My Ferret 5

Author's Note: There has been a bit of confusion about the dress Hermione is wearing, so to solve it I have posted a link to the dress on my Profile Page. I'm not an expert on clothes and since this isn't really a historical romance story, I didn't research the dress. I did, however, get it out of a catalog. That catalog has a website and you can see the dress there if you wish to. The dress was described (in the catalog) as 'Regency Revival' and I shortened that to just Regency. Perhaps there's a difference between the two.Also I tried several times last night to upload this chapter and it just wouldn't upload for some reason. It finnaly did so here it is...

"I've come for my son." He stated.

"What?" Hermione asked, totally surprised. It was the very last thing she had expected the Death Eater to say and it threw her for a loop. Her dark brows knitted together in confusion. Why in the world was he looking for Draco here? This was a Muggle home or did he forget that? Draco should have gone home with his parents last night just like all the other students had. Yet Lucius was on her front porch in his fine dark robes glinting with silver decorations.

/Draco isn't here, unless…/

Cold dread solidified in her stomach as a horrifying thought suddenly occurred to her. But no, it was impossible!

"I said I'm looking for Draco. The spell I performed said he's here." Lucius stated calmly, his cold gray eyes staring into hers. Boldly stepping forward, the dark wizard used his snake-headed walking stick to brush her aside. Walking past her, he entered the living room and curiously stared around. Many of the room's objects, such as the TV, were unknown to him yet he ignored them as they were of no interest. Turning on his heel, his long cloak swirling out behind him, he faced her. He allowed his walking stick to slide freely through his hand until the silver tip struck the floor with a loud thud. "I do not appreciate being lied to, Miss Granger. My son is here and you will turn him over to me. If you do so, perhaps I shall overlook this little act of kidnapping and not report it to the aurors working on the case."

The ferret on her shoulder squealed loudly and started running down her arm, its tiny claws digging into the soft velvet. Acting quickly, the nervous feeling growing rapidly in her stomach, Hermione caught the ferret with her other hand. Gripping it around the middle with both hands, she slowly raised it upward so its tiny face was in front of hers. She didn't want to even think it, but think it she did. Those silvery gray eyes had reminded her of Draco and for a very good reason…

/Please, don't let this ferret be Draco!./

The thought was too horrible to contemplate. And as impossible as it may seem to a Muggle, Hermione knew it was very possible. Wizards had the ability to change into animals, the best example being Professor McGonagall into a striped tabby cat. And Draco, Draco had been turned into a ferret Fourth Year by Moody…

To Hermione's horror, the white ferret seemed to sneer at her!

/No! No! NO!./

Lucius tapped his foot on the floor impatiently. "I have no idea why you're playing with that animal instead of handing over my son, but I suggest you kindly stop this instant and obey my wishes."

"Here!" Hermione shoved the ferret at him, pushing it against his chest. It instantly dug its little claws into Lucius' dark shirt. "Here's your son!"

Hermione quickly stepped backward, her long dress brushing against the floor. Her heart pounded quickly in her chest and she felt her palms grow wet from sweat. She dreaded the next moment and fervently wished she could sink through the floorboards and just disappear. Her heart knew now without a doubt that the ferret was indeed none other than the famous Draco Malfoy and she had foolishly spilled her heart to him last night. Any moment his father would change him back into himself and then he'd sneer at her! She had honestly bared her heart to what she had thought was a soft, cuddly little animal and he's use it against her, laugh at her! If only she had known! But she hadn't! And he knew everything! How could she live after this?

/Oh, I wish I could just die!./

"What?" Lucius instinctively grabbed at the animal that clung desperately to his fine silk shirt, his free hand supporting its weight. The last thing he desired was for some rodent to tear his expensive shirt. Pulling it free, he held it in his black-gloved hand, noticing the unique gray eyes it had. One dark brow shot upward in surprise as he accepted the facts. Placing it on the floor gently, he pulled his wand free and spoke the words to end the spell. "Finite Incantatem!"

000

Instantly the white ferret changed into the blonde Slytherin. Draco was kneeling on the floor on all fours and he quickly straightened himself up, climbing to his feet. Brushing invisible bits of dust off his black school robes, he looked up at Lucius. "Thank you, Father. Granger here had nothing to do with it. Potter and Weasley turned me into the ferret and she saved me. That stupid weasel wanted to toss me out the train window…"

"WHAT?" Lucius howled in outrage, his face twisting up in anger. The loud cry bounced off the ceiling and echoed around the room. The Death Eater couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Yes, you heard right." Draco drawled, knowing he had to set the matter straight from the beginning. The last thing he wanted was for his father to blame this on his savior. "I suppose that red-headed git thought it was funny, but Hermione saved me. I did bite Weasley, though. Last I saw him that bite looked infected, too. He deserved it, you know."

"He deserves far worst…" Lucius commented darkly. It was illegal to use transfiguration spells on others for fun, as Weasley and Potter knew. And if he got his way, which he most likely would, they wouldn't be getting away with it this time. Over the years he had heard story after story from his son on what the famous trio got away with thanks to that bumbling idiot of a Headmaster. This time, however, it appeared that Miss Granger had been innocent and had in fact saved his son. Realizing he owed her a debt of gratitude, he turned to thank her only to find her standing red-faced glaring at his son.

