Winter Wonderland: Chapter Seven: T'was the night
Disclaimer. Of course I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters,
ideas, made up words or worlds. This story is set in the children's sixth
year.
"Thank Yous!" to those of you who reviewed are at the bottom of this chapter. Sorry this chapter took a bit longer. I was gone on vacation to Las Vegas for the majority of my winter break. Anyway, I'm happy now to say that I have a beta-reader. (I never knew what that was lol.) She's been a great big whopping help, Thanks!! Anyway, I hope you all had a really good Christmas (or whatever holiday you celebrate.) Hehe. Well I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Hermione was pretty please with herself. The look on Draco's face was priceless. He was even stuttering. Hermione laughed a little as she turned to look back at him again.
"Come on Draco, you're getting left behind." Her pace slowed so he could catch up with her. She felt him grab her hand when he was close enough to her.
"What's the matter?" She looked over her shoulder at him. His cheeks still burned red. She decided she would have a little fun with him.
"Oh, if I only had a camera to capture you in this moment." Hermione sighed.
"What? Why?" Draco reached up and covered his blazing cheeks.
"Well, it isn't every day that you find a Malfoy in this condition, red cheeks and all-"
"What sort of condition?" He interrupted her.
"I have no condition that I'm in. I'm fine! You're the one with the condition, making up these ludicrous things about me being embarrassed."
Draco scowled trying to hide his rosy cheeks and shocked look. Hermione had blocked him out. She had stopped walking trying to get her bearings.
"Do you really want to shop? Why don't you just write to your mother or something like that? Besides I don't think your father would approve of you buying her anything from the Muggle world. Right?"
Hermione was not sure where a shopping centre was or would be and she hated to admit that she had overlooked that in her research of London, especially to Draco who would, no question, rub that in.
"I guess you're right, Father might think I'm growing a soft spot for those idiotic muggles.
Draco looked up into the sky. He'd give anything to be on a broomstick, soaring through the clouds. He'd even be willing to let Hermione share the ride with him. He was really starting to miss his magic, it made life so much easier. Hermione was thankful that he decided he didn't want to go shopping anymore. For one, because of the holidays it would be packed and any Muggle that had come into Draco's path without him letting them cross it had ended up crying or on the floor. And the second reason was she didn't know where to go, so it was just as well that they did not go at all. It would be pointless to go chasing around all of London just for a gift that would most likely be scoffed upon.
"What are we going to do then?" Draco's mind finally came out of the clouds and back to earth. The Magical world would have to wait for him. (Or he for it.)
"Well let's just walk and sight-see, there's not much more we can do that that." Hermione suggested quickly before he decided he wanted to go to a shopping centre regardless of whether or not he would be buying anything.
"I can think of other things we can do." Draco said slyly a suggestive look sparkling in his eyes.
"Draco." Hermione's warning voice brushed the grin off of his face. "Okay fine, then why don't we go to Diagon Alley?" Draco's eyes lit up at his own brilliant suggestion and the thought of something familiar, something magical.
"As fun as that sounds we can't, you know that." Hermione sighed. It was a very good idea but not one that was allowed within the rules and they had broken enough rules already. She wished that they could go though. She still needed to buy Harry and Ron some Christmas gifts most likely of the Quidditch sort. (But she was sure that they both had everything you could possibly own between their two collections.)
"That damn Muggle rule again, huh?" Draco narrowed his eyes. "This is the most stupid thing I've ever had to be a part of. Bloody old Dumbledore, him and his stupid ideas! My father was right about him."
Draco kicked at the snow.
"Don't say those things about Dumbledore! He's a great wizard, the very best!" Hermione quickly scolded.
"And besides, if all this hadn't happened you and I would still be at each other throats hating each others every living moment. It's really not so bad when you think of it that way." Hermione tried to get him to see the good in things.
"I guess." He was still going to take some convincing. "I hardly think that."
"I know you liked the London Eye." She began to list of the things they had done that day.
"The end part." Draco piped, in a new mood. Hermione then felt his warm lips brush across her cheek. She rolled her eyes at him. "You also ate your dip faster than anyone I've ever met. I know you enjoyed that lunch."
"I didn't enjoy it that much!" He protested.
"Fine then, you didn't." She really did not feel like being strung along on a picked fight with him at that moment.
They had been walking a while now and Hermione's feet were aching. She swore that she could feel the dull beat of her heart in the soles of her shoes. Draco had noticed her normally fast pace was beginning to slowly decrease with each step forward.
"Here, let's stop for a bit." Hermione looked up with gratefully when he said this.
"My feet are killing me." She leaned up against him and wriggled her toes in her shoes hoping it would bring some relief. If it hadn't of been so cold she would have just taken them off for a little while but the icy winter wind was already biting at her. Draco wrapped an arm around her.
"It's very pretty out here." Hermione commented trying to take her mind off of her feet. Draco only let out a small noise of agreement.
"What time is it?" Draco asked. Hermione looked down at her watch.
"It's already four." She answered him.
"Is it really?" Draco had not realized how late it had actually been.
"Well, if you would have been a little quicker and woken up when I told you to, it wouldn't be this late." Hermione smirked.
"Shut your trap Granger." Draco said with slight irritation in his voice.
"I'm joking with you." She smiled brightly at him. He had a look of disbelief on his face. Hermione noticed his cheeks and nose turning red from the bitter cold. "Maybe its time we go home, we're both freezing." Her jaw began to shake and her teeth chattered at the thought of the coldness around them.
"I've got an idea, you give me a piggy back ride to the bus station and then we can go home and I can spoil you with treats and cocoa." Hermione took his hand.
"I give you a what?" Draco hoped this had something to do with kissing and pulled her closer to him.
"A piggy back ride." Hermione pulled out of his grasp and stood behind him.
"What are you doing?!" He started to turn but was stopped by Hermione's hand. "Get ready, I'm jumping on to you." Hermione leapt up onto his back sending them both to the snowy ground.
"What do you think you are doing?" Draco repeated and quickly stood brushing snow off of himself, looking quite upset. Hermione stayed on the ground in stitches.
"You were supposed to catch me, you dolt." Hermione let out and fell into another fit of laughter.
"You tackled me from behind, how was I supposed to even know to catch you if I didn't know what you were doing?" Draco stood over her and stared hard down at her.
"I told you what I was about to do, you should have been ready for it." She reached a hand up. "Help me, will you?" She hit him in the leg with the arm that she had up in the air.
"Ow! You can stay there now." Draco scowled and started to walk away.
"Draco Malfoy! Don't you dare leave me here." Hermione slowly stood to her feet, shaking a little. The coldness had gone through her layers of clothing and straight to the bone.
"Draco, please!" Hermione wrapped her arms around herself.
"Can't you move?" He breathed out causing his breath to crystallize in the air before him.
"N-no." Her teeth chattered.
He trudged back to her feeling the coldness himself.
"C'mon, Mione." He rubbed his hands up and down her arms trying to warm her up. "If you stay here you'll only get colder and then you'll miss Christmas and I'm sure your family has some sort of tradition you don't want to miss." Draco pulled her close trying to get her warm. He wanted to go home too, so if he didn't get her warm he didn't see himself getting into a nice warm house anytime soon either. "You want that piggy back thing? Will that make it better?" Draco asked as a last resort.
