AN I'm incredibly sick of saying "he thought" and "she thought", so I'm
gonna use the * method. * For Hermione, **for Draco. Sorry to change
halfway through. Also, this is the chapter where they fall in dun dun dun
love! *Sings Love Boat theme*
Although they were both still somewhat weak, Hermione and Draco convinced the professors and Madam Pomfrey to let them go back to living in their dorm for the last two days of the school year, although they wouldn't be attending classes. They would both take make-up O.W.L.S at the end of the summer. Everybody was still unreasonably happy, and the students of Hogwarts, who hadn't seen their Head Boy and Girl for a little under 2 weeks, were left in blissful ignorance.
Hermione and Draco left the infirmary with Harry, Ginny and Ron, all chattering happily. They reached the dormitory 10 minutes later. Harry and Ron had tutoring lessons, and Ginny had "something to do" wink wink nod nod, so Draco and Hermione were left in front of the portrait together.
"Hatred Abounds" Draco said the familiar password, smiling at it's irony. The two ladies looked up from the baby in the carriage and smiled cheerfully. The portrait swung open with a slight creak and nobody made a move. Hermione took a deep breath and stepped into the dorm, assisted by Draco. She stood uncertainly, looking at the familiar common room and listening to Draco trying to pull a bag in behind her. It was like looking into a pensieve. Everything was exactly like they had left it. There was the essay Draco had been writing, there were his glasses, there was her bathrobe on the bathroom floor, their laundry bag was still full, and the covers in the bedrooms all mussed. There wasn't a dust mite in sight, Filch had hunted and killed them all. There wasn't any blood either, thankfully. Hermione walked slowly into her bedroom and sat down on the bed, barely noticing when Draco sat down beside her and picked up her arms. He pulled up the sleeves of her white pajamas (they hadn't bothered to change) and looked down at her arms.
"THAT'S all you did?" Draco asked unbelievingly. **How could all that blood come from those three little cuts? ** Hermione looked down at her arms numbly.
"No. There were a lot more, but they could be removed with scar-removing spells. Those three were the deepest. " She said, looking up at Draco to see his reaction. He was still staring at her arms. There were two short cuts on her right wrist and a long one on her right. He finally looked up at her and smiled, surprisingly.
"I gave Madam Pomfrey a scar. Dumbledore laughed at something Hagrid said and let go of my jaw briefly while they were feeding me and I bit her hand." He snorted. "The flesh between her pointer finger and thumb. That had to hurt." Hermione laughed.
"You were that wild, then?" She asked.
"What can I say? I've always been a wild man." Draco said, smiling charmingly and wiggling his eyebrows.
"I think we should have an early night. So, get out." Hermione said.
"What? You mean I can't sleep with you?" Draco said, using his famous puppy dog eyes along with a charming pout. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Unless I'm in a coma and you're crackers, no." She said, shoving him out the door. She heard him laughing all the way to his own room. She shook her head. It felt good to just be friends with him now. *Or does it? * Said a voice in her brain. *Maybe you'd like to be more than friends with him? * *Maybe I do, but it's not going to happen. My mother just died, and we're both under a lot of stress and he doesn't feel that way about me! * Yelled her other, more sensible, voice. And that was that. Or was it?
"Mione, where's my 'Draco Malfoy Rocks' T-shirt?" Draco yelled from his room. She didn't answer. He poked his head into her room. "Mione? Oh there you are. So do you know where it… oh yeah!" He rolled his eyes. "I remember now." He said, running off. *But you think I don't*
Draco banged his head against his door. **How could you be such a stupid git? That's the shirt you were wearing when… its probably covered in blood, Pomfrey probably threw it out! ** He turned and flopped onto his bed, then felt something underneath him. He reached under his back and pulled it out. It was the 'Draco Malfoy Rules' T-shirt.
"GODDAMN!" He said loudly. "All that for nothing!" It was still covered in blood. Hermione's blood. **Why in the fuck didn't anyone fucking clean it? ** Draco thought irritably. Yes, he even swore in his mind. As he was preoccupied with mind swearing, Draco didn't hear the footsteps getting closer and closer to his door.
"Draco?" Hermione asked softly through the door. She poked her head in, and seeing Draco sitting with his back to her, walked over to him. She lay a hand on his shoulder. "Draco?" She asked again, and he looked up at her, startled. Hermione looked down at his lap and saw the bloody T-shirt there. She went a few shades paler.
