Hello Lovely Readers!
It's been a little over a week, but here is chapter 8. I am trying to stick to posting a chapter a week, but I like to try and make sure that everything is perfect.
Love, emerald
Disclaimer: I own nothing…. JK Rowling owns everything. 3
Chapter 8
Somewhere between the Dungeons and fifth floor, Hermione began sprinting towards Gryffindor Tower. Hermione felt completely embarrassed by her behavior and she needed to talk to Ginny about it. The Head Girl is supposed to remain calm, cool, and collected. She shouldn't be swooning and having naughty thoughts during potions lab. She was above this. Yes, Greg made her feel aroused and flushed. The strong silent Slytherin made Hermione feel things she had never felt before, but still she shouldn't get so distracted especially in front of other students. Sweet Circe, the object of her fantasies was right next to her and she was practically drooling. She was losing control and she couldn't handle it.
This madness must stop, Hermione thought as she whispered the password to the Fat Lady, pushing past a few students to get to the Girls Dormitories. Hermione stopped suddenly when she heard a familiar voice say: "That's okay, Hermione. Don't say hi or anything." Hermione turned to see Harry, standing by the fireplace in black dress robes.
"Harry!" Hermione shouted, dropping her bag and running into his open arms. "Oh, Holy Hera! I'm sorry."
"It's fine. It's fine. How are you?" Harry smiled, pulling away from the hug to look at his best friend. Holding Hermione's chin between his thumb and index finger, Harry began his line of questioning: "Are you getting enough sleep? Eating enough? Not spending all your time in the library, are you?" Harry could tell something was a bit off. Why was she running in here so fast? he thought.
"Oh, Harry!" Hermione laughed, tugging Harry's hand off her face. "Honestly, you're too much! I'm fine. Don't worry about me."
"Can't help it," Harry said, shrugging. He gestured for her to sit on the couch while he took a seat in the armchair. Harry kept hold of Hermione's hand, noticing her ink stained fingers. Some things never change, he thought to himself with a chuckle. Despite being happy with his decision not to return for his eighth year, Harry missed his Hogwarts days, especially during the long and tiring hours of auror training.
"How's training going?" Hermione asked, noticing that Harry looked tired, but happy.
"Well, you'd know if you wrote more, wouldn't you?" Harry teased, smiling before his face became serious. "It's a bit tough at times, but always exciting. Keeps me on my toes for sure," Harry sighed before adding, "I need a brain like yours, I think."
"You've got great instincts," Hermione praised, patting her friend's hand. "Everything else will come in time." There was a comfortable silence between the two.
"Why don't you go run up to Ginny?" Harry suggested after a minute or two. "I know that's why you came here."
"Oh, but I see Ginny every day," Hermione reasoned. "I haven't seen you in ages." The brunette did want to talk to Ginny, but it suddenly dawned on her to ask about her other best friend. "By the way, where's Ron? Didn't he want to see Lavender?"
"Err," Harry stuttered, rubbing his neck. Harry tried to find the right words. It wouldn't be long before everyone knew what Ron had done, or rather, who Ron had done. "I don't want to say, but…" Before Harry could go into detail about Ron's predicament, Dean, Seamus, and Neville walked through the door. All excited to see their old friend. Apparently, word had spread throughout the castle that Harry Potter had returned to the grounds.
As the boys got into a conversation, Hermione picked up her bag and snuck up the stairs to the Girl's dormitories. Hermione walked into the bedroom Ginny shared with Lavender, Parvarti, and a few other girls. Hermione saw Ginny standing in front of the mirror wearing the most beautiful green dress that the brunette had ever seen.
"Oh, Gin," Hermione gasped. "You look gorgeous! That dress. Merlin, Blaise has good taste."
"I know he does," Ginny laughed, nervously. "I should bring him with me every time I go shopping. I feel a little silly though. I don't usually dress like this." Ginny ran her hands down the sides of the lacy, green dress.
"You look stunning. There's no need to feel silly," Hermione said, sitting on Ginny's bed. "Just have an amazing time tonight."
