I've added to chapter five, so if you read it before 11/26, or earlier than
8 that night, check back at the last section....after the last set of * * *
* * 's. Sorry!
A/N:: I just sat here and read through my whole fanfic. I apologize to EVERYONE WHO READ IT! That is such a piece of crap, why are you guys praising me? First of all, it was like, the corniest thing ever, especially the fifth chapter....but this is my first fic, so I'm hoping to improve. Second, it was mega short....like read it in a half an hour short, and I'm surprised, because it looks like a lot hand written, haha.....and even typed....all of the chapters were like eight pages, but anyway...here's the next chapter for anyone who might think its worth continuing to read....haha
~Mandy
Disclaimer: When I am not here, yet my presence is still known, I discover interesting things, none of which are my own. These things can be ordered, their places be set, but in the end no originality has become evident. I truly own not a word, this story is yours. I only take ink, and contemplate where it pours.
(Haha, I'm a poet, and was not previously aware of it.)
CHAPTER SIX: Asking the Inevitable Question
Hermione bid goodbye to Dumbledore and left his office with Draco not far behind. She sensed his presence and sped up her pace. At that moment she did not want to talk to him or see him, or even think about the fact they both breathe the same air. (A/N Ooo...harsh) Draco noticed her aura and asked,
"Hermione?" he caught up to her. Even if they were running he would have, and she knew it. "Hermione, what's wrong?" She stopped abruptly, looking straight ahead.
"I don't want to talk about it right now, okay?" Draco looked hurt for a moment, then angry. **Who does she think she is?**
She looked at him, a little frightened. She kept her composure, however, and quickly took up pace again. Draco stood and looked after her, furious. Then, suddenly, all anger subsided, and he felt a mixture of worry, pain, and sorrow in the pit of his stomach.
"It has nothing to do with me, she's just nervous about the test." He told himself out loud, but in a whisper. He started slowly back common room, having no where else to go.
* * * * * * * * * *
Hermione sped to the common room and made a beeline for her own room. She flopped down on the bed, having no energy to stand. Through teary eyes, she began to replay the conversation in her head, looking for an event that could explain her anger.
Thinking back, Hermione could only think of one thing he had said, and it had been completely innocent. **Asking how Dumbledore could know we had gotten the question wrong was just as terrible as asking how we could be qualified, or why we are here.**
The conversation continued in her head, and followed them out the door. **His face...he was hurt and angry...what did I do?** She knew what she had done, but couldn't believe she had done it. She began to sob into her pillow, still attempting to determine what possessed her to be so cruel.
* * * * * * * * * *
Draco walked slowly and quietly into the common room. His anger had somehow returned, and he was glad. **So I am human.** he thought to himself as he walked into his own room. As he stepped inside his dormitory, he heard a shrewd sound drift through the air.
Attempting to locate the source of the sound, Draco pressed his ear to the wall that separated his room from Hermione's. **She's crying..**he thought, stating the obvious. He felt the worry return to his stomach and the anger subside, but he wasn't thinking about anything but her.
"I am human," he said quietly, " and so is she."
Draco sighed and lay down on his bed. **She's crying.....she's crying....do something you ass! You can't just let her cry.** he thought.
Draco took a deep breath. He was standing just outside Hermione's door, clearly hearing her sobs. He knocked and asked quietly,
"Hermione? Are you alright?" She stopped crying abruptly, and Draco took a step back from the door. He didn't want to upset her any more than he already had, although he couldn't think of anything he had done to her.
Suddenly, memories of Dumbledore's office flooded his mind. He heard himself saying, over and over in his head, **A mudblood....mudblood...just a girl, a stupid mudblood...** Draco suddenly hated himself for ever being angry with her. This was entirely his fault, but how could she know what had not passed through his lips? **She couldn't.....could she?**
It didn't matter now. Whether she had heard him or not, he had still said it. He had to fix this, make it up to Hermione. He didn't know how he would do it, but he knew he had to. Mind clouded with memories and regret, Draco knew he had to say something. He didn't know what possessed him to, but he said,
"I'm sorry... if you still don't want to talk to me, I'll leave. I heard you...well" he gulped, " I heard you cr-cying and I was just, um...worried, is all." There was a long pause in which Draco didn't move. He felt his heard beating in his temples, and could taste the coppery tang of blood in his mouth. He was a wreck, but his thoughts rested on the brown eyed girl who resided behind the door labeled "Head Girl".
Suddenly, Hermione opened the door, a foot away from Draco. She looked horrible. Draco wanted to run, or scream....something. The silence was killing him, but he couldn't speak.
* * * * * * * * * *
Hermione had been standing at the door, contemplating opening it for nearly five minutes before Draco spoke. She opened the door at once. Draco's looked as if he hadn't slept in days, and she felt guilty for putting him through this...whatever it was.
Draco opened his mouth to speak, he had to say something. Before he could speak them, however, his words were stolen by the sweet voice of Hermione Granger.
