A/N- Sorry it's been so long every one! Really I am! But here's the next chapter, I hope you enjoy it because I really enjoyed writing it…you'll soon see why! Love you's all.
CHAPTER 13- By the Lake
Hermione sat between Harry and Ron in potions class the next morning, watching Professor Snape sweep around the dungeon collecting homework. He reached the three Gryffindor's at the back table and glared at them, whilst sticking his arm out for their essays.
Hermione handed hers over confidently, whereas Ron and Harry looked as though they were handing in agreements for expulsion. Ron turned to Hermione when Snape moved on.
"What the hell is a Weakness potion?" he demanded. "Harry and I were up half the night writing about decomposing muscles."
Hermione laughed at him. "It's got nothing to do with physique, Ron. It's about weakening the mind. The drinker of the potion will find it extremely difficult to concentrate and will be weak in a fight because they lose their wits. Very few can come out on top in a duel if they have consumed a weakness potion." Hermione finished, still smiling at Ron and Harry's bewildered looks.
"But Hermione, that wasn't in the text book." Harry complained.
"Yes it was, Harry. You two just didn't look hard enough." She skimmed through her book. "There." She pointed to a fairly long paragraph. "See? If you read the actual text instead of just the headings, you might have found something of value."
"Shut up." Ron mumbled. "We tried."
"Of course you did." Hermione said absently, patting him on the knee. Her eyes had just met with Draco's as he walked in the door, late. As usual. His gray eyes seemed to soften as he looked at her, then his lips curled in to a tiny smile. He was so sidetracked with the silent girl at the back of the classroom that he walked in to a table.
Stumbling slightly, he glanced quickly around the room to see if anyone had noticed. No one had. Hermione covered her mouth and giggled silently as his pale face flushed with embarrassment. She winked at him so he didn't feel that she was laughing at him, but with him. Even though she was laughing at him.
Draco managed another small smile then turned his back on her as Snape approached him. He handed in his essay, and Hermione felt happy with him for finishing it. He had done his essay with her help, and Hermione was instantly dying to know what his grade would be. If Snape gave Gryffindor's lower marks, she'd love to know what her work would get when graded fairly.
Snape started the lesson shortly after Draco's arrival. Class was quiet, consisting of writing notes from the board. Hermione found herself looking up many times to watch the white haired guy sitting on the Slytherin side of the dungeon. He was talking with Crabbe and Goyle, undoubtedly about Quidditch. Harry and Ron weren't the only guys who found Quidditch to be the only topic of conversation.
***
After classes had finished for the day, Hermione headed for the Common Room to get a start on her homework. Harry sat comfortably on the couch and Ron was sprawled on the floor. She seated herself next to Harry, who looked up and smiled at her hopefully.
"What do you need help with?" she asked in mild exasperation.
"Nothing. I was just hoping you'd sit with us for a while. You've been out and about a lot recently. Here…have a seat." He patted the cushion next to him.
Hermione smiled and seated herself down, pulling out her Transfiguration homework. "OK, Harry. But only for an hour or so, then I have to go get a book from the library."
"What for?" Ron asked curiously, looking up from his ink-splotched parchment.
"Night time reading." She lied easily. The truth was that she was going back to the cabin to try and get a bit further on the Prophecy.
"What?!" Ron said in mock shock. "You've gotten sick of Hogwarts: A History?"
Hermione glared at him half-heartedly. "Maybe." She answered. Ron smirked and kept writing up his homework. Harry took advantage of Hermione sitting next to him for the hour, and managed to get at least half the answers off her for the DADA quiz they had been given. When Hermione stood up to leave, she noticed Ron and Harry exchanging a glance.
Smiling to herself, she walked from the room, knowing that as soon as she was out of sight, Harry would give his sheet to Ron so he could have the correct answers too. Then Ron would give Harry the information he had written up, and they would manage to score decent grades by doing so.
