Disclaimer: Do re mi fa so la ti do! I don't own these people, you know.
The belong to JKR, but I wish I had her car...
**NOTE! I just want to say, that Lucius being a little kid wasn't my idea! This belongs fully to Ezmerelda! Read her story "A Dragon Reborn." It's AWESOME... although I don't particularly like the ending... but I'm not leaking! Lol. Read it!**
Last time on LGG:
"This room, the drawing room, and my room downstairs are the only ones with TVs. Mum doesn't watch it, and Lucius really only likes cartoons and his video games... so I put them in the rooms I use," Draco explained and Hermione smiled.
"So you have your room, your sleeping room, your bathroom, and your TV room?" she asked and he laughed.
"Sort of, but this is more like my sanctuary room. I put all the cool stuff I figured out how to install in here." Hermione looked around. There was nothing out of the ordinary. A bed, dresser, desk, closet, and her bags on the floor. She turned to him.
"Like what?" He smiled widely.
"I was hoping you might ask that."
~*~*~*~
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO: Fun House Mirrors
"I do NOT like the way you said that," she said, laughing and Draco shook his shoulders.
"It's cool, promise. You can use this stuff whenever you want to; look, see this button?" He asked, pointing to a red button on the wall, covered in a plastic guard.
"Yeah..." she said suspiciously.
"I'll show you what it does if you get up; otherwise, it's going to seriously hurt me," Draco said and Hermione sat up quickly, moving as far away from the button as she could without getting off the bed.
"You know, you're scaring me a little," she said and he laughed, getting off the bed and standing, then opening the plastic box.
"Ready?" he asked, finger an inch from the surface. Hermione swallowed.
"I guess," she said, bracing herself, and Draco smirked as he pressed it. Instantly, a large chunk of the wall above the bed sucked in and slid down, exposing a control board of some sort, with dozens of buttons. Hermione's mouth dropped.
"You'll like this," Draco assured her, getting back on the bed, kneeling in front of the board. He turned to look at Hermione. "Come here, it won't bite; promise," he said and she narrowed her eyes slightly, crawling up next to him. Draco smirked and pushed the first button on the top row, labeled BAR. She only had a moment to try and figure out the acronym before a buzz from somewhere else in the room startled her. Hermione turned to face it, and watched as a section of the floor fell away and a mini-bar ascended in its place. The look on her face showed that she was surprised. Draco smirked, but didn't say anything before pushing the next button.
This continued for quite some time. While Hermione watched, Draco pushed every button, and things popped out of walls, fell from the ceiling, sprung from the floor. Everything from an aquatic fish tank to a ceiling suspended stereo system. With everything out, the room was terribly cluttered, but amazing.
"Last one," Draco said and Hermione turned her eyes to him for the first time since the bar had appeared. He raised his eyebrows once and pushed the last button: MRS. Now that she knew was an acronym, or an abbreviation. With that same mechanic buzz, every inch of the room fell away, displaying mirrors. Everywhere. Mirrored walls, ceiling, and floor. Everywhere she looked, Hermione was greeted with her reflection.
"Ugh, I don't like that one," she said, closing her eyes. Draco looked at her curiously as he began to push all the buttons again, in quicker succession, causing everything to become hidden again. That is, everything except the mirrors. When the buzzing stopped, Hermione opened her eyes, thinking everything would be back to normal, but was disappointed. It was even worse now; there were no accents to hide her. Her reflection was visible from everywhere. She turned to Draco, who was looking angelic in the reflected light from the windows. "What about the mirrors?" she asked dryly and he turned around, sitting with his back against the wall just below the controls.
"I'm not quite ready to take them down yet," he explained and Hermione smiled as convincingly as she could.
"And why is that?"
"I want to know why you don't like them," he said bluntly and Hermione looked away from his face, turning to look at the bed; the only non- reflective surface left in the room.
"It's not that I don't think it's nice... if I were a ghost, I'd love them." Draco raised an eyebrow.
"And why is that? They'd be no fun if you didn't have a reflection," he said and Hermione shook her head.
"That's the only problem I have with them," she said and he looked shocked.
"What? You're beautiful, Hermione," he said softly, moving close, but Hermione laughed.
"Yeah..." she said disbelievingly and Draco was literally shocked. How could she NOT think herself attractive?
"No, really, Hermione... you are," he said, bringing a hand to turn her chin toward him. "I've told you so before, haven't I?" Hermione smiled, laughing softly.
"About ten seconds before you screwed me, but only because you're good at spontaneous compliments. If you'd said 'Nothing, I was just wondering where I could find a paper bag,' I probably would have gotten pissed off," she said quietly, eyes closed gently and Draco shook his head.
"You're being ridiculous," he said and she shook her head.
"You don't have to try and make me feel better, Draco. I know I'm nowhere near as pretty as the girls you're used to. I've accepted that."
"Wow, Mya. Your self-image is so far off... it's scary," he said and she turned her head slightly, then took a small breath.
"Can we not talk about this anymore?" she asked, pleadingly, and Draco looked blankly at her.
"Only if I can leave up the mirrors," he said and she let her breath go.
"Fine," Hermione agreed and slid down on the bed, opening her eyes and staring at herself in the ceiling. She watched impassively as Draco moved toward her, lying on his side, facing her. "Tell me more about your father," she suggested and Draco smiled, moving a hand to rest on her stomach. Hermione blinked slowly, but didn't otherwise acknowledge it.
