Hey Guys! I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Please take a moment to leave a review. Have a wonderful day/night!
*Be sure to pay attention to the dates because we're about to skip ahead a month or so.
September 19, 1998 (continued…)
Draco, Hermione, and Blaise rushed down the right staircase and into the common room. Harry was shielding himself and Ron from Calum Fiennes' Cruciatus Curse while a group of people looked on in horror, unsure of what to do.
Hermione raised her wand and aimed it at Calum, shouting, "Stupefy!"
A red stream of light erupted from her wand and hit the dark-haired Slytherin, causing him to freeze. His body thudded to the floor, his wand clanking on ground a few feet from him.
"What happened?" Hermione asked Harry and Ron as Draco grabbed Fiennes' wand from the floor.
Before either of her friends could respond, Warden Ashford entered the Common Room, having just finished dinner. He looked around; his eyes wide in shock.
"What's going on in here?!" Warden Ashford exclaimed.
Seamus Finnigan was the first to speak up, "Well, Fiennes' came in through the portrait hole with his wand already raised and shot a Cruciatus Curse at Ron. Bloke barely missed him. Then Harry tried to stun Fiennes to protect Ron, but Fiennes was a quick bugger, and moved out of the way." Seamus explained. "Calum kept trying to use that bloody Cruciatus Curse on Harry and Ron until Hermione came down and stunned him. It really is only Calum's fault." He sighed with shrug, "Bloke seemed to just go barmy as soon as he entered the room."
Ron huffed, nodded in agreement.
Draco handed Calum's wand to the Head Warden, "Here's his wand."
Ashford shook his head and levitated Fiennes' unconscious body, "I'm taking him to the Hospital Wing. Everyone, go to your assigned dormitories. I'm sure Headmistress McGonagall will want to speak with you all tomorrow."
Hermione sighed and glanced at her boyfriend, knowing that their night was officially over. Draco met her eyes before they both disappeared up their own staircases to their separate dorm rooms, both significantly disappointed.
September 20, 1998
Draco woke Wednesday morning and sighed, looking up at the canopy of his bed. The previous evening had not gone as planned thanks to the drama caused by Wolfe's lackey. Choosing not to dwell on it, Draco got out of bed and began to get ready for the day.
As he got dressed, he noticed Hermione's beaded bag on the small table along with the gifts he had gotten her. Due to the interruption the previous night, she had left her things in his dorm.
"Sorry about last night, mate." Blaise said, stepping out of the attached loo as he pulled on his cloak.
Draco nodded, "I know. It wasn't your fault." He replied.
Blaise nodded but looked regretful. "Still…"
"Blaise, it's fine, mate. I'll speak with Hermione today."
With a sigh Blaise muttered, "Bloody hell, I hope Granger doesn't curse me."
Draco chuckled quietly, "She won't. Though, I can't say the same for Fiennes. If she could have, I'm sure she'd have done worse than a simple stunning spell last night."
"I wouldn't want to be on the bad end of her anger." Blaise muttered.
Draco chuckled and shook his head, "Well, she can slap the pride out of a bloke, I know that."
Blaise huffed and nodded.
Once they were fully dressed and ready for the day, Draco placed Hermione's gifts in her beaded bag and the two blokes headed down to the common room together.
Blaise went off to find Timothy while Draco, who had already spotted Hermione talking to Harry on the sofa by the fireplace, walked over to her. He sat next to her on the arm of the sofa.
Hermione turned and smiled, seeing her blonde boyfriend. As she was about to greet him, Ron spoke up.
"Let's go grab some breakfast." Ron said as he and Pansy walked over.
Draco stood up to follow but Hermione grabbed his arm, "We'll catch up with you lot." She told the others.
Once their friends had left through the portrait hole, Draco and Hermione were the only ones left in the eighth-year dormitories.
Hermione scooted over, making room for Draco.
He slid down and sat next to her, meeting her eyes, "Are you all right, love?" he asked gently.
She nodded and leaned in, kissing his lips deeply.
Draco, taken off guard for only a moment, kissed her back, cupping her jaw.
When they separated, Hermione smiled, glancing at his lips before meeting his eyes once more, "Good morning."
