Chapter 6: The Best Thing to Come Out of History of Magic
With only a week before the Christmas holidays, professors were assigning more homework than ever. Most all of the professors thought that the extended break was an excellent chance for the students to do lengthy assignments and projects. Christmas should have been a welcome break, but rather, it seemed to be a looming death sentence, full of parchment rolls and massive textbooks. Draco found himself thankful for the workload-it prevented him from dwelling on his Death Eater problem, and it prevented Neville from pestering him about his nightmares. Everyone seemed too busy to notice anyone else's stress, and even if someone did notice Draco's nervous behavior, it could easily be attributed to stress, rather than a possible second magical war.
"Oi! What do they think they're doing?" Ron complained late one night in the common room. He had pushed himself away from the small table he was working on, and he proceeded to pace in front of the fireplace. "Do they think we don't have lives? Or families? Or, maybe, I don't know, A BLOODY DESIRE TO NOT DO HOMEWORK DURING CHRISTMAS?"
He let out a breath of unintelligible swears and kicked an armchair, and Draco, Harry, and the others chuckled at his tirade.
Hermione, blushing at his language and barbaric behavior, tried to calm him down. "Ron, honestly, it's not that much. If you work on it each night, it won't take too long. Plus, I've already started the research for our Potions assignment on common uses for Chelidonium Miniscula." With a wave of her wand, she righted everything that Ron's tirade had disturbed.
Ron sighed, "Fine." Slightly appeased at the homework aid, he kissed her on the forehead, threw himself into an armchair, and opened his Charms book to look up reversals for the Epoximise charm.
The common room went quiet after that-the only sounds being the scratching of quills on parchment and textbooks being feverishly flipped through. Occasionally, a student would sigh, swear, or moan, but it was mostly quiet toil. Most of the sixth and seventh years were there-all buried in various rolls of parchments, textbooks, and astrology charts, desperately trying to complete some of the homework given to them.
Suddenly, Hermione stood to make an announcement, "Since Christmas is right around the corner, I think it would neat if we did a secret gift exchange. I know that everyone is stressed with the excessive workload, and I thought this would a nice way to bring some Christmas spirit around. Everyone would pick a name at random, and without telling who they got, they can get or make a present for that person. I was thinking we could do the exchange after we get back from holiday-that should give everyone a bit more time. How does that sound?"
The students all murmured their approval and beaming with satisfaction, Hermione waved her wand, conjuring a quill and parchment. With another small flourish, the quill wrote down everyone's name in the room. The parchment ripped itself into small strips, each containing one name, and placed itself into a large bowl she was holding. She then walked around the room, having every student choose a name.
Draco immediately wished that he would receive Hermione as a gift giving partner, and when his turn came, he considered mumbling a summoning charm for her slip of paper.
Knowing how angry Hermione would be if she knew he had rigged the gift exchange, he thought better of it, and selected a small piece of paper from the bottom.
Holding his breath, he opened the paper to notice a small, scribbled signature.
Ron Weasley.
Great. I have to get a gift for her boyfriend. This should be…interesting. Already less excited about the gift exchange, Draco continued writing his parchment on how to recognize Dark Objects.
Sneaking a glimpse at Hermione, Draco saw how excited she was about the gift exchange. Draco watched as she went to sit with Ron and share her enthusiasm over the gift exchange.
"Well, what do you think of the whole thing?" She asked, ecstatic over the pending Inter-House interaction.
"I think it's a bloody waste of time," Ron said bitingly, clearly still bitter about the mountainous homework load. "I don't want to buy a gift for someone I bloody well don't know. What point will it serve, 'Mione? Stop trying to force everyone to be friends."
