Leather and Libraries
by Starlight-Heart
AN: Don't kill me! –Ducks many 'Evil Star' badges- I was expecting that kind of reaction but it ties in beautifully with everything planned. You will understand soon… In like a year then! Until then, don't kill me and carry on reading despite the tinge of H/Hr please! I need you!
My excuse for my writing 'skills'… I was watching Will and Grace (Season 4) and reading The Shoebox Project (amazing stuff!) so I was hit by snazzy and sharp writing along with lame jokes (mainly from W&G). But, I've got a new dictionary and thesaurus to help me with the English Language (it has a cool section in the back to help with writing stories which I need) and a Latin dictionary (don't ask why because I don't know why).
So! I hope you all had a Merry Little Christmas and a Fabuloso Year! I had a Harry Potter wand from (what the hell?), tickets to go see Sleeping Beauty on Ice, and a mini-Ipod that does not work! Yay!
My New Years Present to you all…. The chance to end this story! Yes, the next one will be the last of L&L. More details were undisclosed at time of print.
jesska-14 – Yeah, I'm hopeless at trying to make things sound right! It twas our dear Harry. Terrible I know. Thank you!
FaTcAtInAhAt – Damn but his father is shexy! Evil, shexy Death Eater! Lolz maaaaaaad. Feathers and Fire will be released (o.0 posh!) in February around, therefore throwing the whole timeline off course since they will be celebrating Christmas then. H/Hr rule! I never used to like D/Hr but their relationship is so complicated and angst! Thank you!
BabyRuth – Noooo they love each other really! In my subconscious and in my heart! Coolness, your story sounds interesting! Sex talk is always creeping up! Their eighteen/seventeen and legal so what's to stop them? Thank you!
Leprechaun Princess3845 – I can't say at this time but I won't give up on D/Hr! I needed to spread it out a bit.
AvId PiAnIsT – Me too! So much H/Hr love! They are awesome together. Sorry –Bows head down- I am getting better I hope. But thanks!
ducks-rule-world –I am re-editing but at snail pace because of school work. Oh god I did! And I call myself a fan! God I'm terrible, I'll sort that out in my re-editing world. J.K said D/Hr would never get together so I don't ship them that much, I just write about them! Thank you!
Ihearttomfelton – Fluffiness is a death sentence lolz. It does a bit but he wouldn't be the type to shower them with gifts and whatnot. Thank you!
hathor X – Whoa. They were mad men but now Harry's all heart broken and its sooo sad! Oh god, not in this story! I hate writing R rated stuff because my mum and dad poke around my computer at my work and they would probably find it. Stupid parents. Thank you and I really like your story too!
Many thanks and huggles to Ice-Phoenix-Tears, DCMMFAN and padfoot-lover1 for their reviews!
Just thought I would add this. I am such a spaz. I've been waiting two hours for this to come up and then I realised I didn't add it to L&L! I should just be locked up now to save myself.
Disclaimer: Though I did ask my parents for Harry Potter, they said that they can't because what was the word…. Oh yeah, their not friggin' fairies! The song included is I've Fallen In Love With You by Joss Stone, so that's another thing I don't own. Oh, how will I go on. I must die. I'm dying. Oh dear.
Summary: After an incident in the library, Draco and Hermione begin to realise they have more in common than just books.
Chapter 21 – Silent Wishes
"You look great 'Mione," Ginny Weasley insisted with rolling eyes and a tapping foot, for what felt like the hundredth time.
They were in Hermione's dormitory which was now cluttered with assorted clothes, make-up, hair pieces etc. And it was all for the Christmas Ball. The two girls had retreated to these four walls at two o'clock, never venturing outside and shouting at anyone who entered who did not have permission off any of the girl's who occupied the dormitory during the school year. It had been a very stressful four hours for all of them and there had been two near fights which were hastily averted just in time before people were left with bald patches and tattered robes.
But now Ginny and Hermione had the dormitory to themselves since all the other girls had already left and the first girl was getting incredibly impatient at the latter girl's persistent procrastinating of leaving the room. So far, she had set them back ten minutes.
"Are you sure it's not too much? I could always put-"
"Hermione Anne Granger shut your mouth before you're outfit gets ruined by bats," She said through clenched teeth, forcing the smile on her face.
