Disclaimer: The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend and
the best way to avoid a lawsuit is to make a disclaimer.
CHAPTER THIRTY ONE: Magic Bubbles of Green Serpentine
Morning came early for Hermione and she was glad. Waking up at her usual time helped in convincing her that she really was fine. Hermione didn't doubt that she was stressed, there was the whole Percy fiasco, plus this Snape thing, the test, and now the teaching opportunity - it was rather degrading, however. Draco had been through just as much as she had, if not more. He was constantly worried about her, was more than stressed about the premonitions, and he had seen the dreams, yet Hermione was the one waking up hours late and doubling over in pain. **And Draco though I was strong,** she thought sadly and opened her eyes to view her blonde bedmate.
Draco was still seated in the chair, arms wrapped around the pillow below his head. **He's going to have a terrible back-ach when he wakes up,** Hermione though as she touched a hand to his face, brushing away the fallen hair. Draco smiled at her touch and Hermione cursed herself.
"I'm sorry, Ace. Go back to sleep," she whispered lightly. For a moment, Draco seemed to be doing just that. He waited a moment, then took a deep breath and stirred. Hermione smiled; she couldn't really be upset that he was awake. Draco straightened a little, but stopped and placed a hand on his lower back.
"Ow," he breathed, rubbing away the dull pain. Hermione's smile became sympathetic and she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I told you. Are you alright?" she asked, feeling a little guilty. Draco arched his back a little and smiled.
"Yes love, I'm alright," he said and relaxed. Draco leaned back in the chair and blinked his eyes open, squinting a little against the light.
"Oh my god, do your eyes hurt? I got you sick didn't I? Oh! I'm sorry! Let me get Pomfrey," she said and moved to get out of bed. Draco stopped her before she could, gently grabbing her arm.
"No Mia, I'm fine. Don't get up," he said, smiling. Hermione looked back at him, not sure if she could believe him. After all, she said exactly the same thing.
"Are you sure?" she asked, looking closely at him. Draco had focused his eyes by now and was looking at her convincingly, a smile on his face.
"Yes, love," he said and stood, then leaned over to kiss her. Hermione smiled; if he was anywhere near as sick as she had been, he wouldn't have been able to do that. "It's brighter in here than our room is in the morning, that's all," he said and kissed her again, bringing a hand to hold her face. "Alright?"
"Alright," she agreed, believing him. He wasn't sore like she had been, so if he was to get sick, it wasn't now. Draco smiled and kissed her lips once more.
"Why are you awake, love? It's early," he asked, looking at the simple clock on the far wall. Hermione smiled.
"Early for you," she pointed out and Draco smiled.
"Good point," he said with a slight shrug and sat back down, pushing the chair in, closer to the bed. Hermione smiled.
"Most of my points are usually good," Hermione said smartly, smiling and brushing a hair from her face. Draco smiled and slowly walked his hand to her knee, sliding it a little up her leg.
"I've noticed," he said and continued to let his hand glide over her blanketed thigh. Hermione closed her eyes and concentrated on his touch, loving every second, feeling the sick bubble of anticipation as his hand moved closer to her hips; Hermione's only regret was the layers of fabric between his hand and her skin. She curled into a tighter ball and slid deeper into the blankets, moving closer to Draco.
He smiled and let his hand continue its voyage. Hermione, who still held her eyes closed, was now close enough that Draco needn't leave his chair to kiss her. He leaned close, lips choosing to caress the tender skin of her neck. Hermione made a small moan and bent her elbow to allow her hand access to Draco's hair.
Draco kissed her neck repeatedly and continued his hand tract. He moved his lips finally to her jawbone, starting on a course for his ultimate destination: a return to her lips. Hermione smiled as she realized this and prepared herself for what she knew was coming. Draco's hand made it successfully to her hip and stopped there, not sure where next to go. Hermione turned her head a fraction, helping Draco's lips meet hers, although a bit prematurely.
Draco didn't seem to mind this in the least, forcefully deepening the kiss and taking Hermione with him. He broke the kiss gently, going back down the jawbone trail. Hermione kept her eyes closed, one hand on his over her hip, the other rooted in his hair, moving with him as he kissed her. When Draco's lips were close to Hermione's ear again, he paused his kisses.
"I want you so bad right now, Hermione," he whispered seriously, followed by a slightly ragged breath. Hermione smiled at his words; they made her feel more like popcorn than anything he had ever said to her before. She pulled back, pushing her head in to the pillow and catching his eyes with hers. Draco looked somewhat torn, eyes full of longing and love as well as foreboding.
Hermione kissed him again, in a manner that suggested he not kiss back, but rather give her a chance to be a little more dominating. Draco did as she silently asked, keeping his lips limp and still. Hermione kissed him gently, letting him take in her feeling, then pulled back again with a smile.
"You heard Pomfrey, Ace. 'No more illegitimate Malfoy children'," she reminded him and Draco laughed. He kissed her again and paused only for a moment, enough to speak.
"Screw Pomfrey," he said and Hermione giggled while he kissed her again. She was perfectly happy with the situation until Draco moved his hand again, up her side. At first, she didn't think much of it, but then Draco stood, mid-kiss, and leaned in, pushing her back on the bed.
Now Hermione was a little scared; not of Draco, but of getting caught. She pushed him away, however gently, knowing he would stop if she showed even the smallest amount of resistance, and broke away from the kiss.
"Wait," she said, breathless, "...you aren't seriously thinking about it, are you? We can't, Ace," she continued, placing a hand on his face. "Not here." Draco sighed a little.
"I know," he whispered, then kissed her again, but didn't make any advances. Hermione kissed back, trusting him not to do anything more. Draco managed to pull himself away from her after that final kiss, and sat back down, taking a deep breath and trying to halt his surging hormones.
Hermione lay in bed, breathing a little heavily, and smiling at Draco. She held he hand that, moments ago, and voyaged to her hip, but now lay limp on the bed. Draco sat with his eyes away from Hermione, staring at nothing, frequently swallowing and licking his lips.
"Draco? Are you alright?" Hermione asked, a look of curiosity on her face. Draco nearly flinched at her words, as if the sound of her voice had hurt him.
"Yeah, just give me a minute," he said, not looking at her. Hermione smiled, but simply because she had nothing else she could think of to do. Draco sat there for a least two whole minutes, looking blank as his breathing slowed. Hermione watched him, concerned and curious. Then Draco smiled and turned back to her, looking as if nothing had happened at all.
"Not even going to acknowledge that," she thought out-loud with a smile. Draco opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted by the tapping of hard bottom shoes against the stone floor.
"Pomfrey," he said with a sigh and a weak smile.
