A/N: We get to see some Harry this chapter and Ginny!
Thanks for the reviews/faves/follows and reading!
**WARNING** contains some heavy kissing and caressing.
Chapter 16
It took a while for Harry to calm down and I find myself at a loss for words of how to comfort him. Rubbing his back seemed to do the trick just fine, but I know he needed more.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to just lay that on you," he said, stepping back from me. He pushed his glasses back on his nose and straightened his back.
"You're going through a lot yourself, and I've been out of contact."
"For good reason, Harry." I run a hand through my hair, in an attempt to keep my hands busy, "I cheated on Ron. Really I am not faulting for you for anything. Ginny comes first and for most. I can respect that."
"No, it's more of a tie. You and her are equally, the most important women in my life. As I said in the letter, I took that Wand Oath because I'm not about to just throw away thirteen years of friendship over this Malfoy thing. We will get through this."
His hands are holding my shoulders, and I find myself fighting not to cry.
"Harry..."
"I'm serious, Hermione. You... you really need to stop blaming yourself for that. You once told me, people will have their opinions and that I can't always please them."
I smirk, yes I did say that. Many years ago, though, and so I am rather surprised he even remembered.
"Right." I say with a firm nod, "You're absolutely right, Harry."
"And with Ginny..." I catch the quiver of his lips before he bows his head. He bit out a broken sob that had my heart ache.
Taking a deep breath, I use my hand to stroke his arm, "Everything will be okay."
"You're right." He sniffed, "We all just... have to stick together. For her sake."
I meet his gaze and nod.
The door chimes as Lavender has returned from her break.
"Oh..." her eyes fell on Harry and then returned to me, "Have I interrupted something?"
Harry sniffs and then clears his throat, but I step in before he could tell her anything.
"Uh yes, urgent private matter. Sorry Lavender, I'm going to have to cut the day short."
"What's happened?"
I wave my hand at her, "Please don't ask. Just look after the shop, okay?"
I know Lavender doesn't like my answer, but as Harry is just beside me, she says nothing.
"I see. Well, all right I guess I'll just ring Parvati and ask her to come in earlier"
"Thanks Lavender. I owe you one"
I turn back to Harry, and take a hold of his arm, taking him out of the shop.
"You didn't have to take the entire day off, Hermione"
"Yes I did. You need me and so I'll help you in any way I can" I take a hold of his arm. "So lead the way,"
Harry adjusted his glasses, "Well we're not going back to the Hospital yet"
"No? But Harry if Ginny-"
"Yes Ginny will need help, but at the moment she's surrounded by Weasley's. I'm sure you wouldn't want that, right? I mean after what's happened and everything."
Taking a deep breath and bow my head.
Harry groans and his grip on my hand tightens, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean for that to come out like that"
"It's fine," I pull away from his grip. "I mean it's true. Going in there wouldn't be right for me or anyone else there. Only you accepted to keep me in your life, and having them know that would paint you as a bad guy."
Huffing a breath I turn away from him. I knew this conversation wouldn't be clean, but it needs to happen if we have any chance in helping Ginny.
"Well in their perspective, they don't see you trying to fight for Ron." Harry sighs, running a hand through his hair, "That you just sort of accepted his dismissal and carried on about your life."
"Right of course they would think that."
Leave it to Harry to state the obvious without worry of any tact. Oh well, I can't say this would've been an easy conversation, but I wasn't about to divulge into my wayward emotions about Ron either.
It still hurt though.
"Look I don't want to snipe at you Hermione. It's not fair. I took that Wand Oath and I intend to work through this, no matter how ugly it is. We will get through it."
He puts his hand on my shoulder, rubbing it gently.
"I love you Hermione."
"Harry,"
"Come on. I have some scenarios I want to run by you the Healer suggested to trigger Ginny's memory. She already explained to Ginny about her magical powers. Now that was something to see..."
He smiles, but it never reached his eyes, "Yeah it was like going to the World Cup for the first time, she was just so happy and excited. She didn't know I was there though, you know seeing more than one person at a time scares her."
Don't I know that feeling. I went in a right panic when I endured an entire Weasley-filled house my day of leaving the Hospital. Sure it been the only time I've seen the family, aside from Ron, but I can't help but feel for them for their new obstacle.
"Anyway, we should uh, go. You know, brainstorm and stuff"
With a quick look around, for any Muggles, Harry Apparated us to his place.
