"Oh, Merlin Hermione, are you sure?" Draco almost whispered, "I mean it could be a mistake, right?" Draco looked desperately at his friend. She only buried her face deeper into his abs. 'Oh, man,' Draco thought franticly, 'What the fuck does this mean?' he tilted Hermione's head up and smiled at her, "Hey, it'll be ok, I promise. I'm here for you." She sniffed and he continued, "Do you know when her funeral is?" She blinked a few times and looked deep into his beautiful gray eyes.
"Yes," she squeaked, "on Saturday, Dumbledore said I could go for the weekend and bring a student with me. (Sniff) Hey, Draco, I know it's asking a lot and you've been doing so much for me, but could I ask you to come with me? I mean it's ok if you say 'no'. I understand and I won't force you-"
"Hermione!" Draco interrupted her tearful rambling, "It's ok! I'll come with you, and no, it's not because I feel obligated, it's because I want to make sure your ok." Hermione smiled and wrapped her arms around Draco's neck. Soon he felt her breathing even out and he carried her to her room and laid her on top of her scarlet comforter. He kissed her for head and left Hermione to whatever demons invaded her nightmares that night.
XOXOXOXO
She felt like a zombie the next day. Going through her normal routine as if nothing had changed, nothing except herself. She didn't lift her hand into the air once during her classes, didn't eat, didn't speak, only sat and looked blankly through every one that asked her what was wrong. At dinner was what seemed like the only time she even blinked that day.
Harry and Ginny sat down in front of Hermione. He looked at his brown haired friend and frowned. "Hermione," he began, "you need to eat something, what is it? Did Malfoy do something to you?" He scowled at Draco's name and Hermione looked up at it.
"Hum, what?" Hermione's voice sounded hoarse but strong. "He didn't do anything, I, I just don't… Oh Harry!" Hermione then started crying. Harry instantly leapt over the table and wrapped his arms around Hermione. "She's dead Harry! My mum, she's dead!" Hermione took three or four deep breaths and whimpered quietly while Harry and Ginny made little 'shushing' noises.
"Ok, Hermione, clam down, now tell me from the beginning." Ginny cooed as her boyfriend, Harry, rocked his best friend back and forth.
Hermione told them. She spent all of dinner telling them. She told them every thing that had been welling up inside her all day. She told them how hopeless life had become. How she didn't know how life could ever be the same. Then, a thought came to her, where would she go? Who would she stay with? Since her parents were divorced, she would have to stay with her dad! What would she do then?
Hermione was shaken out of her thoughts when Ginny said it would be a good time for Hermione to go to bed. Hermione followed Ginny out of the great hall and to her portrait. "Snitch" she mumbled as Ginny turned to leave. She entered the common room and lay herself down on the couch. She needed to talk with Draco about the funeral that was a mere four days away.
XOXOXOXO
Hermione and Draco were becoming closer than ever the next few days, and Draco still hadn't made any moves. He was a bit confused by his own actions but that didn't stop him from spending as much time as possible with Hermione. Other students were beginning to wonder what was up with the two Heads as well. But when they would ask, they would utter something stupid about "house unity" and hurry away.
Draco was doing just this when he ran into Blaise. "Hey, man," Blaise began, "tonight, what are you doing? I got us dates with two fine ass girls from Ravenclaw and we're going to sneak into Hogsmeade and find a nice quiet place to 'hang out'." Blaise winked at his best friend and nudged him with his elbow.
Draco glowered at his best friend. He was disgusting. Moving through girls like they were meat, what was wrong with- wait he did the same thing… Crap what was Hermione doing to him! "Uh…no, no thanks, mate. Got plans, I'm going to London tonight with Granger. Dumbledore told us not to tell any one though, Heads business so, don't tell." He left a very confused and putout Blaise alone in the hallway. And Draco left to go pack but it seemed someone had done the job for him…
XOXOXOXO
"Draco, I have your bag ready." Hermione said with the first smile Draco had seen in a week.
"Oh, um… Ok lets see what you packed." He opened the small trunk Hermione held out to him and opened it. She packed three pairs of Draco's bondage pants, three pairs of boxers (At this Draco blushed a bit), a swimsuit, and three shirts. Also there was a toothbrush, a hairbrush, and deodorant (again a Draco blush). "Gee, thanks but, what am I going to wear to the funeral?"
