No, I have not forgotten about M&M. Patience is a virtue, lol. I stated in the first chapter that this might be an AU because I didn't want to mention Voldemort or the war at all, but a lovely reviewer has changed my mind. This is officially post-war, "seventh" year. Obviously things have been changed for the sake of this story. This chapter is more of a filler chapter. Be prepared next chapter.
Hermione fixed her ponytail before grabbing her schoolbag, smoothing down her skirt as she looked in the mirror. She blew out a breath… Even though her mind kept telling her that it was ridiculous, she couldn't help but think that everyone would know. They'd take one look at her and know. She felt like it was written on her forehead. She didn't look any different. She felt…different, a good kind of different. Is this what it was normally like? She shook her head. She didn't know much about sex, but she had a feeling that it wasn't normally like that. After all, she'd heard Harry and Ron's conversations. From what she gathered the longest Ron ever…lasted was ten minutes. Draco had taken her many times, well into the night, and much more yesterday.
She and Draco had skipped class yesterday, opting to stay in bed instead. A bed which she did not leave until this morning actually. It was a rather…comfortable bed. Much more comfortable than hers she had to admit. Forcing herself to leave the bed was one thing, but convincing Draco to actually let her leave was something else entirely. He was surprisingly possessive in the bedroom and she found herself wondering was that normal? Once she finally did leave it though, her legs felt like Jell-O. She flushed at the memories, opening her door and exiting her room. Draco had left before her, not wanting to arouse suspicion.
As she made her way down the corridors and stairs, there was a new spring in her step. Was it like this for Ginny? Harry? Ron? If so, Hermione could somewhat wrap her head around becoming addicted to this. She felt…alive. And it was noticeable. She didn't realize, but she was glowing with a newfound excitement and confidence. As she entered the Great Hall girls noticed and boys definitely noticed, especially her best friends.
"Where were you, yesterday," Ron asked with a suspicious frown.
This was what greeted her as she sat down at the table.
"Good morning to you, too, Ronald," Hermione said, chipper.
"That's what he meant," Harry said as he cut his eyes to his friend.
"Seriously, where were you," Ron questioned.
"I wasn't feeling well. I had a bit of a stomach ache, but I'm much better now," she answered.
"You do look brighter than usual," Harry noted.
"Now that I think about it, the ferret wasn't here at all either," Ron mused.
"Really? He was probably out, off school grounds somewhere. I stayed in my dorm all day and I didn't see him at all…"
She glanced up as said person waltzed into the Great Hall and took his seat at the Slytherin table. She frowned… He had left before her. She shook her head, deciding that it was none of her business as to where he had gone. His eyes immediately found hers, as if he knew where she was all along, and she looked away with a blush as a slow smirk made its way onto his lips. At this rate, her face would permanently remain red. She blinked as Ron pressed the back of his hand against her cheek.
"You feeling okay? You're flushed…"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just remembered some homework I forgot to finish," she lamely responded.
Harry dropped his fork and frowned at her.
"You forgot to finish your homework," he slowly questioned.
"It happens," she said with a shrug.
"Not to you," Ron added, incredulous.
"There's a first time for everything, Ronald."
Her red haired friend simply shrugged before returning his attention to his food. Harry on the other hand continued to frown at her before following where she had glanced before her face grew all heated. He stared at the Slytherin table in question before shaking his head.
"Harry, we need to talk," Hermione said as she cornered him in the corridor after class.
Ron had gotten himself into trouble, landing him in Headmistress McGonagall's office. This left Harry and she to themselves for once. Harry looked at her in concern.
"Uh…sure, Hermione. What's wrong?"
She gripped his arm, pulling them away from the students and into a secluded corner. She sighed before folding her arms over her chest. She had given this a lot of thought. Ginny hadn't showed up to breakfast this morning and she hadn't seen the redhead all day. Hermione had to do something…
"Ginny is going to kill me for this, but…why didn't you just tell her the truth when you broke up with her?"
Harry swallowed, eyes wide, caught off guard.
"What-"
"You know what I'm talking about. Don't you understand that if you had just been honest she could have gotten over you? Do you realize that she spent forever thinking this whole thing was her fault?"
"Of course it's not her fault! She's great," Harry exclaimed, confused.
"And she was supposed to know this how," Hermione demanded.
Harry sighed before falling against the wall, hair falling into his face. A forlorn expression passed over his features.
