::Trumpets:: CHAPTER EIGHT!! Lol. I'm glad everyone likes the fic. It makes
me so happy when I get more reviews!! ::tears up:: Thank you to everyone
who has reviewed!!! This one goes out to you. ^_^
Hermione sat across from Draco, laughing with him as the discussed everything under the sun: classes, friends, family, and teachers.
"Ugh! I don't really care for Professor Snape. He is so cold."
"He's not such a bad man when you get to know him. He is, after all, the head of my house."
"I'm partial to Professor McGonagall, but she is the head of Gryffindor."
"She's alright."
"What do you honestly think about Dumbledore?"
Draco bit a lip and furrowed his brow, making a face Hermione found remarkably cute. "He's alright." He said slowly. "I only say I hate him so much because of my father. But since my father was found out, we haven't been on speaking terms."
"It must be hard. I'm sorry," she said, touching his arm. He shrugged.
"What can anyone do about it? It was their decision, not mine. I want nothing to do with that. I will not subject myself to being a slave."
Hermione nodded and leaned back on the chair, her hair billowing over her shoulders.
"So tell me what it's like living with Muggles."
"It's not bad. I love being a witch and all. I'm so glad I am. Now I understand why I didn't fit in before at my regular school. But my family is very supportive. They were a little frightened at first, but they're used to everything odd now. They're close to the Weasley's."
Draco couldn't help but sneer, Hermione frowning, ready to smack him if he made a comment about one of her friends.
"I'm sorry, it's just a habit. I've been raised on being told we were superior because we had money, and they didn't. But now I see the Weasley's are more wealthy than I may ever be."
"Oh?" Hermione raised an eyebrow. "How is that?"
"Ron and Ginny have a family that loves them. I have nothing."
"That's not true. You have friends here."
"Hermione. Let's be serious for a minute. My father is a Deatheater. That's not exactly what I call a loving situation. My mother, ha, who knows what she does. And as for friends here? Look at Crabbe and Goyle. They aren't exactly the brightest flames. And Pansy is SO annoying, I cannot stress that enough." Hermione was deep in thought.
"What do you do when you go home for vacations?"
"Nothing. I sit in my room and read or whatever. Or I occupy myself playing tricks on whatever Muggles happen to be around. I know, I know that sounds horrible, but what else is there to do?!"
"Even though I don't agree with you, I see your point."
"I hate to end this conversation and all, but I have Quidditch practice tomorrow morning, so I should get some work down before dinner."
"Oh! I completely forgot tomorrow was Saturday! I can actually get some work done from when we missed classes."
"Have you had any headaches since then?" Draco asked, holding something back. Hermione shrugged.
"A little, but they go away quickly. I suppose I should have told Madame Pomfrey, but I don't want everyone to get worried again. I'm sure it was just a bad head cold." Draco shrugged. "Are you alright?"
"I woke up with my head throbbing last night. But it disappeared the minute I put my feet on the ground. It was strange. If it happens again though, I'm going to tell her."
"That's a good idea."
Both of them stood and walked out of the library together. They stopped at the base of the stairs.
"I think I know what you're going to say, but can I walk at least part of the way."
Hermione thought and then shrugged. "What if someone sees us walking?"
"I'll just say I was harassing you, if you don't mind that. It seems true enough, given my horrible past actions."
"If you don't mind putting yourself down like that, then I guess you could walk me to the beginning of the corridor. But, you have to promise never to tell anyone."
"Why would I want to?"
"To use against the Gryffindors."
"Not if it meant breaking your trust. It's bad enough I'm going to have to work hard to gain it. I wouldn't do anything to harm that chance. I know I only have one." Hermione nodded.
They started walking up the many flights of stairs in silence, Draco walking slightly behind her, to her right. She held her books tightly, occasionally looking behind her out of the corner of her eye, but Draco's face was hung down.
"This is as far as I want to take you." She said as they stopped at the beginning of a corridor. The portraits around were watching them and staring, some disappearing into the frames and reappearing in other. Hermione groaned.
"What?"
"I forgot all about how chatty those portraits could be. No doubt one of them is running to tell Professor Dumbledore right this second."
"Let them. I don't care." He said. "Let rumors spread. We could deny it if you wanted to. Whatever you want to do," he said, taking a step towards her, and leaned down to kiss her on the cheek. Hermione turned her head a little so he could get to her cheek easier and he backed up. One of the portraits gasped while another giggled and sighed. Hermione blushed and stepped back. He took her hand and squeezed it gently. "Shall I see you at dinner?"
"I'll be there, if that's what you mean."
"As long as I can am able to see your radiance, it does not matter if we speak," he said, leaning to kiss her hand. She let him do so, completely flustered.
"I didn't know you were such a poet!"
"Neither did I!" He laughed. She smiled at the sound, so rare when it wasn't forced, or laughing about something horrible. He turned and walked back down the stairs, and Hermione watched him go until she couldn't see him anymore. She turned to find one of the female portraits staring at her.
