DISCLAIMER! I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING RELATED TO HARRY POTTER OR ANYTHING THAT J. HAS PREVIOUSLY AND MASERMINDEDLY COME UP WITH! NOR ANY OTHER MOVIES OR BOOKS THAT ARE REFERANCED THROUGH OUT THE STORY!
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Chapter 7
Ok just a warning. It gets a little hot and heavy in this chapter. So, you have been warned!
The winter ball was in a week, and the prefects where busy with last minute preparations. Hermione was just about to pack up and head back to her dorm from some long over due study time in the library when Ron walked in, and sat down in front of her. She looked up from the book she was reading and lifted her eyebrow at him. "Hello, Ronald." She said calmly, and went back to her reading. Hermione had slowly started to be social towards him again, but still regarded him coolly. "Are you still mad about that?" He asked leaning forward on the table with his elbows. "With what you called me…. Yes" Hermione said back without even looking away from her book. "Look how many times do I have to say I'm sorry?" he whispered across the table. Hermione put her book down and looked at him as she started to pack up her things. "Is there something you needed?" She ignored his question, and stood up from her seat, heaving the strap of her satchel up onto her shoulder. She moved to stand at the edge of the table looking at Ron, and waiting for him to spit out what he needed. She assumed that it was help with homework or an upcoming test, like usual. When he didn't answer she started walking to the door. "Hermione, wait." He called after her. She didn't stop walking and he had to run after her to catch up. Once they where out in the hall he grabbed her arm to stop her. She looked back at him, to his hand and then back up to his face. He instantly let her go, but she stayed there to hear him out. "Look, I wanted to ask you something." He finally said, pushing his hands in his pockets. "If it's about homework, Ron, you know I'll help you, but if you want me to help you cheat on a test…Forget it! You need to learn to study like the rest of us, and not fly by the seat of your pants!"
"It's not about homework, I was gonna see if you wanted to go to the winter ball with me. Seeing how neither of us have dates, and you told me the last time that I needed to pluck up the courage to ask you. So, I'm asking." He gave her one of those goofy grins he always does, and Hermione could have smacked it right off his face. "What makes you think I don't already have plans? Why do you always assume that no one thinks I'm good enough? Why don't you think I'm good enough?" She took a step closer to him, and the look on her face let Ron know he screwed up again. "You are good enough!" He tried to back peddle. "I'm asking you first this time, aren't I?" He took a step back to gain some well-needed space. "I don't know, are you? For all I know you have already asked the whole school, and no one wants to go with you. So you come to me, and make me feel like nothing so I'll go to the ball with you out of self pity." Ron just stood there looking at her for a moment. "Well if your not gonna go with me, who are you going with?" Hermione shrunk back a little; she realized that Ron hadn't seen the way that she and Draco had become closer. They still weren't holding hands in the halls or anything, but their time together had increased, and Ron had been clueless as always. "You don't have anyone taking you do you, you just don't want me to go, and you want to prove some kind of point by making me look like a git! That is isn't it! You're just not going with me to get back at me!" Ron was starting to get louder as he talked. It was true, Draco hadn't asked her yet, but sense they where together now, she just assumed they would go together. Hermione glared at him, not saying anything. He leaned forward, "your not saying anything, that proves my point. The loud mouthed Hermione finally quiet?" Ron always turned to insults when he was upset or hurt, and Hermione knew it. However, it didn't stop his words from hurting. "Ron…. You're a selfish ass… " She said before she turned on her heal and stormed away. This time she really wasn't going to let him see how much he hurt her. First he called her a slag, and now he was assuming that she was nothing and no one wanted her.
She walked quickly, almost at a run to get away from Ron, and wasn't watching where she was going when she ran smack into someone. Hermione dropped her bag and everything went flying. A few explicit words came out of her mouth as she looked down at the mess. "Wow, granger, I didn't know you had the mouth of a sailor." She knew that voice, and sighed when she looked up into those crystal gray eyes she had come to be fond of. Draco knelt down to help her pick her things up. "What wrong?" He questioned. Hermione stuffed everything back into her bag when he handed it to her. "Stupid Ron." She mumbled and Draco knew instantly they had had another roe. He reached out and took her hand, pulling her to him, and wrapping his arms around her. She in turn did the same, wrapping her arms around his waist, and leaning forward to rest her head on his chest. Draco propped his chin on the top of her head. "Don't worry about the weasel. No one ever said he actually had a brain in that thick skull of his." Draco comforted her. "That floppy red hair must have sucked out all the smarts, and anyway, " he pulled back a little to look down at her. Hermione shifted as well to look him in the eye. "I can always just send his mum an owl letting her know that he has put another toe out of line, she is sure to bring him straight home after that." He smirked, and Hermione let out a small laugh at him bringing up the howler Ron had received in second year. Draco smiled, "Better?" Hermione nodded. "Good, now come along, I have something to show you." He took her by the hand and led her down the hall.
