I just realized that the last chapter says chapter 6 at the top, it should
say seven sorry!
Reviewer comments: Ccbchunks: The other site is snitchseeker.com, it's not just a FF site but it has an FF section. It's a pretty cool site but I use it mostly now just for this fic and others that I did on that site but never put here. 2. I'm glad you like my name, lol. It's actually Jessica with 2 s's but it got so much easier on everything to write Jes and now that what all my friends write so yeah..it's sort of a second name, lol.
Every-1 else: Yay thanks for reviewing, any questions just put them in your review!
Chapter 8: The Chapter I Couldn't Find a darn Title For (lol)
The next morning Hermione woke up before her alarm went off, got up and had her shower. She didn't see Draco as she walked into the Great Hall for breakfast. As she buttered some toast, the school owls began flying into the hall. She saw a black owl circle around the Slytherin table but when it didn't find it's recipient and headed her way. She caught the letter it dropped and it flew away just as Harry and Ron caught theirs. They each ripped them open and began reading.
Your project is to reasearch 2 different potions that both perform a similar task. The potions will be your choice but they will have to be approved by me and you will have to tell the differences between them. You will also have to use three that have the same ingrediants but each gives a different result. Once again, the potions will have to be approved by myself and here you will have to explain why each produces different potions. I expect your potions to be chosen by class on Monday. A paper and a 5-minute presentation will be needed from you at the end of the term.
Well that's easy enough, thought Hermione. Next to her she heard Harry swear again.
"What?' she asked.
"The slimy git assigned us to research love potions!" he almost shouted in ingdignation, but Hermione had only caught half of it.
"Huh? Sorry I missed that," she said turning her ear to him.
"Haha, very funny, this sucks." he threw down the envelope.
"No, I seriously didn't hear." she said
"I said, " Harry repeated his assignment extremely loudly and clearly.
"Alright, alright, no need to talk like I'm foreign, jeeze." she said also dropping her envelope.
"What have you got Ron?" asked Harry.
"Umm, we have to research truth potions...I guess that's not too bad." he said, going back to his juice. All around the table, Gryffindor 7th years were trading off projects and either complaining or sighing their relief.
"Hermione we better go," said Ron getting up. She ignored him.
"HERMIONE!" he said, prodding her.
"Yeah?" she asked.
"I said let's go, we have DADA!" he looked at her weirdly.
"You alright?" asked harry.
"Yeah, I just didn't hear Ron." she replied.
Ron and Harry threw each other quizzical looks and the three set off towards the classroom.
Hermione got through her lessons without any meetings with Draco. She had been trying to avoid him ever since their last incident. It was hard because she felt a weird attraction towards him even though she didn't want to; she couldn't explain it. Hermione was also feeling a little farther from Ron and Harry lately; she didn't like it. She figured she'd have to talk to Draco soon though so that night she knocked on his door and entered after his reply came.
"Hey, I thought we should talk...about the project." she said, staying safely inside the doorway.
"Yeah, your right" he moved his books off the bed and motioned her to sit down. She did, even though she knew better.
"So, umm, I think we should decide the potions together and then write up an outline for the paper. We can make the presentation.." she faltered as he moved closer to her.
"And umm, yes, the presentation, we can u-use the uhh, paper, for that" she couldn't get her words out. His hand was on her thigh. She was shaking.
"I th-think we could look for potions tomorrow..umm in the uh in the library.." oh god, she couldn't stand it.
"And then we'll uhh go from there," she finished
"Ok?' she whispered. His reply was to push her back onto the bed. Her head was screaming yes but all of a sudden a very differnt word escaped her mouth.
"NO!" she pushed him off her and ran from the room. She could hear him calling her name behind her....
Hermione did her best to avoid Draco for the rest of the week but he seemed to be everywhere. The strange thing was, he didn't seem to act like anything had happened. She knew she would have to keep better control of the situations she was in with him though, because they still had a lot of stuff to do together that year. On Saturday afternoon she left a note outside his door with the potions she wanted to use and asking him what he thought. She knew he ws inside but didn't want to see him.
