A/N Fanfiction was really pissing me off! Not only was I unable to update when I wanted to for the last chapter, but it wouldn't let me read what I wanted to read! Grr it's making me mad! Well here's the second to last chapter that was originally part of the last chapter and is part of the next one. Last chapter was boring, and so is this one, but there's snogging here, so I suppose that's somewhat good enough to somehow boost the level of boring up towards not as boring. :S
{Updated A/N as of July 19, 2002}Here's another reason, not excuse, for my late chapter-ness. I was out of town when I typed EIGHT PAGES of this on my laptop. Then one day the laptop CRASHED not allowing me to get my chapter back!!!! Do you know how much time it takes to re-type over 15 pages written? A word from the wise: VERY VERY HARD!!!! ::breathe in:: breathe out:: Well, this took a very long time to do, so I hope you enjoy it. Even though I think it's pretty darned boring…the beginning at least. Also, I have no clue how to write a song fic, even though this isn't one. There's song song-fic-ness, and I'm pretty sure it's corny.
Dedicated to: Professor's Cortex and Hullabub for sticking with me throughout this, and still being here after so long. Thanks to be new beta (for the last chapters) Sean for helping me out. And of course, to all my readers and reviewers, because without you all, then there would be nobody to please when I was writing this fic! Thanks to the 11 people who have me on their favourites list! I'm very happy now, hehe.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related articles belong to J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. The song in this chapter belongs to Avril Lavigne (Naked)/Arista Records. Inspiration for some parts of this chapter was received from Melissa D's WAHP (chapter 12 to be precise); a really great story (FYI). Asterisked (*) quote belongs to the wonderful singer Pink (My Vietnam)/Arista Records. The idea of the Crysticall belongs to me as I haven't read anything that mentioned them. I don't own Bentley (they're cool) or Chevrolet (I have two!) car companies, if I did, I'd be nearly rich.
Chapter 29: Going Away
The whole hall gave Draco a standing ovation for his speech. Despite the fact that it mocked some Gryffindors, it was a really, very good speech. And after all, who would expect anything written by Draco Malfoy that didn't, even slightly, make fun of somebody? He casually strolled back to his seat next to Hermione. She pulled him into a hug and kissed him on the cheek, "Do you know how beautiful that was?"
"It wasn't that good. Simple, straight to the point, and some jokes directed towards your house, typical of me. But it was hard writing a speech." Draco leaned back on his velvet chair.
She smiled, "You did a marvellous job. I'm very proud of you."
Dumbledore stood up and calmed the tumulous applause. "Excellent speech, Mr. Malfoy, excellent! And I'm sure that you fed us your words of wisdom, but now, we need to be properly fed now! But before we eat, let me introduce for your dining, and later dancing enjoyment, Miss Celestina Warbeck! A platform rose in front of the teacher's table and a lady with raven black hair and midnight blue robes walked on the stage with her band. They let out a soothing piece for the dinner. Dumbledore said, "Tuck in students!"
The hall was filled with Celestina's music, the clinking of silverware and glasses, and student's voices. Hermione was starting on her garden salad when Harry, Ron and Ginny walked up to their table. "Hermione you look fabulous!" Ginny gushed.
Harry and Ron were awkwardly shaking hands with Draco on his speech. "Nice speech Mal—Draco." Ron said gruffly.
"Thanks…Ron." He said back, his back strangely stiff.
An awkward silence followed. "So I take it we're all…friends. Rich Draco?" Harry said.
"I suppose so Harry."
Hermione was watching them all when she flung her arms around all three of them with relieved tears brimming in her eyes. "You three are so…so…stupid! It's about time you all set aside your house pride and face the music!"
While Hermione turned around and chatted animatedly with Ginny, Ron mouthed to the other two boys, "Crazy." They all laughed together.
Hermione bid her, or rather their, friends adieu for now and they left her and Draco alone to eat. They were in the process of ordering their main courses, when Draco looked up from his ordering plate, at Hermione, who was reading the menu. "Hermione?"
"Yes?" she said, still looking at the menu.
"Are you doing anything this summer?"
"I don't think so." She looked at the plate, "Grilled chicken linguini with Alfredo sauce, not too much cream sauce please." Looking back at Draco, "Other than studying for my Apparation license, sending out job applications, thank you," she said to the plate once her food appeared, "and possibly looking for a new flat to move into once I start working, no. Why do you ask?"
"Would you like to spend a few weeks at my manor? I could introduce you to my mother. But you don't have to, if your busy flat-shopping." He waved a fork full of steak in the air.
"Nonsense!" she beamed, "I'd love to stay with you! It'd be wonderful to stay in a classic English Wizarding home."
"Wonderful." He smiled back.
