Hope you enjoy. Sorry in advanced for any mistakes etc in this story/chapter. Thank you to all my reviewers I'm glad you are enjoying the story so far. Pyromytptincess I did cry when I read HBP, the end was so sad shed's a tear
Well on with the story. . .
Another loud burst of thunder erupted from the night sky causing Hermione to give an involuntary shudder. She hated thunder and at that moment she wanted nothing more than to cower under the covers of her bed.
A huge storm had developed earlier that evening and due to the weather many classes had been cancelled. Many spent the afternoon in the Great Hall conversing with friends or finishing homework. Others opted to spend their free time in their dorms reading or playing wizard's chess. It was now 9:15 at night and while many students were already in asleep in their beds she was waiting at the entrance of the Great Hall for the arrival of a certain dark haired Slytherin.
"Granger?"
On hearing her name Hermione averted her gaze from the floor expecting to see Blaise Zabini. Instead she came face to face with the one and only Draco Malfoy. This was certainly unexpected, what in Merlin's name was he doing here?
"Malfoy, what are you doing here?" Hermione questioned her confusion and bewilderment evident in her facial expressions.
"I'm doing patrol tonight Granger. Blaise had a . . . . previous engagement to attend." He replied coolly.
"Don't joke Malfoy it doesn't suit you." Hermione retorted angrily. He was so annoying, every word that came out of his mouth just made her want to hex him into the next millennium.
"If you thought that was a joke mudblood you have a very bad sense of humour?"
"Very funny Malfoy, now where's Blaise because if he thinks I'm going to wait her all night he has another thing coming." Hermione snapped. She was in no mood to play games with him right now.
"Wait? What are you talking about isn't Weasley scheduled for patrol duty tonight?" He questioned.
"He had detention with Snape tonight so I'm doing it."
"What? Are you serious?" He asked skeptically. He couldn't believe his luck; someone up there really loved him. When he had first seen her standing at the entrance of the Great Hall he was in complete shock. He couldn't figure out why she was walking around the castle at this time of night alone. Where were Weasley and Potter? Looking around he soon realized that Weasley or the boy-who-lived were no where in site. Now he finally realized what had happened, the Weasel had gone and got himself detention and asked Hermione to do patrol duty in his place.
"No I just love walking alone through the castle late at night during a storm, of course I'm serious Malfoy. What the hell is going on?" Hermione demanded furiously.
Draco smirked and replied "It looks like we're doing patrol together."
Hermione was silent at first before her eyes widened in realization of what he meant. She closed her eyes for a moment as if to gain a hold of her emotions before opening her eyes and saying. . ." Let's get this over with."
As they walked through the halls Hermione was very jumpy and cautious. Rain and hail thrashed against the windows and every few seconds a flash of gold would ripple across the sky. But she tried not to let it affect her and she continued to argue and bicker with Malfoy.
"Granger slow down will you." Draco yelled trying to catch up with her.
"No! Don't tell me what to do Malfoy"
He just scoffed at her response and shook his head.
"Look we can't keep doing this!" Hermione shouted abruptly.
"Doing what Granger?" Draco asked lazily.
"This! Arguing and fighting. If we can't spend more than five seconds together without getting into an argument then how are we meant to study together and pass NEWTS?"
"Granger you and I both know that you will probably get the highest NEWTS in the entire grade."
"No, we don't! Besides I think we should . . . . . I think we should have a truce." Hermione replied heatedly, rather obvious she was struggling to complete the last part of her sentence.
"A truce?"
"Yes, just until NEWTS are over." She replied earnestly.
"Granger you can't be serious!" Draco scoffed.
"Well I am, besides it wouldn't be forever and we wouldn't have to be civil with each other in front of our friends."
"If you think for once second that I'm going to work civilly with a . . . . . . ."
At that moment a loud clap of thunder erupted from the sky and all the candles floating in the corridors went out. With a small cry Hermione automatically flung herself into Draco's arms, his eyes widening in surprise. Draco cautiously wrapped his arms around Hermione, embracing her small form gently, her head resting on his chest. He had never held anyone in such a manner. Closing his eyes for a moment he inhaled her scent and relaxed into their embrace slightly.
Hermione whimpered as another clap sounded and she tightened her grasp on Draco's robes. After a few moments Hermione slowly opened her eyes before jumping back as she realized the position she was in. Hermione turned away instantly to avoid his reaction. She could feel her cheeks burning in embarrassment and anxiety. How could she have been so stupid, jumping all over him like that? Stupid bloody storm, he is going to hold this over my head for the rest of my life I know it. He's going to tell everyone how I'm scared of thunder or the dark and make up stupid rumors. What am I going to do? She thought miserably.
He was shocked when she first pulled away but he quickly regained his composure and tried his best to look disgusted by what she had done.
"What the hell was that mudblood?" He shouted rubbing the front of his robes in a frantic attempt to remove any trace of her from his clothing.
