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Illusions Of Reality	By : Alexa_Sterling Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 11048 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: For Fan fiction. I do not own Harry Potter or the characters. I don't make any money/profit by writing this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Beginnings
- 2-Nobody
- 3-Scars
- 4-Stares
- 5-Dreams
- 6-Requests
- 1
- 2
Illusions Of Reality
Author Notes:
Well .. Hello, everyone. This is my first story. My friend is assisting me with this. Please review. It will make my day. So make sure you people review! And thank you for reading the story! New updates soon! I am open to suggestions and constructive criticism. So please take some time, read and review! Have Fun.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Harry Potter is all the property of J.K. Rowling. I'm just playing with her characters. I do not make any profit with this fan fiction.
Chapter 1: Beginnings
I woke up drenched in sweat, gasping and panting like I have just run a marathon. It wasn't unusual. It hasn't been since last May. Since I had started sleeping properly without the fear of being caught. I got up and planted my feet firmly on the rug, closing my eyes for a moment to avoid the dizzy spells and the wave of nausea that was now a waking up call for me. Sighing and steadying my wobbly feet I made to the bathroom door and opened it with great effort. My legs were shaking. So were my hands. I stumbled into the bathroom clutching the sides of the sink with my head bowed. I laughed to myself. My voice was rough and my throat raw. This is how Harry found him back in the sixth year.
That's what I tell myself every day I do this. I washed my face with water taking deep calming breaths. Finally, I dare to look at my face. I barely flinch when I see myself. My eyes are sunken. They look hollow. I rival his complexion now. I scrubbed my face until my skin felt raw and brushed my teeth. I tried to forget everything. It was hard. I told myself I could do it. Do it for everyone who thought I was doing exceptionally well. Plaster a fake smile on my face and lie to people I'm perfectly fine thank you very much. But it doesn't come naturally to me. I had to practice for weeks to tell that particular lie so properly that Salazar Slytherin would have been proud of me. I take another breath and practice my lies again, muster up the confidence to look as the bossy little know it all I am. The brightest witch of her age. The brave Gryffindor princess. The one who hides everything under the facade.
That's how I brace myself and come out of the bathroom fully dressed and as the Hermione Granger, everyone knows. It's 3 in the morning and another reminder of my now disturbed sleeping patterns. I shake my head and look at Crooks who is fast asleep by my bed. It's a miracle he survived the incident at Bill's wedding. The Clever cat my familiar. I triple check everything in my trunk again, making sure I haven't forgotten anything. I live in my now empty childhood home. My parents... I shudder thinking about them. They are still in Australia, as a content couple.
I decided I let them stay like that for a while. I can't handle my condition, it's how I refer it as now, Without breaking down in front of them. And I can't face them and their disappointment when they realise what I have done to them. Not to mention how effective the reversal might or might not be… No. This is a new day. I can't just spend my time drowning in past memories. Not just any day. It's September first. The day I return to Hogwarts again. For a new year. For a new beginning. For a new dawn. I walk back to the kitchen with my Arithmancy book in one hand a ladle in another to cook something for myself while I'm still capable that is.
1st September 1998, Tuesday, 8 A.M, The Apple Drop Cottage, Heathgate, Hampstead.
After gobbling up my breakfast, waking Crooks up and finishing this semester's Arithmancy syllabus, I completely ward my home, lock it the muggle way and apparate over to the Weasley's. It was surprisingly chaotic today. It hasn't been this way since months. Since Fred's passing away. My gaze fell on Molly who was fussing over the breakfast and asking Ginny to pack her trunk up and Arthur who was reading the Daily Prophet with Harry on its front page as usual. Charlie returned to Romania. Bill and Fleur were in Shell cottage tending to little Victorie. George was leaning against a door frame watching the mess carefully with a forced smile. He was the first to notice me.
"Hello, Mione! You are early" He mused slowly. His voice had neither the usual happy to go lucky ring to it nor his eyes had the spark. He looked like he hadn't just lost an ear only. Of course, he hadn't. He lost a part of his soul with Fred.
