Author's note: I'm so, so, so sorry this took so long to get up! It would have been up ages ago, only I lost my memory stick/flash drive (whatever you want to call it), which has the next like, seven chapter's of Realize on, so I was completely crapping myself.
Any way, I finally found it (Under my bed, for some odd reason), edited this chapter, and BAM, here we are! ;D
I'm not sure why, but I really enjoyed writing this chapter. Any way, due to me losing my memory stick, I'm unsure to who's reviews I replied to, so I'm just going to reply to every one's at the bottom of the page.
Oh, and one final thing… I set up a Photo bucket account so I could put some pictures on of the dresses and shizz, so go check that out! (: If the link doesn't work, then P.M me, and I'll sort you out! ;D
.com/albums/dd480/ForeverRose123/Realize/
^ The link! ;D
Read on dear fellows(':
Chapter Six.
Saturday 12th September 1998. (Words: 3969).
Nearly a week had passed since Hermione and Draco had met with Narcissa, and they were becoming better friends every day, though both of them constantly denied it.
Hermione remembered when Ginny had confronted her about it when they were in the library.
"So, how's thing's going between you and Mister. McHotster?" Ginny smirked as Hermione picked out the book she needed for her Charms essay.
"Who?" Hermione asked, frowning as they sat back at their table in the corner of the library.
"Malfoy, who else?" Ginny said, rolling her eyes.
"Oh, we're fine, thank you. We're not biting each other's heads of 24/7 if that's what you mean," she added, smiling lightly.
And they had been getting along better, a lot better. Every morning, she woke up with Draco's arms wrapped around her, and then they'd both rush to the bathroom, play fighting on the way. Draco would usually win and get to shower first, not that she minded. Then, some days Hermione would sit at the Slytherin table with him, then other's he would join her at the Gryffindor table, much to the dismay of Ron.
In the evening they would do there homework and talk over a nice cup of tea, then either meet with their friends or get an early night. Though they did still have constant rows, not that that was going to change.
Hermione, however, had this disappointed feeling in the pit of her stomach. She couldn't explain it. She got it every time Draco pecked her on the cheek, or on the forehead.
Was it possible that she wanted him to kiss her on the mouth? No, that was still…
"Hermione!" Ginny's voice said loudly.
"What?" Hermione said, looking around, baffled.
"I've been calling your name for at least five minutes now," Ginny said before smirking. "You were thinking about Draco."
"No I wasn't," Hermione said, but couldn't stop her self from blushing. "What gave you that impression?"
"Oh, just the dreamy look you had on your face," she said before opening her eyes wide, staring into space with her mouth open slightly, swinging from side to side, imitating Hermione's facial expression minutes before.
"Wow, that look's oddly like a cross between Ron and Luna. Luna when she's going on about her creatures and Ron when he's eating," Hermione pointed out.
Ginny snorted.
"That's what their kids are going to look like," she laughed. "But any way, you were thinking about Draco, I know you were," Ginny said seriously.
"I was not!" Hermione protested, over and over again.
Ginny was stubborn. She just would not give up the idea that she thought Hermione was beginning to like Draco as 'more than a friend'.
It was a preposterous thought. Though it wasn't just Ginny who had suggested it, but Blaise and Harry, too.
Today was the day that she, Ginny, Luna, Pansy, Daphne and Astoria was going shopping for their dresses. She hated to admit it, but she was excited.
The plan was, they would all meet in the corridor of the 'Family wing,' before making their way up to Professor McGonagall's office like she'd asked, then they would proceed to Diagon Alley.
Hermione stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her tightly, before walking from the bathroom.
Draco catcalled when she walked passed him and into the bedroom.
"Shut it, you," she had said before closing the bedroom door, giggling slightly.
Grabbing her wand, she spelled her hair and body dry before changing into a pair of black skinny jeans, a white camisole with a black cat printed on the front, her underwear (obviously) and comfortable footwear. She knew what Ginny was like once she started shopping.
A knock came from the bedroom door.
"Hermione? You decent?" Draco's voice called through.
