Chapter 17- The Great Secret-Keeper
"You've got to stop staring at it, Hermione," Ginny said. "You haven't even studied for N.E.W.T.s for a whole month!"
"Oh, stop it, Ginny. I just can't help it. I love this picture. It was such a wonderful gift."
"Who gave it to you? Do you know?"
"Yes."
"Well, who?"
"How was vacation at Seamus's?" Hermione asked brightly.
"Oh, no. You're not getting away from this one. Come on, tell me. You know I'm bound to find out sooner or later anyway." Ginny wiggled her eyebrows, flopping onto her stomach on Hermione's bed.
She desperately wanted to tell someone. Keeping secrets of such magnitude was not in her nature. "No, Ginny. I promised not to tell. I'm not ready, anyway. I promise, though, you'll be the first to know."
"I think you just don't want to tell me."
"I don't want to tell *anyone*, Gin. If I did, it would be you for sure."
"So you know about Harry and Ron, eh?"
"Of course. I figured it out in, like, a week."
"I thought you would. Did you ever expect it?"
"No, not really. But I was not really surprised after I thought about it."
"I was," Ginny said. "Enough about them."
"Let's talk about you."
"Why?"
"I've barely heard anything about you and Seamus. Tell me, what was his house like, what are his parents like?"
"His mother's wonderful. She knows almost everything about cooking. She could give the house elves here a run for their money. His dad's a Muggle, but obviously he's one of the better ones…like your parents. I just mean open-minded. You know, having married a witch…"
"I know, Ginny," Hermione said impatiently. "Continue."
"Well, his house is a little larger than ours, and it's definitely nicer. Almost everything is green, white and orange. Like the Irish flag. They even have a leprechaun living in the yard. The bathrooms are especially nice…"
"Um, Ginny? I don't really need every detail."
"How about the bedrooms? That's the best part. They're all on one side of the second floor- there are four- aside from the master bedroom on the third floor. They all have doors between them, so they all connect. Each one is in a different shade of green. The beds are quite large, and the closets have these old magical gadgets in them that do all sorts of things. If you saw it, you'd want to live there forever."
Hermione grinned. "I doubt it," she said. "Though I don't doubt that *you* would."
"And Seamus was great, of course. We spent the entire vacation together. It was quite the…experience." That reminded Hermione strangely of her description of her first wrestle with Draco.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I mean we were usually unsupervised, so we had plenty of time to…experiment." Ginny winked and flashed a grin. Hermione's eyes widened. "We didn't do anything like that!" she laughed. "We just learned a few things about each other, likes, dislikes, things like that. It was actually quite useful for things we might do in the future."
"I'm sure I don't want any more details," Hermione said.
"And I'm sure you're not going to get them. That works nicely." Ginny looked again at Hermione's portrait. "Have Lavender and Parvati seen that yet?"
"Merlin, no. I don't want it to be broadcasted, thank you." She wondered what Draco would say if he heard from Pansy Parkinson that "the Mudblood has an admirer!".
"Valentine's Day is coming up," Ginny sighed. "I wonder what Seamus and I will do. You know," she said suddenly, propping herself up on her elbows, "I could probably find you a Valentine's Day date, if you want. I know lots of guys who would want to go out with you."
"No, Ginny," Hermione said, feeling dreamily happy. "I already have one."
"You are honestly in love." Ginny shook her head.
"I'm in like. It's not the same."
"You're falling. Whether you want to see it or not, you will love him."
"I suppose…"
"Who is it? Why is it such a big deal that you don't want me to know? Don't you trust me?" She fluttered her eyelashes, sticking out her lower lip in an attractive pout.
"Hermione!" someone called from below. "Hermione! HERMIONE!"
She descended just far enough to see Ron at the bottom of the stairs to the girl's dorm. "What?"
"Can I borrow your Potions homework?"
"No. You should have done it when it was assigned, instead of doing everything at the last minute."
"Just to check answers! You always assume I haven't done it."
"Show it to me, then you can check your answers with mine." Five minutes later, Hermione had finally gotten rid of Ron, and with him her Potions homework.
Ginny had a pondering look on her face. She tapped her chin sporadically.
"What's wrong, Ginny?"
"I'm just trying to think why you wouldn't want to tell anyone who you're with. It's not, say, Draco Malfoy, is it?"
"Ginny!" Hermione glanced into the hallway. No one had been near. She closed the door. "You have to promise not to tell anyone, all right? We really weren't even planning to tell anyone this year. And especially don't tell Harry and Ron. I don't even want to think about their reactions…Ginny?"
