Hermione POV
Hermione strode into the common room with Ginny after dinner. The two friends were chattering when all of a sudden Hermione fell silent. Ginny saw her disgusted face and followed her gaze. What she saw was not a pretty sight. Ron and Lavender had squeezed into the same chair and were snogging each other, thrashing about like a pair of eels. It was vile. And the worst part was that they had chosen to engage in theses "activities" in the middle of the common room, so no matter where you went you could see the pair. Ginny turned to see a tear soaked Hermione dashing across the common room, already halfway up the stairs to the girls' dormitories. Ginny quickly followed her up. Ginny entered her friend's room and gingerly sat on her bed. Hermione popped up and wiped her tears away. She turned to Ginny.
"He's such a prat!" ranted Hermione. "I can't believe he's snogging Lavender again. Why does he have to flaunt his relationship with her?" she continued.
"I don't know, Hermione." sighed Ginny.
"They aren't even snogging. It's more like sucking faces." Hermione complained.
"Calm down 'Mione! It's okay. You just need something to distract you and take your mind off my idiot brother." soothed Ginny.
"Like what?" Hermione asked.
"How about who you're going to take to the next Slug Club party." Ginny pointed out.
"In all honesty that is the least of my worries." said Hermione.
"Well you could use it to make Ron jealous" Ginny said.
"I don't know Gin. Jealousy? That never leads anywhere good." Hermione reminded her.
"Well a good dose of jealousy is healthy, and it will do the trick. It's JUST what that git needs." stated Ginny.
"Okay, say I do take someone to make Ron jealous. Who would I take?" Hermione asked.
"It has to be someone absolutely horrible. Someone Ron DESPISES. They would have to agree to this too. IT's not like you could get away with confunding someone again. ...CONFUNDING! That's it! Take Cormac McLaggen!" exclaimed Ginny. Hermione made a sour face then bent over making retching noises. When she came back up, both girls broke out in uncontrollable laughter. Gasping, Hermione and Ginny attempted to calm down.
"McLaggen? He's such a pig!" Hermione answered, disgusted. Ginny glared at her.
"Fine! If you don't appreciate my idea then we don't have to use it!" said Ginny with contempt.
"NO! I didn't mean it like that. Just... eurgh NOT Cormac! ANYONE but him!" Hermione cried.
"Anyone?" asked Ginny with a glint in her eye.
"Ginny...? Whatever you're thinking... I really don't like where it's going." Hermione said. Ginny looked at her innocently. She had a slightly hurt look on her face.
"What? You don't trust me, 'Mione?" Ginny asked in a soft voice.
"No," Hermione replied, "It's just that I don't trust that look in your eye. It's you scheming look and it makes me nervous. Very nervous."
"Just hear me out, okay." said Ginny.
Hermione sighed exasperatedly. "Fine, keep going." she said.
Ginny looked around deviously then leaned in and whispered one name; "Draco Malfoy".
"No. No. No. NO! Why on earth would I ever even CONSIDER going with that... that foul, loathsome, evil, little cockroach?" Hermione screamed.
"And that my dear 'Mione is why he is perfect!" reasoned Ginny.
Hermione was still breathing hard and had a revolted expression plastered on her face. "But come on Ginny? Him? HE has been the bane of my existence forever!" seethed Hermione.
"Well in my defense, you did say anyone 'Mione." Ginny said defensively.
"But... But Malfoy? Not only shouldn't it be done, it can't be done!" exclaimed Hermione.
"Oh, really?" inquired Ginny, "How so?"
"Well for starters, he hates muggleborns AND Gryffindors, his parents are Deatheaters, and there's a more than likely chance that he's out to kill Dumbledore." Hermione let out all in one breath.
"Parents...Parents...Parents...Voldemort. Liable excuses I would say." pointed out Ginny, ticking off her reasons on her fingers.
"Again, it's Draco!" exclaimed Hermione. "He's been the one that made our lives a living nightmare and yet you expect me to ask him to go to the Slug Club party with me?!" she asked incredulously.
"Yes. That about sums it up." retorted Ginny.
"And if I don't ask him?" inquired Hermione.
