One Last Kiss: Chapter 12
Disclaimer: Anything sane that has been read in this fiction belongs to, non other than the great author who created the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling. Anything off from the real series belongs to non other than the peculiar mind of mine.
Thank you so much who read and also who read and reviewed chapter 11! I'm glad you all loved it! Thank you! I hope you didn't wait too long for this chapter!
Cheers!
DH********
Draco left his bag by his door and removed his tie and shirt and let it fall to the floor. He reached into the pocket of his trousers and took out his ring that Hermione gave him back earlier. Indeed he was feeling strongly for the Gryffindor. Like what his mother had told him, the color of the ring had changed. When he gave it before to Hermione, its color was dull and it looked just like a plain old ring. Now, it looked as if it was polished. It looked rather new. Draco walked over to his bed and lay down. He stretched his arms to his front, still looking at the ring. Some of his hair falling to the side of his head, he remembered the incident at the library. He brought his left hand down and rested the back of his hand on his lips. He remembered Hermione's kiss. It hadn't changed. The way she kissed him, it was just like before. More specifically, the first time she had kissed him back. Draco closed his eyes, letting his right hand fall to his side.
Leave me alone, rang Hermione's voice in his head.
"She hates me that much she agreed to that stupid game," said Draco to himself. He sat up when he heard footsteps coming up the stairs. He knew it was Hermione. He knew the sound of her door when it opened and closed. They pretended for so long, he even noticed the littlest of things.
Draco slid the ring back on his ring finger and moved it around with his thumb. So now, he was going to leave Hermione Granger alone. Alright then.
Meanwhile Hermione was in her bedroom, in the same position as Draco's. She lay down on her bed, the back of her left hand on her lips, her right hand on her stomach. However, she was not as accepting as Draco seemed to be. She was confused, angry and frustrated. Confused on why Draco would decide on such a game, angry at herself for agreeing and kissing him back and frustrated that she liked and missed it. Kissing him back and liking the kiss wasn't part of her vow to herself to not get involved with anyone unless she was sure of her own feelings. Hermione sat up. She let her head fall to her hands. But he promised to leaver her alone, right? Hermione sat upright again. Could she trust him with such a promise? Would she really want him to leave her alone? Of course, I would. What kind of stupid question is that? Hermione answered herself. Alright, of course she would want him to leave her alone. She'd think straight and better if he isn't there to bug her.
choose Hermione Granger over you, came Draco's voice in her head. What did he mean by that? Why would he say such a thing in front of a lot of people? His reputation was just getting back on track. Well, actually, their reputation of hating each other and that revelation, was, of course, a big shock to the students. Hermione shook her head violently. No. No. She should not entertain such thoughts. This is Draco Malfoy we're talking about. A sly Slytherin. He's got things under his sleeve. Intentions and agendas that only he can come up with. Hermione shook her head again. No. No. No. Don't mind that, even if it involved her name.
That night, the two slept, trying to brush off the other from their thoughts.
DH********
Draco kept his promise to Hermione that he will leave her alone. Hermione seemed peaceful and relaxed since Draco stopped keeping his eyes on her. Sometimes Hermione would sneak a glance at him, just to check if he wasn't looking at her and she would find herself silly when she saw Draco looking to his front, at the teacher. In classes where they sat together, they barely talked. Well, Draco didn't actually talk or try to start a conversation. He just kept quiet and minded his own business. He'd just write down notes or look at the teacher, listening intently. Again, Hermione would steal a glance at him just to check if he is keeping his promise, and he is.
In classes, when they really needed to interact, Hermione would actually be the one to ask him a question and Draco would just give her a one or two word answer. It quite frustrated Hermione, thinking he was doing it on purpose and making her look like she was the one who was trying so hard to start a conversation but she thought it'd be better to just leave it. What was the point of asking him to leave her alone if she would just get frustrated that he wasn't even trying to talk to her, let alone, breathe the same air as she is.
But there was one incident, at Potions, where Hermione started to think if he really was just keeping his promise or if Draco's old ways were, indeed, back. They were required to brew the Oblivious Unction and of course, Draco and Hermione were paired together. Draco, while chopping some fluxweed in very fine slices injured himself, accidentally cutting his left thumb. Hermione noticed this while Draco wiped the blood on his robes. On instinct, she stopped what she was doing and took hold of Draco's left hand. She checked his injured thumb but he politely pulled back his hand and muttered "It's fine," under his breath and continued to work on the potion.