"Maybe she'll let me leave; or at least shower," Hermione whispered, sounding excited. Draco smiled and nodded, hoping the same thing. Surprisingly, it was not Madam Pomfrey who opened the thin hospital curtain the nurse had courteously closed around them. Hermione and Draco both turned their heads to watch as the blue shield moved to the side and exposed the visitor. "Professor McGonagall?" Hermione said in surprise.
"Well, good morning to you as well, Miss Granger," the older woman said with a smile. Hermione blushed and sat up as the professor took a step closer to the bed. Draco just watched, still holding Hermione's hand, anything but threatened by McGonagall. She wouldn't hurt a fly; unless the fly had been transfigured from a certain potions master.
"I'm sorry, Professor. I was expecting you'd be Madam Pomfrey."
"That's quite alright dear. How are you fairing?" the smiling woman asked. Hermione smiled.
"I'm fine, I don't know what Pomfrey is thinking, making me stay the night," she complained, childishly crossing her arms. "Oh! And can you believe she left Snape alone with me while I was sleeping? I think she might want to get herSELF examined."
Draco looked at Hermione, mouth cocked open in shock. **Did I just hear that? Hermione Granger actually spoke to a teacher that disrespectfully?** Now he knew she was ill. As shocked as he was to hear Hermione say those words, Draco was twice as surprised to hear McGonagall laugh. Professor Minerva McGonagall, by far the strictest teacher in Hogwarts, had allowed Hermione to speak to her that way, and furthermore LAUGHED at it.
"I feel for you, dear. Once, about three years ago, I had to host a detention with that horrid man. I was alone with him for four hours while Neville and six Slytherins scrubbed down the entire Astronomy tower window," she said, causing Hermione to picture sitting on the so-called 'snog sofa' with Snape and watching the students above. The extreme irony of that thought caused her to shudder.
"I remember that," Draco jumped in. "I've never used that many cleaning potions in my life," he said with a laugh. Hermione looked a little confused.
"There've never been so many shades of green on that window before either, Mr. Malfoy," McGonagall said with a kind smile. Now, Hermione looked VERY confused. Draco smiled at her.
"Me, Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy, Millicent, and some other girlfriend of Pansy's. Magic bubbles filled with green Serpentine dye, the hardest to get rid of. It wasn't pretty," he said, then smirked. "Actually, it WAS pretty... until we got caught and they made us scrub it down."
"I have absolutely no trouble believing that," she told him with a smile and Draco shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, Miss Granger. I'm glad to see that you're feeling better. I'll talk to Albus about Snape; I'm sure he'll agree with me when I say that that man should never be alone with anyone, much less a student."
"Thanks, Professor. Snape really creeps me out; especially lately. He's been acting extra evil and arrogant, especially when Draco is with me," she told her and McGonagall nodded sadly.
"Yes, Snape is an incredibly disgusting man, and feel free to quote me on that." The teacher sighed. "Hermione, if he... tries anything, you'll come to me, won't you?" she asked seriously, placing a hand on Hermione's shoulder.
"Yes, of course, Professor. But I don't really think even he would do that," Hermione assured her.
"Neither do I, but I wouldn't put it automatically past him. Do take care of yourself, dear. I must be going; I'll talk to Albus," McGonagall said with a smile and a wink in Hermione's direction.
"Thank you, Professor," Hermione said as the teacher turned to leave.
To both Draco and Hermione's surprise, McGonagall placed a hand on Draco shoulder and gave it a bit of a squeeze before leaving. The teens watched the older witch leave, then Draco turned to Hermione. She noticed that he looked even more uneasy than before and smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry, Draco. She's almost as bad as Harry and Ron; extremely overprotective. Do I , like, radiate that vibe? 'I'm fragile and helpless; please put me in a magic box and carry it in your left breast pocket'?" she asked, saying the last few sentences so that her annoyance was apparent.
"You're stronger than I am, Mia," he told her with a smile and gentle hand squeeze. Hermione's smile dropped a bit and she sighed.
"No I'm not," she whispered. Draco squeezed her hand, but otherwise pretended not to hear her.
"Hey, when did you see Snape without me? You told McGonagall that he acted weird when I was with you. When was I NOT with you; what do you have for comparison?" he asked, honestly not able to think of a time when he hadn't been there.
"I had to get the Negrosphamine components sometime, Ace." Draco smiled and Hermione did the same. She took a deep breath and relaxed back into her crescent position.
"Why Ace, really?" he asked lightly, keeping his smile. Hermione shrugged.
"I don't really know; it just came out, I guess... but I like it," she said with a smile and looked down at her hand, clasped neatly in his. "Hey Draco, what happened to your finger? Did the burn just go away?" she asked, remembering the charred abrasion that left a tiny circular stain on their chess board. Draco's smile dwindled a little.
"Hardly," he said and unclasped their hands. Draco held up his finger and proceeded to remove the tape like mask it wore, revealing a charred fingertip. Hermione's eyes widened and she looked up at him. "Spell-o- medical tape. Guaranteed to hide any burn or cut form the prying eyes of others," he explained.
"Draco, that's twice as bad as it was before," she said when she realized that the burn had spread past his finger-pad. "Now I'm fixing it. There's no way I'm letting you keep that any longer."
"Why not? It doesn't hurt," he told her, not looking too worried about his impaired digit.
"Draco, it's eating you alive! Please let me fix it; or let Pomfrey do it," she pleaded. Draco sighed and attempted to refuse again, but was interrupted.
"Mr. Malfoy, what have you done to yourself?" Pomfrey asked form the curtain entrance and walked into the room. Draco sighed, knowing there was no way to convince Pomfrey into letting him keep it.
"I'm alright, Madam Pomfrey," he said anyway, retracting his finger from their view. He knew it wouldn't be that easy.
"Oh no you don't, young man," Pomfrey scolded, grabbing his hand and prying it back open. The nurse examined the burn for a moment, then looked form Draco to Hermione and back again. "You touched her mark, didn't you?" she asked, suspicious. Draco nodded, eyes on his finger, and Pomfrey sighed before dropping his hand.
"How do you know about my curse, Madam Pomfrey?" Hermione asked and the nurse's expression didn't change.
"Dumbledore thought it necessary to alert me in case of side-effects," she explained.
"Is that a side-effect?" Draco asked, gesturing toward Hermione. Pomfrey nodded and Hermione sighed deeply.
"Thank god. I knew I was stressed, but that's a little ridiculous," she said and paused. "Can you fix Draco's finger?" she asked and Pomfrey smiled.
"Of course I can," she said as if it were obvious, then turned and exited the curtain again. Hermione looked over to Draco, feeling almost guilty and looking sympathetic.
