Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter's characters. Everything
belongs to J. K. Rowling. Everything unfamiliar is mine. 2/4/4
A/N: '' - Basically means that the character is thinking
"" - Basically means that the character is speaking
R&R, R&R, R&R, R&R, R&R... OKAY?
Thanks again for the reviewers. Love them all! Oh and check out my
other stories: "Models", "Last Chance", "Picture Perfect" (Sirius-
Hermione the rest are Draco-Hermione), and my newest fics "The
Haunted" and "It's All About the Money".
Title: Summer Camp
Chapter21: Roller Coaster Ride (Happy Riding!)
(Present) Hermione fell asleep on one of the long wooden tables in the library. Her face was lying on top of her open transfiguration text, her right hand held a quill while her other hand lay atop of a parchment used for a potions essay due next week.
Where were her friends and why did they let her sleep there, you ask? Harry and Ron were quite used with the arrangement between them. Early in the day, Harry and Ron accompanied her to every class that they shared leaving only her side on a few occasions such as, Quidditch practices, Quidditch games, Arithmancy, and sometimes when Harry was on an escapade, yet again protecting the wizarding world from the clutches of Voldemort. There has been word that Death Eaters were being trained at this moment for a special plan, or maybe even an attack. Nobody knows how the word got out but whenever the said plan came up in a conversation, Narcissa Malfoy's name quickly followed. So dutifully, Harry has been "discreetly" trailing his new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor's whereabouts, and Ron being a true friend, tried to support him all the way leaving very little time with his girlfriend Lavender. As you may see, their lives are pretty much hectic compared to a normal student in Hogwarts.
Moving on, the reason why Hermione was sleeping alone in the library could be one of these activities mentioned above, but not to worry, she is not staying that way for long Before her neck and shoulder would get cramps, a pair of long gentle fingers would rest on them for a calming massage.
A groan escaped the sleeping witch's mouth.
"It's time to wake up." The pair of hands worked its magic in releasing the tension within her tired muscles. His heart sank every time he saw her living out her busy schedule. All day long, she buried her face inside a book. There were only a few moments when he gets to see her face away form it, such as Prefect meetings, Prefect duties, technically watching Quidditch matches, meal times, and every night when she's with him. You see he was a Prefect and a Quidditch player of a different house.
His mood changed and released a smile when yet again she moaned. He had learned to show some affection and placed a gentle kiss on her hair, inhaling her sweet fragrance. "I'm beginning to think you like this table more." He wanted some attention back but she was ignoring him as she relaxed on the table. He placed another kiss this time at the crook of her neck. "I know you're awake."
Hermione released a sigh, "What time is it?"
"Time for us to move along, unless of course you want Madame Pince to catch us together like this." He whispered in her ear.
"We can't let that happen now, especially if we want this to remain a secret." She raised her head and looked straight into his eyes, grinning at him.
"No we can't." He grinned back tracing a finger on the sides of her face before he let his lips touch hers.
~~~~~~~~~~
(A summary of few weeks ago...)
A lot has happened in the past few weeks, since Narcissa's arrival. The golden trio has worked their differences and had agreed to move on and forget the spying incident, because really, it was not an issue. Hermione now understood that Harry acted for her well-being. We are talking about Draco Malfoy after all, someone who hated her until a couple of months ago. Hermione also accepted the fact that she brought this situation upon herself because somewhere along the way she had probably given off signals that attracted her best friend's attention and was now acting on his jealous impulses. She loves Harry but not romantically. She loves him enough to try to displace his interest on her as quickly as possible before she can hurt him further.
Draco Malfoy was a different case. Although she somewhat heard a side to his story, she did feel a hint of anger which he had to fan out to gain back her trust, let's just call it pride. This anger soon faded into memory but it somehow ended in pain.
~~~~~~~~~~
(Some time after the 1st day of class and the kisses and make-ups...)
Once again, Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger made their way to the Astronomy tower and gazed out at the stars, holding each other contently although one of them had news that was weighing him down, drowning him in cold waters. "Hermione?"
She innocently looked up at him, smiling. "What is it?"
"There's something I need to talk to you." He looked directly to her eyes. "And I want you to promise me that you'll hear everything out first."
