Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters.They belong to the divine
J.K
Hermione entered the Great Hall with confusing sounds and images of what had just occurred buzzing through her mind. Her brain seemed to have morphed into a marshmallow, unable to contemplate and comprehend the scene that had just passed.
In her trance-like state, Hermione was oblivious to the fact that the Gryffindor table loomed straight ahead. She let out a loud yelp and winced in pain as her hip bumped hard against the sharp corner of the wooden table.
The throbbing pain in her hip seemed to help to clear her mind and she was able to pick out Grace's blonde head among her peers. Hermione purposefully strode towards the seat next to Grace, trying hard to ignore the numerous curious glances slanted her way. She quickly sat down next to Grace and proceeded to stuff herself with food. With her eyes locked onto her plate, she managed to avoid all the piercing stares, but could hardly block out the steady whispers surrounding her.
"I heard that she and Malfoy have been secretly going out for years."
"I heard that both Potter and Malfoy were in madly love with Hermione, but she chose Malfoy. That's why Draco and Harry hate each other's guts."
"Well, I reckon she could be pregnant with Draco's baby. That would explain why she's so grumpy all the time, right?"
When Hermione heard the last piece of gossip, she shrieked and spluttered in outrage.
"What!? I'm not pregnant!"
As she shrieked this, pieces of food flew from her mouth but Hermione was too furious to care.
The source of the whispered comments was a tiny Hufflepuff girl. The second year gossip monger blushed heatedly and quaked at the sight of a fuming Hermione towering over her.
Hemrione was almost hissing in fury, about to loudly defend her virtue and demand an apology, when she noticed the unnatural silence that had filled the Hall. She stopped, taking in the astonished stares of almost everyone in the Hall. The realization of what she had just screeched for all to hear sunk in. She was acting like an outraged harridan. Her crazed behaviour mortified her.
In a panic, her eyes sought Harry and Ron among the students seated at the Gryffindor table. Hermione was horrified to see them staring back at her with looks of disgust and disappointment.
Her shaking hand reached up to cover her mouth before the hurt gasp could escape. Tears blurred her vision and without another thought, Hermione ran out of the Hall. Away from the accusing glares, away from the shocked expressions, she just had to get away. It felt like she had been running for a lifetime when a pair of hands grasped her arms and spun her around.
"Regular Speedy Gonzales, aren't you?" Grace grinned tremulously.
Hermione blinked away her tears and saw Grace and Ginny standing by her. The emotions began to creep up again, but she felt vastly comforted by their presence.
"I never wanted any of this to happen.Why is this happening to me? Why would Malfoy do something like this? He hates me." She sobbed "And now Harry and Ron hate me as well."
"Oh honey.They don't hate you. They're your best friends. Of course they don't hate you, no one could hate you." Grace declared as she gently patted Hermione's bushy hair.
Hermione snorted in disbelief but smiled at Grace's naïve delusions.
"Don't worry about them, Hermione. They're just stupid gits anyway." Ginny proclaimed.
Casting her worries about Harry and Ron aside, Hermione's troubled mind was consumed by thoughts of Draco. "Why did Draco kissed me in front of everyone? Was this another of his vindictive swipes at me?" she asked herself desperately. These thoughts rapidly led her to memories of the more private kiss they had shared in the forbidden forest. Hermione couldn't even begin to describe the cascade of emotions she had felt. It seemed that ever since the episode in the shadows of the forest, her conflicting feelings towards Draco constantly ate away at her. Every time their gazes met, from the most casual glance to a heated stare, Hermione felt a dizzying euphoric sensation. It almost felt as if.maybe.maybe she was beginning to like Draco Malfoy.
"Woah" she said out loud, startled by her thoughts. " I must be demented. Draco Malfoy. Eeeww. I don't like HIM.he's a worm.a piece of dung.he's a Malfoy!" she mumbled to herself.
Grace and Ginny were staring at her with worried expressions, and Hermione realized that she had been ranting nonsensically under her breath.
