Where Am I Supposed To Turn?

Chapter 4: Breaking Ties

A/N
There's some mature content in this chapter. Just giving a warning! Enjoy c:

Hermione's P.O.V

I ran out of the common room as fast as I could. I didn't want Draco to see me crying. I didn't want him to know how badly I'd been hurt recently.
'He can't know.' I told myself. I kept telling myself that over and over again. 'I can't fall in love with him...'
I ran all the way to the Library. When I got there, I felt safer than I had in a long time. I could still feel the tears running down my face. I walked to the back of the Library and sat down, I pulled some books close to me and opened a book at random. It didn't take very long for me to be found by someone. Harry sat down across from me and pulled a book towards him from the stack in front of me. For a while we just sat there in silence, I knew he was pretending to read just like I was.
"Hermione?" He asked me after a long while.
"Yes?" I sniffed. I had stopped crying only a couple minutes ago, but I didn't want to start crying again.
"Did someone hurt you?" He asked me concerned.
Before I could answer, I saw none other than Draco Malfoy walk into the library. He looked around for a minute, spotted me and began to walk over to where Harry and I were sitting.
"Oi! Potter!" He said, walking a bit faster towards us.
Harry whipped around in his chair and glared at Draco. "What do you want Malfoy?" Harry asked menacingly.
Draco reached us just as Harry asked that, he leaned in a bit to Harry and stage whispered to Harry. "I would like a private word with you Potter."
Harry and I stared at Draco in confusion and shock. Harry stood up, unsure, and then glanced at me.
"You can say whatever you want to say in front of Hermione." He said stubbornly, crossing his arms.
Draco glanced at me and then back at Harry, shifting his feet. "No I can't." His gaze fell to the floor. Harry looked back at me, his arms dropping back to his sides, I could tell that he was completely startled. He looked back at Draco and evaluated the situation.
"Fine." Harry said after a while, he turned back to me and said, "Hermione, could you take my bag up to the common room? I'll be there as soon as I can and then we'll talk. Okay?"
"Okay." I said slowly. I was very confused at this point. I moved my hair behind my ears as they walked out of the Library. I dove for Harry's bag and opened it, his father's invisibility cloak was stuffed in there. I silently thanked Harry for always having it on him at school.
I pulled the cloak over me and followed them out, grabbing Harry's bag on my way out. I silently followed them for a couple corridors when they came to a stop between two sets of armor.
"Okay, Malfoy, what is it that you want so badly to talk to me about that it couldn't be said in front of Hermione?" Harry asked, crossing his arms again.
Draco started pacing, running his hands through his platinum blonde hair. "It's about Hermione, Potter."
I watched him pacing back and forth in front of Harry.
'What could he possibly want to talk with Harry about me?' I wondered, and then, horror struck me. 'He's not going to tell him we kissed will he?!' I continued watching the two of them. Harry's green eyes hard and blazing. Draco's grey-blue eyes worried and pleading.
Draco took a deep breath and asked, "Harry... I need you to find out for me if she's okay, I don't think she will talk to me about it..."
Harry looked like he had been clubbed over the head. "W-what? What do you mean? I mean, why? Why do you suddenly care about her feelings when you've been horrible to her ever since first year?" Harry asked, with steel in his voice and daggers in his eyes.
Draco turned to Harry and stopped pacing. "I was horrible to her because I cared for her. When my father found out he used the Cruciatis curse on me to teach me a lesson." His eyes were desperate now. "Harry, I know I've been horrible to you all, but you of all people should know that war changes people. It certainly changed all three of you. And... I... Think I might... Love... Her..."
Draco looked away from Harry, turned around and punched the wall.
I had my hands over my mouth the entire time. I placed them over my eyes instead. I didn't want to see Harry curse Draco.
"Malfoy..." I heard Harry say. "She's going through a lot right now... I know you are too, but you also have to take Ron into consideration. They're together after all..."
"I know," Draco moaned, it sounded muffled. I moved my hands away so I could see what was happening.
The scene in front of me hadn't changed much, Harry was still beside Draco, but Draco was now on his knees with his face in his hands. One of them was dripping blood.
Suddenly, Draco stood up, his face was red and blotchy like he had been crying. "Nevermind Potter. I only wish to court her if the two of them break up... And I can't see that happening... They appear to be happy with each other. Who am I to tromp their happiness? Just make sure she's okay. Talk to her... I don't think she'll talk to me today. See you around Potter."
