Disclaimer- I'm afraid i still do not own Harry Potter ... but the genius J.K Rowling does and that's good enough for me...
A/N- well im afraid i am back at school which makes things a lot more difficult... i have two english essays, my art due in and my Drama exam SOOO im busy :( but i will make up for it by these next few chapters.. you will understand why ;) i will go back and revise my other chapters as soon as i find some free time but untill then, i hope you enjoy this one. :D Oh... and i promise the next one will be up by Friday ...SORRY!
The next few weeks flew by, true Hermione and Draco weren't exactly talking but they would greet each other and help with homework... as well as plan their prefect meetings. Hermione also took more time to spend with Ginny and Harry.
It was the last saturday of november and it was a Hogsmeade weekend, as promised, Hermione walked over to her two friends who stood near the main entrance of the castle. She wore knitted tights, boots, a denim skirt and a patterned knitted jumper that had made her the previous christmas. She wore her hair down in ringlets but decided against wearing that much make up.
"'Mione!" Ginny exclaimed wrapping her arms around her friend, hugging her tight, before Harry did the same. Hermione hugged back awkwardly, enjoying the warmth.
"We better go and sign out before Filch leaves." Harry muttered into Hermione's hair. She pulled back and smiled.
"Sure... i need to go and by a new cauldron, oh! and if we have time... i would really like to go and look in the book shop" She said smiling sweetly at the couple who now had their arms around each other.
"Yeah, of course 'Mione... i wouldn't mind going into the three broomsticks for a bit either.." Ginny trailed off as they signed out and made their way to Hogsmeade.
The three of them made their way in and out of the shops, occasionally bumping into other friends, such as Nevile and Luna, Parvati and Dean and Hermione even saw Blaise and Pansy... with Draco strutting behind them, obviously a third smiled softly knowing the exact feeling. When Lunch time came around, the three of the made their way to "The Three Broomsticks" and sat down on a free table.
"Hey Harry will you go get three butterbeers?" Ginny asked kissing him on the cheek.
"Yeah, sure... don't worry Hermione, i pay for your one" He said smiling at her, before wandering to the bar to retrieve the three drinks from Madam Rosmerta, the owner.
"Oh... thanks Harry, you don't need too..." She replied but he had already walked away. Just as Ginny opened her mouth to speak, Ron and Lavender came through the door, causing her to turn around to see what Hermione were staring at. She span around.
"Don't worry about them Hermione... Ronald is a complete Git sometimes... the moment they break up, he will come crawling back and rumour has it that-" She was interrupted of by a loud cough.
"If you don't mind Ginny... no i wont come crawling back, why would i bother with some know-it-all... me and Lavender ar HAPPY ..." Ron said through gritted teeth, causing Ginny to roll her eyes and spin around.
"Oh really, and did anyone tell you that you whore of a girlfriend was snogging some hufflepuff in the year below the other week?" Ginny spat, triumphantly. Lavenders eyes rounded in shock, turning to Ron.
"Wron, Wron.. you know i would never do something like that... you sister is just trying to break us up... you know she is only jealous of our love..." Lavender said leaning on Ron shoulder and glaring at the two girls.
"That was low Ginny, even for you .. i mean there is no point trying to stick up some bossy, smart-arse like her..." Ron muttered, his ears turning scarlet as her clenched his fists into balls and nodding his head in the direction of Hermione. She couldn't help it... she just started laughing. He is so pathetic she thought unable to control her laughter untill it became a bit hysterical.
"Why are you laughing? !Just because your some Slytherinwhore... you're as bad as them you know?! im surprised you didn't run off to the bad side in the war, just to go and fuck Malfoy... it wouldn't surprise me!" Ron snarled at her... she could see he was turning furious now and Ginny rose from her seat, aiming to calm him down but it only cause Hermione to rise as well.
"Look Ron, you're being ridiculous... just-" But Hermione was caught of guard as a sharp pain spread across her cheek. Wincing away she instinctively placed a hand on the now very hot skin. She heard several gasps from the room and then Harry's voice, as her tears began to blur her vision.
"Ron, what the hell is going on?!" Harry asked calmly, yet with anger deep in his throat.
"Take Hermione outside... i think i need to have a word with my brother. Ginny spat and Hermione could just make out Ginny grabbing Rons arm as Harry lead her outside.
