Harry James Potter awoke to the glare of the rising sun in his eyes. In the bed on the other side of the small room, a redheaded boy was fast asleep. Harry sighed heavily as he thought about the past few weeks. With the arrival of Dumbledore, he had decided against tracking down Snape and Voldemort and opted to return to school. Hermione and Ron had agreed quite relieved yet after the first two weeks of the holidays had passed, Harry and Ron had not received any word from their friend.
She had promised to write to them as soon as possible. They had been informed that she was going on a holiday with her family and wouldn't return with a week left of the holidays, yet she hadn't written to them. Obviously worried about her well-being, they had sent letters after letters yet their owls had returned with the letters unopened.
Harry had thought himself stupid for the thought yet he couldn't help but think that it was her that had been kidnapped. The Daily Prophet had read a few weeks back that a muggleborn witch, currently attending Hogwarts, had been kidnapped by a Death Eater only to have the Death Eater's very own son bring her to St. Mungo's.
He had instantly worried when their first few letters had returned as had Ron and Ginny. Their hope that it wasn't her had slowly died away as their letters continued to be returned unanswered or opened.
It was this day that would declare if it was really her or not. Harry drew in a long, ragged breath before climbing out the bed. He couldn't have it be her. Sirius' death had been a shock to him but he was even closer to Hermione.
An hour or so later the three were all ready for their next year at school, Harry's palms sweaty from anxiety. What if she wasn't there? What if it was her that had been taken? This day would prove to be an important one.
Their hired car came to a stop at the station, the chauffeur opening their door for them. They thanked the man profusely before making their way to the barrier. Aaliyah and Jayden quickly went through leaving the couple alone. Draco and Hermione embraced one last time before pushing their way through the barrier. They purposefully sent an irritated glare at the other.
In the distance, Hermione could see a shock of red and black hair. She sent an apologetic glance at Draco before shouting loudly. "Oh sod off, Malfoy! Get a damned life!"
Draco grinned at her knack of acting. "I have one, thank you very much and it's rather a wonderful one, Granger."
Hermione scoffed. "I doubt it. If so, it's quite a pathetic one. You might want to beg for a new one." Draco scowled at her.
"Whatever, woman. I can't believe you, you sodding cow. I'll fetch you when we're wanted." He winked roguishly at her once before turning away quickly and leaving in a graceful manner.
Hermione looked at the crowd of first years staring at her. She sighed heavily. "Sorry about that. He is one to avoid if you aren't in Slytherin." They gave her a fretful glance before scattering away. Hermione was about to pick her stuff when a ball of energy hit her.
"Mione! You're alright!" Hermione laughed genuinely and embraced the younger girl tightly. Ginny pulled back to look her in the eye before rambling on. "What the hell happened to you? We sent letter after letter but Pig kept on coming back with the letter. We thought that it was just him so we sent Hedwig but it happened as well. I can't bloody believe you! What happened?"
Hermione laughed, nervously. "I don't know Ginny. I didn't get the letters. I've been awfully busy after we got back. Dumbledore collected me to stay at Hogwarts for a week. I made Head Girl!"
Ginny beamed. "We knew you would! That's incredible! I swear Hedwig is just getting to old and Pig's just a stupid little owl. Who's Head Boy?"
Hermione opened her mouth to reply but two voices distracted her. "Mione!" Hermione spun around to see two familiar boys grinning at her. She ran at them and embraced them. "Harry! Ron! It's wonderful to see you!" When they pulled back, they gaped at her appearance.
Aaliyah had somehow managed to convince Hermione to wear a short denim pleated skirt with a white tank top that barely touched her bellybutton. She was wearing a pair of knee-high white heeled boots. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail, having been straightened by the other witch. A large golden hoop hung from each ear and a small diamond stud in her second hole, as well as a small diamond piercing sparkling on her nose. Both the second hole and the nose piercing had been another success of Aaliyah who had both and more. Her rings glistened brightly in the sunlight.
Harry and Ron looked her over appreciatively before their gaze rested on the shimmering rings on her finger. "Mione?" Hermione looked away from Ginny, with whom she had started a conversation, in response.
"Don't you know not to interrupt Ronald?" Ginny asked frustrated until Ron lifted Hermione's hand for all to see. They all shot questioning glances at her.
"Erm…they're from…a relative…" Hermione muttered, telling them only half the story.
