AN: Trigger warning - mentions of non con. Skip or skim the first section if this bothers you.
{ 10 }
"I see you took my advice." Theo's sarcastic voice cut through the Hermione-induced fog in my head. I looked up from my beef stew to see the smirk on his face. "I tell you to watch your back with Granger, you snog her in the hallway before class."
"How do you know that?" I whispered harshly to him, hoping he would take the hint and keep his voice down.
"Please," he nearly snorted. "There is only one reason you would walk into a class with your hair messed up and your shirt wrinkled."
My hands automatically reached up to smooth my hair down. Theo laughed. Arsehole.
"You know, I owe Pansy a galleon. I didn't think you'd have the stones to kiss her for at least another week."
I groaned and dropped my head into my hands. This is just what I need.
"Draco?" A decidedly feminine voice that sent a revolting shiver down my spine came right before a hand settled on my shoulder then slid across my neck to rest on the opposite shoulder.
My blood froze in my veins. I held my breath. My blood pounded in my ears.
"I just heard the nastiest rumor from Daphne." Tracey laid her other hand on my arm. She sounded like I was under water. Distant. Garbled.
Wait. Did she say something else?
"Get the fuck off of me," I managed through clenched teeth. The spoon in my hand bit into my fingers, the metal twisting with the force of my grip.
I shrugged her off of me and pushed away from the table. I didn't know where I was going, but I knew I had to get out of there. I forced myself to take long, measured steps. To not draw attention to the fact that I was running away.
Like the coward that I am.
I took the stairs up two at a time. My brain was buzzing. I couldn't breathe. My vision was blurring on the edges.
Fuck.
A panic attack. It's been so long since I had one. Weeks. Maybe months. I had hoped they were over. Then one slag puts her arm around my shoulder without my permission and it all came rushing back.
The staircase started to move. I grabbed the handrail and tried to breathe. Darkness crept into my vision. Sweat broke out across my forehead.
"Malfoy. It's okay. I've got you."
Granger.
Relief that it's her. At the same time, disappointment. Humiliation. I don't want her to see me like this.
"Breathe."
I gripped the railing tighter. I can't break down here. Not now. Not yet.
The stairway ground to a halt.
"Perfect. This is our stop. Move." She urged me forward.
My feet moved and I pulled myself up the last two steps.
"Turn left."
I followed her direction. My hands planted against the stone wall of a darkened corridor.
"Don't stop. We're almost there."
Her voice was soothing. Like an angel guiding me to safety. I kept moving. I couldn't see anything. My chest hurt. The air pressed in against me.
The wall ended and I stumbled through a doorway.
"You can take my hand. If you want to. We are almost there."
Through my blurry vision, I could see a hand. I stared at it for a long time.
"Breathe, Malfoy."
I took a deep, gasping breath. Slowly, I lifted my hand and settled it in hers.
"Okay. Good." She lightly grasped my hand and pulled me forward. I followed without question. She led me across the room and through a doorway. A few more steps, and we went through another doorway.
She dropped my hand, turned and closed the door.
My bleary eyes took in the familiar room. The sitting room on the third floor. Why did Hogwarts always drop us here together?
Whatever. It's as good a place as any. No one else will find us here.
"Breathe." She reminded me again. I could feel her eyes on me.
I could feel his arm over my shoulder. His fingers digging into my arm. His breath against my neck.
I gasped out loud as it all came flooding back. My legs collapsed. My back slid down the wall until I was sitting on the floor with my knees in front of me, my arms wrapped around them, my head down. I curled as far into myself as I could.
Hot tears streamed down my face. Blackness settled over me. I couldn't see anything. I couldn't hear anything.
His hand wrapped around my neck, shoved me against the wall.
Somewhere in the distance I could hear a soothing voice, but I could not make out the words.
"You cost me my prize. I was looking forward to another taste." I was frozen. Confused. What the hell was he talking about?
His fist hit my stomach, forcing the air from my lungs.
"Come back to me, Draco." That voice didn't belong here.
