Chapter Three:
The next morning I awoke early. I sat up and looked around my room. The dark stone walls were bare, save the maroon coverings across the large window. The wall across from me had a fire place, the coals cooling down after burning all night. My bed was large with the usual four posters. The covers were maroon and the pillows gold. Across from the window were my bureau and a desk, both made of dark wood. The door to my private bathroom was in between them.
I rolled out of my bed, flinching as my bare feet touched the cold, wood floor. I walked to my bureau, pulled out my uniform and carried it to the bathroom. My feet left the wood floor for white tile and the stone walls became tile too. I walked to the glassed in shower, put my clothes on the counter and stripped before getting into the shower. I turned the water on as hot as it would go, steaming up the stall. The hot water fell over me, relaxing my muscles. I cleaned up and stepped out of the shower, wrapping a maroon towel around myself.
I used my wand to dry my hair and pulled it into a low ponytail, the end falling in messy curls. I put on my uniform, buttoning my white shirt nearly to the top and making my skirt as long as possible without altering it with magic. I put on some mascara and lip gloss and was done I went back to my room, throwing my pjs on my bed and walked to my school bag. My books were stacked on my desk, waiting to be read. I ignored them and went for a cigarette instead. I took a long smoke break outside on my wide balcony.
I stepped back in after disappearing the cigarette and realized breakfast had started. I threw on my robes and shoes, leaving my bag for later and headed for the Great Hall. Not many were eating yet and only three 5th year Gryffindors, so I sat by myself, piling eggs and bacon on my plate. Fifteen minutes later, Ron and Harry strolled in, deep in a conversation about quidditch. They sat across from me, acknowledged me and then continued talking.
As the hall started to fill up, McGonagall started handing out timetables. Mine was packed; my only break was after lunch. Harry and Ron were luckier, having three breaks. To make things worse, we had Potions first.
Down in the dungeons, 7th years were lined up. Snape opened the door and stepped out, his robes billowing behind him.
"In." he commanded.
We listened, filing into the classroom and sitting amongst ourselves in groups. I took my book out and looked at Snape.
"This year, you will be brewing difficult potions, so you shall work as partners." Snape announced. "Pairs are on the board."
He waved his wand and the board spun around. I looked through the list, groaning when I saw my partner. On the board was 'H. Granger – D. Malfoy'. I heard the others around me groaning too. I turned to glare at Malfoy, who was giving me that incredibly hot smirk. I knew he wasn't going to move, so I picked up my stuff and walked to the empty sear next to him.
"Ello mudblood." he whispered and which I ignored.
"You will be brewing Ultimato Reveltis. Who can tell me what it does?" Snape asked and I raised my hand. "Of course you can Miss Granger."
"It makes the drinker reveal their inner-most secret, sir."
"And of course, a definition almost exactly out of the book. Instructions are on the board." Snape said, moving to his desk as the class came to life.
Malfoy and I got our ingredients and started preparing them. As I stirred the light green concoction ten times clockwise, I felt Malfoy's hand on my thigh. I slapped it away and glared at him. Throughout the lesson, he did it repeatedly, making me mad.
"How would your little Slytherin friends feel if they knew you couldn't keep your hands off of me?" I hissed at him.
"They wouldn't mind. I already told them what a slut you are." he replied coolly, making me gape and be moments from jinxing him.
"Yeah right, like you'd confess to shagging a mudblood." I managed to say coolly, turning back to the potion and feeling his hot breath on my ear.
"Only when she's a damn good shag." he whispered, making me blush. "Meet me in the common room at lunch."
He pulled back and was silent the rest of the lesson. He wasn't in my next class, Ancient Runes, which I hurried off to when the bell rang. After that though was lunch, which was when I found myself heading to the common room. I opened the portrait and found Malfoy asleep on the couch. I crept slowly to my door to leave my bag in my room, hoping to escape before he awoke. I was wrong.
"I'm not asleep you know."
I turned to see him sitting on the couch, his white shirt almost completely unbuttoned.
"What do you want?" I asked timidly as he started walking towards me.
"This."
He reached for the back of my neck and pulled me into a heated kiss. After a moment of shock, I dropped my bag and kissed him back. He pulled my robes off my shoulders, his tongue assaulting mine. He pushed me backwards and through my open bedroom door. I finished unbuttoning his shirt as we stumbled to my bed. He undid my shirt and we took them off before falling on my bed.
