I'm only going to say this once because apparently there are still people that are confused. DRAMIONE IS ENDGAME. That has been stated several times and that isn't going to change. Apparently, I had an anon reviewer who didn't like the idea of that which just baffled me to be honest. Why did that confuse me? Because I've been saying it since C&B. This person clearly doesn't know how to read and if they're reading this and get offended...GOOD. Feel offended because Author's Notes are a thing for a reason. I don't understand how they thought anything but Dramione would be endgame. I've stated it so many times it's not even funny. This person clearly didn't believe me or was in denial and concocted their own idea of what would happen in this story. The fact that they actually had the nerve to even write that review is laughable to me because, like I said before, they clearly can't read. I mean this person was just SO disappointed as if I somehow misled them. As if it were my fault that they didn't believe me when I said Dramione was endgame and that they were going to have a happy ending. M&M is going to be so much longer than C&B guys, I plan to have at least 30 chapters. There is going to be major character growth. Obviously I wouldn't have Dramione as endgame with a Draco that wasn't even halfway deserving of Hermione. I mean, I don't think I've misled anyone. I'm almost positive that I have been very clear about what is going to happen with this story. I know that this story is dark, very dark and to be fair I gave everyone a fair warning, several actually in C&B. I've even given warnings in M&M. Why? Because I know that these kinds of stories aren't for everyone. Not everyone can handle stories like these and that's okay! There's nothing wrong with that guys. Just don't sit there and get mad at me because the story isn't going in the direction you expected, especially when I gave ample warning. *shrugs* Not my fault if you've been kidding yourself this whole time. This only applies to THAT anon and others like that anon who are holding out for something that's not going to happen. I'M NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THIS AGAIN.
That was super long, but anyways I lot of you loved the fight scene between D/H and I'm here to tell you that there are plenty more of those and not just D/H.
Disclaimer: I Own Nothing
"…we could take a walk through the gardens as well. It's a maze, so I think that'd be rather exciting. I haven't exactly been out much since I've been here. There's also the library. Blaise has a wonderful collection of books that I'm sure would impress even you."
Hermione didn't respond, instead staring out of her balcony windows, allowing Ginny's chatter to go in one ear and out the other. It was silent for some time and Hermione could imagine Ginny staring at her with that constipated look on her face at the awkward silence.
"Um…well, when I was still at Hogwarts I could tell you what you missed…"
Hermione heaved a sigh, pushing herself off of the wall before turning around to face the younger girl. She crossed her arms over her chest, flicking her hair out of her face as she stared Ginny down. Ginny sat cross legged on the bed, shifting uncomfortably as Hermione turned to face her.
"Do you purposefully ignore the not so subtle hints I've been giving that tell you that I don't want to talk to you or…do you just enjoy hearing the sound of your own voice," Hermione venomously asked.
Ginny winced, shrinking in on herself as Hermione stared her down. The redhead looked down, twiddling her fingers.
"Hermione…I'm trying, okay? I'm really trying here," she quietly said, rapidly blinking.
"I don't want you to try. I want you to go away."
Ginny sniffed, huffing and looking away towards the bathroom.
"Blaise told me that you two talked," Ginny said.
Hermione let out a humorless chuckle.
"Is that what he called it? Your boyfriend came in here practically demanding that I be nice to you, like he's my father or something. Unlike you, I don't let him control me," Hermione snidely commented.
"And I suppose that you're here because you want to be, huh," Ginny threw back.
Hermione pursed her lips, biting her tongue as she looked back outside.
"I'd be stupid to try and escape again so soon. Unlike you, I'm not an idiot."
Ginny heaved a sigh and Hermione heard her slide off of the bed, walking towards her.
"Please, Hermione… I don't want to fight. I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry. I don't know how many times I have to say that. I don't know what you want me to do. Please, I need you…I really need you. Now, more than ever," she pleaded.
Hermione clenched her jaw, eyes watering as she stared at the vast backyard. She swallowed before exhaling.
"Well, I guess that's the difference then between you and me, Ginny. I don't need you…"
Hermione looked over her shoulder.
"…and I don't want you. I'm perfectly capable without you because unlike you, I can survive on my own," she spat.
Ginny flinched, eyes watering as she glared at Hermione. Hermione turned back around, forcing herself to ignore the other girl until she left. Hermione was confused as she didn't hear the sound of the door closing and was about to turn around when Ginny spoke.
"Well, how was Horcrux hunting?"
