Disclaimer: Harry Potter and such belong to J.K. Rowling.
Note: I can now take matters into my own hands, and, by gosh, I am going to do so! The rest of this may not be focused solely on Hermione and Draco. I like all of the other characters, especially Harry, so I might work with him a bit more...Ron too. And the tone goes from serious-type stuff to playful in the wink of an eye. I am trying to straighten it out, but it does not look like that is going to happen.
Everyone should read Tasty Little Ficlets by Majik Beaver. I have to say that Majik Beaver is one of my friends, but these fics are truly worth mention. If you are looking for a good laugh, read everything that you can get your hands on my Majik Beaver.
Reviews are very nice things!
Chapter Eight: Away from Hogwarts and Back AgainDearest Ron,
I am sorry for hurting you. It was never my intention, but I never intended for a relationship with you either. It was not because of Draco that we did not work out. It was not because of you either. You are a fine wizard, a fine gentleman, and a fine friend.
I am writing you because I am taking the summer off. I will not be in contact by owl with anyone from Hogwarts. Please explain this to Ginny.
It goes without question that You, Harry and I will meet at Diagon Alley to buy books and such as always. Harry will let me know when to be there.
Always,
Hermione
Hermione sealed the letter and gave it to Hedwig.
"Harry, I do not know how to repay you for letting me stay with you this summer."
Harry rolled his eyes and opened another chocolate frog while he tossed one to Hermione. Dudley was standing just outside the doorway.
It had been two weeks since Hogwarts let out for the summer. Hermione's parents were going to a summer-long convention in the United States. Hermione wrote Harry, begging him and the Dursleys to let her stay. Aunt Petunia, still afraid from Professor Dumbledore's warning, decided that a Muggle-born witch was less of a problem than Harry. At least she did what she was told.
"You know, it's not that bad. I get to spend the summer with my best friend in the entire world, I am not in any type of relationship whatsoever, and I get to play with Dudley's head." She winked at Dudley.
He turned five shades of red before disappearing down the hall. Harry and Hermione could hear his door shut.
"Hmm...I wonder what he's up to. I've never seen him like this," Harry said. "Bloke looks like he's never seen a girl before."
"Harry, you're supposed to be helping me with these letters."
Just then an owl flew through the window.
Hermione stomped her way across the room and took the parchment from the owl. "If you hold on, I will have a letter for you to return. Here is some water and food." She pointed at Hedwig's empty cage.
Harry turned over on his bed and stared aimlessly at the ceiling. "What am I supposed to do, write the letter for you? Hermione, the guy told you he loves you and you're giving him the brush off. The least you could do is tell him to his face."
"Draco doesn't deserve that."
Harry stared her straight in the eyes. "He saved your life."
"I know, but that still doesn't excuse him. He's been nothing but nasty to us since we started school our first year. Then he expects us to accept him just because I spent a couple of nights studying with him. It just doesn't work like that."
Harry shook his head. "So when is Krum going to visit?"
"Why do I have a feeling that you are more excited about his than I am?"
Harry stood up and started messing with his hair. "I just want to hear about Quidditch leagues. Hopefully I will be playing one day. After all, someone's got to be a star." Harry's delusions of grandeur were growing by the minute. "After that whole spill at the Department of Mysteries, I'm ready for a little down time."
Hermione picked up the nearest quill. "You know, we're never going to get our stuff straightened out. I swear that I'm always going to have one of your quills."
"Is that such a bad thing? I am your best friend after all."
"Very funny, now how should I start?"
"Draco," Harry started, mocking Hermione's voice, "I am in love with you, but dreadfully afraid that I am going to have to have dinner every night with Death Eaters and other known criminals."
Hermione threw a pillow at him to get him to shut up. The room was in such disarray at this point that Harry had to clean up or he knew Aunt Petunia would ground him. He and Hermione (and Dudley) were looking forward to going to the movies. It was all they had on Friday nights.
Viktor Krum knocked on the door at Four Privet Drive. The Dursleys were used to wizards showing up at their doorstep. They were scared into submission when someone would walk up the drive.
Harry answered the door and invited Krum in. Hermione walked to the door from the kitchen.
"Viktor, how are you?"
"Good, thank you."
"You sound almost British. I guess that's what happens when you quit one Quidditch team for another—"
"Which reminds me," Harry cut in, "How do you like the Chudley Cannons? I cannot tell you how excited Ron and I are that we have season passes to the games. I hope that the Cannons..."
Hermione could not hear the rest of the conversation as Harry led Krum to the kitchen. Sadly, Hermione thought that it would be normal times, except for the fact that Ron was being snubbed. His two best friends were together all summer, while Ron was working for the Order. At least he was busy. His dream of becoming an Auror was becoming a reality.
There was a knock at the door. Hermione opened the door and saw Ron.
"Hermione, I know you are staying here, and I have not come to see you. I kind of heard that Krum was coming and I wanted to know about the Cannons." He rushed past her without further explanation of how he knew where she was and how he knew Krum was at Harry's house.
"I guess that I'll have to make more food," she said to herself.
The small group talked until around midnight. Krum apperated to his home and Ron left as mysteriously as he came, after they planned their trip to Diagon Alley. They would meet next week to shop.
Hermione closed the door after Ron with a sigh of relief. "That went over well."
Harry looked at her in disbelief, but caught himself. "OK, I am not supposed to tell you, but Ron has moved on."
Hermione's jaw dropped. "To whom?"
Harry started laughing. "This is the ironic part: Pansy. They are just perfect for each other, really. She had a thing for Draco...he had a thing for you, and now they are together. And from what I gather, she's pretty—"
"Harry! Do not say that to me!" She shook her head and walked upstairs. "As much as I love you guys, I never want to know about that."
