A/N: thank you all for your lovely reviews, they brought smiles to my face, especially when I had a rough week... I would've had this posted last monday, but... things happened.
Skipping ahead to Friday! But during the week I skipped our couple got closer, (it's the part that I didn't feel the need to put in) and.. there was an "off screen" kiss, that will be explained in the chapter ;)
Enjoy!
Chapter 15
The rest of the week proved to be rather uneventful, aside from the growing gossip of her and a certain Slytherin Prefect, especially since he was the reason she would be missing for most of the day. She heard everything; from skipping classes, to finding secret places to shag each other. So here she was, sitting in the library, writing up her essay from her morning Defence Against the Dark Arts class, when she heard a rapid tapping at the window. She turned her gaze and spotted a large, black and brown Eagle Owl.
Abandoning her works, she inched her way to the bird, opening the latch and then the window. Its large orange eyes set upon her, as it stuck its leg out. She looked down to the envelope in its talons, and a small box - no bigger than the width of her hand.
"Who in the...?" she rapidly untied both parcels from the bird and placed them on the table she was working on. With a soft coo, the bird spread its wings and then took off back into the bleak grey sky.
She opened the letter with haste, seeing only two words in neat writing she did not recognize: For Tomorrow.
Her eyes darted to the box, and gulped, now realizing who it was that sent her the parcel. 'Draco' It was the first time he actually sent her something, and to say she felt strange was an understatement. Her heart fluttered and her body tingled, and a small smile crept on her face as she ran a hand over the white ribbon.
She made sure no one was looking at her before she opened the box. It had a Hidden Extended Charm placed upon it, so it wasn't until her entire hand was inside, did she finally find something; something that was very soft. With a gentle pull her eyes caught sight of green and silver.
'Oh no he didn't' she bit down on her lip as she pulled on; it was a scarf. Her eyes fell to the small knitted letters at the hem, DM. His scarf.
It had been a very odd and confusing week. Odd because ever since he took her away on the Monday, he decided that they kept up the tradition by Apparating to different parts of the world, and it wasn't until the third one, did he finally open up and started to converse with her. It was confusing because they talked about anything and everything, that Hermione saw a different side to him, a side that she was starting to like more and more each day.
'I can't this let it be more than it is...' she thought shaking her head, ignoring the throbbing ache in her chest, 'He won't like me like that...it's just a ploy' yet at saying the words, she realized that trying to get revenge on Ron was no longer the focus of their arrangement - as this week had only been about them and trying to strengthen their relationship and nothing else.
"Aha! There you are!"
The sudden sound of a voice made Hermione jolt. Quickly she turned on her heel and hid the scarf behind her back.
"Oh, Ginny...goodness, you gave me such a shock"
Ginny raised an eyebrow at Hermione and then looked down to her scattered works and then the ripped open letter and opened box.
"Wait a second, here. Did...did he send you something?" Ginny said with a curious gleam in her eyes.
Yes, Ginny knew of all that was going on with her and the Slytherin Prefect. In fact, she was getting more and more annoying with her pestering questions of whether they have made it official, ever since she caught them kissing just yesterday morning.
"Don't be ridiculous!" Hermione muttered, fisting the scarf in her grasp apprehensively as she knew Ginny would see right through her lie.
Ginny waved a finger at her friend, "If that were the case, then why are you blushing? Thinking about snogging him again?"
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Please stop bringing that up,"
Ginny laughed, "What it was cute! A great way to start the day I say! And you say he doesn't fancy you,"
"He doesn't" Hermione said before she could help herself. She watched Ginny as she stocked over to the table and picked up the empty box and then the letter with the two words on it, to which she read out loud.
She turned back to Hermione with a small smirk, waving the piece of paper back and forth, "Right then why take you out on another date if he doesn't like you?! I mean he even went through the trouble of sending you something to wear; jewellery perhaps? How... touching." Ginny tossed the letter to the side.