"I'm sorry Gin," Hermione said exasperated. She embraced the girl, holding on tightly. "It's just I'm so nervous about it all."
"Why? Are you going to pop your cherry?"
Hermione slightly pushed Ginny but laughed all the same. "No, it's just that I have to make an impression and everything."
"You don't though. He's just another boy who will only have eyes for you and the two of you won't even take any notice of the other couples. That's what happens when you go with someone you luuuuuuurv."
"Why do you keep saying that?"
"Because I like the word luuuuuuurv." That sent them into another fit of giggles for some reason. They were oddly giddy at this moment but maybe that was because they were excited but nervous which resulted in hyper.
"Okay, I'm not going to bust this robe by laughing! We need to meet Harry and Ron; they said they wanted to walk down with us." The auburn haired girl pulled Hermione out forcefully, pushing her towards the common room.
When they entered, many people were crowded around the room either dressed in their dress robes or in some casual muggle clothes, varying on which year they were in.
Ron and Harry were over by the fireplace, one pacing the little sitting area whilst the latter casually leaned against the blazing fire.
The two girls walked over to them with smiled radiating from their carefully made-up faces.
"Hey," Ginny said, making their presence known. Ron stopped in his tracks, smiling like a fool at his sister before scooping her into a hug and then doing so with Hermione.
"You're both growing up so fast," Ron said dramatically, wiping away an imaginary tear.
"Shut up!" They both said together, hitting him on the side of the arm they were facing.
"Did you see that?" Exclaimed Ron, glancing at Harry.
"Tough luck mate, you cannot defeat the oh wondrous goddesses of Gryffindor Tower," Harry smirked, dodging his punches.
"So can we skip forward and avoid all of these remarks? I actually want to go to this Ball sometime soon," Ginny whined. "And where is Seamus?"
"He went to get something and he said for you to wait for him here," Ron said in a monotone voice, giving the distinct impression he had just memorized it.
"I'll see you there Gin," Hermione said lightly, smiling weakly before accepting Harry's arm and walking out of the portrait hole, glancing behind them and waving to the other girl before the portrait slammed behind them. The Fat Lady muttered something inaudible but was bound to be related to the amount of times she would be swinging tonight.
"You look brilliant," Harry whispered to Hermione as they walked down the stairs.
"Thanks. You clean up pretty well yourself," Hermione said meekly, looking away with a grin on her face as she expected his reaction.
"I deserve more than a 'pretty well'! I shaved my face and trimmed my nose hairs, want to see?" He turned his head up, pulling his nose.
"Harry! That's gross. Okay, you look brilliant as well despite your appalling manners." They exchanged a smile for a moment, before they were interrupted.
"Hey, wait for me!" Ron shouted running down the stairs.
"Oh, sorry Ron," Hermione laughed, enveloping her arm with his and continuing to walk down the Great Hall, the three of them chatting lightly and occasionally waving to a friendly face. All three of them were particularly nervous about tonight, but not quite sure why. Tonight was one of the few nights they could get as close to 'normal' as the stars allowed. All thoughts of Lord Voldemort and his band of Death Eaters were to be lost in the array of happy and gyrating bodies, celebrating the festive season in a cheerful spirit.
"Where are you meeting Jessica, Harry?" Hermione asked politely, looking down at the numerous people crowded in the Entrance Hall, waiting for their date or for the door to open.
"Here supposedly. I can't believe I even got a date, let alone came to this thing."
"As if a girl could refuse the 'boy-who-lived'."
Ron laughed absentmindedly, noticing Hannah and quickly biding 'Goodbye' and weaved in-between the people.
"Well at least Ron's happy," Hermione laughed, watching him scoop his girlfriend up into a hug before kissing her.
"And you aren't?" Harry asked disbelievingly, almost envying his friend for having someone to be so close to.
"I guess I am," She said uncertainly. "But it's weird, almost as if I should be going with someone else instead of Draco Malfoy." She grinned at Harry.
"Still can't believe it? Me too. I would never have thought in a million jinxes that you two would be 'together', let alone be outspoken about it."
"Me neither but you cannot change what's been done. And it looks like you can't reverse your date either since she's coming this way." Hermione nudged him and nodded forward, smiling at Jessica.
