Hey readers. Are the paragraphs fixed??? I don't have time to check,
but review and tell me. More Draco/Hermione action in here, though the best
parts are to come. THEY ARE SO CUTE TOGETHER!!! I can't stand
Harry/Hermione, but it has to be just for a while. Plus, we meet a new
couple in this chapter. This chapter's kind of weird and pointless and
uneventful, but then again, it has to be in the story or the rest won't
make sense. Just read and review quickly!! You have no idea how much your
reviews mean to me. I was almost crying over them. I mean it!! And thanks
to my friend Jill who came up with lots of this plot line, although I wrote
this story. Peace out!! Draco for life!!! ;)
Hermione, Ron, and Harry walked off to Transfiguration after lunch.
"If she gives me detention, I swear, I'll kill her," said Harry.
"McGonagall likes you, mate," assured Ron. "She'll just ask why you weren't at class."
"I hope so," wished Harry. "What are we doing anyway?"
"Switching Spells," said Ron.
"Mione, isn't that what Malfoy used to switch bodies with me?" asked Harry. When Hermione didn't answer, Harry said, "Hermione?"
"What?" she said, snapping out of a daydream about Draco.
"Oh, never mind. What's wrong with you anyway?"
"Nothing," replied Hermione. "Just thinking."
"You're out of it," said Harry. "Come on; let's sit down before class starts." They dropped into their seats just as Professor McGonagall walked in.
"As this is the first class at which all of you attended," she started, "I must impress upon you the seriousness of your N.E.W.T.s." And so she embarked on a twenty-minute lecture about how they should turn in their homework on time and come to every single class, at which point she fixed steely eyes upon Harry and Hermione. They escaped with no punishment, though.
They walked into DADA but milled around the back of the room. Once Dumbledore had arrived, they started work on Patronuses, but Harry, Ron, and Hermione didn't have to put any effort into this simple class.
After class, Dumbledore approached Harry. "Mr. Potter," he said. "A word, please. Alone."
"I'll see you tonight at Truth or Dare, guys," said Harry. "Bye!" He sat down at a desk by Dumbledore.
"I don't know how to go about telling you this," started Dumbledore. "The thing is, you need to watch Miss Granger."
"I knew something was suspicious," said Harry angrily. "Does it have to do with the Malfoys?"
"Harry, you are indeed very intelligent. You will not do reckless things, and that is why I am telling you this now." He cleared his throat. "Miss Granger is part of Voldemort's latest plans. I do not know all of the details, but it seems that young Mister Malfoy has the task of impregnating her on Voldemort's orders."
"What?!" asked Harry in disbelief. It was all clicking now. That was why Malfoy was acting so oddly.
"Professor, what am I going to have to do?"
"Watch her extremely carefully. On the occasions when you cannot, ask Mr. Weasley to."
"Can I tell him about his?" questioned Harry.
"Yes, but give as few details as possible. And Harry-" Here, he stopped abruptly.
"What?"
"Oh, never mind; I don't think you'd like the idea," said Dumbledore.
"What is it?" asked Harry.
"I hate to suggest this to you, but, are you planning on marrying Hermione? If you are, then maybe my idea won't be so bad."
"Well, I suppose.. After school, maybe." replied Harry, deeply embarrassed.
"Thought so," said Dumbledore critically. "In that case, would you be willing to impregnate her before Mister Malfoy can?"
The loudest silence that Harry had ever heard followed. Sure, he'd thought of sex with Hermione, but that would all be with protection. He didn't want a kid now, did he? What would he do with the poor thing?
"Professor, I don't exactly know." said Harry tentatively.
"Yes, it's a hard question, Harry. I hate to ask it of you at such a young age. But you love her, yes?"
"Yes," said Harry. "So I suppose that means I'll have to do this to protect her."
Harry entered Snape's office a few minutes later feeling even worse than he ordinarily would have been going into a detention with his least favorite teacher. Did Snape know about this? If he did, though, he would have let Harry go to Hogsmeade.
Shit! Thought Harry. I don't know if Ron's watching Hermione in Hogsmeade! Malfoy's there!
He felt like killing Snape.
"Potter, you'll be cleaning out these jars full of different ingredients today. It'll take you about an hour."
An hour? Thought Harry. That's shorter than Snape would usually give me. That's great.
He finished cleaning in good time and sprinted to Hogsmeade.
