Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
A/N OkayÉ IÕm probably not going to do much depressing stuff. I think people like the last chapter, but it was kind of depressing, I must admit. I have no idea where it came from. God, it sounds like IÕm suicidal. Eek, which IÕm not. I canÕt stand the thought of death.
Well, anyway. Thanks to all my wonderful reviewers. You guys are gorgeous and fabulous and I love you all to death. And please keep the reviews coming. They mean so much to me. Sooooo muchÉ
The song today will be Ò17Ó by Mandy Moore. Enjoy!
~Zsa Zsa
~17~
ÒHeÕs not right for you. Stop staring at him.Ó Ginny Weasley told a blushing Hermione Granger one morning during breakfast. Hermione had been staring at Draco Malfoy again. Hermione didnÕt say anything, but her heart shattered.
ÒRon has had the hugest crush on you for ever. What about him? Ever thought about dating him?Ó Ginny looked expectantly at the sad expression HermioneÕs face held. ÒAww, come on Hermione. Grow up. So, what about Ron?Ó
ÒIt would be like me asking you to go out with him.Ó Hermione looked at Ginny with fire in her eyes. Ginny wrinkled her nose.
ÒEww, youÕre right. ThatÕs gross.Ó Hermione nodded, satisfied, and resumed her position of her head on her hands, her eyes locked on a certain Slytherin boy.
Ginny poked Hermione on the head, ÒI told Harry about your obsessionÓ, she said, while chewing her food, ÒHe says he canÕt believe it either.Ó Hermione shot up and looked daggers at Ginny, who in turn, shrunk back in her seat. Satisfied she had made a dent in GinnyÕs petty ego, Hermione slumped back down into her current favorite position and continued watching.
He noticed. He always had. Draco had always been perceptive like that. He saw her watching him, longing in her eyes. He saw her whole her eyes, a heartbroken look on her face whenever Ginny would talk to her. He knew it was about how Hermione felt.
Draco looked at her, full on looked at her. Hermione looked startled, but to his surprise did not turn away. InsteadÉ she smiled. Draco nearly did the same thing until he saw Ginny swat Hermione on the head and wave a disappointed finger in her face. He watched her roll her eyes again.
ÒWhat did I tell you?Ó Ginny asked again. Her ears got almost as red as her hair when she was in the heat of the moment.
ÒButÓ, Hermione lowered her voice, ÒHe was looking at me.Ó
ÒHermione Granger,Ó Ginny said in a voice that was far too loud, ÒI am sorry, but that boy is bad news,Ó Hermione rolled her eyes, ÔShe sounds like my mother.Õ Ginny resumed shaking her finger at her, which made Hermione giggle, ÒHermione, heÕs not right for you. HeÕs not good enough for you. It wouldnÕt work out. Come on, you must know that.Ó
Hermione nodded sadly and gave a pathetically morbid laugh, ÒA girl can dream, canÕt she?Ó
Ginny shook her head, and with a fearful look at Draco, who, to her disgust, was staring at them, she turned her back on Hermione and began talking to Harry.
Hermione sighed happily, ÔThat little nagger. Gah! She gets on my nerves.Õ She looked back at Draco, who, to her relief was still looking at her, and they resumed their staring contest.
~Some people tell me
That you're not my kind~
She looked up from her reverie when she saw Draco mouth something to her. She put on a puzzled as if to say, ÔWhatÕ and Draco tried again. ÔWhat was she saying?Õ He had a slight smirk on his face.
Hermione giggled and eyed the door then looked back at him. He nodded very slightly and then got up. He began to saunter out of the hall, and when he was out the door, Hermione followed suit.
ÒHermione? What are you doing?Ó Ginny said in a panicked whisper. Hermione said nothing, but winked at Ginny just before opening the door. She looked back just in time to see the priceless scowl on GinnyÕs face.
