Thanks for the reviews!
F.Y.I. Most words in bold are song lyrics.
Now, Back to the story…
Chapter Five
Hermione was sitting right by her window watching the sun go down. Another day gone, another day to come. The brightness of the sun was beginning to make her eyes water, but she just couldn't take her eyes off of it. It reminded her of Draco. Despite the fact that she knew she couldn't be with him, with their backgrounds and everything, she still couldn't stop thinking about him. She'd fallen for him, and the fact that she couldn't admit it aloud made her scared. To her, Draco was a problem that couldn't be solved, unlike any tough Arithmancy problem.
She shook out of her thoughts as she realized her room was completely dark. The sun had completely disappeared behind the mountains, and replaced by the glowing moon. Hermione sighed and checked the time.
"8:30. Time for detention."
Hermione took heavy steps toward the Head's common room. She felt heavy, not fat, but weighed down with so many worries. "Detention will get my mind off things for a while." She thought hopefully.
As if. Did she forget who she has detention with?
Hermione saw Draco staring into the fire intently, as she descended the stairs. He hadn't even noticed she was there.
Seems like everybody's brooding lately.
"Hey." She said quietly.
Draco jumped off his seat, clearly startled that he was no longer alone. "Oh…hi. Let's get to detention." He said, sounding quite distant.
"Is everything okay? You look kind of down." Hermione asked, looking worried.
"Oh, yeah. Everything's fine. So, what do you think we'll have to do tonight?" He asked, quickly changing the subject.
"I'm not sure, but knowing Hagrid, we'll probably take a trip into the Forbidden Forest for some odd task." She replied, still looking concernedly at Draco. What's he hiding?
As the couplet exited onto the school grounds, and headed towards Hagrid's hut, they both remained silent. It was an awkward silence filled with tension and uneasiness. Normally Draco was teasing her and whatnot, but he was so remote that it threw Hermione off a bit.
"There yeh kids are. Hurry up, now. We got lots o' work ter do." Hagrid said as he rushed them towards the Forbidden Forest.
"What exactly are we going to do in there?" Draco asked, rather rudely. He never really did like Hagrid, after the whole hippogriff incident. Hermione threw Draco a warning look.
"We're goin' ter search fer berries an' special types o' leaves fer Professor Sprout. She's bin buggin' me these pas' weeks ter get them fer her." Hagrid explained, as they stood at the edge of the forest. "Now, 'Mione, yer goin' ter find a bag o' grittle leaves, an' Malfoy'll find a bag o' cantaberries." He said as he handed them each a plastic zip lock bag. "When yer finish'd, jus' drop'em off on me doorstep. Alrigh', off yer go."
The two of them carried their lanterns and bag, and entered the dark forest, that was lacking moonlight. "Doesn't this remind you off first year detention?" Hermione asked quietly, as she walked closely by Draco's side.
"Yeah." Was his simple response, but nothing else. Something… is seriously wrong.
They spent the next half hour in silence, picking for leaves and berries. It was so quiet that you could here them breathing and the rustle of leaves from the wind. Hermione's bag was ¾ full of grittle leaves, when she decided to question Draco again. She just couldn't stand the odd stillness.
"Draco," Hermione said with a begging tone. "Draco, please tell me what's wrong. You're beginning to worry me. Please."
Draco stopped his work and looked over at Hermione. She looked at him with such concern that he was touched. He tried to put on a comforting smile, as if to say, "Don't worry about me, I'm fine."
Hermione knew this all too well. "Don't you dare give me that smile!" She said as she marched towards him. "Trust me; you'll feel better when you open up." She said as she took his hands in hers.
Draco looked down at Hermione. She was so beautiful he couldn't not want to do as she pleased. "Fine," Draco sighed with a sense of defeat. "My mum, well…ahem, Mother isn't doing so well. Ever since Father got sent to Azkaban, my mum has been keeping to herself." Draco took a deep breath, like he had just run a mile. "It's just not right that she's locked up in an enormous mansion with no one there for her, except house elves. She's lonely, I know it, and earlier tonight, she wrote me a letter. She said… she said she was going to kill herself."
Hermione gasped, and pulled Draco closer.
Draco quickly added, "She's not actually going to do it. She always writes letters like these, hoping I would return home from school to comfort her. I never do, but I really can't stand it when she writes things like that. It…it scares me."
