Chapter 11
Hermione had a hard time sleeping that night, it was strange, but she felt like something was missing in that room of hers. Though the bed was comfy it was nothing compared to the nights of sleeping on Malfoy's coach. She missed waking up to the sound of Mr. Snuggles asphyxiation and most of all….she couldn't help thinking that something very important was missing as she stared down at her cold right hand that had been so warm these past few mornings.
"Here" Malfoy had managed to slam down her morning coffee without spilling a drop, "drink"
"What's with the dark circles this morning?"
"And yours?"
Hermione stared down at her coffee not sure how to answer the question, why did she not get a lot of sleep last night?
"Here take this too" Malfoy handed her a small potion bottle that was a relaxing blue color.
"What's this?"
"You drank too much hot coco yesterday, this should help with any stomach problems"
"…doesn't this potion takes a couple of hours to brew?"
Malfoy looked away quickly, "I had one lying around for a while"
"But….it has the color of something that has been just brewed"
Malfoy looked at Hermione as if she was an idiot,
Just till this afternoon, that's all! Then she won't ever be this ridiculously ignorant again, Merlin, I can't wait.
"Ready to go too class? Don't forget to stop by my office at 3, I have a meeting till 4 so just wait and…do something useful and time consuming!"
Hermione rolled her eyes, "My favorite!"
-2 o clock in class-
Hermione was smiling, Michael had brought her a muffin, it had raisins (her least favorite) but she still tried to eat it with a smile at his consideration. He was getting much more persistent these days about getting together after class and Hermione was finally happy that she could take the time to do it with him. Malfoy would never know right?
"Hermione….I know you usually say no but I still have to ask, Are you busy after class today?"
Hermione felt her heart skip a beat, finally! An actual date! Merlin she hadn't felt this in so long that she nearly (it's Hermione guys) missed the next note that was written on the board, "No! I…actually have an hour after class if you want to get some coffee!"
Michaels dropped his quill putting a large inkblot in the middle of a very important herb to potion recipe, "R-r-really?"
Hermione nodded happily and the rest of the class was spent with Michael, ever so carefully, holding her hand.
-3:00-
"Where would you like to go?" Michael still held her hand delicately in his and Hermione couldn't help but compare the gentleness of his hand to the iron grip of Malfoy's.
"I used to take a walk on campus all the time but…lately I have been fairly busy…"
Michael smiled, "Definitely! Would you like to stop by to get a pastry to share?"
French toast!
"Or maybe Raisin bread?"
NO!
"Another muffin would be fine thanks"
"Raisins?"
Hermione gave a polite shake of her head that she hoped wasn't too fast, "No thanks! Blueberry?"
Michael nodded happily, promising he would remember next time before making a dash to the café.
They talked about school, student council, what their hobbies were, and things that Hermione hadn't remembered doing with another boy since Ron and Harry and never in this kind of way.
He kept checking to see if she was alright, not too tired, not too un-comfy, even when they sat on a park bench for a little rest he quickly placed down his blazer for Hermione to sit on.
She nearly fainted.
Hermione was very warm and fuzzy, there she was walking on the beautiful campus, enjoying a pastry and being glared at by every girl she passed because a certain someone to her right kept gently whispering things in her ear that made her smile.
"Did you know I used to watch you in that library? Usually I approach girls with no problem but with you…I had to get up the courage for a couple of months."
"Really?"
Michael gave a small frown, "Would you have really accepted me if I asked? Have I wasted a precious year for nothing?"
Hermione felt a burning blush on her cheeks, "I…I think I would have…said yes…"
Michael gave such a beautiful smile to Hermione that she was momentarily dazed and had the strong suspicion that even if he wasn't one of the top students in the university he would have still got the presidential position merely with that smile.
She was so fully encompassed in that smile she had forgot to take her breathe, put her left foot before her right, remember that it was polite to reply to such things and most importantly, she forgot to check her watch that had now silently informed her that it was 4 o'clock
-Malfoy-
"Finally it's about time that stupid meeting was over? How dare they think that they could take time away from her and I? And on this day too? Just wait too see what kind of donation they get from the Malfoy family next month!"
