.~.
Let it Burn
Chapter Seven
Testing the Boundaries
.~.
~*-Few days remain in the idles of paradise -*~
Wednesday September 25th, 1996
From where he sat in the library and the way that his books were aligned, Draco could just make out the crown of her head above the massive tower of books that she had barricading her overworked form. The stress that rolled off her was palpable; even during their lesson earlier that day, he could the amount of effort that she was putting into acting as if nothing was wrong and going about her day like nothing was troubling her. But he knew. He knew everything.
Ever since the night in detention, his relationship with the Gryffindor had flourished to something that resembled friendship. Of course, it was just in its beginning stages; neither of them knew where it would lead, but if he was lucky (as if luck had anything to do with what occurred the night of their detention), he wouldn't have to worry. All he had to do was sit back and let Fate decide the next course of action. In the meantime, he decided to enjoy the amount of attention he was getting from her and the attention and adoration he was pouring into every waking moment that they were together, which was not often. They took their leave to late night study sessions and patrolling the halls when they were assigned together (which was often, but not often enough according to him). One night he remembered fondly, Hermione had called him incorrigible, which made him smirk from ear to hear. Even as she made her merry little way down the corridor and kissed his cheek as to say goodnight, the smirk remained and there it would stay.
He looked down at the paper Sparrow he had been folding. He knew he couldn't risk sending it now, but there was something he needed to know before he pursued anything else with Hermione. As an anonymous acquaintance, it was the safest way to ensure that she answered his questions truthfully. He couldn't risk asking them himself; he continued to remind himself that, when the time came, he would tell her who has been sending the letters and he hoped that she would be able to forgive him. It's something he had been holding his breath for quite a while.
"Why don't you just go talk to her?" mumbled Theodore, his eyes closed, arms folded on the table while his head rested on his sore limbs. "She's sitting right there."
"A boy does not simply walk up and talk to the girl they like." The Pureblood Prince said, agitated. "Besides, there are more risks than rewards."
"What risks are you speaking of?"
"Someone may see."
"And, that's bad?" Theo asked, confused. "You might as well tell the whole bloody school you are a thing. Merlin knows you need to, anyway." He mumbled before sighing and saying," Just go talk to her."
Draco looked up. Hermione was still scribbling away. He scowled. Potter and Weasley had just joined her and he was upset that this would be the last time he would be able to sneak peeks at her for the duration of his stay. Why they had to show up now was beyond him; it was as if they had nothing better to do than to bug the shit of her. And he was right. He could see the smoke of her aggravation rise above and fan out around her. She looked up, her eyes hardened and seething with rage.
She was a fiery little thing.
He would have to remember not to piss her off.
As he listened and ignored Theo, a previous conversation began to emerge from theirs. It seemed to shake him to his very core.
"Have you given it any thought?" she asked curiously.
Hermione's knees were drawn to her chest, her arms wrapped around them like some reassuring cloak to which she could protect herself from what sort of answer he could give her.
He looked at her as if she said the most absurd thing, and she had. Telling his friends about what had gone on between them was the last thing he wanted to do. Not because they wouldn't approve; Gods know he would love to shut Theo up and see Blaise a couple of Galleons. Still, he had to be careful. He didn't know who could be listening.
The two of them were in the corridor, disillusioned curtesy of Hermione. Although they were both Prefects, they still ran the chance of getting caught by Filch and his fucking familiar Mrs. Norris. He swore that they had some sort of love affair going on between them and Hermione couldn't help but laugh at how ludicrous it sounded.
Draco stared at her and said," You should do that more often."
"Laugh?" she enquired, raising an eyebrow. "I laugh enough."
"You laugh, but you don't laugh from the heart."
"Says you." She scoffed, rocking her body so that her shoulder bumped into his.
"Says me?" he grinned in a challenging sort of way. "Why do you say that?"
"If I don't laugh enough then you must laugh too much."
"Suppose I did," he began, "it's not out of happiness."
Hermione turned and looked at him. "If not from happiness, then what?"
"Loneliness." He breathed and for a moment time remained suspended between them. "Sure, I laugh but that's because I haven't found a good enough reason to. People can feign joy, Granger. It doesn't take much and the fact it's fooled even you is astounding."
He knew that she was thinking about all those times that he has caused misfortune and because it was the result of acting the bully rather than trying to be a friend. He was feared by all and detested by most. The only Gryffindor that had given him the time of day was sitting right next to him and every other person had only made matters worse. He was just enjoying the time they had together while it lasted because he knew what would eventually happen.
"Have you ever stopped, stood back and considered what you were doing was wrong?"
"Loads of times."
"And?"
"I continued anyway. I was a born a little bastard to two loving parents and that was exactly how I was going to conduct myself. I didn't care for anyone else, Granger. I only cared about myself."
"And, now?" she urged with a slightly desperate plea to her voice. "Do you care now?"
He swallowed the giant lump in his throat. He suddenly felt parched for water.
She didn't give a wizard any choice in the matter; it was like she was forcing him to answer her questions.
"Well?"
"Yes."
And that was all she would get.