He kissed down my neck to the top of my breasts, which I released from my bra. He toyed with my nipples while kicking off his shoes and pants, revealing his black boxers. I slipped out of my skirt and tried to unbuckle my shoes, but he quickly performed a charm that removed both my shoes and underwear. He laid in between my legs, rubbing his silk covered erection over my wet slit. He broke out fevered kiss and looked in my eyes.
"Beg for it Granger. Just beg." he said with a straining voice and his eyes clouded.
Had I not needed it so badly, I would have never given in, but then again, I needed it.
"Fuck me Malfoy. Please, just fuck me!" I cried.
He ripped off his boxers and thrusted into me with a groan. He pulled back and slammed into me with brute force, making me cry out. I pushed my hips up to meet his, my legs already wrapped around his waist. As he continued to fuck me hard, he bit on my hard nipples, making me groan loudly. I came first, screaming out as my orgasm spread through my exhausted body. A few thrusts later, he came too. He buried his face in my neck before performing a contraceptive charm. He pulled out and started to get dressed.
"I don't know what it is Granger, but I'm addicted to you."
As he left the room, I scrambled to get dressed, trying to flatten my hair. The bell rang halfway through my cigarette, but I had a break, so I took my time.
- - -
The next week passed slowly. The teachers piled homework on us in massive loads, so with my nightly rounds with my new pureblood fuck buddy, I had little time to do anything else. Harry and Ron were always either at quidditch practice or studying, so we didn't get to talk anymore. In fact, I spent all my free time shagging Malfoy or smoking.
After a long night of homework, I missed breakfast on Monday morning and hurried to potions. We were going to test our Ultimato Reveltis, but I was positive we'd done it right, so I was calm. After we filed into the class, I took my seat next to Malfoy. His hand brushed against my thigh and I blushed. Snape entered the room and scowled as he looked at us,
"You shall be testing your concoctions yourself in front of the class. I have antidotes at the ready for any mishaps." Snape said this looking at Ron and Seamus. "We'll go in alphabetical order."
Slowly, each set of partners went up, taking a gulp of the potion. I was nervous about my secret coming out, but I was worried about Malfoy's too. We found out Hannah Abbott was abused by her dad and her partner Blaise Zabini couldn't really speak Italian. Malfoy and I were fourth to go and I walked up to the front and tried to be confident.
I took my drink first and as I spoke, I could feel my back straighten as if a large weight was taken off my shoulders.
"I'm not a good girl. I drink, smoke and sleep around." I said automatically.
I heard several people gasp as I put my hand over my mouth. I looked at Ron and Harry, whose jaws were both hitting the floor. I sort of shrugged and looked away as the class started to gossip.
"Alright. Shut up! Malfoy, please drink your potion." Snape said, calming the room.
I looked at Draco as he took the drink and hoped for the best. What he said I never expected.
"I'm in love with Hermione Granger."
I gasped, Pansy fainted and Harry and Ron jumped up in protest. Malfoy looked at the ground, shuffling his feet while Snape tried to restore order.
"Potter, Weasley. Sit down. 10 Points from Gryffindor. Someone take Parkinson to the medical wing and Granger and Malfoy, sit down."
We both walked to our seats, neither looking at each other. The others stared at us throughout the lesson, but we ignored it. After everyone was done, we by far had the biggest secrets. As the bell rang, we both jumped up and were the first ones out of the class. I didn't even stop when Harry and Ron called my name, but just continued on to Ancient Runes.
I didn't pay attention much, as others were still staring at me, even people who hadn't been in Potions with me. Apparently news travels fast at Hogwarts. At lunch, I hurried to the common room and locked myself in my room. I threw myself on my bed and started to think.
'He's in love with me?! Since when!? Really?!'
My mind was racing and I was about to light a cigarette when there was a knock on my door. I put the cigarette away and walked to my door, opening it slightly. Outside of it was Malfoy, looking down at his feet, his arm on the door frame. As I opened my door wider, he looked up.
"Granger."
"Yes?"
"Can
we talk?"
"I suppose."
I opened my door wider and he stepped in, walking to my bed. I sat next to him and pulled my knees close to me.
"About earlier. In potions." he started, shakily.
"Yeah. That."
"It's true. I have for a while now."
"How long?"
"Since fifth year." he mumbled sheepishly.
"Are you being shy? The Draco Malfoy embarrassed?" I said, turning to him, smiling.
"A little." he said, looking at me too.