* * * *
Hermione raced into her room to put on casual clothes. A night of fun- shopping and Truth or Dare. How good could life get? She was meeting Ron at the entrance to Hogsmeade.
When she got there, Ron said, "I'm meeting someone."
"As a date?" asked Hermione excitedly. She could give him tips. But why would he be dating if he still loved Hermione?
"No," he answered. "So I'll see you tonight then. Bye!"
"See you later," replied Hermione. "Ten o'clock. Room of Requirement. Don't be late!"
"I won't." Ron walked into Hogsmeade, hands in his pockets, and headed of towards Madam Puddifoot's.
Not a date, huh? Thought Hermione.
She wandered into Magical Menagerie's Hogsmeade branch to get food for Crookshanks. Walking out, she decided to stop at Quidditch and Co. to get Harry some new leather Seeker gloves as a surprise so he could beat Malfoy.
And speak of the devil, for he truly was a real devil, she ran into none other than Draco Malfoy himself while she was going into the Quidditch store.
"Why, hello, Granger," he said, grinning. Of course, he couldn't call her Hermione in front of everyone else. After all, their friendship had to be secret.
"Hello yourself, Malfoy," she said similarly. "I trust you are well?"
"Sexy as ever," he replied with his trademark smirk.
"I won't disagree," said Hermione. Oh my god! She thought. Did I just say that?
"Was I just imagining that you said that?" said Draco. "You, thinking I, of all people, am sexy?"
"Well, I mean, who doesn't?" said Hermione. Stop talking, she thought. But she continued. "With your looks, which girl doesn't like you?"
"True," said Draco arrogantly. "True."
"Where's your girlfriend?" asked Hermione tensely. Was she jealous?
"Pansy is not my girlfriend," he said through clenched teeth. "If you ever say one thing about me or her, you'll-"
"I'll what?" asked Hermione. "I'll be found in bits on the street?"
"The idea is tempting," he joked. "Listen, do you maybe want to go for a coffee?"
Holy crap! Thought Hermione. He did not just ask me that. She looked into his quicksilver metallic eyes, nearly melted into them, and said, "We can't be seen together. People would think we were in a relationship, which is definitely not true. And if Harry or Ron ever found out, I'd kill myself. Especially Harry. I can't go past a friendly relationship with you because I'm in love with Harry."
"So you'd be willing to if it wasn't for Potter?" asked Draco.
"Well, is that a little bold of you," commented Hermione. "I've been your friend for what? A few hours? And you're already seeing if I like you. I still haven't forgotten all you've done to me, even if you apologized."
"It's a simple question," repeated Draco. "Do you like me?"
"I told you already, I love Harry," she said.
"You're not answering me. You can still like me."
"Why are you so eager about me?"
"Because I find you every bit as irresistible as you find me," he said in that sexy voice of his. (A/N I want a hunk of him!!!)
"Not funny," she said. "For one, I do not find you irresistible at all."
"Oh, but you do," said Draco. "Care to go for a coffee now?"
"Just for a few minutes," agreed Hermione. "I want to hear this. Where are we going?"
"Madam Puddifoot's?" suggested Draco.
"No!" she responded quickly.
"Why?" he asked suspiciously.
"Well," she started, "I, er, think Ron's in there, and that's where couples, you know.." She trailed off and blushed.
"Well, if Weasel King is in there, I suppose we won't go. Three Broomsticks?"
"That's much too crowded and we might be seen, but where else?" she answered.
"Exactly my thought," he agreed. "Let's not stay out in the cold." For indeed, Hermione was getting goosebumps though it was still the first week of September.
As they walked, Draco kept having an urge to grab her hand. Is that natural? He thought. Do I really want to do it, or is it part of my plan? Anyway, she'd kill me if I tried. But I convinced her to come! This is definite progress. She's trusting me..
They sat down in a booth by the corner of the café, which was a very good thing, Hermione thought. The farther away from everyone else, the better.
A waitress came to take their order. While waiting, Hermione couldn't help but feel guilty that she was practically on a date with Draco.
"So," he said, breaking the silence. "We were talking about your feelings for me?"
"Which are no more than friendly at most!" said Hermione indignantly.
"Exactly how friendly?" Draco smirked.
"I absolutely cannot start a relationship with you!" she repeated.
"Which brings us back to my point," said Draco. "You would if you could?"
