A/N: Here we go, with this chapter you will see a softer side... and a turning point if you will.
thanks for reading :)
Chapter 20
Hermione was miffed. Annoyed. Frustrated, and hurt. How could someone she once loved so much be so... cruel? Her mind could not stop replying his words. His hurtful, insulting words!
She slowed her steps down, only just making it to the Great Hall before she broke down into tears.
She clasped her hand to mouth to muffle her cries as she slumped down to the ground curling herself into a ball, resting her forehead upon her knees as she kept herself warm.
Draco and Theo were on their way back to the Slytherin Common Room after having spent most of the evening in McGonagall's office rewriting old scripts Professor Binn's had a time reading, due to them being so faded and stained.
"Don't understand why they can't just toss the class off," complained Theo rubbing his eyes, "Such useless information..."
"Most of the classes here have useless information," Draco yawned. He wasn't tired, but reading all about Goblin Rebellions was enough to knock out an insomniac. "Father already gave me the business...so it's not like I'll ever need to use anything this school throws at me," He shoved his hands into his pockets.
"I thought you already knew everything?" Theo said with a smirk.
"That too," Draco responded with a lazy shrug.
There was silence for a few moments, where only the sound of their footfalls could be heard.
"Oh yeah, been meaning to say this. I ran into Granger earlier..." Theo sighed, "Feisty, out for blood that one. I'd say watch your back, but after the things you've told me today, who really knows what will happen? Most likely she'll trick you again," Theo stared off into the distance, daydreaming.
Draco knocked his house-mate in the shoulder rather hard, "Knock it off,"
"Come on mate, even you have to admit Granger was...hmm, what word would be best to describe such a scenario? Delicious? Exquisite? Hell with the way she kept squirming about, it's a wonder you-"
"I said knock it off!"
Theo barked a laugh, "Okay, so McGonagall was right, you are tense"
Draco shot Theo a nasty glare, which Theo had to cover his mouth to prevent himself from laughing even harder.
"Not that I blame you at all, been a few weeks since that Ravenclaw sixth-year right? I would know, I bedded her friend not that long ago!"
Draco rolled his eyes, as he rounded the corner, leading right to the Great Hall, only to stop dead in his tracks. Theo, not having paid any attention rammed right into his side, his elbow inadvertently jabbed him in the gut.
"Ow, what the bloody-" he broke off to at the sight before him. Or he tried, it was too dark in the corridor, it to see properly.
"Who is that, do you know?" Theo turned to face his house-mate for an answer.
Even if the only light is the shine from the moon, there was no mistaking that head of hair. It was Hermione.
"Granger," came Draco's soft reply.
The only sound the two of them heard was muffled cries.
Theo squinted his eyes as he looked back down the corridor, "Huh, I believe you're right." He straightened his posture and clapped a hand at Draco's back, "Well what are you waiting for? Hop to it, make her happy,"
Draco, not having expected the attack, practically tripped over his feet. "Ah, what the-" he broke himself off, not wanting to be heard by the girl. He stared off at her, waiting for her to turn around.
She did not.
Theo waved a hand, dismissively, "Ah, she's too busy crying to notice anything. Go on, cheer her up,"
Draco just glared at his house-mate. "What do you take me for, some kind of nancy boy?!" He muttered angrily. Compassion was a weak quality in a person, and mostly the reason why Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs were such easy prey to make fun of.
Theo slipped his hands into his pockets, "If you want things to get back in your favour, you'll do this"
Draco breathed through his nostrils roughly, before he turned his head away. The game was supposed to be enjoyable and completely platonic, not... not this.
"I suppose this means I need to use the other way to get to the Common Room. Good night," and Theo walked on, back down the same corridor they just used, whistling away.
Draco groaned. He really didn't want to do this, as caring for her emotions would only make things more complicated. A part of him just wanted to leave her for some Professor to find, but Theo's words kept ringing through his head, rendering him immobile.
She was angry at him for several things... Imperiusing Red, avoiding expulsion... being a prat. Doing this could very well get her back in his good graces for sure, but hell, was it a kick in the face to his pride.
