Bad Romance - Time

Christmas day passed with much fuss. Everyone exchanged presents and oooh’d and ahhh’d over certain gifts.

Hermione received a number of useful books from Harry and Ginny. Ginny proudly smiling as she explained that the books were from Harry and herself - a joint present.

Ron had got Hermione a new quill and ink set. It was rather nice with a number of different colour inks and sizes of quills. She was secretly please.

And of course Molly had knitted Hermione a jumper. This year’s was a deep emerald green colour. Along the bottom of the jumper was crocheted and it fell just to the tops of her thighs when Hermione tried it on.

‘What on earth is that?’ Ron rudely asked, looking up from the Muggle self defense book Hermione had given him.

‘Ron!’ Molly cried, chastising her son.

‘Mum, look at the colour!’

Every one in the kitchen turned to look at Hermione and she felt her cheeks turn bright red.

‘What’s wrong with it?’ she asked.

‘It’s green!’

‘And?’ She looked down at the jumper and frowned. ‘What’s wrong with the colour green?’

‘It’s the same green colour as the Slytherin robes,’ Harry said softly.

‘Did you not realise, mum?’ Ron turned to look at Molly.

‘Does it matter, Ron?’ Charlie asked, coming to stand by Hermione. ‘The war is over, remember?’

Ron’s cheeks flushed. ‘That’s not the point. Looking at that colour makes me feel sick.’

A gasp went around the room and Hermione froze.

‘Ronald Weasley!’ Molly cried. ‘I am almost sure I never brought you up with out manners but right now I don’t believe you have any! You insult both Hermione and myself with your comments. I happen to think that colour looks lovely with Hermione’s complexion and her hair and she should wear it more often.’

Hermione looked at Molly and wanted to kiss her. She’s been having terrible thoughts that Molly Weasley didn’t like her any more. Now she was proven wrong and was pleased she had been.

‘Thank you, Molly,’ she whispered and received a smile in return.

‘I’m sorry,’ Ron whispered. ‘I didn’t mean you... you make me feel sick - of course you don’t, just that colour green. I’m sorry, Hermione.’

‘So you should be, Ron,’ Ginny scolded.

Everyone went back to breakfast and opening presents but Hermione had the urge to be alone.

She pulled her scarf off the peg by the door and wrapping it around her neck she crept out the backdoor.

She walked down the garden path a little and towards the field where many a Weasley Quidditch game had been played. A soft yapping at her feet told her that Jinx had followed.

She wasn’t alone for long though before she felt someone behind her. She turn to find Molly looking at her.

Molly Weasley smiled and stepped closer to Hermione.

‘I want to apologise,’ she said gently and place her arm around Hermione’s shoulders. ‘I’ve not been very welcoming to you, have I?’

Hermione bit her lip to keep quiet, not wanting to cause offence. ‘Mrs Weasley I-’

‘It’s Molly and don’t try telling me it dosn’t matter. It does and I’m sorry.’

Hermione just blinked at the older women, waiting for her to explain further. After a pause she did.

‘I just so wished that I was planning yours and Ron’s wedding right about now!’

Hermione’s heart contracted. This was about Ron, she had known that was why she was getting the cold shoulder.

‘I’m sorry. Ron and I... We just didn’t-’

‘Don’t explain to me, you don’t have to,’ Molly cut in. ‘You shouldn’t have to. As Harry and my daughter pointed out to me I’ve been rude. It’s unforgivable after everything we’ve all been through. I just had such high hopes for you and Ron. I so wanted you to be a Weasley.’

Hermione turned and hugged Molly tight. ‘Molly, I don’t need to have the name to be a Weasley. I’ve been one since I was eleven. I sometimes think I’m more Weasley then Granger. You’re much more then a friend to me. You’re a mother too.’

Molly’s arms tightened. ‘Really?’

‘Molly, I’m going to need you so much more now that my own mother isn’t coming home. And I promise, no matter who it is I end up marrying, if I ever do, I’ll let you help me plan the wedding.’

Molly pulled back to look at Hermione’s face. ‘That would make me happy.’ She smiled.

‘Plus by then you’ll be a dab hand at it. I’m sure Ginny and Harry will tie the knot first With Ron and Lavender closely following.’

At the mention of Lavender Molly frowned. ‘Does it not bother you?’