"He's not as stupid as he looks, for one thing. He knows everything he used to, except all the dark magic stuff. Everything Voldemort approved of just sort of... disappeared. That is, except the muggle-hating thing. According to the doctors, he's a grown man trapped in the body of a five-year-old, trapped in the body of a grown man. He has the common sense and maturity of a toddler, but everything else is the same. As far as I know, he still sleeps with my mother. He's not as innocent as he looks... which is why I got so upset when he was looking at you. He knew exactly what he was doing," Draco said, glaring a little at nothing. Hermione took a deep breath.
"And I did that," she said. It was a statement, not a question. "Show me a sane man, and I'll cure him for you."
"Oh no, we are not getting into that again. You saw him, Hermione. He's definitely happier... and Osric likes him better, and I definitely do... Mother is a little short-tempered at his immaturity, but she likes it. He makes her laugh sometimes. He never used to make her laugh. Never once, that I can remember. She told me that it's like she gets to have me back, as a child. When I was younger, I hardly ever saw her, much less played with her or anything. She wanted it, too. She wanted to be my Mum, and he wouldn't let her. Now she gets to be his Mum." Hermione smiled unintentionally.
"That sounds nice," she said dreamily and Draco smirked.
"It is," he said and Hermione turned to him briefly, then turned back to the ceiling.
"Do you really think I'm pretty?" she asked quietly and Draco propped himself up on his elbow.
"I do, but that word doesn't really do you justice," Hermione smiled. "I thought you didn't want to talk about it anymore?" She shrugged.
"It's less uncomfortable than talking about your father," she said and Draco smiled, then leaned close to softly kiss her lips.
"Speaking of which, I should probably..." he started to say, but was interrupted by that long bell-tone. "Mother?" There was a sigh from the other end.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, dear, but your father refuses to go to sleep without seeing you. Could you, perhaps, come... tuck him in, for lack of better words?" Draco laughed.
"Of course, Mother. I was actually just thinking about going to check on him."
"Thank you dear. I'll see you in a moment," said the bodiless voice of Narcissa, and the tone went off again.
"Like I was saying," Draco said, turning back to Hermione. "I should go see my father." He swiftly rolled over her, and directly onto the floor, quite ungracefully. Hermione laughed. "Well... that didn't have the effect I expected," he said and she patted his head.
"It's okay, Drakey. You tried." Draco smirked and got up, brushing himself off. Then, Hermione frowned slightly. "Will you come back?" He paused and smiled.
"Sure."
~*~*~*~
"You wished to see me, Father?" Draco said as he knocked on the door to his parents' bedroom. His mother was standing outside in her nightgown, arms crossed and looking annoyed.
"Draco!" called an excited voice from within and Draco sighed, opening the door.
"Father," he said professionally, looking at Lucius in his bed, wearing fire-truck pajamas. The older man made a face.
"Dra-co! Why do ya always gotta talk to me like I'm a... teacher or something?" Draco looked to the heavens and shook his head. "Where's Hermione?" Lucius asked sadly and Draco set his jaw, blinking hard.
"Mother only requested me to come, Father. Hermione is upstairs."
"Oh," Lucius said, but didn't look at all happy. Draco sighed.
"Did you want something?" Lucius shrugged his shoulders.
"Just to say goodnight, I guess. Can I have a hug?" With another sigh, Draco stepped into the room and embraced his father, who hugged him much too tightly before letting go.
"I shall see you tomorrow, Father," he said, stepping backward, and Lucius nodded, grinning.
"Goodnight, Draco. Say goodnight to Hermione for me," Lucius said before flopping down in bed, hugging a teddy bear close. Draco shook his head and turned around, walking back into the hall and closing the door. He stood, staring blankly ahead, and let out his slight anger in a breath.
"You noticed too, hm?" asked a female voice from beside him and Draco turned to see his mother, looking sadly at the floor.
"Mum..." he started and she shook her head. "I'm sorry, Mum... I don't like it either; for more reasons than one. Maybe I should never have brought her here."
"No, Draco, it's not your fault, baby. And it doesn't matter that she's here..." she said and sighed. "It happens all the fucking time. I just don't see, what the hell is wrong with me... I can't even please a five- year-old little boy. It's pathetic."
"Mum..." Narcissa shook her head again.
"I'm sorry, baby. I'm just tired, is all," she said with a sigh and stepped toward him, kissing his cheek. "Goodnight, love."
"Night, Mum," Draco said and watched his mother enter the room he'd just left. He shook his head. "What is this whole 'I am the most unattractive being still breathing' attitude everyone has all of a sudden?" he asked no one, heading for the nearest portal to return to Hermione.
When he entered, she was lightly sleeping, lying on the bed with the TV on, tuned to some sort of black-and-white movie. The mirrors were still up, much to his surprise. She knew how to take them down... but she didn't. Maybe she believed what he'd said. He had been telling the truth, after all. Draco smiled spontaneously at her and turned back around, going next door to change.
When he returned a second time, she was awake again, sitting up, still watching that movie... but now, she was crying and hugging her knees. Draco approached cautiously.
"Hermione?" he asked softly and she jumped.
"Ah! Holy shit, Draco... don't sneak up on me like that..." she scolded, then laughed, placing a hand to her chest as she regained her breath before wiping her eyes.
