Rescue Me

Chapter Seven: Enemies

The walls between

You and I
Always pushing us apart nothing left but scars fight after fight
The space between

Our calm and rage
started growing shorter, disappearing slowly day after day
I was sitting there waiting in my room for you
You were waiting for me too
And it makes me wonder

The older I get
Will I get over it
It's been way too long for the times we missed
I didn't know then it would hurt like this but I think
The older I get
Maybe I'll get over it
It's been way too long for the times we missed
I can't believe it still hurts like this

-lyrics from "The Older I Get" by Skillet

Hermione pulled Draco away from her, his kiss still fresh on her lips. He smiled.

"What was that for?" he asked.

"Why do you need to ask?" she shot back, pulling him in closer. "Why don't you just accept your fate?"

He kissed her again.

I can't believe I'm doing this.

That was the only thing that Hermione could think. She had no idea how she could allow herself to be this close to Draco... it seemed so...strange. She had always hated him and now, somehow, she had decided that she loved him.

Draco grabbed Hermione's hand and led her away, back to his dorm room.

--

Harry was getting fed up with everything that was going on. It was stressful enough dealing with the death of Dumbledore and thinking of the final battle between him and Voldemort, but now he had to death with the Ron and Hermione drama. He had no idea what was the matter with Ron. He had always thought that Ron liked Hermione. He knew that Hermione liked Ron... But why was Ron with Parvati? He shook his head, not wanting to hurt his brain over something so childish.

He went into his room and found Ron sitting on his bed, looking relatively distraught.

"Hey," said Harry. "What's wrong?"

Ron shrugged. "I feel bad."

"Why?" he asked, sitting down across from him.

"Hermione."

Harry nodded. "I see."

"What's going on, Harry? I mean, I never thought that I could treat Hermione like this before."

"Like what?"

Ron shot Harry an angry glare. "Don't pretend like you don't know. Everybody knows. I hear the whispers behind my back. Everyone thinks that I'm treating Hermione like shit. Everyone, Harry. No one likes the idea of me and Parvati together... And I think that everyone thinks Parvati's lying about the things she's accusing Hermione of."

Harry took a deep breath and nodded slowly. "All right, well, I know that what you're thinking is sort of true. Everyone does think she's lying, I've heard it too. But Ron, you can't listen to what everyone else is saying. You have to do what you think is right."

"But I don't know what is right. I feel like I should be with Hermione."

"Then be with Hermione."

"But I also feel like it's right with Parvati."

"Well, Ron, think of it this way: As far as what Parvati's saying about Hermione, who do you trust more? Do you honestly think Hermione would say that kind of stuff, and do you honestly think she'd lie to you about it?"

Ron sat for a moment. "Well, I do suppose it seems a bit incredulous."

"Well, then it's a bit incredulous! Come on, Ron. No one else can make your decisions but you."

"I know," said Ron. "I suppose I just need some time to think."

"Do you want me to leave you alone?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, actually. Sorry."

"No problem."

Harry went back down to the Common Room where he found Parvati sitting in front of the fire. For some bizarre reason, Harry felt a sense of rage coming up on him.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he snapped.

Parvati looked up, a bit taken aback by Harry's attitude. "What are you talking about?"

"You're a lying, backstabbing bitch, did you know that?"

Parvati laughed. "I may be lying and backstabbing, but at least I'm good at doing both."

Harry's mouth dropped open. "You stupid bitch! How could you be taking advantage of Ron like that?"

Parvati laughed again. "Harry, you're so insolent! I'm not taking advantage of Ron! I feel bad for bringing him into this, actually. I'm taking advantage of Hermione, darling."

"WHAT?!"

"Come on, Harry. For being so 'smart', you sure are sort of dumb."

"What's wrong with Hermione?"

"Nothing, really. I'm just sort of fed up with her."

"Fed up with her?"

"Yeah. She always gets everything she wants."

"What? That's ridiculous!"

"You may say that's ridiculous, and it may be... But if she doesn't have everything she wants, she has everything I want. She's got good grades, and we all know that I'm barely passing. And she had Ron. And Ron's all I ever wanted. And then she told me that she liked Ron, and he told me that he liked me, and I liked him, and then it just sort of happened."

"But why are you lying about what Hermione's not actually telling you?"

"Because even though Ron was with me, he was sort of looking over at her. I had to make sure I kept him."

"You're a bitch."

She smiled. "And proud."

"Rot in hell."

Harry left the Common Room to go in search of Hermione. He felt that she sort of deserved to know what was going on, since Parvati really was being a hardcore bitch.

Harry found Hermione in the hall, and she looked a little...messy.

"Hermione," he said, sort of taken aback.

"Oh," said Hermione, trying to fix her hair. "Hello, Harry."

"Where have you been? I was looking for you."

"Oh, I went to go visit Marla."

"Who's Marla?"

"I never told you about Marla?"

"No."

