Well just look at the title…you know it's gonna be a good one ;). From me to you.
Chapter 11: Valentine's Day
Control had never made Hermione Granger feel so miserable. She hadn't been able to do anything useful all weekend besides stare listlessly out windows and absently stroke Crookshanks behind the ears. Every part of her felt torn in a different directions and she didn't have the slightest notion of which bit to listen to, nor did she feel like going to anyone for advice; not even Ginny, who probably would have been a big help.
No, instead her entire being was stuck in a death spiral of indecision that flew unceasingly between argument and imagination. Should she make a verbal suggestion? Reach out for his hand? Grab him and kiss him madly? Write him a note? Ask for some time? Or tell him…tell him no…
Because, she honestly had no idea. Not only about what to do…but about whether she wanted to at all.
She tried to put on a happy face for Ron and Harry, but she kept finding herself becoming distracted with counting water droplets on the rain-covered tower windows. Harry waved his hand in front of her eyes for the sixth time that chess game,
"Hermione? Earth to Hermione Granger!"
She jolted and shook her head, "What? Yes? Sorry,"
He looked annoyed, "You missed your turn. Again."
She adjusted her legs to sit up straighter and swept her hair out of her face, "Right, Harry I'm sorry it's just…all of this school work and responsibility with Head Girl is really getting to me and I-"
He pushed the chess board away from him and moved to stand up, "Yeah, you keep saying that. I guess we should just cut this game short then, to give you time to clear your head."
She felt her heart sink even lower, "Harry no, I'll be a better sport I promise, I don't want to ruin your weekend too!"
He pushed the pieces off and slammed the board shut, barely listening, "Maybe another time Hermione," he grumbled, before disappearing up to his dormitory.
Feeling completely disheartened now, she slipped back into the window nook and drew the curtains to hide herself from the room, hugging her knees to her chest. She bit back the tears that yearned to fall and reverted to counting water droplets yet again. One, two, three, four…
On early Sunday morning, Hermione got so sick of herself that she decided to pull out a piece of parchment and compose a list. A list of pros and cons. She nibbled thoughtfully on the top of her quill and frowned at the despairingly long list of negatives. Five minutes later she was counting rain again.
The day drizzled slowly by and she hauled her carcass over to her old bed to attempt to tackle her thoughts under the covers. She tossed and turned and restrained herself from ripping out her hair until she had worked herself into such a state that there was no chance she would ever fall asleep.
That inconsiderate prick ruined my weekend. She felt her anger begin to flair and it felt good.
The sheer infuriating gall of him even suggesting such a thing as her making the first move! Pshaw! Puh-lease! As if! As if she'd ever want to make a move with that good-for-nothing, smirking, prophecy-following, hateful boy.
She flipped over onto her other side and scowled at the hairbrush on her nightstand; living with him was going to drive her completely crazy. He was going to make all sorts of outrageous and off colour remarks, he was going to give her gooey looks and egg her on and trace delightful circles on her wrist and…
God damnit! How she loathed him!
She swung sharply onto her back and stared incensed at the ceiling. Then she stared disheartened at the ceiling, then sadly, and finally miserably. She knew that Sunday night would arrive far too soon.
And it did: Sunday night arrived and she found herself standing outside the Head's portrait and dragging her blasted things back inside. She spotted Malfoy lounging and reading a book on the couch and hurried into her bedroom. Alas, her hope of being ignored was too good to be true,
"Need any help there Hermione? Or should I say Filch?"
Hermione stopped and told herself to count to ten. No need to start yelling at him after being back for roughly four seconds.
"Nope. I'm fine thank you."
He sat up, alarmed that she was unaffected by his remark. What if she hasn't been thinking about me all weekend? He cleared his throat,
"Had a fun-filled weekend of scrubbing toilets then?"
She squeezed the handle of her bag, Patience Hermione, "No, but Harry and I played some very exciting chess games,"
"Oh ho, how thrilling. I bet afterwards all of your friends baked cookies, sang songs, and tried to save the World. Sound about right?"
Right, she dropped her bag, eleven seconds was quite long enough to go, "For your information," she felt her voice begin to shake with rage, "My entire bloody weekend was all blown to pot thanks to YOU! I WAS HORRIBLE TO MY FRIENDS, I IGNORED THOSE WHO TRIED TO HELP, AND I WASTED EVERY SINGLE MOMENT OF MY PRECIOUS TIME!!!"
