Chapter 26- Life Skills

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And yes she takes flippin' forever again. I can't believe it took me so long. Sorry about that. Well I hope you all like this chapter it is pretty sappy but I think it would have to be one of my favourites…I always say that! Well and on with the story…

Disclaimer: negative on that one Roger, do not own any of the Harry Potter franchise, over and out.

Thoughts='-'

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***

Hermione and Draco sat side by side in front of the roaring fire, not speaking, not touching. Gradually the sun grew weaker and weaker until finally the only light in the room was from the flickering flames in the grate. Hermione's eyes began to droop and, hesitantly, she dropped her head to Draco's shoulder where she was soon dozing contentedly. He looked down at her wonderingly. 'How could anyone who was best friends with the boy who lived trust someone like him? Stupid girl.' However he was still glad that she wasn't afraid to leave herself so vulnerable around him. Draco was just beginning to drift off himself when the fire gave an extra loud crackle and Hermione awoke with a start.

"Blimey." She yawned "What time is it?"

Draco shrugged causing her head to jog off his shoulder. Hermione uncurled herself and stood up. She stretched then smiled down at him. "Shall we make tea?" she asked.

Draco blinked at her then also climbed to his feet. "I'm rarely mistaken Hermione but in this case I think I must be…I thought I heard you say we."

Hermione resented his drawling tone and chauvinistic attitude.

"Yes I said we!" she said indignantly "What? You thought I would be a good little girl and cook your dinner for you?"

 Draco nodded, "Obviously." He said, honestly not understanding what her problem was. Hermione gave a little shriek, "Well you're very much mistaken. Move into the kitchen Mr Malfoy I'm about to teach you what we in the real world call life skills."

***

"Add one egg." Hermione read out of the recipe book she had found in one of the cupboards. She was perched on a counter gnawing a carrot stick and instructing Draco on how to make pancakes.

Draco opened the fridge and chose an egg, he turned around and dropped it into the bowl.

"One egg." He confirmed

Hermione giggled and shook her head

"No, give it here." She hopped of the counter and plucked it out of the batter. She gave it a short, sharp rap against the edge of the bowl and the shell cracked sending the golden yolk and slippery white into the mixture. Draco grabbed it away from her scowling.

"I knew that." He ground out between clenched teeth beating the ingredients ferociously

"Yeah, of course you did." Hermione said sarcastically.

Soon the batter was sizzling in a pan and Hermione was busying herself at the stove top making a white sauce. Not long after that they were settled opposite each other at the impressive dining table.

"Pancakes with cheesy white sauce, carrots and peas." Hermione stated triumphantly "My mother makes this all the time."

Draco looked at his plate sceptically.

"I thought pancakes were more a breakfast or sweets thing?" he questioned suspiciously.

"Trust me, it's delicious!" she assured him.

'Trust?' Draco thought, 'I thought when trust came up it would be about something slightly more serious then tea. Do I trust her?' he decided he did and warily took a bite.

"Not bad." He consented, chewing slowly and thoughtfully.

They finished eating and washed up the dishes.

"I'd hate to be a muggle and have to do everything so slowly." Draco said in disgust eying the sponge as if it was going to attack him.

"They've come up with some pretty ingenious ways to do things quickly." Hermione told him. "Electrical devices are taking over most of the mundane tasks like cleaning dishes."

"Still not as good as magic." He grumbled, "Look at my hands!" his previously pristine white hands were pruned by the grubby water. Hermione rolled her eyes then flicked her tea-towel at him.

"First experience of getting your hands dirty Malfoy?" she asked playfully.

"I'm a Slytherin. Dirty hands are us." He replied solemnly and she broke off that line of jest quickly not particularly wanting to know.

***

When they had finished cleaning up, Hermione collected a book from her bag and curled up in a corner of the couch. Draco sat down in one of the chairs and stared into the flames. In his mind he created a list of 'things to do'

'1. Make Hermione love me

2. check on Jonathon

3. find some way of getting magic back for Hermione and I

4. punch Weasley

5. punch Potter

6. talk to my father's solicitor and see if I can scam some money off my father

7. find somewhere to live…'

His thoughts were interrupted as Hermione's book fell to the floor with a bump. Hermione, exhausted from the day's trek and emotional turmoil that had followed, seemed to have fallen asleep. He smiled and, without thinking, scooped her up and took her upstairs. He took off her jacket but otherwise left her in the clothing she was in, after all he didn't want the hassle of her being mad at him…again. He clambered into the bed beside her then quickly jumped out again. If Hermione was asleep and then she woke up with him beside her she might lose it…again. Sighing, and totally against his will, he gathered up a blanket and pillow and set himself up on the couch downstairs.

