Disclaimer: We don't own anything Harry Potter related, though we wish we did. Hehe.
P.S. I would like to say, the Orange-back Chemlosi's are not real, the name came from the top of my head, and unless JK Rowling has access to my brain, and the power to give people ideas, then she has not ever heard of this thing. Her-My-Oh-Knee
Till There Was You Draco's POVDraco tentatively pulled Hermione close to him as she wiped her eyes on his shoulder. "Oh Hermione." Draco whispered. With her head resting on his shoulder, eyes closed, he couldn't imagine her looking any more beautiful. He drew toward her slowly until their lips were nearly inches apart. She slowly opened her eyes, and as she met his gaze Draco faltered, and awkwardly kissed her on the cheek.
Hermione looked at him with an expression he couldn't interpret. Was it confusion? Relief? Or could... could she possibly be... dissapointed?
Draco looked off in the distance, avoiding her gaze, but held her to him tighter. He needed to think.
Later, Draco lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
I was going to kiss her. I was going to kiss Hermione. Draco thought, still surprised with himself. What would have happened if I had? Would she have gotten mad at me? Or would she want to? Does she like me? Draco laughed to himself. I feel like I'm in my second year again. 'Does she like me? Do I like her?' Draco rolled his eyes at himself.
Draco glanced at his watch, and sighed. It was late, and he didn't want to sleep in too long tomorrow. He rolled over, and closed his eyes, images of her floating through his mind like scenes on the screen of a silent movie.
Hermione's POVHermione woke early the next morning, with an undeniable gush of ecstacy pulsing through her. Why am I so happy? She asked herself, trying to clear her foggy mind. Oh...now I remember. He kissed me! Hermione bit her lip to hold back a silly grin. Well, he almost kissed me. But still, it was amazing. Hermione sat up and hugged herself. Gosh look at me. Head over heels. Hermione laughed quietlyandrolled out of bed, slipped her feet into her soft slippers, and prodded down to the bathroom to get ready for the day.
Hermione walked into the Great Hall, unconsciously scanning the room for Draco like she did every morning. She couldn't spot him and decided it was just as well, for she had a book to read whilst she ate and would otherwise be distracted. Hermione got a light breakfast and sat down at the table, opening the book she had brought with her, The History of Hogsmeade, which had been a gift from Harry. Suddenly, she felt a cold hand on her shoulder. Hermione looked up quickly, expecting to see Draco, but saw it was Professor McGonagoll.
"Good morning, Miss Granger." She said in her elevated manner.
Hermione smiled cheerily at the teacher. "Hello Professor McGonagoll."
The teacher nodded her head curtly. "Miss Granger, when you are done with your breakfast, I would like to see you in my office."
Hermione nodded, going back to her book. "Of course, Professor."
The teacher nodded again, and the left the large room, leaving Hermione to finish eating.
Hermione quickly ate her breakfast, and then hurried to Professor McGonagoll's office.
She knocked on the heavy wood door, and hearing the permission to enter, opened the door to the dimly lit room. Professor McGonagoll was seated at her desk, and when Hermione entered the room, she nodded to a seat opposite of her. "Please sit down, Hermione."
Hermione sat, slightly nervous.
"Miss Granger, I have been meaning to talk to you, but I'm afraid I haven't quite found the time." The professor said. "How have you been adjusting, back in classes, and other things?" Proffesor McGonagoll asked, shuffling with her papers.
Hermione shrugged. "Fine, just the same as before."
The teacher nodded, still not meeting Hermione's gaze. "And your feeling well, no dizzy spells or anything?"
Hermione shook her head. "No, not at all." Is this all she wanted to talk to me about...?
Professor McGonagoll nodded distractedly, and Hermione got the feeling that she hadn't been listening to her at all. "Hermione, I need to ask you something." There was a knock at the door and Hermione looked at the professor, expectantly. "Leave it. Hermione, what I needed to ask you was," She cleared her throat. "Are you and Draco Malfoy dating?"
Hermione head shot up. "What? Um... no, not re- well, no we aren't." Hermione looked at her suspiciously. "And would you care to tell me why that would that be any of your concern? I don't really think it's really any of your business."
The teacher looked at her, eyebrows slightly raised. "It's not only me. All of the teachers have noticed you hanging around Mr. Malfoy more than usual. It's a bit troubling to us..."
Hermione sat up straight as a board, a feeling of heated anger building inside her. "I can take care of myself, Professor."
Proffesor McGonagoll looked at her sadly. "I know, Hermione. All I'm doing is warning you. Draco Malfoy is his fathers son, and in their case, that is not a good thing. Be careful with him, Hermione."
It took all Hermione could muster to keep her from bursting out at the teacher. "Why thank you Professor. I really don't know what I could've done without that piece of advice. You know, I might have gone on in life thinking that people actually deserve second chances. Hah. Silly me." She stood up abruptly and glared at the teacher who stood there silently and somewhat shell-shocked. She turned to the door, muttering a feeble apology and strutting out the door. Hermione turned the corner and walked into Draco. She didn't say anything, just buried her head in his chest, silent tears streaming down her cheeks.