"I'm sorry; I had to," she explained. Draco nodded, but didn't smile. "Why do you want to keep it so badly, anyway, Ace?"
"I don't know," he said, but he was lying. Draco knew that he was feeling guilty. Hermione may have blamed herself for Percy's actions, but in reality it was his fault; her love for him had almost killed her, and that burn reminded him of it. "I love you, Hermione," he told her and leaned in for a quick kiss; not sure when Pomfrey would come back. Hermione smiled and let her fingers slide through his hair.
"Here we are, Mr. Malfoy," the voice of the nurse called as she walked around the curtain again. In her hand was a small bottle with a hole in its lid, the label reading something in a language neither Draco nor Hermione could identify. "Parsletongue," she said, noticing their questioning eyes. "You're dealing with dark magic, here, Mr. Malfoy," she said before taking his hand and forcefully poking his injured finger into the hole.
"Ow, that's hot!" Draco exclaimed in surprise and tried to pull his finger away.
"Is it, now?" Pomfrey said in something like amusement, struggling a little to keep his finger in the jar. "Hold still and it won't take as long," she continued and Draco stopped. Hermione was sitting up again, looking worriedly at Draco, who was trying not to look like it hurt. Then he relaxed and let out the breath he had been holding in a sigh that told her it was over. Hermione smiled, wanting to reach out to him, but not knowing exactly how to do so.
"All done; that wasn't so bad, now, was it?" the smirking nurse said and pulled the bottle away. Draco retracted his hand immediately and held his finger enclosed in a fist. "Oh! Miss Granger. You are released," the witch started and Hermione looked ecstatically happy. "But I want you to take it easy. No more snow lounging for a while, don't run around too much, and, by all means, if you start feeling strange, I want you back here immediately."
"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey, and of course," Hermione tried to say as calmly as possible, hiding her excitement. Madam Pomfrey smiled at her and turned to leave, not saying anything more. Hermione turned to Draco with a smile and he smiled back, glad she was leaving, but held his finger tightly; obviously pained by it. Hermione's smile dropped a notch. "Are you alright, Ace?" she asked, reaching for his hair again. Draco smiled and nodded a little.
"You get to leave, love," he reminded her and Hermione's smile brightened again. She moved to get out of bed, uncovering her legs. She stood, a little too fast for not having done so in over twenty-four hours, and placed a hand to her head as the sick sense of hurried blood flow over came her. "Mia?" Draco asked worriedly, thinking she may have had another attack. Hermione giggled.
"Head rush," she explained and Draco smiled and stood. "I'm okay. Let's go, please? I don't know how much more of this hospital I can take," Hermione complained, taking the bowl of strawberries in one arm and grabbing Draco's hand. Draco smiled and followed her, not doubting she was frustrated with the current setting. Hermione was not one to spend a day sitting around and doing nothing, and that's what she had been doing for long enough to steal her sanity twice.
"Whatever you want, Mia," he said as they exited her cubical.
They walked past Madam Pomfrey's office without a word and slipped into the hallway. Hermione walked quickly for a while and Draco followed her quietly, smiling at her excitement. Suddenly, Hermione stopped and spun around. Draco was forced to stop as well and narrowly missed running into her.
"Hey," he said and Hermione smiled. She set the bowl on the floor and took a step forward. Now close enough, Hermione simply needed to lift her head and their lips met. Draco rushed to meet her kiss, as Hermione was way ahead of him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him deeper. Then Hermione took a step back, against the wall, bringing Draco with her. They kissed for a good five minutes, stopping only once or twice to catch a breath.
When they broke away from the final kiss, Draco took, once again, to lightly kissing her neck. **He sure likes doing that, doesn't he? Well, I like it too...** she thought and closed her eyes.
"Hermione..." Draco whispered, still kissing her. "Why do you do this to me?" he asked, but didn't expect her to answer.
"I'm sorry," she told him in an equal whisper. "I can't help it." Draco smiled and stopped his kisses to look at her.
"I don't think you're trying very hard," he pointed out and Hermione smiled.
"I suppose that's true, "she said and giggled as she kissed his lips again. "Can we go, I really need that shower." Draco kissed her one last time and took a step back.
"Yep," he said, however reluctantly. Hermione smiled and picked up her bowl before taking Draco's hand again.
* * * * * * * * * *
When the couple had made it back to the common room, Hermione gave Draco one last kiss before moving gratefully to the bathroom. Draco sighed and sat down, having nothing better to do than wait for her. Hermione would be in there for a while; probably trying to cleanse herself of Snape. Draco felt his teeth grind and his fists clench at the thought of that filth with his precious Hermione.
**Honestly, what was Madam Pomfrey thinking? Why did Snape want to stay with her, anyway? Does he really hate or, or are my fabricated suspicious correct?** Draco wondered, not wanting to dwell on Snape, but finding himself unable to do anything but. **Distraction...** he thought and smiled as his thoughts glazed back over Hermione. **Now THERE'S a distraction.**
As much as he tried, Draco's thoughts of Hermione were all soiled with a glimpse of Snape. He couldn't stand it; too much was too much. Draco sighed in frustration and looked around for another distraction. The first thing he saw was Hermione's Teen Witch Weekly magazine on the end table below the bowl of strawberries. **I'm going to regret this later,** he concluded and pulled the magazine from below the bowl. He cautiously opened it, as if afraid of what he might find inside.
* * * * * * * * * *
Hermione, as expected, spent about a half an hour in the shower. She just stood there for a majority of the time, eyes closed, imagining the aura of Snape being drowned away; sliding away from her and down the drain where it belonged. Hermione shuddered, despite the piping hot water than rained over her. Thinking of Snape while she was in this exposed was not something Hermione wanted to be able to admit to.
She exited the shower, dried, and dressed all before she could think of anything, then looked up and smiled as her eyes caught her reflection. Whenever she saw herself, Hermione automatically thought of Draco. He was like a part of her; her best feature. Hermione suddenly felt an urgent need to see him, and was glad that this time she could.
After hastily cleaning up her small bathroom mess, Hermione slowly opened the door, half expecting to see Draco standing there. He wasn't, however. Draco was sitting on one of the sofas, his back to her. Hermione smiled as she realized that he hadn't heard her. She silently crept up behind him and looked over his shoulder.
* * * * * * * * * *
Draco had been reading the mindless dribble of the magazine for about twenty minutes when a sweet and subtle smell drifted into his vicinity. He stopped reading, but didn't look up. Draco knew what it was immediately and smiled. **Hermione...** he thought, assuming it was wafting from the bathroom. He took a quiet, but deep, breath; inhaling the sweet aroma.
