Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter's characters. Everything
belongs to J. K. Rowling. Everything unfamiliar is mine. 7/14
A/N: '' - Basically means that the character is thinking
"" - Basically means that the character is speaking
This is the continuation to "Models".
I just noticed that when you type 3 dots (.) it appears as 1 dot only.
R&R, R&R, R&R, R&R, R&R, R&R, R&R, R&R, R&R, R&R, R&R, R&R
Title: Last Chance
Chapter 4
Hogwarts Express
Draco scanned the faces of the people, entering platform 9 ¾. He put his things in one compartment, the best one that he can find. He arrived early. He longed for the day that he'd be able to leave the grasp of his father. Once, he thought Hogwarts was a prison where purebloods had to encounter mudbloods, but now, his perspective had changed. Now he saw Hogwarts as a sanctuary. Here he can leave all his problems behind. From the moment he stepped onto platform 9 ¾, he left the miserable world that he lived in.
Draco saw young witches and wizards being dropped off by their parents and it made him realize how much he missed his mum. There were only a few students that weren't accompanied by their parents, for example there was Harry Potter. It felt good to know that you're not alone. His aunt and uncle dropped him off. 'Bloody hell, I didn't think that there are people who can compete with Crabbe and Goyle's appearance.'
Usually his parents dropped off Draco, but ever since people believed the return of the Dark Lord, his parents, specifically his father became more and more apprehensive of showing up in the enemy camp. Draco didn't know why he was still continuing his studies in Hogwarts. But who cares, as long as he can still be with Hermione.
He remembered that day when he visited Hermione.
~~~~~~~~~~
Hermione took several deep breaths before entering her house. She was shaking inside. She knew she'd gone overboard and she was afraid of the consequences. She couldn't believe she risked everything just to spite her friends. Then she heard a very demanding and very familiar voice coming from inside. She turned the knob of their door and let herself in. One of her hands was resting on her wand just in case. She found that the voices were coming from the kitchen. She took a peek at the person talking. She saw her mother drinking tea, listening to the voice. Hermione gasped at the realization that the voice came from Draco Malfoy.
"Draco?" Hermione's voice was still shaky.
Both her mum and Draco turned to see who spoke.
Hermione held Draco's gaze for a moment, not sure whether to be glad or upset. Then he smiled reassuringly. She couldn't help, but return the favor. "What are you doing here?"
Her mum looked from Draco then to her daughter.
"Uh, I wanted to visit you?"
Hermione didn't buy it.
Hermione's mum put her tea down and stood up. Every eye was on her. Both Draco and Hermione don't know what would happen next. She slowly walked toward her daughter as her eyes started to swell. "Hermione." She whispered.
"Mum." Hermione rushed to her mother's open arms.
"Sweetheart, where've you been?" She hugged her tightly.
"Mum, I'm really sorry, I. I."
Draco left the kitchen for a while so that the two could catch up. He heard a few wailings maybe coming from her mother and a few short laughs that probably came from Hermione. When the commotion died down, he counted up to 10 to give the two some time to fix themselves. Then he peeked at the door. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, yes. Please come in." Hermione opened the kitchen door wider to let Draco in.
"Thank you."
For a few minutes, they just stared at each other waiting for anyone to start a conversation.
Hermione braved to be the first one to talk, "Draco, what are you doing here?"
"Well, uh. I was. You got here pretty early."
"The Knight Bus arrived earlier."
"Oh, really?"
Hermione's mum rolled her eyes as she joined the conversation, "You know Hermione dear, you have such a good friend. He came all the way here to talk to me."
"Talk to you mum?" She looked at Draco who was starting to grow red.
"Yes, he said he was concerned about you and wanted to check up on you."
"He did, did he?" She teased him. "What else did he say?"
"He explained to me why you should be allowed to go back to Hogwarts."
Hermione didn't expect to hear this from her mother. She stared at Draco as her mother continued.
"He told me how important this last year is for you." She watched the two exchange meaningful glances at each other. She couldn't help but feel protective of her daughter. Yet, there was something in him that she really liked. "He said that the only way to survive an encounter with that wizard."
"Voldemort." Hermione supplied.
"Right, he told me that the only way to survive an encounter with a powerful wizard is to finish your studies. He told me that he knows that you'll be one of the best witches Hogwarts will see. He said that he trusts you and your capabilities with his life."
Hermione blushed on the last part, but she wouldn't take her eyes off of him.
"I asked him if he can assure me of your safety and do you know what he said?"
Hermione broke the eye contact as she faced her mother. "What did he say?"
"He said that he couldn't."
Hermione looked back at Draco looking in disbelief.
"But, he added that he would give up his life if it could save yours."