"I didn't want to hurt her. I didn't want her to be mad," he whispered.
Hermione scoffed.
"Could you be any more of a guy right now? The girl has been in love with you for years. Probably since she first set her eyes on you and you break up with her out of nowhere. She was going to be upset no matter what reason you gave. At least with the truth, she could have moved on a lot quicker than she is now-"
"Is she…is she okay," he desperately asked.
Hermione chuckled, humorlessly, in disbelief. It was obvious that he still cared about Ginny very much, but not enough to stop chasing tail. She shook her head.
"Is she okay? Harry, you and your freckle faced sidekick haven't even noticed that she has been skipping classes. You haven't even noticed that we're lucky if we see her in the Great Hall once a week. She's not eating properly and she's in a fatigued state half the time. I'm really worried. I wouldn't be here discussing this with you if I weren't."
"She's…she's that bad," Harry quietly asked, eyes troubled.
"Of course, flaunting your pick of the week in front of her every time she's around doesn't help," she snapped.
He groaned with realization, banging his head against the wall.
"I…I wasn't even thinking about that. I hadn't even noticed. I-"
"Didn't think? Yeah, I noticed. These days, you and Ron seem to be doing the thinking with only one part of your body," she sneered.
He glared up at her.
"Jealousy doesn't suit you, Hermione. Everyone knows you fancied, Ron…"
Hermione felt her face flush in anger. She had no excuse for what she said next, other than her emotions getting the best of her, but Harry had really struck a nerve. What he said was out of line and none of his business…
"Jealous? Why would I be jealous? Yeah, I liked Ron, but guess what? I got over it. Besides, you two aren't the only ones with personal lives, you know."
Harry frowned as she straightened up.
"What does that mean," he demanded.
Hermione's eyes widened, realizing what she had just said. She exhaled before looking him in the eye.
"Nothing. It just means that, from now on, you two can't always expect me to be there to help you with your homework," she told him before turning around and walking down the stairs.
Hermione jumped as a book slammed down on the table in front of her. She looked up from her work to face the red eyes of Ginny Weasley. Her face was flushed, hair thrown up into a messy bun, and dressed in regular lounging clothes. The look on her face was one that could kill.
"Ginny-"
"I know," she hissed.
Hermione's eyes widened as she stood. How?
"Wha-How-"
"I know about your little discussion with Harry yesterday."
Hermione mentally sighed in relief, but immediately tensed up again as she registered Ginny's words. Hermione looked at her best friend guiltily, not exactly sure where to start. She pressed the palms of her hands together, pressing them to her trembling lips.
"Ginny…please, please try to look at this from my point of view…," she quietly began, not wanting to cause a scene in the library.
"I have been so worried-"
"I don't care! I asked you…I begged you not to say anything," she snarled.
"I know, I know and-"
"If you know then why did you do it," the other girl shrieked.
Hermione looked around, noticing curious students looking around the shelves, trying to see about the commotion. Where was Madam Pince when you actually needed her? Hermione's heart sped up as she realized just how upset Ginny was. She couldn't lose her too…
"You know, he came to me out of nowhere with this heartfelt apology. Yeah, going on and on about his behavior and how inconsiderate and rude he's been. Made it seem as if he had this oh so perfect moment of clarity. As if the clouds parted, revealing bright skies and the sun shone, making everything clear to him," Ginny quietly sneered, eyes watering.
"Ginny, I'm so sorry-"
"No, but I knew better. I knew who was responsible for this sudden change in behavior," Ginny spat.
Hermione said nothing. Ginny had asked her not to say anything. She was sure that she'd be upset too. Hermione looked down, holding back a sob before meeting her friend's eyes.
"What can I do? What can I do to make this better," Hermione finally asked.
"You can start by staying away from me. You can leave me be to handle this breakup in my own way, not the perfect little Hermione Granger way. I'm sorry that we're not all like you who never lets her emotions get in the way of anything, who is always so put together. I apologize that I'm not dealing with this how you want me to, but you need to get over it," she said before turning around and exiting the library.
Hermione stared at where Ginny once stood with shaky breaths. She had just wanted to help and she honestly didn't know what else to do. She glanced at the few students around before she hurriedly collected her things. She nearly ran out of the library, hair flying around her, tears in her eyes. She was so stupid! Stupid, stupid, stupid… Ginny was no idiot! Of course she would figure out where Harry's sudden change of heart came from. She gasped as she turned the corner and ran into a rather tall figure.
