Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns everything except the plot. I am but a humble
fan who enjoys using her characters xD
"What are you going to do?" Harry asked sarcastically. "Kill her?" He paused, watching Malfoy's reaction, then continued. "Give it up Malfoy. She doesn't like you anymore so just leave her alone."
Draco whipped out his wand and held it directly in Harry's face. His breathing was ragged and he looked peeved.
"Now listen here, Potter. Hermione stills loves me and she knows it. She is just going out with that weasel to try and make me jealous." He stuffed his wand back in his robes and stalked off.
*
"Want to play chess Hermione?" Ron inquired.
"No, no, not really..."
"Want to go visit Hagrid?" Ron questioned.
"Who?" Hermione asked looking dazed. "Oh, Hagrid? No, you and Harry go on without me."
"Want to work on homework?"
"Work on what? Homework did you say? Oh no...I'm not in the mood."
"Hermione," Harry asked softly. "What's wrong?"
Hermione gave a loud giggle and tried to smile. Her face looked strained and her eyes were watering. "Nothing is wrong."
"Sure there is!" Harry said, frowning slightly. "You haven't been eating, you've been messing up in class..."
"Is it Malfoy?" Ron asked sharply.
"Malfoy?" Hermione said surprised. "He hasn't been talking to me..."
"Do you miss him?" Harry said quietly.
Hermione opened her mouth about to scream "NO!" but promptly closed it. Did she miss Dra - Malfoy? Was that the reason she couldn't eat, couldn't sleep?
"Of course it's not Malfoy," she said briskly, waving her hand. "I could care less about that git."
Ron smiled, satisfied with Hermione's answer. Harry on the other hand knew she wasn't telling the truth.
Harry grabbed a blank piece of parchment and folded it in half. "Oh man..." he muttered, trying his best to look worried.
"What?" Ron asked, mildly interested.
"I need to mail this letter today!" Harry said urgently. "But I'm swamped with schoolwork (a total lie) and can't send it."
"I'll take it for you," Hermione offered, not seeing Harry shaking his head madly.
"You can't!" Harry shouted. Ron and Hermione looked at him curiously, eyebrows raised. "I mean - err - you have a bunch of homework, don't you Hermione?"
Hermione stared at him, thinking. "I finished all of my - OUCH!" she screeched, rubbing her shin. Harry had kicked her under the table to prevent her from finishing her sentence.
"Oh yes!" Hermione said, still wincing. "I have that report..."
"Would you go mail it for me, Ron?"
"Sure, Harry! No problem," Ron grabbed the letter from Harry's hands and left the common room.
"What do you want, Harry?" Hermione asked wearily. She had a feeling what was coming next and didn't feel like talking about it.
"You miss him."
"Who?"
"Malfoy."
"Oh..." Hermione whispered, looking at her feet. "I guess I miss him just a little."
"You miss him more than a little," Harry said knowingly. "Otherwise you wouldn't be trying to make him jealous by going out with Ron."
Hermione blushed, feeling horrible. How could she do something like that to Ron? "Do you think he knows?" she asked.
"Ron?" Harry said laughing. "You see he's too bloody happy to notice anything."
Hermione sighed. "Should I tell him?"
"It's up to you."
"It's just...I need him."
"Malfoy?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because I love him."
Harry looked at her sadly. "Do you really?"
"I think I do," Hermione confessed slowly. "I know I use to. Now...I'm not so sure. After the day in the library..." she turned away to hide the pool of tears in her eyes.
Harry patted her shoulder consolingly. "Everything will be ok. Don't worry about it."
Hermione moved towards the end of the couch. She let the tears fall feeling that this sadness would never end.
"'Mione I think you better get to bed," Harry said finally.
She sniffed and lifted her head. Hermione's eyes were two red, puffy, pillows, her face streaked with tears.
"I guess so..." she mewed quietly.
"G'night Hermione."
"Good night Harry."
*
"POTTER!" Malfoy roared at breakfast. "Where is Granger?!"
Harry glared at him acidly. "No idea."
