Ummm.well.a few death threats ..and a revulsion towards the idea of
studying biology (sniff.sniff.its only two days away!!) got me writing
this chapter. Thanks for all the reviews.
Umm.I'm sorry I have to make Draco spoil the kiss, its just in his character to do something like that. *sniff..sniff*
By the way, in response to some of the reviews, I will try to be more descriptive in the love scenes. (I have been trying to avoid it, since it isn't my forte, but anyway.) bear with me.
Oh..the purpose of this chapter is more to clarify some of the finer points, particularly why the two are spending the summer together. So I apologize if it's a bit boring.
Chapter 13: Connaise ton Coeur. (know your heart)
Hermione was stunned. Firstly, she had never pictured her first kiss to turn out this way. (Umm.she never kissed Victor Krum right?) Who on earth would picture being kissed in the middle of a verbal tirade, by her once-sworn arch enemy, in the shower, with her clothes dripping wet? Furthermore, who would picture the perpetrator of this kiss staring at her, looking absolutely furious, with his hands on his hips, and saying
"What the hell did you do that for?"
Hermione blinked. What the he...heck did she do now?
They were now both standing in the shower, both wet, but neither seemed to care.
"Well Granger, answer my question." Draco said.
"I think, Malfoy, that you would have to be more specific. What exactly are you accusing me of?" Hermione asked, bristling. No, this was not how she had pictured her first kiss at all.
"Making me kiss you!" Draco said, sounding completely indignant.
"I did not MAKE you do anything!" but her voice lacked strength and anger. She was pretty flattered actually.
"Well, you didn't do it directly, but you.. its still YOUR fault!" Draco persevered. However, he did sound lame, even to himself.
"You know Malfoy, I need to go send Harry and Ron back for the summer Holidays, why don't you sort your feelings out, and tell me when you begin to understand yourself because honestly, I CAN'T!"
****
Hermione was in the library. She had sent both her friends off to their summer holidays and Hogwarts now seemed surprisingly empty. She had no idea what she was reading. She couldn't concentrate. She heard footsteps behind her heart jumped a beat, thinking that it was Draco Malfoy. However, it wasn't.
"Good afternoon Ms. Granger. May I have a word with you?" Professor Dumbledore asked. He didn't look his usual happy self.
"Of course Professor," Hermione answered, but she was beginning to panic. What had happened?
"I had a little chat with Poppy, I mean Madame Pomfrey, yesterday. She seemed to be very worried about you."
"Umm.I don't know why. I told her it was an accident." Hermione fibbed. However, she was unable to meet his eyes.
"I see Ms. Granger. May I ask a personal question?"
"Sure Professor. Anything."
"Why didn't you go back home this summer?"
Hermione, squirmed. It was indeed a personal question. She thought she heard footsteps behind her, turned around, to find only emptiness. When she turned back, she thought she saw a twinkle in Professor Dumbledore's eyes.
"Ms. Granger?"
"I.well.I had personal problems."
"Alright. May I see your wrists Ms. Granger?"
Hermione squirmed. She knew that the excessive scaring in that area would be noticed immediately. But what choice did she have? Suddenly, they both heard a crash. When they turned in that direction, they saw Draco Malfoy standing next to an overturned book case. Heaving a sigh of relief, Hermione moved to help him rectify the situation.
"Ms. Granger."
Hermione stopped in her tracks.
"I will allow you to help save Mr. Malfoy from Madame Pince, for the time being. However, if I get another report of this nature from Madame Pomfrey again, you will not be let off so easily. Do I make myself clear?" With that, Professor Dumbledore left. However, he seemed to be in a much better mood than he was before.
*** Hermione and Draco restacked the shelves in complete silence. When they were done, Draco decided to break it.
"What personal problems did you have Granger?"
"Excuse me?"
"What personal problems did you have that made you unable to go home this summer?"
"They're personal"
"You do have a flair for stating the obvious don't you Granger?"
"Why are YOU here by the way?"
"That's none of your business."
"Then my reason is none of yours."
The both remained in an uncomfortable silence. Finally, Draco heaved a huge sigh and said.
"If I tell you my reason for staying here, would you reciprocate?"
"Umm."
"Come on Granger. Where's your spirit? We will be sharing a room for another two months. Do you want this hanging over us?"
"Since when was there an us?"
"There isn't one. Stop avoiding the question Granger"
"Fine. But you first! And if I don't believe you, the deal's off." Hermione ground out.
"I'm leverage."
"What!??"
"It's my father's way of showing the Ministry of Magic that he isn't a death eater. If he acts concerned over You Know Who's return and insists that I stay in the hands of Professor Dumbledore during the summer, they won't suspect him and what he's doing. Appearances are everything Granger, or haven't you figured that out yet. Now, its your turn."
".."
"Come on Granger, a deal is a deal.'
"Why are you so interested in why I'm here anyway? And why did you trust me with that piece of information?"
"You're dodging the question Granger." Or was He?
