Author's Note: I really like this chapter. It took me a while to write, but the end result is worth it. So go read... now!
Chapter Four: Rainbows and Butterflies
"The sheer audacity! Honestly, the man thinks he can have whatever he wants! He won't, however, be getting me!" Hermione declared vehemently.
Although Ginny had been riveted when she heard the news about Malfoy's new fixation on Hermione, she was now slightly less attentive after lying on Hermione's bed and hearing her vent for over an hour.
"Hermione, I've been listening to you go on and on for over an hour now, so may I say something?"
Hermione sighed.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to go on so long. Of course you can say something."
"I think you fancy Malfoy. Why else would you get so riled up like this?"
Hermione was outraged.
"How can you even think that? That's absolutely insane! I could never be attracted to someone like- like- like him! He's vile! Despicable! Arrogant! The mere sight of him-"
"Shush!"
"I'm sorry, Ginny. I didn't mean to start up again-"
"No, not that. Shhh! Listen. Do you hear that?" Ginny had sat up on the bed and was frozen in place, listening carefully.
"I don't hear anything," Hermione said.
"It's a constant thud. Don't you hear it?" Ginny said.
She began tapping her finger to the rhythmic thudding. That's when Hermione finally heard it. It was steadily growing louder and faster.
"I think it's coming from the common room," Hermione whispered.
Ginny crawled off the bed and made her way across the room. She slowly creaked the door open.
"There's no one out there," she said.
Hermione followed her out to the common room.
"Where's it coming from?" Hermione asked, the thudding even louder than before.
"Oh my god," Ginny whispered, staring in the direction of Malfoy's room.
"What?" Hermione whispered back.
But then she heard a low moan coming from the same source of the rhythmic thudding. Her eyes snapped to Malfoy's door.
"He's not-"
"Oh, yes he is," Ginny finished for her.
Grinning mischievously, Ginny quickly tiptoed to Malfoy's door.
"Ginny! What are you doing?" Hermione hissed.
Ginny's grin only grew wider as she pressed her ear to the door. Her mouth opened in shock and she started silently giggling.
Convincing herself that she only wanted to drag Ginny away from the door and not eavesdrop on Malfoy having sex, Hermione crept towards Ginny and started beckoning her to back away.
Suddenly, Ginny's jaw dropped, and her expression froze in a state of awe. Giving in to curiosity, Hermione hurried over and pressed her ear to the door. What she heard made her jaw drop as well.
Moans of pleasure reached Hermione's ears causing a tumultuous wave of emotions to rush through her. Among disgust, shock, and anger was a very unfamiliar, twisted sort of fury. Who was moaning with pleasure in Malfoy's arms? Who was giving him the same pleasure?
Suddenly, there was a stirring of bodies and clothing coming from within Malfoy's room. Her fury set aside for the moment (but certainly not forgotten), Hermione and Ginny scurried as quickly and as silently as possible back to Hermione's room. Leaving a slight crack in the door, the two girls watched Malfoy step out of his room to be followed by-
Pansy! Hermione raged. But then again, why wouldn't Malfoy want her! she thought bitterly. A Slytherin! A Blonde! A Slut! How can a man want her and me at the same time! How revolting!
Still fuming, Hermione watched the lovers kiss and fondle each other one last time before Pansy bid Malfoy adieu and scampered off. Meanwhile, Malfoy, clad in a silky green dressing robe, went to stand before the fireplace.
"Well, I guess I'll be going then," Ginny whispered as she opened the door.
Malfoy looked up just in time to see Hermione emerging from her room right behind Ginny.
"Later, Hermione," Ginny said, quirking an eyebrow at Malfoy as she left.
He stared curiously after her before settling his gaze on Hermione's furious expression.
"Someone stick a wand up your ass, Granger?" Malfoy drawled.
"N-No!" she sputtered, completely taken aback by his crudeness.
"Then why are you staring daggers at me?" he asked.
"Because you were having sex!" Hermione hissed, not fully believing that she was having this conversation.
"And?" Malfoy replied, looking nonplussed.
"And- I don't appreciate you doing that while I'm here!"
A hint of a smirk graced Malfoy's lips.
"Jealous, Granger?"
"Of course not!" she snapped. She took a steadying breath. "I just don't appreciate that sort of behavior. I find it quite repulsive, and I would prefer that you do it somewhere else because I refuse to live in a brothel!"
