Chapter 4: The Morning After
Disclaimer: This is a fanfiction based on the Harry Potter universe by J.K. Rowling. We do not own anything, except the plot and a few characters created by us to further the plot line in the future.
Hermione couldn't remember anything. She must of dozed off, because she felt a series of warm sheets engulfing her existence. A stifled yawn emerged from her swollen lips that hadn't lost their numbness. She wanted to go back to bed, but a blinding sunlight went through her eyelids, waking her up. She rubbed her eyes slowly until they were open and filled with green. Green walls. Green blankets. Green curtains. This was not ordinary green... this was Slytherin green. Hermione shifted her body only to let out a whimper of pain. Her torso and thighs throbbed with raw pain. The room was fairly organized. A couple clothes were in the corner, next to a laundry basket of sweaty quidditch robes. There was an open closet door that was full of slacks, button up shirts, and ties.
Suddenly the imaginary light bulb above her head click on. She was in his room. Malfoy's room. Hermione's droopy eyes suddenly popped open. She looked to her side to see a tuft of blonde beside her. It was Malfoy, still asleep. His sculpted chest was exposed, but his legs were covered. Hermione didn't want to know what was under there. Hermione quickly, and quietly jumped off the bed, leaving wrinkled and red stained sheets in her wake. She tried to place her weight on the floor, but almost screamed in pain from the soreness of her ankle. She couldn't remember why it hurt. What happened last night, she thought. She looked on the floor, and picked up her green dress that was kicked to the side. It would be a pain to put back on, especially if Malfoy woke up. Hermione rummaged through the clothes on the floor: a combination of both hers and Draco's.
Hermione grabbed her underwear when she heard, "Draco, darling? Are you up yet?" Coming closer. She ended up finding a black button up shirt, putting it on, covering her up, the shirt just barely covered her lower region. Hermione quickly found her clothing and apparated out of the manor, and to her flat. The apparition made her feel worse than she already was. Her hair was a mess, She was completely naked under a huge button up and the worst of it all: She had slept with Malfoy. What was she thinking? Hermione had no memories from the night. She last remembered dancing with Malfoy, but after that was a blur. Her only souvenir was a migraine and a sore body. Hermione began to freak out, how can she not recall what happened the night before. Hermione tried to remember, but the pain from her ankle blocked her concentration. She limped all the way to the living room and pulled a healer's book she had keep from Hogwarts during her last year. Before the war, Hermione had a full intention of becoming a healer, but after seeing all the pain, she did not want to do it daily. Hermione fell onto the couch rather abruptly trying to take her weight off the ankle. She flipped to the table of contents looking for the chapter to heal her wounded joint. After her ankle was healed she sat on the couch just staring into oblivion. Hermione wanted to go to Ginny and ask for forgiveness, but her pride got the best of her. The party was over now and Hermione got her way, but in another sense, it almost seemed like a good idea to have not gone to the party after knowing of the actions that had transpired that night. Hermione stood up and went to take a shower, because she felt dirty for sleeping with Malfoy. Hermione felt as slimy as the serpent she had slept with. She washed her hair that turned a darker shade of brown from the water. She ran over her body twice with body washes and lotions trying to feel even a tad bit cleaner. With all the effort of bathing, she finally felt slightly more sanitary. It took about an hour and a half of bathing in hot water to feel clean. Hermione wrapped a white towel around her head to towel dry her hair and another one around her torso to cover herself. She walked out to her bedroom to dress in clean clothes. She tossed her clothes and the dress shirt in the hamper. She put on comfortable clothing, before Hermione decided to walk around London, for a while to clear her mind. Hermione placed her hair in a bun without magic, just trying to get it out of her face. She walked out of her flat and started to walk the streets of London. Hermione had a routine, when it came to clearing her mind. Since she didn't have the Hogwarts library which was her usual destresser, she decided to go to the London Eye. She always went on the London Eye, then went to the British Museum when she was younger. Hermione walked down the streets. To everyone, she was just that girl in the blue casual dress, but to herself she was Hermione Granger: War Heroine, One-Third of the Trio, and the whore that slept with Draco Malfoy. Hermione could've vomited, just thinking of the words. She spent so much thought into the horror that was being with him that she almost walked into a pole. Hermione wanted to so desperately get rid of memory of sleeping with Draco, that she was tempting on using the memory charm that caused Professor Lockhart to lose his memory of his existence, but she couldn't do that. She was quite good at them, but not that good. Hermione continued walking along the South Bank of the River Thames. Her parents always took her there. Hermione walked down the familiar path that she always went through when she needed too.