"You sound serious. Am I in trouble or something?" She teased. She did not like his serious tone and wanted to lighten the mood.
"It is serious." He waited for her answer without taking his eyes off her.
She shrugged, "I promise."
"I've been watching my mum and I know you and your friends do so as well." He saw her nod. "News has been spreading within these halls about the Dark Lord's plans."
"It's not news but gossip." She corrected him, flinching at the name he used for Voldemort. He is Dark in many ways but far from being a lord, at least to her and her friends. She learned to speak his name with Harry's help and this brought her perspective back in order. Voldemort is powerful but so is Dumbledore, he is cunning, but it is nothing knowledge, understanding, and experience cannot cope with (something she, Harry and members of the Order have). It is not even a matter of conviction and perseverance, Harry too possesses such attributes. All in all, calling his name has been a big step in giving her hope that there is a way to stop him, 'Now if only Draco would listen.'
Draco arched an eyebrow, "I'm serious here Hermione."
"I'm sorry. Do go on." She never liked conversations about Voldemort. "It's starting to get cold here."
Draco pulled her close. "What I'm trying to say is, as far as I know my father was the only one active in our family. My mum might be an extreme move of the Death Eaters. I believe she poses a great threat to Hogwarts."
Hermione did not like where she thought the conversation was going. "What do you mean?"
"I don't trust her."
"Neither do I!" There was definitely something going on with her guts right now.
"I don't trust her to know the truth."
"The truth?" Then she felt that he was going to say the words she dreaded to hear.
"The truth about us." He noticed her face change to confusion mixed with anger, as she broke free from him. She was right, it was starting to get cold, but it didn't seem to be coming from the environment. "Please let me explain."
"What? Am I not good enough for you?" This was one of the few times she raised her voice at him ever since the camp incident.
Draco tried to plead, "You promised to listen."
"You just insulted me! How can I listen to you?" She turned her back at him and quickly moved to the door.
Draco moved quickly and grabbed her hand twirling her right back into his arms. "Hermione, please." He pleaded once more. He looked her in the eye full of concern and sincerity and with a few breaths, he felt her relax into his embrace, resting her head on his shoulder. "I can't let her know how important you are to me. You are my weakness. As far as she knows, I'm only doing this because it was an order from father."
Hermione sobbed and remained silent in his embrace.
"I'm afraid that if she learns the truth, that her son and a muggle-born are together and not because it was an order. I'm afraid that she might hurt you."
"So is that it? Just because of that obstacle, you're letting everything slip away?"
"What do you mean 'let everything slip away'?"
"Well then let me put it to simple words that you can understand, BREAKUP!"
Draco would have retaliated on the 'simple words' comment but he couldn't help but laugh instead. "Breakup?"
"I don't see anything funny there, unless of course you-"
Draco found her adorable. He didn't let her finish and captured her mouth, catching her by surprise. "There will be no breakups, well at least not a real breakup."
"Huh?" She was still under the spell of the kiss.
"I just thought we could put a show for the others, a technical breakup."
"I don't understand, really."
"I can never live without you."
"Then what are you suggesting?"
"I was thinking maybe we can act, you know, in front of other people." He stroked her face.
She relished his soft touch. "You mean like a secret relationship?"
"Let's just fool those who'll believe most especially my mum."
"I don't like hiding things, especially to my friends. I'm not a good liar."
Draco smiled at her comment. "This is only temporary, until we find out my mum's real motives. Besides, I doubt that your friends would believe that we would be on a cool off or something."
"They can be pretty naïve sometimes."
"Fine, tell your friends about this." It would do him some good as well. Harry will still know that she's still his.
"As if you're not going to tell your friends." She teased.
"I don't trust anybody in Slytherin."
"That goes double here."
Draco smiled at her. "Does this mean you agree with the plan?"
"Only if it's temporary."
"I promise." He kissed her thoroughly.
~~~~~~~~~~
(A week after the plan... so maybe like a week into the future...)
