DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter in any way, shape or form...so don't ask!
~*~Chapter Twelve~*~
~*~Hermione POV~*~
I sat in the library waiting for Draco for our usual tutoring session. I had yet to mention Eric to him, and I knew that I would have to tell him today because Eric would be coming in tomorrow. I would try my best to avoid him, but knowing Eric, he'll find me! I wasn't really sure how Draco would react to this whole situation, but I knew that I had to tell him. I was going to make sure that I didn't get hurt this time. I would have to stand up for myself...if the situation arose...but I prayed to God that it wouldn't.
I looked up and saw Draco walking in...book bag swung over his shoulder, wearing jeans and a muscle shirt. I didn't realize that I was staring until his voice broke my concentration.
"Take a picture, it'll last longer," he said with a smirk.
"Fine then...you gotta camera on ya?" He shook his head. "Well then, if you don't have a camera, then I'll just have to continue staring. I mean honestly...how can you expect me to not stare??"
"Are you implying that I'm hott and incredibly sexy??" again with that smirk.
"You are incredibly self-assured, has anybody ever told you that?"
"I tell myself that everyday, actually." (A/N: quote from 10 Things I Hate About You, I couldn't resist :P)
"Oh yeah...well I'm about ready to smack that smirk right off your face."
"You know...there are other ways to rid my face of this smirk..."
"Oh yeah Mr. Malfoy...and how do you suppose we do that??"
"Like this," and then he covered my mouth with his. As he pulled away, he gauged my face for a reaction.
"I think I would have enjoyed smacking you a lot better," I said with a smirk of my own.
"Is that so, Ms. Granger??"
"That's what I'm sayin' and I'm stickin' to it." I couldn't help but giggle, he knew I wasn't being serious, but he was trying to play along.
"Alrighty then, just be that way! I guess I'll just have to go find Heather, maybe she'll enjoy kissing more than smacking me"
"Fine fine fine! Have it your way!" I reached across the table and pecked him on the lips.
"I knew you'd start seeing things my way. I'm just so irresistible; no one can resist my charm."
"You are such a conceited git!"
"Now now Ms. Granger, there will be no name calling. Besides aren't we supposed to be discussing English?"
"Yes we are, so let's get to work."
We discussed "Romeo and Juliet" the rest of the time. These sessions were getting easier and easier. Each week I had to explain less and less to Draco because he was starting to understand things better. Our time spent in the library became less and less. Tonight we only had to spend an hour studying. We finally packed up our stuff and headed back towards the dorms. I knew I had to tell him about Eric now or never.
"Umm...Draco...I have something to tell you and it's rather important."
"Okay, what is it Hermione?
"Well, there's someone who's coming to visit me this weekend, but I'm not really looking forward to their visit. Actually, I'm kind of afraid of them."
"Who is it Hermione?" his voice had turned stern and solid. It kind of frightened me.
"His name is Eric, and he was kind of my boyfriend in high school. But he cheated on me *a lot* and when I tried to get out of the relationship, he wouldn't allow it. So when the summer came, I avoided him at all costs and now somehow he's found out where I'm going to school. I honestly don't want to confront him. Who knows what he'll do??" my voice was sounding frantic now. Draco had pulled me close to his body, wrapping his arms around me in security.
"Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it. If you want me to stay with you all weekend, I will. If you want me to confront him myself, I will. Just say the words Hermione, and I will do whatever it takes. He will NOT hurt you...not if I have anything to do with it." The seriousness of his voice told me that he honestly would do anything for me. I couldn't hold back the tears that came to my eyes. He pulled me away from his body to look in to my eyes. He held his palms to my cheeks, wiping away my tears. Then in a softer tone, "I'm serious Hermione, whatever you want, just say the words and I will do it."
"Thank you so much. You have no idea what this means to me. I think I would feel much safer with you around. But I don't want you to waste your time with me if you have something else to do."
"Believe me, I would not be wasting my time being around you. C'mon, let's get back to the dorms...it's getting late."
He walked me back to my room, just to make sure that I got in safe. He even made sure that I locked my door after he left. I told him that he was acting like my father being over-protective. Of course, he softened up a bit after I called him that. I knew he wanted to make sure I was safe, but there was a limit to being protective. I went to sleep that night feeling more secure than I have in a long time. I knew that Draco would keep me safe from Eric. But I wasn't sure what Draco would do if we were put in a confrontation with Eric.
~*~Draco POV~*~
I honestly didn't trust this Eric guy. I mean, he sounded like an arrogant git to me. I don't understand why anyone would want to cheat on a girl like Hermione. I knew I wouldn't be able to control my temper if we had a run in with this guy. It would take more self-control than I am capable of to keep myself from pounding him into a pulp. But I didn't want Hermione to see that side of me. That was the side that I was trying to get away from. But on the other hand, I want Hermione to accept all of me, even the evil side of me. I knew that I would not let her out of my sight this weekend. I would do everything in my power to keep her from being hurt. She doesn't deserve to take any crap from this guy, Eric. My fists clenched even at the mention of his name. Sleep did not come easily for me tonight, but I knew that I would have to be fully alert for tomorrow. I didn't know what time this guy was coming, but I had to be prepared. If he hurts her in any way this weekend, he will pay...oh yes...he will pay dearly.
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next chapter: Eric makes his appearance
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