Okay First i just want to say that this chapter is a lot different than the others and i hope it turned out okay. I tried to make you guys laugh in this one but if it sucks just tell me!
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Slytherin Common Room…
“Good one Theo,” Pansy snapped, rolling her eyes at Theodore who sat looking at the entrance of the common room, waiting for Hermione to come back so he could apologize.
He didn’t mean what he said; he didn’t mean any of it. He was just shocked and maybe even a bit jealous seeing her snog Cormac Mclaggen in front of the whole school. He thought he would have to look out for Draco but he didn’t even think about anybody else, he thought he scared away the rest of the boys who dared to talk to Hermione, although she was intimidating all her own.
“Piss off, Parkinson,” Theodore growled, growing irritated with her snide remarks.
Pansy sneered at him. She didn’t know why but she didn’t like Nott yelling at Hermione. Yes they weren’t close friends, well maybe not even considered friends, but they got to know each other well enough over the course of the week. And wasn’t it the girl code to stick up for each other especially when they’re being yelled at for doing nothing wrong? Pansy had no clue; to be honest she never really had girlfriends. Most of the girls in her house disliked her and others were scared of her.
Then there was the obvious problem. Hermione was a Mudblood. And no matter how much the war had changed Pansy; she couldn’t ignore the lessons and rules instilled into her by her parents. It was part of her now. She disliked Mudblood’s, hated them even; they were filth, as simple as that. But Pansy also couldn’t help but feel bad for thinking that way. The more she got to genuinely know Hermione, the more she liked her, and the more the barriers between them began to crumble.
“Just because you’re jealous didn’t mean you had to go and yell at her,” Pansy continued to speak, ignoring Theodore’s previous request.
“I’m not jealous,” Theodore replied shooting daggers at her, but it lacked the usual anger behind them. Pansy chuckled.
“Keep telling yourself that Theo,” Pansy pestered. “And she most likely doesn’t even like Mclaggen.”
“How do you know that?” Theodore asked her curious, turning his attention from the entrance of the common room to her. Pansy rolled her eyes. Boys, she thought.
“Well she’s obviously only trying to make the Weasel jealous,” Pansy replied in a “duh” tone of voice. Pansy then stood up. “Really Theo, you should just tell her you like her before she falls for someone else.”
“Like who?” Theodore asked angrily.
Pansy rolled her eyes once more. Were all boys really this thick? She thought about Blaise and a smile tugged at her lips while blush rushed to her cheeks. No, she thought, Blaise is far from being thick. He’s the most intuitive as well as intelligent and devilishly handsome and cunning person she knew. Not even Draco compared to him in her mind and that in itself could’ve shocked anyone.
“I don’t know maybe she’ll really fall in love with Mclaggen, or maybe even take back the Weasel. Although I’m sure she’s smarter than that. Or maybe she could even fall in love with…” Pansy trailed off. She had been thinking about the connection for a while now. Was it possible?
Theodore looked at her waiting for her to continue.
“…Draco.” She said and thought about Hermione and Draco for a minute. Maybe, just maybe…
With those words she walked to the girls’ dorm rooms and headed into her own. Theodore sat there shocked. Of course he too had his suspicions but he had no real evidence. And there was no way possible that Hermione and Draco would ever be more than they were now. Draco hated mudblood’s, then again so did he…
With those thoughts Theodore stood up and walked to his dorm room that he shared with Draco and Goyle, deciding to catch Hermione and apologize tomorrow. His thoughts swirled within his mind, seeming more like a puzzle than anything.
Malfoy Manor…
Draco Malfoy apparated in front of his Manor, the winter snow and coldness of the night biting into his bones. He looked at his house and couldn’t help but feel as if something was terribly wrong. There was no trace of light except for the little bit from the moon but even that was fading as the dark grey clouds came storming in, snow beginning to fall more violently. Quickly Draco approached, the manor growing bigger, darker. The signs of the Dark Lord’s stay still evident in its surroundings, as if he never truly left.
Draco yanked open the front door, not at all surprised to find it unlocked. Who would dare steal from the Malfoy’s, let along approach them? The door shut behind him with a thud and Draco found it no warmer in the foyer than outside, if anything it felt colder.
Draco hurriedly walked towards the dining room where they usually had meetings, his footsteps echoing off the walls. He rubbed his left forearm absentmindedly, the tattoo slightly causing him pain. He could hear the voices before he saw them and once inside the dining room all noise ceased to stop.
“Ah, Draco my boy,” Lucius Malfoy said in greeting to his son.
“Come Draco,” Narcissa called to him, patting the chair next to her for him to sit in.
Draco nodded his head in greeting and walked over towards his mother glancing around the room at the other faces. He noticed that there was Theodore’s father along with Pansy, Blaise, Goyle, and Crabbe’s. There was Walden Macnair, Travers, Thorfinn Rowle, Selwyn, Rosier Sr., Rabastan Lestrange, Mulciber Jr., Jugson, and numerous others. Draco felt that familiar feeling of fear and utter helplessness consume him.
Wasn’t the war over? Wasn’t the dark Lord dead? Weren’t these Death Eaters supposedly on the run and hiding? He asked himself, keeping a look of utter boredom on his face as he screamed and cried in the inside. He took the seat his mother gave him and felt slightly safer near her, but not much.
Lucius Malfoy who sat next to his wife rose from his seat. His once glamorous looks and energy that he had lost during the last few years coming back to him, making him seem young, vibrant, and all the more wicked. Draco gulped, what was going on?
Narcissa Malfoy laid her hand atop her sons; she could see the fear in his eyes that only she could see. Bloody hell, she didn’t even know what this was all about. She thought this was behind them, she thought her son would finally have a normal life. She gripped his hand giving him strength. She didn’t understand how she was letting her son get involved again, after everything.
“I will make this short,” Lucius said first looking at everyone and lastly his son and wife. How he wished what he was going to say wasn’t true. But if it was it was better to protect his family then be sorry. “The Dark Lord is back.” Lucius stated pulling back his left sleeve to reveal his Dark Mark which was moving around as if agitated.
No one denied his statement, they could all feel the Dark Mark on their arms, and they knew it had to be the Dark Lord, who else would it be? Who else had the vast power that Lord Voldemort had, the darkened and evil energy which he produced? Who else could make their Dark Marks stir to life other than the Dark Lord himself?
Draco froze, shocked and terrified. The Dark Lord was back? Images of all that occurred since the Dark Lords rebirth and the invasion of his home, life, and even thoughts came to mind. He couldn’t sleep because of him, he couldn’t forget because of him, he couldn’t live because of him, and he was completely shattered because of him. Draco felt his mother’s grip tighten on his hand and he squeezed it back. He would be strong for her; he would always be strong for her.
“What is it that we do then Lucius?” Nott Sr. asked.
“We wait,” Travers said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“Yes Travers because that worked out so well last time,” Jugson growled, his features distorted.