Meanwhile, her relationship with Harry drifted more and more, but strangely, she stayed just as close with Ron, if not more so. It was as if Ron was overcompensating for Harry's absense, or was it the other way round? Hermione couldn't know. But the day things really changed was Sunday morning. Things changed dramatically...
Sunday morning, Hermione went down to breakfast as usual and sat down next to Ron.
"Good morning, Hermione." he said, offering her the juice pitcher.
"Good morning to you too. Aren't we a ray of sunshine today, " she said, accepting the drink.
"I'm pretty happy, yeah." he replied as he ate his bacon.
Hermione felt a tap on her shoulder and looked up to see Draco standing there.
"Morning Draco," she said, in a not very friendly tone.
"Morning" he replied as friendly as a malfoy ever said anything.
"Hermione, I need the new password and I got your note last night, those potions look fine to me, I was thinking along the same lines." He was talking quite mornally, Hermione didn't understand. It was as if he didn't remember anything that had happened.
"Oh and I've written up plans for the paper, I'll show you them tonight and then we can start taking notes." he finished.
"Ok that sounds-" but just what it sounded, Draco never found out. Just then Professor Cepelak, who had been walking by at the moment, tripped and fell into their table. Hermione's juice spilled and the professor blushed. She was still in her awkward new teacher phase.
"I am so sorry Hermione, here let me get that." she added as Hemrione took out her wand to clean up the mess. She muttered something Hermione couldn't here and the drink tipped itself back into the glass which stood itself upright, good as new.
"So sorry" she repeated.
"Oh no it's fine don't worry. I'll see you in class!" she replied as Professor Cepelak smiled and walked away.
"Yeah, so we'll talk tonight Draco?" she turned back to him. He nodded and left.
Hermione and Ron finished their breakfasts and then Hemrione persuaded Ron to go to the library with her to work on their transfiguration projects. She searched the many volumes on the racks and pulled down quite a few for each her and Ron. They sat there for a good two hours taking notes when finally Ron shut his thrid book and stood up.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"We, we are getting out of here. I'm going nuts." he replied.
She smiled, " Ok Ron you've worked hard for a long time, I guess we can have a break. Just let me check out these books."
They left the library and walked into the entrance hall.
"So, what do you want to do?" she asked him.
"We could take a walk around the grounds if you want" he offered.
"It's a bit chilly." she said.
"If you get cold, you can have my cloak." he replied.
"Ok thanks, let's go."
They walked out onto the grounds and down to the lake. They sat watching the giant suid for a while and talked about all the stuff that had happened over the last week (well, most of the stuff. Hermione still hadn't told anyone about the incident with Draco.). Then they got up and went to the quidditch pitch where Hermione watched Ron show her some moves. After Ron had put away his broom in the shed, he turned to her.
"Hermione, I've had so much fun just hanging out with you and talking. You make me relax," he told her.
"Well I love doing stuff with you too, Ron. I miss not seeing you and Harry as much as I used to.
"Yeah, me too. But I don't want it to be like that anymore. That's why I think this is the right time to ask." he started. Hermione was beginning to feel a weird feeling in her stomach and she didn't like it.
"Ask, what exactly?" she promted.
"Ask you, to be my girlfriend." he smiled but she frowned.
"Oh Ron, I just can't. It's not you, it's me. And I mean it. That's not just an excuse." she could feel tears welling up in her eyes. She liked Ron, just never like that. But she didn't want to break his heart.
"But hermione-"
"I just I can't, I have to go." she dropped her book at his feet and ran back to the castle, the tears now spilling down her cheeks. She ran all the way back to her common room.
When Hermione reached the common room she was in such a bad state she couldn't say the password. The portrait was being annoying stubborn and she was kicking herself inwardly for being so strict because it must have been coming out in her painted self. Apparently Draco had heared Hermione's sobs through the entrance because he appeared in front of her a second later.
"Hermione, what-" he started to ask but he was taken aback when she flung herself at him.