"Then I shall pester you until you agree." answered Ginny.
"Gin, you are the worst! Fine. Let's pretend I do, in fact, ask Malfoy. Why would he say yes?" Hermione asked.
"Isn't it obvious 'Mione? He hates Ron and will get joy out of doing something to annoy him. And it will get that pug-faced monstrosity Pansy off his back! Tell him THAT and he will agree in a heartbeat." pointed out Ginny.
"Gin, you are a genius. An evil genius!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Why thank you! I do pride myself on my mischievous abilities. I learned from the best." Ginny replied.
"Fred?" ventured Hermione.
"And George!" Ginny added.
Both girls had a devilish glint in their eyes as they gave each other identical evil grins. Together they said, "Sounds like a plan!"
Draco POV
Draco was feeling particularly irritable today. Crabbe and Goyle were failing with the most menial tasks, and Pansy just would NOT leave him alone. After every class she had dragged him into various alcoves and attempted to snog him. And worse, during dinner in the Great Hall, she started telling everyone she was his girlfriend. Eurgh! As if! Draco had just succeeded in throwing her off, and he escaped to his dormitory. When he entered his room, Blaise was gazing amusedly out the window. Draco cleared his throat and the Italian turned to greet him.
"Hey mate." greeted Blaise.
Draco just gave him a grunt and trudged over to his four poster bed. He unceremoniously dumped his bag on the floor and collapsed on top of his bed.
"Rough day then, huh?" asked Blaise.
"Crabbe and Goyle are complete idiots. They can't complete the simplest tasks. AND the she-devil herself would not leave me alone. She followed me around like and irritating dog!" complained Draco.
Blaise winced and then gave Draco a sympathetic look.
"Today she told me you two were dating. I'm guessing you aren't judging from that disgusted look you have on your face." stated Blaise.
"Merlin! I hate her. Bloody mad-woman she is. Can't take a hint. I outright told her to bugger off, and she still relentlessly badgered me!" Draco ranted.
"Must be hard, mate. Being wanted by every girl in school. Well, every girl except one." The Italian said with a knowing look and wagging eyebrows.
Draco glared at him.
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Draco accusingly.
It was just like the Italian not to say something up front. Blaise was sly and cunning. Good qualities for a Slytherin. But he was a little too kind at times and very polite with everyone, giving out smiles often. The complete opposite of Draco. Yet the two had been friends since they were young and had complete trust in one another.
"Nothing… just you know, you could have practically every girl in the school. Except the one you really want." said Blaise.
Draco looked jarred for a second, but quickly regained his composure.
"And who exactly would that be? The last time I checked I did not fancy any girl in this bloody school. "stated Draco a little too calmly.
"Come on, Draco. You're my best mate. I can tell when you fancy a girl. When you've fancied a girl for quite some time I may add. Even if you don't know and blatantly deny it, I see all." stated Blaise with upmost confidence.
Draco was getting annoyed with waiting.
"Who. Is. It?" he practically growled.
"Isn't it obvious? Granger of course." said Blaise, as if it was the most logical thing in the world.
"Granger!?" said Draco aghast. "Why the heck would I like that bloody mudblood" he spat out.
"De-ni-al!" Blaise teased in a sing song voice.
"I don't fancy bloody Granger, Blaise! She is so annoying. A little know-it-all. And she worships Saint Potter, the scar-headed git. She also hangs around with the Weasel. How thick can you get? "Draco argued.
"How bloody thick can YOU get, mate? I think we've all realized she's not the buck-toothed, ugly, little beaver face we thought. You've got to admit, the girl has spirit. She's the only person I've ever seen stand up to you. You just hate her because she's always showing you up." pointed out Blaise.
"Bugger off Blaise. Me? Fancy that mudblood? Not in a million years. Even if she was pureblood, I would still detest her. I would sooner kiss that oaf Hagrid and marry his bloody hippogriff than even LOOK at that filthy little mudblood Granger" Draco sneered in disgust.
"Oh really?" challenged Blaise, "Because I can't even count the number of time I've seen you staring at her across the Great Hall!"
"What? Her? She and I! NO!" spluttered Draco in anger.
