Chapter 7: "To do it, or not to do it, why can't there be another answer!"
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"Oh!" Ginny yelled. Draco collapsed on top of her. Both of them sweaty, Draco propped himself up on his elbows to take his weight off of Ginny's body. His hair was matted to his forehead and in his eyes. Ginny could never get enough of how good he looked like that.
The night had started off with Ginny meeting her family at the Burrow, to eat dinner and open Christmas presents. And to have her mother crying all night about how accomplished her children were. Ginny said a tired good bye to her family members and returned home. As she walked into her room she saw a very superbly dressed Draco leaning against her dresser.
"What, how…" Ginny said turning around to see if Hermione or Luna was around in the hall. She then closed the door.
"Luna. She let me in." Draco said.
"Why didn't I guess before?" Ginny said rolling her eyes.
"You look nice." Draco said looking at her outfit. Ginny opted to wear a white body hugging sweater and a brown skirt with brown boots. Her hair was up in a knot on her head.
"Thank you. You, you like pretty good yourself." she said nodding toward his attire.
He looked down at the dark gray silk suit he had on, which matched his eyes perfectly.
"I was at mother's for Christmas dinner. She tried to push me to talk to her best friend's daughter Lila. The girl had a gap between her teeth the size of a Quidditch field! Though of course, she is pure blood and her family is old money, so there's a lot of it." Draco said sighing and pulling off the jacket. He sat down on her bed.
" Well, maybe she's a nice girl." Ginny said.
"No, she's not my type." Draco said. She took off her boots. She shrank about 3 inches. Draco tried to hold back his smirk. She noticed.
"Shut up!" she said annoyed. Draco chuckled and walked over to her.
"Besides, I like my girl's petite." he whispered seductively in her ear. He then kissed it. Ginny shivered with pure pleasure. "Well, um, good luck with that." she managed to whisper.
Draco's eyes began to turn a deeper shade of gray. Even though it hadn't been long since their "relationship" began, Ginny already knew what that meant.
"Oh, but I don't need any luck. I think I already have one." he said pulling her close and kissing her.
Then of course, they wound up having sex. Like always. Ginny was of course not complaining. What woman in her right mind would? But she was scared of what was going to happen.
He nuzzled her neck. "You." he said kissing it every other word. "Are." "So." "Beautiful."
Ginny felt her insides tie in a knot. She didn't want this, she didn't want to get feelings for him. As immature, and stupid as it sounded, she was a Gryffindor, he a Slytherin. A Weasley. A Malfoy. It could never work out. But Merlin, how her heart was telling her another thing.
"No I'm not." she said looking away. He tilted her chin toward him.
"Yes, you are." he said and kissed her lips. She could have melted right there.
"Draco…"she whispered. He put a finger to her lips.
"Wait, first let me go. I want you to join me for dinner at Marcello's tomorrow night." he said smiling at her. Something she never thought she'd see him do.
"I…I…" she said.
"Come on. A nice romantic dinner for two. We could go back to my place afterwards. I would love to show it to you. I'm no interior designer but I'm not half bad." he said.
Ginny looked at him. She didn't want to say no, hell, she couldn't say no.
"Ok." she responded.
"Great! I'll pick you up at 7." he said grinning. He was showing his genuine happiness. He gave her a peck and got up.
Ginny looked at him in an almost adoring manner. He stood up and put his clothes back on. She wrapped the sheets around her feeling cold without his body to warm her up.
"I'll see you tomorrow." he said still smiling. He kissed her one final time and apparated.
Ginny stared at the blank spot where Draco had stood moments earlier. She was so confused. Her mind was telling her one thing, but her heart another.
"Oh god, I just need to go to sleep and stop thinking." she groaned and fell back against her pillows that conveniently smelled like Draco.
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Harry didn't know why he was there. He hadn't planned on going there. But somehow, there he was, standing outside the door of Hermione's place. 'Just go home.' he thought to himself. But, naturally, he ignored his own advice and knocked on the door. He heard rustling inside and the sounds of the locks coming undone. The door opened and a dirty blonde head poked outside.
"Oh. Hello Harry!" she said brightly, even though it was nearly 12 at night. She had what appeared to be a male's shirt on.
"Hi, Luna…erm…is…" Harry said looking at the floor.
"No, Hermione isn't here. She's at Blaise's." Luna said knowing exactly what he was going to ask.