Hermione smiled mischievously and held up two pairs of bondage pants one for her, and one for him they both had multi colored stitches and millions of chains. They had spikes around the pockets and on each belt loop. "I want you to wear these pants, my mom loved 'individuality' and she would have freaked if she saw me in these."
"'Mione, these are sick!" Draco said with his mouth open, "Where did you get them?"
"Made um," Hermione said nonchalantly, "now, hurry up, go change! It's time for a weekend of London Goths!" Hermione smirked at him and left to put on dark attire.
XOXOXOXO
Hermione and Draco jingled and clicked and clanked all the way to the main entrance. Dumbledore stood by the door of a single carriage that was to take them to the train station. Dumbledore smiled as they approached and gave Hermione a reassuring hug. "Here you go, Miss Granger, your train tickets and the key to your hotel. It's one room but, it's got two beds, if that's a problem then-"
"No, Professor, that won't be a problem." Hermione smiled at the old man. "I just hope things will be alright here."
Dumbledore smiled, "Oh, we'll be fine. Good-bye Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy." They waved and Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as Draco grabbed Hermione's small hand.
They climbed into the carriage and sat opposite each other. Hermione waved at Dumbledore one last time as the carriage lurched to life. She sighed after they were far enough away from the school. "I think he saw right through me."
"Hum, what do you mean, Hermione?" Draco titled his head at the beautiful girl across from him. She looked different in those clothes, more secretive, reclusive, and mysterious. Draco loved it and couldn't take his eyes off of her.
"I think he knows that I'm really upset." Hermione sighed looking out of the little window that was on her right.
"Well duh! 'Mione, you have a right to be upset!" He put his finger under her chin and turned her head to face him. She had held back tears in her eyes and they looked empty. "Look, Hermione, I'm here. Every thing will be ok. I promise."
Hermione looked deep into the eyes of her companion. She just realized how close his face really was! She scooted to the edge of her seat. 'Wait! Hermione what are you doing?' Her mind screamed at her body to stop this nonsense. But another edged her body on. Her heart. Draco leaned forward and began to close his eyes when the carriage jerked to a stop and Hermione flew forward. Their foreheads made impact.
Draco and Hermione groaned as they rubbed their faces with their hands. They handed the ticket booth guy two of their four tickets and boarded the train. When it started moving there really was nothing to do but sleep.
Hermione laid her head on Draco's shoulder and he looked down at her. "What is it, 'Mione?"
"Hum? Tired, I lay on you, you can lay on me." Hermione said with her eyes closing.
Draco smiled and laid his head on top of hers. It was really a peaceful train ride, until Hermione finally drifted off into dreamland.
Hermione ran as fast as her legs could carry her. It was night but the sky was blood red. The trees against it were black and they ripped through her school robes as she ran.
She could hear them behind her. Running to catch her and take her as they did her mother. 'Mother' She thought desperately. Suddenly she came to a clearing, and out of the shadows, stepped Ron, Harry, and Ginny. "You guys! Thank Merlin! They're after me! Please!" Her words echoed through the cold air as her friends smiled wickedly at her. They moved out of the way to revile a most horrific sight.
Draco lay dead in a mangled heap. His throat was sliced and his eyes were gauged and blood had dried on his cheeks. His skin was burned and melting off of the bone. It was black and red as if he had been roasting for hours. And yet, through all of this obvious torture, his hair was flawless and shined in the red moonlight.
"Draco!" She cried She tried to run toward him but firm hands pulled her back. She started thrashing and screaming Draco's name. Calling for her friends to help her. But they had her. They tore at her flesh as she tried to- "HERMIONE!"
Hermione's eyes flew open as she screamed. She looked around her as she panted in the arms of her savior. Draco had strong protective arms around her and she cried onto his shoulder.
XOXOXOXO
After exiting the train, Hermione and Draco took a cab to a large hotel deep in the heart of London. After a bellboy took their bags and showed them to their room, Hermione and Draco decided to hit the pool.
Draco paced the large room for the fifth time that night. He stomped over to the door and banged loudly (again). "C'mon, Hermione," he called through the door, "you've been in there for twenty minutes! Lets go already!" Draco, who was already in black swimming trunks, flopped onto his bed and pouted. After about five minutes, he heard the bathroom door open. "Finally!" He groaned. He sat up and froze. His mouth hung open and he stared wide-eyed at Hermione, if that was even her. "Her-Hermione?"