Hermione reached the doors of the library, but instead of entering, she kept going. Out through the front doors, and across the lawn. Walking into the forest as if she was supposed to be there, Hermione took shelter under the overhanging branches. Grasping her amulet, she was soon in the clearing facing the small lake.
She wandered over to the lakeside and sat down on the small pebbles and stones that lined the shore. Hermione felt the winter sun on her back as she looked at the Glowing Oaks in thought; a pose she had assumed many times before.
"OK Hermione…visualize." She said quietly to herself, closing her eyes and trying to clear her mind. She formed the silver pelt, four legs, mane and tail, and the long nose. Hermione carefully checked the details in her mind. It looked right, but felt wrong at the same time.
"Something's missing…" She opened her eyes for a moment to think of all the characteristics of a Unicorn, and froze at what she saw. Standing just across the lake was a young Unicorn. It stood nervously, its hoof pawing at the ground. Hermione's eyes widened and she didn't move at all, in hope that it wouldn't run away.
She surveyed the Unicorn quickly, as it was a perfect chance to see what was missing from her mental picture, all the while not believing her luck that a real Unicorn had wandered where she could see.
"Oh! I'm so stupid!" she exclaimed suddenly. She had forgotten the Unicorns horn. Now the mental picture was complete and she should be able to begin work on becoming an Animagus.
"The witty, sarcastic comment that I would normally say to something like that is just too easy."
Hermione jumped and twisted around to see Draco leaning against a Glowing Oak. He had a smirk on his face, which evaporated as his eyes looked behind Hermione at the Unicorn.
"Shut up then. You'll scare it away, with a head that big." Hermione retorted, turning back to see the young Unicorn take a step backwards towards the forest. "Ooh, no!" she said softly but urgently to the Unicorn. "Stay here…come on, it's all right. We won't hurt you, or at least I wont. Shh, come on. That's it…ooh goody!" Smiling when the young Unicorn took a step back towards her, Hermione faced Draco.
"I see it likes you." He said softly, not wanting to answer to Hermione if his loud voice scared it away. She beamed at him and turned back around.
"Come here…come on." She cooed.
"If you really want me to…," Draco said.
"I was talking to the bloody Unicorn, you goof." Hermione smiled, though she did scoot over a bit on her rock for Draco to sit next to her. He moved over to her slowly, so as not to scare the animal on the other side of the lake. He stood in front of her, with his back facing her as he watched it with curiosity. Hermione found that having him standing right there sidetracked her momentarily.
"I've never seen one in the wild before." Draco began saying, turning his head around to Hermione. "I've only ever seen them in Care of Magical Crea-" He paused when he saw where she was looking.
Hermione's eyes snapped back up to his face and she felt herself blushing furiously. Draco smirked and sat down next to her, allowing his thigh to touch hers. "Get a good look, Granger? I can stand up again if you want."
Hermione didn't answer, just stared resolutely across the lake. "Do you think it would stay there if I walked around the lake to get to it?" She asked, deciding now was a good time to change the subject, before her blush heated her robes so much that they caught on fire. That would almost be more embarrassing then Draco seeing her checking him out.
Maybe not.
"Can you return the favor? Stand up, do a bit of a walk for me. Maybe a saunter or something." Draco was enjoying himself immensely, chuckling at Hermione's discomfort.
"Shut up." However she did stand, but walked quickly away from him heading for the other side of the lake. Keeping to the lakes edge, Hermione approached the Unicorn from its side of the lake. As suddenly as it had appeared, the young Unicorn turned in fright and ran back in to the cover of the trees.
"I don't think it likes you as much as you thought!" Draco called from his seat. Hermione walked back to him in annoyance. Hopefully that wasn't the last she would ever see of that beautiful creature.
***
Draco read the journal over Hermione's shoulder. They were in the comfort of the cabin yet again, trying to figure out what the next step would be. A new page of the journal had been written up.
