A/N: I decided to write the sequel to 'Never tease a cursed dragon' sooner than I intended, mostly due to Magic-Saphira, who requested it
For those who haven't read the Never tease a cursed dragon, it follows the plot of the Beauty and the Beast. Long story short (spoiler alert): Draco was cursed and transformed into a beast; he imprisons Hermione in order to get her to break the curse, but also because he loved her and wanted to have her near; during their time together, Hermione realizes she loves Draco back, which is what breaks the curse; the two let their families and friends know about their relationship and return to Hogwarts for their last year of magical education.
(spoiler end)
There are many other interesting details in my previous story that will appear in 'Never provoke a nice dragon', but I'm sure that even without reading 'Never tease a cursed dragon', you can still catch on from the context.
My story is mostly consistent with the book version of the Harry Potter story, though occasionally I will borrow elements from the movies, and also I take a lot of information from the Harry Potter wikia, not to mention I come up with a lot of stuff too, that's why this is fanfiction.
The first chapter will be rather short, just to get you back into the story, but then I'll be back to writing my typical long chapters. Just like in my previous story, this one is written in third person style, from either Hermione's or Draco's perspective, while sometimes a particularly important scene will be written from both their points of view. In this story I also introduce a third point of view, which is of a mysterious enemy neither Hermione nor Draco know they have (and whom I have named 'The Observer').
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter characters/story.
Chapter 1 Breakfast in the Great Hall
The first day at Hogwarts had been tiring, especially for Hermione, as there had been a lot of explaining to do, not to mention she had her Head Girl duties to see to as well – and then there was the evening, which she had secretly spent with Draco in the Room of Requirement, and which ended perfectly with his promise to always be by her side.
Somehow she managed to evade the questions of the very curious Gryffindor girls that were still not asleep when she returned to her dormitory. Parvati helped too, telling Kellah, Fay and Irene to back off and go to sleep. Hermione was sure that the Indian girl knew all too well whom Hermione had been with, as they shared a smile. Parvati was probably happy that Hermione was in a relationship with Draco, because her twin sister, Padma, was now in a relationship with Ron, and Hermione was really happy for them.
Going to breakfast with Harry, Ron and Ginny, Hermione thought that people stared and whispered way too much – could it be only due to their role in the downfall of Voldemort, or was it what she dreaded, that everyone now knew about Draco and her?
She tried not to think of the worst possible scenario and walked by with her head held high. She was Head Girl and had nothing to be ashamed of, her private life was her own.
"So, Hermione", Ginny addressed her, "you're still taking History of Magic even if these two", she pointed to Harry and Ron, "aren't, right?"
"Yes. The way Professor Binns teaches makes classes a little boring, I admit", Hermione said sheepishly, feeling a little guilty for saying something negative about a professor, even a ghost professor. "But history is fascinating, and it has a way of repeating itself, so I find it best to learn everything I can about it, so that I can try to avoid making past mistakes. If I am to make mistakes, I prefer making new ones", she finished.
"Good for you, I for one, I'm glad we're not going to have to listen to old Binns droning on and on", Ron said, grinning.
"I didn't pass the History of Magic O.W.L. either", Ginny said, "but then again, I'm glad to have fewer classes this year – I really want to focus on Quidditch, not to mention there are more important subjects."
Hermione knew that Ginny wanted to join Harry in Auror training after she graduated. Due to the heavy losses of the second wizarding war, Minister Shacklebolt had considerably relaxed the entry requirements for the Auror training program, and despite it being a temporary measure to resupply the number of Aurors soon, the point was moot due to the fact that anyone who had fought in the Battle of Hogwarts already had a place guaranteed. But it was better to enter the program prepared, and Ginny probably thought the same.
Just like Hermione, Ginny had told them she wasn't sure being an Auror was her 'calling' but it was useful to go through the training, just in case. In fact, Ginny was considering a career in professional Quidditch, which for Hermione was an entirely alien concept.
They entered the Great Hall and noticed most of the students were already at their tables, eating.
"I guess everyone is interested to know their schedules", Harry absently said, and Hermione saw him look for their other Gryffindor friends, just as Neville was beckoning them over, to sit next to him.
Hermione's eyes, though, were inevitably drawn to the Slytherin table, where Draco was already seated and in a conversation with his friends – though she noticed he wasn't really an active participant, more like nodding and giving short answers, while his eyes met hers.
Hermione frowned at how close to him Daphne Greengrass was staying, not to mention there was another girl sitting close by, keeping a little too close to Draco for comfort as well. Hermione thought she was a sixth year, but couldn't remember her name… then it clicked. If her memory served, she was the daughter of a Death Eater, one of the few who got away – Mulciber.
Hermione admired McGonagall's open-mindedness to allow at Hogwarts not just students like Draco and Theodore Nott, whose fathers were in Azkaban at the moment, but also students whose Death Eater parents were still at large.
