Summary: DM/HG. No serious plot, really. A secret affair is conducted behind the walls of Hogwarts. There might be some snogging, some sneaking and some jealousy. And throw in Ginny Weasley and Blaise Zabini for good fun.
Rating: T
Notes: Sorry for the delay! The chapter's been finished for ages but real life got in the way. Hpwwefan, sweet.sonata, blacknblueroses and dogredcat… You rock!
Chapter IV - Evil Day
Even though the sun had since long gone down, Hermione was still up. The common room was deserted for the night and Sunday had gone to Monday hours ago. But the lovestruck miss Granger couldn't care less. Seated in front of the fireplace, Crookshanks purring in her lap, she relived the events that took place not even an hour ago.
'You ok there?' He'd asked with a ragged breath, referring to the temporary bed; a layer of grass and dirt. She'd been absolutely super on a bed of rusty nails as long as he was there.
His hands had gripped her hair gently for support. The night had been chilly but the air was humid.
Urgent kisses. Thrusts of passion.
It was over so fast. She vaguely remembered that her hair had stuck to her brow and his eyes had practically been glowing.
Afterwards he had apologised for losing himself and he swore, or cursed even, to her that it would never happen again. 'You deserve better' She remember him saying while he rebuttoned her blouse. She'd still been in a much too sedated state to tell him that she'd loved it. That she loved him.
Hand in hand they'd walked up to the castle.
When they'd reached the doors he'd gently pushed her against the wall, placed his hands on either side of her face and given her a long goodnight kiss. 'Sleep tight' he'd said, resting his forehead against her, giving her a quick peck on her nose and then he'd left her.
It took a good fifteen minutes before she could walk back up to the common room.
"Quite a walk" She said and giggled to herself. Then she lifted Crookshanks, who growled slightly but was too tired to care. And with the cat under her arm and her cloak under the other she climbed up the stairs to her dorm.
She awoke the next morning by the rather noisy whispers of Lavender and Parvati Patil. She groaned and lifted the covers. "Shh, she's up" She heard Lavender whisper. Then the curtains were abruptly pulled aside and her two roommates looked down at her in glee.
"Why, Hermione, how lovely it is to see you this morning" Parvati sneered and glanced sideways at Lavender, who gave the girl a nudge in return. Hermione groaned again as she slowly sat up.
"Ok, what happened?" She yawned. She didn't just –pop- out yesterday - something was up… It could be a parade of newly bought robes or maybe the two of them had managed to tell each other every rumour circling the school and was desperate to tell someone else. That happened every other morning, much to Hermiones dismay.
Parvati giggled and smiled "Why don't you tell us?" She winked.
'Oh no' Panic began to stir in Hermione.
Lavender sat down on the bed, "Go on tell us, what happened to Hermione Granger last night?" She said and patted Hermiones hand.
"Um... Nothing?" Hermione suggested. 'I'm so screwed'
"Nothing?" Parvati took a step closer. "You didn't go for… a walk?" Lavender raised her brows.
'Fuck! They know...' Hermione bit her lip 'Oh, they SO know!' Lavender continued "Not even a romantic walk under the stars?" Then both of them giggled.
Hermione wanted to die.
"Ok! Fine! You saw me! Big deal." Hermione said, throwing her arms up in a fit.
Lavender sighed. "Sadly, we didn't see you, Herm" she said and shook her head. "No" Parvati agreed, "But you do talk in your sleep, luv"
"I do?" Hermione made a disgusted face.
"Yeah" giggle "You thanked a lucky someone for 'a fantastic walk under the stars" Lavender smiled. "And then you said 'goodnight' followed by giggles" The blond bounced in her bed with excitement. Hermione really, really wanted to die.
"So, tell us, Herm, who is he?" Parvati asked and Hermione sighed in relief.
'Not a chance in hell' She laughed nervously at the bold statement. That just wasn't her, instead she pouted with a simple "no".
