Disclaimer: No, I don't own it. But I'd like to own Draco Malfoy for about a week. Great work J. K. Rowling! This is one of my absolute favorite book series.
The feast. The speech. The sorting. All things remained the same. The castle ghosts came streaming in as the students and staff began to eat. Nearly Headless Nick awed the new Grifffindors with the effects of his death. The Fat Friar regaled the Huffelpuffs with his hilarity. The Bloody Baron unnerved many of his house's youth while others were merely intrigued by him. Draco was one of those that couldn't be bothered by the Baron. Ever since his second year he and the baron had taken to conversations and the like when they saw each other. Now just happened to be one of those times.
"Mr. Malfoy, how good to see you again."
"And you my dear Baron. You're looking pale," Draco commented.
"I do try to look my deadest. How did your summer find you?" the baron asked.
"To be frank, bored out of my wits. Though once or twice I did find a bit of sport, if you catch my meaning."
"I do hope that you were entertained."
"Marginally," Draco sulked.
"Trouble, Draco?" he inquired quietly.
"I merely want a woman that can satisfy my mind as well as my body. I think, earlier today, that I finally found one. There's only one problem."
"And that is?"
"It's her," he said gesturing over to the brown-haired beauty as she laughed with her friends.
"A robust beauty… Not your usual style, my boy. I thought that you liked yours a bit more subdued."
"Now, Baron. Surely in all of your years, pre-deceased of course, you've found that the subdued in life are like in bed. And those that live loudly and freely are like in bed. The woman is of a meticulous mind. a perfectionist. I can only imagine what it would be like to sleep with her. Would she work as tirelessly to satisfy me as she does her teachers?"
"Draco, Miss Granger is dedicated to her studies, her house and her friends. I will be most shocked to see the two of you as less than enemies. Be careful around her this year. She's more than come into her own. She'll not be very tolerant of any insults or the like. You may find yourself trounced again."
"You delight in reminding me about that, don't you?" Draco asked with a grin.
Yes, feistiness was not something that Hermione lacked. It only took three years of goading for her to forget her own advice and knock him one. Though he supposed that he did go just a bit too far. If he wanted to sleep with her, he'd have his work cut out for him.
"Not that I don't see your motivation. She has grown up beautifully. I hear that she's quite the singer as well. she invited Sir Nicholas to her performance in New York. I believe that she appeared with a cousin to sing in one of her aunts shows. He swears by her performance. She's a witch of many talents. If you two had met on better terms, I believe that you would have done well together. For more than a night, I may add. Well, I must be off. Peeves will be up to his usual mischief soon. Goodnight, Draco," he said as he glided out of the room.
"So Draco, what were you and the Baron discussing? You don't look very well," Blaise said quietly.
Draco was a bit shocked. Since when did the baron have visions of he and Hermione? Did all ghosts see things that should never come to pass? He looked at Blaise blandly.
"No, Blaise. I don't think I'm feeling very well. the Baron was merely relating something that he saw over the summer. I'm going to head to the dorm and go to bed. Night," he said rising quickly.
Against his better judgment, he hazarded a glance to the Gryffindor table. The trio was missing in action already.
"Wandering around, near curfew, on the first night back? What ever are my dear friends up to?" he wondered aloud.
He left the room only to see a shadow disappear down a secluded corridor. On swift and silent feet he bounded after them. Three figures stole into a darkened room and the door shut behind them with an audible click. What the heck were they doing? He wouldn't be able to find anything out this way. But he wasn't about to give up.
"Accio broom!" he hissed and raced outside.
Just as he cleared the doors his Nimbus 2001 came racing at him. With a single powerful hand he caught it and mounted it. It didn't take him long to find the room. it was definitely them. the weasel standing to one side of her and the scarred freak on the other, Hermione stood shifting uncomfortably.
"Alohamora," he whispered at the lock on the window.
Silently it slid open and he eased closer to hear what was going on.
"You mean you want me to do it, right here and right now? This is kind of embarrassing."
What the fuck? What did they want her to do? He stayed low but close enough to peek. He was glad, he may get to see Granger in a precarious position. Or at least naked.
"Come on, Hermione. You can't tell us something like this and expect us not to be interested and curious. I never knew you were into this sort of thing. Rather shocked really," Ron said.
"Hermione, we just want a little demonstration. Not for proof, but well, if you were on the stages of New York we really want to hear you. You must be great to get a standing ovation and an encore plea. You said that you couldn't do it in public, so we're in private now. If we laugh it'll just be from shock! Please?" Harry begged.
Hermione laughed a moment before she decided to do as they asked.
"I don't even know what to sing. You guys think of a song," she said giggling.
"Oh, what about that song I heard you humming last year in the library?" Ron asked.
"Hey, that'll be good. Go for it Hermione," Harry backed.
"Alright, alright, I'll do it. Just calm down."
"Great," Ron laughed.
"Here it goes. I know that you're hiding things, using gentle words to shelter me. Your words were like a dream. But dreams could never fool me. Not that easily. Save your tears, cause I'll come back. I could hear that you whispered as you walked through that door. But still I swore, to hide the pain as I turn back the pages. Shouting might have been the answer. What if I cried my eyes out and begged you not to depart. But now I'm not afraid to say what's in my heart. Though a thousand words, have never been spoken, they'll fly to you crossing over the time and distance holding you, suspended on silver wings. And a thousand words—What are you doing here?" Hermione gasped.
