CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN : - )
I appeared in the fireplace at Grimmauld, coughing and spluttering from all the ash. I took the hand Harry offered and he helped me step out before the next person came through.
I ruffled my hair and tried to dust the ash from my dress and the package. I looked up at Harry who had a huge smudge on his cheek.
"You missed a bit" I laughed, rubbing his cheek with my thumb.
"You missed a lot" He laughed back, brushing more out of my hair.
We both looked over at the fireplace as another person burst through, this time it was Ginny, whose eyes flashed with jealously. I nudged Harry and he quickly took her hands and helped her out as well.
Jake came through next and I quickly rushed to his side and helped him brush the soot from his clothes as well. I felt protective of Jake, after everything he had gone through.
Remus was the last to come through and strode out easily and looked at us all.
"They should all be here by now" he said, though I think it may have been more for himself than anybody else. Who should have been here?
I glanced over at Harry who just shrugged his shoulders.
We all piled our way out into the hallway and Remus made his way quickly into the kitchen, followed by Harry and Ginny. There seemed to be a lot of chatter going on in there.
I however stopped when I saw Draco sitting on the bottom step of the staircase. He didn't look happy.
"Draco?" I questioned, I leaned down and placed the package on the step next to him so I could hug him. I noticed Jake went and stood by the kitchen door, too nervous to enter alone but not wanting to be near us.
"What's wrong?" I asked him.
"They're all here" He grumbled.
"Who is?"
"The entire fucking order" my eyes widened, the entire order had been called?
"What are you doing out here then?" I asked confused, surely if Draco wanted to keep away from them he would stay in our room.
"Waiting for you of course"
"I can meet you in the room after I've said hello to everyone if you like?"
"No" Draco said quickly, standing up and taking my hand protectively.
I raised an eyebrow at him before leading him over to the kitchen door. Jake stared at floor, refusing to make eye contact with Draco.
My mouth fell open with shock as I saw just how many people were squeezed into the kitchen, chattering happily as if they didn't notice how tight space now was in the usually roomy kitchen.
I'd never really kept count of how many order members there were, but there must have been around thirty people in this room, which was certainly not the entire order, but a well over half.
"Hermione!" someone squealed. Before I could react two girls had thrown their arms around me.
"Hey Parvati, Lavender" I greeted, hugging them in return. Although not close friends of mine, I suppose I had gotten to know them pretty well from sharing a dorm back at Hogwarts, then again, this could have been the exact reason we didn't become close friends.
"We haven't seen you in ages" Lavender said dramatically.
"Your hair isn't so bushy anymore!" Parvati added. Yeah, definitely not close friends.
"I suppose things changed over the years" I laughed lamely, but they weren't listening to me anymore, they were staring at the blonde man holding my hand.
"Is that…Malfoy?" Lavender whispered to me. I sighed.
"Yes, he and I are together now" both their eyes went wide and small smiles crept up on their faces, excited with a new gossip topic undoubtedly.
"Wasn't there only a notice for capture sent out for him months ago?" Parvati said thoughtfully.
"I don't know anything about that" I lied, quickly shoving past the girls.
"They talk about me like I'm not here" Draco muttered.
I was about to respond that this was probably a good thing when I was enveloped in another hug.
"Oh hey Luna" I smiled.
"Has your recovery been well?" she asked in her dreamy, far-away voice.
"I was out for most of it, so yes, I suppose it has been" I answered, blushing that even she knew of my little St. Mungo's trip.
"It was a most unfortunate curse, yes? I came to see you at St. Mungo's, I'm afraid you were still asleep"
"Sorry about that-"
"That's ok. Your recovery was most important to all of us" I couldn't help but laugh, Luna's quirky and random personality, which had once been the reason I disliked her, was now the reason I loved her. I suppose it just took the DA to realize.
"I can see you want to talk to the others too" Luna said, smiling at me and at Draco to his surprise. "We will talk later" I nodded and watched as she went and introduced herself to an awkward Jake, who was hanging out by the door, unsure of what to do with himself.
"How have you been?" I turned back around to find myself face to face with Charlie. Already the blush had crept back up on my cheeks. I noticed that his neck all the way up to his ears seemed very red as well. We hadn't really spoken much since… that night.
"I'm good" I said, my voice sounded higher than normal.
"I heard what happened" he said, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I'm really glad that you're OK"
"Me too" I said lamely. He held up his arms and I hugged him awkwardly. I tried pulling away before he moved his arms and we both laughed in embarrassment. Jesus it was awkward.