Hearing silence, Malfoy stopped studying his manicured nails and looked up at Hermione expectantly.
"Is that all? Because I'd really like to take a bath now-"
"Why did you sleep with Pansy?" she asked suddenly.
Malfoy now had a full smirk on his face.
"For one thing, she has a nice ass, and her breasts-"
"That's not what I meant!" Hermione interjected. "I mean, how could you possibly sleep with her when- I mean, you said you want me, so-"
"How could I sleep with Pansy even though I'm pursuing you?" Malfoy provided.
Hermione blushed.
"Well- yes,"she said matter-of-factly, raising her chin defiantly.
Malfoy chuckled.
"This isn't a romantic courtship, Granger. I was horny. You weren't available, so I called on the next best thing," he explained casually.
Hermione was rooted to the spot with fury as Malfoy strutted back into his room and into the bathroom to his awaiting bath.
"You said that?" Blaise asked incredulously later that night.
"Yes," Malfoy answered bitterly.
Blaise sniggered.
"You certainly know how to charm the ladies."
Malfoy glared at him.
"It's her fault. She's so pissy every time I see her," he complained.
"I'm sure asking her if she has a wand stuck up her ass doesn't exactly thrill her," Blaise replied sarcastically.
Malfoy rolled his eyes.
"Think about it, mate," Blaise said. "You don't have to give up being the senseless prick you are, but acting a bit friendlier towards the little bookworm wouldn't hurt the situation," he reasoned.
Malfoy heaved a dramatic sigh.
"Fine. I'll give the friendly approach a try," he bit out reluctantly.
Blaise smirked.
"This should be good."
Hermione was still upset by lunch the next day and decided to study in the library. As she scanned the shelves for books, she slowly began to relax. She loved the library. It was quiet and organized and always made her feel calm.
Dragging her finger along the shelf, she stopped at a rather large leather-bound book. Reading the title and growing curious, she had just started pulling it off the shelf when-
"Hello, Granger."
Hermione jumped out of fright and accidentally dropped the book, which fell to the ground with a loud thump at Malfoy's feet. Madam Pince immediately came charging around the corner.
"What was that noise?" Madam Pince whispered furiously.
Malfoy bent over and effortlessly picked up the large leather-bound book.
"I accidentally dropped this," he replied.
"Please handle the books a bit more carefully," she snapped.
Eyeing them both menacingly, she marched away with her nose in the air and disappeared around the corner.
Heaving the book out of Malfoy's arms, Hermione replaced it on the shelf and stood glaring at him.
"What is it this time, Malfoy? Have you come to insult me or to try and seduce me? Because I won't stand for either."
Malfoy casually leaned his shoulder against the shelf.
"Try and seduce? Sorry Granger, but I don't try."
Hermione groaned and started to walk off, but Malfoy grabbed her arm.
"One kiss, Granger. One kiss and I will never bother you again."
"Care to put that in writing and sign it in blood?" she said, smirking.
"Funny, Granger. Are you going to kiss me or not?"
Hermione couldn't keep the devious smile off her face.
"I think... not," she replied airily, dancing out of his reach.
"You're scared."
Hermione slowly turned around.
"Really? Scared of what, exactly?"
"You're scared of kissing me because you know you want me," he stated all-knowingly.
"I'm not scared, and for the last time, I'm not attracted to you."
"Prove it then. Prove that you aren't attracted to me."
Hermione had a moment of indecision before deciding to get it over with.
"Oh fine," she said, completely exasperated.
Looking to make sure no one was around, she hastily pecked Malfoy on the lips, immediately rubbing her mouth on the back of her hand afterwards. She folded her arms and stared regally back at him.
"There, I did it. Satisfied?"
Malfoy looked disgusted.
"You call that a kiss?"
Malfoy grabbed Hermione by the elbow and began steering her past rows and rows of books. Soon they had reached the farthest corner of the library in the Muggle History section, where hardly anyone ever ventured.
Hermione was slightly out of breath when Malfoy finally stopped and turned towards her, forcing her to back into the shelves.
"Why'd you drag me back here?" she snapped.
"So I can show you how to kiss properly," Malfoy replied huskily.
