A/N: I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT MARK IS THE BEST BOYFRIEND IN THE WORLD! CHANCES ARE PRETTY GOOD YOU'RE READING THIS SO I JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU THANKS FOR THE HELP STUD!
Hehe, sorry for the corny declaration of affection without warning. But if I had warned you, you would've just skipped over it, and then I would have failed at letting everybody know that Mark is…well you know, you read it already.
So, by now you've noticed that I've done another chapter. I must admit another conflict and any possible resolution are stilly a little foggy in my mind and I'm afraid my lack of certainty and confidence may hinder its quality. Don't get me wrong, I'm adding on because I'm just having so much I don't want it to stop, it's just that I don't really know where I'm going with this (but I'm working hard at thinking of something good for y'all I promise.) But, if this ends up sucking and ruining the first 23 chapters that I personally have grown rather fond of as well (my first fanfic, what can I say, I'm sentimental) I'll promptly remove these chapters and we can all pretend like they never happened mmmk? Until then, if you'd let me know how they are you know I'd love you forever.
… … …
"Hermione…wake up." said a half asleep Draco.
Hermione just murmured, rolled over and wrapped herself more deeply in the covers.
"Hermione…"
A mean sounding grunt and a violent swat was all he got in reply.
'What a crabby-pants' he thought to himself with a laugh. "Hermione," Draco said more earnestly, "…it's 8:43, class starts in less than 20 minutes.
Hermione gasped and immediately sat up, her eyes wide. Draco watched her reaction with interest as she looked at the clock in horror. Then her eyes met his face and any expression of negativity melted away and smile crept across her lips as she realized where she was and who she was with.
"Well that sucks," she said with no actually tone of disappointment. "Now we have to share the shower to save time…." She said smugly.
She jumped out of the bed and ran into the bathroom. Draco laughed to himself, apparently she was quite bipolar in the morning. He hurried after her in the shower.
Draco couldn't recall a better start to a school day than a front row seat to Hermione soaping up her body and rinsing herself under the warm soothing water right next to him. Unfortunately for him, they only made out a little before Hermione slipped away, wrapped herself into a towel and disappeared into her room.
She reappeared fully clothed, the towel now wrapped around her head. Draco watched her with fascination, like she was the last of an endangered species. She brushed her teeth and put on a little mascara and blush. Then she undid the towel and flipped her head over, her wet hair spilling everywhere.
"Driosieus!" she cried shaking her head as all the water was magically repelled from her head and ran off onto the marble floor. She flipped her head back, her hair completely dry, shiny and his definition of female perfection.
"So THAT'S why there's always a puddle there," said Draco with a mouth full of toothbrush, "I almost slip and die on that daily you know…."
Hermione sneered at him playfully as she threw her towel on the floor and began wiping the water up with her foot, adjusting wild curls behind her ears with her free hands.
Draco rinsed and spat, "Clean?" he inquired as he pulled her in for a kiss.
"Sparkling," she said with a smile. "Now let's go!"
"You go on ahead, you can be on time, I still gotta do my hair."
Hermione scoffed, "Gimme that," she demanded, taking the bottle of hair product away from him. She squirt some into the palms of her hands and with only one swoop over his hair it was perfectly slicked back.
"How did you do that!" Draco asked shocked. That took him at least 20 minutes…on a good day.
"Girls are good at that," she answered, "Now for the love of Merlin, put on your pants, we can still make it."
However, they were still a good 5 minutes late. To double potions. Not good.
"I knew we shouldn't have made out." Hermione said bitterly.
"Oh relax," Draco responded defensively, "Snape ain't so bad." Draco opened the door and pushed Hermione in with a squeal.
"How nice of you to come in late and distract us Granger, you'd think a head girl would know better," uttered Snape cruelly.
Then Draco stepped in behind her. "Well Prof. Snape, she was running an errand for Dumbledore… with me. Head business. We apologize but we had responsibilities to tend."
Snape looked rather disappointed, but he couldn't justify punishing Hermione and Gryffindor without also punishing Draco and Slytherin.
"Fine then," he muttered, "hurry up and sit, we've picked partners already so you two will have to work together."
