Nymphetamine pt 8
Draco woke with a feeling in his heart that was almost foreign to him, he felt genuinely happy. Things were starting to look up for him, despite knowing his soul was still in jeopardy. He stretched, the sunlight dancing across his bed. He had been courting Hermione for a month, in secret of course. He hadn't made much progress, but she did enjoy his company, which was a good start. He noticed he felt different around her, not only was he nervous, but he felt more calm…the racing in his heart slowed when she was near. He pulled on his clothing, going to his small mirror to fix his unruly hair. He smiled at his reflection; she was having an impact on him. He gained a decent amount of his weight back, even if he was still underweight. He looked at the clock; he had half an hour before breakfast, just enough time to get to get an owl to send her a token of his affections. She really was growing on him. He was just out the door when he remembered one last detail, which sobered his good mood. He walked to the trunk, taking out his potion. He injected it, looking to his flower. Three petals lay at the bottom of the container it was in. He swallowed hard.
"We still have time, and everything seems to be going according to plan." Lyra said behind him, startling him.
"Please, don't sneak up behind me Lyra." She shrugged an apology.
"My apologies. So anymore plans to win Hermione's heart?" She asked, sitting on his bed. He nodded.
"Yes. I am having a Christmas banquet at the Manor, I was going to ask her to accompany me." Lyra clapped her ghostly hands together.
"That is a fantastic idea!" She swooned.
"If she accepts. We are still in that awkward stage. I haven't even kissed her yet, except for that day on the train that I can't really remember." He grabbed his bag, heading towards the door. "I hate to cut this short, but I need to get an owl out before breakfast starts or she won't get it." Lyra smiled, bowing her head and disappearing into a mist. He was beginning to grow fond of his guide, she was good company. He made a mental note to seek her out if he completed his task.
Hermione sighed, looking out the window. The first of December brought the first snow with it, and the grounds was shimmering in a beautiful blanket of white. She had a smile plastered to her face as she made her way down to the Great Hall for breakfast. She made her way to the Gryffindor table, sitting between Harry and Lavender. She had just scooped a pile of eggs to her plate when an owl landed in front of her, luckily not spilling anything this time. It dropped a beautiful bouquet of roses in front of her, along with another note. She felt the heat rise to her cheeks as she opened the letter.
Hello beautiful,
Your smile brightens my day. Meet by the lake after classes? I'll be waiting love.
P.S. I finished that book, it truly was a wonderful piece of literature.
Hermione felt butterflies in her stomach. She stole a glance over at Draco, who winked at her across the room. She smiled, nodding her head.
"Who are you looking at Hermione?" Harry asked, trying to follow her gaze. She opened her mouth to try to answer, but Lavender cut in.
"First a single rose and an anonymous date invite, now a dozen roses and another unsigned love letter. This has been going on for months now! Fess up, whose it from?" Hermione could feel the sweat beginning to pool on the back of her neck.
"I really should be going." She said standing up, "I've got some muggle studies homework to finish." Ron swallowed a mouth full of food loudly.
"Why are you lying Hermione? You always get your homework done in advanced. I think you are hiding something from us." He looked hurt. Hermione felt guilt building in her gut.
"I…I just can't talk about it right now." Before anyone could say another word she turned and ran from the great hall.
Muggle studies was boring as ever. Even Hermione felt her mind wandering, something she almost never did. The new professor, professor Lillith was droning on about muggle literature, something Hermione knew all about, as all she did was read before coming to Hogwarts, having little friends.
"Have any of you recently read any muggle written literature?" She asked. Hermione looked around, preparing to raise her hand, when Draco raising his took her off guard.
"Yes Mr. Malfoy?" She said, surprise lacing her voice. Some people gasped in surprise, whispers filling the classroom. He glared at them and cleared his throat.
"Well, recently I finished a playwright called Beauty and the Beast." She clapped her hands, nodding in approval.
"And what is it about? I'm very curious to know." She asked. Draco shrugged, giving a sideways glance to Hermione as he did so.
"Long story short, it's about a woman whose held prisoner in the castle of a beast, who is actually a cursed prince. The only way to break his curse is to get the woman to fall in love with him, and to return that love, before the last petal of his enchanted flower falls. If he fails, he will remain a beast for the rest of his days, and all his subjects and residents of the castle stay living as enchanted appliances." Professor Lillith nodded, putting her hand to her chin.
"And what did you like about this story?" She asked.
"Well, you see, I myself have been a hideous beast, metaphorically speaking for most of my life and recently a beautiful woman has begun to soften me, just like in the story. So, I liked the fact that it is relatable to my life as of recently." Hermione felt her heart stop. He made another sideways glance at her, a sad smile playing at the corner of his lips. She swallowed hard. It was almost as if he knew she knew. Either way, she made up her mind to tell him.