Perhaps it was all a part of that 'keeping under surveillance' plan of the Ministry, as they surely hoped that the parents would contact their children and in that way it would lead to the capture of the rest of the Death Eaters, but Hermione thought it was kind of a long shot.
They took a seat next to Neville and the first thing he told them was exactly what Hermione didn't want to hear.
"Hermione, the news of your relationship with Draco is all over the school, I have no idea how it happened, I didn't say anything!" he said pleadingly, as if willing her to believe him.
"It's OK, Neville, I know you didn't", Hermione reassured him, and she meant what she said. "It was inevitable for it to get out eventually, I was just hoping it'd be later."
"Well, it can't be worse than when everyone thought I was Slyterin's heir", Harry said, "or that time when pretty much everyone", and he looked at Ron, "thought I had put my name in the Goblet of Fire".
Ron had the grace to look ashamed.
"Oh, and what of our fifth year, when people thought I was mentally deranged and delusional about Voldemort being back? Not to mention the last year at Hogwarts, when everyone was whispering I was 'the chosen one'?" he said with a grin.
Hermione grinned back.
"When you put it that way, I guess I can't complain about whatever comes my way, it can't be worse than all that."
She was grateful for Harry's effort to make her feel better.
"Besides", Ginny said, "take a page from Draco's book – he doesn't seem affected at all, and yet people are starting at him, quite as much as they are looking at you."
That much was true, Hermione noticed, so she relaxed and concentrated on the delicious food in front of her.
Before long, Headmistress McGonagall came over to their table, and handed each student their schedule for the year.
"So…" Ron said, looking over his, "today we have double Potions, followed by Transfiguration, Herbology and Defence Against the Dark Arts. Is it just me, or do we have tons of classes this year?"
"We are in our final year, Ron", Hermione replied, "so in view of the impending N.E.W.T.s, it's no wonder. Besides, think that I also have Ancient Runes after all those classes you mentioned that we have together."
"Sucks to be you", he said playfully, and Hermione smiled.
She noticed his attention was only half on what he was doing – his eyes darted every now and then at the Ravenclaw table, where Padma was in deep conversation with Luna. The two seemed to have really bonded over the summer holiday, and no wonder what with Padma's frequent visits.
"However", Harry suddenly said, "you, Hermione, don't have Quidditch tryouts this evening, while the rest of us do", he said, referring to Ron and Ginny as well.
"Quidditch try-outs on the first day?" Hermione asked, surprised. There was a line about the Quidditch try-outs on the bottom of the parchment that the schedule was written on, but having no interest whatsoever in the game, she hadn't bothered reading it. "Isn't it a bit too sudden? And besides, you're Gryffindor captain, shouldn't you be the one to decide when the try-outs are held?"
"I guess Professor McGonagall wants the matches to start as soon as possible, to give people something happy to look forward to", Harry replied. "Did you notice that the Great Hall is not nearly as noisy as it usually was at the start of the year?" he continued, and Hermione nodded.
Indeed, while most people seemed to have moved on from the tragedy of the second wizarding war, not everyone was taking things quite so well. Even among the Gryffindors there were some who were still deeply scarred by the war – Hermione thought Parvati was just one example. Despite the girl's apparent cheerfulness, she was not her usual self, and Hermione thought she had heard her muffle her crying in her pillow last night… and it was no wonder, because Parvati had been best friends with Lavender Brown, and being back at Hogwarts, Parvati probably felt her absence more than anyone else.
Then there was Dennis Creevey, who had lost his brother, Colin, and who now was nothing like the excited little boy they had known. Still, it was a relief to see he was surrounded by students from his year, so he wasn't alone.
No one felt much like talking, or eating, after that, so they left to their respective classes. Ginny had Defence Against the Dark Arts first, so she headed towards the stairs, while the rest of them went down to the Dungeons, to attend their Potions class. Hermione looked at Draco before exiting the hall, and she saw him mouth 'see you soon'to her. She was glad that they had Potions together – she wouldn't be able to sit with him, but at least they'd be close.
Draco had dreamed of Hermione that night, just like he promised her, although he wasn't sure he'd be wise to tell her the details of his dream – it had been a rather intense one, given their 'activities' before they went their separate ways the previous night.
As such, he was in a very good mood the following day, especially as wherever he went, rumours about him and Hermione followed – so the entire school knew? Perfect! He couldn't be happier. That way he could be sure McLaggen (there, he finally remembered the douchebag's name) would keep his distance, or, if not, Draco could make it so he did – and he'd enjoy teaching him that lesson, too, Draco thought with a mischievous smile on his face. Then he remembered, with satisfaction, that McLaggen had already graduated, so that was one less worry on his mind, despite depriving him of a chance for a confrontation. Better this way, in any case, McGonagall would be watching him, and he didn't need more trouble.
