Ok... I must admit I'm somewhat of a review whore. I absolutely love getting
them, and I tend to beg sometimes. *innocent look* After getting 4 ~good~
reviews after one day, my ego has gone up. Shame on you reviewers for
making me proud. Anyway, here's chapter two. I'm not all too fond of this
one but hey.... *cringes* for one, Draco is way OOC, but that's due to
something that starts with a "p" and ends with an "uberty" as my mom would
say... =D so I'm blaming my lack of writing skills on these poor characters
raging hormones... I really should beg for forgiveness after bending them to
do my will... so... just go ahead and read it.
Shoutouts:
Forbidden Lovers Reader : here's an update for ya, hope the cliffie wasn't too bad XD thx for the review! You were the first!
Meidus Rav: thanks for reading!!
Karana Belle: cliffhangers are fun hehe. Was this soon enough for ya? ^_~
Halfling: yes, it bothers me as well when she's all perfect in her slutty ways *gag* don't know how people can write her like that... I'm glad you like her though. As for story length, I don't think I can fit it into only 8 either but my teacher will be mad if it's too long... so I'm not really sure right now haha. Thx for reading! O, what was that p.s about? Lol
~*~*~*~
Ch. 2: Common Room Discussions
Draco arrived quickly at the Head Boy and Girl dormitories. It was on the 2nd floor behind a picture of a boy and girl sitting together on a bench, flirting and kissing occasionally. It annoyed him to no end; were the Head Boy and Girl supposed to be.... Ugh. He hated thinking about it.
As he took off the cloak and stowed it and his books back in his room, he mentally scolded himself about for telling that.... Mudblood that he was taking that class, let alone tell her to meet him back in their commons. Then he remembered the conversation he and Professor Dumbledore had had about a week ago... He sighed angrily, knowing perfectly well he should probably bring that up with Hermione.
From his dormitory, the blonde Slytherin heard the password being given, and the portrait hole swinging open. He walked out of his room and watched Hermione for a moment from the top of the staircase where his room and study were. She climbed through the hole, and went up the other staircase opposite to Draco's, into her room. Draco went down the stairs and stretched out on one of the couches, lighting the fire with a wave of his wand.
It took Hermione a few minutes to come down, and when she did, Draco saw it was because she had changed into a soft, flowing red nightgown, since it was fairly late and she'd probably be going to bed soon. She walked quietly to a comfy armchair by the fire, as far from the Slytherin as possible. She curled her legs up underneath her, and toyed with a lock of her hair, staring into the dancing flames.
They sat that way for several tense moments, Slytherin and Gryffindor, each aware of the other's presence, but not acknowledging it. Every now and then, Draco would look at her, and try to sort out his emotions for the girl, and what he'd say to her.
Eventually, Hermione got sick of the uneasy silence that surrounded them, and turned to ask him why exactly he'd asked her to come. She turned her head, seconds after he did, and brown eyes locked on silvery-gray. They held each other's gaze for a moment, both daring the other to look away, but neither would step down to the other's confident stare.
Finally Draco spoke, "Hermione..."
Her eyes widened slightly. She couldn't remember another time when he had called her by her first name, "Malfoy." She said, regaining her composure, wanting to let him know that she would not be swayed to acting as he wanted her to by a mere use of her name.
He nodded, inhaling deeply, "I suppose you wonder why..."
"Yes," she curtly agreed, wishing he'd just get this over with.
Draco ran his tongue over his lips to moisten them, "When I told you I was taking Muggle Studies, I wasn't lying. I'd taken all possible classes that I could, and so, out of mere curiosity and boredom I chose something to challenge myself with, therefore studying a primitive people that I despise." He shrugged nonchalantly, as if this was no big deal and arrogant Slytherin Purebloods took that class frequently.
"Oh yes, naturally," Hermione replied, raising an eyebrow somewhat mockingly.
"You still don't believe me!" he said exasperatedly.
It was Hermione's turn to shrug, "Just unlike you, that's all. Plus I've never seen you in class, and there's only one period of it because hardly anyone took it. Well, Mr. Malfoy," she said, starting to stand up, "If that's all you wanted to tell me, I'm going to retire for the night."
"Wait."
"What?" she turned to face him.
"You haven't seen me in class because I wear my Invisibility Cloak. I got permission from Professor Winnikin." He rushed, hoping to keep her there for at least several moments.
"Oh really? Anything else you'd like to inform me of?" she said impatiently.
He scowled; this was not exactly how he had planned the conversation would go, "What's wrong with you, Granger? You're usually the one that's always all, 'We never talk enough, and we need to work together instead of ignoring each other'. I'm trying, here. Telling you something no one else knows."
