The next morning, Hermione awoke feeling very happy, if a little nauseous. The sunlight was beaming in through her window, and she sat up, smiling. Walking into the common room, she saw Draco, sprawled out on a chair, eating an apple. Hermione sat down on the couch next to his chair, and watched him. He was staring into space at seemingly nothing, but he didn't notice Hermione come in. When she did talk, he turned his head very slowly, and surveyed her with his icy blue eyes, before smiling.
"Good morning, Draco." Hermione said, slightly amused.
"Morning. How did you sleep?" Draco asked, moving to sit next to her.
"Oh, I slept fine. Better than I have in a long time, actually. I'm feeling a tad sick though." Hermione said, leaning against Draco. He ran his fingers through her tangled hair, laughing.
"Better get used to it, darling. You have eight more months of morning sickness to get through." He smirked when she sighed, and smacked him lightly on the leg.
"It's your fault too, Malfoy. I wouldn't be so cocky about it either, since you have to deal with me and my mood swings, cravings, rants, fits of crying…" Hermione was ticking her 'ailments' off on her fingers, and smiled when Draco pushed her hands down.
"Okay enough. I get it. You know I'd be happy to do anything for you during the eight months of hell we are about to endure. But remember, you are a witch, and you can fix or conjure up nearly anything." Draco smiled again, standing. "What would you like to do today? Seeing as it's Friday, we can't really go visiting." Hermione stood, taking his hands in hers.
"Oh, yes we can. And I know just who I want to visit." Hermione said, smiling and pulling Draco out the door. Rolling his eyes, Draco followed Hermione down the stairs and into the dungeons. She paused at several doors, leaning towards them to listen. She finally stopped at a heavy black door, smiling as she pulled back.
"Please tell me you don't want to visit Snape," Draco said, recognizing the door as his Head of House's dormitory.
"No, I don't. He's teaching anyway. But there is someone else here that I want to talk to…" Hermione knocked on the door, clasping Draco's hand and smiling. They heard the soft footsteps coming from inside, and the door creaked open. Narcissa stood there, staring at her son and his wife, before smiling broadly and motioning them inside.
"Hello!" She said cheerfully, still smiling. "I was wondering when you two would get around to seeing me." She sat down next to the fire. The couple sat down next to each other on the couch across from her. Draco was staring at his mother intently, searching her face for any sign of the previous day's activities. Narcissa turned to him, and smiled. "No, Draco, I'm not hurt. Poppy fixed my cut, and the bruises are almost healed. That's the beauty of magic." Narcissa said, smiling at her son. When the worry in his eyes didn't dissipate, she spoke again, softer. "Your father can't harm me, Draco. He knows now that you are not so faithful to him, and if you fail to produce an heir for him, I will be his other option. He needs me, Draco, don't worry." Narcissa's throat closed slightly around her last words.
"I know, Mother, but still…Lucius could have really hurt you. I do worry about you, you know that." Draco kneeled next to his mother, grasping her hand in his. "I just don't want Lucius to have anything to do with you or Hermione." He whispered, turning to look at his teary-eyed wife. "Maybe you two should go into hiding closer to the war…" Draco's voice trailed thoughtfully off.
"But we don't even know when that will be. We have no way of knowing what Voldemort's plan for attack are." Narcissa said. Hermione looked at Draco uneasily, and he nodded firmly.
"Mrs. Malfoy?" Hermione said softly, coming over to sit next to Draco on the floor. "We sort of do know when they will attack. You see, my friend Ron is a clairvoyant, and he had a vision of the attack. It will happen here, at Hogwarts, sometime when I have a young child." Narcissa looked up from her son to her daughter-in-law.
"Well, we should have plenty of time then. Hopefully, Voldemort won't change his plans." Narcissa said, slightly smiling. Noticing the worried look on Hermione's face as she looked at Draco, Narcissa frowned. "What's wrong?" She asked. Draco breathed in slowly. Hermione nodded, chewing her lip.
