CHAPTER 3~ Make Me Forget
"Still trying to avoid me, Granger?" Draco teased sitting down next to her.
"What if I am?" she retorted not bothering to look at him.
He sighed. "And what if all I want to do is apologize for what I did? Would you listen to me then?"
At this she looked up at him. She could find no trace that he was lying. His eyes were as they always were, emotionless. His expression unwavering. "That's impossible. You have never once apologized to anyone for anything. Why would you bother with me? I'm a Granger, remember?"
"Yes, I know exactly who you are. And I know exactly who I am. I also know what I have done to you in the past. We never exactly had a good relationship, and I regret that. I happen to think that you are a good person even if you don't want people to believe that you are."
Hermione looked at him as if he had grown two heads. Never in her life did she think she'd hear Draco Malfoy say something kind to her.
"I'm really very sorry for what happened on Monday. I didn't mean to upset you." He looked down at the floor, suddenly finding it very interesting.
"Right, Malfoy. 'Cause I can believe everything you say," she said sarcastically. "How do I know this is not just some plot for you to do something degrading to me? You know that I can't just trust you based on this. You have to earn someone's trust, and so far you have not done a good job with that."
Malfoy continued to look at the floor. He felt like a fool for apologizing in the first place. His father had told him that apologizing was for the weak. ^Never be sorry for something you did even if it was the wrong decision.^ His father's words echoed in his head.
"I didn't think you would just trust me like that," he mumbled. "But maybe I can show you that I'm not such a bad guy."
Hermione was interested by this proposal. "And just how do you plan on doing that?"
He hesitated a moment before saying, "For starters I won't make fun of you anymore, or your friends for that matter. I won't slam your locker shut on you every morning. It doesn't piss you off anyway. If one of my friends says something about you I'll make them shut up instead of laughing. And I'll call you Hermione." He glanced up to see the look on her face.
"So you are basically begging for my friendship. I thought you didn't beg for anything."
"Look, Granger, I'm trying to do what I feel is right for once. I don't want to live by somebody else's rules for my entire life." He could feel anger flowing through his veins. "I've always wanted to be friends with you, but it wasn't allowed and still isn't, but I don't care anymore. I don't care what my father says, you are somebody I'd like to get to know better."
She looked at him. The anger he was feeling was apparent in his eyes even though he tried not to show his emotions. "Why now?"
"Because I realize what an asshole I've been. It took me this long, but I've realized it." His voice was barely a whisper, but Hermione heard every word.
She didn't know what to think. It was as if he had totally transformed, and she didn't know if she liked that. "I don't know."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know about this. You are not the same person I've known for the past however many years. It's weird to see you like this and it makes me suspicious."
"That's the thing. I don't want to be that person anymore. That person was a brat. As much as I hate to admit that, I was nothing but a bratty rich boy doing only what Daddy said I could do. I wasn't living the way I wanted to. I want to be me, Hermione, not my father."
Their eyes locked. That silence fell over them once more. Hermione shifted closer to Draco. She knew that there was a soft spot for him even if she would never let anyone know that. A part of her had always wanted some sort of friendship with him, but another part always told her to forget about it.
The room was dimly lit. The only thing they could see was each other. Malfoy put his arm around her waist and drew her closer to his chest. Right before he was about to kiss her she turned her head.
"You don't want to do this," she whispered. "You don't want to get involved in my life. I know you'll end up getting hurt if something comes of this. I don't want you to be anywhere near me or my family."
"Hermione," He tilted her chin up so that she could look at him. "can you please tell me what goes on in your house? I want to help you."
She shook her head. "No. No one can know," she said sharply. "Not even Harry and Ron know of all that happens."
"I won't tell anyone," he promised.
Hermione's eyes scanned the dark room to see where everyone else was. It was difficult to see in the dark, but she didn't want anyone to over hear what she was saying. "I can't tell you right now. Someone might hear."
He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Isn't there a swinging chair or something outside in the backyard or something? We could sit out there if you want." Hermione nodded and followed Malfoy out the back door and to the swinging chair that was about 200 feet from the house.
The winter air was very cold on their faces, but neither seemed to mind it much. It was as if they were immune to the icy weather. Hermione sat close to Draco. If he asked, she would tell him for body warmth, but she really just wanted to be close to him.
Malfoy put his arm around her shoulders so she could lean her head against him. "Will you tell me now?" he whispered.
She was scared to tell him. To what extent could he be trusted? Sure he was acting differently, but that's what it could be, just an act. "Why are you so interested?"
