The Mudblood learning curve:
A/N;; Busy chapter awaaaaaay~ -xskyskipper
Plot: In which Draco loses a bet and gets more than he bargained for. He'd love to blame Zabini for falling for his tricks, but really he blamed Granger and that damn slip of hers. It was his undoing. Luckily for Malfoy, Hermione is willing to let him have a Mudblood learning curve.
Pairing: Dramione goodness~
After the dancing had died down and the party came to a still, Draco wanted nothing more than to just lie down and sleep. But Hermione was full of unbridled energy, and was pulling him around like a ragdoll. It was surprising but he actually enjoyed all the attention he received just being with her. Constantly, heads were whipping about in a frenzy; as if people just couldn't understand why in Merlin's beard, they had come as a couple. After a rather thrilling dance, Draco had to sit down, and Hermione granted him that because she had joined up with Lovegood and Female Weaselbee to talk. Potter, Weaselbee, and Longbotton sank down onto chairs nearby him, equally weary from their date's constant activities. Longbottom, although tired had the most goofy expression on his face, which Weaselbee was quick to point out, "My sister can be a handful you know, she may seem all cuteness now, but once she relaxes a bit, she can be really scary. Though Lavender's no cakewalk either."
Longbottom looking very much pleased with himself, was quick to defend his fair maiden's virtue, "I couldn't care less if she has her scary moments, I'm just very happy that out of all the guys in the school, she settled for me."
Potter picked that moment to speak up, "At first I thought Luna was off her rocker, but I've come to realize I might be slightly off my rocker too." Draco realized with dread they were having a sharing moment, and they were including him in it. As to confirm this thought, all three of them turned to him expectantly, waiting for him to participate in their male gossip session. He put socializing with the three dunderhead Gryffindor's in the same category as he did the task of scrubbing toilets. Then, as he looked across the room, Hermione flashed him a brilliant smile and he felt his heart melt a little. These dunderheads were her friends, so he had to at least try to be civil, for her. He remembered how he used to think of them, Potter with no parents, Weasley with no money, and Longbottom with no brains. Times were certainly changing for him, and he was sure it was because of Hermione's influence.
He cleared his throat, his voice slightly scratchy from too much dancing, "Hermione looks nice tonight." There. His words were short and to the point. No-one could find fault in him for that. This thought was quick to be rescinded when Weasley sent him a scathing look, his tone incredulous, "Really Malfoy? She looks nice? Don't be such a tightwad; Hermione is by far the most fetching girl here tonight." Draco really didn't like the way he said "fetching," it was too personal, for a guy who already had a date.
Unfortunately for him, Hermione had sauntered over unnoticed by them and had heard Weasleys's compliment, and was obviously flattered, her tone cheerful, "Thanks, Ron, you're too kind."
Weasley blushed to the tips of his ears, at being caught openly complimenting his friend. Although with their current interaction, Draco wasn't so sure, if it was only friendship between them. He mumbled out something, unintelligent, and Hermione gave him a quick peck on the cheek before she turned away to rush back to her girlfriends. Inside, Draco was livid, he wasn't sure why such a small display of affection upset him, and so this too also troubled him.
Harry was quick to pick up on the awkwardness that hung in the air and changed the subject, "So, it seems as the girls want to do a couples date; Luna wanted us all meet at Hogsmeade next weekend." Draco slumped in his chair, unwilling to respond, because he honestly would rather go into the forbidden forest than waste his weekend, on what was sure to be a most awkward group date.
But he was not allowed an opinion because the other two agreed and made plans without consulting him. Draco wanted to stew in self-pity, but then he noticed Zabini trying to flag him down from across the room. Grumbling at his fellow Slytherin antics, Draco made an excuse to escape the Gryffindor boys and all their feelings, and made his way over to Blaise.
Zabini was silent at first and motioned for Draco to follow him out into a nearby corridor. Once there, he was quick to ask, "Have you shagged Granger yet? You've had plenty of time right? Or have you lost you mojo, Malfoy?" These questions made Draco feel uncomfortable.
Draco was hesitant to talk about such a delicate matter, but he knew Zabini was a persistent bloke, "Don't rush me, these things take time. Granger's not some Slytherin hussy."
Zabini's posture shifted to one of annoyance as he replied, "That's pathetic Malfoy! You call yourself a ladies man? You should have made good on our bet ages ago!"
"It's not like, I'm not trying Zabini, Granger's a tough nut to crack. She might have feelings for some other guy anyways."
Zabini sent him a withering look as he retorted, "What's feelings got to do with anything, it's not like you to care about something stupid like that? You need to hurry up and make good on your word, Malfoy? Or have you forgotten the consequences if you lose this bet, already?"
Draco could feel a headache coming on and pinched the bridge of his nose wearily, "Of course not. I'll get the job done, I just need time."
A roguish look crossed Zabini's face that sent a shiver of trepidation through Draco. His next words, sealed Draco's fear, "You have one week from today, or else I win."
Draco was instantly on guard, his words laced with hidden anger, "You can't just throw a date like that at me, and expect it to happen magically!"
Zabini shrugged indifferent to Draco's anger, "One week Malfoy, shag and tag her or else run around in your skivvies. If I were you, I'd do whatever it takes to make Granger fall, whatever it takes you hear, Malfoy."
With those foreboding words, Zabini left him standing alone, in sheer astonishment and dread. Unfortunately for Draco, things were about to a lot worse, as two others had been eavesdropping on their entire conversation. Although he didn't know it then, he was in for a rough night.
