AN: This is a rewrite of The Fire Within, which I had finished and published six years ago! After rereading it, along with the wonderful feedback I received from the story, I have decided to update it to improve its length and quality! I hope you all enjoy it as much as you did the first time around. :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
I sat alone on one of the benches lining the corridor, gazing out at the Black Lake below. It was a calm day, and hardly a rippled graced the water's surface. So much had happened last night, I could barely wrap my head around it. Hence why I was alone, in a deserted hallway, left solely with my thoughts. The sound of quick footsteps withdrew me from my reverie, and I turned my head to see Potter walking briskly towards me. His face looked slightly agitated, and his eyes were cold.
"What do you want Potter?" I sneered, as he stopped in front of me.
"I need to talk to you Malfoy," he replied, his jaw locked tightly. I usually had to provoke this type of anger from him, so frankly I was very confused. Things had been tolerable between us as of late.
"About what?" I asked him, confused.
"What happened at the Yule Ball last night." I felt my blood grow cold and my heart dropped to the very farthest pit in my stomach. Oh Merlin, last night...
Three Weeks Earlier
"Who are you going with Hermione?" Ron asked her for at least the tenth time that class. Hermione rolled her eyes, and kept her head down, furiously working away on her Potions homework.
"I already told you that I won't be telling you!" She replied shrilly, clearly irked at the constant badgering. "Now, if you don't mind, I have some work to do."
"I don't think she's going with anyone," Ron whispered to Harry. I glanced over to see if Granger had heard that and I guess she did because I saw her eyes start to glisten. Merlin, that twat would never give her a break.
"Professor, may I please go to the Lavatory?" The brunette asked Professor Snape. He glanced lazily down at her, his ever present grim expression plastered on his face.
"If you must," he drawled coldly. She immediately hopped off her chair and practically sprinted out of the room.
The door hadn't even closed behind her when I blurted out, "Professor, I have to use the Lavatory." Snape glanced over at me and nodded that I could go. I raced out of the room and ran down the hall. I saw the tail end of a black robe whip around the corner and followed in hot pursuit. I ran quickly and finally caught up with her, just as she was about to enter an empty classroom.
"My my Granger, playing with the rules are we?" I drawled, as I leaned against the stone door frame.
"No, I asked to go out. I doubt you did Malfoy," She mumbled, turning to leave. I grabbed her arm and whipped her around to face me. Her eyes were slightly puffed up, and her face was splotched with red.
"Look, I heard what happened between you and Weasley. I-I want to help," I mumbled. "Meet me at the top of the Astronomy Tower at nine o'clock tonight. Don't be late." I release her arm and turned to strut back to class. I glance out of the corner of my eye and notice that she is still standing in front of the empty classroom door. Poor Granger. Wait, did I just think that?
I walked into the dreary dungeon and a few minutes later, Granger walked back in as well. She didn't look like she had been crying, so she probably had used magic to make it look that way. Or perhaps my charm just made her feel better? I smirked to myself. I finished smashing the last beetle for my Girding potion and glanced at the table ahead of me. Granger was already cleaning up her station. I hated how she was always one step ahead of me.
The class finally came to an end, with Snape dismissing us, which made everyone quickly put their things away before he changed his mind or assigned more homework. "Mr. Longbottom, don't forget, detention tomorrow at three o'clock." Was the last I heard before I scuttled out through the throng of students rushing to their next classes. I see Granger slowly walking behind Potter and Weaselbee, who are chattering away, not making any effort to engage with her. Those gits can't even appreciate the brilliant friend they have. I scoff at their utter stupidity. They will learn.
9:00 pm
I slowly tapped my fingers on the railing of the astronomy tower. It was a beautiful, clear night, with the light from the twinkling stars being the only thing that lit me up. The castle was mostly dimmed, with lights only visible in the Headmasters office, Gryffindor common room, the place where the Beauxbatons and the boat where the Durmstrang students were staying. The night was the most calming time for me, as it allowed me to be alone with my thoughts.
I heard light panting and the soft thud of footsteps coming up from the metal stairwell. Soon, Granger walked over to where I was standing, slightly out of breath from the trek up. "It's beautiful up here," she whispered, gazing out at the serene landscape before us. The tower offered the best view of the grounds. You could see the lake glittering under the light from the stars, with its gentle ripples being illuminated beautifully. The forest was also visible from here, but at this time of night it was only a dark smudge.