“Well what is it then? Where is the Dark Lord if not dead?” Travers retorted.
“He’s gaining his powers, regenerating. For now we wait for his call,” Lucius said matter-of-factly. “But as of now we should regain our numbers.”
“And use our useless children?” Nott Sr. retorted with a chuckle.
“Unlike your son who has grown weak and fallen for a filthy Mudblood, there are other capable children,” Lucius sneered looking down at Nott with disgust. His son had already tarnished their name and when the Dark Lord returned he wouldn’t be at all happy.
Nott Sr. tried to come up with a good enough comeback but he couldn’t. His son was weak and he had read the Daily Prophet, he was disgusted by him. Satisfied Lucius turned towards Draco.
“Draco, do you know some of your peers who would be willing to serve the Dark Lord once more?” He asked his son, hating to put him on the spot but it needed to be done. He needed the others to truly believe he was a loyal death eater as well as his son, considering that they were the only ones vindicated for their crimes.
“Pansy Park-” Before Draco could finish the name he was interrupted.
“You leave my daughter out of this!” Pansy’s father yelled, not knowing at all why he was doing so. He thought about his daughter, yes she was capable, he made sure of that, but the thought of her with a Dark Mark repulsed him. Sure he didn’t show her that he cared but he protected her from joining the ranks, didn’t that mean something? The others turned to look at him with glares. “She’s too weak; she wouldn’t last through the marking.” He added trying to come up with a reasonable explanation. They seemed to understand his reasoning and turned their attention back on Draco and Lucius. Pansy’s father released a breath he had held and also continued to focus.
“I’m not quite sure,” Draco said in a rough voice. He didn’t like all the eyes on him. “The rest of the returning Slytherin’s supported Potter and his lot during the war.” And this was true so Draco didn’t feel too nervous, on the outside though he continued to look as if he was completely bored with the entire conversation and meeting.
“Draco must get going dear. Others will notice his absence,” Narcissa said aloud wanting her son to be gone from such business. He already had to go through this once, she didn’t want him to go through it a second time. But even she knew that she had no control. If the Dark Lord returned, hell would be let lose all over again.
Lucius nodded his head and Draco stood up but not before giving his mother a kiss on her cheek and squeezing her hand one last time. Draco nodded to his father and turned to walk out of the dining room.
“And Draco, do keep an eye on Potter. Make sure he doesn’t notice anything and if he does inform me immediately.” Lucius told his son. “And keep an eye on that Mudblood girl.”
Draco turned to look at his father.
“Yes, father,” He replied with a stiff nod and turned on his heels, getting as far away from the manor as possible.
Once outside he hurriedly made his way to the apparating point and appeared on the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest. Draco couldn’t believe how easy it was to slip away and then to slip undetected back into school, after everything that happened and the school still didn’t have stronger wards. He shook his head in disproval and walked back towards the school to the chambers.
The thin layer of snow crunched beneath his feet as he walked. His hands were stuffed into his coat and he squeezed his extra layer of clothing closer to him as the night seemed to continue dropping in temperature. His breaths came out as white puffs and Draco couldn’t help but feel defeated as he trudged back to the school. He didn’t want to believe what his father said was true, but he couldn’t deny the odd stirrings that had occurred lately. He couldn’t describe what caused his mark to burn and become agitated, he didn’t know.
It was then that Draco peered upwards away from his feet and caught a glimpse of what seemed to be a figure in the distance encircled in what seemed to be a whirlwind of snow. The air around Draco began to whip around angrily and the Dark Mark on his left forearm burned with intensity, he winced in pain but continued to look in the distance.
He couldn’t see the person besides the darkened silhouette partially clouded from the mini snow storm they had created around themselves. The wind howled as if angry and the naked tree branches swayed back and forth. Suddenly the figure glowed green and in a quick flash disappeared. The trees stopped swaying; the snow gently made its way back to the ground, and the air around seemed to go still.
Draco blinked his eyes not once, but twice, not knowing what to make of what he had just seen. The burning of his mark gradually went away as he regained his composure, shook off the feeling of fright, and made his way back to his original destination.
It’s just a trick of the mind, Draco. He told himself, trying to clear away the feelings of sickly fear from his body. He shivered involuntarily. There was nothing, you saw nothing; your mind is playing tricks on you. He continued to convince himself.
As he made his way into the castle, keeping to the shadows, Draco tore back his sleeve of his right arm and peered at his mark. Though the burning sensation had faded, his mark was moving across his skin. The snake moving through the skull and he could hear a faint hiss coming from the said tattoo. Draco quickly covered his mark, clamped his jaws shut, put his hands into fists at his side, and hurriedly entered the chambers and in to the Slytherin Common room.
Monday - November 10
Hermione stood at the edge of the Black Lake, well aware that she was missing her first class of the day, which was Advance Potions. She honestly had no clue what she was doing. It was her intention to go to class but before she knew it her feet had absentmindedly led her to the lake.
She did not know how long she stood there, just staring at the lake that refused to be frozen over. It was if her mind had left her and she stood there, simply staring at the scene around her. Yet again her feet moved without her consent and she ended up before the great white tomb on the shore of the Black Lake, the tomb in which held her beloved departed Headmaster.
Her senses slowly began to come back to her and she inhaled a deep breath, the cold air burning her lungs but she ignored the insignificant discomfort. Ever so slowly she edged towards the tomb, her hand outstretched as if to touch it. Her fingers instantly touched smooth marble and her heart wrenched in sorrow as she thought about the day he died, the day in which led her, Harry, and Ron on their Horcrux mission.
Her thoughts then became consumed with the Battle at Hogwarts which was barely seven months ago. Tears dripped down her closed eye lids as memories of the war consumed her. How could she have forgotten the pain, the heartache, the loss? How could she have so easily moved on with her life without even paying her respects to all of those who were lost?
She remembered the screams and the chaos. How people fell besides her right and left as she ran for her life and followed obediently after Harry and Ron. She remembered the spells, green, blue, yellow, red, zooming past her. She remembered the cries, remembered her peers looking worn and exhausted yet keeping it together as they fought bravely and fought for their lives, for their freedom. And most importantly she remembered as she heard Snape die by a man who he had served, a man who was a monster, and a man who was her blood. She remembered his last moments in which he looked into Harry’s eyes, his true character finally showing through. How she had hated herself in that moment for misjudging him, for loathing him, for hating him.
Hermione took in yet another staggered breath and forced her eyes to open and memories to retreat into the back of her mind. She was strong and she could handle this pain, she could handle it and she would not break down. She took her hand away from the tomb and once again turned towards the Black Lake.
Even though her tears were newly wet on her face and the wind nipped at her cruelly and the snow gently fell down around her, she didn’t feel cold at all. A fire was burning within her soul that warmed her entire being. She didn’t know whether it was her powers that were causing this or just the amount of hate she felt for the man who called himself Lord Voldemort. But either way her body was on fire and slowly becoming unbearable.