"Your coffees," said the waitress. Draco took his coffee and gave Hermione hers.
"Would you?" he repeated as the waitress left.
"I suppose so," she admitted, feeling her face turn bright.
"Oh, you do like me then," said Malfoy slowly, savoring the truth as he spoke it. 'That puts a tilt on things."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, we could have a relationship without Potter knowing," he proposed.
"I am not cheating on my boyfriend!" she half-shouted, appalled at the idea.
"Why not?" he asked simply.
"Why would I?" she retorted. "There's a reason you're in Slytherin! Do you do wrong things to get a kick out of them?"
"No," he replied.
"Then why the hell-" She was cut off as his lips pressed up against hers. She gasped and kept her mouth shut. She did not want foreign intruders in there, thank you very much. She pulled away quickly.
"I've told you time again," she said. "I really can't."
Draco decided to give it a rest for today. He'd gone too far, and she would start being suspicious.
"Fine," he said coolly. "Granger, I'll see you tonight."
"Goodbye," she replied. He left, slamming down money for the coffees. Hermione took time to notice that he had paid for her, even though he was mad at her, which was quite a nice thought.
Why is he so eager to go out with me? She thought. I think I like him, but I'd only go out with him if Harry broke up with me, and that'll never happen.
Speak of the devil for the second time that day, thought it was more like "speak of an angel" in Hermione's eyes.
Harry dropped down into the booth, looking very depressed about something.
* * * *
Harry had made it to Hogsmeade just in time to see Malfoy's little fakely affectionate kiss to Hermione. He was only reassure that Hermione was, in fact, quite sane when she pushed him away. He seemed angry when he left. He would be, thought Harry. Hermione's not so stupid as to fall for him. Why were they here, together, though? Hermione was probably waiting for me, he thought. And he probably just sat down.
Practically trembling with rage and nervousness at the idea he had to suggest, he sat down across from Hermione.
"Hey," she said. Had he seen them? "Detention finished early?"
"Yeah," said Harry. "Listen, I just saw you and Malfoy and I'm glad to know you're avoiding him, whatever he's doing."
Good, she thought. He doesn't know anything's going on between us.
Now for the hard part, Harry thought. I won't tell her what Dumbledore told me; I'll just watch her carefully and make sure she doesn't notice. I don't want to scare her. How did one go about suggesting that they have a kid? That even sounded stupid when Harry thought it.
"Er." he started. "Have you ever thought about life after Hogwarts?"
"No," she said. Nervously, she asked, "Are we going to get married?"
"Eventually, I promise," reassured Harry.
"Oh, how cute," she said, bright red again. "My little fiancé to be."
I can't tell her now, he thought. I just kind of have to convince her to sleep with me. When? Not tonight. This weekend? Maybe he wouldn't have to for a while. She seemed to be putting up with Malfoy. But Malfoy could easily control her. The sooner, the better. So, Harry decided tomorrow night.
Normally, Harry would have been thrilled at getting to sleep with Hermione. After all, he loved her. But, he dreaded it for the simple fact that a child would have to come out of it.
"When are we getting engaged?" asked Hermione eagerly.
"Not until after graduation," said Harry absent-mindedly. "Hey, where's Ron?"
"He said he's meeting someone," said Hermione. "He said not as a date, but he was going into Madam Puddifoot's. We know what goes on there." Harry was forcibly reminded of the first and last time he'd ever go there: with Cho. It was an awful place.
"Er, weren't we supposed to have dinner here?" he asked. "It's 6:30."
"Sure, agreed Hermione. "I'll call back the waitress."
"Back?" asked Harry suspiciously. "You weren't having coffee with Malfoy, were you?" But he noticed Malfoy's cup and realized she was.
"No," said Hermione, panicking. "He brought his coffee over here. To annoy me, no doubt. I made him leave."
Harry decided to buy her story this once, but that still didn't mean he liked it.
After consuming a lovely meal, they stood up and decided to go walking around Hogsmeade. Harry no longer felt comfortable around Hermione. Walking out of the restaurant, they saw none other than Ron and Luna. Holding hands!
"What the hell?" shouted Hermione a little too loudly. Ron looked around in horror. He quickly motioned for them to go.
Hermione stifled a laugh and dragged Harry off.
"We'll have to ask him about that," she said. "Come her; I have to ask your opinion on something."
"On what?" wondered Harry, as Hermione led him into Quidditch and Co.
