Authors Note!
I did put a little bit of my OCs in this chapter because I didn't just want to cut off without an extension on the last chapter.
Ok, so, I have typed this before, and I will type it again. I suck at writing smut. I'm just too shy to write it most of the time. Buuuuut, for the sake of you guys because I know some of you like lemons, I tried for this chapter. It's nothing too citrusy, but hey, I tried. So, if you would like lemons in this story, I can keep trying. Or if you don't care at this point, please tell me. Either way, please inform me of your opinion and I will make my decision from there.
Anyway, thanks to:
StarGirlPotter, yourLastLove, Kataryanna, Catherine, DustNight25832, somethingnew123, Boston26, Emily. .5, kvarsha, rileys mom, scream nemo, Aridee03, dramioneluver4eva, Analena, Rephaimlove, Winnie Wanze, ZombieBunnehh589, and Klimek
for favoriting, following, and reviewing! This one's for you guys!
Oh, and this story is officially (as of three days ago) one year old! It's been for freaking ever! So
yep. I should probably update more...(posted 7/28/14).
Madame Pomfrey swatted his hand.
"Stop messing with it! You'll only irritate it further," she scolded Draco.
When he and Potter had gone flying back onto the stone walkway, he cut his cheek. It didn't even require magical healing! But on Granger's insistence - and after all her nagging, she was back to Granger - Madame Pomfrey had fretted over every scratch and bruise present on the boy's skin. He'd been in worse scrapes before, and did not understand why woman worried so much!
For the thousandth time since the fight had ended, Granger cupped his chin and looked at the red mark. He went to swat her hand away, but she instead slapped his hand back. "I'm looking," she stated.
Draco rolled his eyes. "At what? You're not going to find anything wrong with a scratch, Granger. It will heal just like the rest of my wounds. I'm more worried about you."
Not that he needed to be. He and Potter had gotten the worst of the wounds. The only noticeable trait that said Granger was in a fight was her hair. It was like her cat had chased Weasley's pet rat in her hair.
And of course it wasn't because she had been fighting that her hair was 'jacked up', as Felix would say. No. It was from the numerous times Granger had run her hands through the maw of curls. Bloody woman. Draco relented, and allowed Granger to pester over his cut.
He focused his attention on the figure in front of him. Sitting cross legged on the bed across from his, V sat with her chin rested in her left hand. She had her elbow resting on her knee, and she wore an amused smirk directed at the couple. Draco hadn't seen her facial expression change once. When Draco continued to stare, she raised a brow. Draco felt awkward all of a sudden at the deliberate challenge. It was too silent with the only sounds coming from Madame Pomfrey and McGonagall whispering in the corner.
Trying to alleviate some of the awkwardness, Draco cleared his throat. "I thought Vampires couldn't harm their Makers," he said.
The smirk grew wider. "My, my. Valerie actually let someone in on the trade secrets. I'm impressed."
When she said nothing else, Draco raised his own brow in a challenge. This earned him a full on grin, complete with sharp teeth.
She inhaled, and blew out a dramatic sigh, an waved her free hand around in a flutter. "Vampires can harm their Maker, but we can't kill them. Some sort of ancient magical rule blah, blah, blah, old people so on, so forth, magic. The important thing you should take away from this is that, since I'm not a normal peasant, Rhett will carry those scars with him until he's dead." She said it in such a fond tone, Draco would have thought it was Granger talking about books.
"And I fully intend to make sure he dies," V deadpanned.
Granger had stopped fussing with him and had turned her attention to Vampire. "Isn't that rather-"
"Extreme?" V offered.
She flung her hands out above her head, laying back on the hospital bed. It was a good thing Madame Pomfrey had given them a change of clothes of generic pajamas, lest the Vampire flash everyone. She put her hands behind her head and stared up at the ceiling.
"He hurt my human. That's all that matters."
Draco shared a look with Granger.
There was a groan from the bed next to his, and Draco looked over to see a pained expression on Potter's face. The boy had not woken since he got hit with the Cruciatus curse, and that had forced Draco and V to carry his scarred ass up all the flights of stairs. Then again, considering that Potter had taken the hit for him, Draco supposed he owed him one. Granger went over to Potter and dapped the cold washcloth on his forehead.
"Is he going to be alright?" Draco asked.