For our brainstorming, it turned out the Healer and Harry both felt that because I've been through the same ordeal, I can help Ginny have hope in remembering her life.
Now that took me by surprise. Of course Harry had to reassure me that the Healer would aid me in what to say and how to approach it properly.
Harry nods and smiles sadly, "It's perfect really. Sure she might not remember you, but listening to someone else having gone through the same ordeal, would hopefully make her realize, no one is her enemy"
Yes, it'll be strange dealing with her without any animosity. Everyone else, will be a different story, of course.
I really hope I don't have to face them.
"And that she could get her memories back."
"Well it's not guaranteed. Nothing ever is."
"No I know that, but Ginny, at least she wouldn't be so down about it all the time. Seeing you and listening to how you dealt with it could very easily change that."
"You're right, Harry." I whisper, pushing down that gnawing feeling I'm a pig set up for a slaughter. "You're absolutely right, when you put it that way"
"And with everyone gone, you won't need to worry about them interfering"
Oh well that's good.
"What about her spells? You said the Healer told her of her magic, so what ones can she do?"
"Just the simple ones. You know, spells like Lumos and Nox, Accio and Depulso, so her heart... well, she's a bit sad. The Healer plans on teaching her some secondary spells today"
Yes, I remember going through those same motions with Theo when he thought my magic been effected by being in the coma. Of course with Draco's magic, it aided me in a speedy recovery and made me a stronger spell-caster.
Speaking of Draco, he and I, have fallen into this routine as of late. I would go to work, he would go to work and then we'll spend the rest of the day with each other, talking about our day or what we want to do for the weekend, and of course share a few kisses here and there. In fact, the more time spent with him, I find myself falling for him all over again to the point, I might even love him, despite the fact he's never spent the night at my place.
Yes... of all this week, Draco never once slept over, whether it be on my sofa, or laying in bed next to me. Draco always left, not wanting to overstep a boundary, or going too fast in our budding relationship.
But now, mulling things over in my head, I've come to realize that I do in fact, love Draco. I mean, I'm rarely thinking of anything else when he's not around. Case in point, this very moment, I'm thinking about him and the fact both Harry and Ron went through a Wand Oath for my happiness. The acceptance that I moved on, in other words. Sure a part of my heart is still fond of Ron, but that's it; nothing more.
I guess that's why I'm so anxious about tomorrow. Harry said they wouldn't be an issue, but I can't help but wonder the opposite.
Harry sniffed again, and I find myself returning my focus to him. "I just wish she didn't fear me. At least with you... you knew us. You just..."
"Didn't want to be around you" I supplied for him, my eyes downcast. My heart feels hard and heavy, almost to the point it's stopped beating. Regret. Guilt. Just every dark emotion one could think of all into one. I felt them all, even months later after it happened.
Great, now I'm being the dark cloud.
"Hey, don't you start now," he said firmly. Like he's trying to ease my pain. Telling me that I shouldn't have the right to feel the way I do.
But it's useless.
"I can't help it, really." I said taking a deep breath, "I'll always feel guilty, for how I handled everything. But there's no sense complaining about it. It's okay. It'll be okay."
He reaches over and grips my hand, "Yes it will. As long as we have each other."
We fall into this silence again. I check the time and see it's almost six. Draco will be home soon.
Harry follows my gaze and drops my hand, "Wow, is it that time already? Shoot, I would offer you something to eat, but I really should get back to the Hospital. You know, for a status update, what's next for Ginny in her recovery. That sort of thing."
He's trying so hard to make things right again. Such a Harry-like thing to do.
"Oh right, of course."
Getting up from my seat, I give Harry a hug. A nice tight and strong one, the kind my father would deem a bear hug. They always have a way of making you feel so good.
And this one did just that. Warmed all my bones and my heart. Or perhaps it's just because Harry's back in my life? Whatever the case, I like it. And I certainly don't want it to fade away.
"Thank you so much, Hermione. Really, it means a lot"
"Me too Harry. I means a lot to me too."
He offers me his crooked smile, one I haven't seen in years. And again, I feel the warmth filling me up in every limb. The type of comfort one only experiences with an important person in their life.
Harry would be that person, as I am to him.
"Right okay, so I'll give the word to Lavender and I'll meet you at the Hospital tomorrow then? What's the best time for me to show up?"
"I'd say about eleven."
