Hey everybody! This is my first actual attempt in a Harry Potter story. I've written to poems and those were major dives. *sighs* Hope you enjoy this.
Note before you start: This is a Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy fic.
Forever Yours
~ Pensive Puddles
The fire crackled cheerfully as the two people sat on the rug, watching the fire flicker. A loud snap filled the room as one of the logs cracked in half and caved downwards, sending small sparks of fire up and out of the fireplace. They didn't mind them though. The house was fireproof.
They silently sipped their hot cocoa, just breathing in the comfortable silence that surrounded them. One gave a loud sigh, breaking the silence. The other didn't even bother looking over. She was used to this. He had always come over, and she always had two cups of hot cocoa ready, occasionally having marshmallows because he found them interesting, and they would sit by the fire and wait for the last log to burn. And then he would leave. But she knew he would be back the following night.
It was always the same routine, over and over again. And it was the highlight of her day. It was his presence that always calmed her nerves. They barely spoke; there was no need for words. They were speaking but at the same time not speaking. It was just their deep friendship that they had. They could sense what the other was feeling and what they wanted to hear and what they needed to hear. And tonight wouldn't be any different, or so she thought.
She had just gulped down her now warm drink when she felt warm lips against her cheek. She almost spilled her mug at this sudden turn of events. Turning her head, she looked at he friend. He gazed at her with his gray eyes, a blank look in them. She cocked her head to the side. This had never happened before. This wasn't part of the routine. She waited for him to say something, do something.
In the mean time, she looked at him. He was beautiful, a masterpiece. He had a beautiful face, as if someone had chiseled away, leaving a beautiful, masculine, face. It had changed slightly, so different from the face she had first seen on the train on the first day of school. Now it held small scars, not noticeable to the common eye, but she saw them. It was all in his eyes.
His beautiful eyes had changed as well. From being cold and hard, now empty, only holding emotion when he let them. All the time spent growing up had been trained him to hid his emotions, cover his true feelings and making people believe whatever he wanted them to believe. A couple strands of his blond hair, now having turned a sandy blond, fell next to his eyes, accenting their grayish-blue color.
He had let his hair grow however it wished. He no longer gelled it back, making it shine in the light. He had let it grown longer and gelled it into clumps of spikes that hung downwards. He would sometimes ruffle his hair to give it a wind blown look. He didn't care how he looked. He knew he looked good no matter what he did to himself.
He had grown slightly taller since he had graduated from Hogwarts and he had gained a more masculine manner to himself, rather than a boy's. He was perfect, the idol of any man, and the perfect guy for any girl. He was handsome, a pure blood, had a fortune, and worked for his money. She adored him.
But she knew she could never have him. It was in instinct in her that told her that he was way out of her league. He was meant to be wedded to a beautiful pure blood girl who would adore him, worship him hand and foot, knowing how lucky she was.
She always thought of his future. She was scared that he might make a mistake and he would marry a girl who would never realize what she had, a girl who would only consider herself lucky for being able to snag a Malfoy. That's what she was scared of. She feared for her friend when he didn't fear for himself. She seemed to do all the worrying for him.
And now he had kissed her. She could still feel his lip mark tingling against her skin. She unconsciously reached up and touched where he had touched her. She kept on staring at him. Her hand was gently clasped in his large hand one and he pulled her hand away from her face. He kissed her fingertips and she shuddered. This had definitely never happened before. He looked up at her with those piercing gray eyes that drew her in.
The man leaned in closer; she could feel his breath against her nose and mouth. And then he kissed her. His lips were so kind and gentle against hers. She had never felt anything like it. It was so different from anything she had ever tasted. But she had tasted it once.
He had kissed her during school. Of course, both of them were completely drunk, practically holding onto each other to keep each other from falling. She couldn't remember how they had gotten so drunk, or how they had been able to get here jackets to walk back to school, all she knew was that she had caught herself pinned against a tree with him pressing against her, kissing her neck and face hungrily.
