Facing the Music
Title: Facing the Music
Author: Grim
Pairing: Draco/Hermione
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the story.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Hermione has a hidden hobby.
Challenge-Must Include:
SexyEvil!Lucius
Tear-jerking letter
Singing
Handcuffs
Mazes
Note: Answer to Ariei’s request for the Fic-Exchange. All songs by Avril Lavigne.
Hermione Granger was Head Girl of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. No surprise, really. What WAS a surprise was that Draco Malfoy was Head Boy and the two had to share quarters. Who knew the snot had a brain? It was two weeks into their seventh year and it was around two o’clock in the morning. Hermione opened her bedroom door to see if Draco had gone to bed. When she saw the lights turned off and his door closed, she was convinced enough. She grabbed a large carrying case, and then went through the portrait leading outside of their common room. Once in the hallway, she walked through a maze of hidden corridors that led to a room. She looked behind her to make sure no one was around and opened the door. She breathed in the fresh air of the dark, empty room that she knew as her sanctuary.
Hermione opened the case that she had brought with her and pulled out a little black box. She un-wrapped a long cord and plugged the box into an outlet. She went back to the case and pulled out a long object and picked up the little black box once again. Hermione plugged her guitar into the portable amp and hooked the box onto the hip of her pants. She cut quite an image in her tight, scarlet leather pants and white tank top. She held a black Ibanez guitar with a gold lion’s head on the front. She had been taking lessons for quite a while when her parents surprised her with her beloved Ibanez as a congratulation gift for making Head Girl.
She had been dating Viktor Krum for almost two years when he decided that Quidditch came first and broke it off with her. Dumbledore had created this room for her to play in solitude so as to not disturb the other students. Hermione played a few chords and tuned her strings. She thought of Viktor and instantly knew which song to play. She always played and sang from the heart, that’s why she was such an excellent musician with such minimal training. She loved the guitar, but singing the lyrics was where the raw emotion came with wild abandonment. She strummed the first few chords and began to sing.
//Oh oh oh oh,
So much for my happy ending,
Oh oh oh oh…
Let’s talk this over,
It’s not like we’re dead,
Was it something I did?
Was it something you said?
Don’t leave me hanging,
In a city so dead,
Held up so high,
On such a breakable thread.
You were all the things I thought I knew,
And I thought we could be…
You were everything, everything that I wanted,
We were meant to be, supposed to be, but we lost it,
All of the memories, so close to me, just fade away,
All this time you were pretending, so much for my happy ending.
Oh oh oh oh,
So much for my happy ending,
Oh oh oh oh…//
Hermione sang louder and with more emotion with each passing second. She was so involved in the music, she didn’t see the boy-nay, man-that entered the room and watched her with calculating silver eyes.
//You’ve got your dumb friends,
I know what they say,
They tell you I’m difficult,
But so are they,
But they don’t know me,
Do they even know you?
All the things you hide from me,
All the shit that you do.
You were all the things I thought I knew,
And I thought we could be…
You were everything, everything that I wanted,
We were meant to be, supposed to be, but we lost it,
All of the memories, so close to me, just fade away,
All this time you were pretending, so much for my happy ending.
It’s nice to know that you were there,
Thanks for acting like you cared,
And making me feel like I was the only one,
It’s nice to know we had it all,
Thanks for watching as I fall,
And letting me know we were done.
You were all the things I thought I knew,
And I thought we could be…
You were everything, everything that I wanted,
We were meant to be, supposed to be, but we lost it,
All of the memories, so close to me, just fade away,
All this time you were pretending, so much for my happy ending.
Oh oh oh oh,
So much for my happy ending,
Oh oh oh oh,
So much for my happy ending,
Oh oh oh oh,
So much for my happy ending,
Oh oh oh oh. //
As Hermione finished the last note, the man could see that she tears that threatened to flow, but she would not allow them to shed. Careful not to be noticed, the man slipped back out of the room. Once back in the common room, Hermione took another look at the Head Boy’s bedroom door before going to her own room to prepare for bed. Behind his closed door, Draco Malfoy leaned his head against the wood, his eyebrows scrunching at his warring emotions. He had a pounding in his chest from the sight he had just witnessed. He never knew the mudbl…woman had so much passion within her.
He felt shock, bewilderment, sadness, and jealousy that she felt that kind of love. He had Pansy lusting after him, but that wasn’t love. Even if it was, it only mattered if you loved them back. But then, Hermione’s words cause him to wonder if it was better to have not loved, then loved and lost. Her pain was evident on her face, in her voice… He wondered who could have broken the brave Gryffindor, but then realized that she wasn’t broken…no…she was stronger, and angry. She had a fiery passion and that lion wasn’t only the symbol for her House. This dragon was drawn to the lion, and it was both unexplainable and improbable. Draco went to bed, thoughts swimming through his mind, refusing to decease.