Not controlling herself at all she began to strip out of her clothes, first her scarf, then robes, jacket, then shoes, until she was standing simply barefoot with only a thin long sleeve shirt and her black booty shorts that she wore under her robes and jeans. Yet she still didn’t feel the coldness around her or feel numb. All she could feel was her entire being, being consumed in invisible flames and the only thought that passed through her mind was to end the torture.
It was so different then her other post-transformation attacks. Where she would be rendered useless and succumb to the pain, her body taking a physical and mental beating, this time she just felt as if she were standing in the middle of a fire pit. Her flesh felt as if it was sizzling, her body and soul being roasted, and her vision was red.
Without thinking Hermione instantly sprinted towards the Black Lake and dived in. her eyes were squeezed shut and she felt herself slowly sink lower into the lake. The freezing ice cold water however did not affect her or the flames inside her, she was still burning. If anything it grew worse and before she could control herself she let out a scream which was muffled by the water. Forgetting that she was submerged she tried to inhale but instead sucked in the freezing water, which burned her inside out as it made its way down her throat.
She opened her eyes and saw the underwater world below her. Although she felt as if she was dying everything around her was calm and tranquil. Unconsciously she began to relax and stopped struggling, stopped breathing, she just stopped. Looking above her she saw the surface seem miles away but already she was losing consciousness and her insides were burning.
Her brain finally beginning to function correctly once more, Hermione pushed the thoughts of dying and the pain aside and focused. She would get out of this. Finally the spell came to her and she quickly chanted the bubble-head charm incantation in her mind, seconds later a bubble formed around her and she took in a much needed breath.
Her heart was beating furiously and she swore that it would’ve exploded from her chest if she didn’t even out her breathing. As she regained control of herself, the invisible flames that had once devoured her slowly faded away, leaving her body to feel jolted by the needles of ice chilling water prickling her body.
“What was I thinking?” She asked herself aloud, finding herself possibly going mad.
Here she was in the middle of the Black Lake, submerged completely, while it was snowing. Who in their right mind would do such an act such as her? She didn’t even remember stripping out of her clothes or jumping into the lake. She simply remembered burning and wanting to put the flames out.
Knowing that she could possibly go under hypothermia, Hermione ignored the thought and decided while she was down here she might as well have fun with it. Heck she was already missing class so what did it matter if she missed it completely? She didn’t bother paying attention in class any longer and school was no longer her priority in life and that in itself was a shock to her.
Ignoring how her body grew numb with the freezing bone chilling water, she began to swim. Now if any other had saw a girl wearing only short shorts and a thin light green long sleeved shirt with brilliant blonde brown hair, swimming in the black lake they would’ve thought themselves insane and instantly dismissed the inane thoughts, but that was exactly what Hermione was doing at the moment and for once she felt completely free, oddly enough.
She put the thoughts of her worried friends and parents behind her. She put the thoughts of the war behind her, she put the thoughts of her powers behind her, and she put everything behind her as she explored the underwater depths of the lake. However what she was unable to stuff into the back of her mind was the memory of Draco looking at her with his intense gray eyes that showed her a piece of who he truly was behind the lies and behind the mask he had long placed on himself.
Meanwhile in Advanced Potions…
“Good job Theo, you pissed Mione off so badly last night that she didn’t even come to class,” Pansy sneered at Theodore as the worked on Merlin knows what.
“It’s not my fault,” Theodore replied defending himself, but he was feeling guilty.
Pansy rolled her eyes, growing irritated. To be honest with herself Pansy still did not know why she was mad at Theodore. But of course she was lying to herself. She was getting soft and she refused to admit that Hermione was growing on her.
Draco stood on the outskirts focusing on his potion while also eavesdropping on their conversation. He hated what Theodore said to Hermione last night, but then again he said nothing, did nothing. It didn’t help the fact that he couldn’t say anything because as soon as he saw Mione grow cold and harsh, his Dark Mark burned with an excruciating intensity that he snuck away before any of his peers noticed him gripping his forearm. It was when he made it to the common room before everyone else that he received the letter from his mother telling him to sneak away that very night.
“She’ll come around,” Blaise said comfortingly to Theo who he could tell was feeling guilty.
While the Slytherin’s and ex-Slytherin chatted together the Gryffindor’s on the other side of the room did the same. Ginny eyed her brother as if blaming him for Hermione’s disappearance. Ron however had no clue that Hermione had found him snogging Hannah Abbott the other night. And Harry well Harry was Harry. He of course was worried once more about his best friend. He thought this year would be stress free but he was more than wrong.
“Ron what did you do?” Ginny growled glaring daggers at her least favorite brother at the moment.
Ron looked at her with wide eyes.
“Me?” He asked astonished, he didn’t do anything. Well maybe he did something but it wasn’t his fault, honestly it wasn’t. Hannah had cornered him and admitted her feelings for him and before he knew it they were snogging and once again Ron gave into his desires and didn’t push her away.
“Yes you, I know you did something to upset her,” Ginny replied, throwing her ingredients angrily into her potion. Harry grabbed one of her free hands and rubbed her fingers gently in a soothing manner in an attempt to cool her down, which it did.
“Believe it or not Gin, I did nothing to upset her this time,” Ron replied quite angrily at her accusation.
“Then what is it I hear about you and Hannah snogging in a dark corner last night and you sneaking into the great hall right after Hermione came storming in with an angry expression and tears in her eyes?” Ginny demanded her hand slamming on the wood countertop, she was furious and not even Harry could calm the beast. People peered at the three.
Ron grew pale and shocked. Hermione didn’t see anything, right? He asked himself. He shook his head.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Ron replied. This seemed to however only anger Ginny more, you could practically see the smoke coming out of her ears and even Harry had to admit he was a bit scared of his girlfriend.
“Do. Not. Play. Dumb. With. Me. Ronald.” She said each word slowly and with force, her words laced with venom that could kill. Ron edged away absentmindedly, at times like these his sister reminded him so much of his mother.
“Merlin Ginny, will you calm down?” He asked her, which only caused her to grow even further angry if that were at all possible. She turned around and looked towards the other half of the room and spotted the boy she was looking for.
“Draco, will you come here for a moment?” Ginny asked him between gritted teeth. She didn’t want to drag Malfoy into her argument but she just knew that he knew why Hermione was angry last night and possibly why she wasn’t in class.
Draco peered at her unsure. He could see how her face was red with anger and her whole aura was screaming pissed the F off. He also noticed how Weasley looked at his sister with a frightened look and for that very reason Draco strode over towards them. Everyone watched them silently, even Professor Slughorn.
“Draco I will like to ask you a very simple question that you will answer truthfully.” She told him without room to argue. He just gave her a stiff nod, not liking the stares upon him, but he kept his head held high. “Did you or did you not see my stupid git of a brother snogging Hannah Abbott last night when you and Hermione came to the great hall?”
