'I still hate you for what you did.'
'I hate me to for what I did too!'
~ Ron Learns To Fly ~
`Wingardium Leviosa!'
Meanwhile, Ron was still faced with the impossible task of reaching the top of Mount Olympus. Unfortunately, his attempt to levitate himself was not going according to plan, and he had a recurring problem of crash landing on his backside every time he rose a metre.
'This is so dumb!' he huffed, landing on his bum for what must have been the twentieth time. 'I'll never get to the top of this stupid mountain!'
Ron threw his wand down to the dirt in frustration, staring up hatefully at the mountain rising before him. He felt so incredibly dwarfed and insignificant beneath it. In fact, he couldn't even see the actual peak from his position. It was so high, it was veiled by cloud.
'Strange human!' said a voice.
'Strange, strange human!' said another.
'Very strange!' said a third. 'Humans are not meant to fly. If they were, they would have been born with wings. Silly human!'
'Silly, silly human!'
It was the Wood Pixies. They'd been watching Ron from a near by plane tree - and with much amusement.
'Do you three mind?' said Ron, spying them all perched neatly on a tree branch. 'I'm trying to concentrate here! And what you are doing following me, anyway? I haven't got any more socks!'
'We are curious, human. Why is it that you want to fly up Mount Olympus?' asked Scat.
'Because,' Ron started to explain, as though it were obvious, 'I need to perform a ritual to make counter-potion to save my friend from being in love with the world's largest prat, and the only way I can achieve any of this is from the top of this mountain! That's WHY!'
'Human is angry,' observed Scat.
'Human is very, very angry,' said Dew.
'Most angry indeed,' said Nut. 'Human was kind to give us his socks...'
'Yes, very kind...' agreed Dew.
'I told you!' said Ron, red in the face. 'I don't have any more socks! Two feet is all I have so shove off! I have to concentrate.'
Ron turned his back on them.
'Human will never fly to the top of this mountain,' said Scat with a sad sigh.
'Never ever,' said Dew, shaking her head. 'He could use our help.'
'Yes,' said Nut. 'All he has to do is ask.'
Upon hearing this, Ron turned back towards them.
'You guys can get me to the top?' he said, though not sure if they were completely trustworthy. 'How?'
'We can get you do the top,' said Dew. 'If...'
'If what?'
'You give us your underpants.'
'My...WHAT?'
'Underpants would keep awhole family of Wood Pixies warm!'
'And snug!' added Nut.
Ron cringed.
'So you're telling me, if I give you my...' he cringed even more, '…under-thingos...you'll get me to the top of this mountain?'
The Pixie's nodded greedily.
'And you swear you can get me to the top?'
Again, they nodded.
'Right then,' Ron resolved. He'd never been asked a stranger request, but knowing the nature of the Wood Pixies, he could see why underpants would be a step up from socks. 'You all better face the other way then.'
'Face the other way?' said Scat, confused. 'Why does human want us to face the other way?'
'I've got to take them off, don't I!' said Ron blatantly, at which pretty Dew burst into high-pitched giggles. Ron turned scarlet with embarrassment. 'And no peeking!' he warned, as the Pixies turned their winged backs on him. Double checking to make sure they couldn't see him, Ron began to undo his belt while muttering, 'they'll bloody want my shirt next! I'll end up performing the bloody ritual in the nud!'
After Ron removed what was necessary, he did up his trousers, signaled for the Pixies to turn back round, and throttled his two-day old underpants towards their tree. They caught the underpants and clung onto them like uncovered treasure. 'Oh, thank you good human!' said Scat rapturously. 'You are most charitable!'
'Very charitable!' said Nut, overwhelmed with joy.
'So?' said Ron with expectation, while feeling noticeably 'loose' down below. 'Let's get on with it then!'
The Pixies congregated together and flew over to Ron.
'Steady yourself, human,' said Scat. `We are going to be your wings!'
~ The Drakon ~
Harry dived underwater for what felt like an eternity. He couldn't see Krum or Malfoy any more. Had he missed them? Did they make a turn without Harry seeing? Harry figured he'd better to swim back. He couldn't hold his breath for much longer, and the water pressure was giving him a headache. But then, finally, Harry saw a way out. There was a small pothole in the rock-face just below, with a faint light emanating in from the other side. Plunging deeper, Harry dived and launched through the opening.