He heard a scoff from across the room. "Please. He's survived the Killing Curse twice. If one little Cruciatus curse does him in, I'll be disappointed."
Granger shot the Vampire a glare, although V couldn't see it. Granger turned back to Potter and sighed. "Ever since Voldemort-" Draco cringed, "-was defeated, Harry's been rather sensitive to pain. I think all those years of being a horcrux somehow lightened everything he felt, since he was connected. This is the first time he's been hit with something as strong as an Unforgivable in a while."
Madame Pomfrey and McGonagall walked over to stand between Draco and V's bed. V sat up in the previous position she was in and fixed her attention to McGonagall.
"Well the Aurors have finished their investigation and-""They didn't find anything. Not even the 'supposed' dead body," V interrupted.
McGonagall looked at her, perturbed at the interruption. "Yes. There wasn't any evidence that suggested a conflict, so they'll be leaving. Although, Minister Shacklebolt will be speaking with you tomorrow."McGonagall turned to Draco and Hermione. "Regardless of there being a lack of proof, I do believe what you said to be true. Merlin's sake, Potter is passed out." McGonagall sighed and ran a hand down her cheek. "Because of the turn of events, I've decided to contact your parents."Draco sat up at that, and Granger blanched.
"What? But Headmistress I-""No buts, Ms. Granger. You were all attacked and it is my duty to inform you parents of such a thing. They will arrive here on the 20th to pick you up, personally, to take you home for the holiday."
Granger looked like she wanted to argue further, but kept her mouth shut.
McGonagall nodded at all of the students and left the hospital wing. Madame Pomfrey refilled the Draco and Potter's glass of water and retreated to her own quarters, with the directions to wake her if Potter's condition changed.
"I imagine McGonagall's hair didn't start greying until seven years ago?" V commented.
Granger shot her another glare.
"What? It's a reasonable assumption. No offence, but Wonder Boy over there is a trouble magnet. You two are no better, but not as bad."
"Ever think we wouldn't be in this situation if it wasn't for you?" Draco questioned, more to shut her up than anything.
"Psh. Valerie worries over that all the time. It's rather annoying, but since she worries so much I don't need to. Besides, if it's not psychopathic Vampires hell bent on world domination, it would be psychopathic Death Eaters hell bent on world domination."Draco looked at Granger and took her hand, squeezing it. She gave him a small smile in turn.
"You never did answer my question," Draco said in a low tone.
Granger looked at him with doe-eyes, curious.
"How'd you know to come running?"A warm smile filled her face. "I was doing patrol, and I heard shouting. I thought it was just a few younger years fooling around, but apparently that wasn't the case."
The entire situation had him freaked out. Not because of his life being on the line. He's dealt with worse. But because the entire time Draco was fighting those Vampires, the only thing going through his head was the need to keep Granger safe. He didn't want to lose her, not when he'd just gotten her. If it was blood thirsty Vampires, or Death Eaters, Draco would battle the whole lot of them to keep her safe.
"Wow. For a protégé of Voldemort, you really are sappy."
Draco's eyes shot to V's and the good feeling he had felt a moment ago turned to rage. He shifted to get off of the bed, but Granger pushed him back down.
"Don't." She turned her attention to V, who raised her eyebrows in mock question.
It was very strange to have hostile feelings toward someone who shared a friend's face. Draco knew V wasn't Valerie, but for Merlin's sake they shared the same body! The only thing keeping Draco from tackling the Vampire in front of him was a) Granger, and b) the fact that the eyes of Valerie's body were glowing that blue color. Draco knew it wasn't her. There was also the subtle differences in mannerisms. Like the fact that V's smirk was more cruel than that of Valerie's, or the fact that the Vampire seemed to be at ease. Valerie always seemed stiff, ready to fight.
The doors to the hospital wing opened and Draco was surprised to see Felix rushing in. The newcomer jogged over to where the group was seated.
"Hey, I heard what happened and -" he noticed the sardonic smile on his fellow American's face, "- and fuck.""Wow. Nice to see you two Felix. It's only been what? A year?" V asked, gesturing with her hand."Not long enough."
"Oh, such words. You don't talk to Valerie that way."
Felix just looked at her in irritation.
"You and Veela must get along swimmingly," Draco said.
An offended look passed over V. "That man-whore?" She scoffed. "Yeah, no. I'd rather get stabbed by a stake. Again."