Time passed by rather quickly for others as it dragged on for a few. Hermione was more than anxious with her relationship with Draco. During meals, she'd sit with her friends satisfying only her need of Draco with stolen glances. Afterwards she focused on her studies whether with or without her friends as long as its in the library where she waits for the moment her friends would leave along with the other people in it. Here she waited for her secret boyfriend. Today was a very boring day especially since Draco had Quidditch practice. Waiting for him was an ordeal she had to bear. She had been waiting for about half an hour now. She somehow anticipated this and patiently worked through her assignments. She only had time with Draco whenever nobody's watching, which is very late into the night. Everybody knew her schedule, well aside from the Draco rendezvous. Only Harry, Ron, and Ginny knew about her time with Draco. The rest of the seventh years were skeptical of the lack of contact between the couple though. There were people who cared and people who could care less.
Ever since the passionate exchange of the kisses between Hermione and Draco at the start of the year, Hermione had turned to be quite a catch among the young wizards but none made their move in fear that Draco Malfoy would pose as a problem for their stay in Hogwarts. No one made their move but someone was on the planning stage. Of the wizards who found her interesting was Blaise Zabini, yet another Slytherin.
He found it more than weird for Draco to drop such a prize. But he was more interested at what in her caught Draco's eyes. He wanted to know how a goody-goody member of the Gryffindor trio captivated the son of the right hand of Voldemort. He easily accepted the reason the fairies offered but he knew there was something more. He was going to make it a point to find out by his own means.
Every day he watched Draco struggling with himself not to have any contact with Hermione. He found it rather amusing. He looked at Hermione as open prey, ready to be devoured by anybody who's got the balls. At this point, it seemed that nobody had worked up the courage since the only guys she's with were her friends, Harry and Ron. Then afterwards, into the afternoon she would lock (in a way) herself in the library, that was the only time he took in some courage to go talk to her.
Hermione was sitting alone at one of the tables in the corner. She was reading "Potions to die for... literally." She was scanning through simple to complex potions that can harm or end a life. Professor McGonagall had allowed her too use such a book from the restricted section early that year. McGonagall was reluctant to grant her request before but Hermione pointed out, politely mind you, that she only wanted to use it for preparation. She was a best friend of Harry Potter and she'd want to be prepared. Learning such potions can help her make some sort of antidotes, just in case. Harry already took over Defense Against the Dark Arts, Hermione put it upon herself to learn more about potions.
Hermione was very much absorbed by the text and was also a little jumpy (well, she was reading abut death, what else can you expect?). So when a hand dropped to her shoulder, she gasped in surprise, swiftly drawing out her wand to face the intruder. "Zabini?"
"Whoa! Easy with that thing." Blaise's hands shot up in surrender.
"What are you doing here?" Hermione easily got back her composure and started to attack him with questions. "It's late, shouldn't you be heading back to your tower?"
Blaise smiled at finally confronting her. "It is getting late but if the Head Girl is still in the library then I suppose I can still stay up for a while as well."
"You should know that I do not tolerate any rule breaking."
"So that's why Harry Potter gets detention for sneaking way past bed time?" He challenged.
"He had his reasons."
"So if I say I had my reasons, I would get off the hook too?" He teased.
"His case was different!"
"And what may that be? IS it the same reason you're still here?"
"What do you want?" She sighed in defeat. She didn't need this, this was not part of her routine!
"I would very much like to talk to the Head Girl."
She rolled her eyes, "About what?"
"Nothing specific, do I need a reason to speak with you?"
"You're out here late in the night, you better have a good one!"
"Alright. Do you want to know the truth?"
"I'm giving you up to three to start talking. One... two..."
"Fine! Honestly, you intrigue me."
"What kind of..."
"I was with you when we left for camp. I was there when we were carefree and I saw something in you that I like."
"Oh just shut up." Hermione started collecting her things. "I don't have time for this!"
Blaise stood behind her and whispered in her ear, "Shall I make an appointment then?"
Hermione felt insulted and stood abruptly to face him. "How DARE..."
Blaise captured her lips shutting her up in the process. Before Blaise could deepen the kiss, he felt someone tap him on his shoulder, abruptly stopping the kiss. He turned to look at the intruder and before he knew or consented, his face was the recipient of a clenched fist, making him off balance, hitting the floor with his bottom.
~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: I am definitely sorry for taking this story too long. I guess I over procrastinated plus there's school and I do also have a life.
