Twisted Fate

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Chapter 2: TWO

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I woke up.

I blinked a few times, then sat up. I looked around, and saw an oddly familiar row of beds... 'What the hell am I doing in the hospital wing!' I racked my brain for any memory of what had happened. I closed my eyes, then pictured myself back in the lake. I was there, thinking of how I can not think of Draco, then I thought someone had called me. I stood up, turned, then... I raised my hand to touch my lips gently as I remembered his kiss. Anger and self-pity filled me once more. 'Hannah, you idiot! You are such an idiot!' I hit my head with my closed fist as I pondered on how pathetic I was.

"STOP THAT!"

I slightly jumped with surprise. Someone had grabbed my arm: it was Madam Pomfrey.

"What in Merlin's beard are you doing!"

"Madam Pomfrey, what happened to me? Why am I here? How long have I been here? Am I going to die?"

Madam Pomfrey waved her hand impatiently.

"Shh... too many silly questions. You were brought here a few hours ago by two first years. They said they found you unconscious by the lake. You fainted because your body was too weak. Have you been sleeping properly?"

I shook my head. I was about to reason out but she cut me off.

"Eating disorders? Irregular meal times?"

I nodded. She sat by my bed and held my hand.

"What's wrong, dear?"

I looked away from her. The fact that the answer to that question was so easy bothered me. I sighed. "Frankly, Madam Pomfrey, I don't know."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

I looked at her again and saw the concern in her eyes. "I'd rather not, but thanks for the offer."

She smiled and gave my hand a squeeze. "Okay then. I'll let you rest now. Tomorrow, I'll check you up and then maybe you can go back to your common room."

I smiled at her and whispered a small thanks. As she walked away, I remembered what she told me about the first years.

"Madam Pomfrey!"

"Yes, dear?"

I asked for the names of the students who brought me in. They were Ravenclaw students. I muttered another 'thank you' and lay down on the hospital bed once more. Sighing, I remembered Malfoy again, and automatically, my fingers found their way to my lips. I shruddered and shook my head to take that thought away, which I regretted later because my head began to spin. I have to end this soon... before I go crazy.

The next day, after Madam Pomfrey gave me one last check up, I strode along the halls looking for the students who helped me. At long last I found them in the Great Hall, trading Wizard Cards. I fixed myself up, then approached them.

"Hi!"

The students jumped with surprise and stared at me. The red-haired boy looked at me curiously, while the blonde guy stared at me as if he was annoyed. They were looking at me for a while, at which I started to feel awkward. 'Kids...'

"Hi! I'm Hannah. I would just like to thank you for helping me yesterday. You see-"

"Yeah! I remember you! You're that pretty girl in the pink dress by the lake!" The red-head exclaimed excitedly. I blushed. 'I'm starting to like this kid.'

"I don't know about pretty, but yeah, that was me. Thank you-"

"Oh please..." said the blonde boy, who then rolled his eyes at me. He was thoroughly annoyed as he was obviously showing it, and with that look on his face he kind of reminded me of Draco. I shook my head. 'Not him again.' "We were only passing by the corridor when this fourth year called us and ordered us to help you. He even threatened us with detention if we don't help. If you asked me, I would've just walked away. But Johnny here was either too scared of detention or too noble to leave a damsel in distress."

He looked at me with that annoying glance and rolled his eyes again. I gaped at him. 'What a pompous git!' I looked to see if Johnny made an effort to stop this ugly zit from babbling, but he just looked at me - apparently, dazed. I could have jinxed that creature to pieces but I stopped myself. I calmed down after a while.

"Well, whatever your reasons are, I still thank you for what you did."

I wheeled around and started to leave when I remembered what he said. 'A fourth year?' I turned and called back.

"Do you know the name of the student who told you to help me?"

Johnny shrugged. "I don't-"

"We don't know his name," that creep said. "Johnny was too noble to ask his name. He's Slytherin, by the way. Maybe a huge fan of yours."

He smirked at me. I rolled my eyes and walked away quickly before I could think of a spell to hit that chunk of shit. 'Ooooh, that boy will get it. That sick, pathetic - ' Then, I stopped by the portrait hole. 'A fourth year Slytherin? A Slytherin?' I pondered on the thought as I walked to my room. 'Why would a Slytherin help me?' I dropped myself on my bed. 'Who could it be? Some noble student?' I smiled. 'Ha! There's no such thing. That would be impossible. He'd be the butt of Draco Malfoy's jokes.' I sat up. 'What if... Nah... I don't think so. Why would it be him?' I pondered on that thought for a while. 'If it was him, that means I owe him. Argh... which means I have to thank him...and - ' It hit me. "That's it! It all fits!" I jumped on my feet and ran out of the common room.

"This is going to end now."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Day by day, I watched her.

For weeks I have silently watched her: while she was going about her daily routines to class, while she spent long hours in the library, and while she quietly sat down by the lake every Saturday. I wanted to know more about her... who she really was, and why she was different. I was curious. I wanted to know why she was different from all of them. Of course, I never told anyone of my thoughts about her. They'd think I'm a stalker or something (which, I am not), or maybe an obsessed guy (which, I never will be). She made me think about her almost every night, where I am left wondering why she loathed me that much. Well, maybe once or twice when I would see her again.