"Mione! It's been a while! Where the buggering hell have you been?" Ginny cried throwing herself at me. Harry can catch her with his seeker reflexes, I can't and stagger back with the effort.
"I was here for the last Sunday brunch Ginny... Hope you remember" I told drily as she beamed at me. Her smile dropped. Everyone's did. The last brunch was horrible. And the reason for it was now descending the stairs. Ronald Bilius Weasley. Staring at me in shock. He didn't expect me to turn up today. I promised Ginny I will go to the King's Cross with her. Well, she was returning for her 6th year. Many were again repeating last year. With the Carrows fiasco, Professor McGonagall decided it was best if students repeat the year. I got my letter a month or two prior. I wanted to go. No, I needed to go. I had to escape this madness. I had to stop myself from destroying everything I had built.
The minor problem of being with Weasley's apart from Fred's absence.. was Ron. After our sloppy, not so romantic kiss in the battle .. No. I couldn't call that a kiss. I pounced on him. I attacked him, not with a wand but with lips and like always he gave in. I winced reliving that moment. No offence Ron was an amazing person. The one who could keep you happy and help you build a life. But, the problem was that the building part is your while he shouts the encouragement. Hope you get the picture. He was everything I could wish for, but nothing I needed to set myself right.
After the battle, we were completely in love or so I thought. He was like a lost puppy following me around with occasional bites and barks. We fought tooth and nail about.. well everything. From my hair to his food. I couldn't just transform into a pretty little minx he wants me to be. He could never stop being the immature, jealous boy. I realised that this is not what I could live with. I couldn't just be an arm candy. I would rather be ugly and do things on my own terms, Be someone I could be, rather than a beautiful girl who needs a boy to complete her. That's just bullshit.
I swore a lot these days. Ron hated it. He loved to swear and according to him, I changed just because I exclaimed fuck when he broke my mum's crockery. Yes. I fought in a bloody war. Of course, I changed. But so did he. So did Harry. So did everyone. Well, My swearing was just a start. My appearance became his next concern. Then my habits. Then obsessions. My fears. My expressions. My ambitions. I was keeping a mental tab, of all the things he said he didn't like about me. I was waiting for the time when he would finally turn to me and declare me unworthy of his attention. Well, he made a clear point in every argument to remind me of his girl fan following and their letters. That there were many 'worthy' girls, thirsty for his attention. Worthy. My ass.
I was waiting for the day, for the final straw, to end this relationship or what it was that included holding hands, talking sweetly for a while, Two weird kisses and lots of arguments, Him featuring in the Daily Prophet with a new girl on his arm every day. Him questioning what I do, Where I go and getting angry when the questions turn back on him. Fuck this shit. He was my first love. No, It was a childhood obsession. It was a crush, an attraction I couldn't deny. Now. I realise it was a mistake. Sunday brunches, Molly holds just to cheer everyone up though now they lack their usual happy laughter .. led to our worst argument ever.
23rd August 1998, Sunday, 11:13 A.M, The Burrow, Ottery St. Catchpole, Devon, West Country.
I was chatting up Ginny, talking about her rekindled relationship with Harry. She is extremely happy and in love, mind you. I never saw her this happy, though the loss of everyone still bothers her. With Harry, she seems so relaxed. They were so in love that it made me sick and Ron absolutely furious about the Ghastly PDA Harry does with his sister. No one bothers about his rants though. She was talking about how Harry was taking her to dinner right after his training next weekend three days prior to our journey. He and Ron were running away to become Aurors. I tried to explain to Harry how important it was to complete his education. Nothing new for me. He gave me a kind smile and said he was done with education and he wanted nothing more than taking Ginny away with him and stay somewhere peacefully. He didn't share my views on returning to Hogwarts. After some relentless pursuing of the subject, I gave up when I realised nothing could shake his decision. And Ron? What is the point in asking someone who was loving the limelight he was getting with Auror training? I didn't broach the subject with him.
But he, unfortunately, found my Hogwarts letter which I had tucked away absent mindedly into my Charms book I had been reading and ran to us in the garden screaming like he had seen Voldemort without his pants.
