Forbidden
By Leah
Chapter Three
Late Night Poetry Anyone?
"Hermione? What are you doing here?" The girl in question looked up from her thick volume of Practical Potions to the bright eyes of her friend Ginny.
"Um...It's the library." Hermione replied, her eyes scanning the room. "I think the better question would be: what are you doing here?" Ginny shrugged and sat in the chair across from Hermione.
"So Hermione, it's been almost a week and a half, how long are you planning on avoiding your common room?" Ginny's lips curled into a very Malfoy worthy smirk when Hermione sent her a glare. She had always hated how blunt her friend was. "I mean, yeah Malfoy is a toad, but I'm sure that common room makes up for it."
"Well Gin, for once Malfoy's... toad-ness isn't why I've made a point of staying out of the Head's dorms." Ginny arched an eyebrow clearly interested in why her friend -who had wanted nothing more than to become Head Girl since she was accepted to Hogwarts- was now avoiding one of the nicest perks of the position.
"It's Malfoy's apparent insatiable sex drive!" Ginny dropped the book she was skimming and started laughing to the point of tears, but sobered up when Madam Pince rounded a bookshelf with a hard glare at the ready. "You were right about the line of girls, Gin. I've seen it!" She ignored the snickering girl across from her and continued in a harsh whisper. "And I'm sure the sick git is doing this all just to spite me!"
Ginny arched an eyebrow. "Oh yes Hermione, I'm sure that he's normally positively abstinent but since you made him angry he's out to sex up all of Hogwarts to spite you." Whatever look of annoyance Hermione sent the girl was ignored. "You've got to be exaggerating Hermione."
"Ok maybe a little," The younger girl rolled her eyes and motioned with her hand, signaling her friend to continue. "But I really think I've seen half of the female population of Europe leaving his room this past week." She ignored Ginny's snort. "And for some reason I just don't think they were there for some leisurely conversation." Hermione whispered, dropping her voice even lower when she noticed Madam Pince looking her way.
"Well he is the 'Slytherin Sex God,' so I guess anything less would just be unacceptable." Ginny whispered with a shrug.
"Once again, I'm almost positive you made that name up." Ginny scoffed, "Even so, it would be nice to walk to my room without hearing his headboard smashing a hole in the wall."
"Well this is your punishment for spending all that time with your nose in a book instead of traipsing through the school at night for a snog like the rest of us. Now you have to room with the 'Slytherin Sex God.'"
Hermione snorted. "More like the Slytherin Man Whore if you ask me."
"Well," Hermione nearly groaned, she knew when Ginny used that tone something inappropriate would come out of the little red head's mouth. "Judging from those girls, at least you know if anything were to happen withyou and Malfoy, you're guaranteed one hell of a good time."
Hermione sighed, "Well Ginerva, nothing is going to happen because -for the millionth time- I. Date. Your. Brother." She said slowly as if speaking to a child then added an evil glare for good measure. Ginny held up her hands in defense.
"Well, I'm just saying. You are living with one of -if not the- best looking boys in the school, and even you may be subject to temptation... and if he set his eyes on you, there definitely will be a lot of temptation," She leaned over the table with a wide grin, her voice dropped to a whisper; "And I still think he'd be better than Ron."
Hermione slammed her book shut, "Well Gin, this has been fun," Her hands stretched about the table gathering her things, which she stuffed haphazardly into her bag. "But if you'll excuse me, I have a dorm to go reclaim. Have fun with Harry back here." She added with a grin.
"H-he-" Hermione interrupted the sputtering girl, "Really Gin, you here by yourself on a Friday night, I'm sure studying isn't the only thing you plan on doing."Hermione waved to the blushing girl and strode out of the library, she nearly bumping into Harry at the door.
"Hi Kyara, do you know if Malfoy's um...with a girl right now?" Hermione asked, blushing slightly.
"Actually, no. You are ze only girl who 'as come into ze common room today." Kyara answered. "I was talking to Mariella today and she was telling me what she 'eard some of ze ot' er girls in ze hallways talking about him. Apparently 'e iz very popular." In the few days that Hermione had been in the castle, she'd discovered that Kyara loved to talk, more-so than even the Fat Lady.
