Silver and Gold (A Dramione Fanfic)

Chapter 25

    Slowly the world began to warm. The snow melted, and eventually it was March. The teachers began to pile on more homework, convinced we needed more practice for our NEWTs.

    On one such occasion, Professor Surmin had a special message in addition.

    "I know with past and recent events, NEWTs won't seem all that important, but I assure you that they are. The Ministry of Magic is closer than ever to find the perpetrator who calls him or herself 'the Silver Snake.' This person will not be caught by a student. So, in the meantime, please focus on your studies. They are important."

    Through this speech, people groaned, rolled their eyes, and cursed (both magically and non-magically) under their breath. I, on the other hand, waited until he was finished to raise my hand.

    "Yes, Miss Granger?" He asked, looking rather relieved.

    Sorry, professor, I thought. "Sir, isn't it true that there were five murders last week? If the Ministry were close, couldn't they stop the killings and then apprehend the killer after?"

    "I assure you, Miss Granger, they are close. The murders cannot be helped, but they'll be over soon."

    I was stunned. Couldn't be helped? What?

    "Can't be helped?"

    "You're joking."

    "Come off it, that's not-"

    "Settle down, settle down." Surmin said. "We have work to do. "

    An hour later, the bell rang, and I headed to lunch. It was a bit disappointing to not be able to eat with Draco, but it was good to see my friends. When I arrived, only Ginny was there, though, so I made an excuse and went back to the common room, where I knew Draco would be.

    When I pushed past the portrait, I immediately saw Draco. He was lying on the couch, sleeping. A few months ago, I would've hexed him in some clever way, but I was over that now. Instead I dropped my bag, bent over, and kissed him.

    What I had intended to be a light, chaste peck turned into something different as Draco's eyes opened briefly and he wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me down on top of him. He kissed me back, deeply and passionately, with a fervor I hadn't seen from him before. I quickly gave up trying to think as I lost myself in his heated kiss. All my worries melted away, my stress went out the window, and I sighed against his lips.

    I pulled back reluctantly some time later. "Draco..."

    His light eyes opened, their pupils blown wide. "Hmm?"

    "I only meant to wake you up. We- we should go to the Great Hall." I said, trying to ignore the heat of him beneath me. Why did he have to be so distracted?

    Draco sat up, and that was when I noticed the compromising position we were in. I shifted nervously, now on his lap, only to see his eyes snap closed and an interesting expression cross his face. A small sound escaped his lips.

    My brow furrowed in confusion.

    Until I felt it. It being something stiff pressing up against my thigh.

    Oh.

    Oh.

    My eyes went wide, and I held my breath, trying to be as still as possible. His eyes opened as well, and held a sheepish, almost guilty expression.

    "Er- sorry." He said, giving an awkward little cough. I bit my lip sat back a little, carefully removing my self from the situation and trying not to look in the wrong direction.

    "D-don't worry. It's my fault. Like I said, I only meant to wake you up. Er... let's go down to the Great Hall." I said, picking up my bag from the floor.

    "Sure." He said, something uncharacteristic for Draco. I smoothed my hair as I turned, heading toward the portrait hole. Draco fell into step beside me.

    As we walked, I checked my watch. I had been gone ten minutes.

    Oh, no.

    When we reached the Great Hall, I paused, nervous, then took a deep breath. Nodding to Draco, I pushed open one of the heavy oak doors and entered, him on my heels. I kept my head up as I walked, ignoring all of the stares I was receiving. I took carefully measured strides toward my usual spot at the Gryffindor table, not stopping or looking back until I had reached it. "Hermione..." Ginny began as I sat down next to her, smoothing my hair self-consciously. I avoided her gaze, directing my attention to the boys instead. Ron's face and ears were red, and Harry's eyes were wide, flicking back and forth between my face and a pout over my shoulder. Draco, obviously. I sighed. I could feel a fight brewing.

    Ron opened his mouth to say something, and Parvati, who'd been sitting next to him, gave a little squeak, which I translated to mean, "I've got to go." She extracted herself from him and hurried off in the other direction.

    "Hermione... what happened?" Ginny asked, her eyes narrowed.

   "I..." I knew trying to explain was pointless. By the look on Ron's face, I wasn't going to be talking very much. 

    "Were you- did you- and him?" Ron sputtered, seemingly unable to string together a sentence.

    "Did I what, Ronald?" I asked, glaring.

    "What's going on, Hermione?" Harry asked quietly.

    "What's going on? What's that supposed to mean?" I knew it was pointless to deny it any further, but what was I supposed to say? I didn't know where to begin. 

    "Hermione, something is obviously going on between you and Malfoy. " Ginny said, and Ron inhaled sharply. 

    "Look, you don't..." I began.

    "Save it." said Ginny.

    "Okay, okay, fine!" I gave up. "Draco and I... we're dating."

    The silence was so thick, you could cut it with a knife. Not that you'd want to.

    Then the table exploded.

    "What?"

    "That git?"

    "Come off it, Hermione."

    I stayed silent, waiting. Once they'd finished, I took a deep breath. "It doesn't matter if you believe me or not. In fact, it doesn't matter if you accept it or not. If you want an explanation, I can give you a scientific one, but there's no point. You can't change my mind. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have business in the library." And with that, I stood and left.

    But not before I heard Ron shout from behind me. 

    "Traitor!"