A/N: Here's chapter 4. woo hoo!! Hahaha. Enjoy and r/r pls. This is
the longest one yet. Yippee.
Disclaimer: Own nothing but plot.
*~*~*
"So, when do you have to meet the ferret?" Ron asked while chewing down his sheppard's pie as they sat in the Great Hall for dinner.
Hermione scrunched up her face turning to look at her friend.
"Do you mind not chewing with your mouth full like that? If you don't know, it's a disgusting habit of yours." Hermione said in her "bossy" tone as they've named it. She also has a "menacing" tone, one that she uses when she gets very angry but tries to hide but inevitably explodes later on in a very unexpected time. A "serious" tone, one that she uses when she lectures them about something stupid or dangerous they did and for not listening to her. And the "good" tone, one that she uses when she talks about her friends, her family and school and all the things that make her happy.
"Oy, but you don't have to hurt me like that 'Mione." Ron said feigning a hurt expression. Hermione watched Ron struggle to swallow the ridiculous mound in his mouth, then swallow and then open his mouth to her to prove that his mouth was empty.
"Ahhh...like that?" Ron said his mouth still wide open.
As Hermione was about to sneak in a new spoonful in his mouth out of annoyance and revulsion, Harry asked her the question she didn't really want to hear or answer.
"Yeah so when are you meeting Malfoy, Hermione?" As he looked at her closely.
Hermione sighed, in truth she didn't want to meet Malfoy at all. "I mean it is only one project." She thought to herself.
Surely, she out of everyone in the school can afford to let one assignment pass. That was how much she didn't want to work with him. How much she loathed him. Even more so now than ever before.
"Well what time is it?" she asked wearily.
"Its nearly eight." Ron answered – once again with his mouth full.
"Well I guess I better get going. I told him I'd meet him there at eight. He'll never stop gloating if I turn out later than him." She answered finishing the last of her desert.
"Here, I'll walk you." Harry offered – or announced more like because he didn't really give Hermione a choice since he'd already grabbed her bag and thrown it over his shoulder.
"Oh I-uh...ok" Hermione hurried her last bite and sped walked across the Great Hall with Harry alongside her.
When they got to the library doors, Hermione didn't really want Harry to go inside with her. Not because she didn't want him around of course because if it was possible to have Harry with her during her "study" periods with Malfoy, she'd gladly accept. However there were costs that she just didn't want to have to deal with. That is another row between her best friend and the Slytherin.
She didn't think her and Malfoy would ever get anything done if Harry was there to disturb the git. Not that Harry starts the fight but Malfoy never passes any opportunity he can get to trudge on anyone, especially her and her friends. And Harry doesn't exactly help the situation either. Sometimes he just fuels the condition even more.
For some reason Malfoy hates everything around him that's good. He hates all the teachers except of course that bloody Potions Professor. He hates all subjects even though he's a pretty decent student. "Quite an intelligent stupid bloke really."
If she ever admitted it - which might never happen, he was one of the few challenges Hermione has academically. No one in her own house really question her intellect. As long as Hermione says it, then it's the answer. No one ever challenges her because they think she knows everything.
But with Malfoy, he always has something to say about her responses. He always has an opinion and he never has a problem to counter her. Sometimes it gets really irritating and galling but in the long run, Hermione can't help but think that it's somewhat of a relief. Sure she hates it when they fight because he never seems to tire of it, or tire of calling her those names even though he doesn't use the worst of them, but she kinda likes their little spats. She gets to show her fiery, witty self.
Not that she doesn't fight with Harry or Ron but this is different. Usually she's just lecturing them about something but with Malfoy she's able to use her mental power and knowledge other than in class. It's almost like a feedback to her brain to keep her sane. To keep her mind going and not rotting because there isn't anyone around to dispute with, just a bunch of mind numbing students.
"Ha...well Harry thanks for walking me but I think I can handle it from here" Hermione said reaching for her bag from Harry's shoulder.
