Author's Note: I wanted to wait till I had 20 reviews before I posted the next chapter. Thanks to those of you who have continued to read and review my story. Please keep reviewing! I have school and a job so reviews are the only things that give me the energy to keep writing. The more reviews, the faster I write. Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter characters.
Love on the Rocks
Chapter Five: Te Quiero
"What the hell do you think you're doing in here, Parkinson?" Hermione gasped at Draco's words and started to wriggle around in an attempt to free herself from his grasp.
"I came to see you, Draco! And here I find you cheating on me with this Mudblood slut!" Hermione slightly dazed by this new information said nothing as Draco deposited her on one of the common room couches.
"Don't talk about Hermione like that! Besides, you're the whore, Parkinson. I know you slept with Flint and Pucey." Pansy gasped in horror at that but Draco continued, "What do you mean 'cheating'? I told you the only reason I put up with you before was because my father forced me. You have never and will never mean anything to me. The sooner you get that through your thick skull the better for us all!"
Pansy's ugly face turned a sick purple color and Hermione screamed as the Slytherin dived at her. Hermione felt sharp nails sink into her neck and was relieved to see Draco lifting Pansy forcefully off of her. Rubbing her neck, Hermione watched as Draco physically threw a kicking Pansy out of the room but not before the girl screamed, "I'll get you back, Granger. Draco's mine!"
Hermione, lost in her own thoughts, jumped when she felt Draco's arms snake around her and hot breath on her sore neck. Her bones melted when she felt soft kisses being pressed along her throat and a soft purring noise escaped from her mouth before she could stop it. After a few moments, Hermione's natural inquisitiveness overcame her and she couldn't help but ask, "How do you think she figured out the password?"
Draco rested his chin on the top of her head as he cuddled her to his body and said, "I have no idea. We Slytherins have our ways. I'll change the password. Then I'll talk to the portrait about not letting…certain people into our rooms even if they do happen to have the new password. That's all we can really do."
Hermione turned her head to look him straight in the eyes and said, "But…you heard what she said. Maybe…maybe we should go to Dumbledore."
"I don't think we need to go that far. We both just need to be careful and it'll be fine. Parkinson's always been a little of her rocker but she's too stupid to actually do damage. I won't let her hurt you. I promise." The two sat in silence while they both mulled over the thoughts running through their heads. Hermione marveled that she could sit so comfortably with the boy she had once called her enemy but she was even more amazed that she actually believed he would keep his promise. She trusted Draco Malfoy.
Sighing contentedly, Hermione tilted her head back to rest on his shoulder and smiled sleepily when she felt Draco lift her up into his arms. For a few moments it felt like she was floating on a cloud and then she felt her body being laid upon what she drowsily recognized as her bed. Warm blankets were settled over her as Draco caressed her lips in a soft kiss. The last thing she was cognizant of was Draco's whispered, "Good night, Hermione."
The rest of September and October seemed to pass by in a blur and it was mid-November before Hermione stopped to take a breath. With Draco, homework, and Head Girl duties to occupy her spare time, Hermione barely noticed that one of her two best friends was still refusing to talk to her. Well…that's what she told herself.
One blustery Saturday afternoon, Hermione found herself situated in one of the rarely visited corners of the library with Draco sitting next to her. The two were supposed to be planning the Yule Ball but Draco seemed to have other things on his mind.
Hermione, ignoring the roving hand on her leg, looked down at her notes and said, "Professor Flitwick has already agreed to handle the decorations so we don't need to worry about that. I don't know how we're going to fit the Weird Sisters into our budget but they would…Draco, I can't concentrate with you doing that."
"Doing what?"
"That."
"What's 'that'?"
"Draco! I'm trying to…" Hermione's voice broke into a breathy sigh as Draco's hand slipped down to massage her inner thigh. Hermione felt heat rush through her body and she wiggled uncomfortably in her chair. Hermione was so lost that she didn't protest in the least when Draco pulled her onto his lap. Dangling her legs off one side of his lap, Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and moaned quietly as he nuzzled her neck softly.
After a while Hermione grew impatient and , wrapping her fingers in his loose blond hair, pulled his mouth down to meet her own. Soon the two were locked together in a fiery kiss and neither heard the approaching footsteps. The noise of a nearby stack of books being knocked over startled the two lovers and Hermione glanced around owl eyed.
"Harry! What are you doing in here?"
A rosy blush stained the cheeks of the black-haired Gryffindor and he tried to look at anything but the two teenagers in front of him. Focusing his eyes on a long shelf of dusty books, Harry cleared his throat and said, "Er…sorry for interrupting. I knew you'd be here and I wanted to talk to you. But if you're busy it can wait." The Boy-Who-Lived turned around and headed for the exit.
Hermione opened her mouth to stop her best friend but Draco spoke first. "Hold on Potter. I was just leaving. I have a…Potions….essay to finish. Yeah…a Potions essay. I'll see you in the common room, Hermione." Draco dropped a quick goodbye kiss on her lips and made his way across the library.
"He really has changed hasn't he?"
