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Struggling Through New Beginnings	By : HarryGinny4eva Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 31236 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Spoilers - I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
- 9
Chapter
8

Being stuck in his room, as if he had reason to hide,
was not in Draco�s nature. He might not be everyone�s favorite person, but he
had friends. Well, he had friend-type people. He didn�t know how to qualify his
relationship with Blaise. But he knew he needed someone to talk to who would
not judge him, if only for a short time. With that thought he closed the book
he hadn�t been reading anyway and left the room. He passed the rooms of other
students and saw the happiness in them at being back at school. His house was
normally not a gregarious one, at least not without alcohol in their systems,
but all of the changes, and the new feeling of freedom many felt, made for
quite the party atmosphere. Draco noticed that many people wouldn�t look him in
the eye, and he admitted to himself that it hurt a bit. Not so much because he
felt the loss of their respect or fear, but more so because he felt so alone.
As bleak as the summer had been, he�d had his mother for company. Now�

�No one,� he whispered harshly to himself.

�No one, what?� Gregory Goyle asked from behind him.

Draco stilled to keep from jumping at the sudden appearance of Greg.

Greg looked at Draco�s pale face and asked, �Why are you standing on the steps
like this? And, no one what?�

Draco glanced around and noticed that he had been so lost in thought that he�d
reached the common room without realizing it. There were very few people about,
as most were up in the rooms.

He turned to Greg, �Nothing. I was just�I was going to see Blaise.�

Draco watched and waited as the boy he�d grown up with seemed to struggle with
something. At some point, Greg had grown into a man and Draco hadn�t noticed.
He almost smiled when he realized the boyish fat had indeed turned into the
muscle it had promised to become. And, he fleetingly thought it was odd that
he�d never before noticed he was taller than his former body guard.

As he looked at Greg and tried to figure out the
last time he�d seen his friend he had a quick flash of memory. For the first
time since it had happened, Draco allowed himself to think about the missing
third to their trio, Vincent Crabbe. He felt a stab of guilt that he hadn�t
given the boy who�d died in the war much thought after that night. All the
years they�d spent together and he hadn�t even attended the funeral. Draco had
had many other things to contend with, and the fact that he had lost someone
who he had spent the majority of his young life with had simply faded in the
background.

Most people thought Draco the brains of the group, and Vince and Greg only
muscle, but no one really knew them. Vince had been as hotheaded as a Weasley,
but loyal to a fault. He was also the most insecure of the three. It had been
his zeal for approval; Draco�s, his parents�, and Voldemort�s
that had ultimately led to his death.

Greg was the quieter of the two, and the most
intelligent of the three. He would have died of embarrassment if anyone found
out, because it would have ruined his reputation as a bad-ass Slytherin, but
his photographic memory made it easy for him to never study. He didn�t talk a
lot, because he was not one for attention, and when he did it was most often to
Draco, Blaise, or Theo. His school life had been easy enough as teachers never
asked him to answer questions in class, as long as his work was done. It was
widely assumed by most people, teachers included, that Draco did all his work
for him, and Greg didn�t care as long as he got his grades and stayed in the
background.

Greg never discussed his feelings or thought on things, but that didn�t mean he
didn�t have them. Draco supposed this was why Greg was seeking him out now, for
some kind of closure. Draco wasn�t really in the mood to talk, but felt the
other man deserved to be heard after all their time together.

Bracing himself, Draco sighed, �Just spit it out, Greg.�

�I�m sorry,� the heavier, dark-haired boy mumbled.

�I know it�I�m�what?� Draco asked nonplussed.

Greg put his hands in his pockets and looked at the ground as he spoke quickly,
�I said I�m sorry. I should have checked on you this summer, and I never did.
And, after Vince�well, I wasn�t a very good friend to you and I�m sorry. I just
needed some time, you know?�

Draco stared at him at a loss as to what to say for a moment. With a small
smile he realized he wasn�t the only one confused about life in general. �It�s fine, Greg. It�s not like I was any better,� Draco
admitted, his tone soft and forgiving.

�So�� Greg said finally looking at Draco once more.

�So,� Draco answered, �I�m off to see the Head boy�s digs. Want to come?�

Greg�s relieved smile and nod made Draco laugh for the first time in a long
while. With his first true smile since he�d returned to school he straightened
to his full height, 6� 2� and punched his friend playfully on the arm. Greg
glanced at the clock over the portrait and saw that they were nearing curfew.
He almost mentioned it, but when he looked back at Draco, he found his friend
wearing a smirk of challenge.