A big thanks to my betas! Thanks travixxo and Katie Cromer
A/N: '' - Basically means that the character is thinking
"" - Basically means that the character is speaking
R&R, R&R, R&R, R&R, R&R... OKAY?
Thanks again for the reviewers. Love them all! Oh and check out my
other stories: "Models", "Last Chance", "Picture Perfect" (Sirius-
Hermione the rest are Draco-Hermione), and my newest fics "The
Haunted" and "It's All About the Money".
Title: Summer Camp
Chapter21: Roller Coaster Ride (Happy Riding!)
(Present) Hermione fell asleep on one of the long wooden tables in the library. Her face was lying on top of her open transfiguration text, her right hand held a quill while her other hand lay atop of a parchment used for a potions essay due next week.
Where were her friends and why did they let her sleep there, you ask? Harry and Ron were quite used with the arrangement between them. Early in the day, Harry and Ron accompanied her to every class that they shared leaving only her side on a few occasions such as, Quidditch practices, Quidditch games, Arithmancy, and sometimes when Harry was on an escapade, yet again protecting the wizarding world from the clutches of Voldemort. There has been word that Death Eaters were being trained at this moment for a special plan, or maybe even an attack. Nobody knows how the word got out but whenever the said plan came up in a conversation, Narcissa Malfoy's name quickly followed. So dutifully, Harry has been "discreetly" trailing his new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor's whereabouts, and Ron being a true friend, tried to support him all the way leaving very little time with his girlfriend Lavender. As you may see, their lives are pretty much hectic compared to a normal student in Hogwarts.
Moving on, the reason why Hermione was sleeping alone in the library could be one of these activities mentioned above, but not to worry, she is not staying that way for long Before her neck and shoulder would get cramps, a pair of long gentle fingers would rest on them for a calming massage.
A groan escaped the sleeping witch's mouth.
"It's time to wake up." The pair of hands worked its magic in releasing the tension within her tired muscles. His heart sank every time he saw her living out her busy schedule. All day long, she buried her face inside a book. There were only a few moments when he gets to see her face away form it, such as Prefect meetings, Prefect duties, technically watching Quidditch matches, meal times, and every night when she's with him. You see he was a Prefect and a Quidditch player of a different house.
His mood changed and released a smile when yet again she moaned. He had learned to show some affection and placed a gentle kiss on her hair, inhaling her sweet fragrance. "I'm beginning to think you like this table more." He wanted some attention back but she was ignoring him as she relaxed on the table. He placed another kiss this time at the crook of her neck. "I know you're awake."
Hermione released a sigh, "What time is it?"
"Time for us to move along, unless of course you want Madame Pince to catch us together like this." He whispered in her ear.
"We can't let that happen now, especially if we want this to remain a secret." She raised her head and looked straight into his eyes, grinning at him.
"No we can't." He grinned back tracing a finger on the sides of her face before he let his lips touch hers.
~~~~~~~~~~
(A summary of few weeks ago...)
A lot has happened in the past few weeks, since Narcissa's arrival. The golden trio has worked their differences and had agreed to move on and forget the spying incident, because really, it was not an issue. Hermione now understood that Harry acted for her well-being. We are talking about Draco Malfoy after all, someone who hated her until a couple of months ago. Hermione also accepted the fact that she brought this situation upon herself because somewhere along the way she had probably given off signals that attracted her best friend's attention and was now acting on his jealous impulses. She loves Harry but not romantically. She loves him enough to try to displace his interest on her as quickly as possible before she can hurt him further.
Draco Malfoy was a different case. Although she somewhat heard a side to his story, she did feel a hint of anger which he had to fan out to gain back her trust, let's just call it pride. This anger soon faded into memory but it somehow ended in pain.
~~~~~~~~~~
(Some time after the 1st day of class and the kisses and make-ups...)
Once again, Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger made their way to the Astronomy tower and gazed out at the stars, holding each other contently although one of them had news that was weighing him down, drowning him in cold waters. "Hermione?"
She innocently looked up at him, smiling. "What is it?"
"There's something I need to talk to you." He looked directly to her eyes. "And I want you to promise me that you'll hear everything out first."