They sat like that for a while, both too afraid to speak and both wishing that the other had enough bravery to do so. It was times like this that perpetuated the fact that he was no Gryffindor. Hermione spoke for him.
"I don't think you're a bully," she murmured softly. "Maybe misunderstood."
"And you're one to talk?" he snapped irritably. As hard as it was for him to keep his plans from her, his emotions were a lot harder to conceal. The witch knew just what buttons to press, which switched to flick on and off; she was made for interrogation. Unfortunately for him, she would not relent. He desperately wanted to lash out at her and say that the reason no one liked him was because they didn't understand him but that would have been a lie. Sure, no one knew him; they were most likely to turn a blind eye to him and his misery. He did have a few people he could count on, and he supposed she was sitting right beside him.
Silence fell between them once more before Hermione waited long enough before speaking.
"You know, I didn't mean it like that." she said softly despite being punished by his abrasive tone. "I meant that…"
"You meant to say that no one cares to get to know me."
"It's nothing like that!" she cried, grabbing his arm and without blushing as she normally would. "It's just… you haven't given anyone reason enough to warrant the want to get to know you."
"I wonder how I was able to coax you, then."
"You're being rather rude." she said angrily. "If you don't want me to talk about it, then please tell me. Otherwise, I'll just leave you to drown in your own self pity."
"It's not self-pity."
"Then what is it?" Is it me, is it us?"
Yes and no
"If this is going to work out, you're going to have to be able to trust me." There was a hint of sorrow in the way she spoke the words. No pitying attached. There was just unadulterated truth and concern. "I hope one day you'll be able to open up to me as I have opened up to you.
And, opened up to him she did.
There one thing that was made very clear about Hermione once they started consorting with each other like star-crossed lovers and that was she poured her heart into everything that she did. Even opening up to her had become a huge production. Like the ones you would have seen during the first introduction to moving pictures, the memory played before him like a silent picture before fading into blackness.
Someone was nudging him.
"Hello, earth to Malfoy." Theodore nudged him again with his elbow and awakened him. With a growl, Draco slapped his elbow and quickly looked back to Hermione.
Although he couldn't hear what they were saying, he knew that it was upsetting her. It pained himself to see her so upset; it pained him even more than he couldn't do anything to stop it from happening. One thing was for sure, those shitheads were going to get it, even if that meant that a Bludger was shoved up one of their asses during their match against Slytherin. Perhaps he should run their faces through the mud, too. Which was an added bonus seeing that they had pestered her close to tears.
He had half a mind to screw subtleness. He wanted to get up from his chair, walk over to them and tell them to fuck off and punch them in the noses for even making his girlfriend cry.
Good, Gods.
His girlfriend.
Merlin forbid.
One day he would be able to call her that but the witch wasn't his yet. First, he had to win her heart. If that meant being friendly with her two dolts she called best friends then so be it.
Draco sat back in his chair.
Oh, yes. Those Bludgers didn't sound half as bad.
"I just don't understand what is going on between the two of you, 'Mione. Whatever it is, it has to stop."
Hermione could feel the tears collect in the corners of her eyes but willed herself not to shed a tear. She sat with her back straight, her eyes focused on the text in front of her. She was poised as if she was reading her book opposed to listening to her two best friends rant about her relationship with Malfoy. She never told them what happened the night of their detention; it was always best to let them assume something bad happened then telling them and letting them blow things out of proportions. Which they were likely to do if they ever found about her Malfoy. She couldn't risk it. Not that she was ashamed of what happened, of course. When you had two friends that were like brothers to her and would go out of their way just to see you happy, even if that meant looking past what she saw, one learned to keep their mouth shut.
"You're spending quite a bit of time with him, you know." continued Ron as if he didn't know what type of reaction his words were eliciting. "It's like you're smitten by him. Like you fancy him or something. I've never seen you like this."
"We're only working together, Ron." she said weakly, unable to wrap her mind around what he was trying to say. "We're Prefects, so of course we're going to have to communicate with one another."
"Well, I don't like it." He mumbled, sliding back in his chair. His face was contorted into the nastiest expressions. Suddenly, he perked up. "Wanna go to Hogsmeade this weekend? I heard a new shop opened up and…"
He took one look at her and mumbled something about 'nevermind.'
"You're probably going to be bust with Malfoy, anyway, so what's the point?"
This was the catalyst that set her off.
The timer inside her body was ticking away and she was only a moment from exploding.
Ron sighed, leaned forward and straightened out his legs. He looked at her and softly said," I miss you, Hermione. What's happened between us was something that neither of us wanted to happen. It just did, and I'm willing to accept that I wrong just so I can have you back. You're my best friend, and, well, I would love it if we grew more intimate."
A thundering bolder had crashed into her at the expense of his words.
Had her ears deceived her, or did she just hear that Ronald wanted to take their friendship to another level?
It was the most absurd thing she has ever heard. Ron wanted to be with her, as in girlfriend and boyfriend? Who would have thought that the boy knew what a girl was and that he could tell the difference between a pair of breasts and a muscular physique? Hell must have frozen over or something because she suddenly felt a slight chill.
