Leaving Hogwarts
Disclaimer: These things are just utterly stupid so what is the point of writing it? Oh well, here goes: I do not own Harry Potter. Happy?
Thanks: I've not done this but as it has been so long and I only have sixteen reviews, so I figure I may as well. This is for both chapters, so some of you will be there twice.
Voldie On Varsity Track: Thanks a bunch! You didn't put it there but thanks!
Rashaka: Hmmm... Well, I must say that I got a little mad at your review at first (Twas my first bit of constructive criticism) more like wanting hurt you a bit, but, anywayz, I read it again and saw that you did want me to keep writing and all and did try to be nice, so I decided constructive criticism is a good thing, though you obviously did not really like it much. Thanks.
A Happy Little Bumble Bee: Well, you're wrong and you know it, but that's okay. I do admit I was wrong to put in the author's note. Obviously, Draco is now here. I love Dray too much just to leave him to the side, so there he is. It was rushed, and I was being lazy after the first bit when he proposed. I was not in this chapter though! Thanks for continuing to read it.
Lunny Ann: Hum, that's nice. I can't say that I care that Luna is OoC but that's nice. And I'm not sure that her personality is reassuring, but it definitely suits him!
rosezgarden: Thank you (I think)! I totally agree. 'Tis my story and I shall do what I want with it. Hmm... that's right, I could have ol' Voldie torture Cho in later chapters...
Flaming Fags: I have one thing to say: HAHAHAHA! Just so ya know, I love flames, they entertain me. I especially loved Flaming Fag 4927's expression, "GAG ME WITH A DEAD SMURF!"
Polaris86: Well, thank you! I would so much rather had your constructive criticism first than Rashaka's. Yours was *nice*.
NewSecretRose: Thank you, and obviously by now, yes.
burgundyred: Thanks so much, and it was no problem. I loved them all. I don't believe I reviewed your newest though, Purely Physical. I shall do that when this seemingly endless typing is over!
Kat: Well, ya got one ship right! I don't absolutely hate HG/RW but everyone knows that she belongs with our favorite platinum-haired Slytherin. Glad ya like it though!
I'm not Weird, I'm Gifted: haha, I used to say that all the time, and now it is your pen name! Someone thinks my story rules! {Spontaneously dances and skips out of happiness} Thanks a lot! Yours is like my favorite review for this chapter! {thinks to self: my story rules...}
burgundyred: umm, well apparently you didn't think it was that great, but that's ok! Thanks for reviewing!
A Happy Little Bumble Bee: HaHa, you liked it! However, it was not because it was written well. It was written well, but it is because you know deep in your heart that they truly belong together! I know, that's such crap, but oh well. Well, I wouldn't consider five months soon, but I am so glad you want to continue reading! Though I find it interesting that you also want dishonor upon me and such. No, I don't swear much, though you should already know that, and you don't either. However, Draco considers himself superior and therefore would so do that! Besides, he wasn't saying "Yeah, oh, yeah, I called him a bastard!" as you so nicely put it. He said his father disowned him and thus he called him a bastard, which Lucius is, so there. I also envision him saying it in a calm, casual, yet cold and harsh tone. And he did it to bother Mione anyway. And no, I'm not insane. The end to your review made me cry a bit by the way. But it was, that last day, it was awful. But I'm back now so, er, YAY!
NewSecretRose: Thank you. I'm not really obsessed with that word anymore, but I never thought it was bad. I like that word! Didn't have a place for it in this chapter though. BTW you are awesome cause you reviewed on my birthday!
Ambrosia 2: Thanks! I didn't really realize it was that mushy. I re-read it though and found myself gagging a bit, much like a certain friend I have... Glad that you like it!
A/N: So sorry it took five months to update. I blame dreaded and very common disease known as writer's block. Here it is, and don't forget to review! It really does help! Oh and just so ya know, if anyone wants to be a beta reader I would like one cause I never know if my story is just utter crap and it would be nice to know in advance. Also, I don't know how to get italics to work using Microsoft Word (didn't show up) so when a word is like *this* with asterisks around it, it should be italicized. If you know how to make it work, please email me.
Chapter 3: Denial
Chapter Summary: Three of our Characters are denying things. (They are actually lying, but "Denial" sounds so much better than "The State of Lying About Something".) Ah, but who is the third? Also, Draco asks, but what is her answer?
[2 weeks later...]
Potions was dull, as were notes. Hermione continuously got more bored with every passing minute, and her mind began to drift. She had changed considerably and was aware of it, all in a time frame of two weeks. She no longer kept orderly notes with every detail included, no longer did her homework assignments take first priority, nor did she finish any of the last minute extra credit assignments given in the past two weeks.
Before those two weeks, Hermione was more than attentive in every class, and when she wasn't looking at the teacher, she could be found scribbling notes in one of her color-coded notebooks, not missing a beat. Not anymore. Now there were large gaps where everything Snape said was drifting right past her.
*What's wrong with me?* she pondered silently.
No matter how much she tried to concentrate, her thoughts just kept floating away, and not to just any subject.
It was the paleness of his skin, those long, slender fingers, that platinum blonde hair, and those eyes: those beautiful silver orbs, those which have that way of captivating one's thoughts and emotions, making one go weak. About all this she thought, then she found herself suppressing a gag.
*What the hell am I doing, thinking about Draco like that!? He is different from before, but we're just friends, that's it!* {A/N Guess my summary is wrong, it's 1 person in denial, 3 who are lying.}
She looked at him for a bit; he seemed so attentive just then, writing furiously in his notes.
*He looks a lot like I must have, really.*
Then he stopped writing, freezing in place. He had felt her staring at him {she hadn't realized she was staring!} and his silvery eyes glanced up to meet her chocolate ones. She wanted to avert them, tried to, but at the same couldn't, and didn't ever want to see anything but those eyes staring at her. They stayed like that for a while, staring at each other as Snape went on about varying antidotes for different poisons. Breaking the stare, Draco winked, swiftly and with a smirk painted on his lips. She was surprised, and before she could react his attention was already back to Snape's lesson.
