Grasping firmly on the handle, shutting her eyes tightly, she opened the door...
The dark walls of the dungeon came into a blurred view. She slowly looked to her classmates. She could see that all their heads had been turned in her direction, Professor Snape stood in front of the classroom.
"Ms. Granger... after 7 years of being in this class, you know very well that I do not take tardiness very lightly. Ten points from Gryffindor." Moans issued from half the class... "Quiet... take your seat."
Hermione looked to Draco... and then she looked to Harry. Her heart began to pound... it was as if her heart would start pounding right out of her chest... so loud... that she wouldn't be surprised if the whole of Hogwarts could hear it. There he was... he was so clear... so distinct from everyone else. Everyone else was blurred out of vision... her heart began to flutter in her body... somehow leaving its position and dancing through her stomach... her legs... her arms... her eyes.
Hermione sat down in between Draco and Blaise. Determined not to look at Draco or Harry she stared straight at Professor Snape. Realizing that this was very foolish... she shot her head back down... the only place to look was at her hands... twisting in her lap. If Snape were to look back at her... her eyes would give away that she had been sneaking around in the dungeon's late at night and stealing Love Potion ingredients. Her pupils would give everything away... and they did. She felt a hand poke her side... she looked to who had poked her.
Draco looked to who the tardy student was... smirking. He loved to see people get into trouble. But as he saw her curly head enter. His heart leaped from his chest and into his cauldron. It was her...
As Professor Snape deducted points from her house, Draco looked at her eyes... they were dark for some reason. As she sat down next to Draco, he could sense how nervous she was as she stared to the front of the classroom. Her eyes hit Draco again... they were abnormally dark...
And then he had realized. Draco poked Hermione on the side. She snapped her head towards him so that he was able to catch a glimpse of her eyes. The pupils were abnormally enlarged... she had done it. Draco knew Hermione realized what he had just seen and she snapped her head back ... looking towards her hands in her lap. Draco held out his hand underneath her chin and turned her head manually towards him. His mouth parted slightly.
"You took it..."
Tears began to form at the corner of her dark brown eyes... already overtaken by her black pupils. Hermione shot her head back up and raised her hand.
"Ms. Granger... I do not like to be interrupted during a lesson... what is it that you want?"
"I... I'm not feeling well. I need to see the nurse."
Hermione could feel her Professor's gaze bore into her mind. She bowed her head even lower... just to make sure he wasn't able to look at her eyes.
"Very well... one less Gryffindor. Go."
Hermione grabbed her bag very quickly and walked swiftly through the aisle towards the door. Once she was out of the classroom, she began to run. Hermione wasn't going to the Hospital Wing... in fact, Hermione did not know where she was going. Aimlessly she ran through the halls and finally stopped at a tall statue near the Great Hall. As she caught her breath... holding onto the statue for her dear life... she heard footsteps approach her. Hermione twirled around and faced whoever it was. It was Ron...
"'Mione... What's wrong? Professor Snape practically kicked me out... to see if you could get there by yourself."
Hermione fell into Ron's arms. She began to cry into his shoulder... clutching his robes. Ron ran his fingers through Hermione's hair.
"I took it Ron... I took the potion."
Ron pulled Hermione back and wiped away her tears.
"Why are you crying then?"
"I ... I don't know."
"I always thought girls were really confusing." He chuckled.
A small smile began to play on her face.
"Who did you see Hermione?"
Hermione looked to the floor...
"It's me 'Mione... Ron. No matter who you are in love with. Slytherin or Harry... I'll be by you. I promise."
"I ... can't"
"Tell me..."
"Ron... it was the Slytherin."
The day passed quickly after that. During classes, Hermione did not speak to Harry... she was actually trying to avoid him. He had sensed this as he stole quick glances towards her. During lunch and dinner, Hermione sat inbetween Harry and Ron. She was dreadfully scared to even pick up her gaze to talk to her two best friends... Ron squeezed her hand comfortingly during the whole ordeal... smiling to show that he cared...
But he had no idea...
It was finally time for all the students to head back to their dorm rooms. Something Hermione had been anticipating and dreading at the same time. The halls were finally quiet... Hermione knew she had been stalling for quite some time.
Fiddling with the necklace that Draco with her... feeling the hard diamond beneath her fingers... she gave out the passwords and stepped into the familiar common room.
