This is the last chapter! Funny how 6 chapters took me oh so long. If you liked this story please to do recommend it to others. Comment! I like those. Good, bad, whatever, I like to hear what you thought of it.
I'll be writing more DM/HG for sure. So look out for more of my stories :) So enjoy!
Coffee at Midnight
Hermione had gone to Ginny in the morning with a lie. "I tripped, fell up the stairs again," a weak laugh escaped her, "I'm so clumsy. At least I didn't sprain my ankle again right?"
Ginny gave her an unsure smile, "yeah, right."
"So, do you have any?" Hermione asked the red head.
"Oh, yeah, give me a second," she turned, opening the drawer to her nightstand. She rifled through to find a bottle labeled Glamour. It was the same things the fairies used. Hermione took the bottle from her friend and turned to leave. "Uhm, Hermione," Ginny called and Hermione turned, "you know people will still see if they get close."
"Well I don't want everyone in the whole school to see my bruises is all," Hermione said, "besides no one will get that close." Hermione tried to give a little smile.
"Right," Ginny nodded and returned the awkward smile. Hermione had an odd look about her. She looked almost nervous. She could be twitchy at times, but not like this. Something fell to the floor and Hermione jumped. Ginny's dorm mate held up her glasses and muttering an apology. Ginny knew there was something the matter, but what? "You can use the whole thing if you need it," Ginny offered.
Hermione turned her down, "I won't need it all." She paused, "see you at breakfast," with that Hermione left for her room.
Fairies used glamour to change their appearance. For decades witches had been using glamour to cover up flaws. Small ones usually. Hermione applied the glamour to the bruises on her legs. Anywhere that couldn't be covered up. There were a few on her arm that she hid with her sleeves. There was a large bruise on her abdomen she was sure she had gotten from being kicked by Crabbe or Goyle. That or Pansy has a hell of a kick, she thought.
After going through half of the remnants of the bottle Hermione looked at her self in the mirror. She looked terribly disheveled. Ginny's right, I need this. She gave it no more thought and used the rest of the glamour to clear up the circles under her eyes as well as the puffiness from all the crying. With a sigh she tossed the bottle in the waste basket. Hermione made a mental note to herself to buy Ginny a new bottle of glamour the next time they were in Hogsmede. Tying her hair into a bun she left for breakfast.
At the doors to the Great Hall Hermione stopped. She took a deep breath psyching herself up to enter. She paced many times taking a step toward the hall, but then she would turn back. Hermione turned around desperately wanting to leave, this time finding a blockade. She gasped looking up. The wall she'd hit steadied her with a strong grip. He'd clamped down on a bruise and she felt a twinge of pain. He looked down at her.
He studied her face. Looking closer he could see the edges of the glamour. She winced under his touch and he loosened his grip. She looked on the outside almost as good as new, but he knew under the glamour she was hurting. Hermione's eyes told him that. He was getting that feeling in his stomach again.
"Oi, Draco," Blaise Zabini approached the two. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the two standing there with each other. A confused look crossed his face for a moment.
"Her – mione?" Ginny Weasley appeared on the marble staircase. She looked from the two to Blaise who shrugged and back to the two. Draco and Hermione now stood apart.
"I – I, uhm..." Hermione grasped for something.
A flash of anger came across Ginny's face, "did he.."
Hermione cut her off, "I forgot a piece of homework I have to do." Hermione took her leave running up the stairs past Ginny who called after her. Hermione did not stop and instead kept going. Ginny watched her leave and turned back to Malfoy. Giving him a death glare she walked past him shaking her head. What is going on?
"What was that, mate?" Blaise asked Draco.
Draco turned to him and shrugged, "women."
In a corner of the courtyard, two Slytherins sit. Others who wanted to be there swerve in another direction. They know they are not welcome here. "Okay let me get this straight," Blaise said trying to confirm what his friend had just told him, "you think Hermione Granger has feelings for you?"