She looked back at the professor, but still couldn't keep her thoughts on the lesson. She kept wondering about it all.
*Why did he come up to me that first day? I am the "Mudblood" in his eyes, aren't I?*
She pondered that thought the rest of double Potions, but she couldn't find a logical answer.
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Two hours. Two hours until Draco would wait by the library watching the door, then Hermione would walk in and Draco would follow. It was routine, but today was a bit different. Today was the day he was asking her.
He was, needless to say, nervous. If she said yes, he could possibly win the bet and get to watch Blaise suffer as Pansy's love slave, but if she said no, then he was stuck with her.
Draco walked into the Slytherin common room, not with his usual saunter, but quickly and fiercely. He found Blaise sitting in a corner bent over homework. He always was the studious type. He elected to sit next to him and talk, maybe even calm down a bit.
"Shouldn't you be meeting Granger?"
"That's not for another two hours."
"Today the day you're gonna ask her?"
"Yes."
"Nervous?"
"No, of course not. Why would asking a girl to a dance make me, of all people, nervous?"
"Hmm, let's think about that. Oh yeah, because the next six months of your love life depends on it and you're not so sure she'll say yes."
"Your wrong."
"Liar." Draco gave his patented smirk at that remark. For a Slytherin, "Liar" isn't much of an insult.
"And you're not?"
"That, my friend, is beside the point. Are you going or not?"
"Going where?"
"To ask her."
"She won't be there for two hours!"
"One and a half." Blaise paused then said, "So be early. Maybe you could actually *read* a book or something. Just go."
"Hey! I read a lot, thank you! And what's with you trying to get rid of me all of a sudden?"
"You're distracting me from my homework."
"Since when?"
"Since now. Will you please just leave." Blaise seemed pretty serious about Draco leaving, and our Dray was baffled by this. Little did he know...
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He had reached the library, sat at their usual table, opened a book to make it look as though he just *happened* to be there early, perfectly positioned himself to be seen and gawked at by some girls in the corner, and now he was bored as hell.
*What on earth am I supposed to do for an hour and 15 minutes?!? Would be nice if Potter were here to annoy or something*
He kept having random thoughts about things that were utterly unimportant, then he found himself, once again, nervous. 'Twas this nervousness that initiated an inner argument within our poor lad. It went a bit like this:
*What if she doesn't say yes?
She will.
What if she doesn't?
Then you have to go out with Parkinson.
Ugh! I can just see myself going on a date with her, and it isn't a happy thought.
It still might happen.
No! No, it won't.
Sure it won't.*
This internal battle went on for quite some time. Then he realized that he was having a conversation with himself and quickly put a stop to it. 'Tisn't exactly a good thing to talk to oneself, even in the wizarding world. Then, all of a sudden, our Slytherin friend noticed something, and quickly became nervous all over again.
There she was, walking gracefully into the library. When she got to the table and saw him sitting there, she froze momentarily. She did sit, though it seemed hesitant. She took out a book, opened it and started to read, her quill poised over parchment in order to write, except she didn't write. Hermione seemed to just be staring at the paper, as if she was unhappy about doing homework. Then she looked up at Draco, who happened to be staring at her confusedly. She thought it odd that he should be confused, and then she realized who she was, Hermione Granger, model student, not to mention resident mudblood.
She looked back at her homework, knowing that she should do it. Then she decided. She packed her books into her bag, leaving but a singular spare notebook out. Draco raised an eyebrow. She shrugged.
"I don't want to do it."
"The Great Hermione Granger isn't doing homework? Life is just full of surprises!"
"Ha Ha," she replied sarcastically, "It's the last week of school; it's not like it matters."
"Yeah, I'll buy that."
*Shit! I hate how he can always see right through me!*
She wandered her brain for something to say. She would rather talk about something, anything, else. He certainly didn't need to know about her sudden teenage-like disdain for work.
"So, have you found a place to stay yet?" she asked him, trying to sound casual."
"Yeah, I've found an apartment in Hogsmeade."
"That ought to be interesting, to see you going from living in your manor to living in a Hogsmeade apartment."
"It won't be so bad."
"Oh?" she inquired, giving him a disbelieving look.
"Well, it isn't exactly spacious, but it will have to do."
"Hmmm."
Hermione was doodling idly in her spare notebook, much as she had been for the entire length of the conversation. Draco simply sat there, looking calm and collected, though his thoughts were brimming with "what ifs" and other nervous thoughts.
There was a silence between them for at least five minutes. Hermione continued to doodle, and Draco found himself admiring her. Not really in an affectionate way or anything, but he realized how hard it must be for the "Great Hermione Granger," as he had deemed her, to simply change herself just because she didn't want to do what she had always done. She had always done homework, never doodled. Now that was not so. Draco admired this greatly, making a spur of the moment change like that.
*How great that must be, to be able to change so quickly. I wish I could. I can't, though. Look at me. Up until two weeks ago I still called her a Mudblood, and not because I think that way anymore, just because it was habit. The only reason I don't now is because of the bet. I can't just change. Malfoys never change.*
At first, the silence was bland, without emotion to fill it. Not awkward, but not comfortable, just bland. 'Twas different five minutes into it, at least for Draco. For him, the silence was deafening. A horrible, monstrous thing that wouldn't quit teasing him. He knew what he needed to do, and he soon realized that he had better do it quickly before he lost all nerve.
"Hermione?" His tone was as cool and calm as ever, but the fact that he had used her name, which had caught her attention, caused her to look up. He wished she hadn't.
"Yes?"
"I was wondering if you would mind accompanying me to the Farewell dance next Friday?" he asked her just as smoothly.
"Oh!" she yelped in surprised, rather loudly, causing people to stare and the old librarian to scold.
