Trial by Fire

Hey guys! New chapter, and by the my I know my grammer sucks, but it's been a while since I was in an English class so stay with me please. Let me know what you think, you guuys can help me decide where you want this story to go. ~Ivy

The headmaster began the start of term feast much like any other. However, when he introduced the new head students an eerie silence fell over the Great Hall... Draco wasn’t supposed to be Head Boy, Harry was, the boy who lived. Dumbledore took note of the quite and simply addressed it.

“With the defeat of Lord Voldemort, it is even more important that all of you understand the importance of inter-house unity. We have a muggle born and a ‘pureblood’, a Slytherin and a Gryffindor. We have the two brightest students Hogwarts has to offer, they will makes us proud and we will help them and the departing seventh years shine. Enjoy your meal.”

Hermione was seated next to Harry and across from Ron; she was unfortunately looking at Draco. Every since he had spoken to her as they stepped off the train she had been livid. ‘How dare he think that I will fall at his feet! Well, he’s got another thing coming that’s for damn sure!’ her thought were interrupted by Ginny asking what they were doing for Hermione’s second 18th birthday.

“I don’t see why I have to have a second 18th birthday; I’ve already had one...”

“No, you didn’t,” Ginny interrupted. “You turned 18 but we never had a party, there was a lot going on to say the least. Now, that we are fairly sure there is no threat to anyone’s life we are having a party! No use arguing I’ve already sent out the invitations and don’t worry Draco will be there.” Ginny finished slyly.

“Why would you invite him Ginny? My life isn’t hard enough with out you adding him into the mix on one day!”

“Not to put my head in the lion’s mouth Hermione, but you may not like the facts that however, doesn’t change that they are the facts.”

“Ronald Weasley, I can not believe you of all people are siding essentially with Draco. That defies the laws of physics!”

“So does flying on a broom, love.”

Hermione had lost all interest in food. Why couldn’t anybody see the problem in this whole situation? When she glanced up she did notice that Draco was missing from his table. Well, all the better at least she didn’t have to look at him. When the feast ended the prefects led the younger years back to their dorms. Hermione and Draco were to wait behind and be led to their private dorms by the Headmaster. The Great Hall began to empty and Draco was still no where in sight. As Hermione approached the Professor’s table she felt a dull pain in her stomach. They were almost like cramps but getting worse. Without warning she was doubled over in pain, falling quickly to her knees. Professor Dumbledore rushed to her side instructing Snape to get Madam Pomfry. Draco burst through the doors of the Great Hall, sprinting to her side. He almost collided with the Headmaster trying to get to her.

“It’s me she needs.” Draco spoke as he grabbed her hand. “Pansy kissed me in the Entrance Hall. I didn’t know what has going on, she had said she wanted to talk to me about her parents and we went out to talk. Then she just kissed me, as soon as my brain reengaged I knew Hermione would need me.”

“You lowlife bastard.” The insult was low toned but the venom behind Hermione’s words still rang true. The Professors gave the couple some room while keeping an eye on them just the same.

“Baby you have to believe me. I have lived through this pain remember? I would never do this intentionally. You have to know that.”

“Don’t you dare call me baby.” Hermione spat as she regained her feet. “Baby, is a term of endearment reserved for those who care about me. It has to be earned, and you sir have not.” Hermione turned to the Headmaster, “Sir if you could show us to our rooms I would greatly appreciate it. I think I would feel better if I lay down.”

“Certainly Ms. Granger, right this way.”

The two students followed the Headmaster up four flights of stairs. Down the corridor to the left they found a painting of Romeo and Juliet having a picnic. When they reached the painting the Headmaster introduced the young couples to each other.

“These will be your new charges for the year, please see that you take excellent care of them.”

“As always sir, password please?”

“Coconuts and Swallows.”

The portrait swung open admitting them into the common room. Hermione chuckled and turned to the Headmaster. “Sir, was that a muggle movie reference?”

“As a matter of fact it was Ms. Granger. Do you know the movie from which it was taken?”

“I do sir, ‘Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?’

“Not at all, they could be carried.”

“A swallow carrying a coconut?”

“He could grip it by the husk.”

“It’s not a matter of how he grips it. It’s a simple matter of weight ratio. A five ounce bird can not carry a one pound coconut.”

