AN: Hey guys I'm back from Fresno (obviously)! Some of you guys wanted me
to tell ya how I did so... on Saturday was the semi finals. The people with
the top 9 fastest times move on to Sunday. Luckily I got 9th (hehe) with a
time of 12.95 (incase yall forgot were talking about the 100 meter dash
here) which is okay for me (but since I'm a girl its good) but not my
best...so I got to move on to Sunday. Then on Sunday the top 3 fastest times
go on to Oregon (which is a state in the US if anyone doesn't know) to
compete in the final final for the National Junior Olympics... you would
think one cant go from 9th to 3rd in one day...and your right...lol... I got 9th
place again... and it was my worst time (13.14 which is still good but not
really for me) ever since 9th grade NCS (which is another big competition)
... but yea... its all good and I'm really glad that you all liked my story.... I
hope I can keep ya liking it....thanks for your reviews!! Keep em coming!!
..lol
Disclaimer: I don't own anything... of course its all JKs...
A Most Unexpected Love
Chapter 4: The "First" Meeting
When they first began the trip, the ladies busied themselves talking about any and everything they could think of. Her mother was right about Narcissa being a nice lady. Hermione found that it was quite easy to open up to her. More than once, she found herself wondering how Malfoy could have even been related to this lady. Around 30 minutes later, they had exhausted themselves into a comfortable silence. It was then that Hermione really had a chance to think.
"I wish that Malfoy was that easy to talk to," Hermione said to herself.
Once again, Hermione's sensible side was the voice of reason. "Well... we all know that he isn't, so were just going to have to make the best of it. Look, obviously Malfoy isn't going to be nice to you, but you've got to be nice to him...if not for you, do it for Narcissa's sake. She really is a nice woman and I'm sure she'd hate it to see you two arguing."
And once again, Hermione saw the truth in her words. It was then that she made a promise to herself that she would be nothing but nice to Malfoy the whole summer.
About fifteen minutes later, she and Narcissa pulled up to the Manor, and Hermione received yet another shock. Instead of the dark, dreary, cobweb- infested place she expected (where else could a slimy git like Malfoy live?), the house in front of her was very similar to hers...only bigger...much bigger. She didn't have much time to admire the Manor, because before she knew it, they were at the front door.
"Well... this is it. Do excuse the mess. Even with Draco helping me I'm not sure I did the great job of cleaning up."
Narcissa opened the front door and Hermione was stunned. She had never seen anything like it in her life (well except for in the books she read of course)
"Wow. Narcissa. Your house is.... beautiful! And spotless, may I add."
Narcissa laughed. "Why thank you Hermione. And just think. We're still outside the house. Once we step inside it will be even better."
For the second time that day, a slight pink arose on Hermione's cheeks. "Oh! I'm sorry..." Hermione hadn't even moved out of the doorway so they could enter yet. "I've just never seen a house this wonderful before."
"Oh don't worry dear I was just kidding. Lets go inside and have some breakfast. I'm sure you're starving."
With the mention of food, Hermione's stomach rumbled. She had been so nervous she had forgotten about hunger. "My stomach thinks that's a lovely idea."
Draco POV
Draco was deep in slumber. In fact, he was doing something he hadn't done in a long time. He was dreaming...
He was lost. People in long, dark gowns and robes were twirling all
around him. They all had masks on, even Draco himself. Some dreary
music was playing in the background. He supposed it was a masquerade
ball. The twirling couples seemed to be moving in closer and
closer...suffocating him. He tried to push through them, but he didn't
seem to be getting anywhere. Things were getting dimmer and dimmer and
the couples spinned faster and faster. Draco didn't know what to
do...all those dancing bodies and masked-faces were making him go
insane. He had to get away. He tried to scan the area, looking for an
escape. And then he saw her. The only other person who was not dancing
around him. She was standing a little ways away. He amber waves were
striking against her white gown. She too was wearing a mask, but it
was the kind that you hold with your hand that only covers your eyes.
She stood there silently. Beauty seemed to be radiating from every
inch of her body. All of a sudden Draco had to the urge to take of his
mask too. He had to show her who he really was. He reached up to un-
tie his own mask...
Draco sat up with a start. The minute Draco awoke he knew something was wrong. No...wrong wasn't the right word. Things just felt...different. From his room on the third floor, Draco could here voices floating up from the kitchen...too many voices. Ever since his sorry excuse for a father was sent to Azkaban for the second time (and this time for good), he had gotten used to having just his self and his mother around....and he liked it that way. With the absence of his father came the arrival of a whole new world to him...the world of freedom. He was now able to be his self. Draco didn't have live in his father's shadow or pretend to be someone else he wasn't anymore. Of course, now that his father was gone he was by no means the perfect angel, but he had emerged from his protective shell...and little by little he was getting better.
"Thank you Narcissa. Breakfast was truly wonderful. I really haven't had a meal like that since I left school." Since school had let out, Hermione had gotten used to eating muggle food again. Naricissa's rich breakfast reminded her of the food that her, Harry, and Ron would eat for breakfast before classes.