�Race you to the top.�

Both young men took off running for the portrait and the stairs, remembering
their many years of roaming the halls after curfew. Neither cared that they
looked silly or were acting like children, as it felt too good to have a small
moment of happiness. With twin shouts of laughter they plowed up the stairs pushing
each other back to get there first. As they rounded the bend in the stairs
nearing the top Draco was one step ahead and turned to laugh in triumph. He
never saw the person at the top as he barreled into them and the three went
careening to the floor in a heap.

Draco was unhurt, but a bit dazed and short of breath, as he�d landed on top of
a soft, squealing body, his face lost in a mass of curly, soft brown hair and a
cloud of strawberries and subtle perfume. No sooner than he�d landed on whoever
the poor girl was, he found himself flattened against her as Greg landed
heavily across them both.

Greg was the first to untangle himself and he reached
down to help Draco up. Draco braced his hands on either side of his hapless
victim and pushed back to stare down into the pained face of Hermione Granger.
Her eyes were closed, but she appeared to be breathing normally, if a bit
heavily. He sighed in relief that he hadn�t inadvertently killed her and froze
as her eyes opened and met his.

He was too flustered by her stare to do more than mutter, �Granger�I�� and then
fell silent.

Hermione simply blinked at him, still in shock from being mowed down despite
her best efforts.

Thankfully, Greg broke the sudden silence. �Hermi�I
mean, Granger, oh Merlin, are you okay?�

Draco found himself suddenly flung off of her warm body and facing the wall
he�d been tossed toward. In shock he turned to see Greg picking her up off the
floor, the entire time apologizing and trying to check her for injuries.

Hermione finally snapped out of her silence when one of Greg�s hands brushed
roughly over her backside. Jumping from his patting hands, she reprimanded,
�Goyle!�

He seemed to realize what he�d been doing and turned an unbecoming shade of red
as he lifted his hands from her so quickly she fell back into Draco.
Instinctively his arm came up around her waist to help right her and she found
herself pulled back against his hard body.

She felt, more than heard, his sharp intake of breath and the shudder that ran
through him. A tingle of awareness at the strength in his masculine frame ran
through her for an instant before she remembered herself and stood on her own.

Draco was embarrassed, confused and still in a bit of shock from their
collision. His body had reacted almost instantly to her body under him on the
floor, and then again when she�d been pushed back into him. The light scent she
wore made him almost groan in pleasure. But, more than anything else, he felt
saddened that the simple touch of another person had sent him reeling in such a
way. His mother, while loving, was not one for displays of affection, and more
often than not would pat the back of his hand, or touch his hair lightly on her
way to bed. The fact that the person who�d caused this reaction was Hermione Granger
was not lost on him, but with all the feelings swamping him at that moment in time he didn�t care to think on that, too.

When she was righted and glanced back over her shoulder up at him, he again
found himself at a loss for what to say as he looked into her warm, brown eyes.
Both Hermione and Draco were saved from having to speak to each other though as
Greg couldn�t seem to stop talking. They both watched with varied degrees of
shock as he stammered and moved his hands around in his agitation.

�I am so sorry. We weren�t thinking. I mean, we didn�t see you. Not that we
could have known you were coming around the corner that way. I�m not saying it
was your fault, of course. And, I hope we didn�t hurt you. You aren�t hurt are
you? And, I didn�t mean to touch you that way. I was just checking to make sure
you weren�t hurt. I�m afraid you will have a bruise your arm from the fall, and that stinks because you look really amazing, as
usual, and I would hate to think that I was the cause of your injury. Not after
all you went through last year, and I know you have no reason to forgive me,
but I am really sorry if we hurt you. Please try to��

�Goyle, stop!� Hermione finally cut in to stop his
nervous chatter. She hadn�t missed the �as usual�, and
the girly part of her preened a bit. �It�s okay, really. I heard you coming and
simply didn�t move fast enough. It�s no one�s fault, okay?�

He looked from her face to her hand on his arm and flushed again as he nodded,
suddenly mute.

She smiled up at him and laughed lightly, �Are you okay? You fell, too, you
know?�

He again nodded, but this time a small smile graced his face.

Hermione was not interested in Gregory Goyle in any way, shape, or form, but
she couldn�t help the feeling of lightness she felt at his shy smile. �In the
spirit of new beginnings, I would like to call a truce with you, Goyle. After
last year��

�Greg,� he interrupted softly as he stared down at her.

�..I think we�what?� she asked in confusion.

He actually laughed softly, before he shoved his hands in his pockets and
looked down at the floor, �You lot saved my life last year. I will never forget
that. I was�caught up and you helped me. Things changed after that and I saw
you differ�I mean, um, well, with the new beginnings and all, like you said, I
just wanted you to know you can call me Greg if you want, Granger.�

Hermione smiled at him, �Then you should call me Hermione, don�t you think?�

He smiled again and nodded.

