Draco Malfoy was use to being the king of the hill. He walked the halls of Hogwarts with confidence. He always made sure to make his presence known. However, in recent months, he wanted nothing more then to disappear into the ground. He knew that his name only carried so much weight now. Now that his father had been dragged to Azkaban. After the stunt at the Ministry, it was clear to the wizarding world where the Malfoy's loyalties stand. Not that they didn't all suspect it already.
This was why, he was currently hiding out in a broom closet on the third floor. He wasn't actually sure how long he had been sitting on the floor of said broom closet. But he knew that the end of the year feast was going on and he wanted nothing to do with Harry sodding Potter and his band of Gryffindor misfits. Or all the looks he had been getting the past week now that everyone knew his family was very much on the side of Voldemort. What a fucking mess. He thought as he banged his head against the wall.
The door opened, much to his surprise. He looked up, squinting due to the time spent in the dark closest. "Sod off, Granger." Of course she was the one who would be standing there. Because the world just loves fucking him over at the moment.
"Malfoy?" Hermione Granger stood there with her hands on her hip and a confused look on her face. He had to admit that she had grown out of her very very awkward stage of buck teeth and overly bushy hair. She was still as annoying as ever, don't get him wrong. But at least she was nice to look at while he was bugging the shit out of her. He did enjoy the spark she got in her eyes when they were arguing over who right in potions class. Which of course, she was. Not that he'd ever admit that to her.
He snored and rolled his eyes. "The one and only, Granger."
"What are you doing on the floor in a broom closest?" She said, not amused with his attitude.
He gave out a sigh. "Oh you know. Took a wrong turn." He started to pick at the nails on his right hand. He refused to make eye contact with Hermione bookworm Granger. He just wanted to get this conversation over with as quickly as possible. The last thing he needed with her unwanted noisiness that she was so well known for.
"In life? Or..."
"God Granger. For the brightest witch of our age. You ask rather dumb questions." Hermione gave a sigh, he could tell she was trying to keep herself calm. Oh goody, Granger! He knew he shouldn't get her all railed up because it would most likely end with both of them in the Headmasters office. But he couldn't pass up the opportunity that had landed in his lap.
"At least I am not the one sitting on the floor in a dusty broom closet, Malfoy."
"Yes. Well the dust bunnies make good company." He smirked at the frustrated look that was creeping up her face. He knew he was getting under her skin and it was kinda making him feel better. She didn't say anything for a few moments. He could tell that she was having a debate with herself. He could practically hear the gears turning in her head.
"God Granger. Do you ever turn that brain of yours off?" He threw at her, hopping for a quick witted response. He was disappointed when she was quiet for a moment. He could feel her eyes studying him and it was making him rather uncomfortable.
"Why aren't you at the feast Malfoy?" She said, rather quietly.
"Why aren't you?" He watched a blush rush up her face. He scoffed. "Fuck Granger. It is the last night of school and you are on your way to the fucking library?"
She stomped her foot and crossed her arms. "I don't know why I even bothered opening this damn door!"
"Oh Granger. Dirty mouth!" He knew it was coming. He knew she was moments from exploding at him and he was so ready for it.
However, much to his disappoint, yet again. Hermione slammed the door to the closet shut. Draco was surprised that she didn't put up more of a fight. He was clearly getting under her skin. He was frustrated that she didn't fight him more. At this moment, he could use some much needed Granger auguring. But no. Instead she decided to be an adult and walk away. Well. He wasn't going to have any of that! He got up quickly and pulled the door open.
"Oi! Granger! I am not done with you!" He could see that she was half way down the hallway already. She stopped at the sound of her name and turned back around.
"What could you possibly what to talk about with me, Malfoy?" She crossed her arms over her chest.
He gave her a half smile, half smirk. "Aw, come on Granger. It is the first time we have gone any amount of time without throwing punches at each other. I thought we were growing as people!"
She scoffed. "You mean it is the first time we've gone without you calling me a Mudblood."
Silence filled the hallway. You could hear the wind whistling threw the windows. She could see the flash of guilt in his eyes. She wasn't sure why he was feeling guilty. And to be honest, she hadn't heard him call her one all year. His small cough pulled her out of her thoughts.
"You should get going. Wouldn't want anyone to miss you."