"I want to help you. We can help each other. It's not easy losing someone so close to you. My father never really cared for me. My mother was really the one to look out for me and teach me the important stuff."
"Why don't you tell me about your home life?" she asked.
"There's not much really to tell that you probably don't already know, but I'll tell you anyway. My father works for the government, as I'm sure you already knew. He doesn't like anyone who goes against him. He thinks they're worthless. Like your parents. They didn't agree with a lot of what he has to say.
"Anyway, ever since I can remember I have been beaten by him every time I did something that was ever them smallest step out of line. That could be anything from talking to someone he dislikes or not doing homework, things like that. Since my mother died, I've been trying my best to please him, but it's not really who I am.
"Lately the beatings have slowed down. He thinks I'm being who he wants me to be, but I'm really not. I've gotten into some stuff that he wouldn't approve of. He just doesn't know. I want to be able to be friends with whomever I want and I wanna be able to stay out late, talk to everyone, be normal for once," he sighed. "That's about it. What about you."
Hermione breathed in. "I-I don't know if-if I should."
He rubbed her arm in a comforting manner. "You can tell me. I won't tell a soul."
Hermione winced as he hit one of the new bruises she received from her brothers. After Monday, the beating she received Tuesday was one of the worst.
"Did I hurt you?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
"It's nothing. Just a bruise," she said trying to make it sound like it was nothing.
"Can I see?" Hesitantly she rolled up her sleeve. Most of her arm was covered in deep purple bruises. Malfoy looked horrified. "What are they all from?"
"My brothers," she said softly.
"They beat you up?"
"Everyday. Well except for Monday. They were about to start beating on me when you showed up. That's why I was so grateful to get away. On Tuesday I got the worst beating yet. I just learn to deal with it now. It's really no big deal."
"Yes it is. No one deserves that. How come you've never told anyone?"
"I can't! Do you know what they'd do? That's why you can't tell. They'd kill me if anyone ever found out." She pushed her sleeve back down. "You promised me, Draco."
"I won't. Come on, let's get back inside."
"I'm sure they really missed us," Hermione said sarcastically. "They're all too busy with each other to even realize that anyone else is there."
"Good point."
Slowly, Draco opened the door and let Hermione step in before him. He closed it quietly then sat back down with her on the couch. Hermione rested her head on his chest and he wrapped his arms around her. She didn't know what came over her that night, but the need to be close to him was unbearable. It was as if she needed him to survive. He was her lifeline.
After another two hours all the boys decided that they should leave. When Draco stood to go, Hermione stood with him. Draco leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. "I guess I'll see you on Monday."
"Yeah, I guess so."
Harry and Ron waved a quick good-bye before heading out the door and toward their homes. Hermione fell back onto the couch and drifted into a peaceful sleep.
~
On Monday, Hermione walked to school with Harry and Ron as always. Once they were in the courtyard she stole a glance toward Draco. He gave her a small smile and she smiled in return.
She opened her locker and expected it to come slamming closed three seconds later, but that didn't happen. Instead Draco leaned casually against his and waited for her to finish changing her books.
"Good morning, Hermione," he said with a bright smile.
"'Morning, Draco."
"So how was your weekend?" he asked as they began walking toward the History classroom.
"Well after the party it was shit. And yours?"
"About the same."
Professor Binns was sitting at his desk when they walked in. He looked up when they walked in and opened his mouth to tell them to stop bickering, but he saw that they were having a pleasant conversation and left them alone.
Class was extremely boring. They had a pop quiz, which made everyone groan. It was very easy, but just having a quiz first period on a Monday morning was not everyone's cup of tea.
After class, Draco hugged Hermione and headed in the opposite direction. She felt like she was floating when she met up with Kelly and Lana.
"Okay, I've been meaning to ask you this, what exactly happened between you and Malfoy on Friday night?" Lana asked.
"Yeah, we all saw him kiss you before he left," Kelly added.
Hermione blushed a little. "Oh well, we just talked the whole time, that was all. Everyone else was busy and we had nothing better to do. He's not as bad as we all thought him to be."
"You always said he had a good side," Kelly reminded her.
"Yeah, but now I know he does." She had a dreamy look on her face and both Kelly and Lana started laughing hysterically. "What's so funny?" she demanded.
"I think someone's in love," Lana teased. "The ever hating Hermione Granger has met her match. She no longer hates the world! Alert the press!"
