The Given Choices

*~*~*~*~*~*~ Chapter Twelve *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The dorm room had either remained quiet enough for Hermione to sleep until two in the afternoon or she was so tired that she slept through all the normal commotion. She had figured it was probably the latter. After a hot shower and a bowl of soup from the kitchens, she sat in the library as she worked on the Potions essay due for Snape in two weeks from Monday.

She sat at a table far away from her normal spot, because the window at her usual table faced the Quidditch pitch. If she stared out the window, she would start thinking about Quidditch, which would lead her to thinking about two Seekers that she did not want to think about at the moment. So the white quill scratched as she worked in the silent room for a good two hours.

Once the essay was done, she pulled out the Charms book she had received for her birthday. With about fifty pages to go, Hermione opened the old tome to her marked spot and began to read. Just as she was about to start on chapter thirty-three, she noticed a marking on the chapter's title page. There was a little sketch of a wand with what looked to be sparks coming out from the top of it.

Curious as to if there was any other markings, Hermione flipped through the remaining pages as she came across the last page. There near the bottom edge was a date and initials.

30^th of December 1975 ~ B.B.

B.B.? Who with those initials would have given me this book? Of course, it could just be a second-hand -B.B. ...Bellatrix Black! Bellatrix gave this to me for my birthday. But how would she know what day I was born? Duh, she gave birth to you. Of all people, she would know what day that was, even if she didn't want to...

With a heavy sigh, Hermione closed the book and pushed it away from her. The tears were threatening to come back, but she was not about to let that happen any more that day. Her fingers lightly traced the title of the book as she remembered that Draco had told her just yesterday that Bellatrix was especially good with Charms. So, it was make perfect sense for her to send her only child a book she had used.

Hermione had to admit that Charms was also her specialty. Of course, she thoroughly enjoyed Transfigurations, but Charms had always made her want to learn more. I wonder if that kind of stuff is passed on through the family, like eye color and such things. I wonder if I got anything from Remus.

Slowly she got up from her chair and walked over to the window that faced the Forbidden Forest. I wonder what he is really good at. He was a very good Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. I wonder what he does during his free time. I didn't get to spend too much time with him during the summer between his assignment and the full moon.

Full moon. Full moon.

Hermione backed up as her face froze; she hadn't even thought of it. The words he had said replayed in her mind, 'However, they did not know the child was of a witch and a werewolf.'

She dashed down the aisles that she remembered using when she had done that essay for Professor Snape in third year. Her finger lightly danced on the leather spines of the book as she chuckled and said in a rather Snapeish tone, "Five more points from Gryffindor for being an insufferable know-it-all."

The small amount of humor, from her reflection on that particular class when Snape had stood in, made re-reading some of the book easier. She had checked out three of the books and headed out the door of the library when she saw Ron walking toward her. He was still in his Quidditch robes and scratched behind his ear, which he did when he was trying to think of something. He stopped in front of her as he gave her a slight smile and stated, "You might want to follow me."

"What's wrong, Ron? Is Harry hurt? Where are we going? Tell me what's wrong," Hermione demanded as she started to follow her best friend through the corridors of the castle.

"No, Harry's fine for the most part. He has a few bruises and scratches but he's just getting looked over by Pomfrey. It was a long, rough game. Almost four hours. Of course, I am sure the fact that both Seekers were extremely tired did not help," the redhead explained as he continued to walk with her down the halls. He had been announced Captain of the team over the summer. All were excited and Harry had given him full support.

Hermione started to feel bad because she knew she was partly the reason why both were so tired. Ron tugged on her elbow and smiled to make her smile and continued on. "Don't worry about that, Hermione. Harry caught the Snitch, but Slytherin had enough points to win."

"Oh, Ron. I'm sorry. I'm sure you did a fine job as Keeper," she tried to console the redhead with a rather fragile Quidditch ego.

"No, I was doing a fine job, but I was worried about Harry. Many people were. It was so weird to see him play today. He was using Malfoy techniques and Malfoy played a clean game."

Hermione stood there in shock as she asked, "What?"

