A/N: Sorry it took so long for me to post this, I had a huge math project to do that still isn't finished, and spring break was last week. I sincerely appreciate all the reviews I've gotten – You guys rock my world! And, to make up for the loss of chapters, I'm posting 6 as well. Now, On with the story!
CHAPTER FIVE – THE CAT'S OUT OF THE BAG
Hermione pulled back from the kiss and blushed. "I'm sorry," She stammered, "I shouldn't have done that." She moved to turn away, but Draco held her chin.
"No," He said breathlessly, "You shouldn't have turned away." He tilted her chin up and they kissed again, both feeling as though this was the happiest they'd ever been in their entire lives. But this time when they kissed, it was as though something clicked, and the air around them seemed tight for a moment. Draco let Hermione go and they stood up, checking around them. Draco put his arm around her waist protectively and asked, "What was that?" He looked down and saw that she was beaming.
"We've completed the first bond!" She said happily, hugging him tightly. She molded herself to his body, and they stood like that for a moment, not kissing, just holding each other tightly. Then Hermione stepped back a bit and said, a bit reluctantly, "We should probably get back up to the castle, being heads and all."
Draco nodded and released her, instead taking her hand. They walked up to the steps in front of the great doors and both thinking the same thing, let go of the others hand. Draco turned to Hermione. "Want to keep this under wraps?" He asked, knowing she would.
"Yeah." She nodded. "My friends were ok with us being friends, but I think I want to give it a bit more time before I tell them that we're…dating?" She laughed. "Earlier I said I wasn't comfortable with that, and you said I would be by the end of the week, and now look. Two hours later, and we're dating! Life works in mysterious ways." She sighed, smiling, and pushed open the doors, then the two of them worked their way back up to the head's tower, extremely unaware that a certain Narcissa Malfoy had seen the whole show of affections from her classroom and quarters, which were conveniently placed right next to the weeping willow.
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"Hermione," Draco said, lightly tapping her on the shoulder. "Hermione, wake up." She stirred a bit and mumbled something, but didn't get up. Draco sighed. "Hermione, I know I'm an extremely comfortable pillow, but we have to go to dinner."
Hermione groaned and lifted herself up, stretching. She yawned slightly, covering her mouth with one hand, the other still above her head. Draco stood up and she uncurled herself from the couch, where she had been lying with her head in his lap.
"I don't wanna go to dinner." She said grumpily, fetching her robes. "I was quite comfortable where I was, thank you very much!" Draco laughed and caught her in a hug, kissing the tip of her nose.
"I know you were, Love. But we have to show up." He let go of her and went to find his robes, leaving a very loved and contented Hermione to sit by the portrait and wait. He finally came out wearing his robes, and tossed Hermione's wand to her. "New school rule, Love. We have to carry our wands with us at all times." He hugged her again and kissed her, then pulled away, grinning. "Well, that should last me throughout dinner. C'mon, let's go." He pushed open the portrait and they walked through it, waving goodbye to Erik and Christine. They got a couple of curious looks walking down the hallway, but Draco put an end to that.
"C'mon, people! Ever heard of inter-house unity?" The students would then nod and scurry away, well aware of the temper he was known for. Hermione laughed. "What's so funny?" He asked, "Aren't they annoying you too, goggling at us like that?" She shook her head.
"Yeah, I guess. But you're all fierce and mean to everyone, and I know that really you're all sweet and mushy inside." She laughed as he made a face at the words 'sweet and mushy'.
"I'd prefer another term, but whatever. Here we are." They paused at the great hall, and looked at each other. "We can go in at the same time, right? I mean, no one will suspect anything." Draco asked, peering in.
"Well, everyone will know sooner or later, so I say we just act normal and when they figure it out, they figure it out. And just hope no one tries to kill you." She smiled and walked in, leaving a slightly pale Draco behind.
As soon as she walked in Harry and Ron waved her over, shouting her name. She hurried over to them, not wanting to cause a scene, and sat down next to Ginny across from them.
"Sorry we couldn't stay with you today," Harry said apologetically. "That stupid greasy bastard…" He muttered, obviously talking about Snape.
"Harry," Hermione reprimanded, "You shouldn't talk about the teachers like that! I know he is a greasy old bastard, but he could have heard you!" She raised her eyebrow at him and he rolled his eyes.
"Whatever." He grumbled. Then, perking up, he asked, "Do you have any idea who your mate is?"
Hermione choked on the swig of pumpkin juice she had just taken, and coughed as Ginny thumped her on the back. She wiped her mouth and coughed once more, then breathed heavily. "Sorry, guys." She said, smiling weakly. "Didn't mean to do that. But to answer your question, yeah. I think I have." She laughed as they all leaned in to hear who it was, and leaned away. "But I'm not going to tell you yet," She warned. "I need to make sure. OK?" She surveyed their faces and they all looked slightly put out. Hermione sighed. "It's not that I don't want to tell you, I just don't know how you'll…well, take it." She finished tentatively.