"So, the invitations are going out tonight," Ginny said with a wide smile, raising her eyebrows. The redhead was practically shaking with excitement.
"Invitations?" Hermione asked, looking a bit puzzled.
"To the party Blaise and I are throwing. The one we've been planning all this past week!" Ginny said in an obvious tone. She rolled her eyes at her forgetful friend, before squealing. "Now I don't want to spoil anything…but oh, what the hell? It's going to be a pool party in the Room of Requirement. I hope you have a bathing suit. If not, you can transfigure one! Or I think they sell them at that dress shop in Hogsmeade." Ginny placed a hand under her chin, plotting. Do we have time to go tomorrow? She thought
"Oh, no. I'm not going. Gin," Hermione said, brow furrowing. The Head Girl sat on Ginny's bed. "That's what I came up…"
"Of course, you are. You have to come," Ginny said, interrupting her friend. The redhead sat down next to Hermione and began soothingly rubbing her arms. "I'll help you. We can get ready together."
"I embarrassed myself so badly today," Hermione admitted, putting her head on Ginny's shoulder.
"What happened?" Ginny asked, softly. Hermione began with the Draught of Liquid Death incident. The way it felt to be pressed against Greg, to feel her soft breasts melded against his hard chest, the way it sent tingles throughout her body. She told Ginny about the way Greg pressed against her while making the potion and the scent of his sexy, spicy cologne delightfully tickling her nose. Hermione recalled how she fantasized about being bent over the desk with Greg behind her during the middle of class! The brunette went into detail revealing her naughty thoughts to her friend.
"Holy fuck!" Ginny said, eyes wide. "That's hot!"
"Yes, but that's the problem!" Hermione began, placing her hands over her eyes. "It was in front of everyone. I was having these thoughts about Greg while he was standing right next to me. And I'm pretty sure he knew. What if other people saw?" The brunette uncovered her eyes, biting her lower lip. A habit that resurfaced whenever she was nervous.
"Why are you embarrassed? Or nervous?" Ginny asked. "It's normal to have these feelings, these thoughts. Maybe it feels like an ambush of these senses?" the redhead reasoned. "I mean, you've never felt like this before so to have it all at once can be rough, I'd imagine. But everyone fantasizes about sex in class. I do it all the time."
"My title as Head Girl, though. McGonagall chose me for a reason," Hermione thought aloud, crossing her arms. "What if I disappoint her by becoming the school slut?"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Ginny said loudly and seriously. She held up her hand to catch Hermione's attention. "There is no way in hell you are or would ever become the school slut. If anything, that title is taken by me or Lavender. Possibly Parkinson. Besides, if you and Greg do become intimate, it wouldn't be like that." Ginny paused for a moment, giving her friend a gentle smile. "Hermione, you saved the fucking wizarding world. I mean, yes, Harry was the one the prophecy was about, "The Boy Who Lived," but, without you, he'd be "The Boy who Died in a Ditch on Day One." You deserve to be happy and have a relationship or at the very least a fling."
"I don't think I'd want a fling," Hermione said, confidently while twirling a curl between her fingers. "But being with Greg does make me happy. Do you think he'd want to be my boyfriend? Or at the very least exclusive?"
"Hermione, I love you, but you can be a little daft," Ginny chuckled at her friend. "I've seen the way Greg looks at you. Blaise has told me about the way Greg is always paying attention whenever your name comes up in conversation. I saw the look of anger on his face when Theo was flirting. How concerned he was about you that day you hexed Theo. Greg doesn't want a fling either. I'm positive." Ginny gave Hermione a hug. Hermione smiled, hugging her friend tightly. She was lucky to have Ginny in her life.
"Oh, Gin. You better get going," Hermione said, catching the time at the clock across the room. Ginny put on her heels and coat, walking down to the common room. Harry looked up to see his fiancée. Harry's face lit up upon seeing Ginny. All the students in the common room stared at the pair as they walked out of Gryffindor tower. Hermione waited a moment or two, talking to Seamus and Dean before leaving. On the walk back to Gryffindor Tower, Hermione decided she would write Ron later tonight. She didn't know what was going on and it worried her.
