VI - numb
Hands were wrapping around her throat, the nails biting into her skin. Her skin was torn as easy as shredding paper; long red lines ran down the length of her neck. The runes upon her body were flashing, warning. She was screaming.
There was no one to help.
Only darkness.
Only silence.
“I’m not alone. I’m not alone. I’m not alone.”
Snakes were coiling around her naked body, smooth scales rubbing against her skin. The snakes fastened their pace, creating a raw friction as her skin was stretched and squeezed.
“It’ll be okay. It’ll be over soon.”
Hermione could feel her body burning, the sensation was fire and ice. Her flesh stunk, filling her nostrils before she could realise the consequence.
Bloody and withering, she kicked her legs against the floor, hoping the tile would reduce the flame.
It didn’t stop.
It wasn’t natural fire. It was a magical fire. It couldn’t be doused without another spell.
“You are mine.”
The words echoed through her head, bouncing around as she caved to the pain. Numb.
It ripped apart her consciousness, tearing her from the dream and panting heavily. She knelt on her bed, sobbing into the dark robes. It still smelled like him still. Male pheromone with mahogany, it calmed her down enough to silence the sound. Her throat ached, each sob running through her body, shaking. For the past few days she hadn’t been able to sleep or eat, nothing could stop her from having flashbacks to that night.
Everywhere she turned, Blaise seemed to be there. Ron and Harry had tried their best to comfort her, but they were still teenage boys. They simply just didn’t get it. She refused to let them see her as inferior. Nothing could break her anything more than those two boys not seeing her for the person that they saw. How they perceived her. Hermione in their eyes was smart, always put together and probably slightly insufferable, though in a self-assured way.
It was unfair of her to wish for their help when they had no knowledge of what was happening in her life. Having heard no response from her parents, she tried again desperate for an answer, yet this time it had been returned.
Hermione cast lumos on her wand, dimming the light to a silvery shade to protect her sensitive eyes. She needed a distraction. Sleep was giving her nothing but trouble, even her deep sleeping draught or dreamless sleep draught did nothing to help. Panadol and nurofen could not alleviate the pain that thumbed through her head all night long.
She got changed into her robes, hauling her bag over her shoulder and making it out of the room silently. Padma and Lavender had been friendlier than usual, which meant they were planning something, but for the meantime Hermione found it rather peaceful not to be at odds with the two.
She made her way to the library, pulling out her books and cozying for her busy morning. She wanted to be as far ahead of her studies as possible, in case she physically couldn’t attend the classes any longer. Walking into potions had sent her spiralling almost every day. Blaise was everywhere.
“Hermione, is that you?”
“Uh, yes?” She answered, trying to configure the voice.
“I didn’t fancy seeing you here.” Ron chuckled as he slid onto the seat opposite her. His smile was wide and his freckled skin was glowing under the low lights.
“More like I didn’t expect to see you here! Since when did you go to the library?”
Ron cupped his mouth with his hands in shock, “I am the most diligent worker ever.”
“Sock it.”
“Me and Harry -“
“Harry and I.” Hermione corrected absent-mindedly.
“Always such a mother aren’t you.” He chided.
Hermione frowned, her gaze broadening past her books and really looked at him. His eyes were shadowed and his hair was mused, much like Harry’s hair usually was. Ron didn’t necessarily care that much about his appearance, yet he was always presentable. This wasn’t his usual for-go.
“What’s wrong Ron?” She sighed, pushing close her books and making room on the table.
Ron flashed her a tight smile again, his eyes were wavering with indecisiveness as he took a moment. “Harry is going to kill me for telling you this, you know that right?”
She shrugged her shoulders helplessly, “I don’t even know what you are going to say, so I can’t entirely agree with you.”
“Harry has been having really bad dreams lately. He said he used to have dreams like this back in first year, but they stopped when summer came. You should see it, his body thrashes in his bed, he murmurs, sometimes he screams. He even pulled out his wand and tried to cast th-th-the.. You know… that spell,” Ron choked, his face whitening. He was fumbling around with his hands anxiously, the top of his foot was tapping against the ground now too.
“Did anyone stop him in time? Has he cast it on any of you?” Hermione questioned softly, her voice an octave higher than usual with shock. Harry was one of the biggest advocates against dark magic, especially the unforgivables, and he had idly cast it in his sleep?
