This is especially for Offspring-the-kids-ain't-a (I used to listen to this
particular station over the net, and I found out about the Flying
Dutchman...!), Crystalline Lily, Tom Felton's babe (Hey!) Kid Vicious and
the mysterious, Anonymous person.
Larz! Relax! This isn't the last chapter! Really! I don't think this story is ending anytime soon, so all those of you who were wondering, I expect this story to have more than 50 (a-hem!) LONG chapters! Lol... Thanks, again, for reading, and for all your wonderful reviews! By the way, I'm seriously considering changing the title to 'All Or Nothing'... What do you think?
Chapter 29
Draco's eyelids fluttered as he felt the warm, fuzzy teddy bear he was holding stirred. Draco tightened his grip on the bear, nuzzling its head gently. Suddenly, Draco's eyes opened, and he had to keep himself from shouting out. 'Bear?' he thought, bewildered. 'I don't have a bear!'
Draco turned his head, and saw that it was only Hermione, who was still fast asleep with a small smile playing on her lips. Draco didn't remove his arms from around her, though his mind was positively yelling at him to do so. He kept his right arm around her while he used his left arm to prop him up, as he surveyed her.
Her hair was spread out in a small fan around her shoulders, and her eyes were opened to a mere fraction of an inch. Draco lay back down, and as he savoured the warmth she emitted, he wondered how he managed to wrap his arm around her, without realizing so.
Just then, Draco stiffened as Hermione shifted slightly, mumbling about something. Then, much to Draco's horror and surprise, Hermione put her arm over Draco's, and nuzzled her head backwards into his neck. Then, she didn't move, and Draco assumed she'd fallen back into a deep sleep.
Draco realized, with a rather unwilling smile, that he and Hermione fitted each other like two adjoining pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. 'We'd fit so well together, if only nothing was in between us,' thought Draco, as a small feeling of sadness settled in his heart.
Then, without realizing it, he fell asleep, his cheek leaning onto Hermione's head.
Hermione stirred, basking in the comfortable warmth that enveloped her making her feel a sense of security, like the warmth a patchwork blanket that a grandma made lovingly for her grandchild. How wonderful it was, to lie there, and have not a care in the world.
'Whose arms are these?' Hermione wondered sleepily, her thoughts vague.
Then, she jumped out of bed with a soft scream, and looked frantically at her surroundings.
'This isn't my room!' She thought, a thrill of horror sending cold shivers up and down her back. 'In fact, this is - Draco's room! W-what am I doing here?' She wondered, her attention focused on the bed, where Draco was sitting up, with an expression that reminded Hermione of how her grandmother had looked when her grandfather had passed away - like she'd lost everything; maybe more.
Hermione hugged herself, ignoring the cold floor, as Draco brushed his hair out of his eyes and blinked confusedly at her.
"What the hell did you do?" He murmured, squinting in the dimness to look at the clock.
"What am I doing here?" Said Hermione. Then, immediately, she remembered. "No, wait! Don't tell me! I know exactly what happened."
Draco looked almost alarmed as the alert and guarded look taking over the sleepy and blank look, which made him look like a docile kitten. "Hey," he said, eyeing her wearily. "I didn't do anything like that, okay?"
Hermione wanted to laugh, but her heart was thudding, thinking that how - well, lucky - it was that she'd spent the entire night in Draco's arms - just the two of them. But what struck her was why - WHY? - Did Draco hug her? Or was he just having a dream? What? It made Hermione's head ache just thinking about it.
Hermione wanted to know why. But how could she ask him without sounding like she was trying to find out? 'Impossible,' she thought. 'I might as well get straight to the point.'
"Why were you hugging me?" Said Hermione, wincing at how bold she sounded.
Draco did not meet her stare as he answered. "I don't know."
Taking a step towards his bed, she said, "What kind of an answer is that?"
"I don't know."
"Well, there must be a - a reason... You're not telling me something."
"You shouldn't be so nosy."
"Excuse me!" Said Hermione, sitting Japanese-style at the foot of his bed. "You just hugged me - probably half the whole night, and I'm not entitled to find out why?"
Draco's heart began to speed up. 'To tell or not to tell?' he wondered, looking at the girl, who unknowingly made him feel like he could do anything.
"Well?" She demanded.
Draco chickened out just as he was about to open his mouth. 'No,' he'd decided. 'I must get the right time. Now is not the time to tell her.'
Hermione sat staring at Draco, while she waited expectantly.
"Hermione - Hermione, I've got to go," he said, swinging his feet over the edge of the bed, as he slid them into his slippers.
"But -," Hermione started to protest.
