DISCLAIMER: Hermione, Severus, Draco and all their friends
belong to JK Rowling, Scholastic Books and everyone else with a copyright.
I'm
just letting them out to play a bit 'til the next book or movie comes out
and
they have to get back to their day jobs.
Chapter 2
"Please." Severus' tone of voice made it clear that what followed was not a request, but an order, regardless of the phrasing. "Do stop with the Gryffindor melodrama. It would be my hope that your.upcoming attachment to Miss Granger would serve to eliminate some of her more pronounced Gryffindor shortcomings, but you seem to be inheriting them instead. I will not stand for that."
Draco had the good grace to look sheepish. "Sorry, Uncle Severus." He seated himself in one of the chairs in front of the fireplace and leaned his head back and closed his eyes. He was so tired; it had been weeks since he had slept properly.
Severus watched his godson, an unaccustomed look of concern on his face. The boy was obviously in a bad way, and his inherent sense of honour - something he had certainly not inherited from either of his parents, Merlin knew - was not going to let him take the easy way out. Severus allowed himself a brief feeling of pride in the way the younger Malfoy had turned out before turning his mind to the problem at hand.
If he couldn't take the easy way out, there was always the Slytherin way.
"Draco, have you given any thought to your plan to win Miss Granger's heart?" Draco's eyes flew open and he looked at the older man with amazement. "I assumed you had a plan, since throwing yourself at her feet during dinner in the Great Hall didn't seem to be an option."
"Actually, I'd considered that, but I discarded that idea for obvious reasons. I may be left with no choice, though; I can't get near enough to her to do anything else. Potter and the Weasel won't let me within five feet of Granger. I've been trying to talk to her for the last week, but I can't get near the girl!"
Severus thought for a moment. "I think, with a slight change in my lesson plan, I can see to it that you and Miss Granger spend some time working together without interference."
Draco smiled. "Thank you, Uncle Severus. By the way, I don't suppose you'd have a copy of the Head Girl's patrol schedule lying around, would you?"
It was Severus' turn to smile. "Why, yes, Draco, I do believe I have a copy here somewhere. Of course, it won't do you any good. If you were to run into the Head Girl while she was patrolling, it could result in a loss of points for Slytherin House.unless, of course, you were there on an errand for one of your professors."
"Of course, sir. I would never venture out after curfew without permission!" Draco's smile died. "Since you're being so helpful, do you think you could put Lucius under an Imperius and keep him from doing or saying something that will completely destroy any chance I may ever have with Granger?"
Severus scowled. "How could you suggest such a thing! You should know your father better than that. He spent too many years in the Dark Lord's service to be susceptible to a long term Imperius. I'm afraid you are going to have to take more drastic measures."
Draco paled and shook his head in denial. "Please, don't make me! You know what will happen!"
Severus dropped a hand on his godson's shoulder and squeezed it consolingly. "I'm sorry, Draco, but I don't see any way around it. You're going to have to write your mother and tell her about Miss Granger and let her handle Lucius."
Draco buried his head in his hands. "Tell mother I've found the one or go mad. Madness is beginning to look better and better."
Chapter 2
"Please." Severus' tone of voice made it clear that what followed was not a request, but an order, regardless of the phrasing. "Do stop with the Gryffindor melodrama. It would be my hope that your.upcoming attachment to Miss Granger would serve to eliminate some of her more pronounced Gryffindor shortcomings, but you seem to be inheriting them instead. I will not stand for that."
Draco had the good grace to look sheepish. "Sorry, Uncle Severus." He seated himself in one of the chairs in front of the fireplace and leaned his head back and closed his eyes. He was so tired; it had been weeks since he had slept properly.
Severus watched his godson, an unaccustomed look of concern on his face. The boy was obviously in a bad way, and his inherent sense of honour - something he had certainly not inherited from either of his parents, Merlin knew - was not going to let him take the easy way out. Severus allowed himself a brief feeling of pride in the way the younger Malfoy had turned out before turning his mind to the problem at hand.
If he couldn't take the easy way out, there was always the Slytherin way.
"Draco, have you given any thought to your plan to win Miss Granger's heart?" Draco's eyes flew open and he looked at the older man with amazement. "I assumed you had a plan, since throwing yourself at her feet during dinner in the Great Hall didn't seem to be an option."
"Actually, I'd considered that, but I discarded that idea for obvious reasons. I may be left with no choice, though; I can't get near enough to her to do anything else. Potter and the Weasel won't let me within five feet of Granger. I've been trying to talk to her for the last week, but I can't get near the girl!"
Severus thought for a moment. "I think, with a slight change in my lesson plan, I can see to it that you and Miss Granger spend some time working together without interference."
Draco smiled. "Thank you, Uncle Severus. By the way, I don't suppose you'd have a copy of the Head Girl's patrol schedule lying around, would you?"
It was Severus' turn to smile. "Why, yes, Draco, I do believe I have a copy here somewhere. Of course, it won't do you any good. If you were to run into the Head Girl while she was patrolling, it could result in a loss of points for Slytherin House.unless, of course, you were there on an errand for one of your professors."
"Of course, sir. I would never venture out after curfew without permission!" Draco's smile died. "Since you're being so helpful, do you think you could put Lucius under an Imperius and keep him from doing or saying something that will completely destroy any chance I may ever have with Granger?"
Severus scowled. "How could you suggest such a thing! You should know your father better than that. He spent too many years in the Dark Lord's service to be susceptible to a long term Imperius. I'm afraid you are going to have to take more drastic measures."
Draco paled and shook his head in denial. "Please, don't make me! You know what will happen!"
Severus dropped a hand on his godson's shoulder and squeezed it consolingly. "I'm sorry, Draco, but I don't see any way around it. You're going to have to write your mother and tell her about Miss Granger and let her handle Lucius."
Draco buried his head in his hands. "Tell mother I've found the one or go mad. Madness is beginning to look better and better."