28. Chapter 28: Harry

Hello! Been busy lately, so haven't had a chance to write much. :O Anyway, thanks for the feedback, it's much appreciated.

A few comments:

Neth: Wow! You printed out my chapters? ;o; -Is very teary-eyed- Thank you for reading!

Christi-McIntyre: I do not have an obsession with Draco Malfoy! -Shifty eyes- Yeah, he does look awful in the third movie... except for the snow scene, where Harry sneaks into Hogsmeade. He looked OK there. But his hairstyle... -Gags-

Madam Whitbrook: I can see why you're getting complaints about your honest reviews. XD But thank you for the constructive criticism. Even though I'm sure I've mentioned somewhere that I'm going to continue using underline whether people like it or not, because that's what I've done so far. So, sorry if it bothers you.

& hehehe...

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10 Ways to Kill Draco Malfoy

Chapter 28

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HARRY

Why do things like this always happen to me?

I mean, I saved my best friend from the clutches of an evil ferret. What's wrong with that? I don't know, maybe Ginny has PMS or something, but she's being awfully high-strung. I only held Hermione for a millisecond, and here she is, stomping around like a stampeding rhinoceres.

"Uh... Ginny?" I say meekly. "Is something wrong?"

She turns to glare at me. "Of course there's something wrong!"

Oh boy. Here it comes. "Is it... about Hermione? And what happened at the Quidditch pitch?"

"Bingo," Ginny replies, folding her arms. To my surprise she has stopped fuming so much and calmed down. Phew. Maybe she saw the sense of what I did and decided not to pick at it anymore. "It's about Hermione, definitely. What happened at the Quidditch pitch further confirmed my suspicions."

Is she jealous of Hermione?

Maybe Ginny thinks that I'm suddenly in love with her instead?

Oh, honestly. There's no bloody need to be jealous of my one of my best friends! So what if she's a girl? Aren't boys allowed to be friends with girls? I mean friends in a platonic sense, of course. I am in love with Ginny. So why can't she just accept that and not bicker about every little thing that seems like I'm flirting with Hermione? Of course I would do no such thing. Hermione is very pretty and intelligent, but I think she's a tad too smart for me.

And as much as Ron's totally ditching the platonic part of being best friends with Hermione, I don't think he'll have much success with her either. Hermione's shown absolutely no interest, sexually speaking, in Ron at all. She probably can't even imagine him as anything more than just a good friend.

Boy, do I feel sorry for Ron. His crush is definitely very one-sided. Poor guy.

"Ginny - it was an accident, I swear. I didn't mean to hold on to Hermione for so long, you know that." Better add something physical to that statement. Quickly I give her a lingering kiss on the lips.

She frowns as we part. "What are you going on about, Harry? I know that grab was an accident, and I know you're just best friends with 'Mione, nothing more."

I blink. "Oh."

Ginny blinks back, confused.

Inside, I heave a sigh of relief. That's one matter off my chest.

Now what is Ginny talking about? "Ginny? If you weren't complaining about that, then what are you talking about? I can't think of anything that Hermione did at that practice. If you ask me, I think it was that dumbass Malfoy that was ruining the whole thing..."

"Exactly my point," she declares triumphantly. "Don't you see? Malfoy and Hermione are having some kind of secret, undercover relationship that we don't know about! First, I didn't hear a single insult about Hermione when he was badmouthing the rest of us. Two, when he fell off his broom, you had to pull Hermione off him. There's no way she'd publically hold tightly onto Malfoy, but you never know, it could be the other way round."

Malfoy and Hermione? No bloody way! They hate each other. But somehow, the things Ginny said do, somehow, make perfect sense. I remember faintly about how Malfoy seemed to have had held Hermione to him while she was struggling to get up. Maybe Hermione was just too shocked or winded to move, but then she wouldn't have been able to stand up after I freed her.

Oh gods. What is the world coming to? Now I'm starting to really feel sorry for Ron. Of all the male competitors he could have had, he's had world-famous Quidditch player, Viktor Krum, and now? Draco Malfoy. The number one boy that pretty much all the girls (and some guys) want. And also the one whose looks seem to make him shine amongst a crowd. I don't know what he did, but during the summer he's suddenly gotten a lot more good-looking.

