AN: Sooooooo, it's been a very long time since I have updated but I've been really busy with school. Well, thank you CheshireCat23 for reviewing every chapter. I really look forward to reading your reviews on every chapter. I really hope you enjoy this chapter.
So…well, enjoy reading,
Just One Drop
Chapter Four: Dangerous Waters
"You've been avoiding me."
Hermione jumped in surprise, turning around to see Draco Malfoy sitting behind her, much to close for comfort.
Hermione turned around, acting like he wasn't making her uncomfortable. "What are you doing out here, Malfoy? This is Gryffindor try outs," Hermione asked nastily, turning her attention back to the Quidditch pitch.
"I could never pass up a chance to see Weasel make a fool of himself," Malfoy said.
"Go away Malfoy. I do not feel like arguing with you at this very moment," Hermione said tiredly.
"We don't have to fight," Malfoy said hopefully.
Hermione turned around to glare at him. "What's with you, ferret?"
"I told you, I'm in love with you," Malfoy said earnestly.
Hermione covered her mouth with her hand. "Please stop saying that," She whispered, closing her eyes tightly.
"Please stop denying me. Give me a chance, Granger."
"You don't deserve a chance Malfoy! What have you ever done to deserve a chance?" Hermione demanded.
"What if I do something nice?" Malfoy asked quickly, pulling out his wand.
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked apprehensively, eyeing his wand.
Malfoy just smiled before pointing his wand towards the Quidditch pitch. Hermione turned just in time to see the Quaffle flying towards McLaggen. McLaggen was poised, ready to block the Quaffle from scoring.
"Confundo," Malfoy whispered, pointing his wand at McLaggen.
Hermione watched in shock as McLaggen went several feet in the wrong direction, looking confused.
"Draco!" Hermione scolded, turning around to lecture him.
"Oh, so it's Draco now?" Malfoy asked coolly, imitating Hermione from the last time they talked.
Hermione couldn't help but smile. "Thank you, Draco. You have no idea what this means to Ronald," Hermione said earnestly.
"No, but I've got an idea about what this means to you," Malfoy whispered, running his thumb along Hermione's cheek bone.
Hermione looked into Malfoy's cool eyes, searching for some ulterior motive but couldn't find anything. He returned her gaze, looking intently in her eyes.
"I love you."
Hermione sighed. Not this again.
"Why would you love me?" Hermione asked, giving up the hope of telling him to stop with all the nonsense.
"Why not?"
"Don't answer my question with another question!" Hermione snapped irritably.
"You're so beautiful," Malfoy whispered.
Hermione grimaced awkwardly, standing up. "I'll see you some other time, Malfoy," She said before hurrying away.
Hermione quickly got off the stands and waited by the edge of the pitch for try outs to be over with. She watched as everyone landed in the grass. Harry said something to the whole group before everyone headed towards the changing rooms, everyone except for Harry, Ron, and McLaggen. Hermione waited until McLaggen walked away to approach Ron and Harry.
"Ron, you did brilliantly!" Hermione said before giving him a tight hug.
Ron smiled broadly, wrapping his arms tightly around Hermione's slim frame, burying his face in her hair. Hermione cleared her throat awkwardly, trying to pull away but Ron wouldn't budge.
"Um, Ronald…You can let go now," Hermione said quietly.
"Oh…Um, sorry," Ron said sheepishly, quickly letting her go.
"What about me?" Harry asked, opening his arms for a hug.
"You did brilliantly as always, Harry," Hermione said, moving to give Harry a hug.
Harry cupped Hermione's chin in his gloved hand before kissing her. Hermione's eyes widened in surprise at Harry's boldness before she quickly placed her hands on his chest and pushed. Harry stopped the kiss immediately, kissing her on the forehead instead before wrapping an arm around her waste.
Hermione glanced at Ron, whose ears were a dangerous shade of red as he glared murderously at Harry. Hermione gently extracted herself from Harry's hold.
