Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, so please don't sue!
Ok guyz...herez another chapter!!!! hope you guyz like it! sorry i don't have personal thank you's again...but i'm about to leave home in a few...so i gotta rush! don't forget to review!!! omg...i feel lyk an idiot...i put up the wrong chapter of this story!! well this iz the RITE chapter so i hope yoo like it!!!
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Another long week passed, and Hermione thought more and more about the conversation between her and Malfoy the week before. She knew he was right, and that she desperately needed to stop being miserable. There was nothing she could do, her parents descision was final, and the only way she was going to get over it all was with Malfoy's help. She despised asking for help, especially from him.
It was a Sunday morning, a week before the Spring Break, when Hermione decided to talk to Malfoy. She sat patiently in the common room, waiting for that door to open. A half an hour later, it opened, and the tlal Slytherin Prince made his way down.
"Malfoy, I need to talk to you," she stood up, facing the cold stare of her enemy.
"Get out of the way Mudblood," he growled, his eyes slitting like a snake. She cringed at the old name he used for her, but took in a deep breath and continued to talk.
"You were right Malfoy," she said, "You were right. I'm sorry."
Malfoy held his tongue from saying something and let her go on, wanting to hear more.
"I had no right to call you what I did. I was distraught about my parents divorce, and I thought I could save their marriage. But I couldn't. You were the only one who cared, the only one who actually tried to help me, and I only pushed you away. I'm sorry," she hung her head, staring at her feet.
"Apology accepted," his voice was still cold as he pushed past her.
"Wait!" She called after him, "I-I need your help. You're the only one who can help me Malfoy."
He kept walking towards the bathroom.
"Draco please," she begged, his first name slipping from her lips. He stopped in his tracks, as he heard his first name. His head spun around, "What did you call me?"
"Malfoy," she repeated, not even realizing what she did say.
"No you didn't." When he said that, she knew there was only one name she could have called him.
"Draco," she whispered, turning slightly red. He turned his body fully around and faced her.
"You really want help, don't you?" He spoke softly.
"Yes."
"Fine, but you have to agree to a few things," Draco said.
"Okay."
"One, no more insults, I'm not just another Malfoy, and two, you have to tell me everything. No moping around, and no being miserable. Understood?" He eyes her. She nodded sheepishly, agreeing to the verbal contract. For the next few hours, the two sat in the common room talking about the whole situation. Malfoy asked questions and Hermione answered, sometimes seeming a little hesitant.
"It's just so hard," Hermione told him, looking into his now warm silver eyes.
"I know. Listen," he said standing up, "Go have lunch in the Great Hall. Potty and Weasel'll be there."
"Argh," she groaned.
"What?" He asked, giving her a look.
"Harry and Ron have barely noticed that I'm gone," she told him.
"So I'm guessing that you don't want to go have lunch?" He asked, with a sly smirk.
"Not in the Great Hall," she said.
"Okay, so we'll have lunch here," Draco suggested. She smiled and nodded, informing him about having Dobby bring up their lunch. They ate in their common room, talking about everything; from school, to family, to friends. It was as if the past seven years of tormenting and humiliating the other had been erased. They shared a few laughs and chatted as if they were old friends who hadn't seen each other in years. After they finished their meals, they both made a verbal agreement of when Draco would help Hermione get through her parents divorce, using a series of activites and excercises.
"It'll take some time, but I promise you, that you'll get through this," he reassured her b efore heading outside to his quidditch practice.
Hermione went to her bedroom and changed into jeans and a tee-shirt, then made her way outside her tower, wandering the halls of the castle for the first time since the Christmas holidays. She found herself in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady, and entered the Gryffindor common room after saying tha password (Apple Fritters). She glanced aroung the familiar scarlet and gold room, and smiled.
"Hi Hermione!" A timid voice said. Hermione turned around to see the only female Weasley.
"Hello Ginny!" Hermione grinned.
"How are you doing? I haven't seen you in so long!" Ginny asked.
