A/N: Welcome new and old readers to the next installment! I apologize that it's kinda longer than my usual length, but I didn't have the heart to spilt it up into two chapters :/
Thanks for the continued support! :)
Chapter 21
It was strange. His whole behaviour last night was just strange. He wasn't the usual prat she had expected once he caught her in that corridor. No derogatory comments... but that wasn't the only thing keeping her awake.
She was cold and both her wrist and neck were hurting. She opened her eyes, she tried to focus on the clock on the mantel. 4:37 AM
Groaning Hermione pushed herself up onto her palms and knees as she stretched her back. She glanced over the shoulder to see Draco peacefully sleeping.
"So it wasn't a dream..." she murmured blinking in the darkness and stifling a yawn. She shivered slightly, rubbing her upper arms as a sudden rush of cold draft came from the fireplace.
She stared down at the couch again. She it was rather comfy, but hell it was freezing now that the fire was out. Of course it didn't help that it was October and she was without pants!
"Doesn't he believe in any heat?" but after she said that, she frowned. He couldn't perform Heating Charms, not without his Anti-Magic Device. But for McGonagall to ward off his entire room?
But wait. It was morning. And sure he may have said after sunrise, Hermione couldn't help but hope.
Slipping off the couch, she tiptoed her way over to the door and tried it.
The door would not budge.
"Curses!" She muttered into the silent air, pressing her forehead against the door. He was actually telling the truth!
The light shuffling sound made her still. Quickly looking back to where he was, hoping and praying he was not awake and watching her with that all-knowing smirk!
She watched as he curled the covers under his chin, shifting himself into a ball, but he did not wake. Nothing else was heard but his heavy, deep breathing.
He was dead asleep.
"Thank God!" She murmured, her eyes trained on his sleeping form and his bed. It looked so warm and inviting she wanted nothing more than to shuffle her way over and bury herself in those covers.
He wasn't completely in the middle, but it was just enough space for her to squeeze in beside him, so it wouldn't really be that bad... right?
"No, don't even go there!" she said mid-yawn, as the fatigue was starting to take over her body. Shaking her head to clear her vision, she returned to the couch.
Groaning at the sudden contact with the cold leather on her legs, Hermione gathered her robe over her shoulders as best she could before settling herself down into a ball.
Trying to shut off her brain enough to go back to sleep.
It was no use. Every time she closed her eyes, all she could see was him! His semi-concerned expression, his thumb grazing her shoulder as he held it. The lack of insults. How, even for a fraction of a second, she wanted to be in that warm bed too...
"I hate this..."
Bacon. Eggs. Toast. The strong scents made her stomach grumble, and her mouth water.
'Mmm!'
She blinked her eyes open, shifting her hips over before she turned her head. There on the table stationed just before her eyes, was a plate of food.
"What the?" she grumbled, blinking a few times before propping herself up on her elbows.
"Breakfast," came his voice casually as he bit into a green apple.
Hermione shifted her gaze over to him, watching him chew away as he gestured to the plate.
"It's for you," he mumbled between chews.
'He brought me breakfast?' A strange sensation filled her chest as she stared at him with a furrowed brow. Of course she knew everything was cooked by Elves in the kitchen, but it still confused her of how a someone like him would do something so... human.
Much like it was last night in the corridor, when he chose to ignore her tears and... try to soothe her.
That very thought made her shoulder tingle. Which she quickly dismissed it by the fact it was actually exposed to the cool air of his room, and thus adjusted the collar of the shirt to cover it up.
His lips twitched into a grin at her perplexed expression. 'Too easy,' he reasoned, realizing he had been presented with another way to mess with her head. "Well, technically it's lunch...but those kitchen Elves insisted you have this when you woke up"
'Lunch?!' The word hit her like a bucket of ice.
"What? What time is it?" she said panicked, and suddenly more awake. She glanced at Draco, noticing for the first time, that he was in his school uniform.
Draco took yet another bite and then turned slowly to check the time, 'Half passed eight,' and cleared his throat, "Half past twelve." He hid his grin behind the half-eaten apple.
"Like I've said before, you're one heavy sleeper, Granger. The school could endure another war, and-"
WHAM!
Draco blinked. His nose tingled slightly from the hit. The half-eaten apple dropped like a weight to the hardwood flooring.