"I never saw you as a teen age anthem, Ace," Hermione said from over his shoulder and Draco jumped a little; he hadn't known she was there, but didn't look up from his magazine. Then, Draco smiled.
"Did you know that there are sixteen spells for ridding oneself of acne?" he said calmly, just pointing out a fact. Hermione smiled and kissed his cheek.
"I know seventeen," she whispered and Draco laughed, turning his head to her.
"I don't doubt that, Mia," he said and kissed her. Hermione smiled when the simple kiss ended and stood straight, then let her hand slide along the back of the couch as she walked to the front; eyes on Draco. He smiled when he realized her intentions and flipped the magazine closed, moving his arm to rest on the sofa back. Hermione grinned as she sat down beside him, moving close and kissing his cheek again. She sighed happily and pulled her legs beneath her, feeling a warm tingle as Draco's arm encircled her shoulders. **God, I missed this...** she thought.
"I'm glad that was all just a side-effect; I was getting a little worried. I've always been stressed, but nothing like that has ever happened before," Hermione said and placed her head on him. Draco smiled and moved his face into her hair.
"So am I, love. I just hope there're no more side effects. We probably should have asked Pomfrey, really. She could have given us some warning," he pointed out, breathing deep and steady, taking in her sweet scent. Hermione was smiling, happy to just be close to him.
"I don't know, I'm almost glad not to know what could happen. Ignorance is bliss," she quoted, feeling unbelievably warm and happy.
"Then why aren't more people happy?" he asked smartly and Hermione giggled a bit.
"Are you happy?" she asked, turning her head up to look at him. Draco smiled and gave her a quick and relaxed kiss.
"I've never been so in my life, love," he told her and Hermione smiled. She resettled her head back on him and Draco kissed her hair. Hermione laughed for seemly no reason at all and Draco smiled. "What?"
"I was just thinking; if three years ago someone told me that I would ever be willingly sitting this close to the one and only Draco Malfoy, I don't know whether I would have died of disgust or laughter," she said and squeezed him close.
"Wow, Mia. I feel loved," he said sarcastically and Hermione giggled again.
"Do you deny that you would have felt the same way?" she asked, sounding curious.
"Don't, Hermione," Draco said and squeezed her a little. "Please don't make me say that," he pleaded. Hermione looked up at him, smiling against her own will.
"It's okay, I know it's different now. I'm looking back and laughing; isn't that the universal goal whenever something bad happens?" Hermione said, placing a hand on his chest for comfort.
"I suppose, but..." he started, but couldn't find words and sighed in frustration. "I'm sorry, Mia. I'm sorry about everything. I love you," he told her and Hermione looked up again.
"No, I'm sorry. I know you don't like it when I talk about that, yet I feel the need to mention it; repeatedly. I think I just want you to know that I totally forgive you and it doesn't bother me anymore. I'm incredibly inconsiderate; I promise I'll stop." Draco smiled and kissed her.
"Shh, Mia. If you're anything, it's not inconsiderate," he told her with a smile. "Let's just forget about this, alright? Do you want to go to breakfast?" he asked, not wanting to move but needing to change the subject. Hermione smiled and kissed him again.
"You must be starving," she said and Draco shrugged.
"I'm alright," he told her, smiling as well. Hermione sighed, but her lips didn't drop.
"I wish you wouldn't say that all the time, Draco. It makes me nervous," she told him, looking into his eyes as if searching for something.
"Why?" Draco asked, fairly puzzled.
"Because I know you're lying," she answered and gave him another quick kiss before tearing herself away from his arms and standing.
"I'm not lying, just... denying the truth," he said with a smart-ass smirk.
"Oh, because that makes a world of difference," Hermione said with heavy sarcasm and rolled her eyes. Draco laughed and stood as well, kissing behind her hear. "Let's go. I'm hungry, so I can only imagine what you must feel like," she suggested and took his hand. Draco stepped around her and kissed her other ear, smiling along with her.
"Alright, Mia," he agreed.
A/N Yea! Hermione is out of the hop-cicle! GO MIA! I just love their little nicknames, don't you? Lol; Mia sounds like a princess and Ace sounds like a bad ass biker. Kinda like their personalities multiplied by a bazillion, haha. BIG numbers. Coming up? I'd tell you, but I want it to be a surprise. A clue? No, it does not involve butter.
PRF:
Tf-chica-824: Thanks! I know, Snape is MESSED! And don't worry; Mia will be fine!
xing@fanfiction.net: No she's not pregnant, and no he didn't rape her. Haha. So now you DO noe, :oP. OMG, I just figured out who you were; you are that girl who read my other fic and called me an antifeminist. Okay, I'm actually glad I found somewhere to talk to you where you might actually see it; see, I agree on what you said and everything, and I too believe that woman are equal to men, but My Precious Empty Space was based on that song there, and that song was written in the seventies, when it was popular belief that women were inferior. I'm sorry if I've offended you, I didn't mean to, but I did purposely write an ill-timed fic. Once again, I'm sorry.
Starry Skies: It does have SOME effect on later on, and don't worry, this is all totally not gonna be what you think! I'm so excited! No secret relatives, relations maybe, but not relatives, lol. Snape is just creepy in himself.
Karly: You've told me about a hundred times, I think. Lol... yes he is a sweetie! I luv that guy!
NO NAME: Face? Lol. No Name Face is one of my favorite Lifehouse CD's, hehe. Anyway, *I* like their nicknames, lol... thanx!
Joebob1379: What? You didn't think he just fell from heaven did you? Although that would explain a lot... haha... yes, that's why you move far far away from AZ... Lol.
Hannah Grey: He didn't actually do anything; she's just grossed out because he could have. Well, they don't KNOW he didn't, but trust me... that would mess everything up...
Malfoy: Neither. Or is it? HaHA! You'll have to find out later then, wont you? Hehehehehe.
Ezmerelda: Thanx!
Snapegirl: I apologize if you like Snape, but seriously; Sev/Herm fics are really just statutory rape... haha, JAILBATE! And that grosses me out, so Snape is EVIL here.
Belle: Yeah brothers suck. Good think I don't have any. But I do have a really pretty dagger if you want to borrow it ;o)
Lirawen: Alright, you did NOT just freaking accuse me of getting into your account and deleting your crap. I can barely get into my own account, much less figure out how to hack into someone else's. And what would that get me if I DID do it? Huh? Absolutely nothing. Exactly. So, no motive, no crime. I didn't fuck you your shit so sod off. Thank you for your time. But, ffr, save your stories to floppys... I have tons o' problems with system crashes, and I know what it's like to lose stuff.
