Hermione changed into her pajamas and slid into bed. After about ten
minutes of staring out her window into the stars, she found herself
picturing Draco in each of the different star combinations.
Her thoughts changed to The Kiss.
And as much as she didn't want to believe it, she had felt something when his lips had touched hers.
~*~
"I'm NOT in love with Her-Mudbl-Grang-Hermione!" Draco couldn't bring himself to call her anything but Hermione, except maybe Mione. He continued to pace.
He knew what he had to do the next day, and he hated the thought of what he had to do after he chose the final two. His decisions were made; there was no turning back now. He hadn't expected to fall in love with anyone, not truly, especially not. her.
Her. Now he had been taught what it was like to love someone so much you might have to let them go, if only for their good. He hoped it was for her good, at least.
"Oh, I give up, I love her. There, I said it, are you happy now?" he yelled to no one in particular.
"Stupid cupid," he muttered, and then snorted with laughter. He knew his music, whether it be muggle or wizard.
After pacing around a few more times, he lay down onto his bed, and discovered himself thinking there was only one woman who would ever feel right laying in that empty spot right across from him.
"And she never will," he said bitterly. He wasn't sure if he wholly believed that, though...
With thoughts like these going around their heads, Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy fell into a troubled sleep, together mentally, yet apart physically.
~*~
Harry sighed and looked sideways at Ron, who was still staring with rage at Malfoy. Harry knew what was going on between Hermione and. Draco. There. He had called him Draco.
"For Hermione," he thought. "I'll call him Draco for Hermione. But i don't think we can ever be friends. I can at least be civil for him, unless he ever hurts her."
The end of Mr. Millionaire, the most popular reality show in the Wizarding world, was coming to an end. Only two more episodes.
"Same time next week?" Harry asked, bringing Ron back into the real world.
"Yeah, sure," he grunted in reply.
"Night; you coming, Cho?"
"Be right there."
"Good night, Harry, Cho," Lavender said, and went off to tuck in Blaze.
Ron walked off, still muttering under his breath.
~*~
The sun streamed through the windows, cheerful and warm, as Draco aroused and welcomed himself back into reality.
Reality was so harsh sometimes.
He changed and headed for the door.
The beckoning smells of breakfast wafted into his bedroom as he opened it.
The same smells had finally reached Hermione's nose.
~*~
"Breakfast," Hermione thought hungrily; she slipped on a robe and crept out the door. A loud snore erupted from one of the other rooms; everyone else was still asleep.
She walked down the stairs and into the kitchen, where Winnefred was cooking breakfast, along with another house elf. Only one other person was in the room, sitting at the bar.
"Draco?"
"Morning," he greeted sleepily.
"Morning. Oh, and after breakfast, could I show you something I found a few days ago? I've been meaning to ask you about it."
"Sure," he said, feeling his insides squirm. More time with Hermione could only bring them closer, which is something he wanted, yet at the same time feared. His plans couldn't change, no matter what.
They ate breakfast, while each tried a few feeble attempts at conversation. But nothing kept them talking more than a few sentences.
"Thanks, Winnefred, it was delicious," Hermione said politely. Winnefred almost fainted with happiness before she remembered her manners and bowed so low the bare top of her head brushed the floor.
Draco just nodded his head before asking, "What was it you wanted to show me?"
"Oh, yes, follow me," she said eagerly.
Draco frowned, causing Hermione to ask, "What?"
Suddenly he felt very foolish and stuck up indeed.
"Oh.er. it's just. I don't really.. I don't like following people."
Hermione, much to his surprise, smiled and said, "I know the feeling." She couldn't walk one step behind some man all her life. It just wasn't her. She would be an equal, or not have anything to do with him. "Just do this once, please."
Draco looked down and walked after her; even he could be stripped of his pride sometimes. But only she had ever done that to him.
"You know, you're lucky the camera crews aren't up so early," Hermione added as an afterthought. Draco blushed slightly and she grinned.
Soon they neared the entrance to the Common Room.
"So this is where they put you," he murmured. Hermione snorted and said, "You mean you didn't know where we were? My gosh. I thought it was your house!"