"Oh... She's my friend from Slytherin. Now, I know you're going to think I'm crazy... in fact, I read it on your face...but she's nice...She really is nice, I'll introduce you. She wants to meet you. She really doesn't belong in Slytherin."

"Oh, I see."

"Yeah. There's really nothing to worry about, don't worry."

"HARRY!!!!!"

Harry turned around to find an absolutely pissed off Ron stomping towards him.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?"

Harry raised an eyebrow. "What the hell do you think you're talking about?"

"How could you treat Parvati like that!"

Parvati leaned out from behind Ron, smiling at Harry, and Harry and Hermione's mouths dropped. Ron turned and Parvati began to "cry."

"WHAT?!" shouted Harry. "What are you talking about?"

"You were lying to me up in our room, weren't you! You wanted me to be with Hermione because you think Parvati's easy and she hadn't gotten any in a while and so that's why she got with me!"

"That's absolutely absurd, Ron!"

"Is it? That's what she told me."

"So everything she says just happens to be the truth now?"

"When it comes from her, yes, in fact. I trust her."

"And you don't trust me?"

"Not when you talk to her like that."

Harry and Hermione exchanged glances.

"You know what, Ron?" said Hermione. "I don't know where you think you can get off treating your friends like this. You've fallen off the stupid cliff and you're rolling down it head-over-heels for Parvati. When you feel like you can actually keep your alliance with your friends, come and find me and Harry."

She grabbed Harry's wrist and they walked away. Hermione was fuming and Harry was completely confused about how Ron was treating them.

"What is his problem?" he asked.

Hermione stopped in a deserted hallway. "I have no idea," she said.

He's making me hurt.

"And what's wrong with you?"

Hermione looked a little taken aback. "What do you mean?"

"I mean recently you've looked a little pale. You're starting to get bags under your eyes, you're getting extremely thin, extremely secretive, and you seem to be disappearing a lot. And this all seemed to start happening around the time when Ron began to date Parvati. I don't really know if anybody else has noticed, but I have and you're starting to frighten me just a little bit. Are you all right? Because if you're not, you know you can talk to me."

Hermione sighed and looked down.

I need help.

This time, Hermione didn't just think it. She voiced it.

"I need help, Harry," she said, beginning to cry. "I don't know what's happening to me! I'm spiraling out of control, and it all needs to stop!"

She fell to the ground crying and Harry wrapped his arms around her.

"Hermione, what's going on?"

Hermione rolled up her wrists. "This is only part of it," she whimpered. "And it's all because of Ron! It all started with him not wanting me...and it all continued with this whole stupid Parvati thing...and I've wanted to tell so many people! I didn't want to keep it this whole big secret, but I wanted Ron to figure it out before anybody else. I kept imagining him coming to rescue me... he would be my knight in shining armor and everything would be all right... I never really wanted to die; I just wanted him to notice.

"Harry, please don't tell anyone. I've also gone to some parties with the Slytherins and I forced myself to throw up... Harry, I trust you with this. Please don't fear for me. Find some way to get Ron to figure out what's going on. He's the only person who can save me now, Harry."

She continued to cry and Harry held Hermione close.

"Hermione, I had no idea."

"Well, I guess I'm good at hiding it then," she said, trying to force a laugh.

"Hermione, you should've told me."

"I know."

"Or at least told somebody else."

"I know, I know... It was just hard for me, all right?"

"I know. And I'll try to convince Ron. He's just being really stupid right now."

"I sort of figured that one out on my own."

They laughed.

"Well, I'm glad I know now," Harry said.

"Me, too. But listen, I have to go. I have to do some studying and it's sort of piling up."

"All right. I'll see you back in the common room."

Harry and Hermione went their separate ways, but Hermione didn't have any homework to catch up on. She went back to the Slytherin Common Room. She didn't know what forces were forcing her to go back, but she knew she needed some sort of comfort.

Earlier it had just been her and Draco. She didn't know if it would be the same way this time, but she thought that it would be worth a try.

"Morsmordre," she whispered and went into the Common Room. It was empty. "Draco?" she called out. Her voice actually echoed around the dungeon.

There were footsteps behind her and she turned to find Draco.

"Hey," Draco said happily. "I see you've come back for more."

Hermione smiled. "Well, I don't know... Draco, how do you feel about me?"

Draco approached her and put his arms around her. "You know how I feel..." he whispered. His whisper sent chills down her spine.

"No, I don't. Am I just used for your pleasure?"

"Of course not! I love you." He kissed her.

She began to cry again. "But I don't think that I love you," she said.

"That's all right. You don't need to love me. I just want you to...I just want you to want me. It doesn't matter your reasoning or anything... I just want you to think of me as I think of you."

Hermione smiled.

"Now, let's give you what you came here for."

Draco led Hermione up the stairs and shut the door behind them.

--

Harry went into the dorm room to find Ron sitting there. He sighed and sat on his bed, pulling out some of his homework. He could feel Ron's eyes glaring at him, but he chose to ignore them.

"Why did you say those things, Harry?" Ron asked.

