Disclaimer: no i dont own Harry Potter...
CHAPTER 14
"Wh-What?" Hermione asked breathlessly, unsure of what she just heard.
"What?" Draco said in a confused way, hoping it would confuse her.
It didn't. "What did you say, Malfoy?"
"What did I say?"
"Malfoy. What. Did. You. Say." Getting annoyed again.
"Forget it, Granger" He waved his hand dismissively.
Good one, Draco. She's going to hate you! He angrily thought to himself.
Hermione sighed impatiently, "Malfoy just tell me!"
Draco looked at her and smirked, "What did you think I said?"
Hermione stared at him, then gave him a scowl. "You're unbelievable"
Draco laughed, relieved that the tension was breaking, "I know."
She continued staring at him as he kept fidgeting, still looking at the flames.
He stole glances from her and could see she's still staring at him fiercely.
Ignore her, just ignore her He thought to himself, feeling slightly uncomfortable towards her for the first time.
He looked at her again, and right back at the flames, clearing his throat.
"Do you mind, Granger? I know I'm good-looking and all, but please. It's rude to stare" He said, still not looking at her.
"Am I bothering you?" She asked innocently.
"Yes"
She grinned, and scooted near him.
Just go for it, Hermione. Bravery. A Gryffindor trait. She placed a hand on his knee, ignoring the fast beating of her heart.
He stiffened as he glanced down at her hand. What is this woman doing?
"I lied. I guess we can't do your challenge either" She told him softly.
He looked at her, confusion written all over his face "What do you mean?"
"What I mean to say is," She paused, finding the words hard to say, "The moment your challenge starts, I would have already lost too" She looked away, wanting to take back what she just said.
Her heart was beating extra fast, and she suddenly felt warmth radiating around her.
Draco's eyes widen slightly, still staring at her.
None of them had spoken for a few seconds until Draco cleared his throat.
"Well," He said, shifting towards her, clearing his throat again "Well that makes sense"
Hermione laughed nervously, "Does it? How so?"
He took Hermione's hand that was on his knee, and held it with his.
"We both just admitted we fancy one another, which was really hard to do, seeing as how we started off as biting each others heads off" He laughed, stroking her hand with his thumb.
Hermione laughed along, enjoying his hand with hers. "Right."
They were quiet again.
Until Draco overcame his nerves.
He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead, down to the tip of her nose, both sides of her cheeks and pulled away, smiling.
He noticed her cheeks were growing slightly pink and said, "You really are beautiful, you know. I really like that bushy head of yours too. It's so wild." He gave her a peck on the head, "And free"
She blushed, "As I recall, you kept calling my hair ugly"
He knitted his eyebrows together, "Did I? Huh, strange." Again he leaned forward and kissed on the cheek.
She was glad he didn't kiss her on the lips yet because for her, she felt like kissing on the lips has a strong meaning.
She was perfectly content with him just giving cute kisses for now.
"This is crazy" Hermione laughed.
"What is?" Draco asked, pulling her up so she can sit on his lap.
"This," She pointed to them back and forth, cuddling against his chest. "This is crazy. We hate each other don't we? You can't like me" She shaked her head.
"Do you like me?" He asked, staring at her.
She turned to him, "Yes".
He smiled, "How can we hate each other if we both like each other? I like you too. So what's the problem?"
Hermione sighed, leaning her head against his, "We can't be together, Malfoy. What will my friends say?"
Draco rolled his eyes, "To hell what your friends say"
She smacked him on the chest, "They're my friends, Malfoy"
He chuckled, lifting her hand to his lips and gave it a kiss, "Why are you so worried, Granger?"
"Malfoy," She sighed again, lifting her head to face him, "This is impossible. You can't like me, I'm a muggleborn"
He stared at her, "So what?"
Frowning, she said "You don't care?"
"I did. But thanks to you, you taught me it doesn't matter." He shrugged.
Hermione bit her lip, still not wanting to believe the man she's fallen for has feelings the same way towards her.