He smiled, "Good morning." he replied, "I'm sorry about last night."
She shook her head, "It's all right. I do wish we hadn't been interrupted but we'll have more opportunities."
Draco nodded in agreement. "I hope you still enjoyed your birthday."
Hermione beamed, "I loved my birthday. Thank you for everything you did, Draco."
He gently brushed a strand of hair off her face and curled it behind her ear before replying, "You're welcome, love." he leaned in and kissed her softly before adding, "I brought your bag down. I put your gifts in it."
The brunette witch smiled, "Thank you." She glanced at the clock on the wall and sighed, "We should get going to breakfast. I'll need to leave breakfast early so that I can speak with Professor Slughorn before Potions."
Draco nodded and stood up, holding out his hand for her to take.
The left the common room and walked through the corridors of the castle, holding hands.
"I was wondering if you'd like to fly around a bit next weekend. This weekend is a bit busy but next weekend, you and I could fly around the grounds some…if you'd like…"
She smiled and nodded, "I'd love that."
He grinned as they neared the Great Hall and was about to speak again before they heard Deputy Headmaster O'Conner making an announcement to everyone eating breakfast.
"…one thirty this afternoon in the eighth-year common room. It is a required meeting for all eighth-year students. Those who do not attend the meeting or arrive late without an acceptable excuse will receive two weeks detention."
As they entered the Great Hall, the Deputy Headmaster sat back down in his seat and chatter erupted amongst the students. The couple made their way to the Gryffindor table where their friends were eating and talking.
"I'm curious to see what McGonagall says about the happenings of last night." Hannah remarked from her spot next to Neville.
"Me too." Pansy replied before turning to Hermione, "I heard that your stunning spell knocked him out for nearly three hours."
Hermione bit back her smirk, "Well, good then. I can't believe he was trying to use that curse on Harry and Ron."
"It seems like the Cruciatus Curse is the go-to curse for Wolfe's gang." Blaise muttered.
The others nodded in agreement.
After eating a bit of food, Hermione told the others that she needed to leave. She had to speak with Professor Slughorn before class which began in thirty minutes.
"I'll walk with you." Draco offered, taking one last bite of toast before standing up.
The couple left the Great Hall and made their way through the corridors and down to the dungeons.
"I'll see you at lunch." Hermione said, hugging her boyfriend before kissing his lips softly.
He nodded, "Have a good morning, love."
Later in the day, during lunch, the group discussed what they thought was going to come of the meeting in their common room.
"Well, McGonagall isn't one to mess with, so she had to of expelled Fiennes. Wouldn't you say?" Theo said as they group gathered their things and began to walk towards their dorms for said meeting.
"Absolutely." Timothy replied. "I'd be shocked if she hasn't already done that."
Blaise nodded, agreeing with his boyfriend.
When they arrived at the eighth-year dormitories, Luna and Ginny went on to their next classes while the others entered through the portrait hole.
It appeared that every single eighth year was there, waiting nervously.
Within a few minutes Headmistress McGonagall, Deputy Headmaster O'Conner and Warden Ashford had entered the common room. All three looked terribly stern, which made the students even more nervous.
"You are all adults and while I know you are still young adults, I excepted you to act like adults." McGonagall said in a strict and clearly disappointed tone, "Evidently, I thought too highly of you all." She paused before continuing, "For anyone who doubts the authenticity and sincerity of the disciplinary actions that I have set in place, let me clarify them once more. The hatred and mistreatment that were once looked past are no longer allowed at Hogwarts. Anyone who chooses to ignore the rules put in place will be expelled. Calum Fiennes has been expelled for his actions last night. I will not stand for this sort of behavior. I am immensely disappointed in the behavior of this group so far."
McGonagall inhaled deeply, looking around the room with stern eyes before continuing, "I understand that you all have been through more than anyone your age should have to go through but that does not give you the right to behave in this manner. Should this happen again, I'm afraid I will have to take much more measurable actions. As for consequences for this time, I have an assignment for each of you. The assignment will be posted on the common room bulletin board this evening, after dinner." She looked around at the students before adding, "No one is exempt from the assignment. Now, go on to your next class and be sure to check the bulletin board this evening."
