Falling in Love with the Enemy: Chapter 2: Working the Plan
By: ~EMeRaLdS~
Ginny bounced onto Hermione's bed and squealed. "How did it go?! Did he kiss you?! Did he like 'The New Hermione'? Did he dress up? What happened? Hermione! Wake up!" Ginny was bursting with questions.
"Huh, what?" Hermione sat up and realized what Ginny was talking about. "Ginny! What time is it!?" Hermione said as she realized it was late.
"Eleven thirty. Why?" Hermione whimpered as she threw herself out of bed. Ginny got tangled in Hermione's covers and she was on the floor. "Wait! Help me! Herm! Why? We don't have classes!" Ginny said as she fought with the bed covers.
"The Hogsmeade trip is this weekend! A good opportunity to show off me and Draco!" Hermione said as she went through Ginny's trunk, looking for another 'cute' outfit. She found another nice one and hopped in the shower.
"Ginny! Dry my hair quickly! I can't remember the spell!"
"Dryosis!" Ginny said and Hermione's curls were dried and bouncy. Hermione slipped on the lavender colored spaghetti strap. It came to her thighs and came to a V-neck. She slipped on black sandals of Ginny's, and had Ginny do a quick make-up job. Purple eye pencil, lip gloss, shimmer on her eyes, and powder and blush. She grabbed a short black cloak and fastened it around her neck before starting towards the door. "Hermione, wait!" Ginny squealed.
"What?!"
"Your hair! And the train doesn't leave until twelve thirty! Relax!" Ginny said as she picked out an outfit. Hermione quickly pulled the cloak back off and sat down in front of Ginny's vanity mirror while Ginny showered. Hermione tried many different ways with her hair, but finally settled on a messy bun with curls hanging down. She looked marvelous. She smiled. She liked the new her, and she hoped Draco did too. Wait! Take that back! Who cares what Draco thinks! Take that back! I take it back!
Ginny walked out of the bathroom in a jean skirt and a white tank top with crackled navy blue letters spelling 'Old Navy' across the top. She didn't look as date-like. Her red curls were in a single ponytail and her make-up was more natural like. Hermione guessed she was going to Hogsmeade with Seamus.
"Ginny! You coming? Its almost time!" Seamus called from the common room. Ginny looked excitedly at Hermione.
"You better leave now if you want to get down there and see if Draco's going. And if he's not, you can just come with me!" Hermione took a deep breath.
"Yeah, okay." Hermione walked down the stairs and Seamus watched her legs. Hermione cleared her throat as she walked by and Seamus looked away. "Thought so," she muttered under her breath.
"Hermione! Where you going? We still have ten minutes!" Harry said as he got up from the couch he was sharing with Ron and Lavender. Ron was watching Hermione and Lavender was glaring at her. Lavender looked like a slut and Hermione wondered how Ron could like her. She wore a tube top and a really, really short skirt and heels. Hermione coughed something that sounded like "slut" as she walked by.
"I'm going to meet Draco!" Hermione said as she walked out of the portrait hole.
"Damn, she looks nicer every time I see her!" Dean Thomas said, sighing as Parvati shot him a glare.
~~~*~~~
Hermione walked into the Great Hall where she figured Draco and everyone would be. Sure enough, there was Draco with all his Slytherin friends, talking. Hermione got close enough to them to hear what they were saying.
"I know you're going to be disappointed in me, but I am going out with a Gryffindor." Draco looked around at Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy, and a few other boys and girls around him. There was a sharp intake of breath.
"Who!"
"What!?" squeaked a horrified Pansy.
"Hermione Granger."
"You mean the mudblood?" Pansy said.
"I mean Hermione Granger, Potter and Weasley's friend. That is a rude thing to say, Pansy. Especially about my girlfriend. I am going to take her to Hogsmeade today. Ahh, there she is!" Draco said in his usual drawl. He had seen Hermione watching and walked over to her. "Don't you look nice? Are you coming to Hogsmeade?"
"Yes, I am. I presume you'll be accompanying me?" she said sweetly. Draco faked a smiled for their audience.
"Of course, Baby." he kissed her cheek and took her hand, dragging her from the hall. Hermione's cheeks no longer needed the blush Ginny had supplied. They had their own crimson tint, now. Draco said nothing, just walked towards the front doors.