"You sound serious. Am I in trouble or something?" She teased. She did not like his serious tone and wanted to lighten the mood.
"It is serious." He waited for her answer without taking his eyes off her.
She shrugged, "I promise."
"I've been watching my mum and I know you and your friends do so as well." He saw her nod. "News has been spreading within these halls about the Dark Lord's plans."
"It's not news but gossip." She corrected him, flinching at the name he used for Voldemort. He is Dark in many ways but far from being a lord, at least to her and her friends. She learned to speak his name with Harry's help and this brought her perspective back in order. Voldemort is powerful but so is Dumbledore, he is cunning, but it is nothing knowledge, understanding, and experience cannot cope with (something she, Harry and members of the Order have). It is not even a matter of conviction and perseverance, Harry too possesses such attributes. All in all, calling his name has been a big step in giving her hope that there is a way to stop him, 'Now if only Draco would listen.'
Draco arched an eyebrow, "I'm serious here Hermione."
"I'm sorry. Do go on." She never liked conversations about Voldemort. "It's starting to get cold here."
Draco pulled her close. "What I'm trying to say is, as far as I know my father was the only one active in our family. My mum might be an extreme move of the Death Eaters. I believe she poses a great threat to Hogwarts."
Hermione did not like where she thought the conversation was going. "What do you mean?"
"I don't trust her."
"Neither do I!" There was definitely something going on with her guts right now.
"I don't trust her to know the truth."
"The truth?" Then she felt that he was going to say the words she dreaded to hear.
"The truth about us." He noticed her face change to confusion mixed with anger, as she broke free from him. She was right, it was starting to get cold, but it didn't seem to be coming from the environment. "Please let me explain."
"What? Am I not good enough for you?" This was one of the few times she raised her voice at him ever since the camp incident.
Draco tried to plead, "You promised to listen."
"You just insulted me! How can I listen to you?" She turned her back at him and quickly moved to the door.
Draco moved quickly and grabbed her hand twirling her right back into his arms. "Hermione, please." He pleaded once more. He looked her in the eye full of concern and sincerity and with a few breaths, he felt her relax into his embrace, resting her head on his shoulder. "I can't let her know how important you are to me. You are my weakness. As far as she knows, I'm only doing this because it was an order from father."
Hermione sobbed and remained silent in his embrace.
"I'm afraid that if she learns the truth, that her son and a muggle-born are together and not because it was an order. I'm afraid that she might hurt you."
"So is that it? Just because of that obstacle, you're letting everything slip away?"
"What do you mean 'let everything slip away'?"
"Well then let me put it to simple words that you can understand, BREAKUP!"
Draco would have retaliated on the 'simple words' comment but he couldn't help but laugh instead. "Breakup?"
"I don't see anything funny there, unless of course you-"
Draco found her adorable. He didn't let her finish and captured her mouth, catching her by surprise. "There will be no breakups, well at least not a real breakup."
"Huh?" She was still under the spell of the kiss.
"I just thought we could put a show for the others, a technical breakup."
"I don't understand, really."
"I can never live without you."
"Then what are you suggesting?"
"I was thinking maybe we can act, you know, in front of other people." He stroked her face.
She relished his soft touch. "You mean like a secret relationship?"
"Let's just fool those who'll believe most especially my mum."
"I don't like hiding things, especially to my friends. I'm not a good liar."
Draco smiled at her comment. "This is only temporary, until we find out my mum's real motives. Besides, I doubt that your friends would believe that we would be on a cool off or something."
"They can be pretty naïve sometimes."
"Fine, tell your friends about this." It would do him some good as well. Harry will still know that she's still his.
"As if you're not going to tell your friends." She teased.
"I don't trust anybody in Slytherin."
"That goes double here."
Draco smiled at her. "Does this mean you agree with the plan?"
"Only if it's temporary."
"I promise." He kissed her thoroughly.
~~~~~~~~~~
(A week after the plan... so maybe like a week into the future...)
