Leather and Libraries
by Starlight-Heart
AN: Half Blood Prince comes out on July 16th! –Squee- It's going to take so long for it to come but I'll just have to feed my addiction with things like this! I've just got a brand new book about Harry Potter which is going to help me sooo much! Yay!
I'm going to make all the changes to the posted chapters sometime during this holiday and after but I can't promise anything as I have a big History coursework due in, I have to do my Performing Arts potfolios and an exam, I have to learn my Wizard of Oz script and then stuff for singing lessons! So I'm busy busy so don't expect any one-shots for a while as well!
Anyway, replies to your fabalas reviews! If I didn't have them and if you all didn't keep reading, I would have surely put this story on a permanent hold so THANK YOU! –Gives everyone a Christmas card and chocolate star-
jesska-14 – No it's not, it rains all the time and we have mountains everywhere! Some of them are pretty but when I go walking up them their a pain in the arse! Well my town name comes from the Welsh meaning Crow Valley :S I haven't been to Canada but I'd love to go to Toronto! Lolz explorers suck. Blink 182 are big over here as well since the punk and emo community is getting bigger! I like LostProphets (come from down the road – Pontypridd!) their music is totally awesome! And I like Ashlee Simpson (angry girl music rules!), Green Day (I just jumped on the band wagon :'( ), a bit of Evanescence and Joss Stone (her fashion sense is amazing!) Done with that and thank you for the review!
DragonSpirit0737 – Yeah, they are so cute with all the fighting! Too fluffy…. Glad to see someone else thinks so! But I can't control what I come out with which sucks.
Monica7725 – Lolz I'm not sure how to take that…
Miss Elvira Dark – He didn't did he? I looked through it and it said Draco… Confusing!
Celebrean – It's freezing here as well because we're expecting snow! But I love it instead of sun!
alison2k4 – Yeah, a horrifying effect as well… Lolz ta and you damn well should be! :)
BabyRuth – I don't think Harry, Ron and Ginny could ever be friends with Draco that would be going too far. You may like this chapter!
AClownNeverDies – Lolz nice –thumbs up-
Cherry Dragon – Ron's just a bit slow and says before he thinks, like moi!
And also, huggles and sweets to ShimmeringEvil, kirt, fieryred20, Rynnie, padfoot-lover1, marina star and sporty12gd4u. Thank you to everyone for your wonderful reviews and Have a Merry Christmas, you all deserve it! Sorry their not that big, I have to go out in a minute!
Disclaimer: Oh yeah, I'm J.K Rowling and I just write this story with a crappy way of writing because I have spare time! Yeah right!
Summary: After an incident in the library, Draco and Hermione begin to realise they have more in common than just books.
Chapter 20 – Understand My Ways
"Don't you dare! Don't you – Ow! Alright, you're going to pay!" A boy shouted mercilessly and ran towards his attacker with his weapon – a snowball.
"You can't catch me, na-na-na-na-na!" The girl taunted, running around the white blanket of snow with her own snowballs hitting him occasionally. These two 'fighters' were Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger out in the grounds of Hogwarts on a Friday evening, engaging in an long-awaited snow fight. The snow had begun to fall thickly last night and when the students awakened, the air was bitter cold and the whole of the beautiful grounds was covered in snow so thick that half of the first years feared to go out in it for the apprehension of being buried alive.
Hermione found herself out of snowballs and froze, holding up her hands in surrender. "I quit, you're too good for me," She said fake-dramatically.
Draco pelted a snowball at her and ran forward, grabbing her around the waist and scooping her up on his shoulder.
"Draco, I've had enough of you picking me up already for enough of my life so put me back down!" She protested, hitting his back whilst he walked back up to Hogwarts.
"I can't because I sweep you off you're feet," Draco smirked.
"That was so cliché and stupid."
"You would know Hermy."
"I told you to never call me that when I confided in you and yet you taunt me about it every time you see me; some kind of flipping boyfriend you are."
"I'm sorry, would you prefer if I made up a crap nickname like Bushy Baby or Snuggle Bunny? Because I can call you that if it's what you really want… hunny."
"No way and don't call me hunny because I am not edible in any way and certainly not sugary sweet and if I am at any given time, you have the right to kill me right there and then – just for you're future reference."
"No problem Hermy. Besides, how do you remember that?"
"Because that was the day we first kissed; or do you lack the complexity of the human memory?"
"Well you wasn't exactly willing at the time-"
"Whilst you was and even tried to force some passion into it by grabbing me by the waist so you liked me before I even thought about you that way."
