Hermione woke to thunder and lighting. After fully opening her eyes, the sound of rain hitting the roof was heard. A very gloomy day…great.
The week pasted, and it was Saturday morning.
She got up and dressed, her hair tangled. She brushed it with difficultly and headed out. Hermione wondered into the great hall, looking around, wondering what Malfoy had planned for Jackie.
After sitting at the table, it became clear. Malfoy strolled into the hall, Jackie attached to his arm, and he was grinning and she, smiling- but it was forced.
Malfoy and Jackie kissed briefly before separating to different tables. Hermione watched with a very small stab of jealousy then she remembered what she told herself. She had seen Malfoy with many girls before, so she was used to this…but as Malfoy pointed out, she hadn't had feelings for him then.
'Damn it.' She muttered.
As they kissed again, a long flash of lighting flashed past the hall, illuminating them.
Hermione grabbed three pieces of toast, a glass of pumpkin juice and headed out, her head bowed.
Malfoy watched her walk past and felt guilty- he had made her feel upset…
Hermione headed to the top of the Astronomy Tower. It took her 20 minutes to climb the stairs and before walking out into the rain, she pulled out her wand and tapped her toast so it was now water resistance.
She pushed the wooden door open and was greeted by splashing rain, bouncing off the stone.
Hermione crossed the ground careful not to slip, and was soaked through to the bone in minutes. Halting when she reached the edge, boarded by a wall, Hermione looked down. It was a very long way down, and Hermione saw figures in red and gold robes walking quickly through the grounds, down to the pitch. Harry, Ron and Ginny had Quidditch practice today…Hermione had promised to watch, but she could watch from where she was.
Her eyes followed them, their bright colours brighter in the gloom and grey. They stopped for a few seconds outside the pitch, then disappeared into the changing rooms.
Hermione bit her toast. It wasn't wet thanks to her water proof charm. Then she took a sip of juice.
As it was raining so hard, no one could tell she was actually crying. The rain mixed with her tears on her cheeks, making it impossible to tell.
Everything was so messed up! She didn't know if she wanted Malfoy to go through with this bet, she didn't know if she could handle the glares and bitch-talk if she went out with Malfoy, or if she could handle it if he cheated, or they broke up…or if she saw him kissing another girl…it was so confusing!
Dropping her toast over the wall, and the cup on the ground, Hermione covered her face, crying into her arms. She faced the wall and slid down, her back down resting on the wall. Here, she pulled her legs to her chest and folded her arms over and cried and thought.
The rain continued to pelt down on her head and body, the lighting streaked, and the thunder rumbled.
After a while, Hermione began to shiver. She figured she was up there for about three hours. The practice was probably over…
It was then without warning that the door leading inside opened, and someone with blond hair walked out. He drew his arms over his head for little cover against the rain.
His storm eyes, about as stormy as the weather above him, searched the level. He was about to turn back inside when he spotted something in a black school robe and jeans huddled up to the wall, in a ball.
'Hermione!' Malfoy called over the thunder.
The figure didn't move.
He walked over, careful not to slip, arms still over his head. He bent down, and saw her hair- it was Hermione.
Malfoy removed one hand to gently shake her.
Hermione jolted and looked up, tears and rain still on her face.
'Malfoy-' she mumbled.
'Why are you crying?' he asked. A light redness now rimmed her eyes, giving it away.
'Nothing.' She muttered.
'Come on, inside- out of the cold.' He said, and then lifted her to her feet.
Hermione allowed him to move her through the rain and into the stairway.
'Now, down to the common room.' He said. As he walked, he dried his cloak off and put it around Hermione. She took it, not really knowing why, her mind still pulsing with questions and worries. She wiped her face with his sleeve and clung to the rail to help her down.
When they were back on level floor, Malfoy walked through the corridor, behind Hermione. They reached the Wolf in their corridor. The wolf looked troubled by the look of Hermione, but slid open.
Malfoy guided Hermione to the chair which was closest to the burning fire.
He removed his cloak and let her throe out in front of the fire while he went quickly down to the kitchens.
Here, he asked nicely for two butterbeers and walked back to the common room.
Hermione was almost dried, and had cleaned her face. Malfoy handed her a butterbeer and sat opposite her.
'Now, what where you doing up there, in the rain, crying?' he asked.
'I was just over-loaded…' Hermione mumbled, taking a sip.
'Right…look, if it bothers you this much, I will stop the bet.'
'How do you know-?' Hermione asked surprised.
'It wasn't hard to figure out- especially when you left the hall and didn't go down to Potter's practice.' He said. 'I wasn't up there before because it takes a while to search a castle.'