Draco stood down by the lake, bundled up around the cold, small snowflakes landing in his hair and on his eyelashes. The grounds looked beautiful, the lake semi frozen from the chill. He hadn't waited long before he heard footsteps behind him. He immediately pulled her in for an embrace.
"You look beautiful as usual." He said smoothly, a smile playing with his lips.
"You look nice yourself. I'm glad to see you are putting weight back on." She smiled. He took her hands in his, staring into her eyes.
"I have a proposition for you." He said, gently pushing some of her hair away from her face. She gave him a playful sideways smirk, the cold hair tickling her face.
"And what is that?" She asked. He took her hand, walking along the shore of the lake.
"Well, I'm having a bit of a banquet for Christmas. Some of the wizarding world young elite will be there. There will be a feast and a masquerade themed soiree in the ballroom." He swallowed, suddenly feeling nervous. "I was just wondering…" He trailed off, looking at his feet.
"What is it Draco?" She asked, squeezing his hand for encouragement. He looked at her, a sheepish smile on his face.
"Would you like to accompany me? Be my date?" He could almost feel Hermione's heart stopping. He saw the color rush to her cheeks, turning them a deep shade of red. He loved it when she blushed, especially when he was the cause of it.
"Draco Malfoy…" She started sternly, catching him off guard. His breath hitched in his throat, and his heart dropped down into his stomach. He held his breath, waiting for her response. "I would be honored to be your date." He exhaled the breath he didn't know he was holding. She had said yes! He couldn't believe it. His heart did somersaults.
"Really? That…that's great! I'm so glad. I'd like you to be there a little early, I'll have a surprise for you. How does four thirty sound? The banquet starts at five." She nodded up and down, a smile plastered to her face.
"I will do that. Thanks...for inviting me." He kissed her hand, looking into her eyes as he did so.
"It's my pleasure, you will be the most beautiful woman there." He winked. She laughed, picking up snow and throwing it at him. He was taken aback for a moment, before a devious smile spread across his face, and he made his own snowball, tossing it to her. The two of them began laughing, throwing snow at each other. Hermione ran at him, tackling him into the snow, landing on top of him. Both their hearts began to beat, faster and faster, their position becoming more and more apparent to them as the moment passed. Hermione quickly got up, her cheeks feeling hot.
"I think it's time we went in and warmed up…don't you think?" Draco said, taking her hands in his and rubbing them together trying to warm them up.
"I agree. This was fun. I'll…see you on Christmas?" She said, smiling. He nodded up and down, kissing both her hands before she walked into the castle, and he followed after her, looking forward to a hot cup of coco.
"Shh Blaise, we don't want to get caught up here!" Pansy said from the astronomy tower, where they were watching Draco and Hermione from a distance.
"Isn't it a little wrong that we are spying on them?" He said, looking out the window.
"Maybe a little, but did promise to help him! He's inviting her to the Christmas ball right now, I'm sure we will be seeing more of them if she says yes." Blaise nodded up and down.
"I think she just said yes." He said, looking behind him to make sure no one was coming. A squeal from his girlfriend startled him, making him jump.
"What Pansy? You scared the bloody hell out of me!" He said, looking out the window.
"They are going to kiss! I just know it!" They could see Hermione laying on top of Draco in the snow, their faces mere inches apart. Both of them held their breath, hoping for that moment. Sadly, it didn't happen. She stepped up, and both of them moved to walk inside the castle. Pansy huffed, crossing her arms.
"We better get something to happen at that ball, he's already lost so many petals." She said. Blaise nodded up and down, agreeing with her.
"We will think of something love. We have to, or else he will lose his soul, and I'll be damned if I let my best mates soul get stolen, even if it's his own fault he is in this mess."
"Well, I think its working. I think Hermione is falling in love with him, just like the task says." Pansy squealed.
"I does seem to be mutual too. Do you notice how he always glances her way and smiles? He's falling for her too. Pretty soon the curse will be broken!" They both smiled, sharing a quick kiss before exiting the tower, unaware that there was a third person standing in the shadows, hiding under a cloak of invisibility, unable to be seen, but witnessing the whole scene. He knew there was something Hermione was hiding from him and the others, but he didn't think it would be this serious. Harry took off the cloak and walked over by the window, looking onto the grounds, seeing Malfoy place a kiss on Hermione's hand before they entered the building out of view. He was going to have a talk with her as soon as possible, he decided as he exited the tower, a sour feeling in his stomach.