"Is that…mine?" She asked a little shakily. Draco nodded. There was an awkward silence and then Draco, feeling the need for a joke, said sarcastically,
"Actually no, it's the blood of the OTHER girl I rescued from herself!" Hermione tittered nervously, wringing her hands and looking around his room for something to distract her. She had always imagined Draco's room being very neat, since he was generally a very precise person, but it was just like any other teenage boys' room. The walls were Slytherin green, because that really WAS Draco's favorite color. There was a sloppy bulletin board over his desk. THERE was a sufficient distraction. Hermione waded through the clothes, papers, etc. and over to it. Mostly it was covered in schedules and a few letters from his Mum, but there were a few notes, written in his pristine writing. Hermione looked at one a little closer. 'Plot Revenge on Granger' it read in large block letters. There was something there, underneath it… Hermione gasped. A picture of her and Draco! They were having an argument, it seemed. *I wonder who took this? * Suddenly picture!Draco pulled picture!Hermione to him and kissed her noisily on the lips. *That didn't happen! * Hermione held out the picture to Draco with her hand on her hip.
"This so didn't happen Draco Malfoy!" Draco shrugged and winked mischievously.
"Can't be held responsible for what our picture selves do, Mione! I guess they just couldn't resist their luuuuuuurve." He said, grinning widely. When he said 'love', well actually 'luuuuuuurve', Hermione felt something flutter in her stomach. If their picture selves were in 'luuuuuuurve', maybe they were too? *Forget it Hermione. We can't be held responsible for what our picture selves do. Exactly like Draco said, and that means he doesn't have any feelings for me* Hermione managed a somewhat disappointed looking smile and hurried out of Draco's room, jumping over a large pile of … well, everything you could imagine, and out the door. Too dangerous in there she decided, putting a hand to her blushing face and hoping Draco hadn't noticed how red she was.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Draco sighed. He was disappointed when Hermione left. It was nice having her in his room, on his turf. He had had her all flustered too. Must've been embarrassed. **'Cause there's no way in hell that Hermione Granger luuuuuuurves Draco Malfoy. ** He had really been quite surprised when Hermione showed him the picture. People in pictures were supposed to stay in the mood that they were in when the picture was taken. Hermione and he hadn't been in that particular…um, horny, for lack of a better word, mood when the picture was taken. Had they? He looked down at the picture, to find picture!Hermione pushing picture!Draco against a wall, still kissing him furiously. Picture!Draco slid a hand up picture!Hermione's shirt. Draco turned a bit pink. He rolled his eyes. "Christ, it's like watching a porn film!" He muttered under his breath before flipping the picture over so that he could only see the white part.
"Draco, I'm getting a shower, ok?" He heard Hermione yell from the common room.
"Alright Hermione!" He yelled back before picking up a book he was reading, The Entire Amber Chronicles by Roger Zelazny, walking out to the common room and sitting in his armchair. After a few chapters he closed the book with a sigh. He pulled off his glasses and rubbed his eyes with a sigh. "Hermione?" He called, hoping she was out of the bathroom. No answer. He looked over at the bathroom door and saw that faint light from under it. Déjà vu. **Stop thinking like that, Draco, stop thinking like that** He stood up. "Hermione?" No answer. Draco was overcome with panic. He ran to the bathroom, yanked open the door, skidded in over the damp tiles, and looked frantically around for Hermione. Wait, the water was running. He yanked open the curtain. Ah, there was Hermione. She screamed.
"DRACO! What are you doing?! Omigod! Get OUT!" She yelled at him. Draco put a hand over his eyes and shook his head 'no'.
"I'm not leaving. Look, I'm not looking at you, ok? See my hand over my eyes? Now hold out your arms." Hermione sounded hurt when she said,
"No I won't! You don't have any right to barge in here and demand to see my arms!" She let a little sob escape. "Don't you even trust me?" When he didn't reply. She yelled, "JUST GET OUT!" Draco sighed,
"Hermione, don't make this any harder! I'm not leaving until I see your arms, so just hold them damn out! If you don't, I will open my eyes and tackle you. I am not leaving this bathroom without seeing your arms." He said through gritted teeth. Hermione placed her hands in his. He took his hand off his eyes but kept them squeezed tightly shut. He felt slowly and gently up each arm. "Why did you come here in the first place, to get a peep show?" Hermione asked in a pissed off tone.
"Of course not Hermione. You were in here a little long, and you didn't answer when I called your name, and I got a little…panicked. It was just so much like last time that I freaked…" Draco said. Hermione was silent. Draco couldn't tell whether she was mad at him or if she had forgiven him. He felt something inconsistent with the rest of her silky, wet skin. He rubbed his thumb along his it. Hermione yelped. He took a deep breath.
"Hermione, what is that?" He said calmly.