Hermione smiled. 'Yeah…'
'Look, is you really want, I will stop the bet.'
'Its up to you…'
'Right- bets over.' And Malfoy got to his feet, quickly gave Hermione a quick peck on the cheek and walked out of the common room, intending to find Jackie.
He found her in the library with a group of friends.
'Yo, Coastal.' Malfoy whispered as loudly as he could without using the vocal cords.
'Malfoy?' Jackie said in surprise. She got up, ignoring the winks from her friends and followed Malfoy into a deserted isle.
'Look Coastal, you're a great girl and girlfriend but I have to end this shortly.'
'Why?' she didn't look upset, just curious.
'Because granger and i…' he stumbled for a word.
'I get it- alright. I have to thank you Malfoy.'
'ER why?' he asked confused- what had he done?
'Because now I know how cool it is to have a boyfriend- and I've had my eye on someone in my class…so thankyou.'
'Your er welcome…' this was awkward.
Jackie closed the gap between them and gave him one last kiss on the cheek before smiling and walking back over to her friends.
Malfoy smirked and left the library.
'What did he want?' one of Jackie's friends asked.
'We just broke up.' Jackie answered as though it wasn't a big deal.
'Broke…up?' someone whispered.
One of her friends reached over and pattered her on the back.
'No, it's alright.' Jackie said, smiling reassuringly. 'Im serious. Im not crying, im really happy about it- now I can go out with Jake.'
Her friends believed her…good thing too since it was the truth.
Malfoy walked back to the common room and smiled when he saw Hermione who was twiddling her thumbs together nervously.
'It's alright.' He said.
Hermione let out a sigh of relief. 'Thank goodness…I thought she would be upset or that she got attached.'
'No…I strictly made sure we did nothing that could make her attached…besides, you set a very hard one…she defiantly didn't want to be in a relationship…though she thanked me because now she wants a boyfriend.'
'Hmmm…I'm surprised you could do it with a muggle born.'
'What was that?' Malfoy asked, not believing what he had heard.
'Er…didn't you know? Jackie was a muggle born…'
'Oh you're sly.' He said before running at her.
Hermione squeaked and dropped the mug and jumped out of the way and Malfoy crashed into the chair.
Before Hermione got up, Malfoy was on her and they were rolling across the carpet, Hermione laughed and Malfoy smirking.
They stopped, out of breath and Hermione looked at Malfoy whose chin was resting on her belly.
She looked into his eyes.
'Will this work Malfoy?' she asked, fear grabbing the edges of her voice.
'I will make it work.' He answered smirking.
'What will happen when it comes to the end of the year?' Hermione asked rolling onto her side, propped on her elbow. Malfoy's chin slipped off her belly and he did the same- propped on his elbow, looking at her.
'We'll cross that bridge when it comes.' He answered.
'What about your parents?' she trembled.
'My mother isn't what you think. She's just…on show for my father…and he well…he's something totally different.' Malfoy said, looking down.
'I guess we'll cross him when we come to him as well.' Hermione said, lifting his head with a finger and grinning.
'Yes…we'll have to.' His eyes slid to something on her neck. 'Your still wearing the necklace.' He said smiling.
'Yes…' Hermione said, rising her hand to touch it. 'I'm just…scared…'
'Why? What of?' Malfoy asked looking at her seriously.
'Of us…of everything…' she muttered then sighed. 'I'm scared you will dump me and the next day I'll see you kissing another girl…im scared of your father and that he'll break us up…that I'll get too attached and then we will break up…' by this time, she had two tears slowly falling down her face.
Malfoy didn't move to comfort her, only watched and ran these facts through his mind. She had points in some parts, though he was determined to make this work…he liked her too much especially to let her go without a good fight.
'I'm sorry.' Hermione said, wiping her face again.
'Do you like me?' Malfoy asked. Hermione was taken aback…she had expected him to tell her everything will be ok or at least tell her she was being silly.
'Yes.' Hermione answered. 'Do you like me?'
'Absolutely. Then, whatever comes, we will overcome it together. I promise.' He lent over and hugged her.
'Thankyou.' Hermione mumbled into his shoulder.
'What are you doing tomorrow?' he asked.
'Nothing…' Hermione answered, pulled back.
'Right…hmmm I was wondering if we should suggest to Dumbledore a ball at the end of the year?'
'It sounds great…but we have already had one…' Hermione said, logically pointing out the problem.
'Well, this one can be for year 7 only and you only get in otherwise if you're a date. Come on!' he pleaded.
'Yes alright. I'll ask him about to tomorrow.' Hermione smiled.
'Ok.'
'Malfoy?' Hermione asked, timidly playing with a piece of fabric. 'Where do we stand?'
