A/N This chapter is better then the first. Like I promised.
Harry and Ginny are dating
Hermione and Ron are just friends
Voldemort is dead
Ron and Ginny are staying with their family at the Burrow
Harry is staying in an Muggle apartment in London
Hermione is staying at her own house, not with her parents
The four made their way downstairs. Cameras flashed as they walked down to the Great Hall. Far in the distance, Harry saw a short woman with blonde hair and heavy glasses. Hermione saw it too.
"Is that Rita Skeeter? The one who used to write in the Daily Prophet?" she said.
The others turned to look. "Yeah, that's her. What's she doing here anyways?" Ginny answered coolly. She obviously hated Rita because of the report the reporter had wrote about Harry when he was chosen as a Triwizard champion in fourth year.
The decorations in the Great Hall was fantastic. Banners for all the houses, Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw hung high above their heads. Portraits of these four founders also hung in the four corners of the hall.
Everyone snapped to attention when Dumbledore's voice rang out across the hall. Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way over to the stage. Soft music flowed out of nowhere as the DA Members began their dance. Lavender had asked Ron, Neville had gone with Luna and sure enough, Harry was with Ginny. Hermione scanned the stage for another single but they were all in pairs. Hermione felt her face flushed as she looked around helplessly. Suddenly, someone grabbed her by the waist from behind. Hermione whirled around and found herself face to face with Malfoy.
"Dance with me?" he asked, sort of hopefully. With no other choice, Hermione agreed.
The dance was slow and throughout the dance, Malfoy stared Hermione in the eyes. His hands traveled up and down her back. Hermione felt uneasy and uncomfortable. Sure, Malfoy saved Harry's life but that didn't mean she had to dance with him, or worse yet, let him touch her. But the more Hermione look at him, the cuter he seemed. Hermione shook that thought away. No way was she going to date Draco Malfoy. He had been her enemy for more than seven years.
Hermione breath a sigh of relief when the music ended and dance was finally over. Malfoy linked hands with her and after they bowed, Hermione hurried down the stage. Ron and Lavender was already nowhere to be seen. She found Harry and Ginny by the food's table.
"Where's Ron?" she asked, although she knew the answer.
"Gone with Lavender," Ginny said. "I think they make quite a cute pair." Hermione nodded then walked off.
Since Hermione was not hungry, she made her way to the drinks table, then headed towards the bathroom. Already, a queue was forming. Tired of waiting, Hermione headed up to the second floor, hoping there'd be no one using the bathroom.
The second floor was deserted. Music could not be heard over here. Hermione felt uneasiness wash over her as he headed into the bathroom. She half expected something to jump out at her. She made the trip to the toilet as quick as possible.
When she came out from the bathroom, someone grabbed her waist and locked her neck with their elbow at the same time whispered in her ear, "Hello, Miss Granger."
Hermione screamed. The hand didn't let go. Hermione wanted to turn around to see who it was but the grip was too tight. It was almost choking her. So, she kicked and squirmed and intended to bite the hand. She didn't have her wand with her as the dress did not contain any pocket. And when she opened her mouth to scream again, the voice said, "Whoa, calm down!"
Hermione froze. She knew that voice. It sounded just like…
"Malfoy?" she asked unbelievably.
"That's right," he answered.
He let her go. Hermione spin around to face him.
"What are you trying to do? You scare the hell out of me!" Hermione exclaimed.
"I meant it as a joke," Malfoy replied.
Hermione stared at him. He looked kind of shy, as if he really mean what he said.
"Have you eaten?" he asked.
"No," Hermione replied.
"Then…erm…let's go down to eat," he suggested.
"I'm not hungry," Hermione honestly replied. She felt confused. Wasn't Malfoy her all-time enemy? And now, he's asking to have dinner with her? Had the Malfoy she once knew gone crazy? First, he saved Harry's life. Then, he killed the Dark Lord. And now, dinner with her?
"Oh," Malfoy replied slowly. He seemed lost for words. Something that had never happened before in the seven years of 'enemy-ship'.
"Well, if you want…I can accompany you…" Hermione started.
"No, no. It's okay. Why don't we go to the library?" Malfoy suggested once more.
"Erm…yeah, sure," Hermione agreed.
They walked all the way up in silence.
Hermione stole a glance at Malfoy when he hadn't said anything for the past few minutes. He was staring straight ahead a troubled look on his face. Hermione wondered what was on his mind right this minute.
"So…why do you prefer to sit in an empty library when a party is going on at full blast downstairs?" Hermione decided to break the silence.
Malfoy looked at her for a minute as if forgetting she was even there. "Erm…I needed some peace," was all he replied.