He handed it to her reluctantly. "Are you sure? Because you know I can stay with you...just to make sure he doesn't pull anything behind your back I mean." He said with a quick shrug.
Hermione laughed lightly. "What, like a chaperone? Harry I can take care of myself." She looked at him in the eyes meaningfully. Oh those eyes. Even if she loved him like a brother she still blushed anytime she gazed into his deep green orbs. They're the most beautiful eyes she's ever seen.
And then out of the blue a pair of silver gray eyes danced across her mind. She shook her head slightly. Anxiety was just getting the better of her.
When she looked back at her friend, he was looking down like he was waiting for her to say something. She didn't think this was normal behavior because he seemed a bit nervous.
"Are you ok Harry? Is something the matter?" She asked concerned.
After a while that seemed like ages, he finally looked up. He was smiling a small one.
"It's nothing 'Mione. Don't mind me." He sighed. "Well you better get going. And remember, if he tries anything don't hesitate to hex him with your best"
She chuckled. "I wont let you down." And with one last look of good-bye she went on to meet the gray eyed prat thinking to herself what a long night it was going to be.
*~*~*
As she entered the library, what use to be one of her favorite parts in the castle, was suddenly the place she dreaded the most, she quickly spotted the blond head sitting in a table near the back scanning the place. No doubt looking for her.
To be honest she was quite surprised that he was on time. She was almost sure he was going to take his sweet old time getting there, but here he was, earlier than her.
As she was cautiously approaching him, he suddenly looked up. Her heart skipped a beat. She was kinda hoping he wouldn't see her so soon.
"My my... little Gryfindor, late aren't we?" She could almost see the smirk forming in his lips.
She huffed. "I'm not late Malfoy. You're early. I'm a bit surprised I must say. I thought you were "busy" tonight? I was prepared to do a lot of the work by myself."
"Listen here, I would never leave my work for anyone to do let alone a muggle born." He had stood up leaned across the table and it was only then had she realized that she'd already reached the table and was also leaning over.
"Even if the muggle born was the smartest witch in school?" she countered. Hermione didn't think it was fair of him to treat her like she was stupid when it was perfectly clear that she was a whole lot smarter than he was. It really got her blood boiling.
Now it was Draco's turn to huff. "You think you're so smart don't you Granger? Well don't feel so special because there isn't anything extraordinary about that because what you do, others can do just as well. All you do is read and study, read and study. You think you've got a gift or something? With out your precious books you'd be nothing."
Draco was looking at her up and down. She noticed that this was the third time he's done it.
"No wonder you lack so much social life. You've shut yourself in your books its kinda sad. You really need to get out more Granger." Malfoy's tone held malice but his face was void of any emotion.
"And what do you know about the world Malfoy? Just coz your dad goes around wrecking and destroying it now and then doesn't exactly qualify you as someone to teach me something about it." Hermione was now looking at him straight in the eyes. She thought he'd gone too far to say that she needed to get out more. He doesn't know anything about her. And here he was telling her what to do. No one bosses her around.
"Excuse me?" Draco was looking confounded by her statement.
"Yea right, he's just acting stupid" Hermione thought.
"You know what I mean Malfoy." She refused to let him take her down.
But then she saw something in his eyes that made her double take. She didn't know what it was exactly. It was hard to tell because it lasted for about half a second but she was sure she saw something. Something different from the ordinary.
"You know what Mudblood," putting emphasis on the word. "I'll just let you and your pathetic little friends believe whatever the hell it is you want to believe. Its just a waste of my time." Draco spat.
And with that he sat down, opened his book and resumed his writing.
Hermione was taken aback. She couldn't comprehend as to why she was because it was not new for the heartless prat to say those cruel things but it just seemed such a surprise since he hasn't called her that for so long.
She was hoping that they've moved on from that phase and maybe, just maybe he grew up. That he matured. But she was proven wrong.