Ginny was gaping at her. Finally she managed to get out, "You mean it *is* Malfoy?"
Hermione stared at the girl staring at her. "You didn't- you didn't figure it out?"
"I suggested it as a joke! I had no idea you were going out with Malfoy! Oh, Merlin, that sounds so strange."
"Ginny, I can explain the whole thing. You don't understand him."
"It's all right, Hermione. You can tell me later."
"No, I want to tell you now," Hermione said firmly. "You're judging me, and I don't like it. I want to tell you what I learned about him."
When Ginny had sat, Hermione explained how she and Draco had started talking, and all she had learned about him. "He acts that way out of fear of his father. You see why you can't tell anyone, at least until he's left his parents' home? He has to be allowed to keep up his façade, because if he doesn't, then I don't know what Lucius Malfoy will do."
"How do you know he's not just telling you that?"
"Look into his eyes, Ginny. I know. But you promise not to tell anyone, don't you?"
"Of course. Keeping *two* couples' secrets. But if I found out he's hurt you, I will tell Harry and Ron, and they'll probably kill him."
"I suppose I can't stop you, if you're that determined," Hermione said with a sigh. "Short of that, you won't tell. I *know* you won't."
************************************************************************
Damn Gryffindor and their high Quidditch scores. Slytherin had just won their last match, against Ravenclaw, but unless Hufflepuff beat Gryffindor by a considerable amount, Gryffindor would win the cup. Which meant, by all accounts, that Gryffindor was going to win the Quidditch cup, for the third year.
Hufflepuff was always a fairly easy match. Draco had caught the snitch easily, and the rest of the team had performed well. He had been disappointed that Hermione would not be there, but he had agreed that it would look suspicious if she went to a Quidditch match that did not include Gryffindor. She had never gone to them in the past.
The hot water felt like heaven on his skin. He let it cleanse him of thought, and stood there while waves of warmth washed over him. His muscles loosened in the heat, all the tension of the day just sloughed off. Hot showers were one of his favorite things.
As he was pulling on a shirt in his room, Sagittus found him. "We need to talk about something, Draco," he said seriously. "Valentine's Day."
"What are you, obsessed with my love life?"
"Shut up and pay attention. This kind of thing is important to girls. Now, some of them like a bunch of mushy stuff on Valentine's, but others don't like it at all. You've got to find out what she likes, and then give it to her. She might be the kind of girl who just wants a card, a box of chocolate, and a good makeout. She might, however, like flowers and an elaborate date. You'll have to ask her."
"Sagittus, leave me alone."
"Suit yourself. I'm just trying to prepare you."
Draco watched him leave. He knew the kid was right, he was just annoyed at being told what to do. Therefore, he went off to find Hermione and figure out Valentine's Day immediately.
************************************************************************
The ror looked a lot like the Slytherin common room that day, but with white couches and red hearts hanging everywhere. When Hermione entered, Draco held out one dozen red roses, fresh from Narcissa's garden. "Happy Valentine's Day."
"Thank you, Draco," she smiled. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a deep kiss.
"You realize that this isn't anything different from what we always do?"
"Just with a Valentine's Day theme," Hermione said. "How's your homework doing?"
"Not that again. My grades have skyrocketed since I started talking to you. Do you have to talk about school *all* the time?"
"N.E.W.T.s are only a little more than a year away, you know. You can't afford *not* to think about school."
"On Valentine's Day, I only want to think about one thing," he said. "You."
"Well, if you insist." She giggled.
"I was thinking," Draco suggested, "that we could try a different form of wrestling."
"What do you mean?"
"Just- go with me," he said, pulling her down to the cushiony carpet. She went willingly.
They rolled over each other, shifting, grappling, but it was all gentle and sensual. Draco was pleased with his idea, and it seemed that Hermione was, as well. They continued until they ran out of breath, at which point they lay beside each other, their chests heaving.
Hermione rolled toward him, resting her head on his arm. "I'm going to need that, you know," he said, wiggling his arm slightly.
"For what?" she asked, in a sugary, ditzy voice.
"I hope you're not getting stupider."
"Happy Valentine's Day."
End Chapter 17
Okay, so maybe this chapter is a little short. I think the next one's longer, anyway. Well, yeah, so I must say I am overwhelmed by reviews!! I had no less than *8* reviews for the last chapter when I signed on today!! It's like, wow, people really like me!! I want to thank everyone who complimented my writing, and the story, and oh hell I'll just thank everyone. Thank you!!
Warning: if AOL is still all screwy, posting will be irregular. Sorry if I can't get online.
More confetti to reviewers!! I don't know, let's say in the shape of Draco's head.
