Chapter 23: Chapter 8:
( Day five, Tuesday)
X
Looking peaky and sick Ronald Weasley slowly almost sluggishly put some food on his plate. A croissant and a cracker were just laying there and for some reason it felt like they were looking at him accusingly. The waiting had finally gotten to Ron, he was officially not hungry. With a groan he pushed the plate away and put his head on the table with a loud bang. Next to him Neville threw him a sad look.
His Gran had send him a letter a few days ago, it had been filled with pearls of wisdom. But he had gotten the howler in privet and his Gran had praised him in the end for finally proving himself to be of Longbottom blood. Neville wasn't to sure he should be glad with the compliment or not, but it was definitely better than suffering for days without a letter. Neville hoped for Ron's sake there would be a letter soon.
Further down the table was Hermione. She had build a fort of books around her and seemed to be reading at least three books at the same time. A few second years opposite her pointed at her and whispered to each other behind their hands. The bushy haired girl was known throughout the Gryffindor tower as a bookworm. But lately it had gotten much worse.
Hermione Ignored the world while she poured herself into her self set tasks. If she wanted to be at the top once more she would just need to scarify some of her free time. Surely if professor McGonagall saw her hard work she would make her a prefect again. Sniffing and pushing back strings of hair she turned a page and started to work on her list of magical animals that needed a mate to continue living.
The world around her was one of classes and books now. Somewhere in the back of her mind she wondered about why she couldn't visit Harry or why Ron had not yet received a letter, but she really wanted to earn her spot back. So helping her friends would have to take a second seat to Hermione getting her little place in the world back. She might not be the prettiest witch or be of a pureblood line or have a strong magical core. But she did pride herself on her smarts and cleverness. She was proud this had earned her a visible reward, a prefect badge, and she wanted it back. She had earned it and she would earn it again.
Sniffing again she winced as her eyes felt hot and dry. Drat maybe she should just go to Madam Pomfrey for some eye drops. It wouldn't do to get an eye infection. Coughing she started to pull her books together and place them in her bags. Form the corner of her eye she watched something red land in front of Ron. Turning her attention back to her books she was taken by surprise when the voice of Mrs. Weasley amplified boomed through the great hall. Books cascaded form the table and one of them fell painfully on her small toe. Eyes watering with pain she turned around and watched Ron. Anger like she never felt before burned through her veins.
"AND WE HAVE SPEND TWO DAYS AT SINT MUNGOS WITH YOUR SISTER FOR HEALTH CARE. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING! YOU JUST WAIT WHEN YOU GET HOME RONALD, THIS IS NOT THE END OF IT YET. IT WILL BE THE ATTIC AND KITCHEN YOUR GOING TO CLEAN FIRST, THEN THE REST OF THE HOUSE!"
Mrs. Weasley voice continued with listing al of his shortcomings and ended with a vague promise of punishment once more. By the end when the red letter ripped itself apart after a particular wet raspberry, all Ron could do was just stare at the table. His hands were shaking and tears leaked at the corner of his eyes. Just then another voice he had not heard in days shocked him back into reality.
"Ronald I don't want to see you again. I hate you!" Hermione blurted out, her voice slightly hysterical. Ron watched her go with a bit of worry, Hermione wasn't looking all that good and her eyes were glazed over with what looked to be a fever.
"Well that's a bit harsh. Totally gone around the bend that one." A third year boy called Nolan commented. Neville looked like he wanted to say something but turned to Ron instead.
"She looked ill." He spoke, Ron nodded.
"We'll tell McGonagall when we leave the Hall. She'll know what to do, there is no way Hermione will be listening to us anyway." Ron said then shrugged and eyed the staff table wearingly. With a sigh he pulled himself from his seat and went to report to professor McGonagall. Neville followed a bit slower unsure he was truly needed.
XxX
Draco gazed stubbornly out of the window with unseeing eyes. His godfather was sitting on one of the last couches in the room. The others having met a untimely fate called Draco's temper. Of course his drunken like state had not helped at all. And now hours and hours later the damn potion was finally loosing its effect on him.