"I'm sorry," she said and flung herself into him. Draco held her close as the sobs racked her fragile body. He rocked her gently, comforting her. After a while, her sobs became mere sniffles, her breathing slowed, and her grip loosened. Draco dared to ask,
"Hermione, what happened? Was it me? Did I do something, Please tell me..." She sighed.
"I don't know, Draco. I don't think you did anything, I must have overreacted about something. I was angry without cause and I apologize. I shunned you for no reason....are you angry with me?" Without a beat, Draco answered.
"No, never. I don't think I'm capable of being truly angry with you, Hermione." They held each other for the longest time after this statement. Then Hermione pulled away.
"Thank you for being here Draco, I needed you to be."
"Where else would I be?" (A/N-Aw!!!....super corny!) He smiled, and she returned it. Draco was a bit unsure, but leaned in for a kiss. He was a second from touching her lips to his when he thought it better to kiss her cheek lightly. He pulled back and waited for her reaction. She kissed him back, on the corner of his mouth and pulled away. Draco untangled his arms from her and tried to smile. The void that became apparent whenever he was not with her would remain with him for hours. Hermione took a step back into her room and said before closing the door,
"Thank you for understanding, Draco." He kept his weak smile on until she closed the door, and then replaced it with the frowned look of longing he felt in the pit of his stomach. He wanted her....needed her....but he was beginning to doubt if she really needed him as she had said.
* * * * * * * * * *
Hermione closed the door, leaving a hurt Draco behind it. She knew he was pained, and she was surprised at how bad he was at covering it up. **He really has changed** She thought, and walked across the room. Looking out the window, she saw what looked like an own in the sky, and was reminded of, **Harry and Ron's letter! I'd almost forgotten!**
Hermione spun around and walked to the door. Moments from opening it, she wondered if Draco would still be there. She hesitated, then opened the door. The common room was empty, save Crookshanks. Hermione sighed, not knowing if it was relief or disappointment. She walked past the bathroom door to the matching desks; one engraved with an "H" the other a "D". Hermione sat at the "H" desk and opened a drawer. She pulled out a few pieces of parchment and a vat of purple ink. She opened the small bottle, picked up a quill, inked it and began to write.
"Dear Harry and Ron,
I'm sorry this took almost a day for me to write, but" She paused. **but I was snogging Malfoy and it must have slipped my mind** she smirked evilly, not really surprised by her maliciousness. She couldn't write that, but what if she did? Wouldn't that be a riot... Instead she settled on telling them of the heads meeting and leaving it at that.
"but there was a Head's meeting, and I must have been distracted. As for meeting in Diagon Alley, I haven't asked Dumbledore yet, but I'm sure that will be fine. I will confirm it closer to Christmas.
In other news, Dumbledore has informed me that both I and Draco are to take the final exam in June, while you two as well as the other 7th years will take it next January. I was a little nervous about that at first, but he convinced me that a little studying and tutoring from the teachers will be enough. I can't believe I've wasted almost three months I could have used to study! Hope to see both of you well after Christmas.
Love, Hermione
P.S. Beating up Draco will not be necessary. I know what you're thinking, Ron, and stop! He's not the way he used to be, I swear. Happy Summer."
She read over the letter and stood up just in time to hear the portrait creek shut. She knew it must have been Draco leaving, but why hadn't she heard him leave his room and walk across the common room? She brushed it off and sat back down, deciding to wait for Draco to make for his destination before leaving. She turned to his desk, and traced over the intricate "D" that had been engraved into the corner. She really did need him.
* * * * * * * * * *
Draco returned to his room after his rather disturbing conversation with Hermione. He sat on his bed, and listened.....nothing. It was quiet; everything was always quiet. Draco thought back to his first few years at Hogwarts. All he had ever wanted was a little peace and quiet, and now he couldn't stand it. He got back up, moments after being seated, and made his way to the trunk at the foot of his bed. Opening it, Draco dug to the bottom for his little black bag. The bag was suede, and about the size and width of a CD case, with a long strap. Draco opened the bag and pulled out his CD player, headphones, and a large case of CDs.
The bag had been enchanted to hold any amount of anything, and Draco had chosen his CD collection. It was one of the very few muggle things he owned, and his father had never known about it. Draco opened the CD case, extracted one, and snapped it into his Discman. Attaching the headphones, he slipped the CD player back into the bag. Draco put the headphones on and lay on his bed, waiting for the music. The silence was, as always, killing him.
An electric twang and Draco relaxed, much better. He lay there listening for about ten minutes when an urge to get up and move overcame him. He placed the bag over his shoulder like a sash, headphones still on. Draco exited his room and took view of the common room. He noted the wavy haired girl who was sitting quietly at a desk, writing. He assumed she was quietly writing, although she could have been screaming and Draco wouldn't have heard.
He watched her, debating whether to say something, and then thought against it. He slid across the common room, not wanting to alert her, and slowly opened the portrait, slipped through, and closed it smoothly behind him. Draco turned and made his way to the library. **Might as well start studying now, Merlin knows I need it.** he thought, whispering the words to "Sick Cycle Carousel"(by Lifehouse, awesome song, by the way.) as he made his way to his destination.