…
When Hermione returned to the Heads Dorms, Draco and Blaise were sitting on the couch, chatting softly. When they noticed Hermione come in, Blaise smiled, and Draco sighed with relief.
"Where have you been?" Draco asked, his tone a bit frantic. The blonde hated to admit to it to himself or anyone else, but he was beginning to care for the Head Girl in a very brotherly way. He had become accustomed to Hermione's presence in his life. He even began to worry about her today, how she sprinted out of the dungeons. Draco had wanted to hex Slughorn into next week for putting the Head Girl in danger. Of course, the blonde would never speak of these feelings to anyone. He was a Malfoy, after all, and Malfoys do not become attached to annoying, formerly bushy-haired and buck-toothed, know-it-all Gryffindors.
"I was in the Gryffindor Common Room," Hermione said, brow furrowing at the Head Boy's concern. Wondering if the blonde noticed how she had reacted today. She certainly hoped not.
"You certainly ran out of potions class, today," Blaise teased, noticing how Hermione looked down, her cheeks pinking slightly. Unlike Draco, Blaise noticed how heated Hermione and Greg's interactions were.
"Harry was here," Hermione said, excusing herself from further questioning. Hermione gave Draco a knowing look. The blonde blushed looking down at his hands.
"Ah Yes! Date night!" Blaise smiled. "And how did my sweet sister look?" Blaise asked, clasping his hands together.
"You have a great eye, Blaise," Hermione smiled, she found it sweet how close Blaise and Ginny had become. "She mentioned bringing you with her when she goes shopping again."
"Yes, well, I'm happy to lend my services to you. If you ever need some fashion tips," Blaise winked at Hermione. "Like for tomorrow?"
"Ah, yes," Hermione said, sighing. "The Pool Party." Hermione climbed the stairs to her room. She just wanted to forget about the Pool Party. Why a pool party? Hermione thought. It's the middle of November for Merlin's sake. And she was Head Girl, would it be appropriate for her to walk around in a bathing suit? I wonder if Greg's swim trunks are as revealing as the Quidditch tights, Hermione thought, shivering slightly, biting her lip. The conversation from the common room pulled her from her thoughts:
"Pool party?" Draco asked. "What pool party?"
"Don't worry. You'll get your invite," Blaise teased his boyfriend and Draco wrapped his arms around the raven-haired boy.
"Is this why you and the She-Weas…" Draco paused, as Blaise raised a defensive eyebrow. "You and Ginny have been running around like mad?"
"Yes." Blaise said, rolling his eyes, kissing Draco's cheek before standing. "The soiree, remember?"
"Oh right," Draco said, grabbing Blaise's hand as his boyfriend lead him to the bedroom. "The party."
"Oi," Blaise huffed in annoyance while shutting the door behind them.
Hermione heard Draco say, "Not too long this time. I have to patrol soon." Eww, Hermione thought, before casting a silencing charm on the bedroom across the hall. It wasn't the idea of two men having sex that bothered her. She was grossed out because she was beginning to care for and think of Draco and Blaise as if they were her brothers. It was like when Ginny would begin talking about how Harry was in the bedroom. The brunette would stick her fingers in her ear and begin childishly screaming, "La-la-la-la-la."
As with every Friday night before patrol, Hermione began pulling out her books to organize for the weekend. Hermione realized she had two potions textbooks. One of them was hers and the other belonged to Greg. His name was written in his messy handwriting on the opening page. I must have taken Greg's as well, the brunette thought. Maybe I should return it tonight. Hermione bit her lip, unsure if she should go looking for Greg after today. But what if he needs it? She rationalized. Hermione began pacing back and forth. Well, I must patrol soon, I could return it then. The thought of walking down to the Dungeons sent a shiver up her back, both because of seeing Greg and because it was still Slytherin House after all.
….