"I've got to go talk to him." Hermione uttered, more to herself than to the two girls staring at her.
"Who, Ron? Like I said he's a stupid git. I reckon you should just let him stew." Ginny stated
"No dork! She's talking about Draco." Grace muttered, jabbing her elbow into Ginny's side. By the looks of it, the two girls were already on a fast track towards friendship.
"I just don't understand why Draco would do something like that.In front of everyone.I mean aren't you supposed to have gone out on at least one date with each other before you announce to the world that you're involved in a passionate relationship." Hermione fretted.
"What? You mean, you and Draco, haven't been doing any doona dancing under our noses.How disappointing." Grace said, lecherously wriggling her eyebrows.
The hilarious expression on her face, made Hermione and Ginny snort with laughter and soon all three girls were trapped in a side-splitting laughing fit.
"Thanks guys.For coming here.And you know, comforting me and just being here for me.I really appreciate it."
Grace and Ginny just shook their heads lightly and squeezed Hermione into a comforting hug. With a deep sigh, Hermione pulled out of the hug, letting her arms drop limply to her sides.
"Um.I think I need to go find Draco and talk to him." Hermione mumbled as if the thought of it terrified her.
Ginny slung her arms across Hermione's shoulders. "Did you want us to come with?"
Hermione looked at her, mentally begging her to do just that, but shook her head determinedly. "No. I have to do this alone. I need to find out for myself why Malfoy did this." And with that she stormed determinedly down the hall.
Grace and Ginny watched her stalk away. When Hermione was out of sight they both looked at each other and nodded in unison.
"Let's go get the stupid gits!"
~*~
Hermione didn't have the faintest idea how she would accomplish the task at hand, as she stared at the stubborn portrait which guarded the entrance of the Slytherin dormitory.
"I am a prefect and I demand that you let me in." she tried to say calmly but failed miserably.
"If you were a Slytherin prefect you would know the password. As you don't, you must be a prefect of some other house and therefore unworthy to enter the sacred grounds of the Slytherin house." The wizened old man in the painting sneered at her. "No password. No entry."
Hermione felt a strong urge to claw at the nasty old man, but was forced to suppress her impulse when she heard footsteps resounding behind her.
"Watchoo doing here?" The unmistakably thick-witted voice of Crabbe sounded behind her.
Steeling herself against the usual jeers and sneers, she turned to face the almost troll-like Crabbe and his stumpy companion, Goyle. But the customary disparaging remarks never came. It seemed they had just realized who she was and hurriedly bowed their heads in respect.
If Hermione hadn't been stunned she would have laughed hysterically at the sight of these two baboons almost bowing at her like she was royalty. Over the past few months she had tried to impress on these two dim-witted oafs, that as a prefect she had the power to punish them for any unruly behaviour. They had largely ignored her threats, continuing to pound on and bully those unfortunate enough to cross their paths. But now the mere mention of a connection between her and Draco had them practically genuflecting.
"Where's Draco?" She asked sweetly, desperately trying to contain the chuckles threatening to spill forth. "Could you please fetch him for me? Tell him I need to talk to him."
She saw them awkwardly shuffle their feet as they turned to look behind them. Hermione realized Draco was striding up the hallway behind them. At the sight of Draco Malfoy striding purposefully towards her, Hermione drew in a deep breath to steady her distraught nerves. He came to a halt about three feet from her and Hermione was shocked to see how quickly Crabbe and Goyle disappeared.
"Hermione."
Her carefully constructed plan to confer rationally and calmly with Draco flew out the window, as she faced him. Instead, the emotions that had been gnawing at her nerves burst forth. " Why? Why did you..? How could you.?" Hermione's shaking hand came up to cover her eyes and she drew in another steadying breath. "You wanted to embarrass me? You wanted to make people talk about me? You wanted my friends to hate me? Is that it? Is that why you kissed me? You take vindictive pleasure in seeing me in pain? Is that it?"
