A/N: Thanks for all the reviews for Chapters 8 & 9. We have reached 51 reviews on our story! Yay! By the way, there's gonna be some major drama in this chappie and probably the next one, which is also the last. (Just to prepare you.) Okay, so on with the chapter!!!! :)
Chapter 10-I'm A Fool In Love With A Fool Who's Still In Love With You
Hermione walked down the halls of Hogwarts with a smile on her face. She looked out the window as she walked and noted that it was a bright, sunny day in May. Perfect for the good mood that she was in now that everything between her and Draco was settled. People were all around her, talking in their own cliques. Hermione had never been fond of cliques and had always tried to stay out of them. But as she was passing by a clique of Slytherin girls, something they said made her want to stop and listen. As she moved closer, she realized it was Pansy and her group of slutty friends.
"Can you believe that she's here?" a girl Hermione knew as Sarah asked.
"Who, Brittany?" Lindsey, a Slytherin sixth year said.
"Yeah, I mean Brittany. Who else would I be talking about?" Sarah stated.
"Oh, forget I said that. Back to what we were saying though. Do you really think she came to get Draco back?" Lindsey wondered.
"I don't know, he seems awful into that Gryffindor Mudblood. I don't think he'd take her back." Sarah answered.
"Yeah but remember what happened with me and Draco? We were going out last summer and she totally stole him away from me when they both were vacationing in the Bahamas. Who's to say he won't do it again?" Pansy added to the conversation.
At that moment, the group of Slytherin girls noticed Hermione listening in on their conversation. Pansy looked like she was about to say something but decided against it, glared at Hermione, and walked off, chin high in the air, with her groupies.
Hermione wasn't sure what to think about the conversation she just witnessed. She hoped they were lying and that it was just a rumor flying around. She also knew that Draco wouldn't do such a thing to her. Or would he? No, she concluded, he wouldn't. But she couldn't help but wonder. I'll ask him about it later. No big deal.
Hermione looked at her watch and noticed it was 6:00 PM, dinnertime. She walked to the Gryffindor table where Harry and Ron sat, eating their dinner.
"Guys, I just want to tell you that Draco and I were discussing the farewell dance and we need the prefects' help. Could you pass around to all the prefects that there will be a meeting tonight in the prefects common room at 8:00 PM?" Hermione said in her best businesslike voice.
"Yeah Mione we'll tell 'em." Ron replied and him and Harry got up to go talk to the prefects.
She sat down to eat, and after eating and talking to some friends she looked at her watch and immediately threw down her fork. It was 7:57!
Hermione rushed to the prefects common room and arrived two minutes late, "Sorry guys, where should we begin?"
No one said anything so she decided to go ahead and tell everyone what she thought of, "Okay, I think we should have a Hawaiian Luau theme. Girls could still wear formal dresses in bright colors and the guys could still wear tuxes. One of us could pass out the leis (A/N: I think that's how you spell it. Or it might be leau?). We need to have tropical foods such as pineapples, kiwi, strawberries, and tropical punch. Oh!!! And we can have a Luau King and Queen! Wouldn't that be fun?"
Everyone looked at her as if she had just sprouted a tail. Then Draco spoke up, "I like that idea. It would be fun. What do you guys think?"
There was a chorus of "yes's" and "I can't waits" which made Hermione smile happily.
"Alright then how are we going to do this?" Hermione said in an orderly manner.
"Well, I think that the Head Boy and Head Girl should be in the nomination for Luau King and Queen," Harry stated.
Everyone agreed.
"Well, who else?" Hermione questioned everyone.
"How about we include Brittany, the new girl, to help her make friends. That way she can also meet new people," Pansy suggested.
Hermione nodded. No harm done in that, right? "Harry, since you're like the school's hero or something, I think you should be nominated," Ron added.
"You should be in it yourself Ron so I nominate you. And Neville," Hermione said to everyone's disapproving looks, "Well, I feel sorry for him sometimes. The poor guy has no self confidence." No one could argue with that.
Draco decided to give his input, "We need one more girl. Hmm... How about that girl from Gryffindor? You know the one with the name like purple. And her last name is something like Blue. Or maybe it's Black. A color that starts with a B."
"Lavender Brown?" Hermione guessed.
"Yes, that's it. Lavender. I nominate her," Draco said.
