(!) Silver Haze (!)

Chapter 4

"So, how well do you think this is actually going to work?" Blaise asked as he lounged across the chaise lounge in Draco's room.

"Dunno. Guess we'll just have to keep at it. Be persistent. I think they're catching on with it slowly."

"With the exception of one Ron Weasley…"

"Ah yes. Well, I think Hermione will make him realize. In time Blaise, in time."

"And you have the patience for this?"

"Well of course. Why wouldn't I?"

"Because you're you."

"Well obviously."

"You know what I mean."

Draco laughed. "I know. But Blaise, it's Hermione Granger…"

"I know who she is. What I don't know is why she is so special."

"How can you ask such a ridiculous question? She's extremely intelligent. She's beautiful. She's… way, way too good for me…"

"Did I really just hear you say that? What happened to 'She's mine.' 'I'll have her.' And all that? That's why you consider her a challenge. But only she thinks she's better than you. Or maybe she doesn't even think that anymore. You don't know. Maybe she's starting to see who you really are and likes it. Why do you think you aren't good enough?"

"Because of the past 6 years."

"But it was all song and dance. That's not you. Well, the real you."

"I know…"

"And so will Hermione. Just keep being the real Draco. Not the pompous ass that they've known since way back when."

"What if she doesn't like the real Draco?"

"Alright, lets try this, try… are you ready? Listen carefully now… confidence."

"I don't have any."

"You did with all the other girls."

"That was all 'song and dance' remember?"

"Yeah. And? If you could do it then you can do it now. Just don't be so… straight forward."

"You wanted to say obnoxious."

"Did not."

"Liar."

"So maybe I am. What? You were."

"They liked it."

"Hermione won't."

"True."

"So?"

"The real Draco it is."

"And?"

"I'll do it on my own time. And hers."

"And?"

"Not be obnoxious."

"Yes. And?"

"Be confident."

"Yes Draco. Very good."

"Do not talk to me as if I am some child."

"You are but a child my friend."

Draco threw a pillow at Blaise. "Shut up. You're just as much of one as I am."

"Well yeah." Blaise laughed. Draco joined him and talk turned to other things.

"I dunno about all this Hermione." Ron stated once again.

"I know Ron. If you are that uncomfortable then you don't have to come to our dorm anymore."

"No Hermione. I'll keep coming because I don't trust him."

"Well we're beginning to Ron. If you can't follow along then maybe you should figure out why."

"I know why Hermione. THE PAST 6 YEARS!"

"Ronald Weasley do not ever raise your voice to me."

"I just did Hermione. You won't do a damn thing about it."

"Get out."

"What?"

"Get out Ron. Now." Hermione said stiffly. Ron had an angry look plastered on his face. He turned and stormed from the common room.

"I'd better go make sure he doesn't destroy things." Harry said. "I'm sorry Hermione. I'm with you though."

"Thank you." Harry turned and followed Ron's path. Ginny and Hermione plopped down on the couch.

"I dunno what's gotten into him. He never used to have a temper like this." Hermione said.

"I know. I think it's stress from what's happened."

"I suppose you're right. At any rate, want to help me write some music?"

"Well of course."

"Shh. You hear that?" Draco said to Blaise.

"What?"

"Listen." The two listened carefully. Music could be heard from outside Draco's door. A female voice drifted into the music. The boys listened to Hermione sing.

"She's good." Blaise said quietly.

"Yeah. She's amazing."

"Let's go." Blaise said standing. Draco popped up off his bed.

"What?"

"Lets. Go."

"Out there?"

"No Draco. To Australia."

"We can't go out there. She'll stop."

"And she'll start again. I wanna talk to her."

"Blaise."

"Chill. I'm just gonna talk about music." Blaise said as he opened the door. Draco followed him out. Hermione and Ginny looked up as they walked toward them.

"Was I playing too loudly?" Hermione asked.

"No. We actually wanted to hear more." Blaise responded as he sat in the chair across from Hermione. The only spot left for Draco was on the couch next to Hermione.

"Yeah. Continue please." Draco said sitting down. Hermione looked at him and shared a look with Ginny.

