AN: Thanks to all that still stick to the story, I plan to finish at chapter 17 so only six to go!
Babmidnight: thanks for asking about the ring, I guess I didn't really describe it and I promise you that I will go back to chapter 10 and add the description. I'll let you know how it is.
Bladefanatic: I like my Malfoy too, I don't know how much in character he is but I would imagine him to be strong minded and temperamental.
Ceepy Susie: I have to say that you are right, I didn't do by purpose but it does remind a bit that movie. Anyway, originality is hard to achieve, I guess there is too much out there to be the first to think about it.
Elven warrior: I think that love is an issue, lol. I think that Hermione was a bit saddened by his proposal but there is more to come about love, so watch out for it.
Panther eyes: I agree with you, without love is bit empty but I promise you that it will get better. Beside I couldn't really have him say that he loves her, he still doesn't know what love means… but he will learn soon.
Natyslacks: hello, I'm happy you are still around. Thanks for reviewing.
11.
The next day Hermione woke up refreshed. The night before came rushing in her mind and she was grinning. Draco and his proposal had really surprised her. Who would have thought that a Malfoy could be nice?
She dressed up in her uniform and exited her bedroom humming the Italian song heard at the restaurant while he was proposing.
Stai con me o senza me,
stai con me
(stay with me or without me,
stay with me)
At the end of the evening they had approached the waiter and asked him for the name of the song and the singer. The waiter who had been informed about the proposal had then given Hermione a copy of the CD and told her that it was from the restaurant with greetings for their marriage.
Draco had smiled and said "So now we have even our song." She had grinned at him "Draco, I didn't know that you were romantic" and he snorted "A Malfoy is never romantic, but in the book I read, they say that women likes this kind of things" Hermione then had smiled wickedly "Which book, Draco?"
He blushed "Granger mind your own business" she started laughing "But you are my business Malfoy." He glared at her "I just thought that I could read something on marriage just because a Malfoy have to be the best in all areas." And with a smirk he continued "You will see Hermione that I'm outstanding in everything" leering a bit at her.
Hermione had slapped him on the shoulder "Oh really Draco! You are impossible" he was grinning "And you are embarrassed. So much for a brave Gryffindor." It was her turn to glare "And you are not so subtle for a Slytherin." After that they looked at each other and started laughing again. They knew that it was funny to banter like that and they could only enjoy it so much with each other.
She was interrupted in her memories by two strong arms encircling her from behind. Draco whispered "Good morning Mrs. Malfoy" she giggled "I'm still a Granger. And good morning to you too Mr. Malfoy." She turned in his arm and was now facing a very handsome Draco in his Slytherin uniform. "Ready to go to breakfast?" he kissed her slightly and then said "Hermione were is your ring?"
Hermione looked down at her hand "Well Draco I figured out that I'll wait to wear it until I sign your petition. I wouldn't know how to explain it to Harry and Ron." He looked mildly annoyed "Who cares what that two think? You accepted my proposal and that's it." She disentangled from him and sadly said "Draco we can't be seen around like this. Please try to understand."
He looked at her coldly "It's always about you, your friends and your priorities. When will I be first in your list?" and he started to leave for breakfast. He was stopped by Hermione's words "Draco I'm doing it for you too. How would it look like if someone saw a Death Eater being nice with a muggle-born? Please, Draco it's the best solution for both."
He was angry but she was right. He sighed "Hum, I guess you are right. Let's go to eat now and we'll talk about it later" She approached him and took his chin in her hand. When their eyes met, she was smiling softly at him "Give me a kiss and tell me that you are not angry Draco."
He remained silent for a while, with his eyes locked in hers "I'm not angry with you. I'm sorry I guess I'm still not used to be nice for a very long span of time." She was grinning "I hope you will learn soon" he smiled at her and after kissing her, said "I'm doing my best Hermione but you'll have to be patient."
After that, they went to breakfast. Hermione sat between her two friends which today looked even grumpier than yesterday "Guys come on, you look so sullen. Harry let's forget about yesterday fight and Ron please stop being so stubborn about Ginny" the two guys looked at her very strangely and then Harry asked "Where were you yesterday night, Hermione?" she started to feel a knot in her stomach "In my private quarters, why?"