Hermione hugged Draco, hoping she could keep him safe, just like he had kept her safe the night before. "Maybe you should go visit her, and just comfort her." Hermione suggested.
"I haven't got the time. This is our seventh year, if I skip class, I might not graduate. Not to mention, I'm Head Boy. I promised her I'd visit every break, so I'm looking forward to Christmas."
Hermione didn't say anything, and Draco didn't either. It was silent again, except this silence was filled with T.L.C. (Tender Loving Care).
Hermione pulled out of the embrace. "Let's get back to work. It's already 9:15." Draco nodded, but he felt like he was in some sort of trance. He revealed his innermost fear to Hermione Granger, and he actually did feel better having someone to talk to.
They worked until 10:00 and decided to just get to bed. After dropping off their bags on Hagrid's doorstep, they exhaustedly walked back to the castle, with the peaceful wind blowing at them.
"Six more detentions to go." Draco said with faked enthusiasm, as they entered their dorm.
"I can hardly wait." Said Hermione with the same sarcastic tone. "Oh, I forgot to thank you for standing up to Harry like that. It was really sweet."
Draco smiled at her and once again took his seat by the fire and stared into it. She slowly and quietly walked to his side, and held his hand.
"When did I suddenly become this bold?" Hermione wondered, as she pulled Draco out of his seat, surprising him. She played her favorite song on the loud speakers around the common room.
Da Da Da Da Da Da
Da Da Da Da Da Da
She began slow dancing with Draco, and he didn't seem to mind one bit. The music was quietly playing in the background, and the lyrics fit into the situation perfectly. They were dancing so close; it seemed inevitable that they kissed.
What just happened?
Did you kiss me?
Cause that's a place we've never been until now
Hermione shuddered as his wet lips touched hers. He tasted so sweet, and all she wanted to do was kiss away the pain he was feeling inside.
And I don't know how it's gonna be after this
Do we pretend these feelings don't exist at all
Or do we fall?
Hermione felt his warm and soft hands brush through her hair, and reality hit, causing her to panic. What am I doing? This is Draco "pureblood" Malfoy!
My confusion shows whenever you get so close
I stumble, I stutter, forget what to say
I'm nervous, I wonder why I'm acting this way
Hermione pulled away almost immediately. She looked at Draco questioningly, and he looked back at her with the same expression.
It's temporary insanity
What's going on with you and me?
Is it real or is it fantasy?
Forever or just temporary?
"What's wrong?" Draco asked, taking a step towards Hermione, whilst she took a step back.
You made a moved and changed your mind
Too much to lose, you've crossed the line between friends
And something more
Draco was listening to the song, and after hearing that verse, his expression was filled with comprehension. His expression suddenly changed once more, and Hermione couldn't quite place what it was.
Was it all a big mistake?
And if it was, it's much too late to undo
And I don't really want to
Hermione had been quiet the whole, entire time, and knew it was her turn to speak. Tell him how you feel! "I've got to get to bed. Good night." She said, and turned to leave. Why didn't I just tell him!
Let you go but I still don't know
How I feel about you
What this really means
It's crazy to want you
Is it meant to be?
"Wait!" she heard Draco exclaim. She stopped walking, closed her eyes and turned around, slowly re-opening her eyes.
It's temporary insanity
What's going on with you and me?
Is it real or is it fantasy?
Forever or just temporary?
Draco went up to her, holding her in his arms. "You were there for me tonight, when no one else was. Guess those rumors were true, because I really like you, 'Mione."
Oh, what you do to me?
What comes over me, oh?
If this is crazy there's nothing I'd rather be
Hermione smiled as she heard him use her nickname. She didn't need to say anything because her kiss for him said all the unsaid.
Losing my mind
Losing my mind
Losing my mind
Hermione kissed Draco, for everything. For his mum, for her fears, for his pain, for her worries, but mainly for their love, or more likely, their "like". As the music in the background slowed, they continued where they left off in their dance.
Da Da Da Da Da Da
Da Da Da Da Da Da
I was wondering if I could fit in one more chapter before I go on vacation, but I realized I had no clue what to write. Suggestions, anyone?
REVIEW! or you'll probably have to wait aweek for an update. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, I surely did. It's my favorite one so far.
You should really download "Temporary Insanity" by Alexz Johnson, and listen to it while reading that part. For all you Instant Star fans out there, it's one of my favorite shows, I adore Alexz Johnson!