Hermione walked up to the ticket booth.
"One passenger, please." Hermione asked the man.
"Sure thing miss. But-" Hermione zoned the man's voice, nodding her head and paid for her ticket. The man led Hermione to one of the gondolas. She took a seat and stared out the window looking over London. Hermione was in her own thoughts for a while because she began to feel the presence of another person, just staring at her in curiosity. Hermione stared at the stranger, "May I help you?" she asked.
"Oh, sorry!," He said fixing his gaze, "You're Hermione aren't you?" Hermione froze at the man's awareness. She felt like she was in the wizard world again. Everyone knowing her name.
"Uh, yes?" She nodded awkwardly. "May I ask how you know my name?"
"Oh," the man said scratching the back of his head. "We live in the same building. I live down the hall from you. I wanted to introduce myself, felt to embarrassed to do it."
Hermione just looked at the man. Hermione had to look up to him, he was about a foot taller than her. No older than twenty five. How have I never noticed him before, she thought. Hermione scooted closer to the window to look at the view.
"Pretty isn't it?" He asked looking at her still.
"It's beautiful, I can never get enough of this scenery. It's been a long time for me though." Hermione told him.
"Haven't you always lived in London?" He asked looking at her with his light blue eyes.
"Uh…" Hermione paused, "Essentially, yes. For about two-thirds of the year for eight years I went to a private school in Scotland. And whenever I was home, I was spending time with my family."
"Oh, where did you go to school?"
Hermione worryingly said, "Um, you wouldn't know the name."
"Okay," He said, dropping his question, "So why did you decide to come back to London?"
Hermione thought of the real reason: Her parents. "Well, I graduated and lived with my parents for one year trying to get them back on their feet. They had been not doing so well… a lot of memory problems. Then, I got my degree and started teaching at Primrose, here in London."
"When you say memory problems do you mean Alzheimer's? Last year my father diagnosed with early stage alzheimer's."
"Um, sure. yeah, let's go with that." She said awkwardly.
"It's hard isn't it? They are sometimes there and when you need them-"
"Think they are going to get better, but-" Hermione cut off, thinking of her parents.
"They can't remember who you are." The man finished. Hermione truly felt bad. Her parents memories were restored, but they weren't the same. The had the occasional mix up of who they were are who they were disguised as. Hermione caught her mother signing her checks under, Monica Wilkins at one point.
Hermione wanted to comfort him, but she didn't even know his name. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure"
"What's your name I forgot to ask earlier?"
"Oh yeah, my name is Ryan Chapman."
"Well it's nice to meet you, Ryan." Hermione stated offering her hand. He shook it firmly, smiling.
"I would introduce myself, but clearly you already know me." She joked.
"Yeah, sorry. I probably came off as a creepy bloke."
"In all honestly? Yes. Yes, you did." Hermione said smiling.
The two sat at the top for awhile, taking casually.
"The view is great from up here." He said again, Hermione nodded looking outwards.
"I mean, I feel on top of the world! You can see everything as far as the eye can see."
Hermione and Ryan sat next to one another, and made small talk.
"So Hermione. What are you doing after?" Ryan asked.
"Well, if you really want to know. I want to go to the British Museum. I was always the person that thought learning was fun. At my private school, I was the top student in my year."
"It must be a coincidence because that's where I'm going, do you want to join me?"
"Sure, maybe it'll be fun." She smiled
He looked out the window of the gondola. Hermione took a better look at him. Ryan had blue eyes with hints of green specks in them. His eyes look so beautiful, and went so well with his dark hair. Hermione was mesmerized by his facial features, his fine strong jawline, his freckles that are on his cheeks. Ryan was really handsome. Hermione didn't know how long she was staring at him because Ryan cleared his throat.
"Do I have something on my face?" He asked nervously.
"Umm…" Hermione brought her hand up and pretended to grab something. "You had a eyelash, right by your eye." She awkwardly laughed.
"Okay thanks."
Hermione mentally face palmed her head. You had an eyelash. Really I am so stupid. She thought.
While Hermione was mentally scolding herself, their gondola made it to the bottom. Ryan tapped on her shoulder, "Hermione?"
She looked at him to see that they were at the bottom of the wheel.