The rest of dinner passed smoothly enough. Dumbledore announced that they would take a small break to dance before the awards. Just as Draco was going to extend his hand to Hermione, Ron tapped him on the shoulder. "You don't mind if I step in here do you?"
Draco smirked, "Sorry Weasley, but I don't swing onto that side of the pendulum."
"Very funny Malfoy. But I meant Hermione." Ron looked at her and she nodded.
I wake up in the morning
Put on my face
Together they walked onto the dance floor and Ron took Hermione hand in his and put his hand on her waist. As she out her hand on his shoulder, they swayed in time with the soft music. "You know that now I don't have a problem with you and him now, right?" he asked quietly.
The one that's gonna get me
Through another day
Doesn't really matter
"Of course. Ronald Weasley, you've grown up." She smiled at him.
"Thanks, I guess." Silence. "When someone saves a best friend, I tend to look at them in a new light. Even if that light is slightly brighter than the one before."
"I wouldn't expect anything less of you Ron."
How I feel inside
'Cause life is like a game sometimes
When the song ended, Hermione went over to Draco. He was reclining in his chair, lazily twirling a fork in the air. "It's about time that you've come back. I was getting lonely." He feigned sadness.
But then you came around me
The walls just disappeared
"Sure you were. You could've danced with someone." She sat next to him.
"Like who? Pansy? Yeah right. Ginny? Ha! Like Potter would let me. See, there's no girl who would want to dance with poor me."
"And you don't make the effort to ask anyone." She said pointedly.
"Perhaps. And maybe I don't want to make you jealous by dancing with some other stunningly beautiful girl." He smirked.
Nothing to surround me
And keep me from my fears
"Really! Well them Mr. Malfoy, you're dancing with me." She stood up and pulled him out of his seat.
I'm unprotected
See how I've opened up
Oh, you've made me trust
Once on the dance floor, they danced together conversing quietly. "You knew I was going to do that didn't you?" she asked him.
I've never felt like this before
I'm naked
Around you
Does it show?
"Of course I did. You're an open book and it's so easy to fold your corners."
"Sure it is." She muttered and rested her head on his shoulder, and her arms around his neck.
You see right through me
And I can't hide
I'm naked
Around you
And it feels so right
He bent his head and kissed her neck, up to her hair. Once in a while he would nip at her skin and soothe the area with his tongue. She wasn't completely idle during his ministrations. Her hands were massaging his neck and the back of his head. Occasionally she would play with the hairs at the back of his neck.
I'm trying to remember
Why I was afraid
To be myself and let the
Covers fall away
They were interrupted by Harry, dancing with a giggly Ginny. "You two are being watched you know." He said.
Draco moved his head a fraction away and growled, "Bugger off Potter."
Harry grinned and left Hermione and Draco alone to snog.
I guess I never had someone like you
To help me, to help me fit
In my skin
They vacated the dance floor when the song ended and went back to their table. He got her to sit in his lap where he played with the gold chain at her back. "What are we going to do for the summer?" he asked.
"What do you mean?" she said.
"When would you like to come to my house? How long would you like to stay? Those sort if trivial questions."
"I was thinking that first I go home for a few weeks, July perhaps, then I could see you. But I don't want to impose n any of your mother's plans." She said, turning her head to face him.
"That's quite alright. My mother never has plans. If she does, she's just not at home." He said casually.
"OK them. I'll introduce you to my parents. They won't take kindly to some boy whisking me off to his castle for hald of my summer."
"Understandable," he nodded, "I'll just have to charm their socks off so they'll have to let me whisk you off to my castle for half of her summer. To put it in your terms."
"The irresistable Malfoy Charm?"
"Is there another?" he grinned.
"You're horribly conceited. You know that right?" she laughed.
I never felt like this before
"Of course I am. When one owns an incredible large sum of money, mostly gold by the way, I have every right to be." He said pointedly.
"Sure you do. Back to the original topic, I'll introduce you at King's Cross. How are you getting to your manor?" she asked.
"Mother usually has a portkey ready for me at the station. She'll send it with a servant or something. I'll get it when you leave."
"OK then." She said shortly and leaned on his chest and shoulder.
After a few more dances and casual conversations, the time was only 9 o'clock. Harry and Ron left for a quick walk outside on the grounds. "How are things with you and Ginny?" Ron asked.
"Great. She's really wonderful." Harry replied.
"Well, she's only been swooning over you for the past 6 or so years. Plus, she's a Weasley. We're all wonderful." Ron and Harry laughed.
"What do you think of Hermione and Malfoy?" Harry asked nervously, unsure of Ron's reaction.
Ron'ws steps faltered slightly, but he just shrugged. "I dunno. You must admit it was really strange at first. Definitely shocking. But I don't know really."
