-Last Time on Hands Down-
Kissing Draco...it had been heaven on earth. Just being there with him.
Hermione continued to sing, trying to forget about last night, about her feelings.
But it was impossible...it was too wonderful to forget.
It's all coming back, it's all coming back to me now There were moments of gold And there were flashes of light There were things I'd never do again But then they'd always seemed right There were nights of endless pleasure It was more than any laws allow Baby, Baby But she'd have to, because she had ruined it...it was all over now, all because she said it...she didn't think.
Every detail came flooding back to her, every moment of ecstasy.
Remembering made it hurt even worse...why Draco? Why her?
But you were history with the slamming of the door And I made myself so strong again somehow And I never wasted any of my time on you since then
She was a Granger, and she could pull through this...she was an intelligent girl, and she was stronger than the hurt.
But the way he held her...The way he touched her...The way he said her name...She could forget if she wanted to.
But she didn't want to. Because she loved him.
-=-=-
Hermione boarded the Hogwarts express, a proud smile gracing her lips. She had been selected as head girl, but remembering her goal to show Hogwarts that she was more than the Know-It-All, she had turned it down.
She often experienced moments of regret, but then remembered her goal, and was comforted.
"Harry! Ron!" she called out, reaching her best friends. "How are you?"
The two boys turned and smiled brightly at her. "Hermione? Wow, you've changed loads!"
Hermione grinned broadly. "You, too!" she fibbed. Both boys had always been muscular, and they had reached their full height in the beginning of their sixth year, but it seemed the appropriate thing to say.
She was enveloped in a bone-crushing hug, and before she could say anything, she was led into a compartment.
The boys spilled the details of their summer, which revolved mostly around girls and Quidditch. After listening patiently, unbothered by the boys' conversation, Hermione smiled softly.
"Well, I was offered Head Girl," she started.
"Oye, that's wonderful, Herm!" Ron cried, squeezing her tightly.
Harry nodded enthusiastically in agreement. "Yeah! Let me see your badge!"
Hermione laughed. "I didn't take it."
Harry and Ron's faces fell at once, and they stared at her in shock. "What?" they demanded simultaneously.
"Hermione, you've worked towards this your entire school career!" Harry reasoned.
Hermione shook her head. "No, I haven't. I've simply worked hard because I thought I should, and because that's what everyone expected. I've done some thinking over the summer, and I want to let Hogwarts get to know me for me, not my grades."
An awkward silence filled the compartment. After several minutes, Ron spoke, and his newfound maturity shone through his words:
"I understand, Hermione. You have grown up, and we never really looked past the books and grades and all. I, personally, think it's brilliant." He shook his head in awe. "Just bloody brilliant."
Hermione chuckled, and Harry nodded. "I agree. You're two people closer to reaching your goal."
Hermione beamed up at her friends, and they shared the first of many heartfelt group hugs.
The opening of the compartment door interrupted them.
Harry and Ron looked up, but Hermione's gaze remained fixed on her hands in her lap, knowing who it was.
The deep voice confirmed her thoughts. "Potter, Weasley."
"Malfoy," Harry said coldly, acknowledging the boy's presence.
"Listen, I've come to settle the score," Draco said slowly. "Voldemort's done with, and there's no point in arguing with you any longer. Mind you, I still don't at all take any liking to you, but I figure it's our last year, so it'll work for the best."
He looked to Harry, who nodded hesitantly. "All right."
"I propose we just stay out of one another's way for the rest of the year, instead of all this arguing and fighting and such. I'll keep the remarks on the scar and the monetary status and the...heritage...down, if you put aside your predispositions about my family."
Harry and Ron shared a look before nodding. "Agreed."
The three boys shook on it, and Draco left the compartment, sliding the door shut quietly behind him.
As Harry and Ron discussed the strangeness of Draco's proposal, Hermione's heart fell, saddened that Draco hadn't looked at her at all.
"I don't miss him," she told herself strongly, but she knew that behind the strong façade, she was lying to herself.
"What do you think, Hermione?" Harry asked, waking her out of her reverie.
Hermione shrugged. "It's fine and all, but proposals never do work out too well, do they?"
-=-=-
A/N: OK, it's been forever and a day, but I decided that I loved this story too much to let it go. You'll notice that I'm working on another story, too, and I'll be updating both as often as I can! I'm sorry for the long wait, and I hope you enjoy the chapter!