"Kiss properly? But I-"
Hermione forgot what she was going to say as Malfoy's lips came crashing down on hers in an almost bruising kiss. Torn between shock, outrage, and pain, Hermione tore her mouth away from his and lifted her palms to his chest to push him away. But the feel of his heart pounding rapidly beneath her hand stopped her.
Hearing his ragged breathing, Hermione slowly raised her gaze from his chest and found his eyes. Usually cold and gray, they were now liquid pools of silver. His heated gaze held hers before traveling slowly down to her lips. Hermione suddenly felt reckless. She stepped closer, this time welcoming his kiss.
His lips moved passionately against hers, and once again, Hermione felt her back press against the shelves as Malfoy pressed his body against hers. Somehow wanting to feel more of him, she wrapped her arms around his neck and fitted herself to the lean contours of his body. She gasped when she felt his tongue touch her lips, granting him full access to her mouth. The bold and intimate caress of his tongue against hers shocked Hermione.
She immediately broke the kiss, catching Malfoy off guard as she pushed him away. Lifting her hand to her mouth, she felt her swollen lips, staring at Malfoy all the while as if he had burned her with his searing kiss. She gained small satisfaction in the fact that Malfoy looked just as unsettled.
The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch and snapping both of them out of their trance. Hermione turned and ran, not looking back and trying not to think about what had just happened.
Unfortunately, it was all she could think about during her afternoon classes. She didn't raise her hand at all during Transfiguration, nor during Charms, which worried Ron and Harry tremendously. They snuck furtive glances at her and exchanged worried expressions, all the while not knowing the turmoil unraveling in Hermione's brain.
What ungodly force had come over her? Everything had happened so fast and had seemed so surreal; Hermione could hardly differentiate it from a dream...
More like a nightmare! she thought vehemently. What was she supposed to do now? After that kiss, Malfoy would be even more zealous in his attempt to seduce her. And now that he had succeeded in kissing her, Hermione wasn't so sure she would be able to resist if he tried to do so again...
Hermione skipped dinner that night, her feet automatically leading her to the library. Realizing where she was going, she stopped and turned in the opposite direction. Damn Malfoy. The one place where she could find solace, and he had to contaminate it.
Resigning herself to the depressing idea of spending the night studying in her room alone, Hermione set off towards her dormitories. Not wanting to think about any of the day's events, she tried forcing every thought from her mind, which only gave her a pounding headache. Finally, she broke the pathetic dam holding the thoughts back and let them wash through her.
She could once again feel Malfoy's body against her. She remembered every detail of the kiss... the feel of his lips... the taste... So wrapped up in the memory, she didn't hear Ron calling her name until he was right beside her.
"Hermione!" Ron practically yelled, startling her.
"Are you growing deaf?" he asked jokingly.
Blushing furiously, Hermione fished around for a plausible excuse.
"I'm sorry, Ron. I was just thinking about N.E.W.T.S. and- and how they will basically determine the rest of my life. You know, that sort of thing," she finished lamely.
Ron threw her a nervous glance.
"Yeah. Me and Harry have been kind of worried about you. We think you're over-working yourself." He cleared his throat. "But that's not why I came to talk to you."
"It's not?"
"No. I actually wanted to- er- to talk to you about the- er- Willyougotothecostumeballwithme?"
"What?"
Ron laughed nervously and took a deep breath.
"Hermione, will you go the costume ball... with me?"
Hermione said the first thing that came to her stunned mind.
"Yes," she replied faintly.
Ron beamed at her ecstatically, his ears turning scarlet.
"Really? I mean, bloody hell! Thanks!" he exclaimed stupidly.
Hermione was about to say something along the lines of "No problem" but didn't get the chance as Ron leaned in and kissed her. Unlike Malfoy's kiss, Ron's was soft and slobbery and over before Hermione knew what was happening.
Ron pulled his face away from hers and just stood there staring dreamily back at her.
"I've wanted to do that for so long," he murmured, grinning happily.
Hermione plastered a fake smile on her face.
"I'll see you later then," he said wistfully.
Hermione nodded her head absently as Ron trotted off, grinning back at her once before turning a corner.
Malfoy sat in the common room and swirled a bottle of firewhisky in his hands, watching the flames from the fire play against the amber liquid. He was suddenly reminded of a pair of eyes... the same golden eyes that had haunted him since the train ride to Hogwarts.