When Hermione emerged into the Entrance Hall, she saw Draco leaning casually against a wall, half in shadow. She marched bravely up to his partial hiding place and tapped his shoulder.
He turned to her, his silver eyes looking down his nose at her questioningly. Hermione felt slightly afraid, but breathed a sigh of relief when his glare turned into a small smile, ÒWhat was the she-Weasel doing?Ó
Hermione giggled slightly, then slapped her hand to her mouth when she realized what she had just found amusing, ÒOh god,Ó she muttered, then she realized she really couldnÕt tell Draco what Ginny was saying because then she would be revealing her true feelings. She just stood there, mesmerized by his eyes, not saying a word, mouth slightly open.
ÒOrÉ since you wonÕt tell me that, why were you staring at me. That was why she was cross with you.Ó Hermione looked horrorstricken. Her brown eyes were wide and her mouth had opened more. She shook her head stiffly.
ÔWhy shouldnÕt he know? Why should I listen to everyone else? WhatÕs the worst that could happen? He would laugh at me and walk away and that would be it. I meanÉ I should tell him. I canÕt seem to get him off my mind.Õ Hermione rambled on in her head, and her train of thought was only broken by a prod from Draco on her shoulder. He looked expectantly at her.
ÒOh wellÉ you see. IÉÓ Draco smiled genuinely, and it seemed to soften his whole look. That smile made all the horrible things he had done in the past disappear, ÒOk. Here it goes. I like you.Ó Draco raised an eyebrow, ÒNot like a friend, you know?Ó
Draco nodded slightly, suddenly fixated by her big brown eyes. They looked so pleading and innocent.
ÒWellÉÓ
ÒIÉÓ Draco began, but instead of an answer, he grabbed her face and kissed her, a small, delicate kiss.
~And I'd believe them
But I can't get you off my mind~
Hermione stood there, only shock present in here face. Draco looked at her, his eyebrow raised, a small smirk on his perfect lips, ÒYou werenÕt expecting that?Ó Hermione shook her head placidly, a dreamy smile now upon her lips.
ÒIÕll leave you for nowÉ Hermione.Ó Draco played the name on his lips and smiled to himself before turning, and disappearing down a dark and dank hallway, obviously leading to the dungeons.
Draco walked slowly, and when he was sure he was out of sight, he placed two fingers on his lips and felt them gingerly. HeÕd felt some sort of shock when heÕd kissed her, partly because he hadnÕt expected himself to do something so bold.
ÒYou shouldnÕt have done that, Dray.Ó Draco turned, seeing Blaise Zabini emerge from the shadows. Blaise and Draco had always been good friends, but they were secret friends. Blaise liked to lurk around corners and mull over things he heard in his head, for Blaise heard everything. Blaise was like a chameleon.
ÒWhy the hell not?Ó Draco asked, in an angered, but rather bored tone. Draco had always been the rich, snobby, outspoken one. He was brave, had a family much more well known then the ZabiniÕs, and well, it was no secret that Draco was considerably more handsome then Blaise. Blaise had pale, sallow skin and very dark hair. His eyes were always the brightest part of his body, but they shone an eerie beetle black.
ÒYou know why not.Ó Blaise said in an equally bored tone. Draco looked at him, an annoyed look played over his perfect features.
ÒHuhÉ I donÕt know why I always have to listen to him, to everyone. They donÕt know me like you do Blaise, and although I like having a male companion, I really donÕt plan on marrying you.Ó Draco smirked, ÒSorry, man.Ó
ÒYouÕre veering dreadfully off subject.Ó Blaise said, now fully out of the shadows.
ÒWhy do you care anyway?Ó Blaise rolled his eyes when Draco asked this sinfully daft question.
ÒIÕm your best mate, am I not?Ó Draco nodded. ÒStay away from her. Trust me. SheÕs bad news. Everyone here would never speak to either of you, not to mention your father would probably kill youÉ both. Now, you donÕt want to be the cause of an innocent MudbloodÕs death, do you?Ó Blaise looked with a puppy dogface at Draco. Blaise was nearly as bad as Lucius Malfoy when it came to blood. Pureblood was the only good blood in his eyes. Draco used to respect that. Now he was rebelling.
