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. So I've covered part of what I wanted to in these first chapters. More craziness is to ensue.
To my reviewers: Madnutterfan: Your enthusiasm is overwhelming. Desiree K Troy: I just love it when I get comments like that. Not that I enjoy making people cry but you know how much a story affects you when you do cry. Dumdumditz23: I'm glad you continued reading.
Chapter 9: In the Night
Hermione was never quite sure what woke her up that night. It might have been her back protesting at being curled up for so long or maybe just reacting to the chill of the room. The one thing she was sure of was that the normally quiet room was interrupted by Malfoy's voice. The fire was casting strange shadows around the room and Hermione quickly crawled under her covers and shivered in fear, from what she didn't exactly know. She listened intently to the sound of Malfoy's voice as he spoke. If she didn't know better it sounded like he was arguing with himself. The few feet that separated their beds made it easy to understand most of what he said as he slept. He was lying on his back and motionless as words flowed out of him.
"I am the Slytherin Prince! I will treat those lower than me how they should be treated."
"I don't mean to do this. I don't even want to. I want to be their friend and Merlin but I want to love her."
"I can't love her. Why would I even want to? Pansy is all the girl I'll ever need. Always ready and willing and a pureblood to boot."
"I don't love Pansy. In truth I can't stand her. Hermione is smart, strong, courageous, and beautiful too. She is someone I always imagined myself with."
Hermione gasped at this comment. Malfoy would kill her if he ever knew she heard him. Suddenly Malfoy's talking ceased and he rose up in his bed looking around the darkened room blearily. Shrugging, Malfoy dropped back onto the bed and into a silent sleep. Hermione let out the breath she'd been holding as Malfoy's quiet breaths filled the air. Her mind whirled as she tried to determine the proper course of action. She now has incontrovertible proof that something was definitely up with Malfoy. She only had to convince everyone else that she wasn't crazy or under a spell. But who to talk to? Harry and Ron would likely do something rash and get them all in a cauldron full of trouble. Who could help or more importantly, who would help?
"Professor Snape, may I speak with you?" Hermione asked in Advanced Potions the next day.
"What do you want, Miss Granger?" Snape sneered.
"Privately, sir."
"Oh, all right, come along." Snape said sighing as he motioned her towards his office. As the door swung shut behind her Snape turned suddenly. "What's wrong Hermione?" Ever since Harry, Ron, and Hermione joined the Order of the Phoenix two years ago their relationship with the Potions Master had changed, at least in private. While they were still treated unfairly in public, among other Order members Snape treated them fairly and even worked with them on several missions.
"Sir, I think something is really wrong with Draco." Hermione said carefully.
"And what brought you to that conclusion?" Snape questioned taking a cue from her tone of voice.
"Last night, I listened, and he was talking in his sleep. He said some things, like he was arguing with himself. He kept saying stuff about how he was a pureblood and would always be one. And then it was like some other voice was saying things about me and..." she trailed off.
"What about you, Hermione?" Snape asked softly.
"About how he feels about me. That he loves me." Hermione stopped speaking entirely and closed her eyes as her emotions swirled around her heart. "After what he said to me yesterday, I'm not sure what to think anymore. I just have this feeling that something is wrong."
"I will look into it. In the mean time, keep careful watch on Draco and keep yourself safe." Snape said cautiously. He motioned Hermione towards the door and fixed a grimace on his face before leaving the confines of his office.
"Ms. Granger, if you presume to question my instructions again it will mean a deduction of 20 house points." Snape almost snarled. Hermione nodded her head weakly and blushed as the Slytherin side of the room cackled at her misfortune. When she returned to her seat, Harry elbowed her and with a raised eyebrow asked what was going on. In a very quiet voice she said only one word.
"Fawkes."
The name of the Headmaster's pet had quickly become their code word when Order business needed to be explained in public. Harry only nodded his head in understanding and leaned over to whisper in Ron's ear. Ron's eyebrows rose into his red hair as he listened to Harry.
Hermione rushed from the dungeons after potions class in an effort to get back to her dorm before Malfoy. By the time Malfoy had made it back to the dorm, Hermione was settled comfortably on the couch in her regulation shirt and skirt with her feet bare before the fire. Her brow was creased from reading and a quill rested in her hand. Malfoy plopped down on the other couch and loosened his tie as he toed off his shoes. The light from the fire caught on something around Hermione necked. His eyes focused on the shining object. His mind registered that is was the necklace he'd given her as a Christmas present. Before he could control his tongue the question had already been asked.
"You still wear it?"
"Huh?" Hermione asked pretending confusion.
"Nothing." Draco murmured. Hermione watched carefully as Draco's eyes dilated quickly. She almost shouted in triumph. She knew what was wrong with him or at least had confirmation. Her eyes dropped to the book in her lap. She devoured the text before her as everything finally fell into place.
Persons under the Imperious Curse may or may not seem like themselves. Those with a strong enough spirit will try to fight the effects of said curse. They may seem like they are arguing with themselves or it may seem like they have multiple personalities. One sure indicator that a person is fighting the curse is the rapid dilation of their eyes when confronted with opposing ideas.
She wanted to drop everything and run to Snape with her discovery but something warned her that more observation would be needed. If Draco was fighting this curse then maybe she could help. In her mind, a plan was forming. A plan only she could execute. Hermione slowly laid her things down on the table and walked into the bathroom, barely shutting the door behind her. She let the bathroom steam up and scooped her hair up before entering the shower. Hermione knew now what Draco liked about her. All she had to do was remind him of what he liked and how great things had been before the Yule Ball. A small part of her mind whispered that this was an incredibly foolish plan and would never work. Only Lucius physically removing the spell or his death would cause Draco to revert back to normal. She blatantly ignored the little voice and stepped from the shower with her shoulders squared and her step sure. She wrapped a fluffy towel around her dripping body and confidently opened the door into the room and walked towards her bed. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Draco follow her across the room. The firelight caught the silver of the necklace that hung so prominently against her bare skin and made it glimmer as she walked. As she turned away from her bed, clothes in hand she finally spoke to the transfixed boy.
"Sorry, Malfoy, I didn't think you'd still be here." With all the feminine sway she could muster Hermione walked back into the bathroom and closed the door behind her. A triumphant grin was on her face and a very confused boy was in the room behind her.