"Wait. That's not fair. All of you guys are nominated except for me. I think I should be in it too," Pansy whined.
"Okay. Good, we have our nominations. Harry, Ron, Lavender, Neville, Brittany, Draco, Hermione, and Pansy," Hermione stated, "Now we need to sort into different committees. The choices are refreshments, decorations, and music. Who wants what?"
"Harry and I can do refreshments," Ron suggested.
He didn't hear Hermione mumble under her breath, "Figures."
Pansy smirked and then said, "I'll do music!"
"Okay. That leaves Draco and I for decorations," Hermione said, ecstatic for a chance to be alone with her boyfriend.
Hermione and Draco spent the next few days putting up decorations in the Great Hall. They put up posters with all the information to vote for Luau King and Queen. It was time that she hoped to spend with Draco to talk but it seemed like he didn't want to talk to her. When she would ask a question, he would be staring off into space. He's probably got a lot on his mind with Graduation coming up and all, Hermione thought. That was the only reason she could think of that would make him seem so distant.
The day of the dance, Hermione was really nervous. What if things weren't going as planned? For the fourth time that day, she checked to see if all the arrangements were in order. And just like the third, second, and first time she checked everything was fine.
Hermione went back to her dorm to get dressed. She had bought her dress just two weeks before the dance. It was a red, sort of poofy, halter dress with sparkles scattered all over the dress with a lot on the top and very little on the bottom. She fell in love with it the second she saw it when her and Draco had been looking at decorations in Hogsmeade. Draco, being the gentleman that he was, had bought it for her, despite the high price. Since her dress was so long that it covered her feet, she bought a pair of red flip-flops with sparkles on them. Hermione was all about being comfortable. (A/N:LOL! Me too!)
As for her hair, she decided to leave it down and straighten it. It flowed just past her shoulders in beautiful brown ringlets. Her make-up, or the very little that she had on, looked completely natural. When she glanced at herself in the mirror, she couldn't help but silently tell herself that she looked gorgeous. Now it was time to go meet Draco.
Hermione walked out of her dorm and looked down towards the bottom of the staircase. Draco stood there looking handsome as ever, his eyes not leaving Hermione's. Draco could swear he was seeing an angel descending from Heaven. Hermione, on the other hand, couldn't tear her eyes away from Draco's. They were a clear blue that seemed to be shining just for her. (A/N: Think, Titanic, the movie.)
"You look so beautiful!" Draco said after getting over his speechless state.
Hermione became almost shy, "Thanks Draco. Are you ready to go to the Great Hall?"
"Yeah, let's go," Draco said holding out his arm for Hermione to take.
They arrived at the Great Hall at exactly 6 PM. Hermione immediately spotted Harry and Ron and ran over to tell them they looked great. They returned the favor and walked back with her to find Draco.
Hermione found him in the same spot she left him and he seemed deep in thought, "Hey cutie, what's wrong?"
Draco shook his head as if coming out of a trance, "Nothing. It's really nothing. Do you want to dance?"
"Sure," she said taking his hand and leading him to the dance floor.
They danced close for a few more fast and slow dances. Hermione did everything she could to try to direct his full attention on her but he kept staring into space somewhere over her shoulder. When that song ended Dumbledore walked up to the podium and announced that the Luau King and Queen will be revealed in a few moments. Professor McGonagall took this as her cue and walked to the podium.
"I know you guys are dying to know who the Luau King and Queen are so I'll cut to the chase," Professor McGonagall paused for effect, "This year's Luau King is Draco Malfoy from Slytherin!"
All of the seventh year Slytherins clapped for their fellow housemate and Hermione's face was beaming with pride. Professor Dumbledore placed a crown on Draco's head. Draco looked as if he had expected to get crowned Luau King.
"And now, with the closest vote in Hogwarts history, by just one point, the Luau Queen is Brittany Buttkiss from Gryffindor!" Professor McGonagall announced.
Everyone clapped except for the Slytherins and Hermione, who still wasn't sure whether to believe the conversation she had heard a few days earlier about Brittany and Draco. The moment she looked up at Draco, she saw the loving look in his eyes when he looked at Brittany. The crown, sash, and roses were presented to Brittany and she took them, blowing kisses to her fellow classmates.