He glanced at Draco who was glaring daggers at him before giving me a small smile and walking away.
"Let me guess, that was Charlie Weasel" He gritted out.
"Weasley" I corrected, too embarrassed to answer him directly.
I moved through the crowd, saying hello and thanking everyone for their concern over me, until finally I found the group of people I wanted to talk to.
Hannah Abbott, Ernie MacMillan, Neville, Seamus and Dean were standing in the corner, discussing something with Harry and Ginny.
"Hey guys" I greeted, interrupting the small group. All at once I was hugged by all of them, each saying how glad they were that I was OK.
I was half way through telling them how the story of my stay in St. Mungo's was an exaggeration, which it wasn't- I was just being modest, when I felt Draco shift awkwardly next to me, finally capturing the groups attention unknowingly.
"Oh, you all remember Draco?" I introduced lamely, no one was going to accept him easily and I knew it.
"I think Tonks left out an important part of what happened" Ernie said through the stunned silence. Almost all their eyes were focused on our entwined hands.
"I think she might have" I admitted, refusing to say anymore on the matter, despite their begging.
It was good talking to all of them again; I hadn't seen some of them for at least a year. We were just in the middle of organizing some nightly activities when a thought struck me.
"Harry, can I talk to you for a moment?" I asked, he nodded and I took him a couple meters away from the group.
"Try and spend some time with Ginny tonight" I whispered, he frowned at me.
"I am-"
"Alone" I stressed. "Mrs. Weasley kept Ron there for a reason you know" I grinned, watching as the look of realization washed over him.
"I…um… OK" he stuttered, glancing over at the redhead nervously, she was laughing at something Neville had said.
"At least she's found a new target to play match-maker" I laughed, remembering how annoying she had been when it came to Ron and me. I think I must have broken her heart when I starting dating again after Ron.
But Harry wasn't listening to what I had said; he was staring just over my shoulder, a small grin on his face. I turned around quickly to see Oliver standing there with a smile on his face.
"You causing trouble again I hear" he grinned, striding towards me.
"Never intentionally" I replied, laughing as he swung me into a hug. I hadn't seen Oliver in ages; he was always too preoccupied with his Quidditch.
"Now I don't believe that" he whispered in my ear, kissing me on the cheek. "How's my girl feeling?"
"I'm not your girl anymore" I pointed out.
"Can't you just let me imagine?" he pouted playfully. I laughed and hugged him again.
"I missed you Oliver"
"Now that, I believe" he grinned.
I was about to respond when Suddenly Draco stepped in between us, holding his hand out for Oliver to take.
"Draco Malfoy" he introduced, Oliver's face fell.
"The little pale rich boy that was on the Slytherin Quidditch team?" he asked. Draco gritted his teeth at this description but still nodded politedly.
Oliver sent me a questioning look to which I just smiled and shrugged. Finally Oliver took Draco's hand and gave it a brief shake before dropping it. I didn't fail to notice both men wipe their hand on their clothes.
"Well I hope we can catch up while I'm here" Oliver said to me, taking one of my hands in both of his.
"Of course" I smiled back, giving his hands a squeeze. He smiled at me before letting go and going to say hello to Angelina Johnson.
"Will you stop scaring everyone away" I hissed at Draco, he just sent me a withering glare.
"'Ello 'Arry!" my head snapped around at the unmistakable booming voice of Hagrid. He was sitting at the table, probably trying to take up as little room as he could. I watched as Harry cringed when Hagrid patted him on the back in greeting.
I quickly made my way over there and wrapped my arms around the giant.
"And if it isn't 'Ermione, all well again I see?"
"All well again" I confirmed, pulling away from him.
"So why has everyone been called?" Harry asked.
"For the fight o' course"
"Fight?" we asked in unison.
"Yeah, you know, in Diagon alley"
"But that's not for weeks yet"
"Mm, s'pose they were wanting ta be prepared" Hagrid shrugged, picking up a large jug on the table and taking a swig from in, most of the ale just ran into his beard though. "'Ey, what's Malfoy doin' 'ere?"
"He's changed sides" I said quickly, a blush rising in my cheeks.
"Codswallop" he scoffed. Harry leaned over and whispered something in the giant's ear.
"You and 'im?" he asked me. I cringed and nodded, remembering Hagrid's loathing for Malfoy ever since third year.
"Oh… well ah, good fer you" he said lamely, trying to smile. I looked around awkwardly for an escape when I saw Professor McGonagall excusing herself from a few of the other teachers and come walking over.