* * * * * * * * * *
Not even five minutes after Draco left, Hermione hurried out of the common room. She had to see him, touch him, and tell him how much she needed him....Hermione looked around frantically, hoping to see a blonde head whip around a corner, or hear the swish of robes, but neither saw nor heard anything. She sighed, retrieved the letter from her desk, and made her way to the owlry, her need to see Draco dwindling. She still wanted to see him, and needed to, but she could wait...it wasn't as urgent any longer.
* * * * * * * * * *
Draco and Hermione did not see each other the rest of the night, and both thought the other was doing the opposite of looking for them. Draco had spent only a few minutes in the library, enough to pick out only a few books and head back up to the common room. Not only was Hermione no longer at her desk, but Draco felt she was not in her room either, and he was right. Hermione had left the owlry after waking a very grumpy barn owl and giving him the letter and instructions. Harry was, after all, staying in the burrow.
Ironically, Hermione made her way to the library next, coming from the opposite side and missing Draco by minutes. Many of the books Hermione was looking for could not be found, and she began to suspect Draco had been there. She managed to find a good amount of books to her liking, and started back to the common room. When back in her room, Hermione could hear the fait music of Draco's CD through the wall. He had switched from a portable CD player to a larger boom box, which had been purchased after his father's death. Hermione recognized the music immediately.
"Lifehouse." She whispered and fell on her bed, listening and thinking of Draco. She stayed that way until the music stopped. They had both missed their dinner, and Hermione decided she was better to let him alone. She wasn't sure if he wanted to see her, and they could always talk tomorrow. She did the one thing she could think of at the time, hit the books. She stayed up until she could no longer hold the book.
* * * * * * * * * *
Draco had gone to bed hours before Hermione, but was awake long after she fell asleep. **Why do I keep losing sleep over her?** He asked himself, already knowing the answer. **because we're not together. This has never happened before, I need her. I actually need her. ** He closed his eyes, hoping sleep would come...and it did, hours later.
*
Draco woke again before the sun had fully risen. He got out of bed and walked to the door of the common room. He noticed that the fires had been lit, meaning the house elves had already made their rounds. Draco opened the door to the common room, seeing no one, it was deserted. Draco knew he was expecting to see Hermione, and was, unsurprisingly a little disappointed. He sat in one of the large arm chairs, clad in silk pajamas and a cotton bath robe. Nothing to do but think, he supposed, and began on the test he had only a few months to prepare for.
He felt sick. This was not a good time to study, and he knew he wouldn't remember any information gathered that day. Quickly he dismissed the idea of going back into his room to gather books. He looked to the table beside him, the firelight providing him enough aid to see the title of the book which lay there. Draco took his wand from his large robe pocket and lit the candle that was also on the end table. He picked up the book.
"Beauty and the Beast..." he whispered before opening the book and beginning to read
* * * * * * * * * *
Hermione woke with a start. She looked around. It was no longer dark, and she could see everything. Nothing was out of place, everything was silent, and Crookshanks was asleep, stretched out on the bed in the sun. **What woke me? ** she wondered as the sick feeling in her stomach grew. **Something is wrong. ** she concluded, and her mind immediately pictured Draco.
She got out of bed, grabbed her wand and a robe, and stepped into the common room. She scanned the room and stopped as her eyes fell upon a blonde head cresting the horizon of an armchair. Draco hadn't heard her ender and didn't move. Hermione made her way to the front of the room casually. She turned back to Draco, expecting his silver - grey eyes to rest on hers, but was surprised to see that he was asleep. She smiled; he was so irresistible as he slept.
Hermione scanned him, noticing how messy his hair was, and wanting to throw herself at him. Her brown eyes continued to size him up. They fell upon the book in his hands and her eyebrow rose in curiosity. She recognized the book; it was the one she had been currently reading. She sighed, best not to wake him. Hermione didn't see Draco as being much of a morning person, and didn't want to risk angering him, due mostly to the past few days' events. She turned back to her room, but changed course and headed for the bathroom.
* * * * * * * * * *
Draco awoke to a beautiful sound. He didn't open his eyes, for fear that it was a dream and opening them would surly cause it to end. Gaining consciousness, he realized the sound was not a dream, but a reality. **A voice, someone singing...a girl...Hermione**. Her voice was the most beautiful thing he had ever heard, and he listened hard. He noticed the sound of running water behind it. **She must be in the shower...** he concluded and had to restrain himself from thinking of her that way.
The water stopped and Draco snapped his head up, listening. The singing did not stop, and he was glad. A few minutes later, Hermione stopped singing and exited the bathroom in a cloud of steam that disappeared in the cold common room air. Draco did not turn around; he wanted to keep the effect.
"Good Morning, Hermione." He said, and heard her gasp, then turned to her quickly and added, "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."
"Oh, that's okay Draco." She said, coming closer and sitting in the chair next to him. "I thought you were asleep."
"I was," he said, "but I was awoken by the pleasant singing of one Hermione Granger." He ventured, hoping she wouldn't think him buttering her up. She blushed a little; she wasn't use to compliments....especially not from him.
