Authors Note: Thank you to my frist reviewer, Draco's Girl29! Woohoo! Lol. And yet another chapter of "To Be Or Not To Be?"
Disclaimer: Same as Chapter 1's.
~~~
Hermione Granger sobbed into her pillow, not able to control the tears. The year was off to a rotten start and she wasn't sure if she wanted to see the rest of it. Still crying, she got up and walked out to her balcony and looked down. They were pretty high up. She didn't hear someone come in to her room. She stood on the edge of the balcony, holding on to the wall.
"Granger? What the bloody hell are you doing?" came a voice from behind tomorrow. The wind blew, Hermione's robes bellowing with the wind. She let go of the wall and shut her eyes. She felt herself get pulled back just as she was about to fall forward. More tears began to fall as she looked up and saw Malfoy had pulled her back.
Apparently Malfoy had pulled her back with more force than he had thought he had and the both fell to the floor.
"What do you think you are doing Granger? You could have fallen!" Malfoy shouted at her. Hermione got up and walked out on the balcony, her arms crossed.
"What do you care? Just one less mudblood to worry about and pick on. Or would you miss your favorite target?" Hermione asked shrilly.
"As much as you annoy me, you didn't expect me to watch you die, did you?" asked Malfoy.
"Beats me. I don't really know anything anymore." said Hermione.
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Malfoy.
"I don't know how I'm supposed to leave. What the hell am I supposed to do? Nothing is out there for me!" shouted Hermione.
"You know that's not true. Look at Weasley, as dumb as he may be, he's there for you. Potter too." said Malfoy.
"That doesn't matter. After school we'll all be going our separate ways. Harry and Ginny will probably get married...have children...and I'll be their responsible baby-sitter. Just a friend. What kind of future is that?" Hermione bawled. Malfoy put his hands in his pocket.
"You're one of the brightest students in the school. You can do anything. Heck, you could be the next Minister of Magic." Malfoy said. Hermione shook her head.
"No. I can't see myself out there without them. What about when I get married? For the father daughter dance? Who will I have?" Hermione sobbed.
"Look, I have to go do something about these teeth." Malfoy said, walking away. Hermione stood on the edge again, the wind still blowing. Slowly she slipped off the edge and fell closer to the ground.
~~~
Malfoy sat in the Hospital Wing, pacing back and forth. It had been nearly two weeks since he had found Granger laying on the ground and she still hadn't woken.
It's not that Malfoy liked her or anything. He had a guilty concenience. [i] If I hadn't left her alone, wouldn't had jumped, he thought.[/i]
However when had found her she still had a faint pulse which is really a miracle becuase jumping from that height, she should have either died on impact or of a broken neck.
Malfoy hadn't joined the Slytherin's during the time of Hermione's absence, he was too distracted. Plus, he was avoiding Pansy at all costs.
"Malfoy? What are you doing here?" came a voice from the entrance of the Hospital Wing. Malfoy stopped pacing and turned around to see Weasley and Potter entering the Hospital Wing.
"I could ask you the same." said Malfoy with a shrug. He didn't feel like being mean at the moment.
"I think I have a right to be here seeing as she is my girlfriend." said Weasley.
"Well, since she's your girlfriend, maybe you can tell me why she tried to kill herself?" said Malfoy.
"We heard she slipped!" roared Weasley.
"Don't always believe what you hear." said Malfoy.
"What do you mean she tried to kill herself?" asked Potter.
"Her parents were killed by my father most likely. She was upset so she jumped off her balcony." said Malfoy.
"You!" Weasley spat and he lunged at Malfoy but Malfoy was too strong and pushed Weasley off of him.
"I said my father, not me you!" Malfoy shouted. Potter was now hjolding Weasley back.
"You probably told him to!" Weasley shouted. MAlfoy got up to Weasley.
"Let me tell you something right now." Malfoy said in a deadly voice. "I would never do something like that. You don't know me so just shut your mouth."
Weasley and Potter left their things at the end of Hermione's bed and left. Malfoy began to pace again.
"Malfoy?" came a hoarsed whisper. MAlfoy looked over to see Hermione beginning to sit up, although she was struggling.
"No, don't get up. How're you feeling?" asked Malfoy, surprised to hear that come out of his mouth.
"I guess I'm okay. No offense but your the last person I suspected to be here." said Hermione.
