Chapter Nine by Southern Witch 69

Disclaimer: Not my characters, but they're so fun to play with, right? And oi, JKR, don't sue me, too. I'm not trying to profit. Honest.

Thanks go to the lovely RobisonRocket for the beta read...and also to my dear Soul Bound. Cheers, mates.

"Shite!" Harry said in annoyance.

"You 'ave to go again?" Gabrielle asked, mirroring his irritation. "I want to talk to you."

"McGonagall needs me at the castle." He smiled with a shrug. "You just heard. She's found them and needs my help to get them out."

Unable to help herself, she blurted, "My sister knows about us."

"How?"

"She suspected us and found me here today." She smiled brightly. "Eet ees all right. She ees 'appy for us."

"I'm glad," he said honestly. "I told Neville about us, too."

Gabrielle reached out and touched his cheek. "Your friends, zey felt eet was uzzer people zat you 'ave in your life...either Luna or Draco Malfoy."

Harry nearly choked and paled. "Draco? Who said that?"

"Zere ees no past, eh, with Draco?"

"Look," he stood, "how about we finish this conversation later? The sooner I go, the sooner I'll be back, and then we can have a nice long talk. All right?"

She crossed her arms over her chest and pouted a little, winking as she did so to let him know she was only playing. "I suppose I will 'ave to call my uzzer lover over."

Laughing, Harry kissed her. "He'd better be gone by the time I get here."

Once he left, Gabrielle walked over to the grate and tossed in some Floo powder. A second later, she kneeled down and stuck her head in. "Draco, are you zere?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I wonder what the purpose of this blasted place is?" Severus grumbled once again. "I'm tired of all this sand... and heat... and sun."

Ignoring his complaining, she pointed straight ahead. "Look! An oasis! Come on."

"It's likely a mirage."

"Only one way to find out." She quickly passed him and began a trek towards the small splotch of green amidst the desert horizon.

"Hang on," Severus said suddenly, clearly frustrated. "Why don't you Apparate us there since you seem to be able to do magic here while I cannot."

"I tried Apparition already," she admitted. "It won't work."

"Conjure a broomstick then, woman, like you conjured that glass!"

"Oh," she said, stopping, smile faltering. "I hadn't thought of that." Concentrating, she closed her eyes, imagined the broomstick, and flicked her wand. When she opened her eyes, there was an old Clean Sweep lying on the ground.

"Up," Severus commanded, and the broom jumped up into his hand. Mounting it, he slid forward and indicated for her to get on behind him.

She did so and wrapped her arms around him tightly. So, this is what it feels like to hold him. Hermione pressed her check against his back and sighed contentedly. I could get used to this indeed. It's been so long for me.

It dawned on her that she'd been thinking he was lonely and needed something in his life, but she needed that as well. There was something missing in her life, and if she could find something special with Severus, it was worth the risk of being hurt in the process. They'd never know unless they tried. Now, she simply had to convince him.

"I can barely breathe, you know," he said sourly.

"Sorry." When she attempted to loosen her hold, one of his hands moved to firmly hold hers in place.

"Leave it."

The oasis was obviously farther away than it had first seemed. Try as they might, the faster they flew, the more it seemed to move away from them. Hermione began to suspect that Severus had been right when he'd claimed it to be a mirage only. However, just as she was about to voice this, the distance quickly began to lessen.

"Finally," Severus said as he landed the broom with a small thud of his feet hitting the ground.

"It's beautiful."

"And small."

There wasn't much to it, but there were a few trees, a makeshift hut, and even a small stream that seemed to come from inside a nearby cave, which was nestled amongst some sandy boulders that made a small hill.

"I won't question it though." She kicked off her shoes, allowing her feet to press against the cool, thick grass as she walked over to the stream. "The water's so clear," she touched it, "and cool, too." Cheeks reddening, she asked, "Would you like to get in?"

"No," he said brusquely. "It will be night soon, remember? I recall something about cool desert nights."

She smirked. "Yes, Severus."

"Shall we inspect this shelter?" He extended his hand to her and pulled her up. However, he didn't release her hand as he led her in the other direction.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Flitwick squeaked in pleasure. "I've heard of this from the Grey Lady, but I never really came across it before. How exciting!"