The next day, Hermione went to breakfast, then her classes. All the while, she felt as if someone was watching her, and when she looked around the room, no one’s eyes locked with her own. She continued her day and decided she would again sneak from the common room and bare her soul to the four walls she allowed to listen. Draco waited a few minutes after she left to follow her through the maze, this time familiar with the way. He didn’t open the door until after the first few chords. Desperate to avoid getting caught, he just opened the door a bit and leaned against the frame to listen, though he was disappointed at not being able to watch her. Or so he thought…he felt heat rise to his chest as she began to sing a new song.
//I couldn’t tell you why she felt that way,
She felt it everyday,
But I couldn’t help her,
I just watched her make the same mistakes again,
What’s wrong, what’s wrong now?
Too many, too many problems,
Don’t know where she belongs, where she belongs,
She wants to go home, but nobody’s home,
It’s where she lies,
Broken inside,
There’s no place to go, no place to go,
To dry her eyes,
Broken inside.
Open your eyes and look outside, find the reasons why,
You’ve been rejected, and now you can’t find what you’ve left behind,
Be strong, be strong now,
Too many, too many problems,
Don’t know where she belongs, where she belongs,
She wants to go home, but nobody’s home,
It’s where she lies,
Broken inside,
There’s no place to go, no place to go,
To dry her eyes,
Broken inside.
Her feelings she hides,
Her dreams she can’t find,
She’s losing her mind,
She’s fallen behind,
She can’t find her place,
She’s losing her faith,
She’s fallen from grace,
She’s all over the place,
Yeah, oh.
She wants to go home, but nobody’s home,
It’s where she lies,
Broken inside,
There’s no place to go, no place to go,
To dry her eyes,
Broken inside.
She’s lost inside, lost inside, oh oh,
She’s lost inside, lost inside, oh oh oh. //
Draco’s eyes had misted by the time she finished, and he quickly retreated back to his room. Draco pondered the lyrics to the song over and over again and came to the same conclusion each time. That song was the story of his life. The only difference was that no one ever tried to help him. He wondered why Hermione continued to sing in solitary confinements rather than to the world. She had a gift, didn’t she realize that? He decided to make her. Draco went to bed with the same thoughts in his head as the previous night along with plans for the next day.
The next morning, there were no classes so Hermione was in the library searching for her favorite book, Hogwarts: A History. Ron and Harry were at Quidditch practice, so she was glad to have the time to herself. She pulled the book from the shelf and a piece of paper fell from the worn pages. She picked the paper up and saw that it was an envelope with her name scrawled across the front of it. Hermione’s eyebrows scrunched in confusion and she sat down and unfolded the paper inside. She began to read:
Hermione,
I know this is unexpected, but I needed you to know. I’ve seen you, at night, in that dark room. I’ve watched you for the past two nights and I can’t get enough of it. I see you, your fingers strumming the strings so skillfully and singing your heart out. Your words touched me so much, it was like they stung. So true, so totally from your soul. When I watch you play, I see your soul. It’s bright, and filled to the brim with fiery passion that even you probably didn’t know existed. I hope you are not angry that I’ve intruded on your privacy, but…even if you hexed me, it would’ve been worth it. The second song I heard, the one you played last night, it was as if you were talking about me, although I’m not a girl. I’m broken inside. I’m lonely, and I often feel unloved. But listening to your words and knowing that no one else is hearing you but me, makes me feel as if you’re singing it for me. And only me. They touch me more than you could imagine. You have a true gift, Gryffindor. Don’t ever give it up. You always were the smartest girl that Hogwarts had ever seen, and believe me; your heart is as big as your brain. That was a compliment, by the way. I plan on watching you tonight as well, if you play. I wonder what you will play next. If you want me to stop watching, I will. But I swear to you, I have nothing but admiration and respect. No taunts, no sarcasm, nothing. Just that. Just you.
~Draco
Hermione sat with her mouth slightly agape in shock, and tears in her eyes. The water droplets spilled from her eyes, slowly fell down her cheeks, and died on her lips. She now knew who had been watching her during breakfast and some classes. Was she shocked? Yes. Was she angry? Not really. What did she feel, then? She felt happy that she had someone to share it with, a little astonished that it was Malfoy, and embarrassed that her one-time enemy was the first and only person to witness her letting go. Was she going to play tonight? Would she let him watch? Did she want him to?
Hermione decided to allow it, but she would confront him afterward. She put the letter back into the envelope and got out a roll of parchment and set to work on writing a song. No matter what came to her head, it always involved Draco. She couldn’t explain it. She thought about him for a moment. He was smart, handsome, had definitely matured over the years, and he knew her. Really knew her. He had seen what no other person had. All in all, he was a great catch. He was utterly flawless, regardless of his family history. She got an idea for a song then, and put ink to parchment.