"Yes, thank you." She held onto him enjoying his warmth. Hermione jumped up onto his back and wrapped her arms around his neck putting her head down to shield her face from the cold winds. She closed her eyes feeling a great satisfaction wash over her. She had Draco acting like a normal human being, not lashing out at anyone or doing bodily harm. (With two exceptions.) She took in a deep breath. He smelled so good. That smell was becoming so familiar to her and the warmth of his touch had seemed to become gentler over the short time they had decided to let bygones be bygones.
She felt as though she was being rocked to sleep with each crunchy step he took in the powdery snow that was still falling gracefully to the ground. She smiled to herself and wrapped her arms tighter around his neck. She wondered what he was thinking, he was pretty quiet.
And for good reason. He had a lot on his mind. He was sorting out a mental checklist of things he needed to get done when he got back to the Granger's home. Sending his father an owl was one of his first priorities. Lucius would be the type to just randomly show up on the Granger's doorstep shooting curses from his wand then later claim he was protecting the well being of his only son if he did not send something soon.
He adjusted his grip on Hermione. "Broom, levitation spell, anything." Draco thought. It wasn't that she was heavy or anything like that but after supporting someone for a long walk you could get really tired. Much to Draco's relief the bus station was close now.
"Hermione, we're going to have to get on the bus now." He stopped when he reached the loading platform. She opened her eyes slowly letting his words register and realizing where they were. Draco leaned slightly forward so she could lower herself off of his back.
"You've tired me out now. I'm sure I'll be able to rest on the way home." Draco stretched his arms above his head, twisting to crack his sore back. He would kill for one of the Malfoy servants' back home to give him a well- deserved back massage. They boarded the bus, Draco scowling at the few Muggles who dared to get to near him, or even Hermione. Thankfully things stayed at menacing glares and never came to blows. Hermione had also been keeping a tight hand on Draco's lower arm to remind him of the consequences he could face if he hurt anyone.
Ten minutes into the bus ride Draco was already leaned up against the window, snoozing. Hermione reached for her bag remembering that she had grabbed Harry and Ron's letters in the rush out of the house that morning. Now seemed like a good time to read and respond to them. She decided to read Harry's first, assuming that Ron's would be griping about Draco the whole time.
Carefully she broke through the green seal on the back of Harry's letter and began to read.
Dearest Hermione,
Hope your Christmas is going well and Malfoy isn't treating you too terribly. I'm sure Ron would be more then happy to come and kill him for you. Speaking of Ron, he's been send home. Mrs. Weasley is furious and I'm sure that all owls being sent to him are being denied. Colin had owled me all about it (That's who Ron was staying with.) He said Ron was sending curses towards your home aimed for Malfoy. What's new? Personally I hope through all his efforts at least one curse managed to make it. I'm sure that would make all of this worth it for Ron.
On another note this has been one of my best Christmases. I never really realized what I was missing out on. There are so many traditions that go with Christmas besides candy and presents. Back when I would stay at Hogwarts during the holidays, that seemed to be the main focus. But keep in mind that those Christmases were spent with Ron, so candy and presents would be the important part, right? Ron is a good friend. My Aunt and Uncle haven't sent me anything but I think I like it better that way. I haven't opened the gift from you yet. I decided it should be saved for Christmas morning. I'm sure I'll love it though, so I'll thank you in advance. Well, write back when you can. I understand that the holiday season can be a little hectic so I'm being patient.
Happy Holidays, I miss you.
Harry.
P.S. I'm sending Hedwig Christmas Day with your present.
Hermione smiled to herself. It was nice that Harry was finally getting to experience a real Christmas with all the trimmings. She would reply to his letter as soon as she got home.
Next she pulled out Ron's letter. There were little bite marks on the corner where an obviously over excited Pigwidgion had held on tightly to the letter. She opened Ron's message with the same care she had Harry's, then began to decipher Ron's messy handwriting.
Happy Christmas Hermione,
I'm Sure Harry has told you all about my going home. I'll be sure to give Malfoy a proper cursing when I'm back at school for this. I know your saying that I should know better and all of that but it would be worth it to make your holidays a little easier. What was Dumbledore thinking pairing you with him?! Honestly.
I have to make this quick because I'm going home soon and I have a feeling I won't be able to send out owls much less do anything at all. Luckily Dumbledore has decided going home to my mother is enough punishment for casting spells when I wasn't supposed to. Because I can't send anything out I'll just give you your present when we get back to school. It will make the holidays last that much longer.
As an early gift I hope that some of my spells helped. I wasn't sure that a behavior spell would be strong enough to make a Malfoy the slightest bit nice but it was worth a try for you. I've got to get going now.
Best Holiday Wishes,
Ron
Hermione stared at the letter for a while. "Behavior spells?" she thought silently. She looked over at Draco with disbelief.
"Behavior spells?" She said out loud this time with a bit of panic in her voice. She felt her eyes well up with tears and she unknowingly crumpled Ron's letter up into a small fist-sized ball.
It couldn't be. She was sure that Draco had made these changes and choices on his own, maybe even with some help from her. Hermione refused to believe it.
"Ron's no good with spells anyway. And to cast one that works at such a distance strong enough to make Draco change in an instant would take a wizard, or witch, the caliber of Dumbledore himself to do." Hermione dabbed at her eyes. She was really starting to enjoy Draco's kind side now that she realized he had one. The thought of it all just being some stupid spell really shoved a dagger deep into her heart.
"Logically this would explain his random Muggle attacks and some of things he's even said to me. No. There is absolutely no way that Ron could pull it off. He couldn't have." Hermione leaned forward resting her head on the seat in front of her.
"I'm going to kill Ron." She muttered.
"Really? Can I help?" Hermione shot up and looked over at Draco who apparently was awake now. She looked at him with wide eyes.
"Draco, what are you talking about?" She smiled slightly forgetting for a brief moment about Ron's spells.
"You said you were going kill Weasley, I just wanted to know if I could help. That's all." Draco shrugged. "But I thought you two were friends?"
"We are. Wait! How long have you been up?" Hermione fired out questions, slight anger in her voice.
"Just long enough to hear you say that. Was there more?" He stretched then settled an arm around Hermione's shoulder. "You after Potter too? If you get rid of them both it's just you and me," he kidded.
Hermione felt a tingle run through her at his touch. "Ron isn't casting spells now and he hasn't all day. Draco's being wonderful, joking and all." She smiled happily to herself until the next thought came crashing in. "Unless because of the distance the spells just got her now and they last for a while." Hermione had a look of puzzlement on her face. "Oh just let it go. Don't be stupid! This is Ron we're talking about, he couldn't magic himself out of a box if his life depended on it." She left it at that final thought and leaned into Draco who was starting to nod off again. "Let it go, please." she begged of herself.
The bus creaked slowly at Hermione and Draco's stop. They got off bundling themselves up for the umpteenth time that day to head down the road to Hermione's home. It was dark out now with the exception of the twinkling lights covering the majority of the homes lining the road. Hermione sniffled a little from a cold she seemed to be developing.
