˜ Chapter Ten ˜
The next day, Hermione felt exhausted. Ginny had kept her up almost the entire night, questioning her about the relationship between her and Ron. Hermione had to draw the line from the moment Ginny was starting to plan their wedding.
Then there was Ron, himself. After she had asked him to accompany her, he had decided to follow her everywhere. He waited for her after every lesson, and he always sat next to her when he got the chance.
It seemed like he was becoming genuinely interested in what she had to say. Hermione liked the attention but she didn't want Ron hanging around her all of the time. Harry had noticed the strange behavior of his friend too. He tried to talk with him about it but Ron always brushed him off. Ginny had reassured her boyfriend that Ron was just going through a little phase and that he didn't need to worry.
And then the day of the Ball finally arrived. The final touches were put on the decoration. Students had locked themselves in their own rooms, to prepare for the big night. Everyone wanted to look perfect.
By nightfall, the hall was flooded with well dressed students. Harry and Ron were waiting at the stairs for their dates to arrive. Ginny was the first to arrive, kissing Harry slightly on the lips. Ron turned his head ostentatiously and that's when he saw Hermione making her way downstairs. " She looks absolutely beautiful." He murmured to Harry. " Yes, she is." He whispered while looking at the side. Ron followed his glance and rolled his eyes " Not Ginny nitwit , Hermione. Look at her."
Now they were all looking at her. " You are right Ron, she looks perfect.". Hermione had finally reached her friends. " Ready?". Ginny nodded and took Harries hand, Ron stretched out his which Hermione gladly accepted.
Neville and Luna waved across the room before they made their way to the dance floor. Seamus had already lost his date, Lavender was giggling and gossiping with her friends while Seamus just sat there and watched. " Seems like he's having a good time." Ginny laughed as they walked passed them. " Poor guy, he didn't know what he was up for." Ron shook his head dramatically. " Never had a chance" Harry stated.
They all were having a good time, laughing and talking. Until both Harry and Ron saw something that truly shocked them. " What the hell? Please say I'm not seeing straight." Ron said with open mouth. The girls turned around to see what they were looking at, only to notice Parvati entering the room with her date of the night. " Do you mean Malfoy and Parvati." Ginny asked casually. " Of course I mean them, since when are they so close?". " Does it matter? They are only here to dance. You don't have to get all worked up.".
But Ron didn't let it go. " Ginny please, why on earth would Malfoy take a Gryffindor ? He is planning something. And don't give me that look. We know him all too well. Trust me There is a reason. You agree with me , don't you Hermione?"
Hermione saw how Malfoy entered the room, with that smug smirk on his face. She kept wondering why Parvati said yes to him. She didn't even like him or did she? , Hermione shook her head, well she didn't care if they fancied each other. Ron's brought her back to reality. " Mmh, whatever you say Ron"
As the evening passed, Hermione tried to focus on Ron but her eyes kept wandering back to Malfoy's table. She saw how he whispered something in Parvati's ear, she giggled and nodded. Draco waited for her to stand before they walked to the dance floor.
Without even thinking about it, Hermione grabbed Ron's hand and dragged him with her. " What are we doing?" he asked rather confused. " I wanted to dance." Hermione smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. They were slowly rocking back and forth until they were standing right before Parvati and Draco.
Hermione saw how she rested her head on Draco's shoulder and Hermione felt a little sting going through her body.
When Hermione looked up, her eyes locked with Draco's. As hard as she was trying, she wasn't able to look away. Draco smirked at her before he lowered his head, giving Parvati a lingering kiss.
The scene gave Hermione the strength to turn her gaze away from him. Her head was spinning 'he was taunting her with that smirk, he kissed Parvati why on earth did he do that.' She felt that he was watching her again.
She felt an anger boiling up inside of her, which made no sense there was no reason to be mad. But still she felt it and without hesitation she kissed Ron fiercely .
After they parted, she could see the strange look on Ron's face but she didn't care because when she looked over Ron's shoulder she could see that Draco was gone. Hermione let Ron go " I'm sorry, that wasn't my intention." She mumbled softly. " Oh" was all that he could manage to say. There was an awkward silence between them, until Hermione couldn't take it anymore " Will you get us some drinks?", she could see in Ron's eyes that he was happy with the distraction. She watched him walk away before she left the dance floor, her eyes scanning the room until she finally saw Parvati sitting alone.
" Enjoying the ball?" Hermione asked as she took place on the chair next to her classmate. " Very much, I want to ask the same to you, but I guess that's not necessary." Parvati winked. Hermione smiled but didn't reply , " And where is your date at?" she tried to ask casually. Parvati shrugged a little " I don't know actually. He just walked away and I don't know why.". " He just went away?". Parvati nodded " Yes. We were having a wonderful time. He was acting all charming, he was even making jokes. And then he asked me to dance obviously I said yes.
