37. Chapter 37: Hermione

Sorry sorry sorry for the long wait! Urk... I can't believe I haven't updated for 2 months and a half... I had half of the chapter done about a month ago but then I got writer's block for the rest. T.T Anyway, enjoy this chapter! I'm already starting to plan the end of the story, so that'll be coming up soon. Quite soon, I believe. I really don't think I should carry on for much longer, anyway... there IS a limit to how many chapters I should have for this story. -.-

PS: Thanks so much to my wonderful readers/reviewers! Your reviews have helped me greatly in getting off my lazy butt and writing... -Hugs tightly-

& whoop dee doo...

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10 Ways to Kill Draco Malfoy

Chapter 37

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HERMIONE

I didn't really expect Draco and my encounter last night to go as it did. I thought it would just be a light talk, some laughs and off we go to bed. And when I say bed, I mean the ones in our dormitory, not the verb.

Not that I'm complaining about what happened or anything.

But I do suppose it took my mind permanently off Ron. The experience made me remember why we started falling for each other in the first place; and why I rejected Ron in favor of Draco. Sure, sure, Ron was one of my best friends and I've known him for ages, and feel completely at ease around him. However, Draco was different - his presence made me feel an edge that I'd never known before. And I love it.

Opening my eyes, I look up into the grey sky tinted with pink. I am surprised to find that it is only dawn. I feel like I've been sleeping forever. But then again, it was good that we hadn't stayed that long; otherwise, the next student who came by would have a nasty shock. I turn my head slightly and look at the boy lying next to me. He had his robes over him like a blanket, and as I watched he drew them up to his chin and continued to sleep.

As much as I would have liked to stay like this, my arm was starting to go numb from being squashed underneath my head and I was pinned by the arm Draco had slung over my waist. "Draaaaacooo-poo," I coo softly, grinning.

"Urgh... Pansy, go away..." he mumbles in his sleep, lifting his hand from me to swat an imaginary fangirl away. I sit up and start to get dressed, but soon I feel Draco's eyes on my back.

"Morning," I say, without turning around.

"Mmmhmm. Hello. You're up bright and early, aren't you?"

I lie back down, fully clothed. "Well, I don't really want to be caught out here. People would hound us to no end if someone saw us." I pull a face. "Not that I care what they think, but I really don't want a train of girls trailing after me and giving me evil glares every half a second."

He laughs, and pats my head. "Don't worry, I'll chase them away."

"Yeah, right," I say. "Actually, that might work, because then they'll all cling to you instead." I laugh as he makes a choking noise.

The next few minutes are spent in companiable silence, and I mull things over in my head. My watch says that we have another hour or so before the earliest risers start going into the Great Hall for breakfast. Which means that if we want to get back to the dorms without being seen, we should leave as soon as possible. I lift my arm and reach for the telescope stand above me, and pull myself up. Draco watches me, raising an eyebrow. "Leaving already?"

I nod. "We've only got about half an hour to get back. And who knows how early Filch starts roaming the school? Better not chance it."

He sighs. "Alright, alright... I still feel tired though. Last night took a lot out of me." He smirks at the blush crawling up my neck. If only there was a hard object that I could throw right now... he would definitely be on the receiving end of the throw.

Just as he yawns and starts to prop himself up, I remember the plan I had thought up some time before. I smile, imagining the shock that would be on his face. "By the way, Draco," I say, and he looks up at me questioningly. "I love you!"

The look on his face is priceless. I try to stifle my giggles unsuccessfully. He opens his mouth. "What did y- ARGH!"

There is a loud thumping noise, and he suddenly falls backwards, his eyes rolling back. I stare at him. Blood seeps out from his forehead and slides down his face. My eyes travel slowly to the very tough-looking telescope stand directly over his head and realization dawns upon me. "Oh my God... Draco!"

Several moments later, after I had towed Draco down the steps, I successfully manage to find Professor McGonagall in her office, marking some of our essays from a few days ago. I hesitate, not wanting to disturb her in fear that we wouldn't get our results back ASAP, but the thought of Draco lying there, bleeding, overrules every instinct and I burst through the door, screeching for help. "Miss Granger! Please, calm down and explain what happened!" she barks at me, covering her ears. I take a few deep breaths and babble out my story, tears welling in my eyes.

The walk to the bottom of the Astronomy Tower steps seems to take an eternity. Professor McGonagall strides forward agonizingly slowly, and I almost want to scream at her to hurry up. But then again, she is old enough to be my grandmother, so I contain my nerves and keep up the slow pace. However, it takes every bit of self-control I can muster to refrain from losing my temper when she stops to chat with several staff members about NEWT exams, the weather and whatnot.

