A/N: Once again, bad stoppage, but I can't help it; long scene...
Last time on FOE:
"Well, I guess you're staying here then. I haven't got the energy to move myself, much less you," he told her, smiling as the center of warmth from her shifted with her movement.
"I'm just fine with that," she said with a smile, then kissed his chest through his shirt.
"It's your turn, love," Draco said, remembering their current mission. Hermione smiled and took a slow and deep breath, showing her contentment.
"Oh, right," she said on the exhale, then paused a moment before speaking again.
CHAPTER THIRTY SIX: Some Shall Be Pardoned, and Some Punished
"Do you have any friends outside of school?"
"Not really. Even when I was younger, it was Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle; and I don't like any of them. My father and theirs kind of forced us together; it was depressing, really. Once school started, I wasn't allowed to make any other friends, except Harry. I tried to pull him into my league, just as Father demanded, but thank god I was who I was and Harry who he is. If I hadn't insulted Ron or Harry agreed with me... I don't even want to think about what would have happened.
"When Lucius found out, he wasn't exactly thrilled. I was trusted with pulling Potter over to the dark side, and I failed. No more making friends after that. If I so much as talked civilly to someone, especially if they weren't a Slytherin, my minions would have reported me, meaning punishment when I returned home. Not something I looked forward to. So; I took the downstream path and just became a cold-hearted prick. A friendless, cold- hearted prick," he told her, less than amused at how every question she asked, no matter how innocent, always ended with a depressing memory.
"They would just tattle to your father? And I thought I had problems with Harry and Ron," she said, then paused for a moment. "He would have been in Slytherin," Hermione said and looked up at him.
"What?"
"Harry; he would have been in Slytherin if he had made friends with you. The hat wanted to put him there to begin with, but Harry couldn't stand the idea of spending the next seven years with you, so he asked it not to," said Hermione with a smile. Draco looked surprised.
"A Slytherin in Gryffindor? That's a pretty controversial switch, isn't it?" he asked, attempting to picture a Slytherin Harry Potter, which proved to be rather difficult.
"Not really- don't let the rivalry confuse you, it's meaningless. Slytherin isn't just for the evil, it's more like the talented, and Gryffindor the virtuous. Harry had both talent and virtue, so when one option was omitted, the other was chosen," she explained and Draco nodded, seeing her point.
"Okay, then what about you? Why were you not in Slytherin? I have no doubt that you are the most talented witch in the school," he pointed out, for some reason trying to contradict her theory.
"Even if that's true, I'm still a mudblood, and mudbloods don't get put in Slytherin. They would have eaten me alive."
"Mia, I..." Draco began, but Hermione silenced him with an icy cold finger to his lips. She just shook her head, not wanting to get back into that mess of a conversation; he'd done enough apologizing. Hermione hated to see him so utterly regretful. "Okay," he said as the finger slid down. "What about Crabbe and Goyle?"
"Hey, I said Slytherin wasn't ALL evil; I never said that none of them were there merely because of ties to the dark side."
"Alright, alright. My turn. Do you have a skateboard?" Draco asked, smiling again when Hermione laughed.
"What kind of a question is that?" she asked good-naturedly and he shrugged, grinning widely.
"I don't know, but I've been wondering ever since you made that beach metaphor on the pitch yesterday," he explained and Hermione laughed again.
"Actually, I do; but I prefer my blades. And you?" she asked, smiling both inwardly and outwardly at the innocence of the question.
"Yes, but I prefer my board."
"Wouldn't that be termed Un-Malfoy like?" she continued with a smart smirk and Draco smiled.
"Yeah, but so is laughing, ice skating, running, and sleeping with you. Obviously, I don't really care anymore. I didn't learn until after Lucius died anyway. Like two months afterward, I exchanged about a thousand galleons and just went wild in that muggle mall outside London. I never knew muggles had such cool inventions... have you ever used a yo-yo? And they cost practically nothing!" he laughed and Hermione kissed him. For some reason, those words made her feel warmly happy; like the sound of worn- in sneakers against a sunny summer sidewalk.
"So you can blade? Maybe that's why you did so well on the ice," she said with a smile and felt Draco's hand slide from her shoulder to her waist.
"Is that sarcasm you're using, Miss Granger?" Draco asked with a raised eyebrow and Hermione raised hers in return, looking a bit surprised.
"Actually, I'm not. You only fell once; that was good for your first time," she said, tracing her finger down the cheek opposite her. Draco smiled.
"Thanks, I think. Okay, next question. Do Harry and Ron know about this posse of yours?" he asked, but instead of answering, Hermione smirked.
"It's my turn," she informed him, but Draco shook his head.
"Is not; I asked if you had a skateboard, then you asked if I did. Therefore, it's my turn," he explained. Hermione looked happily outraged, laughing in unimportant disbelief.
"That doesn't count!" she said and Draco smiled.
"Of course it does."
"Does not!"
"Why not?"
"Because it just doesn't!"
"Alright, this is by far the most juvenile fight we've ever had, Mia. Just answer my question," he rationalized and Hermione giggled, enjoying the slight annoyance she was inflicting.
"If it's so jovial, why don't you just let me win?" she asked, smiling deviously.
"Because that would mean that I lose. I still don't want to lose, so answer me," he demanded, purposely trying to look intimidating. To no one's surprise, Hermione laughed. **Wow,** Draco thought as the sound forced him to smile. **Even Fristy would have been nervous if I looked at her like that...** Hermione calmed down quickly and snuggled a little closer to Draco, putting her chin on his shoulder and leaning her forehead against his profile.
"No, Harry and Ron don't know about my friends. They just never asked. I don't think either of them have any, other than our mutual ones, so they assume I don't either," she said with a half shrug.
"Do your friends know about them?" Draco asked out of pure curiosity. Hermione thought for a moment, then smiled.
