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Repeat After Me	By : Luckycharms Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 8880 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. That right goes to the AMAZING JK Rowling. No profit is made off this story. Shout out to Scorpia11 for being my awesome Beta!!

Chapter List
- 11
- 12
- 13
Certainly took me awhile, but I finished 12 for you! 11k words! 4k more than normal! Epilogue should be coming hopefully tomorrow. Also, new Photo Credit to my friend who wanted to try his hand at creating cover art for me, Joshua! If you haven't seen it go turn on photos in your setting and check it out! It's amazing!
Now I won't make this AN long but I did want to mention 2 of the songs that appear in this chapter:
Blaise and Pansy's mash-up- Thriller/Heads will Roll- Glee cast version. I always envisioned the voices singing were those two so if you want to know what they sound like listen to it before, during, after…doesn't matter. Or completely ignore it, up to you. But it is the song that basically gave me the idea for this story.
Helium- by Sia- I know this song is modern and not from the time period this story is set in but this is fanfiction and I will do what I want! Plus it melts my heart when I hear it lol.
Anyway…Enjoy!
Oh, one more thing…The Paths We Take…a multi-era Dramione/Blinny time travel story is still coming September 1st! Hope to see you all on it when it posts! XOXO
Chapter 12- Finish Line- Part 2
Friday October 29th, 1999 03:18pm
The eighth years standing in the Common Room broke out in whispers and murmurs as they watched the Headmistress begin to escort Sadie out of the room.
"Hold on a second, Professor" Draco stated making everyone grow instantly quiet. "I uh…I think you're going to want to witness what happens next."
McGonagall raised a brow in confusion, but turned around and cast a binding charm on Sadie so she couldn't run away from her, before waving a hand for Draco to continue.
"Weasley," the Slytherin began while bringing a finger to his chin and pacing the length of the couch in front of him. "Can you tell us why you have a book 'How to Woo your Witch'?"
"Because I-I think Lavender is going to break-up with me!" Ron answered reluctantly as he flicked his tongue against the inside of his cheek and bowed his head dejectedly.
"What does that have anything to do with anything?" Lavender asked with reddened cheeks.
"I'm getting there, Brown…Why do you feel she is going to break up with you, Weasley?" he asked while he stopped pacing and crossed his arms.
"B-because she's distant…and I have no money to take her out or buy her nice things-STOP IT!" the red-head screamed as his fists tightened at his sides. "This is embarrassing! Yeah, I'm broke, so fucking what? Just because you have money and can throw it around doesn't mean you should rub it in my face!"
"I'm not rubbing anything in your face!" the blonde retorted. "I'm trying to help you!"
"Help me? Why the fuck would you want to help me? You know what, it doesn't matter! I don't want your damn help!" the red-head yelled in frustration, clearly over the discontent the Slytherin was making him feel.
"Alright, Mr. Weasley, that's enough of the cursing" McGonagall cut in impatiently.
"Tell you what, Weasley…I'll give you," Draco pulled out his money pouch and began counting what he had on his person "three hundred aaannnd…thirty-two galleons, if it means you can finally treat a girl to a nice dinner and I don't have to hear another word about how broke you are. Besides, after everything me and my family have put you and yours through…it's the least I can do."
"That's…That's like a thousand pounds, Draco!" Theo exclaimed in shock after calculating galleons to muggle money in his head.
"How the heck do you know that?" Neville inquired curiously.
"He likes muggle things" Draco answered before turning his attention back to the male red-head.
"Blimey Malfoy, you just carry that much around with you…daily?" Ron questioned in surprise.
'Did he already forget that I'm rich?'
"Depends on the day…Do you want it or not?" he asked, dropping his shoulders; fed up with the delay the weasel was creating for him.
"Well if you were just going to hand me money, then we wouldn't have had to have that whole argument! You should have just started with that!"
'Seriously?'
"Uhhhh, okay…" the Slytherin stated in confusion. "Here…" Draco threw Ron the pouch of gold and almost instantly a white light began to surround the Gryffindor. "So now that that is dealt with, let's move on to something harder to swallow. "Boot…" the Ravenclaw's head snapped up as he stood hidden away from the crowd, trying to mind his own business. "Are you a virgin?"
"What?" he asked with a raised brow. "No, of course not."
"Good to know…So, would you mind letting the group know whose knickers lay in your room at this very moment?" he requested with a tight-lipped smile.
"L…L-a…" the Ravenclaw struggled against the Veritaserum; his forehead began to sweat as he fought hard to lie.
'Just say her name…I guarantee you won't be so forthcoming to defend her honor later.'
"Go on, mate…you can tell us" Draco smirked as Ron eyed the brunette curiously.
"La-Lav…Lavender Browns!" he expelled unwillingly with a heavy breath.
"WHAT?" Ron shouted as a vein throbbed in his neck and his face flushed "WHY THE HELL ARE HER KNICKERS IN YOUR ROOM?" he screamed in outrage.
"Because I'm sleeping with her, you daft sleeze! I've been sleeping with her since summer!"
"I beg your pardon!" Hermione chimed in while looking to Lavender in anger. "You…You cheated on Ron? How could you do that to him? He trusted you!"
"Oh, shut your damn mouth, Hermione!" Lavender snapped, causing Draco to jut his chin in animosity. "Godric, your voice is so fucking annoying! You don't know a thing about my relationship, so stay the hell out of it!"
"First off," the blonde cut in enraged "her voice is not annoying. If anything, your voice is like nails on a chalkboard and I honestly want to throw a book at your face just to shut you up! Also, I think you mean relationships…" Draco added with a raised finger as the Gryffindor girl's face fell and she looked as though she would cry. "Or did you forget that you have a picture of me hidden in a secret compartment in your pillow that you make out with in hopes that one day I'll want to fuck you…Which, and I can't stress this enough, will NEVER happen. Oh, and don't try to find a way to get out of admitting it. I can have Winky or even the Headmistress double check for me; but again, truth serum so…" he shrugged with a sneer.
"You-you have a picture of Malfoy in your room?" Terry asked with a creased brow and a curled lip.
"And you make out with it?" Theo added with a crinkle of his nose. Completely unaware that he was the one who provided that specific information for Draco three days ago.
"Don't forget the box of sex toys under her bed as well" Draco admitted vindictively with a twisted smile as he crossed his arms in contempt.
"You never actually loved me…did you?" Terry questioned with a fixed gaze.
Lavender's jaw tightened as she resisted answering, making Terry scoff and shake his head in disbelief.
"N…No!"
"S-so, this whole time you were with me, told me that you only wanted me, and that Ron was just a-a thorn in your side…you wanted Malfoy too? You're just a two-timing little slag! I thought you were only dating the weasel to get back at Hermione for embarrassing you sixth-year!"
"Oh, shut…up!" Lavender expelled with a roll of her eyes as each person's words stung more and more.
"You were only dating me…as revenge?" Ron asked sadly while blinking back tears.