She had moaned his name, urging him to kiss her more. And he didn't dare disobey. And then she had whispered something she should have never whispered, "I love you."
He had paused and looked at her. He had just looked at her quizzically, as if those words were foreign to his ears. She wanted him to kiss her again, proclaiming his love to her between kisses. It never happened. He had just been about to say something when a loud bang erupted. She had screamed and he had knocked her to the ground, shielding her with his body.
They heard cheers and laugher far off and they looked up. Fireworks lit the sky, zigzagging in crazy patterns and flying over everyone and everything. She had always loved fireworks. And since her version had been so blurry, there seemed to be millions of them. She had just stared at the bright lights that glittered in the night skies, never noticing the weight that had lifted off of her.
She had heard his slurred voice and she turned around. He had his hand out, waiting for her to grab his hand and get off the ground. They had somehow made it inside the school and they were laughing hysterical. And then she whispered, "I think I'm going to be sick!"
"What? Was that kiss really that bad?" he had asked.
"No! I think I'm going to throw up!" She had covered her mouth. He had looked at her with wide eyes and pulled her to the bathroom, which was two doors down. Rushing in, he let her quickly into one of the stalls. She had pushed him aside and thrown up. Her head was far into the toilet, making sure that her vomit did make it into its destination that she didn't notice how her hair wasn't plastered to the side of her face of mouth, covered in vomit. Leaning back, she swallowed disgustingly at the aftertaste in her mouth. She could have sworn she had tasted that morning's breakfast.
She had flushed the toilet and had stood up, wiping her mouth. She turned to her hair savior and she smiled. "Thank you."
And then she had fainted. Her legs had given out from under her and she was aware that she had been caught. She had opened her eyes once and had seen him muttering things with amusement in his eyes. He was wiping her face with a cool, damp paper towel and it felt so good against her skin.
"I feel horrible." She had whispered with a hoarse voice. She had remembered hearing him laugh and she had blanked out again. She had woken up the next day in her bed, in her pajamas and her face scrubbed clean.
"Don't worry. I didn't take your clothes off. I used a spell." He had told her when she asked later. "Although, I wish I had had the privilege of undressing you," he had added.
She had punched him in the chest playfully and stomped off to join Harry and Ron at the Gryfinndor table.
But back to the present. He had just pulled away, looking at her with his deep eyes. It was magical. It seemed to warm her in places were the fire could never warm. And instead of saying "That was great" or "Kiss me again" or nothing at all, she had asked, "Why did you do that?"
"What? You didn't enjoy that?" He asked, a surprised look on his face. It seemed as if he had never been turned down before.
"No! It was great. I liked it a lot…"She said flustered. She looked away but only for a second. And then in a firm voice, "I just want to know what for."
"Can't someone kiss a beautiful person?" he asked smoothly. Lord, was he smooth! She knew she was bright red, beating Ron when he was embarrassed. She could feel the heat in her face. He could probably fry eggs on her face if he wanted.
"I…well, um, it's just that…you…I…" She didn't now what to say. What could she say to that?
"Has anyone told you how beautiful you are?" He asked, throwing her off for a second. He wasn't joking, his eyes looked serious. She just shook her head dumbly. Then he said firmly, "Then they are blind."
And with that he kissed her again. Her mind went off, encouraging to enjoy the kiss that he had so willingly given her. She could feel her heart beating wildly in her chest that she wondered if he could hear it. She knew she could. His hand touched her neck, pulling her closer to him and she let him. She would let him do anything to her.
To her surprise, she felt his tongue slid gracefully across her bottom lip. It was so soft; she wondered at first how anything could be so soft. Then her mind screamed for her to respond to his invitation. She opened her mouth unsure. She was new at this sort of thing. Of all the guys she had kisses, which were very few, it had always been a peck on the lips or a long kiss. But she had never used her tongue before. She didn't know what to do. Was she supposed to let him explore her mouth and patiently wait for him to finish? Or was she supposed to stick her tongue into his mouth or battle with his tongue? Such confusing questions for a certain kiss and she was completely lost.