Malfoy returned a glare of equal hatred. "Tell me where that stupid mudblood is!"
"Back to calling her Granger and mudblood?" Ron asked loudly. "Tell me, when you call her those things, do you almost forget that you use to like her?"
"SHUT UP WEASEL!" Draco barked. He had been in a bad move since early that morning. Pansy told him to get Hermione to say that she USE to love Malfoy. But Herm - Granger was no where in sight.
"Go check the library," Harry said, smirking. Ron had hit a nerve all right. Seems Malfoy still cared about her.
"The library..." Draco muttered. "Of course."
*
"Granger?" Draco said loudly. "You in here mudblood?" He stepped into the library, his eyes scanning for a bushy head.
After a few moments of searching he finally found her. Her eyes were closed, her body twitching. She was asleep. Hermione moaned in her sleep, tears rolling down her face.
Draco stepped closer, wanting to hug her, but resisted. He came for one thing and one thing only.
"GRANGER!" Draco shouted in her ear. "WAKE UP!"
She woke with a start, her eyes red but alert.
"YOU!" She sputtered, looking disgusted. "What do you want?!"
"I need you talk to you," Malfoy said simply.
"Go talk to someone who cares," Hermione snapped.
"But Hermione!" Draco protested. "This is important. Just listen."
Hermione turned away from him but was still listening. Barley.
"PANSY!" Draco yelled. "Get your bloody arse in here!"
Pansy ran into the library, frowning. If Granger admitted she loved Draco...
"Granger. Did you use to love me?" Draco inquired.
Hermione opened her mouth to say "yes" but promptly closed it. What was Malfoy up to?
"Why do you want to know?" she questioned suspiciously.
"Just answer, mudblood," Pansy sneered.
Hermione looked at Draco to defend her, but then she remembered. He didn't care anymore.
"No."
Draco's eyes bulged. NO?! The mudblood was lying but Pansy wouldn't believe him if he told her that...
"DON'T LIE, MUDBLOOD!" Draco hissed. "You know what you said!"
"I know nothing of the sort," Hermione replied calmly. "Now if you two don't mind, I'm going to leave before Madame Pince strangles one of us. Good-day." And with that said, she left the library (or so it seemed).
Draco stared after her, his mouth open. Did Granger know about the bet?! Is that why she said no?!
"Well!" Pansy said happily. Draco snapped to attention. Her smile stretched across her face, happiness leaking out of her. "Looks like you lost!"
"Pansy..." Draco said, worried. "Please give me some more time!"
"Why should I?"
"Because of this." Draco pressed his mouth against hers, counting the seconds. He kept his mouth firmly closed just in case Pansy got any ideas. He pulled back, looking at her anxiously.
"Alright. Three more days," Pansy said.
Hermione's eyes filled with angry tears. How could he do that?! Kiss a girl right after they broke up? It was disgusting! Unable to hold it back any longer, Hermione burst into tears and ran out of her hiding spot.
Draco and Pansy looked at her, startled.
"I hate you, Malfoy!" Hermione sobbed. "You are a slimy, bossy GIT!" She stormed out of the library, bawling.
Malfoy ran after her, feeling...guilty. All of this was his fault. If he hadn't accepted that stupid bet...he would have never gotten to know her. But now she hated him even more than before.
"Better hurry, Draco!" Pansy said smirking. "Time a'ticking!"
*
Draco followed Hermione but he didn't get close enough for her to realize he was there. He stopped abruptly when Hermione entered a dark classroom.
She sat down on a desk and cried. It seemed like hours passed by. A flood of tears streamed down her face, while her shoulders shook. Draco felt uncomfortable knowing all the tears were his fault.
"Hermione?" he asked tentatively, stepping into the light.
"What do you want?" Hermione asked, sniffling.
"I wanted to apologize."
"Why?"
"Because I care for you."
Hermione laughed humorlessly. "Sure you do."
"I do."
"Prove it."
Draco took three long strides and gathered Hermione in his arms. He pressed his mouth hard against hers, loving the warmth she gave him. Hermione kissed Draco back and all her problems seemed to be swept away.