'This better work,' he grumbled internally as he strolled his way over to her weeping form.
'I hate him...' Hermione moaned to herself. Her chest grew tighter upon every exhale. She gripped her legs like a vice as she buried her face into her knees, feeling the wetness of her tears spreading all over her cheeks. 'I hate him so much!'
Her bare feet had gone numb, being on the cool cement floor, and the small stubble on her legs tickled her skin in the late night autumn breeze, but she did not care. She was too numb to care, really.
She sniffed and whimpered, biting on her lip as her throat throbbed, wanting to release a cry. And then she heard it, albeit softly, but she heard it. A small clicking of footfalls echoing from behind her.
She froze.
Someone was here. Someone was watching her cry! But who would it be? Certainly not Harry, as he would have said something by now! Same goes for Filch or any other Professor on patrols tonight. The hairs on the back of her neck danced as she waited for the presence to speak.
"Granger," came a soft reply.
'Malfoy' Hermione groaned, as she buried her head even deeper into her legs. Of all the people to catch her, why him?! As if he hadn't had enough things to use against her. Being a blubbering mess was sure to top the list!
Not wanting to deal with his condescending comments, Hermione took several breaths, then brought herself up to her feet. She made sure to hold the robes tightly as she certainly didn't want to give him a peep show of what she was wearing! Even if it had been her intention at the beginning.
Draco, who had his eyes closed trying to think of what else to say, heard her movement. Opening his eyes, he noticed that she was already half-way down the corridor.
"Oh no you don't!" He said more to himself than her. He took several large strides before catching up to her, taking a hold of her arm and whirling her around to face him.
But Hermione wasn't going to have it. She kept her head down and her eyes closed, her hands trying so hard to break free of his grasp.
"NO!" She cried, struggling, "Get away! I don't... no..." the last word came out broken, as she gave up the fight against him. More tears running down her cheeks.
However, Draco was not staring at her face.
Somehow, amidst her struggles, her robe fell open, exposing to him what she was wearing, or in this case, not wearing, as she was in nothing but a bra and knickers. He felt his entire body tense up as he took in her figure. Subtle hourglass shape with legs that went on for days and breasts that were begging to be touched. 'Bloody hell,'
Hermione noticed his grip on her arms had weakened considerably. Curious, she opened her eyes, one at a time, before slanting them over to gauge his expression : wide-eyed and slack-jawed.
'Why is he-?' the realization came to her once she cast her eyes downward. Her robes had opened, revealing to him her half-naked body. 'Oh bollocks!'
Instantly she pushed him off her and wrapped her robes around her body tightly, cursing at herself for being so careless. She made her leave once again.
Sensing movement out of the corner of his eyes, Draco broke from his reverie and spun around, strolling after her again.
"Hold on a moment here," his voice was cracked from the lack of saliva in his throat. He reached over and took a hold of her shoulder, gently pulling her back.
"Get away from me, Malfoy!" she groaned, trying to use her free hand to push him away as the flickering colours of the bracelet was irritating her vision.
But Draco was relentless. It was one thing having to calm her down, but now, having seen what she was wearing? He'd be a fool to let her go now!
"Just... just... wait," he groaned, mentally kicking himself for sounding so... pathetic.
'Wait?!' Hermione echoed in her head as she stopped trying to fight him off again, staring blatantly at his pained expression. Or close to it, as it was too dark for her to decipher what his expression was.
"I don't want to do this," she said in a small voice, "Please, for once in your life, leave me the hell alone!" She tried to yank her wrist free, but it only made him hold onto her tighter.
"Granger..."
Hermione felt her chest swell at his soft voice, "Draco, please just let me go!" she whimpered, as she felt the tears starting to pool in her eyes once again.
He shook his head, cursing at Theo and himself for what he was about to do. Slowly, he lifted his free hand and placed upon her shoulder, massaging it slightly.
Hermione stilled from the unexpected contact, staring at both him and then his hand. 'What is he doing?' She sniffed and licked her lips at the gesture.
"What...?" her voice broken from holding back the need to cry.
"Come on," he said taking a hold of her hand, "we're leaving."