"Draco." She looked over at him, she wanted to tell him about Ron's spells so badly so that he could tell her that he was acting this way all on his own and put her fears to ease. He had stopped and looked kindly down on her. Hermione blushed a little thinking of how handsome he had looked, the twinkling lights sparkled in his eyes and gave him an almost playful look. The moonlight was caught in his slicked-back hair giving it an even more silvery look. She caught herself in thought of what he would look like when he grew up. He was handsome now and she was sure with age he would grow even better looking. When he actually smiled it seemed to even highlight his features. She made it a point to tell him later.
"What is it, Mione?" He very rarely called her by her nickname. Hermione quickly pushed away her thoughts came up with something else to say to him. She had wanted to bring up the Behavior spell but decided this was not the best time.
"I just wanted to say thanks for the nice day." Draco looked a little confused when she said this. "Just say 'your welcome'." She giggled a little.
"Your welcome?" He said with a hint of question in his voice. If anything, he should have been thanking her. She was the one that showed him around all day. His wavering voice made her laugh out more.
Draco had a strange way of making her forget her worries and putting her mind at ease. She was begging to really like him for it. Dumbledore had been right, there was a good side to anyone if you could find it. For now she had convinced herself that this was the real Draco, not a spell-driven one. But she would keep Ron's message in the back of her head just in case.
"Up for another snowball fight, Granger?" She heard Draco's smooth voice whisper into her ear.
"Don't even think about it." She quickly turned to face him in a pose to defend herself from an ambush of powdered snow Draco had a look of innocence around him as he threw a snowball repeatedly into the air and caught it. It reminded her of the time he had stolen poor Nevil's rememberall years ago during their first flying lesson. (She hated flying lessons.)
"Don't. I'm serious if you throw that at me.I'll.I'll."Hermione tried to think of a good reason to convince him to disarm himself. "I won't kiss you anymore." She said sternly. The ball plopped to the ground. "That did it." Hermione thought cheekily.
"Will you be more apt to play when we get into the warm indoors?" Draco weaved his fingers into hers as he spoke with a daring tongue.
"Why, Mr. Malfoy!" Hermione tried to hide her astonishment. She held her free hand up to her heart. She could feel the beating increase under her palm. "Is he serious?!" Draco dragged her close to his own body and sought out her lips with his own. She allowed him to kiss her once before tearing away from him and ran down the sidewalk to her house. She could hear Draco in hot pursuit and was thankful when she reached the door. She tried to quickly slip her key in before Draco could catch up with her.
No such luck. Before she knew it a shrill cry escaped her lips as Draco skidded into her off the icy steps holding her tight to the door. Laugher from both of them followed this but only for a short while. The door supporting the both of them opened without warning causing them to fall into a heap in the Granger's foyer.
Mrs. Granger, who had opened the door hearing the racket outside looked down on the both of them. Draco's demeanor quickly changed. His jaw clenched and he collected himself off the ground. He gazed down at Mrs. Granger with a look of superiority followed by one of disgust. It was as if she were one of his many lowly servants at home who had caught him in a less then Malfoy-like situation. He brushed his hair back quickly, gave her one more sharp look then took off up the stairs to his room. She was just another dirty Muggle to him. He had not managed to get past that yet.
"I think I embarrassed him." Mrs. Granger smiled at her daughter who was in a sitting position on the foyer tiles now. "What was going on out there? I think I might have interrupted something very important. Hmm?" Mrs. Granger raised an eyebrow at her giggly offspring.
"Nothing. Goodnight mother." Hermione's cheeks flushed red as she stood and started for her room.
"Hermione." Hermione stopped when she heard her mother call her. "Aren't you going to tell me about your day?" Mrs. Granger waited for her to return to the foot of the stairs. "Don't think you can just steal off to your room without giving me the details."
"What is it you want to know?" Hermione was in a hurry to get up to her room, she had a lot of things she had to take care of before going bed such as letters and thoughts that needed sorting.
"Well for one, why do you and Mr. Malfoy seem to be so chummy suddenly? I do recall you two were at each others throats when he first got here." Her mother ushered her into a seat on the sofa. "It seems like you still may be." She added quickly.
"Mother!" Hermione couldn't believe this. She knew that her mother could be blunt but nothing like this.
"How is it that mothers always know?" Hermione thought bitterly to herself, frowning for a second.
"Draco and I have always been good friends." Hermione retorted trying to cover for the fact that her mother was right, very right.
"Really? Do tell." She slipped some hair behind an ear. "I always thought that you two held a certain reluctance towards one another, am I right?" She waited for her daughter's response. She could see the cogs in Hermione's mind turning in thought.
"Oh mother! You're being ridiculous! You must be out of your mind. I told you that Draco and I have always been friends. Wherever you got the idea that we haven't always been like this, is a wonder to me." Hermione rolled her eyes then started up again. "Reluctant to one another? Draco and I have been friends since the day we met at Hogwarts, remember, I wrote to you about that." Hermione looked to the ceiling wishing that what she was saying was really true and that her mother would stop questioning her.
"I could have sworn that was Harry you were talking about." Mrs. Granger wasn't stupid, she could read her daughter perfectly and the blush stained across her cheeks was a dead give-away that something was up. She decided that she would leave it at that.
"This came for Draco, you might want to give it to him." Mrs. Granger handed her a letter bearing the Malfoy crest out to her. Hermione took the envelope in her hands. "It must be from his father. He's always overly concerned about Draco." Hermione stood and made her way up stairs.
"Draco?" She lightly knocked on his door.
"Hold on." She heard his muffled voice, then a few moments later the door clicked open revealing a boxer-clad Draco. Hermione's eyes automatically scanned him up and down then her eyes rested on his. He wore a smug grin on his face knowing full well that Hermione had just eyeballed him from head to toe.
"T-this came for you." She held the note out to him. He took it from her recognizing the seal.
"Your father?" She questioned to break the silence.
He shook his head with a small smile gracing his face. "My mother. She's not a terror like he is. Thankfully." He leaned in the doorframe and ripped open the seal. His eyes scanned the letter moving from line to line. Hermione was anxious to know what the letter actually said. Draco laughed a little to himself, peaking Hermione's curiosity even more.
"Well thanks Hermione, goodnight." He leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
"Wait. Wait. Wait." She put her hand on the door so that he couldn't close it. Draco looked down at her, sliding his fingers off of the door handle. "Is there something more you want?" He licked his lips.
"Well, you aren't going to bed yet, are you?" She suddenly became very interested in playing with the strands of her own hair.
"Well no, not yet" He stopped when Hermione pushed past him into his room. He quirked an eyebrow at her then looked out into the hallway. Shrugging, he turned back to Hermione closing his bedroom door behind him.
"Made yourself comfortable I see." He hoisted himself up onto his bed that Hermione had already perched herself upon.
"You said you weren't going to bed so I just though I would sit here and talk with you for a while. We still need to discuss the other Muggle activities were going to do before we have to go back to school.
"Work? We have a whole week and then some to worry about that stuff. My brain is too tired to think about our project. Haven't you had enough of it already today?" Draco punched at one of his pillows before settling down on it. "There are plenty of other things we could be doing right now." He looked over at her quickly.
"Oh? Like what would you suggest?" Hermione rubbed her fingers together then looked at them as if she were examining her nails. "Biscuits?" She raised her eyebrows at him, knowing that he had developed a certain taste for them.
"You've got more?" He shot up from his lying pose.