"Where are we going?" Hermione finally asked after letting Draco pull her along for five minutes. They where heading up the grand staircase, and for a second Hermione thought that he was taking her back to the Gryffindor common room, but instead of heading off to the right towards the tower, Draco pulled her to the left. She instantly knew where they where headed. They stopped in front a blank stretch of wall; Draco dropped her hand and began to pace up and down the hall in front of the wall. On his third turn a door started to carve itself out of the wall, and Hermione smiled. "I thought it was gone!" Draco just looked over his shoulder at her and reached out for her hand again. Once inside, Hermione looked around, Gone where the stacks upon stacks of junk. Now there was a big empty room that looked like a cozy study that you would find in normal wizards home. One wall was lined with books, that was adjacent to a long wall filled with tall windows. To her left was a grand fireplace, along with a roaring fire. In front of the fire was a nice comfy looking black velvet couch that looked a little worn from years of use. There was an ornate rug on the floor that had dark greens and silvers swirling around in all kinds of patterns. All in all it looked like a lovely place to read and relax. Draco took Hermione's things and walked over to a small table in the corner that she hadn't noticed when she walked in, and put down his satchel and cloak, along with hers. Hermione walked over to the bookshelves and started scanning the titles. Draco stood back and watched her; he slowly made his way over to the fireplace. "What is this place?" Hermione asked more to herself, but loud enough that Draco could hear. "Its another one of my go to places… " He said staring into the fire. Hermione looked over her shoulder at him. The shadows from the fire played over his face, darkening the lines and shadows that where already there. It made him look older, and more rugged. She tilted her head to the side looking him over, He seemed taller, but skinnier, his hair still in that well kept part, held in place with far less hair gel than he used to use. It feathered nicely over the right side of his forehead, and was almost glowing from the light from the fire, almost transparent, the weight of the world shown on his face. His hands where in his pockets, and he automatically seemed to be in a in another world.
Hermione walked over and stood at the end of the couch, leaning on the arm. "Draco, what's wrong?" She asked, but he was silent for a moment before looking up at her, the flames from the fire danced in his eyes and she almost took a step back. Draco blinked and the darkness that she thought she saw there was replaced with sorrow, but that too vanished within seconds and he smirked. "Nothing I can't handle." Hermione walked over to him slowly, eyeing him in a way that might be cautious. Draco lifted his arm and held out his hand to her. Hermione moved to his side, snuggling up under his outstretched arm, and wrapping hers around his waist. Draco wrapped his arm around her, and pressed his lips to her hair, she looked up at him from where she rested her head on his chest. "Are you going to take me to the winter ball?" She asked changing the subject, and wanting to prove Ron wrong. Draco smiled, "I assumed that's what was happening, I hope you weren't thinking of going with someone else, since you are my labeled girlfriend now." He was teasing her on how she had to question what he meant when he "asked" her to be his. Hermione rolled her eyes at him, and he chuckled. This is the part of Draco she didn't think she would ever get used to; the smiling, happy, nice Draco, not that it was a bad thing. There was still something bothering him though, but she let it go, he would tell her when he was ready. For now she just nuzzled into his chest and enjoyed the moment, and the warmth from the fire. Outside the "windows" the snow started to fall.
The next morning Hermione woke up to her dorm bathed in a soft white glow, and a chill in the air. She ripped off her covers and ran over to her window. She let out an excited squeal once she saw that Hogwarts grounds where covered in a blanket of snow. She loved how everything looked so beautiful in the fresh snowfall and ice. Plus it meant Christmas was coming! Hermione quickly dressed and made her way down to breakfast. She practically skipped to her seat at the Gryffindor table. Ginny looked up from her eggs, "well someone is in a good mood." Hermione just grinned at her. "It snowed last night" she confirmed and grabbed a muffin from the center of the table, letting out a soft giggle as she took a bite. Ginny couldn't help but smile back at her. "Snow ball fight later? We can get the boys before they know what's happening." Ginny said in a whisper as Harry and Ron came walking up. Hermione nodded, the both laughed. "What are you two on about now?" Ron asked. "Nothing!" The girls said in unison. Both boys eyed them suspiciously. "Uh huh" Harry said as he took his seat next to Ginny, who just grinned at Hermione.