"I know what you mean. The 11-year old part of me would just curse Malfoy into oblivion for even talking to Hermione, but now, I respect him, but I'm not sure what else I feel. I have a strange feeling that something's going to happen." Harry said curiously.
"A good thing? Or a bad thing?" Ron turned serious, "I swear if you pull a Trelawney you're going to have another pair of legs to run with once I get you!"
Harry laughed. "Very funny. But I'm not sure whether it's a good or bag thing. Perhaps both."
"Harry! Ron! Is that you?" a voice yelled out from the main doors.
They turned and squinted at the silhouetted figure of Ginny Weasley. "Come in now! They're having the award ceremony now!" she called and went back inside.
Back inside the crowd was all facing the Head Table. Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall were standing up. Holding a long roll of parchment was Professor Dumbeldore, while McGonagall was opening a large crate next to her. "We shall now be holding an awayd ceremony for all of you." Prof. McGonagall said,
Murmers echoed the hall. "Yes, we'll say a category then the winner or winners. Then they will receive a certificate and a miniature Hogwarts statuette." Dumbledore summoned one of the contents of the crate. He held up a gold plated figurine of Hogwarts on a shiny claw-footed, ebony stand. "We'll read them out quickly so you can all start dancing again."
Professor McGonagall unrolled the scroll and said loudly, "Most Athletic is Harry Potter." Harry got up slowly from his seat and got the award. "Funniest, Dean Thomas."
The list went on and on until several people received awards. They were:
Most stylish: Lavender Brown
Most Quidditch obsessed: Ronald Weasley
Most likely to succeed: Hermione Granger
Surliest: A tie between Crabbe and Goyle
Loudest: Pansy Parkinson
Bravest: Harry Potter
Valedictorian: Draco Malfoy
Most house pride: Seamus Finnigan
Favourite twins: Parvati and Padma Patil
In total, the ceremony took only an hour. The rest of the remaining two hours were spent dancing to the delightful music of Celestina and socializing. Draco and Hermione danced for a bit before excusing themselves from the dining hall to the open air of the grounds.
[A/N: This is where I got before my computer crashed.]
They walked around the lake several times, with their arms around each other, and enjoyed each other's company. Once they got tired of walking, they sat on the worn stone front steps. Hermione sighed and rested her head on Draco's broad shoulder. "What is it?" he asked quietly. It would be harsh to destroy the content silence by talking to loudly.
"Nothing. Just rethinking the memories of the past years. I'm really going to miss it here. It was like a second home."
He nodded. "All the memories good and bad, all happened here."
I'm naked
Around you
Does it show?
"Yeah," she chuckled, "What ever happened to the stuck-up git I knew last year?"
"He's still around. Just...on a hopefully permanent vacation."
"I wouldn't say that. Things wouldn't be the same without him sometimes." She looked up at him, "Without him, my teeth wouldn't be normal, and without him, I wouldn't have such a smart mouth."
He was smiling and was close to doing something he was positive he would never do, ever: he was near tears. "Why am I smiling, let alone tearing up? She's reminding me of my old self."
You see right through me
And I can't hide
She was still talking though, "And, most importantly, you wouldn't be the person you are now without him." By the end of her rant, she lifted her head and kissed the underside of his jaw, near the apex of his jaw and neck. He found the simple act extremely intimate and passionate and loving; even more so than a regular kiss.
I'm naked
Around you
And it feels so right
Draco felt Hermione's waist for the end of her ribbon belt. He pulled it towards him and she moved her body in front of him. He released the ribbon and slowly snaked his right arm around her waist, pulling her onto his lap, facing him. She opened her mouth to question him when he shut her up with his hand. "Shut up Granger." He said, smirking. He moved the same hand to take hold of her neck and ever so slightly moved the pad of his thumb across her lower lip.
I'm naked
She herself moved her arms from his shoulders to loosely around his head. Slowly their lips met softly. It continued to get deeper and passionate and after their tongues came out to play in their combination of frenzied emotions the kiss broke for the need of air. Draco moved to the left side of her neck where he had to tug at the dress's neckline to gain his wanted access to her skin. She was planting light kisses under his earlobe. Occasionally a muscle would jump and quiver slightly underneath her lips.
Her hands went from massaging the back of his head to the back of his neck then the bare skin at his shoulders under the robe. While one hand undid the top clasp, the other snaked under the collar to the flesh under it. The skin beneath her fingertips was warm, even in the cool night air, and trembled at the soft pressure. Her tongue lightly flicked out at his earlobe and he released a deep, rumbling, guttural moan at the back of his throat; a sound as if he had tried to contain it. He continued to pull her closer against him, seemingly to swallow her body with his.
Does it show?