Dumbledore interrupted the wild cheer of students and said, "Attention all seventh years! It is time for the annual Luau King and Queen dance!"
Draco and Brittany walked hand in hand to the middle of the dance floor with students surrounding them in a big circle. They danced, both lost in their own world. A world that was only made for the two of them. Hermione couldn't stop the tears from flowing. This was too much. She had to talk to Draco. Just days ago, he looked at her the same way he was now looking at Brittany. Everything was great until… she came along. That's it! That's why he's been so out of it lately. He's been daydreaming of her! How could I not have seen it before? Stupid question. I was in love, that's how. Love truly is blind.
Hermione decided then and there that the rumors really were true. Draco had been keeping a secret from her and she had to find out what it was. The song had ended by then and Draco was walking over to her.
"You still love her don't you?" Hermione asked when he approached her. She didn't have to explain anything. She knew that he knew what she was talking about.
Draco sighed and didn't at all seem taken aback by the question, "We need to talk."
He led her outside to the rose gardens just outside the Great Hall. Just a few days earlier Hermione and Draco had worked side by side putting up decorations. They sat on a bench and Draco decided it was time to tell her everything, "Okay it's a long story but here it goes. At the beginning of last summer, I was going out with Pansy. The plan was to date her until I could get you back into my life. I wanted to make you jealous. I really missed you, you know. Well, about that time, my family and I went on a vacation in the Bahamas. That's where I met Brittany… and I sort of cheated on Pansy. I ended up telling her the truth, that I did cheat on her. But Hermione I never meant to hurt you. I love you more than anything or anyone. To be honest, though, I have feelings for Brittany too. She broke up with me before the summer was over and told me it was just a summer fling. But I never actually got over her. I don't know what to think anymore. Ever since she moved to Hogwarts, I've haven't been able to stop thinking about her."
Hermione stayed silent through the whole thing, listening intently to his story. Then she told hers, "I overheard a conversation from Pansy and three other girls that you and Brittany had a fling last summer and that you cheated on her. They said they wouldn't be surprised if you did the same to the "Gryffindor Mudblood" as I recall. So it really is true with Pansy then? You really did cheat on her?"
"Yes, It's true. It all is. I just thought that if I was still dating her when school started that you'd be jealous, but then I met Brittany. Oh Hermione I am so sorry. I never meant to put you through so much pain," Draco's heart was breaking into two as he said the words.
Hermione looked down at her feet, then looked Draco right in the eye, "I can't be with someone who isn't 100% sure they want to be with me. Not when their heart is somewhere else."
Draco felt so helpless. Hermione was his rock, his foundation and he was so mad that he had messed all this up. "Well, what do you want me to do then?"
"I want you to go ahead and date her to see who you really love," Hermione suggested her heart breaking with every word.
"But we graduate tomorrow. I'm going to need more time," Draco said.
"If you truly love me, you'll find me one day," Hermione sighed, "You really need to talk to Brittany. But let me say a few words to her first. Let's go find her."
They walked around the Great Hall for a few minutes before spotting her talking to a group of Ravenclaw girls. Hermione quickly explained that she needed to talk to her for a few minutes and led the way to the bench that Hermione and Draco had sat at just five minutes before. Draco had waited inside to give them privacy.
"What did you want to talk about?" Brittany asked innocently.
Hermione took a deep breath and started her speech, "Draco really likes you but I know you don't like him the way I do. He thinks you love him as much as I do and he needs to figure that out on his own. You know you've got his heart now so be careful and don't break it."
Brittany wasn't the least bit offended by her speech and actually said, "Thanks for giving us a second chance."
"Your welcome. Stay right here and I'll get Draco," Hermione replied.
Hermione found him easily and with a nod of encouragement she said, "She's all yours."
Hermione walked around the Great Hall, wondering if she had done the right thing. It doesn't matter now. What's done is done, she told herself.
A few minutes later, Brittany and Draco walked into the Great Hall just as a slow song started playing. As Hogwarts' newest couple, they walked onto the dance floor, and in hand and started to slow dance.
I know love is a fragile thing
And I'm trying hard to make it last
But it ain't easy holdin' on to my dream
When he's holdin' on to his past
You don't love him and that's a fact
Girl I've seen you around
But you hold his heart in the palm of your hand
And it's breakin' mine in two
Cause I'm the fool in love with the fool who's still in love with you
A/N: So how was it? We only have one more chapter to go before starting our third installment to the three part series. Please read and review! Flames will be ignored.