Hermione rolled her eyes at her two giggling friends. "I am not in love. I'm only fifteen. How could I possibly know what love it?"
"You may not want to admit it, but you're in love with the enemy," Kelly said still laughing.
"Whatever. I'll talk to you weirdoes later," she mumbled as she entered her next class.
~
The day went by fairly quickly. Hermione was soon heading outside with Harry to meet Ron. On the way out she passed Draco and a groups of his friends.
".Yeah, you should've heard some of the stuff she told me. I have her in the palm of my hand. Granger will be mine."
Hermione could not believer her ears. She tapped Malfoy on the shoulder. When he turned around he was met by a slap in the face. "Bastard," she hissed before stalking off.
Maybe she had been wrong. Maybe there really was no good at all in Draco Malfoy. Her head was spinning in circles. She couldn't believe she had actually let down her defenses and trusted somebody. It was totally against what she had ever done. Now because of it she was hurting.
She hadn't even waited for Ron or Harry. She just needed to get away. Suddenly she felt weak and leaned against the nearest building. She lit a cigarette and started puffing on it. It was the one thing that would soothe her since she didn't have her knife.
There were quick footsteps coming down the sidewalk. Someone was running. She didn't bother to look up. It was probably just someone from the track team or something anyway. The person stopped right in front of her though and crouched down so she could see who it was.
"Leave me alone," she snarled. "I never want to talk to you again."
"Look, I didn't mean that. I had to say something to them. Blaise told them about what happened on Friday night and I needed a cover. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I really like you and I wouldn't be able to stand it if you were mad at me." He took the cigarette out of her hand and put it out on the street. "You shouldn't do that."
"You're not my mother. You can't tell me what I should and shouldn't do. Here's what I should do; I should walk away and never look back. Here's what I shouldn't do." She pulled him down to her and kissed him roughly. He was caught off guard, but soon kissed back. As she felt him respond she pulled away. "I do what I want when I want and you can't stop me. Get it?"
"Yeah I get it. Do you forgive me?"
She looked away. "I don't know. Can you make me forget it ever happened?"
"How would I do that?" he asked.
She pulled him to her again and kissed him, but this time not as rough. She let her tongue slide into his mouth and explore every crevice. He did the same. All to soon, Draco was pried away from her by two sets of hands. Harry and Ron pulled him off of her and shoved him into the wall.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Ron snarled.
"Let him go," Hermione demanded.
"Answer me!" Ron commanded as he shoved him into the wall again.
Harry was holding Hermione's arms so she couldn't get to Ron. She shoved him away and kicked Ron's legs out. "I said let him go," she hissed her voice dripping with venom. "I initiated the kiss so don't either of you lay a finger on him."
Harry and Ron both looked shocked. "But Hermione, we thought what happened on Friday was just because you two were extremely bored. You can't be serious about this guy," Harry said softly.
"I'm very confused right now. All I know is that if any of you hurt each other I will be seriously pissed off. I know that both you and Ron are my best friends, Harry, but you can't tell me who I can and can't like. If I say I like Draco then you just hafta deal with it."
Harry and Ron stared at her with their mouths agape. Draco had a very smug look on his face even though his head was throbbing from being smashed against the wall.
"Harry, Ron, you two can make it home by yourselves, I hope. I'm gunna walk with Draco." She took his hand and led him the opposite way of her house.
"Where are we going?" Draco questioned as they passed by Hogwarts.
"I'm not really sure. Just as long as I don't have to go home yet."
"Why don't we go back to my house? I'm sure that my father's not home yet since he never gets back until like eleven anyway. We can do all our homework and stuff."
Hermione nodded. "All right."
Draco opened the door to the large mansion that had come to be known as the Malfoy Manor. It had been standing for centuries. He led her up to his room. They took an elevator to get there.
Hermione was amazed by the beauties of the house. It was like nothing she had ever seen before.
Draco's room was huge. He had a king-size bed, three bookshelves, a desk that took up half of one wall, a walk in closet, and a window that was the length of one of the walls.
"Your room is as big as my house!" Hermione said.
"I'm sure it's not. No one can live in a house this size."
"Yeah well I do."
Draco shrugged and sat on his bed. Hermione sat down next to him and placed her book bag in front of her. She started to unzip it to take out her books, but she stopped when Draco reached over and covered her hand with his.
"Can't we do that later?" he questioned. "We've got like eight hours before my father gets home. I still have to make you forget."
A shiver was sent down Hermione's spine. She nodded. "Yes, I need to forget. Please make me forget everything."