"Someone's in denial" Draco said in a playful singing tone, hugging her tightly as she rested her head with his.
"Am not" She laughed.
I've never seen him like this, She stole a glance at him, So happy and content.
"You're not? Then I say we do another challenge" He smirked.
Hermione burst out laughing, "What is with you and challenges?"
I love it when she laughs, He thought to himself, smiling at her. "You said you like challenges. So do I."
She grinned, "Alright. What's the challenge then?"
He thought about it, then said "We'll give us go. If we don't work out, then oh well. If we do, then great".
Hermione nodded, "Simple enough."
"But," Draco lifted a finger indicating one condition, "I don't do secret relationships. Malfoy men do not hide when it comes to our women"
Hermione blushed, "'Our women' huh? Malfoy I am not an object you can own"
"Nonsense. You're mine which means no one else can have you" Shaking his head.
Hermione scoffed, "What are we?"
He looked at her, "What do you mean?"
"I mean friends don't just kiss you know."
He smirked evilly, "Unless we're friends with benef-"
Hermione put a finger on his lips, "I do not do that type of BS either".
He grinned as she removed her finger.
He took her hands and said, "Alright then."
"Yeah, so what are we? I'm confused."
Draco grasped her hand, knowing what she's asking for and looked at her, "Hermione Granger. Would you like to be my first ever goody-two-shoes, annoying, over bearing" He laughed as her eyes began throwing daggers at him, "But strangely attractive and beautiful, muggle born girlfriend?"
Hermione gasped quietly. Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, oh my goodness. "Well that was the strangest way I have ever been asked out"
He laughed, but she could tell he was nervous about her response.
"I would love to be your girlfriend, Malfoy" She smiled at him.
His smile grew wider as he leaned forward and gave her a quick, but soft gentle kiss on the lips.
They pulled apart, smiling at each other as they cuddled, feeling extremely comfortable on each others arms and letting unconsciousness over come them both.
No way. No way this is happening. Hermione said to herself, as she looks at Draco's sleeping face while they're still on the couch.
This is crazy! Hermione bit her lip.
What if this is a trick? She tutted, shaking her head.
"Granger. Stop shaking your head like that. You're freaking me out" Draco's voice said.
She looked at him and saw his eyes still closed.
Who am I kidding? She leaned forward and gave him a peck on the cheek.
He opened his eyes and looked at her. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine" She nodded, looking down at the interlocked hands.
"You still don't trust me?" He asked sadly, but trying to hide his feelings by giving her a scowl.
Hermione sighed heavily, "I trust you, Malfoy. I do. I just find this hard to believe, but I'll get there"
Draco nodded, "Well you better. I didn't wanna waste my time going all lovey-dovey on you just to get rejected"
She laughed, "I did not reject you, you git"
He grinned, "Good."
She got up but was immediately pulled down by Draco. "Malfoy!"
He smirked, then asked "Where are you going?"
"I'm hungry" She hissed at him.
"Oh." He got up along with her, "I'll come with you"
They walked towards the portrait door and left to go to the kitchens and asked for food.
When they got their fill, they both agreed to walk around outside the castle since it was a weekend and everybody else was at Hogsmeade.
As they were walking, they ran into Ron and Harry.
"Hermione?" Harry asked, staring at their hands which were interlocked.
"What is going on?" Ron asked, staring at Hermione then back at Draco.
Hermione bit her lip, They're bound to find out someday.
"Malfoy and I...Well we..." She glanced at Draco, who gave her an encouraging nod. "We're-"
"You guys are going out". Harry finished for her, looking at her face.
"Yeah" She hung her head, ready for the blow.
"Hermione! I knew it!" Ginny came running towards them, but to Hermione's surprise, her face was plastered with glee.
"You knew about this?" Ron asked incredulously, eyeballing his sister in a crazy way.
"I didn't know they were actually dating, but I knew it was about to happen" She smirked, giving Hermione a wink.
"How?" Harry asked, after he greeted Ginny with a hug.
She shrugged, "Kind of obvious. I mean he asked her to the ball. Should have given you guys a clue he fancies her"
Draco's pale face turned pink.