"None taken. It's just really lonely in the tower with out you." said Malfoy with a shrug. He sat down in a chair next to Hermione.
Suddenly a shiver ran up Hermione's spine. Not a cold shiver but a warm shiver. She smiled at Draco who meerly smiled back. He looked good when he smiled. Her heart fluttered.
"Aren't you allowed to go to Slytherin common room?" asked Hermione. Draco shrugged.
"I'm avoiding Pansy." he said.
"Ooh." said Hermione.
"So am I going to have to look after you all the time?" asked Draco with a small laugh. Hermione smiled.
"Trust me, I won't be doing that again." said Hermione. "I'm lucky I'm alive. It's like a miracle."
"Yeah, it sure is." said Draco.
~~~
~~~
Hermione was allowed to leave the Hospital Wing that night but she still had trouble walking. She realized this when she tried to stand but had to hold on to the wall for support.
"Here." Draco said as he took of her arms and put it around his neck so she could lean on him for support. He put his hand on the small of her back for extra support. They walked out of the Hospital Wing, not aware of the three Professors that were watching them.
"I still don't think it was a good idea to put them together." said McGonagall.
"I think the plan is working brilliantly." said Snape.
"They're 17. Do you remember what was on your mind at the age of 17 Severus?" McGonagall said sternly.
"Now now. Miss Granger is a very mature young lady. Mr. Malfoy is mature as well. But I have thought about that so I have ordered all the 7th year Prefects to stay with them. They'll move in tomorrow." said Dumbledore. McGonagall seemed less tense.
~~~
It was like going through hell trying to climb up the stairs. They had to walk, one step at a time.
"Hey, your hair is normal." said Hermione.
"Well, it's been 2 weeks." said Malfoy, helping her up another step.
"Two weeks?" Hermione said, shocked. "What am I going to do about classes? I'll be so far behind."
Draco laughed. "Oh very mature, laugh at my problems!"
"You can just look over my notes tonight." said Draco.
They were halfway there when they ran into some unexpected guests.
"Hermione!" came a startled voice from behind them. Hermione, with intense pain, turned around.
"Ron! How are you?" she said and began to walk over to him (slowly and painfully) and give him a hug but he moved away. Harry was standing next to him.
"What were you doing with your arm around him?" Ron asked, looking extremely hurt.
"He's just helping me to the common room." said Hermione.
"You traitor." said Harry quietly.
Hermione looked up, not sad but angry. How they dare assume such a thing. "What did you call me Harry?"
"We don't know who you are 'Mione." said Harry.
"Don't you ever call me 'Mione okay? My [i]friends[/i] call me 'Mione." she snapped. Ron glared at her.
"Fine, you know what HERmione? We're through!" Ron exclaimed. Hermione laughed.
"It's your loss. Not mine." she said coolly.
"Is that so? Well, I'm relieved that I don't have to be the boyfriend of a mudblood anymore." Ron spat. Hermione gasped and began to cry. She walked away as fast as she could. Draco took one look at Ron and punched him hard in the face.
"Don't call her that." he spat, running up to Hermione, since she was struggling so hard with walking.
"Screw him. That little prick. So much for best friends. Harry didn't even stick up for me. That bastard." Hermione said as Draco came up next to her. He laughed to himself.
"I've been thinking the same thing about them for years." said Draco. Hermione smiled. They reached the common room and Hermione sat on the couch. Draco gave her his notes and just watched her study for a minute.
"I'm going to get some hot chocolate. You want any?" he asked. Hermione nodded. He began to leave but Hermione called for him.
"Hey Draco!"
"Yeah?"
"How do you know where the kitchens are?"
Draco smirked. "Gryffindor isn't the only one with house parties."
~~~
Hermione and Draco stayed up late that night, since it was a Friday night. Hermione was still studying and Draco was reading a book.
"DONE!" she exclaimed suddenly, making Draco jump.
"That's great. Now don't give me a heart attack next time." Draco said. He continued reading.
"What are you reading?" she asked. He showed her the front cover. In big bold letters the words "The Beach House" gleamed in blue.
"Good book?" she asked.
"My favorite."
"What page are you on?" she asked.
"122."
"What's happening?" she asked.
"What is this, 20 questions?"
"Well, I've only asked 4 questions but I can ask 16 more." she said, smiling brightly.
