A Real Smile
AN: I'm back bitches! I'm also far too tanned for my own good, thankfully no sunburn though.
So sorry to keep you waiting, I rushed this but hopefully it will be worth the delay. Thank you to all my readers, followers, favouriters, and my lovely reviewers – Blenda73, eoz16, potterhead27, xXDark-Rose-MariaXx, and ED'smediocrefriend, and to the latter, thanks I did have fun
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter; if I did I wouldn't let certain parts be ruined in the movies. I know it's not Jo's fault, she probably tried all she could but some parts really bothered me. One in particular, which is important to this fanfic, is Hermione at the Yule Ball. Am I the only one who hated how in the movie the night ended with Hermione in tears and Ron annoyed, slightly confused, and a tiny bit scared? The worst part was the fact that Harry ran away and left her to cry on the stairs, whereas in the book Hermione stormed off to her room angrily leaving behind a baffled and scared Ron and Harry. In the book she was shown as Hermione –strong, angry, courageous, scary etc. and if she did cry it would be with dignity, in her room not on the steps where everyone can laugh and taunt her, she's had enough of that her whole life. Let me know what you think about this in the reviews and of course, your thoughts on this chapter. Sorry about that, rant over. Enjoy!
Chapter 4
The next day they didn't have potions so Hermione wouldn't see Draco at all until after dinner. When she finished eating she headed over to the library where she saw the back of him hunched over the table, writing on his parchment.
"Hi" She greeted as she flung herself into the chair opposite him.
"Hey" He replied, lifting his head up, smirking as he saw Hermione's eyes widen.
"Your hair!"
"What about it?" He asked innocently.
"It's different, it isn't gelled anymore."
"Oh yeah, I thought I'd change it. Why, does it look weird?"
"No, it looks good. Why did you change it?"
"I thought I'd try to change, starting with my hair. You said it's like my personality so I thought if I wanted to change I could start with my hair."
"That's great, I'm proud of you."
"Thanks, now it can have some freedom like you said. Also it will be loose and soft."
"It will be? Don't you mean it is?"
"I don't know, is it soft? You can check." He joked
Hermione unexpectedly reached across the table. As her fingers came into contact with his hair they both inhaled sharply from shock. Draco because he didn't expect her to actually touch him, and Hermione because she didn't expect his hair to be so soft, she marvelled at this whilst she stroked his supple strands. Draco's heart was pounding and he had butterflies in his stomach, but his euphoria only lasted a few seconds until she pulled away, abashed by her actions.
"Well is it soft and loose?"
"I suppose" She said nonchalantly.
He smirked knowingly at her and they went to their work. Yet Hermione kept sneaking glances at him hoping he wouldn't notice. She watched him but kept her head down so she didn't seem to be doing so. He rested his forehead on his knuckles and his silky locks fell in front of his face and Hermione pondered on what he said and how he really did want to change.
"Same time tomorrow?" Draco asked as they were putting their books away.
"I'm going for a walk with Viktor after dinner tomorrow. He has more free time nowadays so he said he wants to spend more time with me."
"Oh, well if that's what you want to do then I'll see you when I see you." He replied, trying to keep his voice neutral but she may have noticed.
"I'd much rather sit in the library with you, that makes me sound boring, but me and him don't really talk much, mostly he watches me study. It's a bit annoying, actually."
"That doesn't make you sound boring; it makes you sound intelligent - because you use your brain and figure out that I'm the better person to be with." He smirked
"Yes very funny, I prefer the company of a ferret to that of a world famous, good-looking Quidditch player."
"Krum may be good looking but I'm downright gorgeous." He winked as he walked off and Hermione found herself once again staring at his hair.