Hermione noticed Harry for the first time. She recalled she owned him and Ron one hell of an explanation for running off last night, but right now he didn't seem to occupied with that. He was giving her an odd look, like an 'I'm sorry you're getting the shaft" look. Finally she realized it was because he assumed she was miserable for being paired with Draco. She faked a look of "I know, can you believe this crap?" and shrugged her shoulders at him.
After the class had been instructed and it was fairly noisy from all the working students Draco asked Hermione what was wrong. She had become quite quiet since potions had started.
"It's Harry and Ron." She finally admitted.
Draco couldn't help but grimace. He had forgotten about them. Hermione detected his disgust and put her hand on his behind their cauldron.
"Draco, I want to be with you…."
"I want to be with you too Hermione."
"And I could care less about what anyone thinks of us, I'd shout it on the rooftops if I could….
Draco would've really liked to agree again, but he suddenly felt a lump in his throat, his father came to mind for the first time
"But I don't think I can give up being friends with Harry and Ron," she finally confessed.
Draco looked at her blankly.
"I understand if you're mad but please believe me when I say I don't want our relationship to be a secret forever…but maybe just a little while longer….
Draco's heart started beating again; he thought she'd be furious if he ever suggested they hid their love. He was scared for a minute she was about to 'shout it on the roof' tops, as she had put it. But much to his happiness she suggested it first.
"Hermione," he said stopping her, "I'm not mad, I understand. As long as we know we're together that's all that matters."
"Oh Draco," Hermione said with a big smile, "I could kiss you right now!"
Draco smiled smugly at her, "I'm definitely taking a rain check on that."
Hermione and Draco took their usual separate seats in transfiguration where immediately Hermione assured Ron and Harry that she was ok and that everything was perfectly fine now.
"What was up with Dean though?" Harry asked.
Relieved that she could finally be honest about something she told them what really happened.
"I'll friggin' kill him!" Ron fumed after Hermione explained.
"Ron, no, the kid's already been punched and stunned. I think he's learned his lesson." Hermione told him firmly, "I just want to put the whole thing behind me."
"I can't believe he did that to you…but I guess understandable that you'd just want to forget about it," said Harry, "But what about Draco? What's up with that?"
"Oh Harry, I can't believe you're mad about me and Draco not making each other's lives a living hell! He stuck up for me didn't he? What's so bad about that? Being head is hard enough, we don't need to give each other extra crap."
"So you're best friends now? Or what?" Harry said defensively in response to Hermione's defensiveness.
"Don't be silly Harry, we just don't hate each other anymore. You can't spend all your time with a single person like we do and not grow to respect them."
"I dunno Hermione…" Harry said shaking his head, "he's Malfoy."
Hermione looked at him sternly, "Well that's not hypocritical at all," she said, "judging people by their families…"
"I don't mean to be mean 'Mione..." Harry said, "I just don't trust Malfoys…"
The conversation ended when McGonagall stood up to start the class.
About half way through the lesson Dean Thomas hesitantly walked in. He was finally released from the hospital wing.
Draco stared him down. Hermione watched Draco stare him down. Pansy watched Hermione watch Draco stare him down. Harry watched Pansy watch Hermione watch Draco stare him down. Ron watched….a bird out the window, day dreaming of the Chudley Cannons most likely. Harry elbowed Ron, now back in earth's orbit he saw Dean.
Everything in Draco clenched at the sight of him, it was hard for him to refrain from giving him another stun. Pansy watched Draco with her pudgy lip quivering. He couldn't fool her, she knew he liked Hermione. Pansy Parkinson, being the stuck up snob she is, didn't sit well with the fact that she lost a guy to a muggle-born and she was willing to go extremes to undo it. Dean avoided everybody's eyes, he tried to be as quiet and still as possible, like he didn't exist. He was scared and ashamed. He glanced up at Hermione and Draco nearly lost it. 'Don't you look at her you putz!' he thought angrily in his head.
"It's just so odd," Ron whispered to Harry upon surveying everyone's awkward body language, "Even if Hermione and Malfoy are on good terms, it's still really weird for him to stick up for her in front of other people."
Harry agreed. "He doesn't even stick up for Crabbe and Goyle… Why would he do something so rash yet noble?" he whispered back.
