Hermione entered her common room after a trip with Harry and Ron to the
kitchens. Without a second thought, she opened the door to her common room,
only to find Pansy all over Draco. This did not help her mood. The two
immediately parted, Draco pushing Pansy off him. Pansy looking incredibly
flushed and Draco looking incredibly insulted.
"Granger, can't you see we're busy?" she said.
Hermione's blood was boiling, and she was a millisecond away from exploding. Hermione pulled out her wand, and pointed it at Pansy's chest. The Slytherin girl's eyes widened.
"Get out, Pansy," Draco said quietly, his voice harsh.
"What was that, Draco?" she said, slowly backing away from Hermione toward Draco. He pushed her, and before he could yell at her, Hermione did.
"HE SAID GET OUT BEFORE I HEX YOU, YOU MORONIC COW!" she yelled, taking out her wand to prove her point.
Pansy looked near tears, gathered her things quickly and ran out the door. Hermione smirked sinisterly at Pansy's frightened face. This deeply disturbed Draco-never once in all his years knowing her had she smirked at the pain and fear of someone else. He knew he was in for it. It was a little over their first week even being friends, and he had already screwed things up. He met her eyes, and she quickly averted them.
"Look, Mione, I can explain-" Draco started.
"MIONE?! YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO CALL ME MIONE AFTER ALL THAT HAS HAPPENED TODAY?! YOU CALL ME A MUDBLOOD AGAIN AND THEN WHEN I'M RETURNING FROM DETENTION FROM THAT EVIL, SLIMY GIT I FIND YOU SNOGGING PANSY PARKINSON SENSELESS IN OUR COMMON ROOM! WE ARE HEAD BOY AND GIRL AND THIS COMMON ROOOM IS NOT FOR YOUR SNOGGING SESSIONS!" she shouted at him in an angry rage. He said nothing, his head lowered so she continued. "It's been just over a week since we've been friends, and you have already messed it up enough! You are just too complicated to be friends with. You're leading me on! I thought you might have actually liked me after our meeting at the lake. I guess I was wrong, I am so foolish to think that you even cared! Why I confided in you in any way is beyond me. But I don't think I will make the same mistake twice."
Angry tears were pouring down her face. Draco was just listening intently, and he decided he'd at least try to apologize.
"I'm sorry, Hermione. I want to be friends; I do care about you. I didn't mean-"
"Please, just don't, Draco. You don't do things you don't mean."
Hermione walked toward her dormitory, Draco following closely behind.
"I'm sorry, I didn't think. It's just that-" Hermione slammed the door in his face. She locked it manually and magically, with charms he could not possibly know the counter to.
Hermione collapsed onto her bed, taking out a piece of parchment and a quill.
"Please, just listen to me!" Draco was now pounding on the door, begging Hermione to hear him out.
She ignored him, and began to write.
Dear Mom,
Things are going great. It's my first week, and things are going smoothly. I've been made Head Girl, and classes are going well. The Head Boy and I are off to a great start, and I am really looking forward to working with him on plans for graduation and such. He is quite popular at Hogwarts and it is wonderful that we share the same friends and classes.
"Hermione, I don't understand you! What have I done wrong? Isn't it necessary that we keep our friendship a secret?"
Harry and Ron are doing well. We're still as close as ever and they have both grown into very handsome, mature boys. Hermione paused and read over her writing so far. She snorted. Most of it was a big lie. Draco was being terrible, and Ron was nowhere near acting mature. She then continued to write. All is well with me at Hogwarts, I only wish I was able to bring you along. I really hope that Dad has changed, and I hope that you are well. Please, let me know if anything happens.I'm afraid he will do something he will regret. I will write again soon. Much Love, Hermione
Draco's pounding and yelling had stopped, and Hermione reviewed the letter she wrote. It was splotched with tears, but Hermione didn't bother cleaning them off. She wrapped up the parchment and sent it off with her owl. She lay on her bed in thought for a while, Crookshanks laying on Hermione's tummy loyally, before drifting off into a deep sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Waking from an uncomfortable sleep, short sleep, Hermione threw her alarm clock at the wall. Pansy and Draco filled her mind.and his pleas were ringing in her ears. She lazily got ready, and decided that today she would spend time with Harry and Ron. She hoped that Draco wouldn't bother to talk to her around her two best friends. She quickly scanned her image and opened the door. She saw Draco sitting on the couch. 'Bastard,' she thought, 'ignorant, daft.handsome, charming.NO I can't think that way.he's a slimy, narcissistic, prat.'
