Intermission

I really hope you have enjoyed the first act. I know I have loved writing it! POTO is an awesome musical, and I really hope my school does it next year and that I'm in it! Anyway, thanks to all my loyal readers for everything. The support you have given me is absolutely phenomenal! Thanks for all the questions and comments, as well as the constructive criticism. I have taken it all to heart and I hope this installment answers questions about the whole Draco/Hermione thing goin' on. Thanks again and enjoy the show!

Polaris25

A great clamor filled the Great Hall as the lights came back on. Some comments were "OH MY GOD!" or "Wow……". Others were "BATHROOM!" A long line was beginning to form outside the ladies' bathroom.

Hermione was in her dressing room standing in front of the mirror as Madame Kirkbell was tightening a corset around her. It wasn't a terribly tight corset, just one to make her boobs show a little more. It did not inhibit any breathing whatsoever. Even if it did, magic could fix it. There was an eerie silence between the two women, until Madame Kirkbell broke the silence.

"So Hermione, what is going on between you and Draco? You two sure do spend a lot of time just ogling over each other."

Hermione blushed and answered, "I really don't know, Madame. Ever since that night in your study, we just kinda couldn't stop being near each other. Even the other teachers paired us together for everything. Not that I minded it or anything. It was just weird ya know?"

"Indeed I do, Hermione. I was the same way with my first co-star. It was so strange. But enough about my past. That was so long ago."

"It was not Madame Krikbell. You are only 30 years old!"

"True, but it seems so distant in my mind. Anyway, have you and Draco kissed since? Sorry if I'm being nosy, but it really interests me."

"Oh, it doesn't really bother me. Everyone has asked that since that night. It's like they knew. But, to answer your question, no. There's no doubt we've wanted to, but Harry always seems to pop up at the most inconvenient moments. Poor thing. I know he likes me, but it's just he's like a brother to me. And besides Draco is extremely good looking," Hermione said and blushed profusely.

Outside the door, stood Harry who had heard it all. He just stared at the door, and slumped against the wall opposite. 'I knew it,' he thought. 'She would never go out with me. I'm Harry Potter. To much of a spotlight, and besides, Malfoy's rich and if I were a girl, he would be extremely good looking. UGH! What am I saying!' He shook his violently and sighed sadly.

"Why are you looking so down in the dumps, Potter?" asked Draco who was walking by.

The tone of Draco's voice was genuine and caring and not an ounce of disdain or sarcasm dripped from it, but Harry just stared at him.

"What did I do? Did I say something wrong?" he asked again.

"It's nothing, Malfoy. But I should tell you, Hermione loves you."

"Oh. This is what this is all about. You like her and you just overheard a conversation. Look, Harry, just between you and me, don't let it bother you. You have been brilliant so far tonight, and don't let a little thing like this get in the way. She's just a girl, Potter, and there is a sea of beautiful ones out there drooling over you at this very moment."

"I guess you would know, Malfoy, since you've slept with about half of them," Harry spat nastily.

"Whoa, now! No need to get angry. And even if it is true, they never mattered to me. Look, little Weasley has grown into a beautiful young woman and has quite a figure. She adores you. Go after her. You'll get your chance with Hermione sooner or later. Don't worry, chum."

Harry stood and looked Draco straight in the eye. "Yeah, right. Since Hermione is now "yours" go snog her or something. I need to talk to Ginny," Harry sighed and walked away.

'Poor chum.' Draco thought. 'OH GOD! What's gotten into me! I'm being nice to Potter and the mudblood? Oh dear, father will not like this.' He knocked on Hermione's door.

"Come in!" Hermione yelled.

Draco opened the door, and gasped. "Oh, God! Hermione, tell me that your not fully dressed next time!" He shielded his eyes.

"I'll leave you two alone," said Madame Kirkbell leaving and shutting the door behind her.

Once the door was shut, Hermione laughed and said, "Oh, come on Draco. It's not like you haven't seen a partially dressed girl before." Hermione stood there looking at him in several petticoats and her corset. When he said nothing, she looked at him quizzically. "Draco, what is it?"

