A/N: Hope you like this chappy! Sorry it took so long. I was writing bits and pieces of it when I would get the chance, and yeah :D
Chapter 6: Teases, Guilt, and RegretDraco carefully leaned Hermione back onto the sofa and once again brought his lips down upon hers. His tongue soon gained entry to her mouth, and he put one hand behind her head, pulling her even closer. Hermione responded by wrapping her arms around his neck, as he continued the kiss, more fervently than before.
"Oh Draco," she moaned into his mouth. His lips were so soft against hers. She knew what she was doing was wrong, but how could she help herself?
Hermione broke away, panting heavily, and gazed into his somewhat dazed gray eyes. A pang of guilt hit her, and she struggled to get out from under him.
"I...I've got to go," she hesitated, and scampered out through the portrait.
--
Harry, Ron, and Seamus headed down the stairs toward the Great Hall.
"Have you noticed something wrong with Hermione lately?" Seamus asked his friends.
Harry nodded, "Seems like she's been quite down lately...always crying."
"Yeah, as if she could use a Cheering Charm or two," Ron added.
"I can't help but think I've been doing something wrong," Seamus said, running one hand through his hair.
"Well, it could be Malfoy, and she's not telling us," Harry suggested.
"I swear, if that git's the reason for her depression-" Ron began to say, cracking his knuckles.
Ginny came up beside them and said in and irked tone, "You idiots, before you go about making assumptions, try and find out the facts."
She glared at them and then stomped off ahead of the boys, leaving them quite confused.
"I think I'll talk to her," Seamus finally said, breaking the silence.
--
Draco lay on the sofa with both hands behind his head, staring up at the ceiling.
'Why did I just do that?' he asked himself.
'Because you wanted to,' replied a voice in his head.
'No, I didn't!'
Desperately seeking a reason for his behavior, he thought, 'Hormones. Yes, HORMONES.'
'You can't blame everything on hormones, you know,' the voice countered.
'Just shut up! I didn't want to kiss her, she was just there, looking so sexy, such a tease...' Draco thought quite unaware.
'See?' the voice said in a satisfied tone.
Draco let out a frustrated grunt, running a hand through his hair.
--
'Just take it easy, Hermione, emotions aren't easy to control. It's not your fault,' she tried to convince herself.
Despite her thoughts, Hermione still felt a twinge of guilt along with plenty of confusion. Deep in thought, she almost bumped straight into Professor McGonagall.
"Oh, hello Miss Granger, I was just on my way to find you. We've got a prefects and heads meeting tonight, after dinner. Please be sure to inform Mr. Malfoy," she informed her.
Hermione nodded and plastered on a fake smile, continuing on her way to the Great Hall.
--
Hermione, still very confused, poked around at the mashed potatoes on her plate, but didn't eat much. Ginny took notice of it.
"Hermione, are you still having doubts about that 'problem' we talked about?" Ginny questioned.
Hermione sighed and slowly nodded her head. She was about to get up to go when Seamus walked over to her.
"Hey Hermione, take a walk with me?" Seamus suggested.
Hermione put on another fake smile and stood up to join him. A walk with Seamus was the farthest thing from her mind, but she didn't want to seem too suspicious.
It was a bright Sunday and the air was cool and crisp. Scattered along the grass were a few students, chatting, or simply enjoying the sunny day. The pair strolled along a path near the edge of the lake.
"Hermione, I know there's something going on. What's the matter?" Seamus asked in a worried tone, taking her hand in his.
Hermione sighed inwardly and reluctantly answered, "No Seamus, I'm fine really."
Seamus did not look convinced, however.
"Are you sure?" he asked again.
Hermione was beginning to get a bit aggravated.
"Seamus! You've asked me the same question at least twenty times! And I've told you I'm fine! Will you give it up already?" she snapped, turning around and heading back up to the castle.
"Hermione, wait!" Seamus yelled after her, helplessly. He let out a deep sigh and plopped down right where he was. This was obviously not going very well.
--
Hermione was no longer as confused, but was now very frustrated. Upon entering the common room, she found Draco leaning back on the couch, deep in thought.
"We've got a meeting tonight," Hermione said quickly, heading off to her room.
"I know that, Granger," Draco said with an air of superiority, remaining in his same position.
Hermione let out a small "Hmph" and went off to her room. She took out some homework she had left to do, and spent the rest of the afternoon finishing it, as an excuse to avoid Draco.
--
That evening, Hermione promptly joined her friends in the Great Hall. Instead of taking a seat next to Seamus, she sat next to Ginny.
"'Evening guys!" Hermione greeted, as if nothing was wrong.
Harry, Ron, and Seamus exchanged looks of confusion.
"Hey Hermione," Ginny greeted casually. Hermione sent a thankful look her way and served herself some pumpkin pasties.
The silence between the group quickly changed into thick tension, and they ate quietly for the rest of the meal. After a while, Hermione slung her bag over her shoulder and got up to go.
"I've got a heads meeting now, so I'll see you all later," she excused herself waved quickly, getting up from her seat.
Seamus quickly followed behind her.
--
Hermione walked briskly down the corridor toward the Transfiguration classroom, but stopped, as she felt she was being followed. She turned around to find Seamus, a slightly maniac gleam in his eyes. He moved closer to her.
"Hermione love, what's up with you lately?" he said in a deep voice, moving closer. This caused her to move back into the wall.
"S-Seamus, we've been through this," she said, somewhat startled at his tone.
In response, Seamus pushed her up against the wall and crushed his lips against hers. Hermione tried to pull away but he had her wrists pinned under his strong grip. Tears of pain built in her eyes as he bit down on her lips, causing her to taste blood. She tried with all her might to pull away, but was unsuccessful.