"Uh, Draco?"
"What?" he snapped. Hermione knew he didn't want to be in this situation.
"You're not that bad of a kisser." Draco stopped walking and looked at her. She, too, stopped.
"What?" Draco's voice wasn't snappy, but more anxious, almost.
"I'm pretty sure you heard me, but of you didn't I'd be glad to repeat it," Hermione said sweetly.
"God, you're a smart ass!" Draco said as he started walking again. That wasn't the answer she'd expected, but Hermione laughed anyway. Draco couldn't keep a faint smile off his face.
"Everyone who is boarding the train please go get ready!" Dumbledore's voice said. Draco and Hermione moved down the stone steps and down to the train. Draco helped Hermione in, while Ron stood and watched from where Lavender was clearing her throat repeatedly, waiting for Ron to help her in. Draco smiled evilly at Ron as he entered his compartment and closed the door.
"So, where should we go once we get into Hogsmeade?" Draco asked, his voice edgy.
"The Three Broomsticks. Ron and Lavender will see us there. And maybe we could have something to eat, like a real romantic dinner?" Hermione said, scooting a little closer to Draco. Draco crinkled his nose up.
"How about we stick to the plan, Granger." Draco's voice was still edgy as he watched out the window. Hermione sighed and quit trying so hard. She'd tried really hard to make Draco like her as a friend. She wasn't doing to well. She was overdoing it.
~~~*~~~
Hermione walked quickly towards the Three Broomsticks. Draco followed. They found an empty table and sat quietly. Draco knew Hermione was angry at him for calling her Granger. He sighed and rolled his eyes. He hated being nice to her.
"Hermione, listen--"
"Draco, I realize I'm trying to make you like me as a friend, and I'm trying way too hard. I know we aren't real good friends and I know you don't really like being seen with me. I know it's hurting your reputation and everything, and I know you really hate me and everything, but I'm really sorry. If you want, you can just stop now if you want. I'm sure I'll get over Ron--it's just that I think I might have really loved him and then...He just used me like that! And it hurt so bad; I just wanted to make him pay for what he did to me. I'm sorry I put you through this." Hermione was looking at the table, now. Draco had a pang of guilt as she sighed shakily and started to wipe the eye make-up she wore away. She was going to try to be the old Hermione Granger again! Stop her! Stop her!
"No, stop!" Draco reached for her hand and pulled her hands away from her face. Even the though make-up was ruined, Draco smiled. "I don't hate you." He didn't know why, but he couldn't help but smile at her. This made her smile. Then Draco laughed a little, and then Hermione, and then they were both laughing really hard.
Ron came over, and just watched them. "Hermione?" Hermione calmed down and looked at him. She reached across the table and grabbed Draco's folded hands as she smiled at Ron.
"Yes?"
"Uh, are you two. . .You know? An item?" Ron asked.
"Of course!" Hermione said. "Draco is so handsome and sweet. I just never noticed his soft side until he comforted me one night while I was in a hallway crying. He really is very nice and he loves me." Those last words echoed through Ron's head. ...And he loves me...And he loves me...And he loves me...And he loves me! Ron turned around and walked away, over to his table where Lavender sat, filing her bright red nails.
Hermione smiled brightly and hissed a "Yes!" as Ron walked away sullenly. Draco rolled his eyes and stood up.
"Lets go do something. Get out of here!" Draco said, nodding his head towards the door. Hermione stood up and smiled.
"Lets go!" They ran out the door, smiling. Hermione was acting for Ron, but Draco was trying to act. He was having a pretty good time. They pranced outside in high spirits and saw Harry and Cho walking by. They had started dating just this year.
"Hey, Hermione! How are you?" Cho asked kindly. Hermione was glad Harry was going out with her; she was so polite.
"Fine, thanks! And how about you?"
"I'm fine. And, isn't that Draco Malfoy? Of all people, good for you to stand up against everyone else and go out with the person you really like, Hermione!" She was so encouraging, too. Draco blushed a little, but Hermione smiled.
"Thank you. Hey, Harry."
"Hi. Hi, Draco."