"Well, do you think you can figure it out?" Minerva asked hopefully.

"Perhaps. I think I'll have a word with my house's ghost. Oh, Potter, hello."

Harry nodded to them both in greeting. "Any luck?"

"Not yet," she said. "The corridor sometimes let's peer inside, but other times, it's nothing but a solid wall." She frowned. "Hermione and Severus went through a door and didn't return yet."

"Oh, don't worry," Flitwick said. "They'll be fine."

"Hi." Neville had joined them. "What's going on?"

While the headmistress brought Neville up to speed, Harry pulled the tiny man aside. "Professor, do you mind if I come with you to talk to the Grey Lady?"

"Not at all." He turned to the headmistress. "We'll meet you in your office then?"

"All right," she agreed. "Come along, Neville."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"One miserable cot...and not even big enough for the two of us," she said. When he arched his eyebrow, she grinned and went to work with her wand. When she was done, the cot was much larger, more comfortable, and would easily fit the both of them.

"I find it interesting that you choose to share a bed with me," he said quietly.

"Oh, I just thought that if it got cold... we might need to share warmth."

"What of Warming Charms?"

"Right. I can fix that then."

"Wait." He lifted a hand to stop her. "Leave it... if you want to share it with me...even after the way I treated you."

"I do."

She thought that he would kiss her, but he tore his gaze away from her lips and, instead, looked towards the doorway. "It's nearly dark now already," he commented awkwardly.

"Let's see if we can find something to eat, and then, I'd like to..."

"To what?" His stare had made its way back to her, intense and penetrating.

"To get to know you better, Severus."

Silkily, he asked, "And just how would we go about this?"

"Talking," she said sweetly, offering her hand.

He took it and pressed a kiss on her wrist. "There is something that I would like to tell you. Even after the way I've acted, I still think it needs to be said."

"All right." She could tell that it was something important by the tone of his voice and the expression on his face. Was it about his past love with Lily? Something else?

"I have been thinking of you lately, and to be honest, I've not really wanted to." He looked away then. "It sometimes feels as though I'm betraying her." He smiled ruefully. "Ridiculous, isn't it? Especially when she died to protect the child she bore for another man... the man she married."

Her free hand made its way up to cup his cheek. "The mind and heart have ways of manipulating us. I'm here to listen to whatever you have to say. If you're willing, as I said before, I am as well. We can maybe work through this together." When he started to speak, she pressed a finger to his lips. "I'll not intrude where you don't want me to. Trust me."

Severus nodded. "I do. Come. Perhaps there is some fruit here."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later, Severus watched Hermione as she ran her fingers through her hair and began braiding it. If he admitted the truth to himself, he would say that the evening they'd been sharing was quite pleasant. She made good company, and interestingly enough, she didn't badger him with unwanted questions. Nor did she try to pry too deeply. And that made him want to tell her even more things.

The growing feelings for her he'd been trying to suppress were surfacing again. The best part about being locked away in the strange corridor and its mysterious rooms was that he'd found out that she'd like to reciprocate his sentiments...maybe have a true relationship with him. He was tired of being lonely. Why not? Lily had chosen her fate, and nothing he did had helped her or saved her. Wasn't it time to accept that? Couldn't his heart make room for someone else...someone whom he hoped would never try to change him or leave him when something went wrong?

"Hermione?"

She paused and looked over at him. "Yes?"

"I want to try. Us, I mean."

Hermione grinned. "All right."

"That's all? No questions?"

"I'm sure there will be some along the way. Won't you have any for me?"

He nodded. "Fair enough. For now..." He stood slowly and walked towards her, gauging her reaction as he did so. When she licked her lips expectantly and leaned forward, arms open and inviting, he did the same, pressing his lips against hers.

The kiss was languid and soft and warm and everything he had expected it to be. Both were putting their feelings into it, probing, exploring, questioning. Her soft moan of approval echoed in his own. And that's when he knew. He could love her, would love her if she allowed it, and by all that was good in the world, he wanted her to love him, too.

Before he could say anything, they heard the loud creak of a door and broke apart. "The corridor is calling to us," she said breathlessly.

"I guess," he said with a small smile, "that this place was designed for us to come to terms with things."

