549 When this was young, The story's done
The story'd only just begun
And writing it was just for fun
Those days are gone
Sitting alone
With all the chapters I'd wrote
but when I try to movie quote
sticks in my throat
don't wanna read
the ending line
the characters,
don't wanna see
the characters,
aren't mine, anymore
Chapter Twenty: Heaven Can Wait
Draco barely had time to take a step forward when there was suddenly a flash of light near Jim's downward tunnel. He heard someone shouting, and turned to see Ron throwing something at him.
"Go get Hermione!"
Draco caught the object with one hand. It was a Firebolt.
Draco didn't have time to react. He mounted the broom, shot straight up into the air, and followed straight down into the tunnel after Hermione.
He fought against the cold breeze cutting at his face, making his eyes water. He spotted the cage, and pushed himself even harder, still trying to figure out how to make it stop before it hit the bottom. He noticed a small metal circle at the top, used to hang the cage. Waiting for the right second, he brought his broom vertical, then, at the last split second, he the thread the broom through the hole, wedging both ends of the broom across the tunnel width, stopping the cage in mid-fall.
His heart stopped, hoping that the broom wouldn't break in the middle from the weight of the cage.
It didn't.
"Hermione?" he called, hoping the girl hadn't fainted from shock, which would make his job even more difficult.
He felt the cage move. "Draco?"
He had barely opened his mouth when he felt the back of the broom begin to slide downwards. She was leaning on the edge of the cage, putting more weight on one end.
"No no no! Don't move! Don't move, Hermione! Stand in the centre of the cage," he said, trying to keep his weight forward to compensate. He felt the back of the broom slide down a little more. He knew that if the broom went vertical, the broom wouldn't be strong enough to pull both them and the cage up.
"Hermione, listen carefully," said, trying to keep his voice calm. "We're going to have to do this all in one shot, okay? Now, I need you to count down from ten, and when you get to one, I need you to come to the cage door on the left and grab my hand, okay?" Draco asked.
"Okay," Hermione said. Draco tried to ignore the panic in her voice. He sighed.
"It's okay. You can do this. Just don't look down," he said.
Hermione snickered. "Shrek! I'm lookin' down!" she said to herself.
Draco tried to fight back a smile, but failed. He began pulling out his wand. "As much as I'd like to play this film game right now, I'd really love to get out of here first."
He imagined Hermione nodding. "Okay."
He smiled and leaned forward, closer to the cage. "And Shrek by the way."
He heard Hermione chuckle, but then turn serious and take a deep breath. As Hermione began to count down, Draco worked on the lock on the door. She was at six when he broke the lock. He whispered a chant and by the time she hit four, he had managed to get the door open. Leaning over the front of the broom with his arm down, he held his breath.
"Three... two...ONE!"
Draco felt everything happen in slow motion. He waited for Hermione to jump out. Suddenly, her arm appeared and grabbed onto his. He grabbed her hand and pulled her up, just as he felt the back of the broom begin to give.
"Hermione!"
"Hang on!" she let go of one of her hands, so she was left there hanging, the other grabbing onto the door of the cage. She looked in and saw what she had hoped.
"Draco, give me your wand!"
Too scared to worry, he obliged. He watched as she aimed inside the cage. Just as a flash came from his wand, the back of the broom gave out, and they began to fall.
Luckily, the cage wasn't attached.
Looking for his wand to get a bearing of where Hermione's hand was, Draco grabbed Hermione's other hand and pulled her onto the broom. Not taking time to breath a sigh of relief, he kicked off and the two headed back up the tunnel.
Hermione smiled as Draco leaned his head into her shoulder. "I thought I lost you there for a second."
She laughed. "No, but you did lose a very nice cage. Luckily the hanging part of it screwed through a hole in the top. I just blew the screw away. But it was nice. We could probably shove your father into it."
Draco stopped the broom in mid-air.
"Hermione, switch places with me."
Hermione turned to look at Draco over his shoulder, and her heart warmed at the look of concern in his eyes.
"Are you sure?"
He nodded, brushing a piece of hair out of her face. "I almost lost you once. I'm not gonna lose you again."
Hermione nodded. Draco felt his heart tighten. He didn't know what's going on up there, and the last thing he wanted was for her to get hurt again.
