Chapter Five

To The Moon and Back

H,

Flying lessons tonight after our head meeting with Dumbledore, go ahead and make your excuses to Potty and Weasel.

D

She didn't think this Monday would ever pass. She had taken one flying lesson in her entire life and to keep it nicely it didn't go very well. After her horrible experience neither of "her boys" had bothered to teach her. It was just something that they didn't mention; this was probably just to keep from being hexed.

For the first time in her life she didn't hang onto Professor Dumbledore's every word during the Head meeting. She just kept looking at her feet, which were wiggling impatiently, trying to get them to stop. Malfoy took control of the meeting telling Professor Dumbledore her plans for the social activities every week.

"And what will this weeks activity be Miss Granger?" Dumbledore said smiling at Hermione.

"Hmm", Hermione said blushing, "oh, we will be doing something simple so they can get used to the idea. Obviously," Hermione said finally taking control, "we missed a Friday this month," blushing at the thought of what happened last Friday, " with your permission we would like to use a larger unused classroom for this, we can keep a bulletin board with the activities and whatnot that each prefect will be hosting and the students can sign up for whatever interests them. Once a month the prefects will help us set up a dance, except at Halloween, inDecember, and May were we will be holding a ball," Hermione added, reaching into her bag for her folder of more detailed information and handing into to the slightly amused Headmaster. "Each of the prefects have been instructed to hand in their plans tomorrow."

"Well Miss. Granger if that will be all, you have my permission. Mr. Malfoy I would like to see you a moment. Good night Miss. Granger." Professor Dumbledore said.

Hermione headed up to her rooms to wait for Malfoy. She went through her trunk and pulled out a gift from Ginny that she had never worn. The long ebony cloak felt like silk. She was in awe when she had found out that Ginny had made it herself.

A feeling of guilt struck Hermione as she realized that she had been neglecting her friends, and she resolved to spend more time with them. Her and Malfoy would just have to work something out.

Digging further into her trunk Hermione found a pair of black muggle jeans and a top to match. She pulled her hair halfway back with a black ribbon. Digging out her boot knife she added it to her pile for she was worried things would get tricky. Throwing her clothes on she decided she would get a few steps in while she waited for Malfoy.

Malfoy walked in to find Granger dancing without music. She wasn't dancing any routine. She was just having fun. That's what he wanted to do, but first he had to pull his end of the deal. Granger wasn't the type to put up with his crap. His being a Malfoy, and all the power and money that came with that name, didn't mean anything to her. If she didn't want to help him she wouldn't, but if he kept the peace the Gryffindor would go an extra mile to help him.

It bothered Malfoy to find someone who didn't care that he was Draconis Severus Malfoy, soon to be Lord Malfoy, heir of the largest account at Gringotts.

Stepping out of the shadows, Draco watched Granger realize that he was there.

"I guess we should get going", Hermione said blushing.

Hermione felt like she did the day she first got her "Hogwarts Letter": scared, excited, nervous … and queasy.

"Yes we should, Draco smirked " lets me get my broom".

Once again the three Professors watched two enemies stealth around the halls of Hogwarts.

"Any news?" Dumbledore asked the potions and transfiguration masters.

"He hasn't ruined one of her potions in class", the Potions teacher said with a smirk.

"Yes, and she was daydreaming during the heads meeting. Mr. Malfoy actually had to speak up." Dumbledore noted.

"She must be nervous", Professor Snape stated.

"He must have finally realized he must stay on her good side to get his way," Professor McGonagall concluded.

"Let's go to the Quidditch Pitch," said Professor Dumbledore.

Malfoy watched Granger with glee. For once she wasn't perfect. It almost made her seem human. He smirked when he saw that some ofher bushy hair had escaped her black ribbon and the wind was making it fly all about the place. Annoyed she swiped it back, butto no avail.

Her eyes had turned the color of molten gold in her anger, which softened as soon as the broom finally flew into her hand at her "up" order

Malfoy was grudgingly impressed. Although it took her several tries to call the broom she did that in good speed. The broom was his; it was tuned to his body, his call, and his magic. He didn't expect the broom to allow her to use it so quickly.

Hermione was livid. As many times as she tried, the broom still wouldn't be called. She was surprised that Malfoy was letting her use his broom, asit was common knowledge that his broom was his most treasured possession.

"You have to picture it already in your hand." Malfoy informed her.

"I am!" she snapped back.

