Ok, sorry it's been a while. I've been lacking sleep and my brain. Five chapters (now six) and 21 reviews. That's ok, I'm not really complaining. I just WISH I had more…
A new chapter for you…
The Obsession With Candles, Fire, and Josh Groban
Chapter Six: A Frog And a Little Loneliness
By Celebrytie Aris Channas
Hermione looked up as Shaylie entered the house, followed by her blond haired boss, Draco Malfoy. He looked uneasy and a little mad. Shaylie must have said something to make him come though. He was looking around at the Weasley's and the Potter's. Hermione followed his gaze, which showed none of the others were paying any attention to him. She watched him sigh and wondered what was wrong.
She looked down at the gift Shaylie had dropped in her lap.
"Open it." She said.
Hermione smiled lightly and began to tear away the paper.
"What is it, Hermione?" she heard Harry ask, but she couldn't answer. She merely continued to stare at the square aquarium that was decorated with all the necessary equipment. Even a small package of crickets.
"Shay, you didn't." Hermione whispered, staring at the small firebelly toad.
"I DID!" Shaylie squealed, clapping her hands together and jumping up and down.
"How did you know?" Hermione asked, looking up at her friend in wonderment.
"Oh, I have ways." Said Shaylie with a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Thank you so much!" Hermione set the gift to the side and leapt up to hug her friend.
"She gave you a frog?" Ron asked.
Hermione giggled. "Yep, I've always wanted one."
It didn't take long for everyone to start giving presents to her. She tore open one after the other. As she looked around the pile of gifts, a quiet voice startled her.
"Well, I guess it's my turn." She turned to look at Draco. She had completely forgotten about him, and blushed hoping he wouldn't realize her thoughts. He tossed her a small, long, flat box.
"You didn't wrap it?" she asked.
"No time to." He shrugged, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"Ok." Hermione looked down at the black box and pulled off the lid. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open.
"I can't believe it!" she gasped. "You…you…bought me…these?" she held up two tickets. "To Hawaii, no less!" She stood and came toward him. Draco's eyes widened.
"Oh, no, Granger, you don't need to thank me." He stuttered, backing up and hitting the wall.
She ignored his remark and enveloped him in a hug. A small smile crept onto his face and he returned the hug.
"Thank you." She whispered, her breath tickling his ear. "But who's the other ticket for?"
"Anyone one you want, as long as it's not anyone with red or black hair."
Hermione pulled back.
"That would leave you and Shaylie." She observed.
"They don't have to be in this room." He pointed out. "You have six weeks to decide who to take with you." He released her from the hug, and Hermione felt something in her heart.
There's a burning in my chest
I do not know this feeling
It makes my toes tingle
And my heart pound loud
What is this feeling?
Draco walked over to Shaylie and said something to her. She nodded. He said something else, and she looked startled, but nodded again. And then Draco left.
Hermione was curious, but didn't have a chance to ask Shaylie what he had wanted until after everyone had left and they were cleaning up.
"He asked me out to lunch tomorrow." Shaylie answered.
"He what?!" Hermione dropped the garbage bag she was holding and stared at her friend.
"You know what I said." Shaylie said, picking up the bag Hermione had dropped and put it in her hands.
My head is light
My heart's held tight
What is this?
What is this?
What's this feeling?
Hermione lowered her eyes. "Have fun." And with those words, she left the house to put the garbage in the dumpster. She waited until she was sure Shaylie had left the house and went home before she came back to her house.
She wasn't sure why she was so upset about Shaylie having a date and her not.
It's because it's with Malfoy. She realized. Shaylie must really have impressed him. Hermione froze on her doorstep. Maybe she persuaded him with a…kiss. The thought came unbidden to her mind. She shook her head, shaking it from her mind.
The next day, Hermione walked to the office at lunchtime. As she passed a fancy restaurant, she happened to look in the window and what she saw did not make her happy.
There's an aching in my heart
Whenever I see you with her (someone else)
I do not know this feeling
It makes my head spin
And my heart pound loud
What is this feeling?
Hermione stopped and stared. Draco Malfoy sat across from Shaylie. They were leaning toward each other, getting closer and closer. Hermione squeezed her eyes shut and didn't open them for a long minute, keeping the tears from falling.