"Hello, Harry," Draco responded civilly. Hermione smiled; he was a wonderful actor. Ron and Lavender walked out of the Three Broomsticks and saw them. Ron didn't say anything, but Lavender hopped right into the conversation.
"Hey, Harry! Hi, Cho!" Lavender said brightly. A light snow had started falling. It was a couple weeks before Christmas. Hermione pretended not to notice how Lavender hadn't invited her or Draco into the conversation.
"Hey, Lavender," Harry and Cho chorused.
"Hey, Harry!" Hermione said suddenly, excited. "Lets us four go to Honeyduke's and buy some people candy for Christmas! Like the people whom aren't really, really close, but friend that deserve something. Like Neville, Seamus, and Dean!"
"That's a good idea!" Cho chimed in. Lavender crossed her arms.
"Yeah, how about we all go!" Lavender said, eying Hermione. "And, oh my goodness, is that a Slytherin with Granger?" she added. Hermione frowned.
"Actually, his name is Draco Malfoy, and he is the most sexy man I've ever met!" Hermione said. Draco enjoyed this compliment, though his cheeks turned a light shade of pink. Ron joined the conversation, then.
"Lav, let's just go to Sherri's. We need to get Parvati's Christmas present," Ron said, leading Lavender away before she could protest.
"What's with her?" Cho asked.
"Who cares! Lets just go, I'm getting cold!" Hermione said. Draco put his arm around her shoulders and hugged her closer. Hermione was enjoying his company and being closer to him made her feel safe from something, though she didn't know what.
After Honeydukes, the group separated and did their own thing for a while. Cho drug Harry off to Sherri's Boutique to get her friend Lacey a Christmas present. Hermione and Draco just wandered the streets. When the train was about to start its call on all the Hogwarts students, Hermione and Draco started back early.
"You know, that Christmas Ball is in six days and I don't have a thing to wear. Is it true we have to wear muggle clothes?" Draco said as Hermione and him headed into the station. Hermione smiled and stopped walking to look at a flier tacked up.
Christmas Ball
Hogwarts
Friday, December 18th
Muggle clothing to be worn. We hope to see you there.
Sincerely,
Professor Dumbledore
Hermione smiled and started walking again. "Yep, muggle clothes alright." Draco moaned. He was so well-dressed. And to think he doesn't have anything muggle in his entire wardrobe! Hermione laughed at this thought. She'd have to get something out of her Witch in the Willows Magazine. She was sure she'd find the perfect outfit.
"Well, I guess I'm taking you, then. And you know what? They're going to be having a Christmas King, Christmas Queen contest. They said the nominees will be up Monday," Draco said. Hermione again imagined herself in that pretty blue muggle ball gown with a crown and Draco standing next to her in an identical crown while everyone cheered for them in the Great Hall. She shook herself awake as Draco started to pull her onto the train.
The trip back was quiet as Hermione was slowly falling asleep on Draco's shoulder. No one else was in their compartment. She shivered slightly as her cloak slid off her shoulders onto the ground. He took his off and slipped it around her, she smiled in her sleep and her head fell off his shoulder into his lap. Her eyes came open slightly, but Draco cradled her head until she fell back asleep. The ride home seemed different for Draco that night. He was no longer that lonesome, handsome, teenager who rode home with his stupid, guffawing friends; he was no longer that boy who was only adding to someone's pain and not their pleasure. He was riding home with someone who was in need of his help. A strange thought crossed his mine, then. What if we really fell in love? He brushed it away with anger quickly. She's a Gryffindor! Draco Malfoy can't fall in love with her. He won't either. He doesn't even like her like that. She's a friend. Just a friend.
~~~*~~~
Draco carried Hermione and her cloak all the way to a picture of a fat lady in a pink silk dress before he finally asked for help. "Um, excuse me, but do you have any clue where Gryffindor Tower is? I didn't want to wake her," Draco said, motioning to Hermione in his arms.
"Hold on a second! I'll be right back!" The Fat Lady in the picture went running through pictures down the hallway and left Draco standing there for about ten minutes until she finally came back with a sixth year -- Collin Creevy. "Give her to him, he'll get her to where she belongs." Draco gently handed her over to Collin and left, thinking.
