Author's Note:
Thanks for all the comments; I am so glad people are taking time out of their day/night to read this and even say something about it! Just, wow, thankyou x
Also yesterday I did an English Language exam so now I'm free for a few weeks until my next exam to write more, whoo!
The closer it got to Valentine's the more nervous Hermione became, she didn't know what to expect from the date, and didn't know what Luna expected from her either. Nights in the common room had been tense, if she couldn't spend time in the Gryffindor Common room it was spent in her room or with her head down avoiding Malfoy's gaze whilst she completed school work or studied Magical Medicine.
The few days she'd spent becoming close to Malfoy had entailed huddled talks sat in front of the Common room fire, sharing jokes about his rivalry with her friends, whilst defending them against his prejudiced remarks and discussing the mistreatment of house elves, in which he'd listened intently whilst she spoke with passion, not interrupting to poke fun at her S.P.E.W movement. The last few weeks after that have been spent in awkward silence, while he lounged on the sofa and brewed potions – which she'd found out was his favourite subject, followed by DADA – and she studied furiously in her armchair, ignoring the splashes he made when throwing in an ingredient or the way he stomped wherever he walked.
"Be careful! You're going to burn a hole through the table if you keep doing that." She finally growled one evening when a whole portion of the potion came slopping over the edges of his cauldron after he dropped in several flobberworms at once. His only response was to stare up at her and shrug, returning to the potion like she hadn't even spoken.
She wasn't sure what she had done to deserve any of this treatment but was adamant that it would not get to her. Maybe soon he'd come round and start speaking to her again, and she'd try again to get him to sleep with her.
Valentines came quickly and Luna met Hermione outside the castle doors, while the air was fresh and breezy, the sun remained bright and it was quite a brilliant February day. She smiled delightedly and they both walked to Hogsmeade, talking animatedly about the Ravenclaw house, Luna, like many was surprised that this wasn't Hermione's house but she easily amended that Hermione was obviously brave and fiercely loyal so it wasn't a surprise. Luna also spoke about the movement of Nargles and other creatures that had returned from the trip south for the winter, as birds do, and Hermione was entertained by her adoration and interest in such creatures.
They visited Honeydukes first where Hermione bought Luna Chocolate Cauldron's and a packet of Fizzing Whizbees that when ate made Hermione grab her hand as she floated off the ground.
"I don't know where to go next!" Luna giggled, "I've never been on a date, it's so much fun," she smiled happily. Hermione, holding Luna's hand hurried up the high street of Hogsmeade and stopped outside Gladrags Wizardwear, "When I was here last, they had some brilliant hats I think you'd love" she told the blonde beside her and her grey eyes sparkled with excitement. Entering the shop created quite a loud, shocking theme tune to play overhead, one that Luna danced to, unaware of the stares of the customers. She took Luna to the display by the window where an assortment of hats lay, there was an upturned ice cream cone of shocking pink, and a top hat created by moulded wands; she pointed out a few in particular to Luna – one was a bubbling cauldron and the other was shaped like an eagle's head, cawing every so often. Hermione was correct in assuming that Luna would fawn over the extravagant hats and even pointed out one that was a book for Hermione. They continued to shop for most of the day, stopping to rest outside of the Three Broomsticks and have a butterbeer on their outside picnic benches – they'd actively avoided Madame Puddifoots' Tea Shop where every sickeningly happy Hogwarts couple would be staring dreamily over tea and scones.
It was late evening by the time the pair returned to Hogwarts with Luna lagging behind Hermione to stare up at the pink and orange hues of the sky as she walked.
Hermione took Luna to her Common room and they sat together talking once more while the view out the window became dark and the fire burst into light. It didn't take longer for the pair to fall into a comfortable silence, and when Hermione looked over at Luna she realised that part of the reason she may have agreed to this date was because the girl reminded her of Draco. Not at all in personality, but they both had similar blonde hair, and grey eyes, with shared pale skin and angular features. Although Luna held more happiness and acceptance in each feature than Draco did they were still obvious similarities that Hermione must have subconsciously noticed when agreeing to the date. It was this; Hermione told herself, that was the result of their kiss. As Luna leant in to kiss Hermione, only those features that reminded her of Draco stayed present in her mind. Hermione's fingers worked into Luna's hair and the girl's hands rested upon Hermione's thighs as she leant in, all thoughts in Hermione's head disappeared and even she was shocked by her own actions. She didn't feel the need to push anything on Luna, because she always gave off such an innocent vibe, but Hermione should have remember that Luna was not one for social conventions, and she gently pushed Hermione back on the sofa, leaning over her whilst continuing their heated kiss. Hermione was surprised to realise that only at this point had the thought occurred to her that Luna may be the Ravenclaw she could sleep with, but wondered if the spell required sex with a guy in particular…
Hermione and Luna were soon interrupted by a loud slam, why on earth she hadn't thought about the fact she shared this room with Draco was beyond her, but she hadn't, and there he stood; staring at the two, face like thunder with his wand clenched in his hand.
