Well, hello again! How are you all? Well I hope. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my reviewers. I don't want you all to think it doesn't matter to me, because it does. You have no idea how much it means to me, really. I would also like to say that I just got three new rings, which are absolutely gorgeous! And I am super-de-duper excited about it! (Just to let you all know, I'm a ring-aholic. I just love them!) So, back to the story. This is the last chapter where they will be in America and there will be randomness. Oh, yes, I have two more things to say. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JACKIE! HAPPY BIRTH DAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTH DAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTH DAY DEAR JACKIE, HAPPY BIRTH DAY TO YOU! La La La. The last thing is that I hate the updating stuff on I completely forgot that it could take up to 24 hours to upload, so please forgive me. Here it is
Chapter 8 : Going Away and Randomness
Over the next week, Hermione and Draco barely spent any time alone. Now that the rest of the family knew about it, they insisted that Hermione come to their house, so they could spend as much time together before he left as possible. He was sad that he was to be leaving them all, but he was also annoyed, because he was always one to value his privacy. And now he felt he had none whatsoever. The week passed quickly, and soon the night of the party was approaching. Word had spread fast that Ryan would be going home, and so they planned a huge going-away party/birthday party for him. It was held at the park, and everyone was invited. Meryl had arranged for a smaller pool party for just his close friends, that was to be held after the other party was over.
The large party went rather well, and almost everybody enjoyed himself or herself. There were however, a few girls who were very upset he was leaving, and they tried to say a 'private' goodbye, but he would always find an excuse. He only had his sights on one girl. She was currently talking to Billy Bob Joe, a rather weird person, but also happened to be his best friend. He was looking bored as he always does, even though Hermione was laughing like mad. Draco made his way over to them, and waited for Hermione to notice him. Billy Bob Joe noticed first and suddenly said quite loudly,
"Oh, no! Ryan, watch out! YOU'RE SAFE! Run from safety!"
"No, not safety! Quick, hide me!" They both burst out laughing, and Hermione looked at them weirdly, waiting for an explanation. Draco didn't disappoint her.
"It's just this thing. Billy Bob Joe made it up awhile ago, and it pointless really, but still fun."
"Oh, I see. Any more pointless but fun phrases?"
"Billy Bob Joe?"
"You stupid Mofo of a homo, you don't just say them."
"I'm so sorry Great Lord Fuzzy, please, forgive me." He made a pouty look on his face.
"How many times do I have to tell you, I am not Dark Lord Fuzzy. THIS is Dark Lord Fuzzy." He pulled out a little paper thing, folded to look like something, but Hermione couldn't figure out what.
"Oh, yes. I forgot, you are just one of his minion fudgsicle legions. Please, do not douse me in fudge." Draco barely contained his laughter, and just wasn't able to when Hermione burst out with laughter.
"You are the oddest, laziest, funniest guy I've ever met. Draco why didn't you introduce me before, we could have had so much fun."
"He wanted to keep you all to himself. He's really selfish, but then again, so am I, so I won't say anything. Besides the fact that he wants ravage you – "
"DUDE! What the hell? Not cool. He's just joking, Hermione. Really."
But Hermione didn't hear, because she was doubled over in laughter. Her face was red, and she looked about ready to fall over.
The rest of the night went rather smoothly, until it was near the end when Billy Bob Joe, who was across the room, yelled out at the top of his lungs.
"DUDE! I'LL SEE YOU LATER FOR THE PARTY! AIR HIGH FIVE!"
Draco, shaking his head at him, raised his hand in high five fashion, but only hit air. That was what was supposed to happen, after all. Billy Bob Joe had come up with the idea after he got a detention for walking across the classroom to give Draco a high five, right in the middle of the teacher's rendition of some stupid poem he didn't care about. But he did care about detention cutting into his video-game playing time. And thus, the Air-High-Five was born. There was also the Finger-Five, but that is another story.
Now, as Draco lay in bed, he began to wonder if he was indeed cursed. First his memory loss, and now three times he had tried to kiss her, and failed. He knew that she would never make a move, but that was part of what he liked about her. She was traditional, yet not afraid to try new things. And as he tried to sleep, he concentrated all the things that he loved about her, instead of the way he always managed to goof things up when around her.
Meanwhile, Hermione sat in bed, listening to Roxy go on and on about the party and how she had been such a flirt with Zach. But in the end, it paid off, cause he had asked her out, so she was on cloud nine. Stuck in her own thoughts that she was cursed, she didn't hear Roxy's question, and therefore, could not give an answer.
"I said, what's going on with you and Ryan?"
"Well, I'm not quite sure. I mean, he's tried to kiss me three times already, and yet we haven't kissed. Maybe it's a sign. Maybe we're just not meant to be." She sighed.
"Nonsense, fate didn't bring you here while he was here without a memory for no reason. And besides, they say the more you work for it, the better it is. I've never believed that as I'm incredibly lazy, but it applies here, so it's true. Just with you guys though, not like, work or anything."
"Oh, of course it wouldn't apply to WORK. Well, maybe. I don't know. I just don't know and it's killing me. We leave in two days, and when we get home, we'll have almost no privacy, I'm almost certain. It's just so bothersome. But at least Zach finally asked you out. I think he's liked you for a while, seeing that he had your cell number. I'm glad one of us is happy."
"Just try not to think about it, okay. Go pick out a book. I know you most of them are below your 'level' but it could still help. Everybody needs a fantasy world to escape to."
With that, she yawned, signaling the end of the conversation. She turned off the big light, but left the little one on for Hermione to read by. 'You don't know the half of it' was Hermione's last thought.
