Chapter 1 – Favours

"Malfoy, you know Poppy could've dealt with this. Why do you insist on continuously coming to me when you get caught on the magic end of student wands?"

"You know the Ministry put a cap on my magic since the war. You're the one who bloody insisted on it. Sadist. I can only cast basic shields which are fine for the firsties and the second years but once they hit third year and get their guest lectures from Potter about breaking through basic shields and conjuring extensive ones in Defence, I'm screwed. I'd say you owe me one."

"Which I suppose is why I continue to keep fixing your spell-damage."

"Bleeding heart Gryffindor." The scowl was still there with his insults, but it lacked the venom of his youth.

"Yeah, love you too." Hermione couldn't help declaring sarcastic feelings for him; he cringed every time.

"Will you stop using that as a retort? It's unnerving. I've told you before, being raised as a pure-blood, especially as a Malfoy, expressing feelings like that just isn't done."

"Relax Malfoy, I'm teasing. I can't resist making you cringe. It's adorable."

"You take pleasure in my discomfort. Some Gryffindor you are."

"Always. You get a little dimple, right here…" Hermione touched her right index finger to the point between her eyebrows. "So cute."

Draco looked contemplative for a moment before a wicked smirk graced his features.

"You fancy me. That's why you're always so eager to patch me up from spell damage."

Hermione looked genuinely horror struck.

"It's okay, Granger. You're not alone. Is that why you stay in the castle instead of going home to that Weasley boyfriend of yours?"

Yes.

"No, of course not. It's just easier to stay in the castle, we can't afford our own place yet and Molly is loath to cut the apron strings."

"Okay, okay. But if you ever want to know what a real pure-blood lover is like, you know where I am."

Hermione rolled her eyes but that remark deserved a retort that hit below the belt.

"Hiding from firsties in your quarters?"

"Give it a rest Granger. Just because you waste your wand skills in the Hogwarts library, don't tar the rest of us with the same brush."

"After the amount of wand work I've had to do in my life, it's nice to take a break. Besides, your visits always keep my skills sharp."

"You should probably thank me then. I know just how you can show your… appreciation."

"Careful Malfoy. I've read every book in this library and I know each jinx, hex and curse you can think of. Not to mention some of my own which would put the student's fun with you to shame."

"Fine, I'll give the flirting a rest. For now."

"Finally, he listens to me."

"Yeah well, I suppose it had to happen eventually."

"Don't worry, I won't expect a repeat performance."

"Good. I have a reputation to uphold, you know?"

"Your reputation is fuelled by teenage girls who have noticed you're the only Professor under forty."

"Hey, I'll take it where I can get it."

"Disgusting!"

"Honestly though, Granger… thanks. I owe you one"

"Just the one? Think again, Malfoy. You owe me tons but as your arrogance knows no bounds and you find it very difficult to admit you practically need me as a bodyguard, I'll settle for three."

"Three? In what backwards universe do I owe you three favours?"

"Would you like me to list them?"

He thought for a moment, he knew this was likely to backfire worse than a Lockhart memory charm with Weasley's wand but there was a chance it could pave the way to something delicious with the librarian of Hogwarts.

"Actually yes, Granger. I would."

"Okay, you asked for it."

"Anything else I've asked for you'd like to give me with so little resistance?"

She ignored his cheesy attempt at flirting. That refrain lasted all of a minute. He was getting better.

"One - Keeping your pale backside out of Azkaban."

"That was Potter, not you."

"Even with Harry's testimony the vote was fifty one to fifty in favour of a ten year sentence. If it wasn't for my discovery that a certain wizard on the Wizengamot has a foot fetish and then my allowing him to do something that sated his… needs, you would have rats and Death Eaters for company."

"What? You never told me that."

"Big fat favour owed. A ten year long favour really; if you think about it."

He rolled his eyes but was quiet while he thought about Hermione's confession.

"Thank you." He stated simply. Sincerely.

Hermione smiled at him.

"You didn't deserve that sentence. If it was only a year or two, I wouldn't have let my toes be sucked for you."

"Oh yuck! Granger, no details. Please."

Hermione laughed.

"Two – Getting you out of that awful betrothal contract with Astoria Greengrass. I think you maybe owe me for life on that one."

He rolled his eyes.

"Fine. I suppose that one is valid too. I'm not sure I want to know the answer to this but… how did you…?"

"I gave your father a blow job!" Hermione said with the straightest face and even tone, Draco believed it.

He just stared open mouthed.

"It's why your flirting never works on me Malfoy. Why would I settle for the facsimile, when I got to play with the original?"

"Please, tell me you're joking?" He asked, pleadingly.

She wanted to keep it up, she really did but he just looked so ghostly white, she feared he'd be mistaken for a ghost. She let it go, her face cracking under the intensity of utter mirth and she howled with unrestrained laugher.

"Of course I'm joking, you prat." She said breathlessly, laughing so hard she had to hold onto Draco to hold her up.

"I'll get you for that, Granger. Mark my words."

"Yeah, yeah. Promises, promises. It's not like I can trust a Slytherin to keep his word, even on a thinly veiled threat."

"Don't bet on that though. Did you say there was a third favour I owe you?"

"I said there were tons of favours you owed me but I'd settle for three."

"So when did I incur this third debt?"

"I'll keep this one small. I think helping you out of your predicament tonight should count for a bigger favour than usual. Considering the mental image it gave me that makes me want to self-obliviate."

Draco's cheeks pinked adorably.

"Oi, less of the small."

"Okay, I'm sorry. You have nothing to be embarrassed about. And as your magic is capped, getting your fly hexed to trap your wizardhood in its teeth is hardly your fault. But inflicting the sight of it on me, is."

"I suppose there are worse things you could haul up from the past."

"I've told you hundreds of times. The past is over. You were not responsible for what happened to me at the Manor and I have never blamed you."

Draco gave a sheepish smile. "Thanks."

"You are welcome Malfoy and as always, you are forgiven."

"So, when are you calling in these favours then?"

"I'll let you know. Here…" she tossed him a small, blue glass pot with a screw lid.

"What's this?"

"Bruise salve, for sensitive areas. You're dick will be turning a few funny colours tomorrow."

"Is there anything you don't have in that bag of yours?"

"Nope. I even have your father in there. It's where I tie him up to wait for me."

Malfoy turned green.

"Will you stop that? You'll give me nightmares."

She laughed.

"Go on, bugger off. You've got your third years in half hour and I need to go tend to your father."

He shot her a scathing look, almost as intimidating as he wanted before turning on his heel and exiting in a huff.