Luckily, he had taken control and was exploring inside her mouth. She felt his tongue touch hers and she licked at it. It was a sudden impulse and she didn't know why she did it. But she didn't do it again. She just stayed there; kissing him and letting him do whatever he wanted to do. This was his territory, not hers.
He had noticed how she wasn't responding and drew away. He leaned back and looked at her. She didn't look at him. She felt slightly ashamed. Would he get up and leave and tell everyone how she was a horrible kisser? Would he laugh at her? Instead, he asked, "You haven't kissed a guy before, have you, Hermione?"
"I have too kissed a guy before!" she said a little too loudly. She noticed how his eyebrows raised at her sudden outburst and she mumbled, "But I've never french kissed a guy before."
"Well, there's always a first. And I'm honored to be yours." He smiled. It wasn't a smirk, but a warm smile. He was serious. He cocked his head at her and asked, "Let's give it another go, shall we?"
She nodded. He sat closer to her. "Now just relax and go with whatever you feel like doing…"
He had leaned in and kissed her again. He had started out slowly, letting her get the feel of it and he pulled away once or twice to instruct her on what to do, but she seemed to get the hang of it quiet quickly. Soon he was the one sitting back and letting her take control, enjoying the sensation of her tongue against his, inside his mouth.
She finally pulled away and she looked at him, asking how she did. He caressed her jaw with his thumb and said, "I would give that an Outstanding."
She giggled. Settling down next to him, she rested her head on his shoulder, enjoying the closeness that they shared. Suddenly she asked, "Why did you kiss me? You know, the first one?"
"Because you're cheeks were too tempting not to be touched." He teased. She looked up at him, a smile on her face and she asked again, "Why?"
"Let's just say it was my way of thanking you. All these little nighttime visits with you and sharing hot cocoa with you. Besides, not many people put marshmallows in their hot cocoa." He joked.
"Come on, Draco!" she said.
"I'm serious!" He laughed. He settled back, resting against the couch bottom. He heard her sigh and looked at her. She gazed into the fire. Her eyes were getting so heavy.
"Come on. You can rest on me. Think of me as your expensive pillow." He remarked. She scooted next to him and rested her head against his chest. His blue silk shirt was soft against her face and she snuggled into it. She breathed in the scent of laundry detergent and expensive cologne. He always smelled so clean and fresh. The smell seemed to make her senses come alive. But this time, it was making her drowsy. She closed her eyes sleepily and let the heat of the fire and his body bathe her. She listened to the steady rhythm of his breathing that calmed her like the waves of the sea.
She didn't know how long they stayed like that, but she never wanted it to end. Although her body would say otherwise. She felt really sore. She moved slightly, hoping she get a little more comfortable. No such luck. She had to sit up, rubbing the back of her neck with one hand while the other rubbed the bottom of her spine.
"Uncomfortable?" she heard him ask. She turned to face him. His head was cocked to the side. His eyes never leaving her. She nodded.
"Me too." Then he added quickly, "But it's from the floor. You were quite nice to have."
She shook her head as she laughed as she saw the familiar smirk form on his face. Sometimes, some things will never change. She kept looking at him. For some reason, she couldn't take her eyes off of him, just like he seemed to be doing as well.
"Do you…?" she started, glancing at the couch.
He raised an eyebrow, the smirk widening on his face. "I know that we kissed and all, but do you think your ready for that?"
"You knew what I meant, Draco!" she sighed, although she couldn't help but smile at how her friend's mind worked.
"Alright. Do you think it's big enough?"
"Yes. I've done it before with Harry and Ron." She noticed something flickered in his eyes but the next time she looked at it, it was gone. She shrugged it aside. Must have just been a trick of the light.