Hermione stared at him expressionless. Giving false hope to someone so close and precious to her was not something she wanted to do; she wasn't that type of girl, and besides, who knew of what lied ahead and if her heart was already promised to another? Their relationship had only begun, but she could see the possibility of fulfillment. And that was enough for her not to go ahead with accepting whatever he was trying to express.
She fidgeted about, her sadness all but forgotten. Ron was blind by some preexisting notion that she was his and that she could only enjoy his company while he went out and hunted down others. It wasn't until he began dating Lavender Brown last week that he began to play a double life, one that would send any womanizer running, even Draco. It was a wonder what one sloppy kiss could do to a bloke, not that she knew. All she knew was that he was in over his head and it would nice to see him in a clearer state of mind. If Brown left any brain cells after snogging him so much, that is.
"I don't if this means anything but I've always thought that there was something going on between us." He told her fleetingly, like the world wouldn't go on if he didn't at least tell her how he felt. "I never told you because I didn't want Harry to find out. I suspect he would have felt left out or something…"
The witch looked at him with hardened eyes.
Forget Brown snogging him to the point of being brain dead because he practically was! How low could she possibly be if he thought of her and Harry in such a way? Surely, he must be joking and if he wasn't how could either of them be so oblivious?
She had enough.
Standing abruptly, Hermione began to collect her things together knowing that Ron was startled by the sudden brusqueness but too dumb to figure it out. As she packed, she could make out the words 'Slughorn,' and 'Party' through the haze of her anger and the clarity of her thoughts. Whatever he was asking, he could just forget about it. She didn't want to do it anyway.
As soon as he realized that she was leaving, he stood with her, followed her through the maze of tables and entrance to the library. By the time they made it to the end of the corridor on the same floor, she whirled around and glared at him with aggressively harsh eyes.
"Why are you following me?"
"Where are you going?"
They both seemed to ask these questions at precisely the same time. They stared at each other until Hermione was truly at her breaking point.
"Just leave me alone, Ronald."
He didn't catch onto the use of his full name, something she always did when she was annoyed and angry at him. A lot of things seemed to be going over his head or out the other ear of late.
"Alright, but will you tell me where you're going?" he asked dumbly.
"It is none of your business."
"You're not going to see him, are you?" When she didn't answer him, he let out a frustrated growl, whipped his arms out and caught her by the wrists. Thrown completely off guard, Hermione let out a perfect gasp, her eyes grew wide at his sudden brashness. He did not look happy. "Are you going to see that git?
Git?
Obviously he meant Draco. She supposed that even he couldn't warrant him recognition for occupying most of her time during the last week and half. Even though she told him time and time again that there was nothing going on between them, he still found ways to bring it up just to either aggravate her or make himself look lost and stupid.
"Never you mind where I'm going!"
"Are you?"
Hermione narrowed her eyes challengingly.
Stopping, she turned and looked him dead in the eyes. "What if I am?" she asked, positioning herself so she appeared to have more bravado. She was able to get him to loosen his grip on her since he declared his astoundingly dumb accusation. "You're not my caretaker. I can handle myself. I'm free to do as I please and go where I want to. I don't have to tell you what I'm doing every waking moment, now do I?"
This seemed to verify whatever ploy that was going through his mind.
"You are, aren't you?" he whispered rather harshly. There was a kind of animosity that she had never seen in them and she winced. "I don't know what you're hanging out with him, 'Mione. He's no good. He's nothing more than a conniving Deatheater bent on mass extinction and supremacy. Can't you see it? He's using you and once he's through with you he'll toss you aside and go onto the next-"He stopped himself there, torn between continuing and remaining silent. "-Look, I care for you. I really do. I would hate to see you get hurt because you didn't listen to me to begin with. Tell you what, let's just go back to the Common Room and forget all this ever happened, yeah?"
"All this…" she breathed, unable to finish the sentence. Shaking her head, she looked at him and said," Do you have any idea how stupid what you just said sounds?"
"No?"
"You're being rather cruel."
"No crueler than Malfoy will be if you don't end your little friendship with him now." He seethed, but the pain was evident in his eyes. "He'll hurt you, 'Mione. I just don't want to see that happen."
"Stop saying that!"
"I'm only stating the truth!"
Her eyes filled with tears and for a second time that hour she was close to erupting. Within seconds, however, she was crying. Ron had finally done it.
"He won't hurt me." she sobbed. "Y-you don't know him like I do."
"Oh, like how?" he laughed in her face before throwing her arms from him. "How can you be so sure?" he asked, unaffected by her crying. "You can't just assume that. He's hurt every girl he's shagged; you won't be any different from the others."
"You can't just-"
"I don't want to have to say this but… you'd be an easy shag for him." He seemed to have been waiting years to tell her that. His expression was quite serious and there was no indication of feigned rebellion. Hermione was completely shocked. Now that it was out in the open, she couldn't help believe that her ears were deceiving her. Her Ron wouldn't be so heartless, but it was all just a fluke to ease her conscious. He had said it and there was no way of taking it back.
