Chapter 23

"Black Roses Red"

"Put your foot on the ski so I can tighten the binding," Hermione was fighting to get Ron strapped in his skis, "Honestly Ronald it's not that hard!"

"Like I told you I don't want to go falling down a mountain," he was wiggling his foot and Hermione was trying to hold it still.

"We came here to ski not sit around," She finally got hold of his foot and strapped it in, "besides you're going on the bunny slope and you'll have lessons."

"Bunnies can fall to their death too!"

She rolled her eyes, "yes that's true but in this case the bunny slope is referring to that small hill over there." She pointed out the ski rental shop window to a tiny hill with small children going down it.

"There are only babies on that slope," he whined.

"They are children not babies and beginners also ski there," She helped him wobble out of the ski shop in his skis.

"Isn't that cute the little Weasel is going to go down the bunny slope," Draco smirked

Hermione hit him in the chest, "give it a rest."

Parvati and Lavender were on the bunny slope over enjoying their lesson with Juan. He was extremely cute so Luna, Ginny, and Padma decided to join them. Seamus, Goyle, and Lee were busy flirting with their instructor Maria. George was at the first aid station faking a sprained ankle to get close to the beautiful nurse Gabriella. No one had seen Neville and Hannah since last night.

"I don't need lessons, I can take on the big slope let's go!" Ron let go of Hermione's arm and wobbled over to the ski lift.

"Ron this isn't a good idea," she sat in the lift next to him, "what are you trying to prove."

"I'm not trying to prove a thing," he was trying to look tuff but his ears were red and he looked a bit terrified.

Harry, Angelina, and Katie sat in the ski lift right behind them, Draco and Dean got on the next one, "Ron your being stupid!" Harry shouted from the chair behind him.

He turned around and glared at Harry, "he's right Ron, don't do this," Angelina pleaded.

They had reached the top of the mountain and everyone slid off

"Don't let Malfoy get to you," Dean said as he pulled down his ski goggles, "you shouldn't be up here unless you know what you're doing." He used his polls and pushed off and went sliding down the mountain like a pro.

"Then why are you guys up here? Only Dean and Hermione know how to ski," questioned Ron.

"What we did was…" Harry was cut off by Ron's screams

"AHHHH!" Ron had lost control and began sliding the mountain, "HELP!"

"Oh shit!" They all pulled down their goggles and followed him down the mountain. Hermione was using her wand to make the trees jump out of Ron's way. People were diving left and right at the sight of the flaming red hair boy going down the mountain. He was screaming all the way down…

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH H!"

Dean had gotten to the bottom of the slope. He turned to see what the commotion was.

"Impediamenta!" Dean shouted Ron froze and crashed to the ground with a crack, Dean kicked off his skis and went running to Ron, the others slowed down and followed. "Ron you git, why the hell would you come down here!" Ron was moaning in pain, he removed the charm and Ron immediately grasped his arm.

"RON!" Hermione plopped down in the snow at his side, "are you alright?"

"I think his arm is broken," Harry said as he tried to get Ron to let go of it.

"Ferula," Hermione made a splint and bandage appear on Ron's arm.

Katie hit Draco in the stomach, "Ouch! What was that for?" he asked rubbing his stomach.

"If you hadn't been teasing him, this wouldn't have happened," she hissed.

"I didn't think he would be thick enough to actually do it," he paused, "then again Weaselby has never been too bright," he smirked.

She hit him again. They started arguing back and forth. "Give it a rest you two, no one wants to hear your nonsense," Angelina warned.

Dean and Harry heaved Ron to his feet, Angelina picked up Ron's skis and Katie grabbed his polls. They all trekked back to the lodge Ron wimping and mutter profanity all the way.

As they were walking through the lobby Draco stopped in the doorway to the longue, George was wearing a smoking jacket, his foot was bandaged and lying on a pillow on the coffee table, there was a very attractive nurse hand feeding him grapes. George noticed Draco, he winked and grinned, Draco smirked shook his head in shame as he walked away, George Weasley and a girl like that, seems impossible.

_412 ANDES LODGE_

Ron and Hermione were sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace, everyone else was down in the restaurant having diner, and Neville and Hannah had reappeared from their day of secrecy.

"Ron I really can't comprehend way you would do something like this," Hermione had been bothering him about his stupidity ever since he stopped whimpering.

"To show up Malfoy," he sneered.

"Oh yeah, you showed him! Look who went falling down the mountain and who landed gracefully," Hermione spat sarcastically.

"How is that possible he doesn't know how to ski," Ron questioned confused.

"What Harry was trying to tell you before you went falling down the slope was that they jinxed their skis," Hermione pointed out.

"How come no one told me?"

"We would have if you hadn't got so riled up by Draco and tried to act all tough like you are Mr. Indestructible," she rolled her eyes.

Ron started laughing, "What?" She asked defensively.

"Nothing," he continued laughing

"What's so funny?" She smiled

"You really are an insufferable know it all," he smiled. Her mouth fell open in shock, she tried to look hurt but she playfully hit him in his uninjured arm.

