Disclaimer: I've missed you all so damn much to even care about writing a witty disclaimer. I don't own hp.
Ch. 47
Soft lips, tender kisses. Blonde hair, light eyes.
How on earth had this even happened?
A few days ago, I'd properly snogged Draco Malfoy. Not for an experiment and certainly not for the sake of the Wizarding World…but because I had willingly…wanted to.
Even after five days, I still had a hard time processing the fact that I'd kissed a Malfoy and thoroughly enjoyed it. Now, if only I knew how Draco felt about all this...
Oh, right. We hadn't properly talked since, had we?
I suppose it was my fault. I'd wanted to give him his space and let things mull over in his head for a bit. I would stick to my word, and he'd come to me eventually. Of course, it was rather hard believing that since we shared two to three classes together every day and he hadn't quite looked at me the same since.
So, did I fancy Malfoy now? I bit my lip in thought. Perhaps favor would be a better word to use, and if that was the case, then I suppose I'd favored him for quite a while now. Every single time I thought of the way his eyes had sparkled curiously before leaning in, my heart shuddered and leapt weirdly...my stomach churned!
"I missed you..." –
"Have you got the answer to question seven yet?" Ginny pestered, tapping her quill on the desk tiredly.
"It's option two," I quipped back immediately, not even glancing at the paper. I'd finished twenty minutes ago, and while waiting for the rest of the class to catch up, I'd gotten lost in my thoughts. Very lost. Ginny nodded her head in thanks and was quiet for the majority of two minutes before sighing. "Merlin, I miss Harry…we've barely gotten to spend any time together this week! I honestly hope you never have to experience the feeling."
I smiled dryly in agreement before looking away in thought.
Too late.
VVVVV
"For the love Merlin, will you catch the damn snitch!"
"Fuck you, Pucey." I growled, turning sharply on my Nimbus. As if I didn't know I was letting the whole team down? Fuck's sake, here we were preparing for Monday's match and I couldn't yank my thoughts away for two seconds!
"One more fuck up, just one more Malfoy, and I'm dropping you from the game!" Pucey roared angrily, squinting up at me from his spot on the grass. A monstrous rage ripped through me then, and it took everything and more to keep from grabbing a Beater's bat and doing his head in. The snitch passed Blaise's head and began to circle around one of the quaffle rings.
Think, Draco. Focus.
Another swift turn sent me hurtling towards the ring. If I aimed indirectly, I could suffer a horrible injury. Surprisingly, I was willing to risk it just so I wouldn't have to hear Pucey's whining. Luck seemed to be on my side, and I was fast enough to reach out and catch the snitch with the flick of my wrist. The horn blared, and I sighed in relief, beginning to lower myself closer to the ground.
"Finally, dammit! Took you long enough!" Pucey groaned, before turning to the rest of the team. Blaise shot me an apologetic look, but frankly, I couldn't give less of a damn what Pucey thought. Without asking, I began to march back to the castle.
"Where the hell do you think you're going?" Pucey asked. I smirked, curling my gloved hands into fists to prevent myself from tackling him.
"McGonagall wanted to see me, actually. She said she'd be patient enough to wait until this bullshit practice was over...I take it you don't have a problem with that? Because if we're being honest here, you can't." I smirked.
Pucey turned an ugly shade of beet red and waved me away, obviously flustered. Stupid sod couldn't even tell when I was lying! I chuckled to myself as Blaise smirked back. I turned on my heel again. A nice hot shower and a short nap sounded heavenly right now.
Entering the castle, I sighed loudly and closed my eyes for a moment. A stupid decision, I kept walking through the empty hallway. Turning the corner, my boot smashed into a corner of stonewall and pain shot through my right foot.
"Fucking Christ!" I yelled loudly, letting out a fluid stream of curses as I leaned down to check my foot.
"Hey! You should know that those words are prohibited! You there, I'm speaking to you!" Someone's voice shrilled bossily. Brilliant...just brilliant.
I turned to snap at the person, but when Hermione entered my view I paused momentarily. Anger was still evident in her eyes, but as she realized it was me, they softened and became slightly timid.
"Oh?" She said, sounding puzzled.
"Fancy seeing you here, Granger." I muttered, limping slightly towards her. She looked like a deer caught in the headlights, which was some odd Muggle phrase she'd once said was used to represent people who didn't know what to do with themselves. It was strangely intruiging, the way her curls framed her face messily, and the way her chest moved with each exhale...she looked like she'd been running.
"Draco, those words aren't fit for a Head Boy to use during school hours...or at all, really." Hermione grimaced, her nose wrinkling slightly.
"Don't be so prude. Oh, and it's nice of you to check up on me," I muttered sarcastically. Why was she acting so indifferent? I didn't know what I'd been expecting, but it was certainly more passionate than this! She seemed bored and ticked off...I hated it! Why wasn't she nervous around me? I hated to admit it, but since that extremely forward and not to mention...tender moment we'd had outside, I'd expected different behavior from her.
Her brows crumpled slightly in concern. "Draco...your leg," she said softly, coming closer to me. "What happened?"