"I've just been busy with school," she told the red-head girl.
"Oh, well you sort of had me worried, because I only saw you during Prefect meetings."
"Don't worry Ginny, it's just because this is my last year, and with all my NEWT classes, it's been kind of tough," Hermione lied, "Listen Ginny, I have to go, but it was great seeing you again!"
"Aren't you going to be at dinner?"
"Not likely, I have a few things to do for our next meeting," she told Ginny, slowly inching towards the exit.
"I'll tell Ron and Harry that you stopped by," Ginny said.
"Don't bother Gin, I'll see them tomorrow," with that, Hermione left and went up to her tower.
Inside her room, she sat in front of her mirror and tried to find the old Hermione. Her eyes wandered to a picture that lay in a frame at the side of her table. It was a picture of her mother, father and herself, during that past summer. All three faces wore huge, happy smiled. Hermione picked up the frame, tracing her fingers over the cheerful faces of her parents. Tears sparkled in her eyes, but she forced herself not to cry.
Monday after school, Hermione met Draco in their common room.
"You ready?" Draco asked. Hermione only nodded.
"Okay, let me change out of these bloody uniforms and I'll meet you down here. I want you to bring down photo albums of you and your family," he didn't give her a chance to talk as he took to the stairs, two at a time. Hermione went to her own room and slipped on a pair of trackpants and a sweater, and turned to her closet.
"Accio albums," she commanded, catching four or more albums in her arms. She made her way downstairs to where Draco sat in baggy sweatpants and a tee-shirt.
"Ok, I want you to open the first album, and with each picture you show me, I want you to tell me the story behind the picture," Draco instructed. For the next few hours, the two looked over pages of pictures. At times, Hermione had to pause a moment to compose herself, but Draco never pushed or rushed her. By the third album, Hermione held back.
"Please no more," she whispered, "I can't do this."
It pained her so much to see the once in love couple, only to remember that they were now seperated.
"Okay. No more today. Tomorrow is a new day," Draco said.
"No," Hermione shook her head, "I can't do this. I-I just can't."
"You can do it Hermione. I know you can," he encouraged her. They worked silently on their homework, until they were done. They said their goodnights and headed to their bedrooms.
Tuesday was slightly better as Hermione got throught another two more albums, and read aloud a few letters from both her parents when they were together. With each passing day, Hermione faught hard and slowly conquered her feelings. It took so much strength and encouragement from Draco for her to finally accept that her parents didn't love each other as much as they used to. That Friday was the last day of school before the Spring Break, and Hermione wrote letters to her mother and father. She wrote about her feelings and how she felt at first and how she felt now. She just wanted her parents to be happy. She told them that she was excited for the upcoming graduation and again informed them that she would be staying at Hogwarts for the Break, for she felt that it was too soon for her to see her parents living seperately.
Hermione spent Saturday with Harry, Ron and Ginny at Hogsmeade, silently forgiving her best friends for not caring. She still felt a bit left out, as Ron and Harry seemed so distant towards her. Yet she was happy to at least have Ginny with her. They wandered throughout the wizard town, stopping at the Three Broomsticks for lunch. After bumping into Seamus and Lavender, the group of four added two as they continued the first day of the Spring Break. Hermione actually enjoyed herself that day, and made a mental note to thank Draco for all his help and support. Just before the group headed back to Hogwarts, Ron, Harry and Seamus headed into a store, only to return moments later.
"Why'd you go in there?" The ever curious Lavender asked.
"Wanted to check out suits and robes for grad," Seamus replied, slipping her hand in his. The couple walked ahead of Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione, and soon Harry and Ginny were so engrossed in a conversation that they left Ron and Hermione alone.
"This is for you," Ron said quietly, handing her a bouquet of beautiful exotic flowers.
"Oh Ron!" She breathed, "They're gorgeous! But why?"
"I just sort of missed you," his ears turned a bright pink.