Draco and Granger's eyes widened in alarm.
"V, would you just...You know," Felix suggested.
"Uh, no I can't just. Valerie's in self-preservation mode. Ain't no way she's coming back to the surface anytime soon."
Felix sighed in frustration and looked around the room for a moment. He spotted what he was looking for, and walked over to one of the other beds. He grabbed a hand-held mirror and walked back to the Vampire. The whole time, the girl had watched the boy with narrowed eyes, contemplating. When Felix stood in front of V, she jerked as if he had slapped her.
"Holy fuck. You're-""V, shut up.""But you-""V, if you don't shut your mouth right now, I'm going to make sure Valerie locks you back up."The Vampire closed her mouth and didn't say another word, but she didn't take her gaze off of Felix.
"That goes for when you're back to being part of her subconscious as well, got it?" He held out the mirror, and V reluctantly took it.
V took out Valerie's wand, waving it at the mirror and saying a spell Draco had never heard before. Draco and Granger were standing in front of V, so they didn't see what was happening, but a moment later, Valerie's voice spoke up.
"What the hell?"
Draco could tell it was Valerie's voice. It was different from V's. Valerie had a sarcastic tone like V, but it was warmer, filled with humor. Felix walked over to stand by V and looked in the mirror.
"Do you remember anything?" He asked, eyes roaming over he mirror.
There was a groan of irritation, and Draco could picture Valerie rubbing her temples. "Most. I was hit with the Cruciatus a few times, and that's when I retracted. I must of been hit quite a few times, 'cause I could of swore I heard Rhett."
"You did," V muttered.
Silence.
"Mother fu-"
"Everything was taken care of," V interrupted."I have a hard time believing that. Just share the memories already, so there's no long drawn out explanation. And while you're at it, let me back to the surface."
V gave a sideways look at Felix for a moment, and closed her eyes. She let out a large, slow exhale falling back on the bed. There was a moment where she didn't move, and then she jerked up blinking rapidly. Her eyes stayed open after a moment, widening. The familiar shade of Valerie's eyes greeted Draco, Hermione, and Felix.
"Welcome back to the land of the conscious." Felix quirked a smile.
Valerie snorted and gave him a small smirk, and turned her attention to Draco and Hermione.
Neither said anything for a moment, and Valerie decided to speak up. "Soooooooo...You met my Vampire." Valerie gave both parties an apologetic look.
"I see why you don't talk about her much," Draco said.
Valerie rubbed the back of her neck, awkward. Draco had seem her unsure before, but never awkward and sheepish. It didn't fit her overall personality, and Draco found himself smirking at the girl's momentary discomfort.
"Yeeeaaaah." Valerie pursed her lips, and the hospital once again lapsed into silence. Valerie twiddled her thumbs for a bit before hopping off of the bed and walking over to Potter. Felix, Draco noticed, followed the girl with sad eyes. Felix caught Draco's stare, and shook his head at the blonde's questioning look. Felix's eyes flickered to Hermione's for a moment, but he looked away and focused his attention back on Valerie.
"Did Madame Pomfrey say what his condition was?"Granger nodded. "She said he should be fine, but he was hit with a pretty strong Cruciatus. For now, Harry just seems to be exhausted."
Valerie nodded this time, slow and thoughtful. "I shouldn't have involved him. I shouldn't have involved any of you. The night of Samhain, I should have just posted a few guards and made you all stay in the woods. Away from the madness." She sat down on the end of Potter's bed, keeping her gaze on the boy's pained expression. "But I was afraid. Because of what happened in Yellowstone...I didn't want history to repeat itself." She sighed.
Draco recalled the first night of school, Valerie crouched down in front of the fireplace in the Slytherin common room. He couldn't make sense of what she was talking about then, but now he could place a few pieces together.
"Valerie," Granger started. "What happened in Yellowstone? You've never mentioned it. You didn't say anything about it the day after Samhain."
