A/N: Okay, next chapter. Hopefully, it's long enough. More changes between Draco and Hermione coming up! :) :) Hehe. Next chapter: Harry and Hermione go to the Burrow and Hermione has a lonnnng talk with Ginny. :) Aha. Woo-hoo. Anywayyyy. Lotsa different/important parts in here. Read, enjoy, annd review to tell me whatcha thought!
Thanks so much guys. You make my day with your reviews! I'm so glad you like the story.
xx-Mione-Fan-xx
All's Fair in Love and War
Chapter 35
It seemed Hermione had only just fallen asleep when she was being rudely awakened. "Hermione! Hermione, please wake up!"
"Wha…? What is it?" Hermione murmured sleepily, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. She squinted at the small figure above her and realized it was second year Hailey Lander. "What's going on, Hailey?"
"It's H-Harry… Seamus Finnegan is in the common room and he woke me up, hollering. When I came down he told me to wake you immediately, saying something about Harry." Hailey explained in a rush. Her words brought Hermione to a state of alertness instantly.
"Harry?" Hermione demanded, eyes wide as she threw back her covers and grabbed a robe on her way out the door. "Thanks Hailey!"
"Hermione!" Seamus cried as soon as he saw her. "Sorry to wake you… but bloody hell… Harry, he woke me up just now. He's yelling in his sleep. I reckon he's dreaming again, and normally Ron can wake him up, but Ron's not here and I can't get the bloody bloke to wake up…" Seamus said following Hermione in her mad rush up the dormitory stairs to the boys' room.
Harry was lying on his bed, the covers on the floor, thrashing madly. He was screaming painfully, and sweat glistened on his forehead. "Oh God… Harry!" Hermione gasped, running to his bed and throwing herself beside him.
She brushed his hair away from his forehead. "Harry wake up. Wake up, it's only a dream," She insisted, yelling a bit to get over his screaming.
"NO! Leave 'em alone! Get away!" Harry cried, not waking from his nightmare. Hermione groaned.
"Seamus can you summon my wand for me?" She asked quietly, not looking away from her sleeping best friend. The Irish boy quickly hollered a summoning spell.
"Harry, c'mon, it's not real. It's just a nightmare. Voldemort can't get you," Hermione said, trying to remain calm. She tapped his cheeks, shook his shoulders but it was all to no avail. Normally, Harry woke easily; just shake his shoulder or even say his name. But when he was having a nightmare, it was awful trying to wake him.
Hermione caught her wand as it flew into her hand and pointed it at Harry. "Aguamenti," She murmured, watching as a small jet of water flew into Harry's face. Her jaw dropped when he just spluttered through it and remained asleep.
"What the…?" She whispered. He was never this hard to wake. "Rictusempra," She tried next and a silver light shot out of her wand. But while the boy twitched even more, he didn't wake. "Finite," She huffed and then mentally smacked herself.
"Finite Incantatem," She nearly shouted, and Harry's eyes immediately snapped open.
"Hermione? Why am I all wet?" He slurred sleepily, rubbing a hand along his face. Hermione murmured a hot air charm and dried off his pajamas and face. Harry mumbled thanks and then reached for his glasses.
"What do you remember? Where was he? The slimy git wouldn't let you wake up. He was somehow keeping you asleep," Hermione said, taking a deep breath as she removed the hot air charm.
"Huh? Oh, well I reckon it was wherever he's been hiding… He was showing me things… awful things…" Harry said absently, his green eyes haunted.
"How on Earth did he cast a spell on you in your sleep?" Hermione murmured angrily.
Harry shrugged, and yawned. "God, Hermione, I can't even sleep safely anymore," He muttered in annoyance.
"No, you can," She argued, shaking her head. "You just need to cast proper security spells upon yourself before you sleep, to keep him from reaching you. When you're asleep, you're extremely vulnerable and he knows that. He used his connection like he did in fifth year, but this time he went too far. He placed some sort of curse on you to prevent you from waking up. My God, I even doused you with water, and cast rictusempra on you."
"How'd you finally wake me up?" Harry asked, frowning.