Hermione laughed, really laughed this time as she turned around to look at Ginny.
"Are you really that desperate to talk to me? Horcrux hunting? Really, Ginny? You're that stubborn that you can't just admit defeat and leave? You don't want to go running and crying to Blaise, complaining that the big old mean Hermione hurt your feelings and have him coddle you and tell you that everything will be okay?"
Ginny heaved a sigh.
"I'm genuinely curious, Hermione. I'm sorry, but despite what you think, your attitude isn't nasty enough to scare me off just yet. I still want to know what it was like out there," Ginny said.
"Fine. We had a big feast every morning and we stayed in luxurious Inns and sang campfire songs every night while roasting marshmallows by the fire. How do you think it was? It was tiresome, dangerous, and stressful. Among other things," Hermione grumbled.
Ginny swallowed.
"How was Ron? And Harry?"
"Ron got splinched, we all fought a lot, and Ron and Harry got into a fight that was so bad that Ron eventually ran off," Hermione spat.
Ginny's eyes widened in concern.
"Yeah, so now you know what we were doing while you were here living it up in luxury," Hermione said.
"How many times do I have to say it? I didn't ask for this. Please, believe me when I say that this has tortured me. I'm not asking for your blessing, I just want a little bit of understanding," Ginny cried as she walked towards her.
"Well, I hope that you enjoy disappointment, but hey, you're dating Blaise so it can't be too foreign to you."
"Stop! Will you just stop? You're not even trying. You probably haven't even really thought about this. You're just blindly hating it because you can, because you don't want to understand. Hermione, it won't make you a traitor, okay? You won't be turning your back on anyone," Ginny said.
"Maybe that's how you see it in your little fantasy world, but that's not how the rest of the world works. Do you think Ron is going to see it that way? What is he going to say, Ginny, when at the end of this, you show up at the Burrow with him on your arm? Haven't you thought about that?"
"I think about that every day, Hermione, believe me," Ginny whispered.
"Right. I forgot, you two are in love, so it'll be worth it," Hermione mocked.
"I do love him. Hermione. I don't know that it will be worth it, but I know that he's worth fighting for."
Hermione nodded.
"Yeah, you keep telling yourself that."
Ginny shook her head, turning around and walking towards the door. She paused, her hand resting on the door knob as she opened the door.
"I feel sorry for you, Hermione…"
Ginny looked over her shoulder as Hermione glared at her.
"…I really do. You're in so much denial, about everything, and I don't want to be around when the truth finally hits you," she said, closing the door behind her as she left.
Hermione reluctantly found herself in the library a few days later and was, once again, reluctant to admit that Ginny was right. Blaise's library was rather impressive. It was on the first floor, a room all the way in the back of the mansion, the bloody thing extending three stories high. Hermione heaved a sigh as she walked along the aisles, eyes scanning the spines of the books as she went along.
She suddenly paused as she heard a rustle of fabric a few aisles over. She frowned, looking through the shelves to see if she could spot anyone. She saw nothing though, and cautiously turned back around to continue her search for a proper book to read. She looked up, spotting one that looked promising and reached up to grab it when someone else beat her to it.
She gasped in shock as a hard chest pressed against her back, pushing her against the shelf as the person reached up. She watched as a fair hand grabbed the book she had been eyeing, long arm outstretched as they brought it down in front of her face. She hesitantly reached up to take it, eyeing their long fingers as she struggled to turn around, the other person still being rather close.
Hermione's eyes widened in shock as she took him in. He had a rather boyish smile on his pink lips as he tilted his head to the side, gazing at her through eyes the color of blueberries. His black hair was pushed away from his face, looking as if he'd just stepped out of the 50s with one, single black strand falling just over his eye. He, like Draco and Blaise normally were, was covered head to toe in black, only making his fair skin and blue eyes stand out more. Hermione clutched the book to her chest as she looked up at him.
"Nott…"
"Hermione," he responded, her name rolling off of his tongue like water.
She swallowed, narrowing her eyes at him. It must have been him that she'd heard. She hadn't seen Nott since…since he and Blaise had tried to kidnap her back at Hogwarts. Her jaw suddenly clenched at the memory and his eyes caught that.
"I take it you're still upset with me about that whole trying to kidnap you thing," he said.
She forced herself from in between him and the bookshelf, walking towards the set of chairs and love seats in the center of the room.
"Not at all," she spat, sinking into the plush furniture.
"I'm sure you can understand that denying Draco is like…well, it may as well be equivalent to denying You-Know-Who himself," he stated, following her, resting his hands on the back of her chair.