"What?" Hermione asked. The portrait giggled.
"Who would have thought! A Slytherin and a Gryffindor!"
"We aren't together," Hermione pointed out.
"Maybe, but that won't last long! Soon! Soon, you will see!" The portrait giggle again and ran out of the frame, emerging in the one above her.
"Please, don't any of you tell any students." The portraits shook their heads.
"Why would we tell anyone? It's not any student's business." An older man said.
"It's just wonderful gossip!" The older woman he was with said. Hermione blushed.
"If any student's find out," she warned. The portraits laughed at her feeble attempts.
"Do not worry Hermione. We will not tell anyone. Except maybe a professor or two. Student's can find out their own ways." Another woman laughed. She sighed and walked down the corridor until she reached the fat lady portrait.
"Hermione! I just heard a wonderful rumor! It seems you were talking with a Slytherin boy?"
"Yes, I was, and please don't tell any students."
"Don't worry, I will not. I love to gossip, but that's your business. Password please?"
"Elmaera Torvino."
The portrait swung open and Hermione walked into the Gryffindor common room. Ron and Harry sat in the fluffy chairs by the fire, Ginny sitting on the arm of Harry's chair. They were looking at something.
"Oh good! You're back Hermione. Look at this."
"What is it?"
"It was posted on the board a few minutes ago. The first Hogsmeade trip is coming up in a few weeks. Are you going to go?"
"Of course!" Hermione said. "Why wouldn't I want to?"
"I don't know. I thought maybe with your extra enthusiasm for studying this year, I thought maybe you wouldn't wanna go," Ginny said. Hermione laughed.
"I wouldn't miss the first Hogsmeade trip of the year! That's ridiculous!" Ron grinned.
"Alright. This is going to be so much fun." Hermione wandered off and up to the girl's dorm and placed her books on her stand. Ginny stood in the doorway behind her.
"I heard what Malfoy did today."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, Ron told me. Doesn't that seem strange to you?"
"Yes, but maybe he is growing up. After all, we are sixteen years old now. Doesn't it seem about time?"
"Maybe he likes you." Ginny shrugged, walking out the door. Hermione spun around, face red.
"How can you-" she started, but Ginny was gone. "I'm going to have to warn him. He is being a little too nice right off the bat. He should still be mean, no matter how much I like this new side," she said to herself out loud.
Well I hope all of you enjoyed this one. ::Grinning:: I love writing it, and I'm sure you'll like the next chapter even more. ^_^ Thank you to everyone who likes the story. I'm so happy! Tell me what you think about this. Later!
Hermione sat across from Draco, laughing with him as the discussed everything under the sun: classes, friends, family, and teachers.
"Ugh! I don't really care for Professor Snape. He is so cold."
"He's not such a bad man when you get to know him. He is, after all, the head of my house."
"I'm partial to Professor McGonagall, but she is the head of Gryffindor."
"She's alright."
"What do you honestly think about Dumbledore?"
Draco bit a lip and furrowed his brow, making a face Hermione found remarkably cute. "He's alright." He said slowly. "I only say I hate him so much because of my father. But since my father was found out, we haven't been on speaking terms."
"It must be hard. I'm sorry," she said, touching his arm. He shrugged.
"What can anyone do about it? It was their decision, not mine. I want nothing to do with that. I will not subject myself to being a slave."
Hermione nodded and leaned back on the chair, her hair billowing over her shoulders.
"So tell me what it's like living with Muggles."
"It's not bad. I love being a witch and all. I'm so glad I am. Now I understand why I didn't fit in before at my regular school. But my family is very supportive. They were a little frightened at first, but they're used to everything odd now. They're close to the Weasley's."
Draco couldn't help but sneer, Hermione frowning, ready to smack him if he made a comment about one of her friends.
"I'm sorry, it's just a habit. I've been raised on being told we were superior because we had money, and they didn't. But now I see the Weasley's are more wealthy than I may ever be."
"Oh?" Hermione raised an eyebrow. "How is that?"
"Ron and Ginny have a family that loves them. I have nothing."
"That's not true. You have friends here."
"Hermione. Let's be serious for a minute. My father is a Deatheater. That's not exactly what I call a loving situation. My mother, ha, who knows what she does. And as for friends here? Look at Crabbe and Goyle. They aren't exactly the brightest flames. And Pansy is SO annoying, I cannot stress that enough." Hermione was deep in thought.
"What do you do when you go home for vacations?"
"Nothing. I sit in my room and read or whatever. Or I occupy myself playing tricks on whatever Muggles happen to be around. I know, I know that sounds horrible, but what else is there to do?!"
"Even though I don't agree with you, I see your point."
"I hate to end this conversation and all, but I have Quidditch practice tomorrow morning, so I should get some work down before dinner."
"Oh! I completely forgot tomorrow was Saturday! I can actually get some work done from when we missed classes."