"What! No! Not at all." Draco exploded, closing the space between them, grasping her shoulders then giving her a quick shake. "I did it because.Fuck this.I don't have to explain myself to you." And began to walk away.
"Draco Malfoy, if you walk away from me right now, I swear I will not rest until you're a bloodied pulp." Hermione screeched.
Draco turned, baring his teeth in anger. He marched, livid, back to Hermione and put both hands on her cheeks to ensure her full attention.
"You want to know why I did it? I did it because I like you. I don't want to like you.God, I hate myself for liking you, but when I saw that hurt look in your eyes as you looked at Justin and Lavender, I snapped.I wanted to show them.To show him, that you didn't need him.I wanted him to become insignificant to you.God dammit I wanted you to look at me the way you looked at him when you thought he was Mr. Wonderful!"
Hermione stood stunned, struggling to comprehend Draco's words. Draco's stare bore down on her, seemingly waiting for a response. As she stared helplessly into the icy grey depths of his eyes, millions of thoughts flashed through her mind.
"This is it. The crucial moment. This moment will decide if there is any chance of a future for us. I could walk away. Just step away from it all. Everything would go back to the way it was. My friends wouldn't hate me. I'd just continue on with my life as I've always done. And Draco would loathe me once again. Or I could take this chance. Just reach out and take hold of Draco's hand. Take hold of his hand and together we would go wherever fate decided to lead us. Take this chance.Let him in."
When Hermione continued to stare back unresponsively, a look of despair flitted across Draco's gaze and he released her as if he had been burnt. With his head held high Draco turned away from her and strode towards his dormitory.
Hermione almost collapsed at the strange emptiness that washed over her as he walked away from her. She bit down on her lip in uncertainty, staring at the flickering flames of the candles that lit the hallway. "Let him in." her subconscious whispered. "Let him into your life.Your heart..."
"Yes."
Exhaling determinedly, Hermione knew what she had to do. As she steeled herself, an old quote came to mind. "Contempt, farewell. Maiden pride, adieu. No glory lives behind the backs of such!" she muttered under her breath, and then turned. "Draco, wait!"
Draco stiffened then turned towards her, raising a scornful brow. "What? You're not done stomping all over my pride. Might as well finish the job.Fucking hell. You've got no Goddamned idea, do you? You aren't the only fucking person in the entire world who has feelings that can be trampled on. Jeez the amount of times I've had to pick myself up after one of your 'You aren't fit to scrape the crap off my shoes' glares. Well you can just go to."
Hermione stopped his angry tirade by placing a finger on his lips. Draco froze in surprise. Hermione put both her hands on his cheeks to ensure his full attention. Looking straight into his cold gaze, she spoke with a clear precise voice.
"I'm looking at you.I can't say precisely how I looked at Justin when I thought he was Mr. Wonderful but I'm looking at you now.And I like what I see."
Draco gaped at her in disbelief, looking like a blonde goldfish, and then smiled. His perfectly straight white teeth flashed as he said, "Well, you ain't too bad yourself, Granger."
Hermione giggled and then placed a sweet kiss on Draco's forehead, while maneuvering her hands so they were clasped behind his neck. Draco wrapped his arms around her and kissed her passionately.
Unfortunately, the ardently entwined couple was rudely interrupted.
"Ahem hem hem.!"
Grace's loud false cough had the effect of ice cold water being doused upon them and Draco and Hermione sprang apart, looking around wildly.
"I've come to accompany Miss Granger back to her quarters." Grace simpered, fluttering her eyelashes in pseudo innocence at Draco.
"Um.I guess I better go." Hermione said as she looked up at Draco. "I'll see you tomorrow." With final kiss, Hermione slid out of his embrace and walked up to Grace. With a quick wink, Grace proceeded to escort an extremely dazed Hermione back to the Gryffindor dormitory.
Draco watched them disappear down the hallway, and then turned whistling as he climbed through the portrait of the wizened old man, into his dormitory.