"I was kidding. Well I have letters to write so maybe I should get to that, unless there is anything else you want to talk about or maybe do before we retire." She hinted to him.
Hermione had been hoping for at least one goodnight kiss or any sign of affection from the blonde. Hermione's wishes came true when she felt Draco pull her body over his and just held on to her arms securely draped around her waist. He felt Hermione's eyelashes tickle his cheek then the feathery soft touch of her lips followed it. Draco could not help but smile and take in her gentle kisses. Slowly and gently Draco traced his fingers up and down Hermione's spine. His other hand held tightly to her waist, he turned his head caught her lips with his enveloping them in a sweet slow kiss. The same happy feeling washed over Hermione once more. She felt like she was soaring. His kisses seemed different this time around, not it a bad way, just all together different.
Hermione responded with a small moan when Draco bit on her lower lip urging her to open her mouth just a little. She reluctantly complied with his hungry sucking and biting. The next feeling that came washing over her was one of pure bliss. The kisses they shared had never been as passionate as this one, or they had but never reached this level. Hermione mimicked his movements tracing his lips with her tongue before they met in an all out mouth war. They both pulled away, their lips lingering together for as long as they could without oxygen. Hermione smiled trying to hold back her giggles at Draco's lips, which were now red and swollen. She reached up and put her fingers to his mouth, his lips burned under her touch. He gently kissed and sucked at her fingertips
"Goodnight." She smiled at him and hoisted herself off of his form.
"Night." He smiled watching her slip out of the guest bedroom door. Draco sighed and settled his hands behind his head, content with himself. The day was good, the night had been even better, and he was hungry for more. Now that the moment was over it seemed so short. At the time it had felt like they were lost in their own world for eternity, and he could have stayed there for eternity if Hermione would have permitted.
Trying to get his mind off of kisses and passion he decided it would be best to write a well overdue letter to his father and one to his mother. Writing to his mother would be much easier so he decided to start with that letter first but a nagging feeling kept at him. He became lost in his own thoughts as he sat there longer then he really imagined, blank parchment in front of him. Draco bit at his own lips in quiet thought and dipped the tip of his quill in and out of the inkbottle mindlessly. He glanced over at the desk clock, the hour was later then he thought. He must have been sitting there for hours. He found himself doing that a lot lately, just spacing out for a few hours at a time.
"All the Grangers should be asleep by now." He set the quill down. "Maybe I'll pay Hermione a little visit." He switched the desk lamp off and stumbled in the dark towards his door.
He was right about the Grangers, they were all sleeping soundly. He could hear Tom Grangers loud snoring from the downstairs master bedroom. He crept quietly towards the end of the pitch-black hallway. His breathing became shaky and he felt a nervousness pass through him as he grasped onto the brass doorknob and turned it slowly.
"What am I doing?" He let go of the handle quickly as if touching it had burned him.
"I was just about to ask you the same thing." A steady voice said.
Draco whirled around and came eye to eye with cold grey ones just like his own they stared down on him with sternness in his chiseled face.
"Father!" Draco felt the words squeak out of his mouth. He flattened against the door; his heart was pounding in his chest. Lucius Malfoy was a cruel man, even towards his family and Draco knew that. He never feared death. His father wouldn't do that, it would be the end of the Malfoy name if he did.
"Father, I-"
"Don't speak. I was worried that you might grow a fondness for these Mudbloods and Muggles if I let you go on this trip. Apparently you have. We'll just have to change that. Won't we, Draco?"
Lucius thin lips turned up into a smirk.
"Yes Father." Draco looked down. Inside he was panicking but if his father knew that he would be in more trouble then he already was.
"Remain calm. Remain calm." Draco repeated in his head.
"Come along Draco." He thrust forward a set of robes to his son. "Poppy is taking care of your things." With a swish of his jet-black robes Lucius had turned and headed down the Granger's stairs.
Draco could hear Poppy in the guestroom struggling with his heavy trunk. He gave one last look down the hallway at Hermione's door and pulled the long hood of the robe up over his head shadowing his face and covering his shimmering hair.
"Draco!" He heard his father's stern voice call. Draco winced a little but hurried to catch up with his father who was standing by the fireplace a pouch of floo powder clutched in his gloved palm. "You first."
To those who reviewed:
Lady Malfoy: Maybe. Maybe not. I'm not that far yet lol. Thanks for your review. Keehee
Karly: I would be cold if I was trotting around in a skirt. I don't know if I ever said that she was in a skirt but I always imagined it lol. Anyway thanks for your review.
Couch-Potato: Really? Wow, thank you so much for that compliment, I've been trying really hard not to rush them into anything. Thank you so much for your review.
Lil-Spitfire: LOL. Thanks! I know I love an embarrassed Draco (they are few and far between) As always, thank you for your review!
DeathValley: Yeah.uh, sorry this one took a long long time, I'll try to be quicker about piecing the next one together. Thank you for your review.
Molly Chan and Co: (I guess that is what I've dubbed you.) Haha, it would be fun to take advantage of Draco in an awkward moment, wouldn't it? Thank you so much for your review!
S-Star: Oh have you had food there? Is it really good? I suppose I would want to go there just to see what it is like. LOL Anyways, thank you for your review!
Broken-Hermoine: Kinky Hermione LAMO. Draco would do that sort of thing, wouldn't he? When I post this I'll go ahead and check out your fics PROMISE!!! Lol! Thank you for your review!!
Kaitiland: Sure thing, lol. Thank you for your review.
Telemoo: He isn't really like that in the books, I don't think...no, not really. But in this story, oh yes. Defiantly. Thanks for your review!
Book-Lover: Yup! They sure do! Lol Thank you for your review. WoemmonABC: Lol I did, I already talked to you so..uh.yeah! LOL Thank you for your review!!
Kai Shikaido: Thank you so much for everything! I'm glad that you really like it. Thanks for your loyal reviews! ^^
Girldevil: You didn't like Draco?! NOOoo! Lol. Draco is really really easy to get addicted to, trust me! Thank you for your review.
Space Efficient Girl: Thanks I'm glad you seem to like it! Thank you for your review!
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PudMuffin: I have written more, I just hope the next part gets up a little faster then this, it must have been because of vacation that I didn't get it up on time. And there are letters from ron and harry as you saw.. HAHA poor ronny. (I love him so much) Thank you for your review.
Jill: I hope you do to! Thank you for your review.
Gia Black: Well there is a change in Draco, but that is supposed to be there, and this chapter should have explained any over OOC-ness. Thanks for your review!
Pyra Sanada: Me too! I'm glad that I'm doing okay with Hermione. It is a little weird for them to be nice to each other, but not impossible and as for it being perfect. Well this chapter should have changed that a bit.
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The Brainless Wonder: Thank you so much! Yeah, I thought it would be fun to make it in the school, it seems like a crazy Dumbledore like thing to do. Thanks for your review!!
"Thank Yous!" to those of you who reviewed are at the bottom of this chapter. Sorry this chapter took a bit longer. I was gone on vacation to Las Vegas for the majority of my winter break. Anyway, I'm happy now to say that I have a beta-reader. (I never knew what that was lol.) She's been a great big whopping help, Thanks!! Anyway, I hope you all had a really good Christmas (or whatever holiday you celebrate.) Hehe. Well I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Hermione was pretty please with herself. The look on Draco's face was priceless. He was even stuttering. Hermione laughed a little as she turned to look back at him again.
