The Wizard of Hogz

Disclaimer: I didn't own anything yesterday, I don't own anything today, and I still won't own it tomorrow. Or any other day, week, month, year, decade, century, etc, etc. Unless for some reason someone wants to adopt me and name me their heir. Then I might own something. I do not recieve any kind of compensation for this fanfic. Just my own pleasure. So please don't sue me, because I'm too Po'. Seriously, I'm so poor I can't even afford the extra 'or.

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Chapter 10: Letting Go

"Wha-? Oh, dear sweet Merlin!"

I'm on defense and standing with my wand gripped tightly before I even have the chance to open my eyes. I glance around uneasily. Nothing seems to be amiss, and Bellawitch is nowhere in sight. And we seem to still be in the Foreboding Forest. I look to Hermione in alarm, worrying she might be hurt, but she looks perfectly fine, save for a light blush creeping up her neck, and a wide doe-eyed stare.

"What is it, Herm- er Granger?" I ask.

She shakes her head back and forth frantically and stutters, "N-nothing, of course! Everything is fine!"

"Well that's a load that I don't believe for even a second, Granger. Your eyes tell me otherwise. You look terrified. Look, just tell me-"

"Oh, she IS terrified!" Scarey sings out. "Terrified of being in L-O-V-E with you! I would be too, if I'd been all cozied up to you like that! It was SO ROMANT-"

"Scarey, shut it!" Hermione hisses. She immediately meets my eyes embarrassedly and looks away just as quickly. "I-I'm really sorry, okay? I never meant to- er, I-I must've gotten cold last night a-and-"

"Granger, it's okay," I stop her. "You needn't make apologies or excuses. I can only assume you've been the one caring for me for Merlin knows HOW long, and I'm almost certain I was in possession of you're only blanket. Your body only made the unconcious decision to take care of itself. You don't need to explain yourself. I understand completely."

"You... do?" She looks so unsure and confused that it takes me a moment to realize why. She isn't Fantasy Hermione, but Real Hermione. And Real Hermione has no clue that I'm not one hundred percent arse. So now, I have to remember to stop being caring Draco, and get back to being git Draco. I think... After spending so much time in my own head, I think I'm finally going mental.

"Oh absolutely, Granger," I put on my arrogant smirk. "It's so clear to see, and anyone within ten miles would have easily caught on by now. You obviously want my body."

She blushes even further, but rolls her eyes and snorts. "Right, okay Malfoy. You know, someday I would just LOVE to see things from your point of view. However, I can't seem to get my head that far up my arse, to do so."

I grab my chest in mock despair. "Argh! Your sarcasm wounds me! How shall I ever survive?"

"Mm, well unfortunately for the rest of the world, I'm sure you'll find a way. I'm almost jealous of all the people who've never met you."

The amused brightness of her eyes and her teasing lips give her away, and for a moment, I'm floored. Who'd have known that Hermione Granger and I could ever joke with each other in such a civil manner? Must be the whole 'Parallel Universe' thing.

"Yes, well maybe the whole world hasn't met me, but they ARE all INCREDIBLY lucky to at least know OF me and own the awesome privelage of sharing oxygen with the most cunning and magnificent wizard of all time. They should all weep with joy, the fact they even exist within the same lifetime."

Her lips twitch from trying (unsuccessfully) to hold onto a stern glare, before she bursts into a round of uncontrollable giggles. Every time she calms down and starts a sentence, she breaks into a silly grin and laughs again. I raise my eyebrow after she settles down, and it sets her off again. Her laughter is contagious and soon everyone in the group is cackling like deranged loonies competing in a Saturday Wizard's Chess match at St. Mungo's.

She wipes tears from her eyes, still smiling. "Malfoy, you're proof that evolution CAN go in reverse. I often lay awake at night and think to myself that you must have all your shirts specially customized, so all you have to do is step through them since you'd NEVER be able to get them over that giant head of yours."

''So you think about me at night often huh? See? I knew you wanted all of this. Who wouldn't really?"

"You dolt! Don't assume things on your own like that!"

"Granger, it's all right. Really. No one here is blaming you. And if you're good later, then maybe I'll even give you a little preview."

"Ack! Stop it, you bloody ferret!" She plugs her ears and spins away quickly.

I glance over at Scarey and iRon, and notice the extra effort they're making to hold in their smiles. noiL looks mildly uncomfortable.

