Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN ANY OF THESE CHARACTERS!
Chapter 26
Hermione sighed contentedly as she enjoyed the sensation of Draco's fingertips brushing through her hair in smooth strokes. She leaned her forehead to his chest and breathed in deeply to inhale his scent.
Hmmm.
Cinnamon with an odd mixture of ash from the recent battle of Hogwarts.
She felt Draco's arms circling around her, pulling her closely tight to him. He lowered his face to kiss the top of her head, feeling as if this was the first time in so long he felt peaceful.
"I really have to go now." Hermione grinned sheepishly, tilting her head to look up to those gray eyes.
Draco made a face and slid his hand down from her hair to her cheek. "D'you remember what I told you before I.. er.. I-
"Before you erased my memories?" Hermione asked, smirking.
Draco winced, leaning back but not releasing her. "Yes. But, do you remember what I told you... before I did that?''
Hermione's face slowly morphed into a grin. "When you prefess your undying love to me?"
He scowled, his face flushing red. "I did no such thing."
Hermione raised an eyebrow, pulling away from him completely and crossing her arms. "Oh, my mistake. So, were you not the one who said that you love me? 'Cause if not, then what am I even doing here? I have other things to do-
Draco hushed her with his lips pressing into hers, for the first time since she got her memories back. She could feel her heart beat take up speed, and could swear that Draco could hear it as well. She pulled him closer, feeling safe, and letting herself go to the feeling of his soft lips moving against hers.
"I love you." Draco said breathlessly, barely pulling away. "Was that what you wanted to hear, you stubborn bint?"
Hermione laughed, smacking his chest. "Don't be so mean!"
Draco scoffed, "What! Here I am, doing something totally unlike me, and what are you doing? Laughing at my pathetic-ness for doing what a bloody Hufflepuff would do."
He shot her a glare, trying to look angry, but failed miserably.
Hermione rolled her eyes, taking his hand. "Pathetic-ness is not even a word, Draco... I-
"Hermione!"
They both gasped and turned around to see Ron and Harry looking around, searching for her.
Draco tightened his grip on her hand and pulled her behind a wider tree inside the Forbidden Forest. "Damn those two gits for bad timing."
Hermione laughed softly, not wanting to be heard. She placed a hand behind his neck and pulled his face closer so she could reach up and peck his lips. "You already know how I feel about you. Why do you think I'm here with you, instead of my other two best friends?"
Draco raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Well, it is obvious. But, it'd be nice to hear it, don't you think?"
Hermione rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time but grinned sadly, "Draco, I really need to-
"Hermione, where are you!"
"Calm down, Ron, she said she was tired-
"No, Harry, I saw her walking over here after we went to see Dumbledore's portrait in his office."
Hermione bit her lip nervously, "I'm sorry, Draco." She whispered hurriedly, "I really have to go!"
Draco sighed, "That's hardly fair! You spent the whole school year with those two gits, and you can't even spend a whole night with me?"
Hermione looked pained, "Draco, not now, please. I- I promise I'll visit you at the Manor."
Draco scoffed, "What? My parents would be there-
"Then apparate to that park we went to, near my house in the Muggle world. Can you do that?"
He hesitated before letting out a long breath. "Alright, fine. Tomorrow?"
"I'm not sure... D'you still have that fake galleon?"
"Of course."
"I'll signal you when."
Draco nodded, sighing again. "Alright then."
Hermione bit her lip impatiently, "I'm sorry, I really have to go now."
Before she could turn around to leave him, he grabbed her arm and pulled her in for another kiss. Immediately, she wrapped her arms around his neck as he backed them both towards the tree where they were safely hidden. To her sudden surprise, he disconnected the kiss for only a short second.
He gave her a mischievous wink before taking her waist and roughly slamming her body to the tree. Hermione opened her mouth to yell at him, but found she was unable to because his lips was already attacking hers as he pressed his body into hers. Draco pulled away, but kept his lips on her skin by giving small kisses to the side of her mouth, to her jaw, and down to the side of her neck.
"Draco, you git." Hermione whispered, breathing heavily as she lightly pulled on his soft hair.
She could practically feel his smile as his lips continued on massaging the skin of her lower jaw.
"I'm telling you, I could have sworn I saw her, Harry."
Finally, Draco pulled away, giving her a wicked grin seeing her flushed expression. Hermione scowled back at him and pinched his arm.
"Ouch!" He yelped softly, glaring at her. "What was that for!"
Hermione grinned, shaking her head. "For being a prat." She reached up and pecked his cheek. "Now, I mean it this time, I have to go!"
