Hello lovelies! This will be a bit of a different story. This will be a Dramione story and it has a little bit of a twist! I hope you guys enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, that right stays with JK Rowling.
Spiders! Follow the spiders! Why couldn't it have been follow the butterflies?! - Ron Weasley
Prologue
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The Gryffindor girl hastened her pace through the echoing corridors of Hogwarts, a crumpled parchment gripped tightly in her hand. Her destination was unmistakable, and her racing heart matched the urgency of her steps. The message on the parchment had been brief and direct, a reflection of the sender's typical style. As she contemplated what he might want from her at this late hour, anxiety tightened its grip on her.
For five years, she had wandered these historic halls during sleepless nights or when the dormitory proved too much to bear. Almost every evening found her roaming these hallowed corridors, but about a year ago, everything had changed for the Gryffindor.
ONE YEAR AGO
Hermione gazed down upon the bustling entrance hall of Hogwarts, where students milled about, forming groups and engaged in animated conversations while waiting for the Great Hall doors to swing open. That year had been filled with unusual occurrences, as two foreign schools had ventured within Hogwarts' walls. One particular boy, representing one of these foreign schools, had mustered the courage to invite her to the Yule Ball. His excitement at her acceptance had been evident in his eyes, and a blush crept onto her cheeks as his lips brushed against her hand.
However, standing atop the grand staircase now, scanning the crowd for the Bulgarian boy, dread seeped into her stomach as she realized he wasn't there to escort her. Nausea threatened to overcome her, and she clutched the banister for support, considering a hasty retreat to her dormitory. It was then that a familiar blonde Slytherin intervened, stepping forward purposefully. He reached the bottom of the staircase and locked eyes with her, an invisible magnetism pulling her down the first step.
She descended gracefully, her gaze never leaving his, and a faint smile graced her lips as he greeted her with a rare, genuine smile. Draco Malfoy extended his arm to her, adhering to the traditional Malfoy courtesy. She linked her arm with his, and together, they proceeded toward the Great Hall.
"Thank you for saving me, Draco. I was about to make a quick escape," Hermione whispered, her eyes darting around the entrance hall, acutely aware of the prying eyes upon them.
"I couldn't let the most beautiful girl here tonight leave the ball, now could I?" Draco's words resonated with an air of indifference to their newly unveiled friendship. He didn't care that their friends stared at them with betraying glances. What mattered was their shared moment, the freedom to be together despite the judgments of others.
As his words sunk in, she turned her head to face him, her cheeks now adorned with a bright blush. They stopped behind Fleur and her date, awaiting the doors to the Great Hall to open. The hall fell silent until, finally, the doors creaked open, and the champions, excluding Draco, walked down the aisle created by the students. Gasps filled the room as they spotted the two most notorious rivals walking arm in arm. Hermione could feel the piercing gazes upon her, knowing that Harry and Ron, who were close behind with their respective dates, were probably incinerating her with their glares.
Draco guided them to a secluded spot on the dance floor, away from the other champions, and turned to face her. He offered her a reassuring smile as they assumed their positions. With one hand on her waist and the other holding her delicate hand, their arms extended comfortably to the side. They smiled at each other as if the world had disappeared, lost in their private moment. The music began, and Draco led them in a graceful glide across the dance floor, skillfully avoiding the other champions as if they were invisible.
The rational part of Draco's mind screamed that exposing their friendship was unwise, but he silenced it in favor of the emotional side that couldn't bear to see Hermione embarrassed. Krum standing her up had been unexpected, but the way she looked at him now suggested she wasn't particularly bothered by it.
Hermione moved effortlessly with the handsome Slytherin, grateful for the private lessons she'd taken with Draco, under the watchful eye of the Potion Master. Originally meant for her dance with Krum, these lessons had turned out to be a saving grace in the face of her humiliation.
For the next four hours, Hermione and Draco danced to the lively music as if the world didn't exist. At one point, the music slowed to a gentle melody, and they embraced, swaying to the rhythm. Their lips met in a kiss that sent electric sparks coursing through their bodies, igniting a passionate connection.
Hermione restrained a moan as their lips met, while Draco's heart clenched at the sensation. He couldn't resist the magnetic pull, leaning in for a deeper kiss. When they finally broke apart, they rested their foreheads together, catching their breath. Hermione's chocolate eyes met Draco's stormy gray ones, and the intensity she found within them took her breath away.
"Hermione," Draco began, his nerves beginning to show, "would you do me the honor of becoming my girlfriend?" He watched her face for her reaction, his heart pounding.
Her shock was evident, but her smile revealed her delight. She nodded, her shy smile growing. "Draco, I would love to be your girlfriend."
Ecstasy swept over Draco as he held her close, sealing their commitment with another sweet kiss. As they swayed to the music, their future stretched before them.
Their relationship had evolved from two years of animosity to this magical moment. The night Hermione, Ron, and Harry had consumed Polyjuice Potion to question Draco about the Heir of Slytherin had been a turning point. Snape had discovered her secret later that week.
FLASHBACK
After her release from the hospital wing, Hermione's potions class had taken an unexpected turn. She had been instructed to stay behind, expecting detention for a yet unknown reason. As the last student left the room, Snape closed the door and cast privacy wards. He fixed her with an unreadable gaze and gestured for her to sit in front of his desk. A tense silence hung between them before Snape cleared his throat.