Malfoy's expensive polished shoes were making their way known through the corridor as the angry heir marched to his office. Finally, arriving at the very familiar door, he slowed to a stop. This was the day, the day that he had been waiting for a whole ten years…finally today…would this pain in his chest would finally leave? OF COURSE! He's still a Malfoy and…she had to have learned by now? How could she say no after she heard everything he had gone through?
Malfoy put one hand on the doorknob and the other remained in his pocket where it had been since yesterday evening, gripping a very small and beautiful black velvet box. It was finally time.
will she be doing files?
Doing homework?
Cleaning?
Love letter security?
Malfoy walked into the room and what he saw…or rather didn't see…startled him.
Malfoy hated to be startled.
-Flashback-
"Excuse me...Mr. Malfoy you want us to do what?"
"Turn down her application." Malfoy said in a bored and far away tone that had become his only way too communicate this past year. (Was it because he was suffering severe withdrawls?)
"But sir! She is the most sought after student this year if we don't accept her another University will surel-"
"No other University will accept her."
"But Mr. Malfoy! Were talking about Hermione Granger! She has been first on our list of scholarship applicants and priority students for years we just can't-"
Malfoy leaned back in the comfy guest chairs of the presidents of Hoxfords University office. Prestigious, yes. Luxurious, yes. Would Hermione love that there were 15 different libraries around?
"I don't think you realize president Raynd but….Over the past four years the Malfoy family has not only bought 40% of the schools stocks but…" Malfoy placed his shoe on top of the elegant white maple desk, "It also is providing the donations for this…." Malfoy looked around the room as if inspecting something particularly disagreeable, "comfort."
"Now…It's up to you whether you would accept Miss. Granger but…please….if you start missing half of your school libraries and experimental buildings as well as these" Malfoy patted the cushion beside him, "little comforts, then I suggest you forget about Granger being a Hoxfords Alumni."
The president thought about the new glass ceiling that was just installed in the potion library and he longingly stared at the cushion and the little teacakes and fire whiskey bon bons on the desk that he had grown so used too. Finally he gave a very timid nod, "But Mr. Malfoy…in all due respect….Some University will accept her? Why not ours?"
Malfoy showed the first remnants of amusement since he got into the office, "She will be accepted…into SPES (If you are curious look it up in Latin! *author wiggles eyebrows*)"
"St. Peter's Educational School?...It's a good school but….If I recall hasn't your family-"
"Bought 80% of the school building and properties?"
The president nodded seriously, "Well…I wish her all the luck then! She wants' to be a doctor at St. Mungos right? I wish your student all the luck!"
Malfoy smirked for the second time and the president, who was usually very well at keeping his nerve, observed the feeling of his hand tremble.
"I think Ms. Granger's career will be far different then a doctor."
"Really? Are you close friends? Did she tell you she changed her mind?"
Malfoy chuckled, "I have it from a reliable source that Miss Granger will suddenly have a large interest in becoming a stay at home wife."
The President, thinking that for the star pupil of the wizarding world, to become something like, that started to laugh thinking it was a particularly interesting type of humor, "That's very funny Mr. Malfoy! You have your---uhh….some family members sense of humor!"
Malfoy slammed his fist down on the white desk making a large sound that vibrated through the room causing the couch and desk chair to gossip furiously about this new occurrence (you do know how those chairs and couches are!...don't you?)
"Well" Malfoy said coldly and without any emotion, "I hope that next month you are able to receive the same generosity from the Malfoy family donations, I heard that the library needs a new staircase to fit with the new design….but….you know, times are tough in the Wizarding world right now."
Mr. Raynd knew that he had made some terrible mistake as he watched the young heir stand up, "o-oh I am sorry if I offended you! I am sure Miss Granger would be superb in ANY field."
Malfoy didn't bother to nod as he headed to the door.
"OH! The president attempted once again to console the situation before the door was shut to the office and the prospect of a new staircase, "and I heard that you got accepted as a teacher! The youngest surgeon and now the youngest teacher in the world! Very impressive! What school will you be teaching at again?"