"Okay, I'll see you then." I offer him a smile and then I use Harry's Floo to get back to my loft.
Draco shows up just a few short minutes after I've settled in. I haven't seen him, I just heard him walking behind me, and then he wraps an arm around my waist. Pleasant chills run down my spine to my toes and I find myself falling against him.
"Sorry I'm late," he says, his lips landing just short of my neck. The chills become more profound and my legs wobble a bit. Thank Godric I'm already leaning against him or I'd be a great big pile of goo.
His other hand comes about, holding a single pink rose a few inches in front of my face.
"The meeting went a little longer than expected"
My heart joins in the fun. Shooting electric jolts right to my stomach.
"Actually, I just got home myself ten minutes ago," I say turning in his grasp so I can face him his eyes are twinkling and my heart soars. Yes... I definitely love this man.
"And I've waited all day to do this," I take the rose from him and without any hesitation, I moved in and kissed him on the lips. He tasted of mint and I find myself pushing in for more, so much that my whole body is up against his.
So comforting. So natural and perfect. I hear him groan and I let my tongue pass his lips. When my hands went into play, tugging gently on some strands of his hair and then his shoulders, then his biceps. I find my lower back biting into the edge of the countertop. Harder and harder to the point my spine starts to protest of the pressure.
But I don't care.
No, I find myself reveling in this glorious sensation of him flush against me. My heart beats faster, my limbs start tingling, my knees give, relying on my lack of grip on his arms to keep me up right, but it fails and I nearly collapse. He brushes my hands away and takes a step back from me.
Damn.
"Easy, you don't want to burn the food" he said, taking a hold of my wrists. He kisses my temple and then steps back from me to put the one rose in the vase along with the others he's given to me this week.
Well at least he's stopped accusing me of trying to jump his bones.
"I know. I know."
Trying not to look disappointed, I return my attention back to our dinner. Tucking a stray hair behind my ear, I glance over to the clock. Ten more minutes before it's ready.
And my mind is already at work on what to do afterwords.
Well after I tell him today's events that is.
Licking my lips, I try to keep a blank mind so I actually don't burn my pasta.
After washing the dishes, Draco joins me on the couch, taking my hand in his and I suddenly feel extremely nervous about telling him about Ginny and Harry. The whole, accident thing is a touchy subject, despite it happening months ago, Draco still feels guilty for what happened to me.
"So mind telling me what's troubling you? You were rather quiet all through out dinner"
He pulls my hand in close so he could kiss my knuckles.
My heart is racing and there's this ache in my gut. Oi, best to just bite the bullet and say it.
"Harry stopped by the shop today," I say, keeping my eyes locked with his.
Draco stops running his thumb over my skin, "Did he say something to upset you? Because when I made the Oath I didn't take into account how he should approach the subject to you. Only that he was able to discuss it with you."
"No, he didn't upset me." My eyes fall back to his fingers, as he resumes stroking my hand. Small jolts of excitement shoot down to my toes and my skin becomes instantly warmer.
"Well, not in the context you think." I get this strong urge to touch more of him, but I deter the action by tucking my hair behind my ear. "He told me the reason he hasn't talked to me in these past few weeks"
Draco now laced our fingers together, and nods for me to continue, "And?"
I clear my throat, to calm the battling butterflies positioned there and I find it rather difficult to keep eye contact. "Ginny was in an accident at her Quidditch game."
I see his eyebrows shoot straight up into his fringe, and I continue on, "Yes, she uh, took a Bludger to the head and only woke up five days ago. She has amnesia, and just started to learn about being a witch again."
I'm surprised how strong my voice sounded despite my obvious nerves. I can feel my heart in my throat.
"That's... unfortunate" Draco says squeezing my hand. I shuffle myself closer to his body, so I'm flush against him. He feels so tense. Just as I expected he would.
"He uh, Harry, expressed that she isn't really opening up to those around her, and instead of a Healer sprouting nonsense at her all the time, he feels I should drop in. That way, I can actually give her a new perspective. You know, being close in age and such."
"Not to mention you also been in an accident yourself." He mutters, now removing his hand from mine.
I chew on my lip, "Draco..."
"Well no, it's not like that so don't give me that look. I'm not being a downer this time. It's happened. It's over. Time to move on." He casts his eyes to the opposite side of the room.
Good. I'm happy for him.