"I absolutely love it," he whispered, Hermione quickly turned to look him in the eye, he had a small smile on his lips and his eyes were dancing. It was as if he had fallen for her all over again. Hermione's eyes glazed over, she smiled slightly she was so confused. This moment was beyond perfect yet she couldn't be with him right now, he leaned in and rested his forehead on hers. She breathed in his scent he smelled of warm cinnamon and snow…

"Excuse me," she whispered, she got up off the floor and raced out of the room. She went down the hall to the lift and pressed the button. She went down to the lobby, she walked pass the bar an noticed Draco sitting there with his head down, a young woman came an sat next to him, she shook her head and kept moving she felt even worst for some reason now.

Draco turned to look at the door, he could have sworn someone was staring at him, "excuse me," he said to the girl he wasn't even listening to. He walked out into the lobby and looked around. No one he knew was around. He shrugged it off and went to the room since he didn't want to be bothered by that girl.

God! I can't believe him, letting some strange girl push up on him like that! He really is a first class prat! I just can't…. uuuggg! Why am I thinking about him? Ron's the one who obviously wants to get back together. I can't tell him that I'm not ready that would break his heart, Draco himself told me Ron was definitely interested, I can't stand how he is always right about everything… wait, I'm thinking of Ron he's sweet and he does make me laugh but not it the same way Draco does… Why the hell do I keep thinking of Draco, I love Ron… but I'm not in love with him at the moment… I don't think and Ron could have died this morning because of Draco's nonstop teasing. But he does have his moments, he always there when I need him even without asking. He saved my life for goodness sake…

Hermione stared at Draco completely puzzled. "You just saved my life."

He looked down at her, face void of expression "Yeah" He turned and disapparated

Hermione stood in the alley still thinking Draco Malfoy just saved my life.

He helped me study for my NEWTS…

"What are studying for, schools over?"

"My NEWTS, unfortunately I had the misfortune of not finishing school", she said vigorously flipping through pages trying to speed read.

"When are you taking them?"

"Next week and I have to learn a year's worth of information and I don't know how I'm going to do it," she said quickly.

"They can't be that hard it's just like OWLS and besides your smart your probably one of the few people in our year who could pull this off," he sat down next to her and grabbed a book, "I'll help you."

Hermione looked up from her book at him in total shock, "Thank you I could really use the help and Ron and Harry will be of absolutely no assistance in this department because usually I have to correct their work."

Draco smirk, "It's not as if I have anything better to do."

Made sure I actually made it to the exam…

"How about I make sure these three get home and you go get some rest before your NEWTS," suggested Draco grabbing Dean before he could force Hermione to fall over.

"Thank you," she said catching her breath, "but you really don't have to do that."

"I know, but I will." He made sure he had a firm grip on Ron, Goyle, and Dean "Good luck on the exam… and remember Nargles." Hermione laughed and Draco smirked, CRACK!

He was there when I got me scores…

"Brilliant! You received all your NEWTs!" he said excitedly, he cleared his throat and tried to sound impartial, "I mean that's nice. So umm… what are you going to do now?" He ran his hand nervously through his hair and looked everywhere but at her, hoping she wouldn't notice his mild pride.

She fidgeted nervously with the one strand of hair that managed to not get caught in her frizzed bushy ponytail, "I applied for a job in the Department of Regulation and control of Magical creatures."

"Why would you do that, to research Nargles?"

Hermione smiled, "so that I can improve the lives of house elves."

Draco looked at her skeptically, "whatever you say." He lowered his head.

"Are you okay?"

When I went for my job interview…

"Stop fidgeting," demanded Draco as the telephone booth moved down into the earth.

"I can't help it I'm nervous," said Hermione making sure her hair was still smoothed down.

"Granger, you're the second smartest person I know you will probably leave here knowing you got the job," he pushed the door open and stepped into the atrium.

"I don't want to be over confident… who do you know who's smarter than me?" She asked as they walked towards the reception desk.

"Me of course," he smirked

When I went to get my parents…

"Granger, your parents are awful artist," said Draco

She laughed at that thought, they really were

"Thank you for coming Draco."

He was walking backwards towards the street, "anytime," he waved and turned around

When I broke up with Ron…

When Draco was outside of the Dirty Boot, he looked around for Hermione and he didn't see her. He hurried up the street to the main street of Diagon Alley. He saw her walking up the street towards the Leaky Cauldron. He jogged to catch up with her…

"Granger," he called.

She stopped walking and looked at him, "I really don't want to be bothered right now." He held out her coat so she could put it on, "thank you" she said pulling it on.

She stared at him and he stared at her, she started walking again and he just walked quietly along with her.

I guess he has come to need me too…

"Are you okay?"

"No I'm not, I got summoned to the Ministry for questioning," he said still looking at the floor he leaned against the wall.

"About your involvement with Voldemort," asked Hermione leaning next to him.

He nodded his head yes.