"Shhh!"
"Sorry."
Draco pressed for an answer.
"Well, will you?"
"Oh!"
Draco winced and put a hand to his ear.
"Miss Granger! If you do not hush up, you shall have to leave, and will face detention in place of the dance!"
"Sorry Madam Pince."
"Will you?" and she almost did it again, but didn't quite have time. At that very moment, Draco swiftly moved his hand, firmly but gently covering her mouth, allowing only a small squeak to escape her lips. It was then that Hermione noticed that Draco had a scent. It was a bit peculiar, and she wasn't sure at the time whether it was good or bad, but it suited him. She was pondering his scent when his voice, no longer a drawl but now more commanding, snapped her back to reality.
"All you have to say is yes or no. We will just be going as friends. Yes, no, preferably yes. Got it?" Hermione nodded in reply. Draco slowly removed his hand, and she sat for a moment, almost afraid to say anything.
"So?"
"Yes." she said it plainly and simply, almost as if stating a fact. Then, something rather rare happened. Draco smiled. Not his trademark smirk, but a true smile. But then it slowly drifted away, as if it had never happened.
The two found random subjects to talk about for the next couple of hours, and this time instead of doodling, Hermione listened intently. She kept hoping he would show her that smile again, but it never happened.
The conversation eventually found its end, as both participants had "things" to do. They both stood, not quite sure of what to do or say as a farewell. Draco, wanting to make it as easy as possible to win the bet (and maybe wanting something else), gently pulled Hermione into a hug. She stood still at first, in shock of being hugged by her former worst enemy. However, she soon found herself returning his embrace, and enjoying the surprising warmth from the man many called cold-blooded.
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[Gryffindor Common Room]
Outside it was a cold and dreary day, and inside the warmly decorated common room of red and gold, the feeling simply repeated itself. Ron had not spoken to Hermione much since she had let him down, and had refused to talk to his raven-haired friend about it at all. Now he sat on the edge of an overly cushy couch bent over the fire, where he had sat for so long that his face was starting to sting. His eyes were glazed over with tears that had not yet fallen. Then a singular tear escaped, falling to the fire, making it slightly crackle. It was a rather discreet action, but Harry saw it.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Liar. I saw that tear, and your eyes are all watery."
"It's...nothing.
"It's Hermione." Ron did not answer to this, but Harry still questioned him.
"Isn't it."
"Yes." The redhead reluctantly admitted, a bit ashamed of himself.
"You need to let her go. I understand how you feel about her, but she doesn't feel the same. Just get over it." The emerald eyed Gryffie advised, saying the latter part a bit harshly.
"I can't," Ron replied, his voice breaking.
"Oh, just shut up. I'm so sick of watching you mope around and sulk. I know you're hurt but just let it go. It's not like you ever even went out with her. What's the point in refusing to even speak to her and sulk about it?" The boy's tone was cold and harsh, almost reminiscent of Malfoy's.
At that moment, Ron was down and had lost all spirit, but there was no way he could just sit there and take that. He knew every word was justified, but there was not one ounce of hope that he would admit it right then.
"What are you saying Harry? That I should just forget that kiss? That I should forget what she said?"
"Yup, pretty much."
"Well, I'm sorry Harry, but I just can't do that."
"Who cares? I don't. Normally I would, but not now when you're acting like a stupid second year!"
A second year happened to be listening in, and didn't like this insult.
"Hey! I wouldn't act like that blubbering idiot!" he proclaimed.
"See what I mean?" And with that, the Boy-Who-Lived left Gryffindor Tower fully annoyed, off to find Hermione in hopes that she could fix this.
And so he walked to the one place he could think of to look, the library. He was still mentally fuming about Ron.
*Stupid oaf! He couldn't get a girlfriend in the first place 'cause he was too busy thinking about Mione, and so he sulked about that. He was convinced she didn't like him ("Like she would ever be interested in me!") and sulked about that. Then he comes to find she really doesn't like him, and what does he do? He sulks about it!*
Harry was rather bothered at the moment and wasn't completely right, in a mental sense. Thus, it was not a good time for Luna to appear, as he had no sense of caring or observation whatsoever at the moment. But she showed up anyway. Therefore, he didn't notice the evident emotions painted so fluorescently clear on her face.
"Harry!" she sounded distraught and sad, but Harry didn't take notice.
"Huh? Oh, hi Luna."
"Harry, I need to give you this back. I... I just can't keep it, it just won't work. I'm sorry Harry. (pause) Harry? Are you listening to me?"
"Huh? Oh! Yeah, every word."
"So you understand?"
"Yeah, whatever."
"Good. Nice to see you're so concerned." she said sarcastically, then thrusting a small object into Harry's hand.
Harry had absolutely no idea what was in his hands and even less about what she had just said, but he put that to the side, putting the object into his pocket for later examination.
He approached the library with all intent of getting Hermione help Ron without Harry injuring him first for being so whiney. However, when he saw what was so plainly before him, all thoughts of Ron were lost. There Hermione was, same as ever, but definitely in worse company. He was there. They were talking, and then he looked at his watch and they both stood. They looked awkward for a while, like neither one of them knew what to do. Then, slowly, he pulled Mione into a hug. And that was when our dear Harry truly snapped.
As they parted, Harry found himself pushing the Slytherin roughly.
"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING, YOU SLIMY BASTARD!"
"Harry!" (A/N Mione doesn't usually approve of swearing.)
"Well, well. If it isn't our golden boy. Come to save the day have you? It is a bit too bad that your services aren't needed here. I guess you can't be the hero everyday, now can you?" With this Draco gracefully swished his robes upon turning to leave, and he did at least make it out of the library. Not long after he did though, he found himself in contact with the slightly psychopathic version of Harry Potter.