"Sorry." She said.
"Oh, quite the contrary, I shouldn't have had it any other way." He smiled; she raised an eyebrow at him.
"What do you want?" she asked suspiciously. He laughed and shrugged his shoulder. He played it cool, but his heart was beating wildly, and he felt that if he didn't get this off his chest now, he would explode.
"You," he said smiling weakly. Hermione was speechless, she just looked at him. Draco felt much better, but was still very nervous. **What is she gonna say? ** He reached a hand and placed it on Hermione's, which rested on the arm of the chair. She slid it out from under his, and he looked heartbroken. **I was hoping she wouldn't do that....damn. **
No, she would not back down; they had to talk about this. She placed her had on top of his and looked at him.
"Draco, what are we doing? This is tearing us both up inside, and you know it, I know you do." Draco looked a little shaken, but not really surprised. They had to have this conversation sometime...the sooner, the better. He took a deep breath.
"I know, Hermione. I don't know what's happening. You're all I ever think about, I can't sleep if I know you're upset...I feel empty if you're not near me..." He paused, "this has never happened to me before....I think I'm in love with you." He turned back to her; tears were streaming down her face. **Dammit, I made her cry again! **
"Oh, no Hermione....I didn't want to make you cry...I'm sorry..." He reached for her cheek, wiping away her tears. She melted into him, and knew she had to say something. She placed her hand over his, much as he had done that night on the balcony. She closed her eyes.
"It's not that..." she said, "I feel exactly the same way, Draco. I've never felt this way about anyone. My heart flutters when you look at me...if you touch me, I can't breathe. I need you, Draco. Without you I am nothing." She paused, sobbing. "I love you more than life, and I don't think I could live without you."
Draco heard the sincerity in her voice and pulled her close to him. Nothing could make him let go, not now. He knew how she felt, and he would never forget this day. He felt her hot breath on his cool chest, and kissed the top of her head. This was going awfully fast, but they both knew their words were genuine.
"I love you Hermione, and I'll never leave you....I promise." He felt her arms tighten around him and held her closer. They stayed that way until the sun shown through the small window and the fire needed desperately to be fed.
Hermione pulled away a little, not wanting to let go of him, but needing to look him in the eyes. She saw the passion....and love in them and wanted desperately to kiss him. Draco felt the same way, and, working on impulse, touched his lips to hers. Hermione melted into the kiss and Draco deepened it. **AND he's a good kisser....is there anything NOT perfect about him? ** she asked herself as she swam in pleasure. They broke apart, only to gasp for air. Then he spoke.
"Hermione, please don't be mad at me for asking this, but I feel it's an issue that needs a bit of attention." She looked at him suspiciously.
"What is it, Draco? You can ask me anything, I won't be upset..."
"Well..." he paused, needing to muster the courage. There was no way anything good could come out of this. "What about Potter and Weasley? Won't they be angry about this?" Hermione was shocked, she hadn't even thought about Ron and Harry since she had written that letter yesterday evening. She noticed her hesitation and the look on Draco's face, she had to answer him.
"I'm not mad....I just wasn't expecting that." Draco looked a little relieved, and she smiled. Then she said seriously, "You're probably right, they will be upset. Ron could be violent, we'll have to watch out for him when he gets here, or whenever we tell him. Harry will probably be hurt more than angry, but he'll hold Ron back because he knows this is important to me." She smiled. "Harry will get over it, but Ron I'm not so sure about." She paused, her smile faded. "Draco, why did you ask that? What made you think of them?" He hesitated, then looked away from her and spoke.
"Well, they are one of the reasons I didn't tell you about this sooner. I do love you Hermione, but I want you to be happy more than anything. I had assumed you wouldn't have me, that your heart belonged to one of them. You have to admit they are a big part of your life, and I wanted to respect that." He finished, and looked at her. She was crying again, silent tears falling down her smiling face. Draco hated to see her cry, and burst out before he could stop himself.
"Hermione, please don't cry! I hate to see you crying.....please..."
"It's ok...I'm ok, I promise. It's just that everything you say is so perfect... nobody has ever said anything like that to me before." She smiled brightly. Draco didn't look convinced, but Hermione pretended not to notice, and changed the subject.
"When should we tell them? They are a big part of my life, and I of theirs. They deserve to know about this as soon as possible, but we can't meet until at least the week before term, and a letter is so impersonal."
"Whatever you decide is best, Hermione." he answered and kissed her cheek lightly.
A/N: That's the end....I believe this is the longest chapter so far....but I know it's still not very long. I apologize for the super corniness of this fic, but I like it that way. Also, I agree that this is moving very quickly, but I like it that way too....who wants to read all that boring stuff when they don't like each other, or they do but don't say anything.....and what not. I agree as well that that declaration of love was a bit much, but I thought it was sweet. I know these guys would never talk like that, but hey....its fiction!
PRF:
Fhurly: Thanx!
Beth: Thanx, and I will!
Poopookacho: Well, that's what ya get for being sarcastic! Haha!
