(On Hiatus) "Always" (Dramione)

#4 At Some Point

*The Hogwarts students were in the main hall, for a "Muggle Party" organized by Dumbledore. No professor besides him had attended; and he himself was now asleep at the head table. Perhaps these alcoholic beverages were just too much for him, Hermione thought.

The party was, just as named, muggle-like. Most light was blocked from the outside by a simple spell; rainbow disco-lights twirled from the ceiling. Some simple confetti decorations lined the walls.

Hermione wore a short, figure-hugging red cocktail dress, and 3-inch heels in the same color. She had been leaning against the wall, waiting for Draco to get back to her with a drink. Finally he came back and  handed her a martini.

But before she could even take a sip, she was distracted by something.

Draco was right in front of her... Staring her in the eyes. His right hand was on the wall next to her face.

Hermione gulped audibly. For some reason her heart sped up, and she even forgot to breathe for a brief moment.

Draco smirked at her, and gave out a small low chuckle. "I knew you liked me, Granger," he said confidently.

She glanced down at his lips. She just couldn't help herself... He was just so close. Too close. ...Not close enough.

Suddenly he pulled away and leaned on the wall, right next to Hermione. He took a sip of his drink.

"Don't be so full of yourself, Malfoy. You simply startled me," Hermione answered, flustered.

"So... You're saying you don't want to kiss me?" Draco asked, slyly.

Hermione was surprised at his bluntness, but quickly composed herself. "Exactly".

"Hmm, that's too bad. But oh well, I guess I'll just have to find somebody else then". Hermione gave Draco a death-glare. "Woah, relax. I was just kidding. I'm all yours, love," Draco said, only half-sarcastically, and winked at her.

Hermione gave him a quizzical look. Then she slowly walked in front of him.

She put her hand on his chest, then grabbed his shirt collar, and whispered in a low voice, "Yes, you are mine". Then she kissed him.

It took Draco a few moments to register what was happening. Finally the fog cleared enough for him to set down his drink on the table next to them.

He then grabbed Hermione around the waist with both hands, and flipped them around. She was now the one pressed against the wall.

"So, Granger... Lie much?" Draco smiled at her, amused, as they broke from the kiss.

"Only to annoying bleached ferrets..." Hermione retorted.

Draco faked a gasp. "Why, I'm offended! Now I just gotta make sure you can't say anything else hurtful. How could I do that?...Oh, I know". He kissed Hermione's neck, and she gasped, startled.

He trailed kissed up her neck to her chin, then over to her cheek and the side of her mouth. In no time they were kissing again.

"Oí, get a room! This is too pg. 13 for my eyes!" Blaze Zabini exclaimed.

"Man, why did you do that?" Draco grumbled at his best friend, clearly disappointed with being interrupted.

"Hey, Blaze, is Luna around?" Hermione cut in. She had to escape the embarrassing situation as quickly as possible.

"Yeah, she's just checking out the nergalhog plant in that corner over there," Blaze pointed.

"Thanks, Zabini. Uh... I'm gonna go check on her. I'll see you around, Draco," said Hermione.

"See you soon, Hermione. I'll come for you in a bit!" Draco smiled at her kindly, them Hermione walked off to check on Luna... But mostly to hide her blush and to process what had just happened.

Blaze gave Draco a surprised look. "You're on first-name basis now?"

"Yeah. We're only on first-base, too..." Draco said, thoughtfully, and sighed, disappointed at the thought.

Blaise ignored the last part. "I'm happy for you, man," he said, and gave Draco a pat on the back. "You two deserve each other. Well... Actually I'm not sure if you deserve her all that much..."

"Shut up," Draco snapped at him. Blaise just chuckled. "She's all I have. You know that".

"... Yeah. As I said, I'm happy for you, both. I mean it".

Draco scowled at him a bit, then seeing his honesty, simply replied, "Thanks".

Then he walked off to the restroom. He needed a moment to be alone.

Draco's words kept running through his head. "She's all I have, you know that". How could he say that? How could he let those thoughts show? Ugh, Hermione was influencing him; making him soft... Vulnerable. Open. But that was simply the risk he had to take. After all, it was true. She was all he had left. *

Draco suddenly awoke with a start.

What just happened? Hermione and I... We... Wait. A dream? That was all a dream?!?

Oh, thank goodness... Draco got out of bed, and began to get dressed for the day.

Suddenly he stopped moving as a thought struck him. Why would I say that? Even in a dream, still, why would I say that? "She's all I have... She's all I have left". Why? She isn't! She can't stand me! She'd never even be able to tolerate me. Yes, Draco, your fate has already been sealed with your reputation. Not even... the death of your Father... Can change that.

But this is my chance!

No, Draco, do not be stupid. This is hopeless. You'll be made fun of. You'll ruin everything you've worked for. You can't try any longer. Twice was more than enough. She rejected you and will keep doing so. You must give up this thought now.

... Maybe you're right...

Draco finished the conversation with his inner conscience, finished getting dressed, and walked out of his dorm room.

Today things would be different. No... They'd be back to normal. He'd stop embarrassing himself. He'd go back to calling Herm.... Er... Granger... A mudblood. And things would again be just okay... Just okay as they once were.

Okay as they never were, you mean? Said the little voice inside Draco's head. But he ignored it, and walked out of his dorm room with head held high, and that usual confident smirk on his face.

Hello, hello, author here! Fun little chapter, I think. How sad that it was all just a dream... And now Draco is back to his old self. And wait... What did he just say? His father died? Oh, his father will hear about thi... Oh. Never mind...

Can't wait to see what happens in the following chapters 😉 Yes, the characters decide their own fate... I simply write down what happens. Sure hope they end up together though... 🤔😉

Hope you enjoyed. Please comment and vote!

Love,

Goldie 💚💛