Hermione pushed back slowly, ending the kiss. She gave him a watery smile and then cried some more.
Draco looked at her, alarmed. What was wrong with her?! He hugged her tight, wishing he could share some of her sadness.
"Do you love me?"
"Whoever thought of that question is a bloody moron," Draco muttered under his breath. Hermione was gazing at him intently and did not hear. She wanted an answer.
"What is love? I care for you, I like you, I enjoy spending time with you," Draco stated.
"Love is everlasting. Would be willing to spend an eternity with me?" Hermione questioned.
"'Mione we're only seventeen. There is plenty of time to think about stuff like that," Draco said, absently stroking her hair.
Hermione sighed. She didn't want to loose Draco AGAIN but...
"Err, be right back!" Draco said, jumping up. He dashed out of the classroom and searched the halls for Pansy.
"PANSY!" He screamed, hoping she'd hear.
"Wha - what?" Pansy asked, startled.
"Come here!" Draco ordered, grabbing her arm. He dragged her back to the entrance to the classroom.
"Stay out here," he whispered. "You'll hear Hermione say she loves me." Draco started to move away but Pansy pulled him back.
"Remember the bet. After she declares her love for you, you drop her like a dirty sock."
Draco's body turned to ice. He finally had Hermione back and he had to loose her again?
"And if I don't?"
"You'll be introduced as my boyfriend from now on."
Draco resisted punching Pansy in the face and entered the classroom. Hermione was sitting in a desk with a dazed look on her face.
"'Mione?"
"Yes."
"Do you - well - do you love me?"
Hermione gazed heavenward. Did she still love him? After every horrible thing he did to her? After all the cruel things he said to her? After he broke her heart and then came back to her?
"Yes," Hermione confessed.
A/N: SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG! This chapter is my longest yet (I think)! I tried to end it with a cliffhanger but I don't think I succeeded. Oh well! I bought a Legolas poster the other day and I'm going to hang it up soon xD I'm going to start chapter 10 today! Please keep reviewing!
"What are you going to do?" Harry asked sarcastically. "Kill her?" He paused, watching Malfoy's reaction, then continued. "Give it up Malfoy. She doesn't like you anymore so just leave her alone."
Draco whipped out his wand and held it directly in Harry's face. His breathing was ragged and he looked peeved.
"Now listen here, Potter. Hermione stills loves me and she knows it. She is just going out with that weasel to try and make me jealous." He stuffed his wand back in his robes and stalked off.
*
"Want to play chess Hermione?" Ron inquired.
"No, no, not really..."
"Want to go visit Hagrid?" Ron questioned.
"Who?" Hermione asked looking dazed. "Oh, Hagrid? No, you and Harry go on without me."
"Want to work on homework?"
"Work on what? Homework did you say? Oh no...I'm not in the mood."
"Hermione," Harry asked softly. "What's wrong?"
Hermione gave a loud giggle and tried to smile. Her face looked strained and her eyes were watering. "Nothing is wrong."
"Sure there is!" Harry said, frowning slightly. "You haven't been eating, you've been messing up in class..."
"Is it Malfoy?" Ron asked sharply.
"Malfoy?" Hermione said surprised. "He hasn't been talking to me..."
"Do you miss him?" Harry said quietly.
Hermione opened her mouth about to scream "NO!" but promptly closed it. Did she miss Dra - Malfoy? Was that the reason she couldn't eat, couldn't sleep?
"Of course it's not Malfoy," she said briskly, waving her hand. "I could care less about that git."
Ron smiled, satisfied with Hermione's answer. Harry on the other hand knew she wasn't telling the truth.
Harry grabbed a blank piece of parchment and folded it in half. "Oh man..." he muttered, trying his best to look worried.
"What?" Ron asked, mildly interested.
"I need to mail this letter today!" Harry said urgently. "But I'm swamped with schoolwork (a total lie) and can't send it."
"I'll take it for you," Hermione offered, not seeing Harry shaking his head madly.
