Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING THAT YOU RECOGNIZE!
Disclaimer 2: This is my first attempt, and I want alll criticism! no holding back! i want to know if it totally blows! Thanks! Da Goose
a/n: THIS IS REALLY LONG! over 2800 words! yay! (will be the longest ever in my story!)
I got in bed thinking about what I was going to tell everyone tomorrow. "Oh no! Hagrid!" I sat up in bed remember the conversation with him after dinner.'Tomorrow he's going to have a bad full of poison ivy. I'm going to have to tell them all right after class. And Hagrid too I guess. I'll ask Draco in the morning if he's okay with it.' I rolled over falling into a dreamless sleep.
"Umph! Oh, hello Crookshanks. Time to get up huh? You know you could just nudge me instead of jumping on my stomach, that kind of hurt." The cat just stared at me so I picked him up and placed him on the bed and got up to get ready for the day. I showered in my private bathroom and changed into my school uniform. I walked out into the common room and found Draco sitting on the couch reading a book.
"What are you reading?" He looked up and smiled at me, a real smile, not a smirk and my breath caught.
"Nothing really. It's just a book I picked up in the library about familiars. After dinner I went up to library and picked it up." I nodded and then remembered I never asked him what he and Gidea had talked about.
"So what was up last night with you and Gidea? You seemed a bit upset. Was something wrong?" He closed his book and looked thoughtful for a moment as if trying to decide what he should tell me.
"Not really, but you'll find out eventually." he said giving me a vague answer just as Gidea had. I pondered on that for a moment, 'What was going on?' but then remember about Hagrid.
"Draco, I forgot last night but Hagrid was supposed to give us poison ivy for those boxer shorts but since that's not going to happen, I'm going to have to give Hagrid some kind of explanation. Should I tell him too? Or not?"
Draco thought for a minute and then answered. "You can tell him but I'm not sure he'll believe you. He may want to write as well, or maybe just talk to Dumbledore. He doesn't like me much because of the hippogriff incident. I feel really bad about that. He really loved that bird but I wasn't sure it was a good thing to have at school I mean the scratch on my arm was pretty deep, it left a scar." He pulled up his sleeve and showed the scarred gash on his arm. "After I saw how much the bird meant to him I wanted my father to take off the execution sentence, maybe just but him in a preserve or something but he wouldn't listen."
He finished and I was watching his face change from the remorse at his actions to bitter anger at his father. 'I cannot believe he's changed so much. Or maybe I just never knew him.' I walked over and sat next to him on the couch giving him a hug. "Thank you." I whispered.
"For what?" he scoffed. "I almost got the hipogriff killed."
"For caring that you almost got the hippogriff killed." He gave me a small smile and pulled me closer to him on the couch. He rested his chin on the top of my head.
"Oh I forgot to tell you. I got up early this morning and wrote a letter to Tonks. I told her that you would write too but that at that point you were still sleeping. I'll probably get an answer back at breakfast. Hey Hermione, have I told you that I'm really happy you decided you'd be my girlfriend?"
I grinned and said back, "Hey Draco, have I told you that I'm really happy you asked me to be your girlfriend?" He shook his and kissed my hair. I looked at the clock and figured it was time to go to breakfast. "Draco, I'm going to head down for breakfast. Are you coming down?"
"Yeah, let's go." We got off the couch and were walking toward the tunnel that led to the Great Hall when he clasped my hand and intertwined his fingers with mine. I smiled and gave him a quick kiss of the check. After we'd gone through the portrait and were in the little study Draco stopped and pulled me to him in a big hug. "I'm sorry I can't do this out there yet. But you're right, you need to tell them first. Before we venture into the hall can kiss you?" I nodded smiling and he pulled back a little in our hug so he could reach me. He only gave me a small kiss but it was perfect and my entire body became alive. We left the room together but sadly no longer touching. Behind me I heard the lady in the portrait say to the man, "What a nice couple they make."
I walked to my normal table and sat down next to Neville who was already sitting there. "What wrong Neville?" I asked curiously at the look of hopelessness on his face. He looked up at the sound of his name and smiled feebly at me.
"Nothing really. I was just working on that potions essay and am having a hard time."
"Oh, I can help you. I know I'm not there to help you in class anymore but I can help outside of class. If you want we can ask Snape if we can use the classroom for extra practice for you...well maybe not Snape. Maybe McGonagall will let us use her classroom." Neville brighten and began to eat his breakfast with renewed vigor. "Oh and Neville, after Car of Magical Creature I need to talk you, Ron, and Harry. Is that okay?" I picked up a piece of toast buttered it and started eating.
Neville nodded, "The only other thing I have to do today besides that class is my essay so that's fine. Besides if you're talking to Harry and Ron, who could help me?" He gave a small chuckle and went back to his breakfast. I was looking for Ron and Harry when a large tawny owl with what seemed like a purple mohawk flew past me. I turned to watch the bird and landed in front of a surprised Draco. It dropped at purple enveloped letter that matched the mohawk. 'Seriously who put give their owl a purple...' then the light dawned, 'Who else but Tonks."