"I wanted to buy you new Seeker gloves so you can kick Dr- Malfoy's- ass next month."
Harry was furious as she mentioned Malfoy. "Excellent idea," he agreed. "Extremely early Christmas present?"
"No," she said. "Just because."
"Oh, okay," said Harry. Presents were good.
He picked out his favorite ones- not too expensive, of course- and Hermione bought them.
"Thanks," he said.
"Just promise me you'll beat him," she requested. "It's your last game against him, and I want to keep your record 6-0."
"I'll beat him, all right," said Harry. "Physically, probably."
"It's eight o'clock," informed Hermione. "I feel like going back to the castle."
"Thank God; I was getting sick of this place," said Harry.
"Are you all right?" Hermione asked. "You're acting a little weird."
If you knew what was going on in my head, you'd feel weird, too, thought Harry. "No," he said. "I'm fine." Bullshit.
"Well, I'm so going to tease Ron," said Hermione, grinning. "His first date! So I guess he's over me."
"I don't think so," said Harry. "Maybe she asked him."
"Maybe," agreed Hermione. "Let's go."
Hermione's hand was hanging by her side as they walked back to the castle, as though she was silently asking Harry to hold it. He couldn't bring himself to do it, so he settled for walking somewhat close to her.
She was noticing his odd behavior, but blamed it on his previous detention.
As soon as they got back to the Head Dorm, Harry dodged into his room with the excuse of taking a shower and then visiting Ron. He had to tell him about his.
Hermione retired to her room to do homework to pass the next two hours.
* * * *
Harry had a brilliant plan for Truth or Dare. But people could still lie if they were undergoing a Truth, couldn't they? He skipped the shower and ran off to the Gryffindor common room, where he hoped to find Ron.
"Ron!" he hissed, after walking through the portrait hole and spotting his best friend.
Ron walked over. "I meant to tell you about Luna," he said.
"No," Harry cut in. "It's something else."
"What is it?" asked Ron, concerned at the look on Harry's face.
Hermione, Malfoy, and pregnant were the only words Harry could utter.
"Malfoy fuckin' got her pregnant?!" Ron shouted. People turned to stare.
"No, Ron," whispered Harry, regaining his voice.
"Good," he sighed. "You scared me there."
"I think what I'm about to tell you is worse," warned Harry.
"Well, it can't get worse than that," said Ron. "So what do you have to say?" So Harry related the story- or as much of it as he could bear- to Ron. He found this much more difficult than reliving the story of Voldemort's return to Dumbledore.
Ron's face was going red, then white, and finally a nasty shade of green as Harry told the story- nightmare was actually the word.
"You have to.?" Ron couldn't finish the sentence. Harry nodded in silence. "Oh, this is a great way to end our lives at Hogwarts," said Ron sarcastically. He was less affected by the fact that Voldemort was involved than that Harry would have to do the job. "And Malfoy's such a bastard."
"I know, Ron," said Harry. "We're not going to let her out of our watch for a second."
"This sucks," said Ron gloomily. "Can you kill me?"
"Exactly what I was going to ask you," agreed Harry. "If my mum and dad were alive now."
"Well, first of all, if they were," said Ron, "I'm not sure I'd be your friend. You wouldn't be famous. You know that's the reason I talked to you the first day here. And who knows what You-Know-Who would be doing."
"I mean, Ron," said Harry. "They'd never let me be a part of this. I've never wished that I had parents more than right now."
"I feel your pain," said Ron. "Are we telling Hermione?"
"No," said Harry. "I'm not scaring her."
"Okay," said Ron. "I have to take a shower; I'll see you ate ten."
"Okay," said Harry, and he walked off.
* * * *
Draco left the Three Broomsticks in quite a mood. She wasn't falling for him. Gryffindors, he thought. Never do anything wrong. He watched as Potter went to sit down next to Hermione. Let him find out I was sitting there, thought Draco. Let him find out that he's not loved. Draco rolled his eyes as Hermione suddenly became happier at the sight of Harry. The Boy Who Lived, thought Draco. The Boy Who Lived to Piss Me Off would be a more proper name, actually.
He grabbed a quick bite to eat, not before reminding himself, of course, to exercise it off over the weekend. Fat and sexy just did not mix, and Draco took pride in how he looked, unlike some people. Potter, namely.
He noticed it was six thirty. What to do for three and a half hours? He grinned as a truly evil plan came to mind. For this, he needed the library.
