A/N: Alright. I've decided to give half of my attention to this story. I've sorta figured out how I want this story to turn out, but I'm still figuring out how. So, for now, here's chapter 4. I'll warn you guys ahead that I wouldn't be updating as soon as what you're comfortable with. I have school and it's starting to take its toll on me despite the fact that the 2nd semester just started. The same goes for my other story, 'Sing For Me'. Ok. Enough of me talking. Hope you like this chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
After their encounter in the library, Hogwarts was suddenly quiet. Quiet in the sense that the usual banter among the Slytherins and Gryffindors could not be heard in the castle. Well, just with Malfoy and the Golden Trio. It was gravely unusual, but fine.
Harry Potter found this very suspicious. He went on and on about his assumptions why Malfoy stopped bothering them. Maybe he had a 'plan' or maybe he had a 'mission', etcetera. He was on one of his rants at the Great Hall.
It was dinnertime and everybody was quite at their leisure. It was a Friday night, after all. Along with the Golden Trio, Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Dean Thomas and Luna Lovegood were gathered in the middle of the Gryffindor table.
"I mean, come on! It's Draco Malfoy! It's part of his daily routine to be an insufferable git to us. This is just too suspicious. We don't know what he's up to. Maybe he's planning to bring us to Voldemort." With that proclamation, Dean and Neville stiffened while Ginny winced. Hermione just shook her head.
"You said so yourself, Harry. We don't know what he's doing. No need to make assumptions. It's just going to cause you unnecessary stress. It's not healthy." She said nonchalantly, grabbing her goblet and taking a sip of her pumpkin juice.
Harry was staring at her with accusing eyes. "You of all people should be bothered about this! Don't you remember what he said to you last week? Honestly, Hermione!"
Before Hermione could answer back, Luna opened her mouth to speak.
"It's curious isn't it? That after that encounter, he stopped trying to make you mad. It would make you think that he realized something then. I wonder what that could be?" Her dreamy voice rang in their ears. Although she was loony, she was very insightful. No wonder she was sorted into Ravenclaw.
With that, their conversation about Draco Malfoy ended. Nobody wanted to think of what Luna was suggesting. It was too un-Malfoy-ish. They were now discussing plans for Hogsmeade tomorrow.
After a while, Hermione excused herself.
"Library. Homework. See you at the common room." She said as she gathered her bag and said goodbye to her peers. As she was approaching the doors, she took a sideway glance to the Slytherin table. He wasn't there. Good.
…
When she reached the library, she made her way to her table. She found a few books and parchment left on the table. The owner was not to be found. Not bothered in the least, she took her spot opposite where the abandoned items were. Taking her time, she slowly pulled out her own set of books, parchment, ink bottle and quills and set them neatly in front of her. As soon as she was done, she started on her homework.
She was only a few minutes into her homework when someone sat in front of her.
"Granger."
"Malfoy."
And that was all that was spoken at that time. This has been happening since their first encounter in the library. At first, it would make her nervous. Who could blame her, really? This was Draco Malfoy sitting with her in the library. It was really curious. But she got used to it quick enough.
Just as she finished the last line of her essay, he spoke to her.
"I heard Potty earlier tonight."
She froze, he noticed.
"I'm not planning anything, just so you know."
This made her look up, eyeing him suspiciously. "Then why, pray tell, are you not being your usual haughty, despicable self towards us?" She said those words before she could stop herself. She didn't mean to string on a few horrid words. Well, she didn't mean for him to hear them.
His eyes flashed anger but was suddenly impassive. There was even a glint of disappointment there. But one can only be sure when it's not Draco Malfoy. She mumbled a sorry and he heaved a heavy sigh.
"I'm going to have to explain myself, aren't I?"
Her head shot up and she looked at him. She was simply curious, not suspicious. Draco took this as a sign and started talking.
"It's all because of you. Now don't get any ideas. I don't mean it that way. It's actually because you understand me. Your assumptions about me have always been right. It's crazy how you do that, but in a way it's comforting. I think you're the only one who knows me and I don't want to be known further. So that's why I'm not riling you up anymore. Let's face it... There are times where one notices everything when they're angry. Or it's either they tend to voice out the bad things they notice when angry. With me so far?"
Hermione just stared but opened her mouth. "So, in order for me to stop pointing out and noticing things about you, you're not going to fight me anymore?"
"Pretty much. I don't want you shouting out things about me when there are people around. Whether or not I confirm these things you assume of me, people will still talk about it. And I'm trying to lay low for a while."
The last line caught all of her attention. She looked down and furrowed her brows together. Why would he want to lay low though? Is it because he's officially the dark lord's pawn? Isn't he too young to be one of his minions? Maybe he has a mission or something? Hermione looked up at Draco, eyes filled with questions. He chuckled.
"Another day, Granger."
"You're really going to tell me?"
"Maybe. If you let me do my homework in peace."
"It would be like I'm not around."
With that, he went back to his homework. She grabbed one of the parchments she had laying around and proof-read the essay she wrote for Ancient Runes. They were wrapped around their comfortable silence yet again.
