Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns the Harry Potter world. I won't get tired of saying this because she deserves to be acknowledged! She's my hero. :)
Chapter 7
"Innocent as a Little Boy"
Hermione couldn't believe what had happened.
Truth be told, she didn't want to think anymore but she was just too scared that when she'd stop thinking then maybe she'd start feeling…
She knew that it was too dangerous to feel.
She'd learned it the hard way.
She had almost lost it last night. It was a good thing that she even had the willpower to get away from him.
She wouldn't ever let anyone know this, but Draco Malfoy was… addictive.
Everything in him was just too addictive.
She could still feel the burning passion that he had so blatantly elicited in her the moment that they kissed.
She couldn't believe it would be that intoxicating that the feel of his lips wouldn't go away even until now.
And she hated him for that.
She hated him because what he was physically was in contrast of what he was inside.
She had overheard his intentions and she hated herself for even questioning her judgment by the time she stared at those intense eyes again.
If Pansy hadn't stopped the moment and made her realize that she was in front of the heart breaker Draco Malfoy, she would have almost gave in.
It would never happen again, though.
She would never allow it again.
Meeting and knowing Draco Malfoy was perhaps the most unfortunate thing that ever happened to her life.
No, she wasn't exaggerating.
Draco Malfoy ruined her life, and without even noticing and knowing it exactly.
That fact hurt the most, of course.
It was so unfair.
If she hadn't known Draco Malfoy, she could have been happy right now. She could have been living with the man who was devotedly in love with her.
She and Oliver had been together for almost three years.
They met on such an eventful day at the burrow. Mrs. Weasley insisted to have a reunion and celebration for the Chudley Cannon's victory on winning the League Cup. It was very important for the family, especially to Ron who was part of the team, and because The Chudley Cannons of the British and Irish League had never won the cup for so many years.
She and Ginny had just started their small clothing line at Paris that time but Mrs. Weasley insisted that they should have the weekend off and stay at the Burrow for the reunion.
She remembered she was at the orchard behind the garden of the Burrow. She was sitting on a small bench she had conjured as she tried to peacefully read a book. The orchard was surrounded by trees and was contained within a paddock, so it was the best place to be alone. She was thankful that the gathering was held on the front yard.
Everywhere had just been too noisy.
There were too many guests since also the Chudley Cannon Quidditch players and their family and friends had come. Everyone was just too excited and in high spirits as they cheered over and over again for the team. The moves and techniques of the players were being discussed over and over again by the men. Some women had gathered to chat and help on the dishes at the kitchen. There were a lot of children too, who were scattered and playing among the front yard and inside the house.
Ron was being hovered by the guests and relatives while Ginny and Harry were nowhere to be found so she was left alone. Hermione understood them, of course. They never really had a closure and they hadn't seen each other for so long. Ginny had told Hermione that she was planning to talk to Harry to end everything well.
It was actually the first time that she'd actually talk with Oliver Wood, the Chudley Cannons Captain and most treasured player. Hermione had known that ever since he had left Puddlemere United Quidditch team and transferred to Chudley Cannons, the morale of the team was actually revived.
Puddlemere United was famous for winning the British and Irish cup for twenty two times and the European cup twice, but it was said that Oliver Wood had left it due to its iniquitous techniques.
Hermione had remembered him at Hogwarts too, of course. She had a little crush on him when she was at her first year. He was three years older than she was and like any other little girl, she had looked up to him as he was the Gryffindor Quidditch Team Captain and was also fairly handsome.
Like any other girl, however, it was just a mere crush.
She didn't expect he'd be so much more than that…
"Too noisy inside, yeah?"
Hermione looked up from the book that she was reading and saw Oliver Wood, holding his state of the art broomstick. She could tell that he had very gentle eyes and everything in him seemed to be very calm and composed. She thought it was quite unlikely, considering that he was working in a very noisy and always frenzied atmosphere.
"Yes, it was pretty much a chaos in there. How do you put up with all these, anyway?" She couldn't help but ask.
"Flying," he shrugged, and then smiled when he noticed Hermione's confused and curious look.
