Not Playing Anymore
Chapter Five
As they walked through the hall, making their way to the Potions classroom, Draco would've been lying if he said he didn't notice the stares and whispers that followed them. Countless times he heard "what?" or "really!" He knew it would be a shock for people, and he could tell that it was making Hermione more than a little anxious. It was a shock to see such a normally confident girl, so nervous. It was almost as if he was leading her down into the gallows for her execution. He really wanted to reach over and take her hand, but he didn't think that would be a good idea, she would probably have a heart attack, if he were to judge by the way she clenched and unclenched the fist that was holding her bag strap. Needless to say, it gave him a bit of a start when she took his hand just as they reached the steps to the dungeon. He quickly recovered, and tried not to strut as they walked, he didn't think Hermione would appreciate him strutting now.
They arrived at Potions early, so they stood outside the classroom waiting for Slughorn and the rest of the class. While they waited they just chatted about the classes they had that morning, and other inane things. All he really wanted to do was pull her into a deserted alcove, and have a private moment, and after watching her lips move for a minute he decided to just do it. He had just opened his lips to ask her when the Wonder Twins showed up.
"Hey Hermione," Potter broke in. Great. "You guys got here early," he said, just giving Draco a minute nod.
He noticed the Weasel come stand next to him, he appeared like he was going to say something, till he looked down, and saw that he was holding Hermione's hand still. After that, he just glowered at Draco. Clearly he was not happy with the situation, and Draco realised he was going to have to keep an eye on him. Who knew what he would do.
Draco had to hand it to Potter though; he was trying, even as he was caught in the middle of a very awkward situation. The tension was thick, luckily, Slughorn came and opened the door; otherwise it would have become very uncomfortable.
Draco went to his bench in the middle of the room, as there were even less students now that it was seventh level Potions, Draco was the only Slytherin, and two Ravenclaws, plus Hermione and the Wonder Twins, so Slughorn had teamed up Hermione with him, much to the Wonder Twins' disgust. Not that Draco was complaining about that at all, it had given him another opportunity to be close to Hermione, and they couldn't do a thing to stop it. And he did admit that he got a little thrill at the look on the Weasel's face when she sat next to him in each class. It definitely added to the fun.
And it seemed that the news that they were together had reached the teachers as well. As Hermione sat in the stool to his right, Slughorn rounded on them, positively beaming from ear to ear.
"I believe congratulations are in order," he said smugly.
"Congratulations, sir?" Hermione asked sounding a bit perplexed.
"Why, Mr Malfoy and you are now a twosome. It's all because of me I daresay," he said, with that very annoying smile on his wide face. "No thank you's are necessary, just looking at you two glowing with young love is thanks enough."
He was completely unaware of Hermione's look of absolute horror on her face, and it was all Draco could do not to start laughing. The man was a nightmare, but he did know his potions.
"It's just wonderful, crossing the boundaries of House, of background; you two finding each other. My two best students; in love. It's just wonderful," he gushed, Draco snuck a peek around the room; most of the class was torn between horror at the words, and just laughing at the expense of them both.
"Ah, brings a tear to my cynical eyes, but alas we must proceed with the class. Today we will be…" and much to their relief he turned and began addressing the class. Draco couldn't hold the laughter in any longer, and much to his own disgust he giggled. Hermione elbowed him as she started to organise her things.
"It's not funny," she reprimanded.
"Yes it is," he said cheerfully.
"Okay, maybe it is," she admitted with a smile. "But right now I'm absolutely mortified at him, carrying on like that in the classroom, I'm just thankful that it's such a small class."
"Don't worry, we'll be old news soon," he said, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"Just wonderful…" they heard a teary voice say.
Hermione held his hand once more as they left the Dungeons. It was such a nice feeling. He gave her a sense of security when he was beside her, as if no harm would happen to her when he was near.
"What are you doing now?" he asked as they neared the exit. They had taken their time as they both had a free period after Potions, so there was no one around. They all were in each other's classes.
"I'm working on my Herbology project with Neville. What are you going to do?"
"Quidditch practice. What's your project?"
"We're finding different uses for the various properties in plants," she was starting to get excited. "Last week, we think we found a use for Gillyweed other than giving you gills..." Hermione stopped as she looked at him, and it didn't seem like he was listening at all. Putting her hands on her hips, "Draco! Are you even listening to me?"
"What? Yeah, Gillyweed, gills, that's what you were talking about."
"Well aren't you clever! But you weren't listening! You're eyes were sort of glazed over, and you were not paying attention at all! You're doing it again!"
"Hermione, you talk too much," he stated, pulling her close to him and kissing her.
She pulled back almost instantly. "I do not talk too much."