Anyway, I mean, fine, I see her every now and then. I don't do anything to her. I don't tease her, attempt to annoy her, and even look at her longer than two seconds. Why would she give that defiant look? How can she loathe me when I have nothing to do with her, and she with me!

'Goddammit, Draco. You sound like a stupid schoolboy with a little crush.'

'Of course I'm not! I am Draco Malfoy: I fear no one, and I am under no student in this school...even to that little thing.'

Still, I couldn't help but get lost in my thoughts...of course, thinking of her again. 'I have to know.' So, I followed her.

One thing I found out about her was she was alone almost everytime. Whether she didn't want company or they didn't want her, I don't know. But, as I watched her go to her classes alone, go to the library alone, go back to her common room alone, I felt a small tinge of pity for her. I have never seen anyone as - well, alone - as she was. 'Pity, eh? Of course! I have nothing else to feel for her. She's just a low-life Gryffindor. I pity her pathetic little soul. But then... I have to admit she is rather enchanting...' I snapped out of my crazy thoughts as she just walked past. I followed her with my eyes and saw that she was going to the lake again.

"I have to end this now... before I get crazy." So, I went to her.

"Daydreaming again?"

I saw her jump from where she sat. It amused me in a way, but then I stamped it out immediately. 'I must do this right this time.' She stood up and turned towards me, and I almost gasped. She stood there beautifully; even if her eyes reflected hatred, she looked so wonderful. 'Wake up, Draco! Snap out of it!' I recovered quickly with a smirk.

"Mind your own business, Malfoy. Leave me alone."

I widened my smile. "You know, dear, that attitude of yours won't get you anywhere but near trouble."

"What's this? Draco Malfoy lecturing about attitude? Speak for yourself, you bastard."

'What did she just call me!' I glared at her and opened my mouth to shout at her, but she was already leaving. Instinctively my hand grabbed her arm and stopped her.

"I'm not finished talking with you, brat."

She gave me a cold stare, which angered me even more.

"You have no power over me, Malfoy. Now let me go."

'That's it.' I tightened my grip on her arm, and saw her stir. Her eyes, which stared at me defiantly a while ago, showed fear. Deep inside I was rejoicing. 'You really think you can talk to me that way, huh? Did you really think you can get away just like that?' Revenge indeed was sweet. After a while, I saw tears forming in her eyes. I smiled, and yet somehow, I was moved. She was on the verge of crying, and here I was pitying her. She looked so helpless and vulnerable, and God, she looked so beautiful...

"D-Draco, please l-let go of my arm... D-Draco, I-"

I stared at her eyes and was surprised to feel something like pity, but then, I really had no time to ponder on that. I glared at her. 'Nice work, you brat. I even thought of pitying you.' I wanted to make her suffer, make her remember me for the rest of her pathetic life. And that was why I kissed her.

It took me a while before I realized that her lips were too soft to be kissed so roughly as I did. After that I had the strangest feeling - like I was fit to burst. It was weird, yet it felt... wonderful. But then, I could hear her sobs, and taste her tears that were flowing endlessly from her eyes. Shit... She's too fragile... She's too weak... But - My thoughts were cut off when I felt that she became heavier. I let go of her suddenly, and watched her fall on the ground as graceful as a feather.

I stared at her; my mind went completely blank. I looked around the open fields to see if anyone was coming. Should I help her? No, of course. But... I just couldn't leave her there... Pacing fast, I strained to think of what to do. Then, I saw two first years walking on the corridor by my left. I quickly strode towards them.

"You two, help that girl by the lake. She's fainted, so carry her to the hospital wing."

The red-haired boy looked concerned. "What? Where is she? What happened?"

I shook my head in frustration. "This is no time to ask stupid questions, kid. Go and carry her now!"

The blonde boy stepped forward and stared at me arrogantly. "I don't see a prefect badge on you. Just who are you to order us around? We're not house elves. We're students."

These kids tried my patience. Why are they being so difficult! What if other students came and saw me here? This will seriously ruin me."Listen, you little brats. My father is a very influential person. I could have you given detention anytime I want, or even expelled with just a snap. Now, help that girl or I will go right now to the Headmaster and tell them you spat at me."

The red-head looked very frightened, nodded vigorously, then yanked his friend towards the lake. I took one last glance at her, checked the corridors once more, then went to the Slytherin common room.

