Chapter 2: repercussions
He was restless that night. His dreams were haunted by that fated night Dumbledore died in the Astronomy tower. That kind smile on the old man's face looking at Draco, as if telling him it's okay, this was supposed to happen. The grief on his godfather's face still fresh as if he really was there at that moment, clutching his wand, looking at the eyes of the man he once learned from. The madness in the eyes of his aunt, extremely pleased with the fall of that great man…
Draco awoke trembling. The blonde sat up in his bed, sweat trickling his forehead, his heavy pants surrounding the silence of the room. He rubbed his face with his hands, tried to slowly calm down. It had been a few weeks since he had that dream. Every time it was like the first time. So fresh, so livid, still haunting him.
'A nightmare again, Draco?'- came a slow inquiry from the front of the room.
Draco did not reply anything, but simply nodded and got out of his bed to run a hand through his hair. Then he looked at the eyes of the portrait that was looking at him with concerned eyes.
'Is it 'that' dream?'- asked the portrait of Severus Snape. Draco simply turned around and walked off towards the wardrobe to pick up a towel. Snape sighted. Even as a portrait he was thankful to have ended up here in the young Malfoy's company, who was not that much of a talker, rather than somewhere in the Headmaster's office. The previous headmasters were not a good company to keep, plus all the visitors of the headmaster always went to look at the paintings and he hated the attention. As his previous real self he did like the calm a lot more.
'I am off to the shower.'- Draco simply stated, nodding his head in Snape's direction.
Snape simply said 'ah' and continued to stir some potion. Although it bothered him how it tired Draco, he decided not to bother his godson. He'd talk to him about it when he was in a better mood.
After his shower Draco noticed that it was quiet in their common room. She was not here. Clearly it was quite early for a Sunday, but she had already gone. He was somewhat thankful for not having to deal with her after yesterday. Her blushing face and her fingers touching her lips still visible in his mind. He felt angry at himself for such a thing to happen. He was clearly hoping she didn't tell anyone and that noone saw. It was unacceptable. He would have sunk extremely low if anyone knew that he had kissed the bushy head Granger girl. Someone that was not even good enough for a Weasley. He shook his head in disgust. Why did he have to think of that redhead idiot?. He decided that some breakfast was in order and maybe he needed to get some girl to forget about yesterday. Someone gorgeous to get his mind off things. He decided that was definitely what he needed. So he put on a blue jacket, a white shirt and some black pants and strutted out into the hallway.
As he walked into the Dinning Hall everyone was chatting excitedly but as usual he received some looks, but not all were unfriendly. He eyed a blonde ravenclaw practically eating him with her eyes. He smirked. Clearly he knew he had plans today, so the day was already improving. He walked over to the slytherin table and sat down near Blaise.
'You're dressed up but your face looks like shit. What happened?' – Blaise inquired and Draco just shot him a questioning look.
'Clearly you are jealous of how I look yet again, Blaise. Please don't cover up your jealousy with those lame insults. It's not befitting.'
'Okay, if you say so'. – he rolled his eyes and Pansy giggled.
'Draco looks as handsome as always.'- she smiled broadly at him. Draco winked at her.
'At least someone appreciates true beauty when they see it. You know Blaise, I get tired from being so handsome, that's why I look so exhausted today.'
'Oh really?'- the dark wizard smirked. –'Is that why? I thought it was because you and Granger were hanging up Mistletoe all over the castle like muggles yesterday.' – he whispered into Draco's ear.
Draco's eyes shot up immediately.
'How the hell do you know?'
'I have my sources. I am after all, a slytherin.' – Blaise sniggered.
'If you say anything to anyone I swear I'll…'-
'Oh calm down, Draco. You know I'll keep it a secret… for a price.'- he smiled with a genuinely handsome smile showing his perfect white teeth.
'You know here I thought for two minutes that maybe they sorted you into the wrong house.'- Draco smirked. 'But there you go again reminding me how well that sorting hat functions.'