"Okay.. Well. This is just something we've started writing. I'm almost done, actually. It's called 'If It Means A Lot To You'. It's got both male and female vocal parts."

"Start with the female vocals." Blaise said leaning forward. He has a curious look on his face so Hermione picked up her guitar and began.

'Hey sweetie. Well I need you here tonight. And I know that you don't wanna be leavin me. Yeah, you want it. But I can't help. I just feel complete when you're by my side. But I know you can't come home till they're singin, La La La La La La La.'

"Then this is where the male vocal come in. And he starts the song. It's predominately male, but the female vocals come in too."

"Draco pick up those lyrics. Hermione, can you start from the beginning?" Blaise requested.

"Uh.. Sure." Hermione began to strum. "I'll give you the intro and a bar.

"Okay." Draco smiled at Hermione. She gave a small smile back and continued.

'Hey darling. I hope you're good tonight. And I know you don't feel right when I'm leavin. Yeah I want but no I don't need it. Tell me something sweet to get me by. Cuz I can't come back home til they're singin La La La La La La La. Till everyone is singin.

If you can wait till I get home. Then I swear to you that we can make this last. La la la. If you can wait till I get home. Then I swear come tomorrow this will all be in our past. It might be for the best."

Hermione kept playing and began singing the female vocals. Then Draco joined in on Hermione's cue.

'If you can wait till I get home, then I swear to you we can make this last. If you can wait till I get home, then I swear this will all be in our past. Well it might be for the best."

"You know you can give me what I need. And even though you mean so much to me. I can wait through everything."

"Is this really happening? I swear I'd never be happy again. And don't you dare say we can just be friends. I'm not some boy that you can sway."

"We knew it'd happen eventually." Hermione and Draco sang in perfect harmony.

Hermione stopped. "This is the part where more voices come in. One other one would be sufficient. Those voices would sing la la la la la la. And the lead male voice would sing over them. See?"

"Hermione. That's a gorgeous song." Draco said.

"Thanks…"

"You would be excellent in Silver Haze. We need you." Blaise stated.

"You need me?"

"Yes. We do. You're loads better than our last girl."

"Well…" Hermione glanced at Ginny who nodded slightly. "Alright. I"ll give it a go."

"Fantastic. It'll be worth it." Draco grinned.

They continued to discuss music and trade lyrics and riffs for the next couple of hours. There were even a few shared laughs and flirting glances between the girls and boys.

"Well, I'd better get back before my dolt of a brother sends out search parties."

"Right. Well I'll see you at breakfast Gin. Night."

"Night."

"Goodnight Ginny." Draco offered.

"Wait, I'll walk you." Blaise said jumping up and walking toward her.

"Um.. Okay.." Ginny and Hermione exchanged glances.

"Night Draco, Hermione. I'll see you tomorrow." Blaise and Ginny left. Hermione was a bit uneasy seeing as to this new civil thing had only just begun. Not that Ginny couldn't very well take car of herself though.

"So. Tonight was fun." Draco said trying to make conversation.

"Yes."

"Would you like to have a snack before bed?"

"What?"

"I can make a mean dip with some tortilla chips."

"You cook?"

"Well, if you use magic is it still cooking?"

"I suppose. Is it your own recipe?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Well, then I suppose."

"Great. So how about it?"

"Sure…"

"Come with me." Draco almost danced into the kitchen. "Now. You'll need a few ingredients from the fridge. And a bowl. And… a spoon." Draco collected the ingredients on the counter. "Now. You add all these things in and mix them up. But, the secret to the deliciousness is hot sauce."

"Hot sauce?"

"Hot sauce. It gives it just the slightest kick. Here, try." Draco offered her a bite and Hermione looked at him hesitantly. "Come on. I didn't poison it or anything." Hermione took a bite and it was slightly like heaven in her mouth.

"Wow."

"I know right?" Draco and Hermione finished the dip and cleaned up their mess.

"I'm off to bed. I'll see you tomorrow Draco." Hermione said turning toward him from the table. Draco thought for a split second and walked over wrapping Hermione in an embrace.

"Goodnight Hermione."