"I've always loved flying, you know. It's the main reason why I've joined Quidditch at the first place. Some people see me as very competitive, and it's true, but winning is not everything to me. I just really want to fly. It's the reason why I put up with all these muddled world of media and everything," he explained.
"So you came here to fly and get away from everything for a while, I see," Hermione smiled at him.
"Yes I did, but I think I just changed my mind," he replied, beaming as he sat beside her.
The start of their story was very classic and common, actually.
They started with just a small talk and became acquaintances. After that, however, Oliver started on visiting her at Paris whenever he'd have the time to do so. He was very comfortable to be with. He amused her in so many ways too, but one thing that made him so different from any of her suitors was that he wasn't pushy. He also never did all the cliché and easy things that some of her suitors did like giving her a lot of material things that they hadn't even placed any effort on.
The best thing, however, was that they became good friends before he courted her, and she really appreciated that.
He was perfect, in fact. He was just the guy that she was looking for.
Yet, she just couldn't stop the guilt that she was feeling.
It was another mistake.
Yet, this time, it was really her who ruined everything.
The very day that she had accepted him was the start of her mistake. She didn't really know what came over her but he just looked very captivating that afternoon when he was riding on his broom. She suddenly found herself unconsciously smiling as she watched him glide over the wind…
He was an only child.
He loved to read. There was always curiosity and intensity on his eyes whenever he'd study.
He loved to debate and discussed a lot of things with her, and he loved winning them too.
He loved to throw little flat stones on her pond behind her house whenever he'd visit her.
There were very rare moments that he'd shown his vulnerability towards her, too. She'd always find herself comforting him whenever his last game wouldn't turn out to how it should be.
He loved flying…
He loved to fly like there was no tomorrow.
He was truly happy up there that he made her feel she suddenly wanted to fly that way too.
He was just too perfect when he was with the wind.
He reminded her of a certain boy…
For years, she had tried to erase this thought but she could never run away from the fact that he reminded her of her first love.
It was contemptible actually, almost foolish.
Yet, they said that one could never easily forget their first love, right?
She had refused to accept the fact that Oliver loved her, but she never did.
She should have acknowledged it from the start but she was just too caught up with her unreachable reverie and selfishness.
She was selfish, yes; but she was just a girl, after all. She just really wanted to be loved.
The very first time he had proposed to her, he had rented a whole restaurant to do it. It was too ideal, really. The whole place was ludicrously romantic. He had captured everything that she had ever dreamed of. His eyes were filled with excitement as he asked her to marry him.
She knew it was stupid to say no.
She knew in her very mind that she should say yes.
This was the guy who truly loved her.
This was the man who had told her over and over again that he loved her and that she was beautiful, inside and out.
Yet, the moment she felt the ring slip into her finger, all she could ever think about was the man who had told her over and over again that he hated her and that she was… ugly.
There was no coherent reason in it.
She supposed she was clearly out of her mind.
What made her even guiltier was the look of sadness and disappointment on Oliver's eyes, but what's worse was that he never got mad. He just smiled and told her that he'd wait, and that maybe it was his fault to have assumed that she was ready.
He blamed himself and not her.
She wanted to cry right then and there.
The second time was the same story.
During the third, however, Oliver just nodded and almost left; until he stopped walking and suddenly made her sit down and looked into her eyes.
He asked her the easiest question he could have had if everything was different.
He asked her if she really truly loved him.
Normally, Hermione would tell him that she did. Both were always vocal of telling each other how much they loved one another. She'd even tell him everyday. Yet, right in that very moment, when his eyes seemed to be shredding each and every barrier towards her soul, she couldn't say a thing.
The truth suddenly came dashing right down into her very core. It was painful and the feeling of guilt washed over her. It was in that very moment that she actually realized the whole thing.
Everything clicked.
She was asked a question, but the answer was also given to her.
It was there all along.
"No…"
Hermione sipped on her Frappachino while massaging her temple and trying to ease the uneasy feelings she'd been having.
She really wanted to get away from all these but it seemed that everything that she'd avoided for years had all been crashing back to her.
She knew she should stop all these nonsense and anxiousness she's feeling.
She should be happy by now.
She would be having a great week. She should remember that.
