Questions, Answers : CONTRADICTION ~hotsleekeyz~
One-Shot (up to two at the most) Pairing : DracoXHermione Setting : 7th year at Hogwarts
They were perfect. Perfect in their own right.
Draco Malfoy was the 18-year old Slytherin Quidditch Captain-Seeker-Prefect in their year level. He was known to have the most dangerous smirk ever to be seen on Hogwarts grounds. His sexy silver-gray eyes were adored by almost every girl at school---to the envy of the other blokes his age. Well how was he supposed to answer for that and be able to take responsibility over the buzzing sounds in the Great Hall whenever he'd arrive with his smug "I-own-this-place" looks? He was a natural god to women pointblank. And to the other girls who had been bestowed upon by his gift, they had attested for the handsome bloke's talent and sheer greatness when it comes to matters that happen at midnight. Perhaps their minds were just twisted or something like that.
That was him. Great, talented, smart, and overall---SEXY.
On the other hand, Hermione Granger was his female counterpart. At only 17 years of age, Hermione was featured in many witches' magazines for years for the reason that she had grown to be a beautiful, fine, young lady. At first, nobody really cared for the bookworm but come fourth year Yule Ball for the Triwizard Tournament, she was able to take everyone at awe---even the lady-killer Draco Malfoy who had gone speechless that night. . .
And that's where the story starts. . .
***Flashback***
Hermione Granger, the fourth year student who's a third of the Golden Trio entered the Great hall in her periwinkle blue dress that perfectly matched her already-fixed hair and almost every student darted their eyes towards her direction. . . not to mention that she was Viktor Krum's Yule Ball date. The students saw a beautiful stranger in their midst, only that it was the Gryffindor student who spent her days reading books in the school library.
To that crowd, no exception was the great Draco Malfoy who, for the first time in his life, never found anything ill to say about the stunning- looking Hermione Granger---his female archrival.
***On to the Present***
Graduation ball came and everyone was wonderfully clad in their finest robes and dressing gowns. The air was indeed festive and the students got the chance to see Professor Dumbledore change into a muggle outfit. Foods and drinks came aplenty and everyone was filled and well satisfied. The rites came about quite a bit late after Neville sent everyone into fits when he plunged right into the huge cake that the graduating students were about to take afterwards. Seamus also pulled some tricks that only led to a disaster when he was (again) attempting to change the drinks into rum--- only to find himself all wet, and some other students as well when the glass bowls where the drinks were, exploded with a huge BANG.
The Slytherin and Gryffindor students were glad when they heard that the top students were in their house. Gryffindors were confident about it from the start, of course it's Hermione Granger we're talking about. But when the second best student was announced, it came as a surprise to some that the sex god Draco Malfoy got the honour. So when everyone was back in their seats, Dumbledore took pride in announcing the traditional snapping session of the best students.
"Good evening students, professors" Dumbledore nodded first to the students then to the people at his sides. "As tradition to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, our top students are to engage in a snapping session for half an hour in a secluded room ALONE. . . they are given the luxury of the time to ask questions, whatever comes into their minds and whatever they've wished to ask the other. The only way that they could answer each question is by asking another question. Every statement should be in the interrogative state and not one of them is allowed to answer narratively. This will test who between them two is more witty and faster in coming up with intelligent questions. The winner is to be announced by the top students themselves and whoever finds his or her self defeated by her opponent. So, to start, may I call on Ms. Hermione Granger and Mr. Draco Malfoy, our best students this year up front. . ."
The students started cheering on for the most beautiful students in their school, luckily, who were both in their batch.
Hermione stood up firmly, though reluctant. She eyed Harry and Ron opposite where she sat and begged with her eyes for support. "I can't do this. What could I positively ask him? As if I would be SO glad to ask him anything!" commented Hermione with her brows furrowed irritated.
"You can do it Mione! Just show the ferret what you've got!" cheered on Harry who stood up in pride and clapped for his bestfriend.
"I don't think so. He must have tons of witty remarks under his sleeves. . . he's proven that for many years now"
Ron took the chance and said, "But you always snap back at him! Come on Mione. Kick some--- *hmph*"
Before Ron could have finished his statement, Harry shut him up. "Just go Mione. Show him what you've got. Remember all the trouble we've gone through because of him. Teach him who's boss here" Harry winked as he waved his hand so that Hermione moved faster to the front.
Ron added, "And just so you win Mione, don't tell Dumbledore that you've lost, that's if you will lose of which I'm most certain you will not. . ."
A hard thud came off Ron's head as Harry hit him with the silver platter.
On the other side of the Great Hall, Draco Malfoy stood at once, chin-up and chest-out. He walked towards the front but before he could have successfully gone there, he was interrupted by some Slytherin girls and of course, Pansy Parkinson.
A pair of arms circled around Draco's slim waist and when he did turn his head towards its owner, he wasn't surprised to see Pansy with his puppy eyes and pout that certainly annoyed him.
"Off with it Pansy!" snapped Draco at the Slytherin whore.
