"Something's wrong."
Harry looked at his friend. "I know what you mean."
"It doesn't seem to be a potion though. You don't think she actually-"
"Of course not. This is Hermione. There has to be something else going on."
Ron nodded, looking as though he were running through the various possibilities in his head.
"I've talked to Ginny about it," Harry said, "Maybe, since they're both girls-"
"She'll be more open about it? That makes sense. That's smart, Harry."
Harry flashed his friend a smile, "Thanks."
Of course it was smart. Harry was actually quite proud of himself for coming up with such a genius plan. If Ginny could talk to Hermione, then maybe they'd be able to figure out what was actually going on here. Because one thing was absolutely certain to Harry: Hermione was not doing this of her own volition.
Harry and Ron were not the only ones concerned for their friend. Not that Pansy would ever consider Draco a friend. But still. It was out of character. And she was getting damn sick of it.
"Just what the fuck do you think you're doing?"
Draco glanced up from his book lazily, confirming the owner of the voice to be Pansy, and then returned his attention to his book. "Reading. Obviously."
She glared at him, "You know that's not what I mean."
"Fuck off, Pansy." He said, not bothering to look up this time.
She crossed her arms, "Don't think you can keep this up forever. People are talking."
"Let them talk, then."
"I didn't think you'd ever stoop this low just to get a daily shag-"
At this he closed his book, and stood up, "If anything, it's a step up from usual. I'm going to my room."
She side stepped, so as to block him, "A step up? Have you gone mental? She's a mud-"
He grabbed Pansy by the collar, pulling her so that she was forced onto her tiptoes, "Finish that word. I dare you."
Pansy's eyes widened in shock, before she shook his arm away, her feet falling flatly on the floor once again. "You can't seriously…" she shook her head, her eyes filled solely with anger now, "Do whatever you want." She spat nastily, storming away.
"Always do."
…
Trying to move the insane amount of flowers that dwarfed the common room was no easy task. But at least now Hermione had a few people on her side. And by a 'few people,' she meant all the girls of Gryffindor. And as word began to spread, all the girls, in all the houses, ever. With the exception of Lavender and Ginny, of course.
But for the most part, people were now fawning over her and Draco. Which was a good thing. At least, Hermione thought it was a good thing. It beat the constant questions and harassment, that's for sure. Well, actually, that wasn't right. There was even more of that happening now, but at least it was in a positive light. And positivity was a good thing. At least, Hermione hoped.
Although, according to the excited squeals that now surrounded Hermione, all the Gryffindor males were just so annoyed with Draco now.
"Why's that?" she asked, cocking her head at the third year.
"Well my boyfriend is all mad, you know, because I keep talking about what happened. He's not the only one either. All of our boyfriends are getting all pissy because none of us will stop mentioning Draco. I'd kill to have my boyfriend send me just one flower." The girl giggled.
"Ah." Hermione said simply.
"I can't get over it all! It was so sweet!"
Hermione offered the best fake smile she could manage, "The sweetest."
"Is he a good kisser?" one girl asked from behind.
"Um," Hermione turned around, trying to find words, "Y-Yeah I guess?"
More squealing was heard. "Hermione you have to tell us absolutely everything!"
Hermione knew she had to make a run for it right now, or they'd never let her go. "Actually, I should get going, breakfast-"
"Oh we'll go with you!"
"You can tell us all about him at breakfast!"
Hermione stared at the girls before her, most of which were still in their pajamas. "Um," she smiled weakly, "How about I wait for you there? I'm terribly famished."
They agreed, and Hermione rushed out of the common room. If all she was going to have were two minutes to herself then she'd make use of them. Maybe if she dashed down fast enough she'd find a small corner of a table where she could hide behind other people and she wouldn't be found by the girls. But she didn't find that very likely. Hermione sighed. All she wanted was to see Draco already.
Really, she couldn't wait. She wanted to tell him everything. Especially the way Lavender looked when it happened. But she'd have to hold all that in until she got to free period.
When she entered the dining hall, she was surprised to find Luna at the Gryffindor table once again. Not that she minded. Hermione smiled, sitting down across from her.
"Good morning Luna."
"Good morning." She smiled back kindly.
"You don't have to keep sitting here, you know. I'm sure the Ravenclaws miss you."
Luna shrugged, flipping through a Quibbler. "I don't mind."
"Hermione." She heard a strict voice from behind her. When she looked over, she realized it to be Ginny.
"Good morning Ginny." Luna chirped, taking a bite of food as she read.
Ginny nodded, "Luna." Then turning to Hermione, "It's time we end this."
Hermione released a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding, as her face broke into a large grin, "Agreed. It's about time we put everything behind us-"
"Look. I know my friend is still in there. Hermione. Please tell me what's going on."
Hermione blinked, swallowing her words bitterly. She should have guessed it wasn't going to be this easy. "What is so hard to understand? I know he's done things-"
"Not just things Hermione, the man is vile. Pure and simple. Please," she reached for Hermione's hands, holding them in her own, near the verge of tears, "He's not making you do things against your will is he? Hermione whatever it is, we can help you, we can-"
Hermione shook out of her hold, her face falling flat, "Nothing I'm doing is against my will. I don't understand why you can't support me instead of being-"
"Support you? Did he slip you something? Have you forgotten what he's done?"
