Claiming Hermione
folder
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Draco/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
32
Views:
116,925
Reviews:
717
Recommended:
5
Currently Reading:
10
Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Draco/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
32
Views:
116,925
Reviews:
717
Recommended:
5
Currently Reading:
10
Disclaimer:
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.
The Slow Road...
For three weeks, thick, heavy rain fell, turning everything to mud. Orange and brown leaves that had piled up to beckon jumpers and kicking boots, were now flattened into wet pulp. The house common rooms surged, full to bursting, as students holed themselves up waiting for it to end.
Hermione spent the first half of Sunday in the Gryffindor common room, reading the Daily Prophet, resisting the urge to go the HCR, and trying to enjoy the company of her friends. The confusion she felt around the enigma that was Malfoy left her both wanting to poke and prod at it until she had some answers, and conversely, made her want to hide. Which is what she was currently doing. Lavender parked her backside on Ron’s lap while he and Harry played chess. Hermione sighed. She would have to get over her dislike of Lavender. It looked like she was here to stay and she wouldn’t loose her friend over a girl. She just wasn’t sure how she was going to bridge that gap. Parvati and Lavender broke out in a fit of giggles and Hermione made up her mind.
“I’m going to go study.” She said as she stood up. Harry and Ron both groaned.
“Do you ever not study? The library might be ready for some new company.” Ron snickered and Harry tried not to.
Hermione bristled and towered over him. “For your information, Ronald, I’m not going to the library. And if you think it’s so in need of new company, maybe YOU should pay it a visit! The last time you were there was the night before OWLS and I think your brain cells might be atrophied!”
Lavender, Parvati, Ron stared open mouthed as she stomped out the door. Harry just sighed.
**************************************************
Draco was hiding too. Since the beginning of the school year, his friends felt like strangers. They tried his patience. And their inane topics of conversation and petty bullying held no interest for him. He just wanted to focus on his grades and scores, because who knows what the future would hold – especially now, especially for him – and he wanted to be in the best position possible. In less than seven months he would leave Hogwarts forever. He no longer cared about being the Slytherin Prince. He’d worked hard enough to achieve the title, and now he could just enjoy it however he chose. And he just wanted to be alone. To be quiet.
And he wanted to fly. He needed to fly. Draco stared out the rain-streaked window at the expanse of gray. A wicked voice in his head told him he should schedule Quidditch practice anyway. But it was not to be. The Headmaster himself had banned flying during the storm. Too much electricity in the air. Dangerous.
So he was in the HCR. Again. He flicked his wand at the fireplace and sat at his desk, pulling out the translations he was working on for Ancient Runes; currently warring with Arithmancy for the title of “favorite class”. Ten minutes later, Granger stomped in and threw her bag down.
Draco’s heart skipped. She was fired up about something and her eyes were sparkling. It was a familiar look. One that had been for him so many, many times in the past. He watched her punish a book by throwing it on the desk and harshly flipping to her desired spot, fuming silently.
But at least she was here. He turned back to his translations and quickly got absorbed in the task at hand. There was something oddly satisfying about studying with her. Well, not with her, but near her while she studied also.
Still, he’d rather be flying.
**************************************************
The rain was unrelenting and constant, and soon, it’s beating against the common room windows was as familiar as the crackling of the fireplace, the scratching of quills, the occasional sigh, the squeaks from Draco’s chair, and the comfortable silence that filled the room.
That’s how it began. The slow road. That first night when they’d said nothing for hours. The day she smiled.
And then on Sunday. And Monday.
When Draco checked his cubby on Tuesday morning he found only one note.
Do you think you could keep it down? I’m trying to study.
- Hermione
Draco smiled widely and scratched out a reply underneath her message, which Hermione found just before lunch.
What’s wrong, Princess? Does my page turning threaten your pure ears?
DM
She flushed darkly, glad she was alone, remembering just how truly he had threatened the purity of her ears. Devious bastard!
Hardly. I’ve been liberated, remember?
- Hermione
Anticipation found Draco making his way to the HCR earlier than usual that night, and he almost dropped his hot chocolate when he pulled the note out. Her boldness was to be expected, as was a smart-mouthed response, but the return of his innuendo left Draco staring at the note dumbly. He stuffed it in his pocket and buried himself behind his potions book. Wasn’t he supposed to be the one flustering her?
It was after 8pm when Hermione walked into the HCR that night with a small smirk on her face. She didn’t dare check her cubby with him in the room, so she promptly got to work.