"I go up here sometimes, just to help take my mind off of things," I said slowly, looking down at her. She shivered a little as a cool breeze wafted through the unprotected platform. I glanced to see what she was wearing and smirked. For being so supposedly bright, she really could be quite stupid. Wearing only her dark grey skirt and a Gryffindor sweater, it was no surprise she was chilly. I took off my cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders.
She flinched but then whispered, "Thanks Draco."
I looked at her, taken aback. "Did you just call me Draco?" I demand, raising one slender eyebrow quizzically. She smiled softly and tilted her head down, gazing at her shoes.
"S-sorry. It just sort of, slipped out," she mumbled. "Why are you being so nice to me?"
"Because I feel that it's time we put the past behind us. Start fresh," I held out my hand.
"How mature of you Malfoy," she replied with a smile, taking my hand in hers. She shook it up and down and began to draw it back when I gripped it and started swinging it. Left and right, in a childish manner. She giggled, making me smile. She had an adorable laugh,
"So, why did you want to me here?" She inquired, taking her hand back and leaning against the railing.
"To do this," I said as I knelt down. She looked down at me quizzically.
I pulled a small, red rose out of my pocket and held her hand in my other hand, "Hermione, would you give me the honor of going to the Yule Ball with me?"
"From enemies to friends in just a few minutes?" She asked skeptically.
"Granger, I gave up my prejudices, long ago... As in last year," I said laughing. "And I have seen so much change in you over the last year. You're strong, resilient, intelligent beyond comprehension. I've studied you, admired you, and frankly, have grown a crush for you despite my better judgement. At first I feared you, after the crack to my nose last year. But I've since grown to admire your dedication to all aspects of your life. I've tried to keep mostly to myself and not bother you, Potter, or Weasley for the last year. But I want to say I'm sorry for how I've treated you. I spent the summer reading up about muggleborns, and have cast aside my prejudice. Because I see you're more than that." I paused, trying to gauge her reaction.
"I just want you to give me a chance. Please. I see how Weasley treats you. I know I can do better. And I'm not saying we're going to date right now, but I want us to at least try to be friends. I want to be a better person, and it starts with making amends with you. I've let the prejudice I've been taught consume me for too long. I want this chance to prove to you that I'm more mature and have changed."
"I would love to go with you Malfoy," She said, smiling broadly. I sighed in relief. God it felt good to finally get it off of my chest.
"So, you aren't going with anyone already?" I inquired, standing up and handing her the delicate flower.
"No. I was just waiting for the right person to ask me," she said. "It's getting late, I should probably head back now. Thank you, Draco," I gently lifted her hand and planted a soft kiss on it. Despite the poor lighting, I knew she was blushing.
"I'll see you tomorrow Granger," I said, as she turned to walk down the spiral staircase.
"Goodnight Malfoy," and with a few quick strides, she was out of sight. I remained at the tower for a few more minutes, before walking back to my common room. I still couldn't believe that she actually said yes, and everything had gone so smoothly. I had spent weeks trying to figure out just what to say, and how to say. I had been so anxious leading up to that moment, I hadn't been able to eat all day. I sighed in relief, and felt the tension leave my shoulders.
When I reached the empty common room, I walked straight over to my dorm, expecting to find a few of my friends still awake. I plopped down on my bed and let out a content sigh.
"Someone's happy," Blaise Zabini smirked, leaning on his bed to look over at me.
"What makes you say that?" I asked, faking innocence. I tried to conceal a smirk, but to no avail.
"Well, you're out late and come back with a content sigh. Either, you were out with a girl, or you finally escaped from Pansy's clutches. But between you and me, I think it's the first thing," he said winking roguishly.
"Well, I've got a date to the Yule Ball," I replied, attempting to sound nonchalant.
"Finally! Took you long enough!" He said with a chuckle. I threw my pillow at him which he caught easily, and through it back good-naturedly. I was glad he hadn't switched to Durmstrang like his parents wanted. He was the only one who had been able to keep me sane all year, after everything that had happened at home over the summer...
"Good night Blaise," I said sleepily, putting the pillow beneath my head.
"Night Draco," he rolled over, and before I knew it was snoring softly.
And before I knew it, I had fallen asleep in my regular clothes, that's how tired I was. Even though I was still worked up with excitement about the ball, I had to remember that it was still three weeks away. Anything could happen.
AN: I hope you liked my first rewritten chapter! I will try and update this every few days, since a lot of it is already written. I'll keep up the original in case anyone wants to read that, but I hope this is an improvement! Thanks for reading. :)