When the two of them had switched places, Draco grabbed onto the broomstick. "Ready?"
Hermione leaned her head against his back, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Ready."
Draco slowly eased the broom up the tunnel. It began getting brighter and brighter until finally they had reached the rim. He heard a battle going on, and poked his head out of the hole.
Jim was off in the corner with Ron, the cage cast to the side, with another broom next to him. Harry (who Draco assumed had flown down to get Jim) and Lynx were circling each other, as though preparing to duel. Lucius seemed to be battling himself, fighting with...
"Dumbledore," Hermione whispered to Draco. Draco nodded. He watched as the two powerful wizards were going head to head, throwing curses back and forth. Draco figured that Dumbledore must have brought the brooms for them.
"Dumbledore isn't even trying," said Draco. He felt Hermione nod. Draco smiled. "Not bad for an old guy," he said, ignoring Hermione's playful swat at the back of his head.
Giving a quick scan again, he moved the broom over to the side. Hermione grabbed onto the ledge and pulled herself up, Draco following behind. Hermione spotted Jim and Ron.
"Oh God, Julie..." she said, quickly running over to her. Ron looked up and Draco tossed him the Firebolt. He gave Ron a look of concern. Ron nodded, as if to say that everything was okay.
Draco pulled out his wand and looked at Harry. "Potter!" he shouted.
Harry looked up as Lynx threw a curse at Harry. Draco opened his mouth just as a figure shoved Harry out of the way. Draco pointed his wand at Lynx.
"Accostifis totalus," he shouted. Lynx fell to the ground and squirmed as though he had been bound tight in invisible rope. Draco ran over to Harry.
"Potter, you okay?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah, I'm alright."
"Well now, ain't you just the best friend ever! Nah, don't ask how I'm doing, huh? Some friend. I got one thing to say to you: you suck!"
Draco laughed as he glanced over at Charlie, lying next to Harry. His look suddenly became concerned. "Are you okay?"
"Oh, NOW you ask me? NOW you ask me? Well you know what? I... am fine... I'm FINE!" said Charlie, trying not to laugh at the end of his rant.
"Dumbledore isn't looking all that fine though," said Harry, motioning. Draco turned. It looked as though Dumbledore was losing strength.
Hermione looked up just in time to see Dumbledore fall. She stood up and began to run over to him at the same time that Draco had turned. Lucius spun around as Dumbledore stood up. Draco froze at the big grin that had spread across Lucius' face. Lucius pointed his wand at Hermione.
"Drop the wand Dumbledore, or you lose your prize student," he said, glaring at Dumbledore.
Dumbledore stood rigid in his position. Draco looked over at Hermione, and felt his heart ache again at the fear in her eyes. He looked at Dumbledore, who seemed calm. Draco , however, knew that he was conflicted beneath those steel blue eyes. He nodded to him, and a silent agreement passed between the two. Lucius took no notice, and only drew his attention to the fact that Dumbledore had not yet dropped his wand.
Lucius smiled. "Fine. Your funeral," he said. He turned to Hermione, a glare in his eyes, and grinned. "Crucio"
Hermione shut her eyes, but she was suddenly shoved sideways, falling into someone's arms. She heard someone cry out in pain, and someone else hit the floor. Suddenly, everything was silent, and she opened her eyes.
Lucius lay on the floor, unmoving. Her eyes moved to Dumbledore, who was hunched over a body. Her stomach fell.
Draco.
"Draco!" she shouted. She tried to move, but strong arms were wrapped around her, keeping her in place. "Draco!" She started struggling with the person holding her.
"Let her go Harry," said Charlie. Harry waited until Hermione had calmed down a little before he released her. She stumbled forward until she landed on her knees, hunched next to Draco.
He looked peaceful and calm, as though he was dreaming. Hermione felt tears streaming down her face. "Oh God, Draco, please wake up... please..."
Dumbledore now stood up, looking visibly upset. Harry looked at him. "Dumbledore?"
He sighed and looked at Harry. He said nothing, but his eyes said it all. Draco was gone.
Hermione began shaking. "Draco, please..."
