Chapter Six
Learning Love
I woke up with a smile pasted on my face Monday morning. The memories of last night were fresh in my head. I jumped out of bed and took a shower. I put on my robes and went to check if Draco was awake. At first I knocked lightly, then harder. No one answered so I poked my head through the door. I saw a lump of blankets and giggled. I closed the door quietly and decided to have some fun. I kicked off my shows and jumped on him.
"Oof!"
A head of blonde hair poked from under the covers and turned to the side. He plopped his head back on his pillow and went to sleep. I rolled my eyes and jumped off. I went to the side of his bed and looked at him fondly. His hair was rumpled and messy but he looked so adorable. I leaned in and kissed his lightly. His eyes fluttered open and he smiled. He stretched, got up, and went to the bathroom. I decided to wait for him so I sat back on his bed. It was still warm. My mind wandered back to last night. I smiled widely at him when he came out, drying his face, still in boxers. I ambled over to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. We looked deeply into each other's eyes smiling. He pecked my forehead with a light kiss and went to his dresser. I sat on the edge of his bed and watched him with interest. He was about to pick a yellow tee and some blue jeans when I stopped him. He stepped back and I rummaged through his drawers. I found a white, tight fitting tank top and threw it at him. I smirked mischievously and tossed him a pair of khaki pants. He slipped on his pants and sauntered over to me. He slid his arms around my waist and kissed me passionately. He pulled me against his chiseled chest, allowing us to deepen the kiss, making my heart beat faster. We finally broke our kiss for air and I smirked. I slipped his tank top over his head. He put on his robe and escorted me to breakfast. We parted with a quick kiss at the door. I didn't have a callous thought in my head until I saw him.
I walked slowly, never taking my eyes from his bright amber ones. Sure, I've seen Ron in the Great Hall, but never was he actually near me. And the last seat just happened to be in front of him. He watched me calmly. I grabbed a spoonful of scrambled eggs and three slices of bacon while never taking my eyes off of him. Harry, sitting next to Ron, and Ginny, next to me, exchanged worry glances. They looked back and forth between us. Harry finally broke the silence.
"Is there gonna be a problem with you two today…because we kind of expected you both to cool down by now.
"I don't know. There shouldn't be any. Do you agree Ron?"
"Yes, Hermione, I do agree. But we need to talk, now."
I placed my fork down calmly as to not to attract any attention.
"What's there to talk about Ron? Draco and I are still together and there's nothing you can do about that. You're obviously still mad at him about the fight. Oh, and might I add, you called me a slut!"
"Don't you care about what your friends think about him? He could at least make an effort not to be such an arse!" he spat.
I picked up my bag and glowered at him.
"Of course I care what my friends think. You're not one of them! A friend would be understanding and supportive. Harry and Ginny aren't having a problem being civil…neither should you! Friends wouldn't call another one a slut! And if anyone is being an arse it's you not him. I love him…whether you like it or not!" I hissed at him crossly.
I walked out of the Great Hall and to Transfiguration
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I watched Hermione talk with Ron with amusement. He still doesn't understand…the amusement ended when I saw Hermione leave. He obviously made her mad and honestly…I'm tired of it. I scribbled a quick note and sent it to Ron. It read:
Ron Weasley,
Meet me in the Astronomy tower after dinner. Don't be late. We need to talk and get some things straightened out.
Draco Malfoy
He nodded at me and I left for Divination with a smile on my face.
Dinner ended quickly and I waited for Ron. He came looking very cross.
"What do you want to talk about Malfoy? And get straight to the point. I don't have time for this." He said quickly, slamming the door.
"We need to reach an understanding. I don't like you and you don't like me. We both probably don't even care. Am I correct?"
He nodded and I continued.
"I highly doubt we ever will but this isn't about our friendship. This is about Hermione. I love her…yes Weasley…love. So you can't really do anything but suck it up and move on with it. You're constantly harassing her and it needs to stop. She's not going to change. You should know better than I do. So…I'm willing to strike a deal. We can be civil to each other. You make amends with Hermione and become friends…and for my part, she stops being angry and giving out a negative aura. Deal?"
I stuck out my hand. He looked at me, then my hand and took it roughly. He shook and left without a fight. It was a first.
(I absolutely despise writing class scenes so this is Friday after classes; still in Draco POV.)
I made a quick trip to Hogsmeade and came back to find Hermione reading in our spot. I gave her a quick peck on the cheek and helped her up. I smirked and led her to the Quidditch pitch.
"Why are we here."
"I'm going to teach you how to fly. Take this." I gave her a broom given to me by Madam Hooch.
"Draco…I don't like flying."
"Just please try…if you learn how to fly, I can take you places more beautiful than Hogwarts."
She nodded reluctantly and climbed on her broom. I rose slowly, taking her hand in mine gently. I led her out into the middle of the pitch and taught her the basics. She eventually got the hang of it and zoomed around the grounds like she was doing it for years. We stopped flying when we noticed the students filing into the school for dinner. We handed our brooms back and I escorted her to dinner. While we were walking, I stole glancesto her. She had this giant smile on her face. It was then I realized how much I really loved her.
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When Draco took me flying, I loved him so intensely. It was like he set something loose. Flying made me feel free. But a part of me was more excited about where he was going to take me than the actual flying. I greeted everyone at the table except Ron, who I just nodded at.
"Hermione? Please forgive me. I'm sorry."
I almost fell off the seat. Ron…saying sorry? That'll be the day…I pinched myself to be sure. When I started turning red and feeling the pain creep up, I stared back at him.
