Chap. 18 Another Encounter

Hermione felt relief wash over her...her best friend knew about Draco. He wasn't okay with it, but he didn't shame her for it either. And he wasn't going to tell anyone.

She thought about Harry's words as she walked back to her room.

'Hermione, this sounds like a dangerous thing for you to do. To go out with Malfoy...it's a big risk. Lucius and Voldemort could come after you if they found out.'

Hermione thought about that.

'They won't find out.' She said to herself.

Then she thought about the "type" of person Draco was. Did he truly, really care for her? Was it worth this extravagant risk? Well, he was going through the same risk, if not a more dangerous one...it was HIS father.

She walked into her room and saw it was 7:00.

She smiled thinking about her and Draco's first date later that night. She was nervous, too, she had to admit it. Draco has gone out with hundreds of girls, if not more. Girls were constantly throwing themselves at him. Could she compare to them? What if Draco finds someone better? This risk would be for nothing.

She shrugged off the idea of Draco falling for someone else.

She threw her closet doors open.

'Umm...what to wear? What to wear?'

She looked through her robes. Nothing seemed to jump out at her.

She also had no idea where he was taking her, so she didn't know how to dress for this "occasion".

She then ran over to her bed, kneeled on the floor and reached underneath her bed. She fingered around for what she was looking for.

'Ah ha!' She exclaimed.

She pulled out a magazine.

It read: Teen Witch Fashion Weekly on the cover.

'There's got to be something in here I can conjure up.' She said to herself.

She hadn't opened that magazine in awhile. She got it for the ride over to the Hogwarts Express in the beginning of the school year. It was only October, the clothes inside would still be in fashion.

She flipped through the pages.

'Why do I care so much about my outfit now?' She asked herself. 'Suddenly Draco Malfoy asks me out and I freak about what to wear.'

She then tossed the magazine back under her bed.

'No. I will not be like the other girls Draco has been with. I will not be like all the girls throwing themselves at him. I will not be Lavender and Parvati.'

She stood back up and went to her closet.

She decided to do her hair and make-up first.

She sat down in front of her old, wooden vanity. She brushed her hair and magically put it up into a messy bun, with soft curls falling and framing her face.

'It's too quiet.' She decided after approving of her hair.

She walked over to her magical radio and a song came on by the witch band 'Mystique'.

She began to apply light make up to herself as she tapped her foot to the beat...then the words started to form in her head.

Take a chance,

You know you wanna take a chance,

So forget your fears,

And just go...

It might be strange,

To leave your surroundings,

But it's good to grow,

So take a chance.

Let yourself have some fun,

Life is not all work,

Girl, you need some play,

So go take a chance.

Hermione instantly thought about Draco.

'Yes I want to play with Draco.' She thought mischievously.

'Wait!' She cried out loud. 'I cannot let Draco Malfoy corrupt my morals.'

She the thought about how unmoral Draco was himself.

'He's shagged a million times.' She thought. 'What if he pressures me?'

She then thought about what he said about 'forcing' and 'abuse'.

A part of her was afraid of what she might do with Draco, but the other part of her knew it would be okay because for some reason she felt very safe with him.

She finished applying her light brown eye shadow and brown mascara and she back to her closet.

After a few more seconds of staring, she decided on some dark jeans and a green fleece sweater, much like the one Draco wore that night at Hogsmeade...but feminine. She threw this outfit on, and looked in the mirror.

She frowned...a part of her felt that she had to be "sexy" for Draco, but she didn't want to change because of him.

'Well, this is as good as it's gonna get.' She said smiling.

She heard someone in the other room.

'Oh! Draco's here!' She said to herself.

She looked up to the clock. It was 7:45.

'A bit early, but oh well, I'm ready.'

He knocked on her door.

She walked over and grabbed the door handle.

'Hi, Dra-a-'

She stared at the man in front of her. This tall, red-headed boy was definitely NOT Draco.

'Draco? As in Malfoy? Why would you be expecting him? And with a smile??'

