After The War - FORSAKEN MAGIC (HP8)

Chapter 24 - Halloween Nightmare

Hermione stood by the window she last stood at with Malfoy. She was lost in thought,as usual she hugged a big book against her chest.

Malfoy stood nearby watching her. She was so beautiful. He knew from the time he saw her that she was beautiful but something in him kept screaming mudblood! mudblood!

He hated his father for teaching him that word. He hated his family for the beliefs they followed. He hated Voldermort for existing.

"Hi." Hermione said, she caught him spying on her.

"Hi." Malfoy said nervously, snapping out of his train of thought.

Hermione took his hand and pulled him towards the window. They were standing in the same place and same position they were the last time. It was like fate was giving him another chance to make it right. This time he had to kiss her.

He looked deep into her eyes and he knew, she was waiting for his moment too!

The thoughts in his head was now chanting the word 'mudblood' but Malfoy ignored it. They were meant to be together and nothing will come between them again.

They drew closer and closer until Malfoy could count every eyelash. Malfoy leaned in a little more.....

Suddenly Malfoy crashed onto the floor face first. He sat up looking confused. He found himself crumpled on the floor by the bed in his dormitory. "That was a dream?" He wondered.

Malfoy looked around the dormitory, trying to pull himself together. It was empty. Nobody wanted to spend more time than they had to with a Malfoy anymore.

Malfoy straightened up and sat back on the bed. It felt so real that his heart was still beating hard against his ribs. It was hard to shake off that feeling.

Maybe it was time to tell Hermione what he felt.

*******

It was breakfast at the great hall and the whole school was buzzing in excitement for the Halloween party Slughorn was throwing.

Students were rushing around with packages they received from Slughorn and opened it excitedly at the table.

"The costumes are here!" Ron said as Harry helped Neville unwrap his.

"I wonder how he choose costumes for us." Hermione said.

"I know all my students well enough, Miss Granger." came a voice from behind and they all jumped.

"I wondered when you would be collecting yours." Slughorn said with a smile handing Harry his package and then one to Ron and Hermione.

"I hope to see you all this evening. Happy Halloween!" He said and bounced away lilt there were springs under his feet.

"He is a real nutter." Ron muttered as he began to rip the package open.

"What is this?" Ron gasped in horror pulling out bright orange robes from the package.

"Aren't these Chudly Cannon uniforms?" Harry asked, pulling it closed for examination.

"He can't expect me to wear these!" Ron moaned holding it up.

"Well at least it matches you hair." Harry laughed.

"This is not funny!" Ron said, his face turning as red as his hair.

"What did you get Hermione?" Harry asked as he began to unwrap his.

"A bookmark?" Hermione said lifting up the costume. "Merlin's beard! Has Slughorn completely lost his mind?"