Hermione felt her face grow hot. She wanted to avoid his gaze, but he wouldn't allow it.
Draco stood in front of her and held her chin up so that they were gazing at each other's eyes. "Hermione, I meant every word that I said to your mother."
Hermione's mum took that as her cue to leave them alone.
"Certainly not about the part were you promised to give up your life." Hermione could feel her heart beating at an incredible pace. Their faces were just a few inches apart.
"Especially that part." Draco started to lean forward.
~~~~~~~~~~
Draco once again scanned the people going in and out of the platform. He then caught sight of a family full of redheads. 'The Weasley's. Where could she be? I thought that she came here earlier than her friends?' He stared at the portal so that he wouldn't miss her. Then to his annoyance the familiar face of a smaller version of Viktor Krum came into view. 'So he's here.'
~~~~~~~~~~
"Certainly not about the part were you promised to give up your life." Hermione could feel her heart beating at an incredible pace. Their faces were just a few inches apart.
"Especially that part." Draco started to lean forward.
An owl came swooping through from window towards Hermione. The couple blushed deeply at the realization of what they were about to do. Hermione took the letter and read it fast.
"Who is from?" Draco realized that it was not the same owl that Harry used. It was more like his really, but different because of the spot under its beak.
Hermione gave a sigh, "Viktor."
Draco couldn't help but feel a stab in his chest. 'What happened there after I left?' "What does he want? Is he inviting you again this summer?"
"No, it's different."
"What does it say then?"
"He said that Dale would be studying this year in Hogwarts."
"Dale?"
"He's Viktor's younger brother."
"Younger? First year?"
"No silly, he's on the same level as we are."
Draco wanted to scowl but controlled his features. "Really? What does Krum want you to do?"
"He asked if I could watch over him."
"Babysitter then?" He teased. He noticed the growing tension between them. "How would you know who Dale is? Have you met him?"
"Oh yeah. You left before you could meet him."
"When did he come?"
"A few minutes after you had left, I think."
'Perfect, this can prove to be more of a challenge.' "So what's the plan?"
"I'm meeting him at the train."
~~~~~~~~~~
Draco didn't approach him since he was never really introduced to him. He saw a few girls start screaming as they recognized the face. 'Great! Another celebrity.' He watched as a pack of people surrounded him. 'Don't know if I feel sorry for him.'
He put his gaze back at the portal. Then his day brightened as he watched her step out of the portal. Everything about her was perfect. Her figure was a perfect description of what girl's dreamed about having. He wasn't interested that much with the body though, he'd seen similar. Her face however kept him in a trance. Her eyes would sparkle with her every mood and that was something Draco looked forward to.
He straightened his stance as he moved towards Hermione. But it looked like he was not the only one who's been waiting for her. Harry and Ron reached her first.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Herm!" Ron called out.
Hermione didn't smile, but she didn't avoid them so that was a good thing, for Harry and Ron anyway.
"Hermione!" Harry called a little louder when she didn't acknowledged Ron's greeting.
Hermione stood rigid waiting for them to reach her.
Harry gave a weak smile. "Hi!"
"You gave us a scare Hermione; we thought that we wouldn't be seeing you this year." Ron flashed her a warm smile.
"Sorry to disappoint you." Hermione still didn't forgive them.
Harry and Ron looked at each other.
"Herm, are you mad at us?"
"Oh! You noticed!" Hermione was getting irritated.
"What did we do?" Harry asked worriedly.
"That's just it, you didn't do anything!"
"Hermione, if this is about not sending you a letter." Ron didn't think that it was proper to use Herm anymore.
"Don't you care about me anymore?" She directed that to Ron. "And you, I thought that our relationship meant something to you!" That one she aimed at Harry.
"Hermione, I wanted to owl you but I just couldn't." Harry started. "I sent Hedwig for a mission the day you sent the letter. Before I read it, your owl flew away."
"So you didn't bother to write altogether?" Hermione screamed.
"I couldn't, Hedwig was attacked. She's still in the cage resting. You can take a look for yourself. Her wings are badly damaged. I've written you letters, but I just didn't have the means to send them out." Harry emptied his pocket. He showed her several of letters in his hand. He gave them to Hermione in an effort to ask her for forgiveness.
Hermione sighed but she didn't take the letters. Her gaze now transferred to Ron. "What about you? You have two owls in the burrow."
"I know; our house owl didn't look good. Mum took it to a healer and as soon as it healed dad used it for Dumbledore business."
"And Pig?"