"Come on Draco, you're getting left behind." Her pace slowed so he could catch up with her. She felt him grab her hand when he was close enough to her.
"What's the matter?" She looked over her shoulder at him. His cheeks still burned red. She decided she would have a little fun with him.
"Oh, if I only had a camera to capture you in this moment." Hermione sighed.
"What? Why?" Draco reached up and covered his blazing cheeks.
"Well, it isn't every day that you find a Malfoy in this condition, red cheeks and all-"
"What sort of condition?" He interrupted her.
"I have no condition that I'm in. I'm fine! You're the one with the condition, making up these ludicrous things about me being embarrassed."
Draco scowled trying to hide his rosy cheeks and shocked look. Hermione had blocked him out. She had stopped walking trying to get her bearings.
"Do you really want to shop? Why don't you just write to your mother or something like that? Besides I don't think your father would approve of you buying her anything from the Muggle world. Right?"
Hermione was not sure where a shopping centre was or would be and she hated to admit that she had overlooked that in her research of London, especially to Draco who would, no question, rub that in.
"I guess you're right, Father might think I'm growing a soft spot for those idiotic muggles.
Draco looked up into the sky. He'd give anything to be on a broomstick, soaring through the clouds. He'd even be willing to let Hermione share the ride with him. He was really starting to miss his magic, it made life so much easier. Hermione was thankful that he decided he didn't want to go shopping anymore. For one, because of the holidays it would be packed and any Muggle that had come into Draco's path without him letting them cross it had ended up crying or on the floor. And the second reason was she didn't know where to go, so it was just as well that they did not go at all. It would be pointless to go chasing around all of London just for a gift that would most likely be scoffed upon.
"What are we going to do then?" Draco's mind finally came out of the clouds and back to earth. The Magical world would have to wait for him. (Or he for it.)
"Well let's just walk and sight-see, there's not much more we can do that that." Hermione suggested quickly before he decided he wanted to go to a shopping centre regardless of whether or not he would be buying anything.
"I can think of other things we can do." Draco said slyly a suggestive look sparkling in his eyes.
"Draco." Hermione's warning voice brushed the grin off of his face. "Okay fine, then why don't we go to Diagon Alley?" Draco's eyes lit up at his own brilliant suggestion and the thought of something familiar, something magical.
"As fun as that sounds we can't, you know that." Hermione sighed. It was a very good idea but not one that was allowed within the rules and they had broken enough rules already. She wished that they could go though. She still needed to buy Harry and Ron some Christmas gifts most likely of the Quidditch sort. (But she was sure that they both had everything you could possibly own between their two collections.)
"That damn Muggle rule again, huh?" Draco narrowed his eyes. "This is the most stupid thing I've ever had to be a part of. Bloody old Dumbledore, him and his stupid ideas! My father was right about him."
Draco kicked at the snow.
"Don't say those things about Dumbledore! He's a great wizard, the very best!" Hermione quickly scolded.
"And besides, if all this hadn't happened you and I would still be at each other throats hating each others every living moment. It's really not so bad when you think of it that way." Hermione tried to get him to see the good in things.
"I guess." He was still going to take some convincing. "I hardly think that."
"I know you liked the London Eye." She began to list of the things they had done that day.
"The end part." Draco piped, in a new mood. Hermione then felt his warm lips brush across her cheek. She rolled her eyes at him. "You also ate your dip faster than anyone I've ever met. I know you enjoyed that lunch."
"I didn't enjoy it that much!" He protested.
"Fine then, you didn't." She really did not feel like being strung along on a picked fight with him at that moment.
They had been walking a while now and Hermione's feet were aching. She swore that she could feel the dull beat of her heart in the soles of her shoes. Draco had noticed her normally fast pace was beginning to slowly decrease with each step forward.
"Here, let's stop for a bit." Hermione looked up with gratefully when he said this.
"My feet are killing me." She leaned up against him and wriggled her toes in her shoes hoping it would bring some relief. If it hadn't of been so cold she would have just taken them off for a little while but the icy winter wind was already biting at her. Draco wrapped an arm around her.
"It's very pretty out here." Hermione commented trying to take her mind off of her feet. Draco only let out a small noise of agreement.
"What time is it?" Draco asked. Hermione looked down at her watch.
"It's already four." She answered him.
"Is it really?" Draco had not realized how late it had actually been.
"Well, if you would have been a little quicker and woken up when I told you to, it wouldn't be this late." Hermione smirked.
"Shut your trap Granger." Draco said with slight irritation in his voice.
"I'm joking with you." She smiled brightly at him. He had a look of disbelief on his face. Hermione noticed his cheeks and nose turning red from the bitter cold. "Maybe its time we go home, we're both freezing." Her jaw began to shake and her teeth chattered at the thought of the coldness around them.
"I've got an idea, you give me a piggy back ride to the bus station and then we can go home and I can spoil you with treats and cocoa." Hermione took his hand.
"I give you a what?" Draco hoped this had something to do with kissing and pulled her closer to him.
"A piggy back ride." Hermione pulled out of his grasp and stood behind him.
"What are you doing?!" He started to turn but was stopped by Hermione's hand. "Get ready, I'm jumping on to you." Hermione leapt up onto his back sending them both to the snowy ground.
"What do you think you are doing?" Draco repeated and quickly stood brushing snow off of himself, looking quite upset. Hermione stayed on the ground in stitches.
"You were supposed to catch me, you dolt." Hermione let out and fell into another fit of laughter.
"You tackled me from behind, how was I supposed to even know to catch you if I didn't know what you were doing?" Draco stood over her and stared hard down at her.
"I told you what I was about to do, you should have been ready for it." She reached a hand up. "Help me, will you?" She hit him in the leg with the arm that she had up in the air.
"Ow! You can stay there now." Draco scowled and started to walk away.
"Draco Malfoy! Don't you dare leave me here." Hermione slowly stood to her feet, shaking a little. The coldness had gone through her layers of clothing and straight to the bone.
"Draco, please!" Hermione wrapped her arms around herself.
"Can't you move?" He breathed out causing his breath to crystallize in the air before him.
"N-no." Her teeth chattered.
He trudged back to her feeling the coldness himself.
"C'mon, Mione." He rubbed his hands up and down her arms trying to warm her up. "If you stay here you'll only get colder and then you'll miss Christmas and I'm sure your family has some sort of tradition you don't want to miss." Draco pulled her close trying to get her warm. He wanted to go home too, so if he didn't get her warm he didn't see himself getting into a nice warm house anytime soon either. "You want that piggy back thing? Will that make it better?" Draco asked as a last resort.
"Yes, thank you." She held onto him enjoying his warmth. Hermione jumped up onto his back and wrapped her arms around his neck putting her head down to shield her face from the cold winds. She closed her eyes feeling a great satisfaction wash over her. She had Draco acting like a normal human being, not lashing out at anyone or doing bodily harm. (With two exceptions.) She took in a deep breath. He smelled so good. That smell was becoming so familiar to her and the warmth of his touch had seemed to become gentler over the short time they had decided to let bygones be bygones.