Draco rolled his eyes, "Fine, fine, fine."
She smiled, bringing his hand to her lips. "You're the best, Draco. You really are."
"I know." Draco shrugged.
"See you soon."
Draco watched in amusement as Hermione straightened her clothes to appear presentable. She shot him another playful glare and turned around, running towards her friends.
He sighed with a small smile on his face. For once in a long time, Draco felt content now that Hermione's old self is back.
.
.
"Harry! Ron!"
"Hermione! I told you, Harry, I told you I saw her! Hermione!" Ron beamed, opening his arms as Hermione came closer to them.
She paused for only a second, before throwing her arms around him. "Hey!"
"Where were you?" Ron asked, as Hermione pulled away to give Harry a hug also.
"I.. er.. I went for a walk. Needed some air, and to think." Hermione shrugged.
"At this hour?" Ron asked skeptically.
"Well, yes." Hermione nodded, "It feels quiet now, don't you think? Seven hours ago, this place was filled with mayhem and curses flying around."
"But, why were you there in the Forbidden Forest?" Ron pressed on, taking her hand. "I know Voldemort's dead now, but still."
"Exactly." Hermione sighed, squeezing his hand. "Which means there's nothing to fear anymore, right Harry?"
"Huh?" Harry asked, looking distracted as he teared his eyes away from the Forbidden Forest to look at Hermione. "I'm sorry, what?"
Hermione frowned, "You alright?"
Harry gave her a forced smile, "Great. What do we do now?"
"Mum wants us all to head back and help clean up this mess." Ron sighed, nodding back towards the broken castle of their school. "She doesn't even know I'm gone... It's like being stuck to glue. She doesn't want any of us out of her sight, ever since..."
He stopped, looking down as if he was ashamed to look pained.
Hermione wrapped her arms around him and felt him hugging her back. Harry stepped forward and put his hand on Ron's shoulder, for comfort. No words could be exchanged, for Harry and Hermione had no idea what to tell Ron. All they knew was that Ron was hurting for losing someone permanently from his family.
"Let's go." Ron sighed, taking Hermione's hand.
He gave her a small smile and leaned forward to kiss her forehead, not noticing the flicker of pain on her face. He turned around and lead them towards Hogwarts.
"Ron?"
He turned around to face Harry, "Yeah, mate?''
"You go ahead, I need to talk to Hermione about something Muggle-related." Harry grinned at him.
Ron frowned, "Muggle-related? What is it?"
"It's nothing to worry about." Harry said, "I just need to ask her about Muggle flats that I could live in for a while."
Ron, still looking confused, nodded. He let go of Hermione's hand, and walked away, "See you two back."
Harry waited until Ron was out of ear shot, before turning back to Hermione.
"What is it, Harry?'' Hermione asked, looking concerned. "If you're looking for a flat, you can stay at my house, if you want? Mum and dad isn't there yet, and we don't have to-
"I'm not looking for a flat." Harry said.
Hermione frowned, "But you just told Ron-
"It was an excuse." Harry sighed impatiently.
"Oh." Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Then what-
"I saw you two." Harry interrupted her, crossing his arms.
Hermione stared at him, confused. "What?"
"I saw you two. Earlier after we went to see Dumbledore's portrait. Ron saw you coming here, but I saw you two together." Harry said in a flat accusing tone.
Hermione continued staring at him, but this time shocked and taken aback. "Harry, wha- I don't understand what you're talking about."
Harry glared at her, "You know perfectly well what I'm talking about, Hermione! How could you do this? And to Ron!"
"What are you-
"Bloody hell, Hermi- I SAW YOU AND MALFOY TOGETHER!" Harry roared, feeling as if he was losing control.
Honestly, does she think he's stupid? He may not be the brightest student at Hogwarts, but he knew what he saw. And it was his best friend tightly wrapped up with none other than that Muggle-hating Death Eater, Draco Malfoy.
Hermione felt as if her breath was taken from her. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think, and couldn't say a word, except standing there all rigidly and stare at him with her eyes wide.
"Harry-
"What about Ron, Hermione? You- I was there! Correct me if I'm wrong, but you were the one who snogged Ron, right? And now, what is this I'm seeing next? You and Malfoy snogging?"
"Harry, please, let me-
"You know Ron fancied you! Even I knew it! It was painfully obvious! I honestly thought you felt the same way!" Harry continued yelling, ignoring her. "and to Malfoy, what were you thinking! D'you not remember what he did these past years? How-
"Please, just listen to me!" Hermione yelled back, interrupting him. She furiously wiped the tears away from her eyes and stared at him. "You don't understand-
"What don't I understand, huh?" Harry scoffed, looking at her with disgust.
