Chapter 4
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the story.
Hermione stared at him. He's asking me if he could join me? That's perfectly fine, right? But she found this weird. Because just a couple of weeks ago, Draco Malfoy was still the enemy, as Ron often called him. He was still the bad guy. But ever since that day he apologized about saying mean things about Harry, everything had changed. He had changed, which completely surprised Hermione. She didn't realize that he also had a good heart. That he was just like everyone else. That he was someone who wanted acceptance and wanted to fit in.
"If you don't want, I can just go back to my table," he said, as he picked up his books again.
Hermione touched his hand, which sent shocks of electricity throughout his arm. "It's okay. I don't mind," she said with a smile.
Draco smiled and sat down across her. She couldn't help but think, Wow! Draco smiling sure is weird. Especially since that smile is directed at me. "Is something wrong?" he asked.
Hermione mentally slapped herself. Quit staring! "Oh! No. Nothing's wrong. I just find it a bit weird. You know, you sitting with me. Us, talking with each other," she said.
"I know. I find it weird, too," Draco said, crinkling his nose. "I can't believe I'm sitting here with you now when for the past five years I've done nothing but tease you."
"Oh, you did more than teasing," she said.
"Yeah," he admitted. "I did, huh? Well, sorry about that. I promise from now on, I will only make you smile and never unhappy."
Hermione's smile faltered a little. Well, that's really, really unexpected, she thought. But it's sweet. She smiled. "That's a promise I won't forget, Malfoy," she said, playing along.
He sighed. "Didn't I ask you a favor not to call me Malfoy, anymore? You still keep on doing it," he said to her.
"Oh, sorry," she said, putting a hand to her mouth. "It's just out of habit, I guess. Don't worry; from now on, I'll call you Draco. I promise."
"That's a promise I won't forget," he said, mimicking her and making her laugh.
I never thought Draco could be so fun to talk to. It's like he's been my friend for a long time. Like I've known him ever since. For some reason, she felt very comfortable around him, which is really weird. Since they haven't been friends that long. Hermione is the type of person who takes a long time to trust people. But with Draco, it's different. She brushed the thought away. Maybe it's because I've been acquainted with him for a long time.
"Where's Pot-I mean, Harry. Where's Harry?" he asked.
"Oh, he's at Quidditch practice," she said, smiling at him. "Oh, by the way, Draco, I wanted to congratulate you on your defeat on Gryffindor that time."
"That was a long time ago," he said but he was smiling.
"I know," she said. "I was really impressed." I was?
"Really?" he asked, surprised.
"Yeah. I mean you looked really concentrated and determined. It would have been impossible if you didn't get it," she said.
He smiled widely. Hermione could tell he was pleased and smiled at him. "Besides, I think it's good for Harry to lose once in a while," she continued.
Draco's smile disappeared. ** Just as I thought I had actually had her notice me, the whole thing turns around and focuses on the boy who lived again, Draco couldn't help but think. This is not fair!
"Draco, is something wrong?" Hermione asked him.
Yeah. You're in love with him and not me. "Nothing," he said. "I was just thinking of something."
"Oh. I thought, for a moment, that I said something wrong," she said.
"No, no. Of course not," he said. "You didn't say anything wrong."
She closed her book, gathered her things and put them into her bag. "Well, I'd better go, Draco," she said.
"Why? Where are you going?" he asked, rather whiny.
"Um, the Gryffindor Quidditch practice should be over in a while and I wanted to see Harry," she said. "He might want a massage or something, you know." She smiled.
"Oh, yeah. Quidditch practice can be really tough," he said, trying to hide the disappointment in his voice. "I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Yeah," she said, swung her bag over her shoulder. "Bye!" She walked away, leaving Draco feeling very upset over Potter again.
When will I ever get her to be mine? This is just not fair, he thought, not for the first time and definitely not the last. He sighed, closed his book and crammed it into his bag. Tomorrow's a new day. You'll never know. She might be my girlfriend already.
Fat chance. The other part of his mind said.
"Oh shut up!" Draco said loudly, causing some of the students to look at him.
** Hermione hurriedly returned to the common room, excited to see Harry and wanting to cuddle in his strong arms and hug him tight. As soon as the portrait hole opened, she rushed inside and saw Harry by the couch, sitting with Ron.
