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Christian · 06-01-2007, 08:20 PM

What happens when the one you most loathe is lurking in the shadows where you are, stifling your mind, and whispering their voice into your unwilling ear?

Hermione comes back for year seven at Hogwarts, but little does she know that it is going to be quite a different year. Draco Malfoy is back, not as a student, but as a fully-fledged Death Eater. It's all a serpent's game...

Table of Contents
(for your convenience--or you can scroll down to the next post if you want)

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19

Christian · 06-04-2007, 01:08 AM

All was dark. I could hear water dripping, the sound echoing off the dank walls. My breathing was shallow as if I were expecting something, or someone. And then an icy hand gripped my forearm, making me scream and recoil. I didn’t really scream, though; no sound came out. There was a suffocating feeling, and I could make out the pale, pointed face of someone who looked so familiar…

“Hermione!”

I jerked awake, scaring Crookshanks from my lap. “What? What is it?” I wiped the sweat from my forehead, my heart beating at a faster rate than normal. Glancing out the Hogwarts Express window, I saw the scenery whizzing past.

From his seat beside me, Ron gave me a grim look. “Are you okay?” He offered me a chocolate frog, but I shook my head; he stuffed it into his mouth, not looking the least bit sorry that I’d refused his offer. “You looked like you were having a nightmare or something. Sort of like how Harry goes; but you looked more mental, if you ask me—“

Harry scoffed.

“Oh, shut up, Ron,” I groaned, pressing my hands against my eyes. “I’m fine.” I’m fine. Really. Or am I?

Peering at me, Harry asked, “Are you sure? You’re not getting—odd dreams, are you?”

Pursing my lips, I retorted, “Of course not.” I bit my lip. “Well… they may be a bit… dark, but that’s to be expected, with my constant worrying about what’s to happen…” A lump formed in my throat. Our seventh year at Hogwarts gave me a sense of foreboding.

Harry’s features softened. “Don’t worry now, ‘Mione.” Though his voice struggled to remain confident, I knew it was just one of his many facades.

Retreating back to my thoughts, I found that I could not rid the image of the pale face from my dream. I knew who it was. Of course, it was typical to have dreams about what one had thought about before drifting to sleep. No, I had not been thinking about Draco Malfoy in any fond way possible. I was simply racking my brain to find out what could have hindered him from killing Professor Dumbledore, where he went—

“That reminds me,” Harry declared as Ron chewed away on some Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans, “Malfoy isn’t coming back to the school.” He smiled—smirked would have been the better word of the two.

“He’s not?” I blurted, leaning forward in my seat slightly. But then I slapped myself mentally. Of course he wouldn’t return, not after his attempted murder and him being a new death eater. What was I thinking?

Shooting my a wry glance, Ron inquired, “Why would you care, ‘Mione?” For once he had stopped munching.

“No reason,” I told him hastily, arranging my mouth into a line to signal that this conversation was closed. When he and Harry were not looking, I shuddered. If anything, Draco Malfoy not being at Hogwarts should have prompted an ecstatic feeling, knowing that he couldn’t reach me. Then why did the knowledge of his nonexistence turn my fingers cold as ice?

dannylover · 06-04-2007, 06:07 PM

This is a great start! PAMS!!

peppy

P.S. I adore *worship* your siggy.

Christian · 06-04-2007, 10:25 PM

Thanks, I'm glad you are enjoying it so far!

Heh heh, James Franco is <3. *faints*

siriusblackliveson · 06-05-2007, 03:49 PM

I love the start to you FF it's very good it draws people in i'm hooked.
Way to go.
Can't wait for the nxt part.
-sarah or Joe what ever you prefer.

Christian · 06-05-2007, 10:28 PM

Thank you, Sarah! The next part should be up sometime soon, so stay tuned!

griffin_girl · 06-05-2007, 11:09 PM

*huggles Christian's Fic*

wow! nice start....grabbing readers from the very beginning...

*LoL my mom just passed by and saw your siggy and was all:

...can't say I blame her! we watched spiderman3 3 times just to see his killer-smile!!!

Christian · 06-06-2007, 02:19 AM

I hope it'll keep the readers wanting more.

