Disclaimer: If I could write half as well as J. K. Rowling, I would have
much, much more pocket money. But, of course, I'm not, so Harry Potter
belongs to J. K. Rowling. Everything you don't recognize is mine, though.
A/N: I would like to thank everyone who reviewed. Little did I think that one or two reviews would make me so happy. Also, I didn't realize that italics wouldn't work when I posted the last chapter, and there must have been some confusion, since the characters are thinking to themselves for parts of the story. From now on, I'll just use single quotes or something. I don't think I put in enough spaces between paragraphs, so the last chapter looked all jumbled together and I guess that would've driven away some readers.. I wasn't sure if this chapter would be too long or too short, so please tell me the preferred size of the chapters, or I'll just keep on making them super long or something. So, to satisfy some slight demand, here is chapter two.
Into the Arms of Darkness and Love
Previously:
"Hi," he said huskily. That lone word sent Hermione's body into a spasm of arousal. But then again, his hands trailing up and down her arms probably had something to do with it too. He gripped her waist, and lowered his mouth until they were almost touching when-
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked in a mere whisper.
"What do you think I'm doing?" With that, he quickly covered the remaining space between their lips by kissing her lightly, almost sweetly.
Chapter 2
After long moments of heated passion, Hermione broke away from the kiss by gently pushing him back. When his hands on her waist loosened enough, she stepped out of reach.
They both took awhile to catch their breath. Then, Hermione shot an accusing look at Draco.
"What was that for?" she demanded, her bossy attitude kicking in.
"Reassurance," he answered vaguely.
"Reassurance? For what? I'd say that was the LEAST reassuring thing ever to - "
Hermione was cut off in the middle of her banter by something soft pressing onto her lips. 'He's kissing me again,' she thought. This time, she didn't stop him. This time, *he* was the one that pulled back.
As she gazed dreamily into his steely eyes, she asked, "And what was that one for?"
A mischievous smirk spread across his face. "Had to get you to shut up somehow, Granger." He couldn't help but chuckle at her bemused expression.
"And why reassurance?"
"Had to see if you were good enough. See if there's chemistry."
"Well?" she inquired.
"A bit of a disappointment, actually."
Hermione couldn't help but feel disillusioned at this. She had never been perceived by the male population as someone they would really lust for. Not that lusting after someone was a good thing. There has to be something deeper.more meaningful. But then again, she hasn't ever gone out of her way to attract anyone. She always thought that if someone was to like her, they'll like her for who she is. It didn't help to feel sexy once in a while, though.
And that's exactly how Draco Malfoy made her feel.
For a moment, she felt wanted, like someone actually distinguished her as someone they wouldn't shudder from the thought of kissing. But, alas, he had put an end to her excited mental blather.
"Oh," was her only response.
"It's not like you don't have all the right things in the right places, or anything."
"Great," she said enthusiastically, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You didn't even feel a single spark?" she asked hopefully at his retreating back.
"Well, maybe one," he called back to her as he entered his own room, getting ready to have a night of rest and relaxation before the next day, the day that classes would start.
~*~*~*~*~
That night, Draco lay in his bed, thinking about that night's encounter with Hermione. He had lied to her. There definitely was more than a single spark. It was more like a firework of events, but he definitely wasn't about to admit that to anyone, especially Hermione. Though, tonight, he almost did. He noticed that Hermione wasn't just the bookworm that everyone thinks she is. She just needed a release from all the knee-length skirts, bulky sweaters, shapeless robes, books, homework, and studying. Well, it did certainly appear as though she was the typical nerd, but he had seen a side of Hermione he had never seen before. He had never paid attention to how she actually looked, and, that night, she had looked like a goddess. The candlelight danced in her eyes, it had formed a soft halo over the crown of her head, and made her pale skin look exotic, almost tan.
Draco buried his face in his hands. He couldn't be thinking of her, not now, when he had been assigned the most important task of all the would- be Death Eaters. Actually, he was the ONLY would-be Death Eater working on an assignment right now. Lucius Malfoy was really close to Voldemort, and if he failed him, not only will he be killed, but he would also bring shame to the family name. Disappointment brought to Lucius Malfoy would mean only one thing: assassination. Or execution, whichever Lucius sees fit, but neither of which are very appealing. He had been so excited to receive his first mission, but now, he had some doubts.
~*Flashback*~
"I want them gone," the Dark Lord said. "And you, Draco, will get rid of them for me."
"Yes, master," Draco replied. What else could he say? No one was to express anything that was against the wish of Voldemort.
Lord Voldemort chuckled, although there was none of the characteristic warmth that would appear when one would do such a thing. It was as cold as ice, hollow without the happiness and meaning that usually accompanies it, and sounded like a sharp dagger stabbing at your eardrums. Definitely, it was not something that would be very pleasant to hear amidst the chilling surroundings.
