A Second Chance – fire-and-ice89
A/N: I'm really sorry about this chapter, I know that it's not all that interesting. It's kind of necessary though…an inbetween chapter. In the next chapter you start to see the action!
Replies to reviews:
TaurusGirl: You really don't seem to have much faith in this story, do you! Put your trust in the author! Firstly, I also hate those stories where they are secretly in love but are presently in other relationships. This story is not going to be painful like one of those. Secondly, Lavender and Malfoy are not going to be "all…well you know"! She's not going to be around for much longer. If you wait around for the next chapter then you'll see!
Twista123: Yay, an Aussie! You're from Tasmania? I've been there…we went to the Cadbury factory…yum! I'm from everywhere. Seriously. I was born in Perth, but the most recent Australian place I've lived in is Brisbane. Right now I'm in Canada. So right now I am REALLY missing Australia, and I get all sentimental about Australian things.
dmhg: You like the word fab? Just a guess ;). I'm glad you like it!
Filthy x Gorgeous: Well I guess I should be glad that my story isn't predictable! I've decided to add teasers at the bottom of every chapter now. Maybe they'll help!
NeVeRmInD2: I'm never sure whether to reply to NeVeRmInD2 or Flair Verona. Which one would you prefer? I'm glad you're interested in the story, I hope you don't lose interest over this chapter. It will get better, I promise.
Last Time:
"Where's Draco?" She shouted above the music.
"He's gone up to the dorms, I think," said Blaise, and turned back to the impatient girl in his arms. Pansy grabbed his arm again.
"Was anyone with him?" She asked with dread. Blaise shrugged.
"Some Gryffindor girl…what does it matter to you?"
Pansy spun around to face Hermione.
"We have to go after them."
Chapter Three – Memories
Hermione stumbled down the final step and halted in front of the Slytherin portrait. Pansy, who had stormed ahead of her all through the twisting corridors, finally turned to face her again.
Her tear stained face was set in determination.
"I just want him to know. Even if it only serves to warn that other girl away…"
"Lavender," Hermione added helpfully. Pansy waved a hand, dismissing the name. She got confused with all the girls running through Malfoy's life, and frankly, Hermione couldn't blame her.
She knew exactly how it felt. To be left out, that is. To have felt you were so close to your dream, and then to be torn away by the realization that they didn't return your feelings. That was a cruel thing indeed.
She closed her eyes momentarily, returning to a moment in the beginning of seventh year, after Harry had defeated Voldemort for yet another time. Hermione had been gagged and bound, helplessly watching from the side.
She had seen Harry fall, seen him come so close to death many times that terrible night, and was powerless to help. But after Voldemort retreated, after she was released, she was by his side in a moment, kneeling by him. He had been weak, so weak at that moment.
She had pulled him into her lap, and brushed his hair from his face. His eyes were glazed with fatigue, but his lips moved to form those magical words…
I love you.
He had never said them again. Hermione wasn't sure if he remembered uttering them, so she had never mentioned that moment to him. But still, she hung on to his every word, waiting for it to come again. But now, she told herself, she must get over that fantasy. It was never going to happen.
She couldn't bring herself to hate Parvati, though. She couldn't even bring herself to dislike the girl. Hermione knew that Parvati couldn't possibly love Harry as much as she did, but she was her friend, and her roommate. She had helped Hermione in times of need, and Hermione shouldn't forsake her friendship over a boy.
A very worthy boy though.
Even as she was thinking this, she could feel her love fading. Harry was clueless, he always would be. He would never see her as more than a friend, and what kind of base for a relationship was that?
Quietly, to herself, she made a resolve. She would never, ever, think of Harry in such ways again. For a few days, to overcome her dying love for him, she thought it best to avoid him. She didn't think she could speak normally to him, hearing him talk about Parvati and the ball.
No, she would clear her mind of Harry.
What she didn't realize was that, exactly at that moment, Ron was having a similar struggle concerning her.
A/N: Yes, we all know that Ron is in love with her, etc. etc.
Hey, I have got a huge love triangle built up here, haven't I? Oh, fun, fun. It will all sort itself out though.
Now please, DON'T GET ME WRONG! Hermione used to be in love with Harry, yes. This chapter signifies her moving on. When my friend read this chapter, she was like "hey, you promised it would be Hermione/Draco." Well, it will be!
This chapter was probably a bit disappointing, so I promise I'll post the next one very soon to make up for it.
This might be getting repetitive for anyone who is also reading my other story, "School Camp" (actually, it's exactly the same wording!), but I just wanted to say it again:
If anyone is reading this story but not reviewing, then PLEASE DO! Reviews can be so helpful, even if they're not very long. It always inspires me to write more when I know that people are enjoying what I do, and any criticism can help me improve.
Okay, I've decided to put teasers in this story because I like teasers.
Next Chapter: Do you remember those requests I mentioned? Well, in the next chapter you might just see some girl-punching-boy action!