"Yes, I was!" she replied in disgust. "Oh, you thought I actually wanted to be with you again after you treated me like I was a nuisance nearly all of sixth year?" she laughed. "Please" she scoffed while crossing her arms. "Why do you think I never wanted to sleep with you? YOU disgust me! I wanted Draco, but since he was off limits until he could pull himself out of his depressed state, I had to get my jolly's elsewhere! However, when I realized you still had feelings for Hermione, I knew humiliating her by the way of dating you, wouldn't work!"
"Merlin's beard, Brown" Pansy claimed with pursed lips. "You're so delusional!"
"No, I was being practical, you condescending little bitch, and using what I had available…like that rumor I conjured up!" she admitted, no longer seeming to care that Professor McGonagall stood by with her shoulders held back and her hand firmly placed in front of her, ready to stop the argument dead in its tracks.
"What rumor?" Neville questioned.
"The one about Draco and Hermione secretly dating…" she admitted while looking at her nails with a smug smile resting on her lips. "I knew she liked him and if he ever found out…he would turn her down instantly and embarrass her. But then he had to go and ruin another person's perfect plan by being nice to her!"
"Yeah, because she was legitimately trying to help me!" Draco retorted incredulity.
"SHE WAS TRYING TO STEAL YOU FROM ME!" Lavender screamed as she stomped her foot in anger.
"I was never yours to steal and I never will be! Even before all this, I never liked you nor would I ever!" he yelled while shaking his head, repulsed at the idea of the girl ever thinking he could want her. "And after all this…I don't see any guy ever wanting your disgusting arse!"
"Alright, Mr. Malfoy," Professor McGonagall interrupted before things got out of control. "If there is a point to me being present for all this, then please, hurry it along. I am a very busy woman and I really would rather not get in the middle of this. However, if this does not settle and quickly, I will have no choice but to intervene, and give everyone here detention for the vulgar language used today."
"Yes, Professor…" he answered while turning his gaze back to the group. "I'll make this quick. I don't want to look at this ugly quim any longer than I have to!"
"Mr. Malfoy…" the Headmistress stated in disappointment. "What did I just say?"
"Sorry…Anyway, Theo…do you remember when I told you not to give Longbottom any of the alcohol?"
"Yeeeah…Ehem, yeah uh, y-you said you would talk to him" Theo answered as his confused fixed eyes removed themselves from McGonagall and onto Draco.
'This better fucking work…'
"And I did, but the real reason I didn't want him to have any, is because he unwillingly made an Unbreakable Vow."
"I'm sorry, what did you say?" McGonagall asked with a hand to her chest and the room filled with sharply drawn breaths.
"Lavender Brown…is a blackmailer" he stated firmly while shooting a hateful glare at Lavender. "And Longbottom is not the only person she tried to force into keeping her little secret either. She planned to blackmail Theo because he caught her admitting that she was having an affair with Terry Boot, essentially ruining her plan. But Theo is not an easy person to pressure into making the Vow, are you mate?" he questioned without wavering his sight once from the Gryffindor before of him.
"N-No" the brunette Slytherin replied, still stunned from the events happening around him.
"So, Brown resorted to other means" the Prince continued. "Telling him that she would create a story that my best friend tried to force himself on her!"
"What?" Harry inquired as the room erupted in indistinct chatter.
"Draco…What the hell?" Theo asked but Draco just ignored him.
"But Longbottom was an easy target. He, unlike Theo, could not handle the accusation she was going place on him and caved; making the Vow to keep her secret. However, you made a slight error, Brown. You told him he couldn't tell anyone who has any sort of care for Weasley; and no offense Weasley, but I really didn't care about you at the time, though I will admit I do sort of feel bad for things turning out the way they are for you."
"Where did this Oath take place, Lavender" Hermione asked; fully understanding where Draco was going with his plan.
"Th-The Girls Lavatory…Where Moaning Myrtle resides…"
"Thus, breaking one of the most important rules on school grounds…" McGonagall stated with a shake of her head. "I can't do this again; not right now. Ms. Brown, you will accompany Ms. Cornwell and myself, to my office, I will deal with this all later. Until then, I will have Professor Slughorn give Winky an antidote for the Veritaserum to bring up to you all."
"Wait!" Hermione exclaimed after thinking about something for a moment, making Draco tilt his head in confusion. "Who cast the spell?"
"What do you mean, Mione?" Ginny questioned while taking a step forward.
"Who cast the spell?" she repeated. "The Unbreakable Vow has to be done with three people…So, who was the Bonding Agent?"
The group of students, including the Headmistress, looked around the room curiously as they tried to figure out who was responsible.
"It was me…" Terry admitted willingly, forcing everyone in the room to look at him as he lowered his hand from his lips and raised his eyes in sadness. "I was the Binder. And if I would have known what La-Brown, was capable of, I wouldn't have done it…I take full responsibility for my actions, Professor" the Ravenclaw claimed as he walked over to the Headmistress and turned around with a sullen face. "The truth is revealed so the oath is now null and void…I am so sorry for what we did to you, Neville…I am so sorry."
Professor McGonagall took a deep breath before relaxing her shoulders and turned to the three students behind her.
"I am so disappointed in the three of you…I expected better from you. You survived a war for Godric's sake…I just-I have no words. You have failed me, you have failed this school, and more importantly…you have failed yourselves."
She shook her head once more before escorting them out of the room. As soon as the portrait door clicked closed, the remaining students began to all speak incomprehensibly at once, and bombard Draco while pushing Hermione away from him like they were reporters trying to catch a break on a huge story. The Slytherin Prince looked over at the glowing perplexed bookworm, knowing he had finally completed helping her friends, while ignoring the questions he couldn't understand. He then glanced back to the group to see Neville and Ron both surrounded by another faint white light.
"Enough!" he yelled, startling the group of students into backing up and quieting down as the glows dissipated and he could finally collect his thoughts. "I-I promise to answer your questions later…but right now, there is something much more imperative that I have to do first…Pansy…" the raven-haired girl snapped her eyes to Draco in confusion. "You have our costumes for the Ball, correct?"
"Um…yeah…Is this really what you wan-"
"What did you pick out for me?" he quickly interrupted.
"Uh, well I wanted it to be a surprise, but…Voodoo Priests for the guys and Priestess for me…Why?"
"I'm going to need you to make a few alterations, if you don't mind?"
"Draco, if it means you'll actually go to this thing, especially after everything that just happened…I'll change your costume to whatever your little heart desires."
"Can you make me a pirate?" he smiled with a slight turn of his head. "Like one of those real looking ones from those muggle movies you made me watch once?"
"Yeaahhh, but I have to ask…Why a pirate?"
"Well…there's-there's this girl that I really like going as one and..." Draco turned his eyes to Hermione who held her breath as the Slytherin smiled warmly "I-I was wondering if maybe she would like to uh…be my date?"
Theo grinned from ear to ear as he sat on the couch and sipped a soda loudly through a straw making everyone raise a brow at him. Draco tilted his head in confusion as he wondered where his friend even got the drink, before shaking the thought from his mind, and turned his focus back to Hermione. "So, uh…whadda say, Hermione?" he continued while rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "Will you go to the Halloween Ball with me?"
