Hi all and welcome to my new chapter! I leave late tomorrow for my hometown. (Friday June 24, 2005). Thank you to my faithful readers for liking this story.
"Hermione!" exclaimed Ron, the smile washing off his face.
Hermione and Draco broke apart at once and turned around. Harry looked shell-shocked and Ron looked like he was about to explode.
"What are you doing with, him?" Harry asked nodding towards Malfoy.
"Nothing that concerns you I'm afraid. What did you want anyway?" Hermione asked sitting down.
Draco figured this was a friend thing so he sort of backed away to his room.
'Was this really happening? Did I just get with Hermione 'Mud blood' Granger?' Draco thought to himself as he laid down.
"I could have handled Nick, Hermione this is going way too far!" Ron yelled yet again.
"What's wrong with it? You've both seen how much he's changed. We can start to trust him now. And it could end so many feuds between our houses. And further more isn't my happiness worth something to either of you?" Hermione asked, munching on a chocolate frog.
"I don't care how much you think he might have changed. What if he does something to hurt you and the twins? Then will you think the same of him? And-." Said Ron before Harry finally spoke up.
"Of course your happiness is important to us but why him Hermione." Asked Harry, coming back down to earth.
Hermione thought on this for a moment. Then she remembered all of the great things he did for her since the beginning of this year. Draco had truly changed over the summer.
"Well for one thing, he saved me from Nick the second time. And he was the one who got me food when I didn't show up for dinner the other night. Just give him a chance you guys, he really is nice." Hermione pleaded.
Ron who was still worked up looked over at Hermione and saw how much this really meant to her. Harry knew what it was like to like someone and have it be so important for the relationship to work out.
"Ok fine, if it makes you happy." Harry stated nodding dully.
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean that we have to like him too." Said Ron.
Hermione jumped up and hugged them both, mumbling about how great of friends they were. Then Hermione remembered that they had something to tell her.
"Oh by the way, what did you guys have to tell me?" Hermione inquired.
"Well you know how Ginny and Jason are always caught snogging in the hallway? Yeah, they decided to go someplace where no one would find them. They went into a tree and it got really serious, and they both fell out. Jason's wand sparked and now Ginny's hair won't lay flat!" Harry said trying to suppress his giggles.
Hermione laughed too. This was really something that she wished she could have seen for herself. Ron and Harry left shortly after, leaving Draco and Hermione alone again.
"So what did they say?" asked Draco, sitting down next to his new love interest.
"I don't care what they said. I was going to date you anyway. But no need to sneak around, they said yes." Hermione said happily.
Then a thought suddenly struck her. Hermione spun around quickly.
"Draco, have you ever had a real relationship? As in lasting more than one night?" asked Hermione, thinking back to Draco sleeping with Pansy.
"Actually no. But then again, I've never cared for someone so much either. You're really special to me Hermione. I'll do anything to make you happy." Draco said, looking at Hermione directly.
This was so sweet. Nick had never said anything to Hermione like this. Maybe this was going to work out nicely.
(The next morning)
The next morning things appeared to be back to normal. Hermione had morning sickness and Draco left early for breakfast. But one thing differed and that was at breakfast.
"So Hermione, I hear you have a new flame?" questioned Ginny, smiling.
"Yeah. He's so sweet Ginny, I can't believe we've hated him for so long." Said Hermione.
"He must really be great if you're pouring ketchup into your tea instead of honey." Said Ginny, stopping her friend before she spilled some.
And that's when it happened. The post came, Hermione wasn't expecting anything that morning, but a great eagle owl swooped down with a letter and a rose tied with a black ribbon. (Just like in Phantom of the opera.)
Hermione quickly opened the letter.
'My Hermione, how time seems to slow down when we're not together.
Can't wait to see you again in Potions this afternoon. And I have something for you that I'll give to you after dinner tonight. Until then my darling.
Yours always,
Draco Malfoy'
Hermione looked up and caught Draco's eye. He winked and walked out with the rest of his group of friends. Ginny looked over and saw the connection between them. They looked perfect for each other.
Hermione was suddenly anticipating going to double Potions. Finally the time came and she suddenly had a wave of nausea.
"Five points from Gryffindor because of Miss Granger's late return." Snape said, looking at her coolly.
"That's unreasonable, I can't help it that I'm sick." Hermione stated.
"Sit down Miss Granger so that class may begin." Snape snapped.
Hermione sat down reluctantly. Draco tried to comfort her when Snape wasn't looking. Harry and Ron were watching from their desks, not happy with what they were seeing but they promised to let her date, they didn't have to like it.
"So what did you find out about Scintillation Solution?" asked Hermione, going over her three pages of notes.