The group disbanded and left through the portrait hole. Draco turned to Hermione and sighed. He knew her next class with Flying, which meant Krum would be there.
Hermione seemed to read his mind and grabbed his hand, "Are you and Blaise going to crash my next class?" She asked with small smirk.
The blonde wizard chuckled, "I plan to…if that's okay with you…"
She nodded, "I'll take any chance I get to see you." She smiled and leaned up on her toes to kiss his lips, "I love you. I'll see you soon."
"I love you." He said, kissing her back.
He watched as she walked out to the training grounds for her class.
Blaise slung his arm around Draco's shoulder, "Come on, mate. Let's get to the greenhouse and get our assignment."
Draco nodded and the two of them made their way to greenhouse number eight. Professor Sprout gave the entire class their tasks after splitting them up into pairings.
Draco and Blaise's assignment was to find twenty-five different plants on the Hogwarts grounds, identify them and their uses.
Once they had a piece of parchment and a quill with some ink, the two blokes headed out to the training grounds where they found Hermione's class. Draco noticed Hermione talking with Luna and the Patil twins as they made their way over.
Blaise nudged him, "Wolfe's in her class?"
Draco furrowed his brow and saw that sure enough, Carter Wolfe was standing next to Daphne Greengrass, both of them holding a broom.
Draco saw Hermione kick off the ground and fly in circles a bit, making him smile. She had improved greatly since the beginning of the summer, and he was immensely proud of her.
"What are you two doing over here?" He heard Krum said in a harsh tone.
Draco furrowed his brow, about to speak but Blaise spoke first.
"What's it to you?" Blaise asked angrily as Hermione landed about thirty feet away.
"This is a class. You are interrupting it." Krum replied, glaring at Draco with his dark eyes.
"Actually, Vicky." Blaise remarked bitterly, "We're in our own class, doing our own work and you are interrupting us." He glanced around and noticed a flower, "Ah, Draco, mate, that's a Daisy. Better make note of it."
Draco bit back his laughter but didn't bother jotting down the information.
Krum's hands clenched into fists as he was about to make a retort.
Draco ignored Viktor and his evident anger as he moved past the beefy bloke to say hello to his girlfriend.
"Hey you." He grinned, stepping closer to Hermione.
Hermione smiled, "Hey." She replied.
"You're flying wonderfully." He said, "Though, I already knew that you could."
"I had an excellent instructor over the summer."
He chuckled, "I can show you some tricks so you can impress the rest of your class."
She smiled, about to reply when she was interrupted.
"Hey!" They heard before Draco felt a large hand land on his shoulder, gripping it tightly, "I told you two to leave! Now!"
Draco spun on his heel and glared at Krum but held back from brandishing his wand.
"Back off." Draco said before he felt Hermione lightly touch his back. He knew that she wanted him to calm down and take a breath.
Krum scowled at the blonde wizard, "Leave, now!"
Professor Yotov walked over, "What's going on over here?" he asked, looking around at the clearly raised tempers.
Krum turned to his brother-in-law, "Boris, these two are trying to disrupt the class." He said. "I've told them to leave."
Draco noticed Krum's hand was gripping his wand in its waist holster. The blonde wizard raised a daring eyebrow at Krum who continued to scowl at him.
Professor Yotov sighed, "Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Zabini, you both should be in your own classes."
"We are." Blaise said, stepping forward, "We're in greenhouse. We're searching the grounds for different plants." He held up his parchment and quill where he had already begun writing down the information about the Daisy.
"Well, then go on looking and please leave my class alone." Yotov said in a strict tone though it held no anger like Krum's.
Krum smirked and Draco wanted so badly to wipe that smirk off his face.
The blonde nodded, "Fine." He said before turning and smiling at Hermione, "I'll see you later, Love." He said.
"He said leave!" Krum said angrily.
Draco ignored him and leaned in, kissing Hermione deeply. Hermione was taken a bit off guard but didn't fight the kiss at all, instead, she kissed him back with equal fervor.
When they separated, Hermione smiled at him and said, "I'll meet you in the Entrance Hall next period."
Draco grinned and nodded, glancing at her lips before leaving with Blaise. He spared a slight glance at the red-faced Krum and was beyond pleased with himself.
