Only Once- Chapter 3
A/N: Sorry I haven't written in a while. I've been sick a lot lately and that has been deducting from my computer time. Anyway, sorry this is such a short chapter and it doesn't really continue on with most of the story's action. XD Enjoyish.
~*~
That night, Hermione slept very peacefully with images of Draco going through her head. It was like flashbacks of their time together and when she woke up, she was very happy to remember the dreams.
She remembered having a dream about finding Draco crying quietly, in the corner pf the library. She had comforted him and let him cry on her shoulder, whispering soothing words to this boy she thought to be made of stone.
But, indeed, he was definitely not made of stone. He was as human as any one else in Hogwarts and proved it to her that day. He opened up to her and told her about his mother's constant worries of Lucius' return. How he had to keep her sane when he was not at Hogwarts and how she plagued his thoughts and worries when he was. Draco had as much feelings and emotions as Hermione. She couldn't believe she hadn't noticed it before.
But how could she when he had a mask that hid the real him from the world? Ensured that no one but himself knew what he was really like. Made positive that he was safe from being hurt. He was already hurt enough in his life, as Hermione had learned. His father had guided his every move when he was around. No decision could be made by anyone but Lucius.
At first, she felt pity for Draco. Never had she known him to be in such a depressing position. After a while, she realized that pity was not what he needed. He needed a true friend.
That's exactly what Hermione had become.
~*~
After taking a shower and getting ready for the day, still spending her thoughts reminiscing on the dreams of the past, Hermione started down towards the Great Hall. She was a bit early and figured this good because she could go to the library for a while before classes started.
On her way down, she heard footsteps approaching. The gained speed and felt that someone was following her. Or trying to catch up with her. She decided it was safer to assume the latter and turned around to see whom it was.
Why, it was Draco Malfoy, of course.
His new Slytherin robes fit perfectly to his body. Hermione couldn't help but to have an once-over of him. She noticed Draco doing the same to her and blushed under his intense gaze.
"Good morning, milady." He took her hand in his and laid a kiss on top of her knuckles. "You look dazzling on this fair day. Of what occasion is the cause?"
"First day of lessons, silly! I'm so excited! Aren't you, Draco?" she asked, even if she already knew the answer. Hermione knew he didn't -particularly- like classes and just asked him this to annoy him.
He knew what she was playing at, seeing the large grin on her face and decided to go along with it. "Why, yes, darling. You know I -adore- class. How could you forget?" He held his hand over his opened mouth in mock shock (hehe) and started making "tsk" noises.
Hermione nearly tripped down the steps they were descending because of what he said but caught on to him and smacked him in the back of the head, instead.
"My hair! Oh my gosh, oh my gosh! You messed it up!!!" Hermione started laughing uncontrollably at how much Draco sounded like a girl. He tried to put it back in place but then it would pop right back up after a few seconds.
Giving up, Draco said goodbye to Hermione, told her he would meet her in the library in 10 minutes, and ran into the nearest bathroom (which wasn't that close, mind you.) This left Hermione all alone, to enter the library without Draco.
'Good,' she thought. 'No body will be suspicious about our friendship.'
Another side of her conscience tried to say something but Hermione put it in its proper place before it even spoke.
~*~
Hermione walked in to the library and was greeted by a simple nod from Madam Pince. Hermione smiled back and went to her secluded area in the back of the library. She called it 'hers' because barely anyone went there. But today, someone was there.
This someone was one of her best friends, Virginia (a.k.a. Ginny) Weasley. She did not look to be in a good state mostly due to the tears streaming down her face, torn clothing and a bruised body.
When she looked up, Ginny saw Hermione and immediately ran over to the older girl. She threw her arms around Hermione's shoulders who was still too shocked to do anything except stand there. She eventually got over the state of shock she was in from seeing Ginny so. bad looking and started to pat her back and whisper soothing words to her ears.
"Ginny.. Please don't cry. It'll be okay. whatever happened, it's gonna be alright." Minutes later, Ginny's sobbing stopped and Hermione let the girl go. She looked at her sniffling face and then at her shoulder where there was torn material and blood dripping out. Her socks were uneven and she also noticed a missing shoe.