"You mean you noticed?" Hermione asked surprised.
"How could I not? I just thought you wanted some space, so I left you alone," he explained. Hermione was speechless as they continued to walk towards the castle. At the entrance of the Head's tower, Hermione kissed Ron on the cheek.
"Thank you very much," were her last words as she disappeared behind the portrait. She placed the flowers in a vase of water and placed them on the center of her dresser.
All of Sunday, Hermione spent it in the library with Ron and Harry, finishing up their Spring Break homework. Hermione wanted to thank Draco that night, but he was nowhere to be found. In her roon Sunday night, Hermione received a letter from her mother.
Dear Hermione,
I am so sorry that your father and I aren't there to talk to you. None of this was meant to hurt you, but it just happened. I'm just glad that you feel better about this now. It was been a tough process, not just for you, but for your father and I too. Some days, I wake up in the middle of the night, expecting your father to be next to me in bed. Please don't hold back from telling either of us how you feel. This isn't easy, and no one said it would be, but the worst has already blown over. Don't worry about splitting us up at your graduation, because I'm sure that you father and I could spend a day together. I've talked to your father and he's already found someone to take his shift at work on the day of your grad. He's gotten reservations at a restaurant in your world, and has invited me to come along. I understand if you want to find you own apartment in the other world, but just please tell me that you'll stay at my place sometimes, and at your father's place too. Just please think thing's over before you ultimately decide., okay sweetheart? I can't wait to see you again, and I hope you enjoy yourself during the break. Take are and write as soon as you can.
Love, Mum
Hermione smiled, happy to hear from her mother, and was extremely pleased about her parents plans from Hermione's graduation.
' It'll be like old times,' she thought as she fell asleep.
During breakfast that Monday morning, Ron informed Hermione about what he and Harry were planning to do that day.
"There's a job convention in Diagon Alley tomorrow and Wednesday," Ron started to say, "There are a few Hogwarts students that are going, including Harry and I. The train leaves in about an hour and a half, and we come back Thursday night. Dumbledore has arranged for us to stay at an inn while we're there."
"Who's going other than you two?" Hermione was curious. Ron started ticking off his fingers as he called each name out, "Seamus, Lavender, Parvati, Padma, Justin, Dean, Hannah from Hufflepuff, Lisa, Mandy and Terry from Ravenclaw and Pansy and Millicent from Slytherin."
"You should come along," Ron added.
"I don't think I can," Hermione said, sort of glad that she didn't hear Draco's name in there," I promised McGonagall that Malfoy and I would help her with re-organizing the Prefect office tomorrow."
"For Merlin's sake Hermione! Can't you just tell McGonagall that you'll do it when you get back?" Ron asked.
"I can't, McGonagall's leaving Wednesday morning to a board of witches meeting, so we have to get things done before she leaves," Hermione explained. She walked to the Gryffindor tower with the two wizards and helped them to pack for their three day trip. They rushed down to the main entrance, where she wished them luck on finding a few job interests during their trip. It was now almost noon as Hermione and Ginny headed back to Hogsmeade.
"Thanks a lot for coming back Ginny!" Hermione smiled.
"Hey anytime Hermione! I'm sure you'll find the perfect dress for graduation!"
They browsed through racks of the latest dressed, but none seemed to satisfy Hermione. They were either too revealing, or not revealing enough, or the wrong colour, or too expensive, or just plain ugly. It was fun though for the two girls to try on exqusite dresses that neither of them could afford. They walked around a bit more, then after having dinner at the Three Broomsticks, they went back. Hermione said her goodnights and thank yous, then headed back to her own tower. She was so happy to be back to her normal self, but only one thing was missing. She turned to look at her tower-mate's bedroom and noticed a light on from underneath the door. She made her way quietly up the stairs, opening the door slowly.
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dun dun dun...yet another cliffie!! aren't i juss shoo evil! lol...well review to find out more!!!! and itz a good chapter coming up!!! trust me!!!