Hermione gave his hand a squeeze, when she noticed his embarrassment.
"Hermione, can we have a word with you?" Harry asked and looked at Draco, "Alone?"
Hermione nodded and looked at Draco, who reluctantly let her go.
He crossed his arms and scowled, watching them take his girlfriend away.
"Have you gone mad?" Ron asked angrily.
Hermione shot him a look, "No actually, I think he's changed"
"Don't Ron." Harry warned him.
He sighed, and turned to Hermione. "Do you like him?"
She looked at into those green eyes with all the strength she can muster, "Yes, Harry. I do very much."
"I don't believe this." Ron muttered to himself, angrily.
Ginny flung her arms around her, "I knew it!"
Harry sighed and glanced at Draco, who was still looking annoyed. "I think he's jealous, we stole you"
Hermione snickered as she turned around and waved at Draco.
He gave her an evil mocking glare back.
She turned back to Harry, "I know."
Ginny took Harry's hand, and kissed him the cheek.
He looked at her for a moment and then back at his best friend. "Are you happy with him, for now?"
She sighed happily, "Yes Harry. If you just get to know him a little better, I think you guys will get along. He doesn't care about blood status anymore. He's not afraid to hold me in front of people"
Harry nodded, then turned to Ron.
Ron stared at Hermione sadly, but nodded back. "If you're happy, then okay."
Hermione grinned and gave Ron and hug. "I'm so glad you're okay with this, Ronald"
Ron's face grew red as he smiled and returned the hug.
"But," Harry interrupted, "Remember what we said? If he does anything, Ron and I will take care of him."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "I know, I know".
This day was going perfect for her.
Draco Malfoy had finally asked her out, and her best friends approved.
This is the greatest day ever! She happily thought to herself.
"What do you want to be after school?" Draco asked her as they sat on the grass. He was leaning against a tree, and let Hermione leaned against his chest.
She thought about it as Draco began playing with her hair. "Probably an auror? Or a healer?"
"Well you're smart. You can do both" Draco told her, giving her a kiss on the head.
Hermione laughed softly. "What about you?"
He sighed, "No idea."
"Come on, you must want to do something?" She asked.
Draco paused, then said "I guess if I'm an auror, people wouldn't see me as this heartless Ex-Deatheater, anymore"
Hermione frowned and turned to look at him. "You're not heartless."
He smiled down at her, "Thank you. But not everyone is as forgiving as you, Granger. You know that"
She nodded sadly. "But you convinced me, and you got Ron, Ginny and Harry to be okay around you. At least you're gaining trust back slowly."
He lifted his hand and stroked her cheek, giving her a quick kiss on the lips. "You're so optimistic."
She shrugged as she turned around to lean back against his chest again.
"When you're with me, you have to believe things will get better" She told him, enjoying the breeze.
Draco gathered all her hair to one side, leaving the opposite side of her neck exposed.
He leaned down and left trails of kisses on her neck, making her shiver slightly.
"You really aren't so bad, Granger" He whispered to her as he leaned back, stroking her cheek.
I am so lucky, He thought to himself, smiling as he watched her take his hand and held it with hers.
She gave his fingers a peck and closed her eyes, not knowing she was thinking the same thing as he was.
YAY they're together finally!
edwardsoneandonlylove: haha thanks!
October103: i know yay! finally! haha
hopelessromanticandie333: LOL! hahaha you're so funny thank you! haha
ScarletCougar: thank you so much! and yes happens alot with me... haha i tend to say things without thinking =/ lol
CheshireCat23: haha she did a little! lol but now they're good! haha
Abbey500: haha thanks! sorry about the cliffhanger lol and hmm I'm not really sure how long, lol Im actually going with the flow, but I'll try not to make it short! =) So far I know it's definitely not going to end yet haha
Snowstorm XD: thank you so much!
Lou The Acid Jazz Singer: haha thank you! They finally did! haha
fierce. pheonix: thank you! and yeah I love dramione too! haha