Chapter Twenty:

That Fruity Smell

23rd of April, 2011. Saturday.

That night when I went to bed, I could remember Hermione's replies to me. It was crazy because I was so tired; I had woken up early in the morning because Hermione had a nightmare.

I had pretty much promised Hermione that I'd fulfil her dream. We were sitting on the couch when I asked her what her dream was. I've had people half my life always asking me what I wanted to be, what my dream was. I remembered when my parents asked me one time, maybe twice. My father just assumed- or expected that I wanted to be a death eater. After he learnt that, no, I actually didn't and the war had finished with his dreams being rocked to the roughest core with reality, I don't know what he wants of me. My mum just wants me to be someone.

"I don't think I have one," Hermione had replied.

"No, come on, I can see it in your eyes…"

"Paris… America, Japan… Australia: I want to travel the world. I want to go to countries, like in a road trip with my friends," Hermione blushed.

I wasn't sure why Hermione didn't want to tell me that. I was baffled because I'd like to go around the world. I felt just a little sad when Hermione told me her childhood dream. I didn't have the same childhood as she did: her parents aren't wizards and my wizard parents weren't the perfect parents, in all honestly. It's obvious we love each other by how we care… but it was different. Very different. They were trained Death Eaters and I was innocent, influential kid.

"Why… what else?" I asked her, sure the dream wasn't completely covered. I saw it by the way Hermione avoided looking at me.

"Well… I… I'd like to… Um, do it with you, now. Travelling the world."

"Oh," I said.

Hermione bit her lip and then said, "Oh?"

"Oh… I can do that."

Hermione's childhood dream was to go all over the world… with her Prince Charming and take a photo of them kissing at every country. I had laughed when I heard her say that. I couldn't remember if I had a dream- or if I didn't. I did remember very well a phase I went through when I loved astronomers: the sky had really fascinated me at night when I was a child.

Either Hermione's really changed or she was always like this and I'm an idiot. It was probably the latter, but Hermione didn't judge me. I wasn't really used to that. Everyone judges… some people just keep it to themselves. Hermione didn't seem to care that I had firewhiskey. She proceeded to tell me her favourite drink was soda.

"Soda?" I immediately asked. "Oh!" I exclaimed when I remembered what soda was. It was embarrassing: Of course I knew what soda was… I just had other things on my mind.

I had started to feel a bit bored, which the question popped into my head. "So what do you do when you're bored?"

"What do you think?" She said, smiling.

"Um…" I laughed.

"I read. Or I hang out with the others. Gin usually drags me shopping."

"You don't like shopping?"

"I don't mind it."

Currently, I closed my eyes. I was tired, I could feel my eyes heavy and I barely resigtered the feel as Hermione's forearm brushed across my back. I was so tired. I shouldn't keep waking up so early daily.

24th of April, 2011. Sunday.

I opened my eyes. I glanced at the clock on the wall, 9:30 in the morning. I just woke up. I turned my head to the side and glanced at Hermione. She was still asleep, on the other side of the bed.

I got off the bed and stretched. I'm losing my touch… I should probably jog every night as Quidditch isn't on this year; something about NEWTs and Marriage Law interfering. Another reason to hate the Marriage Law. So what, so what I like Hermione a little bit, we were talking before the Marriage Law. I'd be perfectly fine going to talk to her with these feelings, without the help of the Marriage Law and the force of Marriage from the title, being stuffed down my throat.

I grabbed my wand, I then ran out of the room. I wanted to talk to Blaise Zabini. He'd understand. Where would Blaise be at 9:30 o'clock in the morning? Breakfast finishes around now so either he will stay the Great Hall for a while or go somewhere with Nikkie Piper.

Then I realised that I need to talk to someone else, unfortunately. I instantly knew who it was and a plan started forming in my mind.

It's 1 week until the Formal. I didn't show it but I was freaking out. Was I mean't to ask Hermione to the formal? I think it was pretty clear to Pansy Parkinson from our last encounter that I am not going to the Formal with her. And I'm relieved.

Hermione came into our Dorm a few days ago with a big bag.

"What's in the bag?"

"None of your business." She snapped, but on her face was a huge smile.

I didn't ask anymore questions but I continued to watch her walk into our bedroom and I could hear her trying to hide the bag. I instantly knew what was in the bag.

She got her Formal dress and shoes.

