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Call it gut instinct!
A lot of questions you had last time will be answered in this one…
Oh, and Grace, honey, I would have replied to your question but you didn't leave an email address. Don't worry though, just include it in this revue, k? And I'll get back to you…
Padfoot Patronus you are my 300th reviewer so include a question in ur email and I will get back to you…
You Know You Love Me…
PREVIOUSLY ON MR MAYBE"Look, will you still come with me?"
"The reason why I brought you here is 'cause I wanted to be alone with you."
"What do you think will happen once it wears off?"
"I really couldn't care less."
"Their little 'break up' was a little too convenient, if you get my drift."
"Why don't all of you just shut up?! There's nothing going on between Hermione and Malfoy!"
"I would never hurt you, 'Mione… I-I love you…"
"I love you too."
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE…
07:37/ TUESDAY 5TH OCTOBER/ HEADS' QUARTERS/ HEAD GIRL'S ROOM
HERMIONE P.O.V
Oh, God. Headache. Really bad headache. And all that sunlight shining through the curtains is really not helping…
Clasping my head, I sit up slowly in bed. It turns out that the headache isn't the only thing bother me, because, for some reason, there is a really weird feeling in the pit of my stomach… almost like foreboding.
And, strangely, the last thing I remember is Neville spilling something in Potions. Hmm… maybe I fainted? Well, that would explain the headache and the weird feeling. Oh, well. Now that that's sorted out, no point in hanging around here any longer.
I push back my thick red duvet and slide off my bed before stretching. Right, first things first. I walk into the closet and over to the mirror, inspecting my reflection, earnestly. I don't see anything different. Same wavy brown hair, honey eyes and all the rest of it.
Shrugging, I turn away and walk over to the nearest rack of jeans. I select a pair of dark wash, skinny, True Religion jeans and, after grabbing a grey, off-the-shoulder, Calvin Klein t-shirt and a pair of black Christian Louboutin mules, change into my outfit.
I grab my usual school bag, a blue Chloe Paddington and, after ensuring all my stuff is in it, walk out of my closet, through my room and into the bathroom.
Oh, God. Just what I need when I have the worst headache in the world. And to think I was hoping to avoid him.
Malfoy turns at my entrance from where he is looking through out towel closet. I watch him warily. What's it going to be this time? Annoying Bookworm? Or the 'oh-so-original- Mudblood?
Wait a minute… why the Hell is he smiling at me like that? What on Earth is he up to now?
The widest of smiles on his face, he walks over to me. Woah, what is he doing? His arms are now wrapped tightly around me. Instantly, I push him off, roughly and give his supposedly 'startled' face my best 'What-The-Hell-Have-You-Been-Smoking' look. He gazes back at me with what I know is faked bewilderment.
"What's wrong?" he asks, eyes roving over my face. "What did I do?"
What did he- Is this boy crazy?
"What the HELL do you think you're doing?" I ask, breathing heavily in rage. If I didn't know any better, I would say he looks devastated, hurt and confused, mouth gaping in shock. But I do know better and I therefore also know that he is just an extremely good actor, faking it to get on my nerves; most likely as part of an ill executed prank.
"Look," I begin, reigning my temper back in, slightly, "I don't know what you think you're doing, but, whatever… sick game you're playing, please do NOT involve me in it."
Giving up on my intention to relax for a while before heading down to breakfast, I quickly brush my teeth, Malfoy standing stock still, watching me all the while. Throwing one last icy glare at him, I storm out of the bathroom, slamming the door behind me.
Still slightly confused and annoyed at just what Malfoy seemed to think he was doing, I walk quickly down the stairs, grabbing my black, fur-hooded Gucci coat off the banister. All I can hope for is that he'll stay the Hell out of my damn way for the remainder of the day.
God, I hope Harry and Ron have already gotten up; I would hate to have to trek all the way to the Gryffindor Tower to wake them up. I pull open the door and stand waiting for the portrait to swing slowly past. Right, it's 6th September today, so I have to- AHH, MY EYES!!
Am I blind? All I can see is bright flashes of white light and, when I close my eyes, they continue to dance around on the inside of my lids. Just what is going on here? Maybe I can… still with my eyes tightly shut, I open my bag and dig around in it, pushing past all the unneeded objects. Huh, that's strange. I could have sworn that I haven't cleaned out this bag since early August, so my sunglasses should be in here. Oh, well. I'll just have to make do.