'Well done. Now you must obtain a sample of the Unicorn to add to a potion that Draco must make. Draco, you'll find directions on how to make this on the next page. It is difficult, but stick to it, and you'll do fine.
Hermione, begin to write a spell that you'll speak just before you drink the potion. It doesn't have to be long or poetic, just let it contain your feelings and hopes about this transformation.
Good luck,
Derek Malfoy'
Hermione handed the book to Draco. He examined the ingredients and method he'd have to follow to make the potion. "Shit. It is bloody hard." He exclaimed, his brow furrowed in concentration. "I think I can get most of these, just that sample of the Unicorn will prove a pain in the arse."
Hermione smiled. "We're finally getting somewhere with this. I wonder how long it will take?"
"Not very long. I think Esmerelda and Derek shortened the method so it was at it's simplest. But it will still work." Draco replaced the journal on the mantle. "Well, I guess I'd better go do some homework." He grabbed his amulet, then paused when he saw Hermione do the same.
She sent him a small wink and a second later found herself looking at him in a different surrounding. They were both in the woods just near Hogwarts grounds. Taking the lead, Hermione wandered up to the castle. Draco was close behind her, but distanced himself a bit when they walked into the Entrance Hall, making it seem like they just happened to walk in at the same time, not walk in together.
"See you in class." He whispered just before he turned off down the stone stairs leading to the Slytherin Common Room. Hermione felt a small quiver run down her spine as his warm breath reached the back of her neck. She walked up to her dorm, narrowly avoiding a confrontation with Filch by hiding behind a hanging curtain.
Upon reaching her dorm, Hermione was drilled with questions by Lavender and Parvarti. They were extremely curious as to why she was so late in.
"Where were you? I know you weren't in the library, Madam Pince closed it early saying something about Peeves befriending all the 'Monster Book of Monsters' and making them attack all students who walked passed them."
"Are you hiding something from us?"
"You've been outside, haven't you? There's snow on the bottom of your robe."
"Were you with a guy?"
"Were you making out with him?"
" Were you two doin-"
"Shut up! Bloody hell, you two. No, to all of your questions. I am not hiding anything, and I am not seeing a guy secretly. Okay?" Hermione snapped.
"What about the robe? You have been outside." Lavender said quietly.
"Oh. Fine, I was outside."
"Doing what? It's freezing out there Hermione." Parvarti asked curiously.
"Umm." Hermione thought quickly. "Visiting Hagrid. He was a bit lonely, so he sent me an owl asking if I'd like to visit him."
Lavender exchanged a look with Parvarti, and gave Hermione a sly smile. "You keep lying to us Hermione. You just contradicted yourself. We know what's going on."
"You do?" Hermione asked half in worry, and half in shock that these two were smart enough to figure anything out. Ever.
"Yes. You have a thing for Hagrid don't you?" Parvarti said, catching on with Lavender's charade.
"What?" Hermione gaped. She then realised they were only kidding. She broke down in giggles and whacked them both over the head with her pillow. "Yes." She answered in heavy sarcasm, getting into her bed and drawing the curtain. "That's exactly it. I have a crush on Hagrid."
Although, she added to herself, I mustn't be very dedicated because someone else stole my heart with one kiss.
Hermione's smile vanished and her eyes widened when she realised what she had just thought.
Oh. My. God.
Instead of relishing in the revelation she had just made, she pounded her fist into her non-suspecting pillow. That bastard! That stupid, lazy, egotistical bastard! How dare he? How dare he do that? All he wants is to make my life as complicated as possible. He does it to all the girls. Kiss them, and then leave them to weep when his cool gaze rests upon another girl.
Hermione rolled on to her back and stared at the roof of her four poster. A Slytherin. That was the best fate could give her? Surely it could try a little harder. Hermione's face set resolutely. She wasn't going to give in to fate. Not this time. Maybe once it offered her a prince instead of a prick.
Draco Malfoy.
Draco Malfoy?
Draco Malfoy?!