After Herbology, Draco waited in the Entrance Hall for Hermione. While he waited, his cousin, Oscar, walked over to him.
"Are we practicing today?" Oscar asked, adjusting his satchel on his shoulder.
Draco's eyes widened, "I'm so sorry Oscar. I completely forgot. Let me see if Hermione…"
"Hey." He heard from behind him as Hermione showed up.
"Hi love." He smiled, "Are you all right with us showing Oscar some more spellcasting?"
Hermione nodded, "Sure. Let's find an empty room."
They spent half the study hall time helping Oscar before deciding that was enough for the day.
"Let's meet up next Wednesday." Draco told his cousin.
Oscar nodded, "Thank you both so much for your help. I think I'm getting the hang of it."
Hermione nodded, "You have really improved."
"Thanks!" Oscar said.
After bidding the fourth-year goodbye, Draco and Hermione made their way to the eighth-year dormitories.
"How did the rest of your class go?" Draco asked as they entered the common room.
"Well, Viktor despises you." Hermione sighed, "He tried to work with me, but Professor Yotov wouldn't allow it."
"Really?"
"Yes." Hermione replied, walking up the stairs to the boys' dormitories, "I think Professor Yotov is actually a really nice person. He's a great flying instructor. He doesn't seem to put up with Viktor's childish behavior. Though, Viktor never used to act like this."
Draco nodded but didn't reply immediately.
"Well…" Draco finally said as they entered his dorm room, "I'm glad Professor Yotov is a good instructor. Blaise rather enjoyed our little invasion."
Hermione laughed. "I could tell. Vicky? I thought Viktor's head was going to burst."
Draco chuckled and slipped off his robes before looking at the brunette.
She smiled at him after slipping off her own robes. She wrapped her arms around his neck and looked up at him, lovingly.
He grinned down at her before leaning in to kiss her lips softly.
Hermione hummed into the kiss as he deepened it. His hands slipped down to her hips and pulled her closer to him and the snogging intensified.
Draco stepped back, pulling her with him until his legs hit the trunk at the foot of his bed. He sat on the trunk and let his hands slid down her thighs.
Hermione straddled his lap, her knees pressing into the hardwood of the trunk.
He rubbed his hands up and down her thighs, making her moan softly into his mouth. He groaned in response and deepened the kiss.
After another few minutes, it was evident the effect she was having on him which pulled another, deep moan from her.
The sound of fast footsteps sounded from the hallway, and they pulled apart, chests heaving.
Draco glanced at her lips, seeing how swollen they were and swallowed.
As the footsteps grew nearer, Hermione sighed and stood up. "We should probably work on our school assignments." She said before clearing her throat, trying to regain a semblance of control over herself.
Draco adjusted his trousers and nodded just as Blaise entered the room with Timothy.
"Oh sorry you two. We were just going to grab our brooms and go flying before dinner. Want to join?" Blaise asked.
"We've got some assignments to do." Draco said.
Blaise nodded, "Okay. Well, if you change your minds, we'll be at the pitch." He shouted as they left the room.
Draco met Hermione's eyes, "I'm sorry about that, love."
She smiled and walked closer, cupping his jaw sweetly. "It'll happen when the time is right."
He nodded and kissed her palm.
They spent the rest of the time they had before dinner working on their assignments and occasionally snogging
Later in the evening, when everyone came back to the common room after dinner, they saw the assignment from McGonagall on the bulletin board.
*Required* Improvement Assignment
To be completed by Wednesday, September 27, 1998
Write out 20 different ideas to improve Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Each idea should be descriptive with details on how it is to be done and how it would improve the school.
It can be a way to improve the professors, lessons, housing, sports, camaraderie, etc. Anything that you feel needs to be improved and why you feel that way.
The assignment is to be turned into Warden Ashford by 10 pm on Wednesday, September 27, 1998.
Headmistress McGonagall
September 23, 1998
After a lengthy breakfast on Saturday, the group made their way down the hill to the village of Hogsmeade.
"So are we going to The Three Broomsticks or what?" Theo asked the others.
"I actually thought that perhaps we could go to The Hog's Head." Harry replied. "It's been quite some time since we've visited Aberforth."