I open my eyes and wait patiently for them to adjust to the still flashing lights. Ah, OK. My vision's clearing up now… oh, no… OH, HELL NO. What in GOD'S name are they doing outside my damn door?
Standing a mere metre away from the portrait is a swarm of reporters and photographers. I stare at them in confusion and bewilderment. And not only are they taking hundreds of photos a minute, but they're also screaming out thousands of questions which are getting more and more confusing by the second.
"Miss Granger! Is it true that you and Mr Malfoy are still together?"
"Hermione! Hermione! Did you and Draco break up because of your alleged affair with his best friend, Blaise?"
"Just how long did you intend to leave it before you and the Head Boy admitted to your fake up?"
Fake up? What does that even mean? And, no! I did not have a threesome with Mr Nott and Mr Crabbe! I gasp in outrage, as the shouted questions get more and more explicit. The flashes are still hurting my eyes and my mouth is still gaping in shock.
There's only one thing for it, Hermione, old girl. RUN! I grab a tighter hold of my bag and, after taking a deep breath, peel off, holding out a hand to push aside the intruders.
As soon as I start running, the mob chase after me. As I pass empty classrooms and deserted staircases, only one thought is going through my mind.
What the Hell is going on?
DRACO P.O.V
I'm still standing here, several minutes after she left the bathroom. My mind whirls in bewildered confusion. Why is she so mad at me? Did I do something wrong? What-what did I do? Wake up, Draco! Standing here won't fix the problem.
I shake myself out of my trance and bring myself to walk out of the bathroom and into my room. Maybe it had something to do with last night..? But she said she loved me back. What happened? Does she not believe me anymore?
But then why do I have this horribly nagging feeling that I've forgotten something really important. Why am I filled with this strange, unexplainable feeling of dread…
Oh, whatever. Ignore that and concentrate on your priorities: finding out why Hermione's so upset with you. I take my phone from my bedside table, ready to send her an e-mail. I open it and glance at the monitor where the date is shown…
5TH OCTOBER
5th October? Why does that date make me feel so-
"Mr Malfoy, I have already said this once. As a result of the concentrated dose the Head Girl received, rather than the week it would normally have taken for her to go back to her usual know-it-all self, it will take precisely one month. The potion will wear off on the 5th October…"Oh, no. Please, God, no.
Why me?
How could I have forgotten that she was hit by a love potion?
I collapse into the wheelie chair by my desk as the full weight of what is going on hits me. The only reason she's been acting so… in love with me all month was because of the Potion. And I fell in love with her… for real.
And she hates me.
The same shards of glass from last night pierce my heart once more as I bury my head in my hands, desperately holding back tears.
Come on, now, Draco. Malfoy's don't cry. They find a way to solve their problems…
Though I'm not exactly sure this one can be solved. Did you hear the venom in her voice this morning, so different from her usual, honeyed tones…
I have to tell Blaise and Pansy.
I email them, telling them to get their asses over here, immediately.
This is an emergency.
5 minutes later…Where are those two? When I give an order, I expect it to be obeyed. They should be here by now. I bet Blaise stopped off somewhere to have his daily morning sex with yet another random chick that only took a couple of minutes to chat up. And the fact that I'm disgusted surprises me, because I used to do exactly the same thing. In fact, Blaise and I used to compare conquests at Breakfast on a daily basis. Between us, we've probably slept with practically every girl in the 4th Year and above.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
Finally! I pull open the door and stand back, anticipating their entrance. Good thing too, it turns out, for, a second later, they storm in, out of breath; Pansy's ponytail in disarray.
"What?" Blaise pants, bent over double. "What is it? I was just about to fuck some hot Ravenclaw chick."
Pansy glances at him, disgust written all over her face.
"Do you even know her name?" she asks, still slightly out of breath. Blaise looks at her, witheringly.
"Why would I need to? It would have been my name she would've been screaming, not hers."
I sense an argument approaching. Why now? This is supposed to be about me. They can finish this petty rubbish later.
"Guys" I raise my voice slightly (Malfoy's never shout) and clap my hands once. "Over here. Yes."
My so-called best friends turn to look at me in mild surprise as if they'd forgotten completely about me.