"Hi Hermione," She said courteously, smiling at her before looking at Harry. "Hey."
"You look beautiful," Harry said apprehensively, nervously kissing her on the cheek.
"Thanks. Do you want to go in? The doors are opening."
Harry looked at Hermione, his eyebrows raised. "Do you want me to be the father figure and wait?"
"No, I'm alright. Go and have a good time!" Hermione winked at Harry as he left, a pleading look on his face.
Now she was alone, scanning the faces for the familiar pale one. Minutes ticked by and people were looking at her as they went in, whispering to their partners as she desperately tried to ignore them.
'He can't have stood me up,' She thought doubtfully. 'He wouldn't since we sacrificed a lot to be able to do this and plus everything would be ruined since it might be our last night together… No, don't say that. It's not going to be our last night. We're going to have lots of these but we'll always meet again, no matter where or when.'
"Looking for someone?" A voice whispered huskily behind her, erasing her thoughts.
"Finally! I was beginning to get worried about you, you git," She said in a sarcastic manner, truing around so she was face to face with -
"Draco Malfoy does not stand up girls he actually likes and he is not a git – today at least."
Hermione rolled her eyes as he looked her up and down, resembling the eyes that had done the same to her last year. She became uneasy, crossing her arms defensively and looking around. "What?"
"You look… amazing," He said dumbfound, seeming to soak in her features at this present time.
"Thanks. We should really get going into the Hall," Hermione announced, wiping her robes nervously and glancing at the floor, unsure of what to do next.
Draco merely nodded and sneaked his arm around her waist, steering her towards the massive oak doors. These were pushed open by two house elves, beaming at the couple through their over-sized top hats.
Hermione shook her head in disbelief and tried to take pity on them by closing the doors herself and would have succeeded if she had not been pulled away by Draco.
"You can have one night off from saving the world and all the little vermin in it."
"They are not vermin and that's exactly the type of attitude that needs to be forgotten if S.P.E.W is to be taken seriously."
"You need to give up on SPEW before you become a house elf and are my personal slave."
Hermione stopped in her tracks and raising her eyebrows in daring, she said "Your personal slave? Ha, I'd like to see you try."
Draco looked at her intensely, that famous smirk tracing his lips before he stepped forward and grasped her dare with a forceful kiss, only for him to break away as quickly as he had anticipated it.
Hermione found herself to be breathless from the kiss and a couple of seconds behind Draco as she looked like a fish with legs.
"See? My power is so strong I leave you begging for more and since you beg me, you are my personal slave and vermin."
"Oh thanks, I feel so honoured and cherished by my boyfriend that I may positively faint," Hermione said sarcastically, rolling her eyes and steadying herself to walk off but found that Draco was holding her by the waist again.
"You can't escape from my hold on you," Draco taunted her, going towards the dance floor.
"Honey? If you keep on being a smarmy little git then I will be forced to release your hold on me personally in the hardest way possible that would cause you a lot of pain."
"I thought we said no more fights until we come back for the new term."
"You started it."
"Did not."
"Did."
"Didn't."
"Stop it!" Hermione whispered in an urgent voice, not wanting to cause a scene. "I do not want to play this game. I just want for us to have one night together where we're not at each other's throats or ready to end this commitment in the blink of an eye. Can we just be a 'normal couple'?"
Draco pondered this for a moment and answered, "Alright but no more lovey dovey stuff because you are ruining my male Slytherin side."
"You have no male Slytherin side, all you have is a cold and ruthless side along with the side that luuuuuuurvs me."
"Exactly, the Slytherin side, and what is luuuuuuurv? Some new kind of muggle drug that makes them go all funny inside with happiness."
"No, we've already got one for that and it's called Viagra. Luuuuuuurv something Ginny's been doing and it's catching on in some twisted way. Do you want to go sit down? It's starting to get busy." Hermione glanced around and saw they were on the dance floor and many couples were giving them disapproving looks as they stood in the middle, just chatting.
"Oh well that makes a lot of sense since you got it off a Weasley," Draco scoffed, earning him a thump on the chest as Hermione dragged him out.
"No more of that either, I want to have a good time without you attacking my friends."
"So I can just attack you?"