Hermione stared at their clasped hands, "I'm not..." her lips trembled. She wanted to tell him no, to go jump off a cliff and just leave her be, but the words wouldn't come. Her heart leaped when she felt him squeeze her fingers. 'Strange...'
Draco closed his eyes and sighed, trying not to be forceful. "Yes you are," he tugged gently on her hand, trying to coax her to walk.
"What kind of...man let's his girl..." he left the comment unsaid, already hating himself for using such words. Merlin was this mushy stuff a pain in the arse!
Hermione blinked at the wizard before her. 'Did he just...?' She stared at him studying his eyes.
Draco rubbed her shoulder once again, as he tried really hard to keep focus on her eyes and not her exposed cleavage. He saw the odd tear trail down the side of her already stained cheek. The only time he saw her cry like this was back in his Manor when his Aunt Bellatrix tortured her...
"Just... walk with me, okay?" He said, trying to keep his voice neutral.
Hermione sucked in a breath, "And go where?"
Draco smirked, "My room," saying it as though it was the most natural thing in the world. He took in great delight of the look off horror on her face. She shook her head and took a step back.
"No! No, no, I'm not-"
Draco let out a snort, "I don't mean it like that" He rubbed her hand softly. "You're too much of a mess right now,"
Hermione scoffed, "How... how... " her eyes fell on the bracelet again, mesmerized by the colours. 'Gentlemanly of you.' He followed her gaze and then sighed.
"Look, I might be crass, but come on, give me a little credit, we'll just talk" he muttered before dragging her along behind him. Not to mention it wouldn't earn him any points if he were to do that, even if it was all for the Galleons in the world. Reputation was everything, and hell was he about fed up with her scowling and disapproving of him!
Hermione felt herself tense up as she stared at the stone wall leading to the Slytherin Common Room, her nails digging into his arm. She was in dangerous territory
"Wolfsbane," he said , wincing slightly from the pain.
With a deep groan, the wall fell away and Draco tugged her along inside.
Hermione let out an audible gasp as she was met with a sea of blacks, greens, and silver. Black leather couches by a dying fire, long green and silver tapestries hanging against the long panel windows, hardwood flooring decorated with several dark green round carpets. It was beautiful. Elegant.
Amongst her browsing, Hermione caught several pairs and gaping expressions aiming in her direction. She was rather surprised at the amount of people around. She instinctively ducked behind Draco to protect herself.
"Draco!" cried Pansy as she walked over to them, "What are you doing? She can't be here!" pointing to the brown head just behind his shoulder. "She's a Mudblood!"
"Forgotten again Pugsy?" hollered Theo was he skipped down the stairs. Pansy whirled her head around, glaring at him.
"They're dating!" Theo added with a nonchalant shrug. "And she's Head Girl, so piss off"
"Still dating? She is the reason Draco can't use magic anymore!" Pansy folded her arms and glared at the flashing bracelet. She was annoyed. She never did anything that bad when they were dating and yet Draco still broke up with her.
"Nah you're just jealous..."
Draco rolled his eyes before he reached behind him to take a hold of Hermione's arm. "Let's go,"
Hermione nodded mutely, her eyes falling on Pansy's angered expression for a moment before she turned her focus to the back of Draco's head.
Her feet felt like lead as she let him guide her down the hall. Her eyes checking each passing year door as though expecting one of them to open. When none did, she released a rattling breath she had no idea she was holding. Her eyes caught the door marked Seventh Years and her heart stopped. Did he share a room with the other Seventh Years?
She got her answer with the next step. A lone door at the end of the corridor just opposite of the bathroom.
D. Malfoy, Prefect
'He gets his own quarters?' Surprised of such a thing, as in Gryffindor, they only the Head got their own all Prefects shared the same dorm with their comrades.
"My choice," came his reply, breaking her of her thoughts. "I hate being around others,"
Hermione turned her head to face him properly. He reached into his pocket and withdrew a small oddly shaped, key. He slipped it into the lock and then pushed it open.