Her books flew out of her hands and crashed to the floor with an echo. She sobbed as she bent down, collecting her things, and letting out jumbled apologies. It wasn't until the other person bent down to help her did she realize who she was talking to. She'd recognize those hands anywhere…after all, they had been all over her. She flushed.
"M-Malfoy," she acknowledged as she looked up.
His piercing eyes caught her darker ones, an unreadable expression on his face as he handed her things to her.
"Granger," he finally whispered.
She hurriedly stood up, backing up a bit as he did the same, making her realize just how close they were. He towered over her…
"S-sorry. I wasn't watching where I was-"
"Was it the dense duo," he asked as he leaned against the cobblestone wall.
She blinked up at him as he looked down at her, hair falling onto his forehead as he tilted his head to the side.
"W-what," she asked in confusion.
He gestured to her flustered state, the drying tears on her face.
"Did they do this," he demanded.
She blinked again before shaking her head.
"We're not…friends, Malfoy. It's okay, you don't have to… Our agreement-"
"I remember our agreement. I was there," he interrupted as he took a few steps towards her.
Her heart thudded in her chest at an alarming rate as his shirt brushed against her hands. They were supposed to be pretending like nothing happened. They sucked at it…
"Doesn't mean I can't be curious."
"Well…no. It was Ginny, but it was my fault, really. I did something really, really stupid," she whispered.
He chuckled, reaching up to finger the hidden hickey on her neck.
"More stupid than falling into my bed," he huskily whispered.
Hermione closed her eyes with a sigh, enjoying the feeling of his fingers on her before she stumbled back with a shake of her head. No… She opened her eyes only to find him staring at her as if she were naked. In his mind, she probably was. She gulped.
"I wouldn't call that stupid, just…impulsive. Either way it was a conscious decision I made and I rarely make mistakes…"
"Until just recently," he added.
She sighed.
"Yes, until just recently."
Draco shrugged.
"She weasel will get over it."
"How do you know?"
"Because you're her best friend. Whatever it was, she'll get over it," he repeated.
"Thank you…I needed that," she said.
They descended into an awkward silence where his eyes never left her and she pretended to not notice. She looked up as he walked towards her, backing her against the wall, arms caging her in. She clutched her books to her chest, face heating up as he leaned in.
"I can't…I can't stop thinking about that night," he whispered.
She swallowed, heart attempting to jump out of her chest.
"Draco," she warned, looking around.
He gripped her hips, pulling them against his own. She gasped as he pressed his chest against hers. She looked up at him in anticipation as he leaned down, lips trembling. She was startled as he suddenly let her go and backed up with a chuckle.
"I'm just fucking with you, Granger."
She flushed and glared up at him with a frown. That wasn't very nice…
"By the way, get some tougher skin. You don't look so hot when you cry," he mocked before rounding the corner.
Hermione chewed on her lip as she replayed yesterday's incident in her mind. She had long given up on paying attention to the professor, it was no use. Draco had almost kissed her. Well, he was joking actually, but still. She was actually going to let him…wasn't she? No, she would have stopped him in time…right? She shook her head. She was supposed to be acting like nothing had happened. Although, that was much easier said than done.
She ran her hands through her hair as students began to rise, exiting the classroom. She had made it very clear that this was a onetime thing, no matter how much she may have wanted differently, if she was being honest. She hadn't really given that much thought to that night and the day following. Her body tingled as she recalled the memories, though. Draco was definitely…skilled in the bedroom. She found herself frowning as she thought about just how he had gotten that skilled. That was a lot of experience…
She shook the thoughts from her head. It didn't matter how he had gotten that experience. Besides, it came in handy on her part. Hermione couldn't imagine having a better first time than that. Sure, there was pain at first, a lot of it, naturally. His method resembled more of the Band-Aid method; just rip it off. Draco had been surprisingly patient about waiting it out though until she was comfortable. Never in a million years would she have imagined that she and Draco Malfoy would have a roll in the sack. A fantastic, mind-blowing, toe-curling roll in the sack...
She cleared her throat as she finally stood, collecting her books and slinging her bag over her shoulder. She had to forget about how it made her feel to be beneath him, his lithe form pushing her over the brink of ecstasy again and again. She shook her head again. It couldn't ever happen again. She was so focused on getting out of class that she didn't even notice the person standing by the aisle, waiting for her to exit.