He noticed her entering, and immediately stood up, walking toward her briskly.
"I'm sorry. Please, just hear me out, give me five minutes, and I promise I will make it up to you," Draco began.
"Please, just leave me alone," Hermione said quietly, averting her eyes.
She left Draco alone in the common room, and headed toward the Gryffindor tower. She decided it was best not to tell her friends about last night's incident. She took a deep breath, and entered the Gryffindor portrait hole, trying to leave all of her worries behind.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
'Monday morning Potions.great' Hermione thought. She groaned and sat between Ron and Harry during Potions, and was trying to divert her thoughts from Draco and Pansy. Pansy was terrified of her-much to the delight of the Golden Trio. Hermione thought of how scared Pansy had become. She lightly elbowed her two best friends, and she threw a glare Pansy's way, to watch her quickly avert her eyes. They snickered, and Hermione turned her head to Snape. She wasn't listening to him, just pretending she was. Then her thoughts were on Draco. She glanced at Draco, and noticed he was staring at her. She quickly looked away.
"Remember, this is a forceful truth potion, such as Veritaserum, and maybe even stronger. This is a fairly new truth potion so the effects that it will take upon each of you will be different. However, if you do not tell the truth, the color your eyes turn or the effect that takes place if you present a false statement will determine the lie. If the potion is brewed incorrectly," he looked pointedly at the Gryffindors, "then you will be given no credit for this assignment. I strongly advise you to tell the truth. I will ask you a question of my own before the class ends. Any questions?" He didn't even bother looking around the room. "Good."
The students looked nervous, and Hermione found herself wondering if this was even safe for them to be testing. She shrugged it off and retrieved her potion. She held the potion to her lips, and just before she drank it, the dungeon door opened to reveal a flustered Professor McGonagall. The room was silent, and all eyes were on their teachers.
"Professor, may I borrow Miss Granger for a moment?" she asked Snape.
"We are in the middle of an experiment, Minerva. Can it wait until after class?" he snapped coldly.
"No, Severus. The Headmaster needs to speak with her-it's an emergency," she replied quietly.
Hermione dropped the vial of liquid.
The frostiness of his voice seemed to melt, and he turned to Hermione. "Miss Granger, gather your belongings and you may leave with Professor McGonagall."
Hermione gathered her things slowly, and all eyes were on her. She kept her eyes on the ground and exited the classroom. Just as she closed the door, she heard the room burst with chatter and then Snape shout 'Get back to work!' She looked up to Professor McGonagall, expecting some type of reassurance that everything was fine, but received nothing. She and Professor McGonagall came to a stop, and Hermione realized they were at the entrance to Dumbledore's office. She turned to her Transfiguration Professor, and she mumbled the password, 'Chocolate Frogs.,' and turned to Hermione.
"Miss Granger, I wish you well," McGonagall said, "now go on to the Headmaster."
Hermione stepped onto the staircase and slowly made her way to his office. A million things were racing through her mind. She turned the knob slowly and entered the room quietly. Without being told, she sat down in the chair in front of Dumbledore.
"Miss Granger, I sincerely wish that there was an easier way to inform you of this. But I think that the best way to tell you would to be terse. I am aware that I cannot make this situation any easier for you or less painful to hear," Dumbledore began. His eyes were not sparkling. His face held a sorrowful expression.
Her face fell. 'No.no no no no no.' she thought to herself.
"Your mother was found dead early this morning, Miss Granger. There is reason to believe she took her own life."
She closed her eyes. 'No. I do not need this right now. I have nowhere to go, no one to turn to.'
"Her funeral will be held this Friday. I will give you the rest of the day off from your classes, is you wish. My deepest sympathies, Miss Granger."
She looked for something to say, but the words wouldn't come. She managed to whisper, "Thank you, Headmaster.