"You two promised that you would play nice. I don't want any fighting," Hermione said sternly, looking from Harry to Ron.
"Why did you look at him first?" Ron demanded.
"What?" Hermione asked, giving Ron a questioning look.
"Why did you look at him first? You like him better than me!" Ron said accusingly, taking a step forward.
"That's not true, Ronald. I don't like either of you better than the other. You're both my friends," Hermione said, shooting a glance at Harry for help.
Harry took a step back, watching the scene with a glint of amusement in his eyes. It appeared as if he was going to sit back and let Ron make a fool of himself. He wasn't going to step in until Ron had completely screwed himself over.
"Then why do you kiss him and not me? If we're both equal then you should kiss me too," Ron said, taking another step forward.
"It doesn't work that way, Ronald," Hermione said, taking a step back.
Ron reached out and quickly grabbed Hermione's wrist, pulling her towards him. Hermione stumbled a bit as she crashed into his chest, trying to back away again but he grabbed her face.
Hermione stayed completely still as Ron brushed his lips against hers. She tried to turn her face away but Ron responded by tightening his grip and wrapping an arm around her waste, pulling her body against his.
"Kiss me, Hermione," He whispered against her lips.
Hermione shuddered, closing her eyes. "No, Ronald," She whispered.
Ron's hands changed from gentle to angry as he held her, pulling away enough so that she could see the anger twisting his features. Hermione went rigid, scared of the Ron was looking at her.
Ron was suddenly pulled away by an amused looking Harry. "Calm down mate, you can't expect her to snog every bloke on the face of the planet," Harry said, the logic in his statement horribly marred by his cocky tone.
"Now, lets pretend like none of this ever happened," Harry said, wrapping an arm around Hermione's waste as he headed back towards the castle. "Now, Hermione, you can go to the Great Hall and start lunch. We'll be there in a moment after we shower," Harry said, keeping his hold on her as she tried to turn away.
"Well, that is unless…you want to join me in the shower," Harry added, his voice low in her ear.
Hermione flushed in embarrassment, laughing besides her better judgment. "Harry!" She whined, playfully pushing him.
"Sorry, I can't help myself," Harry grinned, playfully rubbing the spot where she pushed him.
Hermione just giggled, looking away from him as they continued towards the castle. Ron suddenly stalked by her, roughly bumping into Harry as he walked away. Hermione froze, her grin slipping off of her face as she stared after Ron, feeling a pang of guilt.
"Don't worry about him," Harry said quietly.
Hermione turned to stare at Harry. "He's your best mate," She whispered.
"Yeah, and he wants you," Harry said, staring into her eyes.
"So?"
"I want you."
Hermione looked to the side, towards Ron's retreating form. "You know that's not going to happen," She responded softly, wrapping her arms around her middle.
"Why not?"
Hermione sighed, looking down at the grass. "I have to go," She said quietly before hurrying away.
"Hermione!" Harry called after her but she didn't turn around or slow her pace. She continued forward, hurrying into the safety of the castle.
Oo0oO
"Did you kiss him?" Ginny asked, her eyes bulging slightly.
"No," Hermione sighed. "I told him no and he got angry. Harry had to pull him away so he could calm down a bit."
"Do you like him?" Ginny asked quietly.
"More than I can say," Hermione admitted quietly, drawing her knees up to her chest.
"Than why didn't you kiss him?"
Hermione fell back on the couch, releasing a huff of air. "I dunno…I didn't want our first kiss to be like that. He basically said I should kiss him because I kissed Harry! That is no reason that we should kiss at all! We should kiss because we want to not because I should feel obligated to!"
"Why do I have the feeling that you've already planned out your whole life with Ron, right down to your first kiss?" Ginny asked, a small smile pulling at her lips.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "I have not planned out my whole life with Ronald!" Hermione shouted indignantly. "Well…just our wedding," She admitted quietly.
"Then why won't you kiss him?"
"Because I want our first kiss to be spontaneous and full of passion," Hermione said quickly.
