Hey everyone. I posted two chapters last night, and I'm going to type as many as possible today. Enjoy!
Chapter 3
Laughter
Draco's POV
When I woke up the next morning, my neck and back weren't tense. Glancing at the clock I was surprised to see it read close to ten. I had slept for almost seven hours. Granger was a miracle worker. Stepping out of bed I stretched and wandered into the bathroom for a quick shower. Afterward I pulled on some of my customary black pants and a dark green button up shirt. I picked my robe off the floor and pulled it on. Stepping in front of the mirror, I almost laughed. My robe was eight inches too short and had a Gryffindor crest on the front of it. I shook my head and pulled it off and walked out my door and down the hall.
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Hermione's POV
I woke up at 9:30 the next morning and climbed out of bed to take a quick shower. Getting out I pulled my hair up into a bun and secured it with chopsticks, but my thoughts were on the previous night. His skin had been so pale, but not as smooth as I figured it would be. I had seen a few deep scars and I had the feeling there were more that I couldn't see I the dim light. Not really caring, I pulled a random shirt out of my drawer and pulled it on along with my favorite bell-bottoms. I poured myself a cup of coffee and stood by the window for a few minutes. The grounds were empty. A few minutes later Hagrid's door opened and Fang ran out. I smiled and set my cup on the table. Glancing at my watch, I swore. I was supposed to meet Harry and Ron at 10:15, and it was 10:10 now. I grabbed my robe off the floor and pulled it over my head. It smelled different, slightly spicy (think Old Spice cologne, yummy!). Thinking nothing of it, I yanked my door open, tripped, and fell straight into Draco Malfoy.
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Draco's POV
I was about to knock on Granger's door when it opened. Seconds later she tripped and fell into me. Automatically one hand shot out to touch the wall, the other slid around her waist to keep her upright. I held her against me for a minute until she regained her balance, then released her. Her cheeks were bright red and she gave me a sheepish smile.
"Morning, Malfoy. Sorry I ran into you, I tripped over something." Her eyes were bright and smiling.
"I think you tripped over the hem of my robe." She looked confused for a second, then looked down to see what I meant. "Green and silver with a Slytherin crest. Very interesting choice, Granger." She looked up at me and I winked. Her entire face lit up with one of her great smiles.
"Yeah, I guess it is an interesting choice, for a Gryffindor at least." She pulled the robe off and handed it to me.
"More green, Granger? I'm beginning to think you aren't in the right house." She looked at her shirt and blushed again. I handed her her robe and pulled mine on.
"It's not my fault I own green clothing. Red just isn't my color." She smiled at me and pulled her robe on. "Now I hate to break up this wonderful conversation, but I have to meet Harry and Ron in-" she glanced at her watch. "SHIT! Now!" she ran past me and down the stairs. "See you in Hogsmeade, Malfoy!" and she was gone. I smiled and walked down the stairs towards the Great Hall.
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Hermione's POV
As I ran out the portrait and down the hall, I couldn't help thinking of his arm around my waist and him holding me to him. He was strong, and after all the years of Quidditch, who wouldn't be? Harry was strongly muscled too, but I had the feeling Malfoy was stronger, a lot stronger. Shaking my head to clear it of incriminating thoughts, I told the Fat Lady the password, '9 months to freedom' and stepped into the welcoming Gryffindor common room.
"Hey, Mione, we were about to send a search party, you're a whole minute late." Harry winked at me and I plopped down next to him.
"Haha, very funny, Harry. Morning Ron."
"Hey Mione. Do I even want to know how late you stayed in the library last night?" Ron asked. They had left me at 10:30 after finishing the Potions essay.
"One."
"You're kidding, right?" Ron was looking at me like I had three heads.
"No, I'm not kidding. When I left the stairs moved so I didn't get to bed until 3:30."
"Do you still want to go to Hogsmeade?" Harry, as usual, asked. "And what did you do from 1 to 3:30?"
"Of course I want to go to Hogsmeade. I have to pick up a few things. Speaking of which, if we don't leave now, we're going to miss the carriages. Are you two ready?" I felt like a mother hen, and I hoped Harry hadn't noticed I didn't answer his second question.