"Ok, let's go sit down." he brought her to the couch in his arms. He sat down and held her close. She continued to sob and shake but after a minute of him rocking her lightly, the sounds began to wane and when he looked at her face, her eyes were closed. He couldn't beleieve it. Hermione had fallen asleep in his arms. He stayed like that until the heat of her body gelled into his and he felt like they were one person. He could no longer feel the weight of her in his arms and, feeling very content he too dozed off.
While Hermione slept she had a weird dream. She was walking down a bright white hallway. It was so bright she had to put her hand up to sheild her eyes for fear of blinding herself. She got to what she thought of the end of the hallway but once there she saw it strechted on even further. At the very end she could see a shape. She couldn't make it out. Straining her eyes very hard, she saw the light flash off a lock of bright blonde hair. It was Draco, she knew she had to get to him. As she looked closer, she saw he was wearing a very strange outfit indeed. Upon his breast he wore a plate of armour and below it she saw a metal skirt covering his thighs. He held two helmets in his left hand and spear in the other. As she moved towards him he put one helmet on his head and held the other out to her. She was about to reach for it when two figures came out of nowhere and began pulling her away. She fought and she saw Draco moving closer, calling her name. She could feel her capturers' arms holding her away. But wait- there was only one set of arms. She opened her eyes and looked up to see the real Draco's face.
"Hermione" he said smiling. She rememebered what had been happening before she fell asleep and how Draco had taken care of her.
"Thanks." she said.
"Anytime. Now look you tell me what's got you so worked up." he replied, concerm shining through his penetrating eyes.
"I don't want to talk about it. Not now. I will tell you when, when I'm ready. I promise." she said.
"Pinky swear?" he joked, holding out his little finger.
"Of course" she replied, hooking her own finger around his and shaking. She grinned. Somehow, just the feel of him made her calm down.
"Ok, now let's get you in bed. When you wake up, we can change the password, but you need rest." he got to his feet again and reajusted her in her muscular arms. He carried her across the room to her door and walked through it. Laying Hermione down on her bed, he pulled the sheets up to her chin.
"Now no reading, I want you to get a good, long sleep. I'll check on you later" he said, very seriously.
"Yes doctor, whatever you say," she joked.
For the first time Hermione saw him really genuinly smile, and it made him glow. He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. As he let go, he bent down and kissed her on the forehead.
"Sleep well, Hermione" he added as he reached the door, but she had already drifted off into dreamless sleep.
When Hermione woke up, she felt well-rested. She smiled to herself. It was all she could do. Draco had been so wonderful and he had pushed all the bad thoughts from her head. But she was really confused at the moment and she wasn't ready to talk about what had happened with Ron. She was glad he respected her feelings and had let it be. She got up and crossed the room. Opening the door she looked around to see if Draco was there. When she didn't spot him, she figured he must be in his room, so she knocked softly on his door. No reply. She knocked a little harder. Still nothing.
"Draco" she said, " Draco you in there?" she called. She began to open the door.
"You decent?" she asked as she pushed it open all the way. She put her hands over her eyes, just in case but couldn't help herself from peeking. He looked up and saw her.
"Oh, hey. I didnt realize you were up." he said, putting his book down.
She noticed him putting something quickly in the drawer next to his bed and this made her very curious.
"Oh well, I knocked on the door, guess you just didn't hear. So, whatcha up to?" she asked, walking over and sitting next to him. He put his arm around her and she leaned her head on his chest.
"Well, I just finished the book you have me on Wight T. Nigh. It was really good. Thanks" he said.
"You're welcome. Did you get any work done for potions?" she asked
"Of course. I started filling out the outlines for the paper and I just sent off my owl with an order for a piece of posterboard." he stroked her hair gently as she listened to the harmony of noise of his voice and the beating of his heart meshing together.
"Look hermione," he said after a minute, "I've really wanted to talk to you about something and I was thinking about it while you were resting and I hope now is a good time to bring it up." she lifted her head off his chest and light 'bum bumm, bum bumm' disappeared.
"Yeah, what is it?" she asked. She now saw something she had never seen in the eyes of a Malfoy; she saw fear and she wasn't sure what to expect.
"Well, I know we didn't get along for a while, but we've been doing great for the past week, right?' he started.