"Maybe 'Mione's been cursin' him with behavior charms… I thought I saw her with a copy of 'Magic tricks: a wizard's guide of training your dog'."
Harry snorted with laughter, which he immediately stifled upon McGonagall's wicked looks. "Something's not right….We'll get to the bottom of it." Harry reassured Ron before he busied himself in his textbook.
"Ms. Granger," Prof. McGonagall called as the rest of the students arose and herded toward the door upon the sound of the bell, "and Mr. Malfoy, may I see you please."
"We'll save you a seat at lunch," Ron said to her as him and Harry headed to the great hall.
"Yes Professor," Draco said maturely.
"Dumbledore requests another meeting after supper."
"Ok," said Hermione
"Have a nice day then." Prof. McGonagall said as she busied herself in her next class's lesson plan.
Draco walked down the corridor along with Hermione, once he was sure no one was around he took her hand.
"Another friggin' extra project for us to do, how many will there be!" he complained.
"I'm surprised too," agreed Hermione, "You'd think he'd know we'd have tons of other work as well. Perhaps it's something different this time. I remember when Percy Weasley was head boy he got to do all kinds of unique and fun things…"
"Percy Weasley…pfff" was all Draco responded nonchalantly.
Hermione just laughed and shook her head disapprovingly. "At least I'm not nearly as nervous about this one." She said, "The first ones drove me insane."
"Really?" said Draco, "what were you so afraid of? They weren't that hard."
"No they weren't," she agreed as the walked towards the great hall, "but you were terrifying."
Draco laughed, "Me? You were scared of me?"
Hermione laughed too, "Of course! You're very intimidating! …plus it's not like you were known for how kindly you treated me…I thought doing the projects was going to be hell! I dreaded it ever since Dumbledore talked to us about it. Not to mention living with you!"
Draco laughed, "Yeah I was worried about that too…"
"Oh really?" said Hermione
"Haha, yeah… I thought you'd be a major distraction," said Draco, "There hasn't been a day I haven't thought about you since Florish and Blott's. Kind of hard to get anything done you know."
Hermione smiled. "Yeah well I guess nothing is nearly as bad as we thought huh?"
"What?" Draco teased, "You mean you're not still afraid of me?" he said with angry eyes. But his playful smile gave him away. He grabbed her, roaring, and spun her around.
She laughed freely as he jostled her with ease, finally slowing their spin and holding her close.
"Do you think about your pills anymore?" he asked out of the blue.
"Actually, now is the first time since Friday night." She said, realizing that herself.
"You mean you didn't crave them after that whole thing with Pansy?" he inquired?
"No"
"Or Dean?"
"Nope."
"Or our fight?"
"No, I was too busy being pissed at you."
Draco laughed. "Well at least you're cured." He said, "…. I hope it wasn't too painful," he added apologetically, recalling all the greif heput her through while he was blackmailing her.
She looked at him very seriously. "Well it was," she said, "It was probably one of the most painful things I've ever gone through."
Draco began to feel very remorseful and avoided her eyes.
"But it was worth it," she finally said, smiling at him.
… … …
"Why do you want to know?" asked Ginny matter-of-factly.
"Because Ginny," Ron whined, "just tell us!"
"I dunno…" she said, "Hermione might not appreciate it."
"Ginny," Harry said as sweetly as he could, gazing into her eyes from across the Gryffindor table. "We've got a surprise for her is all; we want to set it up in her room."
Ginny was over her crush on Harry, but that doesn't mean she still didn't think he was absolutely adorable. Harry knew this, she couldn't resist his puppy dog face. Ginny looked Harry questionably in the eyes. Then she bought it.
"Oh you guys," she chimed, "that's so sweet!"
"Yeah it is," said Ron hastily, "Now what's the password?"
"Oh….," Ginny said after a spoonful of soup, "Actually I don't know it." Harry and Ron moaned in annoyance. "…But I can find out." They erupted with happy relief.
"Thanks Ginny you're the best!" exclaimed Ron, "but listen, don't tell her, don't even hint. It's got to be a surprise."
"OK I promise," She said, "what is it?"
"Uh…" said Harry "can't tell remember? Not even you. It's a surprise."