"Yeah he is, it's really annoying actually." Kyara was about to respond, but Hermione was quick to speak before the portrait had time to start up a conversation. "Well, I'm a bit sleepy I'll talk to you later." Hermione said faking a yawn before speaking the password. Kyara wished her goodnight before the portrait swung open letting her in, and closing behind her.
The comfy beige common room couch never looked so good to her, she dropped her bag moved to the couch.
"Well it's about time you came in Granger." Hermione groaned and counted backwards from ten, she did have an equally comfy bed in her room, and Malfoy wasn't there as an added bonus. Without sparing the boy a glance she scooped up her bag and headed to her room.
"Hey, wait! We need to talk." She sighed and turned around to face Malfoy for the first time since their talk more than a week ago. The insult that built up in her throat died on her tongue as her eyes beheld the sight in front of her. There -only a foot or so away- stood Malfoy in a black robe that -of course- he had hung open to reveal green boxers.
Her mind and her eyes were locked in a battle of wills as she tried in vain not to ogle his smooth toned chest. Quidditch surely had done a lot for the boy over the years.
"See something you like Granger?" His cocky voice brought her eyes back up to his. His trademark smirk was already in place.
"No." She tried to sound as defiant as possible, but the word came out as more of a squeak. If anything Malfoy's smirk got larger and he walked ('Oh no,' She mentally chided, 'sauntered would be the proper word,') towards her. She made sure that with every step he took forward, she took one backwards.
But there was only so much room in their dorm and soon she found her back against the wall. She cursed none too silently as Malfoy came inches from her and put his hands on either side of her face, securely caging her between his body, which was now being pressed against her.
"Let me go Malfoy." She sent him an icy glare, finally getting enough control of her voice to make her words sound threatening.
"Nope, not until you admit you like my chest." Malfoy was practically grinning like a child on Christmas morning. How he had missed the simple pleasures that came with torturing the poor girl in front of him.
"As much as I would love too," Hermione drawled sarcastically. "I really rather not stroke your already enormous ego." She wanted to recall the words as soon as they left her lips, she knew she had just asked for a perverted response, and the sly smirk that twisted up they boy's lips made her sure she wouldn't be disappointed.
"Well Granger, if you don't want to stroke my ego; I'm sure we could find something else for you to stroke instead." He had to fight a grin from taking over his face when Hermione blushed a brilliant shade of red before sputtering.
"Wha-you-" She opened and closed her mouth a few times before settling on what always worked...yelling and name calling. "Just let me go you ferret!"
"Now now Granger, remember what we said about calling each other names." He mock scolded sickeningly sweet, resting his head on her shoulder. Hermione felt a shiver run up her spine when his hot breath caressed the skin of her neck. He continued, "I think it only fair that you owe me one favor for such an indiscretion of such mammoth proportion." She rolled her eyes at his hurt tone.
"I do not! We never agreed to those terms!" Draco moved his head and brought his face barely an inch from hers, smirking when she tried to move her head back.
"Well Granger, I'm pretty sure that you're the one pinned to the wall right now, so I don't really think you have much say in the matter." He was beginning to wonder if she could even see anymore, it appeared her eyes were stuck in that mean squint she thought passed as a glare.
"Let me go Malfoy, and I might not hex you to death." She ground out through clenched teeth.
"As reassuring as that sounds," He began sarcastically, "The only way I'm letting you go is if you just admit that you think I'm sexy. And quite frankly, I kind of like this position." He returned his head to her shoulder for emphasis.
Hermione grumbled a few choice words under her breath and something that sounded like "egotistic pig" before sighing. "Fine I'll say it." She glared at him before adding "Only because I have a Potions essay to finish."
There was a pregnant pause between them while Draco waited and Hermione tried to figure out if she could say it and still keep her dignity intact.
"Well...?" Draco broke the silence making the girl sigh loudly.
"Fine!" Dignity be damned, she was sure the evil cockroach wouldn't have minded if he had to stay like this all night long, she however had other things to get done. "You have a nice chest." She grumbled, sighing happily when he moved off of her.
"Well Granger, I think you have a very nice chest also." He ignored the scathing look the girl sent him. "I think we should compare. Come on Granger; shirts off."