"Uh huh" she nodded in agreement, realizing where this was going. He seeme to be talking along the same lines as Ron, but now she felt something different. She wasn't freaked, she was cool, calm and collected.
"So, I was thinking maybe we could hang out more. You know, on a more social level." he finished, bracing himself for a slap on the face. But it didn't come.
"I feel exactly the same way." she replied
She grinned.
"But," she started.
"Oh no, there's a but. Bet it's not as cute as yours" he joked. She punched him but continued.
"But, I think for a while it's best if we keep this quiet. Yes I won't even tell Ron or Harry. I mean, I can't really tell Ron after turning him down-" she said.
"Wait, what? Is that what you were crying over? Weasley asked you out?" she nodded again, "Well now I see where you were coming from. I'd freak if he asked me out" he laughed and she giggled.
"We'll talk more about it later. Now let's go change the password." and they walked, hand in and, to the portrait hole where they changed the password. Together.
The next day Hermione was sitting in DADA and feeling very confused. Ron was still acting weirdly around her. She had tried to talk to him but just gave her the cold shoulder. Harry was trying to help but she understood that right now he had to be there for Ron. He was in a more fragile state than she was. She didn't pay much attention in class because she was thinking about so many things. When she got up to leave for History of Magic she heard the professor asking her to stay. She looked at Harry.
"I'll catch you at dinner or something, ok? We need to talk." she said. He nodded and dissappeared after Ron's retreating back.
Then she walked up to the teacher's desk.
"Yes, Professor Cepelak?" she asked politely.
"Hermione, you're my best student and your very smart, but I undstand that we all have days where something is just not allowing us to concentrate, and trust me, I know the signs." she wasn't upset with Hermione, in fact she was smiling. Hermione didn't understand.
"Why don't we step into my office and discuss what's happening, o.k?" she continued. Hermione nodded and followed her out the door and down the corridor to the Professor's office. She knew Harry had been in the office while Lockhart and Lupin and other professor's had been using it but the only time Hermione had been in the office was in her 5th year when Umbridge had taken them all hostage. The only thing she remembered from that visit were the ugly cats. The room looked very differnt now however. The walls were a bright inviting lilac and there were paintings all around the room. Hermione liked it very much. She was offered a chair which she took and the professor made tea for them before continuing.
"I noticed you, as well and Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter were not paying too much attention to my lesson today. Now Hermione, you can trust me. Tell me what's happened and I would love to try and help you feel better and get back on track."
Hermione sipped her tea and then sighed. She began to spill everything that had happened lately. She even told about becoming better friends with Draco and turning Ron down. She left out the fact that she was now going out with Draco because she preffered to keep that part of her life her business.
When she was done she felt alot better. It had been relly good for her to tell someone who wasn't Ron or Harry or Draco.
Professor Cepelak looked at her to make sure she had finished before givng her and answer.
"You want my advice?" she asked and hermione nodded, " Tell Ron WHY you said no. He doesn't understand and you can't blame him for not having all the facts if you haven't talked about it. Then see where Harry stands on this. You're going through the hard time in any teenager's life and friends are the best resources you can have." she said. Hermione out down her finished cup of tea and thought the advice over.
"And about Draco?' she asked.
"I would say keep a little distance from him until you know where you stand with Harry and Ron and how you feel about all of them. I've heard the Malfoy's aren't the greatest so just watch your back." Hermione nodded again but then,
"OH NO!" she exclaimed standing up.
"What?" asked the professor calmly.
"I've missed History of Magic, Binns is gonna kill me!" she freaked.
"Hermione, don't worry. I'll take care of it. All I have to do is tell him you were with me and I lost track of time. You'll be fine. Just see him next period and make sure you get caught up, ok?" she replied.
"Ok, uhh thanks for the advice, and the tea." Hermione said, heading for the door.
"No problem, and Hermione," she called as her stepped out of the room. Hermione turned back, "think about what I said."
"I will." And then she turned and headed to the common room.
Wow, I forgot how long that one was. I also just realized that I was only accepting signed reviews so sorry to anyone who's been reading and can't review, I changed it and I feel terrible if that happened to anyone! I'll add more later and wish me luck for my Math final tomorrow!
