Well, Chapter 2 is here. We're back on the Hogwarts Express and beginning our final year at Hogwarts. A lot will be happening with our main characters. I may move them fast, but I'm impatient. LOL! Enjoy!
Hermione stood on Platform 9 3/4 alone for the first time. Her father tried, but just couldn't get out of the car at King's Cross Station.
"I can't do it, sweetheart. I'm sorry." Jasper Granger sat, white knuckles gripping the steering wheel of his car. "I understand, dad. I'm eighteen years old. I'll be fine. I love you. I'll write you." Hermione kissed her father's cheek and unloaded her trunk from the back of the car.
She watched the younger students with their parents and guardians, excitement in their eyes. She also noticed the stares and whispers. Hermione was a "war heroine" according to The Daily Prophet. Her picture was plastered all over the front pages, along with Harry, Ron, and Neville.
The train pulled up and she breathed a sigh of relief, practically running to board it and find her, Ron, and Harry's cabin. She found it empty and sat down, feel a pain in her chest at the loss of her two best friends. She was alone, alone for the first time in 8 years. Her heart hurt. She felt her anxiety beginning to get the best of her, so she closed her eyes and focused on her breathing.
She heard the cabin door open then close. "Mind if I join you, Granger?" She kept her eyes closed and nodded. She didn't need to open her eyes to know the voice of Draco Malfoy. Former bully turned, dare she say, friend. "You look... comfortable." That got her attention.
"Well, I wish I could say the same for you. Do you own any clothes other than suits?" she said with a small laugh. He narrowed his eyes at her then smiled. "Only my pajamas. Silk, you know, for my delicate spoiled rich boy skin." That earned a laugh from her.
"I should have guessed." Hermione had not cared what she put on this morning. She threw on some black leggings, a Chudley Cannons tee she'd nicked from Ron two summers ago, and her red Converse, and she had pulled her hair up into a messy bun. "Any way, what's wrong with being comfortable. It's a long train ride and I've no one to impress." She looked at him, eyebrow raised.
"Have you seen anyone else from our year? I know Theo Nott, Blaise Zabini, and Pansy Parkinson are here. I saw them loading into a cabin before I came in here. Thought I saw that MacMillan kid." Draco asked.
"Luna Lovegood was supposed to come back, but I haven't seen her. Neville Longbottom is but he is actually already at the castle. He was helping with restoration efforts all Summer. Other than them, I know of nobody else, well besides you, of course." Hermione still couldn't get over how easy it was to talk to Malfoy. He was actually very charming when he wasn't being a complete prat.
The Treat Trolley came and Draco and Hermione each grabbed a Pumpkin Pastie. Malfoy paid the lady and Hermione tried to give him money for hers, but he refused. "I'm not poor, you know. I think I can afford it." She said looking put out that he had paid.
"Easy, Granger. I know you're not poor. Can't a guy buy his new friend a peace offering? Tell you what, first Hogsmeade weekend, you can buy me a drink. Deal?" he smiled and stuck out his hand. She took his hand and shook, "Deal."
"Malfoy," Hermione called out his name trying to wake the young man sleeping across from her. The train had finally reached their destination. When he didn't budge, she got up and went to shake him awake. "Malfoy, we're here. Wake up." Nothing. Her heart dropped into her stomach. He looked dead, so she leaned down toward his mouth to feel if he was breathing. He was breathing, but must have been a deep sleeper because he didn't even move a muscle while she checked for signs of life. She sat down next to him and called his name one more time before poking him in his side.
"Ow, witch! What's wrong with you?" Draco finally awake looked at the beautiful Griffindor with wide eyes.
"Oh, don't be such a baby. I called your name three times and nothing, so I had to use other means. We've arrived." she said crossing her arms.
"Delicate, remember." he smirked at her as they both got up and gathered their things. Draco allowed Hermione to go first. She deboarded the train and stopped to wait for Draco. "Thanks for waiting for me, Granger." He said as they walked side by side.