"Oh it was my pleasure dear. Now, all Draco does is sleep. By the time he wakes up it's usually lunch time...and by then I'm usually too wrapped up doing something else to cook for him. He really is quite the lazy boy."
"Hey," Draco thought. "I'm not lazy... I just need my rest to keep my boyishly good- looks in order. Wait. That's not the point. Who is my mother talking to?" And then it clicked. Yesterday, his mother had informed him that the daughter of a really good friend of her's would be arriving. Her parents were traveling to Africa or something so she would be spending the rest of the summer with them. Draco hadn't decided if that was a good or bad thing yet. He slid out of bed, slipped a pair of shorts over his boxers, and found a clean wife-beater to wear, then walked down the stairs to find out.
He paused half way down the bottom of the stairwell to see if he could find something out about the girl before he had to meet her.
"Here Narcissa, let me help you with the dishes."
"Oh no... I just want you to sit back and relax. I want you to be comfortable. You are the guest...remember? In fact," Narcissa began to take off her rubber gloves. "Let me show you to your room. I really can't believe what a bad hostess I am."
The girl gave a small chuckle. "I do really hate to say this Narcissa, but doing the dishes would help me to relax. It's something I do all the time at home and-"
"Say no more. I know how these things can be. Even though Draco hates to do it, I often like to weed the garden. I get blisters on my fingers and its quite hard on my back but... its just something I like to do. I don't know why ... but I find it quite relaxing..." His mother moved out of the way so the girl could take her spot at the counter.
The girl's back was turned to him. But already he knew he liked what he saw. Her hair fell to the middle of her back in beautiful amber waves. Even though she was just doing the dishes, she had this way of moving so gracefully...as if she were part veela or something. And her voice....there was something oddly familiar about it. He just couldn't put his finger on it.
"Alright then dear...I'll let you finish that up and when you're done I'll show you your room. It used to be Draco's toy room when he was a kid but we've turned it into another spare bedroom. Speaking of Draco, her really should have been up by now."
At the mention of his name, Draco noticed that the girl had shivered as if an icy breeze had just gone by. Draco laughed to his self...his name alone was enough to send shivers up any girls spine these days.
His mother yelled out. "Draco!! Wake up you lazy boy! Come meet our guest!"
Draco decided that now was a good time to make his entrance. He waited a few seconds so it didn't seem like he was eavesdropping, then continued his descent down the stairs. His mother noticed him first. "Ahh there you are. Draco... I'd like to introduce to you...Hermione Regnarg. "
"Wow" Draco thought. "I really didn't think there were any other parents in the world who would be crazy enough to name their daughter Hermione. I really thought that was a one-of-a-kind name."
And it turns out he was right. Hermione turned around and the cool smirk on Draco's face was replaced by a look of utmost horror.
"GRANGER?!?"
Disclaimer: I don't own anything... of course its all JKs...
A Most Unexpected Love
Chapter 4: The "First" Meeting
When they first began the trip, the ladies busied themselves talking about any and everything they could think of. Her mother was right about Narcissa being a nice lady. Hermione found that it was quite easy to open up to her. More than once, she found herself wondering how Malfoy could have even been related to this lady. Around 30 minutes later, they had exhausted themselves into a comfortable silence. It was then that Hermione really had a chance to think.
"I wish that Malfoy was that easy to talk to," Hermione said to herself.
Once again, Hermione's sensible side was the voice of reason. "Well... we all know that he isn't, so were just going to have to make the best of it. Look, obviously Malfoy isn't going to be nice to you, but you've got to be nice to him...if not for you, do it for Narcissa's sake. She really is a nice woman and I'm sure she'd hate it to see you two arguing."
And once again, Hermione saw the truth in her words. It was then that she made a promise to herself that she would be nothing but nice to Malfoy the whole summer.
About fifteen minutes later, she and Narcissa pulled up to the Manor, and Hermione received yet another shock. Instead of the dark, dreary, cobweb- infested place she expected (where else could a slimy git like Malfoy live?), the house in front of her was very similar to hers...only bigger...much bigger. She didn't have much time to admire the Manor, because before she knew it, they were at the front door.
"Well... this is it. Do excuse the mess. Even with Draco helping me I'm not sure I did the great job of cleaning up."
Narcissa opened the front door and Hermione was stunned. She had never seen anything like it in her life (well except for in the books she read of course)
"Wow. Narcissa. Your house is.... beautiful! And spotless, may I add."
Narcissa laughed. "Why thank you Hermione. And just think. We're still outside the house. Once we step inside it will be even better."
For the second time that day, a slight pink arose on Hermione's cheeks. "Oh! I'm sorry..." Hermione hadn't even moved out of the doorway so they could enter yet. "I've just never seen a house this wonderful before."