"Finite Incantatem," She murmured thoughtfully.
"He obviously used the connection to cast the curse," Harry said, covering another yawn. "I don't really care what curse it was, but I need to know how to prevent it from happening again,"
"Right well, you lot get on with that. I'm going back to bed," Seamus muttered, yawning loudly. "G'night,"
"Thanks for getting me, Seamus," Hermione said absently, mentally thinking up a list of possible curses Voldemort may have used on Harry. "Well, the library is closed for the night, so we're going to have to wait for morning. D'you want to come sleep in the common room? That way, I'll wake up if it happens again…"
Harry seemed reluctant, but seeing the determined look on his best friend's face he nodded.
"All right, c'mon then," Hermione said standing up and leaving the dorm. Harry discarded his sweaty t-shirt and pulled on a fresh one before following her.
Hermione was sitting in the armchair, a book in her hands already. Harry sighed and lay on the sofa. "Hermione, honestly, worry about it tomorrow. I reckon I'll be all right tonight,"
Hermione only mumbled something in agreement, her eyes glued to the text.
Harry shook his head. "Get some sleep," He said, taking his wand and summoning the book straight out of her hands.
"Harry!" She cried in protest, but he shot her a fierce look. With a huff, she rolled her eyes and plopped onto the other sofa.
"Night Hermione," Harry muttered, rolling onto his side. She didn't answer him, and he smiled. It wasn't long before he was fast asleep again.
As soon as Hermione heard his breathing deepen, she summoned her book back from him and opened it. In the light of the dying flames, she skimmed book after book, determined to find out how to help Harry.
Every so often, she'd glance over at him but he seemed to be sleeping peacefully. She sighed, and finally dropped the last book she had been perusing, her eyelids dreadfully heavy.
The next morning, Hermione woke up to an empty common room. She didn't know where Harry had gone, but assumed he didn't want her dragging him to the library.
She rolled her eyes at that, and after a quick shower, she headed to the Great Hall for a hurried breakfast.
She was surprised at how empty the Great Hall was. Dumbledore had moved the tables back to normal. No Gryffindors sat at the Gryffindor table. And the Slytherin table was also completely empty, with Malfoy not there. A few Ravenclaws sat eating quietly as well as a couple of Hufflepuffs.
Hermione sat down at the end of the table, and grabbed a couple of pieces of toast. Digging in her bag, she grabbed another book out of her bag that she hadn't read the night before.
This book was called Uncommon Spells and Hermione read the chapter on sleeping charms. But all it said was nonsense about using a sleeping charm instead of a sleeping draught. Sleeping charms were more dangerous though, for if improperly casted, they could render the castor asleep permanently.
Hermione sighed impatiently and snapped the book shut. She popped the last piece of toast into her mouth and rose to go to the library. When she slung her shoulder bag over her shoulder and turned, she crashed abruptly into a solid chest.
Harry's hands grabbed her arms before she could fall and she smiled thankfully at him, before she frowned. "Where've you been?" She demanded.
"Flying," He answered with a shrug. "I woke up early and you were still sleeping…"
"Oh, I thought you were trying to dodge going to the library," She murmured with a smile. He grinned innocently.
"Me? Never…" He said and she swatted him.
"Have you eaten already?" She asked and he nodded. "Good, let's go," She said, grabbing his arm and pulling him from the Great Hall.
On the way out, they ran into Malfoy. Hermione was surprised to see dark circles under the blonde's eyes. Clearly, he hadn't slept well. She curiously wondered why?
"Potter, Granger," Malfoy said sleepily, inclining his head to them both.
"Morning Malfoy," Hermione said absently, already walking away from the Slytherin. Harry glanced in surprise back at Malfoy, as he was still being tugged by Hermione, and then muttered "Malfoy."
"What, no insults?" Harry asked under his breath. Hermione didn't answer him.
They arrived at the library and Hermione dropped her bag onto a table and then immediately went into the aisles.
Harry sat at a table, and waited for her to return with a load of books. He didn't have to wait long. She sat down beside him and her levitating pile fell onto the table with a bang – which earned them a glare from Madam Pince.
