A/N: Alright, Well I am going to
start another chapter, and try and finish it tonight. I know I just
finished this one, but still I seem to be on a writting frenzy as of late. I hope you guys are all liking my story, keep reviewing it inspires me to write faster..lol...anyway Happy Reading :)
Draco was walking though the cold morning air. He was heading in across the ground of Hogwarts to see Dumbledore. It was the first time he had been at Hogwarts since Hermione's return, which by now had spread through the entire wizarding community. He was there to speak to Dumbledore about his new job. He was so glad Hermione had supported him. He had been so nervous about telling her. She seemed to be taking all the changes quite well though. The Nanny, Bersies being around again. His job. The new house. Hermione had made one condition on the new house. She got to pick everything that went in it, For she didn't get to pick the house out with him. Draco had of course agreed. He was just happy she was alright with everything. They were moving in less than two months. Hermione wanted to buy all new furniture for the house except a few priceless air looms and keepsakes. So there wasn't much to pack up. Which Draco was grateful for, since Hermione was to weak still to really help, and He didn't really have the time what with his apprenticeship and such to do it.
He was just inside the school when he was stopped by Professer Snape.
"Draco" Came Snapes voice from behind the greasy black curtains of hair that he always hid behind.
"Snape, How good to see you." Draco replied.
"O have missed you working under me. I know however, you have had good reason. I trust you will be back soon however." Snape said.
"Yes, I should be back this coming Monday." Draco replied.
"Thats good, Miss Granger is in better Health I hope." Snape said, in a monotone voice. He may like Draco very much, but was still not overly fond of Hermione.
"Yes, She is doing much better thanks. Well I should get going, If I am not to be late for my meeting with Dumbledore. Goodbye Serveus." Draco said, waving his hand in goodbye.
"Yes of course, See you Monday Draco." Snape then turned on his heel and left.
Draco went the rest of the way without running into anyone else. He reached the Gargoyle said the passowrd aloud and descended up the stairs to Dumbledore's office. He reached the top of the stairs and knocked on the door, waiting for Dumbledore to allow him entry, Once told, He made his way through the door. Where Dumbledore sat expectantly at his desk.
"Hello Sir" Draco said, making his way in and sitting down in the chair opposite his old headmaster.
"Hello Draco, How is Hermione doing?" Dumbledore asked.
"Much better, She is actually healing faster then they thought she would." Draco replied.
"That is good to hear. She was looking rather frail when I went to see her just a couple weeks ago. So I am very glad to hear it."
"She was more tired than frail, She was just needed some much earned rest and nutrition." Draco replied. A small smile creeping onto his face thinking of his beloved.
"Aren't we all." Dumbledore, then sat back in his chair a little more before continuing. "Snape tells me, that you have been doing exceptionally well, with your apprenticeship. Even with the small set back, which of course could not be avoided. You will be able to take the teaching job in September as planned." Dumbldore smiled at Draco.
"Thank You Sir, I was a bit worried I would fall behind."
"Of course with such a long absence, I mean first having to take a couple weeks for Hermione's sake, Then with the moving in only a few short weeks, meaning you will need more time off. However, It isn't an issue with you. Snape says, You are doing so well, You could some in and teach tomorrow and do fine."
Draco smirked at such a comment. He had felt confident in the fact he had done well, but that well. He was not aware of. "Well, Thank you Sir." Draco stood up to leave. He reached over and shook Dumbledore's hand. "I will see you Monday morning."
"Until Monday Draco, Have a good weekend."
Draco then led himself out. He was almost outside the school when he saw a small girl. She looked a lot like Hermione did back then, She too had long brown hair that was curly beyond belief, and she too was carrying a mound of books in her hands. She was a bit taller than Hermione, and by far not as pretty as Hermione had been at 17. He smiled at the girl who passed. Who didn't even seem to notice as she walked away. Draco, remembered Hermione in those days. He remember their seventh year more than anything, for that was the life altering year for him. The year he had fallen in love with Hermione. The year that he had become "good" if you will. They year he lost his father. He sat down on the stairs of the great hall, for a moment. He had spent a year in this school, since he had left now, and never once really thought about how many memories it holds. He took in a deep breathe. The doors opened. It was a student that Draco recognized. It was Eddie Jameson. Eddie walked up with his friend, Whom Draco did not know.
"Hello Mr. Malfoy." The short dirty blond kid, with green eyes, a face full of freckles said.
"Hello Eddie, What were you doing out on the grounds in such cold weather?" Draco asked.
"Ohh, Just thought it would be nice to get some fresh air. The kid began picking at a freckle on his arm.
"Ohh, Did you have fun?"
