Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor do I own this fantastic, lovely, tearjerker song by the Righteous Brothers.
Chapter 6: An Old Friend
Professor Dumbledore's eyes did that trademark twinkle as he stared at the open-mouthed students.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Malfoy. Miss Granger," He greeted them.
"I thought you were dead!" Malfoy sputtered, unable to say anything else as a result of his shock.
"Ah, yes. I was quite dead," Dumbledore said amusedly.
"Sir…how…how did you…?" Hermione breathed.
"Oh, but easily…I have phoenix blood in me," Dumbledore said cheerfully.
"H-How?" Hermione's voice cracked.
"That conversation will come later. But right now, we have to focus on the matter at hand," Dumbledore said.
"What's that?" Draco asked. Hermione jumped. She forgot Draco was even there.
"Your behavior in Potions," The old man replied.
"Oh, right…it won't happen again," Draco said. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.
"No, it won't. If that's all there is to talk about, you may both leave." The students turned around, but Dumbledore's voice stopped them.
"Keep this a secret until tonight," Hermione and Draco both nodded. "Oh, and Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes?"
"You will accept my nephew's apology, won't you?"
"Of cou—wait…Professor Blackburn is your—"
"Good day," He sang, waving at them as the door shut. Draco looked at Hermione.
"What just happened?" Draco asked. Hermione, remembering the reason behind going to the Headmaster's, fell silent. Draco sighed.
"Hermione--"
"Don't waste your time. I'm a mudblood, remember?" Hermione started walking back to Slughorn's room.
"Aw, come on," Draco pleaded. Hermione continued walking.
Keeping the secret that Dumbledore was back was one of the hardest things Hermione had ever done. When she walked back into Slughorn's room and saw Harry, she almost told him right on the spot. Luckily, Hermione only had to wait several more hours.
Finally, dinnertime came. Hermione slid into her seat, not late for a meal for once.
"Hi, Harry!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Hey," He grunted. Hermione raised her eyebrow at Ginny.
"He can't find a date for the dance," Ginny explained.
"Go with Padma," Hermione suggested, Harry laughed bitterly.
"Right, because what happened fourth year was so successful," Harry quipped.
"But that was with Ron," Hermione pointed out. Harry rolled his eyes. Hermione and Ginny sighed.
"Harry, just go alone," Hermione told him. "Then just…find someone at the dance that's also alo--" Hermione realized she was the only one talking. The Great Hall became silent. She looked over her shoulder and saw Dumbledore standing at the entrance of the Great Hall.
"Am I late?" Dumbledore asked with mild amusement. Hermione turned around to catch the teachers' reactions. McGonagall looked as if she was about to cry, Hagrid was pouring out his wine onto the floor, thinking it was a hallucination, and of course there was Professor Blackburn who looked very proud. But it was Snape's reaction that Hermione noticed. It was one of…guilt.
"Everyone," Professor Blackburn announced, "I would like you to meet—er—see, Albus Dumbledore—my uncle!" Now the conversation began.
Hermione shifted her gaze towards Harry. But he wasn't there. She turned around and saw Harry approach Dumbledore.
"S-Sir?" Harry asked in a quiet voice. Dumbledore turned around.
"My boy," Dumbledore's eyes crinkled in a smile. "I have missed you," And in front of everybody, Harry let out a choked sob and hugged his old friend.
The dance was in four days and Hermione was still dateless. She didn't care anyway. Dances were a waste of time. As students talked with their friends in the corridors about what they would be wearing, and with whom they were going with, Hermione was wondering what book she'd tackle in the library next. Or maybe she'd do some patrolling that night, to make sure nobody was up to any mischief. Malfoy probably had seven dates by now. She had watched girl after girl approach Malfoy in the hallway. And he looked like he was enjoying it. Hermione brushed something out of her eye that looked like tears, but she classified as dust.
Very weary, Hermione said the password to the Heads' Common Room and walked inside. There, floating several feet off the ground was a dress. It was a beautiful shade of red, with thin straps and layers underneath. Draped around where the shoulders should be, was a matching red shawl. Hermione gasped at the sight of it. As she walked closer to the dress, she discovered a note taped onto it.