Harry sighed. "Of course." he said and then turned around to leave. "God, I'm such an idiot!"
"If you want you could talk to me. Ron's here, as well." Luna suggested. Harry stopped, contemplating it. Then he turned and entered the house.
Ron had come out of the hallway, his hair slightly askew and wearing just gray pajama bottoms.
"Harry?! What happened?" Ron asked surprised to see his best friend there.
"Nothing." he said immediately regretting taking Luna up on her offer.
"He wanted to talk. I assume it's about Hermione since she was the reason that he came here." Luna said wrapping her arm around Ron's bare waist.
"Is that right?" Ron said smiling amused.
"Bugger off." Harry groaned sitting down at the table and putting his head in his hands.
"No, it's a little late for that. Now, why exactly did you come here at midnight to see her?" Ron asked sitting across from him.
"I honestly have no idea. I was just walking around Hogsmeade and I just felt incredibly guilty about the whole not believing Hermione thing. Did she get my flowers by the way?" Harry said looking at Luna.
Luna nodded. "Yes, she sighed and put them in water." she said.
"Well at least she didn't throw them out." Harry said attempting to be optimistic.
"I guess, but I think it may take awhile for her to forgive you." Luna said sitting on Ron's lap.
"Great, just dandy." Harry said sarcastically putting his head in his arms.
"I still think you should talk to her mate. You know she gets worked up over things but then she cools off." Ron said.
"Yeah, but usually it was over petty little stuff. This time, it's something pretty serious." Harry said.
"Well, it was your fault for not believing her." Luna said.
"Thanks, Luna. You know how to make a guy feel better." Harry groaned.
Then they heard the door opening and Hermione walking in with a smile on her face. Then as soon as she saw Harry, it fell.
"I'm going to bed, Goodnight. Luna. Ron." she said and began to walk towards the hallway.
"No! Wait! Hermione! Please." Harry said rushing from his chair to her. He stopped in front of her.
"What Harry!" she demanded impatiently.
"Please, we need to talk." He pleaded.
"No. We don't. I got your flowers, thank you for them. I read your atrociously long letter and I burned it. You had made your decision." she said firmly.
"Um, Luna. Let's go back to your room." Ron said pulling Luna towards the room.
"Oh but I want to watch!" Luna said not walking farther and standing in front of them.
"Luna, come on!" He said and pulled her into the room.
"Oh, fun we get to continue having sex!" Luna's voice said excitedly as the door closed.
"There is nothing further to discuss." Hermione said.
"Yes! There is! There is plenty to discuss! Hermione I would do anything for you to forgive me. I've been going out of my mind with the torture that you may not forgive me again. I couldn't possibly live with that!" Harry urged.
Hermione opened her mouth to reply when all of a sudden Harry got down on his knees and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Please!" he pleaded. He looked up at her with puppy dog eyes. Hermione felt herself laughing.
"Harry. Get up." she said.
"Not until, you forgive me." he said stubbornly.
"Forgive you for what?" Hermione said.
"For acting like a jerk." he said.
"And…" she said.
"And for acting like a complete asshole and not believing my best friend in the whole wide world when she tried to warn me about the evil, deceiving, bitch of an ex I had." Harry said.
"Oh, I like that." Hermione said.
Harry smiled. "Do you forgive me then?" he asked. Hermione looked at him, thinking about it. She really wanted to but she wasn't sure whether or not her pride would let her.
"All right then." she said. Then Harry grinned and stood up. He engulfed her in a massive hug and picked her up. She laughed. He then set her down.
"But if you ever screw up like that again. There is not going to be another chance." Hermione said looking at him to make sure he got the point.
"On my honor." he said raising his right hand.
She smiled at him and gave him another hug. "I really missed you 'Mione." he said resting his chin on her head.
"I know, it felt weird not talking to you." she said.
"Hey, why don't you meet me at the Quidditch field tomorrow after practice so we can go to lunch." he suggested.
"Oh, I don't know Harry." Hermione said thinking about all the things she needed to get done at work.
"Please!!!" he whined getting down on his knees again and grabbing her around the waist.
"OK! Ok!" she said chuckling.
"Perfect! Meet me outside the locker rooms at 1." he said. She nodded. He then smiled and kissed her cheek. His hand placed on her other one. She looked into his green eyes with her warm brown ones and she blushed. He then stepped back and apparated.