Getting off the floor, Draco settled down on the couch, stretching out and placing his hands behind his head, purposefully making sure he covered the couch. "Now this is what I call comfortable!" he sighed happily.
"Oh move over, you great lump!" Hermione said while shoving him to the side. Draco flipped over to his side and rested there, letting her get comfortable. Hermione seriously wished that her face would stop feeling so hot, but she couldn't help it. She was lying quite close to Draco and was quite comfortable as well. Resting her head on his arm that was laying across her pillow, she sighed. Sometimes, she wished things would never end.
Draco pulled her closer, wrapping his arm around her waist and immediately her eyes widened and she grew stiff. She had of course been held like this, but somehow it was different from the other times. She felt his head over her neck, his breath tickling her ear, "What? Don't like that?"
She shook her head. Then he asked, "You don't mind, do you? I was just trying to make this couch a little more comfortable…"
"No. It's fine. Just sort of caught me off guard there…"she trailed off. She knew he was smirking at her. She knew him so well now a days. She grinned as well. They laid there for who knows how long, but it was fine with them. They were too absorbed into each other's comfortable presence that they didn't care that dawn was approaching and he would soon leave. Hermione wished time would be put on hold and that they would stay like this forever. She couldn't help but think of his arm around her waist. It was so strong, firmly around her waist as if claiming her. And being the kind of girl who didn't like to be thought of as a possession, she found it odd that she was wishing it was like this every night except that he and she were more than just friends and it would be a lovers arm around her waist.
She couldn't stop the sighing from escaping her lips. She knew that Draco noticed it. She felt him over her and she looked up at him. His blond hair was falling over his face and his blue eyes showed concern in them. "What?"
"Nothing." She said quickly.
"Liar." His lips tugged up into a quick grin and then he frowned at her, "Tell me."
"No."
"Come on, 'Mione." He said, calling her pet name. He knew that she didn't like it when he called her by her nickname Harry and Ron had given her.
"No." she said firmly and looked back at the fire. She felt her head being turned towards him and she looked at him. He whispered, "Tell me, please."
She shook her head. "It's nothing. Just sort of regretting tomorrow."
"Actually, it is tomorrow." He said, glancing at his watch. "Why do you regret it?" he asked curiously.
"I don't know. It's just this feeling I get inside my heart and stomach."
"Isn't it heart and soul?"
"Well, this time it's my stomach. Just drop it OK?" she snapped and turned away from him.
"OK. Don't have to get so pissed about it…" He snapped back and she felt him move as if to get off the couch. She bit her lip; she didn't want him to leave. She had been a little edgy when it came to these little 6th senses she had. She sometime would stay up late at night, trying to figure out what they meant. They usually came when he was around, like as if something horrible would happen to him. But she usually shook them off. Not tonight, though.
She reached up and grabbed the sleeve of his silk shirt. He glared at her coldly. It was strange how just moments ago those eyes were filled with so much concern and serenity. "I'm sorry, Draco. I shouldn't have said that that way," she apologized. "Don't leave, please?"
"It's OK. It was my fault too." He said as he laid back down. She settled back against his chest, feeling her head rise as he breathed. She reached down and touched his hand. There was something about people's hands that fascinated her. It was like their past was written in them.
She brought his hand up to her face and looked at it, letting her finger trace over his smooth skin. Although his hands looked delicate and weak, they were quite strong and firm. She touched each knuckle, each small scar, each line on his palms, trying to see his past. Such hardship and pain seemed to leap out at her. She turned the palm back and looked at his fingers. Each nail was manicured into perfection. They didn't look feminine, but they did look nice and neat, unlike Harry's and Ron's whose usually were ripped up at odd angels. She noticed a ring on his ring finger. But he wasn't married, wasn't it supposed to be on the left hand, or was it different in the Wizard world?