"All those years, I've waited to have him gone. All those years I've failed to rid of this burden in my life. But now, I have an ingenious plan. I should've known the whole time that I cannot get at him directly. You must crack the nut before you can eat the kernel. Weasley is the nut. I want him gone. And that mudblood, too. Can't take any chances. Do you follow me, Draco? Do you understand what your task is?"
Draco sighed. This was far more than he bargained for. But, regrettably, saying "no" would be a death sentence.
"Yes, my Lord, I do," he replied.
~*End Flashback*~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Hermione," someone called, but she did not know who. Her mind was racing from one thought to another, all of which relating to a specific person. It had been days since their encounter, and Draco Malfoy had shaken her up quite badly, and she had been going though endless torture of mental psychobabble. Where parts of the male psychology were involved, Hermione had no expertise. Yes, she hung out with two of the "it" boys of Gryffindor tower, and possibly the entire Hogwarts, but she sometimes could never understand the reasoning behind their words, or their actions. Harry had grown over the break, as with Ron, and they have been the talk of the school's female population since the day they came back. Even girls from Slytherin, notorious for their rivalry with Gryffindor, had been furtively eyeing the two. They have gone from wiry fifth-years to lean seventh- years, all thanks to their Quidditch training. Their conversations would vary from Quidditch to girls, and from girls to Quidditch back again. They have always had a strong bond as friends, but lately, they seemed to have been falling further and further away. Gone were the days when they used to contentedly study together or do homework in the library almost every day. They were still great friends, but Hermione found days where she yearned to converse with someone who also liked books, who also liked studying, and who also read "Hogwarts: A History" multiple times.
"HERMIONE!! ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME?!"
Hermione was snapped out of her thoughts and back to reality, and realized that Harry had been trying to ask her a question for the past how- many-minutes. Harry, indeed, was fuming.
"Sorry, Harry, my mind was on something else."
"Had a rough night, huh? Those dark circles aren't going to go anywhere anytime soon," Harry noted.
Hermione smiled at the fact that Harry was still very keenly observant. Harry was smart, but in an entirely different way from Hermione. He had more of something along the line of street smarts, something of which many guys think they possess, but lack in reality.
"I was just nervous that classes was about to start," Hermione stated, relieved that she had found a plausible reason for her fatigued appearance. "Speaking of classes, I'm going to go and get ready."
She left a worried Harry and oblivious Ron in her wake, and couldn't help noting that Ginny and Lavender were sitting beside them, seeming to enjoy themselves in the presence of the star Quidditch players.
Hermione gave a sigh, wishing that she could somehow be like them. She didn't want to become one of those girls that are extremely clingy and can't seem to live without a guy in their life, but she was an adolescent on the brink of depression. She needed some cheering-up.
As she entered her Head Girl common room, thoughts began to flood her. Since the kiss, she had been unable to think of anything but. As weird as it may seem, she was still unsettled by the fact that, Draco Malfoy, Hogwarts' sex god, didn't find her lust-worthy. Aren't they supposed to be okay with sleeping with *anyone*? If Hermione couldn't awake some sort of chemistry between him and her, who would *ever* want her?
She neared the portrait of her own spitting image and called out the password. She skittered around trying to find her books for her first classes. Hermione couldn't believe that she was brought down to such disorganization and confusion from that split second in her memory. It wasn't as if *he* was even suffering.seeing that he wasn't even in the common room getting his books. He probably brought it down with him to breakfast, like everyone else.
She checked her schedule, and thought, 'Ugh.double potions. This is going to be a long day."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
All the while since she entered their shared common room, Draco had been watching her. He was seated in a comfy chair in front of the unlit fireplace, and had noticed that she entered in quite a rush. She looked unrested, worn, and as if she were about to cry.
'Oh gods.had I done that to her? With but a kiss?' Draco's mouth curled into a trademark smirk. 'I must be better than I thought.'
His main plan last night was to get her thinking about him, contemplating whether he's worth her thoughts or not, but, ironically, she'll be thinking of him just the same. Judging by her appearance, he had done well.
He didn't think that she would show up that morning, but that thought was erased when he noticed her book bag thrown uncaringly onto the floor near the exit. She hadn't even noticed it there in her haste. As entertaining as it was to watch Hermione dash around like a drunken monkey fretting over her misplaced book bag, he had also in his possession now something of very much value to him.
Her password.
--------------------- A/N: So.any thoughts as to what's going to happen next? I hope anybody who's reading this would review. It would only take a second.or ten. But the point is, if I don't have anybody reading it, why should I write more? I'm not threatening you guys.really. It would just persuade me to write more. They make me sooooo happy.