"Sorry," he said smiling guiltily as he climbed back up onto the bed. "What's wrong?"
"Have you seen this movie?" she asked, which Draco thought was totally off subject. He looked up at the TV.
"Yeah... why?"
"Don't you think it's sad?" Hermione asked, looking at him as if he were insane, and Draco nodded.
"I guess, a little... what does it have to do with anything?"
"A little! It's tragic! He's going to die, and she's going to be stuck all alone with that baby... and they were so in love, and..." Hermione started listing, then broke into tears again.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa... you're bawling because the MOVIE is SAD?" Hermione laughed.
"Shut up," she said, wiping her eyes again. "I happen to be a romantic, okay?" Draco laughed, shaking his head and Hermione smacked him. "I thought I told you to shut up!"
"Sorry, sorry..." he said, lying back. Hermione smirked at him for a moment, then assumed her position, head on his stomach while she laid across the width of the bed. "Ow!" he said as her head came into contact a little too roughly. Hermione smirked.
"Sorry, sorry..." she mocked and he sent her a glare. Hermione laughed, then lifted her head, swiping her arm under and letting her hair flare out around her before she rested herself comfortably, watching the movie again. Draco let out a labored breath and moved his hand into her hair, combing through it lightly. Hermione smiled and took his other hand, which was lying alone on the bed, placing it on her stomach, fingers entwined with hers. Draco smiled to himself and turned his head to the side, watching with her.
He fell asleep in no time.
"Draco?" Hermione whispered as the ending credits appeared on the screen. He'd stopped combing her hair long ago, and his breathing was slow... plus he hadn't moved in over an hour. "Draco?" she asked again, but, for the second time, got no response. Then, Hermione turned her head. Sure enough, Draco was sleeping, looking perfect and immaculate, as always. The epitome of the devil in disguise. She sighed contentedly.
After a few more moments of observation, Hermione sat up and turned around, shutting off the TV and bathing the room in darkness. She spun to lay normally and cuddled up to Draco. They were both above the covers, but she didn't want to wake him up just for that. It was warm; they'd be fine.
A meow woke Hermione just before she fell asleep. She opened her eyes just in time to see two black nothings jump up on the bed and cuddle up to Draco's other side. She smiled at them. At least they were getting along. Draco shifted slightly in his sleep and Hermione squeezed him closer, closing her eyes again, and feeling Draco's arm lift over her head and pull her into him. Wearing a large smile, she was finally allowed to sleep.
~*~*~*~
"WHAT are you WEARING?" Draco asked in amazement as Hermione came back into the room. He woke alone, in her bed, and knew she'd slept with him... he could smell her sweet aroma on the pillowcases... Hermione looked down at herself, then back up again.
"Clothes?" She was wearing a magenta/pink tank top with a large sunflower decal on the front, and a short, jean colored skit, displaying her delicious legs.
"Yeah, but..." he shook his head, taking in everything from the pink bandana on her head, bangles on her wrist, to the matching, pink, strappy, high-heeled sandals.
"What? Too happy for you?" she asked with a smirk, but Draco just shook his head, disbelievingly. "Does it make me look too much like a girl? Because you know, technically, I am one." Again, he said nothing and she sighed, dropping her shoulders. "Look, I don't like it any more than you do, okay?" Draco gave her a 'let-me-get-this-straight' look.
"Then why are you wearing it?"
"Because your mother thinks I'm a freak, and I want to make a good impression... even if I blew the first one," she said quietly and Draco quirked an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"Yesterday, at the train station... before she even knew you knew me, she just gave this... look, like 'how disgraceful'... and I really don't want it again, is all. It's not THAT bad, is it?" she asked worriedly, looking down and Draco shook his head.
"No... good, actually... it's just... not you," he said and Hermione smiled.
"Exactly the look I was trying for," she said and he laughed softly.
"I'm surprised you even OWN stuff like that." Hermione shook her shoulders and pulled her wand from a charmed pocket.
"This is what this shirt looked like when I bought it, three years ago," she stated, then flicked her wand at herself. "This is what this shirt looked like when I wore it, last week." The pink shirt had changed, of course, to black and the sunflower was replaced by a large white skull and crossbones. Draco nodded in understanding, then sighed deeply.
"So, what's on the agenda for today?" Hermione shrugged and switched back to pink.
"How should I know; you're the host here, remember?" Draco shrugged. "Although, first off, I need to talk to you about something," she said, sitting gently on the bed. Draco frowned; that usually wasn't good.
"Yes...?"
"I think we should put Osric on The List," she said and Draco smiled.
"Hell. Yeah," he said, each word a sentence and Hermione smiled at him, then took a breath.
"And take Lucius off." Draco stopped everything.
"What? Are you insane?" She shrugged.
"Never really been tested..."
"Take Lucius off The List? After what he pulled yesterday? No way in hell; in fact, I vote we get him double."
"Draco, I just don't think it's fair... I mean, I feel sorry for the poor guy... I don't feel right about manipulating someone who has naptimes and begs his wife for a cookie before dinner," she said quietly and Draco tried to look stern.
"No."
"Draco..."
"If we keep Lucius, I'll let you put Snape back on." Hermione's eyes lit up.
"Deal," she said without question.
~*~*~*~
"Do you like tennis?" Draco asked as they walked through the corridors, trying to think of something they could possible occupy themselves doing. Hermione shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't know how to play," she said sadly, running her fingers over the brightly lit stone of the wall.