"The funny thing here is, after I read the letter, it sort of flew away. I didn't think it was serious. I thought it was merely a joke. You see I was practicing Quidditch so I figured I'd write to you afterwards. The thing is, Ginny asked if she could borrow Pig and absentmindedly, I agreed. Pig hasn't returned since. I think that maybe Pig was attacked as well."
"What do you take me for? I almost believed Harry's story." She stopped for a while. "You know you could've at least modified your story a bit. I believe Ginny did borrow Pig since she was able to contact Draco but don't give me the same crap about attacks!" Hermione turned to leave.
Harry grabbed Hermione's arm. "Look." He pointed to an owl flying towards them.
Hermione noticed that it was Pig.
"We weren't lying. Hedwig really is in critical condition."
Hermione couldn't help herself, but feel misty. She lowered her face to try to hide her feelings from them.
Harry enveloped her in a friendly hug. She didn't hide her tears anymore. "You don't know how bad it felt to keep on waiting for letters that wouldn't come." Ron put his hand on her shoulder and started to massage it. "Do you know what I was coming back to Hogwarts for?"
Her two best buds shook their head.
"You two idiots!" She hugged both of them tightly.
~~~~~~~~~~
Draco heard everything. 'She wanted to come back for those guys.' He took a deep breath as he marched towards them. "Hermione?"
She let go of her friends to face Draco. "Hi!"
"You ready?"
Harry and Ron exchanged irritated glances.
"Be right there." She faced her friends back. "So, everything's ok with us now?"
Ron nodded; he didn't say anything about Draco, feeling content that everything was back to normal. Or so he thought.
"Wait," Harry pulled at her arm.
"What?" She asked sweetly and innocently.
"What about us?"
Hermione remembered the breaking up part in her letter. "Can we just take it slow this time?"
Harry opened his mouth to object, but she didn't let him.
"It's part of my promise to my mum. She didn't want me to continue my relationship with you." She lowered her head, embarrassed. "I'm sorry."
Harry didn't want to argue, she barely forgave them, if he pushed the topic, who knows what'll happen. He shrugged.
~~~~~~~~~
Draco offered his hand to Hermione as he guided her to their compartment. "So are you back with Potter?"
Hermione blushed, "I don't think that that's a suitable topic."
"You're probably right, but I'll ask anyway."
"No, I just thought that I should focus on my projects so that mum wouldn't have anything to say."
They dragged her things inside the compartment easily.
"So have you seen Dale yet?" Hermione asked. He was after all her responsibility.
"I haven't met him yet? I don't know what he looks like."
"Right. Could you help me look for him?"
"Ok."
They left the compartment to look at the people around them. To their dismay the first person they saw was Pansy.
"Hey Draco, did you get us a compartment like before?" Pansy batted her eyes at him.
Hermione tried to drown a giggle.
"Bugger off Pansy!" Draco was truly irritated.
Pansy didn't like Draco embarrassing her in front of a mudblood so she stuck her nose up and went inside the train.
Hermione's eyes traveled all over the place and then it landed on Harry and Ginny. She saw how Ginny flirted with Harry openly. Somehow she felt a small twinge of jealousy.
"You ok?" Draco eyed her carefully.
"Yeah, it's just." Her voice died as she saw Dale.
"Is that him?" Draco asked as his eyes landed at the miniature Viktor Krum.
"Yeah, that's him."
"Let's go then." He started towards the huge crowd.
Hermione followed.
Dale on the other hand was having a hard time with all the girls trying to touch him. He searched desperately for Hermione.
"Dale! Over here!" Hermione shouted at the top of her lungs. A few of the girls who heard made way for her and Draco. There was a lot of whispering that went like, "What's she doing with Malfoy? Where are Harry and Ron? Why is she so informal with Dale?"
Dale turned to look at where the voice originated. "Hermione!"
Now the crazed crowd shut their mouths up and watched. Hermione was a bit freaked out at every body's reaction. She then went forward with Draco following her. "Hi! How are you and Viktor?"
"Can we save the little introductions later?" Dale pleaded, eager to leave the crowd.
"You afraid of people?" Draco didn't like him one bit. Sure he was Viktor Krum's younger brother, he could see the similarities, but what got him was the fact that he looked better than his brother.
Hermione glared at him for the remark. "Don't mind him. He's not much of a people person."
"Really now?" Draco teased.
She smiled at him to shut him up. "Let's go up now?"
Dale nodded and scanned the crowd to look for Harry Potter. "Uh, just a thought, where's Harry Potter?"
"Is that the reason why you transferred here? To meet Harry?" She teased.
"Not really, I came here for you."
Hermione blushed, so did Draco. It was not actually a blush, but a sign of anger that was building inside of him.
"So where is he?"
"He's hanging with Ron and his sister." She glanced at their direction.