There we go...
"Oh, I was just being a prat and walked straight into a limestone wall. No big deal, honestly!"
"I...er...tripped." I mumbled. "More like, the wall walked into me."
Hermione giggled, her eyes shining up at me like two perfect pots of melted chocolate. No. Brown eyes were ugly! They were dull, especially Hermione's, seeing how they were the exact shade of potting soil and mud. They were hard to look into, really.
"And I thought only the staircases were capable of doing that..." she smiled coyly. Dammit, why was it so hard to look away from her lips? They were perfectly pink and plump, and soft, and perfectly curved –
"You were wrong then..."
Damn it all, I wanted to kiss her so badly...I couldn't just stand there! It felt like magnets were pulling my body closer to hers...I didn't want this! Still, I couldn't help but get closer.
"Um...Draco, if you're hurt you should see Madam Pomfrey –"
"I'm fine." I said quickly. I couldn't say anything else, and I didn't know if it was because I couldn't fight my urges or if I'd forgotten how to speak. Without another word, I turned away and walked as swiftly as I could on my aching ankle, leaving a puzzled Hermione in my wake.
VVVVV
After that extremely awkward encounter, I hadn't expected Draco to approach me again that same day. I was still thoroughly embarrassed, so I didn't know what to do when he approached me in the library after dinner. I'd been looking through a few books in the Herbology section when I heard rustling and footsteps behind me. Thinking it was a student, I cheerily turned to help them, but instead was greeted by Draco's nose inches away from mine. It was rather intimidating, and I looked up to see him regarding me with a blazing look his eyes. Was he upset?
"Draco, hi –"
I didn't get to finish that sentence, or even a proper hello. Draco's lips smashed against with mine with such force that I was knocked into the bookshelves. One of his hands snaked around my waist to soften the blow while the other raised up above me to sheild my head from a few of the books that had fallen. Too shocked to move, I'd forgotten to breathe. Still not adjusted, my hand had just began to reach up to caress his face when he pulled away.
"Uh..." I breathed, the only sound of acknowledgement I was able to get out over our panting. Draco looked down at me, our noses bumping softly. My heart burned at the contact. The skin of his face under my fingertips felt slightly damp. The burning in his eyes had died down. He seemed to be in a fair bit of disbelief.
"I...–"
There was a sharp rustling noise of a paper being thrust into my hand, and before I could even look at it, Draco had disappeared. I watched in tired shock as he strode through the large doors as calmly as he could before vanishing into the hallway. My body felt boneless, and I sank to the floor, landing on a pile of fallen books with a small thump. I sat in a daze for a moment, before remembering the paper. I uncurled my fist, revealing the balled up, crinkly note.
Spreading it out on my lap, the paper became as smooth as a new piece of parchment. It was folded once over. I recognized the fancy scrawl instantly. The cover read:
Hermione, read alone.
- D.M.
VVVVV
One hour prior to the library incident –
My ankle burned as I sat in my quarters, staring blankly at the piece of parchment in front of me. What was I even doing?
Somewhere between seeing Granger on the way and actually getting here, I'd decided that if I couldn't voice what I was feeling, then I would release it through writing. That was a therapeutic thing, wasn't it? Nothing but scribbling after a nice shower? Merlin, maybe I'd really gone mad after all.
The tip of my quill hit the paper before I was ready, leaving a single dark point.
I began scribbling what seemed like complete and utter nonsense, but as soon as I'd started, it was impossible to stop. I don't know how long I sat at my desk, but when I was finally through, my wrist burned almost as much as my injury.
I didn't even want to look at it, what I'd written. But this was all part of the process, wasn't it? I'd forgotten who'd told me about this bullshit technique, but I would admit that I felt slightly better. Glancing down, my eyes settled and began to read.
Granger.
Hermione Granger. Damn it...Damn you. I'm not prepared, and I haven't the slightest clue what I'm doing, but if I did, I'd want you to know that everyday I find it harder to be around you. There are days when I wonder "Merlin, what the fuck are you doing to me", but there are also days when I find it even more difficult to stand not seeing you. I don't know how you've done it (and please don't share your secret), but...you've gotten through to me...I think.
I miss you, even when you're not around. Scratch that, I sound delirious, and not to mention, like such a fucking, sodding, wankering, pansy. I miss you even when you're standing right next to me. Maybe it's because I can't hold you, or tell you all of this in person because of what I've mentioned above –
Merlin, do you have any idea what you've done? Seeing you makes me feel lighter... bloody infinite, actually. Like, maybe I'm not as bad as I make myself out to be. Christ, you take away my fears. You secure me to the ground with just one look from those curious, inquisitive eyes. This isn't a love letter (for your bloody information). I've never written one of those and probably never will, but...I just wanted. Fuck, I just wanted you to know this. To know that I want you. Knowing you, you're probably too busy moaning and groaning over the horrendous positioning and grammar errors of this letter to even properly register what I'm saying, but I don't care. This is for me more than it is for you.