"Horseshoes?" She shook her head, holding out her wrists.
"Carpal tunnel." Draco sighed.
"Croquet?"
"What?"
"Right... Um, rock wall?" Hermione froze and closed her eyes.
"No," she said bluntly and Draco looked curious for a moment, then he smirked.
"Are you afraid of heights?" he asked suspiciously and Hermione opened her eyes and looked at him.
"No, of course not."
"Yes you are, you're afraid of heights," Draco said, laughing amusedly. Hermione crossed her arms.
"So what," she asked, eyes narrowed slightly. Draco, smiling widely, shook his head and held out a hand to stop her from walking. He fished his wand from his pocket and muttered an incantation, which was followed by a bell tone much like the one Narcissa's calls had been announced by, but of a slightly lower key.
"Yes, Draco?" said the bodiless voice of Narcissa Malfoy, and Hermione turned back to inspecting the stone, still listening, but bored of always watching Draco talk to the ceiling.
"Mother, I'm taking Hermione into town." Now she was interested. Hermione turned her eyes to him again, and saw the smirk on his face. She knew immediately that she was in trouble.
"That's fine, dear. Will you be back before dinner?" asked Narcissa and Draco thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"Nah, don't count on it, Mum."
"Alright, love. Have fun, and be careful; stay together," she reminded him and Draco rolled his eyes.
"Of course, Mother. Bye," he said and flicked his wand, causing the tone to sound again.
"Into town, hm? What if I don't want to go into town?"
"Then you can stay here... with Osric," Draco suggested with a slight aura of iciness and Hermione's smile dropped.
"I was just kidding, Draco. Why so high strung?" He sighed a little and shrugged.
"Sorry, bad last couple of days, I guess," he said, placing a hand on the small of her back and continuing down the hall. Hermione smirked, and this time brought her arm around him and laid her head on his chest.
"Oh, I don't know... yesterday wasn't so bad." Draco smirked and nodded.
"Yeah, the first half was pretty good," he agreed and Hermione smiled.
"Just pretty good?"
"Yep," he said and she looked up at him curiously. "But there was this span of about three hours that was absolutely amazing." Hermione smiled widely and laid her head back down, letting him lead her out some French doors and into a garden. Draco continued, winding though the maze of bush, until they came to dirt path. In the distance, a tiny village could be seen, not much bigger than Hogsmeade.
A/N: Hehehe... this chapter might be a tad on the boring side... not much happened, really, but I'll make up for it in the next one... promise!! You guys are gonna love this! Or hate it, one of the two! Lol, powerful emotion... gr.... hehe. Until next time! Keep Reviewing!
PRF:
Ezmerelda: I put a disclaimer for your Lucius! I was planning on it when I first introduced him, but I totally forgot! There it is, hehe. I know, Hermione hides her feelings well... ;o)
Silver Dragon Goddess: Lol, thanx. And yes, conflict I have... lol. Conflict I have... I liked last chapter too, but a lot of it was filler. As was this one. Next chappy will ROCK! And the one after isn't bad, either ;o)
Princess: Lol. I know, I warned you. You'll be disappointed with this chapter too if you think not much happened in the last... Lol. They watch a movie, then go for a walk. Woo hoo...
KittyKat589: They'll get revenge, I promise... but yes, I agree, they are going a tad soft. But, believe me, it's only toward each other... and maybe one other person, but I won't give that away just yet... You'll see.
MoshiMoshiQueen: I update at least once a week! Are you kidding? Lol. I've NEVER waited that long on Guilly! Flames, yes... but not Guilly! Lol. Or MPES, except b/w chapter 1 and 2... but that's understandable. Lol. But I'm glad you like it so much ;o) it makes me happy inside.
Erilyn Rose: Yes, it was, but you see... it's like a geometry proof. Sometimes you have to point out the obvious! Lol. And yeah, Draco mustn't have been taught the fine are of the 'white lie.' Lol. But that's good... I guess. Right!
Jellybean: it's totally okay. I understand stuff comes up. No biggie. Thanx for doing it now, though, I appreciate it. Thanx for the applause!
Sleepy-kitty: ::bats eyelashes:: she's in LOVE! Lol. Hardcore, yeah... WAS being the key word. We all know Draco does love her... he's just gotta work up the guts and say it! And, you have it backward. Mya is pronounced My -uh or M-eye-uh (same thing) Mia is pronounced Me-uh. Get it? Lol.
Crystalline Lily: Your childhood dream: to be old and wrinkly. Lol. Yeah, Mya's a little... messed up... but it's all good. She knows what she's doing. And, hey, at least she's got Draco now, right? Right. Sorry Luci wasn't in this chappy... and I'm sorry to say he's not in 23 either... but yes, definitely in 24. He's got a whole big scene in that one. Such a cutie!
Xxhxx: Thanx. I like this and MPES better than Flames. But that's me.
HermSpex44: Thanx! My chapters a pretty uniform. They're always at least ten pages, but no more than thirteen or fourteen. Once I get to fifteen, I try and find an earlier place to stop, then move the excess into the next chapter. I know, I need more darkness... I'll try for that. Hehe. You'll like 24.
Ash: Yeah, that's true. I hate it when that happens... :o(
Little Witch: Lol. Thanx. I have a TV in my room.... O:o)
Bitch with a Sword: Lol, love your penname... thanx 4 reading.