Charlie came over to her. "Hermione... he's gone..." He stood her up and began to lead her away. "No... no..." she said to herself as Charlie gently put a hand on her shoulder. She turned around, burying her face in Charlie's shirt. Charlie shook his head. "Damn D, you're braver than me, man." He rubbed his hand across Hermione's back, trying to soothe her sobs. Suddenly, she spun around and ran back to where Draco lay.
Charlie reached out. "Hermione..."
Dumbledore stopped him. "Let her go, Charles."
Hermione shook her head. "Draco, please... you can't leave me... I need you... I was so stupid, and I never told you how much... how much you mean to me. You said you didn't want to lose me again... well I don't want to lose you either... please, I can't... I need you Draco... I love you, please... please don't leave... please..."
Tears fell from Hermione's face onto Draco's, and she began shaking. Lying his head in her lap, she began to run her fingers through his hair. "Please... I won't lose you... please Draco... Draco, wake up please... don't... don't be stupid Draco, please..."
She closed her eyes and began to rock back and forth. She felt Charlie's hand on her shoulder.
"He's gone, Hermione..."
"No... no, he's not...". Charlie released her shoulder, and headed over where Dumbledore, Harry, Ron, and Jim were standing.
Hermione pounded the ground with her free hand. "Stupid, stupid Draco! Why did you have to do that?"
She took a breath and sighed, shutting her eyes, trying to stop her tears.
"...because I love you..."
Hermione's eyes shot open. She looked down. "Draco?..."
"For the record, calling me stupid isn't exactly the best way to get me to wake up..." Draco opened his eyes, "... but it is the best way to bring me back, just so I can prove you wrong," he said, giving her his classic smirk.
Hermione's eyes opened wide, and she brought her hands to her face. "I thought you were..."
"Dead? No... not quite. I almost was, but somebody was talking so much that I didn't quite fall into that eternal sleep..." he said, grinning.
"Really?" she said, smiling. "Who could that be?"
Draco shrugged and sat up, ignoring the pain. "I don't know... but whoever it is, I'd love to thank her."
Hermione raised her eyebrows. "Really? And how would you thank her?"
Draco brushed a strand of hair out of her face and ran a finger under her chin. "Like this..." he said, leaning forward.
Hermione barely had the chance to breathe as a voice rang out through the tent.
"D baby! I knew you were lying!"
Draco groaned and turned to watch Charlie running towards the two of them at full speed, followed by Harry, Jim, and Ron.
Draco rolled his eyes and looked at Hermione. He smirked. "We'll finish our little conversation later."
Hermione tried to hide her blush as Charlie came and clapped Draco on the back, who cringed. Harry came over, grinning.
"D, you scared... the HELL outta me boy! What the hell is the matter wit you? Goddamn D! I almost had to go change my pants!"
Draco cringed at the mental image. "Charlie, too much information!"
Everybody laughed, and Hermione felt a huge sigh of relief come over her. Harry and Ron both came over and offered their congratulations, and told him that if he needed anything, that they'd be glad to help. Draco nodded and smiled. His gaze shifted over to Jim, who was just leaving with Charlie.
"Jim," he called out.
She turned around. Her gaze shifted from Draco to Hermione, back to Draco. She smiled. "I'm not the one you want to talk to. Ask Hermione."
Draco gave Hermione a curious look and was just about to open his mouth when a voice stopped him.
"Mister Malfoy."
Draco looked up at Dumbledore. "Yes, sir?"
Dumbledore smiled. "In all my years of fighting on the side of good, I have never seen something so miraculous in my life."
Draco nodded, giving him a little smile. "I'm pretty amazed myself."
Dumbledore nodded and began to turn away. "Oh, Mister Malfoy? One question."
"Yes sir?"
He smiled. "I've heard a rumour that the only way to survive the suffering of the Crucious curse is to think of something in particular. May I ask what that particular thing was?"
Draco smiled but avoided Hermione's gaze. "I was... I was thinking about someone I cared about, sir... someone I... someone I love, sir."
Dumbledore smiled and nodded. "Very good. Well, I must be off. I still have a school to run. You two can find your way back alright?"
Draco nodded. "No problem."
Dumbledore smiled. "Good. Well, I'll see you both later."
Draco and Hermione watched Dumbledore leave the tent. Draco turned to Hermione.
"What did Jim mean? What..."
Hermione looked down at the floor. She took Draco's hand in hers, weaving their fingers together. "I..."
