(A/N)- This is the last chapter until probably August 10th because I'll be
on vacation, but I'll write during the vacation so there will be a few new
chapters when I return. Thanks for your patience and keep reviewing! And
for some reason when I upload a chapter all the quotation marks and
apostrophes showed up with a lot of strange symbols so I just took out all
the quotation marks and apostrophes. I'm sorry for the bad punctuation but
it was basically unreadable with all the weird symbols., as you can tell in
this author's note.
Chapter Nine- A Visit to Hogsmeade
Harry, Ron, and Draco were true to their word, and Hermiones life became much easier. Gone were the days of her lying and sneaking around. She spent more time with Ginny, Harry, and Ron in the Gryffindor common room in the evenings, but made sure she spent time with Draco as well. Hermiones schoolwork even improved. She was busier than she had ever been in her whole life, and she had never been happier.
Draco! Hermione called as she entered their common room one evening in early October. Dumbledore finally told me the date of the first Hogsmeade trip!
Draco jogged down his stairs to kiss Hermione hello.
Took him long enough, Draco said as he sat down next to Hermione on the couch.
I know. Hermione glanced down. I promised Ron and Harry and Ginny I would shop with them for a while.
Draco looked away as well. Their contract was still a touchy subject.
Well, its fine, because if anyone saw us together in public they might guess what's going on, Draco said.
But I want to spend some time there with you, too. Would it be the worst thing in the world to be seen with me in public? asked Hermione, slightly hurt.
No, other than the fact that someone would tell my father, who would then. . . Draco stopped in mid-sentence.
Would then what? Hermione persisted.
Nothing, said Draco, angry at himself because he almost revealed his darkest secret. He would just be mad, is all.
So its impossible for us to be together in public, even just for a short while in Hogsmeade? Hermione asked, still hurt.
Draco sighed with slight annoyance. Hermione, dont assume Im ashamed of you, because Im not. And I do want to be with you, eventually in public, but for now couldnt we just meet at The Hogs Head in private? Draco pleaded.
Hermione hesitated, then realized if their roles were switched, she wouldnt want Lucius finding out about them either. Understanding this, Hermione smiled, all her hurt gone.
That would be fine. Lets meet at four oclock, Ill be sick of shopping by then.
Draco smiled back, glad to steer the conversation away from the subject of his father. That was close, Malfoy, he warned himself. He trusted Hermione, but not enough to tell her about his father yet.
~*~*~*~*~*~
The week flew by and it was already Saturday. Hermione left the common room early to meet up with the boys and Ginny, but before she left she kissed Draco goodbye and reminded him: Four oclock. As she was walking down the hall, she smiled because she wouldnt have to lie to Harry and Ron and Ginny about where she was going at four oclock. She could just tell them the truth, and that would be that.
Meanwhile, Draco was not as anxious to meet up with his friends. He had always tolerated Crabbe and Goyle, but after seeing Hermione with Ginny, Ron, and Harry, he had a better understanding of what true friends were. After realizing this, he became more annoyed than usual with Crabbe and Goyle, and the familiar feeling of loneliness had settled into his stomach whenever he was with them. No, Draco was not looking forward at all to this day. He groaned when he realized that Pansy would be tagging along with them, and although it would be easy to abandon Crabbe and Goyle at four oclock, it would be much harder to lose Pansy.
Draco sighed. He might as well get this day over with.
~*~*~*~*~*~
There was, indeed, a stark contrast between Hermiones and Dracos moods at five minutes to four oclock. Hermione had had a wonderful time that day; the sun was shining brightly, the sky was a deep blue, and she had just spent the day laughing and shopping with her best friends. Now she was going to spend time with her boyfriend. Hermione didnt even mind the fact that she was meeting him in secret; the day was just perfect.
Draco, on the other hand, had nothing to smile about. Crabbe and Goyle would not stop their incessant bickering, and Pansy threw herself upon him the entire day. Draco was at the end of his nerves when Crabbe and Goyle finally decided to leave early for Hogwarts, due to their stomachaches from all the candy they had bought and eaten. Draco sighed inwardly with relief. Now he only had Pansy to deal with.
