It Was All Worth It
Chapter 1: Under The Ancient Tree
[A/N: The one's that are italicized are Draco's conscience. You might get confused so yeah! :) Enjoy! No H8 just APPRECI8. Review Please!]
[Draco's POV]
The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was a snoring Crabbe on the other bed beside mine. I looked out the window, which was in between Crabbe's bed and mine; it was a fine Sunday morning. The sky was a clear blue and there were not many clouds, you could see the sun's rays glimmering on the window. I sat upright and threw the blanket aside lazily then I ruffled my blonde hair. I looked at my surroundings, the rest of the Slytherin 5th year boys were still deeply asleep, I sighed. Today felt like a completely lazy day, luckily we have no homework, so I have absolutely nothing to do today. But I felt like doing something productive for once in my life but what could that be?
I thought of different kinds of stuff to do today…
Interrogate Weasley and Potter? Nahh, it's starting to get boring.
Scare some first years? Nahh, that's old school, Draco.
Embarrass Longbottom in front of the whole school? No, he's not worth it that much anymore.
Study for owls? Nahh, too lazy, owls are still in months.
There you go, nothing to do for today.
Maybe I'll just stay here and do nothing, yeah, that will help loads. I know! I should just stay outside and lay down on the grass…. And get stepped on. Nevermind! That was a bad idea.
I checked my silver watch on my right wrist, 8:30, I thought in my head.
I decided to go down for breakfast without Crabbe and Goyle, I actually feel like being alone today. I looked hopelessly at my two deeply asleep cronies, hoping that they do get up, but no hope. I sighed again.
I got up from my sitting position then stood beside my bed. For once in my life in Hogwarts, I actually fixed my bed, fold the blankets and fixed the pillows. I changed into my usual Slytherin robes and threw my pajamas on my opened trunk. I headed for the door.
I went down the spiral staircase lazily and dreamily. I was almost at the ground when suddenly a sorrowful looking Pansy Parkinson leapt in front of me; I was startled so I backed off a few more steps. I stared at her dark black eyes and she stared back at mine. There was an awkward silence until after a few seconds she spoke.
"Draco, I didn't mean to!" shouted Pansy with all her might, "You know I love you!"
The Slytherins who were in the common room sitting on the squashy armchairs turned around to watch. Some sniggered and some started whispering. I bent down a bit closer to her and said 'Shut up Parkinson, you're embarrassing me"
Pansy's eyes had widened because I'm on last-name-terms with her, although a few days ago we were calling each other 'babe'.
"I w-will n-not!" she shouted again.
"Listen Parkinson, I don't need you right now" I said coldly.
"Listen Draco, I can't live without you! I love you with all my heart! Please Draco! Ple-"
"Please shut up, Parkinson, you are ruining my would be perfect day!"
"I just cant-"
"Anyways, I like someone else!" I said loudly then I blushed.
It's true, I did like someone else, it's hardly unbelievable but it just hit me when I saw her in that beautiful dress. The thought of it scares me, I try to forget her but she just keeps running in my mind everyday. That's the reason why I dated Pansy, I didn't actually like her but I tried to so that I can get that certain person off my mind. Unfortunately, my stupid plan had failed. I still love her.
"And who is this person?" shouted Pansy, taken aback.
"None of your business!" I shouted, "Why not try Crabbe or Goyle or something?"
"They aren't my type!" she replied irritably.
"Well, you're not my type either! So please just step out of the way," I said annoyingly.
I walked down the stairs and pushed Pansy slightly to the left (she nearly toppled over) because she was blocking my way. Then I headed for the exit of the common room, as I passed by the squashy armchairs someone whispered, "Nice one Draco" and I replied "Haha yeah". I didn't even look at the person who said that. I was finally at the door when someone shouted from behind,
"You're not just going to leave me like this are you?!"
I turned around and saw Pansy crouched on the floor, crying like a baby who lost his candy.
"Face it, I already have" I said then stormed out of the common room.
There was a loud and screeching scream that I heard and was sure that Pansy was throwing a tantrum.
"Girls" I muttered then headed for the Great Hall.