I think about you alot...probably more than I could ever say, or admit to. You come into my head and refuse to leave...but I've learned to cope with it...and if I'm being honest, enjoy it.
I'm going to make this short, because if I don't I'm afraid I'll just blabber absolute sodding nonsense and make myself out to look like more of a sod than I already am.
If you're not planning on punching me in the face, meet me behind the Quidditch pitch right before the match...I'd like to settle this before the game begins so that I'm not distracted, because believe me, I will in no way let myself lose to Gryffindor pondering over a piece of ridiculous parchment such as this one.
- D.M.
Signing the letter quickly, I slipped it into an envelope and tied it to Nox's foot, preparing to send it away. Midway through the process, I paused, lips caught between my teeth. This wasn't what I wanted to do at all! What type of message would that give her, that I didn't even care enough to hand it to her...I certainly wasn't ready to confess these things aloud, but I would make damn sure Hermione received this from me personally.
Finding new adrenaline, I snatched the parchment off of Nox's foot and headed to where I knew the bloody Muggleborn would be, where she could always be found...
The Library.
VVVVV
I folded the letter as gently as I could, my fingers trembling violently. My teeth grazed my bottom lip and I winced – I'd rubbed it raw.
Oh God...
What had I just read? And why, oh sweet Merlin why, were my lungs burning? Everything I touched felt like it had just surfaced from invisible flames. I suddenly choked, letting in a much needed gust of air into my system. I hadn't been breathing since I'd started reading, I realized, understanding why everything in my sight had become hazy...but now things were beginning to spin!
"Oh God..." I whispered aloud this time, feeling an inner panic attack coming. I felt faint, but I forced myself to grip onto the scalding bookshelf in front of me and prop myself against in, leaning on my knees now. No one would find me for who knows how long if I passed out now, I thought, forcing myself to take in greedy gulps of icy air that were quite possibly colder than the weather outside. I finally found the strength to stand, still leaning generously against the column.
There were so many things I wanted to do at that moment, and many of them were things I knew I shouldn't.
And Draco, why had he chosen to do this now? When I had finally just become accustomed to feeling romantically towards him and possibly knowing that he would never seeks the same feelings from me? Why had I thought that? More importantly, how had I been so...wrong?
Unrequited feelings, I could deal with that! But this...
Had he seen it written all over my face? Had Draco seen my heart thrumming through my chest whenever he made an appearance? What had set him off? What had caused him to confess how I made him feel? He was right, it wasn't a love letter, certainly not...but...it was enough.
More than enough, actually.
He..he wanted me.
"Draco," I breathed, letting my head hit the spine of a book on my exhale. "What am I going to do with you?"
A splotch of wetness ran down the side of my nose, given my tilted head. I smiled tearily, turning the parchment in my hand lightly, like it was a rare flower with thin, delicate petals.
I couldn't help but feel like I had waited for this.
VVVVV
Monday came, after it seemed like an eternity.
While I hadn't told Ginny about the incident in the library or the letter, she'd been giving me the most suspicious looks and I had no other reason but to believe that it was because I hadn't been able to wipe away my massive smile for the past day and a half.
Draco had been nowhere to be seen this weekend, and I had succesfully avoided searching him out during dining periods. For once, it was what I wanted. I wanted to surprise him, and show no confirmation that I had accepted his invitation to meet him behind the pitch. I don't know why, but I did. The anticipation made my sides hurt, like I was breathing through needle-filled pipes. Nevertheless, I kept beaming.
I attempted to do something with my hair for once, settling it into the crook of my shoulder in a windswept braid. The cold did wondrous miracles on my hair, as per usual. Today it had begun to snow unexpectedly. We hadn't had snow all through Christmas, and now white, fluttery pieces of snow rained down as if the clouds were being grated to create them. The whiteness was nearly blinding, I noted, but it was was nothing short of beautiful.
Running my gloved hands down to smooth my warm clothing, I gave myself a once over in the mirror before exiting my quarters.
VVVVV
The walk to the pitch was rather entertaining, as it was good to see classmates debating, some playfully and some not, over who would win the match. I enjoyed seeing the Houses interact with each other, especially the two most headstrong houses, Slytherin and my own. The Slytherins that were usually way too quiet to speak out were brawling with Gryffindors over the match. The most amusing part was watching the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws get caught in the mix. Many of the younger students looked like deer caught in headlights, but some of them also attempted to act like their older peers and make bets. It reminded me of when the Weasley twins had done so, and how I would have to catch and reprimand them every game.
After conversing with few classmates since I had been sure to steer clear of Ginny – I felt bad because she would want me to support her and Harry before the game, but there would've been no way for me to meet Draco – I slipped away while everyone began to climb into the stands. I began to trot around the rounded form of the back of the bleachers, until the tents where teams retrieved their equipment came into view. Peering around the corner to make sure no one saw, I snuck over to Slytherin's side and began to search for Draco. There were no players as they were probably still preparing.
Perhaps I had been too late?
"I should've come earlier," I grumbled to myself, cursing mentally. I turned to make my way back when I was suddenly yanked swiftly into the Slytherin team's tent.