She felt as though she was being rocked to sleep with each crunchy step he took in the powdery snow that was still falling gracefully to the ground. She smiled to herself and wrapped her arms tighter around his neck. She wondered what he was thinking, he was pretty quiet.
And for good reason. He had a lot on his mind. He was sorting out a mental checklist of things he needed to get done when he got back to the Granger's home. Sending his father an owl was one of his first priorities. Lucius would be the type to just randomly show up on the Granger's doorstep shooting curses from his wand then later claim he was protecting the well being of his only son if he did not send something soon.
He adjusted his grip on Hermione. "Broom, levitation spell, anything." Draco thought. It wasn't that she was heavy or anything like that but after supporting someone for a long walk you could get really tired. Much to Draco's relief the bus station was close now.
"Hermione, we're going to have to get on the bus now." He stopped when he reached the loading platform. She opened her eyes slowly letting his words register and realizing where they were. Draco leaned slightly forward so she could lower herself off of his back.
"You've tired me out now. I'm sure I'll be able to rest on the way home." Draco stretched his arms above his head, twisting to crack his sore back. He would kill for one of the Malfoy servants' back home to give him a well- deserved back massage. They boarded the bus, Draco scowling at the few Muggles who dared to get to near him, or even Hermione. Thankfully things stayed at menacing glares and never came to blows. Hermione had also been keeping a tight hand on Draco's lower arm to remind him of the consequences he could face if he hurt anyone.
Ten minutes into the bus ride Draco was already leaned up against the window, snoozing. Hermione reached for her bag remembering that she had grabbed Harry and Ron's letters in the rush out of the house that morning. Now seemed like a good time to read and respond to them. She decided to read Harry's first, assuming that Ron's would be griping about Draco the whole time.
Carefully she broke through the green seal on the back of Harry's letter and began to read.
Dearest Hermione,
Hope your Christmas is going well and Malfoy isn't treating you too terribly. I'm sure Ron would be more then happy to come and kill him for you. Speaking of Ron, he's been send home. Mrs. Weasley is furious and I'm sure that all owls being sent to him are being denied. Colin had owled me all about it (That's who Ron was staying with.) He said Ron was sending curses towards your home aimed for Malfoy. What's new? Personally I hope through all his efforts at least one curse managed to make it. I'm sure that would make all of this worth it for Ron.
On another note this has been one of my best Christmases. I never really realized what I was missing out on. There are so many traditions that go with Christmas besides candy and presents. Back when I would stay at Hogwarts during the holidays, that seemed to be the main focus. But keep in mind that those Christmases were spent with Ron, so candy and presents would be the important part, right? Ron is a good friend. My Aunt and Uncle haven't sent me anything but I think I like it better that way. I haven't opened the gift from you yet. I decided it should be saved for Christmas morning. I'm sure I'll love it though, so I'll thank you in advance. Well, write back when you can. I understand that the holiday season can be a little hectic so I'm being patient.
Happy Holidays, I miss you.
Harry.
P.S. I'm sending Hedwig Christmas Day with your present.
Hermione smiled to herself. It was nice that Harry was finally getting to experience a real Christmas with all the trimmings. She would reply to his letter as soon as she got home.
Next she pulled out Ron's letter. There were little bite marks on the corner where an obviously over excited Pigwidgion had held on tightly to the letter. She opened Ron's message with the same care she had Harry's, then began to decipher Ron's messy handwriting.
Happy Christmas Hermione,
I'm Sure Harry has told you all about my going home. I'll be sure to give Malfoy a proper cursing when I'm back at school for this. I know your saying that I should know better and all of that but it would be worth it to make your holidays a little easier. What was Dumbledore thinking pairing you with him?! Honestly.
I have to make this quick because I'm going home soon and I have a feeling I won't be able to send out owls much less do anything at all. Luckily Dumbledore has decided going home to my mother is enough punishment for casting spells when I wasn't supposed to. Because I can't send anything out I'll just give you your present when we get back to school. It will make the holidays last that much longer.
As an early gift I hope that some of my spells helped. I wasn't sure that a behavior spell would be strong enough to make a Malfoy the slightest bit nice but it was worth a try for you. I've got to get going now.
Best Holiday Wishes,
Ron
Hermione stared at the letter for a while. "Behavior spells?" she thought silently. She looked over at Draco with disbelief.
"Behavior spells?" She said out loud this time with a bit of panic in her voice. She felt her eyes well up with tears and she unknowingly crumpled Ron's letter up into a small fist-sized ball.
It couldn't be. She was sure that Draco had made these changes and choices on his own, maybe even with some help from her. Hermione refused to believe it.
"Ron's no good with spells anyway. And to cast one that works at such a distance strong enough to make Draco change in an instant would take a wizard, or witch, the caliber of Dumbledore himself to do." Hermione dabbed at her eyes. She was really starting to enjoy Draco's kind side now that she realized he had one. The thought of it all just being some stupid spell really shoved a dagger deep into her heart.
"Logically this would explain his random Muggle attacks and some of things he's even said to me. No. There is absolutely no way that Ron could pull it off. He couldn't have." Hermione leaned forward resting her head on the seat in front of her.
"I'm going to kill Ron." She muttered.
"Really? Can I help?" Hermione shot up and looked over at Draco who apparently was awake now. She looked at him with wide eyes.
"Draco, what are you talking about?" She smiled slightly forgetting for a brief moment about Ron's spells.
"You said you were going kill Weasley, I just wanted to know if I could help. That's all." Draco shrugged. "But I thought you two were friends?"
"We are. Wait! How long have you been up?" Hermione fired out questions, slight anger in her voice.
"Just long enough to hear you say that. Was there more?" He stretched then settled an arm around Hermione's shoulder. "You after Potter too? If you get rid of them both it's just you and me," he kidded.
Hermione felt a tingle run through her at his touch. "Ron isn't casting spells now and he hasn't all day. Draco's being wonderful, joking and all." She smiled happily to herself until the next thought came crashing in. "Unless because of the distance the spells just got her now and they last for a while." Hermione had a look of puzzlement on her face. "Oh just let it go. Don't be stupid! This is Ron we're talking about, he couldn't magic himself out of a box if his life depended on it." She left it at that final thought and leaned into Draco who was starting to nod off again. "Let it go, please." she begged of herself.
The bus creaked slowly at Hermione and Draco's stop. They got off bundling themselves up for the umpteenth time that day to head down the road to Hermione's home. It was dark out now with the exception of the twinkling lights covering the majority of the homes lining the road. Hermione sniffled a little from a cold she seemed to be developing.
"Draco." She looked over at him, she wanted to tell him about Ron's spells so badly so that he could tell her that he was acting this way all on his own and put her fears to ease. He had stopped and looked kindly down on her. Hermione blushed a little thinking of how handsome he had looked, the twinkling lights sparkled in his eyes and gave him an almost playful look. The moonlight was caught in his slicked-back hair giving it an even more silvery look. She caught herself in thought of what he would look like when he grew up. He was handsome now and she was sure with age he would grow even better looking. When he actually smiled it seemed to even highlight his features. She made it a point to tell him later.
"What is it, Mione?" He very rarely called her by her nickname. Hermione quickly pushed away her thoughts came up with something else to say to him. She had wanted to bring up the Behavior spell but decided this was not the best time.