"Don't flatter yourself; I was after you're money, books and looks… in that order."
"Good to know where you're priorities lie – can I get down now?!"
"No, I'm going to take you to my room and have my wicked way with you so you become pregnant and I can at least have a reason for being with you – and the sex is an added bonus too."
Hermione laughed at his vainness and allowed her to be carried, knowing that she could not win against the person that was actually carrying her – and he was too strong.
"Well the sex wouldn't be that good since it would be my first time."
Draco immediately stopped and let her down easily. "You're a virgin?" He asked incredulously.
"No, I just said that so you would let me down," Hermione smiled, biting her lip. "Okay, so maybe I am… so what?"
Draco stood there and then a menacing smile twisted itself on his face. "New blood…" He said in a scary voice and ran after Hermione who was now making her way away from him fast.
"Draco, get away from me you crazy mad-man!" Hermione squealed, running to the courtyard and looking for a place to hide.
"Not until I feel your flesh caress against mine," He said, taking her by surprise and grabbing her from behind and carrying her in his arms towards the bench.
"Merlin, sex-driven Malfoy on the loose! Hide all you're daughters and teenage virgins – he doesn't mind men either for all you batters out there!"
"You will pay for saying that," He said slowly, his eyes looming over her.
"How exactly will I 'pay' my debt to you then?" She asked, her head titling upwards as Draco was standing above her as he sat down.
"This is one of my brilliant ideas…" He cupped her face in his palms and surrounded her in a romantic kiss, pressing his lips tenderly against hers.
It made Hermione's legs go like jelly and her arms found themselves not being able to move in the slightest way. She just sat on the cold bench with their lips providing the only fire, burning with passion as it carried on.
Draco broke it, leaving her dazed with her eyes half-open in natural bliss as it tickled her body and feelings. He smiled at her dazedness, pleased to know he had this effect on her and sat down next to her, wrapping his arms around her so that they were now joined together in a hold. He was becoming less hostile to things like this now, but it still felt weird what they could now do these things, even in public.
"I don't think I've paid my debt nearly enough," Hermione implied, leaning towards him for more.
But he avoided another and just held onto her as she looked at him with question. "It's getting harder for me to pull away now," He explained. "I don't want to go all the way if you don't want to – I want it to be special for you so that I might get a taste of what it would be like with a sex god."
Hermione laughed slightly. "Pansy isn't that romantic then?"
"It wasn't Pansy, you don't know her."
Hermione looked taken aback but nodded all the same and prodded him in the side so that he could continue.
Draco took in a deep breath, preparing to tell her what he had told no-one else before. "I was in Belgium, the Wizarding Quarters, just after the Quidditch World Cup at the start of our fourth year. I met this girl, Amelia, who was about seventeen and my father's friend's daughter. One thing led to another one night when we were forced together and I remembering waking up to see her getting dressed and blushing awkwardly; I've never seen her since and I don't really want to."
Hermione felt mixed emotions at this and stared at the fountain, taking this entire story in. 'Draco's been taken,' Hermione thought as her brain felt like liquid. 'Not by Pansy, not by me, but some older woman whom he does not care about and spent one foolish night with.'
"Are you sure there's nothing… you know," Hermione said uneasily. She was not sure how she would feel if Draco had something or indeed a child…
"I don't think so, I've never really thought about it before. She said there was a spell on her so she could not get any Wizarding or Muggle sexually transmitted diseases and it also stopped her from getting pregnant," Draco clarified. "And it was 100 sure so no problems there."
"But she's not been you're only one?" Hermione muttered, her hope seeming to break at every word.
"No… When I was going out with Pansy until last year we also had sex and there's another girl but she's left Hogwarts now."
"Amelia…" Hermione said thoughtfully. "She tutored me for a bit in Astronomy and we talked sometimes when Harry and Ron got on my nerves – Ravenclaw right?"
Draco nodded and Hermione took her gaze from him and looked at the stone flooring.
'I was talking to and became friends with the girl who Draco had gave himself to,' Hermione thought numbly. 'His first time wasn't special and it wasn't with me like it should be.' Tears threatened to leak out of her broken hope and heart as se stood up hazily.
"Hermione?" Draco asked, grabbing her by the shoulders. "What's the matter?"
She shook her head and gave a bracing smile. "Nothing, I'm just shocked and cold in need of warm clothes and some time to think; I'll see you on Monday." She kissed him lightly on the cheek and swept up to the entrance and to Gryffindor Tower, only allowing her thoughts to open once again when she was changed and in her bed with the drapes closed.