Draco watched Hermione in the library, but only stayed until he saw her pick up his letter; he figured he had spied on her enough. She deserved her privacy. That night Draco returned, cautiously, but when he came across no hexes or curses, he cracked open the door. Hermione stood in a black and green plaid skirt that was a lot shorter than the school uniform, and a black tank top. Her hair, usually flowing down her back, was up in a messy bun with a few tendrils hanging free. She was turned away from him and he knew that she was aware of his presence. She began playing chords he didn’t recognize and he stepped completely through the door. He sat against the wall, next to the doorframe and sank to the floor. And he listened…
//I cannot find a way to describe it,
It’s there inside all I do is hide,
I wish, that it, would just go away,
What would you do, you do, if you knew?
What would you do?
All the pain, I thought I knew,
All the thoughts lead back to you,
Back to what was never said,
Back and forth inside my head,
I can’t handle this confusion,
I’m unable, come and take me away.
I feel like I am all alone,
All by myself I need to get around this,
My words are cold,
I don’t want them to hurt you,
If I show you I don’t think you’d understand,
Because no one understands.
All the pain, I thought I knew,
All the thoughts lead back to you,
Back to what was never said,
Back and forth inside my head,
I can’t handle this confusion,
I’m unable, come and take me away.
I’m going nowhere, on and on and…
I’m getting nowhere, on and on and…
All the pain, I thought I knew,
All the thoughts lead back to you,
Back to what was never said,
Back and forth inside my head,
I can’t handle this confusion,
I’m unable, come and take me away.
Take me away,
Take me away,
Break me away,
Take me away. //
Before Hermione could turn around, she felt hot breath on the back of her neck. She set her guitar down, took a deep breath and turned around. ‘It’s time to face the music,’ she thought ironically. Honey colored eyes locked with silver ones. Draco looked at the woman in front of him and saw beauty. Not magazine-cover beauty, true beauty. No, she was beautiful like the sunset is beautiful. Naturally beautiful. He lifted his hand to her face and stroked her cheek lightly. Hermione absently leaned into the touch. Draco moved his hand from her face to the back of her head and crashed his lips to hers in a fierce kiss that she immediately returned. They were brought back to reality when they broke apart for breath. Draco grabbed her hand and slowly lad her to their common room, leaving her guitar on in the hidden room.
Draco sat her on the couch in the common room and sat next to her, his eyes transfixed on hers. He sat quietly, as if waiting for something, and spoke, “You know, no one else has ever heard me play before.” Draco smiled slightly, “I’m honored to be the first.” Draco entwined his fingers with hers, “I’d hoped you would play tonight. Why did you let me watch again?” It was Hermione’s turn to smile, “You said you knew my soul, you should have known I’d let you.” Draco laughed, “Touché. But I do, you know. I know you. You’ve recently felt the pain of loss; you put all of your emotions into your music. Your voice is magnificent, by the way.” Hermione blushed and looked down, but Draco wouldn’t allow it. He lifted her chin with his bent forefinger, and gave her a peck on the lips.
“I’m sure you’re tired, I’ll see you in the morning.” Draco got up from the couch and with a last look and smile at her, went to his room. Hermione sat there, surprised that he had the self-control to end it before she did. She thought about what the events of this night meant. In just reading that letter, she felt attached to him somehow. He truly was an amazing man, in spite of the snot-nosed prat of his youth. She made up her mind. She stood and walked to his door, opening it slowly. He must have been tired, because he was already fast asleep in his large bed. He was wearing black silk pajama bottoms with the sheet halfway on his body. His pale chiseled chest glowed in the moonlight and she could hardly tear her eyes from his beautiful sleeping form.
Hermione closed the door behind her and slowly crept into the room. He was on his stomach, one arm under the pillows, the other strewn across the other half of the large bed. Hermione’s bare feet padded across the carpet to his ebony wood dresser and opened the top drawer. She felt cold and metallic and pulled it from beneath the garments. Hermione forced herself not to burst into giggles at the pair of handcuffs she held in her hand. She put them back where she found them and continued looking. Bingo. She undid the button of her plaid skirt and slid it down over her hips and down her legs. She then removed a pair of black silk boxers that matched her tank top and she pulled them up, over her high-thigh black panties. She slid her bra off without removing her tank top and folded it, then carefully placed it in his top drawer.
She closed the drawer and smiled at the feel of the cool material on her. She turned back toward the bed and saw that Draco had not stirred. She stalked toward the bed and, on the empty side occupied only by his arm, slowly lowered herself onto the mattress. She turned her head to look at him. Satisfied that he wasn’t going to wake, she laid the rest of the way on the bed and placed his arm across her chest. She stifled a gasp when Draco pulled her body closer to his, still in a deep slumber. She watched his face as he slept, relaxed and released. He was a magnificent creature. He wasn’t sneering or smirking and this, she knew, was the real Draco Malfoy. Much like he himself saw in her when she played.