Jes
Reviewer comments: Ccbchunks: The other site is snitchseeker.com, it's not just a FF site but it has an FF section. It's a pretty cool site but I use it mostly now just for this fic and others that I did on that site but never put here. 2. I'm glad you like my name, lol. It's actually Jessica with 2 s's but it got so much easier on everything to write Jes and now that what all my friends write so yeah..it's sort of a second name, lol.
Every-1 else: Yay thanks for reviewing, any questions just put them in your review!
Chapter 8: The Chapter I Couldn't Find a darn Title For (lol)
The next morning Hermione woke up before her alarm went off, got up and had her shower. She didn't see Draco as she walked into the Great Hall for breakfast. As she buttered some toast, the school owls began flying into the hall. She saw a black owl circle around the Slytherin table but when it didn't find it's recipient and headed her way. She caught the letter it dropped and it flew away just as Harry and Ron caught theirs. They each ripped them open and began reading.
Your project is to reasearch 2 different potions that both perform a similar task. The potions will be your choice but they will have to be approved by me and you will have to tell the differences between them. You will also have to use three that have the same ingrediants but each gives a different result. Once again, the potions will have to be approved by myself and here you will have to explain why each produces different potions. I expect your potions to be chosen by class on Monday. A paper and a 5-minute presentation will be needed from you at the end of the term.
Well that's easy enough, thought Hermione. Next to her she heard Harry swear again.
"What?' she asked.
"The slimy git assigned us to research love potions!" he almost shouted in ingdignation, but Hermione had only caught half of it.
"Huh? Sorry I missed that," she said turning her ear to him.
"Haha, very funny, this sucks." he threw down the envelope.
"No, I seriously didn't hear." she said
"I said, " Harry repeated his assignment extremely loudly and clearly.
"Alright, alright, no need to talk like I'm foreign, jeeze." she said also dropping her envelope.
"What have you got Ron?" asked Harry.
"Umm, we have to research truth potions...I guess that's not too bad." he said, going back to his juice. All around the table, Gryffindor 7th years were trading off projects and either complaining or sighing their relief.
"Hermione we better go," said Ron getting up. She ignored him.
"HERMIONE!" he said, prodding her.
"Yeah?" she asked.
"I said let's go, we have DADA!" he looked at her weirdly.
"You alright?" asked harry.
"Yeah, I just didn't hear Ron." she replied.
Ron and Harry threw each other quizzical looks and the three set off towards the classroom.
Hermione got through her lessons without any meetings with Draco. She had been trying to avoid him ever since their last incident. It was hard because she felt a weird attraction towards him even though she didn't want to; she couldn't explain it. Hermione was also feeling a little farther from Ron and Harry lately; she didn't like it. She figured she'd have to talk to Draco soon though so that night she knocked on his door and entered after his reply came.
"Hey, I thought we should talk...about the project." she said, staying safely inside the doorway.
"Yeah, your right" he moved his books off the bed and motioned her to sit down. She did, even though she knew better.
"So, umm, I think we should decide the potions together and then write up an outline for the paper. We can make the presentation.." she faltered as he moved closer to her.
"And umm, yes, the presentation, we can u-use the uhh, paper, for that" she couldn't get her words out. His hand was on her thigh. She was shaking.
"I th-think we could look for potions tomorrow..umm in the uh in the library.." oh god, she couldn't stand it.
"And then we'll uhh go from there," she finished
"Ok?' she whispered. His reply was to push her back onto the bed. Her head was screaming yes but all of a sudden a very differnt word escaped her mouth.
"NO!" she pushed him off her and ran from the room. She could hear him calling her name behind her....
Hermione did her best to avoid Draco for the rest of the week but he seemed to be everywhere. The strange thing was, he didn't seem to act like anything had happened. She knew she would have to keep better control of the situations she was in with him though, because they still had a lot of stuff to do together that year. On Saturday afternoon she left a note outside his door with the potions she wanted to use and asking him what he thought. She knew he ws inside but didn't want to see him.