'Ron. What are you doing here?'

'I miss you.' He said.

'How did you get in here? We changed the password.'

'You did? Because of me?'

'Yes.' She said firmly. 'I think you should leave, Ron.'

'We need to talk, please, you didn't let me last time.'

'You have a minute.' She said stepping out of her room.

'We can't talk in your room?' He asked.

'No. Now start talking, 5 seconds have already passed. 55 left.'

'Hermione, stop being so stupid.'

'45 seconds...' She stated.

'Hermione, we were so good for each other. Why do you have to be like this? We were best friends, why can't we try again?'

'Because you tried raping me, how's that for best friends, Ron?!' She cried angrily. '30 seconds.'

'I wasn't going to rape you, Hermione. Don't be stupid.' Ron said, 'I was testing my boundaries.'

'Boundaries? How 'bout asking?'

'Fine. I'll ask next time.'

'There won't be a next time, Ronald.'

'Ronald? So you're back that?'

'Yes. Your time is up.'

'I don't have a time limit. It's not like you have plans.'

'You don't know that.'

'You have plans? What? A date with Harry?'

'No, not Harry. Now if you'll exc-'

'You have a date, thought??' He asked.

'That's none of your business.'

'You do! We've only been broken up for a few days! What are you doing??'

'Trying to move on with my life, you should too!'

'I want you to be a part of my life.'

'That's not going to happen.'

'Who's you're date with?' Ron asked.

Hermione didn't answer.

'Is it Seamus? I heard a rumor...'

'No, now please go.'

'So, you're not going out with Seamus?'

'No.'

'Wait! It can't be...no...are you going out with fucking ferret-boy??' Ron demanded.

'What?'

'You heard me. You thought it was me, when I knocked on your door. You're expecting him? You have a date with Malfoy??'

'Ron, please leave...you know the way out.' Hermione turned to go back into her room, but Ron reached in front of her and grabbed the door handle.

'Ron,' She began without looking at him, 'please unhand my door knob.'

'Are you fucking with Malfoy?'

'No, Ron.' She said calmly.

'How the HELL could you choose that git over me?'

'He hasn't tried to rape me.'

'I didn't fucking rape you!'

'Because I ran.'

'I wouldn't have, you know that.'

'Do I, Ron? I seem to not know much about you anymore.' Hermione stated.

'We spent seven years together!'

'You obviously changed.'

'No. You, Hermione, are the one who changed. You're going out with Malfoy. Well, I'm sorry Hermione but I don't think I can handle that.'

'You are going to have to, Ron.'

'No. I don't think I will. You have to break up with him, I'm hear asking you to come back to me. It's best for everyone if you do.'

'Everyone? Everyone hates you because of what you did to me!'

Ron's face reddened.

'They'll see it my way if you just come back to me. I know you don't want to be with Malfoy, he's a rebound. I'm sorry for hurting you, but I decided I need you back.'

'You decided? Really? So, I'm just supposed to come back to you like a dog? I am no one's property, Ron.'

'You're mine. I won't let that ass Malfoy taint you.' Ron said forcefully. 'Or has he already?'

'What??'

'Has that prick already fuckin' shagged you??'

'Ron!'

'You fucking slut! You won't let your boyfriend touch you, but when fucking Draco Malfoy comes along you're all for it!'

'Ron! I haven't done anything with him! He hasn't tried to do anything like that to me!'

'I don't believe you. You're a lying harlot who deserves Malfoy! How was it, Hermione? How did you like being fucked by a guy who doesn't give shit about you? You know he's done it a million times! You're just another name to add to his book. He'll drop you as soon as he's—'

'Ron! Ron! Stop! Please!' Hermione begged.

Ron stepped forward, causing Hermione to back up. He kept walking as he yelled, she backed up into a bookshelf.