"Of course not," Hermione said, swallowing hard, trying to not let whatever Ginny said affect her. "Well, yes it is something to wear but not in the context you think!" 'Not that he would actually buy me anything, because he doesn't like me'
Hermione bit her lip as she brought her hands to her front, showing Ginny what she just received.
"He wants me to wear his scarf during the Quidditch match tomorrow."
Ginny raised an eyebrow as she took the scarf from Hermione and gasped slightly.
"Oh wow, it's softer than ours, that's for sure..." she ran her fingers along its surface, until they found his initials on the bottom.
The knowing smile on Ginny's face, made Hermione snatch the scarf back, "Enough of that!"
"What? I didn't even say anything!" Ginny said, shrugging her shoulders innocently.
"Yes but I know that look, Ginny." Hermione folded her arms. "Drop it,"
Ginny reached over and grabbed the scarf again, than proceeded to wrap it around Hermione's neck.
"What, you mean the look that says 'stop lying to yourself and admit he's your boyfriend?' You mean that one?" Ginny used one end to brush against Hermione's face.
Instantly, Hermione whacked Ginny's arm and scowled; if not for a second before her nose caught the lingering scent of his cologne. She felt a small tickle on the back of her neck as the hairs started to rise.
"Come off it, Hermione, this week alone proves to me that this isn't just a ploy..." Ginny said the last word slowly as she too caught the scent emitting from the scarf. She then brought the end to her face and inhaled deeply.
"Oh my..." she whispered before facing Hermione, "Is this his cologne?"
"Stop it," hissed Hermione as she yanked the scarf from Ginny's grasp, and carelessly tossed it over her shoulder.
Ginny whistled softly, "Damn girl how do you control yourself around him, when he smells like that?"
"I don't..." she stuttered, dropping her gaze down to the ground. Truthfully this scent was far different from what she knew of - more spice than wood. She looked back to Ginny, catching her amused expression, and immediately felt the heat rising to her cheeks, "I mean, it's different."
"But in a good way, right?" Ginny grinned with a wink.
"Ginny...we've been through this" Hermione gave a slow glance around the library, making sure no one had caught on to their conversation. When there wasn't anyone, she went on, without looking at Ginny, "This isn't...anything"
Ginny let out a mock laugh, where Hermione snapped her gaze to her friend. Ginny shrugged her shoulders as her fingers danced along the table top.
"Hermione let's be serious-"
"I am being serious, you're just choosing not to listen!" Hermione said hotly "Nothing is going on with me or Draco, as it is all apart of the plan. Okay? He kissed me because he finds it amusing to mess with me! Nothing else is going to happen, ever" she wanted to hurt herself for sounding so sad at saying those words, and really hoped that Ginny hadn't caught on to the tone.
No such luck. Ginny was grinning more wildly, "So what, you won't shag him then?"
Hermione paled, "What?! How could you say something like that! I've only...it's only been two weeks Ginny! Understand me? TWO weeks"
Ginny shrugged, "So? He's not really a stranger."
For a moment, Hermione just stood flabbergasted that Ginny would be so nonchalant about something so intimate. 'Was it because of Dean?'
She shook her head and tucked a piece of hair behind her ears, trying hard to not picture what it would be like if she took that step with Draco - her whole body shook with nerves.
"Are you kidding?" Hermione squealed, her voice an octave higher than usual, "We only just started to...acquaint ourselves with one another. I am not about to make it complicated by...that! Besides, why are we even talking about this? You came over to see me, obviously you wanted to talk to me about something. So what is it?"
Ginny laughed at Hermione's attempt to change subject. 'This is too good to leave alone,'
"Hermione, come on I get it. I've been there, remember? Yes sex is a big step but-"
"But nothing, because it's not going to happen!" Hermione sighed, trying desparately to think about something else, to talk about something else. She raked a hand through her hair and avoided Ginny's gaze. "Honestly, you come in here wanting to speak to me, and this is what I get in return? Harrassment?"