Ron looked at Draco glaringly, still hating him for all his past actions and for what he did to Hermione the other day. He hated Malfoy with a passion and he didn’t understand how his sister could willingly talk to him and use his first name without a hint of disgust in her voice. Harry however was just listening and keeping on the sidelines, only intervening if he saw it necessary. He also wanted to hear if Ginny was right about Ron, if she was, which she probably was because she never lies, Harry wouldn’t know what to think. He was already disappointed in his friend enough; he didn’t know if he could handle any more disappointment.
“Yes,” Draco said surprising everyone when he looked Ron directly in his eyes and glared at him with so much hatred. This went beyond their adolescent and blood supremacy hatred that they had before, this was deeper, more profound, and more real in a sense. Draco could hear everyone gasp in surprise at his answer.
Ron grew red in the face both from embarrassment as well as anger. He was embarrassed because he was caught in a lie and angry because it was Draco Malfoy who had found him out.
“Thank you Draco,” Ginny told him and whipped her body towards her brother directing all her hate, disgust, and anger his way. She couldn’t believe he had done this to Hermione again! Even after he told both her and Harry that he loved her and would try to win her back. She guessed that was a bunch of BS.
Before Ginny could unleash her pent of fury on her brother in front of the class a very wet as well as poorly dressed and freezing Hermione stumbled into the classroom. Her skin was pale and her hair and rest of her body dripping wet from her swim in the Black Lake. She also didn’t dry herself off or get dressed and was still wearing her black booty shorts and thin light green long sleeved top. She was also barefoot and she held her dry clothes in her hands. She was shivering quite violently but she convinced herself that she wasn’t at all freezing. Her lips were growing purple and her eyes becoming dilated.
“Hermione!” Ginny yelled all anger gone from her voice as she ran to her best friend and engulfed her into a hug.
Hermione let out a light laugh and instantly everyone crowded around her. Theodore took off his jacket and placed it on top her shoulders and wrapped her in a warm embrace, his heart was thumping loud in his ears and he was distraught seeing her in such a manner. Ginny then led her to a stool to sit down after Theodore pulled away from her.
Professor Slughorn instantly appeared at her side and draped thick warm blankets across her shoulders; she smiled thanks in his direction. Harry, Ginny, Blaise, Theodore, Pansy, Ron, and the rest of the class surrounded her asking questions one after the other. Draco stood on the outskirts unsure what to do.
“Why are you soaked?” Ginny was heard over the crowd, quieting everyone down.
“Oh um, about that…” She trailed off not knowing how to say she was swimming in the Black Lake without sounding completely mad. “Well I um…was swimming in the Black Lake.”
She heard a collective gasp from everyone in the room and she ignored the urge to roll her eyes. Why was it everyone was so dramatic?
“What why?” Ginny demanded her eyes growing hard as she demanded answers but were still soft.
“Well you know, it was a bit hot out and so I thought I could use a swim,” Hermione replied nonchalantly with a weak smile. Ginny just glared at her, but before she could say anything Theodore spoke.
“Are you mad? It’s practically freezing out there!” Theodore exclaimed. Hermione looked into his green eyes and saw the worry written in them, she felt slightly guilty but if she had the choice to choose all over she would’ve done it again. “Plus all those creatures in the lake, what would’ve happened if something caught you?”
“I’m alright aren’t I?” Hermione retorted.
“Hermione you’re shivering and-” Theodore grabbed one of her hands to feel the rhythm of her heartbeat. “-your heartbeat is irregular also you’re as cold as ice, maybe even worse.” He turned towards Professor Slughorn. “She needs to see Madam Pomfrey immediately Professor, she’s showing signs of hypothermia.” Theodore said urgently.
Professor Slughorn nodded.
“Draco will you take Miss Granger to the hospital wing considering you are the only one done with all your work?” Professor Slughorn asked.
Draco uneasily gave a stiff nod.
“What?” Ron hissed angrily. “You’re going to entrust Hermione to him?”
“At this point of time Weasley, I trust him more than you,” Hermione snapped and with that stood up, the blankets falling from her shoulders, and everyone effectively giving her room. Ron just stared at her like a fish gasping for water.
With those words Hermione made her way through her peers until she was standing next to Draco. Seeing him standing there shocked and stunned, she rolled her eyes to herself, grabbed his hand, and pulled him out of the classroom, ignoring all the stares. Once safely in the hall and away from their prying peers, Hermione decided to speak.
“You don't have to take me, Draco. Honestly I’m alright,” She told him but her body seemed to betray her because at that moment a shudder ran through her and Draco could feel it because of the hand that was still clasped with hers. He stopped walking and forced Granger to do the same.
“Granger, you are not alright,” he told her, staring directly in her eyes.
He saw her grow even more ghostly pale and her body continue to decrease in temperature. Her lips seeming to now be officially purple and her breathing became more ragged. Before Hermione could control her body her legs gave way under her and she knew landing on the ground was inevitable, but before long she felt two warm arms embrace her and hold her gently to their chest. Hermione feeling comforted and safe and a bit delusional began to let the darkness take over.
Draco held Hermione in his arms freaking out inside his mind. First of all, she seemed to have died but he knew that was false when he could feel the beating of her heart and feel her warm breaths on his neck. Before he could think he automatically held her bridle style and began to head towards the hospital wing when her voice stopped him.
“Don’t take me to the hospital wing,” She said softly almost in a begging voice, her head instinctively snuggling into his awfully warm chest. Now he surely thought she was going mad. He also couldn’t help but feel butterflies flutter in his stomach as she snuggled into him.
“Granger, you have to go,” He told her softly, but had stopped in his tracks nonetheless.
“No, I’ll be alright.” And before Draco could argue with her she finally let the darkness pull her in and she was out like a light bulb.
“Bloody hell,” Draco swore under his breath.
Not wanting to go against her wishes yet uncertain about her health, he contemplated what to do for a few moments before he sighed in defeat and carried her to the Slytherin Common Room. As they walked Hermione cuddled closer to Draco causing him to tense up slightly, but as he looked at her angelic face he felt his muscles relax and his heart start racing.
Once inside the common room Draco without a second thought made his way up the stairs to her dorm room, finding it odd that he wasn’t repelled by the charms placed on her staircase. Slowly he ascended mindful of the fragile and freezing body in her arms. He then placed her atop her bed and she stirred but did not wake.
Seeing her still in soaking wet clothes Draco pondered whether he should change her or not, but he didn’t know. He didn’t want her to feel awkward when she woke but he knew the clothes she wore was not helping her situation whatsoever. Letting out a tormented sigh Draco made his way to her dresser and pulled out sweats that had the brand name Pink, whatever that was. He then made his way to the sleeping Mione.
