Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter…wish I did…but I don't…sigh
Author's Note: So sorry this wasn't up yesterday. But I'm having a bit of writer's block. I know where I want the story to go, but don't know how to get there, guess we'll just see.. Anywho! On ward we go!…
525,600 Minutes: In Truths That She Learned, or in Times That He Cried-
-Chapter Twenty-One
Hermione sat on a rock at the frozen lake's edge. She had just gotten back from spending Christmas morning with her mother at St. Mungo's. It was now 1:00 and the sun was brightly shining, though it had no effect in warming up the cold air. A thick blanket of snow covered the ground, making it impossible to walk. A chilly wind swept through the air and Hermione clutched her cloak tighter around her.
Despite that fact that her father was gone, Hermione couldn't help but feel calm and at peace. Perhaps it was because it was Christmas, she would never know. She knew, that she now accepted that he was truly gone, but in all reality he never would be. She had her locket to thank for that realization. Involuntarily, she grabbed the locket that now hung around her neck.
Another breeze ran through the air, but it wasn't cold like expected, it was warm, still, Hermione gave a small shudder.
Unexpectedly, two arms reached around her shoulders, grabbing her in a hug from behind.
"Cold?" a familiar drawl asked.
"No." Hermione replied simply, smirking as she turned around.
"Happy Christmas." Draco said, placing a light kiss on her lips.
"Happy Christmas to you too." Hermione replied, pulling back.
"What's this?" Malfoy asked, holding the pendant of her necklace in his palm.
"A present, from my parents." Hermione said happily.
"It's very nice." Malfoy said, unsure of what to say. Hermione surprised him by slightly giggling at the his lack of words. Malfoy raised an eyebrow at her.
They sat in silence for a few minutes before Hermione had an idea. "Let's go skating." she said, referring to the lake before them.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. Let's go skating."
"For some one who's smart and Head Girl, you're missing a very important factor. We don't have skates." Malfoy said, smirking.
Hermione turned her head towards him. "For some one who's smart and Head Boy," she mocked, "you're missing a very important factor. We have wands." with that being said, Hermione pulled her wand out of her pocket and conjured two pairs of skates out of no where.
"How did you-" Malfoy had never seen someone his age do that before.
"Honestly, doesn't anyone read our text books." she said nonchalantly as she pulled off her shoes and began to put on the ice skates.
"Only a bookworm like yourself."
Hermione snapped her head up from looking at her skates when she heard the comment and her mouth dropped. Malfoy wasn't looking at her, but she could see the trace of a smirk on his face. Hermione smiled as she grabbed a handful of snow and threw it as hard as she could at Malfoy.
Hermione opened the doors to the Great Hall, and found that she was the last student to turn up for the feast. Instead of the usual four house tables sitting in the room there was one large table. Professor Dumbledore sat in the middle, with Professor McGonagall and Snape on his sides. Professors Sprout and Flitwick sat next to them. The rest of the seats were filled by two Ravenclaws, three Hufflepuffs, and four Slytherins, which included Draco. All heads turned towards Hermione as she quickly sat in the last seat at the end of the table across from Malfoy.
"Happy Christmas," Dumbledore said, slightly rising from his seat. Everyone muttered a 'Happy Christmas' in response.
"Since there is only few of us here this holiday I though it would be nice for everyone to sit together. The Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs, and Hermione looked around the table, smiling at everyone. The four Slytherins, however, did not like the idea of sharing a table with such people. "But enough of my rambling. Tuck in!" with that being said, food appeared on the table.
The clattering of forks and knives on plates filled the air as happy chatting began to rise amongst the students and the teachers.
"Mum and Dad said that over the summer we're going the states! New York!" Terry Boot exclaimed.
"Oh, the Mandrakes are coming along nicely, but it's the Hicklepickles that I'm worried about. It's been so cold lately they turned blue."
"Perhaps, if you moved them to a different Green House. One in more sunlight."
"I've tried Minerva. But with the clouds constantly shifting, it's rather hard to."
"…and I got this really neat watch. It tells you the time, your mood, and what kind of day your having.." the Hufflepuff next to Hermione said to her friends.
"Wus vis?" Malfoy asked Hermione through a mouthful of food while he picked up the book that she brought with her. He didn't care if he was talking to her in public, there weren't that many students and they weren't paying attention anyways.
