Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

The Selkie	By : LalendaFenvarrow Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 14890 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own anything. All Harry Potter characters and the universe belongs to J.K.Rowling. I do not earn money from this; it is purely for fun as a creative outlet.

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
Chapter Seven: Let Go

Two weeks had passed and Hermione had successfully avoided Draco. She’d swapped her patrol duties with whoever was free and slept in the girls dormitory at Gryffindor Tower. When Draco had tried to approach her she often ducked into the girls bathroom and waited him out.

The kiss they had shared a fortnight previously had scared her. It hung over her head like a rain cloud, dampening her day whenever her mind drifted. Hermione had expected them to be friends, maybe a kiss or hug here or there to test the waters in the future but nothing as passionate as that kiss, and so soon! The fact that he had initiated it frightened her, the fact that she had kissed him back so passionately was driving her insane.

Hermione was currently wandering the corridors after her last class. She would need to go to the library and do some research. Snape wanted a two foot essay on the properties and uses of vampire blood in potions. Hermione adjusted the books hugged to her chest. Even she would be hard pressed to make such an essay that long considering that vampire blood, when ingested, could have some rather permanent side effects.

Pain shot through her thumb as she accidentally bit it. “Ow!” A red mark in the shape of her front teeth appeared on her thumb. She had been chewing on her thumb nail, a nervous habit she’d picked up. “I have to stop hanging around Ginny so much..”

Hermione rounded a corner and saw a couple disappear behind a statue, the girl giggling as she tugged on the boys shirt. Hermione stopped in her tracks as images flooded her mind of the kiss she shared with Draco. She closed her eyes and felt emotions run through her, excitement, pleasure, happiness and most of all longing. Opening her eyes she shook her head.

‘I need to think with my head not my emotions,’ Hermione nodded to herself. There had to be a rational way that she could get the kiss out of her mind, she needed to talk to Draco without being taken over by her emotions. ‘Why had he kissed me? And what did he mean the spell wasn’t effecting him?’ Hermione scrunched up her nose. ‘There is no way he actually likes me.’

“Hermione!” Harry’s voice echoed after her. She turned to see the dark haired boy, no a man now, running towards her. When he caught up to her he was out of breath, his glasses askew and slightly fogged.

“Easy there Harry,” Hermione smiled.

“You are one hard girl to find.”

“It’s a big castle.”

“Draco told Blaise who told Ginny who told me to tell you that Dumbledore needs to see you urgently.”

“Oh, thanks!” Hermione walked briskly past Harry.

“Hey, what’s going on with you and Draco?” Harry called after her.

“Nothing!” Hermione yelled back.

****

Dumbledore’s door was open. He sat behind his desk, fingers steepled together in front of his face. In one of the chairs a mess of blond hair showed over the top. Hermione froze in the doorway.

“Ah, Ms Granger. Please come in,” Dumbledore gestured to the empty chair.

Hermione silently took her seat but avoided facing Draco. She could feel his eyes boring into the side of her head. Dumbledore glanced between the two, noticing the awkwardness in their posture.

“It has come to my attention that the Head duties have been less than optimal these past few weeks. Now while I understand that the both of you have been under a lot of stress due to your situation, it does not give you the right to shirk off your duties. One of which being patrols are to be done together as a show of house unity,” Dumbledore looked pointedly at Hermione. “It has also come to my attention that the both of you have not been seen in each others company for the last two weeks. Whatever it is that is making you both stay apart, I want it resolved. Already you both are behind on preparations for the Halloween ball. The first Hogsmeade weekend is this week and yet there are no posters letting the students know the details of the ball. At the beginning of the year you were informed of what was expected of you and also of important dates. It is extremely disappointing to see our two top students be so behind in their duties.”

Hermione hung her head. She had forgotten all about the Halloween Ball.

Draco cleared his throat. “Sir, while yes Hermione and I have been avoiding each other, in what time we have been together we’ve made a plan on what to do for the Ball. It looks rough but I can assure you headmaster that it’s all been planned.”

Hermione’s head snapped up towards him. Draco was holding a piece of parchment covered in writing and drawings, all in Draco’s handwriting. Dumbledore quirked an eyebrow but took the parchment. His crystal blue eyes scanned over the page and nodded his approval.

“Good but you both are still behind in the organising. By the end of the week I would like to see posters up around the school advertising the Halloween Ball. Please don’t let your performance slip again.”

“Yes Headmaster,” Hermione and Draco echoed.

Dumbledore inclined his head and the doors to the office opened. Hermione and Draco left the office in silence. The two stood awkwardly out in the corridor.

“So...” Hermione started.

“I have Quidditch practice,” Draco said hurriedly and walked past her.

Hermione watched his back. ‘I should go after him... But I haven’t thought things through.’ Hermione let out a groan and ran after Draco. “Malfoy! Wait!”

His head turned towards her however he did not stop, “I’m already late Granger. I don’t have time to talk.”

“Why did you do that?” Hermione caught up to him. She tried matching his strides but her legs were simply too short. Hermione could only imagine what a humorous sight she made, jogging alongside Draco who was walking relaxed.

“Why did I do what?” Draco kept his eyes forward.