I watched Draco laugh at the outrageous bird give it some toast and then it flew away, He picked up the envelope and pulled out a bubble gum pink letter. Draco reading the letter, laughed and put it back into the envelope and looked up searching for someone it seemed. Apparently me, because when he saw me watching him he motioned toward the study the headed toward our rooms and rising from the table went inside. I turned to Neville who hadn't noticed a thing, "Neville could you tell Ron and Harry when you see them that I want to talk to all three of you outside after Hagrid's class?" Neville nodded and I excused myself.
When I got into the study Draco was already there with the portrait open waiting for me. I opened my mouth to ask what the letter said but he held up a hand and beckoned for me to follow him. We went back into the common room and sat on the couch we had just ten minutes before occupied. "Well?" I asked impatiently. He picked up the letter and began to read out loud putting on a falsetto voice.
", 'Draco Malfoy, what do you mean she's still sleeping? You mean to tell me that not only did you tell her that you have feelings for her but also got her into bed and then left her there?' " He looked up and laughed at the shocked expression on my face. "No, wait it get's better. 'First of all young man if you sleep with someone right after you tell them such things no good can come of it! And for that matter, you shouldn't be sleeping with anyone! You're only seventeen and definitely are not married! If you get that girl pregnant I swear I'm coming to Hogwarts and kicking your ass.' Can't you see her doing that too?" he asked me laughing.
"Yeah I can." I laughed and thought of Tonks and her crazy hair stomping through the halls. "Is there more or does she just keep yelling at you?"
"No, no there's more. 'Besides the kicking your ass bit I'm so happy for you! I cannot believe you've finally told her and a good thing to because I was getting tired of...' Um, maybe you don't want to hear this part." He looked at me.
"No, I want to here all of it, good or bad. My impression of you won't lessen I promise."
He took and deep breath, "Okay, 'I was getting tired of you talking about her all the time. You just went on and on about her and then when she didn't ever come to headquarters over the summer you moped around. I cannot believe how unlike your parents you are in that aspect. They couldn't care less or others and I don't think they really liked each other. I'm so happy you've found someone you truly care for and you are getting your chance. I'm proud of you Draco, you've changed and mostly because of her.' That's it. Well besides a postscript that reiterates that if I get you pregnant I'm pretty much going to die." He looked up at me with a vulnerability that made me throw my arms around him drawing him into hug that probably could have broken bones.
"I told you my impression of you wouldn't lessen. Instead I care for you even more. She's right about everything and I'm proud too." I gave him a small kiss and another hug. He pulled me tighter to him and whispered, "Thank you for caring, you don't know how much it means to me." We sat there for a while just hugging when Crookshanks jumped onto my lap. I looked at clock and realized that if we didn't leave in a few minutes we'd be late for class. I grabbed my bag, Draco grabbed his and together we went down to Hagrid's hut.
When we got down there not even half of the class was there. Harry and Ron weren't there yet but Neville was, so I said goodbye to Draco and went over to stand next him. "Hey Neville." I said watching as he scrambled through his bag evidently searching every hard for something. "Lost something?"
"Yeah. I was trying to find my copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them but it's seemed to disappear. Hagrid lent it to me over the summer and I wanted to return it but I must have left it in the room." He gave up his search and looked up me, then frowned. "Something's different. What happened? There's some kind of weird glow about you."
I simply smiled and said, "I'll tell you, Harry, Ron and Hagrid after class." I turned away from his curious expression to look back up towards the castle searching for Ron and Harry. They were rapidly running from the castle to Hagrid's hut. They were both out of breath when they got there but they weren't the only ones. Crabbe and Goyle were still about one hundred yards away but they weren't hurrying.
When the whole class was finally there Hagrid finally appeared out of his hut. "G'mornin' class" he said cheerfully. "Now to begin the year we're going to talk about something v'ry tame but something v'ry useful. Last night all of you were visited by yer guardian and learned about familiars. This morning the Headmaster came to see me and told me of something very interesting that hasn't happened before." He paused and looked straight at me. 'Uh-oh! Why do I have the feeling that I'm going to have to give an impromptu presentation.'
"Someone in this here school has already found their familiar even though they haven't yet graduated. Now you may or may not known that a familiar cannot speak until after their master has finished their schooling. Since their third year one of the students in yer class has had their familiar with 'hem. The only one known to have found their familiar so early. I'd like ter ask her to tell you a little bit about it. Hermione?" All eyes turned to stare at me and Ron who'd been standing slightly at me turned around and his mouth was hanging open.