Taking in a staggered breath and fiddling with his fingers he slowly and gently pulled her light green top off leaving her simply wearing a black and green lacy bra. He gulped; did she always wear Slytherin colored undergarments? Struggling to breath he pulled the top he picked out for over her head and placed it on her, pulling the hem of the shirt to her petite waist. He then stopped for a moment before closing his eyes and taking off her shorts, trying to give her some privacy, once they were off he still kept his eyes closed and put the sweat pants on her.
Once he was sure they were on he opened his eyes and released the tension in his body. He then gently lifted her to pull the blankets down from under her and placed her back onto the soft bed, yet when he tried to put her down he found that she clung on to him. He tried to pull her off with the utmost of care but her grasp was strong and he let out a breath. He felt awkward just leaning over her like that, his face just inches from her. He could also tell that her body was still freezing.
“Don’t leave…Draco…” She mumbled in her sleep. Her eyes behind her lids moving from left to right.
Going against his better judgment he kicked off his shoes and slid into bed with her. Instantly she relaxed and she nuzzled into his side. He took in a sharp breath but let her do as she pleased. As she rested her head atop his chest Draco couldn’t help but feel…well he honestly didn’t know what to feel. Here he was lying besides a sleeping Hermione to whom he used to torment and belittle throughout their childhood. Yet he felt oddly warm and felt his heart beat furiously inside him. Absentmindedly his right hand which was not holding her by the waist reached up and played with her hair which was as silky soft as he thought.
He stared at her face and ever so slowly began to see her skin return to its natural tan color that she had accumulated during her six month absence. Her breathing was steadier and she no longer looked like she was on the verge of death. At that thought Draco smiled absentmindedly to himself and before he could stop himself he felt himself slowly begin to fall asleep, for once dreaming of nothing.
Ten hours later…
The sun filtering through the Black Lake basked the room and the two sleeping bodies in its natural green glow that seemed to be the permanent color of the Slytherin chambers. Aime slithered around the room and made his way onto his mistress’s bed to find not only her but the familiar blonde hair boy he had met earlier. He stared upon the two with curiosity and wonderment. Did not his Mistress once hate this boy who was now a man? And did not this man hate his Mistress to whom he had ridiculed? This scene before him would trouble anyone.
Draco lay on his back, his left hand draped across her thin waist. Hermione’s head lay on his chest as well as her left hand and her left leg lay across his as she snuggled the side of his body as she slept. Draco’s face was nuzzled into her hair and he happily breathed in her delicious smell as he slept peaceably for once in a long while.
Hermione slowly began to wake and could feel a heartbeat other than hers beat soothingly beneath her. She forced her eyes open and blinked away the sleep from her eyes. Finally the scene before her registered in her mind and she didn’t know if she was still dreaming when looking at the sight before her. Here was Draco whom she was still snuggled up to as he slept with a peaceful expression on his face, a smile on his lips, and he looked so serene and fairytale like that she wished not to wake him so she dare not move. Of course she was still confused as to how she got into such a situation with him.
Memories of what happened led a blush to creep up on her cheeks. She vaguely remembered herself slowly passing out and Draco caring her and holding her as if she was fragile. She remembered pleading with him to not take her to the hospital wing which she knew was quite daft of her to do but she didn’t want to be stuck in the hospital wing all day and night and she knew she wasn’t seriously in danger; she knew her powers would save her eventually. A thought then occurred to her, no it couldn’t be, right? She asked herself.
Instantly she peered down at herself and blushed even harder as she absentmindedly snuggled more into Draco’s firm chest, this only caused her to blush more. So she didn’t dream the part where he undressed her. Oddly enough she wasn’t angry with him and knew he must’ve been the utmost of gentleman’s when changing her. She was just embarrassed that he saw her partially naked. There wasn’t much to look at, or so she thought. She let out a breath she had held and felt the body she was still holding onto begin to stir. Not wanting to be caught awake and still in his arms she closed her eyes and pretended to be sleeping.
Draco awoke. He peered down at the sleeping girl in his arms and smiled, finding it comforting that she was still asleep in his arms. He peered down at her face and hesitantly stroked her cheek, unsure about what he was doing. Her skin was so smooth and soft and he swore he heard her gasp but he removed the thought instantly. However before he could remove his hands her eyes fluttered open and her warm hazel eyes with no trace of green met his warm grey ones. They stared at each other for who knows how long, neither wanting to break whatever trance they were in. Draco still had his fingers on her cheek and both could feel their hearts as well as the others hearts thumping loudly within their chests.
Hermione slowly gave him a small smile as her cheeks turned tomato red. Draco couldn’t help what he did next and before he knew it he was smiling and chuckling. Never in his wildest imaginations would he have ever thought in a billion years would he end up in this peculiar situation. Reluctantly they pulled away from each other and both felt colder without the other.
“Thank you,” Hermione finally said as they looked away from each other and silence seeped between them. Draco turned to look at her with a raised eyebrow.
“For what?” He asked curiously.
“Obviously for taking care of me when you didn’t need to, I know how much you hate me and yet here you are.” She replied motioning to his body with her hands for emphasis.
“I don’t hate you but…” Draco trailed off not knowing how he felt about her anymore.
“But?” She urged him to continue, noticing how her heart began to beat louder in her chest.
“I envy you,” He finally admitted, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up needing space to breath, to think, because whenever he was near her only she clouded his thoughts.
“Why?” She asked softly confused as well as shocked at his confession.
“I envy your ability to forgive, to forget, to be free. I envy you because you can walk anywhere you wish and not have people look at you with disgust and hate and fear. I envy you because you are pure and innocent and everything I’m not. I envy you because you have the ability to make me feel something inside myself. Most importantly I envy you for your ability and capacity to love.” He said all in a rush not knowing at all why he was saying this to her of all people. Why her?
Draco had no clue how he was feeling but for once in a long time he felt reawakened and refreshed as if he had drank for the fountain of youth and was revived. He didn’t feel as scared, broken, or shattered, and he couldn’t help but feel that was all because of Hermione and how she looked at him with those eyes that seemed to thaw his frozen heart.
Hermione blinked once, twice, three times. She stared upon Draco for once seeing him alive again, seeing his youth that she had thought he had lost. The dark bags that used to lie beneath his eyes were gone and wiped away, his grey eyes were warm, and in all honesty he looked completely dashing and mouthwatering.
She got off her bed and stood in front of him, peering up at him. His hair was tousled but that only added to his striking good looks. His lips seemed soft and utterly kissable and in that moment as she looked at him she was completely gobsmaked. Here he stood confessing to her, confiding in her, the very girl who he had hated, who he had loathed, who he had belittled since they were eleven. But at that moment she forgot the past and focused solely on the present which involved just her and him and that moment of time.
“I don’t hate you either Draco,” she said but her voice came out as a whisper. “If anything I should envy you.”
“Me?” He asked looking at her like she was mad. Who in their right mind would envy him, a death eater? Especially her, the brightest which of the age, the most obsessed and talked about girl in the wizarding world, a war hero, best friends with Harry Potter, and also the brains of the Golden Trio. Why would she envy him?
