AN: This chapter is slightly shorter than usual, sorry. But we are getting into some real Dean/Hermione now. Next chapter there will be some lemons so if that's not you thing then I apologize. Oh and unfortunately Ron will be back. Not this chapter not for a while actually but he will be back. As always thanks for the reviews and alerts and faves- you guys are my sunshine. Love and kisses and all that.
"I am screwed," Dean told Seamus and Neville the next morning.
"Good morning to you too mate," Seamus chuckled.
"What's wrong?" Neville asked.
Dean put his head in his hands, "I kissed her," he moaned.
Seamus and Neville exchanged a look. "And?" Seamus prompted.
"And she and Ron aren't even broken up," Dean hissed. "She isnt ready. It made everything awkward."
"Well, just don't let it happen again until she is ready," Neville said. "Take your time. But at least you know she is interested, right?"
"I don't know that," Dean replied. "She is rebounding. She would have kissed Draco Malfoy if he had been there."
"Who is kissing Malfoy?" Lavender asked as she sat down.
"No one," Dean sighed.
"But Dean kissed Hermione," Seamus said.
Lavender made a face, "What happened to waiting until she was ready?" she asked.
"Until who is ready?" Ginny asked.
"No one," Dean, Neville, Seamus and Lavender said at the same time.
"Ok, you guys are being weird which means you are up to something," Ginny replied, "But I am too tired to care."
At that moment Hermione walked up and sat down next to Dean, "Morning guys!"
"Where were you this morning?" Dean asked her.
"Had to send a letter," Hermione said.
"Oh," Dean replied and started eating.
Hermione leaned over and whispered to Dean, "I think we should talk."
"About?" Dean whispered knowing what she was going to say.
"Last night, you know?" Hermione replied.
"Ok," Dean smiled. "Tonight, after practice?"
"Works for me," Hermione agreed.
They sat in awkward silence until breakfast was over. Dean hated himself for letting this happen.
While Dean was at Quidditch practice Hermione was trying to do the prefects schedule. She searched through her paperwork for last week's schedule. "It's not here," she growled. She was usually so organized but since the thing with Ron she had been a little scattered. "I bet Dean has it."
Hermione wasn't entirely comfortable going into his room while he was gone. "I will just take a peek at his desk and then leave. If I can't find it then I will wait until he gets back." She walked through the connecting bathroom and then pushed open his door.
His room was exactly the same as last time she was here, "Of course it is," Hermione laughed, "I was here last night." Hermione walked over to Dean's desk which was covered in papers and books. "How does he find anything?" Hermione wondered. She started looking through the papers. She saw the schedule lying under his Potions notes. "Victory!" As she was leaving she knocked a book to the floor.
Hermione turned to pick it up. It was his sketchbook. She had forgotten Dean was an artist. The book had turned upside down upon falling. Hermione was about to close it when she saw the pictures it opened to...they were sketches of her.
In one of the sketches she was asleep on the couch in their common room and in the other she was laughing. They were beautiful. Was she really that pretty or did he alter her in the sketches? She never really thought she was pretty. Hermione told herself it was wrong but she flipped to the next page-another picture of her. Hermione was panicking. She closed the sketchbook and put it back where she found it. She grabbed the schedule she was looking for and ran back to he room.
Once she was safely back in her domain. She sat down on the bed and took a deep breath. What did that mean? Did it mean anything? Was she being vain?
Before she could get too lost in her thoughts there was a tapping at her window. Hermione opened it and found an owl. There was a letter attached to its leg. She pulled it off. Instead of leaving the owl waited obviously it was told to wait for a response.
Hermione opened the letter and recognized Ron's handwriting.
Hermione,
I know I messed this thing up with us. I am sorry. I hate myself-I really do. But we can't be over. We are meant to be. I love you and you said you still love me. That is all that matters. You need time. I understand. I can give you that. All I ask is you don't give up on us.
Love always and forever,
Ron
Hermione groaned. When did life become so complicated? She pulled a piece of parchment out and sat down to write Ron back.
Ronald,
I know this is difficult for you as it is for me. But I am resolute. You and I are done. I can't trust you. If it is this hard so early then obviously it isnt meant to be. Please accept that so that we have a shot of retaining our friendship.
Sincerely,
Hermione
She attached the letter to his the owls leg and sent him off. She hoped Ron would understand what she was saying. There was just no way to go back.
From downstairs she heard the door open and shut. Then she heard Dean's footsteps on the stairs. Hermione went into the hall and saw her friend.
"Hey," she greeted him shyly.
"Hey," Dean replied. "I know we need to talk but can I shower and change first?"
"Of course," Hermione told him.
"I won't be long," Dean promised and he disappeared into his room.
Hermione went back into her room and looked in the mirror. She was still wearing her uniform. She went to her chest of drawers and pulled out some fancy pajamas Fleur had given her when she stayed at Shell cottage last year after Malfoy Manor. Hermione had never worn them but they were pretty. They weren't reveling like some of the pajamas Ginny wore.