"Thiz knows their names and what they look like, but everyone else just knows I have some guy friends from my boarding school. I'm not allowed to tell them about Hogwarts; they're all muggles, after all. It's the only secret I've ever kept from Thiz. I think she knows I'm hiding something, but she doesn't pry, which is unlike her," Hermione said, smiling at the thought of her friend.
"Do they know about me?" He sounded almost nervous. Hermione smiled and squeezed him in something that resembled a hug.
"Thisbe has known about you since my first letter home in first year. Don't worry; I've updated her since then. Yes, she knows about us, if that's what you're asking. Whether she told the guys or not, I don't know. Knowing her, they probably know every word I've written, plus some exaggeration on her part," she said and Draco smiled, glad she wasn't embarrassed by their relationship. He couldn't really think of a reason why she should be, but he didn't want to think too hard, for fear of finding one.
"Hey Mia, you know what's funny?"
"Hm?"
"You got all upset because you wasted your turn on the skateboard question, but then you answered three consecutive questions without complaint," he informed her and Hermione tracked the conversation back for a moment, validating his accusation. Then, she began laughing.
"You're right. Alright Ace, now it's DEFINITEly my turn," she said and paused for a moment to think of an inquiry. "Will you come visit me over the summer?" Draco smiled at the innocence in her voice.
"If you want me to, love, I wouldn't miss it for the world," he said and Hermione smiled.
"Why wouldn't I want you to?" she asked, almost sounding hurt that he would think himself unwanted.
"Well, you said yourself that one) you've never brought anyone home before, two) your parents overreact to everything, and three) all your friends are muggles," he explained and Hermione picked her head up in surprise.
"Why does it matter that they're muggles?" she asked, almost defensively.
"It doesn't, love, but aren't you afraid I'll embarrass you? You probably should be."
"No; you've convinced me that you know a substantial amount about the muggle world; I've never even thought about it. And I've known these people forever; I don't think it's possible to be embarrassed in front of them... especially not after some of the things we've done," she said with a giggle. "Wait, who's turn is it?" she asked, closing her eyes.
"I have no idea," Draco said with a smile, then it morphed into a smirk. "But that was a question, so I guess it's my turn," he reasoned and Hermione giggled in response.
"Alright, whatever. Go on, ask me," she said with a smile.
"Give me a second," he said and took a few, trying to think of something. "Alright, tell me about some of these embarrassing escapades your friends put you up to," he said and Hermione's smile grew.
"Well, I wouldn't say that they put me up to it; I was pretty agreeing to most of the things. Like, the night before term this year, Derek called everyone up and asked if we wanted to go to karaoke night at O'Sweeny's Irish pub and I offered to take the Merc, so that's what we did. Tino doesn't drink, so he would have been our designated driver, but he was somewhere with his girlfriend, Tish, meaning that even if we knew where he was, we wouldn't have wanted to disturb them.
"No Tino means we draw straws. So, at about three that morning, one sober Thiz escorted a very drunk quartet to the Merc and proceeded to distribute them to their designated domiciles. Didn't you notice how bitchy I was on the train? I practically tore off your limbs and shoved them down your throat," she said apologetically, putting a comforting hand on his chest.
"Yeah, but I thought you were just pissed because you saw me there, of all people," he admitted, running his hand back up to Hermione's shoulder.
"I'll admit that that was part of it, but you were being nice to me; it was more that I had a killer hang over, deafening headache and like three hours of sleep the night before. I apologize for that," Hermione said and Draco laughed.
"Don't. That was forever ago and I totally understand anyway.... Did all of your little expeditions involve alcohol?" he asked, almost worried, but Hermione laughed.
"No, of course not. Most of the time we did normal things, like air hockey and blading... stuff like karaoke is uncommon, but fun as hell when it happens. Don't you ever just put everything aside and do things that are totally unexpected and out of character?" she asked, smiling and curious, but unmoving.
"Not really. It's hard when you have no character to begin with," Draco said as if he was pointing out something obvious, and Hermione frowned.
"Draco, would you stop that, please? Your self-loathing is depressing. What is it about you that you hate so much, anyway?" Draco didn't say anything for a moment, just turned his face into her hair and took a deep breath.
"I love you, Mia," he told her and Hermione smiled again.
"I know," she said, sighing and concentrating on how comfortable she felt.
"Mia, were you ever... romantically involved with any of your muggle friends?" Draco asked, his voice quieter than the crackle of the fire. Hermione smiled.
"No, but I took a bath with Sean when we were maybe two. Our mums thought it was adorable; we have pictures," she said and Draco laughed.
"Should I be jealous?" he asked with a smirk and Hermione snorted.
"If you want, but it's not like you haven't got any other material to work with. Plus, I've done more with you while in lack of clothing than I've ever done with anyone else," she pointed out and Draco's smirk increased a bit.
"Yes, but there are no pictures... and what about Krumb?" Hermione laughed.
"Oh, please. That guy was finished with me before we were even fully undressed... but it's probably a good thing that there is no photographic evidence of us, though," she rationalized and he nodded in agreement with a slight laugh.
"Yeah, you're probably right. Can you imagine if someone saw them? Harry? I'd be dead in half an hour," he said, smirking. Hermione nodded.
"Long enough for him to find Ron and a really sharp knife," she said, laughing.
"Okay, I'm getting a little scared; no more... creepy, morbid, talk. It's your turn," Draco told her and Hermione nodded. Then her smile dropped.
"What really happened with Snape this morning? I want details; tell me exactly what he said," Hermione all but demanded, sounding like she needed to know as soon as possible. Draco shifted a little and sighed.
"Exactly what I told you earlier; I was walking, in Hogsmeade, and Snape came up behind me and tapped my shoulder. He said, and I quote, 'Mr. Malfoy. You seem to enjoy the lifestyle of a shop-dweller, don't you? Where's...'" Draco started, then stopped.
