I'm soooooo sorry for the late update (hm...I seem to be saying that freequently...)anyway, I really am sorry. This is the second to last chapter I shall be writing, we're almost done with the story! How's that for weird? I hope you will all read and enjoy this new chapter. I'm not sure what you'll think of it...as it's a bit...ooc? I'm not sure, tell me what you think!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or the Twelve days of Christmas.
The Twelve Days of Christmas: Hogwarts Style
Chapter 11: Eleven 'Sweet Nothings' Whispered
Hermione
What a nice dream I'd been having. Everything was white and pure and beautiful. Draco and I had frolicked gaily through the snow drifts, sending snowball after snowball at each other until all I am able to see is the powdery snow, and it's so white that it hurts my eyes. The sun reflecting from it blinds me to all by the pain in my head.
The pain, I think, is what woke me, but I can't be too sure what with the shrill squeaking of the house elf who had taken to jumping on my bed in an attempt to wake me up.
Perhaps I was wrong about the whole house elf-liberation-thingy, they're all pesky annoying things that wont leave you along to rot in the pit of Hell that you fell into. Perhaps it is the pain talking, and not the kind me everyone knows.
The next thought in my pain clouded mind, is that it is Draco's fault. All Draco's fault. This conclusion was reinforced by the shrill voice of the house elf, "Missy must wake up! Tibby was told to wake Missy up."
I glare angrily at her, "who told Tibby to wake Missy up?" I demand, reverting to the house elf's primitive way of speaking.
Tibby grinned as if I'd just told her she could clean the dungeons all by herself, "Master Dracos told Tibby. Master Dracos said Missy to drink off of tea Master Dracos made."
See! See! I told you it was all Draco's fault. Wait, tea? Draco made tea? I squash the tiny voice that says that Draco doesn't make tea so therefore he must actually care, "Go 'way." I grumble hinding my face in my pillow and planning to go right back to sleep.
"Tibby can't!" The house elf chirped, bouncing on my bed some more, "Missy must get up. Missy must drink Master Dracos tea." Missy must kill Dracos and Tibby. "Up, up!"
Stupid meddling Slytherins and their stupid annoying pets! Grumbling, I sit up and take the cup of tea the now-not-bouncing Tibby held.
How in the world did she manage to not spill a drop while bouncing on my bed like it was a trampoline?
I shrugged the mystery away and sniffed the tea cautiously. It didn't smell poisonous. don't look at me like that! I'm not stupid. We're still at war here! He's a Slytherin, thus I can't trust him not to cheat.
"What kind of tea is it?" I ask curiously looking up from the brownish-red liquid.
"Tuckberry." She answered watching as I took a sip.
Oooo, that's good. It tastes fruity, but it has effects similar to chocolate. I take another sip, savoring the flavor on my tongue.
I forgive him. I forgive him for getting me sick, I forgive him for being a Malfoy. I forgive him for being a Slytherin. I forgive him for being a arrogant, too good for you brat. I forgive him for hating Harry and Ron.
Actually, I really want to kiss him right about now. Merlin's Beard, where is that boy when I need him?
I finish draining the cup and hand it back to the house elf who is simply glowing with a job well done. "Tell him thank you?"
Giggling madly the house elf vanishes from it's spot on my comforter. I settle back into my pillows and close my eyes, but before I can drift into sleep a coughing fit racks my body, leaving me breathless. I moan and close my eyes. Some sleep, really would do me good, now that my head ache has doubled in intensity.
"Gentle as a moonlit flower
soft as a windless kiss
tender as a winter shower
nevermore I'll miss"
It was like someone was singing in my head, a love song, or a lullaby, I couldn't be sure. Whatever it was, it was beautiful, and the voice, I knew that voice.
Who was it?
I don't know, I can't tell!
In frustration I sit up, ignoring the pain in my head. My stomach hurts and I know I need to eat. Now, I could either go down to the Great Hall and eat with everyone else...or I could just send for a house elf to bring me breakfast...lunch...brunch...what time was it anyway?
"Tibby?" I call tentatively, "Dobby? Winky? Anyone?" Tibby was the one to show up, beaming at me waiting for what I would ask. "Um...could you bring me something to eat?" I ask, coughing halfway through.
Tibby's head bobs up and down quickly before she's gone. I lean back in my bed, my head and heart pounding.