"Hi baby!" she said as she rushed beside him to hug him.
Harry looked away and didn't hug Hermione back. She was confused at this sudden strange behavior. Okay. Something is definitely not right. "What's wrong?" she asked him, glancing at Ron, who looked away. Harry didn't answer. "Harry?" she said again, hoping that he'd answer her.
"I'd better go upstairs. I'm feeling tired," Ron said, standing up.
"No, Ron," Harry said, his voice louder than he intended it to be. "You stay here." Ron sat down again.
"What's going on?" Hermione asked, looking from Harry to Ron then back again. "Harry, are you upset about something? Did anything happen during practice?"
"Dean said that you were in the library." Harry began.
"Yeah. I was finishing up on the reading Professor Binns gave--," she explained but Harry cut her off.
"With Malfoy."
Oh no. Now I understand. "We were just talking," she said. "He came over and--."
"And since when were you on speaking terms with him?" Harry asked accusingly, his voice rising. His eyes were flashing with anger. Something Hermione only witnessed during his confrontation with his now godfather, Sirius Black. A couple of students began to look their way and watch. It wasn't everyday that they witness the picture perfect couple fight. In fact, they've never witnessed them fight before because they never had fought before.
"Well, we're both prefects, Harry," she said in a calm voice. I did nothing wrong so there's no point in getting mad. "It's just natural that we'd talk with each other."
"You were talking outside of prefect duties, Hermione. That's different. It's not just that. You were really talking to him, like you talk with us," Harry said.
"What's wrong with talking with him? He's not going to hurt me," she said.
"You know how I feel about Malfoy! He is evil, just like his family is," Harry said.
Hermione's eyes flashed with sudden anger. "He is not evil! His father might be evil, but he's not like him. He's different. Don't judge Draco by his family, Harry!" she said, her voice reflecting how she felt. By this time everyone was watching them.
"So you're calling him Draco now? Since when?"
"Since I became friends with him. Since that day when he apologized to me about saying something mean about you!" Seeing Harry's surprised look she continued, "Yes, Harry. He apologized. He's human, for heaven's sake!"
"He's still Malfoy! Haven't you forgotten that he is the guy who always made you feel bad about yourself? He--," Harry said.
"He's apologized for all of that, Harry! He's changed!" Hermione said, tears now pouring down her face. "I can't believe we're fighting about him. This is so stupid!" She turned around and left the common room.
** Draco was walking down the hall towards the dorm he shared with Marlon when he heard someone running and crying. He turned a corner and almost bumped into a girl. Her hand was covering her face, but it was no mistaking her.
"Hermione?" he said. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she said, continuing to walk and avoiding Draco's questions.
"Hey," he said, going after her. "What happened?"
"Nothing! I said I'm fine," she said again. "Leave me alone." With this Hermione entered her dormitory and left Draco standing outside, confused.
He walked back into his dorm, thinking about Hermione. I wonder what happened to her. Maybe she got a low grade on a test. He smirked for a moment then stopped himself. That's really squalid, Draco! He sighed. He just hoped that whatever it was that happened, whatever it was that made her cry and so upset, she'd be okay. He lay down on his bed thinking about her, like he usually did. Then fell into a dreamless sleep.
The next morning, Draco went to the prefects' office to spend a few minutes there, maybe for coffee to completely wake him up before patrolling the first floor as the students go to breakfast. He wasn't expecting anyone to be there, since Padma doesn't usually go here before her duties so he was assuming that the office would be empty. But when he went in, he saw the one person he was hoping to see first thing everyday of his life.
"Hermione!" he said as he closed the door softly behind him. She was on one of the couches, reading. She looked up at him, her eyes reflecting a blank look. It was something Draco had never seen there before. Hermione's eyes were always alive and bright. But not today. Not right now. "What are you doing here?" he asked.
She broke his gaze and went back to what she was reading. "Oh, you know, burning time before prefect duties," she answered dully, her voice wavering a bit.
He sat in front of her on one of the plush chairs and studied her. It was clear that she was crying the whole night, judging by the way her eyes looked, which were somewhat red and there were black rings under her eyes. "But you patrol after breakfast," Draco said.
"I exchanged shifts with Padma," she said. "I figured it would be better, that way I could have late breakfast and no one would bother me."
