AN: sorry if the last chapter seemed a little messed up.. for some reason it wasnt letting me put words in italics when I went to edit the story after I uploaded it.. And I will try and make them longer... I really didn't realize how long you could type for and still have the chapter be so short....lol.... and I will try to stop with the cliff hangers....their just such a good way to end a chapter...lol...and any wayz thanks fer all the reviews....they really do help a lot. Ps... at my meet in Fresno this weekend, I actually placed 8th in the 100... not 9th. (just thought I'd let ya'll know.
Disclaimer: Nope...still not mine.
Chapter 5: Actions Speak Louder Than Words
"Granger?!?"
A genuine smile appeared on Hermione's face. "Hello Mal...Draco." It turned out that she had been wrong when she had thought that he wouldn't have changed. Besides the fact that he was wearing muggle clothes(and looked quite good in them may I ad), there was something else that was very different about him...she just couldn't quite figure out what it is.
Narcissa had obviously missed the expression of horror on Draco's face because she seemed rather delighted that the two teenagers already knew each other. "Oh!... so you have met. Well that's good...it will save you two some awkwardness."
With that comment both Hermione and Draco let out a small snort.
Oblivious to the sounds just made, Narcissa continued. "Well now that you're up, Draco will you please escort Ms. Regnarg to her room. When you're done with that come back down and get her trunks please...Sorry to cut out like this but I really am over due for nap. Like I said earlier I was up quite late last night doing last minute preparations for your arrival."
Hermione started to apologize but Narcissa was one step ahead of her.
"Oh no dear don't you dare think of apologizing. It's not your fault at all. I really am a bit of a neat freak and I'm afraid I would have done it whether or not you were coming." Narcissa gave Hermione a quick briefing on the locations of the essentials in the house and turned to retire up to her room for her nap...which left Hermione and Draco standing there in a quite awkward silence. They stood there staring at each other, each absorbed in there own thoughts.
Draco's POV
"Wow. Is this really the Hermione I've known for the past 6 years? She really does look quite different out of her school robes. Maybe this summer wont be so bad after all... but wait. Did I just hear my mother call her Ms. Regnarg? I'll have to find out that."
Hermione's POV
"Why is he staring at me like that. Do I have something in my nose? No... it cant be... this look on his face...it doesn't quite seem to be its usual look of disgust...but what is it..?" Hermione scanned his eyes looking for the answer to her question. It was then that she noticed something very strange. "His eyes," Hermione thought. "Their... different..." And she was right. They didn't seem to be the same cold and emotionless icy gray eyes that she had always seen before. She saw something else. Was it...happiness? Hermione was ripped out her thoughts when Draco spoke.
"Look Granger...or shall I say... Regnarg." Draco noticed that he had difficulty saying that last word. It was just so....ugly. Hermione seemed to have also noticed it because a small smile appeared on her face. "I saw the way you were just staring at me. Look. I know I tend to have that affect on the ladies now-a-days....and I must admit I do enjoy it..." His trademark smirk appeared on his face. "But not when it comes from a..." Draco found him self about to call her a name that she hated. But then he remembered that he did not have to pretend any more. After all, he was a free man now. "...From a... erm...." His confident smirk was fading from his face. What exactly was she now? Draco found he didn't know what to call her anymore. She definantly wasn't the same Hermione he had come to know and ...well...know...for all these years.
Hermione had no choice but to let out a small laugh at this. This was one of the rare times in her life when she had actually seen Draco speechless. "For heavens sake Draco. Do I really look so different that you can't be mean to me anymore?"
His sly expression returned. "For your information...I'm not being mean to you because you look different. I'm not being mean to you simply because I don't have to be anymore."
Hermione was not convinced. "Hmmph...So your telling me," Hermione crossed her arms in front of her. "That you've been tormenting me all these years because you had to. Your saying that you weren't acting on your own will...? What...was one of the unforgivable curses put on you or something? Come on Malf...Draco. An old dog can't learn new tricks."