**NOTE! I just want to say, that Lucius being a little kid wasn't my idea! This belongs fully to Ezmerelda! Read her story "A Dragon Reborn." It's AWESOME... although I don't particularly like the ending... but I'm not leaking! Lol. Read it!**
Last time on LGG:
"This room, the drawing room, and my room downstairs are the only ones with TVs. Mum doesn't watch it, and Lucius really only likes cartoons and his video games... so I put them in the rooms I use," Draco explained and Hermione smiled.
"So you have your room, your sleeping room, your bathroom, and your TV room?" she asked and he laughed.
"Sort of, but this is more like my sanctuary room. I put all the cool stuff I figured out how to install in here." Hermione looked around. There was nothing out of the ordinary. A bed, dresser, desk, closet, and her bags on the floor. She turned to him.
"Like what?" He smiled widely.
"I was hoping you might ask that."
~*~*~*~
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO: Fun House Mirrors
"I do NOT like the way you said that," she said, laughing and Draco shook his shoulders.
"It's cool, promise. You can use this stuff whenever you want to; look, see this button?" He asked, pointing to a red button on the wall, covered in a plastic guard.
"Yeah..." she said suspiciously.
"I'll show you what it does if you get up; otherwise, it's going to seriously hurt me," Draco said and Hermione sat up quickly, moving as far away from the button as she could without getting off the bed.
"You know, you're scaring me a little," she said and he laughed, getting off the bed and standing, then opening the plastic box.
"Ready?" he asked, finger an inch from the surface. Hermione swallowed.
"I guess," she said, bracing herself, and Draco smirked as he pressed it. Instantly, a large chunk of the wall above the bed sucked in and slid down, exposing a control board of some sort, with dozens of buttons. Hermione's mouth dropped.
"You'll like this," Draco assured her, getting back on the bed, kneeling in front of the board. He turned to look at Hermione. "Come here, it won't bite; promise," he said and she narrowed her eyes slightly, crawling up next to him. Draco smirked and pushed the first button on the top row, labeled BAR. She only had a moment to try and figure out the acronym before a buzz from somewhere else in the room startled her. Hermione turned to face it, and watched as a section of the floor fell away and a mini-bar ascended in its place. The look on her face showed that she was surprised. Draco smirked, but didn't say anything before pushing the next button.
This continued for quite some time. While Hermione watched, Draco pushed every button, and things popped out of walls, fell from the ceiling, sprung from the floor. Everything from an aquatic fish tank to a ceiling suspended stereo system. With everything out, the room was terribly cluttered, but amazing.
"Last one," Draco said and Hermione turned her eyes to him for the first time since the bar had appeared. He raised his eyebrows once and pushed the last button: MRS. Now that she knew was an acronym, or an abbreviation. With that same mechanic buzz, every inch of the room fell away, displaying mirrors. Everywhere. Mirrored walls, ceiling, and floor. Everywhere she looked, Hermione was greeted with her reflection.
"Ugh, I don't like that one," she said, closing her eyes. Draco looked at her curiously as he began to push all the buttons again, in quicker succession, causing everything to become hidden again. That is, everything except the mirrors. When the buzzing stopped, Hermione opened her eyes, thinking everything would be back to normal, but was disappointed. It was even worse now; there were no accents to hide her. Her reflection was visible from everywhere. She turned to Draco, who was looking angelic in the reflected light from the windows. "What about the mirrors?" she asked dryly and he turned around, sitting with his back against the wall just below the controls.
"I'm not quite ready to take them down yet," he explained and Hermione smiled as convincingly as she could.
"And why is that?"
"I want to know why you don't like them," he said bluntly and Hermione looked away from his face, turning to look at the bed; the only non- reflective surface left in the room.
"It's not that I don't think it's nice... if I were a ghost, I'd love them." Draco raised an eyebrow.
"And why is that? They'd be no fun if you didn't have a reflection," he said and Hermione shook her head.
"That's the only problem I have with them," she said and he looked shocked.
"What? You're beautiful, Hermione," he said softly, moving close, but Hermione laughed.
"Yeah..." she said disbelievingly and Draco was literally shocked. How could she NOT think herself attractive?
"No, really, Hermione... you are," he said, bringing a hand to turn her chin toward him. "I've told you so before, haven't I?" Hermione smiled, laughing softly.
"About ten seconds before you screwed me, but only because you're good at spontaneous compliments. If you'd said 'Nothing, I was just wondering where I could find a paper bag,' I probably would have gotten pissed off," she said quietly, eyes closed gently and Draco shook his head.
"You're being ridiculous," he said and she shook her head.
"You don't have to try and make me feel better, Draco. I know I'm nowhere near as pretty as the girls you're used to. I've accepted that."
"Wow, Mya. Your self-image is so far off... it's scary," he said and she turned her head slightly, then took a small breath.
"Can we not talk about this anymore?" she asked, pleadingly, and Draco looked blankly at her.
"Only if I can leave up the mirrors," he said and she let her breath go.
"Fine," Hermione agreed and slid down on the bed, opening her eyes and staring at herself in the ceiling. She watched impassively as Draco moved toward her, lying on his side, facing her. "Tell me more about your father," she suggested and Draco smiled, moving a hand to rest on her stomach. Hermione blinked slowly, but didn't otherwise acknowledge it.