"Friends, remember." she said while nudging him with her shoulder. There was only one carriage left by the time they got to the end of the platform. A familiar head of blonde hair sitting in it. "It's Luna!" she said with a smile as she walked faster. Draco helped Hermione into the carriage then hopped in after her. Luna looked up and smiled.
"Hello, Hermione, Draco. Lovely to see you both." Luna said in her breathy way. Draco knew the girl well. She was one of the captives in the Malfoy Manor cellar. He'd spent many nights sneaking down to check on her and talk. She was a good listener. He'd tell her how he hated being there. How his aunt would Crucio him for disobeying orders. He would always end their conversations by telling her how sorry he was that he couldn't get her out.
"You look well, Luna. Are you excited to go back?" Hermione asked her friend.
"Thank you. I am. I have missed Neville. He's been gone all Summer. I did get to see him for a weekend or two, but we Owl'd each other weekly." Neville had confessed his feelings for Luna in the heat of the battle. She'd felt strongly for him since he saved her during 5th year when they faced off with the Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries the night Sirius Black was killed.
"You and Longbottom, eh? Nice." Draco said as he scooted closer to Hermione. "Granger, you're shivering. Where's your jacket? Here." He took his suit jacket off placing it over her shoulders earning a smile.
"Thanks, Malfoy. I must've forgot to pack it in my bag." Hermione was glad it was dark out because she was blushing at the closeness and his sweet gesture. Luna stared at the scene playing out in front of her. This was going to be an interesting year.
15 Eighth Years. That's all there was? Damn. Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini, Theodore Nott, Daphne Greengrass, Ernie MacMillan, Susan Bones, Terry Boot, Hannah Abbott, Tracey Davis, Seamus Finnegan, and Dean Thomas had been directed to sit at a table in the back of the Great Hall.
"Now that the feast has been concluded, you may follow your Head Boy and Girl to the dormitories. Eighth Year students, please stay so that we may give you further instructions." Professor McGonagall, now Headmistress of the school announced.
Hermione spent most of the feast watching everyone. Seamus was giving Draco the stink-eye ever since he sat down next to her. He would, every once in awhile, say something to Dean, and he'd nod. Pansy Parkinson looked like she wanted to rip Hermione's head off. Blaise was watching her like she was dessert. Luna and Neville talked in hushed voice to each other, love clearly in their eyes. Draco was talking to his friend Theo about his plans for after school ends. Hermione caught a glimpse of Ginny Weasley as the Griffindor tables rose to leave. She'd wondered why she never looked for her on the train.
"Okay. Now that everyone else is gone...the school has made a separate dormitory for this group. You are all 18 or about to be, so I expect a certain level of maturity. Follow me, please." McGonagall walked out of the Great Hall then lead the students up the Grand Staircase to the 5th floor. "These classrooms were destroyed during the battle, but we rebuilt them and made them into the Eighth Year Freedom House Dormitories. You'll have a private bedroom, a Common Room, and full access to the Prefects Bathrooms."
Seamus rushed toward the portrait of Timothy the Timid. "Excuse me, but do you have the password?" the soft-spoken man in the painting asked. Professor McGonagall walked up and spoke, "Cauldron Cake," and with that, the portrait hole opened. "I'll leave you all to it then, your initials are on the door of the bedroom you've been assigned to. Have a good night." She nodded to the group and walked off to her quarters.
"Holy shit! Look at this place!" Seamus Finnegan, a man of such colorful vocabulary, exclaimed. It was beautiful and very welcoming. All of the house colors were present in the decor. There was a beautiful fireplace, a U-shaped couch, and 4 small tables with 4 chairs at each table. Hermione was glad they'd have a place to study as a group. It was going to be a hard year, but it would be a lot harder if she found herself alone.
"I'm going to find my room. I cannot be here another moment listening to you children go on like you've never seen a damn Common Room." Pansy Parkinson flipped her hair over her shoulder then stormed off to find her room.