Hasapi: Interesting in a good way or a bad way? Eep.
CHAPTER THIRTY ONE: Magic Bubbles of Green Serpentine
Morning came early for Hermione and she was glad. Waking up at her usual time helped in convincing her that she really was fine. Hermione didn't doubt that she was stressed, there was the whole Percy fiasco, plus this Snape thing, the test, and now the teaching opportunity - it was rather degrading, however. Draco had been through just as much as she had, if not more. He was constantly worried about her, was more than stressed about the premonitions, and he had seen the dreams, yet Hermione was the one waking up hours late and doubling over in pain. **And Draco though I was strong,** she thought sadly and opened her eyes to view her blonde bedmate.
Draco was still seated in the chair, arms wrapped around the pillow below his head. **He's going to have a terrible back-ach when he wakes up,** Hermione though as she touched a hand to his face, brushing away the fallen hair. Draco smiled at her touch and Hermione cursed herself.
"I'm sorry, Ace. Go back to sleep," she whispered lightly. For a moment, Draco seemed to be doing just that. He waited a moment, then took a deep breath and stirred. Hermione smiled; she couldn't really be upset that he was awake. Draco straightened a little, but stopped and placed a hand on his lower back.
"Ow," he breathed, rubbing away the dull pain. Hermione's smile became sympathetic and she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I told you. Are you alright?" she asked, feeling a little guilty. Draco arched his back a little and smiled.
"Yes love, I'm alright," he said and relaxed. Draco leaned back in the chair and blinked his eyes open, squinting a little against the light.
"Oh my god, do your eyes hurt? I got you sick didn't I? Oh! I'm sorry! Let me get Pomfrey," she said and moved to get out of bed. Draco stopped her before she could, gently grabbing her arm.
"No Mia, I'm fine. Don't get up," he said, smiling. Hermione looked back at him, not sure if she could believe him. After all, she said exactly the same thing.
"Are you sure?" she asked, looking closely at him. Draco had focused his eyes by now and was looking at her convincingly, a smile on his face.
"Yes, love," he said and stood, then leaned over to kiss her. Hermione smiled; if he was anywhere near as sick as she had been, he wouldn't have been able to do that. "It's brighter in here than our room is in the morning, that's all," he said and kissed her again, bringing a hand to hold her face. "Alright?"
"Alright," she agreed, believing him. He wasn't sore like she had been, so if he was to get sick, it wasn't now. Draco smiled and kissed her lips once more.
"Why are you awake, love? It's early," he asked, looking at the simple clock on the far wall. Hermione smiled.
"Early for you," she pointed out and Draco smiled.
"Good point," he said with a slight shrug and sat back down, pushing the chair in, closer to the bed. Hermione smiled.
"Most of my points are usually good," Hermione said smartly, smiling and brushing a hair from her face. Draco smiled and slowly walked his hand to her knee, sliding it a little up her leg.
"I've noticed," he said and continued to let his hand glide over her blanketed thigh. Hermione closed her eyes and concentrated on his touch, loving every second, feeling the sick bubble of anticipation as his hand moved closer to her hips; Hermione's only regret was the layers of fabric between his hand and her skin. She curled into a tighter ball and slid deeper into the blankets, moving closer to Draco.
He smiled and let his hand continue its voyage. Hermione, who still held her eyes closed, was now close enough that Draco needn't leave his chair to kiss her. He leaned close, lips choosing to caress the tender skin of her neck. Hermione made a small moan and bent her elbow to allow her hand access to Draco's hair.
Draco kissed her neck repeatedly and continued his hand tract. He moved his lips finally to her jawbone, starting on a course for his ultimate destination: a return to her lips. Hermione smiled as she realized this and prepared herself for what she knew was coming. Draco's hand made it successfully to her hip and stopped there, not sure where next to go. Hermione turned her head a fraction, helping Draco's lips meet hers, although a bit prematurely.
Draco didn't seem to mind this in the least, forcefully deepening the kiss and taking Hermione with him. He broke the kiss gently, going back down the jawbone trail. Hermione kept her eyes closed, one hand on his over her hip, the other rooted in his hair, moving with him as he kissed her. When Draco's lips were close to Hermione's ear again, he paused his kisses.
"I want you so bad right now, Hermione," he whispered seriously, followed by a slightly ragged breath. Hermione smiled at his words; they made her feel more like popcorn than anything he had ever said to her before. She pulled back, pushing her head in to the pillow and catching his eyes with hers. Draco looked somewhat torn, eyes full of longing and love as well as foreboding.
Hermione kissed him again, in a manner that suggested he not kiss back, but rather give her a chance to be a little more dominating. Draco did as she silently asked, keeping his lips limp and still. Hermione kissed him gently, letting him take in her feeling, then pulled back again with a smile.
"You heard Pomfrey, Ace. 'No more illegitimate Malfoy children'," she reminded him and Draco laughed. He kissed her again and paused only for a moment, enough to speak.
"Screw Pomfrey," he said and Hermione giggled while he kissed her again. She was perfectly happy with the situation until Draco moved his hand again, up her side. At first, she didn't think much of it, but then Draco stood, mid-kiss, and leaned in, pushing her back on the bed.
Now Hermione was a little scared; not of Draco, but of getting caught. She pushed him away, however gently, knowing he would stop if she showed even the smallest amount of resistance, and broke away from the kiss.
"Wait," she said, breathless, "...you aren't seriously thinking about it, are you? We can't, Ace," she continued, placing a hand on his face. "Not here." Draco sighed a little.
"I know," he whispered, then kissed her again, but didn't make any advances. Hermione kissed back, trusting him not to do anything more. Draco managed to pull himself away from her after that final kiss, and sat back down, taking a deep breath and trying to halt his surging hormones.
Hermione lay in bed, breathing a little heavily, and smiling at Draco. She held he hand that, moments ago, and voyaged to her hip, but now lay limp on the bed. Draco sat with his eyes away from Hermione, staring at nothing, frequently swallowing and licking his lips.
"Draco? Are you alright?" Hermione asked, a look of curiosity on her face. Draco nearly flinched at her words, as if the sound of her voice had hurt him.
"Yeah, just give me a minute," he said, not looking at her. Hermione smiled, but simply because she had nothing else she could think of to do. Draco sat there for a least two whole minutes, looking blank as his breathing slowed. Hermione watched him, concerned and curious. Then Draco smiled and turned back to her, looking as if nothing had happened at all.
"Not even going to acknowledge that," she thought out-loud with a smile. Draco opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted by the tapping of hard bottom shoes against the stone floor.
"Pomfrey," he said with a sigh and a weak smile.