"You'll make for an adequate consolation prize."
"Malfoy, can you hear me?"
I gasped for air. I blinked my eyes quickly, trying to find her in the dark recesses of my mind.
The darkness started to fade.
"That's it. Breathe. I'm here."
I took a ragged breath. Then another. I blinked again. Slowly, the room at Hogwarts came into focus, and so did the very worried witch sitting in front of me.
She had her legs crossed in front of her. She leaned on her elbows, propped on her knees, and studied me.
My eyes met hers. She released a sigh, a breath that I'm not sure she realized she had been holding. She moved slowly, unfolding her legs and scooting over to lean against the wall next to me. She was careful not to touch me as she moved.
My eyes followed her. Tears continued to stream down my face unhindered. I did not even try to wipe them away.
"You are safe." She kept talking, reassuring me in soothing tones. "We are in the living quarters on the third floor. The door is warded. I won't hurt you. Breathe. You are safe."
She mirrored me. Knees pulled up I front of her with her arms wrapped around them. Her head leaned against her knee facing me. I laid my head the same way, facing her.
I focused on her eyes as I listened to her continue talking to me. The words didn't matter. Her voice grounded me.
Exhaustion seeped through my body. I took a deep, ragged breath.
You are safe.
I blinked. Slowly, I lifted my head. There was a crick in my neck. My shoulders were tense and sore. My chest hurt. My head was throbbing. My eyes felt raw.
I let my head fall back against the wall. I wiped the drying tears from my face and took several deep breaths. Hermione had stopped talking, but she was still there by my side. Waiting. Watching. Comforting.
"Thank you." My voice sounded as raw as my throat felt. Had I been screaming? It felt like it. I swallowed painfully.
She released a deep breath. Slowly, she sat up and leaned against the wall. She wiped at her face and eyes with both hands just like I had. Was she crying too?
"You're welcome." She answered quietly.
Silence settled between us. After a long moment, I noticed that her hand was now lying on the floor between us. I lowered my own hand and covered hers.
I wanted to say something. Anything. But what could I say?
She had obviously seen what happened at dinner. She knew I was losing my shit. She followed me. Made sure I got somewhere safe, away from prying eyes. Stayed with me. Talked to me throughout my panic attack. Sat on the floor with me for…fuck…how long have we been here? When did the windows darken and the lanterns light the room?
I squeezed her hand. She squeezed back.
I didn't have to explain anything to her. She got it. She understood.
Her hand was shaking. Maybe she understood a little too well. I turned my head to look over at her. She was staring at the window. She looked as exhausted as I felt.
"What time is it?" My scratchy voice took her by surprise. She jumped before placing her hand over her heart and taking a deep breath.
"Oh. Um." She looked at her watch. "It's half past eight."
Over two hours, then. She sat here with me for over two hours. No wonder she looks exhausted.
"Do you have your bag with you?"
"Of course." She rolled her eyes. "What do you need?"
What I really need is to hold her. But I feel dirty. Violated. Less than human.
"A shower," I tell her. "And some more of your muggle medicine."
She nodded. Slowly, she released my hand and pulled herself up off the floor. Her bag was on the couch. She must have dropped it there when we came in.
I took a deep breath before forcing myself to stand as well. I felt unsteady on my feet, but my vision was normal and I felt like I could breathe again.
She handed me a bag with toiletries, a towel, and a black t-shirt.
I took the muggle medicine just like I had earlier. It had worked, until I had the worst panic attack of my life.
In the shower, I made the water as hot as I could stand it. I scrubbed at my skin and my hair, removing any traces of foreign material. I rolled my shoulders and my neck, stretching my muscles that had been so tense for hours.
When I finally stepped out of the spray, I felt more like myself. I still felt emotionally spent. But I also felt like I was in control again. I slipped on the clothes Hermione had given me and ran my hand through my hair.
Once I step through that doorway, I'll have to face her. She'll be there, I have no doubt. Waiting for me. She'll look at me differently now. How could she not?
What if she doesn't want anything to do with me after that? What if she decides it's not worth it?
