Old Moon Fades

Old Moon Fades

Chapter Twenty-three: The Study Session

Hermione rubbed the back of her neck, trying to ease the ache that had developed while sitting in the hard wooden chair of the Library. She was helping Ginny and Luna Lovegood prepare for the O.W.L.'s that would take place at the end of the year. Though the first term hadn't yet ended, Hermione had encouraged Ginny to begin studying as early as possible to ensure that she would receive Outstanding marks in all her courses. Ginny had asked her at the beginning of the term to help her out and Hermione had gladly consented.

They'd been reviewing the more abstract potions that Snape was less likely to cover in Potions class. Notes, empty bottles of ink, and Luna's snapped Ostrich quill littered the table. At first Hermione had been rather reluctant to invite Luna in on their study sessions, but Ginny had asked so politely, and Hermione couldn't really think of a good reason to deny her. So, there they sat, Hermione quietly dictating from her own O.W.L. study guides, Ginny occasionally posing a question but otherwise writing furiously, and Luna, having abandoned the Ostrich quill now wrote using her rather bright Flamingo quill and lime green ink. Luna's quill scratched against the surface of her rough parchment, its noise clawing at Hermione's ears, driving her to distraction.

Hermione was doing her best to ignore the Ravenclaw, but found it was difficult because of the girl's almost constant interjections.

"You know, I've found it very useful to write poems when trying to memorize a complicated Potions formula. That way you can harness the true beauty of the composition, as it was clearly intended by the Potion's creator," Luna said happily, oblivious to Hermione's annoyance.

Hermione made a conscience effort not to roll her eyes, even though she had used Luna's trick several times when studying for Arithmancy, though for the simple reason that she was more likely to remember it. "That's an interesting idea, Luna, but I really think it would be better if we all came up with poetry on our own," she said hesitantly, trying very hard not to tell the other girl to simply shut her mouth.

Ginny snorted and raised her eyebrows when Hermione glared at Luna over a precariously tall stack of parchment. Ginny shrugged her shoulder inelegantly and Hermione made a face.

She smelled his cologne before she saw him, faint and delicious in the musty air of the Library. Immediately her thoughts trailed to their activities in the corridor the night before.

"Good afternoon, ladies," came Draco's silky voice from somewhere behind her. She was surprised to feel his hand drop lightly to her shoulder before rubbing her arm affectionately. Her quill clattered to the table at the feel of his fingers. She craned her head around to smile up at him shyly and he smiled back in return. "Hermione," he said quietly. Then he turned his eyes toward Ginny and nodded at her and Luna in turn.

Ginny responded coolly, her head nodding minutely, "Malfoy."

Luna, for her part, seemed utterly unfazed by Draco's sudden appearance and languorously gazed up at him from across the table.

"I hope you took your umbrella with you when you went to the Owlery," she said absently. "It's molting season for some of the rarer breeds, you know."

Draco regarded her for a moment, an elegant eyebrow arched in puzzlement, but otherwise he didn't acknowledge her odd statement. Instead, he addressed her civilly and said, "That's an interesting quill, Lovegood, Flamingo, isn't it?"

Her head bobbed wobbly in response. "Yes, Flamingo feathers make much better quills than Peacocks, you see. Peacock quills carry a very rare disease that can cause blindness and, in some cases, infertility in males. I didn't want to infect the entire school, so I opted for Flamingo quills instead."

Hermione stifled a giggle that bubbled up into her throat. Ginny was watching Draco carefully, as if waiting for a condescending remark.

He smirked at Ginny, obviously aware of her need to protect Hermione, before addressing Luna once again, "I assume your father's done all the research into this particular disease?"

"Oh, of course! In fact, it will be front-page in the next issue. We have a civic duty to report on these things. Can't have an uninformed public, you understand."

"No, of course not," Hermione interjected quickly, eager to hear what Draco had come by to say. "Is there something you need, Draco?"

His eyes narrowed dangerously and his voice dropped a level. "I just wanted to see if you could come by my room sometime this evening. I've got something I want to show you."

"I'll bet," Ginny murmured, almost quietly.

Hermione glared menacingly at her friend and kicked her under the table. She turned to Draco and said, "That sounds lovely. Any particular time?"

"Either right before dinner or after. It shouldn't take too long."

Ginny choked at Malfoy's statement and began a round of coughing. Hermione ignored her.

"How about right after dinner? That way I have plenty of time to dispose of Ginny's body and Oblivate Luna," she said irritably.

"Perfect. Let me know if you need any help. I'm quite handy with Memory Charms," he drawled.