"Sorry," he said firmly, not even sending half a glance in her direction. Then, he grabbed his towel of the back of his chair and left the room leaving Hermione staring helplessly at the door.
"It's hard isn't it, being the only girl in the house? Don't you get pushed around a lot by your brothers?" Asked Harry, turning to look Ginny, who was walking next to him.
Ginny shrugged, as she kicked a small stone out of her way. "It's okay, really. Bill and Charlie used to pull the worst pranks on me when they were much younger. But they're more protective now. It's only Fred and George I've got to look out for."
"What about Ron? Doesn't he annoy you too?"
"Ron?" Repeated Ginny, laughing a little. "Nah, Ron pretends to be nasty, but I know for a fact that he really cares."
Harry smiled remembering their second year, when Ron found out that Ginny had been taken into the Chamber of Secrets.
"Harry! Ginny!"
Harry and Ginny turned, and saw Cho jog up to them. "Hey, Cho!" said Harry enthusiastically, as Ginny's contented face fell.
"Hey, Cho," echoed Ginny, staring down at her low boots.
"What are you two doing here?" Said Cho, sweeping her well brushed hair over her shoulders.
Ginny felt a small stab of insecurity as she observed the way Cho's pink laced tank top fitted her slender frame perfectly, and her chocolate brown pants that fitted loosely to her legs which seemed to go on forever. It was no wonder that half the boys up at school were trying to win her heart. Ginny wondered if Harry still had the hots for her. Ginny blanched at the thought as she tried to push it off her mind.
"I'm just taking Ginny out. We're headed to The Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer. You look like you could do with one yourself," joked Harry, seeing her pink cheeks.
"Could do, but maybe later," said Cho. "Besides, I've got to get some new clothes - not that I don't have enough. Anyway, see you later! Bye, Harry! Bye, Ginny!"
"Bye," said Harry, as Cho waved goodbye.
The couple was quiet as they sat at a small table for two at The Three Broomsticks, which was still empty.
"I'll order," offered Harry, observing the girl's sudden quiet manner.
Ginny nodded, as she played with the tablecloth. Hundreds of questions ran through her head, as she thought of their recent encounter with Cho. Ginny wanted to know where exactly their relationship was. But Ginny didn't want to be the one who brought up the subject. After all, her mother had told her time and time again, "If it isn't broken, don't fix it." Ginny knew that she had to trust what Harry told her or she wouldn't move on.
"Here you are," said Harry cheerfully, as he put a glass in front of her.
"Thanks," said Ginny, managing a small smile.
Harry sat down, and leant back into his chair. "Romantic this is, isn't it?" He smiled, trying to make her smile.
Ginny laughed. "Sure thing," she said, sipping her butterbeer. "Thanks, by the way."
"For?" Asked Harry.
"As if you don't know! For taking me here, silly!"
Harry grinned at Ginny. "Anything for my beloved."
"So it's 'beloved' now, is it?"
"Yeah. At least, until I find something more original."
Ginny felt the tension start to ebb away as she looked across the table at Harry. She didn't think she'd loved anyone - or anything - more than him.
"Where are we going to after this?" She asked.
"To the end of the world," answered Harry, without thinking.
"What?" Exclaimed Ginny, ruffled.
"Sorry," said Harry, starting to laugh. "It's just an old joke between me and Ron."
"Oh... Okay. So... Where are we going?"
"I don't know. Anywhere in particular you want to be at?"
"Yeah," muttered Ginny, stifling a yawn. "Back in my bed."
"Really?" Said Harry, mildly amused.
Ginny couldn't stifle the next yawn. "Sorry, I can't help it. I stayed up late last night. Shouldn't have."
Harry smiled at her with an adoring look in his eyes. "Want to head back?"
Ginny's eyes widened. "Are you sure?" Her voice came out in a high-pitched squeak.
"Yeah." Harry yawned too. "See? It's really contagious. So, do you want to go back?"
"I guess." Ginny put her head down on her arms on the table.
Harry decided to play a little trick on her.
"Oh no! Ginny! Don't move! There's - there's something on your hair!"
Ginny screamed, shot up from her chair, and ran her hands wildly through her hair.
"What's that? Where's it? Get it off! Get it off!" She yelped.
"It's awful! What the hell is that?"
"Harry!" Yelled Ginny. She aroused Madam Rosmerta's attention instantly. "Just get the damn thing off my hair!
When she saw Harry laughing, she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Harry Potter, that is so NOT funny!"
Then, Ginny ran after Harry out into the cold morning, their butterbeers forgotten. Harry didn't think they'd be going back into the castle after all.
"Hermione, you can't do this," moaned Ron, trying to cover his face with his pillow.