Draco's body tensed at Ron's searing words, and Hermione, looking like she might cry, timidly replied, "What do you mean, Ron? I think that people are getting along really well, and they all seemed to like the idea…"
"Well, you asked if I liked it and I don't. So there." Hermione, stood up, upset, and walked up the dormitories. Draco's skin seemed to be on fire. He was livid. How could Ron be so rude to her? She was doing a great thing, and he had to spoil it for her. Draco wanted nothing more than to jinx the arse into next week. How dare he speak to Hermione like that? Draco's breathing quickened, his face grew hot, and his nostrils flared.
Neville, seeming to read Draco's mind, put a steadying hand on Draco's arm. "Let it go. Sure, Ron's being a git, but unless you plan on revealing your feelings for Hermione like this, I'd just let it go."
Draco nodded, trying to control his breathing, knowing that Neville was right, but hating it at the same time. Draco felt so…protective of her, like he would rather walk through fire than let someone disrespect her, especially this git who was supposed to be her boyfriend.
Finding it difficult to return to his homework, Draco decided to shower and go to bed. Gathering his books, he said goodnight to Neville, who looked rather proud that Draco hadn't beaten the snot out of Ron. Draco closed the dormitory door behind him and let out a deep breath. Since his conversation in the greenhouse with Neville, Draco had found it harder than ever to watch Hermione and Ron together.
What does she see in him? Draco thought. If I just got the smallest chance, I know I could prove to her how much I've changed. Especially after he was so rude to her. I would never speak to her like that. I have so much more respect for her than that. Draco ran through it in his mind a million times, how he would be so much better for her. He paced the room, fuming at the situation. Snapped out of his reverie by Cormac opening the door to come to bed, Draco climbed in to bed as well, and laid there quietly thinking of Hermione's face. She looked delicate, but not fragile. She was incredibly tough. He learned more about her every day, and it only made him want her more. It was becoming increasingly difficult for him to hide his feelings about her, especially seeing how awful Ron could be to her. Draco wanted her to be happy, and he knew he could be make her happy. He just wanted a chance.
The next morning in History of Magic, Draco could tell that Hermione was still upset from the night before; she had been very quiet all morning and hadn't wanted to discuss the gift exchange at all. Her eyes were slightly puffy, and Draco cringed at the thought of her crying over that bloody idiot. Waiting for class to start, she seemed very focused on lining up her books in perfect piles, and Draco took the hint that she didn't really want to talk.
"Class, you are being assigned a research project to be collected after the Christmas holidays." Professor Binns continued over the nearly unanimous groan from the students at the prospect of more work. "You will work in pairs on this project-pairs will be assigned by seating arrangement. Simply work with the person who sits at your table with you. Come grab a slip of paper that has your research topic on it." Professor Binns explained to the class.
Hermione, giving a smile to Draco, ran to the front of the room in the hopes of getting her and Draco's research topic before the rest of the class. Her spirits seemed immediately lifted by the thought of a laborious, work intensive project, and Draco smiled. Just like Hermione…
Draco's heart started pounding-he finally had a reason to be alone with her. He didn't care that it included working on a mind-numbingly boring research project. He would show her how smart and nice he could be.
This is my shot, he mused. It'll just be her and me on this one, and I can tell her how I feel. Draco grinned as she came back to their table, waving the small sheet of paper. "We've got the Scottish goblin rebellion of the 13th century. And don't worry, I happen to know of some books that have just what we'll need for this."
Draco laughed, "I'm sure you do, Hermione. When would you like to meet and work on this? Do you have some spare time this week?"
Hermione looked a bit startled, and Draco elaborated, "I assumed you wanted to finish this before the holidays seeing as you loathe procrastination."
Hermione smiled, "Oh, of course. I was just a bit shocked. Every time Ron or Harry are assigned a project, especially if they're working with me, they leave it until the last minute knowing that I will take care of it."
Draco smiled, "Well, I will fully pull my weight on this one. I happen to be fascinated by goblin rebellions, especially those from the 13th century." Realizing he was teasing, she nudged him in the ribs with her elbow and laughed. They began to walk towards Transfiguration, already making plans to meet the next night in the library to begin their research.
