Well hello my dear readers! Yes I know that I said I wouldn't post anything up until January, but I really couldn't resist. I'm so stressed out by stupid applications (seriously, why do colleges need THREE essays?!) so I decided to take my mind off things by writing. Anyway, I hope you all had a lovely lovely Thanksgiving. Hopefully none of you are in a food induced coma. This time I really won't be updating until January so I'll miss Christmas (my favoritest holiday ever!) and New Year's, so MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Anyway, you don't know how lovely it was getting emails from fanfiction saying that people have reviewed/story alerted/favorite my story. I mean I just got a story alert yesterday! It makes me all warm and fizzy inside. So anyway, READ AND REVIEW!
***
"Malfoy? What are you doing here?" Hermione said harshly. "Where are you? Come out!"
Malfoy's smirking face emerged from the dark corner of the room.
"W-wh-what are you doing here? This-this isn't possible! How'd you get in here?" Hermione asked incredulously.
Malfoy's face instantly darkened. "As a matter of fact Mudblood, I was already here when you rudely interrupted my nice and peaceful solitude. I believe the question should be, what are you doing here? What did you think when you came here, 'oh I need a place where I can irritate Malfoy even more than I already have'? Well congratulations, you succeeded," Malfoy said snidely.
Letting her inherent curious nature override Malfoy's obvious contemptuous tone, Hermione practically bubbled with excitement. "Wait! Malfoy just think for a moment! This shouldn't be possible! It's unheard of. I've never read anything about this occurring before. Well I guess it's because no one has really ever written anything about it except for a brief mention in passing. But still! What did you think of? Interesting isn't it? An unintentional meeting between two people who…clearly don't want to meet. So what did you think of Malfoy? "
"Why are you so eager to know?"
"I just explained it to you! Imagine all the possibilities that could happen! This could be really useful knowledge. If people can unintentionally meet then maybe the Order…" Hermione gently trailed off, lost in her own thoughts.
Malfoy drew her back when he said, "Why are you surprised? Isn't this what your precious Dumbledore's Army did last year?"
"No that's completely different because the meeting was planned and everyone specifically thought of going to the DA meeting. I wanted a place where I could just forget my crappy day and clearly that wouldn't you, Malfoy."
"I'm honored really" came his dry remark.
"This is so strange! But really, Malfoy, what did you think of?"
"What makes you think that I'll help you?"
With a petulant stamp, Hermione let out a slightly suppressed shriek.
"You're acting like a child. You are such an arsehole."
"So I've heard," Malfoy responded calmly.
Now momentarily derailed from her quest to figure out the mystery of the Room of Requirement, Hermione stepped closer, an angry glint in her eyes.
"Why do you always do this? You always insist on turning everything into a fight. Why can't you even try to be civil for once? I mean, this isn't even about this room anymore. You just refuse to cooperate with me on anything. You can even ignore me! Don't talk to me, don't even acknowledge me. I don't even care anymore! Just stop bothering me!"
"I'm the one bothering you?" Malfoy asked with a sardonic grin.
"Yes," Hermione replied shortly.
"As I recall, you're always the one just has to stick your nose where it doesn't belong. You're the one who always starts hissing tantrums because you thought that I was conducting unsavory business that didn't match up to your oh so holy virtues. You're the one who always initiates these conversations. You're the one who claims to want a truce but then always end up breaking them."
"I do not beg! You're the one- you know what? I'm- I'm just so tired of fighting. I fought the entire day. First with you and then Ron and then you again and I really can't handle it anymore. So you win, okay?" Hermione said wearily, the day's events finally catching up to her. She sunk down on a plush couch that had suddenly appeared before her.
"It was never a competition Granger." Malfoy settled himself into another couch that appeared opposite of Hermione's.
"What, back to Granger now? What happened to Mudblood?"
"Don't push it, I might just change my mind."
"Whatever Malfoy."
The pair sat in silence for awhile, each thinking about their respective days.
"Malfoy?"
"9 minutes and 51 seconds."
"Excuse me?" Hermione asked, perplexed.
"9 minutes and 51 seconds," Malfoy repeated."Tthat's how long you were able to keep your mouth shut."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh shush. I just have a question."
"What is it?"
"Are you-I mean, were you telli-never mind. Forget it."
"Just spit it out, I promise I won't Avada you. I can see the question eating your face up." Hermione grimaced at the bad imagery.
"You'll get mad. Well you're mad 90% of the day so I suppose this would just be filling up that quota right?" Hermione chuckled at her own wit. Malfoy just rolled his eyes and moved so that he was lying flat on his back on the couch with his left arm slung over his eyes.
"Granger."
"Are you a Death Eater?" Hermione saw Malfoy's stiffening form and hurried to continue, "I mean you said you weren't but then this morning-the blood-and you fainted, and it just doesn't make any sense. I want to believe you but I just can't. I mean you're Lucius Malfoy's son and he's-you know-and you know how to do wandless magic! I only learned that last year, and it was by myself. Either you did that or someone trained you and - well I just don't understand you."
