Push and Pull
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
An: Sorry I've been away for so long.
An2: So I've been wanting to integrate Draco more into Hermione's life, because for me it's so easy to see the similarities between Draco, Hermione and Harry. They have so much in common, especially this piece of loneness that comes with being 'the choosen one', a 'muggleborn' and a 'pureblood prince'. I know the circumstances are a bit different in this story, but that loneness is still there. Also, I want to make sure that I'm accurately portraying the crush aspect of Hermione and Fleur's story. Let me know if it came across naturally. Read. Review. Enjoy.
Fleur Delacour is a peculiar character. All over the school Hermione hears the whispered admirations and declarations of love for the girl, yet the blue eyed witch seemed oblivious when she walked the halls. She walked proud and certain whether with her friends or alone, paying no mind to the mindlessness that surrounded her.
Hermione new her own behavior was questionable, but she firmly believed that if she was responsible, then so was the other girl. And despite Harry and Ginny's teasing at the dining table, she was not stalking Fleur Delacour.
Fleur Delacour was stalking her.
She was sure of it, because while Hermione wasn't doing the stalking, she was participating in the watching that took place whenever both girls were in the same room. This seemed to be happening more often than not, thus the stalking.
Wherever Hermione found herself, be it in the halls between classes, the library, meal times, even Hogsmead, the blonde witch seemed to follow. At first she had written it off as pure coincidence, but then coincidence didn't account for the frequency at which the French girl appeared.
And by Merlin was the girl subtle about it! She always had a reason to be wherever she was, but it was always where Hermione was. It was suspect.
She didn't quite know how to explain it, but Hermione could feel it when Fleur walked into the room. The hairs on the back of her neck rose and Goosebumps covered her flesh, and like clockwork all Hermione had to do was look up and find Fleur in her line of sight.
It was as though Fleur just wanted to be seen, because unlike the night the Champions were picked, staring contests were a rare occurrence during these interactions. The only time there eyes met were when Hermione tried to ignore the blonde's presence.
Hermione would feel whatever she felt and force herself to pay attention to what she had been doing beforehand…but it never lasted too long. It was like a gravitational pull; the more Hermione resisted Fleur's presence the more she was drawn in.
It didn't matter whether she resisted for seconds or even an hour, which had been done once, she always looked up. And on those days when she did resist, she'd catch Fleur's eyes watching her and the staring contest would resume until one or both of their attention was inevitably drawn away.
To Hermione, it looked as though Fleur only looked at her when Hermione tried to ignore her, but she always wanted Hermione to be looking at her. It was confusing and downright frustrating for the already frustrated and confused Gryffindor.
Even now in the midst of chaos that was a Hogsmead Weekend, with the excitement of the first challenge weighing heavily in the air, Hermione could feel those piercing blues upon her. Her fingers played among the spines of this book and that book as she discretely watched blue robes shift from across the room.
"You almost finished, Mione?" Harry asks as he leans against the bookshelf. He'd been patient thus far even though Hermione knew Ginny was waiting for him at Honeydukes.
She sighs as she shelves the book, "Why don't you go on and meet up with Gin? I'll meet you two at The Three Broomsticks after I'm done here."
Harry's eyes light up, but Hermione can see the hesitancy lingering, not quite willing to leave her to fend for herself. She rolls her eyes discreetly. "Are you sure? I don't mind waiting, neither will Gin."
"Nonsense Harry, I'll be fine. Honestly, go." She smiled at him and took the quick hug he offered before hurrying off to meet his not-ready-to-admit-it-but-completely-obvious crush. She shook her head and chuckled, turning back to the stack of books she's be studying.
Ok…so maybe she wasn't really studying the books, she could admit that to herself. Glancing up, she's not nearly as surprised as she should be when she meets piercing blue eyes. Fleur raises an eyebrow. Hermione blushes and shyly looks away before meeting her eyes once more.
Fleur has that cheeky smile; Hermione has come to know so well over the past weeks. It makes Hermione a little bit mad; how dare this…girl be so smug. Really though, she's not as mad as she use to get whenever the blonde looked at her like that.
Putting on her best unimpressed look, Hermione rolls her eyes and picks up the nearest book, focusing on the back like she's reading the description. She's not, they both know that she's not, but that's ok, it's all part of the game. She peeks at the blonde from over the cover, and sees a perfect eyebrow raised in challenge; she suppresses a smile and puts the book back in favor of turning the corner and selecting a new one from a different shelf.
