Chapter 4:

A/N: I have decided that not all the lyrics will be from Brand New. Although I love ALL their songs, other bands I feel are just as deserving to be heard. I will use lyrics from bands such as Something Corporate, Ben Jelen, Ryan Adams, Evanesence(NO MY IMMORTAL), Jason Mraz, and Nirvana. But I am still planning on using most of the songs from Brand New, ending with the beautiful song " No Seatbelt Song" . So this will be a LOOONG story, possibly longer than I planned because I tend to get my inspiration from the songs that I listen to. And also I'm going to alternate every 2 or 3 chapters between Draco and Hermiones POV! And possibly Harry and Ron…

Hermiones POV:

Inside my skin
there is this space...
It twists and turns
it bleeds and aches

Hermione had no idea what had just transpired between her and her supposed enemy. Never had she thought she would open up to Draco Malfoy, or vise versa.

Their conversation was civil; and almost enjoyable. All the years at Hogworts, Draco had an often snobbish air about him. But it seemed, that today, he was almost human. Maybe reality finally checked in for him.

It scared Hermione to death that he knew something about her. That she was alone. And that she was scared to death of ever being alone. That was her dirty little secret. After her parents divorce and their apparent hesitation to anything in the wizarding world, Hermione really didn't have anyone, besides Ron and Harry. Sure her parents loved her, and gave her some support. But apparently, the one thing the recently divorced couple agreed upon was that they didn't want their daughter to partake in any wizarding activitys. Now, especially that there was a full fledged war  brewing, their hesitation had turned into fright. And Hermione could understand that, but cruel words about the world and people she loved weren't needed the night they had their argument. They hadn't spoken since June.

It still pained her that she had no one to turn to. Every child should have their parents support during times like these, but Hermione was part of a select few who didn't. But she was strong, pursuing a job that she had always wanted. She was helping the community she loved; protecting it. But sometimes, being a young girl of seventeen, everything was just too much. And not having her parents support just amplified the situation.

Sure she had Harry and Ron, but they weren't that much of support system. Their constant fighting and bickering was truly annoying Hermione to no end, to the point that she didn't want to be around them anymore. She often fantasized about telling them off and telling them how she really feels about them. But then reality would check in and there she would be, feeling utterly alone in the presence of her most beloved confidantes.

Inside my heart
there's an empty room.
It's waiting for lightning;
it's waiting for you

But when she was speaking to Malfoy- or Draco- she didn't feel alone. In fact, she felt like she had an ally because he knew of how much Harry and Ron took advantage of her. She felt like she had someone to vent out to and have no judgment passed over to her.

Hermione did not fully believe that Draco and Pansies relationship was really how he described. Because once she mentioned his wife's extra curricular activities, his eyes showed something more than his careless demeanor could ever achieve.

Hermione saw anger and hurt in those eyes

Even though he said he didn't sleep with Pansy, Hermione didn't fully believe him. After all, he was a man, and his penis would guide the way for him no matter what.

I am wanting and...
I am needing you here
inside the absence of fear
Muscles and sinew
Velvet and stone...

Men didn't have to have an emotional attachment to every sexual partner they had.

So what if he didn't love her.

"Hermione?" Harry called over to her.

"Hmm?" She asked in a dazed tone.

"Would you like to come out with us?" Harry asked

"Sure I could go for something." Hermione said, just getting out of her reverie" Just lets make sure it isn't that place where I threw up the dinner afterwards, I really don't feel like ralphing all over the bathroom again."

"I'll make sure" Harry chuckled. "Are you alright?"

"Yea I'm fine, just a little tired from the lesson." She said rubbing her head.

"Oh." Harry said quietly. "Listen Hermione, about yesterday, I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. I was just so-." Hermione really didn't want to hear the next part because every excuse was the same. She really was numb to the fact that her two beloved friends took her for granted." I was just so, I don't know. But can you forgive me? You know Ron and I only want to keep you safe. We don't want to see you hurt. But if you really want this, we support you all the way." Harry said with a slight smile on his face.

This vessel is haunted
It creaks and moans
My bones call to you
In their separate skin.
I make myself translucent
To let you in, for..
I am wanting, and...

"It's okay." Hermione said half-heartedly.

"Great!" Harry said as he picked Hermione up in a great bear hug. She giggled as he picked her up. She always secretly did love Harry. Even though he did sometimes take her devout friendship for granted, she couldn't help but love the man. But he was always too unattainable to her. Sure he annoyed her, but that was when he was with Ron. He had always acted like an ass around Ron. The two of them always seemed to gang up on her. But one on one, Harry always seemed like such a sweetheart. And she knew he had a lot of things on his shoulders right now, so she couldn't blame him for being a dick at times.