Hermione's hands, which had a firm grip on Ron's blanket, paused in mid- air. She raised an eyebrow. "I can't?"
Ron, thinking she had given up trying to tug away his blanket, relaxed his grip. However, Hermione gave a hard yank, without warning, and muttered, "Don't underestimate me, Weasley."
Ron gave up fighting, and sat up in bed. When he saw the peeved look on her face, he knew that something was not right.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"What do you mean 'What's wrong'? What, did I just sprout an extra head?"
Ron rolled his eyes and shook his head. "No," he snapped. "You look like one of your best friends just died... No, wait. I am one of your best friends. Okay, spill."
"There is nothing to spill, Ron Weasley. Now get your ass out of bed, and let's get down to work."
"Don't change the subject, Herm. And I know that something's up, cause you're using last names."
"We have to just start, while waiting for Harry to come back from... From wherever he is. I can find neither him nor Ginny."
"Harry and my sister are out of bed at this hour?" Ron goggled at Hermione.
Hermione stared pointedly at Ron. "You are the only person who thinks that this is an ungodly hour to wake up."
"Actually," came a voice from a corner of the dormitory, "it's not only Ron who thinks that way. I, for one, do too."
"Yeah," echoed Neville and Dean sleepily.
"Shut up, Seamus," snapped Hermione. She turned back to Ron who was struggling to untangle a shirt from a pile of clothes at the foot of his bed. "Hurry up, you," she snarled.
"Yeah, Herm, sure. If you'd kindly excuse me."
Hermione went pink as she stepped back from Ron's bed. "Shut up," she called into the dim room, putting a brief stop to the boys' sniggers. However, when she closed the door behind her, they didn't hold back.
"Idiot, idiot, idiot," mumbled Draco, pushing his hands deeper into his pockets. "How could you be so careless?"
Draco had showered quickly, then left for Hogsmeade for a brisk walk or maybe run, to clear his mind. Strenuous physical activity helped him to unwind. He barely looked where he was going as he walked down the familiar path. He needed all the peace and quiet he could salvage, before he could think of his next step.
"ARGH! NOOOO! GO AWAY!"
Draco's head perked up, as his keen eyes scanned his calm and serene surroundings. His pace quickened.
"PLEASE SPARE ME! I WON'T DO IT AGAIN! I PROMISE!"
Draco ran towards a small clearing where the girl's screams had come from. Suddenly he stopped short and stared.
From a distance, he could see a vaguely familiar dark-haired boy playfully tackle a red headed girl, as they rolled into a pile of the first autumn leaves.
Draco rolled his eyes as he turned away. 'Gag me,' he thought. 'Just spare me the mush.' Then, without turning back, he walked straight towards the village, as thoughts of Hermione filled his mind once more.
"HARRY!"
"Say you're sorry!"
"HARRY!"
"Say you're sorry first."
"You started it, idiot!" Giggled Ginny, trying valiantly to squirm away from Harry who was tickling her like there was no tomorrow.
Harry refused to let her go.
"Okay, okay!" Sputtered Ginny. She gasped for breath.
Harry paused. "I'm waiting."
"Sorry. Okay? Sorry."
Harry let go of Ginny and turned her around to face him, his hands resting gently on her shoulders.
"Are you mad?" He said softly, looking down at her.
Ginny did not meet his gaze. "No," she whispered. "Why should I be?"
Harry hesitated. "You look miffed."
"I'm not," she insisted, still whispering.
Harry didn't know what to do. He dropped his hands from Ginny's shoulders, turned, and began to walk away. After he'd walked a couple of paces, Harry began to wonder why Ginny wasn't catching up to him. However, he forced himself not to look back.
As he was about to sneak a peek behind him, Ginny ran in front of him, faced him, and tilted her head upwards, her eyes pleading with him. Harry looked into her eyes and understood. She needed reassurance, and love.
Without thinking, Harry leant forward, and met her lips. For a long time, they stood in each other's arms, while red and yellow and orange leaves fell all around them.
"I said, where have you been?" Hermione said loudly, her voice rising several octaves.
Harry didn't dare look at Hermione. "I told you! Out! ... For a walk with Ginny."
Ron, who had been pretending not to hear the argument that was nearly making his eardrums throb, looked up.
"Ginny?"
Hermione glared at Ron. "Keep out of this, you!"
Harry knew that Hermione was definitely not in a good mood. "Okay, fine. I'm sorry for not leaving a note, and I'm sorry we were out for so long. Now, please save me - no, us - the lecture and let's get down to work. By the way, where's Malfoy - not that I actually care."
Ron sniggered.