"Okay, mate. Whatever you say!" Blaise said in a tone that said he obviously didn't believe Draco.
"But," Blaise continued," Would you really date Pansy before Granger?"
"You do have a point there. But it would be like choosing between scum and dirt. Though I do have to say I think I hate Parkinson slightly more than Granger. Eurgh. I cannot believe I just said that." Draco said with contempt.
"So you wouldn't date Granger? Ever?" inquired Blaise.
"Not ever. Not even if we were the last two people on earth and she looked absolutely stunning, so every time I looked at her I got butterflies in my tummy. Not even then." Draco sneered.
"Hard core there Draco" Blaise snickered.
"The girl looks like a bloody night troll Blaise. I wouldn't be caught dead associating with the likes of her." Draco smirked.
"Okay mate. I'll hold you to that. Someday I will say I told you so." Blaise stated with confidence.
"Mate, you can wait for that day, but it will never come. I will NEVER love Granger." Stated Draco with equal confidence.
"Look Draco, mate, I honestly don't believe you. You have SO liked Granger since first year." Pressed Blaise again.
God, Blaise was a bloody persistent git, wasn't he? Draco sighed in defeat.
"Fine Blaise! If I admit that I fancy Granger, j-just the TINIEST bit, will you shut up!?" Draco questioned.
Blaise simply nodded, grinning.
"Wipe that grin off you face, you prat. It's creepy. How did you figure it out?" Draco inquired.
"Honestly, you hid it pretty well, I was even unsure myself for a bit. But they don't call me your best mate for nothing." Blaise stated smugly.
Draco cocked an eyebrow.
"Blaise, am I seriously supposed to believe your great intuition was really what brought you to this conclusion?" Draco asked sarcastically.
Blaise gave him a wounded look.
"Did you just make a sarcastic comment about my intuition, or lack thereof? That was low. But, you were right. You know how I, erm, enjoy…..visiting the kitchen?" Blaise asked.
"Hmm, no. But I do seem to remember an infatuation with food and an obsessive addiction to holing up in the kitchens and gorging yourself." Draco said, his words dripping with sarcasm.
Blaise smiled.
"Sure. But anyway, while I was down there one time, I met this house elf who said he used to work for you family. Dobby. Well, we began to talk while I visited. Very enthusiastic fellow that one is. I asked him for some dark secret I could blackmail you with if I needed, like you used to play with dolls or you wet the bed. Dobby told me that you talked in you sleep. I asked him what you talked about mostly. 'Sir, Mister Draco would talk mostly about Miss Granger. Yes, during the holidays first and second year and the summer after first year. Every night Mister Malfoy was talking about his love of Miss Hermione, Sir. Yes, Miss Granger is a nice girl. So brave. Good friend of Harry Potter, Sir!' So, basically I've known since third year and just kept an eye open." Blaise explained.
"I am going to kill that bloody elf!" Draco muttered under his breath.
"Look, if it make you feel any better, I made him swear not to tell anyone you little secret." Blaise said, grinning.
Draco grunted.
"Dobby did tell me one more interesting thing." Blaise added offhandedly.
"WHAT?" growled Draco.
"Well, Dobby said he was you real father. Lucius had to take you in because of the bad reputation he would get if anyone ever found out. Dobby said Lucius could already see the headlines, 'Lucius Malfoy's Wife Beds Sméagol', so he kept you." Blaise said.
"WHAT!?" Draco screamed.
His face was priceless, frozen in a look of complete and utter shock. Blaise was bent over laughing and gasping for air.
"Gotcha!" he stated in triumph.
Draco glared at Blaise, but Blaise only smiled back.
"I really hate you." Draco said.
"Ah, but you also love me." added Blaise.
"Well, we aren't best mates for nothing." Draco replied with a smile.
Hermione POV
'Today is the day.' Hermione thought as she walked to the Great Hall, 'I'm going to ask Draco Malfoy to the Slug Club Party.'
Hermione continued to walk down the corridor leading to the Great Hall. She and Ginny spent a better part of the night planning how she was going to execute Operation Make Ron A Jealous Weasel (Ginny's choice of words).