Greg walked back from his last night of detention. He had cleaned the cauldrons in the Potions Lab. The whole time he kept replaying the day in his mind. It seemed so surreal. He kept focusing on the way Hermione speedily walked out of the potion's lab. Why would she run from the lab, from him? Had he done something wrong? She didn't seem to be uncomfortable when she was pressed against him. Or when they were talking. She looked a bit flushed, like that day in the library when he thought she was sick. Greg was at a loss about the whole situation and he figured it would be best to get a woman's opinion. When Greg got to the dungeons, he went straight to Pansy's door. He knew the dark-haired girl would know what to do.
"Oh, hey," Pansy said. She was a bit surprised at seeing Greg at her door, usually she was the one seeking out Greg.
"Can I come in?" Greg asked. "I need some advice."
"About Granger?" Pansy asked, knowingly with a smirk. Pansy saw how Hermione had bolted out of the Potion's Lab. It only confirmed what Pansy had already suspected, that Hermione had never been with anyone before.
"Am I that obvious?" Greg sighed, sitting down in the desk chair while Pansy went to sit on the couch by the fire that was no longer roaring. Pansy had been looking through a couple of witches' magazines. This month's issue of Witch Weekly featured two familiar as well as identical faces, Fred and George Weasley. Apparently after opening another joke shop as well as a sex shop, they had become the most eligible bachelors in the wizarding world.
"So, what's wrong?" Pansy asked, eyeing the pictures of the twins, trying to decide which one was cuter. Part of her was curious as to if they were truly identical once the trousers came off. This was the longest Pansy had gone without sex since she became sexually active and it was frustrating.
"Why did Hermione leave so abruptly today?" Greg asked, brow furrowed. He slouched back in the chair. Hermione wasn't like any of the girls Greg had ever known or been with.
"It's kind of obvious," Pansy said, sarcastically with a slight chuckle at Greg's puzzled expression. Pansy took a deep breath, not wanting make Greg feel stupid. Like most men, he just wasn't good at reading a woman's body language.
"The Gryffindor Princess is a virgin," Pansy said, turning her attention to a different magazine, one featuring different hairstyles for the modern witch. "You make her nervous. She obviously wants you but doesn't know exactly how to…react to you or rather how to make you hers."
Greg was quite surprised, eyes widening a bit. There had been a rumor about Hermione and almost every person at Hogwarts and although Hermione never showed interest in anyone other than the Weasel, he thought that there had to be some truth to at least one of them. He had always wondered if the rumor about the Golden Trio in the Room of Requirement was true. Well, now he knew that it wasn't.
"Yeah, so being pressed against you today," Pansy spoke when Greg didn't say anything for a while. "She was clearly aroused, but I think a bit frightened."
"I scared her?" Greg asked, nervously. That was the last thing he wanted to do.
"In a good way. If that makes sense," Pansy said, watching Greg's funny expressions change. "She's probably never felt this way."
Pansy was going to say something more comforting to Greg when a blue piece of parchment magically appeared in her hand. She looked up to see there a piece of parchment in Greg's hand as well. It was an invitation and it read:
You're Invited!
Pool Party. Room of Requirement. Saturday Night 8pm.
Wear a bathing suit. Invite only. No guests.
XOXO
-Blaise & Ginny
"Well, I guess I know what I'm doing tomorrow night," Greg said. First night without detention will be interesting, he thought. The invitation was pretty. Blue with tropical flowers around the edges.
"I'm not going," Pansy said, throwing her invite into the fire. Turning her attention back to the hairstyle magazine.
"Wait, Why?" Greg asked, he had specifically told Blaise to invite her. It would get her out, take her mind off everything. Maybe Pansy could find someone new.
"It's too hard," Pansy looked down at the magazines. "Zabini tries to be nice to me, but…" Pansy took a deep breath. "I'm just beginning to get over Draco. If I go tomorrow night…"
"Pansy, you have to go," Greg looked down at his invitation. "It will be a great time. There'll be a lot of people there."