"Who cares?" Said Hermione, trying to sound lofty. "Anyway," she said briskly, "here's the book you can help to look through. I'll leave these two books on Draco's desk later, after he comes back from... Wherever he comes back from."
Harry shrugged, took the book from Hermione, and threw himself down next to Ron. After five minutes, the two of them were so engrossed in their research, they barely noticed the other Gryffindors who were coming down, ready to spend their day out of the castle.
Neither did they catch Hermione's distracted look, which she had while she was thumbing through the pages.
As Hermione thought she'd found something useful, Ginny burst in, and ran straight to Hermione.
"Hermione! Malfoy's outside the common room! He's arguing with the Fat Lady to let him in, but she won't budge. He insists on coming in. What - what'd I do? He wants me to let him in, and I don't know if I should."
Hermione's distracted look disappeared, and was replaced by an alert one. She glanced at Harry and Ron, who were watching her intently.
As she opened her mouth to tell Ginny to let him in, Ron reminded her with a little smugness in his voice that made Hermione want to hit him in the face. "Only the Gryffindors are allowed in here, remember, prefect?" He sneered.
Hermione bit her lip. Maybe Ron had seen her spacing out after all. But she made her decision fast.
"Then I'll go back to my room, and study there with Draco," she answered, lifting up her chin, as the look on Ron's face disappeared completely.
"But, Hermione - your room -."
"Her room?" repeated Harry, confused.
"Tell you later," said Ron quickly, glancing at Ginny, who had no head or tail about what was going on. "Hermione, you can't go!"
"I can't?" She repeated, not for the first time that day. With a swift, sharp flick of her wand, she gathered the other books, and left the Gryffindor Common Room, leaving Ron and Harry to gape at her back, which was lost from their sight when the portrait closed behind her.
"She can't just leave us here," said Ron in a voice that wasn't quite his own.
Harry barely blinked. "Do you think she isn't telling us something?"
Ron didn't answer, but while his thoughts flowed through his head, he felt like he'd aged ten years older. Why was he getting this feeling that he didn't know Hermione anymore? Even though she still talked to him in the same way - sometimes adoringly, others, like he was a fat ugly and squashed bug on her shoe.
Ron stopped toying with the hem of his black T-shirt, as his eyes widened.
Was it -? Could it be -?
No. Surely...
No.
"Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you think - Herm's... You know, in love?"
Harry laughed at threw a well-aimed cushion at his best friend's head. "Who with, doofus? You?"
Ron picked up the cushion, which had fallen to the floor, stared hard at it, but didn't throw it back, like he usually did. "No," he said, looking into Harry's eyes.
"With?" Said Ginny, who was sitting on the armrest of Harry's chair, and sat staring at her brother. Then, realisation dawned on her face as she studied Ron's worried expression.
Then, realisation dawned, and it hit her with a tidal wave of shock. "Oh my god. Ron. You don't think...?" She nibbled on her lower lip nervously. "Not... Draco?" She whispered Draco's name like it was an ancient curse.
Harry didn't laugh. He only stares at Ron. "Are you sure? What makes you think so?"
Ron pulled a stray thread out from the fine embroidery on the cushion. "It's pretty obvious, isn't it? I mean, look at her. She's practically leaping at every opportunity to be alone with Draco."
At first, Harry and Ginny said nothing. Maybe they were mistaken. Maybe Hermione just needed a new circle of... of what? New friends? Ginny would never consider Draco a friend! At least, not in this life time; or the next life, for that matter.
But Ron did have a point. They barely saw Hermione, or hung out much together anymore, and not because she was busy swallowing her textbooks. Or chatting with Parvati and Lavender, while sitting comfortably in beanbag chairs. (Ginny just couldn't picture that) She was with Draco, except for when she did her homework, probably.
'Besides,' thought Ginny, gazing at the brick wall. 'Hermione's face literally lights up when we talk about Draco, and she's always the first - if not the only one - to defend Draco when Harry, Ron or Ginny said something unpleasant about him.'
Ginny wanted to knock her head against the wall. 'How could I be so stupid?' She wondered. 'The signs were looking me in the eye, begging and grovelling to be read, and what did I do? I ignored them.'
Though Ginny knew that she should probably tell Ron, she kept quiet, and pretended that she was paying attention to the conversation. But in her mind, Ginny was telling herself, 'I'll stop Hermione from falling for Draco - even if it is the last thing I do!'
But deep within her, she knew that she most probably couldn't go against the forces of nature. If they were meant to be, then Ron would have to just take it, and look for someone new. Ginny swallowed hard. But she knew that wouldn't be easy. Ron would never accept it.
'Come on, Gin,' Ginny told herself. 'What would he do?'
