The Chemicals Between Us Chapter 9: Forgot Something?, a harry potter fanfic

" Forgot Something? "

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The rain had gradually died down, and Draco was listening to the constant drip-dropping of rain on his rooftop. Hermione was asleep. She was curled up loosely, her soft wavy hair surrounding her face. One of his arms was under her head.

He stared at her sideways, and he looked outside the window. It was probably past seven in the evening. His eyes wandered to her face again. Slowly, and carefully, he removed his arm from under her head, and he stood up and got another good look at her.

He could see the outline of her body as she lay there. He sat on a couch across her. And he stared at her face again. He couldn't get enough of her. He wanted to touch her again, feel her skin in his hands again.

" Damn it, " he thought. " Fight for control, you idiot! "

All this time, at Hogwarts…he had missed it. Perhaps befriending her while at Hogwarts would have done the trick, but…it was too late for that. He had done the unthinkable, done the unexpected. He had bedded a Gryffindor and a girlfriend of Harry Potter's. What would it matter to him anyway? Potter was dead. He was alive. He was alive to feel Hermione. To kiss her. To hold her. And he had a flash of jealousy on how lucky Potter must have been.

The only lights came from outside, from some lamppost and from cars passing by. She was like a dream as she lay in bed. A very beautiful dream...

He had been afraid of rejection. He admitted to himself it was an instant attraction. And Granger had changed. Perhaps it was because of those rough times, or Harry's death. He gave a silent prayer of thanks for the fateful day that he met her with her broke down car.

This wasn't right…or was it? And he had given his word to Weasley, that he wouldn't hurt her…well maybe just body language that told Weasley he wouldn't hurt her. Who in his right mind would hurt her? She was too beautiful to be hurt. He couldn't believe he had not seen what a wonderful person she could be.

And suddenly, Draco felt something he didn't want to feel as he looked at her. It had only been a month. He frowned and buried his face in his hands. " This can't be happening, " he muttered to himself.

She stirred. One eye opened and she smiled.

" Hey, " he said quietly.

She sat up on the bed and drew the sheets close to her body. " I… overslept, " she said looking around her. She stared at Draco's chest. There was something there…or maybe she was just staring too hard?

Perhaps it was the light…she looked so…endearing. He laughed a little. " You deserved to oversleep. "

" Were you awake that long? " she asked.

Yes. Long enough to see you sleep. Watch you sleep. " No, " he replied. " About a few minutes ahead of you. " He smiled. " Are you hungry? "

She grinned.

" I take that as a yes. "

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" I forgot to do the groceries! " he said as they sat in the kitchen making peanut butter sandwiches. " This is so mortifying! "

She laughed and took a bite. " It's alright. I haven't had this kind of dinner in the longest time. "

" Seriously, " he said. " It completely escaped my mind. I even had the list today, in my pocket! Circumstances- "

She raised an eyebrow. " Wait, are you suggesting it's my fault? "

They both laughed.

" I'm sorry about the dinner, really. "

She smiled. " Hey, it's okay. Maybe we're in need of a diet. "

Draco grinned and took a bite off of his sandwich. " Hey, tastes just like…peanut butter. "

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" Hey, this is peanut butter- " Harry began. " Don't we have anything else? "

Hermione laughed. " Stop complaining. You forgot to do the groceries, your fridge is almost empty! "

" But… peanut butter! " Harry said with a frown.

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Hermione was silent, and then she laughed again. " If you had been this nice back when we were in school, I would have probably been a friend of yours. "

" Of course, " he said. " But then I'd have to steal you from all the guys that were out to capture your heart- "

" What do you mean? "

" You've probably never known, but Potter wasn't the only one who was crazy about you, you had quite a legion of admirers. "

She laughed.

" Well, of course, someone had to get to you. "

" And that would be Harry? "

He nodded. And Draco knew that at the mention of his name, something would be different. She would at different; he would pretend he hadn't said anything wrong. But something would always go wrong at the mere mention of his name.

They grew quiet.

" Her- Granger, did you love him that much? I mean... it's okay if you don't answer it. "

" Yes, I did. Very much. " Her voice was quiet, and he sensed that her mood had changed. Hermione bit her lower lip and breathed in deeply.

He felt like kicking himself. He had been fairly stupid with his chosen words these past few days when he hung out with her. " Forget I asked that, " he said. " Sorry. "

" You don't have to be it's alright. Past is past. "

" He's still your present. " The words spilled out as casually as it had been thought. Draco mentally imagined kicking himself this time.

She looked up to him. " What do you mean about that Dra- Malfoy? "

" Nothing, " Draco said tiredly. Why did I even bother to say that? It's always about him, this will always be about Harry…he's haunting you and you don't want to admit it….

Hermione's eyes rested on his. What the hell was he trying to imply? That she, Hermione Granger, still fantasized about raising Harry from the dead or something close to that!

" What I'm saying is…you still love him. " Draco tried to act detached. Well now, isn't that the truth? Well it has to be, right?

" I… so what if I do? " Hermione replied. " It's not like it means anything to you. " Why would it mean something to you anyway? You never really had that much familiarity with Harry…

" Yes it does, " he said. He just had to say it. Why did he? It's not like she meant a lot to him now…or Harry for that matter.

" Why does it? " she asked placing down a glass of water in front of her.

" I- I don't know-…it just does, " he said irritably. " What's it to you! " His eyes narrowed as he stared at the glass of water in front of him. He immediately took it and drank to avoid her gaze.

Hermione looked startled. " I just… I had… I slept with you! " She clutched her mug tightly with both hands.