Hermione realised what she just did, and to avoid thinking that it was a stupid gesture, she cleared her throat and continued to work on the potion as well. But no matter how hard she didn't want to worry about Draco, she was. The ingredients of the potion involved wolfsbane and if it's extract would ever get onto a cut through the skin, it could be deadly. And with all of Hermione's might, she told herself not to bother about Draco and to brush off her mind the thought of extracting the juices of Draco's wolfsbane for him. Hermione did her mise en place of ingredients hurriedly but carefully. To hell with how stupid or desperate she would look, she couldn't let Draco touch the wolfsbane with a cut on his thumb. She was stirring her potion thrice in clockwise and seven times anti-clockwise when she saw Draco reach for his wolfsbane.
"Let me do it," muttered Hermione as she quickly placed her hand over Draco's. "It's dangerous for you to cut wolfsbane with a cut on your thumb."
Draco looked at Hermione and removed his hand from under hers. "I'm fine. I'll get sent to the Hospital Wing when matters get worse," he said and took the wolfsbane from his kit.
Hermione tried to snatch it away from him but Draco accidentally squeezed it in his hand while keeping her away and some of the juices came out and was all over his hand.
"What seems to be the matter over here?" Snape noticed when he saw Hermione reaching over and under Draco's arm. "Mr. Malfoy? Ms. Granger?"
Draco and Hermione looked at each other. Draco, annoyed at the sudden attention from Snape because of Hermione. He placed the wolfsbane on the table, and squeezed his left thumb with his forefinger to stop the juices from seeping into the cut on his thumb. They both looked at Snape while the whole class fell silent-er than silent and looked at them.
"I cut myself while slicing the fluxweed," answered Draco, "professor."
"I-I tried to stop him from cutting the wolfsbane because of the cut on his thumb," Hermione said when Snape looked at her.
Snape looked at Draco's hand. It was quite a deep cut and Draco was already flinching. He looked at Hermione who was looking on, waiting for what he would say. She was genuinely worried about Draco. Snape summoned a small vial of brandy and had Draco drink it. "Ms. Granger, see to it that Mr. Malfoy arrives safely at the Hospital Wing," said Snape, squeezing Draco's thumb to let out the blood that was contaminated by the juice of the wolfsbane. Draco was about to protest when the Potions Master raised a hand. "You may both return tonight to start over with your potion. Now go."
Draco sighed in annoyance as he started for the door, Hermione trailing behind him. They both heard Snape tell the others to resume with their work after Hermione closed the door. Hermione had to jog to catch up to Draco since he walked briskly. He was still squeezing his thumb.
"How-," Hermione hesitated, "how's your thumb?"
"It's fine," answered Draco, still walking hurriedly.
"Are you feeling any numbness?"
"No."
"Why wouldn't you just let me cu-"
"Hermione, if this is your idea of small talk, forget about it," Draco interrupted as they turned the last corner on their way to the Hospital Wing. It was just in the middle of the corridor. "Don't force yourself."
Hermione didn't answer back. Perhaps Draco was just worried about a possible poisoning from the wolfsbane juices that's why he's quite touchy. He opened the door and let Hermione in first. She noticed that he looked quite tired and pale. Just as he was about to close the door behind him, Draco fell to the ground. Hermione quickly knelt down beside him and helped him up.
"Madam Pomfrey! Help!" Hermione shouted as she led Draco to the nearest bed. She lay him down and removed the pillow, knowing that the poisoned person should lie flat on his or her back. "Madam Pomfrey!" Hermione called out again. She was holding Draco's left hand squeezing it hard. Seconds later, Madam Pomfrey appeared. "He's-he's thumb... The-the wolfsbane..." Hermione tried to explain but her voice was shaking and she was shaking too much to let words properly come out her mouth.
Madam Pomfrey quickly tended to Draco while Hermione, on the verge of tears, sat on the stool beside the bed and tried to explain to her what happened. She pointed her wand at his thumb and whispered an incantation which drew out the poison from his bloodstream. Slowly, colour came back to Draco's face as the last drop of the poison was sucked out and she sealed the cut on his thumb. He was still unconscious but his breathing was almost back to normal. Madam Pomfrey summoned a metal bowl with water and ice and a cloth.
"Ms. Granger, would you be so kind as to wipe Mr. Malfoy's head and chest with this," said Madam Pomfrey, handing the cloth to Hermione, "but make sure that his extremities are kept warm. I'll have to get something."