The two girls looked as if they'd been denied access to heaven, mouths open and eyes two sizes smaller. With mouth and eyes tighter, Parvati spoke "Fine, but hear this... someday, very soon, we will find out" and with that said she turned and walked in to the bathroom.
'Scary' Hermione wondered if the Patil family had any related connection to the Sicilian mafia.
Lavender patted her hand once more and said; "I'm so glad for you Hermione, ...that you've got a boyfriend I mean, but it's so much more fun to share, don't you agree?"
"Not right now, Lav, sorry" Hermione sighed. Lavender faked a smile, stood up and followed Parvatis example. Hermione also made an attempt to get out of her bed but her foot managed to get stuck somewhere in the process and she fell to the floor, head first, with a 'bonk'.
"Evil day" She grunted.
"Miss Granger..." Severus Snape glared at her from his position in front of the classroom. "...Twenty points from will be taken from Gryffindor for growling in class".
Hermione gasped, "that's ridic-" But then he added "And, you will apologise to Miss Parkinson, she is your lab-partner after all". And with a half smile he turned his attention to the board.
"Sorry" she grunted at the pug-faced Slytherin girl and hoped she didn't hear it.
Pansy smirked, she was having the time of her life, making the mudblood suffer and get apologised for it, priceless. Across the room Draco was glaring in their direction.
First, Pansy thought that he was loathing the mudblood more than usual, naturally, but after closer look she discovered to her dismay that she was the target of the hateful glares. 'What?' She mouthed to him, but that just made him lower his brows with loathing even more.
She dismissed it, for who could be cross with her? Surely, it was nothing, Draco adored her as did everyone else, well except for...
Hermione on the other hand felt that being assigned as Pansy's lab-partner was in fact a step down to hell on earth. The girl was a pest, really. Hermione turned her head in search for Harry or Ron; perhaps they'd been more fortunate?
"Miss Granger, ten points for not paying more attention to your potion" She whipped her head back to glare at the Potions professor, 'now THAT was ridiculous', but her attention turned to the potion she was brewing instead, it had turned slightly pink and seemed to be growing hair. 'ewww'
The grease-haired git had been right, 'for once'. There was nothing more to do but to start over. 'Why didn't Pansy react?' She turned to her deficient partner.
"You could be a little more helpful, Pansy, we are partners after all" She tried. Pansy glared at her with a disgusted look on her already disgusted face. Then she leaned forward and whispered; "Why would I help a mudblood such as yourself!" Then she leaned back casually and smirked back at her. Old Salazar Slytherin would've been proud.
Hermione felt the tears sting in her eyes, no matter how many times they called her that... It still hurt. And then the flow started. Feeling the first tear escape her eye, she grasped her bag and fled the room.
"Hermione what..." She heard Ron say behind her. And what Snape said really didn't matter now.
Feeling miserable and exhausted, she didn't know where to run, but forward seemed like a good plan. After ten minutes of sobs and hiccups she found herself staring at the stair that led to the Astronomy tower. Surely, no one would be there at this hour and she climbed up.
Empty as she suspected, she sat down and pulled her knees to her chin. More sobs and hiccups followed.
An hour later she heard footsteps. Seconds later the door opened. Her heart stopped for a second.
"Hermione!"
It was Ron.
"We've been looking for you everywhere, Hermione!"
And Harry.
"What happened in there?" Ron said moving a bit closer. She tried to speak but her mouth just wouldn't cooperate.
"Go on Hermione, tell us" Harry kneeled down and gently started to rub her knee in a comforting way. It helped.
"Mudblood" She said and felt tears dwell up again. 'Stupid liquid'
"What?" Ron asked with a disgusted look.
"Pansy" sob "called" hiccup "me a" sob "mudblood". She said in between sobs.
Harry looked up at Ron, who clenched his fists and started breathing rather loud. He turned back to her and said "Don't cry 'Mione, Ron will surely pound her head so hard that it will improve her looks" This made her smile, a little.
