The Mudblood learning curve:
A/N;; Two chapters= a continues flow of inspiration. Hopefully this will not dies down soon. Maybe after a few chapters I will update my other story too. xD
-xskyskipper
Plot: In which Draco loses a bet and gets more than he bargained for. He'd love to blame Zabini for falling for his tricks, but really he blamed Granger and that damn slip of hers. It was his undoing. Luckily for Malfoy, Hermione is willing to let him have a Mudblood learning curve.
Pairing: Dramione with a few dabble bits of twinsxHermione~
Draco's first plan of attack was to ease into her life, slyly, as to not send her running to the hills. He started off with a casual statement to her after Potions class, it was brilliant really, "Hey Granger!" She barely turned his way, except to scowl at him and brush past him in some unknown hurry. Unfortunately for Draco, her bodyguards Scarhead and Weaselbee had heard his greeting and took offense.
Scarhead was particular miffed, and stated this with extra grumpy tone, "Leave Hermione alone, Malfoy."
"I was just greeting her, it's not a crime, Potter. "
Weaselbee was also on the defensive, replying to his statement, "Don't greet Hermione as if she's your friend. Have you already forgotten how you let your crazy Aunt torture her?" Ouch. Draco had forgotten about that incident which would probably be a huge barrier in their relationship.
After "The Boy Who Lived," had defeated The Dark Lord, things had pretty much been downhill for Draco's family. His Aunt Bella, had been shipped off to Azkaban, and his Father had lost most of his standing at the Ministry. Although, the new Prime Minister Kingsley had pardoned most of the Malfoy family, they were on a constant watch. Auror's were known to drop in with little warning at the Malfoy Mansion, which could be rather inconvenient.
Draco hadn't really wanted to finish his education at Hogwarts, after the Dark Lord's defeat, but his father left him with little choice. He was to marry some wealthy pureblood wench, and work at the Ministry, his whole life mapped out in accordance to Malfoy tradition. Luckily the end of the year was approaching fast, and Draco couldn't wait to leave behind the school and all the memories it housed. The death of his mentor of sorts, Snape, was one of many memories he wished to forget. Also the guilt he felt for playing a part in the dreadful war.
Brought out of his musings, he noticed that Weaselbee had pushed him slightly; Draco was dumbfounded that someone so unworthy had touched him such a manner. He pulled out his wand to give the filth back a taste of his own medicine magical style, when he noticed Granger had returned to see what taking her entourage so long. Now, he had to play it cool, lest she hex him on the spot, so he waved at her in his most encouraging way.
She snorted, and dragged both boys away from the scene. Draco was mildly disappointed, that Granger had barely acknowledged him, but he mostly blamed on his two over-protective companions. If he wanted to have a go at wooing Granger, he would have to separate them from her, probably forcibly. Luckily this chance came sooner than he expected, when Potter and Weasley went off to Hogsmeade, leaving Granger behind to study, as finals were a mere three weeks away. He found her in her haven, the library, poring over books like beloved friends.
Carefully, and silently he took up a post at a table near hers, and grabbed the nearest book, pretending to read. He wasn't stalking her, not really. He was just researching, at a very close distance. He was surprised however, when she willingly got up from her table and sat down at his, her face neutral as she said, "I find it hard to believe that you of all people actually enjoy reading, "101 ways to cook using only muggle tools." Draco turned the book over, and indeed that was the title. Cringing, at his choice he replied, "Don't presume to know me, Granger. I, in fact, love to cook." His statement would hopefully be seen as endearing and charming, because girls loved guys who could cook. He was wrong.
"Whatever Malfoy, I know for a fact you have house elves for that. I'm not entirely sure though, what game you're playing at, but I'd prefer it if you left me out of it." She was sassier than normal, today, he noted.
"No game, Granger, just trying to be friendly." Why did she always make everything overly-complicated?
"Well, stop it then, you might as well go be friendly elsewhere, you're about seven years too late." Draco compared having a decent conversation with her, to that of talking with a brick wall. No, wait, at least the wall would be quiet and courteous.
"Now, now, Granger, may I call you Hermione?" He tried to ooze charm, which by her short curt answer, "No," proved to be futile. He continued on nonetheless, "Very well, Granger, I would like it if we could at least try to be civil. After all the war is over, and your side won." The latter part of his statement came off as bitter, but he couldn't help it.
At this, she smirked, her eyes perceptive at his words, "So now, you want to be a good boy, do you? Be friends with the winning team now that Daddy ran away with his tail between his legs." Her insulting words stabbed at him maliciously, but he couldn't deny the truth laced in her words.
"Let's just say, I have an interest in turning over a new leaf. I was hoping you would help with that, as you are the least threatening, of the golden trio."
Hermione looked slightly miffed at being called non-threatening and obviously wanted to prove him wrong by the way her wand hand was shaking, but though better of it. Instead she replied curtly, "What's in this for me? The way I see it, you get back some face in society, and I'm stuck with Slytherin taint smeared over my good name." The way she said Slytherin sounded like she was uttering a dirty word.
Draco, was getting fed up with sound of her righteous voice, but suppressed his growing anger, "I'll carry your books to class, fetch things for you, and anything else." He couldn't believe how desperate he sounded, but he knew that Granger did not respond well to cocky advances but rather humble ones.
A smug look crossed her face, and Draco instantly regretted his words as she declared rather virtuously, "Very well, Malfoy, you may be my House elf and see what horrors you and your family inflict upon those noble creatures. In exchange I will help you be a good boy." The way she said good boy, left Draco shivering at its meaning. Wooing Granger was turning out to be, by far, the most difficult task he had ever set his mind too.