"Ron…I can't forgive you because you still can't except it."
"I'm going to be civil to Malfoy. We made a deal. Now will you forgive me?"
"Really? You made a deal…with Draco? To be civil? I'll forgive you if you keep your word."
He nodded and smiled. For the first time in a very long time, I smiled back at him.
I saw Draco waiting for me at the entrance and I smiled. I hugged him tightly and beamed up into his eyes. I wasn't sure if he saw the gratitude in my eyes, but his gaze reassured me. He lifted me up into his muscular arms and carried me into our tower. My put me down gently on the couch and sat at the other end. I got up and sat in his lap, staring at the roaring fire. I snuggled closer to him as he propped his chin on my head. My eyes began to feel heavy and I eventually fell into a deep sleep, cradled in Draco's arms.
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I woke up earlier than Hermione and slipped from under her. I covered her with a blanket and looked down at the sleeping figure. I took a shower and poked my head out from the door. Hermione was still asleep and I was glad. I dressed in a black, long-sleeved shirt and navy pants. She was still asleep when I finished. I pecked her head lightly. She stirred but remained asleep. I made my trip to Hogsmeade, which took longer than I expected. I finally found the perfect one. I left quickly and headed back to our rooms. She wasn't there so I quickened my pace, worried that she would walk in. I didn't even bother going back down to the ground floor after I set her present down. I raced to the balcony and took off on my broom. I hovered above the Forbidden Forest, trying to remember that spot. I suddenly remember that it wasn't there and I sped quickly in the air. I landed softly and stared at it's massive self. I walked to the middle of the lake and did what I came there to do. It took all day and most of the evening but I managed to finish before dinner. Two hours to be exact. I raced back to my room and took the quickest shower ever. I put on my tux and scribbled Hermione a note. I sent it to her and flew back to the spot. I rechecked everything and waited anxiously for her arrival.
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I woke up with a blanket draped over me. I smiled, thinking of Draco. I took a bath and put on a deep red turtleneck and some black jeans. I pulled my hair into a messy bun and left for breakfast. I glanced over at Sytherin's table and I didn't see Draco. My brow furrowed with confusion as I sat down. I left without a word, my mind too preoccupied with Draco. I looked everywhere for him until I was shoved harshly. I whipped around and came face to face with Lenora.
"Where's Draco? What did you do to him!? I'll kill you if you don't tell me!"
"Nothing, number one. Number two, he's my boyfriend so I don't even know why you care. And number three, if you ever touch me again, I'm gonna pound your ugly face! Got it?"
She snorted and walked away. I glared back at her when suddenly a letter dropped at my feet. It was from Draco. I looked at my watch and it was 7:30. It read:
Dear Hermione,
I'm sorry that you couldn't find me. I know you've been looking for me but I'm alright. Go to your room and look on your bed. Wear what's in there and go to the front entrance. Take the carriage and don't get out until it stops. I'll meet you there.
Love,
DracoI ran to my room and nearly knocked down my door. I saw a big box tied with green and silver ribbon. I opened the box and gasped. There was this gorgeous diamond necklace with matching earrings. I placed them to the side and took out the very glittery dress. It was a beautiful, silver,spaghetti strap, v-neck dress that dropped about mid-back by the looks of it. There were also silver stilettos that had glittery heels and rhinestone buckles. I took a bath and slipped on the dress. It came to the floor and dragged a little. It fit perfectly which made me wonder how he knew my size. I curled my hair and put on my necklace and earrings. I smiled to myself. I applied some light eye shadow accompanied with black eyeliner and mascara. I put on sheer, slightly glittery, strawberry flavored, light pink lip gloss. I put on my shoes, enchanted my makeup, and took a quick look in the mirror. I walked through the halls, ignoring the stares and whispers. I saw the carriage waiting and stepped inside. I looked out the window. The stars were beginning to show.
We traveled a long way before the carriage finally came to a stop. I stepped out, holding my dress, and looked at the sky. The stars shown bright. I stopped gazing at the stars and soaked in my surroundings. I was in a forest of some sort. There was a gigantic waterfall that emptied out into the immense lake. There seemed to be a narrow strip of land jutting out into the lake, but because of the trees, I couldn't see if there was more. The walkway was covered in white rose petals and the trees moved themselves automatically. I followed the trail, seeing Draco at the end facing the waterfall. He was behind a table full of delicious smelling food and two long lit candles. He turned and faced me. He was dashing. I walked up to him slowly kissing him passionately.
"Yum. Strawberry."
I giggled and sat down at the table. Draco pushed me in and sat down. I stared at him contently.
"Why?"
"Because I love you."
I blushed.
"I love you too but isn't this…"
"Hush…just eat and enjoy."
I did as he told me. We chattered away well into the night. When we finally finished he stood up and led me to the edge of the waterfall. He stepped back and looked at me dotingly.
"I love you Hermione."
"I love you too Draco but what is all this? It's not like I don't like it but…"
He didn't respond. He bent down on one knee and took out a little black box. He opened the box and revealed a silver ring with a huge diamond in the center with two smaller ones at the side. The band was covered in diamonds. I gaped at him.
"Will you marry me, Hermione Granger?"
My eyes filled with tears and I looked lovingly at him.
"Yes…"
"But…let's keep this our little secret."
He stood up and slipped on the ring and then turned it upside down. He kissed me passionately and led me to the carriage. I just couldn't stop looking at him. He smiled widely at me and helped me inside. I laid my head on his chest and fell asleep with pleasant dreams filling my head.
R & R