The sky had now begun to let small snowflakes drift down towards the floor, causing Hermione to shake as she once again forgot her coat. Harry hugged her and then pulled back looking at her cheek, before placing a cool hand, to help with the stinging pain, on her now red cheek.
"Are you okay hun? Don't worry if Ginny doesn't ... i will be having strong words with Ron. No one should hit a girl, and he honestly hasn't been acting like himself. Also what he doesn't know is that it was me who caught Lavender and the Hufflepuff kid, last thursday..." Harry said as he looked into her damp eyes. Hermione nodded before looking around and announcing.
"I think im gunna go for a walk, i still need to go to the book shop and by a cauldron, i will meet you and Ginny for dinner? ...unless you are going to spend it with Ron? in which case i think i might skip..." She whispered looking into the distance at a small couple kissing and laughing.
"That's fine Hermione, and no don't worry... we will meet you at 5:30 outside the great hall?" Harry asked and Hermione nodded before hugging him again, folding her arms across her chest and making her way back towards the shops.
She made her way to the book shop. Walking inside she was comforted by the warmth of a fireplace in the far wall, smiling at the familiar smell. She greeted the man sitting behind the desk and the went to her far left to start skimming the shelves. She pulled out a old worn looking book titled "The curious tales of the lost boy- by Giddian Riskel" She turned it over and looked at the price 10 Galleons... oh gosh, i can't be spending that sort of money on a book...
"How did i know i would find you in here?" A cold voice came from behind her, causing her to jump and grab her wand.
"Woah...Malfoy? what are you doing here?" She asked in surprise, after spinning around and lowering her wand arm. Draco just gave a cold laugh. She looked at him, his blue-grey eyes looked more blue and very bright, his platinum hair windswept and he wore a pair of dark jeans, boots and a black shirt, along with a grey jumper and a black traveling cloak. She smiled slightly at him.
"What am i not allowed to also be in the book shop Granger? ... don't worry... i am just trying to get away from Blaise and his leech." He replied shrugging and then leaning against the bookcase, folding his arms across his chest. "Why are you here? i thought you were spending the day with Weaslette and Scar-boy?" her asked, "Or are you fed up of being the third wheel too?"
Something about his question made Hermione shiver.. "Oh, no ... im use to Ginny and Harry, i just... er wanted to look at the books... typical me..." She said, giving a very unconvincing laugh and looking away from his gaze. Suddenly she froze ass Draco moved swiftly and placed a finger under her chin and thump against her now red and slightly swollen cheek, inspecting it.
"Don't lie to me Granger, who did this too you?" He asked, his face turning suddenly harsh and Hermione let out a sigh.
"Ronald, he didn't mean to .. he wasn't being himself." She replied, defensively but she noted the sneer Draco made before dropping his hand and looking into her eyes.
"Are you cold?" He asked. Taken a back by the quick change of topic, Hermione looked down at her body self-consciously and then gave a slight nod. Draco's mouth turned up in the right corner and revealed a soft half-smile before unclasping his cloak and wrapping it around her shoulders.
"Malfoy...why are you giving me you-" But Hermione was interrupted, "Im going to head back Granger, just leave it on my bed when you come back with it." She nodded politely before wrapping herself up and smiling softly and the touch of the velvety material.
"Thank you, i better go and get a new cauldron before "Dervish and Banges" closes." She muttered and moved past him untill his long fingers grabbed her shoulder and span around. She watched him as he dug into his pocket and retrieved 5 galleons and placed them in Hermione's palm. The touch of their skin felt electric and Draco pulled away quickly.
"Whats this? Draco i can't accept your money.." She stated trying to give it back, causing him to put up his hands in a defensive position and back away, laughing softly.
"Granger, seriously, i have more than enough...and if i am going to have to keep working with you in potions, i would rather you practised. Besides, since the unfortunate news of you parents... i just guessed you wouldn't exactly be in the financial place to spend money..." He replied very matter-of-factly. Hermione realised he wasn't going to give up placed them in her pocket and thanked him again before leaving.
The next two days had passed and Hermione, not wanting to go into Draco's bedroom held onto his cloak, planning to give it back to him after Quiditch on sunday, but fell asleep instead.
She was now making her way with Harry, after lunch to her double Potions lesson. She was wearing a pair of dark grey track suit bottoms (something she despised) and a baggy black top, that belonged to Draco, under her robes. Draco had left a note begging her not to wear girls clothes, but something boy like, as it was the day they had to test their potions.