She has broken down in front of you before. You didn't look at her any differently.
No, I didn't. I wouldn't. And neither would she. I took one final breath and opened the door.
She wasn't in the sitting room, but her bag was still lying on the couch. The door to the bedroom was open. She wasn't in there, either, but the window on the far side of the room was open.
I didn't notice it before, but the window was actually a stained glass doorway that stepped up to a small covered balcony outside the window. She was standing out there, leaning against the railing smoking a cigarette. It reminded me of the day I found her on the Hogwart's Express.
I leaned against the doorway and watched her for a moment. She was fidgeting more than normal. Tapping her fingertips against the stone, then pushing her hair back, then tapping the stone again. She finished her cigarette and snuffed it out on the stone. With her elbows on the railing, she put her head in her hands and gripped her hair.
"Hey."
She jumped and spun around to face me with one hand covering her heart.
"You look about a thousand times better." Her eyes took me in and she visibly relaxed.
I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat. She was anxious, worried about me.
"Thanks to you." That was the truth. Merlin knows where I would be right now without her.
She shook her head.
"No. I think I probably did everything wrong." She smirked despite the self-deprecation.
"Stop." I rolled my eyes. She knew better.
"Well, I've never been on this side of a panic attack before." She pushed her hair back behind her ears and stared down at her feet. "I tried to do everything my aunt did for me, but really I was just making it up as I went along."
I took a step closer to her. I lifted my hand slowly, making sure she saw it coming. My fingers grazed her chin and tilted her head back so I could look in her eyes.
"Seriously, Hermione. Thank you."
Her breath caught in her throat as her eyes searched mine. She bit into her bottom lip. I settled my hands on her waist and pulled her loosely against my chest. She released a deep sigh as she wrapped her arms around my back. As soon as she laid her head against my chest, I breathed my first clear breath in hours.
"Fuck, you scared me, Draco." She held me tighter.
She's not the only one. That was easily the worst attack I've had so far. I pulled her in closer and pressed my lips against the top of her forehead.
We stood there like that for several minutes, holding onto each other as tight as we could. Beyond the balcony, rain poured from the sky. The clouds had finally opened up. In the distance, lightning danced across the sky.
Eventually she took a deep breath and pulled back, just enough that she could look into my eyes. Her lip tilted up on one side.
"Look at it this way," she said with a bit of humor in her voice. "At least you didn't break her nose."
I huffed out a small laugh. No, I did not break Tracey's nose, but I'm sure there will be questions about my hasty exit later.
A particularly loud clap of thunder made both of us jump. Her eyes met mine and we both smirked. I pulled away reluctantly, but slipped my hand into hers as I turned. Wordlessly, we stepped back through the glass door into the bedroom.In the sitting room, I lit a fire to chase away the damp chill that had settled in the rooms. Then we settled on the couch side by side in front of the fire. She curled up against my chest, my arm draped over her shoulder.
"Did you say you have an aunt? I didn't know that."
She tensed for a moment.
"No one knows." She admitted. "My mum's sister. She married an American soldier and moved with him to the States when she was young."
No one knows? Even Potter and Weasley? Interesting.
"You stayed with her over the summer?" It seemed like an obvious question, but I find that I want to know all of the things that I don't know about Hermione Granger.
"They're the only family I have left." She sat up straighter and folded her legs on the couch in front of her. She leaned her elbows on her knees and stared into the fire. "After…well, after everything was over, I didn't know where to go. So I tracked her down."
"In America?" I asked. I rubbed her back in small circles as I waited for her to continue. The fire crackled and the rain pelted against the windows, filling the silence.
"My uncle is stationed in Ohio. Needless to say, they were quite shocked when I showed up on their doorstep. I was like, ten years old the last time I had seen them." She smiled, a small smile, at the memory.
I cleared my throat.
"I recently discovered that I also have an aunt. She has offered me a place to stay as well, if I need it." I picked at invisible lint on my pants.
Another thing we have in common.