"Have you had any headaches since then?" Draco asked, holding something back. Hermione shrugged.
"A little, but they go away quickly. I suppose I should have told Madame Pomfrey, but I don't want everyone to get worried again. I'm sure it was just a bad head cold." Draco shrugged. "Are you alright?"
"I woke up with my head throbbing last night. But it disappeared the minute I put my feet on the ground. It was strange. If it happens again though, I'm going to tell her."
"That's a good idea."
Both of them stood and walked out of the library together. They stopped at the base of the stairs.
"I think I know what you're going to say, but can I walk at least part of the way."
Hermione thought and then shrugged. "What if someone sees us walking?"
"I'll just say I was harassing you, if you don't mind that. It seems true enough, given my horrible past actions."
"If you don't mind putting yourself down like that, then I guess you could walk me to the beginning of the corridor. But, you have to promise never to tell anyone."
"Why would I want to?"
"To use against the Gryffindors."
"Not if it meant breaking your trust. It's bad enough I'm going to have to work hard to gain it. I wouldn't do anything to harm that chance. I know I only have one." Hermione nodded.
They started walking up the many flights of stairs in silence, Draco walking slightly behind her, to her right. She held her books tightly, occasionally looking behind her out of the corner of her eye, but Draco's face was hung down.
"This is as far as I want to take you." She said as they stopped at the beginning of a corridor. The portraits around were watching them and staring, some disappearing into the frames and reappearing in other. Hermione groaned.
"What?"
"I forgot all about how chatty those portraits could be. No doubt one of them is running to tell Professor Dumbledore right this second."
"Let them. I don't care." He said. "Let rumors spread. We could deny it if you wanted to. Whatever you want to do," he said, taking a step towards her, and leaned down to kiss her on the cheek. Hermione turned her head a little so he could get to her cheek easier and he backed up. One of the portraits gasped while another giggled and sighed. Hermione blushed and stepped back. He took her hand and squeezed it gently. "Shall I see you at dinner?"
"I'll be there, if that's what you mean."
"As long as I can am able to see your radiance, it does not matter if we speak," he said, leaning to kiss her hand. She let him do so, completely flustered.
"I didn't know you were such a poet!"
"Neither did I!" He laughed. She smiled at the sound, so rare when it wasn't forced, or laughing about something horrible. He turned and walked back down the stairs, and Hermione watched him go until she couldn't see him anymore. She turned to find one of the female portraits staring at her.
"What?" Hermione asked. The portrait giggled.
"Who would have thought! A Slytherin and a Gryffindor!"
"We aren't together," Hermione pointed out.
"Maybe, but that won't last long! Soon! Soon, you will see!" The portrait giggle again and ran out of the frame, emerging in the one above her.
"Please, don't any of you tell any students." The portraits shook their heads.
"Why would we tell anyone? It's not any student's business." An older man said.
"It's just wonderful gossip!" The older woman he was with said. Hermione blushed.
"If any student's find out," she warned. The portraits laughed at her feeble attempts.
"Do not worry Hermione. We will not tell anyone. Except maybe a professor or two. Student's can find out their own ways." Another woman laughed. She sighed and walked down the corridor until she reached the fat lady portrait.
"Hermione! I just heard a wonderful rumor! It seems you were talking with a Slytherin boy?"
"Yes, I was, and please don't tell any students."
"Don't worry, I will not. I love to gossip, but that's your business. Password please?"
"Elmaera Torvino."
The portrait swung open and Hermione walked into the Gryffindor common room. Ron and Harry sat in the fluffy chairs by the fire, Ginny sitting on the arm of Harry's chair. They were looking at something.
"Oh good! You're back Hermione. Look at this."
"What is it?"
"It was posted on the board a few minutes ago. The first Hogsmeade trip is coming up in a few weeks. Are you going to go?"
"Of course!" Hermione said. "Why wouldn't I want to?"
"I don't know. I thought maybe with your extra enthusiasm for studying this year, I thought maybe you wouldn't wanna go," Ginny said. Hermione laughed.
"I wouldn't miss the first Hogsmeade trip of the year! That's ridiculous!" Ron grinned.
"Alright. This is going to be so much fun." Hermione wandered off and up to the girl's dorm and placed her books on her stand. Ginny stood in the doorway behind her.
"I heard what Malfoy did today."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, Ron told me. Doesn't that seem strange to you?"
"Yes, but maybe he is growing up. After all, we are sixteen years old now. Doesn't it seem about time?"
"Maybe he likes you." Ginny shrugged, walking out the door. Hermione spun around, face red.
"How can you-" she started, but Ginny was gone. "I'm going to have to warn him. He is being a little too nice right off the bat. He should still be mean, no matter how much I like this new side," she said to herself out loud.
Well I hope all of you enjoyed this one. ::Grinning:: I love writing it, and I'm sure you'll like the next chapter even more. ^_^ Thank you to everyone who likes the story. I'm so happy! Tell me what you think about this. Later!