"Gin. what happened? Please.. tell me.." Hermione sat Ginny down at the table and told her to explain.
"It. happened in the hallway. I figured I'd get up early to get ready for today, being as it IS the first day of class and all. Well, I was heading outside when.. Crabbe and Goyle came up to me. They. they cornered me and then. they tried to make me kiss them. among other things. They had the smell of butter beer on their breath so I'm guessing they had a bit too much to drink. I.I don't know what I would've done if Malfoy hadn't come up and told them to stop. Odd really. he was actually civil to me, a Weasley."
"Oh, Gin! I'm so sorry. That's disgusting. You need to tell someone about this. How'd you get into the library without Madam Pince seeing you in this.. state? Are you sure you're okay? We need to take you to the infirmary. Oh, I'm so sorry."
Hermione was stunned at how disgusting of Vincent and Gregory's actions were but very happy at what Draco had done to prevent them from hurting her anymore.
"Listen, Gin. About Malfoy." She trailed off not knowing how to explain this to her or how she would take it.
"What about me, Granger?" Hermione had never really saw meaning behind the phrase "Speak of the devil" until then. She shot him a grateful glance and then looked pointedly towards Ginny.
Realization dawned on Draco as he saw Ginny again. He should have taken her to the infirmary but told her to wait for Hermione at the library instead while he took care of Crabbe and Goyle. They both would be expelled for their actions and he was glad that he would no longer have those two brainless goons always following him around anymore. He was also happy that Ginny was okay, given the circumstances.
Hermione took a deep breath, deciding that she could trust Ginny with this secret since she was always the understanding one out of all her friends. Besides Draco, that is.
"This might be a bit hard for you to take. But.. I trust you with this, Gin. Before we tell you, you MUST promise that you won't tell anyone. Not even Harry or Ron."
Ginny shook her head vigorously since it was very rare for Hermione to not want Harry and Ron knowing something.
Hermione gave a glance towards Draco who was staring right back at her. He gave a short nod and she continued.
"Draco and I are friends.. We've been friends in secret since the middle of fifth year. We were afraid to tell everyone, with the rise of Voldemort and all. I mean, what would they think of us? Ya know? Even now, it wouldn't be entirely accepted for a Slytherin and Gryffindor, Pureblood and Mudblood, to be friends. Please. We understand each other. He's changed, Ginny. He really has." Hermione finally ended seeing an amused/shocked/understanding look on her older friend's face.
'Amused because she rambled on, AGAIN. Shocked because of. this whole. THING. and, well. Understanding of the whole friendship. In a way.' Ginny thought to herself, still staring at Hermione.
"So. Are you.. er.. sorta okay with this?" Hermione asked, hopefully looking into Ginny's eyes which were still bloodshot and clouded over from tears.
"As long as you're happy, Herm, I can deal with it."
Hermione smiled brightly and threw her arms around Ginny's shoulders but pulled back when she flinched.
"I'm SOO sorry. I forgot about that. Oh, Gin. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."
Ginny chuckled at her, YET AGAIN, rambling friend and waved it off.
For the first time in a while, Draco spoke up. "We should take you to the infirmary. Get those wounds healed up."
Hermione and Ginny nodded and they all set off for the Hospital Wing, Ginny using Hermioine for support for walking.
~*~
Hehe. Sorry for the long delay, again. ^__^ That's all I can think of for chapter 3 so, forgive me. =( lol. Please do review! Comments, criticism, anything is welcome =D
Narisunell: Hehehe. Thank you SO much. Even though I don't think of myself as a "good" writer, I'll let you think so =P Hmm. It's a magic cookie that becomes whatever knid you want it to be XD hehehehe. I try to go into detail a lot too =DD Sorry for keeping you waiting, though ;) I'll be writing more frequently now. =D
PhoenixRae: Thanks =D I also like when they start off being friends. OR, when Draco has an obsession with Hermione/stalks her XD That's always fun
A/N: Sorry I haven't written in a while. I've been sick a lot lately and that has been deducting from my computer time. Anyway, sorry this is such a short chapter and it doesn't really continue on with most of the story's action. XD Enjoyish.