Ginny grinned again, "Now Hermione, I am not going to think less of you if you decide to... go through with it. In fact I am all for it! Can't stay a virgin forever!"
"I'm a Muggle-born" Hermione said through gritted teeth, hoping by saying this the red-head would drop the topic, "There's absolutely no way!"
"I doubt very much that your blood matters to him anymore. I mean private dates all around the world, a few good snogs are proof enough that well...he not only changed, but he wants you"
Hermione shook her head, 'No he doesn't' she wanted to say, but chose against it, "Can we just stop talking about him? Please? Actually, there's no need for anything because I have to get to Transfiguration, so..." she quickly gathered her things and went to leave, all for Ginny to block her path.
"Hermione..." Ginny said slowly, taking a hold of Hermione's shoulders. Her eyes focused on the scarf that was still wrapped around her neck. 'She's forgot she's wearing it'
"I'm not going to sleep with him!" Hermione sneered, struggling her arms free. "It's too soon for that!"
"Yet three years wasn't enough time?" snarled a voice from behind them.
Both girls turned around to spot one, Ronald Weasley.
"Now how's this a sight for sore eyes? My own brother is actually in a library!" Ginny sniped, folding her arms across her chest, her eyes narrowing.
Ron glared at Ginny, "Looking for Harry," he groaned before turning his gaze back to Hermione.
"Well? Aren't you going to say anything?" he said giving her a slow look up and down.
"I don't owe you anything, Ronald." Hermione said slowly, her expression matching Ginny's. "Goodbye,"
With her head held high, and turned around ready to leave. Before she took one step, Ron took a hold of her arm.
"Wait just a second Hermione,"
"Let go of me!"
"Is that a Slytherin scarf you're wearing?" he said, his eyes falling upon the green and silver material wrapped around Hermione's neck. At this realization, his grip upon her arm became lax, that Hermione managed to pull free with no effort.
Ginny stepped forward, "Not just any scarf, Ron; it's Malfoy's! You know...her boyfriend?!"
Hermione snapped her head to Ginny, but the red-head paid her no mind, "Who is very possessive of her, so I would leave if I were you,"
"You're such a liar Ginny," Ron muttered, "Malfoy isn't here,"
"Actually you're wrong, he's right behind you!"
Immediately Hermione felt her entire body tensing of the idea that Draco might have overheard their conversation. 'Oh God, please no!' She snapped her head forward, but saw no trace of the tall white-blond haired wizard. 'What?'
She watched as Ron turned his back to them, then felt a harsh tug on her arm as Ginny dragged her out of the room.
"AHA, he fell for it!" Ginny said, once they had reached the corridor.
"Oh my God!" Hermione panted, her hand pressed firmly to her chest, "Never do that again!"
"What? I got Ron off your back!"
"If not for the cost of giving me a heart-attack!" Hermione breathed, "God, to think Draco had overheard our conversation?!"
Ginny shrugged, "Well at least that way he'll know where you stand and make your fantasy a reality, hmm? I bet he would let you be in control too, you know, after that whole lap scenario in your Potions class...probably into bondage too," she added with a wink.
Hermione gasped and fisted her hands ready to shove her, but Ginny side-stepped her attack and broke into a fit of giggles.
"Oh yes, laugh it up because it's so hilarious!" she muttered fixing her hair, and now feeling the heat in her cheeks. "I can't believe-" she broke off in a rough huff, "Gryffindor Prefect or not Ginevra Weasley, you keep this up and I won't hesitate to dock you with a detention!"
Ginny chewed on her bottom lip as she tried to fight off the urge to laugh harder, as she watched Hermione stalk away with her nose in the air. She squeaked once spotting her brother emerging from the library and instantly skipped off where Hermione had disappeared to.
Then, once the coast was clear, Draco emerged from behind a column, smirking. 'So... she wants me, does she? How... interesting'
He was very pleased with himself to having chose this direction to go to class with, as he knew she would be in the library, hiding. Now all what was left, was how to deal with this sudden information.