Angel: de newsies fan: Thanx, haha...ASAP as possible, ha
Silverdragon: Haha, that lip balm thing pissed off my friend, she's like...that's the corniest thing I've ever read in my life.....my reply? Thank you.
Marlo Venus Starr: Thanx, you rule!
A/N:: I just sat here and read through my whole fanfic. I apologize to EVERYONE WHO READ IT! That is such a piece of crap, why are you guys praising me? First of all, it was like, the corniest thing ever, especially the fifth chapter....but this is my first fic, so I'm hoping to improve. Second, it was mega short....like read it in a half an hour short, and I'm surprised, because it looks like a lot hand written, haha.....and even typed....all of the chapters were like eight pages, but anyway...here's the next chapter for anyone who might think its worth continuing to read....haha
~Mandy
Disclaimer: When I am not here, yet my presence is still known, I discover interesting things, none of which are my own. These things can be ordered, their places be set, but in the end no originality has become evident. I truly own not a word, this story is yours. I only take ink, and contemplate where it pours.
(Haha, I'm a poet, and was not previously aware of it.)
CHAPTER SIX: Asking the Inevitable Question
Hermione bid goodbye to Dumbledore and left his office with Draco not far behind. She sensed his presence and sped up her pace. At that moment she did not want to talk to him or see him, or even think about the fact they both breathe the same air. (A/N Ooo...harsh) Draco noticed her aura and asked,
"Hermione?" he caught up to her. Even if they were running he would have, and she knew it. "Hermione, what's wrong?" She stopped abruptly, looking straight ahead.
"I don't want to talk about it right now, okay?" Draco looked hurt for a moment, then angry. **Who does she think she is?**
She looked at him, a little frightened. She kept her composure, however, and quickly took up pace again. Draco stood and looked after her, furious. Then, suddenly, all anger subsided, and he felt a mixture of worry, pain, and sorrow in the pit of his stomach.
"It has nothing to do with me, she's just nervous about the test." He told himself out loud, but in a whisper. He started slowly back common room, having no where else to go.
* * * * * * * * * *
Hermione sped to the common room and made a beeline for her own room. She flopped down on the bed, having no energy to stand. Through teary eyes, she began to replay the conversation in her head, looking for an event that could explain her anger.
Thinking back, Hermione could only think of one thing he had said, and it had been completely innocent. **Asking how Dumbledore could know we had gotten the question wrong was just as terrible as asking how we could be qualified, or why we are here.**
The conversation continued in her head, and followed them out the door. **His face...he was hurt and angry...what did I do?** She knew what she had done, but couldn't believe she had done it. She began to sob into her pillow, still attempting to determine what possessed her to be so cruel.
* * * * * * * * * *
Draco walked slowly and quietly into the common room. His anger had somehow returned, and he was glad. **So I am human.** he thought to himself as he walked into his own room. As he stepped inside his dormitory, he heard a shrewd sound drift through the air.
Attempting to locate the source of the sound, Draco pressed his ear to the wall that separated his room from Hermione's. **She's crying..**he thought, stating the obvious. He felt the worry return to his stomach and the anger subside, but he wasn't thinking about anything but her.
"I am human," he said quietly, " and so is she."
Draco sighed and lay down on his bed. **She's crying.....she's crying....do something you ass! You can't just let her cry.** he thought.
Draco took a deep breath. He was standing just outside Hermione's door, clearly hearing her sobs. He knocked and asked quietly,
"Hermione? Are you alright?" She stopped crying abruptly, and Draco took a step back from the door. He didn't want to upset her any more than he already had, although he couldn't think of anything he had done to her.
Suddenly, memories of Dumbledore's office flooded his mind. He heard himself saying, over and over in his head, **A mudblood....mudblood...just a girl, a stupid mudblood...** Draco suddenly hated himself for ever being angry with her. This was entirely his fault, but how could she know what had not passed through his lips? **She couldn't.....could she?**
It didn't matter now. Whether she had heard him or not, he had still said it. He had to fix this, make it up to Hermione. He didn't know how he would do it, but he knew he had to. Mind clouded with memories and regret, Draco knew he had to say something. He didn't know what possessed him to, but he said,
"I'm sorry... if you still don't want to talk to me, I'll leave. I heard you...well" he gulped, " I heard you cr-cying and I was just, um...worried, is all." There was a long pause in which Draco didn't move. He felt his heard beating in his temples, and could taste the coppery tang of blood in his mouth. He was a wreck, but his thoughts rested on the brown eyed girl who resided behind the door labeled "Head Girl".
Suddenly, Hermione opened the door, a foot away from Draco. She looked horrible. Draco wanted to run, or scream....something. The silence was killing him, but he couldn't speak.
* * * * * * * * * *
Hermione had been standing at the door, contemplating opening it for nearly five minutes before Draco spoke. She opened the door at once. Draco's looked as if he hadn't slept in days, and she felt guilty for putting him through this...whatever it was.
Draco opened his mouth to speak, he had to say something. Before he could speak them, however, his words were stolen by the sweet voice of Hermione Granger.