Light.
The space around Harry was no longer dark. He found himself swimming in what appeared to be an oval-shaped swimming pool. The ground and walls were patterned with brightly coloured tiles, and Harry fancied he'd glimpsed the image of a mosaic snake-like creature in the pool's centre, before kicking up to the surface.
'Guuuuh!' Harry gasped for air, filling his lungs. He'd never been so happy to breathe! Exhausted, he hauled himself out of the pool and laid flat on his back, panting. Then, pushing his sodden hair from his eyes, he staggered upright to survey where he was.
The pool led off to a cavernous, circular hall. Harry walked to the middle, his clothes making sloshing, wet sounds with each step. It was like being in a forgotten, underground Greek temple. Studying the area, Harry felt very minute under the hall's cathedral-high ceiling and towering marble pillars. Torches of purple fire lined the walls, as well as four enormous, open doors: one straight ahead, one behind him, and two others squaring off left and right. Looking down at his feet, Harry noticed a four-point compass gilded in the salmon marble floor. According to the compass, he was currently facing north.
The place was deserted. There were no signs of Malfoy or Krum. Then…Harry heard footsteps from afar, accompanied by shallow breathing. He had only just thought of her again when -
'HERMIONE!'
Harry's voice echoed loudly through the hall, so that he heard himself say `HERMIONE!' more then once, in ghostly, fading repetitions. She'd darted out from the western doorway, to Harry's left. Such a relief poured over him, to see her in the flesh after what felt like so long, that he weakened at the knees and almost stumbled sideways. Though, at the same time, his heart broke at the state of her. As she stared at him, Harry saw leaves tangled in her bushy hair, ripped holes in her robes, and dried blood on her knees and forehead. She was a sorry sight.
'What are you doing here?' she said, astonished and out of breath.
'Hermione, you're hurt!' said Harry, rushing towards her. 'Please...'
He reached out, wanting nothing more then to comfort her, but Hermione backed away, as if he were poisonous.
'Stay back, Harry,' she warned. 'I still hate you for what you did.'
'I hate me for what I did too!' said Harry, his heart swelling. He couldn't help it. The more he looked at Hermione, the more he was overcome with emotion; happiness that she was okay, sadness that he was still causing her pain; but most of all, as he told her, Harry felt hate. He felt hate towards himself for playing a hand in putting her in so much danger.
'Hermione, if I lost you I...I wouldn't be able to live with myself. I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry!'
Hermione didn't budge.
'Please trust me, Hermione,' Harry begged, until another thought struck him. 'Wait a minute, why aren't you hypnotised?'
'I fell over and hit my head,' Hermione replied frankly. 'It knocked me out of it.'
That was one problem out of the way at least, Harry thought, but another more serious problem remained.
'Are you still in love with Malfoy?' he asked with dread.
In the same frank voice, Hermione answered, 'yes.'
Harry could see Hermione shaking now, on the verge of eruption. She couldn't contain her own emotions any longer.
'Harry, how could you tell Lucius!' she cried suddenly, tears sparkling in her eyes. 'He forced me to come here! The Drakon almost burnt me to death! It's like a maze in this place, everything looks the same! I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE!'
'I'M SORRY!' cried Harry, nearing tears himself. 'And I'll spend the rest of my life saying sorry to you if that what it takes! But you're not alone any more. I'm going to help you out of here, right now!'
'NO! Stay away from me, Harry - AAHH!'
Harry seized Hermione from the fire in the nick of time. The Drakon had discovered them; Harry saw in horror as its purple lizard-like head reared in through the western door, blocking the passage. Sliding ever closer, it opened it jaws wide and hissed, revealing two sharp, glistening fangs. Harry grabbed Hermione by the arm.
'COME ON! WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE!'
With Hermione in tow, Harry accelerated for the eastern doorway opposite and sprinted through what was turning into another cave. Hermione, despite the approaching danger, tried to tear herself from Harry grasp.