We arrive at the bottom of the steps. I do my best to stop blubbering at the sight of Draco's seemingly lifeless body, but a few tears escape and dance their way down my face. "There he is... oh my- Miss Granger, what happened here?" Professor McGonagall rushes over and checks his pulse. Satisfied that he is still alive and not so well, she conjures up a stretcher.

At that moment, Professor Flitwick, with whom she was conversing with a few minutes ago, walks by and sees us. He stops and runs over as fast as his little legs can. "Goodness, Minerva - what's wrong with the boy? He's bleeding!"

I resist the urge to snap back 'that's obvious' and look away. "Miss Granger, he'll be fine," Professor McGonagall says soothingly to me, putting a hand on my shoulder. Then she lifts the stretcher a little higher and walks away with it floating behind her like a ghost.

The day passes like a blur. All throughout the day people tell me that I look either stoned, stupified or dazed. I don't know which is the most flattering but none of them really appeal to me. Still, I can't stop thinking about what had happened; and how the one plan I had made up to not kill him had done possibly the most damage to Draco, out of all my plans so far. That's irony for you, I think wryly.

"Granger, kindly stop slobbering over your desk," snarls Snape at Potions when he catches me while I'm thinking. I give him an indignant look and continue on, but it doesn't take long for me to fall into a stupor again.

"Miss Granger!" squeaks Professor Flitwick during Charms. "Please, pay attention! This is a very complex charm, and unless you watch carefully not even you might be able to get it right!" I nod with a blank smile and stare at his hands as they flutter around, hypnotized.

"Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall tells me after Transfiguration while everyone is leaving. I signal to Ginny, who's closest, that I'll be a while and that I'd meet them in the Great Hall for lunch, then turn back to the Professor. "I noticed that you didn't seem to be paying much attention during my class today. I know what happened this morning was rather... a shock to you, but you mustn't let it influence your academic work. I assure you that Mr Malfoy will be perfectly fine. He only suffered a very minor concussion, and although he will most likely be unconscious for a few days, there is nothing to worry about. Madam Pomfrey has already healed the cut on his forehead, and now all you need to do is to carry on like before, because he will be fine and dandy in just a few days."

I smile genuinely at her, gratified for her news update. She gives me a rare lift of the corner of her lips, but then frowns.

"Mind you... what on Earth were you two doing up the Astronomy Tower that late up anyway? Did you stay late for Astronomy class, or did you just doze off during it?" She gives me what appears to be an awkward kind of motherly smile. It is obviously something that she isn't very practised at.

Uh oh. I had known for a while that this would be coming, so I quickly whip out my best innocent smile that I had been perfecting all day. "Oh, we were staying late to watch the... uh, beautiful planet Venus as it made its way across the brilliant, black night sky."

Professor McGonagall looks at me a little strangely, but seems to accept my explanation. However, I notice her opening her mouth to possibly interrogate me more, so I mutter something about checking on my lovely house-elf friends and hurry out the door before she can say a thing. Phew. The more she questions me, the more suspicious the situation will seem; although I don't mind if news spreads about me and Draco, it wouldn't be pleasant if it came from Professor McGonagall, of all people. Snape would probably hate me more than ever for somehow 'manipulating his favorite little boy onto the Gryffindor side', and people would think I blabbed because even the teachers know.

It would probably be better if I just avoided any questions for now, until we go public with our new relationship status. I'd rather people find out from us than hear that we spent a night together on the Astronomy Tower, which is rather famous for being a good rendezvous spot for couples. If word leaked out... then there would be no doubt what we had been up to, and it certainly wouldn't be about us tracking Venus all night.

I trudge into the Great Hall and find my friends. Ginny raises her goblet at me when she sees me, and Harry turns around. Ron kind of peers sideways and then shifts his eyes back. I roll my eyes. I don't really find myself pondering over that kiss anymore. I know who I'm in love with now, and unfortunately, it's not Ron.

And I doubt he really 'love loves' me anyway. The way he looks at me isn't quite the same as the way he looked at Fleur or Lavender. Although he wasn't really in love with either of them, he was probably struck momentarily by Cupid and it was enough to tell me about his lovestruck behavior as compared to the way he acts towards me. I suppose the fact that I'm his best friend also changes things. You can't really just pop up one day and say you're in love love with your best friend instead of the friendly love before. Of course, I have no doubt that he does have at least crush on me (he's pretty much told me as much), but I have a hunch that it's like I'm someone... safe that he can easily confess to, rather than someone he likes but doesn't know very well.

Meaning that I'll have to break this stupid tension once and for all. Now, the question was when I would be able to do that. Lately Ron and I hardly ever spend time together alone. Whenever it seems like we will, he'll suddenly rush off or call someone to join us. It's annoying, but I guess I know how he feels so I don't blame him.

Suddenly, a simple option dawns on me. Prefect duties! We're usually scheduled to patrol together every 4th duty night (so we get a chance to work with Prefects from all the other houses equally), and the last time I went on patrol I was with a Ravenclaw girl. Now there was just Ernie left to do duties with, and then it would be Ron again.