Draco's left eyebrow raised half an inch. "Ill just pretend I didn't here that last comment. And really now. I did expect someone whose grades were almost as good as mine to be smarter than this. Have you really not noticed the absence of my father yet?" Draco was beginning to talk faster...and by now Hermione knew that this wasn't a good thing. "Don't try to pretend you don't know why he isn't here. You know just as well as I do that he is in Azkaban now." Draco sighed. "Look. Things have changed. I'm not the same person I used to be." Draco's eyes wondered up and down Hermione's body. "And by the looks things....neither are you."
"Eww," Hermione thought. "Did I just get checked out by Draco? Draco Malfoy?? He's right... things have changed."
"Don't try to look all innocent. It appears that you have changed in more ways than I. At least my last name is still the same. Can you explain that?"
For a moment Hermione seriously considered it...but then she thought better of it. "No Draco, i can't. It's a long story and I don't feel like explaining it. I, unlike you, have not slept all morning. And it would be greatly appreciated if you would be a good little boy and do what your mother told you." By this time Hermione was almost yelling. "Which, incase you forgot, was to show me to my room."
Draco had the mind to put Grang...Reg...Hermione in her place. And he was just about to do so when he remembered who he was. He decided to calm down. The old Draco would have not stood to be spoken to like this...in fact, he might have done something rather harsh. But he was not that person any more. Instead he gave her his famous smirk. "...No..."
Hermione and Draco glared at each other. Nether of them was willing to back down. Hermione stared straight into his eyes...and he into hers. Even though he was obviously mad, Hermione noticed that his eyes didn't revert back to their old icy, emotionless ways. "What's going on with Malfoy?" Hermione thought. Hermione's sensible side kicked in once again. "Didn't you just promise yourself that you were going to be nice to him? And quit calling him Malfoy. His name is Draco." And again, Hermione had no choice to listen.
"Bloody hell Draco!! Do you always have to get what you want?" Hermione's icy expression softened. "Alright. What do you want to know?"
As it turns out, he wanted to know everything. And sticking to her promise, that's exactly what Hermione told him. Somehow during the conversation, they had moved themselves to the couch. By the end of her speech, Draco was as confused as Hermione was when her mother first told her.
"Wait. So your telling me that you aren't a mud...muggle born?" Hermione nodded her head. "And my parents and your parents were actually good friends?"
Now it was Hermione's turn to smirk. "Really now Draco. I would have expected someone whose grades were almost as good as mine to be smarter than this."
At that sly comment, even Draco had to smile. Which in turn caused Hermione to smile. Weirdly enough, their smiles grew larger in larger until they were both full out laughing. Between her bouts of laughter, Hermione would peak up at Draco. It appeared that he hadn't had a laugh as good as this one for a long, long time. Hermione was glad she was the one to do it.
When their laughing fit was over, they were both completely out of breath. They sat there on the couch for a few moments, both feeling quite awkward. It seemed that all of a sudden, Draco seemed to have found the pattern on the couch they were sitting on particularly interesting.
"So..." Draco finally looked up from the couch to Hermione. "Are you ready to be shown to your room now?
"Yes. Do be a good boy and do what your mother said."
A mockingly angry look appeared on Draco's face. "Yes mother." They both shared another laugh. They pulled themselves off the couch and Draco led the way to Hermione's new room. A few moments later Draco opened the door for Hermione. Draco was secretly pleased when Hermione let out a small gasp.
"Wow..this used to be your toy room?" It was absolutely beautiful. All of the walls (except for the ceiling, which was left white) were painted a cool gray. There was black trim running along the top and bottom of the wall. Framed in black were various black and white paintings of scenery of nature that seemed to move every now and then when the wind blew. Her furniture was magnificent. All of her pieces were crafted from a wood so dark that it was almost indistinguishable from black....and the bed. It was at least king sized... if not bigger. It had a large black comforter on it with pillows whose shades varied from a very light snow gray to midnight black. The over-all look of the room was calm and serene. Hermione liked it very much. She stood in the doorway (very similarly to the way she did when she first entered the Manor) trying to take it all in. She had completely forgotten Draco was behind her until he startled her out of her thoughts.
"You know... I had been under the impression that you were a girl."
Hermione turned around to look at him. "What are you talking about? I am a girl."
"Well... then aren't you going to look at your closet?" His trademark smirk was back on his face. Hermione had completely forgotten...and it must have showed. She whirled back around so fast that she almost knocked Draco down. On her sprint to look at the closet, she could have sworn she heard him mutter, "Girls and their closets..."
