The Given Choices

*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Chapter Twenty *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Hermione put down her quill as she had just finished her assignment for Charms, which was not due for a couple weeks. It was calm and quiet in the common room, since no one else had stayed over the holidays, but they were all due back tomorrow afternoon. She had enjoyed her break even though she was missing Harry, Ron, and Ginny. They owled each other frequently, but it still was not the same. Yet, it was nice to have some time with Draco before everyone returned. Each day that passed they were becoming closer.

For Christmas he had given her a charm bracelet and told her that he would give her charms as time continued, to remember things that happened between them. So far, there were a number of charms: one heart-shaped charm had her initials on it; another charm was a little lion for Gryffindor and a rose to remember the place where their first kiss happened; and there were some charms to remind her of him. A small snake was located on the opposite side from the lion. There was also a small silver wand to symbolize their charms tutor session, as that was how their friendship started. It was such a thoughtful gift, that she had a feeling Blaise had helped him with some of it. That was fine with her because she was pretty sure that he truly cared for her and that was what really mattered.

They had not spoken about the conversation that happened between Narcissa and herself, but Hermione had been doing a lot of thinking about what was said. His mother had a point, Hermione had a chance to make him sway to the light side, but it would be hard. Draco had been raised to want things like fame, power, and glory by his father's teachings. It was going to be hard to teach him to unlearn those lessons that made him who he was. Those parts of him were not the parts that she was falling for.

As she sat at the table in common room, the portrait door opened to allow entrance to a guest. He watched Hermione daydream, he had never seen that before and she had not noticed his presence. His visit was going to be a surprise, because he had not told her that he was planning on stopping by, but he felt he had to see her. Quietly, he stepped up behind her and coughed to get her attention.

Hermione practically fell out of her chair when she heard the noise, but turned around quickly, it was Remus Lupin who stood behind her. His appearance had not changed much since the first time she saw him on the train in third year. Only now he represented something completely different in her mind. They had not seen each other since the night he told her that he was her father.

They had exchanged letters, but they were not very detailed. The topics were usually about school and Harry. She was the one to tell him that they had broken up and he was always understanding in the letters, but thought it was just a lovers' spat. He told her that James and Lily were much the same way. Hermione did not have the heart to say what had happened between Harry and her, but she knew that they were only meant to be friends.

Remus gestured to the couch for her to take a seat as he stated, "You look well Hermione. I hope you don't mind me visiting a little bit before I head out. I had to speak to the Headmaster about some Order business and just needed to stop to see you. Do you have a few minutes?"

"Sure, that's fine. I had just finished some homework." Hermione tucked her feet under her as she sat on the couch and watched him sit next to her. When he was this close, she noticed how some things about his face resembled hers. Lupin was intelligent, like she was, and a prefect for Gryffindor as she was now. She smiled and said, "Oh, thanks for your gift. I really liked it."

He chuckled and turned his body to face her as he began, "I was not hoping it was too childish. I saw that while I was on assignment in Germany and your name came to mind. I had hoped you would like it."

Hermione laughed as she replied, "True, most girls might have thought getting a stuffed wolf for Christmas would be awful, but I think it is sweet. Thank you. I love it. Moony sleeps at the end of my bed. Of course, he might have to be moved because I keep kicking him off in the middle of night."

"Moony, eh?" he asked with a laugh. "I like the name. You don't have to feel obligated to sleep with it Hermione. It can be in your trunk. My feelings would not be hurt."

Hermione placed her hand on his and commented, "I know, but I like having it there. It is like you are watching over me; it's nice."

He smiled and held her hand. There were a few minutes of silence after that as father and daughter were having a comfortable, quiet moment together. Remus was the first to speak as he said, "Well, I love the chocolate you sent me. I do not get Muggle dark chocolate very often and it was very delicious."

"You are very welcome. I am all supporting for your love of chocolate. I am the same way. But... I mean... Can I ask you a question?"

Once he gave a nod, she continued, "Are you... I mean ... I have been giving a lot thought lately about fathers and their children. Do I make you proud of me the way I am?"

He moved off the couch to kneel in front of her and took both of her small hands in his larger ones. Their brown eyes met as Lupin stated, "Oh Hermione, I am so proud of you, as a daughter and as a young woman. I can't believe how blessed I am to be your father. You keep doing what you think is best and I will always support you. Never doubt that. You can tell me anything and I will be there for you. You are an amazing young ... young woman. I am sorry I missed you growing up, but I don't plan on missing anything else."

Hermione smiled as he rubbed his rough thumbs on the tops of her hands and listened to him continue. "Now, you might have to bear with me because I haven't had much experience dealing with teenage girls. Yet, you are so mature for your age, much like I was. I guess that was because you spent your first years here proving yourself to everyone against people like the Malfoys."

At that point, she smiled turned into a frown at the mention of Draco's last name. She had not mentioned that to him about her befriending the blonde, aside from seeing him with her at the Broomstick the day Harry hit Draco. Hermione said, "People do change. Malfoy is not like he once was."

Remus nodded as he took his seat back on the couch. "Yes, Harry did mention your new friendship. But don't you think that is because he no longer considers you unworthy because of your blood."

"No, I think there is more than that. I really think he cares about me," she insisted but then added, "as a friend."

He sighed; it seemed that she did not cover it fast enough. His thumb continued to stroke her hand and he appeared to be thinking. Lupin sat back into the couch as he stated, "I told you I will support whatever you do or decide. You have a good head on your shoulders, Hermione. All I am going to say on that subject is to just be leery. I have had many 'friendships' end because of my condition. Sometimes people will like you for the wrong reasons or want to get other things from you. But I am not blind to the fact that people do change, even Slytherins. Just keep your eyes open, my dear. Promise that."