"I-It's nothing Draco…" Hermione said, trying to pull her arm away. She laughed. "Honestly, you get worried over nothing." Draco opened his eyes. "DRACO! Keep your eyes closed!" She said. Draco averted his gaze from her body, only looking at her arm. There was a tiny razor slash just below her elbow. It was bleeding. It was fresh. "Draco, my razor slipped, honestly…" Hermione said. Draco looked up at her.
"Look me in the eyes, and tell me that your razor slipped." His eyes found his own black razor, lying in the bathtub where she had dropped it when he came in. There was a little trickle of blood washing off of it and down the drain.
"I wasn't going to kill myself Draco, honest… I wasn't! I was just, I was just going to…"
"I was just going to what?" Draco asked harshly. He felt tears sting his eyes and he looked away. Hermione was crying now. " Get out of the shower." He said.
"But, I still have suds on me…"
"GET. OUT. OF. THE. SHOWER." Hermione whimpered and obeyed. He got her bathrobe from behind the door and she slid her arms into it. He felt like she was a disobeying child and he was her angry parent. He roped the bathrobe shut for her and put a hand on the small of her back, though it wasn't comforting. He walked her out to the common room and pointed at the couch. Hermione looked up at him pleadingly and he set his face sternly. She nodded her head and sat down, her wet hair falling around her as she put her head in her hands. Draco felt betrayed. He had never felt so betrayed in his life. It was like what she had done was a direct affront to him. He towered in front of her, a look of disappointment on his face that nearly crushed her.
"I'm…sorry Draco…please, just…let it be?" She said, like a meek child. Draco fumed.
"Don't you 'sorry Draco' me! Don't you understand how serious this is? My God Hermione! You could… kill yourself! That's an illness, do you hear me? AN ILLNESS!"
"I know ok? I KNOW! It's not like I can help it!"
"YES YOU CAN! YOU CAN HELP IT, GODAMMIT! DON'T YOU GIVE ME THAT CRAP!" Draco roared at her. This was too much. Hermione burst into loud, racking sobs.
Draco could hear her saying,
"I'm so sorry Draco" Over and over through her sobs. He wanted to comfort her, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
"Well I'm sorry too Hermione." He said quietly, and then he walked into his room and left Hermione crying on the couch. He flopped down on his bed and stared at his ceiling. When he had left, Hermione had started crying louder, if that was possible. He could still hear her. Every painful sob felt like a stab in his own chest. He lay on his bed for ten full minutes, his fists clenched tightly and his eyes squeezed shut. She was still sobbing. He ran out of the room and sat next to her on the couch, putting his arms around her. She buried her face in his chest and sobbed herself dry. She didn't have any more tears and her voice was hoarse when she whispered yet again,
"I'm so sorry Draco." And then fell asleep. She didn't see the lone tear trickling down Draco's own face.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Ginny crept into the room quietly, smiling at the two sleeping figures. They had missed supper, and it had been to perfect an opportunity to pass up. If they didn't wake up soon they were going to have one hell of a neck crick each. She snapped her fingers and an entourage of house elves crept in, carrying a table, chairs, roses, candles, and covered dishes. They set it up to Ginny's satisfaction and then filed out. Ginny looked at the sleeping pair as she climbed out the portrait; they didn't look like they'd be waking anytime soon. Smiling devilishly she slammed the portrait loudly, hearing gasps from inside. Or maybe they would.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Hermione and Draco jumped at the loud sound. Draco jumped up and ran to the portrait flinging it open and looking outside. Nobody there, although he could've sworn he saw a bit of red hair going around the corner and a giggle that sounded a lot like a particular Weasley's did. He turned back to Hermione, who was still on the couch. Her eyes were red-rimmed and her face was damp, so they couldn't have been asleep for long. She was still wearing her light blue terrycloth bathrobe. They both noticed the table at about the same time. Draco walked over to it. It was an elaborate set-up, with a blue tablecloth and red roses and candles in silver candleholders. He took the cover of one of the dishes and found a delicious looking Chicken Stroganoff, which was his favorite food, a garden salad and some fancy-looking garnishes. He covered the food again, not wanting to let the heat escape and picked up a little silver card that said simply, 'Love Always, Ginny'. He laughed and gave the card to Hermione, who had been trying to read over his shoulder. There were two champagne glasses filled to the brim. Draco picked one up and tasted it,
"White Grape Juice." He said to Hermione. They looked at each other and laughed. Ginny really was something. Draco pulled out a chair and gestured for Hermione to sit down but she held up a finger and ran into her room. She came out a moment later wearing a blue pajama set that was a twin to the red one that had been ruined and little bunny slippers. Draco realized he was still wearing his hideous white pajamas.
"One sec." He said to Hermione and jogged into his room. He came out what seemed like 3 seconds later wearing plaid pajama pants and a black T-shirt that read 'Bow Down Before Draco Malfoy'. Hermione laughed.