She rose and exited the room and slowly walked toward the staircases to make her way to the Head dormitories. 'No, Hermione.you must be strong. Don't worry about it for now.it's the beginning of the week, and the third week in the school year. You cannot breakdown.,' she told herself. She swallowed hard to keep the tears from flowing, and the bell rang. The hall filled with people, and she stood against the wall and watched the loads of content people walking to their next classes in packs. She slid down the wall and swallowed again. 'How can they be so happy? My mother is dead. I lost my only family,' she thought. She watched them walk by. The bell rang and the halls became silent. She heard a voice, and strained to listen. She saw Draco's white-blonde hair coming around the corner. Draco was walking down the hallway, Pansy closely at his heels. He looked agitated.
"Sod off, Pansy," he said harshly, "I need to get to Herbology."
"But Draco-" she whined.
"OUT OF MY FACE!" he yelled.
A nearby classroom opened, and a teacher poked her head out of the door. It was obvious she did not like him much.
"Mister Malfoy, may I ask why you are not in class, and have decided to disturb mine instead?" the short, chubby witch asked.
"I-" he began.
Hermione rose and refused to look at Draco to see his reaction. "Draco and I have been granted permission to patrol the corridors during this class period, and we found Miss Parkinson out of her classroom, and she refuses to return."
The teacher beamed at Hermione, and then turned to Pansy with a scowl. "Miss Parkinson, return to class at once. I will let you off the hook this time, but next time you will be punished." The teacher returned to her classroom, and both Draco and Pansy turned to Hermione. Draco was smirking and Pansy was appalled.
"I'm gonna get you for that, Granger!" she sneered.
"Oh, shove it, you cow! Get to your class," Hermione snapped.
Pansy shrieked and left them in peace. Hermione began to walk away and Draco grabbed her wrist. She turned to him, and they locked eyes. "Thanks," he said quietly.
"Don't think this means I forgive you," she responded just as quietly, and left him there staring after her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~
It was dinner. She was sitting at the table between Harry and Ron. Ron was stuffing his face with various foods, and Hermione was silently poking at her food.
"So, Mione what did Dumbledore want to talk to you about?" Harry asked.
She felt a pang, and swallowed. "Oh. Nothing, just some Head Girl business," she lied smoothly.
Harry raised his eyebrow. "Was it really that urgent, that he had to take you out of class?"
"Of course it was. If it wasn't he wouldn't have taken me out of class."
Ron opened his mouth to comment, and immediately, the Gryffindors checked their pumpkin juice and food. "Ugh. Ron, please take the time to chew your food. Remember what happened last time?" she spat. Everyone except Hermione was laughing at the recollection.
"Mione, you sound like my mum," he mumbled.
The pumpkin juice Hermione had to her lips fell from her hands. Her housemates looked at her questioningly.
"I-I have to go. I'll catch up with later," she said quietly.
Her friends watched her retreat and turned to each other.
"What do you think's up with Hermione?" Ron asked.
Harry shrugged. "I s'pose she's in a bad mood today."
Ron shrugged and went back to his food.
Hermione made her way to the common room. She whispered the password and entered the common room. Draco was on the couch waiting for her and immediately looked up. "Oh Merlin, just what I need," she whispered to herself.
He watched her walk toward her bedroom door. "Hermione, I'm sorry. Please just listen to me," he said. She stopped and turned around.
"I suppose I don't have a choice now do I?" she responded quietly. He barely smiled and she sat down on her couch.
"You see, Pansy and I were sitting in the common room. She was being extra daft, and I kept telling her to sod off, but she wouldn't go away. I don't know how she found out the password, Hermione. But when I came in here to get my jumper, she was sitting on my couch, waiting for me. Anyway, I sat down beside her, and she tried to get all cozy with me. When I pushed her away, she just came right back, so I got up and tried to leave for dinner. She just pushed me against the wall and kissed me. I tried to push her off.but she really is a cow," he managed to get out all in one breathe.
Hermione smiled sadly, and nodded her head. Draco continued.
"So now that you've heard the explanation, do you forgive me?" he questioned.
She nodded and rose to leave. He grabbed her wrist lightly.
"You have a habit of doing that, you know," Hermione said quietly.
"Doing what?" he asked, standing up.
"You always try to stop me from leaving," Hermione replied.
"What's wrong, Hermione?" he asked softly. She looked down, refusing to meet his eyes. He pushed her chin up. "What happened? You're sad. I can see it in your eyes."
He grabbed one of her hands in one of his, and raised the other one to wipe a tear that was making its way down her cheek.
