Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter (but I wish I did...). The characters Amanda Spike and Clio Thorns are mine, however.
Chapter Four: Crosswinds
"You did what!?"
exclaimed Susan. Other students who were near the lake turned to her and
Hermione. Hermione hissed at Susan to keep her voice down.
"Where? When?
How? Why?" she continued, lowering her voice to a whisper. Hermione
blushed at her question. She closed the book she was reading and stuffed
it in her bag. Susan was waiting for her to answer.
"I told you:
yesterday at the prefects bathroom! Where else?" Hermione kept looking
from side to side, fearful that someone might be eavesdropping.
"But...you're
still sixteen!"
"I know and
so is he! But it happened already and there's no changing that. You won't
tell anyone, will you, Susan?" said Hermione, looking solemnly at her friend.
Susan's lips trembled but she nodded. The shock of fornication really troubled
her but the she was still thankful that Hermione was being honest with
her.
"But what if
you--"
Hermione shook
her head. "There are certain spells to that. Draco is careful. And he told
me of his plans after this year."
Three weeks have
passed and naturally, the whole of Hogwarts knows the relationship between
Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger. No one could believe it at first, doubting
the news and believing it was all unbelievable gossip. They were enlightened
when they caught sightings of Draco and Hermione walking to the Great Hall,
studying in the library and strolling around the school yards together.
It was very surreal. What really surprised everyone was how close they
got in just less then a month. Their closeness was unbeatable. Whenever
Draco got detention, Hermione (though unbelievably) tried to get detention,
too. If Snape berated Hermione in Potions, Draco would purposely do something
wrong so Snape would scold him, too. The Gryffindors and the Slytherins
thought this was absolutely weird. Hermione had began a complete transformation
ever since she was with Draco. Everyone noticed how beautiful and radiant
she was getting day by day. Even Draco was losing his arrogant nature.
He made Crabbe and Goyle stop following him around like watchdogs and made
them go wherever they want now without being behind his heels all the time.
He even went easy on the Gryffindors. Usually he would deduct points without
basis but now, he never seemed to even want to take any more points. Both
got rid of their superiority and for once, felt like any normal teenager.
It took Harry
and Ron a long time to adjust and accept the fact. Hermione had to explain
over and over again that Draco had changed and he's not the same Malfoy
who wanted all Muggle-borns dead. "Give him a chance, Harry...Ron. I promise
you if he tries to do something fishy then I'll break up with him straight
away!" Eventually, both boys relented though apprehensively.
"I bet they're
both Confunded," said Lavender one morning during breakfast. Parvati, Seamus,
Neville, Thomas, Colin and Ginny nodded their heads in unison. "I mean,
how can two antagonists become lovers all of a sudden? Maybe we're the
ones confunded!"
The others started
gossiping again--about the possibilities of Gryffindor and Slytherin being
comrades and all those stuff when a voice interrupted them.
"Good morning,
everyone!" It was Hermione. Behind her was Draco. Everyone was used to
how inseparable they were. He smiled at everyone in the Gryffindor table
and they smiled back. They had warmed up to Draco especially since he wasn't
as watchful of corridor accidents anymore and more importantly, he was
Hermion's boyfriend. They respected Hermione because they find her reliable
in school work and is a great adviser. The least they could do was to respect
her choice.
Draco looked
behind him to the long table where teachers sat. Making sure no one was
looking, he adjusted his robes so his hand wouldn't be seen holding Hermione's.
The least he would want a deduction of points because of too much public
display of affection.
Hermione smiled
lightly at him as he squeezed her hand. They walked past the tables and
went out of the Great Hall. Outside, they passed by Amanda Spikes. She
was with a Ravenclaw boy and looked very happy indeed but as soon as she
saw Draco, her smile faded and she looked away. Hermione noticed this and
couldn't help feeling doubtful.
Facts about
Draco being a two-timer was beginning to flood back into her mind. Would
he dare betray her like he did to Clio? Draco noticed her troubled expression
and asked, "What's wrong, Hermione?"
Hermione thought
there was no point trying to deny it so she said, "I was just wondering...if
you've really changed."
He seemed taken
back by her statement because his grip loosened. "What makes you think
that?"
"We can't just
forget about what happened with Clio and Amanda. Not that I don't believe
in you but--I don't think I can bear the pain if..."
Draco put an
arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. "I promise you that will
never happen again. I don't do bad things twice." He bent down and kissed
her forehead. They were nearing the Charms classroom when Hermione squirmed.
"What?"
"I was wondering.
Just now--I mean, you haven't...with Clio or Amanda, have you?"
Draco raised
an eyebrow, "What are you trying to say?"
"I'm not the
first you--you know. Please don't let me say the word," she said. Draco
understood what she meant and chuckled, "I assure you that I never and
will never do that to Clio or Amanda. I don't just have sex with
someone I don't even love--"
Hermione nudged
him with her elbow, "Why'd you do that for? A teacher could've heard you!"
Draco laughed
playfully and steered her towards the Transfiguration classroom. The bell
rang and soon, everyone were in their classes.
Just before dinner
that night, Draco and Hermione were strolling down the lake, hand in hand.
A few other students were spending that time to play around also. Care
of Magical Creatures ended quick because Hagrid had to run an errand for
Dumbledore.
Hermione noticed
that Draco wasn't speaking much so she asked, "Something bothering you?"
Draco shook
his head and smiled. But that didn't work since the worry in his eyes showed
even more. Hermione frowned a bit, sensing he wasn't being completely honest.
Draco saw this and pulled her closer for a hug, stopping to sit down on
the bank overlooking the lake. He pulled Hermione to sit on his lap, wrapped
his arms around her and she she rested her head on the hollow of his shoulders.
"Tell me, Draco."
He sighed then
slipped his hands into hers. "No big deal really. I'll tell you later,
okay?"
Hermione wasn't
contented at all, "No, I want you to tell me now." Draco realized she wasn't
going to relent at all. 'Might as well tell her,' he thought.
"You know my
father, right?," Hermione nods, "I think someone must've told him about
us--I think Pansy. Um..."
Hermione lifted
her head to look at him, her sad eyes about to give in to tears. She finished
what he could not, "He doesn't want me for you." She turned away so he
wouldn't see the tears that flowed freely. She knew there was a catch.
Their relationship was so good it was unbelievable if there wasn't something
to try and test it. Judging by how Draco didn't answer, she knew it was
a yes.
Draco hugged
her from behind and said soothingly, "What gives him the right to choose
who I want to love? I may have owed him my life but I am willing to end
that now for you. Remember that, Hermione. I don't care if he'd cut off
my inheritance. What good will money bring if my life is empty..." he turned
Hermione around and kissed her.
She hugged him
tight, determined not to lose him for anything or anyone.
So what d'you think? Really corny,
huh? I meant to do that...something for a change at least. I'm so tired
making fics that aren't like this one so I thought I'd try it just once.
Let me know what you think! Should I continue to Chapter 5 or not? REVIEW!!!
Thanks in advance for those who'll
review (you brighten up my day!)