Title: What Binds Us [Chapter 5/??]
Author: Rorania
Rating: R
Warnings: Language, sexual references
Word Count: 3,895
Summary: Starts after HBP. Draco's under protection of the Order, much to the Golden Trio's dismay.
This chap: The Halloween Ball and the beginning of Draco's jealousy.
Chapter 五
五語五語五
ー
Draco and Hermione avoided each other the rest of the week. More so when Harry finally got around to telling her what Malfoy wanted in return for his notes. Sighing, she told Harry she never got those notes anyway. Then she asked if he still wanted to take her to the ball. His eyes brightened immediately as he nodded. She smiled half-heartedly at him, before asking if Ginny knew. Harry nodded again, more solemnly.
"She's fine with it."
Hermione nodded and sighed. At least she wouldn't have to worry about stepping on her toes, and that was something. That was before she cut the tip of her finger open while reading in the library. It was rather deep, as she had jerked, sending the paging slicing through at an angle. Pince shushed her before she could finish her expletive, so Hermione simply sat there scowling while sucking on it.
That night was the ball. Turned out Draco did help decorate, although he complained the entire time. Hermione found prefects pleading with her to never allow him to help with these types of function again.
Hermione shook all this off as she got ready for the ball. She declined Ginny's offer to help her, needing some time alone. They did order dresses together. Hermione knew Ginny's was a strap-less, emerald full dress style. Hermione's was the same style, but had chosen a sparkling dark blue, with a white fold down the side of the front. Her hair was curled and pulled up to fall in soft ringlets down the back of her head, trailing onto her neck. Dazzling blue diamond earrings completed the ensemble as she didn't have a necklace that would match. Her dress rustled as she moved to answer the knock on the portrait.
Opening it she frowned, seeing Harry standing there, wand out.
He glanced side to side.
"Is Malfoy about?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "No, I haven't seen him. Come in. I just have to grab my wand."
Harry's eyes had moved to her, as he replaced his wand in his jacket pocket. He smiled as she returned with her wand.
"You look great."
She blushed. "Thanks. Um," she patted her dress. "Could you hold this for me?" she asked holding out her wand. "I seem to be out of pockets."
Harry took it and put it next to his. "Sure. Ready, then?"
Hermione nodded then smiled as he held out his arm. She took it and they progressed out the portrait and down to the great hall.
Once there, they saw Ron and Ginny milling about with their dates.
"Ron and Luna?" Hermione asked, stunned.
Harry nodded. "Had to force him to ask her, though. Not very forward, that one."
Hermione nodded. "Not since the Fleur debacle."
She took in Luna's appearance and she looked good. She could tell Ron noticed as well.
"Hey," she said stopping front of the two, who were staring dreamily at each other.
They finally tore their gazes from each other. Ron smiled at Hermione.
"Hey. You look good, Hermione." Ron said honestly, no lingering interest despite of it.
She smiled back. "Thanks. Luna, you look lovely."
Luna nodded. "I washed all the snargles out of my hair."
Hermione's brows lifted as she nodded. On that odd note, McGonagall appeared to usher everyone into the hall.
"Not you, Miss Granger, Mr. Zambini. You and your dates shall start off the first waltz."
They waved at Luna and Ron who disappeared into the ballroom. There was an awkwardness as Harry faced Ginny and Blaise.
"Ginny, you look gorgeous. That colour is perfect for you," Hermione said.
Ginny smiled. "Thanks. Yours is just as great."
They kinda fell into silence then. Thankfully, the heralds started up soon and they turned towards the opening doors. Harry and Hermione preceded Blaise and Ginny through to the dance floor, where they took spots on the dance floor, waiting in form for the music to begin. Hermione saw a flash of white blonde over Harry's shoulder. Sure enough, it was Draco who pushed his way to the front of the circle surrounding the dance floor. He stared back at her, his eyes dully boring into hers. She looked away quickly as they started to move. She turned her attention to Harry, who was staring over her shoulder at Ginny.