"Mother, Hermione's pregnant." Draco said softly, turning to look from Hermione's warm amber eyes to his mother's icy blue ones. Narcissa's eyes relayed her emotions; shock, surprise, worry, and warmth that spread to her lips, pulling them into a smile. She leaned down, pulling Draco and Hermione up with her, and hugged them both closely.
"I really don't know what to say." She whispered, wiping the tears from her eyes. "I just can't believe it. Oh, Hermione, you really have been an angel. Who knows what Draco would have done of you hadn't come around. Lucius can be very persuasive…" Narcissa sat back down, her eyes brimming with tears. Hermione shifted over to stand next to Draco, his comforting arm around her shoulders. "And Draco…who would have ever thought you would be so in love with someone, and be willing to die for her and your child? Imagine that, Draco, you're going to be a father!" Narcissa sat back in her chair, smiling. The couple stood there, watching the blissful look on Narcissa's face, content with knowing at least one of their child's grandparents would be supportive. After a few silent moments, Narcissa stood suddenly, her brow furrowing. "Hermione, dear, have you gone to see Poppy yet?"
"Uh, no. Not yet. We came here first. We're the only three who know so far." Hermione said softly, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.
"Well, you must go to the hospital wing. Poppy will need to examine you and make sure everything is all right. Not to mention give you a few extra spells to help with the ailments of pregnancy." Narcissa added, smirking. "Go on, you two. Go see Poppy." Narcissa shooed Draco and Hermione out of the room, smiling gently as she shut the door firmly behind her. Draco laughed, lacing his fingers with Hermione's.
"Well, I guess you got to see who you wanted. Why didn't you tell me it was my mother?" Draco asked, walking up the stairs with Hermione.
"It was a surprise. Now come on, I want to stop at the owlery before going to see Madam Pomfrey. I want to send a letter to my parents. They deserve to know, too." Hermione said, walking down the corridor quickly. They reached the owlery and Hermione pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill from her pocket. She quickly scribbled a note.
Dear Mum and Dad,
I know this is going to come as a shock, but I'm pregnant. With Draco's child. I would have loved to tell you in person, and come to see you, but Dumbledore thinks it best if we stay here. I'll owl you soon.
Love from, Hermione
Hermione smiled, rolling up the parchment. She looked around for a school owl to send her letter on, when a sleek black owl landed on her shoulder and nibbled her ear. Draco laughed as Hermione turned quickly, causing the owl to fly off her shoulder and hover in front of them
"Oh, hello Demon." Hermione said, breathing a sigh of relief. "Would you mind delivering this note to my parents?" The little owl landed on her arm, extending its leg. Hermione attached the letter and patted Demon on the head. The owl gave a small cry, one similar to the wail of a human child, and flew out the window. Hermione turned to Draco. "Why does he make that awful noise?" She asked.
"He's a fearful owl. That's the sound they make." Draco explained. "Come on, we have to see Madam Pomfrey." Draco turned and left, his footsteps light on the wooden staircase. Hermione took one last look out the window at the retreating shape of Demon, before hurrying down the stairs after Draco.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Harry woke around ten o'clock that morning. Having had only four hours of sleep, he was considerably tired. Tanith was already downstairs when Harry walked into the kitchen, and she was dressed and ready to go. She gave Harry a warm smile and sat down with him so he could eat his breakfast.
"Good morning Harry." She said, hugging him gently.
"Morning Tanith." Harry answered sleepily. He took a sip of his juice and started in on his pancakes. "What did Moody say we were going to be doing today?"
"Oh, he told us that he was going to teach us some curses. He brought along of few garden gnomes to try them on. He said he'd tell us the counter-curse and the remedy as well." Tanith was folding an extra napkin into different shapes. Harry watched her in silence, surprised at how nimble her fingers worked. She stopped talking after a little while, and stared intently out the window. Harry was still watching her fingers fold the napkin, but spoke after a little while.
"You're coming to Hogwarts during holiday break, right?" He asked. Tanith nodded. "I think I'll go back then too. I kind of miss the old castle."