I walked forward to stand next to Hagrid and took a deep breath. "Sure Hagrid, I wished you would have told me though, I could have brought Crookshanks with me." At that very moment out of the bushes sprang Crookshanks and he landed on the stump next to me. I looked at Hagrid surprised but he was just as surprised as I was and shook his head that he didn't do it. "Well. As you can tell, Crookshanks knows when I need him, even before I do. In the weeks before our third year started I bought Crookshanks. His forlorn and sad gaze hooked me and I knew that I had to buy him. That year was the year that Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban. Many of you now know since Fudge finally admitted that Voldemort," there was a loud gasp but I continued on, "was back that other things have happened too. Sirius Black is innocent, framed by the man who sold out Harry's parents to Voldemort and then faked his own death, Peter Pettigrew. Pettigrew was an animagus and was disguised as Ron's rat Scabbers.
Crookshanks never liked him. He'd spit and hiss and claw at him because he knew he was no good. He saw Scabbers for what he was and even helped Sirius get into the castle. Not so he could go after Harry like everyone though but so that Sirius could get Pettigrew. You see, Crookshanks wasn't just protecting me, he was protecting my friends." I reached down and scratched behind Crookshanks ears and he purred. "Had it not been for Crookshanks I don't know what would have happened in our third year but I can guarantee you it would not have been good." I finished and looked around at the students surrounding me, as were Harry and Ron.
We watched people's faces as they learned the truth. I searched and found Draco's face. He was smiling at me and he looked...proud. Tentatively Lavender Brown raised her hand. "Yes, Lavender?" Hagrid asked.
Lavender blushed and looked at her toes, "Actually I wanted to ask Hermione if it was okay if I petted Crookshanks? He deserves so much more for all he's done but I don't have type of treat with me..." She trailed off still looking at her shoes and I smiled at her even though she couldn't see me.
"Of course you can Lavender." She looked up, saw me smiling at her and grinned back. She came right up, let Crookshanks sniff her hand and then began to pet his head. He nuzzled against her hand and she laughed. "May I pet him too?" I looked up in surprise and saw Draco standing beside Lavender. I nodded and he let Crookshanks sniff him just as Lavender had. But Crookshanks who'd seen Draco for the past few days jumped up into his arms and curled into him purring. Draco laughed and scratched Crookshanks ears before handing him back to me smiling.
Harry, Ron, and Neville were staring at Draco and I could just imagine them wonder, 'Did Draco Malfoy just laugh and pet a cat?' I smiled and looked up at Hagrid who was gaping at Draco too. After Hagrid dismissed the class I asked Hagrid if he wouldn't mind talking with me, Harry, Neville, and Ron for a couple minutes. He said of course and we all went into his hut where Fang bounded straight into Ron as he headed for Neville whom he hadn't met before.
After we'd all settled down at Hagrid's large table I started to get nervous and decided to just jump right into it. "Alright. So, Draco Malfoy is a good guy, he's changed, and I can't do the poison ivy thing." They all gaped again in disbelief, this time at me. I took a deep breath and went on. "Last night Draco and I had a long talk about things that had happened to him. He's left his house and sent the summer at the Order's headquarters. Ron's parents, Tonks, Sirius, and everyone else was sworn to secrecy so they couldn't tell us. You can write to them and verify if you want to. You could even ask Dumbldore! He knows all about it! Really, he's okay."
They all stared at me as if I had three heads then Harry said slowly still staring at me. "Hermione...Sirius has been dead for two years."
Hawaiian-Rachael , I'm glad you liked it! I hope you liked this one as well!
Natty, thanks, I like the quote, it's hott, and i'm really glad you like my story, and thanks! I hope you like this one too though!
Michelle Felton, it's all good, besides, what good is criticism if you don't get a bit of encouragement to make you want to go on!
Soralover020, welcome, thanks!
Gothhottie, thanks! I hope it was worth the wait!
Ray, don't you just want to hug him? no problem, i took a long to update anyway!
stefix3, thanks i'm glad you enjoyed it!
Blu Kali, geez are you trying to get him killed, but don't worry there's too much history there for the transition between the three to be peacful
LunaMarshal, here's more for ya! thank you for the compliment! i'm glad to know that people like it!
Lady of the Moon, thanks! i hope you have something for me this time, with over 2800 words, i had to have messed up somewhere :)
Badbunny , welcome! I updated! Did ya like it?
Jaleo, thanks! I'm glad you liked it! I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Laura, if you reread the fifth book, you'll see that in chapter 6(p.113 in the american book) that Tonk's mom and Malfoy's mom are sisters, so they are cousins! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and welcome to the story!
Artemisia, it is a great way isn't it? I wouldn't mind being asked out like that...big long formal question :) thanks! i know this doesn't go too much into there reactions but my mind stopped working! so i hope to finish the next chapter within the next couple days complete with reactions!
TheMostSacredGiftOfTheDevil , welcome, but in my story he's really not all that bad to begin with...but everyone has a slip up once in a while! ;)
Filthy x Gorgeous, they are just adorable:)