"Do you always wear T-shirts that are made especially for you with those statements on them?" She asked.
"Yes. And aren't you supposed to be bowing down?" He said smirking. Hermione stood in front of him and did a little curtsy, which didn't work out all to well since her slipper caught on the couch, and she fell down. Draco helped her up." Don't worry, those little things happen to everyone. I think I still may hire you on as a faithful servant." He said wittily. Hermione rolled her eyes and sat down.
"Thank-you for your profound generosity, O Great One." She said mockingly. Draco laughed and sat down across from her. They stared at each other for a minute, then looked away awkwardly.
"Shall we eat?" Draco asked and Hermione nodded, still not looking at him. Neither of them had had a good, big, yummy meal for quite a while, so they dug in, eating and drinking like they had never seen food before. After they were both finished they sat there for another while Draco said,
"I think we need to talk about some stuff Hermione." Hermione nodded guiltily and Draco sighed. They went and sat down on the couch again. "Why did you cut yourself again?" Draco asked bluntly.
"I don't even know, Draco. I just… it felt right I guess. I didn't consciously decide to do it, I just picked up your razor and slashed myself, and then you came in."
"Did it make you feel good?" Draco asked. Hermione hung her head.
"Yes." She said in a whisper. Draco pulled her to him.
"You don't need to be ashamed, Hermione." He said soothingly to her.
"Yes, I do. I'm weak. Everybody put their trust in me, you put your trust in me, and I ruined it." Hermione said, avoiding his eyes. Draco took her chin and forced her to look at him.
"We all have weak moments. I still trust you. You just need find other things that make you feel good." Hermione was so happy that he still trusted her. She moved closer to him, and realized something.
"Draco, this makes me feel good." She said, before she kissed him deeply.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
AN Tee hee hee! Isn't that so sweet? Hey, this was a pretty long chapter! What do you think about Draco reading Roger Zelazny? I always picture him as a guy who would like that sort of 'manly' yet mysterious fantasy novel. Did you like the 'Second Bathroom Scene'? Thanks to Reviewers:
Christina- I really appreciate your ideas but it can't work out that way in my story, since the school year is going to end in the next 3 days! The rest of my story is going to take place over the summer! The Dragon's Queen (my other fic) has more of the awkward, sexual tension filled moments in it, or at least, coming up! Thanks again for everything.
allee kat- Well good luck with the whole report card/detention situation! Sounds absolutely grody!
franthephoenix- but when? Does nobody read my AN's? *sobs hysterically* WHEN should they get together? Now or later? I know it's all unlikely… but hey, poetic… er, writers license! Filch is not reasonable, he's intelligent. He's also hysterically maniacally crazily obsessed with dirt! That's why he's so mean when it comes to dirt. What? So I try to make every character good! Nobody's REALLY completely evil. My dog left a dead mouse on my sleeping bag at my Halloween sleepover 3 years ago, I thought that was quite appropriate. Sorry that you find it all silly/inappropriate, and even sorrier to say that I don't disagree with you, it IS all silly/inappropriate, but oh well. We'll all live and this is all pointless.
Icy Stormz- Ok Ok! What I meant by that she 'couldn't see' is that she's not seeing with her eyes, she's not in touch with her physical body at all, but the black place is separate, she has all her senses there, but there's nothing to sense anyway. That makes sense to me, but I can't explain it any better. *sighs* oh well, just trust me, ok? Also, all of you say thank-you to Icy Stormz, this chapter wouldn't have happened if it weren't for her. I really needed someone to tell me when to have them fall in love! Thanks a lot! Also, check out her excellent fic, Forced Love. You'll be totally hooked.
Hermie13- Believe you me, you don't want to go crazy like Draco, that was bad!
Sucker For Romance- Why thank you dear.
Aaren- YES! Another, well… maybe not convert, but still, acceptor, of my 'ship, D/Hr forever. I remember how surprised I was when I read my first D/Hr. It was so good. Yes, the image of Draco Malfoy The Boy Who Was An Arse pirouetting does do the soul good, doesn't it?
Chunky monkey- does no one listen? Does no one understand? *Sobs* NO SEX! NO. SEX. IN. THIS. STORY. I thought I'd cleared that all up?! There wasn't enough room in the summary to say 'attempted rape and sexual implications' so I just said sex! Is that a crime?! (And no it' s not Draco who attempts rape)
Buffy Anne Summers- I know what fic addiction is like; I'll keep it coming hon.
porkypop- Thanky all!
Shadow Angel- err…thanks then, mate.
Bondage Girl- Your opinion really helped me decide! Thanks.
G*Ness- I totally adore your reviews. Love ya to pieces sweetie!
