1The Xander-Cordelia Factor
hello loves, sorry I haven't updated. Life happened. P
SOLs, new crushes, old exes, stress, the works. A little tear action, plus some major depression swings. I don't mean "boo hoo sad", I mean "omfg I can't take it want to die" depression. But thank you BTVS, ANGEL, and The 'Bu (HILARIOUS) I'm coolio now.
Here y'go, loves.
By the end of the month, Draco had recovered enough to walk, talk and sass anyone he chose. And because Hermione and he weren't ready for the persecution of their classmates, they kept their current dating status a secret, only meeting once a week in the Room of Requirement, which always took on the form of a skatepark or a beach.
"I surf." was how Hermione explained it.
"I skate." was how Draco told it to her.
Either way, they didn't care, because surfing and skateboarding are almost the same thing.
And when they didn't meet secretly, he found other ways to show his love.
One morning, as Hermione entered the Great Hall, an owl swooped over her head, and dropped a package into her hands. It was a brown parcel, with a plain string around it but an intricately decorated card attached. She opened the card first, as was habit.
Dearest Hermione,
I'm so far away from you, yet so close. I love you even though you and I have factors that set us apart, and the time we can spend together, I treasure it like a thousand lives. On your gift, the hands mean friendship, the crown means loyalty and the heart means love. I hear that lovers in Ireland give one to their loved one, to prove their everlasting love.
Love, forever yours,
Brett XOXO
"Ooh, 'Mione, who's Brett?" Ginny whispered excitedly. Hermione cast a glance in Dracos direction, and he indicated she should open the parcel.
"Oh, Gin, he's my Muggle boyfriend at home. He recently learned of my...talent, and has accepted me for what I am."
"So you gonna open it?" this came from Ron, who sat looking rather dark and hateful. She had broken up with him after the little incident in which Dracos room had been trashed and the boy himself hexed into vertigo, partial comatose and god knows where else.
Slitting her eyes, looking coldly at her immature ex, she slowly undid the wrapping. The string came off easier than expected, and soon she was staring at the most gorgeous ring she'd ever laid eyes on.
It was silver, on a red velvet cushion inside a clear, octagon-like box. In the center was a heart, on the top was a crown, and the heart was being held by two hands.
"Cor, blimey 'Mione, that's a claddagh, that is." Harry said through a mouthful of eggs. Hermione grimaced at her friends Neanderthal-like behavior, but inside she was warm and melting. The note had described it as the ultimate show of faithfulness and devotion amongst Irish people, known for their artistic and beautiful craftsmanship in fine jewelery. She slipped the ring onto her middle finger. It sparkled in the morning sun.
later, in the Room of Requirement, she asked Draco what his motivation for the false name was.
"Oh, there's this hilarious show, about four minutes long, called The 'Bu. I found it on Youtube, and it made me laugh for a long time. Brett Banks is a ninja, you see, and he has to take down the man who killed his older brother with the help of his friends Aaron and Melissa. I'm boring you, aren't I?" his smile was a tiny bit apologetic, a beautiful sight on him, with his blond hair falling into his eyes, which sparkled with youth. She giggled at this look, and whispered in his ear:
"you don't bore me in the least." he smirked, and turned his head a little bit to the right. His lips brushed against hers in a phantom kiss, soft yet passionate. His left hand found hers, and their fingers entwined. He leaned forwards more, kissing her again with more passion before pulling slowly away, letting the kiss linger on. He stared down at her hand, then at his.
"Your heart isn't on the inside." this startled her.
"Wha?"
"Oh, you see, if you're going out with someone, you turn the heart inwards, on the claddagh. See, like mine." he held up his right hand. A silver claddagh, larger than hers to accommodate his bigger hands, rested on his middle finger, the heart facing his wrist and arm. Her eyes widened, and she quickly slipped off the ring, and turned it around and slipped it back on.
"It's late." he said. It was true, and the Room of Requirement had changed to fit the night sky, stars sparkling over the beach that had been chosen for their little "date".
"So?" Hermione snuggled up closer to him, resting her head on his chest, drinking in his warmth and smell. He smelled like peppermint, just faintly. "Just means we can stay here longer and no-one will notice." she smiled at her tiny joke, and turned her head up to plant a tiny kiss on Draco's chin. She settled her head back to his chest, and he kissed her hair. He put his arms around her and held her, placing soft kisses on her head, cheek, nose, and occasionally lips. Soon, he was seeing her off to her dorm, and then crossing the hall to his.
It was a perfect night.
"Good God I love weekends." he whispered before falling asleep.
Hello loves. Thought I'd be done with the message at the top, but no.
if any of you watches Buffy, you'll know what a claddagh is and looks like.
Beware, angsty chapter next! Someone sees them on their date, but WHO?