"What in Merlin's name was that?" Ginny exclaimed, her pink blush subsiding after she recollected how good Harry kissed.
"Your git of a brother" I muttered and fixated my gaze on Ron coming towards me like Buck beak when offended.
"WHAT IS THIS!" He screeched waving the letter under my nose.
"My Hogwarts letter," I said narrowing my eyes.
"WHEN WERE YOU PLANNING TO TELL ME?" He bellowed.
"Today or tomorrow," I replied calmly. I intended to tell him .. really. I had a lot on my mind. Like how to calm myself down and muster up the courage to live for another day. And avoid this very argument
"You were leaving in a week and planning to tell me now? You received this letter just when Ginny received. It's been months!" Ron asked angrily.
"Ron, stop making a scene. Let's go inside and talk" I said slowly. He jerked off the arm I placed on his shoulder.
"You didn't even ask my opinion about you going!" He said. My eyes were now narrow slits.
"Opinion or Permission Ronald?" I asked knowing Ron won't stop with just an opinion.
"Permission. I'm your bloody boyfriend. You should have told me. Asked if it was okay to go! Actually, it's not okay. You won't go. You won't go leaving your boy friend here alone. Why should you? You have everything here! We are happy. You are not going" He retorted. Happy?
"Are you delusional? Who are you to dictate that?" I snapped.
"Your boyfriend," He said with a tone of absolute authority like he was declared the Minister of Magic.
"Yeah .. just boyfriend. Nothing more. You don't control what I do, I want to go and I'm going. Stop being a child, Ronald. I'm not leaving you behind. We can talk through letters. I will be here for holidays too. I know you won't come even if I beg. It's not like we are being separated forever. Harry is perfectly fine with Ginny going. What the matter with you?" I asked exasperatedly not in a mood to pick up another fight.
"BECAUSE I AM NOT HARRY" He screamed taking steps towards me
"Because he doesn't have to deal with a girl like you. You aren't just prudish know it all...Hermione. You are obsessive, crazy and a person who is a bane to anyone's existence. You should worship me because I put up with you! You.. your rubbish sense of fashion" He said gesturing to my clothes which seemed perfectly fine to me. Pink T shirt, Grey Jumper and Black Jeans with sneakers.
"How would anyone give a second thought about you with no sense of humour, no social life, no beauty and a nose always stuck in books." He spat at me cruelly.
"Well .. you are no Harry. Because he knows who I am and doesn't judge me or criticise the way I am. 7 years Ron .. 7 years and you can't even understand me. You don't know my tastes or preferences. You want a girl whom you could mould into some suitable toy. You can't do that to me! I'm leaving. And owl me when you calm down" I told him.
I was about to go when I heard him.
"You can hide all you want. But I heard your screams. I saw your marks. You and Harry don't give me enough credit. I'm observant enough to understand that you are not the same person I knew back then. You scream like a banshee every night. You moan his name! Don't you think I know it! He is the reason you are going back! I knew you had some affair with him. We all knew. I forgave you for that. You roam the streets of London aimlessly at night. Talk to yourself. Everyone knows that. You can't claim it's all nothing." He spat. My heart stilled.
"Who are you even talking about!" I asked sharply. No .. No.. When did he realise I had trouble sleeping? How dare he accuse me that I'm cheating on him?
"You know who I am talking about! He is the one you have been sleeping with! Sullying yourself with _ Tell me, Don't you even bother for whom you're spreading your legs for?" He asked. I resisted the urge to hit him or do anything. But, his accusations got the best of me and I drew my wand.
"HOW DARE YOU?" I yelled.
"Now are you going to attack me?" He taunted. Stupid Ron.
"As a matter of fact, I am!" I said about to cast a painful hex when Ginny drew me back.
"What? Can't muster up the courage?" He asked.
"No. Why waste my energy on you? It's not even worth it" I said exhaling and apologising to a stricken Molly and about to leave.