"Charming girl." Ernie MacMillan said with a snort eliciting laughs from a a few others.
Draco sat at one of the tables with Blaise and Theo watching every else checking the room out. "Where were you on the train, Draco? We thought you'd join us." Theo asked him while checking out Susan Bones who had just bent over to pick up a pillow that fell off the couch.
"I sat with Granger." he said nonchalantly, and almost laughed at how huge both of his friends eyes became. "What?"
"You? With Granger? Really? And she didn't hex you?" Blaise looked as if he was waiting for him to say he was kidding.
"We're...friends." Draco said his eyes landing on the beautiful Griffindor. She was sitting at a table with Luna and Neville listening to them as they talked to each other. She looked bored. Then she scanned the room until she found Draco's eyes and smiled, tucking a stray curl behind her ear.
"How the Hell did you thaw the Ice Queen's heart? Is she as boring as I thought? I mean, I know she's fucking hot, but why not just fuck and run? Friends." Theo asked as he laughed and Blaise snickered. Draco felt his anger rising like bile in his throat.
"It was at my father's trial actually. We talked. You don't understand what I went through last year. Do you know I was Crucio'd almost weekly? I was forced to watch the murder of Professor Burbage. If I didn't do what they asked of me, I either got the Cruciatus or beaten. My mother was raped and beaten. I watched my aunt torture Granger in the drawing room of the manor and couldn't do shit to save her because they'd kill me or my mother. So, save me any bullshit about me being friends with her, okay!" The smiles on their faces fell off as soon as he said 'Crucio'.
"Shit. Sorry man. We had no idea it was that bad. Fuck." The sincerity in Theo's voice calmed Draco down fast.
"Yeah, man. I mean, we were at school most of the time. We never fought in the battle. I just can't imagine if it was my mum." Blaise added.
"Yeah, so maybe remember that in the future. You weren't there. I was. You didn't fight in the war. I did. She did." And with that, Draco got up and went to find his room. He noticed Hermione was gone as well. He found his room at the end of the hall, read the initials on his door, then turned to see who's room was across from his. "HJG" in gold lettering. He smiled and entered his room.
Hermione had grabbed her pajamas out of her trunk and, after a quick Scourgify, changed. She unpacked her trunk and set about organizing her new room. It was nice; a four-poster bed with a deep red velvet comforter sat in the middle of the floor. There was a writing desk by the window and a large armoire to put her clothing.
She took out a few sheets of parchment and wrote a quick note to her father telling him that she had arrived and then a longer letter to Harry.
Harry,
Well, I did it. I came back to Hogwarts. It's strange though. I'm so used to having you and Ron here with me. I feel as if Ginny is ignoring me. She didn't come to our cabin on the train and didn't even look for me during the Welcome Feast. All of the Eighth Years were sat at a back table together. There's only fifteen of us here. They gave us our own dormitory with private rooms which is nice.
I need to tell you something, but please do not be cross with me. I shared a cabin with Malfoy on the train. I know I had told you that he had apologized for how he treated me at school, for calling me that disgusting name, and, well, everything. But what I didn't tell you is that we have decided to become friends. I know how you feel about him, but he is nothing like what we thought and have seen in the past.
Please do not hate me for wanting to know him. I hope to hear from you soon. Good luck with your training. Give my love to Ronald.
~ Hermione
She rolled up both parchments and readied them to bring to the Owlry in the morning. That was best part about the start of the school year; that they arrived on a Friday night so they had the weekend to relax before classes began on Monday.
Hermione felt restless. She should be tired. She put her slippers on and went out to the Common Room. Only three people remained; Dean, Seamus, and Neville sat on the couch talking. "She's fucking losing it, I tell you. Sitting with that bastard on the train. Luna says they shared a carriage with her, Nev?" Seamus was trying to be quiet and failing miserably.
"Yeah. She said he sat very close to her too. Says he seemed friendly. But Luna thinks everyone is innately good. He makes me nervous, and now we need to live with him?" Neville said as he reached over to grab his drink.