Malfoy rubbed his face, eyes still closed and bitterly said, "Lucius is a bastard, his existence has no bearing on who I am." Then he softened into a threatening and somewhat resigned tone. "You're unfortunately perceptive. Trust me, it's better that you don't understand me."
"But-"
"Leave it Granger."
Hermione wanted to protest but wisely decided to remain silent.
"So what happened between you and Weasel? Did you finally decide to chase after your lost dignity?"
"As a matter of fact, yes," Hermione replied icily. Then with a sigh, she continued, "As hard as it is to believe, you were right Malfoy. For once. I was making a complete fool of myself for what? I mean, Harry and Ron clearly had no qualms about lying straight to my face or excluding me from everything. What made me think that just going out with Ron would change any of that? Stupid, stupid, stupid. Ugh, I was just being so naïve."
"Whoa there Granger. Just because we've retreated into this semi-quasi-truce doesn't mean that we're friends or that you can suddenly confide in me," Malfoy said.
"Ughh, Malfoyyy." Hermione slunk back into her couch and placed a cushion over her face. She said something but only muffled noises came out.
"Granger, I can't hear you when you're eating feathers," Malfoy responded amusedly.
Hermione removed the pillow from her face and placed it behind her head.
"You are just incorrigible Malfoy. I truly give up on you."
"Thank goodness."
Not the answer she was expecting, Hermione frowned and glared at Malfoy's glowing blond head.
"Stop staring at me Granger. I can feel your eyes burning holes into my head."
"Well then say something!"
Malfoy cracked one eye open, smirked, and said, "So, the Golden Trio is now more like the Gilded Trio? I knew you three were too sickeningly perfect to be true."
"You are not helpful at all," Hermione said exasperated.
"Well what'd you expect? We were just mortal enemies this morning. Well technically only you think we're enemies since you're so convinced that I'm a Death Eater. But who knows? Maybe I'm not one and still a bad guy. What do make of that hmm Granger?"
"I told you, I've given up on solving your mystery. You're such an enigma and you give such convoluted answers. Plus, my brain is too fried and I'm too physically and emotionally drained to exert any more effort. "
Malfoy smirked.
***
Shoot, shoot, sugar nuggets. I'm going to be so late. Carrow's going to kill me. Literally. Hermione raced out of her room. She struggled to put her socks on while hopping down the stairs to the Head Commons.
Malfoy was already reading the Daily Prophet at the kitchen table while nursing a mug of coffee .
"What are you doing? We're going to be so late! Shit, Carrow's going to kill us. Well not you obviously, but I know he'd use any excuse to torture me," Hermione said frantically while running around the room collecting her textbooks and homework.
"Where's my quill? Malfoy have you seen my quill?"
"It's already in your bag."
"Wha-oh, huh, how'd it get in there?"
"Maybe because you put it there."
"Not appreciating the sarcasm," Hermione snapped. "Where's my Defense textbook? Oh it's in my room. Shoot!" She dashed upstairs, grabbed the textbook on her night table, and climbed back down the stairs.
"Okay, all ready."
"Nope, not quite Granger," Malfoy said with a smirk. "Your shoes."
Hermione quickly glanced down at her feet and sure enough, she wasn't wearing any shoes.
"Dammit!" She sprinted back upstairs and put on her shoes.
"Okay, I really think that I'm ready now. Am I missing anything?"
"Not that I can see."
With a nod, Hermione started running to the portrait entrance. She paused as she opened the door, "Well, aren't you coming Malfoy? We're already late."
Malfoy gave Hermione a close lipped smile and said brightly, "Nope, class was canceled."
Hermione dropped her bag with a loud thunk and stared, mouth gaping open. "Are you serious Malfoy? You are such a vindictive and evil little FERRET!"
"Hey hey, I resent that characterization. It was fun seeing you all frazzled. Did you know your hair gets really frizzy when you yell? And then it calms down when you stop. I swear it has a life of its own." Malfoy shuddered at the thought.
"You are so immature Malfoy," Hermione muttered. "Anyway, why was class canceled?"
A clouded expression crossed Malfoy's face but was quickly replaced with blankness. "Let's just say Voldemort has all his Death Eaters a bit preoccupied."
"What? What happened?" Hermione swiped the Daily Prophet from Malfoy and sped through the headlines.
"Granger, you're not going to find what they're doing in there. It's a rather…secretive operation."
"So how do you know?"
"Because it's happening at the Manor," Malfoy said, clearly troubled at this thought.
"At the Manor, at the Manor. No!" Hermione gasped. "Voldemort's strengthening his little cursed maze of shields isn't he?" At that Hermione clapped her hands over her mouth. Shit, Malfoy doesn't know we know. Shit.
