Enemy, Friend, or Lover

..The Christmas Eve Party..

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"You're Hermione aren't you?"

"Yes," Hermione answered the tall skinny woman standing in front of her.

"I've heard a lot about you, Hermione."

"Sarah, don't you scare her off," Draco said from behind Hermione. Hermione whipped around and looked up at him as he smiled down at her.

"I'm not, Draco. I'm just talking."

"I'm going to steal her for a little while. Will you dance with me?" Draco asked Hermione.

"Um, sure."

He smiled at her and took her hand, leading her to the dance floor. The song was slow and so Hermione stepped closer to him. She laid a hand on his shoulder the other Draco was holding.

"You look beautiful," Draco whispered into her ear.

"Thank you," Hermione whispered back. Hermione let go of Draco's hand and snaked her hand around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder.

Draco's hands went on her back and he held on to her. He slightly leaned back and looked down into her eyes.

Slowly his mouth came down on hers. His lips were so soft. A spark ran through them both and was still there when they parted.

He rested his forehead against hers.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered again but this time his voice was a little hoarse.

"You already said that."

"And I'll say it again. My, god! You're gorgeous!"

Hermione blushed and leaned back into his body and let him lead her. His one hand made circles at the small of her back, the other up higher on her bare back, holding her close.

"I see you're wearing the ring."

Hermione smiled. "Yeah. Your mom made me feel bad and now every time she sees us she smiles."

"That's Mom."

"She's really pretty."

"Yeah, I know. That's where I get my good looks."

Hermione snorted softly. "Yeah, right."

"Oh, I know you think I'm good looking'!" he said as he leaned back to look at her. "I know you what you're thinking right now."

The mood went from happy to serious.

"What's that?"

"How you want me to kiss you."

"Then why don't you do it instead of telling me."

Draco leaned his head back down and kissed her softly. Hermione melted right into him. Her knees buckled and Draco pulled her closer so close that Hermione felt as if she was wrapped tightly in a soft blanket. But this blanket was Draco.

Hermione put a hand on his chest and leaned back a little bit, separating their lips.

"What's wrong?" Draco asked, searching her eyes.

"I can't. I just feel weird."

"Like in wrong?" Draco asked. He thought that she felt weird with him. Oh-no!

"No, of course not! I just need a break."

Draco backed away, knowing that she was going to blow him off again. "Why do you do this to me?"

"No, Draco," Hermione pleaded. "I don't mean to! I'm just . . . I'm just scared."

"Do you think I'm not? I'm so scared and confused! You keep playing hot and cold! I don't know what to do!"

"Please, don't get mad!"

"Don't get mad? How can I not, Hermione?"

Hermione looked down then back at him. "Please," her voice broke she tried again. "Please, can you just hold me?"

Draco looked at her and then stepped closer to her. He opened her arms and she stepped in them. She laid her head back on his shoulder and his arms went around her waist.

They danced for a little while until Hermione excused herself to the washroom.

When she came back she spotted Draco near the bar smiling down at a pretty girl. She smiled at Draco and laughed at something he said. She lightly swatted his arm and blushed.

She put her glass of wine down and stepped towards him. Her body almost brushing his, she leaned in and whispered something in her ear.

Draco laughed out loud and looked down at her. Then the laughter left his eyes and the girl leaned up and kissed him.

Hermione turned away. Why did it even bother her? She didn't even like him. Yeah, right, Hermione. You like him and you know it! she told herself. Hermione looked back at them one last time and then quickly look away, walking fast outside to side by the fountain.

….…………

"Hey, what are you doing?" Draco asked as he pushed Shantell away from him.

"What do you think I'm doing? I'm kissing you." she smiled up at him and leaned her small body into his.

"Let's not, okay? I'm getting married soon, Shantell. So why don't you go back from where you came from and leave me alone?" Draco asked and rudely pushed past her.

"But-" he heard her say as he walked away. Was Hermione still in the powder room or was she on the floor?

Draco looked for her but didn't find her. He looked outside but didn't see her.

"Mother? Have you seen Hermione?" he asked when he spotted his mom.

"No, dear. What did you do to her now?"

"Nothing, she just had to use the washroom so I went to get us drinks." Draco told her as he searched the crowed of people. He went outside again and looked. He went to the garden and seen her by the fountain. She had a glass of wine in her hands and looked down at it as she swirled it around in her glass.

"Hermione?" he asked as he came up to her. She didn't look up but only licked her lips. "You alright?"

Hermione put on a fake smile. "Yeah, fine. Just a small stomach ache."

"Oh, well do you want to go inside?" Hermione just shook her head. "Okay. Then we'll sit here."

Hermione didn't answer him so he sat down beside her and looked at her hands.

What was wrong with her? Why did she always have stomach aches all of a sudden?

"Hey, Draco," came a voice. Draco looked up from Hermione's hands and looked to find Cole standing there.

"Cole."

"What's up?" He asked.

"Nothing. Just enjoying the night."

