This Story takes place in Sixth Year. However, some details are different. Umbridge and Snape co-teach Defence Against the Dark Arts. This chapter begins after the event in Hogsmeade with Katie Bell.
I don't own Harry Potter or any of it's characters.
CHAPTER ONE
Harry was fuming.
"I know it was Malfoy, he's been working with the death eaters since summer. Probably before then," Harry was walking quickly along the Gryffindor corridor. "He's probably been at this since he came to the damn school. It's hardly surprising, is it?" Harry posited it as a question but the tone suggested that neither Ron or Hermione should answer.
"And Dumbledore's been letting it happen, right under his nose." Harry reached the portrait first. "Balderdash" he muttered and waited impatiently for the fat lady to reveal the entrance to the common room.
"I'm not denying that Malfoy's a slimy little git, mate" Ron started, still shaken from the incident with Katie Bell, "but he's has never actually done anything worse than annoy you." He paused "and Hermione, if you count the time the slapped him." He grinned. "Good times."
"I regret nothing." Hermione said, feigning innocence as she climbed through after Harry, "but Ron's right, I don't think he's any real threat."
"I mean, it's Malfoy." Ron chimed in, before sniggering. "Remember when Moody turned him into a ferret."
"Ah the incredible bouncing ferret", Hermione added wistfully.
Harry smiled slightly to her relief. She knew that herself and Ron were treading water trying to cheer Harry up, but Merlin he'd been so touchy since she'd met him in the Burrow earlier this year. Chosen One or not; Harry needed to lighten the fuck up.
They sat together by the fire and Hermione briefly considered taking out her Defence Against the Dark Arts textbook, as Umbridge had mentioned that they were trying something new tomorrow. She refrained however, purely out of staunch rebellion against Dolores' teaching methods, although it hurt her deeply knowing she was not performing to the best of her ability in the pointless class.
"He's been acting differently though." Harry pulled her out of her reverie. Ron snorted.
"Thought we'd moved past this." Ron said as he stretched contentedly on the armchair, letting the fire warm him.
"But there's something….I don't know, something off." Harry persisted.
"Harry, I think you're reading too much into things. He hasn't done anything. Stop obsessing, he's not worth it." Hermione soothed, losing the battle with herself and taking out her Defence Against the Dark Arts 'ministry certified' drivel.
Harry dropped it and eventually took out his own potions book. Hermione regarded him with suspicion. There was something about that book. She wanted to avoid another pointless argument and kept her suspicions to herself, a rare occurrence, she noted. Although, come to think of it, Harry was not entirely wrong when it came to Malfoy. Of course, Hermione didn't think he was up to anything, but there was something off. He'd been quieter and more subdued as of late. There was something darker in his eyes, like a shadow. Hermione thought it was pain as opposed to the malice Harry saw, not that she cared to pay all that much attention. And if he hadn't been such a constant bother to her, she might have even felt sorry for the guy.
NEXT DAY
Defence against the Dark Arts with Slytherin. Hermione would have thought that the faculty would have realised at this point that Slytherin and Gryffindor mesh about as well as water and oil. Or perhaps fire and water, if you count the aspect of mutually assured destruction (which she did). This façade of comradery between the houses was pointless and only existed to instil a bit of healthy competition between the students. If staff were really so interested in harmony, they wouldn't have separated students into houses in the first place.
"Ahem. Settle down students." Professor Umbridge's sharp shrill voice cut through the murmur of students without doing much to stay it. If there was one sound Hermione could do without hearing for the rest of her life, it was Umbridge's dire little cough. She purposefully turned back to Harry and Ron and the trio conversed with even more gusto than before. This appeared to be a common theme amongst the Gryffindors present. Hermione took immense pleasure from the anger touching Umbridge's features. She huffed. The shade of red clashing beautifully with the puce pink outfit she had chosen for herself today. Dreadfully predictable, that woman was, as well as being predictably dreadful.
"Quiet now." The familiar authoritative drawl rang through the hall, leaving a sonorous silence drifting around the room. Snape stood with a sour expression fastened to his lips. Dark eyes roaming the students, Hermione instinctively recoiled. Harry looked up defiantly and Ron stared at the floor. Hermione was a bright witch, she knew when and of whom it was prudent to be afraid.
Umbridge smiled and Hermione fought very hard not to roll her eyes.
"As you know, there have been some changes to the syllabus to the extent that it is finally in line with new ministry regulations." Umbridge beamed. "I am pleased to inform you all that we will now be beginning the practical segment of the course." A murmur went around the room as students exclaimed their surprise.