"I um…I-"
"NO!" Ron shouted just as Hermione was about to give her answer.
'You have GOT to be fucking kidding me!' Draco thought as he threw his head back in annoyance.
"I'm sorry," Pansy claimed while placing her hands on her hips and furrowed her brows "who the fuck gave you the right to speak for Granger?"
"Since she is about to make the stupidest decision of her life!" Ron growled with an outstretched hand as he took a few steps forward.
'Her being friends with you is stupid enough, Weasley, but you don't see us complaining about it!'
"Ron," Harry cut in "Mione can speak for herself. She's not your girlfriend anymore, and even if she was, you can't tell her what she can and can't do."
'I really need to give Potter a gift for being the smart one of the two dimwits!'
"The hell I can't!" Ron snapped. "I forbid it!"
"Yo-you forbid it?" Hermione challenged as she slowly took a step forward and placed herself in front of Ron.
'Uh-oh…'
"Ooooh, you're in trouble now, Weasley!" Theo expressed as he threw a kernel of popcorn into his mouth and observed the pair like he was watching a movie.
'Where the hell is he getting this stuff from?'
"Shut-it you git!" Ron yelled at brunette Slytherin forcing a frown to appear on Theo's lips.
'Oh, mate…Tell him what to do again, I will gladly take that money back and flaunt it in your dirty little face!'
"How dare you!" Hermione continued as the people around her took a step back and Ron's face controted in fear. "Don't tell him to shut-it when you're the one trying to act like an alpha dog!" 'That's my girl!' "Breaking News" she claimed sarcastically while throwing her hands in the air "Ronald Weasley is not in charge of ANYONE!" she stated angrily while poking a finger into Ron's chest. "You don't own me and you sure as hell don't control me! Just because you're still bitter that I broke up with you, and the girl you tried to replace me with turned out to be a lying cheat, does not give you authority to try and tell me what to do!"
'Merlin, she's hot when she pissed'
"Ooooo" Theo spoke from the couch as he watched Hermione excitedly. "Get 'em girl!"
"I'll be the one to decide if I want to go to the dance with someone who actually wants to go with me and not as a last resort like you tried to do fourth year! I'll choose for my-damn-self and I am saying yes!"
'Wait really? I didn't actually think that would work. I thought I would have had to do at least a little more convincing to get her to agree…I guess I should thank the weasel for being so stupid and helping me out.'
"Seriously?" the red-head asked in shock as he stepped back, putting a gap between the two friends.
"Yes, seriously!" Ginny cut in angrily. "Merlin's beard, Ronald, she likes him and he…surprisingly came out of nowhere with admitting he likes her too…but that's not the point! The point is, get over yourself! Do not make me floo mum and tell her that you're acting like a giant prat again to Hermione!"
'Do it! I wanna see that scolding!'
"I'm not being a prat, Gin!" the Gryffindor defended sharply. "I'm trying to help her not make a horrible decision! It's obvious Malfoy is out to get me! First Lavender and-and now Hermione! He's trying to take everything from me!"
"Help her?" Blaise stated with a raised brow. "How is telling her what she can and can't do helping her? And as I recall, Draco gave you a good amount of money and not only helped reveal the indecent affairs of your ex-girlfriend, but bluntly stated that he has never nor would ever, want Brown. The least you could do is cut the guy some slack and see that he's changed. He's not out to get you."
"I agree" Harry added. "He didn't know about Lavender's feelings for him or about Hermione's."
"Actually Potter…" Draco stated while raising a finger nervously. "I did know about Hermione's feelings for me…Well-I mean it took me until the third day, after you told me, and it took a little longer after that for me to admit to myself that I could actually like her back…"
"So, you do like her? Like legit like her?" Ron questioned with a raised brow and tilted head. "Your little confession isn't some trick that you believe to be true to get around the serum? You're not saying this just to mess with her or-or me?"
"Weasley…I already told Potter this once and I will gladly say it again so everyone knows…I'm not messing with her. I'm not asking her to the dance to trick her. I-I do actually llllo-love her."
'Oh, shite!'
Theo dropped the soda in his hand causing the liquid to spill all over the carpet as everyone's jaws fell in shock. No one said a word as the Slytherin Prince's cheeks reddened in humiliation and he stood horrified and frozen as his peers' eyes widened in disbelief.
"I-I didn't…I meant to say that…Fuck!" he stammered while trying to fight against the Veritaserum still in his system.
"You-You love her?" Bradley asked, breaking the awkward silence filling the room.
'Fuck, I forgot he was still here! He's so quiet! Why is he so quiet? And now I have to fucking answer him!'
"N….NNN-Yes-Gods dammit!" Draco yelled while throwing his hands on top of his head and turned around to face away from the crowd of people staring at him in awe.
A loud pop suddenly emitted in the room causing the students to jump is surprise.
"Hello Misters and Misses..." Winky softly smiled at the frightened eighth-years.
"Merlin, Winky" Harry expressed while releasing the breath he had been holding and lowered his hand from his chest. "You scared the crap out of us."
"Winky is sorry, sir. Winky was only doing whats the Headmistress asked of her, she was" the house elf explained as she bowed her head wistfully.
"It's okay, Winky" Harry said softly as he walked over to the small creature. "Is that the antidote?" he questioned as he lowered himself to her level and smiled.
"Yes, sir! I's was told to brings it here as fast as I's could, sir!" the elf perked up while quickly pulling out the vile from her raggedy pocket and handed it over to the Boy-Who-Lived.
"Thank you, Winky" Harry grinned before standing up and made his way over to the Firewhisky resting on the coffee table.
The raven-haired Gryffindor pulled out his wand before removing the stopper off the top of the bottle. Performing a separating charm, he vanished all traces of Veritaserum from the alcohol before pouring in the antidote. As Winky left the room with another loud pop, he then proceeded to pour nine shots of Firewhisky before handing them out to the group; skipping Ginny due to knowing her condition.
"I feel we all could use a shot right about now" he chuckled anxiously as he finished handing out the glasses. Draco took his glass, but avoided eye contact with anyone before downing the drink, and turning away. "So…" Harry continued as he set his empty shot glass down on the table, placed his hands in his pockets, and glanced around the room. "Who's hungry?"
"Me!" Theo chirped while raising his hand in the air.
"Great! I have some snacks in my room. Why don't we all uh, head up there and talk costumes?" he suggested.
"Sounds good to me" Blaise concurred as he and Pansy began to make their way to the stairs.
Theo quickly stood up and raced up the stairwell as Bradley chortled and shook his head at the Slytherin's joy. The rest of the group followed swiftly, knowing what Harry was trying to do, while Hermione's eyes stayed fixed on Draco. However, Ron didn't seem to care that his best friend was trying to give the two some privacy and stayed where he was with a sullen look planted on his features.
"You coming, Ron…" Neville said softly as he stepped off the bottom stair and walked over to the red-head.
"This isn't right…" Ron stated sadly while glancing back and forth between Hermione and Draco. "He treated her like-like shite…for years…This-this isn't right."
