Something to Remember

Chapter 6 Holiday

**

It was Hermione's birthday. Hermione was very excited. Harry and Ron had planned a birthday bash for her. They were taking her to Hogsmeade first for the afternoon, and then she would be having a huge birthday bash in the Gryffindor common room that night. Hermione could tell Harry and Ron really wanted to make it special for her.

She had already opened dozens of presents coming from home, and her parents would be meeting her that morning for a brunch before she went with Harry and Ron to Hogsmeade. Rom seemed really ambitious in making this birthday perfect for her, and Hermione really appreciated it. Ron was a really good friend...

But on the other hand, Ron had also been making it pretty obvious he liked her these days, even if he didn't notice he was doing so himself. Hermione had pretty much realized she wasn't feeling what he felt. She hadn't spoken to him about it, of course. She couldn't hurt him, but she would never be able to commit to him, as she did not love him any more than platonically. And plus, she and Draco had been getting pretty close these days ....

Draco had to stay at the hospital over the weekend for observation as a result of everything, but he'd turned out fine in the end, thankfully. And since then, Hermione and Draco had been even closer. No longer feeling ashamed, Draco sat with Hermione at the Gryffindor table. At first many of her fellow Gryffindors (including Harry and Ron) were quite smug to him, and almost everyone now believed the rumors that Draco and Hermione were seeing each other. But this didn't bother Hermione anymore. She almost wished these days that it were true....

But her clouded thoughts only left her more puzzled about the whole thing between Draco and herself: What? You and Draco? Could it really happen? I mean, in the last few weeks we've learned we've wasted over four years hating each other. It was never worth it. You care for him a lot! But would our relationship ever work? I would never want to lose him as a friend ...

**

Draco sat at the Slytherin table for the first time in a week alone. Hermione was with her parents, so he had no reason to sit with the Gryffindors. All of the Slytherins were glaring at him, and Theodore Nott and Pansy were kissing vigorously in front of him in a fruitless attempt to make him jealous. Draco couldn't care less, even as everyone hated him even more these days after what Crabbe and Goyle had done. To make matters worse, Draco's father had tried to get Crabbe and Goyle expelled, but was unsuccessful (although they did receive a very long suspension which they were still not back from); still, somehow word of Lucius' failed pursuit spread like wildfire across the castle, worsening Draco's already heavily dented reputation. The Slytherins had been proud of Crabbe and Goyle, stating things like, 'If Malfoy's Mudblood girlfriend had not found him, he would have been dead, but our luck ran out!' so horribly. Nonetheless, those comments did not hurt Draco anymore -- he'd grown stronger than that.

"Mr. Malfoy, I must speak to you privately - prefect duties." It was Professor McGonagall's voice pulling him out of his miserable daydream, startling him as she spoke in a tone even firmer than usual. Draco promptly got up and followed her into a private chamber with a few chairs and stone walls. "Now you're not in trouble, so wipe that fear off your face," she began kindly, even making sure to smile brightly (which Draco found to be so unusual a gesture that for a moment he suspected someone had taken Polyjuice Potion in disguise of McGonagall!).

As McGonagall cleared her throat before continuing, Draco started to realize how very cold it was in this barren room. "...I am very pleased with your prefect duties, and I am pleased with your interaction with Ms. Granger, too. It is just wonderful how you have managed to resolve your differences! Anyway, we have an event planned for the school, and the staff wants Ms. Granger and yourself to plan it."

"What is it, Professor?"

"A musical. In The Name of Love by Mary The Great. In The Name of Love is actually a play, but we want you to turn it into a musical. Ms. Granger and you shall read the play, and pick the most important parts and transcribe it into a musical, as to only show the school the main idea. Our story is possibly very controversial. It describes a tale of a beautiful princess in the 1100's who falls in love with a common Muggle. She is a very skilled witch, and her love with him is forbidden. In the end, they break it off, even though they still go on loving each other; see, too misfortunate though it is, the two tragic lovers know their love in the end would only destroy their lives..." As Professor McGonagall described it, Draco could tell she herself had quite a passion for the play.

"That's really tragic," agreed Draco. He was simply unsure of what to say.

"Yes, it is. However, they loved each other so much they only wanted what was best for each other, and saved each other from torment," emphasized Professor McGonagall. "So in a way, it's really quite romantic, too." Again out-of-character, McGonagall actually glistened a wink in his direction!

**

Brunch had been nice with her parents. Hermione now met Harry and Ron and they were on their way to Hogsmeade together. Hermione had decided she had wanted to go to The Three Broomsticks for some drinks first. Ron had been keeping especially close to her, almost to the point of irritation. But in a way it was kind of cute at the same time just how terrible Ron was with girls ...

Harry "coincidentally" went to get drinks and Ron sat next to Hermione. They began talking about school and such, and then Ron told her how beautiful she looked. She did blush a little, but it was just because it was nice to get a compliment from Ron. Ron scooted his chair closer to her. He was looking at her really oddly, and she was beginning to feel very uncomfortable. Harry was taking a long time with those drinks ....

