Pretty When You Cry
Rollercoaster of Love
She pushed her way through the people trying to get out of the crowd. Several times sweaty older males that smelled of vodka had gyrated against her, leaving her exposed skin sticky. Cringing away from them, she vowed that she'd kill Harry and Ron if she found them again.
She spotted a couch in the far corner of the room and focused in on it. It was dark and deserted and for the most part Slytherin free. That meant it was safe, although none of them had really seemed to recognize her.
Only a little further and she reached it and threw herself onto it, scrunching up away from the pair who were making out at the other end, making the black leather squeak under their weight. She let out a relieved deep breath.
Now if only she could just stay there and…
"Move!" someone barked to the right of her. She looked up startled.
"I know that voice," she thought, her heart racing. It was the kind of voice that made you want to vomit and pee at the same time.
Draco Malfoy stood just a little ways away from her with a few of his friends, including Crabbe and Goyle, staring down at the two who were busy up until they were rudely interrupted.
Hermione Granger, the mudblood, had not been detected yet. So he couldn't sniff out dirty blood from a mile away… She thought to herself as she tried to make herself smaller. Of course this was impossible but it made her feel better. And Harry and Ron hadn't warned her that he would be here? Well of course not. She should've known. This was a Slytherin party after all, now wasn't it? Just like she should've known that they were going to drag her to a Slytherin party in the first place. Just like she should've known that one of her best friend's was shagging Draco Malfoy's girlfriend.
Dear God, she was in trouble.
The couple jumped up to clear Malfoy's way and quickly exited the area.
"It's so easy when everyone's trying to please you," Malfoy replied, smirking over his shoulder at his bulky cronies. Hermione found herself rolling her eyes, just as he flopped down right next to her.
And the plot thickens…
Pansy grasped Harry's hands in hers and hurriedly dragged him into her room.
"You didn't tell me you were going to bring her," she said as she shut and locked the door behind her.
"I figured she'd keep Ron busy while we were busy," Harry replied pushing her down.
"I don't like her, Harry," Pansy hissed in his ear. "Besides. Ron already knows about us and even if he didn't it's not like he wouldn't have gotten side tracked the moment he walked in here and saw how many girls there are. He would've turned bright red with excitement and he would've ditched you in a heart beat."
"And I don't like Malfoy but that doesn't stop you from staying with him now does it?" Harry snapped. "She's my friend."
"I told you the time's not right yet," Pansy said.
"It's never right." Harry fumed. "And it probably won't be right until we're eighty years old and he's dead from some sort of muggle disease."
"That's a cynical thing to say," Pansy replied, playing with the hair at the nape of Harry's neck.
"Well I'm a cynical kind of person and I'm cynical about him," Harry replied. "Besides, why isn't he with you right now?"
"Because we got in a fight earlier," Malfoy said, taking a drink of his butter beer. "You know, sometimes I wonder why I even bother with her. There's probably plenty of other beautiful young ladies dying to have a piece of me."
"Right," Blaise Zabini said. "Because you're that cocky. That's probably why she's so tired of you."
"So what if I'm cocky?" Malfoy replied. "Girls like it."
"Only some of them. Usually the blonde ones," Blaise replied with an evil grin. Malfoy leaned forward and punched him roughly on the arm, scowling as Blaise rubbed his bicep laughing.
Hermione was searching for an escape route. She'd never been this close to Malfoy before. She could feel his side pressed against hers and his body heat. Of course he was too enthralled in his conversation to notice that she was there but it probably wouldn't be that way for very much longer.
She was a timid girl after all, and easy sport for any guy who wanted to bully her. Mostly because she didn't stick up for herself… ever. And as she quickly discovered, to her disdain, there was no way out… Damn, damn, damn.
"He thinks I've got someone on the side," Pansy replied.
"Right. That would be because you do," Harry said. She rolled her eyes.
"That's not the point. The point is, is that I'm running out of excuses for not being able to go out with him." Pansy said.
"Well that's an easy problem to solve," Harry said. "Recycle them."
"Please Harry," Pansy snapped. "Draco's smarter than that."
"No he's not,"
"I mean God!" Malfoy snarled. "Does she really think I'm that stupid? She's not that good at lying and I know her like the back of my hand. She would never let some incompetent muggle touch her hair."
"Yeah that's a stupid excuse," Crabbe said. "Doesn't she usually have her mum zap her head to get her hair done up right?"
"My point exactly," Draco replied. "She gets it done for free. Why would she pay to have it all messed up?"
"Did you ever ask her if brown was her natural hair color?" Goyle teased. The three boys chuckled, and Malfoy glared at them all.
"Would you pricks stop it with the blonde innuendoes?" Malfoy snapped. "I've got better grades than you dopes put together, not including Blaise."
"Thanks mate," Blaise replied holding up his butter beer bottle.
"You still blow," Malfoy snapped at him. Blaise frowned and lowered his drink.
"Arse," Blaise muttered.
"Yeah? I think I hear the pussy patrol coming for you Betty," Draco retaliated mockingly.