'You can ask any girl in this fucking school, they've all been shagged by Malfoy. Is it experience you want, Hermione? Is that why you chose Malfoy? Well, I hope when you fucking get pregnant with an AIDS baby that you realize how fucking stupid you are! I can't wait to see you alone with a child while Malfoy is off shagging other girls—'

Hermione was crying as Ron yelled at her. She couldn't believe what he was saying. How could her former best friend be so cruel.

'Ron, please stop! I haven't done anything!'

'Oh? Really Hermione? I HIGHLY doubt that since Malfoy doesn't go out with anyone who won't shag him the night of. Malfoy just wants you for sex, it's all he wants. He cares nothing for you, that whole 'strong protector' is an act, Hermione! He wanted you to trust him and now you do and now you're his! You're his to play with, that's all he wants.'

Ron grabbed Hermione's arms, pulling on her sweater.

'See this, Hermione? See this sweater? You won't need this on a date with Malfoy!' He then ripped her sweater.

'Ron!! Stop!' She yelled.

Just as Ron was about to rip her sweater completely, 'strong protector' walked into their room.

Ron's head snapped toward the door. Draco saw Ron and his eyes burned with fire.

'Draco!' Hermione cried.

'What are you doing to her?!' Draco yelled.

Ron stumbled back away from Hermione.

Hermione ran over to Draco. He wrapped his arms around her.

'Are you okay?' He asked softly.

She was speechless, she couldn't talk. She tried, but her words were muffled by sobs.

'Go to your room, I don't want you to see what I'm going to do.' Draco told her.

Ron's face went white.

'No!' She cried. She grabbed Draco and held him tightly, indicating she wasn't going to let him.

'Hermione, this bastard can't keep doing this to you.' Draco said.

He then looked over at Ron, and cast the most demonic look he could muster. Ron gulped and started to back up.

'It's okay...it's okay.' She whispered.

'No. It's not.'

Draco moved Hermione to the couch and set her down...facing the wall away from Ron.

He began to walk over to Ron, not taking his eyes of him.

'You are going to pay for what you did to her.' Draco growled.

'I didn't do a thing.' Ron said nervously.

'You fucking began to rip her shirt off! You were fucking yelling at her!' Draco shouted.

'I wasn't going to do anything!' Ron shouted back.

Draco got closer to Ron, Ron backed up into a corner.

'Where you going, Weasel?? You can't stand up to me, but you can abuse Hermione?'

'I didn't do anything to her.' Ron snapped. 'Why don't you just stop this act, and hurry and fuck Hermione and then leave her...we both know that's what you plan on doing.'

Ron managed to smirk at Draco. That smirk didn't last long. Draco's fist screwed it up.

Ron shrieked (yes...shrieked) and fell to the floor.

'Please! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!' Ron cried, choking on his own blood.

'Don't be sorry to me! Tell Hermione that!' Draco yelled leaning over him.

'I'm sorry Hermione!' Ron cried fearfully.

'Now get the fuck out of this room, and don't come back in here unless you want another fist in the face!' Draco yelled.

Ron stumbled as he got up and ran out of the room.

Draco shook his hand off as he walked back over to Hermione who was crying as she sat on the couch. He kneeled down in front of her.

'Are you okay?' He asked.

She nodded, sniffing sadly.

'I didn't want you to hit him.' She said quietly.

'Hermione, he has to realize that he can't keep coming back here to hurt you.'

'He didn't mean to, he got upset that I was going on a date with you.'

'He didn't mean to? Hermione! You are sounding like those battered wives who don't do anything about their husbands. Is that how you want to be treated? As a punching bag?'

'He wasn't hitting me.'

'What would have stopped him if I hadn't come?' He asked quietly.

Hermione didn't answer. She just moved her arms up to cover herself. The sweater she was wearing was torn, and her bra was shown.

He saw she felt uncomfortable. He stood up and took a step away from her.

'Hermione, go change. We can go out another night, if you want.'

She nodded.

'I still want to be with you, I just don't want to go out tonight.' She said wiping her eyes.

He nodded, call me when you're dressed.