Through the rows of books, she can see the girl move too, now only three rows separate them and they catch eyes in the spaces between shelf and book. Hermione blushes and smiles coyly as Fleur smirks and challenges the young Gryffindor to find her courage. Who will end the game first? Will Hermione submit and runaway like she's done many time before? Will Fleur's patience finally end; will she approach the younger witch?
They move once more, almost simultaneously and find each other on opposite sides of the same book shelf, Fleur on one end and Hermione at the other. Fleur is looking more and more pleased with herself for every book she passes on her way toward Hermione, and Hermione…well this just won't do. She ignores the blonde's presence for the most part as she too ventures toward the blonde, her small smile growing with each step.
Then, just as they've reached one another, she plucks a book from the shelf, thankfully one she actually wants to purchase and grins at her find. "Finally." She breathes and continues to the counter to pay, not sparing another glance at the flabbergasted girl she's left behind. Remarkably, she manages to contain herself until she's outside the shop, very much aware of the light, but hurried steps following after her.
"Hermione!"
She laughs as she spins to find Ginny and Harry coming toward her with smiles and giggles to share. The book shop door opens and shuts just as she bounds off to lock arms with the pair as they fill her in on their adventures in the candy shop and Hermione shows off her new book to add to her ever growing collection.
A huff sounds behind her and she giggles a little too loudly at Harry's commentary of Ron getting his eyebrows blown off by some invention of Fred and George.
Fleur wants to play this little game of ignorance, but Hermione's decided that she doesn't have to make it easy for the French witch. As far as Hermione's concerned, she doesn't owe this witch anything and so if the French girl wants Hermione's attention she's going to have to get it just like everyone else; she'll have to approach her.
Hermione doesn't much care for games…but if she's must play them; she'll approach it like she does everything else, with the intent to be the best at it.
The Three Broomsticks is crowed much like it always is during Hogsmead weekends; luckily they find a table near the back to accommodate the trio. As she rids herself of her outer jacket, Hermione spots the now familiar figures of Draco and Narcissa in a booth across the pub. This time though, another figure has joined them, though Hermione couldn't guess as to who they are as their back is facing her.
"Harry, would you order me a Butterbeer?" She looks to her friend as she sets down more than enough coins. "I'm just going to pop by and say hello to Draco and his Mum." By now Harry has, grudgingly, accepted her new found relationship with the Slytherin boy and his other, and though he's still cautious, he respects her decision.
"Sure thing, 'Mione. We'll be here when you get back." She smiles at him as she makes her way across the pub, having already caught Draco's attention.
The conversation stops once she reaches the table and the silence causes her to blush, and really she needs to get this habit of hers under control. "Sorry for interrupting." She smiles shyly and tucks a rebel curl behind her ear. "But I thought I might come and say hi. My friends and I are just there." She gestures behind her, and to her amusement both Harry and Ginny wave and smile unsurely back. It makes her giggle.
"Quite thoughtful of you Ms. Black, and I assure you were not interrupting anything of importance." Narcissa responds with a soft, patient voice. It's a voice that never fails to pull Hermione in. She imagines it's the voice that Draco hears in his mind that guides him. The voice that's taught him and guided him his whole life through, Hermione can admit that it sparks a bit of jealousy from within her.
Hermione grins a bit more freely, side-eyeing their guest. "Please, it's Hermione."
Narcissa's tense shoulders relax a bit at her statement. "Of course, I don't wish to keep you from your friends, but it seems that you've actually arrived at the most opportune time…I'd like you to meet someone. Hermione, this is Andromeda Tonks….my sister." At that, Hermione's eyes widen and she takes in the woman fully.
Andromeda looks almost the complete opposite of Narcissa. She's cheerful and light, whereas Narcissa oftentimes looks severe and stoic. Her rich curly brown hair, reminds Hermione of her own, except the color of course. Yes, Hermione can see the resemblance of the two sisters…more importantly; she can see their resemblance to herself. "Oh! Well it's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Tonks."