"You can't!" Harry shouted. Ron and Hermione looked at him curiously, eyebrows raised. "I mean - err - you have a bunch of homework, don't you Hermione?"
Hermione stared at him, thinking. "I finished all of my - OUCH!" she screeched, rubbing her shin. Harry had kicked her under the table to prevent her from finishing her sentence.
"Oh yes!" Hermione said, still wincing. "I have that report..."
"Would you go mail it for me, Ron?"
"Sure, Harry! No problem," Ron grabbed the letter from Harry's hands and left the common room.
"What do you want, Harry?" Hermione asked wearily. She had a feeling what was coming next and didn't feel like talking about it.
"You miss him."
"Who?"
"Malfoy."
"Oh..." Hermione whispered, looking at her feet. "I guess I miss him just a little."
"You miss him more than a little," Harry said knowingly. "Otherwise you wouldn't be trying to make him jealous by going out with Ron."
Hermione blushed, feeling horrible. How could she do something like that to Ron? "Do you think he knows?" she asked.
"Ron?" Harry said laughing. "You see he's too bloody happy to notice anything."
Hermione sighed. "Should I tell him?"
"It's up to you."
"It's just...I need him."
"Malfoy?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because I love him."
Harry looked at her sadly. "Do you really?"
"I think I do," Hermione confessed slowly. "I know I use to. Now...I'm not so sure. After the day in the library..." she turned away to hide the pool of tears in her eyes.
Harry patted her shoulder consolingly. "Everything will be ok. Don't worry about it."
Hermione moved towards the end of the couch. She let the tears fall feeling that this sadness would never end.
"'Mione I think you better get to bed," Harry said finally.
She sniffed and lifted her head. Hermione's eyes were two red, puffy, pillows, her face streaked with tears.
"I guess so..." she mewed quietly.
"G'night Hermione."
"Good night Harry."
*
"POTTER!" Malfoy roared at breakfast. "Where is Granger?!"
Harry glared at him acidly. "No idea."
Malfoy returned a glare of equal hatred. "Tell me where that stupid mudblood is!"
"Back to calling her Granger and mudblood?" Ron asked loudly. "Tell me, when you call her those things, do you almost forget that you use to like her?"
"SHUT UP WEASEL!" Draco barked. He had been in a bad move since early that morning. Pansy told him to get Hermione to say that she USE to love Malfoy. But Herm - Granger was no where in sight.
"Go check the library," Harry said, smirking. Ron had hit a nerve all right. Seems Malfoy still cared about her.
"The library..." Draco muttered. "Of course."
*
"Granger?" Draco said loudly. "You in here mudblood?" He stepped into the library, his eyes scanning for a bushy head.
After a few moments of searching he finally found her. Her eyes were closed, her body twitching. She was asleep. Hermione moaned in her sleep, tears rolling down her face.
Draco stepped closer, wanting to hug her, but resisted. He came for one thing and one thing only.
"GRANGER!" Draco shouted in her ear. "WAKE UP!"
She woke with a start, her eyes red but alert.
"YOU!" She sputtered, looking disgusted. "What do you want?!"
"I need you talk to you," Malfoy said simply.
"Go talk to someone who cares," Hermione snapped.
"But Hermione!" Draco protested. "This is important. Just listen."
Hermione turned away from him but was still listening. Barley.
"PANSY!" Draco yelled. "Get your bloody arse in here!"
Pansy ran into the library, frowning. If Granger admitted she loved Draco...
"Granger. Did you use to love me?" Draco inquired.
Hermione opened her mouth to say "yes" but promptly closed it. What was Malfoy up to?
"Why do you want to know?" she questioned suspiciously.
"Just answer, mudblood," Pansy sneered.
Hermione looked at Draco to defend her, but then she remembered. He didn't care anymore.
"No."
Draco's eyes bulged. NO?! The mudblood was lying but Pansy wouldn't believe him if he told her that...
"DON'T LIE, MUDBLOOD!" Draco hissed. "You know what you said!"