"What's the date?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. They both give me strange looks before glancing at each other, obviously deciding to humour me.
"5th October, why?" Pansy asks, slowly, eyes wary.
"What was the date that Hermione got hit by that wretched potion?"
"About time, mate," Blaise grins, "We were beginning to think you'd forgotten-"
"5th September," Pansy says, slowly. Her eyes widen in horror as it dawns on her.
"Oh my God," Blaise replies, eyes widening in realisation and turning to me in sympathy. "We have to tell Harry and Ron…"
11:02/ TUESDAY 5TH OCTOBER/ CLASSROOM 29/ DADA
HERMIONE P.O.V
You know, sometime I think that Harry and Ron must take special classes in How To Annoy One's Female Best Friend. I am simply trying to copy down notes from the board, like we're supposed to be doing, and yet they are staring at me like I'm on my deathbed or something.
I glance up to ask them what the problem is and my eyes latch onto a certain platinum haired Slytherin. And, oh, God, by the looks of it, they're not the only one whose eyes are fixated on me. Malfoy's eyes are boring into me, and, even when I raise an eyebrow in sarcastic inquiry, he doesn't even react or attempt to hide what he's doing. What's his problem? For some reason, a furious heat floods my cheeks at the intensity of his eyes. His gaze is oddly disconcerting, his eyes enigmatic and unreadable.
I turn my eyes towards my best friends.
"What's Malfoy's problem?" I ask them in a lowered tone. "I've been feeling really weird all day and he's just making it words. I mean, he tried to hug me earlier. Like, what is that even about? And there were hundreds of cameras outside our Common Room and reporters asking all these-questions. I don't have a clue what's going on and I hate it. The last thing I remembered when I woke up this morning was Neville spilling that stupid potion."
At my outburst, Harry and Ron exchange glances. It's as if they're trying to decide whether to tell me something or not. And, for some reason, the same sense of foreboding fills me and my heart speeds up. And, looking around, it appears that the nearest tables have all abandoned any pretences of working and are now openly eavesdropping.
"Are you really sure you want to know, Mione?" Harry asks, slowly, in a wary tone I've never heard him use before. Well, that's a stupid question. Of course I want know, otherwise I wouldn't have asked, now, would I? Ignoring the shouted warnings in the back of my mind, I nod my head.
" "Hermione," he begins, green eyes watching me intently, "you were- you were… you were hit by a… a love potion. And, it… it didn't miss. For the past month you've been head-over-heels in love with… Draco Malfoy."
The silence is deafening. The blood roars in my ears as a thousand thoughts race through my mind. WHAT? No, this must be some kind of really bad joke, most likely part of the one Malfoy tried to enact earlier.
All part of an evil scheme to driver Hermione Granger to insanity.
Well, HA! The joke's on them cause I can take a joke. I can laugh. I burst into giggles and the sound of my hysterical laughter fills the large classroom. As I throw my head back, I look around at my classmates. Why are they all looking at me like that? All serious and stuff?
And, most importantly, why am I the only one laughing?
At this sombre thought, I start to sober up, glancing around in desperation. Why aren't they laughing? They actually look serious and some are looking at me as if I'm crazy. Fine, a month, Harry said. Well, if in the extremely unlikely chance that they are telling the truth, today's date should be 5th October. So now to prove them wrong and end this stupidity once and for all. It's a shame that none of the teachers never write the date on the board, but, not to worry. I have my own resources.
I open my bag and root around in it for my Sidekick. Ah ha! I pull it out and open it. Now to look at the date…
TUESDAY 5TH OCTOBER
The thumping of my heart fills my ears. My eyes are twice their normal size as I stare at the date in disbelief. NO WAY. There isn't a chance in Hell… there must be some other explanation. Maybe I was in a coma or something for a month.
Anything.
Anything but me being in love with Malfoy.
This is a joke.
It has to be.
I'll ask Lupin. He'll definitely tell me the truth. He never lies (well, apart from that little werewolf incident back in 3rd Year, but let's just disregard that, shall we?).
"Is this true, Professor?" I ask Lupin, desperately trying to make him deny these allegations through my eyes. My heart sinks as he nods, regretfully. I glance around in desperation at my still silent classmates before my eyes land on him. Why isn't he smirking or doing some other typical Malfoy thing? Instead, he's gazing back at me with the strangest expression… which, on anyone else (including Voldemort himself), would be described as heartbreak.