Harry had attacked him from behind, and now they were both rolling about the ground frantically. Harry was trying to kill Draco, and Draco was trying to get up. Hermione just stood there in complete and utter shock. She did finally come to, and took it upon herself to do something.
"Honestly!" she declared before proceeding to hex her fellow Gryffindor. She then hastily apologized to the platinum-haired boy ("I'm so sorry! I don't have the slightest clue what got into him!"), levitated Harry and took him to the Room of Requirement.
Inside the room sat two sofas directly opposite each other, one of which seemed to be over-stuffed, and the other looking like it was under stuffed.
She performed the counter-jinxes on Harry, and as he awoke filled with rather loud questions she told him this:
"Sit down, shut up, and listen!" and that is just what our green-eyed Gryffindor did. He sat down, silent as the dead, and listened as she began told her tale, even though she knew it wasn't a full account.
"Alright then. Hmm, where to begin. Uh, well...there was this one day about two weeks ago that Dra-Malfoy came into the library, for what reason I still don't know. Anyway, we started talking and something about him is different. I don't know what, but something...{she absentmindedly trails off, but then snaps back to reality} Anyway, we've been talking for about two weeks now, every day in the library, and I've found that he really isn't so awful as we thought. I know you don't believe that, but it *is* true. And he's never done anything the least bit sneaky in all that time, has he? So there's nothing wrong with conversing with him, is there? No, I'm sure there isn't."
With this she stopped. She had said that last part to herself, not really Harry. She had been pacing as she said all of it. Harry seemed to be taking it rather well, she thought. Though he was tensing up quite a bit.
"Two weeks isn't very long, Mione."
"I know, but I'm sure he isn't planning anything. Besides, it isn't like I really care about him or anything."
"That is such bullshit."
"What makes you say that?"
"If you didn't care you wouldn't defend him just because you know what I'm thinking about the whole thing. I know you just as well as you know me. Lying won't get you anywhere."
"Whatever."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Avoiding the subject are we?"
"Ok, fine! So I care about Malfoy, as a friend {Harry noted that she added this hastily} and that's it. So don't get any ideas. Happy?"
"Mildly. You're still denying something, though."
She scowled at him.
"So you're friends with Malfoy now?"
"Yup, I guess I am."
"So...he, well, he wasn't trying to rape you or something?" This shocked Hermione, that he would have even consider Draco doing that!
"No! Where in Merlin's name did you get that idea?!?"
"I don't know!"
"Well, no, he was definitely not trying to rape me! Honestly, Harry! It was just a hug between...friends."
"Hmmm..."
"What does that mean?" she asked suspiciously.
"What does what mean?" he replied, his tone as equally defensive as hers was suspicious.
"Hmmm..." she copied him mockingly.
"It means that I still don't trust Malfoy, but I suppose that if you really think he's alright then you can be friends with him."
"Oh, well thanks for your permission; I was so worried that you wouldn't approve!" she replied sarcastically.
"Just promise me one thing?"
"Like?"
"Be careful."
"Okay..." she replied slowly, "I don't see the necessity, but alright." She paused for a moment, but thought about something. "Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"What were you doing in the library anyway?"
"Oh! Well, you see, before I walked in on you and Malfoy, er, yeah. Well, I was coming to ask you a favor."
"What kind of favor?"
"Well, Ron is still moping about, and it's because of you. He won't talk about it and just goes around sulking. Actually, he nearly had an emotional breakdown a bit ago. Anyway, it frustrated me so I tried to...uh...clear it up. Well, I ended up insulting him and coming to find you. So, will you-er-help?"
"What am I supposed to do? He hasn't spoken to me!"
"Just talk to him. I know he'll talk it out with you if you'll just initiate the conversation. Please?"
She looked at him with a look of, "No way in hell" on her face, but his pout broke her down.
"Fine, but you owe me so bad. Got it?"
"Yup. Well, you'd best be off then, before Ron commits suicide or something! Off you go!" He pushed her out the door, confident she could fix it.
He leaned against the side of the doorframe, considering her and Malfoy. It bothered him deeply, but he didn't know what he could do about it. He had that feeling that the Slytherin was planning something, but he didn't know what. He knew one thing for sure, Hermione liked him as more than a friend, whether she would admit it or not. She hadn't realized that while she was pacing, Harry was looking through her notebook. He had known he would not find notes-she hadn't taken those in a while-but he was still shocked with what he did find. She had been doodling, normal enough, but it what she doodling that surprised him. It was him.
Among the pages of her notebook was none other than Draco Malfoy. Sometimes his entire figure, or just his face, or his eyes, his hands, but it all was definitely Malfoy. Another thing that shocked him was that she drew so well. He had never seen her as the creative type, but apparently she was. He knew art students who couldn't hold a candle to her.
As he thought about all this he watched her walk away and put his hands leisurely into his pockets. And then he felt it, fear striking in his heart. He closed his eyes as he grasped the small object and brought it out to see, praying that it wasn't what he knew it was. He reluctantly opened them. He ran his fingers over the curve of the band, the edges of the stone matching his emerald orbs. It was then that he thought of the one person he had ignored that day. The vision of her face held all the feelings he hadn't noticed. The words he hadn't tried to decipher suddenly came back to him, making every bit of sense now, but then again, it really didn't make any sense at all. In all of this inner turmoil, only one whispered, heartbroken word escaped the Golden Boy's lips:
"Why?"
And it was then that, so much like the one he had scolded his best friend for not long ago, a silent tear rolled down his cheek, until it had crept its way into his mouth and the bitter taste of salt was on his tongue, and the feeling of utter heartbreak weighing heavily in his soul.
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A/N: Did you like it? Did you hate it? Tell me please! I swear that reviews can cause inspiration. I got rid of writer's block by reading the reviews of those who wanted to read more! I promise not to take five months this time, though. No matter what!!!! It will take a bit to update though, as I have reread my first two chapters, and want to edit them slightly. Remember as well that I am looking for a beta reader! Anyway, go review!