"Aw, Drakie. . . I want you to do better than that bitch. I wouldn't be taking any defeat tonight. . ." replied Pansy with her sugarcoated voice.
Draco roughly took Pansy's arms off him. "Whatever"
So Draco carried on walking while the girls stared at awe with him. Some were drooling literally and the boys can't help it but cuss at the air that surrounded the goddess-like Slytherin whose smooth flaxen hair moved freely with the wind that brushed against it.
Draco arrived beside Dumbledore first. He waited for some while, witnessing Hermione talking to her friends before she could have moved an inch from her seat. That made Draco smirk at once, with his eyes sharp in malice.
Hermione walked up front after a quarter to a minute with a huge frown playing on her face. What irritated her more was that she saw Draco not removing the evil grin on his lips.
"So, took a while to get here? If I knew better Granger, I'd say you're scared. . ." hissed Draco as his brow raised an inch higher, pretty much contented with himself.
"Well that's if you KNEW BETTER Malfoy. . . and I bet that wouldn't happen. . . ever. . ." growled Hermione as she shot dangerous glares at the Slytherin Prince.
Draco put up with a sigh. "What a lame attempt to let myself lose my cool"
"I haven't even tried Malfoy. . ." scorned Hermione who smirked herself.
Dumbledore smiled at the sight. "Very well, follow Professor Snape and he will lead you to the room. . ." interrupted the wise old man.
Hermione tailed Snape immediately. Deep inside, she feared for what might come off her lips. . . what was she supposed to ask? They haven't been in speaking terms ever since so how was she to formulate something INTELLIGENT out of what the ferret had done to the Golden Trio? If intelligent means spatting and cursing at each other then she had a chance to win it. She doesn't know anything personal about the albino so how would she be able to come up with an inquiry that she could further dig into without changing the state of her sentences into a narrative?
Form behind Hermione, Draco followed promptly, finding himself not able to tear his eyes off Hermione's bottom. . . her hips swayed gracefully from side-to-side. . . definitely one scene that caught Draco's attention but how come he couldn't stare at anything else than THAT? It was bad that he was staring but it was worse that he found his mouth wide open, probably salivating, he didn't know. //I couldn't probably like her. It's not something that I couldn't live without. She's got a nice ass that's all. Besides, she's your enemy remember? If you don't stop staring at her bottom then you'd probably find yourself defeated after the snapping session. . . oh sheesh. . . DRACO MALFOY THIS IS GRANGER YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT! Bloody hell!//
Then another voice came into his head. //Perhaps you're seeing what you've missed all these years. . .// Draco mentally shook the thought off his mind but another voice came battling to hear his side out //I don't like her, what are you thinking?//
//Well if you don't like her then why are you staring?// //I am NOT staring!//
A hissing sound came off Draco's lips. Unluckily, Hermione heard and so she turned her eyes towards Draco and gave him a questioning look. "Want to say something before I defeat you, Draco?"
Draco was speechless. It was only a simple question that he would naturally blurt something out for but nothing escaped his lips. He was badly smitten by how beautiful Hermione would look like when she's angry. . . which probably led him to a hypothesis that the reason why he so liked to snap at Hermione was because she looked very lovely every time she'd steam up at his retorts.
"I, uhh. . . nothing", stuttered Draco. //What? You're bloody stuttering before Granger? You're sick Draco. Terrible indeed// . . . //I wasn't stuttering!// . . . //You were~// . . . Draco didn't notice it but he blurted something out loud, not able to suppress his inner rage with the voices inside his head. "FINE!"
That caused Hermione to look at him again. "I haven't said a word Malfoy. . . why, are you scared of what I could ask you?"
"Not at all since you've just asked me one", spat Draco as he heaved a sigh of relief that he was able to successfully get rid of the voices in his head and answer Hermione back.
They arrived at the door to the room and Snape gestured for them to go inside. "I'll lock you in and you could only get out after the time is up"
The two nodded in agreement. Hermione went inside and Draco followed. He shut the door behind him---wait, Draco Malfoy shut a door himself?
//Well you just did close the door pretty boy. How clever. You always have your bodyguards to do that for you// . . . //WELL now they aren't here and since you are a gentleman you'd hold the door for her// . . . //For Granger?// . . . //Yeah I just did so WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?//
Hermione found herself a seat at one corner of the room. Draco found another at the other end. Were they supposed to snap at each other from that distance?
So they sat quietly. . .
Inside the Great Hall, a huge projection screen was conjured and every one inside the hall saw Hermione and Draco sitting opposite each other. .. quiet. Still. Ron nudged Harry at the stomach. "We aren't watching them, are we?"
"I reckon we will. . ." said Harry thoughtfully though deep inside he disagreed.
"We can't let everyone else hear it!"
*SHHHHHHHHHHH!* came from about seven students around the two Gryffindors.
Harry lowered his head and motioned for Ron to do the same. They whispered to each other while the others watched Hermione and Draco sulk in their silence.
"I don't think we can do anything about it"
"Harry, whatever they're going to talk about should be between them alone!"