From the corner of his eyes he could see his godfather reading a potions journal, his intense black eyes focused on the text and his mouth pulled into a thin white line. One white thin finger rested on the top of the right page ready to turn it around when he was done with the page before him.
To anyone this would seem like the best opportunity to try and sneak out of the room, but Draco knew better. His godfather might seem absorbed and busy, but he was keeping his senses wide open and any movement Draco made was registered. If he got to close to the door those black eyes would rest on his back. Burning him with their intensity, and thanks to that dratted potion he could not take on his human shell.
Of course Severus would calmly explain to Draco all the disadvantages of going out like he was, one of them being that he could get kicked out of Hogwarts and thus being farther away form his mate.
In fact that was another thing that was bothering Draco. It was clear his Godfather knew more about his mate then he was letting on. And part of Draco wanted to rip that information out of the man. But then his animalistic site would instead of being glad with that knowledge feel ashamed and weak. How could he hope to protect his mate and be strong for his mate when he could not even find his mate with his own devises. And when that cycle of thought passed he was glad for Severus insight and that he didn't tell Draco about his mate.
With a rumbling growl Draco looked outside again, bored out of his mind he started wondering if he should not just leave the room. What was he afraid of, some puny human students? Teachers? Draco scoffed at the thought but did not leave the room. For some reason he felt slightly weak and sleepy. The need to sleep had been getting stronger for some time now but Draco had refused to abide its call.
"Stop your whimpering Draco, it does not fit you and it disturbs my peace." Severus voice reached him and was enough to make him stop growling. Instead he threw Severus a poisonous look and hopped of the windowsill. Stalking over to a half ripped couch Draco sat down and pulled his legs up on the couch. Sitting there poised to jump any second his silvery eyes fixed solely on Severus. It would take some time but he knew it would bug his Godfather with passing time.
With something akin to fascination Draco watched as his Godfather ignored him. Seconds passed and with a smirk Draco casually placed an repairing charm on the grandfather clock in the south corner. The clock started ticking once more, a sound that could grow quite frustrating.
Time passed and Draco remained in the same position, his eyes never leaving Severus and only blinking stopped those silver eyes from watching him constantly. The grandfather clock was doing a marvellous job. Draco smirked as Severus every once in a while shifted position and when his complexion grew paler he knew he had won.
Then suddenly Severus closed his potion journal and placed it before him on the table. His black eyes focussed on his Godson as he sat back. "Do tell me what it is you want Draco." He spoke casually, his voice bored and cold. Draco smiled.
"Why, I thought you would never ask." He spoke pleasantly just to irritate the man. "But now that you mentioned it, I would like to get out of these rooms and start my search. I promise to be a good boy." Sarcasm dripped from his lips and his silvery eyes glinted with mirth. In Severus black eyes a glint of that same mirth could be seen.
"And what prey tell, would you do if someone saw you?" it wasn't really a question and they both knew it. Draco however pretended to think it over a smug smile playing over his lips, eyes glittering with a devilish delight.
"Why Godfather mine, scare their pants off of course." Draco Finally replied. Severus only sniffed at that.
"Draco, Headmaster Dumbledore will have no trouble giving you a hard finding your mate even without him knowing, which he does by now by the way. If you're going to do something at least use that brain of yours." Severus quipped back.
For a moment Draco's eyes shone with a feral delight. His Godfather had just given him permission to leave the room. He could hunt for his mate, all he had to do was think about a way to go about it. For however much he just wanted to find his mate, he knew he would have to be careful.
"By the way, how much longer is this potion going to work." Draco asked in an almost bored tone. Severus answered back in much the same way.
"Another hour or two at the least. I needed a lot to knock you out. That dose would have been enough for a dragon." And with that he picked up his potions journal and resumed reading.
Draco felt shocked. For a moment his body grew numb before he swallowed hard. Never before had Severus needed to use so much of the potion. Sure he had gone into a few rages, but that was just after he had come out of the transition week and his emotions had been unstable. But even then Severus had needed enough to put down a extremely pissed of hippogriff. For him to use so much must have mend he had really lost it.
