I, ME, MY LOVE POTION EGGS!
by squidward
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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Oh sorry if I didn't update earlier, I'm kinda busy with other things… And I think I have to finish this fic soon, or else I will not have time to finish it after I lay my hands on the Ragnarok Offline CD. Yes, there's already a Ragnarok OFFLINE CD!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nyahahaha!!!!! I suppose I will not have time for dueling too (I'm talking about Yu-Gi-Oh here). And there are loads of animes waiting to be watched…*sigh* what a busy and exciting vacation…^^
And I would like to express my gratitude to the following great people: PottyforPotter (tnx for reviewing! I'm glad it made you laugh^^), magic_sparkle_1 (just see this chap to know the answers. Tnx!), artemisgirl (errr… that's all I can say for now, just read this chap and tnx for liking my story!), airhead14 (oh, I really appreciate it that you still reviewed. Thank u so much!), ungojos (tnx for reviewing. When this fic ends I think Hermione will be alright…^.~), and sophie (LOLZ!!! Publish a book? Oh my, you flatter me so much! Tnx 4 reviewing!!!)
DISCLAIMER: Okay, I do not own Harry Potter! Who wants to own it anyway? (looks back and sees the entire human race pleading to have HP…) -.-'
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I, ME, MY LOVE POTION EGGS!
Chapter IX: Reality Bites
If anyone would notice who was Draco with they might think it was a character from Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. At least, Draco's companion looked like someone who had a pumpkin-size tomato for a head. But you would never expect students - or anyone for that matter - to enjoy a Hogsmeade trip and mind other people's businesses.
And maybe Hermione could call this luck. Why? Well it was just that she was saved from the humiliation of being mistaken as a giant tomato that sprouted a human body. And beside her was a very handsome boy clutching her hand. Yes, it was Draco Malfoy's hand attached to hers. Hermione's face was burning she wondered whether she could cook a fried egg on it.
"Are you not feeling well Granger?" Draco asked with mock concern. Hermione only managed to shake her head - and even had some difficulty doing it. She couldn't speak proper English with Draco holding her hand.
"Sure you're okay?" he asked again. Hermione nodded, her face still red. Draco tried hard to suppress a smirk.
His plan was going too well. All he had to do was act like he didn't know anything about the love potion egg and pretend he was interested in Hermione. It would be very easy. Hermione was not her usual observant and rational self. She couldn't detect that Draco was just faking. Then when Hermione was already believed that he liked her back, he would dump her with no hesitations. That would surely piss Harry and Ron. A heartbroken Hermione and the furious Potter and Weasley. It would be like shooting three birds in one shot. Without any doubt, the Goddess of Fortune was on his side now.
He chanced another glance at Hermione and found that she was still blushing. 'Blushing is always a good sign,' he thought. He doubted whether Hermione knew that they were already entering Three Broomsticks. Draco had a suspicion that she was only minding his hand holding hers.
"Just wait for me here, I will get the drinks," Draco said. Hermione was startled. She was already inside Three Broomsticks and was already sitting. Draco let go of her hand and approached Madam Rosmerta.
She looked around the pub and found it crowded with students. Her mind was becoming more normal. She didn't notice that they already entered Three Broomsticks - all she was thinking was Draco. Then a thought snapped her. She searched the crowd for a redhead girl. She sighed in relief when she found none. Ginny, though very small, could be spotted easily because of her long flaming hair.
'I hope this would be a Ginny-free Hogsmeade trip, or else I will be dead meat! Why did she had to be sick during the Chaser try-outs?! I wouldn't be worrying like this if I know she, Harry and Ron are all in the Quidditch field practicing!' Hermione thought. She felt a tinge of guilt inside. She was betraying Harry and Ron at this very moment and even praying to get rid of Ginny who had been a very good friend to her. I hope they understand. They're my friends, aren't they? I can't see anything wrong with Draco's attitude towards me. He's even sweeter than I thought! If they could just quit thinking of him as an enemy…
Hermione saw Draco approaching her table, holding two mugs of butterbeer. Hermione's cheeks turned pink when Draco took the seat in front her.
