Secrets
Chapter Twenty-One: The Start of a Grand Summer
(Disclaimer: I own no HP titles, which all belong to the brilliant and genius mind of J.K. Rowling…)
"You and Malfoy are back together, aren't you?" Harry asked me one day as we were floating high in the air at the Quidditch pitch.
"Yeah." I said weakly, knowing I could trust Harry.
"As long as you're happy, 'Mione." He said, making slow circles around me. "Even though Ron forgave you –not that you did anything wrong- he still gets a little jumpy whenever I mention your name. He really fancies you, you know."
"Great, that's all I need right now." I said with a sigh.
"So," Harry said casually, changing the subject. "How do you think you did on your exams?"
"Do you really want to get me started?" I asked with a smirk. Harry laughed happily.
"I guess not, bad idea, right?"
"Right." I replied, dipping fast and low, heading straight towards the ground, seeing a tiny figure in green robes walking out onto the Quidditch field. I jumped off of my broom and ran to a stop in front of my fiancé.
"Hello, love." He said, not noticing Harry landing next to me as he planted a kiss on my cheek.
Harry cleared his throat. Draco looked up from me sharply, a panicked look striking his handsome face.
"It's okay, Draco, he knows." I said reassuringly. The color seemed to come back to his face as he stepped toward Harry, extending his hand.
"Hello, Potter. I, er, uh-"
"I'll be off flying!" I called, quickly mounting my broomstick ((which I got willingly from Draco for my birthday and an engagement present)), soaring into the sky.
"She's really something, isn't she?" Harry commented, watching me fly off into the sky.
"Yeah," Draco replied, mimicking Harry. "We're both very fortunate that she's so forgiving."
Harry nodded. "Malfoy, I want you to promise me something,"
"Hm?"
"Promise me that you'll never hurt her." This took Draco by surprise. "She's been hurt before and it's the worst feeling in the world knowing you're the one who gave it to her. I'm saying this to protect you and her. Don't think I didn't notice the ring on her finger. I'm just surprised she hasn't told Ron or I yet. But all I'm asking is for you to promise me you'll never hurt her. By God if you do, I'll personally send a Dementor-"
"Okay, okay, Potter, I promise." Draco said, adding a chuckle to his voice. "I wouldn't anyway, I love her too much, and I know I'd be dead before I could say 'Azkaban.'"
XxX
I climbed onto the Hogwarts Express with Ron, Harry and Draco following on my heels. After finding an empty compartment, I sat down closely to Draco and laced my fingers in his, guiltily ignoring Ron's glares. Draco, however, didn't.
"Got a problem, Weasley?" Draco asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Draco-"
"What if I do, Malfoy?" Ron spat back.
"Ron-"
"You'll have to deal with it, Weasel Bee."
"Draco!"
"You'll have to-"
"RON! DRACO! SHUT UP!" I yelled, throwing my hands up and turning away from both of them, facing the window.
I let out an irritated huff and sighed, trying to calm myself from the anger boiling up inside me.
"Look what you did, Ferret Boy-"
With that, I stood up and exited the compartment, slamming the door shut behind me. I feverishly walked down the moving corridor until I collided with someone to my left, spilling hot butterbeer down my white blouse. I looked up to see who the perpetrator was, yet only found it to be Fred Weasley.
"Oh, 'Mione!" He said, helping me up and looking truly sincere. "So sorry 'bout that… Just sort of had a row with Katie…"
"Oh, it's okay… Do you mind if I join you in your, uh-"
"Sure, I'm not exactly sure where to sit anymore because I dunno where George is ((That shocked me)) and Katie's P.O.'Ed, so I'm screwed." Fred said, shrugging.
"Well, let's just find an empty one…"
After a few minutes of searching, we finally found an empty compartment towards the end of the train. I took the right seat, lying on my back and staring at the ceiling, and Fred took the other.
"Fred, turn around while I change shirts." I said.
"Do I have to?" He whined.
I raised an eyebrow and he quickly shut up and turned around as I changed into my new shirt along with a pair of jeans.
"Okay, Fred." I said, lying back down. He turned over.
"Hey 'Mione?" Fred asked, breaking the awkward silence between us.
"Yeah?"
"What's going on between us?"
I really didn't know how to answer that. What if he thought we had something between us? I didn't want to hurt him, but I didn't want to give him the wrong idea…
"You tell me."