And another voice answered almost immediately. 'Anything, Ginny. Anything.'
It looked like there was no way out.
Larz! Relax! This isn't the last chapter! Really! I don't think this story is ending anytime soon, so all those of you who were wondering, I expect this story to have more than 50 (a-hem!) LONG chapters! Lol... Thanks, again, for reading, and for all your wonderful reviews! By the way, I'm seriously considering changing the title to 'All Or Nothing'... What do you think?
Chapter 29
Draco's eyelids fluttered as he felt the warm, fuzzy teddy bear he was holding stirred. Draco tightened his grip on the bear, nuzzling its head gently. Suddenly, Draco's eyes opened, and he had to keep himself from shouting out. 'Bear?' he thought, bewildered. 'I don't have a bear!'
Draco turned his head, and saw that it was only Hermione, who was still fast asleep with a small smile playing on her lips. Draco didn't remove his arms from around her, though his mind was positively yelling at him to do so. He kept his right arm around her while he used his left arm to prop him up, as he surveyed her.
Her hair was spread out in a small fan around her shoulders, and her eyes were opened to a mere fraction of an inch. Draco lay back down, and as he savoured the warmth she emitted, he wondered how he managed to wrap his arm around her, without realizing so.
Just then, Draco stiffened as Hermione shifted slightly, mumbling about something. Then, much to Draco's horror and surprise, Hermione put her arm over Draco's, and nuzzled her head backwards into his neck. Then, she didn't move, and Draco assumed she'd fallen back into a deep sleep.
Draco realized, with a rather unwilling smile, that he and Hermione fitted each other like two adjoining pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. 'We'd fit so well together, if only nothing was in between us,' thought Draco, as a small feeling of sadness settled in his heart.
Then, without realizing it, he fell asleep, his cheek leaning onto Hermione's head.
Hermione stirred, basking in the comfortable warmth that enveloped her making her feel a sense of security, like the warmth a patchwork blanket that a grandma made lovingly for her grandchild. How wonderful it was, to lie there, and have not a care in the world.
'Whose arms are these?' Hermione wondered sleepily, her thoughts vague.
Then, she jumped out of bed with a soft scream, and looked frantically at her surroundings.
'This isn't my room!' She thought, a thrill of horror sending cold shivers up and down her back. 'In fact, this is - Draco's room! W-what am I doing here?' She wondered, her attention focused on the bed, where Draco was sitting up, with an expression that reminded Hermione of how her grandmother had looked when her grandfather had passed away - like she'd lost everything; maybe more.
Hermione hugged herself, ignoring the cold floor, as Draco brushed his hair out of his eyes and blinked confusedly at her.
"What the hell did you do?" He murmured, squinting in the dimness to look at the clock.
"What am I doing here?" Said Hermione. Then, immediately, she remembered. "No, wait! Don't tell me! I know exactly what happened."
Draco looked almost alarmed as the alert and guarded look taking over the sleepy and blank look, which made him look like a docile kitten. "Hey," he said, eyeing her wearily. "I didn't do anything like that, okay?"
Hermione wanted to laugh, but her heart was thudding, thinking that how - well, lucky - it was that she'd spent the entire night in Draco's arms - just the two of them. But what struck her was why - WHY? - Did Draco hug her? Or was he just having a dream? What? It made Hermione's head ache just thinking about it.
Hermione wanted to know why. But how could she ask him without sounding like she was trying to find out? 'Impossible,' she thought. 'I might as well get straight to the point.'
"Why were you hugging me?" Said Hermione, wincing at how bold she sounded.
Draco did not meet her stare as he answered. "I don't know."
Taking a step towards his bed, she said, "What kind of an answer is that?"
"I don't know."
"Well, there must be a - a reason... You're not telling me something."
"You shouldn't be so nosy."
"Excuse me!" Said Hermione, sitting Japanese-style at the foot of his bed. "You just hugged me - probably half the whole night, and I'm not entitled to find out why?"
Draco's heart began to speed up. 'To tell or not to tell?' he wondered, looking at the girl, who unknowingly made him feel like he could do anything.
"Well?" She demanded.
Draco chickened out just as he was about to open his mouth. 'No,' he'd decided. 'I must get the right time. Now is not the time to tell her.'
Hermione sat staring at Draco, while she waited expectantly.
"Hermione - Hermione, I've got to go," he said, swinging his feet over the edge of the bed, as he slid them into his slippers.
"But -," Hermione started to protest.
"Sorry," he said firmly, not even sending half a glance in her direction. Then, he grabbed his towel of the back of his chair and left the room leaving Hermione staring helplessly at the door.
