Changes: Chapter 8: The day after
Pairing: Hermione/Draco
Main Characters: Draco, Hermione, Blaise, Pansy, Ron, Harry, Lavender, Ginny
Warnings: Probably somewhat OOC.
Disclaimer: Not mine, never where and never will be, but I do own the plot.
AU: This is a story I have been wanting to write for a while, and finally have made a go at. Hope it's successful. Please review and tell me what you think. Thanks to Margarita for betaing!
Summary: Hermione makes a discovery that changes her vacation plans between sixth an seventh year. She is suddenly travelling to the states with three Slytherins she has befriended and the trip changes her perception on things.
Draco still had problems understanding what had happened when he was leaning forward to kiss Hermione once more.
When he cut in on the dance, he had just wanted to hold her a little. She was a good dancer, and it was a joy to lead her around in the waltz. He hadn't even noticed when the song ended and a new one started, so they kept dancing. After the second song, he figured he would let her go, not wanting to monopolize her time. But noting the clear disappointment on her face, he changed his mind, enveloping her in his arms once more. He hadn't even been aware that it was a slow dance.
As the song had drawn to a close, he looked at her, but her head lay on his chest hiding her face. So he tilted her face up and was hit with a sudden urge to kiss her. He looked in her eyes trying to see what she wanted, before leaning in.
As their lips met, he knew perfection.
She was the one to deepen the kiss; he was to far gone to be able to even function properly. When they drew back, the only thing he was able to do was smile. And then kiss her again.
Three dances later, Hermione still didn't want to let him go. There had been several more kisses, but being who she was, she was still unsure of herself and couldn't help but think that he couldn't possibly want her.
As if reading her mind, Draco whispered to her softly. “I know this might be fast for you after everything you’ve been through, and I don't want to push, but I really want to be with you. And I really want to be able to call you my girlfriend.”
It was really forward for Draco, but he knew she would feel insecure and he wanted her to know that he really wanted this, wanted to be with her.
She looked up at him smiling with what he thought to be wonder shining out of her eyes. She lay her head on his shoulder to whisper back a single word.
“Yes.”
They didn't dance with anyone else that evening.
?*?*?*?*?
Hermione awoke the next morning, early as usual; but a bit uncertain about seeing Draco. She had answered yes to Draco under the moonlight, and she really meant it, but what if he had regrets? What if everything was different in the sunlight?
She dressed silently, so as not to wake Pansy, thinking about the evening, and couldn't help but smile.
She was Draco Malfoy's girlfriend.
It was rather strange, but at the same time it felt just right. She had to keep herself from snorting as her thoughts wandered: oh, his parents would surely be happy about their relationship. The sarcasm was dripping, even in her head. His friends? Well, she didn't think that Pansy and Blaise would mind. Pansy might even be happy, and seemingly, those were the only ones he cared about. Her friends would probably have a fit. But reflecting on it, she found that the only one that would probably mind was Ron, and he wasn't counted as one of her friends at the moment.
Wearing jeans with a simple dark green t-shirt, and slippers, she made her way out of the house; book in hand towards the stunning flower garden she’d admired the day before. The sun had barely risen by the time she’d made her way outside, and with a soft sigh she settled down on a bench in between the hedges. Her face upturned to the sky, she waited a little before opening her book.
Not long after, she heard footsteps, and around the corner came a casual, yet extremely handsome Draco Malfoy. They smiled at each other, as he walked over sitting down next to her.
“Morning.” Her voice almost a whisper, nervousness raking her body.
He was looking at her intensely, with something clouding his eyes she couldn't read. Suddenly it hit her; maybe he was insecure too. He had clearly stated that he wanted this, wanted her. The only thing she had said was yes.
Plucking up all her Gryffindor courage, she leaned in (not that she had to lean far, she merely scooted so she was nearly on his lap) and kissed him softly on the lips. It was simple, sweet and nice. As she drew back, he was smiling at her.
“Morning.” His voice was steadier than hers had been, and he pulled her in for another small kiss. They entwined their fingers before he got up and pulled her with him.
“Come on, walk with me.” As they strode off, the book lay forgotten on the bench.
They ambled on in silence for a while, still holding hands, Hermione's stomach full of butterflies. She knew this was right, although she had no idea how she could even know that fast, she just knew. Since this was new territory and not really knowing Draco well enough, she was unsure of what to do. The comfortable silence seemed pressing, and she blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
“I had a great time last night.” Looking up at him and smiling.
“Yeah?” He grinned back, and when she nodded, kept talking. “So did I.”
His eyes suddenly took a darker turn. “Except when that imbecile was ogling you.”
She looked down, noticing the clear tone of jealousy and protectiveness.
“Much good it did him, seeing as I was ogling someone else.” The mood lightened considerably, and Draco lifted an eyebrow at her.
“Really? Who were you ogling?” The humour in his tone filled her with warmth as she joked back.
“Well, it was this really handsome bloke. He's funny and sarcastic and cute and a little arrogant.”
Draco squinted at her in mock anger. “I'm not cute! Malfoy's are not cute!”
She grinned, the previous nervousness slowly dissipating from her body. Stopping, she put her arms around his neck.
“No, you're not cute. Just really, really handsome”. She stood a little on her toes to reach his lips to kiss him. He encircled her in his arms and drew her closer so their bodies were flushed. He was the one to deepen the kiss, and it soon turned into a full blown snogging session.
They pulled apart when they heard someone making a distinct noise, and turned to see Pansy and Blaise hand in hand. Pansy grinning like a madwoman, and Blaise smiling at them happily.
“About bloody time!” Pansy's voice was grave. “You need a proper man for a change.”
Hermione could feel Draco stiffen a little next to her, but she just smiled and took his hand again. “Yeah, I know. I finally found one.”
Draco relaxed and draped his arm around her, pulling her into him for a chaste kiss. They stared into each other’s eyes smiling happily.
“Aw. Well, come on you two, its breakfast.”
The four of the strolled back to the house with Hermione securely tucked against Draco's side, neither of them with any desire of letting go any time soon.