"No. It's not because I am not worth it. It's because you know what you are. A crazy stuck up Bitch like Bellatrix! A cheap slag! Aren't you?" He threw those words at me like it was nothing. Like he didn't love me. Like I meant nothing. Like I was doing something wrong. Torturing me with the memories I was desperately trying to avoid.
"Avis" I muttered with my arm shaking. Ron's breath stopped suddenly. He looked scared to death.
"Mione ... No .." He said taking steps backwards. I followed him.
"Mione .. I'm your boyfriend, Your love, You won't do that to me." He pleaded. I gave out a crazed laugh that sounded foreign even to me.
"Not anymore," I said. His eyes were now wide.
"It's not new for you is it?" I said as he eyed the huge flock of birds looking extremely scared.
"No" He kept mumbling.
"Should have thought that before you said what you said," I said coldly. With one last look and a swish of my wand, I set the birds free.
"Oppungo," I said calmly and apparated; Just in time to glance at Ron attacked by my canaries.
1st September 1998, Tuesday, 8:45 A.M, The Burrow.
Now, when I saw him, his scars didn't seem to heal yet. I had a good laugh from all the tabloids attacking him asking what happened to his face outside the Ministry every single day. He owled me the very day I attacked him, ordering me to apologise to him. The nerve of that Git! Harry sent me another saying it wasn't right, shouldn't have done that in a fit of anger blah blah. No offence, Harry is daft. I already know when it comes to choosing me or Ron, it will always be Ron. I sent them both a howler saying to stick their wands up their asses and not to bother sending another letter because it was going into my fireplace. My house had anti intruder charms and everything that allowed only one person in and out and a cat. Me and my crooks by the way.
After that, all the sorry letters and cards, I received every morning were ghastly, too glittery and sloppy. Not ones that I would have actually liked. Definitely Ron's taste. I knew he was making an effort. A pathetic one though. Each one of them, signed by Ronald, I transfigured them. I pretty much managed to forge Harry's signature and signed them myself. Now those cards lie with the people who had to suffer losses in the war. Don't ask me how I got to know the list. Being friends with Minister Shacklebolt had its perks.
Now he looked like death warmed up and growing paler by every moment. Like I was going to launch another avian attack. No worries. This time it will be boils. Or my favourite. Slugs.
"Ronald. How are you? I'm happy to see the scars are healing. My canaries didn't give you much trouble did they?" I asked sweetly. George snickered.
"Mione .. I .. I'm sorry.." Ron mumbled. I lifted my hand to stop him.
"Have you gobbled up your breakfast yet?" I asked. He blinked.
"Uh. no" He said sounding surprised as his stomach rumbled. I fought the urge to roll my eyes.
"Go on. I will wait in the garden. Mr Weasley, Can you please help me with the trunk and Crookshanks? I suppose the car has arrived?" I asked.
"It's nice to see you too Hermione." He said laughing and coming over to hug me. Being with Ron sours my mood. Ever since that ghastly Sunday. Not to mention the number of times he tried to barge into my home and ended up with boils. He didn't try for the fifth time. The nasty amount of scars already spooked him out I say.
"I'm sorry Mr Weasley," I said as soon we were out of earshot. I felt guilty.
"You should be," He said. I couldn't meet his eyes.
"How many times should I remind you to call me Arthur? You should be sorry" He said laughing. I cracked a grin.
"It's not what I meant. I am sorry about last Sunday. I'm sorry I attacked your son. I lost my temper." I said.
"Mione... It was Ron's fault. You left before we could even have a conversation. I'm sorry for what Ron has said and done. I don't blame you. Neither does Molly. Neither does anyone else." He said levitating the luggage into the ministry cars. Another perk of being a war hero.
"Thank you," I said reaching to hug him. Arthur was like a father figure to me. I would be lying if I said he and Molly had dreams of me being their daughter in law. Me and Ron having a happily ever after ending. Now it was too late.
"I should get back. I need to talk to him" I said and offering him a smile.
"Hermione" He called out as soon as I took a few steps.