He clears his throat, itching the skin against his Adam's apple with his free hand, I'm drawn to the movement, and already I am wanting to kiss him right that at exact spot his fingers are caressing. My tongue quivers at the thought and my lips start to itch.
"I only meant it as, it can give her the hope she could remember everything about her life again."
Swallowing down that need, which proved quite difficult once his eyes locked back on mine. I instead, tried to focus on the wall clock stationed in the far side of the room.
"That's what Harry said"
I curse at how high my voice sounded just then.
"He did?"
Nodding once, I reach over to take his hand in mine this time, my eyes focusing on our entwined fingers instead.
"Yes. And actually, I'm a bit excited about helping her"
On the count of three, I braved a chance to look at his face.
His lips twitch and this time he reaches over to tuck the strand of hair behind my ear. "Always such a caring soul. It's what I love about you,"
His comment hits me right in the heart, filling it up with joy.
Love.
That's another subject we have yet to reach on. Our feelings. Sure we offer pieces of endearments and the like, but we never actually talked about it.
Theo says that Draco could be unclear about how I feel. Sure we can kiss and touch, but because I haven't said anything to him, he doesn't want to take advantage of what Theo dubbed, my forward behaviour. Where I want to please Draco rather than myself, hence his reluctance on wanting to sleep with me.
Well, it's time for that to change.
That and I just can't stand holding off any longer.
Feeling rather playful and quite scared. I adjust my position to straddle him, relishing when he makes no objection, as I take my spot on his lap. My arms curl around his neck and his eyes give me the once over before falling back to my face if only for a moment before I moved in and kissed him.
His fingers curl against my waist, and I find myself smiling into the kiss before teasing his lips with a light flick of my tongue. My fingers move to his hair and our kiss deepens.
I love how his hands shift against my back, up my spine and around my ribs. Wishing so desperately that they were under my shirt and not over. There's hardly any friction that way.
After a minute or so of intense snogging, I want to feel more of him, and so my hands drop to the row of buttons on his shirt. I kiss him harder to distract him. I really don't want this to end.
By the time I reach the fifth button, Draco seems to snap out of his daze and stops me.
Bollocks again!
"Hermione..." he said, shaking his head to rid the hair from his eyes. My chest swells when I see his pupils have dilated, and his lips are swollen.
"Remember what we agreed on," he places his hands over mine. They are so warm and so much bigger than mine. His breath fans my face, and moves the loose hair framing my jaw. The feather-like touches dance their way down my neck and then my spine. "We're taking this slow"
"Did it look like I was rushing?" I teased, not knowing where this sudden brazen attitude came from. But the look of utter amazement on his face was well worth it. From this, I boldly slip my hand inside the open part of his shirt to stroke his chest. The skin is just as smooth and warm as his hands, I hear his sharp in take of breath when I gently use my nails against him.
Nervous. I'm just so bloody nervous to say anything about my feelings for him. It's not like I'm about to spew off nonsense facts to a wall. My heart's involved here.
"This isn't a distraction, Draco. Over these six days, I find myself..." I swallow down the nerves and offer him, what I hope, a soft smile, "Wanting you more and more, that I cannot wait any longer to take this next step with you"
His heart is pounding like mad, much like the labored breaths passing my lips.
"Because, I'm... I..."
God, this is so hard to put into words. But Theo is right. Draco needs to know how I feel about him. I can feel myself getting light-headed and my eyes are falling out of focus. My heart is dancing again and the butterflies in my stomach are fluttering away like mad.
I lick my dry lips and close my eyes and tried again.
"I love you, Draco." My voice is higher than usual, "Actually, I'm in love with you"
His eyes are wide and I hear his sharp intake of breath.
"You... you do? I mean you are? You... love me?"
Words are lost in my throat, and all I can do is nod my head and instantly, his lips crash on mine, nearly swallowing them whole. His hand cups the back of my head and intensifies the kiss even more.
"Me too." He mumbles against my lips, when he gathers more air "Merlin, I love you too, Hermione."
I know you do.
Hearing those magical words again, warms my soul, before I return his kisses with just as much fire as I had before he stopped me the first time. His fingers massage my scalp as his other hand finds home at my hip, under my shirt this time.
So warm. His hand is just so warm.
There is only one word that would fit this moment.
Perfect.
Resuming my task of unbuttoning his shirt, I move my head just slightly to kiss his neck. The very spot I wanted just a few moments ago. His pulse is strong against my lips and I find myself shifting upon him as I go to remove the piece of clothing from his shoulders.