"All right, let's get started," Hermione murmured, grabbing the first book.
"Right, I'm just going to write to Ron first and let him know what's going on," Harry said, grabbing a piece of parchment from her bag. She nodded.
He could hear her mumbling as she read and he scribbled away. Stuff like "ridiculous" or "such rubbish" would reach his ears. Or she'd just snort loudly, and slam the book shut, moving onto another one.
They were there almost all day before Hermione finally found something. "Harry! Listen to this… 'The foremo somnus curse is a very powerful form of magic used only by experienced wizards or witches. It can be used to keep someone in an eternal slumber. The victim can only be awoken from the castor himself or an outside person. The curse can be removed with a simple 'finite incantatem'. However, no other spell will work to awaken the victim. The counter spell to this curse is 'resurrectios', but this can only be performed by the castor.' This must be what Voldemort placed on you!"
"Great," Harry said sarcastically, sighing. "And is there any way to protect the mind from such a spell?" He asked and Hermione read further.
"Well, it says that a simple 'protego' would suffice, but it wouldn't last all night. It would help to shield you temporarily though. You would need to block your mind from Voldemort."
"I know, but it's just…" Harry dragged a hand through his hair in frustration.
Hermione placed a hand on his arm. "It's hard when you're asleep… I know. I'll look for some other way,"
Another few hours went by, and the closing time for the library was approaching. Harry's stomach was growling angrily from hunger and his eyes wouldn't stay open.
"There's claudonmens,but I don't know how well it will work. It should work against the curse… it's used as a treatment for schizophrenia in wizards and witches… It has to be performed by someone else other than you though. We could try it along with 'protego'." Hermione said thoughtfully, chewing on her cheek.
"It's worth a try right?" Harry murmured tiredly.
Hermione nodded absently, reading the text still. Finally, she closed the book with a sigh, put her hands in her hair and said, "All right, we can try it. What time is it?"
Harry checked his wizarding watch, "9:24,"
Hermione's stomach growled. "Darn, missed the meals today. Kitchens?"
Harry gave a lazy grin and nodded as he stood up. He held out a hand and pulled her to her feet. Silently, they gathered the books that Hermione wanted to check out and then left the library.
On the way there, Hermione had a furious inner debate with herself. She wanted to tell Harry about Malfoy. She felt she had betrayed both Harry and Ron by willingly kissing, and allowing herself to be kissed by Malfoy. But she couldn't tell Harry much about Malfoy himself, for she had promised not to tell the boys about Malfoy's feelings.
She decided to reveal as much as she could, one step at a time. She would tell Harry, for he was the mellower of the two – not counting fifth year. "Harry? Can I ask you something?"
"Sure," He said, turning his head to look at her as he walked. "You can ask me anything Hermione,"
She smiled, moving closer to loop her arm through his. "I know. Just try not to get angry with me." He frowned but didn't say anything. "What would you do if you found out I had kissed the enemy?"
His brows furrowed in confusion. "I… would probably ask if he had done anything to you."
"And if he hadn't?" She asked nervously, looking at the ground.
"I would ask if you were sane… if you were feeling okay…" Harry said slowly. "Hermione, did you kiss Malfoy?"
Hermione was surprised. She knew Harry was perceptive, at least more so than Ron, but she hadn't expected him to guess correctly right away. "Um, well yes. The first time was because of a mistletoe, so that really wasn't my fault, though I can't say it was revolting at all and –"
"Wait, first time? You mean you've kissed him more than once?" Harry asked clearly shocked.
Hermione felt her heartbeat speed up nervously. "Erm, yes. Y'see, I was getting to that. The next time was completely his fault. He was sort of emotional, I guess. And the time after that…"
"How many times have you kissed him?" Harry asked bewildered. "How often have you had the chance to?" He added as an afterthought.
Hermione could hear the underlying tone of anger. She glanced around the empty halls nervously. "A few times. Please don't be angry with me. I don't know what's come over me. He makes me…feel odd. I don't like him, honest. I just… I just don't know!"