Stop it, she told herself it's just hair. Yeah but it's bloody sexy hair. Seriously, does my brain shut down at a certain time at night? Only when you're around a very attractive Slytherin. Uh, no I definitely do not find him attractive. (AN: She'd make a terrible Hufflepuff if she doesn't FIND him of all people attractive. LOL sorry for the interruption) Okay, maybe a little but I only noticed after he started being nice. All the other girls are always going on about how hot he is I guess he kind of is…okay I think I'm slightly delusional. She therefore concluded to go to sleep in the hopes that in the morning she would not think Draco Malfoy was attractive. Unfortunately she did and it got worse as the weeks went on as she realised she may have a slight crush on him. She realised how much she enjoyed his company and how he managed to make her laugh and smile and he'd listen to her complain. He actually enjoyed her complaints on Harry and Ron. They would talk to each other during potions and in the library on all sorts of things. He really liked it when Hermione explained muggle things, especially movies. She would spend less time with Viktor, saying she had homework, which she did but she didn't need to spend much time on it.
It was going quite good, one day, a month after Draco's new hairstyle, Snape even complemented her. He said "Well done Granger, I see you can do much better when you are separated from those imbeciles you call friends." It was quite a nice thing for him to say, even if it was at the expense of her friends but that was expected of him. They carried on without their friends bothering them until about two months later, walking out of potions; Hermione dropped her things in the corridor. She knelt down to pick them up when Crabbe and Goyle walked over to her.
"Filthy mudblood can't even carry her things." Crabbe spat
"You leave her alone!" Harry shouted
"Let's help her" Goyle said as he picked up her transfiguration homework which was too far for her to have snatched from his grubby hands, and it was torn in twain. Crabbe then picked up her favourite quill and snapped it in half. Just as she was about to give then a piece of her mind Snape emerged from the classroom.
"Forty points from Slytherin and detention for you both for destruction of a student's property and the use of unnecessarily obscene language" He declared sternly "You will also pay for the damage done."
"But Professor…" Goyle began, but then he saw that McGonagall was walking towards them and had seen the whole thing. Both the accused seemed to understand that Snape had done that because McGonagall was present but Hermione didn't believe that, she felt he may have had other reasons but was unsure as to what they were. Everyone was shocked; Snape would never take points from his own house.
"I think that is a well-deserved punishment, Severus." McGonagall proclaimed
"Yes well…what are you all loitering in the halls for? He barked at the students still in shock, they quickly hurried away but Hermione was walking away slowly, trying to catch a glimpse of Draco. She had seen him standing frozen, looking conflicted as to what he should do when Crabbe and Goyle came over and now he was standing motionless, fists clenched tightly, and his jaw was clamped firmly as he glared at the two unassuming boys. Hermione eyes met his briefly and she shook her head to gesticulate she didn't want him to do anything about it but he simply turned away looking even more angry and determined.
"You ok Hermione?" Harry asked
"Yeah I'm fine."
"Snape was acting funny, I guess it's just because McGonagall would've told him off. At least they got what they deserved."
"Yeah I guess so."
Harry and Ron continued talking about all that happened but Hermione wasn't listening, she was thinking about what Draco might do. She didn't want him to get into trouble or hurt… she was just concerned because he was her friend, it was normal to to worry about friends. She ignored the anxiety and distracted herself with her work and reassured herself she would talk him out of it when she saw him after dinner.
Unfortunately, she waited in the library for half an hour but Draco didn't show up. She got up and looked around.
"Are you looking for Mr. Malfoy? Madam Pince asked when she saw Hermione searching the corridors. Hermione nodded.
"Is he your friend?"
"He's my potions partner." She replied, not wanting anyone to spread rumours that might reach his father, even though they were true.
"Oh… I think he started his homework without you. I mean he was here about an hour and a half ago and he took some books from the potions section."
"Oh ok, thank you."
Madam Pince walked off and Hermione was even more concerned because A) He was avoiding her B) He looked extremely angry and C) They didn't have any potions homework. She was too distracted to concentrate so she went to the common room and chatted with Harry and Ron. She momentarily forgot about her anxieties but when she went to her dorm she pulled out his cloak from her trunk, she could still smell his cologne but it was very faint. She didn't want her friendship with him to fade like the smell on his cloak. Why is he avoiding me? I know he must be angry with himself for not doing anything but surely he knows that I understand he couldn't? I wouldn't want him to anyway, and don't call me Shirley. Ha ha, now's not the time to be making movie references, I have to talk to him and make sure he knows I'm not mad at him.