She vaguely registered Malfoy stand up as she tried to ration with herself to stop talking. She was angry and she had no clue what she was saying, although she didn't doubt that it sounded highly insane and knew that it was cripplingly embarrassing. Shut up brain! She mentally berated herself, shut up mouth, just SHUT UP!
"Doing what?" She jumped as she realized Draco was right in front of her, had he said something? Was he talking to her? As if sensing her dire confusion he asked again,
"You wasted every single moment of your precious time this weekend doing what?"
She felt her cheeks flame uncontrollably and her palms sweat. Her stomach seemed to drop out and she looked around wildly for an escape, oh no, he had not just asked that…had he? This was far too much; her crap weekend, her dilemma, and now this! She released a noise of frustration and stomped her foot,
"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL DO YOU THINK YOU STUPID PRAT!!?"
Hermione, completely horrified with her outburst, covered her mouth in abomination as Draco's mouth began to twitch. Was he…smiling? At her expense? Her eyes narrowed, not on her watch he wasn't,
"Oh for heaven's sake go away!" she swatted at him, "And stop smirking like the cat that caught the blasted canary! Yes I was thinking about you but NO I'm not going to blooming snog you!" she exclaimed, thankful that she had finally uttered something sensible, and stormed into her bedroom.
"The ball's in your court Hermione!" he yelled at her retreating back.
She reached her room, slammed her door, and leant back against it breathing heavily.
"Yes," she murmured hopelessly to herself, "And I still have no idea what to do with it."
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Hermione, oddly, slept soundly through the night and felt wonderfully refreshed the next morning with an urge to attempt a fresh start. She lathered her body in a lukewarm shower and pulled her hair back with a clip to keep it dry. She looked at her reflection resolutely and made a decision; she would try to view Draco and all of her feelings towards him on a purely objective basis. No more past nonsense, no more anger or empty words, just two, mature adults…forced to deal with one another.
She opened the door to find him waiting outside and gave him a pleasant smile, "Good morning Draco, I hope you haven't been waiting too long."
He raised his eyebrows and shook his head, "Not at all…" He stared at her in silence, "I'll see you in class?"
She nodded, "Yep."
He shut the door to the bathroom and she sighed with relief. There, she had actually been civil, and it wasn't too bad.
The day continued smoothly enough, although Hermione did run into Draco much more than was normal. It really helped put her new oath to be civil to the test, especially when she spotted him rounding the corner where she sat waiting outside McGonagall's office in her, their, free period. She felt her old anger itch irritatingly Hell's bells, how much of this unnatural punishment am I going to have to take? Don't I see him enough outside of class? But then Draco nodded in greeting and she used all her might to put on a small smile and say,
"Fancy meeting you here,"
Draco laughed sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck in distraction, "Yeah, I just can't seem to get away from you," His sincere tone made her soften a bit.
"I know," her smile grew, "If I didn't know any better I'd say you were following me."
Did she detect a flicker of mischief in his eyes? Her body hummed unwittingly and she frowned. "Who me?" he grinned, "Never."
Just then, McGonagall poked her head out of her office looking extremely flustered, "I'm sorry you two," she huffed, "But if it's not urgent than your visits will have to wait, I'm far too busy to take you right now."
Draco shrugged, but Hermione was glad for the rain check. Malfoy was still flirting with her, he was still being charming, and he had just admitted to following her and she needed to face it head on. She sank down lower on the bench and turned to him as McGonagall left,
"Who are you and what have you done with the real Draco Malfoy?"
He looked hurt, "Why? Do you want him back?"
She stood and started walking, "Well, nooo…but at least I understood him."
He joined her and clenched his jaw, "Obviously not."
She snorted in disbelief.
He grabbed at his hair, sick to his heart with apologizing, "I was stupid, immature, afraid-Look Hermione, I can only say I'm sorry so many times-"
"Well then at least say it once." He looked up; her eyes were brimming with emotion and fire.
Draco's mouth was agape, he felt completely lost for words. Had he really not apologized? All of this time and he had not once asked, no begged, for forgiveness after all of his past sins?
"…I never realized…" his voice was a hair above a whisper, "Hermione I'm so sorry." He got down on one knee, "Please, please forgive me."
She tried to hide her smile at his wildly dramatic gesture, "It's fine," she mumbled and he squinted,
"What?" he nearly shouted and she felt slightly embarrassed, did he have to be so loud?
"I said its fine," she ground out, "And for god's sake stand up," she hissed.
He beamed and jumped up to continue walking with her, "Alright," they strolled lazily, "I just hope that you're really OK with it."
She rolled her eyes, "I said it's fine, just drop it."
