Author's Note: Hey! How are you guys doing! I am great! Can't you
tell!!!! I am using a lot of !!!!!!'s. Okay people. I am calm now. This
was a very fun chapter to write. Can you believe it? This is a LONG
chapter. At least for me that is. You'll have to review and complain
about something new now. Ha! Enjoy it, okay?
Disclaimer: The plot is mine, and mine alone. The rest belongs to the wonderfully talented J.K. Rowlings.
Hermione was startled when she heard Draco acknowledge Ginny's presence then quickly go to his room. She was still half asleep though, because of how relaxed she was because Ginny had started playing with her hair.
"Ginny," Hermione said lazily.
"Yes 'Mione?" Ginny asked, staring at Hermione's beautiful hair as she played with it.
"I. . . .I," Hermione had the urge to tell Ginny everything about her now small, but still existing feelings for Draco.
"You what, 'Mione?" Ginny asked, looking up from her hair. She knew where this was leading.
Hermione quickly changed her mind.
"I. . . just wanted to thank you for coming to me with your problem. You didn't have to come to me. It's nice to know that I am still needed and thought of, even though I no longer live in the Gryffindor tower."
Ginny felt a little guilty. She hadn't thought about Hermione for a while. It was just her curiosity that made her come and find out about Hermione's private life. She knew better now though. She had just found out more about Hermione than probably her brother and Harry knew about Hermione's crushes ever. She knew so much about her now that she couldn't help but want to become a better friend. It was the least she could do for Hermione. She did need to start hanging out with a girl. She couldn't spend all of her time around Ron, Harry, or Draco! Ginny decided that she had to come around more often, with no alternative motives in mind like this time.
"Of course people think about you. You will always be needed. If you told Harry and Ron where your common room was, then they would probably come by."
"Please don't tell them, Gin. I'll tell them eventually. Just give me time. I need to get used to Malfoy first. Once we can be in the same room and not yell, or ignore each other, then I think I can handle Harry and Ron making a scene when Draco is here at the same time they are."
"Okay Hermione."
This would be a good time to leave and think about everything I had heard, Ginny thought.
"I have to get going now, to um, Charms class to find out the lesson I missed yesterday, when I should have been paying attention. I'll come back by sometime soon to visit," and with a final flip of Hermione's hair, Ginny, got up and went to the door. As she opened it though, there stood Dumbledore.
"Ah, Miss Weasley." Dumbledore stated, smiling through his silvery beard. "It is nice to see that Ms. Granger and Mr. Malfoy get visitors. I'm sure that it can be dull and lonely in such an unpopulated part of the castle."
"It was nothing," Ginny answered uncertainly. Even after six years, she felt shy around Dumbledore. He had a powerful aura around him and it was hard not to feel nervous or intimidated around him.
Hermione stood up from the couch and started to come over.
"Ms Granger. Would you please call on Mr. Malfoy? I have something to talk about with both of you. It is very important."
Dumbledore stood near the door, waiting with a smile on his face, while Hermione stood, slightly perplexed.
"Of course, Professor Dumbledore."
Ginny, saying nothing went out the portrait door, but she left it opened a crack and stood out to the side of the door, to listen. She couldn't that she was a snoopy person.
Hermione knocked on Draco's door.
"Malfoy," she said loudly to be heard though the thick walls.
Oh great, he thought, walking over to the door to stand to listen to Hermione. What does she want now?
"What, Granger?!"
Hermione growled in frustration, but not loud enough for anyone hear.
"Professor Dumbledore is here! He wants us to both be out in the commons room to hear something important. Come out all ready!"
"What is Dumbledore doing here?" Draco whispered to himself and came out of his room so fast that he almost ran into Hermione.
"Excuse ME, Granger," Draco said, sounding polite to the untrained ear, but Hermione knew he was being sarcastic.
"You're excused, Malfoy," Hermione answered with the same tone. She was good at hiding her sarcasm too. She WAS trained by the master. How could you spend so much time with Draco and not learn anything from him? Let him have a taste of his own medicine!
Dumbledore was deeply amused with the situation that was unfolding, but covered it up. He knew what was going on. He had his ways of knowing.
