Okay, I have yet another announcement. I know you must be getting sick of them, but I can't help it. I feel obligated to inform you all as my wonderful readers and reviewers. I know I said that I would sorta stop the letters, but as I read through the rough draft of this chapter, I realize I didn't quite follow that. Totally unintentional. So, basically, now I've changed my mind and I'm saying that there will be letters, it's just that they'll be fewer of them shown. How's that sound? Good I hope, but if not, you're out of luck. Truth be told, I don't particularly like this chapter that much, but maybe you'll feel differently. Wow, this is long, sorry! On to the story! Oh, and don't forget – bold is Draco, and italics is Hermione!
Chapter 6: God, the devil, and a Tea Party!
They wrote continually over the rest of the summer, and now it was August 31st. Hermione lay in bed, conversing with Draco. (Think like instant messaging, through the journals)
So, exactly how nervous are you about tomorrow? – T
Nervous as hell! How about you? – L
Probably more nervous. I've got a bad feeling about this year. Something that I'm not gonna like is gonna happen, and it's been worrying me. – T
What could possibly happen? And how do you know? I thought you didn't take divination. – L
Oh, shut up! You know what I meant; it's just a gut feeling. And my gut feelings are never wrong. – T
Well…I don't know. Be on guard, be careful. I know you notice everything, but I don't know what else to say. If anything does happen, I'm here for you. – L
Thank you Lightning, it means a lot. I guess I'll see you tomorrow, even if I don't know who you are. I'm tired, and I hate to be late. Good night. – T
'Night, Thunder. Sweet dreams. – L
Draco woke up late the next morning, and nearly screamed when he saw the time. He had 30 minutes to be at King's Cross. Getting up, he quickly got dressed and then shoved everything into the bag that holds everything. He pulled his trunk out and apparated to Platform 9 and ¾. Taking it all in, he looked around and finally let it sink in that it was his last year.
Hermione woke up promptly at nine o'clock, proceeded to get into the shower, and was done with breakfast at ten. After saying her good-byes, she grabbed her trunk and purse, and apparated to the platform. It was only a quarter past, so she was rather early. Picking a compartment, she put her trunk up and stared out the window. Suddenly, Draco Malfoy was in her line of vision. In the back of her mind, she noted that he must have apparated. She knew she shouldn't stare, that someone could catch her, but at the same time, she couldn't look away. He was completely alone. Draco had black shoes, black jeans, and a green shirt under his black cloak. His face, she noticed, was still rather pointed and defined. The sun hit him suddenly and she saw that he had white blonde peach fuzz. Looking toward his eyes, she saw the vividness of the blue-gray eyes even from a distance. He turned his head and his hair settled in front of his eyes. He did some sort of jerk to the side he removed it from his eye line and it was swept to the side, giving him a rather relaxed look. However, with the hair obstacle gone, he met her eyes, and Hermione didn't dare look away. She wouldn't back down to him. Ever. Their staring contest was interrupted by a sharp poke to the shoulder. She jumped with surprise and looked to find Ron and Harry staring at her. Ron looked over his shoulder and bent his head. Upon standing up, he looked confused and almost angry at the same time.
"Were you just staring at Malfoy?"
"Of course not! I'd rather sit between God and the devil at a tea party than stare at Malfoy. How could you ask such a thing, Ron? Don't I even get a hello?"
Harry started laughing and Ron just looked more confused. Once everyone was sitting down, they began to talk about their different summers. Ron was in the middle of telling her a story when she realized they should be getting to the prefect compartment soon. After all, she was Head Girl, she couldn't be late! Hermione had to shout his name to get his quiet for a minute.
"What?"
"We're going to be late for the meeting if we don't go now."
"Oh, all right. I'll tell you later Harry."
"Fine. Just leave me here all by myself. I'll just wait for someone else to come and be my friends." He crossed his arms, and stuck his nose in the air. They all started to laugh. (Harry had become much more relaxed after the final battle with Voldemort, even though he had his occasional bouts of depression.) Their fun was interrupted when they heard a loud, fake cough. She turned and made her smile slowly fade, even though it only wanted to go wider, at the sight of Draco.