"Well, I wouldn't actually consider us dating, but more like really really good friends." Fred said lightly.
"Perfect." I replied, smiling.
"One more question," He lied on his back, mimicking me. "What's between you and Malfoy?"
"Now what would make you ask that?" I asked innocently. I praised myself for acting so well…
"Just rumors…"
I smiled. "Rumors are hardly ever true, Mr. Weasley."
"Yet a fair amount of times they are, Misses Draco Malfoy." A voice said from the doorway. I sat up to find Harry smirking down upon me. "Draco and Ron just about killed each other a minute ago. Wands and everything, too."
"So it is true!" Fred cried jubilantly.
I gave him a pleading look. "Fred Weasley, I swear on the risk of me failing next year that if you tell a single soul I will personally rip your ears and toes out." I said seriously.
"Yes, maim!"
I grinned inwardly, blew Fred a kiss and followed Harry back to Draco and Ron. I stepped into the compartment with a sigh.
I had to contain myself when I saw the sight in front of me. Ron was asleep on one seat, laying on his side and sucking his thumb, curled up into a ball. Draco, however, was rapidly snapping pictured with a magical camera excitedly; a mischievous smiled playing on his lips, whispering something about blackmail.
"Draco Malfoy!" I whispered, flicking him on the ear sharply. He toppled over and looked up and me shyly, like a little child waiting for punishment. I couldn't resist those eyes… "Sit up, I'm tired…" I muttered through a yawn. Draco climbed back onto the seat and I leaned on him, entwining my hand with his. My eyes fluttered closed and I dozed off…
XxX
"Mione… Wake up… Wake up! WAKE UP!" I woke with a start to find Harry standing over me, seemingly flushed.
"Hmm?"
"We're here."
I jumped up and looked around for Draco- he was nowhere to be found.
"Where's Dr-"
"Already out there."
I smiled tiredly and took Harry's hand, leading him off of the Express and onto the magical end of Platform 9 and ¾. I immediately pointed out Draco's white-blonde hair and darted over to him and Narcissa, dragging Harry along with me.
"Oh, Hermione! How good it is to see you again!" Narcissa said charmingly as Harry and I came into view. "You're still staying the summer, am I correct?"
"Oh, yeah, my parents went to America for the summer to visit my Uncle Lance." I said, setting my luggage down.
"Well let Dobby take your stuff and we'll get going!" She said happily, adding, "We're going the Muggle way, by the way."
I nodded and smiled, taking Draco's hand. When he pulled away, I looked at him oddly, only to have him put it around my waist. I smiled and walked out to the black limo waiting for us. I climbed inside and took a seat next to Draco and across from Narcissa.
"So, I assume Draco told you about your party?" She asked as we sped off down a highway.
"My party?" I looked at Draco questioningly. "He didn't ever tell me about any party."
"Draco, you said-"
"I know, mother, but I never exactly found a chance…" Draco said, defending himself.
"Oh, well, dear, since you didn't exactly have a party at Molly's, I thought I'd throw a huge one for you!" Narcissa said, clapping her hands together excitedly. "I've invited all the Gryffindors and Slytherins to come! Oh, won't it be wonderful?"
"All of the Gryffindors and Slytherins? Mum don't you think that's a bad idea?" Draco asked nervously.
"Oh, no, not at all, darling! You, see, each should separate with only their friends,"
I smiled, of course! It still seemed a bit risky, though.
"But Ms. Malfoy, I've nothing classy enough to wear…" I said softly, blushing a bit.
"No worries, Hermione! I didn't marry a rich man for his looks, you know!" She said with a wink. I smiled weakly. "We'll go shopping tomorrow for a new dress for you…" And she went off into her own little world, dreaming up dresses and accessories for me to wear. I guiltily tuned her out and turned to Draco.
"So, when exactly is my party?" I asked.
"The day after tomorrow, my love."
The door to the limo opened and I stepped out hand-in-hand with Draco. I looked up at the Malfoy Manor and waltzed into the most luxurious time of my life.
XxX
A/N- Okay, considering that it is summer, and I haven't gone anywhere and have been bored forever, on Tuesday I'm going to Amarillo until Friday. I promise to make the next chappie good and long or making the next chapter- the next to last chapter- very juicy. Please review, and once again, NO FLAMES!
I love all of my reviewers beyond words,
-Belle