"I understand." Harry pulled out a sleeping bag. "I suppose that I have to look after you so Dudley won't try anything at night."
Hermione jumped on the bed. "Yes, and be a gentleman about it and quit complaining!"
Hermione turned off the lights.
"Hey, Hermione?"
"Yes Harry?"
"Why aren't you with Draco? I mean, you two would actually make a pretty good couple."
"Haven't I gone over this enough?"
"Just wondering. Good night."
"Good night, Harry."
Draco,
Things have gotten confusing, haven't they? Last year was such a blur, and so many things got twisted. I do not know where to pick up my life. So I am staying with Harry the whole summer. I would appreciate if you do not tell anyone this, because Ron does not know. I would like to keep it this way.
I have not read any of your letters. Every one you send I rip up. Save trees: do not write me anymore. OK?
Hermione
P.S. I am sorry about your dad being in Azkaban, strictly in the sense that it would suck having a dad in prison, not a dad who tried to kill me. I'm screwing this up, aren't I?
Draco crumpled up the parchment. "Well, it's over, I guess. I tried, and failed. Time to move on."
Draco tried to keep his spirits up. Besides the bad news from Hermione, his life was looking up. Crabbe and Goyle were upset that their fathers were at Azkaban, but not Draco. He was man of the house and could do whatever he wanted. His mother was in no condition to stop him. She was a nervous wreck since her husband was incarcerated and all she did was drink.
Draco was also richer than he thought. He broke into his father's many secret compartments and discovered hidden gold and other objects. Everything he did not need he sold.
That week he decided to go to Diagon Alley. He bought the newest broom and all of his schoolbooks. That's when he saw Hermione, Harry, and Ron.
"Wow..." Harry's jaw dropped when he saw Draco.
"Harry, you are so strange. What's wrong?" Hermione turned and saw Draco. "Good reason."
"Hi Hermione, Ron, Harry," He nodded to each of them in turn. "What are you doing here?"
"Just some school shopping," Harry chimed in.
"Yeah, I just finished."
"Is that the Sunblast 5000, the one that made best racing broom of the year in thirty different countries, that broke the record speed of—"
"He means to say can he look at it. Ron gets excited when he sees a broom."
"I don't see why not," Draco replied. "We can go sit and talk for a while. You are the first Hogwarts students I've seen in a while. It's been mostly reporters."
They walked to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor and sat outside. Harry and Hermione ordered a banana split to share while Ron got chocolate ice cream. Draco had water.
"So whachu fink weesh 'lk bou?" Ron said with a mouth full of ice cream.
"Ron, swallow and try again."
"What do you think we should talk about?"
"'How I Spent My Summer Vacation,' just like the good old days." Harry stared off into the horizon, thinking about crayons and eating glue.
Ron smiled. "Good one, I'll go first! The Ministry has hired me for odds and ends. Great training. That and I am dating Pansy." He beamed at his last bit of news. He poured himself whole heartedly into this relationship that he might not remember the way Hermione fit in his arms or the way she tasted.
Harry swallowed his mouthful of ice cream and went next. "I am at the Dursleys, as normal, waiting for the next sign of Voldemort."
Draco and Ron grimaced at the mention of Voldemort's name.
Draco saw that it was his turn. "I am writing for the Daily Prophet. 'The Life of a Teenage Death Eater' will start running after I start the year at Hogwarts. It pays well enough, though one anonymous fan sent me Bundimun puss, hoping that it would rot my fingers off. Hermione, your go."
"I have been staying with Harry."
Draco looked back and forth between Hermione and Harry. Hermione did not see his anxious glances.
"Hermione!" Ginny waved at her friend from the street.
"Harry, come with me and say hello to Ginny, will you?" Hermione asked. Harry followed her passed tables and chairs.
"Mate, don't worry about Harry and Hermione. They will never be anything more than friends," Ron reassured Draco.
"What makes you so sure?" Draco glared at Ron.
"Harry is her best friend. He would hardly be interested in her, and vice versa."
"You think I have a chance with her?"
"More than a chance! You drive her crazy," Ron saw Draco's worried look and added, "In a good way. Just wait until she's ready. You took her by surprise, and you need to let the shock wear off."
Hermione walked back to pick up her bags. Draco admired the way her face lit up when she was with her friends.
"Hermione..."
"Yes, Draco?"
"Since I won't be sitting with Crabbe and Goyle, or any Slytherin for that matter, could I sit with you on the train to Hogwarts? Of course Harry and Ron would be there."
Ron cut in, "That would be great! It would probably make Pansy a bit more comfortable having another Slytherin to talk to."
Draco looked for Hermione's approval, but she had already turned to leave.
'Damn it! I already blew it," Draco thought.
"Harry, do you have everything?" Hermione asked.
They were rushing to pack for school. Harry had not packed the night before, so Hermione had to help him look for all of his belongings.
"I think that's the last of it." Harry closed the top of his trunk and put Hedwig in her cage.
"Save a compartment for all of us. Ron and I will join you after the Prefect meeting is over."
"You forgot that Draco will be coming too."
Hermione let out a sigh in anger. She slammed her trunk on every step going down the stairs. "Does he have to? Why did he choose us to bother?"
Harry rolled his eyes. "Play nice kiddies."
They put their trunks into the car and piled in. Dudley took up one half of the back seat, so Hermione ended up sitting on Harry's lap. When they got to Kings Cross, they fell out of the car in their rush to be away from Dudley.
"You know, it's been great and all, but I have to go." Hermione found a cart and put her trunks in it. Somewhere, Crookshanks was waiting to be pushed to the train. Hedwig hooted and rustled her feathers.
The Weasleys were waiting for them at the entrance to Platform 9 and 3/4. After a last few hugs good-bye, Harry, Hermione and Ron were free to climb aboard the Hogwarts Express for their sixth school year.