His eyes swept over the assorted parchments and books lying open on the table. "What are you three doing right now, anyway?" he asked, his eyes resting momentarily on Luna's purple parchment. "Astrology Charts?"

Ginny gathered her Potions text closer to her chest and huffed contemptuously. "We're studying for O.W.L.'s, Malfoy. Or at least we were until you showed up," Ginny hissed, her eyes resting momentarily on Draco's hand that was still rubbing circles on Hermione's shoulder.

Hermione eyed her friend wearily before sending an apologetic look Draco's way. He grinned and flashed Ginny a brilliant smile before leaning over Hermione's shoulder to pick up Luna's parchment. He studied it for a moment, his grin widening with each passing second.

"Well, Weasley, it looks like you're doing a first rate job of it, if this is any indication," he said as he tossed Luna's parchment down in full view of both Ginny and Hermione. "I'm sure you'll need to know how to compose Compatibility Charts on the Potions Exam."

Hermione stared up at him in confusion while Ginny took in the contents of the parchment. Draco grinned, looking very much like a satisfied kitten.

"I'll leave you to it, ladies," he said happily before turning his attention to Hermione. His fingers trailed up her arm as if still trying to get a feel for her, and Hermione responded by hesitantly bringing her own hand up and squeezing his where it rested on her arm. He smiled slightly, in obvious smug satisfaction.

"Thanks for stopping by, Draco," she whispered.

"See you tonight, Hermione."

She turned to watch him leave, and caught Ginny's eye as he swept past a row of books. Hermione refocused her attention on the parchment sitting in front of her and was intent on figuring out just what Luna was doing during their study session besides studying, and why the parchment had made it so interesting to Draco. She had just started to pull the parchment closer, when her attention was drawn by Ginny's near violent reaction to Draco's retreat.

"What do you see in him, Hermione? I just don't understand why you'd want anything to do with that nasty little ferret!" Ginny gushed, her eyes following Draco's back as he left the Library. "Coming in here like he owns the place! Honestly, does he have to be so bloody obvious?! Nobody wants this rubbed in her face!" she all but yelled, keeping her voice relatively quiet in the silence of the Library.

Hermione began to wonder if Ginny's anger was really directed at Draco, or if Ginny was simply annoyed that he was being so open candid with his affection, while Harry was still oblivious to the burgeoning relationship he had with Ron's little sister. It made sense for Ginny to overreact to Hermione's new relationship out of jealousy when the object of her affection was so ignorant of her feelings for him.

Hermione started to answer, hoping to reassure her friend of her concerns, but Luna beat her to it.

"It's simple, really," Luna said dreamily, her fingers reaching forward to push the parchment closer to Ginny. "It's all in here. This is their Compatibility Chart. I drew it up earlier while you two were talking about the Draft of Peace Potion."

She felt her stomach plummet to her shoes. Was that really what it was? Merlin, what if Draco thought she had been drawing up astrological charts on him. The thought was horrifying.

Her voice was unsteady and dismayed as she spoke. "Luna, what on earth are you going on about? A Compatibility Chart? Honestly. That's ridiculous. Everyone knows that Trelawney's classes are a load of rubbish. You don't really believe that astrology can determine the future, do you?" Hermione asked irritably.

Luna slowly shook her head, obviously resigned to Hermione's hatred of all things Divination. "You can say what you want, Hermione, but it's true. The stars don't tell lies. Let me show you," Luna said pointing at Hermione's name and birth date on the chart. "You're a Virgo. And see here, Draco Malfoy is a Gemini."

"Is he really? I never knew his birthday," Hermione whispered. That's interesting. So, he had to have a May or June birthday, she thought quickly.

Ginny cut in, scooting her chair closer to Hermione's so that they could look at the parchment together. "Well, go on Luna," she said, her eyes looking over the parchment carefully. Then she sat up and glanced at Hermione quickly. "We can spare a few minutes to figure out the reason why you and Malfoy are suddenly so perfect for each other."

"Please continue, Luna," Hermione urged, eager to hear Luna's reasoning even if she disagreed with the methodology. Even though she was dead-set against Divination, she couldn't help but be curious about Luna's findings.

Luna clutched her Flamingo quill to her chest and sighed happily. "Yes, well. Since you are a Virgo, Hermione, you are practical and have an analytical mind. You like organization and do best in positions that allow you to help people," Luna said quickly, all absentmindedness gone once she had a purpose. "Draco Malfoy, as a Gemini, is often torn in two directions. Gemini refers to the Twins that govern his mind and heart. Gemini's are very intelligent and love lively conversation. A good debate is often their greatest form of entertainment."