Draco swiftly walked away from Harry, but I quickly ran after him, pulling the invisibility cloak closer around me. I slowed down so I could follow him from a distance. He was heading to the Head's Common Room. I paused for a few minutes, wondering if I should go in and talk to him.
'Not yet.' I thought to myself. I turned heel and ran all the way to the Gryffindor Tower to talk to Harry. When I got into the common room, I pulled off the cloak and stuffed it into Harry's bag. The common room was deserted, so I sat down in one of the cushy armchairs in front of the fire. For a while I sat there staring at the fire, while scenes from what I just witnessed ran through my head. Draco's face swam before my eyes. I could still hear him telling Harry that he loved me. A big goofy smile spread across my face before I could stop it.
The common room door opened behind me, I stood up with the smile still on my face, "Harry, I-" I stopped when I turned around. It wasn't Harry, but Ron who had come through the door. The smile fell from my face and I looked around, hoping someone would come in so I wouldn't have to be alone with Ron.
"What're you waiting for Harry for?" Ron asked, anger in his voice.
"I-I just have his bag and I was waiting for him here because he asked me to." I said timidly.
"Hmph. Sure." Ron said looking at me darkly. He started walking towards me slowly. "I don't think I believe you Hermione."
I stood up straighter and crossed my arms in front of me. "And why do you say that?" I asked stubbornly.
Ron smirked at me. "Because I just ran into Harry at the Library and he said that he was looking for you."
"Well..." I said, casting around for an excuse.
Ron stepped very close to me, towering over me. "Well what?" He said menacingly.
"Well then we must have missed each other. I stayed in the Library for a while after he left, and I've only been here for a few minutes anyway." I lied easily.
"Hmph. Sure." He said. "I still think you're lying to me Hermione." Before I could say anything back to him, he hit me across the face. I fell back, smacking my head against the fireplace. Little lights danced across my vision.
I stayed down rather than get up, I knew there would be more coming. And I was right. He kicked me once... Twice... Three times in my stomach and ribs. I felt some of my ribs crack, he pulled me up by my hair and I swallowed down the scream that had risen to my lips.
He put his lips near my ear and said harshly, "If you ever lie to me again Hermione, you'll get much worse than that. Now I want to know why you were meeting Harry here."
"I told you." I said through gritted teeth, "I was giving him back his bag."
He threw me away from him. "Liar." He spat. He kicked me again. "Tell me the truth Hermione."
"I already did!" I cried, staying on the floor. But not for long. I got up swaying and holding my wand. I dropped my voice lower and spoke clearly so he would hear me. "But you don't care about that do you Ronald? No, you certainly didn't. I thought I loved you. But I was dead wrong. Wasn't I? I don't love you. I tolerate you. But I'm done tolerating you Ronald. You're excuse for hurting me is that you are hurting. So I'm leaving you. And if you try and stop me, I will curse you. Now get out of my way." I was clenching my wand so hard I thought I would break it.
I could see that he wanted to stop me, but he moved aside slowly. I walked around him, keeping my wand pointed at him. When I got to the door, I turned around and quickly left, slamming the door behind me.
I stood outside the common room for a few minutes waiting to see if he would charge after me. After I realized that he wouldn't, I ran off to my common room. When I got there, I gasped out the password to the wolf, and ran into the common room and smacked right into Draco. I kept my head down, not looking at him.
"I-I'm sorry... I wasn't watching where I was going Draco." I murmured.
"It's alright." He said to me.
"Um... Excuse me... I'm going to bed..." I said, still not looking up.
"Without eating lunch? I don't think so Hermione." He said, reaching for my arm.
"I-I don't feel good." I lied. "I need to lay down."
"Why won't you look at me?" He asked, lifting my chin up so I was looking at him.
His face was filled with horror. For a moment I was confused, then I realized that I must have a bruise on my face from Ron hitting me.
He lightly touched it with the tips of his fingers. "Who did this to you?" His voice shook with anger.
I glanced around, trying not to wince as he touched my face. "No one. I-I fell."
"Hermione... I'm taking you to the hospital wing." He said, grabbing my arm.
"Wh-what? No! Draco, I assure you I'm fine!" I protested.
"You are not fine Hermione. Let's go." He said stubbornly. And with a vice like grip, he steered me out of the common room and towards the hospital wing.