"Well, it depends how you attack me…" Hermione laced her arms around him when she found a fairly quiet corner for them, indulging herself in his taste and taking charge of the kiss whilst it heightened. Draco grabbed her hips, pulling them towards him so she was closer to him and chose that moment to grab her bottom.
"Draco!" Hermione cursed, breaking the kiss and slapping him on the chest.
"What?" He said in a sincere voice, looking truly angelic.
'Unfortunately, he is not,' Hermione thought disapprovingly.
"You are so sex driven that I'm surprised you haven't gone up to two hundred miles per hour by now with the amount of fondling you have tried to do to me in two weeks. Is it really that hard to restrain yourself?"
"Yes it is." Draco started to breathe heavily, as though a great weight had been balanced upon him. "My hands… they have a… mind of their own." Suddenly, his hands came springing towards her, tickling her sides like crazy.
"Stop it! Draco bloody Malfoy, stop being so ridiculous… and stop… tickling me!" Hermione ordered, laughing madly whilst trying to stop his hands.
"I warned you they had a mind of their own," Draco said, standing up straight, looking smug.
"Yes and a very weird mind in that manner. Let's go and dance." She grabbed his hand again and started to pull him towards the massive floor area but he refused to move. "Why aren't you moving?"
"I don't want to dance," Draco said bluntly.
"Well I do so let's go." But yet she still could not budge him. "Please?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I don't feel like dancing."
Hermione puffed out her cheeks as she desperately tried to keep her temper under control. "Fine then. We'll just sit here like two pathetic people and not do anything fun and wait for this night to end like a couple of sad people." She flopped down onto the dining chair at the nearest table and for the first time, surveyed the room.
It was decorated just right for Christmas, down to the last bauble. The prefects, Head Boy and Girl had decided to go with the 'Winter Wonderland' theme. The tables were lined with an ice blue cloth with snowflakes embroiled in it, matching the large curtains onstage and the drapes covering the top of the high walls in the Hall. The tress were also decorated with ice blue, silver and white decorations and then sprinkled with the snow that fell lightly down towards the floor, but disappeared whenever it came into close contact with a person as so not to ruin their appearance.
Hermione thought it was rather clever and continued to look at the decorations, choosing to ignore Draco as long as possible until he would speak about his desire not to dance. It took him a long time.
"I guess you want to know why I won't dance."
Hermione still did not look at him but nodded.
"I hate dancing. It isn't something which comes naturally to me so I hate it."
"Don't be silly, everyone can dance."
"Well I'm not everyone."
"Now you're just being stubborn Draco Malfoy and you're beginning to infuriate me which I do not want to happen. And even if you can't dance, I'll teach you quickly – it's easy enough." She held out her hand tensely, looking at him as if telling him it was okay. He took it tentatively and let himself be dragged into the arrangement of the dancers, glancing at Blaise and smirking ever so slightly so his guard would not go down.
'Meet me in the common room later,' Blaise mouthed to him with a serious look now etched onto his face. Draco nodded, remembering what they had talked about earlier and knew that it was some serious unfinished business.
"Draco?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah?" He answered, looking directly at her and only just realised that they had stopped.
"Okay, now this is a sort of slow song so it's fairly easy to get to grips with. You have to put your hands on my waist." Hermione helped him do so. "And then I return the action with my own." She laced her arms around his neck. "Then all we have to do is just sway from side to side. It's as easy as that." She chuckled at his expression which was between confusion and relief.
"What time does the train go tomorrow?" Draco asked her. She immediately tensed up, her mind wandering towards the departure she dreads and yet she is unable to stop it.
"9 o'clock sharp," Hermione said carelessly, staring into space.
"I guess that leaves no time for a quick shag," He whispered.
"Not unless it's with your male Slytherin whores."
"Hey! I pay a lot for them."
Hermione laughed out loud and rested her head gently on Draco's chest, dropping her arms to his shoulder blades, holding them close as if she was afraid to let go. He was slightly surprised and didn't know what to do but placed his head upon her's and soothingly petted her hair.
Just as Ginny had said, the room and all the people in it faded into the darkness, leaving only Hermione and Draco alone in what seemed as an age with thoughts clouding their minds but each of them knowing how much they appreciated the other being here with them.