He turned on his heel and headed back down the hall towards the closet. She watched him pull open the door and disappear inside before slamming the door shut behind him. Hermione stood there for a full minute, stunned at Draco Malfoy's behavior. Why hadn't he fought her more? Why hadn't he called her names and mocked her? She finally walked back towards the closet and pulled open the door again to find him sitting in the same spot on the floor with his head in his hands.
"Would it make you feel better to call me one?" She tucked a piece of her wild hair behind her ears, chewing slightly on her lips.
He looked up at her. "Normally, I would say yes. But no. It really wouldn't."
She nodded before moving into the small closet, shutting the door behind her and sat down next to him. She wiggled slightly to get comfortable. She ignored his rather confused look. What on earth was she doing? She had no idea what had caused her to climb into a dusty broom closet with Draco Malfoy. But here she was.
"Granger, what are you doing?"
She sighed before leaning against the wall of the closet.
"Sometimes, you need better company than dust bunnies."
They sat there in totally silence. Hermione studied the wall opposite her while Draco studied her. Why was she sitting in a broom closet with the boy who had spent the last 5 years making her life horrible. He will never understand Gryffindors.
"I am sorry." Her voice broke the silence.
"For what exactly?" Yup. He will never understand Gryffindors.
She sighed. "Your father. I mean, he had every right to go to Azkaban. But it mustn't be easy on you or your mother."
He stared at her. What.The.Fuck? "Granger. If this is your way of cheering me up. You are doing a shitty job of it."
She let out a frustrated sigh. "Well Malfoy. I really don't know what to say! It's not like we can't go any amount of time without wanting to kill each other. She went to get up but he stopped her with his hand on her arm.
"Oi! Don't get your knickers in a twist! You followed me into this closet, not the other way around!"
"Yes and I don't know why I thought this was a good idea!" Another silence fell between them. Hermione went back to studying the wall and Draco went back to studying her. He still doesn't understand why she is here or why she saying sorry.
"Tell me a funny story. Granger." He looked away from her and started at the wall.
"What?" She turned her head to look at him. Did Draco Malfoy just ask her to tell him a story?
"A funny story. If you are gonna try and cheer me up, which I am assuming that is why you are here. Then tell me a funny story." He didn't look back at her. But he knew she had a shocked look on her face.
"Um. Well. I might have allowed centaurs to kidnap Umbridge." She said very quietly and looked away from him. She had no idea why she thought this of all stories was funny. Well it was. But she wasn't sure if he would find it funny. Ugh great.
"What? Did you just say you allowed centaurs to kidnap Umbridge?" He held a small smile on his face but confusion in his eyes.
"Yes."
"You, Hermione Goody-two-shoes Granger, allowed a professor to get kidnapped by magical creatures?" He was now laughing.
"Yes! What is so funny?!" She was getting annoyed with him. Why was he laughing?! Yes it was funny but he was making it sound like she wasn't capable of breaking rules! She had broken loads of rules and most of them, he was the one ratting her out on.
He was now rolling with laughter. "I would hate to see what you would do to Trelawney!"
She looked shocked. "First off, Trelawney is well a respected...divination whatever. Umbridge was nothing more than a bitch."
Draco was trying hard to get his laughter under control. But the more Hermione explained what happened, the harder he laughed.
"I would have never pegged you to have Slytherin traits!" He wiped the tears from his eyes.
She gasped. "I do not!"
"Oh come on! If that isn't the most cunning thing I have ever heard!" He gave her a sideways glance. He knew she trying very hard to keep a smile off of her face.
"I am going to regret telling you this story, aren't I?"
Draco nodded, while still laughing. "You were right, Granger. Dust bunnies make horrible company!"
Hermione rolled her eyes and nodded while hiding a small smile. At least she had made him smile. She watched him as he rubbed his hands on his pants and trying to get his laughter under control still. She knew come tomorrow they would be back at each others throats. But for tonight, they could pretend to be civil to each other. Tonight, Hogwarts would be oblivious to the two teenagers, hiding out in a broom closet and for once, enjoying each others company.
Author Note:
Sooooo. Yeah. Draco is a little...off. But! What can you do? lol
Thanks to all who have reviewed, favorited and followed this! You all make my heart swell ;)
*03/06/15 - About 300 words added, woot!
Till Next Time!
xxDomo
Chapter Three Preview:
"Watch it, Granger!" He sneered at her, pushing pass on his way back to his compartment.
Hermione rolled her eyes before gathering up the books that had fallen to the floor. One step forward, a million steps back. Dust bunnies are looking good right about now.