Draco walked with his hands in his pockets, content to let Hermione talk all about the various books they would use. He was happy to see her back to herself again-the prospect of their project seemed to push the thoughts of Ron out of her head, and Draco swelled with contentment realizing that working with him had ridded Ron from her mind. He found himself staring at her cheeks which had flushed with excitement as she talked about the appendix she had found in a novel she had been reading that seemed to reference their topic, and he couldn't help but smile.
The pair walked to Transfiguration, a class that she usually sat with Ron and Harry. Walking into the room, she saw Ron, and Draco noticed how much stiffer she immediately became. "You alright?" he murmured to her. Nodding, she forced a smile. "I think I'll sit with you today, if you don't mind." "Not at all," he replied airily, realizing that she had no idea just how much he didn't mind.
Ron looked back at Hermione once he realized she wouldn't sit with him. She returned his gaze with a fierce glare, and Ron, looking a bit frightened, turned and faced Professor McGonagall. Hermione refused to look at Ron for the rest of the class, but Draco noticed Ron turn around every so often to look at her. He almost felt bad for Ron; but then again, he had treated Hermione with utter disrespect and deserved what he was getting. Class ended and Ron jumped out of his seat to approach Hermione, but she was quicker. Using Draco as a shield, she practically ran from the room, leaving Draco, Ron, and Harry to awkwardly look at each other before leaving to head to lunch.
"What's gotten into her?" Draco overheard Ron ask Harry. "If this is about last night, she needs to get over that. She's so…sensitive…all the time." Draco felt his muscles tense-how he would love to have a good brawl with Ron. It seemed a slightly romantic thought to Draco-fighting for Hermione's honor. He also knew that Hermione would be livid if he ever touched a hair on precious Weasley's head. How can she date him? He is a baboon. Utterly preposterous.
Needing to get away from Ron before he did something stupid out of anger, Draco slipped into the bathroom. He splashed water on his face and looked in the mirror. He looked different somehow, lighter, like heavy weights had been lifted off of his shoulders. His anger was already starting to subside and he hadn't punched anyone or anything, a typical move for him when he became angry. Draco was proud of himself-he never could have walked away from Weasley before without insulting him or jinxing him. It was becoming easier for Draco every day to leave his old self behind. He realized he was becoming a better man, a man that Hermione could love, he thought, blushing. He left the bathroom, shaking his head, chuckling at the way that one girl had shaken his world this much. She made him want to be the kind of man she deserved, and it was easy to want to be brave when he thought of her. Thinking about definitely making a decision made him nauseous, and the nervousness it created was the last thing he needed to think about only a day before his big "date" with Hermione.
The next day, Draco tried to work on his homework, but his thoughts kept going to Hermione and their upcoming study session that night. He was more nervous than he had been in a long time. It's just studying, he tried to tell himself to no avail.
But he knew it was more than that. He knew that this was his best chance, his first chance to convince her that he would be perfect for her. Sure, they had battled all through their years at Hogwarts, but to Draco, it was sexy banter that only made him want her more. He was mad about her. Ever since the Yule Ball when it seemed she had transitioned from girl to woman, Draco couldn't help but find her ridiculously gorgeous. And she was wicked brilliant and brave as well. During the time they had gotten to really know each other this year, he had learned about her kindness and her warmth, and he found himself desiring her more than ever. He had never felt this way about another girl, and he doubted if he could ever feel this strongly about another girl after her. She had irrevocably changed him, and he knew that she had no clue about it.
Draco tried his best to calm his thoughts. If things go well with her tomorrow, then I'll make a decision about this warning. I'll say no to the Death Eaters if I think that I actually stand a chance with her.
The next morning, Draco woke up early, already excited about his date with the witch who had redefined his world. By two o'clock, He had already showered twice, tried doing every different subjects' homework, played a friendly game of Quidditch with some classmates, and tried to nap. Nothing worked to keep his mind off of Hermione for long.