Malfoy smirked. Taking a deep breath she tried to call it once more. This time she was successful. Hermione rewarded Malfoy with a huge grin. Startled, Malfoy quickly masked his shock at making the "Queen of Gryffindor" smile.

"Can I fly now?" Hermione asked Malfoy eagerly.

" It depends, Malfoy told her with a smirk, "Do you trust me?"

"No, not really" Hermione told him frankly, "but I trust that you need me whole and healthy for your next lesson."

"What makes you think that I want to dance that badly", Malfoy said smugly.

"You're a Slytherin. You wouldn't waste your time, or too much ambition and all that." Hermione said knowingly.

"What if I were doing it to trick you?" Malfoy said thinking he had the best of her.

"Like I said you're a Slytherin. First, you wouldn't have just told me. Secondly,

You're Draco Malfoy, you would have tried to seduce me. Which in your mind would be more beneficial for you therefore the Slytherin thing to do.

"S.. s… seduce you. Malfoy stammered, "but you're not a …"

"..pureblood" Hermione filled in.

"No you're not a…."

"...Woman." Hermione finished for him.

The silence that followed let Hermione know that she had hit the mark.

"Trust me Malfoy I am", Hermione said, "I just don't flaunt the fact"

"Why not", Malfoy said nastily, mad that he had lost his composure.

"Because there is nothing but boys at this school", Hermione said pushing her windblown hair out of her face. "I don't want a boy. I want a man", she added briefly thinking of Professor Snape giving her his warning. "I don't need some immature git who only wants to copy homework and is terrified of brains. Plus, she concluded, I do not have time for them."

"That's just stupid. Every girl wants a boyfriend," Malfoy informed her, his silky silver locks sliding to hang in his face.

"Not this one", Hermione said her face flushed with determination.

"Well it's not like you have to worry about men. They don't exactly flock around you", Malfoy added evilly, refusing to be beat.

"Well that's good, but if I wanted them to flock they wouldn't have a chance", Hermione said smugly coming up with an idea.

"Sure", Malfoy said doubtfully.

Once again silence enveloped them.

"Am I going to fly or not?" Hermione all but whined.

"We are going to fly, but put your hood up so we won't be seen."

"You are one to talk", Hermione said, complying, "your hair is so silver its bound to stand out against the night sky."

Malfoy pulled his hood over his silver locks.

"First, you are going to straddle the broom; tonight I am going to steer so it won't be too comfortable. you are going to have to lean forwards so I too can grip the broom and steer.", Malfoy instructed.

Hermione straddled the broom followed by Malfoy. For two enemies they were uncomfortably close, his crotch was pressed right against her rump. Both had mentally decided not to comment.

"Now lean forward," Malfoy whispered as he pressed his chest against her back and gripped the handle. "Are you ready?"

Without waiting for an answer Malfoy pushed off of the ground.

Draco felt Granger tense up. Slowly moving the broom forward he felt her relax.

After hovering for a moment he increased their height, staying in one spot until he would feel her relax.

After increasing their speed and flying at an upward angle, she tensed up again.

"Just hang on, I'm not going to do any loops or nose dives so don't be scared," he whispered in her ear. At her nod he dramatically increased their speed.

Slowly, very slowly, Hermione began to enjoy herself.

"Wonderful, isn't it?" Malfoy murmured.

"Oh yes", Hermione agreed.

"Sit up ", Malfoy commanded.

Hermione complied uneasily.

Putting one of his arms firmly around her waste he gave her one more order, "I've got you, now let go of the broom."

The obedient student did as she was told. The large amount of speed caused their hoods to be knocked back, and the ribbon to fly out of her hair. Holding her arms out as if she were a bird, Hermione let out a soft sigh.

"This is worth a thousand dances."

"Faster?" Draco asked her.

"Yes, please", she cooed.

In the quidditch stand the three snoops all grinned as they watched the pair fly into the horizon with the full moon, hair gently blowing in the wind. "This is so romantic" Professor McGonagall sighed.

"Beautiful", Professor Dumbledore agreed.

"Well it's a start, but did you hear her earlier? It is going to take more than a couple of lessons to get those two together. And then we have to wait and see how Draco handles himself and his pureblood traditions." Professor Snape informed them.

"Always the optimistic aren't you Severus?" Professor McGonagall said sarcastically.

"He's right though, we need to give them every push possible." Professor Dumbledore said.

Forgetting family life , the dark lord, and all her other problems, Hermione saw nothing but the beautiful world in front of her. Leaning back against the man behind her she sighed once again. "Its no wonder why boys fly all the time. How can anything be so perfect?" Hermione said turning her head slightly to look at Malfoy.

