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. I really did. I go to settlement in November.
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: Danny: Hi again. I'm glad you liked it. I'll keep posting as fast as I can. Myrna: You should never be afraid to post your stuff. Plus makes it super easy. Desiree K Troy: Oooooh, angst on the readers part. This is a very interesting development. I know the last chap, Hermione was OOC but she'll be brought be to reality soon. Jo-Marie: Thank you for checking on my story again. I really appreciate it. lazy: Well at least you aren't to lazy to read and review. Thanks so much. Corditheoddball: I appreciate you taking the time to read and review. dramaqueen72: If he hasn't already fallen. Madnutterfan: I know I'm evil but it's a burden I gladly carry.
Chapter 10: Humpty Dumpty
Hermione trudged down the hallway with her head in a book, heading towards Ancient Runes. She yelped in surprise when a pair of strong hands pulled her down a side corridor. She spun around quickly ready to hex her captor, "Harry, what is the meaning of this?" Hermione asked flustered.
"Hermione, you need to tell me, us" and Ron stepped out of the shadowed hallway "what's going on. What did you need to see Snape about?" Harry lowered his voice to a faint whisper. "What's it to do with the Order?"
Hermione pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and began to chew on it while she thought. "Okay, I'm not totally sure but I think Lucius put Malfoy under the Imperious curse."
"Oi! What?" Asked Ron, his voice echoing down the darkened hallway. Hermione slapped a hand over his mouth and shushed him quickly.
"We all know Lucius put something on him because I saw it but I didn't hear what he said. Then after I came to and when back to my room, Malfoy was like a completely different person. He was mean and rude, much like he was during our first years."
"And so, since Malfoy was acting like he normally does you assume he's under the Imperious curse." Harry said critically. Hermione frowned up at him as she realized how everything she said sounded.
"Harry you don't know what he was like the couple weeks before the Yule Ball." Hermione said indignantly. "I mean we actually had a conversation, a real one and he didn't insult me at all! He even got me a snack one night. I think he was changing and the Imperious curse made him mean again or more to the point it's his father being evil through him."
"I don't know about this Mione." Ron said his face pale in worry. "It just seems a little to simple for me."
"Yeah, I don't want you taking on Malfoy, especially if his father is using him. You maybe smart but you aren't all powerful." Harry said backing up Ron.
"Why won't you support me in this?" Hermione asked shocked by their concern. "I know I'll be perfectly fine, I just need some help."
"Hermione, why don't you just wait till you hear back from Snape." Harry continued. "We don't want anything else to happen to you because of Malfoy." Harry placed his hands on Hermione's shoulders and squeezed gently. "Or at least be careful if you aren't going to listen to us." Harry finished resignedly noticing the determined look on his friends face.
Later that day in Advanced Potions, Hermione kept a close eye on Draco as he worked on their assigned potion with Pansy. Occasionally, she would be able to catch his gaze, only to have him smirk and turn away. Once, though, when Pansy had gone to the front to retrieve another test tube, Hermione stood astonished as Draco's gaze riveted on her. He was staring so fixedly at her that Pansy actually waved a hand in front of his face to bring his attention back. Now, that was a highly unusual reaction. Hermione looked down, wondering if perhaps she had spilled something on her robes but only saw that her necklace had fallen out of her robe. Stuffing it back in her shirt, Hermione tried diligently to concentrate on the potion. Unexpectedly, her attention kept swerving back towards Draco but her never looked her way again. Hermione looked up and caught Professor Snape glaring at her and with a quick jerk of his head, motioned her to his office.
"Hermione, I have spoken with the Headmaster and we have come across a solution."
"You have?" Hermione asked incredulous.
"Yes. We suspect that Voldemort will attack the school sometime this spring. Our spies are hearing much more rumblings about an attack than they ever had before. We deduce from recent happenings that Lucius' attack on his son was in preparation for this coming battle. You have a mission now, should you choose to accept it." Snape said ominously.
"What? How can I help?"
"You can stay as far away from Draco as possible. Do not provoke him, try to reason with him, or otherwise distract him. We have no way of knowing how strong his father's hold on him is. You could be seriously hurt or worse."