It was the first time in almost 2 years that she was called such an insulting name and it hit her harder than she thought. She sighed a long deep sigh and tried hard to keep herself from jumping on Malfoy and hexing him or from crying.
She cleared her throat, it suddenly felt hard. She could almost feel the tears that were threatening to break free but she would not give him the satisfaction of once again hurting her. Hermione sat down ever so quietly and for the next hour they were working like this. Without speaking. Without looking. Without acknowledging the other's presence.
*~*~*
It had been almost 2 hours before the forbidding silence between them was broken. Hermione and Draco were still working on their project when suddenly a group of Ravenclaws showed up to do some late night homework. The problem was, a few of them were having a heated discussion about the three deadly curse that caused Hermione to absent mindedly bob her leg in a silent rhythm, twirl her quill around and around her fingers and huff from time to time out of frustration.
She hadn't realized she'd been doing this until Malfoy said something about it.
"Could you please stop bobbing your leg like that?" he said, aggravated. "Its irritating the hell out of me not to mention hitting my shin for the fifth time." Obviously he still hasn't recovered from their recent brawl.
She growled in return. "Don't tell me what to do. It's my leg and I can do whatever I want with it," Hermione said in a harsh whisper, a poor attempt to keep quite. "And it isn't my fault. I can't bloody concentrate because those unbelievably annoying Ravenclaws can't keep their gigantic trap shut."
From this, she thought she heard Malfoy laugh silently but she must have misheard. Malfoy never laughed and when he did it was more of a cruel taunt.
"Well then go to them and tell them to shut it. God knows Granger you aren't the only one here their bothering." Malfoy suggested as he looked over her shoulder with a maddening glare at the group.
"Me? Why don't you do it?" Hermione said pointedly. She didn't want to have to get up and tell them off.
"I can't." he answered shortly. But she felt like there was more to it than that.
"And why not?" she cocked an eyebrow.
"Because as soon as I get there, they won't want me to leave." He said and she can see a smirk slowly forming in his lips.
"Again Malfoy, indulge me."
"You see those girls..." He lifted his chin at their direction. "...the red head and the one with the blue scrunchy."
"Yeah..." Hermione nodded still not understanding but was looking at the girls accusingly.
"Well I heard they have it in for me, bad." And now she can see a full- blown smirk, an arrogant grin and all she could do was roll her eyes. He was so egotistical sometimes she could almost laugh. Almost.
She turned back to look at her partner. "That's it? Wouldn't that work to your advantage seeing as they'd do anything for you." She lifted her hands and placed them girlishly on her cheeks acting like a love-struck teenager.
She said in an overly sweet voice "Oh of course Draco, whatever you say. We'll do whatever you want. We are your humble servants. Tell us and we'll do it. Oh please Draco don't go."
"You know Granger, if that wasn't so true I would think you were funny." Malfoy said in just about the nicest voice she had ever heard from him. He was almost complimenting her. It threw her off.
She looked back at him, recuperating from her little act. "But seriously Malfoy. Just go to them please. I can't concentrate." She said in a pleading voice.
He lifted his eyebrows in mild surprise. "Granger. Are you begging?"
Hermione was caught off guard. She quickly sat up straight. "Of course not. I simply said please. I didn't beg. Maybe you wanted me to but you'll never hear me begging you for something." She held her head high. "But you know what, I should've expected this from you, you lazy prat. I'll just have to do it myself."
And so she stood up determined to show Malfoy. She huffed heatedly. "Really! Begging. Me? Even in his dreams that would NEVER happen." She screamed in her own head.
When she looked back to throw a cold look at the scolding git, she saw him sit back and relax, as if she was a show he was going to enjoy.
He looked back at her, she smirked, he smirked. He had his legs spread before him and his hands folded just above his tummy, silently tapping his fingers. She cocked an eyebrow. He smiled.