“Seamus had stopped him in time, knocked his bloody wand out of his hand so fast.”
“Has Harry told anyone else about this yet?”
“Not yet. He was going to catch up with Dumbledore tomorrow.”
“Have you tried casting a protection spell in your dormitory?”
“Yep, even got Fred and George to come in and try their best to reinforce it. Harry won’t risk it though, he couldn’t even look us in the face.”
Hermione grabbed out a piece of parchment, dipping her quill into her pot of ink and began to write. Firstly she would ask Harry what the dreams were about, the symptoms and consequences… from there she could deduce a reason why and possibly a solution. Sleeping draught may help.
Her mind also couldn’t fathom that he tried to kill someone. Whether it be unconscious, the desire still had to be in effect for such a spell. So many things were going wrong already this year. It was supposed to be a quiet year, only studying and deadlines were on the horizon. Not bullying, arranged marriages, a dying pureblood population of magic, best friends who used killing spells and invisible runes that flared all over her skin. There was no space possible in her tiny diary to cram in all of this nonsense.
“I’ll ask him how he has been going during class. I’m sure there's a plausible explanation for all of this.”
Ron reached out for her hands in which she obliged. “It’ll all be ok.” She pressed.
“I know. It’s just scary to even think of. Ever since first year, I've felt like tangoing with a deadline before this peaceful void ends. Something is wrong. You can feel it in the air. You were right when you spoke of the tension a few weeks ago between the teachers.”
She could only nod her head, a dreadful sensation was creeping through her stomach.
“I don’t know if you have realised, but Luna has been AWOL as of late as well. Ginny has been so quiet too. It’s like everything is inside out.”
“I think I might be sick.” Hermione gurgled, grabbing her stomach as she dry heaved.
“Not on me!” Ron squeaked childishly.
“I need to go to the bathroom.”
“Should I-uh-wait?”
Hermione gave him a dubious look that said who even are you? The Ron she knew would be squealing and running for the hills as soon as anything of the sort was mentioned.
“Was it what I was talking about earlier or does your stomach just hurt?”
“I really can’t sp-”
She spoiled the front of her robes, flushing a deep shade of scarlet she ran for the closest bathroom, her hands shaking as she hurled into the toilet bowl.
No one else was here. No one could hear. She was alone.
Alone. Alone. Alone.
Always alone and useless.
The runes on her skin blazed, lighting like a full moon. Her skin seared with heat as each rune flickered with light.
“IT HURTS. IT HURTS.” Hermione screamed into her arms, hurling again as the stench of vomit filled her lungs.
“HELP ME.”
“I’M NOT ALONE. I’M NOT ALONE.”
“IT DOESN’T HURT-T-T I-T-T BURNNSS.”
“AGHHHHHH.”
Where was Ron? Had he not followed her?
“Ron? RON?” She yelled, using the wall to balance against.
Her vision was swimming with nausea, between the stench and the ice-cold pain that tore through her body, it was the only thing grounding her.
She could think of her parents. Their warmth. Or her friends…
You are so alone. Not a letter back from your parents, sold off for peasant money. They didn’t even care who you were sold to. Harry is a murderer. Ron is a coward. Luna ran away because of you. Even Ginny can’t stand being around you anymore. You are alone. Alone alone. Useless and alone. No one is coming for you and you have no strength to do it yourself. What have you become?
The voice curled in the back of her mind, settling in the abyss. It usually numbed the pain, took her away from it all. This time was different, it was a lesson.
The sobbing distracted Hermione. She was unable to see the dazzling ray of light that shimmered from her hand. A magnificent cascade of stars fell from the bathroom, slowly forming a very confused Wizard. Shock-white blonde hair was unstyled, rather unruly and plastered to the right side of his face. Milky white skin was creased with marks, a yawn fell from his lips. But not for long, he pinched the bridge of his nose and held back his breath.
“Blaise Zabini, I swear to the gods if you apparated me here to get back at me.” He threatened, pulling out his wand and recoiling as he narrowly missed a slimy substance along the tiles.
Hearing the name only sent Hermione further into her over-drive, the walls had caved inwards and her throat was being constricted. Could she hear snakes? Was there hissing or was she going insane?
