Power Within

Chapter 9

The Dream

Draco was angry.

How could I have allowed such a public display with Granger?

When the song ended the costume party was over. Hermione leaned back looking at him questioningly, not understanding what was going on. She got all the answer she needed; he glared at her and turned to leave without a word.

****

Harry and Ron did not ask Hermione about what happened. They were too busy watching the enchanted ceiling. It was the most beautiful, but strangest thing they had ever witnessed. All they knew was that Hermione was livid when they left the costume ball--do not even ask when she is that mad. She went to her dorm room and went to sleep looking forward to a new and different day. Then she remembered.

Damn.

Rehearsal tomorrow.

****

Hermione just stared at Pansy, Millicent, Lavender, and Parvati.

ck">Since when do they agree on anything?

They were in charge of organizing music within the performance and everyone finally agreed on a song for Hermione to sing--the one her and Harry danced to when Draco was watching her.

"Fine."

She knew there was no arguing with them. Lavender and Parvati were hard enough to argue with about such things, but with Pansy and Millicent thrown in it became impossible. The four girls giggled telling Hermione they would let her know a rehearsal time for the singing. Now she had to practice a stupid scene with Malfoy. She glared at him from across the room.

Draco did not know how he was going to get through this. He and Hermione had to go through a very intense scene and after last night he did not know if he could take anymore intense moments with Granger.

And why is she looking at me like that? Why am I even thinking about it? I just want to get this over with.

Hermione's eyes narrowed in Draco's direction. She was not looking forward to this.

I want to get this over with.

Standing up hastily and simultaneously, they crossed the stage to meet face to face in the middle. Hermione was reminded of her second year when Malfoy and Harry faced off for the dueling club. It felt as if she was about to duel.

"Ready, mudblood?"

"Ready, Ferret Boy."

They both turned to opposite sides of the stage and looked down at the script to skim over what they were to do.

Those playing servants came onto the stage for the start of this fifth scene. Hermione and Draco went through their parts that did not involve their contact swiftly. Then him and Hermione had to start dancing, being as this was a party scene. Draco looked deep into Hermione's eyes and repeated his lines effortlessly.

"If I profane with my unworthiest hand This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss."

Draco had to move closer to her as if he wanted to kiss her. This was not easy, but he did it. At least he did not have to kiss her--yet. Hermione spoke her lines looking into his crystal gaze without one little mistake.

"Good pilgrim, you do wrong you hand too much, Which mannerly devotion shows in this: For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch, And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss"

They had to lift their hands palm to palm. There was something sensual about this Draco liked. Something over came him and everything that followed came naturally. As if it was real. He was no longer acting as if he yearned for the kiss--he wanted it in reality. Moving closer he said, "Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?"

Hermione smiled at him.

"Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer."

Draco's eyes shined with something unknown to him, something Hermione had never seen in them.

"O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do;" he moves closer to her lips, "They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair."

Hermione's heart was pounding when she looked at Draco.

"Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake."

Now Draco's heart was pounding--he was suppose to kiss her after this next line.

"Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take. Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged."

Draco slowly moved in for the kiss. He could feel the heat from her and feel his heart pounding--this is acting, why am I reacting like this? He took a deep breath barely touching her lips when he decided he could not do it--he turned and swiftly left.

****

Hermione entered the Gryffindor common room still pondering what was going on with Draco. Things just were not the same and she was thankful for it. At least it took her mind off the strange happenings in her own mind. On entering through the portrait hole several blue bubbles floated passed Hermione. Obviously, Dumbledore's treat bags had Droobles Best Blowing Gum--hence bubbles for a couple days. In the corner Seamus had been eating Pepper Imps and was now breathing fire for everyone. She rolled her eyes and made her way over to Ron and Harry.

"How did rehearsal go," Harry asked.

"You do not want to know."

"Well, Ron and I have something that might make you feel better." Hermione perked up. "Some people heard Ron explaining your unexplained dance talent and the whole muggle club thing and well, they were interested."

"Harry, what are you up to?"

"The Room of Requirement in a few weeks. All we have to do is want it right?" Hermione looked from Harry to Ron's goofy grin back to Harry. They were trying to keep her mind off of the whole unknown power thing. She reluctantly agreed.

"We'll let Pansy and Millicent know," Said Ron. Hermione looked at him waiting for more explanation, but he just gave Harry a guilt ridden look.

"It was kind of their idea," Harry explained. "Where to do it as was ours of course."

"Aren't you worried that they may barge in on the DA meetings?"

"No, Hermione. Not all Slytherins are bad."

Hermione just smiled knowingly at Harry.

"Obviously."

The boy who lived blushed in front of her.

****

~ The man had his dark hood up so his face was not recognizable. The girl stood in front of him--unafraid. She looked right into his snakelike eyes, as an evil grin formed on her innocent lit;Yes, master." She turns furiously as thunder and lightening crashes. Her brown hair fanning out around her. She looks the Boy Wonder in the eyes maliciously, licking her lips.

"This should be fun."

He knew who it was, but her voice was full of hate. No wand in hand, she raises both her arms. He notices another boy is standing next to him. Why? The girl pauses to look them each in the eye with the same evil grin never before seen on her angelic face.

"AVADA..."

Something passed over her face and mirrored in her eyes. Her normal innocent voice found itself in a whisper,

"Harry, Draco, save me." ~

Harry fell out of bed clutching his head, screaming.

****

~She looked the man in his red eyes. She knew HE felt uncomfortable and could take to killing her if he felt the need. She did not care. She was not afraid of this.man. She saw fear flash through this monster's eyes for the first time. Even Harry did not bring this look upon his face.

"Yes, master."

She turned, feeling her power surround her pushing her hair out as she faced Harry and next to him was Draco.

"This should be fun."

She grinned evilly. She looked the Gryffindor and the Slytherin in the eyes and raised her arms feeling the power welling up to be expelled.

"AVADA..."

Something caught her in Draco's eyes and Harry's. Suddenly, she whispered, "Harry, Draco, save me."~

Hermione woke up on the floor having fallen from the bed and Lavender and Parvati staring at her.

****

Down in the dungeons, Draco woke up screaming Hermione's name.