Potions started much like any other day. They where in the middle of copying down Professor Slughorn's instructions when Hermione felt something touch her leg, then a hand slide into her lap. She looked to Draco out of the corner of her eye, and smiled to herself. She reached under the table to take hold of his index finger, and lightly rubbed his hand with her thumb as she kept writing. Once they where set loses to do their assignment, Hermione got up to go get what they needed from the supply closet, Harry came in after her and she smiled at him. "He likes you..." Hermione turned to Him, "What? Who?" "Draco, he likes you." Harry repeated. She instantly blushed, had he seen them holding hands under the table? Hermione cleared her throat, "How do you know?" Harry turned to look at her with the ingredient he needed in his hand. "He told me." She stared at him, and almost dropped the bottle in her hand. Draco and Harry are on talking terms? "Right before he apologized for being a stuck up, spoiled ferret that cause hell for everyone." Hermione was confused, and it showed on her face; she had never seen the two of them together long enough to have any kind of civilized conversation. "When?" She asked in disbelief. "During the Quidditch match, at the beginning while we where both looking for the snitch. He told me that he had apologized to you for everything, and felt it should be extended to me too." Hermione walked around Harry and poked her head out of the supply closet to look over at Draco, who was setting up their cauldron. She squinted slightly and turned back to Harry. "Really?" She asked. Harry nodded. She looked back at Draco, then back at Harry who just shrugged. Hermione grabbed the last thing she needed and walked back over to their table. Draco looked at her when she set everything down, and gave her an "everything alright?" Kind of look, she just smiled her reply, but kept looking at him every now and then, trying to wrap her head around Draco actually apologizing to Harry without someone twisting his arm.
After potions, Hermione had gone back to her dorm to change into her muggle clothes. She and Ginny had planned everything out on the walk back up to the tower. They where going to tell the boys that Hagrid wanted to see them about something and ambush them with snowballs when they got to the stone circle. They met down in the common room and left before anyone could notice. The girls ran down the covered bride in order to get there without Harry or Ron seeing. As soon as they where out in the open Hermione and Ginny scooped up some snow and started making ammunition. The only problem was, the boys where already there and waiting. An onslaught of snowballs flew at them when they got to the middle of the circle. Both girls screamed, "So not fair!" Ginny yelled as she winged a snowball at Ron, which he dodged. Back and forth snowballs flew like cannon fodder. Hermione threw one with all her might, and hit Ron square in the ear. "Only 'cuz I wasn't looking!" He shouted. He was going after harry when she got the lucky shot in. The only person who didn't seem to be getting hit with snow was Harry. Which later Hermione attributed to him being a seeker, and was used to having to dodge flying objects. Ginny came out second with very little snow covering her clothes, and Ron didn't get much either. However, Hermione was covered from head to toe in snowflakes. "Remind me never to have a snowball fight with half the Gryffindor Quidditch team ever again!" She said, out of breath and resting with her hands on her knees. They all laughed and decided to call a truce, heading in for some hot coco and cookies. Just before heading in Hermione scooped up a handful of snow, and charmed it to keep it from melting. "What's that for?" Ginny asked as they walked into the great hall. "For something later." Hermione grinned; she had an evil plan in mind.
After they had their fill of coco and cookies, the four friends started to head back up to their common room. "Ill catch up, I forgot something." Hermione said handing Ginny her coat and hat to take back to the room with her, and using the excuse to get away. Ginny just smiled her all knowing smile and nodded. "Ok, later then.." Hermione went in search of Draco. She looked in the library first, then the boathouse. She even dared to ask some first years to check the Slytherin common room. He wasn't in any of the places she thought he would be, so that only left one place. Hermione mane her way up to the room of requirement, pacing in front of the blank wall until the door appeared. Slowly she walked forward and grabbed the handle, pulling lightly so the door would open soundlessly. Inside she saw him siting on the couch, book in hand and his back to her. He was dressed in a normal black t-shirt and jeans, and... was he bear foot? She tiptoed in, shutting the door behind her softly. She was half way to him when with out even looking up Draco busted her cover. "You shouldn't try to sneak up on people, it's considered rude." Hermione let out a sigh and came up behind the couch. "How can you do that?" Draco smirked up at her, leaning his head back to see where she was behind him. "Magic" was all he said and she squinted at him. "Pfff" she said, "you can't use that excuse. That's what we are here for, magic." He chuckled and went back to his book, it was now or never! Hermione pulled the charmed snowball out of her pocket and smashed it on top of Draco's head. He let out a yell in surprise, and jumped up, and shook his hair to get the snow out.