"It's okay, 'Mione." Ginny said, patting her arm. "Anyone who's good enough to be your mate we can accept, right boys?" She asked, facing them and putting an emphasis on 'right'. They both nodded, promising to accept it.
"We'll accept anyone!" Ron said, with a hand over his heart. "Absolutely anyone, so long as it's not Malfoy or someone like that…" He added, looking slightly disgusted at the prospect of her mate being Malfoy.
Startled, Hermione asked, "But I thought you guys solved your differences? Or at least you're trying to! That's what Drac—Malfoy told me anyway…" She finished lamely, knowing she had slipped.
Ginny shook her head, then suddenly she snapped up and looked at Hermione. "Did you just call Malfoy Draco?" She asked incredulously. Her eyes widened as Hermione's face turned red and she tried to stay calm. Suddenly Ginny realized, "Malfoy is your mate!"
Ron and Harry stared at Hermione, who had given up trying to shush Ginny, and was now sitting quietly, staring into her juice.
"Well," Harry asked quietly. "Is he?" Hermione gave a small nod, and looked up.
"But, guys, please don't be mad at him! Please don't! At least give him a chance!" She pleaded. Ron, however, didn't look to happy.
"Don't be mad?" He repeated, shaking slightly, ears red. His hand curled into fists at his sides as he thought of his Hermione with Malfoy. "Give him a chance?" He hissed. Hermione shrank back as Ron glared at her, looking as though he would spontaneously combust at any second. Harry grabbed his shoulders and pulled him back so he was sitting down, and held him there.
"Hermione," He said, "We…Well…" He sighed. "We'll try." Ron muttered something darkly under his breath, that no one caught.
"Thanks, Harry." Hermione smiled. "And Ron," She said, speaking to him where he sat with his arms crossed. "You do know that I didn't choose him, right?" Ron glared at her, but she continued. "We were chosen for each other before we were even born! If I don't become his mate, I die!" She stressed the word 'die' and Ron seemed to get it, realizing that she would never be his.
"I'm sorry, 'Mione." He said sadly. "I was an arse. I'll try to accept him, ok? Really." He took a swig of his juice and stood. "I'm gonna go out to the Quidditch pitch," He said, climbing out of the bench. "See you all later." He walked down the row, heading out toward the doors, with his head hung.
"What was that all about?" Hermione asked confusedly. "Did I do something?" She turned to Ginny and Harry both, looking for an answer. She got one from Ginny.
"Well, Hermione," She said, smiling a bit. "You may be pretty and smart, but you're blind!"
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, "How am I blind?"
"You haven't noticed?" Harry asked, joining Ginny on their side of the table and sitting next to her. She scooted closer to him and he put an arm around her waist. "'Mione, you are blind!"
Hermione rolled her eyes and said hotly, "Will you please stop telling me I'm blind and tell me why you think I am?" She glared at them, as they sat comfortable draped around each other.
"'Mione," Ginny said. "Haven't you ever noticed how Dear Ronald is always so…shy around you?" She asked. Hermione shook her head, then stopped. "Yes, Hermione, I think you got it. Ron is completely infatuated with you, my dear." She looked outside grimly, as though looking for him. "He's had quite a crush on you, and now you're going out with his arch enemy. He's bound to be a little depressed!" She said.
Hermione looked out the way Ron had left and sighed. "Well, great." She muttered. "Not only do I find out I have to shag my enemy-now-boyfriend, I lose my best friend! All in one day!" She glared at the Heavens. "This is all your fault, you know!" She blamed, with Ginny looking at her as though she were mad.
"Who're you talking to?" The red-head asked, looking up. Harry laughed.
"The divine." He answered. "Not necessarily God, but whatever the greater power is. She's mad at it." He grinned. Ginny still didn't quite understand, but she nodded anyway. "Aw, damn." Harry said suddenly, looking around. "Dinner's over."
He stood from the table and waited for Ginny, then entwined his fingers with hers. They walked by Hermione until they went their separate ways, at which point they hugged each other goodnight. Hermione turned a few corners and went up a staircase, and then stood facing the portrait leading to her room. She was about to say the password, in fact she had already started, when a pair of strong, pale arms grasped her around the waist.
"Draco!" She yelped, "You caught me by surprise!" She turned around and glared at him, giving in laughing went he pouted at her. "You are such a pushover," She teased, snuggling into his arms. Draco smiled smugly and said the password, letting them in. He untangled Hermione from his embrace and took her hand, leading her inside to sit on the couch.
"So." He asked, once they were seated comfortably. "And ideas on what we want to do before we go to sleep?" He glanced at the clock. "Curfew's at 11, and it's currently…7:15" He looked down at Hermione, who was once again spread out on the couch, using his lap as a pillow.
She looked toward her room, and then sat up. "Do you want to watch a movie?" She asked excitedly.
"Well, yeah, but we don't have anything to watch it on!" He pointed out.