"I don't know. Hermione's smart. She's a good judge of character. If she thinks he's changed, maybe he has. I mean, he hasn't said shit since we've been here." Dean said with a steady voice. Hermione smiled slightly at the sound of him sticking up for her.
"We'll see. I still think Hermione is going to regret getting involved with a Slytherin. What the fuck would Ron say if he knew?" Seamus spat out causing Hermione to finally make herself known.
"Ahem," she cleared her throat and walked closer, "Sorry to interrupt, but I couldn't help but notice my name coming out of your mouths." The boys stared at her, mouths open and slightly embarrassed. "Thank you for your concern, but I am perfectly able to decide for myself whom I decide to befriend. And if Draco Malfoy wants to be my friend, after apologizing to me might I add, then I am willing to give him a second chance. And, Seamus, Ron and me are no longer in a relationship, so he has no say. Dean? Thank you for your understanding. And Neville? Luna is probably the best judge of character in the entire world, so maybe you should listen to your girlfriend more."
She left the dormitory through the portrait hole and started walking around the castle. She was getting ready to head up the stairs when she heard him. "Evening stroll, Granger?" Draco was in green lounge pants and a black tee that hugged his body which Hermione couldn't help but notice. "What are those?" He pointed to her slippers.
"My slippers?" she asked. Looking down at her fuzzy feet. She looked back up to him and he was smiling. "Shut up. They are comfy and cozy."
He walked up to her, and she felt her heart begin to race. "I have to confess something to you." he said in a low voice. Hermione looked up into his gray eyes waiting for him to continue. "I heard you back there berating your friends and it made me feel the happiest I have felt since before the war. Hearing you say my name and friend in the same sentence."
Hermione smiled, "Well, they had no right to talk about me or you like that. Did they say anything to you?" she wondered what they thought seeing him leave after she did.
"The short, volatile one did. Seamus? Asked why I was stalking you. I told him we were secret lovers meeting for our midnight rendezvous and that I'd better hurry or you'd be right pissed with me." he said with a smirk waiting for her reaction.
Hermione felt her cheeks heat up, "You did not!" she tried to slap his arm, but he caught her hand.
"Must you be so violent, Granger. What is it with you and slapping?" He suddenly became very interested in her hand, looking it over, and then bringing it to his lips and placing the gentlest of kisses to her palm.
Hermione's heart was beating so violently against her chest, she could swear he heard it. "Malfoy, what are you doing?" He dropped her hand and apologized.
"Sorry, I, I don't know what came over me. I'll go." he looked ashamed causing Hermione to frown. He turned to walk back to Freedom House. She watched him disappear around the corner and panic set in. Hermione ran to catch up to him.
"Malfoy wait! Malfoy! Draco!" he stopped and turned just as she said his first name causing her to crash into his arms. He held onto her, her hands against his chest. She looked up at him as he looked down at her. "Don't go. Not like that." He could have just kissed her right then instead he just hugged her closer.
They said goodnight and went to their rooms. Hermione sat cross-legged on her bed worrying her bottom lip. She kept thinking about the kiss Draco placed on her hand. She thought he was going to kiss her. "Why didn't he kiss me? What am I saying?" She plopped back on her pillow in frustration.
In Draco's room, he was just as restless as Hermione. He tried to sleep, but saw her chocolate brown eyes staring back at him whenever he closed his eyes. He'd almost kissed her. He wanted to kiss her. He wanted to hold her, make her feel safe. He heard a soft knock at his door and jumped up to see who it was. He was surprised to see the very person he couldn't stop thinking about.
"Can I come in?" Hermione asked timidly. He moved out of the way to allow her room to enter. He closed the door and found her sitting on his bed.
"Granger, are you alright? Draco walked over and sat next to her putting his arm around her. She curled up into his side.
"Can't sleep. I should be used to it by now." Merlin, he smelled good. They say there for a few minutes before she spoke again. "Malfoy, could I ask you something?" She shifted away to face him. "Of course." he answered.