"Why you little!" Draco jumped over the back of the couch to get at her. Hermione screamed and ran around to the other side, but he was too fast. Draco ran to catch her, grabbing her around the waist. He shook his hair, splattering snow all over. Hermione squealed with a giggle and tried to push him away, which caused them both to loose their balance and fall back onto the couch. Draco had Her pinned down, smiling at her. "You're going to pay for that." Her stated, Hermione laughed, "oh yeah?" She tried to push him off, but he was too heavy, and he hardly moved. Draco pulled one arm out from under her. "Yeah.." he grinned evilly and started to tickle her side. Hermione screamed "NO! Stop!" But he kept going. It wasn't until she was out of breath and begging that he listened. He grinned down at her and she smiled back, trying to catch her breath. They lay there for a moment looking at each other; his eyes flickered to her lips and then back up to hers before slowly lowered his head, and pressed his lips to hers. Hermione responded by slowly wrapping her arms around his back. Draco tilted his head to the side to deepen the kiss, opening his mouth slightly, pushing his tongue against hers. Hermione moved her hand farther up his back; the motion pulled his shirt up a little. He nudged her chin with his to get to her mimic his movements, which she then complied with by tilting her head back, and exposing her throat. Draco moved to kiss along her jaw, and down her neck. Hermione let out a soft sigh, rolling her head to the side to give him more access. She grabbed a handful of his shirt and pulled. Draco ran the bridge of his nose along her jaw again before reclaiming her lips. Shifting his weight to his right side, he moved his left hand down to her thigh just behind her knee, and pulled it over his hip. Hermione in turn slid her free hand up under shirt, his skin felt hot and soft under her fingertips, she dug her fingers into his back lightly; This made him moan into her mouth as he pulled her tighter against him, pushing forward with his hips at the same time. His movements sent electricity shooting throughout her body. She pushed her hips back against his; arching her back against the couch as much as his weight would allow her. Draco slid his hand up from her thigh to her hip, and then move farther up her side, pulling her shirt up slightly exposing her stomach. He gripped her side, and pushing back against her again. Hermione could feel how excited he was getting, and her right along with him. Draco moved to nibble along her neck again, and Hermione let out a soft moan, causing him to push his hips against her harder. He moved his hand up a little higher onto her ribs. Hermione then pulled on his shirt more.
Draco pulled back and knelt between her knees. It shocked her when he sat up and her eyes flew open to look up at him. He was reaching back over his head to grab the back of his shirt, and pulled it over his head, and tossed it to the floor. Hermione looked him over, his lean muscles moving under his skin, and the firelight cast deep shadows in the valley of his chest and stomach. She reached out to run her hand over his chiseled form. His muscles twitched under her soft touch, and he watched her hand as she explored him. Before she knew what was happening he quickly grabbed her wrist and pinned it above her head, and came back down and claiming her lips for his own yet again. Hermione's free hand began to roam over his bear back; she gripped his shoulder blade and pulled him to her. She was so lost in everything that was Draco; her head was swimming and her body taking on a life of its own. Draco pushed his hip up into her harder, it was clear what he wanted, and Hermione was happy to give it to him in her current state of mind. She wasn't sure how they got to this point, but somewhere deep in the back of her mind her inner self was having a debate. One side told her that she needed to stop this before it went too far, and the other not wanting to stop at all. It felt good to have someone want her like this. She lifted her hips back up against him, and He moved to burry his face in her neck, he let out a muffled moan. They where so lost in each other that they almost didn't hear the chimes that where going off to let students know that it was time for curfew. Hermione's eyes flew open on the second chime, and she went stiff under him. Draco pulled back to look at her, a confused look on his face. He lifted his head and let out a frustrated groan when he heard the third chime, falling forward onto her, burring his face in her neck again. He lay there for a moment, and Hermione traced her fingers up and down his spine lightly and kissed his shoulder. He nuzzled her neck and sighed, before shifting off of her and sitting at the end of the couch, letting her up to right herself. Draco ran a hand through his hair and rubbed the back of his neck. Hermione sat up and started fixing her clothes. She stood up to retrieve his shirt for