'In my mind, I really have no idea. I want to be a couple but im afraid of pushing you.'
'Same but I don't care about pushing you- im afraid of what I said before…'
'Well…I'll answer that the same way I did. We'll fight it all together.'
'Alright. Are we a couple now?' Hermione asked smiling.
'Not yet. Here, Hermione, will you go out with me?'
Hermione thought. Then 'Yes.'
'Now we're a couple.' Malfoy smirked before he kissed her.
Hermione left Malfoy not long after, smiling at herself and that she now had Malfoy…but for how long?
Hermione wandered the castle and out into the grounds. The rain had stopped, so had the thunder and lighting. The sky was still grey, with only a light breeze.
Hermione wandered to the base of the Astronomy Tower and saw the two and a bit pieces of toast she had dropped. The water repelling charm had now warn off and the toast was soggy. Hermione picked them up and walked down the grounds through slushy mud and to the edge of the lake. She through them in as far away as she could and stood and watched. Two minutes later, a large tactical rose from the water and grabbed the two and a bit pieces of toast. It then took it beneath the surface, never to been seen again.
Hermione smiled, still happy.
'Hermione!' someone called, relief following the voice.
Hermione turned around confused and saw Harry running towards her, Ron and Ginny in tow.
She grinned and walked calmly towards them.
'We didn't…see…you…at practice.' Harry panted reaching her. Ron and Ginny pulled up next to him, nodding.
'I was on the Astronomy Tower.' Hermione answered.
'In the pouring rain?' Ron interjected in disbelieve.
'Yes.' Hermione answered.
'In the lightning and thunder?' he said.
'Yes.' Hermione replied calmly.
'Hermione, something's different about you.' Ginny said, looking into her eyes.
'Yes.' Hermione said again, grinning and nodding.
This very cheerful behavior caused Harry and Ron to look at each other.
'What is it?' Harry asked.
'Well, it's nothing to be really happy about but I am.' Hermione answered. 'It's something I've been thinking about and considering for a while.' Here, she made an obvious point on "considering" hoping Ginny would pick it up.
She did.
Ginny's jaw dropped at first, then she grinned and hugged Hermione. 'Congratulations.' She said happily
'Thanks Ginny.' Hermione said gladly, hugging her back.
'Excuse me, but what's going on?' Ron asked as Ginny and Hermione walked past him, smiling and talking.
'I'll tell you later Ron I promise.' Hermione vowed walking off with Ginny.
Ron looked at her but Harry only shook his head. 'Wait until she tells us…its up to her.'
'But Harry, aren't you worried about her?' Ron asked looking after Hermione's back.
'Not as much as you obviously, but Hermione is old enough and I trust her. She can do what she wants and I will be there behind her, supporting her.' Harry glared at Ron. 'And if I can do something about it, you will be too. You will be there for her if I have to make you.'
'I will Harry.' Ron nodded.
'Right. Come on, lets get our brooms and fly- its nicer when its not raining.' Harry suggested.
'Yeah alright, but we cant for long cos we have the Snape essay due on Tuesday.'
'Alright.'
Hermione and Ginny walked through the castle, talking.
'I can't believe it Hermione! You're going out with Draco Malfoy!' Ginny said grinning. 'I knew it! It had to happen sooner or later!'
'I know Ginny. But we're treading carefully.' Ginny raised an eyebrow skeptically. 'Well, I am.'
'Yeah alright. See, I doubt Malfoy would or could tread carefully after he's got his prize.' Hermione blinked. 'I mean, you- the person he wants.' Ginny finished hurriedly.
'Yes I suppose.' Hermione sighed.
'Where do you want to go?' Ginny asked looking around the Entrance hall. 'Your common room?'
'No, Malfoy was there…I think I need some time to think.' Hermione answered shaking her head.
'Well alright…how about the library?'
'Nah. How about the Gryffindor common room? I haven't been there for a while.' Hermione suggested.
'Yeah, absolutely!' Ginny said nodding and grinning.
So they walked through the castle talking and occasionally listening to the pass-by-ers conversations.
'Did you hear Malfoy and Jackie Coastal where together?' someone muttered.
Hermione stopped by a window and looked up at Ginny winking. She wanted to know what everyone else thought- they obviously didn't know. Yet.
'Yes, but I also heard he dumped her this afternoon!' someone muttered eagerly. It was a girl. 'Thank god! Now it's cleared the way for me!'
Hermione looked over her shoulder quickly and saw a girl with long, sleek brown hair smiling happily and hopefully.
'Maybe, but I also heard he's still got feelings for Hermione.' Someone said, bursting the brown heads bubble of happiness.