Draco's POV
Draco wrapped his arms around her protectively and didn't say a word. Judging from the direction she'd come from, Hermione had just been in McGonagall's office. He decided to ask her about it later. Other people where passing in the halls, giving them odd looks, but Draco didn't care. He led her down the halls to an empty classroom, and closed the door behind them. Hermione was still clinging to him, tears running down her cheeks.
"What's wrong, Hermione?" Draco asked quietly, brushing her curly hair out of her eyes.
She took a deap shuddering breath. "McGonagoll. She wanted to me to talk with her this morning. I thought she just wanted to see how I was doing, to see if I was alright." Tears gathered in her eyes again. "It turns out she just wanted to warn me against you. To tell me that you are you fathers son."
Draco looked down, and bit his cheek. He looked at her, and put his hand on her shoulders. "Hermione, people change-."
She nodded earnestly. "I know! I told her that, but she didn't...well she actually didn't get to respond..." She giggled a bit in spite of herself.
Draco looked at her suspiciously but then grinned. "People don't like to believe in change. It's not her fault, Hermione.Especially older people... they don't like to believe that people can be different." He looked at her in the eyes. "Alright? It's not her fault."
Hermione gave him a watery smile. "Okay."
Draco returned the smile warmly. "Christmas is coming Hermione... why don't we go to Hogsmeade with the rest of the group? We can do some shopping for gifts."
Hermione smiled. "Sure."
Draco grinned, and stood and offered her his arm. "Madam, si vous souhaitez."
She took it, giggling slightly. "Monsieur, être en tête."
Hermione's POV
Hermione and Draco wandered aimlessly through the streets of Hogsmeade;buying little trinkets and sharing bits of candy as well as trying to avoid Luna Lovegood, who was trying to convince them that Orange-backed Chemlosi's did in fact exist. Usually Hermione would politely let Luna explain, but she really didn't feel like it. For now she was going to enjoy herself.
The last rays of sunlight were leaving the sky, and Hermione had finished all of her Christmas shopping. The two began to walk back to the school and through the large doors.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Hermione." Draco said, giving her a hug.
Hermione smiled up at him. "Good night."
She walked back the common room, and plopped down on an armchair next to Harry, sighing in content. She looked over at Harry lazily and noticed Ron sitting, miserable, in the next seat over. Hermione gave Harry a questioning look, which he answered with a slight roll of the eyes. Ron must have been venting about his situation with Lavender, she guessed. They were in the middle of a nasty break-up, in the stage where they both bored their friends with recollections of how they used to be so happy with each other and blah blah blah and now Ron didn't even care about her or vise versa, but of course didn't even acknowledge each other for, oh, a week or so. This was the most nauseating part of the phase for their friends. But after a while, there was the inevitable reunion preceded by a heart-felt and often loud profession of their love for the other, how they couldn't live without the other, et cetera. Hermione knew it well. It had only happened in this exact fashion three or four times before.
Hermione mentally vowed to stay for only twenty or so minutes, long enough to not seem rude when she finally got up to leave, but short enough of a time so that she didn't lose her sanity.
"Hey Hermione, have fun in Hogsmeade?" Harry asked, obviously trying to change the subject from what it had previously been.
Hermione nodded. "Yep, I've finished all my Christmas shopping. How about you two, all done?"
Harry nodded. "Yah, I got it all."
Ron, who was sitting on the couch, shook his head grumpily. "No. I forgot to get something for Fred and George."
Hermione looked at him with as much sympathy as she could muster. "Sorry. Maybe yo-"
The redhead cut her off, eagerly turning the subject back to his preferred topic. "That's probably why Lavender broke up with me. I bet she wants a guy that just gives her stuff, all the time! Sniff Well I don't have the money for that. And it's not fair to ask that of me. I can't believe her! ...And she never appreciated what I would do for her sniff all the time..."
His friends sat patiently, pretending to care, until 10:30 when McGonagoll came and told everyone to go bed. Hermione and Harry gratefully stood up to go to bed and were nearly out of the room when McGonagall cleared her throat meaningfully.
"Hermione, please wait a moment." The girl stopped, and stiffly turned around.
The Head of House came over to Hermione. "I would like to apologize for this morning. I was a little forward in expressing my thoughts. You do have a good sense of judgement, so I should have expected that you wouldn't dive into a relationship without regarding the boy's past."
Hermione nodded slowly. "Thanks for the apology." She sighed. "I hope you don't mind me saying though, that this school has something to learn about tolerance. And allowing for second chances. A legacy isn't all that makes a person."
Professor McGonagoll put a hand on Hermione's shoulder, surprising her. "I am very sorry for my actions, and everyone else's."
Hermione nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, Professor. Good night."