Time passed by rather quickly for others as it dragged on for a few. Hermione was more than anxious with her relationship with Draco. During meals, she'd sit with her friends satisfying only her need of Draco with stolen glances. Afterwards she focused on her studies whether with or without her friends as long as its in the library where she waits for the moment her friends would leave along with the other people in it. Here she waited for her secret boyfriend. Today was a very boring day especially since Draco had Quidditch practice. Waiting for him was an ordeal she had to bear. She had been waiting for about half an hour now. She somehow anticipated this and patiently worked through her assignments. She only had time with Draco whenever nobody's watching, which is very late into the night. Everybody knew her schedule, well aside from the Draco rendezvous. Only Harry, Ron, and Ginny knew about her time with Draco. The rest of the seventh years were skeptical of the lack of contact between the couple though. There were people who cared and people who could care less.
Ever since the passionate exchange of the kisses between Hermione and Draco at the start of the year, Hermione had turned to be quite a catch among the young wizards but none made their move in fear that Draco Malfoy would pose as a problem for their stay in Hogwarts. No one made their move but someone was on the planning stage. Of the wizards who found her interesting was Blaise Zabini, yet another Slytherin.
He found it more than weird for Draco to drop such a prize. But he was more interested at what in her caught Draco's eyes. He wanted to know how a goody-goody member of the Gryffindor trio captivated the son of the right hand of Voldemort. He easily accepted the reason the fairies offered but he knew there was something more. He was going to make it a point to find out by his own means.
Every day he watched Draco struggling with himself not to have any contact with Hermione. He found it rather amusing. He looked at Hermione as open prey, ready to be devoured by anybody who's got the balls. At this point, it seemed that nobody had worked up the courage since the only guys she's with were her friends, Harry and Ron. Then afterwards, into the afternoon she would lock (in a way) herself in the library, that was the only time he took in some courage to go talk to her.
Hermione was sitting alone at one of the tables in the corner. She was reading "Potions to die for... literally." She was scanning through simple to complex potions that can harm or end a life. Professor McGonagall had allowed her too use such a book from the restricted section early that year. McGonagall was reluctant to grant her request before but Hermione pointed out, politely mind you, that she only wanted to use it for preparation. She was a best friend of Harry Potter and she'd want to be prepared. Learning such potions can help her make some sort of antidotes, just in case. Harry already took over Defense Against the Dark Arts, Hermione put it upon herself to learn more about potions.
Hermione was very much absorbed by the text and was also a little jumpy (well, she was reading abut death, what else can you expect?). So when a hand dropped to her shoulder, she gasped in surprise, swiftly drawing out her wand to face the intruder. "Zabini?"
"Whoa! Easy with that thing." Blaise's hands shot up in surrender.
"What are you doing here?" Hermione easily got back her composure and started to attack him with questions. "It's late, shouldn't you be heading back to your tower?"
Blaise smiled at finally confronting her. "It is getting late but if the Head Girl is still in the library then I suppose I can still stay up for a while as well."
"You should know that I do not tolerate any rule breaking."
"So that's why Harry Potter gets detention for sneaking way past bed time?" He challenged.
"He had his reasons."
"So if I say I had my reasons, I would get off the hook too?" He teased.
"His case was different!"
"And what may that be? IS it the same reason you're still here?"
"What do you want?" She sighed in defeat. She didn't need this, this was not part of her routine!
"I would very much like to talk to the Head Girl."
She rolled her eyes, "About what?"
"Nothing specific, do I need a reason to speak with you?"
"You're out here late in the night, you better have a good one!"
"Alright. Do you want to know the truth?"
"I'm giving you up to three to start talking. One... two..."
"Fine! Honestly, you intrigue me."
"What kind of..."
"I was with you when we left for camp. I was there when we were carefree and I saw something in you that I like."
"Oh just shut up." Hermione started collecting her things. "I don't have time for this!"
Blaise stood behind her and whispered in her ear, "Shall I make an appointment then?"
Hermione felt insulted and stood abruptly to face him. "How DARE..."
Blaise captured her lips shutting her up in the process. Before Blaise could deepen the kiss, he felt someone tap him on his shoulder, abruptly stopping the kiss. He turned to look at the intruder and before he knew or consented, his face was the recipient of a clenched fist, making him off balance, hitting the floor with his bottom.
~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: I am definitely sorry for taking this story too long. I guess I over procrastinated plus there's school and I do also have a life.
A big thanks to my betas! Thanks travixxo and Katie Cromer