"Harry," she whispered.
He looked at her. She made a funny face and then she smiled once he grinned.
Soon, other couples joined them. Quickly after that, the waltz ended, much to the relief of Harry. Him and Hermione moved off to the snack and drink table. He poured her some punch before getting his own.
"Now, I know you hated your last ball in fourth year, " Hermione started. "But this time, you have to dance a fast dance with me. Trust me, you don't have to be good. Dancing goofy is fun, you'll see."
Harry gave her a doubting look. She simply smiled and winked at him over the rim of her glass. The band started up as she set her glass down. She gave Harry a smiling expectant look to which he started to shake his head at, but she would have none of it and grabbed his arm to pull him out on the dance floor. Once there, she let him go and started bouncing side to side, her arms moving to the rhythm. Harry just stood there, a slow grin appearing on his face as he watched her. She shook her head at him and lifted his arms to wave back and forth. Leaning in, she shouted over the music into his ear.
"Move your feet side to side."
Harry started swaying side to side, and she helped him move faster. Once she got him moving she started to showcase every silly muggle dance move she could think of. Harry was soon laughing and twirling her about, or even better, he would imitate whatever ridiculous bit of pop culture she performed. Two songs went by before they came off the dance floor, holding their sides from laughing.
Hermione was so happy to see Harry so joyful as they collapsed on a seat. It was certainly before Dumbledore died that she remembered seeing him this happy.
Then a dark cloud formed. They sobered as Draco stopped in front of Hermione.
"May I have this dance?" he drawled, holding out his hand to Hermione.
Harry placed a hand on her knee and that's when Hermione realized a slow song was playing. She smiled reassuringly at Harry and leaned close.
"I'll be alright, Harry. It's only one dance. Can you get me and you something to drink? Preferably not spiked?"
Harry nodded, but still held a serious face. Hermione damned Malfoy for taking away Harry's happiness so easily. She stood without Draco's assistance and preceded him onto the floor. Turning, she waited for him to catch up. She growled under her breath as she saw he hadn't followed her at all but was exchanging unpleasantries with Harry, if Harry's scowl was any judge. Stalking back to them, Hermione grabbed Draco's wrist and pulled. He let her, leaving behind a very peeved Harry. Once Draco took her into his arms, she glared at him.
"Why did you have to do that?" she asked angrily.
He lifted a haughty brow. "Do what?"
"Get a shot in at Harry. Can't you just leave him alone for one night?"
Draco stared at her levelly.
"He took my date."
Hermione looked at him as if he were mad, which he might as well be.
"I was never yours."
"Potter promised."
"In exchange for notes I never got."
Draco gave an indolent shrug. "A minor point."
Hermione snorted. "Like you even wanted to go with me. You've avoided me like the plague ever since…" she stopped, not wanting to bring up their last encounter.
Draco ignored it. "Like you cared. You've been avoiding me as well."
"It's simply a habit. Interaction with you is not high on my list of things to do or look forward to."
Draco smirked.
"What?" she demanded.
"You're lying."
Her brows furrowed. "I am not."
"You can also feel it."
"Feel what?"
"The pull."
"What pull? Dammit, Malfoy…"
"You feel the magical attraction. That's why you are so angry."
Hermione started to shake her head in denial when she frowned as something dawned on her. Draco's anger had obviously been the reason for his wandless magic explosion. If he thought she was angry over whatever attraction he thought she felt, maybe that is why he blew up last time they touched. Glancing back at his face, the bastard was smirking knowingly at her. She gave him a disgusted look, following it with a slow smile. She smiled more as he frowned at her expression.
"Is that why you got so angry?" she asked. "Because you were attracted to me, a Muggle born? And if so, I have to wonder again at your real reason for asking me to the ball, if not because you liked me on some level."
He stared at her haughtily.
"You think very highly of yourself, don't you Granger."