Why was she feeling this way? Malfoy had never done anything to make her think he was any nicer than he had been in school. No, that wasn't true. He was a lot nicer. He never called her mudblood anymore, only Granger. And he didn't make rude comments about her. He was a lot nicer. Hermione sighed and opened her eyes and walked out of view of the window. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed Malfoy's number.
"Hello. This is Draco." His voice made her shiver.
"Hi, this is Hermione. I'm not feeling so well, can I skip work?" Hermione did indeed not feel better anymore. She could feel a headache coming and her stomach was in knots.
"Are you okay?" His voice was low with concern.
"I should be fine. I just don't think I would be able to work well." Hermione told him.
"Sure, go ahead. Call me tomorrow if you feel worse."
"Thanks." Hermione snapped her phone close not bothering to listen to his farewell words. She turned into an alley, looked around for signs of life, and after seeing none, Apparated home.
Draco closed his phone with a confused look on his face.
"She hung up on me."
"Who?" Shaylie asked.
"Granger." He answered.
"What did she want?" Shaylie asked, tilting her head to the side.
"She wasn't feeling well. She's not coming to work."
"Funny. She was standing outside the window a second ago. She could have just come in and told you." Shaylie said, motioning her head to the window.
Draco looked towards the window and his stomach twisted in a way he had never felt before.
My head is light
My heart's held tight
What is this?
What is this?
What's this feeling?
"She was here?" He asked, looking at Shaylie. She nodded.
"Why do you call her 'Granger'?" She asked. He hung his head.
"It's what I'm used to calling her." He said.
"Why?" Shaylie picked up her drink and took a sip.
"We weren't friends in school." Draco said shortly.
"Tell me about it." Shaylie ordered, pushing her plate away and looking at him.
Draco sighed and began to tell the long story of him and the Golden Trio's many fights and arguments, leaving out everything that had to do with magic. He changed things that weren't considered real and gave them the closet description that fit an animal in the muggle world.
"She punched you?" Shaylie asked in surprise, interrupting his story. "She doesn't seem the type."
Draco nodded, rubbing his cheek. "She did." He continued the story and when he finally finished, Shaylie was eating cheesecake.
"Wow. That's some past." Shaylie said. "Tell me, why'd you ask me out?"
Draco was surprised. "Why do you ask?"
"Because I could never fall in love with you. Especially since you don't attract me."
Draco was stung. "No attraction whatsoever?"
Shaylie nodded. "None. Sorry."
Draco leaned back in his seat. "Then I guess I was mistaken."
"About what?"
"I thought the reason you came to get me last night was because you were."
"No." Said Shaylie leaning forward in her seat with an angry look on her face. "The reason I came to get you was because you needed to be there. No one can miss the fondness between you two."
"What?!" Draco's eyes popped open and he sat up straight. "What fondness?"
"Every time you look at each other, I see something in both your guys eyes, but something keeps you from getting together. And I don't think it has anything to do with your past." With those words, Shaylie stood. "Thanks for lunch, but I'll only ever be a friend." She walked out the door. Draco slouched against the seat as the waiter came to give him the check. He paid and then left the restaurant with his heart in his throat.
Hermione was sleeping when there was a knock on the door. She rubbed her eyes and then shot out of bed. Throwing on her room, she ran to the front door and wrenched it open. Draco stood before her, looking at the ground. Then he lifted his head and smiled.
You look at me and smile
I don't know what to do
I feel my heart pumping
My knees are weak
I feel do dizzy
When you look at me
"Hi. You said you weren't feeling well. I came to see if you needed anything." He said in a quiet voice.
My head…
My heart…
What…
What's this…
Feeling?…
Hermione smiled and then crumpled, nearly landing on the floor before Draco caught her. He carried her inside and laid her on the couch. He pulled out his wand and muttered a spell. Hermione opened her eyes.
My head is light
My heart's held tight
What is this?
What is this?
What…is this…
Feeling?
My head is light
My heart's not moving!
What is this feeling?
What is this feeling?
"Hermione? Are you okay?" Draco asked softly.
Is…
It…
Love…?
Hermione's eyes widened and then she broke down into tears. Hard, shoulder-shaking sobs tormented her body.
Draco didn't know what to do.
I had to end there. My arms are hurting. I do believe this is the longest chapter I have ever written for fanfiction.
Please review!!
C. A. Channas