"Yeah, come in," she called back, tying her hair in a cute, but messy ponytail.
He opened the door and walked in, looking her up and down as he entered.
"You know, you really need to stop doing that," Hermione glared half-heartedly. She didn't like it when Draco 'checked her out'. She wasn't used to it… especially not from him.
"Doing what?" he said innocently.
"Eyeing me up," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Am I not aloud to appreciate what is mine?" he said, smirking at her.
"I'm not a possession, Draco," she said, glaring at him.
"I know, I know," he said, holding his hands up in defense. He really loved to annoy her, didn't he?
"What did you want anyway?" Hermione said, grabbing her knee length, black trench coat.
"I wanted to give you this," he said, putting his hand in his pocket and handing her a gold card with 'Gringotts Wizarding Bank' engraved on the front.
It looked like a normal Muggle credit card, only for a Wizarding Bank.
"Who's is this?" she said, taking it and flipping it over to see his name wrote on the back.
"Mine, obviously," he said, rolling his eyes. He did that a lot. "I want you to charge anything you buy today to my bank account. But whatever you want. It's not like I can't afford it," he said, noticing her hesitant glance.
"I can't Draco," Hermione said, trying to hand it back to him. "It wouldn't feel right."
"I insist. And don't not buy things just because their expensive either," Draco warned. "Look, if you don't take it, I'll give it to Ginny, and force her to buy your things for you."
Looking at the card in her hand as though it was alien spawn, she sighed and placed it in her front pocket.
"Fine, whatever," she rolled her eyes. Hermione looked down at her wristwatch and her eyes widened.
"Crap, I got to go. I'll see you later," she said, shoving her coat on.
Draco walked her to the front door, gave her a slightly stiff hug (they still weren't used to the whole affection thing) , a kiss on the cheek and sent her on her way.
When she got out into the corridor, everyone was already there, waiting for her.
"About time Granger," Pansy said, rolling her eyes.
"Sorry, I was trying to refuse to take Draco's bank card," she said sheepishly as they walked out of the Family wing and up towards the school.
"He gave you his bank card, too? Blaise insisted I would take his and buy whatever I like," Ginny laughed gleefully.
"Yeah, so did Potter," Pansy snorted, though she had a small smile on her face.
"Who knew they could be such gentleman's?" Daphne said sarcastically, flashing Theo's card in front of their eyes.
Once they got to Professor McGonagall's office, the two gargoyle's jumped aside without even asking for the password.
"Professor McGonagall told us to let you in," one of them said after Hermione gave them a questioning glance.
They made their way up the stairs and Pansy raised her fist and knocked loudly on the door.
"Come in," came the voice of the Transfiguration Professor.
They opened the door and walked towards her desk.
"Ah, girls. Now, the reason I asked you to come see me this morning is because I have to tell you a few rules," she said, leaning forward in her chair. "Firstly, you have to walk down to Hogsmeade and Apparate there, directly into The Leaky Cauldron and Apparate back afterwards. You must be back before dinner time. If any one who even looks remotely threatening approaches you, you return here immediately, am I clear?" she said sharply.
Even though the war was finished, the Ministry were still trying to round up the remaining followers of Lord Voldemort.
"We understand, Professor," Ginny said seriously.
"Right then, off you go," she said, waving them out of the office.
When they arrived in Diagon Alley nearly half an hour later, they were happy to see it wasn't too busy.
"Right, where first girlies?" Ginny said, beaming.
"How about Stardust? The bridal shop near Madam Malkin's?" Daphne suggested.
"Good idea, Greengrass," Ginny said. "Let's go."
They made their way down to said shop, and were relieved to see it was empty.
"Ah, what can I do for you, Mes chéris(1)?" said a tall, thin, red headed woman in her earlier thirties in a thick French accent.
"Well, we're all getting married over the course of the next month, and we need dresses," Hermione explained.
"Ah, magnifique!(2) Come, come," she said, ushering them into the shop.