"He's paid for his mistake, Ron…" Neville answered gently while laying a hand on his shoulder and placing himself in front of his friend. "And she chose him…" Draco turned around and dejectedly looked at the two men before glancing to Hermione watching the Gryffindors talk. "There isn't anything anyone can do, but accept it" Neville continued. "If you can't at least try and understand her reasons for choosing Malfoy, then you're going to lose her in your life…for good. None of us want that. She obviously can see something in him that we all overlooked, but she's not stupid, mate…You're going to have to just…trust her. She has never steered us wrong before."
"No one is perfect…" the red-head claimed while blinking back tears.
"I think that is exactly why you need to give the guy who just helped you, in more ways than one, a second chance…He's not perfect, none of us are, but acceptance is key, Ron. You keep carrying around this hate for someone who no longer exists…it's going to eat you alive. We love you, she loves you…but we can only tolerate so much hate in our lives. Godric, we just fought a war based on it, Ron. We all can see past our differences and we all have moved on…Why can't you?"
"Weasley" Draco said carefully. "I-I really am sorry for-for what I did to you growing up. I was a childish brat brainwashed into thinking…well you know. Still, it's no excuse and…I'm sorry."
"How can I know you're even telling the truth anymore?" Ron asked with a quivering lip.
"Because the Veritaserum is still in his system…" Hermione stated tenderly as she looked at Draco fondly while still holding her full shot glass. "He took both mine and Ginny's shot, along with his own before everything happened. He has three doses of the serum running through his veins. One dose of the antidote won't counteract the effects right away…" she looked down at the glass in her hand before raising her eyes and handed Draco the drink. "It will still take a while before it has any major impact, but at least it will help calm things slightly."
"Uh, ehem, um…thanks" the blonde replied with a faint smile as he slowly reached out and took the glass; brushing the tips of his fingers against her hand.
As Draco took the shot Hermione gave him, the bookworm turned her attention to Ron still staring in awe at the Slytherin standing before him.
"Ron…" she began warmly, making the red-headed wizard shift his solemn focus to her "I-I will always love you…but we were never right together; you know this. We are so much better at being friends and I…I really don't want to lose you in my life. You mean so much to me. And-and I'm sorry for what Lavender did to you. I'm sorry for what I did to you" she admitted softly while touching her chest with her hands. "The last thing I would ever want to do is hurt you and I know that everything that happened today was-well it was a lot, but…I really like Draco. I can't explain it in a way that you'll understand but please…please Ron, I need you to realize that I know what I'm doing. I need you to be in my corner."
"I am in your corner, Mione…I will always have your back" Ron dolefully expressed. "It's…It's just going to take some time for me to accept everything. I have had so much happen to me today and I-I need a moment, alright?"
"Take all the time you need…"
Ron folded in his lips as he gazed at his best friend before looking to Draco somberly. Lowering his head in defeat, the wizard sighed softly, walked across the room, and out the portrait door as Hermione, Draco, and Neville looked at the empty foyer sorrowfully.
"Ehem…" Neville cleared his throat into his hand before glancing up at Hermione. "I uh-I guess I should head upstairs…I'll see you later, yeah?"
"Thank you, Neville" the Golden Girl replied with a soft smile.
As Neville walked upstairs and into Harry's room, Draco put his hands in his pockets as both he and Hermione stood in awkward silence staring at the ground.
"So…" she began, looking up at him and exhaling slowly.
"So…" he replied nervously as he reached up a hand and rubbed the back of his neck.
'Don't say anything stupid, Draco. Just let her do all the talking…'
"Thank…Thank you for helping Ron and well, everything you did today. I really appreciate it."
"It's no problem. I had a lot of time to figure everything out so…"
"Are you sure about this?" she asked bluntly while playing with the tips of her fingers. "I mean…taking me to the Ball? Are you sure you want to go with me?"
Draco slowly raised his eyes to the bookworm before running his fingers through his hair and sighed.
"I'm sure…I've-I've never been more sure of anything in my life" he replied anxiously.
"You-you don't have to go as a pirate…if you don't want to."
"I want to…"
The awkward silence once again filled the room as Draco's eyes darted around the open area, avoiding her soft brown gaze, and Hermione quietly played with a strand of her hair.
"I guess I should go see how Ginny is doing…" she uttered as she ineptly turned around and ran into the couch behind her. "I'm okay!" she stated while holding up a hand as Draco took a step forward to check on her.
Hermione moved away from the couch and began to walk towards the stairs when Draco sucked in a breath as he tried to think of something to keep her in the room just a little while longer. He wasn't quite ready yet to talk about his little confession, but he still wanted to still speak with the girl he had fallen hard for.
"Hey uh…I" he began, making the Gryffindor stop at the bottom step and turn to face him. "I um…I wanted to thank you actually."
"Me? For what? I didn't really do anything" she replied with a raised brow.
"For defending Theo"
"Oh," she exhaled with a smile. "It's no problem at all. Ron was being a bit rude to him" she shrugged "and Nott seems like a good guy…he means well. He sort of has that demeanor to him that makes you want to hug him and tell him everything is going to be okay" she chuckled.
"He does, doesn't he?" Draco smiled as Hermione bowed her head to continue up the stairs. "Hey wait…Can I ask a favor from you?" he smirked making Hermione confusingly smile back.
"I guess so…" she answered tilting her head in interest.
"So, I know it sounds strange that I was…am…stuck in a time-loop, but-"
"Draco, I have seen things over the past eight years I never thought possible. Nothing really surprises me anymore."
"Yeah, I know…you said that the last time after telling me about how you went into the past to help save Buckbeak and Potter's Godfather, no thanks to me...Anyway," he continued when Hermione gave him a curious look "you told me that same day to remind you of something if my day reset again…I was wondering if maybe it was still possible for you to do?"
"It really depends on what it is you need me to do" she claimed while crossing her arms in attentiveness.
"Well…do you have a minute?" he asked with a half-smile.
"What are you up to, Draco Malfoy?" she questioned with a perplexed grin.
"Do you trust me?" he firmly asked while holding out a hand for her to take and winking quickly.
Hermione eyed the Slytherin Prince in interest before biting her lower lips in curiosity forcing Draco to look to the ground to catch his breath.
"I really need you to stop biting your lip…please?"
Hermione smirked proudly before taking the blondes hand in hers and leaned in to whisper in his ear.
"I trust you…but so long as you wink at me…I'll keep biting my lip" she grinned making Draco's eyes widen in shock as she pulled back.
07:25pm
Adjusting the lapel on his coat, Draco looked at himself in the mirror as Theo placed the wide and worn black hat on top of the Prince's head. Sporting knee-length black boots and dark pants topped with a long coat of red silk, Draco resembled a richer version of the notorious pirate known as Blackbeard. He aligned a sling over his shoulder which was accompanied with a three brace of pistols hanging in holsters like bandoliers; he then gripped the faux sword on his belt and grinned in satisfaction.
"Pans really out did herself on this outfit" he smiled while turning his head side to side to check out the pirate hat resting upon of his head.