"It is!" he protested. "They just didn't feel I should know where you all stayed so I wouldn't. so I wouldn't."
"It's very important to your future that you don't finish that sentence," Hermione said as she paled slightly.
"Now come on," she urged, and led him into her room, making sure no one else saw.
She quickly closed the door behind them and took something out of the drawers.
"What's this?" she asked as she unwrapped a large dusty volume.
Draco stared in astonishment. "This is my. this is my parents wedding photo album." He slowly opened the book and looked at the pictures.
Two young adults stared and waved happily out of the photos. One, the boy, had slick blonde hair, and the girl had her blonde hair pulled into a bun in the back of her head.
"They looked so happy." He flipped the page and saw a picture of his parents both connected at their mouths.
"Now that's something no one wants to see their parents do," he commented, disgusted. He looked sideways at Hermione and leaned forward toward her.
Before they knew it, they were exactly the same as the photo. Draco's fingers brushed through Hermione's silky hair, as their tongues teased each other in their mouths.
She pulled back, her mouth slightly open, and Draco opened his mouth as if to say something, but Hermione silenced him by placing her mouth back on his. Draco suddenly had the uncontrollable urge to reach back and untie the gorgeous girl's robes; the robe had started to fall away, but Hermione quickly caught it and stepped away.
"Draco, I'm sorry, I'm just not ready - "
"No, it's my fault, I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have done that, I just couldn't help it."
"No, it's not your fault."
"Maybe I should go now," Draco said, and it wasn't a suggestion. He turned around and walked out.
The other girls had awoken, and as they saw Draco walk out of Hermione's room, closely followed by her, both of their hair disheveled, both quite flushed in the face, they all tried hard to suppress laughter.
"Good day," Draco nodded his head.
"It's not what it looks like," Hermione began, but was cut off.
"Don't bother," Devony laughed. Hermione blushed a shade of red that made the Weasleys' hair look pale. She quickly shuffled back into her room to prepare for the day.
Nothing that day happened until that night, the night the last two people would be chosen.
And Butler Severus had just opened the door to announce that there was thirty minutes left until the final Elimination Ceremony.
The girls rushed around in a frenzy, getting ready, putting make up on, and asking each other if their hair looked good, along with so many other things.
Finally they were due downstairs.
They sat down, each looking around nervously. Hermione even felt nervous. It was something she had never felt because of a guy before. and it was Draco Malfoy, of all the guys, who was making her feel this way.
The man in question suddenly walked in, his face solemn, but set.
"Butler Severus? Are you ready?"
"As ever, sir! As you all know, only two of you will be left here after tonight," he added sadly, and then announced.
"Erika Y. and Jessica S., you may say your good byes. Devony S., you also may say good bye. Hermione G. and Kara K., congratulations, you have been selected to stay."
Hermione's eyes opened wide. She had been chosen as one of the final two! She couldn't seem to process the information. She had been chosen! It was quite unlike her to feel so excited about something like a guy. But she couldn't deny how she felt.
When she felt she could walk without collapsing, she stood up and accepted the necklace. Draco took longer than necessary to fasten the clip on her necklace, and brushed his lips quickly over the nape of her neck, which sent shivers going all through her body.
Jessica, Erika, and Devony said their tearful good byes to the three, and even hugged Butler Severus.
"Thank you all so much for everything," Devony said and smiled. "Hermione, Draco, Kara, you keep in touch, ok?" They all nodded once and Draco kissed them each on the cheek and said individual good byes.
They walked out the door with one look back towards the three, and then back at each other.
"Good bye, Draco," Erika whispered to herself rather than anybody else, and stepped in the limo with the rest of them, and drove away.
~*~
Kara walked upstairs, smiling brightly. It was a surprise to her. Draco had been quiet all through their dates, not betraying any of his feelings. But she had felt a sort of connection. but it hadn't seemed as strong as the apparent one between Draco and Hermione. She knew Hermione would be the final one. She just knew it.