"You... you insufferable prat!" Hermione hollered, grabbing another pillow off the couch and chucked it and then her robe. Not caring that he dodged the attack with ease. "I... I... I'm Head Girl! I... I can't... you..."
She glared down at the couch; there was nothing left to throw at him! Well, her Hogwarts robe, but she wanted him to hurt. How dare he let her sleep in!
"How could I let this happen?" She muttered rubbing her palms against her tired eyes.
Draco used this small window to admire her appearance. Tousled hair. Twisted shirt. Golden legs hidden beneath her small stature. He shook his head of any further thoughts, as he bent down to pick up the apple to toss it off into the corner trash pail.
"How could you?! I... I...!" She did not want to say she trusted him to wake her up, as she really didn't trust him at all!
And now she was late... very late for one meeting with one Headmistress.
"I need to go!"
She pushed herself off the couch, side-stepped out of his attempts to stop her, and stalked her way over to the door. However, the second she opened the door, it had been slammed shut once again.
Her eyes caught the duel dragon ring on his thumb.
"Oh go away!" She moaned, trying to push the limb off the door. "I need to meet with McGonagall pronto!"
"Right, but don't you want to... oh I don't know...get dressed first? Being Head Girl and everything, appearances are a must, remember?"
"Get dressed?" She frowned, "What are you-" she watched as he reached over to toy with the hem of the shirt she was wearing.
Her eyes widened and she caught the gleam in his eye and she backed away. That's right she was here, without her clothes!
Sensing what she was going to say, Draco pointed over her shoulder. Hermione immediately turned back to the table, spotting a fresh pile of clothes on the table next to her breakfast.
"But how-?"
She broke off when she felt his hands drop onto her shoulders, "House-Elves, who else?"
'House-Elves?' It that were the case then how come they didn't give her anything to wear for sleep?
Hermione shrugged her shoulders to fight him off her, "Get off," she sauntered over to the fresh batch of clothes and buried her head into their warmth.
Ready to leave Hermione walked her way back to the door, only to get blocked by Draco once again.
"Well I'm not dressing in here," she said shaking her head, "Now that I can leave, I will use the lavatory!"
Draco waved a finger at her, "Can't, it's occupied"
"I'm sure it is," Hermione snarled, "move over!"
When he made no effort to listen, Hermione became only more agitated. "I swear to God Malfoy if you don't move I will-"
Draco took a deep breath, shaking his head, "Listen, I don't see why you're in such a hurry to meet with the old-bag...but changing in there isn't going to go over well. They'll eat you alive, Head Girl or not."
Hermione narrowed her eyes at his gleeful expression, "Oh so you're here to protect me?" She will be damned to change with him present! AGAIN.
"Forget it!" she latched her hand onto his shoulder with her free hand, trying to push him out of her way - only for her ribs to be attacked by his hand.
Hermione did a sideways dance to get out of his grasp, squealing slightly. Her wrist growing weak, dropping her fresh batch of clothes to the floor, as she used both hands to fight him off.
"Will you-" She grunted, pushing his hand away from her, "Stop, trying to-" she broke off the moment the backs of her knees collided with something soft, but solid.
The couch.
Almost about to topple over the armrest, Draco had already snaked his arm around her middle, preventing her from doing so.
The hairs on her arms and neck stood up as she felt him press into her, her nails slightly digging into his sleeves.
Draco revelled in the feeling of her nails digging into his arms, and her short exhales from her nose against his throat, as he continued to stare at her eyes.
Hermione was well aware of how tall he was then. How... good he smelled; so fresh and clean. How good he felt; so strong and warm. She felt the strange urge to kiss him but knew rationally, it would not be the thing to do. Even if she tried to manipulate him!
"I need to change," she bit, trying to fight off her odd feelings by pushing him away from her person. "And meet McGonagall! Please get out,"
Draco smirked at the flicker of emotions flashing over her face, "We've been over this, kitten" He raised his hand higher up her back to increase his hold on her, as he used his other hand to take a hold of the one she was using to fend him off. "My room, my rules. You stay"
Hermione felt her knees shake, as he laced their fingers together. "But I can't-"
"Besides," He said over her protest, "It's not like I'll watch you," His eyes flickered over to the far side of the room where the mirror was, "I'll be a good boy and turn around again..."
As much as he enjoyed her moving against him, he had to break it off or else they would actually be late for class.