"Why would anyone bother you?" he asked, hoping that she'd tell him about what happened last night. He, so badly, wanted to ask her about it but was afraid she'd get upset all over again and not talk to her. And he really never wanted to see her upset.
"Nothing," she replied in almost a whisper. "I just want to be alone."
"Okay," he said, standing up and walking to the door. If she wants some time by herself, I'll give it to her if that's what's going to make her smile again.
"Where are you going?" she asked, closing her book and watching him go to the door with confusion in her eyes.
"I thought you said, you wanted to be alone."
"I didn't mean that you leave. Please stay, Draco. I'd really be pleased if you just stay with me. People don't have to be alone literally to feel sanctuary by themselves," she told him.
He smiled at her and went back to sitting in front of her, content at being asked by Hermione to keep her company. She smiled slightly at him. "Sit with me here," she said, patting the space beside her. I'd be glad to, he couldn't help but think. He stood up and sat beside her. They stayed like this for a while, not saying anything, not moving, just feeling and relaxing beside each other, soaking up the minutes. Hermione was so caught up in the moment that she moved closer to him and leaned her head on his shoulder. He was surprised at this sudden gesture but felt delighted, nevertheless.
After minutes of silence, he broke it and asked with a gentle tone, "Do you want to talk about it?"
He felt Hermione take a deep breath. "Harry and I had a fight," she began.
"About what?"
"It doesn't matter," she said. "It was so awful. I had never had a fight with Harry before and what happened scared me. He yelled at me and--."
Draco tensed up a bit. "Did he hurt you?" he asked. If Potter ever laid so much as a finger on her, I'm going to kill him.
"We just yelled at each other. And. and." she said, barely able to continue because of the sobs trying to escape her throat.
Draco slowly put his arm around her shoulders and rubbed it slowly and very gently. "It's okay to cry, Hermione," he said soothingly.
That did it. Hermione cried on Draco's chest, letting it all out. He wrapped both of his arms around her, hoping that the pain would go away. I could kill Potter for this. He has the most precious woman in the world and he goes around hurting her. He sighed, closed his eyes and prayed, yes I pray, that she would be all right.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the story.
Hermione stared at him. He's asking me if he could join me? That's perfectly fine, right? But she found this weird. Because just a couple of weeks ago, Draco Malfoy was still the enemy, as Ron often called him. He was still the bad guy. But ever since that day he apologized about saying mean things about Harry, everything had changed. He had changed, which completely surprised Hermione. She didn't realize that he also had a good heart. That he was just like everyone else. That he was someone who wanted acceptance and wanted to fit in.
"If you don't want, I can just go back to my table," he said, as he picked up his books again.
Hermione touched his hand, which sent shocks of electricity throughout his arm. "It's okay. I don't mind," she said with a smile.
Draco smiled and sat down across her. She couldn't help but think, Wow! Draco smiling sure is weird. Especially since that smile is directed at me. "Is something wrong?" he asked.
Hermione mentally slapped herself. Quit staring! "Oh! No. Nothing's wrong. I just find it a bit weird. You know, you sitting with me. Us, talking with each other," she said.
"I know. I find it weird, too," Draco said, crinkling his nose. "I can't believe I'm sitting here with you now when for the past five years I've done nothing but tease you."
"Oh, you did more than teasing," she said.
"Yeah," he admitted. "I did, huh? Well, sorry about that. I promise from now on, I will only make you smile and never unhappy."
Hermione's smile faltered a little. Well, that's really, really unexpected, she thought. But it's sweet. She smiled. "That's a promise I won't forget, Malfoy," she said, playing along.
He sighed. "Didn't I ask you a favor not to call me Malfoy, anymore? You still keep on doing it," he said to her.
"Oh, sorry," she said, putting a hand to her mouth. "It's just out of habit, I guess. Don't worry; from now on, I'll call you Draco. I promise."
"That's a promise I won't forget," he said, mimicking her and making her laugh.
I never thought Draco could be so fun to talk to. It's like he's been my friend for a long time. Like I've known him ever since. For some reason, she felt very comfortable around him, which is really weird. Since they haven't been friends that long. Hermione is the type of person who takes a long time to trust people. But with Draco, it's different. She brushed the thought away. Maybe it's because I've been acquainted with him for a long time.