“Oh. Hermione, it's you.”
Draco Malfoy had never looked so out of place before. His expression was dumb-founded, followed by a foul twist as he drank in the stench unwillingly.
“Why are you always such a mess whenever I see you?”
“Make it stop, the burning.” Hermione cried, relishing the cool touch of his fingers as they danced along her temples.
“Scourgify.” Draco sighed, the soiled liquid vanishing from the bathroom. “Not your robes as well.” he chided.
“Draco.”
Instantaneously, his attention to her, his body reacting faster than she could blink.
“What is it?”
“My skin. The Runes. They burn.”
“What runes are you talking about? I can’t see anything.”
Draco peeled her robe from her body, recoiling from the limp fabric. The vomit was gone, the robes were infested. Unless, of course, he felt ill touching something worn by a mudblood. The ill thought was lulled as his fingers were drawn up her arm, smooth and ticklish as he brushed her skin. Her arm hairs tinged with apprehension.
“There aren’t any runes on your arm.”
“There are. They glow silver and blue and itch like hell. They’ve never burnt so badly before.” Hermione answered, her voice waning as she shook under his fingers. Her whole body felt numb, the only feeling was the four digits running the length of her left arm.
“Have you told anyone about this yet?” Draco frowned, stopping in his tracks.
Hermione shook her head, “they don’t seem to be present to anyone other than me. I didn’t see the point in pushing for answers when they can't even be seen.”
“When did the runes appear? And how? Do they say anything?”
“I can’t decipher them.” Hermione groaned, rolling onto her side and slowly making her way onto her feet. “How did you even get here?” she questioned, realising it must still be extremely early in the morning.
“It was my ring. I was fast asleep, the next minute the damn thing was glowing like a patronus and I was apparated here.” He shrugged, needling his ring mindlessly as he spoke.
“I don’t know why that happened. You can leave.” Hermione dismissed, waving her hand in farewell.
She washed her face and hands in the basin, drying herself off with a hand towel and fled out of the bathroom. She was far beyond embarrassment these days, it was simply a wriggling shame of a stormcloud that followed her.
—
The following day was reluctantly no better than the other. Her mind was clouded in fear constantly, shaking like a leaf. She had promised Ron and Harry to meet them at Hogsmeade later, both convinced that a night out would do wonders for the jitters.
Little to her surprise, Lavender and Padma had squandered their way into the outing.
“Be honest guys, do you think I have any chance with Ron this term at school? I’m finding it so difficult to focus on school work when all I can think about is him.” Lavender sighed, whipping her palms against her thighs to discard the sweat.
Hermione carefully eyed Padma, unsure how she was supposed to respond. To her knowledge, Ron barely spoke to Lavender yet he seemed to be her whole world at this point. Was a crush this developed allowed to continue into delusion? As a friend of both, was she supposed to help sway things along quicker despite her desire not to?
“You look gorgeous today Lavender. I don’t think Ron will be able to keep his eyes off of you.” Padma smiled, her dimples deepening with resolution.
Lavender did look stunning. She was wearing a baby blue dress, it was tight across her chest and pillowed out around the waist and past the knee. Her blonde hair was curled and her usually heavy make-up had been toned down, no longer a muddy mess upon her cheeks.
Hermione glanced at herself, cringing slightly as she wore a long cotton dress, breathable and tan; or in other words, a haystack compared to Lavender. Even Padma, who had been in a rush from her divination lesson with Mrs Trelawney, had managed to look beautiful in her simple salwar kameez. It was a deep blue, a shower of shimmering jewels hung throughout the piece.
Part of her always wished her roommates could pass along their feminine secrets, the things they may find simple acts were so far from what Hermione could accomplish with simply a book in her hand. She often found she wasn’t a beautiful, self-assured feminine; instead the damsel in distress, weakling, feminine in which would have been attractive perhaps 500 years ago.
The girls walked together, making idle chat until they found themselves being ushered by a grinning pair of Weasley twins into the bar.
“George! What are you two up to?” Hermione hissed.
“Relax. You’ll see,” George sympathised, his blue eyes twinkling with humour.
“Lavender, did you two know this was going to happen by any chance?” Hermione asked, elbowing the blonde to get her attention.