"Night Hermione." He called into the darkness once he had turned all the lights off and got into his make shift bed.

'8. discover more about the curse

9. get rid of threat to Hermione, namely Voldemort

10. oh and order the house elves to deodorise my dormitory, Crabbe and Goyle are really beginning to stink the place out…

***

Harry tossed and turned. Too hot with the covers on, too cold with them off. Something was eating away at him and it didn't take a genius to know what.

"Ron." He whispered.

"Yep?" came Ron's voice from the bed next to his.

"Do you think she's alright?"

"Our wands would tell us if she wasn't." Ron said rather sharply.

"Oh yeah." Harry felt stupid. He sat up and pulled back the curtains that surrounded his bed. To his surprise he saw that Ron's curtains were pulled too and he was also sitting up. His red hair was falling around his face as he looked at something he held in his lap.

"What's that?" Harry asked

Ron looked up and met his eyes, he regarded him for a moment then lifted up the phosieve he had given Hermione for Christmas.

"I went up and got it just after she left. There are some good memories in here Harry. Really good actually. I wonder what ever happened to those three." He pointed at the portrait of him, Harry and Hermione lounging by the lake laughing at something unimportant. It was a memory of a time during their third year.

"They grew up, Ron." Harry replied quietly

"Really?" Ron asked, "I think they just grew apart.

Harry buried his head in his hands. "How long?" he muttered.

"How long what?" Ron put the phosieve down on his bedside table and lay back, his hands behind his head.

"How long are you going to punish Hermione and I for…"

"Abandoning me?"

"We never abandoned you! Is that what you think?! No Ron, that isn't true."

"Well what would you call it?" Ron snapped

"How about none of your business?" Harry suggested testily then he sighed, "Come on Ron will you at least let me tell you what's been going on with Cho and I?"

Ron crossed his arms as if to say 'whatever your story I'm not going to let you off the hook.' But then he nodded, "fire away." He instructed.

"Thankyou." Harry said sarcastically, "Okay where to begin?"

"The beginning perhaps?"

"Shut up Ron. No interruptions or I don't tell you anything."

"Fine." Ron complied grumpily.

"So really I think it began that morning when Hermione came into our dormitory during the night when she had a nightmare. After breakfast I went for a walk and then I realised that Cho was following me. I haven't really talked to her since…well since… you know." Harry stammered, Ron nodded, he knew, after all Cedric's death had affected everyone but his best friend and the pretty Ravenclaw especially. "She showed me this book she had found in the library about twin wands and how it was possible to reproduce the echoes that came out of the owners wands when they duel. It turned out that Dumbledore had told her the full story about my confrontation with Voldemort a couple of years back and she had been looking for a way of getting in touch with Cedric one last time. To cut a long story short Cho asked me to help bring Cedric back, if only for a few minutes."

Ron forgot that he wasn't supposed to say anything and sitting bolt upright exclaimed, "And you said yes?! But that's almost dark magic! Why would she want to bring someone back for such a short period of time? Didn't she think about you? You could've been caught by the ministry of magic or hurt or even killed! How could you agree to do something so stupid?!"

Harry, although resenting Ron's patronising tone, was nevertheless glad that he seemed so outraged by the idea of his safety being jeopardised.

"She misses him. Cho didn't get to say goodbye properly and she really loved him." it hurt him to say it but he knew it was true. "How can I still be jealous of a dead person?" he grumbled to himself before continuing with his story. "After that we met as often as we could and tried to bring him back. A couple of times we got a weak shadow and we think he could see and hear us but he couldn't communicate back. I became tireder and tireder and eventually I collapsed."

"And she didn't let you stop? What an evil little…"

"Ron!" Harry spoke icily, "We were too far gone to stop we had to keep going. We had been so close I couldn't just give up and I think it would have killed her if I had finished it then and there. We tried over and over but I just couldn't get it. We performed the spells just inside the forbidden forest and I don't think anyone noticed. We slept out there sometimes. That's where I was when Hermione-" he gulped, "well I wasn't there when I should have been and that's when I decided to end things with Cho." He stopped.

"And?" Ron asked after a moment of silence

"Well I did. That's it really, I'm amazed the ministry didn't arrest us but I guess they've been too busy to notice a little flicker of dark magic in somewhere as dodgy as the forbidden forest."