"Hello Miss Granger, Mr. Potter" she greeted formally.
"Hello professor" we said in unison. Hagrid raised his jug to her before taking another drink. She pursed her lips at this.
"How you are feeling?" she asked me. I felt like rolling my eyes, I was sick of telling everyone how I felt and why Draco was here.
"I feel great, thank you" she leaned in closer so only I could hear.
"I just wanted to say that I was pleased to hear about your new relationship with Mr. Malfoy. Albus would have been overjoyed to see such display of house unity again, even if it is years after Hogwarts" she smiled fondly.
"Oh, thank you professor" I'm pretty sure I was in shock.
She nodded before striding back over to the teachers.
It was only then that I noticed that Draco was no longer by my side. Glancing around the room quickly I found him talking to Andromeda. The conversation looked strained though. I remembered that Andromeda was his blood traitor aunt, so he had probably been brought up to hate her.
"Will he fight?" Remus was standing next to me.
"Who?" I asked dumbly.
"Malfoy, will he fight with us?"
"I… don't know" I said honestly. I liked to think he would, but surely he had friends and family in within the death eaters. Remus seemed to understand this.
"I need you to find out" I looked at him with raised eyebrows. "Depending on whom Voldemort sends… there could be over forty death eaters there"
"Over…forty?" I gulped. We were seriously outnumbered.
"There are only thirty-one order members here and the professors have already told me they can't leave Hogwarts to fight. And Mundungus is no where to be found... and thats to name a few" Remus had look of distaste on his face as he spoke about mundungus.
"We need more people, or we can't win this"
"Have you told Harry?" I asked quickly.
"Not yet"
"Don't, he doesn't need the extra worry" Remus seemed to agree.
"I'll talk to Draco" I promised quickly, seeing the man in question striding towards us. Remus thanked me and left.
"What did the werewolf want?" Draco asked.
"He was seeing how I felt" I lied; Draco bought it though, since that's all anybody seemed to have asked me.
"Can we leave yet?" he complained, glancing around at everyone. "No one really likes me"
"Give them a reason to"
"I changed bloody sides, what more do they want?"
"We thought Snape had changed sides too" I pointed out.
"Yeah but Snape wasn't banging the hottest witch in the order" Draco grinned.
"Oh so let me get this straight… if something happens to me, say… I die in this battle, you'll swap sides again?"
"You won't so I don't have to worry about that"
"But if-"
"You won't Hermione" he voice was so final that I decided not to argue it any further.
"Please let's go upstairs" he finally pleaded, I glance around and deciding everyone would be staying for a while anyway, I agreed.
We left the kitchen before anyone else could pull me up and ask about my health and made out way over to the stairs. I saw the package on the bottom step and picked it up.
"What's that?" Draco asked curiously.
"Something that will cheer you up" I assured him.
"Is it Potter's head?"
"Draco…"
"Weasley's then?"
"It's a present from Mrs. Weasley, so I doubt that"
"Oh it's from her. No wonder it's wrapped in newspaper" I shot him a dirty look.
"You won't get it if you keep acting like that" Draco pouted at me.
We made our way into the room that we had now claimed as ours. Draco went and sat down on the bed and held out his hands for the package.
"First admit that it was really nice of Mrs. Weasley to get you something" Draco scowled at this.
"I'm not that desperate for it"
"Draco!"
"Yeah, super nice, best blood-traitor I know" I sighed and figured this was the best I would get out of him.
"You're a blood-traitor too, Draco" I reminded him, handing him the package.
He tore it open quickly and pulled the jumper out.
"I don't get it" he said, his face dropping.
"Don't get what?"
"What do I do with it? Clean my broom?"
"You wear it, my love" I couldn't help but laugh as his mouth fell open in horror.
"Me? Wear…this? Is this some sick kind of joke? I wouldn't have said those nice things if I had known she was so horrible"
"Horrible?"
"She's trying to humiliate me, obviously. She wants me to put it on and wear it around in front of you all so you can all have a good laugh"
"No one is going to laugh at you, Draco; all the Weasley's wear her jumpers. She just likes to knit"
"All the Weasley's wear it? Is that meant to make me feel better?" he looked like I had just told him that he had to make out with Harry.
"Well if you don't wear it you'll offend her"
"She's offended me by giving it to me"
"You're being childish"
"Malfoy's are never childish"
"Just wear the bloody thing downstairs to dinner later"
"I will NEVER wear this thing"
: - )
"I look like a fucking retard" Draco complained, rolling up the sleeves of the green jumper to make it look a little better.