Throughout the day, he kept checking his watch, desperately hoping it would magically be 8 o'clock. Finally, at 7:00, he couldn't take it any longer and headed to the library to begin working and wait for her there. He started to read through some books he thought might have what they needed for their research, and he was already shoulder-deep in books when she found him just before 8:00.
"Am I late?" she asked quickly, setting her bag down and sitting in the chair across from him.
"No, not at all." He replied with a smile. "I just decided to come early and get a jump start. Didn't want to be dead weight" he said with a laugh.
She smiled at him, saying, "Well, thanks!" as she tucked her hair back behind her ears and began to survey the pile of books Draco had already pulled.
He found himself staring at her. She looked stunningly beautiful, wearing a green sweater that seemed to bring out the hazel in her eyes and tight blue jeans that showed off her strong legs and tight figure, and she looked flushed from her brisk walk to the library. He watched as her face furrowed in concentration as she scanned the titles that he had pulled for their reading. She looked up, and caught him staring, and they both smiled, a bit embarrassed. "What?" she asked, clearly thinking that there was something wrong with her causing him to stare.
"Ohh…nothing." Draco replied airily. "You just look cute when you concentrate like that." He was impressed at himself for how controlled he was able to keep his voice despite the strong emotion he felt for her. Slytherin control, through and through. He smiled as he watched as her cheeks became a dark shade of pink.
They both looked back at their books, and Draco couldn't help put twirl his wand nervously between his fingers. Finally, breaking the silence, he spoke, "You know, I think the gift exchange was a brilliant idea. I mean, I have absolutely no idea what to get the person I have, but still. I think it should be fun."
"Really?" she asked, disbelievingly. "Ron thought it was stupid. I have half a mind to cancel the thing altogether."
"No! I think it's great, Hermione. Really. Ron was being mean-it truly is brilliant." He smiled at her and grabbed her hand from the top of the table. "I mean it" he said, while giving her hand a small squeeze. The touch of her skin was better than Draco could ever have imagined. She was so soft, but yet strong.
Hermione blushed, but didn't pull her hand away. "Thanks, Draco. I really appreciate it. That's very sweet o-" she cut short, staring at his forearm.
He hadn't noticed that in reaching for her arm, the sleeve on his left arm had pulled back, revealing the distinct Dark Mark on his left forearm. Embarrassed, he pulled back his arm and tugged at his sleeve.
"Sorry about that," he said quietly, trying to shrug it off. "A lovely constant reminder of the gigantic mistakes I've made. I would do anything to get rid of it…" Hermione, embarrassed for being caught staring, nodded and looked back at her books, eager for something to change the subject.
Great, I finally get to touch her, and she sees my Mark. That won't warm her to me any…Draco hoped the earth would in that moment swallow him whole and end this disastrous encounter. He and Hermione continued their work in uncomfortable silence, neither looking up at the other.
After several minutes of silence, Hermione spoke up, "It's not who you are anymore. I can see that you've changed. I see the good in you, Draco. Don't let a mark hold you back. I don't let my scars hold me back."
Draco looked up, eyes brimming with emotion. He couldn't even find the words to say back to her. She was perfect to him, and her acceptance of him made that even more clear. He smiled, afraid to say anything for fear of being overcome with emotion, and she returned the smile while grabbing his hand and giving it a squeeze.
Draco's heart pounded. Now's the chance. Tell her how you feel.
"Hermione…" Draco started, unsure of what to say. "Hmm?" she muttered, not looking up from the text of her book. "Um..I just wanted to say that…I…err…Merlin's pants, what AM I trying to say?" He chuckled nervously.
She looked up at him, confused, but he continued, "I think you're absolutely…umm…" Draco started losing his nerve, terrified of the emotions he felt about her. She smiled warmly at him, urging him on, but he felt more scared than ever. Panicking, he quickly covered his tracks, "You're right on track with making the goblins the heroes in this piece. Really gives it a good angle," he finished quickly, catching his breath at the end of the sentence.