She paused for a second. She couldn't believe he was smiling. Hermione couldn't help but think to herself how nice he looked when he smiled. It warmed the rest of his face and he wasn't that bad to look at. In about a second she realized she didn't want him to stop and so she returned his smile. Feeling like this was kinda fun, whatever it was they were doing.
He lifted his hand at the Ravenclaws direction as if egging her on; she gave him an I'm-so-going-to-do-this look. She turned her head back again to look at the table she was pursuing. But at that instant, two more groups of bickering students came in and they were an even bigger bunch. She didn't think she could tell all of them to be quite so she casually went back to her seat resignedly.
"Wow Granger. You really told them." Malfoy spoke in mock awe as soon as she sat down.
"Shut it Malfoy. Did you see the throng of students that just came in? If you want you can tell them yourself. Your pretty good at that." She answered back wearily. How are they supposed to ever get anything done tonight if they're being constantly disturbed by people.
"Well I have an idea." Malfoy announced.
"Putting a silencing charm on the students isn't exactly gonna do it Malfoy."
"No you susceptible little creature. We could use the other room."
Of course, the room! Her room. It hit her like a bludger. Why didn't she think of that sooner. She forgot that he knew about it too.
"Well Malfoy. That's the brightest thing you've said tonight." But she was smiling. Glad to finally get away.
They began to pick up their things and started down the small secret flight of stairs from the very back of the library. As much as she liked the comfort and comfyness the room offered, she always hated walking down the corridor getting there. It was always dark with very little light from the torches. It was even creepier now that she was with Malfoy. She couldn't help but think that he was going to hex her or something else horrible.
As they were walking practically blind, an all too familiar incident occurred. Hermione accidentally dropped one of the larger books she was carrying and tripped over it. She was scared to hit the hard stoned floor and terrified to embarrass herself in front of him. But neither happened, because once again, he caught her.
He had grabbed her around the waist and gently supported her back. It was dark so they couldn't see each other, which really made Hermione wonder how he saw her fall. But even then, despite the dark they could feel each other.
At the sudden impact of their bodies, their noses touched for a brief period in time. They were dangerously close but he didn't let her go right away. Instead he held onto her a little more firmly. As if to verify that she wasn't going to fall.
Then all went silent. All they could hear were each other's breathing. They were both ragged and uneven. Hermione's heart was beating furiously and she could also feel his through his thin white polo shirt.
For a moment in time, they stayed like that. Holding onto each other and breathing hard. Hermione inhaled deeply, she could smell his sweet cologne and realized how much she liked it. Even though she couldn't see so she could prove herself wrong, she could feel his eyes raking over her face. She didn't know why because surely he couldn't see in the dark.
Just as she was fathoming about this, they suddenly heard a distant noise. It was the sound of a set of keys jingling. Malfoy suddenly hoisted her up right and picked up her things. He then shoved them into her arms and told her that it was probably Madame Pince.
In about a half a second the librarian appeared in sight.
"Oh hello Mr. Malfoy, Ms. Granger. I was just looking for you two. The head girl has just informed me of an emergency prefect meeting. I told her you were here so she sent me to get you. You're both due at the Prefect Lounge in 5 minutes." And with one last smile the librarian headed for her office leaving the two students alone.
Hermione cleared her throat and spoke first. "Emergency meeting? What for?" In truth she just didn't know what to say. It felt like such an awkward moment.
"I don't know. Perhaps about the Halloween Ball." Malfoy seemed unusually quite. But she didn't blame him. She was praying to be anywhere else at the moment. After a timely silence she spoke again.
"Uh...well I guess we better get going." When she said this, it was laced with a nervous laugh.
She led the way out of the library, down the halls and around the corners always walking a few paces ahead. Her heart rate had at least gone back to normal, which was good. But it wasn't until they reached the Prefect Lounge and sat down with their fellow prefects had they been able to let out a long held breath – when they were both sitting opposite ends of each other.
*~*~*
Watcha think? Good/bad? well anyway, I hope you guys are liking and liking more. thanx again for the reviews and r/r because your thoughts and opinions are important to meee. Bye.
