Disclaimer: I do not own the characters (as much as I'd absolutely LOVE
to), I only own the foul plot.
A/N: Whew! Chapter 6 is done. Good lord! Didn't think I'd actually do it - I mean, after all, this chapter is supposed to be terribly long. (And I do hope I've succeeded!)
Nish: Thanks so much for all your help! (And no, this is NOT going in a lemony direction - LOL!)
Silver Firefly: Awww, thanks! I try to do my best.
Sunshine: Hey! LOL! Bloody hell, yeah I remember. I hope you're having a nice time at your aunt's in GA! I'm real glad that we've been talking to each other. It's nice to get support where and when you need it most! Let me know how successful you are with uploading that chapter - if you need any help, just ask!
Sakura_Angel90: Thanks so much! I'm so glad you liked it! I'm going to give your Harry Potter fan fiction a shot. And thanks for the vote of confidence!
Becka, Draco's one and only: LOL, I agree - that was rude of them to spy. But hey - what kind of best friends would they be? After all, THEY think they're doing it for Hermione's own good. (Btw, I hope you don't run into my friend Jessy, as she thinks SHE is Draco's one and only!)
Slytherin Girl: Again, I'm VERY pleased and flattered that you read my story and reviewed it. Well, I'm listening to you and I tried to update as soon as I could. I did realize that you updated your story, and I read it. Once again, a job EXTRAORDINARILY done! I can't tell you how much I love it!
Vanillastar: Thanks! I hope I've made it up to your expectations.
Alice Chestnut: That's a really nice suggestion you left me. However, I have some big plans for exactly what direction the plot line is headed. Since you're telling me to not spend a lot of time writing the story, I'm wondering how you're also telling me to make it long! LOL! Well, thanks a million!
Jessy: Darling, you couldn't pry me away from my love even if you tried!
Fionuir/Lady Drake/Elizabeth: I do hope you're reading this! Thanks so much for inspiring me with "Close Quarters"! I seriously appreciate it!
Okay, I think I'll go on with the story before someone slaps me upside the head. By the way, I've become a Snape/Hermione shipper, so my side project is partly to blame for the delay in posting this!
The Astronomy Tower Escapade
"Miss Granger, did you have any plans to return to your dormitory at all this evening?" an annoyed Madame Pince asked Hermione.
She looked up from the enormous book on the table in front of her only to meet the Librarian's stern gaze. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Madame Pince, it was just so good that I guess I lost track of time."
"Quite understandable," she replied glancing at the title of the book. "I trust you want to take it back to Head quarters, do you?"
"Oh I'd like that," Hermione said following the Librarian out of the Library. "Er - I'll see you tomorrow, Madame Pince."
The grave woman nodded and slowly walked back to her desk. 'What has gotten into me?' she muttered to herself. She began walking towards her own common room when a voice called out. "Oi! Hermione!" She smiled to herself and whirled around at the sound of Ron Weasley's voice.
"Hullo!" she said as she approached her best friend. "What have you been up to?"
"Oh, not much. Harry and I went out for a friendly Quidditch game - three on three." He shrugged. "The usual."
"That's nice. I was in the Library reading up on the history of the Ministry of Magic. Fascinating, really," she told him excitedly.
He laughed. "I'm sure. You know, it just strikes me of how you and Percy are so alike! So, where are we headed? Haha! Headed! Get it? You, Percy, Head Boy, Head Girl - okay I'll be quiet now," Ron babbled.
She shrugged. "Wherever, I suppose." Hermione checked her magical watch. "We've got about twenty minutes before supper. Fancy a walk outside?"
"Why not?" Ron replied and the two made their way outside. "So how have you been?"
"Okay, I suppose." Hermione shrugged. "Mostly busy with Head Girl stuff. And you? How are you and Lavender doing?"
"Great. Our relationship is pretty steady. She's a great girl."
"Yeah," she agreed.
"We need to find you a nice lad," Ron said as he took in a deep breath of the clean evening breeze.
Hermione blushed. "Whatever for?"
"Dunno," he responded with a shrug. "It'd be nice to see you settled."