Valerie sat tapping her fingers on Potter's sheets, letting silence fill the air. "I didn't say anything then because I figured you'd have enough to process already, and I didn't want to overwhelm you with depressing subjects." She turned her head to look at the floor. "Last year, Samhain was held in the U.S. at the Yellowstone National Park. Samhain is always held in places of nature, with strong magic energy, and that year it was in Yellowstone. We took every precaution we usually did, and made sure that no one could get in. We blocked off the area with charms, so that any non-magical being would avoid where the Circle was. But we didn't account for the wizards. I mean we did, but we there isn't really a wizard repellant charm. A few teenagers managed to slip through the barrier before it closed, and...there were a couple of Muggle-Borns and one of the boys was a virgin. They were drunk off their ass, and..." She exhaled in a rush. "Four teenagers got ripped to shreds because I didn't catch them in time. I didn't keep them safe, and it's my job as a Monarch and a wizard, to keep the peace between my species and the others. To ensure that everyone is safe. And I didn't do that."
She looked up at Draco and Hermione. "And I'm putting people, kids, in harms way again because I'm too careless. I should have told Harry that he couldn't have come. I should have just dealt with the questions about you Draco, on my own. But I had to drag you through the freak show. Because I was just so sick and tired of having to endure things by myself."Granger let out a puff of air. "For a cunning magical creature, you really don't get the point of friendship." Granger stepped forward and took one of Valerie's hands. "Friends are here to help you. They're here to help share the load when things are too hard. I can't imagine many people being able to do what you do. Especially at your age. And you didn't drag us into the danger. V...sort of had a point. If it wasn't Vampires, it would be Death Eaters. There is danger everywhere in this world. It's inevitable that we'd be caught up in it one way or another."
"Besides," Draco put in, "it was my fault for Samhain. I should have kept out of other people's business. We all should have. You shouldn't be blaming yourself for something stupid teenagers do."
Valerie gave them a small smile, but it wasn't convincing. Draco knew she didn't believe him or Granger, and that it would be hard to convince her. He looked to Felix, someone she seemed to listen to the most.
Felix caught his look and held his palms up. "Hey, you are repeating everything I've been telling her since I met her."
Figures.
Valerie looked back at Potter. "You guys should get to bed. It's been a long day."
"Aren't you going to bed?" Felix asked.
She shook her head. "No. I'll stay here and keep an eye on Harry. I owe him that much."
Draco nodded and grabbed Granger's hand, pulling her from the room before she could make any objections. He didn't really know where he was headed, but he started walking, keeping Granger's hand in his.
"So," he stated.
"So?"He smirked. "You called me Draco."
A look of irritation filled Hermione's face. "We've been over this. That is your name, and I can call you as such."
"Maybe. But we both know what it means."
"And what would that be?" She asked.
"You like me," he smirked.
"Oh, imagine that. I like my boyfriend. Very strange indeed."
Draco turned to look at her.
He had told her to put a label on them, but he never had referred to Granger as his girlfriend, or he her boyfriend. They had just said they were dating. Now, Draco didn't know why, but hearing Granger say that, it made him happy. Happier than he had felt in a while.
It was a few floors up in a window alcove that Draco stopped. He pulled Hermione to stand in front of him, her back against the wall. She looked at him with wide eyes, surprised. He cupped her face and slammed his lips on hers.
He didn't care that they were in a hallway. He didn't care that it was the middle of the night and that some younger year could catch them. All he cared about was Hermione.
They were just in a life and death situation. There was now a hit on his head, and one of his sort-of-friends was in the hospital bed, unconscious. Draco would be damned if he didn't kiss his girlfriend.
She made a squeak of surprise at his ferocity. She and Draco had had many make out sessions, but nothing so urgent, so needy. She felt his fingers dig into her hips, causing the material of her shirt to ride up a bit. His fingers scorched the exposed skin as his tongue slipped inside her mouth. He let his glide over hers, tasting her and breathing her in. Hermione in turn ran her hands up his chest, over his shoulders, and into his hair. A groan came from Draco, and that brought an odd amount of satisfaction to Hermione, knowing she did that.
Draco moved from her mouth, down her chin, and to her neck. He let his tongue glide across her smooth skin, and Hermione let out a sigh. One of his hands reached up behind her ear, massaging the sensitive skin behind it. The other hand glided across her exposed stomach. Gentle fingers stroked the skin, causing Hermione to twitch in surprise. A warmth spread through her, twisting her gut in the best way.
Draco had kissed his way across Hermione's neck and started to travel down to the valley of her breasts. Hermione let her breathing go ragged, forcing her to suck in air. Draco moved his hand to the hem of her shirt, now halfway up her stomach, and stopped. He looked up into her eyes, darkened with lust. His silent question was met with a nod. Slow and hesitant at first, but firm.