Hermione scoffed. "If so, it's still so much less that you think of yourself." She grinned again, watching his face. "I'm right, aren't I?"
Over the past week, Draco had a bad feeling she was correct. He certainly wasn't ever going to tell her that. Nor show her in a room full of her protectors.
He shuttered his gaze, before asking, "Come to the balcony."
Hermione frowned and cocked her head at him. He grabbed her hand and started to pull her through the couples to the made up balcony specifically for the ball, and Hermione let him. Now that she had calmed, she started to feel the magical pull he mentioned, and was curious.
Stepping outside, it was warm despite the cool October weather, thanks to her heating charms, so her attention was focused on the starlit sky. Draco pulled her to the side away from the open view of the ballroom through the doors.
He slowed, gathering up the nerve to make a really bad choice. Suddenly he turned, and Hermione looked at him in surprise as his head descended towards hers. Her surprised squeal was muffled by his warm mouth on hers. She tried to move her head away at first, but he held her face to his with his hands.
Despite a tingling thrill, she started to struggle before his tongue slipped out and licked her bottom lip. It was so tender, a quiver of something shot down her body and she stilled. Draco was then pressing her up against the castle wall behind the large balcony doors. It was an alcove of sorts, hidden from immediate view by the foliage. That's when the kiss got heated. His mouth massaged hers softly, working over hers vigorously. Vaguely, Hermione knew that snogging Malfoy of all people, at a ball she was attending with someone else, was not okay, but it was really hard to care. Magically charged currents were shooting through her, heating her blood and making Draco somehow irresistible.
What's happening to me? they both thought.
Hermione was like a potion he couldn't get enough of and clutched on to her tightly. His hand moved up her side and lightly trailed over the line of her cleavage. Her skin was soft and so warm. He was all ready to see if she'd like to go back to their common room, when—
"Hermione?"
Draco and Hermione stilled. He lifted a finger to warn her to be quiet.
"Seamus, have you seen Hermione?" Harry asked.
"No, mate. She's probably doing something Head Girl related. You know how she is about her responsibilities."
Draco smirked at her and she glared at him, not believing she just let him snog her senseless. Wiping her mouth and checking her hair, she straightened and adjusted her dress, before pushing past him and out into view.
"I'm right here, Harry."
Harry turned from where he was about to follow Seamus back inside.
"Sorry, I just needed to clear my head after dealing with Draco. Let's go get those drinks, hm?" She quickly took Harry's arm and steered him inside, sending a fleeting glance towards the alcove Malfoy still stood in.
"Did he say anything to you?" Harry asked concerned.
She smiled reassuringly at him. "Nothing I can't handle, Harry." Yeah, right. "I can handle myself."
Harry nodded. "I know, but…"
"No, I know," she interrupted. "You have the whole brotherly complex with me and blah, blah, blah…"
Harry frowned.
"No. I wasn't thinking that."
They stopped at the drink table. Hermione lifted a brow at Harry in question.
"I was going to say I didn't like the way he was looking at you."
Both Hermione's brows shot up at that.
"Like he wanted to…I don't know, do stuff to you…" Harry had blushed and looked away.
Hermione was blushing too, for that's exactly what Malfoy did. Her jaw worked as she tried to deny Harry's claims.
"W-w, I think you're mistaken." She stuttered.
Harry shrugged. Hermione suddenly noticed how drawn he looked. Sensing the reason, she looked around, finally spotting Ginny laughing with Blaise on the dance floor. Looking back at Harry, a sympathetic look crossed her face before she said, "Harry, how about we go back to the common room. We can find Ron—" She quickly glanced around to see Ron was chatting Luna up in a corner. "—Or we can just have our own fun. Come on," she cajoled. "We can have a round of chess."
Harry certainly didn't feel like staying, but he wasn't sure if being left to his thoughts would be any better so he nodded solemnly and allowed Hermione to lead him out of the Great Hall.
Draco watched, silver-grey eyes flashing with jealousy. Damn, Potter.