"You bribing me for something, Malfoy?" she sat on the other arm of the couch he was laying on, resting her chin on a hand propped up on her knee.
"Maybe," he leaned forward and smiled slightly mischievously, "Ok, so I talked to Dumbledore earlier this week and he said that for the upcoming ball we... well... I'm sure you know where I'm going with this." He leaned back again, hands behind his head, "What say you?"
She cocked her head and said slowly, "And you're actually going along with this." It was more of a statement than a question.
He rolled his eyes, with an expression of playful helplessness, "What else could I do? You expect me to say no to the Headmaster?
"Yes," she laughed, "You did all those other times the last six-and-a-half years he's tried to make us get along."
"Yeah, well, people change, Granger," he paused and practically bit his lip from what he was about to say, I never thought I'd fall for someone like you... he inwardly shook his head to rid himself of such foreign, and forbidden, thoughts.
"Apparently so..." she was silent for a moment, just looking at him and reflecting. Now that she thought about it, he truly had changed the last couple of months, even year or two. They had been able to have normal, decent conversations with no name-calling or insults, however rare that might be. His constant glaring at her was decreasing, in fact, it was mostly friendly teasing for being such a "goody-good", and sometimes she caught him looking in her direction with a sort of lost expression, like he wasn't concentrating on present things.
He really isn't so bad... she mused, if he could only lessen that ego of his... I wonder if he honestly wants to try this.
"Hey... you awake there?" Draco waved his hand in front of her face, at which she realized she had spaced out for a moment.
"Hmm?" she focused back on him, blushing a bit and gave him a small, embarrassed smile.
An awkward silence followed; this was probably the longest they had been in each other's presence and talking and not fighting.
"Well..." Draco began uneasily, "Bedtime?"
Hermione shrugged, "Sure. I'll just finish up some homework first. 'Night, Malfoy."
He nodded as she stood to leave, "Goodnight... Hermione."
She smiled, and then with a playful wave gracefully climbed her staircase, though both of the teenagers knew it would be some time before either fell asleep...
~*~*~*~
there you have it. I know it didn't really explain much, so kudos to those who actually read it.... heh. If you have any corrections, complaints, questions, flames, or praise, by all means review!! That's why I'm posting this; for you to read and enjoy, then give me feedback *grin* sorry if it wasn't great... it'll get better as time goes on... hopefully. Well it's late and me madre is making me go to bed... good night!!
~Vix
p.s. I'm in desperate need of a Beta. Seriously. If any of you could cover a few of my subjects I write about and are good at that sort of thing e- mail me, and that would be awesome. My addy is in my bio. Thanks!! Don't forget to review!!
Shoutouts:
Forbidden Lovers Reader : here's an update for ya, hope the cliffie wasn't too bad XD thx for the review! You were the first!
Meidus Rav: thanks for reading!!
Karana Belle: cliffhangers are fun hehe. Was this soon enough for ya? ^_~
Halfling: yes, it bothers me as well when she's all perfect in her slutty ways *gag* don't know how people can write her like that... I'm glad you like her though. As for story length, I don't think I can fit it into only 8 either but my teacher will be mad if it's too long... so I'm not really sure right now haha. Thx for reading! O, what was that p.s about? Lol
~*~*~*~
Ch. 2: Common Room Discussions
Draco arrived quickly at the Head Boy and Girl dormitories. It was on the 2nd floor behind a picture of a boy and girl sitting together on a bench, flirting and kissing occasionally. It annoyed him to no end; were the Head Boy and Girl supposed to be.... Ugh. He hated thinking about it.
As he took off the cloak and stowed it and his books back in his room, he mentally scolded himself about for telling that.... Mudblood that he was taking that class, let alone tell her to meet him back in their commons. Then he remembered the conversation he and Professor Dumbledore had had about a week ago... He sighed angrily, knowing perfectly well he should probably bring that up with Hermione.
From his dormitory, the blonde Slytherin heard the password being given, and the portrait hole swinging open. He walked out of his room and watched Hermione for a moment from the top of the staircase where his room and study were. She climbed through the hole, and went up the other staircase opposite to Draco's, into her room. Draco went down the stairs and stretched out on one of the couches, lighting the fire with a wave of his wand.
It took Hermione a few minutes to come down, and when she did, Draco saw it was because she had changed into a soft, flowing red nightgown, since it was fairly late and she'd probably be going to bed soon. She walked quietly to a comfy armchair by the fire, as far from the Slytherin as possible. She curled her legs up underneath her, and toyed with a lock of her hair, staring into the dancing flames.
They sat that way for several tense moments, Slytherin and Gryffindor, each aware of the other's presence, but not acknowledging it. Every now and then, Draco would look at her, and try to sort out his emotions for the girl, and what he'd say to her.