"Aren't you tired?" he asked. She shook her head.
"I think I need some more hot chocolate." she said.
"Use a blanket." Draco said lazily, as he continued reading.
"No, not because I'm cold. I just have a craving for hot chocolate."
"Do you know where the kitchens are?" he asked. She nodded.
"Good, you can go yourself." he said smugly.
"DRACO!! I'll get caught." said Hermione.
"No you won't. We are suppose to be patrolling now since it's 5 minutes past curfew." said Draco. Hermione's lip made the shape of an O.
"Well then, lets go!" she said, pulling Draco out of the common room.
"Slow down woman!" he called. It was painful being dragged down 3 flights of stairs, struggling to stay on your feet.
"Sorry." she said.
"I guess you're feeling better." he siad. Hermione nodded and she walked towards the kitchens. With in no time, they were sitting in the kitchens, drinking hot chocolate.
"So, what's it like?" Hermione asked, taking a sip of her drink.
"What's what like?"
"Living with a death eater." she said. "If you don't mind me asking."
"Let's just say it's like living in a prison. I always has to do what Lucius says. My mum never comes out of her room. I can hear them screaming sometimes. My mum hates my dad. I wouldn't be surprised if she was under the Imperius curse from the time they married to the time they had me." said Draco, looking into his cup.
"Must be tough." Hermione said sympathetically.
"You have no idea. My dad wants me to becaome a death eater. Possibly Voldemort's heir." said Draco.
"Do...Do you want to become a death eater?" she asked. He shook his head.
"No way. But I can't tell him that."
"Why not? He should respect your decision." said Hermione. Draco laughed.
"A Malfoy just doesn't back out of this type of thing. If I told him I wanted to be good, not evil he would probably beat me to death." Draco said with a shrug.
"And that doesn't bother you?"
"Of course it bothers me. It bothers me kwnoing that Lucius is a mad man but there isn't much I can do about it. Come Christmas I'll be in a lot of trouble." said Draco.
"Tell Dumbledore."
"I'm not going to cry to that old fool about my problems." said Draco. Hermione got up and smiled weekly.
"That's a shame, because come Christmas I'm going to have to stop talking to you, for my own safety." she said.
~~~
Read and review please!
Disclaimer: Same as Chapter 1's.
~~~
Hermione Granger sobbed into her pillow, not able to control the tears. The year was off to a rotten start and she wasn't sure if she wanted to see the rest of it. Still crying, she got up and walked out to her balcony and looked down. They were pretty high up. She didn't hear someone come in to her room. She stood on the edge of the balcony, holding on to the wall.
"Granger? What the bloody hell are you doing?" came a voice from behind tomorrow. The wind blew, Hermione's robes bellowing with the wind. She let go of the wall and shut her eyes. She felt herself get pulled back just as she was about to fall forward. More tears began to fall as she looked up and saw Malfoy had pulled her back.
Apparently Malfoy had pulled her back with more force than he had thought he had and the both fell to the floor.
"What do you think you are doing Granger? You could have fallen!" Malfoy shouted at her. Hermione got up and walked out on the balcony, her arms crossed.
"What do you care? Just one less mudblood to worry about and pick on. Or would you miss your favorite target?" Hermione asked shrilly.
"As much as you annoy me, you didn't expect me to watch you die, did you?" asked Malfoy.
"Beats me. I don't really know anything anymore." said Hermione.
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Malfoy.
"I don't know how I'm supposed to leave. What the hell am I supposed to do? Nothing is out there for me!" shouted Hermione.
"You know that's not true. Look at Weasley, as dumb as he may be, he's there for you. Potter too." said Malfoy.
"That doesn't matter. After school we'll all be going our separate ways. Harry and Ginny will probably get married...have children...and I'll be their responsible baby-sitter. Just a friend. What kind of future is that?" Hermione bawled. Malfoy put his hands in his pocket.
"You're one of the brightest students in the school. You can do anything. Heck, you could be the next Minister of Magic." Malfoy said. Hermione shook her head.
"No. I can't see myself out there without them. What about when I get married? For the father daughter dance? Who will I have?" Hermione sobbed.
"Look, I have to go do something about these teeth." Malfoy said, walking away. Hermione stood on the edge again, the wind still blowing. Slowly she slipped off the edge and fell closer to the ground.