"I appreciate your concern, but I'd like to finish up here, you know?"
Ron nodded solemnly. "Sure."
Hermione coughed. "Well, we have about five minutes until supper," she said checking her magical watch. "I think it best we return to the castle." The two best friends strode up the stone steps and slowly walked into the Great Hall.
"Hey!" Harry called out from his seat at their table.
Ron grinned at the sight of Harry with his arm around another girl, but the grin quickly disappeared when he realized who the girl was. "GINNY!?" he cried incredulously.
The red haired girl eyed her brother suspiciously because of his reaction - even though she knew Ron would be protective of her anyway.
"Oh, Ginny!" Hermione squealed as she took a seat next to her. "I'm so happy for you!"
Ginny grinned. "This seems too good to be true, I know!"
Across the table from them, Ron was staring at Harry.
"Look, maybe you think I should have asked you first, but I really couldn't help it. I really like her, and I knew the feeling was mutual, so I gave it a go," Harry explained while gulping at the looks his best friend was giving him.
Meanwhile, Ginny and Hermione talked excitedly about Ginny's new relationship. Hermione barely touched her Beef Wellington when she remembered her promise to meet Draco up in the Astronomy Tower after supper. "Hey Gin, I'm really sorry, but I realized I haven't even touched my Arithmancy homework!"
"Not again!" Ginny groaned as Hermione rose from the table.
"I'm afraid so," she replied with a sheepish grin. "Well, I'll definitely be sure to check up on our new lovebirds when I'm done," she added with a wink in Harry's direction. She studied her friends' faces as she began to depart: Harry wore an expression half torn between happiness and anxiety, Ginny looked positively flushed, and Ron looked like he was ready to hurl. Hermione shook her head at the thought of Ron's bemusement. It was one thing to be concerned, but another to be considerably overprotective.
She silently tip-toed through the halls of Hogwarts secretly hoping no student would find her wandering around, much less a faculty member. Hermione soon reached the long-awaited tower and crept up the steps. A pair of arms encircling her waist soon greeted her.
"Two minutes too long," Draco murmured in her hair.
She smiled at turned in his arms to face him. "You managed," she said with a wink.
"Just barely."
"So, what are we going to do here?"
Draco raised his eyebrow suggestively.
"What?!"
"No, I'm just joking! We're going to talk," he explained and turned her towards the balcony.
"It's so beautiful up there," Hermione whispered gazing at the stars and constellations, her eyes burning with lust.
"If I'm not mistaken," Draco began pulling a roll of parchment from his robes, "I do believe that the extremely large star up there," he said pointing, "has a most unusual name."
She carefully studied the star and finally shook her head. "I honestly don't know what its name is."
His eyebrows furrowed. "Hmm, now what was it? Oh yes, something like - Hermione Granger."
Hermione laughed and laughed. "Honestly, Draco! You're quite the comedian."
"Nope, actually, this proves it." He gingerly handed the roll of parchment to her and watched her as she unrolled it.
Dear Mr. Draco Malfoy,
We at the World Wizarding Astronomy Confederation are most pleased to inform you that your request to buy the unknown star and gain rights to its name, have been granted. The name you have chosen, 'Hermione Granger' will become its legal name, and will be taken down for the records as soon as possible. We are extremely grateful for the handsome contribution you have given to the Confederation, and hope that you are most satisfied with the outcome of this situation.
Sincerely,
Merloff Antonito
President of the World Wizarding Astronomy Confederation
Hermione slowly rolled up the piece of parchment with her mouth wide open. "W-w-what! Why? How did you-"
He shrugged and waved his hand dismissively. "It took nothing to get it, but I knew that it would mean a great deal to you."
"It does," she answered quietly, now gazing at the star named after her. "It's beautiful."
"Just like you," he said cupping her chin lightly in his hand.
She blushed furiously and hoped he hadn't noticed in their dark surroundings.
"How do you feel?" he asked pleased to feel her snuggling into him.
"Different - but in an amazing sort of way. Almost like I'm floating on the clouds without a care in the world." She smiled as her eyes sparkled. "I sometimes wonder if this is what love feels like."