I let out a long sigh and close the distance between us with a few small steps and gently reach for her right wrist to regain her attention. She turns around and meets my gaze instantly and looks down to where I'm holding her, and surprisingly doesn't pull away, before returning her eyes to mine.

"Listen," I begin. "This isn't easy for me, but I... I want you to know that I am so incredibly... grateful... to you for ah... you know... taking care of me and all that other stuff. I don't know what would have happened, had we not met up when we did. And just... er... thanks."

She studies me very carefully for a nearly unbearable amount of time, unease flickering across her face, as she's trying to decipher whether my gratitude is sincere or if I'm just trying to pull one over on her. She seems to reach a conclusion as she stares down at her feet. "It's no big deal. I'm almost certain you'd have done the same for me."

I bend down in front of her eyes so she's forced to look at me again. "Are you kidding me, Granger?" I ask intensely. "I would ABSOLUTELY do the same for you, in less than a heartbeat. And it's a HUGE deal. At least it is to me. I really am so incredibly grateful."

She stands straighter and smiles feebly for only a moment before becoming... serious and... concerned? "I was really worried that we might lose you. I was barely able to keep the fever from frying your brain. And you wouldn't wake up for incredibly long stretches of time and even then you never stayed concious for more than a few minutes at a time and you were completely delirious..."

I gulp. Oh boy... "How long?"

"Well... we left Hogwarts sixteen days ago today. So..."

"I've been out for SIX DAYS?!"

"Yes, you idiot!" she scolds loudly and begins poking me in the chest with her other hand. "You had everyone really worried! You NEED to take CARE of yourself! Do NOT push yourself to that point again, Malfoy! This was a really serious situation that could have turned into something MUCH WORSE!"

"But it didn't," I generously point out. "Besides, your mad, passionate love and adoration for me insured a complete and speedy recovery."

She snatches her wrist I've been holding and swats me on the shoulder with it. "You are so INFURIATING! You foul, arrogant, self absorbed, obnoxious, inconsiderate ARSE! Think of others around you and-"

"Granger, why am I naked?" I ask suddenly, cutting her off. Without the warmth of her blanket covering me any longer and with the panicked way I was awoken, it's finally come to my attention that I'm not as clothed as I had previously believed. I've been left with my incredibly luxurious sexy black boxer briefs, which leads me to send a silent thanks to the universe that I never got into the whole white granny panties like my Father. Ugh I'll never be able to forget THAT scarring image...

"What?" she blinks furiously at the swift change of topic, then proceeds to stare at me... hard. Which harshly unsettles me. Okay, OBVIOUSLY I am Adonis reborn and have been sent to earth to become every woman's greatest gift from the heavens. But... I don't know... What if she thinks my man nipplies are too dark? Or that I'm just too pale? What if I have weird curly hairs on my toes. OH SWEET SALAZAR! Do I have HAIR on my TOES?! I don't even know...

I casually glance down and breathe an inaudible sigh of relief. No furry gorilla piggies, thank all that is good in the world.

"Granger?" I prompt again, eyebrows raised. Perhaps she didn't hear me the first time.

She blinks rapidly again and begins shaking her head back and forth violently. "I-I uh... W-well you see... when we met up again and you... you fainted... at first you were- uh, but then I had to- only I wouldn't have had to, mind you, if you hadn't been so... so really, you see, I had no other choice."

I have never seen Hermione Granger stumble over her words so brutally. It's disconcerting to see her so speechless for once. "Care to elaborate a little further on that? Preferrably in a language I can understand?"

iRon clears his throat. "Mate, when you fainted, we found you had a ridiculously high fever that refused to go down, so the lovely lady found the need to remove your clothing in an effort to stave off any additional damage to your already daft brain. We tried redressing you but... well... but you..."

"Ah," I say quickly. "No need to proceed with that. Did I injure anyone too badly?" I can't blame them for not redressing me... I'm extremely ticklish.

"You kicked me right in the face!" Scarey pipes up excitedly.

"Well, you're made of straw, so it can't have hurt too terribly."

"You kicked my feet from under me," iRon adds.

"Your tin can probably didn't even dent."

"You put me into a headlock," noiL mumbles.

"I was giving you an aggressively affectionate man hug."

I look to Hermione, expectant and guilty. She shakes her head and suppresses a smile. "I was watching from a safe distance the whole time."

"I'm glad," I murmer softly.

She stares at me for several seconds, completely unreadable. I have no idea what she's thinking. Then she breaks eye contact and glances over to Scarey and noiL. "Would you boys help me to pack up camp?"

"Sure!" They enthusiastically respond, following her away.