"Oh no way," Ginny protested, "tell me or I'll tell her!"
"Can't," said Ron after taking a huge munch out of an apple, "….already promised."
Ginny was cursing herself when Hermione walked in and headed towards their table. Draco appeared just moments after and without so much as a look he went to his table on the other side of the room.
They greeted each other as Hermione began filling her plate.
"Hermione you left a hair brush in my dorm last time you slept over," Ginny said, shooting Ron an odd look.
He looked at her puzzled until finally he realized what she was getting at, "You guys have sleepovers eh?" he asked to no one in particular.
"Occasionally," said Hermione.
"Well that makes sense," said Harry, "I'm sure it gets pretty lonely in the head quarters since half wit over there isn't much company."
Hermione was about to defend Draco as discreetly as she could when Ginny blurted out "Actually, I've never been there."
"What?" Said Ron, "You're telling me Hermione is staying in the nicest room in the castle and you guys crash in Gryffindor tower? THAT makes a lot of sense."
"Well, Ron," said Hermione, "that's just how it's worked out so far, I'm sure Ginny will see plenty of the head dorms before the years over."
"Well why not tonight?" Harry asked innocently.
Ginny smiled big. "That would be really fun," she said
Hermione lowered her fork and looked at Ginny. Her eyes said "What? You of all people should know Draco and I are gonna want to get it on."
"Really?" Hermione said awkwardly, "Tonight? But it's a school night."
Ginny laughed, "Oh Hermione, it's not like that's stopped us before." She said, her eyes saying "Well isn't that just too bad for you then."
"What's up Mione?" said Ron, "You even stricter now that you're head? Or do you just wanna keep that suite to yourself huh?"
Hermione laughed nervously, "Of course not, Ginny you know I'd love it if you and I hung out tonight b…."
"Awesome! It's agreed then!" she said, "You can show me where it is after dinner!"
Hermione smiled at her through gritted teeth and Ginny giggled to herself. Draco was going to be so mad when he finds out he can't give it to Hermione because of a Weasley.
"Well we'll have to take the tour some other time Mione," said Harry, "Ron and I have to go work on new defensive plays with Bell after dinner. But we definitely want to see it sometime."
"Yeah Mione," Ron whined again, "And we want to go to Hogsmeade too! I thought being best buds with head girl was supposed to have its perks."
Hermione just laughed at them as they finished off their desserts and filed off to their afternoon classes.
… … …
"I'm going to demand gloves next time," Ginny complained as they climbed up the stairs to Dumbledore's office, "I'm sick of getting soil under my fingernails everyday in herbology."
Hermione just laughed at her young friend. Ginny was going to have to wait for her meeting to be over before she showed her the head dorms.
"UH! And I'm so full…I've got to stop pigging out so much at dinner." She said randomly. Their conversation stopped upon reaching the landing and seeing Draco waiting outside the door.
"Draco," Hermione said with a nod.
"Hermione." He replied cordially, looking at Ginny with slight confusion.
"You know Ginny Weasley right?" she said
"We know each other" Ginny said smoothly. Draco didn't know Ginny knew about him and Hermione. It was very fun for her to see him act so cautiously around her.
"Charmed," said Draco through a weird smile. He didn't want Hermione mad at him for not being nice to the littlest weasel.
"Ginny's going to spending the night in my room," Hermione said through her own awkward phony smile, "just thought I'd let you know."
"Ah…" said a puzzled Draco. Then he suddenly realized what that meant. Ginny almost burst out laughing as she watched Draco try really hard and fail miserably to hide his scowl.
Just then Dumbledore opened the door to interrupt the awkwardness Ginny found so entertaining, "AH! Do come in!"
"I'll just meet you right here then?" said Hermione. Ginny nodded.
Draco and Hermione sat down in front of Dumbledore's desk. Hermione loved his office, it was filled with so many interesting tools and trinkets.
"Don't tell me, Headmaster," said Draco, "For our next project we have to find a cure for werewolfism."
Dumbledore chuckled heartily, "Oh no, my dear boy," he said, "there will be no project this time."
Hermione and Draco let a relieved sigh.
"I asked you here this evening to tell you that you are now in charge of this year's Halloween ball."
