Title: Remember When It Rained
Author: Kathea
Pairing: Draco/Hermione
Rating: Somewhere between PG-13 and R.
Summary: A new and completely different take on how Hermione and Draco could get together.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to the Harry Potter world and it wouldn't be a good idea to sue me because I just bought a house and therefore have no money.
AN: So basically the whole reason for this story is that I was tired of reading stories where Draco and Hermione fell in love in about a week. It's just not feasible. I'll explain why in the story. I'll probably switch from 1st to 2nd person every now and then because I like change. This will probably be a multichaptered fic so bear with me on the posting.
To my reviewers: Rogue Wingweaver: Thanks so much for reading and reviewing. Desiree K Troy: Now that all that is settled I hope you continue to read and enjoy and review my story. Plus more dialogue in this section.
Chapter 5: Change on the Wind
The Yule Ball and Christmas were fast approaching and plans were being made at a rapid fire pace for the coming celebrations. The prefects began the general decorations and the castle was overflowing with decorated Christmas trees, garland, and bunting. It was a sea of red, green, gold and silver. The Head Boy and Girl were furiously making final plans for the Yule Ball. After Draco's comment at the welcome feast, the entire student body was expecting some very exciting things. Most days after class Draco and Hermione could be found in the library huddled over their plans for the holidays. Prefects rushed in and out on errands and reported progress on their own projects. To anyone watching from the outside, it would seem that the two head students got along brilliantly with each other. What most didn't know was that once the door to their room was shut, silence ensued. For a time, Draco tried to engage Hermione in conversation, frustrate her with his change of attitude, but Hermione's blatant refusal to acknowledge him had pulled him up short. Reading and studying was done in complete silence. Usually one or the other of them would retreat to their house common room rather than stay in their room.
It was on such an evening that Draco and Hermione were in their room together. It was the middle of the week and curfew had already been called. Hermione was at the desk writing on her latest Potions essay and Draco laid reading in his bed. Hermione heard the creak of his mattress but didn't look up from her work.
"Hey, I'm going to get something to eat. Do you want anything?" Draco asked as he neared the portrait door. Without thinking, Hermione answered.
"I wouldn't mind a cup of hot chocolate and some cookies."
"Sure. I'll be back." The door swung shut behind him and it was only then that she realized what she had done. Hermione silently berated herself for forgetting the plan. It had worked beautifully so far. Malfoy had taken the hint and almost completely stopped talking to her. For a relationship that consisted of silence it was working out pretty well. Merlin's beard, Hermione grumbled, I just had to lose focus didn't I. I just had to forget where I was and who I was with in my haze of studying. The hinges on the door creaked as Malfoy opened it. He floated the tray of food in front of him and pulled the door shut behind him. The tray preceded him to the table and settled gently onto the dark wooden surface. Hermione reached for her mug of steaming chocolate and plate of cookies. She looked up to see Malfoy watching her.
"Thank you." Hermione said hoping that he would go away having received her thanks. Instead, Draco pulled out a chair next to her and seated himself.
"Working on the essay for Potions?" Draco asked as he sipped his own mug of hot cider.
"Yes."
"You know I thought Snape was going pretty easy on us with this assignment."
"Me too. The polyjuice potion is easy to do." If you've done it before, her mind finished quietly.
"So what do you think of our plans for the Yule Ball?" Draco asked. Before answering Hermione reached for a cookie, feeling much more comfortable with something for her hands to do.
"I think the Carnivale theme is a great idea. It gives everyone much more freedom in their attire. Plus it should be interesting to guess who is behind the masks."
"I'm glad all the planning is done. I was getting just a bit sick of working on this day in and day out." Draco said as he reached for a cookie.
"Hey! Those are mine." Hermione said just a bit irritated.
"Come on can't you share? I mean we already share and room and just about live in each other's pockets. Can't you share a cookie?"
"Oh alright, but next time ask. I'm very protective of my cookies." Hermione said with a smile. Her face immediately clouded up as she realized what she was doing. She was being friendly with him.
"Don't worry I won't tell your friends that you are being friendly with the Slytherin Prince." Draco said hotly.
"It's, it's not that. I just can't understand why I didn't see this side of you before. Six years of calling someone horrible names and treating them as lower than dirt is hard to overlook." Hermione said defensively.
"Yeah, I know and I'm sorry about before. I was only doing what was expected of me and protecting myself. The wrath of my father is something I try to avoid. If he knew I was being friendly to a muggleborn or Potter, well let's just say that things would not be pleasant at the Malfoy manor during the summer." Draco said and crossed him arms. Apologies didn't come easily to him much less one to an enemy of six years.
"Okay, look Malfoy. I can understand why you did what you did since I know your father but that doesn't negate the past. I'm not saying all is forgiven but why don't we call a truce. We obviously can't start with a clean slate but maybe we can try and be nice to each other. It will at least make things easier on us since we have to live together."
"I'll agree to a truce. It may not be permanent but at least until after the Yule Ball we can get along." Draco said reluctantly. Hermione stuck out her hand and waited for Malfoy to reciprocate the gesture. Hermione almost yelped when his cool palm touched her own but manage to stifle the sound. They had never deliberately touched one another and the contact sent chills down her spine. Malfoy's clear eyes locked with her own and they seemed to be asking her a question, a question that Hermione was not ready to answer. Hermione quickly dropped Malfoy's hand and looked down at the essay in front of her. She visibly jumped when Malfoy started talking again. "What color is the dress you are wearing to the ball?"
"Huh?" Hermione asked confused. "Why do you want to know?"
"Because we have to go together and I thought it best that our outfits not completely clash."
"Oh well I guess that makes sense. My dress is silver and dark blue. My mask looks like a half moon." Hermione said and started to roll up her parchment having finished her snack. The dishes on the table quickly disappeared and the fire was dimmed for the night. Both students climbed into bed and doused their bedside lamps. The silence was interrupted only by the crackle of the fire and the darkness was almost oppressive. Hermione took a deep breath before she had the courage to speak. "Good night, Draco."
Only silence and quiet breathing filled the room.
"Good night Hermione."
AN: The Carnivale, and I know I'm not spelling it right but I don't want to mess it up, is a yearly festival in Venice. There are parades and masked balls and just about any and every costume idea is up for grabs.