Once his hands were free again, he takes a hold of my head and kisses me in return, if not deeper than before. Our lips mesh against each other, with a mixture of nibbles and pulls. And I cannot get enough of his skin under my fingers. It's just so smooth and strong. The muscles rippling as he holds me closer has my blood singing, and I find myself itching to get out of my clothes.
And then he pushes me back, his eyes dead-locked on mine. I can see the love he has for me now and my heart skips a beat. I take this chance to remove my shirt from my body. Tossing it over my shoulder, I quiver when his eyes roam over my half-naked torso.
So happy I went with my black and pink lace set today, that I'm nearly shaking with anticipation until he sees the matching knickers. I curl my arms around his neck again and resume our kissing.
"Shall we take this to the bedroom?" I whisper, as his lips attack my neck this time. I can't focus on anything except what he's doing to me. My pulse is sky-rocketing and I can no longer breathe properly. His secures his hold around my waist, and then before I know it, my back connects with the couch cushions and he's kissing my lips once again.
"No. The sofa works just fine for me," he panted.
I find myself smiling, and then I wrap my legs around his waist to keep him close, where his hand slips between us, to unbuckle my belt.
Damn. I should've worn a skirt.
He pulls back and gives me that all-knowing smirk. He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out his wand, directing the tip at my hip.
"Diffindo!"
I hear the fabric tear apart and my jeans grow slack around my hips.
"Draco!"
"Lift your hips," he whispers, tossing the piece of wood carelessly to the side, Draco then pulls the torn pieces of clothing from me and throws them to the ground.
"Fuck me," His voice sounds hitched and his eyes trail over every inch of me, and I find myself blushing. Yes, I'm definitely proud at myself for buying this set of lingerie.
From this little break, I curl my hands around his shoulders to pull him back down so we could resume our kissing, turn haste undressing turn intense love-making.
Godric I really do love this man!
After several tries, I finally managed to convince Draco to take me to the bedroom. Imagine that, having to request to sleep in my own bed in my own loft?
The hour is late, like bordering on midnight. The longest he's ever stayed. But interestingly enough, I don't fancy myself on turning him away. Or ever again after what transpired here tonight.
No, today marks the turning point in our relationship and I'd be an utter fool to let him leave.
I wrap an arm around his waist to pull myself flush against him, "Stay over tonight"
I hear him chuckle, feeling the vibration underneath my cheek as I rest my head upon his shoulder, "I never intended on leaving."
Lifting my head I lean over to give him a light kiss on the lips. "Well that's comforting"
He hums to himself, before kissing me in return.
"Are you nervous about tomorrow?" He says, brushing back the fallen hair from my eyes, "You know, worried about upsetting anyone at all? You failed to mention that earlier..."
At first my mind flashes to Ron and how he'll feel when I show up at the Hospital. Harry very briefly mentioned Ron, and all the other Weasley's, as they're rarely seen out of Ginny's sight, because they all expressed great concern for Ginny's well-being. But he promised, they wouldn't be around when I am visiting.
"That's because Harry's promised to take care of it. It'll just be me with Ginny when I visit"
It's my turn to caress his hair, "So no, I'm not worried."
He smirks at me, and I find myself kissing him once again.
"Ready to go again?"
My back arches and I feel his hand slip underneath to hold me against him. My hands are at his shoulders in trying to push him away, "Seriously?"
"I take that," he had pinned my hands above my head and into the pillows, "As a yes."
God... I guess I won't get any sleep tonight.
Not that it is a bad thing.
Next Day
Because last night didn't end until four in the morning, waking up for the day was quite the challenge. Or, it would have been if Draco didn't keep poking me in the ribs.
"All right, I'm up" I grumble, using one sheet from my bed to cover myself so I could go to my shower. His chuckle echoes throughout the quiet atmosphere.
"Nothing I haven't already seen"
SLAM
I am not in the mood to deal with his comments. I need to get to Harry.
After my warm shower, I check the time, half past ten.
Damn. No wonder I'm so tired. I've only slept for five and a half hours!
Draco is at the table already with breakfast.
Now this is new, but certainly not unwelcome.
Draco walks over to me, kissing me lightly on the temple, "Alright love, I gotta run. More promotional potion shit,"
"Oh so you're not having breakfast with me?"
"Can't. I have a meeting in ten"
"Okay, so I'll see you later?"