~*~
Before she knew it Hermione was climbing through the portrait of the Fat Lady into the Gryffindor common room. She was thankful that the common room was deserted. Hermione had no wish for any of her peers to see her grinning like a lunatic, as she was at that moment. A strange adrenalin buzzed throughout her body, ensuring she was wide awake. Hermione knew she wouldn't be getting to sleep any time soon that night. Grace seemed to realize this as well and guided Hermione towards the comfortable couches in front of the fire. Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but all that came out was a loud giggle. Grace raised an eyebrow at her but was unable to hold back her own giggles.
"Gr.baby.very Gr." Grace whispered in a low British accent reminiscent of Austin Powers.
Hermione swatted at her shoulder, but continued to giggle uncontrollably.
"So.Are you and the father of your immaculately conceived unborn child going on a date or what?"
"Um.Well we never actually got to discussing a date.We were a bit caught up in the.er.pashing." Hermione mumbled, feeling her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Grace cackled heartily at the sight of Hermione's tomato like face and started making smooching noises and blowing raspberries in Hermione's direction. Hermione was trying to calculate how long it would take for her to suffocate Grace with one of the cushions and whether it would be more efficient to use a larger cushion to accomplish the task, when the portrait door swung open followed by loud whiny cries of pain.
Hermione's prefect drive kicked in and she turned to scrutinize what all the racket was about. With her full attention on the entrance, Hermione realized that it was Ginny entering the common room and she seemed to be dragging something loud and heavy behind her.
"What on Earth?" Hermione thought, and then stood up to investigate but was abruptly pulled back down onto the couch by Grace. Hermione threw a puzzled look towards her friend, but Grace wasn't paying her any attention. She turned once more to watch as Ginny approached her, and in the flickering light of the fire, she realized that it was Harry and Ron that were yelping in pain behind Ginny.
Although the two boys were a great deal taller and bigger than her, Ginny had what seemed to be a strong grip on an ear from each of the boys. Every now and then she gave the ears a little twist causing a chorus of pained yelps.
"Well? Are you guys ready to apologize to Hermione yet?" Ginny said sternly, twisting just a little harder.
"What? Oh no Ginny.don't. They don't have to apologize. Stop it." Hermione stammered.
"What!? No way. They were ready to ditch you and your six years of friendship just because Malfoy kissed you. You can't just forgive these stupid gits. It shouldn't matter who you want to go out with. As your friends they should support you." She declared to Hermione. Then turned to the boys once more, "Now apologize!"
When Ginny released her vice-like grip on their ears, Harry and Ron scrambled away, seeking protection in the form of Hermione. Grace quietly moved away, making room for Ron and Harry to sit beside Hermione. Rubbing his bright pink ear, Ron put his hand on Hermione's knee and gave her a soft pat.
"I'm sorry about what ever I did wrong.No really.I mean it. Your one of my best friends and I want to keep it that way." Ron mumbled.
Feeling the need to let them suffer just a little more, Hermione just glared at him then turned and looked at Harry expectantly. Harry, also rubbing his ear, pushed his glasses back up onto the bridge of his nose then cleared his throat.
"Er. Ron's right. I mean, we were angry that you would go out with Malfoy and not tell us, but it's your life and if that's what you want, then we as your friends have got to stand by your decision." Harry muttered.
"It is what you want, right? To go out with that slime.I mean Malfoy." Ron enquired, as if hoping that it wasn't.
"Um.yes. I am going out with Draco." Hermione said slowly, looking at each of her friends nervously.
Ron looked slightly disgruntled but then pecked a quick kiss on Hermione's cheek. Looking into her eyes he spoke with a solemn voice, "If that's really what you want. If you really want to go out with Draco Malfoy.Then as your friends we'll help you get vaccinated."
~*~
Hey peoples. Hope you're liking it so far. Thanks soooo much to everyone who has reviewed it. I hope my story lives up to your expectations. It's probably going to be a long one, I've got a lot planned for it.Thanks again to every one who has read and reviewed it.
