Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes and leap
I'm through accepting limits
'Cuz someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change
But 'till I try, I'll never know
Too long I've been afraid of
Losing love - I guess I have lost
Well, if that's love
It comes at much too high a cost
"Professor Devine can I speak to you for a moment, please"
"Of course"
'I need you to promise me that this conversation will go no further than you and me"
"Is everything alright?"
"I just need you to listen to what I have to say..but first you have to promise this conversation is between us"
"HERMIONE!!!"
A blonde torpedo sped towards her and knocked her over ,reaquainting her with the resounding truth that stone hurts to land on.
"Ema..whatever has gotten into you?"
"Mummy changed her mind!! She said we can go on a picnic!"
"She changed her mind? Shouldn't you be with..." she didn't finish her sentence when she saw the blonde laughing and leaning against the wall nearby. , "Ema, I'll be right back"
"Okay, just don't take too long I'm hungry"
Hermione stood up and walked over to Draco, "So..what's going on?"
"A picnic?"
"I know that I mean..what happened to the Professor?"
"Nothing, as far as I know she's in class" he smirked ,"Are you feeling okay?"
Hermione glared at him, "I'm not allowed near Ema or you for that matter." she crossed her arms, "What makes you think I'm having a picnic with you" she whispered the last words..she didn't want to hurt Ema's feelings.
"Oh, I don't think you are having a picnic with us, I know you are" he pushed off the wall and walked towards her, "Are you going to turn us down"
"Maybe"
"Come on , it's a picnic Hermione, who's going to tell? Besides, Professor Devine said it was ok. Ema misses you and shes been rather depressed lately"
"Really?"
"Yea, yesterday she told me that the mean man who had taken her had lied to her when he said he wouldn't hurt her" he kept going, "She said her heart hurt and that she missed you. She didn't understand why everyone was calling you bad names"
"Well...I guess one picnic won't hurt" she smiled and walked back over to Ema. The little girl jumped into her arms automatically and Hermione carried her all the way to the spot Draco had set up.
"Ema picked out the food, so forgive us if there's nothing healthy"
"Hay!! Apple candies are healthy!"
Hermione laughed, "Of course they are hun."
The wind picked up and blew a few napkins across the hill.
"I'll go get them!!" Ema yelled and took of after the small items.
Draco laughed, "I could have told her we have tons more" they watched Ema walk along frustrated as the wind kept blowing a particular napkin out of her reach, "but ..there's something I have to do first"
Hermione laughed, "Please don't tell me this is one of those cheesy , let's get the kid out of the way so we can snog things"
"I would never do that" he laughed, "Unless of course you want it to be that way"
Hermione blushed.
"Do you?" he asked with a smile
Hermione laughed, "At the moment my feelings aren't very significant. I don't want another repeat of before but yes, for the record, I wouldn't mind having a few moments alone with you"
"I'm sure I can arrange that"
"Draco, you know that's not a good idea.." she shifted over on the blanket and put some space between them ,"If it was just you and I, I might consider risking it. Your father doesn't scare me...but Ema..we don't have the right to toy with her safety. I know your dad is mostly talk but to a young girl he's terrifying"
"Trist me, I kniow how terrifing my father can be at that age."
"I'm sorry you had to put up with him."
Draco rolled his eyes, "It's not too bad if you obey him. He's quite reasonable when he knows he's going to get his way"
"I'm glad you're not like him"
"How do you know I'm not?"
"You're eyes aren't empty like his. You still hold emotion, whether anger, hurt or..love" she toyed with the picnic blanket, "We should call Ema back"
"Hermione.."he reached across and took her hand,"Of all the emotions I've felt towards you, the last one you just said is the most dominant" he kissed her fingers, "someday I will show you that"
"EMA!" Hermione yelled while pulling her hand from Dracos. It tingled where he had kissed and her heart had done a backflip when he had spoken. It was sounded so silly when she tried to describe her feelings, as if it belonged in some cheap romance novel but that was how she felt. It was surreal and unique.
"Look what I found!!" Ema proudly held up a frog,"If I kiss hm do you think I'll get a prince?"
Hermionme laughed,"Eww would you really like a prince that once ate flies?" she watched the look on Ema's face scrunch up.
"Hmmm...true,that would be rather icky...maybe I'll let mummy kiss him first. She needs a prince more than I do"
Draco choked on his juice as a laugh burst out,"Don't say that in front of your mother? She might turn you into a frog"
"No she wouldn't...would she?"she looked back and forth between Hermione and Draco," Would she??...have yours ever turned you into anything as a punishment??...STOP LAUGHING!!!"
"Well well..Miss Granger, we meet again so soon"
Hermione rolled her eyes and turned around, "Don't you have a rock you belong under?"
"Oh, my such wit...I do love your sassy attitude." he stepped closer, 'It would be such a delight to break that spirit"
"What do you want Mr.Malfoy?"
"Oh..you're not a stupid girl, you know what I want. In fact it's what I wanted from the beginning. Goodness, is your short term memory that bad?"
"I'm staying away from Draco..just like you asked.. "
"Oh really? A little birdy has told me otherwise"
Hermione raised an eyebrow, "Well you're mistaken" she crossed her arms, "I had a picnic today with Ema and Draco but that was about the whole of it. There is no romantic relationship, it's purely for the sake of the child."
"and I'm supposed to believe filth like you?"
"Yep, sadly you'll just have to"
Lucius tossed his hair over his shoulder and smoothed a section of his cloak, "Yes, well..seeing as you have refused to listen to my simple instructions"
"Hold on a moment! I did exactly as you said!! Provided I was talking to Draco and I was physically sitting beside him but that was about it. I wouldn't risk anything with Draco when Ema's the one who will pay"
"Oh, that's where you're wrong" he took a deep breath, "I threatened the little girl and it wasn't enough to make you realize how serious I am. Which can only mean I have to find another way to get through to you"
Hermione took a step back as Lucius pulled out his wand, "Wha..what are you doing?"
"Don't worry..this will all be over in a few hours" he smirked, "Cruci.."
<TACKLE>
<PUNCH>
<WHAM>
Those would be the sounds of Lucius hitting the ground and Harry's fists being introduced to his pretty face.
"DON''t" <punch>"EVER" <Punch>"TOUCH"<punch> "HER" <punch> "AGAIN"
Hermione was frantically trying to pull Harry off when Draco, Professor Devine and Dumbledore showed up to give her a hand.
"Father!" Draco ran over to his side and helped him up, "Are you alright?"
Lucius straightened his robes and wiped some blood from his mouth, "Quite alright, luckily for me, Mr. Potter is still young and hits like a girl"
Hermione held onto Harry's hand when he lept forward, "Please...don't" she simply whispered into his ear.
"Lucius I am quite surprised at you, drawing your wand on a young girl. What threat could she possibly be to you?" Dumbledore was standing in front of Lucius, blocking Harry's view and path to him, "I am going to have to report this to the ministry"
"Go ahead, you know that nothing will happen. It was a quiet misundestanding" he turned to Granger, "I think things are back on track now"
"Lucius, why don't you come with me and we'll discuss this further" Dumbledore ushered him towards the castle, "as for the rest of you, get some rest"
As Lucius was walking he stopped and turned around, "Oh , Miss Granger, I think you might find this of some interest." he handed her a piece of parchment, "My little birdy is quite useless to me now"
Hermione gazed curiosly at it before opening,
Malfoy,
She's at it again. I think it may take a bit more than Ema to keep her away from him this time
R.W
A/N...I don't own the musical Wicked :( and for those who asked I had a baby girl named Amanda.
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