Chapter 16

Hermione giggled silently to herself as she stepped into the shower. No matter what Ginny and Harry have planned for her today, she was sure that nothing would beat seeing Draco Malfoy stare at a television screen as if it was the most wonderful thing he had ever seen. The way his grey eyes were shining with amusement and wonderment was quite a sight to behold.

As the hot water trailed down her body, Hermione closed her eyes and groaned in content. The water trailed down her back and eased the pent up tension that had already built up in her muscles through the past 2 weeks. She let her thoughts wander as she slowly lathered a flowery shampoo into her hair. She felt a slight smile tug at the corners of her mouth as she remembered her first Hogsmeade trip with Harry and Ron-the one when Harry had snuck out to meet up with them. She remembered how they had laughed when he messed with her and Ron's caps under the invisibility cloak. How after all the constant depressing coldness caused by the Dementors, they had finally, truly laughed after so long. Suddenly, her thoughts flitted further back into the same day as she remembered how the same blond boy who was sitting outside right this instant had swaggered up to her and Ron with his cronies; in hopes of tormenting them. For once in 3 years, he had been utterly embarrassed in the presence of 'Saint Potter', 'the Weasel', and the 'Mudblood'. The way he had run off flustered had been quite a spectacle.

Hermione heaved a sigh as she turned off the water and wrapped the towel around her frail frame. She slipped on her clothes while silently humming to herself and smiled when she stepped in front of the mirror. Making a quick decision, she decided to try and tame her hair a little bit more than how she usually does. She waved her wand in swift motions and muttered incantations under her breath to tame her hair down until it fell just right into luscious curls. Her lips curled into a triumphant grin and she proceeded to do some light make-up, for, after a long time, she was going out to celebrate. She tucked her wand inside her robe and opened the door to head out.

"Okay, I'm ready to go..."

She began but trailed off when she saw the condition Ginny, Harry, and Draco were in. Her jaw slackened as her eyes trailed over her friends' faces. Ginny was silently sobbing into Harry's shoulder, lifting her head occasionally to look at the T.V., while Harry staring at it with his mouth slightly agape. Draco's deep and stormy grey eyes were glistening with tears, threatening to spill anytime, but were being forcefully blinked back.

"What happened here? I left you for 20 minutes and you are crying?" Hermione asked, walking around the couch to stand in front of the three of them. "It's the movie, 'Mione. It's a sappy, romantic movie that's managed to turn Draco Malfoy soft," Harry grinned at her, tearing his eyes away from the screen. He smiled as he began stroking Ginny's hair and nodded towards the pale boy beside him, who had arched his neck around Hermione to get a better look at the television. "Wow, okay. I think I should turn this off now, right Ginny?" Hermione asked while looking at the red-head and turned around to switch it off.

"No, 'Mione, let it be. Malfoy's watching, and he's just about to cry. I'm pretty sure he won't like it if you shut it off," Ginny giggled and waved her wand to re-do her make-up. "Yeah, she's right. Besides, we should leave," Harry said and walked to the door. Hermione hummed in response and nudged Draco's shoulder. "Don't sit there the whole day, the professors won't like it if their second star-student fails to hand in his homework," she smirked at him and snapped her fingers in front of his eyes (which he rolled very passionately) before following Harry out.

"Merlin, what time is it?" Draco groaned as he got up from the couch on which he had fallen asleep after watching that awfully brilliant movie.

10:23

His eyes were burning from the strain, but he did enjoy the movie. The first time in his life, he had cried not because of outward pressure, or inner turmoil, or his stupid choices. So much for getting his 'fiancee' a birthday gift, right? Shaking his head, he turned his head towards the bedroom, hoping to grab a pillow and a blanket for a proper night of sleep before she turned in for the night, but frowned when he saw that the door was ajar and Hermione was not in the dorm, even.

10:26

More than a quarter-hour after curfew. The Hermione Granger, out after curfew? On a Sunday night? He scoffed and walked to the kitchenette to get a drink of water and a snack. He hadn't eaten anything after breakfast, which was more than 12 hours earlier. HE had gone without eating for longer periods of time, but it's been months since then. He had finally been eating right after practically starving himself over the span of two years. He savoured the treacle tart he had been storing in the kitchen cabinets with a slight smile and drained a glass of pumpkin juice.

10:41

'Where is she?'
He sat down, teetering on the edge of his seat, and tapped his foot anxiously. She wouldn't stay out this late. No matter her being a War Heroine, she won't risk being expelled from her final year at Hogwarts.

Then where is she?