"Where's Pot-I mean, Harry. Where's Harry?" he asked.
"Oh, he's at Quidditch practice," she said, smiling at him. "Oh, by the way, Draco, I wanted to congratulate you on your defeat on Gryffindor that time."
"That was a long time ago," he said but he was smiling.
"I know," she said. "I was really impressed." I was?
"Really?" he asked, surprised.
"Yeah. I mean you looked really concentrated and determined. It would have been impossible if you didn't get it," she said.
He smiled widely. Hermione could tell he was pleased and smiled at him. "Besides, I think it's good for Harry to lose once in a while," she continued.
Draco's smile disappeared. ** Just as I thought I had actually had her notice me, the whole thing turns around and focuses on the boy who lived again, Draco couldn't help but think. This is not fair!
"Draco, is something wrong?" Hermione asked him.
Yeah. You're in love with him and not me. "Nothing," he said. "I was just thinking of something."
"Oh. I thought, for a moment, that I said something wrong," she said.
"No, no. Of course not," he said. "You didn't say anything wrong."
She closed her book, gathered her things and put them into her bag. "Well, I'd better go, Draco," she said.
"Why? Where are you going?" he asked, rather whiny.
"Um, the Gryffindor Quidditch practice should be over in a while and I wanted to see Harry," she said. "He might want a massage or something, you know." She smiled.
"Oh, yeah. Quidditch practice can be really tough," he said, trying to hide the disappointment in his voice. "I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Yeah," she said, swung her bag over her shoulder. "Bye!" She walked away, leaving Draco feeling very upset over Potter again.
When will I ever get her to be mine? This is just not fair, he thought, not for the first time and definitely not the last. He sighed, closed his book and crammed it into his bag. Tomorrow's a new day. You'll never know. She might be my girlfriend already.
Fat chance. The other part of his mind said.
"Oh shut up!" Draco said loudly, causing some of the students to look at him.
** Hermione hurriedly returned to the common room, excited to see Harry and wanting to cuddle in his strong arms and hug him tight. As soon as the portrait hole opened, she rushed inside and saw Harry by the couch, sitting with Ron.
"Hi baby!" she said as she rushed beside him to hug him.
Harry looked away and didn't hug Hermione back. She was confused at this sudden strange behavior. Okay. Something is definitely not right. "What's wrong?" she asked him, glancing at Ron, who looked away. Harry didn't answer. "Harry?" she said again, hoping that he'd answer her.
"I'd better go upstairs. I'm feeling tired," Ron said, standing up.
"No, Ron," Harry said, his voice louder than he intended it to be. "You stay here." Ron sat down again.
"What's going on?" Hermione asked, looking from Harry to Ron then back again. "Harry, are you upset about something? Did anything happen during practice?"
"Dean said that you were in the library." Harry began.
"Yeah. I was finishing up on the reading Professor Binns gave--," she explained but Harry cut her off.
"With Malfoy."
Oh no. Now I understand. "We were just talking," she said. "He came over and--."
"And since when were you on speaking terms with him?" Harry asked accusingly, his voice rising. His eyes were flashing with anger. Something Hermione only witnessed during his confrontation with his now godfather, Sirius Black. A couple of students began to look their way and watch. It wasn't everyday that they witness the picture perfect couple fight. In fact, they've never witnessed them fight before because they never had fought before.
"Well, we're both prefects, Harry," she said in a calm voice. I did nothing wrong so there's no point in getting mad. "It's just natural that we'd talk with each other."
"You were talking outside of prefect duties, Hermione. That's different. It's not just that. You were really talking to him, like you talk with us," Harry said.
"What's wrong with talking with him? He's not going to hurt me," she said.
"You know how I feel about Malfoy! He is evil, just like his family is," Harry said.
Hermione's eyes flashed with sudden anger. "He is not evil! His father might be evil, but he's not like him. He's different. Don't judge Draco by his family, Harry!" she said, her voice reflecting how she felt. By this time everyone was watching them.
"So you're calling him Draco now? Since when?"
"Since I became friends with him. Since that day when he apologized to me about saying something mean about you!" Seeing Harry's surprised look she continued, "Yes, Harry. He apologized. He's human, for heaven's sake!"