Hermione found all this very interesting. Draco Malfoy's relationship with his friends was way different than Harry and Ron's. It was almost as though they'd rather insult each other, than be each other's friends. Perhaps that was their friendship.
When she swam up from her thoughts, Hermione realized the conversation had subsided. She lifted her head slowly and turned her eyes towards the group of boys that were now all staring at her intently.
And the spy has been spotted.
"Well, well, well," Draco Malfoy said leaning back to get a better look at her. "If it isn't little Miss Granger."
And he wasn't the least bit drunk. Hermione assumed that made it worse.
"I think I should leave," Harry said at last.
"Please don't," Pansy said, wrapping her arms around him and unbuttoning his shirt.
"No. I should go make sure Hermione's alright and that Ron hasn't run into your psycho boyfriend."
"I'm sure you're little mudblood is fine," Pansy snapped.
Harry felt his blood boil. He reached up and grasped her arms firmly in his large hands. He then ripped them away from his shoulders and stood.
"Don't you ever talk about Hermione that way!" he said quietly, glaring down at her. "You don't know her at all, and you don't have any right!"
"So… What is a cute little mudblood like you doing out at such a late hour?" Malfoy asked leaning in and moving Hermione's ample hair away from her shoulder.
All right. Maybe he was a bit drunk…
"Cute?" Hermione asked, trying to back away from him, but unfortunately there was no room.
"That's what I said," he replied. "So if you're here, then that means Potter isn't very far behind."
"So is he?" Blaise asked scooting forward, cocking his head at Hermione.
"Is he what?" she asked nervously.
"What do you think sweetie?" Blaise drawled. "Is he here?"
"Um…" she began. But the four boys closed in on her, like a pack of hungry wolves… or vultures …or hyenas… or…
"Hello? Granger? You in there?" Malfoy asked, pressing his pointy nose against hers. She could smell the butter beer on his breath.
"What do you think?" she asked, leaning back from him.
"Is Potter here or not, Granger?" Malfoy demanded.
"I'm here you prat," came Harry's voice. "Let her breathe Malfoy."
"Well hello there, Potter. Always here to save the damsel in distress," Malfoy replied, standing up and smiling coldly. "You know," Draco said thoughtfully. "Your girl here has gotten quite better looking than she was last year. She's actually got little bumps where her boobs should be."
Hermione crossed her arms over her chest.
"They're "C's," She whispered.
"She's not my girl," Harry said without really thinking.
"Yeah. I figured she had better taste," Malfoy replied.
"Must we do this?" Harry asked, holding out his arms. "I just came to get her, and now we're leaving."
"What are you here for, Potter?" Blaise asked.
"None of your business," Harry snapped.
"What are you here for, Potter?" Draco repeated.
"To get Hermione," Harry replied. Hermione got to her feet, relieved, when Malfoy's arm stretched out and pushed her back down.
Harry drew his wand, glaring at his adversary, his mouth a tight thin line.
"So you mean to tell me, Potter, that the mudblood here, just wondered into a Slytherin rave on her own? And now your coming to her rescue to make sure that a mean ol' Serpent like myself hasn't sunk their venomous fangs into her pretty white neck?" Malfoy asked. He reached inside his trench coat very casually and pulled out his wand with a smirk. The party went on and the argument was unnoticed. The Slytherins were too drunk to notice or care.
"Can I go?" Hermione asked impatiently.
"No. You're going to have to wait love, while your strong brave lion gets you out of this jam, which I believe he put you in," Malfoy said, stepping onto the couch and perching himself on the cushion behind her, one knee against each of Hermione's petite shoulders. He let his arm drape across the front of her shoulders, his left hand clasping her right arm. Hermione could see his family ring on his wedding finger.
"Let her go Malfoy," Harry said angrily. Malfoy smirked and brought his face down next to Hermione's, pressing his cheek to hers.
"You shagging a Slytherin girl Potter?" the blonde asked, his silver orbs glinting dangerously. His wand was digging into Hermione's jaw.
"No," Harry snapped. "Not that it's any of your business."
"Well seeing as you're in my territory right now, it is," Malfoy replied. "I'm at home here. Whereas you're on unfamiliar grounds…"
Hermione watched as Harry smirked, his expression saying, "Unfamiliar my arse." Malfoy didn't know how far off the mark he was with that little comment. However the previous one about Harry and the unknown Slytherin girl was spot on.
"What?" Malfoy asked, his eyes narrowing, responding to Harry's face.
"Draco!" came a familiar voice from the crowd. He lifted his head to see around Harry. Pansy quickly emerged from the crowd scowling at her boyfriend, who was holding Hermione Granger extra tight, his wand digging into the young witch's neck.
"Cute," Pansy snapped hotly. "What a romantic embrace…"
"Why the sarcasm?" Draco pouted at his girlfriend.
"What' s going on?" came Ron's voice from behind Parkinson. He could be seen a lot easier than she was on approach.