"Oh don't worry dear I was just kidding. Lets go inside and have some breakfast. I'm sure you're starving."
With the mention of food, Hermione's stomach rumbled. She had been so nervous she had forgotten about hunger. "My stomach thinks that's a lovely idea."
Draco POV
Draco was deep in slumber. In fact, he was doing something he hadn't done in a long time. He was dreaming...
He was lost. People in long, dark gowns and robes were twirling all
around him. They all had masks on, even Draco himself. Some dreary
music was playing in the background. He supposed it was a masquerade
ball. The twirling couples seemed to be moving in closer and
closer...suffocating him. He tried to push through them, but he didn't
seem to be getting anywhere. Things were getting dimmer and dimmer and
the couples spinned faster and faster. Draco didn't know what to
do...all those dancing bodies and masked-faces were making him go
insane. He had to get away. He tried to scan the area, looking for an
escape. And then he saw her. The only other person who was not dancing
around him. She was standing a little ways away. He amber waves were
striking against her white gown. She too was wearing a mask, but it
was the kind that you hold with your hand that only covers your eyes.
She stood there silently. Beauty seemed to be radiating from every
inch of her body. All of a sudden Draco had to the urge to take of his
mask too. He had to show her who he really was. He reached up to un-
tie his own mask...
Draco sat up with a start. The minute Draco awoke he knew something was wrong. No...wrong wasn't the right word. Things just felt...different. From his room on the third floor, Draco could here voices floating up from the kitchen...too many voices. Ever since his sorry excuse for a father was sent to Azkaban for the second time (and this time for good), he had gotten used to having just his self and his mother around....and he liked it that way. With the absence of his father came the arrival of a whole new world to him...the world of freedom. He was now able to be his self. Draco didn't have live in his father's shadow or pretend to be someone else he wasn't anymore. Of course, now that his father was gone he was by no means the perfect angel, but he had emerged from his protective shell...and little by little he was getting better.
"Thank you Narcissa. Breakfast was truly wonderful. I really haven't had a meal like that since I left school." Since school had let out, Hermione had gotten used to eating muggle food again. Naricissa's rich breakfast reminded her of the food that her, Harry, and Ron would eat for breakfast before classes.
"Oh it was my pleasure dear. Now, all Draco does is sleep. By the time he wakes up it's usually lunch time...and by then I'm usually too wrapped up doing something else to cook for him. He really is quite the lazy boy."
"Hey," Draco thought. "I'm not lazy... I just need my rest to keep my boyishly good- looks in order. Wait. That's not the point. Who is my mother talking to?" And then it clicked. Yesterday, his mother had informed him that the daughter of a really good friend of her's would be arriving. Her parents were traveling to Africa or something so she would be spending the rest of the summer with them. Draco hadn't decided if that was a good or bad thing yet. He slid out of bed, slipped a pair of shorts over his boxers, and found a clean wife-beater to wear, then walked down the stairs to find out.
He paused half way down the bottom of the stairwell to see if he could find something out about the girl before he had to meet her.
"Here Narcissa, let me help you with the dishes."
"Oh no... I just want you to sit back and relax. I want you to be comfortable. You are the guest...remember? In fact," Narcissa began to take off her rubber gloves. "Let me show you to your room. I really can't believe what a bad hostess I am."
The girl gave a small chuckle. "I do really hate to say this Narcissa, but doing the dishes would help me to relax. It's something I do all the time at home and-"
"Say no more. I know how these things can be. Even though Draco hates to do it, I often like to weed the garden. I get blisters on my fingers and its quite hard on my back but... its just something I like to do. I don't know why ... but I find it quite relaxing..." His mother moved out of the way so the girl could take her spot at the counter.
The girl's back was turned to him. But already he knew he liked what he saw. Her hair fell to the middle of her back in beautiful amber waves. Even though she was just doing the dishes, she had this way of moving so gracefully...as if she were part veela or something. And her voice....there was something oddly familiar about it. He just couldn't put his finger on it.
"Alright then dear...I'll let you finish that up and when you're done I'll show you your room. It used to be Draco's toy room when he was a kid but we've turned it into another spare bedroom. Speaking of Draco, her really should have been up by now."
At the mention of his name, Draco noticed that the girl had shivered as if an icy breeze had just gone by. Draco laughed to his self...his name alone was enough to send shivers up any girls spine these days.
His mother yelled out. "Draco!! Wake up you lazy boy! Come meet our guest!"
Draco decided that now was a good time to make his entrance. He waited a few seconds so it didn't seem like he was eavesdropping, then continued his descent down the stairs. His mother noticed him first. "Ahh there you are. Draco... I'd like to introduce to you...Hermione Regnarg. "
"Wow" Draco thought. "I really didn't think there were any other parents in the world who would be crazy enough to name their daughter Hermione. I really thought that was a one-of-a-kind name."
And it turns out he was right. Hermione turned around and the cool smirk on Draco's face was replaced by a look of utmost horror.
"GRANGER?!?"