“Well, you can say it was an unfinished plan that happened to form together due to coincidence.”
Hermione nodded uncomfortably, her gaze shifting around the bar until she found Ron and Harry playing pool. Both looked rather dashing, black dress pants and white dress shirts. The buttons along their collars had been loosened, exposing their neckline.
“Aren’t you two just a magical sight?” Lavender cooed, laughter flowing easily from her mouth.
Ron doubled over, cheeks reddening with the loss of air as he giggled as well. “You girls all look lovely as well.”
“Harry, can I ask you about your dreams you've been having lately? I’ve done some research with Mrs Trelaney, though I promise I didn't tell her anything, and I think I might have some possible causes for what you are experiencing.” Hermione asked, sliding towards him and further away from the others.
“How do you know about that?” Harry asked, his dark green eyes flashing with anger as he dropped his pool stick.
“Well, the other night I was having trouble sleeping so I went to the library and overheard some gossip about it.” She lied, hoping that it wasn't too far-fetched. Harry was rather popular at Hogwarts, being the boy who lived and all, so it wasn’t completely untrue that gossip would spread about him.
“I actually have a question for you as well, Hermione. Why did Ron see Malfoy leaving the bathroom after you ran away from him? Why was Malfoy put in detention for hexing the daylights out of Blaise, his best mate, after seeing how you freak around him?” Harry asked, arching his thick eyebrow.
“How did you know Ron was there that night? Did you know he told me?”
Harry ushered her away from the gryffindor group, and they sat on two bar stools both swinging anxiously as they waited for either to speak first.
“I know Ron saw you that night, it’s no secret that he hasn’t been able to sleep well lately because of me. And before you jump to your own conclusion, I'm not that mad you know about the dreams, I just don't want you to get hurt trying to help me.” Harry disclosed, reaching for her hand and taking the right one.
“I’m worried about you Harry. Dreams like this haven’t happened like this since you-know-who appeared in first year.”
Harry scratched his neck consciously, “I don’t know Hermione. I’ve been having dreams about being a snake. I-I eat people. I can smell their fear and taste their blood. In others I have a hand and a wand, and I torture people. I think that they’re either muggles or muggle-born. Half of them don’t even understand what is happening to them. But I can never remember why I’m doing it or understand what is being said.”
“You only remember the killing.” Hermione breathed, tightening her grip on his hand. “Mrs Trelawney thought that someone had either hexed you or something you owned. We talked so much about dreams, but what if I got it wrong. What if you were actually shifting into the consciousness of someone else in your sleep, or perhaps even becoming them entirely?”
Harry turned rather pale as he took in her words, “So either way I’ve been hexed or hexing other people.”
Hermione wanted to remind him that if it were truly him transcending into another body, casting the unforgivables were not as simple as casting a hex. There had to be true intent behind the spell otherwise they wouldn’t work. Unlike a hex which didn’t require anything but efficiency from the castor.
“I’ll look more into it I promise. For now, I have some sleeping draughts and some other odd concoctions that Mrs Trelawney gave me for protection and prevention.”
Hermione passed Harry a small black wallet, which had been expandable so she could put all of the necessities inside without it being suspicious.
“What about Malfoy Hermione. These two things can’t just be a coincidence.” Harry asked slowly, “I’m only asking out of concern.”
“There isn’t anything to know. Malfoy was snogging Pansy in the bathroom and I left. I’m guessing Ron didn’t tell you the part where I had vomited over myself and had to run to the bathroom to clean myself up?” Hermione queried.
“Well, no, not exactly.”
“Don’t worry yourself about silly things like this. You have a lot more important things to focus on instead.” Hermione conquered, needlessly reminding him once again of the NEWTS which only sat around the corner of next year.
“Just know you can come to me and Ron about anything you need as well. You’ve changed this year Hermione. You seem like you’re living on autopilot, sometimes you’re here but not really…. Guess that doesn’t really make sense. Sorry. I have been drinking a little bit…”
“It’s fine Harry. I can see Ginny over there. God knows what she is doing in a bar at fifteen but maybe you should go say hi to her.”
Harry nodded, and joined the youngest Weasley with a large smile on his face. Ginny was belated, spinning in a small circle like an excited puppy as Harry waltzed over.