She walked into her room. Draco collapsed onto the couch and dropped his face into his hands.

He shook his head, thinking about what Ron just did. He then remembered what Ron said to him.

'Why don't you just stop this act, and hurry and fuck Hermione and then leave her...we both know that's what you plan on doing.'

He wondered what else Ron has said to Hermione before he came in. He stood up and paced the floor, a common Malfoy trait when upset.

Hermione's door then opened. He turned to look at her. She now was wearing girl's sweatpants, that were still fitted like most girls "sweatpants", and a white fitted long sleeved shirt. Draco still thought she looked beautiful, he would never admit it of course.

'I'm okay now.' She sighed.

He forced a soothing smile and walked into her room. She walked over to her bed and he sat down with her.

'How long was he here before I came?' Draco asked.

'I don't know. He came at 7:45...I thought it was you.'

'I was a bit late...I'm sorry, Hermione. If I would have been here on time, he wouldn't have-'

'No, Draco, it's not your fault.' She said grabbing his hands softly. 'I just don't know how to stand up to him...it's okay.'

Draco stared at her for a bit.

'Hermione...you know what he said isn't true right?'

'He said lots of things, Draco.'

'He told me to hurry and...well, I don't like you just because I want to shag you...you know that right?'

She was silent for a while as she stared at his hands, which were in hers.

'Ye-e-es.' She said hesitantly.

'I'm not going to have sex with you and leave you.' He said.

'I know.'

'What else did he say?'

'The same things he said to you...just detailed. They weren't true.'

'What did he say, Hermione?'

'I don't want to talk about this, Draco.'

'We probably should. I don't want you to be afraid of me or anything because of what Weasel said.'

'I'm not. I feel safe with you.' She said looking back up into his eyes.

'Good. I want you to be.' He said. 'You do know that what he did was wrong, right?

You said he didn't mean it, but you can't possibly think that.'

'I don't. I was just scared of what you did to him...'

'I'm sorry I frightened you...but I'm not sorry for punching him. He deserved it.'

She smiled nervously. She brushed her fingers over the knuckles on his right hand.

He flinched and pulled back.

'I'm sorry.' She said concerned. 'Let me see them.'

'No. I'm fine.' He said.

She looked softly at him, her hand moved slowly toward his injured one, grasping it lightly.

He allowed her to view them. The knuckles were black and blue, but not too dark.

'I'm sorry.' She said looking down at them.

'Don't worry about me, I'm fine.'

Hermione got up and walked over to her nightstand and picked up her wand. She walked back over to him and stated a spell to rid him of the bruises.

'Thanks.' He muttered.

'Thank you, once again, for being there to help me with Ron.' She told him as she set her wand back down.

'I just don't want to see him back in here again.' Draco stated, 'How did he get in again? We changed the password.'

'I don't know. I didn't tell him it I swear.'

'I didn't think you had...'

'He's very stubborn...he must have bribed the portrait somehow.'

Hermione sighed and looked back up at Draco with sleepy eyes.

'You've had a rough day. We've got classes tomorrow, get some sleep.' Draco said.

'I'm sorry, this evening went wrong. I hope you didn't have anything special planned.' Hermione said sadly.

'Well, it was our first date, I was planning than more than this little adventure, but it's fine. It can wait for another day, Hermione.'

'I'm sorry.'

'Stop saying you're sorry. You have nothing to be sorry about.' Draco said calmly.

'I know, I'm sor— I mean okay.' She smiled.

'Now, get in bed, go to sleep.' He grinned.

He got off her bed and pulled her covers up so she could lay in them.

'Are you going to tuck me in?' She smiled.

'That's the general idea.'

She crawled into bed, taking off her sweatshirt, revealing a white tank top and laid down.

Draco pulled the blankets over her gently. He then leaned down and kissed her forehead.

'Good night, Hermione.'

'Good night, Draco. Thank you.'

He nodded and walked to her door, turned off the light and left...sighing happily.