Hermione slowly nodded. ‘Yes but not because I’m jealous - no that’s a lie. I am jealous but only because he’s my friend. I’m use to having Ron all to myself and I find it difficult having to share him. But I want the best for him and for him to be happy. If she makes him happy who am I to complain?’

Molly’s frown deepened and she looked more closely at Hermione. ‘I doubt he’d feel the same if it was you. I could see Ron reacting in a completely possessive way when a young man comes sniffing around your boots.’

‘I doubt it,’ Hermione said giggling and shook her head. ‘Anyway, he’s too wrapped up in Lav Lav to notice anyone else.’

Molly laughed and together the two women walked back to the Burrow.

****************

Draco looked across the dinning room table at his mother and father. They sat close together but looked anything but a close couple. His mother seemed almost frozen in place. She could have passed for a statue if it wasn’t for the odd movement of her arm as she stirred the food around on her plate.

His father was still too but every now and then he would look up and glare. Then he bark a order to a house elf to bring him more fire whisker.

Draco felt like he was in hell. The marital problems of his mother and father were the talk of the wizarding world. Not that that bothered him. He’d grown up with the gossips muttering his family name.

The pained look in his mother’s eyes whenever she let her guard down did though. His heart ached looking at her and then it would burn with anger for the man who caused it all. His father.

Merlin, how he hated the man for what he’d put them all through. Growing up he had idolised the man. Though the world of him. During the war Draco had realised that Lucius Malfoy was a pawn. And a almost useless one at that. He’d been a means to a end and because of his loyalty to Voldemort had nearly caused the end of them all. At times Draco despised him.

He’d had enough of the cold silence during what was suppose to be Christmas dinner.

He doubted Granger was celebrating quietly. He bet she was sat in the middle of the whole Weasley clan. Living it up as the centre of Potter and Weasley’s world.

Draco pushed back his chair ad flung his napkin onto the table. Both his parents looked at him questioningly.

‘Either get a divorce or sort this out because I’ve had enough. Argue it out or something, otherwise I won’t be back after the end of school.’

He turned and walked out leaving his parents blinking at each other.

He loved his mother, he admitted but right then he didn’t care what they did. He’d give it a few weeks and then write to her, to find out how she was.

Draco walked to his room and began to pack away his things. Within a hour he was back at Hogwarts.

****************

Christmas had gone rather quickly once Molly and Hermione had cleared the air and before they knew it Hermione and Ginny where once again back at Hogwarts. Within a hour of being back Ginny was stating how very much she was already missing Harry. The only person who would listen to her without cringing was Lavender, who was missing Ron just as much, of course.

Hermione decided to leave the girls to their boyfriend appreciation contest and headed to the library to catch up on some studying. All her homework was complete but she wanted to refresh some areas.

The library had a few students in it when she arrived. With it being a Sunday afternoon, with school starting again the following day, many of the students were trying, desperately, to finish their homework in time.

Hermione chose the book she wanted and went to sit at her regular table by the window along the far wall.

Sat in the corner of the room was Draco Malfoy. Hermione was startled a little to see him, especially as he had been on her mind so much during the holidays. Thoughts of his letter came back to her and she wondered why he’d never replied to hers.

Hermione sat down, deciding on ignoring Malfoy. She opened her book and tried to concentrate.

After a few minutes she gave up and sneaked a look at him. Her heart hammered in her chest and came to a halt when she looked up and saw him staring straight at her.

Hermione watched as, as if in slow motion, Draco stood up and slowly began walking towards her. He reached her table and with out taking his steel, grey eyes from her warm brown ones he pulled out the chair opposite and sat down.

Hermione slowly tried to get her breathing under control but it was difficult while he was still looking at her the way he was.

Nerves ran through her body, causing her fingers and toes to tingle. What would he say? she wondered. Should she speak first? She wanted to know why he hadn’t replied to her letter, should she ask him?

Before she had much more chance to think about it he spoke in a small, cold tone.

‘What are we going to do then?’

Hermione blinked in confusion a few times before asking, ‘What?’

Draco’s eyes sparked a little. ‘What are we going to do about the situation we find ourselves in?’ he asked, more slowly.

‘What situation?’

‘Merlin, Granger, don’t play dumb!’ he cursed, a little more life in his tone.

‘I am not playing dumb! I don’t understand?’