"Then why did you kiss Harry?"
Hermione opened her mouth to answer but quickly snapped it shut again. Why did she kiss Harry if she wanted to be with Ron?
"Maybe I…maybe I," Hermione said quietly, looking down at her hands.
"Maybe you're not ready to tie yourself to one person just yet Hermione. Go out, explore a little. You should date other people; let Ron know that you're not always going to be there. And not just for that reason; do it for you. Have a little fun before you go off and magically forge yourself to my brother. There is nothing wrong with fooling around with a couple of guys or even girls before you take yourself off the market."
Hermione rolled her eyes at the last part of Ginny's little speech before standing up. "I have to do rounds tonight. See you later, Ginny," Hermione said as she put her cloak back on.
"Who with?" Ginny called.
"Malfoy," Hermione said, looking over her shoulder so Ginny can see the face she pulled.
Ginny smirked mischievously at Hermione. "Have fun," She said in a sing song voice.
Hermione rolled her eyes before hurrying out of the portrait hole.
Hermione was surprised to see Malfoy waiting for her in the entrance hall. Stopping dead in her tacks, she quickly straightened her school robes before tying her hair back in a messy bun to contain the wild monster that is her hair. A few locks of the shorter strands of her curly hair wouldn't fit in the bun so she just let them fall, framing her face with her hair.
She cleared her throat as she made her way down the short flight of stairs into the entrance hall, calling attention to her presence. Malfoy turned around to smile at her. It was the slightest upturn of the corner of his mouth but her heart still fluttered slightly at the sight.
"I'm surprised you came. I was told you haven't been doing your rounds lately."
"I had prior arrangements," Malfoy said shortly.
"More important than your prefect duties?" Hermione pressed, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes."
Hermione did not know how to respond to that. She wondered if Malfoy would tell her what his prior arrangements were but decided he wouldn't answer. Instead, she gestured for him to start walking before leading the way.
Half an hour later, Hermione and Malfoy were walking on the fifth floor and Malfoy had not spoken at all. It was really starting to irritate Hermione. How could he claim to be in love with her and than not talk to her when they are all alone?
"Are you okay, Granger?" Malfoy asked suddenly.
"Just peachy," She snapped, shooting him a nasty look before walking ahead of him.
"You can tell me if you want," Malfoy said, ignoring her attitude.
"I won't tell you anything Malfoy!" Hermione nearly shouted.
"No one said you had to," He replied calmly, unfazed by her sudden hostility.
"What is wrong with you?" Hermione demanded, whipping around to glare at him. "You're acting all…WEIRD!" She shouted, throwing her arms in the air.
"I dunno Granger…One day after breakfast, I looked at you while you were talking to Weasley and you just…You are so beautiful. It took me forever to notice that and even longer to realize your teeth are fixed. I kind of miss your old teeth but I do like your new ones too!" He added quickly when she gave him a weird look.
"Anyways, all I have to say is that you're on my mind all the time. I can't stop thinking about you. I think about you all day, dream about you all night. It's driving me mad! And I love it when you look at me, even if you think I'm mental. Just to know that your chocolate brown eyes are focused on me makes me want to jump for joy. I would do anything for you, Hermione," He finished, reaching out to cup her cheek in his hand.
Hermione jumped back quickly, looking quite frightened. Malfoy cursed under his breath as he took his hand back.
"Hermione, I know this all sounds mad but I do love you. I want you, all for myself. I don't care about anything else. I just want you. And I know this is sudden but can I have a kiss? One kiss and I will leave you alone, I swear," He said quickly, looking quite sick.
"Are you mental? No!" Hermione exclaimed loudly before quickly walking away.
"Hermione, I'm sorry! That was idiotic of me, please forgive me," Malfoy said quickly, moving to grab her arm.
"Don't touch me Malfoy!" Hermione shouted, pulling her arm free before running away, back to Gryffindor Tower.
