Title: Until you came
Rating: R for future sexual content/mild language
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Everything belongs to J.K. Rowling. Do you honestly think that I would be writing on this site if I owned the Harry Potter stories?
AN.- I also would like to thank the people who reviewed my story. You chicks rock! And I apologize for not updating sooner, but I'm writing this story as I go and it takes me a while to come up with ideas that these other Draco&Hermione fics don't have. But I will try my best at satisfying your little minds. Now, onto the story!
Chapter 2
As he saw them retreating back into the Great Hall, Draco still couldn't believe how that mudblood would talk to him that way. 'Me! Draco Malfoy! What was she thinking?' Draco thought to himself angrily. He straightened out his robes and continued to walk, with some difficulty, to the Great Hall. He had told Crabbe and Goyle to leave him and go ahead to eat dinner before he met up with Granger.
As he entered, he stole a glance at the Gryffindor table and noticed that Granger wasn't there. 'Must have went to the infirmary' Draco thought, smirking to no one in particular. He felt a sharp tap on his shoulder and turned suddenly to be met with Professor McGonagall's icy stare.
"Please take your seat now Mister Malfoy. The sorting ceremony is about to begin," she said through pursed lips. Draco slightly nodded and then continued on his way to the Slytherin table. Seeing that Crabbe and Goyle failed to save him a seat, he had no choice but to sit next to Pansy, an annoying, nagging sixth year Slytherin that would follow him around like an obedient puppy.
Of course Draco loved the attention, but sometimes Pansy would go too far with things.
"Oh, Draco, love...."
"Do. Not. Call. Me. Love! What do you want?" Draco asked in a faraway tone.
"Oh nothing really in particular, just wanting to know if you would come up into my dorm tonight, seeing as we haven't seen each other over the summer and all..." Pansy trailed off, hoping he would get what she was hinting at.
Draco shook his head. "Not tonight Pansy. I'm a little discomposed at the moment." As if by magnet, his hand went down to his groin area, rubbing it slightly, remembering what Granger had did to him earlier. He promised himself that she was going to pay. He would make sure of that.
Pansy had a look of hurt on her features. "But...why Draco? I mean, if you're not feeling well you know what I can do to make you feel better...." She left the last part unsaid, not wanting to arouse commotion about her, seeing as the students most near them were listening very closely, but still trying to make it seem they were busy with something else.
Draco knew what Pansy was getting at and he did want to take her up on her offer, but he just couldn't in the condition that he was in. Pansy was good in bed, but not great, so he had experimented with other girls. Millicent Bulstrode was too aggressive. Claudia Hudginse, a seventh year Slytherin, was nice but wanted to cuddle afterwards.
Malfoys don't cuddle.
He had a go with Hannah Abbot and Susan Bones, both from Hufflepuff, at the same time. He enjoyed it to an extent but realized it was too much work trying to please two girls at the same time.
He even tried to have a chance with Cho, a seventh year Ravenclaw, but soon found out that she was still depressed over Cedric's death, and plus she was trying to get with Potter. Draco didn't want anything to do with her if she was trying to get at Potter. He then turned his thoughts back to the matter at hand.
"No Pansy. I think I'll be fine alone tonight." Draco then looked up to the Head table, seeing the Professors chatting amongst themselves. He turned his head abruptly towards the Great Hall doors as they opened suddenly. Professor McGonagall was leading the first years to the Head table, waiting to be sorted into their appropriate houses. Draco, not feeling into watching the ceremony, turned his head towards the doors, watching someone enter and walking towards the Gryffindor table.
Squinting his eyes a bit, he realized it was Granger. She didn't have any expression on her face so he couldn't tell anything. He watched her until she sat down at her table, in between Potter and the little Weasley. Potter leaned over and whispered something in her ear. Granger stiffened and shook her head, whispering something back. She then looked up at him and stared. No glare, no sneer, no anything. Draco was surprised.
He glared and then smirked when Granger averted her eyes. Oh yes! He had a plan. He knew exactly what he was going to do with the filthy mudblood.