Ron leaned closer to her .... Hermione could count the freckles on him .... They were nose to nose now ..... Ron closed his eyes ..... Their lips were touching ..... And he kissed her ....

"Ron, no, I'm sorry, I can't. I just can't." She had pushed him away after about three seconds. Ron was a much better kisser than she'd have imagined, but she couldn't lead him on like that. She didn't feel the way he did.

"I knew you'd never like me," Ron let out pathetically, and looked away from her; she for once could not tell his expression's meaning. Before she could respond, Harry returned with three drinks, and eyed Ron closely, who just shook his head. Harry looked disappointed for Ron.

Harry sat down and it was awkward for all three of them. They didn't even have much time to talk though, because ...

"Harry! Ron! Hermione! It's urgent!" It was Ginny; she came to sit with them, and showed them the headlines of the newspaper, which horrifyingly read 'DEMENTORS HAVE FLED AZKABAN'. The four of them sat staring at these words together in horrible, entrapping silence, knowing this could mean only one thing - Voldemort was gaining power. "But on the next page, there's another article, questioning if you were telling the truth." Ginny finally added that, not being able to take the silence. It was the issue of The Afternoon Prophet, and therefore it had only been released minutes ago. Within a few minutes, everyone in the pub was going absolutely crazy over the recent happening.

"We should go - we, especially Harry, have to talk Dumbledore now," said Hermione desperately. (In intent she was completely including Ginny in this, though.)

They each got up and immediately left in a hurry. As they got to the castle, they found Dumbledore rushing down the steps, apparently headed to where they just left, to Hogsmeade. "Sir!" exclaimed Harry. Dumbledore looked back, but only said a few words.

"Harry, I am heading to the Ministry immediately. Voldemort is only gaining in power and poor is the man who believes he is absent from the mayhem. I must speak with Fudge immediately. I am heading to Hogsmeade to Apparate. I will talk to you, all of you, on my return," spoke Dumbledore quickly, and rushed away.

"I don't fancy going back to Hogsmeade much," said Hermione in a chilling, fearful voice.

Needless to say, uncertainly as ever they entered the castle in petrified silence.

**

Draco was under the covers, pretending to be asleep in his dormitory. Nott, Goyle, and Crabbe were having a very interesting and vital conversation he had been paying especially close attention to, though pretending to be as quiet as he possibly could be. It was unfortunate, but Goyle and Crabbe simply couldn't go to classes or leave their dormitory, so that meant Draco still had to deal with them.

"So it's all in the papers now! The Dementors have fled Azkaban, and Lucius was given the glory of the needed information to free them that our father worked for! Bloody Malfoys!" spited Nott.

"McNair is working on the giants. That oaf Hagrid could not manage to persuade them to turn against us, even being one himself. And the werewolves are already on our side. And the bloody Ministry can't even figure out the Dark Lord is back, more powerful than ever before!" said Goyle arrogantly.

Crabbe laughed as he confirmed in a dead-cold voice, "Yes, and if all goes well, the other Death Eaters will enter Hogwarts and take him out."

Draco listened especially closely now, acutely feeling the shivers run up his spine...

"That's if the plan turns out well, mates. But yeah, if all goes according to plan our fathers will have the utmost glory in the end!" Crabbe declared in a tone that was increasingly dreamlike.

"Crabbe, hush, I think the blood-traitor is waking," whispered Goyle cautiously.

It was true -- Draco had rolled over dramatically and was now pretending to slowly awake. The suspense had gotten to be too much for the eavesdropping Slytherin outcast, who no longer felt willing to risk trying to remain uncaught.

**

"POTTER!"

Harry looked behind him. He had just come from the kitchens; Dobby and the other house-elves were bringing up the food for Hermione's party soon. But behind him, looking as though he had something desperate to tell him was Malfoy. "What do you want, Malfoy?"

"We both need to speak to Hagrid, immediately. Listen." He dropped his voice immensely. "I heard Nott, Crabbe, and Goyle talking. They said Hagrid wasn't able convince the giants to join the good side. And they said the werewolves are already working for Voldemort. And I don't know if you heard about the Dementors --"

"Let's go."

**

The house-elves had brought up the food for the celebration and they had been partying for a while. However, Harry had not returned yet and Hermione was worried. Dobby had told them Harry had gone to the kitchens and then had left. Hermione decided to mention this to Ron after a considerable while had passed. "I wonder where Harry is."

Ron shrugged. At that very moment, Harry came walking in through the portrait door. But he was not alone. Accompanying him of all people was none other than Draco Malfoy!

"Hermione! Happy birthday! Me and Harry need to talk to you," said Draco immediately, looking as though he was trying to smile. Draco gestured for Hermione to follow him and Harry over to the armchairs that the trio usually sat at. Ron tried to follow, but Hermione silently signaled for him to stay back, pleading because she didn't want any unnecessary arguments.

"What's going on guys? Don't tell me you guys are actually being civil to each other," said Hermione suspiciously. She was not even joking.

