Leather and Libraries
AN: BUMP! New chapter and more replies to your wonderful reviews! My head is pretty empty right now so I'll just get on with it…
Slytherin ice princess – Glad you're enjoying the story! I know when I write this story I actually become Hermione and I end up throwing things if she's angry or crying if she's sad – pathetic I know! Pansy's a vindictive bitch and can make anyone change their minds because she has so much power in that head of air. I know, Hermione's being very selfish at the moment and doesn't stop to think what it might cause.
Celebrean – Your review made me laugh like hell! Very nice split personality's I like the mad one best though!
sirius-black-4eva – Lolz Draco isn't my favourite character either – Loony Lovegood all the way! I must write her in at some point… My friends are also mad about Draco so their reading this and like 'Get rid of Hermione Drakie! I'll have you!' –Cough- Alison –cough- I'll continue writing for a long time after all the amazing feedback you guys have given me!
B-A-HPlova22 – Hermione's the Hogwarts slut! She's been connected with everyone including Severus and Remus! I personally think Harry's her baby really… Awww thank you much! That's what I'm like when I find an amazing story and then they never get updated and I'm like grrrrr!
AvIdPiAnIsT – Thanks for all the help again! You're more like my beta than a reviewer which is good! I'm a hopeless case… I have tried to get my sentences longer but it doesn't seem to be working the BEEP! I will review my entire story and re-do my mistakes when I get more time which will be around Christmas! Or maybe on Tuesday since I only have to go into school for an hour… I love Coursework Days!
jesska-14 - -Puts on Blink-182 'Let's Stay Together For the Kids- Or it's something like that! Hermione's just getting worse and worse with her hormones and trail of thoughts every chapter! Guess it doesn't help I write it in bits…
silvereyedelven – Lollys solve anything 'When in Trouble, Ron Licks a Lolly' I'll let you know what Ginny though about Harry and Ron's actions in Chapter 20… Okay no problemo!
FaTcAtInAhAt – Wow thank you! That is really boosting my spirits about this story! Draco does have a softie side but his Malfoy side is bigger and more evil.
Fan-Of-HP – Okay, I'll do that soon and then I'll get back to you!
DragonSpirit7037 – Lolz she's a fool! Draco's an evil, hot Slytherin! What more could you want?! Oooooh posh words! But thanks ya!
Also, huggles and thanks to ShimmeringEvil, Xtreme Nuisance, Natasha2014 and hye em yes! All of your reviews just keep getting better and better and really help me a lot in my quest. Hehehe!
And now, on with the show! –Start of show music comes on- (Disclaimer is based on Vicky Pollard in Little Britain)
Disclaimer: Yer but no but I-don't-own Harry-Potter-because-if-I-did-J.K-would-have-a-hissy-fit-and-hit-me-with-her-biggest-book-and-she'd-be-like-'Why you dissing me?'-and-I'd-be-like-'Whatever, shut up, don't be giving me EVOS!'
Summary: After an incident in the library, Draco and Hermione realise they have more in common than just books.
Chapter 18 – Chosen Needs
Hermione had spent the rest of the week spending time with Draco in the hospital wing, sometimes watching him or talking about anything as she felt their time was precious. It was like he had cancer or something life threatening like that.
Of course Draco had no idea what was going on, he just assumed that she was spending this time with him because they were now out in the open and their relationship was the reason he was in this white room every day. So he went along with it and ignored the faces pressing themselves against the doors windows, trying to get a peek at the latest couple to grace Hogwarts.
Soon, night approached and Hermione would be sent out by Madam Pomfrey, only for her to return an hour later so she could stay with Draco. It was like routine, and the frustrated nurse soon gave up on separating them but checked on them every hour to make sure they were not doing anything that broke school rules.
It was the last night Draco was to be there that Hermione grasped her opportune moment.
"What do you think the school are saying?" Draco asked out of the blue, staring at the bed in front.
"What?" Hermione asked, caught off guard and half-asleep.
"About us, what are they saying? You must know since you go out there everyday and have to deal with it so let me have an idea."
"Well… some of them think that I seduced you or vice versa, some think one of us is under a spell and the chosen few actually think we're together because we like each other."
"Nice word."
"You choose a better one. Anyway, most of them think we should break up because it isn't going to last with everything that's going on at the moment." Hermione looked at him, with unknown tears sparkling in her eyes.
"Merlin, Hogwarts must be dumbing people for them to think that."
"It could be true," Hermione said quietly, looking at the floor.
Draco's head snapped to hers. "Excuse me? You think it's true what their saying about us?"
"Naturally, I mean their all against us. I can't even remember what it was like to be happy and being able to study with my friends without being remarked about every second, to be able to have a joyful time with people close to me." Her tears were now falling as her emotions that she had held so long cut loose. "I want to be 'normal Hermione Anne Granger' whose life revolved around school, family, friends and just staying alive. I don't want to be the girl who everyone hates because she's seeing Draco Malfoy."