Hermione ran up the stairs, leading up to the girl's lavatory. She needed to be alone at the moment. She couldn't take the pain she always received when Malfoy insulted her. At first she would completely ignore it, but now, it seemed that it would always hit down to the core of her heart. She didn't understand why she was letting this get to her; she never used to.
'It must be my emotions running, ever since dad died' Hermione thought to herself. 'I always used to be happy when dad was around. Even though Michael is recovering, it's not the same.' Hermione then remembered the night before when she was talking to Michael in the hospital. It was difficult because Michael could barely speak and his voice was very hoarse from lack of use.
Hermione wiped a tear from her eye and kept walking. She made it into the girl's lavatory and rushed in, closing the door softly behind her. She leaned back against it and buried her face in her hands, sobbing.
'Why did this happen to me? What have I ever done?' Hermione thought to herself. 'I mean, what have I done to deserve this? I didn't ask for any of this to happen. It just did. But why? Why does this hurt so much? Why can't this pain go away?'
Hermione didn't know how long she stayed in there, but she knew that she had better leave soon if she didn't want people to worry about her. She wiped at her eyes and walked over to the mirror, checking herself over. Her eyes were bloodshot and swollen. She couldn't go out looking like this. She turned on the faucet and splashed some icy-cold water onto her face. She looked up into the mirror once again and realized that it helped a bit.
She walked out of the lavatory and strolled down the corridor leading to the Great Hall. Once she reached there, she spotted the first years huddled together; discussing the test they would have to pass to be sorted into a house. It reminded Hermione of her first year. Professor McGonagall was at the head of the lot and then led them inside the Hall. Hermione followed suit but stayed behind a bit.
Once she was in, she walked directly to the Gryffindor table, sitting beside Ginny and Harry. Harry noticed her presence and leaned over and whispered in her ear.
"Hermione, are you okay? Do you want to talk about it? What exactly did Malfoy do to you?" At the mere mention of Malfoy, Hermione felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. She visibly straightened up and shook her head.
"I really don't want to talk about it at the moment, Harry. Can't we just spend a nice dinner without any problems? Please?" Harry straightened up and nodded his understanding. Ron, who was sitting across them, looked up and scooted closer to him and whispered something. Harry shook his head and whispered back. Ron nodded and continued fiddling with his napkin. Hermione felt that someone was watching her. Her first instinct was to look up. When she did, she was met with striking blue-grey eyes. She stared into those penetrating orbs, feeling as if she was in some sort of trance.
When she realized that the eyes belonged to none other than Malfoy himself, she looked away, disgusted with herself at being so caught up with the enemy. At being caught.
'Someone, please help me.'
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts students. The first years...I hope you find your stay here as enjoyable as I hope you will. As for everyone else, welcome back. Now for the rules, just so you know, the Forbidden Forest is strictly, and let me repeat, strictly off limits. No one, and I mean no one, is to enter it. If I find out that anyone has that person will be severely punished.
"Now, I understand that Mr. Filch has set down a few more rules, so if you're interested in seeing what they are, you could always check to the list that he has in his office.
"Now then.... Onto other matters at hand...." Everyone was silent as Dumbledore let the tension build amongst the students and faculty. "You do know that the Ministry of Magic are trying their very best to hide the fact that Lord Voldemort has returned?"
Everyone in the Great Hall let out a big gasp, except one student sitting at the Gryffindor table. No one in his or her right mind would dare to say the Dark Lord's name. No one except Dumbledore, of course. Everyone knew that Dumbledore was the only wizard that Lord Voldemort feared.
Dumbledore's face was expressionless. He looked calm. He let the silence roll on before he started again. "He has returned students.... We have witnesses. I myself have seen him and battled with him. He has risen into full power. We do not know what he is capable of. He may try anything at this point. All I ask of you is to try your best to stay safe. To keep each other safe. The staff and I will do the best we can in protecting you."
Silence followed afterwards, letting the previous advice finally sink itself into the minds of the students. They all kept quiet, just thinking. Hermione's thoughts were scattered as Dumbledore interrupted them.