"I want to feel it again," he blurted out snapping his eyes to hers.

"Feel what?" Hermione asked not catching on.

"That-that spark. You know, the one we felt in Madame Kirbell's study. It's plagued me for far too long now."

"Oh. Umm…sure. I guess."

Draco stepped closer and closer. Soon, they were no more than two inches apart. His hands slid around her waist. Her hands were on his chest. They stood there studying each other. Her eyes searched his for something. Maybe it was a it of happiness of love. Her eyes sparkled as she found what she was looking for. Draco's hand slid up her back to the base of her head and she shivered. He loved how she was at his touch. He pulled her to him, and raised her lips to his. His kiss was soft and tender. A real loving one. And then it hit both of them. That electrical charge, that something. It coursed through their veins as if they were becoming one. Hermione's hands slid up and over his shoulders and around his neck. Draco suddenly pulled back.

"Why did you stop, Draco?" Hermione asked touching her kiss swollen lips.

"I have to tell you something." Draco took a deep breath and continued. "Potter loves you, and he overheard you and Madame Kirkbell talking. I must say, when I cam upon the poor lad, he looked pretty depressed. You might want to find him and say it wasn't true. He needs you, like I do. Maybe more. It's like you are the reason he's alive today."

"Oh, God. I had no idea he liked me that much. What have I done? I feel like a whore," Hermione answered breathless and hands shaking.

"Don't. Now, let's get you into the rest of your costume, and then you can go find Harry." He held out the extravagant blood red dress to her and she stepped into it and pulled it up. Draco moved her hair out of the way and zipped it up. "Here. Don't forget this." He took the necklace that held the "engagement ring" on and clasped it around her neck.

"Thanks," Hermione said in a hurry as she rushed out the door. She searched and searched, and finally found him on the balcony talking to Ginny. Hermione walked over to them. "Excuse me, Ginny. Can I talk to Harry alone please?"

"Sure. You look radiant by the way," Ginny said as she walked off.

Hermione made sure she was gone and then spoke. "Look, Harry. Draco told me what happened. I had know idea. Look, Draco is good looking. Despite that he's a good kisser and all, you were always better than him to me. You have always been there for me. Harry, I'm very much torn in two at the moment. I feel very much like Christine right now. I really don't any more." She stepped close to him and took his face in her hands.

"You don't mean it," Harry said pushing her away.

"Harry, would I lie to you? You've known for seven years now. How many times have I lied to you?"

"Never," Harry replied defeated.

She grabbed his hand. Her eyes flitted away for a second and caught Draco's quartz ones. He nodded, and she spoke softly. "Harry, I really don't know where to go. Or where to turn. I need you. You are always there, and I need that." She stepped as close to him as she could without actually kissing him. Her fingers strayed to his makeup hidden scar.

Harry gulped. 'Oh, God. I must kiss her. But I can't-' Before his thoughts could go further he felt Hermione's lips on his own.

Draco looked on and smiled. He knew Potter needed that, and he was glad to let him have it.

Harry snaked one arm around her waist and one under her head. Hermione's hands were around his neck. He slipped his tongue into her mouth and then something unexpected happened. The electrical charge shot through them both. They both pulled away shocked.

'Oh no.' Hermione thought. 'I am in deep dog crap.'

"What was that?" Harry asked. When all Hermione did was stare, he asked. "Hermione?"

"I-I-oh God. It was an exchange that only happens when two wizards are destined to be with each other. And now, I'm destined to two men. I really am stuck in the middle." She put her hand over her mouth and ran off.

"Don't go too far!" Madame Kirkbell yelled. "The second act is about to begin. As a matter of fact, PLACES EVERYONE!"

Hermione collected herself and took her place on stage. She closed her eyes and felt a hand gently squeeze her shoulder.

Silence filled the Great Hall. Silence filled the stage. The overture of the second act began.