Andromeda takes her hand and squeezes it affectionately. "It's Andy, Dear One." She chuckles and gives the girl a once over. "My, my, my…you are a Black, aren't you? It's wonderful to meet you, Dear, I daresay you've been the thing most needed for years to repair our divided family." The woman shares a soft look with her sister, before returning to Hermione. "Now then, we've much catching up to do and you're friends are waiting for you. Don't let us keep you."
Hermione hesitates by the table; Draco looks equal parts bored and uncomfortable as he stares between his mother, and his long disowned Aunt. "Draco…?" His blonde head shoots up most comically, as though he'd fallen asleep at the table. Hermione didn't laugh; things were awkward enough between them. "Would you maybe…want to…?" She jabbed her thumb behind her as left the question unfinished, suddenly unsure of herself.
Draco frowned, obviously weighing his options like any Slytherin would. His mother however, didn't seem to have to weigh the options. "That's a splendid idea, Hermione. Draco, go on with your cousin, dear. I'll collect you once I'm finished here and we'll finish our little outing."
The boy stood, kissed his mother's cheek and said goodbyes to his Aunt. "Shall we, cousin?" Hermione paused, unsure if his insinuation at the word. Seeing a slight glint in his eyes, Hermione decided that he meant no harm. She was still having trouble adjust to the new dynamic between them, though Hermione was sure that Draco too was weary whenever interacting with her.
Hermione smirked, "Second cousin, actually." She took a chance and poked fun right back at the boy. From the corner of her eye, she could see the two sisters gesturing toward each other, and hiding smiles behind hands.
Draco's smile broaden, "Ah yes, it seems I've forgotten my place within the family…no doubt Mother will have me studying that dreadful family tree again."
Hermione laughed and shrugged. "Yes you might want to do that…it seems new names are popping up at an alarming rate." She, of course, wasn't just talking about herself. Since she'd been found on the tapestry, and subsequently made head of house for the Black family, she had worked with Sirius to amend a few things, like reinstating members whom were scorched off. Sirius, Andromeda and her family, as well as a few others slowly but surely reappeared onto the family tree.
When Andromeda's laughter rang loud and true through the pub, Hermione felt a little surer of herself that she could do this; she could find a place within this family. There was room for her within this family. She reached out to tug the sleeve of Draco's coat and turned, making her way back to her friends, only twice checking that the Slytherin boy was indeed following her.
Harry's eyes narrowed and then widened as he saw that Draco wasn't just following Hermione, but joining her, but quickly he put on a passive face in hopes to not dissuade Hermione from…whatever it was that she was doing. Ginny on the other hand, looked like a deer in headlights, even as Draco took the seat between her and Hermione. "H-Hello?" He stuttered out a greeting.
Hermione hid a laugh behind the mug of Butterbeer, and looked around to catch a waiter's attention. When she did she gestured for another Butterbeer. "Draco, this is my best friend, Ginny and my brother, Harry. Harry, Ginny, this is my second cousin, Draco." She smirked to herself, finding the entire situation entirely too bizarre and funny too not make a joke.
The three looked at her as if she'd gone mad, but were slightly distracted as a Butterbeer was placed in front of Draco. "Oh uh I didn't order this." He turned, but was stopped by seeing Hermione hand some coin to the waiter. "You didn't have to, I have my own money. I could have paid."
She put a hand up to stop him as he was a step away from becoming defensive. "Honestly, it's fine. We alternate every round on who pays, this one was mine, but if you're really hung up over it, then the next round is on you." She sent a sly smile his way.
Harry and Ginny snickered as Draco heaved a great sigh, "I'm sharing Butterbeer with my ex-sworn enemy, someone I used to bully relentlessly and my second cousin who used to be a Muggleborn." He paused. "And you expect me to pay for the next round?" The three Gryffindors froze, but then Draco looked at them in a way he'd never done before; he looked relaxed and even more surprising, he looked relieved. "How about the next two?" He finally grinned as the three whooped and cheered, Hermione even going so far as to reach out and pat the boy on his back.
It's taken Hermione some time, but once her cautiousness faded around Draco, and his Mother, she was able to see just how lonely the boy had been. Really, he was no more different than Harry or herself, of course being Pureblood was a different experience than her situation, but she realized that it came with its own set of problems and expectations. Hopefully, this would be the first step into putting old prejudices behind them all; no if only that stubborn git, Ron, could see past his own bigotries.