"Still trying to avoid me, Granger?" Draco teased sitting down next to her.
"What if I am?" she retorted not bothering to look at him.
He sighed. "And what if all I want to do is apologize for what I did? Would you listen to me then?"
At this she looked up at him. She could find no trace that he was lying. His eyes were as they always were, emotionless. His expression unwavering. "That's impossible. You have never once apologized to anyone for anything. Why would you bother with me? I'm a Granger, remember?"
"Yes, I know exactly who you are. And I know exactly who I am. I also know what I have done to you in the past. We never exactly had a good relationship, and I regret that. I happen to think that you are a good person even if you don't want people to believe that you are."
Hermione looked at him as if he had grown two heads. Never in her life did she think she'd hear Draco Malfoy say something kind to her.
"I'm really very sorry for what happened on Monday. I didn't mean to upset you." He looked down at the floor, suddenly finding it very interesting.
"Right, Malfoy. 'Cause I can believe everything you say," she said sarcastically. "How do I know this is not just some plot for you to do something degrading to me? You know that I can't just trust you based on this. You have to earn someone's trust, and so far you have not done a good job with that."
Malfoy continued to look at the floor. He felt like a fool for apologizing in the first place. His father had told him that apologizing was for the weak. ^Never be sorry for something you did even if it was the wrong decision.^ His father's words echoed in his head.
"I didn't think you would just trust me like that," he mumbled. "But maybe I can show you that I'm not such a bad guy."
Hermione was interested by this proposal. "And just how do you plan on doing that?"
He hesitated a moment before saying, "For starters I won't make fun of you anymore, or your friends for that matter. I won't slam your locker shut on you every morning. It doesn't piss you off anyway. If one of my friends says something about you I'll make them shut up instead of laughing. And I'll call you Hermione." He glanced up to see the look on her face.
"So you are basically begging for my friendship. I thought you didn't beg for anything."
"Look, Granger, I'm trying to do what I feel is right for once. I don't want to live by somebody else's rules for my entire life." He could feel anger flowing through his veins. "I've always wanted to be friends with you, but it wasn't allowed and still isn't, but I don't care anymore. I don't care what my father says, you are somebody I'd like to get to know better."
She looked at him. The anger he was feeling was apparent in his eyes even though he tried not to show his emotions. "Why now?"
"Because I realize what an asshole I've been. It took me this long, but I've realized it." His voice was barely a whisper, but Hermione heard every word.
She didn't know what to think. It was as if he had totally transformed, and she didn't know if she liked that. "I don't know."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know about this. You are not the same person I've known for the past however many years. It's weird to see you like this and it makes me suspicious."
"That's the thing. I don't want to be that person anymore. That person was a brat. As much as I hate to admit that, I was nothing but a bratty rich boy doing only what Daddy said I could do. I wasn't living the way I wanted to. I want to be me, Hermione, not my father."
Their eyes locked. That silence fell over them once more. Hermione shifted closer to Draco. She knew that there was a soft spot for him even if she would never let anyone know that. A part of her had always wanted some sort of friendship with him, but another part always told her to forget about it.
The room was dimly lit. The only thing they could see was each other. Malfoy put his arm around her waist and drew her closer to his chest. Right before he was about to kiss her she turned her head.
"You don't want to do this," she whispered. "You don't want to get involved in my life. I know you'll end up getting hurt if something comes of this. I don't want you to be anywhere near me or my family."
"Hermione," He tilted her chin up so that she could look at him. "can you please tell me what goes on in your house? I want to help you."
She shook her head. "No. No one can know," she said sharply. "Not even Harry and Ron know of all that happens."
"I won't tell anyone," he promised.
Hermione's eyes scanned the dark room to see where everyone else was. It was difficult to see in the dark, but she didn't want anyone to over hear what she was saying. "I can't tell you right now. Someone might hear."
He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Isn't there a swinging chair or something outside in the backyard or something? We could sit out there if you want." Hermione nodded and followed Malfoy out the back door and to the swinging chair that was about 200 feet from the house.
The winter air was very cold on their faces, but neither seemed to mind it much. It was as if they were immune to the icy weather. Hermione sat close to Draco. If he asked, she would tell him for body warmth, but she really just wanted to be close to him.
Malfoy put his arm around her shoulders so she could lean her head against him. "Will you tell me now?" he whispered.
She was scared to tell him. To what extent could he be trusted? Sure he was acting differently, but that's what it could be, just an act. "Why are you so interested?"