He dropped his hands from her and stepped back, holding up in surrender, "See?" and he spun on his heel to face his door.
Now she was even more confused than she was last night!
'Don't think on it Hermione, he is just messing with your head!' Hermione huffed and then immediately searched for the clothes the House-Elves gave her. However, after looking around the table and couch she came up empty.
'What the-? Where are they?'
Just as she asked the question, she saw them scattered all over the floor, just inches away from his feet. She gulped.
"Um, Draco...? Can you... um... pass me my clothes? They.. they're at your feet,"
She had no clue as to why her throat was so dry at that moment. Or how heavy it made her heart feel.
Raising one eyebrow Draco let his gaze drop to the ground. Once again, he went against taking advantage of the situation, and bent down to grab them and held them over his shoulder without looking back once.
"Here," he said, as though he bored.
Stunned of his lack of objections, Hermione made no motion to grab the clothes from him.
'He...listened to me?'
Confused about why he was still holding them, Draco glanced over his shoulder to see what was keeping her but instead of gaging her expression, his eyes were drawn to her golden legs. He stood up to look at her properly.
"Granger?" he said waving the clothes in her face. When she remained still, he tried again, "Hermione?"
Detecting some movement from the tops of her eyes, Hermione reached out and latched onto his wrist.
"What?" He said watching as her eyes volleyed between the clothes and his face.
"Nothing," she said grabbing the clothes and then using her other hand to turn him back around. "Don't turn around, or I will make you regret it!"
Draco smirked. He knew that look all too well. It was a look when she was fighting against herself. Things are looking up!
Hermione wasted no time. With quick hands she rid herself of the shirt she was wearing and replaced it with her uniform - as she kept her eyes trained on his back, ready to attack him if he turns. Shuddering slightly from the coolness of them, she shrugged on her robe for warmth then fixed her hair, making a mental note to use a mirror to help once she was back in her own dorm.
"Alright, I'm set. Now move it!" She huffed. She was not looking forward to her meeting with McGonagall now! She bent down to grab her shoes, slipping them on one at a time.
She turned to face him, staring at her with a brow raised, "What?" He said motioning to the table, "You're not even going to touch the food those kind creatures put out for you? How... mean of you,"
"MEAN? For your information it happens to be almost one-" she broke herself off, taking the time to look at the clock. 8:41 AM
She blinked once, and then twice as though she were imagining it.
8:42 AM
'Nope, definitely not...hang on...'
"Oh right, about that..." came his amused voice, his eyes twinkling at her dishevelled appearance from her haste. "I suppose you're on time after all,"
"You... you... LIAR!" She rounded on him with her fist connecting with each inch she could get.
He the vibrations of her attacks made his heart soar, but he couldn't help how hilarious she was acting.
"I cannot believe you! Here I am going absolutely crazy and... and... STOP LAUGHING!"
"Oh come now kitten you have to-"
"NO! NO I am not going to... OH let me go"
She stilled her attacks once she felt his arm wrap around her body once again.
"Calm down, Hermione. Eat."
He guided her back over to the couch, pushing her slightly so she could take the hint and sit down. She stared at the food, frowning and then she saw him return his own plate of food.
"Where did that come from?" She murmured eyeing him curiously as he hand-picked some fruits off the plate to pop into his mouth.
Draco pointed to where she knew his bed was, "I set it down before I took my shower. Which reminds me..." He cleared his throat, "Gallem"
Instantly an Elf appeared right before where Hermione was sitting.
"AH!"
"Gallem is sorry, Miss," squeaked the male elf bowing before he faced Draco. "What does Sir Malfoy need?"
"I ran out of green apples"
"Right away Sir," and then the Elf was gone.
Hermione blinked as she stared at the man before her. Watching as he picked through his plate before he sat himself on the couch beside her, and waiting for him to look in her direction. When it didn't happen, Hermione cleared her throat as well.
"Um, care to explain why the need to call for your House Elf?" She shifted herself further away to increase the gap between their bodies. She knew being that he was an Elf he would be able to surpass a magical ward McGonagall set up without any repercussions, but she would ban anything he would get Gallem to bring him!
Draco shook his head, "No, it's not mine. It belongs to Pansy."
Hermione shifted uncomfortably upon hearing him refer to the Elf as an 'it'. The creature had feelings after all!