25th of April, 2011. Monday, afternoon.

I was sitting in the living room in our Dorm. She was reading a textbook on Arithmancy. She's sitting on the floor with an exercise book on her lap. Hermione put a pen in her mouth as she leaned over a bit to turn to the next page in the Arithmancy textbook that was in front of her. She also had two other textbooks besides her. I never done Arithmancy before: I heard it was very hard… I could do it.

I was sitting on the couch in front of her, trying to complete a Potions essay. I did get around half way through the first page but Professor Break asked for three pages! Obviously, he's gone crazy. Again.

Okay, fine, three pages isn't crazy… but… I just hate homework.

"This is so hard," Hermione said after she took the pen out of her mouth and placed it in the middle of the Arithmancy textbook.

"Then why are you doing it?" I asked.

"The same reason you're doing Potions homework," she smirked at me.

"So because you're bored," I said, trying to ignore the fact she smirked. Seriously, that's still my trademark!

She looked like she was going to laugh, "No: because I don't want to get in trouble."

I rolled my eyes and continued to write on the paper, "How the fuck did you get into Slytherin. That's going to be the Top Question on Quibbler at the end of the year."

Hermione didn't reply.

We sat in silence for ten minutes doing our work. In all solid honestly, I tried to focus and actually do as much of the work as I could, which resulted in me completing two page. I couldn't help but watch Hermione constantly: how could she do such hard work… on the floor?

"I can't write anymore," I suddenly said.

"Just try," Hermione said, barely looking up.

"I can't!"

Hermione sighed and looked up from her textbook. "How much have you wrote?"

"Enough."

Hermione gave me an odd look, "Seriously, Draco."

"2 pages," I admitted. "It's mean't to be 3 pages."

"That's just one page," Hermione said. "Just try and do it."

"No!" I sat up and stretched. "I don't like doing homework! And unlike you, I don't care if I get in trouble." It'd actually be a nice change: for almost two months I've hardly gotten into too much trouble with the teachers or students- it's an odd feeling. It was very nice to have time to myself and not have to go to detention or explain myself three times to every teacher involved, before they decide to just send me off to McGonagall.

Hermione's mouth popped open, "I don't care either, but I have morals and anyways this was meant to be due last week- I'm lucky that Professor McGonagall… or rather, the Marriage Law included a week off classes." I opened my mouth to say something but she continued, "Plus this is really hard. Harder than Potions."

"Wait," I snapped. "Hermione, stop, I get it!"

She smiled at me and went back to reading her textbook but then after a moment, she slammed the textbook closed and then closed the book she was writing in. She stood up and walked towards a chair. She grabbed a pillow and then threw it my way.

I gasped not expecting it- it hit me on the shoulder. "OI!" I yelled.

She just smirked my way. My smirk. And damnit, she looked cute doing it, too! I grabbed the pillow and threw it at her. She had either expected it or reacted very fast because she grabbed it, before it would land at her knees.

"Hey," She exclaimed and chucked it back at me. I attempted to catch it but it hit me in the head.

I chucked it at her and she went to grab it at her legs again but I had chucked it at her face. She gasped and then ran to my couch. I yelled out loud as she jumped onto the couch and hit me on the shoulder with the pillow.

"Wait, that's not fair! I don't have a pillow!" I exclaimed.

She leant over me and grabbed a pillow and gave it to me. I hit her on the shoulder with the pillow. She jumped off the couch and flicked the pillow in attempt to hit me but missed. Somewhere at the back of my head, I knew this was from a typical movie… and that it if anyone had walked in at that moment, I would die of embarrassment… but I didn't actually care if someone caught me. I was having too much fun: I've never had a pillow fight with anyone. Just because it was stereotypical for girls to do it, at sleepovers, doesn't mean it wouldn't be fun for everyone.

"I'm gonna get you," I cried.

She shrieked and ran to the opposite side of the table- nearly tripping over the textbooks on the floor. I flicked the pillow to hit Hermione but she stammered backwards and I missed.

"HA!" Hermione cried out but then screamed when I ran around the table and leapt on her. "Draco!" She shrieked.

I laughed and rolled off her- very cautiously. She laughed as well.

"What do you want to do now?" I asked.

"Well I'm not in the mood to do homework now."

I laughed and got up. I walked to Hermione and helped her up again. "Want to go get some ice cream?"

