Magnetic Attraction - Chapter Eleven

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Chapter 11: Act With Me

Ginny watched the Marauder’s map with a small smirk. Apparently Hermione and Malfoy were sneaking out. Judging by the close proximity against the wall, they were up to something, and it didn’t seem very academic. Of course, Ginny Weasley didn’t know that this was simply because Malfoy was reaming out Hermione about past relationships, rather than that the teenager was sliding his tongue artfully down the girl’s throat. But what can be expected from a 16-year-old girl?

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Tuesday continued on much like Monday had, with the exception of a much relieved and less stressed Draco, who could be seen once again smirking and winking at younger girls, as well as a very confused Hermione, who spent class staring at him with a pondered expression, then hurriedly looking away when his glance was returned. After seeing Draco’s urgent stare the previous night, and having him curl his arms lovingly around her after she had told him what happened between him and Cedric, she was honestly lost. What on earth had led him to behave like that? There was only one thing that had ever made Ron or Harry look so frustrated and wishful: love. Love? Why the hell would he be in love with her? But if that weren’t it, why would he be so anxious as to stop only before actually shaking her back and forth.

Draco smirked to himself as he finished his charms homework, looking right at home in the Muggle Studies classroom. Hermione took a break from her notes to just look him over. It wasn’t like there was a way to tell if he was in love with her or not. Did he seem like he was? She couldn’t tell, though he looked happy, that was obvious. But for her, that wasn’t the frightening question all of a sudden.

How did she feel about Draco Malfoy? Not love, that she was certain. And he was no longer her enemy, but friend? They seemed beyond friendship for some reason. Friends-with-benefits? She hated that term to hell and back, but it did seem to fit. They kissed, well, more like made-out, three times so far. Did he want something more, like an actual relationship? Did she?

He was handsome; yes she knew that. That was as well as smart, and funny, and flirty, and talented. But there was also arrogant, and bitter, and a part of him that bullied her friends, and there were backgrounds to deal with. This wasn’t some preteen romance movie. She wasn’t the girl-next-door.

Horror of all horrors, he looked up and me her eyes while sucking casually on his quill tip. She blushed and tried to look down but she couldn’t, because his eyes… his eyes were blue, not silver or gray. He wasn’t Cedric. Cedric was gone and wasn’t coming back. And suddenly, she understood.

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The Slytherins absolutely hated that she sat with them, Pansy especially. Hermione tried to sit as close to Draco as she could without anybody noticing, in fear of the girl scowling at her with beady eyes. None of them really talked, although Hermione figured that was because she was there. Draco found this wickedly funny, and of course allowed her to grip his arm tightly as they, or he, ate lunch. This was his personal revenge against Pansy for all of her annoyingly slutty behavior. Deciding to put Hermione out of her misery, he nodded goodbye to Zambini, Crabbe, and Goyle before standing up and pulling her forcefully over the bench to keep up their ‘enemy’ persona. When they were out of the Great Hall he became gentler and relinquished his grip on her hand to drape his arm across her shoulder. She didn’t protest, just wondered more about their impossible relationship.

“We’ve got fifteen minutes before Potions, anything you want to do, Granger?” he asked leisurely, still relieved that she hadn’t slept with Cedric.

“I need a book from the library for my Muggle Studies essay.” He sighed but nodded and let her steer him up the stairs. “And we should also start to plan the Yule Ball Dumbledore wanted us to do. He wants to make them a tradition or something to celebrate that Voldemort’s gone.” He rolled his eyes, causing her to scoff. “Malfoy, this is an honor, he’s trusting us to plan a memorable event on our own!”

“I can think of many ways to make a ball special, none of which include fancy decorations or a famous band,” he responded slyly, smirking at her disapproval.

“I know what you’re insinuating, and it’s not funny,” she responded tartly, readjusting her shoulder strap, which he had jostled. “But we have a little over two months and I want to leave Hogwarts with a bang.” He rolled his eyes but she didn’t notice. “And speaking of music, I don’t want to just book the Weird Sisters like we always do, we should do something different for once.”

“Do we honestly need to discuss this now?” he whined again, just to make her mad. It worked, and she huffed impatiently before shrugging his arm off her shoulder and taking her hand. Choosing to continue as if he hadn’t spoken, she said,

“Maybe we could get a student DJ, or an open mike night or something. You know, to keep students involved.” Draco had an urge to mimic her voice and repeat her words back to her, but chose not to when he saw how excited she looked. A small grin had worked its way across her pale lips as she thought of all the plans that would have to be made. Without realizing it, he began to smile too. “I suppose Luna would be a good DJ, she was hilarious when she was a quidditch commentator last year.” Draco wasn’t a romantic, and never was one to believe that the person he loved was his soul reason to live, but he couldn’t help but feel better when Hermione was happy. After all, when she was happy there was a better chance Diggory was far from her mind. “Oh that would be so much fun, maybe I could go up and sing something even. That would surprise everyone.” What would surprise everyone would be if she let him kiss her in public and scare the crap out of Weasley.

“If you’ll get up the guts to sing, I’ll back you up on the DJ idea,” he told her, pushing open the door to the library. She smiled gratefully up at him, before dragging him past the rows of bookshelves, looking down each one without stopping her pace. “I’m sure Dumbledore would love the idea, he’d probably go up and sing the hokey pokey.” She giggled slightly, before pulling him around a corner.

“I can only imagine what Professor McGonagall would say about that,” she added. He watched her head bounce up and down in front of him, almost glistening in the light spilling from the windows. My god, he realized, I’m obsessed with her!

“Or Snape if he were still around. He’d get that weird scowl he had when he didn’t understand something.” She laughed, remembering her late professor’s look well.