They were about ten feet from the doors of the hospital wing. Ron scratched at the back of his ear again as he explained, "Yeah, I know it sounds odd. But it was there for everyone to see. And I mean everyone because they all come out to the game of the year. Harry used every opportunity to knock the git off his broom. He even stole the bat out of Ginny's hand to aim a Bludger at him once. By the time he caught the Snitch, Madam Hooch had penalized Gryffindor so much from his actions that we lost because of him."

"Harry did all of that? Wow, I bet Professor McGonagall is fit to be tied," she remarked as she shook her head and started for the door to see how Harry was. Yet Ron grabbed her arm to stop her. "What?"

"That's not all," Ron stated as he glanced to the door and back to her, "We lost tons of House points too."

"Why? Quidditch doesn't affect House points?"

Ron held her hand and then grabbed the other one with his free hand. While he looked in her eyes, he stated, "Listen to me before you do anything. McGonagall docked us points - or rather, Harry points. After he caught the Snitch, he went after Malfoy, who had his back to him as he was talking to Zabini. By the time Zabini and I reached him, Malfoy was already knocked out with blood around his mouth. That Zabini guy was able to pull Harry off and I tried to wake Malfoy up. I was surprised that Zabini didn't take advantage of holding Harry back, but I think he was more in shock than anything. But I still have to give him some credit."

Hermione began to sway on her feet and at the moment the doors of the wing opened. Out walked Harry, and he looked like he didn't know what to feel. His green eyes caught hers as Ron held her around the waist to both keep her from fainting or going off and hitting their best friend.

Without a word to either of them, Harry took off in the direction of the Gryffindor common room. Ron's voice spoke from her side as she watched her recently ex-boyfriend head away. "He lost an initial fifty points for his behavior and the fight. Plus, another fifteen for every day Malfoy is in the hospital."

His hands loosened their grip on her arms, as she stood there, frozen by the shock of Harry's actions. Of course, she had known he had a temper but rarely had he done anything physical. Her feet took her in the direction of the infirmary as she heard Ron's feet walk away from her, probably to follow Harry. Hermione knew it was not going to be a warm welcome in the common room for their Seeker, with loosing the game and plenty of points.

But her concern was now on the curtained off bed at the end of the room. She saw Blaise on guard with his hands in his pockets. Hermione walked up to him and immediately gave him a hug, which surprised the usually silent Slytherin, but he then started to hug her back. He whispered into her ear, "Thanks. I think I actually needed that. Draco was able to wake up about a minute ago. Pomfrey is in there right now. She ordered me to stand guard out here until she's done with him."

"Does he look pretty bad?"

Blaise pulled back a little and gave a slight nod but stated, "But nothing that can't heal on the outside. I just won't be able to tease him about being a pretty boy for a few weeks."

Madam Pomfrey walked out of the area and closed the curtain behind her as she looked at the two unlikely friends still in a hug. They took a step back from each other but continued to hold each other's hands as the nurse stated, "Mr. Malfoy will be fine in a few days. A few bones were broken but have been healed. However, there was some internal bleeding that will take some potions and some time. Mr. Zabini, you can go in first and then you, Miss Granger, if you wish. But each of you has ten minutes each. He'll need his sleep tonight."

Hermione gave Blaise's hand a slight squeeze and motioned for him to go ahead. The nurse headed into her office and closed the door behind her. Not wanting to disturb the privacy of the two Slytherin friends, she hopped up on the bed closest to her. After about two minutes, Blaise stuck his head out to see if the coast was clear and he motioned for her to join him in the curtained area.

Slowly she walked into the slightly opened curtains and saw the blond Slytherin on the hospital bed. He looked like he'd been through hell and back with a swollen lip, black eye, and he was clutching at his stomach. His Quidditch robes were draped across the chair next to the bed. He was in the awful blue-striped gown and his hair was definitely very scuffed up.

Hermione walked to his bedside as Blaise spoke from behind her, "I'm going to run and get you a few of your things, Draco. I'll be back in few minutes."

She pushed bangs that were close to falling in his eyes off to the side of his face. "Oh, Draco. You look awful."

"Thanks for the complaint. I am going to start a new look. It's called 'the bruised and broken Prince of Slytherin' look," he chuckled and then grabbed his side as he winced in pain. "No, laughing is not a good thing."

Hermione placed her hand on the one that was gripping at his stomach. At the sudden contact, he turned to look into her eyes and then flipped his hand over to hold hers. She smiled as she leaned against the bed and replied, "You pull the look off very well. But seriously, how do feel?"