Disclaimer: Own nothing but plot.
*~*~*
"So, when do you have to meet the ferret?" Ron asked while chewing down his sheppard's pie as they sat in the Great Hall for dinner.
Hermione scrunched up her face turning to look at her friend.
"Do you mind not chewing with your mouth full like that? If you don't know, it's a disgusting habit of yours." Hermione said in her "bossy" tone as they've named it. She also has a "menacing" tone, one that she uses when she gets very angry but tries to hide but inevitably explodes later on in a very unexpected time. A "serious" tone, one that she uses when she lectures them about something stupid or dangerous they did and for not listening to her. And the "good" tone, one that she uses when she talks about her friends, her family and school and all the things that make her happy.
"Oy, but you don't have to hurt me like that 'Mione." Ron said feigning a hurt expression. Hermione watched Ron struggle to swallow the ridiculous mound in his mouth, then swallow and then open his mouth to her to prove that his mouth was empty.
"Ahhh...like that?" Ron said his mouth still wide open.
As Hermione was about to sneak in a new spoonful in his mouth out of annoyance and revulsion, Harry asked her the question she didn't really want to hear or answer.
"Yeah so when are you meeting Malfoy, Hermione?" As he looked at her closely.
Hermione sighed, in truth she didn't want to meet Malfoy at all. "I mean it is only one project." She thought to herself.
Surely, she out of everyone in the school can afford to let one assignment pass. That was how much she didn't want to work with him. How much she loathed him. Even more so now than ever before.
"Well what time is it?" she asked wearily.
"Its nearly eight." Ron answered – once again with his mouth full.
"Well I guess I better get going. I told him I'd meet him there at eight. He'll never stop gloating if I turn out later than him." She answered finishing the last of her desert.
"Here, I'll walk you." Harry offered – or announced more like because he didn't really give Hermione a choice since he'd already grabbed her bag and thrown it over his shoulder.
"Oh I-uh...ok" Hermione hurried her last bite and sped walked across the Great Hall with Harry alongside her.
When they got to the library doors, Hermione didn't really want Harry to go inside with her. Not because she didn't want him around of course because if it was possible to have Harry with her during her "study" periods with Malfoy, she'd gladly accept. However there were costs that she just didn't want to have to deal with. That is another row between her best friend and the Slytherin.
She didn't think her and Malfoy would ever get anything done if Harry was there to disturb the git. Not that Harry starts the fight but Malfoy never passes any opportunity he can get to trudge on anyone, especially her and her friends. And Harry doesn't exactly help the situation either. Sometimes he just fuels the condition even more.
For some reason Malfoy hates everything around him that's good. He hates all the teachers except of course that bloody Potions Professor. He hates all subjects even though he's a pretty decent student. "Quite an intelligent stupid bloke really."
If she ever admitted it - which might never happen, he was one of the few challenges Hermione has academically. No one in her own house really question her intellect. As long as Hermione says it, then it's the answer. No one ever challenges her because they think she knows everything.
But with Malfoy, he always has something to say about her responses. He always has an opinion and he never has a problem to counter her. Sometimes it gets really irritating and galling but in the long run, Hermione can't help but think that it's somewhat of a relief. Sure she hates it when they fight because he never seems to tire of it, or tire of calling her those names even though he doesn't use the worst of them, but she kinda likes their little spats. She gets to show her fiery, witty self.
Not that she doesn't fight with Harry or Ron but this is different. Usually she's just lecturing them about something but with Malfoy she's able to use her mental power and knowledge other than in class. It's almost like a feedback to her brain to keep her sane. To keep her mind going and not rotting because there isn't anyone around to dispute with, just a bunch of mind numbing students.
"Ha...well Harry thanks for walking me but I think I can handle it from here" Hermione said reaching for her bag from Harry's shoulder.
