A/N: Once again, incredibly sorry for the lack of updates. I've been VERY busy with school and such, but I repeat, this story is NOT forgotten. Hopefully this lack-of-updating thing won't become a trend.
Chapter 23: Plans
Hermione sat comfortably on a couch in the Head's common room, a version of "Slytherin vs. Gryffindor: Where the Relationship Went Wrong" in her lap. Just then, Draco burst in the room, panting.
"Draco, what's wrong?" Hermione asked, putting down her book to stand up. "Have you been running about the school?"
"Erm, I had to run and return a library book before it closed," Draco lied quickly, coming over to join her.
He hated to lie to Hermione, but it was better that she didn't know the truth. He didn't want to worry her.
"The library closes at ten, Draco," Hermione said as if it were an obvious fact.
"Oh," Draco quickly said. He took a seat and beckoned for her to join him, "well, you know me, I rarely go there anyway. What are you reading?" He quickly changed the subject.
"Just doing some early research on the inter-house relationships, like Dumbledore wanted us to," she told him.
"Oh Hermione," Draco scoffed, "we don't have to start on that until April, no use doing it now."
"Yes but, I thought I'd start early, what with N.E.W.T.s soon, we won't have much time later," she said with a yawn. "But I am a bit tired now, so I guess it can wait."
She let out another yawn and raised her arms up to stretch, causing her small tank top to go up and reveal her flat stomach.
'God she's gorgeous in that small, revealing scrap of cloth…hugs her breasts nicely…how I'd like to..' Draco stopped himself as he felt his pants getting tighter.
Hermione would be uncomfortable with what Draco had in mind, he knew, so he would have to restrain himself.
"You're beautiful, did you know that?" he said, wrapping an arm around her waist and bringing her closer to him.
"I'm sure you wouldn't have said that a few months ago," she said jokingly.
"Said, no. Thought, yes," he said, planting a quick kiss on her lips.
She smiled. "Well, I always thought you were a conceited, annoying, rude…"
"Yet charming…" Draco interrupted.
"…ignorant, self-centered prat. The adjectives could go on…" Hermione grinned maliciously.
"You forgot incredibly sexy," Draco added superiorly.
Hermione cocked an eyebrow. "Oh really? No, I don't recall forgetting that one…"
Draco narrowed his eyes playfully at her. "You'll pay for that…"
Hermione faked a scared look. "Oh, I'm scared now!"
Draco gave a sexy growl and pushed Hermione down on the couch, as he climbed on top of her, causing her to giggle in delight.
"I told you I'd make you pay, love," he whispered against her ear in a husky voice.
He crushed his lips against hers in a frenzied passion, a battle of tongue against tongue. Naturally, Draco soon won dominance. He quickly pulled away, leaving Hermione panting as he placed kisses along her collarbone. His hands quickly moved under her shirt, over her flat stomach, until he was soon caressing a soft, creamy breast…
"Draco," she managed to whisper, placing a hand on his.
He looked into her eyes, a trace of disappointment in his, a hint of doubt in hers.
"I'm sorry, Draco, it's just that—"
"Don't worry, love. I won't ever make you do anything you don't want to. Not until you're ready," he said softly, taking her hand in his.
She smiled at him and placed a small kiss on his lips. "Thank you, Draco."
She leaned her head against his shoulder, and he wrapped an arm around her. In a matter of minutes, she was sound asleep.
"Poor bloke," Ginny said as Hermione told her last night's story. "He must be so desperate for some action!"
"Well, he's not getting any 'action' just yet, that's for sure," Hermione said briskly.
"Oh Hermione, don't be such a prude. At least you know now that he really cares about you!"
Hermione sighed. "Yes, well, I suppose you're right. I just hope it stays that way."
"Don't worry too much. Now, let's go find you something nice for Valentine's Day!"
It was a lovely day for a Hogsmeade trip, and most students were out enjoying the snowy day. All students, that is, except for a certain two.
They sat huddled in a far corner of the library, speaking in hushed voices.
"So, what do you reckon we do?" Seamus whispered.
"Easy," Pansy began. "First, we've got to find out what Draco is planning to do. Obviously something nice, sweet…ugh, you get the picture."
Seamus nodded. "And what do we do from there?"
Pansy grinned evily.
"Granger isn't the only one with passing marks in Herbology you know."
"Reservations for two, please," Draco told the matre'd at Azul, a famous restaurant in Hogsmeade.