"I want to help you. We can help each other. It's not easy losing someone so close to you. My father never really cared for me. My mother was really the one to look out for me and teach me the important stuff."
"Why don't you tell me about your home life?" she asked.
"There's not much really to tell that you probably don't already know, but I'll tell you anyway. My father works for the government, as I'm sure you already knew. He doesn't like anyone who goes against him. He thinks they're worthless. Like your parents. They didn't agree with a lot of what he has to say.
"Anyway, ever since I can remember I have been beaten by him every time I did something that was ever them smallest step out of line. That could be anything from talking to someone he dislikes or not doing homework, things like that. Since my mother died, I've been trying my best to please him, but it's not really who I am.
"Lately the beatings have slowed down. He thinks I'm being who he wants me to be, but I'm really not. I've gotten into some stuff that he wouldn't approve of. He just doesn't know. I want to be able to be friends with whomever I want and I wanna be able to stay out late, talk to everyone, be normal for once," he sighed. "That's about it. What about you."
Hermione breathed in. "I-I don't know if-if I should."
He rubbed her arm in a comforting manner. "You can tell me. I won't tell a soul."
Hermione winced as he hit one of the new bruises she received from her brothers. After Monday, the beating she received Tuesday was one of the worst.
"Did I hurt you?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
"It's nothing. Just a bruise," she said trying to make it sound like it was nothing.
"Can I see?" Hesitantly she rolled up her sleeve. Most of her arm was covered in deep purple bruises. Malfoy looked horrified. "What are they all from?"
"My brothers," she said softly.
"They beat you up?"
"Everyday. Well except for Monday. They were about to start beating on me when you showed up. That's why I was so grateful to get away. On Tuesday I got the worst beating yet. I just learn to deal with it now. It's really no big deal."
"Yes it is. No one deserves that. How come you've never told anyone?"
"I can't! Do you know what they'd do? That's why you can't tell. They'd kill me if anyone ever found out." She pushed her sleeve back down. "You promised me, Draco."
"I won't. Come on, let's get back inside."
"I'm sure they really missed us," Hermione said sarcastically. "They're all too busy with each other to even realize that anyone else is there."
"Good point."
Slowly, Draco opened the door and let Hermione step in before him. He closed it quietly then sat back down with her on the couch. Hermione rested her head on his chest and he wrapped his arms around her. She didn't know what came over her that night, but the need to be close to him was unbearable. It was as if she needed him to survive. He was her lifeline.
After another two hours all the boys decided that they should leave. When Draco stood to go, Hermione stood with him. Draco leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. "I guess I'll see you on Monday."
"Yeah, I guess so."
Harry and Ron waved a quick good-bye before heading out the door and toward their homes. Hermione fell back onto the couch and drifted into a peaceful sleep.
~
On Monday, Hermione walked to school with Harry and Ron as always. Once they were in the courtyard she stole a glance toward Draco. He gave her a small smile and she smiled in return.
She opened her locker and expected it to come slamming closed three seconds later, but that didn't happen. Instead Draco leaned casually against his and waited for her to finish changing her books.
"Good morning, Hermione," he said with a bright smile.
"'Morning, Draco."
"So how was your weekend?" he asked as they began walking toward the History classroom.
"Well after the party it was shit. And yours?"
"About the same."
Professor Binns was sitting at his desk when they walked in. He looked up when they walked in and opened his mouth to tell them to stop bickering, but he saw that they were having a pleasant conversation and left them alone.
Class was extremely boring. They had a pop quiz, which made everyone groan. It was very easy, but just having a quiz first period on a Monday morning was not everyone's cup of tea.
After class, Draco hugged Hermione and headed in the opposite direction. She felt like she was floating when she met up with Kelly and Lana.
"Okay, I've been meaning to ask you this, what exactly happened between you and Malfoy on Friday night?" Lana asked.
"Yeah, we all saw him kiss you before he left," Kelly added.
Hermione blushed a little. "Oh well, we just talked the whole time, that was all. Everyone else was busy and we had nothing better to do. He's not as bad as we all thought him to be."
"You always said he had a good side," Kelly reminded her.
"Yeah, but now I know he does." She had a dreamy look on her face and both Kelly and Lana started laughing hysterically. "What's so funny?" she demanded.
"I think someone's in love," Lana teased. "The ever hating Hermione Granger has met her match. She no longer hates the world! Alert the press!"