"It's okay," Hermione said and Draco kissed her head before continuing.
".... 'Where's the mudblood?'" He stopped when Hermione flinched. She knew it was coming, but she had hoped to never hear that word from Draco's lips again. He kissed her again in apology, but she seemed not to notice.
"And?" she begged, wanting him to continue. Draco sighed, half glad she wasn't angry, half disappointed. If she had been, she might have let him after Snape. **Oh, how I would love to kick his ass...**
"And, I told him to fuck off, if not in so many crude words. I'll admit, I was pissed beyond belief. He fed me some garbage about endangering the welfare of a student by not telling him and I gave... I didn't want to put up with his harassment. I'm still not sure if it were you or me who was 'endangered', but it doesn't matter, really. I told him you were back at the castle and none of his concern, then he looked almost scared, betrayed even. He gawked for a moment then... and I quote again, he said, 'I will not tolerate your casual tone, Malfoy. Detention, my office at seven. If you're late, you'll serve three more.' And he turned and left me there, but he didn't go back to the castle, he went somewhere else in Hogsmeade."
"Draco, I'm so incredibly afraid of Snape right now... it's scary in itself," Hermione said and Draco pulled her tight to him.
"I won't let him hurt you, Hermione," Draco said, once again pressing his lips into her hair. Hermione stuttered a sigh.
"I know you'd try to protect me, Draco, but let's be rational. Snape could kill me if determined enough and no one could stop him," she said, sounding hopeless. Draco's arm tightened further.
"I WON'T let him hurt you, Hermione," he repeated, sounding determined.
"Draco..."
"No, Mia. I won't, can't, and will not. This is one thing I can not fail at, no matter how incapable I may seem. Just trust me," Draco said, sounding doubtless.
"I do," assured Hermione. "...and I love you."
"I know, love."
* * * * * * * * * *
Eventually, their conversation turned back to the question exchange and Draco and Hermione continued to swap stories and give out requested information. As the hours dragged on, the speech became sparse and soon, both the head boy and girl were asleep in each other's arms.
Having the more awkward position, Hermione was the first to wake. She did so with a start, jumping as a horrid dream came to a climax. Draco's arm tightened out of habit and Hermione smiled. **He even protects me in his sleep,** she thought dreamily, feeling happier than she had in quite some time.
She turned to the clock on the mantle and sighed as she registered what it read. Hermione then looked back to Draco and couldn't help but smile at his innocent slumber. She sent a sweet stream of air across his cheek.
"Draco, baby... wake up," she said before blowing again. Draco's arm tightened a little and he spoke, but it was obvious that he was more asleep than awake.
"Mmm...whaza matter, Mia?" he asked dreamily with an almost drunken slur and Hermione sighed.
"A lot of things," she said and paused a moment before gently kissing his lips. When Draco didn't respond, Hermione kissed a little harder and bit his lip, determined to wake him in the best way she could fathom. At this, the blonde boy woke and almost instantly kissed back. The couple broke apart with a semi-loud, but unanticipated, wet kissing noise.
"I'm sorry, but it's quarter after six," she explained and Draco smiled.
"I'm not complaining; that was better than my dream," he said in a way that suggested his dream had been very good indeed. Hermione smiled.
"Do you dream often?" she asked, sounding curious, and he nodded.
"I used to only dream the premonitions, but then... remember that night you slipped on the balcony?"
"Mmhm," Hermione said with a slight nod, listening intently.
"Well," Draco continued, "...ever since that night, every time I close my eyes, it's like, *pop*; there's Hermione," he finished and flashed her a grin.
"What do you dream about?" she asked, still smiling. Draco shrugged slightly.
"Just us. Sometimes we're married, sometimes we're really old... We've had kids, dogs, sex, and once even an apartment in Seattle." Hermione's eyes opened again.
"Did I make pancakes?" she asked and Draco looked surprised.
"Actually, you did. And coffee," he said.
"And it was raining."
"I was reading a muggle newspaper."
"While sitting at the kitchen table, in a black bathrobe," Hermione finished and Draco nodded.
"Get out of my head," he demanded and she laughed.
"I've had the same one, more than once," she explained, then paused before checking the mantle clock again. "We should go, I don't want to be late. Let me grab a sweater, though. If it's this cold up here, the dungeons just might kill me," Hermione said as she pulled away and stood, shivering as the cold air touched her un-blanketed skin. She moved toward her room, but Draco quickly stood and stopped her, grabbing her arm and pulling her back onto the couch.
"No, Hermione. There is no way in hell that you're coming with me," he ordered, looming over her. "I don't want you anywhere near either Snape or the dungeons unless absolutely necessary."
"But-" Hermione started in protest.
"No, Mia," interrupted Draco. "I don't trust a hair on his greasy little head and the way he's been acting lately... I just don't want you getting hurt, alright?" he said, sounding exasperated. Hermione nodded slightly as he walked to the fire and picked up the black sneakers which had been drying there since morning.
"Draco, I can't just avoid him forever. There're classes in two weeks, Dumbledore always seems to send him to tell us things, and he has that habit of following us around. He'll notice," she pointed out, but did not attempt to defy him and stayed seated. Draco slipped his sneakers on and walked back to the couch.
"I know, Mia, but I still don't want you down there," he insisted and sighed as Hermione dropped her head. He placed his fingers below her chin and lifted her head to meet her eyes. Both smiled. "Look, you don't have to stay here, just steer clear of the chambers, alright?" he pleaded and she nodded, then sighed.
"Alright, but eat something before you go, okay? I don't think Snape's apt to give you a break." Draco smiled.
"Yes, Mia," he agreed and kissed her. "I love you," he reminded her, brushing her cheek with his thumb. Hermione smiled and Draco kissed her again, then pulled away completely and headed toward the portrait. Hermione watched him go, smiling as he turned back, but wishing he weren't leaving.