"The reason I have come to see you two today is that recently there has been a student or students who have been cursing objects in the corridors at night. Myself and the other teachers find that it will be wise that the Heads and the Perfects have partners for tonight's watches of the corridors. You two have been partnered together. I expect you to stay together, for your own safety."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
"Whoa!" Ginny said quietly to herself. "They're going to be together part of the night because of Dumbledore. I wonder what he knows about them. He couldn't know all that I know, could he?
Ginny stood by the door, pondering. What could all of this possible mean? She thought of all that Dumbledore knew about past experiences that had happened at Hogwarts.
"He probably knows just about everything that has gone on between Hermione and Draco."
Ginny then slipped away, before she could be caught spying.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~
Hermione let it sink in as to what the Headmaster had just said.
"But Professor Dumbledore!" She moaned. "I don't want to be stuck with him all night."
"The feeling is mutual, Granger."
"I told you to be civil to each other," Dumbledore stated, a little sternly. "We need house unity to bring the school together. As Heads, you need to set an example. Have you even tried to obey my wishes?"
"We have, Professor. We really tried." Hermione nearly wailed. She didn't want to spend any more time with Draco then she needed to. She was confused enough already.
"Then we got tired of it." Draco added in a monotone voice, plopping onto the couch. He couldn't believe that he was partnered with her. How would he stand being so near her when he was still having these uncontrollable feelings for her?
"Well, you two will do your watches together. You can't do otherwise. I would know otherwise."
"May I ask how, Professor?" Draco asked, truly curious.
"I have my ways. Good day, Mr. Malfoy, Ms. Granger," and with that, he left.
"Well, this is just great, Granger!" Draco said, sneering in her face. It felt so good to be that close. "I can't stand being around you for three minutes! How will I be able stand your presents for three hours tonight?!"
"It's not like I want to be near either, but you heard Dumbledore." Hermione growled, getting into his face too. "He'll know if we don't worked together. I don't doubt his ability to know the truth."
"I know! If it wasn't for that I wouldn't even go near you!"
"Just be ready tonight!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~ *~
"Malfoy, get you're slimy butt out here right this instant!"
They had to get going, if they wanted to get to their shift on time. Clearly, Draco didn't want to. Hermione checked her robe pocket for her wand. It was there. She didn't want to be caught unarmed, if there really is some one cursing things at night.
"I'm coming, Miss Know-It-All. Just keep your mouth shut. Your screeching is hurting my ears." His door opened. "I am here. Are you happy now?"
"Ecstatic," She replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Now lets go."
They walked out the portrait door, keeping their distance from each other. Their job was simple. Walk along their scheduled corridors. If they caught someone out past curfew, they were to report them to a teacher. That was pretty much it. The problem was that most of the time, no one was out, so it was deadly quiet as the Hermione and Draco walked silently for 15 minutes. The sound of their footsteps echoed off the thick stonewalls. Hermione couldn't take the silence along with the gnawing inside her, telling her to talk to Draco.
"Malfoy," she started slowly. "I don't understand. A few weeks ago, we were tolerant of each other. I thought that maybe in a few months or so, we would be comfortable enough around each other to, I don't know, have strained jokes between each other."
Hermione had tried to be funny, but failed.
"So are you saying that you are uncomfortable, around me, Granger?" His heart started to speed up, and he didn't know why.
"I am right now. That is why I am so confused."
"Why are you confused, Granger?" Draco sneered, putting his guard back up. "We have never were civil to each other, until recently."
Hermione stopped at the top of some stairs. Draco's words had stung her heart slightly. Why did she still care what he said about her? Hermione took a deep breath.
"I am not confused because we don't get along anymore. It is that we actually put up with each other at all. It almost seemed like a natural thing for me to do."
"Well, it wasn't for me."
They started to silently walk down the stairs. Draco was in front, followed closely by Hermione. About half way down, Hermione spoke again.
"It is not that I can't endure you hating me again. It is just I don't understand anything anymore."
Draco got to the bottom of the stairs, and turned around to lie to Hermione and say his hate for her was real, but he never got the chance. Hermione tripped on her robe and started to fall down the stairs. Without thinking, Draco easily caught her. He was stunned at what happened. He hoped that Hermione hadn't hurt herself.