"Yes, this is interesting and all Luna, but really... how accurate can this be? Practically anybody could tell us that about our personalities, even if they've only known us a few minutes." Hermione said quickly.

"Don't disregard this simply because you can't explain it. You like Arithmancy, don't you? Arithmancy is simply another form of Divination. Just with numbers instead of crystal balls."

Hermione tried not to groan aloud at the comparison of her favorite subject to something as wooly and vague as Divination. Luna really had no idea what she was talking about, anyway. But she waited, hoping that Luna would continue with her explanation, all the same.

"Anyway, as I was saying," Luna continued. "Both Virgo and Gemini are ruled by the planet Mercury. Mercury itself is considered to be androgynous, and Virgo represents the Feminine side of Mercury, while Gemini represents the masculine."

"Fascinating," Hermione murmured sarcastically.

"For a relationship to work between these two signs, they must communicate with each other. Virgo can provide Gemini with a balanced emotional anchor, while Gemini can bring excitement to Virgo's rather boring life."

Ginny snickered at Luna's unintended insult. Hermione crossed her arms across her chest, sufficiently affronted.

"Virgos are very intent on their future and have a set direction that they wish to follow, while Gemini's are less focused. They follow where their mind takes them. So, as long as you and Draco communicate with each other, I think you have a good chance at making things work."

"Really, Luna, that's very interesting. But Draco and I haven't made any commitments. I mean, really, we've only even kissed that one time. It's not like he asked me to marry him or something."

"So, he did kiss you? What was it like?" Luna asked, her alertness fading quickly now that her speech was over.

Hermione felt the blood rush to her cheeks since she hadn't even gone over the details with Ginny, yet. Ginny, for her part, leaned in, the Potions text she'd been skimming during Luna's tirade duly abandoned.

"Well, you see... It was, um..." she trailed, her cheeks coloring more and more by the second. "It was nice?"

Ginny chuckled at Hermione's embarrassment, her voice teasing as she said, "Is that the best you could come up with? It was nice? Really, Hermione, I thought you were more articulate than that. We want details!"

"Well, it was nice," Hermione pouted. When Ginny gave her a dissatisfied look, she felt obligated to elaborate. "He um... He had just given me the protection charm and then I asked him to help me put it on... Then he kissed me. Do I have to keep going? This is horrible."

"A protection charm? What kind of charm?" Ginny asked. "No, wait... we'll go over that later. You were getting to the kiss."

"Oh, bother," she said quietly, trying to search for a description that wouldn't make her seem like a love-struck schoolgirl, when in fact, she was very much aware of just how love-struck she was.

She remembered the feel of his hands on her neck as they worked the chain's clasp closed. And the tension in her body as she felt his breath slide across her skin. His scent had been strong and dark, and it had enveloped her like a cocoon, and even now, hours later, she could still smell him. His mouth had been so hesitant and yet so resolute in its purpose. Hermione couldn't imagine ever feeling that way again, and certainly not with anyone else.

"It was that good, was it?" Ginny asked quietly, in response to the dreamy look on Hermione's face.

Slowly coming out of her stupor, Hermione turned to her friend, her eyes filled with the memory of that kiss. "Oh, Ginny, it was perfect."

"So, you really do like him, then?" she asked softly. "This isn't just a passing fling, is it?"

"No, Gin, it's not. I've really come to care for Draco, and I think he feels the same way about me. We haven't talked about it much, but after that kiss... it was like I could feel what he was feeling for me. It was the scariest, most wonderful sensation. I never thought that kissing someone could be like that...," she said gently.

Luna had been partially listening, her head resting precariously on the flat of her palm. "Kissing, you know, is quite good for world peace. If you can make this work with Draco, then maybe the rest of the world has a chance."

Hermione smiled at Luna, for all her kookiness, the Ravenclaw did, on occasion, make comments like that that made Hermione question just how distanced from reality Luna actually was.

"You know what, Luna, I just happen to agree with you on that. Maybe we really do have a chance."

Ginny squared her shoulders and turned to Hermione. "Well, I meant what I said; I'll support you in this, and I'll try to convince Harry and Ron to come around. As much as I hate to admit it, he does seem like he fancies you, and it's obvious that you fancy him," Ginny said decisively. "And, let's face it, you'll need all the support you can get. Because honestly, there are a lot of people rooting for this to fail."

"Don't I know it... If I can't convince Harry and Ron that Draco's alright, then how will anyone else believe it? We need to stand united in all things. We can't let these petty hatreds get in the way of what's really important. Draco and Harry need to learn how to work together if they have any hope of defeating Voldemort."