"That doesn't explain why you couldn't do magic here while I could," she said thoughtfully.

"Perhaps I had to be at your mercy and learn to accept it."

"Did you really mind much?"

"I don't like feeling impotent if that is what you mean, but it's not been so bad, has it?"

She grinned mischievously. "Well, according to the last place we went to, you are anything but impotent, Severus."

His rich chuckle filled the small hut as he pulled away from her and helped her to stand. "Perhaps after we get to know one another better and decide where we want things to go, we'll see for ourselves."

"Before we go, I want to say something."

"All right."

"I've realized that I've been very lonely. I thought that my life was complete, but I've learned that I need something more...something that's been missing." She pulled one of his hands up to her lips and kissed the back of it.

"Me," he stated.

"Yes, you."

As if he'd been doing it for years, he embraced her tightly, lips nuzzling her earlobe gently before he whispered, "Thank you, Hermione." In response, she squeezed him tightly. No words were said as they moved towards the doorway and entered the corridor once again.

"Do you want to wait a while before going to the next room?" she asked.

"One moment." Severus pulled his wand, saying, "Nox." The nearby sconce went off. "Lumos. There. My ability to wield my wand is back." He smirked. "I didn't say I wanted to continue being unable to use magic while we're stuck here."

They both laughed, and hand in hand, they ventured into the next doorway.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Draco Malfoy stepped through the grate and looked around. His eyes settled on the lovely woman before him. "Gabrielle, what are you doing at Harry's?"

She crossed her arms. "We need to discuss 'Arry."

"Why?"

"Come. Sit."

"Where is he?"

"'E ees at 'Ogwarts." She sat down and patted the other end of the couch.

He sat down as if expecting Harry to jump out at any moment, and then his steely gaze met hers. "You're the one he's been seeing, aren't you? Is that why you've brought me here?"

"I am." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "I will be 'Arry's wife soon."

Draco's face fell for a moment. "So?" he said snidely when he'd recovered.

"So, I thought you should know." She leaned closer. "What ees between you two?"

"Nothing."

"Ever?"

"Why?"

"I want to know. Ze way 'e acted was strange...when I mentioned you."

"You told him about us?" Draco said incredulously, rising and pacing. "Why would you tell him that? It was only those couple of months in France."

"No, I did not."

"Then what were you talking about me for?" It was his turn for his eyes to narrow. "Are you trying to blackmail me?"

"Of course not. I just don't want to 'ave zis over our 'eads. I want to live 'appily." She sneered, her face transforming slightly in her anger the way that a Veela's might. "My 'usband should love only me. Eet seems 'Ermione thought 'Arry was with you. You should 'ave seen his face today. I want to know why."

"Ask him why," Draco said evasively. "And if you're quite finished, I'm leaving. I don't care what Granger says! She's as thick as it gets when it comes to relationships. There's someone who cares for her right next to her everyday, and she can't even see it!"

"Do you love my 'Arry?"

"Do you?" he countered.

"Yes. Wh-what kind of question is that?"

"You always did seem talk about him." He shook his head. "No, I don't love him. What would be the point?" Moving towards the grate, he stopped when he heard her next words.

"What if 'e loves you?"

"Does he?" he asked without turning around.

"I will find out when 'e returns."

He faced her again. "It doesn't matter, Gabrielle. Just leave it alone. Live your lives together and be happy."

And then he was gone, leaving her wondering if she'd done the right thing by telling him what she feared to be true. But Harry loved her. She knew it. However, she had to be sure that she could make him completely happy before they were bound together in marriage. At least if she and Harry brought everything out in the open, they'd be able to move on without any doubts. She would have to tell Harry about the time she'd spent with Draco when he'd visited France with his mother. At that moment, her gaze caught her reflection in the mirror. She and Draco were so much alike...neither had large frames, both had the same pale hair, nearly the same eyes, and even their skin was the same.

"Does 'e see me when we kiss... or ees eet Draco?"

Southern's Notes: Well, that's my installment. Soul_Bound is up next. Hope you continue to enjoy the story. She'll have more up very soon (within two weeks as promised). Ah, what fun this is. I can't wait to see what she does next. Bwahahaha!