"Some may say that we are not of age to understand love or its qualities."
"Yet age is nothing but a number - one with more age shows more maturity, wisdom, and understanding," she told him in a sagacious tone.
"I suppose you're right. Hermione?"
"Yes, love?"
He beamed. "Am I really your love?"
"My one and only."
"Well, anyway, now that I don't think we're both in a depressed state, do you mind perhaps sharing your 'terrible ordeal'?"
She stiffened at this, but immediately relaxed realizing it would do her a lot of good to let off some steam. "I became the witness of a most disturbing murder." There was a disturbing silence before she continued. "The murder of my sister, to be exact."
"I-I-I-I'm sorry," he stammered.
"Her and I were walking home one night from a Muggle party, when a horrible looking man jumped my sister from behind and began to rape her in a most painful manner."
Draco winced. "I'm sorry you had to be there."
"He killed her, right then and there."
"What'd you do about it?"
"Well, what could I have done? I couldn't just whip out my wand and yell 'AVADA KEDAVRA' at him, now could I? Well for one, it's an illegal curse, and for another, we are still underage to use magic outside of school. And anyway, there were so many Muggles who could hear things, it would be hard to perform Memory Charms on every single one of them."
"Erasing the past," he muttered.
She nodded, and then began to sob. "It was all my fault! I should have done something!"
"Come now, Hermione. Like you said, what could you have done?" he asked innocently as she buried her head in his robes.
"It wasn't right. It should have been me," she said bitterly.
"Don't ever say that again! God has chosen a fate for each one of us, and that was the way He chose hers."
While blubbering uncontrollably, Hermione manage to finally regain her composure. "I'm sorry, your robes are probably soaked right now."
"At least the house elves won't need to wash them now," he told her with a wink.
She laughed. It really was amazing, the way he made her feel - like they were the only things that existed and the only things that mattered was that they were together. She suddenly got an idea when he said 'house elves'.
Draco checked his own magical watch. "I hate to say it, but it seems like our little escapade is coming to an end."
"It doesn't matter much," she said knowingly, "I mean, we only live together."
"Oops," he grinned sheepishly and grabbed her hand.
She led them down the steps and managed to creep back to Headquarters. "Initus," she told an insulted Sir Cadogan grinned at Draco as they curled up on the love seat in their common room.
Hermione began to shiver, and Draco lifted his wand, pointed it at their fireplace and muttered, "Incendio."
She smiled up at him. "I love you, Draco Malfoy."
"I love you too, Hermione Granger." And for the third time in days, the two fell asleep yet again in each other's close company.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next morning Draco awoke to many strange sounds. Suddenly, he found himself looking straight into a pair of black beady eyes on a delicate, yet furry, face.
"Master Draco!" the creature squeaked with excitement.
"Dobby!?" Draco asked the house elf incredulously.
"Oh, Master Draco is remembering Dobby! How kind of master!"
Draco shook his head. "I am not your master, Dobby, and I will refuse you to call me so."
"Really?" he asked, eyes lit with glee.
Draco grinned. "Absolutely."
"Miss is asking Dobby to make Mister breakfast in his bed. Miss is saying that Mister is missing his old house elf and wants to see him!"
"Well, 'Miss' is right, and I thank her for the plans."
"Oh, I'm glad," a new voice said joining their conversation. Hermione stretched and yawned. "Thank you for your prompt arrival, Dobby."
"Thank you for inviting Dobby, Miss!"
"It was my pleasure," she told him kindly.
The house elf turned back to Draco. "Dobby is wanting to ask how Master Lucius and Miss Narcissa is doing, sir."
Draco scowled. "Lucius is dead, serves him right, and Mother is getting along quite fine without him, I'd imagine. The insufferable coward got his just desserts."
Dobby shook his head. "Mister should not say such things about his father!"
Draco ignored this statement and turned to Hermione. "Looks like an interesting start to an interesting day."
A/N: Honestly, my fingers are about to come off of my hands! I know that wasn't as long as people would have liked, but believe me, I'm a busy little girl!