Malfoy smirked at Hermione's horrified expression. "Don't worry Granger, I won't tell a soul about what you just revealed. It won't be a surprise anyway. It's not like Voldemort's hiding his game. No, he wants the Order to know what he's doing to the Manor. Can't you see? He's challenging you."
Hermione's eyebrows furrowed together. "But why? I don't understand."
"Because he likes to know that he's unbeatable. No one knows what curses he's put around the area. He's daring those dumb enough to try and penetrate the Manor. Well, your Order really wasn't that smart when it sent that poor curse breaker over. He didn't even manage to make it past the first layer of curses. And those were the easiest."
"So what is Voldemort doing now? Why are the Carrows and the others at your house now?"
"The Manor is not my home," Malfoy answered coldly.
Hermione blinked and said slowly, "I'm sorry. I meant what are they doing at the Manor right now."
Malfoy, ignoring Hermione's confused expression, replied, "Voldemort's next plan, whatever it is, requires sacrifice. All his Death Eaters are now tied to the Manor."
"What? What does that even mean?" Hermione asked, now even more bewildered at the whole situation.
"You're supposed to be smart Granger. I've given you enough information. Figure it out," Malfoy responded.
Hermione frowned in concentration but eventually another thought overtook her mind. "Speaking of giving information, how do you know about all this Malfoy? And why are you even telling me?"
"Well the Order is going to find out anyway. No harm in telling you early. Plus, I'm only telling you about the Death Eaters' roles in this new development. I'm not even explaining what it does to any invaders."
Hermione quickly interjected, "So what does it do?"
Malfoy bemusedly looked at her. "Nice try Granger. Next time try and be a little more subtle. Anyway, just because I'm not a Death Eater, doesn't mean I'm not somewhat influential or important in some way. I do know all this for a reason. As to why they actually trust me, I'm still trying to figure that out," Malfoy ended with a wry laugh.
Hermione was shocked. "You-you're so careless with this information. Aren't you worried about what will happen to you if they find out what you're actually doing? Or feeling?"
Malfoy shrugged, "What can I say? I put on a convincing act."
"But I still don't understand. Then why are you even telling me this? You're on his side, but at the same time you're not. Who exactly are you playing for?"
"Like I said Granger, it's not like this information is top secret. Everything that is top secret, I'm not sharing so what's the harm? You asked a question, I answered it. I'm not lying but I'm not telling the whole truth. I'm not on a side. I'm playing for myself."
"You are one confusing heck of a person Malfoy."
Again, Malfoy shrugged. "I'm really not. Just think of me as a self-serving selfish asshole. Thar'd be accurate enough."
Hermione just stared at him with a disbelieving look on her face. "You're unbelievable you know that? Unbelievable."
"I know, that's what all the ladies say."
Hermione just scoffed at this sudden change in tone and sat down across from Malfoy at the table. Her hand darted out to grab Malfoy's cup of coffee and took a big gulp. Malfoy raised his eyebrow at this uncharacteristic behavior. After she put the mug down, Hermione imitated Malfoy's shrug and said, "What? I was thirsty. Because of you, I didn't even have time to make my own cup. You know, you were being really mean."
"You mentioned something along those lines already."
"I know, I'm just emphasizing it. Maybe if I repeat it enough, it'll actually go through your thick skull."
"Duly noted Granger."
Hermione laughed quietly.
"So Malfoy, since you're in such a sharing mood, would you mind explaining why you left the Head room this morning at 3 am and came back at 5? And don't even try to deny it, I heard you."
Malfoy's face darkened for a split second before it cleared itself from all emotion.
Damn, he closed up.
"Why don't you just try and find out Granger? I dare you."
***
Yay! End of new chapter!! I hope you all enjoyed it because that's the last chapter you'll read before the new year. Seriously this time, haha. Anyway, thank you to ALL WHO'VE REVIEWED! I love love love love love love love love reviews! So REVIEW!
Shout outs to:
DracoFtw: Muchas gracias! I never liked Ron either, he's a bit of an insensitive git. Keep reading!
xSamx: Thank you for patiently waiting! I used to play piano too but then I quit when my siblings quit. I kinda sorta regret it now but I plan to pick it up once college apps are in. Speaking of which, how do you know that you're going to UT Austin in two years? Did you already apply and get in? I'm a bit perplexed. But anyway, keep reading!
Miss Guiding: So I guess you didn't actually have to wait until January. Although you will starting now! This is was just an anomaly. Anyway, abski was just a nickname that I had like four years ago but I decided to use it again. Oh well, it doesn't actually have any relation to my real name. I'm not even sure how I got it in the first place. Huh, interesting. Anyway, enough of my ramble, thank you and keep reading!!!
Red red red ribbon: thank you! Read onnnnnnn please!
Froggi101: I'm doing my best! You do have to wait until January though. Sorry! I hope you at least enjoyed this one!
Tfobmv18: thank you! Promise to keep reading? Okay, thanks :)
I LOVE YOU ALL! DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW! SEE YOU IN JANUARY!