By Wednesday the lightning and thunder had stopped and a few brave students ventured outside, only to return soaked and slicked with mud not long after. Hermione wondered about Malfoy’s constant presence in the HCR. He didn’t talk to her, and really, she hadn’t tried to talk to him. It was comfortable. She wondered if they were becoming friends. She wondered if he thought they were becoming friends.
Stretching in her chair, she decided she needed a small break and walked into the kitchenette thinking a cup of tea would do her nicely. She opened the cupboard and pulled out a mug, but then stopped suddenly and opened the cupboard again. It was full of mugs. And glasses! The last time she had looked, the cupboards were bare. The last time had been when… when… Her mouth hung open as she blinked, holding the mug in the air.
Draco’s mouth twitched as he struggled to hold in his smile, and holding very still, he trained his eyes on his book. When she turned to him, he raised his eyes and held her shocked gaze. They stayed there, with their eyes locked until a friendly smirk finally broke free on Draco’s face. Hermione beamed a wide smile at him before turning back to make her tea.
Draco felt like he was floating.
**************************************************
On Thursday, the flying ban was lifted and Draco wasted no time getting his team in the air. Hermione watched from the splattered window, little shapes zooming about the pitch, one hovering a little a higher and then zipping down to this player and that player. The common room felt cold.
Once the sky turned too dark to see the bludgers, Draco let his team go. He showered in the changing rooms and convinced himself that even though it was getting late, he really needed to get started on that essay for Snape.
Hermione was curled up on the couch, absorbed in some classic muggle literature, when Draco came in. He nodded hello to her and dropped his Quidditch bag on the floor as he thumbed through the notes in his cubby.
She stared at him over the top of her book. His cheeks were pink and his blonde hair was wet and slicked back showing the widow’s peak she hadn’t seen in a long time. She could smell his soap. Her stomach flip-flopped and she sunk into the cushions behind her book before he saw her…discomfort.
Friday’s prefect meeting went smoothly, with everyone a little too excited by talk of rounds and house points. Cabin fever was setting in. But Hermione was perfectly happy, and she curled up on the couch with her book as soon as the last prefect left.
It was still raining and Draco stayed.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special thanks to all of the great reviewers! You don’t know how happy your enthusiasm makes me!
Crescentmoon, sayyadamo, distinctlyME, janl, ,sugypunk, The Cat, HarryGinny4eva, envy, tootsie, smurphy, kazfeist, leValkyrie, and alyssium: THANK YOU!!! Gratidude from here to the moon!
Dreamweaver
Don’t worry, our girl will get there and then some. Man, I love reading your reactions. Sometimes, I don’t even realize that I’ve done something until I see your interpretation. I guess that’s creativity for you. I’m also a painter and have had that same experience with art. And your reviews alway give me food for thought and influences my next chapter – and in such a good way. The Dean Thomas thing – I think our Gryffindor is a bit of a social butterfly. He’s the kinda guy everyone likes, even the Slytherins. (Oooh, I see a politician in the making.) Draco may have thrown down with him in the past. Not alone, perhaps, but maybe in the Slytherin common room with the other snakes. I would SO go to that party! And please, continue to muse aloud. I dig it!
chickacherrycola and gabby1234
Hang in there ladies, it will happen, but not just yet. And once they start, it will happen a LOT. ;-)
-hey chicka - was that quick enough for ya?
Aisukurimu Keki
I’m glad you reviewed and that you are enjoying the story. Welcome aboard! Thanks!
asaka
Thanks! I LOVE UST! It’s seriously what prompted me to write something in the first place. And I think our Draco has MANY more games to play…
Teh Kita
Not feeling your story? WHAT? Oh my GOD! Draco got in to deep and now he’s all heartbroken and responding the way he does, which makes it worse, which so brilliant and totally doesn’t solve his problem at all and damn girl, I have to know what is happening to Harry! *rant over*
Okay, I can totally see the Harry belongs to Draco argument. In fact, the words “belongs to” is why that is true. It feels like Draco has been “chasing” Harry for ever and his unrelenting pursuit is why Harry belongs to Draco. If I thought I could write slash, or if I thought I understood Harry better, I might have written H/D. But, I’m glad you do, so get on it! Gimme some teeth!
SoftObsidian74
* deep breath *
I don’t really know what to say. I’m…I’m gobsmacked, speechless, deeply honored and affected…. Bound by Duty and Dubious Affair are such an awesome stories that *I* feel inadequate! You have absolutely NO CAUSE for any sort of inferiority complex.
You know how when you started out in the HPFF world, you identify “the greats”? (Well, I did). Rizzle’s Dragon’s Bride, anything by dynonugget, slashpervert… there you are on my list of greats. Which is why your words here have pretty much bowled me over. Seriously, thank you.