Ginny nodded as Neville spoke up, "I agree. Plus, it won't be nearly as crowded."
The others nodded in agreement.
Draco pulled Hermione against his side as they walked around the Shrieking Shack. She smiled and leaned closer.
When they entered The Hog's Head, they were all completely taken aback by what they found.
In the past, the pub had been dirty and dingy. It had never really been a place someone would want to go but looking around, they saw that much had changed. While it was still rather dark and empty compared to The Three Broomsticks, it was no longer dirty.
Each table was clean and had a brand-new candlestick hovering just above the surfaces. The bay windows were no longer filthy and impossible to see through. On the contrary, light was streaming through them, giving the entire room a lovely golden hue.
"Bloody hell." Ron muttered, looking around.
Aberforth came out from the behind the bar and nodded to them, "Hello Neville, Ginny, Luna. Why don't you lot have a seat anywhere? What can I get for you?
"We'll erm…" Ron began but paused, still in shock.
"We'll take a round of Butterbeer please, Aberforth." Harry said.
"Sure thing, Harry." Aberforth nodded and went back behind the bar.
"The place looks brilliant, Aberforth!" Ginny said.
The older wizard's expressions altered into what had to be a smile underneath his beard.
"Thank you." He said, "Poppy has been helping me clean it up a bit."
"Poppy?" Neville asked.
Hermione tilted her head, "Do you mean Madam Pomfrey?"
A tinge was just barely noticeable beneath his beard as Aberforth nodded.
"That's wonderful, Aberforth!" Hermione beamed as the others nodded in agreement.
Aberforth nodded, clearing his throat while the group went and sat at two tables that were next to each other.
"So he's dating Madam Pomfrey?" Ron asked quietly.
"Sounds like it." Harry grinned.
I think it's great." Ginny said before Aberforth hovered their round of Butterbeers over to them.
As they chatted and drank their Butterbeer, only a few other patrons came in, but they all minded their own business.
It was nearly noon when Aberforth brought them all lunch menus.
After placing their orders, Pansy spoke up, "All right, Hermione." she said, "It's time to open your gifts."
Hermione blushed, "You all did not need to get me anything."
"Bloody hell, Mione. It's your birthday. Of course, we did." Ron said with a grin, waving off her words.
She opened each gift, amazed by the generosity of her friends. Blaise and Timothy had gotten her an absurdly nice bottle of Whisky while Harry and Ginny had gotten her a Swan Quill set.
Luna and Theo gifted her a Zodiac Birthday candle and Ron and Pansy had gotten her a charmed muggle cassette player.
"You lot are wonderful. Thank you so much for everything." She said sincerely as she slipped all of her gifts into her beaded bag.
After eating their lunch, Blaise suggested that the group putter around the village for a bit.
They purchased some sweets form Honeydukes before stopping by Zonko's Joke Shop to see the latest supply.
As they strolled along the streets, they noticed Krum coming out of Zonko's while he slipped a vial in his pocket.
"Well, you know he's up to no good." Blaise muttered to Draco as he pulled out his wand.
"What are you going to do?" Draco asked, confused.
Blaise smirked and discreetly aimed his wand at Krum's pocket. Suddenly Krum shouted in pain as his trousers appeared wet.
"Just shattered the vial." Blaise muttered with a shrug. "I recognized the vial. It's Swelling Solution. My guess is that he was going to use it on you before the bloody coward left to go back to Bulgaria."
Krum's right leg began to swell massively as he fell to the ground.
Draco tried to bite back his chuckle but failed horribly. Hermione shook her head but surprisingly didn't help Viktor at all. Instead, the group continued back to The Hog's Head for an early dinner.
The group lost track of time and when Harry looked at his wristwatch, he realized that they were going to arrive back at the castle well past curfew.
"Shite." He said before telling them what time it was.
Neville glanced over at Aberforth and nodded before looking back at the group, "I bet Aberforth would let us go the back way."
Ginny nodded, "Let's ask him."
"What back way?" Pansy asked, confused.
Hermione looked at her confused boyfriend and smiled as Ginny and Neville spoke with Aberforth.
"You'll see." Ron smirked to his girlfriend.