"Sit down, sit down," she said, beaming, pushing them onto a large sofa. "Ere' you are," she said, handing each of them a thick wedding catalogue. "Come find me in the back when you 'ave found one, eh? My name is Dominiqué," she beamed.
They spent ages, looking through the catalogues, looking for the right dress.
"Hey, I think I've found one," Astoria said excitedly. "It says 'Hand-pleated A-line taffeta dress featuring hand beaded lace appliqués applied through out the style. The full A-line skirt has a chapel length train that is decorated down to the hem with appliqués' it's beautiful," she beamed, showing them the picture.
It was a strapless dress with beads around the breast, stomach and all the way down the side of the dress. It really was pretty.
"Dominiqué? I think I've found a dress," Astoria called.
The beautiful red head came rushing back to the shop, a beam on her face.
"Ah, très bon(3). That dress is 200 undred' Galleon's, mon chéri. (4) Is that OK with you?" she said, pulling Astoria from her seat and leading her towards the dressing rooms at the back of the shop.
"Yes, that's fine," Astoria smiled at the woman before she and Dominiqué disappeared into the dressing room.
One hour later, they had all found dresses except from Hermione.
Ginny's was a strapless taffeta dress that was twisted around the middle and held together with a broach, the skirt was full length which flared out a little and had a long train.
Pansy's was a chiffon dress with a strapless top covered in sparkling diamond beads and had a pleated, full length skirt.
Daphne's wasn't your average wedding dress. Instead of having a white dress, she'd decided she wanted a red one. The it had a lace-up corset type top covered in diamonds, and the full length skirt had body, and was pinned up every now and again by little silver clasps.
And Luna's wasn't like Luna at all. It was plain and simple; a strapless bodice with the fabric twisted around to the side and the full length skirt flitted out every time she walked.
"Wow," Hermione said when they stood in front of her in their dresses. "You guys look beautiful," she said, grinning at them.
"Thank you," they all said.
"Are you sure zere' isn't one in zere for you, 'Ermionee?" Dominiqué said.
"I'm sure. I'll just have to look somewhere else," she said apologetically. "They are all beautiful, but I just haven't connected with any of them. I'm sorry."
"It iz' not a problem," she said, waving away her apology. "If you do not find the one you are looking for, you will come back to me and I'll make you one, oui?(5)" she said, looking at me expectantly.
"Of course," Hermione said, nodding vigorously. She then had to wait while the girls changed back into their normal clothes and paid for their dresses before they could leave, after thanking Dominiqué over and over.
"Where else is there to buy dresses?" Hermione said, looking around.
"There's Madam Coleen's," Pansy said, nodding towards a shop in a side alley off from main Diagon Alley.
"Let's go there then, they sell wonderful shoes. We can buy our accessories in there," Daphne said, grinning as they walked swiftly towards Madam Coleen's.
When they entered, they were met by a warm, musky smell. Hermione spotted a few incense burning to the side of the room and took a deep breath, smelling roses.
"Oh, hello, dears. Can I help you all?" said a blonde woman, looking up from her cash register on the other side of the room. She was a little younger than Dominiqué, maybe mid-twenties? She had long, curly blonde hair and bright green eyes.
"Yes, Hermione here is trying to find her wedding dress, but can't seem to find the right one, we were wondering if you could help?" Ginny said, placing her bag down on the floor besides a chair.
"Of course, come here, come here," she said, grinning as she Hermione through to the back room, which was considerably larger than the front shop.
It had rows and rows of wedding dresses. Some were on mannequins, and some were hanging from the ceiling.
"Have a look through here, and I'll be out front if you find anything you like," the woman said.
"Thank you," Hermione smiled before she began looking through the racks of dresses.
She was looking for nearly half an hour until she spotted a mannequin hidden just behind a row of dresses and was pleasantly surprised when she saw how beautiful it was.
'This is the one,' she thought as she looked at it.
The bodice was silk taffeta and it had a lace ruffled skirt. It wasn't too flashy, but it was beautiful.
"Found anything?" came a voice from behind her, and Hermione spun around to see it was Ginny.