"Now before we start the banquet I would like to introduce this years Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. He's taught here before a few years ago and now we have the privilege of having him teach here again." Dumbledore turned towards the great doors, which had just opened, revealing a figure in the entrance. A few of the students gasped and others screamed, while a whole table cheered after the shock left them. "Professor Remus Lupin."
Lupin walked towards the head table, blushing a bit at being put on the spot. He waved at the Gryffindor table as he passed by. A fifth year student from the Slytherin table jumped up from her seat and cried out, "You're a bloody werewolf! How on Earth did they land you a job here--"
"That will be quite enough Miss Price!" Dumbledore boomed out. The hall stayed silent. Professor Lupin had paused at the outburst, but continued walking towards the Head Table. He leaned over the table to whisper something into The Headmaster's ear. Professor Dumbledore smiled and then nodded his head.
Once Professor Lupin was seated, Dumbledore spoke out to the students once again. "Now, it is tradition, starting from this day, that we announce who the prefects and Head boy and girl are before we start our meal. When I call on your name, please rise. Prefects first off. For Hufflepuff... Justin Finch-Fletchy." Justin stood up and was met with applause. "For Ravenclaw...Terry Boot." Again applause was met when Terry stood up and waved at the people.
"For Slytherin...Draco Malfoy." The Slytherins erupted into applause and cheers. "And for Gryffindor house... Hermione Granger."
No one was prepared for the explosion of cheers, whistles, and catcalls that erupted from the Gryffindor table. Everyone was applauding and standing up to get a better look at Hermione, who was still in her seat blushing tremendously. She just waved and looked down at her plate, wishing that Dumbledore would get this done and over with so she could go up to her dormitory and fall asleep on her bed. She realized that Dumbledore was still looking at her so she stood.
"Now for the Head boy and girl. First off, Head girl position this year belongs to a Gryffindor.... Katie Bell." Another explosion of cheers erupted from the table. Hermione was very thankful that the attention left her to go to Katie. "And for Head boy. The position this year falls to a Ravenclaw.... Thomas Branson." A loud cheer came from the Ravenclaw table as a tall handsome young man with brown curly hair stood up and waved.
"Yes, yes, you may all be seated now. Now for the feast, all I have are two words...dig in." Dumbledore rose up his arms and food and drinks upon their wildest imagination appeared in front of their very eyes. Hermione couldn't hide the fact that she was famished. She gathered food onto her plate and was about to help herself when she felt a slight clearing of a throat behind her. She turned and was met by Professor McGonagall. Hermione stood up and addressed the Professor.
"Professor? Is there something wrong?" She was confused by this point.
"No, no. Nothing. I'm just here to tell you that after the feast and after you deliver the first years to the tower that you are to come back here to the Great Hall and attend the first meeting that we're having. The Headmaster would like a few last words with you, seeing as he didn't want to start commotion and scare the students."
'So he's leaving the scare for us?' Hermione thought to herself. "Yes Professor. I'll be there as soon as I leave the first years at the tower." Professor McGonagall nodded her head and left to the Head table to resume to her dinner. Hermione sat back down in her seat and continued to eat her meal. She had the unnerving feeling that someone was watching her, and she knew exactly who it was, but didn't look up to meet the gaze.
Soon the meal was over and Hermione was already having the first years follow her down the hall, passing the shifting staircases, down some more halls and then into the great hall that led them to the Fat Lady's portrait. She walked up to it, and then turned towards the first years.
"Now this portrait is the way in to the Gryffindor tower. The only way you may enter is if you have a password. That password you will be receiving from me. Now please pay close attention and remember what it is because if you don't I will personally see to it that no one is to repeat it to you." Hermione eyed each on of the students before turning back around to face to the portrait. She called out in a calm voice, "Soo may vetmon." The Fat Lady opened the portrait. Hermione led the first years in and explained to them about curfews, rules, and classes.
"Now, girls...your dormitories are up the stairs on the left. Boys, down them on the right. Please do not create any mischief. I have to leave now so if you would like to go to your dormitories and check them, you may do so now. You will have to go to sleep soon anyhow, seeing as curfew is almost up. Now, let's go." Everyone started climbing onto the stairs, some descending down them.