"See you later?" He echoes, with an amused tone.
I rub my temples, "I'm still waking up okay? Just go already"
After that weird conversation, I sent Lavender the owl requesting a personal day this time before I go to meet Harry as prior to our arrangement.
We shared a coffee and some crumpets before heading off to the Hospital.
Just as the Healer finished explaining Ginny's condition to us, stressing how best to handle our idea, Ron's shown leaving her room.
My heart clenched. He looked just as miserable as Harry, if not worse. He rubbed a hand over his tired eyes and then his eyes found us.
The Healer had stopped talking at this point, and she joined the door.
"Okay, it's time I check her vitals...or rather the fetus' vitals"
I see Harry tense up. "So she knows she's pregnant then?"
"My apologizes Mister Potter. I know you wanted to wait to tell your wife, but she found out purely on accident."
"No, it's okay. Stuff like that happens"
She gives Harry a sad smile, "Right well, you're free to visit Mrs Potter after. Remember, only one person at a time."
She moves around Ron, where his unnerving gaze keeps this strange hold on me, that I'm unable to turn away. Even with Harry's tight grip on my hand, my eyes glued to Ron's weighted gaze.
"Oh... it's you"
He turns his gaze to Harry and folds his arms and narrows his eyes.
Harry takes a sharp breath, "You agreed you would be civil, for Ginny's sake, Ron"
Ron snorts rudely, folding his arms, but says nothing. My guess they had some sort of confrontation about my part in Ginny's life yesterday and are only trying to cope with it now.
So much for having a stress free day.
Taking a deep breath I face Harry, "Obviously you two still have some-"
"What, feel a bit out-of-place, do you?" Ron growls, walking up to me. "Why are you so surprised, after what you did?"
Harry blocks me from Ron's wrath, "Ron stop it. We made an Oath, remember?"
Ron's eyes flash to Harry, his teeth gritting, but Harry kept on going, "We've already been over this more than enough times yesterday and I don't quite fancy getting into it again. Go to the Ministry. Hermione and I will take it from here"
"You know Mum doesn't like this one bit either."
And with that said, Ron leaves.
Harry sighs, running his hand through his hair before turning to face me. "Sorry about that I didn't realize-"
"It's fine Harry. Honest, you don't need to explain anything."
I certainly don't want to deal with another conversation of apologies with Harry.
The Healer leaves Ginny's room and then gives us the go ahead.
Harry rubs my shoulder and gives me an encouraging nod.
Taking a deep breath I push through the door to greet the girl I haven't seen since my homecoming almost two months ago.
Ginny smiles at me, but like Harry, it doesn't reach her eyes.
"Oh...hello," she says shyly. "Would you be the one Bridgette said had something to tell me?"
"Uh, yes. Yes I do."
Taking a seat in the chair beside her bed, I offer her my hand, "I'm Hermione. Fellow survivor of a coma,"
Ginny's eyebrows shoot up, "You were in a coma?"
I nod once, taking my hand back. "For one month"
"And did you... you know, lose your memory too?"
Oi, this is gonna be harder than I thought.
"Well not exactly. I dreamt of another life I thought was real."
Ginny dropped her jaw, "Seriously?"
"Yes so when I woke up, the person I thought was dead turned up alive and my fiancé. And the one in my dream turned out as a person I haven't spoken to in five years and wasn't my fiancé"
Ginny grimaced, "Wow that's uh, pretty rough. Here I thought learning about having a husband was bad. So how did you deal with it?"
"Truthfully, not very well. I refused everyone's help as I just wanted to stay with the man I loved. The one from my dream that is."
"The one you hadn't seen in five years? So wait, would that make him a wizard? Cause Harry mentioned something about graduation five years ago. Was your dream guy from Hogwarts too?"
Wow is she inquisitive. But it's good. It makes this easier.
"Uh yes... yes he was from Hogwarts."
"A Gryffindor? Or another house?"
Gulping I drop my gaze, "Actually, he was a Slytherin"
Her brows furrowed, "Oh okay, that makes sense why you wouldn't have seen him in so long. I mean, Harry only talked about the other three houses cause we have friends in them, apparently. Not that I remember any of them."
She sighs, and then shrugs, "Come to think of it. I think Harry mentioned you as well. But uh, I've forgotten your name already. What was it again?"