And that's coming from me, a one-hundred percent straight male, who is completely devoted to his very pretty, cheerful girlfriend. So who knows what girls think of him? I'd hate to know what kind of sick fantasies the less shy ones have in their minds about Malfoy...

"I'm not saying I accept this," I begin. "But how did you notice all that? I thought you were just struggling to beat Malfoy to a mushy pulp." And any of you, if you'd been there, would have thought the same thing. The way Ginny was yelling and waving her fists about would have scared anybody - Malfoy or not.

Ginny preens. "I have eyes, you know. And ears. I can't believe you didn't see it. It was so obvious."

I scowl. "OK, OK. I admit it. I can't multitask like you. And it's not like I actually suspected anything, so I wasn't looking out for signs."

"You should learn," she purrs. "Multitasking, I mean. Could help you do stuff... like kissing and fighting off admirers at the same time." She giggles. "It'll be really fun to watch."

"We'll see about that," I smile.

Ginny glances at her watch. "Where's Hermione and Ron? It's 8pm. They should be back from Prefect duties by now. They left quite a while ago - way before dinner, wasn't it?" She frowns. "Don't tell me they're being lectured by McGonagall again... God, she's a good teacher, but she sure knows how to drag out her talks."

"True." I remark. "But at least this gives us some privacy. It's so rare not to have Ron hanging on to our every word in case either of us says anything suggestive."

She laughs. "Yeah, he's almost like a second shadow. It's amazing how he can follow us everywhere. Remember the time we went to Hogsmeade on a date, and we found phantom footprints following us? I thought it was a ghost. Nearly screamed my head of and pulled your arm out of its socket by grabbing onto it."

I snicker, and wince at the memory. That had hurt. "Yeah, until I stamped on his foot and Ron's voice started howling in pain."

We both chuckle at the memory. Ah. It hasn't been all that long since Ginny and I started dating, but so many things have happened. Namely amusing dates like that one, and also, Hermione's plans to murder Malfoy.

That also nullifies the possibility of the two having a relationship. I mean, what kind of deranged girl cooks up plans to do things like poison her boyfriend, just for the sake of it? I can't say Hermione isn't like that when she gets really mad, but still... there's a limit to how crazy she can get.

"So how should we make the most of our time alone - short of tearing each others' clothes off?" Suddenly, her eyes light up. "Hey! Harry, I know! While we have this precious privacy, let's go to the Astronomy tower! It's the place for all the couples in Hogwarts. The romantic ones, that is."

It's hard not to notice the tone of her voice. Obviously she wants me to take her there. She flutters her lashes and I feel my heart going a lot faster than is healthy. Looks like Ginny still has that pulse-speeding effect on me. Sighing, I take her hand. "Let's get going, then," I say, grinning as she beams at me and runs ahead enthusiastically, pulling me along.

Minutes later, we arrive. I'm hardly panting, since I come here every Wednesday night for Astronomy. But Ginny, who isn't used to going so far in the castle, huffs a little as she tugs me up the staircase. "How... many... more... to go, Harry?" she asks breathlessly. "I feel like my feet are going to rot! These stairs are killers."

"If you're already tired, then I have bad news for you," I grin. "We're nearly halfway."

Thankfully it's still quite early in the evening and there are no teachers about. Ginny's curses echo throughout the tower. I clamp a hand over her mouth and she starts giggling. "Shhhh," I hiss. "I lied. We're nearly there. And you know there's always a teacher on duty at the Astronomy tower - although they've given up trying to stop students making out here, they still dish out detentions for people who swear." In a remote part of my brain, I faintly think of the words 'making out'.

Gods. I shouldn't have said that. Now Ginny probably thinks that I'm coming here just to try and stick my tongue down her throat or something.

Yuck! That is disgusting. I would never ever think of doing that. Never - though I know a few people that would...

"Oh my God! Somebody, come help! Help!"

Someone's screaming interrupts my thoughts. Exchanging nervous looks, Ginny and I speed up the rest of the steps in record time and burst onto the Astronomy balcony.