'I should not have put myself up to think that I might actually be his first,' Hermione thought as silent tears fell in the night. 'He's the Slytherin Prince; I'm surprised he's only had three girls. But it would have been nice for us to do it together, even if romantic gestures like that isn't his area of expertise.'
She fell to sleep with those last thoughts clouding her mind, causing her to dream of a girl following her around, hissing in her ear every time she went near Draco…
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Hogsmeade was buzzing with students and Christmas fever, all excited about the prospect of the Ball tonight. The first, second and third years were to have an area of the grounds sectioned off tonight, where they would have a sort-of muggle fair until nine o'clock and then they would have to go to their common rooms using four staircases and passages ways so that the Ball was not to be disturbed by them.
Hermione Granger was in the midst of all these people, making her way out of the book shop where she had purchased many things using some extra money she had obtained through birthday, Easter and other such Muggle occasions and celebrations. She clasped the parcel tightly and went towards the back of Hogsmeade, passing Madam Puddifoot's coffee house and into the shop a couple of door's away, Madam Trisand's Twinkling Boutique. It held the most beautiful dress robes for women and girls, all coming with an hefty price tag for customized one of a kind robes you would only wear once and then throw them to the back of you're closet.
Hermione stepped inside and the bell above the door jingled, a woman immediately coming from the back room and a smile beaming from her aged face.
"Hello, I'm Madam Trisand. How can I help you?" She asked politely.
"Hi, I'm looking for a pair of dress robes? Mine are too small now," Hermione said timidly, wringing her hands together.
"Ah, Hogwarts then. Sorry you just looked so much older, last year I'm guessing?" Hermione curtly nodded her head. "Yes, I have just the thing for you."
Madam Trisand went into a back room, the sound of metals scraping together reaching Hermione's ears. She felt fairly nervous as she had never been in a dress shop on her own, having always relied on her Mother to give an honest opinion about her clothes for such occasions for she did not know much as she never felt the need to give such an impression. She looked through the racks and saw some fairly nice ordinary robes that had some stitching in them, but did not like enough to buy since they were outrageously priced and too nice to wear for just everyday things.
"I just made this in fact," Madam Trisand announced, coming back from the rooms.
Hermione looked up and stepped forward a bit, astounded at the dress that the woman held in her arms. It was of a rich berry colour and had the texture of butter, slipping into Hermione's hands beautifully. It had gold stitching down the front of the robes, forming swirls and some flowers at the end of the robe and all this was clasped together by a small gold clip.
"It's beautiful," Hermione said breathlessly, gazing at the stitching.
"Well you will have to try it on before you buy it," Madam Trisand tittered, showing her the dressing rooms. Hermione smiled and slipped in there, emerging a couple of minutes later beaming like the older woman just had been doing.
"Oh bingo, this is the one," Hermione whispered in amazement as she looked in the floor length mirror on the front of the changing room door. All knots in her stomach loosened as all nervousness escaped her. Madam Trisand cooed over her while making 'Oooooh' noises, straightening out any bumps and pointing out some things Hermione had not noticed.
The bell rang again and a red head entered, looking at Hermione and then walking over to the other women.
"Hello Madam Trisand," Ginny Weasley said, smiling briskly. "I'm looking for a dress robe for tomorrow?"
"Of course, like this young woman here in fact. I'll just go find something," Madam Trisand said before rushing off into the back room once again.
Hermione felt the knots curl up again and didn't really feel like admiring herself, so she went over to the shoes. She cleared her throat nervously and began to inspect the shoes, trying to find a pair that matched her dress robe.
"It looks good on you," Ginny stated, sneaking a look over at the other girl.
Hermione did not know how to take Ginny's reaction but muttered, "thanks".
She had saw Ginny in the fight, standing at the back with a stationary expression but her body language showed the smugness, twisted happiness and triumph she was hiding ever so cleverly on her face. It was then that Hermione knew that Ginny was in on it too – all of it in fact she had believed. And it repulsed her to think that none of her closest friends could trust her anymore. So she also severed ties with the youngest Weasley on that same day.
Hermione broke from her thoughts and cautiously put down a pair of shoes she thought was decent enough, crossing over to a part of the jewellery part. She studied the jewellery scattered on the velvet cushions, twinkling through their stones. She picked up a ring which sported a rather large stone.
"It clashes with the embroidery colour," Ginny added from her side, taking it from her hands and replacing it with a bracelet which was made out of silver and had six rose charms hanging off, coloured ruby with some crystals entwined in between.