Meanwhile, her relationship with Harry drifted more and more, but strangely, she stayed just as close with Ron, if not more so. It was as if Ron was overcompensating for Harry's absense, or was it the other way round? Hermione couldn't know. But the day things really changed was Sunday morning. Things changed dramatically...
Sunday morning, Hermione went down to breakfast as usual and sat down next to Ron.
"Good morning, Hermione." he said, offering her the juice pitcher.
"Good morning to you too. Aren't we a ray of sunshine today, " she said, accepting the drink.
"I'm pretty happy, yeah." he replied as he ate his bacon.
Hermione felt a tap on her shoulder and looked up to see Draco standing there.
"Morning Draco," she said, in a not very friendly tone.
"Morning" he replied as friendly as a malfoy ever said anything.
"Hermione, I need the new password and I got your note last night, those potions look fine to me, I was thinking along the same lines." He was talking quite mornally, Hermione didn't understand. It was as if he didn't remember anything that had happened.
"Oh and I've written up plans for the paper, I'll show you them tonight and then we can start taking notes." he finished.
"Ok that sounds-" but just what it sounded, Draco never found out. Just then Professor Cepelak, who had been walking by at the moment, tripped and fell into their table. Hermione's juice spilled and the professor blushed. She was still in her awkward new teacher phase.
"I am so sorry Hermione, here let me get that." she added as Hemrione took out her wand to clean up the mess. She muttered something Hermione couldn't here and the drink tipped itself back into the glass which stood itself upright, good as new.
"So sorry" she repeated.
"Oh no it's fine don't worry. I'll see you in class!" she replied as Professor Cepelak smiled and walked away.
"Yeah, so we'll talk tonight Draco?" she turned back to him. He nodded and left.
Hermione and Ron finished their breakfasts and then Hemrione persuaded Ron to go to the library with her to work on their transfiguration projects. She searched the many volumes on the racks and pulled down quite a few for each her and Ron. They sat there for a good two hours taking notes when finally Ron shut his thrid book and stood up.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"We, we are getting out of here. I'm going nuts." he replied.
She smiled, " Ok Ron you've worked hard for a long time, I guess we can have a break. Just let me check out these books."
They left the library and walked into the entrance hall.
"So, what do you want to do?" she asked him.
"We could take a walk around the grounds if you want" he offered.
"It's a bit chilly." she said.
"If you get cold, you can have my cloak." he replied.
"Ok thanks, let's go."
They walked out onto the grounds and down to the lake. They sat watching the giant suid for a while and talked about all the stuff that had happened over the last week (well, most of the stuff. Hermione still hadn't told anyone about the incident with Draco.). Then they got up and went to the quidditch pitch where Hermione watched Ron show her some moves. After Ron had put away his broom in the shed, he turned to her.
"Hermione, I've had so much fun just hanging out with you and talking. You make me relax," he told her.
"Well I love doing stuff with you too, Ron. I miss not seeing you and Harry as much as I used to.
"Yeah, me too. But I don't want it to be like that anymore. That's why I think this is the right time to ask." he started. Hermione was beginning to feel a weird feeling in her stomach and she didn't like it.
"Ask, what exactly?" she promted.
"Ask you, to be my girlfriend." he smiled but she frowned.
"Oh Ron, I just can't. It's not you, it's me. And I mean it. That's not just an excuse." she could feel tears welling up in her eyes. She liked Ron, just never like that. But she didn't want to break his heart.
"But hermione-"
"I just I can't, I have to go." she dropped her book at his feet and ran back to the castle, the tears now spilling down her cheeks. She ran all the way back to her common room.
When Hermione reached the common room she was in such a bad state she couldn't say the password. The portrait was being annoying stubborn and she was kicking herself inwardly for being so strict because it must have been coming out in her painted self. Apparently Draco had heared Hermione's sobs through the entrance because he appeared in front of her a second later.
"Hermione, what-" he started to ask but he was taken aback when she flung herself at him.
"Ok, let's go sit down." he brought her to the couch in his arms. He sat down and held her close. She continued to sob and shake but after a minute of him rocking her lightly, the sounds began to wane and when he looked at her face, her eyes were closed. He couldn't beleieve it. Hermione had fallen asleep in his arms. He stayed like that until the heat of her body gelled into his and he felt like they were one person. He could no longer feel the weight of her in his arms and, feeling very content he too dozed off.