Hermione tried to fight back the tears but it was no use. Ron could have easily laughed in her face, which by the look of utter amusement flickering inside his eyes as if to say 'I told you so', he was. As cruel as his words were, why did she feel like she should believe him? Was there some underlining reason that she was being hesitant with him? If so, then what? What was causing her to be so indecisive?
"You do know why he's being so nice, right?" he took a step forward as she took a step back. "Like I said, you'd be an easy shag. You're like any other girl, 'Mione. You would love to be wooed and courted but at the end of the day only one thing matters and that's pussy. Gods, you have no idea how desirable you are. How much blokes want access to your body. Screw your mind, it's what's underneath your robes that matter. Everyone wants you and I'm sure Malfoy would love to fuck you rotten if he had the chance."
How could he say such things? How can he be this cruel, this openly abrasive? What had she done to deserve such treatment from someone she thought was her friend?
"I trust him," she whispered finally, unable to fight back as fiercely as she would have liked to.
"Of course you do!" he refuted joyfully. "I would too if I was in the same position as you. But, let's face it. There is no trusting a Deatheater and womanizer. And don't think once he uses you that I'll be here to take his sloppy seconds. A witch once fruitful with virtue won't always be like that. No one wants a fallen witch, Hermione."
She gulped down a deep fresh of air and continued. "You need to learn how to treat women, Ronald. Something you ought to learn before you lose me entirely."
He looked at her and said," I think I already have," before turning away and disappearing down the corridor.
Hermione remained there, her breathing labored, her eyes wide in shock. If deception had not reared its ugly head, she would have believed it was just a dream.
Unfortunately, it wasn't.
She stood there looking at where Ron once stood, wondering what it was that brought her to this moment in the first place.
"You should go look for her," Theodore said rather vaguely as he pressed his quill to his lips and made a face. "Go see if she's okay, you know?"
Draco wasn't following in particular current. Beside his intuition, there wasn't anything guiding him that would warrant concern or anything of the sort. He roamed freely; his path paved before him cautiously and his head cleared with all blasphemy. He was attempting to ascertain the route that they had taken whilst in the midst of their argument. The vendetta between the two could have easily been the war that ended all wars but was more like a spark that fueled the erratic lining of the corridors. Least to say, he was worried and he would take no one's advantages as anything short as urgent.
Guided by his friend's admissions, he carried on.
Soon, he found himself in the heart of the Castle with nothing by the travelling circus to guide him. With an unsavory frown, Draco looked around to find her bearings and was quick to discover that his intuition had lead him in the right direction.
Just a few short steps down the corridor was his witch.
And she look most upset.
With wide strides, he caught up to her only to be bombarded and captured by the saddest melodies he ever heard.
Crying witches, as he knew very well, was not his forte.
So when he heard her struggling breath and penetrating sobs course through the air like a tuneless wreck, he couldn't help the feeling of broken fatigue crash down upon him like sullen rain. He felt as helpless as she did and it would only serve to reason that if she knew about his own woes and fears that her sadness would be plagued by something more than petty rivalry and a chance remembrance. The sooner the fucking bastard gets that through his thick skull, the better.
On the other hand…
He would do anything for her.
Gingerly, he came up behind her, their bodies only a whisper away. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and she replied to his tender care with more wrecked sobs. He didn't know what the Weasel said to her; it better had been damn important if it caused such a negative reaction. Whatever it was, Draco would pay him back with equal attention and perhaps a broken nose and a swollen eye if he were truly fortunate. If only…
"H-How did y-you find m-me?" she asked, her words slightly muffled.
He looked down at her, his arms tightening. "Intuition."
"Liar."
Draco chuckled at her declaration and brought both of his arms around her. "Why do you say that?"
"I saw you in the library," her head shut up and he finally got a clear view of her reddened eyes. "I'm not blind, you know."
"I never said you were."
"Still." She began to fidget but not because he was holding her so close. "Why did you follow me?"
"You looked rather upset, that's why."
Hermione didn't say anything, as he knew she wouldn't. They became unfairly lost in the world that was the other and where time was no common enemy.
She looked up just as he looked down and smiled warmly at him.
He did not return it.
"Care to tell me what that was all about?" he jutted his chin out in indication.
The witch shook her head and buried deeper into his chest. With a little nudging and careful pickings, she finally broke her resolve and said in a low whisper," He's a git..."
"I could have told you that," he snorted rather snarky.
"After all these years, he finally got up the nerve to ask me out?" she exclaimed, unaware that Draco's arms had tightened around her the instant she said it. "I just don't understand what he's playing at. He's finally…"
Suddenly, she looked up to find him staring off into space, his breathing hard, his eyes dark.
"What," he slowly looked down at her and said," did he say?"
A shiver ran through her. She looked up into his eyes and let out a soft gasp. The storm mirrored what he was feeling on the inside. What she said hadn't been something she should have shared; she needn't to fix it and quick.
"Tell me, Granger," he said coldly. "I'm skilled at Legilimency."
Frightened, she looked at him without saying a word. She couldn't decide what would be best- for him to see if for himself or for her to rely what Ron had said to her personally. She chose the latter. Her already severely shocked emotions wouldn't be able to handle it, anyway.