"You don't try to figure it out… you just feel it." Malfoy said wisely.

"Well now we are even", Hermione started, "I never thought that you could feel something like that."

"Just because I don't wear my heart on my sleeve doesn't me I don't have one", Malfoy purred in her ear.

They slowly flew away from the quidditch pitch towards the lake.

"Well you sure had me fooled." Hermione told him looking directly into his eyes.

"I wonder what's on the moon…" Malfoy said changing the subject realizing that he was practically flirting.

"Oh just a bunch of rocks, dust, and craters," Hermione said looking at the subject in question.

"How do you know?" Malfoy asked her looking a little disappointed.

"Muggles have been there." Hermione informed him.

"Muggles…" Malfoy stammered confused "… but… but… they..."

"Have mud for blood?" Hermione snapped at him.

Once again Malfoy was silent at her conclusion.

"Look Malfoy, Hermione said pulling her boot knife out quickly, slashing her hand open, its blood."

Malfoy was dumbfounded. Grabbing his hand she slashed it open. "Its blood Malfoy. Its just blood…" she trailed meekly." Mine carries oxygen and so does yours."

Malfoy looked at his hand. He was too shocked to react. Hermione Granger had cut him! Just to prove a point. He was confused, angry, and tired.

"Look I'm sorry that I cut your hand. ", Hermione said noticing the strange look on his face.

Not understanding what Malfoy's nod meant Hermione spoke up to end the uncomfortable evening. "Lets just go to bed." Hermione said "its almost dawn."

Neither spoke as they gently landed in the quidditch pitch and headed to bed.

The next morning was very awkward for the Head boy and Girl.

Draco had stayed awake all night thinking about what Granger had told him. He was muddled. His father had told him that people without pure blood were different and inferior. The highest-ranking student in his class said otherwise. Who was he to believe, the man who raised him, or the girl who could dance?

Halfheartedly working on his homework Malfoy jotted a few lines down. Looking at his hand, which was going to leave a light scar, Malfoy decided he would research muggles going to the moon to see how it was possible.

"Granger can I borrow a book?", Draco said looking at the girl, who was causing his head to hurt so much,

"Yeah sure", she said eyeing him warily, "which one?

"Your Muggle Studies book."

"Umm, sure." she said failing to mask her shock.

Leaning back down over her homework, Hermione tried to keep from staring at him.

'Why on earth do I care that he is reading about muggles? He's probably just trying to come up with ways to torture them using their own tools.'

Reading through the book Draco felt his heart plummet.

Seeing Malfoy get even paler then usual Hermione got a little worried.

"What's wrong? Are you sick?" she asked concerned.

"No, it's nothing." Malfoy lied.

"Yeah right. Tell me the truth. I'm not that stupid you know." Hermione informed him.

"Well it's just that people can't live on the moon." Malfoy said sounding heartbroken.

"Well duh." she said annoyed that he had her worried.

Draco looked as if Quidditch was permanently canceled.

"Never mind." he said downcast.

Hermione immediately understood.

"Draco", Hermione said frowning, "why would you want to live on the moon?

Draco looked up at her sharply.

"It won't help anything believe me. You will always have to return home. Your haven will never last. It never does."

Both students turned at the loud knock on the door.

" Hermione come on down to breakfast with us", Harry and Ron hollered through the door.

"How do you escape?" he asked her.

"You don't. You just borrow time. And when you can't you read and go to another world."

"Good day Malfoy." Hermione said returning to his surname.

As soon as Granger left the room, Malfoy hit the table with a fist and headed to Snape's rooms.

Hermione listened to the boys and Ginny talk about quidditch as she piled bacon and eggs on to her plate. For the first time she didn't roll her eyes.

Turning to her red headed friend she spoke.

"Ginny would you like to stay the night in my rooms?"

"Yeah, sure!"

"Well let's go get your stuff I have a big favor to ask of you."

In Hermione's bathroom

Pavarti held up a pair of shears and looked at Ginny and Lavender. "I'm thinking layers."

"Around her face" Lavender chimed in.

"Now this isn't permanent!" Hermione informed them, "just for today."

"But Hermione, this will take the weight off your head. And it will be easier to brush in the mornings." Ginny coaxed her.

"Why are you letting us do this anyway?" Lavender asked her.

"Its just to prove a point." She replied.

"All right I will let you cut my hair but I am only wearing the makeup just this one day."

"Agreed." the three eager girls chimed.