"Fine. My parents are having a divorce and they claim they don't want to put me through such a 'traumatic experience.' Not that staying here makes it any less traumatic." Hermione answered. Afterwards, she actually felt better at having confided in someone. Even if it was Draco Malfoy.
"That's it?" Draco asked in an incredulous voice.
"You make is seem so trivial."
"But it is Granger." For some reason, him doing so made it actually seem trivial to her too.
"Well, why don't we discuss something that's not so trivial?"
"Like?"
"Like why you've been acting like an emotional roller coaster lately."
"Have I?" Draco answered is his most innocent voice.
"I don't think you deserve an answer."
"That bad?" he asked.
Hermione just rolled her eyes.
"Why does it matter to you Granger?"
"I happen to be living with you remember. I don' like to be, umm.you know.and then blamed for it or something" Hermione stammered. This was beginning to get a bit too embarrassing for her.
"You don't?"
Hermione felt a strange urge to stamp her feet in frustration.
"Well, you told me to go and understand myself right?
"Was it a quest in futility?" Hermione asked.
"No."
"It wasn't?" Hermione was shocked.
"No."
Hermione suppressed the urge to tap her foot on the ground.
"So, what did you find out?"
He moved towards her, tilted her chin up, looked into her eyes, bent down, and kissed her. Hermione closed her eyes and tried to savor the moment. This time, the kiss wasn't rushed, and it wasn't forceful. His lips were tender on hers, persuading her to respond to him rather than forcing it. And this time, it wasn't born out of frustration and lack of control. He seemed so sure of himself, and his certainty, made her feel surer too. When it was over, Hermione could barely breath. She felt as if her legs had turned to jelly. But before she could recover from her shock, Draco aws walking away.
"Draco!"
He turned, looking at her innocently.
"you haven't answered my question." She said, still flushed.
"Yes,.Hermione., I have."
blushes profusely and hides under the table. Well, this, guys, is as descriptive as I can get without being overcome by embarrassment. .
Please read and review,
especially if you want me to continue. (I rhymed!)
Oh.almost forgot.
I asked one of my friends on how I should end this story. He suggested the following ending. - They fall in love, Draco dumps her, and she cuts again, and she kills herself. The world reverts back to normal, just without hermione there. Umm.well, I had to admit that that was a pretty good ending, so unless I get like constructive suggestions from u guys, I might actually use it. (is this considered blackmail? ) So, unless you approve of his ending, *points to the review button repeatedly*, better give me lots of alternatives to choose from.
Disclaimer:
Dear Ms. Rowling,
Your characters I am using,
I don't own them,
But I do love them,
Please don't consider suing.
Umm.I'm sorry I have to make Draco spoil the kiss, its just in his character to do something like that. *sniff..sniff*
By the way, in response to some of the reviews, I will try to be more descriptive in the love scenes. (I have been trying to avoid it, since it isn't my forte, but anyway.) bear with me.
Oh..the purpose of this chapter is more to clarify some of the finer points, particularly why the two are spending the summer together. So I apologize if it's a bit boring.
Chapter 13: Connaise ton Coeur. (know your heart)
Hermione was stunned. Firstly, she had never pictured her first kiss to turn out this way. (Umm.she never kissed Victor Krum right?) Who on earth would picture being kissed in the middle of a verbal tirade, by her once-sworn arch enemy, in the shower, with her clothes dripping wet? Furthermore, who would picture the perpetrator of this kiss staring at her, looking absolutely furious, with his hands on his hips, and saying
"What the hell did you do that for?"
Hermione blinked. What the he...heck did she do now?
They were now both standing in the shower, both wet, but neither seemed to care.
"Well Granger, answer my question." Draco said.
"I think, Malfoy, that you would have to be more specific. What exactly are you accusing me of?" Hermione asked, bristling. No, this was not how she had pictured her first kiss at all.
"Making me kiss you!" Draco said, sounding completely indignant.
"I did not MAKE you do anything!" but her voice lacked strength and anger. She was pretty flattered actually.
"Well, you didn't do it directly, but you.. its still YOUR fault!" Draco persevered. However, he did sound lame, even to himself.
"You know Malfoy, I need to go send Harry and Ron back for the summer Holidays, why don't you sort your feelings out, and tell me when you begin to understand yourself because honestly, I CAN'T!"
****
Hermione was in the library. She had sent both her friends off to their summer holidays and Hogwarts now seemed surprisingly empty. She had no idea what she was reading. She couldn't concentrate. She heard footsteps behind her heart jumped a beat, thinking that it was Draco Malfoy. However, it wasn't.
"Good afternoon Ms. Granger. May I have a word with you?" Professor Dumbledore asked. He didn't look his usual happy self.
"Of course Professor," Hermione answered, but she was beginning to panic. What had happened?
"I had a little chat with Poppy, I mean Madame Pomfrey, yesterday. She seemed to be very worried about you."
"Umm.I don't know why. I told her it was an accident." Hermione fibbed. However, she was unable to meet his eyes.