The trip to the Great Hall was extremely short. I was there in about 2 or 3 minutes.
I stepped inside the Great Hall and saw what I usually see everyday. I sighed and headed for the Slytherin table, which was at the far end to the left. I sat down and helped myself to bacon and eggs. I was chewing on my bacon until something caught my sight… at the table at the far end corner to the right. Her bushy brown hair gleaming in the sunlight, her smile that gives me butterflies every time. The girl that I tried to avoid ever since but I just couldn't keep my eyes of her, Hermione Jean Granger.
She was laughing at a joke that Ron Weasley had whispered to her.
She can't be dating the weasel; they don't even look good together!
I started falling in love with her in the Yule Ball in our 4th year; I was going to go to the bathroom when I saw Hermione walking down the stairs in her dress. She caught my attention quickly, then my stomach started swirling and my heart was thumping. She was as beautiful as the sunset. I couldn't take my eyes off her; I glared at Krum when I found out that he had been her partner for the dance. That should be me, I thought. Then reality slapped me hard on the face,
You hate her Draco! What are you glaring at Krum for? You've been mean to her ever since because she's a mudblood and friends with scarhead and the weasel.
But some people change, don't they?
Not you Draco!
But look at her! She's so pretty!
So?! You said that Pansy was pretty! And you also said that Granger was ugly!
But I never knew Hermione was that pretty! Maybe I just didn't look closely…
No! You did look closely and you hate the view, now walk away Draco and forget about Granger.
I followed my conscience and walked away, holding Pansy's hand and walked her to the Great Hall. When I watched her dance with Krum, she flew into my mind again and I fell in love with her for real. I desired her and I wanted her. I wanted to be holding her waist and gliding her around the Great Hall, not that Krum. Since then, I've loved her. She's the only one who gives me butterflies, she's the only one who makes me smile and laugh and she's the reason I stay up late. I think about her all the time, from morning till night, daydreaming.
It hurts me sometimes when I see her with Ron. I get jealous and angry.
Hermione was beside Ron, I glared at Ron as he placed his arm around Hermione.
She doesn't deserve that weasel.
I was thinking of ways of destroying Ron when I suddenly drifted off to sleep….
I was standing on top a stage; in front of me was a beautiful brunette whose hair was tied up in a bun. In between this girl and I was the Minister of Magic; he was holding a small book. Below the stage was a large crowd of witches and wizards who were all dressed formally.
"Do you Draco Lucius Malfoy take Hermione Jean Granger as your lawfully wedded wife?" spoke the Minister of Magic.
"I do," I replied with ease.
The Minister of Magic turned to Hermione, who was now in tears.
"Do you Hermione Jean Granger take Draco Lucius Malfoy as your lawfully wedded husband?"
She didn't speak, she was crying, I wiped the tears of her face and said "It's okay"
She smiled then said, "I do,"
We both grinned at each other.
"You may now kiss the br-"
Too late, I had already kissed Hermione on the lips. Her smooth sweet lips were placed on mine and this was a moment that I would never forget.
I savored the moment and the feeling, ignoring the cheering crowd. I put all my mind and thoughts into Hermione, thinking about our life, our future. We would have no regrets…
"Draco!"
Reality had slapped me hard on the face. I opened my eyes and the very first thing I saw in between my eyes was something gold, it was a golden goblet. I was holding on to a goblet, which was on my face. Then I had realized the reason why there was a goblet stuck to my face,
I had been kissing the goblet.
I threw the goblet as far away from me as possible, my eyes were in shock, I looked at my surroundings and realized that the every single eye in the Great Hall were on me. There was a silence until someone laughed uncontrollably. I jerked my head to see who had been laughing, of course, I thought, Ron and Harry. After Harry and Ron had laughed the whole Great Hall (except for the Slytherins) were laughing. I felt humiliated, like a fool, like some kind of loser. I buried my face in my hands and shook my head. I peeked in between two fingers and saw that everyone had stood up laughing. The Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws were all laughing uncontrollably while the Slytherins were all hissing to them to shut up.
You're so stupid Draco!
"Draco's got a new girlfriend, hasn't he Harry?" shouted Ron.
