Chapter 9:
A/N So I understand that Hermione is scared of flying, I know that. But that's how she's potrayed in like almost every Dramione fic! I don't want that, and I have many flying dramione moments up my sleeve.
Hermione knew she wasn't ready to face Malfoy yet after what McGonagall asked her to do, so she decided to head to the Gryffindor tower, and spend the night with Ginny.
She figured to let Harry and Ron in on what she was being asked to do, just in case they started questioning her about why she was "fraternizing with the enemy."
Hermione found all her friends socializing in the common room. Every one greeted her, but soon left afterwards, leaving only Harry, Ron, and her in the comforts of the Gyffindor common room.
"What's up, 'Mione?" Harry questioned, patting the empty space on the couch next to him, signaling Hermione to sit.
"I went to speak to McGonagall about my living arrangements with Malfoy as you guys advised me to do," Hermione began. "And well… You'll never guess what she asked me to do!" Hermione went on in detail explaining the predicament she got herself into. She gushed on about her complaints as to why the Order chose her to spy on Malfoy, and they comforted her as she went on about her fears of messing it up.
"Malfoy will never see it coming." Hermione stared at Ron and wondered how he could say something so dense after she spilled her hearts out to them. Ron turned to look at Harry to know if he had to a clue to why Hermione was staring at him like that. Harry just shrugged him off and turned his attention back to Hermione.
"Don't listen to him, Mione." Harry always knew what to say at times like these. "We'll have your back through this whole thing." She smiled at his loyalty. "Ron and I will even try to be civil with Malfoy if it'll make things easier for you." Ron stared at Harry dumfounded to what his best friend just suggested them to do.
Hermione saw the whole exchange, but chose to ignore it. She hugged them goodnight, "Thanks guys. You're the best." She said, bestowing both of them with a kiss on the cheek.
Lavender watched in the background listening to every thing Hermione shared with Harry and Ron. She thought it was a good idea, and planned to let it go and head to her dormitory for the night, but her decision shifted when she saw Hermione plant one on her Won-Won.
She was beyond jealous. Ever since complications aroused with her relationship with Ron back in fifth year, she began to detest Hermione because she convinced herself that Hermione was trying to steal her man from her.
Lavender had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to get back at Little Miss Perfect, and what better do it than sabotaging her friendship with Malfoy.
After the boys left the common room, Lavender made her way in front of the fireplace to begin plotting. She thought it would be best to strike when Malfoy and Hermione were getting really close. If she got lucky, they might even fall for each other.
Even better. Lavender thought to herself.
With the events that occurred yesterday, Hermione didn't even think to bring spare clothes to the Gryffindor Tower; where she spent the night.
This left her no choice but to go back to the Heads' Dormitory. It was very early in the morning when Hermione snuck her way out of the Gryffindor Tower. If she was fortunate enough, she was hoping that Draco wouldn't be awake and wandering the common room so Hermione could head to her bedroom without having to offer an explanation to her whereabouts last night.
Hermione should've guessed that with her luck, everything she hoped for would turn out to be the complete opposite. There was really no point in making a silent getaway to her bedroom because once she entered the common room; she spotted Malfoy sitting on the armchair near the fire place.
She had expected him to yell at her for her disappearance act and threaten to report her to the Headmistress for sneaking out, but the arms wrapped around her waist took her by surprise. She didn't even notice Malfoy get off his seat by the time he had his arms around her, holding her close to his bare chest.
"Where have you been? I was worried sick about you." Draco looked frantic, which was a surprise to Hermione.
This might be easier than I thought. She thought to herself as Draco held her, trying to inspect for damage.
"Didn't know you cared so much, Malfoy. How touching." She teased.
"Of course I care about you. You're my mate for crying out loud!" This took Hermione by surprise. During their visit at the Malfoy Manor, Draco mentioned something to his father about Hermione being his mate, but Hermione thought he was just messing with her to get under Harry and Ron's skin.
"I'm your what?" Hermione gasped.
"Look, I don't have time to explain everything to you. We have to get ready for class." He explained. "But I'd really like it if we could talk about this while we're flying tonight?" He certainly didn't forget that Hermione accepted his offer to go flying with him sometime, and he figured today was the most convenient.
"Sure…" Hermione figured she might as well get started on her "assignment" from McGonagall.
Draco smiled and gave her a peck on the cheek. "Mind if I walk you to class?" He asked. Draco figured since they both had Advance Potions during their first hour, she wouldn't mind walking with him to class. He really hoped she would say yes, it would give him more time with her, and it'll ease the pain in his chest.
"Yeah, I'd like that." Hermione answered as she made her way up to her bedroom to get ready.
Seeing as their first class was taking place in the dungeons, and the Heads' dorm was located all the way on the seventh floor, Hermione and Draco had lots of time to talk.
They simply talked about every thing. It was confusing Hermione how much comfortable she felt around Draco.
"You had fancied Millicent Bulstrode during first year?" They didn't even know how they got to this topic. At first, they were discussing the time Hermione threw a punch at Draco in third year, now suddenly; they were on the topic of Draco's first crush.
Hermione was clutching her sides from laughing. If Draco continued to make her laugh like this, it wouldn't be long until tears start to run down her face.
"Look who's talking Hermione Longbottom." Earlier in the discussion, Hermione mentioned to Draco about her little crush on Neville during second year. She just knew he wasn't going to let it go.
"Touché." She responded, walking into the Advance Potion's class room, finding it empty.
Hermione made her way to the middle tables, and prepared her books for class.
"Partners?" Before she could answer, Draco already took the seat next to her.
"No, go away." She joked in the act of trying to push Draco further away from her.
Draco faked a hurt expression, "Is that how you treat all your friends?" He asked, looking hurt.
Mission Accomplished. Hermione thought in her head.
"I guess we are friends now, Malfoy." She smiled at him.
"Do you call all your friends by their last name?" He asked because somehow, he knew that she would start calling him by his first name.
"I'm sorry, Draco." His name rolled out of her tongue as if she's been saying it her whole life.
They both smiled at each other, glad about their newly developed friendship.
Students began piling into their seats. In the back row, Lavender watched as Draco and Hermione worked together to brew Veritaserum. She saw how the two seemed to get along with each other, and observed how Hermione would blush when Draco made her laugh.
The wheels on her brain began spinning as she thought of the perfect plan to expose Draco to the truth of Hermione just using him to get information.
Meanwhile, Harry and Ron did what they both promised to Hermione, they were seated behind them, also watching the two.
They made sure that Malfoy wouldn't do anything to harm their Golden Girl. Harry had to hold back Ron several times to stop him from attacking Malfoy for getting along with their Hermione so quickly.
"This is going easier than we thought." Harry told Ron.
Lavender overhead them, "You have no idea." She muttered under her breath.
Here's your chapter 9 just as I promised guys! Thanks for the reviews. The same rule applies for the next chapter also.
20 reviews= Chapter 10.
I hoped you enjoyed, and I apologize for any punctuation errors.