"Who made you say that?" Draco said forcefully, trying to keep his voice calm and averting the subject she had just presented.
"No-one, it was my choice."
"Then why are you doing this? You haven't been like this for a while and suddenly you want to end us for no damn reason?"
"Us? There is no us! It's just Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy, two totally different people who should stay enemies! I'm just trying to get out before I get hurt even more."
Draco looked at her with anger in his eyes, even though she could not see him as her eyes were still locked on the floor. "You think this is a party for me too Granger? I've given up everything for you; my reputation, friends, my status in this school! I've been going over and over what would happen if my father found out, but I soon didn't care! Because unlike yours, my friends are staying loyal at the least and won't tell him because Slytherins stay Slytherins even through things like this! So don't you fucking put the guilt trip on me because you've caused me more pain."
"Then why do you fight it? It's easy enough for us to go our separate ways and things can get back to normal for both of us!" Hermione looked up at him with pleading eyes and wet cheeks. "I want to be normal and I want to be happy."
"So much for Gryffindor bravery," Draco muttered. "If you want it to be this way, fine! But you won't be happy because Weaselbee and Potter will still be mad at you and you still won't be able to study."
"Yes I will! I'll get over everything with you and put it down to a bad experience I'm rid of! We've given each other pain from day one so there's no point in carrying on with this facade! It'll just turn out bad and I've thought that ever since you kissed me."
"So why didn't you speak up then? It would have been so much easier for me because then I wouldn't love you!"
Hermione looked shocked at Draco's outburst, she just stared at him and one sentence escaped her lips quietly, "stop it, that's not true."
"Are you stupid or something? I just said it without being tortured so what more do you fucking want? There is no such thing as fairytales because if there was, the world would be hell and Hogwarts would be its melting pot."
"But we argue, we're two different people in two different worlds."
"You can keep thinking and saying that but it won't make it come true. This might sound intolerably corny, but you understand me more than anyone. I've told you my deepest secrets that I was meant to keep until I die - don't say that we're different because we're not."
A silence subdued them in the darkness as emotions fizzled. Hearts melted and became one when Hermione sat against the bed and rested her head on his chest, giving into temptation once again.
"What the hell did I do so wrong in my past life to have all this weighing on my shoulders? I don't want to be the one the battles always choose anymore," Hermione whispered, tears of silence now breaking free.
"You don't have to because I can help you in some places. Just say the word and I'll be there," Draco said quietly, accepting the fact that he loved this girl and pushing his comments and Slytherin-ness to the back of his brain.
"You know it isn't that easy. You still have to go to Lucius and you will still probably fight on Voldemort's side when the time comes to choose between me and him."
"We'll just have to take that as it comes. No-one said this was going to be easy but it won't be life threatening either. We can hold our heads high and walk into the Hall tomorrow with our suits of armour on."
Hermione laughed at his sarcastic imagery and lay on the area of the bed that was left. "With swords?"
"And axes. Maybe we can help Potter get rid of that pathetic scar by chopping his head in half."
Hermione hit him on the chest lightly as his wounds were recovering. "Their still my friends no matter what."
"Their just slightly mental and immature." Draco rolled his eyes.
"If you keep talking like this then I'll vamoose!"
"Vamoose? Hogwarts really is getting bad. Or maybe you just act smart when really you secretly have a load of Smart Stuff For Dummies books in your bag."
"Don't you remember that you recommended them to me?"
"No but the sentence 'I'm not getting a bad mark because of a stupid mudblood' springs to mind; I caught on early of you're ways."
"Why did you always say that? It got on my nerves really bad."
"Because it was true. You're so stupid you wouldn't notice if I whacked a rock over your head and then served it to you for lunch!"
Hermione cocked an eyebrow at him.
"Fine. It was my reason to spend time with you," Draco mumbled inaudibly.
"What was that?" Hermione said sickingly sweet.
"It was my reason to spend time with you."
"Now that's better. Isn't it nice to tell the truth Drakie?" Hermione pinched his cheek playfully.
"Terribly. Now let go of my cheek woman!"
"Shut up. I need my beauty sleep and don't you dare say anything Mr. Smart Ass."
Hermione snuggled deeper into his chest and fell lightly asleep with Draco watching her.
"I came close to losing you there," He whispered later on. "Even though I may come close in the future, I won't ever lose you. God how stupid did that sound! If you were awake you would be laughing at joking at my expense. But I need you Hermione, more than you'll ever know." He kissed her lightly before returning to his thoughts and only after his mind was at rest did he sleep.
AN: That Draco bit was just stupid and a bit cliché but Draco's softie side is getting bigger -pukes-. Told you this wasn't going to be long! I think the last chapter was a once-in-a-story thing that happens when a writer has a lot on their mind and…. I'm just being stupid now! Star x