"You look nice" I lied.
"Shut up"
We were walking downstairs to go and have dinner, much to Draco's dismay.
"If one person laughs I swear to-"
"No one is going to laugh at you"
We entered the kitchen to find the table packed full of order members. Mrs. Weasley was over stirring something in a large pot.
"Hi Mrs. Weasley" I smiled, she looked over at the two of us and absolutely beamed when she saw Draco wearing her jumper, I doubt she noticed the look of pure hatred on his face.
"It looks lovely on you dear" she complimented. "I've just taken down Jacob's measurements so soon you will all match!"
I'm sure I saw Draco's eye twitch.
"Now Hermione dear, I was going to make one for you as well, any color choice?" I found my own mouth falling open in horror for a moment before noticing Draco's smirk. To set an example I nodded and smiled at Mrs. Weasley.
"White would be lovely"
"White it is then!" she smiled, turning back to the cooking and giving it another stir.
"Now we're short on room so we have all you younger ones in the living room" I nodded and dragged Draco out of the kitchen by the hand.
"I hate her" he muttered angrily.
I ignored his comment and lead us into the living room.
"Hey" I greeted everyone shyly. It was a little awkward now with Draco.
Everyone smiled back before returning to what they were doing.
Hannah and Ernie seemed to have a whole pile of 'Famous Witches and Wizard Cards' on the floor between them, I imagined they were trading. Ron was playing a game of wizarding chess against Luna who didn't seem at all fazed that she was losing miserably; Jake was trying to give her tips. Lavender and Parvati had a Witch's Weekly magazine laid out in front of them on the floor. Neville, Dean and Seamus were sitting on the floor, testing Bertie Bott's beans; I knew Mrs. Weasley wouldn't have been happy to see them spoiling their appetites. A smile spread across my face as I noticed Harry and Ginny sitting on the couch together, talking, just the two of them.
"Are you wearing Weasley jumper?" Neville suddenly said. Dean and Seamus were sniggering. Suddenly we had the room's attention. Draco was gritting his teeth.
"Yeah, Mrs. Weasley gave it to me this morning, isn't it nice?" I smiled, earning a glare from Draco who had crossed his arms defensively.
"He looks dumb" Ron laughed.
"At least I don't have some stupid fucking letter printed on it" Draco snapped back. Ron stood up angrily only to be interrupted by Luna.
"I think he looks handsome" everyone looked at Luna in shock. "He's more casual this way, relaxed" I nudged Draco who just scowled at me.
Before anyone else could say anything Mrs. Weasley bustled into the room with three trays levitating behind her. They swooped around the room, allowing everyone to take a bowl from them before making her way back to the kitchen.
"Soup?" asked Draco in disbelief. "They expect you all to have the energy to fight soon so they feed you up on soup?"
"She makes a lovely soup" I defended, scooping up some vegetables on my spoon and blowing on them to cool them down.
We all ate dinner in silence, although Ron and Draco were glaring at each other most of the time.
"All done?" asked Mrs. Weasley, coming back into the room, we all nodded gratefully and complimented her cooking, although Draco was reluctant to say anything nice to her. Satisfied she waved her wand and the bowls went flying out the door in front of her.
"Would you mind helping me, Ron dear?" she asked.
"You know I want to mum, but Luna and I are in the middle of a chess game, bit rude to make her wait don't you think?" Ron replied, sending a swift glare at Luna to keep her mouth shut.
"Oh... well... Ginny?" Ginny scowled, annoyed that her one on one time with Harry was ruined, before following her mother out of the room.
It wasn't long before Fred, George, Oliver, Angelina and Charlie came in and joined us.
"Hey" I smiled as Fred sat with us, followed by Oliver.
"Hey beautiful" Fred grinned, sitting on the floor close to me, testing Draco's reaction as he gave me a kiss on the cheek. I think Draco was more worried about Oliver doing the same.
"Now how about a little drink?" he offered, pulling a bottle of fire whiskey out from under his jumper.
"Where did you get that?" I hissed, looking at the door as if Mrs. Weasley would barge in, in a rage.
"Cellar" Fred answered simply, rolling his eyes at my worry.
I was about to demand that he put it back when Draco grabbed the bottle from him and took a large swig.
"Draco!" I reprimanded.
