(!) Silver Haze (!)
Chapter 2
"Hey. So?" Blaise said when Draco walked back into the compartment. Draco sat down and just stared at the floor as if in a daze.
"Um… Draco? Is there.. a problem?"
"What?" Draco snapped back into reality and looked up at Blaise.
"What happened?"
"I just..threw myself out there toward her. I've never done that before. And to her?! Of all people."
"Draco what the bloody hell are you on about?"
"I talked to her. Just causually. Like we've been friends for ages."
"Who?"
"Hermione Granger."
"What?"
"Hermione Granger."
"I know. I heard you. I really mean what as in… What?"
"Okay. I haven't told you, but, I've kind of.. sort of.. a little bit.."
"Draco."
"I want Hermione Granger." Draco blurted out. Blaise just stared back unsure of how to answer.
*
"Hey!" Ginny said as Hermione opened the compartment door.
"Hey! Guess what!" Hermione said.
"What?" Harry, Ron, and Ginny all said at once.
"We are gonna have dances this year! Draco and myself get to organize them. There will be big ones for the whole school and smaller ones for 7th years. Ginny, don't worry, I got you into 7th year dances."
"That's awesome! I can't wait!" Ginny exclaimed.
"Cool." Harry said.
"Wait…did you just say 'Draco and myself'?" Ron said.
"Yes."
"Since when is it Draco?"
"Since we grew up Ron. It's a bit silly to continue on as we have." Hermione said quoting Draco.
"Hermione…. Have you gone mad?"
"No Ronald. I've matured, unlike some I know."
"Yeah. Like Malfoy."
"Once again. No Ronald. Like you."
*
"So Z, is Silver Haze goin' this year?" Draco asked.
"As far as I know…oh but I heard from Mallory over the summer and she said that she's out…wouldn't say why…" Blaise said.
"So we've lost our lead singer? Well that's just bloody fantastic."
"I know. I'm going to find her later and demand to know why. Give her a good telling off that one."
"Yeah I know all about your 'giving her a good telling off'." Draco said with a smirk on his face. Blaise laughed.
"No really. I'm going to talk. I want to know why she bailed. Be can't go without a female voice. All our songs have a female harmony part."
"I know. We'll have to find some one else. We need new songs now at any rate."
"Agreed. We'll keep our ears open."
"You're retarded."
"Indeed, good sir, indeed." Blaide and Draco laughed together and continued talking.
*
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. A few announcements before the sorting and then we will feast. First off, The Forbidden Forest is just that - forbidden. Mr. Filch asks again this year that you please not bother Mrs. Norris, she is getting on in age and it doesn't take much to frighten the poor soul and seeing as to she has still not fully recovered from last years events, lets do be kind.
Now, this year will be our first year doing this, we will be holding dances. There will be big ones for the entire school, and smaller ones for 7th years. With that said, please let me introduce you to the new Heads. Miss Hermione Granger and Mr. Draco Malfoy." There was applause as the two stood.
"We will also have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Please welcome Professor Loraine Destin." There was applause as a gorgeous woman stood. "And now for the Sorting and the feast." Dumbledore sat and McGonagall stood for the sorting.
*
"Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy. Please follow me." Dumbledore said once the feast was over. He was standing with Draco and Hermione outside the Great Hall. Dumbledore turned and lead them to the fourth floor. Then turned a corner and went down a few corridors and then took a few more turns to come to a halt in front of a portrait of a serpent and a lion lying in a dungeon. "Here is your dorm. The password is Silver Haze." He looked at Draco and winked. "I must go…enjoy your year."
"Thanks Professor." Hermione said. Draco nodded. Hermione turned to the portrait. "Silver Haze." The portrait opened and Hermione climbed in. She stopped and gasped at the sight of the room.
"Wow."
"Yeah." Draco said as he walked to the oak door with the Slytherin crest on it. Hermione walked to the oak door with the Gryffindor crest on it.
"Wow. This is-"
"Rock star-ish." Hermione turned around to face Draco.
"Yeah kinda. I like it"
"Me too. Mine's the same way. Have a look." Draco said. Hermione looked at him a bit reluctantly but proceeded across the room to Draco's room. "You like it?" he said coming up behind her.
"Yeah. I do…" Draco smiled and turned to explore. "Um, Draco?" Hermione said. Her face twisted in an unsure look at being so casual.
"Yes?"
"Um.. why so? Nonchalant?"
"Well, you see, with the Dark Lord gone and all I really just… don't care what anyone says.. I'm going to be whomever I so choose. I'm not going to live by the standards I was forced to live by for so long. I know I'm stronger than my father, I'm not afraid anymore. Why waste my time being who I don't want to be when I could spend it being myself and having fun?" Draco finished with a smile.
"Yes, well… Do forgive me if I'm a bit… unsure…"
"I understand Hermione. I really do. And I want to apologize for the past 6 years. I know it won't really mean much coming from me, but in all honesty, I really didn't mean any of the mean things I've said to you. And especially the whole.. mudblood.. part.." Draco whispered the last part. Hermione just looked at him as if she didn't know if this was actually happening.
"I'm sorry Hermione. Really, I am. I know you won't really believe me fore while. But I promise, I will make it up to you. I don't want you feel as though I'm trying to pull a fast one on you or anything. This really is who I am. And I plan on proving that to you."
"Yes, well… I do hope you succeed then."
"Oh I will. I am Draco Malfoy after all." Ergo the trademark smirk. Hermione crossed her arms over her chest and gave Draco a look that said 'Yes. I can see now how you've changed.'
"No really, Hermione, I am Draco Malfoy. I do get what I want. I do succeed. But that's only because I work for it. Not because I scare it out of people or whatever have you."
"You'll just have to prove that to me then I suppose."
"I will."
*
Later that evening, Hermione was in her room, playing her guitar and singing some new things she'd written recently. Draco was sitting in front of the fire reading. He had been listening. And he had to admit, she was good.
'Good? More like fantastic. Where has this talent been? Forget Mallory. Hermione is the new voice.'
Draco got up and walked to Hermione's room. He stood listening until she finished and he knocked on the door. Hermione opened the door looking as if she didn't know whether to brace herself or be annoyed.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but, I couldn't help but hear you and I think that you are fantastic."
"You.. what now?"
"You have a incredible voice Hermione. And you can play. And I have a proposition for you."