"Yes," Draco nodded, he'd left out the part where he had an inkling he might have feelings for her. There was no doubt what Blaise would say when Draco mentioned his sweaty palms, the ringing in his ears and the strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. 'You've got it bad mate,' that's what he would say.
Blaise burst out in a fit of laughter after Draco confirmed his earlier statement. "Granger?" he said between fits of laughter, "has feelings – for you?" Draco glared at Blaise, but the boy took no notice. After calming down he sighed, "oh that's a good one. Where'd you come up with that?"
"She's been acting like a girl lately," Draco told him.
"Bloody hell Malfoy, she's always been a girl," Blaise shook his head, "I suppose you just never noticed that."
"I always knew she was a girl Zabini!" Draco shot back. Blaise was silent he only gave a little laugh. "What?" Draco said with annoyance.
Blaise eyed him, and then the door, he looked to be contemplating what his chances were of making it out alive. Should he tell him, would he have enough time to make it to the door before Malfoy yelled and unforgivable curse? Finally settling upon a decision he put his idea on the table, "any other girl and I'd say you were the one that liked her."
"I don't," Draco told him looking away, "I just – don't like having to see her like that."
"Like what?" Blaise asked. "You've been the bane of her existence for as long as anyone can remember,"
Draco sighed, "you can't tell anyone Zabini."
"Sure," Blaise agreed.
"Blaise?" Draco tested.
"Slytherin honour," Blaise raised his left arm and put his right hand to his heart.
Draco pondered this a moment and then chose to embark on the tale. Blaise sat eyes wide the whole time. "Blimey," he muttered when Draco told him about what he came upon last night. "You've got to be shitting me," he said when it was all over. Draco shook his head. "I feel bad for her myself," Blaise gave his sympathy.
"You would," Draco told him.
"You don't?" Blaise asked a little confused.
"When I see her now, I – I don't know what to say to her," he said contemplating the ant walking across the stone beside him.
Balise scoffed, "you – speechless. That's funny."
"I want his name!" Pansy screeched putting down the flyer.
"Who's name?" Millicent Blustrode asked.
"That stupid boy who's got that camera permanently attached to his face," she explained. Pansy scanned the paper again for the author of the article. Lovegood, Pansy groaned, I don't want to talk to her.
"Luna" Orla Quirke whispered, "behind you."
"What? What's behind me?" Luna asked turning slowly and calmly.
"Who's that boy with the camera?" Pansy demanded.
"You mean Colin?" she asked.
"I don't know! That's why I'm asking you," Pansy sighed aggravated.
"Well if you mean who takes all the lovely pictures in the flyers then you do mean Colin Creevy," Luna informed her.
"Well if you mean... blah blah blah, you're a twit you know that?" Pansy mocked.
"That's not been proven," Luna answered.
"Just tell me where I can find him," Pansy hissed now inches away from Luna.
Luna however did not move an inch. She did not flinch or shy away. "Well your best bet is probably over at Gryffindor table," Luna said pointing her in the right direction.
Colin Creevey who had been eavesdropping on the whole situation groaned. "Luna," he mumbled and readied himself for flight. He was a flight guy when it came to choosing between fight or flight.
"Creevey!" Pansy's head snapped to the Gryffindor table. He was getting up to leave. "Not so fast," she said making her way over. Pansy Parkinson liked drama, in fact she thrived on it. But this, this was too much. She felt completely humiliated, yes of course Draco had looked the fool in the picture, but somehow Creevey had gotten most of the conversation and right there it was printed on the page in ink for everyone to see.
When Draco had not come for breakfast Pansy was put out, but what was even worse was that Granger hadn't either. For all she knew they were off somewhere in the castle together. After the night before Pansy was more sure than ever Draco had gone mad.
"That was weird," Ron commented as Pansy Parkinson walked after Creevey waving the flyer in her arm around.
"Wonder what that's all about," Harry agreed.
"Oh I knew it!" Lavender squealed with Parvati.