"Not to bad, A bit cold. So Mr. Malfoy, Where have you been? Snape..er.. I mean Professer Snape wouldn't tell us."
Draco smiled, He knew that Eddie didn't exactly get along with Snape. It wasn't as bad as Harry and Snape's relationship, but it came in a close second. "I have been away, A friend of mine came home. She has been a bit sick. She is however doing better now. I will be back on Monday." Draco finished.
Well thats good. I have to get going though, Still have homework, I want to get it done today. That way I can watch quiddich tomorrow. See you Monday." Eddie waved and walked away.
Draco sat there for a couple of minutes again back in a trance of memory of Hermione, When he finally stumbled on a memory that took place in this very hallway. Well some of it anyway.
Draco was making his way through the crowed great hall. It was the yule ball and everyone seemed to be either dancing or sitting at tables talking. Draco began to get slightly annoyed that it was taking so long, to get though the great hall. He was trying to catch up with Hermione, He saw her slip out, this being the prefect opportunity for him to talk with her once more. Well more kiss her again, but it wasn't as if he wanted to. It was that he needed to, to convince himself he had been thinking of what meant nothing for the past couple weeks. He needed to kiss her one more time, to prove to himself once and for all there was nothing there and he had merely been in a weird state, and remembered it inaccurately. He finally reached the great oak doors, pushed them open and walked through. Letting the cold night air hit against his face. It felt good. It seemed to wake him up slightly. He let out a big sigh, and rounded the corner.
"Hey, Having a good time with Ernie?" Draco asked.
"Hmm? Ernie who?" Hermione said, It seemed to Draco, that she was deep in thought.
"Ernie who eh? What's on your mind there?" Draco asked, once again, He felt a pang of excitement deep inside, Her mind was not on Ernie. Not that he cared, Draco quickly retorted to himself. He just thought Ernie was a git that's all.
"Ohh, Sorry what, I was just thinking," Hermione turned up to see Draco.
Draco then noticed that she had blush, again, He felt a bit of excitement, that he quickly pushed aside. Still not ebing able to help himself he still asked about it.
"So, now I make you blush eh Granger." He asked.
"No, You just caught me off guard." Hermione responded, a little to quickly.
"It is OK, I have that effect on a lot of girls." He sat down beside her.
"I bet you do." Hermione said to herself. "You are the one who kissed me remember? So don't act so high."
"I wasn't making fun of you, I was just stating the reality of it, and I did kiss you." Draco soon found himself breathing in her scent. It was magical. She smelled of flowers and vanilla. Quickly bringing himself back to the conversation he began to the conversation.
"Look, I don't have time for your games tonight Malfoy, I have to get back to Ernie." Hermione then went to stand up.
Draco then thinking quickly. Knowing if he wanted to kiss her again to prove he didn't care about her it had to be now. While they were alone, grabbed her hand and pulled her close. "Hermione, I am sorry."
"for wha..." She was cut off by him kissing her again, before she knew it, She was pulling him toward her, kissing him back. Her hands grabbing at his hair. Draco, began to let his mind wander. He loved how she touched his hair. He loved how gentle yet forceful she could be. Then, she opened her mouth and allowed his tongue into hers. Draco swam aoround in her mouth. Exploring every inch of it. Not wanting to ever leave. Finally they pulled apart breathing hard.
"For that, I am sorry for that." He then stood up.
"Malfoy, wait!" Hermione called out to him now walking away.
He stopped and turned around."What?" He was angry at himself. He did feel something again. He hadn't imagined it at all. This was Hermione Granger though, What was he going to do.
She walked over to him and kissed him again. Draco completely disregarding all thought in his head, kissed her back. Pulling her close once again. It didn't matter that this was wrong. It didn't matter that they could never work. Nothing seemed to matter but her being in his arms kissing her. After a long few minutes, They pulled apart again, breathing hard and forgetting everything except the moment.
"I am sorry too." She said.
"Don't worry about it. This was the reason I came alone anyway." Draco replied, pushing a stray piece of hair from her face. He knew he should not have let that slip out, but right now he didn't care. He knew that, this would never work, and that it could never actually "happen", but right now was all that seemed to matter.
Then suddenly Hermione pulled away. "I am sorry, This is nuts. I can't do this." She then ran off past Draco and back toward the great hall. Leaving Draco there alone in the cold
Draco stood there for a moment. Then , all of a sudden he began to run after he. He knew he shouldn't do it, but found himself doing it anyway. He h ad no idea what was going on, or what would happen, but that still didn't stop him.
"Hermione!" He called out as he reached the entrance way. Seeing her not far ahead.