Once there, he hurried to the Potions section, slid the book he wanted off the shelf, and took it to his room, vaguely aware that Pansy wasn't there and wondering where she had been the whole afternoon. He immersed in such deep reading that even Hermione herself would have been proud of, almost laughing at his own brilliance.
Hermione, Ron, and Harry walked off to Transfiguration after lunch.
"If she gives me detention, I swear, I'll kill her," said Harry.
"McGonagall likes you, mate," assured Ron. "She'll just ask why you weren't at class."
"I hope so," wished Harry. "What are we doing anyway?"
"Switching Spells," said Ron.
"Mione, isn't that what Malfoy used to switch bodies with me?" asked Harry. When Hermione didn't answer, Harry said, "Hermione?"
"What?" she said, snapping out of a daydream about Draco.
"Oh, never mind. What's wrong with you anyway?"
"Nothing," replied Hermione. "Just thinking."
"You're out of it," said Harry. "Come on; let's sit down before class starts." They dropped into their seats just as Professor McGonagall walked in.
"As this is the first class at which all of you attended," she started, "I must impress upon you the seriousness of your N.E.W.T.s." And so she embarked on a twenty-minute lecture about how they should turn in their homework on time and come to every single class, at which point she fixed steely eyes upon Harry and Hermione. They escaped with no punishment, though.
They walked into DADA but milled around the back of the room. Once Dumbledore had arrived, they started work on Patronuses, but Harry, Ron, and Hermione didn't have to put any effort into this simple class.
After class, Dumbledore approached Harry. "Mr. Potter," he said. "A word, please. Alone."
"I'll see you tonight at Truth or Dare, guys," said Harry. "Bye!" He sat down at a desk by Dumbledore.
"I don't know how to go about telling you this," started Dumbledore. "The thing is, you need to watch Miss Granger."
"I knew something was suspicious," said Harry angrily. "Does it have to do with the Malfoys?"
"Harry, you are indeed very intelligent. You will not do reckless things, and that is why I am telling you this now." He cleared his throat. "Miss Granger is part of Voldemort's latest plans. I do not know all of the details, but it seems that young Mister Malfoy has the task of impregnating her on Voldemort's orders."
"What?!" asked Harry in disbelief. It was all clicking now. That was why Malfoy was acting so oddly.
"Professor, what am I going to have to do?"
"Watch her extremely carefully. On the occasions when you cannot, ask Mr. Weasley to."
"Can I tell him about his?" questioned Harry.
"Yes, but give as few details as possible. And Harry-" Here, he stopped abruptly.
"What?"
"Oh, never mind; I don't think you'd like the idea," said Dumbledore.
"What is it?" asked Harry.
"I hate to suggest this to you, but, are you planning on marrying Hermione? If you are, then maybe my idea won't be so bad."
"Well, I suppose.. After school, maybe." replied Harry, deeply embarrassed.
"Thought so," said Dumbledore critically. "In that case, would you be willing to impregnate her before Mister Malfoy can?"
The loudest silence that Harry had ever heard followed. Sure, he'd thought of sex with Hermione, but that would all be with protection. He didn't want a kid now, did he? What would he do with the poor thing?
"Professor, I don't exactly know." said Harry tentatively.
"Yes, it's a hard question, Harry. I hate to ask it of you at such a young age. But you love her, yes?"
"Yes," said Harry. "So I suppose that means I'll have to do this to protect her."
Harry entered Snape's office a few minutes later feeling even worse than he ordinarily would have been going into a detention with his least favorite teacher. Did Snape know about this? If he did, though, he would have let Harry go to Hogsmeade.
Shit! Thought Harry. I don't know if Ron's watching Hermione in Hogsmeade! Malfoy's there!
He felt like killing Snape.
"Potter, you'll be cleaning out these jars full of different ingredients today. It'll take you about an hour."
An hour? Thought Harry. That's shorter than Snape would usually give me. That's great.
He finished cleaning in good time and sprinted to Hogsmeade.
* * * *
Hermione raced into her room to put on casual clothes. A night of fun- shopping and Truth or Dare. How good could life get? She was meeting Ron at the entrance to Hogsmeade.
When she got there, Ron said, "I'm meeting someone."
"As a date?" asked Hermione excitedly. She could give him tips. But why would he be dating if he still loved Hermione?
