Author's note: Hey guys! I know.. I know, there hasn't been much action in the last chapters. I know, i know, it's been kind of boring. But trust me, now that i have most of the plot down, i'tll be more and more interesting from now on. So please stick with me. Now: here is chapter five! p.s. I love reviews.
Unable to withhold her enthusiasm, Hermione set off to search for the library. The stairs she used from her bedroom to the ground floor was only two flights, so Hermione began looking for another set of stairs. She found one at the other end of the mansion. This one, instead, did not reach the 2nd floor with the bedrooms, but instead, skipped to the 3rd and 4th floor, obviously used for guests and company.
At the 3rd floor, Hermione found herself at a long hallway. Opening the first door, it revealed a cozy sitting room. The next door, to Hermione's surprise, consisted of a canvas, paint, knitting corner, pottery, and other art supplies. The next few doors revealed a stargazing room with a telescope, another sitting room, a room with a piano, a family-honor room filled with pictures and prized-family antiques, two study rooms equipped with large desks, several bathrooms, and finally, the library.
Hermione's eyes bulged. This was no library; this was a miracle! The floor was this remarkable golden brown pattern; the ceiling was a dome that rose into the air. "I think I've found what one of the towers here are." She hadn't entered from the two large glass doors yet, almost afraid to step in.
She did anyway. Hermione felt her fingers itch to run over the many hardbound books. Stepping into the first isle, she let her hand gently stroke a row of mysterious, prestigious books. Walking slowly, she carried herself aisle after aisle, occasionally pulling out a book and reading the summary on the back. In an hour, a stack of books was found on one of the desks at the edge of the wall. Titles such as "The Fantastic Aspects of the Wizarding World", "Learning To Read" and "The History of Elves" piled one on top of another. On another desk, a rather larger pile of books could be seen. Hermione herself was hidden behind them, her nose following page after page of her already 'to-read' books.
Stretching, Hermione got up and looked at the clock. To her surprise, several hours have passed. Leaving her other novels at the desk, she placed a bookmark in her current book and headed back out of the library. Humming quietly to herself, she descended the many stairs, crossed the Malfoy Manor, and climbed back up to her room. She placed her hardback lovingly on the nightstand beside her bed. Glancing at the clock, it was 5:00. She smiled, a thought suddenly occurring to her. She quickly changed into jeans and a tank top, grabbed her ponytail holder, and ran out of her room. Arriving outside, she headed towards the stables.
The musty smell of horses drifted into her nose. Hermione smiled, her cousin lived on a farm and every other summer they visited her family. One of her favorite things to do was to go horse back riding every other day. Various horses stood in front of her, one by one. They neighed, snorted, or eyed her as she slowly looked at each of them. Finally, she chose one near the end, a beautiful, healthy-looking chestnut horse. Quickly, Hermione groomed, saddled, and led the horse outside. Mounting, she gave the horse a small kick and it pulled her along a smooth walk.
Giggling, she gave the horse another nudge, and it went into a slightly faster pace. Within two minutes, she was going at top speed, her hair whipping the air around her. She let out a huge squeal and turned the horse to the left, heading in another direction. Her mouth opened and loud laughter came out, screams of excitement and thrill escaped her lips. She felt free, wild, uncontained. The wind that rushed past her body thrilled her. She bent down lower with the horse, pretending she was once again racing with her cousin, or riding brooms with Harry and Ron. A smile spread across her face as she slowed down her horse at a nice trot. Her breath was quickened and deep; her cheeks were rosy red and flushed. Hermione's hair was rough and tangled, but she didn't mind. Somehow, she lost her ponytail holder on the way. Letting the horse slowly walk around, occasionally stopping to chew on some grass, Hermione for the first time, felt at peace. Her worries of Malfoy Manor, the future, her friends, Voldemort, escaped long ago. Hermione didn't think about anything while riding with the horse. She let her head wander and be free of its usual limitations. Warm wind now and again blew across her hair and tingled her bare shoulders. Flowers and lush grass played around the horse's ankles. Hermione dismounted, took off her shoes, and gently led the horse back to the stables.
"I haven't felt that carefree in such a long time," Hermione thought, feeling the soft grass between her toes. "I really wish Ginny was here. She would love to ride horses. And this is perfect Quidditch conditions for Harry and Ron." Hermione stopped and watched the horse pick up several blades of grass. "Mrs. Weasley would have loved to see that large kitchen in the house. Hagrid would love this open backyard. I know Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall would have enjoyed that library." Hermione continued walking with the horse. She looked up at the large fluffy clouds, the sun hitting her face with fierce heat. She smiled.
Draco
Draco heard a high squeal floating from his open window. He got up from his Transfiguration homework Name and explain the properties of transfiguring a desk into a chair and looked out into the backyard. There, he saw Hermione galloping at top speed. Draco raised an eyebrow. He heard her light laughter and saw her hair fly loose behind her. He could slightly make out her features; a huge smile was on her face, her cheeks were flustered, and she had a surprising carefree and relaxed expression. Draco saw her slow down and stop. He turned on his heel and walked out the door.
Hermione
"On the Boulevard of Broken dreams…where the city sleeps, and I'm the only one and I walk alone-mmmhmmm-or-something-like-that" Hermione groomed her horse. "My shadow-I-don't-know-the-rest-of-the-words-but-that's-ok" she cooed. "Ohhh oh, ohhh oh, ohh-"
"It's Calida." Draco stepped out of the corner.