Once they're out of earshot, iRon chuckles and leans into me. "I do believe that went rather well, mate. I can hear a future full of wedding bells and merriment."

The bad thing? I know he's ACTUALLY being sincere right now. What's even WORSE? Merlin, I wish it could be true.

I roll my eyes and snort. "I think you've been shut up in that metal barrel for a bit too long. You're barking mad."

"Oh, but I'm not! Anyone with a pair of eyes could see all the chemistry just ERUPTING between the two of you! You belong together without a doubt. Now, we only need convince-"

"We don't," I argue. "What you just witnessed was the first and ONLY near-civil conversation we've probably ever had. Probably ever WILL have. And we were insulting each other the entire time."

iRon smiles secretively. "Draco, you think I am clueless and unwise, but you will see. You both will."

"Sure we will. So... has anything happened since I've been out?"

"Nothing eventful in the least. We have been waiting for you to come to, and there has been no sign of Bellawitch at all, which is really quite a relief. We made sure to fill Hermione in on everything that happened up until we met."

I'm concerned that Bellawitch hasn't appeared. It makes me think she's planning something. I'm even MORE concerned that Scarey and iRon have been talking to Hermione for six whole days without me. Who knows all the fun things those two could have told her? My stomach churns with dread.

"Good, excellent. You didnt... tell her about... you know... ah-"

"How you are in very much in love with her?"

"I'm not-"

"Stop denying it, mate. You can only lie to yourself so many times before you stop believing it. And no, it is not my place to tell her how you feel, although Scarey may have vocalized his hopes of becoming a best man for your wedding and Godfather to your children. You must tell her on your own. But take it from an old fool. Life is so very short and the most precious thing we have to give is our time, as we will never get it back no matter how hard we try. You must sort your pride from your feelings and stop being afraid of your own heart. You need to tell her and stop worrying about rejection. Just let go of your bothersome concerns"

"Right, that's so much easier said than done. You have no idea how many terrible things I've done to her and her friends, or the awful names I've called her. Our past is just... it's beyond broken. Our pairing up for this mission is fragile at best."

"Yes, you both were selected for this mission. Her two friends could have easily been chosen, but they weren't. It was you and her. You need to take advantage of this time together. This is a very rare opportunity to tell her how you feel. Once you return to your own world, you will not have a chance like this again."

"I don't even know exactly WHAT I feel!"

"You are entirely aware of your feelings, Draco. If I had any doubt from the way you described her when Scarey got us lost, then all of it is completely vanished just from the way I see you look at her. Your face grows much softer, and your eyes become tender and vulnerable."

"All right, all right, I get it already. You know I don't do FEELINGS, iRon. There's just no way I could ever... I mean... I just CAN'T-"

"Can't what?" Hermione cuts back in obliviously. She continues before either of us could answer though. "Everything's all packed up and good to go. We're just about ready to move on."

"Just about?" I ask.

"Yes, but I was thinking we could all have a quick breakfast before we leave. And it would give us some proper time to come up with a plan on what to do next. What do you think?"

My thoughts freshly linger on my conversation with iRon and I can't seem to shake his words off. "Sure," I murmer distractedly.

A look of concern flashes across her face and she quickly lifts a hand to feel my forehead and cheeks. "Good Godric, I'm so sorry! I completely neglected to ask how you're feeling! Heavens, you just recovered from a terrible sickness and here, we've already packed up camp! I've been so inconsiderate!"

"Calm down, Granger, everything is-"

"Sit down," she orders suddenly.

"Parden?"

"Sit DOWN!" She places her hands on my shoulders and guides me to the forest floor. I confusedly take a seat and stretch my legs out in front of me while she buzzes around me, feeling my pulse, checking my temperature again, staring at my pupils, lifting my arms and legs one at a time and prods my mouth open to look at my tongue. I'm so stunned, I can only robotically comply.

"How are you feeling? Are you experiencing any nausea? Headaches? Dizziness or rapid heartbeat? Rash? Constipation-"

And now I'm severely uncomfortable. "None of those," I choke out, quickly cutting her off. Anything to get her to stop talking about my... my bowels... urgh. I shudder.

"Look Hermione," I continue. "I'm FINE. I'm just really hungry and my legs feel a little weak from disuse, as much as I despise admitting that. But we can always take breaks, if need be, and the exercise will be good for me anyway." I pause at her odd expression. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You... You said my name."

"Yes Granger, that's how human communication works. I've called you by your name thousands of times by now, so I don't understand the unforseen problem."