He took a sip of some orange juice, "She gave me permission to use it,"
"Him" Hermione hissed, "To use him. Gallem is a creature, a being. Not... not.. a... an object! He can think and... speak for himself! And deserves to be treated like-"
Draco pressed his hand to her mouth, "What it was bred for" he said slowly, his eyes never blinking. And then just as quickly, he wanted to smack himself upside the head for saying what he said. This was not the way to go about showing her a nicer side.
Truthfully he just forgot about her passion for the things. 'Fuck,'
Hermione smacked his arm, ready to spit fire but got interrupted by the sudden appearance of the Elf.
"Sir's food," squeaked Gallem as he set the bowl onto the table right before him. It easily held enough green apples for two weeks. "Gallem hopes this is enough to last Sir a few weeks!"
Draco nodded, not really sure what to say, but now with her in the room, he had no choice.
He cleared his throat, "Thank you..." Mentally cursing at himself for saying such a thing. It was their job. They shouldn't be thanked.
He watched Hermione out of the corner of his eye. She was glaring at him fiercely.
Gallem bowed in response, "It's Gallem's pleasure Sir, Mistress Pansy was always fond of Sir Malfoy. Gallem always must treat Sir with great respect!"
"I...appreciate that..." He could see her shaking her head out of the corner of his eye, being sure to keep her back to him. "A lot," he added quickly.
"Of course Sir, Gallem bids you and Miss a fine farewell,"
And with a pop the Elf was gone.
Draco gritted his teeth, staring up at the ceiling, and cursing under his breath. He turned to face her properly.
"Look, it was... a minor slip of the tongue." He said, waiting patiently before she turned back to face him.
Once she did, Hermione just kept her face set, "I don't appreciate being shushed! I am not... not some... some... UGH"
He tried to take her seriously, but the state of her hair, ruined the image. But no, he couldn't think about that. He had to make it right... again!
"Okay I get it, I... I'm... I shouldn't have done that. It... was... wrong. My Father... well, no forget him. I am my own person now, I make my own decisions so... I suppose I can try to act..."
Hermione sighed, tuning him out. Truthfully she was not that mad, just disappointed. She had seen him do plenty of odd things in the past twelve hours, making her think there was hope for a nicer side to him... perhaps a Pureblood being nice to Elves would be asking too much?
Then again, he was trying to apologize. She felt a tinge of guilt for not having been listening to him, but not by much.
"It's fine," she said, not wanting to listen to his petty attempts any longer. It reminded her too much of Ron. "No need to punish yourself. I get it. It's who you are, and who am I to change that? I'm just...a..." she trailed off, not really sure to classify herself to him. "Phase"
Draco raised an eyebrow at her. Clearly confused of her sudden calm demeanor. "No," he said looking at her straight in the eye, "I was wrong. I... hate being corrected, and tend to get... rather forceful. I shouldn't have done that...to you"
Hermione bit her lip as she just stared at him, albeit, skeptically. 'Strange...' and then reached over and patted his shoulder, "Well, thanks for that. I... appreciated that. So moving on, let's enjoy what's left of breakfast and then I guess it's off to Potions" The idea of going to class with him did something to her heart she couldn't explain.
"But do you forgive me?" He said, watching her hand graze his shoulder.
"You were actually apologizing?" She challenged before meeting his gaze.
Slowly, Draco nodded his head, "Of course, but if you are one of those people who has to hear the actual word then..." he licked his lips and cleared his throat, "I'm sorry."
He watched her eyes drop to his mouth of the action, but quickly disguised it by turning her head away.
"I suppose that is... better than nothing," She removed her hand from him and helped herself to some orange juice.
His lips twitched to a grin at her comment, "You know me, I... am... rusty when it comes to these things"
"No doubt about that" she muttered, taking another sip of orange juice. She kept her focus straight, watching the clock tick away. Ten minutes to nine. She wanted to eat some of the food Gallem had put out for her, but found herself to be... not hungry.
"It's not like I hit you," Draco muttered, rolling his eyes.
Hermione scoffed, 'Figures he wouldn't understand!'
And then they fell into an awkward silence.
"It's new for me" he says after about two minutes of silent eating. He watched her out of the corner of his eyes and frowned, "So expect...some slips?"
Hermione chewed her lip before taking a few good gulps of juice, 'Why is he trying so hard?'
"Are you sure you haven't fallen out of bed in the middle of the night?" She resigned to eating a few sausages, "Clearly something is wrong with your head!"