Feeling determined and satisfied that I had finally come up with something, I start chomping down all the food on my plate ravenously, earning very scared looks from nearby first-years, some of which following my example and piling up their own plates.

The next few days seem to pass agonizingly slowly. I have an outline of how our conversation would go like;

Me: Ron! Stop your ridiculous behavior this instant!

Ron: Oh I'm so sorry, Hermione! Please forgive me! I think you and Draco make a fabulous couple so I'll just go back to being my old self. -Grovels-

Me: Hmph, that's better.

There would probably be a few deviations from my plan, but I guess that's how I want it to go. Except maybe the grovelling part, but that would be an added bonus. Sighing, I check my watch for the umpteenth time. Amazingly enough, I was actually wishing class would go by a bit faster. The seconds seemed to drag by and the room was hot and stuffy and making my head hurt. It was impressive enough that I was still conscious, let alone feeling eager like I usually was.

Finally, the bell rang and I sped out of the class, my books already packed into my bag. It feels like I'm carrying a few dozen bricks in my bag, and I curse the manufacturers for not charming the books to make them lighter. I'm pretty sure this is the reason why so many witches end up as hunchbacked, wizened crones that give the witches in Muggle fairytales their alleged appearances. It's actually rather accurate, but I still shudder whenever I imagine myself being like that in a few dozen years. I quickly shift my bag over to the other shoulder, trying to give both shoulders an equal amount of time carrying the bag.

Once I get back to the common room, I pore out all my homework on the table I always occupy, and start writing. However, as soon as I write my first sentence on my Potions essay I know that I won't be very productive tonight. And since none of this is due tomorrow... for once, I, Hermione Granger, the Girl-Who-Always-Does-Her-Homework-On-The-Same-Day-She-Gets-It is putting off homework for a night. Meaning I might be a little overwhelmed tomorrow, but that can't be helped.

Prefect duties start at 8:45pm tonight. The extra 15 minutes before curfew is so we can have time to get organized and talk to Professor McGonagall about details for tonight's duties without staying later in her office than 9pm. I personally wouldn't mind if someone was running off to their common rooms at 9:00:01pm, but it seems Filch does care. And with that annoying cat of his keeping an eye on us, we have to do as we are told. Even if it means giving detentions to first years who get lost trying to get back to the common room in time and end up crying for help from some remote broom cupboard several floors away.

Quite tragic, I must say.

About half an hour of lazing around the fireplace later, Ron finally comes down from the boys' dormitory and quietly mutter something about leaving. "What's that you said?" I ask loudly, and grin when he fixes a familiar indignant glare at me. "Loosen up a bit, Ron," I say as we head towards Professor McGonagall's office, with him powerwalking in front and me struggling to keep up. "And slow down, for goodness sakes! What do you think I am, a marathon runner?"

He grudgingly abides and slows down a fraction, which really doesn't help. But at least he responded.

I'm getting there.

Inside the office, the Professor's voice seems rather odd to me tonight. "Blah," she says. "Blah blah blah. Blah? Blah!" And so it goes on. Soon I lose interest and nod at regular intervals, an art that is harder than it seems. My mind wanders to something more important.

Like why the hell Ron kissed me anyway. It's annoying having to think about it so often, but I really do want answers. I'm quite sure it wasn't an accident, because accident kisses don't last more than a second and his was more like 10 seconds.

After a few moments, Professor McGonagall releases us from the office. From the irritated look on her face, it seemed I wasn't the only one who tuned out. As I turn towards Ron I notice him giving himself a little shake of the head, and then he smiles blandly at the teacher. She sighs, and closes the door behind us.

"Well, Ron," I say once we are out of earshot of her office. "I'm sure you know what I'm going to pester you about all night tonight."

"Jeez, I wonder what it is," he says sarcastically. Surprisingly enough, he doesn't wither from my venomous glare, and I suppose he's been thinking about it too. "Storytime for you, I guess," he sighs after a moment of silence.

I pretend to cheer. "Whoop-dee-doo," I say, a part of me actually slightly excited about the fact that he was finally opening up. "Spill."

"Firstly," he starts. "I'm really sorry for that... er, incident. I wasn't thinking. Really. The opportunity was just too easy for me to take. It was halfway between instinct and want, I suppose. I kinda wanted to kiss you even though you were going out with someone else and had blatantly rejected me." He sighs again. "But..."

"But?" I prompt as he stops for a while, apparently thinking of a good way of wording his thoughts.

