Three reviews!
Dark x Sorrow (A.K.A. Steph) - the four-day stay with the Weasley's isn't all that unusual if you read the books. But hey, it does kind of sound interesting, doesn't it? Yes, I like the kiss too.
Da Onli Taz 17- Thanks! I'm kind of proud too! It's sweet without being too cliché or mushy, if I do say so myself. And I do.
Abbi- Thanks! Honestly, they really could be longer and I'm working on it.
"Hey, mum! I'm home! Ginny's here, and we want to know if I can go spend a few days at the Weasley's!" Her mother walked in, toweling off her hands.
"Oh, hi Ginny! I was just doing some dishes. How long did you say you wanted to stay there, dear?"
"Um…four days. If you want to see me off or something for my last year, you could probably meet me at the station."
"Well, alright. You girls have fun! Don't forget to bring your school things, dear."
"Thanks Mrs. Granger!" They rushed up to her room and when Hermione was packed, the two of them Apparated to Ginny's.
When they arrived, Harry and Ron had already returned.
"Hermione, can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Sure, Ron. What is it?"
"Well, lately, I've just not been feeling any…any well…passion from you lately. Is something wrong? Is it me?"
"No, Ron. It's not you. It's me. I think we should see other people…" Ron suddenly looked angry.
"This is all about Malfoy, isn't it? You're breaking up with me because you've been cheating on me with that ferret scum, aren't you?"
"No, Ron! It's not that! I don't…I don't even like…" she stopped, wondering if what she had been about to say was true. "It…it's just not that! I do love you Ron! I just don't love you like that! I love you like a brother."
"I'm not your brother! I love you more than a sister! Why don't you love me back?" Ron mournfully placed his hand on her cheek.
Hermione turned away. "I've said what I have to say. I don't love you. It would be senseless and cruel to lead you on like this anymore."
"Maybe it's even more cruel to it this way…" Hermione fought back tears as she hurried to unpack in Ginny's room.
"Hey, 'Mione what's wrong? What did my idiotically insensitive brother say to you?"
"Nothing, Gin'. It's me. I told him I wanted to break up with him and he thought it was because I liked Malfoy. I almost told him he was wrong but…then I just wasn't sure what I felt about him. Malfoy's so mean and cruel and insensitive. Yet, he's one of the most attractive men I've ever met!"
"I know how you feel. Before he insulted me, I had a huge crush on him. Unfortunately, he insulted me basically the moment he met me…" Hermione laughed and the two girls hung out and talked until dinner and they went to bed early. The day before they were to leave for Hogwarts, an owl arrived for Hermione. Since Ron was ignoring her and Harry had sided with Ron, the only person she shared it with was Ginny.
"What's it say? Come on tell me!" Ginny whined, trying to peek over Hermione's shoulder. She glanced quickly at Ron and, with a satisfied smirk, turned back to Hermione.
"Come on, 'Mione. We've got some eavesdroppers." Ron turned bright red and looked away from the two girls.
"Ginny," Hermione said, "It's from him."
"You mean Malfoy?"
"Yeah! It says, 'Hermione, I'm too excited to eat or sleep. Tomorrow will be one of the best days of your life, I guarantee it and a Malfoy never goes back on his words.' What does he mean, 'one of the best days of my life'?"
"I don't know, but if you want to find out any sooner, we better go to sleep right…now!" The two girls squealed with laughter and rushed to bed.
"Goodbye, everyone! Write to me!" Mrs. Weasley shouted, trying to keep up with the train. Ginny and Hermione said their goodbyes and Hermione made her way nervously to the head's compartment. When she arrived, it was mercifully empty. With a sigh of relief she sat down and read a book.
"What are you reading, Granger?" Hermione jumped and shut her book with a sharp snap.
"Just getting ahead in my textbooks, Draco." He grinned (A/N: Yes, he grinned, not smirked.) and took a seat next to her.
"Do you mind?" He asked, indicating his seat.
"No, not at all." Hermione blushed and quickly reopened her book. When Draco laughed, she looked up.