No way. He would enjoy himself too much when he found out that he held her delicate heart in his hands. His smooth, strong, caressing hands…
"Shut up!" She mumbled angrily to the images in her mind. From now on she'd have to be stronger around him. Not give him the satisfaction that he wants. To have the ability to make a Gryffindor crash and burn would be the perfect boost his ego needed to reach its maximum capacity.
Hermione had already seemed to make going the cabin an evening habit. She would head back tomorrow night, to see if the Unicorn came back for her to get a sample off. Just a few pieces of hair would be all she'd need. Then she'd give them to Draco so he could make the potion.
Only one of them needing to be at the cabin or clearing at the one time. Good. That'll work.
If only she knew how wrong she was…
***
Hermione attended her morning classes as usual, writing notes and completing the majority of homework before the rest of the students had even finished their class work. As she walked across the grounds after lunch towards the Care of Magical Creatures class, she noticed Draco walking just ahead of her with his two 'body guards,' although he was now the same height as them, so he could clearly defend himself.
Her glance remained on his back for just a fraction too long. She didn't notice the pothole, and stepped right in it. Her books scattered everywhere as she tripped and fell on her face in the sludgy grass. Hoping no one had noticed Hermione lifted her head from the ground and felt her stomach drop.
Crabbe and Goyle had turned around and were laughing at her. Draco's back was still turned; he hadn't noticed her yet. Quickly scrambling to her knees, Hermione began to gather her books as Draco turned to see what his friends were laughing at. He raised his eyebrows in amusement, then said something to Crabbe and Goyle, which made them guffaw, then turn and continue on their way to class.
Hermione began to stand up, and didn't notice the mud just under her foot and slipped straight down again. Why was Draco the only person she didn't want to make a fool of herself in front of, yet here he was? She had a case of bloody bad luck. That was the only answer to it.
"Hermione, are you alright down there?" Draco's voice sounded from above her. She had kept her head down, hoping like a child that if she couldn't see him, he couldn't see her. Wrong.
Draco laughed and bent down to tap her on the shoulder. "Cat got your tongue?"
She looked up at him. "I'm such a klutz." Hoping to pass it off at that. Draco smirked.
"Nah, you're not. I think my handsome butt sidetracked you again. Couldn't take your eyes off it." His eyes were twinkling mischievously as he reached a hand down in offer to help her up.
She took it and begun brushing her robes off as Draco gathered her books. "I believe these belong to you Miss." He said in pompous voice. She took her books and before she could react, Draco had swiftly grabbed her other hand and kissed it gently. "I hope we meet again, my fair lady."
Hermione let him drop her hand. Her whole arm was tingling from the touch of his soft lips.
Her eyes stared at him. He had taken the risk to kiss her hand in public. Where anyone could have seen. No one had, but that was beside the point.
"Hermione? What's the matter?" He asked in concern, taking a step towards her.
"Nothing. I'm fine." She said, recovering. She took a step back from him. "Listen, I'm going to the clearing tonight to see if the Unicorn comes back and I'll see if I can get some hair. Don't bother coming, because you might just scare it away. I'll give you the hair tomorrow."
Draco frowned. It sounded to him like he was being blown off. Ha, as if that'd work. The easiest thing to do was to agree for now. He could do something about it later. "Sure. Whatever."
"And thanks for the help." Hermione smiled very briefly, then walked around him and headed towards Hagrid's class.
"No problem." He said quietly to her retreating back.
***
Hermione materialized out of thin air in the clearing around eight that night. As usual, she made her way to the boulder on the side of the lake and seated herself down. It was quite a warm night. No snow covered the ground, and there was a slight warm breeze rustling through the trees around her.
Tilting her head back so she could watch the stars, Hermione waited. After around twenty minutes, Hermione heard a crunching of twigs across the lake. Looking down, she saw the gold pelt of the young Unicorn. There was no way for her to tell if it was the same one from the night before, but Hermione felt it was.
