The Resistance

Chapter Four

Though her friendship with Narcissa was growing rapidly, and she was beginning to see turning her to their side as a real possibility, it wasn't all as pleasant and easy as she would have liked it to be. The blonde witch trusted her. But it was more than that. They knew how to make each other smile, how to entertain one another, and what to say or do when the other was sad, or struggling. She despised lying to her. Keeping such a heavy secret, and having no one to share it with was becoming tremendously hard work. Especially seeing as how close she had become with Narcissa. It was almost taunting her, showing her a person she liked and under anyother circumstances would have confided in, but not being allowed to. She trusted her, perhaps a little too much, and she longed to tell her everything, if not only because she could see no way of turning her without her knowing at least something.

And then there were the nightmares.

There was a flash of green light. It ripped through the air, taring it like fabric and hitting Harry squarely in the chest. Screaming surrounded her. Her own, Ginny's, Ron's, the twins, Mrs Weasley's, it overwhelmed her, was louder than humanly possible, making her insides shake and her ears ring. She sank to her knees, hands clapped over her ears. She could feel the blood seeping through her fingers, running hot and sticky down her icy hands. Harry's lifeless body fell like a broken doll to the ground. Voldemort gave a horrific, terrifying shriek of victory that echoed around the shattered remains of the castle. It shook the ground itself, rubble collapsing in around them, stone tumbling like a waterfall from the once great walls of the castle. His red eyes glowed, shining as blood flowed from them down his snake like face, and he turned on her. Boulders, wood splinters, stones and rubble began to cave in on top of her. She screamed.

Hermione sat bold upright and gasped for air. It flooded her lungs as though a shaft had been opened of a vacuum. She gulped it down thirstily, her heart hammering loudly and intrusively in her chest. Her face wet with both tears and sweat alike. She found Narcissa's frightened face close to hers as she perched on the end of her bed, looking white as Hermione felt.

"Hermione what happened?" she asked, her voice quivering, full of fear and concern. "What happened? Tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing," Hermione gasped hurriedly wiping her eyes on her pyjama sleeve. "Just a dream," she muttered. Her hands were shaking violently.

"Don't lie to me," Narcissa snapped. "I've never seen someone wake up so terrified. Tell me what happened," she said more gently, smoothing back dark curls from the girls face. Hermione shook her head, looking down hopelessly as she was suddenly overcome by a fresh wave of tears. Narcissa sighed in defeat. She pulled the crying girl into her arms and simply held her as she shook, sobbing. She guided them carefully down so that they were lying on the pillows and pulled the covers up around them. She held her as she cried, gently stroking her dark curls, her face, cocooning her in her arms in an attempt to make her feel safe, and murmured soft words of comfort to her.

"What ever this great secret is, this burden that you are carrying," she whispered softly, "you can't carry it alone for ever. It will eat you up Hermione." She was right of course. But if she told her, would she still trust her? Could she handle the truth? Or would she be totally repulsed, and abandon her. She didn't want to risk loosing her.

"You can trust me," Narcissa whispered, in answer to Hermione's silent question. "I won't let it destroy you like this. What ever it is, I swear I won't think any less of you." Narcissa placed a soft kiss on her forehead, making her look up at her through her dark watery eyes as she did so.

"What was that for?" Hermione asked, her voice still thick with tears. The corner of Narcissa's mouth curled up into a little smile.

"Just because," she smiled. Their faces were so close they were almost touching. Narcissa could feel the other girl's warmth, smell the rose shampoo in her hair. Leaning in closer she captured Hermione's mouth with her own. She could taste the salt-water tears on her lips. She puled the brunette closer, removing all unwanted space between them, holding her close, caressing her face, her hair. When, finally, they parted, Hermione's cheeks were flushed pink. Narcissa chuckled to herself.

"I've made you blush," she observed.

"Kissing a person would do that to them," Hermione said, a little breathless.

"You have no idea how long I have wanted to do that," Narcissa breathed. "I told you. I always get what I want." Hermione smiled and nestled into her, closing her eyes. She rested her head on the blonde's chest. Narcissa's heartbeat sped up, making Hermione smile as she listened to it flutter beneath her, and then calm again. It was the most comforting sound she had ever heard.

"You have me," she said. "I'm yours."

The late morning sun filtered through the gaps in the hangings around Hermione's bed, warming Narcissa's skin, gently coaxing her from sleep. Her eyes fluttered open and she found herself gazing at Hermione's peacefully sleeping form as the brunette slowly came into focus. She studied her in the soft autumn light, the placement of the light freckles on her nose and cheeks, the way her long dark eyelashes nearly swept her cheekbones as she slept, the way her soft pink lips parted ever so slightly, and her chest rose and fell in time with the music of her deep restful breathing. She couldn't help but marvel at her beauty. It was so simple, so natural and pure. It was the most basic form of beauty, effortless, innocent, unlike the manicured manufactured beauty of most girls their age. Asleep, all her worries, her mysteries and complexities seemed no longer to plague her. She seemed at peace.

Narcissa traced the air above her lover's form, following he flowing dips and curves of her body, as though memorising every inch of her. She stirred and let out a sleepy mumble, making Narcissa chuckle quietly. Hermione's light green and brown eyes opened sleepily and she found herself looking into the cool blue oceans of her lover's.

"Good morning," the blonde said softly.

"Good morning."

"How did you sleep?" Narcissa asked, sweeping aside a stray curl from Hermione's face.

"Better," she said. "After you came," she added almost shyly.

"Are you okay?" concern leaked into Narcissa's voice.

"I will be."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Hermione shook her head and tore her gaze away from Narcissa's worried face.

"What ever it is Hermione, you don't have to carry this secret alone." Hermione sighed. It saddened her not to be able to tell her. She really did want to help.

"Not yet," she said, looking up into her beautiful blonde's face. Narcissa huffed in an almost child like manner, making Hermione smile.

"Why?" she asked. "It can't be that awful can it?"

"It's very complicated," said Hermione darkly. "It's dark and awful and horrific and so complex that I don't even think I would know where to start." Narcissa was looking solemnly at her, icy eyes sparkling with their ever-constant curiosity. Hermione traced the side of her face with the back of her finger and kissed her softly on the lips. She nestled safely into Narcissa, hiding her face from her piercing gaze, as though trying to hide from the very thoughts that plagued her. Narcissa wrapped her arms protectively around the girl and held her.

"And I can't tell you," she added sadly, "because I don't want to loose you, so soon after I have found you."