"If Blaise had been a girl, I feel like I could handle this better," Pansy started, keeping her eyes down. "You know Blaise and I used to be close friends. We'd giggle about guys together and everything," Pansy paused, exhaling shakily. "Why didn't Draco just tell me that he was gay? He kept sleeping with me, using me. For the longest time, I thought there was something wrong with me. That I wasn't pretty enough or good enough for him."
"Oh, hey. Come on now," Greg reached for her, wrapping the petite girl in a big hug. The dark-haired girl buried her face in his chest crying. Greg rested the cheek on top of her head. Greg was a bit wary of telling Pansy she was pretty, afraid she might take it the wrong way. Try and sleep with him again. "It's going to be okay. You don't have to go tomorrow."
"I just…I feel like I start to get over him," Pansy hiccupped. "And then something happens, and it gets thrown in my face again. Then I feel betrayed because Blaise was in love with and sleeping with Draco the whole time. Lying straight to my face."
"It's just going to take a little time," Greg said softly. "That's all. Everybody did the best they could. Draco was afraid, you know."
Pansy understood why Draco kept his silence. The man who she always assumed would be her father-in-law always made a shiver of fear and disgust run up her spine. Pansy liked to think that if Draco had admitted his sexuality to her, she would have been kind and understanding. She wanted to assume that she wouldn't have been vindictive, writing to her mother or Narcissa, and ratting Draco out. Pansy felt like a completely different person now, unable to say for certain whether the cruel girl she used to be would have kept the secret.
Listening to Greg's steady heartbeat, Pansy began to think about how different Greg's life would be if Draco had just been honest with everyone. She and Daphne wouldn't have whored themselves out. Would he still have fallen in love with Bullstrode? Pansy wondered if she still would have slept with Greg. No, Pansy thought. She probably would have been mean to him in the same way she was mean to Vince. Would Greg and Granger have still found their way to one another?
"I know you like Granger, but do you still have feelings for Millicent?" Pansy asked, biting her lip. "If Millie was still here, would you….?" Greg understood what she was asking, but there was no use in imagining what his future would be like if Millie was still alive.
"I think about Millie a lot," Greg admitted, after a moment. "I really did love her, but what I feel for Hermione is so much stronger. It's like… I feel like I'm being pulled to her, like…"
"Like she was meant for you," Pansy smiled softly, pulling away from Greg. Pansy wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. "I don't know if I ever felt like Draco was meant for me. I think my feelings were more like he was something I was just supposed to have. That's not love, is it?"
"I don't think so," Greg said, shaking his head. He felt Pansy bury her face in his chest once again as continued to cry.
….
Despite the push for house unity, Hermione still felt like she was in unwelcome territory on the walk down to the Dungeons. Draco and Hermione had separated somewhere on the third floor, the staircase shifting unpredictably carrying Draco away. Hermione noticed that it was colder down here or maybe she was just nervous. Hermione came to the outside of the portrait hole and saw Theo Nott and Astoria Greengrass lingering by the portrait. When Theo saw Hermione walking towards him, he walked as quickly as possible into the Slytherin common room. Hermione noticed Astoria looking at her curiously. Astoria had just recently come out as a lesbian. The youngest Greengrass had had a crush on the Gryffindor Golden Girl for a very long time. Hermione just smiled back at her. It was best to be friendly when not in your own territory.
"Hi Astoria," Hermione said, smiling politely. "Is Greg here?"
"I don't know, but I can check," Astoria said, whispering the password that opened the portrait. Looking at Hermione with a puzzled expression, Astoria said, "Come on then. Not afraid of the snake pit, are we?"
"Of course not!" Hermione said, a bit too defensively. She shook her head walking as Astoria smirked. It was cute to see the Golden Girl flustered.
"Here, follow me," Astoria said, grabbing the Hermione's hand.