~~~
Malfoy sat in the Hospital Wing, pacing back and forth. It had been nearly two weeks since he had found Granger laying on the ground and she still hadn't woken.
It's not that Malfoy liked her or anything. He had a guilty concenience. [i] If I hadn't left her alone, wouldn't had jumped, he thought.[/i]
However when had found her she still had a faint pulse which is really a miracle becuase jumping from that height, she should have either died on impact or of a broken neck.
Malfoy hadn't joined the Slytherin's during the time of Hermione's absence, he was too distracted. Plus, he was avoiding Pansy at all costs.
"Malfoy? What are you doing here?" came a voice from the entrance of the Hospital Wing. Malfoy stopped pacing and turned around to see Weasley and Potter entering the Hospital Wing.
"I could ask you the same." said Malfoy with a shrug. He didn't feel like being mean at the moment.
"I think I have a right to be here seeing as she is my girlfriend." said Weasley.
"Well, since she's your girlfriend, maybe you can tell me why she tried to kill herself?" said Malfoy.
"We heard she slipped!" roared Weasley.
"Don't always believe what you hear." said Malfoy.
"What do you mean she tried to kill herself?" asked Potter.
"Her parents were killed by my father most likely. She was upset so she jumped off her balcony." said Malfoy.
"You!" Weasley spat and he lunged at Malfoy but Malfoy was too strong and pushed Weasley off of him.
"I said my father, not me you!" Malfoy shouted. Potter was now hjolding Weasley back.
"You probably told him to!" Weasley shouted. MAlfoy got up to Weasley.
"Let me tell you something right now." Malfoy said in a deadly voice. "I would never do something like that. You don't know me so just shut your mouth."
Weasley and Potter left their things at the end of Hermione's bed and left. Malfoy began to pace again.
"Malfoy?" came a hoarsed whisper. MAlfoy looked over to see Hermione beginning to sit up, although she was struggling.
"No, don't get up. How're you feeling?" asked Malfoy, surprised to hear that come out of his mouth.
"I guess I'm okay. No offense but your the last person I suspected to be here." said Hermione.
"None taken. It's just really lonely in the tower with out you." said Malfoy with a shrug. He sat down in a chair next to Hermione.
Suddenly a shiver ran up Hermione's spine. Not a cold shiver but a warm shiver. She smiled at Draco who meerly smiled back. He looked good when he smiled. Her heart fluttered.
"Aren't you allowed to go to Slytherin common room?" asked Hermione. Draco shrugged.
"I'm avoiding Pansy." he said.
"Ooh." said Hermione.
"So am I going to have to look after you all the time?" asked Draco with a small laugh. Hermione smiled.
"Trust me, I won't be doing that again." said Hermione. "I'm lucky I'm alive. It's like a miracle."
"Yeah, it sure is." said Draco.
~~~
~~~
Hermione was allowed to leave the Hospital Wing that night but she still had trouble walking. She realized this when she tried to stand but had to hold on to the wall for support.
"Here." Draco said as he took of her arms and put it around his neck so she could lean on him for support. He put his hand on the small of her back for extra support. They walked out of the Hospital Wing, not aware of the three Professors that were watching them.
"I still don't think it was a good idea to put them together." said McGonagall.
"I think the plan is working brilliantly." said Snape.
"They're 17. Do you remember what was on your mind at the age of 17 Severus?" McGonagall said sternly.
"Now now. Miss Granger is a very mature young lady. Mr. Malfoy is mature as well. But I have thought about that so I have ordered all the 7th year Prefects to stay with them. They'll move in tomorrow." said Dumbledore. McGonagall seemed less tense.
~~~
It was like going through hell trying to climb up the stairs. They had to walk, one step at a time.
"Hey, your hair is normal." said Hermione.
"Well, it's been 2 weeks." said Malfoy, helping her up another step.
"Two weeks?" Hermione said, shocked. "What am I going to do about classes? I'll be so far behind."
Draco laughed. "Oh very mature, laugh at my problems!"
"You can just look over my notes tonight." said Draco.
They were halfway there when they ran into some unexpected guests.
"Hermione!" came a startled voice from behind them. Hermione, with intense pain, turned around.
"Ron! How are you?" she said and began to walk over to him (slowly and painfully) and give him a hug but he moved away. Harry was standing next to him.