"I'm…" Harry stopped talking and took a deep breath. "I'm not angry with you,"
"Malfoy really isn't that bad, despite the fact that he's tormented us for six and a half school years and is going to be a Death Eater… Oh God, what am I doing?!" Hermione stopped walking abruptly, as she listened to herself speak. She had willingly kissed an almost Death Eater. Her enemy, Harry's enemy, Voldemort's future follower!
"Hermione? Are you all right?" Harry asked, stopping beside her and removing her hands from her face. Hermione realized she was shaking.
"I'm so sorry Harry. I can't believe I've kissed him! I don't understand what he's doing to me. I can't even explain it!" Hermione cried, nearly hysterically.
"Listen, don't worry about it. You're sure he hasn't hexed you or anything?" Harry asked in concern. She shook her head firmly. Harry took another deep breath. "All right, how does he make you feel?"
Hermione looked up in surprise. "He… I… like I fancy him or something! How I used to feel around Ron sometimes, except ten times worse!"
Harry slid down the wall, resting his back against it, and gestured for her to do the same. She did and he rubbed her arm. "Well, what's changed? He hates you, doesn't he? Or he did… And you hated him. How did that all change?"
Hermione stared at the wall across from her, not wanting to see Harry's expression when she confessed. "I… went to Hogsmeade with him the day everyone left for the break,"
"What?!" Harry snapped in surprise. "Hermione! Are you mental? Why would you trust him like that? Who knows what could have happened?!"
Hermione pulled her knees to her chest wearily. "I know, Harry. But... I dunno, I just trusted him. Anyway, we spent the day together and –"
"So you basically went on a date with him?" Harry said somewhat harshly. Hermione flinched.
"I guess you could call it that…" She said, chewing her lip worriedly. She glanced at him. His lips were pursed and she knew he was barely holding onto his temper.
"Hermione, he's Malfoy!" Harry said, pulling a face of disgust.
Hermione moaned and hid her face in her knees. "I know his name, thanks. I told you, I don't know what's come over me. I… he's different than I thought he was. He's not completely evil, even if he is going to be a Death Eater. I think he's just too afraid to choose any other choice."
"He's not someone to be pitied, Hermione. He's dangerous," Harry warned. Hermione nodded.
"He is, I know. I shouldn't trust him at all. But… I do, Harry and God only knows why!" She muttered, her words muffled from her knees.
"I suppose you want me to keep this from Ron," Harry said quietly. Hermione lifted her head, and bit her lip thoughtfully for a minute.
"He's going to flip," She said nervously. "D-don't tell him in a letter. I'll tell him when he gets back."
"I wish you had of told me you went to Hogsmeade alone with him. Damn it, I wish you would have told me before going at all," Harry said sighing. Hermione held back a wince at that.
"I don't want you to feel betrayed. I know he's our enemy and I made a mistake by kissing him but," she hesitated for a moment and then finished quietly, "I can't promise it won't happen again."
Harry squeezed his eyes shut. "And why is that?"
"Because it probably will happen again. He's…" Hermione looked away from Harry again, staring down the hall. A young student had just run passed. Hermione realized it was a Hufflepuff.
"Are you going to date him?" Harry asked in a guarded tone. Hermione looked back at him in shock, but his face was carefully neutral.
She swallowed. "Would you hate me if I did?"
His face immediately softened. "I'd never hate you. But I don't approve of it, Hermione. I really don't trust him at all. He may not be a Death Eater yet… but the fact remains that he's going to be. And that's going to kill you. I know you're strong and that you've been through everything. But a broken heart? That might break you,"
Hermione felt her eyes watering. She threw herself at Harry, wrapping her arms around him tightly.
Harry returned the hug awkwardly. Hermione's emotional outbursts always surprised and unnerved him. He never knew what to do around crying girls. He rubbed her back comfortingly, wondering why in Hell she was crying.
"I don't know what to do Harry," She babbled, pulling away from him and rubbing her face. "Logically, I know I should never be with him. We aren't meant to be; we're so different from each other. He's Slytherin, I'm Gryffindor. I fight for the Light, against Voldemort. He's going to be a Death Eater. He's callous, sarcastic, mean… He's supposed to hate everything I stand for. I'm muggleborn and he's pureblooded."