The closet was definitely up to par with the rest of the room. "This completely dwarfs my old closet at home!" She heard Draco snicker from some where behind her but paid it no mind. The closet was about 5 times the size of her old closet and stocked full of hangers and shelves. In fact, if she had wanted to she could have done cartwheels in it and still not touch the walls! A sense of gratitude rushed into Hermione. She pried herself from her closet and ran to Draco. For some reason unknown to her, she grabbed Draco and consumed him in a hug. To both his and her surprise, he hugged her back. "Thank you Draco."
"Your welcome...Hermione."
They stood there embracing for a moment before they realized what they were doing. With his cheeks flushing (something they rarely do), Draco abruptly pulled away. "Well... erm... I better go get your trunks." He turned away and hurried down the stairs to get her trunks. Hermione was silent as she watched him hurry away. Another conversation began between herself. "Hermione...why did you just do that? This is Draco were talking about....not Harry or Ron. You don't just go around giving out hugs to your enemies. What is going on here?" And of course, sensible Hermione knew the asnswer to her question. "First of all... I'm sure it's safe to say that Draco Malfoy is no longer your enemy. You may not be the best of friends...but enemies you are no longer. And Hermione dear, do you think you hugged him because maybe... just maybe... you are starting to get the tiniest, most minute crush on him?" At this suggestion, Hermione had to answer out loud.
"Me?? Have a crush on Draco?" She had to laugh at the thought.
A few seconds later, Draco appeared at her door with her trunks. He had a very strange expression on her face. Halfway between a smirk and a smile. Hermione panicked, thinking he might have heard what she had just said. She knew what was going to come out of his mouth next. "Here's your things. I'll just leave you with your closet." Hermione was so relieved she couldn't even speak
As he moved to close her door, Draco said one last thing. "You know...you'll always be Granger to me." Draco locked eyes with her for a moment, and then shut her door. Hermione listened to the sound of his fading footsteps. "Thanks..." She called out to the closed door.
Hermione stood there for a moment, then walked to her bed and laid on it for the first time. She felt her back sink in to the comfortable sheets. It seemed that he hadn't heard her. Which was definitely a good thing. After all, she didn't want him getting any funny ideas. She closed her eyes for a moment ("Just resting them," she told her self), and before she knew it, she was fast asleep.
Disclaimer: Nope...still not mine.
Chapter 5: Actions Speak Louder Than Words
"Granger?!?"
A genuine smile appeared on Hermione's face. "Hello Mal...Draco." It turned out that she had been wrong when she had thought that he wouldn't have changed. Besides the fact that he was wearing muggle clothes(and looked quite good in them may I ad), there was something else that was very different about him...she just couldn't quite figure out what it is.
Narcissa had obviously missed the expression of horror on Draco's face because she seemed rather delighted that the two teenagers already knew each other. "Oh!... so you have met. Well that's good...it will save you two some awkwardness."
With that comment both Hermione and Draco let out a small snort.
Oblivious to the sounds just made, Narcissa continued. "Well now that you're up, Draco will you please escort Ms. Regnarg to her room. When you're done with that come back down and get her trunks please...Sorry to cut out like this but I really am over due for nap. Like I said earlier I was up quite late last night doing last minute preparations for your arrival."
Hermione started to apologize but Narcissa was one step ahead of her.
"Oh no dear don't you dare think of apologizing. It's not your fault at all. I really am a bit of a neat freak and I'm afraid I would have done it whether or not you were coming." Narcissa gave Hermione a quick briefing on the locations of the essentials in the house and turned to retire up to her room for her nap...which left Hermione and Draco standing there in a quite awkward silence. They stood there staring at each other, each absorbed in there own thoughts.
Draco's POV
"Wow. Is this really the Hermione I've known for the past 6 years? She really does look quite different out of her school robes. Maybe this summer wont be so bad after all... but wait. Did I just hear my mother call her Ms. Regnarg? I'll have to find out that."