"I-I do-don't…" she sobbed into his chest. "H-he was so horrible!"
"Let me see," he said gently as he tried to contain his anger.
Shaking her head, she muttered her disapproval while vocalizing it would be of no use for him to see. He insisted upon it.
"Let me see, Hermione."
"Mno." she mumbled, pressing herself more firmly against him.
"Hermione."
With a little bit more persuasion, she finally crumbled and let him in.
As she lowered the walls in her mind, she became highly aware of how personal Draco would come face to face with her most intimate thoughts. Although she didn't feel anything remotely close to desire or lust toward him, Ron was still her friend. As harsh as his words were, she hoped that some truth would come of allowing him to see into her mind. This was when her bravery had to come forth.
Draco could see the torment playing in her eyes. He hesitated for a moment and as he slipped into her mind, she could very well see why she was so reluctant to allow him to see. Her mind was an open book. He walked through her memories as easily as he could have roamed the corridors. Once he found what he was searching for, he was appalled that someone that called her his friend would ever whisper such horrible obscenities. By the end of the crusade, he was seething.
"I don't want to have to say this but… you'd be an easy shag for him."
He watched Hermione as her eyes widened a total downfall of emotions sprinkled like star dust upon her. The air around her became tight. Utter disappointment as it mixed with rejection and reluctance came to pass over her. If he had been the one standing on the outside looking in, he would have no inkling as to the extent of her heartbreak at the sound of her best friend saying these cruel things. Stumbling into the girl he loved, he felt his own heart pinch but not out of what he was experiencing through Hermione but out of the sheer extent of animosity toward the boy who didn't know what love was.
It wasn't shagging, that was for damn sure.
"Like I said, you'd be an easy shag. You're like any other girl, 'Mione. You would love to be wooed and courted but at the end of the day only one thing matters and that's pussy. Gods, you have no idea how desirable you are. How much blokes want access to your body. Screw your mind, it's what's underneath your robes that matter. Everyone wants you and I'm sure Malfoy would love to fuck you rotten if he had the chance."
He pulled back from her, leaving behind the scope of her mind. The presence of what occurred remained fresh in his, however. It took every bit of his devoted tranquility not to explode. What tipped the scale was what Weasley said about her.
Draco wasn't just attracted to her beauty, but her mind as well. Anyone who was in it for only her looks was
"I'm going to fucking kill him!"
Instantly, Hermione grabbed for Draco as he turned and stormed down the corridor.
"W-where are you going?"
"I'm going to find the motherfucker and give him a piece of my mind." He hissed. "How dare he speak to you like that!"
An easy shag, indeed.
He never once thought about their intimate standing. All he wanted and was chasing after was her intelligence. Granted, he really didn't have the most sincere motives but at least he could say he wasn't in for it just to dip his wand and run off like a little coward. He was hoping… Gods, he was hoping that things between them could be different. Perhaps they could really and truly be together and after he told her about what he had to do in order to save his parents, maybe she would find it in her heart to forgive him. He could only safely assume that she would; Hermione was a gentle soul, but that didn't mean she was incapable of holding a thousand year grudge and keeping him on a short leash for the rest of their lives. With all seriousness, he would have to kiss some serious Gryffindor ass down the road if he had any chance of keeping her.
It did not help that Hermione was begging him not to go see him, to forget what he heard and saw. There was an offer of a night in the Room of Requirement together which caused him to rethink his plans of letting Weasley have a taste of his own medicine. Draco stopped and turned around.
"What did you just say?" he asked, bringing his hands to her cheeks reflectively. He tried to act like he didn't know what the Room was. Better said than done, really.
"You heard me," she breathed. "I-I don't want you to go beat him up, even if he does deserve it."
"Did you not here what the bastard said to you?" he seethed. "What he said was something even my own father would say in good company. I tried it once… have you ever had your mouth washed out magically with soap? It's not as pleasant as it sounds. The soap is charmed to keep foaming until the words we said are quite literally cleaned from out vocabulary."
Hermione giggled. "And what kind of words have you said when you were younger, Malfoy?"
He smirked. "Words that I don't even remember you don't need to know." Without warning, he brought his hand to the small of her back and brought her closer. She yelped and then dissolved into a chorus of laughter. "Your laugh should be a written symphony." He murmured into her neck. "On a lighter note… what is this talk about the Room of Requirement. I hope it wasn't a ploy to stop me from beating the shit out of your friend."
"It was."
"Mhm."
"Did it work?"
"You have intrigued me." he paid her that. "Now, tell me what your diabolical plan is. I want to hear all the nasty little details that you were so keen to share. Do not leave anything out."
Suddenly, there was something that he wanted to do. Bringing his hands to her cheeks again, he looked into her eyes with clear devotion and loyalty.
"You are a beautiful girl, Hermione Granger." He breathed, forgetting what they were talking about for a moment. "So much so that I'll be damned if I let anyone else see that. Those fuckers only care about one thing and that's…" he shook his head and looked deep into her eyes. "You know I would never intentionally hurt you, right?"