"For a last-minute costume change, I'd say so" Theo stated as he brushed the wrinkles from Draco's shoulders with his fingerless leather gloved hands.
Theo wore a maroon button-down shirt under a long quarter-sleeve black coat; complete with a short top-hat containing small tannish skulls, and multi-colored feathers set at the base of the rim. His face was painted white and black to look like a skeleton, giving his Haunted Voodoo Priest outfit the eerie essence Pansy strived for. The brunette Slytherin turned around and picked up his cane with a skull handle, as he placed a few thick beaded necklaces around his neck. The calf-length boots remained untied for effect, making Draco fight with everything he had to not tie the laces so his friend wouldn't fall down the stairs.
"Can you at least semi tie your shoes so you don't trip over them?" Draco pleaded as he eyed his friend through the mirror in front of him.
"No! It's supposed to look emo…ish. It's cool."
"Cool? It's a safety hazard"
"Just because you died multiple times by falling over doesn't mean I will. Besides, I haven't tripped yet in your loop so I think I'm good" he smirked. "Are you ready yet or do you plan to just stare at yourself the rest of the night?"
"I-I think I'm ready…" Draco muttered as his face creased with worry.
"This is the first time you made it to the Ball…isn't it?" Draco nodded his head as he turned and sat down in the chair next to him. "You're scared something is going to knock you out?"
"Yeah…And I know what you're gonna say, mate. I just feel like I'm missing something and this was all for not. I have maybe one more day left before I permanently die and I…I don't want to mess this up."
"You won't mess it up. You have a whole group of us willing to protect you and keep an eye out for any dangers. You're going to be fine. You have two more things on your list to cross off, you're not forgetting anything."
"I don't know Theo…I'm terrified something is going to go wrong."
"What is it that I say, Draco?" the brunette asked as he leaned his cane off to the right and rested a closed fist on his hip.
"What?"
"What is it that I always keep telling you?" he repeated as he tilted his head forward.
"Uh…Be afraid-"
"And then do it anyway" he finished while throwing the cane in the air to his left hand. "Now let's go! I want to get my dance on!" he stated as he marched to the door and opened it. "Blaise and Pansy had to leave early to set up for their act so for now it's just me.
Draco reluctantly stood up and took a deep break before following his friend out of the room. He and Theo made their way to the main area of the Common room with Neville, Harry, and Bradley as they waited for the girls to emerge from Hermione's room.
"Where's Ron?" Neville asked as he adjusted his oversized body costume.
"He didn't feel up for going" Harry answered as he tilted his head to the side and eyed Neville in amazement. "Neville…Why-why are you dressed like a large carrot again?" he asked while reaching out and lifting the greens dangling from the top of the Herbology students head. "Won't it be hard to dance in that thing?"
"Not really, no" the shy boy replied with a smile. "Luna and I have been perfecting our dancing in our costumes for a few weeks now. It's gotten easier to move in it."
"Let me guess," Theo chimed in "she's a carrot too?"
"No" Neville chortled with a snort. "She's a radish, of course."
"Of course..." the brunette Slytherin replied with narrowed eyes. "Anyway uh…cool costume, Potter! Wait…please tell me Weaslette is a girl Zombie? Because I don't really know what else would go with that."
"She's a girl zombie, Nott" Harry chuckled.
"Okay cool. Annndd…wait don't tell me" Theo stated with a raised hand as he looked at Bradley dressed in a business formal suite. The white button down was ripped open to show a blue undershirt with a red 's' as his hair was slicked back with grease and he worse fake black rimmed glasses. "Ummmm…Bat-no, that's the black costume…um, Suupperman? Yes, I'm going with Superman!"
"Spot on, Nott!" the Hufflepuff claimed, clearly impressed. "But can you tell me Superman's alter ego?"
"Oh, I know this!" the Slytherin proclaimed in excitement. "Um it's uh, oh, Clark Kent!"
"Impressive!" Bradley declared while high-fiving Theo. "Though, Sadie was supposed to be Lois Lane…"
"I have no idea what is going on" Draco chimed in confused, but also to distract Bradley away from his ex-girlfriend.
"Don't worry, Malfoy" Harry laughed. "It's a muggle thing. Mione might be able to explain it better, but it's sort of a nerdy topic so she might not."
"I'll explain it all to you later, mate" Theo claimed as he gently slapped Draco on the back of the arm.
"Explain what?" Luna asked pleasantly from the top of the stairs.
All eyes moved to the girls on the balcony, but Draco could only stare in awe at Hermione. He had seen her costume twice before but for some odd reason, she seemed more beautiful this time around. Holding his breath as she descended the stairs with Ginny and Luna, his heart began to race and his palms began to sweat.
Hermione approached Draco with a warm smile before looking his costume over.
"You look dapper" she spoke warmly.
"You-you look dapper-I mean hot-No- I mean nice…You look nice" he stuttered as everyone looked at him while trying not to laugh.
'You are a fucking moron, Draco!'
"Thanks" she replied sweetly. "So, are you ready to go?"
"Ye-yeah"
"Okay! Oh, before I forget" she exclaimed with a broad smile before lifting her hat and pulling out a folded cloak. "Nott-I mean Theo…Draco reminded me that there was something you have always wanted to touch" she held out the Invisibility Cloak as Theo stared with a slack-jaw.
"You can hold on to it tonight and…since I'm in a generous mood," Harry added "I will let you borrow it tomorrow, so long as you promise not to spill anything on it…or lose it…or let anyone else use it."
"Really? Yo-you mean it?" the Slytherin questioned in astonishment as he slowly took the Cloak from Hermione's hands. He glanced down at the fabric before looking up to Draco with watery eyes. "You really remembered to ask to let me touch it? Even after all that shite from earlier?" he spoke soft and low. While they'd readied for the dance, Draco had filled him in on almost everything that had happened over the last few days, so he wouldn't feel out of the loop…no pun intended.
"Of course, I remembered, mate!" Draco replied while patting his friend on the back. "I would never forget about you."
A tear began to trickle down Theo's cheek, making the paint on his face run as he looked at the cloak in his hands.
"Theo," Hermione began as she took a step forward and placed a hand on the brunette Slytherin's shoulder "are you alright?" she asked before looking to Draco with a raised brow. "I didn't think this would make him cry…"
"He cries when he's extremely happy and can't use his words" Draco shrugged. "You get used to it after a while."
"Oh…Well, let's not ruin your makeup, alright?" she smiled gently as she pulled out her wand from inside her boot and touched up Theo's face. "There…that's better" she finished.
"Thank you…" Theo muttered with a half-smile to Hermione before looking to Harry, who then nodded. "This really means a lot to me. No one besides Draco has…has ever let me borrow anything before."
"Tell you what, Nott," Harry said while wrapping an arm around Theo's shoulders "if you bring back the Cloak in pristine condition…I'll let you borrow it or anything else of mine in the future."
"Yeah?" he asked innocently.
"Yeah…" the raven-haired boy replied warmly.
"And you can always borrow anything of mine if you want" Hermione added. "All you need to do is ask."