"When did you start feeling differently about me?" she said matter-of-factly surprising him. He look deep in thought.
"Yule Ball. Pansy had pointed you out to me. The moment I saw you, I hated myself. Hated myself for calling you that horrible name...hated myself for being such an asshole to you. I really wanted to talk to you, so many times, but my father's threats lingered in the back of my head. Then that day you guys were brought to the manor, I was in agony, Granger. Fucking agony watching that bitch torture you, knowing if I tried anything to help, I be dead and so would my mother. I'm such a coward." He laid back on his bed and put his hands over his eyes to stop the tears threatening to fall.
He felt her lay next to him. "Sixth year, I watched you. Not because I thought you were up to something, but because you had changed so much. You were always alone and looked so sad. Harry was obsessed with trying to catch you doing something. Then he attacked you with that hex in the boys' bathroom. You were unconscious, and I snuck in to check on you. I've never told anyone that. I sat there and studied your face, even unconscious you were still uneasy. I asked Harry the day after Dumbledore died, if he thought you would have gone through with killing him if Snape hadn't come. He said no, that you were lowering your wand. And that night at the manor, I could see the tortured look in your eyes. I focused on your eyes to help me through it. Your eyes, they're hypnotically beautiful."
Draco opened his eyes and looked at her. "Hypnotically beautiful, you say?" he couldn't help himself from wiggling his eyebrows making her giggle sweetly. "Granger? Nothing improper, I swear, but do you think you could stay the night? I have the worst nightmares, and I don't fancy sleeping alone." She crawled under the blanket as her answer and he followed. "Thanks."
She laid there in his bed and felt safer than she'd felt in over a year. Suddenly she felt him combing his fingers through her hair. It was something her mother would do when she was upset when she was younger. "Mmmm, I love that. So calming." she said with a moan. His hand stilled.
"Granger, you're killing me with the moaning. I'm trying to control myself over here." Draco said in a sleepy voice his hand leaving her hair. He turned onto his side and she turned to face him. They stared at each other and he realized she was moving her face closer. He felt his heart start beating faster. Was she going to make a move? He waited as she slowly came closer.
Hermione didn't know what was coming over her, but she couldn't fight the pull towards his lips. In the dimly lit room, the only light a small lantern with a floating flame, she could see his eyes glowing. Splaying her hands against his chest, she reached his face, lingering for the briefest of moments, before finally giving in to her desire.
It felt as if her whole body was on fire. Her tongue darted out begging for entry, as he parted his lips. Draco's arms surrounded her, pulling her tightly to his solid frame. A small moan escaped Hermione's mouth, causing him to groan. They came up for air, panting, as she cradled his cheek in her small hand. "I've been wanting to do that for four years." he whispered. She smiled then gave him a sweet kiss on his lips before rolling to her other side to curl up against him.
Draco wrapped his arm protectively around her waist. He heard her gasp as his hardness rubbed against her backside. "Sorry, you got him excited." he said with a deep chuckle. He couldn't help but bury his nose in her hair and breathe in the scent of vanilla and cherries.
"Malfoy? Çould you comb your fingers through my hair again. It relaxes me." she asked. "Of course, now, get some rest." He moved her hair away from her neck and placed a kiss in its place. "Goodnight, Granger."
Morning came and Hermione couldn't remember a time when she'd slept so soundly. Draco's arm was still across her middle as he softly snored against her neck. She tried to move away, but the sudden loss of her warmth woke the sleeping Slytherin. "Making a hasty getaway?" he said, eyes still closed.
"No, but I do need to pee. I'll come back, I swear." She watched his smile stretch across his face, noticing a sweet dimple. She crawled back towards him and placed a chaste kiss on his lips. "Be right back."
With that she put her slippers on and slipped out of his room. Nobody was awake, and she wondered what time it was. Glancing at the clock in the Common Room, it read 6:49am. She left the portrait hole and made it to the lavatories. Luna was just leaving as Hermione stepped through the doorway. "Morning, Hermione. Sleep well?" the ethereal blonde asked.