“Cover for us, and you know as well as I do that Dumbledore did not believe a word when you said we both worked on that plan.”

“I didn’t cover for us, I covered for you. I did all the work planning the damn thing two weeks ago,” Draco pulled the plan out of his bag and handed it to her, “Now you can do the rest.” This time Draco cast his eyes to her and Hermione met them.

Hermione stopped in her tracks and let him walk away. The paper slipped from his grasp and she let it fall to the floor. ‘His eyes.. So cold..’ She cast her eyes down to the paper on the floor and picked it up. “Oh,” she gasped as she took in the rough sketches and notes scrawled beside them. He had planned an ocean theme. Big sweeping lengths of material covered the roof in his drawings. Notes beside them listed blues and greens as the primary colours. He’d even found a spell that would create bubbles and underwater animals to float and swim around the room, including giant sharks. ‘Something to keep the night scary’ was written next to a shark drawing.

Draco had somehow managed to convince Colin Creevey to do photography and through Blaise’s contacts a wizarding band would do the music. Hermione bit her lip as she took in the details. Down the bottom he listed a student Hermione didn’t know of. He would do the posters, a Harvey Kentwhistle in Hufflepuff, next to his name it was listed that Hermione could pick the posters up at the library after dinner tonight.

Hermione let out a sigh, she’d really screwed things up.

****

Ginny sat down next to Hermione and started to put food on her plate. When Hermione didn’t say anything Ginny looked at her friend. Hermione had her hair down and it hung beside her head like a curtain, her fork moved her food around her plate. The elder witch made shapes out of her carrots then scattered them apart in anger. Ginny slid up the bench until her arm was touching Hermione's.

"Rough day? " Ginny asked casually.

"Mmm," was the only answer she got.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Hermione’s shoulders rose and fell. Ginny put a hand on the small of the girls back.

"I screwed up Gin.. majorly .. I'm no good at this whole relationship thing, first Ron and now Draco.." Hermione mumbled.

"What happened?"

A piece of paper slid into Ginny's lap. She looked intently at it. Rough but precise drawings littered the page along with annotations on what, where and how the object would work.

'Halloween Ball's was scrawled at the top.'Even his handwriting is sexy,' Ginny mused.

Bubbles were to float around the room along with illusions of sea animals, a quirked illusion spell would be cast to create them. The lighting would make it look like a storm raged above to keep the night scary apart from the massive shark that was to swim around terrifying the first years. Ginny cracked a smile, so Slytherin of him. Her eyes fell on a drawing at the bottom of a family of seals.

'For Hermione.' was scrawled next to them.

"He did that.. all of that.. 2 weeks ago after a kiss we shared .. he did all of that for me and how do I repay him? I blow him off straight after revealing his feelings for me as well as the kiss and ignore him for 2 weeks.. he's trying Gin, he's really trying to make it work but I'm too stubborn to realize it until too late.. he hates me now.." she finally looked at Ginny, "his eyes.. they were so cold and so angry, it always irritated me when he looked straight through me, but this.. I think.. it actually hurt to have him look at me like that," a tear slid down her cheek bit she quickly brushed it away before someone noticed. Hermione drew in a shaky breath.

"Have you tried talking to him?"

"I couldn't he had to go to Quidditch practice," Hermione’s face fell.

“But you’ll see him afterwards,” Ginny urged.

Hermione shrugged.

“Don’t be negative, come on girl,” Ginny bumped her shoulder against Hermione’s, “You can still fix this, you just need to talk to him. Besides I’m sure he’s not really that angry, he’s probably just waiting for you to talk to him and is annoyed that you haven’t yet.” Ginny grinned.

Hermione nodded and picked up her bag. “I need to do something first but then I’ll talk to him.”

****

The library was quiet when she entered, as if no one was there. There was always some kind of noise so perhaps she had misjudged the time and missed the Hufflepuff student. Madam Pince wasn’t at her desk so Hermione ventured further into the shelves calling out a quiet “Hello?”

There was a study area towards the windows of the library that Hermione knew was a favourite for art students, they could look over the grounds as they worked for inspiration. A candle burned on one of the tables but there was no other sign of habitation in the library. Hermione chewed the side of her mouth. She knew that if she didn't get the posters Draco would he furious.

"Hermione Granger?"

She turned to see a tall silhouette in the shelves.

“Ah, yes. Harvey Kentwhistle?” Hermione asked nervously.

“It’s nice to finally meet you,” He stepped out of the shadows and into the candle light. He had long chin length straight brown hair, most was tied back but strands had fallen loose. Harvey had a square jaw, deep brown eyes, broad shoulders and was quite possibly a similar height as Draco. Hermione glanced at the paper he held in his hands. Her eyes widened slightly, his hands were huge! Glancing over him she concluded that he was a solid build but his tallness didn’t make him look like a tank.

“Likewise.” He stretched out his hand and Hermione shook it. Her hand practically disappeared.

“So, I guess you’re here for the posters?”

“Yeah. I’m not sure what Draco asked you to do so I don’t know what to expect,” Hermione smiled.

Harvey smiled and gestured to the work table with the candle. She took a seat and he sat at the one next to it, it didn’t escape her that he pulled his chair closer to hers. He set the paper on the table. The paper on top had Draco’s handwriting all over it along with some sketches.