Hermione entered the Great Hall with confusing sounds and images of what had just occurred buzzing through her mind. Her brain seemed to have morphed into a marshmallow, unable to contemplate and comprehend the scene that had just passed.
In her trance-like state, Hermione was oblivious to the fact that the Gryffindor table loomed straight ahead. She let out a loud yelp and winced in pain as her hip bumped hard against the sharp corner of the wooden table.
The throbbing pain in her hip seemed to help to clear her mind and she was able to pick out Grace's blonde head among her peers. Hermione purposefully strode towards the seat next to Grace, trying hard to ignore the numerous curious glances slanted her way. She quickly sat down next to Grace and proceeded to stuff herself with food. With her eyes locked onto her plate, she managed to avoid all the piercing stares, but could hardly block out the steady whispers surrounding her.
"I heard that she and Malfoy have been secretly going out for years."
"I heard that both Potter and Malfoy were in madly love with Hermione, but she chose Malfoy. That's why Draco and Harry hate each other's guts."
"Well, I reckon she could be pregnant with Draco's baby. That would explain why she's so grumpy all the time, right?"
When Hermione heard the last piece of gossip, she shrieked and spluttered in outrage.
"What!? I'm not pregnant!"
As she shrieked this, pieces of food flew from her mouth but Hermione was too furious to care.
The source of the whispered comments was a tiny Hufflepuff girl. The second year gossip monger blushed heatedly and quaked at the sight of a fuming Hermione towering over her.
Hemrione was almost hissing in fury, about to loudly defend her virtue and demand an apology, when she noticed the unnatural silence that had filled the Hall. She stopped, taking in the astonished stares of almost everyone in the Hall. The realization of what she had just screeched for all to hear sunk in. She was acting like an outraged harridan. Her crazed behaviour mortified her.
In a panic, her eyes sought Harry and Ron among the students seated at the Gryffindor table. Hermione was horrified to see them staring back at her with looks of disgust and disappointment.
Her shaking hand reached up to cover her mouth before the hurt gasp could escape. Tears blurred her vision and without another thought, Hermione ran out of the Hall. Away from the accusing glares, away from the shocked expressions, she just had to get away. It felt like she had been running for a lifetime when a pair of hands grasped her arms and spun her around.
"Regular Speedy Gonzales, aren't you?" Grace grinned tremulously.
Hermione blinked away her tears and saw Grace and Ginny standing by her. The emotions began to creep up again, but she felt vastly comforted by their presence.
"I never wanted any of this to happen.Why is this happening to me? Why would Malfoy do something like this? He hates me." She sobbed "And now Harry and Ron hate me as well."
"Oh honey.They don't hate you. They're your best friends. Of course they don't hate you, no one could hate you." Grace declared as she gently patted Hermione's bushy hair.
Hermione snorted in disbelief but smiled at Grace's naïve delusions.
"Don't worry about them, Hermione. They're just stupid gits anyway." Ginny proclaimed.
Casting her worries about Harry and Ron aside, Hermione's troubled mind was consumed by thoughts of Draco. "Why did Draco kissed me in front of everyone? Was this another of his vindictive swipes at me?" she asked herself desperately. These thoughts rapidly led her to memories of the more private kiss they had shared in the forbidden forest. Hermione couldn't even begin to describe the cascade of emotions she had felt. It seemed that ever since the episode in the shadows of the forest, her conflicting feelings towards Draco constantly ate away at her. Every time their gazes met, from the most casual glance to a heated stare, Hermione felt a dizzying euphoric sensation. It almost felt as if.maybe.maybe she was beginning to like Draco Malfoy.
"Woah" she said out loud, startled by her thoughts. " I must be demented. Draco Malfoy. Eeeww. I don't like HIM.he's a worm.a piece of dung.he's a Malfoy!" she mumbled to herself.
Grace and Ginny were staring at her with worried expressions, and Hermione realized that she had been ranting nonsensically under her breath.