"Fine," he breathed, "It's just that it was six years of constant torment you know, I mean, it can't be that easy to get over."
She stopped and put her hands on her hips, "Are you actually joking about this?"
He stared at her, feigning a serious expression, "Just trying to lighten the mood Granger,"
She scoffed and started walking away again, "So now its Granger again is it?"
He sped up as he noticed a smile tugging at her lips, "Yeah, I'm trying on the old Malfoy for size,"
She laughed and turned a corner, he continued to follow her, "Well you're failing miserably, the old Malfoy would never have followed me around,"
"Don't be so sure."
She stopped short, looking completely stunned, "What?"
She looked at him and was delighted to see he was finally the one looking uncomfortable. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and avoided her gaze,
"I've always been sort of…fascinated by you," he admitted slowly.
She stepped closer to him and spoke softly, a new emotion trickling through her veins, "Seriously? The Draco Malfoy was fascinated by me?"
He shrugged, as if to make it unimportant, "You were forbidden fruit."
She moved to force him to look at her, "Excuse me?" she giggled, and motioned to herself in a cute, self-deprecating way, "Forbidden fruit?"
His eyes darkened and shone with suggestion, "Oh come on Hermione, don't tell me you've never thought about it."
She opened her mouth to speak but stopped. Now it was her turn to feel uncomfortable. Had she ever thought about him like that? She tried to block the memory from her mind, of a day right at the beginning of seventh year, she couldn't tell him that. She would never hear the end of it.
She started walking again, "No."
Draco pulled a look of disbelief and caught up to her, "No?" he sounded personally affronted, "Not once? You have got to be joking!"
"What?" she countered smugly, "Can't believe that someone can resist your charms?"
He stepped in front of her and started walking backwards, "You are lying."
She felt her cheeks redden, "Am not."
He crossed his arms, "Are to."
She crossed hers, "Am not."
"Are to"
"Am not"
"Are to!"
"Am!" She stopped. Hadn't she agreed on ending all of this nonsense? She watched the sun filter through the windows of the Entrance Hall behind him and a ludicrous idea hit her,
"Draco would you like to walk around the lake with me?"
Malfoy ran into her with shock. Had she just? Were they going to? Had they just? Had she just…just asked him to do something? With her?
Hermione smiled uncontrollably, reveling in her ability to make him uncomfortable twice in the past ten minutes. She didn't know what had made her do it, but she wasn't regretting the decision yet so her rash action might actually turn out OK. Plus, they both had a free period to kill. She inhaled with satisfaction, making the first move wasn't so bad after all, it was just about timing. She continued to smile like a loon while anxiously awaiting his answer; though she was pretty sure she knew what it would be,
"Y-yes," he finally spoke, looking uncannily like a fish out of water.
As they exited Hogwarts and trotted down the steps Hermione's mind was dragged back to that memory she had recently repressed. It had been so long since she thought about it, mainly because she didn't like to and she really didn't like the feelings it aroused nor the questions it posed to her own sanity, but the way the sun was reflecting off of Draco's skin and the way the wind ruffled his hair…she couldn't help but think back.
It had been the end of their hellish first week as roommates and Hermione had just returned from a late dinner with Harry and Ron. She opened the door quietly, so as not to disturb Malfoy had he gone to bed, and was silently startled to see him reading by the fire. He hadn't noticed her presence and she took the temporary invisibility to observe him in a way she had never been allowed.
His hair was slightly mussed, his shirt was untucked, and the top buttons undone. She experienced a little thrill as he smiled at something on the pages and marveled at the way his golden arm hair shone in the soft firelight. And for an instant she pictured herself. There. Beside him. With him. They would both read by the fire in companionable silence, him with his loosened collar and her in baggy pants with a mug of tea…she felt a foreign tugging sensation in her chest and turned away quickly. What was that? What on Earth had ever possessed her to stop and watch and think that? She quickly got ready for bed and grabbed a book of her own, but when she came out to read - he was gone.
So she pushed the musing to the back of her mind forevermore and chalked the whole instance up to temporary insanity. And yes, she had looked at Draco and appreciated his supply of physical beauty since, but…never like that. Never before had she envisioned it involving her.
Draco noticed she was shivering and reached over to button her cloak. She jerked away,
"Sorry," he murmured, inches from her, "Your teeth were chattering."
She tried to blink away the fog of her thoughts and smile in appreciation, "Thank you."
He nodded, "Not thinking about something unpleasant I hope?"
She shook her head, "No just thinking," she was suddenly compelled to go on, "About what we were talking about earlier actually."
The left corner of his mouth curved upwards, "Ah, so you have been fantasizing about me."