I could feel her eyes on me. I looked up and met her gaze.
"Because of me?" She raised her brow in question.
"No." My lip quirked up on one side. I leaned closer. "Because of me."
Because I'm not who I used to be. Because I don't believe in what my parents want me to believe in. Because I've seen enough to make up my own mind. Because with or without her, I'm never going back.
She smiled at my response. Warmth tingled down my spine at the sight of it.
Her eyes darted to my mouth, then back to my eyes. Her cheeks tinged pink and she started to turn away. I moved quickly. I placed my hand on her cheek and waited for her to look me in the eye again before I leaned down and covered her lips with mine.
I kissed her slowly, carefully, taking my time to learn every curve of her lips against mine. My tongue swept across her lips and she moaned as she parted her lips and slid her tongue against mine.
Every gasp, every moan, I cataloged for later.
My hands settled on her waist as she shifted to face me. Her hands slid around my neck, her fingers slipping through my hair. What I can only describe as lust flooded through me.
It was a sensation I had never felt before. One that I didn't think I would ever feel.
It was too much.
Too fast.
She moaned into my mouth.
Fuck.
I pulled back, just a little. Just enough. I pressed my forehead against hers and closed my eyes, forcing a deep breath. Or two. Or three.
"Okay. That escalated quickly." Her voice was shaking as she fought to regain her breath as well.
"Too quickly."
"Yeah," she sighed. "Way too fast."
My hand rubbed up and down her arm. We both took a deep breath and put a little distance between us.
"You know it's getting close to curfew."
I groaned to myself. I don't feel up to facing any of them tonight.
"I might just stay here tonight." Like the coward that I am.
She studied me for a long moment. Her mouth opened and closed like she was about to say something, but changed her mind.
"I guess I'll go then."
My heart clenched. I don't want to return to the common room, but I don't want to be alone either.
She opened her bag and dug around in it for a minute. Finally, she pulled out a set of blankets, sheets and a pillow. The same set I had used the last time we got trapped on this floor together.
"Do you need anything else?" She looked at me with warm eyes.
You.
"No. This is great."
"Right then. Good night, Draco." She took down the wards and left the room.
I followed her out through the office into the empty lecture room beyond.
"Hermione, wait."
She paused near the entryway.
Stay.
I closed my eyes and took a measured breath.
"I'll see you in the morning?"
Coward.
She cocked her head to the side and smirked at me.
"Of course."
I stepped closer and leaned down for a short kiss.
"Good night, Hermione."
Her hand slipped into mine. I get the distinct feeling that she doesn't want to go any more than I want her to. As she turned away, her hand came up and her fingers touched her lips.
I watched from the entryway until she had made it to the staircase. Then she was gone, up the stairs towards Gryffindor Tower.
I might have waited a few more moments before turning around myself and going back into the living quarters. I closed the door and warded it before making the bed and lying down.
The events of the day caught up to me. Exhaustion settled over me like a fog. The storm still raged outside. The thunder and lightning, along with the rain pounding against the windows, lulled me to sleep.
The next time I opened my eyes morning had dawned, though the storm continued to pelt the castle.
There was a certain level of anxiety that settled in my stomach at the very thought of entering the Great Hall for breakfast. I was up early, though, which meant the Hall was nearly deserted when I took my seat.
I tried to eat quickly, but I was only halfway through my quiche when Theo sat next to me. He didn't say anything. I could feel his eyes on me, watching, waiting. Biding his time.
I finished eating and drained my cup of tea. My eyes searched the Gryffindor table.
"Where is Granger this morning?" Theo finally broke his silence.
"How should I know?" My tone was more defensive than it should have been.
"You weren't in the dorm again last night. I just figured you were with her again." I couldn't quite tell if his tone was sarcastic or teasing. With Theo, it could have been either.
"No. I just felt like being alone."
"You realize that's three nights in the last week that you have either missed curfew or haven't come back to the dorms at all. Are you trying to get your ass thrown in Azkaban?"
He made a valid point. I am supposed to be adhering to all school rules, and if I don't my probation can be revoked.