Hermione nodded and Madam Pomfrey assured her that Draco's life was out of danger. She sat beside him on the bed, dampened the cloth and started to wipe his head and face. His cheeks turned a little pink because of the coldness of the cloth. She placed the towel in the bowl and undid Draco's tie, folding it neatly on the table. She made sure the blanket covered Draco's extremities, tucking it properly to his sides. She unbuttoned Draco's shirt. Hermione got the cloth again, dampened it and wiped Draco's chest. Her heart was still racing from thinking that he was in grave danger, but as she felt his breathing and heartbeat while she gently placed her cold hand on his chest, Hermione's heartbeat mellowed down. She removed the towel from his chest, placed it in the bowl and buttoned up his shirt. Hermione brushed to his side, Draco's hair that was on his forehead. It's been weeks since she felt the smoothness of Draco's skin in her hands. She squeezed out the excess water and placed the towel on Draco's forehead. Hermione was about to move and sit on the stool again when she felt Draco's hand on her wrist.
"Stay," Draco managed to whisper, but his voice was still weak. "Just here." He weakly pulled on her hand.
Hermione didn't even think twice and sat back down. For minutes, she sat there quietly, constantly glancing at Draco who still had his eyes closed. She wondered if he was asleep or if he was just resting his eyes. Choosing to believe he was asleep, Hermione tried to move to the stool again, but again, Draco caught her hand and peeked through the towel.
"Uh... I-I was just going to move closer," said Hermione and moved up a little towards the head of the bed. She took hold of Draco's hand and positioned his arm over her lap to make room for her to sit down. She noticed he was wearing the watch she gave him as a Christmas present. She looked at Draco and saw that he had his eyes closed again. Hermione blushed a little and her heart raced again as Draco moved his arm to a more comfortable position. They had been close before, particularly snogging, but Hermione liked these times when they were just together, doing nothing but still feeling contented. One that she liked the most was under the tree near the lake. She dampened the towel again and replaced it on Draco's forehead.
"Don't worry," Hermione heard Draco say as she made herself comfortable. "I'll leave you alone after this." Hermione was surprised when she heard this and was about to ask Draco why but Madam Pomfrey entered from her office.
"So sorry, it took awhile dear. I received an owl from my sister," Madam Pomfrey apologised as she set the bottle of brandy and the spoon on the table. "I see Mr. Malfoy's feeling quite better, but I'm truly sorry Ms. Granger. I do need to talk to Professor Dumbledore." That was when Hermione noticed that she was not wearing her apron. "You'll need to give a tablespoon of brandy to Mr. Malfoy every half hour until seven o' clock in the evening just to make sure that the symptoms are all gone," she explained, looking intently at the young Gryffindor. "If I'm not back after an hour, a substitute for me will come by." And without even letting Hermione say a word, she was out the door.
Hermione looked at the door, the bottle of brandy then to Draco. She looked at the watch she gave Draco and saw it was just half past four. She removed the towel from his forehead and placed it back in the bowl.
"You can go," said Draco as he opened his eyes. "I can manage." He tried to sit up but his arms were still quite weak and couldn't support his body. He held onto Hermione's shoulders and she helped him sit up.
"No. Professor Snape and Madam Pomfrey left you to me so you'll be a good boy and drink this brandy," said Hermione while she poured some of the brandy on the spoon and led it to Draco's mouth. "Ah." Hermione opened her mouth, like what she did with Blaine when she had to make him drink medicine.
"Would it be possible if I asked you to use your mouth?" Draco managed to say while Hermione waited for him to open his mouth. He smirked seeing her surprised reaction.
Hermione blushed furiously. "N-no, of course not," she said, looking away from Draco. "Just drink it, please," she pleaded. Draco opened his mouth and Hermione led the spoon to him. She placed the spoon on the table and helped Draco get comfortable on the bed, making sure to avoid meeting his eyes. She got a pillow from the other bed and placed it behind Draco so he wouldn't have to sit up every thirty minutes to drink the brandy.
Draco closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of the liquor run through his body. His left hand was now on Hermione's lap, she casually placed it there to avoid sitting on his hand.
