Charms

Smiling softly, Draco woke from one of the pleasant dreams he had been having lately.

**That cat was so cute...**

For the past few nights, all of his dreams that weren't erotic had featured a small chocolate cat in them. Before he had awoken, the cat was purring contentedly on his chest as he lay in front of the fire. Shaking his dream from his thoughts, he managed to stagger his way into the showers. As the first senior Slytherin awake this morning, the water was warm for once.

***** Flashback *****

As the clock struck midnight, Draco and Hermione stopped dancing. She gave him a soft smile, and gently tugged him over to the refreshment table.

"I want a drink..." Still moved by the song that they had been dancing to, he followed her wordlessly. Once they both had spice pumpkin jiuce, and seeing how their friends were all dancing, they exited the Great Hall. As the weather was still horrible, they like many other students who wanted to escape the crowded Hall were scattered around the many benches in the hallway. Seating themselves on a staircase, Draco tilted his head back to watch the staircases move.

"Do you ever wonder if there is a point to life?" he asked.

Hermione looked up at where his eyes seemed to be focused, and thought hard before replying, "I used to. But then I learnt to just get on with life. Carpe Noctum, and all that."

With a quirky smile at Hermione's bastardisation of the quote, the unlikely friends lapsed into a comfortable silence. However after about 10 minutes, Draco broke the quiet.

"We'd better go...I don't want to be held hostage by some over-protective Gryffindors for corrupting you." He stood, and offered her his hand. Just as they were about to join the group of Gryffindors collected in the Entrance Hall, he slowly raised her hand to his lips, kissing it softly.

"Bumblebee was right, you were a delightful partner. Sleep well, Miss Hermione."

***** End Flashback *****

Draco sat right at the end of the Slytherin table. He had just assisted Professor Snape with getting all of the younger Slytherins on the train home for the holidays. He sighed, and poked his eggs mindlessly with his fork. Snape came over and sat down next to him, pouring a cup of coffee as he did so.

"I know we aren't expected until tonight, however I have some messages that need to be done in that area. I was hoping that we could leave as soon as you have finished breakfast. We'll be back tomorrow lunchtime."

Pushing his plate away, Draco replied, "I'm not hungry."

They stood, and made their way out of the hall. As they left, Draco's eyes met Hermione's, and she gave him a small smile.

**********

*~ I wonder where Draco could be...I haven't seen him since breakfast. I thought he said he wanted to do some studying together...~*

Hermione was stretched out on the couch in front of the fire in one of the study rooms in the library. As she played with the delicate silver necklace she was wearing, she thought back to the note she had received earlier.

*~ It was more of a letter this time. ~*

Ten Lords a-leaping...

I worry about you, you know...when you are in the Muggle world, unable to use your wand. So this works as a Portkey if you say the magic word..."Amore". It will bring you to the Entrance Hall here at Hogwarts, no matter where you are. I've cleared it with Dumbledore.

You were so beautiful last night, did you know that? I could barely keep my eyes off you...I hope that next time I am able to see you, you will be wearing this.

From,

Your true love.

*~ A necklace from Lords, a cloak from Perfection, a crystal swan, a Mood- ...who on Earth would want to spend so much money on me? ~*

Lords was one of the Wizarding world's most exclusive (and therefore expensive) jewellery stores. All purchases from there were handmade, and it showed. The little silver cat suspended on a delicate chain around her neck was perfect, in every minute detail. It bespoke hours of work, as did the protective charms she could feel surrounding it.

*~ I feel so guilty...this person is spending so much money on me, and I'm falling in love with another guy. Who doesn't even like me...me, a Mudblood. ~* Hermione supposed that she didn't have to marry for love, not in this day and age, but her grandmother's words as she lay on her deathbed came floating back to her.

"The greatest thing you'll ever know is just to love, and be loved in return."

She knew that she could never seriously be with someone unless she was truly in love with them. That was one of the reasons she had pulled back from Ron when he started to ask her out; he was a brother to her, nothing more. Her thoughts instead focused on the guy who she did love.

*~ I wonder where he has gone...great, I'm repeating myself. And talking to myself. Aargh! ~*

Shaking her head to clear it of confusing thoughts of blonde sex gods and silver dragons, Hermione reached for her Concentus.