Hermione's hands were on Draco's shoulders, his on her hips. Her body was fitted into his, and it felt so natural for both of them. Knowing the position she was in, Hermione was going to get out of his hold, but while doing so, she looked up at him. His eyes locked into hers, but he did not cover up the emotion in his glaze in time for her not notice. She saw the concern in his eyes, and the feelings that had seemed to shrink so some unexpectedly flooded her with the love and desire she had for him.
Acting on instinct alone, Hermione stood on her toes and softly kissed him. Silently, Draco kissed her back, just as softly, wrapping his arms around her. As she grew more confident, she started to move her lips with his.
After a few seconds, Draco's senses had come back to him, but he didn't try to move away from her. He had never felt like this way before. Even though she clearly lacked in the kissing experience, she had the passion and instinct needed to make the kiss a good one. He wanted to savor the experience. He was afraid of one thing though. That Hermione would realize what she was doing and stop kissing him, so he didn't try to push anything. His arms did however tighten around her body, trying to pull her closer.
Hermione soon slowly pulled back and opened her eyes little by little, her arms still tightly around his neck. She smiled softly.
"Draco," was the only thing she could say.
A tingle went down his spine. She had said his name. It felt wonderful coming from her lips.
Hermione was going to say something else, when a flash went though her mind. Then another. Her head started spinning. She saw herself walking towards Draco in their common room, and then getting an aching headache. She then started uncontrollable running to Draco, while his back was to her. She pushed him roughly on the couch and started kissing him wildly and he kissed her back. Then he pushed her onto the ground. It was when she had pasted out for a while a few weeks ago!
Confused, Hermione was sure of only one thing. Something was going on here.
Without warning, Hermione let go of Draco's neck and pushed him onto a nearby wall. Caught off guard, Draco was easily slammed into it.
With her forearm resting on his chest, she leaned her body weight into him, so he wouldn't go anywhere. She frowned deeply and looked up into his confused face. Then something clicked.
Pushing him harder into to wall, she yelled as loudly as she could.
"You BLOODY BASTARD!" And ran towards her room.
Draco stood deeply baffled against the wall.
They had just shared an amazing kiss, on her own free will. Then he realized why Hermione had just pushed him against the wall and yelled at him.
"Bloody Hell!"
****************If you are confused as to what is going on, read chapters 3 & 4 over again. That should explain everything. This is quite possibly the most important chapter in the story, so PLEASE review. This chapter took a long time, and lots of rewriting, so I would really like to see reviews.
Disclaimer: The plot is mine, and mine alone. The rest belongs to the wonderfully talented J.K. Rowlings.
Hermione was startled when she heard Draco acknowledge Ginny's presence then quickly go to his room. She was still half asleep though, because of how relaxed she was because Ginny had started playing with her hair.
"Ginny," Hermione said lazily.
"Yes 'Mione?" Ginny asked, staring at Hermione's beautiful hair as she played with it.
"I. . . .I," Hermione had the urge to tell Ginny everything about her now small, but still existing feelings for Draco.
"You what, 'Mione?" Ginny asked, looking up from her hair. She knew where this was leading.
Hermione quickly changed her mind.
"I. . . just wanted to thank you for coming to me with your problem. You didn't have to come to me. It's nice to know that I am still needed and thought of, even though I no longer live in the Gryffindor tower."
Ginny felt a little guilty. She hadn't thought about Hermione for a while. It was just her curiosity that made her come and find out about Hermione's private life. She knew better now though. She had just found out more about Hermione than probably her brother and Harry knew about Hermione's crushes ever. She knew so much about her now that she couldn't help but want to become a better friend. It was the least she could do for Hermione. She did need to start hanging out with a girl. She couldn't spend all of her time around Ron, Harry, or Draco! Ginny decided that she had to come around more often, with no alternative motives in mind like this time.
"Of course people think about you. You will always be needed. If you told Harry and Ron where your common room was, then they would probably come by."
"Please don't tell them, Gin. I'll tell them eventually. Just give me time. I need to get used to Malfoy first. Once we can be in the same room and not yell, or ignore each other, then I think I can handle Harry and Ron making a scene when Draco is here at the same time they are."
"Okay Hermione."
This would be a good time to leave and think about everything I had heard, Ginny thought.
"I have to get going now, to um, Charms class to find out the lesson I missed yesterday, when I should have been paying attention. I'll come back by sometime soon to visit," and with a final flip of Hermione's hair, Ginny, got up and went to the door. As she opened it though, there stood Dumbledore.