Hermione wished Astoria didn't insist on holding her hand like a child, but she became more concerned when she noticed everyone was staring at her. She was used to staring at, being one of Harry's best friends as well as a so called "war heroine," but the way Anton Harper looked at her. His gaze terrified her. Harper looked at her like she was a piece of meat, waiting to be devoured. Fenrir Greyback had looked at her like that and it sent a chill through her bones. Hermione hugged Greg's book tightly to her chest with one arm. Hermione wanted to let go of Astoria's hand to finger her wand, but Astoria held hers tightly. Harper licked his lips, his gaze narrowing. Yes, Hermione thought. I most definitely should have waited in the hallway. But Hermione summoned her Gryffindor bravery narrowing her eyes, giving a hardened glare at Harper.
Walking down the hallway, they stopped in front of a door that read " ." Astoria knocked twice, but there was no answer. Impatiently, Astoria opened the door to an empty room.
"You know, I can just come back tomorrow," Hermione said, trying to turn around.
"Nonsense," Astoria smiled, grabbing Hermione's arm and leading her into the bedroom. "He's around here somewhere. Don't worry, I'll find him. Just wait here a moment." With that Astoria turned, closing the door behind her.
Hermione began taking in the large, dark mahogany furniture. Her eyes kept returning to the large mahogany bed with a green comforter. I should have waited in the hall, Hermione thought. As if her fantasies of being with Greg on a desk weren't enough, the bed was just adding fuel to the fire in her nether regions. Hermione could smell his spicy cologne. Part of her wanted to hold one of his pillows to her nose, but she stopped herself. A large fire burned in the fireplace beside a large desk with two chairs. She could tell it was magically enchanted somehow to keep the fire contained as well as burn for hours. The room was not abnormally large, but there plenty of room. She noticed the en suite bathroom.
Hermione noticed some photographs on his bedside table and went closer. There were several of a younger Greg with Draco and Crabbe looking tough with their arms folded. One of Crabbe and Greg laughing at the camera. Hermione saw one of a young Greg, maybe four or five years old, playing with whom she could only assume was a young Crabbe. Hermione felt her heart clench. She never realized that the two boys grew up together. Hermione's eyes traveled to a photograph of a very tall, thin woman with long black hair. She had on a black dress on and wore a small smile which grew a bit wider. However, the woman looked like she had a dark secret hidden behind her eyes. Hermione wondered if Greg's mother was like other purebloods, prejudiced against muggleborns. Hermione then noticed there wasn't a photograph of Millie. Was that hidden somewhere else? She wondered. Hermione placed the photograph back on the table. Hermione thought about sitting on the bed but thought against it.
Hermione smoothed her hands down her Gryffindor sweater and skirt. She had chosen not to wear her robes tonight. Instead she opted to wear her Head Girl badge.
…
Greg was still hugging Pansy when Astoria opened the door. Both their heads turned towards Astoria. The younger Greengrass looked a little wide eyed at seeing the two together.
"So, this is happening again?" Astoria asked, shaking her head and clucking her tongue with disappointment.
"Nothing happened," Greg and Pansy said together. Greg quickly removed his arms from Pansy's waist.
"Ever heard of knocking?" Pansy said, wiping her eyes and teasing the younger girl.
"Ever heard of a lock?" Astoria teased right back, smiling. "Goyle, I've got a present for you." Astoria smirked at the Slytherin Brute.
"Are you going to be okay?" Greg asked Pansy before standing.
"I'm fine," Pansy said. "Go on."
Once Greg was out in the hallway, Astoria cast a quick drying spell on his sweater, getting rid of Pansy's lip gloss and mascara on his collar as well. Greg looked at her curiously.
"What's going on?" Greg asked.
"I have a present for you." Astoria said, with a wink.
"You said that already," Greg remarked as they walked past the Common Room. Greg noticed Harper was looking as though he just drank sour milk. Greg realized Astoria was leading him down the Hallway to the returning eight years boys' hallway. When they reached Greg's closed bedroom door, Astoria smiled. "Have fun," the younger girl winked again before walking away. Astoria wanted to add "if you don't want her, send her to my door," but that would spoil the surprise. Although Astoria had had the hots for the Head Girl for a few years, she'd never steal a fellow Slytherin's girl.