Malfoy didn't follow her, and for that she is grateful. She let out a shaky breath as she stepped through the portrait hole.
She plopped down in the arm chair be the fire, staring at the dying embers as she tried to catch her breath.
"Are you okay, Hermione?"
Hermione jumped, whipping her head to the side so fast her neck cracked.
"Ouch, damn," She muttered, massaging her neck gently as looked at Ron. "What do you want, Ronald?"
"I wanted to apologize for earlier," Ron said sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.
"If you really wanted to apologize, you would massage my neck," Hermione said, moving over to the couch as she offered Ron her neck.
Ron nodded before quickly moving over to the couch to sit behind her. He cleared his throat awkwardly before beginning to massage her neck.
Hermione sighed, relaxing her muscles as Ron began to gently massage away the pain. Ron continued to awkwardly massage her neck, not sure what he was doing. Hermione made another contented sigh, leaning into Ron a bit more. Encouraged by her visible enjoyment, Ron began to firmly massage her neck.
"Hermione, I am really sorry about earlier. I shouldn't have approached you in that way it's just…I get really jealous sometimes and Harry knows how much I like you and he still kissed you. I dunno…I guess I just felt betrayed and jealous…Just the thought of you kissing someone else drove me mad," Ron rambled as he continued to massage her neck.
"Hmm?" Hermione hummed, having not really heard anything he just said.
"You're too damn beautiful for your own good," Ron whispered, moving his hands to massage her shoulders as she leaned into his chest.
Hermione just nodded her head lazily as her head lolled to the side, exposing the smooth flesh of her neck for Ron to see.
Ron swallowed nervously as his eyes roamed over the cream colored skin adorning her neck. Her skin looked so soft, so smooth. If only he could reach out and touch her…just to feel her smooth skin against his rough hands. He studied the smooth skin and the delicate way it moved over her collar bone…If only could kiss her neck…if only he could know what her skin would taste like…
Ron let out a shaky breath as his hands moved down her back and his arms encircled her waste as he pulled her flush against his chest. Hermione's eyes widened in surprise as she felt Ron's chest against her back and his lips on her neck.
"Ron…what are you doing?" Hermione asked quietly as he continued to suck on her neck.
"Sush," Ron whispered against her neck as his hands moved upward to cup her breast firmly.
"Ron!" Hermione protested, moving away quickly.
Ron grabbed her quickly, pulling her by her arms so that their lips met. His lips were rough and urgent, attempting to coax her into kissing him in return. Hermione did not want to kiss Ron at all, so she pressed her hands against his chest and pushed his body away with as much force as possible.
Hermione quickly tried to stand up and Ron pulled her by her wrist back into his lap to kiss her again.
"Ronald!" Hermione protested loudly, pulling away to slap him hard across the face.
She quickly scrambled off of the couch, shooting up to run to her dormitory but Ron quickly snatched her up again, pushing her down on the couch with a growl before claiming her lips in an aggressive kiss as he lay on top of her.
She wiggled against him, trying to free herself but he was too heavy. His hands were everywhere, he was everywhere. She could feel his calloused hands, rubbing her sides roughly, cupping her face as she tried to fight him off without much luck.
"Stop moving, Hermione," Ron grunted, pinning her hands above her head as he forced his way between her legs.
"Get off!" Hermione screamed, taking the opportunity to bring her knee up to crash into his groin forcefully.
Ron made a noise akin to a shot coyote before toppling to the ground. Hermione shot up quickly, jumping over the couch to run up the stairs to the girls' dormitory. She could hear Ron calling after her; hear him running to catch up with her.
She screamed loudly when he began to chase after her and just made it to the landing before Ron tried to run up the stairs, falling down the slide as the stairs transformed.
Hermione doubled over at the waist, her hands on her hips as she caught her breath and silently thanked the founders of Hogwarts for enchanting the stairs. It was then that the full weight of what had just occurred crashed down on her. Hermione let out a shaky breath as she tried to control the sudden flow of tears.