Happy Christmas and New Year! Yeah, I know I'm late, but I've had issues with getting onto the computer and typing up the story. Hope you enjoy! And, who knows? The next chapter may be up in the next few days. You'll just have to add me to your story alerts! Lol.
Love yiz all, Grace.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
All is fair in love and war
a story written by Grace Robin
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Chapter 8 – Living in strange times
Hermione woke up from her sleep well rested. Man, she had enjoyed that day. No pressure from anyone to do something or be something, just a chance for her to be herself with a friend who expected nothing from her.
Hermione knew that she couldn't just sit around for the rest of the day. She had to get up, because breakfast in the Great Hall was starting in less than 10 minutes. As she slowly opened her eyes, she was shocked by what she saw around her. Flowers? What was this? Was her imagination trying to cheer her up? As she tried to imagine some chocolates up so that she had some energy food for the day, she found out she couldn't. "How strange," thought Hermione. She thought she may as well try again, but it still didn't work. Then as she looked around, she saw things that were surrounded by the flowers, but were obviously not hers. Weights, drawers, mirrors, photos and more.
Then it hit her like a bolt of lightning – "THIS IS DRACO MALFOY'S ROOM!" she shouted, then covered her mouth in fear. "Oh no – did I do something horrible and unimaginable with him? Did I have sex last night with my ex-arch enemy? Oh my god; this is not good – not good at all," as she scrambled out of the bed, she quickly rushed out of the room, leaving behind a messy bed and some trod-on flowers.
Once out of the room, she tip-toed down the stairs, being as quiet as possible. She looked around the room and saw a boy sleeping on the couch. She went over to investigate who it was. There, sleep on the couch was Draco. Hermione was about to walk away when something caught her eye – he was only wearing boxers. Before her, she saw the Slytherine sex god, half naked, and his muscles were definitely chiseled. Hermione leaned over to get a better look when without looking where she was stepping, she stepped on an empty bag of potato chips. As the bag crinkled, Hermione tried her best to make her foot make less sound when she took it off the bag, but to no such luck. With haste she began to lightly run up to her room, when the sleeping boy woke up and yelled out "HALT!" Of course, she halted straight away in fear, and as she turned around to look back at the boy, the boy looked back at her.
"Hi," said Hermione.
"Hi," replied Draco.
"Thank you for yesterday,"
"No worries,"
"Hey, I was just wondering, was there any certain reason I was sleeping up in your room?"
"Because you fell asleep half way through the last movie – which I don't blame you for, cos it was pretty boring - and so I had to carry you up to my bed since I couldn't get into your room," Hermione mentally sighed a breathe of relief. Although for some reason, the thought of sleeping with him still stuck in her mind.
"Oh, well, thanks for letting my steal your bed for the night,"
"It's fine. Now, do you feel ready to face the world today and kick Chris' ass?"
"No, not really,"
"Well, look. I'll help you, okay? It'll be alright. And if it gets all too much for you, we can always talk. Are we agreed?"
"Are you sure?"
"Definitely,"
"Absolutely and truely? I can be annoying at times,"
"You don't think I've noticed? And I am sure,"
"Thank you so much. It appears I owe you a lot,"
"Oh, don't worry, I'll find you a way to repay me,"
"Uh oh,"
"You don't trust me?" laughed Draco and Hermione joined in. Without conscious thought though, Hermione looked down at her watch and saw what the time was.
"Hey! Breakfast is about to start without us!"
"Oh no it's not – quick – go get changed into your uniform, and we will get down to breakfast in time,"
"You're my stomachs life saver,"
"I know, now get your ass up to your room and change," and so she did. Thirty seconds later she was back down the stairs, and there waiting for her was a fully dressed Draco, looking pretty damn good, even if he did have to wear uniform. Although, not as good as how he looked less than five minutes earlier.