Eventually, Hermione got sick of the uneasy silence that surrounded them, and turned to ask him why exactly he'd asked her to come. She turned her head, seconds after he did, and brown eyes locked on silvery-gray. They held each other's gaze for a moment, both daring the other to look away, but neither would step down to the other's confident stare.
Finally Draco spoke, "Hermione..."
Her eyes widened slightly. She couldn't remember another time when he had called her by her first name, "Malfoy." She said, regaining her composure, wanting to let him know that she would not be swayed to acting as he wanted her to by a mere use of her name.
He nodded, inhaling deeply, "I suppose you wonder why..."
"Yes," she curtly agreed, wishing he'd just get this over with.
Draco ran his tongue over his lips to moisten them, "When I told you I was taking Muggle Studies, I wasn't lying. I'd taken all possible classes that I could, and so, out of mere curiosity and boredom I chose something to challenge myself with, therefore studying a primitive people that I despise." He shrugged nonchalantly, as if this was no big deal and arrogant Slytherin Purebloods took that class frequently.
"Oh yes, naturally," Hermione replied, raising an eyebrow somewhat mockingly.
"You still don't believe me!" he said exasperatedly.
It was Hermione's turn to shrug, "Just unlike you, that's all. Plus I've never seen you in class, and there's only one period of it because hardly anyone took it. Well, Mr. Malfoy," she said, starting to stand up, "If that's all you wanted to tell me, I'm going to retire for the night."
"Wait."
"What?" she turned to face him.
"You haven't seen me in class because I wear my Invisibility Cloak. I got permission from Professor Winnikin." He rushed, hoping to keep her there for at least several moments.
"Oh really? Anything else you'd like to inform me of?" she said impatiently.
He scowled; this was not exactly how he had planned the conversation would go, "What's wrong with you, Granger? You're usually the one that's always all, 'We never talk enough, and we need to work together instead of ignoring each other'. I'm trying, here. Telling you something no one else knows."
"You bribing me for something, Malfoy?" she sat on the other arm of the couch he was laying on, resting her chin on a hand propped up on her knee.
"Maybe," he leaned forward and smiled slightly mischievously, "Ok, so I talked to Dumbledore earlier this week and he said that for the upcoming ball we... well... I'm sure you know where I'm going with this." He leaned back again, hands behind his head, "What say you?"
She cocked her head and said slowly, "And you're actually going along with this." It was more of a statement than a question.
He rolled his eyes, with an expression of playful helplessness, "What else could I do? You expect me to say no to the Headmaster?
"Yes," she laughed, "You did all those other times the last six-and-a-half years he's tried to make us get along."
"Yeah, well, people change, Granger," he paused and practically bit his lip from what he was about to say, I never thought I'd fall for someone like you... he inwardly shook his head to rid himself of such foreign, and forbidden, thoughts.
"Apparently so..." she was silent for a moment, just looking at him and reflecting. Now that she thought about it, he truly had changed the last couple of months, even year or two. They had been able to have normal, decent conversations with no name-calling or insults, however rare that might be. His constant glaring at her was decreasing, in fact, it was mostly friendly teasing for being such a "goody-good", and sometimes she caught him looking in her direction with a sort of lost expression, like he wasn't concentrating on present things.
He really isn't so bad... she mused, if he could only lessen that ego of his... I wonder if he honestly wants to try this.
"Hey... you awake there?" Draco waved his hand in front of her face, at which she realized she had spaced out for a moment.
"Hmm?" she focused back on him, blushing a bit and gave him a small, embarrassed smile.
An awkward silence followed; this was probably the longest they had been in each other's presence and talking and not fighting.
"Well..." Draco began uneasily, "Bedtime?"
Hermione shrugged, "Sure. I'll just finish up some homework first. 'Night, Malfoy."
He nodded as she stood to leave, "Goodnight... Hermione."
She smiled, and then with a playful wave gracefully climbed her staircase, though both of the teenagers knew it would be some time before either fell asleep...
~*~*~*~
there you have it. I know it didn't really explain much, so kudos to those who actually read it.... heh. If you have any corrections, complaints, questions, flames, or praise, by all means review!! That's why I'm posting this; for you to read and enjoy, then give me feedback *grin* sorry if it wasn't great... it'll get better as time goes on... hopefully. Well it's late and me madre is making me go to bed... good night!!
~Vix
p.s. I'm in desperate need of a Beta. Seriously. If any of you could cover a few of my subjects I write about and are good at that sort of thing e- mail me, and that would be awesome. My addy is in my bio. Thanks!! Don't forget to review!!