"If you think your new girlfriend is going to give you a get out of jail free card, I should remind you that she nearly got herself kicked out two days ago."
He wasn't wrong. I want to be angry with him for sticking his nose where it doesn't belong, but it was obvious he's just looking out for me. Or he's looking out for himself. If I get sent to Azkaban, they would be watching him even closer.
"You're right. I need to be more careful." I said it through gritted teeth. I hate admitting when I'm wrong, but in this case I am.
He looked up at me with wide eyes, surprised by my confession.
"Wait, can I get that in writing? Just the part about me being right?" His lip tilted up in a smirk on one side and his whole demeanor relaxed slightly. He was nervous about this conversation.
"Shut it." I rolled my eyes and turned back towards the Gryffindor table.
She was there, alone, eating her breakfast. I watched her until her eyes lifted and found mine. Her lips tilted up in a smirk. Mine did the same.
Her hair was hanging loosely today. The red was hidden beneath the black. Despite the chill in the air from the storm, she wore her short sleeved uniform shirt with her tie barely tied around her neck. The phoenix on her arm was on partial display.
It was amazing. One look from her, and I instantly relaxed.
I should probably be worried about that.
"Seriously, Draco. Stop thinking with your prick and keep yourself out of trouble."
I turned and glared at him for a moment.
"Why don't you focus on keeping yourself out of trouble, Theo. And stay out of my business."
"Fair enough." He chuckled before shifting away to eat his breakfast.
I sighed to myself. Again, he isn't wrong.
Before I could get up and leave, Blaise sat down on the other side of me.
"I hear Pansy won the bet," he grumbled. "I had Halloween as the first kiss."
"Oh Merlin. Don't you wankers have anything better to do with your time? Or your money?" I rolled my eyes. These two are worse than school girls.
Speaking of, Pansy, Daphne and Tracey sat down next, right across the table from me. That was my clue to leave.
"Good morning, Draco." Pansy had a smile on her face. Of course she did. "Just so you know, I'm going to be able to buy a beautiful gown for the Hallow's Eve Ball, thanks to you."
"You're welcome," I responded sarcastically. What else was I supposed to say? How did she know I would kiss Granger within a week? She's always claimed to have a gift of sight. Maybe she really does.
Blaise and Daphne laughed. Tracey glared at me, then at Blaise.
"You cannot possibly think this is funny?" She kicked him under the table. "He treats me like I have the plague or something, and he's kissing her in darkened alcoves? It's not natural. She's done something to him. A love potion or a spell or something."
Blaise cocked his head to the side, but it was Daphne that responded.
"Listen to you. Jealous much?" Daphne looked at me and winked.
Tracey's face burned bright red.
"I'm just worried that none of you see something is off with this. She has to have him under some kind of spell, otherwise why would he turn me down but go after her? It doesn't make sense."
I held my breath. Out of the corner of my eye, I met Theo's startled look. Pansy froze with her fork halfway to her mouth. Daphne stared at Blaise with wide eyes, waiting. We all seemed to hold our breath collectively.
"When did he turn you down?" Blaise finally asked quietly.
Her face paled. Her mouth opened and closed several times.
"The last time would have been last night at dinner, right?" Theo chipped in. "Sat right down and put her arm around him."
Tracey turned to Theo and glared at him.
"What do you know about it, Theodore?"
"I know you've been sexually harassing him all semester." Theo fired right back at her. I think he's still a little salty that she turned him down, even if it was a long time ago.
"I see." Blaise pushed his plate back. "Everyone knew about this, then?"
Daphne and Pansy both shook their heads. They had no idea.
I felt like I should say something, but I had no idea what.
There seemed to be a stalemate at the Slytherin table. Everyone was waiting to see who would snap first, Blaise or Tracey.
The mundane drama of it all suddenly struck me as funny. I chuckled to myself and shook my head. All eyes turned to me, but I couldn't help it. A weight had lifted off my shoulders.
Hermione was watching me. My gaze caught hers and she nodded towards the door.