Hermione's face fell slightly, and Draco thought he detected the smallest flash of disappointment on her face.
"Oh. Umm, thanks, Draco." She buried her head in her book, continuing to furiously scribble notes on her parchment.
Draco brought his hands to face in frustration. He had been so close, only to lose his nerve. He wanted to kick himself. Frustrated with his cowardice, he tried to find another opening and a way to find his courage, but Hermione refused to look up at him for the rest of their study session.
After working for a few hours, Draco checked his watch. Startled, he announced, "Geez, it's already past curfew. We should really be getting back." Hermione looked surprised at the lateness of the hour and nodded, quickly and quietly collecting the books around her and putting them in her bag. She stopped her ink and neatly rolled her parchment, all while avoiding eye contact with Draco.
She knows I'm hiding something. She probably assumes the worst. Draco held the door for Hermione and the two departed for Lupin Tower.
They were walking down the third floor corridor when they saw Mrs. Norris, the nosy cat of Mr. Filch. Knowing they'd get into trouble for being out of bed this late, Hermione grabbed Draco's arm and whispered, "This way-quick!" Tugging Draco behind her, Hermione sprinted through the corridor, turning down a small and narrow side hallway. Ignorant to the panic of running for cover, Draco was absorbed with the feel of Hermione's hand on his arm. She was strong even though her hands were rather slight, and she led him on fearlessly. He let his mind wander to feelings of her hands elsewhere on his body, but not wanting to go TOO far, We are running right now after all, he pushed the thoughts from his mind and tried to think about cold showers and the sound of his footsteps on the stones.
Seeing a small alcove, she quickly jumped in, yanking Draco in behind her. Hardly large enough for two people, Hermione and Draco stood crammed in the alcove, trying to quiet their panting, and waiting for any sound of Mr. Filch. Hermione drew her wand and pointing it at the hall they had just come from, muttered, "Macero Odor".
Draco looked at her in wonder, before she whispered in explanation, "It eliminates our scent so that Mrs. Norris can't find us. I can't use an invisibility charm with the two of them so close. They'll see the tangible shield that goes up right before invisibility." Draco smiled. "You truly are the most brilliant witch of their age." Hermione blushed, but kept her arm on Draco's, and he put his hand on hers to calm her. She seem to relax at his touch, and Draco's stomach fluttered in realization.
"I know you're out there," Mr. Filch croaked sinisterly. "I will find you. Students out of bed at this hour; it's disgusting. If only I was allowed to punish 'em- I'd bring back the stretching racks, I would."
Draco hardly noticed Mr. Filch's voice-Draco was finally so close to the girl of his dreams. He could feel Hermione's hot, short breaths on his chest and the tickle of her hair on his neck. He could smell her hair and her strawberry shampoo. He could feel the beat of her heart against his chest, and he could have sworn that his heartbeat changed its tempo to match hers. He tried to keep his thoughts at bay, knowing that if he dwelled on the feeling of her breath on him, he would get hard right there, and she'd definitely be able to feel it. Not wanting to freak her out, he tried instead to count the stones in the arch behind her.