Disclaimer: These things are just utterly stupid so what is the point of writing it? Oh well, here goes: I do not own Harry Potter. Happy?
Thanks: I've not done this but as it has been so long and I only have sixteen reviews, so I figure I may as well. This is for both chapters, so some of you will be there twice.
Voldie On Varsity Track: Thanks a bunch! You didn't put it there but thanks!
Rashaka: Hmmm... Well, I must say that I got a little mad at your review at first (Twas my first bit of constructive criticism) more like wanting hurt you a bit, but, anywayz, I read it again and saw that you did want me to keep writing and all and did try to be nice, so I decided constructive criticism is a good thing, though you obviously did not really like it much. Thanks.
A Happy Little Bumble Bee: Well, you're wrong and you know it, but that's okay. I do admit I was wrong to put in the author's note. Obviously, Draco is now here. I love Dray too much just to leave him to the side, so there he is. It was rushed, and I was being lazy after the first bit when he proposed. I was not in this chapter though! Thanks for continuing to read it.
Lunny Ann: Hum, that's nice. I can't say that I care that Luna is OoC but that's nice. And I'm not sure that her personality is reassuring, but it definitely suits him!
rosezgarden: Thank you (I think)! I totally agree. 'Tis my story and I shall do what I want with it. Hmm... that's right, I could have ol' Voldie torture Cho in later chapters...
Flaming Fags: I have one thing to say: HAHAHAHA! Just so ya know, I love flames, they entertain me. I especially loved Flaming Fag 4927's expression, "GAG ME WITH A DEAD SMURF!"
Polaris86: Well, thank you! I would so much rather had your constructive criticism first than Rashaka's. Yours was *nice*.
NewSecretRose: Thank you, and obviously by now, yes.
burgundyred: Thanks so much, and it was no problem. I loved them all. I don't believe I reviewed your newest though, Purely Physical. I shall do that when this seemingly endless typing is over!
Kat: Well, ya got one ship right! I don't absolutely hate HG/RW but everyone knows that she belongs with our favorite platinum-haired Slytherin. Glad ya like it though!
I'm not Weird, I'm Gifted: haha, I used to say that all the time, and now it is your pen name! Someone thinks my story rules! {Spontaneously dances and skips out of happiness} Thanks a lot! Yours is like my favorite review for this chapter! {thinks to self: my story rules...}
burgundyred: umm, well apparently you didn't think it was that great, but that's ok! Thanks for reviewing!
A Happy Little Bumble Bee: HaHa, you liked it! However, it was not because it was written well. It was written well, but it is because you know deep in your heart that they truly belong together! I know, that's such crap, but oh well. Well, I wouldn't consider five months soon, but I am so glad you want to continue reading! Though I find it interesting that you also want dishonor upon me and such. No, I don't swear much, though you should already know that, and you don't either. However, Draco considers himself superior and therefore would so do that! Besides, he wasn't saying "Yeah, oh, yeah, I called him a bastard!" as you so nicely put it. He said his father disowned him and thus he called him a bastard, which Lucius is, so there. I also envision him saying it in a calm, casual, yet cold and harsh tone. And he did it to bother Mione anyway. And no, I'm not insane. The end to your review made me cry a bit by the way. But it was, that last day, it was awful. But I'm back now so, er, YAY!
NewSecretRose: Thank you. I'm not really obsessed with that word anymore, but I never thought it was bad. I like that word! Didn't have a place for it in this chapter though. BTW you are awesome cause you reviewed on my birthday!
Ambrosia 2: Thanks! I didn't really realize it was that mushy. I re-read it though and found myself gagging a bit, much like a certain friend I have... Glad that you like it!
A/N: So sorry it took five months to update. I blame dreaded and very common disease known as writer's block. Here it is, and don't forget to review! It really does help! Oh and just so ya know, if anyone wants to be a beta reader I would like one cause I never know if my story is just utter crap and it would be nice to know in advance. Also, I don't know how to get italics to work using Microsoft Word (didn't show up) so when a word is like *this* with asterisks around it, it should be italicized. If you know how to make it work, please email me.
Chapter 3: Denial
Chapter Summary: Three of our Characters are denying things. (They are actually lying, but "Denial" sounds so much better than "The State of Lying About Something".) Ah, but who is the third? Also, Draco asks, but what is her answer?
[2 weeks later...]
Potions was dull, as were notes. Hermione continuously got more bored with every passing minute, and her mind began to drift. She had changed considerably and was aware of it, all in a time frame of two weeks. She no longer kept orderly notes with every detail included, no longer did her homework assignments take first priority, nor did she finish any of the last minute extra credit assignments given in the past two weeks.
Before those two weeks, Hermione was more than attentive in every class, and when she wasn't looking at the teacher, she could be found scribbling notes in one of her color-coded notebooks, not missing a beat. Not anymore. Now there were large gaps where everything Snape said was drifting right past her.
*What's wrong with me?* she pondered silently.
No matter how much she tried to concentrate, her thoughts just kept floating away, and not to just any subject.
It was the paleness of his skin, those long, slender fingers, that platinum blonde hair, and those eyes: those beautiful silver orbs, those which have that way of captivating one's thoughts and emotions, making one go weak. About all this she thought, then she found herself suppressing a gag.
*What the hell am I doing, thinking about Draco like that!? He is different from before, but we're just friends, that's it!* {A/N Guess my summary is wrong, it's 1 person in denial, 3 who are lying.}
She looked at him for a bit; he seemed so attentive just then, writing furiously in his notes.
*He looks a lot like I must have, really.*
Then he stopped writing, freezing in place. He had felt her staring at him {she hadn't realized she was staring!} and his silvery eyes glanced up to meet her chocolate ones. She wanted to avert them, tried to, but at the same couldn't, and didn't ever want to see anything but those eyes staring at her. They stayed like that for a while, staring at each other as Snape went on about varying antidotes for different poisons. Breaking the stare, Draco winked, swiftly and with a smirk painted on his lips. She was surprised, and before she could react his attention was already back to Snape's lesson.