A/N: Whew! Chapter 6 is done. Good lord! Didn't think I'd actually do it - I mean, after all, this chapter is supposed to be terribly long. (And I do hope I've succeeded!)
Nish: Thanks so much for all your help! (And no, this is NOT going in a lemony direction - LOL!)
Silver Firefly: Awww, thanks! I try to do my best.
Sunshine: Hey! LOL! Bloody hell, yeah I remember. I hope you're having a nice time at your aunt's in GA! I'm real glad that we've been talking to each other. It's nice to get support where and when you need it most! Let me know how successful you are with uploading that chapter - if you need any help, just ask!
Sakura_Angel90: Thanks so much! I'm so glad you liked it! I'm going to give your Harry Potter fan fiction a shot. And thanks for the vote of confidence!
Becka, Draco's one and only: LOL, I agree - that was rude of them to spy. But hey - what kind of best friends would they be? After all, THEY think they're doing it for Hermione's own good. (Btw, I hope you don't run into my friend Jessy, as she thinks SHE is Draco's one and only!)
Slytherin Girl: Again, I'm VERY pleased and flattered that you read my story and reviewed it. Well, I'm listening to you and I tried to update as soon as I could. I did realize that you updated your story, and I read it. Once again, a job EXTRAORDINARILY done! I can't tell you how much I love it!
Vanillastar: Thanks! I hope I've made it up to your expectations.
Alice Chestnut: That's a really nice suggestion you left me. However, I have some big plans for exactly what direction the plot line is headed. Since you're telling me to not spend a lot of time writing the story, I'm wondering how you're also telling me to make it long! LOL! Well, thanks a million!
Jessy: Darling, you couldn't pry me away from my love even if you tried!
Fionuir/Lady Drake/Elizabeth: I do hope you're reading this! Thanks so much for inspiring me with "Close Quarters"! I seriously appreciate it!
Okay, I think I'll go on with the story before someone slaps me upside the head. By the way, I've become a Snape/Hermione shipper, so my side project is partly to blame for the delay in posting this!
The Astronomy Tower Escapade
"Miss Granger, did you have any plans to return to your dormitory at all this evening?" an annoyed Madame Pince asked Hermione.
She looked up from the enormous book on the table in front of her only to meet the Librarian's stern gaze. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Madame Pince, it was just so good that I guess I lost track of time."
"Quite understandable," she replied glancing at the title of the book. "I trust you want to take it back to Head quarters, do you?"
"Oh I'd like that," Hermione said following the Librarian out of the Library. "Er - I'll see you tomorrow, Madame Pince."
The grave woman nodded and slowly walked back to her desk. 'What has gotten into me?' she muttered to herself. She began walking towards her own common room when a voice called out. "Oi! Hermione!" She smiled to herself and whirled around at the sound of Ron Weasley's voice.
"Hullo!" she said as she approached her best friend. "What have you been up to?"
"Oh, not much. Harry and I went out for a friendly Quidditch game - three on three." He shrugged. "The usual."
"That's nice. I was in the Library reading up on the history of the Ministry of Magic. Fascinating, really," she told him excitedly.
He laughed. "I'm sure. You know, it just strikes me of how you and Percy are so alike! So, where are we headed? Haha! Headed! Get it? You, Percy, Head Boy, Head Girl - okay I'll be quiet now," Ron babbled.
She shrugged. "Wherever, I suppose." Hermione checked her magical watch. "We've got about twenty minutes before supper. Fancy a walk outside?"
"Why not?" Ron replied and the two made their way outside. "So how have you been?"
"Okay, I suppose." Hermione shrugged. "Mostly busy with Head Girl stuff. And you? How are you and Lavender doing?"
"Great. Our relationship is pretty steady. She's a great girl."
"Yeah," she agreed.
"We need to find you a nice lad," Ron said as he took in a deep breath of the clean evening breeze.
Hermione blushed. "Whatever for?"
"Dunno," he responded with a shrug. "It'd be nice to see you settled."
