Chapter 9
Questions

Dad,

I know you keep telling me not to come home, but I'm sure I can arrange something with Professor McGonagall to floo there when I don't have classes. I really want to see you, Dad. I can come during dinner, or my free period, or something. But I won't do anything unless you say I should.

And answering your questions, I did see the picture of Malfoy and me. It made me laugh a little because it's weird seeing us like that. We're never really happy whenever we see each other anymore. It's been that way for seven years already. We're actually pretty rude to each other and insult one another as much as we can. Did you know he's still wearing the bracelet I gave him on his birthday? He never took it off. We do have to spend a lot of time together, making schedules and coming up with ideas for the school. It takes an extremely large amount of patience, but we end up getting things done. He's changed a lot.

I can't wait to see you Christmas, Dad, and thanks for being honest with me. I love you.

Lots of love,
Hermione

After reading it one more time, she folded up the letter into an envelope and gave it to Hedwig. Harry let Hermione borrow her for the day.

"Take it to my mum and and dad, Hedwig," she told the owl, stroking its feathers and giving it an owl treat. She flew away into the cold November morning to deliver her letter.

With that, Hermione threw on her uniform and exited the common room to eat breakfast in the Great Hall. Gryffindor Tower was pretty much empty, so that meant everyone was there already.

When she entered the Great Hall, she went over to her friends and sat down in the empty space next to Ron.

"Morning, Hermione," they all greeted her, to which she responded by giving them a fake smile.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked her, tilting his head to the side.

Hermione looked up from her empty plate. "Not really." Harry, Ron, and Ginny all looked up at her with concern in their eyes. Ron even stopped stuffing his face to listen to his friend. Hermione sighed. "I got a letter from my dad last night when I came back from patrols. Handwriting was sloppy, but I still was able to read every word." She stopped, putting a biscuit on her plate. Her voice got lower and more saddening. "He's weak, and he's getting weaker everyday. Umm..." It was hard to continue. "The tumor is spreading throughout his body and he only has four months to live." She cut her biscuit in half and started buttering it. "Maybe even less," she muttered as an after-thought.

"Oh, Merlin," Ginny whispered.

"Yeah," Hermione agreed. She felt like crying, but didn't dare let any tears out.

"We're here for you, Hermione. Always," Ron said, patting her on the back.

That put a smile on her face, which brought the rest of them up a little. "I know," she said. "You always are."

With that, they continued eating their breakfasts normally until classes started. Her first class today was Charms, which didn't include any of her best friends, but included some close ones from her house.

When she entered the classroom, there was a reasonable amount of people in there already. She took a seat next to Neville, who was sitting a desk behind Dean and Parvati. Of course they were sitting next to each other. Then, Draco, Blaise, Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle entered, taking the empty seats behind them. Hermione pretended like she didn't know they arrived, even if they were talking unusually loud.

She felt eyes on her, beating down on her back. She already knew who it was looking at her and desperately wanted to look at him back, but that would break the whole pretend-like-he-isn't-there thing she was doing. Hermione made some conversation with Neville, who then started telling her a story about his grandma hitting a random man in a store with her purse. It was a story that made her laugh and forget about everything that's been happening. Though it only did that for a minute, she was thankful for it.

Soon enough, Professor Flitwick came walking into the classroom and stood on his pile of books. Today, they were reviewing the Colour-Change Charm, Summoning Spell, and Enlarging Charm. Afterward, they would have to do a worksheet, answering questions about the spells they just mastered. As usual, Professor Flitwick would be assigning partners because the class got too rowdy whenever they chose their own. Hermione knew she was going to get assigned with Draco, for Flitwick always paired her up with him. Something about them being Head Boy and Girl and how marvelously they worked together.

After Flitwick was done assigning partners, she waited until Draco switched seats with Neville before she said something.

"You start," she said, not looking at him.

"Which charm?" he asked, his eyes aimed straight at her.

"You pick."

Taking his wand out of his robes, he swished his wand in the required movements and changed the colour of the parchment on their desk to a lavender shade.

Hermione just stared at it, wondering if he knew that was her favourite colour, or if he just picked it out of nowhere. Draco's stare was still on her face. He wanted to get her attention, dammit. After several seconds, she waved her wand and changed it to striped green and silver colours. She knew his favourties, too. It was more difficult to cast it so it changed to two colours, but she knew perfectly well how to do it.