They were both quiet, not knowing what to say. Well, Hermione didn't really know what to say, Draco merely kept quiet. She had asked him to leave her alone and she thought maybe that was why Draco wasn't saying anything. He also said earlier that he will leave her alone after this. Hermione wanted to try small talk again but she was afraid she might het coldly turned down again like her earlier attempt. So the two sat there, for the next two hours, not talking. They would only interact when Draco needed to drink the brandy. Hermione glanced at Draco. He had his eyes closed. She smiled that his face was more calm now and that the brandy gave him that pinkish color. Well of course, he was on his fourth dose of the brandy already. Unconsciously, she reached out her hand and touched his face, causing Draco's eyes to flutter open.
Feeling a wee bit tipsy from the brandy, since he wasn't used to drinking it, Draco placed his hand over Hermione's which was on his cheek. "Hermione, do you believe the saying 'drunken words are spoken with a sober heart?" Draco asked, looking in Hermione's eyes. He felt Hermione tense up as she shook her head.
"I-I think the liquor's getting to you, Draco," said Hermione, trying to take back her hand but Draco held it tightly but gently.
"Hermione Granger?" It was Madam Pomfrey's temporary replacement. The two looked at the younger, female healer. "Professor Snape has asked for you."
Hermione looked at Draco and stood up. "I'll-I'll come back," she whispered to Draco and walked up to the healer. "It's his last dose of the brandy by seven in the evening according to Madame Pomfrey," said Hermione and with a last glance at Draco, she went out the Hospital Wing.
He's playing with me again, Hermione thought, even when his life was in danger hours before, he managed to joke about such an act. Hermione walked to the dungeons hurriedly. That's right, she never returned to class, to even pack up her things. She knocked on the door and entered. Snape was sitting in his chair behind his desk and motioned Hermione to come forward.
"Ms. Granger, as it is the weekend tomorrow, you and Mr. Malfoy will just recreate the Oblivious Unction tomorrow since Madam Pomfrey informed me that he would be quite out of it tonight," Snape said as soon as Hermione reached the chair of the front table. Hermione nodded and looked at her and Draco's table. Snape noticed. "Mr. Malfoy's kit and yours were taken by Ms. Brown and Mr. Weasley, including your bags."
"Th-thank you, Professor Snape. I'll go ahead," said Hermione and went out the classroom. She walked towards the Great Hall, sure that her friends were at dinner and sure enough, she was right.
"Hermione! How's Malfoy?" Lavender saw her first.
"He's fine now, although it was really close earlier," answered Hermione while she looked for their bags between Ron, Harry and Lavender. She grabbed her bag and Draco's. "I'll talk to you later!" said Hermione as she went out the Great Hall.
She saw Louise on her way out of the Great Hall. She rolled her eyes at Hermione when she saw the Gryffindor. Hermione sighed and continued on her way.
She remembered the words Draco spoke to her. The words, after weeks of one or two word interaction, that made her heart race again. But it always seemed that Draco enjoyed seeing her surprised and caught off guard which made it hard for her to read his true intentions. At one point, he seemed serious and then joking on the next. However, no matter how she found it annoying that he enjoyed teasing her, Hermione couldn't bring herself to hate him again. But she did like being close to Draco, knowing the different expressions he so guardedly hides from others, knowing the softer side he covers with his cold front. She liked how his attention made her feel nervous and good at the same time. She liked being the one closest to him.
Hermione arrived in the Hospital Wing right after Draco had drank his last dose of brandy. He looked even redder than before. She saw Madam Pomfrey's replacement holding the bottle of brandy and a cup and she noticed that the amount of brandy was lower than she expected for a last dose. Hermione dropped their bags on the floor and sat beside Draco on the bed. He was redder but he looked calm. She went to Madam Pomfrey's office where the replacement was cleaning up.
"Uh... Ma'am, how much brandy did you give Draco for his last dose?" Hermione asked politely.
The nurse stopped what she was doing and looked at Hermione. "Oh, a quarter of a cup, dear," she answered. "The young man insisted it was only a tablespoon full but Madam Pomfrey ordered the last dose to a quarter of a cup, the last minute." The nurse resumed her tidying and let Hermione let herself out but before the Gryffindor was out the door, she told her, "The young man can be discharged now."
Hermione went back to Draco. She touched his face with both her hands. It was hot. He looked as red as Ron's hair. "Can you handle yourself, Draco?" Hermione asked. "You can be discharged. Do you want to stay her or in the dormitory?"
Draco looked at Hermione and smiled. "Dormitory," he answered, his words were quite slurred.