"He's not as stupid as he looks, for one thing. He knows everything he used to, except all the dark magic stuff. Everything Voldemort approved of just sort of... disappeared. That is, except the muggle-hating thing. According to the doctors, he's a grown man trapped in the body of a five-year-old, trapped in the body of a grown man. He has the common sense and maturity of a toddler, but everything else is the same. As far as I know, he still sleeps with my mother. He's not as innocent as he looks... which is why I got so upset when he was looking at you. He knew exactly what he was doing," Draco said, glaring a little at nothing. Hermione took a deep breath.
"And I did that," she said. It was a statement, not a question. "Show me a sane man, and I'll cure him for you."
"Oh no, we are not getting into that again. You saw him, Hermione. He's definitely happier... and Osric likes him better, and I definitely do... Mother is a little short-tempered at his immaturity, but she likes it. He makes her laugh sometimes. He never used to make her laugh. Never once, that I can remember. She told me that it's like she gets to have me back, as a child. When I was younger, I hardly ever saw her, much less played with her or anything. She wanted it, too. She wanted to be my Mum, and he wouldn't let her. Now she gets to be his Mum." Hermione smiled unintentionally.
"That sounds nice," she said dreamily and Draco smirked.
"It is," he said and Hermione turned to him briefly, then turned back to the ceiling.
"Do you really think I'm pretty?" she asked quietly and Draco propped himself up on his elbow.
"I do, but that word doesn't really do you justice," Hermione smiled. "I thought you didn't want to talk about it anymore?" She shrugged.
"It's less uncomfortable than talking about your father," she said and Draco smiled, then leaned close to softly kiss her lips.
"Speaking of which, I should probably..." he started to say, but was interrupted by that long bell-tone. "Mother?" There was a sigh from the other end.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, dear, but your father refuses to go to sleep without seeing you. Could you, perhaps, come... tuck him in, for lack of better words?" Draco laughed.
"Of course, Mother. I was actually just thinking about going to check on him."
"Thank you dear. I'll see you in a moment," said the bodiless voice of Narcissa, and the tone went off again.
"Like I was saying," Draco said, turning back to Hermione. "I should go see my father." He swiftly rolled over her, and directly onto the floor, quite ungracefully. Hermione laughed. "Well... that didn't have the effect I expected," he said and she patted his head.
"It's okay, Drakey. You tried." Draco smirked and got up, brushing himself off. Then, Hermione frowned slightly. "Will you come back?" He paused and smiled.
"Sure."
~*~*~*~
"You wished to see me, Father?" Draco said as he knocked on the door to his parents' bedroom. His mother was standing outside in her nightgown, arms crossed and looking annoyed.
"Draco!" called an excited voice from within and Draco sighed, opening the door.
"Father," he said professionally, looking at Lucius in his bed, wearing fire-truck pajamas. The older man made a face.
"Dra-co! Why do ya always gotta talk to me like I'm a... teacher or something?" Draco looked to the heavens and shook his head. "Where's Hermione?" Lucius asked sadly and Draco set his jaw, blinking hard.
"Mother only requested me to come, Father. Hermione is upstairs."
"Oh," Lucius said, but didn't look at all happy. Draco sighed.
"Did you want something?" Lucius shrugged his shoulders.
"Just to say goodnight, I guess. Can I have a hug?" With another sigh, Draco stepped into the room and embraced his father, who hugged him much too tightly before letting go.
"I shall see you tomorrow, Father," he said, stepping backward, and Lucius nodded, grinning.
"Goodnight, Draco. Say goodnight to Hermione for me," Lucius said before flopping down in bed, hugging a teddy bear close. Draco shook his head and turned around, walking back into the hall and closing the door. He stood, staring blankly ahead, and let out his slight anger in a breath.
"You noticed too, hm?" asked a female voice from beside him and Draco turned to see his mother, looking sadly at the floor.
"Mum..." he started and she shook her head. "I'm sorry, Mum... I don't like it either; for more reasons than one. Maybe I should never have brought her here."
"No, Draco, it's not your fault, baby. And it doesn't matter that she's here..." she said and sighed. "It happens all the fucking time. I just don't see, what the hell is wrong with me... I can't even please a five- year-old little boy. It's pathetic."
"Mum..." Narcissa shook her head again.
"I'm sorry, baby. I'm just tired, is all," she said with a sigh and stepped toward him, kissing his cheek. "Goodnight, love."
"Night, Mum," Draco said and watched his mother enter the room he'd just left. He shook his head. "What is this whole 'I am the most unattractive being still breathing' attitude everyone has all of a sudden?" he asked no one, heading for the nearest portal to return to Hermione.
When he entered, she was lightly sleeping, lying on the bed with the TV on, tuned to some sort of black-and-white movie. The mirrors were still up, much to his surprise. She knew how to take them down... but she didn't. Maybe she believed what he'd said. He had been telling the truth, after all. Draco smiled spontaneously at her and turned back around, going next door to change.
When he returned a second time, she was awake again, sitting up, still watching that movie... but now, she was crying and hugging her knees. Draco approached cautiously.
"Hermione?" he asked softly and she jumped.
"Ah! Holy shit, Draco... don't sneak up on me like that..." she scolded, then laughed, placing a hand to her chest as she regained her breath before wiping her eyes.
"Sorry," he said smiling guiltily as he climbed back up onto the bed. "What's wrong?"