"And not pumpkin butter!" she called after him, just before the door closed, and heard Draco laugh.
* * * * * * * * * *
Draco shook his head at the girl behind the portrait door and looked up to the man in the painting. The little girl was playing with a set of jacks, sitting on the floor at the foot of her smiling father, who was, as always, seated in his chair.
"You be good to her, boy. That girl loves you more than anything," the man said to Draco and he nodded.
"I know, and I don't deserve it," he answered, too caught up with Hermione to bother wondering why this man always seemed to make conversation with him. At Draco's answer, the man shrugged his shoulders.
"Oh, I don't know about that," he said, then paused. "I expect you better be off, lad. Wouldn't want to keep our little friend waiting," he said and his daughter looked up. The dark haired man smiled down at Narcissa and she turned back to her jacks.
"Right. Good evening Sir," Draco said with a slight bow. "M'lady," he continued, turning and bowing to the small blonde girl. She giggled and Draco looked back to her father. The man smiled and Draco left, his course directly to the great hall. Against Hermione's better judgment, he had an unorthodox meal planned for this evening.
A/N this is really getting long winded.... oh well, it's all good. Interesting anyway....I apologize for the length to anyone who may be bothered by it.
Title: Surprise, surprise; Romeo and Juliet.... last scene, after everybody dies, line 308, said by the prince right before the infamous 'For never was a story of more woe, that this of Juliet and her Romeo.' Thought it fit rather well...
PRF:
For FOE ~
Malfoy: Yes, and he meets them at Christmas ::laughs evilly::
Envision: Am I known for a chapter with NO popcorn? Nope...haha Christmas starts with Chappie 40.
JoeBob1375: I don't know when my just written chapter will be up, but I estimate it at Chapter 46 or 47.
MoshiMoshiQueen: Haha! Thanks! You're like the third person to tell me this is the best fanfic they've ever read, and I'm flattered, but I think you're just trying to butter me up so I update more... lol, isn't one chapter every two days enough for you guys??? Haha, either that or you haven't read a whole lotta fix, lol.
Tom Felton's Babe: Yes, she is VERY lucky... lol. No, he's not a relative. You'll see what's up soon, I promise. Okay... Mia's on the Pill. See? They're responsible. All signs point to Draco as having no protection on him, so we'll let Hermione be the intelligent one. Plus, I'm not ::cough:: sexually active ::cough:: and I'm on the Pill to "regulate myself". Sorry if that info grosses you out, lol, but it's better than heavily bleeding for three weeks straight. That just sucked. And you're right. Slytherin rules. But I think I'd want to be a Gryffindor. Or a Ravenclaw; definitely not a Hufflepuff. Slytherin may rule, but dark damp and freezing dungeons as sleeping quarters don't sound too appealing. And thanx for the support against my hate-club!
Cinnamon-eyes: Sorry, but I have stuff planned for over the summer and a baby would severely damper the mood. Um... she has a baby in my other fic "My Precious Empty Space" but it's not really ABOUT that... the baby IS there though. Check it if you get bored; it's only about ten pages; one chapter.
Lirawen:.....::raises hand:: please fight your battles somewhere other than my review mailbox. Thank you.
Draco's Dragon: Glad to hear it!
Bleh: Yeah, I know... there's some stuff coming up that's a little more interesting... Action may not be an accurate term, but it's cool.
Draco's Girl: Yeah, ew... see now why he's not the playa everyone thinks he is? Yeah; had to make him somewhat inexperienced, but I couldn't make him a virgin, so I gave him a traumatic experience... as if he doesn't already have enough of them, lol. And I won't, thanx.
Hasapi: Hehehehehehe, thanx! You're so awesome!
Sammi: Thanx, and you're right... it's not quite finished. Hey, did anyone ever notice that EVERYone just ASSUMED that Draco was a hottie? Like, of every fic you've ever read, has anyone ever written something like 'And there's Malfoy; the ugliest son of a bitch I've ever laid eyes on'? No it's always like 'I have to admit he has a great body, all muscle-y from Quidditch' (Which I never understood; how does riding a broom give you muscle? ANYway...) and Rowling NEVER said he was hott. In fact she said he was a pale boy with a pointed face. Do you find a nose which could poke out your eye attractive? Maybe it's because Tom Felton is so damn hott...? Yeah, that's it... lol
Nikki: I'm keeping Ace, lol. I'm not offended, and I'm sorry if you don't like it, but I think it just fits. Have you ever read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton? You know that one guy, who dies at the end; shoots himself in front of the cops? I can't remember his name, but the name Ace reminds me of him, and he was a bad ass, so I think it fits Draco.... I don't know, maybe I'm weird, lol.
For MPES:
Hota-Chan, Demi, MoshiMoshiQueen. Thanx for the praise, and the tears. The tears make everything worth it! Haha!
For LGG:
Hasapi, Kate, Hota-Chan, Angelstarling: Thank you so much! I can't believe you all liked it so much, hehe! I've decided that I will update, but don't look for it too near into the future, because I'm planning on finishing FOE and starting the sequel, which will be entitled All Truths Begin In Whisper. **WORLD PREMIERE** hehe.
Daisy: I'm sorry if you're unsure about my story, and I'm sorry if you don't like Ron and Harry being so mean, but I've always kind of hated them. They're so....nice, to everyone except Malfoy, and they SO take Mione for granted. So, my vote is she ditches them. I couldn't really see her doing that, so I had them ditch her, lol. Thanx for reading and taking the time to review, though.
To whomever it was who read my fic and got me qualified for the Beauxbatons term, thank you so much for thinking of me in that light! I'm honored to be presented with this opportunity, but I'm afraid that I won't be accepting it. It sounds like a really great program, but I don't think it's right for me. I want to focus on my Draco and Hermione fics... I love them so much! But really, I thank you!