The Unicorn trotted down to the bank and stooped its head to the water and took a drink. Hermione shifted in her seat and the Unicorn snapped its head up, eyeing her curiously.
"It's okay. It's just me. You remember me, don't you?" Hermione said softly. The Unicorn relaxed and cocked its head to the side and watched her. Hermione knew that now would be a fine time to try approaching it again, but it didn't like being approached from the side. Hermione thought that maybe if she remained eye contact and came at it from the front, it would know she was coming and not get scared.
Right. So from the front it was. But to do that she'd have to swim across the lake. It wasn't far, and not too cold, but she had stupidly forgot to bring her wand with her and couldn't really walk back to her dorm dripping wet. Hermione sighed. Bugger.
She looked around in nervousness. Nothing was there. "Stop being paranoid." She told herself firmly. "Draco's not coming tonight, he said so himself. And no one else ever comes here. So just do it." With a final glance around the clearing, Hermione pulled her robe off over her head.
She lay it as close to the water as she could. Then she removed her shirt and pants that she usually wore under her robe. Deciding to leave at least her underwear on, Hermione walked slowly in to the lake. The water was chilly, but she put up with it. She saw the Unicorn still watching her curiously. It didn't seem to be worried at all.
Hermione waded in to water and was half way across the lake before the Unicorn realised what she was doing. However, instead of running away it took a tentative step forward.
"That's it. I'm not going to hurt you. Good Unicorn…stay there." Hermione spoke gently to the baby creature. She felt her feet touch ground, and began to wade very slowly out of the water. The Unicorn took another step towards her. Hermione reached out a shaking hand and the Unicorn wiggled its nose and sniffed her hand. Then it snorted. Hermione laughed softly and patted its head.
With her wet hand, the gold hair stuck and gathered easily as she petted. "Thanks." Hermione whispered. "I'll see you soon, I hope." She began to wade back into the water. She did want to stay with the Unicorn as long as it would tolerate her company, but she was freezing.
Keeping her hand above water, Hermione half swam, half treaded water across the lake. Hearing a snort from behind her, she smiled and turned to see the Unicorn walking back in to the forest with its tail swishing behind it.
Hermione's foot found the ground again, and she turned around to walk out. She was only waist deep when she saw something that made her cry out. Draco had just appeared in the middle of the clearing, his back turned. Hearing her shout, he spun around, just in time to see her submerge herself under the water. She didn't do a very good job of hiding though, as she kept one of her hands above the surface.
Draco furrowed his brow in confusion. What was Hermione doing in the lake? Had she fallen in? He then noticed her robe and clothes in a pile on the bank and smiled slyly. He sauntered over to the edge of the lake and crouched down, waiting patiently for Hermione to surface.
He didn't have to wait very long. She hadn't taken in a breath before she'd gone under. Slowly, her head rose out of the water and her eyes stared at him angrily as she breathed in deeply.
"What the hell are you doing here?" She said, her eyes narrowing.
"Just hoping to enjoy the view." He said easily.
"Piss off." She replied with gritted teeth. With the hand that remained out of the water, she made a rude gesture. That only made his smile widen.
"Why, what's wrong?" He asked in mock sincerity. "Aren't you wearing much down there?" His eyes swept down and he made it seem like he could see under the water. "Oh, goodness me! Hermione, you should know better than to wear as little as that. You'll catch a cold."
"Go away!" Hermione ordered, though she didn't sound too convincing. The cold was starting to effect her and her voice quivered as she shook. "Please." She added.
"Hmm." Draco scratched his chin as if he was seriously considering it. "Umm…nope. I don't think so. But I'm not stopping you from coming out. In fact, I welcome it. Come on."
Hermione felt her bare legs cover with goose bumps and her stomach shiver in cold. She felt her foot start to slip backwards and moved to place it again more firmly, but slipped all the way. Her head went under water again and her hand nearly followed but it was suddenly gripped by a far stronger hand than her own was. Draco pulled her partially out of the water.