"You made me wear the jumper" that was his argument? He needed a drink because he was wearing a stupid jumper? Did his style really mean so bloody much to him?
"My mother made that" Fred snapped.
"Then you should know how badly I need a drink" Fred narrowed his eyes at Draco as he took another swig.
Oliver held out his hand for the bottle but Draco just laughed and handed it to me instead.
"Ladies first" he sneered.
I took a mouthful and cringed as the amber liquid burnt my throat. The boys laughed as I coughed and spluttered.
"Pussy" Draco whispered in my ear, pushing my hair back with his hand. I couldn't help but blush as I felt both Fred and Oliver watching the small intimate gesture. Draco seemed to notice too, because he didn't stop there, he trailed a small line of kisses from my ear to my collar bone. Fred took a large sip and watched on, whereas Oliver had looked down at the ground awkwardly.
"Draco, stop" I hissed, pushing him away.
"Later then" he said, smirking at Oliver who seemed to be glaring daggers at the ground by now. My cheeks turned an entirely new shade of red as I locked eyes with Charlie across the room.
"Where'd you get that!" my eyes snapped away from Charlie and up to Ron who was looking at his brother accusingly. Fred just held up the bottle in cheers and downed a good percent of the bottle before passing it back to Draco who downed a fair amount himself, to piss Ron off if anything I assumed.
"Let's see Hermione have some more" Fred laughed. I glared at him for bringing the attention back to me. Fire whiskey was potent enough already, enough to intoxicate any wizard after only a couple glasses. I was even more pathetic than this, a few sips and I was wasted on the stuff, so I was certainly not eager for any more.
Thankfully Draco didn't seem to want to hand the bottle over to me just yet; instead he took another sip before grabbing my chin and pulling me into a rough kiss. The alcohol from his lips burnt mine.
The tension in the room at that moment was almost unbearable. The only person besides Draco that seemed to be enjoying themselves was Fred who was laughing almost hysterically at the look on Ron's face. He was drunk.
"You're meant to take it slow mate" I heard Oliver say, placing a hand on Fred's shoulder to keep him upright. After managing to push Draco away again I shared a look with Oliver.
"I'll take Draco to bed" I sighed.
"And I'll take this one" Oliver replied, nudging Fred who was grinning at Draco.
I watched as Oliver hoisted Fred up, only to have him fall back down.
"Give me a hand George mate?" Oliver asked.
"Just let him sleep on the floor" George laughed. Scowling as Angelina hit him over the head.
"Honestly" she muttered, walking over to give Oliver a hand with the drunken redhead.
"Jake?" I begged, he avoided my eye and I sighed, knowing he didn't want to go near Draco.
"Harry?" I tried instead. Harry stood up and grabbed Draco's other arm.
"Ow, watch it Potter" Draco slurred, attempting to glare at him.
Harry ignored him as he helped him stumble from the room.
"Where… where are we going?" I heard Fred yell.
"We're taking you to bed to sleep it off" Angelina replied.
"Always wanted to get me in bed, haven't you?" I heard him chuckle. She didn't reply. I could only imagine she was either rolling her eyes or ignoring him.
Harry and I finally managed to get Draco into the bedroom, where we threw him down on the bed.
"Now get out Potter" Draco snapped, waving a hand towards the door.
"He means 'thanks Harry'" I corrected, kissing the messy haired boy on the cheek.
"You're not coming back downstairs?" he asked.
"No, I think it's best if I go to bed now, keep him out of trouble" I replied, looking at the blonde on the bed. He looked like he was dozing off.
"Goodnight then 'Mione" he smiled.
"Goodnight Harry" I smiled back. "Go save Ginny from Mrs. Weasley" he blushed and turned on his heel, quickly making his way downstairs. I wondered if he really was going to spend more time with Ginny tonight.
"You know your behavior has been appalling" I scolded, turning back around. I was about to continue but stopped when I saw he had already fallen asleep. Muttering under my breath about men and fire whiskey I walked over to him and removed his shoes, followed by his shirt. I thought it was a safer bet to leave his pants on since I couldn't cover him up without waking him.
Finally I lay down, content that I was going to get a good night's sleep.
How wrong I was.
A/N: Another chapter, hope you liked it! Tell me what you think of the new complicated situation now Hermione's old flames are back in the picture, I just couldn't resist! Please review! Now I know whats going to happen already, but I haven't quite got an ending in mind... so any suggestions would be welcome :)
And a big thank you for all your reviews, it's like christmas with every one I get, 'specially the long ones :D
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