We were talking and then out of nowhere he kissed me, it was so sweet. But something must happened after that because when I looked up, he was staring at something. His mood changed completely and without saying another word he just left.". Hermione noticed that Parvati didn't seem to be upset with the fact that he left her. " That's just terrible. How rude can you be." Hermione growled. " It's not that big a deal. Like I said we were having a good time but nothing more
. It was fun for a while. But enough about that, I want to know what's up between you and Ron." Hermione shifted a little " There is nothing going on between us, we are just friends.". Parvati eyed her suspiciously " You could have fooled me." And with that said she stood up and went to Lavender, leaving Hermione alone.
Hermione watched the people dancing and making fun. She felt exhausted and stupid. She was in no right to kiss Ron like that. It was wrong to play with his mind. Hermione knew she needed to talk to him to clear everything out but she didn't have the energy to do it right now instead she stood up and walked out of the room. But this time she didn't went to the Gryffindor tower, she wanted to be alone with her mixed up thoughts.
Hermione went straight to the perfect room, and immediately she was greeted by the statues. She smiled a little and whispered the password.
She froze when she saw him laying on the couch with a book in his hands. It seemed like he didn't notice her presence. Hermione wanted to just turn around and leave but before she could walk out, his voice called her back. " Isn't this a surprise. Did you use a map to find your way back here?" . With a heavy sighed she turned to face him.
" Funny Malfoy.". " I wasn't trying to be –"his witty response was "- I'd figured you would be with Weasel.". " Why would I be with him?" Hermione asked confused. Draco smiled but in his eyes there was no sign of happiness " You two were really enjoying yourselves, so I thought you would continue it somewhere else." Hermione could feel her cheeks turning red, was he actually thinking that she would sleep with Ron " What are you indicating ?
That I'm some sort of slut who sleeps with every guy she meets?", she fumed. " You tell me Granger. You were the one who threw herself on him." . Hermione looked at him shell-shocked " You aren't in any kind of place to judge me ! You were doing the exact same thing with Parvati. At least I can admit that I was wrong !" , and that's when she completely broke down.
She felt the tears coming and she couldn't stop them anymore. The room filled with her sobs. " I… I can't do this anymore." She finally managed to say. " What?" He asked , raising to his feet. " This, everything. I can't pretend like I don't care anymore.
I wanted to hate you as much as I did before. But how hard I try I just can't not even after you used me. And then you go for Parvati and all I could think of is why her and not me." Hermione cried out. Draco was now standing right in front of her. " I didn't use you." He whispered, making her even cry louder.
" Yes, yes you did. You tricked me to sleep with you, only to mock me afterwards together with Blaise and Pansy. I heard you talking that morning to them.". Draco shook his head, putting his hands gently on each side of Hermione's face, making her look at him. " You are wrong, I said those things because they expect me to say all of that but I never told them what happened that night."
" Why not? That was your chance to embarrass me. Or were you too ashamed that you slept with a dirty mudblood." She hiccupped. " I didn't tell them because it was something private. And don't you even think for a second that I am ashamed for what happened." Draco said softly, he wanted her to believe him. " And to be honest I would do it all again.". At that's when he kissed her, just like he did that night.
They parted for a moment to catch their breaths. " This time we are going to do this right." He mumbled while taking Hermione's hand to lead her to his bedroom.
Draco took his time, slowly unbuttoning her dress, his lips followed the path of his fingers, leaving butterfly kisses on each part of her bare skin. Hermione threw her head back in ecstasy. She had missed his touch. He was now placing open mouth kisses down her neck and over her chest Hermione couldn't do anything but moan at the touch of his mouth over her skin. She could feel every inch of him against her and she wanted more.
" Please Draco…..I need you." She breathed. Draco knew exactly what she meant and settled between her legs. With every thrust Draco took Hermione to an absolute bliss.
He whispered sweet nothings in her ear. Hermione arched her back a little while matching his movements. And Draco couldn't stop watching her , she looked absolutely beautiful, her eyes glowing with pleasure and her cheeks turning pink. His mouth captured her lips again, " let go Hermione" he murmured and it was like that was all she needed.
An intense feeling overwhelmed her, making her body tremble against his. Not long after, Draco collapsed next to her, catching their breaths. " Are you alright?" he asked huskily while looking down at her. Hermione felt a chill down her spine at the sexy tone his voice had taken and she nodded her head, moaning her response as she couldn't put words together.
Draco smiled a genuine smile this time, he pulled her to his side , allowing her to snuggle into him.
Neither of them expected that the night would turn out like this.