Ginny's face paled considerably at the mention of Voldemort, and Hermione immediately regretted her candor.

"Do you really think that Harry will have to face him, and you know, kill him before all this is over with?" Ginny whispered, her face a mixture of fear and resentment, a sentiment Hermione reciprocated.

Hermione shrugged her shoulders, a nervous knot forming in her stomach. "I don't know. I mean, that's what it seems like, according to his prophecy. But we still don't know what Draco's prophecy means, so my guess is that anything could happen. We've got to plan for all possible situations."

"Is that why Draco got you the protection charm?" Ginny questioned.

"Well, that I guess, and the letter," Hermione answered. "He's just looking out for me, and I imagine that he saw it as an opportunity to buy me an expensive present. He's such a show-off... some things will probably never change," she said affectionately.

Ginny smiled and Hermione felt badly about rubbing her happiness in Ginny's face. "Harry would do the same thing if he could only think of it. He's very caught up right now, Gin. Just give him some time to work through his feelings. He'll come around. I know it."

Ginny groaned audibly, and her eyes rolled as she sank into her chair. "Merlin, I hope so; I'm getting so tired of waiting! I broke up with Dean when Harry came to stay with us at the Burrow after your... incident with Draco. I thought that maybe he'd notice me, finally see that I wasn't just Ron's little sister anymore."

Hermione reached over and clasped Ginny's hand in her own. "It'll happen. I know it. You can't rush these things; you have to let them run their own course. When Harry sees you as the beautiful, smart, fiery person that you are, you won't be able to keep him away."

Ginny blushed, thoroughly embarrassed by her confession, and tried to change the subject. "Enough about me! You're the one with all the news! Tell us about this mysterious protection charm that nobody thought to tell me about," she said lightheartedly.

Hermione's brow knit together in confusion. "You really didn't know? I thought Harry would have told you. He carried it around with him for a week, apparently."

Ginny shook her head and said offhandedly, "Nobody tells me anything."

Luna glanced at her sadly. "It's alright, Ginny. Nobody told me, either."

Ginny closed her eyes for a few seconds before responding patiently, "Thanks, Luna. I appreciate that."

Unsure how much she could say in front of Luna, she chose her words carefully. "Well, after getting... that letter, Draco had some charms made up for me. He gave them to Harry after I wouldn't accept any of the other gifts he sent me. Harry couldn't decide what to do with them and finally, yesterday, he told me. Then I went and found Draco... That was that scene you saw in the Great Hall at dinner. Then I gave them back to him and asked him to give them to me himself. So then he did, and he kissed me. Is that a good enough explanation for you gossipmongers?"

"Not hardly, but I know that you're too embarrassed to come up with anything better, so it'll have to suffice," Ginny said lightly. "Wait, you said 'them.' He gave you more than one?"

Hermione frowned. "Um, well, no. He had two made and wanted me to choose one, but I let him pick. I didn't even see what the other one looked like."

"Well, where is it?" Ginny asked impatiently, her fingers grasping at the air in front of Hermione's face.

Hermione dug around under her robes for the chain. It was warm against her skin, a quiet reminder of the feel of Draco's fingers. Finally she pulled it free. "Here. Isn't it pretty?"

Ginny's fingers reached forward to touch the bright stone. "This is so beautiful... He picked this out himself?" she asked, searching Hermione's eyes.

Hermione nodded.

"Maybe he likes you more than I thought, Hermione. This is some gesture. Do you have any idea how much something like this costs? If somebody did that for me, I certainly wouldn't be sitting in the Library on my afternoon off. I'd be locked in a broom closet snogging the bloke as thanks," she said flippantly, then smiled widely. "Well, if it wasn't Malfoy, anyway. Why are you even here, again?" she joked.

"Oh, please," Hermione waved off embarrassingly. "What are you smiling about?" she asked Luna, who was wearing an uncharacteristic expression of extreme smugness.

"It's an Emerald," she said contentedly. "That's the jewel of the Gemini's."

"A coincidence," Hermione said, tired of having her Divination skills thrown in her face again. "It could just be his favorite color."

"Perhaps, but Emeralds also symbolize love and rebirth. It seems that Malfoy likes you even more than anybody could have thought."

Ginny laughed quietly, mindful of the noise level in the Library. "Luna, stop harassing Hermione about that Compatibility Chart and make one up for me and Harry."

Hermione sighed happily and tucked the glimmering Emerald back into her robes.