Ha ha ha, everyone--I mean, everyone--loves James Franco.

dannylover · 06-06-2007, 02:33 AM

PAMS please!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christian

Ha ha ha, everyone--I mean, everyone--loves James Franco.

DUUUR. LOL.

Christian · 06-06-2007, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannylover

PAMS please!

DUUUR. LOL.

I'm posting!

~*~*~

Our footsteps echoed through the Hogwarts corridors the first night back at school as Ron and I patrolled. As the newly appointed Head Boy and Head Girl, it was our job to enforce the new security regulations. No one was to go anywhere alone—not even professors. I found my mind wandering back to earlier today. It had been weird, even eerie, not seeing Dumbledore’s smile behind those half-moon glasses. At the opening feast, Malfoy did not appear. I had heard from several others besides Harry that the Slytherin snob wasn’t coming back.

“Bit cold tonight, isn’t it?” Ron said, hands crammed inside his robe pockets; I had more than a reasonable estimate that he was clutching his wand.

Nodding absentmindedly, I scanned the hallways. No one was out, yet the dense silence seemed so loud. When we trod on certain places, our footsteps echoed in a million places. Patrolling at night was irksome indeed.

Glancing at me, Ron commented, “You look kind of cold.” A hand was inching out of his pocket.

“Well, uh, yes…you said it was cold yourself,” I stammered. Our footfalls slowed on the stone. He slipped an arm around my waist (very clumsily, but I couldn’t expect much smoothness from Ron— nevertheless, that was one thing I loved about him). Offering me a slight smile, he eyed me curiously in the faint light from the moon.

Suddenly I was very aware of how warm my cheeks felt and was thankful for the cover of darkness. “You know, we should be doing our duties,” I whispered, but let him turn me around so we were face to face.

He snorted. “You think too much about rules, ‘Mione.” Even with the minimal lighting, I could discern the redness of his hair. It seemed even brighter than before. “You know, I don’t think going off the duty for one minute will make a big difference,” he murmured with a hint of exasperation, though I knew he wasn’t angry.

Heart hammering in my chest, I responded (letting the reluctance in my voice show heavily), “Well, I suppose it wouldn’t hurt…” We had only shared one kiss before—this summer—and the old feeling was edging its way into me again.

Ron grinned. “I’m glad you don’t object too much.” He dipped his head down to mine, letting a hand run through my hair. I almost feel this mouth on mine when—

Tap. Tap. Tap. The sharp sound of footsteps reached our ears. I spun around, wand drawn. There was only one set of footsteps, which meant that this individual was either disobeying school regulations or not from Hogwarts altogether. My hands began to feel clammy. Beside me, Ron had unsheathed his wand as well.

“Who’s there?” I called, trying to control my voice in vain. There was no answer.

Then I saw it. The flash of platinum blonde hair. I’m sure Ron didn’t see anything, because when I let out a gasp, he asked, “What? What is it, ‘Mione?”

My eyes searched the darkness for Malfoy again. He’d vanished. “Nothing. Just a trick of the light.” I was aware of how high-pitched my voice had become.

Ron glanced at a clock nearby. “Our patrolling time is over. Let’s get back to the common room.” Wand still out, he grabbed my hand and we half-walked, half-trotted to Gryffindor Tower. The whole way back, I could not stop thinking about what—or who—I saw. Was it possible that he was here? My dream flashed before my eyes. Him being here did not bode well.

dannylover · 06-08-2007, 01:42 AM

A happy moment was interrupted so Malfoy could scare Hermione? Unacceptable! LOL. I want to know whether Malfoy's really there or not; is he? PAMS and let me know, yo!

peppy

siriusblackliveson · 06-08-2007, 02:23 PM

awesome it's really good.
your writing lures me in.
i can't wait to read the next one.
i know i'll stay tuned.
-sarah or joe

Godric Potter · 06-08-2007, 05:47 PM

good post
im not a huge fan of dramione fics, but this is very well written
pams pams pams

Christian · 06-08-2007, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannylover

A happy moment was interrupted so Malfoy could scare Hermione? Unacceptable! LOL. I want to know whether Malfoy's really there or not; is he? PAMS and let me know, yo!

peppy

I can't bear to keep Ron/Hermione romance bits on for a long time because I honestly am not a fan of that ship at all.