I've fallen in love with you
Please tell me what else was there to do
Hermione listened to the sound of his beating chest and sighed, hoping that she'll be able to do this again with him. She didn't care where or when, all she cared about was him getting through this holiday alive so that she could never have to feel truly heart broken, like she had seen Harry so many times.
Oh, my beating heart wants you
And my empty arms need you
Draco was in his own place, staring wide eyed at the bare space in front of him as he contemplated his future. He could not deny it anymore but he did not want to sacrifice the girl he was holding so close. His fate had been sealed since day one but then Hermione came along and let it loose for a while, before letting a single letter and conversation re-seal it again with a binding contract. She would be furious when she found out but she would just have to accept it since he could see no way out.
I've fallen in love with you
And you've just got to feel the same way too
'Don't make me wait a lifetime just to see his face,' Hermione thought desperately. 'If he has to go then let me go instead of him so I can show him a last time how much he means to me, even if he does not care that much about me. But don't rob me of some good times with Draco because I don't want to die with that doubt etched on the back of my thoughts.'
Don't you go, please stay
And never try to send me away
'Don't let her go without letting me say goodbye,' Draco thought slowly. 'I want to tell her how much I'm sorry for everything that I've done and I'm going to do but it's out of my hands. I told her I cannot deny it and I've tried all I can; ignoring the letters and diverting the conversations but it's so overwhelming. Just answer my final prayer, if you do even exist.'
I've fallen so deep in love you see,
Until you become the very soul of me
Both of them were unaware that the thoughts going through both their heads were the same in some way; both were about their 'futures' and their 'deaths together'. Sometimes is seemed almost imminent whilst other times it felt so far away. They both feared death in some way but now they did not want to die but live for the other. What would the one do if the other left without a goodbye? Would they carry on with life or follow them throughout the world and after? So many questions that were begging to be answered but they so desperately wanted to leave them alone.
All over my face it shows,
Said I'm talking bout love this time
"Draco?" Hermione asked quietly, battling with her own negative thoughts. "Aren't you scared about becoming a Death Eater? You never talk about much, what your father wants you to do, so I don't know how you feel."
Draco took a deep breath. "No, I'm not scared about it because I know that I'll always have someone waiting for me no matter what."
Said I'm talking bout love this time
And it's not a schoolgirl crush
"I don't expect you to wait for me to come back if I go and I wouldn't want for you to go without a kiss from your sexy Slytherin so I will try to fight and come back. But there's only so much time I can fight for you know? It's a slow battle and you have no idea what's happening when you're locked inside your little bubble; how many people are fighting against your stupid Order-"
Hermione gasped, clapping her hand over her mouth as if she had said something bad and looked desperately up at him.
"You didn't say anything, I've known for ages, ever since the summer holiday before fourth year. Lucius told me and he was furious that they established it again; I remember him waiting to go to a Death Eater meeting and he came back looking even worse when he found out who was in it. Kingsley used to be a fond friend of his, always spoke in the corridors at the Ministry and Lucius couldn't believe he had gone and betrayed him so he wanted Kingsley how betrayed he felt... It wasn't an 'unfortunate accident' as Fudge put it but a couple of Death Eaters cornered him when he got a fake call out and they tortured him and killed him without mercy as they do all the time. It was no different for them, more special probably."
Hermione felt the tears well up in her eyes and couldn't believe how Draco could say this with a voice so calm. She wanted to run so fast that she came to a silent corner of the world where she could be alone. But Draco still held her and refused to let her go.
Don't you go,
Please stay and never try to send me away
"I shouldn't have said that but you needed to know so you realised that the world isn't what it seems at times. Lucius didn't do it either because he was busy so don't go and make accusations straight away and the only way I found out was a slip of the tongue from him."
The song ended there, the last guitar string strung lightly and there was an enormous wave of clapping from the Hall. But still Hermione looked up at Draco with tears falling down her crimson cheeksfrom sadness.
"Come on, let's get out of here," Draco muttered, walking out of the Great Hall and into the grounds with her head still on his shoulder. He found the spot he was looking for and sat her on the rock whilst he knelt on the grass before it, looking up at her grieving for an old friend. They stayed like that for a while, the only sounds coming from Hermione as she let out the occasional whimper or sniff.