Hermione grinned. "Actually, we do. I requested this morning while in the infirmary that I could get a TV. Complete with VHS and DVD." She looked quite happy with herself. "I told him that since I was head girl, could I please get some of the comforts of home?" Her eyes glimmered as she glanced toward her room again.
Draco smiled. "Well, what are you waiting for? Go ahead!" He laughed as she ran into her room, and returned with 10 DVDs. She ran back into the room and Wingardium Leviosa'd the TV, setting it down on the coffee table, and then sat down next to Draco.
"Think you brought enough DVDs?" He teased, kissing her on the cheek. She laughed at him.
"Ok," She said, picking up the DVDs. "We have Moulin Rouge, Phantom of the Opera, Pirates of the Caribbean, Rain Man, Jaw Breaker, Tristan & Isolde, Rent, Bowfinger, Timeline, and Tomb Raider. I don't know which one, but I know it has Gerry Butler in it." She sighed happily and looked at the cover before picking up 'Timeline', which apparently had better pictures.
"Hey!" Draco pouted, grabbing her around the middle and placing his chin on the top of her head. "There's a particular boyfriend here who's feeling kind of unwanted." Hermione looked up and captured his mouth in a kiss, effectively silencing him. She pulled away and turned around, facing the boy who was now grinning smugly. "I could definitely get used to this." He told her. "Most definitely." Hermione laughed and grabbed a DVD, pulled out the disc, and inserted it into the DVD slot. She turned on the TV after plugging it in (Dumbledore had somehow put electric sockets in the room), she waited until the main menu came up, and hit play.
Draco stood and turned off the lights, then came back to the couch, where he lay down longways with Hermione in front of him. He wrapped an arm around her waist, and they settled down to watch the movie.
At the current moment, a small man was standing in front of an empty auditorium, conducting the '20th Century' music, and then went to a man in a strange costume, singing.
Draco looked at the TV, confused. "What are we watching?" He asked, looking down at the girl in his arms.
"Moulin Rouge." She answered, hey eyes glued to the screen.
"Ah." He pulled her tighter and nuzzled her neck, then watched as the unconscious Argentinean fell through Ewan McGregor's roof, and his apartment was invaded by Toulouse-Lautrec.
They lay happily watching the movie (albeit a little confused on Draco's part) in each others arms, as it came to a part where Nicole Kidman was standing on the elephant singing, and Ewan McGregor was climbing up her roof to see her. Hermione smiled. "I love this part!" She told him happily, snuggling closer to him to watch.
"Love is like Oxygen!" He was telling Satine. "Love is a many splendid thing, Love lifts us up where we belong – All you need is love!"
"Please, don't start that again." She begged, walking away from him.
"All you need is love! All you need is love! All you need is Loo-oo-ooo-ove."
"Love is just a game."
Christian jumped onto a platform, blocking Satine as he sang to her.
"I was meant for lovin' you, baby, you were meant for lovin' me!"
"The only way of lovin' me, baby, is to pay a lovely fee."
"Just one night? Just one night!" He pleaded.
"There's no way, 'cause you can't pay!"
"In the name of love! One night, in the name of Love?"
"You crazy fool, I won't give in to you!"
"Don't…leave me this way." He said softly, following her. "I can't survive, without your sweet love, oh baby. I can't survive."
Satine walked over to the balcony, looking out sadly. "You'd think that people would have had enough of silly love songs."
Christian joined her. "I look around me and I see, It isn't so, Oh no."
"Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs."
Christian leaned in to kiss her, "Well, what's wrong with that? I'd like to know!" She turned away and he looked after her. ""Cause here I go! Yeaah!" He ran past her onto the elephant's temple, balancing with his arms spread out.
"Love lifts up up where we belong!" He sang, "Where Eagles fly on a mountain high!"
"Love makes us act like we are fools! Throw our lives away, for one happy day!"
"We can be heroes! Just for one day…"
He followed her as she walked down the steps, not letting her go. She turned around briefly.
"You…You will be mean."
"No, I won't!"
"And I…I'll drink all the time!"
"We should be lovers!" Christian sang.
Hermione practically swooned in Draco's arms. "I LOVE his voice," She whispered, watching the TV. Draco rolled his eyes, but he did have to admit the bloke had a great voice.
"We can't do that." Satine was saying.
"We should be lovers, and that's a fact!"
"Though nothing will keep us together…"
"We could still try, just for one day."
They joined hands and sung together, "We could be heroes, forever and ever! We could be heroes, forever and ever! We could be heroes, just because –"
Draco suddenly paused the TV as the fireplace glowed scarlet and suddenly burst into life. He sat up from where he lay with Hermione, and glanced into the fireplace to see his Mother's head.
A/N: Ohhh no! Narcissa! Lol, don't worry…At least, not yet…-evil grin- Anyway, yeah, I just had to put Moulin Rouge in there somewhere! Ewan McGregor is my idol…I totally love him. And his voice –sigh- I love his voice. But, yeah, next chapter should be up by tomorrow…