Chapter 3 - Make or break
It had already been 29 hours since she had left Draco to his own device and she was fast becoming nervous with the lack of reply. She paced her small room at Hogsmeade's inn and wringed her hands repeatedly. What could have happened? Maybe Draco didn't remember his cover story well enough and they realised he was a fraud! He could be helpless in Azakaban right now because of her!
A moment later of her pacing, an owl pecking at the window sill threw her theory right out of the water. Hermione opened the window quickly, patting the owl softly on the head before it hooted in appreciation and dropped off the letter. She quickly prised it open with her fingers are read Draco's neat handwriting with quiet relief.
It read;
"The bird is in the nest.
Sorry about being so cryptic but you know what I mean.
- D"
Hermione smiled happily, hastily penning a note of acknowledgment and good luck.
She sank into the bed, closing her eyes and willing for a peaceful night of rest.
"Hermione Granger is it?" queried Headmaster Dippet, his balding head reflecting the candle light in his office.
"Yes sir" she replied confidently, her back ramrod straight and voice polite.
"Where have you come from? Beauxbatons perhaps?"
"No sir, I was privately tutored"
Dippet lowered his glasses slightly, peering at the application form in front of him "Oh yes, Mr Plunkweed is it? I do remember his death in the prophet… terrible that was… that's what you get with cauldrons and old age eh?" joked Dippet, his mouth twisted into a strange form of a grin cross frown.
Although she was fairly certain no person named Plunkweed existed, she thanked lady luck for her invention of someone Dippet thought familiar.
"So" continued the headmaster "You would like a place in seventh year? It's funny you know, a boy just two days ago just wanted a place here at Hogwarts just like you. Not a surprise though, for Hogwarts is the finest of all wizarding schools"
Hermione didn't bother voicing her opinions on his poor advertising techniques. Instead, she composed her face into a look of mild surprise.
"Really? I doubt I know him. I didn't get to make many friends being home schooled and all sir" she replied respectfully.
Dippet laughed jovially "Oh Miss Granger, you will fit in here at Hogwarts just fine! Your records of academic achievement are excellent and it would be a pleasure having you here!"
"Thank you headmaster" she replied with a smile.
"You're welcome Miss Granger, and welcome to Hogwarts, school of Witchcraft and Wizardry"
"D – R.O.R. ASAP"
Hermione sealed her note and sent it with one of the school barn owls. She watched as it spiralled down towards the other side of the castle, the brown wings rising and falling rhythmically. She straightened out her new Gryffindor robes, the gold and red lining bringing back fond memories of her previous schooling life.
Last night she had been sorted at dinner. It had been humiliating, just Draco and herself putting on the old ragged sorting hat; ready to be sorted like the first years did every year. Predictably enough, Draco was sent to Slytherin and was greeted with curt nods of approval and a small round of applause. Hermione was again sent to Gryffindor who greeted her with wide smiles and loud claps and cheers. Although their welcome was warm, it didn't seem nearly as comforting without the Weasley's or Harry there.
Hermione broke out of her reverie when she heard the owlery's door being opened. Quickly grabbing her belongings and bag, she set off, barely glancing at the boy who just entered.
A quiet voice sounded just as she was almost out "You dropped your quill"
Hermione looked back and took it out of the boys hand, meeting his deep blue eyes for a split second "Thank you"
He nodded once and continued his way into the owlery, his pale fist clutching a furled piece of parchment.
Hermione dashed down the spiral stairs, realising that it had been a while ago since she sent the message. Knowing Draco and his lack of patience, she should really hurry to get to the room of requirement.
After politely excusing herself through several clusters of people, she arrived at the empty third floor corridor, the blank stretch of wall staring at her mockingly.
She paced back and forth several times all the while thinking 'I need to speak to Draco Malfoy, I need to speak to Draco Malfoy…."
On the third try, a large antique door appeared and without hesitation, Hermione stepped in, greeted pleasantly with the blast of warm air from the crackling fire.
"Decided to come after all then Granger?" inquired Draco lazily; sloshing what Hermione guessed was firewhiskey in his glass.
"Stop drinking, it's school hours!" scolded Hermione, a slight frown crease between her eyebrows.
Draco set the glass down on the table top "I'm of age Granger, and don't tell me you made me come all the way down here so you can yell at me"
Hermione collapsed on one of the cushy armchairs with a sigh "You're impossible!"
"Impossibly handsome? Yes I know" replied Draco smugly
"Impossibly arrogant more like it" retorted Hermione
"Now enough of all this flattery Granger" responded Draco, completely ignoring Hermione's indignant splutters "What did you really want to discuss?"
A/N: I realised i haven't done any disclaimer of "I'm not JK Rowling... Potter world is not mine etc etc etc" But i'm pretty sure i haven't fooled any of you into thinking that i am JK Rowling! Anyways, now that we've got that established, i would like to thank all those who favourited, story alerted, author alerted and/or reviewed :) Thank you muchly, i truly appreciate it! Please continue to do so!
On another note, i apologise if my updates are slow - HSC exams are coming up in October and while that appears to be far away, i realise that my previous laziness is about to catch up to me and probably make me fail :P I'll try to get a chapter out at least every 2 weeks!
Toodaloo!
LOVE!
DecoyDream xxx