“Almost there,” she commented as she checked the numbers of the isles. “Here we go.” She turned another corner but stopped abruptly, causing him to walk into her.

“What is it?” he asked as he moved to stand beside her. He followed her gaze to a couple looking very… busy against a bookshelf. With a sneer he identified them as Weasley and his two-knut slut. But with a gasp he realized that it wasn’t Weasley’s girlfriend the redhead was tonguing, it was the other one, Patil. He knew Hermione had come to the same conclusion as her lips turned to thin lines. Wondering whether to simply back away slowly or to take pleasure in interrupting them, he stood there in awe. However, Hermione was already thinking. She turned around slowly, trying not to notify the couple of their presence, to face him. With a smirk that indicated she was scheming, she whispered,

“Act with me.” He raised an eyebrow in confusion, but nodded hesitantly, considering what she meant. Hermione smiled devilishly, before sliding her hands up his chest to the folded collar of his robes, entwining her hands into the material. With a wink reserved to revenge, she tightened her hold and whirled him around and threw his back against a bookcase, before pushing her chest against him and meeting his lips in a demanding kiss. Completely stunned, Draco responded on autopilot, forgetting about Weasley and his mistress as Hermione’s tongue fearlessly entered his mouth. His hands moved automatically to her back, pulling her closer. He wasn’t acting.

Time seemed to slow down as Hermione closed her eyes and ran her hands downward to where his shirt was tucked neatly into his pants. She yanked it up, trying to seem lust driven and horny to really freak out Ron. When it was free she slid her hands up his chest under his shirt, marveling at the feel of the flat out muscle under her fingertips. Noticing her forward approach, Draco took a leap and cupped her butt in his hands, lifting her up. She didn’t protest and wrapped her legs around his waist.

Care for a little sweet revenge, Hermione? He had asked her, but she had turned him down. Well, here was her answer. Ron had used her for homework help, fallen on her as a backup date, and had blatantly ditched her when they’d had plans. At least Harry had apologized if he met up with Ginny but not Ron. No, he was above that. So now he could squirm, endure confusion. She had a new support and didn’t need him. Draco was better than Ron, especially in terms of protection. Hermione smirked against Draco’s lips, biting down lightly on his lower lip. He growled possessively, moving his mouth to suck overzealously on her neck. She groaned, digging her nails into his skin in a mix of exaggeration and ecstasy. Damn, he knew what he was doing.

Part of Draco’s mind was wondering why Hermione was letting him go farther with her now than she had when they were in the privacy of their own rooms. The other part just didn’t really care as he slid one of his hands under the back of her shirt. She giggled, her breathing fast. With a smirk to match hers, he realized she wasn’t acting either, and that she was enjoying this as much as he was. He actually forgot that Weasley was watching them openmouthed a few feet away. As always, Ron took the liberty of reminding him.

“Get OFF her, Malfoy!” Hermione grinned as she and Draco innocently turned their heads to stare at the furious Redhead, whose make-out buddy was also complete shocked. Hermione made no move to get off Draco, and they pretended that they were just noticing the couple.

“Oh hello Ron, Parvati,” she said calmly as Draco stroked his index finger in a circle over her skin. “Do you mind? We’re kind of busy.” As previously predicted, Ron’s face began to grow purple. He fisted his hands and his eyes twitched comically. Draco stifled a snort and reminded himself to compliment Hermione on her genius question.

“Yes I bloody mind! What on earth are you doing?” he bellowed, stepping forward. She took this as an indication to dismount (A/N: I can’t help but snicker. Excuse me. Heh Heh.) Draco and take his hand, while smoothing her skirt. He buttoned his lower shirt one handed.

“I would think that’s an obvious question, Ron. Less obvious and stupid would be the question, why are you in an isolated portion of the library with a girl who is not your girlfriend?” His face paled to an ironic shade of light lavender, and Parvati had the decency to look ashamed. Ron stuttered.

“Why don’t you ‘um…’ over that for a while. Now if you’ll excuse us,” she winked. Draco took over.

“And Weasley, here’s some advice,” he drawled, drawing their attention. “If you’re ever dumb enough to cheat on your girlfriend, make sure it’s not in a public place where anyone could find out and tell said girlfriend.” All four of them understood what he was implying. You don’t tell, and I won’t either. “And have the decency to at least snog someone slightly hot.” Parvati’s jaw dropped as Draco turned on his leather loafer clad heel and led a snickering Hermione away.

When they were safely out of the library, she pulled him into an alcove, beaming with a job well done.

“My god, that was absolutely brilliant,” she said, squeezing his hand.

“We have to mess with his head and act really gooey around him to torture him,” he added devilishly, for once looking forward to breakfast with the Gryffindors.

“Let’s be late for Potions to make his imagination go haywire,” she whispered quietly, moving her hand up to his neck. He leaned forward to kiss her softly on the lips. She responded eagerly, turning to lean against the wall.

Let’s just say a very upset Ron watched the door of the Potions classroom like a hawk, and frowned deeply when a disheveled Hermione and Draco entered in ten minutes.

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“You should probably sneak back to your dorm now, Mya,” Cedric said as he stretched out on the couch across from her, his voice content. Hermione sighed as she sat up, glancing at her watch.

“There’s no point, it’s not as if I’ll be able to sleep.”

“I can’t really reassure you without being a hypocrite,” he responded. “Why don’t we just spend the night here?” She shifted nervously, but nodded, knowing her was right.

“I don’t have any pajamas,” she protested tiredly as he stood up. She watched as he picked up his backpack off the floor.

“I’m sure I’ve got something you can wear.” She nodded, and accepted the clothing he handed her without comment. It wasn’t until later, when she lay next to him with his arms wrapped comfortingly around her, and the thunder and lightening outside started that she realized what this meant.

She was in love with Cedric Diggory.

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