"Ah, Miss Weasley." Dumbledore stated, smiling through his silvery beard. "It is nice to see that Ms. Granger and Mr. Malfoy get visitors. I'm sure that it can be dull and lonely in such an unpopulated part of the castle."
"It was nothing," Ginny answered uncertainly. Even after six years, she felt shy around Dumbledore. He had a powerful aura around him and it was hard not to feel nervous or intimidated around him.
Hermione stood up from the couch and started to come over.
"Ms Granger. Would you please call on Mr. Malfoy? I have something to talk about with both of you. It is very important."
Dumbledore stood near the door, waiting with a smile on his face, while Hermione stood, slightly perplexed.
"Of course, Professor Dumbledore."
Ginny, saying nothing went out the portrait door, but she left it opened a crack and stood out to the side of the door, to listen. She couldn't that she was a snoopy person.
Hermione knocked on Draco's door.
"Malfoy," she said loudly to be heard though the thick walls.
Oh great, he thought, walking over to the door to stand to listen to Hermione. What does she want now?
"What, Granger?!"
Hermione growled in frustration, but not loud enough for anyone hear.
"Professor Dumbledore is here! He wants us to both be out in the commons room to hear something important. Come out all ready!"
"What is Dumbledore doing here?" Draco whispered to himself and came out of his room so fast that he almost ran into Hermione.
"Excuse ME, Granger," Draco said, sounding polite to the untrained ear, but Hermione knew he was being sarcastic.
"You're excused, Malfoy," Hermione answered with the same tone. She was good at hiding her sarcasm too. She WAS trained by the master. How could you spend so much time with Draco and not learn anything from him? Let him have a taste of his own medicine!
Dumbledore was deeply amused with the situation that was unfolding, but covered it up. He knew what was going on. He had his ways of knowing.
"The reason I have come to see you two today is that recently there has been a student or students who have been cursing objects in the corridors at night. Myself and the other teachers find that it will be wise that the Heads and the Perfects have partners for tonight's watches of the corridors. You two have been partnered together. I expect you to stay together, for your own safety."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
"Whoa!" Ginny said quietly to herself. "They're going to be together part of the night because of Dumbledore. I wonder what he knows about them. He couldn't know all that I know, could he?
Ginny stood by the door, pondering. What could all of this possible mean? She thought of all that Dumbledore knew about past experiences that had happened at Hogwarts.
"He probably knows just about everything that has gone on between Hermione and Draco."
Ginny then slipped away, before she could be caught spying.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~
Hermione let it sink in as to what the Headmaster had just said.
"But Professor Dumbledore!" She moaned. "I don't want to be stuck with him all night."
"The feeling is mutual, Granger."
"I told you to be civil to each other," Dumbledore stated, a little sternly. "We need house unity to bring the school together. As Heads, you need to set an example. Have you even tried to obey my wishes?"
"We have, Professor. We really tried." Hermione nearly wailed. She didn't want to spend any more time with Draco then she needed to. She was confused enough already.
"Then we got tired of it." Draco added in a monotone voice, plopping onto the couch. He couldn't believe that he was partnered with her. How would he stand being so near her when he was still having these uncontrollable feelings for her?
"Well, you two will do your watches together. You can't do otherwise. I would know otherwise."
"May I ask how, Professor?" Draco asked, truly curious.
"I have my ways. Good day, Mr. Malfoy, Ms. Granger," and with that, he left.
"Well, this is just great, Granger!" Draco said, sneering in her face. It felt so good to be that close. "I can't stand being around you for three minutes! How will I be able stand your presents for three hours tonight?!"
"It's not like I want to be near either, but you heard Dumbledore." Hermione growled, getting into his face too. "He'll know if we don't worked together. I don't doubt his ability to know the truth."
"I know! If it wasn't for that I wouldn't even go near you!"
"Just be ready tonight!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~ *~
"Malfoy, get you're slimy butt out here right this instant!"
They had to get going, if they wanted to get to their shift on time. Clearly, Draco didn't want to. Hermione checked her robe pocket for her wand. It was there. She didn't want to be caught unarmed, if there really is some one cursing things at night.
"I'm coming, Miss Know-It-All. Just keep your mouth shut. Your screeching is hurting my ears." His door opened. "I am here. Are you happy now?"