"A book," Hermione replied over the rim of her goblet before she took a drink.
Malfoy narrowed his eyes at her. "Yes, I can see that. I meant, what's the title." Hermione smirked. "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West." Malfoy said under his breath.
"Yes, it's a very interesting book." But Hermione could tell that Malfoy was hardly listening for he was reading the back synopsis. Once he finished reading the back he began to flip through the book. Reading a few lines here and there.
As she watched her boyfriend skim the pages of her book Hermione was overcome with a sense of dé já vu. All to suddenly Hermione realized something that she hadn't for months. Unexpectedly she reached across the table and grabbed her book from Malfoy's hands.
"Hey, what was that for?" he asked, looking at Hermione's smirk.
"Well, I took my book back before you could take another one of mine."
Malfoy raised an eyebrow and smirked in understanding.
"I want my book back, by the way." Hermione added.
"I'll give it to you. Don't worry."
"Then we can get it after the feast." Hermione said thoughtfully.
"I never said I would give it back so soon."
"What! Then when am I supposed to get it back!"
Malfoy feigned thoughtfulness, before plastering a huge smirk on his face. "When you forget that I have it."
The day after Christmas Hermione was making her way to breakfast when a voice stopped her.
"Hermione! Hey, Hermione!" Hermione turned around to see Tonks at the other end of the corridor, coming towards her.
"Hi Tonks!" Hermione never referred to Tonks as Professor unless she was in class, but Tonks didn't mind.
"Having a good holiday?" Tonks asked, as she approached the girl.
"I've had better." she replied, referring to her father. Tonks nodded. "But it's still been great." she added, with a reassuring smile. "What about yours? How is your holiday going?"
"Oh wonderful!" Tonks exclaimed, a very large girlish grin on her face.
"Tonks, you're beaming." said Hermione, catching on to her friends ecstatic state. "What's happened."
If it was humanly possible, Tonks smile grew. "Remus and I are going to be married!"
"What!" Hermione smiled in shock and happiness.
"Yes, he proposed last night."
"Oh Tonks! That's wonderful!" Hermione said, engulfing Tonks in a hug.
The holidays were passing quickly and before Hermione knew it, it was already a new year.
Hermione and Malfoy didn't have to hide their relationship over the break. They were able to walk around the halls and grounds holding hands and talking about anything. There were so few students that they hardly encountered anyone and when they did Hermione simply ignored them and Malfoy gave them a if-you-tell-anyone-I'll-personally-hunt-you-down look. But it's not like the person they passed actually ever noticed, for they were usually engrossed in a conversation with a friend.
On New Year's day Hermione found herself lying on her belly by the lake, reading. Her book propped up against Malfoy's leg, who was leaning against a large rock, twirling a twig in his fingers. The two were hidden from view; true, they were able to freely walk around, but privacy was privacy.
The constantly moving clouds above hinted that it would be snowing soon. A wind moved the trees, sweeping through the forest and across the lake. A small whirl wind of snow, picked up and headed straight for the sky. Hermione grabbed her cloak and pulled it tighter around her, which proved to be difficult since she was lying down. Once she was situated she went back to her reading.
Another gust of wind swept by and Hermione felt herself stiffen in an attempt to keep warm and gave a small shudder. Suddenly, she felt a hand running through her hair, moving down her neck, and resting on her shoulder. Rubbing it to keep her warm. She looked up and saw Malfoy staring at her, attentively. Without saying anything, simply smiling, Hermione rolled onto her back, resting her head on Malfoy's leg, placed her book on her chest and continued reading.
Muffled talking could be heard approaching their hidden spot. The talking steadily grew louder and the sound of feet trying to desperately walk through the snow filled the air.
"Well, they didn't like the fact that I broke my wand," each word grew louder and louder. "but they said they'd buy me a new one. They going to owl Dumbledore and ask him to let me leave school before school starts." It was the voice of one of the three Hufflepuff first years.
"I still can't believe you broke your wand." another said.
"Yeah, I know. But Mum says that's what we get for not buying from Mr. Ollivander in the first place…"
The students passed but the last words that the one talking spoke rang in Hermione's mind as if they were still there. 'from Mr. Ollivander's in the first place….' Hermione stared blankly at the pages of her book. ..Mr. Ollivander's in the first place…Mr. Ollivander's…The words swirled in Hermione's mind. Mr. Ollivander's…confirmed it with Mr. Ollivander earlier today…Mr. Ollivander earlier today…Mr. Ollivander…
How could she have been so stupid!