The laughs of the students grew harder and harder.
"Bet how long they've been dating, eh Fred?!" shouted George.
"I wonder what they do in bed!" shouted Fred.
"Weasleys" I whispered to myself.
I felt like running away as far as possible. I removed my hand from my face and the first thing I saw brightened my spirits up a bit. It was Hermione, despite of all the standing students screaming of laughter, she was sitting down, eating her breakfast and acted like she nothing was happening at all or that Draco, her worst enemy had just been caught red-handed making out with a goblet.
She jerked her head upward and caught my eye, I stared into her eye and she stared into mine. All the laughter drifted away in my mind as I stared into the pair of eyes of the one I desired. Our long eye contact broke as both me and Hermione turned to look at the doors of the Great Hall as it burst open. An angry looking McGonagall stormed inside and paused in the middle of the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables. The Great Hall became quiet.
"What is the commotion?!" she shouted.
No one answered.
"Fine! Don't tell me! Just keep your mouths shut! Is this how you behave when there are no teachers around?!"
No one answered.
"You are all like animals! Sit down! Everyone! And eat your breakfast then do whatever you bloody want! I don't want to hear any noise" she shouted again, "50 points from ALL houses!"
Everyone sat down. Without any more words, McGonagall stormed outside of the Great Hall. I sighed then looked back at Hermione, she had stood up. We had eye contact again, she stared into mine again and I stared into hers.
Then Ron spoke to her, I know what he was saying because I could read his mouth.
"Where are you-"
Ron eyes moved from Hermione's to where she was staring at which was obviously me, I moved my eyes somewhere else quickly.
"You were staring at Draco weren't you Hermione?!" he said.
"No I wasn't!" said Hermione as she moved her eyes from me to Ron.
"You're jealous of that goblet weren't you?"
"What the bloody hell are you talking about?! Why would I want Draco kissing me?!"
Ouch, I thought. That was really mean to say….
"Whatever" said Ron.
"Hmph!"
Hermione turned and walked away going to the exit of the Great Hall. This was it, she wasn't with Ron nor Harry, she was actually alone. This was my time I could actually talk to her and tell her my feelings and if I get lucky, she might actually… have the same.
She thinks you're a fool Draco, she just saw you making out with a goblet.
But she wasn't looking wasn't she? She wasn't laughing? She was just eating her breakfast!
That doesn't mean that she hasn't caught you kissing a goblet.
This is my only chance!
Don't do it Draco, don't! What will your mother say? You are breaking the Malfoy law! She is a mudblood and you're pureblood! It's not meant to be!
And who made that law?
No one knows but-
Listen, I will fight for her even if it's the last thing I do! I will do anything just to be hers!
I stood up and stormed out of the Great Hall, not caring that all eyes were laid on my back, ignoring the Slytherins telling me to sit back down. I traced the steps on where Hermione had walked. I looked left and the door to the entrance of the castle was open, she had gone outside. I peeked from the door and saw her sitting down below an ancient tree. This was my only last chance and I have to grasp it! But then I can't just walk up to her and just talk to her…
The element of surprise should do.
I smirked then snuck outside of the castle, trying to be unseen. My goal was to go behind the tree that she was sitting below, and luckily my plan has succeeded. I was creeping behind the ancient tree and stared at the back of her head. Step 1, I had passed but the thing is how to go to her?
I'll just have to sit beside her and talk or say something, yeah, that will do.
I tiptoed outside from the tree and sat down beside her. To be honest that was a stupid move, you don't just come round and sit beside people you don't usually talk to or people that hate you. She turned her head to look at who had just suddenly appeared beside her and then she screamed loudly. I covered my ears because her scream was so high-pitched. I looked at her and her wand was directly at my face.
"M-malfoy! What on earth are you doing here? Beside me?" she shouted, "I'll jinx you!"
Just act normal, Draco…
But I couldn't, my heart was thumping hard. I didn't know what to say. This is harder than I thought it would be.
"There's no need to jinx me Hermione. I wont hurt you," I said.
Stupid Draco! Why did you say that?!
"Prove it then" she replied.