"Ecstatic," She replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Now lets go."
They walked out the portrait door, keeping their distance from each other. Their job was simple. Walk along their scheduled corridors. If they caught someone out past curfew, they were to report them to a teacher. That was pretty much it. The problem was that most of the time, no one was out, so it was deadly quiet as the Hermione and Draco walked silently for 15 minutes. The sound of their footsteps echoed off the thick stonewalls. Hermione couldn't take the silence along with the gnawing inside her, telling her to talk to Draco.
"Malfoy," she started slowly. "I don't understand. A few weeks ago, we were tolerant of each other. I thought that maybe in a few months or so, we would be comfortable enough around each other to, I don't know, have strained jokes between each other."
Hermione had tried to be funny, but failed.
"So are you saying that you are uncomfortable, around me, Granger?" His heart started to speed up, and he didn't know why.
"I am right now. That is why I am so confused."
"Why are you confused, Granger?" Draco sneered, putting his guard back up. "We have never were civil to each other, until recently."
Hermione stopped at the top of some stairs. Draco's words had stung her heart slightly. Why did she still care what he said about her? Hermione took a deep breath.
"I am not confused because we don't get along anymore. It is that we actually put up with each other at all. It almost seemed like a natural thing for me to do."
"Well, it wasn't for me."
They started to silently walk down the stairs. Draco was in front, followed closely by Hermione. About half way down, Hermione spoke again.
"It is not that I can't endure you hating me again. It is just I don't understand anything anymore."
Draco got to the bottom of the stairs, and turned around to lie to Hermione and say his hate for her was real, but he never got the chance. Hermione tripped on her robe and started to fall down the stairs. Without thinking, Draco easily caught her. He was stunned at what happened. He hoped that Hermione hadn't hurt herself.
Hermione's hands were on Draco's shoulders, his on her hips. Her body was fitted into his, and it felt so natural for both of them. Knowing the position she was in, Hermione was going to get out of his hold, but while doing so, she looked up at him. His eyes locked into hers, but he did not cover up the emotion in his glaze in time for her not notice. She saw the concern in his eyes, and the feelings that had seemed to shrink so some unexpectedly flooded her with the love and desire she had for him.
Acting on instinct alone, Hermione stood on her toes and softly kissed him. Silently, Draco kissed her back, just as softly, wrapping his arms around her. As she grew more confident, she started to move her lips with his.
After a few seconds, Draco's senses had come back to him, but he didn't try to move away from her. He had never felt like this way before. Even though she clearly lacked in the kissing experience, she had the passion and instinct needed to make the kiss a good one. He wanted to savor the experience. He was afraid of one thing though. That Hermione would realize what she was doing and stop kissing him, so he didn't try to push anything. His arms did however tighten around her body, trying to pull her closer.
Hermione soon slowly pulled back and opened her eyes little by little, her arms still tightly around his neck. She smiled softly.
"Draco," was the only thing she could say.
A tingle went down his spine. She had said his name. It felt wonderful coming from her lips.
Hermione was going to say something else, when a flash went though her mind. Then another. Her head started spinning. She saw herself walking towards Draco in their common room, and then getting an aching headache. She then started uncontrollable running to Draco, while his back was to her. She pushed him roughly on the couch and started kissing him wildly and he kissed her back. Then he pushed her onto the ground. It was when she had pasted out for a while a few weeks ago!
Confused, Hermione was sure of only one thing. Something was going on here.
Without warning, Hermione let go of Draco's neck and pushed him onto a nearby wall. Caught off guard, Draco was easily slammed into it.
With her forearm resting on his chest, she leaned her body weight into him, so he wouldn't go anywhere. She frowned deeply and looked up into his confused face. Then something clicked.
Pushing him harder into to wall, she yelled as loudly as she could.
"You BLOODY BASTARD!" And ran towards her room.
Draco stood deeply baffled against the wall.
They had just shared an amazing kiss, on her own free will. Then he realized why Hermione had just pushed him against the wall and yelled at him.
"Bloody Hell!"
****************If you are confused as to what is going on, read chapters 3 & 4 over again. That should explain everything. This is quite possibly the most important chapter in the story, so PLEASE review. This chapter took a long time, and lots of rewriting, so I would really like to see reviews.