Resting his head back against the sofa, Malfoy sighed and recalled the way he had lost control looking into those eyes. He didn't like it. He didn't like not having control. He didn't like the way his body responded to her mere presence. Never had a single kiss affected him so much. He was now determined to have her...
At that moment, Malfoy's prey entered the common room. Expecting her to rush to her room in order to avoid him, he was shocked to see her plop down on the sofa across from him instead. He was even more shocked when she didn't scold him for having liquor in the common room. He almost felt concerned when she continued to stare straight ahead as if in a daze.
"Granger, you're scaring me. What? Did you fail an exam?"
Hermione burst into tears.
"Bloody hell, Granger. I was just joking."
She continued to cry.
"Aren't you going to yell at me for having firewhisky?"
She started to sob loudly. Malfoy shifted uncomfortably.
"Do you want to- er- talk about it?"
Hermione shook her head and continued to sob.
Thinking that she might be suffering from extreme mood swings, Malfoy stood up and cautiously edged towards her. He then offered her the bottle of firewhisky. Hermione grabbed it greedily and took an enormous gulp. Malfoy watched as she coughed furiously after choking on the strong liquor.
"Jesus, Granger. What's wrong with you?" he asked, dying to hear what could have unglued the uptight bookworm to this extent.
"Everything!" she sobbed, taking another swig and coughing some more.
Malfoy waited expectantly.
"Could you be a bit more general, Granger? I don't think I'm grasping the bigger picture here," he joked sarcastically.
Hermione did something that she had never done in Malfoy's presence. She laughed. However, after taking another large gulp of firewhisky, she started sobbing again.
"This was supposed to be my year!" she whined. She took another long gulp and then continued.
"I could handle N.E.W.T.S. I could handle being Head Girl. But then you happened! And then that kiss happened! And then Ron happened!"
"Weasle? What happened with Weasle?" Malfoy asked sharply.
Hermione was now growing quite fond of the taste of firewhisky and downed another mouthful.
"After six years of waiting and bickering, Ron chose today of all days to ask me to the costume ball. Right out of the blue! He just came up and asked me out of nowhere. And then he kissed me! And it wasn't anything like yours! Your kiss was just..."
Hermione slowly slid down on the sofa and sighed.
"...you know? But Ron's kiss was... I dunno. I mean, I don't have a brother, but if I did have a brother, it would be like kissing him. It was wrong," she whimpered, taking another sip.
"But that's not right!" she suddenly exclaimed. "It was supposed to be Harry and Ginny! And then me and Ron! Not me and you! No! I'm supposed to be attracted to Ron! Not my worst enemy!"
A lot of firewhisky later...
"Let me see if I'm fully comprehending what you've been babbling on about," Malfoy drawled. "You had this fairytale notion that, in the end, Potter and Little Weasle would fall in love. And then, you and Big Weasle would fall in love and that the four of you would live happily ever after in a big one-room house. However, when Big Weasle finally made his move, it wasn't all rainbows and butterflies like you had expected. And to complicate matters further, you're attracted to me."
"Exactly," Hermione said brightly. She gasped. "I just realized something!"
"What?" Malfoy asked, grinning.
Hermione stumbled over to his couch, plopped down beside him, and motioned him to come close as if she were a three-year-old wanting to tell a secret.
"I just realized... I shouldn't be telling you any of this," she whispered, giggling.
Malfoy chuckled and leaned in closer.
"Don't worry, Granger. You're secret's safe with me," he said with mock gravity, placing a hand over his heart.
Hermione snorted and went into another fit of giggles.
"Malfoy, I don't trust you any farther than I can drop you. No wait- any farther than I can kick you! No- strangle you! Wait- what was I saying?" Hermione mumbled, her speech starting to slur.
"You don't trust me," Malfoy provided.
"That's right! And I shouldn't! You are a very bad boy! You're extremely rude too! I don't like the way you organize your books the same way I do! And I don't like how you make me feel!"
Malfoy didn't like what sitting close to her was doing to his body.
"How do you feel?" he asked hoarsely.
Hermione's bleary eyes looked into his.
"You make me feel restless... No, relentless... Oh, what's the word? Like dangerous or something..."
"Reckless? Rebellious?"
Hermione looked pensive.