Dale saw the Ginny flirting with him. 'This is going to be easier than I thought. He's preoccupied with another woman.' All Dale wanted to know is whether he could be a match to the 'great' Harry Potter. "So who's he?" He motioned at Draco.
"Right, I forgot, sorry. This is Draco Malfoy. Draco, Dale Krum."
"So you're the one who accompanied her to our place." He eyed him dangerously checking to see if he was any threat.
"Is there any problem?" Draco glared back at him.
"Draco, please, he's just not good at introductions." Hermione remembered the first time they met each other.
Draco let it pass. 'This is going to be a very long journey.'
~~~~~~~~~~
Draco and Dale stared at each other in the compartment studying each other. Hermione on the other hand took her book out and started to read. The room felt hot and Hermione decided to take off her sweater. She was still looking at her book and didn't notice the hungry look that passed on both Dale and Draco. However the two saw each other's reaction and once again had a battle of their wits as they glared at each other. The tension broke when Hermione's watch pointed to the meeting sign. "We have to go, Draco. The meeting is about to start. Are you gonna be alright here Dale?"
Dale gave Draco a final glare before nodding.
Draco and Hermione left the compartment together. They didn't get far when a familiar voice called to her.
"Hermione, wait up."
Harry sprinted towards her. 'I forgot, Harry's Head Boy.'
Hermione waited for him. The train hall was too small to accommodate three people walking side by side. Hermione walked faster so that Harry and Draco were left behind.
Draco couldn't believe his luck. He thought that he would be able to spend a lot of time alone with her, but from the looks of things, this year would be a lot tougher with Dale around.
When they got to the room, Hermione sat in the middle part of the first row. Harry sat beside her on one side and Draco on the other. They waited as the room filled up. McGonagall arrived last.
"Ms. Granger where's Mr. Krum?"
Everybody in the room stared at her.
Hermione felt embarrassed at the attention. Harry looked at her questioningly. "Dale Krum, professor?"
"Yes? Where is he?"
"I'll go get him." Draco offered. He didn't like the idea of leaving her with Dale alone in a compartment.
"Very well Mr. Malfoy."
~~~~~~~~~~
Draco quickly went to their compartment to fetch Dale. "Come with me. McGonagall wants to see you."
Dale didn't argue, he got up and followed him. When they neared the room Dale posed a question, "So, what's your score with Hermione?"
"Excuse me?" Draco was offended by the question.
"You know, how far did you get with Hermione?"
"None of your bloody business!"
"Oh, everything that concerns Hermione concerns me."
"What about you then?"
Dale glared at him, "If you're thinking of making a move on her I warn you."
"What? You'll ask for big brother's help?"
"Ha! You wish. He'd go easy on you, but I won't!"
"Are you threatening me?"
"You scared?"
"I'm a Malfoy!"
"And that means?"
"That means you don't mess with a Malfoy!"
"Guys? You alright there?" Hermione got out of the room hearing two oddly familiar voices. "I heard some noise and thought I'd check it out."
"It's nothing Hermione." Dale answered innocently.
"Ok, if you say so. Why don't you guys come in already, we've been waiting for you two."
Dale followed her as she disappeared inside the room. Dale saw an empty seat next to Hermione and decided to take it.
When Draco saw what he did his eyes widened. 'The bloody bastard stole my seat!' He took the seat behind her instead. He pulled it up front so that he was just inches away from her. "What's going on now?"
"Hush. Just listen." Hermione advised.
"Now, Mr. Krum would you please step up front."
As Dale stood up a lot of whispering started.
"Please sit down here and wear this hat." McGonagall ordered.
Dale obediently wore the hat. He listened as it read his traits. "This one's got the smarts, but I can see that his courage rules his life. Therefore, Gryffindor."
Hermione smiled at him approvingly.
Dale got back and smiled at her, "Does that mean we're in the same house?"
"Right." She smiled again.
"Lucky me!" Dale gave her a smile that melted the hearts of women of every age.
Harry and Draco for once were thinking of the same thing. 'Just my luck! This will be the longest year ever!'
They weren't kidding; they didn't know how long a year could be.
A/N: I'd like to extend my gratitude to my beta, Toni.
Lady Scarlett1 - sorry for the cliffhanger and thanks for the reviews
not only to this story but to my other story.
Tickled Purple Monkey - how often? I'll be having my sem break in a
few days so maybe I could update to your liking. Wait, I'm not really
sure, I have another story up so- just forget this comment. Thank you
anyway.
Thanks too for those who reviewed, I appreciate it. I love reading
reviews, it inspires me to think of better plots and challenges me to
do better. So please continue R&R!