'What would he want with her?' she muttered, looking angry.
'Everything apparently.' Someone answered, coming up behind the girls.
'Oh, Abby, its you!' brown head said relieved.
'Yes, it's me. And you two should be nicer to Hermione- especially behind her back.' Abby said looking slightly mad. 'She's always been nice to Hufflepuff.'
'Yes, but she has also always stolen the famous and cute boys!' brown head said angrily.
Hermione looked at Ginny who was frowning.
They quickly walked off, not looking in the direction of the girls.
Abby however, saw Hermione and looked at her friends. 'Good on you, now she's upset.'
'What?' brown head said.
'Oh for god sakes, Amanda! She was standing by the window! If you talk about someone, you do it when they are not around!' she said furiously. 'Now she'll be mad at Hufflepuff and it will be all your fault!'
'Well, if she's as nice as you say she is, and forgiving and caring, she wont.' Amanda responded.
'For sake she better be or Hufflepuff is coming after you.' And with that, she stalked off, mad at her friend for bagging Hermione out who had been nice and kind since she had met them.
'Do I really take all the good looking guys and famous ones?' Hermione said shocked as they sat in the Gryffindor common room.
'Well…let's see…Harry, yes he's famous and cute' she blushed and Hermione raised an eye brow 'Erm…Victor Krum…yes, famous and ok looking…Malfoy, well, he's defiantly cute but not sure about famous.' As Ginny spoke, she ticked off the names on her fingers, only ticking three. Hermione nodded.
'Yes, I suppose.'
'It's not your fault Malfoy likes you and they're jealous.' Ginny said comfortingly.
'Hmmm…besides, I can't have taken all the good looking ones…I haven't met every guy in the world!'
'True!' Ginny agreed. 'Anyway, lets forget about that and talk about Malfoy.' She grinned slyly.
Hermione laughed. 'What is there to talk about?'
'Well, being his girlfriend! That's something to talk about! How are you going to act?'
'I don't know. He's not like Victor…it will be different and he's defiantly not like Ron.'
'No, he's cuter.' Ginny said, voting for Malfoy. 'Well, you'll have to put some make-up on…wash your hair in berries every nigh-'
'Oh god, calm down Ginny!' Hermione cut in. 'I'm not getting married! I'm hoping he likes me for who I am. I'm not about to change for him or any other guy.'
'Alright! That's a good start. But if…'
'If he tries to dump me because I'm not looking like an angel all the time, then I'll dump his ass first for not being a proper boyfriend.'
'Wow. Never saw this side of you Hermione. I love it.'
'Yes…I do too.' Hermione grinned.
It was then that Harry and Ron walked into the common room, broom sticks shouldered, hair ruffled and messy, and a touch of pink on their cheeks.
'Hermione, Ginny.' Harry nodded coming in and sitting down.
'Harry, Ron.' Ginny said grinning.
'So Hermione…are you ready to tell-'
'Ron, it can wait-' Ginny said but Hermione interrupted.
'No, it's alright Ginny. Yes, Ron, Harry.' She coughed and turned to face then. She took a deep breath and told them- something which will test their friendship. 'Harry…Ron…I have a boyfriend.'
Both boys mouths dropped, though Ron's feel further.
'Nice Hermione.' Harry said smiling.
'Before you get happy, you should know who it is.' Hermione looked at her lap. 'Its Malfoy.'
Harry's smile slipped for a minute before he returned it and nodded. 'Whatever you choose.' He said.
'Thanks Harry. Ron?' Hermione said, turning her eyes timidly to him.
'I'm glad you didn't get us happy.' He said darkly. 'He is Malfoy Hermione!'
'Thankyou Ron, I know perfectly well who he is.' Hermione said glaring at him.
'Do you? I'm not sure you do Hermione. You would never had gone out with him before!'
'Ronald, I can go out with anyone! I choose Malfoy. If you have something wrong with that, then I guess your not really my friend.'
'Hermione, I am your friend.'
'The you don't trust me.'
'I trust you. I would trust you with my life- to the end of the world! But its Malfoy I don't trust.'
'Ron, if you trust me, then trust me to make the right decisions for me. Please Ron, I need you there behind me.'
Harry looked at Ron and Ron looked at him. At that precise moment, Harry gave him a look, reminding Ron about what he had said outside before they went flying.
'Alright Hermione.' Ron sighed. 'I hope your both very happy together.'
'Thankyou Ron!' Hermione got up and hugged him and Harry.
'Well, I'm a little hungry.' Ron said smiling contently.
'Yes, I am too.' Ginny said happily getting to her feet.