Greg shook his head before opening the door to his bedroom. He was taken aback at seeing Hermione's curvy figure standing by his bed, wearing her uniform complete with head girl badge. The soft vanilla and lavender fragrance filled his nose. She didn't seem to hear him come in as she was looking at his pictures. Shutting the door softly behind him. Greg went to stand behind his brunette angel.
"Hey," Greg said, smiling when she turned around with surprise.
"Oh, hi!" She said, jumping a bit. Merlin, Greg looked sexy. The strong Slytherin looked very masculine with stubble across his jawline. His v neck sweater covering his broad shoulders, the white oxford shirt underneath opened, tie removed and hanging out of his pocket. Hermione found her eyes drawn to the patch of dark brown chest hair. She noticed another scar on his collarbone. Hermione wondered if all women were entranced by the exposed patch of chest hair on men. Was it akin to a woman's cleavage for men?
"Sorry I didn't mean to frighten you," Greg smiled, he noticed the way Hermione was checking him out and it pleased him.
"I took your book by mistake," Hermione explained, nervously, attempting to keep her thoughts clean. Greg noticed her apprehension. When Greg took the book from her hands, he noticed that her hands felt cold.
"Oh, do I have yours?" Greg asked calmly, not wanting Hermione to worry in his presence.
"No," Hermione said. "I returned to my dorm and saw I had both. I thought you might need it." The brunette smiled.
There was a silence between them as Greg walked over to his desk to set the book down.
"I can't believe you have your own room," Hermione said, with a tone of amazement. Gryffindors did not.
"Since there are so few returning eighth year students, we each have our own," Greg explained, placing the book in his bag. "Don't they have them in Gryffindor?"
"No," Hermione said. "All the returning eighth years share a bedroom and a bathroom. Of course, there are more that returned," Hermione realized just now. There was a moment of silence before Hermione turned back to the photos.
"Is this your mother?" Hermione asked, picking up the photo of the thin, dark haired woman.
"Yes," Greg said, standing beside Hermione.
"She's very beautiful," Hermione said. Hermione placed the photograph back on the table. "This one is so precious," Hermione continued, picking up the photo of four-year-old Greg with Crabbe. "You were so cute."
"Thanks," Greg said, blushing a bit. That photo was a favorite of his, but it was embarrassing for him. Greg was such a chubby little boy.
"I never knew you two grew up together," Hermione said, feeling like she should have known. Greg and Vince were always together from their first day at Hogwarts.
"Our manors are next to each other," Greg explained. "Vince's mother died in childbirth, so my mum helped Crabbe Sr. raise him."
"That's so sad. I never knew," Hermione said, putting the photo back. "That was nice of your mum. Is it getting easier…being without him?"
"I still miss him," Greg said, looking into Hermione's eyes. "But it gets easier every day, especially with the right company." Greg noticed the way Hermione looked down blushing. He hoped she knew that he meant her. Hermione felt a heat spreading within her. She tried to focus her attention on something other than the bed beside them. However, when Hermione looked up, she saw Greg's dark eyes, broad shoulders, his strong arms, and her thoughts were derailed. He was so ruggedly handsome.
"You don't have any windows," Hermione said, noticing absent mindedly. She kept trying to ignore the fire in her lower belly. The bed was still right beside them. There was a part of her that was ready to let her fantasies play out in real life and yet another part that was hesitant.
"The Dungeons are basically a basement," Greg explained. Hermione folded her arms across her stomach. Greg noticed Hermione seemed a bit stiffer than when they were at the library or in class together. Was it that unlike the library, here they were truly alone? Greg noticed Hermione's eyes kept returning to his bed, her cheeks pinking each time she glanced at it. Pansy was right, Greg thought. Hermione really is a virgin. Would he really be lucky enough to have the honor of taking Hermione's virginity? Merlin, he'd never been a girl's first before.
"Can I walk you back to the Head Dorms?" Greg asked, moving to open the door. Not wanting to get too excited fantasizing about making love to Hermione, especially not when she seemed so skittish around him. Has she done anything before? He wondered. Any sort of foreplay? Greg found himself wanting to know more about his tutor's past relationships.