She laughed and rolled her eyes, "Only once I swear," Malfoy gawked and she flew into a fit of laughter at his expression.
"What?!" He exclaimed, "Is the Hermione Granger actually going to admit she was attracted to me?"
She ran ahead and crunched at the frost, "The fresh air brings it out in me!"
"Well, tell me!" They reached the shore of the lake and Hermione slowed her pace,
"You tell me first."
He raised his eyebrows in defeat; damn he should've seen that coming.
"Alright," he acquiesced, "Mostly it was whenever you were yelling at me or looking extremely flustered that I would feel drawn to you," he chuckled, "But there was this one time…I think it was in September and we had had the worst week ever trying to live with each other and you had gone out to dinner with Potter and Weasley or something or other. Anyways, I had already gone to bed, but woke up to go to the bathroom. I slowly opened my door and there you were sprawled out on the couch completely enraptured in one of your books and I was lost in you. Your expression, your loose-fitting pants, your hair, your mug of tea, the glow of the fire… you see I had been doing the same thing myself earlier and seeing you there just made me picture me there too. With you. And it scared me half to death," he looked at her to gauge her reaction. She seemed to be on another planet.
"You?" he finally said to break the silence.
"I know you were reading that night," she sounded completely in awe, "Because I had watched you in secret, I too had felt the same thing," she looked at him, "I saw myself there with you." She stared away at the opposite shore and laughed softly at the coincidence, "Who would ever have thought?"
"I know, if only we'd seen each other. Then those bloody Unspeakables might've saved themselves the trouble."
She looked at him thoughtfully, "Do you really think that would've made a difference? I mean, would either of us have acted on it?"
"Well…no," he began, "But we both would've seen the others thoughts exposed, feelings of unresolved tension may arise," he raised his hands and made some movements, "And well…you know."
Hermione stopped and looked at him incredulously, "Draco Malfoy are you saying what I think you're saying?" her voice had raised a good octave.
He waggled his eyebrows, "That depends. What do you think I'm saying?"
She crossed her arms, "That I would have slept with you!"
He shrugged, "Hey it's only natural. I mean, we do live in the same bloody house."
She started stalking away, "What about me? What about my morals?"
Draco sped up, "Trust me Hermione, you did not believe in no sex before marriage-"
She flew around looking absolutely beet red, "Don't you dare throw my virtue into question Draco!"
He raised his hands in defense, "I am doing nothing of the sort, besides, if we love each other than what's the problem?"
She was blushing and stomping her feet furiously, "The problem is we're only eighteen and not married!" She was storming away at an incredible rate now.
"Hermione," he groaned in exasperation, "Would you slow down and talk to me? Or at least listen?" She continued plowing ahead, "Look I didn't mean to make you mad alright? If it makes you feel any better I won't ever talk about sex again, my lips are sealed, I promise." Draco felt his manhood shrinking with all these promises, but then his insides growled at the knowledge that he'd promised only not to talk about it.
She slowed down.
"And you can ask me whatever questions you like," he threw in to sweeten the deal, "I swear I'll answer all of them."
She really slowed down.
"Hermione?" he spoke tentatively. It had worked.
"Tell me about your father."
He sighed, he knew this was going to come up, but he still didn't know what to say. Talking about his dad made him so angry and upset; it wasn't a place he liked to go to, especially not in front of other people. He wanted to tell her, he did really, but it would be so much easier to get pissed off and walk away. He sighed again; he supposed this was really what relationships were all about.
"I-it's-He," he paused, "It's all a little much to explain, he is…complicated."
"It's a big lake."
The made him smile, Christ she was so cheeky. "Alright then Granger keep your pants on," he cleared his throat, "You see it starts like…"
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Hermione ate her dinner in absolute ecstasy that night. And the next, and the one after that, and then the one after the one after that. She and Draco had spent all of their free periods that week hiking the grounds and swapping all sorts of stories. Already she had learned that his favourite colour was green, (no shock there) his favourite food was filet mignon, his favourite book was by Hemingway, that he loved sailing, skiing, and Quidditch, and that he aspired one day to travel all around the world…by plane.
Her mind wandered further and she sighed sadly; the next day loomed like a dark cloud over a perfectly stunning week. She had the weekly Heads meeting to look forward to before another weekend of living back with the Gryffidors. Hanging out with Harry and Ron was nice, but just not as anticipated as it once was, and she found herself wishing to be able to relax at her place this one time. Surely the boys would understand?