The four walked down to the hall together. Harry pulled Ron aside in the entrance hall, and Hermione looked at them.
'Go on, we'll be right in.' Harry said nodding and smiling.
Hermione nodded, gave them one last look and turned around. Malfoy was standing by the door, watching her. When he saw Hermione looking at him, he smirked and nodded to his friends. They left and he walked over to Hermione, swinging his arms.
'Ahh, here you are.' I was beginning to think you had run away.' He smirked reaching her.
'No. I was with Ginny, Harry and Ron.' Hermione answered completely aware of how close Malfoy was to her and how close they were to the great hall. And of course, Harry and Ron where standing a few meters behind them…or where they?
Hermione turned around to see no one else there.
That's strange she thought. Then turned back around as Malfoy's breath was felt on her face.
She smiled and hugged him.
'Er ok…this isn't the way I greet my girlfriends.' He said.
'No, you greet them by sticking your tongue in their mouth.' Malfoy raised an eye brow.
'Your observant.'
'I want to take this slowly Malfoy. I don't want to rush this.'
'Fine, fine.' Malfoy mumbled though he looked slightly put off.
'Thank you.' Hermione kissed him on the mouth softly before walking into the hall, him in tow.
When they entered, the slight buzz stopped to look.
Jackie was a face Hermione looked for and spotted. She was watching them and smiling. When she saw Hermione, she smiled and winked.
Hermione returned the wink and smile and looked around the Gryffindor table. Most of them had their mouths hung open, lavender and Parvati one of them. Ginny didn't look at all surprised, but was grinning happily.
'Er…' Hermione said, un sure of what to say.
'Should we kiss?' Malfoy mumbled smirking.
'No. I'll see you in the common room.' And Hermione walked off, head bowed into the crowd and sat next to Ginny.
'That was so awkward.' Hermione muttered, then hid behind her hands.
'Well, Hermione, you might want to show your face because Malfoy's coming over with the Slytherins.'
'Oh no.' Hermione lowered her hands just enough to see Malfoy walking to wards her, a bunch of Slytherins in tow.
He was smirking as he walked, ignoring the girls gasps and horrified faces.
He walked right up to Hermione who slide over and he sat.
'I see you still have all your hair.' He smirked, looking at her head.
Hermione lowered her fingers all the way and smiled. 'For the moment…but wait till they get me alone.'
'Then they'll have me to answer to.'
'That's really noble of you, but I can take care of myself.' Hermione said, winking.
Harry and Ron walked in, looked for Hermione and walked over, acting as though it was normal for the Slytherins to be there.
'Right.' Malfoy muttered. 'Potter, Weasel.'
'Malfoy.' Harry said nodding.
'Malfoy.' Ron answered.
'That's nice.' Ginny muttered to Hermione so only she could hear her.
'What?' Hermione whispered back
'They can talk and get along.' Ginny said smiling.
'Yes…lets hope it lasts.' Hermione whispered nodding.
'What's this? Girl talk?' Malfoy said, smirking.
'Yes, and if you're a girl your allowed to listen.' Hermione said rolling her eyes.
'Well then I'll just get Crabbe or Goyle to spy for me.' Malfoy winked. Hermione and Ginny laughed at his comment as Goyle looked over.
'Did you call me Draco?' he rumbled.
Malfoy rolled his eyes. 'No Goyle. It's alright. Crabbe needs help with that.' He said, pointing to Crabbe who was struggling to lift a plate of chicken over to his plate. Goyle shook his head and lent over to try and help Crabbe, but they ended up tipping the plate of chicken all over the place.
Some of it landed in Hermione's lap. She narrowed her eyes as she waved her wand and the pieces on her disappeared.
'Crabbe! Goyle! Apologize for mucking up their table!' Malfoy barked, though only Crabbe and Goyle didn't catch that he was joking.
The two got quickly to their feet and bowed. 'We are sorry for muckin' up your table.' They said in unison.
'Erm…' Hermione said as they were bowed in her direction.
'Be thankful she says that after what you did!' Malfoy said grinning.
Crabbe and Goyle nodded and sat down. Malfoy rolled his eyes and waved his wand, clearing up the rest of the chicken.
'Sorry about that lions.' He said, looking around.
'That's ok…' some mumbled not really sure what to say. Malfoy nodded and sat back down.
'They are so thick.' He mumbled looking in the direction of his thugs.
'Yes, but look who they hang around.' Hermione said innocently.
'Oh, you're pushing it.' Malfoy said, looking at her- a smirk gave his threat away.
'I know.' Hermione answered smiling still innocent.
Ok, they're together! What do we think? And to answer un asked questions, there will be an after school story! Ok, R&R and next one coming soon!