"It's hard isn't it, being the only girl in the house? Don't you get pushed around a lot by your brothers?" Asked Harry, turning to look Ginny, who was walking next to him.
Ginny shrugged, as she kicked a small stone out of her way. "It's okay, really. Bill and Charlie used to pull the worst pranks on me when they were much younger. But they're more protective now. It's only Fred and George I've got to look out for."
"What about Ron? Doesn't he annoy you too?"
"Ron?" Repeated Ginny, laughing a little. "Nah, Ron pretends to be nasty, but I know for a fact that he really cares."
Harry smiled remembering their second year, when Ron found out that Ginny had been taken into the Chamber of Secrets.
"Harry! Ginny!"
Harry and Ginny turned, and saw Cho jog up to them. "Hey, Cho!" said Harry enthusiastically, as Ginny's contented face fell.
"Hey, Cho," echoed Ginny, staring down at her low boots.
"What are you two doing here?" Said Cho, sweeping her well brushed hair over her shoulders.
Ginny felt a small stab of insecurity as she observed the way Cho's pink laced tank top fitted her slender frame perfectly, and her chocolate brown pants that fitted loosely to her legs which seemed to go on forever. It was no wonder that half the boys up at school were trying to win her heart. Ginny wondered if Harry still had the hots for her. Ginny blanched at the thought as she tried to push it off her mind.
"I'm just taking Ginny out. We're headed to The Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer. You look like you could do with one yourself," joked Harry, seeing her pink cheeks.
"Could do, but maybe later," said Cho. "Besides, I've got to get some new clothes - not that I don't have enough. Anyway, see you later! Bye, Harry! Bye, Ginny!"
"Bye," said Harry, as Cho waved goodbye.
The couple was quiet as they sat at a small table for two at The Three Broomsticks, which was still empty.
"I'll order," offered Harry, observing the girl's sudden quiet manner.
Ginny nodded, as she played with the tablecloth. Hundreds of questions ran through her head, as she thought of their recent encounter with Cho. Ginny wanted to know where exactly their relationship was. But Ginny didn't want to be the one who brought up the subject. After all, her mother had told her time and time again, "If it isn't broken, don't fix it." Ginny knew that she had to trust what Harry told her or she wouldn't move on.
"Here you are," said Harry cheerfully, as he put a glass in front of her.
"Thanks," said Ginny, managing a small smile.
Harry sat down, and leant back into his chair. "Romantic this is, isn't it?" He smiled, trying to make her smile.
Ginny laughed. "Sure thing," she said, sipping her butterbeer. "Thanks, by the way."
"For?" Asked Harry.
"As if you don't know! For taking me here, silly!"
Harry grinned at Ginny. "Anything for my beloved."
"So it's 'beloved' now, is it?"
"Yeah. At least, until I find something more original."
Ginny felt the tension start to ebb away as she looked across the table at Harry. She didn't think she'd loved anyone - or anything - more than him.
"Where are we going to after this?" She asked.
"To the end of the world," answered Harry, without thinking.
"What?" Exclaimed Ginny, ruffled.
"Sorry," said Harry, starting to laugh. "It's just an old joke between me and Ron."
"Oh... Okay. So... Where are we going?"
"I don't know. Anywhere in particular you want to be at?"
"Yeah," muttered Ginny, stifling a yawn. "Back in my bed."
"Really?" Said Harry, mildly amused.
Ginny couldn't stifle the next yawn. "Sorry, I can't help it. I stayed up late last night. Shouldn't have."
Harry smiled at her with an adoring look in his eyes. "Want to head back?"
Ginny's eyes widened. "Are you sure?" Her voice came out in a high-pitched squeak.
"Yeah." Harry yawned too. "See? It's really contagious. So, do you want to go back?"
"I guess." Ginny put her head down on her arms on the table.
Harry decided to play a little trick on her.
"Oh no! Ginny! Don't move! There's - there's something on your hair!"
Ginny screamed, shot up from her chair, and ran her hands wildly through her hair.
"What's that? Where's it? Get it off! Get it off!" She yelped.
"It's awful! What the hell is that?"
"Harry!" Yelled Ginny. She aroused Madam Rosmerta's attention instantly. "Just get the damn thing off my hair!
When she saw Harry laughing, she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Harry Potter, that is so NOT funny!"
Then, Ginny ran after Harry out into the cold morning, their butterbeers forgotten. Harry didn't think they'd be going back into the castle after all.
"Hermione, you can't do this," moaned Ron, trying to cover his face with his pillow.
Hermione's hands, which had a firm grip on Ron's blanket, paused in mid- air. She raised an eyebrow. "I can't?"