"Lucky girl," Parvati sighed.
"What on earth are you talking about? They drive each other mad," Ginny shook her head in disbelief, "this is crazy!"
Ron immediately snatched away the flyer from Ginny. "Hey!" she squeaked. He gave no notice and scanned it looking for what could have upset Pansy so much and make Lavender and Parvati squeal while Ginny proclaimed their madness. "What?" escaped his lips.
"What?" Harry asked intrigued.
"Look at this!" Ron shoved the paper in Harry's hands. "There," he pointed hitting the paper over and over.
"I can't if you keep doing that!" Harry batted Ron's hand away. He skimmed the article; power couple, Slytherin King and Queen, hissy fit, tumultuous love affair, Hermione Granger, Gryffidor Queen, love, Romeo and Juliet. Harry did a double take, "Hermione?"
Harry left the Gryffidor table and made a bee line to Luna with Ron following at his heels. "How d'you know this?" he demanded. Harry held the flyer right under Luna's nose. She looked down at it and calmly took it from him.
"I have it on good authority that the two are madly in love," Luna said.
"Really? And what authority is that? All this star-crossed lovers bollocks," Ron scoffed. Anyone who was anyone knew the two hated each other in an almost inhuman way.
"And who's authority would that be?" Harry asked Luna in a more calm tone.
"Colin's," she put it simply.
"Creevey," Ron mumbled curses under his breath. Turning, he stalked off out of the hall in search of Creevey along with Harry.
"It's kind of obvious!" Luna called after them, "it's been coming for a long time!"
Colin Creevey turned the corner right into Draco and Blaise's conversation in the courtyard. He walked past them quickly looking over his shoulder nervously.
"Creevey get back here!" a voice called out.
"Oh no it's Pansy," Draco frowned.
"No wonder the bloke looks scared half to death," Blaise commented.
"I think I should leave," Draco got up and Blaise gave him a nod. "If she asks," Draco added.
"You went that way," Blaise pointed in the opposite direction. Draco gave him a smile and went on his way. Moments later Pansy came through, then Ron Weasley and Harry Potter. The three were obviously after Creevey. "Popular lad," Blaise laughed and shook his head.
During N.E.W.T.S. Charms Hermione felt as if she were being watched. She shifted in her seat at the unpleasant feeling. She glanced sideways across the room at Malfoy. The lack of Malfoy really. Her brow furrowed in confusion. Where on earth is he?
The feeling and question persisted throughout the day. He wasn't anywhere. At lunch he was not at his table, Draco had even missed Defense against the Dark Arts class. Everyone knew he would have rather been taught the dark arts instead of about them, but he seemed to rather enjoy that class. Hermione thought and could not recall a time he had ever missed it.
"Mione," she heard turning around to face Ron and Harry.
"Yes?" she hadn't seen the two all day.
"Were you looking for something?" Harry asked.
"No nothing at all," she shook her head and gave them her full attention.
"Have you seen this?" Harry asked producing the flyer from his pocket.
"Seen what?" she asked.
"It's rubbish really," Ron went on to say, "I told Creevey that it couldn't be true."
Hermione took the flyer from Harry and carefully read every inch of the article.
"You liking Malfoy," Ron scoffed, "that's just mad as a box of frogs!"
"Quite right Ron," Hermione sniffed. She folded the flyer back on itself and handed it to Harry.
"You're sure?" Ron asked for assurance.
"Yes Ron," Hermione sighed, "It's completely absurd to say that I would ever be involved with Malfoy much less have some sort of school girl crush on him."
He'd been watching from just around the corner. Draco had been on his way to Quidditch practice and he'd heard her voice. Draco stopped to check on her. See if she was herself.
Absurd, she'd said, and not just absurd, completely absurd. His grip tightened around his broom when he heard this. His knuckles were white and the thunder rumbled in his eyes. Running a hand through his hair he left for the Quidditch pitch.