After that little moment with Draco Malfoy, she went to Ginny and Seamus and acted as if nothing had happened.
What happened next, however, was unbelievable.
It turned out that Ginny had just been talking with Narcissa and she actually had agreed to support their clothing line by investing in one of their latest branch project.
Hermione almost squealed in excitement and surprise. Narcissa's words could launch tons of investors, but being an investor herself was just beyond what they had even expected.
They had to excuse themselves after the talk and squeal and jump like little girls on a small patio just outside the hall.
For a moment there, Hermione had actually forgotten what had happened between her and Draco.
Screw her son.
She was too happy to even waste her time thinking of him. She just wanted to actually jump around in too much happiness because of Narcissa.
She could even swear she'd do anything for her.
"And we were also invited to visit their summer house at Vienna! Isn't it amazing?"Ginny jumped happily, but then later on frowned when her friend stopped jumping.
"Why?" Hermione asked incredulously. She had a guarded, but almost anxious expression.
"Well, Narcissa said that it was their latest made summer house, mostly to accommodate their friends and some of their investors. Since we're actually pretty much working together with her—(Ginny had to stop speaking and squeal for a while again)—she said it's best if we would be the first to check it out and give her our verdict after. Can you even believe it? We get to enjoy a summer house at Vienna by ourselves and judge it too! If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up!" Ginny shrieked excitedly at her best friend.
"So you mean to say that no one is going to be there except us?" Hermione asked; there was a new light and excitement that had just emerged from her face.
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Ginny squealed, now jumping again and squeezing Hermione's hands.
Both then had jumped playfully and hugged each other like little girls being given their very first Barbie dolls, unaware of the stray grey eyes staring at them…
"What's wrong dear?" Narcissa asked as she stared at her son curiously. They were having their breakfast at a small courtyard beside the Malfoy Lake.
Ever since the war had been over, the massive and luxurious dining hall of the manor had never been used during meal times. It was only used when formal guests and investors were invited.
During ordinary days, Narcissa and Draco had always been fond of eating outside the manor, particularly at their little courtyard in which the beautiful lake and the gardens were perfectly in view. By this, they could talk with each other freely and didn't need to lean forward just to hear each other because of a huge dining table. Theo would even join them once in a while. For the Malfoys, this was perfect.
Narcissa had loved it this way. It made her feel closer to her son and so she could make up to the years in which she had taken him for granted.
"Huh?" Draco uttered, obviously too lost on his thoughts.
"You haven't eaten a single thing, honey, and you're playing with your food," Narcissa pointed out worriedly as she stared at Draco's plate. His smoked streaky bacon, field mushrooms and grilled tomato looked terrible as they were nastily stabbed by his fork.
"I'm just—well, a little stressed, mother. I think I need a vacation," Draco sighed dramatically as he slumped into his chair, pushing his hair back for an added effect.
"Then go on a vacation. You know I'm not really forcing you to work, Draco. You don't even have to, you know. It was your choice," Narcissa shrugged and ate her warm waffles.
Draco smirked wickedly.
Oh yeah.
After that kiss, no one was going to stand in his way anymore.
He had to suffer the whole night just by thinking about her. He couldn't even satisfy his needs from any other girl anymore. He just wanted one girl.
He wanted Hermione Granger.
What Draco Malfoy wants, Draco Malfoy gets.
It was a rule that could never be broken.
"Will our new summer house at Vienna be alright?" He asked his mother innocently, like that of a little boy.
And yes, no one could ever say no to mum's little boy…
A/N: Oops. Draco's such an evil sly boy, don't you think? Haha! But I love him that way. I also want to thank everyone who reviewed the last chapter! I think it's the chapter with the most reviews! THANK YOU! And it was my favorite too, haha. Gosh, I LOVE Hermione. I'm so excited to write the next one! Draco Malfoy will and always be Draco Malfoy, you know. You can't blame him, the bloke always gets what he wants, but let's hope Hermione would make him taste his own medicine!
Thank you everyone! Please don't get tired of giving me some reviews? I LOVE GETTING THEM! You all made me so happy. Even a word or a sentence would do. I just love them all!
God bless!