I tear my eyes away from his enigmatic gaze, shaking my head in disbelief. Embarrassment fills me.
I was in love with Draco Malfoy.
For a whole month.
Oh, God.
I have to get out of here…
I jump up, pile all my stuff into my bag and push back my seat. Gulping hard and avoiding catching anyone's eye, I walk quickly past my classmate's desks. I rush past Lupin's desk, glancing a quick apology at him, before power walking to the door and pulling it open.
UH! Not THEM again!! I walk out of the classroom and slam the door behind me. A mob of photographers and reporters snap into action as I glare at them.
Why the Hell can't they leave me alone?
NARRATOR P.O.V
"FUCK OFF!!"
All in the classroom jump at least a foot into the air at the screamed expletive heard from behind the closed door. Many look at each other in shock. It's not often that you hear Hermione Granger, Gryffindor's Princess, and the magical world's Golden Girl, shout out obscenities.
A moment's silence is heard in which the sounds of the mob retreating down the corridor, apparently following the Head Girl, reach our ears, before everyone starts talking at once.
"Oh. My. God. What was that about?"
"I know. Are they breaking up? Again?"
"And why on Earth is she still trying to carry on that whole 'hit by a love potion' thing? Just who does she think she's fooling? We read HG Weekly."
"Do you think this is the end?"
"NOOOOOO!! It can't be! They were so good together!"
And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Draco's just sitting there, despairing beautiful blue eyes on the door. His two best friends along with the Boy Who Lived and his auburn haired best friend exchange despairing glances.
This couldn't have gone much worse.
12:53/ TUESDAY 5TH OCTOBER/ 2ND FLOOR/LIBRARY
HERMIONE P.O.V
I haven't been able to face going to any classes since I ran out in DADA. I am so embarrassed/. This is even worse than the time that Skeeter woman had everyone convinced that I was two-timing Viktor with Harry. Those evil media bastards chased me all the way here to the Library. I could have kissed Madame Pince when she told them that they weren't allowed in here.
I then asked her if I could have the past two weeks worth of the three main Hogwarts magazines: HG Weekly, The Hogwarts Herald and the Daily Magi. You see, I've figured that, if indeed what Harry told me is definitely the truth, then it would have definitely have been documented in those stupid papers. God knows all they do is follow us and Draco and his little duo of cronies around. That's probably why those fools have been chasing me like this.
They took ages to find, so she's only just given them to me. I sit down at a table in the very back after waving to a few other people in my section who look up and smile in instant recognition.
OK. I gulp hard. There's no going back, now. Here goes….
I gasp in disbelief as I open up the box and skim through the magazines. Malfoy and I are on every single cover.
HERMIONE AND DRACO BREAK UP!!GRYFFINDOR PRINCESS AND SLYTHERIN PRINCE FINALLY GET TOGETHER!
DRACO AND HERMIONE: HOW THEY HAD US ALL FOOLED…
DRAMIONE'S BIG FAKE UP…
HAS DRAMIONE BEEN FOOLING US ALL ALONG?
And now for the articles…
Hermione and Draco… can't keep their hands of one another… meant to be… so in love…finally bagged her man… staged a break up… official, exclusive, desperate-to-gain-admission-to, Dramione fan club…
I sit back in disbelief. Oh.My.God. It's true.
It's all true.
Why me?
What did I ever do to deserve this?
All I've done is a basic skim through several of the magazines and already it's much worse than I thought.
My life is over.
My life is officially over.
16:19/ TUESDAY 5TH OCTOBER/ HEADMASTER'S QUARTERS/ OFFICE
NARRATOR P.O.V
The door to the Headmaster's office slams open and the Deputy Head storms in, an expression of abject disapproval on her face. Dumbledore is seated at his desk, seemingly brooding whilst eating biscuits and lemon drops. She stalks over to him and glares down at him.
"DUMBLEDORE!!" she bellows, eyes spitting with sheer rage. "This is all your fault. The Head Girl fled a classroom this morning after she found out what's been going on for the past month!!
"I hope you know that you could have prevented this by simply curing her before anything happened!"