"I've got to go talk to him." Hermione uttered, more to herself than to the two girls staring at her.
"Who, Ron? Like I said he's a stupid git. I reckon you should just let him stew." Ginny stated
"No dork! She's talking about Draco." Grace muttered, jabbing her elbow into Ginny's side. By the looks of it, the two girls were already on a fast track towards friendship.
"I just don't understand why Draco would do something like that.In front of everyone.I mean aren't you supposed to have gone out on at least one date with each other before you announce to the world that you're involved in a passionate relationship." Hermione fretted.
"What? You mean, you and Draco, haven't been doing any doona dancing under our noses.How disappointing." Grace said, lecherously wriggling her eyebrows.
The hilarious expression on her face, made Hermione and Ginny snort with laughter and soon all three girls were trapped in a side-splitting laughing fit.
"Thanks guys.For coming here.And you know, comforting me and just being here for me.I really appreciate it."
Grace and Ginny just shook their heads lightly and squeezed Hermione into a comforting hug. With a deep sigh, Hermione pulled out of the hug, letting her arms drop limply to her sides.
"Um.I think I need to go find Draco and talk to him." Hermione mumbled as if the thought of it terrified her.
Ginny slung her arms across Hermione's shoulders. "Did you want us to come with?"
Hermione looked at her, mentally begging her to do just that, but shook her head determinedly. "No. I have to do this alone. I need to find out for myself why Malfoy did this." And with that she stormed determinedly down the hall.
Grace and Ginny watched her stalk away. When Hermione was out of sight they both looked at each other and nodded in unison.
"Let's go get the stupid gits!"
~*~
Hermione didn't have the faintest idea how she would accomplish the task at hand, as she stared at the stubborn portrait which guarded the entrance of the Slytherin dormitory.
"I am a prefect and I demand that you let me in." she tried to say calmly but failed miserably.
"If you were a Slytherin prefect you would know the password. As you don't, you must be a prefect of some other house and therefore unworthy to enter the sacred grounds of the Slytherin house." The wizened old man in the painting sneered at her. "No password. No entry."
Hermione felt a strong urge to claw at the nasty old man, but was forced to suppress her impulse when she heard footsteps resounding behind her.
"Watchoo doing here?" The unmistakably thick-witted voice of Crabbe sounded behind her.
Steeling herself against the usual jeers and sneers, she turned to face the almost troll-like Crabbe and his stumpy companion, Goyle. But the customary disparaging remarks never came. It seemed they had just realized who she was and hurriedly bowed their heads in respect.
If Hermione hadn't been stunned she would have laughed hysterically at the sight of these two baboons almost bowing at her like she was royalty. Over the past few months she had tried to impress on these two dim-witted oafs, that as a prefect she had the power to punish them for any unruly behaviour. They had largely ignored her threats, continuing to pound on and bully those unfortunate enough to cross their paths. But now the mere mention of a connection between her and Draco had them practically genuflecting.
"Where's Draco?" She asked sweetly, desperately trying to contain the chuckles threatening to spill forth. "Could you please fetch him for me? Tell him I need to talk to him."
She saw them awkwardly shuffle their feet as they turned to look behind them. Hermione realized Draco was striding up the hallway behind them. At the sight of Draco Malfoy striding purposefully towards her, Hermione drew in a deep breath to steady her distraught nerves. He came to a halt about three feet from her and Hermione was shocked to see how quickly Crabbe and Goyle disappeared.
"Hermione."
Her carefully constructed plan to confer rationally and calmly with Draco flew out the window, as she faced him. Instead, the emotions that had been gnawing at her nerves burst forth. " Why? Why did you..? How could you.?" Hermione's shaking hand came up to cover her eyes and she drew in another steadying breath. "You wanted to embarrass me? You wanted to make people talk about me? You wanted my friends to hate me? Is that it? Is that why you kissed me? You take vindictive pleasure in seeing me in pain? Is that it?"