Standing outside the classroom door, she smiled in Blaise's direction before Harry started to complain. She sighed heavily, trying to drop the hint for him to stop but he carried on anyway. She gave a small smile of thanks as Slughorn called them inside 5 mins later.
"Right class, i am sure you are all awear of todays lesson. First i want you all to retrieve your empty vials." He stated, motioning for the class to follow his lead. "Right now i wish for you too fill your vial with your poly juice potion, of which you have been working on for so long." He announced. Hermione looked over to her left to see Draco with his eyebrows furrowed and concentrating. She couldn't help smiling, she appriachiated someone who was just as determined to get a good great like she does.
"Good, now i want you to pull ONE hair, GENTLY from your partners head and put it in the small flasks." Slughorn anounced, waiting for the other students to do the same. Hermione could hear the small talk going around the room and glanced at Harry, who was shaking slightly.
Draco stared at her grabbing her attention, they stood there for a moment staring at eachother, untill hermione pulled one hair out of her own head and put it in his vial, causing him to do the same. She could see his nervousness in his stormy eyes.
"Right now on three i want you to down your potion, i don't want anyone to be sick in the classroom, so if need be, please move to the sinks at the back. I dont want anyone leaving this room untill the effects wear off and an hour timer will be at the front. In the meantime, you may get on with other studies." With that Slughorn counted to three. In the same moment Hermione and Draco nodded and downed their potion. Instantly Hermione classped her stomach great, just like the other time.. she tought but before she felt the vomit rise the pain subsided and so did the pulling on her limbs. Slowely she turned.
Both of them starred at each other for a good 5 minutes in silence, too shocked too move. In the distance she noticed Harry was now covered in purple blotches and Slughorn sent him straight to the medical ward with his partner. She broke her glance and saw Rons hair was on fire... causing her to smirk. However, when she turned around, she noticed the real Draco was sitting in a chair with his fists clenched and shaking softly, when she moved to place a hand on him, he flinched away. Gritting her teeth she also sat down and waited for the timer to finish.
Later that evening Hermione layed on the sofa infront of the fire, staring into the flames. The loudf slam of the door told her Draco had arrived inside. She sat up and turned to him as he paced the common room.
"What you looking at Granger?" he spat towards her, his hair messy and eyes very red he's been crying again she thought, i wonder why..
"Nothing, i just..." She whispered softly, wrapping her arms around her legs. Draco looked at her, glaring, his fists clenched.
"Yeah, you just what? .. fuck off Granger.. just get away from me!" He yelled, causing her to flinch.
"Malfoy, whats wrong? and i live here... i'm not moving.." She stated, her throat tightening.
"Look, im done with you... who do you think you are? All you have done is made my life difficult. I can't think when im around you... just run off to your perfect little boyfriends..." He spat his face slightly tinged red and his eyes welling up. Hermiones stubborn nature took over her.
"What are you on about Malfoy? i think you will find it is you who has made my life difficult. The taunts. The name calling. I grew up, studying and practising my arse off because of people like you! Just to prove i may be no pureblood... but i swear i am just as good as YOU!" She screamed at him, angry tears begining to form. She rose from her seat and walked slowely towards him.
"Oh stop complaining Mudblood! what did you expect? for us to suddenly put everything behind us. We cant. It is in your blood Granger. Pure filth and you know it." He snarled as pushed her back against her desk. She stared at him, letting the tears fall silently. No sound except the fire and their heavy breathing.
She looked down at her desk and notice the sharp pen knife laying there, next to her parchment. It was once her dads. He gave it to her when she was 8 years old, on a family camp in the woods. He told her it will always come in usefull...and she agreed. She fingered it slightly and then opened it up. Draco backed away slightly, but broadened his shoulders. Hermione lowered it over her forearm, where the ugly scar was left , marked on her skin from Bellatrix. Quickly, hissing at the stinging sensation that burned from the wound that was now open on her skin. Draco stared at her, his breath slowing and his eyes wide. She looked at her as if she was standing there naked.
The bright crimson liquid dripped down her skin and along her palm, onto the floor. They both continued to stand there, she was daring him to move.
"It doesn't look like mud to me..." She whispered, dropping the pen knife, now covered in her blood to the floor. It landed with a soft boof.
That was when Draco moved towards her...