Love, Sue
october m.- Haha! Thank you! I love that part too. Hermione's too hot.
rec2527- Thank you so much! And I'll try to pick it up a bit. Thanks for the review!
HarryPGinnyW4eva- Yes, I agree with you! The poor bloke SERIOUSLY needs to grow up. Haha. Let's just leave that on our dear old Hermione to fix then, shall we? :)
Andrea B- Glad to know I made your day better! Just so you know, you always make my day by always reviewing! Thank you ;)
Aletto- Aw, thank you, and YES, I've always wanted to place that little revenge on Pansy. Serves her right!
myriammar- Haha! Yay! Girl power! Draco's a cocky git. It's in his nature. Haha. Thanks for the review :)
waterflower20- Yes, Pansy DESERVES it! And thank you for always reviewing. I really appreciate it a lot. :)
fnrizka- Oh dear! You just don't know how much your review made me so happy and giddy! While writing it, I really hoped to have that kind of reaction to my chapter from my readers, and you NAILED IT!
"I felt like dumb-Draco while reading it, I opened my mouth, closed, and opened, and then closed, then opened and I forgot to close it again until "Draco Malfoy was left speechless and unbelievably aroused." line... lol"
LMAO! You're the best reader EVERRRR!
Hermioniac- Thank you for the review dear, and yay for Hermione!
ebm56- Thank you so much. I feel honoured by your reviews. You'll learn a bit more to that about Draco. He may be a jerk, but he's not all that. :) Thank you so much for giving this story a chance, and yes, I find the reminiscing part very sweet too.
X Slytherin's Ice Queen X- aaahh! Thank you! You made me so happy, AGAIN. I'm always flattered by your reviews. Thank you dear. :)
sarahsuz- Welcome to the story! Haha! "He needs a huge dose of humility", I second to that! :D
Magnus Bane Is My Hero- Thank you so much for that review! I'll try to update super fast :)
CheshireCat23- Thank you for the reviews, dear. You know, I've always loved Theo. He really gets into me while I'm writing about him. I just love him to bits.
le temps d'un automne- "Revenge is the sweetest fruit" PERFECT! Thank you for the review!
Sammy- Thank you dear! I'll update as often as I can. :)
iamahippie- It was my favourite chapter! Thank you. :)
dreadfuldelights- Haha! You're so right! Thanks dear :)
Loufoca-Granger- Haha! Years of training to stay calm. Haha. But trust me, deep inside, she's on fire! Haha. Any woman would when it comes to Draco Malfoy. LOL. And I didn't really intend to make Hermione do those, but then, I was like "Oh what the hell? Screw the plans! I'm going to punish Draco!" HAHA. Thank you for the review! :)
riya'sXramblings- I agree with you completely! And, aw, Theo! I LOVE HIM! Thanks :)
sanatan89- Draco definitely still has a long way to go. Hermione is a smart girl, and no one easily forgets that moment. No girl deserves it! Thank you :)
mentarisenja- Haha! Hello dear! Thank you for checking this story out. Harry and Ron will and always are Hermione's best friends, though they're very busy. Harry's an auror and Ron's travelling with the Chudley Cannons so they wouldn't have the time to be together. Plus, I'm trying to focus on Hermione and Draco's story. About the intimate parts, yes, there will be in the later chapters. This is rated m after all. Hehe. Thank you for the reviews!
TicTocTicToc- Aw! Thank you so much for that review, and I love Narcissa too! :) I'll try to update as often as I can!
Amourcheri- Haha! Damn right he did! Yay! Dramione :D Thank you!
Pau-0803- Thank you for the review! I honestly almost forgot about the flowers. Haha. But that time, actually, Hermione didn't want to do anything with him. She didn't give him back the flowers because that would mean another issue would open and she'd have to talk to him again. She just wanted to stay away from him and she didn't want anything to do with him as much as she could help it. Unfortunately for her, however, Draco Malfoy would never give up until he gets what he wants. Hehe. Thanks again. :)
magicalpotter- Thank you! I'll try to update soon. :D
xoxBiteSizexox- Draco Malfoy had a lot of secrets, I could definitely say that. ;) Thank you for reviewing!
midnight-phoenix1997 – Haha! Thank you! And welcome to the story. :D