Author's Note- All of you that review, I just appreciate it more than you can imagine. Unless, of course, you are an author also, and then, well, you can imagine it. The more people who review, the more prompted I am to continue writing! I feel like, now, every time I take the time to read more than one chapter of a fic, especially if I enjoy it, I owe it to the writer to tell them something. So, tell me something. Constructive criticism, compliments, anything!
'Is that Draco Malfoy, slamming his head in his pudding? Nah, it'
"HerrrrMIONE!" squealed an excited Lavender Brown from across the table. "What are you looking at?" she said, following Hermione's glance over her shoulder. She giggled as she saw the scene Draco was making. "Ooohhh."
She turned to face Parvati, whispered something in her ear, and they proceeded to giggle for a few minutes. Once they quieted down, they exchanged smirks.
"So Hermione," started Parvati, "decided Malfoy's shaggable, have we? I mean, Pansy has been trying to convince us since Merlin knows when! She thought she was the only person who thought so, well, other than him, but I'm sure to she'll be just thrilled to know you think he's handsome as well."
"I was-Malfoy-shaggable? NO! I was not looking at him! Since when do you talk to Parkinson?" Hermione hissed, scooting her tray away from herself, having apparently lost her appetite.
"We're not as narrow minded as the rest of you all are still, Hermione, I mean honestly. Interhouse friendships are really great! I mean, you're friends with that Luney girl! You know what we mean! We have friends in all houses. Including Slytherin. I mean, by excluding yourself from their lives you miss all SORTS of stuff, like did you know that Daphne Greengrass is dating Harp-"
"I don't care who Daphne Greengrass is dating, Lavender!"
Lavender turned and shared a meaningful look with Parvati, who spoke up again.
"Why, naturally Lavender, we knew once she figured out she thought Draco Malfoy was completely shaggable she'd have a little tantrum, but-"
"I DO NOT THINK DRACO MALFOY IS SHAGGABLE PARVATI! BLOODY HELL!" yelled Hermione, noisily standing up and beginning to walk out of the hall.
The hall was silent for a moment.
Harry and Ron passed befuddled glances.
Pansy Parkinson held a smirk that could only be challenged by Malfoy himself, who had stopped banging his head in his pudding. His chocolate-clad face was turned to see the Gryffindor girl stride out of sight.
The staff table all wore disturbed faces, other than Dumbledore, whose eyes were twinkling as ever, and Snape, who was scowling greatly.
It was Ginny Weasley who broke the silence.
"Back to your breakfasts, people! Nothing more to see here!"
The boys spent their post-breakfast time in the common room, because unlike Hermione, they had only taken their required Auror classes for this year. sixth year They got to relax while she took her extra courses in the mornings like Arithmancy and Ancient Runes.
"So, what do you think of this Draco Malfoy incident" said Seamus, wearing a look of distain.
"I'm not sure, mate, but it's weird. Definitely weird." said Ron, staring looking as though he was about to wretch.
"I'm sure the girls were just pushing her buttons or something," Neville began, "I mean, Hermione's to smart to…"
Harry did not hear the rest of the conversation though, because he began to stare into the fire and think about it himself.
'First her air after that detention, and suddenly she's getting accused of thinking Draco Malfoy's shaggable? And why was he slamming his head into his pudding! Crimany, my life is confusing…'
No one had ventured to talk to Hermione until Harry and Ron caught up to her on the way to the dungeons. She was still looking rather annoyed as they strode down to the classroom in a comfortable silence. She laid a hand on each of their arms to stop them at the entrance.
"If you were wondering guys, there was absolutely no truth to the ridiculous things Parvati and Lavender are probably saying about me. I'm sorry we didn't get to chat at breakfast, but being around those two is just not very good for my mental stability."
Ron nodded, and went into the classroom first. This answer had satisfied him, but Harry still had a puzzle in his mind.
Hermione walked in second, and Harry last.
"Ah, well, if it isn't the Dream Team. 5 points from Gryffindor, for your tardiness." Sneered Snape, sending a particularly hateful glare at Hermione.