His eyes were clear now, not clouded with lust or anger as normal, but clear, truthful. I leaned into him slowly and he met me halfway. The kiss was tender, almost romantic, like the one at the restaurant. We pulled back, smiling slightly.
"Why?" I dared to ask.
"Because you're perfect."
"Yeah right."
"You are. You're the brightest witch our age, you're beautiful and you could care less what others think of you. And you challenge me, something no one else dares to do." he whispered before kissing me again.
I could have spent all of lunch just kissing him, but there was a banging, not a knock, at the portrait. I figured it was Harry and Ron, so I gave Malfoy a quick peck before going to let them in.
"Hermione!" Ron exclaimed.
"Care to explain about potions?!" Harry cried.
I led them to the couch as Malfoy strolled out of my room.
"Why was he in your room!?" Harry asked, pointing his finger at Malfoy
"We were talking, Harry. Now what do you want?" I asked coolly.
"What was with the whole 'I'm not a good girl' thing?! That's not you!"
"Actually, it is Harry. I've been like that for a few years now."
"Since when!?" Ron cried out.
"Well Ron, I obviously don't act like that here at Hogwarts, but over summer break, I am."
"I can't believe it."
"I don't expect you too. But I haven't questioned you guys about crying at chick flicks (Harry) or being afraid of babies (Ron)."
"Cause there's nothing to explain! I can't believe you lied to us Hermione!" Harry screamed at me.
They both stormed out of the common room, leaving me on the couch bewildered. Malfoy sat next to me and pulled me into him as I started to cry. At that moment I was so confused, because I started to think about Jesse back home, Malfoy and now Harry and Ron. Malfoy just sat with me throughout lunch and break and then kissed me gently before we separated for our next classes.
- - -
The next two weeks were hard. I had tried to explain things to Harry and Ron, but things were still awkward. On the plus side, Malfoy was paying more attention to me. We spent a lot of time talking now, not just shagging and I found he was really sweet. Potions was hard, having everyone stare at us while we worked together. Actually, the whole school looked at us weirdly, or so it seemed.
One night while Malfoy had quidditch practice, I found myself smoking a joint and drinking quite a lot of firewhiskey. I had sent a letter to Jesse using Hogwarts' Muggle Post Network, trying to explain everything, but I don't think it worked.
Jesse,
Hey, how are you doing? School is a lot of stress because of A levels (okay, NEWTS, but he didn't know that) and drama. I miss you, but I've been thinking a lot. Maybe your 'love' for me is merely infatuation. I'm not saying that it couldn't be love, but maybe it's best if you don't wait for me. I will come back, I promise, but maybe we're better off friends.
Hermione
I felt horrible as I sent it, but it needed to be done. Because, oddly, I felt myself falling for Malfoy. He could be so sweet, surprising me with flowers or just talking until the late hours of the night. The only thing wrong was he was a pureblood and I was a muggleborn. And in his family, we didn't mix well.
I took another long drink of the firewhiskey, looking out the window at the sunset. The sky was a mixture of colors, from deep purple to bright yellow and it was so beautiful. It actually brought me to tears, with the mixture of marijuana and alcohol. I turned when I heard my door open and smiled as I saw Draco standing there.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing. Why?" I asked as I snuffed my joint and put it back in the case.
"Cause you're crying." he said, walking towards me.
"Oh that. The sunset. It's just really beautiful. Want some firewhiskey?" I asked, my voice and hand shaking as I handed him the flask.
He took it and set it down on my bed before holding me close. Out of nowhere, I burst into tears. He rubbed my back softly, comforting me until I finally slowed down and could speak.
"I'm…I'm sorry. It's just that…Harry and Ron are ignoring me, and, and classes are hard."
"It's okay, Hermione." he said, sitting me on the bed. "Potter and Weasley are prats. It's as simple as that. And just remember, you're the smartest witch in our year, so all your troubles are multiplied by two for us other people who have to struggle to be half as smart as you."
I smiled and looked at him and he stroked my hair.
"Thanks. You can always make me smile."
"Good. I love to see you smile."
He leaned in and kissed me sweetly again. I kissed him back, smiling against his lips. As we pulled back, I furiously tried to wipe the tears off my face, but he stopped me and did it for me.
"Will you go to Hogsmeade with me tomorrow?" he asked.
"I'd love to."
"Good. And always remember, I love you."
"I love you too." I said before I could think about it.