Thanks to everyone who has reviewed. Forgot to site the song in the last chapter. It was The Trouble With Love by Kelly Clarkson. In this chapter the names of the contestants will be given. There will also be some progress made in Hermione and Draco's relationship. Hope you all enjoy!
-Disclaimer-
Chapter 4: And The Contestants Are...
On Sunday evening Draco and Hermione sat in a comfortable silence on the couches by the fireplace. Hermione sat reading a muggle novel while Draco looked over his potions homework. Eventually he threw down his homework and sat up.
"Let's do something." Hermione glanced up at the blond now staring at her.
"What do you want to do and why do you want me to participate?" She was skeptical of his sudden interest in her. He hadn't insulted her since they had gotten back to school and had actually been civil to her. It was almost unnerving.
"Let's play a game. Truth or dare?" He awaited her reaction.
"Fine. You have to go first though. Truth or Dare?" Hermione set her book on the table and sat facing Draco.
"Dare." He pushed the coffee table out of the way so that they could sit facing each other on the floor.
"Hmm… I dare you to… call me by my given name for one whole week!" She seemed victorious with the dare she had given him.
"Fine Hermioneeee… truth or dare?" He let her name roll off his lips. Hermione's heart fluttered as he practically purred her name.
"Truth?"
"Taking the easy way out are you? Fine, fine. Are you going to enter the contest?"
"No of course not. I don't sing in front of people." She leaned back against the couch behind her. Draco stood up and started ruffling around in the drawers of the desk. He was searching for something avidly. "It's your turn to pick. Truth or dare?" He ignored her at fist and kept searching. "What are looking for?"
"Firewhiskey. This gave will never be any funny if without it. Truth… Yes! Found it." He turned around grinning with a fist full of whiskey.
"Why do you want me to enter the contest so badly? That's the second time you've asked me." Draco retrieved two glasses and sat across from her.
"Because I think you should." She waited for more of an explanation but he didn't continue. Instead he hand her a shot. "Drink up!" He clinked his glass with hers in a mock 'cheers' and drank it down. "Truth or Dare Hermione?"
"Dare." She downed another shot feeling courageous.
"I dare you to kiss me." It was said so casually she wasn't sure it she heard him correctly.
"Wha...What!?" She polished off a third shot to easy her nerves.
"You heard me. I dare you to kiss me." He made his way over to her. He hovered above her with his arms on either side of her head leaning on the couch behind her. Hermione's eyes locked with the silver orbs above her. Her breath hitched as he leaned in slightly. His mouth was close to her ear and he whispered, "I do believe this was your dare not mine." He started moving away when her arm snaked around the back of his neck. Hermione pulled him into her and brushed her lips against his.
Their lips began moving and Draco let his tongue graze against Hermione's lower lip, begging for entrance. She opened her mouth for him and their tongues battled. Draco wrapped his arm around Hermione's back and lowered her to the rug-covered floor. His hand wandered over her body, feeling all of her curves. His hand stopped its pursuit at the hem of her shirts. He stroked her tanned skin with the pad of his thumb. This was the action that snapped her out of her haze.
"Nooo no no no no…" She attempted to push him off her. He leaned forward trying to catch her lips again. She finally succeeded in pushing him away and sprinted up the stairs.
He laid back on the rug and ran a hand through his locks. What was going on with him? He liked that kiss way too much.
The next morning at breakfast Hermione sat down at the Gryffindor table. Ron sat beside her piling to his plate high with breakfast sausages and pancakes. Harry sat on her other side and served himself food at a much slower rate.
"Morning Hermione. We didn't see you much this weekend. Malfoy didn't get his hands on you did he?"
"What! Of course not, why would you ask that. Did he say something to you?" She stood up and was pointing at Harry in an accusing manner.
"It was a joke Hermione. Chill out. What has gotten you so riled up?"
"Nothing…" she took her seat again and rested her head in her hands. "Just a long weekend of head duties, we had to plan the events for this year. Dumbledore should be making the announcement soon."
As soon as she finished her sentence, Dumbledore stood to hush the chattering students. "Good morning students. I have a very exciting announcement to make this morning. Our heads and prefects have decided that instead of a ball this year they will be hosting the first ever Hogwarts Idol." Excited chatter broke out in the Great Hall.