"What! No! Not at all." Draco exploded, closing the space between them, grasping her shoulders then giving her a quick shake. "I did it because.Fuck this.I don't have to explain myself to you." And began to walk away.
"Draco Malfoy, if you walk away from me right now, I swear I will not rest until you're a bloodied pulp." Hermione screeched.
Draco turned, baring his teeth in anger. He marched, livid, back to Hermione and put both hands on her cheeks to ensure her full attention.
"You want to know why I did it? I did it because I like you. I don't want to like you.God, I hate myself for liking you, but when I saw that hurt look in your eyes as you looked at Justin and Lavender, I snapped.I wanted to show them.To show him, that you didn't need him.I wanted him to become insignificant to you.God dammit I wanted you to look at me the way you looked at him when you thought he was Mr. Wonderful!"
Hermione stood stunned, struggling to comprehend Draco's words. Draco's stare bore down on her, seemingly waiting for a response. As she stared helplessly into the icy grey depths of his eyes, millions of thoughts flashed through her mind.
"This is it. The crucial moment. This moment will decide if there is any chance of a future for us. I could walk away. Just step away from it all. Everything would go back to the way it was. My friends wouldn't hate me. I'd just continue on with my life as I've always done. And Draco would loathe me once again. Or I could take this chance. Just reach out and take hold of Draco's hand. Take hold of his hand and together we would go wherever fate decided to lead us. Take this chance.Let him in."
When Hermione continued to stare back unresponsively, a look of despair flitted across Draco's gaze and he released her as if he had been burnt. With his head held high Draco turned away from her and strode towards his dormitory.
Hermione almost collapsed at the strange emptiness that washed over her as he walked away from her. She bit down on her lip in uncertainty, staring at the flickering flames of the candles that lit the hallway. "Let him in." her subconscious whispered. "Let him into your life.Your heart..."
"Yes."
Exhaling determinedly, Hermione knew what she had to do. As she steeled herself, an old quote came to mind. "Contempt, farewell. Maiden pride, adieu. No glory lives behind the backs of such!" she muttered under her breath, and then turned. "Draco, wait!"
Draco stiffened then turned towards her, raising a scornful brow. "What? You're not done stomping all over my pride. Might as well finish the job.Fucking hell. You've got no Goddamned idea, do you? You aren't the only fucking person in the entire world who has feelings that can be trampled on. Jeez the amount of times I've had to pick myself up after one of your 'You aren't fit to scrape the crap off my shoes' glares. Well you can just go to."
Hermione stopped his angry tirade by placing a finger on his lips. Draco froze in surprise. Hermione put both her hands on his cheeks to ensure his full attention. Looking straight into his cold gaze, she spoke with a clear precise voice.
"I'm looking at you.I can't say precisely how I looked at Justin when I thought he was Mr. Wonderful but I'm looking at you now.And I like what I see."
Draco gaped at her in disbelief, looking like a blonde goldfish, and then smiled. His perfectly straight white teeth flashed as he said, "Well, you ain't too bad yourself, Granger."
Hermione giggled and then placed a sweet kiss on Draco's forehead, while maneuvering her hands so they were clasped behind his neck. Draco wrapped his arms around her and kissed her passionately.
Unfortunately, the ardently entwined couple was rudely interrupted.
"Ahem hem hem.!"
Grace's loud false cough had the effect of ice cold water being doused upon them and Draco and Hermione sprang apart, looking around wildly.
"I've come to accompany Miss Granger back to her quarters." Grace simpered, fluttering her eyelashes in pseudo innocence at Draco.
"Um.I guess I better go." Hermione said as she looked up at Draco. "I'll see you tomorrow." With final kiss, Hermione slid out of his embrace and walked up to Grace. With a quick wink, Grace proceeded to escort an extremely dazed Hermione back to the Gryffindor dormitory.
Draco watched them disappear down the hallway, and then turned whistling as he climbed through the portrait of the wizened old man, into his dormitory.
