Bad Romance - Time

The weeks passed quickly and spring soon shone it’s shining glow upon Hermione.
She found she was floating on a cloud of sun rays and couldn’t stop her cheerful mood to shine through.

Spending time with Draco was making her feel good. It made her forget how lonely she was with out Ron and Harry at school with her. The only problem she had was the more time she spent with him the more she was liking him. And this was only suppose to be a temporary arrangement - to have fun with each other and explore what they felt for each other till the end of the school year. Then they where to go their separate ways.

Hermione had to remind herself of this all the time. She warned herself not to get too close and to just enjoy herself.

He was fun though, she thought to herself as she walked along the corridor towards the common room, with Ginny next to her. That was what she had found out with spending so much time with him. He was funny and when he relaxed and forgot about the past he laughed. Merlin! The sound of his laughter was enough to turn her stomach to jelly. Hermione loved to hear it and often found herself telling amusing stories just to cause it.

And goodness could he kiss! Hermione felt a blush heat up her cheeks as she thought this and hoped that no-one she passed in the corridor noticed. Every time he kissed her he turned her brain to mush. A response that Hermione wasn’t fond off. However she couldn’t resist his kisses, nor his touches. Merlin he had magic hands and knew just what to do with them.

He’d been the perfect gentleman too. Not something she would have expected from him. Oh, there had been times when his moods had been risky and he had took his temper out on her, causing some minor arguements. But when it came to kisses he’d never pushed or asked for more then she was willing to give. He, she knew, was far more experienced then her when it came to the physical side of relationships and Hermione was still slightly unsure of what exactly he expected of her. Idiot, she cursed herself, of course she knew what he expected, she just wasn't sure when he expected it.

She was quite sure that Draco’s whole idea of them hanging out and having fun - of being reckless with each other, wasn’t just so he could have a study partner and a few stolen kisses. (Not that they where all stolen, mind).

And the thought that had her gnawing at her bottom lip was that whenever he kissed her, Hermione found herself not wanting him to stop. She often found herself thinking of his kisses and couldn’t stop the dopey grin that spread across her face when she did. She'd think about his kisses, his hands and what they did to her and then before she knew it she was having a hot and steamy fantasty in the middle of History of Magic. It really wasn't good for her school work.

Many commented on the quiet change to her. They noticed the smiles on her face and those closest to her asked themselves who was putting them there. A question Ginny asked Hermione many times.

‘What has got you smiling like a Cheshire cat, Hermione?’ Ginny suddenly asked.

‘Am I not allowed to be in a good mood, Ginny?’ Hermione replied

‘Of course you are.’ Ginny said. ‘I’m just wondering what’s got you so cheerful?’

‘Nothing and everything. What does it matter?’

‘Well something has to have made you happy!’ Ginny stopped and looked at Hermione. ‘And I know it’s not me.’

Hermione frowned. ‘What do you mean by that?’

‘I mean I hardly see you. You’re hardly ever around and you never hang out with any of your friends.’

Hermione bit her lip. ‘I hang out with friends,’ she said softly. A picture of Draco, sprawled on the couch in the shack sprang to her mind.

‘No, you don’t. We hardly see you. The last few trips to Hogsmeade you’ve not gone on and both Ron and Harry came to see you.’

‘You all know how important NEWTs are to me, Ginny. I want to do well in them-’

‘So do I, Hermione.’ Ginny shook her head. ‘See, something else that’s not right either. When it was my OWL year it was all I could do to get time to sleep, you made me study so hard, yet not once this year have you badgered me into studying. And I hardly ever study with you.’

‘Are you saying you need my help?’

‘No. I’m saying I miss you, Hermione. I miss spending time with you, talking and yes, even, studying. You seem so happy and I’ve not seen you that way for so long... yet I don’t get to see you that way now because you’re never around.’

Hermione reached over to her friend and took Ginny’s hand in hers. ‘I’m sorry, Ginny. Am I neglecting you? I just thought... You’ve always been so popular... I didn’t think you needed me.’

Ginny held Hermione’s hand back. ‘You’re like my sister. I’ll always need you.’

‘I’ll try not to study so much and spend more time with you.’

Ginny grinned as they continued to walk. ‘I’ll let you study when I’ve got head girl duties.’