" It was just sex! " Draco snapped, slamming down a mug full of water on the table. Some water splashed on the marble counter. Draco felt his cheeks flush.

" You say it like it's a dirty thing! " Hermione's voice was raised this time. She knew she was going to get annoyed, she knew she was going to snap.

" Like you never did it with anyone else! Much less with that Potter! "

It was the last straw. A slap resounded in the room. Draco recoiled from it. He stood breathing hard and so did she. There was a red streak across his right jaw.

" Don't you ever…! " she began shakily, pointing a finger at him. Tears were pooling in her eyes. She breathed in and mentally counted to ten. Then she felt calmer. Or did she feel calmer? Maybe she should count to twenty…?

" You still love him... " Draco's voice faltered. His grey eyes hardened. Harry Potter's still alive to you! You still bloody love him! You still love him!

" Yes! " And she grabbed her sweater on the chair and rushed for the door.

He stood in the middle of the kitchen, unable to run after her. His feet seemed glued to the kitchen floor. He was under some Imperius curse, controlled by his pride. A few seconds later, he punched the wall to his left. " Bloody arse! " he cursed. He quickly ran out of the house to see if he could still catch up with her.

The streets were empty.

Draco cursed again and walked back to his house, slamming the door.

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Hermione had just arrived at her house when her phone rang.

" Hello. "

" Hermione? "

" Gin? This you? "

" Yeah, I was wondering if we could hang out tonight, I haven't seen you in weeks! "

" I- " she took a deep breath. " Sure, where? "

She heard Ron's voice in the background. " I'll meet you at the Lucie Café, 9 pm? ' her voice dropped lower. " Ron's in a bad mood, don't know why… see you? "

" Sure, see you, " Hermione said. She placed the phone down.

Half an hour later, Ginny was hugging Hermione tightly. " God, I missed you! " Ginny stepped back and Hermione admired the way she held her muggle clothing with such stylishness.

Hermione smiled as they sat down. It was a quiet night, the café half full. " Likewise, Gin. So how's work? "

" Oh, hectic! I just got a break! One week vacation, I'm going back to mum and dad at The Burrow. You? How's work? "

" Tiring…" she said with a laugh. " We just had our anniversary issue printed. " Of course it was tiring! She hadn't slept in days and had only stale sandwiches and bitter coffee to keep herself rolling.

Ginny laughed. " I read that! I loved the 'attic treasures' bit! You should have modeled though! " Ginny eyed Hermione with a trained critic's eye. Sure, Hermione was simple, but it was the minimalism that attracted people to her, particularly guys.

" Stuff at the Ministry… still the same…we've been getting reports that some dark activity has been spotted in Wales. "

" Ron told me that. Maybe that's why he's in such a bad mood. "

Hermione smiled. " That's typical of him. " she paused, drinking her coffee.

" Seeing anyone? " Ginny asked.

Hermione shook her head. I've slept with someone, Ginny, how's that…I've slept with someone named Draco Malfoy. I was wondering if you knew him. Oh he's this arrogant git whom I can't seem to stop thinking about- " No one, " she replied. " You? "

Ginny laughed. " Some and some- just people working at the publication. "

" That's nice. " Hermione smiled.

" Mione… " Ginny held her hand. " Please don't get offended or anything. " She knew it was strange to do this, or even mention something like this, but it had been bothering her for quite some time now.

Hermione shook her head.

" Let go. "

" Of what? " Hermione's voice grew small. She knew where this was leading. Even Ron had told her about this. She knew whom this was about.

" Harry, " Ginny said gently. " Let it go. "

Hermione gave a hollow laugh. " Ginny, that's nothing. " Of course it was nothing! It was just- it was just Harry….

" Ron's worried, I am too. You've been… different… a little, not that it's a bad thing- but…you never call us voluntarily anymore, it's always us calling you, wanting your company- "

" Ginny, I just need time. It's not easy- whatever. Let's not talk about this! We're here to talk fun! "

Ginny smiled; completely unaware. " That's nice to hear Hermione. It's high time you let go and have fun!"

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Hermione drove past Draco's neighborhood. She passed by Draco's house, and on impulse, stopped her car. The house was dark. Perhaps he had gone out?

She wanted to apologize for her actions. The slap was too much. Something in her broke when he had mentioned Harry's name. Harry…she still loved him. It was hurting her.

Maybe it was time to love someone else. She was hanging on to a man long gone.

She got out of her car and walked up to the door and raised her hand. Her hand paused in midair. What was she doing?

The door suddenly opened.

Draco was standing in front of her. " Forgot something? " he asked calmly. His eyes pierced into hers.

Let go.

She nodded and kissed Draco.

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TBC…apologies for the rather late update...i had problems, really. i enjoyed your reviews immensely, and once again, please don't hesitate to leave your comments or suggestions. It's always the reader that's got the last say, right?

1madcat: sorry if it's moving a bit to fast for you, but i have to keep up with the pace, i hope you find it likeable later on, why it's moving too fast for your standards.

hermdrayreturns: about the 'sex' scene...i know it says mature on this story rating, but i had to keep in mind, and i know, that i've got younger folks reading this too. might get too graphic for them. hehehe. And yes, they did do it.

meenajon : thanks for letting me know about the hits. I'm serious, i had no idea you could see that here! just goes to show how unadventurous i am on nyahahahaha! my hits haven't been that spectacular, declines every chapter, so i'm a little umm...sad...but anyway, thanks again!

A/N: the next chapter's going to be fun, i swear on my grandmother's grave...wait, not her, she's still alive...i swear on my...ack! whatever! but i promise you'll like it or hate me for not continuing!