"Have you seen this movie?" she asked, which Draco thought was totally off subject. He looked up at the TV.
"Yeah... why?"
"Don't you think it's sad?" Hermione asked, looking at him as if he were insane, and Draco nodded.
"I guess, a little... what does it have to do with anything?"
"A little! It's tragic! He's going to die, and she's going to be stuck all alone with that baby... and they were so in love, and..." Hermione started listing, then broke into tears again.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa... you're bawling because the MOVIE is SAD?" Hermione laughed.
"Shut up," she said, wiping her eyes again. "I happen to be a romantic, okay?" Draco laughed, shaking his head and Hermione smacked him. "I thought I told you to shut up!"
"Sorry, sorry..." he said, lying back. Hermione smirked at him for a moment, then assumed her position, head on his stomach while she laid across the width of the bed. "Ow!" he said as her head came into contact a little too roughly. Hermione smirked.
"Sorry, sorry..." she mocked and he sent her a glare. Hermione laughed, then lifted her head, swiping her arm under and letting her hair flare out around her before she rested herself comfortably, watching the movie again. Draco let out a labored breath and moved his hand into her hair, combing through it lightly. Hermione smiled and took his other hand, which was lying alone on the bed, placing it on her stomach, fingers entwined with hers. Draco smiled to himself and turned his head to the side, watching with her.
He fell asleep in no time.
"Draco?" Hermione whispered as the ending credits appeared on the screen. He'd stopped combing her hair long ago, and his breathing was slow... plus he hadn't moved in over an hour. "Draco?" she asked again, but, for the second time, got no response. Then, Hermione turned her head. Sure enough, Draco was sleeping, looking perfect and immaculate, as always. The epitome of the devil in disguise. She sighed contentedly.
After a few more moments of observation, Hermione sat up and turned around, shutting off the TV and bathing the room in darkness. She spun to lay normally and cuddled up to Draco. They were both above the covers, but she didn't want to wake him up just for that. It was warm; they'd be fine.
A meow woke Hermione just before she fell asleep. She opened her eyes just in time to see two black nothings jump up on the bed and cuddle up to Draco's other side. She smiled at them. At least they were getting along. Draco shifted slightly in his sleep and Hermione squeezed him closer, closing her eyes again, and feeling Draco's arm lift over her head and pull her into him. Wearing a large smile, she was finally allowed to sleep.
~*~*~*~
"WHAT are you WEARING?" Draco asked in amazement as Hermione came back into the room. He woke alone, in her bed, and knew she'd slept with him... he could smell her sweet aroma on the pillowcases... Hermione looked down at herself, then back up again.
"Clothes?" She was wearing a magenta/pink tank top with a large sunflower decal on the front, and a short, jean colored skit, displaying her delicious legs.
"Yeah, but..." he shook his head, taking in everything from the pink bandana on her head, bangles on her wrist, to the matching, pink, strappy, high-heeled sandals.
"What? Too happy for you?" she asked with a smirk, but Draco just shook his head, disbelievingly. "Does it make me look too much like a girl? Because you know, technically, I am one." Again, he said nothing and she sighed, dropping her shoulders. "Look, I don't like it any more than you do, okay?" Draco gave her a 'let-me-get-this-straight' look.
"Then why are you wearing it?"
"Because your mother thinks I'm a freak, and I want to make a good impression... even if I blew the first one," she said quietly and Draco quirked an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"Yesterday, at the train station... before she even knew you knew me, she just gave this... look, like 'how disgraceful'... and I really don't want it again, is all. It's not THAT bad, is it?" she asked worriedly, looking down and Draco shook his head.
"No... good, actually... it's just... not you," he said and Hermione smiled.
"Exactly the look I was trying for," she said and he laughed softly.
"I'm surprised you even OWN stuff like that." Hermione shook her shoulders and pulled her wand from a charmed pocket.
"This is what this shirt looked like when I bought it, three years ago," she stated, then flicked her wand at herself. "This is what this shirt looked like when I wore it, last week." The pink shirt had changed, of course, to black and the sunflower was replaced by a large white skull and crossbones. Draco nodded in understanding, then sighed deeply.
"So, what's on the agenda for today?" Hermione shrugged and switched back to pink.
"How should I know; you're the host here, remember?" Draco shrugged. "Although, first off, I need to talk to you about something," she said, sitting gently on the bed. Draco frowned; that usually wasn't good.
"Yes...?"
"I think we should put Osric on The List," she said and Draco smiled.
"Hell. Yeah," he said, each word a sentence and Hermione smiled at him, then took a breath.
"And take Lucius off." Draco stopped everything.
"What? Are you insane?" She shrugged.
"Never really been tested..."
"Take Lucius off The List? After what he pulled yesterday? No way in hell; in fact, I vote we get him double."
"Draco, I just don't think it's fair... I mean, I feel sorry for the poor guy... I don't feel right about manipulating someone who has naptimes and begs his wife for a cookie before dinner," she said quietly and Draco tried to look stern.
"No."
"Draco..."
"If we keep Lucius, I'll let you put Snape back on." Hermione's eyes lit up.
"Deal," she said without question.
~*~*~*~
"Do you like tennis?" Draco asked as they walked through the corridors, trying to think of something they could possible occupy themselves doing. Hermione shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't know how to play," she said sadly, running her fingers over the brightly lit stone of the wall.
