Paper Moon
Chapter
28
The
Thought That Haunts Hermione
Ten minutes
later, they entered a large abandoned house. It's tall, dark windows were
boarded
up in places,
and cracked in others.
"I don't know
about this, Professor." Hermione whispered, her voice trembling with fear
from
what had happened
that day. "It looks like it could collapse any minute."
"Ah, young
Granger, that is where you are wrong . . . for once in your life." he added,
looking
significantly
at her.
Hermione blushed
with pride from this unexpected praise from her usually cruel potions master.
Draco smiled
at her, realising how much this meant to her. Ron tried hard not to vomit.
"Well my young
friends, you will be residing here for now until Mr Lucius Malfoy and Lord
Voldemort
find other events that require their attention. I assure you they will
be more interesting
then chasing
a group of teenagers around the muggle world."
They all nodded and Snape turned to leave.
"Wait!" Hermione yelled out. "Aren't you staying?"
Snape's gaze
fastened on Hermione. "No I cannot. Dumbledore has urgent business for
me to
complete.
You are amply protected here by more than just the security of the house.
Harry then
realised that the hair on the back of his neck was prickling. It was then
that he
realised that
the house was protected by all manner of spells and enchantments. The others
seemed to
realise this too, and they all exchanged glances.
"I will admit
that the magic used to protect you here is not all white magic. Some of
it is in fact
dark arts
known to none save the few who knew the Dark Lord." Snape shuddered slightly,
then regained
his composure. "The Dark Lord himself cannot remove the curses, enchantments
and spells
that are protecting the four of you, so you need not fear for your safety.
Now
farewell.
I must leave."
He was seen
off with a chorus of thank yous and goodbyes, and he smiled at the warm
feeling
that filled
him. After he had left, Hermione slumped down next to Ron on the couch.
Draco left
to sleep in
one of the many bedrooms upstairs and Harry went into the large room to
their left,
which turned
out to be a pool hall. Ron turned to Hermione.
"So what do you see in him anyway?"
Hermione looked at him in surprise. "I don't know. He's just so kind."
When Ron snorted
in disbelief she continued. "Oh Ron you just don't see it. Underneath that
cold, nasty
exterior he's really charming, and insecure. Oh, Ron! No one in his life
has ever
loved him
until me. He's just so gentle and kind."
Ron's gaze
unnerved her and she looked away. Suddenly she jumped in surprise as Ron
whispered
right into her ear. "I can be gentle and kind as well."
Without warning
his lips fastened on hers and she pulled away with mixed feelings. On one
hand she was
horrified and her love for Draco made her angry. On the other hand she
felt
confused.
What she had felt when he kissed her put her feelings for Ron in a new
light.
Instead of
confronting those feelings now, she stood and walked into the pool hall
and picked
up a cue.
She looked out at Ron as he leaned back and closed his eyes. She felt a
warm feeling
rise up in
her and she smiled. If Draco could hear what she was thinking at the moment,
he
wouldn't be
very pleased at all.
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