Hermione stripped down and slipped on the red satin button up shirt and the matching pants. They fit her perfectly. She pulled the French braid out of her hair and combed her hair. She pulled it half up and half down. She thought about putting make up on and then chastised herself. She wasn't trying to impress Dean.
Or was she?
Hermione sat down and waited for him.
Dean stared at himself in the mirror. He wasn't looking forward to this conversation. He was going to walk in there and Hermione was going to tell him that kiss made her uncomfortable or whatever and his hopes would be dashed.
Why did he have to kiss her? It was kind of an accident. He kissed her cheek and then she turned her head. He could have pulled back but -
Well, what's done is done, he thought.
Time to face the music. He went to the connecting bathroom door and knocked. A second later the door opened and Hermione smiled at him. She stepped back and ushered him inside. Dean was feeling a little breathless. Hermione looked stunning in red satin pajamas. Her hair was down but pulled half up. He had never seen a girl make a pair of pajamas look so hot.
"Come in and sit down," Hermione said.
Dean lowered himself into her desk chair. "So, you wanted to talk?" Dean said rubbing his hands on his legs.
Hermione sighed, "This is probably silly but-" she took a deep breath, "We kissed."
Dean nodded, "We did," he agree.
"It was a mistake, right?" Hermione asked.
Dean didn't know how to respond. He should agree and let her think that it was a mistake but he couldn't make himself do it so he just said,"Hmm."
Hermione sighed and then said, "Do you still draw?"
Dean was floored by this question,"Huh?"
"Do you still draw?" Hermione repeated. "I remember you used to draw."
"Oh, uh, yeah. I still draw. I didn't for a while when I was on the run last year but I started again this summer," He told her. "Why?"
Hermione made a noise, "You're going to be mad at me."
"Why?" Dean asked. He didn't like where this was going.
Hermione was fidgeting as she spoke, "I went into your room tonight. I was looking for the prefects schedule-"
Dean felt dizzy as she was speaking. He knew what she found and he wanted to run and hide in his room.
"I found it as I was leaving -I knocked your sketchbook onto the floor-" Hermione continued.
"Oh no," Dean groaned putting his head in his hands.
"When I picked it up I saw you had sketched me a few times and-"
"Oh man," Dean was nearly in tears. This was humiliating.
"I was just wondering if it was random or if it meant something?" Hermione finished sounding breathless.
Dean knew it would easier if he said it was random but his mouth seemed to be working on its own, "It means something."
Hermione's eyes widened, "Oh," she exhaled.
Dean rubbed his eyes with the heel of his hands and then said, "It started at the beginning of term. I found myself attracted to you. Then it turned into more the more time we spent together and now-" he paused and took a deep breath, "I think I am falling in love with you or at very least it is heading that way."
Then Dean's heart soared because instead of looking at him with anger or pity- she smiled. "I have been feeling awful for weeks because I was attracted to you. I tried not to think of my feelings because of me and Ron but I think there are feeling there," she told him.
The room seemed to fill with tension. Dean wanted to go to her but he couldn't move. "Really?"
"Yes," Hermione said but she seemed to want to say more.
"You and Ron?" Dean asked.
"Done," Hermione replied. "He isnt quite on board with the concept but he will get there."
"Oh?" Dean said.
"Yes, he seems to think I just need time but I will get it through to him," Hermione said.
"What does this mean?" Dean asked.
"I am not sure," Hermione hedged. "I want to be with you-"
Dean could hear it coming, "But?"
"But it is too soon, you know?" Hermione said. "Ron and I are barely broken up. I just think we should back off and think about this. I don't want to rush into something and make a mistake. You are coming off a serious relationship too."
Dean nodded, "I understand," he said.
"So, we are agreed nothing changes until we are ready?" Hermione asked
"Until we are ready," Dean confirmed.
Hermione smiled and it melted his heart. She stood up and so did he.
"Can I get a hug?" Hermione asked.
"You sure that is a good idea?" Dean asked.
Hermione laughed, "Were not animals Dean. We can control ourselves."
Dean wasn't so sure about that but he was aching to have her in his arms so he agreed. He moved forward and wrapped his arms around her tiny waist. She twined her thin arms around his neck. Dean closed his eyes. She smelled so good and felt so good. It was almost painful. He was going to pull away when he felt her nuzzling his neck. He moaned and pulled her closer.
Hermione jerked away, "Sorry," she said blushing.
"Right," Dean laughed, "Hug- bad idea."
"Apparently," Hermione covered her face. "Goodnight Dean."
He started for the door, "Goodnight Hermione," he said. He went into his room and threw himself on his bed. He wondered how long until they were ready? Because having her in his arms felt so good and so right. He didn't know how long he could wait until he was able to feel that again.