"And you never really…brought him back from the dead or anything did you?" Ron asked anxiously.

Harry ran a hand distractedly through his unruly hair.

"I'm not going to lie to you now, the truth is we came damn near close."

Ron exhaled his breath in a low whistle, "Oh well, something to tell your grandchildren." He joked

"You'd need about 7 books to recount my life to my ancestors." Harry laughed weakly.

They were quiet again then Ron reached over and gripped Harry's hand. He didn't say anything but Harry felt a huge load lift off his shoulders at this simple act of friendship. Ron drew away and said quietly:

"Get your rest Harry, it sounds like you deserve it."

Lying still they tried to give the other the impression they were asleep however they knew each other too well and eventually Harry gave a snort of laughter.

"This is ridiculous! We might as well get up."

Ron agreed wholeheartedly and they strolled down to the common room. The fire had burnt down to the last embers and in its feeble light they made out a figure slumped on a couch. No it was two figures.

"Ha!" Ron gave a great shout of astonishment and Neville and Casey jumped up, got their legs tangled and fell to the floor with a thump.

"So that's where you've been!" Harry exclaimed, "You've been having private snog sessions with a Hufflepuff!"

"Neville, you rouge, why didn't you tell us? More importantly," Ron added narrowing his eyes, "what's she doing in our common room?"

"She has a name." Casey said crossly getting to her feet, "for your information I don't know the password or anything and I didn't mean to fall asleep." She blushed slightly "I'll be going now Neville, I'll see you tomorrow." Casey leant down and kissed him soundly on the lips before exiting via the portrait hole. Neville buried his face in his hands positive that Harry and Ron were about to give him what for. When they didn't say anything he hesitantly raised his head and saw that the two of them were desperately trying to stop themselves from bursting out laughing. They both lost their battle and soon Neville joined in until great bellows of merriment ricocheted around the cosy room.

"Right." Ron gasped wiping tears from his eyes, "I think it's time we dived into our stash of sweets from Christmas and you tell us all about it Neville old chap."

Harry agreed and soon the three of them were eating and laughing, basking in the warm glow of the fire and their friendship.

***

"Draco! Draco! Oh somebody help!"

Hermione's scream woke him and Draco was by her side in a matter of moments. His eyes darted everywhere trying to see what had scared Hermione so much. There was nothing in the room. He had even looked under the bed before realising that she was still asleep, albeit fretfully. Draco sat down next to her on the bed and gave her shoulders a little shake. When that didn't work he leant down and, brushing her hair gently away from her face, placed his lips right by her right ear…

"Oi! Wake up!" he shouted and was rewarded when her eyes shot open. Before Draco could stop her Hermione gave a long wail and threw her arms around his neck.

"They're getting worse It's getting closer!" she cried burying her face in his shoulder. Draco wrapped her in his arms and lay his head down on top of hers.

"Shh, it was just a nightmare." He comforted.

Hermione shook her head but didn't look at him or speak again for such a long while that Draco felt sure she must have fallen asleep again. He began to gently disentangle himself but then she spoke urgently:

"No, don't go!"

"But Hermione we both need our sleep."

She lifted her head and gave him a deep kiss which he eagerly gave in to.

Pulling back and slightly breathless she looked deep into his eyes and murmured:

"Please stay with me? I need you."

Draco began to shake his head but she kissed him again but softly and longingly to hush his protests.

"Stay with me." She repeated

And so he did…

***

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So do they actually "sleep together"? I'm going to leave that up to you! I don't have much left on this story I think it might only be a few more chapters. Neville is back! Yeah everyone but the main characters seem to have gone missing…sorry about that, they will return. Right well and onto the thankyous:

Prantis-Queen of Hearts: I'm glad you liked it and yes there is more…sorry it wasn't particularly soon! Thanks.

Dragon Fairy: Thanks for saying my fic is great I have updated…obviously!

Vixen: I always get so happy when people make comments on how my plot has unfolded.  Yeah Ron and Pansy are weird and as for Cho and Harry well all is revealed this chapter. Lot's more Draco and Hermione too (hmm wonder why?!) so I hope you liked it. Good luck with your psychology module and thankyou for always reviewing (well when the little blue box isn't being annoying that is!)