"Mudblood, how unpleasant to see you. Get out of my way." I'm really very happy to see you.
The boys had heard and were standing, ready to rush forward, when Hermione's outstretched arm stopped them. Draco silently noted how whipped she had them, and smirked. They were both looking at Hermione, questioning her with their eyes. She stepped forward a bit and tucked her hair behind her left ear, just looking at him.
"Get out of my way." Don't ever move I always want you near me.
Hermione put a wide smile on her face, looked him up and down and then began speaking in a very preppy, sweet, very Valley girl voice.
"Mudblood, is like, so second year, Malfoy. Can't come up with anything better?" Why do you have to call me that? Is that what you really think?
Draco couldn't say anything. He was in complete shock. He just stood there, staring at her.
"Aww…Cat got your tongue? How cute!" You really are very cute.
She reached forward and tapped his nose with her pointer finger, and giggled. Grinning at his astonishment, she turned around and started walking down to the prefect compartment, leaving three shocked boys behind her. Stopping about 10 feet away, she called back to Ron (in her normal voice), without turning around. She could hear Ron and Harry laughing, and knew that Draco was probably livid. She reasoned to herself that it was necessary.
I'm so sorry Draco, but I had to. I couldn't stand another year of that word coming from your lips.
Ron caught up to her and she concentrated on listening to what he was trying to say. Well, she tried anyway. Hermione refused to look at Draco all through the ride. At least until he kicked her, that is. Then she just had to glare at him. After the third kick, she felt she had no choice but to kick back. When she kicked, however, she got a surprise. He had caught her foot with his feet! And of course, she thought, he just has to be stronger than me. She sat struggling while trying not to make it obvious to anyone else. Soon she stopped as a better idea came to mind. Hermione sent one glare at him, then put on that sweet, condescending smile. Ever so slowly, she managed to move her foot up, rubbing against the inside of his leg. His eyes went wide and his smirk disappeared. Hermione allowed a small smirk of her own. Still smiling, her foot continued to rub as it went higher.
Ha! How's that for a surprise?
She is not even doing this! Damn that feels good, hmm, I wonder…Looking away from him, she tried once again to focus on what Ron was saying. So of course, she didn't notice when Draco calmly slid his hands under the table into his lap. She didn't notice that is, until his hands were suddenly around his ankle. Hermione fought back a gasp as he tightly held her foot with one hand and started running his other up her leg. She couldn't help it when her leg twitched because Draco had started to rub circles on the inside of her left knee. It wasn't that she enjoyed it, oh no. Oh, hell, who was she kidding, she was loving every minute of it. Just not on the outside. Stupid body, she thought, just had to make him think she liked it. A second later when she caught his slight, small, smile (a smile, not a smirk) she thanked her body with reverence. After all, he rarely ever smiled, and it was never at her. In fact, she could count on one hand how many times she had seen him smile in six years. And then they were caught in another staring contest. Hermione vaguely remembered telling Ron to go ahead, that she could handle it, and she vaguely noted that they were the only two in the compartment now. Realizing that she had to leave, she forced her eyes closed (since she couldn't look away) and tried to remove her leg. She just had to open her eyes when he tutted at her. He actually tutted at her!
"Granger, you should know me better than that." But then, no one knows me, so I guess you wouldn't.
"Kindly let go of my leg, Malfoy." Don't ever let go
"And if I don't?" I don't want to!
"Then I shall be forced to do something entirely unpleasant." But I never want to hurt you.
"Oh really?" I wonder what she'll do?
"Yes really." Now I'll have to think of something to do.
"And what might that be?" Now you've got me interested
"Well…"
OOOOOOOHHHHHHH! Yes, I really am going to end it
there. Lot of conversation in this chapter. Next chapter is going
to be really long, I suspect. Chapter 7 just might be my favorite,
it's really action packed! Have I teased you enough? Yeah, I
guess so, so I'll just go now and type up chapter 7. Have fun
waiting!