She looked back at the professor, but still couldn't keep her thoughts on the lesson. She kept wondering about it all.
*Why did he come up to me that first day? I am the "Mudblood" in his eyes, aren't I?*
She pondered that thought the rest of double Potions, but she couldn't find a logical answer.
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Two hours. Two hours until Draco would wait by the library watching the door, then Hermione would walk in and Draco would follow. It was routine, but today was a bit different. Today was the day he was asking her.
He was, needless to say, nervous. If she said yes, he could possibly win the bet and get to watch Blaise suffer as Pansy's love slave, but if she said no, then he was stuck with her.
Draco walked into the Slytherin common room, not with his usual saunter, but quickly and fiercely. He found Blaise sitting in a corner bent over homework. He always was the studious type. He elected to sit next to him and talk, maybe even calm down a bit.
"Shouldn't you be meeting Granger?"
"That's not for another two hours."
"Today the day you're gonna ask her?"
"Yes."
"Nervous?"
"No, of course not. Why would asking a girl to a dance make me, of all people, nervous?"
"Hmm, let's think about that. Oh yeah, because the next six months of your love life depends on it and you're not so sure she'll say yes."
"Your wrong."
"Liar." Draco gave his patented smirk at that remark. For a Slytherin, "Liar" isn't much of an insult.
"And you're not?"
"That, my friend, is beside the point. Are you going or not?"
"Going where?"
"To ask her."
"She won't be there for two hours!"
"One and a half." Blaise paused then said, "So be early. Maybe you could actually *read* a book or something. Just go."
"Hey! I read a lot, thank you! And what's with you trying to get rid of me all of a sudden?"
"You're distracting me from my homework."
"Since when?"
"Since now. Will you please just leave." Blaise seemed pretty serious about Draco leaving, and our Dray was baffled by this. Little did he know...
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He had reached the library, sat at their usual table, opened a book to make it look as though he just *happened* to be there early, perfectly positioned himself to be seen and gawked at by some girls in the corner, and now he was bored as hell.
*What on earth am I supposed to do for an hour and 15 minutes?!? Would be nice if Potter were here to annoy or something*
He kept having random thoughts about things that were utterly unimportant, then he found himself, once again, nervous. 'Twas this nervousness that initiated an inner argument within our poor lad. It went a bit like this:
*What if she doesn't say yes?
She will.
What if she doesn't?
Then you have to go out with Parkinson.
Ugh! I can just see myself going on a date with her, and it isn't a happy thought.
It still might happen.
No! No, it won't.
Sure it won't.*
This internal battle went on for quite some time. Then he realized that he was having a conversation with himself and quickly put a stop to it. 'Tisn't exactly a good thing to talk to oneself, even in the wizarding world. Then, all of a sudden, our Slytherin friend noticed something, and quickly became nervous all over again.
There she was, walking gracefully into the library. When she got to the table and saw him sitting there, she froze momentarily. She did sit, though it seemed hesitant. She took out a book, opened it and started to read, her quill poised over parchment in order to write, except she didn't write. Hermione seemed to just be staring at the paper, as if she was unhappy about doing homework. Then she looked up at Draco, who happened to be staring at her confusedly. She thought it odd that he should be confused, and then she realized who she was, Hermione Granger, model student, not to mention resident mudblood.
She looked back at her homework, knowing that she should do it. Then she decided. She packed her books into her bag, leaving but a singular spare notebook out. Draco raised an eyebrow. She shrugged.
"I don't want to do it."
"The Great Hermione Granger isn't doing homework? Life is just full of surprises!"
"Ha Ha," she replied sarcastically, "It's the last week of school; it's not like it matters."
"Yeah, I'll buy that."
*Shit! I hate how he can always see right through me!*
She wandered her brain for something to say. She would rather talk about something, anything, else. He certainly didn't need to know about her sudden teenage-like disdain for work.
"So, have you found a place to stay yet?" she asked him, trying to sound casual."
"Yeah, I've found an apartment in Hogsmeade."
"That ought to be interesting, to see you going from living in your manor to living in a Hogsmeade apartment."
"It won't be so bad."
"Oh?" she inquired, giving him a disbelieving look.
"Well, it isn't exactly spacious, but it will have to do."
"Hmmm."
Hermione was doodling idly in her spare notebook, much as she had been for the entire length of the conversation. Draco simply sat there, looking calm and collected, though his thoughts were brimming with "what ifs" and other nervous thoughts.
There was a silence between them for at least five minutes. Hermione continued to doodle, and Draco found himself admiring her. Not really in an affectionate way or anything, but he realized how hard it must be for the "Great Hermione Granger," as he had deemed her, to simply change herself just because she didn't want to do what she had always done. She had always done homework, never doodled. Now that was not so. Draco admired this greatly, making a spur of the moment change like that.
*How great that must be, to be able to change so quickly. I wish I could. I can't, though. Look at me. Up until two weeks ago I still called her a Mudblood, and not because I think that way anymore, just because it was habit. The only reason I don't now is because of the bet. I can't just change. Malfoys never change.*
At first, the silence was bland, without emotion to fill it. Not awkward, but not comfortable, just bland. 'Twas different five minutes into it, at least for Draco. For him, the silence was deafening. A horrible, monstrous thing that wouldn't quit teasing him. He knew what he needed to do, and he soon realized that he had better do it quickly before he lost all nerve.
"Hermione?" His tone was as cool and calm as ever, but the fact that he had used her name, which had caught her attention, caused her to look up. He wished she hadn't.
"Yes?"
"I was wondering if you would mind accompanying me to the Farewell dance next Friday?" he asked her just as smoothly.
"Oh!" she yelped in surprised, rather loudly, causing people to stare and the old librarian to scold.