"Well I found out that it's two potions in one. It's part pepper up solution. And—what why are you grinning?" Draco asked looking at Hermione.
"Oh nothing." Hermione said quickly, looking back at her notes.
This flirting went on during the entire lesson. Next it was Draco's turn to look at Hermione; she was nibbling the top of her quill. Hermione looked up while in the middle of writing.
"Stop, I'm trying to finish my work." Hermione snapped playfully. She had a big smile on her face, the first true one in over three months.
"You stop; I've read this same sentence four times." Draco playfully snapped.
Harry and Ron looked on in disgust. Snape walked by and caught them talking. But taking no notice Draco, rounding on Hermione.
"Miss Granger, I'm sure Mr. Malfoy doesn't want to have to hear you babbling for two hours. Let this be a warning to you." Snape said, sweeping past.
Draco leaned over to Hermione and whispered, "Actually, I wouldn't have it any other way."
Hermione smiled and they continued with their work. Then McGonagall called them to her office to talk about the absence of one of their members.
"Well due to the absence of Mr. Johnson, you do two think you could do well on your own until his return?" she asked.
Draco and Hermione looked at each other for a second and nodded.
"Sure Professor, we don't mind working alone." Draco spoke up.
McGonagall gave them a pass back to Potions. Soon class was over and they were parted once again. It was lunch; Hermione had never been so hungry. Her plate was almost as high as Ron's on a regular basis.
"Geez Hermione, slow down. You're going to choke!" exclaimed Ginny, taking small bites of her pie.
"I can't help it. I'm so hungry. Well rather the twins are hungry." Hermione stated, shoving shepherds pie into her mouth.
The silence around the group was quiet for a moment. They all had almost forgotten that their dear friend was expecting twins.
"Wow, the shock of it came again. I can't believe that you're having twins." Came Harry.
"I know, you're not even showing yet." Piped up Ron.
"Well actually I am, just my robes are in a bigger size." Hermione said, looking at Harry's watch.
It was just a few minutes before her next class started. Hermione gathered all of her things and rushed to Muggle Studies. Thinking that something was wrong, Draco rushed after her.
When he caught up with her.
"Are you alright?" Draco asked, looking her over.
"I'm fine. I was just late for class is all. Thanks for checking up on me." Hermione stated putting her arms around Draco's neck.
"No problem. Anything for you." Draco said his arms around her waist.
Draco lowered his head and kissed Hermione sweetly. It was perfect, no one was around and they fit perfectly together. When they pulled away, the bell rang. Draco walked away quickly in the other direction, but not before waving goodbye.
"Is there something going on between you and Malfoy?" Parvati asked coming up beside Hermione.
"Sort of. But never you mind, I'll tell you if anything else happens." Said Hermione, sitting at the front row.
(Later that night in the Common Room)
"Draco, you said you wanted to see me." Hermione said, knocking on his room door.
Draco came out with a gold box and a dozen roses.
"I know it's a little late but, Happy Birthday!" said Draco, handing over the presents.
"Oh Draco, they're beautiful. Thank you so much!" Hermione exclaimed jumping in Draco's arms.
This was slightly odd. Draco had never experienced so much affection from just one person. So this was what true love felt like. Draco hugged her back. Hermione jumped down and they walked over to the couch.
Hermione opened the box and found a pure silver charm of a heart and a crystal snitch with gold wings in the middle.
"This is beautiful. Thanks." Hermione thanked Draco again.
Hermione went away for a moment to put the roses away and came back with a notebook and a forever ink quill.
"Ok, this is something that I'm trying. When I tell you something I want you to give me your honest feelings." Hermione said, poising her pen.
Draco nodded.
"I went out with Vicktor Krum for two years and I almost married him." Hermione said, wondering what his reaction was going to be.
"I'm completely jealous. Honestly." Draco stated.
Hermione wrote it all down then went to the next statement.
"Since I've been pregnant I've been getting a lot of attention towards my boobs. What are you going to do about it?" Hermione asked.
"I'm thankful that you're mine. Now I'm the envy of the school. Exactly which guys were staring at you, I need to have a talk with them." Draco said, bringing Hermione closer.
Hermione wrote down his every word and the notebook was gone.
"What exactly was the test for anyway?" Draco asked, rubbing Hermione's shoulder softly.
"It was to see how important I was to you. And I think I've got to go over my notes again, but I think you passed." Hermione said smiling.
"I still want those names." Said Draco kissing Hermione softly.
Hermione giggled and kissed him back.
A/N: HELLO ALL! THIS CHAPTER IS DEDICATED TO ALL MY FAITHFUL REVIEWERS. I LEAVE TOMORROW AND I'M SO EXCITED! PLEASE REVIEW AND TELL ME WHAT THE NAMES SHOULD BE.
JENNIFER