"Wha–" I prepared to scream, but Draco turned me in his arms effortlessly.
"Fancy seeing you here," Draco smirked, taking in my Gryffindor scarf wrapped snugly around my neck. He lifted a hand to gently play with a fabric. I could feel a flush on my neck and chest at our close proximity, Draco's nose dangerously close to brushing against mine while he observed the fabric. His deep blue-grey eyes sparkled mischeviously as he looked up at me, hiding his dismay, albeit badly.
"Lovely display of House pride, by the way." He studied my blushing expression, obviously hiding another smirk. "I'm glad you came." Draco said quietly.
I glanced at him through my lashes, unable to voice anything. Draco smugly stared back, and dear Merlin, there was something incredibly sexy about the combination of the way he lightly pursed his lips while glancing every so often at mine.
"Something you need to say? Cat got your tongue, Hermione?"
Draco smiled roguishly at me again, and damn, there was the urge to punch him again. My eyebrows furrowed together frustratedly. I responded hotly, becoming annoyed. How was he able to act so differently each time?
"Oh don't be so bloody proud, you know exactly –"
Draco's lips caught mine urgently as he held my chin lightly with curled fingers, using his other hand to pull on my scarf gently, bringing me closer. I forgot how to breathe again as his tongue swiped my bottom lip briefly before I gave him full access to my mouth. Our tongues swirled together, and Draco tasted like warm cinnamon and mint. I didn't realize that I was clinging to the front of his Quidditch robes until the horns blared loudly, telling everyone to be ready for the game to begin.
Draco pulled away softly, seeming lost for a minute before his light eyes went wide. "Shit!" He muttered, pulling away from me more roughly than he would've liked.
"Sorry about this –" He started, hurriedly grabbing his broom.
"Go!" I nudged him, as I heard Pucey's call his name in a roar.
Draco nodded urgently before surprisingly pecking me. "After," He promised, assuring me that we would actually get the chance discuss the bizarre ongoings of our relationship after the match.
"Good luck!" I blurted out before thinking. Draco looked back in surprise, smirking when he saw how I wanted to take it back.
"Good to see you're finally on the right side," Draco winked, vanishing through the tented opening. Seconds later, the horns blared again, indicating the match had finally begun. The cheers were nearly deafening.
Standing alone in the tent, I took a hand to my mouth, brushing my fingers gingerly across the spot where Draco's last peck had landed.
I hadn't expected it in the slightest.
VVVVV
Head in a frenzy, I headed up to the bleachers and joined my House. The screams and cheers egging the players on was bindblowing, and I couldn't help but feel the energy begin to rub off on me, even in my dazed state. I found Harry immediately as he zoomed high into the sky, dark hair fluttering in the cold wind as he searched for the tiny snitch. My vision blurred as the players passed the bleachers, but I cheered them on. I couldn't help but feel incredibly proud of everyone on the Gryffindor team, knowing they'd worked extra hard this term on maintaining their winning streak. Looking around, I saw Dean glance at me for a moment, his broom hovering, unmoving as other players zoomed past him. I looked away instantly, not knowing how to react, especially after what had just happened with Draco in the tents. By the way he was looking at me, I felt like he could see it written in my face. We hadn't spoken since I'd promptly ended our date by disapparating, but what could I have said to fix things?
Slytherin scored then, putting them in the lead. I glanced to the left, and unfortunately met eyes with an angry Ron, a letdown Harry, and a curious, blazing Ginny. They all shot me distinctly unpleasant looks before re-positioning themselves. Ron stared at me in angry disbelief from his spot in front of the hoops, then sent a glance to Harry I honestly wish I hadn't seen. I looked away confusedly. Things were obviously still tense with Ron and I, but what did it have to do with this game? Something was definitely off, as the amount of dirty looks I'd recieved since coming into the stands was just...uncanny. Merlin, even some Slytherins were shooting me strange looks!
And why did I suddenly feel like the two teams on the pitch were not the only ones giving me looks? I had felt people's eyes on me and the slight hush that had ensued minutes later when I had arrived, but I had assumed that to be only normal since I was usually the one to stop foolish behavior going on in the crowd before it had the chance to go to far! Were people in shock because I was simply letting things slide? For Godric's sake, even McGonagall, who sat in the teacher's stands had begun to shoot me waried looks, her mouth tied tightly into a wry smile. All the while, Draco was nowhere to be seen, and I was beginning to get the feeling that this had something to do with him. Had someone seen us and announced it aloud? Gossip in Hogwarts spread like wildfire, so you could never really be too sure...my stomach flipped inside out at the thought. Draco hadn't even been ready to confess his words to me without parchment, and to have people know that we were going around...embracing would hardly help the case!
What the Hell was going on?!
"Er, Hermione?"
"What!?" I snapped waspishly, turning my head sharply. Neville had managed to push through the crowd to find me, Luna's lion-pawed hand draped lightly around his. She was wearing her Lion's head again, complete with pawed mittens. Half of Neville's face was crimson while the other half was doused in gold paint. At any other moment I would've smiled warmly at the couple's extreme House pride – even with Luna in Ravenclaw – but I was too irritated to do so.