"It's Hermione. Hermione Granger"
And her face lit up just like Harry said it did when she learned of magic. "Yes. Yes Harry did mention you! You were the brainy one! Oh there's so much I want to ask, will you help me?"
Uh-oh here we go...
For the next few hours or so, there's no clock, so it's hard to tell. Ginny and I went through our small talk. Or rather, her curious questions about magic. And then it went to a full on explanation of all that transpired in our years at Hogwarts.
Well, at least it's not about Draco.
Perhaps I should dump my job as a beauty helper and become a Healer? The pay would certainly improve.
"Oh I'm sorry," said the Healer, as she opened the door, "I thought you've gone."
She's holding Ginny's lunch.
"That's fine you can just put it here, Hermione and I are right in the middle of something big here and I would really like to talk more, if that's okay?"
The Healer placed the tray beside Ginny, "Yeah, you don't need a break?"
Ginny shook her head, "Not at all, Hermione is such great company, I have so many questions still"
"Well Ginny-"
"I understand your concern, but I'm bored and I see no harm in learning more about my life!"
The Healer sighs, checking her wrist watch, "Well your guest has been here for three hours now, don't you think she has somewhere else to go?"
"My day off actually," I pipe in, despite she's not looking in my direction.
"Look it's great that this is going so well but Ginny does have other-"
"I see them everyday!" Ginny snapped. "Please, just tell them I'm sleeping okay? Can you do that for me?"
The Healer folds her arms, "They are your family"
"So? I see them everyday! Hermione has only stopped by today because she's been too busy working to visit before! I really want her to stay!"
For second, it looked like the Healer was about to burst, her face went so red.
"Really. Go back out there, tell those people who claim they are my family and tell them to bugger off!"
"Now Ginny-"
"Stop fighting me!" She snarled. "Please. For once, can I have ONE DAY where I am not talking to a member of the Weasley family or Harry sodding Potter? Five days all right? Five fucking days I've dealt with their sad looks. Wondering and waiting for 'Their Little Ginny' to come back. I'm tired of it! OF THEM! So you march out there and send them off right NOW"
"Okay," The Healer said calmly, waving her hands in surrender. "Okay I'll send them away"
"Thank you." Ginny said with relief as the Healer closed the door.
"Honestly, those people drive me up the wall with their pitiful looks. Mumbling and reintroducing themselves and explaining why they are asking and if I know what they're talking about. It's enough to give me a hernia or make my head explode, whichever comes first!"
Yes. I know that feeling all too well.
"I had a similar thing happen,"
Ginny's eyes shoot wide. "Really?"
Nodding I go to stand up. According to the Healer I've been in here for three hours. No wonder my arse is numb!
"It was for my welcome home party. For weeks it just been me and my focus on getting better. So when I came home, I was literally bombarded with the entire Weasley crew"
"You're kidding! My... my so-called family invaded your space too?"
Her words not mine.
"They were so happy to have me home. I thought I was just going to spend an evening quietly."
"Wait, was I there too? Cause if we were friends then it's quite likely that I was at your house too!"
"You were, but you were um with Harry in the kitchen playing chess"
"Huh." She then started to eat her meal, "Right well, moving off topic of those people. Where were we? NEWT testings? I mean, it's just all so exciting, and you... you're actually answering the questions instead of dodging them like Bridgette does. I like that. A lot."
I give her a wide smile. The smell of her food is starting to make me hungry. "Well I'm happy to have helped you, Ginny"
She smiles, "Well it's like I told Bridgette. I like you Hermione. You're nice and funny. Not to mention you treat me with respect. I like that the best! There's no pressure to remember things about what we did and such."
"They only mean well,"
"I know, but it just gets a tad overwhelming, which they don't seem to grasp. But from all the things you said, you never... you didn't mention anymore about your Slytherin guy."
Crap how did she notice that?
"Well those instances weren't really that pleasant. He uh, wasn't a nice boy"
"Oh..."
I offer her a smile, "But uh he's changed now. I mean we've all changed. It's... part of growing up" Her learning of the War would just be for a later time. A way later time. Maybe even never.
"Will I meet him? I mean... Harry can talk about all the friends we've had but unless I meet some of them in person, I couldn't careless."
I can't believe she's actually suggesting to meet Draco!
My lack of response, causes her to get into a panic.
"Oh wait, you don't... I mean yeah you talked about him, but we changed topic before you could tell me the rest! Oh it didn't work out did it?"