"I-"
"It's alright if you don't believe me," his voice was laced with the pain of the last five years. "I just want you to know that I will never hurt you. I can't say I won't make you upset, but you have my word that I would never do anything that would put you in harm's way."
It was a promise he was willing to keep.
From the moment she began to speak, she had him captivated. Never did he think that pulling the mystery of the Room of Requirement could be as easy as it was dangerous. He hung onto every word that she spoke, mesmerized by the haven of travelers. She told him of how it changed scenery, and how it held the capability to change people. It could be anything that one wanted, and Draco hoped it would become exactly what they needed.
His eyes remained on her as they walked aimlessly down the corridor. The previous scene played before him in coordination to his steps. Hermione had let what transpired on the second floor go some time ago, saying that they had business to attend to. It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't exactly the entire truth. The thing was, he did have something that needed his attention but it wasn't what she thought it was. He backtracked down the corridor hurriedly. His breathes came in hollowed, mistrusted pants. He was running, but not out of fear or cowardliness but tardiness. He had an appointment with Fate.
He could see the elation in her eyes every time she spoke of it. They would light up like tiny Muggle fireworks (which were nothing compared to Wizard Fireworks). Her enthusiasm was contagious and he held onto every possibility of getting infected.
They spent a great deal of time together. All about any previous affair was forgotten, but one inked reminder remained.
"I have been talking to someone." she admitted to him only a shortly after they began to walk. He followed closely behind her, hanging onto her every word. It was an odd thing to bring up, surely. What made matters worse was that he knew what she was talking about but he couldn't visibly show it. He remained ever quiet. "Silly, really. To have someone I never met write me out of the blue. He was so mysterious and generous with his concern. He still is, mind you. I've just never met anyone so genuine and sincere before. I wonder who it is."
Wonder who it is, indeed.
The girl could only daydream and lollygag about who her admirer was. Draco was in no rush to expel whatever tyrant claim she had; he had enough on his plate as it was and time was only a burden at the present moment.
Instead of answering, he took her hand and squeezed it. "Whoever it is, Granger, I'm sure that they are more than grateful that they met your acquaintance. Anyone is better than that prick Weaslebee." He told her some time later.
"You think so?"
"I know so." He picked her hand up and pressed a kiss against the delicate skin of her wrist. "I'm sure anyone would risk getting kicked out of school just to defend you."
"Oh, you would do anything to him, will you?" she asked nervously. "I know what you saw wasn't pleasant but I would hate to see him get hurt."
What he did see was atrocious and should be expelled from his mind. Alas, once he saw it, he couldn't turn a blind eye to it; it was a universal fact that he longed to fix.
"Nah," he said, defeated. "As much as I would like to ring his little neck and feed him to the Giant Squid, I suppose my girlfriend wouldn't appreciate that, hm?"
"Girlfriend?" she asked, an eyebrow quirked. "Am I now your girlfriend?"
"Depends."
"On what?"
"Will you be my girlfriend?" he breathed.
With one fluid motion, Hermione launched herself into Draco's arms. He let out a sigh of relief.
"Yes," she sighed, aching.
Soundlessly, he held her. It was only a few seconds later that he spoke and he whispered.
"There are far worse things that I would like to do to him besides calling him what I have in mind." He warned her smoothly. "What he said… Gods, I can't begin to tell you just how disgusting he is."
"Well, he was irrational."
"Irrational isn't the word for it, darling."
"All boys are like that…"
"No, they are not." He corrected her on her mistaken view on the entire male population. It wasn't her fault that she had this foolish notion of boys. No one was there to teacher her for the love of Merlin. He stepped in and gave her a piece of his mind, however. "In fact, there still remain some quite reputable men out there. All you need to know is where to find them."
Draco hurried down the corridor, placed his hands in his pockets and carried on as if he said nothing that would draw any more attention to him than he already had. For Merlin's sake, the girl was staring the boy that was sending her all those blasted letters and Sparrows and she didn't even know it!
Quite bright for her age, he would always give her that. But, there were several things that he left out that she would never be able to trace back.
First, he never wrote in his true handwriting. He found a very useful charm a few years back when his handwriting was anything less than stellar. He used it for a good part of his second year and eventually grew to not need it. His Professors were impressed that they could finally read his atrocious writing. He even got an Outstanding just for the improved cursive.
But, he was getting ahead of himself. When it came to writing Hermione, he referred back to his old writing. He was so enamored and dedicated to sending the letters to Hermione that he even began writing in a style that truly was not his own. He enjoyed a good poem or two every now and then but his overindulgence in a language and text had recently gotten him quite a pickle the last month or so by his peers. Theo and Blaise were shamefully uncontrollable; every time he would sit down and write, the two of them would appear out of nowhere and start poking fun at his work. It was truly embarrassing and unprofessional of them. He had to take his yearning for the more aggressive art platform elsewhere.
Needless to say, he gave himself word that he would never write another letter in their presence ever again and has kept his word to this very day. The two of them were dreadful.
Not only did he change the appearance of his handwriting and punctuated a more than friendly vibe, he chose subjects that would work her mind. Hermione was a beast of a witch and would devour anything and everything that she got her hands on. Which is why he chose such strong subjects; her inquisitive mind did the rest. From History to the dead Latin Language, he captured her intrigue; there was very little that the witch didn't find passion in. She was a world of her own.