Hermione soon joined the others in pool, managing to forge her own genuine smile as she fell into the joyous net of safety she felt around these people. As iffy as her relationships were with some, at the end of the day, she knew they didn’t wish any immediate harm upon her. It was enough for now.
She even joined in on a few drinks, mildly surprised that no one had been ID’ed yet.
“What about a round of spin the bottle.. But make it truth or dare. Half of the people here are related to me and I’d prefer not ro join in on the incest of the wizarding world.” Ginny raised the question, glancing reproachfully at the pool table.
“I’m in!” Lavender grinned.
“So are we. Can’t let the gryffindors have fun without us.”
Hermione felt her heart miss a beat as Theodore walked into the pub, the door swinging open with an undignified gangle of the bell. There were over ten of them, surprisingly some ravenclaws were slewed into the gangle of slytherins.
“How in the world did you guys appear just then?” Harry gaped like a fish.
“More the merrier.” George shrugged, sharing a look with one of the Ravenclaw girls.
“Ron or Harry, should we leave now and go somewhere else? I don’t really want to stay any longer?” Hermione rasped, spotting Blaise, Draco, Pansy and Daphne all in the back of the group. She had hoped she could tell them about the problems she had been going through lately, the numbness and lack of realism that seemed to exist in her life these days. Harry had almost hit the nail on the head earlier, but she didn’t want to pour it all onto them for everyone else to hear.
“Why don’t you return to the farm you belong on mudblood. You clearly lack clothes of any kind. I guess sack life is rather fitting for you isn’t it?” Pansy giggled as she twirled behind Hermione, ripping her away from the boys before she could hear their response.
“What do you want with me, Pansy? I’ve never done anything ill towards you. Leave me alone.” Hermione hissed vehemently, feeling slightly courageous as she stood her ground. Insults about her looks were nothing new, it was much easier to brush off than spells.
“Oh, I have more than a bone to pick with you but I can’t do that here unfortunately. For now, you just need to know that I'm watching you.”
“You are so messed up.” she scoffed and deftly returned to the Grffindors.
“Ok we can use this bottle of firewhisky, if any of you break it. You have to buy me a new one.” Fred announced as he settled onto the floor, throwing a few cushions around off the couch.
“Sure thing.” The Ravenclaw girl nodded and sat besides George, the rest of the two groups filing in awkwardly.
“I’ll spin first.” Lavender smiled and spun the bottle around, wincing as it skipped over Ron and landed on Harry.
“Snog or dare Harry.”
Harry frowned, “I thought we were playing truth or dare. Since when was it one of these two?”
Theodore cackled, “refusal is an instant snog. Good on ya.”
Harry blushed violently as he staggered awkwardly towards Lavender, she took no time at all as she crashed into him, hungry eyes and mouth. Harry was wholly devoured in one mouthful.
The Weasley boys were rocking themselves with laughter, Ginny looked on at Lavender foully as if it were her fault.
Harry returned to his cushion, eyes far away as he spun the bottle. Hermione couldn’t blame him, it was rather horrorsome to have witnessed, let alone experience.
“Snog or dare Daphne?”
Daphne tossled her dark hair over her shoulder as she looked up at the ceiling thoughtfully. “What dare do you have in mind, Potter?”
“Go and steal us some more drinks.”
She smirked, “easy, someone spin for me.”
Hermione was lost for words as the girl got up on her feet, swaying sexily on her heels and wondered over to the counter, lips puckered as she began to assault the bartender with her woes.
“Hermione. It’s your turn.”
Hermione jumped back into focus and gazed at Harry eyes widening as she realised what that entailed. She couldn’t kiss her best friend!
“Oh no, Potter doesn’t get to make the call on this one.” Daphne grinned as she returned, rolling various drinks to different sections of the group.
“Snog or dare Hermione?”
Hermione almost choked on her tongue as she stumbled over her words, “dare.”
“Hmmm. I dare you to go over to that man and give him a lap dance. I’m sure he would totally dig the sack.” Daphne nodded, most definitely referring to her chest which was flatter than the floor they sat on.
“Daphne, you can’t ask her to whore herself in a pub.” Ron exclaimed, almost bringing a tear to Hermione’s face.