Draco walked away after whispering to Hermione, "Come to my room tonight at about midnight. There's a map of the whole house in a small cabinet behind the tapestry of the snakes." Hermione nodded. The camera crew didn't notice.
~*~
That night, at about 11:00, Hermione pulled back the tapestry and discovered the box he had mentioned. She pulled out a piece of parchment and found it to be the map. One room was labeled 'Draco's Room', and showed a small dot labeled 'Draco Malfoy' moving around inside.
After studying the way several times, she put on a knee-length dress and headed out the door. Kara had gone to bed hours before.
She soon found the way to the door that led to Draco's room, and knocked once. After waiting a little longer, she pushed the door, and found it unlocked.
She stepped inside and called, "Draco?" No one answered.
She walked toward another door and pushed it open. There, in front of her, was Draco Malfoy, dressed in nothing but a towel, slicking his wet hair back.
She gasped and stared at him. He suddenly turned around and gasped too.
Hermione rushed out of the bathroom and closed the door behind her; she then went and sat down on his bed, her eyes wide open.
'Well, he certainly has nice muscles. and a nice butt.' said a small voice inside her head, but she quickly hushed it.
After a little while Draco came out, still in nothing but a towel. Hermione gasped again.
"Well, I have to get to my closet," he smirked. But she doubted that was the only reason.
"Show off," she muttered.
Soon after, he emerged from the closet, fully clothed, or, at least, with a robe on.
A very awkward and uncomfortable silence followed.
"Well, er, what did you want to talk to me for?" Hermione finally asked.
"Oh, um." he stuttered. "I was wondering. I was wondering if. if you felt anything for me."
Hermione paled; she had hoped he wouldn't ask that. She didn't want to admit she thought she loved him.
"I. Well. Er, you see.Yes," she finished lamely, and then turned and fled from the room.
~*~
The next day rose with rain pounding on the windows. The weather reflected exactly how Draco felt.
He paced his room pondering over the events the night before.
"Hermione saw me in a towel!" he cried. "A towel, for Heaven's sake! And she said she practically said she loved me." He continued pacing. That was something he did more often ever since he got to know Hermione.
Everything traced back to that girl. She was his gift, his curse, and he did not know what to do, except what he had to do, to save her.
~*~
Hermione and Kara chatted all day to keep their minds off that night. But there came a time when they could no longer ignore it.
"Good luck, Kara," Hermione said.
"Yeah, you, too."
They headed to their rooms to change and prepare themselves for whatever would come.
~*~
"Come on, Ron, it's almost time!" Harry shouted.
"Lavender, please help!" Blaze was throwing a fit, and Ron was incapable to control her.
Lavender sighed, "Alright, love, I'm coming. Blaze, hush, baby, mummy's here." Blaze's cries quieted as she fell asleep in her mother's arms.
After Blaze was asleep, Harry, Cho, Ron, and Lavender gathered round the TV, eagerly awaiting the outcome.
"He's going to choose Hermione," Ron said certainly.
Harry kept quiet. He had a feeling he knew what would happen.
~*~
Hermione and Kara seated themselves on the couch as Draco and Butler Severus strolled in.
"As you both know, you are the last two, my final two choices. I am here today to make my final decision. After this, there is no turning back for me. This has taken much careful thought, and I have reached this conclusion. Hermione, I'm sorry. Kara, I have chosen you."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ!!! VERY IMPORTANT:
Alright, I know you all hate me now, don't ya? ;) Well, it's not over yet! There'll be at least one more chapter! Probably two, I dunno. But this story is NOT OVER YET. I would have split this into two chapters, but then one would have been extremely short. And as for the towel thing, I did find that in another story, and I'm sorry if its in yours, I'm not trying to copy or take your ideas, please forgive me. Thanks for everything to all! I love the reviews!
R&R, and if you don't I'll sick my bearded dragon Draco on you! (just got him. and his name really is Draco! lol)
Disclaimer (I hate these things.) : I don't own. I wish I did. But I don't. The non HP characters belong to themselves. Thanks all!
Oh, BTW, this has been written for a while, but for some reason I couldn't get on to FFnet! Sorry about the wait, but this time it WASN'T my fault. Happy reading!