"I don't have any money on me, though. Can't we just stay here and have some juice or something?"

"No! It feels really… sticky in here. I feel like I just want to get some fresh air," I explained.

"Yeah, I know… but I've walked around Hogwarts a lot of times lately… and I don't feel like walking around again." Hermione paused for a moment then added, "Not that I'm sick of Hogwarts… I just-"

"Hermione, I get it," I laughed, "and don't worry, I'll buy you the ice cream."

"No. No way, I'm not letting you buy me ice cream-" She said.

kissed her on the cheek, stopping her talking immediately. She started to blush and I grabbed her hand.

"On… on second thought, I don't care- I'll have a double scoop," Hermione replied.

I chuckled at her, heading out of the door. We'd have to be very careful- I wasn't sure if Hermione knew this… but I wasn't sure if we were allowed to go to Hogsmeade. The responsible thing to do would've been to go to McGonagall and ask, but if she said no… We'd be in deeper shit. If we do Marry… which, I refuse… and if we do have children… Which I don't even want to think about… this was definitely an example I'd never ever give them.

"How is it?" Hermione asked.

I laughed, "Hermione, I've tried ice cream before."

She rolled her eyes, "You know what I mean- have you tried this ice cream before?"

I nodded, "Yes. I've tried it before. It's not my favourite but I do very much like it."

Hermione gave me an odd look.

"Is that our thing?" I asked, "Giving me odd looks? Because you seem to be giving it to me a lot."

Hermione laughed, "I thought you were funny because you went into an detailed statement and..."

I didn't reply- I continued to enjoy my ice cream. Hermione loves caramel chocolate but on ice cream she especially loves chocolate and mint. I got her the ice cream and brought the same ice cream for me as well. There was no way, at all, that I was going to tell Hermione my favourite ice cream. I felt a lot better out in the open air, with ice cream and… I felt free from the school. It seems like too many rules have been forced on us this year.

Hermione suddenly grabbed on my arm, "please! Tell me!"

It took me a moment to realise she was still talking about ice cream.

"You better not be giving me the silent treatment," Hermione stated, licking around the bottom of her ice cream. It was probably not the best idea to eat ice cream in the middle of Spring. Spring had a way of being… winter and summer combined. It wasn't raining, and it wasn't cloudy either, but it was still just a little bit cold.

"And why would I do that?" I asked the brunette.

"You didn't answer me."

"I… don't want to tell you."

There was a pause where Hermione had already finished her first scoop. I only got myself one scoop, whereas Hermione got two.

"You don't want to me what you're favourite… ice cream is?"

I nodded and she gave me the strangest look I've ever seen her give. "What?" I asked defensibly.

"Listen to what I just said," Hermione said, slowly, still looking at me oddly. "You don't want to tell me what your favourite ice cream is?"

I sighed, "You'll never let it go if I tell you."

"Draco, come on!"

I ate away at my ice cream, trying to buy time where instead of thinking about how gorgeous ice cream, I should've been thinking about what to reply to Hermione. Eventually I exclaimed, "fine! I like the pink ice cream."

She nodded once, "that's known as strawberry ice cream."

"Obviously I know that… I just wanted to emphasis that if any one found out, my reputation would-" I eyed Hermione, feeling suddenly vulnerable, "wait, you don't look surprised."

"I'm not," Hermione admitted.

"How come? How'd you know?" I asked.

"Because you didn't answer me earlier and you were embarrassed to tell me. You obviously were hiding something and I thought it was the strawberry ice cream since it's pink and you're a guy and so you'd be naturally embarrassed to like pink, right?"

I stared at Hermione, shocked. "I… I'm not embarrassed of the colour pink!"

"You obviously were!"

I sighed and didn't mention anything else on the subject. I felt like I've told Hermione all my secrets… of course, I hadn't, but slowly she was getting them out of me. I'm not even sure how: most of these secrets, I've kept to myself more than half my life. How is it she's able to get them out of me?

Has Hermione told me any secrets that she's never told anyone? I doubt it. I think everything Hermione's told me, such as what happened with Ronald Weasley, she's also told Ginny Weasley.

We sat on a bench. Small talk; small talk was safe. I tried to escape the sudden shallowness and anger I felt. But small talk, small talk was easy to roll with.

"How are you?" I asked.

"I'm good, and you?"