"Is .. is it futile to think you and Ron will reconcile?" He asked. I sighed. There it goes. I'm shattering Molly's wedding dreams. No offence who wants to wear Aunt Muriel's tiara. It's ghastly. It will get tangled in my hair.
"It is," I said. I saw him sigh. "I'm sorry Arthur. It was bound to happen. I couldn't just live with this. I love you all. I even love Ron. I would want nothing but you all as a family. But, It's Ron that's enough to keep me away" I told him. Though I knew no one will feel the same way after they find out my condition.
"I understand," He said finally and I walked away contemplating how to deal with Ron who would be ardently hoping for me to fall back into his arms.
I was absolutely right about Ron.
"WHAT? How is that even possible? We are still together" He argued.
"RONALD WEASLEY. FOR THE HUNDREDTH TIME, I BROKE UP WITH YOU LAST SUNDAY. YOU DAFT GIT. GET OVER IT BEFORE I HEX YOU" I screeched like an owl.
"I sent cards. Harry said those work. I even begged you over that Teelephone thing! How can you do this to us?" He asked.
"It's called the Telephone. Ron .. We can't work. This thing we keep calling a relationship is nothing. I don't want this. I'm ending this. We are done" I said.
"Yeah? I call you a few words and that's it you end it?" Ron asked angrily.
"A few words? A FEW WORDS?" I thundered. He actually flinched.
"You called me a bitch, a slag and everything else that came to that thick head of yours? How am I supposed to deal with it? You accused me of cheating on you! Ridiculed every aspect of mine. Why should I forgive you? That's it If you want to save your ass, Come with me to the station, send Ginny and me off and we remain friends Ronald. Or else forget everything." I warned and drew my wand.
"Okay ..OKAY! PUT THAT WAND AWAY WOMAN" He shrieked. I gave a satisfied smile and said.
"I will be waiting for you in the car. Clear your head. Make it a point. We are not together okay?"
"You are a little scary sometimes.. You know?" He mumbled. I gave a smile in spite of everything he did.
"I know," I told him and went away.
The ride was pretty uneventful. Harry, Ginny, Arthur, Ron and I sat in perfect silence. Though occasional whispers between the lovers brought out disgusted looks from Ron and bile to my throat. Ginny had no intention to leave Harry. But there were Quidditch try-outs this season. Ginny was Quidditch captain as well. She didn't want to miss that opportunity. So she decided to complete her education as well as Quidditch coaching before falling into Harry's arms.
That was the reason she was accompanying me. No offence, I loved Ginny. She can be a bit temperamental when the time comes. And, she is quick to judge before she even knows the entire story. That's what I suppose is bound to happen once we both were left to our own devices. She will berate me about Ron.
1st September 1998, Tuesday, 10:45 A.M, Platform 9 ¾, King's Cross Station, London.
On the platform 9 ¾, I was tapping my foot and waiting impatiently for Harry and Ginny to split up. Nothing seemed to slow them down or break them apart. They had been talking sweet and kissing for what seemed like an hour. It was about to be 11 and I had already exchanged good byes with Arthur who was staring at shoes like they were the most important things in the universe and Ron(who very reluctantly accepted the status of our relationship, though looked like he had his doubts. He wasn't going to let go without a fight. Not a physical one.) looking at Ginny and Harry like they were Hagrid and Madame Maxime and not his sister and best friend.
"Oy! Will you both give it a rest? Snogging in public? It's disgusting" Ron yelled over the ruckus. Ginny whipped around to glare at her brother with hands on her hips and Harry nervously placing his hands on her shoulders to stop her from doing anything to Ron. Like casting a bat bogey hex.
"Where was that conscience when you were snogging Lavender like a bloody dementor? We had to see you and her everywhere attached to each other's hips like twins! I didn't hear a complaint about snogging then?" Ginny demanded.
Ron turned scarlet. Well, I far as I could decipher, How much Ron denied it, he enjoyed snogging Lavender more than me. Though how hilarious it seems now, It once was enough to hurt me bad. It did.