"Maybe she'll let me leave; or at least shower," Hermione whispered, sounding excited. Draco smiled and nodded, hoping the same thing. Surprisingly, it was not Madam Pomfrey who opened the thin hospital curtain the nurse had courteously closed around them. Hermione and Draco both turned their heads to watch as the blue shield moved to the side and exposed the visitor. "Professor McGonagall?" Hermione said in surprise.
"Well, good morning to you as well, Miss Granger," the older woman said with a smile. Hermione blushed and sat up as the professor took a step closer to the bed. Draco just watched, still holding Hermione's hand, anything but threatened by McGonagall. She wouldn't hurt a fly; unless the fly had been transfigured from a certain potions master.
"I'm sorry, Professor. I was expecting you'd be Madam Pomfrey."
"That's quite alright dear. How are you fairing?" the smiling woman asked. Hermione smiled.
"I'm fine, I don't know what Pomfrey is thinking, making me stay the night," she complained, childishly crossing her arms. "Oh! And can you believe she left Snape alone with me while I was sleeping? I think she might want to get herSELF examined."
Draco looked at Hermione, mouth cocked open in shock. **Did I just hear that? Hermione Granger actually spoke to a teacher that disrespectfully?** Now he knew she was ill. As shocked as he was to hear Hermione say those words, Draco was twice as surprised to hear McGonagall laugh. Professor Minerva McGonagall, by far the strictest teacher in Hogwarts, had allowed Hermione to speak to her that way, and furthermore LAUGHED at it.
"I feel for you, dear. Once, about three years ago, I had to host a detention with that horrid man. I was alone with him for four hours while Neville and six Slytherins scrubbed down the entire Astronomy tower window," she said, causing Hermione to picture sitting on the so-called 'snog sofa' with Snape and watching the students above. The extreme irony of that thought caused her to shudder.
"I remember that," Draco jumped in. "I've never used that many cleaning potions in my life," he said with a laugh. Hermione looked a little confused.
"There've never been so many shades of green on that window before either, Mr. Malfoy," McGonagall said with a kind smile. Now, Hermione looked VERY confused. Draco smiled at her.
"Me, Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy, Millicent, and some other girlfriend of Pansy's. Magic bubbles filled with green Serpentine dye, the hardest to get rid of. It wasn't pretty," he said, then smirked. "Actually, it WAS pretty... until we got caught and they made us scrub it down."
"I have absolutely no trouble believing that," she told him with a smile and Draco shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, Miss Granger. I'm glad to see that you're feeling better. I'll talk to Albus about Snape; I'm sure he'll agree with me when I say that that man should never be alone with anyone, much less a student."
"Thanks, Professor. Snape really creeps me out; especially lately. He's been acting extra evil and arrogant, especially when Draco is with me," she told her and McGonagall nodded sadly.
"Yes, Snape is an incredibly disgusting man, and feel free to quote me on that." The teacher sighed. "Hermione, if he... tries anything, you'll come to me, won't you?" she asked seriously, placing a hand on Hermione's shoulder.
"Yes, of course, Professor. But I don't really think even he would do that," Hermione assured her.
"Neither do I, but I wouldn't put it automatically past him. Do take care of yourself, dear. I must be going; I'll talk to Albus," McGonagall said with a smile and a wink in Hermione's direction.
"Thank you, Professor," Hermione said as the teacher turned to leave.
To both Draco and Hermione's surprise, McGonagall placed a hand on Draco shoulder and gave it a bit of a squeeze before leaving. The teens watched the older witch leave, then Draco turned to Hermione. She noticed that he looked even more uneasy than before and smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry, Draco. She's almost as bad as Harry and Ron; extremely overprotective. Do I , like, radiate that vibe? 'I'm fragile and helpless; please put me in a magic box and carry it in your left breast pocket'?" she asked, saying the last few sentences so that her annoyance was apparent.
"You're stronger than I am, Mia," he told her with a smile and gentle hand squeeze. Hermione's smile dropped a bit and she sighed.
"No I'm not," she whispered. Draco squeezed her hand, but otherwise pretended not to hear her.
"Hey, when did you see Snape without me? You told McGonagall that he acted weird when I was with you. When was I NOT with you; what do you have for comparison?" he asked, honestly not able to think of a time when he hadn't been there.
"I had to get the Negrosphamine components sometime, Ace." Draco smiled and Hermione did the same. She took a deep breath and relaxed back into her crescent position.
"Why Ace, really?" he asked lightly, keeping his smile. Hermione shrugged.
"I don't really know; it just came out, I guess... but I like it," she said with a smile and looked down at her hand, clasped neatly in his. "Hey Draco, what happened to your finger? Did the burn just go away?" she asked, remembering the charred abrasion that left a tiny circular stain on their chess board. Draco's smile dwindled a little.
"Hardly," he said and unclasped their hands. Draco held up his finger and proceeded to remove the tape like mask it wore, revealing a charred fingertip. Hermione's eyes widened and she looked up at him. "Spell-o- medical tape. Guaranteed to hide any burn or cut form the prying eyes of others," he explained.
"Draco, that's twice as bad as it was before," she said when she realized that the burn had spread past his finger-pad. "Now I'm fixing it. There's no way I'm letting you keep that any longer."
"Why not? It doesn't hurt," he told her, not looking too worried about his impaired digit.
"Draco, it's eating you alive! Please let me fix it; or let Pomfrey do it," she pleaded. Draco sighed and attempted to refuse again, but was interrupted.
"Mr. Malfoy, what have you done to yourself?" Pomfrey asked form the curtain entrance and walked into the room. Draco sighed, knowing there was no way to convince Pomfrey into letting him keep it.
"I'm alright, Madam Pomfrey," he said anyway, retracting his finger from their view. He knew it wouldn't be that easy.
"Oh no you don't, young man," Pomfrey scolded, grabbing his hand and prying it back open. The nurse examined the burn for a moment, then looked form Draco to Hermione and back again. "You touched her mark, didn't you?" she asked, suspicious. Draco nodded, eyes on his finger, and Pomfrey sighed before dropping his hand.
"How do you know about my curse, Madam Pomfrey?" Hermione asked and the nurse's expression didn't change.
"Dumbledore thought it necessary to alert me in case of side-effects," she explained.
"Is that a side-effect?" Draco asked, gesturing toward Hermione. Pomfrey nodded and Hermione sighed deeply.
"Thank god. I knew I was stressed, but that's a little ridiculous," she said and paused. "Can you fix Draco's finger?" she asked and Pomfrey smiled.
"Of course I can," she said as if it were obvious, then turned and exited the curtain again. Hermione looked over to Draco, feeling almost guilty and looking sympathetic.