"Ah, oui monsieur…"
"Malfoy. Draco Malfoy," Draco said promptly.
"Ah, Monsieur Malfoy! Welcome back to Azul! And 'ow may I assist you today?" the matre'd greeted.
"I'd like to reserve a spot at your finest table for…let's say eight o'clock on Valentine's evening," Draco said.
"Ah, an outing with a lovely lady I suppose?" the man said, tapping a piece of parchment with his wand. The name 'Malfoy' automatically appeared under 8:00 February 14th.
"Yes," Draco grinned to himself. "Very lovely indeed."
The matre'd smiled. "Ah, young love…ze finest in my opinion. Well Monsieur Malfoy, would you like to sample which wine you would like served?"
Draco nodded, "That would be fine, thank you, sir…"
Pansy sat down quietly in an armchair in the Slytherin common room. In the seating area right behind her sat Blaise and his girlfriend Vixen, who she thought would most likely be discussing something that could help her.
"Really? Where?" Vixen asked.
"That fancy restaurant in Hogsmeade, Azul. It's a surprise, too, and so she won't be expecting anything," Blaise told her.
"Wow, that's quite nice!" Vixen said half-heartedly.
"Don't worry, love, Draco's not the only one planning something for his sweetheart…" Blaise said before Vixen began giggling insanely.
Conversation abruptly ended and she guessed they were now busy…but that didn't matter.
Unfortunately for Draco and Hermione, she had already heard everything she needed to.
A/N: PLEASE don't hurt me too much for not updating. This chapter was short, but I just had to end it at a cliffie. You know me…:)
Anyway, thank you all so much for sticking with this story, and for the reviews! I promise I'll have another chapter out much sooner, as I already know what I'm going to write.
Oh and just a note that my beta Kara thought I should include: When Draco is making reservations for the restaurant and he goes to sample wine, I figured it would be all right since things are different in Europe I believe, and even if it is illegal, let's just pretend it's not :O We wouldn't want these two drinking Butter Beer at a fancy restaurant, would we?
Once again, thank you all for the LOVELY reviews that are a constant reminder of my faithful readers.
bluebaby3296: Something along those lines…haha, don't worry, a sequel is already planned!
babygirl14: Wow, thanks! I'm flattered :O
AsNoelaniStood: Lmao, positively insane is an UNDERSTATEMENT. Raving lunatics is more like it.
natty123: Yep. Evil evil pansy. And Seamus :P Well to answer your question, I live in Miami, Florida and I was born here but my origin/cultural background is Cuban.
Lady of the Realm: Thank you for your nice, long review full of kind words :D Lmao turd stain, funny. Hmm, end up together…nah, wait and see what happens ;)
Sammeh: Well, RIGHT after she left, he walked in. It was kinda like very fortunate timing for Draco.
dracosgirl2515: Lmao, innocent for now, unfortunately. We all know how Hermione is. BTW, I LOVE your story so far, and the PotC one has me hooked!
D.r.a.c.o.s.H.e.r.m.o.s.O: Lmao lmao thank you for your kind words :) Yes, Draco is VERY sexy anywhere basically. Oh and in your screen name, do you mean 'hermoso' as in Spanish for FINEEEE? Hehe ;)
Becca: Just introduced? AHH! You will love it! Or you won't, depends on the story you read.
james is mine: Thank you for the kind words :)
xXxRiP2PaCxXx: Lmfao, how does someone hang themselves from a bed post…hehe :P Thanks for the review!
MJ432: Cliffies are my specialty, darling. :) Yes, Pansy can just go…be a pansy…
SiriuslyPadfoot'sGal: That would be due to my lack of updating, sorry :( About your story, sure! I'll try if I have time.
DanRadcliffe5666: Thank you for not judging! Ah, Pansy is so much more than just a slut, unfortunately.
ShortStuff10: A review is a review, no matter what it says :) I still read them, but sometimes I have more to say to some than others. Thank you for yours though!
Andrea: It's been…a freaking lot of months O.O YOU MUST UPDATE.
Piper Redfern: Description is something I've always loved to include. That's why I much prefer stories to essays! Creativity can just floowww. I'm glad you're enjoying the story; thank you for your review!
AquiliusAmor: As usual, Pansy is up to something…nasty. You'll see :)
Also thanks to: i own u eddie stack, HuGs N KiSsEs 1411, Tiarwen, bananabrain94, chinkerchickchu, Lien-Wan, jean jelly bean, xoKaSsIeox
Thank you all once again for reading! On with the writing…