Malfoy placed his hand on the doorknob before slowly turning and giving the scared president the very small hint of actual joy, "
"I'll be a teacher at SPES"
-Flashback of Malfoys last year-
"But my boy! Please reconsider this offer! Every hospital wants you and the chance to study in Mungo's head surgery ward as an apprentice to the top doctor! People work for Thirty years to take that position and you can have it right now!"
Malfoy took a sip from his coffee thinking whether he would have time before his exam to get his weekly fix and visit Hermione's school with the slim chance of seeing her….it was definitely worth it.
"But my boy think of the Fame! You'll the be the most famous wizard of your time!"
"I have enough fame"
"…Well I am sure a man like you has no problems in this department, but imagine all the woman! Top actresses singers anything you ever wanted!"
"I already turned down all of them"
"Imagine the money!"
"I have more then enough"
The head research professor at Hoxfords sighed, "Then….What do you need? What can I offer you? Are you really going to stoop to teaching at a middle class University with all your talent?"
Malfoy gave a slight response at the word "need" he lifted his head, a rare sight for any of the teachers at the school.
"I'll get you anything you desire? What do you need lad?"
Malfoy suddenly stood up from the seat that he had been in more then any other student in the history of Hoxfords.
"Malfoy! Where are you going?!" The professor desperately grabbed his students arm begging upon some kind of magic, far more powerful then his own, that Malfoy would stay.
"If I can have anything that I desire then let me go right now professor."
The professor gave a moan and collapsed on the chair letting go of the young surgeons arm, "That girl right?"
Malfoy suddenly had a spark of life in his eyes, "…How did you know?"
The professor shrugged as if it was the more obvious then a simple charm, "Malfoy…is she really worth it? Can't you just…give her up? You can have anyone, anyone in the whole word! Why…her? Can you please just give her up?"
Malfoy looked into the eyes of his professor for the second time in two years, the first time was in the beginning of the second year, a complete accident, this time was no accident, and the professor wished that he could give a year of his life for a time turner and take back what he had said. For the look of pain on his prized students face was too much.
"Give up Hermione?" Malfoy spoke as if it was a punch line to a particularly ludicrous joke instead of an actual question, "I don't think you realize Professor that giving up Hermione to me is the equivalent of giving up…"
Malfoy stared down at his watch wondering whether he should take the floo network or apparate, "the will too live."
-End of Flashback-
-Hermione-
"Do you like roses?"
"No"
"Do you like hikes?"
"Yes"
"Quidditch"
"Not really"
"Like water?"
"Very much"
"Do you like…me?"
"Deffinitel- OH!" Hermione suddenly turned her face away but the red had spread far beyond her cheeks and was now painting her ears.
Michael started to laugh, "It's okay It's okay! I'm sorry! My fault I-" He grabbed Hermione's hands, as gently as he would glass, and slowly uncovered her face too see a very nervous girl, with the most beautiful stars in her eyes he had ever seen.
-Malfoy-
Where did that stupid witch go!?! She knows I don't allow her to leave the room! How DARE she disobey me! I'm a Malfoy for Merlin's sake!! How can she get any more stupid!! Walking alone in the halls! What if she got hurt!?! She never thinks of these things!!
Malfoy was getting more and more impatient and the unfortunate girls who tried to catch his eye quickly disappeared, wishing that never in their life would someone be giving that look to them.
Finally he heard it….he could recognize the sound even in a My Bloody Galleon concert, his favorite sound, her laugh.
"Granger" He said happily gripping the little velvet box in his pocket and walking towards the heaven like sound.
At least I know she is alrig-
Malfoy's smile disappeared faster then an apparition in front of a muggle. His Granger was not the only one laughing…
Dear reader, I had the great fortune in my 18 years to come across a rather fantastic book of "worst case scenarios" and how to survive them, most were very useful indeed! Ranging from things such as how to escape a crocodile, surviving a shark attack, and of course, one that I thought was particularly "worst case" how to avoid carolers (*author shivers*). But I doubt this book or its writers would ever take on the challenge of what lay before Granger as her grip tightened on Michael's chest.
"…Get your hands off her…" In a voice that made both students wish that he would have screamed. Michael quickly let go of Hermione causing her to stumble a little.