Draco frowned and Hermione smiled big.
"I can only imagine how wonderful this year festivities will be, never before has Hogwarts had a duo quite like you two," said their headmaster, "That paper and that potion were magnificent. You two work marvelously together and have earned a well deserved break. I do hope you have fun with this next responsibility…now here are a few memos with some rules and suggestions. You can decide how to decorate the great hall anyway you'd like and feel free to use any resource, given you have permission of course, which the teachers are more than willing to grant you. A high attendance from all the students would be greatly appreciated. Its get togethers like these that encourage friendship and unity, so please, do aim for a large turn out. Any questions?"
Draco shook his head.
"Very well then," he said, "We're finished with head business here," they got up out of their chairs, "But, Ms. Granger, will you please stay for another moment? I'd like a private word."
Hermione looked at him puzzled but nodded in agreement.
Draco looked at her just as curious as well.
"But that will be all for us Mr. Malfoy, you may leave."
He slowly turned to open the door to exit when he saw Pansy waiting on the other side.
Ginny was still there as well, looking rather disgruntled. Pansy smiled smugly at Draco.
"Ah, Ms. Parkinson," said Dumbledore, "just in time. Please do come in."
… … …
Ginny Weasley paced back and forth in front of Dumbledore's office door for a good 15 minutes, but it felt a lot longer to Ginny. The door finally started to open, and it was a disappointed looking Pansy that emerged. She looked even fouler when she saw Ginny. She exaggeratedly sniffed the air and twisted up her nose, as if smelling an awful odor, to silently insult Ginny.
"What's the matter Parkinson? Does whatever bullshit plan you conjured to get 'Mione in trouble reek to even you?"
Pansy scoffed. "I'm not even going to waste my time talking to you weasel."
"Wow," Ginny replied, "Aren't I the lucky one."
Pansy couldn't think of an equally witty come back so she just scowled and headed down the stairs as Hermione came out finally. She looked pretty grim.
"What was that all about?" Ginny asked as they started walking back.
"Ugh," Hermione groaned, "Parkinson apparently told the nurse how she got her broken nose."
"Uh oh." Said Ginny
"No, its ok, the idiot failed to mention that she started the fight. So she has 3 detentions for instigation and dishonesty."
"Ooooh, well that's good!" said Ginny
"Hardly," responded Hermione, "'Head girl should know better that to resort to violence, even in provoked situations.'" She said mocking Dumbledore.
"What? It was self defense!" yelled Ginny.
"Yes, but Dumbledore feels that I am "mature" enough to find other ways to resolving conflicts, especially as head girl. Apparently I'm supposed to be an "example"."
"Well that sucks…did you get detention to?" inquired Ginny.
"No, I'm not being "punished" since she started it. I just have to be with her when she does her detentions! So we can 'resolve our difference and show the school that anyone can be friends'…honestly, it's worse than detention….where's Draco?" She said looking down the hall for him.
Ginny laughed, "I guess he thought it would come off as too weird if he waited for you. I could tell he didn't want too but he went to his room. He said to tell you he hopes you 'have a good evening'."
"Haha, "good evening"? Is he my business associate now or something?"
"I told you he doesn't know what to do around me!" she giggled, "he doesn't want me to know that he loooves you."
Ginny listen to Hermione complain about how sucky hanging out with Pansy was going to be as the finished the fairly long walk back to her room.
"…At least she's miserable about it too. I can't believe that jerk tried to get me in trouble. Probably hoping I'd lose my head position…." Hermione said as they reached the painting.
"You should get her back." Ginny declared.
Hermione laughed, "No, that's ok I don't want to sink to her level. Besides, she doesn't matter enough to me to be worth the effort. And even if I did do something to her I'd probably fell bad about it later."
Ginny chuckled, "Oh, Hermione, you're way too nice of a person, honestly."
"I hope so," Hermione laughed, "but listen, let's just stay out of Draco's way. I have a feeling he's going to be pretty crabby with me for making plans without asking him."
"You mean he's mad he's not getting any tonight." Ginny said.
Hermione stuck her tongue out at her then turned to the painting, "Ferret," she said.
'Ferret' Ginny repeated to herself trying not to laugh out loud.