Draco huffed and stood up, throwing aside his blanket. Walking out of the dorm, he headed straight to the Potters' dorm and knocked on the door. No answer. Frustrated, he was about to bang on the door again until he heard soft giggling coming from the common room portrait. He recognized the voice. He turned around swiftly and was stunned to find the brunette hanging on to Harry and Ginny's shoulders and they were practically dragging her in. She was completely intoxicated and was muttering under her breath into Ginny's ear, who was biting her lips tight to not burst out laughing and wake the whole castle up.

"How much did she drink?" Draco asked and walked to the trio. "7 shots. And she's a lightweight," Ginny said with a bemused smile and stepped away from the giggling girl. Draco ran forward to grab her arm and helped her towards their dorm, but she shrugged his and Harry's arms away to attempt walking on her own. She stumbled and staggered but made it to the door, managing to only stub her toes a handful of times and almost face-plant onto the floor once. She turned around and bowed to her small audience before running into her dormitory.

"The Boy Who Lived Twice is going to be murdered at the hands of the brightest witch of our age tomorrow morning. Good luck, Potter," Draco slapped Harry's shoulder and followed Hermione into their dorm. Harry's emerald eyes widened as he realized what he had done, but calmed down when his soon-to-be wife rubbed his arm in comfort.

"Hermione? Come on, get up. Let's get you to bed before you pass out," Draco said after closing the door behind him. He turned around to find her sitting on the couch, facing him. "I've seen you before," she stated and cocked her head.

"Oh, you have?" Draco played along and sat beside her.

"I think so. You look just like him. Thin and blond and just a little bit attractive," she said and pinched her fingers together to show him. "Just a little."

"Just a little? Not more than that?" Draco asked, sniggering slightly. "Well a little more, but I won't tell you that. What if you tell him?" she asked, her eyes widening like saucers. "Don't worry, I won't," he assured her and grinned. "What do you think of that blond boy?" he asked.

"He's nice now. He wasn't when we were little, but now he is. I think he is a good guy," Hermione gushed and snuggled against Draco's lean body. "He is?" he asked her, his body tensing up as he felt her press against his side. "Yeah, and I'm supposed to marry him," she gushed while nodding her head vigorously like a child. "Oh. And do you want to? Marry him?" Draco asked, involuntarily holding a breath.

The girl stayed silent for a few seconds before humming. "Dunno. I mean, if I had a choice, then I would say no because we just became friends, but seeing I have to, it's not that big of a problem. He's nice and all..." Hermione trailed off and bent down to rest her head on Draco's lap. Draco let out the air he was holding in, but his body went rigid when he felt her head in his lap. internally Debatingwith himself, he slowly reached down to stroke her soft hair.

"Really? So, you don't hate him, do you?" he asked her softly but smiled when he heard her light snores. Draco was about to pull the blanket he had brought for himself over the pair of them, but decided against it. He held Hermione in his hands and lightly lifted her, bridal-style. He walked to the bedroom and laid her down on the bed before pulling the covers over her. He chuckled and left her be, closing the door softly behind him.

I'm feeling happy after a long time, and I don't even know why. I just feel... good. Like, really good. And generally, when that happens, something really bad follows soon after. Argh, I hate my life.
Sorry.

Anyway, coming back to the story, we crossed 9k! I'm practically jumping. I can't believe this. I really can't. When and if I cross 10k, I will gift all my lovely readers with 2 chapters a week. Fingers crossed.

rooske02: I'm glad I made you smile! Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure he got scammed and he bought the most expensive model. I mean, come on! He probably doesn't even know how to use Muggle money. And he's practically clueless when it comes to the Muggle world so... Also, I had no idea how to describe Titanic at first, but hey! If you like it, I probably did well. I love you so much, thank you for your love!

scrappy8: I'm glad you like it! I'm sure any pure0blood would have reacted the same way to a T.V. so there it is. Lots of Love!

onion: Huh. I honestly didn't think of that. I don't even know what to say. XX

Guest: I'm so happy you like it! I don't have the book planned out, so I'm going with the flow, and I'm fairly certain that there's still a very long way to go for this book. xoxo

YourFan: Yay, you liked it! How do you like his reaction towards the movie? Was it satisfactory? Thank you so much for your concern about my health, I'm a little better now, but you never know what's coming. Love you! Xx

WhymsicalBell: Um, I'm sorry...? I don't think there's much I can do if you think there are too many mistakes. The rest of my readers don't seem to have a problem, and I'm sure they aren't drastic. If they are, maybe you could let me know?

I really, really love all of you, and I hope that all of you are keeping well

XOXO

Until Next Time,

Cheerio!