She tilted her head and said with a teasing smile as she rode the feeling of
being flirted with, even if it was Gregory Goyle, �You know, Greg, I think I�ve
heard more words from you in the last five minutes, than in all our days of
school.�

Both jumped slightly when Draco grunted a laugh from behind them, as they had
forgotten his presence for a moment.

�So, um,� Greg asked softly, desperate to keep her attention on him for a few
moments more, �where were you going, Hermione, when we knocked you down?�

She again smiled up at him, but before she could answer they were interrupted
by loud laughter coming from around the corner.

Ginny and Pansy were bent over giggling when they rounded the bend and ran into
the group. Their laughter died as they eyed the group staring at them in shock.

Ginny took in the sight of her best friend between the two large Slytherins and
her hand inched toward her wand as she asked, �Mione?�

Hermione stepped forward her hand outstretched to still her friend�s reaction,
�Hey Gin. I was just coming to see you when I ran into these two.�

Ginny�s eyes widened as both men laughed nervously behind Hermione. She noticed
that while Draco stared at the wall behind them, Greg stared at Hermione almost
like a lovesick puppy. She also noted that Hermione appeared fine, so she
relaxed a bit.

�Well, Pansy and I were going to go back to my common room to get a bite, want
to come with?�

Hermione�s face registered her surprise at their familiarity and her eyes went
to Pansy�s tense face. She understood the discomfort Pansy must have felt, but
what shocked her was the fear she could almost feel rolling off of Pansy as her
eyes moved apprehensively between Draco and Hermione.

Finding her tongue Hermione plastered on her smile and answered, �Of course,
Gin. I�m dying to see your rooms. I�m sure Parkin�Pansy
is, too, right?�

Pansy�s breath whooshed out as she nodded, �Yes. I��

Greg stepped closer to Hermione and said, �We were headed to see Blaise.�

She looked back at him and said, �Well, let�s get going then.�

Everyone laughed as the group began to move down the hall, and Ginny said in awe,
�I didn�t know you could speak, Goyle.�

He reddened and ducked his head as he nodded.

Pansy leaned closer to Ginny and giggled softly, �You should see him when he�s
drunk, you can�t shut him up.�

Hermione lifted a brow at Pansy�s actions and wondered what had happened to get
the two of them talking. She knew Ginny would fill her in eventually, but she
was still curious. With a glance over at the young woman she�d never really
spoken to before, she realized she and Draco hadn�t even said hello to each
other. For two people who were so close, they certainly weren�t acting like a
couple in love. In her confusion she glanced back over
her shoulder at Draco and found him staring at her. Seeing the intensity of his
gaze, she missed a step on the stones of the floor in her shock and stumbled a
bit. The large hand that righted her brought her back to the rest of the group
and she smiled up at Greg in thanks.

His flushed face beamed down at her and she realized she would have to be
careful. She didn�t have a lot of experience with men, but even she could see
his infatuation with her. She was flattered, but not interested. And, having
just gotten out of things with Ron, she really wasn�t ready for another
relationship any time soon. She would need to tread lightly with him, as she
didn�t know him very well and didn�t know how he would take her rejection. With
everything changing around them, she wanted to make new friends and have new
experiences at school that didn�t involve war, prejudice, fear or anger. So she
didn�t want to start the year by making enemies of people that could well
become some of those friends.

With that thought she turned back to Pansy, �So, uh, Pansy, are your rooms all
changed, too?�

Pansy looked like a deer caught in headlights when she realized Hermione had
spoken to her, but she quickly adjusted her face, even as she shrank behind
Ginny a little before she answered. �Yes, Grang�uh,
Hermione. I was quite surprised. You?�

�Oh yeah,� Hermione answered with a smile, �but, I am going to love
having a place to study in other than that drafty, old library.�

Pansy nodded and answered, before she could stop herself, �Same here. I always
hated hiding in my bed to get my homework done.�

She reddened in embarrassment when she realized she�d spoken so freely, but
Hermione didn�t seem to notice as she asked, �Why would you hide? There�s
nothing wrong with studying. It is what we�re here for, after all, regardless
of what some think.�

Ginny answered for her, �Bulstrode teases her for being too much like another
bookworm I know and love.�

�Ginny,� Pansy whined softly and clasped her hands in front herself.

Ginny stopped at a portrait of the school grounds and put her hands on her hips,
as she turned to Pansy, �I already told you, Pansy, no more hiding. You are who
you are and people will accept it or not. And, besides, who better to know what
being teased about being smart is all about than Mione?�

Pansy nodded obediently and smiled shyly at Hermione.