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked fearfully, when he didn't let her hand go. There was no way she wanted him to see her like this. No one had ever seen her like this, and there was no way in hell that Draco would be the first.
"Nothing much." Draco answered casually, though he couldn't seem to wipe the smile from his face. "Just getting you out of here before you freeze to death. Because you and I both know that you wont get out while I'm here, and I'm not leaving because I need to talk to you."
Hermione tried to snatch her hand back, but Draco's grip couldn't be broken. She then rested her feet on his submerged ankles and pushed against them, but that didn't work either.
"Draco." She wined, though her voice had lost its edge due to the cold. "Don't do this to me. It's not fair."
"Of course it's not fair. But you've done plenty of unfair things to me over the years, so it all adds up." Draco answered.
Hermione then made a dreadful mistake. She raised her other hand and pushed her hair out of her face. As quickly as a frog snatching a fly out of the air, Draco grabbed her hand in his other. He now held her in a perfect lock. She couldn't get away.
"Don't." Hermione pleaded in despair. In all her years of being tormented by Draco she had never cried in front of him. But right now, it seemed impossible to hold her tears in. He was being dreadful, but he didn't seem to realise how much it was affecting her. He'd probably done things like this with other girls, and they'd all laughed and giggled. But not Hermione. She didn't like this at all.
Her eyes filled with tears. "Draco, please let me go." She whispered, a tear now sliding down her face. Draco's smile evaporated, but he held on to her.
"Hermione?" He felt her shivering and quaking in his grip. "Shit. I'm so sorry."
He let go of one arm. It fell limp by her side. "Hermione? You too cold. Can you even stand?"
Hermione narrowed her eyes and remained her defiant, even thought she knew she probably couldn't stand. It was a warm night, but the lake had been chilled by a cold winter of ice and snow. "Not in front of you, I cant."
"Hermione, I am really sorry. I didn't realise how bloody freezing the water is. I was going to turn around so you could come out eventually. But now I don't want to let go of you, because I'd hate for you to fall under. And also because I don't want to get myself all wet swimming under there to rescue you."
"Please just go away." Hermione said weakly. "Now."
"Fat chance." He replied shortly. He then assumed his pompous like act. "Now, if you don't mind my dear young lady, I think it's time to rescue you. I promise that I wont look at you at all while I do so."
Hermione was too shocked and cold to answer. She couldn't get away, and he was saying something that she truly did not want to believe. But sure enough, Draco bent down swiftly and wrapped his arms around her bare waist.
"Come on." He hoisted her into his arms and carried her out of the icy water. "Sorry. Again." He placed her on the ground and handed her clothes to her. He hurriedly turned his back then, to let her keep some of that dignity females hate to be without.
After a minute or two, he twisted his head and looked over his shoulder. She had her pants on, and was just pulling her shirt over her head. He saw her breasts supported by her bra just before her shirt covered them up. He quickly turned his head back around and allowed himself a grin.
He allowed her another minute or so, then pulled his wand out from his pocket and sprawled next to her on the grass. Hermione's teeth were chattering and she clutched her knees to her chest in a state on cold and insecurity.
"Draco?" she asked quietly.
"Yes?"
"Please, just go away now. Please." She looked over at him with pleading eyes. At that point, he seriously considered just doing what she asked, but felt he needed to talk to her. He scooted closer, said a quick spell to make the end of his wand emanate heat and handed it over to her.
"I'm sorry, Hermione. But I'm not leaving." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders to help her get some heat back. "I shouldn't have done that to you, I forget that you're not like every one else."
"What is that supposed to mean?" she demanded.
"Well, for a start you've never liked me before, unlike most of the other girls I know."
"You flatter yourself." Hermione said dryly.
"No, no. It's true." He smirked. "You're also very alluring and mysterious. I can't seem to get close enough to you, and I know that behind your robe, you hide things that you want to keep hidden." As he said that, he felt her tense in his arms. "Did I say something wrong Hermione?"