"You okay there?" Pansy asked with a slight smirk.
"Never better." I smirked back at her. "Excuse me."
I didn't wait for a response before leaving the table. Hermione and I got to the doors at the same time.
"Good morning." Without even thinking about it, her hand slid into mine. "Everything okay? It seemed a little…tense over there."
"Fine. Normal teenage drama."
"That sounds like a nice change of pace." Her eyes flickered over to the Slytherin table then back to me.
"I thought so, too." I wanted to kiss her, but I could feel hundreds of pairs of eyes on us at the moment. People started to murmur, those that had heard the gossip but hadn't seen with their own eyes.
"Oh Merlin. You would think they would find something better to gossip about than us." Hermione rolled her eyes.
I laughed to myself at her in response. Surely she realizes what a scandal we make.
I continued to hold her hand as we walked through the castle to the Transfiguration classroom.
We were the first ones there. Giles wasn't even there yet. Hermione dug around in her bag until she pulled out a roll of parchment.
As soon as Giles walked in, she carried the roll of parchment over and set it on his desk.
Her research project. I forgot it was due today.
"Miss Granger. I look forward to reading it." He picked it up and slipped it into his robes.
Well, that was disappointing. I was hoping for a little bit more of a show than that.
"Professor?" She still stood in front of his desk. Waiting until he looked up. "Ever since I found out that I'm a witch, I have had to deal with people like you. People that think that I don't belong here because of my heritage. Believe me when I say, better wizards and witches than you have tried to break me and failed. Bring it. Because you will lose."
Giles' eyes widened almost comically wide. His gaze darted from her to me and back to her again. His lip tilted up on one side.
"Miss Granger, I think you've misunderstood my intentions."
She crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her head to one side. I couldn't see her face from where I was sitting, but I'm sure she had one eyebrow lifted waiting for him to continue.
"My intention was never to degrade you for being muggleborn. It was just the opposite, actually." He stood and leaned against the desk in front of her. "I only wanted you to see how incredibly rare and special you are. It would be a shame if you waste your talent and power."
His words had surprised her as much as they surprised me. She took a step back, pushed her hair behind her ears and turned to look at me. I shrugged my shoulders. He did seem disappointed when she was pissed at him over the assignment. Maybe he was telling the truth.
"I don't want to break you, Miss Granger. I want to challenge you to reach your potential."
She stared at him, gobsmacked. It was certainly not the reaction that either one of us had expected.
"I want to see what a fellow muggleborn can accomplish when she sets her mind to it."
The classroom started to fill up around us. Slowly, she turned away and returned to her desk next to me.
"What in the actual fuck?" She muttered as she sat down.
"You okay?" Her skin was pale. She looked like she was in shock.
"I don't even know." She stared out the window, her hand gripped in mine. She didn't move the entire class. Not even when the bell rang and the room started to empty.
Giles noticed her nearly catatonic state. After the room had cleared out, he moved to stand right in front of us.
"Miss Granger? Are you alright?" He looked from her to me. I shrugged my shoulders. It beat the hell out of me. It was hard to tell what was going on in that overactive brain of hers.
"What do you mean, you want to challenge me?" She blinked quickly, finally averting her eyes from the window she had stared at for the last ninety minutes.
"Challenge. Something that needs great mental or physical effort in order to be done successfully and therefore tests a person's ability." He crossed his arms and leaned against the desk behind him.
"Thank you." The sarcasm in her voice was accompanied by an eye roll. "I wasn't asking for the definition. How do you plan on challenging me? I already know the seventh year curricula. I studied it last year."
His eyebrow rose. He contemplated her for a long moment.
"I was under the impression that you were not in attendance at Hogwart's last year."
She blinked at him twice, then tilted her head to the side.
"I wasn't." Her tone implied the ' so what' that she left unspoken.
I covered my laugh with a fake cough and a hand over my mouth. Like Granger would let something as petty as a war keep her from her studies.
She squeezed my hand. Hard. Her fingernails would likely cut the skin.