"I just wanted to say thanks for the nice day." Draco looked a little confused when she said this. "Just say 'your welcome'." She giggled a little.
"Your welcome?" He said with a hint of question in his voice. If anything, he should have been thanking her. She was the one that showed him around all day. His wavering voice made her laugh out more.
Draco had a strange way of making her forget her worries and putting her mind at ease. She was begging to really like him for it. Dumbledore had been right, there was a good side to anyone if you could find it. For now she had convinced herself that this was the real Draco, not a spell-driven one. But she would keep Ron's message in the back of her head just in case.
"Up for another snowball fight, Granger?" She heard Draco's smooth voice whisper into her ear.
"Don't even think about it." She quickly turned to face him in a pose to defend herself from an ambush of powdered snow Draco had a look of innocence around him as he threw a snowball repeatedly into the air and caught it. It reminded her of the time he had stolen poor Nevil's rememberall years ago during their first flying lesson. (She hated flying lessons.)
"Don't. I'm serious if you throw that at me.I'll.I'll."Hermione tried to think of a good reason to convince him to disarm himself. "I won't kiss you anymore." She said sternly. The ball plopped to the ground. "That did it." Hermione thought cheekily.
"Will you be more apt to play when we get into the warm indoors?" Draco weaved his fingers into hers as he spoke with a daring tongue.
"Why, Mr. Malfoy!" Hermione tried to hide her astonishment. She held her free hand up to her heart. She could feel the beating increase under her palm. "Is he serious?!" Draco dragged her close to his own body and sought out her lips with his own. She allowed him to kiss her once before tearing away from him and ran down the sidewalk to her house. She could hear Draco in hot pursuit and was thankful when she reached the door. She tried to quickly slip her key in before Draco could catch up with her.
No such luck. Before she knew it a shrill cry escaped her lips as Draco skidded into her off the icy steps holding her tight to the door. Laugher from both of them followed this but only for a short while. The door supporting the both of them opened without warning causing them to fall into a heap in the Granger's foyer.
Mrs. Granger, who had opened the door hearing the racket outside looked down on the both of them. Draco's demeanor quickly changed. His jaw clenched and he collected himself off the ground. He gazed down at Mrs. Granger with a look of superiority followed by one of disgust. It was as if she were one of his many lowly servants at home who had caught him in a less then Malfoy-like situation. He brushed his hair back quickly, gave her one more sharp look then took off up the stairs to his room. She was just another dirty Muggle to him. He had not managed to get past that yet.
"I think I embarrassed him." Mrs. Granger smiled at her daughter who was in a sitting position on the foyer tiles now. "What was going on out there? I think I might have interrupted something very important. Hmm?" Mrs. Granger raised an eyebrow at her giggly offspring.
"Nothing. Goodnight mother." Hermione's cheeks flushed red as she stood and started for her room.
"Hermione." Hermione stopped when she heard her mother call her. "Aren't you going to tell me about your day?" Mrs. Granger waited for her to return to the foot of the stairs. "Don't think you can just steal off to your room without giving me the details."
"What is it you want to know?" Hermione was in a hurry to get up to her room, she had a lot of things she had to take care of before going bed such as letters and thoughts that needed sorting.
"Well for one, why do you and Mr. Malfoy seem to be so chummy suddenly? I do recall you two were at each others throats when he first got here." Her mother ushered her into a seat on the sofa. "It seems like you still may be." She added quickly.
"Mother!" Hermione couldn't believe this. She knew that her mother could be blunt but nothing like this.
"How is it that mothers always know?" Hermione thought bitterly to herself, frowning for a second.
"Draco and I have always been good friends." Hermione retorted trying to cover for the fact that her mother was right, very right.
"Really? Do tell." She slipped some hair behind an ear. "I always thought that you two held a certain reluctance towards one another, am I right?" She waited for her daughter's response. She could see the cogs in Hermione's mind turning in thought.
"Oh mother! You're being ridiculous! You must be out of your mind. I told you that Draco and I have always been friends. Wherever you got the idea that we haven't always been like this, is a wonder to me." Hermione rolled her eyes then started up again. "Reluctant to one another? Draco and I have been friends since the day we met at Hogwarts, remember, I wrote to you about that." Hermione looked to the ceiling wishing that what she was saying was really true and that her mother would stop questioning her.
"I could have sworn that was Harry you were talking about." Mrs. Granger wasn't stupid, she could read her daughter perfectly and the blush stained across her cheeks was a dead give-away that something was up. She decided that she would leave it at that.
"This came for Draco, you might want to give it to him." Mrs. Granger handed her a letter bearing the Malfoy crest out to her. Hermione took the envelope in her hands. "It must be from his father. He's always overly concerned about Draco." Hermione stood and made her way up stairs.
"Draco?" She lightly knocked on his door.
"Hold on." She heard his muffled voice, then a few moments later the door clicked open revealing a boxer-clad Draco. Hermione's eyes automatically scanned him up and down then her eyes rested on his. He wore a smug grin on his face knowing full well that Hermione had just eyeballed him from head to toe.
"T-this came for you." She held the note out to him. He took it from her recognizing the seal.
"Your father?" She questioned to break the silence.
He shook his head with a small smile gracing his face. "My mother. She's not a terror like he is. Thankfully." He leaned in the doorframe and ripped open the seal. His eyes scanned the letter moving from line to line. Hermione was anxious to know what the letter actually said. Draco laughed a little to himself, peaking Hermione's curiosity even more.
"Well thanks Hermione, goodnight." He leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
"Wait. Wait. Wait." She put her hand on the door so that he couldn't close it. Draco looked down at her, sliding his fingers off of the door handle. "Is there something more you want?" He licked his lips.
"Well, you aren't going to bed yet, are you?" She suddenly became very interested in playing with the strands of her own hair.
"Well no, not yet" He stopped when Hermione pushed past him into his room. He quirked an eyebrow at her then looked out into the hallway. Shrugging, he turned back to Hermione closing his bedroom door behind him.
"Made yourself comfortable I see." He hoisted himself up onto his bed that Hermione had already perched herself upon.
"You said you weren't going to bed so I just though I would sit here and talk with you for a while. We still need to discuss the other Muggle activities were going to do before we have to go back to school.
"Work? We have a whole week and then some to worry about that stuff. My brain is too tired to think about our project. Haven't you had enough of it already today?" Draco punched at one of his pillows before settling down on it. "There are plenty of other things we could be doing right now." He looked over at her quickly.
"Oh? Like what would you suggest?" Hermione rubbed her fingers together then looked at them as if she were examining her nails. "Biscuits?" She raised her eyebrows at him, knowing that he had developed a certain taste for them.
"You've got more?" He shot up from his lying pose.
"I was kidding. Well I have letters to write so maybe I should get to that, unless there is anything else you want to talk about or maybe do before we retire." She hinted to him.
Hermione had been hoping for at least one goodnight kiss or any sign of affection from the blonde. Hermione's wishes came true when she felt Draco pull her body over his and just held on to her arms securely draped around her waist. He felt Hermione's eyelashes tickle his cheek then the feathery soft touch of her lips followed it. Draco could not help but smile and take in her gentle kisses. Slowly and gently Draco traced his fingers up and down Hermione's spine. His other hand held tightly to her waist, he turned his head caught her lips with his enveloping them in a sweet slow kiss. The same happy feeling washed over Hermione once more. She felt like she was soaring. His kisses seemed different this time around, not it a bad way, just all together different.