I asked my husband what their first kiss should be like, and he said without hesitation, he should kiss her shoulder. That’s how the sleepkiss happened and I am thrilled that you liked it enough to use it. Feel free.
Thank you so much for all the love. I feel a little teary at all the praise. And I promise to be a better reviewer too.
Hermione spent the first half of Sunday in the Gryffindor common room, reading the Daily Prophet, resisting the urge to go the HCR, and trying to enjoy the company of her friends. The confusion she felt around the enigma that was Malfoy left her both wanting to poke and prod at it until she had some answers, and conversely, made her want to hide. Which is what she was currently doing. Lavender parked her backside on Ron’s lap while he and Harry played chess. Hermione sighed. She would have to get over her dislike of Lavender. It looked like she was here to stay and she wouldn’t loose her friend over a girl. She just wasn’t sure how she was going to bridge that gap. Parvati and Lavender broke out in a fit of giggles and Hermione made up her mind.
“I’m going to go study.” She said as she stood up. Harry and Ron both groaned.
“Do you ever not study? The library might be ready for some new company.” Ron snickered and Harry tried not to.
Hermione bristled and towered over him. “For your information, Ronald, I’m not going to the library. And if you think it’s so in need of new company, maybe YOU should pay it a visit! The last time you were there was the night before OWLS and I think your brain cells might be atrophied!”
Lavender, Parvati, Ron stared open mouthed as she stomped out the door. Harry just sighed.
**************************************************
Draco was hiding too. Since the beginning of the school year, his friends felt like strangers. They tried his patience. And their inane topics of conversation and petty bullying held no interest for him. He just wanted to focus on his grades and scores, because who knows what the future would hold – especially now, especially for him – and he wanted to be in the best position possible. In less than seven months he would leave Hogwarts forever. He no longer cared about being the Slytherin Prince. He’d worked hard enough to achieve the title, and now he could just enjoy it however he chose. And he just wanted to be alone. To be quiet.
And he wanted to fly. He needed to fly. Draco stared out the rain-streaked window at the expanse of gray. A wicked voice in his head told him he should schedule Quidditch practice anyway. But it was not to be. The Headmaster himself had banned flying during the storm. Too much electricity in the air. Dangerous.
So he was in the HCR. Again. He flicked his wand at the fireplace and sat at his desk, pulling out the translations he was working on for Ancient Runes; currently warring with Arithmancy for the title of “favorite class”. Ten minutes later, Granger stomped in and threw her bag down.
Draco’s heart skipped. She was fired up about something and her eyes were sparkling. It was a familiar look. One that had been for him so many, many times in the past. He watched her punish a book by throwing it on the desk and harshly flipping to her desired spot, fuming silently.
But at least she was here. He turned back to his translations and quickly got absorbed in the task at hand. There was something oddly satisfying about studying with her. Well, not with her, but near her while she studied also.
Still, he’d rather be flying.
**************************************************
The rain was unrelenting and constant, and soon, it’s beating against the common room windows was as familiar as the crackling of the fireplace, the scratching of quills, the occasional sigh, the squeaks from Draco’s chair, and the comfortable silence that filled the room.
That’s how it began. The slow road. That first night when they’d said nothing for hours. The day she smiled.
And then on Sunday. And Monday.
When Draco checked his cubby on Tuesday morning he found only one note.
Do you think you could keep it down? I’m trying to study.
- Hermione
Draco smiled widely and scratched out a reply underneath her message, which Hermione found just before lunch.
What’s wrong, Princess? Does my page turning threaten your pure ears?
DM
She flushed darkly, glad she was alone, remembering just how truly he had threatened the purity of her ears. Devious bastard!
Hardly. I’ve been liberated, remember?
- Hermione
Anticipation found Draco making his way to the HCR earlier than usual that night, and he almost dropped his hot chocolate when he pulled the note out. Her boldness was to be expected, as was a smart-mouthed response, but the return of his innuendo left Draco staring at the note dumbly. He stuffed it in his pocket and buried himself behind his potions book. Wasn’t he supposed to be the one flustering her?
It was after 8pm when Hermione walked into the HCR that night with a small smirk on her face. She didn’t dare check her cubby with him in the room, so she promptly got to work.
By Wednesday the lightning and thunder had stopped and a few brave students ventured outside, only to return soaked and slicked with mud not long after. Hermione wondered about Malfoy’s constant presence in the HCR. He didn’t talk to her, and really, she hadn’t tried to talk to him. It was comfortable. She wondered if they were becoming friends. She wondered if he thought they were becoming friends.