"But…?" Harry prodded, knowing the answer.
"But, every time I'm around him, I just want to forget everything else. I want to forget all of it. I want to kiss him!" She said wiping fresh tears away. "Is there something wrong with me?"
Harry smiled wearily. "Of course not," He said, getting to his feet. He held his hand out and she grasped it, allowing him to pull her up. Without saying a word, both Gryffindors began walking to their original destination: the kitchens. "Malfoy, on the other hand…"
Hermione laughed. "I don't know what to do," she repeated.
He shrugged. "I'm not an expert in the dating area as you well know, but most people would say go with your heart. In your case, I know you always go with your mind." He hesitated. "Maybe, you should try it out. It doesn't have to be a long relationship with him. Just see where it goes, and if he's going to be a Death Eater, then to Hell with him."
"But what if I fall for him? What if I do get my heart broken?" Her voice was quiet and her words made him smile sadly.
"What if you don't?" Harry said, knowing he was going against what he'd said two minutes ago, but he wanted to give her some kind of good advice. "You are strong Hermione. And… you should be able to survive something like a broken heart. I don't want you to do this, but maybe you have to. At least see where it goes."
"I don't believe I can change him, Harry. He's going to be a Death Eater. Can I really go through with that? Can I be okay having a relationship with him, knowing he may murder one of my friends in the future?" She said miserably. "I'll feel so… guilty."
Quietly, thoughtfully, Harry said, "What if you can change him? You said so yourself that you just think he's too afraid to take any other choice. You can give him that choice." He was unable to believe he was voting for Malfoy.
Hermione frowned. "That's such a wonderful thought. But I don't want to get my hopes up. So you think I should go for it?"
No, Harry thought bitterly. He groaned quietly. "I think you should wait till Gin gets back and talk to her about it. This is clearly a conversation for her."
Hermione chuckled, looping her arm through his again. "You know what? You're absolutely right. I should talk to her. Let's ask Dumbledore if we can visit the Burrow soon."
"Brilliant idea," Harry said grinned. She squeezed his arm.
"Thanks for talking to me about it though. And for not getting angry," Hermione said, biting her lip for the hundredth time that night.
"He'll get over it. You'll just have to give him time," Harry said, knowing what she was thinking. She nodded.
"I know," She said as they arrived at the kitchens. Harry released her arm and stepped forward to tickle the pear.
They ordered their food and sat at a table to eat in silence.
Draco was on his way to the pitch to get some practice and thinking time in. He wasn't watching where he was going, his thoughts on a Gryffindor girl, and had crashed into a smaller student.
The Hufflepuff gave a small shriek and immediately ran off, making Draco shake his head. It was nice to be feared sometimes.
He switched his broom to his other hand and returned to his thoughts. Granger. What to do? He had to get her to date him. His life may depend on it. He was coming up to a corner when he heard a voice he was becoming rapidly familiar with.
"…can't promise it won't happen again." Granger said. He recognized the next voice as Potter's.
"And why is that?" Potter's voice was bitter, slightly angry.
"Because it probably will happen again. He's…" Granger said sounding distracted.
"Are you going to date him?" Potter said, sounding wary. Draco realized with a start that they were talking about him!
"Would you hate me if I did?" asked Granger, making Draco's eyes widen in surprise. He peeked around the corner, and spotted Potter and Granger sitting side by side against the wall. He could only see the back of Granger's head, as she was looking at Potter. He could see Potter's face though.
"I'd never hate you. But I don't approve of it, Hermione. I really don't trust him at all." Draco smirked. Smart boy, that Potter. "He may not be a Death Eater yet… but the fact remains that he's going to be. And that's going to kill you. I know you're strong and that you've been through everything. But a broken heart? That might break you,"
Draco actually felt something at Potter's last words. It… almost hurt to know that Potter was right. Draco would eventually break her heart, when she found out his mission.