"I don't have my wand"
"What about Crabbe and Goyle hmm? I bet they're behind that tree ready to hit me with a jinx or something" said Hermione as she pointed her wand to the trunk of the ancient tree, "Ready to embarrass me eh?"
"For the first time, Hermione, you're incorrect. Crabbe or Goyle aren't hiding behind that tree, if they were though, you would be able to see them because of their fat. That trunk is too thin to hide Crabbe and Goyle"
Hermione laughed.
She had actually laughed! I just made her laugh! I smiled at myself; my heart was thumping so hard I could feel it. I felt myself blushing and fortunately she seemed that she was blushing too.
"Nice one, Draco" she said as she lowered her wand and placed it in her pocket, "Why are you here anyway?"
"Why not?"
"I'm just asking!"
"Well, why can't I be here?"
"Just answer my question! Why are you here? Talking to me all of the sudden?"
"What's wrong if I talk to you all of a sudden?"
"It's unusual and not right because you don't talk to me!"
"Okay then, if you don't want me here then goodbye Granger"
I stood up and walked, going back up to the castle, realizing that my plan has failed. Realizing that I would never be with the girl I loved. I'll just have to be Draco, the biggest bully of Hogwarts.
"Wait!"
I stopped dead in my tracks, my heart was beating, my mind was spinning, my stomach was swirling. Could it be? Am I hallucinating?
"I-I do want to talk to you,"
My face turned red, she had just said that she had wanted to talk to me. Hermione Granger wanted to talk to Draco Malfoy. It was hard for me to believe. It seemed impossible but its not! She had just said it! I turned to face her; she was standing up, her face slightly frowning. I walked towards her and when I was finally beside her once again, we both sat down in the cross-legged position.
"Sorry for leaving" I said to her.
"No, no, its not your fault"
"Nor is it yours either"
There was a silence.
"What happened back there?" she asked as she turned to face me. Her face was inches from mine.
"Oh that one! Haha!" I said, "Well I was dreaming of my future wedding"
"That sounds great! Who's the bride? Is it Pansy?" she asked excitedly.
For some reason, I didn't know what to say to her, I couldn't lie nor could I tell her the truth. It would be too much if I told her that I was imagining myself kissing her.
"Oh, some girl that I've had a crush on ever since" I said.
"Oh, who is it?" she said bouncing up and down.
"Sorry, can't tell"
"Fine… but do I know her?"
"You know her perfectly, Hermione"
"Oh goodie! I'll find out soon!"
"Hope you do,"
"Why?"
"Long story,"
"Oh,"
Silence again.
"Are you and Weasley dating?" I asked her, praying that she would say no.
"Me and Ron?! Haha! No! We're just really close friends, always loves to protect me"
My mood increased a hundred times. She was single! I could actually have a chance! I have a big fat chance to be hers…
Its not impossible isn't it?
"Oh, I thought you were cause you guys do much stuff together"
"Haha yeah we do. He's just like my brother, very nice and protective"
"I can see that"
"Really? Haha that's nice"
Silence.
"You looked really pretty last year in the Yule Ball, really pretty," I said.
I looked at her face, she had blushed hard, and her face was all red.
"Err… Thanks"
"No problem, Krum was a really lucky guy eh?"
"Yeah…" said Hermione, "I guess so"
I turned to face her and she had done the same. Her face was so close to mine and I could also see my reflection in her eyes.
"Yes Draco?"
"Are you still talking with him?"
"Who Krum?" she said then laughed, "No, no, no. Well he does send me letters some time, but to be completely honest I have no more interest in him"
"Why?" I asked with a fake confused look on my face.
"He's not my type, you see"
"Then what is your type?"
I smirked at her, and then she returned the smirk with a soft giggle.
"Why are you asking me this?" said Hermione with a curious look on her face.
I shrugged then winked at her.
"Oh alright!" she said, "Well, the perfect guy for me is someone who will love me for who I am, taller than me; of course, very sweet, someone who will not hate me because I keep on studying and he has to be cute"
She blushed hard.
"Any guy in particular?" I asked her.
"Oh… no, not sure if he really is the one" said Hermione.