"Harry" Ron said "You know I don't hit girls, but I was thinking of hitting Malfoy instead, I've been looking for a reason to hit the git since this morning". And he gave her a half-smile.
Ron mentioning Draco, made her cheeks flush for an instant and she couldn't help but wonder where he stood in all this.
And why didn't he go looking for her?
Ron interrupted her thought with a yank and a pull on her arm. "Come on 'Mione, let's just go eat" He said and pulled her up. "Yeah, come on, luv" Harry said and put his arms around her shoulder.
"Yeah, you're right" Hermione nodded and wiped the last tear from her cheek "And thanks boys, you're so sweet" And with that said they left the tower.
The trio followed the stream of hungry students to The Great Hall. Ron, hands in his pockets, singing, "Hermione is our king". Harry, his arms still draped around her shoulder and last Hermione, laughing at Ron's attempt to sing.
"Well, well..." A voice drawled. The trio stopped.
"Oh bollocks, what do you want, Malfoy" Ron snarled.
"Oh, just wondering you know" sneer "Granger, who goes first? Potty perhaps? Or maybe Weasel here? Or perhaps you shag them both at the same time" He folded his arms over his chest and glared at Hermione. To much in chock to say anything, she simply glared at him.
"Malfoy, you'll pay for that! Choke on-" Ron tried casting a spell but Draco was too fast and knocked Ron to the floor with a quick jab and stepped closer to Hermione. Harry stepped forward.
"Malfoy, why don't you-" Draco was to fast this time too.
"Shush, Potter. Professor Snape requested that I'd fetch Granger". Then he turned to Hermione "He wants you in his study... now".
"Fine" She said coldly and brushed past him.
"Hermione?" Harry called out but she didn't turn. Draco lifted his brows a couple of times in a mocking gesture and sent him an annoying smirk before heading after Hermione.
She knew he was there of course. She could hear his steps behind her. He seemed to remain a few steps behind her on purpose. 'Fine, if that's what he wants' She thought bitterly and chuckled
'well, it was fun while it lasted'.
"What's so amusing, Granger?" He grabbed her arm and pushed her against the wall. She remained quiet and regarded him, puzzled. 'No point in aggravating the beasts temper even more' she thought amusingly and tried to suppress a giggle. At that he slammed his hands on either side of her head and leaned in.
"Tell me" She opened her mouth to snap back something when a door opened and the greasy haired potions master stepped out.
"Mr Malfoy. You found her. Good". He said, turned to lock the door.
Hermione wasn't at all surprised that Snape completely ignored her and didn't care much for aiding her in this situation. The Precious son of Lucius Malfoy could rape and pillage all of Hogsmeade and still get away with it.
Draco took a step back and allowed his professor to interrogate Hermione.
"Miss Granger, What ever reason there was for your little..." He paused "...outburst in class today, I don't want to hear it!"
"But-" she cried and he raised his hand to silence her.
"I expect an essay on today's topic and an explanation to why you messed up, on my desk tomorrow morning" And with that he left.
Draco placed his hands on the wall, capturing her again, before she had a chance to escape. For moments he just stared into her eyes. His eyes narrowed to two slits and his breath was sturdy. She could feel the anger oozing from him and now she was actually a bit scared.
A door squeaked open somewhere near. Draco didn't flinch and Hermione was afraid to move. She dared however to move her gaze towards the door. She sighed in relief. At that Draco also turned his attention.
Ginny and Blaise had stepped out, hand in hand, smiling and unaware of the ongoing situation. But noticing that they were being watched, Ginny snatched back her hand. Blaise chuckled and captured it again.
"Zabini" Draco snarled. "Your timing is impeccable" he said dripping with sarcasm. Blaise chuckled again and entwined his hand with Ginny's.
"Hermione, are you ok?" Ginny looked concerned.
"Yes, Ginevra, I'm peachy" Hermione replied with a stiff smile and hoped that her friend wouldn't miss the hint.