Draco wasn't fond of playing with a witch, but his past would beg to differ. Those witches didn't matter; they were just another notch in his bedpost that stared back at him through the light of the moon and that's what they'll ever be. He didn't need to keep pushing his plough in a girl so dead and lifeless that they literally drew his soul and heart long after the final climax. He needed someone engaging and that was what Hermione was. She was boundless; like a storm after the clam and the punishing effects of the currents, she kept going. That was why he was so dead set on showing Weasley a piece of his mind.
The couple strolled down the quiet mere that had become the corridor. Their passive reception toward one another became just only that- passing. Neither of them seemed to know what to say and by the time they made it down the corridor and up another flight of stairs, one of them had finally broken.
He didn't realize just how deep his words struck until he sensed that she wasn't following him. Draco came to a halt, stopped and turned around, facing the discouraged Gryffindor.
Hermione was staring at him.
"What?"
"What you said," she started and his heart skipped a beat.
After all this damn time, she finally came to realize something about what he said wasn't right?
Sweet, Jesus!
Had he accidently told her something that he shouldn't have?
Pushing the thought out of his mind, he looked at her with the same bored expression that he gave everyone else. Anticipation coursed through his veins. He couldn't let all his hard work fall through the cracks just yet.
"You said that there are still good guys out there," she whispered, eyes wide.
"And?" he asked, irritated as he tried to hold onto the last bit of control he had. "If you don't think so, then drop it. We have class in a few minutes and-"
"No," she shook her head slowly. "It's not that I don't believe it."
"Then what?"
"Do you really think there are some noble boys out there?" she said in a low whisper. "That they would want me for me and not for m-my body?"
She was thinking about what Weaslebee said.
With a sigh, Draco turned to her and said," Of course. Not every boy is like that prick, Granger. There still exist boys who cherish the old ways of chivalry.
"How do you know?"
"I know, alright?" he chuckled a little at her need to know. "What do you think?"
"Well, I think that I see where you are coming from." She smiled. "I mean, if you can change from the boy you once were then I guess that there are some good guys out there, yes?"
"I suppose…" he gulped, turning his head as she circled around him, appraise in her eyes. "Anyone can change, Granger."
"Sure, but it takes a courageous man to change for the better." Her hands drew around his neck and before he knew it his lips were pressed against hers and he had her against the wall. Her legs were wrapped around his waist and by the time their frenzied collision slowed down, they were both panting and their eyes were heavy with lust. "You are a courageous man, Draco."
He looked down at her as her legs fell from his waist. Her arms remained locked around his neck.
"Courageous?" He wanted to laugh. Truly, he did but he couldn't. Not with Hermione looking up at him so expectedly. "Pinning a hopeless witch against the wall isn't courage, Granger. I very well may be tricking you."
"You wouldn't trick me." She insisted.
"Who knows," he shrugged, letting her go. "What Weaslebee said about me hit some pretty low notes. I'm not a noble man, Hermione. Nor will I ever be."
His breathing became heavy. How can someone like Hermione get to him? How can she affect him to damn profoundly that he found himself questioning every little thing? Sure, she was no Goddess and even if he did believe in a higher power, he would think that the Gods were playing a trick on him. Why send someone like her to taunt and tease him? Did they not know how things were going to end for them? They were star-crossed lovers, thrown into a world where both their ranks were feuding and there was no peace or middle ground. They could not be, not with the power that was held above their heads. Not when the Dark Lord was so damn close to infringing upon everything that they believed in. They were utterly lost and physically powerless.
"There are things about me that you would soon loath if you were ever to find out about." He gulped thin, his lips drawing into a thin line. His forearm burned; he wasn't supposed to be speaking of anything in relation to what he had to do. Not that he was stupid enough to divulge anything. "Things that would no doubt make you rethink your opinion of me."
In the several seconds it took for her to register what he just said, Draco had forced himself to keep moving. He had no idea where his mind was taking him; all he knew was that he wanted to escape and that the rising hiss of the scorched skin of his forearm was anything but an indicator as how precious time really was to him. He needed to make progress tonight. He had to. What better way than to woo the girl that held everything that he could possible ever want and need?
"You still haven't told me about this room." He said, switching the conversation back to her and her intriguing deployment. "Where is this infamous Room of Requirement and why haven't I ever heard about it?"
"Don't act so modest, Malfoy." She said, catching up to her. She looked like a lost puppy trying to run after its owner. It was rather cute. "After all, you and your little friends stumbled upon it just last term. The members are still angry about you finding us."
Draco had to think hard to recollect what little memory that he was able to hold onto. Nothing much seemed to have survived and he did vaguely remember catching the little twerps in the act. After months, he had finally caught them.
A smirk caressed his lips. "Oh, yes. I remember that."
"You weren't very fond of remembering it a second ago."
"It's something that isn't easily forgotten," he dismissed as he slowed his pace as to allow her to keep in step with him. "For a witch so short yet domineering, you sure do walk slow."