While Hermione slept she had a weird dream. She was walking down a bright white hallway. It was so bright she had to put her hand up to sheild her eyes for fear of blinding herself. She got to what she thought of the end of the hallway but once there she saw it strechted on even further. At the very end she could see a shape. She couldn't make it out. Straining her eyes very hard, she saw the light flash off a lock of bright blonde hair. It was Draco, she knew she had to get to him. As she looked closer, she saw he was wearing a very strange outfit indeed. Upon his breast he wore a plate of armour and below it she saw a metal skirt covering his thighs. He held two helmets in his left hand and spear in the other. As she moved towards him he put one helmet on his head and held the other out to her. She was about to reach for it when two figures came out of nowhere and began pulling her away. She fought and she saw Draco moving closer, calling her name. She could feel her capturers' arms holding her away. But wait- there was only one set of arms. She opened her eyes and looked up to see the real Draco's face.
"Hermione" he said smiling. She rememebered what had been happening before she fell asleep and how Draco had taken care of her.
"Thanks." she said.
"Anytime. Now look you tell me what's got you so worked up." he replied, concerm shining through his penetrating eyes.
"I don't want to talk about it. Not now. I will tell you when, when I'm ready. I promise." she said.
"Pinky swear?" he joked, holding out his little finger.
"Of course" she replied, hooking her own finger around his and shaking. She grinned. Somehow, just the feel of him made her calm down.
"Ok, now let's get you in bed. When you wake up, we can change the password, but you need rest." he got to his feet again and reajusted her in her muscular arms. He carried her across the room to her door and walked through it. Laying Hermione down on her bed, he pulled the sheets up to her chin.
"Now no reading, I want you to get a good, long sleep. I'll check on you later" he said, very seriously.
"Yes doctor, whatever you say," she joked.
For the first time Hermione saw him really genuinly smile, and it made him glow. He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. As he let go, he bent down and kissed her on the forehead.
"Sleep well, Hermione" he added as he reached the door, but she had already drifted off into dreamless sleep.
When Hermione woke up, she felt well-rested. She smiled to herself. It was all she could do. Draco had been so wonderful and he had pushed all the bad thoughts from her head. But she was really confused at the moment and she wasn't ready to talk about what had happened with Ron. She was glad he respected her feelings and had let it be. She got up and crossed the room. Opening the door she looked around to see if Draco was there. When she didn't spot him, she figured he must be in his room, so she knocked softly on his door. No reply. She knocked a little harder. Still nothing.
"Draco" she said, " Draco you in there?" she called. She began to open the door.
"You decent?" she asked as she pushed it open all the way. She put her hands over her eyes, just in case but couldn't help herself from peeking. He looked up and saw her.
"Oh, hey. I didnt realize you were up." he said, putting his book down.
She noticed him putting something quickly in the drawer next to his bed and this made her very curious.
"Oh well, I knocked on the door, guess you just didn't hear. So, whatcha up to?" she asked, walking over and sitting next to him. He put his arm around her and she leaned her head on his chest.
"Well, I just finished the book you have me on Wight T. Nigh. It was really good. Thanks" he said.
"You're welcome. Did you get any work done for potions?" she asked
"Of course. I started filling out the outlines for the paper and I just sent off my owl with an order for a piece of posterboard." he stroked her hair gently as she listened to the harmony of noise of his voice and the beating of his heart meshing together.
"Look hermione," he said after a minute, "I've really wanted to talk to you about something and I was thinking about it while you were resting and I hope now is a good time to bring it up." she lifted her head off his chest and light 'bum bumm, bum bumm' disappeared.
"Yeah, what is it?" she asked. She now saw something she had never seen in the eyes of a Malfoy; she saw fear and she wasn't sure what to expect.
"Well, I know we didn't get along for a while, but we've been doing great for the past week, right?' he started.
"Uh huh" she nodded in agreement, realizing where this was going. He seeme to be talking along the same lines as Ron, but now she felt something different. She wasn't freaked, she was cool, calm and collected.