"So what are you telling me?" asked Harry though he knew what Ron meant.
"Harry, you've seen them grow up. They've already outgrown their personal hate for each other. If worse comes to worst, we're gonna hear some PROFESSIONS OF LOVE here. . ." Ron rolled his eyes away and immediately looked at Harry who thought about what he said.
"Well let's just hope nothing like that happens. . . it would be too embarrassing I tell you"
Ron nodded and so they stared back at the huge screen.
In the silence of the room, Hermione darted her auburn eyes towards Draco who was staring blankly at the floor. Draco suddenly felt Hermione's eyes towards him and so he looked back.
"Care to start first?' came Hermione's first question.
"Shouldn't you start first since you're the LADY here?" came off Draco's.
The two saw imaginary words drifting inside their head. . . //Questions. . . smart, intelligible questions. . . answer in questions. . .//
"Well I couldn't think of any perhaps you could start with one?"
"I've already given you the benefit of an answer and why would you ask me to do it first?"
Silence. They didn't have anything to ask each other. . . well more of that they were afraid to ask anything.
The students inside the hall were eagerly waiting for someone to start. Some were getting dismayed and impatient. They've seen the two scowl at each other like there's no tomorrow and how come no one has started yet?
Hermione was deep in thoughts when one question came into her mind. "How come you snapped at me for seven long years?"
"Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?"
"As I could remember it was you who started it. . . and weren't you informed that you first did it when you found Harry among the first year students?" Hermione breathed in hard. She almost lost it there. It was good that her mind send instant signals to her head to ASK QUESTIONS and ANSWER IN QUESTIONS.
"So it doesn't count as me snapping at you, does it?"
Draco was still cool. Though he didn't want the real reason behind it to surface. Who could have known, the professors would have been watching (A/N: the whole school is watching, as a matter-of-fact)
"Well yes but then you haven't answered my question, now have you?"
"Perhaps you've been asking the wrong questions?"
"And what do you suppose I should ask?"
"Some things you've been dying to ask me perhaps?
"I've asked you one already and doesn't that count as one?"
Silence. Draco was pushing Hermione to ask some pretty personal questions but he knew for a fact he didn't want her to have the benefit of an answer. What really bothered him was when he would get the chance to ask Hermione his own questions.
"Since you aren't so blunt today I've decided to ask you myself and would you allow me to do just that?" The words easily came off his lips.
"I guess I would and what would your question be?"
Silence. Draco stared deeply into Hermione's eyes. He wanted to converse with her in the silence without a word. But still, a tiny voice in his head told him that he should win. What he didn't know was that Hermione knew that he would win that one and she wasn't exactly in a snappy mood at that time.
Draco was caught in a sudden trance. The more he looked at the beautiful student in front of him, the more he got mesmerized---the more he affirmed to himself that he did like her and that he'd like her ever since. But how come?
"Why are you good at making me wonder?"
Hermione's eyes shot out in disbelief. What was Draco talking about?
"Do I make you feel that way?"
"Yes and now could you give me an answer why?"
"How exactly do I make you wonder?"
"I don't know and that's why I'm asking you"
"That is not a question, Malfoy"
"Neither was your last statement, was it?"
Draco smirked. He slipped out one sentence and he wouldn't let it happen again. And he did one mistake that he got off easily. He thought then that he would win.
He took out his watch from his pocket and saw that only five minutes had just passed. Draco sighed. That was indeed a punishment. He couldn't stand it to see Hermione in front of him, with eyes searching through him for answers.
"So Malfoy. . . your answer?"
Silence. Draco thought about his answer well. "Well I just observed that since our first year in Hogwarts that I grew irritated at your presence since I knew you were a lot better than I was and the years came by and every time that I'd call you a--- a mudblood, I couldn't help but smile inside. . . so why?"
Hermione stood from her seat as she grew infuriated at Draco's statement. "So where's the WONDER part there? You know, I reckon that this is just one hell of a rubbish thing. If I knew any better, this snapping session isn't exactly part of tradition since I never read about it in any of the books in the library! Just so you know, I'm leaving!"
At that, Draco stood from his seat as he tried to catch up with Hermione who was almost at the door. He was able to grab her back in and Hermione tried to struggle free. "Let me go Malfoy! Do you really think I'd be doing this rubbish any further? This is just a game Draco. . . that's if you haven't noticed" Hermione glared dangerously at Draco to prove her point.
"Well it wouldn't hurt to just play along, now would it?"
"And what? Have me answer your stupid questions? Well you're not going to get intelligent answers Malfoy! I'm out of here!" Hermione pulled her arm away and Draco let her go. Hermione walked towards the door while glaring at Draco who went back to his seat to sit again. She wasn't able to control it that she yelled, "Fine! You win! I will tell the whole bloody school that the great Draco Malfoy has won this nonsense! Well congratulations Malfoy for winning nothing over me!"
Hermione tried to open the doorknob only that it was locked. She banged her fists on the old wooden door but to no avail of having it opened. Draco just smirked from behind.
"Have you forgotten that we're locked here Ms. Beautiful?"