"Hermione!" Ron crashed his tray down beside her, breaking her reverie "Can't wait to see you, big Quidditch match this weekend eh? Ready to cheer on your team!?"
She swirled her fork around her mashed potatoes, "Oh right, that, yes I suppose it will be exciting."
Ron's eyes bulged unattractively as he loaded his mouth with food, "You suppose? Are you kidding me, this is the only thing Harry's been talking about for weeks now! C'mon Hermione you've got to get your face painted."
She snorted, "Not likely."
"Well at least help out with the decorations since you'll be staying over-"
"Actually," she interrupted, catching Draco's eye, "I'm not so sure I'll be staying over this weekend." Ron dropped his fork with a ringing clatter and stopped eating. Hermione gulped. Crap. Ron never stopped eating.
"Hermione," Ron looked as if she'd just run over his puppy, "This is your Quidditch team we're talking about here. You have the weekends off and - and what on Earth could be more important than-"
"I know!" she cut in quickly, trying to appease him. Perhaps neglecting to show up to Gryffindor Tower all together was a bad idea. "And I promise I'll be at the game I just can't – I mean I'm unsure if I'll be able to…to stay over. For the entire thing."
Ron stared blankly down at his plate, "Harry's going to be pretty bummed."
She heaved a sigh and nodded, "Yeah, I know."
"We both feel like we hardly see you anymore"
"I know."
"It's always head business this, Dumbledore needs me that."
Hermione's patience was beginning to wear thin, "Yes Ron I understand."
"You know, it just really makes us feel left out. It is our last year after all, and Harry could really use your support out there," He stopped upon viewing her death glare, "It'd be nice if you were there is all I'm saying," he finished.
She nodded with a false air of cheeriness while really trying to tone Ron out and get a better look at Draco. She must admit, if she had known absolutely nothing about the blonde, if he was now only a complete stranger to her, she must confess that she too would be one of the many women dying to walk up to him and chat. And if she had ever worked up the courage, Hermione knew she would then only be further allured by his intelligence, wit, and-
"It's also Valentine's Day this weekend," Ron interjected causing everything in Hermione's body to stop functioning. Completely.
VALENTINE'S DAY!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
She whipped her planner out of her school bag and flipped wildly through the pages until finally opening up to the month of February after many failed attempts.
Sunday February 14 it read and she sat back; the hard, cold facts staring her in the face by way of unfriendly black ink.
Sunday was Valentine's Day.
Well, she snapped her planner shut with a snap, it seemed that her mind had been made up for her. There was no way in hell she was spending Valentine's Day anywhere near the body, nigh even the body heat of Draco Malfoy.
"Ron," she spoke resignedly, "It seems that you can expect me present for decorating this weekend after all."
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Draco cracked his knuckles anxiously while waiting for Hermione to emerge from her bedroom for the Head's meeting. Their week together had been simply lovely, but the impending national Love Holiday was driving him absolutely bonkers. Of every week for them to get along it had to be this stinking week, because Malfoy knew if he screwed up on Valentine's Day…well it was pretty much over, and all of their progress would be for nothing.
Just then Hermione stepped out, momentarily pausing his Valentine's worrying, and giving him something completely new to fret about. Malfoy smacked himself in the head realizing his sheer stupidity; Hermione was decked out in full Gryffindor garb forcing him to remember – the quidditch match!! With all of this anxiety he had completely forgotten!
She sat down next to him looking concerned, "I'd say good morning but, what's the matter?"
"I completely forgot about this game," he mumbled into his hands.
"Oh. And you're supposed to have-"
"Set up," his voice strangled out.
She looked at her watch and clicked her tongue, "The match begins only two hours after the meeting,"
"I know," He wailed despairingly into his hands, "What the hell am I going to do?"
Hermione chewed at her bottom lip in deep concentration. She had promised Ron to help decorate but…but No. God damnit tomorrow was Valentine's Day and ending up here would be way too much!
She sighed softly and allowed her gaze to wander towards him uncertainly, in what she reasoned was a moment of weakness.
His hunched shoulders and the elegant arch of his back forced that foreign sensation of warmth and curiosity to creak its way into her tight bones and filter through her bloodstream. Her knees weakened, her pulse quickened, her cheeks flushed.
"I-I did promise Ron and Harry that I would help decorate this weekend," she heard herself say. Oh God what was she doing? She still had no idea what she wanted.
He lifted his head and seemed to see straight through her. Hermione hugged her arms around herself defensively and tried to break eye contact, but it was becoming increasingly difficult after the revealing week they'd shared together. After everything they'd been sharing lately.