"Well, yes we are, but listen. Draco overheard Nott and a few others talking. Information was passed on about the Dementors that Malfoy takes credit for overhearing. Anyway, they said in jest that Hagrid was unsuccessful in getting the giants and that the werewolves are already on Voldemort's side. Draco and I went to talk to Hagrid about it all. Turns out, Madame Maxime did join him. They went together to try to persuade and warn the giants -- turns out they just attacked Hagrid and Madame Maxime, though, and definitely did not listen to their pleas. And to make things worse, McNair, the git who executed Buckbeak, is working on getting the giants on Voldemort's side right now," explained Harry quickly, his tone dark as ever.

"So, Draco went to you?!" asked Hermione incredulously, emphasizing her surprise.

"Well, you know, he was the first person around and all," admitted an uncomfortable-sounding, now very pink-faced Draco, who then turned right away.

"And we knew the dangers, so we just sort of, resolved our differences and went to talk to Hagrid. We're really fortunate Draco told us. Hagrid sent an owl to Dumbledore. Hagrid said he might have to go back out to try again. It'll be terrible if the giants really do join Voldemort," added Harry grimly, sounding very serious. "Draco and I are fine now."

Draco looked away, but Hermione could have sworn she had seen him smile. Finally, in a gruff voice the young Malfoy expressed agreement in the blandest way possible. "Yeah, Potter and I are okay. Hermione, I really need to talk to you about something. Fancy a walk?"

**

Draco and Hermione left the castle to go walk around the lake for a while. Draco really just wanted to be alone with her for a while. She was the only person he felt safe around. And Draco felt scared. He wanted no part of his father's life in him. He wanted to be away from it, away from it all. It wasn't fair that he was stuck with a horrible dilemma. Why him?

Depressed, at first Draco wasn't saying much to Hermione as they walked together. Hermione...that was another thing. He cared so much for Hermione. Every time he was with her, he felt nothing but joy. But did he want a relationship with her? Did he feel for Hermione in that way? Or was it platonic? Sometimes, he just didn't want to be Draco ...

"Draco," said Hermione gently, stopping him. "What's wrong?"

"Everything -- what else? But Hermione, listen, we have to talk about something, alright? I really care about you, you know," he said lamely; it was one of those rare moments where Draco Malfoy for once was at loss for words, witlessly without anything clever to say.

"I know that, Draco. And I really care about you too..." Hermione either did not know where he was going with it, or she was heading at something on her own, but either way she too sounded just as nervous and unsure of herself...

At last Draco swallowed his pride and let out his feelings more candidly than ever before. "Hermione, I want more than to just be good friends with you. You're the only person I feel safe around. The one person I can depend on. You are here for me after I tormented you for four years. After four years of me treating you like dirt, here you stand with me. I don't deserve you, Hermione. But I shall defy that. I want you. But I want you to want me too, just like I want you. Nothing really matters right now, Hermione, love is all we need," said Draco passionately. He did not make any moves yet. He simply looked at her. He had completely come clean to her. He could only wait for her response.

"Of course I want you, Draco. You're the one person I want to have. I don't care about your bloodline, where you come from, or if my friends like you. Draco, every time I'm near you, my sadness disappears. It's as if you're an angel in disguise. And that's what matters. We'll make it through this all together," said Hermione reassuringly, looking at him right in the eye deeply.

The sun was setting. They stood right by the lake, watching the sun go down. Hermione moved closer to Draco. Draco's heartbeat grew faster ... he could feel her breathing on him ... he could see the glowing in her eyes ... they were very close now ... her nose touched his ... Draco closed his eyes ... and their lips touched for the very first time. It was as though everything else in the world had somehow miraculously stopped ... the pages of time somehow temporarily stopped for a moment of ecstasy...

And then it ended, being forcefully pushed back into actuality.

"That was wonderful," remarked Hermione. She was smiling very brightly.

"It was extraordinary," corrected Draco loftily, looking very pleased indeed.

Hermione and Draco held hands all the way back to the castle, but then, just as they approached Hogwarts' entrance doors, without warning Hermione let go of him.

"What's wrong? I thought you didn't care," he said vulnerably, speaking softly out of hurt.

"It's not that. It's Ron. He tried to kiss me in Hogsmeade; I don't want to throw this on him just yet. It would be cruel to him," justified Hermione, hoping Draco would not be too angry.

"So?" he pleaded. Huffing, after a moment passed he alas conceded. "Fine. But we won't be hiding it forever."

Hermione understood -- Draco and Ron had not resolved their differences yet; in fact, it was something that would have to be worked on for quite some time most likely. "No, we won't. It's just Ron needs some time to get over me. We can tell Harry," she said diplomatically, understandingly patient.

"Yeah, Harry will be fine with it. You know, we had some time to talk actually ..." Draco said offhand.

"About me?"
"Yeah, I told him how I felt about you. He gave me advice," confessed Draco, smiling out of great embarrassment.

Hermione was stunned speechless for several moments that felt like eternity passing. "Draco...That's lovely."

Draco walked Hermione the rest of the way back to her dormitory in mostly quiet, said a quick goodbye to her, and left in peace without sparing another moment.

**