"I hate to agree with him but We are going to miss the train Ginny," I said as Ron gave me a grateful look. Ginny looked at the clock was seemed seconds apart from bursting into tears.
"Shh . .. I will be there for any Hogsmeade weekend. I promise" Harry cooed. I rolled my eyes. When did Ginny get this pathetic? Yep. Since last May. She almost lost it when Harry was declared dead. So did everyone.
I hugged Ron just out of courtesy. I was supposed to be mad at him. I was. But I didn't see the point in it. I was leaving anyway. I won't see him most of the time. He was still my best friend. I wanted him to be in peace. It was the last thing I could wish for him before I let loose another flock of canaries.
"Mione. I'm sorry" He said slowly looking genuinely apologetic. I sighed.
"It's okay Ron .. This relationship is over now anyway… But I wouldn't lose my best friend over this ... Not now .. not ever" I said hugging him tighter.
"I know. I will convince you .. I will make you mine again.. I will get you in the end" He promised. It didn't help. Honestly. I was no toy.
"That's highly impossible," I remarked detaching from him and catching his blue eyes. Ron was handsome. No point denying it. With his guy next door charms, he could get any girl he wants. I wasn't that. If being handsome was everything one should look for, then I won't find anyone who will actually find me beautiful. Not that I wanted someone to like me just for my appearance. I wanted someone who could keep up with me, share my dreams, passion, aims and everything else. Not one who mocked my every step.
"A bloke loves to have his chances Mione," Harry said engulfing me in an enormous bear hug.
"He wasted all his chances," I told him tersely. Harry just stood there smiling at me.
"Forget about him okay? Just have fun. I know you will sit all the time in the library getting on Madam Pince's nerves. But you must have completed everything for N.E.W.T'S right now judging by how much I know you. Just take care of yourself, Take time off okay? Stop worrying about everything. I promise we both will write to you every week. Okay, I will make Ron do it. And, Please look after Ginny too" He added in a low whisper at which I snorted.
"She is no child," I said laughing. He flashed me with a smile. Then his green eyes stared at me.
"Hermione... I know you will be angry if I told you this, But I really don't want you to go back" He muttered as the train gave out a warning hoot.
"Why?" I asked caught off guard.
"Ron, Well he spoke to me about you. We both heard you back in Grimmauld place... He .. He is coming back. I know it will affect you, But I can't just force you away from your ambitions" He said. I didn't understand why he was being so vague.
"He who?" I asked. But then Ginny started yelling at me to get on the train. It was about to be 11. I quickly kissed him and Ron who was standing nearby on the cheek. Arthur gave me a one armed hug and hurried me away before Harry could answer. The grim look on his face said whoever it was returning .. was in Harry's bad books.
1st September 1998, Tuesday, 2:04 P.M, Gryffindor Compartment, Hogwarts Express.
We managed to settle down with Luna and Neville hiding from people who tried to get our autographs or a chance to speak to us. Like we were celebrities. We were no Gilderoy Lockharts. The only reason we fought was to be alive. We fought to live. We never fought for fame. We fought to make our world a better place to live.
"Hermione, You have wrackspurts everywhere around you," Luna said dreamily watching me read my Transfiguration book with her spectrespecs.
"Oh ... Thanks for the warning" I said unable to find any other response. We had finished our lunch and even bought some treats from the Trolley. All those lie in my bag though. I couldn't get myself to eat them.
"Hermione, We need to talk," Ginny said. I took a deep breath and was about to start defending myself when she cut me off.
"I'm not blaming you. It was Ron's fault. I'm surprised that you stopped with the canaries. I would have hexed him off the face of the earth. He might be my brother, He had to right to say all that about you" Ginny said catching my hands.
"Thank you Ginny" I murmured.
"Mum was upset that you guys broke up anyway." She added drily.
"You and Ron broke up?" Neville asked sitting up suddenly. He had grown up quite well. Puberty hit him like Hogwarts Express though. Gone was the boy who was cute, fluffy and bullied. Now, No matter how much people deny, Neville was one of the hottest guys in Hogwarts. And not to mention his fall out with Luna, Girls swarmed him at every chance they got. Well, it's not every day that you find a guy who stands up to Voldemort. That's when hell freezes over.
