You Wouldn't Know

The Harmertan stared Hermione in the eye, its blood red eyes glowing in the darkness. Hermione's eyes widened and she slowly started to move back, praying that she wouldn't trip or step on anything. She was deathly silent, not even daring to breathe. She reached for her wand, later realizing it was absent. She saw the beast's eyes flash, the same way it did right before it attacked Draco that night. Hermione gulped as it advanced on her. She continued to step back, but to her misfortune, she was suddenly pressed up against a tree. She watched the Harmertan move, shaking with every step it took. It took its last step towards Hermione; it's bloodstained teeth only inches away from her body. Its eyes glassed over in a mad way and Hermione closed her eyes, turning her head away, waiting for the attack to come. But it never did.

* * *

Draco heard Madame Pomfrey's words echo in his head, she's going, she's going, she's going. He looked at Hermione, watching her in her trouble. She had stopped breathing and she was shaking now. Her eyes were pinched shut and her hands were clammy. Hermione... He vaguely heard Madame Pomfrey disappear to get medicine. I need to save her. She needs me.

He squeezed her hand, whispering softly, "Hermione" over and over again. He used his free hand to stroke her head.

"Hermione, you'll make it," Draco said, trying to sound sure.

* * *

Hermione waited, her eyes pinched shut waiting for the attack. But it didn't come. She hesitantly opened her eyes, peering into the darkness. The Harmertan was farther away from her now, battling some invisible force. Then, in the darkness, the figure of Draco shimmered into place. He stood with his wand at hand and cast a spell, hitting the beast in the chest. The Harmertan fell down and glared at Draco, pulling itself back up. Draco cast another spell, this one sending the Harmertan slamming into a tree where it slumped to the ground in a furry heap. Hermione gingerly stepped forward, as if testing to see if the creature was really down. When it didn't move, she looked over at the misty figure of Draco.

"Hermione, we almost lost you. Come on, it's time to get you out of here," Draco said, holding his hand out to her. She uncertainly reached for it. How could something so unreal looking actually hold her hand? But when her fingers reached his, he became solid. She could feel his warmth and smiled at him. He smiled back and pulled her with him, taking off at a run. She followed him, trusting him to know where she was going. She whipped through the forest, dragging behind slightly. But then, she came to the end of the forest. She could see the whole school alighted and the lake in the distance.

"You'll be okay now," Draco said, disappearing into the night sky. Then, she collapsed on the ground, her eyes closing...

* * *

Hermione lay on something soft and warm. She could hear voices in the distance, but they were faintly calling her name. She slowly pushed her eyes open, seeing faint outlines of people standing over her. As her vision cleared she could make out three people and smiled. She couldn't have asked for anyone better to be there.

"Hermione?" Harry asked her softly. Harry, Ron, and Draco all looked at her with concerned expressions.

"Hey guys," she answered weakly. At this, all three boys smiled broadly. But she looked at one boy and one only. Draco's smile was beautiful. True and charming, it was much better than his usual smirk and it made her heart melt.

"How are you feeling?" Ron asked timidly.

"Alright, I guess," She told them. She tried to push herself up to a sitting position, but immediately the boys got a hold of her and basically put her in a sitting position for her, as if afraid she might break if she attempted this herself. "Thanks. But what exactly happened?"

Draco looked at her briefly, but turned to Harry and Ron, giving them a look. Harry caught the hint and started to leave, but Ron stayed behind, oblivious to the hint. Harry doubled back, grabbing Ron by the arm and pulling him by the arm. "Ron and I will leave Mal- I mean, Draco to tell you. We're so glad you are okay."

They both smiled at her before leaving the wing. She watched them leave, Ron practically being dragged along and then turned to Draco, watching him, interested in his explanation. "I remember what happened up until, well, I sank into the lake."

Draco nodded and then began. "I woke up and saw you fall in. I tried to save you, but my father tried to use Avada Kedavra on me. Harry showed up and stunned him. I jumped in the lake and got you. I gave you to Harry but that was all I saw because I passed out. I found myself here and Madame Pomfrey told me you were in a coma. I sat by you and then Dumbledore came. I told him what happened and he said he was going to try to persecute my father. Then, Harry showed up with Ron. Ron found out from Harry about everything that happened. Then Ron left and I told Harry everything. He told me I needed to save you. He left and I stayed with you. Madame Pomfrey told me I should try talking to you. So I did and then you started to do badly. You were shaking and clammy and you had stopped breathing. So I stood by you, hoping you would make it through. Then you were okay. A few minutes Harry and Ron showed up and then you woke up."

Hermione sat there, taking it all in. A coma? And everything that happened in real life happened in some way in her coma. She looked at Draco, who spoke. His face was serious and Hermione waited anxiously for what he was about to say. "I was so afraid I was going to lose you. I couldn't have handled that. I love you Hermione."

Hermione smiled at him. After all her experiences with him, she had realized something too. She waited until he looked her in the eye. "I love you too Draco."

He smiled genuinely, pulling her into his arms. She kissed him passionately. They were finally together, and she would have it no other way.

The End!