"Forever I'll watch over her
chase all her fears away
Never will she be in danger
of being led astray"
I open my eyes and glance around but no one is there, there's no radio, and no wizard music device. It was literally in my head.
Great, now I'm going crazy. I'd blame Draco, but I already forgave him for everything he has done and ever will do, so that would be pointless.
A few more minutes and I can smell food outside my door, and footsteps approaching from the other side. Odd, usually house elves don't use doors, but just pop in and out unannounced. Whatever, it didn't matter, as long as I got something to eat soon.
There's a soft knock on the door, "Come in?" I call weekly, sitting up to make more room for the tray on my bed. The door pushes open and I look over, only to frown in confusion, "I thought Tibby..." I trail off into another coughing fit.
"Hm...That tea didn't work very well, huh?" Draco asked, stepping into the room. What on earth was he doing there? How had he even gotten into the tower, much less up the evil stairs? My mind is to twisted with sickness to even begin to understand the workings of this young man, so I shove the thought into the back of my mind to work on when I'm not bedridden. "Perhaps you should go visit Madam Pomphry?" He suggests helpfully. I glare at him, "No...I suppose not."
"What are you doing here?" I ask, more harshly than I should have due to my ill state.
He smirks at me, typical. "I would think that was obvious, sweet." True, it was obvious, as he was carrying a small breakfast tray with a crystal vase holding a single red rose, but that wasn't what I had meant...and the brat knew it.
"Go away." I say sulkily, not fully forgiving him for making me sick, I sink back into my bed and turn my back on him.
Now, a normal guy would have taken the 'hint' and gotten away from me as fast as his little legs could carry him. Then again, Mister Malfoy isn't normal, the fact that he made it up the girl dormitory stairs is proof of that.
"Now now, my little mudblood, that's no way to treat the person to bring you breakfast in bed." He chided with amusement, striding confidently into the room. Before I could react he was setting the tray before me on the bed.
I raised my eyebrows at him, not quite believing what I was seeing, "And why are you bringing me my breakfast? I thought I asked Tibby to bring it to me."
The Slytherin grinned at me, obviously pleased with himself, "Tibby is my house elf, she follows my orders before anyone else's. I told her to tell me if you wanted anything, before she got it for you." He gestured at the tray then, "I hope this is suitable, princess.
I stare down at the tray, finally taking note of what was on it. A plate full of scrambled eggs, toast, butter, bacon, and other assorted breakfast foods. My mouth was watering just looking at it, the scent was heavenly, "It'll have to do, you may leave now." I say, regally waving a hand in his direction, not bothering to look up at him.
"As her highness wishes," He said, amusement heavy in his voice, "Just be sure to drink that tea as well, it will help, I promise."
"Sure, sure." I nod, not really caring anymore, my stomach gave a loud rumble, causing Draco to chuckle and me to turn red from head to feet before he left the room. "Stupid Slytherins." I grumble, as the door shuts, though I'm almost positive he heard that.
Knowing that he was safely out of the room, I reach out and bring the beautiful rose close to my face, inhaling it's rich scent, lightly rubbing the velvety soft petals over my nose and lips, a small smile playing on my mouth. That was sweet of him, who knew he could be romantic?
"Careful, Draco, hun, people might think you've gone soft." I softly caution the rose before placing it back in the vase. The heady perfume of the blossom still swirled around me, and I could hear that voice again, a voice I knew all too well.
"Fragile dreams break
the moment we touch
my shattered rose you take
and nurture it to life"
Draco had put that voice in my head...his voice! That sneaky little snake! Shaking my head, to rid it of the smile Malfoy had placed on my lips, I reach out to try some of that scrumptious morning meal.
It's such a strange thought, I don't even want to acknowledge it, even in my mind. It's just not possible, and yet...and yet I can't shake the feeling that it's true.
Draco cooked that meal.
Crazy I know! A Malfoy, cook? I must be going mad, dilutional, in my old age. Besides, where would he learn such a...domestic...task?
I seriously can't picture Draco doing that. Okay, so that was a lie. I can picture it, and I'm not sure if that image in amusing...or not.
As loony as that thought was, I had a strong feeling that it was true. I'd have to remember to ask him where he learned to cook.
Oh, and I think I should mention that it was the best scrambled eggs I've ever eaten in my life. The toast was perfectly browned and warm. The glass of milk was slightly cooled. The pancakes were light and fluffy, and the syrup wasn't that sickly sweet maple, but a slightly tangy fruit flavor. The bacon was only slightly crispy, full of grease and fat. It was delicious, and there wasn't a scrap left on my plate.