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Draco stayed up that night on the couch. Even when Blaise came in at 1 am, Hermione still hadn't returned to her room. Damned Mudblood.
Why the fuck did he care what she did with Potter, or anyone? Because that was the fucking hottest kiss he'd ever had. And he only wanted more. Growing up an only child of wealthy parents, he was never denied anything he wanted, till Potter came in the picture, that is. Then his father thought to teach him humility. Draco cursed inwardly. Fuck humility, and fuck this. Draco stood and dashed out of the common room and into the corridor. He took a short-cut up to the Gryffindor Tower, hoping to catch one of those yuppies going in.
Rational thought had left Draco completely. No longer did reasoning matter, he had to stop whatever Granger and Potty were doing.
He was in luck. One of the male prefects were just coming back from rounds and Draco watched the portrait open before him. He rushed towards it, brushing past the prefect, who grunted in protest.
"—Hey! You can't be in here!" the prefect shouted after him.
Draco ignored him and raced into the cozily lit common room of red and gold. Scanning, he didn't see Hermione or Potter anywhere. He noticed the staircases and took the left one, quickly. He reached the top and glanced at the single door. Frowning, he realized it must be thought activated like the Room of Requirement. Think of which dorm you want and that's the one you walk into. Draco thought of the 7th year dorm and pushed open the door, striding in. A quick glance told him it was the boys' dorm and his gaze quickly searched for Potter.
"Oi!! What the FUCK, Malferret!!!"
Draco looked over to see Weasel glaring at him sitting under his coverlet. The rest of the room fumbled about for their wands, as Draco ignored them, heading for the lavatory.
"Potter!" he shouted.
The door opened as he reached it, with a frowning Potter sticking his head out, toothbrush in hand.
"What the—Malfoy?!" Harry's jaw dropped.
Draco continued at him, shoving him back against the wall.
"Harry!"
Draco ignored the Gryffindors shouts.
"Stay away from her!" Draco snarled at Harry, holding him by the neck against the porcelain of the boys' lavatory.
"Are you MAD?!"
"Let go of him!"
"Fuckin' Slytherin…"
Draco barely heard them. He did notice, and was very pissed, when one, or all, he wasn't sure, of them tackled him. He fought back like the devil, wrenching back and forth, swinging his elbow, fists, knees, and feet, trying to get free. It took all five of them to restrain him, since none of them were able to find their wands at the moment and to drag him downstairs.
The commotion brought most of the house out of their rooms and down into the common room, or on the balcony above, looking down. Ginny's dorm was among the first to reach the scene. She and Hermione, whom was in borrowed pajamas of Ginny's since she decided to stay the night, stopped at the bottom. Both gaped at the sight before them.
"Malfoy?!"
His wild gaze shot to Hermione's voice.
"What the hell are you doing in here?" she said, coming forward. She glanced at the seventh year boys. "Let him go."
Since Draco seemed to have calmed somewhat at her presence, they did reluctantly. Draco wrenched away from his captors, before simply staring at her. After a moment, he glanced around at his audience, before swearing under his breath and spinning towards the door. The Trio shared a glance, before Hermione took off after Draco. Ron and Ginny broke up the crowds of students sending them back to their dorms. Harry was worried about Hermione and followed her.
They were around the corner from the Fat Lady's portrait so he stood next to it when he heard,
"What the hell was that, Malfoy?!" Hermione shouted.
"What were you doing with Potter all night, huh?" Draco countered.
Harry frowned at this. Sounded like Draco was actually jealous.
"None of your business, Malfoy. I am none of your business! And what are you jealous?" she added, incredulous.
Harry heard Malfoy scoff.
"You think one kiss makes everything all better, that I won't forget what a git you really are and fall into your arms?"
Harry's frown deepened. Kiss? What kiss?
