So, here's the next chapter! Yay! I've pretty much set for the costumes (at least for the important characters) and decided that emb56 gave me the most insightful/really good ideas and they win the 'contest.' I also decided that I would send her a preview of THIS chapter instead of the Costume Ball chapter, so there's that update for everyone and I really appreciate the response I got from everyone with ideas!
I'm not really sure if there's anything else I have to say, so here we go!
"Are you nervous?"
Hermione looked at him as if he were crazy. "Are you kidding? You're asking me, Hermione Granger, if I'm nervous about going back to classes."
Draco narrowed his eyes. "Hermione, you know what I mean."
She rolled her eyes. "No, Draco, I'm not nervous about today. I know that my parents just died, but… I'm fine." Merlin, why do girls say that when they don't really mean it? "Really, if everyone knew the real reason for the past two weeks I would be self conscious, but I really feel excited for class." She looked at the clock with his smirk on her face. "You know, we still have twenty minutes unit Potions, and we haven't had the chance to be alone since the Quidditch Match…"
His lips met hers just as she started to turn back to him. He could feel her smile as she tangled her hands in his hair. He pushed her onto the couch and placed himself over her. Draco groaned as her hips ground into his, making his erection bulge against his pants. She was driving him crazy and he was loving every second of it. A knock at the portrait hole ended his enjoyment shortly after it had started.
Dead! Whoever that is, they are dead! He audibly growled as he made his way from the couch. "What the hell-o Professor Dumbledore."
Dumbledore looked amused by Draco's almost slip. "Mr. Malfoy, Miss Granger. I just wanted to inform you that I shall be announcing the Costume Ball at dinner this evening."
"Thank you Professor. We were just getting ready to leave for breakfast. And we're both very eager to attend classes again. Thank you for the break." Hermione smiled up at Dumbledore.
Potions was the first class of the day. Draco had arrived early and was wondering where Hermione was since she normally was the first person to every class. The room was half filled when she finally slumped into her seat with a loud 'huff.'
"Ron cornered me after breakfast." Draco turned to glare at Ron, who was just making his way into the room. "He apologized and said that he understands if I don't trust him anymore…" He noticed that she looked torn. No… please don't let her have forgiven him… "I- I told him that we are far from friends after how he acted, but I would give him one chance to earn my trust back. If he does anything like that again, I'll be done with him forever." She sheepishly looked at him. "Don't give me that look. I know you think I'm being stupid, but… Draco, he's been my best friend for six years! I've got to deal with him at some point and I'd rather do it sooner than later."
"What about us? He wasn't very happy to find me in your room… How is he going to react to us dating?"
"He- he's upset, really upset. I told him that if he wants to be on speaking terms with me then he's going to have to accept it. He's stubborn , but I'm pretty sure he'll get over it… probably not for awhile, but he will eventually."
"I-" Draco was interrupted by Professor Slughorn beginning class. They were assigned a particularly difficult potion to brew, so he wasn't able to continue their conversation. Hermione completely took charge of the project, so Draco was left with his thoughts for most of the period.
How can she let him have another chance? She's so smart, why would she do something so stupid? It's like she's completely forgotten that he called her a 'whore.' Merlin, Weasley is such a stupid git; he probably knew just the right ways to manipulate with her into forgiving him. I never should have let her out of my sight; then this wouldn't have happened! There is no possible way he will ever accept that she's with me! He's always hated me, even more than Potter! There is no way that he's going to sit back and watch his best friend date his enemy! No way! He's probably going to have those freak brothers of his send him trick boxes to use on me… Ron's potion blew up in his face. Maybe not, he's not smart enough to think of something like that.
The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Hermione stood, waiting for him, so they could go to Charms. "Good job with that potion Draco." He smiled and took her hand. She's adorable; she doesn't even realize that she did the entire potion by herself.
It was halfway through dinner and Draco was sick of the stares he had been getting. He should have expected it, since he and Hermione were the first Slytherin and Gryffindor couple since the 1800s, at least the first to openly admit it, but it still annoyed the hell out of him. Luckily for him, after Dumbledore had given his announcement, the students forgot about the new couple and focused on the excitement of the Costume Ball. He wasn't sure, but he could have sworn that he saw Dumbledore raise his glass and wink in his direction.
Blaise's obvious fake coughing was the only warning Draco received before Pansy all but sat in his lap. "So Drakie… I was wondering if you had any ideas for our costumes. I really want for us to match so that everyone knows who the best couple is."
What did she just say!? "Get off of me! I'm not going with you; I already have a date!"
Pansy's face scrunched into a horrendous expression and six years of experience was not enough for Draco to brace himself for her tantrum. "No, you are going with ME! I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK YOU HAVE WITH GRANGER; YOU BELONG TO ME, NOT HER!" Everyone turned to witness Pansy's outburst. She tried to grab him, but he pushed her off.
"I don't belong to anyone, you crazy bitch!" He had been able to keep calm with Ron, but Pansy had this coming for years now.
She slapped him. "YOU'RE AN IDIOT, DRACO MALFOY! YOU DIDN'T EVEN LIKE HER BEFORE THIS YEAR AND NOW YOU'RE TRYING TO CHOOSE HER OVER ME! I'M NOT GOING TO LET THAT HAPPEN! YOU'RE MINE AND SHE CAN'T HAVE YOU!"
"Shut up Pansy! No one wants to listen to your ugly pug face!" Teachers were beginning to make their way over to break up the disturbance. "AND FOR YOUR INFORMATION, JUST BECAUSE YOU THINK WE HAVE SOME TWISTED RELATIONSHIP DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU'RE THE ONE I'M IN LOVE WITH!"
A collective gasp stopped all action in the Great Hall, even Peeves stopped trying to tease a First Year. Draco's voice echoed throughout the room until it finally faded away. He looked around the room, meeting Hermione's eyes, unsure of whether to feel self conscious or proud. She looked shocked, confused, and possibly happy. I've finally done something Lucius could never do. I've really fallen in love.
Not one second after Draco's echo had given way to silence did Pansy's inhuman shriek fill it. "YOU WHAT!? YOU FUCKING WHAT!? WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU DRACO!? YOU'RE A 'PUREBLOOD!' YOU DO NOT MIX WITH DIRTY, FILTHY 'MUDBLOODS!'"
It took everything for him to not break his most important rule to never strike a woman. Instead, he grabbed her forearms and shook her to shut her up. "YOU LISTEN TO ME, YOU UGLY BITCH! HERMIONE'S BLOOD IS THE PUREST IN THIS ENTIRE FUCKING SCHOOL! HELL, SHE'S GOT THE PUREST FUCKING BLOODLINE IN THE ENTIRE WIZARDING WORLD!"
Lord Voldemort could have risen from the dead and walked into the Great Hall at that moment and not one person would have noticed. Draco froze and his eyes grew wide as he realized his mistake. He slowly turned to look at Hermione across the room.
Oh shit! Another cliffhanger, so don't kill me, or else you won't know what happens! And leave me some awesome reviews and let me know what you think! Love it, hate it?-Let me know! Don't forget, if there is something that you want to see, LET ME KNOW and I'll try to fit it in for you! FYI, I'm more willing to add something from someone who reviews often, or at least more than once.