Hermione,
I'm not sure if this is your size, but if it isn't, I'll get you another one. Please accept my apology for the way I have been acting, and be my date for the formal.
Draco
Hermione smiled to herself. She took the dress and dashed up into her room to hang it up.
"Hermione!" Draco whined.
"Almost done!" Hermione sang.
This better be worth it. Draco thought to himself. He paced around the Common Room. He was going to make this night special. He wasn't going to ruin anything for her. Especially not this night. He heard Hermione clear her throat and turned around. He gasped a soft gasp, but still audible. She looked beautiful. Her brown hair was brushed in a high ponytail, but her bangs were loose in the front. The ends of her ponytail, along with the bangs were curled.
"How do I look?" Hermione asked.
"You look…beautiful…" Draco whispered. Hermione smiled.
"Let's go," She whispered back.
They were one of the last couples there, but the music hadn't started yet. Everyone stared at Hermione and Draco.
"Why are they staring at us?" Hermione whispered.
"Because we make a darn good couple," Draco whispered back. Hermione grinned, but it quickly fell off her face when she spotted Harry by himself.
"I'm going to say hello to Harry," She told Draco.
"Don't run away from me, Granger," He smirked.
"Never," Was Hermione's reply. She walked over to Harry, who didn't seem to be happy.
"Malfoy, huh?" He asked bitterly. Hermione bit her lip.
"He's changed, Harry. You have to believe me on that," She told him. Harry scoffed.
"Yeah, he's really changed, especially when he called you a mudblood in Potions class,"
"That was a slip-up!" Hermione exclaimed.
"How-How can you do this?" Harry asked.
"You don't know his story! Plus, we probably would have had to go together anyway because he's Head Boy and I'm Head Girl." Harry just looked away stonily.
"Ugh. Fine," Hermione whirled around, but was met with a dreadful sight: Ron Weasley and Pansy Parkinson. Draco caught sight of her and bit his lip. This was going to be rough and he knew it.
The music started to play. Some students listened in confusion since it was Muggle music, but people like Ron just grabbed their date's hand. Hermione watched as Pansy bumped and grinded against Ron's body. She understood then that this wasn't the first time their bodies have ever felt comfortable around each other. She couldn't do this. She was about to leave when she felt Draco's hand on her shoulder.
"I don't want to dance," Hermione said quietly.
"I know," Draco replied.
Hermione felt like a terrible date. Truth was, Malfoy didn't care. He hated to dance anyway. He sipped some punch, and felt a yank on his arm. It was his beautiful date.
"Let's dance," Her eyes twinkled. "I won't let them bring me down," Draco grinned. As they made their way to the dance floor, the dance changed to a slower song. "Unchained Melody", by the Righteous Brothers began to play. Hermione took in a shaky breath. This song was one of her favorites.
Oh, my love, my darling
I've hungered for your touch a long, lonely time,
Draco didn't hesitate to pull her into his arms. Their eyes searched each other as their bodies began to sway.
Time goes by so slowly and time can do so much
Are you still mine?
I need your love, I need your love, God speed your love to me
Hermione's hands rested against his shoulders, her face buried in his neck.
Lonely rivers flow to the sea, to the sea
To the open arms of the sea
Draco's heartbeat increased as he felt her face against his skin. How could he have treated her this way in the past? His hands moved to her lower back.
Lonely rivers sigh, 'Wait for me, wait for me'
I'll be coming home, wait for me!'
When Hermione pulled back, Draco's eyes were dancing. He knew the song somehow, because he was singing it to her softly as his forehead connected with hers.
Are you still mine?
I need your love, I need your love, God speed your love to me
Tears sprung in Hermione's eyes. She reached up and stroked his cheek. They were the only dancers in the room.
When the song ended, Draco leaned in and kissed her tears away. That's when reality came back with a screech. Everybody was screaming. There was mass chaos on the dance floor. And there was Harry Potter rolling around, writhing in pain.