That night she dreamt that he Avada Kedavra'd Crabbe and Goyle and was sent to Azkaban where she saw dementors circling his pale, worn out figure as he screamed "It's all her fault, that fucking mudblood!" She awoke suddenly, clutching his cloak, which she had fallen asleep holding. It was kind of creepy that she did that, she had hoped she would get over her little crush but she just seemed to like him more as time passed. She lay down again, grasping the fur-lined cloak and as she felt the silky material she was reminded by something else very silky and soft – belonging to the former owner of the garment she was holding. I'm just being paranoid…I hope. She told herself before drifting off again.
The next morning she went down to breakfast, she didn't feel like eating, she wanted to talk to Draco and thankfully they had Potions first period. She sat in between Harry and Ron and picked at the food on her plate. She saw Crabbe and Goyle walking into the Great Hall, each carrying a large pie.
"We found these in the corridor." Goyle told some Slytherin
Hermione went back to staring at her plate, wondering why someone would leave two big pies in the corridor. It reminded her of the time in second year when she told Harry and Ron to levitate chocolate cakes with sleeping potion for Crabbe and Goyle. Her eyes widened as she realised what Draco did. Swept up in the dread of what might happen to him if he poisoned them and they died, she failed to notice the commotion around her. She looked up and saw the two pies on the table, large portions were now absent, and Hermione saw blue filling spill out from them.
She looked up to see what everyone found so funny and when she saw it she laughed so hard tears escaped her eyes. Her ill-fated bullies were now swollen three times their size, were both round as a ball, and sporting a vibrant blue hue. Madam Pomfrey was called for and she rolled them to the hospital wing with the help of Professor Flitwick (Sorry, couldn't resist). Where they had to be juiced (Of course), and Snape followed.
"That was hilarious, reminds me of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." Harry said to Hermione.
"The resemblance is uncanny." She replied.
"Couldn't have been a pureblood that did it then?"
"Yeah, definitely..."
All the way to Potions everyone was discussing the breakfast scene. Hermione took her place at the back and waited for Draco to sit down.
"Hi" She greeted.
"Hello."
"I think it was brilliant" She blurted out.
"What was?"
"What you did to those two."
"You just assume it was me, is it because other than yourself no one else in this school could come up with something as brilliant as that?"
"Well there's that, and also I talked to you about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory recently, and lent you the book."
"Oh yeah I finished it now, thanks again. I'll return it tomorrow."
"You didn't have to do it, you know."
"Yes I did, it was a cowardly thing what I did yesterday. So I then chose not to stand by while someone else solves the problem." He quoted.
"It wasn't cowardly; it would've been stupid if you did something at the time. At least this way no one knows. You still didn't have to do it."
"It's what friends do, isn't it?"
"I suppose it is…thank you."
"Don't mention it."
"By the way, I wasn't mad at you or anything, I understand you felt conflicted because you wanted to help your friend, but I was worried that you would do something drastic and get hurt."
"If you don't want me to I won't."
"Okay" She smiled. "I was a bit upset that you were avoiding me, though."
"Women, so clingy" He smirked and Hermione rolled her eyes "For your information, I had to find a potion that would have the effect I wanted and that I could put into blueberry pie."
"Oh, that's why you were researching potions. I'm such an idiot, I should have realised."
"You're not an idiot, just a very stupid person." He smirked.
"Oh thanks" She rolled her eyes.
They carried on working until the end of the lesson. As everyone was packing away Snape called out Harry and Ron's names and told them to stay behind. Everyone else besides them and Hermione left.
"Oh yes, Miss Granger you may stay too." He drawled "As you all must already know of the notorious prank played on Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, I have spoken to both in the hospital wing and they claim that you two are the perpetrators."
"Why us?" Inquired Ron
"It seems only natural that you would want to avenge Miss Granger, typical Gryffindors. The young men do make a valid point, and the method used is similar to a muggle book so not a pureblood's doing."
"This is ridiculous…" Harry began.
"No need to be rude Potter." Snape snapped.
"Sir, with all due respect I believe them to be innocent." Hermione stated.
"That is all very well to go on the belief of a biased party but there is no evidence indicating otherwise. I suppose I will have to give detentions to the both of you."
"But…" they both moaned.