"Hey," Zabini hovered around Draco's head. He gave him a nod of acknowledgement. Draco had gone out to the pitch to see the team flying around without their captain. Pride, flashed in his thoughts for a moment.
"Ronald!" Hermione voice carried out toward the pitch.
Draco's head snapped around. A little smirk floated across Blaise's face. He likes Granger. Ron's voice could be heard apologizing. Draco continued to watch as he saw Hermione Granger walk around the corner into sight and away from Ron and Harry. This made him smile a bit. He mounted his broom and kicked off the ground for higher elevation.
There was whispering throughout the Gryffidor common room and flyers everywhere. Hermione wished there was a spell to sweep the school clean of them. The Library had been filled with the flyers as well. She even found one inside Even More Achievements in Charming as a bookmark someone had left. Frowning she crumpled the flyer up and threw it in the bin.
Hermione was all for free speech and expression, but this was just pure gossip. She sighed and found that the library had failed her so she took to the Prefect's common room upstairs. Secretly she hoped that Draco would be there. For a little company if anything at all.
Her heart dropped when she came upon and empty room. Hermione was quite confused as she settled in on the couch and contemplated why she was so disappointed to not find him there. Opening Even More Achievements in Charming, the sequel to Achievements in Charming she started on her essay for N.E.W.T.s Chrams.
The clock struck eleven and Draco found Hermione laying upon the couch. Her curls crawled out across the plush pillows as if they were vines. The only sound in the room was the fire crackling, and her soft breathing. He closed the door as quietly as possible.
Making his way across the room he sat in the chair next to the couch. He was wet from the rain that had started to pour in sheets at around seven. Though there were buckets of water the Slytherin team continued to play. After practice was over he parted with Balise to sit and think in the greenhouses.
After being attacked by a Poddleburt that had woken up Draco decided to leave. He headed for a little peace and quiet in the Prefect's common room.
Going in his pocket for his wand Draco muttered a spell to dry himself. He then picked up one of the books Hermione had laying about on the table. He'd been missing from Charms and should have probably been sitting up in his room catching up right now. Instead he stayed if nothing more than to watch Hermione Granger sleep.
Hermione shifted in the couch a few times always making Draco aware of her again. The steady tick tock of the clock sounded in the background. When it had struck midnight Hermione awakened from sleep. Her eyes fluttered open and settled upon a blurry Draco.
He slowly appeared as her vision sharpened. Hermione's brain was still trying to process that Draco Malfoy was sitting in front of her reading a book quietly. He looked peaceful just sitting there. "Draco?" Hermione mumbled.
He looked up. Closing the book he gave a little smile. "Thank you," Hermione started to mumble about the night before. Draco put the book on the table and approached her. In this state where she floated half awake and half asleep she was almost like a small child. She was – cute.
"Shh," he hushed her, "go back to sleep." He transfigured a throw pillow into a blanket.
"What time is it?" Hermione asked scratching her nose.
"Midnight," he answered her and he lay the blanket over her, tucking her in as if she was his own child.
"What are you doing up?" she asked stretching out.
"Catching up on some reading for Charms," he told her now kneeling beside her.
"Oh Charms," she started to get up.
Draco stopped her, "don't worry, you finished your essay." He laughed a little to himself, always thinking about school. If Hermione was always like this he was sure he wouldn't be so bad.
"Oh," she smiled, "good." Hermione could feel her eyelids getting heavy. "I can," she said between yawns, "help you with Charms tomorrow night."
"Sure, that'd be lovely," he told her, "now go back to sleep."
Hermione smiled at him sleepily, "Draco?"
"Yes Gr – Hermione?" Draco responded.
Hermione got up again and gave him a light kiss. "Thank you," she whispered before turning over and falling back to sleep.
When she had woken the next morning he was gone. Hermione found herself questioning whether or not it had happened last night. Had he really been there reading? Oh Merlin, I kissed him. Hermione sat back putting her hands to face. I kissed him, I can't believe I kissed him. Her head swam with thoughts. Ron's going to kill me, what's Harry going to say?
