Twisted Love

22: Trust

*Hermione slammed the door behind her as she entered the dormitory.*

"What is wrong with Harry?!"

*Ginny sat up on her bed, pushing her homework to the side. She looked at Hermione with confusion.*

Ginny: What do you mean, Hermione?

*Hermione began to pace across the room.*

"He attacked Draco! He used the Cruciatus curse on him!"

*She could feel the sting of hot tears in her eyes, but refused to let any fall.*

Ginny: What?! Is he all right?

*Ginny stood up in shock.*

Ginny: What has gotten into that boy?!

"I don't know!"

*Hermione sighed as she sat down on the edge of her bed.*

"I'm so scared."

*Ginny moved from her bed to Hermione's, sitting next to her and pulling her into a hug, trying to comfort her.*

Ginny: I think you should go to Professor McGonagall about it.

*Hermione pulled away from her*

"Do you really think she will be able to help? This is Harry Potter we're talking about..."

Ginny: She has to protect her students, doesn't she?

*She looked down at the floor.*

"Yes..."

Ginny: Hermione, she can help.

"I hope so..."

*Just as the words left her mouth, a owl flew through the window, dropping a letter on Hermione's lap. She gently opened the white envelope and unfolded the parchment that was inside. There were only a few simple sentences scrawled on the it.*

Meet me at midnight?

You are my forever. I am always yours.

Ginny: What is it.

"Draco wants to see me in an hour. I'll ask him what he thinks about talking to Professor McGonagall then."

Ginny: That sounds good.

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*Almost an hour later, after Ginny had gone to sleep, Hermione crept out of her dormitory and made her way down the staircase to the Gryffindor common room. She entered the room, but stopped when she saw a tuft of black hair sticking up over the back of the crimson couch.*

*Hermione carefully tip-toed around to the front of the couch to find Harry sleeping peacefully. She didn't know why he was there, but she could take a guess.*

*She made her way over to the portrait hole as quietly as she possibly could and opened the door, relieved that it hadn't squeaked. Hermione snuck out of the common room and quickly made her way to the seventh floor corridor.*

*The massive door of the Room of Requirement appeared before her. She reached for the heavy brass handle and pulled the door open. She walked in, softly closing the door behind her.*

*Draco stood with his back to her as he watched the mirror in front of him. He turned as she entered and quickly made his way over the girl, tightly embracing her in his arms.*

"Where were you? I was beginning to worry!"

"Sorry, Harry was asleep in the common room."

Draco: You got past without waking him?

"Thankfully, I think we should tell Professor McGonagall..."

Draco: About what?

"What Harry did to you, of course."

Draco: No! We can't!

"Why not? I'm not going to let him hurt you again"

*Draco put his hands on her shoulders.*

Draco: Hermione, I can handle this.

*She looked away from him, not believing what she was hearing.*

"Draco, please."

*He took her chin and gently turned her head to face him. He stared into her deep brown eyes.*

Draco: Do you trust me?

"Of course I do."

Draco: I can handle this.

"Will you at least tell me why we can't go to McGonagall?"

*Draco hesitated.*

Draco: I think Harry has been bewitched...

*She raised her eyebrow.*

"What makes you say that?"

Draco: It just doesn't make sense that Ron and Ginny are so accepting of our relationship, but Harry isn't.

*Hermione shook her head, still not believing what Draco was telling her.*

"So, you think he's been bewitched?"

*Draco stuffed his hands in his pockets and shrugged.*

Draco: It's the only thing I could come up with that made any sense.

"But who would want to bewitch Harry?"

*Draco answered without any hesitation.*

Draco: My father, he doesn't want you and I to be together

"Would he really go that far?"

Draco: Hermione, he threatened to kill me!

*She shook her head.*

"I know, I know... But I still think we should go to McGonagall."

Draco: Not yet, we need more evidence first.

"Draco-"

Draco: Trust me.

"I do trust you."