“Malfoy pretty much had this planned out in his head but said he didn’t have the time nor the materials to do it,” Harvey moved the top page away to reveal the poster he had designed. The top quarter of the page showed a stormy sky with “Halloween Ball” written across it by lightning. Under the rough sea listed the time and date for the ball and the date of the Hogsmeade visits that weekend and the weekend after.

“Wow, it’s great!” Hermione took in all the extra little details.“You’re very talented.”

“Thank you,” Harvey tapped the poster with his wand and it all came to life. Lightning flashed, waved crashed about, fish and other creatures moved beneath the sea.

Hermione looked at Harvey and he was beaming. “How did you...?”

“Art isn’t my only talent. I have a knack for making my art come to life. I thought the lightning flashing would get peoples attention.”

“It’s amazing! How on earth did Draco find you?”

“He’s a Slytherin. Slytherin’s are ambitious in just about anything they do. Malfoy’s known about me for a while, knew that if he ever needed something creative and have it brought to life I would be the best person. In exchange he’s helping me with my potion brewing.”

“Seriously?”

“You look as surprised as I felt,” Harvey laughed. “He’s a powerful guy of course he’s going to have connections everywhere.”

“No, no.I’m just surprised that he’s giving up his time to help you, why not just pay you?”

“Because I wouldn’t accept. He tried that at first but you see I am.. was, failing potions. He’s the potions king.”

Hermione turned back to the poster and scowled, she was the one with the higher marks in potions.

“Don’t get offended! I just meant that he’s really good at potions..”

Hermione glanced at him annoyed.

“Ok, ok, I’m sorry. Can I take it back?”

“Whatever,” Hermione muttered. She pulled the pile of paper towards her and checked that they were all copies of the poster. “To activate these I just tap them with my wand?”

“Er, yeah. Look, I’m really sorry about what I said, I didn’t mean..”

“It’s fine,” Hermione put a smile on her face as she stood. “I should get going and put these up.”

“Do you want some help?”

“No thanks, I’ll be ok.” Hermione held out her hand, “Thank you for your help Harvey.”

Harvey took it, “You’re welcome.”

Hermione smiled and quickly strode out of the library.

****

‘Last one.’ Hermione thought to herself as she tapped the poster. ‘He really did do a good job.’ She sighed and lent against the wall. Now, to talk to Draco. Butterflies erupted in her stomach at the thought and a stab of pain in her chest at the memory of his face. Dropping her book bag to the ground, she sank down beside it. He would have finished practice by now and be back in the common room. She knew the only reason she sat down was to procrastinate.

‘I can do this. I am the great Hermione Granger, Gryffindor golden girl, queen of books, I can do anything,’ she scrunched up her nose, ‘When did my ego get so big?’ She hung her head onto her knees and closed her eyes. ‘It would all be ok. Everything works out.’

Someone sat down beside her and she jerked her head up. Draco sat next to her in his Quidditch uniform, his broom was propped against the wall beside him.

“So... this is where you’ve been sleeping is it?”

Hermione blinked a few times, “What?”

Draco waved his hands at her. “You’re hardly ever in your room lately and I now discover you asleep in the corridor, so my only conclusion is this is where you’ve been for the past few weeks.”

“I wasn’t asleep,” Hermione protested.

Draco gave a slight chuckle.

He seemed in better spirits than earlier. Hermione drew a shaky breath, “Draco.. I..”

Grey eyes met brown.

“I.. ah..” Hermione closed her eyes and took another breath. “Sorry.”

He raised an eyebrow at her.

“I’m.. sorry. For me, my behavior the last two weeks. It wasn’t fair of me to expect you to commit and then when you do I run off for the hills.”

He smirked, a good sign?

“While, yes I did expect more from you, I wasn’t prepared for just how much you were willing to commit to this.. this..”

His head nodded a bit in encouragement and out came the word vomit.

“This relationship that we have here, which I’m not entirely sure how to classify. I mean, are we friends? More than friends? Boyfriend, girlfriend? I know we’re married but really that’s just legal bindings, I’m talking about emotionally. You caught me off guard two weeks ago. From what I know of your character I expected friends at most, maybe a little more here or there as we got to know each other more, but you just jumped right into the deep end and dragged me with you without my floaties. This will be.. IS the most, intimate relationship I’ve ever had and I have no idea how to navigate this. As I’m sure you noticed my brain wins precedent over my hearts desires and when you forced me into such an emotional situation I panicked. There I said it. Hermione Granger of the brave house Gryffindor panicked!”

By now she was drawing in shaky breaths and avoiding his face. When she looked at him he had a gigantic smirk on his face. She dropped her eyes again, he was enjoying this, he was taking pleasure from her discomfort, such a Slytherin! One of her breaths turned into a sniffle.

‘Oh no..’ A tear leaked from an eye. ‘No, no, no, NO! Hermione Granger you will NOT cry because of him!’ She shook her head and regretted it. He had noticed.