"For the first time in a long time, I actually did." Hermione smiled and entered the stall. Coming out to wash her hands, she noticed Luna still lingering in the doorway. "Oh, you don't have to wait for me, Luna." She stared back at Hermione then walked closer.
"Can I share something with you, Hermione?" she asked and when Hermione nodded, she continued, "Last night, I slept with Neville for the first time." Well, that was certainly NOT what Hermione was expecting. "And by sleep, I mean sex."
"I figured that. So, how are you feeling about that?" Hermione asked her friend, wanting to know sincerely. They left the bathroom and started walking back towards Freedom House.
"He was very gentle. It was both of our first times, so it was a bit awkward. I had never seen a naked man before. Do you know if they're all that, um, big?" Luna was so innocent. "I don't know, Luna. I'm a virgin. I thought you knew that." She didn't know if she should be offended or not.
"Oh, my apologies, Hermione. There had been a rumor of you and Victor Krum then I thought maybe you and Ronald Weasley had possibly." Luna had the good sense to look embarrassed at believing rumors at least. They reached the portrait of Timothy the Timid. "Cauldron Cake." Luna said in a sing sing voice and the hole opened. "I'm going to get back to my room. Neville probably thinks I ran for it."
Hermione smiled and shook her head, making her way back to Draco's room. "Thought you were coming right back." He had ordered breakfast from the House Elves while she was gone and transfigured his desk into a table and two chairs. He held her chair out for her like a perfect gentleman. She sat and he joined her at the table.
"I ran into Luna. She wanted to talk to me about something." Hermione worried at her bottom lip.
"What is it, Granger? What did she say to you that's got you so lost in your head?" He noticed that she bit a her bottom lip when she was troubled.
"Have you ever heard a rumor about me and Victor Krum?" She looked up and saw him sneer. And then he got up and busied himself with making the bed.
"I guess that's a yes then?" He heard her voice, she sounded upset. He was afraid of saying something obnoxious. "Well?" she asked again when he finished. He walked back over and sat again. Sighing, he finally spoke.
"After the Yule Ball, I had heard that you and him were caught in one of the carriages. Another one I heard was that after he saved you from the Black Lake, you thanked him by, um, well...please don't make me say it." He looked up and saw tears running down her face, then she started to sob. He got up and pulled her into his arms.
"It's not true!" she cried into his shoulder. "I only ever kissed him once. I've never done anything other than kiss, not even with Ronald." He didn't even want to tell her there was another rumor of her and Cormac McClagen after the Slug Club Christmas Do.
"Thank Merlin!" was all he could say as he hugged her tighter. Breakfast forgotten, he picked her up and brought her back to the bed, laying her down and grabbing a handkerchief. "Here, let's wipe off those tears, Granger." He wiped her face with great care and kissed her forehead.
"It's not like I never thought about it, but to know that people actually believed I did, to know you believed it, well...it just makes me sick to my stomach." She curled up in the fetal position, making her look tiny and fragile. Draco climbed over her and sat up in the bed, pulling her head into his lap. He began to comb his fingers through her hair again eliciting moans of satisfaction from the beautiful Griffindor. Within moments, she fell asleep, so he leaned his head against the headboard and closed his eyes, finding sleep again as well.
Hermione woke up feeling better. Her head was still laying in Draco's lap, and he had one hand in her hair and the other on her back. He was sitting up, sleeping with his head against the headboard. He was extremely good looking. Her thoughts went back to the night before and that kiss. He had said he wanted to do that for four years. She smiled at the memory.
She rolled off his lap and decided it was time to go back to her room to change. He didn't move and stayed asleep, so she found a piece of parchment and scribbled a quick note:
Draco,
Going back to my room to shower and change. Find me later. Thank you for last night. You're amazing.