"Thanks guys…"
"You're welcome, Theo" the brunette witch said tenderly.
"Can we get going before we miss Zabini and Parkinson's big number?" Neville asked anxiously. "I-I don't mean to interrupt this great moment; I just sort of really wanted to see how all their practice looks on the big stage."
"Sure, Neville" Harry chuckled as Theo securely tucked the Cloak in the inside pocket of his jacket. "I'm curious to see it as well."
Draco held out his arm so Hermione could slip her hand through and once she did, they began to walk with the rest of the group down to the Great Hall. The blonde Slytherin could hear the song 'Monster Mash' playing through the corridors as they got closer and closer to the Halloween Ball.
Suddenly the music stopped and the faint voice of Professor McGonagall could be heard introducing the Slytherin couple to the stage. Before he knew it, Hermione began to drag him down the hall in excitement, as Neville and Luna raced awkwardly in their oversized costumes, towards the doors.
"Off with your head! Dance, dance, dance, till you're dead!"
As the grand entryway opened up, the sound of Pansy singing caused the room full of students to erupt in cheers. Once Blaise took the mic however, everyone began to jump and dance as Draco stood in the entrance with his new found friends in absolute awe.
'Damn their good!'
"HE SOUNDS SO MUCH LIKE MICHAEL JACKSON!" Hermione shouted over the loud music.
"WHO?" Draco asked, hardly able to hear her over the concert happening at the front of the room.
But apparently Hermione didn't hear him as she, along with the rest of their gang, split up and made their way to the dance floor and the food stations. The Slytherin Prince eyed the Grand Hall in gratitude as he had never made it this far before and felt thankful that nothing had messed it up for him.
The room was decorated with floating candles twinkling high above them, accompanied by bats charmed to fly around the vaulted ceiling. Humongous carved Jack-o-Lanterns sat on the overflowing tables that were once the house tables, filled with treats, sweets, food, and red punch. The stage was equipped with a magical unnamed band playing in the background for Blaise and Pansy as the two dressed in Voodoo outfits, similar to Theo's but in purple and green, sang and danced their hearts out.
"Cause this is Thriller! Thrill the night!"
By the time the song reached the bridge part, a tall man dressed as Frankenstein's monster, appeared on stage and took over the mic.
"Darkness falls across the land…The midnight hour is close at hand…"
"Is that…" Theo began as he scrunched his eyes at the stage. "Holy shite…it's Goyle!"
"No way!" Draco exclaimed as he took a closer look. "Well I'll be damned."
"Do you want some punch?" Hermione yelled over the music.
"What?" the blonde questioned as he leaned forward to hear her better.
"I SAID…DO YOU-" The song suddenly finished causing Hermione to laugh as she lowered her voice slightly. "I asked if you want some punch."
"Oh," he chuckled. "No, I'm good for now. Do you want some? I can grab it if you want to keep dancing."
"I put a spell on you…" the band that took over the stage began "and now your mine!"
"Would you mind?" she asked with a wince while biting her lower lip. "I love this song." Draco scoffed with a smile as he crossed his arms and raised a brow while trying his hardest to keep the wood in his pants from stiffening. "Right…Sorry."
"No problem" he claimed with a quick wink while turning around and walking towards the buffet table before Hermione had a chance to retaliate.
After an hour of dancing and partying, the band started playing 'Helium' as Draco spoke with Neville and Harry near the punch bowl.
"Well, I guess that's my cue to leave" Harry stated with a nod of his head before heading over to Ginny, who was waiting for him on the dance floor.
"I should go see what Luna's doing" Neville claimed as he looked around for a large radish.
"Didn't you guys break up?" Draco inquired with a raised brow.
"Yeah, but we are still really good friends…by the way…I think Mione is waiting for you" the Gryffindor declared with a nudge of his arm.
Draco looked up to Hermione standing in the middle of the floor, glancing around the room for someone to ask her to dance. Draco set his drink down and removed the pistol belt from his chest before slowly walking over to the Gryffindor Princess facing away from him. He released a quick breath as he tried to summon all the courage he could before speaking.
"Mind if I have this dance?" he asked with an outstretched hand.
Hermione turned around and smiled widely before slowly glancing down and took his hand. He brought her close to his body as he slipped an arm around her waist and lifted her right hand up. Taking a step back, Hermione followed his lead as he began to softly waltz her around the small area.
The people in the room began to slowly disappear as the pair stared deeply into each other's eyes…like they were the only ones in the room. Every thought escaped them as the lyrics washed over the couple. Before they knew it, they were dancing around the tiled floor as the students created a circle around them. Their peers watched tenderly as Draco spun Hermione under his hand before twirling her back into his waiting arms. Both of their hats fell off during the slow dance, but neither seemed to care; their focus staying solely on each other as they let the words of the song…fill their hearts.
As the melody began to end, Draco held Hermione tightly in a slight dip as their breaths caught. Her eyes casually left his as they flickered to his lips; however, he was too captured in a trance, essentially lost in the moment, to realize a gentle glow surrounded her…because he had finally taken her to the dance.
Brown met grey, when Hermione's gaze slowly drifted back to his. Tentatively, she raised her hand and cupped his jaw with the palm of her hand…gently pulling him closer to her. Draco's heart pounded in his chest as he threaded his fingers into her hair and leaned forward, closing the short distance between them. The Slytherin Prince's lips barely brushed the Gryffindor Princess's when a loud whoop echoed through the room; bringing the pair down from the heavenly dream they found themselves in.
Ginny roughly smacked Harry in the arm with the back of her hand in frustration while Draco and Hermione noticed everyone looking fondly at them. Quickly separating from each other, Hermione smoothed out the nonexistent wrinkles in her dress with her hands as Draco cleared his throat.
His eye caught Theo tapping at his vacant wrist impatiently, making the blonde remember he had one more task to complete. Grabbing Hermione's hand, he rushed her towards the brunette Slytherin as the students in the Hall flooded the dance floor once again to 'Feed My Frankenstein'.
"You're cutting it pretty close, Draco!" Theo exclaimed before glancing at Hermione. "Is she coming too?"
"To where?" she asked, still holding the blonde wizards' hand in her own.
"We have to take care of something before this day ends" Draco replied quickly. "Can you meet me outside in…say twenty minutes?"
"Outside? Um, sure…I guess."
"Great…I promise I'll be back for you, Hermione. I'm not bailing on you, if that's what you're thinking."
"I wasn't. I'll see you outside in twenty minutes" she smiled.
"Okay…" he uttered as the two stared affectionately at each other.
Theo folded in his lip as he awkwardly watched the two people in front of him.
"You guys like each other and that's…fantastic…but uh, we sort of need to get going."
"Right, okay" Draco quickly leaned in and pecked Hermione on the cheek before rushing out of the Great Hall with Theo hot on his trail.
As the boys weaved their way down to the Dungeons, Draco took the opportunity to try and have a small heart to heart with his best friend.