Draco moved closer to her and put his arm around her shoulders pulling her into him. Hermione focused on steadying her haggard breaths, she would not give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry. He put a finger under her chin and made her look at him. Cupping her face in his hand he wiped a stray tear away with his thumb. His face betrayed none of the emotions he was feeling.

“Why the tears?” He asked softly.

“Because you’re enjoying this, seeing that you can make me cry, that you make me lose control of my emotions.”

He looked confused, “Of course.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“It shows me that I can do something no one else can, I affect you like no one else, I make you lose control, make you feel the real you. You shouldn’t be so in control all the time, it’s not healthy, it masks your true self,” his hand traced the side of her face, “Let go.”

He rested his forehead against hers, “Let go of your mask.”

His fingers traced down the side of her neck causing her eyes to flutter shut. “Let go.”

His hand snaked around to the back of her neck, his voice was hypnotic to her now. “Let go.”

Barely a whisper.

“Let go.” Her head tilted up, his breath on her lips.

“Let go.” If she wasn’t so focused on his voice she would have missed it.

“Let go.”

And she did. She let herself go. Hermione Granger threw all control to the wind and plunged herself into the situation. She pushed herself against him and his lips. His mouth was hot against hers and his arm snaked down around her waist. She moaned into his mouth and climbed into his lap. Opening his mouth to hers she eagerly explored, he tasted sweet, like vanilla. He broke the kiss and started a trail along her jaw, down to her neck. Hermione breathed in his scent. She realised he must have come straight from practice because he smelled of sweat and earth and fresh air. He nipped a sensitive spot on her neck and she melted into his arms. His hands worked quickly, tugging her shirt up and running his hands up her back, they burned against her skin. Unconsciously Hermione started grinding her hips into his lap, she only noticed when he moaned. Pulling away from him she reclaimed his mouth, running her fingers through his hair to pull him closer. He tugged her bottom lip between his teeth and pulled back slightly.

“We should go,” he breathed haggardly.

Hermione let out a whimper, “why?”

“Because there’s a patrol heading this way and I’m sure you don’t want to be caught straddling my lap in the corridor.”

Hermione nodded and pulled her book bag strap onto her shoulder. Going against everything her brain screamed at her and kissed him deeply again and gave her hips a few more grinds against him.

“Hey! Who’s there?”

Hermione never knew she could move so fast. Adrenaline flooded her veins and she leapt off Draco holding out her hand. Not that he needed it, he took it anyway and jumped to his feet, grabbing his broom with his free hand. Together they ran down the corridor hand in hand. The prefects that were behind them shouted but couldn’t catch up. Fleeing down the corridor Hermione knew they didn’t need to. They were the Head Boy and Girl, but holding Draco’s hand and running away from a form of authority, Hermione had never felt so alive.

****

The Slytherin’s had Quidditch practice each night for the rest of the week. Hermione didn’t get to see Draco that much but when she did they always shared a heated kiss. She loved how he looked in his Quidditch uniform and the site of him with his tousled hair from hours in the air made her knees go weak. But when ever he returned to the common room he was so completely wrecked that Hermione felt bad about keeping him up any longer. In class all of the teachers had decided on paired projects and activities or new seating arrangements, each person paired with a different house member. It seemed that Dumbledore was forcing them to spend time together, not that she was complaining.. now. Once during class she had ‘innocently’ let her hand slide over onto Draco’s leg, not once breaking eye contact with the board. He took her hand and she felt the adrenaline kick in. Secretly she thanked Merlin for the school robes being so baggy that they blocked their secret hand holding from the class. But that didn’t stop her heart from racing at the idea of being caught.

“Hermione? Helllooo?” Ginny waved a hand in front of Hermione’s face.

“Huh?” Hermione looked dazed at Ginny.

“I see you and Draco worked things out.” Ginny smirked worthy of a Slytherin.

“What on earth makes you say that?”

“You’ve been making eyes at him every breakfast and lunch and when he’s not here you stare off into space with this goofy grin on your face,” Ginny laughed.

Hermione scooped up some water with a spoon and flicked it at Ginny. But Ginny’s laughter was infectious and Hermione started laughing along with the red head.

“So, have you?” Ginny asked.

“Have I..?”

“Made up,” Ginny rubbed her index finger tips together.

Hermione laughed and nodded. Ginny beamed, a little too big.

“Not like that! Just kissing.. and running hands everywhere, but clothing has always stayed on.. Shirts and skirts may have been lifted up but they have stayed on.”

“Ah ha.”

This was getting a bit dangerous to discuss in the hall. “Have you got a costume yet?”

It worked perfectly.

“Oh my no but I have an idea on what to do!” Ginny searched in her bag and pulled out a magazine. Flicking the pages Ginny stopped at one that had been dog eared. “I found this potion that we can make. It’d be perfect! All we need are the basic bits of our costume and the potion does the rest. It lasts 24 hours though but the Ball is in the short break so we don’t have to go to classes with it still active."

Hermione read over the spell, it was perfect.

The Hogsmeade weekend rolled around and Hermione was waiting nervously in her common room for Ginny. Today they would be selecting the basics for their costume. She was nervous because of what she decided as her costume. Sometimes she wondered if she was taking this ‘let go of your control’ that Draco had mentioned a little too far but Hermione found that she liked the rush it gave her too much. Draco leant over the couch and gave Hermione a kiss.

