FORTUNE

"Puppy love holds the promise of growing through the years. Our love surely will, and we have a great head start."

⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜

The sun rose high in the sky, showering the castle-like building of the school with its brilliant glow, making Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry shine with radiant splendor.The light of the day so bright was unable to be shielded by the closed curtains as it entered through the window enveloping the couple who lay asleep with no worries relishing each other's presence.

Gaining consciousness Hermione, instinctively pushed herself closer to the warmth surrounding her. Fluttering her eyes open with a smile gracing her lips, for she had just had the best sleep she has had in a while. Taking note of a pair of pale, muscular arms wrapped around her, the drowsiness in her eyes evaporated, replaced by alertness.

With an amount of strength she didn't know she had, Hermione pushed the person with such force that he toppled over the bed, painfully falling on the hard floor caught by surprise.

Using his Veela instincts, Draco alleviated his fall a bit but, the abruptness of the action still got him.

Groaning, he stood up, rubbing his back head pounding for having been jolted awake in the most unpleasant manner.

Hermione, on the other hand, was drowning in guilt as she saw him trying to soothe his pain. She had been the one to ask for his company and, now she is the one kicking him off her bed.

Mentally scolding herself, Hermione jumped down from the bed in record speed, hurrying to Draco's side. She hovered over him, trying to check if he was gravely injured, apologizing continuously the whole time.

Seeing this, Draco ignored his pain, feeling tingly warmth all through him at the thought of his mate caring for him. But he didn't want to appear weak in front of his mate, so he started doing random exercising motions wit a red blush visible on his usually colorless cheeks.

"I am fit and fine, like a Hippogriff. Look! Not even a scratch."

With confusion and amusement reflecting in her eyes, Hermione said," Ok, stop. I believe you. I am still sorry for startling you," she added in the end, still a bit guilty.

"Don't apologize, Hermione," Draco shook his head, " I don't blame you. We should hurry up, though, if we want to get breakfast before classes begin.

Agreeing, she nodded and, he rushed back to his room.

Hermione, glad that he did not question her about last night again, hurried to ready herself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few days later.

She did it.

Hermione finally told her friends the truth.

Now there are no secrets anymore.

Waiting for there reactions after they had frozen with shock after learning the happenings of their friend's life, Hermione rushed her gaze around the Gryffindor common-room once, to ensure that there was no other secretly listening in on them.

Turning back she saw the after-effects of the shock fading and being replaced b-

"And you have no problem with it? How can you be fine with this? This is madness, Hermione!"Ron bellowed.

Harry sharply looked at him. "Don't overstep your limits Ronald," turning to Hermione his gaze softened and he produced an understanding smile, "You never know life's going to hit you next with, do you? It's your life Hermione, your decision.

We, as your friends will support you in everything. Are you sure about trying this mate thing out with Malfoy?"

Hermione nodded, unable to speak.

"You two have talked with each other? Have you shared your thoughts and opinions? " Ginny asked softly, concern for her friend clear in her expression.

Again, Hermione only nodded.

Silence ensued for a few moments.

Hermione broke the silence with her words as she called Ron," I know you care for my happiness and well-being. I understand that you are only looking out for me, but you have not seen how much Draco has changed. Ron, please, give him a chance. I am. Can't you? For me?"

Ron's anger dispersed, leaving worry and sadness for his friend.

"I can, Hermione. Of course, I can. But do you want your freedom to choose your life partner taken from you? The girl I know; a bossy know-it-all, she would never let anyone tell her what to do," he finished with a sad grin.

Hermione smiled.

Taking his hand in hers, she spoke," But it's not Ron. Draco hasn't forced me to do or be anything I don't want to. I want to. It's not like I have anyone else in mind, so I decided to take what life threw at me," she grinned in Harry's direction who smiled back with a twinkle in his eyes, "The last few days, Draco and I have been trying to gain as much information as we can. We talk, and we laugh. He even played a muggle game with me once. He has never misbehaved with me. And it's also refreshing to speak with a person of the same intellectual level for once," she teased.

"Hey!" a chorus of protests was heard before she got attacked by three offended dumb-dumbs.Amidst of laughs and giggles, a cry was heard," Stop! You monsters, leave me. Please...please, stop...ahh, no more!"

But the tickling punishment continued with no mercy.

After a while, when the four teens were sitting on a carpet, tired out, Ginny voiced," You're very fortunate, Hermione. I mean Malfoy, have you looked at him? He was handsome before but now," she whistled, "so well-proportioned, such elegant manners, while I am surrounded with pigs here! Why can't I get someone like him too! " she whined playfully at the end, winking discreetly at Hermione who on realizing the girl's hidden intentions only shook her head prepared for the cries that echoed in the empty room as a furious brother and a jealous boyfriend voiced their frustrations indignantly.

"This is just the beginning and, look! These two are already insulting us. Stupid? Ugly? Pig, huh? This one deserves to get punished as well, don't you think so, mate?" Ron shared a sneaky glance with his best friend. Harry agreed with him in a heartbeat, both advancing towards the girl who was now questioning her life decisions."No! Sorry! I was just joking. No. Don't you dare. Hermione, help me!" Ginny turned hopefully to her best friend who only laughed and later joined the boys in dishing out the punishment.

Thus, the tensions and worries were thrown out the window as another round of tickling commenced.

Last Chapter Next Chapter