AN: R&R
To say that last night was depressing was an understatement according to Hermione. Seeing how Harry was still asleep it was pretty clear he had had a hard time too. Hermione was currently taking a shower recollecting the evening and wondering if she had over reacted. She was caught off guard when Draco Malfoy mentioned his mother, as if seeing him every day was not reminder enough, of their silence during her torture. She shuddered in spite of the hot water pouring on her. When her tummy rumbled making her hunger prominent she decided to call for some breakfast in their dorm itself.
Harry looked freshly showered and was clearing their makeshift bedding of the previous night when Hermione got the plate of sandwiches and two goblets of pumpkin juice floating behind her. "Hey how are you feeling?" Harry inquired watching her closely. "I am fine…now." she replied softly. "I hope it is okay?" She asked between bites referring to the sandwiches, Harry simply nodded and grabbed a second slice, happy he got a private breakfast on a Sunday morning and didn't have to go to a crowded Great Hall.
Harry and Hermione spent the afternoon relaxing and doing some light reading. "I am thinking of asking Malfoy for the parchment that needs to be signed whenever I see him." It sounded more like a question than a statement. "Are you sure about it? You don't have to Hermione; we understand if you don't feel like helping him, I am sure he does too. Not that it matters." He added. She nodded but denied his concern. "It's just that I was caught off guard yesterday, I really have no problem with signing the paper. And if Malfoy's mother had a choice she might have helped me too you know." She did not believe her own words. Harry got off the bed he had been occupying for a few hours, to kneel in front of Hermione who was sitting that the study table. He held both her hands in his own and brought them to his lips kissing each. "You Hermione Granger are the brightest and bravest witch whom I get to call my girlfriend." he pulled her forward to kiss her lips and convey his love, admiration and respect. They pulled away shortly after a few seconds of lip lock, due to the awkward position.
"Do you want to go out Hermione? To the Common Room or down by the lake?" "No Harry I don't feel like it, you should go, get some fresh air, I would directly leave for dinner tonight." "Okay" he brushed a hand over her head and on an afterthought bend down to kiss her hard. "What was that for?" She asked breathlessly. "That is because I love you." Hermione blushed and pushed him away. "Go have some boy time."
Harry was headed towards the Gryffindor Common Room but took a detour and headed towards the back entrance of the school to visit Hagrid. He passed many students, some fourth year girls from Ravenclaw and Gryffindor even tried to get his attention. The young boys were torn between admiring and hating Harry for his bravery and girl followers he had. Harry almost missed the black that flashed by him at the entrance. By the time Harry turned to see the familiar face Draco Malfoy was a good twenty steps away.
"Malfoy!" Harry yelled, Draco stopped abruptly and turned around to see Harry was walking slowly towards him. 'He doesn't look pissed' Draco thought but it was better to walk away from the crowed in case Potter had finally decided to beat him up for what happened to Granger at his house. He reached Harry before he could reach the crowded area. "Can you give me that parchment we signed yesterday?" "I don't think you can remove the signatures." Draco said with a frown, heart beating faster than before. He didn't wish to send a letter to the Minister of Magic or any other names that the Headmistress had suggested.
Harry rolled his eyes and said, "Hermione wants to sign, unless you got all of them." Draco Malfoy took a minute to get past the fact that Hermione Granger was agreeing to sign. "Umm yeaa … aa no there are two more signs I need." He took the parchment out of his robes and gave it to Harry. Just when they were parting ways, Draco cleared his throat and said, "You know she doesn't have to." Harry clenched his jaw at the awful memory and said "I know." Draco stood there watching Harry leave, guilt coursing through his mind and body.
Harry sat with Hagrid for hours talking about everything the past, present and future. Some things never change like no matter what he always felt little in front of Hagrid. Hugging him brought back the good memories starting with the one when he first found out he was a wizard. At almost dinner time he took his leave and realised he was supposed to meet Ron and Neville. When he neared the Great Hall many students were entering at once, he tried to spot a particulate red or brown head. "Harry" it was Neville, followed by Ron and Hermione. "Where did you disappear to mate? Hermione said it was ages ago you left to come see us?" Ron inquired. "I thought of saying a quick hi to Hagrid, but it wasn't quick enough." Harry explained sheepishly. Hermione smacked him hard at the back of his head, "You traitor!" She yelled, "How could you not tell us? Now Hagrid is going to think we don't care about him. Honestly Harry, how could you be so, so selfish?" She was truly disappointed. Ron was enjoying the bashing Harry was receiving and not him for a change. Hermione marched off leaving the boys by themselves. Ron patted Harry's back, who was nursing his wound. "This is bloody abuse!" Harry exclaimed and Ron laughed out loud saying, "Now you know!"