"Engorgio," Draco said, pointing his wand at the piece of parchment. Its size increased.

Hermione did the same thing, causing it to get larger.

Quite a few moments passed before Draco decided to do the last spell they had to practice. He waved it in the specified maneuvers and said, "Accio Granger's book."

Hermione spun her head in his direction as the novel she was reading made its way out of her knapsack, which was sitting on the floor between their chairs, and into his hands.

She quickly waved her wand and said, "Wingardium Leviosa." The book floated out of his hands to the top of his head. She let go of the spell, sending the novel to fall straight onto his forehead. The picture her dad found in his wallet that was tucked loosely into the envelope her mum had sent her fell out and drifted to the ground, face down.

Hermione gasped as she reached her arm down to the photo.

"Accio!" Draco said abruptly before she got her hands on it. The picture flew off the ground, to him. All this happened at a surprisingly fast speed.

"Malfoy!" she yelled, trying to grab the picture from him. All her tries were unsuccessful, but she kept trying.

So he could look at this mysterious photo in peace, he grabbed what was supposed to be her wrist, but accidentally grabbed her hand. Everything froze.

Hermione could do nothing, but stare at her hand clasped into his. An electric shock ran throughout her body, causing her spine to tingle and goosebumps to form on her arms. Butterflies flew inside her stomach and her breath hitched in her throat.

Someone seriously needed to teach her how to breathe.

After a few seconds, Draco's mind hit earth and let go of her hand. He looked around, making sure no one saw them. Everyone was so focused on trying to master the three spells. Even Blaise and Pansy didn't notice. Oh, thank God. He then looked at the picture Hermione had tried so hard to keep him from seeing. This time, he felt like he couldn't breathe.

Hermione swiped it from his hands and placed it inside her bag.

"That was --" Draco said. "I don't remember that one."

"Neither did I," Hermione said icily, still not looking at him. This was still bothering Draco.

She grabbed the worksheets sitting on the corner of their desk and placed one in front of him. She then took out a quill and ink and started working on it without saying anything.

Draco sighed and got out a quill and ink, too. "Goddamn, Granger," he muttered under his breath. She pretended like she didn't hear him.

And they worked in silence for the rest of the class.

- x -

"... And again, I'm very sorry that it was such short notice. I'm sure you two will be able to prepare a Christmas Ball two weeks before it is to be held. It shall be taken place on the twenty-third before those who wish to be home for Christmas will leave. You both have been working marvelously with each other and are doing a fairly decent job. I look forward to see what you two come up with in two weeks," McGonagall finished explaining. "If you need any help or have any concerns, please feel free to contact me immediately. I must be going now, but I suggest that starting immediately would be the best thing to do." She gave them a stern nod and swiftly walked away, out of sight.

Draco and Hermione stood there for a while, surprised, sinking in everything Professor McGonagall just told them. They just had the huge responsibility of planning a ball and what was worse? They had to do it in two weeks.

They were standing at the front of the Great Hall, after dinner when everyone has left. Now they were the only people there since Professor McGonagall walked away.

Hermione swallowed. "Is she serious?" she asked, her voice low and calm. But Draco knew better. He knew that her voice was going to rise and rise until it was a full out yell. It seemed to happen to him quite a bit. "Does she really think we can plan a Christmas Ball two weeks before it happens? Doesn't she know -- ?" Her eyes flashed dangerously at the person who interrupted her. He wasn't afraid of her at all.

"Look, Granger," Draco started, "I would bloody well adore hearing you rant about having 'another huge weight put on our shoulders,' or 'another immense responsibility to fulfill,' but I strongly suggest that you shut your mouth and start walking to the Room of Requirement with me to start this fucking assignment." With that, he turned away from her and started walking out of the Great Hall himself.

Hermione was shocked. If she wasn't mistaken, Malfoy had just told her that they should get to work, though in the rudest, most obscene way. She turned and joined him in walking to the Room of Requirement, where no one would be able to hear her yelling at him. It was his idea to start working in here, for he grew tired of casting silencing bubbles every time they would start to argue in the library. When he suggested the idea, she scolded herself for not thinking of it first.

When Draco let the door appear before them, they entered the Room of Requirement and sat down at the table. Hermione took a piece of parchment from the pile that was already on the table and grabbed a quill that was sitting right next to the pile of parchment.