Oh so torturous and slowly, one of Draco's hands moved the material of her shirt up. It exposed her stomach in full before stopping right below her breasts.
Hermione, sometime during this, had closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the wall. When Draco stopped she looked up to see him staring at her.
Draco knew that Hermione had never done anything like this before. She had told him how far things with Ron had gone, and that never something like this. Draco was rather disappointed that her first ever time was in a school hallway, and not in a bedroom, but Hermione did not seem to care. Hermione reached down, taking the hem of the raised shirt and pulling it over her head. She let it fall to the floor.
Draco took in Hermione. Her naked skin glowed blue with the moonlight that filtered through the window, making the already growing bulge in his trousers grow more.
Hermione had never felt so exposed. She wanted to lift her arms and cover herself. She almost did. But the naked hunger of Malfoy's gaze stopped her from moving at all. It was very strange, to be looked at with such desire. It made Hermione's heart race, and that warm feeling expanded throughout her body. Draco moved closer to capture her lips again, only this time it was more gentle. It was a slow kiss, and Hermione felt herself becoming breathless. One of Draco's hands trailed the skin of her stomach, moving slowly up to her bra.
Of all the ridiculous timing, Hermione remembered the bra she had put on that day. It was an old one, worn from many washings and wearings. It was a faded blue color now, and the fabric was torn in a few spots. Of course. The first time she ever participates in something like this, she wears the oldest, un-sexiest bra she owns. The only good thing about this bra was the fact that Hermione considered it her lucky bra.
Apparently it was lucky after all.
Draco was now tracing his fingers on the skin right below the fabric. Then he had his hand cupping one of her breasts, squeezing gently, causing Hermione to bite down on Draco's lip in surprise. He took this as a different meaning, and deepened the kiss. His thumb was now tracing circles around her nipple, and Hermione moaned. She let her own hands explore, letting them travel down Draco's shirt to the hem. She felt the skin beneath the shirt, marveling at the toned muscles she felt. She knew that Malfoy was fit, but she didn't realize how much.
Taking a little more initiative, she let her hands travel up his torso. She felt a rumble - did he just growl? - and Draco pulled her closer. She could feel his arousal and gasped in surprise. Without thinking about it, she let her hands travel lower, to the top of his trousers. He made another noise - definitely a growl - and Draco broke the kiss, leaning his forehead on hers.
"Granger, you keep doing that, and I promise your shirt is not the only piece of clothing you will be losing."
She blinked in response.
He sighed. "As much as I would like to continue this, and you have no idea how much," he muttered, "I think we need rest. Especially after tonight."
Indeed, Hermione could tell how tired Draco was. She could tell back in the hospital how drained of energy he was. Which was why she was so surprised at their current situation.
She quirked a smile. "You're just saying that to get away from me."He raised a brow. "Woman, can you not tell how far from the truth that statement is?"
She shut her mouth, blushing.
He gave her a soft kiss. "Don't even count on making plans tomorrow. I intend to continue this."
"Who's the bossy one now?"
He rolled his eyes, and she pushed herself off the wall, laughing. She gave him a peck on the cheek and made her way down the hall.
"Uh, Granger?" He called after her.
She turned around to see her shirt dangling from one of his fingers. She looked down at herself, only clad in her bra, and rushed forward, taking the shirt from Draco. He smirked as she slipped her shirt back on, and strode from the hall like a bat out of hell.
XXXXX
Normal.
Draco was happy as he sat in the Dining Hall, eating breakfast while Blaise and Pansy argued over Blaise's party. Instead of a Christmas party Blaise decided to change it to a New Years Party, to be hosted when everyone got back from holiday. A decision which he made last minute.
Draco was glad things were normal.
For a moment. Of course that whole thought shattered when Draco turned his gaze to Valerie reading the Daily Prophet, reminding Draco of his near death experience the night before, and Potter still passed out in the Hospital wing. According to Valerie, Potter's condition had not changed or took a turn for the worse, so she decided to grab breakfast.
And it wasn't just Valerie's presence that reminded Draco that things were not normal. He also had a clear view of Granger from where he was sitting, and he could see her laughing along with her Gryffindor friends.
His thoughts turned to the events of last night.
Merlin, Granger was just...