"You don't even like me." she laughed sardonically. "You tell me so and prove it every day, yet you put on this ridiculous act to make nice to me so I'd go to the ball with you. Tell me, Malfoy," she crossed her arms. "if you were actually interested in me, what the hell do you have to offer me? I mean, your name is ruined, thanks to you and your father, my family is pretty wealthy on its own, and I already have people who will love and comfort me. You, well, I suppose if I'm missing being harangued and annoyed and made to feel like shit, hey I'd come to you. So tell me," Harry heard footsteps as if she were stepping closer. "Why shouldn't I be with Harry? If that were in fact, the reason why I was staying the night in Gryffindor tower, what could you possibly offer me to sway me away from him? Someone as kind, caring, sensitive and as honourable as Harry, hm?"
Another step sounded, this one heavier.
"He can't make your pulse pound like this."
At this breathy declaration, Harry snuck a peek and saw Draco had grabbed her wrist and was standing very close. Alright, that's enough.
Harry stepped around the corner. "Hermione."
She spun away from Malfoy to face him, a deer caught in the headlights look, Draco releasing her wrist at the same time.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
Draco sneered at him.
Harry continued till he stood facing Malfoy, right next to Hermione. Holding Draco's gaze, Harry reached for Hermione's wrist, challenging Draco to do something about it. Draco narrowed his gaze at him but did nothing.
Finally, Harry looked down at Hermione. "Are you?" he asked again.
Still surprised, she nodded, wondering how much he'd heard.
"How sweet," Draco sneered. "Glad you two finally got your heads out of your rectums. Forgive me when I don't send an engagement gift." With a disgusted snort, Draco turned and headed back down.
Hermione peeked a wary glance up at Harry once they were alone. He was giving her a serious look.
"We need to talk," Harry said as he turned back towards the portrait hole.
Hermione's stomach squeezed painfully.
"About what?" she asked, though she already knew.
Harry stopped abruptly and spun to face her. "What's this about a kiss? Did he kiss you?" Harry asked, crossing his arms.
Hermione looked away.
Harry's jaw dropped. "And…and you let him?!" he asked incredulous.
"Don't yell at me!" she shouted, near tears.
Harry sighed, shoulders sagging. "I'm not yelling at you. I just…don't understand."
Hermione shook her head. "I don't either. Believe me, Harry, if there wasn't this odd magical pull, I would have nothing to do with Malfoy."
Harry frowned. "What 'magical pull'?"
Hermione sighed and told him of her encounter with what she thought was wandless magic Malfoy. Harry shrugged.
"So? He's always been allowed magic."
"Yes, but that's just it. He's most likely always had a wand and therefore never had a chance to do wandless magic like you or I. But that's not the point." She rubbed her face. "The point is, ever since then, it feels almost like we're magically connected and it's not getting easy to deny the pull."
Harry grimaced at the mental picture that brought.
"So, what you're saying you're attracted to Malfoy?"
Hermione's gaze shuttered and she shrugged slightly.
"I wish I knew."
"Well, I certainly believe he's attracted to you," Harry gestured the way Malfoy left. "You should've seen him, he shoved me against the wall and told me, 'stay away from her'!"
Hermione covered her mouth.
"Are you alright?"
Harry nodded. "Luckily, Ron and Seamus tackled him."
Hermione, still concerned, tried to touch his arm. He pulled away, and saw the hurt in her eyes.
"I'm sorry. Look, come on," he held his arm out for her to step into. "Let's get some sleep and then I will go with you to the library and help you research it."
Hermione felt a small semblance of a smile cross her lips as she glanced up at him. Harry smiled ruefully back at her.
"You're not mad at me?"
Harry closed his eyes and shook his head.
"I want to tear Malfoy's head off for coming on to you and wrecking the night you salvaged for me," he smiled genuinely at her then, "but no, I'm not mad or angry at you."
Hermione smiled in relief. Then she had a thought, "Don't tell Ron about this. I really don't want both of you gunning for Malfoy, especially Ron."
Harry nodded. "I don't want to deal with him either."
Hermione sighed and agreed.
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