ÒNo, actually, I donÕt think I will stay away from her. My father canÕt ÔprotectÕ me forever.Ó He said mockingly, taking the piss out of his father every time he spoke of the so-called ÔfilthÕ.
Blaise shrugged, ÒDonÕt say I didnÕt warn you.Ó
ÒWouldnÕt dream of it. Besides, maybe you will be right, and this will all prove to be some huge error on my partÓ, the look on DracoÕs face suggested that Draco thought heÕd never been wrong in his life, ÒBut right now, IÕd like to pursue her. Maybe IÕll listen to you Ôkind words of consolationÕ another day.Ó
~Some people tell me
That I should stay away
Maybe I will
Some other day~
Hermione ran breathlessly to her room, and pulled the curtains tight around her four-poster bed. She collapsed onto it, a large grin plastered on her milk white face.
ÔOh my god! He kissed me! Draco Malfoy actually kissed me. Face it, Herm, you are now officially happy.Õ She sighed giddily. She began to over the name ÔHermione MalfoyÕ in her head, occasionally saying ÔHermione Granger MalfoyÕ our adding a Mrs. into the mix.
ÒHermione?Ó GinnyÕs head peered around the curtain. She saw Hermione with her big, stupid grin on her face, and she knew it couldnÕt be good (depending on how you looked at it), ÒOh god, what the hell happened?Ó
ÒIt was wonderful,Ó Hermione sighed and rolled over onto her side to face Ginny, ÒHe kissed meÓ, she rolled again, this time onto her back. Ginny looked horrorstruck, ÒOh donÕt give me that look! YouÕll spoil all the fun. Oh Gin, please, for me?Ó Hermione sighed and pulled Ginny onto the bed with her.
ÒÓMione, you know you shouldnÕt have done that.Ó Ginny said quietly.
HermioneÕs face looked a little mischievous, ÒI donÕt always do what I should, Gin. IÕm not perfect.Ó Ginny raised an eyebrow, and Hermione tutted, ÒThe youth of today!Ó She giggled.
ÒAww, come on, Gin. HeÕs in my heart. He actually made meÉ happy.Ó Hermione said finally, after a long pause, thinking for the exact word.
ÒWhatever you say, ÔMione.Ó
~'Cause it feels right
And it feels good
And I don't always do what I should
And I know what makes me happy
And in my heart
You are it exactly~
At midnight, Hermione snuck out of the Common Room and up to the Astronomy Tower. She came there to think, though rarely this late. She walked up the many flights of stairs, dragging her feet slightly. Se had no fear of being caught. She was allowed anywhere she wished. She was Head Girl, after all.
She approached the door, and she turned the handle. She was shocked to see Draco, sprawled out on the old beat-up couch, whistling. She giggled and he turned to face her, looking slightly embarrassed.
ÒMr. MalfoyÓ, she began playfully, which mad DracoÕs expression soften a bit, ÒWhat on earth are you doing out of bed after hours?Ó
ÒI might ask you the same thing.Ó Draco looked at her, and then his smile fell. Of course! She wasÉ
ÒHead Girl. I am Head Girl, and as Head Girl, I may be up as late as please, and where ever my feet take me.Ó She smirked at him and plopped down next to him on the couch, ÒIÕve never seen you up here before, what do you do here?Ó
ÒThink.Ó Draco said simply. Oh Merlin, he was being awfully monosyllabic.
ÒMe too.Ó Hermione flattened out the plaid skirt she had put on, ÒUm, can I call you Draco?Ó
Draco actually looked up at her, half-smiling, ÒSure, I guess. May I call you Hermione?Ó She nodded vigorously.