Hermione didn't answer him. Just stared at her feet. He waited for her. Finally she took a deep breath. "How much did you see?"
Draco cast her a sidelong glance. "I could be a gentleman and say nothing. But I am not a gentleman. I saw you wearing a matching set of underwear, in black. It made your eyes look even deeper than usual. I saw your stomach and your legs. Every thing really."
"Bastard." Hermione muttered under her breath.
"But I swear I'll forget about it as soon as I can." He lied obviously, holding a hand over his heart. Hermione looked at him and couldn't help but smile.
"Please do. And please Draco; never ever do something like that to me again. Or I'll curse your arse so bad you wish that I'd just kill you to save you the humiliation of being beaten by a female." She poked him in the chest with her index finger.
"Okay. I promise."
"And," Hermione hesitated. "Don't kiss me again."
Draco cocked his head to the side. "Why not?"
"Because I don't like it."
"Liar." He accused.
"Excuse me?" Hermione said, angry at how he didn't believe her. And also at how easily he had seen through her.
"I said you are a liar." He said. "And I won't make such a promise. Sorry."
Hermione's eyes flared up in anger, but she couldn't keep up that pose for very long. She hated to admit it to herself, but she was relieved that he wouldn't. They were silent for a few minutes and Hermione began to feel her toes again. She then remembered something that Draco had said to her. "What was it you came here to talk to me about?"
"Oh! That." Draco said, having forgotten himself. "Um…never mind that anymore."
"What? Come on, tell me." Hermione pressed.
"Fine. I was just wondering why you didn't want to be seen with me around the school?"
Hermione turned her head away. "I…I just thought that you'd make a fool out of me. That you'd make me feel stupid like you always used to. And now that you know me a little better, you know what insults would work on me, and which ones wouldn't."
"You actually thought all that?" Draco asked, slightly surprised. "Wow. I thought it was just that you didn't want Pothead and Weasley seeing you with me willingly."
"Oh, no. Nothing like that." Hermione lied. That had occurred to her as well, but she had forgotten to mention it.
"You girls think so much about things. I wish you'd just stop for a while and let us guys catch up a bit."
Hermione laughed. "You will never catch up."
Draco smiled. "Well, bugger. I'll be sure to let the other guys know."
Hermione stood up. "Oh, I almost forgot. Here." She stretched out her hand and handed him about ten small golden hairs that had come from the back of the young Unicorn. "Now you can get a start on that potion of yours."
"Great." Draco said sarcastically, standing up too. "Can't wait."
"Well, I'll see you in class tomorrow." Hermione reached up to her amulet.
"Sure will." Draco took a step closer and began to lean in, but Hermione pressed two fingers against his lips.
"Sorry. You heard what I said before."
"But it's not the truth. Why are you kidding yourself?" Draco asked, taking her hand away so he could speak.
Hermione didn't answer, she just repeated, "I'll see you tomorrow."
Draco took hold of her hand and raised it to his lips. He gently kissed it, as he raised his other hand to his amulet. Before he lifted his lips, he closed his eyes and disappeared from sight. He knew that this would make Hermione think about rejecting him again. Or he hoped it would.
It worked like a charm.
Hermione raised the hand to her face and pressed it against her cheek. "I'm such an idiot!" she cursed herself. Next time, she promised herself. Next time, she wouldn't be so dense as to refuse Draco Malfoy.
***
A/N- My goodness! I am so SORRY you guys. I can't believe it has taken me so long to write this chapter. I think I was lacking a joining scene. I knew what I wanted to have happen, but I couldn't think of how to get there from where I was. I was buggered for a while there.
But I'm back, and rolling! Sorry again. Thanks so much for all the reviews I got over that time, I loved them.
If you have any ideas you want me to put in the fanfiction, let me know. But don't be too crushed if I don't put it in, cause I don have a vague storyline planned out that I have to stick to. Thanks for all your dedication love you all. J