Hermione responded with a small moan when Draco bit on her lower lip urging her to open her mouth just a little. She reluctantly complied with his hungry sucking and biting. The next feeling that came washing over her was one of pure bliss. The kisses they shared had never been as passionate as this one, or they had but never reached this level. Hermione mimicked his movements tracing his lips with her tongue before they met in an all out mouth war. They both pulled away, their lips lingering together for as long as they could without oxygen. Hermione smiled trying to hold back her giggles at Draco's lips, which were now red and swollen. She reached up and put her fingers to his mouth, his lips burned under her touch. He gently kissed and sucked at her fingertips
"Goodnight." She smiled at him and hoisted herself off of his form.
"Night." He smiled watching her slip out of the guest bedroom door. Draco sighed and settled his hands behind his head, content with himself. The day was good, the night had been even better, and he was hungry for more. Now that the moment was over it seemed so short. At the time it had felt like they were lost in their own world for eternity, and he could have stayed there for eternity if Hermione would have permitted.
Trying to get his mind off of kisses and passion he decided it would be best to write a well overdue letter to his father and one to his mother. Writing to his mother would be much easier so he decided to start with that letter first but a nagging feeling kept at him. He became lost in his own thoughts as he sat there longer then he really imagined, blank parchment in front of him. Draco bit at his own lips in quiet thought and dipped the tip of his quill in and out of the inkbottle mindlessly. He glanced over at the desk clock, the hour was later then he thought. He must have been sitting there for hours. He found himself doing that a lot lately, just spacing out for a few hours at a time.
"All the Grangers should be asleep by now." He set the quill down. "Maybe I'll pay Hermione a little visit." He switched the desk lamp off and stumbled in the dark towards his door.
He was right about the Grangers, they were all sleeping soundly. He could hear Tom Grangers loud snoring from the downstairs master bedroom. He crept quietly towards the end of the pitch-black hallway. His breathing became shaky and he felt a nervousness pass through him as he grasped onto the brass doorknob and turned it slowly.
"What am I doing?" He let go of the handle quickly as if touching it had burned him.
"I was just about to ask you the same thing." A steady voice said.
Draco whirled around and came eye to eye with cold grey ones just like his own they stared down on him with sternness in his chiseled face.
"Father!" Draco felt the words squeak out of his mouth. He flattened against the door; his heart was pounding in his chest. Lucius Malfoy was a cruel man, even towards his family and Draco knew that. He never feared death. His father wouldn't do that, it would be the end of the Malfoy name if he did.
"Father, I-"
"Don't speak. I was worried that you might grow a fondness for these Mudbloods and Muggles if I let you go on this trip. Apparently you have. We'll just have to change that. Won't we, Draco?"
Lucius thin lips turned up into a smirk.
"Yes Father." Draco looked down. Inside he was panicking but if his father knew that he would be in more trouble then he already was.
"Remain calm. Remain calm." Draco repeated in his head.
"Come along Draco." He thrust forward a set of robes to his son. "Poppy is taking care of your things." With a swish of his jet-black robes Lucius had turned and headed down the Granger's stairs.
Draco could hear Poppy in the guestroom struggling with his heavy trunk. He gave one last look down the hallway at Hermione's door and pulled the long hood of the robe up over his head shadowing his face and covering his shimmering hair.
"Draco!" He heard his father's stern voice call. Draco winced a little but hurried to catch up with his father who was standing by the fireplace a pouch of floo powder clutched in his gloved palm. "You first."
To those who reviewed:
Lady Malfoy: Maybe. Maybe not. I'm not that far yet lol. Thanks for your review. Keehee
Karly: I would be cold if I was trotting around in a skirt. I don't know if I ever said that she was in a skirt but I always imagined it lol. Anyway thanks for your review.
Couch-Potato: Really? Wow, thank you so much for that compliment, I've been trying really hard not to rush them into anything. Thank you so much for your review.
Lil-Spitfire: LOL. Thanks! I know I love an embarrassed Draco (they are few and far between) As always, thank you for your review!
DeathValley: Yeah.uh, sorry this one took a long long time, I'll try to be quicker about piecing the next one together. Thank you for your review.
Molly Chan and Co: (I guess that is what I've dubbed you.) Haha, it would be fun to take advantage of Draco in an awkward moment, wouldn't it? Thank you so much for your review!
S-Star: Oh have you had food there? Is it really good? I suppose I would want to go there just to see what it is like. LOL Anyways, thank you for your review!
Broken-Hermoine: Kinky Hermione LAMO. Draco would do that sort of thing, wouldn't he? When I post this I'll go ahead and check out your fics PROMISE!!! Lol! Thank you for your review!!
Kaitiland: Sure thing, lol. Thank you for your review.
Telemoo: He isn't really like that in the books, I don't think...no, not really. But in this story, oh yes. Defiantly. Thanks for your review!
Book-Lover: Yup! They sure do! Lol Thank you for your review. WoemmonABC: Lol I did, I already talked to you so..uh.yeah! LOL Thank you for your review!!
Kai Shikaido: Thank you so much for everything! I'm glad that you really like it. Thanks for your loyal reviews! ^^
Girldevil: You didn't like Draco?! NOOoo! Lol. Draco is really really easy to get addicted to, trust me! Thank you for your review.
Space Efficient Girl: Thanks I'm glad you seem to like it! Thank you for your review!
Paper Star: Wow, I cant thank you enough! Mweehee. I'm glad that you offered to be my beta reader I really needed one as you can tell, and thank you so much for helping me steer Draco in the right direction! Thanks for reviewing also! ^^
BoB: I hope you haven't attacked walmart yet. That would be bad, where would all those shoppers go?! Target I guess. Anyways Thank you for your review!!
PudMuffin: I have written more, I just hope the next part gets up a little faster then this, it must have been because of vacation that I didn't get it up on time. And there are letters from ron and harry as you saw.. HAHA poor ronny. (I love him so much) Thank you for your review.
Jill: I hope you do to! Thank you for your review.
Gia Black: Well there is a change in Draco, but that is supposed to be there, and this chapter should have explained any over OOC-ness. Thanks for your review!
Pyra Sanada: Me too! I'm glad that I'm doing okay with Hermione. It is a little weird for them to be nice to each other, but not impossible and as for it being perfect. Well this chapter should have changed that a bit.
Risquer: Thanks!!! Wow! I like this Draco to but its so hard to get him to stay around! Lol Thank you for your review! (as always ^^)
Texas Rio Star: (Yeehaw! Sorry!! Lol Your name just reminds me of the old west or something.) Thank you so much for your review! I cant thank you enough!
Li-Chan: Isn't she though? Yeah, its great isn't it? Lol Well thank you so much for your review!!
Hedwig7up: Wow, thank you! That's a really great compliment! Whoa. I'm glad that you like my story! Ha-ha. Thank you so much for all of your reviews!! ^^
Facnythat: Thanks! I think.lol Phantasmagoric? Kee-hee. Well Thank you for your review!!
The Brainless Wonder: Thank you so much! Yeah, I thought it would be fun to make it in the school, it seems like a crazy Dumbledore like thing to do. Thanks for your review!!