The next morning, Hermione went down to breakfast with Harry and Ron. Everyone that was going home for the holidays was leaving after breakfast. Hermione normally went home for Christmas, but her parents had decided to come to her instead. They would be staying at a inn in Hogsmeade, and would leave the day after Christmas, to go visit Hermione's aunt in London.
Harry and Ron would both be going to the Weasley's. Hermione had been invited, but had chosen to stay at Hogwarts. "Hermione, will you be alright?" Ron asked, genuinely concerned instead of obviously thinking about Lavender.
Hermione rolled her eyes, grinning. "Of course, Ronald. I will be perfectly fine. My parents will be here tomorrow, and Draco's here."
Ron raised his eyebrows slightly, muttering something under his breath, causing Harry to elbow him in the gut.
Just then, Professor Dumbledore stood up. "Everyone who is going on the train needs to be at he station in twenty minutes."
Hermione escorted the two to the station and stood there waving until the train had nearly disappeared into the misty morning air.
"Happy Christmas, Hermione." A familiar voice said from behind her.
Hermione turned, to see Draco standing behind her. "Happy Christmas." She replied, grinning at him.
"Walk back with me?" Draco asked, offering his arm to her.
Hermione nodded and took his hand instead. "Lets go, it's cold out here."
Draco's POV
Draco woke Christmas morning feeling very content. Presents were at the foot of his bed, and Draco quickly unwrapped them. Henceforth he sat quietly, fingering his gifts. He rarely had company on Christmas day, but today he yearned some companionship. Hermione was not there, of course, but with her parents in Hogsmeade. He ate breakfast in the Hall, afterwards wandering back to his empty dorm room. He sat on the bed and absentmindedly started to read a book that his mother had given him, though soon quit after realizing he had been on the same page for twenty minutes. He was thinking about Hermione.
How am I going to tell her that I like her? When will I? He sighed, setting the book down. He deliberated for a little while. Tomorrow. After her parents leave I'll ask her to have a picnic with me. Draco smiled to himself, pleased with his decision.
Hermione's POV
Hermione had a very good visit with her parents. The day passed rather quickly for Hermione, and soon it was time to say goodbye to her parents, because they where leaving early the next morning.
"Bye darling, see for summer break." Mr. Granger said, kissing Hermione's cheek.
Hermione gave him a tight hug. "Bye Dad, see you soon."
Mrs. Granger enveloped Hermione a soft hug, strangely unlike the bone-crushing one she would usually have given her. "I love you, Hermione. Goodbye."
Hermione gave her a kiss. "Love you to, Mum. Talk to you soon."
They walked her back to the school, and Hermione went in, after saying goodbye again. She went to her room, and lay flat on her back on her bed. Her thoughts drifted from her friends and wondering what they had gotten for their gifts, to how much she'd enjoyed her day, and finally to Draco. A friend like him really is the best gift of all, Hermione thought, breathing deeply. Inwardly though, she wondered how much longer she'd have to call him just "a friend". She finally got into her nightclothes, and slid under the heavy covers.
The next morning, Hermione sat down to breakfast with Draco. "Have a good Christmas, Draco?" She asked.
He shrugged. "Same as always. How about you, was your's nice, seeing your parents and all?"
Hermione nodded. "Yes. It was fun seeing my parents, but they treated me like I was going to break. It was kind of…odd."
Draco laughed. "Well last time they saw you, you were lying on a hospital bed, on the verge of dying."
Hermione laughed. "I didn't think of that."
Draco smiled at her warmly then seemed to remember something and nervously cleared his throat. "Hey, let's go on a picnic tonight, a kind of after Christmas celebration."
Hermione grinned. "That sounds great. I can't wait."
Draco returned her smile. "Alright, well, I'll see you later, then okay? I have to go write a letter to my mother. She's insisting that I send her a letter telling her everything I got for Christmas."
Hermione laughed. "Alright, see you later."
"Four o'clock alright?" Draco asked.
She nodded. "See you at four."
Hour later, Hermione stood in front of the mirror, trying to appease her poufy hair. I have to tell Draco how I feel. If I don't, I'll be kicking myself all year. She set the brushing firmly down on the counter and gripped the edge. She knew that this was the perfect opportunity. She nodded fixedly at her reflection. I will tell him how I feel. I am going to tell Draco I love him.
Her-My-Oh-Knee's A/N 'Ello! Ok, I want to apologize for this taking so long to be posted, but I promise the next chapter will be up soon! Also, the next chapter is the last. Yes, it's true, this story is ending. So if you haven't reviewed before, then this is almost your last chance! Please review guys!
Her-My-Oh-Knee
Sam
SupaJen: I am officially a procrastinator. I know. You all knew it up till now, and I was in denial. But I'm willing to say it. It took one week for Sam to type this up, and a month for me to get to it. Hah. Well, I hope yall are pleased with this, because it was deleted several times before I finally got it all out. It's been deliberated over much more than needed, I'd say.
Enjoy.