He noticed people weren't only looking at him speculatively in light of the rumour going around about him and Hermione. Many of the students were giving him nasty looks, but he wasn't concerned. It was to be expected that people doubted him – after all, his family had switched sides in the last possible moment during the Battle of Hogwarts. He'd just have to prove them wrong, simple as that – or not so simple, but he was perseverant enough to do whatever it took to become a worthy partner for Hermione, one that the wizarding world would approve of. Not that he really cared, but he didn't want Hermione to suffer due to her association with him.
He sat down at the Slytherin table near Blaise and Theo, and it wasn't long before Daphne joined them, and she took a sit next to him. On the other side of the table, there were a couple of sixth years who seemed eager to join in the conversation, especially one rather pretty girl with raven black hair that reached all the way to her waist, and rather penetrating violet-blue eyes.
Draco, however, wasn't interested, neither in the girl, nor the conversation she might provide, and he also only half listened to his friends talk. He preferred looking at Hermione, though he couldn't do that all the time – it would put him in a not very flattering light. So he alternated that with eating, and then finally Professor Slughorn came by with his schedule.
Draco wanted to see what classes he'd have with Hermione, and to his delight, first thing on the list was Double Potions with Gryffindor. What's more, he'd also get to see her at the last class of the day, Ancient Runes, where she wouldn't be with Potter and the Weasel. Something to look forward to… well, that and the Quidditch tryouts, which were going to be the following day after classes, for the Slytherin Team.
"Where are you, Draco?" Blaise asked as he lightly shook his shoulder. "We were having an entire conversation here and all we get from you are mumbled replies. Please tell me you've been listening, and not just gawking at that Gryffindor this entire time".
Draco shot him a dirty look, but apparently Blaise was just teasing. Despite his low opinions of muggle borns, he had accepted Draco's relationship with Hermione.
"Perhaps I didn't hear everything you said… it was something about a party…?" he trailed off. He hadn't really listened, true, but parties weren't really his thing nowadays. Time spent with Hermione was his thing, and he couldn't wait for the evening when he hoped he'd see her alone, once all the classes and Head Boy duties were done.
"Yes, we were saying that some of us are already invited to one of Slughorn's parties", Blaise continued, "and that I think it's going to be important to impress the old walrus, as he could prove useful in finding a good place at the Ministry, for example, once we graduate."
Oh, well, Draco wasn't likely to be invited to such a party given that his father was in Azkaban. And apparently he wasn't the only one.
"I wasn't invited, but I prefer it that way – I don't like going to parties with people I am not well acquainted with", Theo said.
"The consummate introvert", Blaise teased. "I would have been crushed not to be invited, and I'm thinking of bringing the lovely Hecate with me."
"Who?" Draco asked blankly.
"Hecate", Blaise said pointedly, looking at the pretty dark haired girl who gave Draco what she must have thought was a dazzling smile.
"It's a 'bring a partner' kind of party?" Draco asked. "Better that I wasn't invited, I would only want to take Hermione and that would only make the rumours get wilder…"
"You ungrateful thing!", Daphne said, "Astoria and I weren't invited" she said, pointing to her sister, who was seated further along their table with her fifth year friends, "despite our family being among the oldest, and truest pure-blooded families. And you were", she added, pointing at a footnote on his schedule.
He read it, and to his horror, he realized that indeed it said he was invited to the Harvest party on the 21st of September.
"Blaise is taking Hecate, instead of taking me – no offense, Hecate, but he's totally ungrateful for my friendship too!", Daphne said.
"Look at it this way", Hecate said in a voice that Draco thought was a smidge unpleasant, despite sounding quite sweet, seductive even. "Blaise is just being generous with his underclassman."
"Only you're not a man, are you, darling?" Daphne asked sweetly. "So are you going, Draco?"
"I suppose it's just like Blaise said, I have to use every opportunity I have to impress. I have to change the negative image the wizarding world has of the Malfoys. Slughorn probably heard these rumors about Hermione and me and decided if she thinks I'm good enough to date, then it's safe for him to 'add me to his collection'. Let's not forget I come from an important pure-blooded family too, and my grades are the best after Hermione's…"
"Would you listen to him. So it's 'Hermione's' is it?" Theo teased, and Draco was surprised that even his usually quiet friend thought it fit to joke about this.
"You hardly expect me to call my fiancée by her family name, do you?" he replied in a serious tone, to make everyone understand his relationship was no joke.
"Ok, ok, I didn't mean anything by it", Theo said defensively. "If you're all done eating and talking about stupid parties, we might head to the Potions class. If you're trying to impress Slughorn, being late is not the way to go about it."
Draco agreed, and apparently so did Blaise, because they all got back to their eating. He saw Hermione leave with her friends, but before she left the Great Hall she did look at him one more time, and he mouthed the words 'see you soon' to her.
Not long after, Draco and his friends left the Great Hall too, heading for the dungeons.
The Observer watched first the mudblood leave, then Draco Malfoy too, not missing the silent exchange between the two. The situation was direr than originally thought, so action must be taken immediately. It was time to report the news, and wait for further instructions.