Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor the characters – except the ones I've made * le sigh* - but the wonderful J.K. Rowling.
Author's Note: *Hides behind someone* Hi! I know I've been MIA for a couple of years! Haha. L SAD! This chapter was already written years ago, but somehow when my family moved to our new home the notebook where I write my stories on, was missing. I couldn't write for months L then school started, I got busy and hadn't checked any of the stories that I had previously written until this break. I don't even want to set a deadline for when I will post another chapter because you might run me over with pitchforks and butcher knives. Well let's just say that my passion for writing suddenly rekindled inside of me, this was supposed to be a one shot that turned into a story.
Thank you to those who followed, reviewed, favorited this story. It means a lot to me. Please, please review on your thoughts, comments, suggestion, constructive criticism, so I would know where to trek. This is un-betad so if I make any mistakes I apologize though I check my story a million times before posting it. I do hope you enjoy this chapter. Well onwards we go!
Previously on Reminisce
"Well, I can't argue with that, thanks Gin, for helping me somewhat" she smiled at Ginny and hugged her. "I've got to tell Draco what I've decided"
"Ok, Goodluck" She smiled at her.
What Hermione didn't know was that the coin was spelled to have two heads instead of having a tail, but she didn't need to know that.
Hermione was a little unsure on how and what to tell Draco but to say truthfully she was excited. After the war her life had been stagnant and the only uncontrollable part of it was Draco. It is as if he was the only reason she didn't go and save the world like they, the 'Golden Trio', used to.
Thinking about her two best friends a pang of longing and pain went through her. She wished she hadn't listened to others about Ron and followed her own instincts about looking at him in a brother type way and not get romantically involved with him. She wished that they could forget everything that happened and continue their friendship. Sighing she tread back to the heads common room.
Upon arriving at the head's shared room she sought for the person she wanted to talk to right now. Knocking on Draco's door- twice - she waited for an answer but hadn't received any.
"Draco are you there? I wanted to talk to you about the deal." Another minute passed and she was met with silence. She fiddled with the end of her shirt debating if she should leave and come back later or enter the room. Curiosity became a big part of her decision to open the door. She thought 'maybe he's there but couldn't talk' or 'maybe that Greengrass girl had somehow gotten inside his bedroom and attacked him' and the list went on and on just to pacify that guilty part of her.
Opening the door she wasn't expecting to see a very tidy room, this was the first time she saw the room considering she has been living with him for 4 months already. Entering slowly she scanned the room for any presence of its owner being caged or withheld but no one was there, she sighed and sat on the bed.
She tried to think of ways how to tell him that she was willing to accept the deal though still mentally weighing if this was the right decision. One thing was getting a tutor for potions but on the other hand she will get the ire of a lot of girls most importantly Greengrass she winced. While she was mentally fighting with herself she hadn't noticed that she was already lying down on Draco's bed rolling back and forth.
She saw a small picture on the bedside table, reaching for it she could see that it was Draco, a little Draco holding a broomstick on one hand and pulling Narcissa – she presumed – on the other running towards the camera looking very happy. The happiness that could be seen in his face was heartwarming, who would've guess how cute baby Draco would be. Rolling a little more, Hermione's decision was getting stronger and stronger. She was lost in her thoughts until she heard someone cough.
"I think you're in the wrong room and the wrong bed Granger though if you were waiting for me, I don't think that would be the right position" Draco said standing arms crossed just outside his bedroom.
Hermione realizing that she was caught inside his room in a compromising position quickly stood up fixed her hair, fished out her wand, and repaired the bed.
"I was just checking the spring of your mattress." She said as if she did nothing wrong.
"And how was the mattress?" he walked closer to her.
"Was it to your liking?" Draco was only inches away, which made her uncomfortable.
"uhm, Yup." She backed away slowly but he still followed her. Looking at him closely, she saw how beautiful his eyes were, how his features matured. Once was a pointy looking teenage boy was now a bona fide handsome man. Seconds past and neither of them spoke, lost in each others presence.
"By the way have you thought about our deal?" Draco said breaking the silence that came over them.
"Hmm" was all Hermione could say. Draco turned around - breaking what ever happened to them - and sat down waiting for her to elaborate more on her answer.
"Well" Hermione fiddled with her clothes, apparently that was becoming her habit when nervous.
"I think that you are daft for choosing me as your fake fiancée" she started pacing "I mean really Draco? Me? Everyone's going to think you're mental." Hermione stopped and looked at Draco, who at the moment was looking so calm and uninterested in what she was saying.
