Labyrinth ^ A Dramione fanfiction^

5. KAIROS

The perfect, delicate, crucial moment; the fleeting rightness of time and place that creates the opportune atmosphere for action, words or movements.

(Coninued....)

Draco's heart skipped a beat as he saw Hermione falling into the lake. His movements were quick. He went running towards the middle of the lake and jumped in the water.

The water was cold. He felt as thought thousands of needles were being poked into his brain and his body. His vision blurred. That's when he saw her, she was not moving at all. He kept paddling and grabbed her hand pulling her closer. He snaked his arms around her and shot a spell.

"Ascendio"

They both came out of the water. Draco breathed heavily, it was difficult to catch a breath after his little adventure under water. He pulled her outside. Her eyes were closed, and face was pale. Her lips lost all color. She was still not moving. Was she.....? Feared kicked inside him... No. She can't be. He grabbed her shoulder and shook her
"Granger?? Granger? Wake up"
He waited for her reaction but she didn't move. He leant forward and tried to hear her heartbeat. It was weak. He realized the water must have filled her lungs. He cursed under his breath and pumped her chest with both of his hands. After few attempts, water came out of her mouth and she coughed. Draco finally let out a breath. He tried to calm himself down. His heart was beating with tremendous speed just moments ago.

He carefully went close to her again. Her eyes were still close but her face had regained it's color. Draco couldn't stop himself but to admire her simple beauty once more. He bent down and tried to hear her heartbeat. It was normal now. He jumped up to look around when he heard the sound of running horse. The next moment a Centaur came in front of him.

He was terrified now. The creatures were usually calm but with what Umbridge did to their territory, they were becoming impatient with humans. Draco wished he knew how to apparate so he could grab Hermione and leave. His eyes were fixed on the creature. He approached and looked down at him.

"I saw what happened. Pravus Pixies are not easy to banish. That was a powerful spell."

Draco was baffled. He didn't know what to react so he stayed silent.

"That's one of Potter's friend" He spoke, pointing at Hermione.

Draco finally found his voice.
"You know Potter?"
He nodded.
"I met him when he first came to Hogwarts and was lost in these woods."
Draco didn't want to hear about the famous Potter right now.
He wanted to get out of there and take Granger to madam Pomfrey.

"She does not look well, if you want I can help you take her out of the forest!" He offered.

"You would do that?" Draco asked with little surprise in his voice.

"Anything for Potter's friend." He replied.

Draco wanted to sneer and spat some insult about Potter but resisted. He took Granger in his arms and lifted her up. He was surprised with what he was doing. She fit into his arms so perfectly. He was shocked with his actions and more of what he was thinking. What was he doing? Touching a mudblood?
He came near Centaur and placed her gently on Centure's back. If Lucius got even a hint of what he did, he was definitely dead.
Centaur brought them out of the forest. They were close to Hagrid's hut now. Draco stopped and turned to him.
"Can you take her to Hagrid's hut? I think you know him; Hogwarts' gate keeper? I have to go, I... I have to meet someone and it's already late." Draco spoke with a little tremble in his voice. Great, first he saved a mudblood and now was asking a favor from a filthy Potter fan creature.

"Why of course I know him. But why don't you take her? You saved her, I assume when she wakes up, she wants to know who saved her and thank him."

"No. I have to go. Just take her to Hagrid. He will take care of her. And.. don't tell her I saved her. Tell her it was you."