"So, I was thinking maybe we could hang out more. You know, on a more social level." he finished, bracing himself for a slap on the face. But it didn't come.
"I feel exactly the same way." she replied
She grinned.
"But," she started.
"Oh no, there's a but. Bet it's not as cute as yours" he joked. She punched him but continued.
"But, I think for a while it's best if we keep this quiet. Yes I won't even tell Ron or Harry. I mean, I can't really tell Ron after turning him down-" she said.
"Wait, what? Is that what you were crying over? Weasley asked you out?" she nodded again, "Well now I see where you were coming from. I'd freak if he asked me out" he laughed and she giggled.
"We'll talk more about it later. Now let's go change the password." and they walked, hand in and, to the portrait hole where they changed the password. Together.
The next day Hermione was sitting in DADA and feeling very confused. Ron was still acting weirdly around her. She had tried to talk to him but just gave her the cold shoulder. Harry was trying to help but she understood that right now he had to be there for Ron. He was in a more fragile state than she was. She didn't pay much attention in class because she was thinking about so many things. When she got up to leave for History of Magic she heard the professor asking her to stay. She looked at Harry.
"I'll catch you at dinner or something, ok? We need to talk." she said. He nodded and dissappeared after Ron's retreating back.
Then she walked up to the teacher's desk.
"Yes, Professor Cepelak?" she asked politely.
"Hermione, you're my best student and your very smart, but I undstand that we all have days where something is just not allowing us to concentrate, and trust me, I know the signs." she wasn't upset with Hermione, in fact she was smiling. Hermione didn't understand.
"Why don't we step into my office and discuss what's happening, o.k?" she continued. Hermione nodded and followed her out the door and down the corridor to the Professor's office. She knew Harry had been in the office while Lockhart and Lupin and other professor's had been using it but the only time Hermione had been in the office was in her 5th year when Umbridge had taken them all hostage. The only thing she remembered from that visit were the ugly cats. The room looked very differnt now however. The walls were a bright inviting lilac and there were paintings all around the room. Hermione liked it very much. She was offered a chair which she took and the professor made tea for them before continuing.
"I noticed you, as well and Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter were not paying too much attention to my lesson today. Now Hermione, you can trust me. Tell me what's happened and I would love to try and help you feel better and get back on track."
Hermione sipped her tea and then sighed. She began to spill everything that had happened lately. She even told about becoming better friends with Draco and turning Ron down. She left out the fact that she was now going out with Draco because she preffered to keep that part of her life her business.
When she was done she felt alot better. It had been relly good for her to tell someone who wasn't Ron or Harry or Draco.
Professor Cepelak looked at her to make sure she had finished before givng her and answer.
"You want my advice?" she asked and hermione nodded, " Tell Ron WHY you said no. He doesn't understand and you can't blame him for not having all the facts if you haven't talked about it. Then see where Harry stands on this. You're going through the hard time in any teenager's life and friends are the best resources you can have." she said. Hermione out down her finished cup of tea and thought the advice over.
"And about Draco?' she asked.
"I would say keep a little distance from him until you know where you stand with Harry and Ron and how you feel about all of them. I've heard the Malfoy's aren't the greatest so just watch your back." Hermione nodded again but then,
"OH NO!" she exclaimed standing up.
"What?" asked the professor calmly.
"I've missed History of Magic, Binns is gonna kill me!" she freaked.
"Hermione, don't worry. I'll take care of it. All I have to do is tell him you were with me and I lost track of time. You'll be fine. Just see him next period and make sure you get caught up, ok?" she replied.
"Ok, uhh thanks for the advice, and the tea." Hermione said, heading for the door.
"No problem, and Hermione," she called as her stepped out of the room. Hermione turned back, "think about what I said."
"I will." And then she turned and headed to the common room.
Wow, I forgot how long that one was. I also just realized that I was only accepting signed reviews so sorry to anyone who's been reading and can't review, I changed it and I feel terrible if that happened to anyone! I'll add more later and wish me luck for my Math final tomorrow!
Jes