At that, Hermione felt shivers down her spine. //Did he just call me beautiful?//
Draco was shocked himself. //Now Draco Malfoy, where did that word come from?//
The students back at the hall were all caught in surprise. . . well all, except Harry and Ron. . . and Dumbledore as well. "There it goes Harry. A few minutes more and we'll catch those two snogging", mouthed Ron who didn't want to care at what they're watching anymore.
"I must agree Ron. . ."
Hermione was still desperate to get out of the room. She couldn't stand it all---how it all seemed to be a silly game to her and how come Draco wasn't the least disturbed. //Well as if he'd care. He doesn't know how to feel anyway//
In the disturbed silence of the locks of the door that won't come off, Draco laughed discreetly to himself. "Stop it Granger. You look silly"
"For your information, I'm not going to stop trying to open this door until I talk myself out of here!"
"Then start talking, I wouldn't mind"
"Ugh!"
Hermione searched through her gown for her wand and flickered it over the doorknob, "Alohamora!" Nothing happened. It only sent Draco to fits, laughing hysterically in his seat.
"If I were you I'd stop doing that!"
Having no choice left, Hermione sat back on her seat and crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't understand why they've put us into this joke"
"Neither do I Hermione. . .", replied Draco blankly at the wall.
"Could you repeat what you've said?"
Draco's eyes shifted from the wall to Hermione. "What?"
"Just repeat what you've said"
"_Neither do I Hermione_ and what's with that?"
"Just repeat it"
Draco threw an odd look at her. "_Neither do I Hermione_ This is just silly. What was that for?"
"Nothing. I just like how the way you enunciated my name. You've got a nice accent to it"
The voices in Draco's mind came out again. //She likes how you say her name!//. . . //I do have a nice accent whoever name I say so what's the big deal?// . . . //Well that's something to be glad about. . .that for once she liked you for something// . . . //Like I care//
"We could be on a first-name basis here if that makes you happy"
It was Hermione's time to have her fair share of her mind. //What does he think he's getting at!// . . . //Dearie, it's not something big to have you two on first-name basis. I remember you calling him Draco tonight// . . . //But that could mean that I'd be nice to him and all that crap// . . . //It doesn't hurt to be nice and civil to him, now would it?// . . . //Well we're not used to it!// . . . //Then you could probably start now//
"Whatever", said Hermione finding no other words to say.
"I suggest let's just talk until we get out of here. I don't like this silence. . . not when I know there's someone with me"
"Okay. . . what do you suggest we talk about?"
"Um, since we did have the entirety of our stay at Hogwarts as enemies, why won't we try not to?"
"So you're proposing that we be civil"
"Yes"
"Fine with me. . . but not unless we get things straight"
"What things?"
"Why do I make you wonder?"
"Do I still have to answer that?"
"Well I guess we were given the LUXURY of the time to stay here then we might as well continue this game and change some rules"
"It's not that important for you to know"
"Well I want to know"
Silence.
"Grang--- uh, Hermione, there's nothing to tell really. You know me inside out"
"Me? Are you kidding?"
"You do see my every flaw. Other girls don't see that and that made me wonder. . .you made me think why all of the girls here, you're the only one who dislikes me"
Silence.
"Well I don't put it as dislike"
Silence.
"What then?"
"More of that I'm irritated by everything you do against me and my friends. That's all"
"So why did you put up with your front? That you made everyone believe that you dislike me?"
"I had to"
"Potter and Weasley?"
"Yes"
". . . and you've made me wonder how intelligent you are, why you never grow tired of reading the books in the library and how come you have to reread it"
"Honestly, you made me wonder how you came in second to me when you don't study at all"
"So you've noticed?"
"Yeah. You never read your books. You just wanted to show the others that you could actually read"
Draco smiled. Hermione knew well.
"Nice observations"
"Why thanks"
Silence.
"Gran--- er, Hermione, who am I to you?"
"Now or before?"
"Have your ideas of me changed in any way?"
"Well, yeah"
"So?"
"Before, I found you as nothing but a scum. I never really wanted to care but come 5th year, I somehow felt compassion for you. . . even if I have this thing against Death Eaters and your father, I felt sorry that you have to lose your father that way. I didn't want to feel the loss you had. Since then, I've tried not to spat at you anymore but being the intolerable git that you are, you've pushed me to my limit every so often so I end up blowing my resolve"
Silence. The silence that won over them was longer than expected. They wanted the silence to deafen them. Draco drew his eyes into Hermione's beautiful auburn ones.
"God Hermione. . ." Draco paused. "You're simply beautiful. . ."
~Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns characters, setting, etc. Except: the plot is mine.~
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I've tried to cut this fic short to one-shot but it wouldn't do since it's too long already. I've decided to cut it to two, and please cross your fingers with me that it won't reach up to a third and so on.
Who are up for an account of anything naughty here? Raise your hands then drop a review, tell me that you do and I'll try to fit it in. (oh god, I hope I won't get to lose another fic here because of its content. I had two taken off already and I was blocked from updating anything for a period of time. Too bad.