"I appreciate your concern, but I'd like to finish up here, you know?"
Ron nodded solemnly. "Sure."
Hermione coughed. "Well, we have about five minutes until supper," she said checking her magical watch. "I think it best we return to the castle." The two best friends strode up the stone steps and slowly walked into the Great Hall.
"Hey!" Harry called out from his seat at their table.
Ron grinned at the sight of Harry with his arm around another girl, but the grin quickly disappeared when he realized who the girl was. "GINNY!?" he cried incredulously.
The red haired girl eyed her brother suspiciously because of his reaction - even though she knew Ron would be protective of her anyway.
"Oh, Ginny!" Hermione squealed as she took a seat next to her. "I'm so happy for you!"
Ginny grinned. "This seems too good to be true, I know!"
Across the table from them, Ron was staring at Harry.
"Look, maybe you think I should have asked you first, but I really couldn't help it. I really like her, and I knew the feeling was mutual, so I gave it a go," Harry explained while gulping at the looks his best friend was giving him.
Meanwhile, Ginny and Hermione talked excitedly about Ginny's new relationship. Hermione barely touched her Beef Wellington when she remembered her promise to meet Draco up in the Astronomy Tower after supper. "Hey Gin, I'm really sorry, but I realized I haven't even touched my Arithmancy homework!"
"Not again!" Ginny groaned as Hermione rose from the table.
"I'm afraid so," she replied with a sheepish grin. "Well, I'll definitely be sure to check up on our new lovebirds when I'm done," she added with a wink in Harry's direction. She studied her friends' faces as she began to depart: Harry wore an expression half torn between happiness and anxiety, Ginny looked positively flushed, and Ron looked like he was ready to hurl. Hermione shook her head at the thought of Ron's bemusement. It was one thing to be concerned, but another to be considerably overprotective.
She silently tip-toed through the halls of Hogwarts secretly hoping no student would find her wandering around, much less a faculty member. Hermione soon reached the long-awaited tower and crept up the steps. A pair of arms encircling her waist soon greeted her.
"Two minutes too long," Draco murmured in her hair.
She smiled at turned in his arms to face him. "You managed," she said with a wink.
"Just barely."
"So, what are we going to do here?"
Draco raised his eyebrow suggestively.
"What?!"
"No, I'm just joking! We're going to talk," he explained and turned her towards the balcony.
"It's so beautiful up there," Hermione whispered gazing at the stars and constellations, her eyes burning with lust.
"If I'm not mistaken," Draco began pulling a roll of parchment from his robes, "I do believe that the extremely large star up there," he said pointing, "has a most unusual name."
She carefully studied the star and finally shook her head. "I honestly don't know what its name is."
His eyebrows furrowed. "Hmm, now what was it? Oh yes, something like - Hermione Granger."
Hermione laughed and laughed. "Honestly, Draco! You're quite the comedian."
"Nope, actually, this proves it." He gingerly handed the roll of parchment to her and watched her as she unrolled it.
Dear Mr. Draco Malfoy,
We at the World Wizarding Astronomy Confederation are most pleased to inform you that your request to buy the unknown star and gain rights to its name, have been granted. The name you have chosen, 'Hermione Granger' will become its legal name, and will be taken down for the records as soon as possible. We are extremely grateful for the handsome contribution you have given to the Confederation, and hope that you are most satisfied with the outcome of this situation.
Sincerely,
Merloff Antonito
President of the World Wizarding Astronomy Confederation
Hermione slowly rolled up the piece of parchment with her mouth wide open. "W-w-what! Why? How did you-"
He shrugged and waved his hand dismissively. "It took nothing to get it, but I knew that it would mean a great deal to you."
"It does," she answered quietly, now gazing at the star named after her. "It's beautiful."
"Just like you," he said cupping her chin lightly in his hand.
She blushed furiously and hoped he hadn't noticed in their dark surroundings.
"How do you feel?" he asked pleased to feel her snuggling into him.
"Different - but in an amazing sort of way. Almost like I'm floating on the clouds without a care in the world." She smiled as her eyes sparkled. "I sometimes wonder if this is what love feels like."
