CHAPTER VIII
HIS WARMTH
A/N I hate mushiness, the reason for my name being so. But again, as this is a romance fic, naturally, a mushy, fluffy scene is expected. Don't worry, all those 'romance' shit will be on for this chapter until the next only. I tried my best not to overdo it. I wish this wouldn't sound so sappy. R&R!
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This is Draco Malfoy. He'll take care of me.
Hermione toyed with her breakfast. It had been two days since their return from the future. That comforting thought is still etched in her mind.
"This is the crystal ball that brought us here. I kept it after our return from our 'vacation'. Use it."
She did not tell the younger Draco where she got the crystal ball. She was anxious to return home. After a tearful goodbye to 'their' children" (Draco was rather serious when he left a "stay-away-from-that-Potter-kid" farewell to Chelsea), the crystal ball lit in red hues. Seconds later, they found themselves back in Professor Trelawney's classroom. Since then, she had not spoken a word to the Head Boy.
"Hermione, are you okay?" A concerned Ron asked, an arm over her shoulders. She just shrugged wearily.
"Honestly, 'Mione, you haven't been yourself since that detention with Loony Trelawney," Ginny said.
Harry wore a rather suspicious look. "And, apparently, so is Malfoy." He nodded towards the Slytherin table. "He has never stopped giving you those sappy looks after that night." He returned his intense gaze to Hermione. "He's not hitting on you, is he?"
Ginny got all starry- eyed. "Goodness! The Draco Malfoy is after our Hermione Granger?"
"Hey, I detest that! She's lavaliered, see?" Ron tightened his arm over Hermione in a possessive way.
Hermione can only manage a weak smile. Since their return, she has re-assessed her relationship with ron and found something missing…something she can't put her finger on.
If that glimpse of the future did not happen, would I feel any different? Would I still believe that Ron is my future?
Would I mind not having Chelsea nor Elliot as my children? Would I have kids like Philippe, Prudence, Zoë and Craig if I'll choose Ron?
Would I still believe its Ron I want, not that egotistic, obnoxious, deliciously handsome Malfoy?
She was afraid to answer her own questions.
"Can I speak with you for a minute?'
Oh no, please! Not him!
"Sorry, Malfoy, Hermione's rather ill today." It was Harry.
Ron's fingers seem to bury themselves in her flesh. "You don't have to, 'Mione. I'll take care of this." Ron attempted to rise from his seat but she held his arm firmly.
"No, please."
"Mione?"
"Okay Malfoy, let's get this over with." Hermione rose from her seat.
"If you ever do something stupid…," Ron started, staring daggers at Draco.
Hermione hushed him with a quick peck on his forehead. "I can handle this." She let Draco steer her out of the Great Hall, his icy fingers on her elbow. From her peripheral view, she can see Luna eyeing Ron sympathetically.
Ron would be happier with Luna and Rhyss. She thought glumly as she and Draco stepped out of the Great Hall.
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They've been staring at the lake for a long time before one of them spoke.
"Hermione, have you…,"
"No, Malfoy." She cut him with an emphasis on his last name. "Don't you 'Hermione' me! We both know we're not that civil to each other." She bravely faced him, not the least intimidated by the few inches differences in their height. "I know that experience greatly shook us, maybe even had us thinking about us. But, I'm not going to head towards that direction. No, I have to be level- headed here and the most logical answer I can think of is 'no', Draco. I can't do it. I simply won't do it!"
"Why?" Draco asked.
"Because I don't love you."
Draco laughed dryly at this. "Don't flatter yourself, Granger. I did not wish to talk to you to confess my 'undying love' or sweep you off your feet. Wrong Prince Charming, dearie." He flicked her nose gently.
"WHAT?"
"Look, Granger, I'd be the biggest liar, next to my father, if I told you I'm not the least attracted to you. Hell, you're my perfect match! You're annoying, an insufferable know-it-all, you can stand up against me and best of all, you're not hard in the eyes! I like the way you fit in my arms, that electrifying feeling when our lips meet. Bloody hell, I am attracted to you!"
Hermione clapped her hands with much sarcasm. "Oh, Draco, that was the most romantic thing I've heard. Take me! Take me now!"
"Shut it," Draco hissed, his fingers digging painfully in her arms. "You know what I think of those kids? They're crazy! All of them! Worthy to be spawns of a Granger and a Malfoy! And I want to have them! Do you hear me, Granger? I want to have babies with you! I want to have all of them: Chelsea, Elliott, Philippe, Prudence, Zoë, and that…that baby!"
"Craig," Hermione said in a whisper.
"Craig! Wonderful name! I want him too!"
She looked at him like he's gone schizo on her. He's totally lost his marbles.
Draco ran his fingers through his hair. "Look, all I'm asking is that we give it a try. If before the year ends we find ourselves unhappy, then let's end it. No love, no eternal commitment. Just an attempt to try it out and see where it leads."
"Oh, that's easy," Hermione answered, all riled up now. "All I need to do now is to walk back in the Hall and tell Ron 'say honey, Malfoy has this wild idea that I give it a try with him. Oh, only for a couple of months if we haven't managed to Avada Kedavra each other by then. Why? Oh, ask Rhyss, your future daughter with Luna? You know her? Oh no, you don't…" She glared at Draco. "If you think that's easy, Malfoy, THEN YOU HAVEN'T EVEN SEEN HALF OF IT!"
Before she could stop him, he cradled her in his arms, cooing at her, warming her with his gentle voice.
Minutes later, she spoke. "I'm scared, Draco."
"Me too."
"I don't want to hurt Ron."
"I know."
What's happening to me? "I…I think…I love you."
"Yeah, me too." She could hear his smile while he said it.
Pause. "I'm scared, Draco," she said again.
"I'm here, Hermione. I'll look after you."
In the warmth of his embrace, Hermione had that thought again.
This is Draco Malfoy. He'll take care of me.