"You've got to stop staring at it, Hermione," Ginny said. "You haven't even studied for N.E.W.T.s for a whole month!"
"Oh, stop it, Ginny. I just can't help it. I love this picture. It was such a wonderful gift."
"Who gave it to you? Do you know?"
"Yes."
"Well, who?"
"How was vacation at Seamus's?" Hermione asked brightly.
"Oh, no. You're not getting away from this one. Come on, tell me. You know I'm bound to find out sooner or later anyway." Ginny wiggled her eyebrows, flopping onto her stomach on Hermione's bed.
She desperately wanted to tell someone. Keeping secrets of such magnitude was not in her nature. "No, Ginny. I promised not to tell. I'm not ready, anyway. I promise, though, you'll be the first to know."
"I think you just don't want to tell me."
"I don't want to tell *anyone*, Gin. If I did, it would be you for sure."
"So you know about Harry and Ron, eh?"
"Of course. I figured it out in, like, a week."
"I thought you would. Did you ever expect it?"
"No, not really. But I was not really surprised after I thought about it."
"I was," Ginny said. "Enough about them."
"Let's talk about you."
"Why?"
"I've barely heard anything about you and Seamus. Tell me, what was his house like, what are his parents like?"
"His mother's wonderful. She knows almost everything about cooking. She could give the house elves here a run for their money. His dad's a Muggle, but obviously he's one of the better ones…like your parents. I just mean open-minded. You know, having married a witch…"
"I know, Ginny," Hermione said impatiently. "Continue."
"Well, his house is a little larger than ours, and it's definitely nicer. Almost everything is green, white and orange. Like the Irish flag. They even have a leprechaun living in the yard. The bathrooms are especially nice…"
"Um, Ginny? I don't really need every detail."
"How about the bedrooms? That's the best part. They're all on one side of the second floor- there are four- aside from the master bedroom on the third floor. They all have doors between them, so they all connect. Each one is in a different shade of green. The beds are quite large, and the closets have these old magical gadgets in them that do all sorts of things. If you saw it, you'd want to live there forever."
Hermione grinned. "I doubt it," she said. "Though I don't doubt that *you* would."
"And Seamus was great, of course. We spent the entire vacation together. It was quite the…experience." That reminded Hermione strangely of her description of her first wrestle with Draco.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I mean we were usually unsupervised, so we had plenty of time to…experiment." Ginny winked and flashed a grin. Hermione's eyes widened. "We didn't do anything like that!" she laughed. "We just learned a few things about each other, likes, dislikes, things like that. It was actually quite useful for things we might do in the future."
"I'm sure I don't want any more details," Hermione said.
"And I'm sure you're not going to get them. That works nicely." Ginny looked again at Hermione's portrait. "Have Lavender and Parvati seen that yet?"
"Merlin, no. I don't want it to be broadcasted, thank you." She wondered what Draco would say if he heard from Pansy Parkinson that "the Mudblood has an admirer!".
"Valentine's Day is coming up," Ginny sighed. "I wonder what Seamus and I will do. You know," she said suddenly, propping herself up on her elbows, "I could probably find you a Valentine's Day date, if you want. I know lots of guys who would want to go out with you."
"No, Ginny," Hermione said, feeling dreamily happy. "I already have one."
"You are honestly in love." Ginny shook her head.
"I'm in like. It's not the same."
"You're falling. Whether you want to see it or not, you will love him."
"I suppose…"
"Who is it? Why is it such a big deal that you don't want me to know? Don't you trust me?" She fluttered her eyelashes, sticking out her lower lip in an attractive pout.
"Hermione!" someone called from below. "Hermione! HERMIONE!"
She descended just far enough to see Ron at the bottom of the stairs to the girl's dorm. "What?"
"Can I borrow your Potions homework?"
"No. You should have done it when it was assigned, instead of doing everything at the last minute."
"Just to check answers! You always assume I haven't done it."
"Show it to me, then you can check your answers with mine." Five minutes later, Hermione had finally gotten rid of Ron, and with him her Potions homework.
Ginny had a pondering look on her face. She tapped her chin sporadically.
"What's wrong, Ginny?"
"I'm just trying to think why you wouldn't want to tell anyone who you're with. It's not, say, Draco Malfoy, is it?"
"Ginny!" Hermione glanced into the hallway. No one had been near. She closed the door. "You have to promise not to tell anyone, all right? We really weren't even planning to tell anyone this year. And especially don't tell Harry and Ron. I don't even want to think about their reactions…Ginny?"
Ginny was gaping at her. Finally she managed to get out, "You mean it *is* Malfoy?"
