With A Dragon's Heart

Author Notes: I want to thank you for your patience and your wonderful comments! Tho I feel that I am unworthy of them, I am glad you are enjoying it…Annie


CHAPTER TWENTY THREE: The Aftermath


Hermione kept her eyelids tightly closed knowing the black liquid would burn her eyes if she didn’t. She also knew her face was a complete mess and drenched in sweat, but she didn’t care. This was nothing compared to the real life story she had just heard.

Hermione let a few more drops of spittle fall into the water before wiping her mouth to remove the rest. She managed to hawk up the last bit of bile that was stuck in her throat, spitting it out into the toilet bowl. The cool porcelain felt so good against her hot forehead and she tried to forget about her still-clenching stomach. Through her matted hair she caught a glimpse of a figure entering the bathroom and wasn’t surprised to hear water running in the sink.

A wet cold washcloth was handed to her and she took it eagerly. As she cleaned off the smeared makeup and sweat, her disarranged legs and her hiked up skirt became apparent but she was too exhausted to care about that either. Hermione shifted a little on the floor, just enough to lie back against the wall. She closed her eyes again and leaned her head back. Only one word kept repeating in her mind.

“Why?” she said out loud.

Snape took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. “It’s impossible to know the reason why. Only they themselves know.”

Hermione lowered her head, crossed her legs, and pulled her skirt over her knees. She sat quietly for a moment before clearing her throat.

“I-I just …” She paused. “How can someone do that to their own flesh and blood?” she hoarsely whispered through her raw throat.

Hermione peered over to her Professor through the pieces of her hair that were covering her face. Severus was looking at the tile floor with his hands lying in his lap.

“I wish I knew, Miss Granger,” he finally said. “I only know that sometimes it’s harder on those who know about it and are unable to do anything. To just sit back, knowing it’s still happening, and cannot prevent it nor stop it.”

Hermione furrowed her eyebrows and looked curiously at her Potion’s Master. Never has he shown this side of himself. Or been so... so… Caring? About his least favourite student? She remained quiet, hoping he would elaborate. A minute went by in silence. Just as Hermione thought Snape would say no more, he spoke.

“Do you know how many ways there are to kill someone?” he asked rhetorically. “I’ve lost count. But like you, Miss Granger, I’ve wondered what could possess someone to molest an innocent child. To rob them of their spirit and deny them a normal childhood.”

Hermione listened in horror at this man’s confession, as he sat nervously on the edge of the tub. She opened and closed her mouth several times before she found the nerve to speak.

“Y-you mean rape, don’t you?”

Professor Snape snapped his head up and looked at his student with fear. “Yes of course,” he answered quickly. “Rape. What did you think I said?” he accusingly asked.

Hermione’s featured softened and she pushed her hair away from her face, as she rose to her knees. “It’s all right, Professor. I won’t tell anyone. Now it all makes sense.”

Severus studied her face with dark, hateful eyes. Hermione remained calm and gingerly placed her hand on his. He flinched slightly, and looked down at her small, feminine hand. He took another deep breath and barely nodded.

“You always were too smart for your own good.”

He looked back up at her, but her head was lowered in shame.

“That was a compliment, Miss Granger.”

Hermione lifted only her eyes and blushed. “Oh. Thank you sir,” she said softly.

Severus curled the side of his mouth and patted her hand with his free one. Her eyes opened wide staring at the small gesture then back up to a pair of onyx ones. He immediately tried to move his hands away, but she caught them. The Potion Master arched an eyebrow at her and shook his head slowly.

“This is inappropriate, Miss Granger. I am your Professor.”

Hermione smiled warmly. “Yes and I am your student and you came to make sure I was all right,” she said matter-of-factly.

Snape smirked and raised his eyebrow again. “You and I both know that’s not what I was referring to.”

Hermione continued to smile.


~*~*~*~*~


Draco searched frantically for Harry, checking all the back rooms. Apparently, there were more rooms here than just his and Severus’. He heard two voices coming from Snape’s bathroom and recognised them, so he passed that one by. He entered his own room again giving it a better look. In the far most corner sat Harry Potter, curled into a tight ball covered in a blanket. He approached the frightened boy carefully, not wanting to alarm him. Draco crouched down a few feet away and waited.

“Why did I do it?” came a muffled voice.

Draco softly sighed and sat down. “Because they needed to know, Harry.”

“No. I mean why did I tell you first instead of my two best friends?”

That statement hurt the pale boy, but he understood why his friend would think that.

“Maybe because you thought they would treat you differently if they knew.”

“And he did.”