"You're not going to be convicted death eater," Hermione assured him.

He looked up and at her and smirked, "oh you think so. Because I think that I will be convicted. How am I going to explain this," he showed Hermione the scar on his arm where the dark mark used to be, "and I let the death eaters into Hogwarts, my attempted murder of Dumbledore, Voldemort using my house as head quarters, oh! And let's not forget that incident in the room of requirement, remember that really big fire?"

Hermione contemplated this for a moment, "Well… at least you didn't start that fire?"

Draco chuckled and ran his hands over his face, "It doesn't matter I'll just go and see what happens."

I went to his trial of my own free will…

"I didn't know you were coming," said Draco staring at his feet and sliding his hands into his pockets.

"I thought you could use the support… I was quite sure you were going down when you weren't denying anything," commented Hermione watching Draco kicking at invisible dirt with his shoe.

"What you don't say can be more powerful then what you do say," Hermione was quiet. He stopped kicking at the ground and looked up at her.

"You're full of surprises Draco Malfoy," she said looking into his eyes.

He smirked, "Thanks for coming," he walked away down the hall and up the stairs.

When he was freaking out over his mother…

"I'm not going. If it's really that important she can come tell me. At least that will give me some time to plan my reaction," he stood and began pacing again.

She closed the book and sat up, "You are going. You'll just make yourself even more mental because you don't know what she wanted."

Draco stared at her, "your coming with me."

She chuckled, "no, I'm the last person Narcissa Malfoy wants in her house."

"She won't mind, as long as I show up," he assured her.

"I don't know…"

"You don't want me to go through this traumatic experience alone do you?" He stopped pacing and stood in front of her.

"Yes, if it keeps me from ever having to go back to Malfoy Manor," Hermione crossed her arms across her chest.

We've gotten pretty close, very odd seeing as its Malfoy. He remembers what I drink and always brings it to me without hesitation, he constantly stops me drumming my fingers, he can read me…

"You haven't been around to see Ron," he leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms again.

"No, as I said I've been really busy," she nervously tucked her hair behind her ears.

"You mean you're still upset that Ron skipped out on Australia."

Hermione tugged at the strain of hair she just tucked behind her ear, "I may be a bit disappointed in him but," she stopped pulling at her hair and wrapped he sweater tighter around her, and searched for the words, "… whatever, I'll see you later." She quickly walked away from the table to find Padma.

We have fun together…

"What do you mean they asked about Nargles," laughed Hermione.

"I swear the man who was conducting the care of magical creature's examination during OWLS asked where can you find Nargles and what are their magical qualities," Draco smirked at Hermione over the book he had in his hand.

Nargles never did show up on my exam, she laughed

Draco and Hermione left the Sighler. They were walking up the street to the Leaky Cauldron.

"Very subtle flirting," commented Draco.

"I wasn't flirting," she protested

"Your right, cause that was absolutely pathetic," Hermione elbowed him. "Ow! I really would appreciate if you would stop hitting me."

"You're just mad because you know I can take you down," she said smartly

"Yeah right," he snorted, "just because you may have slapped me once…"

Hermione took a swing at him. Draco grabbed her arm before it hit him and spun her around. He wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up.

"Put me down!" she laughed

"I told you," he smirked, "you weren't going to win."

He put her down. People were staring at them as they continued playing down the street.

Padma's convinced something going on…

The silence continued, there was a small breeze and the moon was full and bright. The entire roof top was lit. Draco turned his head to look at Hermione her hair was sparkling in the moon light and one curl hanging in her face blowing in the wind, he looked away.

Hermione turned her head to look at Draco he was looking at the up, she could tell he was thinking about something, with his eye brows furrowed and he was biting his bottom lip. She smiled and turned her attention back upwards.

"I love you," he whispered.

Hermione stopped walking abruptly, "Am I in love with him…. Sure I care about him but."She felt a cold gust of wind, she looked around. She didn't know where she was. She had wandered into the woods and had no clue which direction to go. She was freezing she had been too trapped in her thoughts to notice how cold she actually was. She took a deep breath and disapparated.

_412 ANDES LODGE_

CRACK!

Ron stood up at the sound, "are you alright?" He hurried towards Hermione, "you've been gone for a really long time."

"What time is it?"

"It's almost one o'clock in the morning," Ron looked worried.

She stroked his cheek with her hand, "I'm okay Ron I really am."

"I didn't mean to upset you."

She smiled slightly, "you haven't upset me…. I just needed to think. I can't be with you right now… my life has changed over the past few months and I don't think that Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger aren't the perfect fit at the moment."

Ron looked distraught, he took a step back "I always believed that Ron and Hermione were a perfect fit."

She shrugged, "someday…. maybe"

Ron leaned in and kissed Hermione on the cheek. He lingered there for a moment. Hermione's heart was racing but she knew they weren't right, "Good night," he whispered and went off into the boy's room leaving Hermione alone in the darkness with the faint glimmer from the fire place.

"Black Roses Red" Alana Grace