"What's this?" she asked, touching the silver ring around his finger. She felt his chin against her neck as he looked at his hand as well. He was silent for a couple moments and she was about to telling him to forget it, but he spoke.
"It's been in the family for generations. Usually, the father gives the ring to her son, telling him to give it to the one he loves the most, with all his heart. But since most of the marriages in my family are arranged marriages, they usually didn't give the ring to their spouse because they didn't truly love them. The ring is then passed on to the first born, generally the boy, and it keeps going. My father gave it to me, told me the story behind it and everything." He explained.
"Did you find a girl?" she asked casually, her heart racing inside. She concentrated on the silver band, a design on it and she tried to figure out what it was. But her eyes were un-focusing as she waited for his answer.
"Well, as you can see, the ring is still on my finger, "he answered, nuzzling her neck playfully. His was such a flirt. She giggled as his breath tickled her neck. She kept touching his hand, rubbing her fingers against the ring. His hand moved and engulfed hers in his. She could feel the strength in his grip. He pulled it over her shoulder. She could feel him examining each finger.
"So soft," he commented to himself as he touched each and every one of them. She turned around, facing him, looking at his hard chest, strong neck and beautiful face. His face was illuminated in the fires light, a soft glow settling around his face. She took her soft fingers and touched his cheek. He didn't react, but kept looking at her, wonder and curiosity filling his eyes. She had expected tough skin, like his hands, but was surprised to find smooth skin. She traced his jawbone with curiosity and without really thinking she touched his lips with her fingers. They were softer than anything she had ever felt. She wondered what they felt like against her own?
As if he had read her mind, he pulled her closer, closing the small gasp between them and letting her feel his lips. It was simple and sweet. They pulled away a little and he gave her two small, short kisses before pulling away to look at her, a satisfied smile on his face. She shivered.
"Cold?" He didn't wait for a reply as he drew her even closer, encircling her with his arms and pressing her against his chest. Hermione just nodded. She really wasn't cold, but the closer she was to Draco, she felt like she could breath clearly. She felt him petting her hair and she let him, imagining his hands against her hair, and she mouthed her love for him over and over again, never uttering a sound.
Her eyes grew heavy and she closed them, her breath deepening. Before she fell asleep completely, she felt him kiss her ear lightly and hear him whisper, "I won't let them hurt you, so long as I live and after."
Usually, her mind would wake up instantly, commanding her to demand what he was talking about, but she was so tired and so comfortable and something was telling her to keep quiet, just let the silence continue. She felt as if she wasn't supposed to hear that anyway.
She tightened her hold on him and she felt him do the same. Then she fell into darkness.
She saw two children playing in the grass, chasing each other and laughing. A sound had caught the kids attention and they stood up to their feet, waving at something and then returning to playing in the mud. The small boy with brown hair picked up a handful of mud, a tricky, evil grimace forming on his face as he threw it at the un-expecting girl. The girl gave a shriek as the brown goo dripped down her gorgeous blond locks. Tears formed in her eyes as she screamed, "That wasn't funny!"
"Yes it was." Replied the boy, a gleeful look on his face at seeing his sister crying. But it soon was quickly erased as the girl took off in her short, green dress, and ran to her parents. "Whatever she says, it's a lie!" he screamed as he chased after her.
"Calm down you two!" said a woman. The small girl cowered around the woman's, who must have been her mother, legs while the boy did the same but around her father. The two children where pointing and yelling accusations at each other and it seemed that the father wasn't helping much.
The woman gave a frustrated growl and glared at the man, "They're your children too! Do something!"
The man raised one of his dark blond eyebrows, smirked at his wife and said in a firm voice, "Shut up, both of you."
Instantly the two children were silent, glaring at each other. "Now," the father ordered, " I don't care who did what, or who said what, but apologize to each other. Right. Now."
"Sorry," apologized the girl.
"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have thrown the mud." Replied the boy. "Let's go play some more!"
"OK! But no more mud throwing."