"No, you called me Hermione. The only times you have, you were barely conscious and quite out of your mind. It's just... odd."

Ah crap. I've got to stop calling her Hermione in my head. It's starting to leak out into the real world. Of all the dumb things... Play it cool, Draco, play it cool.

"Yes? And?" I drawl and try to sound as bored as possible. "That IS your name isn't it?"

"Well yes, but-"

"But what?"

"Nothing. It's just a bit strange, isn't it?"

"This whole PLACE is strange. Everything about this is strange. I mean, I'm chummy with a parallel version of YOUR friends. You and I may have been childhood rivals in the past, but to me, right here and now in this very moment, and being stuck in this world for Merlin knows how long, we are a team, you and I. We are equals and we both matter. Dumbledore chose US for a reason." I pause and take a deep, slow breath. Just let it go. "I am going to tell you this one time, and one time only Granger... Hermione. I haven't been your rival in years. I have put the past behind me where it belongs. I'm not the same spoiled child I once was. And of course, I don't expect you to ever forgive me for all the things I've done and said before, just know that I sincerely apologize for each and every one of them. You never deserved that."

Ugh, so much for keeping it cool, you sly fox chatterbox. I wasn't ready for this conversation with her yet. I worry I've said too much, too soon. It's just going to weird her out and make her distance herself even further. But NOO, I just had to keep bumbling on and on. What is WRONG with me!

No... I know what this is... I've been talking to myself too much. I've gotten so used to saying everything in my head, that it's just starting to seep out vocally now too.

"You know what?" She says thoughtfully. "You're right."

"Beg parden?"

"You're RIGHT!" She laughs, scrunching up her nose. "We've been stuck in the past for too long now. Yes, you're still insufferable but you've grown up a lot in the past couple of years. (SHE NOTICED?!) Looking back on it, we were so juvenile and petty that it just seems humorous now. So if you can let the past go, then so can I." She puts out her right hand. "Hello, my name is Hermione Granger, and I am pleased to meet your aquaintance."

She curties and I bow to her, regally, and take her outstretched hand. "Draco Malfoy at your service, and might I add that the pleasure is all mine." I place a soft kiss across her knuckles. "I'm also known as a quite talented, intelligent, suave and most dashing young wizard."

She giggles girlishly. "Well people have been known to call me the most brilliant witch of my time."

"Why, I'm positively charmed." I pause and then wink, hoping she'll catch it.

"Draco Malfoy, did you just make a magical pun?"

"Indeed I did."

"Well, I'm astounded! Who knew you could actually be funny?"

"Who'd have ever thought the two of us could hold a friendly conversation?"

"Sir, you have made a fantastic point. Now come along for some breakfast. I'm sure you're positively ravenous."

"Yes ma'am." I salute.

As I'm following her, she stops suddenly and turns back around. "Um... Draco?" She asks timidly, trying my name out.

"Yeah?"

"Uh... ah..." Her face flushes and she worries her bottom lip.

"Yes?" I prompt, cocking my eyebrow patiently.

"I'm sorry for not offering earlier, but would... would you like your clothes back now?"

I look down at myself and back to her, eyebrow still cocked. I smirk mischievously. "Why? The weather has been simply lovely this morning. Besides, I'd hate to put away all of this eye candy. No, I think I'll just stay like this until breakfast is all over."

"If you stay like that, my BREAKFAST will be all over." She rolls her eyes, trying to fight a smile.

"You know, as devastated as I'm sure you'll be, I'd really hate to keep making Scarey and iRon look bad, so I suppose I'll just have to cover up all this perfectly crafted male beauty. Unless, that is, You'd prefer I left them off?"

She snorts and bends down to retrieve my bundled clothes and throws them at my chest. "Off with you now, or you'll not have any breakfast! Do you hear me?"

"Yeah, yeah," I wave her off and scrunch my face up at her which makes her laugh.

As I duck behind a tree to pull my blue checkered shirt on (as if I honestly need any privacy at this point) I hear Scarey ask in a very serious voice, "So... we look bad if we have clothes on? Does that mean I should take them off and-"

"NO!" Everyone (myself included) shouts harmoniously.

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A/N: Finally some real interaction! Their bantering was especially fun for me and I hope you enjoy it.

Who is the Wizard? When's Bellawitch going to pop up next? What are the other two stolen arifacts? How many Dracos does it take to screw in a light bulb?

I would appreciate any thoughts and reviews anyone might have!