulus sighed softly as he gathered up parchments that had been left in the library. Orion had gone on to bed, being a bit of a slob, but Romulus couldn’t stand the thought of leaving the library in shambles. It was true that the house-elves picked up at night…but why leave it for them?

“Samantha Benson left her Potions essay again….” He said softly to himself, picking up the parchment.

He heard a rustle to his left, and immediately turned towards the sound.

“The library’s closed.” He called out. He heard another rustle, and felt the hair on the back stand up. Something wasn’t right. He approached the sound, his lips slowly pulling back off of his teeth. “Who’s there?” he hissed. He pressed himself against the bookcase, his brown eyes boring into the shadows to catch a glimpse of movement. He heard a noise above him and his head whirled up in time to see the bookcase coming down around him. He tried to jump out of the way of the monstrous furniture piece, but was unsuccessful in completely escaping it, and was knocked to the ground and covered in heavy books and the stifling weight of the wooden shelves. His breathing was seriously impaired, and he was fairly certain he had a few broken bones.

Romulus’ last coherent thought was to cast the bubble-head charm around his head so that the dust wouldn’t suffocate him, and then his world went black.

It wouldn’t be until the next morning when he was found. It was Orion who came looking for him, disappointed when his wolfish friend hadn’t shown up for breakfast.

Orion called for Romulus, and then paused when he saw a few books strewn across the floor down on aisle. His own view of the fallen bookcase was blocked due to a few bookcases between him and his distressed friend. Orion took a few steps forward, and felt his mouth dry up a bit when he finally saw the fallen bookshelf.

“R-Rome?” he asked, taking a few steps towards the heap of wood and books. He gave a roar of sorrow when he saw a hand wedged between the floor and the shelf, slightly purple due to poor circulation. Orion began throwing books away, trying to reveal his friend. A lot of the books were tinged with blood, presumably from the sharp corners, sometimes tipped with metal, cutting into his flesh. Orion could see Romulus, but the young man was stuck tightly under the heavy shelf. So Orion tried to move it. He put his hand under the wood and braced himself, lifting with all of his might. He pulled and strained until the wood cut into his skin, but he couldn’t budge the heavy shelf. Tears and sweat mingled on his face when he finally gave up, his chest heaving from the effort. He took a few deep breaths, and reached out to touch his friend’s limp hand.

“I’m going for help, Rome. You just hold on, you furry bastard.” He said, and then took off out of the library. Most of the teachers lingered at breakfast, keeping their eyes on the late-coming children and socializing for a bit before having to spend the rest of their day with children. Orion burst through the doors in the main hall, drawing surprised looks from the staff and students. He was a mess! His normally pristine robes were askew and covered in dust ….and was that blood on his hands? Orion ran to the dais, his face white as parchment.

“What is it?” Headmaster Snape asked, rising from his seat.

“It’s Rome…er….Romulus! He’s trapped under a book case in the library! I think he’s been there all night!” Orion gasped. A few of the kids closest to the dais began whispering wildly. First Professor Snape, then Mr. Lupin? Even the students were getting a bit suspicious. Headmaster Snape caught the attention of the Hall with a shrill whistle.

“The prefects will gather the students and report back to their dormitories. First class is cancelled for this morning, but each and every student is expected to show for second class. Now, if the teachers would follow me.” He said, directing the last part to his staff. Orion, completely exhausted, fell to his knees. Almost immediately James was at his side, pressing a cold glass of water into his hands.

“Come on, mate. Drink this. I can tell you tried to help him before you came for us. Drink the water.” He said. Orion took a shaky drink of water, swallowing hard.

“What can I do now? I’m too tired to help get to him…” Orion said, tears cutting paths in the dirt on his face.

“Go contact his mum and dad. Uncle Remus and Aunt Dora will want to know.” He said. Orion nodded forlornly, and walked slowly toward the Owlery.

James ran towards the library, and by the time he reached the dusty old room, made dustier by the disturbance of so many books, the other staff had gotten Romulus out from under the shelves and the books, and Draca was examining him with tears in her eyes.

“He’ll live. But his leg…the nerves were pinched too long. It won’t heal properly. He’ll walk…but not well.” She said, pushing his brown fringe out of his face. “He needs to go down to the infirmary.” She added.

“I’ll take him.”

James stepped forward and bent down, easily taking his friend into his arms and lifting him. No one suggested the use of magic to transport the injured werewolf. His face was grim, his tail stiff as he walked down to the infirmary. This wasn’t…it couldn’t…be an accident. That was staff member number two taken out of commission. And the third member of the Unseen to be taken down.

Something serious was getting ready to happen, and James was now even more determined to get to the bottom of it.

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Okay. We have another attack on the Unseen. Our plot is advancing, and we have a bit of romance in the air. Ooh la la!