"My wand.." Hermione said, under her breath, placing her book down.
"What was that?" Malfoy asked, stopping the act of rubbing Hermione's shoulder…
"Malfoy…my wand…" she sat up and took out her wand carefully, holding it before her as if it were ancient. "My wand…."
Author's Note: Ok, I know, not exactly the longest chapter in the whole wide world….but it's all I've got.
Exploded toilet bowl: Well, she got the present from her parents because…it's hard to explain. When ever J.K. Rowling writes about Christmas at Hogwarts the presents are always at the foot of their beds on Christmas morning. So I kinda assumed that they were magically transported there….if that makes any sense…it did in my mind…I promise. 'Loverly'! My Fair Lady…right? Good movie, good movie….Well, Thanks for the review!
Spork Princess: You're referring to the Rupert thing, right? Yeah it was funny, I read over that line like five times….he he he..Thanks for the review!
Queen of Duct Tape: Hey! You're in band too? What instruments do you play? Have fun in Seattle and at your grandparents and camping! (My, your busy) Oh, and of course at band camp! Thanks for the review!
natyslacks: yes, Malfoy has a nice side…and yes Dramione love rules once again! As it should!…lol…Thanks for the review!
mrsbnm-of09: I get what you're saying….nope I update one chapter at a time…just one chapter a day….well, Thanks for reviewing!
rina: It's hard to say how many more chapters there's going to be. But if I had to say, it would be no more than ten…but then again, I have no idea….Thanks for the review.
eee: I do agree, their relationship was slow, but I feel things are starting to pick up now..how about you? Thanks for the review!
bloody heart: Glad to hear it! At least I know you're not bored. lol Thanks for the review..
Draco's-Ice-Princess666: I'll check it out…thanks for reviewing!
Melanie-Chan: You cried? Oh…I….'m at loss for words….Thanks for the review!
shadow: lol Hi and welcome to my story. That you so much for your compliments. They truly mean a lot. Thank you for reviewing!
Phylicia13: Whoot! Band Geek! That's so cool! Holy wow, you play a lot of instruments. I play oboe in concert band, (I start on Flute, but hardly play anymore), and I'm entering my second year as Drum Major in marching band. I can semi play the piano and drums (thanks for my father) but not really…lol…Thanks for reviewing!
Aria: Welcome to the story! Thanks for the compliments. Eek! Wicked and Rent! I listen to the sound tracks constantly too (Thank Goodness is playing as I type) Idina is the best! Lol…thanks for the review!
lweb: Glad you like Tonks being a teacher. More on Draco and Hermione will be coming. As for Ryn being a death eater, whether she truly is or not….I don't want to give a lot away…so sorry about that one. Are you referring to the book of Hermione's that Draco has? Hope this chapter cleared up about that…thanks for the review!
defygravity13: First off, I love the name (tis my favorite song)! Wicked! Yes, I have listened to Wicked…it's constantly playing at my house and in my mind…lol…Wicked is everywhere around me…and Rent is equally amazing, when Wicked isn't playing it's Rent. Can't get enough of either of em…Thanks for the compliments and the review!
Happy Hyper Bunny Lover: Hey CB, nice to see you again! Yeah, I know what you mean. Yeah, the thing with Draco and his Dad was cliché, but what's a bit of writing with out cliché…but I think I was able to change the reasons behind it, just a little, what do you think? I would answer your questions about Ryn, but I don't want to give anything away about that…sorry…Yeah, an otter. Wasn't my idea…twas J.K.'s she mentioned it in OotP. During the D.A. meetings. Well, thanks for the reviews!
Hermyyy: Hiya! Cried? Wow…I'm at a loss of words…Thanks for your review!
Maria, DMHg 2GETHER 4EVER, PurpleXPrincess: Thank you all for your wonderful reviews! I truly appreciate it!
All of you are absolutely ahmahzing! I was looking at my review count and saw that I had 206! I couldn't believe it! Thank you all so much for all of those wonderful reviews! You guys are the best!
More to come soon!
The Lonely Goatherd