Hermione looked down then wrapped skinny her arms around herself trying to hide what little skin she could. She was wearing a tiny baby blue bikini that was only held together with little strings that Draco could snap with ease. Her perfectly shaped tan body was practically naked! "What?" she said at last with a pink face, "I like it."
Draco snapped out of his daze and smirked, "My, my" He felt his male instincts take over and her couldn't help but tease her, "If you wanted me this bad," He put a hand on her bare hip and fingered the knot that held the swimsuit together, "you could've just come out naked."
Hermione tried to glare but giggled as she smacked his hand away from her waist. "Are we going or what?" She smiled, "Because I'll leave your white arse here."
"Oh now wait a second!" But, the closing door cut off Draco. He smiled and followed Hermione down to the pool.
XOXOXOXO
Hermione stood on the edge and looked down at the water. She stuck her toes in the water and shivered. "Ya' know," She started looking at Draco out of the corner of her eye but still looking at the pool uneasily, "we could always go back to the room and… rent a movie or something."
Draco smirked, "And what, fall asleep in each other's arms and fall madly in love? Sorry but, hell no!"
She looked at him and lifted her eyebrow, "Just what in the world makes you think I wanted to do something like th- AHHHHH!" in the middle of her words, Draco ran forward and lifted her into her air, sending her flying through it, and crashing into the water. Her head broke through the surface a moment later and she swam to the side coughing and sputtering the whole way. "Draco!" She said through chattering teeth, "Why the hell d-did you do that?"
Draco laughed out loud and dived in next to Hermione. H came up only to be shoved back under by two petite, yet forceful hands. He opened his eyes and the chlorinated water (not that Draco would know what that was anyway) stung his eyes a bit. He reached out and tickled Hermione's bare stomach and her arms instantly retreated to guard her body from Draco's fingers. He heard her giggle through the water and he came up for a new breath of air.
Their water fight continued for hours as they splashed each other harshly, dunked, and chased each other. Hermione had just looked at her wrinkly fingers and decided it was time to go when the manager told them the pool was closing. They climbed out of the deep end shaking and shivering. They wrapped the towels around themselves and went up to the room, goose pimples covering their arms.
Hermione closed the door behind her and started toward the bathroom only to have her wrist gripped lightly by Draco. She turned to face him and smiled. His hair was dripping and it shined like it was going out of style. His cheeks were a bit flushed from all of the playing they had done and his pale chest was moving up and down signaling that his light seeker body had yet to catch its breath. "Yes, Draco" she said softly, "What is it?"
He didn't answer immediately; he only stared into her chocolate brown eyes thinking about how if his eyes only traveled a bit lower… "You looked good today," He said, "better than you have in a while. I'm glad."
She smiled in return and went into the bathroom and started to run the shower. She washed the chlorine out of her hair and got out, with a quick drying spell, she put on her pajamas and went into the main room. What she found was Draco looking at the T.V. remote oddly.
"What are you doing?" She asked, causing Draco to jump slightly. He glanced down at the controller then back up at her and paled.
"Nothing!" He threw the remote on the bedside table and patted the spot on the bed next to him.
She smiled and sat next to him and they looked at each other fondly. "Draco," Hermione started uneasily, "what am I going to do? There aren't any Death Eaters left, are there?"
"I really don't know 'Mione. I'm sorry but… I just don't." She looked away from him and her nose started to tingle, a tell tale sign she was going to cry. Draco must have sensed it, too because he wrapped his arms around Hermione tightly and buried his face into her hair.
She let out a shuddering breath and stared crying silently. Soon after her whole body was
heaving with suppressed sobs with Draco holding her tightly.
XOXOXOXO
Hermione looked at her refection the next morning with butterflies in her stomach. She looked at it and frowned. "Hey Draco," she called into the next room, "I don't think this is a very good idea."
Draco walked into the bathroom and started inserting rings of sorts, "Why? I think you look hot."
Her hair was down and curled slightly, heavy eyeliner, dark blue eye shadow and shiny lip-gloss. She had a black t-shirt and her homemade pants. She looked up at him and sighed.