"Like wow. Oh-my-gosh! The whole trio is here." Malfoy said in a girlish tone. "How exciting is that guys?"
"I always knew he was gay," Ron muttered in Harry's ear, making Harry snort.
"Excuse me?" Hermione snapped. "Can somebody please get his clammy hands off of me?" She struggled against Draco but he only tightened his grip upon her small form.
"Stop squirming," he muttered into her hair. "What are you three here for? Honestly? Tell me and I let you go without hexing any body. And good news Granger. You get to keep that rat's nest you call hair…"
"And to think a moment ago you thought I was pretty," Hermione retorted smartly.
"I know… What was I thinking?" Draco drawled, chuckling into the nape of her neck, his cold lips brushing her skin. She shivered.
"What the hell are you doing Malfoy?" Ron yelled.
"Granger and I are having an adult conversation that you couldn't possibly understand, Weasel," Draco said through a shark tooth grin.
"Let her go Draco," Pansy snapped, her face flushed with anger. "Just let them leave."
"And it doesn't make you the least bit angry that Gryffindors have snuck onto your premises?" Draco asked, his grip loosening on Hermione.
"As long as you stop acting like an idiot and they leave, no, I don't care," Pansy said through even gritted teeth. Draco suddenly let go, bringing his arms out to the side, his hands level with his ears. Hermione didn't stand right away, and his arms snaked out and grabbed her again.
"See Pans?" Draco drawled with a smirk. "It's not my fault if she doesn't want to leave…"
"I have a feeling that we've gotten in the middle of something here," Harry said with a glare in Pansy's general direction. He then stepped forward and took Hermione's hand. He gave her arm a small tug and she stood, Malfoy releasing his grasp on her. "We'll let you two settle it by yourselves."
Hermione nodded.
"I'll walk you three to the door," Pansy said. Draco raised his eyebrows at her.
"What the hell's gotten into you?" he asked.
"I know it'll just eat you up inside if I show common hospitality to our unexpected guests Draco," Pansy said scathingly. "Be back in a moment."
Draco gave a short derisive laugh and rolled his eyes.
"Go right ahead, love. Prove your point," he said. Hermione could hear a hint of suspicion in his voice. Maybe Draco Malfoy wasn't as stupid as he looked.
And as they walked away, Hermione glanced over her shoulder and saw Draco nod at Blaise, who soon after disappeared out of sight.
"Thanks for coming," Pansy sneered at Hermione as she hurriedly exited out of the house.
"Yes. It was a wonderful party, Parkinson," Hermione retorted. "Getting pawed by your psychotic boyfriend was the best part. Please, let's do it again sometime."
The two girls glared at each other as Harry and Ron appeared in the doorway.
"Ready to go?" Harry asked. He walked down the steps quickly, and put his arm around Hermione's shoulders.
"I told you this wasn't a good idea Harry," Hermione muttered, looking up at her best friend who seemed to be in a very fowl mood.
"I think it was you Mione," Ron replied with a nod in her direction. "You're bad luck."
"Gosh thanks for that Ron," Hermione snapped. "I'll remember that next time."
"So I guess I'll see you later," Harry mumbled. Pansy sighed.
"I'm sorry Harry," she said quietly. Hermione raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"Don't worry about it," Harry said. "I'll be in touch…"
The trio turned to leave.
"Don't be like that Harry!" Pansy said, taking a few quick steps after them. Harry turned around to find her staring up at him pleadingly.
"Don't do this right now," Harry said sternly. "There's too many people around. Somebody could over hear."
"Please Harry," Hermione spoke from behind him. "As if she didn't make it obvious enough. Malfoy was suspicious. Since when does she beg him to just let you leave? Usually she's egging him on to fight you."
Harry thought for a moment and nodded.
"We should go," he told Pansy, as he began backing away from her. "If you don't want Malfoy out here to finish what he started."
"Right Harry," Hermione said. "What he started."
"I didn't start the argument with him!" Harry said defensively. "He was the one that picked the fight with me!"
"What is this?" Hermione asked motioning from her best friend to Pansy. "Why are you going after Malfoy's girlfriend to begin with? How long has it been going on?"
"We can talk about it later," Harry told his fellow Gryffindor. "Let's go."
Pansy reached out and grabbed Harry's arm. He turned to look at her and she leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed him softly on the mouth. Hermione cringed.
"You shouldn't have done that," she said. "I think Malfoy sent someone after you Parkinson."
"What?" Harry asked. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"I didn't think she'd be dumb enough to kiss you out in the open like this," Hermione replied.
"Bingo," Blaise whispered. "Target's got a name-o" He turned and walked down the steps to rejoin the party.
Draco stood when Blaise came back into the room.
"So?" he asked.
"It's Potter alright," Blaise said with a smirk. Draco's eyes narrowed and he shook his head chuckling.
"Maybe she is blonde," Draco muttered, glaring at nothing in particular.
Blaise, Crabbe, and Goyle broke out laughing. Draco simply sat back down and waited for his girlfriend to come into the house.