“Morning, aren’t we a little jittery today,” Draco ran his hands down Hermione’s arms and steadied her hands. She hadn’t known she was fidgeting.

“Good morning. I’m just a little nervous, I think the costume I’m thinking of getting will be too revealing.”

“Oh, I’m intrigued,” Draco jumped over the back of the couch and landed beside her, reminding her of the muscles hiding under his clothes. “Do tell.”

“Nope. I want it to be a surprise for next weekend.”

Draco pouted. “You know I can always go into your room and find out, I am after all good at discovering your secrets.”

Hermione swatted his arm. “Don’t.”

Draco grinned and pulled Hermione into his lap. “So this costume, is it tight?” He ran his hands down her side.

“Yes.”

“Is it short?” His hands ghosted over her thighs.

“Yes,” her voice hitched.

He ran his hands over her thighs as if giving him time to check his next question.

“Is it easy to take off?” Nervousness flashed in his eyes. His hands stopped moving, waiting for her to say if he had gone too far.

Hermione’s brain screamed that he had over stepped too soon but lately, what her brain wanted with Draco was put on the back burner. She leant over and kissed him. “Yes,” she whispered. Hermione kissed a trail up to his ear. When she reached his ear she said on impulse, “And if you’re lucky, I may be very Slytherin that night.” She took his earlobe into her mouth and sucked knowing full well how much it drove him crazy.

Draco growled and twisted them both until they were laying on the couch with her below him. He crushed his mouth into hers and ground his hips against her, showing how hard she had made him by what she said.

A knock at the portrait made him growl again but in frustration. “You are driving me crazy.” Draco breathed heavily.

Hermione looked innocently into his eyes. “Sorry.” Giving him a quick peck on the cheek and slid out from under him and answered the door. “Hey Gin!”

“Hey Mione!” Ginny bounded into the room and gave Hermione a hug. She glanced over to see a very frustrated looking Draco, “Good morning Draco, hope you don’t mind me stealing Hermione away from you.”

“Not at all,” he said through clenched teeth.

“We should get going, our carriage awaits!” Ginny linked her arm through Hermione’s and dragged her out of the room.

****

Hogsmeade was bustling with activity. Students packed into every clothing shop they could find in an attempt to get the perfect costume. Hermione and Ginny were one of the few people in the Apothecary.

“Unicorn horn,” Ginny read out from the article.

Hermione pulled a horn from a basket on the table.“Check.”

“Unicorn tail hair.”

Hermione added a small pink cloth bag to her paper bag. “Check.”

“Lavender.”

Hermione walked over the the wall full of herbs and picked out a few sprigs. ”Yup.”

“Dried Billywig stings.”

Hermione went over to the far wall containing bottle and vials of objects and liquids. “Got it.”

“Black beetle eyes.”

“Now I saw those before.. Yup got them.”

“And Wolfsbane.”

“You couldn’t have read that one out when I got the Lavender?” Hermione went back over to the herb wall and picked out some Wolfsbane.

“I didn’t want to lose my spot.”

“Yeah sure,” Hermione paid for their items and they moved through the crowd. It had dispersed slightly as people went to have lunch.

“Where to Miss shopper-holic?” Hermione asked.

“There’s a little second hand shop around the corner. It has some cute stuff and is reasonably priced,” Ginny beamed.

The shop in question was tiny, squashed between two large and expensive looking clothing stores. Hermione was surprised to find it was still in business. A bell clanged as they went in and Hermione breathed in the scent. What she instantly noticed was the smell of old books. Hermione started to make a beeline for that side when Ginny grabbed her arm.

“Ah ah ah, later,” Ginny said dragging Hermione over to the clothing side.

Hermione grumbled but set to work trying to find the perfect dress. She was doubtful about finding one here but figured she would humor Ginny. It wasn’t long before Ginny came rushing over with clothing in hand.

“I think I found it!” Ginny held up a blue, strap dress that came to her knees. the neckline came down in a shark pointed V between the breast area. In her other hand she held a long sheer blue scarf and some gold bangles. “I have gold shoes at home to match and the potion should do the work for my hair accessories.”

“It’s great Gin,” Hermione smiled.

Ginny paid for her outfit and helped Hermione search the racks. Soon Ginny was grinning again and held up a strapless mid toned green dress, it was pretty plain except for the bit of tulle that poked out from the bottom.

“What about this one?”

Hermione looked it over, “It’s perfect. Now I just need some pants.”

Ginny quirked an eyebrow. “Pants?”

“Yeah, the sheer kind.”

“You mean tights?”

Hermine poked out her tongue.

“How about...” Ginny rifled through a bucket full of folded tights. “These?” She pulled out a pair of light green tights.

“More green?”

“You said the character wears a lot of green.”

“Yeah but I was thinking of just wearing the natural coloured ones.”

“Trust me,” Ginny handed Hermione the green tights, “These are perfect.”

As she was about to pay Hermione found a pair of gloves and figured ‘why not?’

Ginny hugged her. “Yay! Hermione’s first impulse buy that wasn’t a book!”

Hermione rolled her eyes and thanked the lady at the counter.