'Ugh, Merlin Hermione. Can't you ever stick to a decision.' she scolded herself. 'But, his apology did seem genuine.' She sighed and walked to her room.
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Hermione stood waiting outside the men's locker room. She shivered as the end of December weather blew in a chill. She brought the black trench coat closer to her body. She had her pulled back, after straightening it, the night before. She wore some light make up and a pair of jeans with black boots. Dare she say she looked pretty. She wasn't sure, on exactly why she had spent so much time on appearance, but she did.
She had told Blaise she was going to be meeting Harry for lunch and it was anything but pleased.
"He completely betrayed your friendship. He humiliated you at his engagement party and you were on the cover of the Daily Prophet, two weeks in a row!" Blaise said outraged.
"I know, but his apology was very sincere." Hermione insisted.
"I just don't trust him. He could always do it again. It's like cheating. Once someone does, the chances are they'll do it again." Blaise said pacing in his living room.
"Blaise, honey. Just trust me with my decision. Ok?" she said stopping him and making him look at her.
Blaise hesitated but then reluctantly agreed. "Fine. But if he does anything to hurt you again…" he said.
"I'll make sure I won't tell anyone when you hex him into oblivion." she said smiling.
She heard some footsteps and voices and then the male member of the Quidditch team turned the corner. All of them sweaty and with wind blown hair. Among them were Harry and Ron. Ron noticed Hermione and waved to her
"Hey, Hermione." he said. Harry turned his head, after talking to Nigel and stared for a minute. Then his face broke out in a grin.
"Hey! You're here! I'll be out in a sec." he said giving her a quick hug.
"Ok." she said smiling. They all walked in and Hermione waited. It took about 10 minutes before Ron and Harry emerged.
"Hey, ready?" Harry asked stepping next to her. He had obviously taken a quick shower, Hermione smelled the brisk clean smell of the soap. It was mixed in with his wonderful smelling cologne. His hair was wet and disheveled but it looked nice. He had changed into a pair of jeans and a button down blue shirt.
"Yea, all set." she said.
"You going to come Ron?" Harry asked.
"Naw, told Luna I was going to meet her at the flat for lunch. She wanted to try this new concoction she made up. So if I don't see you in practice mate, you know where I'll be." Ron said putting his hand on his shoulder.
"Yea, slumped over a toilet. Or being taken care of by your sister at St. Mungo's ." Harry joked. Hermione laughed as Ron nodded. He waved them off and then apparated.
"So where did you have in mind to go?" Hermione asked walking down the hall.
"I was thinking of this little café in Diagon Alley. It's very nice and is very private." Harry said putting his arm around her waist.
Hermione wasn't sure, what to take of this. Her and Blaise were basically an item now and she wasn't sure if it was appropriate for her to let Harry do that. But she shrugged it off and didn't mind.
They made it to Diagon Alley and walked into a small café called The Cauldron. It was a very warm and cozy place. A few witches and wizards were dining in there having soft conversations. The friendly waiter sat them down and handed them a menu.
"The Caesar salad is very good, as well as the club sandwich." Harry said skimming the menu.
"Oh good, I'll have the salad. I'm going to have a big dinner with Blaise tonight." Hermione said closing the menu and straightening her coat.
Harry made a noise. Hermione looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"What was that?" she asked staring at him.
"Nothing." Harry said continuing to look at the menu.
"May I take your order?" the waiter asked.
"I'll have the Caesar salad with a water please." Hermione said handing them the menu.
"I'll have the Deluxe club sandwich, thank you." Harry said.
The waiter nodded and left. Harry looked at Hermione.
"So, where are you and Blaise going for dinner." Harry said trying to keep the bitterness out of his voice. Hermione had already sensed it.
"We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to Harry." Hermione said tearing off a piece of a breadstick.
"Why, I don't mind." Harry said stuffing one into his mouth. Hermione frowned.
"All right. Well, he was planning on cooking a dinner for the two of us." Hermione said.
"Pshh…That's original." Harry murmured.
"Harry!" Hermione scolded.
"What?!" Harry said trying to act cool.
Hermione shook her head. "Anyway, how was your practice?" Hermione asked, thinking it was best to change the subject.
"It was ok. Coach worked us nearly to death." Harry said.