"You!" snarled a voice to his side. With a bored expression, Draco turned to face the freckled-faced idiot.
"Can't always blame me for your fuck ups, Weasley." he said in an equally bored voice. He folded his arms and propped himself against the column he once hid behind. "Although I've seemed have benefited from the latest one. Quite the pleasant surprise really, who knew Granger would be so into the physical stuff? It gets me a little..." he paused, taking the delight of Weasley's disgusted expression. His lips twitched into a menacing grin, "Edgy just thinking about it, especially with the way she says my name, all desperate and frustrated like, almost like a beg. And then the squirming starts-"
Ron went to attack him, but someone had held him back, it was Harry. He was with Seamus, Dean, and Neville.
"Let me go, Harry!" he grunted.
Draco just laughed, brushed his hair from his eyes, "So I don't suppose you want to see the marks she left on me?"
"Shut up Malfoy!" snarled Harry.
"Ah right, you two go on believing your friend is all innocent, but I assure you, she is not" with an evil smirk and strolled off. The four Gryffindors all stared at him in disbelief, before three of them rounded on Ron, expecting an explanation. He just ignored them and went off toward the Transfiguration class.
Absent-mindedly she went to Transfiguration, taking her usual seat of the front of the class, or rather she chose to sit here, knowing Draco wouldn't dare join her as being at the front was not something he did. She did catch a few people staring at her with curious glances, but as she has for the entire week, paid them no mind. She slugged off her bag and placed it upon her desk then got her things out. The whispers increased and became more rushed, but still Hermione ignored them. It wasn't until she heard someone sit beside her did she look up.
It was Harry. She breathed a sigh of relief.
"Uh, Hermione?" he began uncertainly, trying not to think about what Malfoy was saying about her. The whole idea of his best friend with his arch-enemy like that was a whole new stage of...creepy. "Say, aren't you warm wearing that scarf?"
Upon hearing those words, Hermione almost broke her quill tip. She gazed down and saw the green and silver material wrapped tightly around her neck. 'Ginny...' She inwardly groaned of understanding the real reason why everyone was whispering. She had completely forgot that Ginny had put the scarf on her back when she was in the library. 'Oh well, can't do anything about it now!'
"Hold on..." Harry whispered taking the scarf into his hands, his mind registering the two colours, "This is a Slytherin scarf..." he looked over to his friend for an explanation, "His?"
Hermione sighed at the curious tone of her table companion. She knew, by the look in his eyes, Harry was itching to know how serious this relationship was starting to become.
"Don't ask, really, because I don't even know." she said with a heavy sigh. Truthfully, she didn't want to tell Harry anything as the reason for it was just...silly. 'As if I need a stupid scarf to fend off a pack of Slytherins'
"No?" Harry asked with a brow raised. Again, he got reminded of the image of her with Malfoy. He turned away and scoffed. His green eyes caught Malfoy's from the opposite side of the room, to which he responded with a wink. 'Ugh, gross' Harry thought turning his back to the Slytherin Prefect.
"Well he's not... known for doing something like this, you see." She sighed playing with the end of the scarf. 'Neither was Ron,' she reminded herself. In fact, in all the three years she and Ron were together, he never really did much. Not that she was comparing the relationships...
"You mean being possessive? Sure he is," Harry said before he could stop himself. He didn't want to look over again.
"Possessive?" Hermione echoed before facing Harry again. Ginny had told her the same thing just yesterday, which led to the altercation of whether he was her boyfriend or not, and then again today with Ron. Quite frankly, she was not in the mood to go through that once more - especially with Harry!
"This isn't-"
"Oh yes it is, Hermione," Harry shook his head. He felt the bile on his tongue, dreading his words, "Look, there's been talk-"
"I am quite aware of the rumors going around Harry!" She hissed with more force than she wanted, "And really, if this is the reason why you're sitting next to me... you might as well sit somewhere else,"
"Well no, it's just..." he felt rather warm around the collar. She wouldn't sleep with Malfoy... he knew she wouldn't, there was just no way.