**********

The window burns to light the way back home

A light that warms no matter where they go

They're off the find the hero of the day

But what if they should fall by someone's wicked way?

By now, Draco was used to random songs floating through his head. Looking over the grey sea towards the island rising threateningly out of it, he closed his eyes and focused on the song.

Still the window burns

Time so slowly turns

Someone there is sighing

Keepers of the flames

Do you feel your name?

Can't you hear your babies crying?

Mama they try and break me

Still they try and break me

As the boat pulled up on the landing, he followed Professor Snape onto the frozen ground.

"Misters Snape and Malfoy, to see Prisoner 277, Section F," said Snape to the Dementor that came to see them. He beckoned, and drawing their Patronus cloaks tighter around them, they were led to the minimum-security part of the prison. Here, there were human guards, and not as many screams. Also, lying in one of the cells, was -

"Father."

Excuse me while I tend to how I feel

These things return to me that still seem real

Now deservingly this easy chair

But the rocking stopped by wheels of despair

Don't want your aid

But the fist I've made

For years can't hold off fear.

No, I'm not all me

So please excuse me

While I tend to how I feel

Lucius raised his head and sneered in Draco's direction.

"Ah, my loving son. Come to condemn me some more? Or have you come to brag about your conquests...knew you'd follow in my footsteps soon enough."

Draco could feel bile rising in his throat. He leaned in as Snape held his shoulder, keeping him from collapsing to the floor.

But now the dreams and waking screams

That ever last the night

So the build the wall, behind it crawl

And hide until it's light.

So can you hear your babies' crying now?

**********

On her way back to the Gryffindor Tower, Hermione stopped and looked at the ceiling in the Great Hall. It was ominously black, snow falling thick and fast.

*~ I haven't seen him or Snape since breakfast. I hope he's all right...~*

"Ms. Granger, how nice to see you." She quickly lowered her head to see Professor Dumbledore sitting underneath the biggest tree in the Hall. "Would you like some hot chocolate?"

Hermione walked over, wondering if she was to be reprimanded for being out so late. "I'm sorry sir, I was in the Library and I didn't notice the time..."
"Nonsense Ms. Granger, it's the holidays. I think it is perfectly natural for students to stay up as late as they want during the holidays...and sleep in as much as you want. Not all of the staff shares my views, but, as I have said before: If you are holding out for universal popularity-"
"-You'll be in this cabin for a very long time. I was there, Professor."
"Ah, so you were. My age seems to be catching up with me." Smiling slightly to let Hermione know that he wasn't being serious, the two silently drank their chocolate.

"Professor, I think I should go...as much as I like being awake at night, there are plans for a snowball fight tomorrow...I should probably get some sleep before us girls flatten the boys." An understanding twinkle appeared in Dumbledore's eyes; "Girls vs. Boys, is it Ms. Granger? Good luck."

Hermione said goodbye and moved towards the door of the Great Hall, before stopping.

"Professor...where are Professor Snape and Dr-Malfoy?" she asked.

"I hadn't realised you were going to be concerned," he grinned as she averted her eyes, "but they are taking care of some...personal matters. They should be back tomorrow."

Still the window burns

Time so slowly turns

And someone there is sighing

Keepers of the flames

Do you hear your names?

Can't you hear you babies crying?

**********

Draco tossed and turned in his bed at the Leaky Cauldron. He was still chilled to the bone after his visit with Lucius this afternoon.

** Not father, not any more; I'm nothing like that sick fuck...**

The words from the only song that Hermione had played on the Concentus came running through his brain, he tried to focus on the sounds of Professor Snape's snores coming through the walls.

But now the dreams and waking screams

That ever lasts the night

So the build the wall, behind it crawl

And hide until it's light.

So can you hear your babies' crying now?

Mama they try and break me.

Mama they try and break me.

Mama they try and break me.

Mama they try, Mama they try, Mama they try and break me.

Mama they try and break me.

Mama they try and break me.

Mama they try, Mama they try.

** So how do I convince her that I love her for her, and that I'm not my father...**

Images from that fateful day last summer crowded into his head.

** I will never be like him...**

**********

fin.