"It's beautiful," Hermione said in awe, examining it in the palm of her hand.
"And there are some matching earrings… here." Ginny handed her a small cushion with two earrings perched carefully on top. They were of the same colour as the bracelet, but the stones twinkled without sunlight being shone on them and the petals were silver.
"I'm not really fond of the twinkling."
"That can be easily altered," Madam Trisand's dreamy voice came from behind them, causing both of the girl's to look around and Hermione blushed faintly.
"Thanks, I'll just go and get changed then," Hermione announced, walking over to the till and placing both of the cushions and jewellery on the counter. She quickly got changed and hung the dress robe back on its wooden hanger.
When she came out, Ginny was trying on a dark green dress robe, modelling a silver antique clasp and also had silver spiralling but on the all the edges as it held the fabric together.
"That is simply exquisite," Hermione said in a very Narcissa Malfoy like voice and the two girls exchanged a laugh.
Hermione picked up the pair of shoes she had decided on earlier and went up to the counter again, smiling at the cashier now present behind it.
"And the jewellery?" The young woman asked politely.
Hermione went to open her mouth but was interrupted by –
"Paid for me as a grovelling present with a hidden message saying sorry-I-acted-like-a-total-bitch-and-will-you-ever-forgive-me?" Ginny asked attentively, giving a nervous smile.
"Gin you don't have to do that…" Hermione lingered, rolling her eyes.
"Yes I do since I did pick them out and I need to spend all of Fred and George's money without being totally vain. Think of it as an engagement present."
"Engagement?" Who the hell said I was going to elope with Draco?!"
"Just all of my dormitory and they believe that you're pregnant but I think the last rumour of you being a Death Eater and you were Tom's mistress so you and Draco had to put up this show was just a bit far fetched."
"Oh Merlin, what have I let myself in for with the Devil's spawn?"
"Love is fickle, get used to it. I mean Seamus may not be a Damien but –"
"Hem hem," A voice sounded, interrupting Ginny. She and Hermione looked around for any sign of Dolores Umbridge, former Defence against the Dark Arts professor. Fortunately, all they were greeted with was the cashier smiling sickingly sweet at them.
"Who is paying for the jewellery then madams? Because they cost thirteen galleons."
"I am," Ginny said, thrusting herself in front of Hermione with her purse clasped in her hand and she dropped thirteen gold coins into the woman's hand.
"Thank you."
"Ginny, I'm going to kill you later," Hermione said slowly but smiling all the same.
"Huh, not if Ron get's there first. I beat him at chess last night and he's been my stalker ever since and I think he may strike today. So I'll need my knight in shining armour, you, to save me from the evil Ronniekins." She linked arms with the other girl, smiling grandly.
"No way Ginny. No matter how many times us two can make up, me and Harry and Ron are never going to make up because they started this whole thing."
"You know that isn't true Hermione and they do. It hasn't been the same and Ron's been taking out his anger on us two so it has caused some ripple effect on him and Harry is just so quiet."
"Well that's expected since he is going to his death and everything soon."
"That's why he needs you by his side to get him through this without making some awkward remark like my brother."
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"Why did I let you take me into all the shops here?" Hermione Granger asked a Ginny Weasley, whose arms were laden with bags like the girl before her.
"Because you're my close friend and plus you luuuuuuurv me," Ginny teased, a huge smile spreading out across her face.
"Whether I luuuuuuuvv you is another thing entirely."
"No it's not because I know you're just buying you're time until you realise you luuuuuuurv me and leave Drakie-poops."
"Drakie-poops? I've heard better nicknames that do not sound like an un-edible cereal."
"You put me on the spot. The creative eye cannot See at will!" Ginny said in a voice very much like Trelawny's. Both of the girls laughed and headed into out of the shop into the snow filled streets of Hogsmeade.
"Merlin, it's starting to pour down now," Ginny said, putting her free arm over her head so that the snow would not send her hair back to its original state – curly. "Come on; let's go into the Three Broomsticks for a butter beer." She pulled the other girl's arm but she was relentless to move.
"What?!"
"You know what," Hermione said bluntly. "Harry and Ron are there and I already said I am not going to make up with them since they've been acting like first class idiots during all this time."
"You don't have to talk to them and you can even sit at a separate table but I think it's stupid that the famous trio are having a bicker over you're boyfriend."
"They started it, not me. They couldn't accept me and Draco and couldn't keep their nose out like you."
"I was being a good friend and looking out for you're best interests with that male Slytherin slut but they just went over the top and dramatic which is my brother but not Harry… much."