"Yes. I think this is the one, Gin," she said, turning back to look at the dress.
"It's gorgeous, Hermione. I'll go get Madam Coleen," she said before rushing back out to the front of the shop.
Ginny and Madam Coleen returned seconds later, both looking thrilled.
"Ah, Hermione, I see you've found this one. This is my favorite dress out of them all. I made it my self and it is completely one-of-a-kind. It'll look wonderful on you," she beamed.
"I love it! How much is it, though?" Hermione said.
"It's an expensive one, I'm afraid. It's nearly 600 Galleon's in total," she said.
"What? I can't pay that," Hermione said sadly. "I'll just find another -"
"Mione' what do you mean you can't pay for that? Of course you can! Draco gave you his bank card, and we all know he's not exactly poor. The Malfoy's are the richest family in Britain!" Ginny said defiantly. She would make sure her best friend got this dress.
"I know, Gin, but I feel bad about spending his money," Hermione protested.
"Sweetheart, in a week's time what's yours is his and what's his is yours," she said, smirking.
Rolling her eyes, Hermione was having an inward battle. She really, really wanted this dress.
"All right, fine, I'll take it," Hermione grinned.
"Perfect," Coleen beamed, pulling out her wand before conjuring up a dress bag and placing the dress into the bag.
"Right, now come out here to find yourself some shoes, jewellery and tiara," Ginny said, grabbing her friends hand and dragging her to the front of the shop.
After looking for a while, Hermione found herself some white stilettos that tied up with a rose broach, a plain chain necklace with a diamond heart on it, simple diamond studs and a thin bracelet with a green jewel in the middle.
She then found herself a simple tiara. It was swirled at either end with little crystals glittering over it and in the middle it held three diamonds held together by the mettle of the tiara.
Hermione grabbed all her things and walked over to the cash register, dreading the total cost.
"So, you're marrying Draco Malfoy?" Coleen said as she rang up her items.
"Yeah," Hermione nodded.
"Marriage Law?" she said, smiling.
"How'd you guess?" Hermione laughed.
"I've got someone, too," Coleen laughed.
"Oh really, who?" Hermione asked curiously as Coleen put her shoes, jewellery and tiara into a bag.
"His name is Oliver Wood," she said, smiling. "He's lovely, really. A professional Quidditch player, you know."
"Oh, I know Oliver. He was in my house at Hogwarts. Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. My friend Harry is on the team. Harry's captain now," Hermione smiled.
"Oh really? Harry Potter, you mean?" Coleen said.
"Yeah," Hermione grinned.
"Who's he marrying?"
"You see Pansy over there?" Hermione said, looking over at them, where they stood waiting for her. "She's marrying Harry."
"Oh, right," Coleen said nodding. "Any way, the total is 1032 Galleons, 8 Sickles and 3 Knut's," Coleen said and Hermione's jaw dropped.
"Merlin that's a lot," she said, and was extremely hesitant to give Draco's bank card to Coleen. That was more than she'd make in a year.
"Oh, for Merlin's sake, Mione'," Ginny said, rolling her eyes as she stormed up to Hermione, snatched the card out of her hand and gave it to Coleen before she could say anything.
Once everything was paid for, they said their thank you and their goodbye's to Coleen and left, laden down with bags.
"What time is it?" Astoria asked.
"Half three. Time for lunch, I think," Pansy said, rubbing her stomach. "I'm starving."
"The Leaky Cauldron?" Luna said.
"Yup, let's go," Ginny agreed before they made their way towards The Leaky Cauldron for their lunch.
They found a seat at the back of the pub, and were just looking at the menu's when Draco and Blaise Apparated in.
"What are you doing here?" Hermione asked when they spotted them sitting there and walked over.
"Ring shopping," Blaise answered before Draco could.
"And I want to buy some dress robes. Did you get everything you need?" Draco asked.
"Yeah," Hermione said, pushing the bags she had further under the table so Draco couldn't take a peek.
He then turned to look at Ginny.