‘Oh how kind of you, Ginny!’ Hermione laughed.

*********

Draco moved out of the shadows, a frown on his face. It seemed that although his old friends didn’t miss his lack of attendance much, Hermione’s friends did miss hers.

As he turned and headed towards his common room he felt guilty about spending so much time with Hermione. But he couldn’t help it. He found himself wanting to spend time with her all the time.

She made him feel... feel easier about himself when she was around. He felt better and less of a monster.

She made him feel alive.

But maybe he was monopolising all of her time.

He’d speak to her about it. He decided.

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

Hermione let herself into the Shrieking shack and called out to Draco.

‘Hey!’ He replied.

Hermione walked further into the room to see that he was sat at the table. A pile of books in front of him.

‘Studying?’ she asked.

He nodded his head.

‘How long have you been here?’ she asked frowning. They had come to the arrangement that they would meet everyday after dinner, whether it be for a hour of just a few minutes.

‘Since before dinner. I wanted to get Slughorn’s essay done.’

‘Couldn’t you have done it in the library?’ Hermione pulled out the chair next to him and sat down.

‘I could have but I find I can concentrate better when I’m here.’ He put down his quill and closed his books. ‘Well, I can when you’re not here.’ He looked at her and winked.

Before Hermione knew it he’d lifted her up and placed her on his knee.

She didn’t struggle nor give in. She just fell into his embrace and kiss.

‘I swear your lips taste better everyday!’ He muttered against said lips.

Hermione giggled. ‘It was cheese cake for dessert.’

Draco smiled and kissed her again. After a few minutes he leaned back a little and looked at her.

‘Where are you tonight?’

‘At the library,’ she said, knowing he was asking what excuse she had given for her whereabouts that evening.’

He nodded his head slowly and then gave a sad little smile. ‘I heard your conversation with Weasley.’

Hermione’s eyes widened. ‘You were spying on me?’

‘All the time,’ he said cheekily. ‘I was pasting and will admit I couldn’t resist a little eavesdropping.’

‘You know what they say about eavesdroppers, don’t you? They never hear good of themselves.’

‘Are you telling me that you’ve never made use of Weasley’s extendible ears?’

‘Only for the good of the war!’ she said and felt the guilty blush cover her face. She took a deep breath and decided to confess. ‘I’m afraid Harry, Ron and myself have listened in on a few of your conversations... in the past.’

Draco looked closely at her. ‘For the good of the war?’

She nodded.

‘It doesn’t matter now.’ He looked over her shoulder. A far away expression haunted his face.

Hermione hated seeing that look in his eyes. She did the only thing she could think of to remove it. She kissed him.

Draco leaned back against the arm rest of the chair and Hermione found herself half lying half leaning against him. Her breast where pressed up against his chest and she shivered at the feel of his hard body against hers.

After a while Draco eased her away a little and then whispered in a husky voice. ‘I think we should meet up less. We don’t need to see each other everyday and it’ll get Weasley off your case.’

Hermione, always sensible bit her tongue to stop herself from arguing with him.How could he suggest that? When they had been caught up in such moment, how could he, cool as a cucumber, suggest spending less time with her? She knew what he suggested was the right thing. After all she’d been thinking about suggesting the same herself, but she wouldn't have done so at such a time.

Finally, after much consideration, she nodded her head in agreement and allowed Draco to kiss her again.

This time Draco held her even tighter against her and their kisses soon got heated and no studying got done that evening. Draco never managed to finish his essay.

*******
The next morning, after breakfast Hermione was walking towards her potions lesson when a shadow passed over her. She looked up to see Draco walk past, down the stairs.

He turned his head slightly and caught her eye.

Hermione’s breath caught in her throat and her heart jumped. The same reaction she always had whenever he sent her a silent look.

He faced forwards again and continued on his way. It all happened in the matter of a moment.

‘What was that look for?’

Hermione turned to see Ginny behind her. ‘What?’

‘That look Malfoy just gave you?’ There was a biting tone to Ginny’s usually sweet voice.

‘I don’t know. ‘

They arrived at the class room and took their seats. Ginny choosing to sit next to Hermione so she could continue interrogating her.

‘I swear, Hermione. It’s almost as if he’s...’ she broke off.

‘He’s what?’ Hermione asked. Curiosity at what her friend was going to say getting the better of her.

