Disclaimer: I'm afraid I do not own Harry Potter, J.k. does!
A/N-Thanks to everyone who has kept up so far! I just want to apologise for the VERY long delay in updates. I did not realise how much work I had left -_- but NOW I have finished school and can give all my undying attention to the fanfic - Oh and im afraid you will have to expect this to begin getting more emotional [my boyfriend is going to uni in september and I am a year younger so I am very upset ;( ] DONT WORRY though, I will try my best to keep this constantly updated ... thanks 3
This was the day, it all happens tonight. Hermione breathed in slowly, studying herself in the mirror. Her white golden locks were now brushed up into a pony tail. Lessons had finished for the day and that meant she was going to go and meet Ron and Harry after everyone else had made their way for dinner, in the Great hall. It had been a while but Harry managed to work out a way to get information out of Hagrid and now they know music is the way to make the three-headed dog go to sleep.
Making sure her wand was tucked away in her robe, Hermione made her way into the common room. The fireplace sent a warm glow around the room which made it hard for her to see the shadow that stood over her. A hand quickly clasped her shoulder and spun her round.
"MALFOY! Oh for goodness sake you almost gave me a heart attack!" She shouted up at the boy standing before her.
"Well, it isn't my fault you're not more knowledgeable with your surroundings!"
"Look, I need to get going, Harry and Ron are waiting for me."
"Oh, what might this be for? Having a little play date, Granger?" Draco laughed spitefully, but Hermione just rolled her eyes and pulled away from his grasp.
"No today is the day." she said firmly "and not to sound rude but I can't exactly be late - so if you don't mind..."
"Wait you mean-"
"Yep it means I'm about to go and face many challenges and near death possibilities... See you in the morning." she called behind her sarcastically, as she made her way to the door.
When she arrived outside the fat lady painting Harry and Ron were already there and waiting. Nodding as a "Hello" they quickly made their way to the third floor, Harry constantly checking to see if anyone had noticed them. Making their way into the familiar room the sound of a harp being played and snoring could be heard.
"It looks like Snape beat us too it! Come on, help me move the paw so we can get into the trap door!" Harry called to the other two. Making her way over, Hermione tried her best to avoid the horrifically bad breath as she lifted up the gigantic paw.
Once the door was open Harry sat on the edge and gazed down into the dark pit. Swallowing hard he looked towards the other two who nodded encouragement as he pushed himself off, closely followed by Ron and then Hermione.
Screaming at the 50 foot drop, she finally hit the devil snare and just as expected the two boys panicked.
Draco sat down in front of the fire once Hermione had left. He opened a text-book on advanced potions and flicked through the pages. Time passed too slowly and after what felt like forever, Blaise finally entered the common room.
"Draco!" The tanned boy called over.
"Hey, Blaise." He replied, not really paying any attention.
"I was just wondering, would you want to stay over in the summer? My mother said she will be going away for a week or two and I could do with some company." Draco looked up hesitantly from his book. Breathing slowly he thought about his choice.
"Why don't you just ask Granger?" Blaise's face slowly changed into a deep red.
"Well, I er...don't think she would want to... besides why would I want to put up with all that girl stuff. Think about it, I bet she will just spend all her time doing her make up and whining over what she is going to wear..." Blaise trailed off, laughing gently. Merlin, you really do have Granger wrong...unless...has she changed? Draco remained silent as he thought this through in his head. "Draco?"
Looking up the blonde caught eyes with Blaise. "Oh, er yeah... I guess. Sure I'll come round.." He forced a smile onto his lips as he fingered the paper pages in his book.
"Great! I will go write to my mother, I bet she will be pleased! Where is Hermione anyway?"
"Who knows..." was all he could say, causing Blaise to give Draco a confused expression before walking to their room.
Later that night Draco is sitting up in bed, realising all he can think about is Hermione. Why am i worrying? he thought to himself and after a long hour of open eyes he decided to go for a walk. Pulling a robe around him and putting his wand in his pocket, he creeps out of the dorm. It was a while untill Draco found himself outside the hospital wing and listening to voices. There she is. he thought as the sick feeling dropped lightly from his stomach. Peering through the double doors, the light just caught Hermione's face and then Harry's. Draco assumed Ron was in there somewhere as well. His mind began to wander and just as he decided he was confident enough to leave he heard Hermione's voice.
"Draco? Is that you?" She whispered. His body stiffened as if he had been caught. Torn between what to do next, he bit down on his lip and then chose to move quickly out of the light and back to his dorm.