He just smiled at her. "Yes you do." This time she kissed him, cradling his face between her hands she deepened it. He quickly responded, moving his arm around her waist; he pulled her closer, pressed up as close as she could get, Hermione had never felt more comfortable. Kissing him just felt so right, so natural, like when he put his hand…
Oh Merlin, his hand is on my butt.
He must have sensed her unease because he moved his hand, and stepped back.
"Sorry, I uh…"
She moved up to him, and grabbed his tie. "Did I say I didn't like it?"
He seemed to regain his confidence, smiling down at her. "No you didn't."
Hermione heard footsteps coming down the hall, which unfortunately halted the incipient kiss. Hermione stepped back, and picked up her bag from where she had dropped it, and looking up she saw that it was Neville. He must have got tired of waiting for her in the entranceway.
"Hi Neville," she said good-naturedly.
"Hey Hermione," he said. "I thought you must have got held back, so I figured I'd come and find you." He looked over at Draco, and seemed to be unsure of what to say, "Uh…hello…Malfoy."
Draco seemed to be gazing at Neville with a dazed sort of look. Hermione gave him a discreet nudge. "Longbottom," he acknowledged before turning back to Hermione. "The boys will be waiting, I'll see you after." He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead, nodded to Neville and disappeared down the hall.
Hermione gave Neville a big smile, "Let's go. Have you had a nice day?" she enquired as they started walking to the Library.
After Quidditch practice, Draco returned to the Common Room, and after showering he realised Hermione still hadn't returned. He decided to read a little while he waited, surely she wouldn't be much longer. Hermione had been an influence on him in more than one way. He had started reading Muggle literature. If only his father could see him now. He was currently reading 'Lord of the Rings', and he hadn't told Hermione, but it was probably the best book he had ever read. He settled himself down on the couch and got back into it.
Time seemed to fly by, and before he knew it, thirty minutes had passed, and Hermione was coming into the Common Room. She wasn't alone however; she had brought Longbottom with her.
Smiling widely at him, she came over and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "I'll be right back, just going to the bathroom." Draco could have sworn he saw a smirk on her face as she walked away.
Longbottom sat himself down rather uncomfortably in the chair opposite the one Draco was sitting in. He realised that he would have to do something, it would mean a lot to Hermione, and now that he had her, he was going to do everything he could to make her happy.
"So, you and Loony." Draco stated.
Longbottom's head shot up. "Her name is Luna."
"Right, sorry."
So they sat for another minute of silence, Draco wondered what the hell she was doing up there. No doubt this was some sort of test.
"Do you follow the Quidditch?" Draco asked, genuinely interested, never having seen him on a broom since the incident in their first year.
"No, not really," he replied quickly.
"Oh okay," Draco was really at a loss now, wondering what on earth he and Longbottom could possibly talk about. And then he realised something that they may have in common. "What about the WWs'?"
Longbottom looked at him and grinned. "Absolutely, did you see the game last week? Bonsta kicked butt, it was incredible!" he enthused, Draco was relieved.
"Oh my that was amazing, he really is the best in the comp," Draco said, moving to the chair next to his. "Did you see the match against Keilley?"
"See it! I have a copy of it, watch it all the time! That was really the best match of all time!"
"He's playing Cornetti next Hogsmeade weekend. Blaise and I were going to go to the Hog's Head and watch it. Do you want to come?" He really did want him to come. Blaise was his only real friend, other than Hermione, and to find someone with a common interest, he decided to try to become Longbottom's friend.
"Sure," Longbottom grinned at him. "It'll be great, Luna won't mind."
Draco laughed, "Yeah, she can go shopping or something with Hermione while we watch the match." Longbottom started laughing as well, obviously the idea of Hermione doing such a girly thing with Luna was as amusing to him as well.
"What's so funny?" Draco turned and saw Hermione walking back into the room. She came over and sat down next to him.
"Me and Longbottom here are going to watch the WWs next Hogsmeade's weekend with Blaise," he explained.
"WWs?" Hermione asked, shocking both guys. Girls could be so ignorant sometimes when it came to sports.
"Wizarding Wrestling," Draco explained.
"Ugh," Hermione said wrinkling her nose, "That sport is so barbaric, I don't even think it qualifies as a sport."
Draco looked over at Longbottom and they both rolled their eyes. Girls.
♥Firstly, really sorry that it took so long to update this story. I was waiting for the muse to come, and in the end I just decided to do it. So here it is, hope you all like. I have an idea for the next one, but it may be awhile again after that, because I signed up for the Draco/Hermione ficexchange, and I need to write a story for that, so I'll apologise in advance for another wait.
♥This is un-betaed. I finished it on Friday, and was going to wait until cordy-angel sent it back, but I'm impatient and had to put it up about ninety minutes later, but the site wasn't working, so I couldn't - but here it is.
♥ 16/05/06: Beta read by cordy-angel, I was supposed to put this up at least a week earlier, but I forgot:)