That sound triggered Hermione's sense back into action. It wrestled with the lust and passion of the moment until it won. Barely. She removed her hand from his shoulder blades and pulled back from Draco's neck. "Draco, stop. We should, now." She breathed raggedly, craning her own neck from his mouth.
His strong grip around her waist held fast, still pressing her body towards and against his own. He refused to stray from the crook of her neck and shoulder. Nuzzling it, he murmured, "Wait." Seconds later he retracted his face from her skin and looked at her. Their chests were heaving against each other and they released laboured breaths. As she peered into the grey depths that were his eyes, she bit her bottom lip nervously. All she saw there was the shimmering lust, the raw passion, rippling across the surface of those eyes.
Sure, they'd gone farther on the ladder of passion, with the romantic and rather intimate caressing from Draco, but to take that outside, on the front stairs of the castle? Never. She knew there would be a day when she wouldn't, maybe even couldn't, stop him. Despite how loudly her mind screamed like a banshee at her. They never went too fast, he seemed at ease to respect the mental wishes of Hermione of a slow relationship. Or at least slower than he normally did in past experiences with women. This was what scared her: the past—his past.
Yeah, I'm naked
The past that charmed the knickers off a girl, and sometimes that was literal. How many times had she herself heard late at night, past years ago, from the giggling Lavender and Parvati that they wished they knew the details of some late night date between some Ravenclaw or Slytherin and Draco? Too many times, that was for sure. During her contemplation, she subconsciously lowered her gaze from his eyes to his chest, more specifically the engraved silver dragon clasp that she herself undid. Looking back at his face, his eyebrow was raised slightly in a sexy, yet confused and still concerned fashion. She quickly dropped her line of vision to the stone stair behind his shoulder.
~
He simply sat there, watching her expression of equal passion change to one of worry. Her eyebrows were furrowed, forehead crinkled, and her lips pout slightly as she nervously chewed her bottom lip. Her eyes changed from brown to a dark purplish-grey: anxiety? Worry? Confusion? Take your pick.
I'm so naked around you
Whichever one it was, he knew he didn't like it much, it even scared him. Fear that wasn't the one that children got when being told of monsters underneath their beds and in closets, but a fear that wives for when their children were out late at night, or for a husband on a lengthy trip and wasn't sure whether they would return. Perhaps a fear of when married couples left each other for no reason at all: that the one they loved would be lost.
Then she spoke, "You're probably angry. Maybe even disappointed at me." You could hear the strain in her voice, keeping her from shedding tears.
He was thoroughly shocked. "What?" he said, not believing his ears.
"You know what I said." She said back quietly.
"Why would I be angry or disappointed with you?" he asked, cupping her face and gently making her face him.
Questioned answers ran a marathon in her mind, 'What do you expect from me? What am I not giving you? What could I do for you, to make me okay in your eyes…* ' But she discarded the questions for a blatant, "Oh c'mon Draco! I know you've gone farther, faster, and you probably think I'm being a tease or something…" but her mouth moved faster than her mind so she didn't know how else to continue.
And I can't hide
He continued to look at her then said jokingly, "I take it you're done." But turned serious, "I don't acre, let alone think, about those other girls, Hermione." His voice sincere.
"But, you might not think about me then." She said quietly, dropping her head yet again.
It was his turn to bite his tongue. What was he to say to that? 'Of course Hermione, one day I will.' Of course not! He knew he wouldn't, but how to assure her that he wasn't? "I won't Hermione." It was straightforward, no stuttering, perfectly Draco, but would she take it seriously.
"That's good." She replied, equally simple. She turned around and leaned back on his chest and shoulder. Together they looked at the stars and the full moon. Had they looked hard enough, a faint grin could be seen on the moon man's face.
You're gonna see right through, baby
~*~ [A/N: Terribly sorry if I made Hermione too emotional there. I wanted her emotionally nervous…continue.]
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were in their usual compartment at the end of the train, heading home. As Ginny, Harry and Ron played their second game of Exploding Snap, Hermione unrolled her Graduating scroll. "You know Hermione, yours is exactly like ours, and their not that nice looking." Ron said matter of factly.
"I'd rather look at one with my name, than yours. No offence Ron, but I like my name better." She smirked, looping the red ribbon around her finger.
Written in elegant purple script was Hermione's full name in the centre of the cream parchment. The signatures of both Professor's Dumbledore and McGonagall were on the bottom and on the bottom right hand corner was the Gryffindor crest. On the opposite side was the Head Girl crest, just altered to say Hermione Granger on the flowing banner the winged lion was holding and Head Girl on the bottom. At the top of the page was the Hogwarts crest, a gold outline engraved into the parchment. "You were wrong Ron." She said, looking at him over the scroll.
