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: Myrna: Both Hermione and Draco were hit with spells from Lucius. For clarification we, well you, only know that Hermione was hit with the crucio curse. Draco has a different fate but hey he's alive. Jo-Marie: I will, I will, I will. Madnutterfan: Muchas gracias. Desiree K Troy: I'm adding a special part just for you in this chapter. Danny: Obrigado. Eu aprecio sus commentos. Sorte boa na escola de lei.
Chapter 8: Time Heals Nothing
Two Weeks Later
Christmas had come and gone with much attention from most of the student body of Hogwarts. Due to a rise in Death Eater attacks the student body had been sequestered to the school grounds and nearby Hogsmeade for the holidays. So families sent presents via owl and students were able to celebrate together. Hermione took this chance to spend almost all day and most of the night in the Gryffindor common room. She had opened presents with Harry, Ron, and Ginny. Harry and Ron had given her books about the history of magic. Not that she didn't like or want books and they were very interesting books but it was Ginny's present of a pair of earrings that brought Hermione the most joy that holiday season. Most people assumed that because she was a bit of a bookworm, Hermione wouldn't like girly presents.
When conversations of Quidditch became overwhelming the two girls retreated to Ginny's prefect dorm. It was on such a day that Ginny was reminiscing about the Yule Ball. Hermione and Ginny were stretched across Ginny's bed with nail polish bottles held carefully while they painted each other's toenails.
"You know, Mione, I never got to ask you if you had a good time at the Yule Ball. You know you looked fabulous." Ginny said as she munched on a cookie. "I just knew that dress would be a good idea."
"You should have seen me trying to get into it." Hermione said remembering her dress escapade with Draco. "Well, I had a good time up until the time I walked outside. We just had to go see the snow, like we've never seen it before" she finished a bit ruefully.
"Yes I guess that does put a whole damper on the whole event, huh?" Hermione nodded her head sadly at Ginny's comment. "But you guys did a bang up job on the decorations. I mean I felt like I was in Venice. The stars above us on the ceiling, the lanterns and candles providing the only light, it was positively magical. And the food was fantastic. I was so sick of pumpkin juice and the normal stuff they serve. The Italian buffet was divinely inspired. And did you see Ron in his jester costume?" Ginny grinned cheekily.
"Virginia Weasley, what are you not telling me?" Hermione questioned.
"Oh, just that Harry and I found a nice secluded corner to snog each other senseless before you showed up." Ginny blushed.
"And?"
"And he said he loves me." Ginny said in a girlish whisper.
"Ginny that is so great. I am so happy for you!" Hermione said carefully hugging her friend.
"So what's going on with you and Draco?" Ginny asked.
"Nothing, there never was anything going on. We were just doing our duty." Hermione said dejectedly.
"What do you mean? You two looked great out there dancing. I think I even saw him smile and I've never actually seen Draco smile unless someone was getting hurt."
Turns out someone did get hurt, Hermione thought. "I don't know Gin, things were going better before the dance and now it's like he just did a complete 180. You remember how he was the past couple years. The insults, snide remarks, and all that garbage he spews about purebloods. That's all I ever hear about now."
"Aw, Mione, I'm so sorry. I was kind of hoping this would work out."
"How can you say that, Malfoy is our enemy. He always has been and always will be. How could you ever think that Malfoy and I would ever be together!" Hermione said vehemently.
"Sorry, Mione. I guess I misunderstood."
"Yeah, well I've got some studying to do. I'll see you later." Hermione said abruptly and quickly left the room and a very confused Ginny behind.
As Hermione walked back through the door from her house common room she found the room to be rearranged. Instead of her bed being next to Malfoy's and in front of the fire, it was pushed over into the far corner, away from the warmth and light of the fire. Malfoy's matching twin sized bed was replaced by a larger bed covered with green and black silk sheets. Fury rose in her throat as she spotted Malfoy lounging indolently in front of the fire.
"What do you think you are doing?" Hermione snapped.
"Pretty much whatever I want." Malfoy responded without looking up. Hermione stomped away and out of sheer stubbornness started to push her bed back to it original position. Suddenly the bed stopped moving and Hermione looked up to see Malfoy standing on the opposite side of the bed.