She didn't reply at first and just continued to stare at the ground. At that moment another clap echoed through the castle and Hermione automatically tensed and whimpered.
Draco immediately felt his heart wrench and the sight of her in distress and he wanted to comfort her. But he wouldn't let his emotions get the better of him. He gave a convincing groan and grabbed his wand from the pocket of his robes. It was hard to see anything due to the lack of light; he could barely make out Hermione's form in the dark.
"Lumos" He muttered, a jet of light illuminating from the tip of his wand brightening the surrounding area in a soft glow. He slowly walked towards Hermione whose eyes were shut tight in fear. It became very clear to Draco that she was afraid of the storm. He would have never guessed that she of all people was afraid of such a thing.
"Granger?" He whispered sharply.
She winced at his tone and shook her head refusing to open her eyes.
"Granger, open your eyes. You're not afraid of the bloody dark are you?" He asked in a mocking tone.
She opened her eyes warily and looked directly at Draco; his eyes were cold and hard like steel. She felt vulnerable and defenseless under his gaze. At that moment all the candles lit up again and Hermione relaxed as they did. She instantly felt for her wand in the back pocket of her jeans. It was there; she sighed in relief and wrapped her hand around it firmly. Her wand was her only weapon of defense, at least if he tried anything she would be ready.
"Poor little . . . . "Just then a wooden bucket floating in mid-air appeared above his head and spilled its contents all over the unsuspecting Slytherin.
Hermione's eyes widened in surprise and stepped back just in time to avoid getting wet. Draco was soaked from head to toe and was positively fuming. He was in complete and utter shock and couldn't comprehend what had just occurred.
Seeing him like this was very funny and she couldn't help but laugh. She felt better already and she completely forgot about the storm outside.
"Shut up mudblood" Draco yelled slightly blushing. Muttering a spell he once again became dry and all traces of water had disappeared.
"Peeves show yourself or Ill call the Bloody Baron on you." He barked waving his wand about.
There was a loud rude noise followed by an evil cackle. Suddenly peeves appeared and swooped down on the pair. Both ducked immediately and fell face first onto the floor.
Standing up they looked around for any sight of the annoying poltergeist. Unexpectedly the red floor runner they were standing on was pulled from under them. They fell together onto the floor in a tangle heap spinning in a way so that Draco landed on top of Hermione.
Draco could feel her breath of his face and he felt the sudden urge to press his lips to hers. But he was able to control himself and forced himself get up. He stared directly at Peeves who was sitting cross legged in mid air smiling wickedly.
"Peeves I'll call the Bloody Baron! I swear it! Leave now or I'll do it." Draco threatened.
Hermione and Draco could both hear him zooming away, knocking portraits and statues as he did.
Letting out a sigh of relief Draco pulled Hermione up from the floor and onto her feet. Running a hand through his blond hair and placing his wand back in his robes he turned to the bushy haired witch and said.
"Its late Granger, better get to bed. Wouldn't want you to be late for class tomorrow" He snickered.
"Shut it Malfoy" She retorted angrily shoving past him and running down one of Hogwarts many staircases.
"Wait a second Granger" Draco shouted following her.
Hermione groaned and turned around "What" she yelled.
"I agree with you" He said hesitantly.
"Agree with what Malfoy, that you should shut up?"
"No, that we should have a truce" He replied folding his arms over his chest.
"Yeah right"
"I'm serious"
Hermione snorted.
"No I do, I give you my word"
"Your word?" She asked raising her eyebrows.
"Yes. My word"
"I don't believe you" She stated.
"Fine don't, I'm going to bed" He replied pushing her out of the way and walking past her.
"Malfoy wait" Hermione shouted.
"Yeah"
"Okay" She replied
"Okay what!"
"I believe you" She muttered.
"So you wanna have a truce?"
"Yes"
"Alright, you got yourself a deal mudblood." Draco replied smugly.
"Don't call me that!" Hermione shouted angrily.
"Alright then. . . . Granger"
"Good! Meet me tomorrow night in the Room of Requirements so we can begin where we left of yesterday" She ordered before turning around and running down another flight of stairs.
When she was out of site Draco fell onto the floor in a heap and let out a huge sigh. They had made progress; the truce would allow them to talk civilly and perhaps become friends. He felt guilty about the way he had treated her, the fear he saw in her eyes when she looked at him. But he had to be mean to her, if she knew that he liked her she would either laugh at him or freak out. He couldn't tell her now, maybe one day but not now. Getting up Draco made his way to his dorm where his dreams were filled of a certain bushy haired witch.
Hope you enjoyed this chappie. More of Hermione's thoughts will be visited in the next chapter. Mostly about how she acted and how Draco acted. Then there will be the scene in the Room of Requirements. . . . I wonder what it will look like? Nah, I already have it planned out.