~*~
That night, Hermione slept very peacefully with images of Draco going through her head. It was like flashbacks of their time together and when she woke up, she was very happy to remember the dreams.
She remembered having a dream about finding Draco crying quietly, in the corner pf the library. She had comforted him and let him cry on her shoulder, whispering soothing words to this boy she thought to be made of stone.
But, indeed, he was definitely not made of stone. He was as human as any one else in Hogwarts and proved it to her that day. He opened up to her and told her about his mother's constant worries of Lucius' return. How he had to keep her sane when he was not at Hogwarts and how she plagued his thoughts and worries when he was. Draco had as much feelings and emotions as Hermione. She couldn't believe she hadn't noticed it before.
But how could she when he had a mask that hid the real him from the world? Ensured that no one but himself knew what he was really like. Made positive that he was safe from being hurt. He was already hurt enough in his life, as Hermione had learned. His father had guided his every move when he was around. No decision could be made by anyone but Lucius.
At first, she felt pity for Draco. Never had she known him to be in such a depressing position. After a while, she realized that pity was not what he needed. He needed a true friend.
That's exactly what Hermione had become.
~*~
After taking a shower and getting ready for the day, still spending her thoughts reminiscing on the dreams of the past, Hermione started down towards the Great Hall. She was a bit early and figured this good because she could go to the library for a while before classes started.
On her way down, she heard footsteps approaching. The gained speed and felt that someone was following her. Or trying to catch up with her. She decided it was safer to assume the latter and turned around to see whom it was.
Why, it was Draco Malfoy, of course.
His new Slytherin robes fit perfectly to his body. Hermione couldn't help but to have an once-over of him. She noticed Draco doing the same to her and blushed under his intense gaze.
"Good morning, milady." He took her hand in his and laid a kiss on top of her knuckles. "You look dazzling on this fair day. Of what occasion is the cause?"
"First day of lessons, silly! I'm so excited! Aren't you, Draco?" she asked, even if she already knew the answer. Hermione knew he didn't -particularly- like classes and just asked him this to annoy him.
He knew what she was playing at, seeing the large grin on her face and decided to go along with it. "Why, yes, darling. You know I -adore- class. How could you forget?" He held his hand over his opened mouth in mock shock (hehe) and started making "tsk" noises.
Hermione nearly tripped down the steps they were descending because of what he said but caught on to him and smacked him in the back of the head, instead.
"My hair! Oh my gosh, oh my gosh! You messed it up!!!" Hermione started laughing uncontrollably at how much Draco sounded like a girl. He tried to put it back in place but then it would pop right back up after a few seconds.
Giving up, Draco said goodbye to Hermione, told her he would meet her in the library in 10 minutes, and ran into the nearest bathroom (which wasn't that close, mind you.) This left Hermione all alone, to enter the library without Draco.
'Good,' she thought. 'No body will be suspicious about our friendship.'
Another side of her conscience tried to say something but Hermione put it in its proper place before it even spoke.
~*~
Hermione walked in to the library and was greeted by a simple nod from Madam Pince. Hermione smiled back and went to her secluded area in the back of the library. She called it 'hers' because barely anyone went there. But today, someone was there.
This someone was one of her best friends, Virginia (a.k.a. Ginny) Weasley. She did not look to be in a good state mostly due to the tears streaming down her face, torn clothing and a bruised body.
When she looked up, Ginny saw Hermione and immediately ran over to the older girl. She threw her arms around Hermione's shoulders who was still too shocked to do anything except stand there. She eventually got over the state of shock she was in from seeing Ginny so. bad looking and started to pat her back and whisper soothing words to her ears.
"Ginny.. Please don't cry. It'll be okay. whatever happened, it's gonna be alright." Minutes later, Ginny's sobbing stopped and Hermione let the girl go. She looked at her sniffling face and then at her shoulder where there was torn material and blood dripping out. Her socks were uneven and she also noticed a missing shoe.