Granger suddenly launched herself into Potter's arms. Draco grimaced as a familiar twinge of jealousy rushed through him. He knew Potter and Granger were only friends, but he almost wished that Granger would treat Draco like that.
Bloody hell! Granger's shoulders were shaking. She was crying! Why? Girls are so emotional, Draco thought rolling his eyes.
"I don't know what to do Harry," Granger said as she pulled away. "Logically, I know I should never be with him. We aren't meant to be; we're so different from each other. He's Slytherin, I'm Gryffindor. I fight for the Light, against Voldemort. He's going to be a Death Eater. He's callous, sarcastic, mean… He's supposed to hate everything I stand for. I'm muggleborn and he's pureblooded."
"But…?" Potter asked, and Draco waited holding his breath.
"But, every time I'm around him, I just want to forget everything else. I want to forget all of it. I want to kiss him!" She said her voice breaking slightly. "Is there something wrong with me?"
Draco grinned at her words. Of course she thought that just because she fancied him, there was something wrong with her!
Potter smiled slightly. "Of course not," Potter got to his feet and offered a hand to Granger to pull her up. "Malfoy on the other hand…"
The duo began walking away from Draco, and Granger's laughter rang in Draco's ears. He was surprised Granger had admitted it to Potter. His eyes narrowed. Did she tell the Golden Boy about the Shrieking Shack? She had promised she wouldn't.
He desperately wanted to follow them and find out what Granger was going to do about the situation. But, he felt he had done enough eavesdropping and besides – the Quidditch field was calling his name.
The next day, Harry awoke feeling well rested. He hadn't dreamt at all that night. Hermione had performed the spell on him, and he slept fitfully with no sign of Voldemort in his mind.
He realized it was rather late in the morning and that Hermione was either still sleeping – which he doubted- or already at the Great Hall since she wasn't in the common room. So he walked to the Great Hall alone, and then changed his mind.
Going back to his room, he grabbed his map. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good," He said as he tapped his wand to it. He immediately spotted Hermione in the Great Hall, and then searched it for Malfoy. He found him on the way to the Hall.
Closing the map, Harry hurried to the where he expected Malfoy to be. He didn't exactly know what he was going to do, but knew he needed to confront Malfoy alone and without Hermione's knowledge.
He came face to face with the blonde just before the Great Hall, nearly colliding with him.
Malfoy scowled. "What d'you want Potter?"
"I'd like to talk to you," Harry said urgently, grabbing Malfoy's robe and pulling him down the corridor. He searched for an empty classroom and then shoved the protesting Malfoy inside.
"Bloody – Potter! I'm hungry!" Malfoy complained, folding his arms over his chest angrily. Harry ignored it.
"We need to talk," He said firmly.
"Blimey, always knew you were gay. Sorry, not interested," Malfoy said mockingly.
Harry decided to ignore that too. He had more important things to talk about. "It's about Hermione,"
Malfoy only raised his eyebrows. "What about her?"
"What do you want with her?"
"Ah, so she told you. What all did she tell you?" Malfoy suddenly looked wary.
"Just that you guys basically had a date –"
"Aha! So she admits it!"
"- and kissed a lot. Again, I ask, what do you want with her?" Harry snapped, noticing Malfoy give a small breath of relief.
"I don't want anything with her," Malfoy said scowling.
"Bullocks. You've instigated the kisses, don't lie."
Malfoy rolled his eyes. "Unable to believe it may have been your precious Granger who did it?" Harry went to speak but Malfoy continued, "Because as a matter of fact, she kissed me the other night."
Harry sighed. "I don't really care about that right now. I just want to know whether you're planning to hurt her because I swear Malfoy, if you are…"
Malfoy stared down at him in amusement. Harry inwardly cursed Malfoy's height on him. "All right Potter, so I've kissed her a few times. If she wants it to be more, then it will be. At the moment, however, it has just been kisses."
"Why? You hate her for God's sake!" Harry exclaimed in exasperation.
"I don't answer to you Potter. Why I do something is none of your business." Malfoy said haughtily. Harry glared at him.
"It is when it concerns my best friend," He said in a low voice.