"Can I trust you, Draco?" she said quietly, "She killed her. But I know he has something to do with it. I wish it were him who died. I wish-" a sob was threatening to escape, and she held it back. Her voice wavered to a whisper, "I wish that I was never born. Maybe then she would have had a better life; maybe she would have found someone else. Maybe he wouldn't have been so angry, and she wouldn't have been so depressed, if I didn't exist. I wouldn't have had to go through so much pain."
It was silent for what seemed like an eternity, and then Draco grabbed her hands, and met her eyes.
"I don't want to hear you say anything like that again. Potter and Weasley care about you, McGonagall cares about you, and Dumbledore cares about you. You are a brilliant witch. Your mother's death is not your fault, Hermione. Don't blame it on yourself, you're too good for that," he said softly, "I care about you."
" No. I'm untalented, and a burden. I don't know why I even try to be so perfect. Because I'm not, I'm not anything special. I'm just plain. I'm just me, and I don't want to be."
"I think you're beautiful," he whispered into her ear.
The sob escaped, and she collapsed into his arms, crying into his shoulder. They sat on her couch, and he comforted her.
She fell into a light sleep and he gently lifted her, and placed her on her bed. He placed he under the covers of her red and gold bed, and rose to leave. She grabbed his hand, and pulled him toward her. He sat down beside her.
"Please don't go. I don't want to be alone right now. Stay until I fall asleep," she whispered. He nodded in return. "Thank you."
He stayed until she fell asleep, her hand still in his. He found that he didn't want to leave her side. He pushed a strand of hair from of her face, and he sat beside her to watch her sleep. He listened to her slow, quiet breathing, and resisted the urge to kiss her only because he wanted to let her sleep. He settled on lightly kissing her hand.
"Sweets Dreams, my Hermione," he whispered. He rose and took one last look at her before closing the door quietly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: I am really sorry for not posting for so long. I have been having a crazy week, loads of homework, and Halloween tomorrow (WOOHOO PARTY!) so feel free to yell at me. This chapter was supposed to be a lot longer, it's just I have a lot to do. But I promise you all a very long chapter for #7. I'm going to have more detail and I promise it will be a lot more interesting than this chapter. Also, I just noticed something. When I write the dots it just puts one. That probably makes no sense, but those abrupt stops in the text are cause my computer is being weird.
THANK YOU FOR THE REVIEWS!
3 Kristen
"Granger, can't you see we're busy?" she said.
Hermione's blood was boiling, and she was a millisecond away from exploding. Hermione pulled out her wand, and pointed it at Pansy's chest. The Slytherin girl's eyes widened.
"Get out, Pansy," Draco said quietly, his voice harsh.
"What was that, Draco?" she said, slowly backing away from Hermione toward Draco. He pushed her, and before he could yell at her, Hermione did.
"HE SAID GET OUT BEFORE I HEX YOU, YOU MORONIC COW!" she yelled, taking out her wand to prove her point.
Pansy looked near tears, gathered her things quickly and ran out the door. Hermione smirked sinisterly at Pansy's frightened face. This deeply disturbed Draco-never once in all his years knowing her had she smirked at the pain and fear of someone else. He knew he was in for it. It was a little over their first week even being friends, and he had already screwed things up. He met her eyes, and she quickly averted them.
"Look, Mione, I can explain-" Draco started.
"MIONE?! YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO CALL ME MIONE AFTER ALL THAT HAS HAPPENED TODAY?! YOU CALL ME A MUDBLOOD AGAIN AND THEN WHEN I'M RETURNING FROM DETENTION FROM THAT EVIL, SLIMY GIT I FIND YOU SNOGGING PANSY PARKINSON SENSELESS IN OUR COMMON ROOM! WE ARE HEAD BOY AND GIRL AND THIS COMMON ROOOM IS NOT FOR YOUR SNOGGING SESSIONS!" she shouted at him in an angry rage. He said nothing, his head lowered so she continued. "It's been just over a week since we've been friends, and you have already messed it up enough! You are just too complicated to be friends with. You're leading me on! I thought you might have actually liked me after our meeting at the lake. I guess I was wrong, I am so foolish to think that you even cared! Why I confided in you in any way is beyond me. But I don't think I will make the same mistake twice."
Angry tears were pouring down her face. Draco was just listening intently, and he decided he'd at least try to apologize.