"How?" he said, poring over his cards.
"Mind isn't the same as yours. Mine has the Head Girl symbol." She grinned as she rolled her certificate.
Ron rolled his eyes and said, mock shocked, "Really! Oh no! They must've left that out on mine! We must turn the train around so I can get my Head Girl symbol."
She laughed along with Ginny and Harry. "I'll be right back. Off to find Draco." Hermione said, "I'm in next game too." She smiled as she left the compartment.
"10 galleons says she's off to snog him senseless." Ginny quipped. Her comment was greeted by the disgusted looks from Ron and Harry. "You're so immature."
~
Hermione neared the middle of the train when one of the compartment doors slid open and Draco strolled out. "I was just coming to look for you." She said as she shepherded him back into the empty compartment. "Like being alone don't you?"
"No, Crabbe and Gyole were here, but they left to ravish the food trolley before any other pigs did the deed. Do you need something?" he sat down.
She rummaged into her pockey and fished out a clear, crystal ball, about the size of a muggle baseball. "Is that a Remembrall? I didn't thing you needed on Granger." He joked.
Sitting next to him, she put the ball out in front of her. "Nope. It's a Crysticall, same manufacturers as the Remembrall people; they don't have much design imagination." She grinned, "My parents gave it to be last summer as a very early Graduation gift. What it does is—"
He silenced her by raising his hand, "I'm not as daft as Weasley. I know what it does. It's configured to areas of a person's home so you can contact people in that vicinity." He said simply, leaning back on the seat.
She punched his shoulder with her free hand. "Don't make fun of Ron. And you're right." He smiled pompously. "I have this 'hooked up' to several mirrors in my house so I can talk to my parents when I want to. I have one of my hairs in it to connect it my home and a piece of my bedroom mirror so it's connected to mirrors in my house." She pressed a small gold button on the ball and it sprung open in half. There lay a long, glittering brown hair and a glass shard in a silver and crystal compartment. She held her hand out in front of Draco expectantly.
He was itching to joke around and shake it but just stared at it blankly, then to Hermione. "What?"
She sighed deeply and roughly pulled out one of his own blonde hairs. He yelped and massaged his scalp. "You could've asked!" he said angrily.
"I did." She grinned broadly.
He sarcastically commented, with the air of an automated phone maching, "I'm sorry, but I don't have the psycho ability to communicate telepathically. Next time, please mentally call Trelawney next time."
She broke out into a fit of giggles. "I know, but that way is much more fun." she put his hair in the open compartment in the ball and it shut with a hissing sound. "There! Now I can call you over the summer. Or actually, you can call me."
"No, I can't." he shook his head, "I don't have one of those." He said, surprisingly, without a trace of jealously or resentment.
"You're so cute when you're stupid!" she laughed as he scowled. "I'm giving this to you once I call my parents." And she grasped his hand. "And you can't refuse. You're calling me this summer and that's that."
He shrugged and sighed. He wasn't going to argue with her once her mind was made up; it was one of those things you tended to catch on about. She cleared her throat and spoke clearly into the ball, still held at arms length, "Jonathan and Marie Granger; Granger Residence."
The ball pulsed a red light, like a beating heart, hummed faintly, and the image of Hermione's parents swirled into view. "Hi mum! Hi dad!" Hermione greeted.
The Grangers smiled and waved, "Hermione, dear, we were just leaving for the statio. Is everything alright? How's the train ride back?" Jonathan Granger asked, pushing his spectacles higher n his long nose.
"Everything is fine. I wanted to introduce you to a…friend of mine." Hermione moved the ball so her parents could see Draco. "Mum, dad, this is D—David Mallory. He's in Hufflepudd and brand new to Hogwarts this year." She stuttered then cleared her throat.
'What is she playing at?' Draco thought as he glanced at Hermione.
"Nice to meet you David." Mrs Granger greeted.
"The pleasure is all mine Mrs Granger. I'm honoured to have met the parent's of Hermione." He flashed his Malfoy smile, automatically turning on the charm as he talked to Hermione's parents.
"Yes mum. I was wondering if I could spend a few weeks at David's house over the summer. Of course once I get my Apparation license and a job, maybe a flat…I'll be hope first of course. Please?" Hermione asked.
Hermione's parents were in silence for a moment. "We'll think about it." Mr Granger said.
Hermione muttered sourly, "Okay."
Marie looked down to where her watch - which was obviously - out of view and gasped. "Hermione we must be going now if we want to beat the traffic and be there when you arrive. Bye hun, love you!" the Grangers gave a final wave and swirled out of view.
Hermione put the now clear ball in her lap and sighed. "That's it then. They'll think about it. Once they see you at the station they'll let me see you. Draco, are you listening to me?" she looked over at him.