“Come on,” Ginny grabbed Hermione’s hand, “I need a new bra.”

“Er why?” Hermione shielded her eyes against the sun as they waded through the crowd. She didn’t get an answer until they were in the shop.

“Because Harry broke the clasp on my favourite one.”

Hermione stopped in her tracks. “You and Harry?”

Ginny grinned.

“You mean you two finally..?”

“What do you mean finally?”

Hermione tried to look innocent.

“What do you mean by finally?” Ginny demanded.

“Well the feelings the two of you share is kinda obvious. It seemed that everyone could see it apart from the two of you.”

Ginny smiled. “Yeah, last night he finally told me. Let’s just say he was a little surprised about how long I’ve been holding a torch for him.”

“Why do you say it like that?” Hermione gazed around the room, so many different colours!

“He broke my bra clasp. When it finally clicked in his head how much I wanted him he didn’t hold back. Why fumble with the clasp when you can tear it apart?”

Hermione turned red, hearing about Ginny’s sex life was one thing, but Harry’s..

Ginny noticed. “So how far have you and Draco gone?”

“Same as last time.. although we may go further after the ball,” Hermione smiled shyly.

“Seriously?” Ginny looked at Hermione shocked.

“Yeah I kinda said if he was lucky I would be more...” Hermione looked unsure if she should say it.

“Be more what?”

“Slytherin that night.”

“Oh my Merlin, Hermione you want him so bad!”

“Ginny! Shush! I said it on impulse!”

“Have you got something to wear?” Ginny looked excitedly around the room.

“I regret telling you that now..”

“Don’t be silly, come on. This time there is no way he can forget,” Ginny giggled.

Hermione never expected to spend two hours in a clothing store, let alone a lingerie store, but she did. Ginny kept finding new and more ‘exciting’ things for Hermione to try on.

“It’s perfect! And you can wear it under your costume to give you that extra shape.”

“Ginny, I don’t need more shape! My boobs are big enough as they are.”

“I was meaning the dress. Why wear an outfit like yours if you're not going to flaunt that cleavage!”

Hermione finally gave in, all she wanted to do was get out of there and back to the castle. She wanted to read! As they waited for the carriages Hermione felt a burning in her back. Turning around all she saw were her fellow classmates.

“This is us,” Ginny said, pulling Hermione’s attention back to the carriages.

Hermione never noticed the eyes burning into her back.

****

Whispers had started around the school about her and Draco’s relationship. It appeared that someone had heard Ginny and her talking, which wasn’t all that surprising. Hermione was used to getting glared at my the girl population because she shared a common room with Draco but they seemed to intensify with the news that they could be involved. Often she would retreat to the library, the smell helped calm her down. When she first felt eyes on her in the library they had un-eased her, but she got used to it figuring it was just some jealous fifth year. In all honesty she was glad when the end of term came and she could finally busy herself with Head Girl duties. Saturday she would be going to Hogsmeade again and then Sunday would be spent decorating the Great Hall. Some students would be returning home for the brief school reprieve, hopefully it would ease the stares..

Hogsmeade wasn’t nearly as crowded. Couples strolled down the street hand in hand, sipping warm butterbeer at the Hogs head. She wished that could be her. PDA was never one of her things but being able to be seen in public with Draco would be a nice change to their stolen hand holding during class and hidden kisses in the common room.

Hermione sighed as she closed yet another magical book. The little second hand shop of Ginny’s was a treasure trove of old magic books and newer muggle books. Hermione pulled down a few muggle books. Poison Study by Maria Snyder, Kissed by an Angel by Elizabeth Chandler and Silvermay by James Moloney. It would be good to read some muggle romance and fantasy. Magical fantasy authors didn’t stray very far from the truth in their books whereas muggles, having no knowledge of the magical world, were able to create elaborate magical realms without worrying about being called out on inconsistencies. Besides, there was only so many times a girl can read Hogwarts: A History.

With the mid term break the stares had lessened but still she felt eyes digging into her back. Hermione looked behind and saw Ron’s red hair slightly above the crowd. Swallowing Hermione pushed ahead to the carriage line and sidled up to a tall student to try and hide her from view.

“Hermione?” A voice asked from above.

Looking up Hermione saw Harvey smiling down at her. “Hi. Look do you mind just looking casually straight ahead for now? I’m kind of hiding from someone.”

Harvey shrugged, “Sure.”

He turned his body slightly to face Hermione more as Ron stormed past. His piercing blue eyes scanned the crowd for someone her height. Ron stormed off and Hermione let go of her breath.

“Thank you. He’s not too happy with me at the moment and I would rather deal with him in private, not here in public.”

“No need to explain,” Harvey smiled and Hermione gave one back.

Hermione shifted awkwardly as a silence settled between them. Halfway through their carriage ride Hermione finally decided to break the silence.

“Are you going to the ball?”

Harvey shrugged. “They’ve never really been my kind of thing.”

“You should come, it’ll be fun. Plus I can’t really thank you for the posters if you aren’t there for me to thank,” Hermione smirked.

Harvey laughed. “I guess so. Who knows, I may wrangle up something to wear.”

Hermione laughed but then she thought of how they had first met.