"Oh... good, would you perhaps like to accompany me to lunch then?"
"Why yes, I would"
She ducked out of Dracos grasp and all he could do was watch. As the two girls headed down the corridor Ginny whispered "What was that all about?" Hermione replied, "Now is not the time" and quickened her pace.
Blaise stood dumbstruck for a second. Then he turned his attention to Draco, whose lips was drawn to a thin line. Blaise placed his hand on his shoulder "You alright, mate?"
Draco exposed his teeth "I'm peachy".
Hermione wasn't in the mood for lunch and Ginny was too excited to eat. So, Hermione found herself down by the lake on a rock, telling Ginny all about her horrid day.
"...And then you found us..." Hermione said and gazed out over the lake"...Thank god"
Ginny smiled "Hermione, it sounds to me that Draco Malfoy was probably just jealous".
"Jealous?" Hermione sounded doubtful. "Yeah, jealous, of you and Harry. I just hope Blaise doesn't turn out that way," Ginny giggled.
Hermione groaned.
"Oh, Gin, I'm sorry! I haven't even asked about you and Blaise yet!" She cried. "I'm so selfish" The redhead shook her head.
"On the contrary, I find you to be the most unselfish person I know" Ginny smiled and patted her arm. "Thank you, Gin" she smiled.
"So" Hermione turned to her friend, "You and Blaise Zabini, huh?" and smiled.
"Yeah, it's pretty unconventional, just like you and Malfoy" Ginny said. Hermione sighed and shook her head "Oh, I don't think he and I will be joining forces anymore". Then she hoped off the rock brushed away some dirt on her skirt. Ginny gave her a half-smile before she hoped off herself.
"Oh, I don't know about that".
Last class off the day was Transfiguration. Hermione sat, head in her hands and lost in thoughts. The day had been quite eventful, and not in a good way. Lavender and Parvati had been giving her smug looks all day, then there was the outburst in potions, Draco being a complete arse and of course the bump on her forehead. 'It must look hideous by know' She rubbed her forehead and felt a little more sorry for herself.
"Miss Granger" The sharp voice of Professor McGonagall woke her up from her self-pity.
"Do pay a little bit more attention".
"Yes, of course professor" Hermione peeped. The rest of the hour she sat, back straight, eyes open and hands neatly folded on the desk, like a knowledge thirsty student would. Class finally dismissed, Professor McGonagall said "Miss Granger, a word please".
Hermione gulped "certainly professor". The elderly witch regarded her over her glasses.
"Miss Granger, Is there something troubling you today?" Hermione shook her head franticly. "No professor".
"Professor Snape informed me that you stormed out of his class earlier...?" She looked questionably at Hermione and continued when she didn't reply "...and not paying attention in my class? Miss Granger, I'm very, very disappointed in you."
"I'm so sorry, Professor McGonagall..." She paused "...But I've really had a terrible day and I..."
"Oh, miss Granger really, we all have our bad days, but that doesn't mean we can neglect important matters" She stepped closer, pointing her wand to her "I expect better from you, you know"
"I know, professor"
"You don't want to lose your position as Head Girl next year to someone else, do you?" McGonagall ranted on.
"It won't happen again, professor" Hermione was beyond ashamed and cursed herself for even waking up today.
"Very well" She gave Hermione a faint smile and left with a "Good day, miss Granger".
Tears started dwelling up again as she bent to retrieve her bag from the floor.
"Thought the old crow would never leave" Hermione, startled, fell back over her bag instead.
Draco came to stand at her feet and stared down at her. "You're crying" He stated the obvious.
This was beyond humiliating. Hermione wiped the tears with the back off her hand and tried to stand up. It turned out to be quite a challenge with her bag under her, removing her support to raise herself.
"Here" He said and reached for her hands. Seeing no other choice presented, she took them and he dragged her up to stand an inch from his face.
"What... do you want now?" She asked in a faint voice. He regarded her hands, still in his and raised them up to his lips. Then he smiled, a genuine smile.