‘Well...’ continued Ginny. ‘ He looks at you as if... As if he fancies you!’

Hermione tried to stop the loud drumming of her heart, afraid that Ginny would hear it. ‘Don’t be ridiculous.’

‘It’s not. Not if you think of it. He’s always taunting you. Forever looking at you and recently their’s been a sizzle-’

‘A sizzle?’

Ginny nodded and looked at Hermione closely. ‘Whenever the two of you are in the same room. I can almost see it. Come on, Hermione, you know I’ve noticed a difference between the two of you this year!’

‘You’re talking silly.’

‘I’m not, you know that,’ Ginny said quietly. ‘Something is going on between the two of you, whether you know it or not.’

The lesson began and Ginny was forced to be quiet, much to Hermione’s relief.

A sizzle, in deed. How silly. Ok, so whenever he touched her it felt like an electric shock but that was just between him and herself - when they touched. Not when they entered the same room.

They’d took classes together for seven years. Nothing had been between them then.

Ginny was getting too close to guessing. Once again Hermione started feeling guilty about avoiding telling her friend the truth. But if Harry or Ron ever found out they’d never forgive her. She couldn’t risk confiding in her friend.

After potions Hermione had a free study lesson. She and Ginny slowly made their way out side towards the courtyard. It was early March and the daffodils were slowly coming to life.

They made their way to the Monument of Dumbledore and sat upon it. Hermione pulled out a book and began to look through it.

‘You have to admit that he looks at you?’

Hermione rolled her eyes. ‘Ginny! Stop it! Ok. So you think Malfoy fancies me, so what? He’s Malfoy, remember?’

Ginny bit her lip. ‘I’m sorry. I’m just suddenly curious about him, that’s all.’

Her friend’s words had Hermione frowning into her book. ‘Why are you curious about him?’

‘Well, Harry informed me that Draco’s informed the ministry of his plans to move to America after school.’

‘He’s informed the ministry of that?’

Ginny nodded. ‘Yeah. It just got me thinking. I mean he’s got Malfoy Manor. His parent’s names have been cleared. Why is he going abroad?’

‘I don’t know,’ Hermione whispered and realised that she didn’t know.

‘And for that matter, what’s he even doing back at school for the whole year? He only had to resit his NEWTs, he didn’t have to come back for the whole year.’

Hermione kept quiet, not sure what to say.

‘Do you really think it’s possible for a person to change so much?’ Ginny asked quietly.

Hermione’s frown deepened. ‘What are you getting at, Ginny?’

‘You’re going to hate me for this,’ Ginny winced.

Panic gripped Hermione’s heart. ‘What have you done?’

‘Well, I- Well, just remember Harry is my boyfriend and I shouldn’t keep things from him, ok?’

Hermione just continued to look at Ginny, her brown eyes wide on her pale face.

‘I told Harry about Malfoy watching you all the time. I told him that I thought Malfoy fancied you.’

Hermione felt her heart drop to the floor. ‘Was he mad?’

‘Mad? No, he couldn’t stop laughing.’

‘He what?’ Hermione couldn’t hide the surprise in her voice.

‘I know. He laughed and then continued to laugh and when I asked him what was so funny he just said that Malfoy was. Harry said that he would give anything to watch Malfoy’s face when he came to realise he fancied a Muggle born.’ Ginny looked at Hermione with a look resembling her mother.

Hermione laughed.

‘Hermione!’

‘Well, Ginny, you have to see why Harry found it so funny.’

‘But there is nothing wrong with you being Muggle born!

‘I know that, and so does Harry. But Malfoy never use to think that way.’

‘That’s what Harry said. He said that maybe it was possible for people to change after all. He said that he didn’t think Malfoy was having an easy time with it and that maybe going abroad is what he needs. A fresh start away from all that is Slytherin and his parents. ‘

A soft smile slowly lit up Hermione’s face. ‘Maybe Harry is smarter then I’ve ever gave him credit for,’ she whispered. Her smile growing bigger.

Hope shone in her. Maybe, just maybe, if any thing ever did become of her or Draco, Harry wouldn’t be to upset about it.

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A/N; Another update :) A big Thank you to everyone who is reading and reviewing... I'm pleased that you seem to enjoy this story :D xx