After a second he looked up like he didn't know she was talking to him. "Are you talking to me Hermione?"
"Of course I am, Draco."
"Draco? Who's Draco? I'm Da-vid." He emphasised the name sarcastically. "Really Hermione, I thought you had enough Gryffindor courage to actually introduce me." He said coldly.
"I'm sorry, really I am. I had to know how they'd react if I just asked them first and you were a friend. If I told them you were a Malfoy they'd immediately remember the 12-year old pointy-faced brat who's father fought with Mr Weasley at Flourish and Blots.
"And here we go with the past again. Dammit Hermione just forget my past for a bleeding minute will you!" he yelled angrily at her.
"She just stared at the ball in her lap and rolled it around. "Sorry Hermione. I didn't mean to blow up at you like that."
"No, I'm sorry. Really I am." She put the ball to her side and swung one of her legs to his other side and put her hands on both sides of his face. "I'll—tell them—later in—the summer—Promise." She said between kisses on his lips, nose, and cheeks.
He raised his eyebrows. "You should really say sorry like that more often. Because then I'd get upset more often as well." He smirked, then scowled, "But really! Hufflepuff! You could've said Ravenclaw if not Slytherin! At least Ravenclaw isn't full of wankers like Hufflepuff." He said feigning outrage.
She kissed him. "Very funny." And he pulled her head down to capture her lips with his.
~
Ten minutes later, Hermione returned to Ginny, Harry, and Ron. She was flushed and her hair was mussed. They took one look at her and Ginny giggled to the two boys who were exhanging sickened looks. "Told you so. That'll be 10 galleons boys."
~
Another hour later they were all getting off the train, sluggishly hauling their trunks alongside them. Hermione saw Draco give him trunk to a tall, very thin, very pale man. Despite the hot weather, he was dressed in a black, pinstriped suit and tie, with a large ruffled collar, leather gloves, and a chauffeurs hat. She shrugged and went to say goodbye to Harry and Ron.
"Are we going to be the best bloody Aurors or what?" Ron said jovially.
She hugged each of them and kissed them on the cheek. "Harry, what are you doing this summer?"
"Move out of the Dursley's first and find a place on my own. Hey Ron, Percy's moved out tight?" Ron nodded. "Could I move in with you? I'll pay rent, and I'm not taking no for an answer—the money I mean." He said hastily.
Ron's face brightened considerably and he yelled, "Yeah you can! It'll the great! Mum and Dad already like you, so they'll have no problem about it!"
Ginny, who was with them, squealed and hugged Harry around the middle. Hermione laughed. An arm went around her waist and she looked up and saw Draco looking at her. He nodded towards Mrs and Mr Granger who just came through the barrier and were looking for her. She nodded and said to Ron and Harry, "I'll see you guys in Auror Training in the fall. Right?"
"Right." They said simultaneously. "Maybe even before that." Harry added. They shared one last hug and Hermione and Draco went over to the waiting Grangers.
Hermione pulled both her parents into hugs and kissed each of them on the cheek. "Mum, dad, this is David; the boy you saw on the train. David, this is my mum, Marie, and my dad, Jonathan."
Draco bowed politely and kissed Mrs Granger's hand and shook Mr Granger's. "I'm pleased to meet you both Mr and Mrs Granger."
"Nice to meet you too David." Jonathan said.
"Mum, dad, have you thought about whether I could visit David in the summer?" Hermione asked persuasively.
Marie started, "Yes we have. And we've decided that…" she nodded towards her husband to continue.
"We've decided that it's too early to tell, so we'll discuss it more at home." He said firmly and finally.
Hermione frowned, sighed, and said glumly, "Okay. Do you mind if I meet you at the car? I want to say goodbye to David first." Hermione's parents nodded and carried the trunk through the barrier.
Once they were gone, Hermione turned to Draco, "I'll make them let me see you. Promise." She gave him a timid smile.
"Okay. I'll write you." He pulled her towards him.
"Oh that reminds me," She got the Crysticall from her pocket and put it firmly in his hand. "Call me too then. I won't be going anywhere this summer so I'll always be home to talk to you."
He put the ball in his pocket and kissed her head. She put her arms around his neck and they stood there in each other's embrace amongst the quickly emptying platform. Then he bent his head to kiss her and they shared a long kiss filled with the thought of possibly not seeing each other all summer; maybe the rest of their lives, depending on where their lives took them. The train whistle blew, warding away stragglers from the empty platform; albeit the pair and the man who was obviously Draco's butler or driver. Said servant spoke loudly in his thick accent, but a voice that was deep and echoing, "Master Malfoy, we should be leaving now. Your mother shall be awaiting our arrival." He called urgently.
