Romancing the Stone: Chapter 3
Breakfast Liaisons
by Iridian
Another day at Hogwarts began as students began to make their way down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Hermione woke up, bright and early as usual, and made her way down to breakfast, plopped herself down at the Gryffindor table next to Ginny Weasley, and began to eat breakfast.
"Ugh, Potions this morning," groaned Hermione, laying her head down on the table.
"Ouch," said Ginny, wincing.
"Good morning Hermione, Ginny," said Draco, walking up behind them and taking a seat at the Gryffindor table.
"Morning Draco," chirped Ginny. Hermione immediately glared at the traitor, who merely smiled brightly at her.
All heads turned to look at the blond haired Slytherin. At that moment, Ron and Harry chose to make their appearance in the Great Hall.
Draco grinned maniacally. He leaned closer to Hermione and put his arm around her.
"So sweetheart, how's your day?" said Draco, settling his head on Hermione's shoulder.
"It's been fine," said Hermione stiffly. I am not embarrassed, I am not embarrassed…that would mean that I care about him. And I don't. And that's that.
"Morning Draco," said Ron and Harry, sitting down across from Hermione and Draco.
"Morning Harry, Ron," replied Draco, grinning.
"Get off of me," snarled Hermione, agitated by Draco and her reaction to his actions. She did NOT like sitting so close to him…
"Why should I?" said Draco, practically pulling Hermione into his lap.
"Stop it Malfoy," said Hermione, squirming slightly.
Draco shared a grin with Ron and Harry, while Ginny looked on with amusement. The rest of the Gryffindor table looked on, disturbed by Ron and Harry's lack of action.
"Call me Draco honey. And you might want to stop squirming, for both our sakes," whispered Draco into her ear.
"But I want to eat breakfast with my Hermione. If you two would go away…" said Draco, hanging his sentence off and turning away from them.
"Not this early in the morning, Draco," groaned Harry, pounding his head on the table.
"For Merlin's sakes, let us at least eat our breakfast in peace," said Ron.
Hermione looked bewildered at her friends' non caring attitudes. She then decided to take it upon herself to get rid of him.
"Malfoy. Leave," said Hermione tightly.
"Must I really?" said Draco, giving Hermione a sad puppy-dog face. He gave a little mock whimper to add to the effect.
"Just go," snarled Hermione, tired by his charades.
"Fine. But I'll see you at seven o'clock to prepare our presentation to Dumbledore," said Draco rising gracefully.
The Gryffindors got tired of looking, except for the females of course, and went back to their breakfasts. This happened once a week, nothing big. Draco Malfoy was accepted.
The Slytherins on the other hand, were doing their best to look unperturbed, and nonchalant. Draco Malfoy was not Slytherin anymore. They didn't care about people outside their house, hell, they didn't care about people inside either.
"Hermione?" said Ginny calmly.
"Yes Ginny," said Hermione, turning to look at her friend once everyone had settled down again.
"You and I are going to have a talk later, ok?" said Ginny, cutting her pancake into pieces and eating one.
"Alright," said Hermione warily. It was not good when you had one on one conversations with Weasleys. Not good at all.
Hermione was in the library. It was her place of peace, a sanctuary, if you will. She was currently writing a four foot long essay on Cyclic Charms which happened to be due next month, but she never did know when she would or wouldn't have time, so she was writing it now. Ok, ok, so she just didn't feel like going back to the Tower to face her friends. So what?
"Hermione. Never thought I'd find you here," drawled Draco sarcastically.
"Malfoy. What are you doing here?" said Hermione tightly, well aware that is was this PMSing cad that screwed her over this morning.
"You do remember that we had a meeting arranged at seven o'clock correct? It is now half past, and I got tired of waiting for you. And since you only go to about three places in the whole castle, I found you rather quickly," said Draco, pulling out a chair for himself.
"I'm sorry, I completely forgot. Well, what did you come up with?" said Hermione.
"First off, Dumbledore informed me that we would be attending the balls together," said Draco.
"What?" said Hermione, completely bewildered, "Why?"
"To promote House unity. Besides, can't you just not wait until we go together. It will be so much…fun," said Draco, smiling slightly, "I promise to make it worth your while."
Hermione's head spun. Going to a ball with Malfoy? All she had to say was: Shit. That bet's not looking so good for her…
"Hermione, I know that I'm ridiculously good looking and I do appreciate the fact that you're very blatantly checking me out, but if we could get back on subject…" said Draco, clearly amused.
Hermione spluttered for a moment, then regained her composure. "There's not much to see Malfoy."
Screw the subject…did she just say what I thought she said? Thought Draco. "I think I'm going to have to change your mind, Granger."
He shifted impossibly close to her, nearly hauling her into his lap again. "You sure about that Hermione?" Her name rolled off of his tongue and she felt like jelly at hearing her name pronounced in such a way.
"Yes…" said Hermione shakily.
He turned his attention to her neck, brushing offending hair out of the way to get the smooth skin beneath. He planted several feather light kisses there, blowing across the marks he had just made sensually. "Really?"
Hermione was already past speaking, enthralled by his actions and the effects they were having on her. Control, Hermione. You have to stay in control. The hot guy who is kissing your neck has no effect on you. None at all. Hermione pulled herself together, and responded crisply, "Yes I am sure. Now would you please let me go, I have work to do."
She stood up and gathered her books, her confidence only belied by the slight tremor that was still occupying her body.
Draco sat, contemplating what had just happened. He had been refused? Impossible.
Oh God no.
This was not how Draco Malfoy's love/sex life went. Not in the least. It usually began with half-clothed women wailing "Take me! Take me!" at his feet, begging for sexual favors while frantically trying to divest him of his clothing. He wasn't even halfway to Step 1 yet with Hermione…ok, given he'd only been trying for a day…But I digress.
He'd have to try a new method, not that the old one was so bad.
He paused, thinking.
He always did like a challenge…and new could possibly turn out to be better…
Hermione was a creature of chilled steel – his charms had seemingly to neffect on her. She had refused him twice already…Sure he had the cheekbones and facial structure of a Greek god, but even if, he didn't exactly want to sink into the heroic brooding thing. Even though with him, it would be incredibly picturesque. It would get tiresome after a little while…
Draco shook his head sharply, the turned the corner crisply, his black robes billowing after him.
Not his love life indeed.
Hermione was considering the charms of solitary confinement.
1. Lots of room
2. Lots of time
3. No Draco
4. No worrying about schoolwork
5. No Draco
6. No tiring tasks and lots of entertainment at the expense of taxpayer's money.
7. No Draco
8. No worrying about blond haired Slytherins laughing at you when you tell them you're in love with them.
She had heard his siren songs, his declarations, his new and close relationship with Ron, Harry, and Ginny. How he had wormed his way into their House, making them fall in love with him.
She wanted nothing more than to beg him to take her. But she was Hermione Granger and she definitely didn't beg. Especially to blond Slytherin Princes.
Hope you like! Review!
Iri
willoe: Thanks! Hope you like the chapter and the changes!
Down withThe Sickness 666: Thanks, hope you like the chapter!
Floradora: Two chapters and a revised first chapter! Hope you like!
