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Linked by Philyra912
 Books » Harry Potter Rated: T, English, Romance, Draco M., Hermione G., Words: 61k+, Favs: 4k+, Follows: 920, Published: Jun 18, 2005 Updated: Jan 5, 2006
 2,542 Chapter 6: The Night of the Fallen Textbook
Disclaimer: I have been sitting here pondering what it would be like to own the Harry Potter universe (which I don't, by the way). I suppose it would mean that I could sleep in a lot and spend a considerable amount of my time writing and talking about Harry Potter, all while making deplorable sums of money. Heck, I do that stuff for free!
A/N: I have very little to say this time. I know, I know, you're all terribly disappointed that I'm not going to ramble on for four paragraphs before I get to the actual story, but you'll all just have to be strong! I hope you enjoy reading the chapter, because I enjoyed writing it. I felt that Chapter 4 was semi-intense, and we all needed a little break. I also had a specific image in my head that was making my smile, and this felt like a good place to fit it in. Without further ado, on to the chapter!
Chapter 5: The Night of the Fallen Textbook
"You and Malfoy are what?" Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose, where a hell of a migraine was beginning to form. It was late, and the Gryffindor common room was all but empty, so Hermione was curled up in one of the prized armchairs by the fire. Ron and Harry sat across from her. Ron seemed utterly perplexed by Hermione's concise explanation of the previous day's events, and his incomprehension had resulted in several interruptions and this final disbelieving query, which was beginning to grate on her already frayed nerves. Harry, by contrast, had remained silent throughout the story, and his knitted brows and slight frown bespoke perfect comprehension and a profound concern.
"Ron, darling, this has been a very long day for me," she said from behind closed eyelids. "Please don't make me repeat myself. I love you dearly, and do not want to kill you." Ron scowled at her, and Harry's lips twitched with a small smile, though his bottle-green eyes remained dark with worry.
"Why didn't you tell us about this right away?" Harry asked. His voice held the faintest trace of reproach, and Hermione felt a twinge of guilt.
"For a while, I didn't understand what was happening. Once I did, I thought I should try to talk to Malfoy first. He's in this mess, too, you know." At this, the boys shared a malevolent glance.
"I'm still not sure he didn't do this on purpose," Ron grumbled sullenly, crossing his arms over his chest.
"He most certainly did not, Ron," she exclaimed with exasperation. "He's no happier about this than I am."
"Is there any way to fix this?" Harry wanted to know. "An antidote, a charm, some kind of spell?"
"It's a very rare phenomenon, Harry. Only eleven cases have ever been reported, so there hasn't been much research into the subject, and no cure has ever been found." She hesitated slightly, unsure if she should tell them about Delilah James and her missing journals. She felt another twinge of guilt as she remembered Harry's reproachful gaze as he'd asked her why she'd kept things from them. "I did find a reference to a woman who managed to . . ." She groped for the right word, unsure of what it was herself. " . . . block the effects somehow."
"What do you mean, 'block the effects?'" Ron wanted to know.
"It was a very vague reference, and from a secondary source, as well. I think she found a way to hide her feelings from the man she was connected to." Both boys brightened at this prospect.
"How did she do it?" Harry asked.
"I don't know!" Hermione replied, almost wailing in frustration. "She never revealed her method, and when she was married her personal journals were lost." The three remained silent for a while, contemplating Hermione's predicament.