Hermione rolled her eyes at her two giggling friends. "I am not in love. I'm only fifteen. How could I possibly know what love it?"
"You may not want to admit it, but you're in love with the enemy," Kelly said still laughing.
"Whatever. I'll talk to you weirdoes later," she mumbled as she entered her next class.
~
The day went by fairly quickly. Hermione was soon heading outside with Harry to meet Ron. On the way out she passed Draco and a groups of his friends.
".Yeah, you should've heard some of the stuff she told me. I have her in the palm of my hand. Granger will be mine."
Hermione could not believer her ears. She tapped Malfoy on the shoulder. When he turned around he was met by a slap in the face. "Bastard," she hissed before stalking off.
Maybe she had been wrong. Maybe there really was no good at all in Draco Malfoy. Her head was spinning in circles. She couldn't believe she had actually let down her defenses and trusted somebody. It was totally against what she had ever done. Now because of it she was hurting.
She hadn't even waited for Ron or Harry. She just needed to get away. Suddenly she felt weak and leaned against the nearest building. She lit a cigarette and started puffing on it. It was the one thing that would soothe her since she didn't have her knife.
There were quick footsteps coming down the sidewalk. Someone was running. She didn't bother to look up. It was probably just someone from the track team or something anyway. The person stopped right in front of her though and crouched down so she could see who it was.
"Leave me alone," she snarled. "I never want to talk to you again."
"Look, I didn't mean that. I had to say something to them. Blaise told them about what happened on Friday night and I needed a cover. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I really like you and I wouldn't be able to stand it if you were mad at me." He took the cigarette out of her hand and put it out on the street. "You shouldn't do that."
"You're not my mother. You can't tell me what I should and shouldn't do. Here's what I should do; I should walk away and never look back. Here's what I shouldn't do." She pulled him down to her and kissed him roughly. He was caught off guard, but soon kissed back. As she felt him respond she pulled away. "I do what I want when I want and you can't stop me. Get it?"
"Yeah I get it. Do you forgive me?"
She looked away. "I don't know. Can you make me forget it ever happened?"
"How would I do that?" he asked.
She pulled him to her again and kissed him, but this time not as rough. She let her tongue slide into his mouth and explore every crevice. He did the same. All to soon, Draco was pried away from her by two sets of hands. Harry and Ron pulled him off of her and shoved him into the wall.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Ron snarled.
"Let him go," Hermione demanded.
"Answer me!" Ron commanded as he shoved him into the wall again.
Harry was holding Hermione's arms so she couldn't get to Ron. She shoved him away and kicked Ron's legs out. "I said let him go," she hissed her voice dripping with venom. "I initiated the kiss so don't either of you lay a finger on him."
Harry and Ron both looked shocked. "But Hermione, we thought what happened on Friday was just because you two were extremely bored. You can't be serious about this guy," Harry said softly.
"I'm very confused right now. All I know is that if any of you hurt each other I will be seriously pissed off. I know that both you and Ron are my best friends, Harry, but you can't tell me who I can and can't like. If I say I like Draco then you just hafta deal with it."
Harry and Ron stared at her with their mouths agape. Draco had a very smug look on his face even though his head was throbbing from being smashed against the wall.
"Harry, Ron, you two can make it home by yourselves, I hope. I'm gunna walk with Draco." She took his hand and led him the opposite way of her house.
"Where are we going?" Draco questioned as they passed by Hogwarts.
"I'm not really sure. Just as long as I don't have to go home yet."
"Why don't we go back to my house? I'm sure that my father's not home yet since he never gets back until like eleven anyway. We can do all our homework and stuff."
Hermione nodded. "All right."
Draco opened the door to the large mansion that had come to be known as the Malfoy Manor. It had been standing for centuries. He led her up to his room. They took an elevator to get there.
Hermione was amazed by the beauties of the house. It was like nothing she had ever seen before.
Draco's room was huge. He had a king-size bed, three bookshelves, a desk that took up half of one wall, a walk in closet, and a window that was the length of one of the walls.
"Your room is as big as my house!" Hermione said.
"I'm sure it's not. No one can live in a house this size."
"Yeah well I do."
Draco shrugged and sat on his bed. Hermione sat down next to him and placed her book bag in front of her. She started to unzip it to take out her books, but she stopped when Draco reached over and covered her hand with his.
"Can't we do that later?" he questioned. "We've got like eight hours before my father gets home. I still have to make you forget."
A shiver was sent down Hermione's spine. She nodded. "Yes, I need to forget. Please make me forget everything."