"This event is a singing competition that will progress throughout the year. This week there will be a container in which any 6th or 7th year can submit their name. On Friday I will announce the names of the five contestants. I would also like anyone interested in being a judge or host to also submit here names. The first night of competition will be Halloween night and will be followed by a casual ball for all ages. Now you all best be off to classes."
Hermione, Harry, and Ron gathered their books and made their way to class. Hermione shared excited chatter with the boys all the way to Transfiguration.
Later that evening Draco threw himself down on the couch covering his eyes with his arm. A few minutes later Hermione entered the common room to see Draco resting on the couch. She set down her bookbag by the door and removed her cloak. She walked over to him and sat on the table. She leaned forward examining him with the thought that he was sound asleep. Just as she began pulling away again, his arm shot forward and pulled her down on top of him.
"You know you really should check to make you a guy is asleep before you going ogling him hot body." The last comment was said with a wink.
"Let me up." She wiggled struggling against his grasp.
"You need to stop doing that pet." Draco groan and Hermione immediately stopped in realization.
"Uh, what is… please let me go."
"Not until you kiss me goodnight." He smirked at her shocked expression.
"Why would you want me to do that? What are you playing at? Is Zabini around here with a camera or something?" She began searching the room for a hidden Slytherin.
"Zabini is not here. Merlin Hermione who do you think I am?" He rested his hands on her hips.
"Well I know for a fact you are not Draco Malfoy. Who are you and what have you done with the famous bouncing ferret?" She smiled when he scowled over the nickname.
"Will no one ever forget that? That was torture you know. I'm still awaiting a kiss." A made a show of feigning distress.
"Why do you want to kiss me? What has changed between us?"
"I don't know. All I know is you happen to be straddling me right now and I want to kiss you."
"Hey buddy, I'm only straddling you because you…" Her complaint was silenced by Draco pressing his lips against hers. He nibbled on her lip causing her to moan and grind her hips. Draco pulled away and smiled up at her.
"What is this?" She asked resting her forehead against his. He sighed closing his eyes.
"I don't know alright. Let's not think about it for now, ok?"
"Alright." She laid her head down on his chest deciding not think about it for now. He rested his chin on her head. They stayed like that for hours before finally falling asleep in each other's arms.
The day everyone had been waiting for had arrived. All those who had entered sat nervously in their seats. Lavender sat a few seats down loudly saying how she really didn't want to be chosen anyways.
"It really is ridiculous how everyone is making such a big deal about this." Hermione rolled her eyes. Ron and Harry looked in the direction that Hermione was looking and did the same.
"I guess that means you didn't enter." Harry laughed at her exasperated look.
"Did either of you boys enter?"
"Harry entered to be a judge. I would rather sit back and watch the humiliation."
Dumbledore stood and everyone intently watched his every move. "Now for the moment you have all been waiting for." Applause broke out as he brought the entry box forward. "First I will announce our host for the festivities. Please give a round of applause for Colin Creevey. Next I would like to announce our three judges. They will be Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom, and Harry Potter." He allowed the judges to stand and receive their applauds.
"Now for our contestants. I am sad to say we did not receive any entries from Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw so this will solely be a Gryffindor and Slytherin race. Our first contestant is Pansy Parkinson." She stood with a large grin practically applauding herself.
"Our next contestant is Ginny Weasley!" The trio whipped their heads around shocked at her name being called. There shocked faces quickly turned to smiles as they clapped for their friend.
"Next is Blaise Zabini." He waited for the applause to die down to announce the next name. "Our fourth contestant is Draco Malfoy." Hermione's head snapped up to look at his face. She had never thought to ask him about the contest. She was so intent on watching his smirking face that she almost didn't hear the next name. Almost.
"And our final contestant is… oh how exciting both of our head will be competing. Congratulations Ms. Granger."
"WHAT!" The few who had begun clapping immediately stopped at Hermione's outburst. A chuckle from across the room caught her attention.
"What's the matter Granger? You're acting like you didn't even put your name in the box. Oh that's right, I put your name in." He smirked at her again.
"Draco Malfoy! You better run before I hex your balls off!" His smirk wavered at her rage and the suggestion of her hexing his lower region. He stood, polished off his juice, and saluted Blaise before sprinting out of the Great Hall. Hermione threw her napkin down and chased after him.
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