Her thoughts changed to The Kiss.
And as much as she didn't want to believe it, she had felt something when his lips had touched hers.
~*~
"I'm NOT in love with Her-Mudbl-Grang-Hermione!" Draco couldn't bring himself to call her anything but Hermione, except maybe Mione. He continued to pace.
He knew what he had to do the next day, and he hated the thought of what he had to do after he chose the final two. His decisions were made; there was no turning back now. He hadn't expected to fall in love with anyone, not truly, especially not. her.
Her. Now he had been taught what it was like to love someone so much you might have to let them go, if only for their good. He hoped it was for her good, at least.
"Oh, I give up, I love her. There, I said it, are you happy now?" he yelled to no one in particular.
"Stupid cupid," he muttered, and then snorted with laughter. He knew his music, whether it be muggle or wizard.
After pacing around a few more times, he lay down onto his bed, and discovered himself thinking there was only one woman who would ever feel right laying in that empty spot right across from him.
"And she never will," he said bitterly. He wasn't sure if he wholly believed that, though...
With thoughts like these going around their heads, Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy fell into a troubled sleep, together mentally, yet apart physically.
~*~
Harry sighed and looked sideways at Ron, who was still staring with rage at Malfoy. Harry knew what was going on between Hermione and. Draco. There. He had called him Draco.
"For Hermione," he thought. "I'll call him Draco for Hermione. But i don't think we can ever be friends. I can at least be civil for him, unless he ever hurts her."
The end of Mr. Millionaire, the most popular reality show in the Wizarding world, was coming to an end. Only two more episodes.
"Same time next week?" Harry asked, bringing Ron back into the real world.
"Yeah, sure," he grunted in reply.
"Night; you coming, Cho?"
"Be right there."
"Good night, Harry, Cho," Lavender said, and went off to tuck in Blaze.
Ron walked off, still muttering under his breath.
~*~
The sun streamed through the windows, cheerful and warm, as Draco aroused and welcomed himself back into reality.
Reality was so harsh sometimes.
He changed and headed for the door.
The beckoning smells of breakfast wafted into his bedroom as he opened it.
The same smells had finally reached Hermione's nose.
~*~
"Breakfast," Hermione thought hungrily; she slipped on a robe and crept out the door. A loud snore erupted from one of the other rooms; everyone else was still asleep.
She walked down the stairs and into the kitchen, where Winnefred was cooking breakfast, along with another house elf. Only one other person was in the room, sitting at the bar.
"Draco?"
"Morning," he greeted sleepily.
"Morning. Oh, and after breakfast, could I show you something I found a few days ago? I've been meaning to ask you about it."
"Sure," he said, feeling his insides squirm. More time with Hermione could only bring them closer, which is something he wanted, yet at the same time feared. His plans couldn't change, no matter what.
They ate breakfast, while each tried a few feeble attempts at conversation. But nothing kept them talking more than a few sentences.
"Thanks, Winnefred, it was delicious," Hermione said politely. Winnefred almost fainted with happiness before she remembered her manners and bowed so low the bare top of her head brushed the floor.
Draco just nodded his head before asking, "What was it you wanted to show me?"
"Oh, yes, follow me," she said eagerly.
Draco frowned, causing Hermione to ask, "What?"
Suddenly he felt very foolish and stuck up indeed.
"Oh.er. it's just. I don't really.. I don't like following people."
Hermione, much to his surprise, smiled and said, "I know the feeling." She couldn't walk one step behind some man all her life. It just wasn't her. She would be an equal, or not have anything to do with him. "Just do this once, please."
Draco looked down and walked after her; even he could be stripped of his pride sometimes. But only she had ever done that to him.
"You know, you're lucky the camera crews aren't up so early," Hermione added as an afterthought. Draco blushed slightly and she grinned.
Soon they neared the entrance to the Common Room.
"So this is where they put you," he murmured. Hermione snorted and said, "You mean you didn't know where we were? My gosh. I thought it was your house!"