“Harvey, I’m sorry about how I acted when we met. My ego when it comes to school grades is rather large and I’m not proud of it. I had been fighting Draco for the title of potions king or queen for years. I know now that even though my marks are higher that doesn’t mean I’m the best. Quite often the best is whoever puts the most effort into it, and Draco sure puts in a lot of effort to potions. Please accept my apology.”

“No need. I should have realised who I was talking to,” Harvey laughed as Hermione screwed up her nose at him.

The carriage pulled up to the castle and Harvey let Hermione out first.

“I’ll see you around?” He asked.

“Sure. Perhaps even at the ball?” Hermione hinted.

“Ha ha, we’ll see.” Harvey waved goodbye and joined a group of Hufflepuffs.

Someone bumped roughly against Hermione’s shoulder. Ron sneered at her as he walked past. Hermione stopped to make room between him and her.

“You ok?” Harry asked walking up beside her.

“Yeah. What’s gotten into Ron?”

Harry looked at the ground. “He hasn’t been taking everything well and you now making another male friend is making him see red. I’m not meaning it’s your fault. All I mean is that he got his hopes too high and so now he sees everyone as a threat.”

Hermione looked at Harry.

“He still loves you Mione.”

“Likes,” Hermione insisted.

“No, loves. Despite being legally married, until you and Draco publicly display your relationship, to Ron you're still his to win over,” Harry kicked a rock and pretended to be very concentrated on kicking it again.

Hermione groaned. Just when she thought things with Draco could get better.

“He’s only going to get worse isn’t he?” A question she already knew the answer to.

“Yes.”

“What should I do?” Hermione pleaded.

“Usually I would say give him a chance but the contract won’t allow it. Perhaps if you showed that to him..”

“Maybe. Thanks Harry. I’ll think it over.”

****

“One, two, three, one, two, three, step and twirl. One, two, three, one, two, three, turn, lift and spin,” Hermione muttered to herself. She was going over the steps her and Draco would need to do at the opening dance. A formal dance to open the party by Dumbledore’s request.

“One, two, three, one, two, three, spin and oh shoot!” Hermione cried as she tripped over herself, stumbling sideways. “Old man wants to make my life miserable,” Hermione cursed.

“Would it help to actually practice with your partner?”

Hermione looked up to see Draco standing cooling in the middle of the dance floor. She glanced around the room. People continued to work on the decorations but their movements had been slowed deliberately so they could watch the pair. Hermione scowled at them. She walked over to Draco and he took her hand and placed his on her waist.

“Are you sure? There’s people..”

“And they expect us to practise,” Draco smirked and started to twirl Hermione around the floor. “Plus I like this.”

Hermione scoffed, “Dancing?”

“No,” Draco leant down to her ear, “Being with you in public.” He placed both hands on her waist and did a lift and spin.

Hermione cried out at the sudden height. The room flashed around her and suddenly she was back on her feet and being moved around again.

“I think I’m going to be sick,” she muttered.

Draco looked down at her.

“Heights.”

“You were barely off the ground,” Draco protested.

“Yes well unlike you I’m used to the lower altitude!”

Draco rolled his eyes and they completed the dance in silence. An applause came from the students who had gathered to watch. Hermione blushed and went over to the seaweed garden. Draco followed and helped her de-tangle the leaves. This was where the seal family would frolick Hermione realised..

Hermione looked at Draco, his face was so focused on the bunch of seaweed in his hands. “Why?”

“Hmm?” He didn’t look up.

“Why did you do this?”

Draco glanced around the room. “Because it’s part of our duties.”

“No, the seal family, the sea theme. You wrote ’For Hermione’ . Why?”

Draco shifted nervously. “Because it’s my fault.”

Hermione waited for him to go on.

“You’ll never get to experience the real thing without giving up a chunk of your life here.. and it’s all because of me. I’m sorry Hermione, I felt so guilty I had to find a way to make it up to you. No sense in having you hate me seeing as we’re stuck together.”

Hermione nodded, “Thanks.”

She wanted to say more but a group of prefects descended with a million questions about some aspect of the ball. She didn’t see Draco for the rest of the day.

****

In Hermione’s opinion, the Halloween Ball came around too soon. She wasn’t ready for tonight, wasn’t ready to fulfill her promise. While yes she knew Draco and her had seen each other naked before but she didn’t remember it. A ding broke her musing.

“Potions done Gin. Time to add the Wolfsbane and beetle eyes.”

Ginny added the ingredients, mixed and waved her wand. The potion turned a blue colour and emitted a scent of lavender. Hermione drew in a shaky breath and bottled two amounts of potion.

Her and Ginny stood in front of Hermione’s mirror. Both wore their outfits and double checked they had included everything.

“Remember to have the image clear in your head,” Hermione said for what felt like the millionth time.

“To a fantastic night,” Ginny raised her bottle.

“To a fantastic night,” Hermione clinked her bottle with Ginny’s. The girls drowned their potions at the same time.