Hermione hugged him for the first time as she replied, "I will. I'll keep my level head and my eyes open... Father."

He patted her on the back and seemed to fighting himself not to cry at hearing her say that for the first time. Hermione sat back down next to him as he commented, "Now, do realize that I'd prefer Harry for you. But this is your life and I know you will make the best choices from what you are given."

At that, a knock came from the portrait door and then it opened, the Headmaster entered with Draco in tow to see Remus and Hermione on the couch talking. Dumbledore clapped his hand on Lupin's shoulder as he stated, "Oh, it is good to see the two of you talking. I hope you do not mind me letting young Mister Malfoy in with me. He was just knocking when I approached."

She rose to her feet and walked over to the fire where Draco seemed to be keeping his distance from Remus. That was because her father was not giving him a 'nice to see you again' look. Of course, dating the daughter of a werewolf was very intimidating for the simple fact he could easy kill anyone that broke his daughter's heart. Well, except Bloody Saint Potter. Hermione smiled as she stood next to Draco, who was trying to put up a good show of not being intimidated, but the bead of sweat that was rolling down his neck was most likely coming from being in front of the fire.

"Remus, I was going down to see Severus concerning something. Can you please accompany me?" the headmaster asked with that sugary tone of his voice.

The other man rose to his feet as he nodded and walked over to the young Malfoy, who straighten his shoulders as he approached. Lupin held out his hand to the young man and they strongly shook hands, but he did not release the younger hand till he whispered, "If you hurt her in any way, shape, or form, then you will become a white ferret to be fed to a certain hippogriff I know."

With wide eyes, a quick swallow and a confirming nod, Draco replied, "I understand, sir."

"Smart boy. Now, you take care of yourself, my dear," Remus said as he let go of Draco's hand and hugged her once more. "I will be in contact. Owl me if you ever need anything."

After giving an evil smile to the young man, Remus walked out with an amused headmaster. Once outside Lupin asked, "Can I really trust him in there with her? Alone? I wonder if Snape approves of his favorite student dating a Gryffindor."

Dumbledore pat him on the back in a reassuring manner and replied, "Ah, the protective father is a nice side of you to see, but I think things will be fine. Plus, the ferret threat brought your point across quite well I am sure."

The two men headed towards the dungeons as the two teenagers hugged each other. Draco commented, "He gives new level of fear for the over-protective father."

She laughed in his arms and led him over to the large couch to take her favorite seat right next to him, but facing him with her back to the fire. He played with one of her loose curls as he continued with a dramatic sigh, "But I guess it's a good thing you are worth it."

"Well, my wand will be out a lot faster than he can get here. I don't have a problem being responsible for you reliving your ferret days, if you purposely break my heart," she stated as she wrapped her hands around the back of his neck to play with the short hairs that were there.

He smirked and placed his other hand on her right hip. "You don't have to worry about that, love. My plans for you might be naughty but I will not hurt you. Believe me. The Weasel, the weaselette, and Blaise have all made similar promises that concern me in white fur and different, creative forms of pain."

"Well, it's nice to know that I am loved by so many. Now, what are those 'naughty plans' you mentioned?" she asked, as she moved one hand down from his hair to play with the top of his black jumper.

"Where's the fun in ruining the surprise?" he whispered against her lips before he pulled her into a passionate kiss. The temperature instantly rose in the room as he worked magic with those delicious lips of his. They had not gotten much far than just heavy kisses though he suggested but respected her wishes. His hands nudged her to move on to his lap, which made their kissing even hotter.

Draco gave a soft moan as she settled on his lap and licked his lips. Lightly his fingers dipped under the hem of her shirt just to touch the bare skin above her top of her blue jeans. All thought left her mind when he started kissing down her neck to suck on a spot and mark her as his. Both of her hands went to his soft hair as she unconsciously started to rock her hips against him. That move by her caused him to growl against her throat and slightly bit her, which caused her to call out, "Oh, Draco. Please."

She was not exactly sure what she wanted but her body needed something that his body was providing. One of his hands slipped up under her shirt to her bra and the other hand set a faster rhythm to her rocking as he continued to suck but moved to the other side of her neck. His hand caressed her breast firmly and she began to whimper and speed up her rocking against him. Then suddenly Draco pinched her pebbled tip as he thrusted his hips upward and she cried, "Draco!"

Her hips slowed to a stop as she tried to control her breathing. That was a first for her and she was amazed that he was holding her as he started to whisper into her ear about her being beautiful and perfect. Hermione knew that though her body felt completely satisfied and a little groggy, that he had not reached the same peak. She leaned back a little and saw that he was doing some deep breathing but with a slight smile. She asked, "Are you okay? I can...try to-"

But he caught her lips in a tender kiss and moved his hand out from under her shirt to wrap both arms around her waist. Draco gave her one more kiss before he said, "I'm fine, but thanks for the offer. I don't think you are ready for that big step. Just give me a minute upstairs in the loo and then we can head down for dinner."

With a kiss on the cheek and a swat to her bottom, Malfoy moved her body off him and uncomfortably walked towards the stairs as he adjusted his pants. Hermione gave a shy smile as she cuddle against the arm of the chair as she watched her...boyfriend walk up the stairs. He had asked her out officially on Christmas with the charm bracelet and she had told him that she would think about it. Well, she truly felt something for him and knew that is was not just the make-out session, even though those were becoming increasingly hotter. No, she was falling in love Draco Malfoy and he would get his answer when he came back down. But she was going to put off telling the boys and her father as long as possible.

*~*~*~ To Be Continued ~*~*~*