Oh, can you guys pray for me for my finals, I hate accounting and law
and I have them on the same day!
A/N: '' - Basically means that the character is thinking
"" - Basically means that the character is speaking
This is the continuation to "Models".
I just noticed that when you type 3 dots (.) it appears as 1 dot only.
R&R, R&R, R&R, R&R, R&R, R&R, R&R, R&R, R&R, R&R, R&R, R&R
Title: Last Chance
Chapter 4
Hogwarts Express
Draco scanned the faces of the people, entering platform 9 ¾. He put his things in one compartment, the best one that he can find. He arrived early. He longed for the day that he'd be able to leave the grasp of his father. Once, he thought Hogwarts was a prison where purebloods had to encounter mudbloods, but now, his perspective had changed. Now he saw Hogwarts as a sanctuary. Here he can leave all his problems behind. From the moment he stepped onto platform 9 ¾, he left the miserable world that he lived in.
Draco saw young witches and wizards being dropped off by their parents and it made him realize how much he missed his mum. There were only a few students that weren't accompanied by their parents, for example there was Harry Potter. It felt good to know that you're not alone. His aunt and uncle dropped him off. 'Bloody hell, I didn't think that there are people who can compete with Crabbe and Goyle's appearance.'
Usually his parents dropped off Draco, but ever since people believed the return of the Dark Lord, his parents, specifically his father became more and more apprehensive of showing up in the enemy camp. Draco didn't know why he was still continuing his studies in Hogwarts. But who cares, as long as he can still be with Hermione.
He remembered that day when he visited Hermione.
~~~~~~~~~~
Hermione took several deep breaths before entering her house. She was shaking inside. She knew she'd gone overboard and she was afraid of the consequences. She couldn't believe she risked everything just to spite her friends. Then she heard a very demanding and very familiar voice coming from inside. She turned the knob of their door and let herself in. One of her hands was resting on her wand just in case. She found that the voices were coming from the kitchen. She took a peek at the person talking. She saw her mother drinking tea, listening to the voice. Hermione gasped at the realization that the voice came from Draco Malfoy.
"Draco?" Hermione's voice was still shaky.
Both her mum and Draco turned to see who spoke.
Hermione held Draco's gaze for a moment, not sure whether to be glad or upset. Then he smiled reassuringly. She couldn't help, but return the favor. "What are you doing here?"
Her mum looked from Draco then to her daughter.
"Uh, I wanted to visit you?"
Hermione didn't buy it.
Hermione's mum put her tea down and stood up. Every eye was on her. Both Draco and Hermione don't know what would happen next. She slowly walked toward her daughter as her eyes started to swell. "Hermione." She whispered.
"Mum." Hermione rushed to her mother's open arms.
"Sweetheart, where've you been?" She hugged her tightly.
"Mum, I'm really sorry, I. I."
Draco left the kitchen for a while so that the two could catch up. He heard a few wailings maybe coming from her mother and a few short laughs that probably came from Hermione. When the commotion died down, he counted up to 10 to give the two some time to fix themselves. Then he peeked at the door. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, yes. Please come in." Hermione opened the kitchen door wider to let Draco in.
"Thank you."
For a few minutes, they just stared at each other waiting for anyone to start a conversation.
Hermione braved to be the first one to talk, "Draco, what are you doing here?"
"Well, uh. I was. You got here pretty early."
"The Knight Bus arrived earlier."
"Oh, really?"
Hermione's mum rolled her eyes as she joined the conversation, "You know Hermione dear, you have such a good friend. He came all the way here to talk to me."
"Talk to you mum?" She looked at Draco who was starting to grow red.
"Yes, he said he was concerned about you and wanted to check up on you."
"He did, did he?" She teased him. "What else did he say?"
"He explained to me why you should be allowed to go back to Hogwarts."
Hermione didn't expect to hear this from her mother. She stared at Draco as her mother continued.
"He told me how important this last year is for you." She watched the two exchange meaningful glances at each other. She couldn't help but feel protective of her daughter. Yet, there was something in him that she really liked. "He said that the only way to survive an encounter with that wizard."
"Voldemort." Hermione supplied.
"Right, he told me that the only way to survive an encounter with a powerful wizard is to finish your studies. He told me that he knows that you'll be one of the best witches Hogwarts will see. He said that he trusts you and your capabilities with his life."
Hermione blushed on the last part, but she wouldn't take her eyes off of him.
"I asked him if he can assure me of your safety and do you know what he said?"
Hermione broke the eye contact as she faced her mother. "What did he say?"
"He said that he couldn't."
Hermione looked back at Draco looking in disbelief.
"But, he added that he would give up his life if it could save yours."