"But I didn't feel that it was too special. It wasn't like the fireworks-inside-my-head thing I was expecting. It was kind of like kissing Lavender. And that really wasn't very exciting, even if it looked very graphic." I pretend to gag and he glares at me, but I can feel the tension between us lifting slowly with every word he spoke. "And anyone else would probably think, well if Hermione's already rejected you there's no point making it worse by trying to win her by force, is there? Like I said, I wasn't really trying to force you. It was more of an experiment; if it turned out well, I'd continue pursuing you. If it didn't - which was pretty much what happened - I would stop. Though either way, the rumors would spread and... well, it'd get messy for a while."

I mull this over. It's not often Ron speaks so maturely - I'm used to him being an idiot - but when he does, it's usually surprisingly mature for someone his age.

So I suppose there is a brain under that thick skull of his, after all.

"But why did you do it in public then?" I ask, even though I remember what he said about 'opportunity'. But surely there were other chances? With less onlookers? I nearly walk into a wall and quickly change directions, ignoring the snigger coming from behind me.

"Well, if I suddenly kissed you in private you'd probably think I was turning into a rapist or something." He makes a face. "Which isn't how I want one of my best friends to think of me as."

I start to laugh. "You? Rapist? Don't kid me," I chuckle. "But then again, who knows what could happen to a guy who's as girl-deprived as you?"

He starts turning red. "Girl-deprived? What are you on about? I've had... um, plenty of girlfriends! Lavender, for instance! Look where we got to. Snogging in public. Pretty impressive, huh?"

"Not really," I say loftily. "And it seems Lavender's the only girl you've managed to go anywhere with. I don't even think you two were having a relationship other than a physical one. And that was apparently just to make me jealous. Not that it worked, of course."

"Oi!" he yells, obviously embarrassed about his lack of romantic experience. "What's wrong with not getting a girlfriend at 16? There's plenty of guys like me who just want to study at school, instead of thinking about girls all day."

This coaxes a hysterical fit of giggles from me. "That's the funniest thing I've heard all day," I gasp between my laughter, clutching my belly. "That's about as likely as Snape being fond of Harry!" Another spurt of laughter makes me stop to breathe in and out deeply.

Ron stops too and a weird shudder passes through him. "Urgh. Snape, being fond of Harry? That is disgusting, Hermione. Absolutely disgusting. Almost as gross as how Pansy drools all over me." He suddenly brightens. "Oh yeah! Pansy! She's shown quite a legitimate interest in me, too. I'm sure you've seen her cooing at me before."

The thought of Pansy reminds me of the time when I heard about Blaise hitting on Ron. I immediately stop laughing and assume a very sombre expression. "Well... Slytherins are all well and good, but do try to keep your love interests... female." Then I realize how homophobic I sound. "I mean- But I mean if you swing the other way, that's completely fine! I don't mind! I accept you for who you are, Ron, no matter what your preference. You're still my best friend."

He looks befuddled. "What are you babbling about, Hermione? What's this about me swinging the other way?"

"Um... er... nothing," I say quickly. "Nothing at all. Just telling you that if you... oh, never mind. I can't say this properly without sounding accusing."

"What?" His expression changes from bemusement to outright confusion. "Are you saying Pansy's not really interested in me?"

I hardly ever appreciate Ron's simple-mindedness, but this is one of the times. If he had realized that I had practically called him gay, then I doubt he'd be very happy about it. And I know Ron's definitely not gay. I don't know how I had even suggested it.

Oh God, my mind is such a mess today. I'm better off not thinking about it and just being thankful of the fact that we're back to normal again. But just to make sure...

"Ron," I begin. "From now on, you won't be doing anything rash and completely stupid like that 'trial' kiss. At least talk things out with me first. Even if you know I won't consent, I'd still like to be aware of what you're thinking. And I'm very flattered that you like me, but I'm gonna have to tell you that I'm not interested. Not now, not ever. You're too good a friend to turn into a boyfriend. Speaking of boyfriends, I already have one and we're happy together."

He looks sheepish. "OK, sorry. I'm sorry. I won't do it again. And I get what you're saying." He frowns. "By the way, how're things going between you and Draco? Broken up yet? Has he abused you at all? If he has, I'm definitely going to kick his ass so hard that it'll be numb for the rest of his life."

That last part brings up some rather amusing mental images, but other than that I have no intention of telling him how far we've gone. "Um, nope. We're still together. He hasn't abused me, I promise. If he does I'll be the one to introduce his ass to my boots first."

"Hah, that's probably true," he laughs. "So how is it, going out with your worst enemy?"

I don't even pause to think. "Excellent," I say with a smirk. Of course, he won't know exactly how excellent it is. And I have no plan to tell him, either. Hehehe.

Gosh, I sound like such a lunatic.

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ZOMG! I'm finished! -Dances gleefully- Good thing I got this done before my class trip/camp, or it'd be another week before I got this posted. Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed it! Holidays are in a week so I'll be writing more then.

Toodles! -Blows kiss-