Left Behind 3: Curses

Among Friends

Hey guys, I am utterly exhausted. I have been working so much and trying to find the time to pack and get things sorted and signed and it is killing me slightly. If there are any typos in this one please be patient. (Its okay to point them out just be kind about it) I think I've gotten 10 hours sleep in the last 3 nights combined so I am not at my best. That said I do hope you enjoy this chapter. It is double length, but I wanted these two parts together so we could have a little from each of our heroes.

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Three Days since Narcissa's Rescue.

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"I want out of this bloody room," Hermione said gesturing around. 

The order had decided that it was best for everyone if Hermione stay in relative isolation for a time. The logic was, that if there was some kind of a spell or affect on her from Draco, time would lessen its bonds and she would be free.

"Its for your own protection Hermione."

Hermione rolled her eyes and let out a grumble about the sheer stupidity of her peers.

There was no spell to fade.

She cared about Draco, that had nothing to do with magic and so keeping them apart wouldn't have an effect.

Of course the bind itself, which linked Hermione and Draco together could not be broken. Hermione at least was grateful for that. 

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, the old adage fluttered into Hermione's mind and she felt an awful squeezing in her chest.

Beyond the worry and the concern for Draco there was something more.

She missed him.

She missed sitting and talking with him about books. She missed the fact that he listened, and...she missed how safe his arms felt.

"My brother is still a bit miffed that you broke his nose," Ginny ventured hesitantly after the silence had stretched on for a length.

"I don't give a flying rat's ass that he's pissed," Hermione snapped, suddenly and immediately furious all over again. I hope he got two black eyes out of the deal!" Hermione still wasn't over the fact that Ron, had TRADED Draco away.

The only consolation was that he had traded Draco to Narcissa and Hermione hadn't felt any pain or distress through the bind. Though every time she had tried to reach out to him she had been hit with a strange wall.

"He loves you," said Ginny quietly.

"Then why the hell doesn't listen to me?" asked Hermione. "Why doesn't he trust me?"

"Hermione, Draco bullied you. He called you a mudblood, he used the imperious curse on a young girl. He sent a poisoned bottle which my brother ended up drinking and nearly dying...its...conflicting..." Ginny paused. "But I believe Fred and I want to believe you."

There was such sincerity in Ginny's voice.

"I know it doesn't seem to make sense from the outside but he saved me Ginny. That's the truth."

"Why don't you tell me what happened," said Ginny. "I promise I'll listen. And I promise if there is any part you don't want to talk about or any part you don't want me to share..." she hesitated "Even if it means keeping it from Harry...you have my word its a secret I'll keep," she reached for Hermione's hand. "Help me understand."

Hermione looked across at the young woman sitting opposite her feeling like she was standing on a cliff. Ginny was younger than her and yet felt like a sister to her. Especially over the past few years. Getting older age seemed to matter less and Hermione had never really had a female friend. She had always just had Ron and Harry...that had always been enough. Now here she was with Ron pissed at her and her pissed at him and Harry...well Harry didn't understand.