Howler D?Hr. Shipper- Thank-you so much. Yeah, spell check just doesn't do it for me all the time…so… now I have a Howler!
Although they were both still somewhat weak, Hermione and Draco convinced the professors and Madam Pomfrey to let them go back to living in their dorm for the last two days of the school year, although they wouldn't be attending classes. They would both take make-up O.W.L.S at the end of the summer. Everybody was still unreasonably happy, and the students of Hogwarts, who hadn't seen their Head Boy and Girl for a little under 2 weeks, were left in blissful ignorance.
Hermione and Draco left the infirmary with Harry, Ginny and Ron, all chattering happily. They reached the dormitory 10 minutes later. Harry and Ron had tutoring lessons, and Ginny had "something to do" wink wink nod nod, so Draco and Hermione were left in front of the portrait together.
"Hatred Abounds" Draco said the familiar password, smiling at it's irony. The two ladies looked up from the baby in the carriage and smiled cheerfully. The portrait swung open with a slight creak and nobody made a move. Hermione took a deep breath and stepped into the dorm, assisted by Draco. She stood uncertainly, looking at the familiar common room and listening to Draco trying to pull a bag in behind her. It was like looking into a pensieve. Everything was exactly like they had left it. There was the essay Draco had been writing, there were his glasses, there was her bathrobe on the bathroom floor, their laundry bag was still full, and the covers in the bedrooms all mussed. There wasn't a dust mite in sight, Filch had hunted and killed them all. There wasn't any blood either, thankfully. Hermione walked slowly into her bedroom and sat down on the bed, barely noticing when Draco sat down beside her and picked up her arms. He pulled up the sleeves of her white pajamas (they hadn't bothered to change) and looked down at her arms.
"THAT'S all you did?" Draco asked unbelievingly. **How could all that blood come from those three little cuts? ** Hermione looked down at her arms numbly.
"No. There were a lot more, but they could be removed with scar-removing spells. Those three were the deepest. " She said, looking up at Draco to see his reaction. He was still staring at her arms. There were two short cuts on her right wrist and a long one on her right. He finally looked up at her and smiled, surprisingly.
"I gave Madam Pomfrey a scar. Dumbledore laughed at something Hagrid said and let go of my jaw briefly while they were feeding me and I bit her hand." He snorted. "The flesh between her pointer finger and thumb. That had to hurt." Hermione laughed.
"You were that wild, then?" She asked.
"What can I say? I've always been a wild man." Draco said, smiling charmingly and wiggling his eyebrows.
"I think we should have an early night. So, get out." Hermione said.
"What? You mean I can't sleep with you?" Draco said, using his famous puppy dog eyes along with a charming pout. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Unless I'm in a coma and you're crackers, no." She said, shoving him out the door. She heard him laughing all the way to his own room. She shook her head. It felt good to just be friends with him now. *Or does it? * Said a voice in her brain. *Maybe you'd like to be more than friends with him? * *Maybe I do, but it's not going to happen. My mother just died, and we're both under a lot of stress and he doesn't feel that way about me! * Yelled her other, more sensible, voice. And that was that. Or was it?
"Mione, where's my 'Draco Malfoy Rocks' T-shirt?" Draco yelled from his room. She didn't answer. He poked his head into her room. "Mione? Oh there you are. So do you know where it… oh yeah!" He rolled his eyes. "I remember now." He said, running off. *But you think I don't*
Draco banged his head against his door. **How could you be such a stupid git? That's the shirt you were wearing when… its probably covered in blood, Pomfrey probably threw it out! ** He turned and flopped onto his bed, then felt something underneath him. He reached under his back and pulled it out. It was the 'Draco Malfoy Rules' T-shirt.
"GODDAMN!" He said loudly. "All that for nothing!" It was still covered in blood. Hermione's blood. **Why in the fuck didn't anyone fucking clean it? ** Draco thought irritably. Yes, he even swore in his mind. As he was preoccupied with mind swearing, Draco didn't hear the footsteps getting closer and closer to his door.
"Draco?" Hermione asked softly through the door. She poked her head in, and seeing Draco sitting with his back to her, walked over to him. She lay a hand on his shoulder. "Draco?" She asked again, and he looked up at her, startled. Hermione looked down at his lap and saw the bloody T-shirt there. She went a few shades paler.