It was now Ron's turn to talk "We checked in the Marauder Map and you weren't there and neither was Malfoy" she paled but quickly replied "Don't you know it?" feigning surprise "I asked Dumbledore to put an un-tracking spell on my room so that nobody could spy on me. And probably he did it for Malfoy too." The two seemed dubious "Why would you want that?" she frowned a bit "Well yesterday I was upset for everything that happened and I wanted some privacy." They relaxed a bit and after a while they were talking friendly again.
Draco, on the other side of the room, had noticed Hermione tensing and relaxing again after a while. He was curious to know what's happened then the owl started to arrive and the black Malfoy owl deposited a thick envelop on his lap. His mother had some message for him and it seemed a serious one.
Hermione noticed what was happening and when she saw him leaving, she told her friends that she had forgotten a book and run back to the common room to see what was happening. She found him sitting on the sofa, reading a very long letter. "Who's it from?" he looked at her and after she sat near him, he said "It's from my mother." He then smirked "Apparently she desperately wants me to marry you and she is instructing me on how to make you falling madly in love with me."
She was shocked "Are you serious? Who does she think I am? I'm not so stupid to fall for this silly plot!" he smirked "Well my mother is well known for not being very smart. I'm sure her, Crabbe and Goyle were sorted in Slytherin because the Sorting Hat didn't know what to do with them." She laughed "You don't seem fond of your mother." She noticed that he didn't reply and when she looked at him, his eyes were unreadable. "You can care for someone if this person returns your feelings. She has never cared so why should I?" But she saw behind his pretence that it had hurt him.
"Draco, I care for you." he looked surprised but pleased "I care for you too, Hermione" she smiled and then he said "After lesson let's go to talk to Albus and see how he advises us on this. Shall we meet in his office later?" she agreed and after kissing him, she left for her classes. While walking along the corridors she asked herself if she could ever get tired of kissing him. She laughed, no, she didn't think she would. She was a bit surprised but happy that maybe the future wasn't as bad as she had thought.
When she finished her classes she run to the Headmaster's office and she found Draco already sitting and chatting calmly with the old and wise wizard.
Albus looked at Hermione "Miss Granger, how are you? I hope you enjoyed yesterday evening." She smiled "I'm fine thanks and I had really a great time in London." He smiled back at her and then he became serious " I talked to Draco and he me about his mother's plan. As I see it, we have just one option. Draco has to pretend to court you and you have to fall for his act. I can't find another solution."
Hermione was surprised "But Headmaster, do you really think that my friends would believe my sudden attraction for him? I mean we apparently hate each other so much. I would look very stupid if I don't see behind his act." Draco was smirking "Hermione, some of your friends already think that you like me. Beside, how could you not fall for my charm?" she snorted "I think you forgot your charm at your Manor, my dear Draco, because I have never noticed it."
Draco was starting to be annoyed but then he had another idea, he put his hand on hers and smiled softly. He caressed her hand and he saw her eyes getting dazed. Smirking again he said "I didn't understand what you were saying Hermione" she suddenly looked at him and blushed. He had won this round and he was smiling knowingly.
Albus had followed the exchange and then he cleared his throat "I believe that it could be credible" the couple looked at each other realising what had happened and they both blushed. Hermione sighed "So the plan is that I fall for Draco and I accept his proposal for love and my friends can't stop me because I'm really set on this."
Draco smirked "I can't wait to see Potter defeated" Hermione glared at him "I'm not a prize Draco and I don't like your antagonism with Harry. You are both on the same side and I would like for you two to be friends one day. I care about both of you and I don't want to be forced to choose." He looked at her coldly "Would you choose him over me?"
She didn't reply. Her affection for the two men was very different but strong. She was still fighting with herself about her feelings for Draco and on the other side, Harry was a certainty. She wasn't able to look at him and she raised her eyes when she heard him walking away. She stood up too "I'm sorry Headmaster but I need to go and talk to him." Albus watched the young witch leaving his office very confused and upset. He was surprised that Draco, the cold young man, had showed today a softer side.
Albus saw how hurt was Draco and he was saddened that the two couldn't find a way to overcome their pride and their difference because it was obvious that they were in love.
AN: Thanks for reading, sorry but Draco confession has shifted a bit in the story, apparently he still doesn't want to tell me and Hermione what's happened that summer but I think it's about Pansy… in chapter 13 we will know more