Harry and Ron seemed to accept the excuse yet Ginny didn't. "You put it on the ring finger."
Hermione's eyes widened as she tried to make up something quickly. "Well…you see…the…they erm…look best on that finger so I put them there."
Ginny shrugged. "Whatever. We're just glad that you're alright." The other two nodded in response before they boarded the train.
Draco had met Blaise Zambini on his way to find a compartment but much to his surprise, as soon as the train had begun moving Pansy Parkinson had come flying into the compartment looking quite livid. "Draco Christopher Malfoy! You bloody sodding idiot! What the hell happened to you? I tried to contact you at that god-forsaken manor of yours yet you weren't there!"
Draco winced at the look on the face of the girl that was one of his closest friends. Many had seen her as a frustrating woman who was infatuated with Draco but her insufferable crush for him had long passed and she had returned to the girl that had been like a sister to him since they were little children. "Hey Pans." He muttered weakly.
"Oh don't you 'Hey Pans' me, mister! I was worried sick about you! Imagine the nerve of you! Disappearing for a good day without telling your parents or myself your whereabouts only to have Dumbledore tell us where you were! You're an intolerable, selfish git! We were worried sick about you! It's almost like if little Peter had gone missing!" She finished off, referring to her nine year old brother.
Draco sighed before mumbling his apologies. Pansy sighed heavily before crashing into him with a tight embrace. "It's alright, Draco. I was just so worried." She moved away from him, tears stinging her eyes. "I didn't want to believe that something had happened to you." Draco smiled softly before rubbing her back in reassurance as she wiped the moisture from her eyes.
A few minutes had passed before Draco felt an odd stinging sensation in the bottom of his stomach. He was most definitely not hungry for he had consumed 'too much food' as Hermione had scolded. He realised that the moment he thought of Hermione, the sharp stinging had disappeared only to return when Hermione had left his mind. Damn side-effects, he thought to himself. He needed to find Hermione.
He quickly stood up. "Draco? Where are you going now?" Draco turned to Blaise and Pansy who were staring at him, eyebrows raised. He coughed softly.
"I was told that the Heads have to go the Heads Compartment to erm…have a meeting about now. I must go a collect Granger." Pansy looked thoughtful for a second before answering.
"Oh alright, you've passed the test though you didn't tell us you made Head Boy." She stated with a grin. 'Congratulations Draco. You're quite lucky that you got Granger for Head Girl, she's smart that one. She'd be a good friend if Lucius and father weren't always on our backs." Draco nodded before quickly leaving the compartment.
Despite the common belief that they were Muggle-haters, Pansy and he didn't mind Muggles or muggleborns along with Blaise. They were merely overshadowed by their controlling fathers who couldn't stand muggleborns or Muggles. Draco knocked sharply on the compartment that he had seen Hermione in.
Hermione sighed in an aggravated manner as the sharp pain in her stomach began to sting more and more. Every time she thought of Draco, the sensation would ebb away yet return soon after. She knew what this meant but Draco had said he would come and find her so it was now that she was impatiently waiting. "Mione? Hermione?" Hermione snapped out of her thoughts at the sound of Lavender calling her name. "What's the matter, Mione?"
Hermione thanked the heavens when she was saved from answering by a sharp knock on the compartment door. Much to her glee, Draco was standing outside the door.
Harry and Ron grumbled angrily while Ginny and Lavender ignored the 'petty hatred' as they called it. Hermione, on the other hand, felt like jumping for joy. Draco slid the door open, a small smile flitting across his face at the sight of Hermione's sparkling eyes. "Looking good, Granger. You seem to be keeping up this past week. I am very impressed. I may find myself unable to comply with restraints." He said in a seductive voice, licking his upper lip.
Hermione gaped at him before laughing loudly. "As always I look wonderful, Malfoy. Allow me to return the compliment." He grinned slyly. "You should know that I always do radiate with my stunning good looks and charming personality."
Harry and Ron gaped at their friends as she laughed at the comment of their 'arch enemy', Ron seeming more insulted than the other boy. They were both at a loss for words as were Ginny and Lavender. But the two, on the other hand, were grinning surprised. "Personality? Good looks? What on earth are you on about?" Hermione questioned quite innocently before laughing as Draco pretended to clutch at his heart. "What do you want, Ferret-face?"