"Winter-ish setting?" Hermione suggested, looking up at Draco, who wasn't looking at her for a change. He looked at her and their eyes connected immediately. "Red and green Christmas colours would seem like some kind of Gryffindor and Slytherin competition."

"Winter-ish setting, then," he agreed, staring into her big brown eyes. "Big tree up at the front where a stage has to be put up for the band that'll be playing. Snow falling from the ceiling?"

Hermione was shocked about how they were actually agreeing with each other. And about the fact that he was actually coming up with ideas and working with her. "Snow falling from the ceiling," she confirmed. She forgot that she was supposed to write all this down. His eyes had something new in them today. She didn't have any idea what it was, but his eyes were different.

Draco didn't know why looking at her was so interesting. He didn't know why he seemed to always look at her during classes or whenever they worked together. He didn't know what about her entranced him so much. She was just different, somehow. When you first look at her, she doesn't exactly qualify as the most beautiful girl in the world. Hermione was far from that, actually. She was beautiful in a less obvious way. Her eyes were the most... there wasn't even a word for it. There was always a fire in them that hid all the troubles she was having. Often, the fire did well in covering the sadness found deep in her eyes.

He wanted to figure out what was wrong. Though she never showed it to him, he knew that she was upset about something going on in her life. Of course he knew she wasn't going to tell him, for they weren't friends and didn't share things like that, but it would be nice to know.

They still haven't mentioned anything about the kiss. Still. Until this day, roughly three months later.

Hermione finally snapped out of it and looked away from him, writing down what they just discussed.

"McGonagall can easily get the Weird Sisters to play for the night," Hermione said, not looking at him.

He didn't realize that she said something. He was looking at her face, remembering the feel of her soft lips against his. He thought about it often when he was with her, for he always wanted to do it again.

"Malfoy?" she said, interrupting his thoughts.

Bloody hell, what was she doing to him?

"Weird Sisters. Yeah," he agreed, trying to get the image of snogging her out of his head.

There was an awkward silence as Hermione wrote that bit down, biting her lip.

Draco really needed to get away from her right now.

Or kiss her.

But that wasn't an option.

He suddenly got out of his chair, causing Hermione to look up, and started walking to the door. She stood up, too, and walked up to him.

"Where do you think you're going?" she asked, slipping from behind him to the front of the door, blocking it. Draco almost ran into her.

"I need to leave," he replied as if that was the only think he would have to say. Hermione glared up at him with the usual fire in her eyes, waiting for him to say more. But he had no more to say.

"You're funny, Malfoy," she said, without the least bit of humor. "Weren't you the one who said we should get to work?"

"Didn't mean I would actually do any." He was glaring back at her, trying not to lose control again. They were unusually close again and he could smell her fruity shampoo. This is what caused him to kiss her last time. He held his breath after he finished his sentence.

"Well you were doing an exceptionally good job at helping me before you started not saying anything."

"I'm not doing a good job now, so why do I still have to be here?"

"You're Head Boy, Malfoy. We're supposed to work together."

"That's not working out too well, isn't it?" Draco asked. "Didn't even get any work done last time we were in the library months ago."

Hermione was shocked that he even mentioned that day. They never spoke about it in any way. "Then let's get some work done now."

"I already helped you on some things. Winter-ish setting, Weird Sisters, big stage, Christmas tree."

"Because those are the only words we need to prepare for a Christmas Ball," Hermione said sarcastically.

"It should be."

"Well it's not."

"Can you get out of my way? I have things to do."

"Like what? Snogging with pureblooded girls?"

"What if I am?"

Anger flashed in her eyes and she grit her teeth. Draco saw the slightest bit of hurt in those big brown eyes and that struck something in him.

"Then they should know that a muggleborn was kissed with those lips."

Was she trying to kill him? She was basically putting the image of that day in his head herself. He took a breath, regretting that he did, for the scent fluttered into his nose.

Fight it, Draco, fight it. "What they don't know won't hurt them."

"Yeah, not knowing that you fancied me when we were younger definitely didn't hurt me when you left."

Now bringing back their childhood? Kill him now. Just kill him. Quick and painless.

"Get out of the way, Granger."

"You really think I'm going to just let you go, not helping me with this anymore?"

"Yeah, I do. It's what you should be doing anyway."

"Well, tough for you because I'm not."

"Why do you have to be so difficult, Granger?"

"Look who's talking, Malfoy."