“One hundred point to Gryffindor, for the obscure muggle movie reference,” Dumbledore said with a chuckle. He turned and while bidding them goodnight reminded them to meet him in his office that Saturday at 11 sharp.

“You get points for anything don’t you?”

“If you had a better sense of the ridiculous, you might have enjoyed that. And I still don’t think I’m talking to you,” Hermione said over a slight twinge in her stomach.

Draco stepped forward to her. “It still hurts doesn’t it? I can make it feel better.”

“Oh, I’m sure you think you can but come near me Draco and so help me Merlin bedding me will be the least of your worries.”

Ignoring her warning Draco stepped forward again and placed his hand up and under her shirt before she could stop him. His hand rested at the center of her chest rising and falling with her heartbeat. Instantly she felt better. “When will you under stand Hermione, it’s not about sex. It’s about you.” Draco asked in a whisper.

“When will you understand my head can’t catch up with my heart?”

Draco pulled her to the couch settling her against him while they looked out at their common room. “It would be easier if you would stop trying to think love through. The only part that matters is your heart. I’m not saying anything that I ever did or said to you can be forgiven over night. It shouldn’t be I was horrible, and I did see the error of my ways. Of the ways my father brought me up believing. What you are isn’t why I love you. It’s part of it, but you are everything that I need. You push me in ways that no one else would ever dare not because of my name but because of the way I carry myself. My mother used to say if I had been born to a farmer’s witch I would have been king of the barns. You can’t honestly think that anyone of your friends can mentally give you a run for your money can you?”

“You take all of this with a grain of salt. I can’t, my brain and body don’t work like that Draco. My body wants you, my heart longs for you, but my brain just can’t accept the fact that after everything we have done to each other over the years we can be lovers.”

Draco leaned in to whisper in hermione’s ear, “We won’t just be lovers. We will be everything either of us could ever want. It would kill me for you to know what anyone else felt like inside of you, but you would find that they would never make you feel as complete as I will. Just as I would never feel whole inside of any other woman. God created the world in pairs, equals; most humans don’t find their perfect match for whatever reason. I was given the gift of finding you; I know you were meant for me. Think about it logically, you never have to look any further for the love of your life. That has to factor in well in the time saving brain of yours.”

“You make me sound like a calculator. I’ll admit it sounds well enough and I get it Draco I really do, but I can’t just shut off my brain.”

“I can.” Draco leaned over her shoulder and kissed her squarely on the mouth. Instinctively she turned her head in invitation. Draco deepened the kiss, his hands sliding under her uniform shirt. He felt the flat expanse of her tummy and groaned. ‘This can not end well.’ his hands continued their journey upwards meeting the satin fabric of her bra. Draco’s fingertip skimmed the lining of the under wire, Hermione instinctively arched her back towards Draco’s chest. Straining to feel him touching her. Draco being a true gentleman obliged slipping his hands underneath the thin material, his hands cupping her breasts instead. Hermione melted against him moaning at the contact of skin on skin.

“More,” she breathed.

Draco broke the kiss and whispered huskily into her ear, “When is your birthday?”

“Mars.”

“I think I’ve proven my point.” Draco sat back smirking hands still gently fondling a gaping Hermione.

“That’s what this was all about?” she was up and off his lap I a heartbeat. “This was some kind of chest beating sense of superiority!”

“No sweetheart it wasn’t,” Draco stated as he stood. “Yes, I proved a point your brain doesn’t always have to be engaged. In case you missed the bulletin I enjoy you and your body, and how it feels against me. A second ago you were ready for me to rip your clothes off and take you right here.”

“Well, why didn’t you?” She screamed back.

“When you truly become mine Hermione, in every sense of the word, you will be completely aware of where you are and what I am doing to you.”

“Why?”

He stepped to her now, taking her hands and his. “Because otherwise, it’s just sex.”

He kissed her on the forehead and walked to his door. “Think things trough, it’s what you do, I understand that, but you can only push me so far. You have to understand that it isn’t just my body that wants you. My heart, head and soul want you too. Until you grasp that concept, and accept the same from yourself, I can’t have you.” he turned and walked to his room, quietly shutting his door.