"Oh! He-hello professor Malfoy I was-"
Malfoy looked straight at the young president with such intensity that Hermione's bones ached with pity for your new friend and yet she, with all her Gryffindor courage, dared not interrupt.
"Leave." Malfoy said his voice as cold as the ice in his eyes.
Michael was very brave, he was a Gryffindor too after all, not too mention the fact that he had been waiting to take this particular walk with this particular girl for a very long time now, "Professor I think that-"
"Student president right?"
Michael gave a nervous nod of his head.
"And you like her?" Malfoy didn't even bother to point he just watched as the boy tried to stay up a little straighter and give a much more determined nod.
Malfoy gave a smile at both him and Hermione that was terrifying. "Tell me…do you know what her favorite flower is?"
Michael's eyebrows raised in confusion and the answer was all too clear, "Do you know….her habit of using colored pencils to signify what exactly is of importance in her notes? Do you know her favorite song that she could play countlesly till her roommates had to break her radio?"
Michael without even realizing it, started to back away, "Do you know her idiotic pet peeve of using the word "like" to many times in a sentence? Do you know the first thing she buys whenever she moves in too a new room or place is a snow globe?"
Michael barely managed to give a little movement of his head that clearly meant no.
"Leave now." Michael couldn't look into the teacher's eyes anymore…he gave Hermione an apologetic look that made Malfoy clench his fist to the point where some skin was tearing. Michael tried to keep a swift pace toward the exit and not too long after the door closed leaving a very frightened Hermione and a very deserving-of-fright Malfoy.
Malfoy didn't turn to the girl, nor did he attempt too, he just stared in the direction of the departed student president while his own face remained expressionless. Wherever Malfoy was at the moment Hermione knew that he wasn't in the deserted hall, she knew he wasn't looking at the wide south entrance to the Charms of Healing building…she didn't know quite what Malfoy saw when he looked down the hall but she knew that she couldn't stand the suffocating silence a second longer.
"Malfoy I-"
Before Hermione knew what was happening Malfoy had pinned her to the wall with such a force and speed that if her breath hadn't been taken away she would have let out a very loud verbal acknowledgment of the pain.
"WHAT WERE YOU DOING WITH HIM!?!?!?!??!?!"
Hermione's eyes shot down to the well-made Italian shoes. She couldn't stand looking into his eyes for another second. They were showing so much rage and so much anger and worse then all of those…hurt…confusion…our female protagonist thought her mind would explode for the pain and in that moment she couldn't tell what hurt more the numb sensation that was slowly spreading through her arms and legs or the look that the teacher was giving her.
He's Malfoy, JUST Malfoy! I shouldn't care! The only thought that Hermione couldn't muster was that she didn't care
Hermione's arms started to feel as if they would fall of and her toes longed for the feel of the floor that was surely so close beneath her.
"He was just-" Hermione's voice was so week it sounded pathetic even to the owner.
"WAS IT BECAUSE HE REMINDED YOU OF VIKTOR AND RON!?!?"
Hermione felt so ashamed of herself and she had absolutely no idea why all she could manage was a week attempt of pressure against his arms.
His grip grew stronger.
"NO!" Hermione tried once again to push against him with her legs, "No he didn't!"
Malfoy took advantage of the movement were her legs separated and quickly placed his knee right in the middle of your thighs pushing your skirt up. Hermione gasped with the pain of the sudden intrusion.
"IS IT BECAUSE HE WAS SOME STUPID GRYFFINDOR!?!"
"He pushed her back against the cold marble with even more force refusing to let her break the grip any longer. With his knee spreading her legs conveniently apart and both their body's touching with her back pinned against the wall Hermione could feel the inhuman like beat of Malfoy's heart.
"That has nothing to do with it!" Hermione yelled afraid that her words sounded far too much like a plea.
"DO YOU KNOW WHAT I HAVE BEEN THROUGHT THESE PAST TEN YEARS YOU IDIOTIC GIRL!?!?!"
"I DON'T KNOW!!! I DON'T!" You scream knowing this had gone far beyond the student body president or being late for a detention. If it was possible Hermione felt her heart staccato fifty beats.
An eyelash.