Luna smiled at me warmly, her seemingly all knowing expression beginning to bother me. "Hello, Hermione." She said cheerily, apparently unaware to how cold it was, her pale cheeks remained flushed but her lips were practically blue.
"Hi, guys," I replied, trying to wash away the awkward air that my snappiness had left with a friendlier tone. "Enjoying the game?"
"Oh, it's brilliant, even though Gryffindor is losing," Luna shrugged nonchalantly. "Apparently my Lion isn't bringing in enough twiddle-beed hornets to harvest good energy. Slytherin is playing marvelously though...I suspect that the hornets are being attracted to the teams green outfits – oh look, there they go again!" Luna cheered in her piped up voice, bringing up a paw to point at the pitch where Pucey was cheering almost violently with victory as they scored again. Ron looked murderous. Neville let out a groan, cupping his face in his hands briefly before sighing. "I'm actually starting to think there's no hope for us!"
"Neville," I said in all seriousness, "It's only the first quarter! We've still got time to catch up! Gryffindor team won't let their winning streak just slip out of their hands!" I smiled, looking out proudly to glance at our rather disgruntled team.
"Well that's a strange thing for you to say, Hermione." Luna piped up again, this time putting on glasses that resembled Spectre-Specs, except that they were slightly larger and the most putrid shade of orange I'd ever seen. Neville didn't seem to notice, now practically hanging over wooden post, cheering his heart out.
"Why's that?" I asked curiously. Luna's all-knowing smile returned, her lips now positively tinged with purple.
"Well, assuming from your scarf, I'd say you'd favour Slytherin winning this match." Luna said calmly, touching my scarf as Draco had done earlier. "I've never seen you in emerald before, you look lovely!"
I went to protest, and possibly make a waspish remark about how her ridiculous glasses were distorting her vision, but halfway to it,I glanced down through my peripheral and nearly choked. Luna was absolutely right. Sitting snugly around my shoulders and coiled up around my neck like a serpent lay a Slytherin scarf striped with the customary silver linings. Unable to speak, my eyes shot through every member in the sky until I found a blonde head that nearly blended in with the snow around him. Draco seemed to have forgotten about the snitch then, hovering on his broom as he observed my reaction. His lips quivered and he winked before disappearing into the snow again.
"Draco!" I wanted to scream in rage, but I settled for biting my lip so hard I tasted copper, promptly yanking the horrid fabric away from my neck. My body screamed for its warmth as I shoved it harshly into my bag as fast as I could. I fixed the feeling of needles on my neck with a quick wandless warming charm before silently turning to Luna and performing one on her. I couldn't bear to watch her knowing smile grow even wider, the flesh of her lips turning comfortably pink again in relief.
VVVVV
I bounded on the corner of the pitch as soon as the game was over. Slytherin had won by a landslide to make things worse, and I didn't stay to hear the groans or see the letdown, furious faces of my team. Walking with purpose, my boots stomped on the small wildflowers and grass that had valiantly attempted to survive the cold winter and packed snow. My feet descended on them and left them withered and smashed. I certainly hoped Malfoy knew what was coming for him. I turned on my heel and marched towards the tents again. As promised, Draco had waited for me while his team had descended into the dungeous for a no doubt raucous celebration. I made a mental note to appear unexpectedly down there sometime tonight and put a stop to the drunken raving.
With his back turned to me, leaning his broom against the side of the tent, Draco was pushed, rather nudged at my lack of strength, into the outer wall of the tent. A few organized brooms clattered and fell onto the icy grass, and Draco swore.
"You arse!" I yelled as he turned to face me. Draco's eyes brightened and his trademark smirk fell into place instantly. He seemed intrigued, to my dismay.
"Ah, come to give me a congratulatory kiss, Granger?" Draco said, holding his arms out to me. He was still in his uniform, not even getting the chance to take off the leather padding that rested on his forearms and shins. I took in the way he looked greedily, hair deliciously tousled from all the windplay, skin warmly flushed from effort. Melting snow and probably sweat was dripping down from a few strands in his light hair, darkening them. He was completely and utterly...well...breathtaking.
"What? No!" I scofffed, spluttering. I kept going, ignoring the look of feigned hurt in his eyes, wondering if there was a possibility that he wasn't faking. Not a chance!
"Why would I ever do that, you– you evil little –"
"Cockroach? Oh, please tell me we're not going to try this one again," Draco rolled his eyes. I wanted to say that I would gladly try punching him in the face again, but I turned to walk away.
"Hermione." Draco said calmly, catching my hand and pulling me closer to him. I couldn't say that I tried my best to pull away, either.
"Don't." I muttered as he reached a hand up to toy with my braid. He was being terribly affectionate today, and it was so out of the ordinary that I didn't know how to express it back. I kept trying to contain the buterflies in the box of my stomach, but they didn't last a minute without emerging again.