"Horseshoes?" She shook her head, holding out her wrists.
"Carpal tunnel." Draco sighed.
"Croquet?"
"What?"
"Right... Um, rock wall?" Hermione froze and closed her eyes.
"No," she said bluntly and Draco looked curious for a moment, then he smirked.
"Are you afraid of heights?" he asked suspiciously and Hermione opened her eyes and looked at him.
"No, of course not."
"Yes you are, you're afraid of heights," Draco said, laughing amusedly. Hermione crossed her arms.
"So what," she asked, eyes narrowed slightly. Draco, smiling widely, shook his head and held out a hand to stop her from walking. He fished his wand from his pocket and muttered an incantation, which was followed by a bell tone much like the one Narcissa's calls had been announced by, but of a slightly lower key.
"Yes, Draco?" said the bodiless voice of Narcissa Malfoy, and Hermione turned back to inspecting the stone, still listening, but bored of always watching Draco talk to the ceiling.
"Mother, I'm taking Hermione into town." Now she was interested. Hermione turned her eyes to him again, and saw the smirk on his face. She knew immediately that she was in trouble.
"That's fine, dear. Will you be back before dinner?" asked Narcissa and Draco thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"Nah, don't count on it, Mum."
"Alright, love. Have fun, and be careful; stay together," she reminded him and Draco rolled his eyes.
"Of course, Mother. Bye," he said and flicked his wand, causing the tone to sound again.
"Into town, hm? What if I don't want to go into town?"
"Then you can stay here... with Osric," Draco suggested with a slight aura of iciness and Hermione's smile dropped.
"I was just kidding, Draco. Why so high strung?" He sighed a little and shrugged.
"Sorry, bad last couple of days, I guess," he said, placing a hand on the small of her back and continuing down the hall. Hermione smirked, and this time brought her arm around him and laid her head on his chest.
"Oh, I don't know... yesterday wasn't so bad." Draco smirked and nodded.
"Yeah, the first half was pretty good," he agreed and Hermione smiled.
"Just pretty good?"
"Yep," he said and she looked up at him curiously. "But there was this span of about three hours that was absolutely amazing." Hermione smiled widely and laid her head back down, letting him lead her out some French doors and into a garden. Draco continued, winding though the maze of bush, until they came to dirt path. In the distance, a tiny village could be seen, not much bigger than Hogsmeade.
A/N: Hehehe... this chapter might be a tad on the boring side... not much happened, really, but I'll make up for it in the next one... promise!! You guys are gonna love this! Or hate it, one of the two! Lol, powerful emotion... gr.... hehe. Until next time! Keep Reviewing!
PRF:
Ezmerelda: I put a disclaimer for your Lucius! I was planning on it when I first introduced him, but I totally forgot! There it is, hehe. I know, Hermione hides her feelings well... ;o)
Silver Dragon Goddess: Lol, thanx. And yes, conflict I have... lol. Conflict I have... I liked last chapter too, but a lot of it was filler. As was this one. Next chappy will ROCK! And the one after isn't bad, either ;o)
Princess: Lol. I know, I warned you. You'll be disappointed with this chapter too if you think not much happened in the last... Lol. They watch a movie, then go for a walk. Woo hoo...
KittyKat589: They'll get revenge, I promise... but yes, I agree, they are going a tad soft. But, believe me, it's only toward each other... and maybe one other person, but I won't give that away just yet... You'll see.
MoshiMoshiQueen: I update at least once a week! Are you kidding? Lol. I've NEVER waited that long on Guilly! Flames, yes... but not Guilly! Lol. Or MPES, except b/w chapter 1 and 2... but that's understandable. Lol. But I'm glad you like it so much ;o) it makes me happy inside.
Erilyn Rose: Yes, it was, but you see... it's like a geometry proof. Sometimes you have to point out the obvious! Lol. And yeah, Draco mustn't have been taught the fine are of the 'white lie.' Lol. But that's good... I guess. Right!
Jellybean: it's totally okay. I understand stuff comes up. No biggie. Thanx for doing it now, though, I appreciate it. Thanx for the applause!
Sleepy-kitty: ::bats eyelashes:: she's in LOVE! Lol. Hardcore, yeah... WAS being the key word. We all know Draco does love her... he's just gotta work up the guts and say it! And, you have it backward. Mya is pronounced My -uh or M-eye-uh (same thing) Mia is pronounced Me-uh. Get it? Lol.
Crystalline Lily: Your childhood dream: to be old and wrinkly. Lol. Yeah, Mya's a little... messed up... but it's all good. She knows what she's doing. And, hey, at least she's got Draco now, right? Right. Sorry Luci wasn't in this chappy... and I'm sorry to say he's not in 23 either... but yes, definitely in 24. He's got a whole big scene in that one. Such a cutie!
Xxhxx: Thanx. I like this and MPES better than Flames. But that's me.
HermSpex44: Thanx! My chapters a pretty uniform. They're always at least ten pages, but no more than thirteen or fourteen. Once I get to fifteen, I try and find an earlier place to stop, then move the excess into the next chapter. I know, I need more darkness... I'll try for that. Hehe. You'll like 24.
Ash: Yeah, that's true. I hate it when that happens... :o(
Little Witch: Lol. Thanx. I have a TV in my room.... O:o)
Bitch with a Sword: Lol, love your penname... thanx 4 reading.