I've begun to pace around the room to alleviate the pain in my back.
"After a few weeks, my feelings returned to my real fiancé. But... he didn't love me anymore and we broke up"
Not exactly a lie.
"That's horrible."
I shrugged this time, "Such as life. It happens"
"But... wait if that happened then you could go back to your Slytherin guy right?"
I can't help it, I find her referral to my 'Slytherin Guy' quite amusing.
"Then I can meet him yes?"
"Why are you-"
"Because I think having a Slytherin for a friend would be great!"
Right. Of course she would. Never mind the consequences when her family found out!
"I'll talk to him,"
"Brilliant!"
Wow... if there was one thing I got from this conversation, it was how much I've missed having Ginny in my life.
Telling Harry what happened over lunch, went okay. He seemed genuinely surprised how open Ginny became, and a little jealous it wasn't with him.
"Give it time, Harry. Just give her time."
"I know and I am. Really"
"Good"
Later this evening
At my place.
Telling Draco Ginny wants to meet him, made my day. And his apparently. I never thought I'd see him laugh so hard over something so trivial. But I say, it is a pleasant sight.
Until he opened his mouth!
"Gee, first Pansy wants me, and now Ginny. Sheesh... you better up your game love, you've got some competition."
At this I chuck a piece of garlic bread, hitting him square on the nose. "Thank you," he says before he promptly bites into it.
"Keep it up, and you'll be sleeping in your own bed tonight!"
"What's this?" he says in between chews, "You want to take me to bed?"
"Not if you keep yapping about Pansy I won't"
I purposely keep my focus on my plate.
It took about five minutes before Draco caved with an apology.
"I'm sorry,"
"No you're not"
"You're right, I'm not. In fact, the more feisty you are the more fun tonight will be" He adds with a wink.
Narrowing my eyes, I toss another piece of bread right at his face.
"Thanks again, but I'm still working on the first one you tossed"
"Draco"
He licks his fingers of garlic and stares at me, "Okay all joking aside, I'm glad your day with Red went fantastic. And I am utterly flattered she wants to meet me, but of course I'm dreading breaking her heart by saying I'm already taken"
I groan, rolling my eyes, "Five seconds. Can't you be serious for five seconds?"
He flashes me smile and then continues his meal.
I endured the silence for about a minute before I cave. I just... can't stay annoyed at him.
"Well when I started talking to Ginny about life at Hogwarts, it worried me, she just had so much questions. So I just told her the short version of everything that happened over the years. It took an impressive three hours"
Draco snorted, "There's no short version when it comes to you, love. When you start going, everyone either has to pull out a book, a chessboard, maybe some parchments for drawing, and hell, let's throw in a round of Exploding Snap"
"Excuse me, but I have learned to restrain myself over the years"
"Perhaps, but when you start going off about something you enjoy or is just boring as all hell, which goes hand in hand when you think about it,"
I toss another piece of bread, which he easily dodges, "Not even a Silencio can stop you, you'll go on and on not even aware no sound is coming from your mouth"
And another piece.
"Would you stop wasting my bread?" He growls playfully, placing the food on his place, "I spent a great deal of time making that!"
I scoffed this time, "All you did was butter the top, as I requested. Max time spent, ten seconds. That's hardly what one would call, 'a great deal of time'."
"You still shouldn't waste it."
"Well stop giving me a reason to throw them then!"
"Enough alliteration, love?"
His comment through me for a loop.
"Wait, what?"
"Alliteration. It means, the commencement of two of more stressed syllables of a word group either with the same consonant sound or sound group"
"I know what it means!"
Whether he was impersonating me, I don't know, but I didn't like it. Not one bit!
"Then don't act confused. You used three words with the same sound, I struck that odd. And when something is odd for me, I need to say something about it" He gets up from the table with his empty dish and makes his way to the kitchen.
Like I said. Five seconds.
He cannot stay serious for more than five sodding seconds.
Perhaps he should have a night alone on the sofa!
E/N: I'll be time jumping next chapter (just a few months). So if the end of chapter felt out of place, I'm sorry. But I can't fit it in the next chapter. I actually had that happen at work once. I was talking to a male co-worker (Draco's age, twenty-three) except he said "used enough alliteration in that sentence?"
Completely changed the context of the conversation LOL.
Dictionary dot com is where I got the alliteration meaning
Oh and I've plotted the ending already, so have no fear, the ending draws near :)