She stopped for a moment and then began to move again, a little faster. Draco sped up and caught up with her, for he was much taller so could walk a lot faster. He grabbed her arm. "Please Hermione, don't run."
She stopped and turned to face him. "Draco, What are we doing? Why shouldn't I just go back in their and be with Ernie, Ernie is right, Ernie is normal."
"Ernie isn't what you want though." Draco said.
"He might be!" Hermione retorted. In truth Draco was right, but she never wanted him to know that.
"He isn't I know it. I could feel it in that kiss." Draco replied.
"And I suposse I just go in their, breakk up with Ernie and what, What Draco? Just come back out here and kiss you." Hermione responded, now getting a bit frustrated.
"I don't know Hermione, I just know I want you to stay." Draco didn't know why he was saying the things he was saying to her, He knew now, that deep down he would love if they could be together, but he still didn't think they could. He just couldn't seem to help himself. It was like verbal diarrhea.
"Want me to stay, what for a couple hours till your done." Hermione then again went to leave.
Draco in a panic, and feeling like his head was swimming from everything. Reached out once again. And not thinking about how careless this was, or how bad it could turn out. Kissed her again. Deeply and passionately. Hermione tried to pull away for a few seconds before melting into his kiss. They kissed for a long while, longer than they should of, being that someone could walk out at any moment, though both thankful no one did. Finally they pulled apart.
"Hermione, I don't know about anything, but I just know I want you."
"Draco, I..." Hermione stammered. She to wanted him. She couldn't deny it any longer. She also knew though, how much pain this could bring to both of them. "I admit, it would be nice, but how can it be? How can we be together, with your father being who he is? And you having to keep a cover?" Hermione finished.
"I don't know Hermione, but right now, for tonight at least, lets not think about any of it. Just come with me out into the grounds, where we can be alone." Draco said, in a pleading tone. He still felt like his head was swimming, and knew he should have walked away a long time before this, but didn't care anymore. He was already in to deep to turn away.
"Draco, I don't know." Hermione said, unsure of it all.
"Don't think, just do what your heart tells you to, for once Hermione, Please."
Hermione stood there for a few minutes, not moving at all. Finally she looked into his deep blue grey gaze. "Alright Draco, but know that tonight may be all we have."
"Well then we better make it count." Draco said pulling her toward the oak doors.
"No." Hermione said pulling back, causing them to both stop.
"but, Hermione, I thought..." Hermione placed a hand at his lips, causing him to stop.
"I know somewhere better, Somewhere no one is at this hour, and somewhere we will be warmer." She then pulled his hand back towards the stairs. Leading Draco up them. He would not tell her where she was taking him. Every time he asked. She simply smiled and said, "You will see. Trust me" Draco would then nod and let her lead the way on. Finally they stopped in front of a blank piece of wall. Draco looked around and realized they were in front of the room of requirement.
"Ohh Hermione, This is perfect. No one will be able to find us, and we will be alone." Draco said. Letting a big smile on his face. This was one of the many things he liked about her. She was so smart.
"Alright, Think real hard, how we need a place to sit and talk, get to know one another." Hermione said. She let go of Draco's hand and began pacing. Followed by Draco. Draco put all his efforts into thinking. He thought real hard while walking back and fourth in front of the blank piece of wall " I need a place where Hermione and I can get to know one another without getting caught" After three times past, Draco opened his eyes, along with Hermione. They looked over at the blank wall and saw a door. They both gave a smile of excitement, at a job well done.
"Alright, Shall we?" Hermione said, wlaking toward to the door. She opened it and walked in. Draco followed. Upon entering they found a room. It had blank white walls. And It had a big red couch on it. With many throw pillows. In front of the couch was a wood coffee table, with snacks in it. Also there was a bar fridge in the far left corner, and another door right beside it. Draco walked over to the door, and found a small little bathroom. "How convenient." He thought, as he closed the door. He turned aorund and saw Hermione sitting on the couch. He smiled at her.
"Hermione, This truly was a wonderful idea. There is even a bathroom in here. I didn't even know it could make separate rooms." Draco said, walking over and sitting next ot her on the couch, intwining his hand in hers.
"I didn't know it could either. It must be part of the magic of the room." She said, turning to face him.
"Hermione I am so glad you came." Draco said. Moving a bit closer to her.
"I am too, even though I am not sure it was right, or that I should even be here." Hermione replied.
"Don't think, remember, Let's just enjoy tonight. If we think it through we will both end up leaving." He said.
"Your right, alright no thinking about it then. It is settled. It seems, we probally only have tonight anyway. We should enjoy it."