"Her dress wasn't really cheap, was it?" he asked.
"Nope, was pretty darn expensive actually. You should have seen Hermione's face when the Witch told her the total cost. It was hilarious," Ginny laughed and Hermione scowled.
"It's not funny!" she glared.
"It is. Especially when I have to snatch the bank card out of your hand and practically chuck it at the witch because you were refusing to give it to her," Ginny and the other's laughed.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Hermione said, rolling her eyes.
"Well, anyway, we've got to go. Meet us here at 6 and we'll go back together if you want?" Draco said to them.
"OK. See you later," Hermione said, smiling. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek (as did Blaise with Ginny) before they left.
"Aww," Astoria said to Hermione. "That's so sweet. I've never seen Draco look at anyone like that before."
"Like what?" Hermione asked, confused.
"Like he's been blind all his life and he's just seeing the sun for the first time," Pansy said bluntly.
Hermione was shocked. That was ridiculous.
"He was not looking at me like anything," she protested.
"When are you going to give up this act? We all know that the both of you like each other. It's blatantly obvious to see," Ginny said, rolling her eyes and called over the waiter.
When they were finished with lunch, they looked around for a little while longer until it was time for them to meet the boys at the Leaky Cauldron.
They didn't have to wait long until they turned up, each carrying a bag.
"Ready?" Blaise said and they made their way over to the Apparation point.
"Yeah, let's go," Ginny said, smiling.
With that, they all Apparated back to Hogsmeade.
After they dumped their bags in their apartments, they all, as a group, made their way to the Great Hall and sat at the Gryffindor table. They were quickly joined by Theo, who sat beside Daphne.
"Hello, Pansy," Harry said, wrapping an arm around Pansy, who blushed slightly, much to the amusement of her friends. "Did you get everything you need?"
"Yes, thank you. Oh and here's you're card back," she said, handing him the golden card.
"Thank you," he said, grinning at her. "Pumpkin juice?"
Hermione was quiet through most of dinner, thinking.
Is what the girls said about Draco true? Did he really look at her like that? If he did, did that mean he had feelings for Hermione? Did she have feelings for him? She didn't know. Wasn't it a little fast? It hadn't even been two weeks since they had found out they were to be married. Maybe it was just all an act? Or her friends were just misreading the signals?
When she was in the bedroom later that night, hiding away her dress for next week, she didn't realize Draco was standing behind her, watching her from the door way.
"What was the matter with you at dinner?" he asked, and she jumped a foot in the air before spinning around to see him leaning in the door jam.
"Jesus, Malfoy, don't do that to me!" she said, holding her chest. "What do you mean, anyway?" she said, frowning. She didn't realize there was anything wrong with her at dinner.
"You hardly spoke a word and had a permanent frown on you face the whole time. It's not attractive to frown, you know," he said silkily.
"Hypocrite. You're constantly frowning," Hermione said, rolling her eyes.
"Yes, but I will forever be handsome," he said, smirking. "And you didn't answer my question."
She didn't say anything, only walked past him.
"There was nothing wrong with me," she said as she sat on the sofa in the living room, opening her book. "I was just thinking, that's all."
He sat down opposite her.
"About what?" he asked, leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knee's and is his chin resting on his hands. Merlin, didn't he know when to drop a subject?
"About, you know … everything that's happened since we came back to Hogwarts," she said, shrugging.
"About me and you, you mean?" he said softly.
"I suppose, yeah. It's just, it's so weird, you know?" she said, closing her book and placing it on the table. "It's a lot to take in."
"I know. It's only because for so long, we've been enemies then all of a sudden, we're getting married," he said in an understanding tone.
"Exactly," Hermione sighed. "I just don't know how to act about it all."
"I do think, though," Draco started slowly. "That we could actually learn to love one another, in time."
Hermione looked up at him and she could see nothing but sincerity in his eyes. He meant every word of it. Wow, she wasn't expecting that one.
"Are you saying that you fancy me, Mister Malfoy?" she said, smirking.
