Chapter Seventeen

‘Hope you had a splendid Christmas and holiday,’ Professor McGonagall’s voice echoed in the Great Hall, after they had all ate.

Hermione’s mind was somewhere else entirely. McGonagall’s voice seemed to be in the distance as she thought. The few days they stayed at The Burrow passed by quickly as they did have fun, even Draco. They played Quidditch and chess and they ate Mrs Weasley’s delicious food.

Percy stayed in his room when he got back from work, but Hermione wasn't complaining. She was glad there were no more fights. Everyone was happy with Draco, except Percy though Hermione knew he only needed time.

George had went to live in the apartment above his joke shop. Although he did have a game of chess with Draco before he left. He cracked jokes but underneath his facade everyone knew he was still in mourning over his twin.

Mrs Weasley, one evening, told them she had been talking to Mrs Granger, which surprised Hermione.

‘You keep in touch with my mother?’ Hermione asked, her fork suspended in mid air.

‘Of course, dear. We’re great friends. It's nice to have a little feminine company. Anyway she told me about the holiday idea. Mr and Mrs Granger, Hermione, Draco and Narcissa are going. She asked if we wanted to go.’ Mrs Weasley said to her family and Harry.

‘Sure, I'll go.’ Harry said, nodding and Ginny nodded too.

‘But, Mum, won't that be expensive?’ Ron asked, his fork pausing on the way to his mouth.

‘I suppose so, but Arthur and Percy are making more money each day, George has the joke shop. I think we can pull it off.’ Mrs Weasley responded, smiling as she only wanted the best for her family.

‘Myself, George and Percy have work to go to.’ Mr Weasley said.

‘You can come down for at least a day?’ Harry insisted before Mrs Weasley could say anything.

‘Sure, we'll come down for a day, only a day,’ Mr Weasley nodded at Harry, hesitating for only a moment.

‘Okay, so that's me, Ron, Ginny, Harry, Hermione, Draco, Narcissa, Hermione’s parents.’ Mrs Weasley nodded, grinning brightly, ‘this will be fun for all of us to get to know each other.

Hermione was happy that they were all going on holiday together. She was looking forward to it.

Draco squeezed her hand and Hermione jolted back to the present. They were in the Great Hall and everyone was leaving, chatting about their holiday.

‘I wish she hadn't said that.’ Draco said, sullenly.

‘Sorry?’ Hermione asked, confused.

‘You know, McGonagall? I wish she hadn't said that.’ Draco said as they walked out the hall and up the stairs.

‘I have no idea what you're talking about.’ Hermione said, simply.

‘McGonagall said in the hall that after Christmas everyone works so hard that the time just flies past, and we do our exams.’ Draco said, glancing at Hermione, ‘Are you alright?’

‘Yeah I'm fine. I wasn’t really listening.’

Draco faked being surprised, making Hermione chuckle.

‘Wait... Where are we going?’ Hermione asked.

‘I don't know. Just walking.’ Draco said, swinging their entwined hands.

‘Draco, I'm going to the Gryffindor common room. I'll see you later. Bye.’ Hermione said, pecking him on the cheek.

She turned around to walk the opposite way but Draco held her hand tighter.

‘Let go, Draco,’ Hermione said, rolling her eyes at his fake pout.

‘I love you.’ Draco said randomly and let her hand go.

Hermione only waved, grinning, and walked towards the Gryffindor common room, leaving Draco watching after her.

When term started they were drowning in homework and studying.

Over the few months, Hermione had basically taken over the library as her own. Her papers scattered everywhere most nights, she studied and studied. Draco joined her but they didn't talk as Hermione kept on studying.

‘What's the point?’ Draco would sometimes say, when they did actually talk.

‘The point is that you will get a good enough job to feed yourself.’ Hermione would retort back.

‘We should've just left...’ Draco would say other times, gaining a stern glare from Hermione.

The months literally did fly past and before they knew it they had exams. Draco had to stop Hermione from tearing her hair out from the stress.

‘Calm down. Why don't we get a drink?’ Draco would insist.

Sometimes they would and she would be calm, laughing and talking with her friends, but as the exams neared she kept her head down.

------

‘How was it?’ Ron asked her as she walked out of the exam.

‘I don't know. I think... I think... All the quest-’

‘You did great. You know you did. When is your next exam?’ Draco asked, pulling her in for a hug.

‘Tomorrow is our final exam for Potions.’ Hermione said, prodding him. He should know that, it was his exam too!

‘Oh yeah. How about,’ Draco grabbed her hands, ‘we go and get something to eat. I told-’

‘Bribed,’ Ron corrected, grinning.

‘Thank you, Ron,’ Draco said sarcasm evident on his face and tone, ‘I 'bribed' some house elves to leave us food.’

Hermione thought she would never get used to Draco being friends with her friends, but she wasn't complaining.

‘Are you coming, Ron?’ Hermione asked.

‘Nah, I'm waiting for Harry.’

Hermione and Draco walked upstairs to their common room and they opened the huge door. On the table were apples, pie, and a couple of butter beers.

‘I'm starving,’ Hermione grinned at all of the food.

Draco picked up a green apple and bit into it. Hermione chuckled thinking of how his lips tasted if apples.

‘What?’ Draco asked, smiling because of her laugh.

‘Oh, nothing.’ Hermione said, taking a piece of pie.

‘We're so close to summer.’ Draco stated.

‘Yeah, then we'll be on holiday together. I...’ Hermione stopped suddenly.

‘What?’ Draco asked.

‘I think Harry will ask Ginny to marry him,’ Hermione stated, looking up at him from under her lashes to see his reaction.

Draco’s eyes widened for a second before he started laughing. Hermione frowned. She didn't know what was so funny. Draco laughed even harder, nearly falling off the sofa.

‘What so funny?’ Hermione asked, her frown deepening.

‘Trust. Me,’ Draco said out of breath and in between laughs.

Hermione waited until he stopped laughing. She ate her pie, her lips turning up in amusement at his incredibly attractive laugh. She loved it when he was so carefree around her.

‘Trust me. Harry's not asking Ginny to marry him.’ Draco said, smiling, ‘Would you marry the one you love at 19 years old?’ He asked, seriously, all the jokes and laughs wiped off his face.

‘Well,’ Hermione said, ‘Of course. I've always dreamed of marrying someone at a young age. I would love to get married.’

 ‘But of course... It doesn't always happen like how you pictured it. I never pictured myself with you...’ Hermione whispered, going red.

It sounded as though she was ordering him to get down on one knee and propose. But... she knew he wouldn't do that. She couldn't help feel a little sad, just a little. Hermione knew now that Draco would be with her always but would he want to marry her?

‘Hermione,’ Draco said, interrupting her thoughts, ‘I-’

A knock interrupted them and Harry, Ron, Ginny, Neville and Luna walked in.

‘Mind if we join the party?’ Ginny joked.

They all sat down and Draco shut his mouth. Hermione couldn't help but wonder...

What was he going to say?