~*~
Before she knew it Hermione was climbing through the portrait of the Fat Lady into the Gryffindor common room. She was thankful that the common room was deserted. Hermione had no wish for any of her peers to see her grinning like a lunatic, as she was at that moment. A strange adrenalin buzzed throughout her body, ensuring she was wide awake. Hermione knew she wouldn't be getting to sleep any time soon that night. Grace seemed to realize this as well and guided Hermione towards the comfortable couches in front of the fire. Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but all that came out was a loud giggle. Grace raised an eyebrow at her but was unable to hold back her own giggles.
"Gr.baby.very Gr." Grace whispered in a low British accent reminiscent of Austin Powers.
Hermione swatted at her shoulder, but continued to giggle uncontrollably.
"So.Are you and the father of your immaculately conceived unborn child going on a date or what?"
"Um.Well we never actually got to discussing a date.We were a bit caught up in the.er.pashing." Hermione mumbled, feeling her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Grace cackled heartily at the sight of Hermione's tomato like face and started making smooching noises and blowing raspberries in Hermione's direction. Hermione was trying to calculate how long it would take for her to suffocate Grace with one of the cushions and whether it would be more efficient to use a larger cushion to accomplish the task, when the portrait door swung open followed by loud whiny cries of pain.
Hermione's prefect drive kicked in and she turned to scrutinize what all the racket was about. With her full attention on the entrance, Hermione realized that it was Ginny entering the common room and she seemed to be dragging something loud and heavy behind her.
"What on Earth?" Hermione thought, and then stood up to investigate but was abruptly pulled back down onto the couch by Grace. Hermione threw a puzzled look towards her friend, but Grace wasn't paying her any attention. She turned once more to watch as Ginny approached her, and in the flickering light of the fire, she realized that it was Harry and Ron that were yelping in pain behind Ginny.
Although the two boys were a great deal taller and bigger than her, Ginny had what seemed to be a strong grip on an ear from each of the boys. Every now and then she gave the ears a little twist causing a chorus of pained yelps.
"Well? Are you guys ready to apologize to Hermione yet?" Ginny said sternly, twisting just a little harder.
"What? Oh no Ginny.don't. They don't have to apologize. Stop it." Hermione stammered.
"What!? No way. They were ready to ditch you and your six years of friendship just because Malfoy kissed you. You can't just forgive these stupid gits. It shouldn't matter who you want to go out with. As your friends they should support you." She declared to Hermione. Then turned to the boys once more, "Now apologize!"
When Ginny released her vice-like grip on their ears, Harry and Ron scrambled away, seeking protection in the form of Hermione. Grace quietly moved away, making room for Ron and Harry to sit beside Hermione. Rubbing his bright pink ear, Ron put his hand on Hermione's knee and gave her a soft pat.
"I'm sorry about what ever I did wrong.No really.I mean it. Your one of my best friends and I want to keep it that way." Ron mumbled.
Feeling the need to let them suffer just a little more, Hermione just glared at him then turned and looked at Harry expectantly. Harry, also rubbing his ear, pushed his glasses back up onto the bridge of his nose then cleared his throat.
"Er. Ron's right. I mean, we were angry that you would go out with Malfoy and not tell us, but it's your life and if that's what you want, then we as your friends have got to stand by your decision." Harry muttered.
"It is what you want, right? To go out with that slime.I mean Malfoy." Ron enquired, as if hoping that it wasn't.
"Um.yes. I am going out with Draco." Hermione said slowly, looking at each of her friends nervously.
Ron looked slightly disgruntled but then pecked a quick kiss on Hermione's cheek. Looking into her eyes he spoke with a solemn voice, "If that's really what you want. If you really want to go out with Draco Malfoy.Then as your friends we'll help you get vaccinated."
~*~
Hey peoples. Hope you're liking it so far. Thanks soooo much to everyone who has reviewed it. I hope my story lives up to your expectations. It's probably going to be a long one, I've got a lot planned for it.Thanks again to every one who has read and reviewed it.