Stretching in her chair, she decided she needed a small break and walked into the kitchenette thinking a cup of tea would do her nicely. She opened the cupboard and pulled out a mug, but then stopped suddenly and opened the cupboard again. It was full of mugs. And glasses! The last time she had looked, the cupboards were bare. The last time had been when… when… Her mouth hung open as she blinked, holding the mug in the air.
Draco’s mouth twitched as he struggled to hold in his smile, and holding very still, he trained his eyes on his book. When she turned to him, he raised his eyes and held her shocked gaze. They stayed there, with their eyes locked until a friendly smirk finally broke free on Draco’s face. Hermione beamed a wide smile at him before turning back to make her tea.
Draco felt like he was floating.
**************************************************
On Thursday, the flying ban was lifted and Draco wasted no time getting his team in the air. Hermione watched from the splattered window, little shapes zooming about the pitch, one hovering a little a higher and then zipping down to this player and that player. The common room felt cold.
Once the sky turned too dark to see the bludgers, Draco let his team go. He showered in the changing rooms and convinced himself that even though it was getting late, he really needed to get started on that essay for Snape.
Hermione was curled up on the couch, absorbed in some classic muggle literature, when Draco came in. He nodded hello to her and dropped his Quidditch bag on the floor as he thumbed through the notes in his cubby.
She stared at him over the top of her book. His cheeks were pink and his blonde hair was wet and slicked back showing the widow’s peak she hadn’t seen in a long time. She could smell his soap. Her stomach flip-flopped and she sunk into the cushions behind her book before he saw her…discomfort.
Friday’s prefect meeting went smoothly, with everyone a little too excited by talk of rounds and house points. Cabin fever was setting in. But Hermione was perfectly happy, and she curled up on the couch with her book as soon as the last prefect left.
It was still raining and Draco stayed.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special thanks to all of the great reviewers! You don’t know how happy your enthusiasm makes me!
Crescentmoon, sayyadamo, distinctlyME, janl, ,sugypunk, The Cat, HarryGinny4eva, envy, tootsie, smurphy, kazfeist, leValkyrie, and alyssium: THANK YOU!!! Gratidude from here to the moon!
Dreamweaver
Don’t worry, our girl will get there and then some. Man, I love reading your reactions. Sometimes, I don’t even realize that I’ve done something until I see your interpretation. I guess that’s creativity for you. I’m also a painter and have had that same experience with art. And your reviews alway give me food for thought and influences my next chapter – and in such a good way. The Dean Thomas thing – I think our Gryffindor is a bit of a social butterfly. He’s the kinda guy everyone likes, even the Slytherins. (Oooh, I see a politician in the making.) Draco may have thrown down with him in the past. Not alone, perhaps, but maybe in the Slytherin common room with the other snakes. I would SO go to that party! And please, continue to muse aloud. I dig it!
chickacherrycola and gabby1234
Hang in there ladies, it will happen, but not just yet. And once they start, it will happen a LOT. ;-)
-hey chicka - was that quick enough for ya?
Aisukurimu Keki
I’m glad you reviewed and that you are enjoying the story. Welcome aboard! Thanks!
asaka
Thanks! I LOVE UST! It’s seriously what prompted me to write something in the first place. And I think our Draco has MANY more games to play…
Teh Kita
Not feeling your story? WHAT? Oh my GOD! Draco got in to deep and now he’s all heartbroken and responding the way he does, which makes it worse, which so brilliant and totally doesn’t solve his problem at all and damn girl, I have to know what is happening to Harry! *rant over*
Okay, I can totally see the Harry belongs to Draco argument. In fact, the words “belongs to” is why that is true. It feels like Draco has been “chasing” Harry for ever and his unrelenting pursuit is why Harry belongs to Draco. If I thought I could write slash, or if I thought I understood Harry better, I might have written H/D. But, I’m glad you do, so get on it! Gimme some teeth!
SoftObsidian74
* deep breath *
I don’t really know what to say. I’m…I’m gobsmacked, speechless, deeply honored and affected…. Bound by Duty and Dubious Affair are such an awesome stories that *I* feel inadequate! You have absolutely NO CAUSE for any sort of inferiority complex.
You know how when you started out in the HPFF world, you identify “the greats”? (Well, I did). Rizzle’s Dragon’s Bride, anything by dynonugget, slashpervert… there you are on my list of greats. Which is why your words here have pretty much bowled me over. Seriously, thank you.
I asked my husband what their first kiss should be like, and he said without hesitation, he should kiss her shoulder. That’s how the sleepkiss happened and I am thrilled that you liked it enough to use it. Feel free.
Thank you so much for all the love. I feel a little teary at all the praise. And I promise to be a better reviewer too.