"Yes. And I would rather like if you people kept that news to yourself. The last thing I need is more gossip" I warned.
"We agree though," Neville said quickly to avoid any argument. Then we sat in silence for probably a lot of time because I almost finished my book and started fishing for a novel.
Then the train came to a screeching halt making all of us jolt and jump. We scanned everything in a panic. We were supposed to be at Hogwarts in an hour or so. It was already dark. It reminded me of the third year. When the dementors came aboard.
"Is it the dementors again?" Ginny whispered as all of us clutched our wands desperately. The lights started to flicker and settled down to a dim shade. It was eerie.
"No.. I don't think it's the dementors. They were sent away. I don't feel the chill" I mumbled. Then stood up suddenly.
"Wait here. I will check on the driver and come back" I said.
"We will come with you," Neville said as we heard shouts and yells from other cabins.
"No. Take care of the ruckus here. Everyone is panicked. Just be alert. If anything goes wrong send me a Patronus" I said and they nodded.
People were running helter-skelter. This year, it was decided that there will be no prefects, head boy, head girl what so ever except for Quidditch captains who were with their friends as I don't see the point of just four people from different houses hanging out. It was just a year for students to catch up. And clearly, the lack of order showed up.
"Sonorous" I mumbled with my wand pointed at myself and yelled at the top of my voice. "SILENCE"
Thank Merlin. Everyone was silent. "Stay here. I will see what's wrong. Be ready with your wands everyone. Don't wander on your own" I said.
"Don't let anyone anywhere until you receive my Patronus.. Take help of other 7th and 6th years," I told Ginny who gave me a nod. I was about to go when she caught my hand. I turned to look at her in the feeble light.
"Be careful Mione?" She said. I grinned.
"Am I called the brightest witch of our age for nothing?" I asked putting up the walls around me again. She gave me a smile and left me to my own devices.
1st September 1998, Tuesday, 5:54 P.M, Hogwarts Express, Station: Unknown.
I went to the front compartments. Every where the older students were keeping others in check and my classmates were giving me subtle nods when I passed them. I acknowledged them and moved further. I reached the Slytherin cabin. My breathing halted. My wand arm shook a little and I hesitated to open the cabin door. Yet I did.
I was stunned at the number of students here. There were few. I recognised Parkinson, Zabini, Nott, Greengrass sisters, And even Goyle who were now staring at me like I had sprouted out another head.
"Granger" Nott drawled out leisurely.
"Nott," I said tersely and looked around. They were the ones who were keeping this compartment in check.
"Everything under control I suppose," I said.
"As you can see" He replied amused. I was amused as well. This was the only polite conversation I had with any Slytherin so far. Well, the looks Pansy and one of the Greengrass sisters wasn't amusing at all.
"Well, then .. I will leave" I replied and moved for the further compartments when Zabini halted me.
"The exit is the other way," He said staring at me in a way that made me uncomfortable. Did I mention that the Slytherin boys were bloody perfect? I didn't, did I? Well, the sly snakes were more than just hot. They could make your knees weak .. your head a mash and you a fluff ball. That is until and unless they open their mouth.
"I wanted to speak with the driver.," I said staring back at him. He gave me a well-practised smirk
"I wouldn't suggest going there is wise," He said.
"Unless you have anything more to add.. I'm going" I replied drily with my hand on the compartment door's knob.
"Well, then good luck," He said earning a few chuckles from Nott. I was tempted to ask what for but that's when the train shook and the cabin door opened. I lost my balance and tumbled back falling on my behind so hard that it stung. When I stopped wincing and the train stopped its jolts. I opened my eyes and they went wide. I was locked out of the compartments. The door was giving no signs of opening. I even tried alohomora. Nothing worked. I briefly considered Bombarda, but there were too many people on the train and it might cause them harm.
"Hey, Granger! Why in the name of Merlin did you lock this door?" I heard Nott yelling.