"He's my best friend, Harry-
"What?" He asked, scrunching his face in confusion. "Are you- Have you lost your mind!"
"No! I'm serious!" Hermione stomped her foot on the ground, feeling frustrated. "I'm telling you the truth! We were best friends since we were five! We met in a Muggle bookstore and-
"You've lost it." Harry said simply, turning away from her.
"No!" Hermione grabbed his arm to prevent him from leaving. "I'm not! I'll give you a glimpse of my memories if I have to! Draco isn't a bad guy, Harry! Please, just believe me, don't be like this! I know he seems like a-
"Alright, stop." Harry sighed, rubbing his forehead with his hands. "Just... let me think."
Hermione let go of his arms and nodded, biting her lip and continued on to wipe the tears from her face.
Harry sighed again and opened his eyes to look at her. "Let's take this one by one, okay? What are you going to do about Ron?"
Hermione sobbed, looking down. "I don't know! I care about him, but I don't know, Harry!"
He nodded, "Alright. What are you going to do about Draco?"
"I'm telling you, I don't know!" Hermione yelled, stomping her foot again and bringing her hands to her head. "I'm so confused, Harry! I love both of them dearly, but I don't know!"
Harry took a step forward and took one of her hands with his. He squeezed her hand and asked gently, "Want to tell me more about Mal- Draco?"
Hermione's lips quivered as more tears started pouring. "Oh, Harry, he's lovely. We both met at a Muggle bookstore when we were younger. I remembered he said he couldn't talk to me because I'm a Muggle, but that time I thought it meant strangers. So we introduced ourselves to each other and became friends. But then we haven't seen each other in years, until we came back to Hogwarts."
"Did you know it was him?"
"Not at first, no. I didn't know until that necklace he wore. I gave him a friendship necklace when we were five. Remember that day he got attacked by Buckbeak in third year?"
Harry smirked at the memory, "Yes. How can I not?"
Hermione laughed, "Yes, well, his necklace fell to the ground. I saw it."
"So that's what you were looking at..." Harry said, thoughtfully.
Hermione nodded, "Yes. Anyway, I guess he found out too, when he saw my necklace and ever since then we kept our friendship in private..."
Harry sighed, shaking his head. "This is bizarre. He's a Death Eater, Hermione. He called you a Mudblood, and he watched you get tortured at his own home!"
"He's not truly a Death Eater! He war forced to get it! I saw the mark, Harry, he wasn't willing. As for the torture, he couldn't do anything! He did, however, stopped it short by trying to distract his Aunt."
Harry still looked unconvinced.
"Besides," Hermione continued, "at the end of sixth year, he erased my memories of our friendship because he was trying to protect me. Oh, don't give me that look, Harry! You went about trying to get killed by Voldemort, because you wanted to protect us, as well!"
"That's not the same!" Harry said in annoyance.
"I forgave him for calling me a Mudblood. And when I got tortured, surprisingly, I got my memories back. I think it was the necklace that helped, too. And, he wasn't willing to obliviate me so the spell wasn't that strong, I'm sure." Hermione continued on. "Harry, he's just... I love him."
"As a friend or as.. something else?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow.
Hermione bit her lip and looked away, not saying anything for a long time. "I'm not... I don't know.. I just care about him so much. I've known him for so long, Harry. If something happens to both of them, I don't know what I'll do."
"What about Ron, though?"
Hermione sighed. "Ron's amazing, too. He's been my only source of comfort during our times looking for the horcruxes. I admit, there are times when I would get this feeling of giddiness whenever he smiles or compliments me, but... Harry, don't ask me again, I don't know!"
Harry shook his head, staring at the lake. "You need to sort this out, Hermione. You can't go around holding hands with Ron, making him think you feel the same way as he to you, while you go behind his back to snog Malfoy."
Hermione glared at him and lied, "That was truly the first time we both kissed!"
She knew she was lying, but having to hear him say that as if she was Lavender Brown made her angry.
Harry shrugged, turning to look at her. "I'm still not sure what to feel and think about this whole you and Malfoy thing, but Ron's my best mate as well. You need to sort this out and tell him the truth, Hermione. Or both of you will end up hurt. Trust me."
Hermione nodded, looking down and feeling ashamed.
Honestly, what is she supposed to do?
Draco and Ron are two completely different people! Ron's just easy to get along and his aura makes her feel at ease. She didn't forget the feeling a jealousy during sixth year when she saw Ron and Lavender were sucking each others faces off.