They both laughed and received puzzled looks from Goyle and Pansy.
Malfoy then noticed the quiet entering of the girl that haunted him since last night. Hermione Granger entered the Dining Hall clutching a book, looking quite unblemished by yesterday's event. He eyed her sitting down at the Gryffindor table, only to be greeted by her friends. He narrowed his eyes.
She seemed normal. Her friends were not whispering profusely and certainly not turning around in his direction or pointing. She had the decency to not tell anyone. He was secretly relieved. Well, she earned his respect by not behaving like a typical girl. But she never did act like a typical girl, so that shouldn't have surprised him.
Never once did she look at him, but continued eating and chatting with her friends. It was then that he caught a moment and focused on her. It was probably the first time that he actually took the time to look at her. She did have very specific features, but her face was attractive. Her eyes were a perfect hazelnut brown and her hair was not as messy as it had been a few years ago. Now it fell into perfect chestnut waves and framed her face. He had to admit that calling her 'bushy head' or 'scarecrow' had been seriously inappropriate. She brushed a curl from her face as it gently fell and he almost felt a tingle creep up his spine. That was when Pansy's voice brought his focus back to his own table.
'Draco, you're staring at the Gryffindors.'- she told him simply.
He snapped back but had a quick retort. 'Oh I was just amazed at how much Weasley can eat. I always knew they were poor, but I never knew they were that poor that he had to stuff his face like there was no tomorrow.'
Everyone at the slytherin table laughed and took it as simply that. Blaise, however, eyed Draco suspiciously and looked back at the trajectory his gaze had been. No, Weasley had not been the center of his attention. Ron Weasley was sitting two seats away. Right where Draco's gaze had been was a different person. The famous Golden Girl. Zabbini was intrigued. He would have to pursue this a little further.
Draco and Blaise, along with Crabbe, Goyle and Theo stood up from their table to go. Draco could not resist taunting his redhead adversary.
'The Weasley house must be poorer than I thought. To have to stuff food down his cheeks like a hamster. Going to bring some home for the family? If you are that desperate, maybe I can ask my house elves if there are some leftovers for you to take home.' – the blonde snickered and so did everyone at their table among a few ravenclaws and hufflepuffs.
Ron Weasley stood up from his seat, fury in his eyes radiating as bright as his hair.
'Sod offff Malfffoy! Weff areff notff thatff poorff...'- he mumbled while still having a lot in his mouth.
Hermione smacked Ron with a book.
'Don't talk with your mouth full Ron! You're just making it worse.' – she yelled.
'Sit down, Ron. It's just Malfoy being Malfoy. You know he's all bark and no bite. '- even Harry had to agree. 'Besides, it makes them angrier if you just ignore them.'
'Why can't you be as a mature as Harry about this?'- Hermione sighted.
Ron sat down quietly, finished chewing his food and then lowering his eyes answered.
'It still bothers me, you know.' Harry put a hand on his shoulder.
'I know, Ron. However his words will seem dry when we beat them at the match.'- he smiled and made Ron jump up happily from his seat.
'Yeah, we will beat the living crap out of them!'
The slytherins just rolled their eyes at the Gryffindors. So damn loud and enthusiastic, it was sickening.
'What about sneaking out to Hogsmeade today, Draco?' Theodore Nott asked. 'I sure could use some company.'
'Come now, Theo, have you forgotten that this dear slytherin is the epitome of perfection now since he's been made Head boy? Diligent and all that. Working hard, never late, never doing anything like breaking the rules.' – Blaise patted Draco on the shoulder.
'Yeah, that and I have a date with an eager Ravenclaw.'- he grinned.
'Well isn't shagging in school actually breaking the rules?'
'Not if I am the one responsible for patrolling that part of the school.'- and with that he waved and was off in the opposite direction.