Chapter 10-I'm A Fool In Love With A Fool Who's Still In Love With You
Hermione walked down the halls of Hogwarts with a smile on her face. She looked out the window as she walked and noted that it was a bright, sunny day in May. Perfect for the good mood that she was in now that everything between her and Draco was settled. People were all around her, talking in their own cliques. Hermione had never been fond of cliques and had always tried to stay out of them. But as she was passing by a clique of Slytherin girls, something they said made her want to stop and listen. As she moved closer, she realized it was Pansy and her group of slutty friends.
"Can you believe that she's here?" a girl Hermione knew as Sarah asked.
"Who, Brittany?" Lindsey, a Slytherin sixth year said.
"Yeah, I mean Brittany. Who else would I be talking about?" Sarah stated.
"Oh, forget I said that. Back to what we were saying though. Do you really think she came to get Draco back?" Lindsey wondered.
"I don't know, he seems awful into that Gryffindor Mudblood. I don't think he'd take her back." Sarah answered.
"Yeah but remember what happened with me and Draco? We were going out last summer and she totally stole him away from me when they both were vacationing in the Bahamas. Who's to say he won't do it again?" Pansy added to the conversation.
At that moment, the group of Slytherin girls noticed Hermione listening in on their conversation. Pansy looked like she was about to say something but decided against it, glared at Hermione, and walked off, chin high in the air, with her groupies.
Hermione wasn't sure what to think about the conversation she just witnessed. She hoped they were lying and that it was just a rumor flying around. She also knew that Draco wouldn't do such a thing to her. Or would he? No, she concluded, he wouldn't. But she couldn't help but wonder. I'll ask him about it later. No big deal.
Hermione looked at her watch and noticed it was 6:00 PM, dinnertime. She walked to the Gryffindor table where Harry and Ron sat, eating their dinner.
"Guys, I just want to tell you that Draco and I were discussing the farewell dance and we need the prefects' help. Could you pass around to all the prefects that there will be a meeting tonight in the prefects common room at 8:00 PM?" Hermione said in her best businesslike voice.
"Yeah Mione we'll tell 'em." Ron replied and him and Harry got up to go talk to the prefects.
She sat down to eat, and after eating and talking to some friends she looked at her watch and immediately threw down her fork. It was 7:57!
Hermione rushed to the prefects common room and arrived two minutes late, "Sorry guys, where should we begin?"
No one said anything so she decided to go ahead and tell everyone what she thought of, "Okay, I think we should have a Hawaiian Luau theme. Girls could still wear formal dresses in bright colors and the guys could still wear tuxes. One of us could pass out the leis (A/N: I think that's how you spell it. Or it might be leau?). We need to have tropical foods such as pineapples, kiwi, strawberries, and tropical punch. Oh!!! And we can have a Luau King and Queen! Wouldn't that be fun?"
Everyone looked at her as if she had just sprouted a tail. Then Draco spoke up, "I like that idea. It would be fun. What do you guys think?"
There was a chorus of "yes's" and "I can't waits" which made Hermione smile happily.
"Alright then how are we going to do this?" Hermione said in an orderly manner.
"Well, I think that the Head Boy and Head Girl should be in the nomination for Luau King and Queen," Harry stated.
Everyone agreed.
"Well, who else?" Hermione questioned everyone.
"How about we include Brittany, the new girl, to help her make friends. That way she can also meet new people," Pansy suggested.
Hermione nodded. No harm done in that, right? "Harry, since you're like the school's hero or something, I think you should be nominated," Ron added.
"You should be in it yourself Ron so I nominate you. And Neville," Hermione said to everyone's disapproving looks, "Well, I feel sorry for him sometimes. The poor guy has no self confidence." No one could argue with that.
Draco decided to give his input, "We need one more girl. Hmm... How about that girl from Gryffindor? You know the one with the name like purple. And her last name is something like Blue. Or maybe it's Black. A color that starts with a B."
"Lavender Brown?" Hermione guessed.
"Yes, that's it. Lavender. I nominate her," Draco said.
"Wait. That's not fair. All of you guys are nominated except for me. I think I should be in it too," Pansy whined.