"I don't think my father will like this." Draco smiled and wrapped his arms around her.
"You'll be fine. Now lets get out of here."
They walked down to the street and Hermione tried to get the attention of a cab. Meanwhile, Draco observed some of the people on the street. An old woman was passing by having a bit of difficulty walking when she stumbled. Draco, using his seeker skills, reached out and caught the woman's hand, helping her to her feet.
"Excuse me," she frowned and continued on her way giving Draco and odd look as she hurried away.
Draco glared, "Muggles!" he said rather loudly, "Have no respect for anything!"
Hermione glared and grabbed his hand dragging him into the car. "Draco, you can't say that kind of stuff here! People will get suspicious!"
She wasn't doing much for her case how ever as the cab driver was looking at her strangely from the front seat. She felt a blush coming on and she looked out of the window.
They stopped in front of the funeral home and paid the driver. Hermione turned toward the building and started forward Draco glaring at some Muggles that were giving them funny looks.
She took a deep breath and started forward into the morbid atmosphere that awaited her. They reached the room marked 'Hannah Granger' and walked in earning and odd look from everyone in the room. The last time half of them saw Hermione she was eight years old and in a pink Easter dress. Now they were greeted with heavy eyeliner and clothes that were only fit for hooligans.
Many people gave her comforting hugs but hurried away due to Her and Draco's less than appealing attire. Then, the moment of truth, Hermione's father walked up to the pair his face red with anger at the sight of her daughter with these clothes and this boy.
"Hermione Lynn Granger!" The man growled and pulled her away from crying family, "What in God's name are you wearing?"
Hermione wrenched her arm out of her father's grasp and straitened out her shirt. "I'm wearing clothes that I want to Daddy." Draco was tempted to grab Hermione's hand to support her but didn't want her father's glare turned onto him. To late.
"And who is this? And what in the hell is he doing here?" Draco and the man's eyes connected and blots of electricity were practically flying at each other.
"Dad, this is Draco Malfoy," Hermione started standing between the two, "Draco, this is my father, Michael Granger."
The two glared at each other before Draco made the first move, He slowly held out his hand for Mr. Granger to take. Michael slapped Draco's hand away and grabbed his collar, causing a gasp from Hermione.
"You listen up, Boy," Granger growled, "You stay away from my little girl. Do you understand?"
Draco didn't reply only glared. Hermione put a hand on her father's shoulder attempting to make him lower his grip. "Daddy, this is the head boy at our school, you have to let him down."
Draco smirked as he was roughly shoved away from the man. "I don't want you around this boy, Hermione." He said sharply to his daughter.
"Daddy," Hermione stated calmly, "I'm seventeen. I'm of age now. I can see who I want." With that she turned to walk, jingles and all to her seat to let the funeral begin.
XOXOXOXO
Hermione walked into the hotel room and collapsed onto the soft bed that was on her side of the room. She closed her tired brown eyes and sighed. She heard Draco walk around her and pick up the receiver to the phone.
He must have yelled at the dial tone for a good fifteen minutes. Finally, the Slytherin Prince slammed the phone onto its base and yelled in frustration. He walked over to Hermione and gently shook her tiny form to an alert state.
"Um, Hermione?" He whispered as he poked her, "I'm hungry. Can we call the House Elves like we did last night?"
Hermione opened her eyes a crack and smiled, "Draco, they weren't House Elves, they were Muggles." She giggled and called for room service. After she hung up she was instantly enveloped in a warm hug.
"Hermione," Draco said wrapping his arms around her.
She leaned into him and smiled, "Yes, Draco?"
He blushed a bit and continued, "I uh… need to tell you something… it's really important."
She looked up at him and smiled, "Ok, go ahead."
He looked deep into her eyes and his breath caught in his throat. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears as she smiled.
"I- well I think-"
KNOCK, KNOCK "Room Service!" Draco's face hit the floor.
Hermione slid out of his grasp and went to answer the door. She came back with their meals and smiled as she handed Draco his plate. "So, what were you saying?"
Draco blushed and looked at the floor, "I think you looked really pretty today, Hermione." He said it with a smile, but inside, he was kicking himself. He ate his meal in silence.
A/N: RAWR! DRACO! YOU STUPID! Oh well, he'll get there soon, I hope…Anyway, another is chapter up. Reviews own!