"No," he answered. "So I'll see you tonight then. Bye!"
"See you later," replied Hermione. "Ten o'clock. Room of Requirement. Don't be late!"
"I won't." Ron walked into Hogsmeade, hands in his pockets, and headed of towards Madam Puddifoot's.
Not a date, huh? Thought Hermione.
She wandered into Magical Menagerie's Hogsmeade branch to get food for Crookshanks. Walking out, she decided to stop at Quidditch and Co. to get Harry some new leather Seeker gloves as a surprise so he could beat Malfoy.
And speak of the devil, for he truly was a real devil, she ran into none other than Draco Malfoy himself while she was going into the Quidditch store.
"Why, hello, Granger," he said, grinning. Of course, he couldn't call her Hermione in front of everyone else. After all, their friendship had to be secret.
"Hello yourself, Malfoy," she said similarly. "I trust you are well?"
"Sexy as ever," he replied with his trademark smirk.
"I won't disagree," said Hermione. Oh my god! She thought. Did I just say that?
"Was I just imagining that you said that?" said Draco. "You, thinking I, of all people, am sexy?"
"Well, I mean, who doesn't?" said Hermione. Stop talking, she thought. But she continued. "With your looks, which girl doesn't like you?"
"True," said Draco arrogantly. "True."
"Where's your girlfriend?" asked Hermione tensely. Was she jealous?
"Pansy is not my girlfriend," he said through clenched teeth. "If you ever say one thing about me or her, you'll-"
"I'll what?" asked Hermione. "I'll be found in bits on the street?"
"The idea is tempting," he joked. "Listen, do you maybe want to go for a coffee?"
Holy crap! Thought Hermione. He did not just ask me that. She looked into his quicksilver metallic eyes, nearly melted into them, and said, "We can't be seen together. People would think we were in a relationship, which is definitely not true. And if Harry or Ron ever found out, I'd kill myself. Especially Harry. I can't go past a friendly relationship with you because I'm in love with Harry."
"So you'd be willing to if it wasn't for Potter?" asked Draco.
"Well, is that a little bold of you," commented Hermione. "I've been your friend for what? A few hours? And you're already seeing if I like you. I still haven't forgotten all you've done to me, even if you apologized."
"It's a simple question," repeated Draco. "Do you like me?"
"I told you already, I love Harry," she said.
"You're not answering me. You can still like me."
"Why are you so eager about me?"
"Because I find you every bit as irresistible as you find me," he said in that sexy voice of his. (A/N I want a hunk of him!!!)
"Not funny," she said. "For one, I do not find you irresistible at all."
"Oh, but you do," said Draco. "Care to go for a coffee now?"
"Just for a few minutes," agreed Hermione. "I want to hear this. Where are we going?"
"Madam Puddifoot's?" suggested Draco.
"No!" she responded quickly.
"Why?" he asked suspiciously.
"Well," she started, "I, er, think Ron's in there, and that's where couples, you know.." She trailed off and blushed.
"Well, if Weasel King is in there, I suppose we won't go. Three Broomsticks?"
"That's much too crowded and we might be seen, but where else?" she answered.
"Exactly my thought," he agreed. "Let's not stay out in the cold." For indeed, Hermione was getting goosebumps though it was still the first week of September.
As they walked, Draco kept having an urge to grab her hand. Is that natural? He thought. Do I really want to do it, or is it part of my plan? Anyway, she'd kill me if I tried. But I convinced her to come! This is definite progress. She's trusting me..
They sat down in a booth by the corner of the café, which was a very good thing, Hermione thought. The farther away from everyone else, the better.
A waitress came to take their order. While waiting, Hermione couldn't help but feel guilty that she was practically on a date with Draco.
"So," he said, breaking the silence. "We were talking about your feelings for me?"
"Which are no more than friendly at most!" said Hermione indignantly.
"Exactly how friendly?" Draco smirked.
"I absolutely cannot start a relationship with you!" she repeated.
"Which brings us back to my point," said Draco. "You would if you could?"
"Your coffees," said the waitress. Draco took his coffee and gave Hermione hers.
"Would you?" he repeated as the waitress left.
"I suppose so," she admitted, feeling her face turn bright.
"Oh, you do like me then," said Malfoy slowly, savoring the truth as he spoke it. 'That puts a tilt on things."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, we could have a relationship without Potter knowing," he proposed.