"Okay. Good, we have our nominations. Harry, Ron, Lavender, Neville, Brittany, Draco, Hermione, and Pansy," Hermione stated, "Now we need to sort into different committees. The choices are refreshments, decorations, and music. Who wants what?"
"Harry and I can do refreshments," Ron suggested.
He didn't hear Hermione mumble under her breath, "Figures."
Pansy smirked and then said, "I'll do music!"
"Okay. That leaves Draco and I for decorations," Hermione said, ecstatic for a chance to be alone with her boyfriend.
Hermione and Draco spent the next few days putting up decorations in the Great Hall. They put up posters with all the information to vote for Luau King and Queen. It was time that she hoped to spend with Draco to talk but it seemed like he didn't want to talk to her. When she would ask a question, he would be staring off into space. He's probably got a lot on his mind with Graduation coming up and all, Hermione thought. That was the only reason she could think of that would make him seem so distant.
The day of the dance, Hermione was really nervous. What if things weren't going as planned? For the fourth time that day, she checked to see if all the arrangements were in order. And just like the third, second, and first time she checked everything was fine.
Hermione went back to her dorm to get dressed. She had bought her dress just two weeks before the dance. It was a red, sort of poofy, halter dress with sparkles scattered all over the dress with a lot on the top and very little on the bottom. She fell in love with it the second she saw it when her and Draco had been looking at decorations in Hogsmeade. Draco, being the gentleman that he was, had bought it for her, despite the high price. Since her dress was so long that it covered her feet, she bought a pair of red flip-flops with sparkles on them. Hermione was all about being comfortable. (A/N:LOL! Me too!)
As for her hair, she decided to leave it down and straighten it. It flowed just past her shoulders in beautiful brown ringlets. Her make-up, or the very little that she had on, looked completely natural. When she glanced at herself in the mirror, she couldn't help but silently tell herself that she looked gorgeous. Now it was time to go meet Draco.
Hermione walked out of her dorm and looked down towards the bottom of the staircase. Draco stood there looking handsome as ever, his eyes not leaving Hermione's. Draco could swear he was seeing an angel descending from Heaven. Hermione, on the other hand, couldn't tear her eyes away from Draco's. They were a clear blue that seemed to be shining just for her. (A/N: Think, Titanic, the movie.)
"You look so beautiful!" Draco said after getting over his speechless state.
Hermione became almost shy, "Thanks Draco. Are you ready to go to the Great Hall?"
"Yeah, let's go," Draco said holding out his arm for Hermione to take.
They arrived at the Great Hall at exactly 6 PM. Hermione immediately spotted Harry and Ron and ran over to tell them they looked great. They returned the favor and walked back with her to find Draco.
Hermione found him in the same spot she left him and he seemed deep in thought, "Hey cutie, what's wrong?"
Draco shook his head as if coming out of a trance, "Nothing. It's really nothing. Do you want to dance?"
"Sure," she said taking his hand and leading him to the dance floor.
They danced close for a few more fast and slow dances. Hermione did everything she could to try to direct his full attention on her but he kept staring into space somewhere over her shoulder. When that song ended Dumbledore walked up to the podium and announced that the Luau King and Queen will be revealed in a few moments. Professor McGonagall took this as her cue and walked to the podium.
"I know you guys are dying to know who the Luau King and Queen are so I'll cut to the chase," Professor McGonagall paused for effect, "This year's Luau King is Draco Malfoy from Slytherin!"
All of the seventh year Slytherins clapped for their fellow housemate and Hermione's face was beaming with pride. Professor Dumbledore placed a crown on Draco's head. Draco looked as if he had expected to get crowned Luau King.
"And now, with the closest vote in Hogwarts history, by just one point, the Luau Queen is Brittany Buttkiss from Gryffindor!" Professor McGonagall announced.
Everyone clapped except for the Slytherins and Hermione, who still wasn't sure whether to believe the conversation she had heard a few days earlier about Brittany and Draco. The moment she looked up at Draco, she saw the loving look in his eyes when he looked at Brittany. The crown, sash, and roses were presented to Brittany and she took them, blowing kisses to her fellow classmates.
Dumbledore interrupted the wild cheer of students and said, "Attention all seventh years! It is time for the annual Luau King and Queen dance!"