"Why, because I am incapable of being nice?"
"No... because you are not letting this go! Just drop it already, I don't want to talk about it, anymore"
He watched her fidget. Or perhaps it was her haphazard appearance that drew him in? She did look rather tempting with her nibbling her lip and forlorn expression, he was even surprised at himself for having restrained himself this long! 'She's so much prettier when she's happy...'
At that very thought, he bridged the gap and planted his lips right on the curve of her neck, just under her jaw.
Hermione gasped at the sensation, before defending herself by throwing her hand right into his chest.
"What are you doing?!" She said, annoyed for having been caught off guard. And annoyed at herself for not being mad enough to fend him off. He was being a jerk!
"I would expect that was obvious," he murmured, but he kept the true reason of his kisses a secret. He could smell his own cologne everywhere on her. Her hair, her skin, even on the new batch of clothes she was wearing! And boy, did it make him feel good. He was very glad to have given her that shirt.
Hermione felt the heat rising to her face as she felt herself falling backward into the couch. Her skin was on fire from his constant onslaught on her neck. Her heart pounding in her ears. 'No.. I have... I have to... to...st...' She arched her back and sighed. It was so delightful having his lips on her skin again. 'Stop him...' She tightened her grip on his shoulder, feebly trying to push him away.
'Do not give in... do not give in' the words kept repeating like a mantra in her head as she tried so hard to not enjoy it.
"Draco...st...op"
She felt his lips twitch against her skin.
'She's giving in,' he hummed to himself before he slipped his hand to her back, holding her close to his body as he adjusted hers into a more comfortable position. She heard him shift above her, the couch sagging around her waist and shoulders as his weight evened out against the cushions.
Draco pulled back to gauge her expression. Hazy eyes and flushed cheeks, 'So beautiful.' "Now do you forgive me?" He added a mock pout for good measure.
"What?" She said, shifting her hips. She was very aware of the sudden loss of his body.
But it was his expression what caused her to get so confused. 'What the hell?'
Draco placed his hand to the side of her face, his thumb tracing her lips. It was just like yesterday, he was very mindful to not actually sit on her or else he would have very little resistance.
"I asked if you forgive me, for being... whatever that was,"
"I...you...what?" She tried to wrap her mind of what just happened. 'Is he...did he...?' She narrowed her eyes slightly. "I didn't-"
Draco grinned as he shook the hair from his eyes, now it was his turn for some fun! "You're right...you need more encouragement," he murmured before he bent down to kiss her again. He relished in the moan vibrating against his lips and the her fingers threading through his hair. The action made his chest swell before he slipped his tongue into her mouth.
She had no idea how long they were kissing for, she was too lost in the moment to really care, but when the chime on the mantel clock signified nine o'clock, Hermione instantly pushed him back. 'Wow'
"Class," She said breathlessly, trying to regain control of her brain. Her lips and tongue throbbed from his assault as her heart raced. She tried to calm her breathing through her nose, keeping her gaze locked with his, to regain her composure, but found herself failing miserably. Her skin was hot, her fingers wanting more than to resume their place of being in his hair.
Draco glanced at the clock and sighed. He never once had kissed a girl quite like that! Not with the clothes still on that is. This girl was definitely throwing him through loops - not that he complained - it was damn thrilling!
"Not for another thirty minutes," and then he bent down and kissed her again before she could protest anymore. He couldn't get enough of her, or her kisses for that matter.
Hermione found herself laughing in her head. She never once imagined he would act like this. What the heck did she even do to cause such a reaction anyway?
'Oh who cares? Just enjoy!'
And enjoyed it, she did! He wasn't being forceful or touching her inappropriately... hell she didn't even know where his hands were, her main focus was just his lips. His green apple flavoured, soft lips...
She always read about being snogged senseless, and would often scoff. She never deemed it possible, with Ron at least - they only had a few, ten second ones, but that was it. She always was left wanting more.
'More' she heard her voice in her head say.
After a few more pulls of his lips, she found herself starting to get rather warm, so with a rapid pace, she dropped her arms from his shoulders, gripping the edges of his robes and tugged.
Draco felt the resistance and thus pulled back from her. His breathing was deep and heavy as he started down at her. She was trying to remove his robe. He couldn't stop his eyes from growing wide.
"Whoa, what...?"