As Hermione and Draco entered the Great Hall, all eyes were on them. No one had ever seen them stand together and not fight. There had been rumors had they were becoming friends, but not a single person in the school believed that rumor except for Ginny. Not even Harry and Ron believed. As the couple walked into the room, people kept their gaze on the two. Even more so when they both sat together at the Griffindor table. People wouldn't stop starring. What was this? Were these two tricking them? Of course, the answer was no. As Draco and Hermione started forking food onto their plates, Ron couldn't take it anymore.
"What the bloody hell is going on? Malfoy, get away from Hermione, and us as well! What do you think you are doing? And why don't you girls seem to care at all that he's sitting with us?"
"Oh Ron, get over it. They are the two Head's of the school. And they have head stuff they need to take care of. Right Hermione?"
"Wha? Oh, yeah, of course, duh. Why else would I let this toad near me?"
"Fine, but if I see him even lay a finger on you, I will have to kill him,"
"Oh, your afraid that I'll steal your one true love away from you? Gosh, and I thought you had a girlfriend," when Maddy, who was sitting next to Ron heard this, she stood up, slapped Ron across the face and walked off to her friends.
"Thanks a lot Hermione – now I've lost my girlfriend because of your 'need to talk to Malfoy'. Don't you think you could have left your chat till tonight in the Head's common room?" spat Ron with such anger boiling up within him that his face and ears began turning beetroot red. Then he too stood up and walked after Maddy, trying to apologies while still keeping his pride.
"Well, that was fun," state Harry sarcastically. "So, now Malfoy, I think this is your cue to leave,"
"Sorry Potter, I can't; McGonagall is watching," and Draco pointed to where the fore-told teacher was staring with eyes wide open at the shock of two head's of school actually wanting to be near each other for the first time in years.
"Fine, then I'm off. Sorry girls, but I can't stand being around Voldemort's next right hand man," and Harry stood, remembering to take his plate of half finished food with him, and sat next to Neville, who was trying to turn his water into red cordial unsuccessfully.
A short while later, after conversation and enjoying their food, Draco spoke up.
"Mademoiselle Hermione, I must now escort you to our next class. Au revoir mademoiselle Ginny, and a bientôt,"
"What? What does 'A bientôt' mean?"
"'see you soon',"
"Ahh, got it. See yiz later!"
"Let's go," and that's how their morning began.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
After a morning of classes sitting next to each other, Hermione and Draco made their way down to lunch. Over the past few hours it appeared that Ron and Harry refused to speak to Hermione. Also, people couldn't stop staring at the couple, just like at breakfast. And to top it all off, all the teachers they had for classes that morning told the two of them that they had to see Dumbledore because obviously there must be something psychologically wrong with them. This just made Hermione laugh. Was it really that strange for them to be hanging out? Who was she kidding – of course it was. But she and Malfoy were friends now. And the best part of the morning so far was when Hermione was feeling upset about her mother just before their first class ended, Draco used his magic to create a invisible box of chocolates for her, with a small deep red rose sitting on top of the it.
Once the twosome were back in the hall for lunch, trouble came towards them.
"Draco, please get away from my girlfriend. I've been told that you've been clinging to her like a lion to his food,"
"Get it through your head Scheldein – you ain't her boyfriend no more,"
"Oh, and what? You are?"
"No, but I'm here to protect her from scum like you,"
"Wow, Malfoy; fancy you protecting my girlfriend. No wonder why everyone thinks your sick or something – have you checked your temperature recently?"
"Chris, stop. I dumped you, okay? Get over your fat ass self, because you ain't getting me back. I've raised my standards,"
"Oh poor little Hermione. You must be sick as well! Don't worry, I've lowered my standards just enough to be with you,"
"Ouch, that was a great line to use when your trying to get back the girl you want," mumbled Draco.
"What did you just say fool?"