"Harry, please - don't. I've already heard enough from Ginny... whatever it is you think you've heard, it's all lies."
Harry looked rather surprised of this information, "Oh...you...you've already-"
"Yes, I have. Now if you please, let's...get on with the lesson" 'Lord knows I could use the distraction!'
Harry gulped and then eyed the scarf around her neck. 'Lies... Malfoy was lying. Thank God!' He braved a glance over his other shoulder, spotting Ron looking grumpy - no doubt still angry at him for refusing to beat up Malfoy.
The bell sounded, signalling the end of class and Hermione got up, said her farewell to Harry, and then strolled out of the room.
"Nice scarf"
Hermione nearly jumped from the sudden voice behind her. Whirling around she was face to face with Draco who was grinning. The sight of him looking so relaxed did something to her heart, but she quickly dismissed it and used the time to finally remove the scarf from around her shoulders and stuffed it into her bag.
"You!" She gazed around and huffed a breath, trying to shrug off the nerves in her body, "Don't sneak up on me, I don't like it!"
Draco rolled his eyes then reached over to play with the part of the scarf that hadn't made it into her bag. She yanked it away from him to stuff it all away. "And I don't like Potter, and yet you went off and sat next to him..."
Hermione glared at him, "I'm not your property, Draco! You don't get to tell me what to do!"
"You kept my scarf didn't you? Which looks amazing on you by the way, you should've kept it on. Who knew green was your colour? It makes me wonder what other colours go with you! Or most importantly..." He reached over to play with the front of her robes, "Which one lies beneath."
"Stop it," she said swatting his hand away, trying not to pay much attention on his curiosity about her under-clothes. It was here, she took notice that the front clasp of her robes had been unfastened, exposing her dress shirt underneath. 'When did he...?'
He took in her shocked expression and the light pink colour on her cheeks. Wanting nothing more than to push her against the wall and kiss her senseless, especially now having learned she wants to sleep with him!
"Tell you what." he said in a low voice, close to a whisper. He walked toward her, as she instantly backed herself up against the wall. He put a hand right on the wall just beside her head, his face just a few inches from hers. His nose had caught the scent of his own cologne he placed on the scarf, hovering around her neck, and nearly let out a groan. 'Mine...'
"If you show me yours, I'll show you mine."
Hermione gasped slightly, wanting so desperately to get away. She brought her hand up and onto his shoulder to push him back.
"Enough of this!" She wanted to curse herself for having such a soft and squeaky voice.
Draco raised his eyebrow at the tell-tale sign of attraction; she was definitely enjoying what he was doing to her.
"You're right, enough talking," he dipped his head forward, but before he could actually kiss her, Hermione had used the hand on his shoulder to push him back.
"No, don't" she whispered, her heart nearly leaping out of her chest from the proximity.
"What, afraid you won't be able to control yourself?" he placed his hand on top of hers. "cause the classroom's right here! We can go back and-"
"Get away from her Malfoy!" Ron snarled. Harry, who was at his side, had his hold on his arm. He waved the other three Gryffindor boys on.
"We've got this, go on" Harry said.
"Right," Seamus said with a firm nod, "Come on you lot, nothing to see here," he waved the crowd on.
Hermione watched as the crowd, she had no idea was around, dispersing. 'Oh my God, did that really JUST happened in front of all those people?!' She tried not to be as embarrassed, from the eager expressions of the many onlookers as they strolled by.
"Come on love," Draco said, taking a hold of arm, "I have a much better idea of how to utilize our time than dealing with these two"
His ice-grey eyes slid over to Ron's blue ones; the corners of his lips tugging into a smug grin.
But Hermione wasn't have anymore of his behaviour and so coiled her arm around to shake off his arm from her, "Stop it," she hissed loud enough for only Draco to hear, before she turned her back to him.
"You!" Hermione said, pointing her wand back to Ron's face, "You have no right to defend me, Ronald. You lost that battle quite quickly when you decided to stick it to another girl"
"And what? Didn't you hear him? He treats you like a bloody object, than a person!"