Harry and Ron whirled to the window to see none other than Draco himself laying across his broom, floating just outside of the window. He smirked as he nudged the window open further and leapt lightly into the room. He strolled right past the stunned boys and directly up to Hermione. He gently enfolded one of her hands in his. He smiled into her suspicious features and took note of the exact hazel shade of her eyes.
Hermione braced herself for a most wicked criticism. This was just like him to do something like this. He'd smile in her face just before telling her that he'd heard better vocals from a banshee. She quickly reminded herself that that would not be a good way to get her into bed and therefore his praise should be a slap in the face even more than any jibe. He'd not only be insulting her talent but her intelligence as well. if he thought that he was clever she'd just have to show him that the very opposite was true.
"That was exquisite," he murmured as he kissed her captive hand.
"What?" Harry and Ron chorused.
"You don't agree? You two really must have no taste," he said sharply.
"We do agree. But we don't know why you would say anything nice at all to Hermione. All you've ever done is torment her over all of these years."
"That so Potter? Well, I believe that I've had a change of heart towards her. I really have been a prat to you," he said softly.
Throughout his visit he'd not taken his eyes off hers yet. It was eerie to have those silver pools fixed on you like that. to be the object of Draco's concentration was a very dangerous thing to be.
"What's this all about, Malfoy?" she asked.
"I was going to say this anyway: I'm sorry. For everything. Every nasty word or action that I've taken against you. Please forgive me?" he asked.
"I must be hearing him wrong, right mate?" Ron asked.
"If you're hearing him apologize, then no. we can't both be going mental at the same time.
"Oh, Malfoy, I've already forgiven you," she began sweetly. "Yes, but I've not yet forgotten anything," she finished in a voice laced with malice as she slipped her hand out of his.
"I know that the past cannot be erased like so much chalk, but I'd like to know that we can move on. I just want a chance. Please, that's all I ask."
"Get lost, Malfoy. There's no way that you're going to get anything other than a huge fuck off. Now get lost," Hermione said.
Malfoy tried to calm himself and remain in control. If he really wanted to sample her talents he would have to keep his cool in the face of her snide remarks and rapier wit. He smiled and ventured a little closer to her. He was no fool he knew full well that Harry and Ron would soon overcome their shock and hex him into next week if he even dared to touch her again. She placed her hand on her hip and turned on the attitude. There was no disputing the fact that this was not the same girl that he had so intently teased just because of her friends. She was totally in tune with herself and she no longer felt the need to go on the defensive. Normally having Malfoy so close would unnerve her to the point of distraction. Now she only seemed mildly annoyed.
"Now, now Hermione. There's no need to be so cold. I mean you no harm," he said gently.
"I'm not some sort of rabbit. I would only be afraid of you if there was some way that you could ever harm me. But you can't, so I'm not. Shove it loser, and get lost before I hex you myself."
He could tell by the look in her eyes that at the moment she meant it. He was suddenly very confused. She had said that she was interested. Was she playing with him? Or was she playing for her friends. He suddenly berated himself for being such a fool. Of course she wouldn't openly admit her interest in him, or anything other than loathing. She would be betraying her 'friends' and as a Gryffindor, she'd never do something like that. besides she probably didn't know what would happen if they found out about anything between them, no matter how base it was.
"Now, now Hermione… can you honestly be so cruel to me after your speech on the train?" he asked.
"Yes. Leave Draco. Goodness knows that we'll be seeing enough of each other in the dorms. I'd rather take what little time I have free of you while I can."
"Fine. You'll change your tune once you've gotten to know me a bit better. Until then. Potter. Weasley. Goodnight all," he said as he jumped back out of the window and onto his broom.
With a grin he took off. Leaving behind two stunned youths and one near laughter. he certainly was giving this his all. She'd have to let him know that she was on to his game soon. He couldn't be allowed to think that every girl was as dense as Pansy. Not all of his games were going to work. She knew that she'd be having quite a bit of fun this year. She just didn't expect such an interesting playmate.
"What was that all about, My?" Ron asked.
"I believe that little Draco has a little crush on me. Too bad for him, I don't date losers."
Of course, he isn't exactly a loser. He's just been a serious pinhead for the last few years. But as of late he's been down right nice to me. in fact, last year he'd been perfectly agreeable. And I looked no where as good as I do now.
"It's late, guys. Classes start tomorrow and I for one want some sleep. So let's hit the sack."
"I'm right behind you on that," Ron said.
Harry just yawned and nodded. The three ambled along up the stairs to the Gryffindor common room. The Golden Trio was back home after a very long summer. And the halls welcomed them with open arms.
Whoo! It's been a while, huh. Well as I'm writing this one my computer connection is down and I am having to wait a very long time to get it fixed. As a plus when you read this you may be reading more than one post and I love it when a writer makes a multi-post out of nowhere. Sorry about the wait. Hope you're enjoying the story so far.