"Yeah, it is beautiful. I mean, Beauxbatons was pretty all right, but it was all too cluttered with decorations." Tanith sighed. "I will miss France though."
"I can imagine. Hermione went there before third year, and she just couldn't stop talking about it." Harry laughed quietly, his emerald green eyes clouding with memories. "Gods, I miss them so much. Ron, Hermione, Hagrid…I almost miss Malfoy." Harry smiled at Tanith. "I bet you miss your friends too."
Tanith's eyes darkened. "I didn't really have many friends. There were the occasional girls who would talk to me, but it was usually for homework or because of Edan. He was about your age; I think maybe a year older. All the girls at school liked him. He was your regular heartthrob." Tanith gave a small chuckle; her mouth pulled in a pained smile. "I miss him the most." Harry watched her, and gave her hand a small squeeze.
"I know, Tanith. But you have to move on. I'm not saying to forget him, but just try not to think about him so much." Harry leaned in, looking around the kitchen before speaking. "I know what it's like to lose someone, and I know that as bad as it hurt me, you're suffering more. But we all have to move on."
Tanith sighed. "I know, but it will be hard. I'm so glad you're here to help me Harry." She smiled slightly, and stood. "Come on. Moody doesn't like it when we're late." Harry stood as well, handing his plate to Esso.
"Where's Mildy?" Harry asked. The small house elf placed the plate in the sink and turned to Harry.
"It is her day off, Harry Potter, sir. She went to visit our mother." Esso snapped his fingers and hot soapy water started pouring on the dishes.
"Thanks, Esso." Harry called, walking out the door. Tanith was out of sight. Heaving a sigh, Harry ran in the direction of the field in which they practiced. When he still did not see Tanith, he looked behind him, worried. He called out her name a few times, before speaking in Parseltongue. "Tanith? Look, Moody's going to be here soon. Come on, Tanith!" Harry started to get a little exasperated, but a small black snake slithered up his leg.
"Hello, Harry. Did you miss me?" Tanith hissed. She fell to the ground, transforming. She had a wide grin spread across her face.
"You know, Tanith, you would make an excellent Slytherin." Harry said, putting his arm around her shoulders and giving them a slight squeeze. "But come to think of it, Ravenclaw would also be an excellent choice…Too bad you're going to be in Gryffindor!" Harry added confidently.
"And what makes you so sure of that, Mr. Potter?" Tanith asked, jokingly.
"Because you're my friend. And Hogwarts students do not intermingle." Harry smiled as Tanith laughed. Moody came out shortly after. A short line of garden gnomes followed him, tied around their waists with a thick rope. The gnomes looked sullenly at the ground, as if they knew why they were there. Moody stopped directly in front of Harry and Tanith.
"As I'm sure Miss Cohn has told you, Potter, today will be strictly devoted to curses. Now, let's get straight to work. The first curse you will be learning is the Exsang curse. It is very similar to one of the three forbidden curses, causing a bloodless death, but it is rarely used, as it takes a wizard of incredible power to produce." Moody paused, surveying his students. "I think both of you will be able to cast it with little difficulty. It has no counter-curse, nor can it be prevented. Repeat after me, wands lowered. Exsanguis." Moody said in a low, clear voice.
"Exsanguis," Harry and Tanith said. Moody nodded curtly.
"Right, now we aren't going to practice on the gnomes," The gnomes looked at Moody gratefully, "But I will conjure up a few objects for you to practice on. As soon as they take form, alternate turns, and try to kill it. Ready?" Moody asked, eyes glinting insanely. Harry and Tanith nodded, and Harry stepped forward. Moody whispered a spell, and a grayish smoke emanated from the end of his wand. The smoke twisted into the shape of a human and it lifted its insubstantial arm. Harry took another step forward.
"Exsanguis," He said firmly. His wand shot a green streak through the smoke, causing the figure to evaporate with an angry whisper of wind. Moody smiled darkly.