"Oh!" Hermione quickly grabbed her purse and walked out following Ryan.
"The Museum is about forty minutes from here." He said pointing onward. Hermione and Ryan walked in between the gift shop and Jubilee Gardens and got on the sidewalk.
"Tell me something about you?" Ryan asked randomly. Hermione froze. She was staring at Ryan's face.
"Uh, that's not very specific." Hermione told him as they walked, "What do you want to know?"
"Well, apart from your name and your nameless private education, all I know is that your devastatingly beautiful." Ryan said flirtatiously.
"Your cheeky!" Hermione called out, "I guess you're a ladies man?"
Ryan stifled a laugh, "Uh, hardly. I am more a bookworm."
"Really! Me too! I love to read!"
"Who's your favorite author?"
Hermione had to think. Most of her favorites were witches and wizards. People Ryan wouldn't know.
"Um, that's a hard one." Hermione paused, "I would consider myself a Jane Austen fan."
"Yes, she does have some good work."
Hermione and Ryan paused as they waited for the crosswalk.
Ryan sighed, "I love London!"
"I am guessing your not native?" Hermione asked.
"Nope. Can't you tell by the American accent?"
"Well, you don't sound like the typical American."
"I've been living here for a few months so I guess you could say I am in the middle of changing accents."
Hermione let out a laugh, "I think it's cute."
"Did your accent waiver at that this anonymous school of yours? Ever have a Scottish accent?"
"No, about everyone I went to school with was mostly British."
Hermione and Ryan were halfway to the museum when they heard an owl screech coming closer.
"Look! It's an owl! They are nocturnal aren't they?" They heard someone call.
Hermione looked up to see it was Hedwig circling around them from a distance. Hermione knew it was Ginny and desperately wanted to speak with her, especially after last night.
"That's so cool." Ryan said getting out his cell phone trying to take a picture.
"Uh, Ryan?" Hermione asked.
"Hm?" He barely acknowledged her as he tried to take a photo.
"I am going to have to take a rain check."
Ryan lowered his phone, "You're leaving?"
"I'm sorry, I have some important business to take care of." Hermione said watching the owl.
"Do you have to go?" His full attention was now on Hermione.
"Yeah, it's really important." Hermione started to walk away, "I'll make it up to you somehow."
"Okay." Ryan answered sadly as he walked on toward the museum. Hermione felt terrible for ditching him like that, especially since he was so nice to her. She kept on walking as the owl followed her discreetly. She blended herself along with a crowd until she found a small empty alleyway between to buildings. From above the owl join her.
"Thank you, Hedwig!" Hermione told the owl. She petted the owl before it flew off into the sky.
Hermione quickly unraveled the note,
Hermione,
Ugh, I feel awful for how things ended on Friday. According to Harry, I was "overreacting", which I guess I was. Anyway I wanted to make it up to you over lunch today. You can tell me all about the party. Also, James really wants to see you. You made quite the impression on him. I will expect you soon.
Apologetically,
Ginny
Hermione smiled. It wasn't like Ginny to apologize. She was very stubborn. Hermione made the alleyway was clear and that nobody would see her. She thought of the Potter's house in Godric's Hollow and apparated. A sick feeling hit heren she opened her eyes. She felt nauseous from the jerking movement of apparating. The soreness from the activities last night didn't help.
"Harry, go see who's here!" Hermione heard Ginny call from the kitchen.
"It's just me, Ginny!" She called from the dining room. Hermione saw Harry enter the room holding James.
"Hermione!" Harry exclaimed. He pulled her into a one armed hug while balancing James. Harry pulled away and examined Hermione,
"Merlin! You look awful!" He stated staring at her.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Gee, Harry, every girl loves to hear that."
"Sorry, it's just you're so sick looking."
"Yeah, I know. I didn't get much sleep last night, apparently and I wasn't very focused when I apparated."
Ginny came into the room holding a wooden spoon, "Hermione! I am glad you came!"
"How many times do I have to tell you to send your owls to my flat? This is the second time this week that they've gone looking for me."
Ginny discarded Hermione's anger, "Now, now. We are here to make amends not to start more fights," Ginny smiled, "Lunch will be a little bit, but we can talk for a little bit."
"Yeah it'll be nice to catch up." Harry added.
"Actually Ginny there is something I wanted to tell you..." Hermione added. Ginny instantly got the hint, "Oh, Harry? It's about time that James goes on his afternoon stroll, isn't it?"