000

"How dare you sneak into my bedroom like that, you … you … FERRET!" Hermione wailed, embarrassed beyond belief. She felt blazing heat fill her face and she knew that she must be as red as a tomato. Her hands clenched into fists and she glared at him, her body held stiffly. "I spent the night with you!"

Hermione was so embarrassed that she could no longer think straight. Nor did she care that his father, a known Death Eater, was right there listening to every word.

Draco's gray eyes widened for a moment in fear and she could see him gulp nervously, the bump in his throat moving. His platinum blonde hair hung in his eyes and he looked very adorable. Then a hesitant smile appeared on his face and he stepped closer to her. "And you confessed your undying love for me."

/Oh no! He understood every word I said!./

Fresh horror swept through her body. She had strongly suspected that he'd understand but to actually know it for a fact. She hadn't actively read any books on human transfigurations, not seriously, that is. Yes, she had looked up the basics; that one had to be registered and all but … this was far worst than she had feared! "You weren't supposed to hear that!"

After the words were out of her mouth, she cringed. It sounded so utterly stupid!

The smile stayed on his face though and he stepped closer. Her heart pounded viciously in her chest cavity and she thought that it would burst any minute. Her palms stung from where her fingernails were biting into the tender flesh but she barely noticed. The air seemed to lack enough oxygen, the tight dress squeezing her ribcage and stomach. Before it had felt wonderful but now it felt to be very constricting, like a giant green boa tightening its deadly coils around her. Desperately she breathed in a big lungful of air, the perfume of the powder she had used filling her nose.

000

"But I did hear it." Draco replied, his voice uncertain. He knew Hermione must be incredibly mad at him and truthfully he didn't blame her. He knew she was embarrassed by the situation and he was slightly relieved that his father was there or he was sure she'd belt him across the face again. His eyes noted how her hands were balled into tight fists and he gulped again. Somehow he had to calm her down and convince her that it wasn't really that bad.

/But how am I going to do that?./

He really didn't know Hermione all that well, not as he should have. In the past he had been too busy calling her names and doing other equally stupid things. But now, now things were different. He was different. She had shown him the light and he had followed her. "Look, Hermione, I didn't do this on purpose. Weasley turned me into a ferret and there was nothing I could do. I know you're angry and you have a right to be, but I didn't see anything! Honest!"

/OK, so maybe that's a lie…./

Hermione's face darkened and she pointed a finger at his chest. "And what about this morning? I was in my UNDERWEAR!"

Draco gulped, his silver-gray eyes growing wide in alarm. "OK! So I saw that! I won't tell anyone, I swear!"

/Oh great! She's really going to kill me now!./

000

Hermione was humiliated beyond belief. It was just too horrible to imagine!

/Draco Malfoy saw me in my underwear!./

She'd never be able to show her face in public ever again! Her reputation was ruined, utterly RUINED!

"Hermione, I'm really sorry and I'll make it up to you somehow. I swear! You saved my life and I appreciate it…"

The bushy-haired Gryffindor blinked.

/Did he just call me Hermione?./

No, he couldn't have. Draco had always called her Granger or Mudblood.

/I must be so upset that I'm imagining things…/

Yes, that was it. One couldn't be expected to hear things correctly when they were so utterly embarrassed in front of the boy they loved, the boy who had seen them improperly dressed! Hermione returned her attention to Draco and noticed he had an uncertain smile on his face, just the very corners of his mouth turned slightly upward. The normal sneer he favored at school was nowhere in sight. Nor was he acting like his usual arrogant self or making rude comments about her underwear, like she was certain he would have. Then it dawned in her head what he had said, that she had saved his life. Could it be he actually meant it?

/Maybe he does mean it…/

She had suspected that Draco wasn't Death Eater material, but this was the first time she had seen solid proof. He was presented with the perfect opportunity to shame her and ridicule her and here he was ignoring it! Instead he was doing everything to calm her down, although a bit nervously if she wasn't mistaken. She had seen the fear in his eyes, the uncertainty. Slowly her hands unclenched and she winched slightly in pain, her palms throbbing with the quick beat of her heart. Maybe there really was hope for him yet…

/I did save his life, didn't I?./

And she had done it all by herself, too!

/I'm a hero!./

The thought that she had done it all by herself without the help of her Harry or Ron was startling. Normally she relied on them and they relied on her. Generally that worked very well, although they received most of the credit. Still, she had not only saved Draco but had stood up to her two friends as well. A lot of people might look the other way or turn a blind eye when their friends did things they didn't approve of just to keep the peace, but she had stuck to her beliefs. True, she may have lost their friendship now, but who wanted to be friends with people that did things like that in the first place? A warm glow filled her and she felt her anger melt away. Only some of the shame remained now and she nervously lowered her lashes, staring at the floor. She couldn't stand to look at him now. Those powerful silver eyes of his seemed to know too much and they did. How could she ever stand to face him ever again knowing she had not only slept in the same bed he had but had walked around in front of him in her underwear? Rationally, Hermione knew many women wore far less in front of men at the beach and she supposed it maybe wasn't all that bad, but she wasn't other women. She was a bookworm and the thought was just horrendous.