Last time on FOE:
"Well, I guess you're staying here then. I haven't got the energy to move myself, much less you," he told her, smiling as the center of warmth from her shifted with her movement.
"I'm just fine with that," she said with a smile, then kissed his chest through his shirt.
"It's your turn, love," Draco said, remembering their current mission. Hermione smiled and took a slow and deep breath, showing her contentment.
"Oh, right," she said on the exhale, then paused a moment before speaking again.
CHAPTER THIRTY SIX: Some Shall Be Pardoned, and Some Punished
"Do you have any friends outside of school?"
"Not really. Even when I was younger, it was Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle; and I don't like any of them. My father and theirs kind of forced us together; it was depressing, really. Once school started, I wasn't allowed to make any other friends, except Harry. I tried to pull him into my league, just as Father demanded, but thank god I was who I was and Harry who he is. If I hadn't insulted Ron or Harry agreed with me... I don't even want to think about what would have happened.
"When Lucius found out, he wasn't exactly thrilled. I was trusted with pulling Potter over to the dark side, and I failed. No more making friends after that. If I so much as talked civilly to someone, especially if they weren't a Slytherin, my minions would have reported me, meaning punishment when I returned home. Not something I looked forward to. So; I took the downstream path and just became a cold-hearted prick. A friendless, cold- hearted prick," he told her, less than amused at how every question she asked, no matter how innocent, always ended with a depressing memory.
"They would just tattle to your father? And I thought I had problems with Harry and Ron," she said, then paused for a moment. "He would have been in Slytherin," Hermione said and looked up at him.
"What?"
"Harry; he would have been in Slytherin if he had made friends with you. The hat wanted to put him there to begin with, but Harry couldn't stand the idea of spending the next seven years with you, so he asked it not to," said Hermione with a smile. Draco looked surprised.
"A Slytherin in Gryffindor? That's a pretty controversial switch, isn't it?" he asked, attempting to picture a Slytherin Harry Potter, which proved to be rather difficult.
"Not really- don't let the rivalry confuse you, it's meaningless. Slytherin isn't just for the evil, it's more like the talented, and Gryffindor the virtuous. Harry had both talent and virtue, so when one option was omitted, the other was chosen," she explained and Draco nodded, seeing her point.
"Okay, then what about you? Why were you not in Slytherin? I have no doubt that you are the most talented witch in the school," he pointed out, for some reason trying to contradict her theory.
"Even if that's true, I'm still a mudblood, and mudbloods don't get put in Slytherin. They would have eaten me alive."
"Mia, I..." Draco began, but Hermione silenced him with an icy cold finger to his lips. She just shook her head, not wanting to get back into that mess of a conversation; he'd done enough apologizing. Hermione hated to see him so utterly regretful. "Okay," he said as the finger slid down. "What about Crabbe and Goyle?"
"Hey, I said Slytherin wasn't ALL evil; I never said that none of them were there merely because of ties to the dark side."
"Alright, alright. My turn. Do you have a skateboard?" Draco asked, smiling again when Hermione laughed.
"What kind of a question is that?" she asked good-naturedly and he shrugged, grinning widely.
"I don't know, but I've been wondering ever since you made that beach metaphor on the pitch yesterday," he explained and Hermione laughed again.
"Actually, I do; but I prefer my blades. And you?" she asked, smiling both inwardly and outwardly at the innocence of the question.
"Yes, but I prefer my board."
"Wouldn't that be termed Un-Malfoy like?" she continued with a smart smirk and Draco smiled.
"Yeah, but so is laughing, ice skating, running, and sleeping with you. Obviously, I don't really care anymore. I didn't learn until after Lucius died anyway. Like two months afterward, I exchanged about a thousand galleons and just went wild in that muggle mall outside London. I never knew muggles had such cool inventions... have you ever used a yo-yo? And they cost practically nothing!" he laughed and Hermione kissed him. For some reason, those words made her feel warmly happy; like the sound of worn- in sneakers against a sunny summer sidewalk.
"So you can blade? Maybe that's why you did so well on the ice," she said with a smile and felt Draco's hand slide from her shoulder to her waist.
"Is that sarcasm you're using, Miss Granger?" Draco asked with a raised eyebrow and Hermione raised hers in return, looking a bit surprised.
"Actually, I'm not. You only fell once; that was good for your first time," she said, tracing her finger down the cheek opposite her. Draco smiled.
"Thanks, I think. Okay, next question. Do Harry and Ron know about this posse of yours?" he asked, but instead of answering, Hermione smirked.
"It's my turn," she informed him, but Draco shook his head.
"Is not; I asked if you had a skateboard, then you asked if I did. Therefore, it's my turn," he explained. Hermione looked happily outraged, laughing in unimportant disbelief.
"That doesn't count!" she said and Draco smiled.
"Of course it does."
"Does not!"
"Why not?"
"Because it just doesn't!"
"Alright, this is by far the most juvenile fight we've ever had, Mia. Just answer my question," he rationalized and Hermione giggled, enjoying the slight annoyance she was inflicting.
"If it's so jovial, why don't you just let me win?" she asked, smiling deviously.
"Because that would mean that I lose. I still don't want to lose, so answer me," he demanded, purposely trying to look intimidating. To no one's surprise, Hermione laughed. **Wow,** Draco thought as the sound forced him to smile. **Even Fristy would have been nervous if I looked at her like that...** Hermione calmed down quickly and snuggled a little closer to Draco, putting her chin on his shoulder and leaning her forehead against his profile.
"No, Harry and Ron don't know about my friends. They just never asked. I don't think either of them have any, other than our mutual ones, so they assume I don't either," she said with a half shrug.
"Do your friends know about them?" Draco asked out of pure curiosity. Hermione thought for a moment, then smiled.