Hermione felt her face grow hot. She wanted to avoid his gaze, but he wouldn't allow it.
Draco stood in front of her and held her chin up so that they were gazing at each other's eyes. "Hermione, I meant every word that I said to your mother."
Hermione's mum took that as her cue to leave them alone.
"Certainly not about the part were you promised to give up your life." Hermione could feel her heart beating at an incredible pace. Their faces were just a few inches apart.
"Especially that part." Draco started to lean forward.
~~~~~~~~~~
Draco once again scanned the people going in and out of the platform. He then caught sight of a family full of redheads. 'The Weasley's. Where could she be? I thought that she came here earlier than her friends?' He stared at the portal so that he wouldn't miss her. Then to his annoyance the familiar face of a smaller version of Viktor Krum came into view. 'So he's here.'
~~~~~~~~~~
"Certainly not about the part were you promised to give up your life." Hermione could feel her heart beating at an incredible pace. Their faces were just a few inches apart.
"Especially that part." Draco started to lean forward.
An owl came swooping through from window towards Hermione. The couple blushed deeply at the realization of what they were about to do. Hermione took the letter and read it fast.
"Who is from?" Draco realized that it was not the same owl that Harry used. It was more like his really, but different because of the spot under its beak.
Hermione gave a sigh, "Viktor."
Draco couldn't help but feel a stab in his chest. 'What happened there after I left?' "What does he want? Is he inviting you again this summer?"
"No, it's different."
"What does it say then?"
"He said that Dale would be studying this year in Hogwarts."
"Dale?"
"He's Viktor's younger brother."
"Younger? First year?"
"No silly, he's on the same level as we are."
Draco wanted to scowl but controlled his features. "Really? What does Krum want you to do?"
"He asked if I could watch over him."
"Babysitter then?" He teased. He noticed the growing tension between them. "How would you know who Dale is? Have you met him?"
"Oh yeah. You left before you could meet him."
"When did he come?"
"A few minutes after you had left, I think."
'Perfect, this can prove to be more of a challenge.' "So what's the plan?"
"I'm meeting him at the train."
~~~~~~~~~~
Draco didn't approach him since he was never really introduced to him. He saw a few girls start screaming as they recognized the face. 'Great! Another celebrity.' He watched as a pack of people surrounded him. 'Don't know if I feel sorry for him.'
He put his gaze back at the portal. Then his day brightened as he watched her step out of the portal. Everything about her was perfect. Her figure was a perfect description of what girl's dreamed about having. He wasn't interested that much with the body though, he'd seen similar. Her face however kept him in a trance. Her eyes would sparkle with her every mood and that was something Draco looked forward to.
He straightened his stance as he moved towards Hermione. But it looked like he was not the only one who's been waiting for her. Harry and Ron reached her first.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Herm!" Ron called out.
Hermione didn't smile, but she didn't avoid them so that was a good thing, for Harry and Ron anyway.
"Hermione!" Harry called a little louder when she didn't acknowledged Ron's greeting.
Hermione stood rigid waiting for them to reach her.
Harry gave a weak smile. "Hi!"
"You gave us a scare Hermione; we thought that we wouldn't be seeing you this year." Ron flashed her a warm smile.
"Sorry to disappoint you." Hermione still didn't forgive them.
Harry and Ron looked at each other.
"Herm, are you mad at us?"
"Oh! You noticed!" Hermione was getting irritated.
"What did we do?" Harry asked worriedly.
"That's just it, you didn't do anything!"
"Hermione, if this is about not sending you a letter." Ron didn't think that it was proper to use Herm anymore.
"Don't you care about me anymore?" She directed that to Ron. "And you, I thought that our relationship meant something to you!" That one she aimed at Harry.
"Hermione, I wanted to owl you but I just couldn't." Harry started. "I sent Hedwig for a mission the day you sent the letter. Before I read it, your owl flew away."
"So you didn't bother to write altogether?" Hermione screamed.
"I couldn't, Hedwig was attacked. She's still in the cage resting. You can take a look for yourself. Her wings are badly damaged. I've written you letters, but I just didn't have the means to send them out." Harry emptied his pocket. He showed her several of letters in his hand. He gave them to Hermione in an effort to ask her for forgiveness.
Hermione sighed but she didn't take the letters. Her gaze now transferred to Ron. "What about you? You have two owls in the burrow."
"I know; our house owl didn't look good. Mum took it to a healer and as soon as it healed dad used it for Dumbledore business."
"And Pig?"
"The funny thing here is, after I read the letter, it sort of flew away. I didn't think it was serious. I thought it was merely a joke. You see I was practicing Quidditch so I figured I'd write to you afterwards. The thing is, Ginny asked if she could borrow Pig and absentmindedly, I agreed. Pig hasn't returned since. I think that maybe Pig was attacked as well."