One-Shot (up to two at the most) Pairing : DracoXHermione Setting : 7th year at Hogwarts
They were perfect. Perfect in their own right.
Draco Malfoy was the 18-year old Slytherin Quidditch Captain-Seeker-Prefect in their year level. He was known to have the most dangerous smirk ever to be seen on Hogwarts grounds. His sexy silver-gray eyes were adored by almost every girl at school---to the envy of the other blokes his age. Well how was he supposed to answer for that and be able to take responsibility over the buzzing sounds in the Great Hall whenever he'd arrive with his smug "I-own-this-place" looks? He was a natural god to women pointblank. And to the other girls who had been bestowed upon by his gift, they had attested for the handsome bloke's talent and sheer greatness when it comes to matters that happen at midnight. Perhaps their minds were just twisted or something like that.
That was him. Great, talented, smart, and overall---SEXY.
On the other hand, Hermione Granger was his female counterpart. At only 17 years of age, Hermione was featured in many witches' magazines for years for the reason that she had grown to be a beautiful, fine, young lady. At first, nobody really cared for the bookworm but come fourth year Yule Ball for the Triwizard Tournament, she was able to take everyone at awe---even the lady-killer Draco Malfoy who had gone speechless that night. . .
And that's where the story starts. . .
***Flashback***
Hermione Granger, the fourth year student who's a third of the Golden Trio entered the Great hall in her periwinkle blue dress that perfectly matched her already-fixed hair and almost every student darted their eyes towards her direction. . . not to mention that she was Viktor Krum's Yule Ball date. The students saw a beautiful stranger in their midst, only that it was the Gryffindor student who spent her days reading books in the school library.
To that crowd, no exception was the great Draco Malfoy who, for the first time in his life, never found anything ill to say about the stunning- looking Hermione Granger---his female archrival.
***On to the Present***
Graduation ball came and everyone was wonderfully clad in their finest robes and dressing gowns. The air was indeed festive and the students got the chance to see Professor Dumbledore change into a muggle outfit. Foods and drinks came aplenty and everyone was filled and well satisfied. The rites came about quite a bit late after Neville sent everyone into fits when he plunged right into the huge cake that the graduating students were about to take afterwards. Seamus also pulled some tricks that only led to a disaster when he was (again) attempting to change the drinks into rum--- only to find himself all wet, and some other students as well when the glass bowls where the drinks were, exploded with a huge BANG.
The Slytherin and Gryffindor students were glad when they heard that the top students were in their house. Gryffindors were confident about it from the start, of course it's Hermione Granger we're talking about. But when the second best student was announced, it came as a surprise to some that the sex god Draco Malfoy got the honour. So when everyone was back in their seats, Dumbledore took pride in announcing the traditional snapping session of the best students.
"Good evening students, professors" Dumbledore nodded first to the students then to the people at his sides. "As tradition to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, our top students are to engage in a snapping session for half an hour in a secluded room ALONE. . . they are given the luxury of the time to ask questions, whatever comes into their minds and whatever they've wished to ask the other. The only way that they could answer each question is by asking another question. Every statement should be in the interrogative state and not one of them is allowed to answer narratively. This will test who between them two is more witty and faster in coming up with intelligent questions. The winner is to be announced by the top students themselves and whoever finds his or her self defeated by her opponent. So, to start, may I call on Ms. Hermione Granger and Mr. Draco Malfoy, our best students this year up front. . ."
The students started cheering on for the most beautiful students in their school, luckily, who were both in their batch.
Hermione stood up firmly, though reluctant. She eyed Harry and Ron opposite where she sat and begged with her eyes for support. "I can't do this. What could I positively ask him? As if I would be SO glad to ask him anything!" commented Hermione with her brows furrowed irritated.
"You can do it Mione! Just show the ferret what you've got!" cheered on Harry who stood up in pride and clapped for his bestfriend.
"I don't think so. He must have tons of witty remarks under his sleeves. . . he's proven that for many years now"
Ron took the chance and said, "But you always snap back at him! Come on Mione. Kick some--- *hmph*"
Before Ron could have finished his statement, Harry shut him up. "Just go Mione. Show him what you've got. Remember all the trouble we've gone through because of him. Teach him who's boss here" Harry winked as he waved his hand so that Hermione moved faster to the front.
Ron added, "And just so you win Mione, don't tell Dumbledore that you've lost, that's if you will lose of which I'm most certain you will not. . ."
A hard thud came off Ron's head as Harry hit him with the silver platter.
On the other side of the Great Hall, Draco Malfoy stood at once, chin-up and chest-out. He walked towards the front but before he could have successfully gone there, he was interrupted by some Slytherin girls and of course, Pansy Parkinson.
A pair of arms circled around Draco's slim waist and when he did turn his head towards its owner, he wasn't surprised to see Pansy with his puppy eyes and pout that certainly annoyed him.
"Off with it Pansy!" snapped Draco at the Slytherin whore.