"Some may say that we are not of age to understand love or its qualities."
"Yet age is nothing but a number - one with more age shows more maturity, wisdom, and understanding," she told him in a sagacious tone.
"I suppose you're right. Hermione?"
"Yes, love?"
He beamed. "Am I really your love?"
"My one and only."
"Well, anyway, now that I don't think we're both in a depressed state, do you mind perhaps sharing your 'terrible ordeal'?"
She stiffened at this, but immediately relaxed realizing it would do her a lot of good to let off some steam. "I became the witness of a most disturbing murder." There was a disturbing silence before she continued. "The murder of my sister, to be exact."
"I-I-I-I'm sorry," he stammered.
"Her and I were walking home one night from a Muggle party, when a horrible looking man jumped my sister from behind and began to rape her in a most painful manner."
Draco winced. "I'm sorry you had to be there."
"He killed her, right then and there."
"What'd you do about it?"
"Well, what could I have done? I couldn't just whip out my wand and yell 'AVADA KEDAVRA' at him, now could I? Well for one, it's an illegal curse, and for another, we are still underage to use magic outside of school. And anyway, there were so many Muggles who could hear things, it would be hard to perform Memory Charms on every single one of them."
"Erasing the past," he muttered.
She nodded, and then began to sob. "It was all my fault! I should have done something!"
"Come now, Hermione. Like you said, what could you have done?" he asked innocently as she buried her head in his robes.
"It wasn't right. It should have been me," she said bitterly.
"Don't ever say that again! God has chosen a fate for each one of us, and that was the way He chose hers."
While blubbering uncontrollably, Hermione manage to finally regain her composure. "I'm sorry, your robes are probably soaked right now."
"At least the house elves won't need to wash them now," he told her with a wink.
She laughed. It really was amazing, the way he made her feel - like they were the only things that existed and the only things that mattered was that they were together. She suddenly got an idea when he said 'house elves'.
Draco checked his own magical watch. "I hate to say it, but it seems like our little escapade is coming to an end."
"It doesn't matter much," she said knowingly, "I mean, we only live together."
"Oops," he grinned sheepishly and grabbed her hand.
She led them down the steps and managed to creep back to Headquarters. "Initus," she told an insulted Sir Cadogan grinned at Draco as they curled up on the love seat in their common room.
Hermione began to shiver, and Draco lifted his wand, pointed it at their fireplace and muttered, "Incendio."
She smiled up at him. "I love you, Draco Malfoy."
"I love you too, Hermione Granger." And for the third time in days, the two fell asleep yet again in each other's close company.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next morning Draco awoke to many strange sounds. Suddenly, he found himself looking straight into a pair of black beady eyes on a delicate, yet furry, face.
"Master Draco!" the creature squeaked with excitement.
"Dobby!?" Draco asked the house elf incredulously.
"Oh, Master Draco is remembering Dobby! How kind of master!"
Draco shook his head. "I am not your master, Dobby, and I will refuse you to call me so."
"Really?" he asked, eyes lit with glee.
Draco grinned. "Absolutely."
"Miss is asking Dobby to make Mister breakfast in his bed. Miss is saying that Mister is missing his old house elf and wants to see him!"
"Well, 'Miss' is right, and I thank her for the plans."
"Oh, I'm glad," a new voice said joining their conversation. Hermione stretched and yawned. "Thank you for your prompt arrival, Dobby."
"Thank you for inviting Dobby, Miss!"
"It was my pleasure," she told him kindly.
The house elf turned back to Draco. "Dobby is wanting to ask how Master Lucius and Miss Narcissa is doing, sir."
Draco scowled. "Lucius is dead, serves him right, and Mother is getting along quite fine without him, I'd imagine. The insufferable coward got his just desserts."
Dobby shook his head. "Mister should not say such things about his father!"
Draco ignored this statement and turned to Hermione. "Looks like an interesting start to an interesting day."
A/N: Honestly, my fingers are about to come off of my hands! I know that wasn't as long as people would have liked, but believe me, I'm a busy little girl!