Once his abnormally skinny servant finished his beckoning call, Draco pulled his lips away from Hermione's. "I have to leave now. I'll talk to you over the summer. Write to tell me when you can come over." He kissed the tip of her nose.
"I will." She said back, "I love you."
"Love you too." He said, but with only a small amount more than half the heart that he wanted. He released her from his embrace and stepped back from her.
She mouthed a good-bye and walked through the platform barrier. When she fully disappeared from his view, he walked to his chauffeur with his hands in his trouser pockets. The companion held out a set of keys towards Draco with his free hand. Once he touched it he felt the strong pull around his navel and they vanished into a swirl of green, brown and the smell of manure.
When his feet touched the ground again he was standing on the side of a worn dirt road. In front of him a sleek Bentley limousine was parked and his servant was hauling his trunk into the boot of the car. Behind him there were cows and horses grazing in the country field, unfazed by the sudden appearance of two men and a trunk. Well, those were muggle animals anyway. If mooncalves and winged horses saw them, they'd actually take notice.
They started driving on the road towards Malfoy Manor when the driver turned all the way around in his seat to offer Draco a glass of champagne. "Thank you Carl." He said, taking the glass.
"Don't mind me asking sir, but care to tell about your female friend back at the platform?" Carl asked, turning back around at the front of the car.
"Hermione Granger. Girlfriend." He said simply while sipping his drink.
"I see. She's obviously a very different girlfriend than your previous beau's. You don't normally talk to their parents if it's a school friend."
He grinned. "Nothing gets past you does it Carl? And she is very different. Everyone else was just a…fling, you know? But Hermione, she's…she's really different. Plus I need to get in her parents good graces so they'll let her stay at the manor in August." He moved up the car to refill his flute.
"Does the Mistress know about that invitation?"
"No she doesn't. I have to get in her good graces too." He swirled his drink. "Is Mother in a good mood?" he asked skittishly.
Carl looked at the dashboard clock. It read 'Late as hell'. "Well, seeing as we are about 20 minutes late due to your escapades on the platform, I doubt she is."
He scowled, "Crap."
~*~
Hermione got into the waiting Chevrolet outside the station. As the Grangers were getting onto the highway, Jonathan asked Hermione, "What took you so long?"
She fidgeted a bit at her window seat. "Saying some extensive good-bye's. That's all."
"You don't say good-bye to Ron and Harry for 15 minutes." Marie said.
'15 minutes!' Hermione thought, amazed. "Well, I always see them during the summer at Ron's but seeing as I might not see David again – ever again – we had to exchange Floo numbers." Smooth Granger' she mentally smirked.
"But we aren't connected to that Floo Network, dear." Marie said.
'Damn' Hermione did some quick thinking. "I realized that and since he is a pureblood and doesn't own a telephone, I gave him my Crysticall and taught him how to use it. Then we promised to write and he'd call me." 'Double smooth'
"Okay Hermione, we understand." Mr Granger paused, "So, any plans to see Ron and Harry this summer?"
"Not at the moment, no we don't. Harry might move in with the Weasley's but we didn't talk about visiting this summer. So my summer is pretty free of plans this year, as I'm not visiting anybody. Right mum?" she hinted, awfully conspicuously.
"We'll think about it Hermione." Her father said plainly, leaving Hermione in a huff.
They reached home in the next hour. Hermione lugged her trunk up to her room where she smiled. 'Back at home' she thought happily. Her room was a light yellow colour, which never failed to cheer her up. A large bookcase (full of books) was near her window, and next to that was a neat little desk. All of which was to her left. The right side of the room had her double bed in the middle of the room. Against the wall across from the bed was a small dresser and a larger armoire. A large mirror sat atop the dresser. 'It's good to be home.' She thought.
While she was unpacking, somebody knocked on the door and a squealing "Hermione!" followed.
She turned quickly and saw her next-door neighbour Katie standing in front of her arms outstretched, waiting for a hug. Hermione did so, and was later pulled to sit on her own bed with Katie to the left of her. She and Katie weren't exactly best friends, but they were friends. It was a sort of relationship she had with Lavender and Parvati; more than acquaintances, but not like, say, Ginny. Katie had long, dirty blonde hair and light blue eyes. She was fairly pretty and since fourth year, reminded Hermione very much like Fleur Delacouer…but a muggle. "I saw you guys pull into your driveway. How was school?" Katie asked.
"Fine. I'm a bit sad too 'cause I'll miss people, but it's OK." Hermione said, making conversation.
"Oh me too." Katie grinned furiously. "Before I forget, who's the boy?"
"B-boy? What do you mean?" Hermione blinked.
"Really Hermione! Haven't you seen youself in the mirror? And I can tell you've been having some fun at school with some guy." She gave a knowing grin.