him from where he discarded it on the floor. Moving to stand in front of him, Draco looked up at her from his spot on the couch. He then reached out to take her hand and pull her forward; placing her hand on his shoulder and guiding her by the hip to come closer. Hermione had to straddle his lap with the way he was pulling her to him. Draco wrapped his arms around her as she sat in his lap and hugged her tight, laying his head on her chest. She was surprised at his actions, and didn't know what to do. She just wrapper her arms around his shoulders, and laid her cheek on his head, her fingers lightly caressing the back of his neck and playing with his hair. She felt him shutter slightly, his arms tightened around her more, at the same time he buried his face in her form. It reminded her of a small child trying to hid their face in their mothers body when someone they don't know who is trying to talk to them, but his eyes where closed tight. All she could do is hold him tighter to comfort him. Draco pulled back a few minutes later, and patted her sides signaling her to get up. Hermione stood up and he fallowed, taking his shirt from her and putting it back on. He then took her hand and lead across the room and her out the door, letting it close behind them. Hermione looked over her shoulder just in time to watch the door disappear back into the wall. She felt a ping of sadness that they had to leave the room. Draco walked her all the way back to the Gryffindor common room still holding her hand, stopping just in front of the portrait of the fat lady. Hermione turned to face him, he placed a hand on her face rubbing her cheek with his thumb, he smiled softly at her. "See you later?" She nodded back to him. Draco leaned down and kissed her lightly. Hermione reluctantly let his hand slip out of hers as he turned, shoving his hands in his pockets, and hanging his head slightly as he walked off, the sound of his bear feet hitting the stone floor as he went. Once Hermione was in her dorm she quietly dressed for bed, and pulled back the covers to climb in. Snuggling into her pillow she ran through the events of the evening in her mind. She drifted off to sleep thinking about how Broken Draco looked as he walked away from her tonight, and about how she almost did something with him she wasn't sure she was ready for, but wanted.
The days went by quickly, and before she knew it, it was time to get ready for the winter ball. She was sitting in Ginny's dorm all dressed, letting her put the finishing touches on her hair. Ginny thought it would be best just to go with a simple up do, with a few curls hanging down here and there. "Draco is gonna fall over when he sees you." Ginny grinned. Hermione just bit her lip nervously. Once Ginny was finished, Hermione helped her in return. Soon it was time to head down to the main hall for the ball. (Ha… hall, ball… see what I did there.) The girls where half way down the moving stair case when they saw Harry and Draco standing on one of the landings, talking calmly, dressed in their best dress robes. Hermione looked to Ginny, who in turn looked back at her. The two men turned to look at them as they approached where they where standing. "Wow, Ginny you look great." Harry was looking her over and obviously approved. He took her hand and had her do a little spin. They both looked to Hermione and Draco, "We'll see you guys in there…" Ginny grinned and dragged Harry off down the stairs. Hermione stood a step above Draco, making her eye level with him. She was leaning against the railing of the stairs watching her two friends race off down to the main floor. When she looked to Draco he was smirking at her. "What?" She tried not to blush. He held his hand out to her, and she took it. Draco took a step closer to her, allowing her to stay on the step she was on. "You look stunning." She bit her lip in response to his complement. "Don't." He said as he leaned forward, placing his hand on her hip. She put her hands on his shoulders. "Don't what?" He squinted at her. "You know what…" She couldn't help it, Hermione grinned. "No, I don't, why don't you remind me." Draco grinned back at her, "Well if I must." He pressed his lips to hers, not caring who saw them. He pulled her closer by the hip; Hermione broke the kiss to look him in the eye. He just grunted softly at her and smirked. Just then the doors to the great hall opened to let everyone in. Draco took her by the hand and led her down the stairs. As they neared the entrance, Hermione tried to pull her hand from his. They had never had physical contact in public before, and she was assuming that it would be the same tonight, at least for now. She had no clue how this night was going to go, and to be honest she was nervous as hell. Draco tightened his grip on her hand when he felt her tug a bit, and looked back at her, tilting his head slightly in a questioning way. She took a deep breath and nodded to him, he smiled and they entered the ball together, hand in hand.