I am needing you here
Inside the absence of fear
There is this hunger
This restlessness inside of me
And it knows that you're no stranger

Harry, Ron, Neville, And Hermione all walked over to the nearest, decent restaurant. The waitress showed them to their table and they were seated. Hermione listened to Ron and Neville talk excitedly about their girlfriends and their auror training. As she halfheartedly listened to their conversation, Hermione couldn't help but feel a pair of eyes on her. She turned towards Harry, who was staring intently at her.

"What?" she asked

"Nothing, I was just wondering. When did you get so beautiful?"

"What?!? Harry, are you sure that you've only had one glass of fire whiskey, because you're speaking gibberish."

"No. I'm serious Hermione. You really are a beautiful woman."  He said with a smile on his face. Hermione had no idea what to say. He was her best friend, and he never really complimented her before, and now he was. This was a complete shocker for her.

"Well thank you Harry." She said with a sweet smile on her face.

"No problem."

After that, Hermione's mind was racing. What should she do? What should she talk about with Harry? Why was she feeling so uncomfortable? Shouldn't she be on cloud nine since her apparent crush had just said she was beautiful? Hermione had no idea what to do. Finally, her brain started working again and she opened her mouth.

"So Harry, how's Annie doing?" Hermione asked while taking a sip of her fire whiskey.

"Oh, I broke up with her yesterday "Harry said.

"OH"

"Yea, I was planning on doing it for a while. I thought she was a great girl but she isn't right for me. Plus there was the whole fact that she was cheating on me. "

"Oh I'm sorry Harry, I know how much you liked her. But I'm sure that there is someone else out there for you?" Hermione said thoughtfully." Now Harry if you'll excuse me, I have to use the loo." Hermione stood up shakily. When it came to drinking, Hermione was a light weight.

The bathroom was thankfully empty. It was fairly early, meaning that the club wouldn't be filling up any time soon. Hermione had no idea what had just happened. This day was just full of surprises. First her pleasant conversation with Draco, and then Harry telling her that she was beautiful. What was a girl to do?

Hermione checked herself in the mirror. Was she really as pretty as Harry had described? Hermione wasn't sure. When it came to her looks, she really was insecure. The only boyfriend she had during school was Victor, and you cold really never count that as a relationship.

Hermione always thought herself as plain. Not ugly, but she never thought herself as being beautiful either. 

You're my gravity
my hands will adore you
through all darkness, and aim
Lay you out in moonlight

Her reverie was interrupted by a woman walking into the bathroom. This prompted Hermione to get back outside before her friends started worrying. She came back to the same scene she left; Ron and Neville talking excitedly, and Harry looking out the window intently.

"Harry, what could be bothering you so much to be this quiet. Usually you're the louder than Ron. What's up? "Hermione asked as she sat down next to her friend.

"Oh, I was just, you know, thinking." He said smiling at her.

"About what? "

"Thinking about how things change. Feelings change. People change." He said thoughtfully

"Yea, I know. Its amazing isn't it? Like how a full fledged war has just been waged in a matter of months; and how quickly people are gone from our lives. They are here one minute and the next they are dead, never to be seen again. "

"I was thinking on more positive terms." Harry said laughing.

"Oh yea, that stuff too."

"I was thinking more on the terms of you." He said shyly.

"How so?" Hermione asked

"About how beautiful you are. About how much I am suddenly attracted to you at this very moment. About how much I just want to kiss you."

Hermione had NO idea what to say to him. She held her breath, hoping that just this once, time would stand still. Harry suddenly stood up, giving her a look that clearly said 'Get up and follow me' and so Hermione did.

" Hey guys, where are you going?" Ron called out.

"We are just going out for a walk. I'll talk to you tomorrow mate" Harry said in return

"Alright"

At this point, Hermione felt Harry's hand grab hold of hers. He dragged her out to the street and quickly apparated to his apartment. It wasn't long until Hermione felt his lips press against hers harshly. She happily obliged when he asked her to open her mouth. For the first time in a long time, Hermione could say that she was completely happy.

And reinvent your name
For I am wanting, and...
I am needing you
To be here...
I need you near...
Inside the absence of fear

~*~*~

OOOOOO this is getting juicy. You all thought it was going to be a Draco/ Herm fic.. Hahaaaaa……. Well it is, but I'm taking my time with the whole relationship thing. I'm not going to make it one of those " I love you now, lets do it!" kind of fics. They will be friends first. So just hold your horses for the moment… I'm writing the 5th chapter right now. To me, this is a bad chapter. Hell I think this is a bad story PERIOD. But I will continue it because I am not a quitter.

Just to let you know, my main purpose for writing this story is not because I love to write; But because I love to write along to lyrics that I love. As I  stated before this story is not going to be all Brand New songs. There are going to be other bands/ and or artists on this fic. Some more known than others. So for those of you who just skim through lyrics ( I'll admit I do it too ) read them. Because I put a lot of time in looking up the lyrics and writing the story. PLUS SOMETIMES THE LYRICS GIVE AWAY TO FUTURE CHAPTERS!!!

To all who reviewed, thank you. They give me motivation…

So for all

 REVIEW!!!!

Later love dolls