They were on the plane, waiting to take off. Draco had all his CD's and Discman in his carry on with a couple of magazines, while Hermione had books that she had bought in Toledo, a notebook, and a bunch of writing utensils. Nobody knew, but Hermione was quite the writer, and it was a long flight. You never know when inspiration is going to hit you. Sitting in a comfortable silence, they didn't feel the need to break it. Hours later when they landed in the London airport, they quickly found Hermione's parents, who were happy about Hermione being home for a couple of days before going away again, and cautious about letting Draco stay in their home. Her mother knew something was going on, but Hermione never told her anything about boys, so she didn't know what. And Draco seemed very polite, if not very American, so she was sure he wouldn't do anything at their home, with them straight down the hall. She hoped feverishly that it hadn't gone that far, but she trusted Hermione. They had raised her with morals, and she even had a promise ring on her left ring finger from her father. By the time they all made it home, she had convinced herself that nothing had happened between them. Almost.
They were at dinner when Hermione suddenly realized something about Draco.
"Draco, I've just noticed. You sound so American, I hardly noticed while we were there."
"Well, I did live there for 7 months. It's only natural."
"Well, yes, but my voice didn't change, did it?"
"No dear, you're still the same. Are you telling me Draco lived here?"
"Yes. He grew up here. He just doesn't remember, yet anyway. Maybe being around familiar things will help you, Draco."
"Yes, that's possible."
Hermione was right. Her mother would not leave them alone for more than five minutes at a time. Finally, it was the night before they were to leave for Grimwald place. Hermione's mother sent them both to bed at eleven o'clock, saying they would have to wake up early the next day for the drive into London. It was nearly one o'clock in the morning when Hermione snuck out of her room and tiptoed down the hallway and slowly, very quietly, opened the door to the guestroom, where Draco was staying. She went over to his bed, and gently shook him awake.
"What? What time is it?"
"Shh! It's around one in the morning."
"What do you want? Is something wrong?" His whispers were fierce with worry.
"No, no, I'm fine. Listen, I know you're nervous about meeting Harry and Ron and everybody. I wondered if you wanted to talk about without my mother around, but if you want to go back to sleep, sorry." She started to leave, when Draco's hand grabbed her wrist.
"No, don't go. You don't have to." She came back and sat down at the end of this bed.
"Was there anything particular you were thinking about?"
"Just, well. Maybe it would be a good idea to change my looks before we met them. I mean, I'm not scared or anything like that, it's just. I don't exactly know how I should react to them. Cause I'm telling you right now, if they go too far, then I won't be responsible for my action." He said the last part while grinning, but Hermione could tell he was partly serious.
"Look, I'll make sure they don't get too out of line. Ron and Harry will back off if I tell them to, really. And you've changed so much, it'll just take them a while to get used to you. I'll be there the whole time. If you have any questions, just ask me, okay?"
"Yeah. I know. I really appreciate that you're making such an effort, really, you have no idea. And I'll try my hardest to control my anger should they get too much."
Hermione was about to say something else, when they heard a faint noise from the bedroom next to his. Shutting her mouth, she immediately went to the wall to listen. Hearing nothing else, she went towards the bed again.
"Maybe I'd better go. My mum would have a cow if she caught me in here."
"Yeah, okay."
Moving to the door, she paused when she reached the closed door, thinking she heard something. After a minute, she decided it was nothing, and reached for the doorknob. However, hearing Draco call her name softly, she turned around, only to find him not even a foot away. Her breath caught in surprise.
"How do you do that?" You get so close, and I don't ever hear you."
"It's a gift. Great for sneaking out and stealing kisses."
Before she had time to reply or be shocked, his lips were on hers. She immediately gave in, enjoying the feeling. As his hands snaked his way around her waist, hers traveled up his toned arms and around his neck, her fingers finding his hair, twirling in it. Pulling her tighter, he reveled in the softness of her lips, tasting sour apple on them. His tongue darted out, running along it along her lips by way of asking. She slightly opened her mouth, and he deepened the kiss. Breaking apart for air, she made a slight noise. His breathing haggard, he said
"You have no idea how long I've been wanting to do that."
"And you have no idea how long I've wanted you to do that."
"Maybe I'm not cursed."
"I don't think I am either."
"Even if you were, I'd still want you."
"That's good to know. Harry and Ron will think I've gone insane."
"That's okay. You can come cry on my shoulder." At the mention of shoulders, he glanced at her bare ones and dipped in. Kissing her lightly at the base of her jaw, he trailed down until he reached the base of her neck, where he stayed for quite some time, finding her gasp most enjoyable when he lightly nipped at her.
"Oh…Draco." She said breathlessly. He returned to her bruised lips once again, and only pulled away because they heard a thump from the other room. Her breath hitching, she said
"Maybe I'd best go back to my room."
"Maybe. We wouldn't want you mom to have a cow." She clamped her hand over her giggling mouth and opened the door, to look out, making sure the coast was clear. As it was, she turned around and said
"Goodnight, Draco."
"Sweet Dreams Hermione." He lightly kissed her cheek, and she left the room in a daze. Falling asleep was no problem for her, thinking of how warm and safe he made her feel. Draco on the other hand, had to read some pages out of the dictionary before he was calm enough to even think of sleep.
Well? What do you think? My favorite parts were the Air-High-Five and the dictionary part. Wasn't that just brilliant? I think so. The thump will be explained in the next chapter and Draco meets Harry and Ron. DUN DUN DUN! That's just fun to say. Oh, yes, and before you ask, Billy Bob Joe was based on my little brother Nathan, so I let him choose the name. Dark Lord Fuzzy is an inside joke, and I'm not exactly sure what a Mofo is, you'll have to ask Nate. Everything that Billy Bob Joe said, Nate has said at one point in time recently. He is rather random, and I just had to add him in. It's a peculiar type of humor, so don't feel bad if you don't get it. I've got to go now, goodbye.
Vamoose Dizzy