Hermione, for her part, just stared back and forth between them as several
things hit her at once. Ginny had found a new cause to support. Pansy Parkinson
wasn�t proud, rude or stupid. She was nervous, shy and intelligent. And, maybe,
just maybe, Greg wasn�t the only Slytherin Hermione would befriend this year.

With a sudden grin at the nervous girl, Hermione laughed, �It seems I�ve found
the Slytherin version of me.�

�Or maybe you�re the Gryffindork version of her,�
Draco mumbled from behind them. As four pairs of eyes turned to look at him, he
realized he had actually said it out loud.

No one was surprised by his words, so much as the fact that he had spoken at
all. Since he hadn�t joined in their conversation during their walk, he�d been
basically forgotten, and it simply surprised everyone that he�d uttered a word.
In defiance, he lifted his chin and stared back at each one of them, daring
someone to attack him.

When no one spoke after a moment he cleared his throat uncomfortably, a bit
chagrined at having ruined what had been a relatively good mood for everyone,
and sighed, �So, can we get in to see Blaise or what?�

Ginny blinked owlishly at him and then seemed to remember why they were all
standing there. �Oh, yeah. Everyone back up please.�

Once everyone moved away she leaned in and whispered the password. They all
stepped forward quickly to follow her into the Head�s rooms. Everyone was eager
to see how much better their rooms could be than the new ones they each had.
Once they were all through the portrait Ginny pushed it closed and giggled at
the matching looks of awe on each face. Even Draco showed his surprise, though
he immediately tried to cover it with a look of nonchalance.

The room had been just as much of a shock to Ginny
when she had first entered. Blaise hadn�t commented, but she knew the lack of
house colors had surprised him, as much as her. The common room was done in
relaxing light shades of blue, brown and white and there were three comfy
looking sofas sitting around the beautiful, brick fireplace. In the middle sat
a wide, low, wooden table with simple, artistic carvings along the edge and the
legs.

Hermione and Pansy were the first to react as they both shouted, �Oh my God!�

Ginny squealed back, �I know!� and then started pointing out different aspects
of the room. Draco and Greg followed quietly behind them as they moved from the
common room to the kitchen.

Seeing the large room finally made Greg huff, �No fair!
You have your own stove, fridge and everything!�

Hermione laughed, �Man, Gin, you�ll never have to go to Great Hall for meals
again.�

Ginny smiled, but shook her head, �Sadly, not true. We are required to eat at
least one meal a day there to promote this new beginning stuff. But, can you
imagine Ron�s face when he sees this?!�

Hermione jerked a little at the mention of Ron�s name, but laughed along,
�He�ll be begging you to make him food all the time.�

Draco noticed Hermione�s slight stiffening, but refrained from asking about it.
He was still not over the fact that his body had turned traitor and felt
something when they�d touched. As it was, he was trying to find a polite way to
pull away from the group, because her scent was stuck in his head as he
followed them around the place. What he couldn�t figure out was why Weaslette�s perfume didn�t make him want to sniff her neck.
Or, why he had never noticed whether Pansy wore a scent or not, in all the time
they�d spent together.

Draco was so lost in thought that he didn�t notice the conversation continue or
the group leave the room. When the silence descended
he quickly turned and followed them out only to see the back of Greg as they
entered the Heads� library. He knew it would contain walls and walls of books
when he heard both Pansy and Hermione let out twin squeals of joy. He rolled
his eyes, stuck his hands in his pockets and started across the room, but his
progress was halted by a shout from above.

xxxxxx

Author�s notes � Thank you to all of
you who have read, set alerts, marked the story as a favorite, and/or especially, reviewed!! You make me
smile.

Stella �
thank you again, hon!

Jullsy �
this extra update is just for you! Then we�re back to Wednesdays and Sundays.

Kazfeist �
Thank you!! I can�t tell you how happy I was to see your review. Knowing how
much you read, beta, and rate, it was a kudo to me
that you are reading and enjoying the story! Thanks.

Dreamweaver �
Thanks again, hon, for both reviews! I am thrilled
you liked the school changes, as well as the all-house common room. I loved the
idea and if I got it from you then I thank you for the subliminal idea! And, of
course, no worries on the Theo love. I think there�s enough of him to go
around. But, thanks for the shout-out. :-) Keep in mind that Ginny, no matter
how �fiery� did make Head Girl for a reason. lol ;-)
And, I am glad you liked the Ron/Hermione break up. I didn�t want to do another
story where he was the �bad guy� just to get her with Draco. Plus, I have other
plans for him. tee hee hee Here is your �what happens next� �
- 7
- 8
- 9
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Struggling Through New Beginnings