Draco tilted her head up to look him in the eye. "Hermione, it's okay... what is it?"
Hermione took a deep breath. "The girl... on the train... that was me."
Draco looked stunned. "What?"
Hermione sighed. "I was the girl on the train. I was the one you were talking to. It wasn't Julie. I used Polyjuice Potion to change into Julie. I just... I just never... I didn't know that it would turn out this way..."
"Turn out what way?"
Hermione groaned. "I didn't know... that I'd end up falling in love with you... it wasn't supposed to happen, I just..."
"Why didn't you tell me?" asked Draco.
Hermione's gaze met his. "I... I don't know... I thought you were in love with Jim, and the last thing I wanted to do was confuse you... which, I obviously ended up doing anyway. I just didn't want to hurt you."
Draco sat in silence for a moment, staring at the ground. Hermione groaned inwardly, unable to stand the unbearable silence any longer.
"Look... I understand if you... if you don't want to talk to me anymore... if you hate me, I understand."
Draco looked up at her. "Why would I hate you?"
Hermione looked at him. She shrugged, not knowing what to say.
Suddenly, Draco broke out into a big grin. "You know... I think... I've always known somehow... two incredibly similar people sharing such a large margin of movie tastes and sense of humor in common... too weird not to be the same. Besides, knowing that the two people I cared about were the same person... now I can put twice as much effort into taking care of one."
Hermione smiled. "I'm glad you're not disappointed. I mean, when it came down to either Jim or me..."
"... I was going to pick you. And I think you know that," said Draco, smiling.
Hermione brightened. "Really?"
Draco turned serious for a moment. He took Hermione's hands in his. "You... kept me alive... when I saw my father... and that I was going to lose you again... I wasn't going to let it happen. And when I fell, the last thing I saw was you in Potter's arms... and I knew that even if I was gone, that you would be safe. That Charlie, and Potter, and Weasley would take care of you... you were all that was on my mind when I fell..." he paused. "Actually... you've been on my mind since the beginning of school... just in a different form."
Hermione smiled. "So when Dumbledore asked you what you were thinking of..."
"... I was thinking of someone I loved... you."
Hermione felt a tear trickle down her face. "I can't... believe..."
Draco grinned. "Believe it."
Hermione wrapped her arms around Draco's neck, pulling him into a hug. Draco wrapped his arms around her waist.
"So... I take it this means you feel the same way?"
Hermione pulled away from Draco to look him in the eye. Smiling, she brought her lips to his, a pleasant warmth spreading throughout her body. After a moment, she pulled away. Draco kept his eyes closed.
"Does that answer your question?"
Draco opened his eyes and grinned. "Yes, ma'am, I reckon it does."
Hermione laughed. "Ma'am?"
Draco smiled. "Got a problem with it?"
She shrugged. "It makes me sound old."
Draco wrapped his arms around her waist tighter. "Fine." He brought his head to rest against hers, and smiled. "Here's lookin' at you, kid."
Hermione smiled as Draco's lips met hers. She pulled away. "Much better," she said.
Draco laughed. "I always feel safer with the classics. And Casablanca is a great one."
Hermione grinned. "I love Casablanca."
Draco smiled. "And I love you."
Hermione laughed. "Well then, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
Draco faked a scoff. "Friendship? So I'm just a frie-..."
Hermione silence him by pulling Draco's mouth to hers. She laced her fingers around the back of her neck, pulling him closer to her. If her life was a film, this was the happy ending she'd been waiting for.
The End
*********
Author's Note: TA DA! Unfortunately, this is the end of a great story (at least I think so). I apologize for the corniness of the ending, but I really couldn't think of what else to do with it. Please don't hurt me! Anyway, the next thing in line is a movie quotes bonanza! And a bit of trivia to see if you guys caught all the loose movie quotes floating around. Hope you all loved the story. Don't worry, the sequel is coming out soon!
My review song is "You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You" by Mr. Dean Martin (I love the classics!):
You're nobody 'til somebody reviews So review and show me the love!
You're nobody 'til somebody cares
You may be king, you may possess the world and it's words
But words won't bring you happiness when you're reviewing for the birds
Writers stay the same, you'll never change them
as sure as reviews show your love!
You're nobody till somebody reviews...