"Stupid students…" Filch mumbled, and seeming to give up the search, he collected Mrs. Norris and walked back towards his office. Hermione sighed a deep breath of relief and smiled up at Draco. "Close call…" she muttered, and Draco nodded, being brought back to the moment. He stared at her for a long moment, finally causing Hermione to ask, "What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Summoning all of his courage, Draco leaned down and whispered into her ear, his hot breath on her ear and neck, "Because you are stunningly beautiful." Hermione drew a quick breath in shock, and regained her composure just in time to see Draco's face pull back from her ear and lean towards her mouth. She noticed how strong his face looked up close, and she was struck by the fact that she never realized before just how devastatingly handsome he was. His face was classically handsome-strong jaw, but rounded enough to take away the blunt look, straight, aristocratic nose, light grey-blue eyes that seemed to pierce her own, strong cheekbones that rounded out his face perfectly. He simply was breathtaking, and Hermione felt like she was truly seeing him for the first time. How had she not noticed this before? She felt his body press against hers-he was strong and muscular, no doubt from all of his long Quidditch practices and workouts. He had strong but soft arms, and she found herself wondering what it would feel like to be wrapped in them. Snapping from her daydream, she was frozen in place. Closing her eyes, and leaning in a bit, Hermione felt Draco's lips meet hers. Softly, Draco kissed her lips gently and slowly. She didn't try to stop the kiss, and moreover, she didn't want to stop it. Why didn't she want to stop it?
Putting his hand on her lower back and drawing her closer to him, Draco kissed her deeper and felt her sigh against his lips. Suddenly, she was kissing him back fervently, and when his tongue danced across her lips as an invitation, she gladly returned the favor and met his tongue with hers.
She leaned into him, pushing his body against the wall of the alcove and grabbing the back of his neck. Moving from her lips, Draco trailed kisses down her jawbone to below her ear, where he softly nibbled on her ear lobe. "Draco…", Hermione murmured, and pulling back from her face, he asked softly, "Shall I stop?" His eyes looked liquefied, like ice that had quickly melted. Never having seen so much emotion in him, Hermione was suddenly aware of her strong but previously unrealized feelings for Slytherin's Head Boy. Hermione grabbed his jaw, whispered to his mouth, "Not on your life", and brought his mouth back to hers, deepening their kiss.
Smiling against her lips, he continued kissing her, moving his free hand to her face, where he softly pushed her hair behind her ears. Hermione ran her hands through his hair and gently pulled it, eliciting a growl from Draco's throat that vibrated through the both of them. Briefly regaining her senses, Hermione pulled back and stared at Draco.
Their faces were both flushed, and bearing swollen lips, she looked at Draco. She had never seen so much emotion in his eyes. He whispered, "Are you alright?", as he ran a finger across her cheek bone, placing a chaste kiss on the corner of her mouth.
She shivered at his touch, and brought her hands to her face. "What have we done? Draco. What did we just do? I'm dating Ron. Oh my Godric, Ron! He'll be bloody livid when he finds out! He'll never forgive me. How could I have done this?"
She began to cry, and Draco pulled her into his arms. Cradling her against his chest, he kissed the top of her head and whispered, "Shhh. There's no need to cry. He doesn't have to find out, Hermione. We can keep this quiet if you'd prefer. We can pretend this never happened, if you'd like." Draco hated to think that she might regret this rendezvous that had been so perfect to him.
"Can we?" She whispered incredulously between sobs. "I mean, that was obviously something. And we can't just ignore it!"
Pleased that their kiss meant something to her, Draco smiled into her hair. "We don't have to figure it out tonight. Don't cry, love. You're breaking my heart. Everything will be clearer in the morning; it always is."
Nodding in agreement, Hermione grabbed her bag and began to walk back to Lupin Tower. Draco walked beside her, his arm lazily draped on her shoulder. Nearing the portrait door, he removed his arm from her shoulder, muttered the password, and held the portrait door for her. She turned to him, "Do I look like a mess? I can't let Ron see me if I look like I've been crying…"
Draco replied, "I don't ever think you have looked more beautiful than you do right now." He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead, and smiling at him, she entered the common room, bid him goodnight, and went to bed.
Draco followed her up the stairs and silently climbed into his own bed. Putting his hands behind his head, he replayed the events of the evening, and couldn't help but grin at the thought of it. She clearly was attracted to him too, even if she couldn't bear to admit it to herself just yet. Draco knew that it had only been a small victory in the quest for Hermione's heart, but at that moment, it felt to him like he had just won the Quidditch World Cup.