She nodded her head.
“I envy your strength and will to survive. I wish I was as strong as you to do what you did with Voldemort. You didn’t run away like a coward, you didn’t choose yourself above your family,” She started to say noticing how he flinched when she said the Dark Lords name. “And you’re wrong Draco.”
“About what?” He questioned.
“Your capacity to love,” She replied and with that turned around and began to head into the Slytherin Common Room and make her way hopefully to the Great Hall to make it in time for supper.
Draco stared after her feeling completely baffled. What had she meant that he was wrong about his capacity to love? He couldn’t love, he was incapable, yet here she was telling him otherwise. He was greatly confused. He was also puzzled about the fact that she envied him, him of all people. The boy who people now looked down on and feared, the boy who had tormented her, the boy who had stood aside as she was tortured by his aunt, the boy who tried to kill their long gone headmaster, the boy who was a death eater because he wasn’t strong enough to turn away from the power, greed, and fear. What did she see?
“She’s right Mr. Malfoy,” Salazar Slytherin said from his portrait. He had watched how the two slept together and watched their discussion and couldn’t help but feel slightly proud of his granddaughter for not only being completely brilliant and powerful but also intuitive and empathic.
Draco stared at the painting with distant eyes, still pondering over Hermione’s words.
“What is it you mean?”
“She’s correct about your strength and your ability to love,” Salazar replied thoughtfully and before Draco could further press him for answers he disappeared.
Draco shook his head back and forth, clearing his thoughts. Straightening his robes, he put his shoes back on and descended the staircase after Hermione, not even noticing the snake that was still lying atop the comforter of the bed.
~~~~
Hermione hurriedly rushed off towards the Great Hall not wanting Draco to catch up with her, she was already embarrassed enough with having slept with him, in the utmost of innocent ways of course. She also couldn’t believe the words he told her. Could Draco Malfoy really feel that unbearable towards himself? Could he really not see all the good things that she knew he was?
Yes Draco had tormented her and ridiculed her but she didn’t blame him, he didn’t know who she truly was. He didn’t know just how cruel she could be, heck she didn’t even know, but she knew if what her dad said was true, and he was always correct, she could kill without even thinking. She could hurt her loved ones if she let her powers and anger get the best of her. She didn’t know what her father had done during the years before he met her mother but she knew it was horrible, especially if he was under the wing of Lord Voldemort himself.
She also knew Draco was strong, she could read it in his eyes. She also knew that he could never kill; she knew that he was never going to kill Dumbledore, he didn’t have it in him, and he was the one that was too pure, too innocent. Yes he had become a death eater but even she knew the reason for it. He of course didn’t tell her and she didn’t ask but she guessed what she was thinking was the truth. She knew he only did it to live, to protect his family, to save them. As much of an ignorant bastard as he was at times she knew he was capable of loving and loving wholly. She knew that his parents, especially mother was the world to him. She remembered when Harry had bad mouthed his mother and he had turned so red in the face with anger that it was evident that he would do anything to protect her, even his father who she had seen him slowly turn away from. She knew somewhere deep inside him there was the purest of good within him, just buried within his damaged soul.
Hermione walked into the Great Hall completely forgetting the fact that she wasn’t in her school robes, but if she did realize it she honestly didn’t care. She peered at the Gryffindor table and smiled kindly at Harry and Ginny telling them she was alright; she then made her ways towards her own house table and took her seat besides Theodore.
As soon as she was seated Theodore embraced her in a tight one arm hug.
“Bloody hell I thought Drake killed you or something,” Theo said his body sagging in relief. He had been worried all day about her. “I went to the hospital wing as soon as soon as I finished my potion and Madame Pomfrey said she never even saw you at all. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine Teddy,” Mione replied comforting him, not at all mad about what he said to her last night. She was the one who got out of hand.
“What happened to you?” He asked her, looking at her from head to toe to make sure she was unscathed.
“I had Draco take me to the common room and I guess we were both so tired that we fell asleep,” she replied hurriedly.
Theodore scrunched his eyebrows together a thoughtful and semi confused expression on his face.
“But I went to the common room to see if you were there and you weren’t, Draco wasn’t in his bed either. So where were y-”Theodore stopped his words in the middle of the sentence and his eyes went saucer wide. “Did he sleep…with you?”
Hermione heard a collective gasp from the eavesdropping Slytherins. She rolled her eyes.
“You make it sound so scandalous Teddy. What’s so wrong with two people falling asleep in the same room?” she questioned. She started to eat her food placed before her.
“So was he your best shag yet Granger?” Pansy snickered. Mione’s eyes this time went wide and she chocked on her food. Theodore had to pat her back several times until she took a sip of her water and recomposed herself. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
Hermione glared at Pansy.
“I. did. Not. Sleep. With. Draco.” Hermione said each word slowly and calmly, which only made her seem all the more intimidating and serious.
“Oh come off it Granger, you know I was the best shag you ever had,” Draco said with a smirk as he sat his arse directly next to her shoving the kid that was previously seated there out of the way.
This caused Pansy to start barking with laughter so loudly that everyone turned to stare at them. Theodore growled and shot daggers at Draco. Hermione turned to look at Draco with wide eyes in shock, not because of what he had said but that he would willing admit sleeping with a Mudblood, although he did not. And Draco just sat there chuckling to himself.
“I’m sexy and you know it, Granger. Don’t deny your feelings for me,” Draco said loudly so everyone in the now quiet Great Hall could hear. He heard people gasp and he smirked even further as he got what he was aiming for. Even the professors heard every word the four Slytherins had said and stopped what they were doing, all glancing at one another.
Everyone waited for Hermione to go all loco on Malfoy, but they were sorely disappointed. Instead of Hermione getting angry and furious she let out a giggle, a smile on her lips and her eyes twinkling. At least Draco saw them twinkling he didn’t know about anyone else.
“Yes Draco Lucius Malfoy you are sexy and I do know it,” She replied matter of fact looking him straight in the eyes. She then carried on eating her food as if nothing happened.
However Draco had been drinking a glass of water when she said that and spit it out, making a mess but he stared at Mione with incredulous eyes. Everyone else in the great hall did as well; all were bewildered by Hermione Grangers answer. No one at all said a word not even Ron who was frozen with shock. Did he hear correctly he asked himself?
Hearing the dead silence around her she looked up from her plate and scanned the room, seeing all eyes on her. All seemed surprised and stunned. No one even moved a muscle. She turned her attention back towards Draco who just stared at her.
“What? You work out don’t you? And obviously Quidditch has done wonders to your body considering how toned and firm your body is,” Hermione further explained, trailing her hand up and down Draco’s arm. She felt him shiver at her touch and she laughed to herself. “And you’re not hard on the eyes,” She admitted having no clue what was coming over her, but she wanted to see Draco squirm and he was.
