Blissful Oblivion

Chapter 11 - Memory

Hermione's POV

Hermione sat at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall next to Harry and opposite and awkward looking Ron.

'Hermione.' Ron said. 'I wanted to um... apologise for what I did. It isn't up to me to decide who you can and can't hang around with. I'm not saying that I will ever like Malfoy, because I won't, but I guess I can...tolerate him for you.'

Hermione stared at him, contemplating whether or not she should forgive him.

'It's alright.' She said finally. 'I forgive you.'

Ron smiled and she smiled back, glad to have her friend back.

'Silence if you would.' Professor McGonagall called from the front of the hall. 'I would like to inform those of you who don't already know, that there has been an attack.'

There was suddenly an uproar of controversy in the hall. McGonagall waited for the noise to quieten.

'The crutiatus curse was used on a pupil by someone who had to have already been inside Hogwarts.' Gasps of horror echoed across the room and Hermione hid behind her hair.

'Whilst the perpetrator is unknown, set rules are going to be put into place. All students will go straight to their common rooms after dinner and everyone must be accompanied at all times after dark. You have been warned, that is all.'

Everyone finished their dinner, and left the hall in groups, discussing the attack. The hall was almost empty by the time Hermione, Ron and Harry were leaving. Hermione glanced towards the Slytherin table to see the only other people in the room, Draco, Pansy and Goyle were also leaving. Her gaze fixed on Pansy.

Suddenly her vision went blurry and she fell backwards into Harry.

'Hermione.' She heard him shout, it was as if he was a thousand miles away. Hermione found herself somewhere she thought she had been before.

She was on the floor, screaming. She looked up to see who her attacker was. A face rose out of the darkness, a face that she recognised. It was Pansy.

'Crutio.' Pansy shouted.

Suddenly, Hermione was back in the Great Hall.

'Hermione? Are you alright?' Ron asked her, worried.

'I'm fine. You two go, I'll walk back with Draco.' She lied.

'Are you sure?' Harry asked.

She nodded and they left.

She looked around the room until her eyes found what she was looking for. She took out her wand and stormed across to the other side of the Great Hall.

'It was you!' She screamed at Pansy as she half ran towards her.

Pansy saw Hermione approaching her and took out her wand.

'You deserved it!' Pansy didn't bother trying to deny that it was her. 'Cru-'

Hermione flicked her wand, easily dodging the curse and Draco moved quickly towards them both but was stopped by Goyle.

'Expelliarmus!' Goyle shouted and Draco's wand flew out of his hand. 'Crutio!'

Draco writhed on the floor in pain. He looked as though he were trying to hold back screams, instead he closed his eyes in agony. Hermione acted quickly.

'Stupefy!' She screamed at Pansy, who flew backwards into the stone wall, unconscious. She turned quickly to Goyle who had stopped the crutiatus curse, surprised at Hermione. Draco remained on the floor, the effects of the curse had immobilised him.

At that moment, Professor Flitwick rushed through the entrance of the Great Hall.

'Expelliarmus!' He shouted at Goyle. 'I'll deal with this.' He said to Hermione. 'Take Draco to your common room. I will notify Professor McGonagall.'

Hermione nodded, collected Draco's wand and helped him up onto his feet. She half carried him to their common room. When they got there she helped him onto his bed and sat on the edge of it.

'Thanks.' Draco muttered, before falling unconscious.