Hermione, seeing that no one was returning from his or her dormitories, left the tower and headed off for the Great Hall. What she wasn't prepared for was the person standing outside waiting for her. She gasped and jumped back at the grinning face that was in front of her. She brought a shaky hand to her mouth and almost screamed but held it in. Instead she scowled at the penetrating gaze that emanated from the blue-grey eyes.
"Malfoy! What are you doing here? You're not supposed to be up here. Especially at the Gryffindor tower. You're not supposed to know where it is! How did you find your way here?" All the questions just burst from her mouth before she could stop them. Before she realized what she said. He probably didn't know that it was the way into Gryffindor tower, until now. Until she mentioned it. She cursed herself mentally, giving herself a mental slap in the face when she saw the triumphant look on his face. 'He knows'.
Malfoy just stood there, leaning against the wall, stance all calm, with his famous smirk across his face. He kept his gaze on her, never letting his eyes leave her. He was watching her. Watching her in a way that a predator watched its prey. Hermione didn't like it. She was still waiting for an answer from him.
He didn't seem to want to give her the pleasure of answering so he just stood to his full height, which was about merely several more inches than she was. He had grown from the little, lanky eleven-year-old that she hated to think back on, to the now healthy sixteen-year-old that he was now. She was growing impatient by the minute and she could tell that he was enjoying the look of irritation and frustration wrapped in her features. He chuckled to himself, knowing that she was still waiting for him to answer her. He walked right past her, not even giving her the common courtesy of glancing at her.
Hermione couldn't believe that he was such an insolent spoiled brat. She turned her head and stared at the back of Malfoy's head as he strided down the hall. He didn't even glance back. She huffed out a breath of air and stormed after him, a pounding headache following her the whole way.
Hermione walked into the Great Hall after Malfoy entered and sat herself at the table they had in the middle of the hall. Everything else was cleared and the staff was already seated at a small table. Justin and Terry were already there as were Katie and Thomas.
She noticed that Malfoy was still standing and turned around in her seat to look upon him, wondering why he wasn't sitting down. Malfoy looked straight ahead, right at Professor Dumbledore. The Headmaster locked gazes with him and held out a hand, indicating that he should take a seat. Malfoy sneered.
"No thank you, Professor. I'd prefer to stand." Professor Dumbledore stayed silent, and then nodded his head.
"Very well, Mister Malfoy, as you wish. All right then, onto other matters." Professor Dumbledore stood up and paced around the table, having everyone anxious to hear what the Headmaster had to say. He stopped, paused, turned towards the staff and students and smiled. "I'm sorry for disturbing you all while you could be resting from your long journey, but we have important matters to discuss. What I said earlier is the truth; Voldemort has risen back into full power."
Hermione was tempted to roll her eyes when she saw almost everyone in the room wince at the name being called. The thing she didn't notice was the look of pure hatred in Malfoy's eyes when the name was mentioned.
"I called you all here now, away from all the rest of the school to tell you that we have, and will have for quite some time now, to watch out for one another. We have to stick together and help one another, be there for each other. We honestly, have to put our differences aside and stand together.
"You make take your leave now. That's all that I have to say."
Everyone stayed still in confusion, but in mere moments everyone was bustling around to depart from the Great Hall. Hermione stood up and waited until everyone was almost gone. She saw Malfoy glancing back at her, but he kept walking. She turned towards Dumbledore and walked hesitantly up to him.
"Professor? May I have a moment?"
"Why yes. Of course." They walked off a distance and finally stopped in a secluded area. "What is it that you would like to speak to me about Miss Granger?"
Hermione twiddled her thumbs until she had enough courage to speak up. "I'm...I.... I'm not sure that I'm going to be doing my very best this year. I've been through a lot this past summer; you most likely heard..."
Dumbledore looked upon her sympathetically. "I did in fact hear about your father and brother. I'm terribly sorry for your loss and you have my most sincere sympathy. Believe me, I know the pain of lost loved ones, but do you honestly think that this is going to get in the way of your responsibilities? Speak wisely, for your position lies on the line."