"Yep." Ron replied and made a final move, checkmating Harry and stood up. Harry, grumbling pulled me to my feet. Both guys towered over me by at least six inches. It wasn't my fault I was only 5'2". Harry was 5'11" and Ron was 6'1". Harry threw his arm around my shoulders and steered me towards the portrait hole.
"Ya know, Mione, you're really short. Maybe we could try some of those lengthening charms on your legs to make you taller." Harry said with a wink.
"Yeah, Mione." Ron chimed in. "Maybe then you could reach the ingredients in Potions without a summoning charm or a stool." He gave me a smile. I stuck my tongue out at him and crossed my arms and turned to face the wall. "Come on, Mione. We were only teasing." Ron gave me the puppy look, but I shook my head and 'Hmmphed."
"Mi-nee" Harry whined but I shook my head again. Two seconds later, he had picked me up and was carrying me down the hall.
"Put me down! I mean it!" I was laughing.
"Nope, you'll just pout and the carriages are leaving soon, you said so yourself." He gave me another smile. Ron reached out and started tickling me.
"Ahh! Stop! No fair, I can't get away!" I was laughing and squirming. "Ron! Stop it!"
"Ron, knock it off! I'm going to drop her!" Harry was laughing now.
"Alright." Ron scooped me out of Harry's arms and walked down the steps and over to one of the carriages. Depositing me on the seat, he plopped next to me. Harry climbed in and sat across from us. I was still laughing.
"You two are crazy." Harry shook his head.
"Nah, we're just weird." Harry told me, smiling. I rolled my eyes and giggled. Ron poked me, making me jump.
"What's this? Open season on Hermione?" I asked with a laugh.
"Well, if you say so…." Ron grinned at me, a mischievous look in his eyes.
"Ron, no way. I was kidding." I moved over until I hit the side of the cabin. "Ron…" he smiled and poked me again. "Harry! Help!"
"Alright." He reached over and poked me.
"Not that kind of help! Guys, knock it off!" I was laughing to hard to do much. "You're acting like Fred and George!"
"Too bad." They both started tickling me and didn't let up until we reached the village and I was crying with laughter.
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Draco's POV
I headed out the portrait and was almost to the door to go outside when I heard laughter from behind me. Stepping into the shadows, I watched Potter carry Granger past me. He started laughing and the Weasel took her out the door. Her laughter floated back to my alcove. I stepped out and walked down the hall and out the door. For a minute I entertained the thought of climbing into their carriage behind Potter, but quickly decided against it. I stepped into the carriage behind theirs to find two Hufflepuff first years and a Ravenclaw second year. They silenced at my entrance. Ignoring them, I settled into the far corner. A few seconds later they began talking in 'quiet' whispers.
"Adorable!" "Gorgeous gray eyes." "Beautiful" and various other comments floated over to my ears before I tuned them out. It was late September, and the air was brisk. Opening the window, Her-Granger's laughter floated back to me. Her laugh was light and happy. She was beautiful when she laughed. I wished- no. I mentally slapped myself again. It would never happen. I shut the window and leaned back in the seat and closed my 'adorable gray eyes.'
When we pulled into the village, I stepped out to see the Dream Team in front of me. Potter was supporting a laughing, crying Granger. Weasley was standing there, laughing.
"Come on, Mione. A butterbeer will fix you right up." Potter said, throwing his arm around her shoulders. She shook her head.
"Sorry, Harry. I have to get a few things first. Why don't I meet you at the Three Broomsticks in an hour?"
"Sounds good. We're going to visit Fred and George, later Mione." Ron said and the two walked off down the street. Granger wiped her eyes and headed for Madame Malkins. Dumbledore had told the Prefects and Heads last night that there was going to be a ball for Halloween. Granger and Hannah Abbot, the Hufflepuff Prefect had immediately agreed that it should be a costume ball, with an unmasking at midnight. I followed her; thinking now would be a good time to find a costume. She was almost at the door when she stopped and her face lit up. Curious, I kept following her into an alley beside Malkins. The sign above the door said 'Medieval and Victorian, the Muggle Way'. The small bell above the door rang, and I stepped inside.
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Yay! Chapter three! I'm so proud of myself. My computer keeps yelling at me, saying I have everything spelled wrong. LOL. Anyway, leave me a review and tell me what you think!
~K~