"Let's go, you lot!" Neville said waving for them to quickly follow him.
Neville led them to Aberforth's room. The portrait of Ariana Dumbledore opened, revealing a dark passageway.
"Let's go!" Ron said, and one by one they made their way into the passageway.
"How'd you know about this?" Draco asked Hermione as they walked swiftly towards the light at the end of the tunnel.
"It's how Ron, Harry and I got back into the castle for the Battle." Hermione replied. "It leads to the Room of Requirement."
Draco nodded, "That's rather ingenious." He said before asking, "So the Room of Requirement wasn't destroyed then…in the fire?"
Hermione shook her head, "Doesn't appear to be. Perhaps McGonagall restored it."
She said as the light brightened.
They entered the Room of Requirement and looked around, seeing a space that had sofas and games as well a full bar. It seemed to be set up as a place to bum around with friends.
"We'll definitely have to come back here soon." Timothy grinned, admiring the space.
They made their way out of the room and down the corridors to the eighth-year dormitories while Ginny and Luna left to go to their own dormitories.
They got back to their common rooms just in time for curfew.
Hermione turned to Draco as she yawned, "Today was brilliant."
He chuckled, "You need to get to bed, love."
She smiled and nodded but leaned into him, resting her head against his chest," I know, but I wish I could sleep with you."
He nodded, understanding completely, "Me too, love." He muttered into her hair before kissing her head as he held her close.
"You have practice in the morning, correct?" She asked, listening to comforting, rhythmic thudding of his heart.
He nodded, "Yes. Slytherin practices in the morning and Gryffindor practices in the afternoon." He replied.
She smiled, inhaling deeply before pulling back, "I'll meet you down here before breakfast."
"All right." He said before kissing her on the lips.
Hermione cupped his jaw and deepened the kiss a bit before pulling back, "I love you."
With a smile, Draco replied, "I love you." before they both went up the separate staircases to their dormitories.
September 24, 1998
Waking up on Sunday, Hermione heard the sound of rain pelting the window in her dormitory. She sighed, realizing that Draco would be practicing in the rain that morning.
As she got ready, she packed a couple extra clothes in her beaded bag, along with a shirt of Draco's she had found in her trunk that she needed to give back to him.
When she arrived in the common room, she saw Draco, Blaise, Theo, and Lucas Bancroft sitting around one of the many study tables. On the table was the mini Quidditch pitch Draco and Theo had created during the summer.
"…we show her a few tricks, she could be a serious threat on the pitch. She's already got natural talent." Blaise was saying.
"It's going to be a tough practice today." Theo sighed.
Draco nodded, "Yes but hopefully the rain today will help prepare us for any possible changes in the weather during an actual game."
"It will. Let's get some breakfast and head on down to the locker room." Blaise said in a very captain-like voice.
Draco nodded, "I'll be there soon. I'm going to wait for Hermione."
"I'm here." She said. "I just didn't want to interrupt your meeting."
Draco turned and smiled, "Good morning, love."
She smiled in return as the others left the common room. "Good morning. Would you like to put that in my bag until you get to the locker room?" she asked, nodding to the mini Quidditch pitch.
Draco smiled wider, "That would be brilliant. Thank you."
She walked over to him and kissed his lips firmly before pulling back and saying, "Be careful at practice today, yea?"
He nodded, "I will."
They put the mini pitch in her bag and headed to the Great Hall where they found the rest of their friends.
Breakfast went by quickly and when they finished eating, the group made their way down to the Quidditch pitch.
Hermione walked with Draco into the Slytherin locker room and pulled the mini pitch from her beaded bag.
"Thanks Granger." Blaise grinned, "So, can we count on your support over Gryffindor?" he asked, his grin changing into a smirk.
Hermione laughed lightly, "Well, you do have my very favorite player on your team."
Draco grinned and kissed her cheek before moving to the table to set up the pitch so that they could demonstrate different plays to the team.
"I'm going to head on out there and sit with Luna. You lot be careful." She said before looking pointedly at Draco.
He winked at her and nodded.
Slytherin practice started out quite intense. The rain never let up throughout the entire practice.