He handed it to her reluctantly. "Are you sure? Because you know I can stay with you...just to make sure he doesn't pull anything behind your back I mean." He said with a quick shrug.
Hermione laughed lightly. "What, like a chaperone? Harry I can take care of myself." She looked at him in the eyes meaningfully. Oh those eyes. Even if she loved him like a brother she still blushed anytime she gazed into his deep green orbs. They're the most beautiful eyes she's ever seen.
And then out of the blue a pair of silver gray eyes danced across her mind. She shook her head slightly. Anxiety was just getting the better of her.
When she looked back at her friend, he was looking down like he was waiting for her to say something. She didn't think this was normal behavior because he seemed a bit nervous.
"Are you ok Harry? Is something the matter?" She asked concerned.
After a while that seemed like ages, he finally looked up. He was smiling a small one.
"It's nothing 'Mione. Don't mind me." He sighed. "Well you better get going. And remember, if he tries anything don't hesitate to hex him with your best"
She chuckled. "I wont let you down." And with one last look of good-bye she went on to meet the gray eyed prat thinking to herself what a long night it was going to be.
*~*~*
As she entered the library, what use to be one of her favorite parts in the castle, was suddenly the place she dreaded the most, she quickly spotted the blond head sitting in a table near the back scanning the place. No doubt looking for her.
To be honest she was quite surprised that he was on time. She was almost sure he was going to take his sweet old time getting there, but here he was, earlier than her.
As she was cautiously approaching him, he suddenly looked up. Her heart skipped a beat. She was kinda hoping he wouldn't see her so soon.
"My my... little Gryfindor, late aren't we?" She could almost see the smirk forming in his lips.
She huffed. "I'm not late Malfoy. You're early. I'm a bit surprised I must say. I thought you were "busy" tonight? I was prepared to do a lot of the work by myself."
"Listen here, I would never leave my work for anyone to do let alone a muggle born." He had stood up leaned across the table and it was only then had she realized that she'd already reached the table and was also leaning over.
"Even if the muggle born was the smartest witch in school?" she countered. Hermione didn't think it was fair of him to treat her like she was stupid when it was perfectly clear that she was a whole lot smarter than he was. It really got her blood boiling.
Now it was Draco's turn to huff. "You think you're so smart don't you Granger? Well don't feel so special because there isn't anything extraordinary about that because what you do, others can do just as well. All you do is read and study, read and study. You think you've got a gift or something? With out your precious books you'd be nothing."
Draco was looking at her up and down. She noticed that this was the third time he's done it.
"No wonder you lack so much social life. You've shut yourself in your books its kinda sad. You really need to get out more Granger." Malfoy's tone held malice but his face was void of any emotion.
"And what do you know about the world Malfoy? Just coz your dad goes around wrecking and destroying it now and then doesn't exactly qualify you as someone to teach me something about it." Hermione was now looking at him straight in the eyes. She thought he'd gone too far to say that she needed to get out more. He doesn't know anything about her. And here he was telling her what to do. No one bosses her around.
"Excuse me?" Draco was looking confounded by her statement.
"Yea right, he's just acting stupid" Hermione thought.
"You know what I mean Malfoy." She refused to let him take her down.
But then she saw something in his eyes that made her double take. She didn't know what it was exactly. It was hard to tell because it lasted for about half a second but she was sure she saw something. Something different from the ordinary.
"You know what Mudblood," putting emphasis on the word. "I'll just let you and your pathetic little friends believe whatever the hell it is you want to believe. Its just a waste of my time." Draco spat.
And with that he sat down, opened his book and resumed his writing.
Hermione was taken aback. She couldn't comprehend as to why she was because it was not new for the heartless prat to say those cruel things but it just seemed such a surprise since he hasn't called her that for so long.
She was hoping that they've moved on from that phase and maybe, just maybe he grew up. That he matured. But she was proven wrong.