"Thiz knows their names and what they look like, but everyone else just knows I have some guy friends from my boarding school. I'm not allowed to tell them about Hogwarts; they're all muggles, after all. It's the only secret I've ever kept from Thiz. I think she knows I'm hiding something, but she doesn't pry, which is unlike her," Hermione said, smiling at the thought of her friend.
"Do they know about me?" He sounded almost nervous. Hermione smiled and squeezed him in something that resembled a hug.
"Thisbe has known about you since my first letter home in first year. Don't worry; I've updated her since then. Yes, she knows about us, if that's what you're asking. Whether she told the guys or not, I don't know. Knowing her, they probably know every word I've written, plus some exaggeration on her part," she said and Draco smiled, glad she wasn't embarrassed by their relationship. He couldn't really think of a reason why she should be, but he didn't want to think too hard, for fear of finding one.
"Hey Mia, you know what's funny?"
"Hm?"
"You got all upset because you wasted your turn on the skateboard question, but then you answered three consecutive questions without complaint," he informed her and Hermione tracked the conversation back for a moment, validating his accusation. Then, she began laughing.
"You're right. Alright Ace, now it's DEFINITEly my turn," she said and paused for a moment to think of an inquiry. "Will you come visit me over the summer?" Draco smiled at the innocence in her voice.
"If you want me to, love, I wouldn't miss it for the world," he said and Hermione smiled.
"Why wouldn't I want you to?" she asked, almost sounding hurt that he would think himself unwanted.
"Well, you said yourself that one) you've never brought anyone home before, two) your parents overreact to everything, and three) all your friends are muggles," he explained and Hermione picked her head up in surprise.
"Why does it matter that they're muggles?" she asked, almost defensively.
"It doesn't, love, but aren't you afraid I'll embarrass you? You probably should be."
"No; you've convinced me that you know a substantial amount about the muggle world; I've never even thought about it. And I've known these people forever; I don't think it's possible to be embarrassed in front of them... especially not after some of the things we've done," she said with a giggle. "Wait, who's turn is it?" she asked, closing her eyes.
"I have no idea," Draco said with a smile, then it morphed into a smirk. "But that was a question, so I guess it's my turn," he reasoned and Hermione giggled in response.
"Alright, whatever. Go on, ask me," she said with a smile.
"Give me a second," he said and took a few, trying to think of something. "Alright, tell me about some of these embarrassing escapades your friends put you up to," he said and Hermione's smile grew.
"Well, I wouldn't say that they put me up to it; I was pretty agreeing to most of the things. Like, the night before term this year, Derek called everyone up and asked if we wanted to go to karaoke night at O'Sweeny's Irish pub and I offered to take the Merc, so that's what we did. Tino doesn't drink, so he would have been our designated driver, but he was somewhere with his girlfriend, Tish, meaning that even if we knew where he was, we wouldn't have wanted to disturb them.
"No Tino means we draw straws. So, at about three that morning, one sober Thiz escorted a very drunk quartet to the Merc and proceeded to distribute them to their designated domiciles. Didn't you notice how bitchy I was on the train? I practically tore off your limbs and shoved them down your throat," she said apologetically, putting a comforting hand on his chest.
"Yeah, but I thought you were just pissed because you saw me there, of all people," he admitted, running his hand back up to Hermione's shoulder.
"I'll admit that that was part of it, but you were being nice to me; it was more that I had a killer hang over, deafening headache and like three hours of sleep the night before. I apologize for that," Hermione said and Draco laughed.
"Don't. That was forever ago and I totally understand anyway.... Did all of your little expeditions involve alcohol?" he asked, almost worried, but Hermione laughed.
"No, of course not. Most of the time we did normal things, like air hockey and blading... stuff like karaoke is uncommon, but fun as hell when it happens. Don't you ever just put everything aside and do things that are totally unexpected and out of character?" she asked, smiling and curious, but unmoving.
"Not really. It's hard when you have no character to begin with," Draco said as if he was pointing out something obvious, and Hermione frowned.
"Draco, would you stop that, please? Your self-loathing is depressing. What is it about you that you hate so much, anyway?" Draco didn't say anything for a moment, just turned his face into her hair and took a deep breath.
"I love you, Mia," he told her and Hermione smiled again.
"I know," she said, sighing and concentrating on how comfortable she felt.
"Mia, were you ever... romantically involved with any of your muggle friends?" Draco asked, his voice quieter than the crackle of the fire. Hermione smiled.
"No, but I took a bath with Sean when we were maybe two. Our mums thought it was adorable; we have pictures," she said and Draco laughed.
"Should I be jealous?" he asked with a smirk and Hermione snorted.
"If you want, but it's not like you haven't got any other material to work with. Plus, I've done more with you while in lack of clothing than I've ever done with anyone else," she pointed out and Draco's smirk increased a bit.
"Yes, but there are no pictures... and what about Krumb?" Hermione laughed.
"Oh, please. That guy was finished with me before we were even fully undressed... but it's probably a good thing that there is no photographic evidence of us, though," she rationalized and he nodded in agreement with a slight laugh.
"Yeah, you're probably right. Can you imagine if someone saw them? Harry? I'd be dead in half an hour," he said, smirking. Hermione nodded.
"Long enough for him to find Ron and a really sharp knife," she said, laughing.
"Okay, I'm getting a little scared; no more... creepy, morbid, talk. It's your turn," Draco told her and Hermione nodded. Then her smile dropped.
"What really happened with Snape this morning? I want details; tell me exactly what he said," Hermione all but demanded, sounding like she needed to know as soon as possible. Draco shifted a little and sighed.
"Exactly what I told you earlier; I was walking, in Hogsmeade, and Snape came up behind me and tapped my shoulder. He said, and I quote, 'Mr. Malfoy. You seem to enjoy the lifestyle of a shop-dweller, don't you? Where's...'" Draco started, then stopped.