"Excuse me?" she let out a refutable gasp. "If you're trying to flirt with me-"
"Is it working?"
"I think not," she admitted a bit bitterly. "It's quite atrocious, really. Are these the sort of lines you've used on other girls?" she asked.
"Is the Room down this way," he asked, distracted. "I remember it being this way."
"Draco."
"Or, perhaps-"
"Draco."
Draco stopped walking, a somber frown spreading across his features. He turned and then said," Alright, fine." He said, giving up. "They answer is no, and it's not because they wouldn't give me the time of day either. It was a mutual companionship where both parties cared about only one thing."
"You mean?"
He nodded.
"Oh…" she said softly before letting the conversation drop dead upon its own weight.
A subject like this would be difficult to talk about with any newly formed relationship. Draco just wished it had come later rather than sooner. The thought of her thinking any less than she already did broke down at his heart and ate up his insides. He was less than saintly, he knew that. For someone as relatively safe and free from the contaminant of hormones and constant deprivation, Hermione was angle compared to his demonic form. She was untouched whereas he was tainted. He didn't think he could even stand by her side without risking his fifth mingling with her pureness, but Hermione begged to differ. She grabbed his hand and gave a nice, hard squeeze. He words almost brought him to his knees.
"It's not something I'm proud of, Hermione." He said, his voice tight. "I was a fool. A coward."
"You hardly seem like the person who would lose control."
"But, I am." His rememberance was a harsh reality that he soon wished to forget. "There are weaknesses all around us. I just so happened to be weak against women who would have done anything that I desired."
"You know I don't care about that stuff," her eyes showed that she did not. "All I care about is you. That you're taken care of, that what you think about yourself resembles what you are on the outside."
"And, what is that?" he managed to bite out.
"A changed man." She smiled. "I've known you for five years. I don't think that you would do anything out of spite unless you had no other choice. You bullied people because you have been bullied by someone else. This constant turmoil and pulling would have driven anyone to drastic exercise. You just so happened to take it out on people that didn't deserve a single ounce of your anger. Though, I can see why you did it…"
"You're afraid and that's alright." She told him, her amber eyes glowing with the intensity of a dying candle. Brilliant, everlasting. Gods, it was hard not to fall into their depths. "Your courage makes up for it."
Draco took control of his breathing and looked down at Hermione. Her amber eyes glowed with more intensity that he ever remembered them holding. Her words were true; but, she was fighting something. Fighting them, fighting what they both ought to be worried about. Whatever was happening between them, it was probably then that he finally chose what he wanted to do.
"What do I know about bravery, you sill girl?" he reached out and cupped her cheeks. "You and your bloody preaching about courage. Have you ever stopped to think that some people are purely what their Houses proclaim? Cunning, resourceful, ambitious- that is me. Courageous, brave, determined- that is you. What traits do we share?"
Hermione looked into his eyes and for a moment he became lost. "The colors or significance of our Houses aren't what defines us. It's what we feel on the inside that truly matters."
Spoken like a proper Gryffindor. It hurt him deeply.
"Hermione," he said weakly, "I am no courageous man, but I'm willing to do something so unbelievably foolish just to prove to myself and you that I can be what you want."
"What are you going to do?"
He looked at her and smiled. That was all he could do, especially when he gave her his word that he wouldn't do anything drastic or stupid.
He was going to fight.
"A providing spirit."
He stood in enclave of the corridor.
His black eyes rested on their young embrace.
Severus had followed his Godson with the disillusioned attempted to get him alone, and now the time had finally come, there was something that he need to speak to him about.
The Dark Lord was becoming impatient. Draco's task should have started earlier than this and although he can't say that he is pleased about the slow development, at least the fool made some kind of progress with Miss Granger. Soon, he suspected, Draco will be able to do what the Dark Lord requests of him. What he needed was time to allow him to go to the Room of Requirement and find the cabinet before the Dark Lord develops a taste for entertainment. There was only a small chance of time before then and he will not be held off much longer. He was becoming irrational with anticipation and hurried reception.
With a swirl of his dark robes, Severus vanished, his arm burning with fiery rage.
A/N: After, Gods, a month of stress and having to put off updating all my stories, I FINALLY, F-I-N-A-L-L-Y found the time to write. What I have to do for school are Practicals. They are just like tests and it's so damn nerve-racking because it's what I have to do for the Board. Everything has to be right. You can't forget anything and if you do, you're out of luck. And guess who forgot to take out her end papers during the chemical part of the Practical? ME! D:
-sigh-
._.
Note: 2,000+ words have been added to this .-. I didn't mean to, but the way that I was writing chapter eight, it felt as if it were better suited for chapter seven. If y'all know what I mean. Next chapter I wanted to show an exchange between Snape and Draco, so~
Anyway... this is unedited, as always (lol). I'm going to go back and edit everything this weekend.
Hopefully, I'll see y'all on Oct 3 :) Oct 4 is my birthday and we're going to Japanese Steakhouse :D (Your lovely Author's favorite food in the world) :3 I'll be 21 this year (Anyone want shots?)
I may actually need some this seven weeks... =D
-Carolare Scarletus