Disclaimer: Harry Potter's not mine, I only wish. Just writing for fun, not to claim the world of Harry Potter as my own.
A/N: I really feel bad for not updating any sooner than this. I had really awful writer's block and it took a while for the idea of what to do with this chapter to come to me. Hopefully, the next one comes more easily. Well, anyway, I hope you enjoy the chapter. Thanks as always to those of you who review. I really appreciate it, makes the work of writing totally worth it!!!! 22 days until DH! (Let's hope it has the H/Hr we all want ;) )
Chapter 10 - A Creeping Darkness
Hermione turned over in bed restlessly. She was still ecstatic from the knowledge that Harry loved her. She'd always loved him in some way, though not on the level she had come to in the past few years. Now that she was certain about how she felt she was glad that she had finally managed to tell him. The words had flown, unbidden from her lips, but it had turned out for the best. Times seemed dark again, not unlike like when Voldemort had been alive, and she was glad that Harry knew how she felt about him. Though none of the other students knew about what was going, a dark mood seemed to have settled over the school the past week. The bright spot in it all was her relationship with Harry.
She yawned and sat up, deciding she better get ready for the day. Besides she wanted to get an early start so that she could check on Ginny. The reaction her younger friend had had last night to the startling news about her boyfriend still bothered Hermione. Ginny was a strong young woman, often to the point that gave her a certain reckless quality. Hermione had expected a reaction far stronger than the eerily calm, quiet one Ginny had had to the news about her scum of a boyfriend. Hermione quickly slipped on her school robs and took off to the room in the girls dormitories where the younger girls slept.
As she entered the room she spotted Ginny, awake and sitting up in bed, staring blankly down at a book on her lap. She appeared to be studying, but after watching her for a few minutes, Hermione noted that she never turned the page. One of the other girls, a blonde from Ginny's year that Hermione didn't really know, came up to her looking extremely worried.
"Listen, I know your friends with her. Something is going on with Ginny, I know it. I am not even sure she slept last night. She came up looking like she wanted to kill but went to bed without a word. I don't know what's going on, but I think you need to talk to her," the girl whispered, her eyes wide in concern. Hermione nodded grimly and murmured thank you. The other girls seemed relieved to have an excuse to go and followed the girl Hermione had talked to out of the room.
Hermione walked over and sat down on the edge Ginny's bed, which sank slightly beneath her weight. "Ginny, what's going on? I know you really cared about Malfoy, but I know you, you aren't someone to get like this over a guy. And besides, he really isn't worth it. You have a right to be angry, he has betrayed you it seems, but you're stronger than this, and better than only wanting revenge."
Ginny looked up, the glazed appearance finally melting away. A single tear slid down her freckled check, leaving a red trail. She determinedly bit her lower lip which had begun to quiver slightly.
"You, don't understand, Hermione. This isn't all about Malfoy! There's not doubt that I'm furious and extremely hurt about how Draco seems to have deceived me this year, but I am more upset about what this means for all of us. I thought we were finally safe. You and Harry are my friends, and of course I am worried about my brother, as he is always involved in everything with you two. I just don't want to have to deal with the thought of losing more people," Ginny whispered, her voice strained by the tears she was holding back.
Hermione looked away for a moment, not wanting to meet Ginny's eyes or to deal with the emotions reflected in Ginny's face as they mirrored much of what she had been feeling the other night. She loved Harry and Ron also, though is his case, like a brother. None of the events of the past few days had been welcome to her. The momentary peace at school that she had been enjoying was slipping through her fingers like water.
"No, Ginny, I do understand. I mean, I love Harry! It may sound horribly sappy and not something you want to hear right now, but I love him more than I can really describe. Just knowing that his life is in danger again, well I can hardly think about it without getting upset," she explained, feeling tears welling in her own eyes.
"Than don't worry about me. I just need to some time to deal with this and process it. I promise I am not going to doing something stupid like going after Draco or anything foolish like that," Ginny assured her.
"Are you going to break up with him though?" Hermione couldn't help but ask. Ginny frowned slightly, pain written on her face.
"I really don't know. This is just all so complicated. It's going to be hard to act normally around him considering what I know, which isn't even all that much yet. And I am worried that it will seem suspicious to him if there is something going. I guess I am going to attempt to stay with him, until we know more," Ginny replied, her expression sad but thoughtful. Hermione nodded, she hadn't really thought of how odd it might seem to Malfoy if Ginny broke up with him out of nowhere.
"I guess you're right. I'm just worried about your safety, Ginny. I still feel that no matter what else we learn or don't learn about all this, that Malfoy isn't a very good human being. He just gives me the creeps. But I guess that comes from him wishing I was dead," Hermione told her with a wry smile. Ginny's mouth twisted into the whisper of a smile.
"It's fine Hermione. I better get going or be late for breakfast and classes. Just let me know if you fine anything out," Ginny said, closing the book still lying open on her lap. Hermione stood up and nodded, grabbing the book bag she'd brought with her.