"Aw, Drakie. . . I want you to do better than that bitch. I wouldn't be taking any defeat tonight. . ." replied Pansy with her sugarcoated voice.
Draco roughly took Pansy's arms off him. "Whatever"
So Draco carried on walking while the girls stared at awe with him. Some were drooling literally and the boys can't help it but cuss at the air that surrounded the goddess-like Slytherin whose smooth flaxen hair moved freely with the wind that brushed against it.
Draco arrived beside Dumbledore first. He waited for some while, witnessing Hermione talking to her friends before she could have moved an inch from her seat. That made Draco smirk at once, with his eyes sharp in malice.
Hermione walked up front after a quarter to a minute with a huge frown playing on her face. What irritated her more was that she saw Draco not removing the evil grin on his lips.
"So, took a while to get here? If I knew better Granger, I'd say you're scared. . ." hissed Draco as his brow raised an inch higher, pretty much contented with himself.
"Well that's if you KNEW BETTER Malfoy. . . and I bet that wouldn't happen. . . ever. . ." growled Hermione as she shot dangerous glares at the Slytherin Prince.
Draco put up with a sigh. "What a lame attempt to let myself lose my cool"
"I haven't even tried Malfoy. . ." scorned Hermione who smirked herself.
Dumbledore smiled at the sight. "Very well, follow Professor Snape and he will lead you to the room. . ." interrupted the wise old man.
Hermione tailed Snape immediately. Deep inside, she feared for what might come off her lips. . . what was she supposed to ask? They haven't been in speaking terms ever since so how was she to formulate something INTELLIGENT out of what the ferret had done to the Golden Trio? If intelligent means spatting and cursing at each other then she had a chance to win it. She doesn't know anything personal about the albino so how would she be able to come up with an inquiry that she could further dig into without changing the state of her sentences into a narrative?
Form behind Hermione, Draco followed promptly, finding himself not able to tear his eyes off Hermione's bottom. . . her hips swayed gracefully from side-to-side. . . definitely one scene that caught Draco's attention but how come he couldn't stare at anything else than THAT? It was bad that he was staring but it was worse that he found his mouth wide open, probably salivating, he didn't know. //I couldn't probably like her. It's not something that I couldn't live without. She's got a nice ass that's all. Besides, she's your enemy remember? If you don't stop staring at her bottom then you'd probably find yourself defeated after the snapping session. . . oh sheesh. . . DRACO MALFOY THIS IS GRANGER YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT! Bloody hell!//
Then another voice came into his head. //Perhaps you're seeing what you've missed all these years. . .// Draco mentally shook the thought off his mind but another voice came battling to hear his side out //I don't like her, what are you thinking?//
//Well if you don't like her then why are you staring?// //I am NOT staring!//
A hissing sound came off Draco's lips. Unluckily, Hermione heard and so she turned her eyes towards Draco and gave him a questioning look. "Want to say something before I defeat you, Draco?"
Draco was speechless. It was only a simple question that he would naturally blurt something out for but nothing escaped his lips. He was badly smitten by how beautiful Hermione would look like when she's angry. . . which probably led him to a hypothesis that the reason why he so liked to snap at Hermione was because she looked very lovely every time she'd steam up at his retorts.
"I, uhh. . . nothing", stuttered Draco. //What? You're bloody stuttering before Granger? You're sick Draco. Terrible indeed// . . . //I wasn't stuttering!// . . . //You were~// . . . Draco didn't notice it but he blurted something out loud, not able to suppress his inner rage with the voices inside his head. "FINE!"
That caused Hermione to look at him again. "I haven't said a word Malfoy. . . why, are you scared of what I could ask you?"
"Not at all since you've just asked me one", spat Draco as he heaved a sigh of relief that he was able to successfully get rid of the voices in his head and answer Hermione back.
They arrived at the door to the room and Snape gestured for them to go inside. "I'll lock you in and you could only get out after the time is up"
The two nodded in agreement. Hermione went inside and Draco followed. He shut the door behind him---wait, Draco Malfoy shut a door himself?
//Well you just did close the door pretty boy. How clever. You always have your bodyguards to do that for you// . . . //WELL now they aren't here and since you are a gentleman you'd hold the door for her// . . . //For Granger?// . . . //Yeah I just did so WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?//
Hermione found herself a seat at one corner of the room. Draco found another at the other end. Were they supposed to snap at each other from that distance?
So they sat quietly. . .
Inside the Great Hall, a huge projection screen was conjured and every one inside the hall saw Hermione and Draco sitting opposite each other. .. quiet. Still. Ron nudged Harry at the stomach. "We aren't watching them, are we?"
"I reckon we will. . ." said Harry thoughtfully though deep inside he disagreed.
"We can't let everyone else hear it!"
*SHHHHHHHHHHH!* came from about seven students around the two Gryffindors.
Harry lowered his head and motioned for Ron to do the same. They whispered to each other while the others watched Hermione and Draco sulk in their silence.
"I don't think we can do anything about it"
"Harry, whatever they're going to talk about should be between them alone!"
"So what are you telling me?" asked Harry though he knew what Ron meant.