"What's she on about?" Ron mouthed to Hermione. She just shook her head in response and eyed Umbridge warily.
"Professor Snape informs me that something of this nature was implemented before by Gilderoy Lockhart. A duelling club of sorts?" She turned to Professor Snape who nodded curtly in affirmation. Hermione got the sense that he liked the pink little woman about as much as she did.
Harry shot a look of confusion at her. She looked warily at him and Ron and sighed. This was not going to be good.
"We will offer students the opportunity to duel each other using OWL grade spells. We will begin with some demonstrations. Any questions?"
Hermione's hand shot up before she'd even formulated a thought, she considered briefly that it might just be a reflex action before she'd opened her mouth.
"You said at the beginning of the year that we weren't to practice spells." Umbrudge's eyes narrowed and she regarded Hermione with a look of intense dislike.
"Ah yes, ahem, but the ministry feels that it is a good idea to conduct such magic in a controlled environment." She smiled that sweet sickening smile of hers. "Of course, there will be stipulations, however, the minister for magic, Cornelius Fudge, believes that we should attempt to mimic a real duelling scenario. One in which weakness will be punished." At this, she smiled directly at Harry, who was staring daggers back at her. Hermione felt sick.
"Perhaps," began Snape coldly, in that slow, calculated manner of his, "we should begin with a demonstration." Umbridge clapped her hands in response.
"Excellent." She beamed.
"Malfoy" Snape commanded. The crowd parted slightly as Draco began to make his way into the middle of the room. He emerged, head slightly bowed, shooting a dirty look at Professor Snape as he removed his wand from his robes.
Ah, déjà vu. This took Hermione back to second year. She waited for Harry to be called up and wondered who'd be the one to conjure the snake. Although, she supposed that Snape had already done so.
"Mr Longbottom." Snape beckoned a horrified looking Neville from the crowd. Hermione bit back her surprise. For once, the Chosen One hadn't been chosen. Despite the fact that Dumbledore's Army had ceased their covert practice under Harry's tutorage last year, Hermione was fairly confident that Neville's wizardry would at least rival Malfoy's, if not surpass it. If only he had more confidence, that boy would bloom like a flower.
Neville shuffled opposite Malfoy, putting as much distance between them as possible, as though hoping that maybe the air would stop Malfoy's magic.
If only, thought Hermione.
"Wonderful," Umbridge cooed, clasping her thick pale hands together in barely concealed delight. "I will allow Professor Snape to explain the rules."
After about ten minutes of cautions, warnings, and removing a total of fifteen points from Gryffindor for a collective loud breathing and Neville's posture, Snape finished off with a word of warning: "And moving on from OWL standard spells. Yes, you may continue with NEWT and beyond level spells, which I doubt any of you can pull off proficiently enough to cause any sort of damage, granted that they are not dangerous in any way. If a student attempts a spell too ambitious for their ability and winds up injuring another student, they will be held responsible. This is mainly a warning for Mr Finnegan who seems to have a fondness for setting things alight." Seamus shifted in front of Hermione and Ron sniggered.
"Is that funny, Mr Weasley?" Snape asked coldly.
"No Sir" Ron muttered
"5 more points from Gryffindor."
Hermione felt Harry about to retort and stood on his foot.
"And, this goes without saying," Snape turned slightly towards the Slytherins, "but as I am aware that some of you were illegally taught the unforgivable curses in fourth year, I am obliged to say that anyone who attempts such spells will be immediately detained, expelled and shipped to Azkaben for a life-long holiday. Any questions?" The room remained silent.
"Very good. Very good, let's begin." Umbridge took out her wand. "Positions." Neville and Malfoy reluctantly made their way towards each other and bowed, as was proper duelling etiquette, both took three long strides and as sparks flew from Umbridge's wand, they turned wands raised and eyes flashing.
It was quick. The spells that flew from Neville's wand were either countered or flicked away by Malfoy's. This was the first time Hermione had seen him standing upright this year. The change that came about him was stark, and she wondered if anybody else noticed. He stood, back square, eyes focussed, voice unwavering. When finally, he whispered "stupefy", Neville dropped like a stone in shallow water. Blonde hair, blown back from his eyes by the force of his spell, Hermione saw two things she had never seen in Malfoy before; power and the barest hint of a smile. Of course, Hermione couldn't tell if that came from pride or cruelty. Probably a bit of both, she thought.
Poor Neville.
"Blimey," whispered Ron.
"5 points to Slytherin" Snape drawled. "Somebody, take Longbottom off the floor."
"Sir, shouldn't we… um…un-stupefy him first?" Dean asked.