"He's still Malfoy! Haven't you forgotten that he is the guy who always made you feel bad about yourself? He--," Harry said.
"He's apologized for all of that, Harry! He's changed!" Hermione said, tears now pouring down her face. "I can't believe we're fighting about him. This is so stupid!" She turned around and left the common room.
** Draco was walking down the hall towards the dorm he shared with Marlon when he heard someone running and crying. He turned a corner and almost bumped into a girl. Her hand was covering her face, but it was no mistaking her.
"Hermione?" he said. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she said, continuing to walk and avoiding Draco's questions.
"Hey," he said, going after her. "What happened?"
"Nothing! I said I'm fine," she said again. "Leave me alone." With this Hermione entered her dormitory and left Draco standing outside, confused.
He walked back into his dorm, thinking about Hermione. I wonder what happened to her. Maybe she got a low grade on a test. He smirked for a moment then stopped himself. That's really squalid, Draco! He sighed. He just hoped that whatever it was that happened, whatever it was that made her cry and so upset, she'd be okay. He lay down on his bed thinking about her, like he usually did. Then fell into a dreamless sleep.
The next morning, Draco went to the prefects' office to spend a few minutes there, maybe for coffee to completely wake him up before patrolling the first floor as the students go to breakfast. He wasn't expecting anyone to be there, since Padma doesn't usually go here before her duties so he was assuming that the office would be empty. But when he went in, he saw the one person he was hoping to see first thing everyday of his life.
"Hermione!" he said as he closed the door softly behind him. She was on one of the couches, reading. She looked up at him, her eyes reflecting a blank look. It was something Draco had never seen there before. Hermione's eyes were always alive and bright. But not today. Not right now. "What are you doing here?" he asked.
She broke his gaze and went back to what she was reading. "Oh, you know, burning time before prefect duties," she answered dully, her voice wavering a bit.
He sat in front of her on one of the plush chairs and studied her. It was clear that she was crying the whole night, judging by the way her eyes looked, which were somewhat red and there were black rings under her eyes. "But you patrol after breakfast," Draco said.
"I exchanged shifts with Padma," she said. "I figured it would be better, that way I could have late breakfast and no one would bother me."
"Why would anyone bother you?" he asked, hoping that she'd tell him about what happened last night. He, so badly, wanted to ask her about it but was afraid she'd get upset all over again and not talk to her. And he really never wanted to see her upset.
"Nothing," she replied in almost a whisper. "I just want to be alone."
"Okay," he said, standing up and walking to the door. If she wants some time by herself, I'll give it to her if that's what's going to make her smile again.
"Where are you going?" she asked, closing her book and watching him go to the door with confusion in her eyes.
"I thought you said, you wanted to be alone."
"I didn't mean that you leave. Please stay, Draco. I'd really be pleased if you just stay with me. People don't have to be alone literally to feel sanctuary by themselves," she told him.
He smiled at her and went back to sitting in front of her, content at being asked by Hermione to keep her company. She smiled slightly at him. "Sit with me here," she said, patting the space beside her. I'd be glad to, he couldn't help but think. He stood up and sat beside her. They stayed like this for a while, not saying anything, not moving, just feeling and relaxing beside each other, soaking up the minutes. Hermione was so caught up in the moment that she moved closer to him and leaned her head on his shoulder. He was surprised at this sudden gesture but felt delighted, nevertheless.
After minutes of silence, he broke it and asked with a gentle tone, "Do you want to talk about it?"
He felt Hermione take a deep breath. "Harry and I had a fight," she began.
"About what?"
"It doesn't matter," she said. "It was so awful. I had never had a fight with Harry before and what happened scared me. He yelled at me and--."
Draco tensed up a bit. "Did he hurt you?" he asked. If Potter ever laid so much as a finger on her, I'm going to kill him.
"We just yelled at each other. And. and." she said, barely able to continue because of the sobs trying to escape her throat.
Draco slowly put his arm around her shoulders and rubbed it slowly and very gently. "It's okay to cry, Hermione," he said soothingly.
That did it. Hermione cried on Draco's chest, letting it all out. He wrapped both of his arms around her, hoping that the pain would go away. I could kill Potter for this. He has the most precious woman in the world and he goes around hurting her. He sighed, closed his eyes and prayed, yes I pray, that she would be all right.