Hermione stared at the girl staring at her. "You didn't- you didn't figure it out?"
"I suggested it as a joke! I had no idea you were going out with Malfoy! Oh, Merlin, that sounds so strange."
"Ginny, I can explain the whole thing. You don't understand him."
"It's all right, Hermione. You can tell me later."
"No, I want to tell you now," Hermione said firmly. "You're judging me, and I don't like it. I want to tell you what I learned about him."
When Ginny had sat, Hermione explained how she and Draco had started talking, and all she had learned about him. "He acts that way out of fear of his father. You see why you can't tell anyone, at least until he's left his parents' home? He has to be allowed to keep up his façade, because if he doesn't, then I don't know what Lucius Malfoy will do."
"How do you know he's not just telling you that?"
"Look into his eyes, Ginny. I know. But you promise not to tell anyone, don't you?"
"Of course. Keeping *two* couples' secrets. But if I found out he's hurt you, I will tell Harry and Ron, and they'll probably kill him."
"I suppose I can't stop you, if you're that determined," Hermione said with a sigh. "Short of that, you won't tell. I *know* you won't."
************************************************************************
Damn Gryffindor and their high Quidditch scores. Slytherin had just won their last match, against Ravenclaw, but unless Hufflepuff beat Gryffindor by a considerable amount, Gryffindor would win the cup. Which meant, by all accounts, that Gryffindor was going to win the Quidditch cup, for the third year.
Hufflepuff was always a fairly easy match. Draco had caught the snitch easily, and the rest of the team had performed well. He had been disappointed that Hermione would not be there, but he had agreed that it would look suspicious if she went to a Quidditch match that did not include Gryffindor. She had never gone to them in the past.
The hot water felt like heaven on his skin. He let it cleanse him of thought, and stood there while waves of warmth washed over him. His muscles loosened in the heat, all the tension of the day just sloughed off. Hot showers were one of his favorite things.
As he was pulling on a shirt in his room, Sagittus found him. "We need to talk about something, Draco," he said seriously. "Valentine's Day."
"What are you, obsessed with my love life?"
"Shut up and pay attention. This kind of thing is important to girls. Now, some of them like a bunch of mushy stuff on Valentine's, but others don't like it at all. You've got to find out what she likes, and then give it to her. She might be the kind of girl who just wants a card, a box of chocolate, and a good makeout. She might, however, like flowers and an elaborate date. You'll have to ask her."
"Sagittus, leave me alone."
"Suit yourself. I'm just trying to prepare you."
Draco watched him leave. He knew the kid was right, he was just annoyed at being told what to do. Therefore, he went off to find Hermione and figure out Valentine's Day immediately.
************************************************************************
The ror looked a lot like the Slytherin common room that day, but with white couches and red hearts hanging everywhere. When Hermione entered, Draco held out one dozen red roses, fresh from Narcissa's garden. "Happy Valentine's Day."
"Thank you, Draco," she smiled. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a deep kiss.
"You realize that this isn't anything different from what we always do?"
"Just with a Valentine's Day theme," Hermione said. "How's your homework doing?"
"Not that again. My grades have skyrocketed since I started talking to you. Do you have to talk about school *all* the time?"
"N.E.W.T.s are only a little more than a year away, you know. You can't afford *not* to think about school."
"On Valentine's Day, I only want to think about one thing," he said. "You."
"Well, if you insist." She giggled.
"I was thinking," Draco suggested, "that we could try a different form of wrestling."
"What do you mean?"
"Just- go with me," he said, pulling her down to the cushiony carpet. She went willingly.
They rolled over each other, shifting, grappling, but it was all gentle and sensual. Draco was pleased with his idea, and it seemed that Hermione was, as well. They continued until they ran out of breath, at which point they lay beside each other, their chests heaving.
Hermione rolled toward him, resting her head on his arm. "I'm going to need that, you know," he said, wiggling his arm slightly.
"For what?" she asked, in a sugary, ditzy voice.
"I hope you're not getting stupider."
"Happy Valentine's Day."
End Chapter 17
Okay, so maybe this chapter is a little short. I think the next one's longer, anyway. Well, yeah, so I must say I am overwhelmed by reviews!! I had no less than *8* reviews for the last chapter when I signed on today!! It's like, wow, people really like me!! I want to thank everyone who complimented my writing, and the story, and oh hell I'll just thank everyone. Thank you!!
Warning: if AOL is still all screwy, posting will be irregular. Sorry if I can't get online.
More confetti to reviewers!! I don't know, let's say in the shape of Draco's head.