Pavarotti attacked her hair, Lavender attacked her with makeup, and Ginny went through her clothes.

"Hermione" Ginny said in awe, "Why do you have a leather skirt?"

"Oh it was a gift."

Have you ever even worn it?

"Once", Hermione said blushing thinking of that evening at the club.

"Well you are going to wear this I have a perfect top for it in my rooms", Ginny said heading out the door.

By the time Ginny returned Lavender and Pavarti were finished with her.

"Here put this on", Ginny said handing her a white spaghetti strap shit, "and these she said handing her a pair of black strap ups. "

"Oooh!" Lavender squealed you look wonderful.

"I look like a prostitute."

"You look dazzling."

"Well don't get used to it."

Draco sat on the couch staring into the fire. Looking to his left he saw the book that Granger had currently been engrossed with. Picking it up he read the title, "To Kill A Mocking Bird". He opened it up to the page where her bookmark was and began to read.

After reading a few chapters Draco tore himself away from the book and headed to the Great Hall for lunch.

Sitting between Blaise and Pansy, Draco looked over at the Gryffindor table. What is going on at the 'goody goody table'? Draco asked Blaise, looking at the large group of boys from all different houses.

"Blaise went over there didn't you.", Pansy shrilled, not giving Draco any answer.

"You did?", Draco asked, "What happened?"

"Her body guards protected her, I could barely even get a second look." Blaise said as if he was clearing things up.

"Protected who?" Draco asked.

Not receiving an answer from Blaise, who was busy looking at the Gryffindor table, Draco decided to go see what was going on.

"Crabbe, Goyle!" Draco snarled.

Immediately his two "puppy dogs" were right behind him.

Marching over to the Gryffindor table Draco and his goons pushed all of the boys out of his way.

His mouth literally fell open when he saw Granger; true to her word she had made the boys "flock".

Her once bushy hair was now in silky curls, she had actually managed to put a little makeup on, and she was wearing very little clothing.

"Do you have a problem?", Potter asked Draco as Weasely cracked his knuckles.

"Actually I was just trying to see what was so great about the Gryffindor know-it-all, but now I see, she's peddling her wares!"

Crabbe and Goyle stepped in front of Malfoy as the boys jumped to attack.

"Come on lets go eat.", Draco demanded.

Crabbe and Goyle obeyed.

Draco looked at an ugly statue on the wall. He was pretty sure someone was following him, but he couldn't be sure. Just as he pulled out his wand someone grabbed him from behind, covering his mouth and pulled him into a closet.

Draco had every intention on retaliating until he saw that it was Granger.

"What are you? Crazy?" Draco snarled.

"Shh! Were being followed!", Hermione hissed.

Draco suddenly became aware of their situation. Sure he had been in a closet with a girl before, but not one who loathed him.

Looking at her he realized that all of her makeup was gone and she was wearing clothes that actually covered her.

"What happened to your new look?" Draco whispered to her disinterestedly.

Rolling her eyes Hermione hissed, " I told you, I don't want those little boys."

"You do know that makes me question your sexuality don't you?" Draco asked her.

"Well here lets put it this way", Hermione began, "doesn't it bother you that girls only like you for your title and money?"

Before Draco could say anything, Hermione peeked her head out of the door.

"O.K. she's gone."

"Who is gone?" Draco asked curiously.

"Professor McGonagall." Hermione replied, shoving a bit of parchment into his hand and quickly left.

Looking at the crumpled wad in his hand, Draco realized it was a letter and smoothed it out.

D,

Lets escape tonight. Meet me at our usual spot tonight at curfew. Watch out for some snoops.

H

TBC

She's saying, "Love is like a barren place,

and reaching out for human faith

Is like a journey I just don't have a map for"

So baby's gonna take a dive and

Push the shift to overdrive

Send a signal that's she's hanging

All her hopes on the stars

What a pleasant dream

I would fly to the moon and back if

You'll be …

If you'll be my baby.

Got a ticket to a world where we belong

So would you be my baby

To The Moon And Back

Savage Garden

AN

I'm sorry about the delay, I will try to keep my updates more often now.

At 1st I wasn't sure if I should continue with this because of the HBP, but I can't stand unfinished stories… they just bother me. I'm sorry about the errors in this, I'm sure you guys no how Microsoft Word is… crappy. I'm sure my beta flinches every time she sees one of my emails… but she is awesome at what she does… a thousand thanks to her. If some things don't fit in this chapter it will late so don't worry. Well it's almost 2 a.m. so I am going to bed.

Please review,

Bubs