She continued a little loudly "I sure as hell wouldn't be accepted by your fellow Slytherins not only that but what about your parents?" she put her hands on her face.
"It's just - it's – urgh" she screamed.
"Don't worry about them, I'll be the one to handle them" He checked his cuticle like there was nothing more important.
"My parents? Well don't worry, at least one of them is going to be happy to know that I'll be marrying someone I like." He finished, looking slightly determined.
Hermione couldn't do anything but nod feeling as if there was something hidden in those words.
"Well ok" Hermione took a long breath and prayed that this was the right decision.
"I'll do it." She finally said standing in front of Draco.
"Really?" He asked incredulously looking at her.
"Yup" She then pinched the bridge of her nose "I mean it will be beneficial to both of us" She hoped.
"I promise, I will help you with whatever you need" He said a little to enthusiastic, she sniggered.
Hermione was still worried about something "But Draco, aren't you a little bit worried about the contract?" she started pacing again.
"I mean you're what? 19? You only have 2 years left! You should already have someone in mind" Draco was getting a little miffed about getting another lecture about this topic.
"Don't ask" was all Draco said. This irked Hermione, here she was helping him with his problem and she doesn't even to get the details.
Seeing that he will not divulge anything further "Well, if you don't want to say anything else, that's about it" she lingered a bit hoping that he will caved but he was one tough nut to crack. She walked towards the door "Let's talk more about it after dinner, the rules and such, Ok?" Hermione didn't wait for his answer and walked out of the room.
After a few moments she heard her name being called, she quickly turned around to see Draco standing at the door enough to see his face and half of his body
"Thank you, for everything" He smiled softly at her and swiftly went inside the room.
The sound of a soft click was the only thing that could be heard.
'I hope I get an 'E' because of this' she murmured to herself.
When Hermione entered the great hall for dinner she was met with glances, though glances that were completely assorted. Everyone was looking at her, either menacingly, with approval, or curiosity. Walking towards the Gryffindor table, she sat beside Harry and in front of Ginny the the noise suddenly started, a lot of the students were whispering to each other talking about the recent rumours, the noise was interrupted by the booming voice of Dumbledore.
"Good evening everyone" He looked at the four different tables then came the silence of everyone again, which Hermione was grateful for.
"I would like to thank everyone for the undying help and support for the repairs and fixtures that Hogwarts underwent" The students and teachers clapped happily about the news. "Though are still areas that are off limits to students, especially the forbidden forest" Dumbledore glanced mostly at the Gryffindor table, which made Hermione laugh a little bit.
"And last but not the least please let us welcome a new transfer student from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, Margaux Guillory" a lot of the students clapped and watched as the girl stood up at the end of the Gryffindor table. The girl was very beautiful, Hermione thought.
She had long black wavy hair that reached her waist and full fringe that accentuated her face. She had a very slim figure and a slightly tanned skin tone although you could still see the redness of her cheeks.
"She had been sorted to Gryffindor so please help her get used to our environment." The girl nodded and smiled towards the Gryffindor table.
Dumbledore continued "If you have any questions Miss Guillory please approach either Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Granger they are currently the Head Boy and Head Girl. With that let us start eating, tuck in" He stepped down the pedestal and sat down on his chair.
Hermione was a little bit curious about the new transfer student but dismissed the thought for later inspection. Instead she tried to talk to Harry but his mouth was still full of mashed potato.
"Hermione, what happened? Although I've heard a lot of rumours" Ginny said suddenly waggling her eyebrows. Hermione groaned she knew that Ginny was fishing for more information because Harry was there and Hermione wouldn't skip details from him.
"I think Ginny, you're the only one who finds this predicament funny" Harry suddenly looked between the two and swallowed a mouthful of food.
"Hermione! I've heard the news, is it true?" Harry stopped eating just to interrogate her.
"I don't even know what the news is Harry?" She asked bewildered. "I've been all over the gossip circle at the start of the year that I don't even know what rumors about me are already."
"Well there are apparently tons of news about you," Ginny started "but I'll sum it into the 3 most widely believed rumors" She kindly put into words. "Ok I'll start with the first one, this one is priceless," continuing quite happily.
"You're pregnant with Malfoy's Child" This made Hermione's eye grow larger and Harry to suddenly spit his drink out.
"Well that wasn't the rumor that I've heard" Harry said cleaning the juice that was dripping from his chin.