And see... nothing.

"What's wrong?" Ginny asks a person next to her. The girl points at a spot near the corner of the balcony and all of a sudden, I see the hand that is hanging on to the ledge.

"Shit," I mutter. "Someone's fallen down!" Quickly, grabbing her hand, the two of us push to the front.

Ginny rolls her eyes at me. "And you tell me not to curse?" she throws at me as we struggle through the small group of people, some standing nearby, watching fearfully while the rest (a few, the more burly guys) try to pull the fallen person up. I glance down and spot a blonde head. Oh. It's just Malfoy.

Wait a sec... who's that brunette girl hanging onto his other arm? "HERMIONE!" I screech and throw everyone away. "Hermione, is that you?"

"Harry?" her panicky voice shouts out. "Oh, thank God you're here. Now pull us up!"

I grab at Malfoy's arm. "Watch it!" he yelps as something clicks in his elbow. "That bloody hurt!"

"You're not exactly in a good position to argue with me, Malfoy," I say through gritted teeth as I try to grab onto his elbow and pull. "One... two... three..." With Ginny holding onto my wrist, we both pull at the same time. But Malfoy has a hard time letting go of the edge, because if he does, and we don't get a good grip on him, he'll slip and die. Also, he can't exactly let go of Hermione to climb up. No exactly good choices to make.

What to do? What to do? SOMEONE, HELP! Mentally I cry this message out. Not that anyone would hear, but still... it's good to think that I'm trying to get help in some way.

Soon, Ginny and I fall back, defeated. The other couples had either gone for help, run off or are standing around us watching. "Is Draco going to be OK?" asks a blonde girl timidly. Her boyfriend shoots her an angry glance that she ignores. I shrug. Her eyes start watering and she sobs into the guy's chest.

I roll my eyes. God. Why do all the girls care about Draco's safety, but hardly even noticed Hermione was there? People these days...

"What should we do?" Ginny asks. She's still pulling on Malfoy's arm so he doesn't get too tired and let go. "Quick! We don't have much time! He seems like he's going rubbery." Hm. Like my arm when Lockhart did his spell to try and fix it. Fat lot of help that did. I'm glad he's still in St Mungos - maybe I should sneak back there and perform another memory-loss spell on him so he stays there for good...

"HARRY! Stop dithering and hurry up! Summon a broomstick or something - just get us up!" Hermione's shrill voice cuts through my fond memories. Oh. Right. Get them up here. Of course.

"Accio- ARGH!" Something big, black and hard crashes into my face. Ginny shrieks and leaps back, letting go of Malfoy's arm. He nearly falls off, but thankfully Ginny had the sense to run back quickly and hold on to him again. "What is it? Get away!" I swat at the air in front of me and my hand bangs into something that feels suspiciously like bone. "Yikes!"

People are staring at me oddly. "I think he's gone hysterical," a girl with chestnut hair mutters to her friend, who nods vigorously.

"I'm not bloody hysterical!" I yell at them. "Can't you see- oh," I say softly. A bony, black head with empty eye sockets nuzzles my pockets, looking for treats. "It's... a thestral." The 'horse' gives the slightest nod.

Indeed. Did you not call for us?

I stagger back, the mental words booming in my head. "Ca... call for you?" I try to remember anything about summoning a big black skeletal horse - with wings - and come up blank. "Er... sorry, but I really don't recall."

Oh? So you do not require my help? Strange - I could have sworn a plea for help came from you. The thestral tosses its head, confused. Pawing the ground, it flaps its wings a few times, getting ready for flight.

Help? "Oh! I remember! I did call for you! I think I mentally..."

"Wait, don't go!" Ginny's voice rings out amidst mutterings from all the other people. "Can you please help these two up? They've been hanging here for the last 10 minutes. Or even longer, maybe. So if you could fly down and help them out...?"

Whoops. I totally forgot about that in the shock of seeing the thestral. I slap my forehead. Thank God for Ginny, or those two would be dangling there all night.

Some friend I am!

Of course. The creature beats its powerful wings and lifts off. Even those that can't see it, i.e those who have never witnessed a death, feel the gust of wind and screech.