“She can always snog me if she wants, it's up to her really.”
Hermione scanned the group quickly watching as everyone waited for her response. She caught Draco watching her intently, his eyes were dark and his face was sharply angled towards the ground.
“Fine, I'll go.” Hermione whispered in embarrassment, she chugged one of the cans in front of her and made her way over to the group of Wizards Daphne had motioned to.
There were three she could possibly um dance with. All three stank profusely of alcohol, even their stack of mints didn’t seem to hide the stench. One looked awfully similar to Dumbledore, the other two were younger but still nowhere near her age. They wore classic black robes and had the hoods up, half of their faces visible.
“Well, aren’t yer a little young to be ere?” The one closest to her rasped, his eyes catching on hers.
“I don’t suppose you have a problem with that do you?” Hermione purred, a very, very false confidence spilling over her.
She lifted her skirt, pushing the man back into her seat as she rose to face him, one leg on either side. “I’ve had a bit to drink tonight.”
“Have you now.” the man asked, his hands finding her waist and digging his fingers into her flesh.
Hermione closed her eyes, took a deep breath and cleared her mind.
I’m okay. I’m okay.
Rocking forwards on his lap, she sent her hands against his neck, tangling in his surprisingly thick hair. It felt slightly sweaty under her fingers. The man pivoted her higher on his lap, his own hips swirling against her own.
“Hermione, you are done. Come back.” Daphne called, her voice slightly vexed.
The man pressed a drink against her lips just as she was about to reply to Daphne. She choked it down, spluttering the dark liquid.
“Stay here for five more minutes and then go back.” The man pressed.
Hermione nodded vacantly, “Spin for me, i’ll be there soon.”
“Such a good girl aren’t you.”
Hermione moaned as he pressed his fingers deeper into her hips, her core stroking along his member which was hard. It pressed hard against the thin fabric of her dress, the swaying feeling less like dancing and more like a rocking ship. One of his hands had slid into her dress, resting against her inner thigh. He stroked her underwear, causing her to moan into his neck, rocking into his fingers for relief.
“Do you want some of this old hag?” The man chortled, forcing more of the liquid down her throat before he continued.
Hermione could barely see, her mind was so focused on the feel of his fingers that she could barely register what he was saying.
He pushed his hand onto his own cock, swiping it vigorously as Hermione pushed his face to her own, beckoning his mouth along her jaw, down her throat.
“You like it rough and a little dirty don’t you. Are you actually a slut? I prefer virgins but I guess I can settle for you.”
Hermione giggled, her head rolling backwards, his hand returned to the inner thigh, drawing circles with his fingers.
“Get the fuck away from her.” Someone roared, the voice sent a shiver through Hermione and she rocked once more, causing the man to moan as he came.
“She was asking for it, the slut likes it dirty and she came up to me first.”
“Did she ask to be roofied by you as well?”
Hermione stilled, focusing on the voice and trying to see through the haze.
“Get off your high horse boy. Let the men be men and go back to the nursery.”
A swift flash of something rushed right into the man Hermione had straddled, she could feel the jolt as he began to topple backwards.
The other person grabbed her, she instantly settled into his body, her lower stomach dancing with butterflies as she realised he had swept her into his body not on the floor.
“Hermione, are you okay? What else did he do to you?”
“Draco Malfoy you have the most delicious voice I have ever heard.”
“Are you sober right now?” He asked, pushing her hair off of her forehead as it stuck to the sweat.
“I can hardly see, everything is shadowy. And Gods, I've never felt more horny in my whole life.”
Draco stormed out of the door, the gangling bell earning a wave from Hermione as she realised they were leaving.
“Nooo, I wanted to play. I never got to snog anyone.” She complained, wriggling out of his arms.
“Don’t you dare even think about going back there. You were just drugged! You were assaulted! That fucking twat was about to shove his dick right inside of you and rape you and all you care about is snogging someone in a stupid game?” he yelled, refusing to let go but the space between them was wide.
“It wasn’t like that.”
“You need to look after yourself. I can’t come and save you everytime something goes wrong. I want nothing to do with you but every time no one else steps up and you almost-”
Draco had started shouting, even though his hands were still holding her shoulders, he seemed to think she was miles away. Her ears were sensitive. So was her soul. She couldn't see. Gods. “I HEAR YOU. STOP YELLING AT ME!” Hermione sobbed, her voice cracking as she broke between screaming and voiceless.