"Is that…mine?" She asked a little shakily. Draco nodded. There was an awkward silence and then Draco, feeling the need for a joke, said sarcastically,
"Actually no, it's the blood of the OTHER girl I rescued from herself!" Hermione tittered nervously, wringing her hands and looking around his room for something to distract her. She had always imagined Draco's room being very neat, since he was generally a very precise person, but it was just like any other teenage boys' room. The walls were Slytherin green, because that really WAS Draco's favorite color. There was a sloppy bulletin board over his desk. THERE was a sufficient distraction. Hermione waded through the clothes, papers, etc. and over to it. Mostly it was covered in schedules and a few letters from his Mum, but there were a few notes, written in his pristine writing. Hermione looked at one a little closer. 'Plot Revenge on Granger' it read in large block letters. There was something there, underneath it… Hermione gasped. A picture of her and Draco! They were having an argument, it seemed. *I wonder who took this? * Suddenly picture!Draco pulled picture!Hermione to him and kissed her noisily on the lips. *That didn't happen! * Hermione held out the picture to Draco with her hand on her hip.
"This so didn't happen Draco Malfoy!" Draco shrugged and winked mischievously.
"Can't be held responsible for what our picture selves do, Mione! I guess they just couldn't resist their luuuuuuurve." He said, grinning widely. When he said 'love', well actually 'luuuuuuurve', Hermione felt something flutter in her stomach. If their picture selves were in 'luuuuuuurve', maybe they were too? *Forget it Hermione. We can't be held responsible for what our picture selves do. Exactly like Draco said, and that means he doesn't have any feelings for me* Hermione managed a somewhat disappointed looking smile and hurried out of Draco's room, jumping over a large pile of … well, everything you could imagine, and out the door. Too dangerous in there she decided, putting a hand to her blushing face and hoping Draco hadn't noticed how red she was.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Draco sighed. He was disappointed when Hermione left. It was nice having her in his room, on his turf. He had had her all flustered too. Must've been embarrassed. **'Cause there's no way in hell that Hermione Granger luuuuuuurves Draco Malfoy. ** He had really been quite surprised when Hermione showed him the picture. People in pictures were supposed to stay in the mood that they were in when the picture was taken. Hermione and he hadn't been in that particular…um, horny, for lack of a better word, mood when the picture was taken. Had they? He looked down at the picture, to find picture!Hermione pushing picture!Draco against a wall, still kissing him furiously. Picture!Draco slid a hand up picture!Hermione's shirt. Draco turned a bit pink. He rolled his eyes. "Christ, it's like watching a porn film!" He muttered under his breath before flipping the picture over so that he could only see the white part.
"Draco, I'm getting a shower, ok?" He heard Hermione yell from the common room.
"Alright Hermione!" He yelled back before picking up a book he was reading, The Entire Amber Chronicles by Roger Zelazny, walking out to the common room and sitting in his armchair. After a few chapters he closed the book with a sigh. He pulled off his glasses and rubbed his eyes with a sigh. "Hermione?" He called, hoping she was out of the bathroom. No answer. He looked over at the bathroom door and saw that faint light from under it. Déjà vu. **Stop thinking like that, Draco, stop thinking like that** He stood up. "Hermione?" No answer. Draco was overcome with panic. He ran to the bathroom, yanked open the door, skidded in over the damp tiles, and looked frantically around for Hermione. Wait, the water was running. He yanked open the curtain. Ah, there was Hermione. She screamed.
"DRACO! What are you doing?! Omigod! Get OUT!" She yelled at him. Draco put a hand over his eyes and shook his head 'no'.
"I'm not leaving. Look, I'm not looking at you, ok? See my hand over my eyes? Now hold out your arms." Hermione sounded hurt when she said,
"No I won't! You don't have any right to barge in here and demand to see my arms!" She let a little sob escape. "Don't you even trust me?" When he didn't reply. She yelled, "JUST GET OUT!" Draco sighed,
"Hermione, don't make this any harder! I'm not leaving until I see your arms, so just hold them damn out! If you don't, I will open my eyes and tackle you. I am not leaving this bathroom without seeing your arms." He said through gritted teeth. Hermione placed her hands in his. He took his hand off his eyes but kept them squeezed tightly shut. He felt slowly and gently up each arm. "Why did you come here in the first place, to get a peep show?" Hermione asked in a pissed off tone.
"Of course not Hermione. You were in here a little long, and you didn't answer when I called your name, and I got a little…panicked. It was just so much like last time that I freaked…" Draco said. Hermione was silent. Draco couldn't tell whether she was mad at him or if she had forgiven him. He felt something inconsistent with the rest of her silky, wet skin. He rubbed his thumb along his it. Hermione yelped. He took a deep breath.
"Hermione, what is that?" He said calmly.
"I-It's nothing Draco…" Hermione said, trying to pull her arm away. She laughed. "Honestly, you get worried over nothing." Draco opened his eyes. "DRACO! Keep your eyes closed!" She said. Draco averted his gaze from her body, only looking at her arm. There was a tiny razor slash just below her elbow. It was bleeding. It was fresh. "Draco, my razor slipped, honestly…" Hermione said. Draco looked up at her.