"OMG! What was that?"

"Is there actually something there?"

"Maybe... oh my God, this is totally creeping me out. Let's get out of here."

With that, the rest of the students who were here hurry away. "Good luck with your invisible friend!" a Gryffindor seventh-year that I've seen a couple of times calls out. I roll my eyes and watch nervously as the thestral flies away in order to circle back. Why is it taking so bloody long? I mean, I really appreciate its help, but it doesn't need to show off its flying skills. I seriously doubt that it needs to fly halfway to the Forbidden Forest just to wheel around to change direction.

I can hear your thoughts, an amused voice says in my head. My wings are much larger and are not as agile as birds. It takes longer for me to turn back than them. I am sorry for any inconvenience, but this is as fast as I can make a turn.

Embarrassed, I quickly apologize in my head. Argh. How humiliating.

"Potter! Will you hurry to fuck up? At this rate I'm going to be hanging onto this ledge till tomorrow! Tell that thestral thing to beat its bloody wings faster, because my fingers are starting to numb!" Malfoy's angry voice shouts.

"Shut up, Draco! It's doing it's best!" Hermione snaps back. "I'd like to see you getting us, up if you're so damn superior."

That silenced him, if for a while. The black shape that is the thestral starts to grow steadily larger as it flies towards us through the hazy night air, and Ginny and I cheer. "Go, go, go!" I mutter. "Before those two go splat on the ground..."

Suddenly, Malfoy's fingers slip with a small 'squeak'. "Fuck! Help!" he screams as his hand is separated from the ledge. I rush forward and dive onto the ground to get a hold on his wrist, and grab wildly at his fingers. I hear Hermione's terrified yell and silently urge the thestral to fly faster.

I am trying my best. I should be able to get to them before they...

Before I hear the rest of the sentence, Draco's hand slips away from mine and with a piercing shriek from Hermione, the two of them plummet towards their doom. "THESTRAL!" I scream. "Hurry! They're falling!" I almost lean forward enough to fall down myself, if Ginny didn't grab my arm to pull me back.

"We should have tried some levitation spells," she says, shaking her head. "Like Mobilicorpus. Or something."

I shake my head furiously as I helplessly watch the flying horse zoom, with its wings nearly close like a diving falcon, towards the falling shapes. "No. Remember? Flitwick said those spells are just barely enough to lift a human, let alone two near-adults. We'd probably have lifted them enough for Malfoy to let go of the edge before they fell."

Eyes glued to the diving thestral, I dimly feel my heart pounding like a gorilla at my ribcage. Is it going to make it? What if it doesn't? What if Hermione falls to her death? It would be all my fault... I should have checked up on her using the Marauder's Map. Or at least asked around where she might be! Oh Gods. If she dies I'm seriously going to suicide. I shut my eyes, wishing hard that the thestral would get there on time... before their heads crack open like eggs on the stone ground.

"Harry!" I flinch and open my eyes cautiously. "They're OK! They're alive!" Ginny is shaking me ecstatically, her eyes teary. Her cheeks look wet. Obviously she'd cried in relief and then wiped the tears away quickly.

"Really?" I ask, a bubble of happiness swelling inside me. "Where are they?"

She looks around and points to a black dot in the distance. "The thestral's taking them to the Hospital Wing, at my request. I think they have the right to stay there for a night, after all the trauma they went through."

I sigh in relief. "Thank God."

As the two of us walk back to the Gryffindor common room, spirits soaring, I think about how Malfoy and Hermione could have gotten there in the first place. Could it have been another of her plans? No; it would be going a bit far if she tried to really kill him. I don't think she tried to push him off the edge of the tower or anything - that would be murder. And I know for a fact that Hermione definitely isn't a murderer. She may be a bit odd at times, but she's not psycho like that.

Oh well; I guess the only way to find out is to ask Hermione herself when she comes back.

I really hope I'm right.

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Woo! A slightly more action-packed chapter than usual... O.o I think. Well, Draco was hanging there for quite a while because of Harry's indecisiveness about what to do to help them, but good thing he survived...

Review please. :D