"But professor, we weren't late!" said Harry, trying to control himself.
"Potter, don't you know? To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, and to be late is simply unacceptable. If you would like to further question my motives, you can discuss it with the headmaster."
He looked at the class.
"Today we shall be working on potions in groups of two."
(A/N- this is the point where the regular DMHG writer conveniently pairs Draco and Hermione together, even though teachers have never encouraged the pairing in the books. If there was one thing I promised myself I would not do, it was get Hermione and Draco together by being partners in Potions)
"Decided the groups among yourselves. I do not want any complaints."
Harry Ron and Hermione exchanged glances. These were the times when being part of a trio made Hermione feel like a third wheel.
"I could always use the help of our lovely Miss Granger, so I hope you two wouldn't mind if I took her off your hands." Said Dean Thomas, holding out his arm for Hermione to take.
Harry and Ron mouthed a quick "Thank You" to Dean for letting them be partners without hurting Hermione's feelings. She laughed, took his arm, and mock strolled over to his desk.
After a few minutes of picking their potion, (The Draught of Peace) Hermione felt a pair of eyes boring into the back of her neck. She turned around, expecting to see steely grey eyes flashing back at her, but instead saw the disturbing site of Pansy Parkison, winking at her. She shuddered and turned back around.
"Okay Dean, we have most of the ingredients, but I need to get a permit from McGonagall and fetch some hellebore from the forest tonight."
A table back, (within earshot), Pansy smirked and poked Draco with her quill.
"Draco, I'm busy tonight with some friends, do you think you could get the daisy roots we need for our potion tonight?"
"Sure." He said, glaring daggers at the back of a Mister Dean Thomas's head.
The day dragged on uneventfully for most. By the time evening fell, on the rather nippy night, our favorite Gryffindors were gathered around the fire, some sleeping soundly, and some chatting softly.
"Oh, Harry, I forgot to go to the forest earlier! I just have to go now!"
"But it's dangerous to go at night, let me come with you."
"You and I both know that there's no where you would rather be" Hermione said, nodding her head towards the sleeping redhead Harry had draped his arm around.
"Just let, me go, I'll be back in a moment."
With a deep breath, he responded "Fine, but I need to know you'll be protected. Or able to contact me if something happens."
"I'll heat the D.A. coin, does that sound fine?"
"Okay, Hermione, be careful."
With a quick nod, she left the common room, clad in her pink fleece kitten pants and a dark blue sweatshirt with a pink 'H' from Mrs. Weasley, Hermione climbed out of the portrait and headed off to the forest.
After snagging her last hellebore flower, Hermione was startled by a voice behind her.
"What are you doing out here Granger? Thought you'd make Thomas jealous by sending yourself a bouquet? Pathetic."
"I was getting the flowers for our potion thank you, and what were you doing out here? Out for a rendezvous with Parkinson? That's quite an attractive bunch of weeds you've picked out for her" she said sarcastically, nodding towards the daisies. "I'm afraid that if you don't have a permit I'll have to take away house po-"
She stopped when Draco shoved a piece of parchment into her hand that read.
Draco Malfoy has my permission to visit the forbidden forest to get Daisy Roots for his potions work.
-Severus Snape
"Oh, well. I'll be going then, no need to waste any more time out here with you." She said, sending him a glare."
"Temper, temper, Granger. Not so fast! Where is your permit?"
"Right here in my robes." She said, confused by his pointed smirk, "Let me get it." She looked down to see her kitten pajamas.
"So you're off grounds without a permit, are you? Unless you want a hefty amount of Gryffindor points taken away, I think you should come help me find the rest of the daisies." She glared at him. "And by the way, do all muggles wear ridiculous pants to bed, or is that just you?"
"I do not think that's worth a response, Malfoy." She said sternly.
They continued to walk around the forest, as an awkward silence ensued, until
"You know Granger, I've got this built in gentleman complex, and I can't help but notice you're shivering-
"I'm fine!" she interjected.
