Scars That Heal (Dramione Fanfiction) [COMPLETE]

20 - Sticks and Stones

As she went to bed that night, Hermione was in two minds about Malfoy staying up for her. On one hand, it was ridiculous; he needed sleep too, and wasn't going to be helped by spending hours in the cold Tower, they could get caught, and Hermione didn't want to get into trouble by breaking the rules along with everything else.

But on the other hand Hermione was happy about it. She needed help and support, and she was so grateful for all Malfoy was doing for her. He was willing to get into trouble and lose out on sleep as long as he knew she was OK. It was a comfort knowing she had someone there for her, but it wasn't going to help her sleep without disturbance if part of her wanted to go and see him. She read some of her book, and tried to stay relaxed as she drifted into sleep. Hermione thought of watching the Lake, seeing ripples appear as bubbles rose to the surface. She remembered Dean's daft conversation about the giant squid at lunch and smiled as her mind shut off to sleep.

A cold, clear night. Thunder begins to rumble across the tops of the houses, spiraling down a tall chimney and into a well-furnished room. A body lies on the floor, soaked in red and dowsed in tears. It is a girl. She is unconscious, and rises up only when the hooded woman by the fireplace cackles in a way that shakes her splintered resolve. The girl sobs, crying out to be saved, for it to stop, stop! A cold knife appears from the woman's sleeve, and she twists it in an almost caring way as she steps towards the girl. She wields it, then cuts letters into the pale skin of the girl's arm. It forms a word. Mudblood. The girl cries, begging to be spared, but the woman gives a throaty chuckle and watches the rivulets of blood pool in the crease of the girl's wrist. The girl is too terrified to faint, even thought it might hurt less. Her head spins and she collapses as the knife is pushed against her skin again...

Hermione woke up with a feeling of rising. She was confused; the dream had never been in third person before. The structure of it was changing as she did. Hermione's heart was thrashing like a drowning person, and she tried to gulp back the panic threatening to choke her. No potion tonight. She grabbed her wand from her bedside table and slipped out of the dormitory. In a last rational thought, it occurred to her that it wouldn't be sensible to be spotted again, so she focused her messy mind and cast a Disillusionment Charm over herself. The feeling of having an egg cracked over her head was bizarre, but she watched as her skin rippled and became transparent. It was weak, she could feel that, so hopefully it would last long enough to get her to the Tower.

Hermione ran as fast as she could on tiptoe, and arrived at the trapdoor just as her skin gave another wriggle and the charm disappeared. She lifted the hatch and went inside.

She saw Malfoy leant against the wall, wrapped in a large blanket with some cushions around him. He was awake, staring glaze-eyed at the wall. His head whipped around as she closed the trapdoor, and he stood up to help her.

"Couldn't get rid of the nightmares, then?" he asked, holding her arm as she stumbled a little. She shivered once, a shake through her body, and he gave her a spare blanket.

"N-No. I thought I could, because I was relaxed as I fell asleep, but it never works like that. Of course it wouldn't work." She hung her head, so disappointed that she wasn't strong enough to fight against them.

"Hey, Granger. You knew it was never going to be easy. But a step back doesn't meant you're done for. Come on, sit down and relax. I even thought to bring hot chocolate with me in case you came." He grinned, and offered a mug to her.

Hermione smiled weakly and settled down on the pile of cushions. She took the mug and had a sip. It was starting to cool, but tasted delicious just the same. She perked up, and felt her nightmare leaving her.

"You know," she said, "There's a Muggle invention just for keep drinks warm."

"Merlin's beard, is there?" Malfoy asked, eyes wide in astonishment.