Chapter Seven: I'm going to miss her.
This chapter includes lyrics from the song Almost Lover by A Fine Frenzy.
As days drifted into weeks, the four unlikely friends became inseparable. Draco and Blaise spent every day, and most nights, at Hermione's house. Hermione loved falling asleep in Draco's arms, and even more, she loved waking up next to him every morning. Draco had awakened something primal in Hermione, and her appetite for his touch was insatiable. She was surprised at how dull her life had been before now. Before Draco, she could be described in two words, reserved and rational, and the exact opposite of her best friend. Becca had always been a firecracker, fearless and up for anything, that's what first drew Hermione to her. Becca had a knack for pulling Hermione out of her shell. She had always given Hermione courage, let her loosen up and live a little. But when you added Draco Malfoy to the mix, the possibilities were endless, and Blaise was more than happy to be along for the ride. With Draco and Becca, every day was a new adventure. Over the past few weeks, the quartette had done everything from exploring all the rides at three different amusement parks to playing several rounds of paintball. Almost every night was spent hitting the clubs, dancing and letting loose, the music and alcohol masking their inhibitions. But nothing had prepared Hermione for what she was getting ready to face. Her eyes widened in panic as the extremely burly man kneeling in front of her raised a two inch long needle between them.
"Oh My God, I can't do this. No way. Let me up!" She insisted, struggling to climb out of the dentist-style chair she had been laying in.
"Oh no you don't! You agreed. Becca will kill you if you back out now" said Draco, pinning her back to the chair.
Hermione gulped as the technician, completely bald and covered in head to toe tattoos, moved towards her, his needle poised. She felt Draco lean in close and whisper, his hot breath sending chills down her spine.
"It won't be that bad, just close your eyes and think of me. Think of my lips kissing your neck." He cooed.
"Now is definitely not the time Malfoy!" she hissed. Hermione clenched her eyes shut and grabbed onto Draco's wrist to brace herself.
It won't be that bad... Easy for you to say, you don't have Hulk Hogan trying to turn you into a shish-kabob. She thought with irritation. She squeezed Draco's hand with all the force she could muster, sucking air through her teeth as she felt searing pain radiate from her abdomen.
"Let me see!" Becca screeched in excitement when her friends finally excited the tattoo shop.
"I can't believe you jerks talked me into doing that! It was horrible." Hermione complained loudly.
"Oh stop whining and show me."
"Fine." Hermione carefully lifted the front of her pink tank top. Becca mirrored her action with her own skimpy shirt. Draco felt his face flash hot as Hermione showed off her thin stomach.
This was the best idea Blaise has ever had.
"Aww Mione we match! It's so cute. I like the ring you picked!" Becca gushed, leaning in to examine Hermione's newly pierced navel, the ring Hermione chose was silver with deep green stones at each end.
"Why did you choose an that color?" She asked. Hermione glanced towards Draco who was nodding appreciatively at Blaise. Blushing slightly, she answered.
"I thought it was pretty." she admitted, which wasn't a lie really. Draco new that she would never admit that she chose a Slytherin house color on purpose, but he knew it was for him. Becca seemed satisfied, leaning back to let Hermione admire her own piercing. Becca's beautifully tanned and toned mid section was pierced with a glittering silver belly ring, encrusted with sparkling diamonds.
"Are those real?" Hermione asked.
"Of course they are real. Only the best for my girl." Blaise interjected. He leaned in and kissed Becca sweetly. Draco moved behind Hermione and wrapped her in his arms. Leaning in close, he whispered so that only she could hear.
"Your stones are real too, emeralds." He watched as she slowly turned to face him, her mouth hanging open in surprise. He gave her a small peck on the lips and turned to address his friends before she could protest his gift.
"So what's next?" He asked, and watched as a mischievous smile crept across Becca's face.
"I was thinking we could play a game..." she mused as they all turned and began walking down the street towards their parked car. Just before they reached the gleaming black sedan, Becca whipped around and smacked Hermione square in the arm.
"Tag! You're it!" She screamed and tore off down the sidewalk, laughing hysterically. Hermione froze, like her brain hadn't processed what had just happened. She turned to look at the boys. Draco flashed a smile at Blaise and just before Hermione lunged they scattered in opposite directions. Draco laughed and glanced backwards as he ran. Hermione wasn't far behind.