"Maybe," he said, winking. "We all know you want me, Granger. How could you not? I mean, look at me."
"You're so full of yourself, Malfoy," she laughed, chucking a cushion at him.
"I am not. I just like to flaunt what god gave me," he smirked.
"Your such an idiot," she chuckled.
"Whatever," he said, rolling his eyes before walking over to sit next to her.
"Something wrong with that sofa?" she said, raising an eyebtow at him.
"Nope. I just felt like cuddling with something, and as you're the closest person to me, it just had to be you," he said, sighing in fake annoyance. "Pity I'm not marrying Longbottom."
"Shut up," she laughed as she grabbed her book again.
"Wait, let me get comfortable," he said before readjusting them both.
He was now sat along the sofa with Hermione sat between his legs. He had his arm wrapped around her and resting on her stomach and she was laying back on him, giving her plenty of space to read.
"This is weird," Hermione said, snorting lightly.
"Yes, yes it is," Draco said and from then on, they sat in comfortable silence.
End Author's note:
So I hope you all enjoyed it… as usual, the Disclaimer is on my profile!
Translations: (I hope Google translate is correct.)
(1) Mes chéris - My darlings.
(2) Magnifique - Magnificent.
(3) très bon - Very good.
(4) mon chéri - my darling.
(5) Oui - Yes.
If you are/speak French, and any of these translations are wrong, please let me know and I will do what I can to change it.
Reviews:
Harmonious: Thank you! One of the main worries about writing this is the fact if their in character or not. It's so hard to write someone's personality when someone else made the character up.
Yes, I think you would be a little laid back ;D! Yes, Hermione's parents are still alive(: I'm glad you like Pansy! ;D
XX-Gred-ForgeXx: Okay, first off, my word annoyed me, because it wouldn't let me put the little x then the big x -.- sorry about that! ;D Thank you for your kind words! ;D
Darke Whispers: I hope bizarre is good? Thank you!
FlareonRocks: Your review made me grin! Thank you! And wow, you read it in an hour? I know, I think I'm going to cry, too. It completely sucks having Ron with Hermione, but what are you gonna do, eh? I can't wait though, it comes out like… two days before my birthday (In England).
Hermionesw: Thanks! And I know that the whole 'Seer' thing may seem stupid, but trust me, it all works out in the end! Cheers for the review!
SebSnape: Sorry I had to make you wait longer than a week L I feel really bad. Aww, thank you! Means so much to me, truly. I love Dramione fics, too! ;D
Erica674: Thank you! Really? Aww, your making me blush!
THIS IS AWESOME: Thank you! I would, but I want to keep up a routine and allow my reader's to have time to log on, read the latest chapter and review. Thanks!
Rumbleroars Army: Well, Welcome to the story! I'm glad you decided to join us in our journey! Thank you so much!
Dramione-Fan 17: Thank you! Next chapter will be up next weekend (Hopefully).
KristaSims2704: I love the idea of a Harry/Pansy pairing, I don't know why. You'll have to keep reading and find out! ;D Thank you!
Amber: Hope you enjoyed!
PRINCE-ASH'S-GIRL: Thank you so much! Next chapter will be up soon(:
Cc: Thank you!
Harrypotterbook4fan: I take it you're a fan of book four? ;) Thank you! And yeah, part of the reason why I put the dates at the top, is because I swear, I have short term memory loss, so I always forget when things are supposed to be, like what days and stuff. But I'm glad it makes it easier for you to follow.
DeathlyIce: I'm glad you like cute Pansy! ;D I'll make sure to write her cute in the future!
Tfobmv18: Thank you! I'll try!
CloggX: Thank you… I'm glad you liked it! Thanks, dear! (:
Hermione Selene11: Really? N'aww, thank you so much!
defined writers: Thank you so much!
HHSprincess: Thank you!
X-chick218: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it! (:
So that's all the reviews… If I missed out any one, sorry! 21 more reviews till we reach 100! Shall we see if we can do it before next chapter? I think we can, considering Chapter Five got 22 reviews!
I love you all, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter! ;D!