Draco still had not let go of her an hour after the ball started. Hermione caught quite a few people staring at them as they made their way through the crowd, and could almost hear the whispers of the rumors that would be making their way through the school tomorrow. "Hermione.." Draco's voice cut through her thought bubble, and she looked to him. "Stop thinking, enjoy tonight." Hermione gave him a half smile, and he pulled her to his side. "What..." he asked, knowing she was worried about something. Hermione scrunched her lips into the corner of her mouth before replying. "People are staring... and whispering." She mumbled. Draco couldn't help but grin, was he laughing at her uncomfortableness?! Suddenly He was pulling her towards the dance floor. Hermione tried to dig her heals into the floor. "Draco! What are you doing!" Once at the center he wheeled around and pulled her to him, placing on hand on her hip and taking her right hand in his, she automatically placed her free hand on his shoulder. "If they are going to talk anyway, lets give them a topic of conversation." Before she knew it Draco had stepped forward to lead her across the floor, Hermione fallowed and soon they where dancing. Draco twirled her, and she couldn't help but grin. He pulled her close again, "Better?" She nodded. "Good." Then they where off again. Draco's confidence eased her mind, it wasn't long before she was laughing and having the night of her life. When the song ended, the two of them stood there on the dance floor with people all around them. "Are you ready to give them something to really talk about?" Draco wagged his eyebrows at her, which made her laugh. "What did you have in mind?" He put his hand on her cheek as an answer to her question. She instantly knew what was he was thinking, she grinned biting her lip again. Draco lent down, and she lifted her chin. They kissed right there in the middle of the dance floor. Draco pulled back and looked around. "That should just about do it, don't you think?" Hermione just stared up at him and nodded. He grinned down at her. "Come on.." and he lead her in another dance. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a streak of red hair storming out of the main entrance. Hermione looked over just in time to watch Ron disappear through the door. She bit her lip, Draco looked in the same direction she was staring. "Don't let him ruin tonight, Hermione." She looked back to him and smiled slightly, and nodded again. The rest of the night was spent laughing and forgetting about old worries; they where sitting at a table that lined the dance floor when Ginny came up to them. Hermione smiled at her. "Hermione, I'm going to steal a dance with your date..." she said and held her hand out to Draco, who looked to from Ginny to Hermione, who in turn just shrugged at him. "She wont take no for an answer." Draco stood from his chair. Ginny grabbed his arm and forcefully drug him to the dance floor. Draco looked back over his shoulder for help, but Hermione just waved.
Draco was at a loss; it was as if Ginny was trying to lead him. He stumbled a few times, "You know if you hurt her ill come after you, right?" Draco's lifted his eyebrows at her. "I don't plan of it, Weaslet." She glared at him slightly for the nickname. "Good, just so we are clear." "Crystal" Draco replied. They whirled off into the sea of people out on the dance floor. Over at the table, Hermione giggled to herself as she watch Ginny man handle Draco across the dance floor. Harry soon came up and sat next to her, they exchanged smiles and laughed at the look on Draco's face, it looked like Ginny just threatened his manhood. "Want to dance?" Harry asked looking to Hermione. "Yeah!" Hermione put her hand into his and let him lead her to the floor; soon they fell in time with everyone around them. "He has changed, hasn't he?" Harry asked, Hermione looked from him over his shoulder to where Draco was awkwardly trying to keep up with Ginny. "It seems so, yes."
"You know your like my sister, Hermione, and..."
"I get it, Harry." She cut him off.
"Ok, just so you know." Harry confirmed
"Yes, yes... if he hurts me you'll break his legs, and Ron gets his arms, I get it." She rolled her eyes at him. "Good, now that that is out of the way." Harry replied, they both laughed. The song ended, but she and Harry continued to dance through to the next song.
By the end of the night, all four of them where sitting at the table exhausted. Ginny was laying her head on Harry's shoulder with her eyes closed. "I think its time we call it a night." Harry said as he shifted in his chair, causing Ginny to sit up. "Yeah, ok." She agreed. Harry turned to Draco and Hermione. "See you guys in the morning." Everyone said their good nights, before Ginny and harry walked out the door and back to the Gryffindor common room, leaving Draco and Hermione to themselves at the table. Hermione scanned the room with a concerned look on her face. "I wonder where Ron went off to." Draco just shrugged, not really caring where the hot head weasel was, or wasn't. Hermione let out a yawn and leant back against Draco. He put his arm around her and kissed her hair. "Did you have fun?" He questioned her, she only nodded, to tired to reply. "Good, lest get you to bed shall we?" He stood, and extended his hand, helping Hermione up out of her seat. Again he didn't let go of her hand as they made their way to the exit.