When Hermione sat down in her usual spot across from the female Weasley, Ginny looked up at her with a grin that would make the Cheshire cat walk away in shame.
"Are you ready to execute Operation Make Ron A-?"
"Please don't say it." Hermione cut her off, "Merlin only knows what people would say if they heard that."
"Oh, admit it. You think that name is brilliant." Ginny said playfully.
"No, I really don't." Hermione muttered under her breath.
"Anyways, you remember the course of action, right?" Ginny asked, dropping her voice so no one would hear.
"Yep. First I take him to the Room of Requirement after Potions class, so no one will hear us. Next I propose the idea to him. Should he say no, I give him thought out reasons as to why he should, including how angry Ronald shall be. If he denies me again, I badger him for as long as it takes him to cave in and say yes. I finally proceed to take him to the Slug Club party." Hermione recited.
"I am so proud of you." Ginny said in mock sadness, wiping away a fake stray tear.
Hermione rolled her eyes, but smiled at her best friend. The two shared a laugh before finishing up their breakfast and going to their respective classes.
As Hermione went through her classes throughout the day, her mind kept wandering to what would happen after Potions. She couldn't help it. Instead of focusing on her classes, she kept thinking up worse case-scenarios. For example her fear that he would completely reject her idea and proceed to break in to song about how she can't draw, 'cause let's be honest, she really can't.
Before Hermione knew it, her class before lunch was upon her. The dreaded Potions class. It wouldn't be long before she had to ask Draco the fated question.
Draco POV
"This is bloody ridiculous. Why won't she leave me alone?" Draco cried out.
"You're still going on about that?" Blaise exclaimed, "Mate, we ditched her. Thank Merlin for the Room of Requirement."
"I know, but it's the fact that we had to lose her. Why can't she just bugger off like I want her to?" the blonde asked whilst rolling his eyes.
"I really don't know what to do, mate. I mean, Pansy is obviously an obstacle in your journey to get the girl you truly fancy." the Italian pointed out teasingly.
"You're never going to let me live this down, are you?" Draco asked exasperatedly.
"Not at all."
Draco rolled his eyes and sighed at the sly grin Blaise gave him and continued his trek to Potions class.
By the time they arrived to class, everyone had started to file in. Draco caught a flash of wavy brown hair that belonged to none other than Hermione Granger.
'If only she would see me as something other than a cocky Slytherin or a Death Eater's son.' Draco thought longingly but stopped before he could go any further. It was wishful thinking and it would never happen. Hermione was the Gryffindor Golden Girl. He was the Slytherin Prince, who had snogged almost every girl in the school (which was a rumor... partially). She would never go for him.
"Hello class!" Professor Slughorn said in his annoyingly cheery voice, "Today we will be creating an Antidote for Common Poisons. However you will be partnered with someone from another house in order to encourage house unity. I shall assign your partners."
Draco rolled his eyes.
'Great. I could get stuck with Weaslebee or Saint Scar Head. This day just keeps getting better and better.' he thought.
"Now as I call your name, go sit with your partner." Slughorn said, "Zabini and Potter, Nott and Weasley, Brown and Parkinson, Longbottom and Goyle, Greengrass and Vane, Granger and Malfoy..."
Draco tuned out the rest of what the chubby professor said after that.
'Granger? I'm working with Granger?" he thought frantically.
It wasn't that he wasn't happy to be working with Granger. To be honest, a part of him was jumping with joy to be in such close proximity with her. But the other half of him that was content with admiring him from a distance was having a freak out.
It was no secret that she disliked him. She made that perfectly clear when she punched him in third year. The angry words that Hermione sometimes threw at him hurt worse than his Aunt Bella using the Cruciatus Curse on him, and to be honest Draco didn't think he could handle that today,
Draco looked over at Hermione only to see her looking back at him with an unreadable gaze. It was fairly obvious she wasn't moving, so Draco collected his books, slung his bag over his shoulder, and walked over to her table.
As he walked, he noticed how her eyes followed him with the same unreadable gaze. They sat like that for a few minutes. Hermione staring at Draco while he stared right back. After a little while, Draco decided he was going to have to make the first move. He gave her a questioning look and asked; "Well, are you just going to sit there ogling at me or are we going to start the assignment?"