REVIEW!! Pretty please?
A/N: I would like to thank everyone who reviewed. Little did I think that one or two reviews would make me so happy. Also, I didn't realize that italics wouldn't work when I posted the last chapter, and there must have been some confusion, since the characters are thinking to themselves for parts of the story. From now on, I'll just use single quotes or something. I don't think I put in enough spaces between paragraphs, so the last chapter looked all jumbled together and I guess that would've driven away some readers.. I wasn't sure if this chapter would be too long or too short, so please tell me the preferred size of the chapters, or I'll just keep on making them super long or something. So, to satisfy some slight demand, here is chapter two.
Into the Arms of Darkness and Love
Previously:
"Hi," he said huskily. That lone word sent Hermione's body into a spasm of arousal. But then again, his hands trailing up and down her arms probably had something to do with it too. He gripped her waist, and lowered his mouth until they were almost touching when-
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked in a mere whisper.
"What do you think I'm doing?" With that, he quickly covered the remaining space between their lips by kissing her lightly, almost sweetly.
Chapter 2
After long moments of heated passion, Hermione broke away from the kiss by gently pushing him back. When his hands on her waist loosened enough, she stepped out of reach.
They both took awhile to catch their breath. Then, Hermione shot an accusing look at Draco.
"What was that for?" she demanded, her bossy attitude kicking in.
"Reassurance," he answered vaguely.
"Reassurance? For what? I'd say that was the LEAST reassuring thing ever to - "
Hermione was cut off in the middle of her banter by something soft pressing onto her lips. 'He's kissing me again,' she thought. This time, she didn't stop him. This time, *he* was the one that pulled back.
As she gazed dreamily into his steely eyes, she asked, "And what was that one for?"
A mischievous smirk spread across his face. "Had to get you to shut up somehow, Granger." He couldn't help but chuckle at her bemused expression.
"And why reassurance?"
"Had to see if you were good enough. See if there's chemistry."
"Well?" she inquired.
"A bit of a disappointment, actually."
Hermione couldn't help but feel disillusioned at this. She had never been perceived by the male population as someone they would really lust for. Not that lusting after someone was a good thing. There has to be something deeper.more meaningful. But then again, she hasn't ever gone out of her way to attract anyone. She always thought that if someone was to like her, they'll like her for who she is. It didn't help to feel sexy once in a while, though.
And that's exactly how Draco Malfoy made her feel.
For a moment, she felt wanted, like someone actually distinguished her as someone they wouldn't shudder from the thought of kissing. But, alas, he had put an end to her excited mental blather.
"Oh," was her only response.
"It's not like you don't have all the right things in the right places, or anything."
"Great," she said enthusiastically, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You didn't even feel a single spark?" she asked hopefully at his retreating back.
"Well, maybe one," he called back to her as he entered his own room, getting ready to have a night of rest and relaxation before the next day, the day that classes would start.
~*~*~*~*~
That night, Draco lay in his bed, thinking about that night's encounter with Hermione. He had lied to her. There definitely was more than a single spark. It was more like a firework of events, but he definitely wasn't about to admit that to anyone, especially Hermione. Though, tonight, he almost did. He noticed that Hermione wasn't just the bookworm that everyone thinks she is. She just needed a release from all the knee-length skirts, bulky sweaters, shapeless robes, books, homework, and studying. Well, it did certainly appear as though she was the typical nerd, but he had seen a side of Hermione he had never seen before. He had never paid attention to how she actually looked, and, that night, she had looked like a goddess. The candlelight danced in her eyes, it had formed a soft halo over the crown of her head, and made her pale skin look exotic, almost tan.
Draco buried his face in his hands. He couldn't be thinking of her, not now, when he had been assigned the most important task of all the would- be Death Eaters. Actually, he was the ONLY would-be Death Eater working on an assignment right now. Lucius Malfoy was really close to Voldemort, and if he failed him, not only will he be killed, but he would also bring shame to the family name. Disappointment brought to Lucius Malfoy would mean only one thing: assassination. Or execution, whichever Lucius sees fit, but neither of which are very appealing. He had been so excited to receive his first mission, but now, he had some doubts.
~*Flashback*~
"I want them gone," the Dark Lord said. "And you, Draco, will get rid of them for me."
"Yes, master," Draco replied. What else could he say? No one was to express anything that was against the wish of Voldemort.
Lord Voldemort chuckled, although there was none of the characteristic warmth that would appear when one would do such a thing. It was as cold as ice, hollow without the happiness and meaning that usually accompanies it, and sounded like a sharp dagger stabbing at your eardrums. Definitely, it was not something that would be very pleasant to hear amidst the chilling surroundings.