ÒSo, DraaaacoooÓ, she said, rolling the name out onto her tongue, and then, quite timidly, she asked, ÒWhy did you kiss me?Ó
Draco sat up, ÒDid you not want me to kiss you?Ó Hermione looked at his dancing silver eyes, and she shook her head.
ÒYes, I did,Ó she swallowed thickly, ÒI was just wondering why you did it.Ó
Draco shrugged, ÒI dunno, to be honest. It justÉ felt right, I guess.Ó
Over come with a sudden spurt of emotion, Hermione faced Draco, her hands grabbing his face, ÒHave you friends come up to you telling you this is all wrong?Ó Draco nodded slightly, confused, ÒMine have too, and IÕm sorry Draco, but I donÕt want to be right for once. I want to be wrong in everyone elseÕs eyes, but in mine, IÕll be completely on the mark. I want toÉÓ
ÒYesÉÓ
ÒI want to be with you.Ó
~ I don't wanna do right
I just want you tonight~
Draco looked a little taken aback by her comment, ÒYou do?Ó
Hermione nodded, ÒI do. I donÕt only want to be with youÉ in my dreams, you know?Ó
Draco smiled and kissed her lightly on the forehead, ÒMmhm.Ó Hermione smiled and sighed. She returned the kiss, but by placing her lips firmly on his cheek. He smiled in turn, kissing her on her cheek.
ÒIÕll save my best behavior for much, much later.Ó Draco said, his lips still pressed upon her cheek. Hermione giggled and nodded, wrapping her arms around his neck.
ÒAfter allÓ, she began, ÒWeÕre only seventeen.Ó
~Not just only in my dreams
Save my best behavior
For a little later
'Cause I'm only 17~
The two met in secret every night that week, holding each other. Snogging each other senseless. Sometimes they went a little too far for HermioneÕs liking, but she stayed true to her word. She wasnÕt going to do what was expected of her. She was going to act her age for once.
At first, she thought it a harmless little fling, but after one particularly steamy make-out session, she let the three most important words slip out, Ò I love you.Ó Her mouth had opened wide; DracoÕs mimicked her, though with much more poise.
ÒYou what?Ó Draco asked, his arms still around her, but his body far from touching.
ÒIÉ I think I love you. Yes, I do.Ó Hermione smiled, and said more to herself then to Draco, Ò I do, I love you.Ó
ÒWhat?Ó
ÒDraco, I never thought IÕd be the one to say this, but weÕve got time to grow up. We donÕt have to listen tot everyone else. Why is the fact that I love you so hard to understand?Ó
Draco looked down, Ò I dunno.Ó
ÒWhy does it scare you?Ó
Draco looked a little defensive, ÒWhy would it scare me?Ó
Hermione took his hand in hers, ÒÕCause you might actually love me too.Ó
The words pounded in DracoÕs head, long after Hermione left him to ponder his feelings. ÔShe loves me.Õ He kept saying the words heÕd never heard spoken to him before in his head. He felt a tear threaten to escape, and he shook it disbelievingly.
ÒI love you too, Hermione. After all, like you said, weÕre only seventeen.Ó
~Think I made up my mind
I got time to grow up
Face responsibility
Livin' in the moment
Keepin' my heart open
While I'm only 17~
At breakfast, Hermione kept shooting looks at Draco, who was staring at his food, just smiling. She looked back down at her food, swirling her spoon around in her cereal.
ÒÕMione, eat up.Ó Ron waved a hand in front of her face. He looked kindly at her, but his smile faltered when her face remained expressionless.
ÒIÕm not hungry. IÕm going to go. See you guys later, I guess.Ó Hermione slung her book bag over her shoulder and walked out of the hall. Little did she know, a certain blond Slytherin was following closely behind her.