"No excuses, this is what happens when you try to save the damsel in distress."
"I'm not a damsel in distress." Hermione protested as Snape started writing out detention slips.
Draco was outside listening at the door and when he heard what Snape said, it made his blood boil. I'm the one who tried to save the not-damsel-in-distress. Actually I didn't try, I succeeded. I'm not letting those two dolts take the credit for my genius. He reached for the door handle but then froze as he realised if he went in there, instead of thanking him for getting them out of a detention, those two idiots would probably hex him for being friends with Hermione. He decided on a different approach.
"Excuse me Professor, I have to discuss something with you concerning today's potion." He burst in through the door.
"Can it wait? I'm giving out detentions."
"It's urgent."
"Very well" He gestured for Draco to join him in his office.
They were in there for only a few minutes, no more than five but it felt like years to the trio. Hermione knew he didn't want to talk about their potion because there was nothing wrong with it. They finally both emerged from the office, Draco slowly made his way out the door and Snape sat down and started marking papers, the detention slips lying forgotten on his desk. He looked up at the three students still standing there "What are you all still doing here? You'll be late for your next lesson. Although I suppose you enjoy losing house points." He sneered.
"But Sir what about…" Ron stumbled.
"10 points from Gryffindor for arguing and for tardiness, I'm doing your next professor a favour. Now leave."
They shuffled out the door, still confused about why Snape dropped the detention.
"Losing 10 points is much better than a detention." Ron said cheerfully.
"Definitely, I'm just a bit suspicious as to why he didn't give us detention. Also, how does he know Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? It's all very strange." Said Harry
"Maybe Potter, it's because he can't bear the pain of having to look at your repulsive faces so he'll get another professor to take your detention."
They hadn't noticed Draco was there and Ron jumped from fright which Draco snorted at.
"Why are you still here, Ferret? You went out the door at least ten seconds ago." Ron interrogated.
"Wow, the weasel can tell time. I was actually tying my shoelace ...oh wait; did you want to do it? I'm sorry I denied you the opportunity to touch my amazing self."
"Go fuck yourself Malfoy."
"Sadly I can't, which gives me great sorrow. I guess we both know what it's like to be unable to fuck someone on the same level of sexiness as me, Weasel." As he said this he winked at Hermione and walked away.
"Stupid Ferret." Harry muttered
"Yeah, we should go to lesson now." Hermione said as she walked away from them towards Draco, glad that neither of them had the same theory as to what Draco's wink meant. She was also glad that neither also failed to notice the wink or the rosy tint in her cheeks, caused by her thinking of her absurd theory.
"Why are you following me, Granger?" Draco thundered when she caught up with him, as Harry and Ron were still within earshot.
"I'm not following you; I'm going to Arithmancy class, which unfortunately you are also in." She huffed.
The turned around the corner and walked in silence and Hermione waited until she was sure no one could hear them.
"Thank you, for whatever you said to him so that he would condone the detention."
"I didn't, McGonagall's doing the detention, like I said." He lied.
Hermione looked at him with amusement and he gave in "I can't fool you."
"Nope, but what I want to know is why you did it. They aren't your friends, you don't even like them."
"Maybe I just felt like it." He shrugged.
Hermione beamed a smile at him and his heart leapt. That's why I did it.
They were about five paces away from their classroom when Hermione stopped and grabbed his hand to bring him to a standstill. He was shocked but then disappointed when the warmth of her hand was quickly removed from his.
"I wish other people knew how nice you really are, Ma-Draco." She bit her lip, having never used his first name before.
"Thanks…Hermione."
Suddenly she threw her arms around him, he was momentarily stunned but then he wrapped his arms around her, reveling in the bliss he felt. Hermione could smell the same scent that had faded from his cloak, but now it was strong as she gripped his muscular body.
They broke apart, Hermione briskly walked away; keeping her head low so that her curls hid her bright red face and Draco followed a little ways behind, still in stupefaction by her action.
An: Hope you all liked it; stupefaction is a real word in case you were wondering. Hermione is the brightest witch of her age so of course her theory is correct even if she doesn't believe it herself. Have you figured out what Draco meant?
Bye for now! Don't forget to review!