"I'm sorry; I had to," she explained. Draco nodded, but didn't smile. "Why do you want to keep it so badly, anyway, Ace?"
"I don't know," he said, but he was lying. Draco knew that he was feeling guilty. Hermione may have blamed herself for Percy's actions, but in reality it was his fault; her love for him had almost killed her, and that burn reminded him of it. "I love you, Hermione," he told her and leaned in for a quick kiss; not sure when Pomfrey would come back. Hermione smiled and let her fingers slide through his hair.
"Here we are, Mr. Malfoy," the voice of the nurse called as she walked around the curtain again. In her hand was a small bottle with a hole in its lid, the label reading something in a language neither Draco nor Hermione could identify. "Parsletongue," she said, noticing their questioning eyes. "You're dealing with dark magic, here, Mr. Malfoy," she said before taking his hand and forcefully poking his injured finger into the hole.
"Ow, that's hot!" Draco exclaimed in surprise and tried to pull his finger away.
"Is it, now?" Pomfrey said in something like amusement, struggling a little to keep his finger in the jar. "Hold still and it won't take as long," she continued and Draco stopped. Hermione was sitting up again, looking worriedly at Draco, who was trying not to look like it hurt. Then he relaxed and let out the breath he had been holding in a sigh that told her it was over. Hermione smiled, wanting to reach out to him, but not knowing exactly how to do so.
"All done; that wasn't so bad, now, was it?" the smirking nurse said and pulled the bottle away. Draco retracted his hand immediately and held his finger enclosed in a fist. "Oh! Miss Granger. You are released," the witch started and Hermione looked ecstatically happy. "But I want you to take it easy. No more snow lounging for a while, don't run around too much, and, by all means, if you start feeling strange, I want you back here immediately."
"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey, and of course," Hermione tried to say as calmly as possible, hiding her excitement. Madam Pomfrey smiled at her and turned to leave, not saying anything more. Hermione turned to Draco with a smile and he smiled back, glad she was leaving, but held his finger tightly; obviously pained by it. Hermione's smile dropped a notch. "Are you alright, Ace?" she asked, reaching for his hair again. Draco smiled and nodded a little.
"You get to leave, love," he reminded her and Hermione's smile brightened again. She moved to get out of bed, uncovering her legs. She stood, a little too fast for not having done so in over twenty-four hours, and placed a hand to her head as the sick sense of hurried blood flow over came her. "Mia?" Draco asked worriedly, thinking she may have had another attack. Hermione giggled.
"Head rush," she explained and Draco smiled and stood. "I'm okay. Let's go, please? I don't know how much more of this hospital I can take," Hermione complained, taking the bowl of strawberries in one arm and grabbing Draco's hand. Draco smiled and followed her, not doubting she was frustrated with the current setting. Hermione was not one to spend a day sitting around and doing nothing, and that's what she had been doing for long enough to steal her sanity twice.
"Whatever you want, Mia," he said as they exited her cubical.
They walked past Madam Pomfrey's office without a word and slipped into the hallway. Hermione walked quickly for a while and Draco followed her quietly, smiling at her excitement. Suddenly, Hermione stopped and spun around. Draco was forced to stop as well and narrowly missed running into her.
"Hey," he said and Hermione smiled. She set the bowl on the floor and took a step forward. Now close enough, Hermione simply needed to lift her head and their lips met. Draco rushed to meet her kiss, as Hermione was way ahead of him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him deeper. Then Hermione took a step back, against the wall, bringing Draco with her. They kissed for a good five minutes, stopping only once or twice to catch a breath.
When they broke away from the final kiss, Draco took, once again, to lightly kissing her neck. **He sure likes doing that, doesn't he? Well, I like it too...** she thought and closed her eyes.
"Hermione..." Draco whispered, still kissing her. "Why do you do this to me?" he asked, but didn't expect her to answer.
"I'm sorry," she told him in an equal whisper. "I can't help it." Draco smiled and stopped his kisses to look at her.
"I don't think you're trying very hard," he pointed out and Hermione smiled.
"I suppose that's true, "she said and giggled as she kissed his lips again. "Can we go, I really need that shower." Draco kissed her one last time and took a step back.
"Yep," he said, however reluctantly. Hermione smiled and picked up her bowl before taking Draco's hand again.
* * * * * * * * * *
When the couple had made it back to the common room, Hermione gave Draco one last kiss before moving gratefully to the bathroom. Draco sighed and sat down, having nothing better to do than wait for her. Hermione would be in there for a while; probably trying to cleanse herself of Snape. Draco felt his teeth grind and his fists clench at the thought of that filth with his precious Hermione.
**Honestly, what was Madam Pomfrey thinking? Why did Snape want to stay with her, anyway? Does he really hate or, or are my fabricated suspicious correct?** Draco wondered, not wanting to dwell on Snape, but finding himself unable to do anything but. **Distraction...** he thought and smiled as his thoughts glazed back over Hermione. **Now THERE'S a distraction.**
As much as he tried, Draco's thoughts of Hermione were all soiled with a glimpse of Snape. He couldn't stand it; too much was too much. Draco sighed in frustration and looked around for another distraction. The first thing he saw was Hermione's Teen Witch Weekly magazine on the end table below the bowl of strawberries. **I'm going to regret this later,** he concluded and pulled the magazine from below the bowl. He cautiously opened it, as if afraid of what he might find inside.
* * * * * * * * * *
Hermione, as expected, spent about a half an hour in the shower. She just stood there for a majority of the time, eyes closed, imagining the aura of Snape being drowned away; sliding away from her and down the drain where it belonged. Hermione shuddered, despite the piping hot water than rained over her. Thinking of Snape while she was in this exposed was not something Hermione wanted to be able to admit to.
She exited the shower, dried, and dressed all before she could think of anything, then looked up and smiled as her eyes caught her reflection. Whenever she saw herself, Hermione automatically thought of Draco. He was like a part of her; her best feature. Hermione suddenly felt an urgent need to see him, and was glad that this time she could.
After hastily cleaning up her small bathroom mess, Hermione slowly opened the door, half expecting to see Draco standing there. He wasn't, however. Draco was sitting on one of the sofas, his back to her. Hermione smiled as she realized that he hadn't heard her. She silently crept up behind him and looked over his shoulder.
* * * * * * * * * *
Draco had been reading the mindless dribble of the magazine for about twenty minutes when a sweet and subtle smell drifted into his vicinity. He stopped reading, but didn't look up. Draco knew what it was immediately and smiled. **Hermione...** he thought, assuming it was wafting from the bathroom. He took a quiet, but deep, breath; inhaling the sweet aroma.