Hermione snorted and rolled her eyes but nevertheless let herself be dragged from the icy cold snow landscape and into the warm Three Broomsticks, packed to the rim with people escaping the cold outside.
Ginny then let Hermione walk by herself, sure that she would not escape because it would cause a scene. Harry and Ron were situated in a corner at the back with a Christmas tree placed next to them. It was the same corner the trio had sat at many times to keep their conversations private or just to escape from the prying eyes becoming more and more prominent.
The two's face immediately turned into a confused expression, making Hermione giggle inside at their stupidity that had yet to change. They had only been apart from about two weeks but it felt like two years without having someone you love like a brother or sister close by you're side when times get rough.
The two girls sat down on the same side of the round table and looked at the two boys opposite, all four of them staring the other sex out before someone had the decency to say something.
"I got your drink Ginny but I better get another one for Hermione," Harry said, clearing his throat nervously and he started to get up.
"No it's alright, I can get my own," Hermione retorted as nicely as she could, hastily getting up and scooting in-between all the tables to get to the bar.
"What is she doing here?" Ron badgered Ginny as soon as Hermione was out of ear shot.
"We met up in Madam Trisand's and sort of made up and I've just spent the whole day with her so don't you dare go and be all majestic and suddenly say she's just using me because she damn well isn't. Just get over yourself – both of you – and make up with her because it's starting to get old. She fell in love – so what? She could have easily rejected you and Hannah, Ron but she didn't and friends should stick around through good times and bad. You all need each other especially with the Final Battle coming up and we're better united than separated. I've said sorry and taken my final bow in this stupid play so now it's your time."
Ginny finished gasping for breath and looked at the both of them on tenterhooks, waiting for their reactions to her little speech.
Harry was the first to speak. "You're right Ginny," He said quietly, as if choosing his words carefully. "It's gone on for too long and we know better than that."
Ron took a longer time and didn't reply until the girl in question and returned to the table, and then he merely nodded his head.
Ginny made small talk for half an hour, glancing at either of the boys to let them know it was okay to talk and not look like you were contemplating on how to drown yourself in a glass of butter beer.
The table turned to a deathly silence after topics had been repeated and thoughts were left to ones self.
'This was a mistake,' Hermione thought solemnly. 'I should never have thought they could-'
"'Mione?" Harry asked her softly, striking herself out of her thoughts like an arrow at his voice addressing her in this way. "I'm… sorry."
"Yeah, me too," Ron added, grinning from ear to ear.
"We acted like total prats and we should have known better. As you said before, we're not Malfoy thank god."
Hermione laughed nervously and tilted her head ever so slightly. "Apology accepted. I know you were looking out for me in some twisted way but you can't control me and whom I fall for – I wasn't even expecting it. He came at a time where I wasn't even thinking about boys and I wasn't ready for something but now I realise how much I needed someone like that."
Hermione didn't see Harry's smile fall, especially in his heart which surprised him. 'What the hell was that for? I don't like Hermione, that's just wrong! She's my best friend and she goes out with my sworn enemy at Hogwarts… So what is this then?' He thought confused, shaking his head of all thoughts and catching the end of what Hermione was saying to them.
"…But everything's going to be alright between us right?" She asked suggestively with pleading eyes that glinted with tears.
"Of course Hermione because we're thicker than water," Ron said, squeezing her hand reassuringly.
"Well you may be," Ginny muttered, causing Ron to look at her with boggling eyes and thump her on the shoulder. "Ow, you little-"
The two Weasleys fought there and then on the table, sending butter beer flying and the table rocked slightly. In all this madness, Hermione found Harry's eyes and looked at him with eyes saying, 'so we're okay now?' He answered, 'yeah', and smiled at her, breathing in the world when she smiled back.
So that was how the famous trio and Ginny became friends once again, and thoughts were contemplated in the dead of the night where they should stay.
Do I really like Hermione?
AN: Okay, it took some careful consideration to put that in but I got serious withdrawals from my favourite couple, H/Hr, and it ties in with a sub-plot I've planned for Feathers and Fire.
Lame ending, yes I know. In fact, lame chapter! Draco's too fluffy and it's horrible but Hermione feelings are just explainable because she loves Draco more than he loves her because he can never have true feelings since he's a Malfoy and he's never depended on females for other than sex – or so I think!
Anyway, thanks for all the reviews and MERRY CHRISTMAS! I'll try to update on Boxing Day or somewhere around there and I absolutely adore your brilliant reviews. Star x