Draco gritted his teeth, trying to hold back his anger. “He…” Draco stopped for a moment to search for the right words. And to calm down. “He was only hurt, Harry. I think if I was your best friend, I’d be hurt too.”

Harry uncovered his face, and rubbed away the tears from his eyes. “I thought you hated him.”

Draco inhaled deeply, glancing away. “That doesn’t matter, Harry. He’s your friend and he cares about you.”

Harry sat up and tilted his head to the side. “But…aren’t you my friend?”

The blond looked up to the ceiling and smiled. “I don’t think we gave him that impression, do you?”

The young Gryffindor reached over and grabbed Draco\'s arm, pulling him closer.

“Hey!”

“Aren’t you?” Harry repeated.

Draco closed his eyes then turned his head to the other boy, bumping their noses in the process. He quickly opened them.

“Oh. Sorry.”

“Draco…”

“Harry, we’ve already talked about this.”

“I want to hear you say it.”

Draco smirked and shook his head. “You don’t give up, do you?”

“I’m a Gryffindor.”

The blond rolled his eyes before meeting dark emerald one’s. Harry had his arms crossed over his chest and his lips were pursed tight.

“Oh all right,” Draco conceded. “Yes, Harry, I’m your friend.” Harry arched his eyebrow, waiting. Draco sighed then mumbled, “AndIloveyou.”

“Sorry. What was that you said?”

“You heard me.”

“Mmm no, I don’t think so. Mind repeating that?”

Draco tried his best-frustrated look but failed.

“Well?”

“I said ‘I love you”, all right?” he spat.

A loud gasp was heard and both boys jumped to their feet. Hermione stood in the doorframe, too shocked to move.

“Hermione? Uh…We were just…uh…”

The young witch disappeared around the corner and Harry began to run after her, but he got as far as the door. He stumbled backwards and landed on his arse when he ran into a tall figure. He blinked furiously up at the tall, stoic body of Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.

“P-Professor?”

The older wizard peered down at the fallen boy then over to the frozen shape of Draco Malfoy.

“Mr. Malfoy? I wonder if you’d mind giving Mr. Potter and I a minute alone.”

“No. Not all, headmaster.” And Draco practically ran out of the room.

“Harry. Please sit down,” Albus said, motioning to the bed.

“Of course. Of course.”

Harry sprang to his feet and ran as fast as Draco did, though less elegantly. The headmaster’s eyes twinkled with amusement at the stumbling boy.


~*~*~*~*~


“Miss Granger. Miss Granger!”

Hermione stopped in her tracks just a foot away from the door that led to freedom.

“Come here, please,” A low voice commanded.

The bushy-haired girl slowly turned around, keeping her head down. She kept her eyes locked on the floor beneath her as she walked back to the front of the classroom.

“Please sit down.”

She reluctantly sat on the closet chair and started shaking her head.

“He said… he said…I can’t believe that he said…”

Snape nodded. “I know. It must have been a shock to hear…”

“A shock? A shock?” she screamed, leaping to her feet. “Try mortified! That boy is evil and only will hurt him! I can’t believe that Harry thinks…”

“That boy is my godson, Miss Granger,” Severus interrupted. “And I would appreciate it if you would stop yelling.”

Hermione’s face flushed with embarrassment and she shifted on her feet nervously. “I’m sorry, sir,” she whispered.

Snape grunted then continued. “Draco may be in Slytherin, Miss Granger, but I can assure you, he is not evil. It is only the way he was raised and doesn’t know any different.” Severus softly sighed. “Draco has not had the best upbringing.”

Hermione bowed her head and barely nodded. “Yes sir.”

“And, as you are now aware, there have been some…changes recently. I am not pleased as well, but…” Snape said, lingering on the last word.

Hermione noticed he was obviously more taken aback by all of this than she was. It was also evident to her that Harry and Draco needed their unconditional love and not their petty differences.

“Well,” Hermione began. “They do have some things in common. Don’t they?” she said with a half smile.

Severus scoffed and shook his head. “Typical understanding Gryffindor.”

“Thank you, Professor.”


~*~*~*~*~


Draco didn’t know where he was off to, only knowing he needed some fresh air. And somewhere to be alone. He stepped outside and the cool breeze hit his face. Draco breathed in, letting it fill his lungs. He started walking towards the lake and began searching for the most secluded area. To his left he spotted Crabbe and Goyle so he quickly turned in the opposite direction. He looked over his shoulder every now and then, checking to see if he was being spotted. Draco finally reached the end of the building and quickly glanced back at his sidekicks.

“Hey! Watch where you’re… YOU!” Ron screamed.

“Damn.”


~*~*~*~*~