"How?" Hermione asked from interest.
"Have you seen the thing on your neck yet! My God! It's huge! It's bigger than a pound!" Katie said loudly.
Hermione jumped off thebed and ran to her mirror. Katie was right. Lying prominently on the left side, at the base of her neck was a dark reddish-brown hickey. It was larger than a sickle, but not as big as a galleon. She touched it. "Oh he probably knew it was there. Stupid prat didn't clear it.' She could imagine Draco smirking.
"Well, now that you know it's there, aren't you doing to tell me who did it?" Katie was nearly dying with anticipation.
Hermione sighed. 'Yes, definitely like Lavendar and Parvati'. It was like telling a rock to move. "My boyfriend. Happy?"
"Not particularly. It's almost as if you don't want me to know this Hermione." Katie frowned, "Give me the details!"
She had to bite her tongue to not laugh out loud. "His name is Draco Malfoy and we've been seeing each other since October." Katie's expression urged her on. "Um, he has light blonde hair, almost silver, and greyish-blue eyes. He's pretty tall, and, that's it."
"I think you've scored it big. He sounds like a darling. Well, what's he like?" the girl was nearly living off this information.'
"He's nice when he wants to be, really sarcastic, mean when he's not nice. Smart, funny in a sarcastic way. Witty. Very charming, but also occasionally self-centered. He's really two people at once. Like one moment he's charming the socks off teachers and a second later he's making fun of people." Hermione smiled thinking about him.
"Wow Hermione. D'you have a picture of him?"
Remembering that her friend was a muggle, and all the pictures she had of him were moving, she quickly said, "No, they-they're not developed yet. I still have to do that."
Katie sighed. "You're so lucky Hermione. It's really hard trying to find a normal guy these days. One that's sweet, charming, and don't forget hot." She giggled.
Hermione simply smiled smiled. "You're right, it is. And I guess I am lucky. I really have to finish un-packing. And I have to cover this island on my neck before my parents see it. She rubbed the hickey.
"Oh! You haven't told them yet!" she gasped. "Are you?"
"Of course I am, just not now." She ushered the blonde girl out of the room.
"One more question. Why didn't you hook with this guy before?" she resisted being pushed out the door.
Hermione laughed. "He was the biggest bastard in the school! But I love him now. Bye Katie!" and she closed the door, laughing.
Her laughed subsided and she went to her mirror to inspect her 'marking'. She took out a bottle of concealer and dabbed the contents over the mark. "Yeah, I love him now." She said to her mirror.
~ End of Chapter 29 ~
A/N: Phew! I'm done! Wow that was 17 pages long. The next one's going to be that long. I might put an epilogue at the end (duh). I really hoped you all liked this chapter. It's taken me ages to write and put up! I relaly will try and put up 30 and the Epilogue ASAP! Thanks to these amazing reviewers!
Thanks to: hyper_shark, Ginn, rfhrh, lilpinkbunny, Colibi, Jessica, kandihartz, ~anonymous~.
Also to…
christine: Thanks so much for your encouraging words J
Calypso in Love: I'm baaaaack! You miss me? So sorry I couldn't tell you that the last chapter was up, I just wanted to get it out sooo fast! I'll tell you when the FINAL chap is up.
Jreader88: Yeah there will be a sequel, this is almost done, so I can start on that ASAP.
Baby_angel99: Are you still waiting? I've kept you waiting long enough. Thanks!
Holly Radcliffe: I know! I love this pairing as well. It's when people say stuff like that that make me so happy to write!
Colibi: Thanks, I really am no good at writing speeches that I really need to write, like for school or something. It's okay about the end, as there's my sequel! Yaaay!
Kate268: Wow, thanks! This fic was just for fun to see if I could really write well, and all the lovely reviews are really telling me I am. Thanks!
Hp4eva: I know! That was my inspiration for that chapter, my grade 8 Graduation…which wasn't too long ago…but inspiration nonetheless. The cliché type...thanks…never really thought of it that way, but thanks. J I'll try and put in some really huge, major thing to do to Pansy in the next chapter, and it'll be just for you! Hm…I'm gonna hafta talk to my betas about ideas.
ChoChangAtHrt87: I really wanted a lot of suspense in this fic and I guess I did it! Oh wow, it did? Tears? That's so nice. Whevener I read somethings that happens too, so I know what you mean. Thanks for the compliment too!
Lena: All I have to say is: LOL!
D Suzanna: Actually it didn't take me long at all. I'd say about…15 minutes to write it and think about it. But I did have really good inspiration from my own Graduation, so that helped a lot. I'm glad you liked the speech.
::sigh:: 1 more chapter left. Well, all good things end eventually, now don't they? Now you've read, now review! J