Hermione was dumbstruck. She wasn't expecting the professor to be so forward. "Well, I... I don't mean it to sound like I will be slacking, more likely wanting to, it's just that.... I'm having difficulty focusing on things--"
"Aah...I see. I see. Well, I seem to gather from you that you would like to resign your position, seeing as it is too much of a burden for you. If I recall correctly, Miss Granger, you would never let anything, and I mean anything get into your way of doing things. It seems to me that you're letting the death of your father hold you back from the great things that you can accomplish."
Hermione was getting upset now. Not at Dumbledore, but at what he was saying. It was true. She was letting her father's death get to her too much, and it was blocking her sense of thinking straight. She couldn't believe she let her guard down, on such a small thing.
"I'm not saying this so you can get angry with me or with yourself. Of course you will be grieving your father's death. It's a natural thing. But you must put it aside and let it go. You need to let it go Hermione."
Hermione felt her eyes water up and saw that her vision was getting a bit blurry, so she tried to blink away the unshed tears before Dumbledore could see them. She didn't want to be seen as such a weakling as much as she has shown already.
Once she was sure she was clear in the face, she looked up at Dumbledore and offered him a small smile. "Thankyou Professor. I don't know what has come over me. I guess I have had my father's death get the best of me. I just need to let him go and rest; let me rest for once."
"That's a good idea. Go on, I can tell you're very exhausted. Off to bed with you now." Hermione nodded and turned to walk towards the entrance of the Great Hall. "Miss Granger?"
Hermione turned around when Dumbledore called. He walked slowly up to her and whispered softly.
"A time will come, soon, when you stumble upon something, and you will have need to know the answer to a question. I don't know the question, but when you have the need to find the answer, come to me, and that, I will know."
Hermione frowned at this, but nodded. Dumbledore smiled and turned, walking through a door behind the staff table. Hermione thought over the advice that Dumbledore had given her while she walked back up to the dormitories. She contemplated them through her mind until everything started to make sense. Her thoughts, as usual, were interrupted by her knocking straight smack into someone.
"Ouch!"
"Watch where you're going, mudblood!" a voice said above her. She looked up to find that Malfoy was staring down at her with and evil glint in his eyes. That look gave her a fright, but she wouldn't let him get to her that easy. She looked around and realized that she was sitting on the floor. She didn't even notice that she fell on the ground.
"Excuse me, Malfoy. But I wasn't the only one that ran into someone," Hermione said, while trying to stand up.
"Still at it are you?"
"Still at what, Malfoy? I have no idea what you're talking about, so why don't you make your point so that I'll be on my way." Hermione couldn't stand it when he would speak to her as if he knew something that she didn't.
"You're still trying to act above your station."
"A station that you and only you would have the decency of time to come up with. Honestly Malfoy, do you really think that people around here care about that anymore?"
"I do care, and my father cares about it also, and also you-know-who--"
"You mean Voldemort?" Malfoy sucked in a breath. His eyes darted about, as if he was expecting something to jump out of the shadows in the dark corners. Hermione rolled her eyes and turned to leave down the hall. Malfoy's voice bellowed out behind her.
"Where do you think you're going? I'm not done with you yet. Get back here mudblood!"
Hermione stopped in her tracks. She stood still in her spot, her breath quickening with every passing second. She turned around slowly to face Malfoy. She looked him straight in the eyes, where at first she thought she saw a trace of fear and bewilderment, but it was covered up with hatred and determination.
"Your words are nothing but poison to me." With that she turned and walked away from him.
AN.- I apologize again about updating late, but you like the story anyway, right? It's pretty confusing. I have the plotline down, just have to get everything written down. I do know where I want this to go, and how I want everything to happen. Just give me some time and I'll have it for you. So just do me the simplest favor and review. Tell me how this chapter was; tell me how I can improve on this story if you don't like what I'm doing. Remember that I'm doing this for you. I'll update as soon as I can with the next chapter.
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