"Harry, you've seen them grow up. They've already outgrown their personal hate for each other. If worse comes to worst, we're gonna hear some PROFESSIONS OF LOVE here. . ." Ron rolled his eyes away and immediately looked at Harry who thought about what he said.
"Well let's just hope nothing like that happens. . . it would be too embarrassing I tell you"
Ron nodded and so they stared back at the huge screen.
In the silence of the room, Hermione darted her auburn eyes towards Draco who was staring blankly at the floor. Draco suddenly felt Hermione's eyes towards him and so he looked back.
"Care to start first?' came Hermione's first question.
"Shouldn't you start first since you're the LADY here?" came off Draco's.
The two saw imaginary words drifting inside their head. . . //Questions. . . smart, intelligible questions. . . answer in questions. . .//
"Well I couldn't think of any perhaps you could start with one?"
"I've already given you the benefit of an answer and why would you ask me to do it first?"
Silence. They didn't have anything to ask each other. . . well more of that they were afraid to ask anything.
The students inside the hall were eagerly waiting for someone to start. Some were getting dismayed and impatient. They've seen the two scowl at each other like there's no tomorrow and how come no one has started yet?
Hermione was deep in thoughts when one question came into her mind. "How come you snapped at me for seven long years?"
"Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?"
"As I could remember it was you who started it. . . and weren't you informed that you first did it when you found Harry among the first year students?" Hermione breathed in hard. She almost lost it there. It was good that her mind send instant signals to her head to ASK QUESTIONS and ANSWER IN QUESTIONS.
"So it doesn't count as me snapping at you, does it?"
Draco was still cool. Though he didn't want the real reason behind it to surface. Who could have known, the professors would have been watching (A/N: the whole school is watching, as a matter-of-fact)
"Well yes but then you haven't answered my question, now have you?"
"Perhaps you've been asking the wrong questions?"
"And what do you suppose I should ask?"
"Some things you've been dying to ask me perhaps?
"I've asked you one already and doesn't that count as one?"
Silence. Draco was pushing Hermione to ask some pretty personal questions but he knew for a fact he didn't want her to have the benefit of an answer. What really bothered him was when he would get the chance to ask Hermione his own questions.
"Since you aren't so blunt today I've decided to ask you myself and would you allow me to do just that?" The words easily came off his lips.
"I guess I would and what would your question be?"
Silence. Draco stared deeply into Hermione's eyes. He wanted to converse with her in the silence without a word. But still, a tiny voice in his head told him that he should win. What he didn't know was that Hermione knew that he would win that one and she wasn't exactly in a snappy mood at that time.
Draco was caught in a sudden trance. The more he looked at the beautiful student in front of him, the more he got mesmerized---the more he affirmed to himself that he did like her and that he'd like her ever since. But how come?
"Why are you good at making me wonder?"
Hermione's eyes shot out in disbelief. What was Draco talking about?
"Do I make you feel that way?"
"Yes and now could you give me an answer why?"
"How exactly do I make you wonder?"
"I don't know and that's why I'm asking you"
"That is not a question, Malfoy"
"Neither was your last statement, was it?"
Draco smirked. He slipped out one sentence and he wouldn't let it happen again. And he did one mistake that he got off easily. He thought then that he would win.
He took out his watch from his pocket and saw that only five minutes had just passed. Draco sighed. That was indeed a punishment. He couldn't stand it to see Hermione in front of him, with eyes searching through him for answers.
"So Malfoy. . . your answer?"
Silence. Draco thought about his answer well. "Well I just observed that since our first year in Hogwarts that I grew irritated at your presence since I knew you were a lot better than I was and the years came by and every time that I'd call you a--- a mudblood, I couldn't help but smile inside. . . so why?"
Hermione stood from her seat as she grew infuriated at Draco's statement. "So where's the WONDER part there? You know, I reckon that this is just one hell of a rubbish thing. If I knew any better, this snapping session isn't exactly part of tradition since I never read about it in any of the books in the library! Just so you know, I'm leaving!"
At that, Draco stood from his seat as he tried to catch up with Hermione who was almost at the door. He was able to grab her back in and Hermione tried to struggle free. "Let me go Malfoy! Do you really think I'd be doing this rubbish any further? This is just a game Draco. . . that's if you haven't noticed" Hermione glared dangerously at Draco to prove her point.
"Well it wouldn't hurt to just play along, now would it?"
"And what? Have me answer your stupid questions? Well you're not going to get intelligent answers Malfoy! I'm out of here!" Hermione pulled her arm away and Draco let her go. Hermione walked towards the door while glaring at Draco who went back to his seat to sit again. She wasn't able to control it that she yelled, "Fine! You win! I will tell the whole bloody school that the great Draco Malfoy has won this nonsense! Well congratulations Malfoy for winning nothing over me!"
Hermione tried to open the doorknob only that it was locked. She banged her fists on the old wooden door but to no avail of having it opened. Draco just smirked from behind.
"Have you forgotten that we're locked here Ms. Beautiful?"