"Boomslang skin, an unusual amount, has vanished from my private stores. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you, Ms. Granger?" Hermione fought to maintain her composure, staring at the Potions Master, torn between honesty and the consequences of her actions. Snape continued to scrutinize her for a moment before sighing and trying a different approach.
"I heard from Madam Pomphrey and Professor Dumbledore that you suffered from an unusual affliction in the hospital wing. They mentioned that you had been transformed into a half-cat, half-human creature. What potion could cause such a transformation?" He knew. Hermione was certain he knew which potion it was, and she decided there was no use denying it since he had already learned about her embarrassing situation. She steeled herself and spoke.
"Polyjuice, sir." She couldn't tear her eyes away from his, meeting his gaze with unwavering confidence. No matter what punishment lay ahead, she would face it with her head held high.
"It's a complicated potion, even for some of the best students at Hogwarts. In light of the missing ingredients from my stores, I can only assume you brewed enough for three people, and since the others were not in the hospital wing with you, I gather they were successful?" She nodded, keeping her mouth shut, still meeting his eyes with unyielding resolve.
"This is a challenging situation. I'll offer you a single opportunity, and it will not come again." Hermione's curiosity piqued as she listened. "I can train you in the art of potion-making, take you under my wing as a secret apprentice. You will learn things far beyond what seventh years know. Take a week to decide; if you decline, we won't discuss it further, and you can continue as you were. If you accept, secrecy is paramount, especially from your friends and the Headmaster." Hermione blinked, disbelief washing over her. Had Severus Snape genuinely offered her an apprenticeship, to study under him? With little else to say, she nodded slowly, standing up and clearing her throat before addressing him.
"Please give me some time to consider your offer, Professor Snape. I'll let you know my decision by our next class." He nodded in response, and she exited the classroom, her mind spinning from the unexpected conversation. A week passed, and she carefully weighed her options. On the morning of the next potions class, she made her decision.
After the class had ended and the students had left, Hermione remained seated, packing her belongings slowly. She glanced up at Snape's desk, where he was watching her with a neutral expression. Just as before, he waved his wand to secure the door and ward it against prying eyes. She approached him and took a seat in front of his desk.
"Do you have your answer?" he inquired, his deep voice breaking the silence. Hermione nodded carefully, her gaze unwavering.
"I've chosen to apprentice under you, Professor Snape." It wasn't the answer he had likely anticipated, but he nodded and extended a hand toward her.
"Welcome, then, my apprentice." She shook his hand and nodded, embarking on a path shrouded in secrecy.
For the next two years, she honed her skills under his vigilant guidance, mastering everything he presented to her. Draco also began to excel in these subjects after catching the two of them working together. They were in Snape's classroom when Draco discovered them. He had been visiting Severus when he overheard voices emanating from the classroom. Curious, he entered and found Severus and Hermione engrossed in a discussion while brewing a potion. Neither wore expressions of disdain, which astonished Draco. Without fully comprehending what was happening, he entered the classroom and interrupted them.
"What on earth is happening here?" he demanded of his godfather. Snape gestured for Draco to sit down, and he obliged, listening as Snape explained the circumstances. Ever since that night, Draco intermittently joined Hermione and Severus in the classroom, learning various potions and spells that might prove useful. As a result of this, Draco and Hermione's relationship had also started to grow stronger the more time that they spent together.
END FLASHBACK
"Hermione?" She snapped back to the present and met Draco's eyes, realizing that the Great Hall had nearly emptied of students and staff. She blushed slightly as Draco smiled down at her, his hand still on her waist and hers around his neck.
"I'm sorry, Draco. I got lost in my thoughts. What were you trying to say?" He chuckled softly and pulled her a little closer.
"I was saying that the Yule Ball is almost over, and I wondered if you'd like me to accompany you back to your common room?" Hermione beamed at him.
"That would be lovely, thank you." The pair slowly disengaged, and Draco extended his hand to her. She accepted it, and they made their way back up to the seventh floor. They stopped just in front of the Fat Lady's portrait, and Hermione turned to Draco.
"Thank you for walking me and for tonight. I had a wonderful evening." Draco grinned widely before stepping closer to her, gently tucking a stray curl behind her ear.
"I did too. Have a good evening, Hermione. Try not to let your friends give you too hard a time. We'll sort things out in the morning." Hermione nodded and smiled shyly.
"Same goes for you, Draco. We have a lot of smoothing over to do, and I'm sure Severus will have some choice words for us tomorrow." The two shared a chuckle before Draco set off down the corridor, stopping at the top of the stairs to give her one final smile before descending toward his own common room. Hermione couldn't help but wear a giddy smile, despite the impending explanations she would have to provide. She hoped her friends would understand, and she planned to clarify that her and Draco's recent understanding was genuine but hidden from everyone else.
Merlin help her.
"Serene," she whispered, and the portrait swung open. Here we go. With each step, she steeled herself, traversing the portrait hole and entering the common room.
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Well, there you lovelies have it! I will try to keep updates as normal as possible but I am going to be going to college in August. I will keep the schedule as close as possible to normal for now and will try to update at least once a week. However, life happens so meh. Please let me know what you think!