Sinking back on the couch Draco carefully blanked his expression while he thought about how he was going to spend the next two hours. Surely he would be able to function normal and put on his human shell by then. Satisfied with his reasoning he relaxed and let sleep that had been threatening to overtake him have free rain. Within seconds he was whisked away into dreams he would not remember when he woke, before entering a plain where his mate was waiting for him.
On the other site Severus looked up from his book and gave a small sneer at his Godson. It seemed the bond was already growing between the Potter brad and Draco. For his Godson to feel the tiredness caused by Harry's first wave would only happen if they had formed a link in some way. He would have to ask Draco about it when he woke.
Closing his eyes he rubbed them before looking down on his journal. It was an old script, many of the notes were incomplete or just rough rafts of ideas the maker had. It would appear useless to the untrained eye, but the fact that in this book he had found the basics for Wolfsbain potion had made it priceless to Severus. In fact his current project would probably be successful also because of these notes. Of course he would probably blow up a cauldron or two, but in the end he would finally manage to fabricate a fertility potion.
A tiny smile graced his lips. No one would ever guess that Severus actually worked on this potion. And many would call him stupid because there already were a number of potions on the mark with the same result. Of course his potion wouldn't be just for being able to conceive, it would make procreation between unlikely species a fact. And what was more, it would make vampires be able to have children the natural way. This had been lost to them for centuries now, but with the help of this potion it would be happening once again.
Not to mention that the man requesting this potions was paying Severus good galleons for it. Of course he wouldn't have bothered with it if he had not been interested. And as the grandfather clock ticked softly Severus eyes read the old texts within the journal carefully. Once every while he would look up to see Draco was still sleeping, most likely he would wake the same time that blasted Potter did. He made a mental note to not patrol the corridors the coming night. He didn't fancy running into his Godson while he searched the castle.
X
Hermione Granger had never felt worse. Of course she only grudgingly confessed this to herself after the numbers on her page tripled and danced before her eyes. Her entire body felt icky she noticed and her hair was like a mob of oily tendrils clinging together. After this confession she had sat down outside the castle.
The place she was at was only a few feet away from the castle, but for some reason no one ever came here. The stillness and serenity of the little secluded spot soothed her and it had soon become her favourite spot over the years. And now it provided quiet study time.
Letting out a sigh she felt that her longs worked hard and tiredness cloaked her like a heavy wool blanket. Somewhere she knew she had gotten sick, almost no sleeping and staying outside during the rain yesterday had done that. But most of her just stubbornly kept going and now she felt like her limbs could not carry her back to the castle, let alone to the hospital wing.
Then for some weird reason she felt sad and lonely. Tears started spilling soon followed by whales of pain, sadness and anger. With each sob she only drained herself more and when the tears stopped and she felt oddly better about her situation her body viciously reminded her that she was sick. Really sick.
Dazed she slumped on her books and papers, her mind too befuddled to understand what was really going on. She wanted to get up and go but her body just didn't work. Then with a jolt she realized that her name was being called by McGonagall. Fear sunk its claws into her heart.
Professor McGonagall was looking for her, but where she was the professor would probably not find her. And no one else knew about this spot as her refuge place. And now that she couldn't even call out… she really had worked herself into a mess. Once more Hermione felt like crying, but by now she was just too worn out. There simply were no more tears to spill.
And still the tiredness grew, her sick body taking what it had not been given. To rest and sleep, those thoughts started to dominate Hermione's mind, even shutting out professor McGonagall's voice. For a few moments Hermione tried to fight the sleep and the darkness that came with it. But her mind and spirit yearned for it and she give in. with a sigh she sunk into a deep slumber. Her body labouring to heal.
X
Professor McGonagall felt aggravated and worried. After Ronald Weasley and Neville Longbottom had told her of Hermione Granger's strange behaviour and their suspicions she had calmly told them she would take care of it.
Not at all worried she had send out a couple of tracer charms and gone to her classroom. She was confident her magic would soon find the sick girl and she would pick her up and bring her back to the temporary hospital room.