Ron, thinking she had given up trying to tug away his blanket, relaxed his grip. However, Hermione gave a hard yank, without warning, and muttered, "Don't underestimate me, Weasley."
Ron gave up fighting, and sat up in bed. When he saw the peeved look on her face, he knew that something was not right.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"What do you mean 'What's wrong'? What, did I just sprout an extra head?"
Ron rolled his eyes and shook his head. "No," he snapped. "You look like one of your best friends just died... No, wait. I am one of your best friends. Okay, spill."
"There is nothing to spill, Ron Weasley. Now get your ass out of bed, and let's get down to work."
"Don't change the subject, Herm. And I know that something's up, cause you're using last names."
"We have to just start, while waiting for Harry to come back from... From wherever he is. I can find neither him nor Ginny."
"Harry and my sister are out of bed at this hour?" Ron goggled at Hermione.
Hermione stared pointedly at Ron. "You are the only person who thinks that this is an ungodly hour to wake up."
"Actually," came a voice from a corner of the dormitory, "it's not only Ron who thinks that way. I, for one, do too."
"Yeah," echoed Neville and Dean sleepily.
"Shut up, Seamus," snapped Hermione. She turned back to Ron who was struggling to untangle a shirt from a pile of clothes at the foot of his bed. "Hurry up, you," she snarled.
"Yeah, Herm, sure. If you'd kindly excuse me."
Hermione went pink as she stepped back from Ron's bed. "Shut up," she called into the dim room, putting a brief stop to the boys' sniggers. However, when she closed the door behind her, they didn't hold back.
"Idiot, idiot, idiot," mumbled Draco, pushing his hands deeper into his pockets. "How could you be so careless?"
Draco had showered quickly, then left for Hogsmeade for a brisk walk or maybe run, to clear his mind. Strenuous physical activity helped him to unwind. He barely looked where he was going as he walked down the familiar path. He needed all the peace and quiet he could salvage, before he could think of his next step.
"ARGH! NOOOO! GO AWAY!"
Draco's head perked up, as his keen eyes scanned his calm and serene surroundings. His pace quickened.
"PLEASE SPARE ME! I WON'T DO IT AGAIN! I PROMISE!"
Draco ran towards a small clearing where the girl's screams had come from. Suddenly he stopped short and stared.
From a distance, he could see a vaguely familiar dark-haired boy playfully tackle a red headed girl, as they rolled into a pile of the first autumn leaves.
Draco rolled his eyes as he turned away. 'Gag me,' he thought. 'Just spare me the mush.' Then, without turning back, he walked straight towards the village, as thoughts of Hermione filled his mind once more.
"HARRY!"
"Say you're sorry!"
"HARRY!"
"Say you're sorry first."
"You started it, idiot!" Giggled Ginny, trying valiantly to squirm away from Harry who was tickling her like there was no tomorrow.
Harry refused to let her go.
"Okay, okay!" Sputtered Ginny. She gasped for breath.
Harry paused. "I'm waiting."
"Sorry. Okay? Sorry."
Harry let go of Ginny and turned her around to face him, his hands resting gently on her shoulders.
"Are you mad?" He said softly, looking down at her.
Ginny did not meet his gaze. "No," she whispered. "Why should I be?"
Harry hesitated. "You look miffed."
"I'm not," she insisted, still whispering.
Harry didn't know what to do. He dropped his hands from Ginny's shoulders, turned, and began to walk away. After he'd walked a couple of paces, Harry began to wonder why Ginny wasn't catching up to him. However, he forced himself not to look back.
As he was about to sneak a peek behind him, Ginny ran in front of him, faced him, and tilted her head upwards, her eyes pleading with him. Harry looked into her eyes and understood. She needed reassurance, and love.
Without thinking, Harry leant forward, and met her lips. For a long time, they stood in each other's arms, while red and yellow and orange leaves fell all around them.
"I said, where have you been?" Hermione said loudly, her voice rising several octaves.
Harry didn't dare look at Hermione. "I told you! Out! ... For a walk with Ginny."
Ron, who had been pretending not to hear the argument that was nearly making his eardrums throb, looked up.
"Ginny?"
Hermione glared at Ron. "Keep out of this, you!"
Harry knew that Hermione was definitely not in a good mood. "Okay, fine. I'm sorry for not leaving a note, and I'm sorry we were out for so long. Now, please save me - no, us - the lecture and let's get down to work. By the way, where's Malfoy - not that I actually care."
Ron sniggered.
"Who cares?" Said Hermione, trying to sound lofty. "Anyway," she said briskly, "here's the book you can help to look through. I'll leave these two books on Draco's desk later, after he comes back from... Wherever he comes back from."