He went to get off her, but Hermione was quicker, by gripping onto his tie, "No," she shook her head, "Not yet,"
'Not yet?'
"Umm...what?" he said blinking. Not sure if he had heard her correctly... the other part of him wishing. "You're the one who started to-"
"I know! I mean I just..." she licked her lips, "Got ahead of... myself." She readjusted his robes to proper position, "Just... kissing," she murmured. "Okay?"
"Kissing," he repeated slowly, as though unfamiliar with the word.
She grinned, 'Clearly his brain is also foggy!' "Snog..." she tugged him back down to her face, and captured his lips with hers once again, her tongue quickly darting into his mouth.
After a moment, he trailed his lips down to her throat, where the fresh scent of the lingering shampoo in his hair overrode her brain and she inadvertently arched her back, pressing herself right against him. 'Oh my God!' She felt her toes curl and her spine tingle.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
"Oi Draco!" Hollered Theo from the other side of his door. "Open up! I need to talk to you!"
"Yikes!" Hermione cried, and with a newfound strength, she shoved Draco off of her, "Oh Lord, what... I..." she looked down at herself and fixed her tie and used her hands to rid her shirt of any wrinkles.
She frowned at the plate of half-eaten food, but her body was on too high of an adrenaline rush to be hungry. "Oh... Gallem..."
Draco smirked as he adjusted his tie, watching her as she fingered her hair like a comb.
He grabbed a hold of her arm, "I'm sure it - uh - he doesn't mind." He fetched her Hogwarts robe for her and then handed it to her. "Shall we?"
Hermione just glared at the robe, "You! This is all your fault!" She grunted, fighting off his attempts to touch her. "That... that was totally... totally... will - you - stop!" She encircled her fingers around his wrist.
"Come on Hermione, there is nothing to get ashamed of here..."
"Nothing to be-?" Hermione scoffed. She was ashamed of herself for letting things go as far as they did, and jumped from the couch. "You attacked me! When I was angry at you!"
"Perhaps, but you still loved it," He said with a wink. "Which... begs the question... am I forgiven yet?"
Hermione shoved his shoulder at catching the look in his eyes, "Stop it! I'm leaving!" Truthfully, he was right. She enjoyed herself immensely! But she would be damned to actually admit it! Not when she should be annoyed with him!
'Stupid... sneaky... snake'
She made sure she had her wand, and avoided another one of his attempts to stop her, by scurrying over to the door, completely forgetting about the man's pleas coming from the other side of it.
Theo hadn't let up on his knocking, "Come on mate, before Blaise gets here!"
He sighed once the door opened, but once seeing Granger answer the door, Theo stumbled backward in shock, "Well, well, well! And a good morning, to you Granger. Had a pleasantful night sleep?"
"Oh zip it, you!" she snarled before she stormed off.
Theo whistled low, at her retreating form, "So... how was she? Do Mudbloods do it better?"
Draco rolled his eyes as he helped himself to a green apple, "I didn't shag her," he said before biting into the fruit.
Theo raised a brow, "Seriously? But her hair... that...mark on her neck... how did...what?"
Draco bit off another piece of the apple, chewed, then swallowed before answering, "Correct, I did do that but... that's all." Heck it was more than he expected. He only wanted to kiss her, but before he knew it, things escalated into something fierce and by her lead too!
"Now is that all? I can't afford to be late or else that old-bag will expel me"
Theo shook his head, "No, now let me in"
Potions.
It was just the distraction she needed to keep her mind off the intense kisses she shared with Draco. She licked her lips, tasting the green apples that had accompanied his lips when they attacked her mouth.
"No, stop, it Hermione" she scolded herself, distracting her mind by setting out her ingredients, as Slughorn emerged from his office. "It wasn't any different to the other kisses you shared..."
"Ah good morning Miss Granger, did you have a pleasantful weekend?"
Hermione jumped from his boyish voice, then quickly nodded, "Um y-yes I did, thanks"
She saw Ernie enter the room and waved for his attention, "Hey, we need to talk about the Hallowe'en Festivities."
Ernie eyed the stool beside her, "And sit in Malfoy's seat? I don't have a death wish"
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Fine I'll sit by your seat!" truthfully she didn't trust herself with his proximity. She gathered her things and plunked herself in what would have been Blaise's seat. Muttering about territorial boys and pride.