Hermione's POV
"Why is he staring at me like that. Do I have something in my nose? No... it cant be... this look on his face...it doesn't quite seem to be its usual look of disgust...but what is it..?" Hermione scanned his eyes looking for the answer to her question. It was then that she noticed something very strange. "His eyes," Hermione thought. "Their... different..." And she was right. They didn't seem to be the same cold and emotionless icy gray eyes that she had always seen before. She saw something else. Was it...happiness? Hermione was ripped out her thoughts when Draco spoke.
"Look Granger...or shall I say... Regnarg." Draco noticed that he had difficulty saying that last word. It was just so....ugly. Hermione seemed to have also noticed it because a small smile appeared on her face. "I saw the way you were just staring at me. Look. I know I tend to have that affect on the ladies now-a-days....and I must admit I do enjoy it..." His trademark smirk appeared on his face. "But not when it comes from a..." Draco found him self about to call her a name that she hated. But then he remembered that he did not have to pretend any more. After all, he was a free man now. "...From a... erm...." His confident smirk was fading from his face. What exactly was she now? Draco found he didn't know what to call her anymore. She definantly wasn't the same Hermione he had come to know and ...well...know...for all these years.
Hermione had no choice but to let out a small laugh at this. This was one of the rare times in her life when she had actually seen Draco speechless. "For heavens sake Draco. Do I really look so different that you can't be mean to me anymore?"
His sly expression returned. "For your information...I'm not being mean to you because you look different. I'm not being mean to you simply because I don't have to be anymore."
Hermione was not convinced. "Hmmph...So your telling me," Hermione crossed her arms in front of her. "That you've been tormenting me all these years because you had to. Your saying that you weren't acting on your own will...? What...was one of the unforgivable curses put on you or something? Come on Malf...Draco. An old dog can't learn new tricks."
Draco's left eyebrow raised half an inch. "Ill just pretend I didn't here that last comment. And really now. I did expect someone whose grades were almost as good as mine to be smarter than this. Have you really not noticed the absence of my father yet?" Draco was beginning to talk faster...and by now Hermione knew that this wasn't a good thing. "Don't try to pretend you don't know why he isn't here. You know just as well as I do that he is in Azkaban now." Draco sighed. "Look. Things have changed. I'm not the same person I used to be." Draco's eyes wondered up and down Hermione's body. "And by the looks things....neither are you."
"Eww," Hermione thought. "Did I just get checked out by Draco? Draco Malfoy?? He's right... things have changed."
"Don't try to look all innocent. It appears that you have changed in more ways than I. At least my last name is still the same. Can you explain that?"
For a moment Hermione seriously considered it...but then she thought better of it. "No Draco, i can't. It's a long story and I don't feel like explaining it. I, unlike you, have not slept all morning. And it would be greatly appreciated if you would be a good little boy and do what your mother told you." By this time Hermione was almost yelling. "Which, incase you forgot, was to show me to my room."
Draco had the mind to put Grang...Reg...Hermione in her place. And he was just about to do so when he remembered who he was. He decided to calm down. The old Draco would have not stood to be spoken to like this...in fact, he might have done something rather harsh. But he was not that person any more. Instead he gave her his famous smirk. "...No..."
Hermione and Draco glared at each other. Nether of them was willing to back down. Hermione stared straight into his eyes...and he into hers. Even though he was obviously mad, Hermione noticed that his eyes didn't revert back to their old icy, emotionless ways. "What's going on with Malfoy?" Hermione thought. Hermione's sensible side kicked in once again. "Didn't you just promise yourself that you were going to be nice to him? And quit calling him Malfoy. His name is Draco." And again, Hermione had no choice to listen.
"Bloody hell Draco!! Do you always have to get what you want?" Hermione's icy expression softened. "Alright. What do you want to know?"
As it turns out, he wanted to know everything. And sticking to her promise, that's exactly what Hermione told him. Somehow during the conversation, they had moved themselves to the couch. By the end of her speech, Draco was as confused as Hermione was when her mother first told her.
"Wait. So your telling me that you aren't a mud...muggle born?" Hermione nodded her head. "And my parents and your parents were actually good friends?"
Now it was Hermione's turn to smirk. "Really now Draco. I would have expected someone whose grades were almost as good as mine to be smarter than this."