"I'd just need your help for those few hours before the match starts," he answered slowly, weighting his words very carefully. He could sense her discomfort and caution, and although he'd love nothing better than to spend tomorrow with her, he never wanted to put her in a position that felt…awkward or unwanted. So, although it pained him, he went on,
"Afterwards you'd be free to do whatever you uh - wanted."
"Thank you."
He shrugged, trying to play it off, "Nah it's nothing, besides you'd be the one helping me."
She shook her head and walked towards him, looking irresistibly ridiculous in her scarlet and gold. She laid her hand over his, "No. I mean thank you. For everything, for being this way, for being so patient and understanding with me," She graced him with a small smile,
Draco felt himself gulp at her closeness.
"Thank you for letting me get to know you Draco," she looked straight into his eyes, "I'm glad that I'm finally beginning to."
He smiled, "Me too,"
"Good morning," both of the Heads started and blushed furiously as the Headmaster greeted them softly from the Portrait Hall. Neither had noticed him enter and Dumbledore's eyes were shining like the sun on its brightest day. Draco gave him a look,
"Hello Mr. Malfoy, Miss Granger, I hope I'm not interrupting anything because I could certainly reschedule if need – ah – be."
While Draco was warming to the idea, Dumbledore earned himself another disapproving look, but this time from Hermione,
"Certainly not," she exclaimed, looking offended, "This is a rule abiding, dignified institution and the Heads will never allow its name to be marred in any way, under any circumstances under our watch. It says in Hogwarts A History that never once has a Heads Meeting been missed."
Both Dumbledore and Draco exchanged smiles and laughed despite themselves. Malfoy's eyes crinkled tenderly as he gazed at the scowling Hermione; you could just never take the Granger out of the girl, could you?
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The meeting went smoothly enough after their awkward encounter with Dumbledore and Hermione was currently outside busting her butt to set up for this god forsaken quidditch match. It was a ruddy large waste of time if you asked her, she cursed as she nicked her finger, and nothing productive came out of zooming around on a broomstick.
She narrowed her eyes as Draco flew around her singing an encore of Weasley is Our King for the umpteenth time.
"That's not funny!" she called, as he did a fancy loop-de-loop overhead, "And Ron won that game! Remember?"
He stopped mid-air and swooped down beside her, "I was only having a little fun Hermione," He teased, poking her cheekily in the side, "No need to go around ruining it for me."
She put her hands on her hips and threw him a glare, although she could feel her lips itching to curl into a smile, "Well that's my job isn't it? Hermione Granger the know-it-all, Hermione Granger the fun-sucker."
He leaned on his broom and anchored his foot on the bottom, "Oh no Miss Granger," he wagged his finger at her as the broom hovered above the grass and began to move backward.
"Naughty, naughty. I can tell that you are only fishing for a compliment, but I," he motioned gallantly to himself, "Will not give in to your vain needs, "His voice became distinctly huskier than usual, "Because anyone who saw you would agree, you are in no position to render pity."
He swung his leg over the side of the broom and soared back into the air leaving her decidedly knotted below. She had to shade her eyes to hold a look of him in the crisp, sunny afternoon and she caught a faint scent of spring in the air.
Hermione didn't know how long she stood standing there, watching, but as she moved her fingers absentmindedly over her lips, she was horrified to feel them curled up into the biggest, goofiest grin in the history of mankind. Her eyes shot down and she frantically rearranged her features into something far less…insane. Because, what the hell was wrong with her?
She stared around suspiciously making sure the coast was clear, what if someone had seen?
In the distance the bells rang alerting everyone to make their way to the pitch and Draco descended slowly to land beside her.
"Excellent job on the Gryffindor end," he congratulated, admiring her handy work. She nodded in thanks and gazed proudly at her splendidly decorated team bench,
"Yes," she agreed, "It really did turn out well didn't it?"
He patted her on the shoulder, "It did, I'm now extra happy that you helped me."
Floundering silence then fell upon them as they wrestled with all of the things they had yet to say.
"I'll guess I'll see you Monday?" Malfoy offered hastily, making an attempt at normal conversation.
"Yep," she answered equally as cheerily, scrounging for an exit.
"OK"
"Great!"
"S'later then,"
"Yes, goodbye!"
They both turned in opposite directions and Hermione did her best to feel normal and unfazed…but it was no use. She looked back at him, knowing full well that there was absolutely nothing normal about this.
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The Gryffindors had won, the Gryffindors had partied, and now Valentine's Day was upon them. And Valentine's Day had trotted ahead. And now it was nearly over.