"What do you take me for? I almost believed Harry's story." She stopped for a while. "You know you could've at least modified your story a bit. I believe Ginny did borrow Pig since she was able to contact Draco but don't give me the same crap about attacks!" Hermione turned to leave.
Harry grabbed Hermione's arm. "Look." He pointed to an owl flying towards them.
Hermione noticed that it was Pig.
"We weren't lying. Hedwig really is in critical condition."
Hermione couldn't help herself, but feel misty. She lowered her face to try to hide her feelings from them.
Harry enveloped her in a friendly hug. She didn't hide her tears anymore. "You don't know how bad it felt to keep on waiting for letters that wouldn't come." Ron put his hand on her shoulder and started to massage it. "Do you know what I was coming back to Hogwarts for?"
Her two best buds shook their head.
"You two idiots!" She hugged both of them tightly.
~~~~~~~~~~
Draco heard everything. 'She wanted to come back for those guys.' He took a deep breath as he marched towards them. "Hermione?"
She let go of her friends to face Draco. "Hi!"
"You ready?"
Harry and Ron exchanged irritated glances.
"Be right there." She faced her friends back. "So, everything's ok with us now?"
Ron nodded; he didn't say anything about Draco, feeling content that everything was back to normal. Or so he thought.
"Wait," Harry pulled at her arm.
"What?" She asked sweetly and innocently.
"What about us?"
Hermione remembered the breaking up part in her letter. "Can we just take it slow this time?"
Harry opened his mouth to object, but she didn't let him.
"It's part of my promise to my mum. She didn't want me to continue my relationship with you." She lowered her head, embarrassed. "I'm sorry."
Harry didn't want to argue, she barely forgave them, if he pushed the topic, who knows what'll happen. He shrugged.
~~~~~~~~~
Draco offered his hand to Hermione as he guided her to their compartment. "So are you back with Potter?"
Hermione blushed, "I don't think that that's a suitable topic."
"You're probably right, but I'll ask anyway."
"No, I just thought that I should focus on my projects so that mum wouldn't have anything to say."
They dragged her things inside the compartment easily.
"So have you seen Dale yet?" Hermione asked. He was after all her responsibility.
"I haven't met him yet? I don't know what he looks like."
"Right. Could you help me look for him?"
"Ok."
They left the compartment to look at the people around them. To their dismay the first person they saw was Pansy.
"Hey Draco, did you get us a compartment like before?" Pansy batted her eyes at him.
Hermione tried to drown a giggle.
"Bugger off Pansy!" Draco was truly irritated.
Pansy didn't like Draco embarrassing her in front of a mudblood so she stuck her nose up and went inside the train.
Hermione's eyes traveled all over the place and then it landed on Harry and Ginny. She saw how Ginny flirted with Harry openly. Somehow she felt a small twinge of jealousy.
"You ok?" Draco eyed her carefully.
"Yeah, it's just." Her voice died as she saw Dale.
"Is that him?" Draco asked as his eyes landed at the miniature Viktor Krum.
"Yeah, that's him."
"Let's go then." He started towards the huge crowd.
Hermione followed.
Dale on the other hand was having a hard time with all the girls trying to touch him. He searched desperately for Hermione.
"Dale! Over here!" Hermione shouted at the top of her lungs. A few of the girls who heard made way for her and Draco. There was a lot of whispering that went like, "What's she doing with Malfoy? Where are Harry and Ron? Why is she so informal with Dale?"
Dale turned to look at where the voice originated. "Hermione!"
Now the crazed crowd shut their mouths up and watched. Hermione was a bit freaked out at every body's reaction. She then went forward with Draco following her. "Hi! How are you and Viktor?"
"Can we save the little introductions later?" Dale pleaded, eager to leave the crowd.
"You afraid of people?" Draco didn't like him one bit. Sure he was Viktor Krum's younger brother, he could see the similarities, but what got him was the fact that he looked better than his brother.
Hermione glared at him for the remark. "Don't mind him. He's not much of a people person."
"Really now?" Draco teased.
She smiled at him to shut him up. "Let's go up now?"
Dale nodded and scanned the crowd to look for Harry Potter. "Uh, just a thought, where's Harry Potter?"
"Is that the reason why you transferred here? To meet Harry?" She teased.
"Not really, I came here for you."
Hermione blushed, so did Draco. It was not actually a blush, but a sign of anger that was building inside of him.
"So where is he?"
"He's hanging with Ron and his sister." She glanced at their direction.