"I am not cheating on my boyfriend!" she half-shouted, appalled at the idea.
"Why not?" he asked simply.
"Why would I?" she retorted. "There's a reason you're in Slytherin! Do you do wrong things to get a kick out of them?"
"No," he replied.
"Then why the hell-" She was cut off as his lips pressed up against hers. She gasped and kept her mouth shut. She did not want foreign intruders in there, thank you very much. She pulled away quickly.
"I've told you time again," she said. "I really can't."
Draco decided to give it a rest for today. He'd gone too far, and she would start being suspicious.
"Fine," he said coolly. "Granger, I'll see you tonight."
"Goodbye," she replied. He left, slamming down money for the coffees. Hermione took time to notice that he had paid for her, even though he was mad at her, which was quite a nice thought.
Why is he so eager to go out with me? She thought. I think I like him, but I'd only go out with him if Harry broke up with me, and that'll never happen.
Speak of the devil for the second time that day, thought it was more like "speak of an angel" in Hermione's eyes.
Harry dropped down into the booth, looking very depressed about something.
* * * *
Harry had made it to Hogsmeade just in time to see Malfoy's little fakely affectionate kiss to Hermione. He was only reassure that Hermione was, in fact, quite sane when she pushed him away. He seemed angry when he left. He would be, thought Harry. Hermione's not so stupid as to fall for him. Why were they here, together, though? Hermione was probably waiting for me, he thought. And he probably just sat down.
Practically trembling with rage and nervousness at the idea he had to suggest, he sat down across from Hermione.
"Hey," she said. Had he seen them? "Detention finished early?"
"Yeah," said Harry. "Listen, I just saw you and Malfoy and I'm glad to know you're avoiding him, whatever he's doing."
Good, she thought. He doesn't know anything's going on between us.
Now for the hard part, Harry thought. I won't tell her what Dumbledore told me; I'll just watch her carefully and make sure she doesn't notice. I don't want to scare her. How did one go about suggesting that they have a kid? That even sounded stupid when Harry thought it.
"Er." he started. "Have you ever thought about life after Hogwarts?"
"No," she said. Nervously, she asked, "Are we going to get married?"
"Eventually, I promise," reassured Harry.
"Oh, how cute," she said, bright red again. "My little fiancé to be."
I can't tell her now, he thought. I just kind of have to convince her to sleep with me. When? Not tonight. This weekend? Maybe he wouldn't have to for a while. She seemed to be putting up with Malfoy. But Malfoy could easily control her. The sooner, the better. So, Harry decided tomorrow night.
Normally, Harry would have been thrilled at getting to sleep with Hermione. After all, he loved her. But, he dreaded it for the simple fact that a child would have to come out of it.
"When are we getting engaged?" asked Hermione eagerly.
"Not until after graduation," said Harry absent-mindedly. "Hey, where's Ron?"
"He said he's meeting someone," said Hermione. "He said not as a date, but he was going into Madam Puddifoot's. We know what goes on there." Harry was forcibly reminded of the first and last time he'd ever go there: with Cho. It was an awful place.
"Er, weren't we supposed to have dinner here?" he asked. "It's 6:30."
"Sure, agreed Hermione. "I'll call back the waitress."
"Back?" asked Harry suspiciously. "You weren't having coffee with Malfoy, were you?" But he noticed Malfoy's cup and realized she was.
"No," said Hermione, panicking. "He brought his coffee over here. To annoy me, no doubt. I made him leave."
Harry decided to buy her story this once, but that still didn't mean he liked it.
After consuming a lovely meal, they stood up and decided to go walking around Hogsmeade. Harry no longer felt comfortable around Hermione. Walking out of the restaurant, they saw none other than Ron and Luna. Holding hands!
"What the hell?" shouted Hermione a little too loudly. Ron looked around in horror. He quickly motioned for them to go.
Hermione stifled a laugh and dragged Harry off.
"We'll have to ask him about that," she said. "Come her; I have to ask your opinion on something."
"On what?" wondered Harry, as Hermione led him into Quidditch and Co.
"I wanted to buy you new Seeker gloves so you can kick Dr- Malfoy's- ass next month."
Harry was furious as she mentioned Malfoy. "Excellent idea," he agreed. "Extremely early Christmas present?"
"No," she said. "Just because."
"Oh, okay," said Harry. Presents were good.