"Don't what?" Draco said back, eyes softly meeting with mine. His expression was hard, but his voice felt like silk as it ghosted over my ears.
"Wow, you really are good at this, aren't you? Bringing girls into your trap." I sighed, fighting the urge to catch pieces of his soft hair between my fingers.
"So it is working," Draco said, and I wondered if it was more for him than for me. Maybe it was a joke. Ignoring the statement, I spoke again.
"Do you have any idea what I've had to go through for the past two hours? I hope you enjoyed your little trick, because I'm never trusting you again." I scolded. Deep inside, I wanted to ask what the deeper meaning of what he'd done was supposed to be – Draco didn't just do things for the sake of doing them, I'd learned – but I didn't dare. I just hoped that it would present itself soon. Draco shrugged.
"I was just having a bit of fun at your expense, nothing else. It did bring me good luck though!" He grinned, leaning back slightly when he saw the fire in my eyes, burning through his face with the heat of a thousand suns.
"Well, I'll have you know that I didn't find it the least bit amusing! You're cruel!" I spat back, wanting to walk away that very second. I didn't mean it. It's not like I could anyway...not when he looked this intriguing. Plus, Draco's fingers were still lightly holding mine, and I knew he wouldn't just let me go...
"I was completely serious about that congratulatory kiss, you know," Draco remarked softly, not letting my eyes leave his. At that, I glanced down at his lips, those pink, soft, perfect lips –
Fuck you, I wanted to say out loud. Why was he doing this? Why did he insist on testing my boundaries? I wanted to clear my throat, but the silence was so prominent that I knew if I did it would destroy this moment, and I didn't know when I would get another opportunity. I didn't care about the match. I didn't care that Slytherin had won by a landslide and that my own House and best friends were sulking up in Gryffindor tower...All I cared about was this moment, and the fact that Draco was actually being vulnerable enough to let me kiss him.
Silence slowly fading, I tilted on my tiptoes and pressed my lips gently against his, feeling the soft, warm skin brush against mine. This was only the second time I'd initiated a kiss with him, the first time being in the bathroom that had started this all...
Butterflies now crawling up my throat, I went to pull away but was stalled when Draco wrapped a padded arm around me tightly, pulling me closer, his lips enveloping mine perfectly. Draco let out a soft, barely audible groan and my knees gave out, leaving me to wrap my arms around his neck. I didn't know what was happening, all I knew was that I loved it. Draco's lips slanted against mine with impeccable precision, and his warmth enclosed me. It felt better than usual – like I'd actually been made to fit in his arms...
"What the fuck?" A loud voice growled, and my body shot away from Draco's so fast I almost lost my footing. I knew that voice anywhere, regardless of whether or not I could see the face.
"Shit," I heard Draco say under his breath, looking clearly disoriented as I was. Ron stood a few paces away from us, broom slung over his shoulder in his now limp hand. His other was curled into a tight fist, the skin stark and pale against his reddish freckles. It was the look on his face that made me want to run – a looked tied up somewhere between disbelief and utter disgust.
"Ron, no, no –" I tried to make my way towards him, but he stuck his hands out to shield himself from me immediately, dropping his broom. It thudded softly against the packed snow on the grass to join the rest. The gesture hurt me more than his expression, and a fiery sting lashed at my heart like someone had taken a knife to it.
"This isn't what it looks like! I swear –"
"How are you even going to stand here and try to explain this, Hermione? To try and defend him?!" Ron yelled so loudly that I flinched. "Merlin, I knew there was something going on, Harry and Ginny didn't believe me when I tried to tell them –"
"No, Ron, you can't –"
"– And here's the fucking proof! Merlin Hermione, do you know how pitiful this makes you look? And to think I tried to make things work with you!" Ron gritted, both hands now balled up into fists.
"Ron, please," I begged, my eyes burning with unshed tears. But Ron was past the point of listening – and why would he need to listen anyways? He'd been right all along, and now here was the proof that he needed...there was absolutely nothing I could do to change this. I'd been caught redhanded.
"Save it, Hermione. Do you know how many chances I've given you? I've been standing right here the whole time, for years, actually! Not that you've noticed! First Dean, and now Malfoy? Bloody Hell, your standards are plummeting." Ron sneered, clearly unable to stop himself.
"And what would make them better, if she chose you? Hardly." I heard Draco speak up behind me. I didn't need to turn around to know that he was close to brimming with rage. I could nearly feel the heat radiating between the two tall boys. I was small and worthless in the middle. Unnecessary, really.
"Draco, not now!" I hushed, trying to get him to shut up before Ron got angrier. If he could just let me handle this...he didn't understand Ron the way I did, and his remarks would do nothing but enrage him more. But of course, that had to be what Draco wanted. He got an insane amount of satisfaction from just provoking people.
"You stay out of this, you pompous, inbred git!"
"I'd rather be that that a lowly, poor, inbred arse!"
Too late.
It was almost as if the two had forgotten about me as they fought each other, sending incredibly cruel remarks to each other so easily, one would've thought they'd waited been waiting their entire lives to do this. They were prepared for it, and it was disgusting to watch.