"Come on Granger, you run like a girl!" He teased. "If you catch me, I'll let you have your way with me." He pushed faster, catching a glimpse of Blaise and Becca skittering across to the opposite side of the street. The four friends ran and laughed, feeling completely free of worry and hoping this summer would never end.
As the days crept on, Hermione felt herself changing, she was more relaxed, comfortable in her own skin. She was becoming a better version of herself. Someone who was willing to try new things, someone who wasn't as scared of what other people think of her, who doesn't have this nagging need to be right about everything or follow the rules. She really liked the woman she was growing into, and she knew that Draco liked that woman too. She wasn't sure what exactly they were, but she knew that things were going to change, as soon as they crossed the barrier to platform 9 3/4, they would have to go back to being the people they were before, the people everyone else needed them to be.
I wish we could all just stay like this forever. She sighed and leaned her shoulder into the patio door, the large plate of cheeseburgers almost sliding out of her grip. She balanced herself and then started across the lawn towards the picnic table. Her parents, who had arrived home from Australia a few days before, were already seated and scooping side dishes onto their plates. Becca was laughing and joking with Mrs. Granger, and Blaise was stuffing potatoes into his mouth. Draco was sitting next to her father. He rose from his seat as she approached. Taking the heavy platter out of her hands and setting it on the table, he allowed her to get settled before reoccupying his seat. Ever since her parents came home from vacation, Draco had been a perfect gentleman, especially when Hermione's father was around. A year ago, the idea that she would one day bring Draco Malfoy home to meet her parents would have made her sick to her stomach.
This feels natural, like it fits. She thought to herself as she watched her father talk and laugh animatedly.
After dinner, Becca and Blaise busied themselves with the dishes while Hermione and her mother helped clear the table and bring the leftovers back inside. Draco and Mr. Granger had moved from the picnic table to rest on a large patio swing. Draco quietly watched Hermione from across the yard, she was carefully stacking plates and talking to her mother. A soft breeze blew through the yard, caressing Hermione's soft curls and blowing a few tendrils into her face. She raised a dainty hand, brushing her hair behind her ear.
She is incredible. Lost in thought, Draco jumped when Mr. Granger spoke.
"It's not going to be easy you know." He said, his aged eyes full of understanding.
"I'm sorry sir, what was that you said?"
"I said that it's not going to be easy. Being in my daughter's life, that is." He repeated.
"Why is that sir?"
"My daughter has grown into an amazing young woman, she is strong-willed and dangerously smart. But she is also very stubborn. She rarely allows people to see the real Hermione, and she has decided that you are worthy of knowing the person she feels she has to hide from the rest of the world. Are you sure you are ready for that?" Mr. Granger asked. Then, as if not expecting an answer, he stood and walked into the house. Draco sat there on the swing for a long time, staring out into the setting sun, completely immersed in his own thoughts. Suddenly, he felt the swing shift under him, and he looked over into Hermione's warm chocolate eyes as she settled in next to him.
"What are you doing out here all alone?" She asked. Draco glanced around. He hadn't realized that everyone had gone inside.
"Just thinking."
"Wanna talk about it?"
"I'm just not sure what to do about... us." He admitted.
"You mean since we have to go back to Hogwarts next week?" She asked.
"Yeah. I mean, I really like spending time with you. But you have to admit that no one is going to be happy about our... friendship." He saw Hermione flinch when he said the word 'friend'.
"I know. I guess we will just go back to the way things were before. We'll just act like we never met in that club. I mean, it's not like either of us ever thought this friendship could last." Hermione said a little coldly. Then she lifted herself off the swing and walked out into the grass. Draco knew he should follow her, but he didn't.
It will only make things harder. She had to know this would end. How could it not. There is no way a Malfoy could just waltz into Hogwarts with a mudblood on his arm. He watched as the sun set around her, her perfect curves silhouetted against the orange glow.
I'm going to miss her. He shivered as he felt something inside him cry out in mourning.
'Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
Should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do.' - A Fine Frenzy