Her eyes widened in shock as they clashed with a pair of onyx colored ones. His school uniform was perfectly in place, not a wrinkle in sight, complementing his darker skin perfectly. He, like Malfoy, too towered over her as he looked down at her with the most dazzling smile, head tilted in a childlike way. He stood before her in all of his tall, dark, and handsome glory.
"Zabini," she acknowledged in shock.
"Hermione," he greeted, her name rolling off of his tongue like water.
She didn't realize that they were on a first name basis…
"I figured if I should ask you out, I should do it properly," he stated, as if reading her thoughts.
She nodded, agreeing with his logic before his words finally registered. Her eyes widened in shock.
"Wha…"
"Walk with me," he said, nodding towards the door, making it impossible for her to refuse.
She reluctantly followed along with him as he made his way into the somewhat crowded corridor. Students watched as the Slytherin and Gryffindor walked side by side through the crowd. Even after the war, there was still animosity between the Slytherin and Gryffindor houses. Hermione didn't agree with this at all and neither did McGonagall, one of the main reasons she had appointed she and Draco as Heads. At least, this was what she told Hermione…
Hermione could see the back of her friends' heads up ahead, deep in conversation as they walked. She hoped that they would not catch onto the sudden change in atmosphere and look around. She glanced up at Zabini in all of his glory.
"I'd like to take you out," he repeated.
Hermione looked up at him with an open mouth, not exactly sure how to respond. She was flattered, yes, but…
"I…I don't know about that. Dating isn't really my thing," she replied with a blush.
No, you much prefer one night stands with blond haired Slytherins, correct?
"I must warn you, I can be very charming…and persuasive. Your efforts of rejection are futile," he joked.
Hermione found herself smiling against her will before glancing around. She noticed that Harry and Ron were looking over their shoulders at her as they walked. She wasn't exactly sure what she was trying to prove. Maybe she wanted to show them that she did things that didn't always involve the two of them or books. Or maybe she just wanted them to feel like they were losing her like she felt like she was losing them…
"Okay. Since anything other than yes will be futile, you've got yourself a date," she replied.
She flushed as he smiled down at her. He looked as if she had just made his day…
"Great."
"When-."
"I'll surprise you," he whispered as he lifted her hand and brought it to his lips.
Her eyes widened at his bold behavior before he walked down the corridor, past her friends, leaving her there in a mixture of confusion and awe. She finally began to walk through the crowd of students.
"Hermione…?" Harry questioned
"What," she asked, deciding to just play it off.
"What was that about? What did he want," Ron asked.
"Oh," she said as if just realizing what they were referring to.
She shrugged as she began to walk, the two of them closely following.
"He was just asking me out, that's all."
The two of them nodded, but immediately stopped once they realized what she had just said. She was brought to a halt by Ron, his fingers wrapped around her arm.
"What," he hissed.
She raised an eyebrow, glancing down at his hand and back up to his face. He got the hint and immediately released her. Harry moved to stand in front of her, an almost constipated expression upon his face.
"I'm sorry…what did you say," he demanded.
"He asked me out," she slowly repeated as if talking to a toddler.
"Why would he ask you out?"
Hermione cut her eyes to Ron with a threatening expression. The nerve of him!
"I think what Ron means is-"
"Is that I'm so undesirable that no guy could ever find me visually appealing?"
"No," they both began to protest.
"It's just…he's Zabini. Right up there with the likes of Malfoy. You don't find this odd? You don't think that he might have ulterior motives," Harry asked.
"Of course I have, but it's a date, Harry. I mean, what can he possibly do?"
"Take advantage of you," Ron yelled.
"Take advantage of me? As if I'm not of decent age to make decisions for myself. Trust me, anything that happens is going to happen with my consent," she replied.
"Hermione, why would you even agree to this," Harry asked.
"Because he was very gentlemanly about it and quite funny too. I would have felt awfully rude for turning him down. Contrary to what you think I happen to know that he is in fact nothing like Malfoy. He's a decent guy and smart too. I'm sure we'll have many stimulating conversations," she answered.
"Yeah, because that's what every guy wants…a stimulating conversation," Ron scoffed.
Hermione sighed. The corridor was practically empty now.
"Hermione…guys like him only want one thing…," Harry began.
"Yes, yes…of course you would know that," she replied, coolly staring at him.
Harry straightened.
"This isn't about me…or Ronald."