"Very nice Potter. Judging by the way that figure dissipated, I'd say you're ready with that one. Tanith, you're up." Moody motioned Tanith forward. She was gripping her wand very tightly, and her face had paled. Moody once again conjured up a smoke figure. Tanith whispered the curse almost inaudibly, and a faint violet light shot from her wand, but not with enough force to hit the figure. The figure kept advancing on Tanith, enveloping her in a cloud of thick gray smoke. Harry could hear her coughing, and tried to wave the smoke away, but he only managed to make it come his way. From somewhere beyond the billows of smoke, Moody whispered a curse and the cloud lifted. Harry and Tanith were both coughing, and Moody looked down disapprovingly. "I expected better, Miss Cohn." He said sternly.
"I'm sorry, sir. I'll do it right next time." Tanith said meekly. Moody turned away.
"You had better. In battle you only get one chance." He turned back, the lines on his face looking deeper, his eyes giving way to exhaustion. "Now, lets continue…"
* * * * * * * * * * *
Alone, Ron thought, walking down the hallways. His hands were crammed in his pockets, his shoulders slumped, and his feet dragged on the polished stone floors. He sighed, removing a hand from his pocket to run it through his hair. Alone, Ron thought again, I never really knew how much they meant to me before now. Harry's gone at Moody's, Hermione is always with Malfoy- the bitterness of losing his love to his enemy was waning, but still had not completely worn off- I guess you have to lose something to really appreciate it. Deep in thought, Ron wandered on aimlessly, not really headed anywhere. He closed his eyes, deeply breathing. He had a headache, and there were noises coming from the surrounding classrooms, signifying the end of class. Ron ran his hands over his eyes, not noticing the girl walking in front of him. With his eyes still closed, he ran into the girl, and instinctively caught her. His eyes fluttered open. He was gripping the girl's waist, and she had her arms around his neck. Looking into the girl's eyes, Ron noticed they were a sparkling blue with flecks of dark green. Mesmerized by her eyes, it took Ron a few minutes to realize they were still holding each other in the middle of the corridor. The girl tapped Ron lightly on the shoulder.
"Ron, you can put me down now." She said shyly.
"Oh! Er…sorry bout that." He stuttered, lifting the girl and placing her lightly on her feet. He stooped down, picking up her books and put them in her bag, handing them to her. She mumbled her thanks and started to leave, but Ron followed her. Placing a hand on her arm, he stopped her. "What's your name?" He asked, blurting it out before his better judgment could stop him.
"Oh! Camille Trepping." She smiled warmly. "I'm the Head Girl this year." Ron nodded in comprehension.
"I'm surprised I don't know you. You're only one year behind me." Ron still had his hand on Camille's arm. "What house are you in?"
Camille blushed slightly. "Slytherin," She mumbled quietly. Ron's hand recoiled sharply. Camille blushed harder, and turned to walk away. Ron stood there, watching her leave, and mentally smacked himself. He ran after her, calling her name, but this time she did not stop. Ron caught up to her and put his hands on her shoulders, turning her around. Ron noticed that her gorgeous eyes were filled with tears.
"Look, Camille, I'm sorry. I just have a sort of prejudice against Slytherins, but I imagine they can't all be bad." Ron searched her face for clues to how she might be feeling, but Camille only pulled a pained smile. "I really am sorry. Look, how about tomorrow we go somewhere? I mean, if Dumbledore would let you, I could take you down into Hogsmeade or something like that. I really do want to get to know you." Ron stumbled around his words, realizing that he had just asked a near stranger to come to Hogsmeade with him. "That is, if you want to get to know me." He added hastily.
"That sounds brilliant." Camille said, smiling. "I would love to come." Ron grinned.
"Excellent! I'll go talk to Dumbledore. How about you come over to sit with Hermione and me at dinner? We can talk then."
"Sure," Camille said, still smiling. Ron nodded and Camille started to leave again, but Ron stopped her for a third time. "What is it now?" She asked jokingly. Ron laughed.