Towards the end of practice, when they brought in the Reserve players to give them some time to practice. When the Reserve Beater, Alexander Rosetti, hit the Bludger, he hit it particularly hard but accidently in the direction of his unsuspecting teammate, Draco. The Bludger bashed the blonde in the left shoulder, causing excruciating pain to shoot through his shoulder and down his arm.
Hermione watched in horror as Draco swerved wildly in mid-air for a moment until he gained control of his broom once more.
Blaise sped over to his best friend, "Draco, are you all right, mate?" he asked, concern evident in his tone.
"Bloody hell!" Draco shouted in pain. After a few moments, he calmed his breathing and said, "Well, Rosetti can hit." He said through gritted teeth.
"You need to go to the Hospital Wing and get that checked out." Theo said, flying over.
Draco sighed, "Yea. I'll erm…I'll see you lot back in the common room." He said before flying down to the ground, nodding to Rosetti who was apologizing profusely.
Hermione had already rushed down from the stands and was waiting impatiently for him on the ground.
As he landed, he stumbled a bit but didn't fall.
"Are you okay?" She asked, her voice filled with concern.
"I'm all right, love." He replied, "but I need to get this looked at by Madam Pomfrey." He said grimacing in pain.
Hermione took his broom and nodded.
The couple made their way back up to the castle, their feet squelching in the mud. When they arrived in the Entrance Hall, Hermione pulled out her wand and dried them off before they continued towards the Hospital Wing.
Madam Pomfrey had to cut off Draco's practice jersey, revealing his swollen, blue, and purple left shoulder.
While she worked on his shoulder, Draco stared at his shredded jersey with a forlorn expression on his face.
Hermione lovingly rolled her eyes and magically mended it, making him smile despite the severe pain he was in.
"Mr. Malfoy, you will need to wear a sling for one day to give the salve time to work but it will be back to normal after that." Madam Pomfrey explained as she rubbed a black salve all over his shoulder before going to a cabinet to grab a sling.
Draco nodded, grimacing.
Once she had placed the sling on him and magically adjusted it to fit properly, Draco stood to leave, just then realizing that he was shirtless.
Hermione looked in her beaded bag and found the shirt of his she had put in there earlier that morning.
"Here." She said, "You can at least slip this partially on."
He nodded as she helped him slide the shirt on but left it unbuttoned.
They left the Hospital Wing and made their way to the eighth-year dormitories.
"I can carry my broom in my good hand, love." He said pointedly.
Hermione shook her head, while holding his Sleek Streamer broomstick. "I've got it." She said, "When we go to the dorms, why don't you lie down for a bit and rest?"
"I will." He replied, "That is only if you join me." He smirked.
She smiled and nodded, "Of course I will."
As they entered the common room, they found Daphne Greengrass and a couple of her friends sitting in there by the fireplace.
Daphne looked over and smirked, "Looking fit, Draco."
Draco rolled his eyes and ignored her, while pulling Hermione up to his dormitory.
"She's only trying to get a rise out of you." He said when Hermione huffed.
She nodded, "I know and it's working. Stupid bint is not only friends with Wolfe but now she's hitting on my boyf…" he cut her off by kissing her lips deeply.
When they separated, Draco nudged her nose with his own, "Love, please don't let anything she says bother you. I've never even considered the thought of her. I love you and I truly hope that you know that."
She smiled and nodded, "I do know that."
He nodded and tried to hide the grimace of pain when his shoulder ached but failed in his attempt.
Hermione carefully pulled off his shirt, "Come on, lie down."
He nodded and moved over to his bed. He laid down on the mattress but left space on his right side for the brunette. She smiled and slipped off her shoes before joining him.
The couple remained silent as they laid still. Both had many thoughts running through their heads but neither paid much mind to them. Instead, they focused on being there, together, and alone.
Draco's fingers lightly drew shapes on the bare skin Hermione's lower back where her tee had ridden up a bit. Meanwhile, Hermione's index finger traced a single scar on his chest, one of the many scars scattered all over his body.
It was nearly two in the afternoon with Draco woke up. Hermione was still sound asleep, her head resting on his right shoulder.
He heard a pecking on the window of his dorm room and looked over, seeing Athena with a letter in her beak. He grabbed his wand from his pocket and aimed it at the window. The window opened, allowing the bird to fly in and land on the bedside table.