"But..."
"No, buts Ms. Granger. I don't know how Harry and Ron would deal with your death much less how this school would deal with losing its brightest and most promising student."
"Yes sir." Hermione said resignedly and turned to leave the office.
"Remember Hermione, there are a lot of people counting on you." Hermione nodded her head in acknowledgement.
The largest study section of the library was filled with conversing Gryffindors and few Ravenclaws thrown in for good measure. Hermione stood up from where she was seated between Harry and Ron and called this group to order.
"Okay, everyone it's only six weeks until the N.E.W.T.S. Since you all expressed a desire to be tutored by me, I decided that a group study session would be more helpful. As Head Girl, I want you all to do very well since it reflects on Hogwart's. So, here are your assignments. Parvati and Luna, I want you to quiz each other on Nordic runes as that seems to be your weak spot. Neville and Ron will work on accurately measuring potion ingredients. Harry, you and Padma need to work on your complex charms paper, the better you write it, the more you will understand." Hermione called out the rest of the assignments and soon the room as abuzz with students' conversations. She walked over the chairs under the large windows overlooking the grounds and settled in the rare early spring sunlight. There was so much information to cover before she would ever consider herself ready for her final exams. A flash of black across the green fields below the window caught her attention and she watched in fascination a figure on a broom move speedily back and forth across the field. Then the sunlight glanced off the figure's hair and Hermione realized who it was. Malfoy, obviously practicing for the final Gryffindor/Slytherin Quidditch game, no doubt. She sighed in frustration, remembering her promise to Professor Snape. She settled herself resolutely in the chair and let her eyes wander over the page as her mind wandered over how to help Malfoy.
The next time she looked up the study area was empty and the sky behind her dark. She scrambled to get her stuff together before the library closed as it was such a hassle to sneak down the halls with an armful of books.
Hermione walked into the Head Room just as Draco was walking out of the bathroom, wrapped just in a towel. His hair was damp and brushed away from his face and little drops of water ran down his chest to the towel slung around his waist. Hermione was frozen with her back to the door. Instinctively she knew that someone like Draco would settle for nothing less than bodily perfection and he was definitely close to achieving it. It was apparent that Draco had yet to notice her standing in the shadows by the door. Taking a deep breath for courage and repressing the command from Snape, Hermione stepped from the shadows into the full view of Draco. For an instant shock rose in his eyes but it was quickly replaced by his customary sneer.
"Like what you see mudblood?"
"What do you think?" Hermione answered without malice. Unperturbed by her tone, Draco moved closer as Hermione nonchalantly removed her robe and loosened her tie and the top buttons of her shirt. She could tell the instant he could see the necklace clasped about her neck. She saw his body still completely but his breathing pick up. His fingers clenched at his sides and then relaxed as he watched her. Hermione moved forward on quiet feet until she was mere inches from Draco's bare chest. She looked up and found herself staring into his clear gray depths. For once he wasn't focused on the necklace but on her. Hermione stopped breathing when Draco reached a hand up to smooth down her cheek. His hand snaked around her neck and pulled her closer until she bumped into him. Her face was pressed against his warm bare chest and Draco had his face buried in her hair. Hermione pulled back slightly and looked up into his unfocused eyes. Draco lowered his face to hers and Hermione shivered as his warm breath brushed across her lips then his lips where on hers and she forgot everything. His lips were slanting across hers, fitting perfectly with hers and pressing ever so gently. It wasn't the violent passionate kiss that she thought he would do but something that ached of pain and repentance. Hermione slid her hands up his chest and pressed her body against his trying to get closer. Her necklace pressed fully against Draco chest and he jumped at the touch breaking contact with her lips. He looked at her with wide eyes. His breathing was ragged and his voice only produced broken mumbles. His eyes kept switching from her face to her throat and back to her lips. With a look Hermione could only ascribe to terror, Draco spun and ran full tilt into the bathroom with the door slamming shut behind him.
AN:I only hope this satisfies everyone. It looks like the story is going to change as a write it but don't worry they'll be together in the end.