"Do you think you can walk?" Hermione asked again. With a nod, Draco sat up properly and tried to stand up but he was quite wobbly. Hermione quickly stood up and put his arms over her shoulders while she put her hand on his waist. "Are you sure? You can just stay here. I'll stay with you," said Hermione but Draco shook his head.
"I want to stay in the dormitory, Hermione. With you," said Draco and he walked towards their bag, pulling Hermione with him. "Thank you, Madam Pomfrey!" he called out to the nurse as he bent down and carried both bags.
Glad it was dinner time, Hermione led Draco to the stairs. Two more flights and they would be in the dormitory. Draco could carry himself, indeed, he only needed a little support so Hermione didn't have a hard time with him at all. They were, again, both quiet on their way to the dormitory. They finally reached the corridor where their dormitory was. When they reached the portrait, Draco said the password and they went in. Hermione assisted him up the stairs and to his room. He left their bags on the floor and kicked the door close as he was led by Hermione to his bed.
Hermione laid Draco in his bed, trying to hide her face, but her arms gave in and she accicentally toppled on top of Draco.
"You smell wonderful," whispered Draco when Hermione pushed herself up and they were face to face.
Draco brought his hand from his side to the side of Hermione's neck then her cheek. Hermione turned scarlet again. How many times will Draco make her blush and unsteady in one day? Hermione muttered a silent thank you and pushed herself away from the bed and from Draco, ready to stand up.
"Are you going to be-"
But Hermione didn't get to finish her question because Draco grabbed her hand and now, she was the one under him. He brushed away her hair that was covering her eyes and let his hand travel from her head to her cheek then to her neck. "Hermione, do you know how hard it is to miss someone so close to you but asked you to stay away?" Draco asked, playing with Hermione's hair. "Do you know how hard it is to have her sit next to you but you cannot even hold her or tell her what you want to say?"
Hermione was sure Draco could hear and feel how hard her heart was beating in their closeness. His words just now, he was referring to her, wasn't he? Hermione didn't want to assume or expect, knowing that Draco likes teasing her, but how could she not? Was Draco telling her his feelings? His real feelings towards her? He saw him closing in on her. She was nervous that he would kiss her. Would she kiss him back again? Did she want him to kiss her? Or worse, is he planning to attack her again? Her breathing became shallow as their faces became closer. But the only part of Draco's face that made contact with her was his cheek, although his lips were quite near her ear.
"I miss you, Hermione," Draco whispered. Hermione felt him close his eyes. "I'm not drunk. I know what I'm saying," he told her when he felt Hermione's hands move in an attempt to push him, "and I promise not to do anything to you. I promised to leave you alone, Hermione, but before you push me away again I just want to stay here, tonight. Like this. With you."
Hermione was speechless. Was this a confession? Or was this just another attempt to tease her? She moved her hand again, to try to push him off since Draco became quite heavy and she wanted him to look at her and into her eyes when he answers the questions that were running in her head. "Draco," said Hermione, putting her hands on his waists. She moved her head away from Draco's to try to look at his face. He had his eyes closed and seemed like he fell asleep. Hermione felt foolish. He was drunk. Of course he would be saying such stupid things. Drunken words are spoken with a sober heart. Hermione wriggled under Draco to break herself free. He was already tipsy when he said that, Hermione thought as she gently pushed Draco to her side. Half of his body now lay on his stomach and he was facing Hermione. She looked at him. I just wish you wouldn't trouble my feelings anymore. It's hard enough to like you already, you stupid git. Hermione moved again and finally, only her left arm was under Draco. She gently sat up and planned to leave Draco to a good night's sleep but he caught her arm and pulled him to her. Her head now rested on his arm and held her close.
Draco wrapped his arms around Hermione, her face to his neck. "Please, Hermione. Just for tonight," he whispered. Hermione looked up at him as he looked down at her. "Just like this," he said with a smile. For a moment, Hermione looked like she thought about it and nodded.
I don't really want him to stay away anymore, Hermione thought, seeing the brightness that came in Draco's eyes. She looked down and placed her arm over his waist. Draco puller her closer to him and she felt him rest his cheek on her forehead. I just want to be close. Hermione made herself comfortable in the arms of Draco and closed her eyes. Just like this.
The two fell asleep minutes later, especially when today's events made Hermione realize how it made her tired, emotionally, particularly when she was worried about Draco earlier. They held each other that night, as they drifted off to the most peaceful slumber they had in weeks.
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