"Hey Theo?" he began as the pair steadily trailed down the halls. "I know through my whole story, you basically wanted people to guess at your sexuality; you weren't intending to reveal it to anyone…"
"Did yo-did you just try to attempt a fourth wall break?"
Draco tilted his head in confusion as he raised a brow and stopped walking close to the entrance to the Dungeon.
"A what break?"
"Nothing…" Theo stated with a shocked face while looking above and around the corridor as Draco eyed him suspiciously. "Nothing at all…Anyway, you were saying?"
"What are you looking for?"
"No one!" he quickly replied drawing his focus back to the blonde wizard.
"No one?" Draco questioned while narrowing his brows.
"Nothing-I meant nothing…What were you saying?"
"Uhhh well…I was going to say that yesterday, or today but yesterday…anyway, I was stuck in my bed the whole time. Long story and I'll tell you more about it another time, but I wanted to let you know that I accept you…I've always accepted you."
"Accepted me? What are you talking about?" Theo asked as he flicked his eyes back and forth still looking for something but Draco had no idea as to what.
"Well you uh, you told me the true story about the urinals in third year."
"I WHAT?" the brunette Slytherin shouted in surprise as fear flitted over his face.
"Calm down, mate…I already knew" Draco shrugged as if it were no big deal. "You can't hide that sort of thing from me. You're my best friend…my brother, Theo; I will always love you regardless of who you may fancy. I will forever have your back."
"You-you're not mad or-or disgusted?"
"Why would I be? It doesn't affect me in anyway. It doesn't change who you are."
"My father was just released on bail over the summer! If he ever found out, he-he would kill me…literally. I just-I don't know, I assumed you would stop being my friend."
"First off, I will never stop being your friend. We have been through too much together for me to abandon you and if I did abandon you for something you can't control, then that's on me, and I would lose the best thing in my life."
"But Hermione is going to be the best thing in your life now…" Theo replied softly as he kicked the floor dejectedly.
"I love her, Theo, I do…But you have been there since the beginning. No one can replace you and your quirkiness. And second…If you think for one minute that I would let you go back to your father after school ends for good, you have lost your damn mind."
"I-I don't understand…" the brunette stated as he raised a brow.
"I purchased two Flats in downtown wizard London before school started back up. I can't have you sharing my bed anymore, especially now that…well you know…Hermione and all…hopefully. Anyway, you deserve to have a place all to yourself…do what you want with it…live how you want in it. It's right next door to mind so if you feel you really need me, I'll only be a few feet away."
"You-you di-didn't ha-"
"I wanted to" Draco interrupted as Theo's eyes began to water and his lips fought to smile. "Don't cry, mate…Use your words."
"Th-thank you" he muttered softly before pulling Draco into an unexpected hug; throwing the Slytherin Prince off guard.
"You're welcome" Draco responded with a smile as he hugged the brunette wizard in return. "Okay…that's enough" he chuckled while pulling away. "Wipe away those tears and fix your costume make-up while I go check around the corner, alright? I want to make sure those miscreants who released the Quidditch equipment, don't have a chance to get to the Slytherin Common Room."
"Alright…" Theo sniffed slightly as he wiped his cheeks with the back of his gloved hand.
Draco nodded his head before walking down the hall slightly and turned the corner. As he rounded the edge of the wall however, he suddenly heard laughter coming from where he left Theo and his heart dropped to his stomach.
Peeking around the bend, the blonde wizard saw the two boys he was looking for, picking on, well more like trying to pick on Theo as if he was a younger student. Draco knew Theo could handle himself a lot better than he used to, but he still hated to see people take advantage of his best friend.
"What the bloody hell are you supposed to be?" one of the boys asked callously.
"He looks like a clown if you ask me" the second one scoffed while crossing his arms.
"No one actually asked you," Theo retorted while fiddling with his wand down at his side "so why don't you piss off before I get you thrown into detention. I mean what are you, second years?"
'Ha! You got this, mate!'
"We're fourth years, you daft arse!" the first boy snarled. "Or is your make-up blinding you as well as making you stupid?"
'Eh, for a Slytherin you could do better than that…'
"No…" Theo began calmly "trying to figure out what's wrong with your face is what's making me lose brain cells at the moment…And you call yourselves Slytherins" he scoffed with a chuckle.
'OoO…good one! This is so much more entertaining than Weasley and Boot's embarrassing fight.'
"You think that was funny?" the boy continued angrily.
"I do actually…but what's even more funny, is the fact that you think I give a shite about what you have to say. You're roaming the corridors past curfew and your attempting, and failing I might add, to speak down to someone much older than you."
"Alright, Gramps" the second boy stated through clenched teeth "you wanna have a go!" he claimed while bringing out his wand, making Draco roll his eyes and step out of the shadows.
"Fighting?" Draco questioned while twirling his wand through his fingers and walking up to Theo's side. "In the school halls…against an eighth year tutored by none other than Hermione Granger herself? Are you absolutely sure you're not second years…or even firsts? Because only someone that dumb would attempt to attack a student more qualified in a duel, than themselves."
"Oh, shite, it's Malfoy!" the second boy yelped in fear.
"I can see that, you arse!" the first boy claimed cruelly.
"You can see and yet…you still have your wands out like you could best me…No matter, Theo and I were actually looking for the two of you." Both boys gulped in dread as Draco raised his wand and pointed it at them. "Now, I have a date waiting for me, so let's move this along-Winky!" he called out for the elf.
The house elf apparated into the corridor with a loud crack, startling the two younger students and making Theo snicker in amusement.
"What's can Winky dos for Mr. Draco?" she asked while glancing questioningly at the fourth years. "Is everything alrights here, sir?"
"Everything is fine, Winky, thank you for asking. I need you to take these boys to the Headmistress in the Great Hall, please. Tell her I found the students responsible for releasing the Quidditch Balls throughout the school. She'll understand how I know."
"Yes, sir! Right away, Mr. Draco!"
Winky took a hold of the boy's robes as the pair looked in confusion at each other, before popping out of the room.
"Well that was easy" Theo remarked cheerfully. "And you have a date so you might want to hurry…"
"Right! Okay…" Draco replied as he puffed out a quick breath and grinned "wish me luck!" he said as he began to rush down the hall. "Wait!" he stopped suddenly, turned around, and took off his jacket; leaving the top half of his body in just an old fashion white tunic. "Would you mind holding on to this for me? I think Potter has our hats and my holster" he finished while removing the faux sword from his belt and handing the items to Theo before rushing off again.
"GOOD LUCK!" Theo shouted after him, but Draco was long passed hearing him.
Exiting through the large front doors leading outside, Draco looked up at the night sky and happily sighed when he noticed the storm had past and it was no longer raining.
'Less chance of getting struck by fucking lightning'
Walking down the stairs towards the court yard, he spotted Hermione sitting on the boulder, the same rock he and Theo sat upon the day he was attacked by the Giant Squid, waiting for him as she looked out over the Black Lake.
"Hey…you came" Hermione exclaimed softly as she stood up after noticing Draco walking down the grass path.