I'll also only be specifically responding to the reviews that go beyond "great chapter", because there are just so many of you! Thanks for all your dedication, and I hope you're still willing to bear with me!
My lovely muse, the amazing Kathleen, has noted that it's a bit abrupt that Draco comes out with a proposal, and I do agree. However, there is a reason for this that will come out later on in the fic. Until then, sit tight, and remember...There is a method to the madness!
-=-=-
Erm...: Yeah, I know that Fire and Ice is usually associated with Ginny and Draco, but in this case, Fire refers to Hermione's fiery personality, and her passion for books and love, etc. And Draco has always been ice, duh.
Dead Lenore: Thanks so much for the review. I never really did a lot of work on Salva Me, and I feel absolutely horrid. I did rewrite the first chapter, because I didn't like how I had written it, but I was a bit put off by lack of reviews. I am hoping to continue it soon, though. Thanks for the thoughtful, review, as well...I like that you were honest, and that you combined criticism with compliments.
sapphire babe: Thanks for the compliments! I'm not sure about there being jealousy, but there will definitely be conflict. I mean, Harry and Ron are understanding, but not THAT understanding! And I totally agree with what you said about sec chapters...if there's fair warning, there's no reason for anyone to complain. But someone's going to anyway...it's a given. People are losers like that.
simon#14: I have to say, when I first read your comment, I was fairly pissed off. I mean, any author would be: When someone implies that your fic has no plot, it's quite offending. However, I have decided not to use my well-planned, heated response, and to simply use good judgment. I CAN understand what you mean. I mean, full blown sex in the fourth chapter is a little out there. But there's a CONFLICT that ensues. I don't like the whole porn thing, so don't expect that. Just know that I do have a plot.
CrazeePurpleMonkey: Yeah, DC is awesome, especially Hands Down! It's not going to be a song fic, bar the fourth chapter, because the song was fitting, but that was only that little part there. Thanks for the review!
Serpent du feu: Don't worry, there's more sex to come (but not for a while).
ali potter and LAZY: Here's the chapter...your reviews inspired me to write! Enjoy, and please continue to read! I know it's been a while!
To all my other reviewers: Thanks for reading and taking the time to review! I know it's been forever, but I'm back! Read the A/N above for more details. I plan on emailing all of you, but until then, please keep reading!
Kissing Draco...it had been heaven on earth. Just being there with him.
Hermione continued to sing, trying to forget about last night, about her feelings.
But it was impossible...it was too wonderful to forget.
It's all coming back, it's all coming back to me now There were moments of gold And there were flashes of light There were things I'd never do again But then they'd always seemed right There were nights of endless pleasure It was more than any laws allow Baby, Baby But she'd have to, because she had ruined it...it was all over now, all because she said it...she didn't think.
Every detail came flooding back to her, every moment of ecstasy.
Remembering made it hurt even worse...why Draco? Why her?
But you were history with the slamming of the door And I made myself so strong again somehow And I never wasted any of my time on you since then
She was a Granger, and she could pull through this...she was an intelligent girl, and she was stronger than the hurt.
But the way he held her...The way he touched her...The way he said her name...She could forget if she wanted to.
But she didn't want to. Because she loved him.
-=-=-
Hermione boarded the Hogwarts express, a proud smile gracing her lips. She had been selected as head girl, but remembering her goal to show Hogwarts that she was more than the Know-It-All, she had turned it down.
She often experienced moments of regret, but then remembered her goal, and was comforted.
"Harry! Ron!" she called out, reaching her best friends. "How are you?"
The two boys turned and smiled brightly at her. "Hermione? Wow, you've changed loads!"
Hermione grinned broadly. "You, too!" she fibbed. Both boys had always been muscular, and they had reached their full height in the beginning of their sixth year, but it seemed the appropriate thing to say.
She was enveloped in a bone-crushing hug, and before she could say anything, she was led into a compartment.
The boys spilled the details of their summer, which revolved mostly around girls and Quidditch. After listening patiently, unbothered by the boys' conversation, Hermione smiled softly.
"Well, I was offered Head Girl," she started.
"Oye, that's wonderful, Herm!" Ron cried, squeezing her tightly.
Harry nodded enthusiastically in agreement. "Yeah! Let me see your badge!"
Hermione laughed. "I didn't take it."
Harry and Ron's faces fell at once, and they stared at her in shock. "What?" they demanded simultaneously.
"Hermione, you've worked towards this your entire school career!" Harry reasoned.