Ohhh, Draco! Look at that cute little stuffed dragon in Honeydukes! Dont you want to buy that for me, darling? Pansy had taken to calling Draco darling, and Draco felt he was going to scream if he heard that word one more time.
No, Pansy, Draco muttered through gritted teeth. I dont want to buy you anything, much less a stuffed dragon. An idea suddenly struck him. But Pansy, dont you want to buy me something for my birthday? Draco asked in a phony sweet voice.
Pansy looked confused. But Draco, I thought your birthday was in the spring.
Draco hesitated, thinking. Well Pansy, I dont know where you got that idea, he said quickly, unable to think of an excuse fast enough. Its tomorrow, and you dont even have a present for me. Draco successfully pulled a fake hurt look.
Oh darling, forgive me! Ill go look right now! Ill get you the best present in the world! Pansy hurried off, chiding herself for her poor memory.
Draco laughed quietly. Shed be gone for a good long while, searching for the perfect present. Needless to say, his mood had changed dramatically.
Draco whistled carelessly as he glanced around the street, then slowly walked towards The Hogs Head. No use drawing attention, he thought to himself.
Draco entered The Hogs Head at two minutes past four oclock. He searched the room for Hermione, noting the other patrons, then located her at the very back table. Hermione smiled as Draco sat across from her.
I saw you in Zonkos with Crabbe and Goyle and Pansy, Hermione said. You had the most awful look on your face, like you wanted to strangle Pansy. Hermione laughed at the memory.
Draco rolled his eyes. She was maddening today. Shes decided to call me darling, and its driving me insane.
She seemed pretty attached to you, how did you manage to get rid of her?
Draco smiled. I told her it was my birthday tomorrow, and she hadnt gotten me a present yet. She left in search of one; Im sure it will take her the rest of the day.
Hermione giggled. So when is your birthday? she asked. She mentally scolded herself for not asking sooner. What if she had missed it?
April 14, 1980, he answered. What about you?
November 16, 1980, she said. [A/N- Actually Hermiones birthday is September 19, but I forgot to add that into the story so in my story its November 16.]
The two chatted on, unaware of the customers around them.
Meanwhile, Pansy had spent the last half hour searching for her darling. Unfortunately, she had found Dracos perfect gift in the first shop she came to, only a few minutes after leaving him. She had then hunted unsuccessfully for him throughout Hogsmeade. However, Pansy got lucky when she bumped into an old man coming out of The Hogs Head.
Where are you going in such a hurry, missy? The man was stooped over, walking with a black cane. He had a very craggy face, and Pansy was a bit intimidated.
Im. . . Im looking for my boyfriend, she stammered. Hes about my age, very handsome. Have you seen him?
Does he have shiny blonde hair? Kinda tall? The man asked in a gruff voice.
Yes, have you seen him? Pansy asked eagerly.
The man grunted and pointed inside The Hogs Head. In there, in the back, with a pretty girl, about your age. The man chuckled. Sorry, missy, but if hes your boyfriend it looks like hes runnin around, cause he and that girl were awful close.
Pansy was fuming. Who is she? she thought furiously. Pansy acted like a ditz around boys, but she wasnt as dumb or as shallow as she appeared to be. She marched through the door and searched the back of the room, her eyes landing on Draco. She couldnt quite see the girl who was with him due to the shadows, but she was determined to find out. Pansy noticed there was a small hallway leading into the main room from the back, not too far from Dracos table, and she hoped that it was the entrance to the pub from the back. Pansy crept back out the front door, then around the building to where the back door should be. She almost yelped in delight when she found it right away, but groaned when she saw a rusty lock preventing her entrance. Pansy was about to turn away to use the front door again when she spotted a large rock near the door. She rolled the rock over, and to her delight found the key she suspected would be there.