"What's going on?" he growled, his pale skin was tinted red but this time she didn't think it was a blush that was causing it.
Luna quickly moved away from Hermione, smiling politely and not realising there was anything to be sorry for, Hermione didn't think there was either, considering Draco obviously didn't want her, or to keep whatever relationship they had formed committed.
"Sorry, Malfoy, should I leave?" Luna was blushing and Hermione felt terrible when Draco released his full fury on the girl.
"Yes. You fucking should. I don't know what either of you are playing at but don't you dare do it in here where I'm going to walk in,"
Hermione applauded Luna for keeping calm, and not seeming bothered by his raised voice as she replied, "I'm so sorry, I didn't realise it would offend you-"
"Merlin's sake! It doesn't fucking offend me, I just don't want you near her, or kissing her or anything. Just leave her alone." His voice was harsh as he snapped and Hermione turned on him with a cold glare, feeling terrible for Luna and terrible that even after their date today, she was pleased that Draco felt the need to get so angry about this, which did piss her off initially, but it still showed signs that he actually felt something for her, something that obviously made him jealous when she kissed others.
"I don't believe you. You flirt with other girls and then don't speak to me, making it clear that whatever friendship we built, or whatever you've offered me is subject to your changing goddam moods and is completely noncommittal!" She held back from screaming this at him, but felt the need to pull her hair out when he only stood, frozen in place with his fists clenched at his sides. Poor Luna only stood, looking between the pair and said quietly,
"It looks like I've interfered with something here, I'm sorry Malfoy if you feel I've imposed on your space, and on Hermione, and also if that made you angry I think maybe you should reflect on what it could possibly mean," she turned to Hermione "I also wish you would've told me that this date was a waste of time, even if it was the best date I've ever had, it would've been nice to know of your feelings regarding others." Hermione noticed that Luna didn't relate those feelings back to Malfoy, and she once again appreciated how intelligent and observant Luna was.
Malfoy spoke bitterly and he snapped, "Just leave, Loony. And don't think you can just make assumptions about me." Before Hermione got chance to apologize to Luna or say goodbye she had left the Common room, smiling sadly over her shoulder at the Head boy and Girl that were glaring ferociously at each other.
"Malfoy, that was so rude! Can you not find it in yourself to be a decent human to other people? I don't even care how angry you are, over something which by the way is none of your damn business, there was no possible reason for you to speak to her that way," Hermione hadn't realised that she was pointing a finger at Draco accusingly whilst speaking and he stared at it with pursed lips.
"Oh, no need to defend your girlfriend. I don't care what you do anymore, just don't bring them here."
"You're saying all this like you actually care. Just the other week you were flirting with most Slytherin girls right in front of me, I'm not even sure what was going on between us, because first you offer to fuck me, and then when I get close to you, possibly to take you up on that offer, we can only go as far as a kiss and you're still allowed to flirt with other people. I'm just lost and confused and I don't know what on earth you're playing at." Funnily enough that last line let a flood of guilt wash over Hermione as she realised she was also playing a game, everything she did had been started by the need to fulfil the House Challenge and there were no innocent intentions in that.
"Maybe I'm just as confused and conflicted as you are. I didn't expect you take up that offer because you're a Gryffindor and why would you?"
"Oh so not because I'm a mudblood?" she snarled but he only glowered at her, his eyes reminded her of the stones that surrounded her and they swallowed her just as easily.
"No." his tone was clipped and he turned away, moving swiftly up the stairs to his room whilst cutting out "I don't care about that, but now I don't care about what you do either. Just don't talk to me, and we'll get along fine. Forget everything that happened between us and don't get all hung up over it, will you?" his footsteps echoed on the flagstone staircase leading to his room and the door slammed shut, leaving Hermione with an empty Common room to sit and reflect on everything that had been said.
She felt terribly guilty for possibly leading Luna on, when it was clear that there was an insane part of her attracted to Draco, and that wanted more than just sex with him to complete this pathetic challenge. It was possible that now if she got the chance to sleep with Malfoy, she'd want to continue it with a relationship, not just a one night stand or meaningless hook-up. That would mean it didn't matter to her about the Coat of Arms. She wouldn't sleep with a Ravenclaw if they were together, and it surprised her to think she'd give up this challenge just to date a Malfoy, even despite all his faults and arrogance.
It was also quite possible that he liked her, amongst his snarling and cursing and generally rude Slytherin-esque behaviour what he said boiled down to the fact he kept pushing others away from her, like he was jealous and angry at the thought of her being with another person.
Of course being possessive wasn't an attractive trait, but Draco was a Slytherin and when they didn't get something they wanted, it was normally how they acted – it was a distinct possibility that he wanted her.