"Why, nothing Scheldein; although I think Hermione has something to say to you," and as soon as Chris was facing Hermione, he received firstly, a punch in the nose; secondly, a slap across the cheek; and thirdly, a kick in the balls – basically what happened to Draco a few weeks earlier, but with more damage. With as much venom in her voice as she could muster, Hermione spat out:
"Well, for you Chris, your love making standards have definitely gone down the tube – pity you never got a go at shagging someone, cos you'll never be able to again. And now, I bid you goodbye forever, because I never want to see your bastard face again," and as Hermione and Draco walked away, all Chris could get out through his pain, was:
"Oh, you will see my face again, and be mine – whether you like it or not,"
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
It had been over a month, and no matter how hard Hermione tried, she couldn't stop thinking of her mother's death. All she wanted to do was get past the horrible ordeal. But now her mind had other ideas – she wanted revenge. "Oh, I will get Voldemort one day – and he will pay."
Besides this, life continued on as normal for the rest of the school. Although, the school winter dance was only a few days away, and both Hermione and Draco still didn't have dates. Over the past few weeks they had been madly preparing the dance, taking over Prefect duties so that they could 'pay' the prefects to help them set up decorations, organising menus with house elves, setting up different live bands to come and play, and much more.
They had also be spending time on another project – their secret meetings at the Night Club. Draco felt himself falling more and more in love every day and week that went by, but every Saturday night the love and lust in his heart consumed him and his thoughts while dancing with this girl who went by the name Hermione.
Hermione still only knew very basics about this guy she had been dancing with – his name (or at least the name he used), that he went to Hogwarts, and that he was a seventh year. Hermione had tried on many occasions to learn more about the guy she thought about all week long, but he would never say more. Funnier still, she had never met a guy in her grade at Hogwarts with the name Zach, except for Zach Ficklestein, who whenever he saw Hermione, couldn't utter a word he was so in love with Hermione. She had thought for a little while it might be him, but it didn't seem right – her Zach was cool, had grace, and certainly wasn't afraid to speak to her. As her and Zach's meetings became more numerous, Hermione couldn't keep her thoughts off of him, even in class. It was as if he was a disease that rotted out her brain.
As Hermione and Draco sat quietly in front of the fireplace in their common room, a question lept from Hermione's lips.
"Hey Draco,"
"Yes Granger?"
"Have you ever heard of a Zach in our grade, who wasn't Zach Ficklestein?"
"Sorry, I can't say I have,"
"Oh, well, thanks anyway,"
"Hey Hermione,"
"Yes Malfoy?"
"Why do you want to know about a 'Zach'? Ooooooo! Does the great Hermione Granger have a crush on someone?"
"Erk, no. Besides, it's none of your business,"
"Come on man, your business is my business now-a-days. I mean, who have you been going to recently to spill out your thoughts to, or get advice from?"
"Hello? Is there a brain in there? This is girl stuff – the kind of stuff I would talk to Ginny about, and certainly not you. Knowing you, your probably going to talk to him, even though you say you don't know of him, or spread around the school what I would say about him,"
"Oh get over it Hermione. We are friends now. So tell me about Zach,"
"Okay, as long as you promise you will never tell anyone what I am about to say,"
"Yeah, whatever," said Draco impatiently; he wanted to hear what Hermione thought about his second half.
"Well, where do I start? He's charming, funny, an amazingly good dancer, and has great hair," "Yay! She likes my hair! If only she knew how much I work on my hair just for her," thought Draco.
"What else?"
"This is where it gets awkward," stated Hermione, the awkwardness obvious in her voice.
"Oh, just spit it out; you know you want to,"
"Fine. I think I love him, okay? Or maybe I just lust after him – but I can't stop thinking about him at all. It must be that twinkle in his eye – it's as if he loves me too – or maybe he just wants me, you know, like..."
"Yeah, I understand,"
"And I don't know what to do; he's just so hansom. I wish I knew what he fully looked like though," Draco was so ecstatic – the girl he loved, loved him back. But she didn't love him – no, she loved this mysterious man, who had never been mean or cruel to her.
"Where did you meet this guy? And why don't you know what he looks like?"