Draco's P.O.V.

I walked her to the hospital wing, all the while wondering if she had been telling the truth about the bruise on her face. If it was nothing, I wouldn't worry about it, but I couldn't help but worry about it right now.
Hermione was walking kind of slow, and I couldn't help but wonder if something else was wrong.
"Hermione, are you sure you're alright?" I asked, concerned.
"I'm fine." She snapped. She looked so tired, she also looked like she had been crying.
We arrived at the hospital wing, I had her lay down then went to call for Madam Pomfrey. I knocked on her office door and she came bustling out.
"Yes Mr. Malfoy? What can I help you with today?" She looked like she was in a frenzy, her hair hanging loosely around her face.
"Er... My friend fell down and she appears to be in bad shape, could you help her?" I said, I didn't quite know what to say.
Madam Pomfrey looked surprised. "Okay Mr. Malfoy. Where is she?"
I lead her over to the bed that Hermione was laying on. I stood back as Madam Pomfrey started bustling around her.
"Why Miss. Granger! Whatever happened?!" Madam Pomfrey exclaimed.
"It's nothing really. I tripped and fell is all." Hermione said with a blank expression.
Madam Pomfrey tsked and have Hermione a light blue potion. "This should help with the pain."
Hermione looked grateful after she drank the potion. Then Madam Pomfrey waved her wand and started muttering things under her breath. I watched as the bruise on Hermione's face disappeared.
"There you go. All patched up!" Madam Pomfrey smiled at Hermione. She smiled back and made to get up, but winced when she sat up. Madam Pomfrey saw it too.
"Lift up your shirt dear. There must be a bit more." She said.
Hermione bit her lip and gingerly lifted up her shirt. I gasped at what was there.
Her entire right side was smattered with bruises and small cuts, Madam Pomfrey looked as if she was about to faint.
'She was lying to me. But why? What is she so afraid of? Potter needs to find out. And fast.' I thought. 'Gosh. It looks so painful. No wonder she didn't want to come here.'
"Will she be okay?" I asked Madam Pomfrey. I was starting to feel dizzy.
"I am sure that she will be fine, Mr. Malfoy." She said softly. "But perhaps you should leave now and let her rest."
"Of course Madam Pomfrey." I turned to Hermione, "I'll see you around Granger."
Before she could respond, I turned heel and walked out of the hospital wing as swiftly as possible.
I walked out to the grounds and to the lake, I sat down in the shade of a tree on the lakes bank. I closed my eyes as a breeze ran over me, sweeping my hair out of my face.
I took in a deep breath and slowly let it out. I wanted nothing more than to go back inside, rush to her and hold her and never let her go.
My eyes popped open when I sensed someone near me. I looked around and saw Potter, standing beside the tree.
"Do you know where Hermione is?" He asked.
I took another deep breath before I said, "She's in the hospital wing. Go make sure she's okay." I closed my eyes again and waited for the sounds of him leaving. Instead, he sat down next to me.
"Are you um... Okay?" He asked me.
I shook my head no.
"What's wrong?" He sounded puzzled.
"I just want to make sure she's okay Potter. I can't stand to see her hurt like this." I buried my face in my hands.
"You know... I saw Ron on the way out here. He told me that she just broke up with him." Potter stated.
My head snapped up. "Are you sure?!" I asked, excited.
"I am quite sure." He said. "Why don't you go keep her company?"
I stood up quickly, nodding. "Yeah. See you around." I walked back up to the castle with a bounce in my step.

When I got to the hospital wing, Hermione was sitting upright in her bed, reading a book.
"Hey." I said, walking closer to her bed.
She glanced up at me and then continued reading her book. "Hey." She said.
" How are you feeling?" I asked softly.
"Okay I guess." She said, not looking up.
"Oh. Well.. I just thought that maybe I'd keep you company?" I asked.
She looked up at me at that. "Why?" she asked, looking at me skeptically.
"I just want to make sure that you're alright Hermione. How's your side doing?" I asked, looking her over for any other injuries.
"It's perfectly fine Malfoy." she said with a sigh, "Madam Pomfrey fixed me all up. She just wants me to stay here for the night to make sure that nothing else is wrong." she said looking back down at her book. "You're welcome to stay here if you like. I don't mind." she looked back up and gave me a small but genuine smile. I couldn't help but smile back.
And so for the rest of the day we sat there sometimes talking, but most of the time I watched her reading until late into the night when I fell asleep beside her.

A/N

Hello lovelies!!! I am terribly terribly sorry that I have kept you waiting for an update!! Please don't hate me! /.\
I have just graduated from high school so this summer I plan to be updating a lot! Don't forget to vote and comment! If you have any ideas for me please let me know! Stay awesome!