Blue waves of magic pulsed over each of the girls, transforming their clothes into the chosen costumes. Ginny’s dress changed to a green to blue gradient and had golden ribbon decorate the V neck, under her bust and her waist. The scarf separated in two and each piece ran down her arms, each piece going under a gold bracelet on her upper arms, and flowing off each elbow like wings. Her gold shoes transformed into gladiator style strappy heels that went up to her knees. Lastly Ginny’s hair was pulled up so it fanned out and a green headdress adorned the front, snakes coming out of the top and moving about the headdress. She skirt of her dress shimmered as she twirled.

Hermione’s dress tightened to her body and changed to a soft fabric while keeping the green colour. Leaves decorated around her eyes and spread like vines through her hair now half pulled and and curled hair. The gloves turned fingerless and a sheer green, vines wrapped around each, a red leaf formed in the palm of her hands. Her dark green flats turned into dark green pumps giving her extra height. Lastly, Hermione’s hair changed to a deep mahogany red.

Ginny gave Hermione a thumbs up.

“Do you think it’s ok?”

“Are you kidding me? It’s awesome! I’m more worried about me. I didn’t quite think this snake thing through,” Ginny looked nervously at her headdress.

“Well, if you two end up in an awkward silence I’m sure Harry will have fun talking to the snakes,” Hermione giggled and avoided the pillow Ginny sent flying.

“I wonder what the boys are dressed up as,” Ginny mused.

“Shall we find out?” Hermione said.

The girls peeked out the door and saw Harry and Draco standing awkwardly in the common room. Harry was dressed in a tuxedo and Draco looked very plain. He wore black tight pants, slightly baggy black shirt, black gloves, black boots, a black bandana covered his hair and a black mask was over his face. The only noticeable thing about his costume was a silver sword on his belt.

“What do you think?” Ginny asked.

“Harry.. possibly some kind of prince charming and Draco.. Zorro? Honestly Gin I kinda expected more from him,” Hermione sighed.

“Don’t be too disappointed,” Ginny grinned evilly, “Just look at those pants!”

Hermione swatted Ginny on the shoulder.

“Ow!”

This alerted the boys and they stood up straight.

Ginny walked down first. Harry’s eyes grew wide and he watched her headdress completely as she descended the stairs. He finally glanced down at Ginny and smiled.

“Medusa, lovely as ever, although I did not expect to see you and you snakes here.” Harry bent and took Ginny’s hand, kissing it gently.

“And who might you be my good sir?”

“Bond. James Bond.” Harry pulled a martini glass out from behind him, his costume bewitched so he could pull out different items and gadgets. He took a sip and nearly sprayed Ginny as he choked on his drink.Hermione had started down from her room.

Hermione and Ginny laughed. Draco took Hermione’s hand and kissed it. His eyes danced with delight.

“And who might you be? Zorro?”

“No my lady, I am Westley, from The Princess Bride.”

Hermione froze. The Princess Bride was a muggle movie and book, one that she loved for it’s cheesy lines and romance but still Draco had dressed as a muggle character.

“And you must be Poison Ivy. Are you going to tantalise me with your pheromone dust?”

Hermione blinked at Draco. For someone who was Pureblood he knew an awful lot about muggle culture.

“What?”

“You know stuff about muggles.. stuff I would never have expected you to know.”

Draco shrugged. “Guess there’s more to me than meets to eye.”

Harry cleared his throat, “We had best be going, you two after all have to open the ball.”

Hermione nodded and took Draco’s hand. He looked at her questioningly. Harry and Ginny left through the portrait hole.

“They’re going to find out sooner or later,” Hermione said shyly. “Better to quell the rumors before they get out of control.”

Draco pulled her into a hug. “Are you sure? The information could get back to my father and..”

“Shh,” Hermione gave him a small kiss. “He can’t do anything, remember?”

Draco nodded and he suddenly looked nervous.

“If you don’t feel comfortable,” Hermione started to pull away but he pulled her tight.

“No. I just.. want you to be sure about this. We haven’t been together that long..”

“And? Draco I don’t want you to take this the wrong way but because of this situation neither of us can be with anyone else. As you were told by a certain friend, make the most of the situation.”

Draco smiled and took her hand, squeezing it. Together they walked down to the Great Hall hand in hand. Relying on each other for what was to come.

+++++

Damn this took me ages to write, SORRY! I was originally going to include the ball in this chapter but decided to break it up into its own, this thing is long enough as it is!

A visual of what Hermiones’ costume looks like:

Poison Ivy Costume

http://www.spirithalloween.com/product/BCD1F1AD-FDC7-4222-B3AD-58F97AC4AEEC/

And Ginny’s costume:

Medusa Costume http://www.spirithalloween.com/product/B6781B3E-9474-47C9-8503-F4DE85672976/

I thought Harry would look dashing as James Bond and Draco as Westley from the Princess Bride. I tried looking at other costumes but none seemed to match what I had envisioned for him. Plus Westley is always so cool, calm and collected.. plus I kinda imagine him as what Draco looks like older :P Minus the moustache!

Let me know if you see any spelling or grammar mistakes, some of this was written in the early hours of the morning on my phone so some things may have slipped my notice. Also no capitals at the start of sentences, Google docs doesn’t pick up on that :(

Re-reading over this chapter it seems awfully mushy... I’ve been reading too many YA novels again..

Hope you guys liked it and please rate and review!
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