"Let her go, Finnigan," said a cold voice.
This caused Seamus to whip around, finding Draco Malfoy with his wand out and pointed.
"I said let her go," Draco repeated calmly.
Seamus let go of Hermione, who slumped to the floor and buried her face in her hands. He turned to face Draco fully.
"And what's it to you if I don't? She is my girlfriend, isn't she?" Seamus snapped defensively.
"Well it seemed like just then she wasn't too happy. I would suggest you to stop harassing her before I, as Head Boy, am forced to take more intense measures," he said casually, as though he were speaking of the weather.
Seamus glared at Draco and reluctantly turned to leave, stealing a last glance at Hermione.
She looked up slowly at Draco, her eyes filled with worry. Draco held his hand out to her and she took it, allowing herself to be helped up.
The two walked in uncomfortable silence to the meeting, occasionally glancing at the other. Hermione looked up at Draco, admiring how handsome he truly was. His face was expressionless, yet one could still tell he was worried by the look in his gray blue eyes.
'He really does have beautiful eyes,' Hermione thought to herself, once again sighing mentally.
"Uhm, I just wanted to thank you for helping me back there," Hermione said cautiously, unsure of his reaction.
Draco acted as if he had not heard the question, and Hermione rolled her eyes.
'I'm trying to be nice, you would think he would get the hint!' she thought to herself, quite annoyed.
The Transfiguration classroom came into view, and Hermione quickly pulled open the door, shutting it before Draco got a chance to enter.
--
"Settle down students, settle down," Professor McGonagall said. "Now, I have called this meeting to discuss future school-wide activities," she announced.
A few girl prefects squealed with joy. This meant dances and parties, which meant interaction between boys and girls, which meant...fun.
"Any ideas?" McGonagall asked the group.
Ginny, as a Gryffindor prefect, raised her hand. "How about, instead of a Halloween dance or something, a Winter Ball? We always do something around Halloween, and it would be nice for a change," the red-headed girl suggested.
McGonagall nodded and quickly said, "Good, good. Does anyone second that idea?"
A few people, along with Hermione, raised their hands.
"Alright then, it's settled. Heads will be in charge of that of course," she said, gesturing toward Draco and Hermione.
After a few more minutes of other activity discussions, McGonagall dismissed the students.
--
Hermione decided that she would have to confront Draco. Something was going on, and she knew she wasn't the only one involved in the game.
She followed him as he walked into a deserted corridor.
"Malfoy," she called.
He turned around and glared at her.
"What do you want?" he asked coldly.
"Listen to me Malfoy, I know there's something going, and I'm not the only one that feels it," Hermione said in a stern tone.
Draco rolled his eyes. "Oh Merlin Granger, you really are quite the gullible little mudblood," he sneered.
Hermione looked at him shocked. "What do you mean? You kissed me, twice, and I know it meant something!"
Draco pretended to think for a moment then shook his head casually. "No, I was just trying to see how far you would go with me. And you did go pretty far, didn't you Granger?" he smirked cruelly, lying through his teeth.
Hermione felt tears stinging her eyes. Was he being serious?
"No you fucking prat, I know you felt something!" Hermione tried to convince him, now on the verge of tears.
Draco was trying to convince himself as well. "No you fucking mudblood, get it through your thick head! You...are not...important to me!" Draco was now almost yelling. He noticed how much his words were hurting her, and it pained him equally.
"F-fine then! I d-don't really care!" she yelled back, now crying.Draco tried his best to shoot her a glare, but she didn't even look.
She turned to run down the stairs, trying to get as far away from his as possible.
But Draco watched in horror as Hermione missed a step and lost her footing. She went tumbling down twenty-two steps and landed with a thud at the bottom.
"Hermione!" Draco yelled, running toward her now lifeless form.
--
A/N: CLIFFIE THE SIZE OF THE GRAND CANYON. Didn't expect THAT turn now, did you? That's all I have to say
Oh and a few thanks to my reviewers...
Camille: LMAO CAMILLE I don't snore. (Camille: I know, but I was bored and I felt like writing that :D). Yeah, I slept over at her house along with my other friend. I like to sleep, and those two were not letting me. –smacks again- :D Oh and since she DEMANDS ATTENTION...HUGE thanks to Camille!! I wouldn't have been this far in the story without her. SO EVERYONE...like, make her feel loved or something..
sugar n spice 522: Oh I feel all loved :D Lmao yeah, Seamus is all confused :D Yeah they FINALLY kissed! They're all angsty though, and don't want to admit that there are feelings other than hate. Stupid teens.
slythe: AH yay, favs list:D Glad you like it!
cokechix: Gratzi Andie, my Italian friend :P Yeah, I'm REALLY sticking to this one this time. I've grown to love it (?). Good luck with your story!
MJ432: Yeah, I prefer Draco over Harry, too, for similar reasons. And just cause he's dead shexay :) Lmao, alright then, spare me if you must :PKatieBell90099: They did move a BIT fast, but it's all in temptation, and the fact that they are developing some feelings.CLIFFIES are evil aren't they? And I happen to like them. SO THAT MAKES ME EEVILL. –Camille points to watch and mouths "Time for your meds- Uh..; Yeah, Seamus is all lost. You guys will hate him later on though. Then you'll love him again. Like I said, I'm evil.
Inuyashaluva245: Hah, thanks! Alright, I'll be sure to. Also, you can put me on "Author Alert" so that you get an email telling you when I updated.
That's it for now! Until then...-goes back to writing-