"Thank you," she mumbled. Draco smiled. Hermione felt her insides draining. They silently sipped their drinks, searching their minds for any sensible topic to discuss.
Draco noticed that Hermione was constantly looking at the people who were entering the pub with an alert look. 'Of course, she was worried to see Weasley's sister,' he thought. Draco pondered on it for a moment. What would he do if someone, be a Slytherin or a Gryffindor, saw them together? He would be humiliated for sure - the entire Hogwarts knew that he and Harry loathed each other. And he hated Harry's friends as Harry hated his. He and Hermione going out would be as possible as Snape adopting Harry. It was a surprise nobody pointed out that they were together yet, but it was still a good thing for Draco. What would he tell them? Of course the job of explaining would fall on him for Hermione had lost her brilliant and sensible mind at this moment.
'Might as well finish this plan for good,' Draco decided. He looked at Hermione, who was busy staring at her mug, pink shades still on her cheeks. This would be easy…
"Where do you want to go after this?" Draco asked politely, making Hermione choke.
"A-anywhere, anywhere y-you like," Hermione stammered. She boldly looked straight in Draco's eyes but couldn't stop herself from blushing.
"Well, I just thought you're planning to buy something like quills and everything. I wouldn't mind to accompany you there," Draco said. Hermione just shook her head gently.
"Okay," said Draco, "we could just see the shops. Want to visit Shrieking Shack?"
"Oh, it's okay," Hermione beamed. Draco caught himself off-guard – he actually blushed. He looked away quickly when he realized that he was staring at Hermione longer than he was supposed to.
Darn, what am I blushing for! It's just Granger alright! I guess I really have to finish this plan as soon as possible. I can't fall in my own trap…
"Shall we go?" he asked. Hermione nodded and stood up. She scanned the pub again before heading to the doors.
They wondered at every shop. Their first stop was Honeydukes. As expected it was packed with students so they didn't stay longer. They both knew they couldn't risk being spotted by anyone although they never really talked about it.
Their 'date' was really quiet. Hermione couldn't put herself to start a conversation because of the feelings swelling inside her so Draco was the one who attempted to bring a topic. But it was hard to engage Hermione in a talk – all she would do was to nod and shake. Draco gave up and contented himself on sightseeing. He didn't really have to keep this 'date' enjoyable for her anyway. Hermione would still like him and that was enough for his plan.
Somehow they managed to enjoy their silent trip. Hermione wasn't really voicing out her opinions on the items but her expressive eyes told Draco what she thought about those things. Her brown eyes would sparkle in delight whenever she saw a nice book and would narrow disapprovingly at some items in Zonko's that Draco was sure were undoubtedly annoying at Hermione's standards.
Then they stepped in the Quidditch shop. Draco exerted no effort in dragging Hermione there. He bet she would go inside the Shrieking Shack alone when he persuaded her to.
But going inside that shop was probably the biggest mistake. Seamus and Dean were there and Draco met their stare. Both were gasping at the sight of Draco and Hermione together. Hermione noticed this and her face looked petrified. She didn't know what to do. She wanted to move, at least just to fidget to make sure she was still alive, but she couldn't. Seamus and Dean were already coming to their direction - they still looked shocked. Hermione was already in panic. What would she do? They would surely tell Harry and Ron! She forced her mind to think for a solution.
She clenched her fist and took a deep breath before marching to meet Dean and Seamus. She put her usual bossy-look and greeted Seamus and Dean. Draco didn't move from his spot. He watched the proceedings at the corner of his eyes and pretended he was looking at the items.
"Oh Hermione, I thought you were with him!" Seamus exclaimed, pointing at Draco. Hermione sneered feebly. She had to pretend it was just a coincidence.
"Of course I'm not with him," she said, successfully hiding the panic in her voice. She knew she had to sound casual and she mentally congratulated herself for a great acting job.
"Where are Harry and Ron anyway?" Dean asked.
"Quidditch practice," she replied.