"I'm alright."

Hermione laughed as I tried to catch a drip from my ice cream. Eventually she said, "So… surprised no one asked you to the Formal, yet."

"Isn't it stereotypical for the boy to ask out the girl to the Formal?"

"I guess so," Hermione said slowly. "I know it's no uncommon for it vice versa, though."

I ate my ice cream and looked in the opposite direction from Hermione. I could see the store 'Domini Maestro's', for music. I knew where Hermione was leading: was she going to ask me to ask her to the Formal? Did she want to go to the Formal with her? Were we supposed to go to the Formal with our pair?

"Right," I said, "Well, no one's asked me yet. Though I'm sure Parkinson has in her own dreams."

Hermione nodded, gazing at her ice cream. "Would you?"

"Would you?"

"Would I what?"

"Want to go to the Formal with Parkinson?"

I bursted into laughter, having to hold my ice cream tighter. "Would I want to go to the Formal with Parkinson? Okay… I lied: My dream? To go to the Formal with my stalker, my self-loving, moronic, secret lover; Parkinson."

Hermione seemed to calm down after I said that, which made the scene even more funnier. I continued to eat my ice cream. After I had calmed down, myself, I asked, "Do you not trust me? Just recently you saw yourself that I don't like her."

"I know that, Draco," Hermione said, warily.

"So what's your problem then?"

"I just feel edgy when I think about you going to the Formal with someone other than me, alright?" Hermione snapped.

I stopped talking, about Parkinson anyway. I was nearly done with my ice cream on top of my cone. Hermione was nearly done as well. We sat in silence until we reach around the middle of our cone. I felt a lot more calmer, and instinctively interrupted the silence asking Hermione who'd she would want to go to the Formal with.

She was blushing before I even finished the question. "Who do you think?"

I smirked, "I'd like to go to the Formal with you, too."

We both stood up, and I finished off my cone. We walked in silence to the way of Hogwarts. Once we passed a bin, I chucked the tissues I held and used, and Hermione finished off her cone. She didn't seem to handle the anxiousity and asked me to the Formal. I was surprised that she had the guts to do that. "Wow," I said. "well, you know, I was going to ask you in about a minute?"

She replied, "I can't wait a minute."

"Fair enough… But of course I'll go to the Formal with you, Hermione."

I grabbed her hand again and noticed she was smiling very wide. I went to kiss her on the cheek but she turned her head and kiss me on the lips. We went back to Hogwarts.

26th of April, 2011. Tuesday.

I woke up the next morning by a fresh, fruity smell. Maybe it's a perfume Hermione brought but then why can I smell it now? Is Hermione wake? Did she spray it? What time is it? I opened my eyes and nearly yelped. Hermione's head was right next to mine and the fresh, fruity smell is coming from her hair. It's probably from some new shampoo or conditioner because I didn't recognise the smell.

Once I calmed down I pushed some hair out of Hermione's face and then hopped out of the bed. For the first time, I thought about whether Hermione was a light or deep sleeper. I glanced at the clock on the wall. It's 10 o'clock in the morning.

I was suddenly tempted to wake Hermione up and drag her down to the Great Hall for breakfast but then thought against it. Breakfast the Great Hall had been extended until 10o'clock in the morning this week because of the Marriage Law.

I ran to the Great Hall and grabbed some breakfast for Hermione and I. Once I was back in the Dorm with Hermione, I put the food in the kitchen and then walked towards the Dorm next to us.

Just as I was heading towards the door, the door opened and Nikkie Piper came out.

"Oh hey, Draco," She smiled.

"Hi… can I come in? I'm looking for Blaise."

"No problem. Blaise is in the kitchen. I'm going to go the library," Nikkie said and kissed my cheek and started walking past me. I was surprised that Nikkie had kissed me on the cheek but then didn't worry much about it as Nikkie usually just kisses close friends as a goodbye.

Sighing, I closed the door and jumped onto the couch into the living room. Blaise and Nikkie's room was a lot different to Hermione and mine. I lay down on the couch and closed my eyes. Almost instantly I saw Hermione on the bed, our heads touching. I remembered the smell of her hair… A fresh fruity smell. The realisation of what I thought about freaked me out, just a little.

"Draco? When did you get inside my Dorm?"

I opened my eyes and saw Blaise Zabini.

A/N: Please review and let me know what you think!