A week had passed untill Draco had sat down on his usual space on the house bench. The great feast had just started and his fellow housemates buzzed around him. He knew he was staring at the Gryffindor table and he knew that both Blaise and Pansy were trying to get his attention; but he couldn't care less. The ceiling was dancing with candles and the usual ghosts were drifting around, spreading gossip and having fun. However, he just couldn't keep himself from looking. There at the red and gold house table sat Weasley, the red-head and Potter, the scarboy.
Scrunching up his nose in distaste, Draco continued to scan the table before searching alone his own, but still couldn't find what he was searching for. Giving up he looked down at his plate and then grabbed a few potatoes.
"There we go! Finally, I thought you were just going to starve yourself..." Blaise said, waving his right and, which held a fork, up in the air and then gave the blonde boy a tap on the back. Draco frowned before grunting and taking a bite of one of the potatoes. "O, come on mate, I'm sure Hermione is fine."
"How did you know I was looking for her?"
"Oh Draco, it is written all over your face." Draco turned to his friend now and looked at him with an annoyed expression untill Blaise grinned and pointed to the main doors.
"See! I told you!" Spinning around in his seat, Draco let out a sharp breath that he didn't know he was holding and watched as the new blonde Hermione walked slowly into the hall. He watched how her surprisingly less-frizzy hair bounced around her shoulders and he couldn't help but let out a playful smirk. Untill he noticed she was walking towards Harry and Ron. Moving his gaze, we saw many people looking at her with confusion. What is she doing?!
Suddenly, unsure what pushed him to do it, he stood up from his seat, letting everyone turn their gaze onto him, but he finally caught Hermione's eyes, causing her to stare back, equally as confused. A small movement in his stomach made him realise how he had begun to panick with everyone watching him, but luckily realisation dawned on Hermione's face and she quickly changed direction and walked towards him. As she reached him, she opened her arms.
"I know you hate me, but just hug me before this gets any more embarrassing." She whispered into his ear as she pulled him into one of the most awkward hugs in existence. Draco stood there stunned and slightly cringing, untill Blaise happily pulled Hermione into a second hug. Relieved and slightly confused, Draco sat back down without muttering a word or looking back at his housemates.
Minuets passed untill a gentle tap of the glass sent a blanket of silence over the hall. Slowly heads turned untill everyone was facing the tall man with the familiar, long white beard and friendly face. Professor Dumbledore rose from his seat and glanced around the room.
"Another year, gone. And now, as I understand it...the house cup needs awarding." Draco couldn't help but smirk weakly and glance at Blaise who looked back at him smugly. "The points stand thus... in fourth place, Gryffindor with 312 points." an echo of disappointment washed over the red and gold table and Draco watched Hermione look up awkwardly as a gentle round of applause sounded across the tables.
"Third place, Hufflepuff with 352 points." again a gentle clap continued. "Second place, Ravenclaw with 426 points." Draco's smirk grew wider as his fellow housemates gasped and snickered as they looked around at each other.
"And in first place with 472 points, Slytherin house!" Instantly the table cheered and laughed and as Draco joined in he couldn't help but notice that Hermione also smiled and laughed as she caught eyes with the red-haired girl, which he assumed was called Ruby. However, quickly Dumbledore continued.
"Yes, yes well done Slytherin. However! recent events must be taken into account and I have a few last minuet points to award." The Slytherin table calmed down and looked back to the head teacher with worried and annoyed expressions. Hermione's smile faded and Draco suddenly realised, glancing back at Potter and Weasley.
"Firstly to Weasley, for the best played game of chess, that Hogwarts as seen these many years... 50 points." Draco watched the ginger's face light up and look around in excitement. " Secondly, to Mr. Harry Potter for Pure love and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house, 60 points." Again the raven haired boy's smile grew across his face and Draco just rolled his eyes.
"However, im afraid to say this doesn't change the score, but I feel it is necessary to acknowledge those who deserve it. Therefore, lastly I award another 50 points to Miss Hermione Granger for core use of intellect and where others were in grave perral, congratulations." Draco glanced softly towards his new housemate and smiled gently at the now red face of Granger. Blaise wrapped an arm around her and a few others congratulated and thanked he, causing her to let out a soft smile.
"Therefore, assuming that my calculations are correct, i believe that a change of decoration is in order!" Dumbledore clapped twice and then above the students heads green and sliver flags fell, showing the winners of this years cup. "Slytherin wins the house cup!"
Cheers erupted through the hall, the only silent table was Gryffindor and even then, they didn't seem too upset. Draco leapt up from his seat with the others, throwing their hats and cheered.
"We won! We actually won!" Blaise shouted to the others and hugged Hermione as she joined in, laughing. Draco watched as she sent an appologetic glane to her Gryffindor friends but he almost didn't care. We won. is all he could think of excitedly.