That seemed to snap her out of her faze, seeing as she blinked and slightly shook her head.
"Right." she said, "Let's get started. Ummmmm, you get the key ingredients and I'll start getting things set up."
Draco shrugged his shoulder nonchalantly and went to get the bezoar, mistletoe berries, and unicorn horn. When he came back to the table, Hermione was looking at her Potions book. He dropped the ingredients on the table and Hermione immediately started working. Draco guessed they were going to complete the assignment in silence, which he was perfectly fine with. It made things less awkward.
Suddenly Draco felt a cold glare on the back of his head. When he turned around, he was met with the furious eyes of Ron Weasley.
'Guess Weasel isn't so happy about this pairing.' Draco thought. He shrugged his shoulder and returned back to the task at hand.
The rest of the class went on without any problem. Draco and Hermione worked in silence with the occasional input from the latter of the two. It wasn't until they were almost finished did they run in to problems. That problem being the ginger behind them.
Hermione was stirring the potion while Draco watched her. It was then that he noticed Hermione did something wrong.
"No, no, no. You're supposed to stir nine times clockwise and ten times counter-clockwise." Draco said exasperatedly.
He placed his hands over hers, completing the final stir and then looked down at Hermione. It was then he noticed their position and how close they were. She was standing with her back against his chest and he had his hands over her smaller ones. Not to mention, their face were rather close.
"Just what do you think you're doing?" an angry voice behind them spoke, breaking them out of their trance.
They both whipped around to face Ron. Draco rolled his eyes in annoyance at the Weasley boy.
"You've got something to say, Malfoy?" Ron spoke.
"Yes, in fact I do." Draco responded, "You see, you really shouldn't be concerned about what Granger and I are doing seeing as you already have a snogging buddy, regardless of how much of an idiot they may be."
"Well it is my business to keep gits like you away from Hermione." Ron seethed.
"Since when?" Hermione asked incredulously, "You haven't given me a second glance all this week!"
"That's not the point! The point is he shouldn't be flirting with you. Him or anyone else." Ron all but yelled.
"What makes you think that?" Draco asked. The Weasley was seriously getting on his nerves, acting like he owned Hermione.
"You are not in control of her life! Just because she's flirting with someone that isn't you doesn't mean you get to act all jealous and pretend that you dictate her life. So I suggest you go back to your filthy, second hand cauldron, Weasel."
And with that final word, chaos ensued.
Hermione POV
Ron and Draco charged at each other and Hermione attempted to throw herself between the two, but her effort was futile. Ron was completely read and shouting at the top of his lungs. It was quite terrifying. But even scarier was Draco. He had become very pale and very silent. When he talked it was hushed and calm. He betrayed no signs of anger, but the white hot fury burning in his eyes let you know just how potentially dangerous he was. That scared Hermione. It scared Ron. It scared everyone. It even scared Draco himself.
The ginger and the blond flew at each other and soon punches were being thrown. Ron picked up his own cauldron and was about to hit Draco over the head. Hermione's scream pierced the room as she ran to protect Draco. She shrunk the cauldron but she was too late. The contents of the potion were already dousing Ron. He was drenched. Seeing as they had been preparing was sleeping potion Ron should have just fallen asleep, but this was Ron and Nott's potion. And neither of them was adept at potions. At all.
Whatever Nott and Ron had managed to concocted was some vile shade of chartreuse instead of a light lilac like the book indicated. It was also lumpy instead of smooth and was giving off the scent of rotten eggs.
The potion spilled down Ron's person. There was a flash of light and what seemed like some hideous alien life form stood in his place.
Ron's skin was purple with hideous green boils everywhere. His hair looked like springs on one side and was signed off on the other. His clothes were half melted' and his pink and yellow heart whitey-tidies were revealed to all.
Everyone in the class but Ron burst out laughing. Hermione quickly gained control of herself and started to see if Ron was okay.
"Oh oh Ronald! Are you okay? Why are you such a prat!? You aren't harmed, but you were about to kill Malfoy! What were you thinking? Why were you even fighting? Ugh! It's not like you own me! Just... Stop and think for once won't you!" Hermione finished.