"The effects will wear off in their own time." Snape replied with a very evident lack of interest. Dean took Neville's arms and Parvarti scooped up his legs and proceeded to lug Neville to the corner. How undignified, Hermione thought.
"Everybody, split into partners. We have even numbers, so pair with someone from the opposite house. Malfoy, you duel Ms Granger." Hermione's eyes widened at that.
"Me?" she started.
"I was under the impression that you were supposed to be a bright witch, Ms Granger." Snape shook his head and walked away through the pairs of students. Hermione shook her head, drew her shoulders back and walked towards Malfoy without hesitation. Malfoy was good, but she would be better, she decided. In a classroom setting, she doubted even Harry could outmatch her. Perhaps that was blind arrogance on her part, although she doubted it.
"Granger," Malfoy sneered.
"Malfoy." She responded coldly.
"Keen to end up like Neville?" the bastard was smiling.
"I'm not easily stunned Malfoy," she scoffed.
"I'm quite stunning though" despite her earlier claim, she was stunned by his words. Was that, humour she detected? Surely not.
"The only thing that astounds me about you, Malofy, is your arrogance." She responded with a smile. "It staggers me actually." She continued earnestly.
"Ah now, Granger. You and me both know that's not true."
"As much as I enjoy our little talks, Malfoy, I'm here to learn."
"It's Draco. I could teach you a thing or two about manners." His eyes sparked.
"It's Hermione. And would you like another slap?"
"Kinky." Hermione just stopped and stared in bewilderment at Draco Malfoy. He must be on a high from winning the duel earlier because she hadn't seen him act like this in years. He was light-hearted and grinning. White blonde hair, barely concealing dark, shining eyes.
"You sicken me." She decided, turning defiant eyes up to meet his. He was quite tall.
"Less talking, more duelling. This is not a class in which you are permitted to slack off. 5 points from Gryffindor." Snape swept by them.
"But.." Hermione began heatedly, before rolling her eyes. Merlin, there was just no point with that man.
They bowed to one another, keeping the others' eyes locked firmly as their bodies bent towards the ground. She saw that same fire, eager, focussed energy sparking in his, and wondered if the same extravagance was mirrored in her own.
"First time duelling Granger? Don't worry, I'll be gentle." He whispered, smirking at her. Hermione elected not to answer, despite growing agitation, she refused to let him distract her from the duel. Turning and walking three paces, Hermione held her breath and steeled herself before whirling around, robes billowing around her and pointing her wand.
They battled furiously, sparks flying, curses screamed, lost amongst the deafening noise of a hundred students shouting and crying. A thin sheen of sweat began to bead at Hermione's forehead as she unleashed spell after spell, attacking Draco with a barrage of every spell she could think of. He couldn't flick them away as he did Neville's, and strained with mouth tightened and eyes wide, to repel her magic. She was on the attack, overwhelming him.
Until she made a mistake.
A poorly executed bat bogey hex, offered him an opportunity to attack. He sent red flames her way, as she threw up a shield, feeling the force knock her a step backwards. He retaliated with force to rival her own, throwing spells with all his strength, battering her own defences, willing her to submission. With every ounce of strength, she deflected his attacks. Sweat dripping into her eye. Mouth set.
He had regained the spark as he bit his tongue and watched with anticipation as each of his attempts to break through her shield failed. With every spell, he moved closer, closing the distance between them. With each step, the spells became more difficult to retaliate, more powerful. She held his gaze, willing him to make a mistake, to weaken in his attempts. His eyes were blazing, her whole body burned with the effort of keeping him at bay.
"Let me in." He snarled.
"Never." She yelled hoarsely.
With an extra effort, she pushed Draco back a step with a shower of sparks bursting from the tip of her wand. Which felt hot in her hand.
With only a microseconds hesitation, in which they both stood facing each other, chests heaving from the effort, they raised their wands.
A wordless curse rushed from both bodies, the wands channelling it towards each other. It must have collided somewhere in the space between them because in an instant they were both blown a couple of feet into the air.
Hermione let out a silent gasp as she collided hard with the floor, biting her lip in the process. A sharp pain flew through her body as her hip collided with floor. She stayed there for a couple of seconds, cool marble pressed against her skin, as she let the dim ringing sound fade out and the disorientation settle down. She turned and looked up, to where Malfoy was struggling to his feet, dishevelled, and looking vaguely dizzy. There was small gash above his left eyebrow and the tiny trickle of blood stood starkly against the white of his skin and hair. He looked livid.
Snape swept by them.
"5 points from Gryffindor."
END OF CHAPTER
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