"Can I have your tally sheet?" she said, brushed her hair from her neck as she dipped her quill in ink and began writing. It was here when Ernie spotted the lovebite right under her jaw by her ear and the faint scent of cologne emitting off her clothes.
'So the rumors about her and Malfoy ARE true...' he thought itching his throat, "Uh... Hermione? You don't happen to have a mirror on you, do you?"
"No I don't. Why? You look fine to me."
"It's not...uh... I meant you..."
Hermione stopped scribbling to glare at him. What was he getting at? That was the first thing she did after leaving the Slytherin Common Room!
"No don't take it the wrong way, you just have a..." he broke into an awkward smile, "You got a lovebite"
"What?!" She shrieked, putting her hand right on her throat. How could she have missed it? How many other people have seen it? "Where?!"
"Here let me use a Glamour Charm," Ernie said pointing his wand at her.
Hermione felt the cooling sensation on her throat and then sighed, "Thanks." The heat rushing to her cheeks as she dropped her gaze to the table.
"Don't worry about it Hermione, I'm not going to say anything to anyone," he gave her a reassuring pat on her shoulder.
Her eyes caught sight of Harry and Ron sauntering in the room and then Terry and Michael... Blaise... and then...
Hermione quickly turned her head straight before she could see him, quickly returning her focus to the tally papers once again.
Once class was over Hermione utilized the time when Slughorn was grilling Draco about his potion, and skipped out of the class just after Terry and Michael when she felt a hand on her wrist.
Stilling, she turned around and spotted the green eyes of her once best-friend, Harry.
"Harry," she breathed a sigh of relief that it wasn't Draco. "Thank goodness."
Harry sighed, looking down at her hand, "Walk with me?"
"Look if it is about last night..." she began, quickly checking around to see if any other students were around.
"You didn't show up at breakfast" Harry said gruffly, "Same goes with Malfoy. Were you with him?"
"Harry, don't..." she frowned. She really hoped Harry wasn't going to turn on her like Ron did.
"Hermione, come on, I can smell the cologne on you..."
Hermione blushed, turning her head away from Harry. At the moment she caught Draco walking out of the classroom, with Blaise.
"Look you said we would walk right? So...let's walk"
Draco watched as she carted Harry along behind her and smirked once he caught Blaise's glowering expression.
**Flashback**
Earlier that morning
After closing the door, Theo went right into explanation.
"Blaise plans on giving Granger a Hate Potion."
"Is that so?" came Draco's calm reply.
"Well, actually he's going to Polyjuice himself into Potter to give her the potion. Plans on getting the last of the ingredients in Slughorn's class today so..."
Draco gave a shrug, "So I'll make the antidote, done."
"Not this brew mate. It's one of Daphne's 'special' kinds. Cannot be undone, kind of thing, or nullified by a Lust or Desire Potion either,"
Draco tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, that would pose a problem, yes. How did you come about this?"
"Saw her owl him just this morning. We are in the same dorm still you know. He thought I was sleeping..."
"And you don't think him catching you talk to me wouldn't be a little suspicious?"
"He's gone already. She wanted to meet up in her dorm. Besides I always talk to you, we're on the Quidditch team!"
Draco nodded, "I see..."
Theo reached over and patted Draco on the shoulder, "Mate listen to me, it's nothing okay? Just... stay close to her... don't give Blaise the chance"
**end**
Draco couldn't imagine Hermione hating him, not with the morning they had! Sure she was completely scared and beside herself after Theo so rudely interrupted them, but that was because one minute she was snogging the life out of him and the next she tried to undress him, only to contradict herself a mere second later. Confusing her. Uncertain, maybe even afraid of her feelings, not that he blamed her, he gave her no real reason to trust him.
She had referred herself to being a phase.
But that was a minor detail. They just needed to talk more... like they did the last week.
Like they should have last night - regardless of sounding and acting pathetic - he could not ignore why she was half-naked under her robe!
Like they should right now - the sneak peaks she gave him each time she went to speak to the Head Boy. His lips twitched. She had tried to be discreet, but Draco knew better. And that was something worth talking about!
With that thought, Draco nodded his goodbye to Blaise and then strolled his way out in the fields to where Hermione was talking to Potter.
Blaise snarled at the back of Draco's head as he sauntered his way over to the duet in the fields. 'You'll come off your high horse soon enough,'
E/N: weird end of chapter, but it works.