Memories of his hands running over her naked skin, and hers running over his, made him have to shift in his seat. Granger wasn't what he was expecting. He thought she would be all shy and virginal. He was surprised when she had taken her shirt off, and he had just stood there. He almost expected her to cover herself, but she didn't. She wasn't overly insistent either, and it made for a passionate balance. Draco had grown hard at just kissing her, and it became painful when she lost her shirt. Her skin was soft and warm, perfect.
Such thoughts were stuck in his head, and Draco found himself imagining things, had they gone further. There were grand mental thoughts running through his head when he felt cold water splash in his face.
Spluttering, he turned to look at Valerie, whose cup was still raised from throwing water in his face. He looked at her with genuine surprise. She, on the other hand, had the most disturbed and surprised expression he had ever seen her wear. Her eyes were beyond wide, and she was opening and closing her mouth.
"As much-" she squeaked and cleared her throat, a very uncharacteristic thing for her to do. "As much as I'm...excited for the two of you, I uh, would appreciate it if you didn't think about such, erm, things at breakfast. Or any other time with food. Or just any other time in general." She shuddered.
Realization that he must have projected his thoughts into her head, caused Draco to sit there motionless. Valerie put her goblet down and slowly got up, gathering her things. She turned to leave, stopped, and turned back around. She raised a hand with a pointed finger. She wouldn't look at Draco. "Remind me to teach you all how to lock your minds," she gestured to all of her friends at the Slytherin table. Blaise and Pansy for their part, didn't say a word. Valerie finally looked up at her friends, and let her eyes breeze past Draco, looking sideways. She pointed her finger toward the door of the Dining Hall. "Yeeeeeaaaaahhhh, I'm gonna...Potter still...See you all later!" She rushed off.
Blaise turned to Draco. "Do we want to know what that was about, mate?""No!" They heard a voice from the front of the room.
Draco took his wand out and swished it, vanishing the water. Blaise continued to stare at him in curiosity. Pansy gave him a scrutinizing look before her own eyes widened. She turned to look at the Gryffindor table, back at Draco, and back at the Gryffindor table. When she looked back at Draco, she had the most roguish expression on her face.
"Wow, Draco. Didn't know you had it in you. Or was it in her?"
Draco choked on the scrambled eggs he was eating, and Blaise looked between his two friends, noticing the blush on Draco's cheeks.
Draco was blushing. Draco Malfoy was blushing. And looking over at the Gryffindor table at a certain poofy-haired witch. Pieces in Blaise's head snapped together. It was his turn to look back and forth from the Gryffindor table and his blonde, blushing friend. Hermione, who felt like eyes were on her, turned her gaze to the Slytherin table. Three sets of eyes were focused on her. She noticed Draco's blushing face, and Pansy and Blaise's knowing smiles.
Dread filled her, as she understood what it was they knew, and she too, started blushing. Her friends took in her silence with confusion. Felix noticed that she was trying very hard to keep her gaze fixed down on her plate. He felt waves of embarrassment roll off of her. A moment later, he felt the same thing from Malfoy.
Ginny was trying to figure out what was wrong with her friend when the Veela burst out laughing, clutching his mouth to attempt to be quiet.
It didn't work.
Hermione gathered up her things in record time, and dashed out of the Dining Hall. There was loud laughter coming from the Slytherin table as well, and Felix noticed that Malfoy left as well.
Draco had to run Granger down in the hallways and pull her aside in one of the empty classrooms.
"You told them?!" She asked in horror."Of course not!"
"Then how do they know?"
He told her.
Hermione put a hand to her cheek, lowering herself into a chair. "So they know we-""Pretty much.""But they think we-""Yep.""And Valerie saw?""More or less.""What do you mean more or less?" she demanded.
Draco rubbed the back of his neck. "I may or may not have...imagined things going further."
Hermione shook her head. "I can never show my face to her again. I can't- ugh," she slammed her head on the desk in front of her. Draco rubbed her shoulder in comfort
"It could be worse," Draco offered.
"How in Merlin's bloody name could it be worse?" She asked, her voice muffled by the desk.
"I could have had a weird fetish and imagined that," he said, fake laughing.
Hermione put her arms over her head. "That's it. I'm moving."
"Don't be so dramatic, Granger. I have as much cause to be just as embarrassed."
"Then why aren't you? What, have you been caught before?" She had asked it in a sarcastic way, but her eyes narrowed when Draco looked anywhere but at her.