We'll see where Draco is soon enough...

Quote:

Originally Posted by siriusblackliveson

awesome it's really good.
your writing lures me in.
i can't wait to read the next one.
i know i'll stay tuned.
-sarah or joe

Yayy, I'm glad it grabs your attention...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godric Potter

good post
im not a huge fan of dramione fics, but this is very well written
pams pams pams

Yeah, most people think I'm crazy for liking D/Hr...but it's my favorite ship. ^^ Thanks!

LyonLover417 · 06-10-2007, 11:05 PM

New Reader! And I'm an avid D/Hr fan! PAMS please!

Katie

Christian · 06-10-2007, 11:08 PM

Thanks for reading! I'll post the next chapter soon, hopefully.

siriusblackliveson · 06-11-2007, 12:27 AM

yay i can't wait for it.

Christian · 06-11-2007, 10:34 PM

Here it is!

~*~*~

“So, as I was saying, Ronald, you really shouldn’t fool around so much. You may as well use this last year at Hogwarts, not waste it away,” I huffed as Harry, Ron and I bustled down the Hogwarts marble staircase.

Ron rolled his eyes. “Give it a rest, Hermione. You sound more like my mum every day.”

I pursed my lips and retorted, “Well, it’s not as if—“

But a blonde-haired someone bumped into me, sending my many pieces of parchment and quills flying. I gasped and then groaned loudly, watching my bottles of ink smash their way down to the bottom.

“Oh my, was that me?” A dreamy voice met my ears. “Oh dear.”

“Hullo, Luna,” Harry greeted, giving me time to summon my undamaged belongings back.

Luna smiled vaguely. “Good afternoon, Harry, Ron. Hermione, are you all right? I am sorry about this mess.” She bent down to retrieve the pieces of parchment for me.

“That’s quite alright,” I mumbled, jamming the bent quills into my book bag, mourning silently over their short lifespan.

Smiling apologetically, Luna waved and drifted up the staircase.

She was nearly gone when Ron noticed one of her butterbeer cork earrings on a step. “Oy! Luna!” he called. But she had already disappeared in the throng of students.

“She won’t want to be missing that,” Harry commented, amusement in his eyes.

“I don’t want to be seen carrying around pieces of Luna’s jewelry,” moaned Ron, staring at the trinket in his hand. He clasped his hand shut when a group of sixth year boys passed, watching him curiously.

I yanked it from Ron’s hand. “I’ll take it to her, then, if it’s such a hard thing to do. Honestly!”

~

The day passed in a whirr of color and frenzied excitement. New security measures had been set up at the school—at lunchtime, dragons had been flown in to guard the school entrances.

After the last bell rang, I found myself fighting through the crowds threatening to run me over in search of Luna. According to the Marauder’s Map, Luna was sitting at one of the library study tables.

Breathing fast and most likely two pounds lighter from the excruciating physical activity required to get to the library, I tiredly pushed the doors open. Nothing could be heard but the ticking of the clock over Madam Pince’s desk. She looked up through her tiny glasses at me. I nodded to her and smiled, toting my bag with me in search of Luna.

I found her almost immediately. She raised her pale blue eyes slowly with my approach. “Why, hello, Hermione,” she greeted.

“I have your earring here; it must have dropped when you were helping me pick up my things,” I explained, digging into my bag, which proved a difficult task.

She said nothing but waited patiently for me to produce her missing earring. When I found it, she thanked me and stuck it into her ear.

My gaze drifted to the book she was reading. It seemed to have been one I had not yet read—it was entitled Ravenclaw’s Magic Baton: A Study of the Wisest Founder’s Wand. I had to conceal my laughter after I’d read the title.

“It is an interesting read,” Luna commented, seemingly oblivious to my futile attempts of silence. “Since my mother inherited the wand, I find it quite intriguing. It will be passed on to me someday.” She let a whimsical sigh escape her lips.

My eyes widened. “That’s really cool, Luna. I would’ve never thought.”

“Of course, Dad won’t let me have it till I’m older, at least of age.” Wrinkling her nose, she closed the book and ran her hand along the cover, humming tunelessly.