He picked out his favorite ones- not too expensive, of course- and Hermione bought them.
"Thanks," he said.
"Just promise me you'll beat him," she requested. "It's your last game against him, and I want to keep your record 6-0."
"I'll beat him, all right," said Harry. "Physically, probably."
"It's eight o'clock," informed Hermione. "I feel like going back to the castle."
"Thank God; I was getting sick of this place," said Harry.
"Are you all right?" Hermione asked. "You're acting a little weird."
If you knew what was going on in my head, you'd feel weird, too, thought Harry. "No," he said. "I'm fine." Bullshit.
"Well, I'm so going to tease Ron," said Hermione, grinning. "His first date! So I guess he's over me."
"I don't think so," said Harry. "Maybe she asked him."
"Maybe," agreed Hermione. "Let's go."
Hermione's hand was hanging by her side as they walked back to the castle, as though she was silently asking Harry to hold it. He couldn't bring himself to do it, so he settled for walking somewhat close to her.
She was noticing his odd behavior, but blamed it on his previous detention.
As soon as they got back to the Head Dorm, Harry dodged into his room with the excuse of taking a shower and then visiting Ron. He had to tell him about his.
Hermione retired to her room to do homework to pass the next two hours.
* * * *
Harry had a brilliant plan for Truth or Dare. But people could still lie if they were undergoing a Truth, couldn't they? He skipped the shower and ran off to the Gryffindor common room, where he hoped to find Ron.
"Ron!" he hissed, after walking through the portrait hole and spotting his best friend.
Ron walked over. "I meant to tell you about Luna," he said.
"No," Harry cut in. "It's something else."
"What is it?" asked Ron, concerned at the look on Harry's face.
Hermione, Malfoy, and pregnant were the only words Harry could utter.
"Malfoy fuckin' got her pregnant?!" Ron shouted. People turned to stare.
"No, Ron," whispered Harry, regaining his voice.
"Good," he sighed. "You scared me there."
"I think what I'm about to tell you is worse," warned Harry.
"Well, it can't get worse than that," said Ron. "So what do you have to say?" So Harry related the story- or as much of it as he could bear- to Ron. He found this much more difficult than reliving the story of Voldemort's return to Dumbledore.
Ron's face was going red, then white, and finally a nasty shade of green as Harry told the story- nightmare was actually the word.
"You have to.?" Ron couldn't finish the sentence. Harry nodded in silence. "Oh, this is a great way to end our lives at Hogwarts," said Ron sarcastically. He was less affected by the fact that Voldemort was involved than that Harry would have to do the job. "And Malfoy's such a bastard."
"I know, Ron," said Harry. "We're not going to let her out of our watch for a second."
"This sucks," said Ron gloomily. "Can you kill me?"
"Exactly what I was going to ask you," agreed Harry. "If my mum and dad were alive now."
"Well, first of all, if they were," said Ron, "I'm not sure I'd be your friend. You wouldn't be famous. You know that's the reason I talked to you the first day here. And who knows what You-Know-Who would be doing."
"I mean, Ron," said Harry. "They'd never let me be a part of this. I've never wished that I had parents more than right now."
"I feel your pain," said Ron. "Are we telling Hermione?"
"No," said Harry. "I'm not scaring her."
"Okay," said Ron. "I have to take a shower; I'll see you ate ten."
"Okay," said Harry, and he walked off.
* * * *
Draco left the Three Broomsticks in quite a mood. She wasn't falling for him. Gryffindors, he thought. Never do anything wrong. He watched as Potter went to sit down next to Hermione. Let him find out I was sitting there, thought Draco. Let him find out that he's not loved. Draco rolled his eyes as Hermione suddenly became happier at the sight of Harry. The Boy Who Lived, thought Draco. The Boy Who Lived to Piss Me Off would be a more proper name, actually.
He grabbed a quick bite to eat, not before reminding himself, of course, to exercise it off over the weekend. Fat and sexy just did not mix, and Draco took pride in how he looked, unlike some people. Potter, namely.
He noticed it was six thirty. What to do for three and a half hours? He grinned as a truly evil plan came to mind. For this, he needed the library.
Once there, he hurried to the Potions section, slid the book he wanted off the shelf, and took it to his room, vaguely aware that Pansy wasn't there and wondering where she had been the whole afternoon. He immersed in such deep reading that even Hermione herself would have been proud of, almost laughing at his own brilliance.