"All those years, I've waited to have him gone. All those years I've failed to rid of this burden in my life. But now, I have an ingenious plan. I should've known the whole time that I cannot get at him directly. You must crack the nut before you can eat the kernel. Weasley is the nut. I want him gone. And that mudblood, too. Can't take any chances. Do you follow me, Draco? Do you understand what your task is?"
Draco sighed. This was far more than he bargained for. But, regrettably, saying "no" would be a death sentence.
"Yes, my Lord, I do," he replied.
~*End Flashback*~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Hermione," someone called, but she did not know who. Her mind was racing from one thought to another, all of which relating to a specific person. It had been days since their encounter, and Draco Malfoy had shaken her up quite badly, and she had been going though endless torture of mental psychobabble. Where parts of the male psychology were involved, Hermione had no expertise. Yes, she hung out with two of the "it" boys of Gryffindor tower, and possibly the entire Hogwarts, but she sometimes could never understand the reasoning behind their words, or their actions. Harry had grown over the break, as with Ron, and they have been the talk of the school's female population since the day they came back. Even girls from Slytherin, notorious for their rivalry with Gryffindor, had been furtively eyeing the two. They have gone from wiry fifth-years to lean seventh- years, all thanks to their Quidditch training. Their conversations would vary from Quidditch to girls, and from girls to Quidditch back again. They have always had a strong bond as friends, but lately, they seemed to have been falling further and further away. Gone were the days when they used to contentedly study together or do homework in the library almost every day. They were still great friends, but Hermione found days where she yearned to converse with someone who also liked books, who also liked studying, and who also read "Hogwarts: A History" multiple times.
"HERMIONE!! ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME?!"
Hermione was snapped out of her thoughts and back to reality, and realized that Harry had been trying to ask her a question for the past how- many-minutes. Harry, indeed, was fuming.
"Sorry, Harry, my mind was on something else."
"Had a rough night, huh? Those dark circles aren't going to go anywhere anytime soon," Harry noted.
Hermione smiled at the fact that Harry was still very keenly observant. Harry was smart, but in an entirely different way from Hermione. He had more of something along the line of street smarts, something of which many guys think they possess, but lack in reality.
"I was just nervous that classes was about to start," Hermione stated, relieved that she had found a plausible reason for her fatigued appearance. "Speaking of classes, I'm going to go and get ready."
She left a worried Harry and oblivious Ron in her wake, and couldn't help noting that Ginny and Lavender were sitting beside them, seeming to enjoy themselves in the presence of the star Quidditch players.
Hermione gave a sigh, wishing that she could somehow be like them. She didn't want to become one of those girls that are extremely clingy and can't seem to live without a guy in their life, but she was an adolescent on the brink of depression. She needed some cheering-up.
As she entered her Head Girl common room, thoughts began to flood her. Since the kiss, she had been unable to think of anything but. As weird as it may seem, she was still unsettled by the fact that, Draco Malfoy, Hogwarts' sex god, didn't find her lust-worthy. Aren't they supposed to be okay with sleeping with *anyone*? If Hermione couldn't awake some sort of chemistry between him and her, who would *ever* want her?
She neared the portrait of her own spitting image and called out the password. She skittered around trying to find her books for her first classes. Hermione couldn't believe that she was brought down to such disorganization and confusion from that split second in her memory. It wasn't as if *he* was even suffering.seeing that he wasn't even in the common room getting his books. He probably brought it down with him to breakfast, like everyone else.
She checked her schedule, and thought, 'Ugh.double potions. This is going to be a long day."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
All the while since she entered their shared common room, Draco had been watching her. He was seated in a comfy chair in front of the unlit fireplace, and had noticed that she entered in quite a rush. She looked unrested, worn, and as if she were about to cry.
'Oh gods.had I done that to her? With but a kiss?' Draco's mouth curled into a trademark smirk. 'I must be better than I thought.'
His main plan last night was to get her thinking about him, contemplating whether he's worth her thoughts or not, but, ironically, she'll be thinking of him just the same. Judging by her appearance, he had done well.
He didn't think that she would show up that morning, but that thought was erased when he noticed her book bag thrown uncaringly onto the floor near the exit. She hadn't even noticed it there in her haste. As entertaining as it was to watch Hermione dash around like a drunken monkey fretting over her misplaced book bag, he had also in his possession now something of very much value to him.
Her password.
--------------------- A/N: So.any thoughts as to what's going to happen next? I hope anybody who's reading this would review. It would only take a second.or ten. But the point is, if I don't have anybody reading it, why should I write more? I'm not threatening you guys.really. It would just persuade me to write more. They make me sooooo happy.
REVIEW!! Pretty please?