"Look me in the eyes, and tell me that your razor slipped." His eyes found his own black razor, lying in the bathtub where she had dropped it when he came in. There was a little trickle of blood washing off of it and down the drain.
"I wasn't going to kill myself Draco, honest… I wasn't! I was just, I was just going to…"
"I was just going to what?" Draco asked harshly. He felt tears sting his eyes and he looked away. Hermione was crying now. " Get out of the shower." He said.
"But, I still have suds on me…"
"GET. OUT. OF. THE. SHOWER." Hermione whimpered and obeyed. He got her bathrobe from behind the door and she slid her arms into it. He felt like she was a disobeying child and he was her angry parent. He roped the bathrobe shut for her and put a hand on the small of her back, though it wasn't comforting. He walked her out to the common room and pointed at the couch. Hermione looked up at him pleadingly and he set his face sternly. She nodded her head and sat down, her wet hair falling around her as she put her head in her hands. Draco felt betrayed. He had never felt so betrayed in his life. It was like what she had done was a direct affront to him. He towered in front of her, a look of disappointment on his face that nearly crushed her.
"I'm…sorry Draco…please, just…let it be?" She said, like a meek child. Draco fumed.
"Don't you 'sorry Draco' me! Don't you understand how serious this is? My God Hermione! You could… kill yourself! That's an illness, do you hear me? AN ILLNESS!"
"I know ok? I KNOW! It's not like I can help it!"
"YES YOU CAN! YOU CAN HELP IT, GODAMMIT! DON'T YOU GIVE ME THAT CRAP!" Draco roared at her. This was too much. Hermione burst into loud, racking sobs.
Draco could hear her saying,
"I'm so sorry Draco" Over and over through her sobs. He wanted to comfort her, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
"Well I'm sorry too Hermione." He said quietly, and then he walked into his room and left Hermione crying on the couch. He flopped down on his bed and stared at his ceiling. When he had left, Hermione had started crying louder, if that was possible. He could still hear her. Every painful sob felt like a stab in his own chest. He lay on his bed for ten full minutes, his fists clenched tightly and his eyes squeezed shut. She was still sobbing. He ran out of the room and sat next to her on the couch, putting his arms around her. She buried her face in his chest and sobbed herself dry. She didn't have any more tears and her voice was hoarse when she whispered yet again,
"I'm so sorry Draco." And then fell asleep. She didn't see the lone tear trickling down Draco's own face.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Ginny crept into the room quietly, smiling at the two sleeping figures. They had missed supper, and it had been to perfect an opportunity to pass up. If they didn't wake up soon they were going to have one hell of a neck crick each. She snapped her fingers and an entourage of house elves crept in, carrying a table, chairs, roses, candles, and covered dishes. They set it up to Ginny's satisfaction and then filed out. Ginny looked at the sleeping pair as she climbed out the portrait; they didn't look like they'd be waking anytime soon. Smiling devilishly she slammed the portrait loudly, hearing gasps from inside. Or maybe they would.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Hermione and Draco jumped at the loud sound. Draco jumped up and ran to the portrait flinging it open and looking outside. Nobody there, although he could've sworn he saw a bit of red hair going around the corner and a giggle that sounded a lot like a particular Weasley's did. He turned back to Hermione, who was still on the couch. Her eyes were red-rimmed and her face was damp, so they couldn't have been asleep for long. She was still wearing her light blue terrycloth bathrobe. They both noticed the table at about the same time. Draco walked over to it. It was an elaborate set-up, with a blue tablecloth and red roses and candles in silver candleholders. He took the cover of one of the dishes and found a delicious looking Chicken Stroganoff, which was his favorite food, a garden salad and some fancy-looking garnishes. He covered the food again, not wanting to let the heat escape and picked up a little silver card that said simply, 'Love Always, Ginny'. He laughed and gave the card to Hermione, who had been trying to read over his shoulder. There were two champagne glasses filled to the brim. Draco picked one up and tasted it,
"White Grape Juice." He said to Hermione. They looked at each other and laughed. Ginny really was something. Draco pulled out a chair and gestured for Hermione to sit down but she held up a finger and ran into her room. She came out a moment later wearing a blue pajama set that was a twin to the red one that had been ruined and little bunny slippers. Draco realized he was still wearing his hideous white pajamas.
"One sec." He said to Hermione and jogged into his room. He came out what seemed like 3 seconds later wearing plaid pajama pants and a black T-shirt that read 'Bow Down Before Draco Malfoy'. Hermione laughed.
"Do you always wear T-shirts that are made especially for you with those statements on them?" She asked.