"I'll se you later then!" she called out to Ginny as she left the room. She was still worried about her younger friend, but was now focused on finding out more about what was going on. When she walked into the common room she was surprised to see Harry was there alone waiting for her. Usually he went down with Ron. He looked up as she came down the stairs, his expression of anxiety lessening when he saw her.
"Harry is everything all right?" she asked in concern, walking towards him.
"Oh, yeah, didn't mean to worry you. I just wanted to make sure everything was alright and have a moment with you alone before we went down to breakfast where everyone can hear your business," he told her quickly. Despite what he said, his words were belied by the worry which was clearly visible in his face.
"Is Ginny any better this morning?" he asked.
"Yeah, she'll be fine, Harry. You and Ron should know that she can take care of herself by now. And she doesn't seem to be planning on blowing up Malfoy anytime soon, not that I'd try to stop her if she did. But, she really is taking this all pretty well considering."
"Well, that's somewhat of a relief." Harry glanced around the room for a moment to make sure they were still alone and pulled her aside into the corner. She looked down and noticed that he was holding the Daily Prophet clutched tightly in his hand.
"Any news?" she queried, gesturing to the paper. Harry nodded. "That's part of why I wanted to talk to you alone first. There have been some strange accidents happening to a few witches and wizards lately. No, deaths, but some injuries, and all the witches and wizards that were involved were known to oppose Voldemort during the War. It seems Voldemort's followers aren't quiet as stealthy as he is. Some of these things sound a lot like their work. I think there is definitely something behind what Malfoy's friends were asking him about the other day," Harry told her, opening the paper to show her the article, which surprisingly enough hadn't mad the first page. Hermione frowned
"This is becoming a dangerous situation. We have to find out some way to spy on Malfoy and his friends, so that we can get to the heart of what is really going on, and we don't have time to mess around with something like Polyjuice Potion," she whispered. He nodded in agreement.
"We got lucky last time when we overheard them. I guess for now the best thing we can do is keep an eye on them without them noticing it, and we can always use the Invisibility Cloak, that has come in handy a lot during our time here," she told him, a smile forming as she said the last part. Harry grinned also.
"Yeah, we're all getting a bit too tall for it to be of much use anymore though. We can't all fit under it at once," Harry said thoughtfully. Hermione nodded.
"We'll think of something. Just keep your eyes open. We got lucky last time, but if we keep an eye on Malfoy and some of his stupid friends, we might be able to find out more. He or one of those idiot mates of his are bound to do something that will give them away. And watch out for yourself, Harry. Malfoy might have something planned already, and there's no doubt in my mind that his father wants you dead," Hermione admonished him worriedly, her brown eyes dark with concern.
"Like I've been telling you, I really will be fine. I mean Professor Trelawney has been predicting my death for years, yet I'm still here," he joked. She didn't laugh though, and looked a little faint.
"That woman is never right about anything, if she says you'll live to one hundred, than I'll be worried," she muttered. Harry patted her on the shoulder, awkwardly trying to comfort her.
She gently put her arms around him and hugged him tightly. Harry felt a wave of intense anger wash over him. It made him incredibly furious that even though Voldemort was dead and truly gone this time; the evil wizard was still managing to cause pain in peoples' lives through his followers.
"I'm going to kill Malfoy and all those fouls gits he calls friends. I want them to suffer the way my parents did, and Sirius, and -" Harry hissed, stopping as Hermione looked up him and he realized that he was upsetting her. He remembered a time when he ranted regardless of his friend's feelings and felt a pang of guilty.
"Please don't, Harry. It really isn't worth it. Revenge only make you feel good for so long, you know? They want you to be angry, to act like them, but please don't sink down to their level," she pleaded, squeezing his hand.
"Sorry, Hermione, I just get so angry when all this affects you. I wouldn't blame you if you gave up on out relationship." Her eyes widened and flashed angrily.
"Harry Potter! Don't ever say something like that again, I love you, and you're an idiot if you think you're going to get rid of me that easily!" she began to protest hotly. She was interrupted though when Harry leaned down and insistently pressed him lips against hers. Hermione returned the kiss warmly, the anger of the moment forgotten.
She pulled away a moment and whispered, "You better not go thinking that this always going to get you out of things when I'm angry with you." Harry grinned mischievously.
"Don't worry, I know I just got lucky this time," he replied and kissed her again.
Hermione walked down the hall, paging through her notes, deep in thought about the essay that had been assigned in Ancient Ruins. Her other classmates had filled out far more quickly, they didn't seem to enjoy the lectures nearly as much as she always did. Harry and Ron had never been convinced that it was a worthwhile class, so they were off in Divination and she had the empty hallways to herself.