"Shhh!"
"Sorry."
Draco pressed for an answer.
"Well, will you?"
"Oh!"
Draco winced and put a hand to his ear.
"Miss Granger! If you do not hush up, you shall have to leave, and will face detention in place of the dance!"
"Sorry Madam Pince."
"Will you?" and she almost did it again, but didn't quite have time. At that very moment, Draco swiftly moved his hand, firmly but gently covering her mouth, allowing only a small squeak to escape her lips. It was then that Hermione noticed that Draco had a scent. It was a bit peculiar, and she wasn't sure at the time whether it was good or bad, but it suited him. She was pondering his scent when his voice, no longer a drawl but now more commanding, snapped her back to reality.
"All you have to say is yes or no. We will just be going as friends. Yes, no, preferably yes. Got it?" Hermione nodded in reply. Draco slowly removed his hand, and she sat for a moment, almost afraid to say anything.
"So?"
"Yes." she said it plainly and simply, almost as if stating a fact. Then, something rather rare happened. Draco smiled. Not his trademark smirk, but a true smile. But then it slowly drifted away, as if it had never happened.
The two found random subjects to talk about for the next couple of hours, and this time instead of doodling, Hermione listened intently. She kept hoping he would show her that smile again, but it never happened.
The conversation eventually found its end, as both participants had "things" to do. They both stood, not quite sure of what to do or say as a farewell. Draco, wanting to make it as easy as possible to win the bet (and maybe wanting something else), gently pulled Hermione into a hug. She stood still at first, in shock of being hugged by her former worst enemy. However, she soon found herself returning his embrace, and enjoying the surprising warmth from the man many called cold-blooded.
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[Gryffindor Common Room]
Outside it was a cold and dreary day, and inside the warmly decorated common room of red and gold, the feeling simply repeated itself. Ron had not spoken to Hermione much since she had let him down, and had refused to talk to his raven-haired friend about it at all. Now he sat on the edge of an overly cushy couch bent over the fire, where he had sat for so long that his face was starting to sting. His eyes were glazed over with tears that had not yet fallen. Then a singular tear escaped, falling to the fire, making it slightly crackle. It was a rather discreet action, but Harry saw it.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Liar. I saw that tear, and your eyes are all watery."
"It's...nothing.
"It's Hermione." Ron did not answer to this, but Harry still questioned him.
"Isn't it."
"Yes." The redhead reluctantly admitted, a bit ashamed of himself.
"You need to let her go. I understand how you feel about her, but she doesn't feel the same. Just get over it." The emerald eyed Gryffie advised, saying the latter part a bit harshly.
"I can't," Ron replied, his voice breaking.
"Oh, just shut up. I'm so sick of watching you mope around and sulk. I know you're hurt but just let it go. It's not like you ever even went out with her. What's the point in refusing to even speak to her and sulk about it?" The boy's tone was cold and harsh, almost reminiscent of Malfoy's.
At that moment, Ron was down and had lost all spirit, but there was no way he could just sit there and take that. He knew every word was justified, but there was not one ounce of hope that he would admit it right then.
"What are you saying Harry? That I should just forget that kiss? That I should forget what she said?"
"Yup, pretty much."
"Well, I'm sorry Harry, but I just can't do that."
"Who cares? I don't. Normally I would, but not now when you're acting like a stupid second year!"
A second year happened to be listening in, and didn't like this insult.
"Hey! I wouldn't act like that blubbering idiot!" he proclaimed.
"See what I mean?" And with that, the Boy-Who-Lived left Gryffindor Tower fully annoyed, off to find Hermione in hopes that she could fix this.
And so he walked to the one place he could think of to look, the library. He was still mentally fuming about Ron.
*Stupid oaf! He couldn't get a girlfriend in the first place 'cause he was too busy thinking about Mione, and so he sulked about that. He was convinced she didn't like him ("Like she would ever be interested in me!") and sulked about that. Then he comes to find she really doesn't like him, and what does he do? He sulks about it!*
Harry was rather bothered at the moment and wasn't completely right, in a mental sense. Thus, it was not a good time for Luna to appear, as he had no sense of caring or observation whatsoever at the moment. But she showed up anyway. Therefore, he didn't notice the evident emotions painted so fluorescently clear on her face.
"Harry!" she sounded distraught and sad, but Harry didn't take notice.
"Huh? Oh, hi Luna."
"Harry, I need to give you this back. I... I just can't keep it, it just won't work. I'm sorry Harry. (pause) Harry? Are you listening to me?"
"Huh? Oh! Yeah, every word."
"So you understand?"
"Yeah, whatever."
"Good. Nice to see you're so concerned." she said sarcastically, then thrusting a small object into Harry's hand.
Harry had absolutely no idea what was in his hands and even less about what she had just said, but he put that to the side, putting the object into his pocket for later examination.
He approached the library with all intent of getting Hermione help Ron without Harry injuring him first for being so whiney. However, when he saw what was so plainly before him, all thoughts of Ron were lost. There Hermione was, same as ever, but definitely in worse company. He was there. They were talking, and then he looked at his watch and they both stood. They looked awkward for a while, like neither one of them knew what to do. Then, slowly, he pulled Mione into a hug. And that was when our dear Harry truly snapped.
As they parted, Harry found himself pushing the Slytherin roughly.
"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING, YOU SLIMY BASTARD!"
"Harry!" (A/N Mione doesn't usually approve of swearing.)
"Well, well. If it isn't our golden boy. Come to save the day have you? It is a bit too bad that your services aren't needed here. I guess you can't be the hero everyday, now can you?" With this Draco gracefully swished his robes upon turning to leave, and he did at least make it out of the library. Not long after he did though, he found himself in contact with the slightly psychopathic version of Harry Potter.
Harry had attacked him from behind, and now they were both rolling about the ground frantically. Harry was trying to kill Draco, and Draco was trying to get up. Hermione just stood there in complete and utter shock. She did finally come to, and took it upon herself to do something.