She then rounded on Malfoy.
"And you! Who do you think you are? You need to learn not to pick ridiculous battles! Do not mess with me or my friends!"
" Look Granger, I was just defending you from the idiot Weaslebee." Draco said.
" Malfoy we hate each other! Why protect me!? Thank you but I can take care of myself do stay out of it."
This whole time Rom was just gaping open mouthed at Hermione.
Just then Snape swooped in and saw the catastrophe.
"What the devil is going in here!?" Snape roared.
Seamus Finnigan was the one to answer Snape's inquiry.
"Weasley and Malfoy got into a right fight they did! Weasley tried to conk Malfoy on the noggin he did but Granger here shrunk the cauldron. Weasley spilled the whole bloody potion in himself. Turned himself into a right joke that one did."
Snape coldly regarded the aforementioned trio.
"Well well well. Weasley you obviously failed to produce a satisfactory sleeping potion. You will receive a zero. As for fighting 50 points from Gryffindor. And since you enjoy cauldrons so much you will have 3 weeks of detentions scrubbing them. "
" but but" Ron stuttered " you can't do that! What about Malfoy? He fought too."
" 5 more points. Mr. Malfoy did not spill a dismally horrid potion on himself. Potter, take Mr. Weasley here to the infirmary." Snape commanded.
Harry ushered Ron out of the classroom right as Snape dismissed them. Hermione hurried ahead and grabbed Malfoy out of nowhere. She dragged him into an empty classroom.
"What do you want Granger? I have class." Malfoy complained. "Look Malfoy I just wanted to say thank you. I sort of overreacted back there. I really am grateful you helped me."
" Yes Malfoy saves the day. Hooray . Now can I go?"
" No- I- just meet me in the Room of Requirement. Seventh floor across from the tapestry of Barnabas Barmy. Just look for a door. Meet me there after classes."
"Have a thank-you snog planned? Sorry to turn you down Granger but I simply cannot kiss you."
"No Malfoy! I have a deal to make you. It will benefit you and I both. To give you some incentive all I'll say is bye-bye Pansy. Sound good?"
" Fine. I'll come but this better be good."
" oh it will be." the brunette promised.
The two went their separate ways, both anxiously awaiting their meeting.
Draco POV
Draco hurried down the deserted corridors of Hogwarts. He was so caught up in thought; he almost fell through the trick stair.
After a bit of a stumble to regain his balance, Draco tried to shake the distracting thoughts of what had just happened from his head. The only problem was he couldn't stop replaying the scene over and over, mulling over everything said, dissecting every little action.
He and Hermione had been actually getting along, but then he just had to go and mess it up by reaching around and guiding her hands with his own. It was all his fault. But was it really Draco mused. It's not like Hermione had objected. She had even pulled him aside after class and requested a meeting. It was that blundering idiot ginger. Why was he even jealous of what was going on with Hermione? He had a girlfriend for crying out loud! One he obviously saw something in as he spent most meal times devouring not his food but her face. But c'mon really? Lavender Brown? Even Weaslebee couldn't go much lower. Why would you choose a hag like that when you have a wonderful, beautiful, talented witch like Hermione sitting right in front of you? It was obvious that she was pining after the freckled freak. Painfully so. Hermione could do so much better. But he wasn't blaming her for not fancying him. Who would? Pansy said she did, but she was only interested in his money and looking good. No one but possibly Blaise knew the real Malfoy. He had to project a bad image. Have a fake reputation. It may be all for show but as long as his father was still alive it was necessary. And now he had a whole new facade to keep up.
Draco looked down at the dark mark staring up at him ominously, contrasting violently with the pale skin of his arm. Oh how he despised the mark. He had never wanted any part in this. Draco never wanted to be a death eater. But from a young age he learned that what his father wished of him was law and the punishments were cruel, long, and harsh. From age 6 he had taken countless beatings and torturing sessions from his father as his mother looked on, helpless. So Draco had become a death eater. And the Dark Lord had not wasted any time in giving him an assignment. Draco had a task that he must complete. By the end of the year Dumbledore would be but a memory.