"How did you know my name?" He asked. Camille's smile faded and was replaced by a look of worry. She couldn't admit to him that she had liked him for three years. Thinking quickly, Camille came up with an answering question.
"Who doesn't? You're practically as famous as that Potter boy you're always with." Camille winked slightly at Ron. "See you later!" She called, walking away. Ron watched her go, reluctant to let her keep walking, but instead turned around to head for Hermione's room. He had to ask her some things, and they all had to do with Camille.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Hermione and Draco arrived at the hospital wing in high spirits. It was a long walk from the owlery, but they managed to make the trip seem much shorter. Hand in hand, they walked into Madam Pomfrey's office. She was busy at her desk, scribbling away at students' records, but managed to glance up just long enough to identify the people in front of her.
"Mr. Malfoy, Miss Granger." She said crisply. "I didn't think I would be seeing either of you again, seeing as you graduated last year. What can I help you with?" Finally setting down her quill, she looked up. Noticing the look of apprehension on Hermione's face, Madam Pomfrey creased her brow. "What is it, child?"
"Mrs. Malfoy told me I should come up and see you," Hermione said quietly. It was different to promise someone to see the nurse than it was to actually be in her presence. "She said you would want to see me." Madam Pomfrey looked confused. Draco gave Hermione's hand a small squeeze and finished for her.
"Hermione's pregnant, Madam Pomfrey. My mother wants you to check up on her." Draco said firmly. It took a few seconds for the realization to set in, but Madam Pomfrey immediately set to work.
"Oh, m'dear, that is just wonderful! Now, come along with me. Mr. Malfoy, I want you to go back to your rooms. Miss Granger will be fine, I assure you. She'll be there in twenty or so minutes." The medi-witch led Hermione into the main room, pushing her lightly behind a curtain. Draco sighed, and left for his rooms. "Now, Miss Granger," The nurse continued after she had heard the door click shut, signifying Draco's absence. "Am I to understand that you have just found out, or that you have known for quite awhile?"
"We just found out last night." Hermione said softly, sitting down on the bed.
"Right, now, seeing as you'll probably be staying here for the duration of your pregnancy, you should come to see me once a month. The good thing about being a witch is that you don't have to struggle with normal Muggle pregnancies. I'm going to put a spell on you that should last about a month. It will actually help the baby, and you for that matter. You may feel a slight tingling sensation," Madam Pomfrey said, taking out her wand. She whispered a charm and a glittery blue light shot out, falling on Hermione's stomach. Hermione laughed at the tingle and Poppy smiled. "Now then, this will eliminate any feelings of discomfort. It has no lasting effects on you or your child. Since you're so young, your abdomen probably won't start to swell until at least your sixth month. You're all set then, Miss Granger. I'll see you next month!" Poppy finished cheerfully, walking back into her office. Hermione left the hospital wing to find Draco standing just outside the door.
"I thought Madam Pomfrey sent you to your dormitory, Malfoy." Hermione said, giving him a slight hug.
"What, and leave my wife alone? I would have stayed in there with you if she hadn't sent me away like that." Draco rolled his eyes. "The nerve of some people…" Hermione laughed. "Anyway, while you were in there, I happened to remember something. It's October thirtieth today, right?" Hermione nodded. "Guess what tomorrow is?"
"Oh my goodness! Halloween! I forgot!" Hermione said, placing a hand over her mouth to stifle her gasp. Draco smiled.
"Yes, tomorrow is Halloween. Very good, Granger. Five points to Gryffindor for figuring out the date." Draco smirked. "Now, I was wondering if you're up to going to the ball with me? I mean, I wouldn't want you to overexert yourself, you being pregnant and all…" Hermione smacked Draco lightly on the arm.
"Of course I want to go with you! I wouldn't miss it for the world! Will Dumbledore let us go? We aren't students, after all." Hermione creased her brow in thought. "I'll go ask him. I have to see him anyway. I want to know if Harry's all right. You go on back to the common room. Nero needs feeding." Hermione gave Draco a light kiss on the cheek and hurried off. Laughing slightly at her energy, Draco walked back to their dormitories. Finding the common room empty, Draco conjured up two white mice and placed them in Nero's cage.