At that, Hermione felt shivers down her spine. //Did he just call me beautiful?//
Draco was shocked himself. //Now Draco Malfoy, where did that word come from?//
The students back at the hall were all caught in surprise. . . well all, except Harry and Ron. . . and Dumbledore as well. "There it goes Harry. A few minutes more and we'll catch those two snogging", mouthed Ron who didn't want to care at what they're watching anymore.
"I must agree Ron. . ."
Hermione was still desperate to get out of the room. She couldn't stand it all---how it all seemed to be a silly game to her and how come Draco wasn't the least disturbed. //Well as if he'd care. He doesn't know how to feel anyway//
In the disturbed silence of the locks of the door that won't come off, Draco laughed discreetly to himself. "Stop it Granger. You look silly"
"For your information, I'm not going to stop trying to open this door until I talk myself out of here!"
"Then start talking, I wouldn't mind"
"Ugh!"
Hermione searched through her gown for her wand and flickered it over the doorknob, "Alohamora!" Nothing happened. It only sent Draco to fits, laughing hysterically in his seat.
"If I were you I'd stop doing that!"
Having no choice left, Hermione sat back on her seat and crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't understand why they've put us into this joke"
"Neither do I Hermione. . .", replied Draco blankly at the wall.
"Could you repeat what you've said?"
Draco's eyes shifted from the wall to Hermione. "What?"
"Just repeat what you've said"
"_Neither do I Hermione_ and what's with that?"
"Just repeat it"
Draco threw an odd look at her. "_Neither do I Hermione_ This is just silly. What was that for?"
"Nothing. I just like how the way you enunciated my name. You've got a nice accent to it"
The voices in Draco's mind came out again. //She likes how you say her name!//. . . //I do have a nice accent whoever name I say so what's the big deal?// . . . //Well that's something to be glad about. . .that for once she liked you for something// . . . //Like I care//
"We could be on a first-name basis here if that makes you happy"
It was Hermione's time to have her fair share of her mind. //What does he think he's getting at!// . . . //Dearie, it's not something big to have you two on first-name basis. I remember you calling him Draco tonight// . . . //But that could mean that I'd be nice to him and all that crap// . . . //It doesn't hurt to be nice and civil to him, now would it?// . . . //Well we're not used to it!// . . . //Then you could probably start now//
"Whatever", said Hermione finding no other words to say.
"I suggest let's just talk until we get out of here. I don't like this silence. . . not when I know there's someone with me"
"Okay. . . what do you suggest we talk about?"
"Um, since we did have the entirety of our stay at Hogwarts as enemies, why won't we try not to?"
"So you're proposing that we be civil"
"Yes"
"Fine with me. . . but not unless we get things straight"
"What things?"
"Why do I make you wonder?"
"Do I still have to answer that?"
"Well I guess we were given the LUXURY of the time to stay here then we might as well continue this game and change some rules"
"It's not that important for you to know"
"Well I want to know"
Silence.
"Grang--- uh, Hermione, there's nothing to tell really. You know me inside out"
"Me? Are you kidding?"
"You do see my every flaw. Other girls don't see that and that made me wonder. . .you made me think why all of the girls here, you're the only one who dislikes me"
Silence.
"Well I don't put it as dislike"
Silence.
"What then?"
"More of that I'm irritated by everything you do against me and my friends. That's all"
"So why did you put up with your front? That you made everyone believe that you dislike me?"
"I had to"
"Potter and Weasley?"
"Yes"
". . . and you've made me wonder how intelligent you are, why you never grow tired of reading the books in the library and how come you have to reread it"
"Honestly, you made me wonder how you came in second to me when you don't study at all"
"So you've noticed?"
"Yeah. You never read your books. You just wanted to show the others that you could actually read"
Draco smiled. Hermione knew well.
"Nice observations"
"Why thanks"
Silence.
"Gran--- er, Hermione, who am I to you?"
"Now or before?"
"Have your ideas of me changed in any way?"
"Well, yeah"
"So?"
"Before, I found you as nothing but a scum. I never really wanted to care but come 5th year, I somehow felt compassion for you. . . even if I have this thing against Death Eaters and your father, I felt sorry that you have to lose your father that way. I didn't want to feel the loss you had. Since then, I've tried not to spat at you anymore but being the intolerable git that you are, you've pushed me to my limit every so often so I end up blowing my resolve"
Silence. The silence that won over them was longer than expected. They wanted the silence to deafen them. Draco drew his eyes into Hermione's beautiful auburn ones.
"God Hermione. . ." Draco paused. "You're simply beautiful. . ."
~Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns characters, setting, etc. Except: the plot is mine.~
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I've tried to cut this fic short to one-shot but it wouldn't do since it's too long already. I've decided to cut it to two, and please cross your fingers with me that it won't reach up to a third and so on.
Who are up for an account of anything naughty here? Raise your hands then drop a review, tell me that you do and I'll try to fit it in. (oh god, I hope I won't get to lose another fic here because of its content. I had two taken off already and I was blocked from updating anything for a period of time. Too bad.