It had been a very long day. Draco hadn't payed attention to any of his teachers during class... his mind would wander. Who had she seen? Why had she even taken it? These questions buzzed through Draco's mind... making him very tired. He had skipped dinner and went back to his common room. Opening a book on Quidditch... he lay down on comfortable couch and began to read. Without knowing it... he had fallen asleep.
Draco dreamt of many things... Quidditch mostly... Hermione cheering him on... wearing a very nice cheerleading uniform, form-fitting... very nice indeed. He had just caught the snitch and Hermione had ran towards him... wrapping her arms around his neck. He kissed her deeply... Hermione in one arm and his broomstick in the other. He could feel the kiss right through his dream. But suddenly... he felt a warm hand stroke his forehead... his cheek... his lips... and into his hair. Draco's reflexes grabbed the hand that was touching him gently. The wrist was very small ... almost breakable. He caressed the wrist with his thumb... not sure whether or not to open his eyes or not. He gripped the wrist harder... tighter... tighter...
"Ow..." a small voice came from above him.
Draco slowly opened his eyes... she sat on the floor near Draco's head. Her head titled down... hair obstructing her view... but she did not struggle from his grasp. Instead, he could see her tighten her eyes... each time he tightened his grip.
"Why did you wake me up?"
"I wanted... to tell you something." She whispered quietly.
Draco let go of her wrist... letting his hand hover underneath her chin. He titled her head back up so that she was facing him. Tears streaked her cheeks... her eyes red.
"Why were you crying?"
"Because I'm in love."
Draco ran his thumb across her cheek. Then, placing a hand on each of her shoulders, Draco hoisted Hermione onto the couch that he lay on.
"Who would this lucky man be?"
Hermione looked to her hands... she then lifted them out of her lap and ran it up along Draco's sweater and onto his shoulders... across his neck and into his hair. Pulling herself closer to his body... Draco responded by cautiously moving his hands around her waist. He buried his head into the small of her neck... hair obstructing his view from anything around him. The sweet smell of vanilla and coconut overtook his senses. He breathed in deeply... clutching on Hermione's school sweater... savoring the feeling of having her delicate hands rake gently through his hair...
Hermione slowly pulled away from his embrace... leaned up and kissed him. For a few minutes, as Hermione deepened the kiss, a moan issuing from Draco's mouth, Hermione parted away from his lips. A bit out of breath...
"It's you."
Draco lay back down on the soft cushions... Hermione on top. He kissed her gently on the lips... cheek... eyes... nose... moving his hands through her thick, curly, brown hair. But Hermione couldn't take it... she kissed him even deeper than before. Pulling him up to sitting position... she reached for the buttons on his shirt and began to unbutton. Hermione felt her head about to burst. She had never felt this way... she had never gotten so carried away. It was as if it was only she and him... not a care in the world. Draco's hands began to hover above her hands... not sure of what to do... stop her... or let her go on. He reached back down to the hem of her Hogwarts sweater. He was itching to feel her warm body close to his... he needed this. Pulling it over her head... her hair flying in all directions... he looked into her eyes. Her pupils were still abnormally large... but he could see the fire burning beneath them. He held his hand behind her head and pulled her in for a deeper kiss. She continued to unbutton his shirt... finally pulling it off to reveal a white, form- fitting, tshirt. Draco let his hands wander around her waist... still not sure... but even so, he began to tug at the white shirt that was tucked into her skirt. Draco pulled away from the kiss... he pressed his forehead against Hermione's... trying to catch his breath. He knew he had to be slow... and slowly he began to unbutton the front of Hermione's shirt. Draco had reached all the way to the bottom... revealing a sliver of skin and the middle of her bra. He ran a finger down the middle all the way to her bellybutton. Hermione shut her eyes tightly... breathing even harder. Draco began to push the cotton fabric away, his heart beating even faster... but before he could go on... he stopped.
"No..."
"Huh?"
Draco shut his eyes tightly.
"This isn't right..."
"Wh... why?"
"Y-you don't want this. I know you don't Hermione. Or... the effects of the love potion are still there... this is... wrong."
