Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. Sorry for the delay guys.. Here's a sweet treat for my reviewers and followers.. 2 Chapters up! Yay! :) R&R
At The Astronomy Tower
"I think you should go." Ginny said to her for Merlin knows how many times.
Hermione gives her a questioning look. "Oh yeah? And risks being killed by the annoying ferret."
"As far as I remember, you're the one who's been constantly trying to kill him." Ginny answered back to her.
Hermione just shrugged her shoulders unsure to what to say. It's 15 minutes before 8pm and still, she hasn't made up her mind.
"Maybe I'll just let him wait for nothing." Hermione suggested with an evil smile on her face.
"Or maybe, you'll just go and see what he got for you." Ginny retorted back to her. "Come on Hermione, there's nothing to lose."
"Oh yeah. If that nothing means my own life, then there's nothing to lose." Hermione said sarcastically.
Ginny stood up and face Hermione – arms folded in her chest. "How old are you Hermione? Yeah. You're 18. Know what that means? It means 'Grow Up!'."
"You don't understand – "
"Come on Hermione. I promise if you didn't return 'till morning. I'll personally report you as missing then we can arrange a team to look for your body."
Hermione's eyes widen then she can't help but smile to her knowing that her friend is just trying to help.
"Then, I should go, I guess." Hermione tell her.
"Being the smartest witch of your age, you seems too slow to get that one."
###
Draco stood awkwardly in the astronomy tower. He's not sure if he did the right thing. What can he do? He wants to be part of her birthday, not just a part but to be an important and memorable part of her day.
He glances at his watch 8:02. "Maybe she's not coming." He thought then he released a very deep sigh.
Hermione arrived at the astronomy tower and she immediately recognized the blond hair shimmering through the dark night. She watched her carefully, waiting to be acknowledged. Her eyes follow him as he looks at his watch then sigh. Hermione found this moment to interrupt him.
She cleared her throat and Draco's head instantly snapped at her direction. For a moment Hermione saw a shocked expression before he hide it again with smirk.
"I'd expect you to come." Draco said arrogantly.
Hermione's eyebrow rose. Can't this man get tired of being egotistic? "Yeah! I don't have all night. What is it?"
"What's with the rush?" Draco asks her.
Hermione gave him a hard look that he almost whimper. "Come on Granger. How can you get yourself a boyfriend if you always look at them like that?"
"For your information, I'm not looking for one."
"Why not? Haven't got over with Weasley yet?" Draco continues teasing her.
Hermione glared at him. "I don't see why that is any of your business Malfoy. I'm leaving if your little gift to me is this conversation. Trying to ruin my day I see." And she makes a move to the stairs going down of the tower.
Draco started to panic. "Wait..! Granger." Hermione stops. "Your gift is not here. I'll take you there."
She faced Malfoy and she try to look annoying but she guess that fails. Draco is staring at her. His eyes emitting those shiny looks of pure anxiety. And his feature. Those broad shoulders, blond hair, white pale skin and thin rosy lips that she almost kissed. "When did he started to appear so appealing and…handsome.." She seems to be looking at him for quite a long time because Draco started to look distracted and conscious. Hermione hear him say something but she didn't catch it.
"What?" She asks stupidly.
Draco smirks. "Finding it hard to concentrate Granger? I said I'm ready whenever you are."
"Where exactly? Not outside the castle?"
Draco just smiles at her. A sweet genuine smile that almost makes her smiles back to him. And he just gestured his head outside the castle.
"No!" Hermione said fiercely. "We can't get through the door. Filch is patrolling the corridors by now because it's after curfew."
"Then we get through the window." Draco answered simply.
"Oh yeah? Don't count me in your little suicide. I will not jump – "
"Who said about jumping?" Then Draco retrieved something on the nearest pillar that she didn't recognize a while ago.
Hermione gasps. "I am not going in that THING!"
"Still afraid of this thing? It's a broomstick Granger." Draco laughs at her expression. "And not just a broomstick. It's a Firebolt; the fastest – "
"I don't give a shit about that Malfoy!" She shouted at him. "You're punishing me! I'm leaving and keep that gift to yourself!"
"Come on Granger!" Draco retorted back. "You don't seem to have any problem when you ride this THING with Weasley back on the Room of Requirements before."
"We're on the verge of death and that's thanks to your crazy friend!" Hermione's voice keeps on getting louder and louder.
They remain quiet for a few minutes just staring to each other. Hermione staring daggers to him but Draco just stare blankly at her.
"Please Hermione.." Draco's voice is so calm and serene Hermione's expression begins to soften.
"Sorry." Draco said when he realized that he called her Hermione. But he can't deny that he likes the sound of her name coming from his own lips.
Hermione is staring at him. "Did he just call me Hermione? How come that it sounds naturally coming from him?" She thought. She heard him say sorry and she reacted immediately.
"No. It's fine." She said.
Draco smiles to her. "So, you're coming with me then?"
"No." She answered simply.
Draco's face didn't hide his disappointment and Hermione feels a pang of guilt.
Hermione sigh. "You don't have any idea how I hate flying and heights." She admitted.
Draco smirks to her. "Did you forget that you're with me? I will not let you fall."
Hermione considered it for a minute before she shakes her head. "No. I still don't trust you."
Draco approaches her; looks her in the eye and he takes her hands. There's a shiver going to her spine and she feels like she gets weak to her knees and her stomach is doing those crazy somersault. "Just trust me on this one. Ok?" He said to Hermione.
Hermione wants to snatch her hand back but she can't. She's so mesmerized with his eyes and she can feel his sincerity. "Merlin. Who can say no to this?"
"Ok." She finally said.
Draco's faced lightens up and he eagerly mounted his broomstick and guide Hermione to get in also.
"Draco Malfoy! If something happens I will hex you to the next century!" She warned him.
Draco smirks at her. "Nothing's going to happen."
Hermione looks at his eyes again and what she sees is pure honesty so without hesitation she mounted the broom positioning herself at Draco's back. For a moment Hermione just stare blankly at his well-muscled back not knowing exactly where to place her hand. "On his shoulders? No. On his waist? No. Merlin help me!" And then Hermione settles on grabbing his shirt for safety measures.
Draco stood unmoving. "What?" She asks.
"Granger, if you hold at me like that, don't blame me if you fall."
"Well Malfoy! I'm not comfortable going with a broom ride with you because we're not even friends. Hurry now! Where are we – "
"Merlin this woman!" Draco jumps from his broomstick and then he mounted at Hermione's back switching their previous position.
"There. Comfortable now?" Draco asks her. "I understand you don't want to hold me. Just place your hand in the handle." Draco commands her.
Dumbstruck is an underestimation of Hermione's reaction. She can't move and can't find her voice. Draco's body is pressing on her back and she feels the urge to slap her face because she's blushing furiously. And when Draco's hands make its way to the broom handle, overlapping her own hand and completely trapping her in a back hug gesture, she didn't control the yelp that escapes from his mouth.
And before Hermione can even protests, Draco kick hard from the ground and they sprint to the cold dark night.
Author's Note: R&R .. :) Next Chapter is up..