Hermione buried her exhausted head under her pillow in a futile attempt to block out the ceaseless noise below her; did she mention that the Gryffindors were still partying?
She flipped onto her back and thought fondly of her own bedroom, of the Head Common Room's silent expanses, of her personal kitchen. She wondered what Draco was doing…
"HERMIONE!" Ginny burst in wearing a knee length gold wig, Harry's trousers, a bra, and nothing else. She was obviously wasted.
Hermione groaned, "Gin I'm not in the mood,"
"But HERMIONE," she slurred, stumbling over to the Head Girl's bed, "You're missing out on all the fun. C'mon! You haven't touched a drop all weekend and the Gryffindors won! We bloody won!"
Hermione wrinkled her nose at her friend's breath, "Yes I bloody know that!"
Ginny reeled back, "Jeez, no need to get all pissy on me. Are the painters in or something?"
Hermione's eyes narrowed and her fists clenched, "No," she growled, trying to contain her anger, "It is not that time of the month Ginny."
The red head plopped down on her bed, "Then what is it? Why are you acting like such a ninny?"
Hermione threw the covers off of her and stood up, moving to pack up her things. "You know what Gin? I don't need this. Not today. Not from you," she stuffed things blindly into her bag, "If anyone asks I've gone back to my Common Room."
Ginny stood on wobbly legs, "Hermione wait, I didn't mean to upset you, I'm sorry, Me of all people know whats it is you're dealing wif these days, and this day most of all."
Hermione felt her heart sink, oh why wouldn't everyone just go away? So she still didn't know what she wanted! SO WHAT!
"Ginny I really don't want to talk about-"
"But Hermione-"
"I said!" she turned around sharply, "That is ENOUGH," she closed her bag. "I'm not angry or anything I just…need some peace. Does that make sense?"
Ginny nodded, "Yes. It is Valentine's Day after all so love somebody, even if it's just yourself."
Hermione smiled, "You know what Ginny? You're actually starting to make sense again," she smirked, "Better go get a refill."
She ducked out of the room laughing as Ginny chucked a pillow at her and clutched unsteadily at the staircase. It was almost impossible to see in the flurry of activity and fireworks flying down here and she called goodbyes to Harry and Ron as she weaved herself in and out of people in all different states of intoxication and undress. Ron caught her around the wrist,
"You're leaving already?" he yelled.
"Yes!" she screamed back, "It's almost ten o'clock!"
He shook his head and released her, "Wait Hermione!" But she didn't hear him in the deafening boom of the stereo and kept going.
She pushed the portrait open with all of her might and finally emerged into the cool air of the almost unbearably quiet corridor. Hooray! She jumped up in victory; she had made it out of the danger zone unscathed! She was about to walk away when someone stumbled out after her.
"Hermione wait!"
She turned around and was surprised to see Ron coming towards her. She tilted her head to the side and frowned; noting just how gangly he looked when he ran. Draco definitely did not look that gangly.
He slowed down and approached her, "Heeyyy," he breathed and ran a hand unsteadily threw his hair. She contained a cringe at the foulness of his breath, Yep. He was definitely three sheets to the wind.
She decided instead on a closemouthed smile and swayed her arms a little feeling strange. What did Ron want? Did he forget something? Because all she wanted to do now was curl up in her warm bed and go to sleep.
"Listen," His ears became very red and he was suddenly interested in the ground, "I just wanted to tell you that," she felt her forehead furrow, "You know, since it's like Valentine's Day and all," her eyes widened in horror, "That, I don't want you to be my girlfriend or wife or anything, but,"
She tried to back away, but didn't have enough time; she had been completely unprepared for something like this. She had been so wrapped up in thinking about Draco that she hadn't even considered over-analyzing her recent encounters with Ron!
He grabbed her shoulders and yanked her to him. And then his mouth hit hers like two cars colliding painfully on the motorway and it was wet and bad and she just wanted it to stop so she could leave and wash her mouth out with soap.
He pulled back and licked his lips very unattractively. Oh my god, she could barely contain another cringe, I cannot believe he just did that. She had to say something,
"Gee Ron," she began, "I never knew you felt like that."
He shuffled his feet, "Uhh…OK. I guess I do."
She felt like laughing at him. He guessed he did? Was he serious? Was he secretly only nine years old or something?
"Maybe we could go to Hogsmeade sometime," he added, "If you want?"
She felt her heart constrict, "I don't know," she was shaking her head, she didn't know what the say, but she didn't want to hurt his feelings "I-um-there's-"
He looked her straight in the eye, "Is there somebody else?"