"I know perfectly well what he's done and what he's capable of. He's a better person now."
"Everyone deserves a second chance." Luna added, smiling at the girls.
Ginny ignored her though, focusing her attention on Hermione. "I guess maybe I'm wrong."
"What?"
With a grimace locked on her face, she stood up, "You're not my friend. The Hermione Granger I know would never do something like this."
Hermione closed her fists, grabbing Ginny's arm as she began walk away. She was getting tired of all of this. She wanted her friends back. "Ginny. Let's just talk about this."
Ginny only shrugged her away, "We'll talk when you stop acting like a whore."
Hermione immediately let go, her eyes wide with horror, her lips parted in a gasp that never came out.
Luna reached over across the table, putting her hand over Hermione's free one. "It will be alright." She assured.
Hermione took small sips of her water, mulling over Ginny's words. How long would it be before everything returned to normal? She was strong, but she still needed her friends. Still missed her friends. "I hope so." she told Luna.
Absentmindedly, she glanced over to the Slytherin table, but couldn't seem to spot Draco. She bit her lip. Once she'd be able to see him, she'd feel better, she thought.
She stared at the plate of food before her, wondering if she had truly just thought that. She nearly scoffed at herself. Needing to see Draco to feel better?
Maybe she really wasn't the Hermione Granger she used to be.
Tapping his foot as he sat on the couch, Draco smiled when he saw Hermione enter the RoR—he couldn't help it, stupid as that was.
"You absolute, complete prick Draco Malfoy!" But she smiled and laughed as she said so, shaking her head.
"Did you like it?" he grinned, extending his arm so that he could embrace her once she sat down.
"Well you've successfully won over every girl in Gryffindor," She said, still smiling, hardly looking at him as she waved her hands around, "You can't do any wrong according to them."
"Is that so?"
"Mhm. Most definitely. Lavender practically had a cow when she saw it all."
"She is a cow."
Hermione laughed again, shaking her head and nudging him. "You shouldn't have done that."
He shrugged, "Well what about you?"
She looked at him, crinkling her features in confusion, "Me?"
"Did I win you over?"
She rolled her eyes, pushing his face away. "You're the worst, Malfoy. After I told you not to. And you go ahead and pull this ridiculous stunt. Not to mention it must have been incredibly costly and-"
"Did you like it though?"
Her cheeks reddened, "T-That's a stupid question."
He smirked, "So you liked it."
"Of course I did you idiot."
He wrapped his arms around her, kissing her, "Then it was nothing."
She smiled against his mouth, before pulling away.
Only, he leaned in again, kissing her some more. And so Hermione let him. He pulled her a bit closer, and Hermione enjoyed the way his arms felt around her waist, the way his lips felt against her own. Without meaning to, a small moan pushed past her lips as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Hey," he breathed, his lips so close they still brushed over hers, "You're really soft, you know?"
She blushed at that, closing her eyes to kiss him again and avoid the comment altogether. Her fingers tangled in his blonde locks, and she tugged playfully. He licked her lips, making her shiver before he pulled away.
"Am I soft?" he asked.
She blinked, "W-What?"
"Probably not, huh?" he chuckled.
She looked him up and down, cocking her head a bit, "Your lips are soft." She stated.
"Yeah?" he smirked, stealing a quick peck, "Do you like that?"
"Shut up."
"So you do."
"God you're so annoying." She sighed.
He pushed her, so that she fell back against the couch. "Am I really though?" he said, falling on her.
Hermione groaned loudly, trying to push him off, "You're heavyyy," she whined.
He bit her ear teasingly, before letting her know he felt tired.
"Sleep, then." She said easily, yawning herself.
He grumbled against her skin, Hermione shivering slightly as his breath tickled her neck.
"Can I touch you?" he whispered.
"Didn't you just say you were tired?"
"It calms me down though," he argued, already snaking a hand up her blouse, "You're so warm."
Hermione didn't know why she was blushing so damn hard, but she was glad his face was buried in her neck so that he couldn't see her face.
"You calm me down too." She admitted quietly.
"Really?" he said, his head shooting up.
She was thrown off seeing his sharp eyes so suddenly, and so she looked away, "M-Must be the pheromones, like you said." She told him, clearing her throat.
Draco chuckled, cuddling up against her once again, making himself comfortable, "Right," he said, "Pheromones."
A/N: Gahh sorry the update took so long! Hope you enjoyed it though! Also, I'm on tumblr now, under this same username if you wanna give me a follow or chat or whatever :D
Guest: Haha no she's not pregnant, but I'm glad you enjoyed the grandiose-ness of Draco's 'gesture' lol.
IrisAyame: Your comment really pushed me to finish up this chapter already. I was feeling stuck and kind of depressed to be honest but you completely lifted my spirits! It's so encouraging to get reviews like yours and I'm happy you can enjoy the humor I try to put in there :) Also super excited that you enjoyed the first part as well! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment.
Happy reading everybody!