But then time had passed and she had just finished her second period class, fifth year Hufflepuff's, when she started to worry. Still she was confident and had used her two free periods to search for the girl. After a check up in the castle and finding out Hermione Granger had not attended any of her classes worry grew and she had enlisted a couple of students to help her search. At one point she had even looked outside but it had been to no avail. Hermione Granger was no where to be found.
Now with the day almost at its end, Minerva was feeling a bit frantic and was heading towards the Headmaster to inform him of her problem. In her mind Minerva listed all the information given to her by the students who had helped her.
Padma Patil had searched the library and her friend Lisa Turpin had searched the rooms on the same floor as the library. Then there had been Hannah Abbott and Susan Bones who where just now searching the ground floor. She herself had checked the other classes and Hagrid had searched the grounds after she had to return to her class. No one had been able to find miss Granger.
With a sigh Minerva swore to ask that girl how she had done it once they found her. Surely strange magic was at work here and she feared the bright witch might have done something dangerous. And with her being sick her magic should be unstable too, making faults all that more easy to make.
Crossing the main hall she was stopped by the sight of three seemingly stunned students. Two if them were looking horrified at the third figure laying on the ground. Feeling slightly sick Minerva recognized Hermione's still form and rushed over. The moment she approached the girls Hannah and Susan came out of their trance.
Screams permitted the air and students suddenly seemed to come from every corner. For a moment McGonagall felt like screaming herself before she pulled out her wand and cast a barrier. The next moment she stunned both Hannah Abbott and Susan Bones and carted the three bodies off to the temporary hospital at the third floor.
The masses behind the mobile barrier followed closely, clearly now that they had nothing else to do but wait for dinner, following professor McGonagall seemed like a good idea. Minerva herself felt annoyed and increased her pace and managed to get inside the hospital and slam the door before the students could follow inside.
For the next few minutes Minerva took care of Hermione Granger. Putting the girl in pyjamas and forcing two potions down her throat after an medical scan. As her friends has suspected she was indeed having a fever, from catching pneumonia. In her case it had developed faster than normal due to her not so healthy behaviour of the last two days.
After she had taken care of Granger professor McGonagall turned two the two Hufflepuff's and released them form their stunned states. Before the girls had come around enough to start screaming again McGonagall had pushed two steaming mugs of a mild relaxation potions and told them to drink.
Obedient they drank their potions silently and their pupils widened drastically and they slummed back in their beds. They watched professor McGonagall like a pair of lazy cats, their heads slowly moving to follow their teacher and answering all her questions without thinking.
When McGonagall left the girls she was once again speeding off to the Headmaster. Her thoughts jumbled as her mind tried to wrap itself around the just received information. Shaking her head she gave up and prayed Albus was where she needed him. This case she would gladly hand over to him and she would assist only from the sidelines.
Strange cat human creatures dumping Hermione in the main hall indeed. Creatures that spoke with a heavily accented hissed English and ordered the girls to take care of the human. She hoped she could find Albus in his office, she didn't feel like searching the castle for him.
X
Diner that night at Hogwarts was a loud and mind-boggling affair that night. Not only were rumours flying round the four tables with more speed than usual, it also appeared that several teachers could not or would not attend diner.
That evening Ron was informed by professor McGonagall that Hermione was save and being attended to. Not much later she left the Great Hall not even sitting down for diner. Ron told Neville about Hermione and the two boys then resolved to visiting her first thing in the morning if allowed.
At the same time this was happening Daphne Greengrass pointed out that an awful lot of professors were not attending diner, which was followed by a few comments and a whole lot of suggestions. Each of those rumours did not even tip the truth thought strangely enough some of the information circling around was indeed correct.
Hogwarts rumour mill continued well past midnight and most students would find themselves quite tired the next morning.
Somewhere else in the castle Draco awoke finding himself alone. On the table as a silent evidence that Severus Snape had indeed been in the room laid the potion journal. With a shrug Draco stood up and yawned. After a few second he found that he could put on his human shell and took of.
When the hidden door closed behind him he wondered for a moment where his grumpy godfather could have gone to before shrugging it off. If he knew his godfather he could probably be found in the dungeons brewing a potion.