Hermione felt bathed in spotlight. Cameras blinking and flashing, microphones shoved at her face, yelling, screaming, DEMANDING. Miss Granger! Miss Granger! Is there somebody else? Tell us! Do you like somebody else?! It was upon her, the thing she had been dreading, the question that she had successfully avoided all weekend, all week, almost two months long.
She stepped back and pushed the mob of paparazzi as far away from her mind as possible, "Of course not!" she exclaimed cheerily, "I would love to go to Hogsmeade with you." Inside her heart was seething at her. Liar, liar pants on fire.
He nodded, "Cool," then moved towards her. She backed up abruptly and he looked hurt, "It's just," she said hastily, "Next time," she whispered.
"Oh," he grinned and gave her a thumbs-up. Oh dear. She waved stiffly and quickly turned away. She heard the portrait hole shut behind her and couldn't help but let out a loud bark of laughter. Of all the people she had thought she would be kissing on Valentine's Day, Ron Weasley was certainly the last.
Hermione strolled slowly to the Head Common Room, her head buzzing with her recent encounter, and stopped to stare at the portrait hole somberly.
She sunk down against the wall beside the entrance and hugged her knees; maybe she'd give herself just a few more minutes.
OK, so Ron was a nice guy. He was…fairly funny, sort of alright at Quidditch…he did kind of decent in school…he…he had a really large family??? Oh bother, this was getting pretty difficult. She let her head fall back against the cool marble and closed her eyes. Ron was nice, and they had been friends for a really long time, and he did like her back. But-but…she let her gaze linger on the portrait.
That kiss. It just was-it just wasn't-he just wasn't-
The portrait swung open-
Draco.
He looked down at her, "Hermione?" his face lit up and he looked surprised to see her. She could feel that insanely goofy smile molding uncontrollably onto her features again, "What are you doing here?"
She giggled in spite of herself and stood up, "I was tired."
He looked suspicious and the torchlight spread delightful shadows over his handsome features, "Tired…right. After all of the partying eh?"
She shrugged, "Sort of, I haven't really been doing much partying."
He raised his eyebrows and she snorted, as if he was surprised to hear that. "Oh?" he said, and then broke into laughter which she quickly joined. "I'm sorry," he choked out, "I just couldn't help it."
"No!" she clutched her sides, "S'alright, the image of me," she broke down again and he noticed her extremely flushed cheeks glowing in the light. He reached out to brush his hand across one,
"Then again," he stopped laughing and gave her a hard look.
She rolled her eyes, "OK so maybe I had a little wine," she smiled, because even Ginny didn't know everything.
"Hermione!" Draco exclaimed and then ran his thumb along her jaw, "I always knew you were wild," he said softly.
She swallowed, "You, you did?"
He nodded. And then it all came flooding upon her; the walking, the talking, the joking, the showering, the struggling, the sleepless nights, the hair, the eyes, the shoulders, the voice, the sincerity, the patience, the strength, the firmness, the intelligence, body, the charm, the temper, the touch.
Her goofy smile was out in all its insane glory now and Draco was beaming back at her.
Hermione Granger knew exactly what she wanted now.
This. Right here. This was the moment. This was the moment and the Valentine's Day and the time and the night and the boy…not awkward, not dishonest, not forced, not bad… but this. This was exactly how she wanted it to be.
And it was unavoidable really, she reasoned with herself, they were stuck in this excruciating, torturous dance of tension and sooner or later, someone was going to have to do something about it.
"Happy Valentine's Day Hermione," Malfoy whispered, slipping his arms around her waist.
"Happy Valentine's Day Draco," she whispered back, before-
Finally. Capturing his lips with her own.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH AHHHH AHH AHHHH AHHH AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY DANCE HAPPY DANCE, REALLY REALLY HAPPY DANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry its been a long, long while but I have been away on vacation in really far off and jet lag inducing places if you catch my drift. but almost right upon arrival home I jumped to finish this chapter. This is most definitely the longest chapter I have ever written. Ever. But I knew I had to finish all the way to this exact point so I just couldn't split it up and I hope you weren't all terribly bored with sifting through the beginning of everything and all the "HPHPHP" dividers and everything but can I just say, how flipping excited I am that they have finally made it to this point!!!!!!!! I am so excited to write the last few chapters and have lots of naughty, lovely things in them and just AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! This is so amazingly awesome!!!!!!! Why can my real life not be exactly like this??????? I want to know what I want!!!!!!! Alas, that is why my muse is just so full of inspiration.
REVIEW ME!!!!!!!!!