"I'm sorry," she said and flung herself into him. Draco held her close as the sobs racked her fragile body. He rocked her gently, comforting her. After a while, her sobs became mere sniffles, her breathing slowed, and her grip loosened. Draco dared to ask,
"Hermione, what happened? Was it me? Did I do something, Please tell me..." She sighed.
"I don't know, Draco. I don't think you did anything, I must have overreacted about something. I was angry without cause and I apologize. I shunned you for no reason....are you angry with me?" Without a beat, Draco answered.
"No, never. I don't think I'm capable of being truly angry with you, Hermione." They held each other for the longest time after this statement. Then Hermione pulled away.
"Thank you for being here Draco, I needed you to be."
"Where else would I be?" (A/N-Aw!!!....super corny!) He smiled, and she returned it. Draco was a bit unsure, but leaned in for a kiss. He was a second from touching her lips to his when he thought it better to kiss her cheek lightly. He pulled back and waited for her reaction. She kissed him back, on the corner of his mouth and pulled away. Draco untangled his arms from her and tried to smile. The void that became apparent whenever he was not with her would remain with him for hours. Hermione took a step back into her room and said before closing the door,
"Thank you for understanding, Draco." He kept his weak smile on until she closed the door, and then replaced it with the frowned look of longing he felt in the pit of his stomach. He wanted her....needed her....but he was beginning to doubt if she really needed him as she had said.
* * * * * * * * * *
Hermione closed the door, leaving a hurt Draco behind it. She knew he was pained, and she was surprised at how bad he was at covering it up. **He really has changed** She thought, and walked across the room. Looking out the window, she saw what looked like an own in the sky, and was reminded of, **Harry and Ron's letter! I'd almost forgotten!**
Hermione spun around and walked to the door. Moments from opening it, she wondered if Draco would still be there. She hesitated, then opened the door. The common room was empty, save Crookshanks. Hermione sighed, not knowing if it was relief or disappointment. She walked past the bathroom door to the matching desks; one engraved with an "H" the other a "D". Hermione sat at the "H" desk and opened a drawer. She pulled out a few pieces of parchment and a vat of purple ink. She opened the small bottle, picked up a quill, inked it and began to write.
"Dear Harry and Ron,
I'm sorry this took almost a day for me to write, but" She paused. **but I was snogging Malfoy and it must have slipped my mind** she smirked evilly, not really surprised by her maliciousness. She couldn't write that, but what if she did? Wouldn't that be a riot... Instead she settled on telling them of the heads meeting and leaving it at that.
"but there was a Head's meeting, and I must have been distracted. As for meeting in Diagon Alley, I haven't asked Dumbledore yet, but I'm sure that will be fine. I will confirm it closer to Christmas.
In other news, Dumbledore has informed me that both I and Draco are to take the final exam in June, while you two as well as the other 7th years will take it next January. I was a little nervous about that at first, but he convinced me that a little studying and tutoring from the teachers will be enough. I can't believe I've wasted almost three months I could have used to study! Hope to see both of you well after Christmas.
Love, Hermione
P.S. Beating up Draco will not be necessary. I know what you're thinking, Ron, and stop! He's not the way he used to be, I swear. Happy Summer."
She read over the letter and stood up just in time to hear the portrait creek shut. She knew it must have been Draco leaving, but why hadn't she heard him leave his room and walk across the common room? She brushed it off and sat back down, deciding to wait for Draco to make for his destination before leaving. She turned to his desk, and traced over the intricate "D" that had been engraved into the corner. She really did need him.
* * * * * * * * * *
Draco returned to his room after his rather disturbing conversation with Hermione. He sat on his bed, and listened.....nothing. It was quiet; everything was always quiet. Draco thought back to his first few years at Hogwarts. All he had ever wanted was a little peace and quiet, and now he couldn't stand it. He got back up, moments after being seated, and made his way to the trunk at the foot of his bed. Opening it, Draco dug to the bottom for his little black bag. The bag was suede, and about the size and width of a CD case, with a long strap. Draco opened the bag and pulled out his CD player, headphones, and a large case of CDs.
The bag had been enchanted to hold any amount of anything, and Draco had chosen his CD collection. It was one of the very few muggle things he owned, and his father had never known about it. Draco opened the CD case, extracted one, and snapped it into his Discman. Attaching the headphones, he slipped the CD player back into the bag. Draco put the headphones on and lay on his bed, waiting for the music. The silence was, as always, killing him.
An electric twang and Draco relaxed, much better. He lay there listening for about ten minutes when an urge to get up and move overcame him. He placed the bag over his shoulder like a sash, headphones still on. Draco exited his room and took view of the common room. He noted the wavy haired girl who was sitting quietly at a desk, writing. He assumed she was quietly writing, although she could have been screaming and Draco wouldn't have heard.
He watched her, debating whether to say something, and then thought against it. He slid across the common room, not wanting to alert her, and slowly opened the portrait, slipped through, and closed it smoothly behind him. Draco turned and made his way to the library. **Might as well start studying now, Merlin knows I need it.** he thought, whispering the words to "Sick Cycle Carousel"(by Lifehouse, awesome song, by the way.) as he made his way to his destination.