"Eat up, boy." Draco said, stroking the snake's spine. He walked over to a chair and sat down. Much to Draco's disappointment, there was a noise outside the portrait. Someone was arguing with the mermaid.
"Look, I know Hermione is staying in there! Please just let me see her?" A male voice was yelling.
"I told you, she's not Head Girl anymore! And even if she was here, I wouldn't be allowed to let you in!" Apparently tired of fighting, the mermaid dove beneath the painted water. The portrait swung forward, though, as Draco exited.
"Looking for someone?" He drawled as Ron was walking away. Ron spun around, meeting Draco's glare.
"In fact, I was trying to find Hermione. Seen her lately?" Ron walked up to Draco. Ron was still a good two inches shorter than Draco, but his temper made up for his lack of height.
"She's talking to Dumbledore. Anything I can help you with?" Draco said, smirking.
"Unless you know how I can get Dumbledore to let me take Camille Trepping to Hogsmeade tomorrow, no." Ron crossed his arms loosely over his chest.
"Well, seeing as tomorrow is Halloween-" Draco was cut short.
"Wait, tomorrow's Halloween?" Ron asked quickly. Draco rolled his eyes, sighing.
"What is it with Gryffindors? Do they not use calendars?" Seeing the confused look on Ron's face, Draco continued. "Hermione forgot as well. Now, as I was saying, since tomorrow is Halloween, you probably won't be able to get Dumbledore's permission to take her anywhere. Why don't you see if she'll go to the ball with you?" Draco suggested.
"Yeah…that's a good idea Malfoy. Thanks." Ron said. The two boys stood there, staring at each other, before Hermione came running down the hall.
"Draco!" She said, hugging him tightly. "Dumbledore said we could go, and that Harry and Tanith are coming too!" She turned to Ron. "Are you coming to the ball?" Hermione asked, her amber eyes dancing.
"Well, Malfoy and I were just discussing that. He tells me I should invite Camille." Hermione started laughing. Ron turned very red. "Why is that funny?" Hermione shook her head.
"Oh, never mind. I'm sure she'll tell you someday." Hermione added mysteriously. "By the way, it's a costume ball, so we all have to dress up. I'm going inside now to find a costume. I suggest you do the same Draco, and Ron, you should go talk to Camille." Hermione kissed both boys on the cheek and skipped inside.
"She is definitely happy." Draco commented. "See you later Weasley."
"Bye Malfoy." Ron walked off down the hall. Camille had been headed towards the dungeons, so he expected her to be in potions. Upon reaching the classroom, most of the students had already left. Only Snape, Camille, and Ginny were left.
"Hey Ron!" Ginny exclaimed, swinging her bag over her shoulder and hugging Ron. "Excited about the ball tomorrow night?" Ron smiled uneasily.
"Gin, I'll talk to you later, okay?" Ron said. Ginny nodded, and ran to catch up to her friends. "Camille, I wanted to talk to you."
"Is she your date for the ball?" Camille asked suddenly, as if not hearing Ron at all. Her eyes had darkened since he last saw her. Ron shook his head.
"Ginny? She's my sister!" Ron said. Camille looked relieved, and smiled. "But I did want to ask you something about the ball…" Ron wrung his hands nervously. "Since tomorrow is Halloween, Malfoy thinks you probably won't be allowed out of the castle. But I was wondering, if you weren't already going with someone, if you would like to go with me?" Ron looked down. His heart was racing, he was blushing, and he was nervous. He barely even knew the girl and he was acting like a lovesick pre-teen.
"I would love to go with you Ron." Camille said softly.
"Oh, that's okay. I didn't expect you to want to go with me, I figured you probably already had a date." Ron said, looking dejected.
"Ron, weren't you listening? I said I wanted to go with you." Camille said, smiling nervously. Ron looked up.
