Lost In Our Memories (Dramione story) [COMPLETED]

Chapter 21

"How are you feeling?" Draco finally said after a moment.

"Better I guess. My body is feeling sore, though." She said quietly, trying to move.

"You shouldn't be up so soon." Draco said worriedly, seeing her attempts to sit up.

He got up and pushed her gently by the shoulders, making her lie down again. Just as she was about to protest, the door burst open and Ginny entered the room, followed by Harry and Blaise.

"Hermione, how are you feeling? Are you alright?" Ginny asked, worry visible in her blue eyes.

"I'm alright. Just a little sore, but otherwise I'm fine." Hermione said, trying to sound better than she was actually feeling.

The dream she had before waking up made her feel slightly uncomfortable but seeing her friends there, so visibly worried about her, she soon pushed it away from her thoughts. There was no use to dwell on it at the moment.

"Hermione, I know it might be too soon, but..." Harry hesitated for a moment.

"It's alright, Harry. I want to help." Hermione said, giving him and Ginny a serious look.

Harry nodded, while Ginny smiled at her encouragingly.

"Do you remember anything about the man that attacked you?" Harry finally said. "I'm thinking he might be the head of the operation and I am worried about what he is going to do if we don't catch him."

"Yes, indeed. No one kills his followers like that while planning only a little bit of fun." Ginny said pensively.

"No one except Voldemort." Harry added grimly.

"But he's gone, Harry." Ginny said frowning at her husband. "There is no way he is involved in this."

"I didn't say he is" Harry replied, letting out a frustrated sigh. "But someone went to great lengths to act in a similar way. I can't help but think that it might be someone who was either a Death Eater or related to them in some way."

"Can't believe I'm saying this but, Potter is right." Draco said, making all eyes turn towards him.

While they had been talking he retreated further back. He was now leaning against a wall, arms crossed and a deep frown visible on his pale forehead.

"Thanks for your support, Malfoy. Didn't think this day would ever come." Harry teased, but gave Draco a grateful smile. "This is why it's very important to identify the man who infiltrated a Ministry organized party at Hogwarts." Harry finished, glancing at Hermione.

She looked up into his bright green eyes. They silently communicated for a short second before she nodded in response. She knew Harry was right, they had to catch them before anything dangerous happened in the wizarding world.

"I didn't manage to see his face." Hermione started, frowning slightly while forcing herself to remember the battle. "His mask was askew at some point but was still covering his face. His voice though, it was deep and raspy, and it felt somewhat familiar, but I can't be sure. Everything is... blurry. I can only see a jumble of images that don't make much sense." She finished, closing her eyes and letting out a frustrated huff.

"It's alright, Hermione. It will come to you." Harry said encouragingly. "I knew it was too soon to ask, but it was worth a shot."

"Where are the others?" Hermione asked, opening her eyes. "Is everybody alright?"

"No one was badly hurt. They were safely brought to St. Mungo's and underwent treatment. I sent Ron to the Ministry to file the report on the events of last night and Nott went to make inquiries regarding any curse breaker that might have been able to get past the Ministry barriers."

"What about the lead we were following in Scotland? Do you think it might be related to the attack from last night?" Draco asked.

"It's possible." Harry replied, brushing a hand through his already ruffled hair.

Hermione tried to push herself up from the bed, but the pain forced her to stop. She let out a small wince, making Blaise step forward.

"I believe it's enough strain for today. You need rest, for now." He told Hermione warningly.

"Alright, we'll leave for today. But I'll come back tomorrow." Harry said, giving Hermione a brotherly kiss on the forehead.

Ginny bent down as well and kissed her cheeks, whispering "Stay safe" into Hermione's ear, before following her husband out of the room.

"I'm staying." Draco said, stubbornly positioning himself near Hermione's bed.

"I don't think so." Blaise said, half amused. "There is nothing you can do even if you stay. She needs to sleep and get her strength back."

"I'll... I'll..." Draco stumbled on his words.

"What? Sing her a lullaby?" Blaise said mockingly, getting close to Draco and unceremoniously shoving him towards the door. "Now out with you!"

Draco protested loudly and kept looking back at Hermione who was chuckling into her hands. When they finally reached the hallway, Blaise stopped pushing Draco and instead rounded on him, hands on his hips.

"You should go and get some rest as well. You look like crap." he told Draco in his teasing manner.

"Thanks for the compliment Zabini, but I'm staying." Draco drawled.

"Malfoy, go home and rest. She'll be safe here and you can come back tomorrow." Blaise said with a frustrated huff. "And take a shower. You stink."

With that, he smacked his best friend on the shoulder and left. Draco stared after him for a moment, then let out a deep breath. He raised a hand and brushed it through his hair. It felt sweaty and dirty, making him realize the state he was in. He had lost his jacket somewhere along the way, and his perfect shirt was now thorn and filthy, his shoes were muddy, and his face probably wasn't in a better shape either.

Blaise is right. There is no use lurking around here looking like a homeless person. She is safe now, she'll be alright.

That night Draco couldn't sleep. He kept tossing and turning, fighting the powerful urge to go back to the hospital. He knew Blaise would be furious if he went there, and he couldn't blame him. Hermione didn't need the agitation, she needed peace and quiet.

He laid down on his bed, looking at the ceiling and remembering how peaceful she looked when she slept, how soft her hand felt against his fingers, how warm she was. Then something else came to his mind, flooding his senses, making his breath quicken. The gentle touch of her lips in a candlelit library, her smell bathing his senses, making his heart race. Amid all the events that followed, he had forgotten about the kiss they shared in the Hogwarts library. Thinking about it now, it felt as something that happened in another life, not just hours earlier.

Does she still remember? Will she think about it or pretend it never happen? Could she ever feel for me what I...

Suddenly, an unwanted image came to his mind. Her bare arm and the scar were visible in his eyes. He let out a loud curse, surprising even himself. How could he have been so stupid?! How could he have allowed himself to get so close to her, to kiss her, when he was the reason she had suffered for so many years?! It didn't matter if she had forgotten all about it because he still remembered. Everything was still alive in his memory and nothing could wash away his guilt, not even her soft lips against his.

Thank you all for reading this story! I hope you are curious to find out what happens next. If so, stay tuned for the next chapters. Until then, have a wonderful day! ^_^ <3