Sweet Sixteen

~Chapter Five~

Hermione's first initial thought was to reach forward, kick the knife out of their hands, grab her parents, and get the heck out of there. But as she didn't know where to go, it wouldn't be much use. For the first time in her life, she had a problem she couldn't figure out the answer to. Either she told on Harry, and got him and hundreds of people killed, or watch her parents die. Neither choice was rather appealing to her. Hermione suddenly became aware that all eyes were upon her; including her mother's that were filled with tears of...pain? Sorrow? Regret? She wasn't sure. She looked over at her father whose eyes were closed so tight, even a wrench couldn't pull them apart. Before she could open her mouth to speak, the Death Eaters holding her parents, moved the blade across their necks in a swift motion. When they released the metal, a pool of dark red liquid came oozing out of her parents' throats.

What happened next made Hermione feel that everything was moving in slow motion. She could see people moving in and out of her mind, feel her unsteady breath pounding in her ears. Suddenly she felt a throbbing pain in her knees, and realized her legs must have given way. She could sense someone sitting next to her, and pouring a drink down her throat. And as if on cue, every moment of pain she saw tonight was re-playing in her head: being kidnapped, seeing all those people being tortured, her parents dying. Hermione felt a jolt in her stomach as well as felt a burning liquid travel upward to her esophagus, then out of her mouth, spilling on the floor. She looked up, gasping audibly, and found herself in a completely different room, in fact, a completely different place, one of the common rooms of Hogwarts!

'Maybe,' Hermione thought desperately. 'Maybe I was just dreaming, and my parents are still alive!' She felt movement to her right and snapped her head around to find Draco Malfoy coming up to her carrying a wet washcloth.

"Good, you finally woke up. I kindly thank you for puking on the rug, lucky for you, I'm a wizard, and I didn't have to clean it up by hand," he said smirking, while placing the cold cloth on her head.

"Where am I?" asked an embarrassed Hermione.

"The Slytherin common room," Draco answered.

"Why?" pressed Hermione.

"Because you were in shock, and it looked like you could use rest, unless, of course, you want to go back." As he said this his eyebrow went up in a questioning manner.

Hermione didn't answer his question. She just stared ahead, getting a glossy look in her eye. Draco was beginning to feel a bit unnerved.

"What are you staring at?" snapped Draco.

"Sorry, its just... so my parents, their really.... Dead?" choked Hermione.

Draco had no idea what to do. He had never dealt with a crying woman before. 'I liked her better when she was asleep' Draco thought. Unsure of what to say, he instead awkwardly patted her back at an unsteady rhythm. Hermione was the first to break the silence.

"Thanks so much for taking care of me, but I better be going." In response, Draco nodded, rising with her. As soon as he did, he immediately regretted it and sat back down. Just because he didn't hate Muggle-born's didn't mean he had to like this Muggle-born imparticular. Hermione crossed the room, a little wobbly at first, but having made the door just the same. 'I hope Harry and Ron aren't in the common room,' she found herself saying mentally. 'They're my best friends, but I don't think I'm ready to talk, not yet at least'. As she finished thinking up her little speech that she was going to tell Harry and Ron, she told the Fat Lady ((Is that supposed to be capitalized? Yep, it is.)) the password and shuffled in. "Damn," Hermione swore inwardly. She tried to act casual, but she thought her attempts looked scary, not casual. She glanced to see if they were looking at her. They were indeed looking at someone, although it wasn't her. Cho (Cho??? *Groans*, sorry, but I don't like her much...) and Parvati were lying on Harry and Ron's laps, they didn't even realize she was there.

"Hi boys," she said almost inaudibly. They both turned their heads.

"Oh, hi, 'Mione, I didn't even know you came in. Is something up? You look like someone just died," asked an innocent looking Ron.

Hermione didn't answer, but instead fled to her dorm, eyes filling up with tears.