"Better an object than a bloody fool!" she snapped, trying not to get bothered of the fact that they had heard what he said. "'Oh no, Hermione, it's quite alright, I love you and will wait forever if I have to!' And then one week later, I find you in bed with another girl! Remember that conversation, Ron?"
Ron scoffed as his eyes zoned in on Malfoy, "Yeah well the Hermione I know wouldn't do this. She wouldn't accept being anyone's toy, least of all his!" he turned back to face Hermione. "You always want it to be for love to be-"
Hermione narrowed her eyes at seeing the ugly look in Ron's face, "And what great respect you had for such a thing, Ron, truly!" she spat, raising her wand higher. "If anything you opened my eyes on how pathetically, dim-witted I have been about it all. Love is nothing but a joke"
'Liar,' chided the voice in her head. It was true, ever since she was a little girl she always dreamed of the sweep you off your feet, whirl you around until you were dizzy, butterflies dancing in your stomach, heart pounding a mile a minute kind of love. To be with a man who was kind, patient, generous, and loving but never selfish - a trait in Ron she found rather shocking. Shaking her head, of any further thoughts, she tried her best to keep her composure calm and unaffected.
Ron shook his head, "No, no, you-"
"Are sadly mistaken?" she hissed, her eyes starting to gloss over with tears; it was like their fight all over again. And just like then, she was damned to cry in front of him. "That...no, you know what?!"
She dropped her wand hand down and sighed, she did not want to run through this again. "I'm done with this...with you. Whatever Draco and I do on our time is none of your business! Have a nice life, Ronald Weasley...goodbye"
She turned her back to them and strolled off; dodging Draco's attempt to take a hold of her arm, in the process. Draco stroked his chin as he watched her hips sway as she marched herself down the corridor and then around the corner. He glanced over to the other two wizards with him.
"Seems to me, I'm in for a real treat now that you've gone off and angered her. Hate yourself yet? You know, for giving up such a gem in the bedroom Weasley?"
Ron was ready to attack the Slytherin snake again, but Harry just held him back, with great difficulty as both he and Ron watched the white-blond wizard stroll along the corridor; whistling away.
"Would you stop?!" Harry hissed.
Ron balled his fists and shoved Harry right in the chest, "ME? How could you just stand there and do nothing when he goes and says stuff like that?!"
'Cause he knows it ticks you off!' he thought with a ragged breath. But he had heard it from Hermione's own mouth, whatever was rumored - the two of them sleeping together being one of them - was not true.
"Well we can't really do much about it, Ron; Hermione's made her choice. Doing anything about it, won't win you any points..." He rightened his shoulder bag and then strolled off.
Ron swallowed tightly and then his eyes met with Lavender's, but he said nothing and went off in the opposite direction.
Hermione knew he was following her, once again, but unlike the other time, she was too frustrated to care. The nerve of Ron to say such things!
She was ready to approach the Great Hall, until Malfoy clasped his hands upon her upper arms, and spun her around so she was facing him. He took great delight in the shocked expression upon her face.
"Hold on," he said, studying her eyes; watching as her brows wrinkled.
"You..." she said trying to break free, "It's all your fault! If you-"
"I said calm down!"
"No I will not 'calm down'! It's because of you that...that...UGH! Now everyone will think I am some shameless harlot!"
"Not to point out the obvious, but don't they already suspect that?!"
Just then Hermione managed to free her arm and with all the strength she could muster, she smacked him right across the face.
"Enough of that," she spat, "Of this! I'm done. We're done. Follow me, and I will not hesitate to hex you, so help me Draco Malfoy, just back the hell off!" she whirled around and continued her way down the corridor at a relatively faster pace.
Draco just winced, as he rubbed his sore cheek; that was definitely not the way he wanted it to turn out.
"Bloody hell" he shook his head of the pain and sighed.
E/N: it's fair to say that... this might not be going the way most of you hoped...