"Well, that should tell you something about your friend then," she said, opening her book, determined to ignore him.
Nott chuckled.
"Now, you know that Slytherins don't have friends, Hermione. Besides…," he quietly began.
Hermione swallowed, tensing as he leaned down, hovering over her so that his chest was right over her head.
"You know that Draco and I are sort of…competing."
Hermione looked up at this, staring past her book as Draco's words echoed in her head.
"Teddy isn't your friend," Draco responded.
Hermione crossed her arms over chest.
"He's your friend," she pointed out.
Draco shook his head with a humorless laugh.
"Slytherins don't have friends. Teddy has fancied you for years so trust me when I say that he isn't your friend. He's just as bad as I am and he would steal you right from under my nose given the chance."
Hermione cleared her throat, scooting forward.
"Is that so? This is news to me…"
"Mm, I don't think that it is," he said, straightening and slowly walking around the other chairs.
She looked up at him as he made his way around the circle of furniture, coming towards her.
"What could the two of you possibly be competing for?"
Her question came out cautious as it became all too clear that she was alone in this huge place with him. She didn't know Nott very well, but at one point she thought that she had been able to call him a friend. He had saved her after all and had been determined to look out for her after the incident with Pansy. Of course, this was all before she realized where his true loyalties would always lay. Besides, Draco had said…but Draco was also easily jealous. He could have been lying, for all she knew. He was very good at that, lying.
Nott's smile grew as he sat down in the chair across from her, leaning over and resting his arms on his knees, clasping his hands together. He gazed at her with a look that was so unfamiliar and Hermione couldn't tell if it was good or bad. She blinked, staring at him in confusion as she tried to place that look.
"Oh, you know, practically everything. We have similar interests…and tastes," he finally said.
"I see. So where have you been?"
She didn't want to make small talk, but she was rather curious about this. He exhaled, sitting up and leaning back against the chair, arms outstretched along the back.
"Taking care of some business. Why? Did you miss me?"
Hermione scoffed, thinking about something she'd read stating that when people hung around each other too much, they tended to pick up each other's personalities and habits. She could definitely see some Draco in him.
"No, I didn't. I'm sorry to say that you didn't cross my mind, not once," she replied.
"Hm. Pity," he said, picking at something on his jacket.
She suddenly shut her book, fed up with the chit chat.
"Why are you here, Nott?"
"Excuse me," he asked, glancing up at her.
"Why are you talking to me? What is it that you want?"
He folded his hands in his laps, glancing down before looking up at her from beneath his lashes, blue eyes practically glowing.
"Honestly?"
"Yes, honestly," she snapped.
"I want to be your friend," he quietly stated.
"You want to be my friend? Yeah, okay," she said, standing up.
He too stood and stepped in her path as she prepared herself to leave. He looked down at her with nothing but sincerity with that same unfamiliar look on his face.
"I'm serious. We all know how Draco feels about you and I…I know how he can be. I just think that you need a friend, is all. Am I wrong?"
Hermione looked away, wanting to deny the truth in his words. She didn't have anyone to talk to and Nott…Nott seemed genuine. He wasn't like Blaise or Draco and Hermione found herself wondering how on earth he'd gotten mixed up with those two. She suddenly frowned as she thought about the fact that he'd clearly gotten mixed up with those two for a reason. Birds of a feather, she thought. She pressed her lips together, clutching her book tighter.
"How do you think Draco is going to feel about us being friends?"
It was a valid question. Nott shrugged, a smile tugging on his lips.
"I don't care. How do you feel about us being friends?"
Hermione blinked and looked away, realizing that for the first time in a long time, someone was asking for her opinion on something that involved her.
"It's just dinner, Hermione. For Merlin's sake, you're acting as if you're walking to your death," Draco said as they walked down the stairs.
She clenched her jaw, resisting the urge to tell him that she felt like she was walking to just that. Draco, and she was sure Ginny, had noticed the growing tension between she and Blaise. Hermione didn't have the heart to tell him that this was because she wanted to stab Blaise repeatedly. Now, because of this tension, Draco had decided that the four of them should share a meal together like some kind of twisted double date. Did she have a say in this? No. Did she honestly even care anymore? No. She was learning to choose her battles wisely.
They walked into the dining room, Blaise and Ginny already seated and waiting. Hermione repressed her disgust as Blaise held Ginny's hand on top of the table, his thumb smoothing over her skin as they talked. They hadn't noticed the two of them yet and Hermione found herself frowning in uncertainty at the complete look of adoration on his face. Draco cleared his throat and the two looked up in surprise.