"Honestly!" she declared before proceeding to hex her fellow Gryffindor. She then hastily apologized to the platinum-haired boy ("I'm so sorry! I don't have the slightest clue what got into him!"), levitated Harry and took him to the Room of Requirement.
Inside the room sat two sofas directly opposite each other, one of which seemed to be over-stuffed, and the other looking like it was under stuffed.
She performed the counter-jinxes on Harry, and as he awoke filled with rather loud questions she told him this:
"Sit down, shut up, and listen!" and that is just what our green-eyed Gryffindor did. He sat down, silent as the dead, and listened as she began told her tale, even though she knew it wasn't a full account.
"Alright then. Hmm, where to begin. Uh, well...there was this one day about two weeks ago that Dra-Malfoy came into the library, for what reason I still don't know. Anyway, we started talking and something about him is different. I don't know what, but something...{she absentmindedly trails off, but then snaps back to reality} Anyway, we've been talking for about two weeks now, every day in the library, and I've found that he really isn't so awful as we thought. I know you don't believe that, but it *is* true. And he's never done anything the least bit sneaky in all that time, has he? So there's nothing wrong with conversing with him, is there? No, I'm sure there isn't."
With this she stopped. She had said that last part to herself, not really Harry. She had been pacing as she said all of it. Harry seemed to be taking it rather well, she thought. Though he was tensing up quite a bit.
"Two weeks isn't very long, Mione."
"I know, but I'm sure he isn't planning anything. Besides, it isn't like I really care about him or anything."
"That is such bullshit."
"What makes you say that?"
"If you didn't care you wouldn't defend him just because you know what I'm thinking about the whole thing. I know you just as well as you know me. Lying won't get you anywhere."
"Whatever."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Avoiding the subject are we?"
"Ok, fine! So I care about Malfoy, as a friend {Harry noted that she added this hastily} and that's it. So don't get any ideas. Happy?"
"Mildly. You're still denying something, though."
She scowled at him.
"So you're friends with Malfoy now?"
"Yup, I guess I am."
"So...he, well, he wasn't trying to rape you or something?" This shocked Hermione, that he would have even consider Draco doing that!
"No! Where in Merlin's name did you get that idea?!?"
"I don't know!"
"Well, no, he was definitely not trying to rape me! Honestly, Harry! It was just a hug between...friends."
"Hmmm..."
"What does that mean?" she asked suspiciously.
"What does what mean?" he replied, his tone as equally defensive as hers was suspicious.
"Hmmm..." she copied him mockingly.
"It means that I still don't trust Malfoy, but I suppose that if you really think he's alright then you can be friends with him."
"Oh, well thanks for your permission; I was so worried that you wouldn't approve!" she replied sarcastically.
"Just promise me one thing?"
"Like?"
"Be careful."
"Okay..." she replied slowly, "I don't see the necessity, but alright." She paused for a moment, but thought about something. "Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"What were you doing in the library anyway?"
"Oh! Well, you see, before I walked in on you and Malfoy, er, yeah. Well, I was coming to ask you a favor."
"What kind of favor?"
"Well, Ron is still moping about, and it's because of you. He won't talk about it and just goes around sulking. Actually, he nearly had an emotional breakdown a bit ago. Anyway, it frustrated me so I tried to...uh...clear it up. Well, I ended up insulting him and coming to find you. So, will you-er-help?"
"What am I supposed to do? He hasn't spoken to me!"
"Just talk to him. I know he'll talk it out with you if you'll just initiate the conversation. Please?"
She looked at him with a look of, "No way in hell" on her face, but his pout broke her down.
"Fine, but you owe me so bad. Got it?"
"Yup. Well, you'd best be off then, before Ron commits suicide or something! Off you go!" He pushed her out the door, confident she could fix it.
He leaned against the side of the doorframe, considering her and Malfoy. It bothered him deeply, but he didn't know what he could do about it. He had that feeling that the Slytherin was planning something, but he didn't know what. He knew one thing for sure, Hermione liked him as more than a friend, whether she would admit it or not. She hadn't realized that while she was pacing, Harry was looking through her notebook. He had known he would not find notes-she hadn't taken those in a while-but he was still shocked with what he did find. She had been doodling, normal enough, but it what she doodling that surprised him. It was him.
Among the pages of her notebook was none other than Draco Malfoy. Sometimes his entire figure, or just his face, or his eyes, his hands, but it all was definitely Malfoy. Another thing that shocked him was that she drew so well. He had never seen her as the creative type, but apparently she was. He knew art students who couldn't hold a candle to her.
As he thought about all this he watched her walk away and put his hands leisurely into his pockets. And then he felt it, fear striking in his heart. He closed his eyes as he grasped the small object and brought it out to see, praying that it wasn't what he knew it was. He reluctantly opened them. He ran his fingers over the curve of the band, the edges of the stone matching his emerald orbs. It was then that he thought of the one person he had ignored that day. The vision of her face held all the feelings he hadn't noticed. The words he hadn't tried to decipher suddenly came back to him, making every bit of sense now, but then again, it really didn't make any sense at all. In all of this inner turmoil, only one whispered, heartbroken word escaped the Golden Boy's lips:
"Why?"
And it was then that, so much like the one he had scolded his best friend for not long ago, a silent tear rolled down his cheek, until it had crept its way into his mouth and the bitter taste of salt was on his tongue, and the feeling of utter heartbreak weighing heavily in his soul.
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A/N: Did you like it? Did you hate it? Tell me please! I swear that reviews can cause inspiration. I got rid of writer's block by reading the reviews of those who wanted to read more! I promise not to take five months this time, though. No matter what!!!! It will take a bit to update though, as I have reread my first two chapters, and want to edit them slightly. Remember as well that I am looking for a beta reader! Anyway, go review!