Hermione was positively freezing near the practice field. She agreed to go with Ginny, Harry and Ron to watch them practice Quidditch in the field near the castle, but she had not anticipated how cold it was going to be. Her coat did not provide the necessary warmth thus she was shivering intensely. She even contemplated burning her book for warmth. And that meant she was positively freezing. She tried to ask the others to go home earlier, but they were happily flying about, moving - thus completely hot, not understanding her predicament. Hermione clutched her Potions book to her small frame, hoping it would provide some shelter from the strong winter wind but it did not. Damn her for agreeing to overlook their practice. She should learn to say no sometimes, even if it is her friends.
A few floors higher in the castle a very steamy display was taken place. A tall handsome blonde boy was heatedly kissing and pressing against the wall a very happy looking ravenclaw. It had barely taken a note and a few compliments and the girl was butter in his hands. He had to admit that whoever said seducing girls was hard obviously knew nothing about them. They were creatures of emotion. A few nice words, show her some attention and that was it.
Her torso pressed against the wall, her legs wrapped around him, her expression melting for him and yet he felt reluctant. It was hot, sure, but it felt like nothing. He could have been kissing a brick and it probably would have felt the same. He continued on his task, but his mind drifted backwards one day to that involuntary kiss. He pulled away for a moment and she immediately attacked his neck. Meanwhile he looked through the window. He noticed the Golden duo and the female Weasley on the field flying about, most likely practicing some Quidditch moves. He also spotted a small feminine figure that was shivering near the field in the snow, holding her book like it was a shield. He exhaled. 'Stupid girl, what is she wearing in this cold weather.'- was all he thought, while continuing to stare at her, fighting the urge to go down there and yell at her for her stupidity.
As he contemplated his female companion noticed his concentration on the window more than her and was displeased.
'What's wrong, am I not doing it right, Draco?'- she asked both concerned and unhappy with the sudden stop of their actions.
'No, it's fine. I just remembered I have to something to do.'
He plastered himself away from her and put on his jacket. 'Next time…'- he paused for a moment to recall her name, yet nothing came to mind.-'.. sweetheart.' – he waved as he grabbed on his thick robes.
Hermione was beyond shivering now. She felt every little breeze like it was a blizzard. Who invented winter? Why couldn't it always be warm?
'Enjoying the beauty of winter, Granger?'- came a slow taunt from a little bit further.
She moved in the direction of the voice and was met by an unhappy expression and icy grey eyes of Malfoy.
'Yes, immensely.'- she replied and turned back towards the field. The trio was so busy with their routines that they missed Malfoy approaching the field. He did appreciate that she still had the energy for sarcasm. 'Why are you here, Malfoy?'
'Even though the idea of you freezing to death does bring some joy to me, but I know that if you did, one way or another they'd blame me for it. You know, Malfoy is always up to no good or something like that.'- he shrugged. Somehow it made Hermione feel sorry for him.
She looked at him for a moment and he caught her gaze. The blue didn't suit her at all. Her warm cheeks were icy and deprived of all warmth. He felt a want to touch her cheek, but brushed it off.
He took off his coat and put it on Hermione. She was extremely surprised, but before she could say anything he hushed her, taking her hand in his and showing her the blue in her fingers.
Then when she started to regain her color, he turned away and simply left.
Hermione Granger was left astounded. Draco Malfoy had come to her and without any insults given her his robe, which was not only thick and protected her well from the winter breeze, but was enchanted so that it warmed her up instantly. Minutes later she was looking human again, the warm air escaping happily from her nostrils. It was a strange day indeed.
Soon after Ginny landed next to Hermione and asked her if she wanted to go back.
'You know what, I'm okay now Gin. I can stay a bit longer.'
'You're not freezing anymore?'- she eyed the brunette. 'Where did you get this robe from?'
For a moment Hermione panicked and checked the part where the House crest was supposed to be visible and noticed that it was conveniently gone.
'Oh someone came and lent it to me. You didn't see who it was?'
'No... I didn't. Was it someone from Gryffindor?'