Hermione stretched her stiff limbs. Getting up from the couch she held the blanket to herself to keep the cold out. Gathering her things she made her way back to Gryffindor tower. It was surprisingly quiet. What's going on? Hermione thought to herself as she made her way to her room.
Leaving her books in a pile on the foot of her bed she flopped down into her soft comforter and pillows. I'll take a little nap. Yawning she soon fell asleep. Hermione slept through breakfast as well as N.E.W.T.S. Transfiguration, then through lunch and nearly through a double block of N.E.W.T.S. potions.
Hermione woke up slowly, but then sat up quickly as she saw the time on her clock. No, no, no, no, she had slept through most of her day. Even worse most of her classes. Snape is going to be so upset. Hermione quickly gathered her things and went in a mad dash across the school toward potions class. It was only at the stairs to the dungeons that she stopped.
I have to, I don't want to, she thought. Malfoy appeared at the bottom of the stairs. Walking halfway up he stopped. "Are you coming?" he asked. She stared at him. He stood there calm, cool, collected. One hand in his pocket, the other ran through his hair then found it's home in his other pocket.
"I can't," she shook her head, "I don't want to."
To this he simply held out his hand. When she stepped back he ascended the stairs. "Come now Granger, Snape's not that bad," he joked. Hermione gave him a little smile. That would have been the type of joke Harry would make, but he knew why she didn't want to go down. He just didn't want to say anything about the other night unless she did. He didn't want to see that look in her eyes.
Make the best of it an all that, I suppose, she thought. Tentatively she took the first step then the rest. Snape had looked at her when she entered. Hermione braced herself for some sort of tirade, but nothing came. Draco was shutting the door behind the two as Snape came over.
"Hullo Professor," Draco greeted him, "Look who I found on my way back from the loo."
"Mr. Malfoy," Snape nodded curtly then turned to Hermione, "Ms. Granger, I'm sure you'll agree, 10 points from Gryffidor for being late is sufficient punishment."
Hermione nodded, "quite."
"On your way now Ms. Granger. Potter isn't the brightest candle," Snape told her.
Hermione looked over to see Harry standing over his cauldron looking quite perplexed. Hermione laughed and joined her friend. Draco glanced at her from where he was brewing his potion. Looking over Hermione smiled and Draco returned his attention to the cauldron in front of him quickly. She felt a sense of safety. As if Malfoy being there would protect her. She knew this feeling. Harry and Ron gave her that feeling of security. But who'd have ever thought Malfoy would make her feel safe?
His presence, the smell of his freshly pressed clothes. They filled her with comfort as he sat with her in the Prefect's common room going over Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts homework. The two worked late into the night. Coffee was conjured at some time which aided them in their all-nighter.
During the wee hours of the morning Draco awoke to Hermione Granger asleep beside him. She slept soundly against his shoulder. Checking the time Draco realized it was only an hour to the Quidditch match. Deciding to let her sleep longer he quietly slipped from her and out of the room.
Hermione had made her way to the Quidditch pitch after awakening. She walked groggily and groaned as her ears were assaulted by the screams of fans. Gryffindor vs. Slytherin was always a big draw. It was a rivalry unlike any other. People came out in droves to watch from every house.
Hermione settled in next to Lavender and Parvati. Colin Creevey sat a few seats away.
As the players came out Hermione looked for Draco. Sitting upon his broom he looked for her as Madam Hooch bellowed for a clean match. He had spotted her. The two locked eyes for a moment before the whistle blew.
The two teams were tied an hour into the game. Draco searched the pitch for the Golden Snitch. "Crabbe!" Draco yelled as he zoomed past him, "wake up and do your bloody job!" Potter seemed to have seen the snitch. Draco willed his broom to go faster, he needed to catch up to Potter.