Really, they shouldnt make it so easy to find, Pansy thought as she quietly unlocked the door. Little by little she opened it, but stopped immediately when the door hinges creaked loudly. Slowly, slowly she opened the door wide enough for her to fit inside. She skirted the wall to the edge, and peered around it. Sure enough, Draco was sitting at a table with. . .Granger! Pansy gasped slightly. She swung back around so she was completely out of sight, and waited breathlessly for one of them to discover her. Neither did, and she breathed a silent sigh of relief. They must not have heard her. If she was very quiet, Pansy could just hear Draco talking.
Youve been in the Gryffindor common room until eleven oclock the past two nights. How about spending this evening with me?
Hermione laughed. Actually, I was planning on doing just that.
Draco moved his chair around until he was sitting right next to her, both with their backs almost to Pansy.
Were you now, he murmured quietly.
Hermione glanced into his eyes, then blushed. This close flirting with Draco always gave her a very pleasant feeling. Two can play this game, she thought to herself.
Hermione stared up at Draco, widening her eyes and turning on her charm. She kissed him softly, teasing him. He quickly pulled her into a deep kiss, desperate for more. At that moment, Pansy, aware of the sudden silence, peeked around the edge of the wall. Her mouth dropped open as she witnessed this very private moment.
Hermione and Draco parted. Hermione was breathing heavily, amazed at the power of the kiss. Pansy bit her lip, unable to see anymore, and walked outside. She closed the door behind her as quietly as possible. Tears sprung to her eyes, but hatred for Hermione settled into her heart. Pansy frantically brushed away her tears and took a few deep breaths.
Ill get her, she murmured. Pansy thought of all the ways she could get revenge against Hermione as she walked around the side of the building to return to Hogwarts, but drew back as she saw Hermione begin to walk down the road alone.
Of course, thought Pansy. She and Draco are leaving separately so no one sees them together. Pansy waited for Draco to leave, so she could follow at a safe distance. A few minutes later, Draco walked out into the street, and despite her predicament Pansy remarked to herself how much Draco looked like his father in the late afternoon light.
His father? Pansy smiled wickedly as an idea dawned on her. Lucius Malfoy would be furious to know that his only son is secretly dating a Mudblood, Pansy whispered softly. He would force them to break up. . .
Pansys next destination would be the Owlery.
Chapter Nine- A Visit to Hogsmeade
Harry, Ron, and Draco were true to their word, and Hermiones life became much easier. Gone were the days of her lying and sneaking around. She spent more time with Ginny, Harry, and Ron in the Gryffindor common room in the evenings, but made sure she spent time with Draco as well. Hermiones schoolwork even improved. She was busier than she had ever been in her whole life, and she had never been happier.
Draco! Hermione called as she entered their common room one evening in early October. Dumbledore finally told me the date of the first Hogsmeade trip!
Draco jogged down his stairs to kiss Hermione hello.
Took him long enough, Draco said as he sat down next to Hermione on the couch.
I know. Hermione glanced down. I promised Ron and Harry and Ginny I would shop with them for a while.
Draco looked away as well. Their contract was still a touchy subject.
Well, its fine, because if anyone saw us together in public they might guess what's going on, Draco said.
But I want to spend some time there with you, too. Would it be the worst thing in the world to be seen with me in public? asked Hermione, slightly hurt.
No, other than the fact that someone would tell my father, who would then. . . Draco stopped in mid-sentence.
Would then what? Hermione persisted.
Nothing, said Draco, angry at himself because he almost revealed his darkest secret. He would just be mad, is all.
So its impossible for us to be together in public, even just for a short while in Hogsmeade? Hermione asked, still hurt.
Draco sighed with slight annoyance. Hermione, dont assume Im ashamed of you, because Im not. And I do want to be with you, eventually in public, but for now couldnt we just meet at The Hogs Head in private? Draco pleaded.
Hermione hesitated, then realized if their roles were switched, she wouldnt want Lucius finding out about them either. Understanding this, Hermione smiled, all her hurt gone.
That would be fine. Lets meet at four oclock, Ill be sick of shopping by then.