"Too bad," Malfoy sneered and wrenched open the classroom door and storming away before Harry could say anything.
Harry groaned. That would have gone better if he had of had Ron with him. Next time…
Hermione was waiting for Harry in the Great Hall. She had already eaten, and knew he'd be down shortly, so she had pulled out a book.
Every time someone came in she looked up. It took her a few times before she realized she wasn't only waiting for Harry. She was anticipating seeing Malfoy. Goodness…
It was quarter after ten when she finally saw the blonde come sauntering in. He seemed irked about something. He paused in the doorway, his grey eyes scanning the Hall. Hermione looked back at her book before his eyes reached her and she felt his gaze stop on her. Even though she wasn't looking at him, the intensity of his stare pierced right through her.
She resisted a shiver, and figured it was safe to look up at him since technically he was staring at her first. So she met his stormy eyes slowly, tilting her head at the angry look in them. He hesitated for a moment and then walked to his table.
Harry walked in slowly right after Malfoy. He kept his head lowered as he walked to where Hermione sat and took his seat beside her. Even once he was seated, he didn't look at her. "Harry? Are you all right?" She asked, placing a hand on his arm.
He nodded and began piling food onto his plate.
"Didn't the spell work? Did you have another nightmare?" She asked frowning.
"No," Harry muttered, finally looking at her. "I talked to Malfoy," He said harshly, his green eyes as angry as Malfoy's had been behind his glasses.
Hermione's eyes widened. "Why? What happened?"
"I wanted to know what his plans with you were. He refused to tell me why he was…doing this." Harry said quietly, the anger evident in his tone.
So now she knew why Malfoy seemed angry. Either because Harry had angered him, or he was angry with her for telling Harry. But she couldn't see him being cross with her over that.
"He's very stubborn," Hermione said calmly, looking at the blonde again. She was surprised to see he was staring at her. Realizing he had caught her eye, he mouthed 'library later?' She hesitated and then nodded. 'After breakfast' she mouthed back.
Harry noticed and raised his eyebrows. "What did he ask?"
Hermione sighed. "He wants me to meet him in the library later."
"Bloody prat," Harry muttered.
"Oh! I talked to Dumbledore this morning. We can go to the Burrow after lunch." Hermione said happily.
"Brilliant!" Harry said, his mood improving drastically.
Draco scowled at his food. Bloody Potter; thinks just because he's the Chosen One that I'll bow down and tell him whatever he wants. Hah! Stupid Scarhead.
His mood lifted slightly when Granger agreed to meet him. He hurried through his breakfast, barely tasting what he was putting in his mouth. He glanced around the Hall again. His table was completely empty. It was strange. Draco actually felt… lonely. All the other houses had at least one or two other students. But the Slytherin one… empty.
After finishing his breakfast, he strolled out of the Great Hall and then leisurely made his way to the library. He didn't want to seem eager.
He had to wait a few minutes before Granger arrived. She seemed nervous as she surveyed the library, looking for him. He called her name and she bit her lip and walked over to his secluded table.
"Morning," He greeted as she sat in the chair next to him.
"Good morning," She said slowly.
"So you told Potter," He said, getting right to the point. Of course, he already knew she had told Potter from last night, but she didn't know that.
"Er, yes. I don't like keeping things from my friends, Malfoy." She explained with a shrug.
"What all did you tell him?" He asked and her eyes snapped up from the table to meet his.
"Oh! Of course! That's why you seem angry!" She exclaimed, making him inwardly grin. "No, I didn't tell him about the Shrieking Shack."
"Actually, I'm pissed at Potter. I knew you didn't tell him because if you had then he wouldn't have been asking me what I wanted with you." Draco said with a smirk.
"He's just trying to see if you're going to hurt me," She defended Potter quietly. Draco ignored it.
"How could I hurt you, if what we have is nothing?" Draco asked, sneakily trying to see if she'd confess to wanting more.
She warily glanced around the empty library. "I- I'm going to the Burrow for the day, after lunch." She said, clearly changing the subject.
"Oh?" Draco raised his eyebrows.