The rose had 'mysteriously' vanished from the tray and 'somehow' ended up on my bedside table. Odd, I know that I moved it, but I honestly don't remember the actual 'moving'.
Draco has infected me with some type of illness that is leaching off my thoughts and memories. Replacing perfectly good thoughts with those of the disembodied voice of one Draco Malfoy. I have to admit, though, he had a voice to mach the rest of him.
"Like a kitten you make
me want to purr
just to cuddle with you
could make my heart soar"
I honestly don't think I'm the only one who can hear the disembodied voice of the Slytherin. I'm sitting in the dayroom minding my own business, when another corous was started. I had paused in my reading to listen, not really paying attention to what I was doing.
The verse was over quickly and I turned back to reading, but, strangely enough, I couldn't. Something wasn't right. At first I couldn't put my finger on it, but then I became aware of this feeling, as if I was being watched, and I also noticed that the room had gone deathly silent in a matter of moments.
Slowly I glance up from my book into the emerald green eyes of my best friend, who was staring at me with an expression I'd never seen before. Next to him Ron's jaw hung open like a trap door as he gaped at me. The rest of the people in the room also stared at me in complete shock, and some complete outrage or disgust.
It wasn't every day the voice of a Malfoy fills the Gryffindor Tower spouting romantic poetry for a nerdy muggle born. You'd think they'd be used to the oddity after that kiss they all witnessed. Apparently not.
Gathering my books I flee to the library, I just know my face is as red as a watermelon. I can't believe he'd do this to me. Wait, scratch that, I can believe it. It's just the type of thing such an arrogant jerk would do.
It's like he's 'staking his claim' or something.
I drop my books at a table near the back and head for the shelves just shy of the forbidden section. I think I'll start planning my revenge right now.
Three sappy poems later I've already scrapped a good number of inadequate ideas. This is one of the reasons I love books so much, infinite information right at my fingertips on any given subject. Some of the books I've taken to reading this fine morning are:
"Thirty ways to make your lover grovel." Yes, yes, Draco Malfoy on his knees before me, begging me (for what I hadn't decided)...I must say, that's a nice visual.
But then I found, "Make Him Dance to Your Music." Just the title of that one had so many possibilities. I could use a useful spell I'd found when helping Harry with DA classes, that would make him dance and dance. Any dance I wanted him to, he would have to dance, and it came with music.
Or I could do as "Tricks for the Hopeless" suggested and turn his hair purple for a day.
Then again, I could always charm his robes to look like the Gryffindor ones, or turn all his food to catfood when he tried to eat it. Now that is what I call a twist on the Midas touch.
Every time those blasted poems would start up again Madam Pince would send me a skathing look, but I hadn't been asked to leave quite yet.
I hate being on her bad side, she never lets me check out any good books when she's angry.
Speaking of checking out, it might be a good idea to take a few of these books back to the dorm to check out before bed.
I think Ron's angry with me. I don't know what I did wrong. It's not like I asked Malfoy to haunt me with his voice, in fact I remember telling him to bugger off. Yet Ron seems to think it's my fault.
I had tried to read in the common room, but Ron's animosity towards me sent me up to my room. Harry was trying to help, but there was only so much he could do with the brat.
The dorm room was loud, and girls kept rushing in and out giggling and chattering, so I didn't stay there too long before heading down to the grounds to perch under one of the many trees.
I cast a blanket spell, and set my books down on the snow I'd just...fixed? Let me explain, the blanket spell I used puts a small layer of air between the objects or person and the ground, saving them from becoming dirty or wet.
I plopped down next to my books and picked one up to begin reading.
I was so absorbed in my plotting that I didn't even notice when someone sat down next to me and picked up one of the stacked books. "My, my, Granger, now you need help from your books? I thought you were more creative than that." A very familiar voice interupted me with a patranizing tone.
I glanced up sharply to meet amused silver orbs, "Who said I was going to use any of this?" I asked, closing my book around my finger to keep my spot, "I'm just doing research."One finely shaped golden eyebrow rose, "Your researching pranks?" He asked in clear disbelief.
"Oh, go jump in a lake." I say irritably, trying to return to my book.
"Very mature, Granger, very mature." I can practically hear the smirk in his voice, the prat.
