The Final Evil

I awake to the bright rays of sunshine that fall across my face. For awhile I lay motionless, my sheets hang off the bed in a tangled mess. Something in my mind tells me that if I don't move then none of it can be real. Eventually I do move. I get up and swing my legs over the side of the bed resting my head in my hands. There is a soft knock on the door.

"Come in." I call groggily. I expect it to be Dumbledore and am pleasantly surprised when Hermione pokes her head around the door. She's wearing a red, boat neck shirt and a light blue, jean skirt. She smiles at me warmly taking a seat next to me on the bed.

"Dumbledore said you might need a friend." I scoff slightly and run my hands through my hair. She looks at me and lowers her voice. "I told him everything. You won't have to repeat it again." I meet her gaze and she knows I'm grateful.

"It all seems like such a nightmare." I tell her. She nods. "It feels as though I'll wake up at any moment and things will go back to the way they were. My father was a evil prick but he was still my father. And my mother… well, my mother deserved better. What am I going to do now? I have nothing left to go back to."

"What about the mansion? Won't you inherit it now that both your parents are dead? You're of age in the wizarding world. Your father must have had some sort of will." I shrug.

"I have no idea, I doubt he planned on dying anytime soon… Did Dumbledore say anything about Marissa or Eldora?" Hermione looks away.

"Eldora was still frozen where we left her when Dumbledore went back with aurors from the ministry. They didn't find Marissa, they figured she came out of it sooner and took off. They're still searching for her and her mother is being held for questioning concerning the Death Eaters." I get up and start to pull on my shoes.

"Where are you going?" Hermione asks. I shrug.

"Out, somewhere, anywhere. I don't want to stay cooped up in here. I don't want to hide anymore. I just want everything to go back to normal."

"Draco… it's never going to go back to normal. It's ok to grieve." I stop at the door as her words repeat in my head.

"I've never been one to show much emotion and the last few days have been a rollercoaster of ups and downs. Time to do something about it." I can tell she wants to protest but I don't give her the chance, I'm out the door and down the stairs before she can gather her thoughts.

Draco leaves and I sit and think for awhile. He's right. This war will continue unless someone does something about it. How many more people will have to die before Voldemort and his Death Eaters are stopped? Harry's parents are dead, the Weasley's have been in jeopardy time and time again, now Draco's parents and soon… I shake my head. I don't know what I would do if something ever happened to my Mum or Dad. I think of Draco, of Pansy and of Marissa. Who knows how many of students are children of Death Eaters? You can't tell just from looking at them. Some, maybe all of them, are suffering alone. I get up and head out the door. I'm walking down the hall when Ron sees me and hurries to catch up. He takes my hand and turns me towards him. I can tell he's not sure what to say.

"I'm an idiot." He finally decides to start with. I can't help giggling.

"Catchy opener." I tell him and smile. He smiles back.

"Hermione, this is all new to me… I know I didn't deal with things very well… back in the common room. It's just that everything is happening so fast… us… we're happening so fast." I look up into his eyes. I'm not sure what he's trying to say…

"Ron, I…" He raises a finger to my lips.

"Hermione, I love you. I have loved you for a long time. I know you have feelings for Draco… and you don't have to decide now… I just wanted you to know. And no matter what you decide I'll… I'll be here." I smile at him again and wipe my eyes. He leans down and kisses me tenderly. I let him kiss me. If things were simpler… if only things were simpler… He pulls back and brushes a piece of hair from my cheek. He smiles again and then turns and walks slowly down the hall. I know that I'm supposed to go after him. I know that I might lose him if I don't. Still, I hesistate. He gets farther and farther away. It's always been Harry, Ron and Hermione. We are the perfect trio. It's always been just us three. Draco has changed all that. No one asked for this, I know. It's not fair. I try moving my feet but it's as though they're weighed down with cement. And then he's gone.

The march down to breakfast is hell. Everywhere I go there are pointing fingers, whispers and side-long glances. It's strange, now more than ever I know what it must feel like to be Harry Potter. This insight gains him my deepest respect. As I reach the Slytherin table a space clears for me. It's as though people believe I've caught some invisible disease and they might catch it if they get too close. I sit alone. Trying my very harderst to enjoy the cereal in front of me and ignore those around me. I see Crabbe and Goyle sitting at the far end with Pansy and Zabini. I scoff to myself. Figures. I don't have any real friends. I throw down my spoon and quickly leave the table, walking briskly out the front doors and into the courtyard. I snarl at those who snicker as I storm past groups of gossiping girls and nosy boys. It feels as though their eyes are prying open my fresh wounds. I clench my fists in a vain attempt to control my anger.

I suddenly become aware of a presence by my side. I turn to look at a tall, gangly boy with freckles and red hair. He looks at me and simply nods. We walk together in silence. Soon we are joined be Hermione and Harry. It's much easier to walk through a sea of rumours when there are people willing to walk with you. We find a secluded spot near the edge of the Hogwarts grounds and take a seat on the slightly thawed rocks that are scattered about. In all my years at this school I never thought I would end up in such strange company.

"Well then…" Harry starts awkwardly. "Hermione told us what happened." I look at Harry. It's the first time I really look at him. His startling green eyes are compassionate and filled with understanding. His scar seems luminous in my mind for only now do I comprehend what it really means. We have more in common than I ever thought possible.

"This doesn't mean we like you." Ron says and then laughs. Hermione catches my eye and smiles at me warmly.

We sit for awhile, talking about nothing in particular. People's hair, favorite songs, art, classes… It all seems so normal. We laugh and smile and life continues as though we are just four friends, hanging out, on a warm afternoon. Harry gets up eventually and stretches, saying something about an essay he's got to write for Monday. He waves and then looks at Ron. Ron looks at me then at Hermione.

"Yeah, I've got… a thing… so I'll, ummm… catch you kids later." He takes one last look at Hermione and then heads back up to the castle with Harry. Hermione and I sit quietly for a few minutes. I steal glances at her every once and awhile. Her warm features and her thick waves are shining in the winter sun. She's so pretty, well you know, in a bookish sort of way. I grin to myself

I watch Draco as his face breaks into a grin. I take in his glossy blonde hair and cool blue eyes. His pointed noise and high cheekbones are casting dark shadows across his face. His tall lean form is bent as he rests his elbows on his knees. He's looking at me too. His hair falls across his forehead making him look dashing and dangerous. I smile to myself as I think back. He is dangerous. It's part of who he is and what makes him so attractive. I lean closer…

She leans closer and I run my hands through my hair, brushing it back out of my eyes. She's so close… I notice that her eyes have dark green flecks in them. I slide my hand gentley along the side of her cheek. We stand together slowly and she steps closer…

I step closer and his arms close around me protectively. His embrace is warm and strangely comforting…

She nuzzles into the crook of my neck and I rest my chin on her head, sliding my hands to her lower back…

The crook of his neck is soft and I nuzzle against it as he slides his hands down my lower back. I take a deep breath and wrap my arms around his waist. My dangerous boy…

She's mine, I think to myself. My mind darts back to my nightmare and I see myself with the dagger... It won't happen like that, I reassure myself. I won't hurt her. I hold her close and I don't let go for a long time. She stands against me silently, content to just let me hold her. I'm happy. Right now. Like this. Happy with her. I'll do everything in my power to protect her. But the dagger keeps plunging over and over again…

Editor's Note: This is the final chapter of this installment. I plan on writing a second part but with school starting soon I won't be able to keep up with regular chapter updates. Hope you enjoyed my first fanfic and look for Part II coming soon!