They didn't talk anymore until they reached the library. Sure enough, the whole library was empty, not even a soul insight. The librarian, as Hermione had guessed, was downstairs with everyone at the party. They both stood at the entrance for a minute, not sure whether to go in or just leave. Hermione took the lead and led them both into the library. She chose a shelf and pretended to look for some books. Malfoy tried to do the same but it was obvious he wasn't interested.
"No books to read?" Hermione asked.
He shook his head. "No."
"Then…why did you asked me to come to the library with you?" Hermione asked again, this time clearly irritated.
"I erm…wanted to ask you something," Malfoy began.
When Hermione didn't talk, he continued, "Do you erm…you know, think of me as a friend or…a…childhood enemy?" He turned to look at Hermione.
"Well, I don't know. Half friend half enemy?"
"Okay, look. This isn't a good idea. Maybe we should just go-" but Hermione cut him off.
"What isn't a good idea?" she asked.
"Us. To be here in the library. Alone." Malfoy said.
"Well, you brought me here in the first place-"
"Yeah, I know. I didn't think.- Nevermind. Let's go," Malfoy said.
Hermione stepped in front of him and starred at him in the eye. "Is there something you want to tell me?" she asked.
"No, nothing," he said, then turned away.
"What is it?" Hermione asked again, gently.
"Nothing. It's just-. Nevermind," he said.
Then, he reached for Hermione's hand and pulled her towards the dark end of the library. "What are you doing?" Hermione shrieked. Malfoy put a finger on her lips to shush her.
He whirled Hermione around to face him while he kept walking. Hermione moved back until she reached the wall. She realized she was cornered. "What are you doing?" she asked, this time more quietly. "I'm not hurting you," was his reply. "Yes, I know. but what-" she was cut off as Malfoy's lips met hers.
She froze. When Malfoy didn't pull away, she allowed herself to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him back. "Just for tonight," she was thinking. "I don't have a date anyways,"
Malfoy leaned in closer to her and deepened the kiss. His arms were wrapped around her slim waist, his hands traveling up and down her bare back. For Hermione, it seemed as if time had stopped. She didn't realize she was enjoying the kiss this much. They kissed for a minute more, before both of them had to break up for air.
Malfoy stared at Hermione so intently that she looked away. Before she knew it, he was kissing her again. This time, she didn't hesitate.
"Why did you kiss me?" Hermione asked, when they break up for air the second time.
"I knew you didn't realize!!" Malfoy exclaimed.
"Realize what?" Hermione asked again, confused.
"Oh, nevermind." Malfoy said, all in a huff. "Do you still hate me?"
"Erm…well…things were different back then…" Hermione said.
"Well, do you hate me?" Malfoy insisted on asking.
"Er…if I hated you, why would I kiss you?"
"Look, just give me a 'yes' or 'no' answer," Malfoy say, annoyed.
Hermione hesitated, but just for a moment. "No," she finally answered.
"Good," that was all he said.
Then, he wrapped his arm around her waist and led her back downstairs to the party.
"So, you want to hangout or do you have other friends waiting?" Malfoy asked over the loud music.
"It's okay to hangout. I'm kind of hungry anyways." Hermione said.
"Okay, then let's eat." Malfoy replied.
He took her hand and walked over to the food table. Malfoy filled out her plate and handed it to Hermione before filling his own. After that was settled, they sat down at an empty space on the bench wide enough to let them talk in private. A few people passing-by couldn't help starring at them. They were used to Malfoy and Hermione being plain enemies.
"Malfoy-" Hermione started.
"Don't. Call. Me. Malfoy," Malfoy cut her off.
"Erm…" Hermione didn't know where to begin.
"Don't you know my name?" Malfoy snapped.
"Yeah, yeah, of course! Dra- Draco, right?" Hermione stuttered.
"Is that so hard?" Malfoy demand.
"No! Not at all!" Hermione replied immediately. "I'm just so used to calling you Malf-" Hermione continued but was cut off again.
"I told you. Don't." he said.
"But why?" Hermione asked.
"It makes me think as if I'm some evil bad guy or something," [Draco]
"But that's your family name!" [Hermione]
"And my family is cruel and evil! And I'm not like them!" [Draco]
"Right. Okay. Fine." Hermione gave up.
She was glad Malfoy, now referred to Draco, hadn't shouted, although he raised his voice. She looked up from her plate of food and saw a drunken Ron supported by an irritated Lavender walked past. She turned her attention back to Draco.
"Are you hungry or what?" Draco asked her, this time in a more gentle voice.
"Not really," Hermione answered truthfully.
"Then let's go,"
Draco dragged Hermione to her feet and pulled her away, leaving the two plates of untouched food on the table.
They headed for the stairs and didn't stop until they were at the top floor. Draco pulled her into a corner and kissed her once more.
A/N Nice? R&R. If not, I wouldn't update!
just me