I stick my tongue out at him to prove just how 'mature' I can be, then return to my book, trying (without success) to ignore the Slytherin sitting next to me.
The silence lasted longer then I had expected, but I still couldn't concentrate on the words swimming before my eyes. I could almost feel Draco's gaze on me, and I wasn't sure how I felt about that. It made my pulse race, and my breathing become shallow.
"The wind whispers softly
breathing your name on a sigh
The sun reaches down
to light the sparks in your eyes."
My head jerks up in surprise and I stare at Malfoy, who just grins back innocently. "I'm curious, Draco, did you have someone write that for you in advance, or did you find it in a poetry book somewhere."
His eyes narrow slightly as he frowns at me, "Unlike you, my dear little mudblood, I don't need a book to tell me how to do something as simple as wooing a woman."
My own eyes narrow in a glare, "You conceited jerk!" I practically hiss at him, "I can't believe you'd say something so...so...callous... oh, that's right, your a Slytherin, it's in your blood." I stand up and leave him sitting there under the tree, dumbfounded. I wonder when he'll notice that he's now sitting directly on the snowy ground?
It seems he's taken to stalking me, now. I don't even want to look at the pig, but every time I turn around he's there. I was sitting next to Harry in the dinning room taking a lunch brake, when he walks in. Or I'll be in the library finding a new book to read; I'll move to another section and there he is leaning against the bookshelf waiting for me. While heading back to Gryffindor tower I'll turn a corner and practically run him over. Oh, and my favorite. I was washing my hands after using the rest room, when I glance up at my reflection in the mirror and who should be standing behind me but my own Prince Charming.
I ignored him the entire time, but that only seemed to fuel the little toad's determination and he started to send really sappy poems. Things like:
The lovely shade of her skin
the taste of her lips
I love her like no one before
to lose her now, would be the end of me...
Well, okay, they weren't quite that desperate, but it's close!
"Where's lover boy?" Ron sneers at me when I enter the common room, getting an elbow in the rib from Harry and a slap on the back of the head from Ginny. I just ignore him, and the voice reciting the fifth poem since our argument, and head up the stairs to the girl's dormitory.
Luckily my room is empty, and I drop my robe on the floor near my bed before falling down on said bed exhausted (recovering from a cold/fever is taxing, let me tell you!) My eyes slide closed and I'm almost asleep when I hear that voice again.
Oh, won't he just leave me alone? Apparently not, as his voice get's louder (in my mind anyway), and it's near impossible to ignore.
"When my Goddess is angry
I'm in the pits of misery
I want to reconcile with the siren
but she just refuses listen"
I open my eyes wearily, but he doesn't seem to be finished.
"If she'd just listen to my plea
I'd try to make her understand
This thing we have, I do want it
please, my vixen, forgive me?"
My my, he does have a way with words. I look around the room, the light from the window already fading. He's not here, but on the table next to my bed, is another cup of that heavenly tea from before, and along with it a velvety rose. Picking up the rose I bring it to rub softly against my cheek it's heady scent filling me with soothing thoughts. My anger with Draco had faded throughout the day, but I had still been a bit irked that he'd say something like that. Now, those thoughts were soothed from my mind by the rose, which I set in the vase with the one from that morning, and picked up the cup of tea.
Warmth flooded through me, and I knew I'd completely forgiven him. Actually, it'd be rather nice if he were here right now, so I could tell him...no show him...how much I forgave him. Wait...I stare down at the tea, and I can almost see Malfoys smirk.
Carefully I set the charmed tea down and settle back with a small smile on my own face. Yes, I did forgive him, and I didn't need a cup of tea to tell me that. But I think I'll make him suffer a bit before I tell him. Tomorrow. I'll tell him tomorrow morning. He deserves a little worry.
Wow...I was reading through this just now, and I made Hermione kinda childish and rude at the beginning. I don't think that whole day in the snow (which was in fact her idea) was very wise. And Draco's not quite himself either...spouting romantic poetry and all...but who knows, it could happen, he is a charmer after all...and I could see him doing that if it really caught his attention...bringing out the 'big guns' so to speak. He just had to go and mess it up by saying that whole "simple" thing. (that would have made me mad if some guy said that to me, so I can imagine that it would make Hermione angry as well...her temper is just about my own...only she's a little more outspoken then I...)So, what did you think? Did I overdo it with the whole poetry thing? Or was it good...even with MIone's childishness?
Review!