Harry slammed his book shut. "Ron, you're a right fool, do you know that?"

"Why?"

"She's got you under her thumb! I can't believe that you'd think that both me and Hermione would tell her all these stupid things! You're such an idiot!"

"How am I supposed to know who's telling the truth and who's not?"

"Well, I vaguely remember a conversation we had earlier about you having to decide who you can trust and who you can't. And just in case you need some help in deciding, I'll just let you know that Hermione and I wouldn't lie to you about something like this, and we both want to see you happy instead of watching you sulk around all the time like your life is coming to an end! You're such an idiot, Ron!"

Harry stood up and walked out of the dorm, but Ron wasn't letting him go that easily. The Common Room was filled with people, but that didn't stop either one of them.

"I can't believe that's what you really think of me!" Ron hissed.

"I can't believe that you honestly think Hermione and I would do that, but I guess this day is full of surprises, isn't it?"

"You're an ass."

"I'd rather be an ass than a stupid git who lets his stupid girlfriend wrap him around her finger and sabotage all of his friends."

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"She doesn't even really want you! She said so herself. She said she actually felt bad for forcing you to 'be part of this' and this was really all directed towards Hermione. You really have no idea what's going on, do you?"

"What are you talking about?"

The people in the Common Room had sort of backed up in order to give them some space, but Harry and Ron ignored all of them and continued with their anger.

"Parvati doesn't like you," said Harry sharply. "She's just using you."

"You're lying."

"You're in denial."

"I don't believe you."

"I'm not surprised."

Ron stared at Harry for a moment, shifting his weight.

"Well," he said softly. "I think that after all this everything can become apparent. Everything's apparent that you and Hermione just don't want to see me happy."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Oh, whine! Gosh, Ron! I don't think Ginny's the only girl in your family, I think you've just been hiding it from us all along."

Ron walked straight up to Harry and punched him in the face, then left the Common Room. Harry looked around at everyone who was just sort of staring back at him.

"What do you want?" he snapped.

Everyone continued doing what they were doing.

--

I still can't believe I'm letting him do this.

Hermione rolled over, leaving Draco alone and asleep. They were both naked and had just finished having some fun and she began to put her robes back on. He rolled over and put his arm around her waist.

"Where are you going?" he whispered.

"I need to go away," she said back.

"Why?"

"Draco, this isn't right."

"But it's fun."

"Fun doesn't always mean something."

"Why are you being like this?"

"I'm not being like anything. I just... Draco, it's apparent that you're good, we don't need to discuss anything there. But the truth is... I hate you. I genuinely hate you. And although that shouldn't effect me, somehow I still have a guilty conscience. You don't deserve to be used like I'm using you. I'm just using you to deal with my pain."

"I don't mind, Hermione, really. I knew that when it first started. Why do you think I raped you?"

She hit him. "I still can't believe you did that!" she snapped.

"Well, you came back for more."

"Draco, this isn't right," she whispered.

"Think about it," he said, softly kissing her shoulder. The kiss sent chills down her spine. "Think about it and then let me know."

She started to cry and left the room. Draco smiled, knowing that she wasn't going to go very far.

Hermione went to the out of order bathroom again. It seemed like it had been forever since she had forced herself to throw up, and she knew that her self-destructive ways were going to get worse.

Tears flowed down Hermione's eyes as she gagged herself until she threw up. She sat in the stall and looked up and stared at the window.

Myrtle drifted slowly in through the stall wall and sat next to Hermione.

"Hermione," she said softly. "You haven't begun to feel any better?"

Hermione shook her head.

"I don't know what the problem is. Every day it just seems to get worse."

"Do you feel like telling me about it?"

"Ron hates me. That stupid hoe Parvati told him lies about me. He hates Harry now too because she told him the same thing. It makes no sense why he doesn't trust us. Harry found out about all the things I do to myself." She started to cry. "All but one. He doesn't know that I've degraded myself enough to sleep with Draco." She sobbed a little. "And he raped me... and I went back for more... I hate him, but what he does... the pain he forces me to have...it makes me feel better."

Hermione let the tears roll and Myrtle actually wished she could've hugged Hermione.

"Everything's just gotten worse," Hermione sobbed. "It just seems like it's all spiraling out of control and I don't know what to do. Myrtle, I think I'm going over the edge."

Myrtle sighed. "I know this may not be what you want to hear," she said. "But my offer still stands. I still feel alone in here all by myself, day after day, hour after hour. None of the other ghosts like me, and so I know how you feel."

"Myrtle, I don't know what to do."

"Life isn't an easy thing, Hermione. The hardest thing to do in life is just to get through it. But that's the great thing about death. If you die now, you can come back and haunt all the bastards who made you feel this way. And you can even get to their heirs if you want. No one who tortured me is around anymore, and so I feel a little bored."

Hermione locked her gaze with Myrtles. "Is death really not that bad?"

"It's better than life, in my opinion."

"I'll think about your offer, Myrtle. Thanks."

It might not be too long until you have your friend.