"I'm sorry, Hermione. I want to be friends; I do care about you. I didn't mean-"
"Please, just don't, Draco. You don't do things you don't mean."
Hermione walked toward her dormitory, Draco following closely behind.
"I'm sorry, I didn't think. It's just that-" Hermione slammed the door in his face. She locked it manually and magically, with charms he could not possibly know the counter to.
Hermione collapsed onto her bed, taking out a piece of parchment and a quill.
"Please, just listen to me!" Draco was now pounding on the door, begging Hermione to hear him out.
She ignored him, and began to write.
Dear Mom,
Things are going great. It's my first week, and things are going smoothly. I've been made Head Girl, and classes are going well. The Head Boy and I are off to a great start, and I am really looking forward to working with him on plans for graduation and such. He is quite popular at Hogwarts and it is wonderful that we share the same friends and classes.
"Hermione, I don't understand you! What have I done wrong? Isn't it necessary that we keep our friendship a secret?"
Harry and Ron are doing well. We're still as close as ever and they have both grown into very handsome, mature boys. Hermione paused and read over her writing so far. She snorted. Most of it was a big lie. Draco was being terrible, and Ron was nowhere near acting mature. She then continued to write. All is well with me at Hogwarts, I only wish I was able to bring you along. I really hope that Dad has changed, and I hope that you are well. Please, let me know if anything happens.I'm afraid he will do something he will regret. I will write again soon. Much Love, Hermione
Draco's pounding and yelling had stopped, and Hermione reviewed the letter she wrote. It was splotched with tears, but Hermione didn't bother cleaning them off. She wrapped up the parchment and sent it off with her owl. She lay on her bed in thought for a while, Crookshanks laying on Hermione's tummy loyally, before drifting off into a deep sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Waking from an uncomfortable sleep, short sleep, Hermione threw her alarm clock at the wall. Pansy and Draco filled her mind.and his pleas were ringing in her ears. She lazily got ready, and decided that today she would spend time with Harry and Ron. She hoped that Draco wouldn't bother to talk to her around her two best friends. She quickly scanned her image and opened the door. She saw Draco sitting on the couch. 'Bastard,' she thought, 'ignorant, daft.handsome, charming.NO I can't think that way.he's a slimy, narcissistic, prat.'
He noticed her entering, and immediately stood up, walking toward her briskly.
"I'm sorry. Please, just hear me out, give me five minutes, and I promise I will make it up to you," Draco began.
"Please, just leave me alone," Hermione said quietly, averting her eyes.
She left Draco alone in the common room, and headed toward the Gryffindor tower. She decided it was best not to tell her friends about last night's incident. She took a deep breath, and entered the Gryffindor portrait hole, trying to leave all of her worries behind.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
'Monday morning Potions.great' Hermione thought. She groaned and sat between Ron and Harry during Potions, and was trying to divert her thoughts from Draco and Pansy. Pansy was terrified of her-much to the delight of the Golden Trio. Hermione thought of how scared Pansy had become. She lightly elbowed her two best friends, and she threw a glare Pansy's way, to watch her quickly avert her eyes. They snickered, and Hermione turned her head to Snape. She wasn't listening to him, just pretending she was. Then her thoughts were on Draco. She glanced at Draco, and noticed he was staring at her. She quickly looked away.
"Remember, this is a forceful truth potion, such as Veritaserum, and maybe even stronger. This is a fairly new truth potion so the effects that it will take upon each of you will be different. However, if you do not tell the truth, the color your eyes turn or the effect that takes place if you present a false statement will determine the lie. If the potion is brewed incorrectly," he looked pointedly at the Gryffindors, "then you will be given no credit for this assignment. I strongly advise you to tell the truth. I will ask you a question of my own before the class ends. Any questions?" He didn't even bother looking around the room. "Good."
The students looked nervous, and Hermione found herself wondering if this was even safe for them to be testing. She shrugged it off and retrieved her potion. She held the potion to her lips, and just before she drank it, the dungeon door opened to reveal a flustered Professor McGonagall. The room was silent, and all eyes were on their teachers.
"Professor, may I borrow Miss Granger for a moment?" she asked Snape.
"We are in the middle of an experiment, Minerva. Can it wait until after class?" he snapped coldly.
"No, Severus. The Headmaster needs to speak with her-it's an emergency," she replied quietly.
Hermione dropped the vial of liquid.