Willing himself to walk slower and calm his instinct Draco walked into the Great Hall. At the dead of night it looked slightly creepy, a huge empty hall with five tables which were surrounded by lumpy black shadows which Draco knew were benches and chairs.
Calming down further he walked to the Slytherin table and settled down. After a moment a single plate appeared with small pieces of meat and a glass of iced water. While eating Draco thought about his latest dream visit. His heart was still humming form the vigorous kiss he had been sharing with his mate before he had woken from it. If he closed his eyes he could still taste his mate and feel the soft warmth against his lips.
A warm feeling crept up from his chest and Draco smiled. With a quick few swigs he drowned the last of his water and stood up. The dream had told him his mate was fine, the progress was coming along great and he had the whole night to search the castle. Now the only question would be were to begin.
After a few moments of indecision Draco decided to begin with familiar territory, the dungeons. Sure Severus would not like it if he was indeed working, but he would be done with the dungeons quickly as he knew them by heart.
With practiced ease Draco slipped through the network of halls in the dungeons. His eyes sliding form wall to wall and stopping for each door. Each time he hoped to have reached his destination, but as he closed his eyes and focussed his attention to his surroundings he felt nothing. Each time he found out he had not yet found his mate hurt him.
Sure his dream had been great if not a but sexually frustrating, but knowing that he would probably had to wait another day to find his mate was not acceptable. And as the hours crept on and Draco moved to the ground floor he knew that he would have to wait till the seventh day. It just didn't make it any easier to feel so tangled up. His whole being was telling him to mate, to find his partner and enforce their bond.
And even though he knew that he had probably not a change at all to find his mate before the seventh day, his instincts were telling him he should at least try. So as hours passed by Draco wondered around. He was so distracted that when he passed a window on the third corridor and saw the sky turning a soft grey he was surprised.
Already the log night had to make place for the day. Stopping to admire the view he wondered. Today was his mates sixth day. He would have reached the second wave this night or the following night to come. And he thought with a big smirk, tomorrow he was certain to get his mate.
Yes tomorrow nothing was going to stop him from getting his mate, and if the dreams had been any indication his mate was longing form him just as much as he was for him.
X
Narcissa Malfoy watched as the sun broke the sky with soft pastels. One look at her calendar told her that day six had just dawned. With a soft fragile smile she looked back down on her journal. The thick green leather journal was her third since she had given birth to Draco. Each journal spanning hundred and hundred of pages filled with her thoughts, emotions and opinion. And in some rare cases she had drawn in them.
Touching the drying page with a fingertip she infused her magic in it. The text flickered then shimmered. The black ink seemed to swirl and took on the characteristic quicksilver nature of mercury. She smiled, it was a handy little spell she had learned long ago. In the beginning she had started using it at home so her sister could not read her dairies. Now it served to keep her much more deadly secrets and thoughts.
In those volumes she had plotted and told of things she had done to ensure Draco's safety. It would not do to have Lucius find them and read about it. Her husband would kill her for sure this time, and he would drag Draco to the Dark Lord within the same day he had killed her with some petty excuse.
Oh she was sure he would be slick about his excuse as always. He would probably tell Draco the Dark Lord had made her an prisoner to cement the trap he would create. So she had made use of her little spell all these years while writing in her journals. And now after all these years, with Draco just a day away form claiming his mate she would soon have no need to write in her journals any longer.
With a smile she thought about the house she and Draco had created. The lovely garden with a myriad of flowers. She would be happy there and she would be able to see her grandchildren being born there.
The house more like an old fashion castle was infused with old ancient magic's and adapted to suit the two Dragonseekers. With a happy sight Narcissa closed the journal and put it away in one of the many drawers of her desk.
Standing up she went to the window and looked outside once more taking in the view she would soon be trading for something else. And while she did so she forced the feeling away that she would be spending more time waiting here than she would like.
For Draco would be mated by tomorrow, but then he would probably take a few more months before he felt it safe enough for him and his mate to move. Why was it that when the end was finally in sight time seemed to double if not triple. If only she could move time like she wanted too without casing problems. But she would just have to wait it out, sure enough things would be well soon.