'What are you doing?' he said, halting and tugging her back. She was being completely irrational.
In the distance, the Drakon growled. It was coming through the door...
'I'm not going anywhere with you, Harry! Let me go of my arm!'
'Hermione, NO!'
Drawing closer, the Drakon let loose a deafening, ear-splitting roar. Harry and Hermione shrunk to the ground, covering their ears. It was too close now. They couldn't afford to waste any more time.
'Right, that's it!'
Gripping both her wrists, Harry whipped Hermione towards him, bent down and swung her over his shoulder. She was not impressed.
'PUT ME DOWN, HARRY!' she protested furiously, but Harry paid her little attention. He was running at high speed through the cave, although moving with Hermione on top of him tended to slow things up a bit.
'Stop kicking me! OUCH!' he complained, but kept running.
Harry hoped with all his being this cave led to an escape. Yes! he thought in triumph. Straight ahead was another huge door - a closed door, but there was a lever on the wall that looked handy. With Hermione balanced over his shoulder, Harry charged for it and, with all the arm strength he possessed, forced the lever down. There was a clank of metal chains as the door steadily descended like a drawbridge.
'Oh no!' came Hermione's scared voice.
Harry turned to see, but immediately wished he hadn't. The Drakon had arrived, growling and snorting angrily. It's yellow eyes leered and glowed; its jaws were opening again, its breath hot and steaming, ready to fire.
'GO GO GO!' Hermione demanded, clawing handfuls of Harry's red robe.
The heat from the fire was intense. Luckily, Harry escaped the flames by nimbly crossing through the half-open door, just in time to push the lever up on the other side, sealing it shut. They were safe - for now, at least. Harry then realised where they had ended up.
'Wow,' he said in awe.
They were in another round, high-ceilinged hall with marble pillars; but what was particularly distinct about this room however, was it contained mountains and mountains of treasure! Gold, silver, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, golden Greek statues and treasure chests bursting with all kinds of jewels, riches and coins. So this was the Drakon's famous treasure.
'OUCH!' said Harry to Hermione. She was still giving him problems. 'I said stop kicking!'
'AND I SAID PUT ME DOWN!'
Then, stirring from behind a pile of gold knuts, and wearing a jewel encrusted crown, 'Hermione? Is that you?'
'DRACO!' Hermione called out, forcing herself off Harry and dashing towards Malfoy with open arms.
'HERMIONE, NO!' Harry called after her. 'STAY AWAY FROM HIM!'
'Stay out of it, Potter!' said Malfoy, pushing Harry back as Hermione threw her arms around him.
'Oh, Draco!' she pined, hugging him. 'I knew you'd come for me!'
'I course I came for you! How about giving me a thank you kiss?' Malfoy winked proudly at Harry, who very much fancied giving him another punch in the nose.
'Wait,' said Hermione strangely, drawing back. 'What are you wearing that crown for? Have you been collecting treasure, Draco?'
'Absolutely!' said Malfoy, without a shred of remorse. 'I'd be a fool not too. I mean, look at all this!' He motioned around the room.
Harry's heart jumped as he noticed Hermione becoming angry. Perhaps there was some sense in her after all. 'I thought you came here to rescue me, but instead I find you filling your greedy pockets with gold?'
'Hermione!' said Malfoy, sounding a little worried now. 'I accidentally found this room. I was going to start looking for you as soon as I was done, I swear!'
'Gee Malfoy, even love potion relapse doesn't stop you from being a selfish git,' noted Harry. Malfoy glowered at him.
'Oh, shut up Pott - '
BANG…!
BANG…!
The noise thundered from behind the door.
BANG…!
BANG…!
Malfoy froze solid with fear. Harry moved closer to Hermione. 'Is that the - '
'It's breaking through - '
'GET DOWN!'
They dropped to the floor. The door shattered and flew apart in a mass of splintered wood. The Drakon spat and shot into the room, even more infuriated then before, finding meddlers amongst its guarded treasure. Slowly, it raised its head high, up to the ceiling, revealing the full extent of its uncoiled, serpent body. It was huge like this, much bigger then Harry had previously thought. They must have looked like insects sprawled on the ground.