"I never saw you as a teen age anthem, Ace," Hermione said from over his shoulder and Draco jumped a little; he hadn't known she was there, but didn't look up from his magazine. Then, Draco smiled.
"Did you know that there are sixteen spells for ridding oneself of acne?" he said calmly, just pointing out a fact. Hermione smiled and kissed his cheek.
"I know seventeen," she whispered and Draco laughed, turning his head to her.
"I don't doubt that, Mia," he said and kissed her. Hermione smiled when the simple kiss ended and stood straight, then let her hand slide along the back of the couch as she walked to the front; eyes on Draco. He smiled when he realized her intentions and flipped the magazine closed, moving his arm to rest on the sofa back. Hermione grinned as she sat down beside him, moving close and kissing his cheek again. She sighed happily and pulled her legs beneath her, feeling a warm tingle as Draco's arm encircled her shoulders. **God, I missed this...** she thought.
"I'm glad that was all just a side-effect; I was getting a little worried. I've always been stressed, but nothing like that has ever happened before," Hermione said and placed her head on him. Draco smiled and moved his face into her hair.
"So am I, love. I just hope there're no more side effects. We probably should have asked Pomfrey, really. She could have given us some warning," he pointed out, breathing deep and steady, taking in her sweet scent. Hermione was smiling, happy to just be close to him.
"I don't know, I'm almost glad not to know what could happen. Ignorance is bliss," she quoted, feeling unbelievably warm and happy.
"Then why aren't more people happy?" he asked smartly and Hermione giggled a bit.
"Are you happy?" she asked, turning her head up to look at him. Draco smiled and gave her a quick and relaxed kiss.
"I've never been so in my life, love," he told her and Hermione smiled. She resettled her head back on him and Draco kissed her hair. Hermione laughed for seemly no reason at all and Draco smiled. "What?"
"I was just thinking; if three years ago someone told me that I would ever be willingly sitting this close to the one and only Draco Malfoy, I don't know whether I would have died of disgust or laughter," she said and squeezed him close.
"Wow, Mia. I feel loved," he said sarcastically and Hermione giggled again.
"Do you deny that you would have felt the same way?" she asked, sounding curious.
"Don't, Hermione," Draco said and squeezed her a little. "Please don't make me say that," he pleaded. Hermione looked up at him, smiling against her own will.
"It's okay, I know it's different now. I'm looking back and laughing; isn't that the universal goal whenever something bad happens?" Hermione said, placing a hand on his chest for comfort.
"I suppose, but..." he started, but couldn't find words and sighed in frustration. "I'm sorry, Mia. I'm sorry about everything. I love you," he told her and Hermione looked up again.
"No, I'm sorry. I know you don't like it when I talk about that, yet I feel the need to mention it; repeatedly. I think I just want you to know that I totally forgive you and it doesn't bother me anymore. I'm incredibly inconsiderate; I promise I'll stop." Draco smiled and kissed her.
"Shh, Mia. If you're anything, it's not inconsiderate," he told her with a smile. "Let's just forget about this, alright? Do you want to go to breakfast?" he asked, not wanting to move but needing to change the subject. Hermione smiled and kissed him again.
"You must be starving," she said and Draco shrugged.
"I'm alright," he told her, smiling as well. Hermione sighed, but her lips didn't drop.
"I wish you wouldn't say that all the time, Draco. It makes me nervous," she told him, looking into his eyes as if searching for something.
"Why?" Draco asked, fairly puzzled.
"Because I know you're lying," she answered and gave him another quick kiss before tearing herself away from his arms and standing.
"I'm not lying, just... denying the truth," he said with a smart-ass smirk.
"Oh, because that makes a world of difference," Hermione said with heavy sarcasm and rolled her eyes. Draco laughed and stood as well, kissing behind her hear. "Let's go. I'm hungry, so I can only imagine what you must feel like," she suggested and took his hand. Draco stepped around her and kissed her other ear, smiling along with her.
"Alright, Mia," he agreed.
A/N Yea! Hermione is out of the hop-cicle! GO MIA! I just love their little nicknames, don't you? Lol; Mia sounds like a princess and Ace sounds like a bad ass biker. Kinda like their personalities multiplied by a bazillion, haha. BIG numbers. Coming up? I'd tell you, but I want it to be a surprise. A clue? No, it does not involve butter.
PRF:
Tf-chica-824: Thanks! I know, Snape is MESSED! And don't worry; Mia will be fine!
xing@fanfiction.net: No she's not pregnant, and no he didn't rape her. Haha. So now you DO noe, :oP. OMG, I just figured out who you were; you are that girl who read my other fic and called me an antifeminist. Okay, I'm actually glad I found somewhere to talk to you where you might actually see it; see, I agree on what you said and everything, and I too believe that woman are equal to men, but My Precious Empty Space was based on that song there, and that song was written in the seventies, when it was popular belief that women were inferior. I'm sorry if I've offended you, I didn't mean to, but I did purposely write an ill-timed fic. Once again, I'm sorry.
Starry Skies: It does have SOME effect on later on, and don't worry, this is all totally not gonna be what you think! I'm so excited! No secret relatives, relations maybe, but not relatives, lol. Snape is just creepy in himself.
Karly: You've told me about a hundred times, I think. Lol... yes he is a sweetie! I luv that guy!
NO NAME: Face? Lol. No Name Face is one of my favorite Lifehouse CD's, hehe. Anyway, *I* like their nicknames, lol... thanx!
Joebob1379: What? You didn't think he just fell from heaven did you? Although that would explain a lot... haha... yes, that's why you move far far away from AZ... Lol.
Hannah Grey: He didn't actually do anything; she's just grossed out because he could have. Well, they don't KNOW he didn't, but trust me... that would mess everything up...
Malfoy: Neither. Or is it? HaHA! You'll have to find out later then, wont you? Hehehehehe.
Ezmerelda: Thanx!
Snapegirl: I apologize if you like Snape, but seriously; Sev/Herm fics are really just statutory rape... haha, JAILBATE! And that grosses me out, so Snape is EVIL here.
Belle: Yeah brothers suck. Good think I don't have any. But I do have a really pretty dagger if you want to borrow it ;o)
Lirawen: Alright, you did NOT just freaking accuse me of getting into your account and deleting your crap. I can barely get into my own account, much less figure out how to hack into someone else's. And what would that get me if I DID do it? Huh? Absolutely nothing. Exactly. So, no motive, no crime. I didn't fuck you your shit so sod off. Thank you for your time. But, ffr, save your stories to floppys... I have tons o' problems with system crashes, and I know what it's like to lose stuff.
Hasapi: Interesting in a good way or a bad way? Eep.