"Enough, both of you!" I shrilled, managing to push them a few feet away from each other. I was positively blazing now, the tears gone. "I know first years who are more mature than this! Why can't we all just swallow our pride and try to sort this out?"
"Because, Malfoy would kill himself trying to, selfish git!" Ron spat, yanking my hand away from his chest as if he'd been burned. Draco snorted.
"Correction, I'd kill myself before trying!" He sneered back, pulling my hand away as well.
"Honestly, you two are just making this ten times more difficult!" I growled, growing incredibly impatient. I didn't want to lose my will to understand, but it was just so hard with the both of them yelling over me and the constant stinging in my eyes beginning to blind me.
"Just stay out of this, Hermione." Ron snarled, elbowing me away so that I stepped backwards shakily. I felt Draco's fingers lightly grip the side of my arm before I pulled away. I didn't want the gesture to make Ron think I was choosing sides.
"Oh brilliant Weasel, really. Always attempting violence, aren't you?" Draco laughed darkly, looking Ron up and down condescendingly. "But maybe there's one thing you should know before you start pouting and pointing fingers."
"And what would that be?" Ron hissed. A giant, serpent-like smirk overtook Draco's face, and my nerves thrummed, swirling dangerously and making me nauseous.
Draco, please...
"She kissed me." Draco said quietly, smugness plastered to his face, eyes alight.
There was a slight hitch of breath, whose I didn't know – before Ron's fist collided with Draco's jaw, disfiguring the smirk as Draco's face crumpled in angry agony.
"No!" I choked out, but it was too late. A flash of green blurred in front of me as Draco tackled Ron and pushed them both down onto the ground with an icy thud. Their robes melded together, and as I tried to stop them, I couldn't tell who I was grabbing. My fingers burned as they clutched at pieces of fabric and flesh. I hastily reached for my wand when I realized they wouldn't hear me over their animalistic growls, and cursed aloud. I'd left it upstairs the one time I actually needed it.
I bounded onto a pair of shoulders then, screaming bloody murder as I tried to pry them away from each other. It was futile, as I began rolling around the floor with them, my helpless attempts to stop them with my own body not withstanding against their rigid ones.
"Get off of him!" I shrieked, not knowing which boy it was directed to. "Enough, please, you're going to hurt –"
I felt my neck crack at the impact seconds later as an anonymous padded fist came into contact with my face. My throat let out a free noise as I keeled backwards, my body unable to balance as my head spun. My head touched the icy grass, I heard Draco yell in panic, "Now look what you've done!" and my eyes rolled back, silencing everything into darkness.
VVVVV
Since when was grass so warm in January? When had it started to feel so soft? Almost like blankets...–
My head snapped up and I groaned, not ready for the hazy vision or the throbbing pain that hit my face like poison. As my head hit the strangely soft and warm grass again, I heard comforting shushing coming from my left.
"Don't move, Hermione. It's just me." I heard Draco say, his voice sounding oddly full, like his throat had been clamped shut. He came into my view then, sensing my panic. I wished he hadn't.
Draco's face was flushed, breaths coming through a swollen, split bottom lip. There were various bloodied scratches lining his face, but the one that particularly disturbed me was the one above his pale left eyebrow. Blood had clotted there making the faint hairs turn pinkish as they dyed themselves in blood. There was also a nasty looking split straight across his right cheekbone, but thankfully it was smaller. I reached up to touch that one, tracing one finger around the gash and pressing against it. Draco flinched, hissing slightly. I took my fingers back, and if I'd had the energy to smirk I would've done so. A faint blot of Draco's blood sank into my fingerprint like it belonged there.
Funny, I thought. Draco wouldn't have even let me touch him if we hadn't started being friends – and now his blood was trying to mix with mine. I turned my palm away, hiding my discovery from him. He had enough to worry about for now. The back of my hand brushed against soft fleece, and my thoughts returned painfully. No grass here.
"Where are we?" I croaked, wincing at the sound of my unused voice.
"Hospital Wing," Draco cleared his throat. "You passed out, so I brought you here..." He shot a weary glance at my face before sighing tiredly and looking down. "You've been out for nearly two hours now."
My heart warmed at the thought of him staying by my side, when he could've very well left after being treated...Draco tucked his bloody lip into his mouth for a moment.
"Why haven't you been treated?" I asked curiously, glancing over the damage, more aware now. "Madam Pomfrey could easily fix you up with a Pepper-Up Potion and some –"
"It's not important." Draco bit out. "I asked that she see to you first."
"But –"
Draco's eyes met mine, silencing the whole room. Guilt showed freely behind slightly glazed eyes, his eyebrows creasing with difficulty and probably pain. I knew he thought all of this was his fault...and I wasn't so sure that it wasn't either, but the look on his face made it so damn hard to be mad at him. As much as I wanted to add my own personalized gash to his face for provoking Ron, his actions said alot more about what he was feeling now rather than previously.
"Ron?" I asked quietly. A small amout of anger and distrust fell back into Draco's expression. He was obviously holding himself back.