"Then what is this about because I'm confused and I feel like we're wasting time. He asked me out and I said yes. Big deal," she said in exasperation.
Of course, Hermione knew that it was in fact a big deal.
"It is a big deal!"
"Why, Ronald? Why is it a big deal?"
"B-because you…you don't… I mean-"
"What Ron is trying to say is that you don't usually socialize in this manner. It's just…odd," Harry explained.
Hermione scoffed, humored.
"Well, what did you expect, for me to stay cooped up in the library and my bedroom for the rest of my life? Nothing but my books to keep me company? This had to start sometime…"
"Yes, we know, but-"
"Honestly, you guys are acting like my parents. In fact, you're acting worse than my parents," she interrupted.
Ron fumed with anger.
"And you are acting like a child! What do you plan to do when he eventually wants something in return? Huh," Ron hinted.
Hermione nonchalantly shrugged.
"I don't know," she said.
She swore that she saw Ron's eye twitch. My, this was amusing…
"You don't know," Harry hissed.
"No. It would depend upon the third or fourth date which would depend upon the second which will depend on the first," she explained.
The two of them looked at her as if she had grown a second head. Of course, Hermione had no plans to actually sleep with Zabini, but who knew…
"You can't be serious. Hermione…you wouldn't actually sleep with him, would you," Harry quietly asked, disbelieving.
"Why not," she asked.
"Because you can't-"
"Am I not allowed to…father?"
"No, I mean…you can do whatever you want, but all sorts of risks come along with-"
"Yes, I know. I'm a big girl, Harry. I know all about contraceptives, never mind the fact that I'm a smart girl. You really think I would risk something like pregnancy getting in the way of my future? I don't think so," she interrupted.
"But you can't…," Harry trailed off.
"Why not," she chuckled.
"Because you just can't! You can't sleep with anybody," Ron snapped, finally at his breaking point.
He had stood back and stared at her, red in the face for the past few minutes, growing angrier and angrier. She turned her even stare onto him.
"Why? You and Harry do. Why can't I," she threw at him.
This stumped the two of them as they stared at her, lost for words.
"That's…different," Ron finally lamely responded.
"How," she inquired.
She wondered what excuse they would possibly give…
"Because you're…not ready for something like that. You've never-"
"Says who," she threw out into the atmosphere.
The words lingered there, swimming around in their minds, the implication behind them clear.
"Says who, you two? Are you two now experts on my social life? I didn't think so."
She sighed.
"Look, I understand your concern and I appreciate it, but this isn't really any of your business. I was honest with you guys about the date because…well, I thought you'd be happy for me. The two of you go all out congratulating each other when you score dates. I just thought it'd be the same for me… I guess not. This conversation is officially over. I have nothing else to say-"
"I do," Ron snapped.
"Well, I have no more interest of listening. I've got to go. I have homework that I need to get started on. Bye…"
She gave them one last look before walking down the corridor.
"Congratulations."
She looked up just as the portrait shut behind her. Draco was sitting on the couch, hunched over the table, parchment and books covering the surface.
"On what," she questioned in confusion.
He looked up at her from underneath his lashes.
"Heard Blaise asked you out."
"Oh! Where did you hear that?"
He shrugged as he stood, stretching out his muscles. She glanced away as the bottom of his shirt lifted slightly.
"Around. It's all anyone's talking about," he explained.
"Oh, well, it's nothing. It's just a date," she brushed off as he walked towards her.
"You sure about that? Blaise can be quite persuasive with the ladies," he waggled his eyebrows.
"I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself just fine. Besides, who says that I'll need any persuading," she teased.
She chuckled as he frowned at her.
"What? Are you jealous," she innocently mocked as she brushed past him, knowing that he wasn't.
She heard him scoff.
"Hardly. Blaise has nothing on me…"
She turned around to face him.
"Well, I guess we'll just have to see about that."
Draco stared at her for a bit with a sour look on his face before chuckling.
"I don't like this," he said with a shake of his head.
"What?"
He motioned to her with his hand.
"This. Merlin, I'm actually regretting my influence on somebody," he explained.
She rolled her eyes.
"I'm just kidding. I'm not going to be sleeping with anyone else anytime soon. Geez…you're almost as bad as Ron and Harry," she said as she walked up to her room, missing the way Draco's eyes hardened as he stared at her back.
A certain phrase at the end of this was inspired by a particular episode of Gilmore Girls. Don't forget to review!