'Um no... It was someone from Ravenclaw. I rushed him out so that he wouldn't see your Quidditch moves.'
'Oh! Good thinking Hermione! You always think of everything.'- the redhead jumped on her broom again. 'Well we're finishing up anyway, so we'll go back soon, so hang in there.'
"I think of everything, but I forget to bring some warmer robes for staying outside." Hermione felt like mentally smacking herself. But help does come in unexpected ways she also concluded. And her thoughts lingered on a tall handsome young man retreating in the snow. The blond hair matching the glistening white snow perfectly. She shook her head. "Malfoy is not handsome."
It was the day before Christmas that headmaster McGonagall asked the Head boy and Head girl to join her in her office.
' , Miss Granger I am so sorry to ask this of you, but you are my most trusted students. You know the Winter Ball is coming up after Christmas and I do need you to help me with the preparations. Most of the students will be gone for the Holidays and what I ask of you is very selfish, but I do hope you will stay and help.' – McGonagall asked them sincerely, she would however understand if they declined, since many of the prefects before them were summoned home for Christmas by their parents.
'Of course I will stay and help professor. I don't expect Malfoy will however, since his family will be expecting him.'
He eyed her carefully. And she did not have a family? Why was she so eager to stay?
'I will stay as well.' – he simply said without much enthusiasm, but was barely bothered by it. He would go home for the next holidays; his Mother would survive without him at home for a couple more weeks.
Hermione smiled pleased that she wasn't going to have to stay alone in the Head's dormitories. It would be quite lonely. She did prefer staying in Hogwarts to option a- which would be going back home where her parents still didn't remember her as their daughter and treated her like a distant relative that was living with them or to option b- which would be going back to the Burrow, what would be quite depressing spending the first Christmas with so many people gone. It was George's first Christmas without Fred and she was not keen on seeing so many sad faces.
With a little convincing she managed to convince Luna and Ginny to stay. Apparently a little bribing was in order too. Luna stayed without any convincing, but Ginny asked for one of her hidden cute dresses for the Winter Ball in return. She was probably one of the few that had seen Hermione's hidden stash of beautiful gowns in her closet. Even though she practically never wore them, apparently she liked to have them. She called it being prepared for special occasions.
After extensive work on the list for all the needed things, arranging their arrival in time and other organizing stuff they were free for the evening. They had been working rather smoothly the entire time. Draco rarely made any snide comments and Hermione was calm enough when he did. Al the while he kept stealing glances at her in secret, hoping she didn't notice.
Malfoy was sitting in their common room after he was done with his tasks, waiting for Blaise to come over. He didn't really need to convince his fellow slytherin to stay; he was not one for family traditions either.
Hermione walked out of her room all nervous, fumbling with something behind her back and walked over to him shyly. He noticed the fumbling brunette and raised an eyebrow, slowly slurping on his hot chocolate.
'What's gotten your panties in a knot, Granger?'
She exhaled and pulled out a neatly wrapped see through plastic box with a red ribbon.
'Merry Christmas!'- She burst out and handed him the box.
His eyes went wide with disbelief. She was giving him a present? He placed the cup on the table, took the box carefully and starred at it.
'I know it's nothing special, just homemade cookies, but I still wanted to give you something. You did stay here during the Holidays as well so this is just that you don't miss home and... yeah… um that's it.' With that she was blushing and wanting to run away. It was her gesture for saving her from freezing a week before and she secretly hoped he wouldn't at least throw them out. She hoped maybe he'd try one even though she knew his opposition to anything made the muggle way.
He felt like a little boy, getting an unexpected present. A small smile appeared on his serene features and she caught it. As briefly as it came, it was gone. He tried to plaster his usual snarl on his face, but somehow it just wouldn't stick.
'Thanks'- he mumbled and looked positively uncomfortable. He did the only thing he could think of and went to his room. There he rummaged a box he had and brought her something. When he came back he asked her to extend her hand towards him.