They walked in silence as Draco escorted Hermione to her common room; he held her hand the whole way, almost as if she would disappear if he let go. At the top of the stairs Hermione pulled him to a stop. He looked back at her, "I'm not ready to go into the common room yet." She told him. "Alright." Was his only reply. They kept walking and soon found themselves at the bottom of the astronomy tower. They climbed the stairs and Draco held the door open for her at the top. Hermione stepped out into the cold night air, rubbing her arms lightly against the cold. She stepped to the railing to look out over the grounds; everything was still under a blanket of snow. Draco came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her to keep warm, he rested his chin on her head. Hermione could help but smile, but the feeling of his body pressed up against hers reminded her of the time in the room of requirement. "I'm sorry for the other night." She said breaking the silence. "What are you talking about?" Draco questioned her back. "You know... the other night... in the room of.." "Stop." Draco cut her off. "But..." she tried again. He took her by the shoulders and turned her around to look at him. "Look, I'm just as new to this kind of thing as you are." She looked at him funny. "There's no way that Draco Malfoy is a virgin..." he almost choked on air, "What?! Oh merlin no! Wait, are you?" Hermione blushed and looked away. "You're kidding! With how you and the weasel where, I would have sworn..." "Well we didn't!" Hermione almost yelled at him. "Okay, okay.. calm down..." he took a step back from her, and she glared at him. "Well if your not, then what did you mean?" She asked him, Draco stepped away from her, turning his back so she couldn't see his face, and rubbed the back of his neck with his hand, before turning back to her, now being a few feet away. "I mean... I've never done this!" He pointed back and forth from himself to her and back again. "This?" She had her hands on her hips. Draco straighten up and gave her a look that said come on think Hermione its what your good at. Her eyes flashed wide, "A relationship? Like a real one..." he clenched his jaw and looked to the side. "Oh... well…" taking a step closer to him and his eyes shifted back to her, there was that sorrowful look in his eyes again that made her chest ache. "I guess we just have to help each other out then... and take it slow." She held her hand out to him, Draco took it. "I might need help with slow." She smiled, "That's what I'm here for." and stepped closer, she was only a few inches away now. Hermione put her hand on his chest and stretched up on her tiptoes to kiss his bottom lip softly, Draco sighed and wrapped his arm around her pulling her flush against him. When they broke the kiss he looked down into her eyes and smiled "Yeah, okay… slow it is."
It was a week before the Christmas break, and Hermione was making her Christmas gift list; she tapped her lip with the feather of her quill as she thought. She kept looking it over; she had something for everyone except Draco. What in the world do you get someone who has everything, and if they don't, can buy it when ever they want. She dropped her quill and fell forward face first on to the desk with a frustrated groan. It was then that her dragon scale necklace fell out of her shirt with a small clunk, her eyes flew open and she looked down at it. Sitting back in her chair, Hermione lifted the scale and turned it in the light, watching it shimmer this way and that. She had only had it for a few months, but it had come to mean so much to her. It did exactly what Newt Scamander said it would. It reminded her that you couldn't change people, or control them. For some reason when she looked at it, it made her think of Draco, and how he seemed to be battling with inner daemons, as well as the people of this school. First week back She even had protested being his potions partner. Still, Draco could do with some reminding that no matter what, he was the only one he could control. That went the same with everyone else; no one could control him with out his say so. Hermione slipped the necklace off, and held it in her hand. Reaching into her desk she found a small velvet bag that once held her time turner. She held it open and slowly dropped the necklace in side, and with that her Christmas list was finished. Now she just had to figure out how to give Draco his present. Hermione stood from her desk and put the bag in her pocket, she would figure it out later.
SO! That's that! The first taste of what's to come. With the way things are going I have some serious thinking to do, and if I need to change this from a "T" rating to an "M". I hope if it does end up going that way, that I don't lose any readers! Any way! I would love to hear your thoughts as always!
And I wanted to give a Special shout out to Erimenthe, you got me through tough block there! Thank you again!