Dale saw the Ginny flirting with him. 'This is going to be easier than I thought. He's preoccupied with another woman.' All Dale wanted to know is whether he could be a match to the 'great' Harry Potter. "So who's he?" He motioned at Draco.
"Right, I forgot, sorry. This is Draco Malfoy. Draco, Dale Krum."
"So you're the one who accompanied her to our place." He eyed him dangerously checking to see if he was any threat.
"Is there any problem?" Draco glared back at him.
"Draco, please, he's just not good at introductions." Hermione remembered the first time they met each other.
Draco let it pass. 'This is going to be a very long journey.'
~~~~~~~~~~
Draco and Dale stared at each other in the compartment studying each other. Hermione on the other hand took her book out and started to read. The room felt hot and Hermione decided to take off her sweater. She was still looking at her book and didn't notice the hungry look that passed on both Dale and Draco. However the two saw each other's reaction and once again had a battle of their wits as they glared at each other. The tension broke when Hermione's watch pointed to the meeting sign. "We have to go, Draco. The meeting is about to start. Are you gonna be alright here Dale?"
Dale gave Draco a final glare before nodding.
Draco and Hermione left the compartment together. They didn't get far when a familiar voice called to her.
"Hermione, wait up."
Harry sprinted towards her. 'I forgot, Harry's Head Boy.'
Hermione waited for him. The train hall was too small to accommodate three people walking side by side. Hermione walked faster so that Harry and Draco were left behind.
Draco couldn't believe his luck. He thought that he would be able to spend a lot of time alone with her, but from the looks of things, this year would be a lot tougher with Dale around.
When they got to the room, Hermione sat in the middle part of the first row. Harry sat beside her on one side and Draco on the other. They waited as the room filled up. McGonagall arrived last.
"Ms. Granger where's Mr. Krum?"
Everybody in the room stared at her.
Hermione felt embarrassed at the attention. Harry looked at her questioningly. "Dale Krum, professor?"
"Yes? Where is he?"
"I'll go get him." Draco offered. He didn't like the idea of leaving her with Dale alone in a compartment.
"Very well Mr. Malfoy."
~~~~~~~~~~
Draco quickly went to their compartment to fetch Dale. "Come with me. McGonagall wants to see you."
Dale didn't argue, he got up and followed him. When they neared the room Dale posed a question, "So, what's your score with Hermione?"
"Excuse me?" Draco was offended by the question.
"You know, how far did you get with Hermione?"
"None of your bloody business!"
"Oh, everything that concerns Hermione concerns me."
"What about you then?"
Dale glared at him, "If you're thinking of making a move on her I warn you."
"What? You'll ask for big brother's help?"
"Ha! You wish. He'd go easy on you, but I won't!"
"Are you threatening me?"
"You scared?"
"I'm a Malfoy!"
"And that means?"
"That means you don't mess with a Malfoy!"
"Guys? You alright there?" Hermione got out of the room hearing two oddly familiar voices. "I heard some noise and thought I'd check it out."
"It's nothing Hermione." Dale answered innocently.
"Ok, if you say so. Why don't you guys come in already, we've been waiting for you two."
Dale followed her as she disappeared inside the room. Dale saw an empty seat next to Hermione and decided to take it.
When Draco saw what he did his eyes widened. 'The bloody bastard stole my seat!' He took the seat behind her instead. He pulled it up front so that he was just inches away from her. "What's going on now?"
"Hush. Just listen." Hermione advised.
"Now, Mr. Krum would you please step up front."
As Dale stood up a lot of whispering started.
"Please sit down here and wear this hat." McGonagall ordered.
Dale obediently wore the hat. He listened as it read his traits. "This one's got the smarts, but I can see that his courage rules his life. Therefore, Gryffindor."
Hermione smiled at him approvingly.
Dale got back and smiled at her, "Does that mean we're in the same house?"
"Right." She smiled again.
"Lucky me!" Dale gave her a smile that melted the hearts of women of every age.
Harry and Draco for once were thinking of the same thing. 'Just my luck! This will be the longest year ever!'
They weren't kidding; they didn't know how long a year could be.
A/N: I'd like to extend my gratitude to my beta, Toni.
Lady Scarlett1 - sorry for the cliffhanger and thanks for the reviews
not only to this story but to my other story.
Tickled Purple Monkey - how often? I'll be having my sem break in a
few days so maybe I could update to your liking. Wait, I'm not really
sure, I have another story up so- just forget this comment. Thank you
anyway.
Thanks too for those who reviewed, I appreciate it. I love reading
reviews, it inspires me to think of better plots and challenges me to
do better. So please continue R&R!
Oh, can you guys pray for me for my finals, I hate accounting and law
and I have them on the same day!