"It is!" he protested. "They just didn't feel I should know where you all stayed so I wouldn't. so I wouldn't."
"It's very important to your future that you don't finish that sentence," Hermione said as she paled slightly.
"Now come on," she urged, and led him into her room, making sure no one else saw.
She quickly closed the door behind them and took something out of the drawers.
"What's this?" she asked as she unwrapped a large dusty volume.
Draco stared in astonishment. "This is my. this is my parents wedding photo album." He slowly opened the book and looked at the pictures.
Two young adults stared and waved happily out of the photos. One, the boy, had slick blonde hair, and the girl had her blonde hair pulled into a bun in the back of her head.
"They looked so happy." He flipped the page and saw a picture of his parents both connected at their mouths.
"Now that's something no one wants to see their parents do," he commented, disgusted. He looked sideways at Hermione and leaned forward toward her.
Before they knew it, they were exactly the same as the photo. Draco's fingers brushed through Hermione's silky hair, as their tongues teased each other in their mouths.
She pulled back, her mouth slightly open, and Draco opened his mouth as if to say something, but Hermione silenced him by placing her mouth back on his. Draco suddenly had the uncontrollable urge to reach back and untie the gorgeous girl's robes; the robe had started to fall away, but Hermione quickly caught it and stepped away.
"Draco, I'm sorry, I'm just not ready - "
"No, it's my fault, I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have done that, I just couldn't help it."
"No, it's not your fault."
"Maybe I should go now," Draco said, and it wasn't a suggestion. He turned around and walked out.
The other girls had awoken, and as they saw Draco walk out of Hermione's room, closely followed by her, both of their hair disheveled, both quite flushed in the face, they all tried hard to suppress laughter.
"Good day," Draco nodded his head.
"It's not what it looks like," Hermione began, but was cut off.
"Don't bother," Devony laughed. Hermione blushed a shade of red that made the Weasleys' hair look pale. She quickly shuffled back into her room to prepare for the day.
Nothing that day happened until that night, the night the last two people would be chosen.
And Butler Severus had just opened the door to announce that there was thirty minutes left until the final Elimination Ceremony.
The girls rushed around in a frenzy, getting ready, putting make up on, and asking each other if their hair looked good, along with so many other things.
Finally they were due downstairs.
They sat down, each looking around nervously. Hermione even felt nervous. It was something she had never felt because of a guy before. and it was Draco Malfoy, of all the guys, who was making her feel this way.
The man in question suddenly walked in, his face solemn, but set.
"Butler Severus? Are you ready?"
"As ever, sir! As you all know, only two of you will be left here after tonight," he added sadly, and then announced.
"Erika Y. and Jessica S., you may say your good byes. Devony S., you also may say good bye. Hermione G. and Kara K., congratulations, you have been selected to stay."
Hermione's eyes opened wide. She had been chosen as one of the final two! She couldn't seem to process the information. She had been chosen! It was quite unlike her to feel so excited about something like a guy. But she couldn't deny how she felt.
When she felt she could walk without collapsing, she stood up and accepted the necklace. Draco took longer than necessary to fasten the clip on her necklace, and brushed his lips quickly over the nape of her neck, which sent shivers going all through her body.
Jessica, Erika, and Devony said their tearful good byes to the three, and even hugged Butler Severus.
"Thank you all so much for everything," Devony said and smiled. "Hermione, Draco, Kara, you keep in touch, ok?" They all nodded once and Draco kissed them each on the cheek and said individual good byes.
They walked out the door with one look back towards the three, and then back at each other.
"Good bye, Draco," Erika whispered to herself rather than anybody else, and stepped in the limo with the rest of them, and drove away.
~*~
Kara walked upstairs, smiling brightly. It was a surprise to her. Draco had been quiet all through their dates, not betraying any of his feelings. But she had felt a sort of connection. but it hadn't seemed as strong as the apparent one between Draco and Hermione. She knew Hermione would be the final one. She just knew it.
Draco walked away after whispering to Hermione, "Come to my room tonight at about midnight. There's a map of the whole house in a small cabinet behind the tapestry of the snakes." Hermione nodded. The camera crew didn't notice.