"Yes, well the finals for the world cup are a few weeks away." Hermione said.
Harry looked at her, surprised. "What?" she asked. Harry chuckled.
"Didn't know that you were keeping up with Quidditch." Harry said pulling out the utensils from his napkin, so he could set it on his lap as their food arrived.
"Of course, I do. One of my best friends is the star seeker." Hermione said sticking her fork into the salad.
"Yes, well back in Hogwarts, you rarely knew what team was playing who." Harry said taking a bite of his sandwich.
"Yes, well that was because I was always obsessed with studying. Now, I just have my job and well, things change. I actually fancy the game a bit more." she said delicately eating her salad.
"Ok." Harry said amused.
"It's getting a bit warm in here." Hermione said and then took off her coat. She had a red v neck shirt on. Harry smirked. She had a string from the coat across her shoulder. Harry reached over to take it off. Hermione looked alarmed and smacked his hand away.
"Ouch! What was that for!" Harry said rubbing his hand.
"You were reaching for my breast!" she said.
"I was not! I was going to take that string off." he said pointing.
"Oh, well, I'm…I'm sorry." Hermione said feeling embarrassed.
"I know your with Blaise, Hermione. So no matter how bad I would love to do that, I have respect for you." Harry said not thinking. Then Hermione's eyes widened and Harry realized what he had said.
"Erm, right. Um, let's just eat." Harry said and took a huge bite of his sandwich.
"Yes, let's." Hermione said blushing furiously.
"That was the money shot!" Camilla Stratslater said as her photographer snapped the picture of Harry reaching over to touch Hermione's chest. They were outside the café peering in.
"Yer, I have to agree with you there." he said grinning.
"I already have the perfect, juicy story to type up about it." Camilla said grinning. "Harry Potter getting frisky with longtime lover in Café. What will Jacklyn think! Oh, I smell the drama brewing."
"You always know how to ruin people's lives, boss." the photographer said.
"Of course I do, darling. That's my job." she said examining her nails.
"Now let's move on to Jacklyn's house. I want to catch Meyer's leaving Jacklyn's home." Camilla said and began to walk off. Her photographer followed.
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"Luna….why does the house smell like something is burning." Ron said apparating into his flat.
"Oh, the chicken just got a little toasty in the oven." Luna said stepping out from the kitchen. She had an apron and oven mitts on. She was holding a small tray with a burnt chicken in it.
"A little toasty Luna?" Ron said looking at it uneasy.
"Yea, it just stayed in the oven a little longer than usual." Luna said smiling.
"How much longer?" Ron asked scared.
"About an hour." she replied.
"An hour Luna!" Ron said shocked.
"Yes, is something wrong?" she asked, cocking her head to the side.
"Erm, no." Ron said.
"Great! I'll carve the chicken up." she said brightly.
"Wait! Um…Luna. Why don't we um….have sex instead?" Ron said knowing that she would quickly agree.
"You want to have sex now?" she said looking at him quizzically.
"Yes." Ron said.
"With the chicken?" Luna said raising her eyebrow.
"Ye…No! What! No. No way Luna." he said looking disgusted.
"Then what's going to happen to the chicken?" Luna said looking down at the chicken disappointed.
Ron immediately regretted suggesting the sex thing. He hated to make Luna feel bad.
"Honey, it's ok. We can eat the chicken now. Sex can wait." Ron said hugging her and kissing her temple. Then Luna set the chicken down and jumped on top of Ron. She wrapped her legs around his waist and kissed him.
"Never mind. I want to have sex now." Luna said grinning. Ron was surprised.
"We don't have to…" Ron said but was cut off with Luna's mouth over hers. His eyes rolled into the back of his as she kissed him passionately. He then walked them into the wall. Luna was pressed against it, attempting to raise his shirt over his head.
"Yea, we'll definitely have the chicken later." Ron muttered.
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AN: Hello. *readers throw tomatoes* AH! I'm very sorry for the extremely long wait for the chapter. First I had exams, then my computer went kaboom! Then I had the dreaded *dramatic music* writers block. *scream* I typed up 2 chapter 7's and deleted both of them, not satisfied. Then I finally was able to write this one and I hope everyone enjoyed it! So please review and let me know what u think! I loved reading your reviews from the last chapter! And don't worry I have already gotten started on chapter 8. It should be out, at the latest by next Monday. Bye!