I looked over at her and she was glaring at me.
"Something funny, Malfoy?" She raised her eyebrow at me.
"Not at all." The laughter in my voice gave me away. I was picturing her forcing Potter and Weasley to study while being chased by Death Eaters. She probably had her own lesson plans, homework and tests.
She pulled her hand away and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Are you saying that you are prepared to take your NEWT's, Miss Granger?" Giles' tone was colored in disbelief. "All of them?"
"I asked McGonagall to let me take them over the summer. And yet, here I am."
The next class started filing in, which told me we were definitely going to be late for potions. Damn. I just promised Theo I would toe the line from now on.
"You two better go. We'll talk about this more later." He dismissed us and turned to greet the third years that were walking in.
We left his classroom and walked down the deserted corridor side by side. My hand felt cold and empty without hers. She was upset with me. That bothered me more than I would care to admit.
At the bottom of the stairs, I managed to get far enough ahead of her that I could block her path. I turned to face her and she nearly ran me over.
"What are you doing?" She practically growled at me. Her eyes flashed. Her hands tightened into fists at her side. She scowled.
She took my breath away.
"What is this about?" I gestured to her whole demeanor, from her scowl to her body language.
She blinked her eyes quickly. Were there tears hiding in those hazel depths?
Fuck. She's crying because I laughed at her.
"I don't need anyone else in my life that thinks I'm a joke."
I stared at her with wide eyes for a long moment. Is that what she thought?
Of course that's what she thinks. You spent six years making fun of her for being a know it all swot.
I had no idea what to say. The longer we stood there, the more her face crumbled. She looked devastated.
You did that. Say something, you fool!
Fix. This.
"Hermione. I don't think that. At all." I tried to reach for her hands, but she pulled back.
"Yes, you do. You look at me and you don't see the same Hermione Granger you went to school with, so you forget that I'm still her." She wiped her face angrily. "Would you still want to be with me, to hold my hand and kiss me, if I still had long, curly brown hair and dressed as buttoned up as you do?"
Her words, and her tears, took me by surprise. What is even happening right now?
You are blowing it.
"What?" I asked dumbly.
She closed her eyes in concentration and pulled out her wand. Slowly, quietly, she muttered a glamour charm and waved her wand from her hair to her toes.
I blinked at the transformation. Standing in front of me was the Granger I remembered from years past. Complete with bushy, brown hair all the way down to her Mary Jane's.
This is a test, dumbass. Pass or fail. Don't fuck it up.
I let my eyes drift down her body and back up again, taking her in. Still beautiful. Still intriguing. Still pissed.
"I don't know what has gotten into you, Granger." I lifted my hand slowly, pushed the hair back from her face. If she was fishing for compliments, she wouldn't get them. Not right now anyway.
She stared up at me. Tears continued to leak from her eyes. I wiped them away with my thumbs and cupped her face in my hands.
"I happen to like that you are passionate about knowledge. I wasn't laughing at you."
Her eyebrows crinkled in confusion.
"You do?" She didn't believe me. Why would she?
"Yes. It's what makes you…you."
She blinked up at me.
"Why were you laughing, then?"
She was still skeptical, but she wasn't pushing me away.
"Did you see the look on Giles' face?" I let my mouth quirk up in a smirk. "He was shocked. He still has no clue who he's dealing with."
She relaxed a little bit. Her eyes closed and she took a deep breath.
"And you do?" She asked quietly, almost a whisper.
Instead of answering, I leaned down and brushed my lips against hers. Then again. The third time, she captured my lips with hers.
I sighed into her mouth as she relaxed into my arms. As she melted into me, I wrapped my arms around her and held on as tight as I could.
Fuck. That was close. Too damn close.
AN: Hey all. Sorry I'm a little late in posting. It's been a busy summer. And I've been focused on writing. I have up to chapter 15 done now. Phew!
So for this chapter - panic attack, a twist on Giles' homework assignment, and Hermione making sure Draco remembers who she really is…
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Until next time.
-mezy