The frostiness of his voice seemed to melt, and he turned to Hermione. "Miss Granger, gather your belongings and you may leave with Professor McGonagall."
Hermione gathered her things slowly, and all eyes were on her. She kept her eyes on the ground and exited the classroom. Just as she closed the door, she heard the room burst with chatter and then Snape shout 'Get back to work!' She looked up to Professor McGonagall, expecting some type of reassurance that everything was fine, but received nothing. She and Professor McGonagall came to a stop, and Hermione realized they were at the entrance to Dumbledore's office. She turned to her Transfiguration Professor, and she mumbled the password, 'Chocolate Frogs.,' and turned to Hermione.
"Miss Granger, I wish you well," McGonagall said, "now go on to the Headmaster."
Hermione stepped onto the staircase and slowly made her way to his office. A million things were racing through her mind. She turned the knob slowly and entered the room quietly. Without being told, she sat down in the chair in front of Dumbledore.
"Miss Granger, I sincerely wish that there was an easier way to inform you of this. But I think that the best way to tell you would to be terse. I am aware that I cannot make this situation any easier for you or less painful to hear," Dumbledore began. His eyes were not sparkling. His face held a sorrowful expression.
Her face fell. 'No.no no no no no.' she thought to herself.
"Your mother was found dead early this morning, Miss Granger. There is reason to believe she took her own life."
She closed her eyes. 'No. I do not need this right now. I have nowhere to go, no one to turn to.'
"Her funeral will be held this Friday. I will give you the rest of the day off from your classes, is you wish. My deepest sympathies, Miss Granger."
She looked for something to say, but the words wouldn't come. She managed to whisper, "Thank you, Headmaster.
She rose and exited the room and slowly walked toward the staircases to make her way to the Head dormitories. 'No, Hermione.you must be strong. Don't worry about it for now.it's the beginning of the week, and the third week in the school year. You cannot breakdown.,' she told herself. She swallowed hard to keep the tears from flowing, and the bell rang. The hall filled with people, and she stood against the wall and watched the loads of content people walking to their next classes in packs. She slid down the wall and swallowed again. 'How can they be so happy? My mother is dead. I lost my only family,' she thought. She watched them walk by. The bell rang and the halls became silent. She heard a voice, and strained to listen. She saw Draco's white-blonde hair coming around the corner. Draco was walking down the hallway, Pansy closely at his heels. He looked agitated.
"Sod off, Pansy," he said harshly, "I need to get to Herbology."
"But Draco-" she whined.
"OUT OF MY FACE!" he yelled.
A nearby classroom opened, and a teacher poked her head out of the door. It was obvious she did not like him much.
"Mister Malfoy, may I ask why you are not in class, and have decided to disturb mine instead?" the short, chubby witch asked.
"I-" he began.
Hermione rose and refused to look at Draco to see his reaction. "Draco and I have been granted permission to patrol the corridors during this class period, and we found Miss Parkinson out of her classroom, and she refuses to return."
The teacher beamed at Hermione, and then turned to Pansy with a scowl. "Miss Parkinson, return to class at once. I will let you off the hook this time, but next time you will be punished." The teacher returned to her classroom, and both Draco and Pansy turned to Hermione. Draco was smirking and Pansy was appalled.
"I'm gonna get you for that, Granger!" she sneered.
"Oh, shove it, you cow! Get to your class," Hermione snapped.
Pansy shrieked and left them in peace. Hermione began to walk away and Draco grabbed her wrist. She turned to him, and they locked eyes. "Thanks," he said quietly.
"Don't think this means I forgive you," she responded just as quietly, and left him there staring after her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~
It was dinner. She was sitting at the table between Harry and Ron. Ron was stuffing his face with various foods, and Hermione was silently poking at her food.
"So, Mione what did Dumbledore want to talk to you about?" Harry asked.
She felt a pang, and swallowed. "Oh. Nothing, just some Head Girl business," she lied smoothly.
Harry raised his eyebrow. "Was it really that urgent, that he had to take you out of class?"
"Of course it was. If it wasn't he wouldn't have taken me out of class."
Ron opened his mouth to comment, and immediately, the Gryffindors checked their pumpkin juice and food. "Ugh. Ron, please take the time to chew your food. Remember what happened last time?" she spat. Everyone except Hermione was laughing at the recollection.
"Mione, you sound like my mum," he mumbled.
The pumpkin juice Hermione had to her lips fell from her hands. Her housemates looked at her questioningly.
"I-I have to go. I'll catch up with later," she said quietly.
Her friends watched her retreat and turned to each other.
"What do you think's up with Hermione?" Ron asked.
Harry shrugged. "I s'pose she's in a bad mood today."
Ron shrugged and went back to his food.
Hermione made her way to the common room. She whispered the password and entered the common room. Draco was on the couch waiting for her and immediately looked up. "Oh Merlin, just what I need," she whispered to herself.
He watched her walk toward her bedroom door. "Hermione, I'm sorry. Please just listen to me," he said. She stopped and turned around.
"I suppose I don't have a choice now do I?" she responded quietly. He barely smiled and she sat down on her couch.
"You see, Pansy and I were sitting in the common room. She was being extra daft, and I kept telling her to sod off, but she wouldn't go away. I don't know how she found out the password, Hermione. But when I came in here to get my jumper, she was sitting on my couch, waiting for me. Anyway, I sat down beside her, and she tried to get all cozy with me. When I pushed her away, she just came right back, so I got up and tried to leave for dinner. She just pushed me against the wall and kissed me. I tried to push her off.but she really is a cow," he managed to get out all in one breathe.
Hermione smiled sadly, and nodded her head. Draco continued.
"So now that you've heard the explanation, do you forgive me?" he questioned.
She nodded and rose to leave. He grabbed her wrist lightly.
"You have a habit of doing that, you know," Hermione said quietly.
"Doing what?" he asked, standing up.
"You always try to stop me from leaving," Hermione replied.
"What's wrong, Hermione?" he asked softly. She looked down, refusing to meet his eyes. He pushed her chin up. "What happened? You're sad. I can see it in your eyes."
He grabbed one of her hands in one of his, and raised the other one to wipe a tear that was making its way down her cheek.
"Can I trust you, Draco?" she said quietly, "She killed her. But I know he has something to do with it. I wish it were him who died. I wish-" a sob was threatening to escape, and she held it back. Her voice wavered to a whisper, "I wish that I was never born. Maybe then she would have had a better life; maybe she would have found someone else. Maybe he wouldn't have been so angry, and she wouldn't have been so depressed, if I didn't exist. I wouldn't have had to go through so much pain."
It was silent for what seemed like an eternity, and then Draco grabbed her hands, and met her eyes.
"I don't want to hear you say anything like that again. Potter and Weasley care about you, McGonagall cares about you, and Dumbledore cares about you. You are a brilliant witch. Your mother's death is not your fault, Hermione. Don't blame it on yourself, you're too good for that," he said softly, "I care about you."
" No. I'm untalented, and a burden. I don't know why I even try to be so perfect. Because I'm not, I'm not anything special. I'm just plain. I'm just me, and I don't want to be."
"I think you're beautiful," he whispered into her ear.
The sob escaped, and she collapsed into his arms, crying into his shoulder. They sat on her couch, and he comforted her.
She fell into a light sleep and he gently lifted her, and placed her on her bed. He placed he under the covers of her red and gold bed, and rose to leave. She grabbed his hand, and pulled him toward her. He sat down beside her.
"Please don't go. I don't want to be alone right now. Stay until I fall asleep," she whispered. He nodded in return. "Thank you."
He stayed until she fell asleep, her hand still in his. He found that he didn't want to leave her side. He pushed a strand of hair from of her face, and he sat beside her to watch her sleep. He listened to her slow, quiet breathing, and resisted the urge to kiss her only because he wanted to let her sleep. He settled on lightly kissing her hand.
"Sweets Dreams, my Hermione," he whispered. He rose and took one last look at her before closing the door quietly.
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A/N: I am really sorry for not posting for so long. I have been having a crazy week, loads of homework, and Halloween tomorrow (WOOHOO PARTY!) so feel free to yell at me. This chapter was supposed to be a lot longer, it's just I have a lot to do. But I promise you all a very long chapter for #7. I'm going to have more detail and I promise it will be a lot more interesting than this chapter. Also, I just noticed something. When I write the dots it just puts one. That probably makes no sense, but those abrupt stops in the text are cause my computer is being weird.
THANK YOU FOR THE REVIEWS!
3 Kristen