Calm before the storm

Hermione made her way towards the Gryffindor common-room with heavy steps. Bewilderment pasted on her face as she repeated the last 24 hours in her mind.

"Caput Draconis" she muttered and, the portrait of the fat lady swung aside to let her inside.

It was afternoon, time of the day when there are not many students in the common room, some resting while others busy in classes and other stuff.

Her gaze stopped on her friends who were busy talking amongst themselves when they noticed her standing near the entrance.

"Hermione!"

Harry, Ron and, Ginny pounced on her, eager to welcome their friend."Hermione! We thought you wouldn't be discharged until tomorrow? Are you feeling better already?" Ginny squealed as she hugged her best friend. Harry and Ron both turned to her expecting her answer.

Hermione forced a smile on her lips and answered," I am fine. Since I was feeling better already there didn't seem to be any point in staying there any longer, gotta catch up on all the work, right?" she chuckled her mood a bit lighter.

Ron grinned at that," Fantastic! Believe me, Harry and I were lost without you."

"I have no doubt."

After a while of chatting and catching up with one another Hermione stood up and hurried to her room as she remembered what she had come to do in the first place. Ignoring the confused looks she got from the rest of the gang, she left them in the common room and hurried upstairs.

Once she had all her things packed and ready, she glanced around the room, already feeling nostalgic about leaving it.

With a deep breath, she pointed her wand and levitated her things as she walked downstairs. Harry, Ron, and Ginny shared the same expression on their faces as they looked at her in bewilderment as she climbed down the stairs.

"What are you doing?" Harry asked as he stared at her belongings flying over her head.

"My living quarters have been changed. Headmistress has asked me to shift there as soon as possible," she answered with a soft smile trying not to worry her friends.

"What? But why?" Ginny asked getting a bit angry.

"Hermione is something wrong? Why does it feel like you're hiding something from us? You know you can tell us everything, right?" Harry said placing an arm around Ginny's shoulders while Ron just stood there blankly with his mouth open wide.

Hermione could feel her eyes starting to tear. She wanted to tell her friends everything, but she couldn't, not now anyway when she was not very clear herself.

"I will Harry. Soon, but not now," she answered.Harry nodded and they watched her leave.

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Madam Pomfrey led the two students down a dimly lit corridor, one they could barely recognize but instead of asking questions, they decided to walk quietly.

Abruptly, Madam Pomfrey came to a halt before a big stone wall which had a large empty frame hanging on it. Suddenly the empty frame came to life as a large bird with golden feathers graced it with its presence.

"Your password is Wattlebird and you must not share it with anyone." Madam Pomfrey instructed the duo. As soon as the password escaped her lips the bird fluttered its wings and the wall began sliding to the side revealing an oak door.

Madam Pomfrey brought her wand near the doorknob and an aquamarine-colored light shot out from her wand encircling the doorknob.

She pulled back her wand the light still visible and asked the two to take out their wands. "The knob will memorize your wands and give you entrance whenever you bring your wand tips to its mouth. "

Hermione and Draco did as told and the door opened giving them entrance.

Their eyes widened as they saw the now lighted up room.

Beautiful beige colors coated the walls of the living room and two flights of staircases separated leading to the same floor but different rooms. The decorations seemed luxurious and pricey, everything well placed. The couches were soft and comfortable, Hermione noticed, as she bounced on it lightly, chuckling remembering all the fun activities she used to do with Harry and Ron in the empty common room. The fireplace lighted up on its own as soon as she sat on the couch as if by merely sensing her presence.

What she didn't notice was a pair of silver eyes gazing at her softly, taking her in.

Draco couldn't care less about his living quarters.

The only running through his mind the entire time was;

'She knows now.' 'She will be living with me now.'

Hence the reason, why instead of looking at the new room he was staring at the beautiful brunette childishly bouncing on the couch, with a soft smile on her lips, hazel-brown orbs taking everything in, while he breathed her in, his heart hammering inside his chest threatening to fall out and confess his undying love for her, itself. But Draco controlled himself and continued staring at his angel sitting in front of him, shaking his head at his thoughts.

Suddenly, as if remembering something long forgotten, Hermione turned her head to the side, causing him to snap out of his reverie.

"Where is Madam Pomfrey?" she asked looking at the only occupant other than herself standing, looking just as confused as her as he looked towards the closed door where the old nurse should have been, but, wasn't.

"She must have left while we were admiring the room," he answered in his deep voice causing Hermione's heart to skip a beat and to lock gazes with him.

Both unknowingly got lost in each other's eyes, silence commencing in the few moments they conversed through their eyes with untold words, secret to even themselves.

"We should head upstairs to check our new rooms before going back down to the hall for dinner." Hermione unwillingly escaped the gaze which held her captive, his words hitting her as she simply nodded and made her way upstairs, her stuff still floating behind her.

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