000

Draco's heart leaped slightly when he saw the anger leave her.

/It's working…/

For a moment he just stared at her, admiring her beauty. He still couldn't believe she had gone through all this trouble dressing up for him. It was so sweet and endearing, to know that she honestly cared that much about him. No one outside his parents had ever cared that much. It was no secret that Pansy just hung around him for his money, but the Gryffindor hadn't mentioned his fortune not once. No, she had talked of saving him from becoming a Death Eater and that was noble.

His stomach flipping nervously, Draco stepped closer. He very much wanted to reach out and lift her chin so he could stare into those big soulful eyes she had. Unlike the Slytherins who hid their emotions well behind masks, all of her feelings were right there in her eyes. And once he saw her eyes again, he wanted to lean closer and kiss her.

/Do I really want to do that?./

Truth be told, Draco had never kissed a girl before, either and the thought made him incredibly nervous. Although he already knew she was in love with him, the knowledge didn't make the task any easier. She could very well still be emotional and it was uncertain how she would react. Nor did he forget the other factor…

/Dear old Father is watching…/

Did he really dare kiss a Muggle-born in front of his father? If he did, how would he react? So far Lucius has remained silent throughout the entire exchange, no doubt surprised by the admissions on both sides. If he were lucky, he wouldn't get punished at all. If he were extremely lucky, his father may let him date her. And if he were unlucky…

/I'd be punished for sure!./

Still, that was a risk he was willing to take. It was now or never. And if he let this golden opportunity pass him by, he'd regret it for the rest of his life. Now wasn't the time to get cold feet.

His heart beating faster, Draco stepped closer and lifted one pale hand towards her chin. His fingers touched her chin and he gently raised her head up so he could look into her chocolate eyes.

000

Hermione was shocked when she felt his fingers touch her chin, his fingertips warm and smooth. Slowly her head was lifted upward and she shyly stared into his silver eyes. In her entire life she had never seen or heard of anyone else with such eyes. They truly appeared magical, for what human had silver eyes? Now those same orbs were staring into hers and she felt her mouth go dry. He was staring into her eyes intently and she could feel the heat returning to her face. No one had ever looked at her like that before…

"Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are, Hermione?" He asked, his voice soft.

Dumbly she shook her head, disbelieving her ears. Surely Draco Malfoy didn't just say she was beautiful, did he?

/I must be dreaming all this!./

But she wasn't. She was wide-awake and standing in her Muggle living room wearing an old-fashioned dress. This was just too weird to be a dream.

"Well, you are. I thought so ever since Fourth Year and the Yule Ball." Draco admitted to her, a smile on his face. "You were the most beautiful girl there and I couldn't believe it. Yet it was true. And you look stunning right now."

Hermione felt herself blush at the words. No one had ever really complemented her like this before and coming from Draco of all people…

"I was and still amazed that you have such a beautiful dress. Not very many Muggle-borns appreciate the old ways. They only care about their modern gizmos…" Draco commented as he stepped closer to her. "But you could fit into our society, I think. And do you know what, Hermione?"

Her heart pounded like crazy and she felt like a deer caught in the headlights of an approaching semi-truck as he leaned in closer to her. There were just mere inches between them now and for some strange reason she felt faint. She wanted to blame it on the dress, on how it squeezed her middle but she knew it wasn't true. He leaned in closer yet, his head coming closer and closer.

/Oh my gosh! Is he going to kiss me?./

She felt his soft silky hair sweep against her cheek as he whispered in her ear.

"I love you, too, Hermione."

At those five simple words, Hermione's heart soared with happiness. What she had thought to be a real disaster had turned out to be the happiest day of her life! She felt him pull back slightly, his platinum hair once again grazing against her cheek. The sensation sent tingles throughout her body and she felt herself blush slightly. Now that she knew he felt the same way about her it wasn't so terribly bad to be embarrassed. But this was all still very new to her.

/And to think I owe this new happiness to the fact that I saved a ferret!./

She smiled happily at Draco, her joy reflecting in her eyes.

And then he leaned close again, his silver eyes searching hers. When he saw her joy echoing his own, he closed the distance and kissed her. His lips were soft and warm, the kiss gentle and light. Hermione felt heat and a pleasant tingle shoot throughout her body as she realized she was receiving her very first kiss and from none other than Draco Malfoy.

/He's kissing me!./

It was thrilling and everything she had hoped it to be. And just as quick as it had stared it was over. He pulled back and smiled at her shyly.

000

/I can't believe it! I actually kissed Hermione!./

Draco was ecstatic. He had actually done it!

But then a low voice broke his bubble of joy.

"This is all very interesting," Lucius stated from where he stood watching the two teens. "But in case you two forgot, I'm still here."

To be continued…

Sorry it's shorter than normal, but this seemed the natural place to end this chapter.