Just like the Common Room, it was coated with a series of greens, blacks, and silver. A black leather couch, fireplace. She purposefully avoided the direction of where his bed was; even though that wasn't the reason why she was in here, it still made her feel awkward. Then again, she was half-naked.
'I need my clothes!' she pulled out her wand and muttered a soft, "Accio clothes"
"That's useless," he said, closing the door.
Hermione whirled right around, staring at him wide-eyed, "Sorry?!"
He motioned to his wrist, "My room's warded cause of this, so even those who can use magic, can't. Not in here at least."
"But!" Hermione glanced down at herself, holding her robes close to her body, "I..." she shook her head, "We can't talk if I...well...perhaps for your friends, but I... I'm Head Girl! Accio clothes!"
Draco sighed, "Fine don't believe me,"
"Well I can't stand around looking like this! That... that is just... just..." she stuttered once she realized he was unbuttoning his shirt. "What are you doing?!"
"Getting changed," he tossed his shirt into a laundry hoop stationed at the far end of his room. 'Anything to avoid that emotional talk'
"But! But..." she blushed at seeing his naked torso, she turned her back to him, "there's a bathroom across the hall, go change in there!"
"Ordering me around in my room, kitten? Besides, you did it yourself just this morning, so..."
"That, was a completely different circumstance!" She tried not to focus too much on said scenario and folded her arms wondering where her clothes are. Gryffindor Tower wasn't that far from the Slytherin Dungeons, so they should've arrived by now. "Where are my blasted clothes?! Accio!"
Draco grinned. He knew exactly what to do to avoid talking to her. It was plain as day. Rile her up. And he just knew how to do it. He strolled over to his dresser pulling out a suitable pair of pajamas for his guest.
Grinning wickedly to himself, "I told you, magic won't work in here."
He found a pair of black boxers he hadn't worn in a few weeks and a grey t-shirt. He walked over to where she was, holding her clothes out to her.
"But-" she broke off once she realized just how close he was to her, "Ah!" she stumbled backward, putting a hand to her chest, "What is the matter with you?!" Her eyes immediately drawn to the clothes in his grasp.
"I'm not wearing your clothes"
His eyes raked over her appearance, "Well you're not wearing any clothes at the moment...so take your pick. Either you change or stay looking like that, I wouldn't take any offense,"
Hermione grumbled tightening her robes around her body, glaring at the clothes. There was no way they would actually fit her, and the smug look on his face made her want to ball her fist and slug him! 'But at least it was something than just a Hogwarts robe.'
"Fine," she mumbled, grabbing the clothes. "But I'll be damned to change in here!" she did not want to subject herself to being ogled at again!
Draco's eyes flashed dangerously, 'Now for the real, fun'
With her head held high, she made her way over to the door, and turned the knob, only to find it locked.
"What the-?" she gasped slightly panicked, "Why is the door locked?" She searched for the lock but found none, then grabbed her wand. "Alohomora!"
Nothing happened. 'What the hell?!'
"Oh right... I forgot," he said in a faraway voice, his eyes twinkling, "The door locks automatically when I have... well... when there's a girl in the room." He shrugged, "Us Slytherins like their privacy you see,"
"WHAT?!" Squealed Hermione as she whirled around to face him. He was still shirtless, so she instantly closed her eyes, "Oh for crying out loud!"
Draco laughed, 'For someone so under-dressed, she sure is shy' "It's the ward, kitten. I told you, you can't perform any magic in this room."
"But.. but... you... you..." she frowned at her predicament. She would have to change in the room he was in and without the use of an Invisible Charm to cover herself up!
"Look, there's no need to panic, the door does open, but only in the morning of the next day, as in after sunrise, not midnight" he added once he caught her look at the clock perched on the mantel above the fireplace.
She couldn't believe this! He bamboozled her into staying with him for the entire night! He used her weakness and... and...
Where will she even sleep?! 'Surely not his bed!'
"You arse!" she moaned, grabbing a book off his shelf and tossing it at him. And another. And then another.
"How dare you manipulate my emotions and... and... and..." she grabbed a hold of something soft and lacy. 'What the-?' her eyes widened once she realized what she was touching. It was her bra. The one he was teasing her with that afternoon!