"Nice night. Hi, Hermione." he said then added, "Lanna."

Hermione looked up from her glass and smiled politely at him. "Cole. Sorry I don't know you're last name but I really don't care what it is."

Cole gave her a slight glare and turned back to Draco.

"Can I asked you guys something?" Cole asked. He didn't wait for an answer just kept on talking. "When you two getting married?"

Draco looked at Cole evenly and answered with, "I don't know. When you and Pansy getting married?"

Hermione snapped her head over to Cole, a smile on her lips. "Pansy?" she asked.

Cole glared at her and turned around. He shook his head and walked away from them.

"Oh, yeah," Cole said over his shoulder, "You two have to go home."

Hermione got up and started to slowly walk to the patio, Draco right behind her.

All four of them left as people smiled a Merry Christmas.

Hermione and Draco headed straight for their bedroom.

Draco took his shirt and pants off and laid them neatly on a chair. He went to the bathroom and done his business and then let Hermione in. She went to the bathroom, brushed her teeth, washed her face then went out to change into her nightwear. She pulled her dress over her head, her back to Draco. She pulled an old long t-shirt on and climbed in her side of the bed after turning off the light.

Draco moved over and swung his arm around her waist. Hermione stiffened but didn't move away.

Hermione threw back the covers and sat up. "I have to use the washroom," she told Draco and got up. Shutting the door behind her, Hermione went over to the toilet and sat on the lid. She put her face in her hands and took a few deep breathes.

"Okay, just pretend he's not there," she whispered to herself. But how if his arms always around me? Hermione grumbled to herself then got up. She went to the door and opened it. Shutting off the light, Hermione went back over to her side of the bed and slid back in.

Again, Draco moved closer to her.

Hermione turned around to face him. "Do you always sleep in the middle of the bed?"

"Yes. I can't help it. There's no point of sleeping on one side of the bed when you're by yourself."

"Well you're not now. So, if you don't mind, move over."

"Damn, what bit your butt?"

"Nothing. Now, move."

"Fine!" He moved over and left her alone for about one minute. "Can I ask you why you're mad at me?"

"I'm not." Hermione said.

"You are so."

"If I were, I wouldn't be talking to you right now."

"You aren't. I'm talking and you're arguing."

"Okay, I'm sorry."

"Good." Then he moved back over and laid his hand on her side.

Hermione grabbed his hand and threw it off her side.

"Oh, come on! Will you stop this?" Hermione just ignored him and closed her eyes. Draco put a hand on her stomach and rolled her on her back. Leaning over her, he said, "Why are you ignoring me."

Hermione looked up at him. "I'm not. I just don't want to talk right now."

"Well you're gonna talk. What has made you so upset?"

Hermione looked away an mumbled an, "I don't know."

Draco cupped her chin and pulled her face over to look at him. "You do so know. Why wont you tell me?"

"Because there's nothing to tell you." She took his hand off her chin and rolled over.

"What's got you so pissed off?" Draco asked, his temper sky high. He rolled her onto her back and pinned her to the bed. He had her wrist in a too tight grip and his legs on either side of hers.

"You . . . !" Hermione told him and wrestling to get him off her. He loosened her wrists and Hermione got her left wrist free. Pushing his shoulder, Draco rolled off of her.

Hermione sat up and looked at the door.

"What did I do?" Draco asked.

"Never mind," Hermione mumbled and laid back down in a ball.

Draco looked down at her. Then after a moment he laid back down himself.

Draco just lie there, wondering what she meant. What did he do?

"I seen you . . . and her."

"And her . . . ? Oh, her! But, I still don't get it."

"What's not to get?" Hermione snapped. She sat back up and sat in the chair, facing the warm fireplace. "You're sitting there, asking for me to give you a chance. I was giving you a chance, Draco. But . . ."

"But what, Hermione?" Draco got out of the bed and walked to the chair.

"But you found someone who'd take you just like that. How do you think I felt? You were being nice to me and then the next thing I know you're snogging this beautiful girl."

"I was not!" Draco told her.

Hermione shot up out of the chair. "Oh, don't you dare try to deny it! I was watching you!"

"Hermione, I would never do that to you! She kissed me!"

"Oh, and like you tried to stop her."

"I did! But of course, like always you only listen to the first part and run, not caring to hear the other half. It wasn't my fault! She basically threw herself at me."

Hermione looked at him. He pushed her away? Oh, shit!

"You see, Hermione. I would never do that to you! Why can't you understand that?"

"Because that was you're personality. It just seemed so much like you."

"But, you know it's not."

Hermione looked down. "I know." Then she looked back up. "I'm sorry. I really am."

Draco walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her. "It's okay. Don't worry about it. But next time, just tell me okay?" He leaned back and looked down at her. "Okay?" he asked again.

Hermione nodded. "Okay."

"Good. Now lets get back into bed." And they did. Draco pulled Hermione's body snug against his own and kept his arm tightly around her throughout the night.

………………

Hey. Thanks for reviewing.

Chebetta.