Collin took her inside the portrait hole and asked Ginny what to do with her since he wasn't allowed in the girls' dorms. Ginny brought Collin up to the seventh years' dorms and got Hermione situated in bed in the purple dress and all. Ginny thanked Collin and they went back downstairs.
~~~*~~~
It must have been summertime, since there was no snow and it was warm outside. Hermione stood in a strip of moonlight outside of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and Wizardry. She wore the strangest outfit. . .A rose colored dress with sleeves that fit around the forearm and the neck formed a low V. The strangest part was the dress itself, though. It came down on one side to about her upper thigh, while on the other side it came down to her ankle and it descended downwards as it went across.
Her hair was combed around her face into normal curls and her eyes were bluish teal. She wore black heels and in her hand there was a ruby, blood red stone on a chain. It looked like a bright, bright ruby. No doubt, it was a gem.
She looked around and saw nothing but dark shadows. But, suddenly, something moved. A human, she hoped. She tried to run, but her feet wouldn't listen. Not that it mattered, for once the figure came into the light, you could clearly tell that silver-blonde hair belonged to Draco. Herminoe ran at him, and threw herself into his arms. He quickly shoved her away, and she fell to the ground.
"What? Draco -- I thought--"
"You thought I loved you. . .? Hah! And you will die for your foolishness, girl! Draco Malfoy, Voldemort's number one Death Eater loves no one!" As Draco was saying this, he pulled a dagger from his cloak, and started to forcefully bring it down to Hermione. Just when the blade was about to plunge into her chest, Hermione flashed away form the spot, and knew it was all over. . .
"HERMIONE!" Ginny screamed. She'd come rushing in when all the girls couldn't wake her up and she kept screaming. "HERMIONE NICOLE GRANGER!"
"Huh!? Wha--?" Hermione sat bolt upright in bed and clutched her covers. Tears started emitting from her eyes. That dream had been horrible! She cried, and Ginny sat with her.
~~~*~~~
Hermione came down to the common room in a black skirt and a white long sleeved shirt. She didn't feel like dressing up, so she got her books, left her hair down, put some eye glitter and lip gloss on and headed out. Nothing fancy this morning. She remembered that Draco had said something about the nominees for the King and Queen of the Christmas Ball. When she got downstairs, everyone was crowded around the message board.
"Look! I've been nominated for Queen!" Lavender said excitedly. Hermione edged into the ground and tried to see over everyone. She finally got close enough to see.
Queen Nominees:
1.) Jessica Parker-Ravenclaw
2.) Parvati Patil- Gryffindor
3.) Lavender Brown- Gryffindor
4.) Claire Vasquez- Slytherin
5.) Hermione Granger- Gryffindor
Hermione gasped. She was nominated?! She couldn't help but smile. She would have to look stunning to win, but oh well. She was determined to win. She was nominated! She looked back at the nominations for the guys of Gryffindor.
King Nominees:
1.) Draco Malfoy- Slytherin
2.) Harry Potter- Gryffindor
3.) Mark Lapowski- Hufflepuff
4.) Ron Weasley - Gryffindor
5.)Martin Colonius- Hufflepuff
Hermione smiled and walked over to Harry. "Congratulations!"
"Oh, thanks, Hermione! Congratulations to you, too!"
"Thanks. I'm going to down to the Great Hall for a quick breakfast. See ya!" Hermione raced out of the common room and down all the stairs to the Great Hall. She saw Draco and ran over to him.
"I was nominated!" she said excitedly.
"So was I!"
"What if us two win?"
"Well, I overheard some of the teachers talking when I was waiting for Snape after potions, and I heard that the best behaved all week will get picked. So be on your best behavior, if you aren't already." Hermione smiled.
"You too."
"Well, I have Charms. Gotta go."
"Bye, Draco. See you in Potions."
"Bye. . .'Mione?" he said questioningly.
"What?" Hermione remembered when Ron had called her that.
"Is that okay? 'Mione?"
"Its fine. . .Its beautiful. . .Now go! You'll be late!" Draco smiled, kissed Hermione on the lips quickly and ran away. Hermione smiled as some Slytherins gave her bad looks, but she didn't care. She was having the best week of her life right now!
{A/N: Longer than the last by a little. Please read foregoing parts! Thanks so much! Bye! And R/R!!!!!!!!!}