* * * * * * * * * *
Not even five minutes after Draco left, Hermione hurried out of the common room. She had to see him, touch him, and tell him how much she needed him....Hermione looked around frantically, hoping to see a blonde head whip around a corner, or hear the swish of robes, but neither saw nor heard anything. She sighed, retrieved the letter from her desk, and made her way to the owlry, her need to see Draco dwindling. She still wanted to see him, and needed to, but she could wait...it wasn't as urgent any longer.
* * * * * * * * * *
Draco and Hermione did not see each other the rest of the night, and both thought the other was doing the opposite of looking for them. Draco had spent only a few minutes in the library, enough to pick out only a few books and head back up to the common room. Not only was Hermione no longer at her desk, but Draco felt she was not in her room either, and he was right. Hermione had left the owlry after waking a very grumpy barn owl and giving him the letter and instructions. Harry was, after all, staying in the burrow.
Ironically, Hermione made her way to the library next, coming from the opposite side and missing Draco by minutes. Many of the books Hermione was looking for could not be found, and she began to suspect Draco had been there. She managed to find a good amount of books to her liking, and started back to the common room. When back in her room, Hermione could hear the fait music of Draco's CD through the wall. He had switched from a portable CD player to a larger boom box, which had been purchased after his father's death. Hermione recognized the music immediately.
"Lifehouse." She whispered and fell on her bed, listening and thinking of Draco. She stayed that way until the music stopped. They had both missed their dinner, and Hermione decided she was better to let him alone. She wasn't sure if he wanted to see her, and they could always talk tomorrow. She did the one thing she could think of at the time, hit the books. She stayed up until she could no longer hold the book.
* * * * * * * * * *
Draco had gone to bed hours before Hermione, but was awake long after she fell asleep. **Why do I keep losing sleep over her?** He asked himself, already knowing the answer. **because we're not together. This has never happened before, I need her. I actually need her. ** He closed his eyes, hoping sleep would come...and it did, hours later.
*
Draco woke again before the sun had fully risen. He got out of bed and walked to the door of the common room. He noticed that the fires had been lit, meaning the house elves had already made their rounds. Draco opened the door to the common room, seeing no one, it was deserted. Draco knew he was expecting to see Hermione, and was, unsurprisingly a little disappointed. He sat in one of the large arm chairs, clad in silk pajamas and a cotton bath robe. Nothing to do but think, he supposed, and began on the test he had only a few months to prepare for.
He felt sick. This was not a good time to study, and he knew he wouldn't remember any information gathered that day. Quickly he dismissed the idea of going back into his room to gather books. He looked to the table beside him, the firelight providing him enough aid to see the title of the book which lay there. Draco took his wand from his large robe pocket and lit the candle that was also on the end table. He picked up the book.
"Beauty and the Beast..." he whispered before opening the book and beginning to read
* * * * * * * * * *
Hermione woke with a start. She looked around. It was no longer dark, and she could see everything. Nothing was out of place, everything was silent, and Crookshanks was asleep, stretched out on the bed in the sun. **What woke me? ** she wondered as the sick feeling in her stomach grew. **Something is wrong. ** she concluded, and her mind immediately pictured Draco.
She got out of bed, grabbed her wand and a robe, and stepped into the common room. She scanned the room and stopped as her eyes fell upon a blonde head cresting the horizon of an armchair. Draco hadn't heard her ender and didn't move. Hermione made her way to the front of the room casually. She turned back to Draco, expecting his silver - grey eyes to rest on hers, but was surprised to see that he was asleep. She smiled; he was so irresistible as he slept.
Hermione scanned him, noticing how messy his hair was, and wanting to throw herself at him. Her brown eyes continued to size him up. They fell upon the book in his hands and her eyebrow rose in curiosity. She recognized the book; it was the one she had been currently reading. She sighed, best not to wake him. Hermione didn't see Draco as being much of a morning person, and didn't want to risk angering him, due mostly to the past few days' events. She turned back to her room, but changed course and headed for the bathroom.
* * * * * * * * * *
Draco awoke to a beautiful sound. He didn't open his eyes, for fear that it was a dream and opening them would surly cause it to end. Gaining consciousness, he realized the sound was not a dream, but a reality. **A voice, someone singing...a girl...Hermione**. Her voice was the most beautiful thing he had ever heard, and he listened hard. He noticed the sound of running water behind it. **She must be in the shower...** he concluded and had to restrain himself from thinking of her that way.
The water stopped and Draco snapped his head up, listening. The singing did not stop, and he was glad. A few minutes later, Hermione stopped singing and exited the bathroom in a cloud of steam that disappeared in the cold common room air. Draco did not turn around; he wanted to keep the effect.
"Good Morning, Hermione." He said, and heard her gasp, then turned to her quickly and added, "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."
"Oh, that's okay Draco." She said, coming closer and sitting in the chair next to him. "I thought you were asleep."
"I was," he said, "but I was awoken by the pleasant singing of one Hermione Granger." He ventured, hoping she wouldn't think him buttering her up. She blushed a little; she wasn't use to compliments....especially not from him.