~ Hermione
She laid the note next to him on the bed then left to go across the hall to her room. "What the fuck are you doing?" Hermione jumped as she opened her door. Pansy Parkinson was standing in the hallway with her hands on her hips and a look of disgust on her face. "I should have known that's where you'd end up. No Potter or Weasley, so you can be free to take Draco into your bed, huh?"
Hermione narrowed eyes found Pansy's blue ones. "Not that it is ANY of your business Pansy, but Malfoy and I are friends with shared trauma, so we talked all night and fell asleep. Nothing else, so if you'll excuse me." She didn't even wait for a reply, just closed her door and found her clothes for the day and grabbed her towel to head to the Prefects Bathrooms.
Everyone was hanging out and actually getting along in the Common Room. She noticed Theo Nott hitting on Susan Bones and shook her head with a smirk. Susan was blushing like crazy, clashing with her Auburn locks.
Pansy was nowhere in sight, so at least she didn't have to deal with her. Hermione left through the portrait hole and enter the bathroom. She found the girls showers and started the hot water. She sighed at the feel of the heat radiating through her muscles. Suddenly and loud noise was heard, startling her. She turned the water off and wrapped her towel around her naked body.
"Hello? Is-is anybody there?" she walked to where her clothes and wand were. Casting a quick drying spell she hurridly dressed. She heard a bang and searched the area, rounding the corner, she saw who was making all the noise. Pansy, Daphne, and Tracy were waiting for Hermione.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't Miss Perfect herself." The girls all sneered at her, "Listen, I don't give a shit that you are interested in our Draco, but we're here to warn you. If you think you can just use him and throw him away when you're done playing with him, you've got another thing coming. I don't know why, but he has been infatuated with you for years. Don't play with his heart. He's MY best friend, so I am very protective of him. And save me the "We're just friends bull shit." Pansy stayed staring at Hermione with her hands on her hips.
"I would never play with his emotions. And he is my friend, and I don't know...maybe more than that. He makes me feel safe. I know it sounds crazy, but he does. Don't judge me by rumors either and I won't judge you by yours." Hermione waited for the other girls to chime in but they seemed to be there only as witnesses.
"Okay, Princess, but I'll be watching you." Pansy simply turned around and left with the other two in tow. "She's got guts. I like her." Daphne said to Pansy as they walked back to Freedom House. "Still got to keep an eye on her. I don't care what Lady Malfoy said to me. I don't quite trust her yet." The girls nodded and entered back through the portrait hole. Draco was sitting at a corner table reading and looked up expectantly.
"Hey you. How was your first night?" Pansy asked as she plopped down in a chair next to him. Tracy and Daphne sat on the couch and began talking to Terry Boot.
Draco looked up from his book at his friend, "It was... interesting." he said it with a smirk, making her want details. "Spill it. I saw the princess leaving your room this morning, so save it." He looked at her, trying to contemplate telling her. In the end, he gave her a brief synopsis.
"Fine. She couldn't sleep. I couldn't sleep. So, we talked most of the night and then fell asleep together. Nothing happened." He watched her reaction. He knew every look of Pansy Parkinson. They'd known each other since birth. They're mothers are best friends, so naturally they became best friends.
"You seem disappointed about that." she said with a laugh. "Listen, I already confronted her. I told her she'd better not hurt you." He did not look pleased.
"You did what? Pans, what the shit! I'm just getting her to get comfortable with me. Don't scare her off." He slumped in his chair narrowing his eyes at her.
"Scare her off? Oh no. She came right back at me. Says she would never hurt. Said you are friends and maybe more. What do you think she meant by that, Draco?" She watched his face break into a grin. "Draco? Something else happened, didn't it? Come on. I'm your best friend. You have to tell me. It's part of the rules!"
"She kissed me." he whispered, smiling again. She'd known him for 18 years and had never seen him smile so much. It was a little unsettling. He was smitten. No turning back now. "It was, well, it was fan-bloody-tastic!"