“I’d best be off now,” I declared, hoisting my bag upon my shoulder. I waved goodbye and headed out the doors.

“Miss Granger!” A sharp voice exclaimed the moment I stepped outside the library. Professor McGonagall was walking briskly towards me, eyebrows furrowed. “I am quite aware that you are Head Girl, but that does not give you any reason to walk the Hogwarts corridors alone.”

“Sorry, Professor,” I apologized, head lowered.

Professor McGonagall softened. “That’s all right. It is for your own safety; I hope you set an example for the rest. I must escort you back to Gryffindor tower.”

dannylover · 06-12-2007, 04:58 PM

That was a nice post, Chris!

Now where's Malfoy...

PAMS!

peppy

Christian · 06-12-2007, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannylover

That was a nice post, Chris!

Now where's Malfoy...

PAMS!

peppy

Chris? Oh, I get it. Christian.

He'll turn up soon, I hope. I find the mysterious, handsome Draco very appealing.

Ha ha.

siriusblackliveson · 06-15-2007, 03:14 PM

i wove it still.... i can't wait to read the next part yet again. so it's really fun i like it and want more... gah.
-sarah

Christian · 06-21-2007, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siriusblackliveson

i wove it still.... i can't wait to read the next part yet again. so it's really fun i like it and want more... gah.
-sarah

Here's more!

~*~*~

Ron was playing wizard’s chess by himself when I entered the Gryffindor common room.

“Did you find Luna?” Ron asked, looking up momentarily.

“I did,” I answered, dropping my book bag by my feet and sitting down on one of the worn couches by him. “Where’s Harry?” I asked when I realized he was nowhere to be seen.

“Went up to the dorms to concentrate on homework,” Ron explained, packing up his chessboard. Though he said this causally, there was a strain in his voice, worry creasing on his brow. He sat down on the couch beside me.

Pursing my lips and letting my tone drop quieter so no one could hear us, I inquired, “You don’t think he’s going to do anything…rash, do you?” Harry was getting more and more weary these days. I could see the bags under his eyes and the frequent rubbing of his forehead where his scar was.

Ron shrugged.

“Don’t let him run away without us, all right?” I told Ron. “He can’t go off hunting V-Voldemort alone.”

Wincing at the sound of Voldemort’s name, Ron didn’t reply and rose to stoke the already blazing fire.

“Ron?”

Sighing, he finally murmured, “I’ll do what I can.”

I raised an eyebrow, uncertain of the truthfulness behind his promise.

Turning towards me, he placed both hands lightly on my waist. “Don’t worry about it, Hermione,” he assured me huskily. Smiling, he kissed me on the cheek.

“We have prefect duties tonight; I should finish my homework or I won’t get it done for tomorrow,” I reminded him. He sighed. “That goes for you too, Ronald,” I said sternly, picking up my schoolbag.

“What about we work on homework at those tables then?” he asked, placing a hand on the small of my back and directing us towards a secluded corner.

“As long as we work,” I compromised.

Ron pulled a chair out for me, grinning. “Ladies first.”

“Thank you, Ronald.” Smiling back, I sat down and spread my work out while Ron was scooting close enough so our bodies were brushing.

Of course, I started working right away. My mind could work that way: switch gears from one activity to another. Ron’s brain evidently could not.

As I composed a lengthy essay for Potions, Ron mainly stared at the draperies in the common room, the ceiling, glanced at me from time to time, and scribbled a few words down occasionally.

After an hour of silent working, I was nearly finished my essay. Ron, however, had only completed three paragraphs.

“’Mione,” he whined into my ear, propping his elbow on the back of my stiff wooden chair, “I’m sick of working.”

“Well, I’m not,” I huffed, though it was hard to concentrate with him breathing into my ear.

Ron groaned. “Oh, come off it,” he muttered, prying the quill from my hand. “Just a little break won’t hurt.” He grinned and I couldn’t help noticing how it lit up his eyes. When I turned to face him, he caught my chin and kissed me in mid breath, just as I was about to reprimand him. And for a moment I forgot what I was going to say, because everything else was drowning my words into nothingness.