That night, I couldn't sleep. I kept thinking of her. What the hell happened out there? She wasn't hit by a spell that's for sure; no one else was there. Maybe she's sick or something... I lied on my back and stared at the ceiling of my four-poster bed for at least an hour and still couldn't sleep; I thought of her still. I closed my eyes and recalled the delicate features of her face during our encounter in the dungeons: her silky cheeks, perfect brown eyes, and those beautiful and delicate lips waiting to be kissed. Before I knew it, I was smiling. She tasted sweet, and her lips were full and strangely soft. So that's what it feels like to kiss a girl. I sat up and shook my head. No. I need to see her again. I have to end this madness. I climbed down my bed and down the stairs, out of the common room. As I made my way to the hospital wing, I actually walked a bit faster than usual. My heart was beating very fast, and I had difficulty breathing again. I shook my head, and yet it was obvious: I ached for her. I longed to see her face once more, and now that I am, I'm excited.

I walked slower as I approached the doors to the hospital wing. I whispered an opening spell, and quietly made my way inside. I squinted in the dark to look for her. And I did.

She lay just before a window, the moonlight bathing her face. I stopped as I was enthralled by her beauty...She looked like an angel lying there, softly breathing. I walked towards her bed, and stopped at the right side of her bed. I kneeled before her, and traced her smooth cheek. I gently moved the strands of hair covering her face, and just stared at her. My heart suddenly stopped, just as it had beat so rapidly just a while ago. I might have gone completely dumb or crazy that time, because I wasn't thinking. She was here, in front of me, looking like a goddess, and that was all that mattered. I felt like I could last forever just looking at her like this... I didn't need to think twice. I leaned forward, and kissed her lips once more, but I was gentle this time. Her lips were still soft and delicate... it was like kissing an angel. I felt my heart beat faster and slower at the same time, and as I kept my lips tenderly pressed on hers, I felt an odd feeling in me burst. I felt... so happy... so satisfied. She stirred a bit, so I drew away. That made me come to my senses. I'd rather be caught dead than seen here... or worse, when she wakes up and sees me... I strode towards the door and to my room without stopping or even going slower. I dropped myself at my bed, and before I fell asleep, I was pretty sure I was smiling.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After Potions, I have decided to talk to him.

I came to this decision yesterday after talking to those first years (oooooh, that little brat...). I searched the halls for Draco but I couldn't seem to find him. I went back to the common room, feeling a bit disappointed. Wait a minute. Disappointed? I mean, I was disappointed because this madness is going to haunt me one more night. I don't want to think about him anymore... well, at least not that smirk of his. But I can still remember his gray eyes... I can still picture them clearly in my mind... I smiled as I lay on my bed last night, covering my head with a pillow so anyone wouldn't see.

I stopped before the doors of Snape's dungeon. My heart was beating fast. Yes, I had decided to talk to him, to end all of this, but I hadn't quite prepared myself. What would I tell him? How am I going to tell him? How the hell am I going to approach him in the first place? I closed my eyes, and his face filled my mind. I shook my head. This has got to end. I sighed as I pushed the door open, but I exerted too much force and bumped into someone who was opening the door from inside. I rubbed my forehead and looked up to see whose chin I bumped. I gasped as I saw those familiar gray eyes looking back at me. He seemed to be rubbing his chin then stopped, staring directly at me. He looked at me with surprise, then with... awe? He looked at me like I was the only person there, like... he adored me.

"Mr. Malfoy, why are you taking so long? Is someone there?" Professor Snape's drawling voice suddenly echoed in the dungeon. "Just a late Gryffindor, sir." He smiled at me. I shook my head and walked but bumped into him again. "Well, as pathetic as they seem to be, I still have to teach them. Let him in." He took a step back and left a small space for me to walk into. I kept my head down and walked to the far side of the room, feeling my cheeks burn. Why am I blushing! I sat on the table at the far back, pulled out an enormous book and placed it in front to cover my face. Then. I buried my face in my hands. I kept asking myself why I blushed. It's just Malfoy, Hannah. It's just a smile. I resigned with a heavy sigh. As Professor Snape's lecture went on, I had this really weird feeling that someone was watching me. I tilted my head back a little, then a little to the right. And, I saw him; he was staring at me. Surprised (and a little embarrassed), I quickly jerked my head back, but then it hit my book, which almost fell down. Breathing fast and grasping my book tightly, I felt my cheeks burn once more. I could hear the student next to me sniggering. Shit! He saw me. He noticed! Shit! I ran my fingers on my brow nervously, calming myself down.

Just then, I felt something hit my right arm. I peeked down and saw a tiny piece of crumpled paper below my desk, just a few inches from my feet. Curiously, I picked it up. And as I was straightening up my seat, I saw him look at me, then at the paper in my hand. Why is he looking at the paper? I shot him an annoyed glance. Crazy snoop. I unraveled the paper; my eyes widened as I read what was inside.

after potions, at the dark corner of the corridor.

What the hell? I looked around to see if anyone was looking at me (well, other than him of course)...but there was none. My heart suddenly skipped a beat. H-He wants to m-meet m-me? What the hell was going on? I looked at him. He put a finger in his lips, then pointed at Professor Snape, who then was approaching me. He stopped between me and Draco, completely blocking him from my sight.

"I believe I teach Potions, Miss Arden, not Defense Against the Dark Arts. Now put away that book or I'll throw it along with you out of this classroom. Five points from Gryffindor. Now pay attention."