"Has the world gone mental, I can't imagine it" Ginny held her hand up.
"Wait, there's more" Hermione doesn't even to know what the next rumor is.
"Second would be is that you've given Malfoy a love – lust – potion" Well atleast that wasn't worse as the first one she thought.
"Last and not the least is that Malfoy's your revenge – rebound - boyfriend for Ron's indiscrete transgression and has made his priority to teach you how to have a sex life and the rumors has it that you are quite the minx, now wouldn't you say that's fun" Ginny waggling her eyebrows " 'cause you know you two are sharing a common room and all." Hermione looked at her exasperated.
"All those rumors are shite!" Hermione said a little louder throwing her hands up. This made a lot of people suddenly look at her with confusion or disbelief from those who have heard their conversation.
"So what is the truth Hermione" Harry waited patiently for her answer. A lot of people started listening in on the conversation, which made her a little antsy. She didn't want anyone except for Ginny and Harry to know the whole – edited version - story or Draco might kill her.
"Well, Harry. I'm not really comfortable with telling you this with a lot of people around us." Hermione looked around
"Why don't we go to the library and I'll tell you everything" Though she knew it wasn't totally 'everything'.
The trio left the great hall early but 2 pairs of eyes were trailing their move.
Hermione was tired after talking with Harry and Ginny, who knew that explaining things to them would be so hard. It was already 9:00 and she was supposed to do rounds with a prefect but was too tired to go down and find someone, instead she did the rounds all by herself.
She was stationed to check the 4th until the 7th floor, she quickly climb the stairs and started doing her job. Entering empty classrooms, lighting dark alcoves, and taking points because of students getting caught outside their dormitories have been the usual routine for her. Though Hermione felt a little different this time around. She hasn't seen anybody even those students who were making out in poorly lit corridors, which was a little odd. She was berating herself for not asking some prefects to join her, it was eerily quiet and she didn't like it one bit.
It was as if someone was watching and following her, but when she turns around nobody's behind her. After battling in the war you would think Hermione wouldn't be scared by anything, but she started walking fast to finish her job. A few more classrooms and she would be done and could go to the comfort of the heads common room. She paced quickly at the corridor when she heard the sounds of footsteps behind her, she looked back but still no one was there, this made her panic a little. She started running and turned right at the end, and then she collided with someone, which made her scream loudly pointing her wand instantly at the person.
"Woah woah" Draco held his hands in the air "Hermione, are you ok?" Draco asked worriedly.
"Thank heavens" Hermione was breathing heavy. She put down her wand and stashed it inside her pockets.
"I was ready to hex your balls off."
"Why, what happened?" He questioned.
"I felt like someone was watching me but I ignored it at first suddenly there was these footsteps but every time I turn around no one was there" Hermione said stopping at some words to breath.
"What? Are you sure" Draco got hold of his wand and lighted the corridor more clearly but no one was there. Hermione took a look and was disappointed.
"I swear if someone's playing a game with me, I will not only take points but detention also!" she fumed.
"Don't worry, we'll catch them. Let's go back" He led her towards the stairs going to the common room. They walked in silence and Hermione was left with her thoughts.
"What were you doing there Draco" she knew Draco was not suppose to do rounds tonight.
"I was looking for you, the prefect that was supposed to join you was suddenly sent to the infirmary." They were now in front of their common room, uttering the password, they quickly went inside the room.
"What happened to him?" She was a little concerned for the student.
"I don't exactly know what happened, but I think it was food poisoning or something." She hmm. Thinking about it, it feels like some weird coincidence. She wished that the prefect was ok but she had a lot of things to think about most importantly the deal.
"Oh Draco about the rules" He waved his hands.
"Let's not talk about it tonight. Tomorrow's a Saturday, we have no classes and we have plenty of time. You should go to bed" Hermione nodded and walked towards the stairs.
"Good night Draco and thank you" He nodded and sat at the couch his back to her. Hermione noticed this as a sign that their conversation was finished. She climbed the stairs never hearing Draco utter words that was for her.
-See You Next Chapter!-
REVIEW for SUGGESTIONS or any CLARIFICATIONS and MISTAKES...REVIEW
Anyways you may have noticed that the titles of the chapters are song titles, if you didn't well fun fact! Hahaha. Dun dun dun dun. Who was following Hermione? To find out the answers tune in to more chapters! Thank you very much! And remember reviews are food for my empty soul.