“You would know wouldn’t you Granger?” Pansy couldn’t help but ask, it was getting harder for her to control her laughter. Who knew that Mione had it in her to play Draco in such a way? She asked herself. She knew Mione was just messing with everyone but she could also hear a bit of truth in her words.
“No I wouldn’t, I just have a very keen eye for these types of things. And just to make it clear,” She said loudly looking at everyone in the room. “I did not sleep with Draco,” She said and at that everyone seemed to slowly thaw out. But Hermione couldn’t stop her next words; it was just too good a moment to pass up. She knew she shouldn’t have, it was inappropriate behavior and talk for a head girl, but she just didn’t care anymore. She was so tired of being the plain Jane she always was. She needed to have some fun in her life. “But, if he did have one night with me they would be calling him moaning Myrtle.” She then turned to look at the baffled Draco Malfoy and said in a rather seductive voice, “I'd like to get your basilisk into my chamber of secrets.”
This sent Pansy and Hermione into a fit of hysteria which didn’t catch on to everyone else. Hermione and Pansy both clutched their midsections laughing their arses off. Pansy laughing because she would’ve never thought to hear those words come out of Grangers mouth and Hermione laughing because she couldn’t believe she had said them at all and she couldn’t get the look of Draco’s face out of her mind.
Draco gritted his teeth growing embarrassed by Hermione’s words. Wasn’t he supposed to be making her embarrassed in front of everyone, at least that was his original plan. Not liking feeling ridiculed Draco easily kept his chin up and gave Hermione one of his most flirtatious of smiles that he could hear girls reluctantly sigh in a dream like manner. He smiled even wider when he saw Hermione looking at him her head slightly tilted to the side, curious at his change in expressions.
“You're like a bottle of Skele-Gro: growing me a bone.” Draco said seductively adding a wink at the end as he moved closer to Hermione. He could feel all eyes on the two of them. Mione’s eyes grew big and for a moment got her breath caught in the back of her throat. He then whispered into her ear, his warm breath sending shivers through her body. “After a romantic night with me, you are going to need a time turner because you are going to want to experience it again and again.”
Hermione narrowed her eyes knowing what he was doing, knowing he was trying to make her the fool out of the two, make her be the loser and him have the last laugh. But if Hermione had any say so that would be a big no-no.
Hermione turned her body towards him moved her left hand to play with the hairs on the back of his neck, she brought his face closer to his, practically seducing him in front of everyone. Her logical side was telling her this was enough and this game was going into dangerous territory but she couldn’t stop herself. When her lips brushed gently against his she whispered and looked him in the eyes.
“I'm like the spine on a care of magical creature’s book; if you stroke me right I'll open wide for you.” She said softly for only his ears to hear and she felt his heart start to beat wildly within him. She then whispered into his ear, their cheeks touching and Draco completely putty in her hands. What was wrong with him? He asked himself. “Did you slip some Firewhiskey into my drink, or are you just getting hotter?”
Feeling something burn within her she traced his jaw line with her lips until she was at his other ear. “Come with me outside.” She said softly her eyes closed, she then pulled away and stood up. She gave him a wink and grabbed his soft hands pulling him up from his sitting position. She then walked or rather skipped like a school girl out of the Great Hall with her hand clasped in his as he obediently followed alongside her, all eyes following after them.
Many didn’t know what to think or how to feel at the moment. Here was their beloved Hermione Granger making kissy faces and practically turning the entire room on with her words and beautiful looks. It was even more confusing to most that she was all touchy touchy with Draco when just the other day he practically threatened as well as verbally criticized her. They also couldn’t believe that Draco would willingly be with her, when he told everyone that he would never like, nor touch that filth. Many were left in a complete stupor.
Headmistress McGonagall didn’t know whether to feel angry, appalled, confused, shocked, or disgusted, or maybe even a bit of all. To be honest she had no idea what to think. She was glad that Draco and Hermione were getting along she however did not appreciate the very sensual and sexual comments that they had said aloud for everyone to hear. She also did not promote sex and believed or rather hope that Hermione was practicing abstinence and that all that was just said was just a silly joke being played on them, she hoped at least.
Harry looked at Ginny and Ginny looked at Harry, both looking like they had seen a ghost. Both were completely stunned in their seats and no words formulated in their minds to express what they were feeling. Ron felt sick and dirty and confused as well as extremely jealous. He thought Hermione loved him and yet here she was sleeping with the enemy. Theodore stared at the spot in which Hermione had previously occupied and didn’t know whether to feel disappointed, sick, or jealous, or maybe even all three emotions. He didn’t even think that Draco would like her let alone do the “ditry deed” with Hermione, he was far to perplexed, he felt as if his mind would explode. Pansy was just trying to keep in her laughter that wanted to burst from her. She knew Hermione and Draco was just playing around, she could see them challenging each other. Hermione not backing down because she didn’t want Draco to have the last laugh and Draco not backing down because he didn’t want to be embarrassed and beat by a Mudblood in a game he once reigned over.
The rest of the room was just oddly silent, all trying to comprehend what in the hell they had just seen. The boys, majority of them, not knowing to feel turned on or jealous that Draco had won her. The girls confused and a bit disgusted that Hermione would stoop so low, but they of course believed that Draco was responsible for her turning over a bad leaf, he was after all a Death Eater and now he was corrupting their war heroine. The professors though were just plain gobsmaked, enough words said.
Hermione’s POV
I let go of Draco’s hand as laughter escaped my lips once we were a safe distance away from the Great Hall. The corridor was poorly lit but I didn’t mind. It was also rather cold but the image of everyone’s looks sent laughs to rack through my body and hurt my tummy in the most pleasant of ways. Draco too looked stunned for a second before he was consumed in hysteria so much like me.
“I…can’t…believe…I … did…that,” I managed to say between my laughter. Tears were falling out of my eyes and my hands were clutching my stomach as if in pain, but it was the good kind.
Draco’s laughter also rang in my ears sending butterflies to flutter in my stomach.
“I didn’t…know…you had…it in…you, Granger,” I heard Draco say between his laughs.
After about ten more minutes of laughing we finally began to control ourselves. Wiping my tears away I looked at Draco. There was a smile on his face as well as in his eyes, which were warm and slowly melting my heart. His hair was messy and made my fingers want to run through it but I refrained myself. I gave him a smile. I loved this Draco that stood before me, laughing with me, being free, living.
“I got the last laugh,” I said loudly with a smirk on my face, knowing I won whatever challenge had erupted between us back in the Great Hall.
“I won Granger, don’t get your knickers in a twist,” He replied.
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.
“Oh Draco dear, you know I made a fool of you in front of everyone and you refuse to ignore that specific fact. What will people say tomorrow when they think that I and you left to have a good shag?” I questioned him surprised at how blunt I was being.
“Well they will think you a slag and me a winner of course.” He replied cockily giving her one of his most famous of Malfoy smirks.