-Baby T
Ok guyz...herez another chapter!!!! hope you guyz like it! sorry i don't have personal thank you's again...but i'm about to leave home in a few...so i gotta rush! don't forget to review!!! omg...i feel lyk an idiot...i put up the wrong chapter of this story!! well this iz the RITE chapter so i hope yoo like it!!!
*********
Another long week passed, and Hermione thought more and more about the conversation between her and Malfoy the week before. She knew he was right, and that she desperately needed to stop being miserable. There was nothing she could do, her parents descision was final, and the only way she was going to get over it all was with Malfoy's help. She despised asking for help, especially from him.
It was a Sunday morning, a week before the Spring Break, when Hermione decided to talk to Malfoy. She sat patiently in the common room, waiting for that door to open. A half an hour later, it opened, and the tlal Slytherin Prince made his way down.
"Malfoy, I need to talk to you," she stood up, facing the cold stare of her enemy.
"Get out of the way Mudblood," he growled, his eyes slitting like a snake. She cringed at the old name he used for her, but took in a deep breath and continued to talk.
"You were right Malfoy," she said, "You were right. I'm sorry."
Malfoy held his tongue from saying something and let her go on, wanting to hear more.
"I had no right to call you what I did. I was distraught about my parents divorce, and I thought I could save their marriage. But I couldn't. You were the only one who cared, the only one who actually tried to help me, and I only pushed you away. I'm sorry," she hung her head, staring at her feet.
"Apology accepted," his voice was still cold as he pushed past her.
"Wait!" She called after him, "I-I need your help. You're the only one who can help me Malfoy."
He kept walking towards the bathroom.
"Draco please," she begged, his first name slipping from her lips. He stopped in his tracks, as he heard his first name. His head spun around, "What did you call me?"
"Malfoy," she repeated, not even realizing what she did say.
"No you didn't." When he said that, she knew there was only one name she could have called him.
"Draco," she whispered, turning slightly red. He turned his body fully around and faced her.
"You really want help, don't you?" He spoke softly.
"Yes."
"Fine, but you have to agree to a few things," Draco said.
"Okay."
"One, no more insults, I'm not just another Malfoy, and two, you have to tell me everything. No moping around, and no being miserable. Understood?" He eyes her. She nodded sheepishly, agreeing to the verbal contract. For the next few hours, the two sat in the common room talking about the whole situation. Malfoy asked questions and Hermione answered, sometimes seeming a little hesitant.
"It's just so hard," Hermione told him, looking into his now warm silver eyes.
"I know. Listen," he said standing up, "Go have lunch in the Great Hall. Potty and Weasel'll be there."
"Argh," she groaned.
"What?" He asked, giving her a look.
"Harry and Ron have barely noticed that I'm gone," she told him.
"So I'm guessing that you don't want to go have lunch?" He asked, with a sly smirk.
"Not in the Great Hall," she said.
"Okay, so we'll have lunch here," Draco suggested. She smiled and nodded, informing him about having Dobby bring up their lunch. They ate in their common room, talking about everything; from school, to family, to friends. It was as if the past seven years of tormenting and humiliating the other had been erased. They shared a few laughs and chatted as if they were old friends who hadn't seen each other in years. After they finished their meals, they both made a verbal agreement of when Draco would help Hermione get through her parents divorce, using a series of activites and excercises.
"It'll take some time, but I promise you, that you'll get through this," he reassured her b efore heading outside to his quidditch practice.
Hermione went to her bedroom and changed into jeans and a tee-shirt, then made her way outside her tower, wandering the halls of the castle for the first time since the Christmas holidays. She found herself in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady, and entered the Gryffindor common room after saying tha password (Apple Fritters). She glanced aroung the familiar scarlet and gold room, and smiled.
"Hi Hermione!" A timid voice said. Hermione turned around to see the only female Weasley.
"Hello Ginny!" Hermione grinned.
"How are you doing? I haven't seen you in so long!" Ginny asked.