Draco released her hand to pat the bed near his hip for a place for her to sit. She lifted her body up and sat on the spot he made for her. The blond Slytherin rested his hand on the side of her thigh as he leaned back to be more comfortable. "Oh, I feel like I got the shite beaten out of me by a pissed off boyfriend. Not a feeling I'd care to experience again. So I'll steer clear of him the next time you two get in a fight."

"I'm sorry, Draco. Ron had suggested that I should stay clear of the game because I would've only made things worse," Hermione admitted as she felt like she was going to turn into Moan Myrtle for all the crying she felt like doing over the past twenty-four hours.

"Hey, there is nothing to be sorry about. You did nothing wrong and as far as I know, I did nothing wrong. Whatever is bothering Scarhe- I mean, your boyfriend, is his problem," he stated as he rubbed his palm on her arm.

She let out a heavy sigh as she played with the edge of the white sheet under her. "Ex-boyfriend."

Draco held her chin as he turned her head to face him again. There was concern and confusion in those silver eyes of his. He questioned, "When did that happen? Why did you break up with him, Hermione?"

"Technically, he broke up with me. You see he has a way of knowing where people are in the castle. Last night, Harry knew were I was and whom I was with. He just didn't believe that nothing happened. So, he was drunk when I entered the common room this morning. Harry claimed he neither believe nor trusted me anymore and that is was over between us," Hermione explained as she watched as the confusion fade away from his eyes and change to coldness.

"He's a bigger fool than I thought he was. If he thought I was fooling around with you, then that explains the beating I got. It also explains why he played such a crappy game, putting aside the pot shots he threw at me. Maybe he should've been sorted into Slytherin. I think he would've done well on our team," Draco grinned as he saw a small smile form on her lips.

Hermione shifted her body to get more comfortable on the bed. She was fully facing him and leaned on her left hand that was next to his hip. "Actually, he told me once that the Sorting Hat had tried to put him there, but he told it not to."

"Thanks Merlin he did. I think I would've killed him or myself by the third year. So, do I have myself a personal nurse until I'm better? Since it is your fault I am here," he stated with a mischievous gleam in his eyes and that Slytherin smirk on his perfect lips.

Hermione looked playfully offended and placed her hands on her hips as she protested, "My fault? Just because you had your bloody back to him and my ex-boyfriend beat the crap out of you, makes it all my fault?"

"If I had a nice nurse helping me on my road to recovery, I might be inclined to heal faster," Draco replied with a wiggling of his eyebrows and then went for the puppy-dog face.

"Really now," she spoke in a sultry voice as she moved her hand to the side of the other hip and brought her face closer to his. "And what would a nurse have to do to make you heal faster?"

Draco placed on hand on her hip as he replied in a matching husky voice, "I think a sponge bath a few times a day would be nice."

Hermione gave a naughty smile as she leaned into whisper in his ear, "I'll make sure Dobby uses the cold water on you then."

He swatted at her arse and laughed as he started to tickle the sneaky witch on his bed. A clearing of the throat made them turn their attention to the open curtain. The raven-haired Slytherin had returned with a black bag of items and shook his head. "Tut, tut, Granger. Making him laugh like that might led to more damage. I don't think I am able to leave you two children alone any more."

"Stuff it, Zabini. Yes, my side hurts a bit from the laughing but this little witch deserved it!"

"I'm sure she did. Come on, Hermione. Its time for our Prince to get some shut eye as commanded by Pomfrey," Blaise ordered as he placed the bag where Hermione had sat before he helped her off the bed. He turned to Draco and stated, "Now, if you're a good boy, I'll come back tomorrow and read you the comics while I feed you breakfast."

Draco replied with the use of his middle finger only. Blaise pushed Hermione out of the area as she waved good-bye, and then said in a low voice, "No, that's her job, my friend. Though it is a tempting offer, I'm sure."

Blaise was gone before the pillow Draco threw at him on the way out hit him. With his wand, the blond summoned back the pillow and scooted down into the sheets. Yes, he was glad that Harry and Hermione were no longer a couple, but Draco now had to plan for the next move to get to his goal by April. But all in all, it turned out to be a good day, and he drifted off to sleep with a slight smile.