"Absolutely not!" Hermione called out when Pansy led Ginny and Luna into her common room with dress racks following after them. Pansy and Ginny ignored her, organizing the racks along the wall next to Draco's bedroom door. Luna plopped down on the couch beside Hermione, her chin on her shoulder so she could read with her. Hermione was happy to share her book if it meant she wasn't subjected to the 'fashion show' that it seemed she was about to be forced into.
"Up and at 'ems, Granger," Ginny clapped her hands together after nodding at Pansy who took two dresses into the bathroom.
Hermione groaned and handed her book to Luna who continued reading without a care in the world.
"Why?"
"Because you won't go shopping with us," Pansy answered stepping out of the bathroom.
"I have gowns. You forced me to buy them weeks ago. More importantly I have a gown."
The brunette and red head shared similar grins but just pointed to the bathroom door.
Over an hour and a half Hermione tried on every dress they thrust at her. The current one was a bright pink monstrosity with puffy shoulders and enough fake rhinestones to bedazzle a disco ball. Stomping out of the bathroom she didn't stop and show them as they expected her to do with every new outfit. No, she walked into Draco's room, emerging only when she found his firewhiskey. In the kitchen she poured herself two thumbs, downed it in a single swig, and poured another.
"No," she told them finally.
"But it's beautiful," Ginny countered with a smirk.
"It is not and you know it." Pansy stood and went to the fourth rack. Every time they made it through one, it disappeared and was replaced with another full of dresses. "This makes me look like you're trying to turn me into Lavender."
The door to her side opened and she closed her eyes knowing what was coming.
Draco shielded his eyes when they were assaulted by a pink statue with brown curls. "My Gods Granger, what the fuck are you wearing?"
"Torture, I'm wearing torture."
Taking in the room, Draco grinned before stealing her glass and taking a sip of her whiskey, "It looks like Pansy's eighth birthday gown."
"Hey!" Pansy glared at him over her shoulder.
"How many dresses have you gone through?"
"Seven. Teen," she said through clinched teeth.
He laughed, "I hope they were all better than this one."
"Not by much."
Pansy tisked over her shoulder, "Not true. The blue one was nice."
"You think," Ginny leaned back in her seat, Draco's chair, "I happen to like the dark purple one."
"Don't you have gowns?"
"Yes! I even have a gown but since they can't see it, it doesn't count." Hermione threw her arms up dramatically, "And they don't think the ones in my wardrobe are 'fitting' for the yule ball."
Draco frowned, "I guarantee they're better than this."
She huffed, "They are. But they just want to force me to do this. Pansy said something about-"
"New gowns are better," Pansy finished for her. Turning she lifted a pale yellow gown that looked even worse than the one she was currently wearing.
Hermione took a step back instinctively, her head shaking absently, "No. No, you're insane."
Pinching Draco's side when he started laughing, she walked into her room and changed into a pair of sweats and a tank top. She tossed the dress at Ginny when she entered the room again. Seating herself beside Luna she took the book when she offered it and started reading, only slightly bristling about the missed pages.
Pansy was not having it though, "We're not done. Not even close! You need to pick one!"
"She has one," Luna supplied dreamily, "She's just been humoring you."
Ginny and Pansy both stared at her looking annoyed, "Then where is it? We need to see it."
Hermione answered them without looking up, "I made an inquiry to a woman who custom made one for me. I haven't even seen it yet but I have all the faith in the world it will be better than these."
Pouting Pansy took Ginny's seat when the younger girl moved to sit on the counter, stealing the bottle of firewhiskey from Draco, "Well that is no fun."
"Not true," Ginny pointed at Pansy grinning like mad, "What about unmentionables?"
Draco coughed on his drink from the kitchen, "What?"
Hermione blushed, "They're taking care of that too. And I've been told jewelry was arranged."
"How are you paying for that?" Ginny asked curiously, "Was the stipend from the Ministry that big? Harry won't tell me and Ron likes to maintain a smug silence."
"It was plenty. But I have a trust as well," she shifted uncomfortably.
Pansy started picking at her nails like she was bored, "That just leaves us with finding her a date."
Hermione groaned, "I don't need a date or assistance getting one."
"That's true Red, she's been getting asked almost daily by randoms. Have you said yes to anyone yet?'
Unbothered, Hermione went back to sharing her book with Luna, "Nope."
Pansy narrowed her gaze at Hermione as she watched her turn a page looking uninterested in the new direction of their conversation.
"Not even Pucey?"
"No."
"Neville?" Ginny supplied.
"No."
"Mathers?"
"No."
"Austin, what's his last name? The Ravenclaw."
Luna looked up briefly, "Gavin. Austin Gavin, he's a sweetheart."
"No."
"Why not?" Ginny sulked from the counter.
Once more Luna answered, her chin back on Hermione's shoulder, eyes never leaving the book just like Hermione. "Because her soulmate has a date."