Just then he lifted his eyes and smiled. Pansy turned around and saw why. Hermione had just come in the room. Even Pansy had to admit, the Griffindor was gorgeous. She wore a green tank with a denim skirt and some black boots. He waved her over and she approached unsure. Pansy got up and motioned for Hermione to take her spot.
"Hey. I hear you survived the Parkinson Inquisition." He said as he hugged her into his side. She looked around to see Seamus and Dean watching her warily. "Don't pay attention to them, Granger. It's just not worth it, worrying what others think." He took her hand and intertwined it with his bringing it up to his lips and kissing her knuckles.
"I think I'm going to be sick." Seamus could be heard saying as he left to shut himself in his room. Dean gave her an apologetic look as if saying sorry for Seamus's actions.
"Can we go for a walk outside? I don't want to be stuck in here." Hermione asked with pleading eyes. He got up and pulled her with him. "Of course. Follow me." They held hands as they walked. Draco didn't seem to care what anyone thought. Hermione on the other hand watched people's eyes widen, they pointed, they whispered. She didn't want the attention, but she also didn't want to let go of him.
They walked out of the castle and down to the Black Lake. There was a group of rocks that made a makeshift bench, so he led her there to sit. "Mmm, I could used to this feeling." he said as he stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. Hermione felt her stomach flutter. Was she really here with Draco Malfoy?
"Why don't you care what others think about this? About us?" she asked while laying her head on his shoulder. Draco smirked then pulled her hand to his mouth to kiss it again.
"Why do you care? I feel like the luckiest man in the world right now. Do you know how amazing you are? You're smart, brave, absolutely gorgeous, and I really like you and cannot believe you are here with me right now." Draco put his finger under her chin to tilt her head back up to look into her eyes. Then he leaned in to capture her lips in a kiss. "What are you thinking?" he asked as he look into her eyes.
"Malfoy, I really like you too. It's just hard having all those eyes scrutinizing us. That being said, I don't want to hide this either. You're the biggest surprise of my life so far. If somebody told me two years ago that we'd be here today, I'd have told them they were crazy. Now? There's nowhere else I'd rather be." She moved to sit on his lap, and he wrapped his arms around her. She began to kiss his neck, making her way to his jaw, before finding his lips.
"Oh witch, the things you do to me." He shifted her on his lap and began to feel up her thigh. She moaned his name and he traveled between her legs. The heat coming off her sex made him braver. He felt her through her panties eliciting more moans. "I should stop now or I don't think I'll be able to." He heard her whine.
"I'm not going to break you know." she said looking dejected. He laughed a deep belly lap. "Oh, I know that, but we've only just started being together. I mean, well, would you call me your boyfriend? I'd like to think of you as my girlfriend, but I don't want to push you."
She smiled brightly at him and kissed him again. "Yes, you, Draco Malfoy, are my boyfriend. I can't believe I am saying this, but you are mine and I am yours." He leaned his forehead against hers. "My mother will be so pleased." Hermione looked at him confused. "What? She's the only one that knew I fancied you. She only ever wanted me to find someone that I can be myself with. My father's hatred of Muggles and Muggle-Borns was never really what she felt. She only ever wanted to please him.
When I came home first year and couldn't stop talking about this beautiful girl who bested me in everything even having Muggle parents, he lost his shit. Beat me until I agreed to never talk to you again. Told me no son of his would ever be with a Mud, well, you know. After that, I had to act as if I was put off by your blood status even though, it really didn't bother me at all. I feel ashamed just thinking about having a father like that." Draco looked seeking her eyes, thinking she'd look at him with pity, but instead he saw something else entirely.
She looked at him awestruck and a growing need to be as close as possible. "I hate that you had to grow up with a father like that, but at least your mother loves you more than anything in this world." She found her hands in his hair, combing through his baby soft platinum locks. "I always wondered what your hair felt like. Is that weird?" she giggled at the smile that spread across his face, showing his dimples. "Not at all, Granger. Not at all."
Next chapter should be up in a week or so. Coming up:
Ginny confronts Hermione
Harry responds to her letter
An unlikely couple is discovered