"Yeah. And, I'm going to talk to Ginny," She said firmly, meeting his eyes. "And tell Ron,"
"Then what?" Draco asked quietly.
"I… I'm not sure. I have a feeling I know what Gin will say. Ron's going to flip, but he'll come around. What do you want from me?" She asked, jerking her hands into her hair.
"You know what I want," Draco said, as he leaned over to run his hand up her side. He marveled in wonder when she shivered. He smiled slightly.
She took in a shaky breath. "Okay, well… Harry thinks I… should follow my heart."
"Potter said that?" Draco asked in surprise. Granger nodded. Draco snorted. "That's the worse advice I've ever heard. Follow your heart? What kind of rubbish is that?"
Granger smirked. "You're going against your case there,"
"Oh, right." He said, smirking too. "Follow your heart. Yeah, do that."
Granger laughed. "I'm going to talk to Ginny. I… she'll probably say go for it. After all, she is dating Blaise Zabini."
"Why are you so against this Granger? Why not give it a chance?" Draco asked curiously, even though he was sure he knew why.
"Malfoy, I really want to. God only knows why… but when you… I just…" She huffed shoving her face into her folded arms on the table. She gave a muffled groan.
"What's the problem then?" He asked, brushing her hair away so that he could see her face as she turned it towards him.
"It's who you are. I know you're going to be a Death Eater, and if we're still dating or if we get close…If I…"
"If you fall in love with me and I still go to the other side." Draco supplied for her. She nodded, squeezing her eyes shut.
Draco was silent for a moment. He needed to get her to date him. Should he lie? He didn't want to. He'd lie only if he had to. He'd promise to become a Death Eater if it was absolutely necessary. "Well, I say you won't know till you try. Maybe nothing will come of this. And if something does… if you do," He had to force the words out they sounded so odd, "fall in love with me, then we'll work through it. I'm not a complete bastard Granger. If I date you, then it's because I care."
His words made her lift her head, her eyes watery. "Really?"
Rolling his eyes, he nodded. She granted him a small smile and he glanced at her lips with a smirk on his face. She realized what he was asking, and laughed.
She leaned forward and answered his request, lightly brushing his lips with her own. He grinned and reached a hand up to the back of her neck before she could pull away. He left that hand there, and brought the other one to her face.
He kept the kiss light, and pulled away, leaving his hands where they were. He brushed his thumb along her cheek and down to her lips. "I really do want to date you Granger," He murmured, knowing his words were true.
It would be amazing to date her, to kiss her whenever he wanted to, to hold her whenever he wanted to – and he wasn't the cuddling kind of bloke but he found himself wanting to with her. He'd be able to fool around with her, and hold her hand.
Merlin's Beard, he couldn't even remember the last time he had actually had someone he could call a girlfriend. He took Pansy to the Yule Ball, he had fooled around with Pansy, but they hadn't really dated. He had had a thing with Daphne Greengrass, but it was short-lived.
There were a few other sixth year Slytherins and even a couple of Ravenclaws. But so far this year, there had been no one.
"Malfoy? Are you there?" Granger said smiling as she gently pulled out of his grasp.
"Yeah," He replied smirking. His hands dropped to his lap, and he lifted one to grab hers.
"I'll come find you tonight when I get back," Granger said uncertainly. "If you want me to,"
He couldn't hold back a smile. "You know I want you to. Granger, don't hold back. The war isn't till school is over. You have plenty of time to relax and have a good time. And… I won't be a Death Eater until school is out."
His last sentence made her take a deep breath. She nodded and got to her feet. "I'm just scared, Malfoy. I don't know…what's going on."
"Just let it happen," He murmured, kissing her hand and then releasing it. "Have fun with the Weasleys, Granger." She nodded and he watched her leave the library, still feeling her smooth skin under his lips.
So, the uhm, spell parts? Lol, I just translated Latin words using a website. Ha.. so as we all know online translators suck, I apologize if any Latin is wrong. But my only language is English and while I'd love to learn Latin, sadly I do not know it. So, how was this chapter? Did you like Harry's role in it? All right, next up - welcome back Ginny and Ron! Hehe.