Hermione sent him a flat look before she stalked off to her room, she slammed her door as hard as she could behind herself but not before she made a very rude hand gesture.
"Well that wasn't very lady-like Granger!" He screamed, a Cheshire grin split his face as he heard muffled curses being screamed from the other side of her door.
Hermione sighed in contentment as she slipped deeper into her bath.
This was probably what she loved the most about being Head Girl. The bathroom was huge enough to hold a shower in one corner and the large bath tub that she occupied which could easily fit eight people and was adorned with different taps for bubbles, scented water and other things she had yet to try.
The bath was really the only reason she didn't spend all of her time in the Gryffindor tower. The only down side being that she had to share the room with that slimy git, Malfoy.
She muttered a few curses under her breath as she thought about the annoyance she was forced to tolerate for the next few months. How she would love to hex him until his head exploded. Azkaban wouldn't even be so much to bear as long as she knew she saved others from dealing with the annoying prat. She sighed and dipped her head under the water to clear her mind of Malfoy related thoughts.
"And here I was hoping the bubbles would stop." A deep voice drawled, as soon as she broke the surface, her calmed thoughts immediately dissipating. Her eyes snapped open to find the object of her irritation leaning against the door frame only a few feet away from her, now wearing a pair of black pants, grinning like the bloody Cheshire cat.
After the shock wore off, she did the only thing she could think to do, scream bloody murder and throw the nearest thing as hard as she could.
Malfoy's seeker instincts kicked in and he caught the bottle before it could do any bodily harm. He chuckled a bit; the girl had good aim, if he hadn't caught the shampoo in time it would've hit him right between the eyes. And the last thing he wanted was to explain to people was why exactly he had a nasty bruise on his face was from the bookworm in front of him.
"Merlin Granger, do you think you could scream any louder." He drawled sarcastically, walking into the bathroom.
The girl quickly shut her mouth and sent him a cold glare. "Get out Malfoy!" She snapped at the boy who sent her a lazy smirk.
"I think I much rather stay. You can't stay in there forever and I would love to see what it is that you hide under those baggy robes." His eyes, which were locked on hers, drifted down to her neck then the swell of her breasts to the bubbly water that shielded most of her from his wayward gaze.
Her glare intensified, but her eyes flickered to the soapy water, "I'm serious Malfoy, I've got a bottle of conditioner here and this time I'll make sure it hits it's mark." She ground out.
The boy scoffed at her supposed threat. Instead he went to sit on the edge of the bathtub, he chuckeld when the girl pressed herself to the back of the tub. He even went as far as to put his hand in the water, running his fingers through it. "I think it's time I called in that favor you owe me Granger." He sent her one of his sexiest smirks that made most any girl swoon.
But Hermione wasn't like most girls, "Malfoy, I wouldn't care if I owed you my life, I am not letting you into this tub with me." She sneered, making no effort to hide her immeasurable hatred for the boy before her.
Malfoy let out a snort of laughter. "Oh don't flatter yourself Granger. Besides I've already done some rather enjoyable things in that tub with someone much more enjoyable girls, I don't see why I would bother do a repeat performance with you. But if you would like..." He let the sentence hang in the air, it's implications obvious.
Hermione paled considerably, and if Malfoy weren't in the room she knew she would have jumped out of the tub as fast as she possibly could. "As appetizing as that sounds," She began, imitating his sarcastic drawl perfectly. "I much rather rot." She ended sweetly, sending him a smirk that mirrored his. She might have been thoroughly disgusted, but there was no way she would let that stop her from lowering his ego a few pegs.
"Like I'd even waste any time on you." He sneered, but made no move to take his hand from the water.
"So if you're not here to sexually harass me," She chose to ignore Malfoy's disgusted expression. "Why are you here? Even you have enough decency to know not to annoy someone when they're bathing."
"I need your opinion." To say that was a surprise wouldn't quite cover it. Hermione idly thought that she had drowned and this was an act of her unconscious mind.
"Um...what?" Malfoy rolled his eyes and pulled a rolled up piece of parchment from his pant pocket.