"I see Ms. Granger. May I ask a personal question?"
"Sure Professor. Anything."
"Why didn't you go back home this summer?"
Hermione, squirmed. It was indeed a personal question. She thought she heard footsteps behind her, turned around, to find only emptiness. When she turned back, she thought she saw a twinkle in Professor Dumbledore's eyes.
"Ms. Granger?"
"I.well.I had personal problems."
"Alright. May I see your wrists Ms. Granger?"
Hermione squirmed. She knew that the excessive scaring in that area would be noticed immediately. But what choice did she have? Suddenly, they both heard a crash. When they turned in that direction, they saw Draco Malfoy standing next to an overturned book case. Heaving a sigh of relief, Hermione moved to help him rectify the situation.
"Ms. Granger."
Hermione stopped in her tracks.
"I will allow you to help save Mr. Malfoy from Madame Pince, for the time being. However, if I get another report of this nature from Madame Pomfrey again, you will not be let off so easily. Do I make myself clear?" With that, Professor Dumbledore left. However, he seemed to be in a much better mood than he was before.
*** Hermione and Draco restacked the shelves in complete silence. When they were done, Draco decided to break it.
"What personal problems did you have Granger?"
"Excuse me?"
"What personal problems did you have that made you unable to go home this summer?"
"They're personal"
"You do have a flair for stating the obvious don't you Granger?"
"Why are YOU here by the way?"
"That's none of your business."
"Then my reason is none of yours."
The both remained in an uncomfortable silence. Finally, Draco heaved a huge sigh and said.
"If I tell you my reason for staying here, would you reciprocate?"
"Umm."
"Come on Granger. Where's your spirit? We will be sharing a room for another two months. Do you want this hanging over us?"
"Since when was there an us?"
"There isn't one. Stop avoiding the question Granger"
"Fine. But you first! And if I don't believe you, the deal's off." Hermione ground out.
"I'm leverage."
"What!??"
"It's my father's way of showing the Ministry of Magic that he isn't a death eater. If he acts concerned over You Know Who's return and insists that I stay in the hands of Professor Dumbledore during the summer, they won't suspect him and what he's doing. Appearances are everything Granger, or haven't you figured that out yet. Now, its your turn."
".."
"Come on Granger, a deal is a deal.'
"Why are you so interested in why I'm here anyway? And why did you trust me with that piece of information?"
"You're dodging the question Granger." Or was He?
"Fine. My parents are having a divorce and they claim they don't want to put me through such a 'traumatic experience.' Not that staying here makes it any less traumatic." Hermione answered. Afterwards, she actually felt better at having confided in someone. Even if it was Draco Malfoy.
"That's it?" Draco asked in an incredulous voice.
"You make is seem so trivial."
"But it is Granger." For some reason, him doing so made it actually seem trivial to her too.
"Well, why don't we discuss something that's not so trivial?"
"Like?"
"Like why you've been acting like an emotional roller coaster lately."
"Have I?" Draco answered is his most innocent voice.
"I don't think you deserve an answer."
"That bad?" he asked.
Hermione just rolled her eyes.
"Why does it matter to you Granger?"
"I happen to be living with you remember. I don' like to be, umm.you know.and then blamed for it or something" Hermione stammered. This was beginning to get a bit too embarrassing for her.
"You don't?"
Hermione felt a strange urge to stamp her feet in frustration.
"Well, you told me to go and understand myself right?
"Was it a quest in futility?" Hermione asked.
"No."
"It wasn't?" Hermione was shocked.
"No."
Hermione suppressed the urge to tap her foot on the ground.
"So, what did you find out?"
He moved towards her, tilted her chin up, looked into her eyes, bent down, and kissed her. Hermione closed her eyes and tried to savor the moment. This time, the kiss wasn't rushed, and it wasn't forceful. His lips were tender on hers, persuading her to respond to him rather than forcing it. And this time, it wasn't born out of frustration and lack of control. He seemed so sure of himself, and his certainty, made her feel surer too. When it was over, Hermione could barely breath. She felt as if her legs had turned to jelly. But before she could recover from her shock, Draco aws walking away.
"Draco!"
He turned, looking at her innocently.
"you haven't answered my question." She said, still flushed.
"Yes,.Hermione., I have."
blushes profusely and hides under the table. Well, this, guys, is as descriptive as I can get without being overcome by embarrassment. .
Please read and review,
especially if you want me to continue. (I rhymed!)
Oh.almost forgot.
I asked one of my friends on how I should end this story. He suggested the following ending. - They fall in love, Draco dumps her, and she cuts again, and she kills herself. The world reverts back to normal, just without hermione there. Umm.well, I had to admit that that was a pretty good ending, so unless I get like constructive suggestions from u guys, I might actually use it. (is this considered blackmail? ) So, unless you approve of his ending, *points to the review button repeatedly*, better give me lots of alternatives to choose from.
Disclaimer:
Dear Ms. Rowling,
Your characters I am using,
I don't own them,
But I do love them,
Please don't consider suing.