"Yeah, I forgot about that," Dean muttered. "But what are doing her anyway? I didn't know you're interested in Quidditch!"
Hermione could feel her back sweating. She had to escape this one. "Well, uh, I-I am, er, canvassing for a nice present… y'know."
Dean and Seamus looked at each and smirked. Hermione didn't know what that meant but she knew they believed her. "I see. Good luck then. Ron would want anything from you anyway," Seamus chuckled. "We'll go ahead now. Bye!" Dean and Seamus waved at her and left the shop. Hermione watched them until they were out of sight. She sighed in relief when they finally disappeared.
"I don't remember mentioning Ron's name… what was that for?" she mumbled silently, completely oblivious on what Dean and Seamus were up to. She glanced at Draco and their eyes met. Draco gave her a meaningful look before walking out of the shop. Hermione got the message and followed him.
Hermione maintained a two-meter interval between her and Draco. She knew she had to stay away from him for a while. Draco continued walking and headed in a secluded area in the village. He heard Hermione, Seamus, and Dean's conversation very clearly. Seamus and Dean already hinted about Hermione and Ron but Hermione was too dense to get it. He flinched at the thought and shook the idea away.
When he was sure there was no student around, Draco halted. He turned around and waited for Hermione. It wasn't a long wait because she was already standing in front of him after a few moments. She just stared at him and her expression looked sorry. Draco smiled at her.
"That was a close one, wasn't it?" Draco said playfully. Hermione's eyes still bore the sad expression.
"Draco, did I, did I offend you or anything?" Hermione asked worriedly.
"No, you didn't. I perfectly understand the situation," he said calmly.
"Harry and Ron don't know that I was going to meet you," Hermione explained.
"I know that. It's kinda obvious actually," Draco chortled. Hermione looked at him in shock. Draco just beamed at her in return.
"I tried to explain to them that you're really a great person. But they are so stubborn - they won't listen. So I decided to keep this from them. I don't want to start another argument."
Silence followed. They just stared at each other for a long time. It was very quiet and they could hear the rustling of leaves clearly. Draco sighed and broke the awkward pause.
"Granger, what do you feel about me anyway?"
Hermione blushed but continued to stare back. She shivered slightly when a breeze blew. She felt she was getting lost at Draco's gaze and stayed quiet for a moment. She didn't want to answer that question but Draco's eyes were pleading so she opened her mouth to speak.
"I, well, I,-" Hermione stuttered. She decided to look down because she couldn't talk and stare at Draco at the same time. She could still feel Draco's eyes probing her.
"You see, Draco, I really, I really, er-" Hermione's entire face was red again. Draco didn't move and just continued watching her. His plan would be accomplished anytime now. But his heart was beating faster. What was the matter with him? Why was she causing him to feel weird things?
Hermione tried to feel her hands but she couldn't. Her heart was beating so fast it could jump out of her chest. She could feel the heat from her face and knew that she was red all over. She had to tell him now. It's now or never…
"Draco, I really like you!" she blurted. Her heartbeat was starting to slow down. She felt her nerves were coming back to normal. She finally said it. It was like removing a big burden in her chest. She bravely looked at Draco's reaction, her face still red. He looked calm but she couldn't really make out what he was thinking.
Draco walked closer and didn't say anything. Hermione just stared at him, still clueless on what he was thinking. He closed the gap between them, paused for a moment and leaned forward. Hermione closed her eyes as Draco's lips came closer to hers. Draco didn't know, but he felt he really had to kiss her. He closed his eyes when their lips were millimeters apart. He could feel her breath touching his face. He was ready to meet her lips when suddenly, a painful smack hit his left cheek.
Draco opened his eyes and moved backward, bewildered. That slap really hurt. He saw a still red Hermione, but very different from the sweet Hermione a while ago. He saw steam coming out of her ears.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?! YOU SCUM FERRET!!!" Hermione thundered. Her nose flared and she was fuming in anger. Draco just stared at her with confusion splattered all over his face. Had the Goddess of Fortune finally left his side?
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