"I've just been busy with school," she told the red-head girl.
"Oh, well you sort of had me worried, because I only saw you during Prefect meetings."
"Don't worry Ginny, it's just because this is my last year, and with all my NEWT classes, it's been kind of tough," Hermione lied, "Listen Ginny, I have to go, but it was great seeing you again!"
"Aren't you going to be at dinner?"
"Not likely, I have a few things to do for our next meeting," she told Ginny, slowly inching towards the exit.
"I'll tell Ron and Harry that you stopped by," Ginny said.
"Don't bother Gin, I'll see them tomorrow," with that, Hermione left and went up to her tower.
Inside her room, she sat in front of her mirror and tried to find the old Hermione. Her eyes wandered to a picture that lay in a frame at the side of her table. It was a picture of her mother, father and herself, during that past summer. All three faces wore huge, happy smiled. Hermione picked up the frame, tracing her fingers over the cheerful faces of her parents. Tears sparkled in her eyes, but she forced herself not to cry.
Monday after school, Hermione met Draco in their common room.
"You ready?" Draco asked. Hermione only nodded.
"Okay, let me change out of these bloody uniforms and I'll meet you down here. I want you to bring down photo albums of you and your family," he didn't give her a chance to talk as he took to the stairs, two at a time. Hermione went to her own room and slipped on a pair of trackpants and a sweater, and turned to her closet.
"Accio albums," she commanded, catching four or more albums in her arms. She made her way downstairs to where Draco sat in baggy sweatpants and a tee-shirt.
"Ok, I want you to open the first album, and with each picture you show me, I want you to tell me the story behind the picture," Draco instructed. For the next few hours, the two looked over pages of pictures. At times, Hermione had to pause a moment to compose herself, but Draco never pushed or rushed her. By the third album, Hermione held back.
"Please no more," she whispered, "I can't do this."
It pained her so much to see the once in love couple, only to remember that they were now seperated.
"Okay. No more today. Tomorrow is a new day," Draco said.
"No," Hermione shook her head, "I can't do this. I-I just can't."
"You can do it Hermione. I know you can," he encouraged her. They worked silently on their homework, until they were done. They said their goodnights and headed to their bedrooms.
Tuesday was slightly better as Hermione got throught another two more albums, and read aloud a few letters from both her parents when they were together. With each passing day, Hermione faught hard and slowly conquered her feelings. It took so much strength and encouragement from Draco for her to finally accept that her parents didn't love each other as much as they used to. That Friday was the last day of school before the Spring Break, and Hermione wrote letters to her mother and father. She wrote about her feelings and how she felt at first and how she felt now. She just wanted her parents to be happy. She told them that she was excited for the upcoming graduation and again informed them that she would be staying at Hogwarts for the Break, for she felt that it was too soon for her to see her parents living seperately.
Hermione spent Saturday with Harry, Ron and Ginny at Hogsmeade, silently forgiving her best friends for not caring. She still felt a bit left out, as Ron and Harry seemed so distant towards her. Yet she was happy to at least have Ginny with her. They wandered throughout the wizard town, stopping at the Three Broomsticks for lunch. After bumping into Seamus and Lavender, the group of four added two as they continued the first day of the Spring Break. Hermione actually enjoyed herself that day, and made a mental note to thank Draco for all his help and support. Just before the group headed back to Hogwarts, Ron, Harry and Seamus headed into a store, only to return moments later.
"Why'd you go in there?" The ever curious Lavender asked.
"Wanted to check out suits and robes for grad," Seamus replied, slipping her hand in his. The couple walked ahead of Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione, and soon Harry and Ginny were so engrossed in a conversation that they left Ron and Hermione alone.
"This is for you," Ron said quietly, handing her a bouquet of beautiful exotic flowers.
"Oh Ron!" She breathed, "They're gorgeous! But why?"
"I just sort of missed you," his ears turned a bright pink.