"I know nothing of the sort," Hermione replied calmly. "Now if you two don't mind, I'm going to leave before Madame Pince strangles one of us. Good-day." And with that said, she left the library (or so it seemed).
Draco stared after her, his mouth open. Did Granger know about the bet?! Is that why she said no?!
"Well!" Pansy said happily. Draco snapped to attention. Her smile stretched across her face, happiness leaking out of her. "Looks like you lost!"
"Pansy..." Draco said, worried. "Please give me some more time!"
"Why should I?"
"Because of this." Draco pressed his mouth against hers, counting the seconds. He kept his mouth firmly closed just in case Pansy got any ideas. He pulled back, looking at her anxiously.
"Alright. Three more days," Pansy said.
Hermione's eyes filled with angry tears. How could he do that?! Kiss a girl right after they broke up? It was disgusting! Unable to hold it back any longer, Hermione burst into tears and ran out of her hiding spot.
Draco and Pansy looked at her, startled.
"I hate you, Malfoy!" Hermione sobbed. "You are a slimy, bossy GIT!" She stormed out of the library, bawling.
Malfoy ran after her, feeling...guilty. All of this was his fault. If he hadn't accepted that stupid bet...he would have never gotten to know her. But now she hated him even more than before.
"Better hurry, Draco!" Pansy said smirking. "Time a'ticking!"
*
Draco followed Hermione but he didn't get close enough for her to realize he was there. He stopped abruptly when Hermione entered a dark classroom.
She sat down on a desk and cried. It seemed like hours passed by. A flood of tears streamed down her face, while her shoulders shook. Draco felt uncomfortable knowing all the tears were his fault.
"Hermione?" he asked tentatively, stepping into the light.
"What do you want?" Hermione asked, sniffling.
"I wanted to apologize."
"Why?"
"Because I care for you."
Hermione laughed humorlessly. "Sure you do."
"I do."
"Prove it."
Draco took three long strides and gathered Hermione in his arms. He pressed his mouth hard against hers, loving the warmth she gave him. Hermione kissed Draco back and all her problems seemed to be swept away.
Hermione pushed back slowly, ending the kiss. She gave him a watery smile and then cried some more.
Draco looked at her, alarmed. What was wrong with her?! He hugged her tight, wishing he could share some of her sadness.
"Do you love me?"
"Whoever thought of that question is a bloody moron," Draco muttered under his breath. Hermione was gazing at him intently and did not hear. She wanted an answer.
"What is love? I care for you, I like you, I enjoy spending time with you," Draco stated.
"Love is everlasting. Would be willing to spend an eternity with me?" Hermione questioned.
"'Mione we're only seventeen. There is plenty of time to think about stuff like that," Draco said, absently stroking her hair.
Hermione sighed. She didn't want to loose Draco AGAIN but...
"Err, be right back!" Draco said, jumping up. He dashed out of the classroom and searched the halls for Pansy.
"PANSY!" He screamed, hoping she'd hear.
"Wha - what?" Pansy asked, startled.
"Come here!" Draco ordered, grabbing her arm. He dragged her back to the entrance to the classroom.
"Stay out here," he whispered. "You'll hear Hermione say she loves me." Draco started to move away but Pansy pulled him back.
"Remember the bet. After she declares her love for you, you drop her like a dirty sock."
Draco's body turned to ice. He finally had Hermione back and he had to loose her again?
"And if I don't?"
"You'll be introduced as my boyfriend from now on."
Draco resisted punching Pansy in the face and entered the classroom. Hermione was sitting in a desk with a dazed look on her face.
"'Mione?"
"Yes."
"Do you - well - do you love me?"
Hermione gazed heavenward. Did she still love him? After every horrible thing he did to her? After all the cruel things he said to her? After he broke her heart and then came back to her?
"Yes," Hermione confessed.
A/N: SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG! This chapter is my longest yet (I think)! I tried to end it with a cliffhanger but I don't think I succeeded. Oh well! I bought a Legolas poster the other day and I'm going to hang it up soon xD I'm going to start chapter 10 today! Please keep reviewing!