"Are you deaf? I said I needed your opinion." Hermione glared at him, and wanted to tell him to just sod off, but her curiosity got the better of her.
"Why would you ask for my help?" She asked bluntly.
"Simple, you're smart and you're a girl," He muttered something that sounded suspiciously like "A complete pain in the ass though," before continuing. "Besides, you're right here so what's the use in going to look for someone else."
'Lazy prat.'
He cleared his throat, "And for the record, I'm not asking for your help, I'm asking for your opinion."
She let out a resigned sigh, and sent the evil git a dark look out of the corner of her eye. She was sure he wasn't going to let her out of the tub without helping him, and she was beginning to prune. "Ok, what is it?" She propped a hand up on the rim of the tub and rested her head in her upturned palm.
"A poem." She let out a sound somewhere between a scoff and a choke in the back of her throat, her hand slipped off the tub and she sank into the water before coming back up seconds later sputtering a bit of water from her mouth. Malfoy was grinning broadly, obviously enjoying her reaction.
Now she was sure she was unconscious and dreaming.
"A what?"
"A poem." His voice showed his mounting irritation. "Really Granger, you should go to Pomfrey and get your ears checked." The girl glared at him, wishing she had her wand with her.
"So why on earth would you of all people write a poem?" She asked, propping her arm back up and resting her head back in her palm.
"Pansy." He grumbled a few words she didn't catch before continuing. "Something about wanting me to be sweeter, like other boyfriends."
"Parkinson is your girlfriend?" Hermione asked incredulously. "You're her boyfriend?"
He rolled his eyes, "Those two usually go together do they not? Really Granger, I think that Brightest Witch of our Age title of yours needs to be revoked." He swore he heard the girl growl. "And she's more like fiancée." Hermione couldn't help the burst of laughter that escaped her, her earlier annoyance nearly disappeared completely.
Malfoy was sure the girl was bad for his blood pressure, "What -pray-tell - is so funny Granger?" He sent her a bone-chilling glare, which she ignored, and tried to sober herself enough to speak.
"Oh I don't know," She said, sarcasm dripping from every word, "Maybe the fact that in the few days I've been here I've seen nearly a quarter of the Hogwarts female population enter your room-"
"Oh really Granger, you're exaggerating. It's only been four girls." Hermione waved him off.
"And from what I've heard, Pansy is -ahem- well known to quite a bit of the school's male population. And now, you tell me that you and Parkinson are... engaged." She let out a snort of laughter. "I really think there couldn't be a better couple." Malfoy glared at her, which only made her erupt in another fit of laughter.
"That wedding, is purely a business agreement." He snapped, though Hermione wasn't sure if it was because he was mad at her, or mad at the fate of his adult years. She could sympathize with him, that girl had a voice worst than nails on a chalkboard.
"So are you going to help or not?"
"Well it seems as if I have no choice, I doubt you'd leave unless I agree, and I am definitely not getting out of this tub with you in here." Malfoy smirked and his eyes once again drifted below her neck.
"So if you will please stop ogling my chest!" She snapped, drawing his attention back to her face, a lazy smirk sliding onto his lips. "I think we can do this fast."
"First time any girl has ever said those words to me." He chuckled, Hermione looked as if she would kill him any second. "You're such a spoil sport, Granger." He mock pouted. At her flat look he cleared his throat and unrolled the parchment with a flourish. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Imbecile."
"Say something Granger?"
"Just go."
He cleared his throat once more, "Roses are-"
"Oh Merlin." Hermione interrupted, massaging her temples. "Isn't that muggle poetry?"
"Yeah, it'll make her think this is my original work, now if you don't mind." Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Oh yes, don't let me stop you from butchering the art of poetry." She muttered and gestured for him to go on.
"Roses are red Violets are blue
"Pansy Parkinson how I love doing you."
"Oh Merlin." Malfoy ignored the girl who was turning a bit pale.
"You scream and writhe and throw back our head
"One day we should even try doing it on a bed."
"I think I'm going to be sick." Hermione muttered, but Malfoy still went on.
"And when we're in a romantic mood I'll set out some romantic food
"Then we'll do it with some candles lit.