'QUICK!' said Harry, on his feet. 'We have to move! Before it let's off another round!'
But the Drakon had the slit of its yellow eye fixed firmly on Malfoy - or rather, the crown he was wearing. Hissing, it veered towards him.
'AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!' Malfoy screamed in terror; and, without removing his crown or the knuts in his pockets, escaped through the shattered door with the Drakon hot on his tail.
'DRACO!' Hermione cried, loosing her senses again, and went to chase after him. Harry snatched her arm and hauled her back.
'Hermione, STOP! He's not worth it!'
'You heard what he said! He accidentally found this room! He did intend to rescue me!'
But even Hermione didn't sound as if she believed this; her common sense and the Aphora Bewitching Potion were at odds with each other. Determined to make her see reason, Harry spun her around; then, clasping the sides of shoulders, he stared deep in her eyes, searching for the old Hermione he knew was fighting to emerge - the common sense Hermione.
'Let it go, Hermione. You don't love Malfoy, it's all a potion!'
'Don't say that!' Hermione was tearful, battling with herself. 'He loves me, and I love him!'
'HARRY POTTER!'
A teeny voice called from above. Harry looked up, and was astounded to see the three Wood Pixies he'd met in the Drakon Wood. He was even more astounded to see one of them carrying a familiar looking flask...
'What are you doing here?' Harry called up, while keeping a hold of Hermione. 'And how do you know my name?'
'We were informed!' said Dew.
'Yes, much informed!' said Nut.
'We come with potion remedy!' said Scat, the one bearing the flask. 'From your human friend Don!'
Harry smiled. 'Er, you mean Ron, right?'
'Yes! Human friend Ron!'
Scat dropped the flask and Harry caught it in one hand. He was elated to find it was filled with a pale pink liquid. He did it! Harry thought joyously. Ron made the counter-potion!
'We must go now!' said Scat, flying higher.
'Yes,' said Nut, also flying higher. 'It is not wise to linger in the Drakon's lair. Goodbye, Harry Potter!'
The Pixies zoomed away, out of sight.
'Potion remedy?' said Hermione, eyeing the flask in Harry's hand with fear. Realising what this meant, Hermione struggled more fervently. 'I'M NOT DRINKING IT, HARRY!'
Harry wheeled himself behind her, binding his arms across her arms and waist.
'Oh yes you are!' he said strongly. 'Trust me, Hermione, you'll thank me later.' Harry managed to wrench the cork off the top of the flask with his teeth, before pushing it against Hermione's mouth. He hated being so rough with her, but it was the only way. One drop he told himself. One drop and she's cured! He tipped the flask, making her take a sip. She muffled a scream, but it worked. He got some in her mouth. Harry fastened his hand over her lips so she'd swallow, and hung onto her for a moment or two. Her struggling waned, little by little, until...
'Where...? Where am I? What's happening?'
Harry freed her from his arms. Hermione turned around, feeling light-headed, like waking from a long night's sleep.
'Hermione?' said Harry hopefully, looking at her as if it were for the first time. 'Is it really you?'
'I believe so,' said Hermione, rubbing her forehead, before saying in surprise, 'Harry, you're all wet! And how did you get those nasty bruises on your face?'
Harry laughed. It was Hermione all right! Feeling so happy that he might float up off the ground, Harry pulled her towards him in a hug - and this time, she didn't back away.
'I've missed you so much!' said Harry, hugging her tight and speaking into her hair. 'I'm so sorry for everything, Hermione! Can you ever forgive me?'
Hermione was very confused.
'Harry, what are talking about? Forgive you for what? You're not making - AH!' Hermione yelped as Harry lifted her up and started spinning her around. 'Harry!' she giggled.'What's gotten into you? And why are we surrounded by treasure?'
'We're at the Annual Drakon Hunt.'
'What!' said Hermione in shock. 'Why? How?'
'I'll explain later,' he said, resting her down. 'But first, you have to tell me something: are you in love with Malfoy?'
Hermione scrunched her nose, as if she'd smelt something horribly foul.