Draco smiled back, glad to steer the conversation away from the subject of his father. That was close, Malfoy, he warned himself. He trusted Hermione, but not enough to tell her about his father yet.
~*~*~*~*~*~
The week flew by and it was already Saturday. Hermione left the common room early to meet up with the boys and Ginny, but before she left she kissed Draco goodbye and reminded him: Four oclock. As she was walking down the hall, she smiled because she wouldnt have to lie to Harry and Ron and Ginny about where she was going at four oclock. She could just tell them the truth, and that would be that.
Meanwhile, Draco was not as anxious to meet up with his friends. He had always tolerated Crabbe and Goyle, but after seeing Hermione with Ginny, Ron, and Harry, he had a better understanding of what true friends were. After realizing this, he became more annoyed than usual with Crabbe and Goyle, and the familiar feeling of loneliness had settled into his stomach whenever he was with them. No, Draco was not looking forward at all to this day. He groaned when he realized that Pansy would be tagging along with them, and although it would be easy to abandon Crabbe and Goyle at four oclock, it would be much harder to lose Pansy.
Draco sighed. He might as well get this day over with.
~*~*~*~*~*~
There was, indeed, a stark contrast between Hermiones and Dracos moods at five minutes to four oclock. Hermione had had a wonderful time that day; the sun was shining brightly, the sky was a deep blue, and she had just spent the day laughing and shopping with her best friends. Now she was going to spend time with her boyfriend. Hermione didnt even mind the fact that she was meeting him in secret; the day was just perfect.
Draco, on the other hand, had nothing to smile about. Crabbe and Goyle would not stop their incessant bickering, and Pansy threw herself upon him the entire day. Draco was at the end of his nerves when Crabbe and Goyle finally decided to leave early for Hogwarts, due to their stomachaches from all the candy they had bought and eaten. Draco sighed inwardly with relief. Now he only had Pansy to deal with.
Ohhh, Draco! Look at that cute little stuffed dragon in Honeydukes! Dont you want to buy that for me, darling? Pansy had taken to calling Draco darling, and Draco felt he was going to scream if he heard that word one more time.
No, Pansy, Draco muttered through gritted teeth. I dont want to buy you anything, much less a stuffed dragon. An idea suddenly struck him. But Pansy, dont you want to buy me something for my birthday? Draco asked in a phony sweet voice.
Pansy looked confused. But Draco, I thought your birthday was in the spring.
Draco hesitated, thinking. Well Pansy, I dont know where you got that idea, he said quickly, unable to think of an excuse fast enough. Its tomorrow, and you dont even have a present for me. Draco successfully pulled a fake hurt look.
Oh darling, forgive me! Ill go look right now! Ill get you the best present in the world! Pansy hurried off, chiding herself for her poor memory.
Draco laughed quietly. Shed be gone for a good long while, searching for the perfect present. Needless to say, his mood had changed dramatically.
Draco whistled carelessly as he glanced around the street, then slowly walked towards The Hogs Head. No use drawing attention, he thought to himself.
Draco entered The Hogs Head at two minutes past four oclock. He searched the room for Hermione, noting the other patrons, then located her at the very back table. Hermione smiled as Draco sat across from her.
I saw you in Zonkos with Crabbe and Goyle and Pansy, Hermione said. You had the most awful look on your face, like you wanted to strangle Pansy. Hermione laughed at the memory.
Draco rolled his eyes. She was maddening today. Shes decided to call me darling, and its driving me insane.
She seemed pretty attached to you, how did you manage to get rid of her?
Draco smiled. I told her it was my birthday tomorrow, and she hadnt gotten me a present yet. She left in search of one; Im sure it will take her the rest of the day.
Hermione giggled. So when is your birthday? she asked. She mentally scolded herself for not asking sooner. What if she had missed it?
April 14, 1980, he answered. What about you?
November 16, 1980, she said. [A/N- Actually Hermiones birthday is September 19, but I forgot to add that into the story so in my story its November 16.]