Both boys just shrugged their shoulders and went back to "business". It was like that for another week. Harry and Ron ignoring Hermione and instead focusing on their new found girlfriends. On Friday she became almost desperate to get their attention, she even tried new hairstyles, studying a half an hour less, talking to Seamus and Dean, wearing new robes, but still ... nothing.

One day during Potions, Snape was pairing off students randomly for the Truth Potion assignment. She was silently hoping for Harry and Ron, but knew that Snape would rather be James's best friend than to put the 'Dream Team' together.

She heard Snape's drawing voice: "Weasley, Goyle. Potter, Bulstrode." Hermione smiled inwardly. On and on the list went. Then Snape told them it should be done in a weeks time. Hermione was about to tell Snape she didn't have a partner, but someone beat her to it.

"Sir, I don't have a partner," said Draco in a lazy tone.

"Oh, well who else doesn't have a partner?" Snape barked.

The whole room went silent: everyone was looking around. Silently and slowly, Hermione raised her hand. Snape's already pale face went even paler. Than he finally said, "Fine. Granger, Malfoy. Why is everyone staring? Get back to work," Snape growled returning to his office. Hermione was about to object, but stopped herself. Snape wouldn't change her partner, but he would, however, take House points. So, she silently picked up her things and began to walk towards him.

"At least I'll get an A," drawled Malfoy.

Hermione sat down without a word and started to work. Hermione and Draco brewed the potion for the entire hour, neither one speaking, until...

"So, why are Potty and Weasel mad at you?" Draco asked casually. Hermione just stared at him.

"They're not mad at me," responded Hormone.

"Than why are you trying to get their attention?" Draco retorted.

"I'm not."

"Are too."

"I'm not."

"Are too."

"I'm.... fine! They have girlfriends, so they kind of don't pay attention to me," sighed Hermione.

"Do they know about your parents?" he asked quietly. Hermione was silent for a moment, then...

"No," she answered finally. "They've been a little busy."

"Do you want me to tell them?" asked Draco. (What was his expression, tone of voice? Tell the reader so they get a better idea of the - er - atmosphere...)

"No!" Hermione shouted so loud, the whole class turned to look at her. Draco gave her what she thought was the tiniest hint of a smile, but it disappeared almost immediately.

"I was just asking. Look I found this piece of paper in my house, it's from Krum. Oh, and don't think me not calling you a Mudblood has meant I've changed, I just don't want to get a bad grade on this." With that, he stalked off. Hermione opened the letter in her hands and read:

.... Arm, I'm sure you will find what you need there, good luck on life, and please be careful.

Viktor Krum ((can you read that? Yes!))

Hermione sat there with a confused look on her face. What in the name of Merlin did that first letter say?! She got so frustrated with trying to figure out the letter that she threw it away. Was it the left arm? No right? Yes, right. No, left. Oh well, all this didn't matter anyway. There was no way she could get out of Hogwarts, into his parents yard, dig him up, then put him back so no one suspects anything, and get back in time for classes. Not to mention, she would need someone who knew where to go. I mean she couldn't.... could she?

She woke up the next morning, very determined, she was going to find out what was under his right? Left? Arm she couldn't care less how. Hermione now found herself in the dungeons, she was almost to the Potions room when...THUD. Hermione hit Harry dead on, 'He must be in a hurry,' she thought.

"Hermione, I'm sorry, are you okay?" asked a very much out-of-breath Harry.

"Oh, yes I'm fine," answered Hermione.

"So, what did Malfoy give you?" asked Harry, in what he hoped was a casual tone.

"You saw him give me the paper?" asked a stunned Hermione.

"Yeah. Ron and I both. Look if he's ever mean to you, just tell me, okay?" He gave her a small smile and went to class.

"Hmmmmm... at least he finally noticed me, even if I was with...." Just then as Hermione was walking inside the Potions room, an idea struck her. She took her seat, turned to the right of her and asked,

"So, Malfoy, you know where Viktor's parents live from here, right?"