"Well, it's about time," Blaise complained as she and Draco sat down.
Hermione avoided Ginny's eyes as she sat across from her.
"We're here, aren't we," Draco said, settling very comfortably into his chair.
Hermione, on the other hand, was very uncomfortable and was stiff as a board. She eyed the food spread out along the table with a frown. She wasn't even feeling all that hungry, actually. She reluctantly followed everyone else's lead and dug in though, trying to get the lightest foods possible.
Draco and Blaise conversed with one another as Hermione nibbled on what little food she had put on her plate, doing her best to ignore Ginny's expectant gaze. Hermione didn't want to be there and no one could actually force her to make conversation. Instead she thought about her conversation with Nott yesterday, her mind lingering on his…invitation.
She was extremely skeptical seeing as past events made her weary of trusting…well, anyone. However, he did seem rather sincere and Hermione seriously found herself wondering why he was mixed up in all of this. He wasn't like them, she could tell. She was brought out of her thoughts by a female voice.
"…I made the turkey as well. I had to practically beg Blaise to let me in the kitchen. He kept insisting that it was the House Elves' job but…," Ginny trailed off as Hermione gave her a blank stare.
Ginny looked away and Hermione looked back down at her plate, picking at her food. Hermione could hear Ginny saying something else and Hermione huffed, resisting the urge to roll her eyes as she ignored the other girl. It was then that Hermione noticed that Draco and Blaise were no longer talking. She could feel all three pairs of eyes on her, the tension slowly climbing.
"I believe that Ginny was speaking to you, Hermione," Blaise quietly said.
Hermione looked up at him in mock confusion, unfazed by his poorly concealed anger.
"Was she? My apologies…"
Hermione looked at Ginny who was staring with wide eyes, slowly looking back and forth between Hermione and Blaise.
"What did you say?"
"I uh…I said that Nott came by yesterday. He, Draco, and Blaise had talked for a bit. I was just wondering if you had run into him…"
"Yes, I did," Hermione said.
"Really," Draco stated as if that were the most interesting thing in the world, setting down his fork.
Hermione looked at him, raising her eyebrow as he narrowed his eyes at her.
"Yes, really."
"Where?"
"In the library."
"What happened in the library?"
"We talked."
"About?"
"Books," she spat, annoyed.
He simply stared at her before returning his attention back to his plate and Hermione looked away, taking note of the smirk that graced Blaise's lips. She was thankful that the interrogation was over.
"How does the turkey taste, Hermione?"
Hermione rolled her eyes at Ginny's question.
"It's a bit dry, but thanks for asking," Hermione said.
Hermione heard Blaise harshly set his utensils down and she looked at him.
"Do you have a problem, Hermione?"
"Not at all. Do you have a problem, Blaise?"
She raised an eyebrow as he picked up his glass, taking a sip of whatever was in there before roughly slamming that down too.
"Yeah, I kind of do, actually. Ginny is being very polite and you're acting like a child," he spat.
"Forgive me if I have more pressing matters on my mind than your oversensitive girlfriend. In case you forgot, I was practically dragged here against my will," Hermione said, throwing Draco a scornful smile.
The young Malfoy simply smirked, eyes flickering between the two of them in amusement.
"How could we forget with your lovely fiasco last week? Keep it up and next time I'll be right there with him, happily watching as he drags you back," he sweetly said, cutting into the meat on his plate.
"You know, Blaise, just because you have one, doesn't mean you should act like one," she threw back, just as sweet as she gestured towards his lap.
"Hermione…," Ginny said.
"Funny, I never hear you telling Draco that," Blaise said.
"You don't know what I say to him when we're alone. For all you know, I could be cussing him out every time we're behind closed doors. In fact, I'm pretty sure that's exactly what I do."
"Draco, when are you going to shag her already? I'm getting real tired of-"
"Excuse me?"
"Blaise," Ginny warned.
Blaise looked up.
"You heard me. That bitchy attitude might do it for him, but I'm sick of it. Are you jealous? Is that what it is? Are you mad that Ginny's happy and you're not? Does it bother you that she has somebody to sleep next to every night while you cry yourself to sleep almost every other night," he threw out.
"Screw you, Blaise. I'm upset because you've taken her away from me," Hermione shrieked.
"She does have a mind of her own, you know," Blaise snapped.