"It's been three months since that day, Granger, but don't think I won't do it again to get you out of my way."

Hermione's breath caught in her throat. "You wouldn't do that because you wouldn't be able to stop."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Who's the one who pulled away first?"

Damn, she was always quick with comebacks. She never had nothing to say.

"Does it matter? Got you to loosen up a bit."

"I don't know what you're talking about because I seemed to talk -- or hex -- you into getting back to work."

She was making him look stupid. He was stupid. He knew that the next thing he was going to say or do would not be smart at all.

Draco leaned in so slowly, it seemed like he was going to kiss her. Hermione was about to move her head out of the way when he moved past her lips, to her ear. Her body wasn't letting her breathe.

"Don't think I won't kiss you again, Granger," he whispered.

Tingles made their way from her ear throughout her whole body. "Don't think I'll let you, Malfoy," she said, knowing it was a complete lie.

Draco pulled away from her ear so he could lock his eyes with hers. Their lips were just a centimeter away and her fruity scent was difficult to ignore.

"Don't," Hermione said, unable to stop her eyes from glancing at his lips.

"You know how long it's been since I snogged a girl?"

"Three hours?" she said sarcastically.

"Three months."

Surprise showed itself in her eyes. "Then keep that record going," she managed, gently putting her hand on his chest and pushing him away.

Draco blinked and turned his head away from her. "What the fuck are you doing to me, Granger?" he asked, his tone turning to his regular Malfoy one.

Hermione propped a hand on her hip and scowled. "What am I doing? I'm not doing anything."

"You don't get what I bloody mean," he said.

There was a long, awkward silence. Draco ran his fingers through his hair while Hermione stayed with her hand on her hip.

"Fine," she gave in. He was surprised. She was always able to get him to at least stay while she did the work. He turned to look at her again. Something foreign in Hermione's eyes were showing themselves today: desperation and sadness. There was no fire whatsoever, hiding away those emotions that used to lie deep in her eyes. "We'll work in two days since there's a Hogsmeade trip tomorrow. I'm tired of you and your moodswings for today." She turned around, opened the door, and exited the room, leaving a dumbfounded Draco behind.

He wasn't use to that. He wasn't used to seeing her just give up. She looked as if she was just put up with everything. Tired.

Draco felt like he was supposed to follow her, demand what the hell has been going on with her lately. Of course he didn't, but he felt like he was obligated to. She was obviously exhausted, had a lot on her mind, and was hiding something from him. Well not hiding it, actually. She just didn't want to share it with him because they didn't do things like that. Why was she so sad? Did it have to do with her father? Was he still sick? What kind of fever could he possibly have that would last this long? It must be some kind of disease. Something that can't be cured.

Or was she just feeling the same way he was? Did she think about him just as much as he thought about her? No, that couldn't be possible. Every time she left the room, she was still there. Her very form was always in his mind. It didn't want to leave. He didn't know what it was about her. He had no idea what this was, how he was feeling. It was a something that was unknown to his mind. He couldn't recall what the name of it was. If there was a name.

He suddenly had a lot of questions. Why does everything she say play endlessly in his head? Why is it that every time their hands brushed by accident, he felt it and noticed it as if he just got electrocuted? Why is it that he didn't think bad things about her anymore? The same things he used to hate her for are the things he found intriguing now.

Why is it that he didn't hate her anymore?

Then it hit him, slapped him in the face. Draco felt like slamming the door with such force that the hinges broke, breaking something, knocking over the table. He had the urge to scream immaturely and let everything out destructively.

Now he only had one question:

Why the hell did it have to be Granger?

- x -

A/N: Yes, I'm still alive. As I say every time I post a new chapter up, I'm terribly sorry it took such a long time. Oh, and a short note: No matter how long it's been since I've updated, don't think I've discontinued this story. I will get this finished, though I don't know how long it'll be. But I'd like to take my time with this fic so that it's better than any other story I've written in the past. I find that when I rush to get a chapter done, the story gets rushed, and ends up getting written badly. I don't want that to happen to this fic, so I'm taking my time. You guys want a great read, don't you? (:

I'm sorry for the shorter length, but it was the best I could do. Forgive me, won't you? And review because they motivate me more than anything else to keep writing.

Keep your eye out for the next chapter, for I guarantee it'll be an interesting one. ;) Thank you, all my faithful reviewers and readers! You guys rock for sticking with me. Review!