"Draco," she warned.
"I have an idea! Let's go to the lake!""It's snowing," she deadpanned.
"Right. Um, Hogesmeade?""Again, snowing."
"We could go to the Room of Requirement," he said, running out of ideas.
"And do what?" She had her arms folded, and she was glaring at him.
"Read?"
Her expression lightened at that. "I suppose we could. I have been meaning to start this one book..."
"Great," Draco said, grabbing Hermione by the shoulders, and standing her up. "Let's go then."
She pointed a finger at his face. He had to cross his eyes to look at it. "Don't think this means you're out of trouble."
"Wouldn't dream of it." He steered her out the door.
"Merlin, you two just can't stay away from each other, can you," Blaise piped up. Pansy was walking by him when the pair walked out.
The couple jumped at the Italian's voice, and Hermione whirled around. "It's not like that!"
"I'm sure it isn't," Pansy smirked. "And just where were you two headed?""The library!" Hermione rushed out.
"Good choice. Draco told me about a fantasy involving a librarian once."
Hermione blushed and walked away. Draco shot his friends a dirty look, and followed after her.
"They're just teasing you," he said.
"I know that. It's just, we didn't really do anything. But they think we did THE thing."
"Granger, I can tell you right now, they know we didn't. They're just having fun."
"And how do you know that?" She asked.
"Because they know I have too much respect for you to do that so soon."
Hermione gave him a stunned look.
"What? It's the truth, Granger. I'm not going to pressure you into anything you want to do. We are going at your pace, and I have no problem with that."Said stunned look became even more stunned. One of Hermione's biggest worries, was how inexperienced she was. She'd never had a boyfriend before, and frankly, she didn't count Ron. She was afraid that dating someone would change the woman she was. She was afraid that she would get so lonely, that she would become a different person. She never got how girls changed themselves to be with guys. How they dumbed themselves down, or let go of their morals just for one guy. Hermione had the firm belief that it you had to change yourself for the worse to be with someone, then they didn't deserve you.
She laced her hand with Draco's. He really was full of surprising. She didn't think Draco would pressure her into anything, but there was always that fear, that sliver of doubt. And to be honest, Hermione wasn't so sure that she would say no if he did pressure her. She might be too stunned to think straight. It had happened before. But what Draco just said, it gave her a sense of peace, and she felt that she was falling for him even harder than before.
"So Room of Requirement?" Draco asked.
"Yes, but first I want to check on Harry. And I need to grab my book."
"You're saying you don't have one surgically attached to you if there happens to be a need?" Draco smirked, and Hermione swatted him the back of her hand.
It was a quiet day after that. Peaceful. Normal. Draco and Hermione sat in the Room of Requirement, cuddling on a couch and reading. Nerds. Harry had not woken up, yet, and to be honest it was worrying Hermione. Even if it was just a Cruciatus, she didn't think someone should be unconscious for two days. Draco could sense her unease, and tightened the hold around her waist, kissing the top of her head. She leaned back into him.
The Room o Requirement was all prepared for a grand Christmas. The group decided they were going to celebrate it the day before they left for holiday, so the underside of tree was filled with presents. The tree itself was decorated with more glowing things, bulbs, and decorations than it could hold. There were poinsettias placed around the room, and 'lights' along the walls.
Hermione was excited for the holidays. She had gone Christmas shopping with Ginny yesterday, and managed to get gifts for everyone. She had been so excited for it, she had hand wrapped everything. She even got gifts for Pansy and Blaise, although it took a bit for her to find a gift for Pansy. Hermione had noticed that Blaise liked to write all the time, so she got him Muggle pens. They weren't the most expensive of gifts, but they were a higher quality pen and Hermione was sure he would appreciate not having to constantly dip a quill in ink. Pansy's gift took a little more searching, but Hermione finally found the perfect gift in the bookshop of all things.
Pansy had been talking about taking a holiday after they had graduated from school. She had already been to the obvious places with her parents before, so she wanted to travel the more remote and unheard of places. She just wasn't sure where.
And by luck, when Hermione was scrolling through the bookshelves, she found a book on traveling to such places.
All in all, Hermione was happy with the presents she got for her friends, and she couldn't wait until they exchanged them.
Hermione smiled and read her book.
So tell me whatcha think!