'Is this some trick? You're not going to put some green goo there, are you? Because the last time I did that Ron put some from his brother's store and my hands were gooey for the next week, I say that's some nasty thing to try and get off…'
He groaned. 'I'm not Weasley. Trust me and extend your hand.'
She did as he asked reluctantly and he put in a hair clip in her palm. It was a small sparkling dragonfly with black and green stones for wings. She was at a loss for words.
'I can't accept this. It looks extremely valuable.' – she whispered.
He loved how astounded she was. 'It was my grandmother's. One of the things I have lying around. And it's nothing. I just hate feeling indebted to anyone, so it's yours.' It was true, it was just a little thing and she was making a big deal out of nothing. He still enjoyed that she realized just how rich he had to be.
She quickly jumped up and hugged him, leaving him astounded and then dashed out the door to meet her friends in the Gryffindor dorms. Blaise just passed by a happy Hermione Granger and walked in on a confused but strangely smiling Draco Malfoy, who was sitting in an armchair eyeing a box with a ribbon.
'What have you got there?'- Blaise asked, walking up to Draco.
Draco carefully unwrapped the box and found perfect star shaped cookies inside of it.
'Hey, cool, food. Let me have a try.'-the Zabbini youth said and extended his dark fingers towards one of the cookies. Draco looked at his hand and flames appeared on the dark fingers that burned Blaise a bit.
Blaise immediately pulled his hand away and blew on his fingers.
'No need to use wandless magic on me now, I just wanted a taste.'
'Well, you can't since I haven't tasted myself. I'm still considering if I should or if they will poison me.' – he deliberated, taking a cookie in his hand and flipping it upside down to see if it looked edible.
The dark wizard smirked and wondered who Draco was fooling. He knew that the blonde enjoyed getting a homemade present incredibly, since he never did get one at home. He always had everything store bought and it was always something he asked for, he never received unexpected gifts.
Draco slowly put the cookie in his mouth and chewed on it. It was a little bit tough, but it tasted wonderful.
'Can I try now?'- Blaise inquired.
'Okay, I'll give you one if you help me with something.' Blaise smirked but nodded. He had an idea where this was going, but it would be incredibly fun to see what Draco himself had to say.
'Well, I accidentally kissed a girl who I never would have kissed and I liked it.. I can't keep my mind off of anything but her since that kiss. I see her and it drives me nuts, I tend to stare at her and do strange things that I would never normally do... how can I go back to normal?' – he blurt out hoping Blaise didn't catch on who he was asking about. If Blaise knew, he'd never hear the end of it.
Blaise's face was slowly overtaken by a sly smile for he knew exactly who Malfoy was talking about. The kiss however was news to him. It did explain things a little better.
'I think... it might just be your curiosity about her. Since the kiss was accidental it might just have been your… hm… surprise? Kiss her again and your curiosity will be sated so you can go on with your life.'
Draco brushed a hand through his hair.
'No, kissing her is out of the question. I can't.. just.. kiss her.'- although the thought slowly crept into his mind and stuck there. The thought seemed extremely appealing and he loathed it.
'Well then, wait for it to pass. You never did manage to stay focused on one girl for long.'
Draco nodded thinking it was probably the best advice. He would just carry on like nothing happened and it would go away. It was Hermione Granger, for Merlin's sake, Golden Girl and best friend of both Saint Potter and Weaselbee.
Meanwhile Blaise continued to secretly grin at his friend. He knew the idea he accidentally gave him would not go to waste. Draco was going to kiss her again and oh how he hoped to be there when it happened.
(Okay guys, that's it for chapter 2. Hopefully you enjoy how it unraveled and look forward for more! I do hope to get some reviews as they brighten my day immensely ;)) oh and I just noticed that Maggie Smith who played McGonagall also played in the 'Sister Act' movie where she was the head nun. Crazy, huh? I'm also still thinking if I should just make this a romance story or if I should put in an actual plot of some bigger things. What do you think?)