"It locked on its own. I'm stuck. Find a way to open it. I'm going to find the driver" I yelled back.
"Why should we listen to you bitch around?" Pansy snapped. I ignored her.
"Because if we don't, He won't be able to come back as well," A soft feminine voice said. A voice I didn't recognise. He who?
1st September 1998, Tuesday, 6:23 P.M, Prefects' Compartment, Hogwarts Express.
The lights were out completely. I went in to venture further. It started raining. I could hear the pitter patter of the rain and feel the coldness seep in. The foremost cabin was the empty Prefects' compartment. The only thing connected the train to the engine and driver. One more and finally I will reach that bloody driver.
The door creaked open. I stepped into complete darkness. No.., not darkness. It was what brought the voices. It honestly scared me. It was really cold here. Just a few minutes more, I said consoling myself. The voices started to surface. I was starting to panic. I heard screams. I heard taunts. I was starting to lose my conscious. It was terrible. I was on the verge of breaking down. It was like reliving it every time. Then started the pain and I gasped.
Finally, I heard the foot board creak. I stilled suddenly. I wasn't alone. My heart started pounding and the voices got louder and louder. I felt my magic create ripples in me. It was burning me. I was desperate to get out of this place. My mind stopped functioning altogether. I was about to go back when the door slammed shut on my face making me jump. I gripped my wand tighter ready to hex anyone out there.
I heard footsteps and instinctively took steps back. I was about to cast a painful hex when it happened. I was slammed against the door with a thud, Knocking me out of my breath and my wand tumbled out of my hands. My hands were pinned above my head in a bruising grip and someone was pressing me against the door with their body.
It was a guy. I came to that conclusion as soon as his body touched mine. It was hard and all muscle. The fingers that held my wrists weren't calloused. They were long and pampered. I was holding my breath. I finally let it out and the grip on my wrists tightened. I could smell a tantalising hint of sandalwood, leather and ..freshly mown grass. I wasn't fighting against him. Not because I was afraid. Because .. the voices… they stopped for the first time.
He leaned in, his breath fanning my face. It was warm like the rest of him. I couldn't help but lean in. It was like sunshine in this freezing coldness. I felt my magic stir. It was odd. It usually happened when I experienced something extreme. And it hadn't happened since many years.
Our foreheads were almost touching and I was hyper aware of how close I was to him. My breath was coming out in laboured gasps and my heart had caught on a new pace. What is happening? I thought as I closed my eyes drowning in his fragrance. It was making me heady. I was losing control. Over everything.
"Lumos" Murmured a velvety voice that sent shivers down my spine. All pleasant, all making my nerve endings scream in pleasure. When I opened my eyes. I was lost at that precise moment.
I was staring into deep mercurial grey eyes. They were like deep lustrous molten platinum taking my breath over. They were like the stormy sea on which ships sailed. Like the grey that remained when ashes burned. Like silver wisps of a Patronus. The Misty cauldrons down in the potions lab. Deep .. silver orbs locked onto my own brown ones. I was completely lost.
I took my time composing myself. It was hard with those eyes and that forehead resting ever so slightly against mine. I finally searched his face for any recollection and stifled a gasp.
"Draco?" I whispered so slowly that I even doubted he heard it. He moved away slowly. Never releasing my hands and scanned me. Head to toe. Then my face. His gaze stopping to stare into my eyes .. or my lips. I felt heat rise to my cheeks at his scrutiny.
"Draco?" I tried again. His eyes met mine again and he released my wrists slowly. The voices returned and I stumbled. He caught me in time.
"Are you okay?" He asked. His voice was not supposed to be this soothing or rich. It was making stop having any coherent thoughts. I winced. I looked at him. He .. seemed concerned. Then his hand lifted up to cup my cheek. I started feeling dizzy. My magic was stirring. Again. The voices stopped. But the fragrance was still heady and he was making me feel something I didn't even understand.
"Hey?" He shook me. I took one last look at him .. his eyes and his pale face. After that, I went limp in his arms and everything blacked out.
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Illusions Of Reality