It was the first time in almost 2 years that she was called such an insulting name and it hit her harder than she thought. She sighed a long deep sigh and tried hard to keep herself from jumping on Malfoy and hexing him or from crying.
She cleared her throat, it suddenly felt hard. She could almost feel the tears that were threatening to break free but she would not give him the satisfaction of once again hurting her. Hermione sat down ever so quietly and for the next hour they were working like this. Without speaking. Without looking. Without acknowledging the other's presence.
*~*~*
It had been almost 2 hours before the forbidding silence between them was broken. Hermione and Draco were still working on their project when suddenly a group of Ravenclaws showed up to do some late night homework. The problem was, a few of them were having a heated discussion about the three deadly curse that caused Hermione to absent mindedly bob her leg in a silent rhythm, twirl her quill around and around her fingers and huff from time to time out of frustration.
She hadn't realized she'd been doing this until Malfoy said something about it.
"Could you please stop bobbing your leg like that?" he said, aggravated. "Its irritating the hell out of me not to mention hitting my shin for the fifth time." Obviously he still hasn't recovered from their recent brawl.
She growled in return. "Don't tell me what to do. It's my leg and I can do whatever I want with it," Hermione said in a harsh whisper, a poor attempt to keep quite. "And it isn't my fault. I can't bloody concentrate because those unbelievably annoying Ravenclaws can't keep their gigantic trap shut."
From this, she thought she heard Malfoy laugh silently but she must have misheard. Malfoy never laughed and when he did it was more of a cruel taunt.
"Well then go to them and tell them to shut it. God knows Granger you aren't the only one here their bothering." Malfoy suggested as he looked over her shoulder with a maddening glare at the group.
"Me? Why don't you do it?" Hermione said pointedly. She didn't want to have to get up and tell them off.
"I can't." he answered shortly. But she felt like there was more to it than that.
"And why not?" she cocked an eyebrow.
"Because as soon as I get there, they won't want me to leave." He said and she can see a smirk slowly forming in his lips.
"Again Malfoy, indulge me."
"You see those girls..." He lifted his chin at their direction. "...the red head and the one with the blue scrunchy."
"Yeah..." Hermione nodded still not understanding but was looking at the girls accusingly.
"Well I heard they have it in for me, bad." And now she can see a full- blown smirk, an arrogant grin and all she could do was roll her eyes. He was so egotistical sometimes she could almost laugh. Almost.
She turned back to look at her partner. "That's it? Wouldn't that work to your advantage seeing as they'd do anything for you." She lifted her hands and placed them girlishly on her cheeks acting like a love-struck teenager.
She said in an overly sweet voice "Oh of course Draco, whatever you say. We'll do whatever you want. We are your humble servants. Tell us and we'll do it. Oh please Draco don't go."
"You know Granger, if that wasn't so true I would think you were funny." Malfoy said in just about the nicest voice she had ever heard from him. He was almost complimenting her. It threw her off.
She looked back at him, recuperating from her little act. "But seriously Malfoy. Just go to them please. I can't concentrate." She said in a pleading voice.
He lifted his eyebrows in mild surprise. "Granger. Are you begging?"
Hermione was caught off guard. She quickly sat up straight. "Of course not. I simply said please. I didn't beg. Maybe you wanted me to but you'll never hear me begging you for something." She held her head high. "But you know what, I should've expected this from you, you lazy prat. I'll just have to do it myself."
And so she stood up determined to show Malfoy. She huffed heatedly. "Really! Begging. Me? Even in his dreams that would NEVER happen." She screamed in her own head.
When she looked back to throw a cold look at the scolding git, she saw him sit back and relax, as if she was a show he was going to enjoy.
He looked back at her, she smirked, he smirked. He had his legs spread before him and his hands folded just above his tummy, silently tapping his fingers. She cocked an eyebrow. He smiled.
She paused for a second. She couldn't believe he was smiling. Hermione couldn't help but think to herself how nice he looked when he smiled. It warmed the rest of his face and he wasn't that bad to look at. In about a second she realized she didn't want him to stop and so she returned his smile. Feeling like this was kinda fun, whatever it was they were doing.