Harry shrugged, took the book from Hermione, and threw himself down next to Ron. After five minutes, the two of them were so engrossed in their research, they barely noticed the other Gryffindors who were coming down, ready to spend their day out of the castle.
Neither did they catch Hermione's distracted look, which she had while she was thumbing through the pages.
As Hermione thought she'd found something useful, Ginny burst in, and ran straight to Hermione.
"Hermione! Malfoy's outside the common room! He's arguing with the Fat Lady to let him in, but she won't budge. He insists on coming in. What - what'd I do? He wants me to let him in, and I don't know if I should."
Hermione's distracted look disappeared, and was replaced by an alert one. She glanced at Harry and Ron, who were watching her intently.
As she opened her mouth to tell Ginny to let him in, Ron reminded her with a little smugness in his voice that made Hermione want to hit him in the face. "Only the Gryffindors are allowed in here, remember, prefect?" He sneered.
Hermione bit her lip. Maybe Ron had seen her spacing out after all. But she made her decision fast.
"Then I'll go back to my room, and study there with Draco," she answered, lifting up her chin, as the look on Ron's face disappeared completely.
"But, Hermione - your room -."
"Her room?" repeated Harry, confused.
"Tell you later," said Ron quickly, glancing at Ginny, who had no head or tail about what was going on. "Hermione, you can't go!"
"I can't?" She repeated, not for the first time that day. With a swift, sharp flick of her wand, she gathered the other books, and left the Gryffindor Common Room, leaving Ron and Harry to gape at her back, which was lost from their sight when the portrait closed behind her.
"She can't just leave us here," said Ron in a voice that wasn't quite his own.
Harry barely blinked. "Do you think she isn't telling us something?"
Ron didn't answer, but while his thoughts flowed through his head, he felt like he'd aged ten years older. Why was he getting this feeling that he didn't know Hermione anymore? Even though she still talked to him in the same way - sometimes adoringly, others, like he was a fat ugly and squashed bug on her shoe.
Ron stopped toying with the hem of his black T-shirt, as his eyes widened.
Was it -? Could it be -?
No. Surely...
No.
"Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you think - Herm's... You know, in love?"
Harry laughed at threw a well-aimed cushion at his best friend's head. "Who with, doofus? You?"
Ron picked up the cushion, which had fallen to the floor, stared hard at it, but didn't throw it back, like he usually did. "No," he said, looking into Harry's eyes.
"With?" Said Ginny, who was sitting on the armrest of Harry's chair, and sat staring at her brother. Then, realisation dawned on her face as she studied Ron's worried expression.
Then, realisation dawned, and it hit her with a tidal wave of shock. "Oh my god. Ron. You don't think...?" She nibbled on her lower lip nervously. "Not... Draco?" She whispered Draco's name like it was an ancient curse.
Harry didn't laugh. He only stares at Ron. "Are you sure? What makes you think so?"
Ron pulled a stray thread out from the fine embroidery on the cushion. "It's pretty obvious, isn't it? I mean, look at her. She's practically leaping at every opportunity to be alone with Draco."
At first, Harry and Ginny said nothing. Maybe they were mistaken. Maybe Hermione just needed a new circle of... of what? New friends? Ginny would never consider Draco a friend! At least, not in this life time; or the next life, for that matter.
But Ron did have a point. They barely saw Hermione, or hung out much together anymore, and not because she was busy swallowing her textbooks. Or chatting with Parvati and Lavender, while sitting comfortably in beanbag chairs. (Ginny just couldn't picture that) She was with Draco, except for when she did her homework, probably.
'Besides,' thought Ginny, gazing at the brick wall. 'Hermione's face literally lights up when we talk about Draco, and she's always the first - if not the only one - to defend Draco when Harry, Ron or Ginny said something unpleasant about him.'
Ginny wanted to knock her head against the wall. 'How could I be so stupid?' She wondered. 'The signs were looking me in the eye, begging and grovelling to be read, and what did I do? I ignored them.'
Though Ginny knew that she should probably tell Ron, she kept quiet, and pretended that she was paying attention to the conversation. But in her mind, Ginny was telling herself, 'I'll stop Hermione from falling for Draco - even if it is the last thing I do!'
But deep within her, she knew that she most probably couldn't go against the forces of nature. If they were meant to be, then Ron would have to just take it, and look for someone new. Ginny swallowed hard. But she knew that wouldn't be easy. Ron would never accept it.
'Come on, Gin,' Ginny told herself. 'What would he do?'
And another voice answered almost immediately. 'Anything, Ginny. Anything.'
It looked like there was no way out.