The two chatted on, unaware of the customers around them.
Meanwhile, Pansy had spent the last half hour searching for her darling. Unfortunately, she had found Dracos perfect gift in the first shop she came to, only a few minutes after leaving him. She had then hunted unsuccessfully for him throughout Hogsmeade. However, Pansy got lucky when she bumped into an old man coming out of The Hogs Head.
Where are you going in such a hurry, missy? The man was stooped over, walking with a black cane. He had a very craggy face, and Pansy was a bit intimidated.
Im. . . Im looking for my boyfriend, she stammered. Hes about my age, very handsome. Have you seen him?
Does he have shiny blonde hair? Kinda tall? The man asked in a gruff voice.
Yes, have you seen him? Pansy asked eagerly.
The man grunted and pointed inside The Hogs Head. In there, in the back, with a pretty girl, about your age. The man chuckled. Sorry, missy, but if hes your boyfriend it looks like hes runnin around, cause he and that girl were awful close.
Pansy was fuming. Who is she? she thought furiously. Pansy acted like a ditz around boys, but she wasnt as dumb or as shallow as she appeared to be. She marched through the door and searched the back of the room, her eyes landing on Draco. She couldnt quite see the girl who was with him due to the shadows, but she was determined to find out. Pansy noticed there was a small hallway leading into the main room from the back, not too far from Dracos table, and she hoped that it was the entrance to the pub from the back. Pansy crept back out the front door, then around the building to where the back door should be. She almost yelped in delight when she found it right away, but groaned when she saw a rusty lock preventing her entrance. Pansy was about to turn away to use the front door again when she spotted a large rock near the door. She rolled the rock over, and to her delight found the key she suspected would be there.
Really, they shouldnt make it so easy to find, Pansy thought as she quietly unlocked the door. Little by little she opened it, but stopped immediately when the door hinges creaked loudly. Slowly, slowly she opened the door wide enough for her to fit inside. She skirted the wall to the edge, and peered around it. Sure enough, Draco was sitting at a table with. . .Granger! Pansy gasped slightly. She swung back around so she was completely out of sight, and waited breathlessly for one of them to discover her. Neither did, and she breathed a silent sigh of relief. They must not have heard her. If she was very quiet, Pansy could just hear Draco talking.
Youve been in the Gryffindor common room until eleven oclock the past two nights. How about spending this evening with me?
Hermione laughed. Actually, I was planning on doing just that.
Draco moved his chair around until he was sitting right next to her, both with their backs almost to Pansy.
Were you now, he murmured quietly.
Hermione glanced into his eyes, then blushed. This close flirting with Draco always gave her a very pleasant feeling. Two can play this game, she thought to herself.
Hermione stared up at Draco, widening her eyes and turning on her charm. She kissed him softly, teasing him. He quickly pulled her into a deep kiss, desperate for more. At that moment, Pansy, aware of the sudden silence, peeked around the edge of the wall. Her mouth dropped open as she witnessed this very private moment.
Hermione and Draco parted. Hermione was breathing heavily, amazed at the power of the kiss. Pansy bit her lip, unable to see anymore, and walked outside. She closed the door behind her as quietly as possible. Tears sprung to her eyes, but hatred for Hermione settled into her heart. Pansy frantically brushed away her tears and took a few deep breaths.
Ill get her, she murmured. Pansy thought of all the ways she could get revenge against Hermione as she walked around the side of the building to return to Hogwarts, but drew back as she saw Hermione begin to walk down the road alone.
Of course, thought Pansy. She and Draco are leaving separately so no one sees them together. Pansy waited for Draco to leave, so she could follow at a safe distance. A few minutes later, Draco walked out into the street, and despite her predicament Pansy remarked to herself how much Draco looked like his father in the late afternoon light.
His father? Pansy smiled wickedly as an idea dawned on her. Lucius Malfoy would be furious to know that his only son is secretly dating a Mudblood, Pansy whispered softly. He would force them to break up. . .
Pansys next destination would be the Owlery.