With these parting words, she gives him one final glare of disappointment before storming back out. All through her outraged speck, Dumbledore has been eating his biscuits, silent. At the sound of the door shutting, however, he glances up before speaking.
"I do hope I wasn't wrong about this one…"
21:06/ TUES 5TH OCTOBER/ SLYTHERIN QUARTERS/ 7TH YEAR BOYS' DORM
NARRATOR P.O.V
Draco Malfoy has definitely seen better days.
His ocean eyes are red rimmed, platinum hair tussled and, in some places, sticking right up from where he's run his fingers through it so many times. He is sitting, slouched on the window seat, a large bottle of what appears to be Firewhisky in one hand, and several others littering the floor around him. It is a good thing that Blaise and Pansy have kicked everybody else out, because otherwise, his bad boy reputation would have been kicked to the kerb so fast, it would have skid marks.
"I want some more Firewhisky," he slurs, eyes suddenly on his two best friends. "Conjure up some more…"
He burps loudly as Blaise and Pansy exchange worried glances. They've never seen Draco like this. If he doesn't stop now, he'll soon be drunker than he's even been before. They've already taken away his wand to prevent him from conjuring up even more Firewhisky himself and now them to do it? All I can say is that it's a very good thing that Draco is renowned for being able to hold his liquor, for any other mere mortal would be unconscious by now.
"No, Draco," Pansy tells him, in a bored tone, "We are not getting you any more alcohol."
Draco, seeing that she means business, and being to inebriated to argue, hangs his head in his hands. His blonde best friend watched him, worry in her eyes.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
Wonder who that could be.
Blaise rubs Pansy's arm comfortingly before getting up from his bed beside the window seat and walks over to the door. He pulls it open to reveal Harry and Ron. They nod at each other gravely and the two newcomers walk into the dormitory. Ron instantly sits beside Pansy and the two smile at each other. Draco doesn't even look up although Blaise and Harry raise their eyebrows at one another.
"I told her I fucking loved her," the platinum haired boy blurts out, eyes clouded in misery as he turns his gaze on the four teenagers. They look at one another, worriedly. This makes things so much worse. Pansy and Ron mutter to each other for a moment before frantically beckoning Blaise and Harry over. They are in no way discreet, but, let's be honest here, it's not exactly like Draco's going to notice.
"We should give him some hope. Adapt the truth about the Potion a little. Just to make him feel better," Pansy mutters to them, eyes darting between the three boys. They nod in agreement. Pansy throws one last smile at Ron who gives her a lingering look with one raised eyebrow. She goes to sit beside Draco who looks at her, seemingly mildly surprised at he sudden intrusion.
"Draco, listen to me," she says, brown eyes earnest," We found out that that potion Hermione was hit by only works if someone already likes you-as a friend. So that means that Hermione already likes you. She just doesn't-know it yet."
At her words, Draco straightens up and his eyes suddenly become clear and lucid.
"Are you sure, Pansy? Don't fuck with me," his tone is low and dangerous, but a note of hope is only just detectable in his voice. Pansy nods her head.
"I'm sure. Look we're going to help get the two of you together," she says, brightly, looking at the others for back up. They nod earnestly (let's just ignore that little hesitation on Ron's part, shall we?). Draco watches them for a moment before smiling, thankful.
Well, this makes things a Hell of a lot more interesting…
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Don't hit me!! Ah, don't worry this is necessary for the story and there are so many more twists coming up so stay tuned… lol.
RECOMMENDED STORIES:
If You're Not The One by Marvell's MuseAll I Want/ All I Need (sequel is All I Need) by Omelette Du Fromage
Songs Of The Heart by KitKatFox
They are all fantastic… And now to thank my reviewers…
Silidons (aka The Reviewer… love the story, btw, everyone make sure to check it out), Siriusforever, Potter4Granger, Rupertsgirlie, Missmonkey91, Professionalhatstand, Misrisa, Emmagranger11, aerochick 06, Someweirdo, RomanticIllusions, Varietygirl9143, Tigger101, anonymity'xx, Padfoot Patronus, Ekkena, Fantasmaric Amalia, Silver Rose-17, Cam910, Beeker986, Ca803, Angelps7, Love2love, TailzThe Great, Kamusan, Spix, Librastar, Julianna, Grace, Panchat, Kiara, Simpleelovely673.
You Know You Love Me…
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