"I know some of the Death Eaters plans," She said out of the blue, staring at her hands. "They want to pick us off one by one until only Harry and Dumbledore are left. Is that why you're with me? So you can help your dear old father?" A determined shine was in her eyes as if she already knew the answer. It had been tickling at the back of her thoughts for a while, since what Harry and Ron said before.
"No, it's not like that at all. No-one's made me be with you and I thought the famous trio were going to be left with that old coot but I'm not sure. They told me because when Scar Head sees you dying in the Final Battle he'll be ready to die so it'll be easy for Him then - why are we going over this anyway?"
"I don't know and I don't care. Just let me know if their going to kill me so I can kill them first alright?"
"I'm not being a spy or anything but yeah, I will if I can."
Hermione merely nodded and stared at her hands again and whispered, 'sorry'.
Draco stood her up and sat down on the rock, pulling her onto his lap as she cried again out of pity. "Don't be, you're just asking what you needed to know and as usual, you were completely wrong. Forget about it and don't tell anyone what I told you, not even your musketeers."
Hermione sniffed and gave him a kiss on the cheek, showing she understood.
"I've got something for you." Draco pulled a small trinket box out of his dress robe and held it in front of her.
"What is it?" She asked quietly, looking at it with an angelic smile.
"You won't find out unless you open it stupid. And you're supposed to be the clever one out of us two."
"I'm not stupid!" She pushed him back a bit, letting out a little laugh and took it off him. Hermione carefully opened it and gasped at what was enclosed. It was a necklace with a single tear drop diamond, held in its place by a twisting Celtic clasp.
She cradled it dearly in the palm of her hand. "It's beautiful, thank you." She smiled at him and stole a lingering kiss for a second before asking, "could you put it on for me?"
Draco took the gift from Hermione's hand and draped it round her neck, kissing the top of her spine after it had been clasped. He slowly began to work down but was interrupted hurriedly by Hermione pulling away.
"It's a no again," She said in a defeated voice. "You know I love you but –"
"You're not ready and it's not the right time," Draco said lamely. It was beginning to bore him that she kept on pulling away from them getting close; it was not as if she had anything to be frightened of.
"No, that's not it. I think I am ready and it is sort of the right time but I don't want to mess this night up anymore. I want to be able to spend time with you talking and not constantly think 'so when are we going to do it?' because I don't want that to happen with us when we only end up staying together for the sex – like you and Parkinson. I mean, we will do it eventually but not now with everything you just told me and everything that might happen – it wouldn't feel right. You do understand, don't you?"
Draco merely nodded and stared at the Lake's surface whilst Hermione looked around in question.
"I remember this place now," Hermione said slowly with an excited voice. "It was when I had a fight with Ron and I came down here and you were being an insufferable twat. Good times."
"You called that Weasley more of a man than me when you were having a fight? You seriously need your head looked at."
Hermione made a twisted smile and thumped him on the arm. "You were the one who suggested me and Ron were seeing each other!"
"But I serve to taunt you and your knights in rusty armour and if I didn't you wouldn't have fallen for me."
"Oh yes, your bitching wooed me over so fast I didn't know what to do."
"See and now you admit it, so I am the Almighty Dragon!" He puffed out his chest and put his hands on his hips.
"Stop it, your face looks like it's going to burst any second and I will not put it back together."
"No, you can just kiss it better." Draco taunted her with slurping noises, holding Hermione nearer as she squirmed.
"Stop it! Draco! You barbaric imbecile let me go!" She squealed as she wrenched herself out of his grip and ran around the grounds, smiling like a lunatic for the rest of the night, ignoring the nagging rope tugging at her thoughts.
-----------------------
The ball went by swiftly with a gorgeous dinner being served; the elves had truly out done themselves. Couples began to wander out into the grounds for some intimacy with the sweet sound of jazz music following them. It seemed the Weird Sisters were catering for all types of music lovers, ranging from the Top 40 WWN songs to the latest muggle releases with a magic twist.
Hermione and Draco were to be found in the vast dance floor, swaying to the soulful sounds of the saxophone as it played a medley to them. He was kissing her neck whilst she blushed profoundly and smiled to all eager eyes.
"May I cut in for the last song?" Harry Potter asked graciously, looking directly at Hermione.