"Don't we normally take him in the evening?" Harry asked.
"Harry! Go take james out." Ginny warned through her clenched teeth.
Harry sighed, "Come on, James, let's leave the hormonal women to their gossip."
Ginny and Hermione stared at him in shock, "I'm not stupid." Harry said laughing walking out the door with the baby. Ginny waited for the door to fully close before she dragged Hermione to the couch. With a yank Hermione felt herself thrown onto the couch.
"Okay, spill. Tell me everything." Hermione was about to open her mouth when, "Wait!" Ginny said cutting her off, "Why did you dance with Malfoy last night?"
"How did you know about that!" Hermione said in shock.
"It was on the front page of the Daily Prophet. The whole party was covered by Rita Skeeter."
"Ugh, that little cockroach!" Hermione cursed.
"Well, you owe me an explanation."
Hermione sighed, "He asked me. Said something about his mother gave him no choice. I will admit he was surprisingly good."
"Since when is he civil? Also since when do you do things with Malfoy?"
Hermione swallowed nervously, "Um, I don't think dancing isn't the only thing I did with Malfoy." Hermione admitted sheepishly.
"What do you mean that dancing isn't the only thing that you did."
"Ginny, I think fucked up bad."
"Mione what did you do?" Ginny asked worriedly.
"At the party I sprained my ankle, so Malfoy took me to a spare room, but I can't remember what happened after that." Hermione began to sob quietly. "I woke up this morning and Malfoy was in the bed with me. Ginny I don't know what I did."
"I think it's obvious what you did, Mione." Ginny stated. Hermione collapsed her head into her hands, "Ginny, I don't know what I was thinking! I mean, I was having a decent time. Narcissa was nice-"
"Since when is she, 'Narcissa'?"
"Ginny." Hermione frowned, "She has been really nice to me."
Ginny raised her hands in defeat, "Okay, whatever."
"Anyway, I can't think of what might of happened."
"Wait did you have something to drink last night?"
"Of course I did, two or three glasses of wine." Ginny gave Hermione a look.
"Okay maybe six to eight glasses and a bottle now that I think of it."
"Hermione Granger!" Ginny said shocked.
"I know, I know! And what makes matters worse is I got drunk, slept with Malfoy-"
"You're positive that you slept with him?" Ginny asked, confirming her statement.
Hermione nodded, "I woke up today naked in his room, where he was also naked and even more evidence is that I wince every time I move my hips."
"Yikes. Who would've guessed you had a sexual appetite when you're drunk."
"Ginny! I am not like that! He probably forced me or purposely wiped my memory. This is all his doing! I would place galleons on it."
"It doesn't matter who started it… it already happened." Ginny told her.
"It happened and it's behind me." Hermione said trying to convince herself, "I am going to forget about the entire situation and just block it out of my memory."
"You may have blocked it out of your memory, but has he?" Ginny asked raising her brows.
Hermione froze. She didn't even think about what he remembered. What if he knew about the whole thing.
"Are you saying I should confront him?" hermione asked.
"Merlin no! Don't even talk to him." Ginny said, "Hermione, there is a reason why they are called one night stands."
"I am not going to say anything. It's not like he would talk to me anyways." Hermione said shrugging the idea out of her head.
"Hermione, I am sure he would talk to you. I mean, he's not the bully from Hogwarts. He's still a ferret don't get me wrong, but if he remembers, he might ask."
"Ugh!" Hermione whined.
"I am just telling you to be prepared, if for some strange reason he does try to talk ignore him."
"I think it'll be hard for him to contact me, I mean, I live in muggle London, He doesn't know where I live, and I am not connected to the floo network anymore. Now that I think about it, I have nothing to worry about." Hermione nodded. All this information was swore to be kept secret between Hermione and Ginny, but what they didn't know was there was a third party listening in...
Author's Note: Surprise Everyone! There is more than one chapter this week! We wanted to do something special as a thank you for reading and reviewing The Lion's Secret. All your reviews and follows mean so much to us!
This fanfiction is a collaboration written by AmateurWriter98 and AnonymousMaknae if you want to check out either of our separate accounts. We update every Tuesday if you want to see more. Please follow and favorite us as authors or the story in general if you liked. We would also really appreciate it if you would review. We do read them and really have enjoyed the reviews we have gotten so far. Chapter 5 is also up, so feel free to read both.
~ AmateurWriter98 and AnonymousMaknae