"He ran to get Potter after you fainted. He wanted Harry to help him bring you up here and figure out something to tell Madam Pomfrey, but as soon as he was gone I carried you here."
"Draco!"
"Well I wasn't going to just let you pass out and then waste more time before getting you help! What did you expect me to do, run away?" Draco seethed quietly, heat and betrayal not missing his voice. Madam Pomfrey would hear everything if he didn't.
"Draco, no! Of course not!" I hushed back, reaching for his hand at the side of the bed. He let me hold it, but his fingers remained limp in mine, not responding to the soothing circles I was drawing into his skin. That didn't make me let go. "It's just...Ron, he must've panicked. He knows that Harry always helps the situation, so maybe that was the only choice he could think of," I murmured, trying to stay quiet. It's not like my voice would allow itself more volume anyways. "I feel so horrible."
"Should I get Madam Pomfrey?" Draco asked, making to leave his stool.
"Emotionally," I muttered. "Ron didn't deserve any of that."
Draco's face curled into a look of bewilderment and disgust. "And you deserved to get punched in the face and sent to the Hospital Wing? Honestly, you're amazing at giving credit to where it's not due."
I laughed quietly, bearing with the burning in my throat. I stopped when Draco remained serious.
"I just know what it feels like to have your heart in someone else's hands without even realizing it, that's all."
Draco turned to me, giving me an unfathomable expression that I hadn't seen in a while. His steely gaze searched mine, before breaking away slightly. "Same."
I let that simple word linger in the air, desperately wanting him to expand on it. I crushed that hope when he left my gaze completely, opting to look into the nearby fireplace instead. The flames reflected onto his pale face, reminding me of earlier, when I could see nothing but his fiery expression.
"So you can empathize with Ron?" I asked, trying not to sound too hopeful for both of our sakes. His head barely shook once, but I knew exactly what that meant.
Never.
I bit my lip, trying to save the moment. "Well, we should be out of here soon, right? We're not messed up too bad." I shrugged, before looking at Draco again. I tried to play off the small scratches on his face as if they didn't bother me, when really it killed me to look at them. He simply stared at me, face wrecked with struggle and guilt. Silently, he reached over to the side table and offered me a handheld mirror.
I couldn't believe what I saw. The girl in the mirror looked positively rubbish, hair mussed in a poor, weakened braid, with skin that was beginning to look slightly yellow. But, that wasn't the worst part.
No, the worst part was definitely the round purple and blue blotch decorating the outer part of my right eyelid. I held back the noise I wanted to make, not knowing how to react. The mark the punch had left was just so...big.
"Oh," I croaked out weakly, briefly running my fingers over the side of the wound. It stung, and I bit back tears of frustration. Draco shifted audibly in his seat.
"I'm really..."
"Don't," I muttered, not wanting to hear an apology from him simply because I didn't know how I'd react. "Just take it," I mumbled, handing him the mirror. Not two seconds after, Madam Pomfrey came rushing out of her office, and although I blocked out my ability to hear her words, I knew we were both being scolded. It didn't matter to me.
I sighed sadly, glancing at Draco again as he sat silently listening to the bumbling nurse, looking oddly defeated. I closed my eyes and attempted to breathe calmly. The stinging in my face counteracted with the sting in my eyes and I gritted my teeth.
It seemed like we were starting from the beginning again.
VVVVV
Oh wow. I can't even express how good it feels to be able to update again. I also can't even say how sorry I am for taking so long. Life has been pretty stressful these past few months, and between no time to sit down and write, writer's block, and just the crazy happenings of life I haven't had time to give you guys a new chapter! But thankfully, here's one! I've been working on this one for a few weeks now and I really hope you guys enjoy it. Once again, this chapter is dedicated to the readers who have stuck with this story and have been so patient with me! It really makes me want to update faster when I have people giving me positive feedback with the story, and not when people say harsh things to try and provoke me to write faster! But you're all lovely, regardless! As you can tell, I love Draco in his Quidditch outfit, and I had the greatest time writing him in it for this chapter! He's just too sexy in that emerald green! I hope you liked Draco's antics in this chapter, and Ron is back! The both of them just know how to get Hermione going, don't they!? I've had this chapter planned in my head for over a year now, so I'm so excited to finally publish it and have it come to life! I just want to say that no matter how long it takes me to update, I WILL finish this story and I'm never just going to leave it unfinished, because I would never do that to you guys, you've been such faithful readers and deserve to see this till the end! I also don't want to put this story on a hiatus, because I personally hate when authors do that with stories I like because I get afraid that they'll never finish it. That being said, I have no intention of that happening with GHTS, and you have my word that I'll continue this story at all costs, no matter what's happening in my life! You have my word! Sorry for the typos and all that, I try to spot as many as I can during the editing process, but some of those little buggers just slip through anyways. Feel free to ask me any questions and Review Review Review, I want to hear from all of you! I'd also like to hear your take on my characters: Are the OOC, just right, or somewhere inbetween? Looking forward to hearing your replies! Love to all! (: