Disclaimer: All characters and places in the Harry Potter series are owned
by J.K. Rowling. I have created a few characters and places of my own in
relation to this story. But everything else is owned by Rowling.
Chapter 7: "Relationships Found and Wands Lost"
Harry was just about to go out and look for Hermione when the portrait hole suddenly burst open, with a very clear and audible scream from the Fat Lady ("Don't go pouring out all your emotions on me!"), and Hermione was dashing inside.
"Hermione, are you alright?" Harry asked, unsure if it was the right time.
"Do I look alright?" Hermione answered, slouching on the chair.
"What happened?" Harry said, settling by the floor in front of the chair, looking up at her in deep concern.
Hermione heaved a sigh. "I had a. a conversation with Malfoy."
"What?" Ron almost jumped from his seat.
Hermione was surprised Harry didn't even move a bit. "You talked things over?" Hermione nodded. "Then what happened?"
"I left him alone," Hermione answered. Her eyes moved to the window. She couldn't see anything outside. It was pure darkness. She was wondering if Draco was still out there by the lake.
"Just like that?" Harry asked. "Hermione, what did you tell him exactly?"
"That it was hard for me to forgive him, to trust him, to accept him as my friend. I was rather harsh. I was just mad that he was suddenly asking to be my friend after all he'd done to me."
Harry reached for Hermione's hands and he led her to the couch, beside Ron. He sat on her other side and tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ear. "What did he say?"
"He said he'd try," answered Hermione.
"I'm rather amazed by that lad. Hermione has turned him down so many times but he's still as persevering as ever," Ron butt in.
"Yes, he has. Because he wants to prove himself to you," Harry told Hermione.
"Maybe all I need is time," Hermione replied. "Some of the things he said, they. they made me think. I asked myself how long it would go on like this, him trying to win my trust, and me just ignoring him all the time. And us," she said, looking at Harry, "not being able to really be together all because of my petty fears and hesitations."
"Hermione, I'm not forcing you into this relationship. If you think you need more time to consider it, then that's exactly what I'll give you," Harry answered.
"Believe her, 'Mione. He had almost half of the day thinking about it," Ron chimed in.
"You don't need to that anymore, Harry. It's okay with me now. I totally understand," Hermione said.
"Maybe you're just being forced."
"Trust that this is what I want."
Harry smiled, and then slowly leaned forward. He gave Hermione the first kiss they've had for days, as deep and as passionate as it has always been. "I'm all yours, Mr. Potter."
"And you're okay with people knowing about this?" Harry asked.
"Let's just say you can start putting up the banners," Hermione answered. "I've realized that we shouldn't hide what we feel about each other. And that I should be proud being the girl who owns your heart."
Hermione then leaned forward to kiss Harry.
"Okay, enough of the mushiness!" Ron exclaimed. "Haven't you noticed that people are watching you?"
Both Harry and Hermione looked around and the whole common room was packed with Gryffindors all gaping at them, apparently eager for more.
"Okay, show's over! You can go back to work now!" Ron shouted. "Gossipers."
Harry and Hermione both straightened up on their seat. "Sorry, got carried away," Harry said.
"Next time you'd wanna do that, warn me first, okay? So that I can turn my back, shout for everyone else to drop dead, then do the same, so that you can have all the time you want," Ron responded.
"Oh, Ron, you're so sweet," Hermione said, reaching to give Ron a kiss on the cheek.
"Am I the only one who heard the sarcasm in my voice?" Ron said.
Harry and Hermione both started laughing.
"Fine. Laugh. I'll just wait here until both of you decide to stop collecting some gas to be released later in the evening," Ron said.
"Oh, come on, Ron. We're just having some fun," Harry said.
"Hahaha. Now can we be serious?"
"Ron, you were never the serious one," said Hermione
"Not until the two of you started dating and creating some problems that you'd occasionally drag me into, and until Draco Malfoy started declaring his love for you!"
Hermione's face turned red.
"Excuse me?" Harry said.
"What? It was an expression!" Ron exclaimed. "Geesh, people. Now that I started with my own jokes, you both turn serious on me. I just don't understand."
"I guess at least one of us has to remain serious all the time," Hermione finally blurted out.
"Okay, back to the bigger picture. Hermione, what were you saying about Draco?" Ron asked. Harry turned an eager face.
Hermione took a deep breath. "I guess I'm bound to say this sooner or later."
Harry and Ron didn't blink.
"I think I'm finally ready to give him a chance. Just one chance."
Ron beamed widely. Harry gave Hermione a warm embrace.
*And he better not blow it,* Hermione thought.
***
"Where have you been?"
Draco Malfoy had been looking all around the castle for that one person he needed. He had almost given up when he found Dylan Watson in deep slumber on the couch of the Slytherin common room.
"I've been looking all over for you!" Draco cried.
"I've just been. around," Dylan answered, yawning and stretching his arms.
"Around doesn't suit me. I need you now."
"What's the big rush?" Dylan said, smirking.
Draco lunged forward and held him by the collar. "Don't give me that look. You push me into something that you're gonna escape from, and you even hurt the girl I love." Draco held his grip tighter. "And then you vanish from thin air."
"I didn't vanish. I just ran away. You know as well as I do that no one could apparate inside Hogwarts," Dylan answered, still wearing that irritating smile. "Plus, I wasn't trying to escape. I was just giving you enough time to be with Ms. Granger. Think about it, if I hadn't held her like that, kept her there long enough for you to reach her, would you have had the chance to talk?"
"How did you know we talked?" Draco didn't loosen his grip.
"Honestly, you expect no one to notice Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger talking by the lake? She's the boy who live's asset, all eyes are upon her. And upon you."
Draco finally let go of Dylan's collar. He settled himself on the couch instead. Straightening himself up and regaining his posture, Dylan reached inside his pocket and brought out his wand. He waved it once and muttered something under his breath. Then, he put it back inside his robes.
"What was that?" Draco asked.
"I see you'll find the same scorch mark on that bark over by the lake that you were leaning on. That was stage two," Dylan answered.
"Stage two didn't get me anywhere."
Dylan chuckled. "You'll see."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you should have more faith in yourself. Tomorrow is a brand new day."
"I'm not taking any advice from an 11 year-old."
"No you're not. You're taking advice from me."
***
The following morning, everybody knew about Harry and Hermione's newfound relationship. It wasn't actually new. Everyone was just waiting for some kind of confirmation. And now they're getting it.
"This is crazy. Everywhere we go, people always congratulate us, like we won some sort of medal or honor," Hermione commented during breakfast.
"Well, isn't it an honor to be with me?" Harry responded.
"It is. But the people around us are getting crazy. It's more fuzz than I expected."
"Are you telling me that you are backing out, Ms. Granger?" Ron asked.
"Backing out? Not in a thousand years. I promised you that I will face the people's reaction with open arms. And I intend to keep that promise. Even if it means giving Colin Creevey pictures of me and Harry for his 'collection,'" Hermione replied.
"I guess he's just excited as I am," Harry said. "Look, I've finished my photo album. And I put pictures of Ron as well. Happy now?" Harry placed the album on Hermione's lap. Even Hermione was impressed with the hard work Harry has put in just to complete it.
"I am happy," she said, giving Harry the seventh kiss he's had that morning. As expected, everyone was looking. Girls were giggling and boys were beaming widely.
Everyone except Draco Malfoy, that is. As Hermione had also noticed, he hasn't appeared for breakfast yet. And it's almost time for classes. And then Hermione remembered something.
"My wand! I still don't have my wand!" Hermione exclaimed.
"What do you mean you still don't have your wand?" Harry asked.
"I must have dropped it somewhere yesterday," she said.
"Let's see. It's probably there by the lake. That's the only place aside from the common room that you've been to yesterday after classes," Ron said.
"Actually it wasn't," Hermione replied.
"Oh, did you go to the library?" Harry asked.
"I haven't had time for the library lately, Harry." Hermione noticed that Harry looked upset. "But I did pass by the other day and found out that all the books I would need have reserved copies and are neatly compiled in a shelf, beside a round table and a chair that, according to Madam Pince, was especially placed there for my individual use. Obviously, this was all your doing, Mr. Potter."
Harry beamed widely. "Did you like it?"
"You didn't have to go to that much trouble for me."
"I'd do anything for the one I love."
Hermione smiled. But those words reminded her of somebody else's. Draco's.
"Anyway," she started, seeing the look on Ron's face, "before I had that conversation with Draco by the lake, he found me by the hallway on the seventh floor.
"What were you doing there?" Harry asked.
"I was trying to be alone. I was upset over our fight," she answered. "Anyway, maybe I dropped my wand there."
"But if you had really dropped your wand there, don't you think somebody might have found it and returned it by now?" asked Ron.
"Ron's got a point, Hermione," said Harry.
"Wait, that other guy." Hermione wondered out loud.
"What other guy?" Harry asked.
"I met a younger student just before Draco and I really talked. He grabbed me and introduced himself to me in the most awkward way."
"Did he hurt you?"
"Honestly, Harry, if someone had tried to hurt Hermione, she'd tell you right away, so stop interrupting her," Ron butted in.
"Oh, sorry."
Hermione smiled. "Anyway, maybe he found my wand and he just hasn't given it to me yet. Then again, he might have just handed it to Draco for him to just give it to me."
"This guy sounds suspicious, Hermione," Harry said.
"Now that you've put it that way, he was kinda weird. Especially for a guy his age."
"What year do you think he's in?" Ron asked.
"First or second, not more than that. Slytherin, I saw from his badge."
"I suggest you stay away from him," said Harry.
"And you know what the funny thing is?"
"What?" Harry and Ron asked in union.
"I think I know him."
Chapter 7: "Relationships Found and Wands Lost"
Harry was just about to go out and look for Hermione when the portrait hole suddenly burst open, with a very clear and audible scream from the Fat Lady ("Don't go pouring out all your emotions on me!"), and Hermione was dashing inside.
"Hermione, are you alright?" Harry asked, unsure if it was the right time.
"Do I look alright?" Hermione answered, slouching on the chair.
"What happened?" Harry said, settling by the floor in front of the chair, looking up at her in deep concern.
Hermione heaved a sigh. "I had a. a conversation with Malfoy."
"What?" Ron almost jumped from his seat.
Hermione was surprised Harry didn't even move a bit. "You talked things over?" Hermione nodded. "Then what happened?"
"I left him alone," Hermione answered. Her eyes moved to the window. She couldn't see anything outside. It was pure darkness. She was wondering if Draco was still out there by the lake.
"Just like that?" Harry asked. "Hermione, what did you tell him exactly?"
"That it was hard for me to forgive him, to trust him, to accept him as my friend. I was rather harsh. I was just mad that he was suddenly asking to be my friend after all he'd done to me."
Harry reached for Hermione's hands and he led her to the couch, beside Ron. He sat on her other side and tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ear. "What did he say?"
"He said he'd try," answered Hermione.
"I'm rather amazed by that lad. Hermione has turned him down so many times but he's still as persevering as ever," Ron butt in.
"Yes, he has. Because he wants to prove himself to you," Harry told Hermione.
"Maybe all I need is time," Hermione replied. "Some of the things he said, they. they made me think. I asked myself how long it would go on like this, him trying to win my trust, and me just ignoring him all the time. And us," she said, looking at Harry, "not being able to really be together all because of my petty fears and hesitations."
"Hermione, I'm not forcing you into this relationship. If you think you need more time to consider it, then that's exactly what I'll give you," Harry answered.
"Believe her, 'Mione. He had almost half of the day thinking about it," Ron chimed in.
"You don't need to that anymore, Harry. It's okay with me now. I totally understand," Hermione said.
"Maybe you're just being forced."
"Trust that this is what I want."
Harry smiled, and then slowly leaned forward. He gave Hermione the first kiss they've had for days, as deep and as passionate as it has always been. "I'm all yours, Mr. Potter."
"And you're okay with people knowing about this?" Harry asked.
"Let's just say you can start putting up the banners," Hermione answered. "I've realized that we shouldn't hide what we feel about each other. And that I should be proud being the girl who owns your heart."
Hermione then leaned forward to kiss Harry.
"Okay, enough of the mushiness!" Ron exclaimed. "Haven't you noticed that people are watching you?"
Both Harry and Hermione looked around and the whole common room was packed with Gryffindors all gaping at them, apparently eager for more.
"Okay, show's over! You can go back to work now!" Ron shouted. "Gossipers."
Harry and Hermione both straightened up on their seat. "Sorry, got carried away," Harry said.
"Next time you'd wanna do that, warn me first, okay? So that I can turn my back, shout for everyone else to drop dead, then do the same, so that you can have all the time you want," Ron responded.
"Oh, Ron, you're so sweet," Hermione said, reaching to give Ron a kiss on the cheek.
"Am I the only one who heard the sarcasm in my voice?" Ron said.
Harry and Hermione both started laughing.
"Fine. Laugh. I'll just wait here until both of you decide to stop collecting some gas to be released later in the evening," Ron said.
"Oh, come on, Ron. We're just having some fun," Harry said.
"Hahaha. Now can we be serious?"
"Ron, you were never the serious one," said Hermione
"Not until the two of you started dating and creating some problems that you'd occasionally drag me into, and until Draco Malfoy started declaring his love for you!"
Hermione's face turned red.
"Excuse me?" Harry said.
"What? It was an expression!" Ron exclaimed. "Geesh, people. Now that I started with my own jokes, you both turn serious on me. I just don't understand."
"I guess at least one of us has to remain serious all the time," Hermione finally blurted out.
"Okay, back to the bigger picture. Hermione, what were you saying about Draco?" Ron asked. Harry turned an eager face.
Hermione took a deep breath. "I guess I'm bound to say this sooner or later."
Harry and Ron didn't blink.
"I think I'm finally ready to give him a chance. Just one chance."
Ron beamed widely. Harry gave Hermione a warm embrace.
*And he better not blow it,* Hermione thought.
***
"Where have you been?"
Draco Malfoy had been looking all around the castle for that one person he needed. He had almost given up when he found Dylan Watson in deep slumber on the couch of the Slytherin common room.
"I've been looking all over for you!" Draco cried.
"I've just been. around," Dylan answered, yawning and stretching his arms.
"Around doesn't suit me. I need you now."
"What's the big rush?" Dylan said, smirking.
Draco lunged forward and held him by the collar. "Don't give me that look. You push me into something that you're gonna escape from, and you even hurt the girl I love." Draco held his grip tighter. "And then you vanish from thin air."
"I didn't vanish. I just ran away. You know as well as I do that no one could apparate inside Hogwarts," Dylan answered, still wearing that irritating smile. "Plus, I wasn't trying to escape. I was just giving you enough time to be with Ms. Granger. Think about it, if I hadn't held her like that, kept her there long enough for you to reach her, would you have had the chance to talk?"
"How did you know we talked?" Draco didn't loosen his grip.
"Honestly, you expect no one to notice Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger talking by the lake? She's the boy who live's asset, all eyes are upon her. And upon you."
Draco finally let go of Dylan's collar. He settled himself on the couch instead. Straightening himself up and regaining his posture, Dylan reached inside his pocket and brought out his wand. He waved it once and muttered something under his breath. Then, he put it back inside his robes.
"What was that?" Draco asked.
"I see you'll find the same scorch mark on that bark over by the lake that you were leaning on. That was stage two," Dylan answered.
"Stage two didn't get me anywhere."
Dylan chuckled. "You'll see."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you should have more faith in yourself. Tomorrow is a brand new day."
"I'm not taking any advice from an 11 year-old."
"No you're not. You're taking advice from me."
***
The following morning, everybody knew about Harry and Hermione's newfound relationship. It wasn't actually new. Everyone was just waiting for some kind of confirmation. And now they're getting it.
"This is crazy. Everywhere we go, people always congratulate us, like we won some sort of medal or honor," Hermione commented during breakfast.
"Well, isn't it an honor to be with me?" Harry responded.
"It is. But the people around us are getting crazy. It's more fuzz than I expected."
"Are you telling me that you are backing out, Ms. Granger?" Ron asked.
"Backing out? Not in a thousand years. I promised you that I will face the people's reaction with open arms. And I intend to keep that promise. Even if it means giving Colin Creevey pictures of me and Harry for his 'collection,'" Hermione replied.
"I guess he's just excited as I am," Harry said. "Look, I've finished my photo album. And I put pictures of Ron as well. Happy now?" Harry placed the album on Hermione's lap. Even Hermione was impressed with the hard work Harry has put in just to complete it.
"I am happy," she said, giving Harry the seventh kiss he's had that morning. As expected, everyone was looking. Girls were giggling and boys were beaming widely.
Everyone except Draco Malfoy, that is. As Hermione had also noticed, he hasn't appeared for breakfast yet. And it's almost time for classes. And then Hermione remembered something.
"My wand! I still don't have my wand!" Hermione exclaimed.
"What do you mean you still don't have your wand?" Harry asked.
"I must have dropped it somewhere yesterday," she said.
"Let's see. It's probably there by the lake. That's the only place aside from the common room that you've been to yesterday after classes," Ron said.
"Actually it wasn't," Hermione replied.
"Oh, did you go to the library?" Harry asked.
"I haven't had time for the library lately, Harry." Hermione noticed that Harry looked upset. "But I did pass by the other day and found out that all the books I would need have reserved copies and are neatly compiled in a shelf, beside a round table and a chair that, according to Madam Pince, was especially placed there for my individual use. Obviously, this was all your doing, Mr. Potter."
Harry beamed widely. "Did you like it?"
"You didn't have to go to that much trouble for me."
"I'd do anything for the one I love."
Hermione smiled. But those words reminded her of somebody else's. Draco's.
"Anyway," she started, seeing the look on Ron's face, "before I had that conversation with Draco by the lake, he found me by the hallway on the seventh floor.
"What were you doing there?" Harry asked.
"I was trying to be alone. I was upset over our fight," she answered. "Anyway, maybe I dropped my wand there."
"But if you had really dropped your wand there, don't you think somebody might have found it and returned it by now?" asked Ron.
"Ron's got a point, Hermione," said Harry.
"Wait, that other guy." Hermione wondered out loud.
"What other guy?" Harry asked.
"I met a younger student just before Draco and I really talked. He grabbed me and introduced himself to me in the most awkward way."
"Did he hurt you?"
"Honestly, Harry, if someone had tried to hurt Hermione, she'd tell you right away, so stop interrupting her," Ron butted in.
"Oh, sorry."
Hermione smiled. "Anyway, maybe he found my wand and he just hasn't given it to me yet. Then again, he might have just handed it to Draco for him to just give it to me."
"This guy sounds suspicious, Hermione," Harry said.
"Now that you've put it that way, he was kinda weird. Especially for a guy his age."
"What year do you think he's in?" Ron asked.
"First or second, not more than that. Slytherin, I saw from his badge."
"I suggest you stay away from him," said Harry.
"And you know what the funny thing is?"
"What?" Harry and Ron asked in union.
"I think I know him."