“Hermione, I am furious right now. Don’t ever, ever let that happen again.”
“I can do whatever I want.”
Draco let go of her completely.
“Don’t leave me alone. Please. I can’t see and I don’t know where I am.”
“I’m not like that fucking weasel and Pothead. I won't leave you.”
“You left me and Luna for Blaise.” Hermione blubbered, her hands moving against her body to comfort herself.
“I apologise for that. You are right. I had no clue what had happened and saw him crumpled and bloody on the floor. You and Looney looked fine. I assumed wrong that night.” Draco mumbled, holding her wrists. “Stop doing that.”
“I need the touch. The drink… it has to be a love potion of some kind. A really strong one.” Hermione said, her body rocking as she tried to find contact.
“Do you know the word for your tower?”
“Nope, I was meant to ask Harry or Ron later tonight. They always change on a Thursday.”
“You are going to have a fit when you sober up from this.” Draco huffed, scooping her back into his arms as if she were a cat and carried her. “Don’t talk until we get inside.”
“Inside where?”
“My room you idiot.”
“You are just wooed by me aren't you. The sack really did the trick.”
“Granger, I am in no mood to joke around right now. I don’t think you realise how serious of a situation you just ended up in.”
“But I’m yours and you said you’d never leave me. So I think you should appreciate my humour more.”
Draco stumbled, clutching onto her tighter as he did. “Bloody hell, I sound like I'm from some freaking besotted, possessive romance movie. Don’t get the wrong idea, It’s the ring that makes me say all of this ludicrous crap.”
“The engagement. Ever since I've worn this ring, nothing has felt real. It feels like I can't comprehend things and I'm endlessly stuck in a nightmare. I can’t sleep or eat. Even studying feels pointless. I feel numb and stuck.” Hermione almost laughed at the ease in which the words flew out of her mouth in a confession. It felt so freeing.
“We must meet with my parents again and talk with them about it. I promise it’ll be over soon and we can go back to the way things were before.”
“What even were we before? I think we spoke about three times in our lives to one another. I punched you right in the nose once and your only insult was mudblood. I think you have more of an agenda against Ron and Harry than we ever did.”
“I can’t say I ever truly hated any of you, perhaps it was jealousy in the younger years, but as we grew older, I find it all rather pointless now. I'm not saying I like any of you stupid gryffindor, but you aren’t exactly scum either.”
“So much for not talking. We’re here now.” Draco said again, the silence after what he had said cearly leaving a waft of openness in the air in which he was not comfortable with.
“Can I borrow some clothes to sleep in?”
“That dress is being burnt as soon as you go to sleep.” Draco confirmed and tossed her some clothes.
“I can’t exactly see, so I'm trusting you not to look.”
“You are absolutely insane, of course I'm not going to look at you.”
Hermione rolled her eyes and tore away her dress, feeling around with the two different items, she could tell one was a large shirt and the other was perhaps shorts of some kind. She threw them on, relishing the scent that she was enveloped within.
“Now go to sleep. Your side of the bed is on the left.”
“What?” Hermione asked. She was supposed to sleep in his bed?
“It’s a freaking huge bed, I'm not going to do anything to you. I’m more concerned about what might happen to me.” Draco fussed.
“So dramatic.” Hermione groaned and fell into the bed, rolling until she hit a wall. “This must be my side.”
“Correct.”
The bed dipped as Draco rolled onto the bed, his breathing slowing as he seemed to grow more tired.v
“Draco?” Hermione asked, shuffling closer until she could feel the warmth of his bare back against her skin.
“Mm?”
“Please keep your promises, I don’t know what is wrong with me but i’m not strong. Its like everything I once was has been washed away and i’m broken. Don’t leave me alone.” Hermione begged.
“Give me your arm.” Draco said quietly, pulling her under him so they were now on opposite sides.
“You are mine. You will be okay.” he breathed as he pressed his lips against the ring.
Hermione curled against his back, her eyes growing heavy as the heat within her body began to die down.
She would be okay wouldn't she? He had promised.