Hermione pulled her shirt tightly together... tears sprang from her eyes. Draco leaned in and kissed her cheek gently and began to button up her shirt for her. He could see her small figure beneath the white fabric... he would have killed millions to see beneath the shirt... but he knew he couldn't. Draco sat back up from the couch and lent out a hand for Hermione. Hermione looked at the hand for a moment before taking it gently. He pulled her from where she was sitting and into his arms. Placing his arms around her small waist... he held her closely for a few seconds before letting her go.
Hermione reached down towards the floor and grabbed her sweater and Draco's white collar shirt. She handed it to him... their hands touching momentarily.
"I just think... we need some time."
"I know... I just... I got carried away."
Draco smiled... her hair was completely out of place... he had run his hands through it so much. Obviously Draco did not do a very good buttoning job... the buttons were out of place. Hermione seemed to notice this too. She laughed out loud. Draco ran a hand through his hair.
"Sorry... about that."
"Mmm.. It's okay. I'll be in my nighty anyway."
"Right... Uhh... Hermione..."
"Yes?"
"I... would ask you to the ball but..."
"Oh..."
"I already..."
"Me too."
Astonished he looked back up at Hermione "Oh... who?"
"Ron."
"Oh." Thanking God inside that it was not Harry.
"Yea."
Draco began to think of his own date... and almost threw up.
"Pansy."
"What?"
"I mean... Pansy is my date... prearranged... by my parents." He ran his hand through his hair again.
"Oh..."
"Hermione?"
"Yes?"
"About my parents... They'll be knowing I gave you this necklace... and will be wanting to meet you... They will know I've fallen for someone."
Hermione's heart sank lower... into her feet. Draco saw the color drain from Hermione's face.
"You... you don't have to see them now. But they would feel it would be suspicious if they didn't meet you."
"Do you want them to meet me?"
Draco smiled.
"Yes... I actually do. I don't care Hermione... not anymore."
"I can't face them Draco."
Draco looked to his feet. He knew this would be something Hermione could not do alone... he knew this was not what she asked for. But meeting his parents was the only way to go. Draco took a hold of Hermione's hand that hung limp at her side.
"I'll be there... with you. I promise. If you want to leave right away... We can... in a heartbeat. Look... let's go to sleep. It's late."
"Yes... I suppose so."
Hermione and Draco both made their way up the stone staircase to each of their rooms. As they both reached their doors, Draco turned around.
"I love you."
Hermione touched the doorknob and smiled to herself.
"I love you too."
Okay... Fanfiction is experiencing high traffic :( So I can't get to my review section and I really don't feel like going through my mailbox! So I will probably add in my comments to the reviews later... when I have time... and also when FanFiction won't be so stupid. I am so sorry I took so long in writing this chapter. This chapter is so short too! My dad has this course to study for... he has some test coming up... and he was hogging the computer for the past month using his stupid CD's. Ugh. Haha. Anyway. yes I know I left you guys at a HORRIBLE spot last chapter... but didn't you all come back for more? Yes yes I know how evil am I. But I'm smart too :-D. Oh BTW Ron does not like Hermione that way... it's all brotherly love kiddos. A few reviewers and two of my best friends (Rachel and Kaitlin) thought Ron liked Hermione! Wow... that would be so confusing for Hermione... Three guys liking her at once...oh no sorry wait four including Seamus. A lot of people asked me what I think Draco looks like... hes like a Ryan Phillippe in Cruel Intentions except more Dracoish... know what I mean. Yea ... Okay... You all think I'm psycho now... hehe. Thanks to all my devoted readers like HiImCrazy, Imogenhm, PotterSpayne, Saturn's Candlesticks (mmm thanks for the virtual chocolate chip cookies... I can smell them through the computer screen!), Applescm, Alexian-Goddess, Gesym, Amber, and tons tons more... And to those who have reviewed that are new... who read it in one go. And those who have been reading it from the beginning but won't review! That makes me beyond happy. I just hit 200 reviews ::does a victory dance:: go me! And I am on 47 watch members list... which is so weird. You all should review!!! YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!! Hehe. And those who put me on their favorite author's list... that really makes me so happy and makes me want to write even more ::tears:: thanks!
Come back for more... hopefully next friday. If not I'm so sorry and email me and yell at me!! See ya!
Oh and who wouldn't have guessed it was Draco... pshh.... uhh how sexy he is!