Hermione shook her head. "No, I haven't. I've simply worked hard because I thought I should, and because that's what everyone expected. I've done some thinking over the summer, and I want to let Hogwarts get to know me for me, not my grades."
An awkward silence filled the compartment. After several minutes, Ron spoke, and his newfound maturity shone through his words:
"I understand, Hermione. You have grown up, and we never really looked past the books and grades and all. I, personally, think it's brilliant." He shook his head in awe. "Just bloody brilliant."
Hermione chuckled, and Harry nodded. "I agree. You're two people closer to reaching your goal."
Hermione beamed up at her friends, and they shared the first of many heartfelt group hugs.
The opening of the compartment door interrupted them.
Harry and Ron looked up, but Hermione's gaze remained fixed on her hands in her lap, knowing who it was.
The deep voice confirmed her thoughts. "Potter, Weasley."
"Malfoy," Harry said coldly, acknowledging the boy's presence.
"Listen, I've come to settle the score," Draco said slowly. "Voldemort's done with, and there's no point in arguing with you any longer. Mind you, I still don't at all take any liking to you, but I figure it's our last year, so it'll work for the best."
He looked to Harry, who nodded hesitantly. "All right."
"I propose we just stay out of one another's way for the rest of the year, instead of all this arguing and fighting and such. I'll keep the remarks on the scar and the monetary status and the...heritage...down, if you put aside your predispositions about my family."
Harry and Ron shared a look before nodding. "Agreed."
The three boys shook on it, and Draco left the compartment, sliding the door shut quietly behind him.
As Harry and Ron discussed the strangeness of Draco's proposal, Hermione's heart fell, saddened that Draco hadn't looked at her at all.
"I don't miss him," she told herself strongly, but she knew that behind the strong façade, she was lying to herself.
"What do you think, Hermione?" Harry asked, waking her out of her reverie.
Hermione shrugged. "It's fine and all, but proposals never do work out too well, do they?"
-=-=-
A/N: OK, it's been forever and a day, but I decided that I loved this story too much to let it go. You'll notice that I'm working on another story, too, and I'll be updating both as often as I can! I'm sorry for the long wait, and I hope you enjoy the chapter!
I'll also only be specifically responding to the reviews that go beyond "great chapter", because there are just so many of you! Thanks for all your dedication, and I hope you're still willing to bear with me!
My lovely muse, the amazing Kathleen, has noted that it's a bit abrupt that Draco comes out with a proposal, and I do agree. However, there is a reason for this that will come out later on in the fic. Until then, sit tight, and remember...There is a method to the madness!
-=-=-
Erm...: Yeah, I know that Fire and Ice is usually associated with Ginny and Draco, but in this case, Fire refers to Hermione's fiery personality, and her passion for books and love, etc. And Draco has always been ice, duh.
Dead Lenore: Thanks so much for the review. I never really did a lot of work on Salva Me, and I feel absolutely horrid. I did rewrite the first chapter, because I didn't like how I had written it, but I was a bit put off by lack of reviews. I am hoping to continue it soon, though. Thanks for the thoughtful, review, as well...I like that you were honest, and that you combined criticism with compliments.
sapphire babe: Thanks for the compliments! I'm not sure about there being jealousy, but there will definitely be conflict. I mean, Harry and Ron are understanding, but not THAT understanding! And I totally agree with what you said about sec chapters...if there's fair warning, there's no reason for anyone to complain. But someone's going to anyway...it's a given. People are losers like that.
simon#14: I have to say, when I first read your comment, I was fairly pissed off. I mean, any author would be: When someone implies that your fic has no plot, it's quite offending. However, I have decided not to use my well-planned, heated response, and to simply use good judgment. I CAN understand what you mean. I mean, full blown sex in the fourth chapter is a little out there. But there's a CONFLICT that ensues. I don't like the whole porn thing, so don't expect that. Just know that I do have a plot.
CrazeePurpleMonkey: Yeah, DC is awesome, especially Hands Down! It's not going to be a song fic, bar the fourth chapter, because the song was fitting, but that was only that little part there. Thanks for the review!
Serpent du feu: Don't worry, there's more sex to come (but not for a while).
ali potter and LAZY: Here's the chapter...your reviews inspired me to write! Enjoy, and please continue to read! I know it's been a while!
To all my other reviewers: Thanks for reading and taking the time to review! I know it's been forever, but I'm back! Read the A/N above for more details. I plan on emailing all of you, but until then, please keep reading!