"It's okay," Hermione said and Draco kissed her head before continuing.
".... 'Where's the mudblood?'" He stopped when Hermione flinched. She knew it was coming, but she had hoped to never hear that word from Draco's lips again. He kissed her again in apology, but she seemed not to notice.
"And?" she begged, wanting him to continue. Draco sighed, half glad she wasn't angry, half disappointed. If she had been, she might have let him after Snape. **Oh, how I would love to kick his ass...**
"And, I told him to fuck off, if not in so many crude words. I'll admit, I was pissed beyond belief. He fed me some garbage about endangering the welfare of a student by not telling him and I gave... I didn't want to put up with his harassment. I'm still not sure if it were you or me who was 'endangered', but it doesn't matter, really. I told him you were back at the castle and none of his concern, then he looked almost scared, betrayed even. He gawked for a moment then... and I quote again, he said, 'I will not tolerate your casual tone, Malfoy. Detention, my office at seven. If you're late, you'll serve three more.' And he turned and left me there, but he didn't go back to the castle, he went somewhere else in Hogsmeade."
"Draco, I'm so incredibly afraid of Snape right now... it's scary in itself," Hermione said and Draco pulled her tight to him.
"I won't let him hurt you, Hermione," Draco said, once again pressing his lips into her hair. Hermione stuttered a sigh.
"I know you'd try to protect me, Draco, but let's be rational. Snape could kill me if determined enough and no one could stop him," she said, sounding hopeless. Draco's arm tightened further.
"I WON'T let him hurt you, Hermione," he repeated, sounding determined.
"Draco..."
"No, Mia. I won't, can't, and will not. This is one thing I can not fail at, no matter how incapable I may seem. Just trust me," Draco said, sounding doubtless.
"I do," assured Hermione. "...and I love you."
"I know, love."
* * * * * * * * * *
Eventually, their conversation turned back to the question exchange and Draco and Hermione continued to swap stories and give out requested information. As the hours dragged on, the speech became sparse and soon, both the head boy and girl were asleep in each other's arms.
Having the more awkward position, Hermione was the first to wake. She did so with a start, jumping as a horrid dream came to a climax. Draco's arm tightened out of habit and Hermione smiled. **He even protects me in his sleep,** she thought dreamily, feeling happier than she had in quite some time.
She turned to the clock on the mantle and sighed as she registered what it read. Hermione then looked back to Draco and couldn't help but smile at his innocent slumber. She sent a sweet stream of air across his cheek.
"Draco, baby... wake up," she said before blowing again. Draco's arm tightened a little and he spoke, but it was obvious that he was more asleep than awake.
"Mmm...whaza matter, Mia?" he asked dreamily with an almost drunken slur and Hermione sighed.
"A lot of things," she said and paused a moment before gently kissing his lips. When Draco didn't respond, Hermione kissed a little harder and bit his lip, determined to wake him in the best way she could fathom. At this, the blonde boy woke and almost instantly kissed back. The couple broke apart with a semi-loud, but unanticipated, wet kissing noise.
"I'm sorry, but it's quarter after six," she explained and Draco smiled.
"I'm not complaining; that was better than my dream," he said in a way that suggested his dream had been very good indeed. Hermione smiled.
"Do you dream often?" she asked, sounding curious, and he nodded.
"I used to only dream the premonitions, but then... remember that night you slipped on the balcony?"
"Mmhm," Hermione said with a slight nod, listening intently.
"Well," Draco continued, "...ever since that night, every time I close my eyes, it's like, *pop*; there's Hermione," he finished and flashed her a grin.
"What do you dream about?" she asked, still smiling. Draco shrugged slightly.
"Just us. Sometimes we're married, sometimes we're really old... We've had kids, dogs, sex, and once even an apartment in Seattle." Hermione's eyes opened again.
"Did I make pancakes?" she asked and Draco looked surprised.
"Actually, you did. And coffee," he said.
"And it was raining."
"I was reading a muggle newspaper."
"While sitting at the kitchen table, in a black bathrobe," Hermione finished and Draco nodded.
"Get out of my head," he demanded and she laughed.
"I've had the same one, more than once," she explained, then paused before checking the mantle clock again. "We should go, I don't want to be late. Let me grab a sweater, though. If it's this cold up here, the dungeons just might kill me," Hermione said as she pulled away and stood, shivering as the cold air touched her un-blanketed skin. She moved toward her room, but Draco quickly stood and stopped her, grabbing her arm and pulling her back onto the couch.
"No, Hermione. There is no way in hell that you're coming with me," he ordered, looming over her. "I don't want you anywhere near either Snape or the dungeons unless absolutely necessary."
"But-" Hermione started in protest.
"No, Mia," interrupted Draco. "I don't trust a hair on his greasy little head and the way he's been acting lately... I just don't want you getting hurt, alright?" he said, sounding exasperated. Hermione nodded slightly as he walked to the fire and picked up the black sneakers which had been drying there since morning.
"Draco, I can't just avoid him forever. There're classes in two weeks, Dumbledore always seems to send him to tell us things, and he has that habit of following us around. He'll notice," she pointed out, but did not attempt to defy him and stayed seated. Draco slipped his sneakers on and walked back to the couch.
"I know, Mia, but I still don't want you down there," he insisted and sighed as Hermione dropped her head. He placed his fingers below her chin and lifted her head to meet her eyes. Both smiled. "Look, you don't have to stay here, just steer clear of the chambers, alright?" he pleaded and she nodded, then sighed.
"Alright, but eat something before you go, okay? I don't think Snape's apt to give you a break." Draco smiled.
"Yes, Mia," he agreed and kissed her. "I love you," he reminded her, brushing her cheek with his thumb. Hermione smiled and Draco kissed her again, then pulled away completely and headed toward the portrait. Hermione watched him go, smiling as he turned back, but wishing he weren't leaving.