He lifted his hand at the Ravenclaws direction as if egging her on; she gave him an I'm-so-going-to-do-this look. She turned her head back again to look at the table she was pursuing. But at that instant, two more groups of bickering students came in and they were an even bigger bunch. She didn't think she could tell all of them to be quite so she casually went back to her seat resignedly.
"Wow Granger. You really told them." Malfoy spoke in mock awe as soon as she sat down.
"Shut it Malfoy. Did you see the throng of students that just came in? If you want you can tell them yourself. Your pretty good at that." She answered back wearily. How are they supposed to ever get anything done tonight if they're being constantly disturbed by people.
"Well I have an idea." Malfoy announced.
"Putting a silencing charm on the students isn't exactly gonna do it Malfoy."
"No you susceptible little creature. We could use the other room."
Of course, the room! Her room. It hit her like a bludger. Why didn't she think of that sooner. She forgot that he knew about it too.
"Well Malfoy. That's the brightest thing you've said tonight." But she was smiling. Glad to finally get away.
They began to pick up their things and started down the small secret flight of stairs from the very back of the library. As much as she liked the comfort and comfyness the room offered, she always hated walking down the corridor getting there. It was always dark with very little light from the torches. It was even creepier now that she was with Malfoy. She couldn't help but think that he was going to hex her or something else horrible.
As they were walking practically blind, an all too familiar incident occurred. Hermione accidentally dropped one of the larger books she was carrying and tripped over it. She was scared to hit the hard stoned floor and terrified to embarrass herself in front of him. But neither happened, because once again, he caught her.
He had grabbed her around the waist and gently supported her back. It was dark so they couldn't see each other, which really made Hermione wonder how he saw her fall. But even then, despite the dark they could feel each other.
At the sudden impact of their bodies, their noses touched for a brief period in time. They were dangerously close but he didn't let her go right away. Instead he held onto her a little more firmly. As if to verify that she wasn't going to fall.
Then all went silent. All they could hear were each other's breathing. They were both ragged and uneven. Hermione's heart was beating furiously and she could also feel his through his thin white polo shirt.
For a moment in time, they stayed like that. Holding onto each other and breathing hard. Hermione inhaled deeply, she could smell his sweet cologne and realized how much she liked it. Even though she couldn't see so she could prove herself wrong, she could feel his eyes raking over her face. She didn't know why because surely he couldn't see in the dark.
Just as she was fathoming about this, they suddenly heard a distant noise. It was the sound of a set of keys jingling. Malfoy suddenly hoisted her up right and picked up her things. He then shoved them into her arms and told her that it was probably Madame Pince.
In about a half a second the librarian appeared in sight.
"Oh hello Mr. Malfoy, Ms. Granger. I was just looking for you two. The head girl has just informed me of an emergency prefect meeting. I told her you were here so she sent me to get you. You're both due at the Prefect Lounge in 5 minutes." And with one last smile the librarian headed for her office leaving the two students alone.
Hermione cleared her throat and spoke first. "Emergency meeting? What for?" In truth she just didn't know what to say. It felt like such an awkward moment.
"I don't know. Perhaps about the Halloween Ball." Malfoy seemed unusually quite. But she didn't blame him. She was praying to be anywhere else at the moment. After a timely silence she spoke again.
"Uh...well I guess we better get going." When she said this, it was laced with a nervous laugh.
She led the way out of the library, down the halls and around the corners always walking a few paces ahead. Her heart rate had at least gone back to normal, which was good. But it wasn't until they reached the Prefect Lounge and sat down with their fellow prefects had they been able to let out a long held breath – when they were both sitting opposite ends of each other.
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Watcha think? Good/bad? well anyway, I hope you guys are liking and liking more. thanx again for the reviews and r/r because your thoughts and opinions are important to meee. Bye.