"I love it especially when you scream my name every time I-"
"STOP!" Malfoy's eyes snapped off the parchment to the clearly nauseous girl in front of him. "I think I got it."
"So..?" Malfoy arched an eyebrow, letting the question hang in the air.
Hermione opened and closed her mouth a few times as her mind groped for a compliment "That was...um...it rhymed...a bit." She said throwing him a smile.
Malfoy glared at her. "Well I'd like to see you try it."
The girl snorted and rolled her eyes. "Reverse psychology isn't going to work on me Malfoy, especially when it's done so poorly." He sent her a rather hateful look before sighing.
"Can't you even fix it or something Granger?"
"I'm sure I could, but why would I? You're practically holding me hostage in a bathtub, and I'm starting to prune here." She held up one of her hands to show her wrinkled fingers for emphasis.
"You do things like this for Potter and Weasely-"
"Yes because they're my friends. Or do they not teach you that concept in the dungeons?" She snapped cutting him off. She really was starting to get a bit annoyed, he had her sitting in the water for at least 15 minutes.
Malfoy sent her an icy glare. "I do have friends Granger, ones who actually come to me for more than just help with their assignments. Or do they not teach you that concept in the towers?" He snapped back, his irritation mirroring hers.
"Will you just get out so I can finish my bath in peace!" She yelled pointing to the door. Malfoy got up slowly and grinned at her.
"Looks like I've hit a nerve, eh Granger?" He said softly, smirking at the girl who glared at him intensely. He strolled over to the door without even glancing back at her once. "Maybe you need to look over your little friendship with Potter and Weasley... even you deserve better." His near silent words drifted to her before he closed the door behind him.
She slammed her door shut as harshly as she could, the lion on her door roared loudly before returning to sleep. The girl practically stomped down the stairs with the might of a pajamas clad, raving hippopotamos. A piece of parchment clutched tightly in her hands.
As she had guessed Malfoy was sitting on the sofa with his feet on the table in front of him. He looked deep in thought as he stared at the piece of parchment in front of him, Pansy's "poem" no doubt.
She dropped into the love seat by the fire with a huff and glared at the side of his too blond head.
"Out of the bath I see." He muttered, not raising his head from the page.
Her glare intensified and she tossed the rolled up piece of parchment in her hand at him. His hand shot up and caught the paper before it hit him without even batting an eyelash. 'Damn perfect prat.'
"What's this?" He didn't unroll the parchment but looked at her from the corner of his eye, running a hand through his shaggy blond hair.
"Poem." The grumbled word was barely audible, but he caught it and grinned at her.
"Why Granger; are you being nice to me?" His eyes practically lit up with the prospect of annoying her in his grasp.
She snorted and rolled her eyes for what seemed like the millionth time that night. "Oh please Malfoy. I just couldn't sit back and watch you murder poetry like that."
Draco sent her a sly look and unrolled the paper. "Whatever you say Granger."
"So are you going to read it or not?" She muttered, averting her attention to the fire, trying to make herself look uninterested.
Once again Malfoy cleared his throat and Hermione rolled her eyes.
"How I love you- God Granger, did you have to make me sound like a complete ponce." She sent him a harsh glare from the corner of her eye.
"How I love you, my dearest Pansy Parkinslut- You gother name wrong Granger." He pointed to the name on the paper.
"No I didn't." Hermione responded slyly. "Keep reading."
"How I love you, my dearest Pansy Parkinslut
"Even though you remind me of my pet mutt." Malfoy paused and grinned before continuing.
"You stay near me always, following me without fail
"I fear the only way to get rid of you would be going to jail
"You're screeching voice, and greasy hair
"Have always filled me with a high level of fear
"And yet it seems my life is to be filled with this strife
"For one day you shall be my wife."
Malfoy grinned broadly and stuffed the poem in his pocket
"Brilliant Granger." He said with a hint of a chuckle. A light blush tinged the girl's cheeks and she smiled at him.
"Why thank you Malfoy." She yawned loudly and covered her mouth with the back of her hand. "Well goodnight. This was kind of... nice." She sent him one last smile before heading up the stairs to her room; leaving Draco alone once again.
His gray eyes stared into the flickering fire before he too got up and went to his room.
"Yes it was Granger."