"Thank you, Athena." He said quietly as he took the letter from the owl, not wanting to wake Hermione.
The letter was address in a way that took him by surprise.
Mr. Draco Malfoy and Ms. Hermione Granger
He furrowed his brow, confused and curious.
Hermione began to stir and opened her eyes. "Hmm…what's that?" she asked sleepily, snuggling into his side a bit more.
He shook his head, "I'm not sure but it's addressed to the both of us."
Hermione lifted her head and looked at it with the same confused expression as Draco. "Let's open it."
He handed it to her, and she broke the seal, opening the envelope before pulling out a card.
You are invited to the wedding of
Charles Weasley
and
Adrian Fischer
on
November 25, 1998
at
5 o'clock in the evening
located at
The Burrow in Ottery St. Catchpole
Reception to follow
"That was sweet of them to address it to the both of us." Hermione smiled, looking at the wedding invitation.
Draco nodded, "Does McGonagall know that the lot of us will be leaving the school for a few days to go to the wedding?"
"I'm sure Molly has spoken with her." Hermione replied, sitting up. "How does your shoulder feel?"
"Not too bad." He answered, "My stomach however is demanding to be fed."
The brunette smiled and nodded, "Mine too."
The two of them got up and decided to go down to Great Hall to see if there was any lunch left.
Once Draco got a shirt on, the couple made their way out of the eighth-year dormitories and down the corridors to the Great Hall.
When they arrived in the Great Hall, they sat at the Slytherin table and were pleased when a few platters of sandwiches appeared in front of them. As they ate, they discussed the assignment the Headmistress had given all the eighth years.
"It's actually a rather clever assignment. It'll give her some advice and she can improve the school for future generations." Hermione said.
Nodding, the blonde wizard swallowed a bite and replied, "Are you already finished with the assignment?"
"Almost. I have two more ideas to write, then I'll be done. Are you?"
"Love, to be honest, I haven't even started."
Hermione huffed, "Draco, you need to do it."
"I know." He sighed, "I'll work on it tonight."
When they finished eating, they made their way back to the common room, where all of their friends were relaxing by the fire.
"How's the shoulder, mate?" Blaise asked, concerned.
"It'll be fine by tomorrow." Draco replied, sitting in the empty chair by the fire.
Hermione sat on his lap and added, "Madam Pomfrey put some salve on it."
"Good." Theo said, "That was some hit. That bloke's got an arm but no sense of aim."
"We'll work on that." Blaise remarked.
The group spent some time together before splitting up to work on their assignments.
It was late in the evening when Draco and Hermione were bidding each other goodnight in the common room. Hermione asked Draco if he had finished his assignment for McGonagall.
He grinned, "I have. I think she'll find a few of my ideas rather insightful." He said, placing his right hand on her hip as he guided her into the alcove under the girls' staircase.
Hermione smirked, ignoring his advances, "Good. How's your shoulder feeling?"
Draco frowned and shook his head, feigning confusion as he leaned in to kiss her.
Hermione laughed at his obvious lack of interest in talking before his lips met hers. She smiled into the kiss and threaded the fingers of her right hand through his hair while her left hand gripped his bicep.
His right hand moved from her hip to her lower back before he pulled her closer, hating that his left arm was useless at the moment.
He carefully stepped forward, pushing her against the back wall of the alcove before cupping her jaw with his hand. He tilted his head and deepened the kiss, pulling a sound from her that made it nearly impossible for Draco to breathe but also set off a warning in his mind.
He pulled back, taking a deep, calming breath and swallowed, "I'm sorry."
She shook her head and kissed him again., making him smile.
They could hear people descending the stairs and they slowly pulled back, even though no one could see them underneath the staircase.
Draco nudged her nose with his own, "I love you." He whispered.
She smiled and nodded, "I love you. I'll see you in the morning."
He nodded, "I'll see you then. Sleep well, my love."
They stepped out from the cover of the alcove, and he watched as she climbed the steps to her dormitory. When she disappeared for view, he went over to the other staircase and up to his own dormitory with pleasant thoughts of the brown-eyed brunette weaving around in his mind.