ÒHermione?Ó She spun, looking into the slate blue eyes of Draco. She folded her arms across her chest and her head looked at his expectantly, ÒI need to speak with you.Ó
She nodded briefly and motioned for him to follow her. They went all the way up to the Astronomy tower. She looked at her nails purposely and said, obviously bored, Ò Yes, Draco?Ó
ÒLook, I realized something last night. MyaÓ, she looked at the use of a new name, ÒI love you. ThatÕs what I realized. Now I know why youÕre the smart one. Merlin, you think things through. You are the most intelligent person I know. IÕve learnt my lesson, and I understand I made a few mistakes. And you know, if this doesnÕt work out, this way, weÕll both be heart broken.Ó
ÒDracoÉÓ
ÒNo, wait, let me finish. ItÕs not easy, living with the Slytherins and my father. TheyÕre always pressuring me to do better in Quidditch, in classes. My father was always outraged that a Muggleborn always beat me in everything.Ó
ÒDracoÉÓ
ÒNo, but IÕve learnt that you got to take a risk and dare to move. Love is a leap of faith.Ó
Hermione looked at him, her eyes oddly glazed, and she flung her arms around him, ÒEverything will be okay, alright? I love you, and you love me. We will get through this together.Ó
~I'll learn my lessons
And I'll make mistakes
And if I get burned
Well it'll be my heart to break
It isn't easy
Hearing what they say
Sometimes you got to
Take a leap of faith~
They walked through the halls, avoiding the stares they got, hand in hand, sometimes even mouth to mouth.
Hermione and Draco were the new ÔItÕ couple, but yet everyone wanted to tear them apart. Ron was horribly jealous of Draco because he apparently Ôstole his girl.Õ And Harry was a little mad, but his temper was far more controlled then RonÕs. Ginny kept quiet, not coming to HermioneÕs defense, but not criticizing her either.
Hermione walked up to Ron, ÒRon?Ó He looked up at her, his eyes slightly wide, but said nothing, ÒIÕm sorry youÕre angry with me, but I love Draco. No matter now stupid you think weÕre being, we actually love each other, as hard as that is for you to grasp. IÕm only acting my age for once, and you canÕt handle. Let me live my life, Ron. I do love you, but only like a brother, and you know that. Please, please forgive me.Ó
Ron looked at her tearstained cheeks and kissed one, ÒIÕm sorry too. Just wanted my Hermione back, thatÕs all.Ó She smiled and sat next to him, snuggling up to him, happy.
~ Because it feels right
And it feels good
And I'm not gonna do somethin' stupid
Just this once I wanna feel like
I can do what I want
When I hold tight~
Hermione and Draco were sitting in the Astronomy tower, under a blanket, both shivering. They had just made the ultimate commitment and given each other what neither could give back. Their innocence.
HermioneÕs head was drooped lazily on DracoÕs shoulder and his arm was around her, whispering, ÒI love youÓ in a very drunk sounding voice.
ÒYou know, anyone who has ever been in love is so lucky. I wouldnÕt trade this experience for anything in the world.Ó Hermione sighed.
Draco nodded in agreement, ÒAlso, if you have a dream, IÕd say go for it. You canÕt sit on your arse forever, waiting for it to come.Ó
Hermione giggled, ÒRight Dray, sweetie. And you know what, no one can change my mind about this now. I am yours and you are mine.Ó
ÒI love youÉÓ Draco trailed off.
ÒI love you more.Ó
~Anyone
Who's ever been
In love
Has got to know
What it means
To have a dream
And no one can
Say anything
To change my mind
No, not this time~
~It feels right
And you know it feels good
And I don't always do what I should
And I know what makes me happy
And in my heart
You are it exactly~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N Okay, hope you enjoy. I decided not to do individual thank youÕs, just cause, so donÕt hate me, okay? IÕll probably do them when IÕm done with all of these stories, until then, keep on reviewing cause you know I live for Ôem!!!
~Zsa Zsa
P.S. And please, feel free to send constructive criticism. Long, lovely, constructively critical reviews!