She glared at him over her shoulder.
"Are you going to toss that too?" he said casually, chewing on his lip to stop himself from grinning. "I didn't pick you as that kind of girl,"
Hermione snorted, turning away from him, clenching the lingerie in her grasp, "I hate you!" She looked over to him. He was standing with his arms folded, smirking. 'Good, she's showing some spunk again'
"Turn around!" She growled.
Draco tilted his head to the side. Her robe had fallen off her shoulder, revealing to him half of the bra she was currently wearing. It was a navy purple decorated with small pink flowers.
"There you go again, ordering me around in my room..."
"I'm Head Girl, now do it! Or so help me, I will throw this lamp at your face!"
Draco quirked on eyebrow as he glanced at the lamp right on the dresser. It was about the size of her arm, and weighed a ton! And that was without the shade.
"That I'd like to see, its heavier than it looks."
"Move it, Malfoy!" She barked, motioning with her hand. "And another thing, I'm sleeping here" she gestured to the couch.
His eyes flickered to the black couch, "It's lumpy. It's better if-"
"I'll survive! Now turn dammit!"
Draco grinned before he submitted to her demand.
Feeling proud of herself, Hermione shrugged off her robe and then picked up the clothes he had given her. She picked up the grey tee and slipped it on. Her nose engulfed a strong spicy scent.
'Oh my..'
Taking advantage of him not looking, she slowly brought the material to her face, inhaling several times, her eyes fluttered closed. Her heart even sped up and the hairs on her neck danced. She never smelled something so... delicious. With a few more sniffs, Hermione dropped the shirt, and picked up the boxers.
Unbeknownst to Hermione, however, there was a mirror right above his dresser.
Draco grinned, as he watched the brunette's reflection. Watching as she buried her head into the shirt he gave her for several minutes before finally letting it fall. He followed the material down, seeing it land a few inches above her knees, his eyes once again drawn to her long legs. The soft light of the room made them glow. Now that was a vision he could get used to : her wearing his shirts, dark or light.
He smirked wider at her growing frustration when the boxers wouldn't stay up. If he were honest with himself, she looked positively tempting in that moment. But he had to control his urges, as she still hadn't forgiven him yet.
He saw her mutter, and throw the offending piece of clothing across the room, "Having troubles kitten? Need any help?"
"Go jump off a cliff" She snarled, finally voicing what she was too afraid to earlier, before she slumped down onto the couch, using her own robes as a blanket.
He chewed his lip at realizing his mission of riling her up was complete before he turned back around, "Okay, now you've gotten all comfortable. How about that conversation?" Not that he actually planned for it to go through. She was completely annoyed and... back to normal.
"What conversation?" Hermione sighed as she played with the ends of her robes, being sure that her legs were completely covered.
Draco raised his eyebrows at how content she sounded, "Oh you know, the one about why you were upset in the corridor? The whole reason why I brought you here? Why you were... half-naked" He said the last word quietly as he stationed himself before her.
Hermione blinked. 'Wait what?!' truthfully she was no longer upset, she had been too annoyed with Draco and being trapped in his room for the night to get upset. She looked over to him curiously, all to realize he was still shirtless, but forced herself not to look away.
He looked at her, she had one arm supporting her head and the other resting on her, slightly showing stomach.
'Shame her legs are covered...' he mused before he dragged his eyes back to her face, "Comfortable?" he said, clearly amused.
"And you said it was lumpy," she mumbled before turning on her side so her back was facing him. "Why do you always lie? Tried to get me in your bed or something?"
And then there was light snoring. Hermione had fallen right asleep.
Draco sighed. It was actually proper etiquette. His mother always taught him to be a gentlemen. No girl should be sleeping on a couch! Even if said girl was...Granger. Not to mention the idea of having said girl in his bed would give Blaise a conniption!
But no, he did not want to push it.
"Good night Hermione," he said before retreating to his own bed on the opposite side of his room.
E/N: I actually did that. Fell right asleep once lying down on a couch when I wasn't tired at all. So that's personal experience, not cliché ah thank you very much :)
Yay for progress!