A well aimed bludger came hurtling through the air knocking Harry's broom off course. Draco had caught up and came to an abrupt halt as Harry spun toward him. Just missing Draco, he could hear Harry cursing as he tried to regain control of his broom. This put a smile on Draco's face. He looked up toward Crabbe to praise him when he saw him swing back his arm and send another bludger flying through the air. Straight at Granger.
"Crabbe!" Draco cursed him. Flying past Goyle he relived him of his bat. Damn it, he thought. He pressed himself to his broom to go faster.
Lavender and Parvati let out a pair of screams to challenge a banshee's. Hermione shut her eyes and held her arms in front of her face shielding herself from the bludger. There was a flash. No doubt Colin Creevey taking a picture of my demise. She could only imagine the caption to go underneath in bold lettering, Hermione Granger's last moment's of life.When she felt no pain she peaked from behind her arms. It was a sight to see.
"Cor Hermione," Parvati marveled up at the scene in front of her.
"It's true isn't it? About you two," Lavendar asked.
Up in the air not only was Ron Weasley and Harry Potter yelling at Crabbe, but so was Malfoy. He looked absolutely terrifying.
"What?" Hermione asked a little confused.
"You should have seen him," Parvati said, "he came out of nowhere!"
"Saved your life!" Lavender added.
"Ron?" Hermione asked.
"No!" the two yelled in unison, "Malfoy!"
The rest of the game Hermione was torn between wanting Slytherin to win and Gryffindor. On one hand it was her own house. On the other Malfoy – Draco really wanted this and she felt he maybe – did deserve this.
When Slytherin won but 100 points ahead Hermione cheered. It had been a close match, a good match. It was a well deserved win whichever side one. Both teams had played well.
"Rubbish, it's because they had more time to practice," Ron said trying to convince everyone that Slytherin hadn't won by fair odds. It was the morning after and Ron was still going on about it. Harry had taken defeat gracefully and Hermione had thanked the stars for that.
"Ronald you had equal amounts of practice," Hermione pointed out.
"Still rubbish," he huffed.
The three friends made their way to the east wing. Ron and Harry left for Herbology while Hermione left for Charms class. Ron complained the entire time. Hermione was glad to be rid of him as she entered the Charms class room. Hermione sighed as she put her things down. A flyer in Parvati's hand that her and Lavender were looking at grabbed her attention. "What's this?" she asked taking the flyer from Parvati. Creevey, Hermione sighed as she read the article. I'm going to have to have a chat with him and Luna.
"I'll take that," Malfoy plucked the flyer from her hand. "Complete rubbish, gossip will melt your brain," Draco winked at the three girls. Parvati and Lavender nodded and giggled. He had and armful of flyers as did Blaise who gave her a quick smile. "Going to burn them all," Blaise told her and he took another flyer Neville had gotten a hold of.
"Now class, sit down, sit down" Professor Flitwick said as he entered the room.
Hermoine's attention flickered to the window. It was clear, but not sunny. A gray colour lingered with the promise of rain showers. A piece of paper hit her head. Looking over in the direction it came from she saw Malfoy motioning and mouthing 'open it'. She smiled and reached down between her and Parvati's chairs.
Opening the ball she saw it was blank. She shot him a look and he started writing on his parchment. Looking at the parchment in front of her she saw the words 'I need help with Charms' appear on her paper.
'Same time, same place?' she wrote back.
'I'll bring the coffee'
'I'll see you at midnight'
'Oh and Granger, stop trying to steal kisses from me'
Across the room Draco Malfoy could be seen crumpling up a piece of paper with his signature smirk on his face.
Leaving the class room she shared a smile with Draco. "Coffee at midnight," he reminded her as he walked past. She nodded. "Oi! You there!" he went after a boy with a flyer in his hand. Hermione laughed as she watched him go after the boy with the flyer.
So that's it. Review. It could probably be better, I found it rather disappointing, but I sort of wanted to get what I had out there. Hope you liked it. Please tell me what you thought of it. Was it completely absurd? Would you have liked more details? etc. Cheers!