"Well, you see, the Three Broomsticks has a teen night club every Saturday night, and you have to wear a mask, to make it fair for everyone to get a date for the night,"
"That sounds like fun,"
"You should come sometime – I have a feeling that you and Zach could be good friends – your so alike. Except I think it might be weird to dance with you like I dance with Zach; you know, after all we've been through," and there were the heart crushing words themselves. Oh, how he wished he could turn back the conversation so that he would never have to hear what she just said. How it hurt his weak heart. He had never really loved anyone before – only his mother. He had never really loved his friends, or even any of the girls he had been 'associated' with. But Hermione was different – he definitely loved her.
He had decided on that a few weeks earlier. How could it possibly not be love when you would willingly give up anything for a person, even if it's your life? How could it not be love when you thought of only them, all day, all night. How could it not be love if when you were near them, your heart beat faster and faster until you were afraid you were going to have a heart attack? How could it not be love if you only ever wanted to stay with this person, holding them forever, till point of death?
"Yo Draco, you still here? I just spilt out my heart to you, and you just go silent. How's that meant to make a girl think? I knew this would be too awkward to talk about,"
"Wha? Oh, look. Do you want some advice?"
"YES! ANYTHING!"
"Tell him how you feel – then ask him how he feels,"
"But I hardly know the guy. I've only ever danced with him, and he won't tell me anything about his life for some reason. I just wish I knew him better,"
"Believe me, you know him very well," mumbled Draco to himself.
"What?"
"Never mind. Hey, to take your mind of this whole Zach problem, do you want to go to the dance with me on Saturday night?"
"Your asking me out? Wow. Hey, this is just as friends, right?"
"Yeah, sure,"
"Okay, then lets do it," and so they were agreed, and saved for each other to dance with.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
As the days grew longer and longer with winter leaping upon them sooner then they would have liked, Hogwarts began to prepare for the winter dance coming up in several hours time. The dance was scheduled for 6:30 – 11:30pm, and an extra hour for 6th and 7th years. When Hermione woke up that Friday morning and looked at her clock, she groaned when she saw the time.
"10:30????? Great, that's just great. I couldn't get to sleep till 4:40 this morning because of that stupid Zach, and now I'm late for class. Wait a sec – of course! I forgot; Dumbledore gave prefects and heads the day off today to set up decorations for the dance. Oh crap – we were meant to meet at 9! I hope Draco started without me, otherwise we are never going to be finished in time!"
Quickly, Hermione changed into skinny black jeans and a cute little t-shirt, and then walked off towards the Great Hall. But as she walked along the long empty corridors that filled her school, thoughts from last night that kept her awake came floating back to her, and refused to leave. Thoughts about her and Draco's friendship. Draco had been treating Hermione really rather kindly over the past term. And Hermione really wasn't sure why. Maybe it was a very late (or early) New Year's revolution? Whatever it was, there seemed like there must be something more happening in their relationship than Hermione would like to admit. Ever since Draco had asked her to the dance, he had been very happy and estatic around Hogwarts, freaking out many of the Slytherines and Grythindors alike. And with this joy came a thought into Hermione's brain – did Draco Lucius Malfoy like Hermione Anne Granger as more than a friend? They had agreed their 'date' was just as a friend to friend event. But it seemed like so much more.
Hermione had also been thinking of her own reaction to Draco's request. Since then she had been singing whenever she was alone (which was a good thing since she wasn't a very good singer), and bringing Draco up in many of her conversations with Ginny. Hermione also suspected that Ginny thought that Hermione liked Draco. But how could she like that man? She had loathed him for years and years, yet now she was like best buddies with him.
And what about Zach? Hermione felt as though she loved the man, yet she knew nothing about him. And Hermione could not put herself through liking two men at the same time – again. If only she knew more about this Zach person. Then she could stop thinking about ego-head Draco.
"Erk, brain overload. Need to get to Great Hall and work for the dance tonight. Plus figure out an excuse for sleeping in," thought Hermione, and she pushed away all thoughts that did not include excuses of lateness.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Please review me or add me to your story alerts! Don't feel pressured 2, but I would love it if you would! Peace out till next time, Grace.