Magnetic Attraction

Chapter 15: The Idiotic things Boys do

The sky was gray and the rain was steady, but Hermione was positively beaming when she woke up late on Saturday morning. She rolled over, throwing her arm over to the other side of the bed, expecting Draco to yelp and growl at her, but she only hit her pillows. That only made her smile grow wider. He loved her.

Feeling fresh and rejuvenated, she leapt out of bed and got dressed in a frenzy, only just glancing at the clock. It was already ten, meaning he would have already left for his mother's funeral. She sighed in relief that she wouldn't have to go, but at the same time wondered why he hadn't left a note or something, and why he hadn't stepped by the previous night. But it didn't really matter, he would see her soon. Because he was in love with her.

She would make him lunch! Oh, that would be so perfect and cheer him up. After a trip down to the kitchens, Hermione had more food than two people could eat, but accepted the basket the house elves gave her with a smile. She set their kitchen table quickly, laying everything out on the china painted with the Hogwarts crest. She even hummed under her breath, still smiling brilliantly. This would be her day, their day. Then they would go do something completely clichéd and corny, just because they could, like go to Madame Puddifoot's, or go flying on his broom again. The possibilities were endless, because she had a boyfriend.

A totally hot boyfriend, she reminded herself as she put on his Slytherin school tie as a belt, just because she could. Who loves you! It was a total squee moment. Where was Ginny when she needed her?

The common room portrait flew open on its hinges, startling her. She dropped her hairbrush on the bathroom floor with a large crack, before dashing out into the common room. Draco was halfway to his bedroom door, shivering off rain, when she made it, and she called out,

"Draco!" He froze, his hands balling into fists. She blinked as he kept his back to her, biting her lip. She could see he was breathing heavily, his shoulders rising up and down quickly. "Why didn't you come in last night? I waited for you for a while." She smiled feebly; a little scared by the angst-ridden appearance of her boyfriend. He didn't answer, but slowly turned around. She took a step back.

He looked almost unrecognizable, no longer the kind, caring, gentle boy who had kissed her and held her when she was scared. Draco was gone, but Malfoy was back. And his eyes were cold, showing the turmoil and anger and frustration that brewed in their gray depths. His hair was pasted to his forehead from rain, his glistening with a mixture of dried tears and more raindrops. And he was scowling, one corner of his lips curled upwards. Hermione gulped, fingering the soft material of her shirt. "Draco, you're scaring me." He glared at her, sending her stumbling slightly backwards. It was like before the attraction, when he hated her with all his being. He sneered.

"Mudblood slut," he hissed, softly but full of anger and hate. Her eyes widened.

"Draco, stop it. This isn't funny!" He took a step forward, his movements stiff and forced. He backed her up into the wall, pressing into her so that she couldn't twist her neck to look up at him. His hot breath tickled her ear, and she closed her eyes, almost frightened. For a second she thought he had just been joking, and he placed his hand on her hip, his fingers fumbling with the tie. The smell of cold damp air and dust lingered on his black dress robes, and she breathed it in deeply, seeking some relief and reassurance. This wasn't him; this was the cold, heartless, bastard Malfoy. He leant his head against hers and whispered gently, almost seductively,

"Keep your scummy hands off my things," before brutally yanking his tie out of her belt loops. She yelped, her eyes flying open, as he stepped back, stuffing the belt into his pocket, before spitting on the ground next to her feet. She stared in shock into his eyes, and saw that hidden and covered by the loyalty to Slytherin and honor to his family, there was a small amount of remorse. Then he swept away into his room, slamming his door behind him, as she slid down the wall to the floor and cried.