She snuggled closer until she could feel his warm breath on her face. He smelled of peppermint. She fell asleep as soon as she closed her eyes. Draco woke to a warm body pressed against his own. He opened his eyes to see that he was spooned against Hermione. He smiled to himself and lowered the blanket to look at her. His eyes widened and he almost choked on his gasp when he noticed that she was wearing his boxers. He nipped at her earlobe and got out of bed. He changed out of his pajama bottoms, unaware that Hermione had woken and was watching his nude form as he put on a dark green pair of boxers and some black slacks.
Just then, someone burst through Draco’s bedroom door and came billowing into the room. Hermione noticed the man looked like an older version of Draco with longer hair and knew that it must be his father. “Draco!” the man paused when he noticed Hermione in his son’s bed. Lucius Malfoy stared at the girl, then back to the shocked face of his son. “Draco, close your mouth, it is ever un-becoming of a Malfoy,” Lucius sneered. Draco gained his composure and looked worriedly at Hermione. Lucius looked back toward the girl in the bed and smirked, “Your latest conquest, Draco?” He asked without looking away from her. “Uh…yes sir,” Draco answered nervously. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Hermione glare at him.
Hermione grew uncomfortable at the handsome older man’s gaze and couldn’t help but speak up. “Are you looking for something in particular?” Lucius sneered again and spoke to Draco, “A defiant one, isn’t she? Well I hope you keep her in line.” Lucius looked to his son’s confused expression and knew what the cause of it was. “Don’t be so surprised son, I’ve swapped fluids with a few mudbloods myself. They may be beneath us, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it literally.” Draco grew a bit red, from anger and embarrassment. Hermione jumped out of the bed and smashed her guitar over Lucius Malfoy’s snug form. Well, she did in her head, anyway.
What she really did was kept her mouth shut and smiled coldly at his leer. Lucius finally looked back to his son, “Draco, my…boss…was very pleased to hear of your Head Boy status. We will discuss your possible joining of the company when you come home for Christmas break.” With that said, the man left, after a brief wink at Hermione. “What the bloody hell was that all about?” Hermione demanded angrily. Draco sighed, “He’s still trying to get me to become a death eater.” “And you don’t want to be one?” Hermione asked. Draco glared at her, “Just because everyone expects me to, doesn’t mean I’m automatically obliged to.”
Hermione rolled her eyes. “It was just a question, I wasn’t implying anything. “Why did you tell him we were shagging?” she asked with a raised eyebrow. Draco scoffed, “First of all, I didn’t tell him that, I just let him believe it. Second, I had to let him think it was nothing more than shagging, because I couldn’t let him know that I cared for you, he’d flip.” Hermione smiled. “Do you?” Draco grew confused, “Do I, what?” Hermione rolled her eyes again, “Do you care for me?” Draco smirked, “Maybe.” Hermione unwrapped herself from the blankets on the bed and walked to stand in front of him. “Maybe?” she drawled seductively and ran her finger lightly from his navel to his throat. Draco replied nervously, “O-ok, perhaps a little bit.”
Hermione raised her eyebrow and leaned forward to nip at his earlobe, “Just a little bit?” Draco’s eyes fluttered shut, but he smiled mischievously. “No.” Hermione leaned back, a surprised look on her face, and he laughed. She glared playfully and shoved him back onto the bed. She now straddled him on the bed, pinning his arms down beside his head. “You know Draco, I found something quite interesting in your drawer last night.” Draco smirked and raised an eyebrow. “You mean besides my underwear that you’re currently wearing?” Hermione smiled at him and went to the dresser. She returned she swung the handcuffs around her finger playfully. “Christmas present from your parents?” Draco smiled sarcastically, “From Pansy, actually. She shouldn’t have given her hopes up.” Hermione looked at the objects in question. “And you decided to keep them why?” Draco smirked, “For the next girl that went through my underwear drawer.”
Hermione jumped on him and began tickling him unmercifully. After a few minutes, she stopped to let him breathe, “So, care to give them a test run?” Hermione twirled the handcuffs suggestively. Draco’s eyes widened, “Are you serious?” Hermione smirked and got off of him, “I’m not as easy as your other ‘conquests’.” She began to walk away but Draco pulled her arm and swung her around to fall onto him. “I know you’re not. And there aren’t any conquests. There was Millicent Bulstrode, and mind you, she didn’t look the same after two bottles of firewhiskey.” Hermione laughed and gave him a tonguing he wouldn’t soon forget.