"Gin. what happened? Please.. tell me.." Hermione sat Ginny down at the table and told her to explain.
"It. happened in the hallway. I figured I'd get up early to get ready for today, being as it IS the first day of class and all. Well, I was heading outside when.. Crabbe and Goyle came up to me. They. they cornered me and then. they tried to make me kiss them. among other things. They had the smell of butter beer on their breath so I'm guessing they had a bit too much to drink. I.I don't know what I would've done if Malfoy hadn't come up and told them to stop. Odd really. he was actually civil to me, a Weasley."
"Oh, Gin! I'm so sorry. That's disgusting. You need to tell someone about this. How'd you get into the library without Madam Pince seeing you in this.. state? Are you sure you're okay? We need to take you to the infirmary. Oh, I'm so sorry."
Hermione was stunned at how disgusting of Vincent and Gregory's actions were but very happy at what Draco had done to prevent them from hurting her anymore.
"Listen, Gin. About Malfoy." She trailed off not knowing how to explain this to her or how she would take it.
"What about me, Granger?" Hermione had never really saw meaning behind the phrase "Speak of the devil" until then. She shot him a grateful glance and then looked pointedly towards Ginny.
Realization dawned on Draco as he saw Ginny again. He should have taken her to the infirmary but told her to wait for Hermione at the library instead while he took care of Crabbe and Goyle. They both would be expelled for their actions and he was glad that he would no longer have those two brainless goons always following him around anymore. He was also happy that Ginny was okay, given the circumstances.
Hermione took a deep breath, deciding that she could trust Ginny with this secret since she was always the understanding one out of all her friends. Besides Draco, that is.
"This might be a bit hard for you to take. But.. I trust you with this, Gin. Before we tell you, you MUST promise that you won't tell anyone. Not even Harry or Ron."
Ginny shook her head vigorously since it was very rare for Hermione to not want Harry and Ron knowing something.
Hermione gave a glance towards Draco who was staring right back at her. He gave a short nod and she continued.
"Draco and I are friends.. We've been friends in secret since the middle of fifth year. We were afraid to tell everyone, with the rise of Voldemort and all. I mean, what would they think of us? Ya know? Even now, it wouldn't be entirely accepted for a Slytherin and Gryffindor, Pureblood and Mudblood, to be friends. Please. We understand each other. He's changed, Ginny. He really has." Hermione finally ended seeing an amused/shocked/understanding look on her older friend's face.
'Amused because she rambled on, AGAIN. Shocked because of. this whole. THING. and, well. Understanding of the whole friendship. In a way.' Ginny thought to herself, still staring at Hermione.
"So. Are you.. er.. sorta okay with this?" Hermione asked, hopefully looking into Ginny's eyes which were still bloodshot and clouded over from tears.
"As long as you're happy, Herm, I can deal with it."
Hermione smiled brightly and threw her arms around Ginny's shoulders but pulled back when she flinched.
"I'm SOO sorry. I forgot about that. Oh, Gin. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."
Ginny chuckled at her, YET AGAIN, rambling friend and waved it off.
For the first time in a while, Draco spoke up. "We should take you to the infirmary. Get those wounds healed up."
Hermione and Ginny nodded and they all set off for the Hospital Wing, Ginny using Hermioine for support for walking.
~*~
Hehe. Sorry for the long delay, again. ^__^ That's all I can think of for chapter 3 so, forgive me. =( lol. Please do review! Comments, criticism, anything is welcome =D
Narisunell: Hehehe. Thank you SO much. Even though I don't think of myself as a "good" writer, I'll let you think so =P Hmm. It's a magic cookie that becomes whatever knid you want it to be XD hehehehe. I try to go into detail a lot too =DD Sorry for keeping you waiting, though ;) I'll be writing more frequently now. =D
PhoenixRae: Thanks =D I also like when they start off being friends. OR, when Draco has an obsession with Hermione/stalks her XD That's always fun