Hermione moved her eyes from Draco's retreating back and looked up into sincere green eyes. "Yeah…he has. He's…amazing. I don't know what I'd do without him. I just wish Ron could see how happy he makes me."
Harry settled into the seat Draco had occupied and patted Hermione's hand. "He knows. I think that's why he's so upset. Malfoy treated all three of us very badly for a long time and…it's hard for Ron to see you happy…with him. It's hard for him to see you trusting Malfoy."
Tears started to well up in her eyes and Hermione was unaware of the death grip she had on Harry's hand. A solitary tear plopped onto her cheek as she stuttered, "I just want him to accept us. I…I don't want to lose him. You and Ron are the best friends I have ever had and I never want to lose you."
Harry, eyes shiny with emotion, grinned at that and said, "Aww Hermione. Are you really crying over the two of us?" Seeing the desperate look in her eyes, Harry coughed slightly and in a more serious tone continued, "You don't need to worry, 'Mione. Ron is just being a little difficult right now but he'll come around. He just has to get used to the idea and he'll realize how ridiculous this all is. If it helps, the rest of the Gryffindors, including me, support the two of you. We don't necessarily understand it but we support it."
Hermione let out a hoarse chuckle at that and she let her grip on Harry's hand loosen a little. "I appreciate that, Harry. It's good to hear that I'm not alone. I really care for Draco…I care for him more than I can say and it was hurting me thinking that the other people I care about didn't accept our relationship."
Harry, sensing that Hermione was holding something back, tilted Hermione's head until he could see directly into her eyes and asked, "How much do you care for Draco?"
"A lot."
"How much is 'a lot'?"
"I…I think I'm in love with him." Hermione groaned as she whispered this and thumped her head onto the table top. "I love him so much. Six years of hating the boy and I'm in love with him! How is that bloody possible? I don't know but it happened."
Harry smiled knowingly and patted his friend's motionless back. " 'Mione, I suspected as much. The way the two of you look at each other….it's kind of amazing. You understand that I'll never like Malfoy but seeing how happy you are with him makes me not hate him as much."
Hermione turned her head to the side to look up at her long time friend and said, "Are we really that obvious?"
Harry burst into laughter and answered, "You two are so disgustingly in love it's not even funny."
"But what if he doesn't love me back? I know he likes me but how could he love me? I'm just me."
Harry frowned at Hermione's words and grabbed her chin. "Yeah…you are just you." Hermione looked down shamefaced but Harry pulled her chin back up again. "You are just 'you' but 'you' happen to be the most amazing witch I've ever met. You're kind, giving, and the smartest witch I've ever met. If Malfoy doesn't love you than he's even more of an idiot than I originally thought. You may not think much of yourself but I can tell you right now that Malfoy is thanking his lucky stars that you would even give him the time of day. Just wait and you'll see."
Hermione smiled at Harry's words and pulled him into a hug. After a few moments, Hermione pulled back and stood up from her chair. "I think I had better go. Draco's probably getting antsy."
Harry, pushing his chair under the table, grinned and said, "Yeah he's probably pacing by now. So are you going to tell him?"
"That I love him?"
"Don't play stupid, 'Mione."
Hermione stuck out her tongue playfully but grew serious at the look on her friend's face. "Part of me wants to but part of me isn't ready. I think I'm going to give it some time. It just doesn't feel right."
Harry raised his eyebrows and asked, "Will it ever feel right?"
Hermione sighed at the question and thought about it before she answered, "I…I don't know. I think I'll know when it's time to tell him."
"Just make sure you don't over think the situation. These are emotions you're talking about not facts in a book. You can't sit there and analyze them or you'll go insane. Just promise me one thing."
Hermione, stuffing her books in her back, looked up and asked, "What's that?"
"Just promise me you won't hold back. Promise me you'll let him know how you feel eventually. Don't let anything happen to him without telling him how you feel."
Hermione, recognizing the uncompromising tone in Harry's voice, said, "I promise Harry. I'll tell him." Harry nodded and Hermione gave him one last parting hug. "I'll see you tomorrow. Tell Ron hello." Hermione started to walk away but thought better of it. "Harry…I love you."
"Love you too, 'Mione."
Hermione silently trudged her way along the now familiar route to the Head Boy and Girl rooms. She really did love the boy. The past two and a half months had been pure bliss even if the two had gotten into minor tiffs. Healthy relationships had arguments. She really didn't know if Draco reciprocated her love or not. He showed his affection openly but maybe it was just that…affection.
Sure he wasn't the same heartless Draco as before but who said he was willing to give his new heart to her? The best thing for her to do was to work on keeping their relationship strong through the upcoming holidays and then exams would be looming. As Hermione stopped in front of the entrance to the common room, she told herself not to worry about love and just enjoy being with Draco. Everything would work out in the end.
Taking a deep breath, Hermione muttered the new password, "Te quiero."
Author's Note: I'm taking Spanish in school so I had to add something Spanish in there.
Yeah…please review! I would love more feedback but I'm thankful for the reviews I have gotten. Thanks!
Te quiero I love you