An eyelash was all that separated Hermione and Malfoy
"Is he your ideal man Hermione?" The quite whisper that came from Malfoy sent shivers rampaging through you.
"Is he one of those guys that told you fairy stories? Painted you castles in the sky? YOU LIKE THAT DON'T YOU, YOU IDIOTIC GIRL!?!" Malfoy grabbed her chin forcing her too look him straight in the eyes, "I don't have to paint you about those things..I COULD GIVE YOU ALL THOSE THINGS!!!"
Malfoy gave one final push that crushed Hermione's already sore back to the hard wall behind, she was quite beyond feeling anything physical at this point though.
"I COULD GIVE YOU ANYTHING YOU EVER WANTED!!!!"
The eyelash, yes reader, the same one that had separated the student and teacher so barely, cut in half.
"No!" Hermione's plea was not only coming from her shaky voice this time. Her dark brown eyes and held something that you poets would describe as "liquefied sadness". As if the tears that were suspended in the eye but, as tears so often do, refused to fall…so they become a color.
The eye contact never broke..it never even faltered.
Malfoy ruthlessly placed his arm against Hermione's soar back and pulled her body even closer to his own creating a friction that would have in the past drove him mad…but wasn't it a little too late reader?
Malfoy's body tensed once again and Hermione, as if trained, was ready too feel the contact of the wall against her skin at any moment. She even opened her mouth a little in expectance of the pain.
But nothing, no books or studying, could have ever prepared her for what happened next...
Malfoy ran a shaky finger on her bottom lip. Tracing the plump and slightly red body part with the lightest touch. His eyes gazing into the frightened feminine ones, revealing a terrifying longing…and need.
He leaned in closer.
In that second reader…Hermione's heart stopped and she let out a gasp.
For the young Malfoy heir had pulled her into a hug.
So soft…so shaky…holding the frightened and shocked girl so close to him. Wrapping both of his arms around her placing them protectively on the small of the back, as if the girl was a dream…about to escape from his desperate hands any second.
"Hermione…" His voice sounded so far away and so painfully…sad.
"…You were supposed to fall in love with me…"
A single stubborn tear (the same one from a few paragraphs above) ran down Hermione's pale cheek
Readers!
Did you like it?
I like writing it!
You want a question? You answered the one about where you guys were from so well! I was so happy to see all the countries!! Netherlands, Poland, England (my "kindest"reviewer is from my favorite country!) and NEW ZEALAND! (too cool!)
The question for this chapter is!
....lol! VACATION! Take a vacation! You guys have done so well! And trust me there will be a huge question next chapter that I'll need your help on so just wait a second and save up all that energy!
THANK YOU!
Marguerite -Beauty and the Beast!??! Only like my favorite movie for my hole childhood!!! YAY! I would go to disney land and take those quizzes until I got the answer of "which princess are you?" that I wanted - Belle
Demon Centaur - HEY! I loved your enthusiasm! (I am such a smuck for that stuff!) Are you satisfied that this is what happaned? lol...maybe don't answer that!
Black Thorns - AWWW they are cute aren't they! Sadistic and cute *sigh*
Paite - NO ONE and I mean NO ONE understands me as well as you! I mentioned this before but I have to repeat, I work so hard too update too see your reviews! And I know your busy with school and all but I REALLY REALLY appreciate it! (don't overwork yourself though!)
katie- NEW ZEALAND!?!
S.L. - I like Mr. Snuggles very much!
Random acts of kindness - Just when I thought you couldn't get any better you have to put in words like ENGLAND *author is SO jealous*
IGOTEAMEDWARD - You do a happy dance for my story? I do a happy dance when i see your review! (and I win cause I have dust bunnies doing it with me so there!)
Strangel - I KNEW YOU WOULD LIKE THE PRACTISE LOL! We have the same "rawr" gene!!
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING AND TO THOSE OF YOU WHO REVIEWED!!! I CAN'T EXPRESS HOW MUCH IT MEANS TO ME!!! IT MAKES ME SO VERY HAPPY TO SEE REVIEWS THERE and..... *starts to tear up* I'm nearly at a 100! *sigh* How is that even possible?? THANK YOU GUYS!