He looked at her.
She shivered.
"Don't be stubborn Granger, and don't interrupt me. Take this." He said, wrapping his Slytherin Crest scarf around her neck.
Her mouth dropped and she began sputtering for a few moments.
"You look like a goldfish, woman. Stop that this instant, and come on."
She couldn't help but notice he was a little cold himself.
"Draco," she said softly, gaining his undivided attention.
"Yes?" he said, shocked to hear his first name roll out of her mouth. It sounded so foreign to him, so different, after all the years of hateful spats to hear her say his name almost as if she enjoyed his company. He knew she still abhorred him, but the mere fact that her virtues forced her to be kind to those who bestowed their kindness unto her, even if it was strange, subtle, Slytherin kindness, was charming.
"Thank you."
After an hour or so of aimlessly searching, the two teens were cold and exhausted.
"I think I see some over there!" Hermione said pointing at a yellow patch about 5 yards away.
With a sinister pang of energy, Hermione broke out into a sprint to the spot. Draco stared at the crazy brunette in awe for a moment before running to catch up to her. Because of the length of his legs, he reached the patch first and turned around, to be smacked into by a ruffled Hermione Granger.
Well, you know what happens when a speeding Hermione Granger bumps into an unstable Draco Malfoy, don't you? Why naturally, they topple onto the ground.
She lay on top of him, catching her breath for a few moments, before staring down at him. In that moment, absorbing the moonlight, Draco was positively shining. Enchanting. Magnetic, even. Subconsciously, their faces were edging forward until a distant crack broke them out of the wonderful trace night had woven them into. An amused smile played across his face.
"Not that I'm not enjoying this Hermione, but I'm afraid we're squishing my daisies here, and that is not acceptable." He used her name, almost mockingly.
She blushed, and it was barely detectable by moonlight, but he saw it nevertheless.
"Let's head back to the castle before the Justice League calls Dumbledore and the whole school's out looking for you." He said, gathering the last of the daisies.
They agreed to go their separate ways at the castle door, but all Draco could do was stand, watching her ascent to Gryffindor Tower until she disappeared around the corner. More and more throughout the night he began to enjoy her company, be impressed by her charisma, crave her touch. He simply could not let her go. Watching her strut away in his Slytherin scarf was, quite flattering. She had probably forgotten she even had it on, but even if in the most tiny, inconspicuous way, but seeing her wear it was immensely satisfying to the territorial young man. It was as if she was wearing a piece of him, or a post-it on her forehead saying "taken, by Draco Malfoy."
Yes, yes indeed. Draco Malfoy had made his claim.
As Hermione walked back into the common room, she gave Harry, who had been waiting up for her a kiss on the cheek good night and walked back into her dormitory.
'Good thing she's okay, I was beginning to worry. But bloody hell! Why was she wearing a Slytherin scarve with the MALFOY crest on it! He and I are going to have to have a discussion soon.'
She jumped onto her four poster, and fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.
Hermione attempted to put her pillow over her head to muffle the sound of the giggling girls disturbing her sleep.
"Shut up!" she said, throwing her pillow at Lavender's head.
Upon realizing she was awake, Lavender, Parvati, and Ginny silenced immediately and exchanged evil smirks.
"Good morning Hermione." They chorused.
Hermione blanched in horror as she saw the Parvati whip out the Slytherin scarf from behind her back and toss it to her.
"Got anything to tell us?"
heh. Ca-liffy! Review review review!
By the way, please check out a little One-Shot I wrote called Villain of the Story. It got like, two reviews and I'm feeling pretty bummed.
A big whopping thank you to spiritedwings for reading and reviewing my work all the time. You are one of the reasons I have continued this story, just so you know. There's nothing I appreciate more than constant support.
I'd like to blow another kiss to HiddenOperaAngel, Kole17, jip91, prettigurl7, and JusT LooKing ArounD- You all are wonderful also. A personal thank you to each one of you.