"Deal." The two kids took off running, laughing as if nothing had taken place a couple minuets before.
The mother sighed, " He's you minus the brown hair, hon."
"Well, let's just hope he doesn't act like a prat when he gets into school," mumbled the man.
"That's asking a lot." She smiled as he glared at her. But he soon cracked and grinned back, circling her small waist with his strong arms. He nuzzled her neck, whispering, "I'm so glad I have someone like you."
"Dido, love." She kissed him.
The vision of the two happy couple standing in the meadow faded away into darkness. Hermione had watched them in awe, recognizing the two people, but could not come up with names for those faces. She started to feel alone when she saw someone ahead of her, his back facing her. Running up behind him, she grabbed his shoulder. A handsome man turned to her, his blue eyes looking at her seriously, a sad expression on his face. She felt a stab of sadness at his face. She brushed his blond hair away from his face, trying to comfort him.
"That could have been us," said Draco, pulling her close, his head lowering to hers until their faces were mere inches apart.
"Why can't it be?" she whispered. She held on to him tightly, wanting to hold on to him, prevent him from going anywhere.
"Because this world won't allow it." He silenced her with a kiss. She kept her eyes closed, still taking the after affects of it. She heard him whisper in her ear, "I love you, Hermione. Never forget that."
"I won't." She heard herself whisper back automatically, adding, "I love you, Draco."
When she opened her eyes again, he was gone, leaving her standing in the green meadows, tears falling from her beautiful, sad eyes.
~*~
Hermione woke up slowly. She sighed and pulled the blanket around her tightly. Where had that come from? Noticing something was wrong, she opened her eyes fully and touched the place where Draco should have been laying. She found an empty spot, the cushions cold from having lost his body heat. She sat up. She looked slowly around the room. "Was it a dream?" she asked herself.
Her eyes fell upon the two mugs they had used hundreds of times before to drink their hot chocolate and answered her own question. So he had left. But this time he had stayed past dawn. She sighed with both tiredness and regret. She missed his presence. Every time he was close, she felt alive, like she could breath freely. Now she was back where she felt suffocated. She could still breathe, she knew, but something was making it difficult to do so.
Brushing a strand of messy hair behind her ear, something silver on her hand caught the light and she held her hand away from her face to look at it. On her finger was a silver band. She gasped. She looked at it in awe, and suddenly a part of their conversation from the previous night flooded back to her.
"Usually, the father gives the ring to her son, telling him to give it to the one he loves the most, with all his heart."
"Did you find a girl?"
"Well, as you can see, the ring is still on my finger. "
And now it was off his finger and it was on hers. She blinked. He loved her, why else did he put it on her finger? She looked at it. It was so simple of a design, so unlike the normal Malfoy design. Her eyes caught something on the ring and she walked to the window where dawn's light poured into the room. She squinted as she tried to read what seemed to be engraved into the ring.
"My heart is forever yours." She read in a whisper. Tears stung her eyes and a light feeling flooded her body. Her stomach was making odd, happy leaps in her stomach and she cried with joy. Never had she know such happiness and joy.
"I love you, Draco. I love you so much." She proclaimed as she looked out the window and at the path that led from her house to the gate, the path where he had walked countless of times to get to and from her house. And somehow, she regretfully knew that this had been their last time together.
~*~
A/N: OK! So you read it! I know it's a bit long, but I didn't feel like making it into two chapters. Congrates to those who read it all through! *waves hands around and cheers*
Anyway, I would really, really, REALLY love for you to review. Please!! Praise me, Flame me, just review and let me know that you actually read it. Be honest now. Please review!! I really need some reviews to boost myself up…
Fine, if you don't want to review, I'll just have to make you! *grins evilly* Accio Reviews! *nothing happens*
*sighs* Oh well, good try though…
Five reviews at most, that's all I'm asking and then I'll post my other chapter up. Now will you review? *crosses fingers* please, oh, please, oh, please! _