"I hate to break it to you Malfoy but you are only the Slytherin Prince not the Hogwart's King. So you can just get the hell out of my way." Hermione snarled and put all of her weight against the bed frame to push but it barely moved an inch. "Move it Malfoy!" Hermione yelled but Malfoy only smirked at her in her anger.
"You know Granger, most people actually look prettier when they are angry. I guess that doesn't hold true for mudbloods." Draco said acidly. That was it, the straw that broke the camel's back, and Hermione lost it. In a burst of speed, Hermione was across the bed with her wand to Malfoy's throat. She was screaming incoherently every vile phrase and insult that she knew. It was when her eyes narrowed and she started inventing obscenities that Draco grabbed Hermione about the waist and threw her face first onto her bed. Just then a face appeared in the roaring fireplace.
"Mister Malfoy, what is the meaning of this?" Headmaster Dumbledore asked with an unusual amount of anger in his usually calm voice. Malfoy jumped up and pulled Hermione up with him but kept a tight grip on the back of her neck.
"Oh, Hermione and I were just playing around. Right Hermione?" Draco said in his most sincere voice. Draco squeezed her neck painfully and Hermione answered.
"Sir, we are so sorry if we caused you any inconvenience. We were just having fun." Hermione mumbled and smiled painfully.
"It's good to see you two getting along so well. Keep up the good work and go to bed."
"Yes, sir." Malfoy and Hermione responded in stereo. Before Dumbledore's head disappeared from the fireplace, his wand came up and shot a spell through the fire. Around Hermione and Draco the room rearranged itself with the beds moving back to their original place and size. The sudden movement caused Hermione to fall onto her bed with Draco on top of her. Their faces were inches apart. His warm breath caressed her cheek. Hermione closed her eyes as Malfoy levered himself off of her. "Ug. Now I have to go bathe again. Good job, mudblood." Hermione didn't even see Malfoy march off to the bathroom she just curled herself into a small ball on the middle of her bed and let the tears fall. They streamed down her face and Hermione choked on the sobs that rose in her throat. The tears fell for all the insults that had come her way for her parentage, all the boys who had ever ignored her, and the unfairness of it all. If there was a God, what had she done to deserve such a punishment? Hermione's sobs couldn't be heard through the sounds of water falling in the bathroom.
Draco stepped into the shower, nudging Hermione's shower stuff out of the way with his foot. The hot water ran over his shoulder and down his chest. Draco ran a finger tip along the scar that ran across the right side of his stomach. He shook his head remembering the time he'd tried to oppose his father, which had been one of his few mistakes. He pushed his hair away from his face and leaned back against the tile wall. He never knew that it would feel so right to be pressed so close to Hermione. Her body was soft and pliant and had fit against his. Draco closed his eyes as the thoughts of Hermione under him caused his head to spin. The loud voice was back and it was berating him for such thoughts. He already knew it was wrong to think of her that way. So, it could bloody well stop yelling. Although it would be an interesting conquest; the Gryffindor Golden Girl falling to the Slytherin Prince and the look on her face would be priceless when he was finished with her. He would be a legend forever in his house.
But I've hurt her enough, the quiet voice said. I would regret it forever. What kind of person would it make me to do that to her.
It would make you a Malfoy, the belligerent voice said.
It would make you your father.
"I will not be my father," Draco whispered to the water and clutched his chest as it thudded painfully. His vision clouded and Draco slumped to the shower floor as he tried to regain his breathing.
You will be who you ought to be, the voice said painfully loud.
Draco pulled himself from the shower and dried off quickly in the warm air of the bathroom. Dressed for bed, Draco moved across the darkened room to his bed. He could barely make out the balled up form of Hermione. He settled under the covers and closed his eyes for sleep. Right before he dropped into sleep the quiet voice whispered.
I will be who I want to be even if it means loving her.
AN: I just wanted to say two things. First, the thoughts Hermione has about God punishing her are not my personal beliefs. I just threw it in there because it sounded right. Second, I don't know if you can send spells through the fire like I had Dumbledore do, but I figure he's the Headmaster so he can do whatever I tell him. The next chapter will be set further in the future. There should only be a few more chapters. I'm glad everybody is enjoying this.