Since the pair finished their dinner earlier than usual they decided to head back to their dormitory and agreed to make rounds later than usual. Harry handed Hermione the parchment reminding her that she could always change her mind. Hermione went through the list, first was the Headmistress, next were her friends she knew Ronald was the last to sign, the following three signatures made her take a minute to think. "How have Fred, George and Hagrid signed? Even if I force myself to think that Malfoy must have gone to Hagrid but Fred and George, how is that possible?" She was puzzled. "Umm I was wondering the same about Fred and George and I met Malfoy before going to Hagrid, so I just asked Hagrid if he would sign and he agreed." Hermione nodded slowly digesting this information but wondering about the twin brothers. "C'mon let's get done with our rounds." Hermione stood up and folded the parchment into her back pocket.
On their rounds Harry and Hermione always found at least one pair making out in a Broomsticks cupboard or behind the Gargoyles. Tonight they had docked ten points from Gryffindor and Hufflepuff respectively for the very same reason. On their first catch Harry had decided if they found a couple in a creative place they won't deduce any point for that one time. Only after a lot of convincing did Hermione finally agree to Harry's silly rule. So far they only caught them in cupboards, class rooms and one time in the Gryffindor Common Room. They were near the Astronomy tower and heard familiar noises. Hermione rolled her eyes at whoever had decided it was a good place for a make out! "We have to let them go with a warning Hermione." "Harry…" Hermione started but was cut off when they reached the couple is question.
Good for Ginny she was in no wardrobe malfunction situation. Draco and she had just been kissing; this was only their second union but the first mutually decided one. The two pairs kept staring at each other lost for words. Ginny wanted to say something but she had difficulty in deciding who to approach first Harry or Hermione. Hermione was the first to get her senses to work; she removed the parchment from her back pocket and handed it to Draco Malfoy, who initially thought she was reaching for her wand, though a punch in the face was more of her style…at least when it came to him. Hermione walked away with a blank mind, all Head Girl duties forgotten. Draco looked at Harry who was staring at Ginny with a frown. He took after Hermione not allowing himself to think much.
"Grang…Hermi…Damn it. Granger!" no name sounded right on his tongue. "I did not expect you to sign, thank you." Hermione could only nod which was probably not enough for Draco because he continued. "And I am sorry for what happened…that day… and for everything else too." Draco Malfoy just realised how important her forgiveness was to him. "Listen, I know an apology covers or means nothing but you need to understand neither I nor my mother was in any position to stop…her. He … He was mad at us and would have killed us all. Please try to understand. I could do nothing." Hermione took a shaky breath and said, "I do understand, and that is why I signed. I hope you and your mother do well." She did not find it necessary to explain her hasty departure of the day before. They awkwardly looked at each other not knowing what to do next.
In the meantime Ginny finally spoke up. "Harry I am sorry…" she started but was cut off when Harry interrupted her unnecessary apology. "There is nothing you need to apologies for…at least not to me. I just hope you are not making any bad choices because of me. You are a smart girl Ginny and I am not going to judge you. I take it that Fred and George have signed because of you?" she nodded. He did the same. "Does Ron know?" Harry wanted to be careful around Ron, he was definitely the most laid back person he knew but certain matters could set him off worse than any other. "He…did observe me and Draco at the lake yesterday but he doesn't know about this." She waved in the general of the current surrounding. "And not about Fred and George signing either…unless they spoke to Ron."
With nothing more to say and the late hour he said, "If you are caught again we will be forced to take house points." Harry felt his tone was too rude, so he added, "Ginny please take care of yourself Hermione and I would always be there if you need us." Harry and Draco walked across each other for the second time. Draco had unfolded the parchment expecting number ten to be unsigned but was surprised to see it was signed by Hermione and the ninth was a very poor writing which read 'Hagrid'. Draco turned at called out, "Potter." Still holding Hermione's hand he turned, Draco lifted the parchment and said a genuine thanks to which Harry simply nodded and raised his hand slightly in a way to say goodbye.
"Do you think they will talk to your brother about tonight?" "I don't know" she replied in a small voice. "Well let's hope they don't. For my sake" he added "And mine?" Draco chuckled and draped his arm over her shoulder "And yours."
AN: Share your thoughts!