"I think I meant the first one you said, but I'll take both," she replied.
Malfoy actually laughed.
"So I make you feel reckless and rebellious?" he asked, his laughter subsiding.
"Yes... and then I want to..."
"Want to what?" he asked leaning closer.
"I want to kiss you... even though I shouldn't..."
Malfoy stroked her cheek.
"Why shouldn't you?" he murmured.
Between drunkenness and the wild sensations Malfoy was giving her as he dragged his thumb across her bottom lip, Hermione couldn't possibly think.
"I can't remember," she whispered faintly.
Malfoy pulled her to him.
"Perhaps this will jog your memory," he rasped, kissing her hungrily.
Hermione melted against him and responded quite eagerly to his kiss. Malfoy soon had her lying beneath him on the long sofa...
It would be so easy to take her now, he thought. His kissed turned more feverish. He wanted her bad enough to take her then and there.
It would be so easy...
Malfoy tore his mouth away from hers and slowly pulled both of them up to a sitting position. He could do a hell a lot better than this...
Hermione didn't seem to notice that they had stopped kissing... or that they had been kissing. She yawned very loudly and leaned her head against Malfoy's shoulder.
"I'm sleepy," she murmured tiredly.
Malfoy stood up.
"Come on, Granger," he said, pulling her up.
Hermione stumbled forward into his arms. Realizing that she couldn't walk, Malfoy picked her up and carried her to her room.
He placed her on the bed and debated on whether or not to change her into nightclothes. Although he thought it would be hilarious to see Hermione's expression when she woke up and realized that he had changed her, his pride decided against it.
So he settled on taking off her school robes and shoes. Leaving her in a plain gray, pleated skirt, a white blouse, and matching gray socks, Malfoy lifted her up just enough to get her under the sheets. Her eyes blinked open in the process.
"What are you doing?" she asked groggily.
"I'm tucking you into bed... as fucked up as that is," he replied, bringing the covers up to her chin and stepping away.
"You said the 'f' word," she pouted.
"Go to sleep, Granger."
Hermione rolled on her side, facing him.
"I still hate your hair," she murmured defiantly before passing out.
"So?"
"So what?"
"So what happened next?" Blaise snapped impatiently.
"Nothing," Malfoy replied.
"Nothing? Granger was all over you and you didn't shag her senseless right then and there?"
"She was drunk!" Malfoy protested.
Blaise was shocked.
"I can't believe it. You've gone soft!"
"No, I haven't!"
"Oh, yes you have, Mr. Softie!"
Malfoy glared at him.
"Blaise, the only reason I didn't shag Granger senseless tonight was a matter of pride. When I finally get that little bookworm in my bed, she'll be sober and willing."
Blaise looked skeptical.
"So you not shagging her senseless had nothing to do with you not wanting to take advantage of a drunken woman? Because you never had a problem with it before-"
"They were prostitutes! And I paid them afterwards!" Malfoy yelled defensively.
Blaise raised his hands in mock surrender.
"Whatever you say, ol' chap. You know, I'm actually surprised Granger didn't pass out sooner. From what you've told me, she drank a lot of firewhisky. Come to think of it, I'm surprised she drank at all."
"Weasle finally made his move. She was hysterical."
"Well that complicates things a bit for you, doesn't it?"
Malfoy laughed.
"Weasle is no threat, I assure you. She said it was like kissing her brother. Besides, she wants me. She said so herself. That's why she was so upset. It's only a matter of time now," Malfoy said confidently, sighing in a self-satisfied manner.
Blaise lazily flicked a piece of imaginary lint off his robes.
"There's only two weeks left of September," he stated casually.
Malfoy smirked.
"I have to admit that I was a bit worried after the first week."
"No! You? The most arrogant son of a bitch alive?" Blaise joked.
"'Tis true, my friend," Malfoy conceded. "My confidence failed me. But now I know Granger wants me, so there's nothing in my way."
"Except Granger. I dunno, Mr. Softie. Drunk might be the only way you can have her."
"Fuck off, Zabi."
End of Chapter Note: Ok, my original nickname for Blaise was Zambi… it was the wee hours of the morning and that's what came to me. But now I've changed it to Zabi because I everyone thinks that I think that Blaise's surname is Zambini and not Zabini… So just to clear up confusion, I changed it. Moving on…