The only sound in the room was Draco's glass slamming on the counter in his shock. He's been watching thoroughly entertained sharing looks with Weasley. But at the looney girls' statement he felt his heart drop into his stomach. Why that statement hurt so much, he refused to acknowledge.
Hermione finally looked up from her book, her head slowly turning to face Luna, eyes blown wide, "What did you say?"
Luna lifted her head off her shoulder and smiled, "You two share an aura. It's truly beautiful!"
"H-have you said anything?"
"No," a frown briefly flashed over Luna's face before her eyes brightened, "I should have spoken to you first before making such a statement, that was rude of me. I'm sorry."
"It's o-okay." In truth Hermione didn't know what to think, her mind was bustling. Something she had managed to keep secret for months was suddenly out in the open to four of her closest friends. "Does he.."
Luna gave her an airy smile, "He's struggling internally, it will take time-"
Ginny was the first to say something, snapping her fingers to get Hermione's attention, "You have a soulmate?"
"Soul bond," Hermione corrected, "Yes. I do."
"Since when?"
Hermione shrugged not wanting to give too much detail. As it stood, she was already avoiding Draco's glare which she could practically feel.
"A while."
"You have a mark? The books say each bonded person bares a mark that links them," Draco asked through clinched teeth.
Unable to look at him she nodded.
Ginny huffed, "Come on Mione, give us a little more than that."
Hermione sighed running a hand through her loose curls and tucking her feet under her, "Yes, I have a mark. It's his handwriting and it tells me his heart's desire. There's not much to it."
Unable to hold in the question until they were in private Draco scowled, "Is he the one?"
"No!" Hermione's eyes snapped to his, shocked by his question, "He would never hurt me, not intentionally."
"Does he know?" She shook her head. Clearly, he didn't. "But you know who he is?"
"Yes."
Pansy, noting her best friends glare and tense posture, tried to intervene, "Hermione, soulmates are incredibly rare, why haven't you told him?"
She looked at Pansy, her eyes glassy, "He is happy."
"You don't think he'd be happier with his soulmate?" Draco ground out.
"Maybe. But right now I know exactly what he wants and I am not her."
He frowned, "That's why you said 'intentionally'." Unable to look at him Hermione shifted uncomfortably in her seat. It made Draco's rage peak, "Show me."
Despite her gasp she told him calmly, "No."
"You're hurting, Hermione, because your soulmate wants another and their name is written on your body!" The truth of his words made her flinch, "So tell us who he is!"
"No.."
Ignoring her he strode over to her, pulled her up, uncaring of the three other witches watching them closely. Luna actually looked amused as she took the book from Hermione again to keep it from falling to the floor.
"Show me."
Starting with her arms he picked one up at a time, twisting her arms to and fro so he could see every inch of her exposed skin. Then he brushed her hair off her shoulder, putting one hand on her neck, tilting her head to the side and looking there.
"What? Draco no!"
Ignoring her attempts to swat his hands away he continued checking her arms, "Damn it Hermione, show me and I'll make sure he knows, the bloody prat!"
Wrenching herself from his grasp she shoved him, "Stop it! This is my life! I've made my choice, I can live with it"
His eye twitched with his irritation, "It's his life too." That hurt. Looking away from him she bit the inside of her cheek. He saw it and looked triumphant, "You know he deserves to know. You're literally made for each other, that's how your magic connected to bond you. Yet you are keeping his other half from him. Together you two could be great if his magic is anywhere close to yours."
"He doesn't want me!" she spat still unable to look at him or any of them, "If I told him, while the name on my body is hers I would only be taking away his happiness. He would always know I took her away when she was all he wanted! He is happy. As I am reminded every time I see her name on my body. If he is happy with her, why should I take away his happiness? She is his deepest desire, who am I to complete with that?"
"His soulmate!"
"Exactly. As such I want protect him and since I want him to have a fulfilled life, the life he chooses, this is what I'm doing. Do you think this is easy for me? Knowing he is happy with another witch. Seeing her name on my body. You don't think that doesn't burn my soul every time I see it? That I wish I could be with him? But no matter any of that, you have no say. No one does but for me and him when he discovers his own mark, if he so chooses."
In another attempt to defuse the situation Pansy discretely coughed, "What did you mean when you asked if he was the one Drake? The one for what?"
Hermione shot a panicked look at Draco, "Please..Draco don't.."
But he laughed menacingly caught up in his anger, "Hermione has been getting attacked. Has been the entire semester." Pansy gasped while Ginny stood from the counter. "They always catch her when she's alone and she's tried to hide it but it keeps happening."
Before Pansy or Ginny could take in the information completely Hermione rubbed her forehead trying to make the pressure behind her eyes faded.
"He had nothing to do with it, as I said. My accidents are just that, accidents." Turning to glare at Draco she pointed a finger at him and spat, "You. I trusted you. It's good to know what that gets me. As you've made quite clear, Malfoy, I am not your business!"
Turning on a heel she walked into her room, slamming the door behind her. Leaving Draco seething in the middle of the living room, Luna on the couch to his right, Pansy in his chair to his left, and Ginny behind him.