"Of course, I came. I told you I wasn't bailing on you. I just had to take care of something" he replied with a shrug. "And now that the students responsible for releasing the Quidditch equipment in the school have been apprehended, I can now focus on something a little more important."
"More important than saving the day multiple times?" she chuckled softly.
"Definitely, more important…Accio Broom" he stated with his left arm stretched out to the side of him.
"Uh…Draco?" the blonde wizard smirked as his Firebolt flew through the air, over the castle, and landed flawlessly into his open hand. Leveling the broom out, he straddled the wood as it hovered just a few feet above the ground, and held out a hand to Hermione. "Oh, hell no!" Hermione exclaimed with a shocked expression. "I'm not getting on that thing!"
"I overheard you the other day tell Weasley that you refused to get on his broom because you didn't trust that he wouldn't drop you. You've seen me fly during multiple Quidditch games, Hermione, I won't drop you. All I'm asking is that you give it a chance…and trust me."
"I don't know…"
"Do you trust me?"
Hermione stared nervously into Draco's ocean grey eyes as she contemplated what he was asking of her.
"Yes…" she answered tentatively as she took his hand and side saddled the broom directly in from of him.
Draco smiled softly as he leaned forward, reached around the back of the Gryffindor with his right hand to grip the broom handle as Hermione quickly wrapped her arms around his torso in fear.
"I'm going to need you to wrap your arms around my neck…otherwise the balance will be off." Hermione did what she was told and once she was settled, Draco gently pushed off the grass, raising the broom about twelve feet off the ground. "Are you okay?" he asked as they hovered for a few seconds, giving her some time to adjust to the idea of riding the broom.
She nodded her head so he raised them a little higher, causing Hermione to yelp at the action and shut her eyes tightly. Flying above the tallest part of the castle, Draco steered the broom around the Gryffindor tower before steadying it to look for the area he desired. Adjusting his left arm around the girl paralyze in front of him, who now had her face buried into his neck, he began to fly towards the end of the Black Lake, furthest away from the school.
Hermione kept her eyes shut tight as they made the five-minute journey over the water. The Slytherin Prince glanced down at the terrified witch and tried to think of something to help distract her.
"I can show you the world…" he began to sing slightly off key. "Shining, shimmering splendid…" Hermione slowly pulled back and opened her eyes as she glanced up at Draco smiling down at her. "Tell me Princess, now when did you last let your heart decide?" The bookworm looked to the blonde with a raised brow while waiting for him to continue. "That's it" he chuckled. "That's all I remember from that movie Pansy forcefully made me watch" he concluded as he slowed the broom down and hovered a few feet above the water.
The brunette witch laughed as she rolled her eyes and looked around in awe.
"Draco, this…this is beautiful!" she exclaimed as she looked out over the water before looking up at the night sky.
"You're beautiful."
Hermione snapped her focus to Draco as he gazed at her adoringly. "I'm sorry for being such an arse to you and…and I'm sorry about what happened at the manor. If I-"
The bookworm quickly shushed the Slytherin while placing her fingers on his lips and looking deeply into his eyes.
"I forgive you…" she lightly shrugged. "I forgave you a long time ago. I really don't want to talk about it right now though…right now I would very much like for you to just kiss me…because…I love you too."
Smirking widely as he exhaled through his nose, Draco removed his left hand from around Hermione's waist and brought it up to her face. Cupping her cheek as his fingers slid through her hair, he slowly leaned in and gently brushed his lips against her soft petal-like skin. He heard her breath catch as they both closed their eye and readied themselves to jump over the edge…into euphoria.
But as soon as Draco was about to close the minuscule gap between them, the light breeze that wound around him, disappeared, and all he felt…was empty air. Opening his eyes, Draco's heart shattered into a million pieces as he looked hopelessly around his room. His lip began to quiver as a familiar knock resonated at his door and he refused to hold back the tears begging to fall from his eyes.
"Draco!" Theo bellowed from the other side of the wooded entryway "Draco, are you up yet? Pansy wants us all to walk down to breakfast together!"
Placing his forehead into his hands, the blonde Slytherin sobbed lightly as he tried to make sure no one heard his desperate pleas through his weeping.
"Draco?" Theo asked again as he knocked gently on the door this time. "Draco, open up…" Standing up, Draco sucked in a deep breath as he wiped his face and tried to think of where he messed up. Slowly opening the door, he saw Theo and his sullen face, as his friend looked at him dolefully. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, Theo…I'm okay" he answered with a sniff and a strained voice, but he managed to produce a fake smile before looking down at his bare feet.
"Nothing?" Hermione asked as she stepped up to left of Theo from her room. "Because it seems like you're sullied when you should be celebrating."
Lifting his head in confusion, the blonde wizard narrowed his brows in disbelief.
"Celebrating? I have nothing to celebrate, Granger."
"We're back to Granger now?" Theo questioned with a tilt of his head. "I mean just yesterday you were all about confessing your love for Hermione…"
"Yes, but I missed some…thing…" Draco paused as his eyes widened in shock as both Hermione and Theo smiled broadly.
"Well apparently you missed not only our lazy day clothes but the time, which by the way, is…" Theo looked behind Draco at the nightstand before readjusting himself "09:15 am."
"I-I made it?" he replied as he looked down at the clothes the pair in front of him was wearing before turning around and rushed to the end table.
Picking up the clock, Draco read the time and looked at the date that now said Saturday, October 30th, 09:16 am.
"You made it!" Hermione proclaimed excitingly.
After catching his breath, Draco dashed across the length of his room and out into the hall. Looking over the balcony rail at the group of eighth years holding a banner that said 'Congratulations', Draco's heart skipped a beat in excitement. Quickly rotating on his heel, he looked at Hermione in confusion before throwing his head back in frustration.
"I don't understand…" he began as he lowered his face and shook his head. "If I did everything right yesterday, then why was I pulled away from you on my broom?"
"Pulled away?" she responded with a tilt of her head. "Draco, you kissed me last night before bringing me back to the Common Room. We laid next to each other all night before I awoke early to help make that sign with everyone. I figured you were tired after what happened, so I let you sleep in…Don't-don't you remember?"
"No…I-I only remember that I was about to kiss you, before everything disappeared, and I woke up to Theo knocking at my door."
"I'm sorry Theo pulled that prank on you. I told him it was in bad taste" she claimed while shooting Theo an 'I told you so' look. "As for everything disappearing…I don't really know. Maybe in order for the time-loop to correct itself, it had to pull you out of the day after you completed everything you were supposed to?"
"But I'm out? I'm really free of that curse?"
"Well, yes, but I mean if finding out that you loved me is a curse then-"
Draco quickly interrupted the brunette witch and pulled her close to him, causing her to yelp, and swiftly pressed his lips to hers.
"Uhhhh, Draco?" Theo questioned, but Draco simply lifted his right hand, cupped Theo's face in his palm, and pushed him out of the way, all without breaking the tender kiss he had longed for…for days.
Hermione pressed deeper into him as the crowd below clapped and cheered, however Draco Malfoy, tuned them out as he entwined his fingers through his Gryffindor's hair, and let the spark he begged for…ignite in his soul.
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