But for Draco, he can be unpredictable if he wanted to be by challenging her. He could drive Hermione insane one day and the next day, make her heart accelerate with excitement. Whenever she goes into one of their secret meetings, she felt happier than spending time with her Gryffindor friends.
It felt as if Draco was forbidden, because of all those evil people his family was with. But with Ron? It was just safe and... easy.
But that's the thing for Hermione...
She never went for things that are easy.
She loved challenges.
"Hermione?"
She shook her head to clear away her thoughts, turning to Harry. "Yes?"
"You okay?" Harry asked, frowning.
No. "Yes."
"Do you want to go back to Hogwarts now with Ron?"
No, I rather be with Draco. "Yes, lets go. Ginny might be waiting for you."
Harry nodded and wrapped an arm around her, "I just want to say, if you're best friends with the Ferret, make sure he stays away from Ron. But if you don't mind him being beat up, then by all means-
"Harry!"
He laughed, "C'mon, Hermione, I already accepted the insane fact that you two had been secret friends for, I don't know how many years, you can't expect me to be friends with him too."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "He tried befriending you first, remember?"
Harry scowled, "Still. He's a right foul git."
Hermione sighed impatiently, "Let's just go. The Weasley's will be wondering where we are."
Harry nodded, as they continued walking towards the castle. "Just... think about it, alright Hermione? I don't want you to get hurt, either. I think you should tell them both something, so you can have some space to think who you choose to be with."
Hermione nodded, "Thanks Harry."
He shrugged, "You're not a little girl, anymore. The choices you make is your own to choose."
Hermione took his hand and squeezed it, feeling glad that he understood.
.
.
"Where have you been?" Lucius Malfoy asked, once Draco apparated inside the Manor.
"School?" Draco asked confusion, "I mean, you saw me. I was there-
"With Miss Granger?"
Draco stared at him for a full minute before taking a step back, shocked. "What?"
"Have you lost your sense of hearing, Draco?" Lucius asked, "I asked if you were with that Granger girl."
Draco swallowed hard before answering, "I've no idea what you're talking about."
"Don't lie to me, Draco." Lucius snapped, "I saw that little episode between you and that Mud-
"Don't."
"-blood when your Aunt had the joy of torturing her, and I must say-
"What?" Draco interrupted him, "Whatever you have to say, I'm sure it won't matter. Hermione's a great witch and I think it's time for our family to realize that Muggle-borns are not so different from Half-bloods and Purebloods."
Lucius raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything.
Draco swallowed a lump from his throat and continued, "Potter won, father. I don't care what you say, I still lo- she's still my best friend, and-
"Exactly." Lucius interrupted in a dead tone.
Draco frowned in confusion, "What?"
Lucius smirked knowingly, "As I was saying, before you had the nerve to interrupt me, I approve this friendship between you and that Mud- Granger."
Draco stared at his father for a long time.
What is he playing at?
"What?" Draco asked, shaking his head.
"I say, are you sure you haven't lost your hearing?" Lucius snapped impatiently.
Draco scowled. "I don't understand what you're saying. You mean you're okay with me and Hermione-
"Yes." Lucius smirked, "Don't you see? The more you get close to Granger, the high chances our family's name goes to good grace. Get close to her and Potter, that way he can come to our trial and tell the Aurors we were under the imperious curse-
"No!" Draco snapped, "I'm not using Hermione like that just so you can restore the Malfoy name-
"Doesn't matter." Lucius said nonchalantly. "You're still befriending that Mudblood so sooner or later, everyone will know we made a big mistake and all will be forgiven."
Draco stared at his father, thinking he's gone crazy. How dare he think he's befriending Hermione just to gain grace back to the light? He's not like that.
"You want me to use her for your own gain." Draco said angrily.
"I must say, Draco," Lucius laughed, "That's a good idea you've got. But yes. You are correct."
Draco shook his head, "I'm going to my room. This is ridiculous-
"Why won't you invite that girl over, Draco? I'm sure your mother would want to know what kind of... pet you're keeping." Lucius called out, watching as his son walked away from him.
"Piss off." Draco muttered under his breath.
Lucius gripped his cane and thought with a smirk, There's hope for that boy after all...
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soo i lied.. maybe there might be 4 or 5 chapters instead of 3 or less haha i had some ideas that I wanted to add into the story.. if you guys don't mind, that is!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DRACO MALFOY, YOU AMAZING BOUNCING TWITCHY LITTLE FERRET!
lol reviews reviews reviews! i love reading your guys reviews and messages of telling me to update LOL it makes me feel gidddyyy hehe