"She was weak and vulnerable and you took advantage of that."
"Hermione!"
"What a great way to think of your best friend," Blaise remarked.
"That disloyal slag is not my best friend," she hissed.
Blaise jumped up, his chair falling backwards, jaw clenched.
"Do not talk about her like that," he threatened.
Hermione stood too.
"I'll say whatever the hell I want to say. Who's going to stop me? You?"
Blaise leaned forward, resting his hands on the table, a cruel smirk gracing his features.
"You're lucky Draco's here. If he wasn't, I swear on Salazar's grave that you'd be picking yourself up off of that floor so fast…"
Hermione's eyes narrowed, anger flaring and before she knew what she was doing, she had reached across the table and grabbed his knife, sinking it straight into his hand. Ginny screamed, jumping back. Blaise yelled in pain, jerking his hand and hissing once he realized that the knife was lodged into the table. She backed up, glaring at him as his blood began to stain the wood.
Ginny hurriedly yanked the knife out, staring at Hermione with wide eyes. Blaise clutched his hand, glaring up at Hermione with a look that could kill. Out of the corner of her eye Hermione saw Draco pinching the bridge of his nose, head bowed.
"You bitch!"
He began to leap over the table, Ginny holding him back. Hermione was too focused on the two of them to see Draco wave his hand, one end of the table lifting up and the whole thing flying into the wall with a loud crash. Hermione shrieked in surprise, hurriedly backing up as it just barely missed her face. Her chest heaved as she looked back and forth between the table and Draco. Blaise stared at Draco with wide eyes, his left eye twitching.
"What the hell, Draco? That was imported from Italy, you asshole!"
Draco slowly stood, looking between them.
"Are the two of you done acting like children now? Yes? Good," he said.
He stepped closer to Hermione, resting his hand on her shoulder and looking down at her like a disappointed parent.
"Hermione…it's quite rude to stab your host," he scolded, but he couldn't hide the amused smirk.
She huffed, jerking away from him.
"Wouldn't you agree? Now, Blaise…," he began.
He turned to face him, Blaise still clutching his hand.
"Talk to her like that again and I will cut out your tongue. That I can promise you," Draco warned, lips set into a hard line.
He looked between the two of them one last time before grabbing Hermione's arm and dragging her out of the dining room. Hermione didn't even put up a fight, more than ready to get the hell out of there.
Hermione exited her bathroom, eyes immediately taking in the figure standing in her room and dropping the towel around her head with a sigh. Ginny stormed over to Hermione, hair flying.
"What the hell is wrong with you?"
"Me? I don't remember inviting you in here," Hermione said, walking past her.
"I'm talking about dinner! How could you do that?"
"You heard what he said to me."
"I heard what you both said to each other! Hermione, please… I need you two to get along-"
"Why? Why is this so important to you," Hermione demanded, spinning around.
"It just is. Hermione, I am begging you…try, just try. That is all I'm asking for," Ginny begged.
"This is getting quite pathetic, don't you think?"
"Hermione, I'm pregnant!"
Hermione paused, eyes widening as she took in Ginny's words. She stared at Ginny like that for a painful amount of time, her eyes lowering to Ginny's stomach.
"Blaise doesn't know yet," Ginny shakily said.
Hermione looked back up, a million thoughts swirling through her head. Ginny stared at her through glassy eyes and Hermione could see that this wasn't new news to Ginny. This was something she'd been struggling with.
"I don't care how things are between us. You're still my sister and I had to tell you…I wanted you to know and with you and Blaise going after each other's throats…," Ginny trailed off with a shake of her head.
Hermione still had not moved, blinking and breathing picking up as Ginny's words sunk in. Ginny laid her hand on her stomach.
"I was at Hogwarts earlier in the year, but when I found out I came back here. I didn't tell Blaise why. I'm only about two months along…I'm not even showing yet. Hermione, I'm really scared. I want to be excited but…"
Ginny shook her head again.
"I need you, Hermione. Please…say something," Ginny quietly begged.
Hermione swallowed.
"I think I'm going to be sick," Hermione choked out, running into the bathroom, leaving Ginny to stare after her in sadness.
Let me just say right now that no, Hermione isn't pregnant. I feel like some people are going to get that out of that last scene and no she's not. The reality of what Ginny said sank in and made her physically ill.
Anywho, Teddy is back, Hermione and Blaise are literally ready to kill each other and Ginny's knocked up. It's never a boring day with these kids...
Don't forget to review!