‘Me and you, Granger. Let me explain in terms you should understand. We are hot for each other, now what are we going to do about it?’

Silence seemed to stretch out between them, making Hermione feel awkward. How was she suppose to answer that?

‘Well?’ he rudely asked.

Hermione closed her book and sent her wand over it, causing it to float back to it’s place amongst the stacks. She shook her head a few times and then stood up and left the library. She’d only gone a few feet down the corridor when she felt her arm gripped, causing her to stop.

She turned to look at Malfoy.

‘What do you think you are doing just walking away from me?’

‘I had nothing to say to you,’ she whispered.

‘I asked you a question! The least you could do was answer it!’

She roughly pulled her arm out of his grip and turned to face him more fully. ‘Fine!’ she cried, not caring if she was overheard. ‘I’ll tell you what we’re going to do about it! Nothing! Absolutely nothing!’

His eyes widened.

‘Why on earth you think I would want to start something with a arrogant, rude, snob like you I have no idea!’

‘What do you mean?’ He frowned down at her.

‘You catch more flies with honey, Malfoy! Don’t you know that?’

He shook his head confused. ‘What are you talking about?’

‘Try being nice!’ she almost bellowed and turned to continue walking down the corridor.

‘I am nice!’ he bellowed back.

‘Not to me you’re not.’

His running footsteps soon caught up with her and he kept his pace to hers as they walked.

‘I’m sorry but this whole thing with us is driving me crazy. I can’t sleep and when I don’t get enough rest I get annoyed,’ he explained.

‘Malfoy... I just don’t get you any more. One minute you’re that irritating boy I punched in third year and then the next your the sensitive guy who wrote me that letter... Which one is the real you?’

‘A good mix of the two... I’m sorry I’m rude but I just can’t help it sometimes. Just like you can’t help being a insufferable know it all!’ he smiled at her to show her that he was teasing and her heart gave a little kick at seeing the smile on his face.

He should smile more often, she thought.

‘I like you.’

Hermione stopped walking at his words and looked down at her feet. ‘Honesty? From you?’ She slowly looked up. ‘I haven’t a clue why but I like you too.’

‘So what do you suggest?’

‘Nothing. Seriously, can you see us being more the what we are? What would everyone think? What would your father say?’ she gasped.

‘No-one needs to know.’ he whispered.

Hermione’s eyes went wide. ‘What do you mean? Of course they do. What do you want, for us to hide?’

‘Not hide, not really. But I have plans for my life, which I’m sure you do too. After school I plan on going overseas. I doubt I’ll come back. And I’m sure you’ll have a nice job at the ministry waiting for you...’

‘So what’s the point in this conversation then?’ she was confused now. What was he getting at? What was the point in them talking about this if he was planning on going overseas after school anyway? If he wasn’t serious?

‘Because I can’t get you out of my head and I need to. So, why don’t we have a little fun to get this ridiculous attraction over with. Lets let it run it’s course,’ he explained.

‘How?’

‘We have fun till schools over, or sooner depending on how long the attraction lasts.’

Hermione frowned. ‘What if it lasts longer then school?’

‘Doubtful but if so, it’s simple. We see how we feel then and re-evaluate the situation.’

It all sounded well thought out to Hermione. To cold and hard though, like it was some business merger instead of... what...? A relationship?

‘I don’t know...? You’re talking about using me?’ she frowned at him, giving him what she hoped was a cold look.

‘You’d be using me too,’ he returned. ‘It’d be mutual. We’d both know where we stand with the other and we both get something out of it.’

He stepped closer to her and Hermione suddenly felt like she was surrounded by him. His smell, his warmth.

‘What?’

‘We get over this silly attraction and we get to have a bit of fun. Think it over,’ he whispered, his head getting nearer. ‘I could show you so much. I could teach you all about having fun. My kind of fun.’ His lips where so very near her own and Hermione held her breath as he lowered his head even more and his lips softly touched hers.

She gasped at the contact and heard his chuckle as well as feeling the movement against her mouth.

‘Soon,’ he whispered and was gone.

Hermione was left shivering, but not from the cold. Her body felt like it was over heating.

Draco Malfoy had just propositioned her.

And sealed it with a kiss!

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A/N; Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed this. You guys are stars!

Angeles: I agree with what you said completely. I just hope that they do that part justice in the films. Happy 2010 to you to :)