At that sly comment, even Draco had to smile. Which in turn caused Hermione to smile. Weirdly enough, their smiles grew larger in larger until they were both full out laughing. Between her bouts of laughter, Hermione would peak up at Draco. It appeared that he hadn't had a laugh as good as this one for a long, long time. Hermione was glad she was the one to do it.
When their laughing fit was over, they were both completely out of breath. They sat there on the couch for a few moments, both feeling quite awkward. It seemed that all of a sudden, Draco seemed to have found the pattern on the couch they were sitting on particularly interesting.
"So..." Draco finally looked up from the couch to Hermione. "Are you ready to be shown to your room now?
"Yes. Do be a good boy and do what your mother said."
A mockingly angry look appeared on Draco's face. "Yes mother." They both shared another laugh. They pulled themselves off the couch and Draco led the way to Hermione's new room. A few moments later Draco opened the door for Hermione. Draco was secretly pleased when Hermione let out a small gasp.
"Wow..this used to be your toy room?" It was absolutely beautiful. All of the walls (except for the ceiling, which was left white) were painted a cool gray. There was black trim running along the top and bottom of the wall. Framed in black were various black and white paintings of scenery of nature that seemed to move every now and then when the wind blew. Her furniture was magnificent. All of her pieces were crafted from a wood so dark that it was almost indistinguishable from black....and the bed. It was at least king sized... if not bigger. It had a large black comforter on it with pillows whose shades varied from a very light snow gray to midnight black. The over-all look of the room was calm and serene. Hermione liked it very much. She stood in the doorway (very similarly to the way she did when she first entered the Manor) trying to take it all in. She had completely forgotten Draco was behind her until he startled her out of her thoughts.
"You know... I had been under the impression that you were a girl."
Hermione turned around to look at him. "What are you talking about? I am a girl."
"Well... then aren't you going to look at your closet?" His trademark smirk was back on his face. Hermione had completely forgotten...and it must have showed. She whirled back around so fast that she almost knocked Draco down. On her sprint to look at the closet, she could have sworn she heard him mutter, "Girls and their closets..."
The closet was definitely up to par with the rest of the room. "This completely dwarfs my old closet at home!" She heard Draco snicker from some where behind her but paid it no mind. The closet was about 5 times the size of her old closet and stocked full of hangers and shelves. In fact, if she had wanted to she could have done cartwheels in it and still not touch the walls! A sense of gratitude rushed into Hermione. She pried herself from her closet and ran to Draco. For some reason unknown to her, she grabbed Draco and consumed him in a hug. To both his and her surprise, he hugged her back. "Thank you Draco."
"Your welcome...Hermione."
They stood there embracing for a moment before they realized what they were doing. With his cheeks flushing (something they rarely do), Draco abruptly pulled away. "Well... erm... I better go get your trunks." He turned away and hurried down the stairs to get her trunks. Hermione was silent as she watched him hurry away. Another conversation began between herself. "Hermione...why did you just do that? This is Draco were talking about....not Harry or Ron. You don't just go around giving out hugs to your enemies. What is going on here?" And of course, sensible Hermione knew the asnswer to her question. "First of all... I'm sure it's safe to say that Draco Malfoy is no longer your enemy. You may not be the best of friends...but enemies you are no longer. And Hermione dear, do you think you hugged him because maybe... just maybe... you are starting to get the tiniest, most minute crush on him?" At this suggestion, Hermione had to answer out loud.
"Me?? Have a crush on Draco?" She had to laugh at the thought.
A few seconds later, Draco appeared at her door with her trunks. He had a very strange expression on her face. Halfway between a smirk and a smile. Hermione panicked, thinking he might have heard what she had just said. She knew what was going to come out of his mouth next. "Here's your things. I'll just leave you with your closet." Hermione was so relieved she couldn't even speak
As he moved to close her door, Draco said one last thing. "You know...you'll always be Granger to me." Draco locked eyes with her for a moment, and then shut her door. Hermione listened to the sound of his fading footsteps. "Thanks..." She called out to the closed door.
Hermione stood there for a moment, then walked to her bed and laid on it for the first time. She felt her back sink in to the comfortable sheets. It seemed that he hadn't heard her. Which was definitely a good thing. After all, she didn't want him getting any funny ideas. She closed her eyes for a moment ("Just resting them," she told her self), and before she knew it, she was fast asleep.