"Unless I'm mistaken and it's a new studying technique, don't you normally read books right side up?" Hermione blushed even more and turned away.
"Aw, don't do that," Draco said, turning her head gently back to face him, "I like it when you blush." His hand still on her cheek, he leaned in closer to her, and Hermione felt herself anticipating the kiss. To her surprise, he used his free hand to sweep her unruly hair from her face. He leaned back in his seat, leaving Hermione, blushing and still leaning forwards.
"Today, let's talk. I want to catch up with you seeing as we haven't exactly been on chitchat terms lately."
"Oh…um, okay. Wha-what do you want to uh talk um…a-about?" She desperately wanted to scoot back and look away, be as far away as possible but his captivating blue eyes held her in a trance so deep she could barely keep her thoughts straight.
"You. Me. What's been happening since I left?" He casually moved towards her, stopping her from moving across from him by placing his warm hand on her knee.
Her mind was racing, emotions ranging from anger, excitement, confusion, and happiness.
"Why are you starting this now? Why not two years ago, or when you saw me for the first time in so long?"
"Why do you want to know?" he countered.
"Well, it's just…that day…when you kissed me, I'd…well, and I found a picture of you and me when we were young and well it seemed to weird to be coincidence but I couldn't tell."
"Really? I kissed you because that morning, I found a picture too, and I also found this." he turned and reached into his bag and pulled out a worn little package with a frayed ribbon and torn tag. She gently took the package and read the tag.
"'To Draco, From Hermione. I'll luv yoo forevrs.' You kept this the entire time? Why didn't you open it?"
"Because I promised you I wouldn't until we met again. I figured it didn't count unless we were friends…" he trailed off, leaving her with a suspicion that there was more to be said.
"But now what? Open it. It's you and me all alone, friends for the moment."
He looked up at her, and smiled. "Okay, I will." He set the package on his lap, and, taking a deep breath, delicately pulled the ribbon off and removed the wrapping. Inside the box was a silver locket shaped like a heart. He lifted it from the box and studied the front. The letters D.P. + H.G. were engraved in flowing script. He opened it and passed it to Hermione. Inside was a picture of Draco and his parents and on the other side was a picture of Hermione and her parents.
Tears sprang to Hermione's eyes, threatening to spill over as she handed the locket back.
"Why are you crying?" Draco's eyes showed genuine confusion and worry.
Seeing Draco like that for the first time in thirteen years opened the floodgates.
"I-I have no idea…" she cried. Draco calmly grabbed her and slid her onto his lap. As they sat, Hermione was acutely aware of every place their bodies touched, but was also strangely comforted. She stopped crying but they continued to sit locked in their embrace.
"Draco," she began, "I think I-" suddenly, there was a sharp knock on the door and Hermione sprang up in surprise. She warily opened the door and was shocked to see Ron sheepishly standing there.
"Yes, Ron?"
"Um, Hermione? I wanted to apologize for being such a jerk these past few days. Will you forgive me?"
"Of course."
"Great! So, um…" Hermione followed his gaze to Draco who sat staring out of the window. She smiled to herself and turned back to Ron.
"Hermione, I want you to know that I still love you." He slid his arm around her waist and kissed her.
"Ron!" she yelled, pushing away, "I told you I don't love you like that!"
"Hermione, I can't stand it any more! I love you! Why don't you love me?"
"Ron…it's just…" she paused, thinking. Ron lurched forward and held her to him, kissing her fiercely. One hand held her tightly while the other explored her body. She struggled but Ron was too strong.
"A low growl of anger surged to become a deep throated yell of blind fury as Draco launched himself at Ron, flinging the two of them into the wall.
Hermione stood horrified as the two beat each other. Ron tossed Draco into the wall and drew his wand.
"I'm going to stupefy him and force you to watch me torture him."
He aimed his wand at Draco who was struggling to stand after colliding with the wall.
"STUPEFY!" he yelled.
"NO!" Hermione screamed launching herself between the two of them. There was a bright flash, yells, and then nothing.