"And not pumpkin butter!" she called after him, just before the door closed, and heard Draco laugh.
* * * * * * * * * *
Draco shook his head at the girl behind the portrait door and looked up to the man in the painting. The little girl was playing with a set of jacks, sitting on the floor at the foot of her smiling father, who was, as always, seated in his chair.
"You be good to her, boy. That girl loves you more than anything," the man said to Draco and he nodded.
"I know, and I don't deserve it," he answered, too caught up with Hermione to bother wondering why this man always seemed to make conversation with him. At Draco's answer, the man shrugged his shoulders.
"Oh, I don't know about that," he said, then paused. "I expect you better be off, lad. Wouldn't want to keep our little friend waiting," he said and his daughter looked up. The dark haired man smiled down at Narcissa and she turned back to her jacks.
"Right. Good evening Sir," Draco said with a slight bow. "M'lady," he continued, turning and bowing to the small blonde girl. She giggled and Draco looked back to her father. The man smiled and Draco left, his course directly to the great hall. Against Hermione's better judgment, he had an unorthodox meal planned for this evening.
A/N this is really getting long winded.... oh well, it's all good. Interesting anyway....I apologize for the length to anyone who may be bothered by it.
Title: Surprise, surprise; Romeo and Juliet.... last scene, after everybody dies, line 308, said by the prince right before the infamous 'For never was a story of more woe, that this of Juliet and her Romeo.' Thought it fit rather well...
PRF:
For FOE ~
Malfoy: Yes, and he meets them at Christmas ::laughs evilly::
Envision: Am I known for a chapter with NO popcorn? Nope...haha Christmas starts with Chappie 40.
JoeBob1375: I don't know when my just written chapter will be up, but I estimate it at Chapter 46 or 47.
MoshiMoshiQueen: Haha! Thanks! You're like the third person to tell me this is the best fanfic they've ever read, and I'm flattered, but I think you're just trying to butter me up so I update more... lol, isn't one chapter every two days enough for you guys??? Haha, either that or you haven't read a whole lotta fix, lol.
Tom Felton's Babe: Yes, she is VERY lucky... lol. No, he's not a relative. You'll see what's up soon, I promise. Okay... Mia's on the Pill. See? They're responsible. All signs point to Draco as having no protection on him, so we'll let Hermione be the intelligent one. Plus, I'm not ::cough:: sexually active ::cough:: and I'm on the Pill to "regulate myself". Sorry if that info grosses you out, lol, but it's better than heavily bleeding for three weeks straight. That just sucked. And you're right. Slytherin rules. But I think I'd want to be a Gryffindor. Or a Ravenclaw; definitely not a Hufflepuff. Slytherin may rule, but dark damp and freezing dungeons as sleeping quarters don't sound too appealing. And thanx for the support against my hate-club!
Cinnamon-eyes: Sorry, but I have stuff planned for over the summer and a baby would severely damper the mood. Um... she has a baby in my other fic "My Precious Empty Space" but it's not really ABOUT that... the baby IS there though. Check it if you get bored; it's only about ten pages; one chapter.
Lirawen:.....::raises hand:: please fight your battles somewhere other than my review mailbox. Thank you.
Draco's Dragon: Glad to hear it!
Bleh: Yeah, I know... there's some stuff coming up that's a little more interesting... Action may not be an accurate term, but it's cool.
Draco's Girl: Yeah, ew... see now why he's not the playa everyone thinks he is? Yeah; had to make him somewhat inexperienced, but I couldn't make him a virgin, so I gave him a traumatic experience... as if he doesn't already have enough of them, lol. And I won't, thanx.
Hasapi: Hehehehehehe, thanx! You're so awesome!
Sammi: Thanx, and you're right... it's not quite finished. Hey, did anyone ever notice that EVERYone just ASSUMED that Draco was a hottie? Like, of every fic you've ever read, has anyone ever written something like 'And there's Malfoy; the ugliest son of a bitch I've ever laid eyes on'? No it's always like 'I have to admit he has a great body, all muscle-y from Quidditch' (Which I never understood; how does riding a broom give you muscle? ANYway...) and Rowling NEVER said he was hott. In fact she said he was a pale boy with a pointed face. Do you find a nose which could poke out your eye attractive? Maybe it's because Tom Felton is so damn hott...? Yeah, that's it... lol
Nikki: I'm keeping Ace, lol. I'm not offended, and I'm sorry if you don't like it, but I think it just fits. Have you ever read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton? You know that one guy, who dies at the end; shoots himself in front of the cops? I can't remember his name, but the name Ace reminds me of him, and he was a bad ass, so I think it fits Draco.... I don't know, maybe I'm weird, lol.
For MPES:
Hota-Chan, Demi, MoshiMoshiQueen. Thanx for the praise, and the tears. The tears make everything worth it! Haha!
For LGG:
Hasapi, Kate, Hota-Chan, Angelstarling: Thank you so much! I can't believe you all liked it so much, hehe! I've decided that I will update, but don't look for it too near into the future, because I'm planning on finishing FOE and starting the sequel, which will be entitled All Truths Begin In Whisper. **WORLD PREMIERE** hehe.
Daisy: I'm sorry if you're unsure about my story, and I'm sorry if you don't like Ron and Harry being so mean, but I've always kind of hated them. They're so....nice, to everyone except Malfoy, and they SO take Mione for granted. So, my vote is she ditches them. I couldn't really see her doing that, so I had them ditch her, lol. Thanx for reading and taking the time to review, though.
To whomever it was who read my fic and got me qualified for the Beauxbatons term, thank you so much for thinking of me in that light! I'm honored to be presented with this opportunity, but I'm afraid that I won't be accepting it. It sounds like a really great program, but I don't think it's right for me. I want to focus on my Draco and Hermione fics... I love them so much! But really, I thank you!
