I Think We're Alone Now
Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognise from the Harry Potter books, movies, toys and whatever - they belong to J.K. Rowling. I do own anything you don't recognise, so don't steal them please.
Chapter Seven - Attraction
Ginny had forced Hermione to invite her around that afternoon, and had been sorting through her friend's wardrobe when there was a knock on the door. Ginny had to hide the smile that meant she knew what was about to happen whilst Hermione went to the door, wondering what was happening. As Ginny turned around, she saw the tall, blonde-headed Draco Malfoy in the doorway and noticed that he had placed his foot inside in case Hermione decided to slam the door.
"Granger…I was wondering if you wanted to have a walk with me tonight, in the grounds. No Potter, no Weasel - I mean, Weasley, no one. I know you're favourable of this 'school unity' thing, and I thought, who would be better examples of it than us? Okay, maybe Potter and me but that's never going to happen, thank God. So…what do you say?" Hermione glanced behind her at Ginny, who was nodding. Looking back at Draco, she approved of the walk and closed the door, turning to Ginny and shaking her head, surprised at herself for agreeing to his proposition.
"So then, let's find you some clothes!" Ginny grinned at Hermione who lay down on her bed, facing Ginny and watching as she rummaged through the wardrobe determinedly. "Hermione, I know it's winter and it's smart to have some nice, warm clothes, but do you have any summer clothes at all?" Ginny asked as she put aside the few skirts and summer fashion that Ginny had made Hermione buy before. Other than that, the rest of the clothes were jeans and jumpers, sweatshirts, tracksuit bottoms and cardigans. Sighing, she decided to make the best of what she had. "I never thought I'd use this emergency box, I'm glad you listened to me and bought it here."
Hermione laughed as Ginny pulled down a large cardboard box from the top of the wardrobe and opened it, pulling out the clothes Hermione hadn't taken to very much. "Oh Ginny, why are you insisting that I dress up for a simple walk?" receiving a hard stare from her friend, Hermione rolled her eyes, "yeah, yeah, I'm not dressing up I'm just looking nice, right? And if you weren't my friend, I would probably never look stylish in my whole life. Alright, thank you Ginny, for being my personal stylist."
"Hermione! I told you those skinny-fit jeans and those leather boots would look amazing on you! Alright, now I'm straightening your hair, and no complaints," Ginny said decisively. Hermione thought it best not to argue so did as her friend told her to do, and besides, there wasn't anything wrong with wearing nice clothes, having nice hair and applying a bit of make-up once in a while. She almost loved Ginny's makeover sessions, and was fond of how she looked afterwards. Hermione had never thought herself as pretty, but after Ginny was finished, she couldn't deny that she looked good.
At five PM, there was another knock on Hermione's door and Ginny ushered her friend toward it. The two girls guessed that Blaise had helped Draco get ready also, there was something of the red-head in Draco's style. His hair wasn't slicked back, instead it fell lightly about his head and framed his face. He still owned the dark, sombre looking clothes but they were stylish and sophisticated, and overly charming. Ginny said good night to Hermione and hurried out of the dormitory, Blaise wasn't there, no doubt he had taken up his position outside and Ginny had to find Harry and Ron and wait for Blaise's owl. Whilst Hermione and Draco were having a nice, relaxing time, their friends were hard at work.
They left the empty corridors and exited through the main entrance, following the path along the grounds toward the lake. Creatures that looked like fireflies buzzed energetically through the air like miniature bulbs lighting the way. Groups of them were lounging by the lake and sitting on the lily pads that floated along the water, giving everything a beautiful glow. Draco wondered where Blaise was, he knew what time Potter and Weasley were meant to be coming out, and checking his watch, he had enough time to relax a little.
"The lake looks gorgeous tonight," Hermione walked ahead, standing at the edge of the lake and smiling at one of the creatures who floated by on a lily pad. Draco watched her interestedly and stood beside her at the edge of the lake. "I love winter, the snow is stunning, don't you think?"
"Yeah…quite," Draco said, watching her slender body walk along the edge of the lake, one of her hands brushed her hair behind her ear, she crouched down and ran one finger along the surface of the cold water and watched the ripples make swirling patterns in the lake. Following her, he pulled out one of the unoccupied lily pads and dried it with his wand before placing it on the ground and Transfiguring it into a blanket on top of the snow. "Here, if you want to sit down," he motioned to the blanket and Hermione thanked him. "I'm sorry for pushing you in there, it must have been freezing. I guess I was a bit angry after Potions, that's all. I don't usually get a zero."
"I would have been angry too, when there are so many people expecting great things of you alone, it doesn't feel so much of an achievement when your enemy is just as good," Hermione said quietly, she remembered how she had been equally as angry after Potions. "My parents don't know anything of the Wizarding World, really, but they still expect me to get amazing grades and always do well, my friends and teachers are all the same. It must be like that for you, right? I mean, Snape's not just a teacher, it must be like having another father. I've seen the way he looks at you sometimes, he cares a lot, doesn't he?"