Suddenly something caused her attention to shift as she saw a flash of movement out of the corner of her eye. It was someone running past the window outside. Her mind now off Ancient Ruins, she shoved her notes in her bag and began to walk more quickly. She swore that she'd seen Slytherin robes on whoever had just pasted her. Her heart began to beat a little faster. Running to the window she saw the figure disappear around the corner. Hopefully the idiots were going to be stupid enough to talk about their plans in the middle of Hogwarts again, though it would make finding out more information a lot easier. At least this time Malfoy and his mates seemed to planning on meeting somewhere outside. Slowly she made for the nearest way towards the Hogwarts grounds. She had to bit her lip to stop herself from screaming when someone grabbed her shoulder from behind. To her surprise and relief it was Harry standing behind her, looking like he was trying to hold back laughter.
"Really, Harry. You have the worst timing," she whispered irritably, putting a hand to hear wildly beating. Harry smiled apologetically.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Is there a reason why we are we whispering? Did you loose your voice or something?" he asked quietly. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"No," she replied her voice still in a whisper. "I just thought I saw someone run by the window. I only managed a little glimpse, but I swear they were wearing Slytherin robes. It could be one of Draco's friends." She paused a moment, "Besides, what are you doing here?" She glanced at him inquiringly.
Harry colored slightly. "Well, I guess I just wanted to come see you. I know that you were supposed to be out of class buy now, and figured I'd walk with you," he mumbled. Hermione's expression lightened slightly. She felt bad for being irritable with Harry, but they couldn't afford to loose a chance of finding out more about what was going on by hearing it from the source.
"Come on, Harry!" she said urgently, tugging the sleeve of his rob and motioning for him to follow her. She walked quickly around the grounds, trying to obvious about the fact that she was clearly out looking for someone. Harry struggled to keep up with her fast walk and sudden stops when she thought she spotted something. She came to a sudden halt, and he just avoided knocking her over. He gasped for breathe for a moment, but the noticed the look on her face.
"Down there," she whispered, pointing over near a grassy area fairly fair away from the main castle. Harry's eyes moved to where she was pointing. Sure enough it was Malfoy and his friends, although there seemed to be more than they had seen last time.
"We have to get over there," she whispered desperately. Harry rummaged through his bag and pulled out his Invisibility cloak.
"I know it may not be the best answer, but I carried around like you suggested," he told her with a shrug. Hermione nodded and the expression on her face to him that she was already thinking of how to go about this all.
"We'll get as close as we can to them without it, as it will be hard to walk together very quickly with it on. Once we get close enough we can crouch down and listen in. Hopefully they will be talking more loudly since they're outside. Still not a very good location to be talking about such secretive things, but I don't mind that they aren't being bright. I just hope that we haven't missed too much of the conversation," Hermione said quickly.
Surreptitiously, she and Harry crept along the wall of the buildings, using a Silencing Charm to mask the noise of their footsteps. Once they got close enough, Harry threw the Invisibility Cloak over her and himself. Hermione had had been right, Malfoy was there with a group of Slytherins that included Crabbe and Goyle, along with other Slytherins. Harry and Hermione walked slowly together, making sure the cloak stayed in place. She grabbed his arm to stop him from going forward anymore, as they could now hear the group.
"I swear the Mudblood knows," Malfoy was telling the group. Hermione bit her lip to suppress a gasp and looked up wide-eyed at Harry. He reassuringly squeezed her hand, but tried to stay focused on the conversation and ignore his own anger and worry.
"Doubt it. No one could have heard us the other day," Goyle protested hotly. Malfoy rolled his eyes, letting out a sigh of impatience.
"We were in the middle of the bloody hallway idiot. Anyone that came along could have heard something," Malfoy retorted. "However, I think maybe I am just being paranoid this time. If she knew she would have run off and told her foul boyfriend Potter and he would be after me. He has to protect everyone you know, I swear, those two deserve each other." Several of the others snickered in response to Malfoy's comment.
Harry felt Hermione, who was pressed closely to his side, relax slightly.
"What about you and the Weasley girl? Shouldn't you break up with her? What do you even see in her? Her family leaves a lot to be desired," a blond boy who appeared to be a few years below Draco demanded.
"That's none of any of your business. All I'll say is this, she may be useful in the future," Draco hissed through clenched teeth.
"Enough about that. Something is going on. My father told me, and we all saw the papers. Your father is mounting an attack in retaliation for the Dark Lord's death isn't he?" demanded a tall, pale boy with greasy black hair and beady, washed-out grey eyes.
"My father told me not to give away too much, but I am now allowed to tell you that yes, something is going on. We all have to be prepared to help if called upon. My father might try to involve the school in his attack. No Mudblood or enemy of Voldemort is safe in the wizarding world will be safe," Draco whispered with fiendish delight. The group was silent for a moment, processing the weight of the news.
After a few more minutes of chatter, the group slowly drifted off back towards the school, done with their secret meeting, leaving behind a stunned Harry and Hermione, still hidden and silent beneath the Invisibility Cloak.
Next to Harry, Hermione shuddered. Silent tears were running down her face. The threat was real, as she had feared. Harry held her tightly, using every ounce of self-control he possessed to keep himself from throwing off the cloak and blowing up Malfoy and all his friends, who were disappearing in the distance. The last year at Hogwarts, was clearly going to not be one of peace anymore.
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