"Yes. And aren't you supposed to be bowing down?" He said smirking. Hermione stood in front of him and did a little curtsy, which didn't work out all to well since her slipper caught on the couch, and she fell down. Draco helped her up." Don't worry, those little things happen to everyone. I think I still may hire you on as a faithful servant." He said wittily. Hermione rolled her eyes and sat down.
"Thank-you for your profound generosity, O Great One." She said mockingly. Draco laughed and sat down across from her. They stared at each other for a minute, then looked away awkwardly.
"Shall we eat?" Draco asked and Hermione nodded, still not looking at him. Neither of them had had a good, big, yummy meal for quite a while, so they dug in, eating and drinking like they had never seen food before. After they were both finished they sat there for another while Draco said,
"I think we need to talk about some stuff Hermione." Hermione nodded guiltily and Draco sighed. They went and sat down on the couch again. "Why did you cut yourself again?" Draco asked bluntly.
"I don't even know, Draco. I just… it felt right I guess. I didn't consciously decide to do it, I just picked up your razor and slashed myself, and then you came in."
"Did it make you feel good?" Draco asked. Hermione hung her head.
"Yes." She said in a whisper. Draco pulled her to him.
"You don't need to be ashamed, Hermione." He said soothingly to her.
"Yes, I do. I'm weak. Everybody put their trust in me, you put your trust in me, and I ruined it." Hermione said, avoiding his eyes. Draco took her chin and forced her to look at him.
"We all have weak moments. I still trust you. You just need find other things that make you feel good." Hermione was so happy that he still trusted her. She moved closer to him, and realized something.
"Draco, this makes me feel good." She said, before she kissed him deeply.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
AN Tee hee hee! Isn't that so sweet? Hey, this was a pretty long chapter! What do you think about Draco reading Roger Zelazny? I always picture him as a guy who would like that sort of 'manly' yet mysterious fantasy novel. Did you like the 'Second Bathroom Scene'? Thanks to Reviewers:
Christina- I really appreciate your ideas but it can't work out that way in my story, since the school year is going to end in the next 3 days! The rest of my story is going to take place over the summer! The Dragon's Queen (my other fic) has more of the awkward, sexual tension filled moments in it, or at least, coming up! Thanks again for everything.
allee kat- Well good luck with the whole report card/detention situation! Sounds absolutely grody!
franthephoenix- but when? Does nobody read my AN's? *sobs hysterically* WHEN should they get together? Now or later? I know it's all unlikely… but hey, poetic… er, writers license! Filch is not reasonable, he's intelligent. He's also hysterically maniacally crazily obsessed with dirt! That's why he's so mean when it comes to dirt. What? So I try to make every character good! Nobody's REALLY completely evil. My dog left a dead mouse on my sleeping bag at my Halloween sleepover 3 years ago, I thought that was quite appropriate. Sorry that you find it all silly/inappropriate, and even sorrier to say that I don't disagree with you, it IS all silly/inappropriate, but oh well. We'll all live and this is all pointless.
Icy Stormz- Ok Ok! What I meant by that she 'couldn't see' is that she's not seeing with her eyes, she's not in touch with her physical body at all, but the black place is separate, she has all her senses there, but there's nothing to sense anyway. That makes sense to me, but I can't explain it any better. *sighs* oh well, just trust me, ok? Also, all of you say thank-you to Icy Stormz, this chapter wouldn't have happened if it weren't for her. I really needed someone to tell me when to have them fall in love! Thanks a lot! Also, check out her excellent fic, Forced Love. You'll be totally hooked.
Hermie13- Believe you me, you don't want to go crazy like Draco, that was bad!
Sucker For Romance- Why thank you dear.
Aaren- YES! Another, well… maybe not convert, but still, acceptor, of my 'ship, D/Hr forever. I remember how surprised I was when I read my first D/Hr. It was so good. Yes, the image of Draco Malfoy The Boy Who Was An Arse pirouetting does do the soul good, doesn't it?
Chunky monkey- does no one listen? Does no one understand? *Sobs* NO SEX! NO. SEX. IN. THIS. STORY. I thought I'd cleared that all up?! There wasn't enough room in the summary to say 'attempted rape and sexual implications' so I just said sex! Is that a crime?! (And no it' s not Draco who attempts rape)
Buffy Anne Summers- I know what fic addiction is like; I'll keep it coming hon.
porkypop- Thanky all!
Shadow Angel- err…thanks then, mate.
Bondage Girl- Your opinion really helped me decide! Thanks.
G*Ness- I totally adore your reviews. Love ya to pieces sweetie!
Howler D?Hr. Shipper- Thank-you so much. Yeah, spell check just doesn't do it for me all the time…so… now I have a Howler!