"You mean you noticed?" Hermione asked surprised.
"How could I not? I just thought you wanted some space, so I left you alone," he explained. Hermione was speechless as they continued to walk towards the castle. At the entrance of the Head's tower, Hermione kissed Ron on the cheek.
"Thank you very much," were her last words as she disappeared behind the portrait. She placed the flowers in a vase of water and placed them on the center of her dresser.
All of Sunday, Hermione spent it in the library with Ron and Harry, finishing up their Spring Break homework. Hermione wanted to thank Draco that night, but he was nowhere to be found. In her roon Sunday night, Hermione received a letter from her mother.
Dear Hermione,
I am so sorry that your father and I aren't there to talk to you. None of this was meant to hurt you, but it just happened. I'm just glad that you feel better about this now. It was been a tough process, not just for you, but for your father and I too. Some days, I wake up in the middle of the night, expecting your father to be next to me in bed. Please don't hold back from telling either of us how you feel. This isn't easy, and no one said it would be, but the worst has already blown over. Don't worry about splitting us up at your graduation, because I'm sure that you father and I could spend a day together. I've talked to your father and he's already found someone to take his shift at work on the day of your grad. He's gotten reservations at a restaurant in your world, and has invited me to come along. I understand if you want to find you own apartment in the other world, but just please tell me that you'll stay at my place sometimes, and at your father's place too. Just please think thing's over before you ultimately decide., okay sweetheart? I can't wait to see you again, and I hope you enjoy yourself during the break. Take are and write as soon as you can.
Love, Mum
Hermione smiled, happy to hear from her mother, and was extremely pleased about her parents plans from Hermione's graduation.
' It'll be like old times,' she thought as she fell asleep.
During breakfast that Monday morning, Ron informed Hermione about what he and Harry were planning to do that day.
"There's a job convention in Diagon Alley tomorrow and Wednesday," Ron started to say, "There are a few Hogwarts students that are going, including Harry and I. The train leaves in about an hour and a half, and we come back Thursday night. Dumbledore has arranged for us to stay at an inn while we're there."
"Who's going other than you two?" Hermione was curious. Ron started ticking off his fingers as he called each name out, "Seamus, Lavender, Parvati, Padma, Justin, Dean, Hannah from Hufflepuff, Lisa, Mandy and Terry from Ravenclaw and Pansy and Millicent from Slytherin."
"You should come along," Ron added.
"I don't think I can," Hermione said, sort of glad that she didn't hear Draco's name in there," I promised McGonagall that Malfoy and I would help her with re-organizing the Prefect office tomorrow."
"For Merlin's sake Hermione! Can't you just tell McGonagall that you'll do it when you get back?" Ron asked.
"I can't, McGonagall's leaving Wednesday morning to a board of witches meeting, so we have to get things done before she leaves," Hermione explained. She walked to the Gryffindor tower with the two wizards and helped them to pack for their three day trip. They rushed down to the main entrance, where she wished them luck on finding a few job interests during their trip. It was now almost noon as Hermione and Ginny headed back to Hogsmeade.
"Thanks a lot for coming back Ginny!" Hermione smiled.
"Hey anytime Hermione! I'm sure you'll find the perfect dress for graduation!"
They browsed through racks of the latest dressed, but none seemed to satisfy Hermione. They were either too revealing, or not revealing enough, or the wrong colour, or too expensive, or just plain ugly. It was fun though for the two girls to try on exqusite dresses that neither of them could afford. They walked around a bit more, then after having dinner at the Three Broomsticks, they went back. Hermione said her goodnights and thank yous, then headed back to her own tower. She was so happy to be back to her normal self, but only one thing was missing. She turned to look at her tower-mate's bedroom and noticed a light on from underneath the door. She made her way quietly up the stairs, opening the door slowly.
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dun dun dun...yet another cliffie!! aren't i juss shoo evil! lol...well review to find out more!!!! and itz a good chapter coming up!!! trust me!!!
-Baby T