"Yes," Hermione smiled, following Greg. She felt the strongest urge to grab his hand, to kiss him, but the bed next to them had haunted her. The exhilarating, delicious fear that if she kissed him right now, they would wind up on the bed. A few images flashed through her mind, Greg on top of her, her chestnut hair splayed out against the green comforter. She imagined him beginning to undress her when she mentally kicked herself again. No, Hermione thought. Don't think about it. Not now.
When the pair came back out of the hallway towards the common room, every single set of eyes was watching them. Greg felt Hermione place her soft, small hand in his, noticing Harper's glare of anger at the couple. She's mine, Greg thought, giving Harper a fierce look. Greg removed his hand from Hermione's to place his around her waist, taking Hermione's hand in his other hand. If there was ever any doubt as to whether the Gryffindor Princess and Slytherin Muscle were together, that doubt was vanquished tonight. Many wondered if the mismatched textbook was simply a cover to have a quick shag. When the two emerged from the portrait, Theo had a look of shock on his face at seeing Greg with his arm around Hermione.
"Out of the snake pit, I see," Astoria said to Hermione while winking at Greg. Hermione gave a small smile but didn't respond. Unsure of what to say in reply.
"I feel bad for hexing Theo," Hermione admitted to Greg once Theo and Astoria were out of earshot. "Now every time he sees me, he runs away. Maybe I should apologize?" Greg and Hermione were still holding on to each other. Greg noticed the way Hermione bit her lower lip and found it incredibly sexy.
"If you want to apologize, then that's nice," Greg smiled at her kindness. "But don't feel bad because he deserved it. Theo will get over it sooner or later. His ego is just a tad bruised."
Hermione pulled her hand out of Greg's as they began climbing the stairs. It seemed impractical to the brunette for them to hold onto each other, the risk of falling seemed too great. Greg felt a bit disappointed when Hermione pulled her hand away.
"Was tonight your last night of detention?" Hermione asked, softly. She wanted to hold Greg's hand once more but kept her hands at her side.
"Yes," Greg said, about to ask Hermione about the Pool party when she continued.
"That's good," Hermione said. "We have to get back to our tutoring schedule."
"It's the weekend, Hermione," Greg teased. They reached the outside of the Heads Dorms. "Can't this wait till Monday?" Hermione was about to lecture Greg on the importance of studying when they were interrupted by a familiar voice.
"There you are, Granger," Draco said, stepping out of the portrait. "You keep running off."
"You're the one that got on the shifting staircase," Hermione said with a laugh. "Worried about me, are you?"
"Hey, Greg," Draco said, avoiding Hermione's question.
"Hey," Greg responded, hitching his chin.
"Where exactly did you run off to?" Draco asked, looking from Greg to Hermione and back again. The blonde wondering why Greg and Hermione were together now.
"If you can believe it," Greg began. "She was given access to the Dungeons…by Astoria." Greg winked and Draco smirked in reply. The two men knew about Astoria's little crush, but it was a private joke that Hermione felt left out of.
"Felt brave enough to enter the Serpent's Den?" Draco teased Hermione, watching the way Hermione became defensive, pursing her lips.
"In case you forgot," Hermione said, crossing her arms. "Bravery is a definitive trait of Gryffindors."
"I thought I heard Greg's voice," Blaise said, sticking his head out of the portrait. "Greg, did you get your invite to the pool party tomorrow night?"
"Yes," Greg smiled, pulling the invitation out of his pocket. He heard Hermione sigh beside him before walking through the portrait.
"Well, I'm going to bed," Hermione said, wanting to groan. The blasted Pool Party, she thought. "Goodnight, boys." Hermione waved behind her at Greg. Greg furrowed his brow at the Head Girl. Blaise quickly moved to follow Hermione. Ginny had mentioned Hermione might be reluctant about going, Blaise thought.
"Women," Draco sighed, shaking his head at his friend.
"Yeah," Greg smiled, before turning to walk back to the Dungeons. Hermione certainly is an enigma, he thought.