"You".
"Oh...I see" Hermione didn't know what else to say. He was so utterly cruel before and now he was all fluffy and kind. Perhaps he was Schizophrenic? Hermione chuckled at the thought. If anyone was insane, it would be her. Getting involved with a Slytherin, what was she thinking? Really...
"Does it hurt?" He began to examine the bump on her forehead and when he touched it with his thumb "Ouch!" she backed away "...yes it hurts!" Her feet stomped twice at the tears that just wouldn't subside.
"Look, I've had a horrible day and I really, really just want to go lie down..." It's funny how feeling sorry for yourself makes you cry even more "...So, would you just..." She saw nothing but blur now. "...Leave me be".
p "Have a seat", he all of a sudden said and gestured to the desk she'd previously occupied. Too numb from crying and thinking she obliged. "There, tell me about your day" He leaned on the desk next to hers and folded his arms across the chest. First she simply stared at him.
'Definitely Schizo' she thoughtBut then, talking instead of snogging would be something new for them. She laughed at the absurdity of the situation and began "I have the worst roommates..."
"...Then Harry and Ron found me and they really cheered me up..." She babbled on but couldn't keep eye contact for long, for her cheeks would blush. He politely listened but made no attempt to comfort her or agree or even disagree. He simply listened.
"...But then you came and..."
"...Ginny came to the rescue and then..."
"...And here we are" She finished her audio diary and met his gaze. She'd been staring at her hands since he was mentioned. It was too awkward to look at him. Also a little scary, what would he say?
"Hmmm" He said.
"Let me tell you about my day" He continued, stepped towards her and leaned in to place his hands on either side of her legs. Faces close, eyes connected and he began:
"It started all perfect, almost woke up with a smile, you know? Having a perfect evening the night before does that to a bloke." He raised his brows to see if she understood. She did.
"...Then, seeing my girlfriend storm off, and in tears, can you imagine?" He smiled.
'Wait - Did he refer to me as his girlfriend?' Her stomach made a jolt. "And when I finally track her down, she's in the arms off...Potter" The smile vanished and he cursed under his breath, turned his attention to the floor and inhaled a couple of times to control his rage.
"...And when try to apologise, 'bloody' Zabini shows up with his bird and all is lost!" He added with a dramatic tone and almost looked ready to explode but then he inhaled and exhaled again slowly and finished off with a patented smirk.
Hermione smiled. He HAD been looking for her and he did try to apologise. Then there was this whole 'girlfriend' bit...
He was definitely forgiven.
"...And here we are." His hands slowly crept up her thighs to rest around her waist. She could only give him the space between her legs as he also pulled her closer. "So, you see..." He drawled.
"...My day wasn't all hoots and cheers either" Then he leaned in slowly to let his lips tough her, very gently. She moved her hands from their previous position on her lap to feel his upper arms. The kiss was slow and soft, very unDraco like.
"You were jealous". Hermione stated and gave him a smug smile.
"Ah, but can you blame me for it?" He laughed. And what a lovely laugh it was, very masculine, very swoon-worthy. 'He really should laugh more often' She thought.
"Well, actually, I don't think that Harry w..."
"Hermione..."
"What?!"
"Nothing"
"Nothing?! Then why...?"
"Oh, right..." And he leaned in a second time to claim her lips.
The git could be freakishly annoying at times, but when he offers you his lips, you're only mortal after all. 'Annoying, big-headed, but complete and utterly gorgeous git' she thought and pulled him down by his neck.
His grasp around her waist tightened as he also pulled her closer. She ended up laying on the hard surface with him leaning over, advancing their kiss. As his lips worked magic (not from a potion) on her bruised ego, she couldn't help but put aside her self-pity for today and let herself be tended by a not so tender Draco Malfoy.
Notes II: Not the best of chapters, but here you go!
All of you Blaise/Ginny fans - I promise, more is to come!
Fairies.