"Sure," She beamed, kissing Draco lightly and holding out her left hand to him, which he clasped with his and they put their arm around the other's waist.
"Sorry about that, Ron's had his go and Jessica has been keeping me busy all night with bloody dancing," Harry grumbled making the girl laugh.
"Where is the lucky girl?" Hermione enquired, looking around.
"She left with a Hufflepuff. It didn't work out and she got embarrassed at my two left feet since she is 'incredible'."
"You can never seem to hang on to a girl at one of these things. Must be something to do with your genes and the fact you are a hopeless case."
"Well I've seemed to have hung on for you for less than a minute so it must be a record."
"Worthy of the Guinness Book of Records!"
"Definitely. What's that on you're neck?"
"Oh, Draco gave it to me for Christmas. I feel so bad because I didn't get him anything!"
"Just give him some ferret food and a cage and he's set for life!"
Hermione pushed him a little but laughed all the same. "Are you going back to the common room after this?"
"What else have I got to do? Zip. Ron's saying goodbye to Susan since he might not see her on the train and I guess you're with Draco?"
"Yes so you'll have to keep yourself occupied. Lavender looks a little bit lonely as well, maybe you should go for a walk with her." She winked at the memories at last year's end-of-term party in the common room.
"That was one time and I was drunk! We were both drunk so we found a drunken place together."
"Which resulted in fondling and kissing? Merlin that must be a place you visit everyday."
Harry looked warily at her, screwing his eyes closely and pursing his mouth.
"McGonagall look-alike! I swear to kneasles, you look exactly like her!"
"I don't want to dance with you anymore."
"The song's ending anyway." Hermione clapped cheerfully and joined in with the cheering.
"Thank you very much The Weird Sisters!" Albus Dumbledore announced, clapping also and seeing them offstage. "The Hall will be kept open for another hour but you are free to leave and go up to you're common rooms. The grounds will also be kept open for an extra hour as I have heard many good remarks about it. Goodnight."
Hermione laughed at his speech. "I'll see you later Harry, you're a good dancer even if you're not up to Jessica's standards." She kissed him lightly on the cheek and smiled happily at him, walking towards Draco who was by the door, awaiting her.
"Can we go for a walk?" Hermione asked tenderly, smiling sadly at him and walking out, wanting for this night to last forever and not for the daybreak to come where they would be separated.
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"I thought you weren't going to come," A voice drawled out from in front of the boy. "Did that mudblood keep you longer so you could say some sickingly sweet goodbye poems? It's pathetic."
"Hello Blaise," Draco Malfoy sneered, sitting on the opposite leather couch and lounging out in the same fashion as the other boy. "And what I do with her is none of you're business as I have said before."
"Yes it is whether you like it or not since you are becoming a Death Eater. That is if the wretched girl has not already asked you to become a member of Dumbledore's Army."
"Like I would join forces with that old coot and his pet. I'm only becoming one of you to keep my father happy because if he finds out about Hermione –"
"Which he won't," Blaise promptly cut in. "I've known you since we were kids, do you really think I would let him kill you?"
"Depends which time of the month it is." The two boys exchanged a smirk.
"I'll see you at the meeting on Wednesday then Draco and do make sure you've been away from that thing for at least one day. You know the Dark Lord can smell mudbloods a lies a mile away. Night." He traipsed off to the boys' dormitory stairwell where Pansy Parkinson was standing, wrapped in a satin robe.
"Are you coming Drakie-Poops?" Pansy asked as Blaise wrapped his arms around her, planting a trail of seductive kisses on her collarbone. "I can always ask one of my friends to keep you busy whilst me and Blaise play a little game."
"Nah I'm alright. I've got some homework to do and I'm a one girl man now."
Pansy pouted a little. "She'ssucked outall the fun from you." And then she disappeared, mumbling to Blaise about her 'new dressing up game'.
Draco shook his head at her, finding it hard to believe that he was once like that with her. He sat in that same place for a long time and contemplated what he and Blaise had briefly talked about, spinning the possibilities in his mind until day break came and his conclusion was placed firmly into place.
AN: Oh my freaking god they just keep on getting longer! Eleven flipping pages long and most of it's pointless. Fun, fun. So nothing more to say. I'll say more about the necklace in the next chapter when their departure arrives. Gutting. Star x