Draco and Brittany walked hand in hand to the middle of the dance floor with students surrounding them in a big circle. They danced, both lost in their own world. A world that was only made for the two of them. Hermione couldn't stop the tears from flowing. This was too much. She had to talk to Draco. Just days ago, he looked at her the same way he was now looking at Brittany. Everything was great until… she came along. That's it! That's why he's been so out of it lately. He's been daydreaming of her! How could I not have seen it before? Stupid question. I was in love, that's how. Love truly is blind.
Hermione decided then and there that the rumors really were true. Draco had been keeping a secret from her and she had to find out what it was. The song had ended by then and Draco was walking over to her.
"You still love her don't you?" Hermione asked when he approached her. She didn't have to explain anything. She knew that he knew what she was talking about.
Draco sighed and didn't at all seem taken aback by the question, "We need to talk."
He led her outside to the rose gardens just outside the Great Hall. Just a few days earlier Hermione and Draco had worked side by side putting up decorations. They sat on a bench and Draco decided it was time to tell her everything, "Okay it's a long story but here it goes. At the beginning of last summer, I was going out with Pansy. The plan was to date her until I could get you back into my life. I wanted to make you jealous. I really missed you, you know. Well, about that time, my family and I went on a vacation in the Bahamas. That's where I met Brittany… and I sort of cheated on Pansy. I ended up telling her the truth, that I did cheat on her. But Hermione I never meant to hurt you. I love you more than anything or anyone. To be honest, though, I have feelings for Brittany too. She broke up with me before the summer was over and told me it was just a summer fling. But I never actually got over her. I don't know what to think anymore. Ever since she moved to Hogwarts, I've haven't been able to stop thinking about her."
Hermione stayed silent through the whole thing, listening intently to his story. Then she told hers, "I overheard a conversation from Pansy and three other girls that you and Brittany had a fling last summer and that you cheated on her. They said they wouldn't be surprised if you did the same to the "Gryffindor Mudblood" as I recall. So it really is true with Pansy then? You really did cheat on her?"
"Yes, It's true. It all is. I just thought that if I was still dating her when school started that you'd be jealous, but then I met Brittany. Oh Hermione I am so sorry. I never meant to put you through so much pain," Draco's heart was breaking into two as he said the words.
Hermione looked down at her feet, then looked Draco right in the eye, "I can't be with someone who isn't 100% sure they want to be with me. Not when their heart is somewhere else."
Draco felt so helpless. Hermione was his rock, his foundation and he was so mad that he had messed all this up. "Well, what do you want me to do then?"
"I want you to go ahead and date her to see who you really love," Hermione suggested her heart breaking with every word.
"But we graduate tomorrow. I'm going to need more time," Draco said.
"If you truly love me, you'll find me one day," Hermione sighed, "You really need to talk to Brittany. But let me say a few words to her first. Let's go find her."
They walked around the Great Hall for a few minutes before spotting her talking to a group of Ravenclaw girls. Hermione quickly explained that she needed to talk to her for a few minutes and led the way to the bench that Hermione and Draco had sat at just five minutes before. Draco had waited inside to give them privacy.
"What did you want to talk about?" Brittany asked innocently.
Hermione took a deep breath and started her speech, "Draco really likes you but I know you don't like him the way I do. He thinks you love him as much as I do and he needs to figure that out on his own. You know you've got his heart now so be careful and don't break it."
Brittany wasn't the least bit offended by her speech and actually said, "Thanks for giving us a second chance."
"Your welcome. Stay right here and I'll get Draco," Hermione replied.
Hermione found him easily and with a nod of encouragement she said, "She's all yours."
Hermione walked around the Great Hall, wondering if she had done the right thing. It doesn't matter now. What's done is done, she told herself.
A few minutes later, Brittany and Draco walked into the Great Hall just as a slow song started playing. As Hogwarts' newest couple, they walked onto the dance floor, and in hand and started to slow dance.
I know love is a fragile thing
And I'm trying hard to make it last
But it ain't easy holdin' on to my dream
When he's holdin' on to his past
You don't love him and that's a fact
Girl I've seen you around
But you hold his heart in the palm of your hand
And it's breakin' mine in two
Cause I'm the fool in love with the fool who's still in love with you
A/N: So how was it? We only have one more chapter to go before starting our third installment to the three part series. Please read and review! Flames will be ignored.