"Sorry." She said.
"Oh, quite the contrary, I shouldn't have had it any other way." He smiled; she raised an eyebrow at him.
"What do you want?" she asked suspiciously. He laughed and shrugged his shoulder. He played it cool, but his heart was beating wildly, and he felt that if he didn't get this off his chest now, he would explode.
"You," he said smiling weakly. Hermione was speechless, she just looked at him. Draco felt much better, but was still very nervous. **What is she gonna say? ** He reached a hand and placed it on Hermione's, which rested on the arm of the chair. She slid it out from under his, and he looked heartbroken. **I was hoping she wouldn't do that....damn. **
No, she would not back down; they had to talk about this. She placed her had on top of his and looked at him.
"Draco, what are we doing? This is tearing us both up inside, and you know it, I know you do." Draco looked a little shaken, but not really surprised. They had to have this conversation sometime...the sooner, the better. He took a deep breath.
"I know, Hermione. I don't know what's happening. You're all I ever think about, I can't sleep if I know you're upset...I feel empty if you're not near me..." He paused, "this has never happened to me before....I think I'm in love with you." He turned back to her; tears were streaming down her face. **Dammit, I made her cry again! **
"Oh, no Hermione....I didn't want to make you cry...I'm sorry..." He reached for her cheek, wiping away her tears. She melted into him, and knew she had to say something. She placed her hand over his, much as he had done that night on the balcony. She closed her eyes.
"It's not that..." she said, "I feel exactly the same way, Draco. I've never felt this way about anyone. My heart flutters when you look at me...if you touch me, I can't breathe. I need you, Draco. Without you I am nothing." She paused, sobbing. "I love you more than life, and I don't think I could live without you."
Draco heard the sincerity in her voice and pulled her close to him. Nothing could make him let go, not now. He knew how she felt, and he would never forget this day. He felt her hot breath on his cool chest, and kissed the top of her head. This was going awfully fast, but they both knew their words were genuine.
"I love you Hermione, and I'll never leave you....I promise." He felt her arms tighten around him and held her closer. They stayed that way until the sun shown through the small window and the fire needed desperately to be fed.
Hermione pulled away a little, not wanting to let go of him, but needing to look him in the eyes. She saw the passion....and love in them and wanted desperately to kiss him. Draco felt the same way, and, working on impulse, touched his lips to hers. Hermione melted into the kiss and Draco deepened it. **AND he's a good kisser....is there anything NOT perfect about him? ** she asked herself as she swam in pleasure. They broke apart, only to gasp for air. Then he spoke.
"Hermione, please don't be mad at me for asking this, but I feel it's an issue that needs a bit of attention." She looked at him suspiciously.
"What is it, Draco? You can ask me anything, I won't be upset..."
"Well..." he paused, needing to muster the courage. There was no way anything good could come out of this. "What about Potter and Weasley? Won't they be angry about this?" Hermione was shocked, she hadn't even thought about Ron and Harry since she had written that letter yesterday evening. She noticed her hesitation and the look on Draco's face, she had to answer him.
"I'm not mad....I just wasn't expecting that." Draco looked a little relieved, and she smiled. Then she said seriously, "You're probably right, they will be upset. Ron could be violent, we'll have to watch out for him when he gets here, or whenever we tell him. Harry will probably be hurt more than angry, but he'll hold Ron back because he knows this is important to me." She smiled. "Harry will get over it, but Ron I'm not so sure about." She paused, her smile faded. "Draco, why did you ask that? What made you think of them?" He hesitated, then looked away from her and spoke.
"Well, they are one of the reasons I didn't tell you about this sooner. I do love you Hermione, but I want you to be happy more than anything. I had assumed you wouldn't have me, that your heart belonged to one of them. You have to admit they are a big part of your life, and I wanted to respect that." He finished, and looked at her. She was crying again, silent tears falling down her smiling face. Draco hated to see her cry, and burst out before he could stop himself.
"Hermione, please don't cry! I hate to see you crying.....please..."
"It's ok...I'm ok, I promise. It's just that everything you say is so perfect... nobody has ever said anything like that to me before." She smiled brightly. Draco didn't look convinced, but Hermione pretended not to notice, and changed the subject.
"When should we tell them? They are a big part of my life, and I of theirs. They deserve to know about this as soon as possible, but we can't meet until at least the week before term, and a letter is so impersonal."
"Whatever you decide is best, Hermione." he answered and kissed her cheek lightly.
A/N: That's the end....I believe this is the longest chapter so far....but I know it's still not very long. I apologize for the super corniness of this fic, but I like it that way. Also, I agree that this is moving very quickly, but I like it that way too....who wants to read all that boring stuff when they don't like each other, or they do but don't say anything.....and what not. I agree as well that that declaration of love was a bit much, but I thought it was sweet. I know these guys would never talk like that, but hey....its fiction!
PRF:
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Silverdragon: Haha, that lip balm thing pissed off my friend, she's like...that's the corniest thing I've ever read in my life.....my reply? Thank you.
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