"Damnit," he growled. He'd be caught up in his anger and jealousy and blurted out something she had told him in confidence. In the hospital she'd lied to their professors and Madam Pomfrey but hadn't hesitated to tell him the truth. Looking over his shoulder he saw Ginny's shocked look, it seemed she hadn't known either. So Hermione had a level of trust in him that surpassed her best friends.
"Fuck."
Luna's voice sang, "Yes, you hurt her Draco."
"I know," he growled.
"If she is being attacked, there is one reason she wouldn't say anything," Ginny said softly.
Draco turned slowly to Ginny, "They're Gryffindor.." She nodded. "She's loyal, she wouldn't betray her house, either of them."
"Exactly."
Pansy stood, dusted off her dress, and put a hand on Draco's shoulder when he moved towards Hermione's door, "I would leave her be Drake," pulling her own wand out the dress racks vanished, "We're going to go, none of us will say anything either. Rest assured." Reaching up she kissed his cheek and whispered in his ear, "I'm not stupid Drake, I know something is going on between you two. But you need to figure out if she is worth it now that you know what you do." He looked down at her confused and she gave him a small smile, "She has a soulmate. What are the chances you are it? That's what I thought. Jealousy is a peculiar look on you Drake."
Patting his shoulder she left behind Luna and Ginny, leaving him standing there, his temper tempering off with each breath he took.
Hermione had just submerged in her hot bath water when she heard Draco come into the common room grumbling. The ache that had been resonating in her chest since the evening picking dresses flared. Trying to ignore it she picked her book back up to finally start to read again only to pause when Draco's grumbling got worse and closer to the bathroom door.
"Granger, are you decent?"
She debated not answering him at all.
"Granger, I know you're in there! There's no other reason the door would be locked."
Rolling her eyes she huffed, "No."
"Cover up, I need a shower."
"I'm in the bath, you'll have to wait. Or go use the prefect's bath or Theo and Blaise's."
"I'm need a shower quick; I'm starting to itch." He audibly growled, "Charm the water, I'm coming in." She barely had time to react before he stormed in like his own tornado. "I need to wash it off me."
"Malfoy!" Hermione tried to scald but he didn't even look at her as he walked directly to the shower stall behind her while shedding his clothes. She discretely faced the opposite direction again to keep from seeing the skin of his back, her cheeks heating. Reaching for her book she charmed more bubbles over the water to keep her body completely hidden.
"You'd think with how great he is in herbology it wouldn't be so hard to master potions," he growled unaware of her embarrassment.
"What happened?" Hermione asked, her curiosity getting the better of her as she reopened her book.
"Potions accident while tutoring Longbottom. Never again, he is yours!"
Rolling her eyes, she focused instead on her book while he showered behind her.
The bathroom was flooded with the sound of running water and Hermione found it soothing. After a few minutes of nothing but the sound of running water clouding the bathroom, Hermione let her head rest of the edge of the tub after laying her book on the small table she'd conjured earlier. Arms falling into the water her eye's closed as she sunk deeper under the water. Draco was grumbling to himself as he washed himself, his voice slowly putting her to sleep.
Draco walked to the sinks with a towel around his waist and continued his quiet muffled tirade until he noticed Hermione in the mirror.
Her hair was piled on her head in a nest of chestnut curls and while the bubbles she'd conjured obscured his view of her body he could see her dainty feet draped off the edge, the nails painted a bright red. Her face was soft with sleep. He didn't quite realize how much he truly enjoyed the peaceful look she always had just before waking up until he didn't get to see it anymore. She was not a morning person in the slightest but the few times he woke up before their alarms or on the weekends when she didn't bother with alarms, he couldn't find it in himself to wake her. So he'd just lay there, usually with her pressed against him, her face the picture of tranquility. He was currently deprived of those looks as she'd all but cut him out since he'd blown up at her and found out she had a bond.
That thought had his blood pressure rising again. She was fucking bonded and yet-
Draco spun to look at her without the help of the mirror, "What the fuck happened?"
Hermione startled, her chest nearly coming up over the bubbles, "Draco?"
Not to be perturbed by her shocked look or his previous thoughts, he came to crouch by the tub, pulling her hair out of the way to get a better look at the angry bruise on her shoulder, "What happened to you?"
"A bookshelf fell on me in the library. Can you pass me my robe?" she whispered.
Summoning it he stood, closed his eyes, and held it out. With a small smirk Hermione stood and wrapped it around her.
"I'm decent."
When he opened his eyes she found them molten silver and mad, "Who this time?"
"I'm not telling you."
"Why not?" he ground out.
"Because it's none of your business."
"You are my business."
Her heart started to beat painfully against her ribcage and whispered, "Since when?"
Draco didn't answer, he was too busy waging a war in his mind to answer her without making a fool of himself. Instead, he did the only thing he could think of in the moment. Ears turning pink, the vein on his forehead popping out, he spun on a heal and stormed out of the bathroom. At the counter Hermione took three deep breathes before starting to brush her teeth.