"You did?" Ron said surprised. Camille nodded. "Wow, that was unexpected. I'll meet you in your common room tomorrow at six o'clock? Hermione and Malfoy will probably be there." Camille nodded. "Okay then! See you tomorrow!" Ron smiled and ran off. Camille walked slowly down the hallway in a sort of semi-conscious state. The boy she had secretly had a crush on for three years had finally asked her to the ball. She went to her dormitory, not surprised to see Hermione and Draco discussing their plans for the ball. Hermione jumped up and ran over to Camille.
"So, Camille, seen Ron lately?" Hermione asked, trying to appear casual. Camille looked at Hermione with a raised eyebrow.
"So what if I have?" She asked. Hermione sighed impatiently, but before she could say anything, Camille continued. "He asked me to the ball tomorrow night." Hermione squealed with delight and hugged Camille.
"Girls, calm down. It's only Weasley." Getting a sharp look from Hermione, Draco sighed. "Congratulations Camille. I hope you and Ron are very happy together. May you have many children and a beautiful life." Hermione threw a pillow at him. "Okay, I get it! I won't be nice anymore!" Hermione sat down with Draco again.
"You know, if your face weren't so gorgeous, I'd hit it." Hermione said, leafing through her Witch Weekly.
"You know, if you weren't so beautiful, I'd have to punish you." Draco said, smirking. Hermione placed her magazine down, moving to sit on Draco's lap.
"You can do that anyway." She whispered seductively. "But for now we have to work on our costumes." Hermione said briskly, standing up. Draco just looked at her.
"Fine," he said, sighing. "Now, what are we going as again?" Hermione picked up a worn book.
"We're going as Romeo and Juliet; literature's most famous couple. William Shakespeare was a famous Muggle author who wrote plays and sonnets among many other things. One if his most famous is about two young people who fall in love, even though their families hate one another." Hermione explained, sitting down and snuggling in close to Draco. "It's a tragedy, but really a beautiful story."
"I think I read that for Muggle studies two years ago. Is that the one where Juliet stabs herself because Romeo poisons himself?" Draco asked. Hermione nodded, looking up at him in admiration and astonishment.
"I didn't know you read Muggle literature." She said, smiling and curling back against him.
"Well, it was an assignment to read one Muggle book. I wrote to my mother and she sent me a copy." Draco told her, leaning down to place a kiss in her hair. "I think your idea is absolutely lovely."
"I was hoping you would like it. I would hate to go as Ophelia, from Hamlet. Read that one?" Hermione asked, not expecting him to have.
"I've read a great number of Shakespeare's works. You'd be surprised how many books I go through." Draco smirked at her slightly. "You aren't the only one who spends time in the library." Hermione turned, placing a soft kiss on his lips. "Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged." Draco whispered softly.
"Then have my lips the sin that they have took." Hermione answered, smiling faintly as the scene unfolded. She had only seen Romeo and Juliet once, but the emotion the actors had portrayed had reduced her to tears. Who would have thought she would be living it one day?
"Sin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urged! Give me my sin again." Draco breathed, leaning down to brush his lips on Hermione's in a feather-light kiss.
* * * * * * * * * * *
**AUTHOR'S NOTE!** yeah, I know…it took me more than a week to get this chapter up, but I've been having personal issues, and the field hockey coach is drilling us really hard since we lost. So anyways, sorry it took so long, but here it is! I was actually going for 4 more chapters, but I diverted myself, so guess what? MORE CHAPTERS! And you know what that means…I EXPECT MORE REVIEWS! IF I DON'T GET THEM, THERE WILL BE SOME MAJOR TROUBLE! YOU THINK A WEEK AND A HALF IS LONG? TRY A MONTH! AND THEN, ENTIRELY SNAPE/NARCISSA AND DRACO DIES IN A FREAK PUMPKIN ACCIDENT!!! MUAHHAAHAHA!!! review please. P.S. I know there is no Halloween ball, but I wanted one, so lets just say that Dumbledore added one after the Yule Ball in fourth year was such a big hit. *shrugs* I don't know! Think up your own reasons! Review.