Alina: Blimey as many as the Chinese population?! Cool, tell your friend it is a good saying! Yeah Pansy is waaaayyyyyyyyy out of character but just go with me on this one, okay?! Yeah I agree with you I would love to go camping like that. I'm glad you're loving the story and hey you're not stupid for forgetting about the other stuff, it was helpful to me too! Thankyou so much for reviewing so nicely.

Seahorsie: Thankyou so much. I'd just like to say that your user name is way cute! Thanks again.

Felicity: Aye, aye cap'n! Here is your more…hey that rhymes! Thankyou for reviewing.

MysticalStormz: I'm happy you liked chapter 25, what Cho and Harry are up to was revealed in this chapter, did you guess right? I've updated so I hope you like it too, thanks.

H2O: fantastic! Means I really like you too, thanks :)

Ms.DracoMalfoy: Oh dear. Obsessed, sorry! Well I hope you didn't get up too early on my account, I could never forgive myself if I made someone lose sleep (was woken up early this morning which is why I'm so adamant about this!) I'm glad you're beginning to understand, don't worry it is still a little hazy for me and I'm writing it! You've hit the jackpot with that question and left me stumped. You're right, where the hell are they?! I'm sure they're around somewhere marking papers and turning a blind eye to the fact that such a small number of students are causing havoc and mayhem. Let's just say that I will sort this problem out in future chapters! Thanks for bringing it to my attention, even though I was subconsciously hoping no one would notice! So you are on my email update list and will already have received one, thankyou for saying my story is awesome...its not but you are :)

Gohansfollower: Congratulations on the fruition of your guesses! Did you guess right about Harry and Cho too?! Thankyou for saying chapter 25 was wonderful I hope you like this one too!

Purple People Eater: More makey-outey in this chapter good-oh! Weird but sweet is about right for all the characters as they are so not right! Anyway you guessed wrong about Cho and Harry I hope you liked what actually did happen, I'm not sure I explained it right, never mind. Thanks for always reviewing so encouragingly.

ShopGirl42: Thankyou for being so sweet, it's lovely when people say my story is one of their favourites. Congratulations on reading it all in one go, I'm sure I would get bored of it so thankyou for sticking it out!

Mexx: Yep you're right, we're getting close to the end and you missed my most fun cliffhangers! Shame. Your review almost made me cry you were so nice. Characterization was wonderfully accurate? looks around room in confusion oh you meant MY story? Thankyou so much. Well crafted? Couldn't fault it? You do realise that my head is now so big I won't be able to get out the door? I'm glad you like the Her/D ship now it really is fun to read and write about. No need to thank me, I thankyou for being so wonderfully splendiferous. Smiles to you:)

Tom felton's babe: I'll let you in on a little secret…I don't like Harry and Cho together either, which is why they're not in my story. I'm glad you think that the other couples are sweet. And yes they do get up to things as you can see and I'm not finished with their camping excursion yet rubs hands together gleefully. Thankyou for reviewing so nicely.

Bamboo Anime: White and Kahki?! Do they think you're going to be running military operations inside your school and you need camouflage?! Well here's hoping that: a) you get permission to perform it and b) you get the role you wanted, I'm sure you deserve it! I'm glad you think the chapter 25 was sweet, it was wasn't it…sickeningly so! Thanks.

Ameliebabie: Ha I'm so embarrassed that a fantastic writer like yourself would read my ramblings! My Draco grows less credible unfortunately. Good thing to pace yourself otherwise you could do yourself some injury! I'm glad you are enjoying it, I never thought of my D/Hr interaction as having spice but thankyou for saying so. Well I try with Draco. Thankyou so much for reviewing and how about you get another chapter out? PLEASE?!

GryfyndorGirl: I have explained it in this chapter so I hope it makes some sort of twisted sense! Thankyou so much for saying that I am a wonderful author it makes me so happy. You are on my emails list so you probably have already received one if you are reading this! Superb? Well shucks. Thankyou so much for the lovely review.

2sweet4u: Thankyou for saying it was a great chapter. I got the PB on video for Christmas…now I have two! I'm so jealous you have it on DVD are the extras good? Thankyou again for reviewing.

CG: No way! It can't be the best fic…I'm so happy you said so though, you're brilliant! Well how could I refuse to update when you asked so nicely and complimented me too! Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!
Erica: I'm glad you like it. You are on my email list and should have already received a message from me! Thankyou so much for reviewing so nicely.

Well thanks again everyone (I'm on 45 favourites lists...hehe)I hope you find it in your hearts to review…please:)

Smiles

Jess/star123