'Are you trying to be funny, Harry? I wouldn't love Malfoy if he were the last thing in existence! And besides, I love - '
Hermione instinctively cut herself off. Memories were flashing before her eyes, difficult to grasp. The first memory she could distinguish was Malfoy, and how he'd taken her into Snape's laboratory and injected her with his Aphora Bewitching Potion. The memory alone was enough to make her sick to the stomach. And then, before any of this had happened, how she'd fallen in love with the wet, green-eyed boy standing in front of her.
'I remember now,' said Hermione in a small voice, gathering more memories with each second. 'My Potions book. In the library that day...you told me I was beautiful. We nearly kissed.'
Harry gulped rather loudly.
'Then...you must feel the same way about me? As I feel about you?'
As Harry saw her face shine with anticipation, and her hands in prayer over her heart, he wanted nothing more then to say 'yes!'. To tell her felt exactly the same. To end this right here, right now. But he couldn't. He still didn't believe Ron. You have relapse, Harry. You can't lie to her!
'I - ' Harry attempted to say, but the words were stuck in his throat.
'Harry, I love you!'
'Hermione - '
'I don't know for how long. It feels like forever. But you need to know - '
'I don't love you, Hermione.'
His words seemed to physically wound her. Her body spasmed, and she took a step backwards. Harry could hardly believe what he was making himself say.
'I mean, even if I feel...even though I am feeling...I can't love you! I have love potion relapse. Do you know what that is?'
Hermione remembered even more. Like a scattered jigsaw puzzle, it was all beginning to piece together. She remembered Ginny. Ginny had love potion relapse, meaning she was still intoxicated by a previous Aphora Bewitching Potion. Harry had relapse as well, but from her Aphora Bewitching Potion. So did Malfoy. That's why he wanted her to fall in love with him. Hermione remembered running up the stairs of Snape's laboratory, before Malfoy's Potion took effect, and telling Harry she loved him in the Great Hall; even though she knew Harry couldn't possibly love her in return.
'Hermione?' said Harry, worried as he watched her recount her memories.
'I know, Harry,' said Hermione tonelessly. 'I know what love potion relapse is. I remember now...I already knew you had it. I told you I loved you in the Great Hall that day, because...' Hermione bit her lip, holding back her tears, '...because I knew I'd soon be in love with Malfoy. I wanted you to know before that happened.'
Harry's soul was crumbling. 'I'm so sorry, Hermione,' he whispered.
Hermione wiped her eyes and smiled weakly. 'It's fine, Harry! Really…'
'No, it's not fine!' said Harry at once, unable to hold back any longer. Even if it wasn't real, even if it was only relapse, he couldn't deny her. He didn't want to be the cause of any more pain. 'Hermione, I really, really feel like I'm in love with you!'
'Harry, please don't,' said Hermione in a fragile voice.
'Maybe I don't need to be cured?' he went on, finding it hard to control himself now. 'Why can't I live with this relapse thing?'
'No, Harry!' said Hermione severely. 'You can't, you'd be living a lie!'
'I don't care if it's lie!' Harry fumed. 'Hermione,' he edged closer to her, 'the way I feel about you...it's so real and I can't switch it off!'
'It's okay, Harry,' said Hermione, talking to him as though he were coming down with a fever. 'When we go back to Hogwarts, they'll be able to stop whatever you're feeling.'
'I don't want to stop it!' said Harry stubbornly, before admitting in a soft, tender voice, 'I like the way I feel.'
Harry and Hermione stared pleadingly into each other's eyes, torn between duel desires to pull back…or give in. Harry, drowning and enslaved to his feelings, gave up and gently kissed her. Hermione let their lips touch for a second, almost giving in herself, but then suddenly pulled away.
'Harry, no!' she sobbed. 'Please don't! I can't...I wo - won't help you lie to yourself! Or m - me. You'll be cured, Harry. You have to be - '
Hermione's eyes shot from Harry's face to behind his shoulder, horror-struck.
'HARRY, WATCH OUT!'
A/N: And so begins Harry and Hermione trying to be together…again! Plus my biggest cliffy yet. Very happy with this chapter, hope you guys enjoyed (and are in much suspense).
-->