"What were you doing with your arm around him?" Ron asked, looking extremely hurt.
"He's just helping me to the common room." said Hermione.
"You traitor." said Harry quietly.
Hermione looked up, not sad but angry. How they dare assume such a thing. "What did you call me Harry?"
"We don't know who you are 'Mione." said Harry.
"Don't you ever call me 'Mione okay? My [i]friends[/i] call me 'Mione." she snapped. Ron glared at her.
"Fine, you know what HERmione? We're through!" Ron exclaimed. Hermione laughed.
"It's your loss. Not mine." she said coolly.
"Is that so? Well, I'm relieved that I don't have to be the boyfriend of a mudblood anymore." Ron spat. Hermione gasped and began to cry. She walked away as fast as she could. Draco took one look at Ron and punched him hard in the face.
"Don't call her that." he spat, running up to Hermione, since she was struggling so hard with walking.
"Screw him. That little prick. So much for best friends. Harry didn't even stick up for me. That bastard." Hermione said as Draco came up next to her. He laughed to himself.
"I've been thinking the same thing about them for years." said Draco. Hermione smiled. They reached the common room and Hermione sat on the couch. Draco gave her his notes and just watched her study for a minute.
"I'm going to get some hot chocolate. You want any?" he asked. Hermione nodded. He began to leave but Hermione called for him.
"Hey Draco!"
"Yeah?"
"How do you know where the kitchens are?"
Draco smirked. "Gryffindor isn't the only one with house parties."
~~~
Hermione and Draco stayed up late that night, since it was a Friday night. Hermione was still studying and Draco was reading a book.
"DONE!" she exclaimed suddenly, making Draco jump.
"That's great. Now don't give me a heart attack next time." Draco said. He continued reading.
"What are you reading?" she asked. He showed her the front cover. In big bold letters the words "The Beach House" gleamed in blue.
"Good book?" she asked.
"My favorite."
"What page are you on?" she asked.
"122."
"What's happening?" she asked.
"What is this, 20 questions?"
"Well, I've only asked 4 questions but I can ask 16 more." she said, smiling brightly.
"Aren't you tired?" he asked. She shook her head.
"I think I need some more hot chocolate." she said.
"Use a blanket." Draco said lazily, as he continued reading.
"No, not because I'm cold. I just have a craving for hot chocolate."
"Do you know where the kitchens are?" he asked. She nodded.
"Good, you can go yourself." he said smugly.
"DRACO!! I'll get caught." said Hermione.
"No you won't. We are suppose to be patrolling now since it's 5 minutes past curfew." said Draco. Hermione's lip made the shape of an O.
"Well then, lets go!" she said, pulling Draco out of the common room.
"Slow down woman!" he called. It was painful being dragged down 3 flights of stairs, struggling to stay on your feet.
"Sorry." she said.
"I guess you're feeling better." he siad. Hermione nodded and she walked towards the kitchens. With in no time, they were sitting in the kitchens, drinking hot chocolate.
"So, what's it like?" Hermione asked, taking a sip of her drink.
"What's what like?"
"Living with a death eater." she said. "If you don't mind me asking."
"Let's just say it's like living in a prison. I always has to do what Lucius says. My mum never comes out of her room. I can hear them screaming sometimes. My mum hates my dad. I wouldn't be surprised if she was under the Imperius curse from the time they married to the time they had me." said Draco, looking into his cup.
"Must be tough." Hermione said sympathetically.
"You have no idea. My dad wants me to becaome a death eater. Possibly Voldemort's heir." said Draco.
"Do...Do you want to become a death eater?" she asked. He shook his head.
"No way. But I can't tell him that."
"Why not? He should respect your decision." said Hermione. Draco laughed.
"A Malfoy just doesn't back out of this type of thing. If I told him I wanted to be good, not evil he would probably beat me to death." Draco said with a shrug.
"And that doesn't bother you?"
"Of course it bothers me. It bothers me kwnoing that Lucius is a mad man but there isn't much I can do about it. Come Christmas I'll be in a lot of trouble." said Draco.
"Tell Dumbledore."
"I'm not going to cry to that old fool about my problems." said Draco. Hermione got up and smiled weekly.
"That's a shame, because come Christmas I'm going to have to stop talking to you, for my own safety." she said.
~~~
Read and review please!