Chasing a Dream

Chapter 23

Mad Malfoy

A noise behind Harry made his heart stop. Hermione slowly lifted her head and looked over Harry's shoulder at whatever it was that was behind him. Harry watched Hermione's eyes grow wide and her mouth fall open in shock.

"Oh, no!"

She hissed in a whisper that was almost too low to hear. Harry turned to see Draco Malfoy standing with a very intimidating mixture of anger and triumph on his face. Malfoy strolled over to the two of them calmly and grabbed Hermione by the wrist, tugging her to her feet. Hermione struggled against his grip, but he was too strong.

"Oh, dear. What have you done now, Hermione?"

Malfoy asked with an evil smirk, although he knew perfectly well what she'd done. Harry got to his feet and went to wrench Malfoy away from Hermione, but was knocked to the ground by some invisible force. Malfoy snickered evilly and waggled a finger at him.

"No, no. You can't get anywhere near us."

Malfoy pointed to a golden bracelet on the hand that he was using to restrain Hermione with.

"See this, Potter? It's a protection talisman. It creates an invisible force field whenever I hold Hermione's hand. Hermione here committed a heinous crime. Nobody is allowed to tell anybody about her relationship with the Vesuvian Council. Not even Hermione is beneath the law, especially that oaf, Hagrid."

"Draco, no! You can't!"

Hermione cried as she struggled to get him of her. Malfoy glared at her.

"I can, and I am."

"Please! You can't tell Septarian! Think of what he might do!"

Her face was an expression of true horror. Malfoy smiled a very creepy smile.

"Yes, he'll probably take Potter into custody and make him forget he ever met you, or worse. Only he knows. As soon as I take this talisman off, he'll be here in a heartbeat."

Hermione shook her head 'no'. She was crying again.

"Ton nac uoi!"

At first Harry thought he'd misheard her, then he realized that she was speaking Vesuvian.

"Give me one good reason why not."

Malfoy responded in English.

"Won ot miih deenyi!"

"No you don't!"

Malfoy spat back as he tightened his grip on her and reached for the talisman.

"Neth won ot miih tnaw tsuji!"

Hermione screeched desperately.

"Why would you want to put yourself in danger like this?"

Harry saw Malfoy's grip loosen and his eyes soften slightly. Hermione was reluctant for a moment and then answered.

"Miih evewoli."

Malfoy nearly dropped her hand in shock. He looked from Hermione to Harry in surprise. He let go of Hermione's hand, and took his hand away from the talisman.

"Neth yaas uoi saa si ti. Just as long as it doesn't get out of hand."

Malfoy said in a very solemn tone. Harry ran up to Hermione and they watched Malfoy walk slowly away.

"Are you ok?"

Hermione nodded and absentmindedly rubbed her wrist, still watching Malfoy's back.

"Thank God he didn't get Septarian here."

"Why?"

"That crime is taken very seriously, and you probably would have been taken away. Malfoy never has a problem with me unless it has something with you or Ron. There's even times when he can be very valiant. Like the time last year when he kept Septarian and Nickeline from putting me through combat training."

Hermione turned to Harry and smiled.

"Some morning, huh? Let's go back to the castle."

Hermione began to walk away.

"Hey, Hermione, wait up."

Harry and Hermione walked side by side, their steps falling into sync. Hermione was moving slower than usual.

"Why don't you sing something, 'Mione?"

Hermione smiled kindly, but shook her head 'no'.

"It takes too much energy to do that big of magic. After all that happened this morning, I don't know if I can take that."

Harry nodded. They were very far from the castle and it was taking them a very long time to get there. They walked in silence.

"I'm so sorry, Harry."

Harry looked over at her. She was staring sadly at her feet. Harry took her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze.

"Stop saying that. I understand completely... almost."

Hermione laughed, but it came out as more of a choked sob. Harry wrapped his arm around her shoulders and squeezed her to him. She slipped her arm around his waist.

"When Hagrid let it slip, I was so angry and yet... relieved. There was a brief shining moment when I thought that all my secrets between the two of us would go away, but then I realized how mad you might be. I panicked."

"I would never be mad at you. Not for long, anyway. I need my 'Mione."

Hermione squeezed him tighter.

"I need you to, Harry. I really, really need you."

Harry kissed the top of her head.

"I know, 'Mione. I know."

And now, he really did.

_-_-_

"Where have you two been?"

"We were talking."

Harry responded as he flopped down on the chair across the table. Ron looked from Harry to Hermione, then a smirk spread slowly across his face.

"Ohhhhhh."

Ron dragged the 'ohh' out nice and long.

"You guys were 'talking'."

Ron winked at Harry. Harry muttered a low growl and kicked Ron under the table. Ron screamed and fell off his chair. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"I'm going up to bed."

Ron looked up at her in shock.

"Hermione, it's six o'clock!"

Hermione paused looking defiant.

"It takes me a long time to get ready. Plus, I stay up and read for a little bit."

Hermione swept up the stairs to her dormitory. Ron climbed up into his chair and looked back at the door to the girls' dormitories.

"You know what, Harry? I'm starting to think you're right."

He looked back over at Harry. Harry was confused.

"What do you mean?"

Ron stood up and pulled out a chair next to Harry, leaning forward so that only Harry could hear.

"I mean that what you said about her being sick might be true. I don't think I've seen her like this! She's paler than usual and she's always so tired. I think she's hiding it from us."

Harry looked at his friend thoughtfully. He tried to suppress the urge to tell him everything he'd learned that day. He could barely stand it. Sure, Hermione was relived because she finally got to end this secret from Harry, but now Harry had a secret to keep from Ron. If Harry didn't know that Hermione's life might depend on his secrecy, he might not fight it so hard. If Ron asked, however, he wasn't sure he could lie. Ron shook his head.

"I don't know. Maybe I'm just imagining things."

He looked up at Harry and sat back in his chair. A smile spread across his face.

"We should go talk to Hagrid later to try and find out who the Vesuvian is. Who do you think it is?"

Harry bit his tongue between his teeth. Finally, he shook his head.

"I don't know, Ron."

Lying to Ron was hard and it hurt, but he'd do it for Hermione. He'd do almost anything for his Hermione. Love's just that way.

_-_-_

Harry was in the library. Yes, Harry was actually in the library and not because Hermione made him go! Well, anyway, Harry was in the library. He was trying to look up something on Vesuvians. Anything to help him understand better. Nothing had anything on the subject.

Hermione was right when she said that their race was a secret. There was nothing, absolutely nothing on the subject.

Harry ran his fingers through his already messy hair and gave up. It wasn't worth all this trouble. He flopped his head down on Secret Societies.

"Harry?"

Harry looked up. Hermione was standing there, her special bag slung over her shoulder. She was looking at him with an eager expression. Harry smiled and moved some of his books. Hermione set down her bag and sat down across from him.

"What are you doing here?"

He asked her. Hermione smiled.

"I was looking for you."

Harry shut the unhelpful book and looked at her.

"What is it?"

Hermione scooted her chair closer to his. She continued in a low and serious tone.

"I discovered something. It is so strange and so beautiful at the same time."

"What is it, 'Mione?"

Hermione continued as if she hadn't heard him.

"It's kind of terrifying if I think about it, but so wonderful. I don't know what to do. I can't tell a teacher or another student or anything."

"What is it, Hermione!?"

"It took me so long to see it!"

"Hermione, just show me, already!"

Hermione looked at him very seriously. Her eyes were shining a little more than usual. She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Fine."

And with that she leaned forward and kissed him squarely on the lips.