“Not if I go and cry to everyone about how I thought there was good in you but was wronged after you used me and tossed me aside,” I threatened him, the words slipping out of my mouth. What was I saying? I saw his smirk fall and my lips turn into one that rivaled his.
“Has anyone told you that you are too much Slytherin for you own good?” He asked me shaking his head but a genuine smile was placed on his lips. His grey eyes with sparks of blue were shinning as he looked back at me.
“I believe you’re the first,” I replied with a chuckle. He raised an eyebrow at this.
“Since everyone thinks you and me are getting dirty what would you like to do? I mean I don’t mind doing what everyone else thinks if you don’t,” He replied his eyes twinkling with that Slytherin mischief.
I slapped him playfully in the shoulder. What in the bloody hell was going on between us? Were we actually getting along?
“I think I’m going to go to the library,” I told him honestly. I didn’t want to go to sleep considering that I had slept comfortably in his arms for at least ten hours and was far from tired, I felt refreshed and alive.
I saw Draco roll his eyes.
“Still the boring book warm I see,” Draco replied and gave a chuckle.
“Draco I can and will hex you to bits if I so much as please,” I warned him he just gave me another one of his prize winning smirks.
Before he could say something and I knew he had something to say because he always did, I turned around and began walking towards the library. I heard him follow me after a few moments of pause.
“Granger can’t we do something fun?” He questioned.
“Reading is fun,” I replied still walking, he matched my pace.
“No it is not,”
“And what is it you suggest we do?” I questioned growing annoyed, he didn’t have to come.
“We could I don’t know have a snow ball fight,” Draco replied.
“Yes Draco because I’m well-dressed enough to go and have a snow ball fight,” I retorted, motioning towards the outfit I was wearing. It was warm but I knew I wouldn’t survive in the snow for long if I only wore this.
“You’re completely boring Granger,”
“You don’t have to follow me,”
“But how can I annoy you?”
“Really Malfoy go annoy someone else.”
“Last name basis I see,”
“Draco?”
“What?”
“Will you shut up and bugger off?” I questioned him growing irritated already. There went getting along. He was just plain irritating a gadfly really.
“Nope,” He replied, I glanced at him and saw a glint in his eyes and a smirk on his lips.
“If I knew being friends with you was going to be this irritating I would’ve stayed hating you,” I blurted out. He raised an eyebrow.
“We’re friends now are we?” He questioned. “I thought, considering our close counters we’ve had with one another, that we were more than friends.”
I stopped in my tracks and whirled around glaring at him.
“That will never happen,” I hissed between my teeth, feeling guilty at the hurt look on his face but I was too irritated to care at this moment.
“Merlin Granger I didn’t know you still had beaver teeth,” Draco retorted. My hand shot up to cover my mouth.
“I do not,” I snapped and began walking once more. “I didn’t know you were so furry, ferret?”
“Really Granger, that’s all you got to say? I’m furry? That doesn’t even make sense. And here I thought you were smarter than that. Actually now that I think about it I’m the top student in our class now.” He said matter of fact.
“No you’re not,”
“Oh but I am Granger, oh but I am,” He replied sounding quite smug with himself. “Thanks to you zoning out in class every day or either ditching, I’ve made more marks this year than you have.”
I stopped in my tracks. He wasn’t telling the truth was he? I mean I know I didn’t have school as my number one priority anymore but that didn’t matter. I let myself slip so much that Draco was now taking over my title as the top student? What had happened to me? I asked myself. You changed into something greater than pathetic school grades, a voice said inside my head. I shook my head, I may have changed but I was still Hermione Granger, well in the eyes of many at least.
“Well that wont last long Malfoy,” I replied and yet again began to walk once more.
“Is that a challenge Granger?” He asked curiously, I could already hear the smirk in his voice. “Though it will do no good, I believe that you have had some brain damage while you were away to Merlin knows where.”
“Well then it’s on Malfoy, be prepared to lose yet again to a Mudblood girl,” I told him with a smirk on my lips. I heard him stop walking behind me and I turned to look at him with a raised eyebrow.
“Don’t ever call yourself that disgusting name,” He said angrily, his eyebrow scrunched together. “Don’t ever put yourself down like that again Hermione.” I saw the intense look in his eyes and simply nodded not finding the words in my mind to reply. I then felt the air around us grow thick as his face grew more somber and serious. “I-I want to say,” He gulped and he seemed to have an internal struggle. He let out a breath and looked me dead center in the eyes.
“I’m sorry, for everything that I have ever done to you. I’m sorry for ridiculing, belittling, and tormenting you for seven long years. I’m sorry for standing aside as my Aunt Bella tortured you. I’m sorry that I wasn’t strong enough to stand up for myself. I’m sorry that I had called you Mudblood and filth. I’m sorry for hating you and misjudging you. And I’m sorry for just all the wrong I have done and for causing you pain, for causing any tears that may have resulted from my cruel words. I’m sor-”
“Draco it’s alright,” I interrupted him softly, hating to see the self-hatred he had for himself. I could see it in his eyes that he meant every word he said and I could also see his pain he still had. I knew he was far from okay, but he was getting there, I could sense it. “I forgive you.”
I knew Draco hadn’t been the nicest person around but to be honest he wasn’t the worst either. While his words on a few occasions had hurt me, had caused me to crumble into tears, I knew he didn’t know what he was saying. He was just a child, just a boy, led to believe what his parents taught him.
“You f-forgive me?” He asked me unsure if he heard me correctly. He looked so innocent so angelic.
“Yes, I forgive you Draco Lucius Malfoy. I forgive you for your cruel words, I forgive you for being a foul loathsome evil little cockroach,” I chuckled at the memory of punching him square in the nose during our third year and how accomplished I felt. Draco’s hand instantly rubbed his nose probably remembering how I nearly broke it. “And most importantly I forgive you for being a Death Eater.” I told him truthfully. I knew without a doubt that Draco was forced to become one and what Teddy told me also helped convince me that he was as innocent as he looked.
Draco stared at me with awe and I felt blush slowly creep into my cheeks but I continued to hold his gaze to show to him I meant every word. I could care less about the Dark Mark on his skin. Heck more than half of Voldemort’s followers weren’t even loyal to him, they were just scared of him and that was why they joined him.
“I don’t think you will ever fail to amaze me Granger,” He told me when regaining his senses and seeming to have a fully functioning brain now that he wasn’t in shock at my words. I also swore that I saw tears in his eyes but he turned away. He then began to walk but I just watched after him. He then stopped in his tracks, looked behind him, and looked at me with a questioning raised eyebrow.
“Well are we going to the library or not Granger?” He asked me angrily but it lacked the real hate it once had behind it and I gladly walked besides him, glancing at him every now and then and feeling my heart flutter at the sight of him looking at his feet, with a deep thinking face on.
I smiled to myself. Maybe just maybe Draco was someone worth knowing.
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I know this chapter must've sucked im sorry if you guys didnt like it and tell me what you did like and what i should change maybe even guess what will happen?