Draco mock gasped, still clutching at his chest.. "Oh how could you! The pain, Hermione! The tormenting pain is just too much for me to ever bear!" He grinned as Hermione giggled before continuing. "We're wanted up at the Heads Compartment. Come on, my lovely." He stated turning on his heel and making his way to the compartment.
Hermione made to follow, giggling, when a hand flew out and grabbed her arm. She turned to see a very red-faced Ron, the hurt evident in his blue eyes. "What the hell was that about Hermione? Flirting with Malfoy? How could you?" Hermione sighed, exasperatedly also seeing Harry glaring betrayed at her. If only they knew, she thought.
"Honestly Ronnie mate. You need to get passed these childhood grudges. Besides, Dumbledore wanted Malfoy and me to be civil towards each other. He was up at the castle with me for a week too so we decided to get past the animosity." She lied quickly with a shrug. "Alright then, I'm off. I'll see you lot later."
Draco had entered the front compartment and was waiting impatiently with Hermione. During their little 'exchange' Draco had happily watched at the faces of Potter and Weasley had become shocked and then infuriated as they turned a wonderful shade of red. He had done everything in his power to stop himself from laughing out loud at their appearance.
He smiled widely as Hermione cautiously opened the door. "Welcome Mrs Malfoy." He whispered happily with a mischievous wink. Hermione giggled lightly, placing a locking charm on the doors.
She slowly sauntered over to where Draco was seated and placed herself on his lap. He began to speak but she placed her finger over his lips. "Sh…just enjoy the silence." She whispered softly shifting her weight against his build.
Draco smiled lightly, wrapping his arms around her waist. He drew in a long, relieved breath, catching a whiff of her perfume. It was a beautiful mixture of apples and passionfruit. He sighed gently at the delicious smell.
"Draco?" He made a soft noise indicating he had heard her. "What do you think our friends would think? I know mine would flip. Well, Harry and Ron definitely would." Draco grinned at that statement.
"I didn't think they would do anything else. I know that I'd be protective of someone as beautiful as you." He smiled roguishly as she blushed heavily. "I also know that my friends don't really mind you. Pansy even said that I was lucky to have you as Head Girl and that you were smart. They're not like they come across and they wouldn't detest this relationship. Yours only would because of the way I've treated you in the past."
Hermione had turned so she was facing him. "Your friends wouldn't mind? Really?" For some unfathomable reason, she seemed happy that they didn't mind.
"Yes…" Draco answered warily. "Why?"
Hermione sighed heavily. "I…I just don't like the idea of keeping this to just my family, the professors and us. I want to be able to tell others, you know?"
Draco nodded before staring at her seriously in the eye. "You know we couldn't tell them. If the word somehow got out, we'd be in for it." Draco knew that deep down he wanted to. He hated the idea of hiding the fact he was married to one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. "I wish we could tell them. Even if it's just that we're in a relationship, not that we're married yet."
Hermione looked up at Draco, sadness written over her face. "I know. It hurts that we can't trust anyone with this secret." Draco nodded. "Perhaps one day we will. We'll be able to tell them freely; even if it were just one person." Draco grinned nodding in agreement before quickly leaving to go to the bathroom while Hermione patiently waited for him.
Hermione was tolerantly standing in front of a window while gazing wistfully through it. Draco came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her delicate form. She spun around and wrapped her own arms around his neck. Draco placed one of his hands behind her neck and the other on her waist, pulling her in closer for a kiss. Hermione shifted her hands, tangling her fingers in his delicate blonde locks. His hand moved from her waist to the small of her back, rubbing small circles into her skin gently.
She groaned with frustration as he pulled back, resting his chin on the top of her head. "You're beautiful, you know?" Hermione smiled into his chest at his words. "Thank you," came her reply, muffled by Draco's front.
Draco seated himself with Hermione beside him, holding her close by his side. She rested her head on his shoulder and before long drifted asleep. Draco smiled at the beauty in his arms and rested her head against hers. Before he could help himself, he too had fallen into a deep slumber. And it was like this that they travelled the rest of the way to Hogwarts.
Heya,
Thank you sooo much for reviewing to me people. It means alot to me. I was just wondering if you guys would be kind enough to review if you read this story/chapter and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE read my one-shots. Dont worry about my other story because its on hold for a small while. Thankyou,
Angie