"I guess. We're pretty much in the same boat, except I don't think you'd get attacked if you did something wrong. Right now, if people knew I was here because I wanted to be, I might never see daylight again," he chuckled slightly, wondering if his father knew about his only son taking over his place in Voldemort's circle. Then he wondered if he really wanted to. Draco checked his watch again, he didn't have that long, he'd have to make a move soon.
"Blaise cares deeply about you, too. Sometimes, he gets in a really foul temper and doesn't work at all, I asked him what was the matter once, that's when I found out he cared so much about you. I don't think I've ever seen anything upset Blaise as much as your welfare does. I wish you could have chosen another time though, we were so busy with the plans for the Christmas Ball and I was the only one doing everything. He cheered up though," Hermione laughed, looking across at Draco who appeared a little shocked at what she had said. "All of the Slytherins must think a lot of you too, it must be nice to be so popular."
Draco wondered what she meant, wasn't she best friends with Harry Potter? Didn't that make her popular too? But no, she was a know-it-all, she was intelligent and law-abiding, the only time she broke the rules was when she was doing something good and fighting evil, yet people still talked behind her back. "Sometimes. But when you're popular, sometimes it's the people you want to impress that end up thinking you're a jerk." They sat in silence for a couple of minutes and Draco looked at the time again, he really had to hurry up. He moved a little closer to Hermione, who was too focused on the lake to notice. "Hey, I've just realised. You called Blaise by his name, and earlier, he called you Hermione. Is there something going on that I should know about?"
Hermione laughed outright, "no, but we both agreed that we're the Head Boy and Girl and should be on more familiar terms, so we call each other by our first names. He's a nice guy, isn't he? Blaise." Hermione watched the creatures fly around and dip their bright tails in the lake, wiggling it about and laughing as the ripples dashed away from them.
"Herm-Granger," Draco quickly corrected himself, what had gotten into him all of a sudden? "You're going to be in a fix soon, you know. Both Potter and Weasley are going to be after you for this ball," he laughed, but then shuddered when he thought about Pansy - she'd be after him. And so would the majority of the Slytherin girls. "So, who're you going to choose?" Hermione smiled slightly and turned to face him. Her large, hazel eyes sparkled in the moonlight and he wondered whether it was natural to have eyes so beautiful.
"I don't know. I don't think I'll choose either of them. There's…well…never mind. Are you going to ask Pansy? I bet she'll ask you if you don't make a move," Hermione quickly changed the subject, even in the limited light that they had, he saw her cheeks turn pink.
"Pansy? Eurgh. The only reason I let her stay around me is because she screams like a banshee when I shout at her. Don't you think I could do better? Anyway, you never finished your sentence. There's what? Someone's already asked you?" Draco thought for a moment and burst out laughing. "Not many people know about it yet, so don't tell me it's Blaise!" Hermione laughed too and shook her head.
"No, no one's asked me. Well…I kind of…there's sort of someone I'd like to go with. It would never happen, though. I just want to know what it feels like, to…I know it sounds stupid, but…to break out of society's rules and expectations of you. I want to do what I want to do, not reject my feelings because they're considered wrong by the world." Draco smiled at her and wondered if she knew that she explained how he felt about it. And then Blaise's words rang in his mind.
Society forbids you two from being together, and your own morals do the same. Wouldn't Hermione be stricken if anything were to happen?
Draco edged his hand across the blanket until it touched Hermione's. She jumped and looked toward him, as her eyes locked with his he felt a strange shock through his body. It felt as if he was shivering but he wasn't, the feeling was like electric shooting through him whenever Hermione looked at him or touched him. Gulping, he scanned her bright eyes, "I know how you feel about the society thing. I feel exactly the same way, surprisingly.
"I don't want to go with Pansy. I don't even want to go with a Slytherin. I want to know what it feels like…to go with you, Hermione," he finished with another little shock fall through his body. He felt Hermione's hand twitch under his, and he regretted asking her, what if his father found out?! It would be alright if he was Head Boy because that could be his reason for going with her, but he wasn't and now he had just asked her to go with him! Draco had to keep his mouth shut, he couldn't take it back now, he wanted to go with her - truly, but he was afraid. Hermione could see the emotions in his eyes and smiled, he could be so innocent and confused sometimes.
"I think…" Draco held his breath, and he was sure his heart almost faltered, "I've always wanted to be your date, Draco," blinking a couple of times, Draco wasn't sure what he had just heard. But Hermione's smile reminded him, full of relief, he embraced her tightly and they fell backwards. Brushing her hair out of her face, he stared deeply into her eyes and knew that, even if it didn't last, it would be an experience for them both.
Meanwhile, in the forest, Blaise had just dropped his wand on the dark floor. His eyes were wide and his mouth open, looking toward the castle, two dark figures shot across the grounds toward the lake.
"Shit."