Hermione screamed and dropped her brush. She whipped around and saw Draco appear out of nowhere.
"Calida." He continued, approaching her and placed his hand on the horse. "Her name, its Hispanic. My mother named her. It's supposed to mean adoring, or compassionate." He smirked.
"Oh, um," Hermione recovered quickly, remembering her wind chimes. "Calida? Then it's a girl. I was wondering what to call her." She said. There was a moment of silence before Draco replied.
"So you decided to ride her?" Malfoy asked coolly.
"Oh, well, um, I had some extra time and I haven't ridden in a while. My cousin's family lives on a farm and I used to ride at their house lots of times. I hope you don't mind, I had so much extra time and you, well, you didn't er-give me anything to do. That's, um, that's what I came to your room for. I wanted to see if you needed any help, or wanted me to do something."
Draco looked up and gave her a defiant stare. "We don't need you to do anything."
"Nothing? There must be something you need me to do. Anything. I'm here for two months, I can't just go riding everyday. Sure, I'll be helping the house elves but-"
"You're helping the house elves?" Draco interrupted.
"Well, yes. They asked me to teach them to read and other lessons. I couldn't turn them down, they're curious about what goes on outside of your home. I'm teaching them tomorrow at your library on the third floor."
"You've been to the library?" Draco asked.
"Well, yes. The house elves mentioned it. I took a look earlier today." Hermione paused. "It's really nice. It's nothing like the one at Hogwarts."
"Obviously" Draco replied.
"Yes, I guess I could teach Tinky and Olfie a lot in there. But," Hermione didn't stop herself, "are you sure you don't need me to do anything? Draco, I'm staying here for two months. I was assigned to come and assist you and your mother. I can't just sit around. The ministry sent me down here-"
"THE MINISTRY WAS WRONG." Draco flared up, startling Hermione. "Just because my father landed in Azkaban doesn't mean a thing! We don't need any help at all. Mother and I are perfectly fine by ourselves, and we don't need someone like you coming in here thinking you can change the world. Because you know what, you can't. You don't need to. Nothing's wrong with our family! We're not poor, we don't have physcological issues, and we don't need another 'helping hand'!" Draco snarled, and stopped, realizing what he just said. "Don't be late for dinner." He snapped, walking away briskly.
Hermione watched him go in shock. She hadn't expected him to get so angry at all. She finally guided Calida back into her stall, and still amazed, headed back to the house. Hermione could have sworn Draco had a slight tinge of pink in his cheeks when he left, but that could have been from the yelling. She silently got angry with herself. "Great," She muttered. "Everything was fine until you had to remind him that his father landed in Azkaban. Then you had to go ranting on," Hermione trudged up the stairs, "and possibly ruined your chances of doing anything good around here." She sighed. "At least I can still help Tinky and Olfie."
That dinner was held silent as usual. Hermione could see Draco eating irritably, obviously still angry about earlier. She ate her food quietly, still contemplating about what she said earlier. She wondered if she should apologize. Hermione snuck another look at Draco. Dinner seemed to drag on and on. Finally, they departed and Hermione went back to her room. For about an hour, she attempted to read her book that she took from the library, but unable to register anything she read, she finally got up and headed out her room.
Draco
Draco never felt so embarrassed in his life. Well, maybe he has, but this was definitely in the top three. He has NEVER spoken to anyone about his father. Ever. And yet, he had lost his cover to Granger! Stupid, stupid!
Draco continued to bang his head on his desk. She probably will think he is more messed up now then before. No doubt she will write letters to Weasel King and Potty Head about his blow up. How could he have been so idiotic, reckless, foolish, thoughtless-
"Draco?" There came a knock. Malfoy picked up his head and turned to look at the door. There was a slight pause and then came another knock. Getting up, he opened the door to reveal a sheepish looking Hermione.
"Oh, good, you're here. I wasn't quite sure if you were in your room or not, I guess it's a good thing I didn't come barging in on you like last time." Hermione let out a nervous laugh. "Ok, um." Draco saw her take in a large breath. "Draco, I came here to apologize." She said. "I-I didn't mean to offend you at all. I had no idea you would get angry. All I wanted to do was help. Obviously, the ministry was wrong. I don't think you are in any way, shape, or form in need of help. So," He watched her take in another deep breath. "I'm sorry."
Silence followed as Draco tried to work out what just happened. There, right in front of him, Hermione Granger, the most stubborn witch in Hogwarts, was apologizing for Draco's own mess up. He frowned.
"Apology accepted." He turned to close the door when,
"Draco?" He heard her ask. He turned around again and reopened the door wider. Malfoy raised his eyebrows in question.
"Draco-as long as I'm staying, um, as long as we're living together," Draco met her eyes. Some force of agreement was made right then and there. An agreement that they would tolerate each other as much as possible the next two months, Draco nodded. Breaking his stare from her honey-brown eyes, he turned around and began closing the door.
"Oh yes, and Granger?" She looked back at him. He held their gaze. "Not a word."
Hermione straighten up. "Then I think you should know, I have a first name." They both stared at each other again, another silent agreement. Draco closed the door.