Draco without being able to wait another second, leaned in a kissed her. They kissed there on the red couch for a couple hours before Hermione pulled away.
"Draco, wait. What are we doing? This is insane. I have a boyfriend. Oh goodness. Ernie!" Hermione stood upa nd began to pace.
"Hermione, It will be OK." Draco said, trying to comfort her and calm her down from her sudden outburst.
"No it won't. This is wrong, And every looking for me! Oh no. They all must be worried sick. I went ot get air and never came back. I am sure the dance is almost over, I bet I can get back and explain myself." Hermione then beagn to gather up the few srticles of clothes she had lost during their snogging session.
"Hermione, wait! Pease. Everything was going so well." Draco said.
"No Draco, This is crazy. It has to end here. It isn't like it can go anywhere anyway. Right?"
Draco, not wanting to answer this question, for he knew she would leave, but knew he couldn't lie simply nodded his head. "Right." He said bearly above a whisper, hoping maybe if it was quieter she might stay.
"I have to go Draco, I am sorry. This was all a mistake." She then turned around and walked out of the room. Leaving Draco there alone. Draco sat back on the couch, This time not stopping her. She was right. TI was crazy. They shouldn't be doing this. It was all wrong, and it wasn't like anything could come of it anyway. So why tempt one another to only have it taken it away. "It was better this way." Draco told himself. However, if it was better, why was Draco left feeling so crappy about his choice.
The memory faded. Draco found himself sitting back in present day on the stairs. He looked down at his watch and realized he had been sitting there for almost 20 minutes. He stood up and proceeded out of Hogwarts and back home. That memory had made him miss Hermione all over again. As he reached the gates leading off the ground. He thought he would go and take a peak at the surprise that he was planning at the new house. He still felt bad about having to drop all the changes on Hermione, So he had decided to do something special for her. At the house he had a skating rink built in the back yard, enclosed of course, and bewitched to be cold inside their all year long. He knew that Hermione had loved skating, He himself had never liked it. He had never even been until Hermione, but she had always went on how much fun it was. So knowing she would love it. Secretly had one put in. He made his way the short 5 minute walk to the new house, Where the contractors where still putting some finishing touches on the rink. It being the weekend however, There was on one there. He walked in though the house and into the back yard, giving it a quick glance. Judging it best he could, for he was not an expert. He made his way back home to his beloved. Where he was hoping was feeling rested enough to par take in some naughty activities.
Draco walked through the doors of their home to find Hermione up and about. She was sitting in the sitting room with Gweneth. They were chatting about the few things Hermione wanted to take to the new house with her.
"Oh Hello Draco. How was your meeting with Dumbledore?" Hermione asked, standing up and giving him a kiss hello.
"Not to bad. The time off won't affect my apprenticeship. Where is Kiersten?" Draco asked, hoping that Gweneth, would be taking her to the park soon. For he still wanted to ravish Hermione, Even more now, that he knew she would be up to. For after their first night "together" since she had been gone. She hadn't had the strength. She had said, the only reason she had the strength then, was she had been so long without him, It didn't seem to matter.
"Ohh, She is down for her nap. She got down a bit late. So when Gweneth, came to take her to the park. She was still down, So we made some tea and are awaiting her to awake." Hermione replied. Smiling.
"Oh well, Alright, I am going to go shower. Have fun girls." Draco then, left to go shower.
Draco walked up to their bathroom, still a bit frustrated that Gweneth was here, and turned on the shower. He undressed, and stepped in. The water felt good. It had been rather cold outside. He showered as usual, turning on the cold water at the end, to ease the fact that he wanted Hermione so badly. He stepped out and grabbed a towel. After drying off, he walked into their bedroom. TO find Hermione laying on the bed.
"Did you just leave Gweneth?" Draco asked, drying his hair off, making it messy and all over the place.
"Nope, Kiersten woke up." Hermione replied.
"She did, did she?" Draco asked, making his way over to Hermione.
"Yes, So Gweneth took her to the park. I thought we could use this alone time to, Oh I don't know..talk perhaps." Hermione gave a smirk.
"I have something better." He responded.
"Ohh really?" Hermione said, getting closer to Draco.
"Here, let me show you." Draco then leaned in a kissed her deeply on the lips. Slipping of his towel as he did so.
When they pulled apart, He looked at Hermione with a seductive gaze.
"mmm, I think I like your idea better Mr. Malfoy. Show me more." She then leaned in for another kiss. Slipping her shirt off just before reaching him.
A/N: Alright, There you go guys, Sorry to cut out the naughty scene, but I don't want to have one every chapter and there was one last chapter. Anyway hope you all liked it :)