There was a silence. We were both staring at a beetle in front of us. It was roaming in the grass, kind of looking for something. But something caught my eye; Hermione's hand was inches to mine. If only I could just grab it and hold on to it forever. I moved my hand a few centimeters, almost there, I thought. Her hand was already beside mine, I could feel the warmth in her hands. If only I could just place my hand on top of hers, that should do. I raised my hand and was going to place it on hers, just a few more…
"HERMIONE!"
I was startled then placed my hand on my lap quickly. Hermione and I both looked up at the doors of the castle. The doors suddenly burst open and out came 2 boys that I did not want to see, Ron and Harry. Ron stepped down the stairs and looked left and right and same thing went with Harry.
"Where are you Hermione?!" shouted Ron.
"Oh god, I've gotta run" said Hermione as she stood up and fixed her crumpled robes.
I stood up as well and straightened my crumpled robes. I looked at her and she looked at me, we stared at each other's eye. Her lips were so close to mine I could inhale what she exhaled.
"Hermione! Hermione!" shouted Ron who was still looking left and right.
When Hermione spoke the shouts of Ron died away and it felt like it was only me and Hermione in the scene.
"You're not so bad at all Draco" said Hermione.
"You either," I replied.
"It was nice talking to you for once"
"Oh it was more than nice"
"Really now?" she said then smirked.
"Oh yes," I said then smirked back.
She placed her hand on my cheek and then I blushed hard. I could feel her warm soft hands now lying on my cheek, don't remove it Hermione.
"HERMIONE! She must have gone to Hagrid!" shouted Ron again.
"I gotta go now, Draco" she said then her hand left my cheek.
She turned and walked a few paces then she turned round again and faced me.
"Oh and sorry for punching you in the face back then" she said with a look of agony on her face.
"Oh don't be! I deserved it!" I said then smirked.
"Oh Draco, silly boy" she said then giggled a little, "See you soon!"
"We sure will!"
She smiled then turned and walked back to Ron and Harry. I smiled at myself for the successive conversation with the girl I desired. I sat back down on the grass and daydreamed. I was watching Ron hugging Hermione when she had finally reached them.
"I was so worried!" shouted Ron.
Then the three of them headed back inside the castle, and I swear I saw Hermione look back at me before she was inside.
She can't be in love with the weasel.
She can be you know!
Come off it! She just said, "I like a guy who wont hate me for studying too much!" well something like that! And the weasel actually hates it!
Come on Draco! That was years ago, people could change.
Yeah, not everyone…
Well if you want Granger to love you, you've gotta change as well.
I will! I will do anything…
I stood up again and marched my way back to the castle triumphantly. While walking I couldn't help it, I raised my fist up in the air and jumped.
The walk back to the Slytherin Common Room was fast. I ignored all the Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws insults about me making out with a goblet, that didn't matter at all! What mattered today was that I was able to make Hermione actually think that I'm not some kind of bad person anymore. "You're not so bad at all Draco" her voice keeps ringing in my head every time. And she even calls me Draco now, not Malfoy.
"Where's your girlfriend Malfoy?" said a Ravenclaw boy that I had no idea who he is.
"Shut your balls, Ravenclaw boy, 20 points from Ravenclaw" I said then just walked away from him.
The rest of the day in the Common Room was fun as well, playing wizard's chess with Blaise and ignoring Pansy's sobs. Once my watch said that it was time to sleep, I didn't refuse. I headed back to the dormitories, changed into my pajamas and jumped on my bed. Tomorrow we have Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts with Gryffindor. I smiled at myself and hoped that tomorrow would also be an extraordinary day. I thought of various events that could happen tomorrow, events that included Hermione Granger in it. And then my thoughts went back to me kissing the goblet.
When I think about it, I wouldn't have had a conversation with Hermione under the tree if it weren't for me kissing a goblet.
Was it worth it?
Embarrassing yourself just to have a short talk with Hermione?
Even if your reputation will as worse as Ron becoming Minister of Magic, do you think it was all worth it, Draco?
Yes, it was all worth it and I will remember every single part of it for the rest of my life.
[A/N: Don't forget to review! :)]