~*~
That night, at about 11:00, Hermione pulled back the tapestry and discovered the box he had mentioned. She pulled out a piece of parchment and found it to be the map. One room was labeled 'Draco's Room', and showed a small dot labeled 'Draco Malfoy' moving around inside.
After studying the way several times, she put on a knee-length dress and headed out the door. Kara had gone to bed hours before.
She soon found the way to the door that led to Draco's room, and knocked once. After waiting a little longer, she pushed the door, and found it unlocked.
She stepped inside and called, "Draco?" No one answered.
She walked toward another door and pushed it open. There, in front of her, was Draco Malfoy, dressed in nothing but a towel, slicking his wet hair back.
She gasped and stared at him. He suddenly turned around and gasped too.
Hermione rushed out of the bathroom and closed the door behind her; she then went and sat down on his bed, her eyes wide open.
'Well, he certainly has nice muscles. and a nice butt.' said a small voice inside her head, but she quickly hushed it.
After a little while Draco came out, still in nothing but a towel. Hermione gasped again.
"Well, I have to get to my closet," he smirked. But she doubted that was the only reason.
"Show off," she muttered.
Soon after, he emerged from the closet, fully clothed, or, at least, with a robe on.
A very awkward and uncomfortable silence followed.
"Well, er, what did you want to talk to me for?" Hermione finally asked.
"Oh, um." he stuttered. "I was wondering. I was wondering if. if you felt anything for me."
Hermione paled; she had hoped he wouldn't ask that. She didn't want to admit she thought she loved him.
"I. Well. Er, you see.Yes," she finished lamely, and then turned and fled from the room.
~*~
The next day rose with rain pounding on the windows. The weather reflected exactly how Draco felt.
He paced his room pondering over the events the night before.
"Hermione saw me in a towel!" he cried. "A towel, for Heaven's sake! And she said she practically said she loved me." He continued pacing. That was something he did more often ever since he got to know Hermione.
Everything traced back to that girl. She was his gift, his curse, and he did not know what to do, except what he had to do, to save her.
~*~
Hermione and Kara chatted all day to keep their minds off that night. But there came a time when they could no longer ignore it.
"Good luck, Kara," Hermione said.
"Yeah, you, too."
They headed to their rooms to change and prepare themselves for whatever would come.
~*~
"Come on, Ron, it's almost time!" Harry shouted.
"Lavender, please help!" Blaze was throwing a fit, and Ron was incapable to control her.
Lavender sighed, "Alright, love, I'm coming. Blaze, hush, baby, mummy's here." Blaze's cries quieted as she fell asleep in her mother's arms.
After Blaze was asleep, Harry, Cho, Ron, and Lavender gathered round the TV, eagerly awaiting the outcome.
"He's going to choose Hermione," Ron said certainly.
Harry kept quiet. He had a feeling he knew what would happen.
~*~
Hermione and Kara seated themselves on the couch as Draco and Butler Severus strolled in.
"As you both know, you are the last two, my final two choices. I am here today to make my final decision. After this, there is no turning back for me. This has taken much careful thought, and I have reached this conclusion. Hermione, I'm sorry. Kara, I have chosen you."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ!!! VERY IMPORTANT:
Alright, I know you all hate me now, don't ya? ;) Well, it's not over yet! There'll be at least one more chapter! Probably two, I dunno. But this story is NOT OVER YET. I would have split this into two chapters, but then one would have been extremely short. And as for the towel thing, I did find that in another story, and I'm sorry if its in yours, I'm not trying to copy or take your ideas, please forgive me. Thanks for everything to all! I love the reviews!
R&R, and if you don't I'll sick my bearded dragon Draco on you! (just got him. and his name really is Draco! lol)
Disclaimer (I hate these things.) : I don't own. I wish I did. But I don't. The non HP characters belong to themselves. Thanks all!
Oh, BTW, this has been written for a while, but for some reason I couldn't get on to FFnet! Sorry about the wait, but this time it WASN'T my fault. Happy reading!